January 23, 2012 Table Of Contents
LEADING OFF
EDITOR'S LETTER
Inside: THE WEEK IN SPORTS
Missouri's four-guard lineup might be the shortest in the Big 12, but it's wreaking havoc in the conference by
By Dan Greene
By Seth Davis
PIERRE McGUIRE'S IN THE CREASE
The remade Panthers are still getting to know each other, but that hasn't slowed their rise into the ranks of playoff contenders
The Mavericks allowed free agents to depart with an eye toward reshaping their roster to give their franchise player another title run. Whom might they pursue?
By Chris Mannix
The trials in Houston produced the U.S.'s deepest team in decades—and one that will be ready for anything at the Games
As the U.S. women look to London, Lauren Cheney takes on the playmaker's role
By Grant Wahl
BOXING
Five decades after his first mention in SI, the man with a total of 38 cover appearances still inspires us, especially remembering the long road he traveled from denounced rebel to beloved icon
NFL PLAYOFFS
Beleaguered, battered and booed for much of his career, the former No. 1 pick did the unthinkable, outdueling Drew Brees in a postseason epic to lead San Francisco to within one game of the Super Bowl
By Jim Trotter
Quarterback Eli Manning has put to rest all questions of his leadership and clutch ability, outgunning the Packers' Aaron Rodgers to lead the Giants to their second NFC title game appearance in five seasons
By Damon Hack
Bill Belichick's most brilliant innovation yet: turning the tag team of Rob Gronkowksi and Aaron Hernandez into his most dangerous—and versatile—weapon
By Peter King
The Ravens' D is the team's heart and soul. But this might be the last, best shot at a Super Bowl for a unit that is aging—and maybe slipping
By Ben Reiter
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
A hoops prodigy who had her choice of powerhouse programs, Elena Delle Donne once quit the sport. Now she's the nation's top scorer at upstart Delaware—and couldn't be happier
PRO HOCKEY
Nashville's Pekka Rinne may be great. But with goalies, nobody knows anything
RICKY RUBIO
For two years Ricky Rubio was an NBA draft pick stewing in his native Spain. Now he is spreading joy in Minnesota with his artful passes and spirited play
By Lee Jenkins
POINT AFTER
By Phil Taylor
Departments
What if a little of the money in college sports went back to the community?
After MJ's high school coach lands in jail, one wonders: Where will this tale end?
By Thomas Lake
A documentary series opens up the taut world of boxing trainer Freddie Roach
By Bryan Armen Graham
In fixing postseason play, remember: Timing is everything
Edited by Alexandra Fenwick
A new company has found philanthropy in sports gambling
By Dan Greene
By Dan Patrick