Jan. 7
Each week I post my Dick's Stock Market report on whose stock is up and whose is down across the world of sports.
STOCK UP: Shock City residents, Miami football, UConn women
Mississippi State, N.C. State, Pittsburgh and Florida State all get nods for pulling off big-time surprises this weekend. Rick Stansbury's Bulldogs were down 21-2 to a very good Kentucky team, but they never quit. That was a big-time win, as Mario Austin had 25 of his 32 points in the second half and overtime, including his first career 3-pointer to send the game to OT.
Herb Sendek has had as much pressure on him as anyone in college basketball, and his Wolfpack came through against previously unblemished Virginia. Pittsburgh showed it's for real with a win at Boston College, snapping a 25-game home win streak. Then there was Florida State, shocking then-No. 1 Duke, ending the Blue Devils' 22-game win streak.
Congratulations to Miami's football team on winning the national championship. I don't know Larry Coker, but he seems like the kind of guy players love to perform for. The Hurricanes were brilliant in the first half against Nebraska.
Ken Dorsey and Rex Grossman were outstanding in their bowl games. They are probably going to be two of the favorites for next year's Heisman.
Geno Auriemma has done a great job with the Connecticut women's team. Diana Taurasi had a career-high 32 points as the Lady Huskies posted an impressive 86-72 win at Tennessee. Connecticut has already beaten Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Oklahoma and Louisiana Tech -- and with no other ranked teams scheduled, UConn could go through the regular season unbeaten.
STOCK DOWN: Saints, Nebraska football, Kenyon Martin
The New Orleans Saints really folded down the stretch. Jim Haslett's team did not show up in Sunday's 38-0 loss to the Niners. The Saints started to fall apart with the loss at Tampa Bay a few weeks back.
Nebraska's football team did not look like it belonged in the Rose Bowl, falling behind 34-0 in the first half.
Kenyon Martin is not acting like the player I used to cover. In fact, he's looking more and more like a member of the All-Rasheed Wallace team, losing his cool. There was no reason for his move on Tracy McGrady, leading to his second suspension in a two-week span.
