espn.com Ali Contest
Page 2's Brian Murphy is wired! Opening Day and the NCAA Final, simultaneously! Don't tell anybody, but The Murph is planning on calling in sick, opening an occasional brewski, catching a day game or two, then settling in to root for Indiana and Maryland! His advice: Do the same thing! It's the perfect way to celebrate Cooler Day!
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Page 2's Bill Simmons lives and dies with Boston's confounding Red Sox. And, after last year, he's looking for better things in 2002. How much better? Well, let's just say The Sports Guy is fond of Rickey, loves No-Mahhh, still hates Derek Lowe and is worried about the 'pen. Which adds up to ... hey, read the column.

Sportoon Critical Mass
It's no coincidence Opening Day falls on April Fools' Day. From whoopee cushions to joy buzzers to daredevils and baseball's usual locker room high jinks, Page 2 cartoonist Kurt Snibbe presents some of the pranks you can expect today.
 There's nothing like Opening Day to set a fan to fantasizing about a perfect baseball season. Page 2's Eric Neel reveals his list of summer dreams -- which include a serene Rick Ankiel, a healthy Pedro Martinez and a Big Wheel for Jeff Kent.

MAKIN' IT BETTER
Teams from both styles of football have introduced new looks lately, and Page 2 wants to find out what you think. Check out the new uniforms of the Seattle Seahawks, Michigan State Spartans and U.S. National Soccer Team to see who's dressed for success.


The NCAA Tournament always gets people talking about "choking," so Page 2 compiled our list of the worst choke artists of all-time. Now we've compiled your top 10 along with a poll to pick the top choker ever:
10]  Jean Van de Velde
"Clearly a case where the stage was bigger than the man."
9]  Greg Norman
"If I had to pick one guy who I would not pick to golf a round when my life depended on it, it would be Norman."
8]   Atlanta Braves
"Usually, October means choking on Halloween candy, not choking on the ballfield."
7]   Scott Norwood
"His wide right will live forever as the biggest miss in Super Bowl history."
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NCAA men FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
6:15 p.m. Monday Maryland 8 Indiana 150
All Times ET -- Bold indicates home team
Complete Line


 
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SCHOOLIN' YA
Road Dog has Ralph Wiley's back, explaining why the NBA is The Bomb and your NCAA student-athletes are merely bombing.

BUD'S FOR YOU
Commissioner Bud Selig shows how hip he is by talking with the kids, via the twisted mind of Jim Caple, in a live chat.

THE SPORTS GUY
Page 2's Bill Simmons lists all the reasons why he and major league baseball have officially jumped the shark.

HEY, RUBE
The Good Doctor is quite disillusioned with the quality of play -- putrid, he says -- in this year's NCAA Tournament.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


Like Jim Carrey's Lloyd Christmas, trying to hook up with Lauren Holly's Mary Swanson in "Dumb and Dumber," there's always a chance that Tom Coverdale, left, and Indiana can win the NCAA title. Twenty-seven readers suggested this match. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.

Phillies at Braves
1 p.m. ET, ESPN (regional)
Or you might get Blue Jays at Red Sox.
 
Flyers at Sabres
7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Philly would love to bury longtime playoff rival Buffalo.
 
Men's hoops: Indiana vs. Maryland
9 p.m. ET, CBS
You had this in your NCAA Tournament bracket all along, right?
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Fri., March 29: Know your role
• Thurs., March 28: Praising amateurs
• Wed., March 27: Celluloid Cellulite
• Tues., March 26: Billy Awards
• Mon., March 25: NBA rules

Other featured content:
• 10 Burning Questions with Dennis Quaid
• 10 Burning Questions with Jim Morris
• Johnson cartoon: Opening Day questions
• 10 Burning Questions with Jayhawks
• What the Heck Are They Thinking?
• Closer Look: "Hoosiers" reel life
Monday, April 1, 2002
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