HOT | NOT

HOT: OH, JOSE!

With wins in five of their last six, the Sharks have climbed to third in the Pacific. San Jose (17-11-6) may not know the way to the net (85 goals; 27th in the NHL), but thanks to Antti Neimi's .925 save percentage, fourth in the league, the Sharks had given up just 84 goals (fifth best in the NHL).

NOT: FLA = FILLETED

The Gators? Smoked on Sunday 79--59 by Michigan. The Hurricanes? Fried 71--61 at the hands of Marquette. And everyone's darling, Florida Gulf Coast? The ball ended early for the Eagles, grilled 62--50 by Florida last Friday in the Sweet 16.

HOT: JAZZ STANDARD

Utah (38--36) won four straight last week and is clinging to the West's eighth and final playoff spot. The potential savior? Seventh-year PG Randy Foye, who put up 26 points last Saturday against the Nets, with a career-high eight threes. "I can't even explain the feeling," he said.

NOT: SUNDER BLUNDER

The relegation-threatened Premier League side axed manager Martin O'Neill (above), with seven games left. His replacement: avowed Fascist Paolo di Canio, who has no top-flight experience and whose politics led one team board member to resign.

HOT: JACKIE CAN

Plenty of youngsters got more hype than the Red Sox' Jackie Bradley Jr. this spring, but most have since returned to the minors. Boston's LF launched himself into the ROY race with three walks, two runs and a nice running catch in an 8--2 win over the Yankees on Opening Day.

PHOTO

THEARON W. HENDERSON/GETTY IMAGES (NEIMI)

PHOTO

RONALD MARTINEZ/GETTY IMAGES (FGCU PLAYER)

PHOTO

NOAH GRAHAM/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES (FOYE)

PHOTO

CHRISTOPHER LEE/GETTY IMAGES (O'NEILL)

PHOTO

AL TIELMANS/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (BRADLEY JR.)