Hump Day Headlines

In this week's Hump Day Headlines, we discuss Tiger's return to the links, the Panthers Pitt-fall, Starbury's potential move to Boston, and Harrison's run in Indy comes to an end...

• The world's best golfer is back.  Today Tiger Woods returns to golf after eight months off recovering from reconstructive knee surgery and the birth of his son to play in the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.  This marks his first tournament since his memorable win on one leg in the U.S. Open last June, and Woods enters this tournament tomorrow the defending champ.  He'll face Australian Brendan Jones in his first match.  Tiger says his short game "has gotten a little bit better" and hit every green in regulation yesterday in the practice round.  This likely means doom for the competition.  Anything can happen in match play and often the favorites don't win.  Either way, all eyes will be on Tiger as he revives the interest in Golf worldwide by stepping foot on the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club course this afternoon in Tucson.  I know I'll be watching.
• Yet another team ranked #1 in the country has fallen just days, or in this case, a day after being put into the top spot in the polls.  #1 Pittsburgh won't have that ranking in front of its name after Providence handed them an 81-73 loss in Rhode Island Tuesday night.  What this loss showed is what we already knew:  if DeJuan Blair gets into foul trouble, the Panthers are a very vulnerable team.  Blair had 17 points and 8 rebounds in the loss, but fouled out of last night's contest.  Pitt's loss is the sixth loss this season for a top ranked team.  And by the way, the Friars definitely helped their tournament chances with that win.  Providence is 17-11 on the year but now boasts a 9-7 record in the Big East.  It's their second win against a ranked team.  Their last came against then #15 Syracuse January 28th.
• Stephon Marbury's career with the Knicks is mercifully over.  The two sides finally reached a buyout of Marbury's albatross contract Tuesday afternoon.  Starbury is eligible to play in the post season should he sign with a team headed there because the deal was made before the league deadline Sunday.  Assuming Marbury clears waivers, he could become a member of the Celtics as soon as this Friday.  If so, he could be in the lineup for his first action of the season Friday night in Beantown against Indiana.  Unfortunately there are no more match-ups between Boston and New York this season, because that would certainly have some added flare.  But New Yorkers that want to pay to boo Marbury will have opportunity to do so, as the Celtics visit New Jersey March 4th.  At least this story can finally come to an end.  Marbury is expected to sign for a pro-rated veteran minimum contract.
• His thirteen year run as the Colts star wideout is over.  Marvin Harrison wanted his release and got it yesterday after meeting with Indy boss Jim Irsay.  He was due to earn $13.4 million in 2009, but Indianapolis wanted to restructure his contract.  Harrison decided instead of coming back he'd rather have his release to play elsewhere.  After all, the 36-year-old would have been the third option this season had he returned to Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez.  Harrison will likely go down as one of the top receivers to ever play in the NFL, as he ranks in the top five all-time in receptions (1,102), yards (14,580) and touchdowns (128).  The first round pick from Syracuse in 1996 has been to eight pro-bowls and won Super Bowl XLI as the Colts beat the Bears.  As to where he'll land?  Some speculate a move to Philadelphia since the Eagles need another receiver and Harrison is a Philly native.  ESPN's John Clayton also suggested possible destinations for #88 could be San Francisco or Chicago.