Thanks to the wonders of YouTube, video has surfaced of Dwight Howard practicing for the dunk contest. Many viewers were expecting to see Howard do his kiss-the-rim dunk. Sure enough, Howard practiced the dunk and planned to use it, but Michael Jordan and friends kept Howard from advancing to the next round. The video has a rehearsal of the sticker dunk as well as Howard accidentally hitting his head on the rim.

Steve Francis and the New York Knicks may discuss a contract buyout. Francis has been missing-in-action, playing in only half of the team’s games while providing a minimally positive impact on the court.

Dwyane Wade’s shoulder injury appears more and more likely to be season-ending. While Shaquille O’Neal will try to keep the defending champion Miami Heat in playoff position, anything but a Washington Wizards collapse will result in the Heat earning an opening matchup against the Detroit Pistons or Wizards.

Amare Stoudemire and Vince Carter were named the NBA’s Players of the Week. After a slow start to the season, Stoudemire has had a 20/10 game in all but two games in February where he only grabbed nine rebounds or scored 18 points.

The Ohio State Buckeyes have moved into the #1 spot in the AP Top 25. Forty-five years ago was the most recent season where the Buckeyes held the distinction, when they were led by John Havlicek and Jerry Lucas.
The Buckeyes clinched the Big 10 conference championship in an extremely close game versus former #1 Wisconsin. The game matched #1 vs. #2 in a 49-48 defensive battle.