espn.com Ali Contest
We're drunk on the NCAA Tournament right now. But when you're drunk, even Anna Nicole Smith makes sense. So, is the Big Dance really the best three weeks in sports or is our mind clouded by Butler and buzzer-beaters? Page 2's Eric Neel rates the NCAAs against the NBA, NHL, NFL and MLB playoffs to find sports' best joyride.
NEEL: BEST POSTEASON | YOUR VOTE




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The Timberwolves have never won a playoff series in their history. The Sixers endured an awful stretch earlier this season in which they lost nine of 10 games. Yet with the playoffs less than a month away, Minnesota and Philly are two of the NBA's hottest teams. Page 2's Charley Rosen explains why both teams are sizzling -- and if they'll still be hot when summer rolls around.

The Daily Quickie The Wacky Bracket
Everybody loves LeBron James. Why then was the high-flying prep phenom getting booed Monday night at a slam dunk contest? The Daily Quickie gets to the bottom of this incredible turn of events. The DQ also has the lowdown on the Miss USA pageant, NCAA graduation rates and the men's and women's tournies.
 Fresh off her rout of Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry advances to face pop princess Britney Spears. After nearly needing overtime to edge Liz Hurley, Anna Kournikova takes on the jilted lover duo of Pavel and Sergei. Yes, Page 2's Wacky Bracket is down to the final 16 matchups, and things are getting interesting.

THE SPORTS GUY'S OSCAR DIARY
Salma Hayek is one of the most beautiful women in the world. Yet, as he was watching the Oscars, The Sports Guy concluded that it would really stink to be Ed Norton. And amazingly, Page 2's Brian Murphy agrees with him. Check out their opinions -- and know that they don't necessarily reflect those of Page 2 management.


With U.S. troops at war in Iraq, the question was raised whether or not sports should continue on. They did, of course, but this isn't the first time issues of war and sports crossed paths. We've listed the the 10 most significant moments sports and war have intersected.
10]  Uninterrupted soccer resumes in Kabul (2002)
Free from the threat of interruption by the fundamentalist militia carrying out a public execution, groups of Kabul men take to the street to play soccer.
9]  The Gulf War and Super Bowl XXV (1991)
The first Gulf War, had already begun in the skies over the Middle East as Super Bowl XXV approached. Some debated whether the game should be played, but the decision was made that the Bills-Giants contest would go on, providing a valuable respite for those troops, who watched and listened.
8]  MLB changes schedule during WWII (1942)
Commissioner Landis took FDR's suggestion to not only keep baseball running, but altered the schedule to allow employees of all work shifts to attend games. Players got part of their pay in war bonds, and all kinds of patriotic, war-oriented activities regularly accompanied games
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
DAY FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Thursday Arizona 8 Notre Dame 158
Thursday Kansas 3 Duke 155
Thursday Kentucky 12 Wisconsin 129
Thursday Pitt 5 Marquette 136½
Friday Oklahoma 7 Butler 120
Friday Syracuse 5½ Auburn 138½
Friday Texas 2½ UConn 152
Friday Maryland 3½ Michigan State 133
All Times ET -- Bold indicates home team
Complete Line


 
Got a comment about something you've seen on Page 2? Here's your chance to sound off to the editors and columnists. Plus, if you'd like to send an e-mail to The Sports Guy, here's your direct link to Bill Simmons.


UNIT OF MEASURE
Every athlete is lying when he says it's not about the money, writes Jim Armstrong. Well, everyone except Randy Johnson.

THE SPORTS GUY
With the playoffs a few weeks away, Bill Simmons is back to handicap who will represent the Eastern Conference this June.

A RELATIONSHIP WITH BASEBALL
Baseball is not a relationship to be entered into lightly. Get prepared for the long haul with a dozen tips for the committed baseball fan.

HEY, RUBE
You know the Good Doctor likes Kentucky, but who else is in his Final Four. Check out Hunter's full bracket for the 2003 NCAA tourney.

ALL-NAME
Lots of players will make names for themselves in the NCAA tourney, but Page 2's Dan Shanoff has a list of those who already have the best names,

LET'S TALK HOOPS
College kids are all abuzz over the NCAA Tournament. Page 2 snuck into one chat room to see what they're talking about.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


The UCLA women aren't dancing, but they might be singing considering how much guard Ortal Oren, left, looks like Grammy star Norah Jones. This match was requested by Tre Parker in Rialto, Calif. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.


Women's NCAA Tournament
5 p.m. ET, ESPN2
South Carolina at Penn St
 
Women's NCAA Tournament
7 p.m. ET, ESPN and ESPN2
'Nova vs. GW; Texas vs. Arkansas; Utah at Duke
 
Women's NCAA Tournament
9 p.m. ET, ESPN and ESPN2
TCU at UConn; Ohio St at La Tech; ND at K-State; UCSB at Texas Tech
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Mon., March 24: Oscar Diary
• Fri., March 21: Feelin' Van Horny
• Thurs., March 20: Ballin4ever!
• Wed., March 19: Reality Check

Other featured content:
• Page 2's Ultimate Scorecard
• 10 Hardest Things To Do In Sports
• Do's and Don'ts for Your Brackets
• Get Iverson onto Team USA
• 10 Burning Questions with Jennie Finch
Tuesday, March 25, 2003
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