Original Issue

Leading Off

Author:
SI Staff

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PHOTOGRAPH BY BRUCE BENNETT GETTY IMAGES

Close Your Eyes and Spray Panthers forward Nick Bjugstad (27) delivered a glass-rattling shot to defenseman Travis Hamonic, who scored a first-period goal in the Islanders' 4--2 home victory on April 1. Upon reflection, the hit seemed symbolic: New York was officially knocked out of the playoff race two days later, marking the sixth time in seven years that the club has failed to reach the postseason.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHN BAZEMORE AP

Final Floor UConn guard Bria Hartley (in white) had her eyes on a return trip to the NCAA championship game during a Final Four matchup on Sunday in Nashville. After tripping up All-America forward Chiney Ogwumike and the Cardinal 75--56 behind Hartley's 13 points, five rebounds and four assists, the Huskies battled for their ninth title under coach Geno Auriemma. For more on the final against Notre Dame (which tipped off after SI went to press), visit SI.com/cbb.

THREE PHOTOS

WWE

Mat Finish You can question wrestling's place in sports, but you can't question the place of sports in wrestling. Brock Lesnar, an NCAA champion grappler at the University of Minnesota in 2000, stole the show at WWE's WrestleMania XXX on Sunday in New Orleans by breaking the Undertaker's 21-match win streak (below). Lesnar is just one in a long list of jocks who've played along. 1 Hulk Hogan and ref Muhammad Ali at WrestleMania I (1985) 2 Lawrence Taylor floors Bam Bam Bigelow ('95) 3 Pete Rose gets a lift from Kane ('98) 4 Mike Tyson flattens Shawn Michaels ('98) 5 Floyd Mayweather Jr. beats up the Big Show (2008)

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WINSLOW TOWNSON/AP (ROSE)

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JIM BOURG/REUTERS (TYSON)

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JONATHAN BACHMAN/AP/WWE (LESNAR)

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