The Lead

We have about seven weeks to go until the start of March Madness, and there’s a surprise team at the top of the rankings: the Auburn Tigers, who are holding the No. 1 spot for the first time ever. Today, The Athletic’s Seth Davis tells us three key reasons why the Tigers have emerged as one of the best teams in the nation. And on the opposite end of the Tiger spectrum: a close look at all the turmoil surrounding Penny Hardaway’s Memphis program, and how a season that started with big expectations is threatening to spiral out of control.

Follow Seth Davis’s coverage of college basketball: https://theathletic.com/author/seth-davis/?source=theleadpodcast

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This was, without a doubt, one of the most entertaining weekends in the history of the NFL. Four games, every single one decided on the final play, frigid temperatures, walk-off field goals, upsets, squandered leads, and an epic, record-setting showdown between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. The Athletic's Mike Sando joins us to break down all of the action, and to look at what comes next for the four teams -- Chiefs, Bengals, Rams and 49ers -- left standing.

More from Mike Sando:

https://theathletic.com/author/mike-sando/

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Over the course of his career, Karl-Anthony Towns has faced questions over his toughness, his willingness to defend, and his maturity. Those questions have been a millstone over the former-Kentucky star as the T-Wolves struggle year after year. But that reputation might finally be changing. Today, The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski tells us about how tragic events in his personal life reshaped the 26-year-old's approach to life and basketball and why his new mindset could be the key to getting the lowly Timberwolves back to playoff basketball.

Read Jon Krawczynski’s story about Karl-Anthony Towns here: https://theathletic.com/3078860/2022/01/19/wolves-karl-anthony-towns-is-making-an-all-star-push-with-growth-in-his-game-and-peace-in-his-mind/ 

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On Monday night, in the Rams’ playoff win over the Cardinals, running back Cam Akers came up just short of 100 yards from scrimmage, which wouldn’t register as that remarkable of a feat — except that Akers wasn’t supposed to be playing in that game at all. Today, The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue takes us behind the scenes of Akers’s incredible comeback, returning from one of the most devastating injuries in sports — a torn Achilles tendon — in just five and a half months. Plus, what to expect when the Rams take on Tom Brady and the reigning Super Bowl champs this weekend.

Read Jourdan Rodrigue’s full story about Cam Akers: https://theathletic.com/3069918/2022/01/17/write-your-own-destiny-inside-cam-akers-remarkable-return-to-rams-5-1-2-months-after-achilles-tear/?source=theleadpodcast

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NHL star Corey Perry has built a career out of doing two things really well -- scoring goals, and getting under the skin of opponents. In fact, the former Hart Trophy winner and Stanley Cup Champion is widely seen as one of the most frustrating players to line up against. But it turns out the one-time Anaheim Duck -- now with the Tampa Bay Lightning -- has a sentimental side that the public rarely, if ever, gets to see. The Athletic's Joe Smith dug into Perry's past, speaking with family members, former coaches and teammates, and Perry himself, to understand what makes him tick and how he developed a sort of Jekyll and Hyde personality. Plus, why Perry might be the key to the Lightning winning a third straight Stanley Cup.

Read Joe Smith's full story about Corey Perry:

https://theathletic.com/3071139/2022/01/17/no-one-gets-to-see-the-real-him-when-the-skates-come-off-corey-perry-goes-from-nightmare-to-emotional/

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The hottest name on the open market in baseball might just belong to a power hitting outfielder from Japan. Hiroshima Toyo Carp slugger Seiya Suzuki has teams from across baseball salivating at his combination of power, plate discipline, and incredible defensive prowess. But with Major League Baseball mired in a lockout, Suzuki’s dreams are currently on hold. Today, The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly he tells us how the 27-year-old is coping with the waiting game and where he might land when he finally gets to the majors.

Read Andrew Baggarly’s story about Seiya Suzuki: https://theathletic.com/3065621/2022/01/13/japanese-superstar-seiya-suzuki-is-determined-to-be-an-impact-player-in-the-major-leagues-now-he-just-has-to-pick-a-team/  

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The NFL playoffs kicked off on Saturday, and the Super Wild Card Weekend was memorable right from the jump, with Joe Burrow and the Bengals breaking their long playoff drought, Josh Allen putting on a flawless performance to beat the Patriots, and an unforgettable finish between the 49ers and Cowboys in Dallas. Today, The Athletic’s Arif Hasan joins us to break down the milestones, surprises and storylines to emerge during an exciting opening playoff weekend. Plus, senior writer Ed Bouchette offers his insights on Ben Roethlisberger at the end of an era in Pittsburgh.

Follow Arif Hasan’s coverage of the Vikings and the NFL: https://theathletic.com/author/arif-hasan/?source=theleadpodcast

Follow Ed Bouchette’s coverage of the Steelers: https://theathletic.com/author/ed-bouchette/?source=theleadpodcast

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NBA fans were treated to one of stranger and more hilarious moments of the season earlier this week, when Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker took exception to the actions of the opposing team's mascot, The Raptor. What made the situation especially ridiculous was the fact that there were no fans in the arena -- just a lone red dinosaur in a basketball jersey, jumping around and trying to distract Booker while he shot free throws late in the game. In honor of this incredible moment, we're doing a deep dive on mascots today. First, former Phillie Phanatic (and founder of the Mascot Hall Of Fame) Dave Raymond joins us to share his views on the Booker situation. Then, The Athletic's Nick Kosmider and James Edwards III tell the story of the first father-son mascot duo in NBA history, and take us deep inside the secret, joyful, and challenging lives of mascots.

Read Nick and James's original story:

https://theathletic.com/1630387/2020/02/25/the-inside-story-of-the-nbas-first-and-only-father-son-mascots/

Learn more about Dave Raymond:

https://daveraymondspeaks.com/

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The longest playoff win drought in American sports belongs to… The Cincinnati Bengals. It’s been 30 seasons (and counting) since fans in Southern Ohio could celebrate an NFL postseason victory, and it all started with a tackle on one of the league’s most legendary players. Today, The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. and Jay Morrison take us through the history of the so-called 'Curse of Bo Jackson' and tell us why this young and fearless Bengals squad may finally be the one to end their historic drought.

Read Paul Dehner Jr. and Jay Morrison’s story about the Bengals playoff curse here: https://theathletic.com/3062632/2022/01/11/time-for-us-to-turn-the-page-bengals-playoff-drought-resonates-across-31-years-of-players-coaches/ 

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We’re almost halfway through the final season of Mike Krzyzewski’s legendary 42-year run at Duke, and his hopes for one last title are resting in part with Duke’s latest freshman star: the dynamic 6-foot-10 big man, Paolo Banchero. Today, The Athletic’s Brendan Marks tells the story of Banchero’s unconventional path from aspiring drummer to potential No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. And, after a challenging stretch of their season — including a COVID-19 outbreak — do Banchero and Duke still have what it takes to give Coach K a championship sendoff?

Read Brendan Marks’s full story about Paolo Banchero: https://theathletic.com/2942721/2021/11/09/the-making-of-paolo-banchero-dukes-newest-freshman-superstar/?source=theleadpodcast 

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