>> It's 22 up and 22 down for No. 1 UConn, which beat Rutgers 75-56 at the XL Center Tuesday night. Can we fast-forward to March? . . . The Celtics won their 12th in a row on Ray Allen's three-pointer with 0.5 of a second left in a 100-99 victory at Philadelphia. Allen should replace Orlando's Jameer Nelson (torn labrum) on the Eastern Conference All-Star roster.
>> The struggling WNBA wisely chose the Mohegan Sun Arena for its July 25 All-Star Game. Pad the rosters with UConn alums and the place will be packed. . . . Gamblers are apparently feeling the economic pinch. Nevada sports books took in $81.5 million in Super Bowl wagers, down 11 percent from last year and the lowest since 2004. . . . About 300,000 fans lined the streets of Pittsburgh for a Super Bowl parade Tuesday. They also were practicing for the Pirates' next World Series title, which should happen sometime this century. >> There's a dramatic game of chicken being played in Los Angeles. Scott Boras believes the Dodgers can't live without Manny Ramirez, while the Dodgers believe there are no other bidders for the slugger. So Boras and Manny have rejected three offers from L.A., including a one-year, $25 million deal just two weeks before pitchers and catchers report to spring training. Raise your hand if you think Manny will sign with the Dodgers sometime in March.
>> In the latest episode of "CSI: Cooperstown," cases are building against two baseball legends. The DNA of Roger Clemens was reportedly linked to blood in syringes Brian McNamee says he used to inject performance-enhancing drugs into the pitcher. Meanwhile, The New York Times reports that a 2003 urine sample from Barry Bonds has tested positive for PEDs. . . . And it seems McNamee is taking the high road. The former "personal trainer" will break his silence Monday, when he appears on "The Howard Stern Show." He'll be appearing with friend and fitness model Mai Tran, who will no doubt be asked to disrobe.
>> Law enforcement is investigating photos of Michael Phelps taking a bong hit at a University of South Carolina house party and charges may be filed by the local sheriff's office. Across the state line, Barney Fife has released Otis Campbell to make room in the Mayberry jail.
>> Hillary Clinton is bringing shuttlecock diplomacy to the State Department. The department says a team of female badminton players will compete in a tournament in Iran next week. . . . President Barack Obama's promise of change has been extended to the customary call from the White House to the Super Bowl winner. Obama, who was cheering for the Steelers, called losing coach Ken Whisenhunt to congratulate him on the Cardinals' season. That's bipartisanship.
