Skip to main content

February 20, 2012 Table Of Contents

1009526 - TOC Cover Image

Buy the Cover

Browse the Magazine

LEADING OFF

LEADING OFF

GOLF PLUS

FULPHILLING

The nascent PGA Tour season was jolted alive at Pebble Beach, where a resurgent Phil Mickelson took down archrival Tiger Woods with a final round that neither will soon forget

By Alan Shipnuck

Teeing Off

SAVED BY THE GAME

My life fell apart after I was wounded in Iraq, but thanks to Birdies for the Brave, I have a future again

By David HillARY

CHANGE AGENT

By Brandel Chamblee

THE MAIL

THE MAIL

Inside: THE WEEK IN SPORTS

TRAINING MANUAL

It's that time: Spring camps open this week. Here's what you need to know

By Tom Verducci

HE MAKES A GREAT POINT

Senior Scott Machado's transformation from so-so scorer to top-flight passer has put him on the NBA's radar—and put Iona on track for an NCAA tournament berth

By Chris Mannix

DECISION TIME

The games are done, and now the dealing begins as teams face major personnel choices over the next few weeks

By Jim Trotter

ROGER, OVER AND OUT

The U.S. Davis Cup squad crushed Team Federer—in Switzerland, on clay

By L. Jon Wertheim

MIDTERM GRADES

How four of the more enigmatic picks from the 2011 draft are faring

By Chris Mannix

TARGETING GOLD

The seven gold medals for the U.S. at last week's World Archery Indoor Championships in Las Vegas bode well for London, where world No. 1 Brady Ellison, 23, aims to end a 16-year U.S. gold medal drought in the sport. These are some other U.S. losing streaks that could end this summer.

By Brian Cazeneuve

PHIL VS. TIGER

THE MEANING OF PEBBLE BEACH

Tiger Woods is relaxed, more engaging and has put his personal problems behind him, but Phil Mickelson's romp in a head-to-head showdown raised more questions about the new Tiger as he chases Jack Nicklaus's coveted 18

By Michael Bamberger

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

THE BEST DAMN BALL IN THE LAND

Teamwork, toughness and tumultuous crowds have combined to make the Big Ten the nation's best conference and primed its top two teams—Michigan State and Ohio State—for tournament time

By Kelli Anderson

A KENTUCKY DERBY

There are still three-plus weeks remaining until Selection Sunday, but many of the races for postseason awards have become clear and they have a distinctive, Wildcat-blue hue

By Seth Davis

COUNTDOWN TO MADNESS

VARIETY SHOW

Riding a new hero almost every night, Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim has turned what might have been a team ripped by turmoil into another title contender

By Michael Rosenberg

PRO BASKETBALL

FROM COUCH TO CLUTCH

After being cut twice, Jeremy Lin emerged from the end of the Knicks' bench to inspire victories, debunk stereotypes and dazzle the NBA—while living on his brother's sofa

By Pablo S. Torre

PRO HOCKEY

The Little Ball of Hate

Feisty, ferocious and very denim-collar, Brad Marchand of the Bruins is making enemies fast, but there's a payoff in that for the NHL's best team

By Michael Farber

WES LEONARD

THE LEGACY OF WES LEONARD

You may have heard about the Michigan high schooler who made a game-winning basket and then died. Here's the rest of the story: a violent car crash, a bone-shaking tackle, a near-perfect season, a reluctant substitute and a search for the will to carry on

By Thomas Lake

POINT AFTER

PLIGHT OF THE HUMBLEBEES

By ROY BLOUNT JR.

Departments

DON'T HATE THE PLAYER

Ten years after his iconic SI cover, LeBron James is still chosen ... for vitriol

By Steve Rushin

HOT | NOT

FOR THE RECORD

On the Right Track

A change in venue and some fresh ideas gave the venerable Millrose Games a welcome kick

Edited by Richard O'Brien

Pitching His Own Game

Curt Schilling is playing a new role as fantasy creator

By Dan Greene

Memphis, Gristly

An Oscar-nominated high school football doc sheds light on the inner-city game

By Rebecca Shore

FACES IN THE CROWD

Edited by Alexandra Fenwick

JUST MY TYPE

By Dan Patrick