1. NEW YORK KNICKS
Think the heat is on in New York? Expectations skyrocketed for the Knicks after an emotional win over the Heat last Sunday. However, a mid-week win over the Hornets was bookended by ugly losses to the Magic and Cavs. Their response against Atlanta? Defense - and Amar'e Stoudemire, of course.
Last week: 5
2. STEVE LAVIN
First, Lavin blew a gasket in the Johnnies' loss to Seton Hall, showing the amount of emotion the first-year coach brings to the table each night. Then, on Senior Night, the Storm topped South Florida for win No. 20 on the season - a mark nobody thought St. John's would reach this year. Lavin led St. John's to its first official 20-win season since 1999-2000. Next up: the Big East Tournament.
Last week: Not ranked
3. TREVOR GILLIES
Gillies' check-heard-round-the-world was all the buzz in NHL cybersphere this week. The night the enforcer returned from a nine-game suspension, an illegal hit sent Gillies back to the sideline for 10 games. Think he learned his lesson? Don't count on it, especially after both his teammates and GM Garth Snow positioned themselves in Gillies' corner.
Last week: Not ranked
4. NEW YORK ISLANDERS
Break up the Isles! Long Island's lovable losers knocked off Minnesota and St. Louis but lost to New Jersey. Of course, with the Isles, with good news always comes bad news. This time? Probably too little, too late.
Last week: Not ranked
5. CARLOS BELTRAN
He scored from second base! He scored from second base! OK, so that's a bit of a reach in terms of true excitement, but for Mets fans, there's been little to cheer about of late. More importantly, Beltran avoided a big soap opera earlier in the week when he told manager Terry Collins that he will move to right field to help save his knee and clear the way for Angel Pagan. When was the last time a high-profile New York baseball player transitioned from one position to another with such little hiccup?
Last week: Not ranked
6. CHRIS WEIDMAN
Raised in Baldwin, a Nassau CC and Hofstra alum, and now on to the UFC. Weidman beat up veteran striker Alessio Sakara in his UFC debut in Louisville, living up to the hype as the next great middleweight prospect. The best part? He's young (26), and fresh (5-0).
Last week: Not ranked
7. OLIVER PEREZ
Has there ever been a more analyzed two innings of spring training baseball than Oliver Perez's pair of shutout innings on Thursday? The multi-million dollar bust pitched his way back into contention for a rotation spot with the Mets, scattering two hits while throwing 15 of his 25 pitches for strikes. Of course, whether that's good news or bad news is still far from being determined.
Last week: Not ranked
8. STONY BROOK MEN'S BASKETBALL
The talk around the Seawolves' practice facility last week was about having "one good weekend." What else would you expect a team with a 13-16 record to say? And, they got what they wanted. No. 5 SBU beat No. 4 Albany on Saturday then upset No. 1 Vermont on Sunday to earn a spot in the America East final this Saturday. On the line? A .500 record . . . and an automatic berth into the NCAA tournament.
Last week: Not ranked
9. RYAN CALLAHAN
The Rangers' right winger accounted for 20 percent of his season total with four goals on Sunday in a 7-0 drubbing of the first-place Philadelphia Flyers. Callahan also had an assist.
Last week: Not ranked
10. PLAXICO BURRESS
The man that Brandon Jacobs singled out as the catalyst for the downfall of Giants football - his disappearance, not appearance - will get out of jail early this summer. Will Tom Coughlin try to convince management to bring him back?
Last week: Not ranked
