Sonnen, 36, will get that chance this Saturday as the headlining fight at UFC 159 with Jones’ light heavyweight world title on the line.

Before the two share the octagon at UFC 159 in Newark, N.J., Sonnen appeared on SportsCenter to promote the fight. In an interview with Sage Steele, the No. 1 contender yelled a lot, flexed too much and at one point says he has, “the arms, the charm and the harm.”

But the crowning moment was when he asked to touch Steele’s curly hair, telling the SportsCenter anchor that he loved it.

Check out the awkward encounter in the video below.

Thumbnail via YouTube

As the playoffs get into full swing, SI has another cover with Thunder forward Kevin Durant, which includes a quote from the young star that could mean trouble for the rest of the NBA.

“I’ve been second my whole life. I was the second-best player in high school. I was the second pick in the draft. I’ve been second in MVP voting three times. I came in second in the finals. I’m tired of being second … I’m done with it.”

Gomes and the words “Boston Strong” can be seen in the top corner of the Durant cover as well.

Check out the amazing SI covers in the photos below.

Photo via Twitter/@RedSox

Photo courtesy of Twitter/@si_vault

On Sunday, James was two points away from a triple-double in a blowout win over Milwaukee. The following day, he made Mario Chalmers and 3-point king Ray Allen drop and give him 20 push-ups each after defeating the pair in a 3-point contest.

Watch Chalmers and the 37-year-old future Hall of Famer bang out some push-ups for drill sergeant James in the video below.

Thumbnail via Facebook/Miami Heat from B/R

Monday night, the 11-time NBA champion coach started some Twitter drama following Chris Paul‘s game-winner, which gave the Clippers a 2-0 series lead over the Grizzlies.

Jackson was upset that Paul got away with what appeared to be several push-offs on Tony Allen, giving him space to beat the buzzer with a bank shot. Some of Jackson’s Twitter followers were quick to point out that Jackson, while with the Bulls, benefited greatly from a push-off when Michael Jordan swatted Byron Russell down to the floor to drain the shot that gave Jordan, Jackson and the Bulls a sixth championship.

See Jackson defend Jordan’s alleged push-off in the tweet below.

As per MJ’s shot in game 6. That wasn’t a push off. It was a helping hand to a broke down comrade. :-)

—
Phil Jackson (@PhilJackson11) April 23, 2013

Thumbnail via Facebook/Time Warner Cable SportsNet

Click here to see Paul’s controversial final shot >>

Last week, UConn revealed its new Husky Dog logo, which was received positively by both men’s basketball coach Kevin Ollie and women’s coach Geno Auriemma. The new jerseys include more red, mainly in the trim. The new football helmets feature the Husky logo above the facemask, showing the dog’s aggressive eyes. Nothing is on either side of the helmet.

Check out more of UConn’s new look in the photos below.

Photos via Instagram/uconnhuskies and Twitter/@JohnFSilver

The top three picks — Griner, Delaware’s Elena Delle Donne, and Notre Dame’s Skylar Diggins — enter the WNBA as one of the most talented trios in league history and will be linked throughout their careers. They sat down with Sports Illustrated’s Maggie Gray to talk about sexuality and equality in sports.

Griner didn’t shy away from her own sexuality in the interview, stating that she is gay herself.

“I really couldn’t give an answer on why that’s so different,” Griner told Gray, when asked about gay players in the NFL versus women’s sports. “Being one that’s out, it’s just being who you are. Again, like I said, just be who you are. Don’t worry about what other people are going to say, because they’re always going to say something, but, if you’re just true to yourself, let that shine through. Don’t hide who you really are.

“It really wasn’t too difficult, I wouldn’t say I was hiding or anything like that. I’ve always been open about who I am and my sexuality. So, it wasn’t hard at all. If I can show that I’m out and I’m fine and everything’s OK, then hopefully the younger generation will definitely feel the same way.”

Delle Donne and Diggins both expressed their support of Griner and others and hope that men can someday be as supportive.

Photo via Facebook/Baylor Athletics

Williams was in his share of big moments when he was Tiger Woods‘ caddy, but through his high-fiving experience, has yet to grasp the concept of not grabbing his fellow high-fiver’s hand in the process.

The special moment between Scott and Williams was halted after former Masters winner Angel Cabrera forced a playoff.

Check out the awesome, or awkward, slapping of hands in the video below, courtesy of SB Nation.

Bryant has been playing more time late this season in an attempt to sneak Los Angeles into the playoffs. Bryant went down Friday night in the final minutes of a win over the Warriors. At that point, Bryant had logged nearly 45 minutes as he struggled to walk to the locker room. On Saturday, Bryant’s trainer, Tim Grover, told the Los Angeles Daily News that other factors played into Bryant’s injury, and that he was not being overplayed.

“It had nothing to do with the minutes he had been playing or anything of that sort,” Grover told Mark Medina in a phone interview. “A torn Achilles tendon is a very freaky injury. It’s just one of those things that just happened.”

Grover went on to say that the tear in Bryant’s left Achilles tendon could have been caused by bone spurs in his left foot, an injury that Bryant had been dealing with for some time. Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni had been criticized for playing Bryant too many minutes down the stretch.

Bryant underwent surgery on Saturday and could be back in action as early as October, or as late as the beginning of 2014. The Lakers are currently clinging to the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, leading the Jazz by one game.

On Thursday, the University of Connecticut revealed its new take on the Husky Dog logo. The school’s athletic department has worked with Nike on new logos, wordmarks and uniforms for more than a year now. The new look was applauded by both men’s basketball coach Kevin Ollie and women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma.

“We are proud to share with everyone the new visual identity of UConn Athletics, which includes a new Husky Dog logo,” UConn Director of Athletics Warde Manuel said in a press release.  “Our student-athletes and coaches strongly believe that the new Husky dog logo boldly reflects values such as Pride, Loyalty, Strength, Determination and Athleticism.  They are all very excited to wear it into competition and to see it displayed prominently in our facilities.”

Check out the new logo below.

Photo via Facebook/UConn Huskies

“I would like to thank the Pac-12 for giving me the opportunity to lead a group of officials who are working so hard to make the Pac-12 the best officiated conference in college basketball,” said Rush in an official statement from the conference. “My first and highest concerns have always been the integrity of the game of basketball and the honor of the craft of officiating. While I am proud of what we have accomplished, my decision to resign reflects my strong desire to see the Pac-12 officiating program continue to grow and thrive.”

Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com was the first to break this story after Miller was hit with a controversial technical foul in Arizona’s 66-64 loss to UCLA in the Pac-12 tournament semifinal. It was Miller’s first technical of the season.

JaVale McGee 

Fans of McGee’s antics will soon get the chance to see the Nuggets center away from the hardwood, as the Oprah Winfrey Network announced that McGee and his mother will star in their own reality show. The network announced the addition of Millionaire Mama’s Boy along with several other shows Thursday morning.

The show will follow the relationship of the 25-year-old pro and his mother, Pamela McGee, who played in the WNBA for two seasons and is currently his business manager.

“They may be crazy, loud and a little wild, but family’s what it’s all about for the McGees and their friends,” the network said in a statement. “Ultimately, it’s a show about family, love and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her son; all seven feet of him.”

While McGee has been criticized for his questionable in-game decisions, especially as a member of the Washington Wizards, his mother has been there to speak up for him, as JP Finlay of Comcast SportsNet points out. The most notable instance occurred when McGee’s mother responded to a column referring to McGee and the rest of the Wizards as “knuckleheads.”

The network has yet to determine when the show will air.

Photo via Facebook/Denver Nuggets

Both teams use the same tunnel in the Air Canada Centre, and as they walked to the locker room at halftime, Calderon began to veer left towards the Raptors’ locker room. After identifying that he was wearing blue, in a line of white jerseys, Calderon quickly realized his mistake as he caught a camera filming all the action.

Despite pulling an April Fools’ Day joke on himself, Calderon got the last laugh with the Pistons defeating the Raptors 108-98.

Check out the funny mishap in the video below.

(h/t Pro Basketball Talk)

Thumbnail via Facebook/Detroit Pistons

Wiggins is considered the top player in high school basketball, and on Monday night at the Powerade Jam Fest Dunk Contest, he proved why many believe he could one day be an NBA superstar.

The 6-foot-8 Wiggins threw down a reverse 360 slam while putting the ball between his legs. Despite the dunk bringing the rest of the McDonald’s All Americans to their feet, Wiggins did not even win the contest. Chris Walker, who has committed to Florida, took home those honors.

Wiggins attends school at Huntington Prep in West Virginia and is deciding between four schools — Florida State, Kansas, Kentucky and North Carolina. He will participate in the 2013 McDonald’s All American Game on Wednesday night.

Check out Wiggins’ dunk in the video below.

Thumbnail via Flickr/SportsAngle.com

The wager?

Andrews had to change her Twitter avatar to a photo of Eisen. According to a tweet from Andrews, that avatar must remain on her account for the next three days while The Rich Eisen Podcast gets some free publicity from Andrews’ 1.7 million Twitter followers.

Misery loves company, as Andrews is attempting to spark a new friendly bet between Eisen and ESPN play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico, a Syracuse grad. Tirico’s Orange will take on Eisen’s Wolverines in next weekend’s Final Four in Atlanta.

Thumbnail via Facebook/Erin Andrews

Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said he didn’t want didn’t want to hear any complaints from James during an interview with WEEI on Thursday, calling it, “embarrassing.”

“I think the referees got the calls right. I don’t think it was a hard foul,” Ainge said on Salk & Holley. “I think the one involving LeBron against Boozer, that was flagrant. I think the officials got it right.

“I think that it’s almost embarrassing that LeBron would complain about officiating.”

James was clearly frustrated by the Bulls’ physical style of play, which boiled over when James was hit with a flagrant foul after lowering his shoulder into Carlos Boozer. The three-time league MVP was not silent about the fouls with reporters in the postgame press conference.

“First of all Kirk Hinrich in the first quarter basically grabbed me with two hands and brought me to the ground,” James said. “And the last one, Taj Gibson was able to collar me around my shoulder and bring me to the ground. Those are not basketball plays.

“I’m not sitting here crying about anything,” said James. “I play the game at a high level, I play with a lot of aggression, I understand that some of the plays are on the borderline of a basketball play or not. But sometimes, you know? I don’t know … it’s frustrating.”

James has always benefited from foul calls, the perks of being 6-foot-8, 250 pound monster and also one of the game’s top players. So, James may not want to be the one to complain about fouls. Earlier this season, the reigning MVP had a streak of 254 minutes of action without being whistled for a foul.

The NBA will likely look into these comments from James, as it does every time officials are questioned.

Click here to see how LeBron James responded>>

Heralded freshmen recruits Archie Goodwin and Alex Poythress didn’t pan out as expected in their first season and, along with fellow freshman Willie Cauley-Stein, announced they intend on returning to Kentucky for another season. The only problem is that Calipari is bringing in arguably the greatest recruiting class in college basketball history — a six-man class headlined by Julius Randle and Andrew and Aaron Harrison. That class could become seven if the nation’s top player, Andrew Wiggins, pledges to Big Blue Nation. For the first time, the one-and-done culture Calipari had benefited from has backfired on him. Too much talent is coming in and not enough is going out.

Under Calipari, Kentucky lands top recruit after top recruit. Most of them spend a year in Lexington and then take their talent to the NBA — rarely do these top prospects return. Two years ago Terrence Jones and Doron Lamb elected to stay for a sophomore season while Brandon Knight jumped to the draft. It was a beneficial move for Jones, Lamb and Kentucky. Calipari brought in a four-man class, starring Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. That class filled out the starting five and added another rotation guy as Kentucky went onto a national title.

Fast-forward to 2013 and too many players want to stay, and too much talent is coming in.

Coach Cal has taken his fair share of responsibility for this season, but he has made it clear he is unhappy with this year’s team, going as far to say that they “hijacked” the program. Now decisions need to be made by both players and the team.

Ryan Harrow struggled at point guard all season and even lost minutes to former walk-on Jarrod Polson. Andrew Harrison is 6-foot-5 and tabbed as the nation’s top floor general in the Class of 2013. Goodwin will have to split time on the wing with James Young as well as Andrew’s twin, Aaron. If Poythress does end up returning to Lexington, the front line will be centered around Randle, who some draft analysts believe would compete for the top spot in this year’s draft.

The thing about scholarships is that they aren’t four-year deals, they are annually renewed. Calipari could call in Goodwin, Poythress, Cauley-Stein and Harrow and tell them he won’t have a spot on next year’s team and should either transfer or test the NBA Draft waters. He revoked Dajuan Wagner‘s scholarship back 2002 when Calipari was still with Memphis. Wagner had a terrific freshman season and Calipari tore up his scholarship, forcing him to go pro so Wagner could benefit from the money he’d make as a first rounder.

This was obviously a different circumstance, but it’s one of the solutions Calipari can use to fix the mess Kentucky is in. Although Goodwin and Poythress didn’t produce like Nerlens Noel – a projected top pick — did in their freshman campaigns, they are both projected as first-round picks by DraftExpress.com. Cauley-Stein played well when Noel went out with an season-ending injury, and at 7-feet could also be drafted, especially in a weak draft class.

A lot needs to be solved in Lexington before next season begins. Despite its season being over, Kentucky is playing in its own type of madness.

Photo via Facebook/Kentucky Wildcats from B/R

This is a wide-open field, one where the No. 1 seeds were tough to decide upon. This is also a year removed from a tournament that saw a pair of No. 15 seeds — Norfolk State and Lehigh — defeating a pair of No. 2 seeds — Missouri and Duke — on the same day.

In the South Region, No. 13 South Dakota State has No. 4 Michigan on upset alert. The Jackrabbits have one of the nation’s top scorers in Nate Wolters going against Michigan’s player of the year candidate, Trey Burke. Butler, who knows a thing or two about upsets, is the No. 6 seed in the East Region. However, Brad Stevens and Co. got a tough draw with Patriot League power Bucknell, led by 6-foot-11 senior center Mike Muscala.

Teams like Memphis will try to prove they belong in the NCAA tournament after struggling in non-conference play while teams like UCLA limp into the tournament having lost second-leading scorer Jordan Adams to a broken right foot.

They call it March Madness for a reason, and it officially commences this week.

Click here to see teams that should be on upset alert this week >>

Argentina native Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now known as Pope Francis, officially replaced Pope Benedict as head of the Catholic Church.

“An Argentine being in charge of a billion people is not something that happens often,” Ginobili said during Thursday’s shootaround. “Catholicism is the main religion in my country and, of course, it is a big thing.”

Ginobili, who found out about the news while eating lunch on Wednesday, admitted he was surprised, yet proud of the news, according to Spurs Nation.

“It is incredible,” Ginobili told reporters. “We were watching and when we heard the name I said, ‘What? Did we hear it right?’

“We were all in shock. The country is going crazy.”

On Thursday, The Associated Press reported that Pope Francis is a bit of a sports fan. The Argentine pope has long been a supporter of the soccer club San Lorenzo. Ironically, San Lorenzo’s nickname is the Saints while its rival club Independiente is nicknamed the Red Devils.

Karl stormed down the sideline to voice his displeasure with the call, and it just so happened that Chandler was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Karl gave his small forward a two-hand shove as he made his way to the officials.

The Nuggets coach was hit with a technical for arguing the call, and Chandler took to Twitter to respond to the incident, which he took rather well.

About to dress up in all black and catch George Karl outside. Putting his hands on me like he about that life lol

—
Wilson Chandler (@wilsonchandler) March 10, 2013

Check out the incident in the video below, with a hat tip to Slam.

The first of five thrilling finishes began in “The World’s Most Famous Arena,” Madison Square Garden. Marquette’s leading scorer, Vander Blue banked a shot off the glass to give the Golden Eagles a 69-67 overtime win over the unraveling St. John’s Red Storm. The game-winners moved south after that when Alabama’s Trevor Releford heaved a half-court prayer that found the bottom of the net to give the Tide a 61-58 win over Georgia.

The mid-majors wanted to get in on the action when Belmont’s Kerron Johnson‘s mid-range pull-up jumper punched the Bruins’ ticket to the dance, beating Murray State 70-68 in overtime to win the Ohio Valley Conference.

The Horizon League might be the most exciting conference in the country right now. Miles Dixon‘s off-balanced jump shot fell through and took down reigning league champ Detroit as Wright State moved on to the finals. A day after winning at the buzzer, Green Bay was eliminated by Ryan Broekhoff‘s last-second three that put Valparaiso in the title game.

There are 21 more days of March, and surely much more madness to come.

Click here to check out all five buzzer-beaters from Saturday >>