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HOT | NOT
HOT: MIAMI NICE
With their 26-point throttling of UNC, Shane Larkin and the Hurricanes became the first team since 1981, other than the Tar Heels or Duke, to start ACC play 10--0. Even better, the win earned a school-record No. 3 ranking—and a standing O from LeBron and D-Wade at courtside.
NOT: ARMS REDUCTIONS
Francisco Liriano's humerus-cracking fall turned a two-year $12.75 million Pirates deal into an incentive-filled one-year pact with $1 million guaranteed. And for Felix Hernandez (above): His $175 million Seattle extension is at risk after a physical showed elbow damage.
HOT: BUFFALO WINGER
Through three weeks Sabres forward Thomas Vanek is the NHL points leader with 23, four more than anyone else. Will Vanek, who's never finished higher than 15th, hold on for the Art Ross Trophy? "There's no way I can keep this pace up," he told the AP. "And I'm fine with that."
NOT: WAYWARD SONS
After ripping off 18 wins in a row, the Jayhawks have dropped three straight. Ugliest was the 62--55 loss at league newbie TCU (1--9 in the Big 12), which inspired Bill Self to label his squad "the worst team Kansas has ever put on the floor since Dr. [James] Naismith was there."
HOT: ROND-WHO?
Remember when the C's were supposedly torn asunder along with Rajon Rondo's ACL? With Paul Pierce (above) averaging 18.9 points, 10.1 boards and 7.3 assists, Boston has won an NBA-best seven straight. Plus, Rondo's tear is only partial, making a training camp return realistic.
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DAMIAN STROHMEYER (PIERCE)
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DENNY MEDLEY/USA TODAY SPORTS (SELF)
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ERIC CANHA/CAL SPORT MEDIA (VANEK)
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STEVEN BISIG/US PRESSWIRE (HERNANDEZ)
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EVAN PIKE/CAL SPORT MEDIA (LARKIN)
