February 20, 2012 Table Of Contents
LEADING OFF
GOLF PLUS
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
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
THE MAIL
Inside: THE WEEK IN SPORTS
It's that time: Spring camps open this week. Here's what you need to know
By Tom Verducci
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
The games are done, and now the dealing begins as teams face major personnel choices over the next few weeks
By Jim Trotter
The U.S. Davis Cup squad crushed Team Federer—in Switzerland, on clay
How four of the more enigmatic picks from the 2011 draft are faring
By Chris Mannix
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.
PHIL VS. TIGER
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
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
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
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
PRO BASKETBALL
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
PRO HOCKEY
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
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
By ROY BLOUNT JR.
Departments
Ten years after his iconic SI cover, LeBron James is still chosen ... for vitriol
By Steve Rushin
A change in venue and some fresh ideas gave the venerable Millrose Games a welcome kick
Edited by Richard O'Brien
Curt Schilling is playing a new role as fantasy creator
By Dan Greene
An Oscar-nominated high school football doc sheds light on the inner-city game
Edited by Alexandra Fenwick
By Dan Patrick