April 5, 2010 Table Of Contents
LEADING OFF
Inside: THE WEEK IN SPORTS
Led by Sacramento's Tyreke Evans, talented rookies are reinvigorating the playmaking corps
By Chris Mannix
United by painful losses on the ice and off, Miami (Ohio) is soaring toward the school's first NCAA title
With the hot seat getting hotter, coaches at Georgia, Michigan and Texas A&M work to tighten their defenses
NASCAR's switch from the wing back to the spoiler should please fans—and could shake up the standings
NCAA
No team among the Final Four has proved to be a dominant power, but one of them will find greatness in an NCAA tournament that has reflected the college game's new era
By Tim Layden
Michigan State has a method to its annual March Madness success—a second "team" that feeds the Monster, the huge database used to prep for opponents
BASEBALL PREVIEW
Why is baseball's best pitcher also the hardest worker in the game? Because his dad taught him that's how things are done. Because Roy Halladay knows what it's like to fail—and doesn't like the feeling one bit. And because, after 12 seasons, he's finally pitching for a contender.
By Tom Verducci
The numbers don't lie: Here's a metric that shows which players deliver the most bang for the buck
Hitters who work the count and get on—guys like Denard Span—are more valuable than ever. Is it a gift, or can players develop base instincts?
By Tom Verducci
Team execs have worked nonstop to gain an edge, but the Yanks, Red Sox and Rays still have to decide baseball's toughest division on the field. After them, it's all downhill
By Joe Lemire
By Joe Lemire
By Joe Lemire
By Joe Lemire
By Joe Lemire
By Joe Lemire
There's something not to love about every team in the division. But even the loss of Joe Nathan won't keep the pitching-thin Twins from closing the deal again
All three division rivals brought in reinforcements in a bid to overthrow the Angels, who were hurt by free agency. L.A. won't give up its title without a fight
By Ben Reiter
By Ben Reiter
By Ben Reiter
By Ben Reiter
By Ben Reiter
The seasoned Phillies will prevail again in a division marked by an influx of future All-Stars. For the maturing Braves and Marlins, time is on their side
By Albert Chen
By Albert Chen
By Albert Chen
By Albert Chen
By Albert Chen
By Albert Chen
With the best four-player core in the majors, the Cardinals are poised to roost once more atop a depleted division
By Albert Chen
By Albert Chen
By Albert Chen
By Albert Chen
By Albert Chen
By Albert Chen
By Albert Chen
There are two-term limits atop this division, so it's bye-bye Dodgers and hello ... Rockies? Indeed, with a well-rounded roster, they are in line for their first West title
Point After
Departments
With a labor war looming, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell artfully showed who's boss of all the bosses
By Peter King
Talent maestro Chet Simmons helped invent and reinvent TV sports
By Tim Layden
After revamping his mechanics, Tim Tebow is suddenly a hot draft prospect
By Peter King
By showcasing itself in Newark, the UFC hopes to build a bridge to the Big Time
By Dan Patrick
Edited by Elizabeth McGarr