Lineup

COLLEGE BASKETBALL PREVIEW

68 Big Is Back
After a decade in which the game grew more guard-oriented, new priorities and rules have revived low-post play
by Grant Wahl

76 Big Things
Is this year's freshman class the best ever? These seven newcomers with diverse talents make a convincing case

84 Big Shots
Maryland guard Kristi Toliver's fearless fadeaway in last April's title game turned women's hoops upside down
by Kelli Anderson

90 5 Minute Guide
A tip sheet to the best storylines, the likeliest stars and the top new faces to watch
by Seth Davis

92 Scouting Reports
A look at the preseason Sweet Sixteen, including projected lineups, stats and schedules

112 Filling the Brackets
Will your team be one of the 65 to earn a berth in the NCAA tournament field?
by Luke Winn

STARTING FIVE For the college hoops preview SI has printed five regional covers, each showing a big man and his sidekick.

FEATURES

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

52 Masked Man
Michigan coach Lloyd Carr is private, loyal and...funny?
by Austin Murphy

HOCKEY

58 Coyote Ugly
Is Phoenix coach Wayne Gretzky too nice for the job?
by Michael Farber

PRO FOOTBALL

60 No Love
Donovan McNabb's toughest opponent: Philadelphia fans
by Nunyo Demasio

SELF-PORTRAIT

66 Quick Snap
Vikings center Matt Birk gets reflective: "I'm just a big, fat guy with red hair."

Departments

12 Leading Off

22 Letters

27 Air and Space
The fraternal connection between No. 1 and No. 2
by Steve Rushin

28 Scorecard

The Rutgers resurgence—er, surgence

How jocks fared on Election Day

39 Faces in the Crowd

41 Players

128 Life of Reilly
Breaking through the fourth dimension of greed
by Rick Reilly

Inside...

118 The NBA
The Jazz's harmonious frontcourt

120 The NFL
Which is the least likely 5--4 team?

123 College Football
Hawaii: Run-and-shoot, and win

124 Boxing
The people's heavyweight prevails

125 Soccer
Houston takes its first MLS Cup

126 Motor Sports
Jimmie Johnson's last detail

Cover
PHOTOGRAPHS BY SIMON BRUTY (GEORGETOWN); BILL FRAKES (NORTH CAROLINA); MICHAEL J. LEBRECHT II/1DEUCE3 PHOTOGRAPHY (KANSAS, WISCONSIN); JOE MCNALLY (WASHINGTON)

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> > COLLEGE FOOTBALL
The Big Ten's big game has never been bigger than it will be on Saturday, when No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Michigan meet in Columbus with a berth in the BCS title game at stake. At SI.com/collegefootball you can get a breakdown of all the matchups, a gallery of great OSU-Michigan moments, and five reasons why Michigan will win as well as five why wideout Tedd Ginn Jr. (top) and the Buckeyes will prevail.

> > NBA
SI senior writer Jack McCallum (left) spent the 2005--06 season following the Suns, including a preseason stint in which he spent 12-hour days as an pseduo-assistant coach. In this week's Bonus, SI.com will run an excerpt from McCallum's book,: 07 Seconds or Less, in which he explores the fragile psyche of forward Shawn Marion.

> > NFL
In 2005 the Colts didn't lose until their 15th game of the season. Heading into Texas Stadium this week, they're the first team to have back-to-back 9--0 starts. Can quarterback Peyton Manning (right) and Indianapolis keep the magic going against the Cowboys? Read what Peter King, Dr. Z and Don Banks have to say about the showdown at SI.com/nfl. Also check out the latest She Says, Z Says video segment.

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PHOTO

JOE MCNALLY

WINGIN' IT Tar Heels freshman sensation Brandan Wright.

PHOTO

JIM ROGASH/WIREIMAGE.COM (JETS)

120 PICK-ME-UP Jets safety Erik Colmen (26) celebrated an interception with Kerry Rhodes during a 17--14 road win over the Patriots on Sunday.

TWO PHOTOS

PETER READ MILLER (GINN, MANNING)

PHOTO

JOHN W. MCDONOUGH (MCCALLUM)

FIVE PHOTOS