Illinois Junior Guard Deron Williams John Biever/SI

By Adam Duerson

Is it really February? Are we really knee-deep in conference play? Sure doesn't seem like it with undefeateds still lurking. Alas, we're just a Grant Hill-to-Christian Laettner lob away from March Madness. And, you bet your money, undefeateds (hello, Illinois and BC) will be unseated with all the grace of a dozen Hindenburgs. Just wait.

Did You Hear...?

Washington State's Dick Bennett flips the bird to Wazzu students The hoops coach, who later apologized, reacted to fans chanting "Boring Bennett," a reference to his slowdown style, during a loss to Washington. Said AD Jim Sterk, "We need to ... provide an atmosphere of sportsmanship so class gentlemen like Dick Bennett are not pushed to the point of reaction."

Ticket-starved fans at A&M In December a line of students at Texas A&M waiting overnight to buy tickets for the Cotton Bowl was disrupted when a female student skipped the line, snatched the waiting list from a ticket window and ate it.

Shock of the week North Carolina hoops' Jackie Manuel proposed to his girlfriend, Ronda Norman, last week with a stuffed teddy bear from Build-A-Bear. Upon squeezing it, a prerecorded message asked, "Will you marry me?" She said yes.

Prank of the week During last week's Maryland-Duke game (page 4), the ever-clever Cameron Crazies were duped into heckling their own school. Using false info (planted by a Terrapins fan) that Maryland forward Nik Caner-Medley's girlfriend's name is "Myra" and her pet name for him is "Piggy," the Crazies made pig noises and showered Caner-Medley with chants of "Piggy." Myron Piggie, of course, is the former AAU basketball coach and convicted drug dealer who gave money to several college basketball players, including Corey Maggette in 1997 before he signed with Duke.

Quote of the week Auburn forward Louise Emeagi, on being boxed out by Tennessee forward Shyra Ely (43): "Her booty is just so big. I've never seen anything like it."

60 Seconds with Illinois Junior Guard Deron Williams

Coach Carter "Good movie. Went and saw it as a team. Samuel L., you can't go wrong with him."

Brad and Jen's breakup "They're going to get back together."

Matt Leinart stays "Personally, I'd go. I'd go to the NFL."

Britney's "baby" "Who cares?"

George Bush, Term 2 "Booooo."

Boston College: undefeated "I watched a couple of games, highlights on them. They're playing pretty well right now."

Spring break plans "We'll be in the tournament. [The Final Four in] St. Louis? That's a little after spring break."

5 Money Picks

February 1-9

RUTGERS WOMEN AT UCONN, Feb. 3, 7 p.m.
The Huskies have yet to find the next Taurasi but have managed to stop all the silly "UConn's dead" talk.
SIOC says: UConn

UCONN AT SYRACUSE, Feb. 7, 7 p.m., ESPN
The Huskies need someone to play physical against Hakim Warrick.
SIOC says: 'Cuse

OKLAHOMA AT OKLAHOMA STATE, Feb. 7, 9 p.m., ESPN
The Sooners thrashed OSU two weeks ago in Norman. Can't happen again.
SIOC says: OSU

MEMPHIS AT LOUISVILLE, Feb. 9, 7 p.m., ESPN
'Tis time for talented Tiger Rodney Carney to step up.
SIOC says: Memphis

NORTH CAROLINA AT DUKE, Feb. 9, 9 p.m., ESPN
The Heels draw Duke at the end of a hell week (N.C. State, Thursday; Florida State, Sunday) and will pay for it.
SIOC says: Duke

Issue date: February 3, 2005