THE MAIL

While Doug McDermott deserves praise for breaking the 3,000-point scoring mark, let's not forget that he did so with the advantage of having played more games than the NCAA alltime scorer, Pete Maravich (83), and with the three-point shot. Sure, McDermott passed Oscar Robertson for ninth on the list, but he still played in 56 more games than Robertson (88) to do so.

Stephen C. Grismer, Dayton, Ohio

Dougie Wowser

Luke Winn's article on McDermott (The McBucket List) overlooked an example of him being a stand-up guy off the court. Last summer Creighton senior guard Grant Gibbs was awarded a sixth year of eligibility. However, the Blue Jays had no remaining athletic scholarships to offer, which meant Gibbs would have to walk on and pay his own way. Instead, McDermott forfeited his own scholarship.

Kevin Shea, Burnsville, Minn.

McDermott and Glenn Robinson aren't the only players from a power conference to lead the country in scoring and play in the NCAA tournament. In 1952, Kansas was in the Big Seven Conference when it won the championship with the nation's leading scorer, Clyde Lovellette (28.6 ppg). He's the only player to lead the nation in scoring and win the NCAA title in the same year.

Jay Levine, Palm Desert, Calif.

Age Matters

Michael Carter-Williams's essay on raising the age limit in the NBA (SCORECARD) said it all. Players would be better prepared both mentally and physically if the age limit were raised to 20. The college game would also become more stable, and the NBA wouldn't have to babysit so many immature rookies.

Ralph S. Brax, Lancaster, Calif.

Growing Up

I enjoyed Chris Ballard's feature on DeAndre Jordan (Jordan Rules). It's always inspiring to see a player who has so much skill but lacks focus mature and develop into a great player.

Joshua Firstbrook, San Jose

Close Calls

Princeton was not the only 16th seed to nearly beat a No. 1 in the 1989 NCAA tournament (The Game That Saved March Madness). Overall No. 1 Oklahoma was down by as many as 17 points to East Tennessee State before Mookie Blaylock scored on a baseline drive to give the Sooners a 72--71 victory.

Bill Meade, Gray, Tenn.

Fish Finder

I loved Steve Rushin's story on the Bassmaster Classic (Up to Your Ass in Bass). However, there was one mistake. Lake Guntersville is about ninety minutes northeast of Birmingham, not south.

Dennis L. Hazi North Judson, Ind.

Surely it wasn't a coincidence that you mentioned McDermott's passing Larry Bird on the alltime scoring list on page 33.

Matt Miller Whitehouse Station, N.J.

CONTACT

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

Letters

E-mail SI at letters@SI.timeinc.com or fax SI at 212-467-2417. Letters should include the writer's full name, address and home telephone number and may be edited for clarity and space.

Customer Service and Subscriptions

For 24/7 service, go to SI.com/customerservice. Call 1-800-528-5000 or write to SI at P.O. Box 30602, Tampa, FL 33630-0602. To purchase reprints of SI covers, go to SIcovers.com.

Advertising

For ad rates, an editorial calendar or a media kit, e-mail SI at SIpubqueries@timeinc.com.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Can the Jets make the playoffs if Michael Vick is the starting quarterback?

JASON SMITH They will be lucky if he even plays eight games. He's too injury-prone.

MICHAEL PINE They need to replace a lot more than Mark Sanchez to make the playoffs, starting with the coaching staff.

RAKHEM SEKU No matter what people think of Vick, he's definitely a lot better than Sanchez.

MEGG KESTERSON Nope, but Geno Smith can and will get them there.

TWEET OF THE WEEK

Delaware basketball coach Monte' Ross on missing a call from Joe Biden: "It was a 202 number, so I just pressed ignore."

Politico (@Politico)

PHOTO

AL TIELEMANS/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (COVER)

FOR MARCH. 17, 2014

PHOTO

AL TIELEMANS/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (VICK)

PHOTO

FIVE ILLUSTRATIONS