2002 College Football

1. Carson Palmer: Won the Heisman Trophy. Was named player of the year by the AP, Sporting News ESPN.com and other media services.

He was PAC-10 Offensive Player of the Year.

Palmer was the Orange Bowl MVP after 21-31 305 yard and TD effort vs. #8 Iowa.

USC opened the season vs. #14 Auburn. Palmer has 302 yards and a TD passing. He also has the go ahead TD rushing in the final two minutes.

He led the Pac 10 in TDs with 33 and was 2^nd in yards with 3,942. He also led the conference in completions % (63.2), and passing rating.

He was top 10 in the country in TDs, yards and rating.

The Trojans QB led his team to a 44-13 rout of #17 Notre Dame with 425 yards and 4 TDs.

Palmer had seven 300 yard games, and five with at least 4 TDs.

SC  was 11-2, won the Pac-10, and finished #4 in the polls after their 38-17 beat down of Iowa in the Orange Bowl. They were 9^th in the NCAA scoring with 35.8 points per game.

2. Maurice Clarret: Helped led Ohio St. to their first national championship since 1969.

He scored 2 TDs in the title game vs. #1 Miami, including the game winner in overtime.

He made a key defensive play after an interception that help that propelled the Buckeyes.

Clarett was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

He was 2^nd in the Big 10 with 18 TDs, 6^th in yards with 1,237, and 5^th in yards per carry (5.6).

Clarret ran for at least 100 yards in seven of 11 games.

He scored 2 or more TDs in five of his first six games.

The Buckeye freshman pummeled #10 Washington St. for 230 and two scores.

He helped put the Buckeyes into the title game with 154 total yards and a TD in a 14-9 win over arch rival #9 Michigan.

Ohio State ran the table and went 14-0. They won the Big Ten and upset defending champion Miami 31-24 in the overtime in the Fiesta Bowl.

3. Willis McGahee: Led the nation with 27 touchdowns. He finished 4^th in the Heisman voting.

He was also a finalist for the Doak Walker award for RB of the year, and Walter Camp (player of the year).

He was co-Big East Player of the Year and a consensus All-American.

 McGahee had a Big East high 1,753 yards (5^th in NCAA), 2,108 yards from scrimmage (3^rd in NCAA), and 168 points.

The Canes back had a career day vs. #18 Virginia Tech with 205 yards and six scores. The win put Miami back in the national title game.

He had a Miami record ten 100 yards games.

In the Fiesta Bowl, McGahee ran for 67 yards. His 3^rd quarter TD pulled Miami within three. The Hurricanes would eventually force overtime.

His college career ended on a brutal knee injury in the 4^th quarter of the title.

Miami was stunned by Ohio State in the national championship in double overtime. The Hurricanes was #1 in every regular season poll, won their 3^rd straight Big East and were 12-0 in the regular season.

They finished 4^th in the nation scoring 40.5 PPG.

2002 MLB

1. Garrett Anderson: Had the go-ahead three run double in Game Seven of the World Series.

He was an All-Star (RBI)  Silver Slugger and finished 4^th in MVP voting.

Anderson led the American League in doubles (56).

In the regular season he was 4^th in RBI (123), and total bases.  He was also 6^th in hits with 195.

Anderson hit .306 with 29 HR and 93 runs.

He was 3-4 in Game Two of the ALDS including game tying HR in the 8^th as Angels tied series 1-1.

He hit .389 with 4 RBI and 5 runs scored as Anaheim eliminated the 4-time reigning AL Champions New York.

In the ALCS Anderson helped the Angels clinch the pennant going 5-12 (.415), with a RBI and run scored in each of their wins in Games 3, 4 and 5.

The Angels leftfielder added 2 RBIs in Anaheim’s Game Two 11-10 win to tie the World Series at one game each.

The Angels won 99 games and the Wild Card. They advanced to the ALCS for the first time since 1986 after beating the Yankees in four. They moved on to their first World Series winning the ALCS five games in over Minnesota.

They won the Fall Classic in seven over San Francisco.

2. Albert Pujols: Was 2^nd in the MVP voting.

He finished 2nd in RBI (127), and runs (118).

He was also in the top 5 in NL in hits, and total bases.

“The Machine” batted .314 and slugged 34 HR.

In the division series, he hit .300 with 3 RBI and 3 runs as the Cardinals swept defending champion Arizona.

Pujols showed his versatility playing significant time at first base, third and left field.

In eight postseason games Pujols had a hit in seven, drove in five runs and scored five more.

St. Louis won the Central and 97 games. They were 2^nd in the NL in runs scored. 

They eventually fell to the Giants in the NLCS.

3. Vladimir Guerrero: Was an All-Star (1-2 R), Silver Slugger and 4^th in the MVP voting.

He led the NL in hits (204), total bases, and plate appearances.

He was 2^nd in WAR for position players, and 3^rd in batting (.336).

Vlad was 5^th in HR (39), RBI (111), 4^th in steals (40), and OPS.

The Expos rightfielder showed off his arm by leading all NL OFs with 14 assists.

He was named Player of the Month in April (.379 28 RBI).

Montreal finished with 83 wins, their first .500 in six years. They were 2^nd in the NL East.

2002 NBA

1. Shaquille O’Neal: He was the Finals MVP for the 3^rd straight year.

He averaged 36-12-2.8 blk 59% FG and 67% FT as the Lakers swept the Nets.

He was named First team All-NBA, and finished 3^rd in the MVP voting.

O’Neal was 2^nd scoring (27.2) lead the league in FG% (58%), and was 5^th in field goals.

He also averaged 10 boards and 2 blocks per game (67 games).

 Shaq had 40 double doubles in 67 games (51-16 record).

 He had 31-14 in Game Two of 1^st round vs. Portland while shooting 12-20 FGs and 7-9 FTs.

O’Neal averaged 38 PPG 14 RPG 3 BPG 51%FG 75% FT in Game Six and Seven vs. Sacramento to help advance to the Finals.

The Lakers escaped past the Kings in a dramatic seven game series.

LA won 58 games and their 3^rd straight title. They went 15-4 in the playoffs. The Lakers were 3^rd in the NBA with 101 PPG. 

2. Tim Duncan: Was the MVP of the regular season.

He made All-NBA and All-Defense (4^th straight season).

Duncan was Player of the Month in December and April. He was a starting forward for the West All-Stars.

He played in all 82 games, and led the NBA in total rebounds and free throws.

The power forward was 5^th in scoring (25.5), second in rebounding (12.7), and 4^th in blocks (2.5 ).

Duncan played 40 minutes per game, 51% FG 80% FT and almost 4 assists per game.

He had 67 dbl-dbls.

He averaged 24-11-4-6 blks in Games 3 and 4 to close out Seattle.

Duncan had 27 points 17 rebounds 5 assists and 5 blocks in only win in 2^nd round vs. LA.

The MVP averaged 27-14-4-4.3 blocks (playoff leading) in nine playoff games.

San Antonio won 58 games, the Midwest Division and had the #2 seed in the West. They were knocked out by LA in the 2^nd round. The Spurs had the league’s best defense (90 PPG).

3. Jason Kidd: Was 1^st team All-NBA, 1^st All-Defense and 2^nd in the MVP.

He was named Player of Month in November and was the starting PG for the East in the All-Star game.

Kidd played in 82 games, and averaged 14.7 ppg, 10 apg and 7.3 rpg and 2 steals per game.

He was 2^nd in APG and 3^rd in SPG.

Kidd had 44 double-doubles and eight triple doubles in regular season.

He averaged 19-8-9 in 20 playoff games. 

He carried New Jersey with 31-8-7-4 steals in a 2 OT elimination Game 5 vs. Indiana.

The Nets point guard averaged 23.5 PPG 10.5 APG 9 RPG 2.5 SPG in Game 4-5 to knock out Charlotte.

He had 15-13-13 Game 6 clincher vs. Boston.

Kidd followed that with another triple double (23-10-10) in a 5 point loss to LA in Game One.

He averaged 21 points,10 assists, seven rebounds and 2.3 steals in the Finals vs. Lakers.

The Nets doubled their wins after adding J-Kidd in 2002. They won an East best 52 games, and the conference title for the first ever.

2002 College Basketball

1. Juan Dixon: Was the Final Four MVP. He was also a consensus All-American.

He was the ACC Player of the Year and ACC Athlete of the Year.

Dixon was 2^nd in ACC with 20.4 ppg, his 89 ft% led the ACC, and 2.6 steals led the conference for the third straight year.

He also averaged 4.6 rpg, 3 apg, 39% on 3s (4^th in ACC).

He scored 20 or more in 19 games.

The Terps senior averaged 25.8 ppg in the NCAAs. 

Dixon put Maryland back in the Final Four with 27 in the regional final vs. #10 UConn.

He had 33 in the Final Four vs. #2 Kansas.

To cap off the title, 

Dixon put up 18-5 with five steals in the championship game win over Indiana. 

Maryland won it's first title. They advanced to their 2^nd straight Final Four.

The Terripans finished #4 in polls, with a 32-4, and 15-1 in ACC regular season record. They won conference title outright. They averaged 85 PPG.

2. Drew Gooden:  Was the NABC Player of the Year and consensus All-American.

He led the NCAA in rebounds per game, and total field goals.

Gooden was the Big 12 Player of the Year, all-Big 12 tournament team (22-15 in finals loss to Oklahoma.)

He was also named Midwest region MVP.

The Jayhawks forward had 15-13-4 in a Sweet 16 win over #13 Illinois.

He had 18-20 vs. #11 Oregon to put KU in Final Four for first time in nine years.

During the regular year, he led Big 12 in points (19.8), and rpg (11.4),  He was 3^rd in spg (1.7), and 8^th in bpg (1.4). 

He shot 50% fgs and 75% fts.

Gooden had 23-15 vs #7 Arizona in a 105-97 win.

He also had 19-10 vs #3  Oklahoma; one of his 25 double doubles.

Kansas finished the regular season #2 after an undefeated 16-0 Big 12 season. They were 33-4. They led the country with 90.4 ppg. The Jayhawks lost to eventual champ Maryland.

3. Jason Williams: Was the nearly unanimous national Player of the Year.

 

He was a consensus All-American for the second straight year 

He was also all-ACC tournament as Duke won it's fourth straight conference tourney title.

Williams averaged 21.3 ppg (1^st in the acc), 5.3 apg (6^th), 38% on 3s (5^th) 2.2 spg (4^th).

The junior had 34-7-8 in a 19 point regular season beat down of  Maryland.

He had 24-10 ast. in ACC finals win over NC State.

In the NCAA tourney J-Will put up 17 ppg 5 apg and 2.3 spg .

The Blue Devils had a 31-4 record and were #1 in the final polls for the 4^th straight year. They scored 89 ppg, good for 2^nd in the country.

Duke, the #1 seed, was upset by Indiana in the Sweet 16.

NFL 2001

1. Marshall Faulk: Was the NFL MVP by Pro Football Writers and Sporting News.

 

He was the NFL Offensive Player of the Year for the third straight season.

The 2000 MVP was a unanimous All-Pro and Pro Bowler.

 He joined Emmitt Smith as the only player in league history with back to back 20 TD seasons.           

 Faulk finished second in the MVP voting.

 He led the league in yards per game (98.7) and yards per carry (5.3) for the 3^rd year in a row.

Despite missing two games Faulk scored 21 TDs and led the league in points for the 2nd straight year.       

His 1,382 yards were 5^th in NFL.  Faulk’s 2,149 yards from scrimmage was 2^nd in the NFL.

He topped all RBs with 83 catches.  His nine receiving TDs were 5^th in the league.

Marshall scored TDs in 11 of 14 games, including six with 2+.

In the Rams divisional rout of Green Bay he ran 82 yards and had 47 yards in air along with a 7 yard TD run.

Faulk carried the Rams to the Super Bowl with a 159 yard performance vs. the Eagles. He scored two second half TDs to turn a one point deficit to a 13 point lead.

In the Super Bowl he had 76 yards on just 17 carries and 4 catches for 56 yards.

He had 314 yards in 3 playoffs games (5.0 ypc) and 114 receiving yards.

St. Louis would win the NFC for the 2^nd time in three years but fell 20-17 to the Patriots in the Big Game.

The Rams went 14-2 and won the NFC West. They led NFL in yards and points (31.4).

2. Kurt Warner: Was the MVP for the 2^nd time in three years.

He led NFL in passing (101.4), yards (4,830), 36 TDs, comp. % (68.7) and completions.

His yards totals were second most in a single season.

He was a unanimous All-Pro.

He had nine games over 300 yards passing and eight with 3 or more TDs.

He threw for 216 and two scores in round 2 vs. the Packers.

His 5 yards scoring pass to Issac Bruce opened scoring in the Rams conference title winning game, 29-24 over the Eagles.

Warner passed for the second most yards (365) in Super Bowl history. He led the Greatest Show on Turf from down 17-3 to a tie score at 17 late in the 4^th quarter.

The Rams became the first team in NFL history to score 500 points in three straight seasons.

3. Rich Gannon: Was Pro Bowl MVP for the 2^nd straight season.

He was 1^st team All-AFC (Pro Football Weekly).

Gannon was 2^nd in comp, rating (95.5), and comp. % (65.8).

The Raiders QB was 5^th in yards (3,828), and 4^th in TD (27).

In the playoffs Gannon gave the Raiders double digit cushions with TD passes to Tim Brown and Jerry Rice.

He was 23-29 for 291 yards 2 TD and 131.9 rating as the Raiders got past the Jets 38-24.

In the divisional round vs. the Patriots Gannon’s 2^nd quarter TD pass gave Oakland a halftime lead. He finished with 159 yards passing in the Snow Bowl.

The Raiders would eventually lose 16-13 in overtime after the controversial “Tuck Rule” call.

The Raiders went 10-6 and won the AFC West. They averaged 25 ppg which was good for 2^nd in the AFC.

College Football 2001

1. Rex Grossman: Was the AP Player of the Year and finished 2^nd in the Heisman voting.

He was named first team All-American by the AP and Football News. He was also the SEC Offensive Player of the Year.

Grossman led nation in passing efficiency and total offense (354.9 per game), first player to do both since Steve Young in 1983.

The Gators sophomore threw for 3,896 yards 34 TDs (3^rd in NCAA) and completed 65% of his passes.

He set NCAA record in yards per play (9.1).

Rex torched #7 LSU on 22-33 for 464 yards (school record) and 5 TDs.

He was 21-32 302 yards 3 TDs vs. #13 So. Carolina.

In the Orange Bowl, he picked apart #11 Maryland on 20-28, 248 yards, and 4 TDs.

Florida finished #3 in the final polls and was 11-2. They pounded ACC champion Maryland in the Orange Bowl 56-23.

2. Ed Reed: Was a unanimous All- American.

He made consensus All-American for the 2^nd straight year. He was also the Big East Defensive Player of the Year.

Reed was also named national defensive player of the year by Football News.

He led the NCAA with nine interceptions.

The senior safety was 2^nd in the country with 206 yards and 2 TDs off those nine picks.

Reed led the Big East with 18 pass break ups.

He helped save Miami’s perfect season with this heads up play vs. #21 Boston College.

Miami led NCAA in scoring D (9.4) PPG, INTs, and turnovers. They were 2^nd in passing yards allowed (138 per game).

Reed had 44 tackles, 2 FR and a blocked punt return for TD in win over #15 FSU.

He had two picks in season finale win over #18 Virginia Tech.

In the Rose Bowl, Reed had a game high 9 tackles and pass break up.

Miami cemented its #1 ranking with wins over top 15 foes Syracuse and Washington by a combine 124-7. 

They won games by 33 PPG and pounded #4 Nebraska and Heisman winner Eric Crouch 37-14 to win their first title in 10 years and 5^th overall.

The Canes had 11 starters and 17 players overall who were drafted in the first round. 7 starters and 14 players would go on to the Pro Bowl. 

3. Joey Harrington: Was the PAC-10 Player of the Year.

He finished 4th in Heisman, and was a finalist for Unitas Award (QB of the Year).

Harrington was 2nd team All American by the Sporting News.

After being snubbed by the BCS, #2 Oregon settled for the Fiesta Bowl.

Harrington lit up then #3 Colorado for 350 yards and 4 TDs. He was named game MVP.

The Ducks QB threw for 2,415 yards 23 TDs and just 5 Ints. He also rushed for 7 TDs.

Against Arizona St. he threw for 319 yards and a school record 6 TDs.

Oregon went 11-1 and won the PAC-10. They finished #2 at the end of the regular season but were left out of the national championship. They remained at #2; its highest ranking ever.

MLB 2001

1. Randy Johnson: Was the Co-MVP of World Series and won the Cy Young.

He went 3-0 in Series, the first pitcher since 1968 to win three games in a WS.

Johnson was the starting pitcher for National League All Star team.

His 372 strikeouts were 3^rd most in season in modern history. He led  the league with 13.4 SO/ 9 IP.

The Big Unit led the NL with a 2.49 ERA, and 1.00 WHIP.

His 21 wins were 3^rd in senior circuit and his 249.7 IP                      were 2^nd.

Johnson tied a ML record with 20 strikeouts vs. the Reds                      in May.

He pitched a CG 3 H SHO with 11 Ks in Game One of NLCS vs. Atlanta.

Johnson won Game Five of NLCS with 7 IP 8 SO and 2 ER to close out the Braves. He finished the series with a 1.13 ERA.

He had a repeat performance with another 3 hit shutout in Game 2 of   the World Series with 11 Ks.

His arm and bat helped the D’Backs force Game Seven. He picked up the win giving up two earned in seven innings. He also scored two and drove in one of Arizona’s 15 runs.

In the Series deciding game, Johnson recorded the final four outs as Arizona dramatically came back in the bottom of the ninth.

The Diamondbacks won 92 games and the West by 2 games. They were the quickest expansion team (four seasons) to win a World Series.

2. Curt Schilling: Was the Co-MVP of the World Series.

He was 2^nd in the Cy Young and Sporting News Pitcher of the Year.

Schilling was 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA in the World Series with 26 SO in 21.3 innings. 

In the regular season, he led the NL in wins with 22, IP with 256.7 and 6 complete games.

He was 2^nd in ERA (2.98), 2^nd in Ks (293), 3^rd in WHIP (1.08).

Schilling started the postseason by shutting out the Cardinals with 9 strikeouts.

In the decisive Game Five he got Arizona to the LCS while giving up just one earned in another complete game victory.

Schill tossed his third straight CG, and stuck out 12 Braves in Game Three of the NLCS.

He beat Roger Clemens in Game One of the Series with 7 IP and 8 K’s.

He fanned nine more Yankees in Game Four.

In the classic Game Seven, Schilling dueled with Roger Clemens. Schilling left trailing 2-1 in the eighth, but blanked NY in the first six innings.

During the playoffs he was 4-0 with 1.12 ERA in playoffs with 56 SO in 48.3 IP.

The Diamondbacks won due or die games vs. St. Louis and New York with Schilling on the mound.

3. Ichiro Suzuki: Was the AL MVP, Was the only the second rookie to win MVP (Fred Lynn 1975).

He won the Gold Glove, Rookie of the Year, and Silver Slugger.

Ichiro was the starting CF for the American League and Sporting News Player of the Year.

The Japanese star led the AL in batting (.350), hits (242), steals (56), and at bats.

He was second in runs with 127. His hits totals were a rookie record and ninth most in a season.

He was top 10 in the AL in triples and total bases.

Seattle matched the 1906 Cubs with 116 wins, the most in regular season history.

Ichiro hit a go ahead RBI single in 7^th of Game Four of the ALDS against Cleveland. Seattle won Game Four 6-2 to force a deciding Game Five.

In Game Five Ichiro went 3-4, including singling and scoring in the seventh to extend Seattle’s lead to 3-1.

He finished the series 12-20 with 4 R and 2 RBI.

In Game Three of the ALCS, the M’s only win in the series, Suzuki reached base three times and scored twice.

Overall in 10 playoff games he hit .412 with seven runs scored.

Seattle won the West by 14 games over Oakland, who had the 2^nd best record in baseball.  They led AL in scoring and batting average.

NBA 2001

1. Shaquille O’Neal: Won his 2^nd straight Finals MVP by averaging 33 points 16 rebounds five assists and 3.4 blocks per game. He shot 57% from the field.

In the regular season he was 1^st team All-NBA, 2nd team All-Defense and player of the month in April. He was 3^rd in the MVP voting.

Shaq was 3^rd in scoring (28.7) and rpg (12.7) and 4^th in blocks (2.8).

He led the league in field goals made and field goal % (57). He was 5^th in free throws. 

O’Neal has 60 double-doubles in 74 games.

During the playoffs, in 16 games he led all players with 30 ppg and put up 15.4 rpg and 2.4 bpg.

Against the Kings he averaged 43.5 ppg, 20.5 rpg, 5 bpg, 60 % FG in Game 1-2 wins.

O’Neal had 35-17 in just 35 minutes in the Lakers 39 point blowout of the Spurs in Game Three of the West Finals.

Shaq had a near quadruple-double (28-20-9-8 blk) in Game Two of the NBA Finals to carry LA to an 1-1 series tie.

Los Angeles won 56 games in the regular season, including the last eight. They carried the momentum to take their 15 of 16 games in the playoffs. They won their 2^nd straight title.

2. Allen Iverson: Was the NBA MVP. He was 1^st team All-NBA and player of the month in January.

He led the NBA in scoring (31 PPG) and steals (2.5). A.I was 2^nd in the FTs and minutes (42).

He led the East to a dramatic comeback win behind 25 points. He was named MVP.

Iverson helped the Sixers past the Pacers in the 1^st round of the playoffs behind his 45 point and 9 assist performances in Game Two.

 Indy had beat Philly the previous two years in the playoffs.

He outdueled Vince Carter in a classic second round series. 

Iverson had 54 in Game Two and 52 in Game Five to give his team a 3-2 series led.

In Game Seven, “The Answer” had 21-16 ast. to help Philly past Toronto 88-87.

He got the 76ers into first NBA Finals in 18 years with 44-6-7 in Game Seven win over the Bucks.

He hit 17-33 shots including 4-6 threes.

In Game  One of the Finals Iverson carried Philly past LA with 48 points including this huge jumper in overtime. 

He averaged 35-5-4 1.8 steals and 47 minutes in Finals.

The Sixers won 56 games, had the best record in the East. They were the only team to beat the Lakers in the playoffs.

3. Kobe Bryant: Was 2^nd team All-NBA and 2^nd team All-Defense.

 

He was the player of the month in December.

He was 4^th in scoring (28.5), 6^th in FT, and 7^th in minutes.

Bryant also averaged six rebounds and five assists per game.

In the playoffs, Kobe averaged 29-7-6 in 43 minutes per game.

He averaged 43-11 in Games 3-4 vs. the Kings (48-16 in the closeout), and Game 1 in San Antonio.

Kobe had 26-12-6 in the title clinching Game Five.

En route to the title the Lakers beat All-NBA first team players (Webber, Duncan, and Iverson) 11 of 12 games.