Today is Super Bowl XLVII media day at the Superdome aka the carnival of strange. Photo by Derick E. Hingle/USA Today Sports

First Quarter: Starter Links

1) MLB Hot Stove Blog
2) Grantland talks about the Super Bowl prop bets
3) Mad Chatter from Dirk Chatelain of the Omaha World Herald
4) Sam Mellinger of the Twitter Tuesday

Second Quarter: NBA/NHL

1) NBA scoreboard
2) Zach Lowe injects fun into selecting the NBA All-Stars
3) NHL scoreboard
4) Hockey realignment talk and other stuff from Allan Muir

Third Quarter: College Basketball

1) Mid-Major Power Pyramid
2) Gary Parrish Poll Attacks
3) This week’s  Bracketology from Jerry Palm
4) The NCAA tournament at 75 years

Fourth Quarter: NFL Super Bowl Media Day

1) Joe Flacco says no to outdoor Super Bowl’s
2) Media Day live video
3) Here is your scattering of media day topics
4) Randy Moss says something silly … yeah he really thinks this

Follow Me on Twitter @MikeVmos Thanks!

2013 Posts: 40

Travis Pastrana’s risky transition to NASCAR By Lewis Franck

Bleacher Report:

9 NASCAR Sprint Cup Drivers Who Can Win Their 1st Races in 2013 By Christopher Leone

ESPN.com:

Elliott Sadler a Nationwide trendsetter? By Terry Blount

Fox Sports:

Mattioli III leaving Pocono Raceway

Zac Brown Band to perform at 500

Savannah Morning News:

Quest for speed continues among NASCAR teams By Don Coble

SB Nation:

‘Driven’ Roush Fenway Racing focused on 2013 By Jordan Bianchi

SPEEDtv:

Martin’s New Facility Offers Edge By Lee Spencer

Sporting News:

Kasey Kahne ready to contend for Cup title, could be this year’s Brad Keselowski By Bob Pockrass

Texas Motor Speedway unveils new rainout policy for fans

Trevor Bayne could run full Cup schedule for Roush in 2014 By Bob Pockrass

| Via Derek Tyson| ESPN.com |

Kelsey Chooses Cards

“GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Three-star Gainesville High School linebacker Keith Kelsey Jr. made his college commitment Monday morning.

The 6-foot-1, 213-pound athlete chose Louisville over USF and Kentucky.

Kelsey, who said he liked the fit at Louisville, said one thing stood out in choosing the Cardinals.

That, Kelsey said, is his solid relationship with Louisville coach Charlie Strong.

“Louisville is a great program with a great atmosphere,” Kelsey said. “I just love the team. It’s very family oriented. Coach Strong and the rest of the coaches are great.

“I can see myself fitting in real well. I really have a chance to come in and make an impact on the team. I see myself fitting in pretty good.”

Kelsey’s father, Keith Kelsey Sr., played for Strong while the elder Kelsey was at Florida in the mid-90′s.

The younger Kelsey had a chance to get to know Strong and has since formed a strong bond with the Louisville head coach.

“He’s just a great person,” Kelsey said. “He’s a player’s coach. Not just on the field, but off the field you can talk to him about anything. He’s just that type of coach. We have a great relationship.”

The hard-hitting inside linebacker said Louisville fans can expect him to come in and work hard from the time he steps on campus.

“I’m an enthusiastic person,” Kelsey said. “I just love the game of football — I’m a go getter. Louisville is going to get a hard worker that just wants to come in and help win ball games and championships.”

As a senior, Kelsey totaled 193 tackles, seven sacks and five forced fumbles.

The Cardinals have 15 commitments, 14 of whom are ranked three-stars or higher. Eight of Louisville’s 15 commitments are from the state of Florida.”

Via Derek Tyson, ESPN.com

| by Matthew Manuri | SoFloBulls.com |

| Via Derek Tyson| ESPN.com |

LB Hearns May Visit USF

“Four-star linebacker James Hearns (Tallahassee, Fla./Lincoln) returned from his weekend visit to Kentucky with a new leader.

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound athlete, who recently parted ways with Florida, now has Kentucky at the top of his list.

“It was great,” Hearns said. “They have a great atmosphere, a great fan base and great support overall. I really enjoyed it. They stand pretty high right now. I’d say Kentucky is my leader, and Auburn is No. 2 for me right now.”

While on his visit, the talented linebacker had a chance to talk with new Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops.

“He was just talking to me about coming in and helping turn this program around,” Hearns said. “Obviously Kentucky hasn’t had any success in recent years but he’s a new coach and wants a new beginning and to get everyone on the same page.

“He was just talking about coming up there and working and having a chance to compete early and being one of the top linebackers in the SEC.”

In addition to Kentucky and Auburn, the ESPN 300 inside linebacker said a few other schools have been in contact with him since his deflection from Florida.

“Houston hit me up the other day, and USF called me. So did Louisville. I’ll probably take another visit next weekend to one of those three schools.”

Hearns said he will likely wait until singing day to make his decision.”

Via Derek Tyson, ESPN.com

| by Matthew Manuri | SoFloBulls.com |

| Via Corey Long| ESPN.com |

Kemp May Be Back on Board

“Four-star running back Jojo Kemp (Deland, Fla./Deland) went back to where it all started this weekend. Kemp committed to South Florida in the spring but backed away from that commitment during the fall. Now the 5-foot-10, 190-pound running back was back on campus meeting a new staff.

Kemp decided to take the visit to South Florida because he felt like the school he was once committed to deserved another look

“I wanted South Florida to be my final visit,” Kemp said. “I wanted to meet the new staff and see what they were about. Now I can go home and shut this down. Everything just keeps getting crazier.

“And I wanted to spend time with Coach Taggart and the new staff. I was close with coach [Peter] Vaas and the old staff and I’m getting close with the new staff.”

Kemp is wanted by several programs, including Nebraska and Kentucky. He took an official to Lexington two weeks ago and enjoyed what he saw.

“I really liked Kentucky and the city of Lexington,” Kemp said. “It reminded me a lot of where I live in Deland. I was real comfortable there and comfortable around the people.”

The Kentucky staff led by new head coach Mark Stoops has made no secret of their desire to add Kemp to its recruiting class.

“They have told me that I’m the top running back on their board,” Kemp said. “And there’s an honor to see that a program thinks so highly of me.”

Kemp’s describes his recruitment as an adventure, much like the one his close friend and ESPN 150 prospect Asiantii Woulard (Winter Park, Fla./Winter Park) has dealt with. The two have taken a couple of trips together and talk often.

“We like to discuss the trips and use each other as a sounding board,” Kemp said. “It’s good to have a friend that’s going through the same thing because we remind each other that this is a blessing even though it can be difficult at times.”

Via Corey Long, ESPN.com

| by Matthew Manuri | SoFloBulls.com |

[nba-video vid=/teams/lakers/2013/01/26/130126DAntonimov-2365539]

HANG TIME HEADQUARTERS – Our sample size is just two games, so we know our science is a bit limited in this latest theory on how to cure what ails the Los Angeles Lakers (if that is indeed still possible).

Twice this season Kobe Bryant has finished games with 11 or more assists and the Lakers are 2-0 in those games, including Friday night’s trouncing of the Utah Jazz, and won by a combined 29 points.

Even for the math-challenged members of our hoops tribe, that essentially means a giving (assists) Kobe is much more beneficial to the  Lakers than a taking (shots) Kobe. He only had 10 shot attempts in the win over the Jazz to go along with his season-high 14 assists, one shy of his career-high set in (wait for it) 2002.

Kobe’s near triple-double in the win over the Jazz inspired some interesting praise/feedback from Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni (above), who described the performance as Kobe “playing the right way.”

Even Bryant admitted as much (via Twitter):

“@ImJustSam_: @kobebryant you should pass more often bro”u know what? In this situation, I think u r 100% right—
Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 26, 2013

But will he be able to resist his scorer’s instincts every night for the good of the rest of the team? That remains to be seen. This afternoon’s matinée against the Oklahoma City Thunder (3:30 p.m. on ABC) will provide our first glimpse into whether or not Friday night’s game was just a temporary statistical anomaly or if it is indeed a fresh and new approach to things for the man called Mamba.

His teammates, one large one in particular, know which way they’d like to see Bryant’s game trend. My main man Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com explains:

Bryant’s 10 shot attempts also tied a season low, but by limiting his shots, it spread out opportunities to Dwight Howard, who was 8 of 12 from the floor for 17 points, after totaling just 19 shots combined during the Lakers’ four-game losing streak entering Friday.

“I think for a lot of bigs, when we’re fed and we eat a little bit, we’re happy,” Howard said on Saturday. “Just like men. Give us some food, we’re good. We don’t eat, we’re grumpy.”

Howard said Bryant’s adjustment on offense helped not just him, but the entire team.

“We have to play for each other to win,” Howard said. “All of us have to sacrifice part of who we are, part of who we’ve been, especially on the offensive end for the team. Still bring the same kind of energy, but we have to figure out a way to all put it together. I’m sure everybody on this team wants to be the guy to score, make plays and all that stuff, but we have to figure out ways to do it together. If you get everybody else involved early and throughout the game, it just makes it tough for teams to guard.

“(Bryant) did a great job of that (Friday) night. When he plays that way, it makes it tough for teams because he’s passing. He’s throwing lobs. He’s picking the defense apart. Now he can get the chance to go one-on-one, where he’s dangerous.”

After the game on Friday, Bryant told reporters that the passing plan was premeditated.

“I tried to make a real concerted effort to force the game upon my teammates a little bit and just have them play with confidence,” Bryant said. “Even the shots that are not going in, just try to push it on them a little bit.”

If Facilitator Kobe was as deliberate as we’re being told it should be easy to recognize against the Thunder, who will no doubt challenge Kobe’s ego in a matchup against two of the league’s other elite scorers in Thunder All-Stars Kevin Durant and Russel Westbrook, who much like Bryant has never met a shot attempt he couldn’t justify one way or another.

As much as D’Antoni and others would have led us to believe that Steve Nash (and not Kobe) would serve as the director of on-court operations for this team, we’ve seen enough now to know better than that. As long as he draws breath in a Lakers uniform, this is Kobe’s team and only Kobe’s team.

And we are talking about a player, in Kobe, who hasn’t exactly given up the ball at a record clip in the name of the greater good. Per ESPN Stats & Information, Friday night’s game marked just the fourth time in his 17-year career that Kobe played 30 or minutes and finished a game with more assists than field goal attempts.

Stunner, the Lakers are 3-1 in those games.

Again,we’re working with a terribly small sample size. But there’s a Hollywood saying that dates back decades, one that is regurgitated from time to time when convenient and appropriate, that might apply in this case.

“Big things,” it’s been said, “have small beginnings.”

[nba-video vid=/channels/tnt_overtime/2013/01/18/20130117-inside-4.nba]

The New Orleans Hornets are going to change their nickname to the New Orleans Pelicans. They are going to implement the change starting next season. Here is the ESPN story showing the new logo and giving a history of the franchise and the reasons for the name change.

The reserves for the NBA All-Star game in February were announced and here are the names of those who got voted in by the coaches of their conference.

EAST

• Chris Bosh (Miami Heat, frontcourt)
• Luol Deng (Chicago Bulls, frontcourt)
• Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Caveliers, backcourt)
• Joakim Noah (Chicago Bulls, frontcourt)
• Jrue Holiday (Philadelphia 76ers, backcourt)
• Tyson Chandler (New York Knicks, frontcourt)
• Paul George (Indiana Pacers, backcourt)

In the East some veterans were off their game and didn’t get voted in as bench players. Celtics Paul Pierce and Nets Deron Williams haven’t played very well, Pacers Danny Granger and Bulls Derrick Rose are injured, while Nets Brook Lopez is the only other significant snub in the Eastern Conference.

On the East list the bottom five players got in their first time and have been in the NBA less than five years. Tyson Chandler has been in the league 12 years and is tied with Vlade Divac as the players who have gone the longest before getting in the All-Star game.

WEST 

• James Harden (Houston Rockets, backcourt)
• Tony Parker (San Antonio Spurs, backcourt)
• Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs, frontcourt)
• David Lee (Golden State Warriors, frontcourt)
• LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland Trailblazers, frontcourt)
• Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder, backcourt)
• Zach Randolph (Memphis Grizzlies, frontcourt)

In the West, some people got in that shouldn’t have. Dwight Howard is starting in the All-Star game, but hasn’t played well enough to earn that privilege. LaMarcus Aldridge hasn’t earned a bench spot.

It seems like Tony Parker and Tim Duncan are always on the list, but their team is so focused on the playoffs they don’t seem to care (for example, their coach sitting Duncan because he is old last season, and sending four starters home before they played the Heat this season to give them rest).

Harden got traded and went from the 3rd best player on OKC to the best player on HOU and is 5th in the league in scoring so him making the All-Star team was inevitable.

Everybody else earned their spots, but the snubs in the Western Conference include Warriors Stephen Curry, Grizzlies Marc Gasol and Thunders Serge Ibaka.

Long-term Injury Update:

• Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls) – Rose is making steps in his comback from tearing his ACL in his knee last season. On his profile page on ESPN, he is “seeing more contact in controlled games of two-on-two”. 

• Danny Granger (Indiana Pacer) – Granger, who also has had a knee injury is going to be temporarily coming off the bench, when he comes back into the lineup, so work him back into the games.

• Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers) – Paul won’t play Saturday night against the Portland Trailblazers.

Blockbuster Trade Rumor

There was a trade rumor today that would include Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies to Los Angeles Lakers), Pau Gasol (Los Angeles Lakers to Boston Celtics) and Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics to Memphis Grizzlies).

This was denied by someone in the Grizzlies organization according to Chris Vernon, a radio host that covers the Grizzlies and is associated with ESPN.

Grizzlies source tells me there are no legs to the Pierce-Rudy-Pau rumor.I was crushed, haha.

— Chris Vernon (@ChrisVernonShow) January 26, 2013

Here are some thoughts on the rumor by Bill Simmons, editor-in-chief of ESPN’s Grantland.

(2) No way in hell Kobe allows Pau to go to a rival like Boston or Miami. He’s a huge Pau fan. Doesn’t want to help teams he wants to beat.

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) January 26, 2013

(3) Lakers aren’t taking on any salary past 2014 b/c Jimmy Buss wants to make a run at LeBron. So Rudy Gay (expires 2015) ain’t happening.

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) January 26, 2013

(4) Still far more likely LA trades Howard and keeps Pau. Can’t trade Pau, then get screwed if/when Howard bolts this summer.

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) January 26, 2013

Team streak update:

• Miami Heat (won 4 in a row)
• Boston Celtics (lost 6 in a row)
• Orlando Magic (lost 4 in a row)
• San Antonio Spurs (won 7 in a row)

Link(s) of the Week: Lebron jumps on fan who hit half-court hook-shot for $75,000

Kevin Durant with the massive dunk almost from the free throw line. Seriously, watch it now.

Thanks for reading! Please follow me on Twitter @Eric_Saar and check back later for the preview and recap of tonight’s Suns game as they take on the San Antonio Spurs!

Danica Patrick Confirms She Is Dating Fellow NASCAR Driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. By Gabe Zaldivar

ESPN.com:

NASCAR on the verge of rebirth By Terry Blount

Orlando Sentinel:

NASCAR stars crash Rolex 24 party By George Diaz

SB Nation:

Danica Patrick confirms she is dating Ricky Stenhouse Jr. By Jordan Bianchi

Kyle Busch confirms contract extension with Joe Gibbs Racing By Jordan Bianchi

Sporting News:

Confirmed: Danica Patrick dating Ricky Stenhouse Jr. By Bob Pockrass

Danica Patrick Super Bowl commercial for 2013 By Bob Pockrass

Tireball.com:

Kenny Wallace to run part-time schedule with RAB Racing By John Boarman

USA Today:

DJ Brad Keselowski rocks Charlotte’s airwaves By Jeff Gluck

| by Matthew Manuri| SoFloBulls.com |

Official Visitors this Weekend

RB JoJo Kemp - Deland HS – 81 Grade, 4 Star

RB Stafon McCray - Kissimmee-Osceola HS – 77 Grade 3 Star

TE Travis Johnson - Jesuit HS – ESPN 300 #162

WR Marquez Valdes - Lakewood Senior HS – 72 Grade 3 Star

WR Stacy Coley - Northeast HS (FL) – ESPN 150 #47

CB Lamar Robbins - Miami Shortridge Senior HS – 76 Grade 3 Star

| by Matthew Manuri | SoFloBulls.com |

| Via Brent Sobleski| ESPN.com |

Woulard’s Latest List Eliminates Bulls

“UPDATE: One of the most sought after recruits late in this year’s recruiting cycle has been four-star quarterback Asiantii Woulard (Winter Park, Fla./Winter Park). Woulard reportedly whittled down his list of schools to a pair of programs.

Clemson and a late push from UCLA have put these two programs at the forefront of Woulard’s recruitment according to Phil Kornblut of PalmettoSports.com. Clemson is believed to be the favorite, but UCLA is closing the gap after a recent in-house visit.

“They brought the house, UCLA,” Woulard’s father, Mike, told Kornblut. “It was very informative. (Asiantee) listened to what they had to say and took it to heart.”

UCLA has impressed Woulard, and yet it’s still Clemson’s race to lose”

Via Brent Sobleski, ESPN.com

| by Matthew Manuri | SoFloBulls.com |

| Via Corey Long| ESPN.com |

Taggart After 2014 Team Tampa RB

“TAMPA, Fla. – After winning the IMG Madden Football national championship in 2012, Team Tampa had no shortage of talented underclassmen at Riverfront Park on Sunday for this year’s early workouts.

With ESPN 150 players such as Vernon Hargreaves III, Alvin Bailey, Leon McQuay III and Ryan Green on last year’s team, the competition to replace them was strong.

One of the best players on the field was running back Jarvis Stewart (Largo, Fla./Largo). The 5-foot-10, 190-pound junior has been offered by South Florida and Indiana already, and Alabama is showing a lot of early interest.

“The Indiana offer came pretty recently,” Stewart said. “Alabama and USF have been there for a while. I’ll get the Alabama offer during the spring, most likely.”

Stewart, who rushed for 1,186 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior, said he’s ready to commit himself this offseason to football after running into some disciplinary issues last year.

“Last year I wasn’t doing the right things and I had to pay the price,” Stewart said. “It was a blessing to be let back on my team and now I’m ready for anything that comes my way.

“Team Tampa gives me the opportunity to work on my hands and the receiving aspect of my game. It’s exciting to be part of this group.”

Via Corey Long, ESPN.com

| by Matthew Manuri | SoFloBulls.com |

| Via Associated Press, STATS LLC | ESPN.com |

Pirates Capitalize on Bulls Poor Shooting

“NEWARK, N.J. — Fuquan Edwin scored 16 points and Brandon Mobley added 14, leading Seton Hall to a 55-47 victory over South Florida on Wednesday night.

The victory snapped a four-game losing streak for the Pirates (13-6, 2-4 Big East). The Bulls (10-8, 1-5) lost for the fifth time in six games.

Mobley, who returned to action after missing one game with a separated shoulder, scored eight of his points in the second half to hold off any possible South Florida run. The Bulls twice got to within six in the second half.

South Florida was paced by Jawanza Poland, who scored 13, and Toarlyn Fitzpatrick, who had 10 points.

The Pirates never trailed, scoring the first five points and pushing their lead to double digits twice, the latest being 29-19 with 43 seconds left in the half.

Poland’s long 3-pointer at the buzzer sliced the lead to 29-22 at the half.
The first half was played at a slow, methodical pace.

After the Pirates led 5-0, then later 12-4 on a layup by Edwin, the Bulls crawled back to trail 14-13 after a layup by Zach LeDay with 10:46 left in the first half.

But the Pirates went on a 9-0 run for a 23-13 lead with 6:01 remaining in the half. Teague had six of the nine Seton Hall points during that stretch.

South Florida scored the first six points of the second half to slice the lead to 29-28 with 16:10 left on a power move from Martino Brock.

But Edwin scored the next five points, a 3-pointer and two free throws, to push the lead back to 34-28 with 15:10 remaining.

Mobley, who missed the Marquette game last week as a result of his separated shoulder, had two power dunks that gave the Pirates a 38-32 lead with 12:40 left.

Brian Oliver, who also just returned to action after missing five games with a sprained ankle, canned a 3-pointer from beyond the top of the key to push the Pirates’ lead to 41-32 with 11 minutes remaining.

Mobley added another power move down low, giving the Pirates their largest lead at 45-34 with 9:40 left.

Edwin had 10 rebounds. Seton Hall held South Florida to 33.9 percent shooting (19 of 56) and 15.8 percent (3 of 19) from 3-point range.”

Via Associated Press, STATS LLC, ESPN.com

| by Matthew Manuri | SoFloBulls.com |

| by Derek Tyson | ESPN.com |

Bulls Pickup 3-Star LB Harris

“Three-star linebacker Nigel Harris (Tampa, Fla./Hillsborough) verbally committed to USF on Wednesday evening. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound athlete chose the Bulls after taking a weekend visit to Wake Forest.

Harris said he chose South Florida because of his comfort level with the new coaching staff.

“I just got off the phone with coach [Ray] Woodie and coach [Willie] Taggart, and I told them I was going to be a Bull,” Harris said. “They have a great coaching staff, and I can relate to them very well as a player.”

In addition to his relationship with the coaching staff, Harris said there were other things that attracted him to USF.

“They have great resources around the campus that can help me as a football player and as a person,” he said. “They have great facilities, and they have an engineering program, which I want to major in. I got along great with the players when I went on my visit. That was a big thing, because I want to feel comfortable with guys I’m playing with.”

So what kind of player can USF fans expect from Harris?

“Oh man,” Harris laughed, “fast, fierce and fearless is how I play.”

USF now has 22 commits, including 18 that are ranked three-stars or higher.”

Via Derek Tyson, ESPN.com

| by Matthew Manuri | SoFloBulls.com |

Danica Patrick: Realistic Expectations for the Rookie’s Sprint Cup Season By Michael Guadalupe

Fantasy NASCAR: 8 Secrets to Winning Your League By Chad Robb

10 Drivers with Most to Prove at 2013 Daytona 500 By Christopher Leone

Detroit Free Press:

Pistons to host Brad Keselowski, pay tribute to NASCAR champ Tuesday By Mike Brudenell

ESPN.com:

New dryers a godsend for NASCAR Nation By Ed Hinton

Fox Sports:

The way we are By Darrell Waltrip

NASCAR lauds lineage of Generation 6 car By Rea White

Godfather Motorsports:

JR Motorsports Lands New Nationwide Sponsor By Dave Moody

SB Nation:

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Hendrick Motorsports still seeking sponsorship for 13 races By Matt Weaver

SPEEDtv:

Kahne Poised To Deliver Title By Tom Jensen

Sporting News:

Kasey Kahne’s hair: Driver says new ‘do called ‘high and tight’ By Bob Pockrass

USA Today:

Clint Bowyer: You might be a redneck if … By Jeff Gluck

For Ganassi, 2010 long way in rearview mirror By Nate Ryan

Team owner gives Kasey Kahne $20 to finish haircut By Nate Ryan

Dale Earnhardt Jr. needs sponsor for 13 NASCAR races By Jeff Gluck

[nba-video vid=/channels/allstar/2013/01/18/dwight-howard-all-star-top-10.nba]

HANG TIME HEADQUARTERS – Here we go again.

The Feb. 21 trade deadline is fast approaching and guess whose name is at the top of the list, just like last season? That’s right, Dwight Howard.  The formerly disgruntled Orlando Magic star has apparently been replaced by Dwight Howard, the disgruntled Los Angeles Lakers star. The Magic’s Dwightmare of a year ago now becomes the Lakers’ burden this time around.

And that means the wheels are turning in front offices around the league, what with the prospect of Howard becoming available before he becomes a free agent at season’s end, which for the Lakers could very well be mid-April.

These latest developments thrust other teams into the thick of the Howard sweepstakes, with prospective summer free-agent players Dallas and Atlanta joining the usual suspects (the Lakers and Brooklyn Nets) in the conversation. The Lakers’ pitiful season is what has reignited the Dwightmare dilemma … plus the fact that Brooklyn was his preferred destination all along.

And depending on who you listen to and what you read, there’s a dizzying array of possibilities being considered by the different sides in this saga.

RealGM.com’s Jarrod Rudolph reports the Nets are ready to finish what they started last season and finally bring Howard to Brooklyn, with Brook Lopez (and a third team needed to help facilitate a deal) as the return piece. Of course, there is the obligatory return volley that says Lopez is safe, from Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News, the best part coming at the end: “It’s not the same as it was last year,” said a Nets source. “We don’t need Dwight.”

Interesting. But that won’t slow down the stream of rumors suggesting otherwise.

With the Lakers stuck in the 12th spot in the Western Conference playoff chase, no one outside of Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash should feel comfortable in that Lakers’ locker room.

And if Kobe’s words, tweets and facial expressions mean anything, something has to change. Because it’s clear, as ESPN.com‘s Ramona Shelburne and Marc Stein point out, that the real crack in the Lakers’ foundation is the rift between its two biggest stars:

“Obviously, this isn’t working,” Lakers star Kobe Bryant told Yahoo! Sports after the Chicago loss.

“I’ve tried to go out of my way to get (Howard) the ball. Sometimes I end up looking like an idiot, because I get up in the air, I’ve got a shot, but I try to find him. But he thinks I’m going to shoot, so his back is turned. I’m trying to think about getting him the ball a lot — take care of him as much as I possibly can. It takes me out of rhythm a little bit, but I’m fine with that. If that’s going to help our team, I’m more than willing to do that.

“I’ve constantly tried to help him out, tried to talk to him,” Bryant continued. “Two o’clock in the morning, three o’clock in the morning. Texting him. Sharing reading materials. Anything to try and help him.

“He’s coming off a major surgery in a market where it’s just merciless; where there’s demands and responsibilities of athletes. It’s been tough on him.”

The blame in L.A. has been widespread, with both Howard and Gasol facing criticism for not battling through these tough times with the needed resolve. D’Antoni getting second-guessed with rising volume for not tweaking his spread-the-floor system to accommodate his marquee players and Bryant critiquing himself this week for missing too many shots on an 0-2 road trip that has spiraled into six straight losses away from Staples Center and three straight losses overall heading into Thursday’s game at Memphis.

If Lakers fans have to pick a side, Howard might as well start packing his bags now. In the past, they’ve chosen Kobe in landslides over former big man Shaquille O’Neal and ex-coach Phil Jackson, among others. Howard doesn’t stand a chance in winning over the fan base, the franchise and perhaps most importantly, the locker room.

It seems pretty obvious that Kobe and Nash have gone out of their way to make Howard feel as comfortable as possible and still these issues persist. With time running out on their season and that Feb. 21 escape hatch getting closer and closer, something has to give …

7 Drivers Who Need to Change Teams By Christopher Leone

Dale Earnhardt Jr.: 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion By Jim Folsom

ESPN.com:

Dale Earnhardt Jr. to endorse Goody’s By David Newton

FoxSports.com:

NASCAR’s two biggest names team up By Lee Spencer

Bowyer taking shot at Rolex 24 By Rea White

SB Nation:

Stewart-Haas Racing still looking for additional sponsorship By Jordan Bianchi

Kevin Harvick, Richard Childress committed to winning in final season together By Jordan Bianchi

Sporting News:

Kevin Harvick move to Stewart-Haas Confirmed by Richard Childress; duo vows to make best of final season By Bob Pockrass

Kurt Busch has calm offseason, focuses on new Furniture Row Racing team By Bob Pockrass

USA Today:

Mark Martin’s wheel time in No. 55 limited By Jeff Gluck

NASCAR will unveil new drying system at Daytona 500 By Nate Ryan

| by Brent Sobleski | ESPN.com |

Leader Emerges for Woulard

“UPDATE: A lead appears to be emerging for the nation’s No. 1 dual-threat quarterback Asiantii Woulard (Winter Park, Fla./Winter Park).

“Hearing it is becoming less likely that QB Asiantii Woulard will end up at Kentucky. Clemson looks to be the most likely destination,” Matt Jones of KentuckySportsRadio.com tweeted.

Woulard visited Clemson this weekend, but he left without committing to the program. The quarterback would be a logical replacement for Tajh Boyd in Clemson’s system. Boyd decided to return to Clemson for his senior season despite being highly regarded as a NFL Draft prospect. Woulard would likely redshirt his first season on campus and then take over for Boyd.

South Florida, North Carolina State and UCLA are still under consideration by Woulard as well.

—

UCLA is the latest program to enter the mix for Asiantii Woulard. The Bruins offered last week according to Chad Simmons of Scout.com

“I really do not know much about UCLA at all right now,” Woulard told Simmons. “That is why I want to get out there to visit them. I know I like the coaches that I have talked to, but that is about it.”

Woulard’s recruitment has really picked up in the past week with both UCLA and Clemson becoming late offer. The former South Florida recruit was believed to be leaning towards Kentucky, North Carolina State or USF. The addition of Clemson and UCLA, both of which have upcoming visits, could definitely swing this recruiting battle in a different direction..”

Via Brent Sobleski, ESPN.com

| by Matthew Manuri | SoFloBulls.com |

| by Corey Long | ESPN.com |

A Super Bull Sunday for South Florida

“While ‘Super Bowl Sunday’ isn’t for another couple of weeks, it was ‘Super Bull Sunday’ for South Florida after Willie Taggart and the Bulls staff received commitments from several top recruits.

The big news for South Florida started early when ESPN 300 defensive lineman Eric Mayes (Sarasota, Fla./Booker) committed to the program and when the day was over South Florida had four new commitments on the defensive side of the ball.

The commitment of Mayes and getting three-star defensive lineman Derrick Calloway (Bradenton, Fla./Manatee) to flip from Louisville to South Florida were the biggest stories and showed the pull that Taggart has in the Sarasota/Bradenton community.

Mayes wasn’t really on South Florida’s radar until Taggart took over the head coaching spot, and while Calloway had been one of the top players on South Florida’s board for a while, they struggled to make headway with the 6-foot-1, 300-pound senior during the season.

But Taggart is a Bradenton guy — he attended Manatee High School in the late 90s. He and his top assistant Raymond Woodie, a former head coach at nearby Palmetto (Fla.) High, have been recruiting the area for 10 years. They weren’t going to let the top two defensive line prospects in the area get away without a fight.

Add in the commitments of linebacker Mike Love (Clearwater, Fla./Countryside) and three-star defensive back Hassan Childs (Kissimmee, Fla./Osceola) — a former NC State commit — and now South Florida sits at 21 verbal commitments strong.

Expect Taggart to focus the last two weeks of the recruiting season on finding two running backs and adding more youth to the offensive line. His work isn’t done yet, but this weekend showed that Taggart will be very difficult to recruit against in his old hometown.”

Via Corey Long, ESPN.com

| by Matthew Manuri | SoFloBulls.com |

| by Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com |

Jacquain Williams’ Ft. Scott has Another DE

“Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College defensive end Demetrius Hill changed his mind and canceled a Division I visit this weekend. He wants more.

After canceling his visit with the Memphis Tigers, Hill is leaning toward returning to Fort Scott CC for the 2013 season. He’s looking to get his name out more before signing to play at a Div. I school.

“It’s out there now, but I’d like to get it out there a little more,” he said. “If I came back, I could have SEC schools [recruiting me], because I’ll be coming out in December, and SEC schools want graduates coming out in mid-December.”

Hill was considering South Florida, Memphis and Kansas. The 6-foot-3, 255 pound prospect can afford to return to Fort Scott and still play two seasons of Div. I football.

“If I were to come out right now, I’d have three years of eligibility,” he said.

Hill, originally from Kankakee, Ill., is a three-star athlete.”

Via Brandon Chatmon, ESPN.com

| by Matthew Manuri | SoFloBulls.com |

USF Adds Two More Assistants

“USF announced Friday that it has hired two more assistants — David Reaves will coach receivers and Eric Mathies will coach defensive line.

Together, the pair brings 24 years of coaching experience to USF, including a combined six years as recruiting coordinators.

“David and Eric bring a great combination of on-the-field coaching experience and recruiting prowess,” coach Willie Taggart said in a statement. “I love the energy that they bring, and they’ll be great compliments to the other staff members. Both have been heavily involved in recruiting, especially here in Florida, and I believe that will be a huge asset as we build this program.”

Reaves previously worked at South Carolina, Tennessee and New Mexico. During his career, Reaves has developed a reputation as one of the top recruiters in Florida and the southeast. In 2012, Reaves served as an instructor at IMG Academy, working with top-flight athletes at the professional, collegiate and prep levels.

If his name sounds familiar to you — his brother-in-law is USC coach Lane Kiffin. And His father, John, was an All-America quarterback at Florida.

Mathies previously worked at Western Kentucky, Tennessee St. and Midwestern (Texas) St. He spent the past eight seasons working at Western Kentucky, serving as recruiting coordinator for three seasons under Taggart.”

Via Andrea Adelson, ESPN.com

| by Matthew Manuri | SoFloBulls.com |

Day one of NASCAR Cup test at Charlotte washed out  By Al Pearce

Bleacher Report:

Austin Dillon: Should He Drive the Iconic No. 3 Cup Car for Richard Childress? By Sandra MacWatters

Why Jimmie Johnson Is So Hateable By Michael Guadalupe

The 10 Toughest Drivers in Sprint Cup By Jerry Bonkowski

ESPN.com:

Dodge not expected back soon By David Newton

Fox News:

NASCAR Pleased With Test Runs

Fox Sports:

Allmendinger has Cup offer for ’13 By Lee Spencer

NASCAR.com:

New Roof flaps help NASCAR Keep Cars Grounded By David Caraviello

SB Nation:

NASCAR tracks Texas and Charlotte bid for X Games By Jordan Bianchi

Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Danica Patrick set to battle for rookie By Jordan Bianchi

Jeff Burton focused on winning, not future with RCR By Jordan Bianchi

Greg Biffle doesn’t expect Roush Racing to share much data with Penske Racing By Matt Weaver

World Series of Asphalt, popular Speedweeks companion event gains NASCAR sanction By Matt Weaver

SPEEDtv:

Burton Eager For Gen-6 Era By Lee Spencer

Sporting News:

Landon Cassill looking for ride again after leaving BK Racing

New testing policy will be key as teams learn new Sprint Cup car

NASCAR considering European races By Christian Sylt

Bleacher Report:

The 5 Fastest Tracks in Sprint Cup (including a Few Surprises) By Jerry Bonkowski

Predicting the Winner of the Top 20 Sprint Cup Races in 2012 By Christopher Leone

ESPN.com:

No ‘Armstrong’ moment for Mayfield By David Newton

Edwards ready to get going in 2013 By David Newton

Fox News:

Charlotte in NASCAR Spotlight

SB Nation:

Rolex 24: Michael Waltrip on Clint Bowyer joining all-star team and driving Grand-Am Ferraris By Matt Weaver

Sporting News:

NASCAR 2013: Teams scrambling to get hoods, decklids to build new Sprint Cup car By Bob Pockrass

Texas, Charlotte tracks interesting in hosting X Games

USA Today:

Does David Ragan have realistic expectations for 2013 By Jeff Gluck

5 Reasons Why Both Busch Brothers Will Make the Chase in 2013 By Jerry Bonkowski

Projecting the Breakout NASCAR Stars of 2013 By Michael Guadalupe

10 Early Predictions for the 2013 Daytona 500 By Sandra MacWatters

ESPN.com:

Mayfield makes reinstatement plea By David Newton

FoxSports.com:

Cassill leaves BK Racing team

New car, new rules impact NASCAR By Lee Spencer

Reutimann returns to Cup full time By Lee Spencer

SB Nation:

10 drivers, crew chiefs and teams under the most pressure to perform By Jordan Bianchi

SI.com:

Martin Truex Jr. on a mission to get the elusive checkered flag in 2012 By Tim Tuttle

SC News:

Darlington Raceway to feature interactive display at NASCAR preview

Sporting News:

Carl Edwards trying to forgot 2012, looking for strong start with new crew chief By Bob Pockrass

USA Today:

Landon Cassill leaves BK Racing after deal falls through By Jeff Gluck

SDSU & Big East on verge of a deal

UPDATE: A decision appears forthcoming from San Diego State regarding it’s conference future. The Aztecs have a Jan. 31 deadline to choose between the Big East Conference and the Mountain West Conference. If they don’t make a decision at that point, the Mountain West Conference can move on to adding another affiliate. But San Diego State certainly appears to be leaning towards returning to the Mountain West, and the Big East is willing to oblige.

“San Diego State, Big East ‘close’ to deal to amicably part ways, according to league source, clearing path for Aztecs to rejoin MWC,” Jeremy Fowler of CBSSports.com tweeted.

Once San Diego State rejoins the Mountain West, the league will a decision to make. The conference already has plans for a 12-team league with the inclusion of the Aztecs. The Mountain West could also press forward and expand to a 14-team league. Tulsa, UTEP, SMU and Houston are believed to be options.

—

The clock is ticking, and the deadline for San Diego State’s decision to rejoin the Mountain West Conference is nearly two weeks away. The league is preparing for life with the Aztecs.

“Deputy commissioner Bret Gilliland said Friday it’s 99 percent certain that there will be 11 or 12 teams for the 2013 season and meaningful discussions continue with San Diego State officials,” Irv Moss of the Denver Post reported.

Said Gilliland, “We’re preparing as much as we can for an 11-team schedule, but if it goes to 12, we’ve looked at some plans and we’re ready to go. Our outside timetable is Jan. 31, but obviously we would like to move on this as quickly as possible.”

The Mountain West is certain to have 11 teams in the fold this fall with Boise State’s decision to return to the conference, and both Utah State and San Jose State set to join. San Diego State is the mystery 12th team. The Mountain West is simply waiting to hear if it will revoke its future membership with the Big East Conference. And the decision will have a profound effect on the league if it were to expand to 12 teams.

“If the Mountain West goes to 12 teams, Gilliland pointed to the possibility of a two-division setup that would include five division games, three cross-division games and four non-conference games,” Moss noted. “There would be a championship game between the division winners at the end of the season.”

The Mountain West is also considering further expansion, but San Diego State’s decision comes first and foremost.

Via Brent Sobleski, ESPN.com

| by Matthew Manuri | SoFloBulls.com |