Michael Marot

INDIANAPOLIS — Pacers forward Paul George spent the past summer turning himself into a better player.

Now he’s planning to dedicate himself to becoming the NBA’s best all-around player.

A few minutes after accepting the league’s Most Improved Player Award, the 6-foot-9 swingman promised to work even harder to attain the biggest rewards of all — an NBA title and perhaps an MVP.

INDIANAPOLIS — Manti Te’o walked into a crowded room of reporters Saturday, took a breath and settled in for 15 minutes of NFL scouting combine history.

Again, the former Notre Dame linebacker explained how he had been duped in the Internet romance he had with a girlfriend he never met, and again, he tried to turn the page on an embarrassing chapter by talking football. This time, he even got to see it play out on live television 12 yards away — where three muted flat-screen monitors were in direct view of Te’o.

Nearly three dozen players on the Indianapolis Colts have shaved their heads in a show of support for head coach Chuck Pagano, who is undergoing treatment for a form of leukemia.

INDIANAPOLIS — Austin Collie continues to tell teammates and coaches that he’s feeling well after being diagnosed with yet another concussion.

They’re hoping he will be all right.

LOOGOOTEE, Ind. -- Friday nights are still a special treat in Loogootee.

The dark, sunken gymnasium that seats more than 4,500 becomes the local hot spot. Here, most of the town's 2,751 residents can be found gossiping, or debating coaching moves, amid the aroma of popcorn and hot dogs. Old-timers relive "Little Loogootee's" magical 1975 run to the Indiana state title game, the one that nearly became known as the sequel to The Milan Miracle, the one they say could never be replicated under the current multi-class basketball system.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Reggie Wayne will always remember Thursday night's catch.

The man with the expiring contract caught a 1-yard touchdown pass from Dan Orlovsky with 19 seconds left, giving the Colts their only lead of the game in a 19-16 victory over AFC South champion Houston 19-16.

It's the second straight win for the Colts (2-13), who will now have to fight off St. Louis and Minnesota for the No. 1 overall draft pick. Orlovsky, who played the last two seasons with Houston, also won his second straight game after losing his first nine NFL starts.