Illinois

Here is Wickers in 1983 after Jim Valvano's NC State Wolfpack shocked the world by beating the Houston Cougars for the NCAA basketball championship.

Some might attribute the Blackhawks' recent slide to the tired play of Cristobal Huet and absence of Nikolai Khabibulin. But a jarring hit on the "Bulin Wall" during Friday night's OT loss knocked the goalie's mask loose and aroused suspicion on the team.

The Bulls honored the St. Patty's tradition of sporting green uniforms Tuesday night. Unfortunately so did the Celtics and all hell broke loose. Neither team knew which players to guard or pass to, but Chicago somehow held on for a six-point win.

The Blackhawks traveled to New Jersey Tuesday hoping to avoid becoming a footnote to a trivia question: Who holds the NHL record for most wins by a goaltender? At the end of three periods of hockey, the answer was Martin Brodeur.

The Blackhawks spent the weekend donating four points to two charitable organizations: one team clawing to make the playoffs and one trying to impress for roster spots next year.

A self-proclaimed "die-hard" Cubs fan Tuesday evening realized the World Baseball Classic was being played only after seeing Chicago reliever Carlos Marmol blow a save situation and -- later the game -- against the Netherlands who bounced Marmol's Domincan Republic from the international exhibition tournament.

Newly acquired Cubs outfielder Milton Bradley has developed a reputation for frequent temper tantrums that would shock a spoiled toddler. In the interests of protecting Bradley's well-being and the Cubs cost of repairing hotel rooms, they have requested a custom padded room for Bradley when he stays at a visiting hotel.