espn.com Ali Contest
Magic vs. Bird. MJ. Jimmy V.'s miracle. 'Nova's perfect game. C-Webb's timeout. Over the past quarter-century, the Final Four has delivered many indelible images. But how often does the Final Four really deliver ... and how often does it simply stink? Eric Neel grades them all since 1979 -- including last year's snoozefest.
NEEL: REPORT CARD | DAILY QUICKIE




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At first, we listened to Martha Burk and pondered where we stood on the whole "women at Augusta" issue. Then, we got tired of it all, and Burk began to turn into a caricature. Now, Page 2's Chris McKendry says, Burk has gone so far that it's sickening. When the NCWO chair equated the controversy to women serving in the military overseas, she crossed the lines of decency.

Campus Tour The Wacky Bracket
They've had more than 150 inches of snow this winter in Syracuse, N.Y., including a couple Tuesday. Still, Page 2's Jim Caple found it to be an extremely warm place. Maybe it's the glow of the Orange's Final Four run and the students camping out for tickets ... or maybe it's all that pizza he ate at the student hangout.
 We didn't get Kentucky-Arizona, but we did get a mega-matchup in the Final Four of Page 2's Wacky Bracket. Pop princess Britney Spears squares off against Miss Page 2, Jennie Finch, in one semifinal, while Mike Tyson is eyeing Christina Aguilera's ears in the other matchup. Your vote will decide who makes Friday's final.

WHAT THE HECK ARE THEY THINKING?
You never want to tug on Superman's cape ... or tick off the Shaq Daddy. As Page 2 asks "What the Heck Are They Thinking," we can only imagine how much the Diesel was fuming after the "Ballgate" incident in Sacramento. We also go inside the heads of Madonna, Tiger, Lisa Marie and Monica Lewinsky.


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
Sunday Tennessee 4 Duke NL
Sunday UConn 6 Texas 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.


BASKETBALL DIARY
If overall character defines who will be NBA champion, then get ready to crown the Spurs, writes Page 2's Charley Rosen.

HEY, RUBE
How did the Good Doctor survive Kentucky's untimely demise? With the love of a good woman, of course.

ANTHEM UPDATE
Baseball has changed a lot since 1908, so Gino Bona enlisted Snoop Dogg to make "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" current.

THE WATER COOLER
Mixed emotions in The Cooler: Hatred for Scott Spiezio, love for Al McGuire and golf caddies, and a wish to be Carmelo.

THE HOT LIST
Spring is in the air and that means baseball. Page 2's Dan Shanoff tell us what's hot and what's not for the national pasttime.

THE SPORTS GUY
Live from Hollywood, it's the 75th Academy Awards ... and Bill Simmons' award-winning running diary from Oscar Night.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


Like Bob Knight, we recognize the NIT, too: It's Georgetown coach Craig Esherick, left, and actor Dabney Coleman. Page 2 has received 55 requests for this match. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo for Page 2.


Cubs at Mets
7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Mets fans still booing Tom Glavine.
 
Kings at Wizards
8 p.m. ET, ESPN
MJ battles for his playoff life.
 
Mariners at A's
10 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Moyer and Zito in a battle of the ages.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Tues., April 1: The Big A
• Mon., March 31: To-ga! To-ga!
• Fri., March 28: Rock Solid
• Thurs., March 27: Iron Chef

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
Wednesday, April 2, 2003
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