Probably the most exciting facets of an exciting-Star Game may be the mystery it offers. Fans know they will be seeing the very best gamers within the League, however with many of them not accustomed to having fun with each other, it may be tough for probably the most astute hockey aficionados to find out which number of All-Stars will probably prevail once the NHL’s best go ahead and take ice. Toss in the wrench from the NHL’s Fantasy Player Draft and also the picture will get much more muddled - the teams aren’t even determined until under 72 hrs prior to the puck drops, and you will find instances by which gamers who’re teammates in tangible existence wind on opposing teams.

But EA Sports comes with an idea.

The moment Daniel Alfredsson and Zdeno Chara were done picking their rosters Thursday evening in Ottawa, EA Sports was around the situation putting its simulation to operate. When the requisite number crushing was finished, several All-Stars had distinguished themselves, however it was an MVP performance by Philadelphia’s Claude Giroux that eventually made the main difference, like a late rally lifted Team Alfredsson to some 12-10 victory.

All-Star Games provide offense, and when EA’s computer systems are right, it will not take enough time for that scoring to begin this time around around, as NHL goal-scoring leader Steven Stamkos may be the first player to light the light just 1:33 following the opening faceoff. Team Chara does not spend your time knotting in the score, however, as Patrick Kane scores an objective just 21 seconds later. Actually, after falling behind 1-, Team Chara scores three from the next four goals thanks to Kane, Marian Gaborik — his to begin two at the time — and Marian Hossa.

With this type of momentum, Team Chara might have been around the hinge of breaking the overall game open, but Team Alfredsson was saved by an unlikely hero. Logan Couture appeared perfectly comfortable accepting his vehicle Thursday evening because the last player selected within the Fantasy Draft in EA’s simulation it’s Couture who scores to connect the overall game at 13:56 from the first. Late at that time, Stamkos puts his second tally of the overall game in to the internet to provide Team Alfredsson a 4-3 lead in the first intermission.

Within the second period, it’s Team Chara that will get off and away to the short start, as Jarome Iginla ties the overall game up just 53 seconds in, but the overall game then turns into a stalemate, using the two sides buying and selling scores three occasions to help keep the overall game square. With only 20 seconds to use the time, however, John Campbell does for Team Chara what he’s done all season. In the first season in Florida, Campbell comes with an impressive 32 assists in 48 games — and before the 2nd intermission he will get a different one, establishing Corey Perry to provide Team Chara an 8-7 lead.

Within the third period, Team Alfredsson’s John Tavares scores 3:36 directly into tie the overall game up, but after each team trades goals once more, the final pick within the 2011 Fantasy Draft leaves his mark around the 2012 game, as Phil Kessel scores with 5:58 to use the overall game to provide Team Chara a ten-9 lead. Obviously within an All-Star Game, nearly six minutes with no goal is unusual, and based on EA, Sunday’s game in Ottawa will not be beginning any trends.

With 3:14 to use regulation,  Giroux ties the overall game on the feed from Daniel Sedin at 10-10. The aim gives Giroux his 4th reason for the overall game and creates an outrageous finish.

Last year Daniel Sedin and twin brother Henrik performed on opposite teams the very first time given that they joined the NHL, but reunited this time around around, the twins have introduced their chemistry together to Team Alfredsson. Getting already partnered by both aiding on the goal by Vancouver teammate Alex Edler within the second, the Sedins try it again just just a few seconds after Giroux evens the score, as Henrik creates Daniel with 2:59 to choose the overall game-champion. Being an appropriate cap towards the event in Ottawa, EA has Jason Spezza establishing his Senators teammate and all sorts of-Star captain Alfredsson for a game title-sealing empty-netter with just a few seconds left in regulation.

While Giroux steals the show for Team Alfredsson, Daniel Sedin is not far behind having a goal and 2 assists around the mid-day. Inside a losing effort, Team Chara has lots of impressive performances of their own, as Kessel, Perry, Kane and Iginla all finish having a goal as well as an help in EA’s simulation.

When the simulation engine has its own way, All-Star Weekend come in for any wild conclusion when Team Alfredsson and Team Chara go ahead and take ice in Ottawa, there is however only one method to find out if EA’s conjecture involves fruition. EA, the NHL and also the fans can get their solutions Sunday mid-day.

San Francisco 49ers All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis returned to practice on a limited basis Friday after sitting out the beginning of the week with a knee injury.

Willis is listed as questionable on the team’s injury report for Sunday’s NFC Championshp Game against the New York Giants.

Center Jonathan Goodwin (calf), safety Dashon Goldson (ankle) and tight end Delanie Walker (jaw) all practiced on a limited basis Friday and were listed as questionable along with wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. (knee), who did not practice all week.

Ginn and Goodwin were injured during last weekend’s divisional playoff victory over the New Orleans Saints.

Walker broke his left jaw in two places late in the regular season and hopes to play against the Giants. He had the wires removed Monday and has been a limited participant in practice since Wednesday.

Walker had his best game of the season against the Giants in November, catching six passes for 69 yards in a 27-20 victory.

The only Giants player listed as questionable was tight end Jake Ballard, who underwent a minor knee procedure. Quarterback Eli Manning was probable after suffering from an illness earlier in the week. Running back Ahmad Bradshaw (knee) is probable after missing all but Friday’s practice.

49ers coach Jim Harbaugh asked for rain this week, and he got it — just not enough to satisfy the San Francisco coach who wanted his players to practice on a soggy field ahead of Sunday’s game.

More rain is in the forecast in the Bay Area, and the 49ers pulled out the cold-weather clothing before working out in windy, chilly conditions Friday.

Harbaugh expects the field at Candlestick Park to be in good shape considering the grass was replaced before the Monday Night game Dec. 19.

March 8 looms large for that Indiana Colts, since this is the deadline for obtaining a $28 million option on Peyton Manning’s contract. But both Manning and also the Colts could want to consider settling extra time on that deadline.

That’s based on a study from Sports Illustrated’s Peter King Saturday mid-day, where King stated he’s hearing that each side are “amenable” to pushing the deadline back.

“Both might be amenable to pushing back that March 8 date through which he’s owed $28 million within the option bonus through the Indiana Colts,” King stated Saturday.

CBS Sports’ Charley Casserly reported in December the Colts may likely request to have an extension it is good news on their behalf that Manning’s also thinking about granting stated extension. They will also be apparently locked into taking Andrew Luck using the No. 1 overall pick in April’s draft, but pushing the deadline back on Manning can provide them some versatility there.

Former Colts coach Tony Dungy, now an NBC analyst, thinks that Manning and Coach Jim Caldwell will return in 2012, which they will draft Luck anyway.

“I have know Jim Irsay for ten years,Inch Dungy stated. “He will make these choices together with his heart around his mind.”

They lately made the decision to “house clean,Inch but stored Caldwell, a minimum of for the time being. Considering that he’s making choices on who’ll join his staff, he appears just like a reasonable wager to stay through 2012.

That could result in the Colts visit a new gm particularly interesting: whomever they hire will have to be aboard having a) Caldwell as coach and b) Luck because the top pick.

Which does not even consider the conclusion on Manning, which will need to happen eventually.

If Dale Hunter needs a role model as a new coach trying to make the Washington Capitals play better defense and with more confidence, all he has to do is study Ken Hitchcock and the St. Louis Blues.

Hunter’s NHL coaching debut was spoiled Tuesday night by the stingiest defense in the league. Hitchcock’s Blues were a shutdown machine once again, limiting Alex Ovechkin to one shot on goal Tuesday night in a 2-1 victory.

“We didn’t give up anything in two periods,’’ said Hitchcock, who is 8-1-2 since taking over from Davis Payne on Nov. 7. “We’re starting to dial in the way we need to play to win hockey games. When you play this well, it’s a good feeling.’’

T.J. Oshie and Matt D’Agostini scored, and Jaroslav Halak made 18 saves for the Blues, who have allowed only 13 goals in Hitchcock’s 11 games.

“The first three games, everyone’s playing in front of a new coach, you’re trying to make a good first impression,’’ Oshie said. “Everyone’s playing hard, and it seems like we haven’t taken our foot off the gas since then.’’

Sounds like a perfect blueprint for the Capitals, who were in a tailspin when Bruce Boudreau was fired on Monday and replaced by former team captain Hunter.

Making his debut behind an NHL bench — he spent the last 11 years coaching in the Ontario Hockey League — Hunter got a better defensive effort from the Capitals but not much offensive spark. Washington was outplayed until desperation time in the third period, but at least it didn’t suffer the odd-man rushes in the uninspired routs of Boudreau’s last days.Green Bay Packers Jerseys

“You can’t set a timeframe to it,’’ Hunter said, “but I want them to get better and better every game. … By watching them live now, we’ve got some stuff to work on.’’

Nicklas Backstrom got the lone goal for the Capitals, and Washington was outshot 30-19. Two stars who bore the brunt of Boudreau’s more disciplinarian ways in recent weeks failed to get untracked in the new regime’s debut. Ovechkin supplied the assist on Backstrom’s first-period goal, but the two-time league MVP’s only shot on goal came with 18:14 to play, and of both Alexander Semin’s shots came in the third period.

Hunter and the players said the defense was the first priority. The offense will come around eventually.

“We did what he ask us to do,’’ said Ovechkin, who has only one goal in his last nine games, “and I think if we (are) going to play the same way, we (are) going to get some success.’

Jason Vargas’ night started badly when the first batter he faced, Coco Crisp, lined a comebacker that smacked hard into Vargas’ lower left leg.

It only got worse from there for the Seattle lefty.

Vargas lost his ninth straight decision and was knocked around by Oakland’s struggling offense in a 9-1 loss to the Athletics on Saturday night.

After Vargas was done describing the sting - and likely bruise - left by Crisp’s shot, he broke down his own performance.

“There needs to be a little more sense of urgency out there for me,” Vargas said. “I need to be able to take the club deeper into ball games and today I didn’t do that.”

Vargas lasted just five innings and gave up six runs and six hits and saw his ERA climb to 5.53, although this was just the second time in five starts he’s allowed more than two earned runs.

While the RBI double he gave up to Crisp in the third inning finally broke Oakland’s 20-inning scoreless streak - and 24 straight scoreless innings by Seattle pitching - it was the fourth when the A’s really got to Vargas.

Kurt Suzuki walked with one out and stole second base. He was still there with two outs when Kevin Kouzmanoff hit a liner to center. Michael Saunders broke quickly and made a dive for the sinking liner, but misjudged it and the ball glanced off his glove. It was ruled a single and Suzkui scored to give Oakland a 2-1 lead.

Cliff Pennington then jumped on Vargas’ next pitch and hit a two-run homer into the Oakland bullpen in left field.

“I’m just not doing a good job of something I usually do; when I get two outs pretty quick I usually finish off the inning,” said Vargas, who has not won since last Aug. 14. “Today I just didn’t do that.”

Oakland then broke the game open in the sixth, knocking out Vargas before he could record an out. Reliever Josh Lueke didn’t fare any better and the rookie saw his ERA climb to 17.05 after giving up Kouzmanoff’s three-run homer on a 1-2 breaking ball that hung in the middle of the strike zone. Lueke’s now allowed 12 earned runs and 12 hits in 6 1-3 innings of relief this season.

“We just didn’t play very well tonight on all sides of the baseball,” Seattle manager Eric Wedge said. “They took advantage of opportunities and we didn’t.”

A’s starter Trevor Cahill escaped trouble in each of the first two innings, then settled down to retire 15 of his final 17 batters. He struck out two and walked only one.

Cahill was helped by his defense early, no play bigger than Suzuki fielding a short-hop relay throw from Ellis and tagging out Chone Figgins trying to score on Adam Kennedy’s double in the first. Even after Figgins was cut down, Seattle had runners on second and third, but Cahill got Saunders to ground out to end the inning.

Seattle did get a two-out RBI single from Jack Wilson in the second, but Conor Jackson made a diving grab in foul ground on Figgins’ pop up to end that inning with two runners on.

“We are still leaving too many people on base. We made some mistakes really in every area of the game tonight,” Wedge said. “Against a guy like Cahill, much less anybody, you just can’t do that. We’ve got to do a better job controlling damage. We’ve had way too many big innings this year.”

Spencer Levin is atop the leaderboard after the opening round for the third time this year, so that’s nothing new. It was his score Thursday afternoon at Bay Hill that surprised him and everyone else.

In warm, blustery conditions on a course that allowed only three rounds in the 60s and the most rounds in the 80s in nearly two decades, Levin had a 6-under 66 and a three-shot lead over Rickie Fowler and Hunter Mahan in the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Tiger Woods and his power group of Dustin Johnson and Gary Woodland provided the entertainment everyone expected, although not this variety. Woodland hit a tee shot onto another golf course, Johnson wound up 80 yards over a green and onto the next tee, and Woods’ angrily tossed his wedge after his best shot of the day.

Their scores weren’t impressive.

Woods missed a 10-foot par putt on the last hole for a 73, his highest opening round since 1999 at Bay Hill, where he is a six-time winner. Johnson and Woodland, coming off a win last week at Innisbrook, each shot 77.

Levin built the largest 18-hole lead of the year on the PGA Tour, but even that doesn’t illustrate how well he played. His 66 was nearly nine shots better than the average score at Bay Hill, which featured gusts over 20 mph and crusty conditions in the afternoon.

Fowler and Mahan played in the morning, as did Phil Mickelson, who opened with a 70.

The tough conditions showed themselves more at the bottom of the leaderboard. U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell had an 80, as did Bob Hope winner Jhonattan Vegas and Brandt Snedeker. Ricky Barnes shot an 82.

There were 13 rounds in the 80s, the most at Bay Hill since there were 24 in the second round in 1983.

And then there was Levin.

“Six under … I didn’t really even think about that on the range,” Levin said. “Because I know the course is hard, anyway, and then you 20, 30 mile per hour wind and makes it even more tough. “I was just kind of hoping anything around par, maybe anything under par, would be a good score in the afternoon for sure.”

As usual, it came down to putting.

Levin, who also had at least a share of the lead in the Honda Classic and Northern Trust Open at Riviera, holed a par putt from just off the green at No. 6 and chipped in for birdie from left of the second green. The finish kept his spirits high. From the right bunker on No. 8, he blasted out across the green and down the slope to 8 feet for par, then atoned for a mediocre bunker shot on No. 9 with a 10-foot putt.

“That was nice,” Levin said. “Obviously, a lot better mood. Parred the last two when I could have bogeyed, so that was good.”

There wasn’t much good about the feature group.

Woods struggled with his tee shots on the front nine and didn’t hit a single fairway, although he only was in big trouble once off the tee. The bigger problem was the wind, and Woods twice had to back off putts because he couldn’t keep still.

“I didn’t drive it well starting out, and then I golf a hold of that,” Woods said. “Hit my irons well all day, and on the green, it was just tough to take the putter back straight because the wind was gusting and it was tough to get the right speed.”

It looked as though he might not have to putt on the par-5 12th with a wedge that covered the flag. It hit the bottom of the pin and spun back some 25 feet. Woods dropped his club then flung it toward his bag.

Johnson and Woodland, two of the biggest hitters, each reached a par 5 in two with the wind straight into them - Woodland on the 560-yard fourth, Johnson on the 557-yard 12th.

They also hit shots rarely seen at Bay Hill.

In a left-to-right wind on the par-5 sixth, Woodland lost it to the right. It bounced off a cart path, over the fence and wound up in the water on the par-3 “Charger” course at Bay Hill, which is out of bounds. That led to a double bogey.

On the eighth, Johnson caught a flyer out of the rough and after a few bounces on the cart path, his ball finally settled 80 yards over the green and toward the front of the tee box on No. 9. Johnson was left with a blind shot over the trees and a TV tower, and it carried all the way into the water, leading to a double bogey.

Fowler set the pace in the morning and reached 5 under, helped by an eagle on the 16th. He didn’t finish as well as Levin, however, dropping shots on the eighth and ninth hole to end his round at 69. It was enough to lead until Levin warmed up.

“It’s nice to have fresh green the first nine holes, and the greens are still soft,” said Fowler, who was in the first group of the day. “You don’t have to worry about balls bouncing too much.”

Mickelson didn’t hit it his best, was pleased with his short game, especially on the greens. He took only 26 putts, and like Fowler, said it helped that the greens rolled true except in a crosswind.

“I was able to salvage par with my short game, and it was a good opening round,” Mickelson said. “I’ll certainly take it.”

Levin, entering his third year on tour and still looking for his first win, now gets to try to build on his lead Friday morning when conditions should be a little more tame.

Woods feels the same way. Sure, it was his highest opening round since a 74 in 1999, but it wasn’t awful compared with the field.

“I think even par to under par would have been a good score this afternoon,” Woods said. “Spencer obviously played well. But most of the low scores were this morning, so I’m still right there in the ball game.”

PHOENIX (AP)—Shawn Marcum felt a little tightness in his right shoulder on Thursday, and decided to call it a day.

No need to push it—especially when you’re pitching for the Milwaukee Brewers this spring.

Marcum pitched three solid innings in a 4-0 victory over a Chicago White Sox split-squad before departing because his shoulder just didn’t feel right.

“If it were the regular season, especially August, September, I’d pitch through it and wouldn’t say a word,” he said.

Marcum threw two perfect innings and allowed only Alexei Ramirez’s(notes) leadoff single in the third. He said his shoulder started to tighten up between the second and third innings, akin to tightening he has felt both earlier this spring and in the past.

“Some days it feels tight, some days it feels OK,” he said. “After the third we decided it was in my best interest not to go back out there. I didn’t want to push it and do something stupid.”

Milwaukee already is without right-hander Zack Greinke(notes), who fractured a rib playing pickup basketball, and Manny Parra(notes), who has been slowed by muscle tightness in his back.

“Geez, we’re in a tough spot if he’s down for a while,” Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. “There’s definitely a concern there.”

Other ailing Brewers include Rickie Weeks(notes) (hamstring), Ryan Braun(notes) (strained rib cage muscle) and Corey Hart(notes) (left oblique).

Milwaukee did get Carlos Gomez(notes) back on Thursday. The speedy center fielder, who had been out with a sore back, went 2 for 2 with a double and scored a run.

White Sox starter Edwin Jackson(notes) allowed four runs in the first, then pitched shutout ball for the next four innings. He gave up nine hits, struck out seven and walked none.

“It’s always good when you have an outing with no walks,” Jackson said. “It means you at least were challenging the hitters and making them put the ball in play. I’ll take my chances when they have to put the ball in play.”

NOTES: Braun, who ran into a wall during batting practice on Saturday, got the day off after returning to the lineup Wednesday night. … Brewers OF Chris Dickerson(notes) also got the day off after colliding with San Francisco’s Pedro Alvarez(notes) on Monday. … Brewers closer John Axford(notes) pitched a scoreless fifth inning. “He said he was going to try and come out with a different attitude than he thinks he had,” Roenicke said. … Jackson singled in the fifth, one of Chicago’s five hits, and said manager Ozzie Guillen told him he was happy he survived injury-free. … Guillen’s lineup featured every regular except Paul Konerko(notes).

The problem with the Miami Heat has been alternately described as struggling in crunch time and struggling against good teams. The struggles in close games make for good drama. The struggles against good teams make for significant worries in South Beach — and there are real reasons to be worried. 

The “good teams” in this case are San Antonio, Boston, Chicago, and Dallas, the teams with the best records in the NBA. Three of these four teams are particularly good on the defensive side of the ball, Chicago ranking first, Boston second, and San Antonio seventh indefensive efficiency. In the half court, these teams are first, second, and fourth in defense. 

Against these teams, the Heat have scored under 100 points per 100 possessions, about 10 points worse than their average. So not only are these defenses very good, but they are also having more success against the Heat than against the rest of the league. The Heat offense was supposed to be unstoppable and this is, well, a far cry from that. 

So these are the big-picture stats that support what we’re seeing, but why is this happening? 

When trying to answer this question, the first thing that jumps out to me about the Heat as a team is that these guys dribble a lot. 

Dribble charts show where and how much teams dribble in order to score, and the Heat have a big red area indicating that they dribble to score more than any other team. Miami’s Big Three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all dribble to create their own shots, and they all do so in the lane. 

It’s great to have guys who can break a defense down off the dribble, but the Big Three seems to need to do so. At this point, they haven’t shown the ability to work off each other consistently. 

In the half-court, the Heat have the lowest rate of assisted layups in the league, and it isn’t close: Only 45 percent of their layups and dunks in the half court are assisted, while the next-worst team is at 54 percent and the league average is about 62 percent. The Celtics have 70 percent of their half-court layups assisted, and the Lakers 69 percent. Other than the Heat, the Bulls are the worst of the elite teams at 61 percent. 

If the Miami stars drive to the middle, they are going to try to score or kick it to the perimeter — the offense relies on rim attacks and 3-pointers by James Jones, Mario Chalmers, Mike Bibby, Eddie House and Mike Miller. It’s very difficult for defenses to simultaneously protect the rim and stop the 3. Coaches around the league struggle with how to give rules to their players to cover both. 

Who has managed to do it? The Spurs and the Tom Thibodeau defenses, which are in place in Boston and Chicago. And they appear to shut down those options better than the Heat can create them. 

Will the Heat be able to steamroll other teams? Sure. Even in their loss against Portland on Tuesday, the Heat offense was good, scoring more than 110 points per 100 possessions. 

(An aside: Miami’s defense was a sieve on Tuesday. Perhaps the pressure of failing has created a tendency for the Heat defense to crumble, as effort and emotion matter most on that side of the ball. That shouldn’t impact them as much against weaker teams, where their pure physical advantage should carry them. After all, James, Wade and Bosh are really good. The Timberwolves wish they could cry over close losses to the Bulls.) 

So how can the Heat score against the best defenses? 

How about a pick-and-roll, for cryin’ out loud! Go to the basket, guys! 

Contrary to his complaints, Bosh shouldn’t need plays run for him in order to score. When the defense leaves him, he should go to the basket. When the defense leaves a perimeter player, he should go to a place where he is available and can score. That is not just the 3-point line, but also down the lane. 

The Heat should be able to do this, as Wade and James do not have this problem in their history. In previous seasons, they have been able to find big men in the lane. Last season, James had 268 dimes to guys in the lane in the half-court; this season, just 79. Last season, Wade had 145 assists to guys in the lane in the half-court; this season, just 43. 

How about a pick-and-roll with James setting the pick and then going to the basket? Give the ball-handlers an inside option that is moving. Those top defenses will have a harder time setting their big men at the top of the charge circle and just waiting. Then they’ll actually have to worry about someone else who can score. 

No one will care if Miami players were crying in March if they win in June. They’ll have to figure out how to move the ball on the inside if they are going to give themselves a chance to do so. 

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As anyone knows who either lives in Sacramento or follows our media, the Kings have asked the NBA for a six-week time extension of the March 1 deadline to file a request to move the Kings to Anaheim.

As Mayor Johnson said, “This cheap NBA jerseys means one thing: They are trying to cut a deal to leave. They don’t have a deal yet, but they hope to in the next few weeks.”

Time will tell whether this is the end of Sacramento’s partnership with the Kings. If so, it’s been quite a ride. Since opening night on Oct. 25, 1985 at the original, temporary Arco Arena, through the 1988 opening of the current arena, until Feb. 28, 2011 when the last game was played in “Arco Arena” (now “Power Balance Pavilion”), it has been a roller coaster ride for the team and our community.

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For more than a decade, this community sold out each and every home game, despite consistent last-place finishes, some forgettable lineups, and only two playoff appearances in 14 years. Then in 1999, the Kings started a run of playoff years that reached a peak in 2002, when the Kings were indisputably the best team in the NBA, and but for poor officiating and free throw shooting, would have won the NBA Championship. Not even the most casual of Sacramento sports fans will ever forget the glory team of Chris Webber, Vlade Divac, Mike Bibby, Doug Christie, Bobby Jackson, Peja Stojakovic and a great cast of bench players who would dive to the floor for every loose ball and fight for every rebound. They were a team that Sacramento could truly be proud of, playing unselfishly and harmoniously, making the collective whole so much greater than the sum of its parts. A reflection of our community, which may not be as photogenic and glamorous as our big coastal city brethren, but is the most livable big city in America.

Who in Sacramento hasn’t said when defending our fair city that we may not be the best place to visit, but we are the best place to live?

Yet even during the team’s heyday, there were signs that Camelot was not going to last forever.

First, it was the former owners’ unsavory demand for favors that led to the Council’s approval of a $73 million loan in 1997. (To set the record straight, the Kings have made every payment on that back-loaded loan, though the balance remains at $67 million).

Then there were several failed attempts to finance a new Downtown arena, culminating in the disastrous Measures Q/R in 2006. Although the sales tax measure was decidedly one-sided in favor of the Kings, the Maloofs still weren’t satisfied and through a series of public relations gaffes, indirectly helped defeat the measure by an astounding 80-20 margin.

Those of you who have followed my career on the Council know that I opposed the Council loan and Measures Q and R. I have not taken a religious position that forever would prohibit the use of public funds for an arena, but I have consistently stood up for taxpayers to ensure that any arena financing deal show clear benefits to the City and its taxpayers, and not a hand out to pampered professional team owners or players.

So where does Sacramento stand now? I agree with our Mayor and others who say that the goal here is bigger than basketball. Today, we will work hard to keep the Kings, using every remedy short of public subsidies possible. That’s why I shared a magical moment with 17,000 other Sacramentans who sold out the Kings game on Feb. 28 and showed the Maloofs what a real home town advantage can be.

But the path to a new entertainment and sports complex will not be an easy one. On Tuesday, Feb. 8, Council unanimously agreed to select the ICON-Taylor development team to take the next three months to work with city staff to analyze and come up with a finance plan for a new sports and entertainment complex.

Council also gave direction that a plan would need to take the Natomas community into consideration. If a new arena were to be built somewhere other than Natomas, there would need to be a project to make up for the loss in that area.

The Council did not approve a development contract or location.

I believe that the best team was chosen to get straight answers on financing. I reiterated at the Feb. 8 Council meeting that for me it comes down to financing. I’ve never been convinced that an arena can be built without some public financing.

The development team plans to move forward even with the most recent news that the King’s ownership are in talks to move the team to Southern California.

ICON is a Denver based company that has built several arenas and sports facilities throughout the world. David Taylor, a local developer has been the driver of much redevelopment in Downtown Sacramento, including the U.S. Bank Tower on Capitol Mall, new City Hall, Esquire Plaza and the Sheraton Grand Sacramento. The team also includes New York based Turner Construction, Populous, a Kansas City, Missouri sports architecture firm and Dan Meis, who designed the Staples Center in L.A.

I’ll keep you posted on these arena developments, but as always, I welcome your ideas as well.

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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — E’Twaun Moore scored a career-high 38 points to lead No. 11 Purdue past No. 2 Ohio State 76-63 on Sunday, capping a week that saw the top four teams in the AP Top 25 lose a game.

Moore tied a career high with seven cheap jerseys three-pointers. He surpassed 2,000 points during a flurry of 13 in the final 3:49 of the first half, becoming the fifth player in school history to reach the milestone.

JaJuan Johnson added 13 points and six rebounds for Purdue (22-5, 11-3 Big Ten), which avenged an 87-64 loss at Ohio State on Jan. 25.

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Jared Sullinger scored 25 points and Jon Diebler added 11 for the Buckeyes (25-2, 12-2), who have lost two of three after winning their first 24 games.

With losses in the past week by No. 1 Kansas, No. 3 Texas and No. 4 Pittsburgh, the Buckeyes entered the game in line to reclaim the No. 1 ranking they dropped after losing at Wisconsin on Feb. 12.

Instead, Ohio State now finds itself in a dogfight for the conference title. The Buckeyes, who could have all but sealed the championship with a win, now have a one-game lead with four to play.

Purdue shot 51 percent overall after hitting just 38 percent in the first matchup. The Boilermakers held the Buckeyes to 6-for-22 shooting in the second half.

Diebler entered the game one three-pointer short of the Big Ten career record of 331 set by Penn State’s Pete Lisicky from 1994-1998. Diebler tied the record on a fadeaway as the shot clock expired that gave Ohio State an 11-5 lead, and broke it on a shot from the right corner 1 minute into the second half.

Ohio State led 28-24 in the first half before Moore took over. He hit a three-pointer, then scored on an acrobatic fastbreak layup to give Purdue the lead. He followed that with two more three-pointers to give the Boilermakers a 35-30 lead.

David Lighty’s three-pointer with 20 seconds left in the first half cut the lead to two, but Moore drained a jumper over Lighty in the closing seconds of the half to push Purdue’s lead to 37-33. The Boilermakers forced nine turnovers in the first 20 minutes.

Moore found a streaking Terone Johnson with a behind-the-back pass, and Johnson’s layup gave Purdue a 48-42 lead. Moore then made a long jumper to push the lead to 10 for the first time.

Ohio State hung around while Purdue took questionable shots. Sullinger drove for a powerful two-handed dunk and was fouled. His free throw cut Purdue’s lead to 56-51.

Moore hit a fadeaway, then his sixth three-pointer, to increase Purdue’s lead to 61-53.