espn.com Ali Contest
Ever since we sent the Sports Guy to the Super Bowl, Page 2's staff is not welcome in New Orleans. So, to cover the 2003 Final Four from outside the Big Easy, we're sending Jim Caple to the campuses of the four schools involved. His journey begins with a toga party and impromptu celebration at Marquette.
CAPLE: PARTY WITH MILWAUKEE'S BEST




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This is the one day of the year when you can utter the following statement and not be laughed at: "I like the Cubs to win the NL Central." Page 2 is bold enough to back Sammy and Co. as we offer our list of What's Hot and What's Not for the 2003 baseball season. Hey, we also like the Phils, Dodgers, A's and both Sox .. so quit your damn laughing.

The Water Cooler The Wacky Bracket
Hope springs eternal in baseball. Unfortunately, pain is apparently eternal, too. It has been five months since his Giants blew the World Series, and Page 2's Brian Murphy clearly has not recovered. Replays of Scott Spiezio's homer and that dreaded Rally Monkey threatened to push our man over the edge Sunday night.
We're down to the Elite Eight in Page 2's Wacky Bracket. Can 16th seed Christina Aguilera win the Joan Rivers Region? Is Eminem more shady than Iron Mike? Can Winona Ryder steal a win over Jennie Finch? And will it be Britney or the Bachelorette in the TV region? Your votes will decide who reaches Wednesday's Final Four.

THE DAILY QUICKIE
LeBron James will never play in the Final Four -- but will he make an immediate impact in the NBA? As the Daily Quickie rates the winners and whiners in the NCAA tourney, we also provide a prediction on King James ... straight from His Airness himself.


It's one of our favorite days of the year: Opening day of the baseball season. As we begin the 2003 campaign, Page 2 looks back on the 10 most memorable moments in Opening Day history. Check out our list and vote for the top lid-lifter of all-time.

10]  Karl Rhodes hits three home runs (1994)
Unknown Cubs outfielder Karl "Tuffy" Rhodes shocked the denizens of Wrigley Field by hitting three straight home runs off Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden.
9]  Reagan throws a wild pitch (1986)
Legend has it that Ronald Reagan was an excellent athlete. But you wouldn't have known it if you'd witnessed his ceremonial first pitch to Orioles catcher Rick Dempsey at Baltimore. Throwing from about 30 feet away, Reagan went into a full windup and uncorked a toss that flew way to the left of Dempsey and 10 feet over the catcher's head.
8]  Frank Robinson homers in first game as manager (1975)
In his debut as the first African-American manager in major-league history, Robinson hit the record eighth Opening Day homer of his career.
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
DAY FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Saturday Kansas 4½ Marquette 153
Saturday Texas 3 Syracuse 151
NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
DAY FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Saturday Tennessee 10 Villanova NL
Saturday Duke 7 Texas Tech NL
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.



IRON CHEF
In one way, we are Tiger Woods, writes Jim Caple. If our girlfriend looked like Elin Nordegren, we'd eat anything she put in front of us.

BIGGEST DANCE
The NCAA tourney is great, but is it sports' best postseason? Page 2's Eric Neel rates the best and worst in the tournament of tournaments.

AWESOME APRIL
Page 2's Jason Whitlock thinks women's basketball needs to forget about sharing March Madness and get their own time to shine.

THE SPORTS GUY
Live from Hollywood, it's the 75th Academy Awards ... and Bill Simmons' award-winning running diary from Oscar Night.

SECRET WEAPON
Heard about the Yankees' secret weapon? Page 2's Ralph Wiley has, and he's less of a secret than you might think.

BASKETBALL DIARY
The Sixers and Wolves are both sizzling, but is either squad go enough to reach the NBA Finals? Page 2's Charley Rosen sizes up these two darkhorses.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's Marquette star Dwyane Wade, left, and actor Rob Brown of "Finding Forrester" fame. Page 2 has received seven requests for this match. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo for Page 2.


Major League Baseball
1 p.m. ET, ESPN & ESPN2
Cubs vs. Mets and Expos vs. Braves
 
Major League Baseball
4 p.m. ET, ESPN & ESPN2
Pirates vs. Reds and Brewers vs. Cardinals
 
Women's NCAA Tournament
7:30 and 9 p.m. ET, ESPN
(1) Tennessee vs. (2) Villanova
(1) Duke vs. (2) Texas Tech
 
• Complete TV listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Fri., March 28: Rock Solid
• Thurs., March 27: Iron Chef
• Wed., March 26: Hot Shots
• Tues., March 25: Biggest Dance

Other featured content:
• 2003 All-Hair Team for NCAAs
• 10 Burning Questions for Chris Rock
• Page 2's Ultimate Scorecard
• 10 Hardest Things To Do In Sports
• Get Iverson onto Team USA
• 10 Burning Questions with Jennie Finch
Monday, March 31, 2003
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