1. Border buddies
Illinois and Kansas were ranked 1-2 for the seventh straight week. If they spend any more time next to each other, Missouri’s going to start dating Wisconsin.
2. Countdown
Wow, 16 of Illinois’ 18 wins were by double digits. For the Iowa fans out there that means by “10 points or more.”
3. Lose yourself
So Illinois leads the Big Ten in shooting (50 percent) but ranks No. 10 in rebounding. Is this because they have fewer misses to rebound? Or do they lack something? And why so many questions? How about some answers? Is this thing on?
4. Nick the Knicks
Ben Gordon needs a nickname. I nominate Ben “I Can’t Believe How Awesome That Last-Second Shot Was Against the Hated Knicks” Gordon.
5. Deja vu this
“It hurts to lose this game,” the Knicks’ Jamal Crawford said. “We had them, and to lose at the end hurts.” Why does that sound so familiar?
6. Fight club
Since the Bulls are in the playoff hunt, let’s turn our attention to more crucial stuff: Mocking the Pacers.
7. Talk about irrelevant
Look, the NFL teams with the best AFC and NFC records play on. Let this be a lesson to the Bears fans that were doing playoff math up through week 15.
8. Take heart, big fella
You know, Peyton Manning, Dan Marino never won a Super Bowl either.
9. End the rumors
Got lots of e-mails so let me answer once and for all: I wore Vera Wang at Sunday’s Golden Globes.
FIVE TUNES
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A suggested five-song playlist for Peyton Manning’s iPod:
“Boulevard of Broken Dreams” Green Day
“Ice Ice Baby” Vanilla Ice
“My Heart Will Go On” Celine Dion
“Thanks for the Memory” Bob Hope
“Hakuna Matata ” Cast of “The Lion King”
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Edited by the sports staff of RedEye %%
