We’d like to start this morning by honoring Dean Smith, who was not only a legendary college basketball Coach at the University of North Carolina, but also a man who fought for equality and human rights for all. He will be remembered for his impact as both a great Coach and even more importantly as a great man. We send our thoughts to his family and may he rest in peace. Please watch this video tribute in his honor:

 

QUIPS FOR THIS WEEK

College Basketball

It’s prime season for college hoops and things are heating up. #1 Kentucky defeated a gritty Florida team on the road to remain undefeated at 23-0 Saturday night while #4 Duke collected an impressive 30 point revenge win against Notre Dame at home. #3 UVA beat #9 Louisville in a close match-up while #8 Kansas fell to Oklahoma State on Saturday.

In injury news, Justin Anderson of UVA fractured his finger and will be out of the lineup for at least 4-6 weeks. The ACC race is tight so this could definitely have an impact for one of the best teams in the country.

Let’s talk scheduling. This week, look out for:

• #1 Kentucky at LSU – Tuesday
• #Duke at Syracuse – Saturday

Also, make sure to watch undefeated #1 South Carolina take on #2 UConn in Storrs, Connecticut in one of the biggest women’s hoops games of the season on Monday night.

NBA

There’s quite a few things to talk about leading up to next weekend’s All-Star Game in New York City. First, Blake Griffin of the LA Clippers will miss the game with an elbow injury. Griffin will have surgery to treat a staph infection and hopes to make a quick recovery. Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers will replace him in the game.

Speaking of the LA Clippers, they lost pretty badly to the Oklahoma City Thunder on the road on Sunday. The Thunder are on the hunt for the 8th playoff spot in the West along with the New Orleans Pelicans (who are hoping Anthony Davis’ shoulder injury isn’t too serious) and the Phoenix Suns.

Can you feel the Love? The Cleveland Cavaliers sure could on Sunday in their game against the LA Lakers. Kevin Love has had a bit of a slow start for the Cavs but against the Lakers, he had a season high 32 points and looked dominant in the paint. The Cavs continue to prove that they are a force to be reckoned with come playoff time (cc: Atlanta Hawks, Golden State Warriors).

This week, be on the look out for Coach Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs who is on the verge of his 1,000th career victory. They play Monday night against the Indiana Pacers.

 

Other

The US men’s national team defeated Panama 2-0 on Sunday afternoon to pick up their first win in the last 5 games.

Tiger Woods withdrew from the Farmers Insurance Open on Thursday with a back injury and will likely drop to the #59 ranking in golf.

Goalie Henrik Lundqvist is out for the NY Rangers after suffering a sprained blood vessel in his neck. Get well!

 

JUST FOR FUN

Please tell us you watched the Puppy Bowl!
Did you know that it’s the second highest rated broadcast on the day of the Super Bowl?

STORIES FOR INSIGHTS, COOL FACTOR + DEBATE

Where is the love?
When the Islanders leave Long Island behind in favor of Barclays, what will happen to their culture?
Right now, they’ve got a fan base of diehard tailgaters — but, once they’re taking the train to Barclays, will it ruin their no-frills love of the team and the sport?

Winner, Winner
Cuba wins their first Caribbean series championship since 1960
They’ve dominated the series in past decades, and now they’re back at the top

Irina Pavlova
From Russia to Brooklyn
Getting to know one of the most powerful women in the business of pro hoops

Congrats, Geno!
How to get to 900 wins
The coach of the UConn women’s basketball team is the fastest coach to reach this level

In Mourning
Soccer game riot in Egypt
At least 25 individuals were killed at a riot outside of a major Egyptian Premier League game

Marcus Mariota
Remember him?
The Oregon QB has fallen pretty far pretty fast, considering how he was praised before the big game

Legendary
Rest in peace, Billy Casper
The golf player had won 51 times on the PGA tour and passed away at the age of 83