R.G.'s Weekly Sports ReCap: Saturday 1/25 - Friday 1/31

My 'notable' happenings and keynotes from the sports world this past week:

 

Pro Tennis (Australian Open): Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland won his first major championship, defeating top-ranked Rafael Nadal, who dealt with back issues during the finals matchup. On the women's side, 31-year-old Li Na of China finally broke through in Melbourne with her first Aussie singles title over upstart Dominika Cibulkova - becoming the oldest woman to win the tournament.

NBA: The reserves for the upcoming All-Star Game were announced: Eastern Conference - F Chris Bosh, Miami Heat; G DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors; C Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers; G Joe Johnson, Brooklyn Nets; F Paul Millsap, Atlanta Hawks; G John Wall, Washington Wizards; C Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls. *Notable snub: G Lance Stephenson, Indiana Pacers....Western Conference - F LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers; C Dwight Howard, Houston Rockets; G James Harden, Houston Rockets; G Damien Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers; F Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks; G Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs; G Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers. *Notable snub: G Goran Dragic, Phoenix Suns. The All-Star Game will take place in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday 2/16....Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant had his 12-game streak of scoring 30+ points snapped in his team's 120-95 win over the Brooklyn Nets on the road. The feat was the third-longest in the league over the last three decades. (Kobe Bryant - 16; Tracy McGrady - 14)....Veteran Denver Nuggets reserve guard Nate Robinson will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery to repair torn ACL in his left knee....As of Friday 1/31, the Indiana Pacers continue to pace the East at 35-10, while out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder, despite the loss of their All-Star guard Russell Westbrook and the insane play of Kevin Durant, are leading the pack with their 38-10 mark.

Men's College Basketball: Associated Press Top 10 - 1. Arizona  2. Syracuse  3. Florida  4. Wichita State  5. San Diego State  6. Kansas  7. Michigan State  8. Oklahoma State  9. Villanova  10. Michigan....Kansas Jayhawks phenom freshman swingman Andrew Wiggins scored a season-high 29 points in a 92-81 victory over Iowa State....Duke Blue Devils forward Jabari Parker set the team record by scoring 20+ points in his 12th game as a freshman by scoring 21 points in a 80-65 win over Pitt.

Women's College Basketball: Associated Press Top 10 - 1. U.Conn  2. Notre Dame  3. Duke  4. Stanford  5. Lousiville  6. U.N.C.  7. South Carolina  8. Maryland  9. Baylor  10. Tennessee

NHL: The New York Rangers beat both of their local rivals - the New Jersey Devils (7-3) - and the New York Islanders (2-1) - to sweep the two-game outdoors series at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York City. Both games - despite the frigid temperatures - drew over 50,000 fans....As of Friday 1/31, Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins lead the East with 78 points (38-14-2 OT losses), and the Anaheim Ducks continue to roll strong out West with 85 points in the standings. (40-11-5 OT losses)

NFL: Festivities for Super Bowl 48 got underway in full swing in both New York City and parts of New Jersey....After a successful 2K13 regular season and playoff appearance in the NFC division round, the Carolina Panthers rewarded head coach Ron Rivera with a three-year contract extension.

MLB: 2K5 A.L. batting champion and seven-time All-Star infielder Michael Young announced his retirement. Young spent the majority of his career and enjoyed great success with the Texas Rangers.

Sochi Winter Games: Minnesota Wild veteran winger Zach Parise was named captain of the USA men's hockey squad.