November 19, 2007 Table Of Contents
SI Players: LIFE ON AND OFF THE FIELD
A new photo book explores bullfighting's brutal beauty
Hockey inducts its top Hall of Fame class, and SI picks the best of the rest
By Tom Verducci
Eric Lindros: Worthy of the Hall?
Baseball G.M.'s are set for a tradefest; here's why
By Tom Verducci
Maybe Notre Dame and Charlie Weis isn't a match made in heaven
Shalrie Joseph ... Soccer Revolutionary
As told to Elizabeth Newman
Boxing's champion Norman Mailer never stood in a neutral corner
Saints DE Charles Grant makes a N'awlins meal
An infectious new arena anthem has some raunchy lyrics
By Adam Duerson
What to watch and watch for
By Sarah Kwak
SI Fantasy Plus
Stellar seasons that, for one reason or another, haven't gotten their due
WE LIKE THE MATCHUP
By David Sabino
WE DON'T LIKE THE MATCHUP
By David Sabino
PRO FOOTBALL
Behind their go-for-broke quarterback and two high-profile reclamation projects, the Cowboys overpowered the Giants to gain separation in the NFC East. Looming ahead: a showdown with the Packers for conference supremacy
By Damon Hack
While the Patriots chase perfection, the last perfect team watches its legacy turn to ashes
By Lee Jenkins
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Illinois's upset of No. 1 Ohio State shook up an already tumultuous race for the national championship. With three weeks left, here's who is in the best shape to play for the title
PRO BASKETBALL
His arrival would create a new set of problems. But if the Bulls don't start winning soon, they may have no choice but to make a deal for Kobe Bryant
College Basketball Preview
Two freshmen, old pals, have arrived in L.A. to turn a classic football rivalry into a crosstown hoops war. It's USC vs. UCLA. It's O.J. Mayo vs. Kevin Love
By Grant Wahl
Everyone knows about Duke--North Carolina. But college hoops feuds can't get much more contentious than these burgeoning battles, fueled by poaching coaches, blue-chip recruits, buzzer-beaters and simple bad blood
By Luke Winn
During a stunning run to the finals and its painful aftermath, Rutgers forward Essence Carson became the voice of her embattled team
Seasoned UConn will end its Final Four "drought" and reign again in April
A fast-break run through the top players, the compelling stories and the underdogs to watch this season
By Seth Davis
COLLEGE BASKETBALL PREVIEW
The Tar Heels' merriest prankster is highly serious about getting them to the Final Four
By Luke Winn
Adding a frosh prince, this battle-tested Bruins team finally may finally find its way to a title
By Grant Wahl
After a year at Iowa, the return of this native son has the Volunteers thinking San Antonio
By Grant Wahl
4 Memphis
The Tigers are experienced, deep and talented. Their coach wonders whether that'll be enough
By Julia Morrill
Big men are a Hoyas tradition, but a versatile guard could be the key to a Final Four return
By Ted Keith
6 Kansas
The do-everything sophomore is gone. Enter another sophomore forward who can do it all
By Ted Keith
The Cardinals get serious about winning a title, but they still have work to do on defense
By Julia Morrill
A hardened senior and a precocious freshman are ready to lead the Hoosiers deep into March
By Seth Davis
Deep and seasoned, the Cougars are out to prove that a record-setting season was no fluke
After their martial arts training, the undersized Golden Eagles figure they can fight to the end
By Sarah Kwak
Led by a surprising scoring threat, the deep Spartans will try to run opponents off the court
By Seth Davis
There's no established go-to guy, but there is a freshman forward who's happy to fill the role
By Luke Winn
Used to winning ugly, the Aggies have a new coach, a new star and a new plan in motion
By Luke Winn
Last year's Pac-10 surprise will stage another three-for-all, while applying a bit more muscle
All eyes are on a prized recruit, but the Trojans really need their Taj to be monumental
By Grant Wahl
16 Gonzaga
Getting past the Bulldogs will be a tall order, but it's the little guy who is key to the season
Schooled by pros, the sophomore playmaker is poised to become the next Longhorns legend
By Luke Winn
A lockdown defense and a well-rounded star will again have the Salukis in the hunt in March
By Ted Keith
19 Xavier
Just like they Drew it up, a mature band of Muskies are panting for a deep March run
20 Kentucky
The new boss is great at whipping up instant winners, but he could use a big man (or three)
By Seth Davis
Despite enough at-large, mid-major bids to make Billy Packer groan, the Big East and Pac-10 will rule on Selection Sunday
By Bill Trocchi
Inside
By Mark Beech
By Jim Trotter
By Peter King
Pierre McGuire's In the Crease
Life of Reilly
By Rick Reilly