Sports Weekly:February 11th

The big news this week is that USC has recruited(and signed)Runningback Joe McKnight from Louisiana meaning that recruits No.1,2,and 3 are going to USC meaning if you're an SC fan expect some more titles coming your way....or possibly not.Along with this story comes some controversy as McKnight mentioned that he made his decision courtesy of Coach Pete Carroll AND former USC Star Running Back and New Orleans Saint Reggie Bush.As you all may or may not know Reggie Bush is in the dog house with USC over violations such as Bush recieving gifts and money while playing in his final year with USC.Not only that but IF Bush DID speak with McKnight than USC is in a major heap of trouble because NCAA rules clearly state that former players are prohibited from speaking with recruits and this could severely damage the Trojans if this is true.More details may come in the several months leading into the 07-08 season.Other news about recruiting features two other top 10 recruits,Noel Devine and Marvin Austin signing with West Virginia and North Carolina respectively(much to dismay).And on that note I will announce my current Top 5 predictions for next year(First set of 3).

1.USC
2.Michigan
3.West Virginia
4.Florida
5.LSU

With those predictions I see the National Title Game being USC vs Michigan but that may change when the 2nd round of predictions are released in May.

Now moving onto the NFL.The big story was the Dallas Cowboys hiring Wade Phillips as Head Coach.Phillips was formerly Defensive Coordinator of San Diego and has been head coach with New Orleans(1985),Denver(1993-94),and Buffalo(1998-2000).Now it may seem bad for you Dallas fanatics but the guy is actually a pretty good coach who while leading the team will also contribute to the defense.Another story was the Pro Bowl which was played yesterday.The NFC trailed 28-14 with 5:00 left and tied it at 28 with under 2 left.However,a Nate Kaeding field goal ended the game and the AFC won 31-28.

Onto College Basketball where Rivalry Week ran wild.Some of the highlights of this week featured Texas A&M beat Texas 100-82,UCLA getting past USC 70-65,Florida escaping Kentucky 64-61,West Virginia upsetting UCLA 70-65,and Oklahoma State beating Texas Tech in a Double OT thriller 93-91.However the big story in College Basketball was Duke losing its third and FOURTH straight game(a rarity in Duke basketball).On Wednesday the Blue Devils lost to rival North Carolina 79-73 and today they fell to the Terrapins of Maryland 72-60.

Finally,in the NBA this week Dallas blew out Houston 95-74,Golden State beating Chicago 123-121 in OT after a missed shot by Ben Gordon at the buzzer,and Boston losing their 18th straight game to Minnesota.My favorite moment of the week however was Gilbert Arenas scoring only 9 points against Portland thus shutting him up a bit.Now onto the Weekly Awards.

Game of the Week:Oklahoma State vs Texas Tech from February 10th

Player of the Week:Dwight Howard for the kickass dunk ending

Team of the Week:Dallas Mavericks for going 42-9

Finally I recommend that this week you all tune in to NBA All-Star Weekend starting at 7 on Friday Night with the Celebrity Game on ESPN.Then at 9 on TNT its the Rookie Challenge.Then on Saturday Night at 8:30(on TNT) its the Shooting Stars competion/skills challenge/3-point shootout/slam dunk contest.Finally,it concludes next Sunday also on TNT with the game itself.Trust me it'll be awesome.