FanNation

www.SportsByTheNumbers.com

Stats of the Week

39

The number of points (39) Kobe Bryant scored during the Lakers 95-90 victory against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Sunday. He became the youngest player in NBA history to score 20,000 career points when he was good on a three-pointer during the first minute of the third quarter. Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan are the only other players to reach that plateau prior to turning thirty. Bryant reached the plateau at 29 years and 122 days, Chamberlain did it at 29 years and 134 days, and Jordan did it at 29 years and 326 days.

Honorable Mentions

7

The number of consecutive wins (7) during bowl games for the Utah Utes after they beat Navy 35-32 in the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego. The streak dates back to 1999, but it also includes the last five consecutive seasons-meaning some fifth-year seniors are graduating with five rings. Check that again, five rings. Look for the SBTN title on Utah Utes football in August of 2009-the numbers that tell the stories from every bowl appearance will be there.

15

The number of wins (15) for the New England Patriots with one week remaining on the regular season schedule. The Patriots are 15-0 after beating Miami 28-7 on Sunday. The Dolphins went 14-0 during the regular season in 1972, and stayed perfect throughout the playoffs on their way to winning the Super Bowl-a feat New England would like to match this season. If the Patriots do run the table and win the Super Bowl-and considering the Red Sox won the World Series-anyone betting against the Celtics being in the NBA finals?

36

number of players (36) for FSU who are likely to miss the Seminoles Music City Bowl appearance against the Kentucky Wildcats on December 31. As many as 25 players will be absent because of suspensions resulting from an academic cheating scandal-try putting that on the recruiting poster when your in-state rival has Heisman winner and all-around good guy Tim Tebow.

82

The percentage (.82) of responders to an on-line poll by Yahoo! Sports who think Roger Clemens used steroids. Only 18 percent of the first 72,332 responders said they think Clemens did not use steroids. FYI, check out the numbers Clemens posted at the University of Texas during his collegiate career as well as the major league numbers he compiled prior to the time he allegedly used steroids. Clemens denies using steroids or HGH, and in reality, career longevity is the only possible benefit he could have received from using either one-of course, he did throw a bat at Mike Piazza during the 2000 World Series.

100

The percentage (1.00) of MMA fans who would absolutely love to see Mark Cuban's bid to get Floyd Mayweather into mixed martial arts become a reality. Cuban said, "Floyd understands he would have a lot to learn, but there is no one that would work harder."

For more information and numbers like these visit www.SportsByTheNumbers.com

The SBTN Guys are the authors of University of Oklahoma Football: An Interactive Guide to the World of Sports. Their spring release will include MLB, Yankees, and NASCAR books!