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"Sports Quote of the Day"
“The greatest test of courage on earth is to bear defeat without losing heart.” ~ Robert Green Ingersoll, Lawyer, Civil War Veteran, Political Leader and Orator
Trending: Blackhawks can't overcome slow start in loss to Bruins. (See the hockey section for Blackhawks updates).
Trending: Bulls struggle on defense, fall to .500 in loss to Magic. (See the basketball section for Bulls updates).
Trending: 11-Year-Old Makes Incredible Ace Playing with Tiger Woods at Bluejack National. (See the golf section for PGA updates).
Trending: 13 days until the 2016 NCAA March Madness Tournament starts and 9 days before you can pick your brackets, Are you in? (See the college basketball section for NCAA Tournament updates).
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Blackhawks can't overcome slow start in loss to Bruins.
By Tracey Myers
The Blackhawks played some of their best hockey against Detroit on Wednesday night, especially early. On Thursday that great beginning was nowhere to be found, and the Blackhawks couldn’t recover.
Jonathan Toews scored his 23rd goal of the season but Patrice Bergeron had a goal and an assist as the Boston Bruins beat the Blackhawks 4-2 on Thursday night. The Blackhawks remain atop the Central Division with 85 points; the Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues, who each have 83 points, were idle on Thursday.
Tomas Fleischmann scored his first goal with the Blackhawks. Dale Weise made his Blackhawks debut, playing on the fourth line with Brad Mashinter and Dennis Rasmussen. Andrew Ladd assisted on Toews’ goal, giving him a point in each of his first three games back with the Blackhawks (1-2-3).
Scott Darling had a tough night, allowing four goals on 25 shots. Coach Joel Quenneville said Darling “wasn’t very good tonight,” but wasn’t overly concerned about the outing.
The Blackhawks had more push as the game went on but that start was pretty forgettable. Patrice Bergeron put the Bruins up 1-0 just 1:18 into the game and the Bruins badly outshot the Blackhawks the rest of the first. Still, the Blackhawks eventually answered that with Toews’ power-play goal 14 minutes into the first. But the Bruins had the final say in the period, with Brad Marchand giving them a 2-1 lead with just 21.3 seconds left.
“I think we got better and better as the game went along but we obviously had some breakdowns tonight and they were playing with speed and playing physically. We couldn’t quite keep possession of the puck long enough to get anything going,” Toews said. “I thought they checked us well and we didn’t use our bodies. We didn’t keep plays alive and when you dictate the game physically like that, obviously they’re going to get more chances. They got a lead on us and it was a tough one to come back from, especially when they’re working the way they were.”
The Bruins expanded upon that lead in the second period. Ryan Spooner scored a power-play goal 2:31 into the second and Loui Eriksson scored his 24th of the season later in the period for a 4-1 lead. Fleischmann’s goal with 49.1 seconds remaining in the second cut the Bruins lead to 4-2.
The Blackhawks made some line and defensive pairing changes from the second period on. That generated more energy and opportunities, but the Bruins and Tuukka Rask didn’t allow anything after Fleischmann’s goal.
Thursday didn’t end so well for the Blackhawks. They’ll head back home still in first place in the division – that could change by the time they play the Detroit Red Wings again on Sunday. They gave up too much against the Bruins, who played opportunistic hockey. But with the stretch run upon them, the Blackhawks aren’t going to get too caught up in this loss.
“It’s one game,” Quenneville said. “I know we have some tough games, back-to-back games in tough buildings. We didn’t help ourselves in certain areas but at the end of the day, let’s move ahead.”
Five Things from Blackhawks-Bruins: Early errors costly.
By Tracey Myers
The Blackhawks know all about starts and how important they are. And on Thursday, they just didn’t have it to start.
The Blackhawks didn’t have enough and the Bruins had plenty in Boston’s 4-2 victory. The Blackhawks don’t gain ground but they remain in first in the Central Division, two points ahead of Dallas and St. Louis.
So before we head home for one game – yeah, that’s it before hitting the road again – let’s look at Five Things to take from the Blackhawks’ loss to the Bruins.
1. Too messy early. The Blackhawks made some turnovers in this one and the Bruins were happy to take advantage. Scott Darling could have had a better outing, too. In all it made for a bad combination for the Blackhawks, who were hoping to take Wednesday’s momentum into this one but did not.
2. Tomas Fleischmann scores his first with the Blackhawks. Fleischmann has looked good in his brief time with the Blackhawks. He’s formed some good chemistry with Teuvo Teravainen – those two were with Fleischmann’s Montreal teammate Dale Weise when Fleischmann scored. Coach Joel Quenneville likes what he’s seen from Fleischmann, who’s carving his niche on that third line.
3. Andrew Ladd fitting right in again. Was there ever any doubt? Well a little maybe. Sometimes when you try to recapture lightning in a bottle it doesn’t work but so far, Ladd hasn’t missed a beat. The intuitiveness between him and Jonathan Toews is obvious, and Ladd has a point in his first three games back with the Blackhawks (goal, two assists).
4. Teravainen continues to shine. Last weekend general manager Stan Bowman reiterated that Teravainen is a part of this team going forward, the vote-of-confidence, as it were. Teravainen has been great since then. Perhaps being back at center and quick chemistry with line mates has helped. Whatever the case, Teravainen is looking surer of himself out there.
5. The good/bad of special teams. The Blackhawks power play once again came up with a goal and their penalty kill once again gave one up (in five seconds). Interesting how these two are going in different directions this season.
Balanced attack allows Blackhawks to blow past Red Wings. (Wednesday night's game, 03/02/2016).
By Tracey Myers
Artemi Panarin celebrates with Duncan Keith, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews after scoring on Red Wings goalie Petr Mrazek during the second period. (Photo/Duane Burleson/AP)
For so long this season, the Blackhawks have leaned on that second line for consistency and, more importantly, offense.
And while that line’s wings still played a big part in Wednesday night’s victory, the Blackhawks overall are starting to look more balanced, more polished and more prepared for the postseason.
Artemi Panarin had two goals and Patrick Kane and Brent Seabrook each had a goal and two assists as the Blackhawks beat the Detroit Red Wings, 5-2, on Wednesday. The Blackhawks moved back into first place with 85 points; the Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues, both idle, are second and third, respectively, with 83 points.
Corey Crawford, who was selected to Team Canada for the World Cup of Hockey earlier on Wednesday, stopped 31 of 33 for his 34th victory. That’s a new career mark for a season for Crawford. Duncan Keith had two assists, and Andrew Ladd scored his first goal in his second go-around with the Blackhawks. Christian Ehrhoff had a strong outing in his Blackhawks debut.
The Blackhawks liked how they looked coming out of Sunday’s game against the Washington Capitals. They were pretty happy with Wednesday night, too, as they once again played a strong game from start to finish. When they did make mistakes, Crawford was there to clean them up.
“I thought we had a good game across the board,” coach Joel Quenneville said. “I liked the new guys’ contributions, the depth and the balance and the rotation on the four lines. I thought Christian looked very comfortable back there and made good rushes, had a great chance to score. But I thought our team game with the puck was good.”
Kane and Panarin were big parts of that again. Kane set up the Russian rookie on both his goals, the 5-on-3 power-play goal and Panarin’s late one, which gave the Blackhawks a 5-1 lead at the time. Kane’s 37th goal of the season proved to be the game winner; he also tied a career high in points for a season.
“I was on a pretty good pace the last two years and got injured both years. I think I had 20 games left last year and 14 or 15 the years before. Had a good season the year before with the lockout,” Kane said. “It’s probably inflated a little bit this year, but at the same time, I think I’ve been trending in this direction. I give my line mates and teammates a lot of credit. The power play has been good this year, which helps, too.”
Seabrook was active from the start, his 13th goal of the season giving the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead just 2:23 into the game. He also helped set up Panarin’s first goal as well as Kane’s.
“Another guy who’s having a great year,” Jonathan Toews said. “We know he’s capable of having success. To see him being put in situations over and over and getting the results he wants and that he’s worked for, it’s a lot of fun to see. He’s a huge part of our team, offensively and defensively right now.”
Crawford was at his best in the second period, when the Wings fired 16 shots at him.
“I thought we played well. We did the right things all game,” he said. “I thought our PK was strong and we took maybe a few too many (penalties) tonight, but our PK stepped up and was really good. That was a tough team, and we had to be ready. I think we did what we needed to for this one.”
Things are coming together for the Blackhawks right now. They’re more than happy with what the second-line players have done for them this season, but they knew everyone else had to start contributing more. Right now, they are.
“Our team seems to really be coming together with the trades we got,” Crawford said. “We have to keep building on this momentum and chemistry we have right now.”
And while that line’s wings still played a big part in Wednesday night’s victory, the Blackhawks overall are starting to look more balanced, more polished and more prepared for the postseason.
Artemi Panarin had two goals and Patrick Kane and Brent Seabrook each had a goal and two assists as the Blackhawks beat the Detroit Red Wings, 5-2, on Wednesday. The Blackhawks moved back into first place with 85 points; the Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues, both idle, are second and third, respectively, with 83 points.
Corey Crawford, who was selected to Team Canada for the World Cup of Hockey earlier on Wednesday, stopped 31 of 33 for his 34th victory. That’s a new career mark for a season for Crawford. Duncan Keith had two assists, and Andrew Ladd scored his first goal in his second go-around with the Blackhawks. Christian Ehrhoff had a strong outing in his Blackhawks debut.
The Blackhawks liked how they looked coming out of Sunday’s game against the Washington Capitals. They were pretty happy with Wednesday night, too, as they once again played a strong game from start to finish. When they did make mistakes, Crawford was there to clean them up.
“I thought we had a good game across the board,” coach Joel Quenneville said. “I liked the new guys’ contributions, the depth and the balance and the rotation on the four lines. I thought Christian looked very comfortable back there and made good rushes, had a great chance to score. But I thought our team game with the puck was good.”
Kane and Panarin were big parts of that again. Kane set up the Russian rookie on both his goals, the 5-on-3 power-play goal and Panarin’s late one, which gave the Blackhawks a 5-1 lead at the time. Kane’s 37th goal of the season proved to be the game winner; he also tied a career high in points for a season.
“I was on a pretty good pace the last two years and got injured both years. I think I had 20 games left last year and 14 or 15 the years before. Had a good season the year before with the lockout,” Kane said. “It’s probably inflated a little bit this year, but at the same time, I think I’ve been trending in this direction. I give my line mates and teammates a lot of credit. The power play has been good this year, which helps, too.”
Seabrook was active from the start, his 13th goal of the season giving the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead just 2:23 into the game. He also helped set up Panarin’s first goal as well as Kane’s.
“Another guy who’s having a great year,” Jonathan Toews said. “We know he’s capable of having success. To see him being put in situations over and over and getting the results he wants and that he’s worked for, it’s a lot of fun to see. He’s a huge part of our team, offensively and defensively right now.”
Crawford was at his best in the second period, when the Wings fired 16 shots at him.
“I thought we played well. We did the right things all game,” he said. “I thought our PK was strong and we took maybe a few too many (penalties) tonight, but our PK stepped up and was really good. That was a tough team, and we had to be ready. I think we did what we needed to for this one.”
Things are coming together for the Blackhawks right now. They’re more than happy with what the second-line players have done for them this season, but they knew everyone else had to start contributing more. Right now, they are.
“Our team seems to really be coming together with the trades we got,” Crawford said. “We have to keep building on this momentum and chemistry we have right now.”
Just Another Chicago Bulls Session... Bulls struggle on defense, fall to .500 in loss to Magic.
By Philip Rossman-Reich
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Fred Hoiberg said before the game his team needed better communication defensively. The little things it would take for the team to grab the rope again and get back into playoff pole position.
He could not imagine plays where Elfrid Payton was getting into the lane to lob the ball to Aaron Gordon or for Mario Hezonja to come clean around a screen and jam it — out of a timeout no less.
The message for the Bulls has been the same on the defensive end, but again the result was not as the Bulls fell to the Orlando Magic, 102-89, on Wednesday night at the Amway Center.
“It’s frustrating. We had a similar thing that happened last night in the first quarter,” Hoiberg said. “You dig yourself a hole. Same thing, you come out of the gate. When was the last time we had that lead coming out of the first quarter? It’s a trend that needs to stop.”
The Magic took control in the first quarter and never trailed after the first minute of the game. The Bulls found themselves down by nine points within the first four minutes of the game, and the defense was giving the Bulls no chance to climb back in.
Not that the Bulls' offense did much, the team shooting just 38.4 percent from the floor and 6-for-19 from beyond the arc. Derrick Rose scored 16 points but failed to score in the second half as the Bulls trailed by 10 points coming out of the locker room and never once cut the deficit to single digits.
“Honestly, we have a lot of holes everywhere,” Mike Dunleavy said. “Just with not getting into our coverages, not getting into the gameplan, not getting into the individual tendencies of our opponents. And then just having a little bit of that grit to get it done, whether it be in the rebounding game, the post ups, hitting people. It’s kind of all across the board.”
The Bulls exited the game with a whimper with no run to threaten the sometimes shaky Magic.
Things are not looking good right now for the Bulls down four rotation players and having fallen out of the playoff picture. The hope is a return home can help turn things around and bring back the awareness and communication on defense that used to be hallmarks for this team.
“I think your record always shows who you are,” Pau Gasol said. “I don’t think we’re better than what our record is. I think at the end of the day talent doesn’t win games, sometimes it’s more the little things, the togetherness, the experience and doing the right things on the floor.”
Bulls in foreign territory needing to fight for playoff spot.
By Philip Rossman-Reich
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Derrick Rose has never really been in this situation before.
During his sometimes stellar, sometimes frustrating eight-year career with the Bulls, Rose has never had a season where his team missed the playoffs. In every year he has finished the season, Rose has played in the playoffs.
It is an odd place then for Rose to sit in front of his locker before and after a game in early March and see his team staring up at the playoffs. With the Bulls' twin losses in Florida, the team now sits a half game behind the Detroit Pistons for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Yet, after a 102-89 loss to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday at the Amway Center, the Bulls feel a little emptier. This Bulls team has problems that are completely foreign to a franchise that has made the playoffs for seven straight years and 10 of the last 11.
“I wish I could put my finger on it,” Rose said. “I can’t. It’s the first time I’ve ever gone through this. All this is new to me. Just trying to figure things out. Thoughts, plays, everything is going everywhere. But we’ve got to figure it out.”
In the final 22 games, the Bulls will have every opportunity to make their case and make up that ground.
Jimmy Butler will return from his injury, as will Nikola Mirotic and Taj Gibson. Whether that will be enough to straighten out a defense that went from elite to frustrating within a season is the question. Even so, it is not like the Bulls are losing too much ground either.
Right now, though, teams know the Bulls are struggling, and they are looking to pounce from the tip and burying them.
“Pride is always on the line every night you go out there 82 games a year,” Mike Dunleavy said. “Whether you are up 20 or down 20, your pride should always be on the line. This is a pretty solid group of guys. We’ll get this thing figured out. I’m pretty confident of that.”
After losing two games on this Florida road trip by double digits, it is easy to sense the frustration. Everyone is reacting to this reality in their own way.
How they respond will ultimately decide whether they make the playoffs or not.
“Even to be behind from the beginning of the year, before we even started our goals and everything: Are we trying to get into the playoffs?” Rose said. “We have to ask these questions. We just have to come out here and play. Our actions should be everything.”
During his sometimes stellar, sometimes frustrating eight-year career with the Bulls, Rose has never had a season where his team missed the playoffs. In every year he has finished the season, Rose has played in the playoffs.
It is an odd place then for Rose to sit in front of his locker before and after a game in early March and see his team staring up at the playoffs. With the Bulls' twin losses in Florida, the team now sits a half game behind the Detroit Pistons for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Yet, after a 102-89 loss to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday at the Amway Center, the Bulls feel a little emptier. This Bulls team has problems that are completely foreign to a franchise that has made the playoffs for seven straight years and 10 of the last 11.
“I wish I could put my finger on it,” Rose said. “I can’t. It’s the first time I’ve ever gone through this. All this is new to me. Just trying to figure things out. Thoughts, plays, everything is going everywhere. But we’ve got to figure it out.”
In the final 22 games, the Bulls will have every opportunity to make their case and make up that ground.
Jimmy Butler will return from his injury, as will Nikola Mirotic and Taj Gibson. Whether that will be enough to straighten out a defense that went from elite to frustrating within a season is the question. Even so, it is not like the Bulls are losing too much ground either.
Right now, though, teams know the Bulls are struggling, and they are looking to pounce from the tip and burying them.
“Pride is always on the line every night you go out there 82 games a year,” Mike Dunleavy said. “Whether you are up 20 or down 20, your pride should always be on the line. This is a pretty solid group of guys. We’ll get this thing figured out. I’m pretty confident of that.”
After losing two games on this Florida road trip by double digits, it is easy to sense the frustration. Everyone is reacting to this reality in their own way.
How they respond will ultimately decide whether they make the playoffs or not.
“Even to be behind from the beginning of the year, before we even started our goals and everything: Are we trying to get into the playoffs?” Rose said. “We have to ask these questions. We just have to come out here and play. Our actions should be everything.”
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! Bears’ quest for pass rusher urgent but by no means a clear path.
By John Mullin
Not all that long ago the Bears were consistently a solid pass-rushing team. Three times (2005, ’06, ’12) in the span of Lovie Smith’s last eight years the Bears had at least 40 sacks, coincidentally or not, three years in which they won a combined 34 games.
The last three years they averaged 35 sacks per season, coincidentally or not, three years in which they won a combined 19. Not necessarily a direct cause-and-effect, but one that the Bears are intent on remedying in the 2016 offseason through a combination of draft and free agency.
But here’s the problem:
Free agency rarely offers elite pass rushers, and the Bears made their play for one last offseason with a $35 million contract for Pernell McPhee from Baltimore. Teams do not let top pass rushers escape without incumbent options (the Ravens had Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs) and the franchise tag for defensive ends ($15.7 million) accordingly is second only to that for quarterbacks ($19.95 million).
Not surprisingly, Denver franchised Von Miller (11 sacks), Miami use a transitional tag on Olivier Vernon (7.5) and the Jets used their franchise tag on Muhammad Wilkerson (12).
The draft is the best way to secure disruptors in the pass rush. And the ’16 draft class is widely considered one of all-time best for defensive linemen. ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said that he had 16 defensive tackles in his top 100 players in this draft, meaning that an elite down-lineman like Alabama’s A’Shawn Robinson projects as the right choice based on best-player-available philosophies.
Because various edge options in the draft are anything but enthralling.
“[Clemson defensive end Shaq] Lawson is going to be the most consistent effort guy,” McShay said of the 275-pound rusher who tied for the ACC lead with 12.5 sacks. “He’s going to bring a lot of fire and emotion. He’s a natural pass rusher in terms of his instincts. But he’s not a speedster.
“But I think he’s a junkyard dog. I love the way he plays.”
Georgia outside linebacker Leonard Floyd has moved up on some draft boards. But whether those boards include the Bears’ is open to question.
“I’d rather personally — and I’m not speaking for [the Bears] — bet on [Lawson] that’s going to go out and give me everything every single snap, and play with that kind of intensity, than a player like Floyd who is supremely talented but never has quite found his niche,” McShay said. “Maybe it’s how they used him...but he’s never grown into the player you would expect when you look at those measurables.”
The last three years they averaged 35 sacks per season, coincidentally or not, three years in which they won a combined 19. Not necessarily a direct cause-and-effect, but one that the Bears are intent on remedying in the 2016 offseason through a combination of draft and free agency.
But here’s the problem:
Free agency rarely offers elite pass rushers, and the Bears made their play for one last offseason with a $35 million contract for Pernell McPhee from Baltimore. Teams do not let top pass rushers escape without incumbent options (the Ravens had Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs) and the franchise tag for defensive ends ($15.7 million) accordingly is second only to that for quarterbacks ($19.95 million).
Not surprisingly, Denver franchised Von Miller (11 sacks), Miami use a transitional tag on Olivier Vernon (7.5) and the Jets used their franchise tag on Muhammad Wilkerson (12).
The draft is the best way to secure disruptors in the pass rush. And the ’16 draft class is widely considered one of all-time best for defensive linemen. ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said that he had 16 defensive tackles in his top 100 players in this draft, meaning that an elite down-lineman like Alabama’s A’Shawn Robinson projects as the right choice based on best-player-available philosophies.
Because various edge options in the draft are anything but enthralling.
“[Clemson defensive end Shaq] Lawson is going to be the most consistent effort guy,” McShay said of the 275-pound rusher who tied for the ACC lead with 12.5 sacks. “He’s going to bring a lot of fire and emotion. He’s a natural pass rusher in terms of his instincts. But he’s not a speedster.
“But I think he’s a junkyard dog. I love the way he plays.”
Georgia outside linebacker Leonard Floyd has moved up on some draft boards. But whether those boards include the Bears’ is open to question.
“I’d rather personally — and I’m not speaking for [the Bears] — bet on [Lawson] that’s going to go out and give me everything every single snap, and play with that kind of intensity, than a player like Floyd who is supremely talented but never has quite found his niche,” McShay said. “Maybe it’s how they used him...but he’s never grown into the player you would expect when you look at those measurables.”
Bears not alone moving on from RB’s; Ezekiel Elliott an option?
By John Mullin
The Bears were not the only ones thinking they could manage and it was time to move on from a once-elite running back.
In moves paralleling the Bears’ redirecting away from Matt Forte, not entirely surprising, the Houston Texans cut running back Arian Foster and his $6.5 million salary for 2016 rather than attempt a renegotiation. This follows the Detroit Lions release last month of Joique Bell with one year remaining on his deal.
The Bears decided following the 2015 season that understudies Jeremy Langford and Ka’Deem Carey would capably move into the vacuum created by the team not offering Forte a contract.
However, that may not be the end of it for the Bears, as far as running backs are concerned.
The Carolina Panthers with John Fox as coach used two No. 1 picks in the span of three years on running backs – DeAngelo Williams in 2006, Jonathan Stewart in 2008 – in addition to a No. 2 in 2002 on one, DeShaun Foster.
The New Orleans Saints, during the time Bears GM Ryan Pace was a member of their personnel operations, used the No. 2-overall pick of the 2006 draft on a running back – Reggie Bush – and came back with their second No. 1 pick in 2011 for another – Mark Ingram.
Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott is regarded as the top running back in the 2016 draft. The Bears may be saying now that they are good with their running backs, but if Elliott happens to still be around at No. 11 of the 2016 first round...
Cubs think Kyle Schwarber playing two positions will help boost his development.
By Tony Andracki
In moves paralleling the Bears’ redirecting away from Matt Forte, not entirely surprising, the Houston Texans cut running back Arian Foster and his $6.5 million salary for 2016 rather than attempt a renegotiation. This follows the Detroit Lions release last month of Joique Bell with one year remaining on his deal.
The Bears decided following the 2015 season that understudies Jeremy Langford and Ka’Deem Carey would capably move into the vacuum created by the team not offering Forte a contract.
However, that may not be the end of it for the Bears, as far as running backs are concerned.
The Carolina Panthers with John Fox as coach used two No. 1 picks in the span of three years on running backs – DeAngelo Williams in 2006, Jonathan Stewart in 2008 – in addition to a No. 2 in 2002 on one, DeShaun Foster.
The New Orleans Saints, during the time Bears GM Ryan Pace was a member of their personnel operations, used the No. 2-overall pick of the 2006 draft on a running back – Reggie Bush – and came back with their second No. 1 pick in 2011 for another – Mark Ingram.
Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott is regarded as the top running back in the 2016 draft. The Bears may be saying now that they are good with their running backs, but if Elliott happens to still be around at No. 11 of the 2016 first round...
Cubs think Kyle Schwarber playing two positions will help boost his development.
By Tony Andracki
Joe Maddon sees one major problem with Kyle Schwarber right now: He wants to work too much.
Ever since the Cubs took Schwarber with the fourth overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft, naysayers have claimed the Indiana University product cannot stick at catcher and is destined for a role as a designated hitter.
But Schwarber insists he can catch and the Cubs have consistently backed him, including putting him behind the plate for 21 games in his rookie season.
This spring, Schwarber has been working out at both positions and was in the lineup in left field (and leading off) for the Cubs' 2-1 loss in the Cactus League opener against the Milwaukee Brewers at Maryvale Park Thursday afternoon. In the game, Schwarber went 1-for-3 with a single up the middle in the third inning.
"He wants to catch and I think he can be a very good catcher," Maddon said. "Our biggest job is to juggle the work between catching, playing the outfield and then hitting and hitting in a significant part of our lineup.
"More than anything, you just gotta keep track of him - how's he doing mentally/physically, is he getting tired?"
Maddon believes having Schwarber as a third catching option behind veterans Miguel Montero and David Ross is an advantage for the Cubs and the organization doesn't want to stiffle the 22-year-old.
"It's fortunate to have him in that situation. It's even more fortunate he's so eager to do it," Maddon said. "To work this entire catching/outfield/hitting triangle, I think that's the best way to get the most out of him."
Maddon has talked several times this spring about how playing multiple positions could help the offensive game of a player like Schwarber or Javy Baez because they are so focused on getting their work in defensively, they don't have a chance to overthink their swing.
Schwarber figures to spend most of his time in left field this season, but now that the Cubs have Jason Heyward, Dexter Fowler and Jorge Soler, there are plenty of guys who need at-bats out in the outfield.
The Cubs haven't said how often Schwarber will catch in the regular season, but they have all but ruled out the idea of him catching a certain pitcher like Kyle Hendricks every time through the rotation. With Ross already catching every Jon Lester start, Maddon doesn't want to lock Schwarber in to another pitcher, which could hurt Montero's playing time.
In the offseason, Schwarber worked on his flexibility, agility and explosiveness to help cover more ground in the outfield.
"I'm learning every day," Schwarber said. "That's how it has to be. I'm never too good for the game.
"I'm trying to get better at two positions. ... Whatever you can do to make yourself more versatile, it's only going to be a positive."
Schwarber pointed to now-teammate Ben Zobrist as a great example of versatility. Zobrist has played more than 100 games at four different positions in his career (second base, right field, shortstop and left field).
Early in camp, Zobrist had some advice for Schwarber:
"In the game, you just focus on the ball," Zobrist said. "You just do your work out there, focus on the ball and play the game. It's different out in left field. It's different behind the plate. It's a way different type of game.
"But you switch your mindset. When you switch in the game to a different position, then you go, 'Well I know how to do this, too.' Then you just plug that program into the computer and let it play out."
Schwarber said he's going to take advantage of any opportunity to play, regardless of position.
He doesn't want to just stick with one position and believes it is a psychological boost to keep developing at both catcher and outfield.
"I've been doing it my whole life," Schwarber said. "For me to keep getting better at it, it can only be a benefit for me because of the versatility part of the game - a double switch or somebody gets hurt, things like that.
"You saw last year when [Montero] got hurt, I got called up and had to catch. Then I went out in left and caught a bit here and there.
"Whatever I can do to keep getting better at both positions, I want to do."
Cubs: Kyle Hendricks trying to tune out all the noise in rotation battle.
By Tony Andracki
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
If Kyle Hendricks is healthy, it would be surprising to see anybody else beat him out for the fifth starter spot when the Cubs break camp to start the 2016 regular season.
Joe Maddon has insisted there are no final decisions made on the rotation beyond Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester and John Lackey, but also admitted the incumbents (Jason Hammel and Hendricks) have a leg up on the rest of the competition.
Hendricks struck out four and gave up a run in two innings Thursday in the Cubs' 2-1 loss in their Cactus League opener, and said he's just trying to block out all the noise.
"I'm pretty good at focusing on what I gotta do," Hendricks said. "It's just coming in every day and not really looking around, just keeping your head down and working hard.
"I know I have a lot to work on mechanically, but also getting my arm strength up for the first game. There's a lot to do to focus on yourself, for sure, and not think about all that."
Maddon said he wanted to see Hendricks out in some game action to watch how the 26-year-old right-hander handled his mechanical adjustments and tempo in game.
The Cubs want Hendricks to slow things down a bit and make sure he gets into a rhythm.
After a stellar rookie campaign (7-2, 2.46 ERA, 1.08 WHIP), Hendricks regressed a bit in 2015 (8-7, 3.95 ERA, 1.16 WHIP). But his FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) was almost identical to 2014 (3.36 compared to 3.32) and he also saw his strikeouts rise significantly (from 5.3 K/9 to 8.4).
Hendricks made 32 starts last season and it's safe to say any team in baseball would take those numbers from their fifth starter.
Hendricks, however, feels like he has room to grow entering his second full big-league season.
"I wasn't too happy with last year," he said. "I expected a lot better - more innings, better performance, honestly, going deeper into games. Just being better for my team.
"I think there's a lot more."
Hendricks got lit up by the Chicago White Sox in mid-August last season (eight hits, three walks, five runs in 3.1 innings), but feels like he turned a corner when he realized some mechanical issues on video after that outing.
He posted a 3.88 ERA in nine starts from that point on, including 12 straight shutout innings to close out the regular season.
"I felt good at how I ended," Hendricks said. "I kinda salvaged at the end there and finished strong, but I wanna be that guy that is consistent every time out and the team can know what to expect from me every time out.
"I wasn't that all last year, so I'm looking to have consistency from start to finish."
Hendricks said he has different "cues" in his mechanics now and feels like he has a better understanding of how to fix any issues in-game. He also listens to his catchers and Cubs pitching coach Chris Bosio, who know what to look for now.
Hendricks - a Dartmouth graduate - admitted he can think too much at times on the mound and is trying to just see the glove and throw the ball.
With all the competition around him in Cubs camp this spring and his inconsistency last year, does Hendricks feel like he has something to prove?
"Possibly," he said. "I'm not really thinking about it. I'm just trying to go out there and make good pitches and really simplify as much as I can.
"If you start thinking too much, you can get in your own head."
Travis Wood insists on keeping a starter's mentality.
By Tony Andracki
At some point, it will just come down to simple numbers in a bid for the final rotation spots on the Cubs.
Barring any health issues, it's easy enough to pencil in Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester and John Lackey atop the rotation with Jason Hammel and Kyle Hendricks claiming the last two spots.
Adam Warren, Travis Wood, Trevor Cahill and Clayton Richard are all being stretched out this spring and have track records as starters, but they also all have recent success as relievers, with the latter three starring for the Cubs late in 2015.
Travis Wood, however, refuses to prepare any other way but as a starting pitcher this spring.
He got the nod to start the Cubs' Cactus League opener Thursday, allowing the first batter of the game to score and picking up the decision in a 2-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Wood came to the 2015 camp as a starting pitcher before moving to the bullpen mid-season.
"It's not really [different this spring]," Wood said. "As far as a mindset, it's the same and everything. And as far as what they've told me, I'm going about the thing how I've always gone about it and we'll see what happens in the end."
Wood said he still considers himself a starter long-term and got paid like one over the winter when he inked a one-year, $6.18 million deal with the team avoiding arbitration.
But he struggled as a starter last season, posting a 5.06 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in nine starts. He excelled as a reliever with a 2.95 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and averaged 11 strikeouts per nine innings, even picking up the first four saves of his career.
Wood insists he's going to be ready to go with whatever role the Cubs decide, but still prepared for the winter like he was going to pitch 200 innings this season.
"I just got to know him last year for the first time and Travis knows how I feel about him," manager Joe Maddon said. "Of course, Theo [Epstein] and Jed [Hoyer] feel the same way about him. I'm certain there's a part of him that wants to be a starter even if he's not going to concede it or say it loudly.
"But he also understands what a great job he did last year and the longevity in the game and the ability to take care of his family for many years just by doing what he's doing right now. And why not do it here? He's well-liked, he knows he's respected. I think we utilized him properly last year.
"I love having Travis back and he knows it. I think he's gonna get better because he has a better understanding of what's going on. He's a better pitcher. He knows himself better. I'm very excited to have him."
John Danks 'on pace' as White Sox lose opener 6-1. (Pre-Season).
The Cubs want Hendricks to slow things down a bit and make sure he gets into a rhythm.
After a stellar rookie campaign (7-2, 2.46 ERA, 1.08 WHIP), Hendricks regressed a bit in 2015 (8-7, 3.95 ERA, 1.16 WHIP). But his FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) was almost identical to 2014 (3.36 compared to 3.32) and he also saw his strikeouts rise significantly (from 5.3 K/9 to 8.4).
Hendricks made 32 starts last season and it's safe to say any team in baseball would take those numbers from their fifth starter.
Hendricks, however, feels like he has room to grow entering his second full big-league season.
"I wasn't too happy with last year," he said. "I expected a lot better - more innings, better performance, honestly, going deeper into games. Just being better for my team.
"I think there's a lot more."
Hendricks got lit up by the Chicago White Sox in mid-August last season (eight hits, three walks, five runs in 3.1 innings), but feels like he turned a corner when he realized some mechanical issues on video after that outing.
He posted a 3.88 ERA in nine starts from that point on, including 12 straight shutout innings to close out the regular season.
"I felt good at how I ended," Hendricks said. "I kinda salvaged at the end there and finished strong, but I wanna be that guy that is consistent every time out and the team can know what to expect from me every time out.
"I wasn't that all last year, so I'm looking to have consistency from start to finish."
Hendricks said he has different "cues" in his mechanics now and feels like he has a better understanding of how to fix any issues in-game. He also listens to his catchers and Cubs pitching coach Chris Bosio, who know what to look for now.
Hendricks - a Dartmouth graduate - admitted he can think too much at times on the mound and is trying to just see the glove and throw the ball.
With all the competition around him in Cubs camp this spring and his inconsistency last year, does Hendricks feel like he has something to prove?
"Possibly," he said. "I'm not really thinking about it. I'm just trying to go out there and make good pitches and really simplify as much as I can.
"If you start thinking too much, you can get in your own head."
Travis Wood insists on keeping a starter's mentality.
By Tony Andracki
At some point, it will just come down to simple numbers in a bid for the final rotation spots on the Cubs.
Barring any health issues, it's easy enough to pencil in Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester and John Lackey atop the rotation with Jason Hammel and Kyle Hendricks claiming the last two spots.
Adam Warren, Travis Wood, Trevor Cahill and Clayton Richard are all being stretched out this spring and have track records as starters, but they also all have recent success as relievers, with the latter three starring for the Cubs late in 2015.
Travis Wood, however, refuses to prepare any other way but as a starting pitcher this spring.
He got the nod to start the Cubs' Cactus League opener Thursday, allowing the first batter of the game to score and picking up the decision in a 2-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Wood came to the 2015 camp as a starting pitcher before moving to the bullpen mid-season.
"It's not really [different this spring]," Wood said. "As far as a mindset, it's the same and everything. And as far as what they've told me, I'm going about the thing how I've always gone about it and we'll see what happens in the end."
Wood said he still considers himself a starter long-term and got paid like one over the winter when he inked a one-year, $6.18 million deal with the team avoiding arbitration.
But he struggled as a starter last season, posting a 5.06 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in nine starts. He excelled as a reliever with a 2.95 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and averaged 11 strikeouts per nine innings, even picking up the first four saves of his career.
Wood insists he's going to be ready to go with whatever role the Cubs decide, but still prepared for the winter like he was going to pitch 200 innings this season.
"I just got to know him last year for the first time and Travis knows how I feel about him," manager Joe Maddon said. "Of course, Theo [Epstein] and Jed [Hoyer] feel the same way about him. I'm certain there's a part of him that wants to be a starter even if he's not going to concede it or say it loudly.
"But he also understands what a great job he did last year and the longevity in the game and the ability to take care of his family for many years just by doing what he's doing right now. And why not do it here? He's well-liked, he knows he's respected. I think we utilized him properly last year.
"I love having Travis back and he knows it. I think he's gonna get better because he has a better understanding of what's going on. He's a better pitcher. He knows himself better. I'm very excited to have him."
John Danks 'on pace' as White Sox lose opener 6-1. (Pre-Season).
Dan Hayes
They weren’t on display on Thursday afternoon, but John Danks has seen enough signs this spring to think he’s progressing as he should.
“Definitely not as nearly sharp as I’d like to be, but I don’t think anybody is at this point,” Danks said. “I feel like I’m on pace for where I need to be.”
“As it gets closer, you put a lot more into it.”
White Sox manager Robin Ventura thought Danks -- who trailed 1-0 after three batters -- missed up in the strike zone. He also suggested Danks may have had some jitters given its early in the spring and pitchers haven’t faced much live hitting. Ventura has stressed that he hopes to see better results this spring and wants his team to get out to a fast start. But he wasn’t too concerned about his pitcher or an offense that had to face Clayton Kershaw in its opening game.
The White Sox offense finished with three hits. Todd Frazier had a sacrifice fly to drive in the team’s only run. Brett Lawrie walked twice and scored a run. Dioner Navarro went 2-for-2 in the losing effort.
“To see (Kershaw) the first game out of the gate, it’s always tough,” Ventura said. “But it’s one game. I still like where our guys are at and what they’re doing. So I’m not going to make too much of this.”
Danks said he wouldn’t overthink it, either. He’s not just going to dismiss it, but Danks is focused on health and workload.
“I am not going to completely forget about tonight,” Danks said. “There’s some things in the game itself that burn at you, need to be better.
“But I don’t know, for me, if you’re ready and healthy and sharp as you need to be April 1, that’s the goal out here.”
Adam Eaton’s throwing ability is still untested, though Ventura said the center fielder has improved. Eaton went 0-for-3 as the designated hitter for the White Sox.
Eaton, who had surgery on the shoulder in October, said he’s 100 percent for Opening Day. But the team has decided to be cautious in its approach.
“He’s getting there,” Ventura said. “He can throw, it’s just not what you would really want a guy to go out there and throw from center field. We’re trying to protect that.”
White Sox reemphasize importance of base running this spring.
By Dan Hayes
The White Sox really want the awful base running that has acted as a life-sucking force for their offense to come to an end.
While they continue to deliver the same message they have for the past few years, the White Sox have doubled down and are working harder to emphasize just how important the practice can be.
New bench coach Rick Renteria said earlier this week that the White Sox — who last season led the majors in outs on the bases — hired him in part to address their base running woes. With a new cast in camp, the White Sox want to stress to players how much running into extra outs can suppress an offense.
“That’s an area we need to tighten up,” general manager Rick Hahn said. “We’ve simply given away too many outs on the bases. You want a club that’s going to be aggressive, that’s going to take the extra base when it’s there. And it’s a fine line between doing that and forcing the issue and giving away outs. Unfortunately, for the last couple of years we’ve been more on the side of the ledger of giving away outs as opposed to getting that extra bag.”
The White Sox gave away outs on the bases in 2015 like the trusting neighbor who leaves a bowl of Halloween candy on the porch. The team’s 74 outs on the bases last season were 19 more than the major league average even though the White Sox had the fifth-worst on-base percentage among 30 teams, according to baseball-reference.com.
Outs on the bases only accounts for plays in which runners were thrown out on tag ups, hits or other miscellaneous plays where they tried to advance a base. Force outs aren’t counted. Plays that result in a caught stealing aren’t either. And pickoffs are also excluded.
The White Sox didn’t gain much of an advantage from their aggressive style. They finished two percent below the league average in Extra Bases Taken, which while imperfect because it doesn’t account for the location of the ball, offers another indication the White Sox need to improve.
“It wasn’t very good,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said.
It impeded scoring for a team that scored three or fewer runs 82 times.
The White Sox had little power last season and forced the issue on the bases, running themselves out of innings or potential rallies. By simple subtraction of the team’s 74 outs on the bases, the White Sox on-base percentage dropped from .306 to .294. Hence the additional emphasis this spring.
Renteria was hired in November in part because of his high baseball IQ, Hahn said. But his highly energetic, hands-on approach has also caught the attention of players.
Earlier this week, Renteria stood directly behind White Sox players as they worked on secondary leads off second base. Not only did they practice reading the ball, Renteria talked to and hopped toward third and back toward second with players depending upon how the ball was hit.
Outfielder J.B. Shuck said he can’t remember many coaches who operate the same way. He thinks the style is effective because Renteria repeatedly communicates the message without going over the top.
“He just brings a lot of energy and I think that’s what we needed,” Shuck said. “He knows what he wants to say and gets it across. But in the same sense, it’s in a positive way and you can just feel the good energy from him.”
It’s the same message but the White Sox have addressed things a little different this spring because they have a bunch of new players, Ventura said.
Renteria said he preaches what first base coach Daryl Boston has for years. He just wants to emphasize exactly what is expected of players, something he learned from the front office during their offseason discussions.
“A lot of it had to do more with figuring out where the club was at with the bases,” Renteria said. “I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel. This is something I was taught in terms of going station to station and I just implemented from the way it was shown to me. The most important thing though is that when we’re out there with them, they know they’re supposed to be doing things a certain way. Every now and then they’ll get away with one or two. But you stay on top of them and make sure they understand it’s very important.”
Golf: I got a club for that..... Piercy, Fraser share early lead at Doral.
Scott Piercy (L) and Marcus Fraser (R). (Photo/golfchannel.com)
The Blue Monster took an exacting toll on much of the field at the WGC-Cadillac Championship, but a few players were able to make it around relatively unscathed. Here's how things look after the first round at Trump National Doral, where Scott Piercy and Marcus Fraser share the lead:
Leaderboard: Scott Piercy (-6), Marcus Fraser (-6), Phil Mickelson (-5), Adam Scott (-4), Charley Hoffman (-4), Jason Dufner (-4), Danny Willett (-4).
What it means: Much attention was paid to the top three players in the world rankings as they played together for the first time since September, but it's a pair of surprising names atop the early leaderboard. Piercy won the opposite-field Barbasol Championship last summer to spark a run to the Tour Championship, while Fraser won just two weeks ago in Malaysia. They hold a tenuous advantage, as Mickelson and Scott are both in position to continue their strong early-season play.
Round of the day: Piercy got off to a blistering start, with birdies on five of his first eight holes to gain some early separation. He made three more birdies on the back nine, and despite a closing bogey he finished with a 6-under 66 just days after missing the cut at the Honda Classic by eight shots.
Best of the rest: Fraser doesn't play often in the U.S., but he won last month on the European Tour and is potentially closing in on a Masters bid via the OWGR. The Aussie had seven birdies on his round, including three in a row on Nos. 5-7 to briefly overtake Piercy before a watery bogey on No. 8 for his lone dropped shot of the day.
Biggest disappointment: J.B. Holmes shot a remarkable 62 in the opening round last year en route to a runner-up finish, but the American didn't fare quite as well this time around. Holmes struggled to a 5-over 77, including bogeys on four of his final six holes, and he sits 11 shots off the early pace despite entering this week on a run of four straight top-15 finishes.
Main storyline heading into Friday: It remains to be seen how well the co-leaders can hold up, but the big names chasing them certainly won't be slowing down. Specifically, a player to watch is Scott, who was second two weeks ago in Los Angeles, won last week at PGA National, finished inside the top 10 here last year and appears to be turning a corner as the year's first major approaches.
Quote of the day: "This course normally gets my number, but I beat it today." - Jordan Spieth, who opened with a 3-under 69 to sit three shots off the pace.
Leaderboard: Scott Piercy (-6), Marcus Fraser (-6), Phil Mickelson (-5), Adam Scott (-4), Charley Hoffman (-4), Jason Dufner (-4), Danny Willett (-4).
What it means: Much attention was paid to the top three players in the world rankings as they played together for the first time since September, but it's a pair of surprising names atop the early leaderboard. Piercy won the opposite-field Barbasol Championship last summer to spark a run to the Tour Championship, while Fraser won just two weeks ago in Malaysia. They hold a tenuous advantage, as Mickelson and Scott are both in position to continue their strong early-season play.
Round of the day: Piercy got off to a blistering start, with birdies on five of his first eight holes to gain some early separation. He made three more birdies on the back nine, and despite a closing bogey he finished with a 6-under 66 just days after missing the cut at the Honda Classic by eight shots.
Best of the rest: Fraser doesn't play often in the U.S., but he won last month on the European Tour and is potentially closing in on a Masters bid via the OWGR. The Aussie had seven birdies on his round, including three in a row on Nos. 5-7 to briefly overtake Piercy before a watery bogey on No. 8 for his lone dropped shot of the day.
Biggest disappointment: J.B. Holmes shot a remarkable 62 in the opening round last year en route to a runner-up finish, but the American didn't fare quite as well this time around. Holmes struggled to a 5-over 77, including bogeys on four of his final six holes, and he sits 11 shots off the early pace despite entering this week on a run of four straight top-15 finishes.
Main storyline heading into Friday: It remains to be seen how well the co-leaders can hold up, but the big names chasing them certainly won't be slowing down. Specifically, a player to watch is Scott, who was second two weeks ago in Los Angeles, won last week at PGA National, finished inside the top 10 here last year and appears to be turning a corner as the year's first major approaches.
Quote of the day: "This course normally gets my number, but I beat it today." - Jordan Spieth, who opened with a 3-under 69 to sit three shots off the pace.
Power outage: 'Supergroup' doesn't generate electricity.
By Rex Hoggard
Rory McIlroy (L), Jason Day (C) and Jordan Spieth (R). (Photo/golfchannel.com)
Jason Day won’t show up at Doral on Friday putting cross-handed, but given how things played out on Thursday it would be hard to blame him if he did.
For the record, Spieth took low needle-mover honors with a 3-under 69, followed by McIlroy at 1 under and Day at even par on Thursday. It should also be noted all three trailed front-runners Scott Piercy and Marcus Fraser on the Doral big board.
But then the “Big 3” have won four out of the last five majors, and Frazer and Piercy are a combined 3-for-4 in cuts made at those same majors. So, they’ve got that going for them.
The unvarnished takeaway from Day 1 at the WGC-Cadillac Championship was that it was a relatively quiet affair for the marquee with the most.
The world’s top three players were paired together for the first time since last year’s Players Championship, yet even after the three-ball all birdied the day’s first hole (No. 10) it wasn’t as if Doral came alive with buzz.
“It was good at the start and then it kind of declined coming in. And I was the first one to go,” said Day, who went from billabong (No. 16) to the Bermuda rough (No. 18) to get things moving in the wrong direction with two quick bogeys just before the turn and never looked comfortable on or around the greens.
McIlroy looked more at ease tee-to-green but needed 33 putts and, he conceded, more time working out the kinks of the new putting grip.
But it was Jordan Spieth who exited cloudy Doral with some pop in his step after matching his best round on a golf course that’s never seemed to be his cup of cafecito.
Even after a bogey at his final hole, the par-3 ninth, the world No. 1 didn’t have the look or tone of a man searching for answers.
“I could certainly have controlled and finished better,” said Spieth, who in two starts at Doral has finished tied for 17th and 34th. “But I feel I would certainly sign up right now for three more rounds with the same score.”
If all this doesn’t exactly live up to the expectations born from pairing the world’s top-3 ranked players, it shouldn’t. Thursday’s subdued vibe is exactly why this type of contrived grouping never lives up to the hype.
While the math looks good on paper, these types of clashes occur only organically.
In 2005, back before this South Florida stop became an exclusive club with a WGC pedigree, 144 players gathered at Doral but it came down to just two – Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.
Mickelson, who was ranked fourth in the world at the time, began that frenzied final day two strokes clear of then-second-ranked Woods and shot a closing 69. Tiger would go three better (66) in an inspiring duel to take the title by a stroke.
Fate, not a faux pairing, brought the game’s titans together that day, and if that ’05 Ford Championship is any guide a healthy amount of fortune is also required, and fortune always favors the prepared.
Woods arrived at Doral that year two weeks removed from winning at Torrey Pines, Lefty was fresh off two triumphs on the West Coast (FBR Open and Pebble Beach), and the cosmic tumblers delivered a classic mano-a-mano finish.
By contrast, none of the so called “Big 3” appear to be in particularly good form heading into the year’s first World Golf Championship. McIlroy and Spieth both missed the cut in their last starts and Day is playing just his fourth event of 2016 and is understandably rusty.
This is not an indictment of the game’s best, only the unrealistic expectations of an early-week attempt to manufacture something epic.
They tried to make magic.
“We were actually able to feed off each other for a while on a very difficult golf course through the first 12 holes or so, and then each of us had a bit of a slip towards the end, and a little bit of a damper on the round,” Spieth said. “But we'll come back tomorrow and get off to a good start.”
Even the crowds seemed to sense the distinction between a weekend draw that has all the makings of an instant classic, and, well, fabrication.
“I thought there was going to be a few more people out there,” Day said. “It will be better. It's Thursday. Once the weekend comes around, there's going to be a few more people having a drink and it should be a little bit louder.”
And honestly, as entertaining as these Thursday-Friday pairings may be, aren’t things always better on the weekend?
11-Year-Old Makes Incredible Ace Playing with Tiger Woods at Bluejack National.
By Josh Berhow
11-Year-Old Makes Incredible Ace Playing with Tiger Woods at Bluejack National. (Photo/Blackjack National You Tube Screenshot)
Taylor Crozier will remember this shot forever.
Crozier, 11, not only recorded a hole-in-one on Wednesday, but he did so in front of Tiger Woods and on the first hole of Woods' course, which, by the way, he was playing with the 14-time major winner to officially open The Playgrounds at Bluejack National.
Woods spent the day at Bluejack -- the site of his first U.S. design, located in Montgomery, Texas -- and gave a press conference in the morning about the course's progress and his health, as he's still rehabbing from back surgery.
Playing the inaugural round on The Playgrounds, a 10-hole short course on the property, was also part of the plan. That's when Crozier, who is from Corpus Christi, Texas, aced the 81-yard par-3 first hole in front of a crowd that went crazy. He was one of two junior golfers representing the South Texas PGA who earned the right to play alongside Woods. (Scott Brown also made an ace while grouped with Tiger at the Wyndham Championship in August.)
RELATED: Tiger Chipping, Putting at Home
Woods bear-hugged Crozier in amazement, then stood on the tee and said, "Are you kidding me right now?" You can watch the shot and reaction below.
First hole at The Playgrounds @BluejackNation and this happened https://t.co/ChD312oPEJ
Woods spent the day at Bluejack -- the site of his first U.S. design, located in Montgomery, Texas -- and gave a press conference in the morning about the course's progress and his health, as he's still rehabbing from back surgery.
Playing the inaugural round on The Playgrounds, a 10-hole short course on the property, was also part of the plan. That's when Crozier, who is from Corpus Christi, Texas, aced the 81-yard par-3 first hole in front of a crowd that went crazy. He was one of two junior golfers representing the South Texas PGA who earned the right to play alongside Woods. (Scott Brown also made an ace while grouped with Tiger at the Wyndham Championship in August.)
RELATED: Tiger Chipping, Putting at Home
Woods bear-hugged Crozier in amazement, then stood on the tee and said, "Are you kidding me right now?" You can watch the shot and reaction below.
First hole at The Playgrounds @BluejackNation and this happened https://t.co/ChD312oPEJ
Updated Sprint Cup point standings following penalties.
By Daniel McFadin
(Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
With NASCAR issuing points penalties to six Sprint Cup teams, including all three Richard Childress Racing entries, here is an updated look at the series points standings.
The biggest penalty was 15 points to Martin Truex Jr. The remaining five penalties were 10 points each.
Penalized teams are bolded.
- Kyle Busch … 78 points
- Kevin Harvick … 74 points
- Carl Edwards … 73 points
- Denny Hamlin … 70 points
- Jimmie Johnson … 70 points
- Kurt Busch … 69 points
- Joey Logano … 64 points
- Martin Truex Jr … 60 points (was 2nd before penalty)
- Aric Almirola … 55 points
- Brad Keselowski … 54 points
- Austin Dillon … 53 points (was 9th before penalty)
- Matt Kenseth … 51 points
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr … 50 points
- Kyle Larson … 49 points
- Kasey Kahne … 46 points
- Dale Earnhardt Jr … 45 points
- Jamie McMurray … 44 points
- Regan Smith … 40 points
- Chase Elliott … 38 points
- Ryan Newman … 38 points (was 15th before penalty)
- Ryan Blaney … 38 points
- Casey Mears … 36 points
- Paul Menard … 36 points (was 17th before penalty)
- Greg Biffle … 35 points
- Trevor Bayne … 32 points
- Brian Scott … 28 points
- Danica Patrick … 27 points
- Michael Annett … 26 points
- Michael McDowell … 24 points (was 25th before penalty)
- AJ Allmendinger … 24 points (was 26th before penalty)
- Landon Cassill … 23 points
- David Ragan … 22 points
- Brian Vickers … 15 points
- Chris Buescher … 15 points
- Clint Bowyer … 14 points
- Matt DiBenedetto … 13 points
- Michael Waltrip … 12 points
- Bobby Labonte … 11 points
- Cole Whitt … 5 points
- Robert Richardson Jr. … 3 points
- Jeffrey Earnhardt … 3 points
- Josh Wise … 2 points
By JENNA FRYER
Ty Dillon, front right, pits during a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, in Hampton, Ga. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Drivers had mostly positive reviews for the reduced-downforce package used last weekend at Atlanta. Now, as the Sprint Cup Series heads to Las Vegas to start a three-race West Coast swing, they must figure out how to fine-tune the new rules.
Kevin Harvick led 131 laps at Atlanta but faded to a sixth-place finish. Asked after the race how he must approach Las Vegas, where he's the defending race winner, Harvick said it was simple.
''Don't worry about how fast you are in practice,'' he said. ''Make sure it drives good.''
The 2016 rules package reduced downforce approximately 25 percent by shortening the spoiler and front splitter and moving to a smaller radiator pan. The drivers pushed for the package most of last season because lower downforce makes the cars more difficult to drive - which allows the drivers to show their talent.
''This is real racing. We're driving hard,'' Carl Edwards said. ''You can see the guys out here just digging for everything they're worth. I'm worn out. That's a tough race and just a lot of fun.''
The new package is also supposed to help improve passing, particularly at the front of the field.
''I love that the cars are harder to drive,'' Dale Earnhardt Jr. said. ''I think all the drivers wanted that, and I think all the drivers will get out of it after (Atlanta), even the ones that didn't run good, and say, 'This is the right direction to go.'''
The race at Atlanta was not a true indicator of how the package could improve the racing because the first 210 laps last week were caution free. There were just three yellows at Atlanta, and it made for a spread out field with limited passing. Only 12 cars finished on the lead lap.
But Earnhardt said Atlanta was an anomaly because it's ''a unique racetrack.''
''We run from the apron to the wall, so you're not going to have debris laying around on the track for NASCAR to find and for cautions to develop as often as you will at other racetracks, because we keep that track pretty clean by running on it and using every inch of it,'' he said.
TRUEX'S START: Martin Truex Jr. has used the first two races of the season to prove his inclusion in the championship finale last year was no fluke.
Truex was seventh at Atlanta and second in the Daytona 500, where he lost the closest finish in race history to Denny Hamlin.
Truex has 24 top-10 finishes since the beginning of the 2015 season, and only three drivers have racked up more than him: Kevin Harvick (30), Joey Logano (29) and Brad Keselowski (26).
''Don't worry about how fast you are in practice,'' he said. ''Make sure it drives good.''
The 2016 rules package reduced downforce approximately 25 percent by shortening the spoiler and front splitter and moving to a smaller radiator pan. The drivers pushed for the package most of last season because lower downforce makes the cars more difficult to drive - which allows the drivers to show their talent.
''This is real racing. We're driving hard,'' Carl Edwards said. ''You can see the guys out here just digging for everything they're worth. I'm worn out. That's a tough race and just a lot of fun.''
The new package is also supposed to help improve passing, particularly at the front of the field.
''I love that the cars are harder to drive,'' Dale Earnhardt Jr. said. ''I think all the drivers wanted that, and I think all the drivers will get out of it after (Atlanta), even the ones that didn't run good, and say, 'This is the right direction to go.'''
The race at Atlanta was not a true indicator of how the package could improve the racing because the first 210 laps last week were caution free. There were just three yellows at Atlanta, and it made for a spread out field with limited passing. Only 12 cars finished on the lead lap.
But Earnhardt said Atlanta was an anomaly because it's ''a unique racetrack.''
''We run from the apron to the wall, so you're not going to have debris laying around on the track for NASCAR to find and for cautions to develop as often as you will at other racetracks, because we keep that track pretty clean by running on it and using every inch of it,'' he said.
TRUEX'S START: Martin Truex Jr. has used the first two races of the season to prove his inclusion in the championship finale last year was no fluke.
Truex was seventh at Atlanta and second in the Daytona 500, where he lost the closest finish in race history to Denny Hamlin.
Truex has 24 top-10 finishes since the beginning of the 2015 season, and only three drivers have racked up more than him: Kevin Harvick (30), Joey Logano (29) and Brad Keselowski (26).
Now he heads to Las Vegas, where in the last 10 starts, Truex has completed all but four of the 2,691 laps for a 99.9 percent lap completion rate. The four laps he didn't complete were at the 2009 race.
Truex was runner-up to Kevin Harvick at Las Vegas a year ago.
''I feel we're starting out the season stronger than the way we ended last season,'' he said. ''Our new affiliation with Toyota and our alliance with (Joe Gibbs Racing) is really working out for us. I feel we're only going to get better as the season moves on.''
Truex did get some bad news Wednesday: His crew chief was suspended one race and fined $50,000 for a rules violation at Atlanta.
Cole Pearn was punished by NASCAR for a roof flap violation on the No. 78 Toyota found during pre-race technical inspection.
Truex also was penalized 15 driver points and team owner Barney Visser was penalized 15 championship owner points.
Furniture Row Racing said it will appeal the penalty because it was ''safety related and not competition related'' and Pearn will be able to work this weekend at Las Vegas pending his hearing.
XFINITY SERIES RINGERS: The Xfinity Series field for Saturday's race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway includes five Sprint Cup regulars, and they will be trying to remain undefeated in NASCAR's second-tier series.
Cup full-time drivers have won the first two Xfinity races of the season. Chase Elliott, a former series champion and current rookie in the Cup Series, won at Daytona. Kyle Busch won last week at Atlanta.
Also racing Saturday will be Aric Almirola, Austin Dillon and Brad Keselowski. Busch has 77 career Xfinity Series wins, but none at Las Vegas, which is considered his home track. He did win a Cup race at Las Vegas in 2009.
''It's another one that has eluded us thus far, like Atlanta last week, but we got that one checked off the list and hopefully we come out strong here and I can get this one for my bucket list, too,'' Busch said. ''I finished second there the last two times I raced ... so I'm anxious to get back on my home track and see what we can do this week.''
NO NEW BUSINESS: Rick Hendrick doesn't expect to take on any new customers next year to replace Stewart-Haas Racing.
SHR is moving from Chevrolet to Ford at the end of the season, a switch that will cost Hendrick considerable business. Hendrick Motorsports currently builds chassis and leases engines to SHR.
Hendrick said last weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway that his company is ''pretty much taxed'' with its current customers. In addition to SHR, Hendrick leases engines to HScott Motorsports and Chip Ganassi Racing, and supplies engines and support to JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series.
NASCAR issues warnings to Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s team, three others.
By Dustin Long
NASCAR issued warnings to the teams of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Matt DiBenedetto, Cole Whitt and Jeffrey Earnhardt for inspection issues last weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Hendrick Motorsports team received its first warning of the season for failing template inspection twice before qualifying. DiBenedetto’s BK Racing team and Whitt’s Premium Motorsports team each received a warning for the same infraction. It was each team’s first warning.
Jeffrey Earnhardt’s Go Fas Racing team was issued a warning and docked 15 minutes of practice time this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway after failing template inspection three times before qualifying at Atlanta. It was the team’s first warning.
For every fourth warning a team receives, it will lose pit selection.
SOCCER: Five questions for the Fire in 2016.
By Dan Santaromita
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The 2016 Major League Soccer season is just three days away. Every team’s opening match will be on Sunday, March 6.
The Chicago Fire kick things off at 1 p.m. against New York City FC on CSN Chicago. What will the team look like when it takes the field?
So many new faces have come in. More than half the roster was acquired in the offseason. That makes for a lot of question marks about the team.
With that in mind here are five of the biggest questions facing the team as the 2016 season unfolds.
How will the brand new defense fare?
General manager Nelson Rodriguez said reworking and improving the defense was a top priority in the offseason. Only two defenders, Eric Gehrig and Patrick Doody, are back from last season. First round draft picks Brandon Vincent and Jonathan Campbell, internationals Joao Meira, Johan Kappelhof and Rodrigo Ramos and MLS free agent Michael Harrington have been added.
After conceding the most goals in the league in 2015 (58), how this unit fares will have a massive influence on how successful the Fire are in 2016.
How will Paunovic’s system look?
First-year coach Veljko Paunovic has the tough task of turning around a last place team with a largely rebuilt roster. The changes may be for the best, but that means the team will have to learn quickly how to play in his style. Based on the preseason it appears the Fire will try to build out of the back and high press. Paunovic showed some tactical flexibility, something he has talked about throughout the preseason, in Saturday’s win at Portland. How well his adjustments and style work will be something to watch.
What midseason moves will be made?
Rodriguez said on Monday that the team is still looking to acquire players and is in negotiations with some foreign-based players. After focusing on defense in the offseason, Rodriguez said that central midfield is the new priority. In addition, there aren’t many wide players on the roster. Only David Accam, Arturo Alvarez and rookies Joey Calistri and Alex Morrell appear to be primarily wide players.
On top of that the Fire only have two forwards, three if you count Accam as a forward, in Gilberto and Kennedy Igboananike. Rodriguez has mentioned wanting to add depth at forward, but that sounds like a lower priority at the moment.
Can the young players step up?
The Fire have five rookies and three second-year players. Nine players are 23 or younger when you throw in 20-year-old Ramos. Given how much has been said about Paunovic’s history working with younger players, it will be interesting to see how that plays out.
How much will they play? Will they make notable improvement throughout the season?
If the preseason is any indicator, only two or three of the younger players will start the season opener. If more are able to crack the starting lineup in the short-term that could be a sign of Paunovic’s willingness to play youth.
Will the Fire make the playoffs?
This is ultimately the biggest question. None of the above matters as much as the bottom line.
The Fire have been a struggling franchise, going six years with just one postseason appearance. A playoff appearance would restore some excitement in the fan base and give hope that the team is headed in the right direction. Enough pieces have been added to believe things will change, but how much improvement can be made in one offseason?
Premier League Playback: Welcome to the Madhouse.
By Joe Prince-Wright
WHAT IS GOING ON?
The only thing we learned from the midweek slate of games is that this madness is set to continue.
The Chicago Fire kick things off at 1 p.m. against New York City FC on CSN Chicago. What will the team look like when it takes the field?
So many new faces have come in. More than half the roster was acquired in the offseason. That makes for a lot of question marks about the team.
With that in mind here are five of the biggest questions facing the team as the 2016 season unfolds.
How will the brand new defense fare?
General manager Nelson Rodriguez said reworking and improving the defense was a top priority in the offseason. Only two defenders, Eric Gehrig and Patrick Doody, are back from last season. First round draft picks Brandon Vincent and Jonathan Campbell, internationals Joao Meira, Johan Kappelhof and Rodrigo Ramos and MLS free agent Michael Harrington have been added.
After conceding the most goals in the league in 2015 (58), how this unit fares will have a massive influence on how successful the Fire are in 2016.
How will Paunovic’s system look?
First-year coach Veljko Paunovic has the tough task of turning around a last place team with a largely rebuilt roster. The changes may be for the best, but that means the team will have to learn quickly how to play in his style. Based on the preseason it appears the Fire will try to build out of the back and high press. Paunovic showed some tactical flexibility, something he has talked about throughout the preseason, in Saturday’s win at Portland. How well his adjustments and style work will be something to watch.
What midseason moves will be made?
Rodriguez said on Monday that the team is still looking to acquire players and is in negotiations with some foreign-based players. After focusing on defense in the offseason, Rodriguez said that central midfield is the new priority. In addition, there aren’t many wide players on the roster. Only David Accam, Arturo Alvarez and rookies Joey Calistri and Alex Morrell appear to be primarily wide players.
On top of that the Fire only have two forwards, three if you count Accam as a forward, in Gilberto and Kennedy Igboananike. Rodriguez has mentioned wanting to add depth at forward, but that sounds like a lower priority at the moment.
Can the young players step up?
The Fire have five rookies and three second-year players. Nine players are 23 or younger when you throw in 20-year-old Ramos. Given how much has been said about Paunovic’s history working with younger players, it will be interesting to see how that plays out.
How much will they play? Will they make notable improvement throughout the season?
If the preseason is any indicator, only two or three of the younger players will start the season opener. If more are able to crack the starting lineup in the short-term that could be a sign of Paunovic’s willingness to play youth.
Will the Fire make the playoffs?
This is ultimately the biggest question. None of the above matters as much as the bottom line.
The Fire have been a struggling franchise, going six years with just one postseason appearance. A playoff appearance would restore some excitement in the fan base and give hope that the team is headed in the right direction. Enough pieces have been added to believe things will change, but how much improvement can be made in one offseason?
Premier League Playback: Welcome to the Madhouse.
By Joe Prince-Wright
WHAT IS GOING ON?
The only thing we learned from the midweek slate of games is that this madness is set to continue.
With Leicester, Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester City all dropping points — leaders Leicester were the only side to grab a solitary point — the seemingly closed shop for a top four spot has now reopened with Manchester United and West Ham United joining the party.
Welcome to the Madhouse.
Look at the standings below and tell me who finishes where and why. Your guess is as good as anyone’s with 10 games to go.
Leicester were unlucky to not grab all three points from their clash against West Brom on Tuesday but drew and that small slip up let in the door for the likes of Tottenham, Arsenal and Man City to close the gap on Wednesday.
All three lost.
It’s status quo at the top with nerves seeming to get to Spurs, the Gunners in a rut with three defeats on the spin and Man City suffering from their UEFA Champions League and League Cup final hangover.
You’re aware of this by now (of course you are!?) but this season has been infuriatingly and brilliantly unpredictable.Welcome to the Madhouse.
Look at the standings below and tell me who finishes where and why. Your guess is as good as anyone’s with 10 games to go.
Leicester were unlucky to not grab all three points from their clash against West Brom on Tuesday but drew and that small slip up let in the door for the likes of Tottenham, Arsenal and Man City to close the gap on Wednesday.
All three lost.
It’s status quo at the top with nerves seeming to get to Spurs, the Gunners in a rut with three defeats on the spin and Man City suffering from their UEFA Champions League and League Cup final hangover.
With 10 games left, there’s no sign of that letting up. The picture at the top of the table will only begin to become more muddled this weekend as title contenders clash at White Hart Lane in the North London Derby with both Tottenham and Arsenal eager to make up the ground they lost on Leicester in midweek.
Speaking after Tottenham’s defeat to West Ham, Mauricio Pochettino half shrugged and laughed… but looked like he wanted to cry as he was asked why everyone is beating each other.
“The Premier League is the most competitive league in the world. You can see this every week,” Pochettino said.This crazy show will continue until mid May when a champion will be crowned. I ask you: does this season have to end?
HAMMERS PRESSURE SINKS SPURS
Under the lights at Upton Park on Wednesday, the Hammers pressured Spurs from the off and beat their bitter rivals in an intense atmosphere in east London.
The historic venue was rocking after just seven minutes as Michail Antonio continued his hot-streak and now has six goals in his last seven games at the famous Boleyn Ground. This place will be sorely missed but after climbing to just one point of the top four, West Ham’s move to the Olympic Stadium next season could be met with UEFA Champions League action.
Sure, Man City has a game in hand on the Hammers and Manchester United is one point ahead but West Ham got their tactics spot on against Spurs, crowding out the midfield and playing wing backs to nullify the threat of Spurs’ wide men. Their fight and determination was relentless.
Speaking to the media after the game, Bilic revealed his team shouldn’t be thinking about a top four finish. “Every manager is trying to calm their teams down. We are not thinking about that [top four] and we shouldn’t be thinking about that.”
Ask the fans, Slaven. They certainly are. After yet another gritty and determined display with Dimitri Payet pulling the strings and a growing number of options in attack as players continue to return from injury, the Hammers could come from nowhere and mount a serious challenge for the top four.
As for Spurs, it was a night to forget for Mauricio Pochettino on his 44th birthday.
The Argentine boss bemoaned the slow start from which they never truly recovered. Harry Kane missed their best chance in the second half, while too many giveaways in bad errors on a bobbly pitch exemplified their struggles. Kevin Wimmer could’ve been sent off for hauling down Emmanuel Emenike and Tottenham’s decision to rotate their full backs hurt them. Given the madness elsewhere, Spurs’ failure to move top of the table is only a minor setback. After six-straight wins in the PL and going unbeaten away from home since the opening day of the season, they had an off day at Upton Park against their rivals.
Pochettino didn’t seem too worried but he’ll be expecting a big reaction from his team when they host north London rivals Arsenal on Saturday at White Hart Lane (Watch live, 7:45 a.m. ET on NBCSN and online via Live Extra).
ARSENAL, CITY FADING
Speaking of the Gunners, they have now lost three on the spin in all competitions for the first time since 2010. Arsene Wenger‘s men are struggling.
On Wednesday they went down 2-1 to Swansea City at home as the Welsh outfit once again proved to be their bogey team and put a big dent in their title hopes. The loss was bad, of course it was. If they had won — which could’ve easily happened had Alexis Sanchez’s free kick not cannoned off the bar with the scores locked at 1-1 — then they’d be level on points with Spurs going into Saturday’s derby. That said, they’re only three points behind Tottenham and six points behind Leicester. It’s not over, but they must win on Saturday to keep their title hopes alive. It’s as simple as that.
The biggest loss for Arsenal on Wednesday came with the news that Petr Cech will be out of the NLD after injuring his groin when trying to run up for a late corner kick. David Ospina will come in but Wenger has lost the leader of his defense in yet another damaging blow.
Given their recent PL form, Manchester City’s 3-0 defeat at Liverpool on Wednesday shouldn’t have been a surprise. Pellegrini’s men looked jaded after the League Cup final victory over Liverpool on Sunday at Wembley (perhaps they partied a little too hard?) and the manager admitted a long few weeks is catching up with them. City now sit 10 points off Leicester and even if they win their game in hand it will only reduce the gap to seven with 10 games left.
Winning the title should not be at the forefront of their mind anymore. Finishing in the top four should be the main objective as the likes of West Ham and bitter rivals Manchester United line up behind them and are within a point of taking away City’s spot in the Champions League.
LVG’S BOYS GRIND OUT ANOTHER WIN
United left it late against Watford to win 1-0 on Wednesday, but Juan Mata‘s free kick did the business and Louis Van Gaal has now recorded his fourth-straight win in all competitions with an injury-hit side.
Van Gaal, 64, may well leave Old Trafford at the end of this season but he’s doing his best to leave the Red Devils in at least a top four spot and a piece of silverware in either the FA Cup or Europa League.
After United’s win over Watford, he posed with fans for photos for many minutes as he walked out of the stadium. Along with his touchline tumble against Arsenal last weekend, LVG is doing his bit to get the fans back on side. If City slip up against Aston Villa this Saturday and Manchester United beat West Brom on Sunday, they’ll be back in the top four. All those calling for Van Gaal to be sacked could well be eating their words in May as his side dig deep and continue to grind out wins at the business end of the season. The performances aren’t too impressive but it’s hard to say these players aren’t playing for their under-fire boss. That said, Jose Mourinho’s impending arrival this summer continues to cast a cloud of uncertainty over what lies in store for the future at Old Trafford.
THE OTHERS…
There’s still hope for plenty of other teams to maybe not sneak into the top four but definitely challenge for the top six. Chelsea won again on Tuesday, as Guus Hiddink’s side are 12 games unbeaten since Mourinho was fired. They’re now only eight points off the top four. Stoke City won for the third-straight game and they’re just five points off the top four, while Liverpool are just six points off the top four with 10 games to go.
It is utter madness.
But, that’s why we love it and this season is setting us up for one of the finest finales we’ve ever seen from top to bottom across the league.
FIFA world rankings: USMNT on the up ahead of March qualifiers.
By Joe Prince Wright
(Photo/AP)
FIFA’s latest world rankings were released on Thursday and the U.S. national team is back in the top 30.
Jurgen Klinsmann’s recorded narrow friendly wins against Iceland and Canada in January camp, as they played in the non-FIFA window, hence the main reason why they got a leg up on the competition and climbed two places to 30th in the latest rankings.
The top 10 remains unchanged with Belgium on top, Argentina in second, Spain in third, reigning World Cup champs Germany in fourth and Chile rounding off the top five.
Brazil, Portugal, Colombia, England and Austria round off the top 10, as the only move inside the top 25 was Italy moving up one spot to 14th and trading placed with the Netherlands.
The U.S. edged above CONCACAF foes Costa Rica who is in 33rd spot, while Mexico is the highest ranked team from the region as they remain in 22nd place.
Expect these rankings to shake up a lot more in the next month or so, with World Cup qualifying games coming up in many regions at the end of this month and plenty of top international friendlies lined up for the big European nations.
Klinsmann’s side face two 2018 World Cup against Guatemala home and away at the end of this month after they began qualifying with a win against St. Vincent and the Grenadines and a draw in Trinidad and Tobago last November.
Below is the top 30 in full.
- Belgium
- Argentina
- Spain
- Germany
- Chile
- Brazil
- Portugal
- Colombia
- England
- Austria
- Uruguay
- Switzerland
- Ecuador
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Romania
- Wales
- Croatia
- Hungary
- Turkey
- Bosnia
- Mexico
- Russia
- France
- Czech Republic
- Slovakia
- Ukraine
- Northern Ireland
- Republic of Ireland
- USA
By Rob Dauster
(Photo/AP)
- St. Bonaventure (KenPom: 82, RPI: 35, CBT Bracketology Seed: First Four Out): The Bonnies may have done enough to clinch an at-large bid tonight with their win over Saint Joe’s. They now have three top 30 wins — two of which came on the road — and an RPI that will be in the low-30s, which may be enough to make up for the two bad losses on their profile. I would strongly suggest, however, winning at Saint Louis this weekend and avoiding a loss in the opening round of the A-10 tournament.
- VCU (KP: 39, RPI: 47, CBT: First Four Out): The Rams picked up a win over Davidson which, when combined with the loss Saint Joe’s took at St. Bonaventure, gave Will Wade at least a share of the Atlantic 10 regular season title. That said, VCU needs a win at Dayton this weekend to really feel comfortable about their tournament standing.
- Butler (KP: 38, RPI: 56, CBT: Play-in Game): The Bulldogs gave themselves a bit of breathing room with a win over Seton Hall at Hinkle Fieldhouse on Wednesday. They now have just three top 50 wins to their name, but of their nine losses this season, five came against top ten teams and three more were road losses in league play. If they can win their next two, beating Marquette and getting to the semifinals of the Big East tournament, I think they’re in.
- Providence (KP: 59, RPI: 46, CBT: 10): The Friars picked up a massive win over Creighton at home on Wednesday, a win that mattered not because beating the Bluejays was critical for their résumé, but because they’ve been slumping of late. Providence has now won two in a row after losing six out of eight. Can they right the ship in time for the tournaments?
- Wisconsin (KP: 27, RPI: 32, CBT: 8): The Badgers beat Minnesota, which, for me, is enough to get them into the dance.
LOSERS
- Pitt (KP: 40, RPI: 37, CBT: 8): After all that hard work whipping up on Duke, Pitt obviously went and lost at Virginia Tech on Wednesday night. And this is why the Panthers weren’t a lock with the Duke win. They now have fewer top 50 wins than they do sub-100 losses, and while that isn’t necessarily a barrier to getting into the tournament, it’s not usually a good sign. I don’t think they want the pressure that will come if they lose at Georgia Tech this weekend.
- Alabama (KP: 81, RPI: 49, CBT: 11): The Crimson Tide lost to Arkansas at home on Wednesday, a brutal loss that might drop them onto the wrong side of the cut line. Alabama has now lost three of their last four games, and currently have three sub-100 losses. Their saving grace? Four top 50 wins, including Wichita State and Notre Dame in non-conference action.
- Oregon State (KP: 60, RPI: 27, CBT: 9): The Beavers missed out on a chance to land a road win they needed when they fell at USC on Wednesday. OSU is trending directly for the bubble’s cut line.
LATE NIGHT SNACKS: No. 2 Michigan State, No. 7 Miami roll on the road.
By Raphielle Johnson
This was a big game for both teams, but especially for the Bonnies as they still have work to do if they’re to lock up an NCAA tournament bid. Marcus Posley made sure Mark Schmidt’s team picked up the quality win, as he scored a career-high 47 points on 15-for-19 shooting from the field. Dion Wright added 22 points and six rebounds for the Bonnies, while Shavar Newkirk and Isaiah Miles led a balanced effort for the Hawks with 19 points apiece. The two teams combined to score 119 points in the second half.
IMPORTANT OUTCOMES
No. 7 Miami 68, Notre Dame 50: The Hurricanes and Fighting Irish are headed in opposite directions at this point. Miami jumped out to a 21-3 lead, and while Notre Dame made a couple runs to trim the margin to single digits the hole was too deep to climb out of. Angel Rodriguez and Sheldon McClellan combined to score 36 points, with Rodriguez also dishing out five assists, and Tonye Jekiri added 14 along with nine rebounds. Miami, which has won eight of its last nine games, can still win the ACC outright. As for Notre Dame, they’ve lost three of their last four.
Butler 85, Seton Hall 78: The Bulldogs completed a season sweep of the Pirates, picking up a much-needed win as they look to earn an NCAA tournament berth. Kellen Dunham scored 22 points and Roosevelt Jones added 20 along with five rebounds and five assists to lead the way for Butler, which shot 51 percent from the field. Isaiah Whitehead scored a game-high 27 for the Pirates, but he did so on 9-for-23 shooting from the field.
No. 9 Oregon 76, UCLA 68: Dillon Brooks hit a dagger of a three in the final minute to seal the win for the Ducks, who clinched at least a share of the Pac-12 title and the top seed in next week’s Pac-12 tournament. Brooks finished with 15 points and freshman Tyler Dorsey scored 20 points to lead the way for the Ducks. Isaac Hamilton scored 19 points and Tony Parker added 18 for the Bruins, who are now locked into the ten-seed.
STARRED
Marcus Posley, St. Bonaventure: Posley was incredible in the Bonnies’ critical 98-90 win over Saint Joseph’s. 15-for-19 from the field (6-for-7 3PT) and 11-for-12 from the foul line, scoring 47 points.
Andrew Andrews, Washington: Andrews scored 47 points, collected six rebounds and dished out four assists in the Huskies’ 99-91 home win over Washington State.
Bryn Forbes, Michigan State: Forbes set a Big Ten record with 11 three-pointers in the Spartans’ blowout victory at Rutgers.
Chris Horton, Austin Peay: 37 points and 21 rebounds in the Governors’ OVC tournament win over Tennessee Tech.
Stefan Moody, Ole Miss: Moody scored 43 points (11-for-24 FG) and dished out six assists in the Rebels’ 86-78 win over Mississippi State.
STRUGGLED
Demetrius Jackson and V.J. Beachem, Notre Dame: Jackson and Beachem combined to score 12 points, shooting 5-for-20 from the field in a 68-50 home loss to No. 7 Miami.
Ahmad Gilbert, Minnesota: Gilbert scored two points, shooting 1-for-8 from the field, as the shorthanded Golden Gophers lost to Wisconsin.
THE REST OF THE TOP 25
- No. 2 Michigan State has now won nine of its last ten games, as they whipped Rutgers 97-66 in Piscataway. Bryn Forbes, as mentioned above, set a Big Ten record with 11 made three-pointers on the night. Eron Harris scored 15 points, Denzel Valentine finished with 14 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, and Matt Costello added ten points and 15 boards.
- No. 10 West Virginia rolled to a 90-68 home win over Texas Tech, locking up no worse than the three-seed in next week’s Big 12 tournament. Daxter Miles and Jaysean Paige scored 15 points apiece for the Mountaineers, who forced 18 Texas Tech turnovers on the night. With the loss Texas Tech is locked into the seven-seed next week, meaning that they’ll have to play Wednesday night.
- Albany’s quest for a fourth straight America East tournament title came to an end Wednesday night, as they lost to seven-seed Hartford 68-59 in an America East quarterfinal. Next up for the Hawks is top seed Stony Brook, which pulled away late to beat UMBC 86-76. Three-seed Vermont will host four-seed New Hampshire in the other semifinal Monday.
- In the Northeast quarterfinals six-seed LIU Brooklyn eliminated three-seed Sacred Heart, 84-76. Also advancing to Sunday’s semifinals were one-seed Wagner, two-seed Fairleigh Dickinson and five-seed Mount St. Mary’s. Wagner will host LIU Brooklyn in one semi, with Mount St. Mary’s visiting FDU in the other.
- VCU clinched at least a share of the Atlantic 10 regular season title with a 70-60 win over Davidson. Mo Alie-Cox and Melvin Johnson led the way for the Rams, with Alie-Cox finishing with 18 points, nine rebounds and four blocks and Johnson adding 16, five rebounds and four assists.
- Austin Peay advanced to the quarterfinals of the OVC tournament with a 92-72 win over Tennessee Tech. Also advancing was Murray State, which beat Eastern Illinois 78-62.
- Just three days removed from their home win over Duke, Pittsburgh did themselves no favors with a 65-61 loss at Virginia Tech. Zach LeDay led the Hokies with 20 points and ten rebounds.
- Providence picked up a second straight victory, holding off Creighton by the final score of 70-66. Ben Bentil finished with 27 points and ten rebounds, and Kris Dunn added 17, six boards and six assists for the Friars.
- Alabama suffered a damaging loss, as they fell 62-61 at home to Arkansas. The Razorbacks went to a box-and-1 to slow down Retin Obasohan down the stretch, and the move worked out well for Mike Anderson’s team. Obasohan finished with 32 points, but no other Alabama player scored more than ten.
- Wisconsin continued its roll with a 62-49 win at Minnesota. Bronson Koenig accounted for 14 points and six assists with Ethan Happ and Nigel Hayes adding 12 apiece for the Badgers, who have won 11 of their last 12 games.
- Boston College is one loss away from going winless in ACC play, as they lost 73-72 at NC State on a Maverick Rowan layup as time expired. The Eagles also went winless in ACC play in football last season.
- A Justin Bibbins coast-to-coast drive and finish gave Long Beach State a 75-73 win at Cal-State Fullerton. Nick Faust finished the game with 30 points and eight rebounds for the 49ers.
- USC snapped a stretch of five losses in six games with an 81-70 win over Oregon State. The Beavers played without freshman Tres Tinkle, who injured his foot in practice Tuesday.
13 days until the 2016 NCAA March Madness Tournament starts and 9 days before you can pick your brackets, Are you in? (See the college basketball section for NCAA Tournament updates).
The 2016 NCAA March Madness Tournament is just around the corner, you ready?
Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica is having it's annual office pool again. You've played in our pool before, you're a terrific competitor and that what makes our pool a success. The entry fee is low ($12.00), the risk is minimal and the rewards are equitable, what more can you ask for? Here are few particulars about our pool:
It's going to be a great tournament this year because there is so much parity in college basketball today. Anyone can win. The small and intermediate size colleges have just as much talent as the big guys. Their teams have played together longer as the big schools recruit with the policy of one and done, off to the NBA. There seems to be a new #1 every week and then they get beat. Usually the winner of our pool needs 75% skill and 25% luck. This year it's going to be the other way around, 25% skill and 75% luck. Four weeks until the tournament starts; now is the time to get serious and start following the college teams and preparing for the conference tournaments. The precursor to the big dance. It's really going be a great tournament with plenty of upsets. For those of you that have played before, you know how much fun it is. For those of you that haven't, play for the first time and enjoy the "thrill of victory or the agony of defeat."
The brackets will be finalized by the selection committee March 13, 2016, and two days after that, the play-in games will start. The entry fee is "very rare" and the rewards are "super fair." If you live anywhere on this beautiful earth, are a college basketball fan and have a PayPal account, a checking account or cash, then you can participate in our pool. We're looking for a minimum of 40 participants. The entry fee will be $12.00 per bracket and the payouts will be: 1st place - $220.00, 2nd place - $110.00, 3rd place - $55.00 and 4th place - $55.00. We pay the final four. In the event we get more than 40 players, the payouts ($$$) will be adjusted accordingly. Note: Our office pool is for competitive entertainment purposes only.
When you sign up to participate, bring a friend. "Competition does in fact breed excellence."
Entry information: to participate, click the information below and follow the steps.
Name:________________________________________________________________
Zip Code:____________
Please mail entry fee to:
Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica is having it's annual office pool again. You've played in our pool before, you're a terrific competitor and that what makes our pool a success. The entry fee is low ($12.00), the risk is minimal and the rewards are equitable, what more can you ask for? Here are few particulars about our pool:
It's going to be a great tournament this year because there is so much parity in college basketball today. Anyone can win. The small and intermediate size colleges have just as much talent as the big guys. Their teams have played together longer as the big schools recruit with the policy of one and done, off to the NBA. There seems to be a new #1 every week and then they get beat. Usually the winner of our pool needs 75% skill and 25% luck. This year it's going to be the other way around, 25% skill and 75% luck. Four weeks until the tournament starts; now is the time to get serious and start following the college teams and preparing for the conference tournaments. The precursor to the big dance. It's really going be a great tournament with plenty of upsets. For those of you that have played before, you know how much fun it is. For those of you that haven't, play for the first time and enjoy the "thrill of victory or the agony of defeat."
The brackets will be finalized by the selection committee March 13, 2016, and two days after that, the play-in games will start. The entry fee is "very rare" and the rewards are "super fair." If you live anywhere on this beautiful earth, are a college basketball fan and have a PayPal account, a checking account or cash, then you can participate in our pool. We're looking for a minimum of 40 participants. The entry fee will be $12.00 per bracket and the payouts will be: 1st place - $220.00, 2nd place - $110.00, 3rd place - $55.00 and 4th place - $55.00. We pay the final four. In the event we get more than 40 players, the payouts ($$$) will be adjusted accordingly. Note: Our office pool is for competitive entertainment purposes only.
When you sign up to participate, bring a friend. "Competition does in fact breed excellence."
Entry information: to participate, click the information below and follow the steps.
Click on this link:
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Join Pool: CSandT/AA 2016 NCAA Bracket Buster Office ...
Join Pool: CSandT/AA 2016 NCAA Bracket Buster Office Pool
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Preview by Yahoo
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Enter this pool credential information:
The Pool ID is: 119477
The Pool Password is: 2016ncaabbop
Enter your personal registration information and retain a copy for your record.
The Pool Deadline is: March 17, 2016, 30 minutes before the start of the first game.
You may pay your entry fee by the methods below:
You can pay by check or through PayPal.
To pay by PayPal:
Go to http://www.paypal.com/, hit make a payment prompt and send your payment to chgtrnsprt@aol.com. Please use the family and friends prompt so that you don't incur any additional charges. When we receive your payment, you will receive a confirmation from PayPal and Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica.
To pay by check, use the entry form below:
Name:________________________________________________________________
Mailing Address:_______________________________________________________
City:________________________________ State:____________________________
Zip Code:____________
Email Address:_________________________________________________________
Telephone Number:_____________________________________________________
Please mail entry fee to:
Chicago Sports & Travel/AllsportsAmerica
"2016 NCAA Bracket Buster Office Pool."
116 Fairfield Way
Bloomingdale, IL 60108-1538
Should you have any question(s) or comment(s), feel free to contact us by email at: chicagosportsandtravel@yahoo.com or by telephone at (312) 593-0928. We're here for you.
We look forward to your participation and wish you the best of luck.
Marion P. Jelks
CS&T/AA 2016 NCAA BB OP Commissioner
NCAAFB: Coaches won’t be permitted to crash Harbaugh’s spring practice.
By John Taylor
(Photo/Getty Images)
Well, so much for that bit of fun in the annual “dearth of real news” portion of the offseason.
Yesterday, Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema kicked up a bit of a ruckus by suggesting that he would be heading to Bradenton, Fla., and the campus of the IMG Academy, which is the home to a handful of top-rated high school football talent. That campus, of course, is also where Jim Harbaugh has decided to set up shop and hold a portion of Michigan’s spring practice, much to the chagrin of several members of the college football community.
Shortly after Bielema posted his tweet, his counterpart at Michigan State, Mark Dantonio, suggested that the two do lunch as part of an impromptu spring practice crashing. Tennessee’s Butch Jones then offered to join them.
Unfortunately, NCAA bylaws will preclude Bielema, Dantonio, Jones or any other FBS coach from attending today’s open practice.
Just found out from NCAA office we can’t go to IMG open practice because in NCAA football it’s a quiet period.
Maybe next year #Jamaica
— Bret Bielema (@BretBielema) March 3, 2016
Hey, it was worth a shot fellas.
Yesterday, Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema kicked up a bit of a ruckus by suggesting that he would be heading to Bradenton, Fla., and the campus of the IMG Academy, which is the home to a handful of top-rated high school football talent. That campus, of course, is also where Jim Harbaugh has decided to set up shop and hold a portion of Michigan’s spring practice, much to the chagrin of several members of the college football community.
Shortly after Bielema posted his tweet, his counterpart at Michigan State, Mark Dantonio, suggested that the two do lunch as part of an impromptu spring practice crashing. Tennessee’s Butch Jones then offered to join them.
Unfortunately, NCAA bylaws will preclude Bielema, Dantonio, Jones or any other FBS coach from attending today’s open practice.
Just found out from NCAA office we can’t go to IMG open practice because in NCAA football it’s a quiet period.
Maybe next year #Jamaica
— Bret Bielema (@BretBielema) March 3, 2016
Hey, it was worth a shot fellas.
By John Taylor
(Photo/Getty Images)
And it continues.
Rather than bore you (again) with the details stemming from Jim Harbaugh‘s decision to take his Michigan Wolverines to Florida for a portion of spring practice, we’ll just take you, tweet-by-tweet, to the latest war of words involving UM’s head coach, from the opening salvo by Arkansas’ Bret Bielema to Harbaugh tweet-dropping his mic a day later.
After early meetings & lift tomorrow with our players. Thinking about heading to watch an open practice tomorrow at IMG with the staff. #WPS— Bret Bielema (@BretBielema) March 2, 2016
Want to do lunch? #V4MSU https://t.co/5Us82hFySk— Mark Dantonio (@DantonioMark) March 2, 2016
Mind if I join you guys for lunch? @DantonioMark @BretBielema— Butch Jones (@UTCoachJones) March 2, 2016
Of that trio of tweets, it was the last that got Harbaugh’s attention, at least publicly.
Suggestion to my Rocky Top colleague, rather than lunch in Florida you might spend your time and focus attending to your present team.— Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) March 3, 2016
Your serve, Mr. Jones.
Report: Tom Brady got 'hammered' in the Deflategate appeal hearing, and he might be in trouble. What's Your Take?
By Scott Davis
The NFL and NFL Players Association were back in court on Thursday for an appeal hearing over Deflategate.
That was the scandal that rocked the NFL when, after the 2015 AFC championship game between the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts, it was revealed that several of the Patriots' footballs were underinflated. Brady was accused of playing a role in ordering the balls to be underinflated by team employees, then later not cooperating with the NFL's investigation.
The NFL suspended Brady for four games, but Brady appealed and had that decision turned by Judge Richard Berman. The NFL immediately filed an appeal, which was shelved until after the season.
On Thursday, the NFL was trying to get a favorable ruling that Commissioner Roger Goodell was within his right to punish Brady and the Patriots for conduct "detrimental" to the game.
And according to The Boston Globe's Ben Volin, Brady might be in trouble.
When the hearing was over, Volin tweeted a string of updates on the case. They didn't sound good for Brady:
"Just got out of court. #Patriots better not trade Garoppolo because Kessler got HAMMERED by the judges."
"Judge Denny Chin: “The evidence of ball tampering is compelling if not overwhelming.”
Judge Parker on Brady destroying his cell phone: “Mr. Brady’s explanation of that made no sense whatsoever.”
"Mr. @WALLACHLEGAL, who was in the courtroom, says “Brady is staring down the barrel of a 2 to 1 defeat.”
On
Memoriesofhistory.com
1913 - The New York Yankees traveled to Bermuda for spring practice. They were the first team to leave the U.S. to train.
1930 - Emma Fahning became the first woman bowler to make a perfect score in competition sanctioned by the Women's International Bowling Congress.
1970 - The New York Rangers set an NHL record of 126 games without being shutout.
1981 - Guy LaFleur (Montreal Canadiens) scored his 1000th career point.
1993 - ESPN formed "The V Foundation" with Jim Valvano.
1993 - In New York, the first ESPY Awards were held.
1930 - Emma Fahning became the first woman bowler to make a perfect score in competition sanctioned by the Women's International Bowling Congress.
1970 - The New York Rangers set an NHL record of 126 games without being shutout.
1981 - Guy LaFleur (Montreal Canadiens) scored his 1000th career point.
1993 - ESPN formed "The V Foundation" with Jim Valvano.
1993 - In New York, the first ESPY Awards were held.
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