Professional Sports

The Independent Sports Section is at it again. This time, the group tackles five questions, including who they believe will win and why.

Enough of the over/under talk for Super Bowl XLIV, let's talk prop bets. Members of the Independent staff put their pride (not money, cause gambling is wrong) on the line as they pick who will score first, what the coin flip will be, and more.

Will the team with the highest payroll close out the decade the way they opened it? Or will the Phillies end the decade with a repeat?

Another NBA season is upon us, tipping off this year with a plethora of exciting teams and interesting subplots. The Independent has your full preview, breaking down what to watch for, and giving full predictions for both conferences and award winners.

No preview is complete without some broad, sweeping predictions about things big and small. Here is my take on this year’s award winners, some “firsts to happen” and what teams will take home the big prizes come June.

Five story lines to watch for in the 2009-10 NBA Season. From the leap into stardom that Kevin Durant looks to make to whether or not Greg Oden can stay healthy, here's a handful of fun things to look for.

Will the Lakers reign supreme again in the West, or can the Spurs or Nuggets unseat the defending champs?

Will Orlando cast a spell over the rest of the conference like they did last season, will Boston or Cleveland unseat the reigning conference champs? Here's your full breakdown of who is lottery bound and who will make the playoffs.

Looking at the series as the Yankees are up 2-0 is just not enough. Here are some of the subplots in the ALCS as the Angels look to defend their home turf.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the New York Yankees have met twice already this decade in the playoffs, with the Halos besting the Bronx Bombers in both meetings. Can the Yankees reverse this trend, or will their season again be ended by the Angels?

Can the LA Dodgers stop the Philadelphia Phillies from defending their World Series title? Eric Scaturro and Luis Gronda breakdown the NLCS.

The Independent's sports crew breaks down the 2009-10 edition of the NHL.

So it's safe to say Albert Pujols won the NL MVP, but what about the other awards? The Independent recognizes 2009's top MLB performers.

The Stony Brook Independent predicts how the upcoming NFL season will shake out for 2009-2010. It's Brett Favre-free.

Can the Celtics advance without their emotional leader, KG? Which team in the Western Conference will find themselves sent home earlier than expected? Michael Kelly breaks down each first round match-up.