Thousands of fans have gone to the polls at www.premierplayers.com to select The 2010 Premier Player of College Football – Have you? If not, there is still time as the polls are open until December 5th for you and your friends to make your selections. The five athletes with the most votes get invited to The Premier Player of College Football Charitable Awards Dinner at the University of South Florida Marshall Center in Tampa, FL, on January 15th, 2011. As of the end of October, here are the current standings of the athletes on the ballots.

Vote For the 2010 Premier Player oF College Football

Andy Dalton, Texas Christian University, QB0%Dion Lewis, Pittsburgh Panthers0%Evan Royster, Penn State NittanyLions0%Garrett Gilbert, Texas Longhorns0%Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State, RB2%Jake Locker, Washington, QB8%John Brantley, Florida, QB0%John Clay, Wisconsin, RB0%Jordan Jefferson, Louisiana State, QB0%Kellen Moore, Boise State, QB0%Andrew Luck, Stanford, QB0%Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina, WR0%Cameron Newton, Auburn, QB4%Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma, WR2%

Mark Herzlich, Boston, LB0%Mark Ingram, Alabama Crimson, RB0%Ricky Stanzi, Iowa, RB60%Ryan Mallett, Arkansas, QB12%Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State, QB0%Christian Ponder, Florida State, QB0%Jacory Harris, Miami, QB0%LaMichael James, Oregon, RB0%Noel Devin, W. Virginia, RB0%Tyrod Taylor, Virginia Tech, RB0%Kirk Cousins, Michigan State, QB0%Denard Robinson, Michigan, QB4%Taylor Martinez, Nebraska, QB6%Patrick Peterson, Louisiana State, CB2%

Vote at www.premierplayers.com and call 800-470-0250 to purchase your tickets.

features & departments

features

6 October Upsets

8 What is Wrong with the Polls?

15 Miami Turns Up the Heat

16 NBA (Tear Out)

22 NCAA Team Rankings

departments

12 Sound Off 24 Community

26 Interview

28 Travel

30 Player’s Ink

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Vote For the 2010 Premier Player oF College Football

PUBLISHINGCEO & PUBLISHER

Carnell Moore

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSSteve WrightMarc JenkinsSam Smoot

Monique Davis DotsonRichard Brown

CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERCherrielet P. Mercado

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AP PHOTO CREDITSCarlos OsorioGerry Broome

Gus RuelasBrett Flashnick

John MillerWilfredo LeeNati HarnikEd Reinke

Andy ManisPhil Sandlin p6,7

Matt CilleyRick Bowmer

Dave Martin p8,9Alan Diaz

Tony GutierrezKerry Smith

Lisa Norman-HudsonRick BowmerDave Martin

Andy Manis p12John Miller p13

Eric Gay p15Jae C. Hong p18

David J. Phillip p20Jim R. Bounds p22

Jessica Hill p23Susan Walsh p24

Monica Sticker p26Chris O’Meara

Kathy Willens p27Reed Saxon p30

Cameron Newton has the Tiger Nation celebrating a No. 2 ranking in the BCS poll, but the AP Top 25 lists Boise State at No. 2. See The Problems With Polls – Will The Best Teams Play For The Title?

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October UpsetsSan Diego State over No. 23 Air Force, 27-25, Oct. 16th

Hawaii over No. 19 Nevada, 27-21, Oct. 16th Washington over No. 24 Oregon State, Oct. 16th

Iowa State over No. 19 Texas, 28-21, Oct. 23rd

Syracuse over No. 20 West Virginia, 19-14, Oct. 23rd

No. 16 Nebraska over No. 14 Oklahoma State, 51-41, Oct. 23rd

Baylor over No. 22 Kansas State, 47-42, Oct. 23rd

No. 11 Missouri over BCS No. 1 Oklahoma, 36-27, Oct. 23rd

NC State beat No. 16 Florida State, 28-24, Oct. 27th

Virginia beats No. 22 Miami, 24-19, Oct. 30th

No. 18 Iowa downs No. 5 Michigan State,37-6, Oct. 30th

No. 14 Nebraska beats No. 6 Missouri, 31-17, Oct. 30th

Virginia Tech wide receiver Jarrett Boykin (81) runs for the go-ahead touchdown as North Carolina State linebacker Audie Cole (42) chases during their game in Raleigh, N.C., Oct. 2nd. Unranked Virginia Tech won 41-30 over then No. 23 ranked NC State.

Oregon States’ Jacquizz Rogers(1) is stopped by Arizona’s Lolomana Mikaele (94) and Ricky Elmore (44) during their game at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Oct. 9th. However, the 9th ranked Wildcats could not stop the unranked Beavers from winning 29-27.

Florida punter Chas Henry (17), Mississippi State cornerback Wade Bonner (7) and Florida holder John Crofoot (47) watch as Henry misses a last second field goal attempt during their game in Gainesville, Fla., on Oct. 16th. Unranked Mississippi State defeated No. 22 Florida 10-7.

Kentucky wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) splits a trio of South Carolina defenders as he runs the ball during their game in Lexington, Ky., Oct. 16th. Unranked Kentucky won the game 31-28 over then No. 10 South Carolina.

Wisconsin quarterback Scott Tolzien (16) is hit by Michigan State defensive end Denzel Drone (52) during a college football game in East Lansing, Mich., Oct. 2nd. Then No. 24 Michigan State beat No. 11 Wisconsin 34-24.

Washington running back Chris Polk moves between Southern California cornerback Shareece Wright (24) and safety Jawanza Starling (29) for a first down during their game, Oct. 2nd,in Los Angeles. Unranked Washington won 32-31 over then 18th ranked USC.

South Carolina wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, left, breaks through the Alabama defensive line during their game, Oct. 9th,in Columbia, S.C. The No. 19 Gamecocks beat No. 1 ranked Alabama, 35-21.

Florida State safety Nick Moody, right, breaks up a pass intended for Miami wide receiver Leonard Hankerson during their game, Oct. 9th, in Miami. The No. 23 ranked Seminoles upset the 13th ranked Hurricanes, 45-17.

Texas running back Cody Johnson (31) is chased by Nebraska linebacker Lavonte David (4) during their game in Lincoln, Neb., Oct. 16th. Unranked Texas beat No. 5 Nebraska 20-13.

Ohio State running back Dan Herron, left, is pushed back by Wisconsin’s Kevin Claxton (37) and Louis Nzegwu (93) during their game, Oct. 16th, in Madison, Wis. No. 18 Wisconsin upset No. 1 Ohio State 31-18.

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he fall brings with it a number of certainties in modern day America. The nights will draw in, baseball will end, and another thrilling college football season will be

spoiled by the selection process that decides who plays in the championship game. In the end, a season in which amateur athletes put their body on the line week after week, sweating blood and tears for the cause, comes down to nothing more than a popularity contest. There has to be a better system than this. The Bowl Championship Series poll is released every Sunday from about six weeks into the season until the final game of the year has been played. As there is no playoff, and there are too many teams for a round robin league, FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) college football is the only sport in

By Steve Wright

the world in which a team can go undefeated and STILL not get a chance to play for national title. This leaves the entire fate of a team down to a formula which is split into three parts: Coaches’ Poll, Harris Poll and computer rankings.

The Coaches’ Poll To believe that the coaches poll is a valid indicator of the best team in the country, you must first believe that the voting coaches watch every snap of every game on any given Saturday. I wonder if Alabama figured in all those hours of random game

What Is Wrong With The Polls?

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Boise State’s Doug Martin (22) celebrates after scoring against Louisiana Tech during the second half of an NCAA college football game. The undefeated Broncos have had two perfect seasons in the last four years but have yet to play for the national championship.

Auburn quarterback Cameron Newton looks for running room during a game Oct. 23rd, 2010. The Tigers have clawed their way into the national title hunt but still have some big games to win – against Alabama and the Southeastern Conference Championship.

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watching when they handed Nick Saban his latest extension.It is of course ludicrous to even begin to think that coaches watch all these games. With all due respect to Urban Meyer or Chip Kelly, I would be shocked if either of them had any idea who the starting QB is for the Troy Trojans (Corey Robinson for those keeping score). This system was made to look foolish when Mack Brown admitted that he didn’t fill in his ballot and instead had one of his staff members pick his top 25. The reason was that Brown did not have time to fill out his ballot due to the demands of being the head coach at Texas. Simply put, if a coach cannot even find 10 minutes to type some team names on a document, how can he watch the volume of games required to truly know who is the best school in the nation? The next issue is that of bias. It is established that coaches do not watch enough games to know every team in the country, so it should come as no surprise that when the votes come in there are certain trends that emerge. The fact that coaches get to vote for their own teams is ridiculously self serving in a sport where one or two positions higher in the pre-bowl game standings can result in more money and a better bowl game. In 2008, for example, Rutgers Head Coach Greg Schiano voted his team 11 spots higher than his team ended up being ranked. Of the 15 coaches who voted their team into the final top 25 poll, only Frank Beamer of Virginia Tech actually ranked his team lower than the spot they landed in. Another obvious bias that finds its way into the coaches’ poll is that of location. This is a bias born both out of lack of knowledge and also from the “old boys club” mentality. A great example of this is another 2008 poll which saw Texas receive just four first place votes of which three came from Gene Chizik (a former Texas coordinator), Mike Price (coach of UTEP), and Todd Dodge (former QB at Texas).

The Harris Poll The Harris poll is probably the least talked about part of the BCS selection process because, of the three sections, it makes the most sense. The poll is made up of a mix of media members, former players, ex-coaches, and administrators. Each of the 11 conferences in the FBS submits candidates and 10 voters are randomly selected from each, plus four panelists representing the independent institutions. Though the Harris poll is not without its problems, the issue of bias comes in whenever you have people who are affiliated with a school on the voting panel. However, it is generally thought that there are enough voters from a diverse enough range to keep that bias low. In addition, the voters on this panel actually have the time and the will to watch enough games to have an idea as to which teams are actually good, as opposed to relying on word of mouth.

The Computers The final third of the BCS formula comes from the computer rankings. Six computer formulas collate all the data from the season and each kicks out a ranking based on their findings. The highest and lowest rankings are removed and the other four are averaged to assign a ranking to each team. Great in theory, but not in practice. College football is a game of emotion. Year after year, underdogs rise up on any given Saturday and take down teams who, based on computer statistics, should destroy them. The computers cannot see games. Sure, in this system, they are the only way to remove bias, but should any sport be decided based on a set of figures thrown into a machine rather than on a field? Ask a Boise State team that has been unbeaten in two of the last four seasons just how they feel about computer rankings. How computers cannot take into account the fact that bigger teams simply will not play Boise, resulting in the low strength of schedule that the computers hate. The BCS poll system doesn’t work and the fans, as well as many players, would like to see something different when it comes to deciding who is the best team in college football. If any sport could put on a playoff system for the ages, it is FBS college football using the major bowls as playoff games to crown a true champion. It needs to happen soon.

Oregon running back LaMichael James carries the ball during an NCAA college football game Oct. 16th against UCLA. The Ducks are currently at the top of the polls and will probably play for the national title if they win out.

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sound off

1) Fans cheer on Miami during an NCAA college football game against North Carolina in Miami, Miami won 33-10. 2) A TCU fan is tossed upward following a score by the Horned Frogs during an NCAA college football game against Air Force. TCU won 38-7. 3) Mississippi State fans get into the spirit before an NCAA college football game against UAB. 4) Tennessee fans sing “Rocky Top” before an NCAA college football game Alabama. 5) Oregon fans spell “Ducks” in the stands before a college football game against UCLA. 6) Arkansas fans cheer during a 65-43 loss to Auburn. 7) Wisconsin fans react at an NCAA football game against Ohio State, Saturday.

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Washington’s cheerleaders pose for a photo before the start of an NCAA college football game against Arizona at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz., Saturday, Oct. 23th, 2010.

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he draft has passed, the “decision” has been made (thankfully), training camp is over and the preseason is done. . . which now means it’s time for the 2010-11 NBA season to finally commence. The 2010-11 campaign has been one of the most anticipated seasons in recent

professional sports memory. Most of that expectancy is due to the fact that for several months now hoops fans and followers have all wondered what the newly assembled Miami Heat would actually look like together on the hardwood. Some of it is also due to the other big name players who changed locations during the summer and how they will help their new squads improve. All of the wondering and speculating can be put to rest; the time is now here to witness 1,230 fast-paced, action packed regular season NBA contests. The Heat is definitely on in Miami as the Justice League (Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh) looks to live up

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Miami Turns Up the Heat

to all the expectations that have been placed on them to win an NBA title or three. The addition of James and Bosh along with the resigning of Wade has everyone in South Beach thinking dynasty similar to the Ming, the Yuan and Blake Carrington’s. In order to accomplish that mission it will take enormous sacrifice from these super heroes who are accustomed to saving the world on their own and now must learn to rely on one another as a unit. Miami’s bench and role players present the major question that must be answered as the Justice League are just three players and championship teams generally consist of at least eight players who contribute to winning. Who will be the other five guys for this year’s edition of the Heat if they truly aspire to win it all? Heat president Pat Riley and head coach Erik Spoelstra thought they filled the role of knock down shooter with Mike Miller. However, Miller will be sidelined until the All-Star break after fracturing and tearing some ligaments in his right thumb while defending James in practice. The Heat is going to need

Miami Heat’s LeBron James throws powder into the air prior to the team’s NBA preseason basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs in San Antonio. All or nothing. That’s the message from two-time

reigning NBA MVP LeBron James, and it’s crystal clear. He came to Miami to win a championship many of them, actually and the Heat enter a season of colossal expectations.

By Marc Jenkins

NOVEMBER 2010 (ET)Friday, November 5Milwaukee at Indiana 7:00 PM New Jersey at Orlando 7:00 PM Cleveland at Philadelphia 7:00 PM Charlotte at Detroit 7:30 PM Washington at New York 7:30 PM Chicago at Boston 8:00 PM Miami at New Orleans 8:00 PM Atlanta at Minnesota 8:00 PM Memphis at Phoenix 10:00 PM LA Clippers at Denver 10:30 PM Utah at Golden State 10:30 PM Toronto at LA Lakers 10:30 PM Saturday, November 6 Cleveland at Washington 7:00 PM Orlando at Charlotte 7:00 PM New Jersey at Miami 7:30 PM New Orleans at Milwaukee 8:30 PM Houston at San Antonio 8:30 PM Denver at Dallas 9:00 PM LA Clippers at Utah 9:00 PM Toronto at Portland 10:00 PM Memphis at Sacramento 10:00 PM

Sunday, November 7 Philadelphia at New York 12:00 PM Phoenix at Atlanta 5:00 PM Golden State at Detroit 6:00 PM Minnesota at Houston 7:00 PM Boston at Oklahoma City 7:00 PM Portland at LA Lakers 9:30 PM Monday, November 8 Atlanta at Orlando 7:00 PM Golden State at Toronto 7:00 PM San Antonio at Charlotte 7:00 PM Denver at Chicago 8:00 PM Phoenix at Memphis 8:00 PM Boston at Dallas 8:30 PM Tuesday, November 9 Denver at Indiana 7:00 PM Cleveland at New Jersey 7:00 PM Utah at Miami 7:30 PM LA Clippers at New Orleans 8:00 PM New York at Milwaukee 8:00 PM Detroit at Portland 10:00 PM Minnesota at LA Lakers 10:30 PM Wednesday, November 10 Milwaukee at Atlanta 7:00 PM

Utah at Orlando 7:00 PM Golden State at Washington 7:00 PM Charlotte at Toronto 7:00 PM Jersey at Cleveland 7:30 PM Golden State at New York 7:30 PM Philadelphia at Oklahoma 8:00 PM Dallas at Memphis 8:00 PM LA Clippers at San Antonio 9:30 PM Minnesota at Sacramento 10:00 PM Thursday, November 11 Golden State at Chicago 8:00 PM Boston at Miami 8:00 PM LA Lakers at Denver 10:30 PM Friday, November 12 Utah at Atlanta 7:00 PM Houston at Indiana 7:00 PM Toronto at Orlando 7:00 PM Charlotte at Washington 7:00 PM New York at Minnesota 8:00 PM Philadelphia at Dallas 8:30 PM Sacramento at Phoenix 9:00 PM Portland at Oklahoma City 9:30 PM Detroit at LA Clippers 10:30 PM Saturday, November 13 Orlando at New Jersey 7:00 PM

Utah at Charlotte 7:00 PM Indiana at Cleveland 7:30 PM Toronto at Miami 7:30 PM Portland at New Orleans 8:00 PM Washington at Chicago 8:00 PM Boston at Memphis 8:00 PM Golden State at Milwaukee 8:30 PM Philadelphia at San Antonio 8:30 PM Sunday, November 14 Minnesota at Atlanta 2:00 PM Detroit at Sacramento 6:00 PM San Antonio at Oklahoma 7:00 PM Houston at New York 7:30 PM Phoenix at LA Lakers 9:30 PM Monday, November 15 Memphis at Orlando 7:00 PM Minnesota at Charlotte 7:00 PM New Orleans at Dallas 8:30 PM Denver at Phoenix 9:00 PM Oklahoma City at Utah 9:00 PM Detroit at Golden State 10:30 PM New Jersey at LA Clippers 10:30 PM Tuesday, November 16 Philadelphia at Cleveland 7:00 PM Atlanta at Indiana 7:00 PM

Toronto at Washington 7:00 PM LA Lakers at Milwaukee 8:00 PM Portland at Memphis 8:00 PM Chicago at Houston 8:30 PM New York at Denver 9:00 PM Wednesday, November 17 Phoenix at Miami 7:00 PM Toronto at Philadelphia 7:00 PM Washington at Boston 7:30 PM LA Lakers at Detroit 7:30 PM Dallas at New Orleans 8:00 PM LA Clippers at Minnesota 8:00 PM Houston at Oklahoma City 8:00 PM New Jersey at Utah 9:00 PM Chicago at San Antonio 9:30 PM New York at Sacramento 10:00 PM Thursday, November 18 LA Clippers at Indiana 7:00 PM Phoenix at Orlando 8:00 PM Denver at Portland 10:30 PM Friday, November 19 Oklahoma City at Boston 7:00 PM Milwaukee at Philadelphia 7:00 PM Memphis at Washington 7:00 PM Houston at Toronto 7:00 PM

Charlotte at Miami 7:30 PM Cleveland at New Orleans 8:00 PM LA Lakers at Minnesota 8:00 PM San Antonio at Utah 9:00 PM Chicago at Dallas 9:30 PM New Jersey at Sacramento 10:00 PM New York at Golden State 10:30 PM Saturday, November 20 Orlando at Indiana 7:00 PM Phoenix at Charlotte 7:00 PM Dallas at Atlanta 8:00 PM Miami at Memphis 8:00 PM Oklahoma City at Milwaukee 8:30 PM Cleveland at San Antonio 8:30 PM New Jersey at Denver 9:00 PM Utah at Portland 10:00 PM New York at LA Clippers 10:30 PM Sunday, November 21 Boston at Toronto 1:00 PM Washington at Detroit 6:00 PM New Orleans at Sacramento 6:00 PM Golden State at LA Lakers 9:30 PM Monday, November 22 Boston at Atlanta 7:00 PM Indiana at Miami 7:30 PM

Minnesota at Oklahoma City 8:00 PM Phoenix at Houston 8:30 PM Orlando at San Antonio 8:30 PM Sacramento at Utah 9:00 PM Denver at Golden State 10:30 PM New Orleans at LA Clippers 10:30 PM Tuesday, November 23 Cleveland at Indiana 7:00 PM Atlanta at New Jersey 7:00 PM Philadelphia at Washington 7:00 PM Charlotte at New York 7:30 PM Detroit at Dallas 8:30 PM Chicago at LA Lakers 10:30 PM Wednesday, November 24 Milwaukee at Cleveland 7:00 PM Philadelphia at Toronto 7:00 PM New York at Charlotte 7:00 PM New Jersey at Boston 7:30 PM Miami at Orlando 7:30 PM San Antonio at Minnesota 8:00 PM Dallas at Oklahoma City 8:00 PM Detroit at Memphis 8:00 PM Golden State at Houston 8:30 PM Chicago at Phoenix 9:00 PM New Orleans at Utah 9:00 PM

Thursday, November 25 Washington at Atlanta 8:00 PM Sacramento at LA Clippers 10:30 PM Friday, November 26 Cleveland at Orlando 7:00 PM Houston at Charlotte 7:00 PM Toronto at Boston 7:30 PM Milwaukee at Detroit 7:30 PM Philadelphia at Miami 7:30 PM Oklahoma City at Indiana 8:00 PM Dallas at San Antonio 8:30 PM Chicago at Denver 9:00 PM LA Clippers at Phoenix 9:00 PM LA Lakers at Utah 9:00 PM Golden State at Memphis 9:30 PM New Orleans at Portland 10:00 PM Saturday, November 27 Atlanta at New York 1:00 PM Orlando at Washington 7:00 PM Memphis at Cleveland 7:30 PM New Jersey at Philadelphia 7:30 PM Golden State at Minnesota 8:00 PM Miami at Dallas 8:30 PM Charlotte at Milwaukee 9:00 PM

Chicago at Sacramento 10:00 PM Sunday, November 28 Atlanta at Toronto 1:00 PM New York at Detroit 1:30 PM San Antonio at New Orleans 3:00 PM Utah at LA Clippers 3:30 PM Oklahoma City at Houston 7:00 PM Portland at New Jersey 7:00 PM Phoenix at Denver 8:00 PM Indiana at LA Lakers 9:30 PMMonday, November 29 Washington at Miami 7:30 PM New Orleans at Oklahoma 8:00 PM Houston at Dallas 8:30 PM Milwaukee at Utah 9:00 PM Tuesday, November 30 Boston at Cleveland 7:00 PM Detroit at Orlando 7:00 PM Portland at Philadelphia 7:00 PM New Jersey at New York 7:30 PM LA Lakers at Memphis 8:00 PM Indiana at Sacramento 10:00PM San Antonio at Golden State 10:30 PM

NOVEMBER 2010 (ET)Friday, November 5Milwaukee at Indiana 7:00 PM New Jersey at Orlando 7:00 PM Cleveland at Philadelphia 7:00 PM Charlotte at Detroit 7:30 PM Washington at New York 7:30 PM Chicago at Boston 8:00 PM Miami at New Orleans 8:00 PM Atlanta at Minnesota 8:00 PM Memphis at Phoenix 10:00 PM LA Clippers at Denver 10:30 PM Utah at Golden State 10:30 PM Toronto at LA Lakers 10:30 PM Saturday, November 6 Cleveland at Washington 7:00 PM Orlando at Charlotte 7:00 PM New Jersey at Miami 7:30 PM New Orleans at Milwaukee 8:30 PM Houston at San Antonio 8:30 PM Denver at Dallas 9:00 PM LA Clippers at Utah 9:00 PM Toronto at Portland 10:00 PM Memphis at Sacramento 10:00 PM

Sunday, November 7 Philadelphia at New York 12:00 PM Phoenix at Atlanta 5:00 PM Golden State at Detroit 6:00 PM Minnesota at Houston 7:00 PM Boston at Oklahoma City 7:00 PM Portland at LA Lakers 9:30 PM Monday, November 8 Atlanta at Orlando 7:00 PM Golden State at Toronto 7:00 PM San Antonio at Charlotte 7:00 PM Denver at Chicago 8:00 PM Phoenix at Memphis 8:00 PM Boston at Dallas 8:30 PM Tuesday, November 9 Denver at Indiana 7:00 PM Cleveland at New Jersey 7:00 PM Utah at Miami 7:30 PM LA Clippers at New Orleans 8:00 PM New York at Milwaukee 8:00 PM Detroit at Portland 10:00 PM Minnesota at LA Lakers 10:30 PM Wednesday, November 10 Milwaukee at Atlanta 7:00 PM

Utah at Orlando 7:00 PM Golden State at Washington 7:00 PM Charlotte at Toronto 7:00 PM Jersey at Cleveland 7:30 PM Golden State at New York 7:30 PM Philadelphia at Oklahoma 8:00 PM Dallas at Memphis 8:00 PM LA Clippers at San Antonio 9:30 PM Minnesota at Sacramento 10:00 PM Thursday, November 11 Golden State at Chicago 8:00 PM Boston at Miami 8:00 PM LA Lakers at Denver 10:30 PM Friday, November 12 Utah at Atlanta 7:00 PM Houston at Indiana 7:00 PM Toronto at Orlando 7:00 PM Charlotte at Washington 7:00 PM New York at Minnesota 8:00 PM Philadelphia at Dallas 8:30 PM Sacramento at Phoenix 9:00 PM Portland at Oklahoma City 9:30 PM Detroit at LA Clippers 10:30 PM Saturday, November 13 Orlando at New Jersey 7:00 PM

Utah at Charlotte 7:00 PM Indiana at Cleveland 7:30 PM Toronto at Miami 7:30 PM Portland at New Orleans 8:00 PM Washington at Chicago 8:00 PM Boston at Memphis 8:00 PM Golden State at Milwaukee 8:30 PM Philadelphia at San Antonio 8:30 PM Sunday, November 14 Minnesota at Atlanta 2:00 PM Detroit at Sacramento 6:00 PM San Antonio at Oklahoma 7:00 PM Houston at New York 7:30 PM Phoenix at LA Lakers 9:30 PM Monday, November 15 Memphis at Orlando 7:00 PM Minnesota at Charlotte 7:00 PM New Orleans at Dallas 8:30 PM Denver at Phoenix 9:00 PM Oklahoma City at Utah 9:00 PM Detroit at Golden State 10:30 PM New Jersey at LA Clippers 10:30 PM Tuesday, November 16 Philadelphia at Cleveland 7:00 PM Atlanta at Indiana 7:00 PM

Toronto at Washington 7:00 PM LA Lakers at Milwaukee 8:00 PM Portland at Memphis 8:00 PM Chicago at Houston 8:30 PM New York at Denver 9:00 PM Wednesday, November 17 Phoenix at Miami 7:00 PM Toronto at Philadelphia 7:00 PM Washington at Boston 7:30 PM LA Lakers at Detroit 7:30 PM Dallas at New Orleans 8:00 PM LA Clippers at Minnesota 8:00 PM Houston at Oklahoma City 8:00 PM New Jersey at Utah 9:00 PM Chicago at San Antonio 9:30 PM New York at Sacramento 10:00 PM Thursday, November 18 LA Clippers at Indiana 7:00 PM Phoenix at Orlando 8:00 PM Denver at Portland 10:30 PM Friday, November 19 Oklahoma City at Boston 7:00 PM Milwaukee at Philadelphia 7:00 PM Memphis at Washington 7:00 PM Houston at Toronto 7:00 PM

Charlotte at Miami 7:30 PM Cleveland at New Orleans 8:00 PM LA Lakers at Minnesota 8:00 PM San Antonio at Utah 9:00 PM Chicago at Dallas 9:30 PM New Jersey at Sacramento 10:00 PM New York at Golden State 10:30 PM Saturday, November 20 Orlando at Indiana 7:00 PM Phoenix at Charlotte 7:00 PM Dallas at Atlanta 8:00 PM Miami at Memphis 8:00 PM Oklahoma City at Milwaukee 8:30 PM Cleveland at San Antonio 8:30 PM New Jersey at Denver 9:00 PM Utah at Portland 10:00 PM New York at LA Clippers 10:30 PM Sunday, November 21 Boston at Toronto 1:00 PM Washington at Detroit 6:00 PM New Orleans at Sacramento 6:00 PM Golden State at LA Lakers 9:30 PM Monday, November 22 Boston at Atlanta 7:00 PM Indiana at Miami 7:30 PM

Minnesota at Oklahoma City 8:00 PM Phoenix at Houston 8:30 PM Orlando at San Antonio 8:30 PM Sacramento at Utah 9:00 PM Denver at Golden State 10:30 PM New Orleans at LA Clippers 10:30 PM Tuesday, November 23 Cleveland at Indiana 7:00 PM Atlanta at New Jersey 7:00 PM Philadelphia at Washington 7:00 PM Charlotte at New York 7:30 PM Detroit at Dallas 8:30 PM Chicago at LA Lakers 10:30 PM Wednesday, November 24 Milwaukee at Cleveland 7:00 PM Philadelphia at Toronto 7:00 PM New York at Charlotte 7:00 PM New Jersey at Boston 7:30 PM Miami at Orlando 7:30 PM San Antonio at Minnesota 8:00 PM Dallas at Oklahoma City 8:00 PM Detroit at Memphis 8:00 PM Golden State at Houston 8:30 PM Chicago at Phoenix 9:00 PM New Orleans at Utah 9:00 PM

Thursday, November 25 Washington at Atlanta 8:00 PM Sacramento at LA Clippers 10:30 PM Friday, November 26 Cleveland at Orlando 7:00 PM Houston at Charlotte 7:00 PM Toronto at Boston 7:30 PM Milwaukee at Detroit 7:30 PM Philadelphia at Miami 7:30 PM Oklahoma City at Indiana 8:00 PM Dallas at San Antonio 8:30 PM Chicago at Denver 9:00 PM LA Clippers at Phoenix 9:00 PM LA Lakers at Utah 9:00 PM Golden State at Memphis 9:30 PM New Orleans at Portland 10:00 PM Saturday, November 27 Atlanta at New York 1:00 PM Orlando at Washington 7:00 PM Memphis at Cleveland 7:30 PM New Jersey at Philadelphia 7:30 PM Golden State at Minnesota 8:00 PM Miami at Dallas 8:30 PM Charlotte at Milwaukee 9:00 PM

Chicago at Sacramento 10:00 PM Sunday, November 28 Atlanta at Toronto 1:00 PM New York at Detroit 1:30 PM San Antonio at New Orleans 3:00 PM Utah at LA Clippers 3:30 PM Oklahoma City at Houston 7:00 PM Portland at New Jersey 7:00 PM Phoenix at Denver 8:00 PM Indiana at LA Lakers 9:30 PMMonday, November 29 Washington at Miami 7:30 PM New Orleans at Oklahoma 8:00 PM Houston at Dallas 8:30 PM Milwaukee at Utah 9:00 PM Tuesday, November 30 Boston at Cleveland 7:00 PM Detroit at Orlando 7:00 PM Portland at Philadelphia 7:00 PM New Jersey at New York 7:30 PM LA Lakers at Memphis 8:00 PM Indiana at Sacramento 10:00PM San Antonio at Golden State 10:30 PM

1� PREMIER PLAYERS

production out of Udonis Haslem, Mario Chalmers, newly acquired Jerry Stackhouse and rookie Dexter Pittman. On paper, there isn’t another starting lineup in the NBA that can truly match the talent level of the Heat. However, the games are played on the court and not cut down pieces of tree bark used to write or print on. I don’t see Miami having the instant success that the 2007-08 Boston Celtics, who won 29 of their first 32 games, 66 games in the regular season, 82 games overall including the post season, and an NBA championship immediately after assembling their Big Three. If the Heat wants to seriously think about winning a second Larry O’Brien trophy this season, they must gel quickly and learn to play as one immediately. With the Eastern Conference appearing to be stronger than it has in over a decade and D-Wade missing all but three minutes of the preseason, it will be a dog-fight for them to advance to the NBA Finals. Miami’s main competition in the East will come in the form of the defending conference champion Boston Celtics. The C’s have the entire gang returning (Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo) along with a couple of new additions in the middle (Shaquille O’Neal and Jermaine O’Neal), all seeking another lengthy and successful run at the O’Brien Trophy. This may be Boston’s final run at a title as they are currently constructed with age and attrition setting in so there is no question that this team of grizzled vets with championship creed will be completely focused on nothing less. The Celts do have a few questions of their own and the first is how Kendrick Perkins returns following surgery to repair his torn ACL this summer. Perkins was expected to return around mid-March but his rehabilitation progress is moving along so well that he may now return as early as January. The next question is how much will Rajon Rondo continue to grow this season. If he can improve his shooting even more this year then the sky is the limit for the 2010-11 Celts. If not, they could be in for another disappointing game-seven loss. These two questions will be answered in the next six months or so. Out in the Western Conference the Los Angeles Lakers appear poised to defend their back-to-back crowns and compete for a third consecutive title. Anytime a team has the best player on the planet (Kobe Bryant), arguably the best head coach in NBA history (Phil Jackson) and a tremendous supporting cast

(Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Ron Artest and Derek Fisher) that team has to be the favorite to win it all. The Lakers lost Jordan Farmer via free agency, but gained Matt Barnes and Steve Blake in order to bolster their bench for the long haul of the regular season and playoffs. Despite being the champs the Lakers also have questions surrounding their chances to win the title. The first being Bryant’s right knee and the second being Andrew Bynum’s right knew. Both had off-season arthroscopic surgery and their abilities to return to the Lakers playing at similar levels to what they did last season will be imperative to L.A.’s success. If they’re healthy there shouldn’t be anything to prohibit Phil Jackson’s fourth three-peat

and Kobe from equaling Michael Jordan earning his sixth. The west won’t be Bryant’s and the Lakers’ for too much longer as Kevin Durant and his Oklahoma City Thunder are ready to sound off and let the world hear their roar. Without question Durant has placed his name amongst those who can be heralded as the best player walking the face of the earth and he along with Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green should be able to power this Thunder franchise for years to come. Third year swingman James Harden, energy bolt Serge Ibaka, and first round selection Cole Aldrich will provide plenty of skill and toughness coming off of the bench to give this team the totality that championship contenders need. One of the Thunder’s biggest assets could also wind up becoming one of their biggest hindrances as well and that is their age. The average age on the roster is slightly over 24 years so while the future is definitely promising the here now could get dicey due to lack of postseason experience. Last season, they looked good against the Lakers in the opening round of the playoffs and they appeared as if they have what it takes physically and mentally to take the next step and be a major factor in the Western Conference. The Thunder will give the Lakers another great challenge this postseason. However, this time it will be on the much larger stage of the Western Conference Finals. It wouldn’t shock me one bit if the perfect storm brewed in Oklahoma City and the Thunder won it all. Miami has definitely turned up the heat for the season and the rest of the NBA has taken notice. The Heat, along with the Celtics, Lakers and Thunder, should all make this one of the best NBA campaigns seen in quite awhile - enjoy hoops fans!

Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant retrieves a loose ball during the first half of a NBA preseason basketball

game against the Utah Jazz in Anaheim, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 19th, 2010.

LEBR

ON

8With a new season comes an all new LeBron James signature shoe. The LEBRON 8 is built on a basketball specific Max Air 360 unit - combined with Flywire technology - for the ultimate cushioning with lightweight comfort and lockdown control.

San Francisco Giants’ celebrate after winning baseball’s World Series against the Texas Rangers Monday, Nov. 1st, 2010, in Arlington, Texas. The Giants won 3-1 to capture their first World Series title.

Giants Win!

PREMIER PLAYERS 21

22 PREMIER PLAYERS

2011 NCAA Men’s Basketball RankingsAP Top 25 Preseason

1 Duke (55)2 Michigan State (8)3 Kansas State (2)4 Ohio State5 Pittsburgh6 Villanova7 Kansas8 North Carolina9 Florida10 Syracuse11 Kentucky12 Gonzaga13 Illinois14 Purdue15 Missouri16 Baylor17 Butler18 Washington19 Memphis20 Georgetown21 Virginia Tech22 Temple23 Tennessee24 Brigham Young25 San Diego State

* Others receiving votes: Wisconsin 126, Texas 107, Georgia 67, West Virginia 65, Minnesota 55, Florida State 28, Wichita State 28, UNLV 21, Richmond 17, Murray State 15, Vanderbilt 14, North Carolina State 10, Arizona 8, Connecticut 8, Colorado 7, Mississippi State 7, UCLA 5, Ohio 4, Miami (FL) 4, Utah State 4, Xavier 4, Dayton 3, Old Dominion 2, New Mexico 1, Georgia Tech 1, Wofford 1

Duke forward Kyle Singler brings the ball up court during an NCAA college basketball game against Saint Augustine, on Oct. 23, in Durham, N.C. Singler was the leading vote-getter and only repeat selection for The Associated Press preseason men’s basketball All-America team, Monday, Nov. 1st, 2010.

2011 NCAA Women’s Basketball RankingsAP Top 25 Preseason

1 Connecticut (39)2 Baylor (1)3 Stanford4 Tennessee5 Xavier6 Duke7 Ohio State8 Texas A&M9 Kentucky10 Oklahoma11 West Virginia12 Notre Dame13 Georgetown14 St. John’s15 North Carolina16 UCLA17 Texas18 Florida State19 Georgia20 Iowa State21 Maryland22 Iowa23 TCU24 Vanderbilt25 Michigan State

* Others receiving votes: LSU 75, Georgia Tech 73, Dayton 67, Gonzaga 64, DePaul 49, California 44, North Carolina State 28, Bowling Green 22, Nebraska 19, Temple 15, Wisconsin-Green Bay 15, San Diego State 8, Wisconsin 8, USC 7, James Madison 5, Rutgers 4, Arkansas-Little Rock 3, Arizona State 2, Pittsburgh 2, Kansas 1, Miami (FL) 1, Penn State 1, Tulane 1

Connecticut’s Maya Moore dances at the First Night NCAA college basketball exhibition, in Storrs, Conn., Friday, Oct. 15th, 2010. Moore is the second player ever to be a two-time unanimous choice on The Associated Press’ preseason All-America team.

PREMIER PLAYERS 23

ashington Redskin’s middle linebacker, London Fletcher, has demonstrated his undisputable dedication to his team on the field. London has never missed a game

in his 11 year career. However, what makes London extraordinary is his dedication to the community. For his community involvement, London has earned three nominations for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which awards NFL players for overall excellence on and off the field. In 2009, he was a finalist for the award. In 2003, London founded The “London’s Bridge” Foundation, a non-profit organization that addresses the issues facing underprivileged and underrepresented children. The foundation teaches children important life skills and lessons by building a standard of education, leadership, teamwork and recreation, while instilling values of volunteerism and philanthropy. The “London’s Bridge” Foundation stays busy in multiple cities in the U.S. including Cleveland, OH;

Buffalo, NY; Washington, D.C.; and Charlotte, NC. The foundation’s website also provides a 24/7 mentoring program that allows people from all over the world to post their personal issues and receive advice or guidance from mentors or Mr. Fletcher himself. The next event for “London’s Bridge” will be the “London’s Brigade Event”. This event will focus on teamwork and volunteerism while providing Thanksgiving meals to 5,000 families. London and his “Brigade” will divide into five teams at the Redskin’s Annual Harvest Fest. Each team will be responsible for completing different tasks. The teams will be lead by different Redskins players and staff. London continues to be a force on and off the field. He has proven to be an excellent role model for children all over the country through his foundation by building a bridge to our future. For more information about The “London’s Bridge” Foundation, go to www.londonsbridge.org.

By Sam Smoot

W

London Builds A Bridge To Our Future

Washington Redskins linebacker London Fletcher, left, signs autographs for fans.

24 PREMIER PLAYERS

community

interview

Tantric

2� PREMIER PLAYERS

Marcus RatzenboeckElectric Violinist

In2008Tantricreleasedwhatcaneitherbeconsideredtheirthirdalbumortheirfirst.TherockbandhadbeenresurrectedfromtheashesbysingerHugoFerreiraafterthegroupreleasedtwohighlysuccessfulalbums(2001’sself-titledplatinumdebutand2004’sAfterWeGo)andessentiallycalleditquits.TheEndBegins,representsanewbeginningand,inaway,anewband.Thealbumwasasuccess,spawningaTop5ActiveRocksinglewith“DownandOut.”Now,thealbum’sfollow-up,MindControl,firmlyestablishesthatthisinceptionofTantricisn’tjustareincarnatedversionofanoldband,butacareerbandwithanunmistakablevisionofwhotheyare.

Afterspendingnearlytwoyearsontheroad,bothheadliningandsupportingbandslikeSalivaandDrowningPool,thebandmembersofTantricreturnedhometobeginpenningtheirnewalbum.Excepthome,foreachmember,wasadifferentplaceintheU.S.Soinsteadofsittingtogetherinarehearsalspaceinthesamecity,themembersofTantricwroteseparately,sendingfileselectronicallytoHugo,whocompiledthemintoworkingdemos.Afterafewmonths,thebandhadwrittenalmost30songs.

ThebandthenreconvenedinthesecludedstudioinPoconos.There,theyspentaweekexperimentingwithwhattheyhadwrittenlongdistanceforMindControl.Inevitably,someofthenumbersshiftedandevolvedduringthatweek.

Whatwasthebestpartofwritingthealbumseparately?

Marcus(electricviolin): Well it was nice because we all live in different cities so we were able to stay at home and everyone does their own part and sends it to one another.

Hugo(vocals): It was definitely more of collaboration than the last record in terms of writing. And we wrote it together even though we were thousands of miles apart. I don’t know how, but we really wrote an incredible record in a short period of time. I’ve always wanted to make a record like this.

Whatwasthehardestpartaboutwritingthealbumseparately?

Marcus: I wouldn’t say it was harder writing it separately but we are writing our next album already and writing it together.

Erik(bass): We had written the whole record over the computer so a lot of it changed once we got into the studio. When you have everyone in the same room the ideas start changing. What if we do this? What if we do that?

Howdoes“MindControl”comparestoyourpreviousalbums?

Marcus: Well we had different producers, we took a different approach, and some of the textures of the songs are a little different.

Erik: We definitely went heavier on this record. I think it has a lot to do with having all new members. This is the new band,

full on and writing together. We never said ‘Let’s write a heavier record,’ this is just what happened.

Whatisyourfavoritetrackonthealbum?

Marcus: There are so many good tracks on the album so it’s hard to pick. “Walk Away” is probably one of my favorites.

Whatbandhasinspiredyouthemost?

Marcus: I have to stick with the classics and say bands like Led Zeppelin, but there are so many bands that have inspired me.

WhatisnextforTantric?

Marcus: We are working on our next album now since touring is almost over.

What is it that drives the band to be successful? Is it fame and fortune, passion for the music, or a little of both?

Marcus: Well clearly we are trying to make money doing this but if you’re not passionate about the music, there are a lot of different ways you can make money. As far as fame goes, I don’t really care if I’m not an “A lister.”

Whichsportsteamsdoyoufollowthemost?

Marcus: I love the Tampa Bay Rays. We just performed at Tropicana Field and I’ve gotten to play “The Star Spangled Banner” there a few times. I also stay in contact with Evan Longoria.

Ifyoucouldbeanyathlete,whowoulditbe?

Marcus: I would have to say Michael Jordan. I grew up in the Chicago area so I follow a lot of Chicago sports.

Evan Longoria

Michael Jordan

PREMIER PLAYERS 27

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens3251 South Miami Ave.Miami, FL 33129vizcayamuseum.org

Coral Castle Museum28655 South Dixie Hwy.Miami, FL 33033coralcastle.com

sIGHtseenInGMiami Beach’s Famous Art Deco DistrictSouth Beach Miami

Little HavanaSouthwest of Downtown Miami

Coconut Grove190 NE 3rd St. Miami, FL 33132 miamigov.com

travel

Miami, FL

natureEverglades Alligator Farm40351 SW 192nd Ave.Homestead, FL 33034everglades.com

Miami Beach Botanical GardenMiami Beach, FL 33139mbgarden.org

sHOpsBayside Marketplace401 Biscayne Blvd.Miami, FL 33132baysidemarketplace.com

Dolphin Mall11401 NW 12th St.Miami, FL 33172shopdolphinmall.com‎

Downtown Miami Shopping DistrictBiscayne Blvd. to 2nd Ave. WestSouthwest 1st St. to Northeast 3rd St.Miami, FL 33131dwntwn.com

Bayside Marketplace

2� PREMIER PLAYERS

BeaCHSouth BeachOcean Drive & 5th St. to Collins Ave & 21st St.Miami Beach, FL

Vizcaya Meseum & Gardens

Coral Castle Museaum

home of

PREMIER PLAYERS 2�

Miami, FL

eatsBongos Cuban Café601 Biscayne Blvd.Miami, FL 33132 bongoscubancafe.com‎

Blu La Pizzeria Delsole7201 Southwest 59th Ave.South Miami, FL 33143blurestaurantsgroup.com‎

Mia at Biscayne20 Biscayne Blvd.Miami, FL 33132miabiscayne.com‎

Half Moon Empanadas1616 Washington Ave.Miami Beach, FL 33139halfmoonempanadas.com‎

mIamI area

Miami Beach

Art Deco

30 PREMIER PLAYERS

player’s ink Reeves NelsonUCLA forward Reeves Nelson shows his tattoos during the NCAA college basketball team’s media day in Los Angeles on Oct. 13th, 2010. The 6’ 8” sophomore was a three-sport star (basketball, football and track) for the Crusaders at Modesto Christian High School. He chose to attend UCLA because of the, “Coaches, players, location and strength of academic program.” The pro athlete he admires most is three-time World Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali.

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