To download cover: https://bit.ly/1q3kpz3

Highlights: CBB Top 25 Power Rankings, College Football Playoff system stats, special feature on Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky and more.

On the cover: In this heady time for Mississippi football, native son and senior writer Wright Thompson travels the state to sketch the reaction, enthusiasm and long-held hopes, dreams – and still fears – of Mississippi football fans in A ride down Paradise Road.

 

College Hoop Tip-Off Issue Features

Free to Go

Devonta Pollard, a once-promising player at Alabama, was charged with conspiracy in connection with the kidnapping of a six-year-old relative by his mother – once his coach and best friend. Pollard subsequently testified against his mother, who is now incarcerated. After dropping out of Alabama, playing a year in junior college, Pollard is about to start over at the University of Houston. By Mina Kimes

Frank Kaminsky and Wisconsin’s Rise

Unlike the one-and-done superstars of last season, Frank Kaminsky can’t get enough of college hoops. He’s the perfect poster guy for this season: one of the country’s best shot blockers AND a communications major and Merrill Lynch intern. And on what might be Bo Ryan’s best team ever, Kaminsky is ready for the big time. By Pablo Torre

Top 25 Power Rankings

The Mag takes a look at the sport’s best 25 teams this year, getting best case/worst case predictions from Jay Bilas, projected NCAA Tournament seeds from Joe Lunardi, and taking a graphic look at what could decide each team’s success.

Women’s Hoops Preview

Focusing in on Connecticut’s Breanna Stewart and the always-dominant Huskies, the issue also presents a women’s top 10, including season predictions, tourney seeds and stats that will define teams’ seasons. By Mechelle Voepel

Additional College Hoops Tip-Off Issue Highlights:

• CFB: With countless stats to consult, The Mag’s Alok Pattani and Hallie Grossman make a case for the stats the College Football Playoff committee should use to make its selections in How to pick the four best teams.
• NBA: The Mag’s Jordan Brenner notes that Anthony Davis is ready to make the jump. But will it be enough to satisfy the basketball world’s massive expectations?
• NFL: In The shadow life of Jim Irsay, The Mag’s Shaun Assael shares that the Colts owner’s relapse extends further back than the March 2014 mug shot that shocked the NFL; it’s impacted three families and involved his longtime girlfriend, who would die from a drug overdose.
• MLS: On the eve of the MLS playoffs, The Mag’s Doug McIntyre is looking at the top two teams in each conference and what could lead them to the title—or stop a playoff run early.
• NHL: Hockey season is in full swing—good news for those who like watching grown men settle petty disputes through pointless fisticuffs. In honor of that dubious calling, The Mag asked ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt and Ryen Russillo to talk hockey goons.

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Media Contact: Carrie Kreiswirth at (646) 547-4686 or carrie.b.kreiswirth@espn.com