The Missouri Tigers aren’t exactly household names in the world of men’s college basketball. This season, however, the team finds itself sitting behind only Kentucky in the ratings. Bill speaks with Steve Walentik of the Columbia Daily Tribune.

Florida State football gets plenty of press, but ACC basketball power is reserved for Duke and North Carolina. This season, however, FSU has a conference-best 5-1 record, including upset wins over the Tar Heels and Blue Devils. Palm Beach Post writer Tom D’Angelo joins Bill Littlefield to discuss the Seminoles’ new status in the ACC.

North Carolina basketball has a long and illustrious history, both on the men’s and women’s side. But there’s a third Tar Heel basketball team. North Carolina Public Radio’s Dave DeWitt has the story from Chapel Hill.

Helene Elliott of the LA Times joins Bill to talk about some of the good and some of the bad this NHL season. Why are the Rangers so good? And why are the Blue Jackets so bad?

The late Joe Paterno will be remembered for being a tremendous football coach and an inspiring figure to countless students, athletes, and fans. Unfortunately, says Bill Littlefield, his legacy will not end there.

Some people claim that soccer is the most artistic sport. Recently, six MLS prospects took that idea to a whole new level. KCUR’s Laura Spencer reports from Kansas City.

Bill Littlefield wades through some of the recent mail to come into Only A Game and offers his annual Super Bowl haiku challenge to listeners.

Only A Game analyst Charlie Pierce weighs in on football, baseball, and tennis from the Australian Open. Plus, Charlie’s thoughts on the troubling unemployment rate among sports mascots.

No, Wayne Gretzky isn’t dead just yet. Roy MacGregor was Gretzky’s ghost writer for the hockey legend’s newspaper column. MacGregor joins Bill Littlefield to discuss his new book.

Only A Game Senior Producer Gary Waleik outlines the music heard in this week’s show.