Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
Ryan Callahan scored for the fifth time in four days and defenseman Ryan McDonagh snapped a second-period tie to lift the New York Rangers to a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Sunday.
Kobe Bryant hit a baseline jump shot with 4.2 seconds left and the Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up a six-game road trip by holding on to beat the Raptors 94-92 on Sunday, their eighth victory in nine meetings with Toronto
Arc's five up, five down: After No. 11 Michigan State's 58-48 upset of No. 3 Ohio State, you'd be a fool to discount the Spartans' national title chances now.
Miami coach Al Golden says the worst is behind him, but his headaches figure to continue now that former booster Nevin Shapiro, now in jail, says his involvement with the Hurricanes program will result in stiff penalties.
Eleven shots separated Phil and Tiger Sunday at Pebble Beach as Lefty secured his 40th Tour win. Jason Sobel had hole-by-hole reports.
The United States completed a 5-0 rout of Switzerland in the Davis Cup on Sunday, with 19-year-old Ryan Harrison and John Isner winning closing singles matches.
Zambia has won the African Cup of Nations, beating pre-tournament favorite Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties in a dramatic final at Stade de l'Amitie.
Tessa Worley of France fought off gusting winds to win a second consecutive World Cup giant slalom Sunday in the Andorran Pyrenees. Overall leader Lindsey Vonn was more than a second behind and finished eighth.
Robins: It’s the Year of the Dragon on the Lunar calendar, and this Chinese influence could extend to it also being the year of the Pekingese on the green carpet at the 136th Westminster Dog Show on Tuesday.
 | Slideshow |
 |
College hoops All-American teams Ohio State’s Evan Turner is on NBCSports.com’s preseason team, but who else made it? We spotlight 25 of the game’s best. more photos |
Q: I know how the "McDonald’s All-Americans" and the AAU superstars are recruited, but how about the guys who are just as talented but not known? How are they recruited?
— Vince P, Tampa Fla.
A: Wow, there are many ways to answer that question, Vince. I loved the old-time formula when coaches would identify a desired recruit, then outwork other staffs. Those coaches built relationships with family members, parents, friends and coaches, and they really got to know those players. NCAA rules now get in the way of those strong relationships, and that’s why so many players end up in the wrong situations.
Recruiting is not an exact science. The elite teams in college basketball can be rather selective when it comes to All-Americans and the top players from summer camps. Those players, and the ones who are clearly NBA-bound, are the ones that demand the most attention. But I think every successful coach has a recruiting system that works for him and his staff.
Many times an assistant coach is sent to scout and recruit the top player on a high school or AAU team. He may come back saying, “That player was great, but there’s another player that fits our system better.” A missed flight connection might force a coach to check out a player who is secondary on his list, and that player may wind up the school’s No. 1 target.
I think the best programs in the country are the ones that can identify the lower-rated players who fit into the school’s system. Digging out those players, the ones that other programs overlook, may be the most important element to building a strong program. There are only so many All-Americans out there.
If you want a good look at the world of recruiting, I suggest you read the book “Raw Recruits” by Alexander Wolff and Armen Keteyian. It was published in 1991, but it’s still the best look at basketball recruiting that I’ve ever seen.
Arc's five up, five down: After No. 11 Michigan State's 58-48 upset of No. 3 Ohio State, you'd be a fool to discount the Spartans' national title chances now.
Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 15 points and Evan Smotrycz added 13, helping No. 22 Michigan remain unbeaten at home with a 70-61 win over Illinois on Sunday.
| Slideshow |
 | College hoops power rankings A look at the top teams in college basketball based on performance and potential. NBCSports.com |
Latest from Beyond the Arc |
Here’s a shot you just can’t defend3 hr 42 min ago Five up, five down from college hoops’ huge day20 hr 12 min ago Michigan State sure shook up Big Ten by beating Buckeyes20 hr 57 min ago |
 | College basketball videos |
 Getty Images Highlights: No. 14 UNLV 65, No. 13 SDSU 63 Mike Moser scored 19 points, and UNLV forced three turnovers in the final 42 seconds to win. |
| Slideshow |
 | NBCSports.com |
Zambia has won the African Cup of Nations, beating pre-tournament favorite Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties in a dramatic final at Stade de l'Amitie.
Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.
NBC Sports TV and livestream listings