QUIPS FOR THIS WEEK

NBA

The Indiana Pacers are playing with something to prove. At 16-1, they currently have the best record in the league and are looking like a legitimate challenger to the champion Miami Heat. As for the rest of the eastern conference, no one else has a winning record on their resume.

It’s time for your weekly Mamba watch update. That’s right, LA’s very own Kobe Bryant is likely to play this Friday for the Lakers. This would mark the first time Kobe has played since an ruptured Achilles injury ended his season last spring. The star recently signed an $48.5 million two year extension just this past week.

Injuries continue to dominate this NBA season. Both JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Clippers and Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans fractured their hands this weekend. Hopefully, neither player will be out for more than a couple of months

NFL

It appears that Peyton Manning has done it again. The Denver Broncos big win over the Kansas City Chiefs assured them control in the AFC West. Peyton’s old team the Indianapolis Colts also had a key victory today over the Tennessee Titans, extending their lead in the AFC South.

The Carolina Panthers keep on winning. After today’s defeat over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they look forward to a key match-up against the New Orleans Saints next week. This time they’re playing for more than just a W, this victory will largely impact who wins the division and gets a first round bye.

Before the New Orleans Saints can get to week 14, they face the league’s top team, the Seattle Seahawks in a Monday Night Football showdown this week.

COLLEGE SPORTS

What a weekend of consequences for college football. The Iron Bowl featured a spectacular ending with Auburn’s Chris Davis returning a missed field goal by Alabama for a touchdown win with 1 second left. Ohio State beat Michigan in dramatic fashion after a failed 2 point conversion. And Duke beat UNC under the great coaching of coach of the year candidate David Cutcliffe.

The BCS Standings for college football were also considerably altered by this weekend results. Florida State is your new top ranked team, followed by Ohio State, Auburn and Alabama.

It may be football season but college basketball gave us a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Villanova upset Kansas, and would then go on to win the Battle 4 Atlantis. Arizona beat Duke for the NIT Preseason Tip-Off title. And Memphis defeated Oklahoma State in their second meeting this year for the Old Spice Classic title. This week we look forward to the Big Ten – ACC Challenge featuring key match-ups of Duke vs. Michigan and UNC vs. Michigan State.

STORIES FOR INSIGHTS, COOL FACTOR + DEBATE

The Kids are Keeping Him Young
Coach K succeeds through acknowledging his vulnerabilities
Coach K is showing the world his softer side, and the world is loving it

Teammates Embrace Ritual Together
Miami Heat players push each other to achieve in pre-game shooting practice
The only thing better than sticking with your prep routine is doing it with your friends

Breaking Down the Good Ol’ Boys Club
Seeking female applicants for coaching positions
If the question is not, Can women do it?, it must be, Why aren’t they doing it?