espn.com Ali Contest
It seemed like a good idea at the time -- get Iron Mike to co-host a week of "Jimmy Kimmel Live." But first Page 2's Bill Simmons had to come to New York to film the ex-champ indulging his life-long passion for ... pigeons. (No kidding.) The Tyson he discovered there may surprise you. He certainly surprised the Sports Guy.
FLYING HIGH WITH IRON MIKE




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Before Kirby Puckett's recent trial, Sports Illustrated ran a devastatingly negative cover story on the once beloved Twin. Then he was acquitted of all charges. Page 2's Ralph Wiley considers the unfairness of it all, and the problems that occur when all of us -- fans, sportswriters, the athletes themselves -- confuse the the star we think we know with the actual guy.

NHL Hot and Not Goodbye, Mr. Crumbs
OK, let's be honest for once: Hockey is not exactly the favorite sport of Page 2. However, with the Stanley Cup playoffs about to start, we figured we'd better get on the stick. So we asked Page 2's Jim Wilkie, the only Canadian we know well, to help us look "NHL hip." Here's what he came up with.
 Bulls' GM Jerry Krause was noted for engineering six NBA titles and raising paranoia to an art form. So what was surprising when he quit Monday was how many old "friends" and "business associates" immediately reached out to the man MJ called "Crumbs." Page 2 has obtained the e-mails.

THE DAILY QUICKIE
And you thought Carmelo Anthony was impressive in his title game? UConn's Diana Taurasi led the Huskies to a second straight championship and was so dominant the Daily Quickie suggests she should challenge the WNBA's "no underclassmen" rule and go pro. Speaking of going pro, what did LeBron say about Carmelo?


After Monday's national championship, the Syracuse Orangemen can call themselves the best -- for this year anyway. In honor of the end of the 2003 NCAA tournament, Page 2 looks back on the 10 greatest college basketball teams in history. Check out our list and vote for the top college cagers of all time.
10]  1960 Ohio State Buckeyes (25-3)
Led by sophomore Jerry Lucas and fellow starter John Havlicek, the Buckeyes rolled through the tournament, winning every game by at least 15 points.
9]  1957 North Carolina Tar Heels (32-0)
After taking out Michigan St. in triple-overtime, the Tar Heels capped their undefeated season by containing Kansas' Wilt Chamberlain in the final, also in triple-overtime, 54-53.
8]  1956 San Francisco Dons (29-0)
Even without K.C. Jones, the Dons won their second consecutive tiler and extended their unbeaten streak to 55 games -- thanks to a center named Bill Russell.
  • GET THE FULL LIST


VEGAS' ODDS TO WIN 2004 SUPER BOWL
Eagles 5-1   Raiders 10-1
Rams 6-1   Dolphins 10-1
Buccaneers 7-1   Packers 15-1
Steelers 7-1   49ers 15-1
Patriots 10-1   Giants 15-1
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.


ROAD TRIP!
Win or lose, the biggest thing Page 2's Jim Caple learned on his Final Four tour is that we're all in Bracketville together.

SHINING MOMENTS
While Syracuse will remember the final in vivid detail, Page 2's Eric Neel offers a few captured memories for the rest of us.

BASKETBALL DIARY
Ossie Schectman scored the first basket in NBA history in 1946, but he watches -- and loves -- today's NBA.

TAR HELL
You want happy coaches, boosters and student bodies? It's all up to 18-, 19- and 20-years-old "inmates" writes Page 2's Ralph Wiley.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's St. Louis Blues defenseman Chris Pronger, left, and Dawson's Creek star James Van Der Beek. Page 2 has received 19 requests for this match. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.


NCAA hockey: Michigan vs. Minnesota
6 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Fresh out of the freezer, it's the Frozen Four.
 
Ducks at Red Wings
7 p.m. ET, ESPN
Cinderella plays dirty in NHL playoffs.
 
Kings at Lakers
9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Shaq isn't Bibby's biggest fan.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Tue., April 9: Bracketville, U.S.A.
• Mon., April 7: The Crying Game
• Fri., April 4: Four-sight
• Thurs, April 3: Rock, chalk

Other featured content:
• Page 2's 2003 Wacky Bracket
• What the Heck Are They Thinking?
• 10 Burning Questions for Chris Rock
• Page 2's Ultimate Scorecard
Wednesay, April 9, 2003
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