CS&T/AllsportsAmerica Wednesday Sports News Update, 11/29/2016

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Note: We took a mini sabbatical last week during Thanksgiving and visited Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C. and Raleigh, NC, (All professional sports teams cities). In our last update, November, 18, 2016, we advised you that we would not be publishing for one week. Unfortunately, do to technical difficulty, the update did not publish. We apologize for the inconvenience and promise that we will catch up and bring you all of the breaking sports news with a taste of Chicago flair. Thanks for your patience.

The Chicago Sports & Travel Inc./AllsportsAmerica Editorial Staff.

"Sports Quote of the Day"

"Unity is strength... when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved." ~ Mattie Stepanek, Poet, Peace Advocate and Motivational Speaker

Trending: Five Things from Blackhawks-Panthers: Corey Crawford comes up big again. (See the hockey section for Blackhawks updates and NHL news).

Trending: Cleaning out the notebook with five games left in Bears' lost season.
(See the football section for Bears News an NFL updates).

Trending: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Chicago Bulls Preview 11-30-2016. (See the basketball section for Bulls news and NBA updates).

Trending: Airplane Crash; Fairytale to tragedy: Chapecoense the “Leicester City of Brazil”. (See the soccer section for worldwide breaking soccer news and updates).

Trending: Baseball America names Cubs as organization of the year. (See the baseball section for Cubs and White Sox updates).

How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Richard Panik breaks out of slump in Blackhawks shootout win over Panthers.

By Tracey Myers

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

When the Blackhawks return home following their Circus Trip, they’re always wary of their first game back at the United Center.

They’ve sometimes been lethargic in this return. Two weeks on the road, hopping from one time zone to another, will do that to you. So the Blackhawks didn’t need to be pretty against the Florida Panthers. They needed to just find a way to eke one out.

Thanks once again to their goaltending, they did.

Crawford stopped 38 of 39 shots in regulation and overtime and Artemi Panarin scored the shootout winner as the Blackhawks edged the Florida Panthers 2-1 on Tuesday night. The Blackhawks, who have collected points in their past three games, (2-0-1), remain atop the Western Conference with 33 points.

Again, they may need to check on another loss. Artem Anisimov left after blocking a Duncan Keith shot off the inside of his right foot/ankle late in the third period and did not return. Coach Joel Quenneville said, “they had it looked at, he seemed to be OK but we’ll know more tomorrow.”

Richard Panik scored his first goal since Oct. 22. He also helped seal the shootout with his high wrist shot over Roberto Luongo, who stopped 32 of 33 shots for the Panthers.

The Blackhawks looked like they usually do after the Circus Trip: decent, not great, and struggling to get much done. Factor in that this was their third game without captain Jonathan Toews, who’s still out with an upper-body injury. They had some good opportunities, but Luongo was stingy. While the Blackhawks were figuring things out in front of him, Crawford was once again calm and convincing in net.

“We’re really grateful for Corey being behind us,” Panarin said via interpreter Igor Alfimov. “If it weren’t for him, the last couple game would turn out differently that’s for sure. We’re lucky to have him.”

Crawford faced some prime opportunities throughout the night and, again, dealt with a lot of shots.

“Yeah, but our guys were clearing lanes and taking away rebounds,” Crawford said. “When you see the first shot and clear the rest after that, get sticks in there, it’s just a big win for us after coming back from the road.”

It was another game in which the Blackhawks were outshot in the first period (13-8) but still led at the end of it. Credit that to Panik, who took a long Dennis Rasmussen pass and backhanded one past Luongo.

“I think he had an outstanding start to the season, then it slowed for him. You need that taste where you’re getting some rewards,” Quenneville said. “He started playing some solid games at the end of that trip and tonight he was ready from the outset.”

Jaromir Jagr scored a power-play goal early in the third period before Panarin decided it in the shootout.

The Blackhawks won’t get any style points for Tuesday’s victory. The first game off the Circus Trip is rarely pretty. But it worked, so they’ll take it.

“Actually, it was a tough game, also kind of a sleepy game,” Panarin said. “We tried our best to get maximum out of ourselves.”

Five Things from Blackhawks-Panthers: Corey Crawford comes up big again.

By Tracey Myers

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

Well, the Blackhawks got the two points they were looking for in their first game back from the Circus Trip.

If you weren’t enthralled with this one, don’t worry: you weren’t the only one. Some good stops at both ends, some sloppy play at both ends, minimal scoring at both ends, that pretty much sums it up. It was one of those nights where a standout performance or two would make the difference, and that’s what the Blackhawks got.

So before we head home, knowing we’ll be home for a few more days, let’s look at Five Things to take from the Blackhawks’ 2-1 shootout victory over the Florida Panthers.

1. Richard Panik returns. Well, his offense did, anyway. You could see the joy — or was that relief — as Panik raised his arms to the sky following his goal, his seventh of the season but only his second since Oct. 22. Coach Joel Quenneville has liked what he’s seen from Panik the past few games and thought he was the standout player among the skaters. Panik said he just went back to what worked. “You know, those goals I scored at the beginning of the season I was in front of the net and I just try to focus on that — going in front of the net but they just didn’t go in. It wasn’t a good feeling but now it’s good.”

2. Corey Crawford comes up big again. We figured the Blackhawks would be a little sluggish in this one. So it was another game in which Crawford was going to be relied on heavily. He was coming off some rest — Scott Darling played Saturday’s game against Los Angeles — and Crawford looked ready to go. He even managed to get back and corral a puck after teammate Vinnie Hinostroza inadvertently tripped him in the crease. Crawford laughed about it afterward. “I was pretty mad there,” he said with a smile.

3. Get well, Artem Anisimov. The Blackhawks are already down their top center Jonathan Toews (upper body). Now they could be minus Anisimov, who blocked a Duncan Keith shot off his right foot/ankle in the third period. Anisimov stayed on the bench for a few minutes before heading to the dressing room. Quenneville sounded somewhat optimistic about Anisimov, saying the Russian center, “seemed to be OK,” following the game. That’s good. Any team losing its Nos. 1 and 2 centers would have some trouble. 

4. Outplayed early? No problem. You know, we keep harping on the Blackhawks getting off to slow or sloppy starts, or being outshot in the first few minutes. A lot of that was true again on Tuesday night but again, it didn’t matter. The Blackhawks were once again leading after 20 minutes, thanks this time to Panik. It’s the 11th time the Blackhawks had the lead after one; they’re now 8-1-2 in those games.

5. Triple H line noticeable. It didn’t score but the trio of Ryan Hartman, Hinostroza and Marian Hossa had plenty of energy and opportunities on Tuesday night. You can see the familiarity between Hinostroza and Hartman, who have either played against or with each other in hockey since they were kids. Who knows how long that line is together — as soon as Toews returns, Quenneville will likely put a couple of the kids together again. But it helped the Blackhawks’ attack against the Panthers.

Why Artemi Panarin is so valuable to the Blackhawks.

By Charlie Roumeliotis

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

Artemi Panarin probably didn't get enough credit for what he accomplished during his rookie year, in large part because it was overshadowed by Patrick Kane's 106-point season that ended with a Hart Trophy.

Panarin had 30 goals and 47 assists, finishing among the top-10 in points with 77 last season. It's easy to suggest those totals were the result of having Kane on your line, and perhaps some of that is true.

But when it comes to puck possession numbers, Panarin is the driving force for the Blackhawks.

When he's on the ice at even strength this season (342:34 minutes), the Blackhawks control 57.49 of the shot attempts, according to naturalstattrick.com, which ranks No. 1 on the team. Their overall team percentage is 50.9, a number that sits at No. 11 in the NHL.
Let's break it down further than that, though.

Panarin's most frequent linemates this year have been Artem Anisimov, Marian Hossa and Kane, all of whom he's played at least 100 minutes with at even strength, and there's no close fourth.

Check out the advanced numbers of those three teammates when they're with Panarin vs. when they're without him, courtesy of hockeyanalysis.com, through the first 23 games of the season:

— When Panarin and Anisimov are on the ice together at even strength (251:23), the Blackhawks control 54.0 percent of the shot attempts. When they're separated, Panarin's percentage skyrockets to 65.6 while Anisimov's plummets to 35.5. For reference, Anisimov's season percentage is 50.6.

— When Panarin and Hossa are on the ice together at even strength (151:24), the Blackhawks control 60.3 percent of the shot attempts. When they're separated, Panarin's percentage is 54.7 while Hossa's drops to 47.6. Hossa's season percentage is 54.8.

— When Panarin and Kane are on the ice together at even strength (161:17), the Blackhawks control 55.1 percent of the shot attempts. When they're separated, Panarin's percentage is 59.2 while Kane's dips to 44.8. Kane's season percentage is 48.8.

Everybody's possession numbers dramatically descend when they're not out there with Panarin, who consistently generates scoring chances. 

What sticks out the most is the fact Panarin's numbers are still very impressive without those three guys. He makes everybody better. Just ask Hossa, who erupted for eight goals in the first 10 games of November after being moved to Panarin's line.

Panarin, who is set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the season, quietly has 21 points (eight goals, 13 assists) in 23 games this season, which is second-most on the team, although it may not feel like it.

He's more valuable than the bare bones show, and his ability to lift everyone's game up to another level consistently is why it's important the Blackhawks must do everything they can to keep him in Chicago for the long term.

Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! Cleaning out the notebook with five games left in Bears' lost season.

By John Mullin

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

Cleaning out the notebook for the Bears stretch run ...

How to judge Matt Barkley

The hyper-analysis of Matt Barkley and his performance against the Tennessee Titans is amusing if only for the amount of it. Maybe the excitement traces to his being a fourth-round draft choice in 2013, so maybe this is another Kirk Cousins (2012) or Dak Prescott (2016). And this is after one game, for a guy that Bruce Arians didn’t think enough of to hold onto in Arizona last September.

I was told that the Bears have developed a more than a dozen permutations of how their quarterback situation could unfold in the months following this season. Those include draft choices, veterans (like Brian Hoyer) — supposedly even one with Jay Cutler — and this is with the personnel department still scouting college quarterbacks with an intensity level one scout said was the most intense he’s ever seen.

Barkley is still in the general classification of “camp arm,” a guy teams carry in the offseason to take some of the reps. Speculating on whether he suddenly played his way into one of those Bears scenarios is beyond a waste of time right now, since his output last Sunday (54 attempts, 28 completions) wasn’t too far short of his entire NFL production up to that point since he left USC (65 throws, 36 completions, including the six in his cameo against Green Bay).

But the guy does deserve more credit than some are giving him. Barkley, while one of the more obvious let’s-wait-and-see Bears guys in recent memory, did complete seven passes of 12 yards or longer on those last two drives, including three on the final drive when the Titans were playing for their game lives, not merely going rope-a-dope and supposedly conceding everything short. With the Bears trailing 27-14, the Titans went three-and-out and the Bears had the football at the Chicago 31 with more than six and a half minutes left. Then from the Chicago 35 with two minutes left.

One thing that will make Barkley difficult to firmly critique is that the Bears now play four straight defenses ranked no better than 13th in yardage allowed and 15th in scoring defense. Minnesota is looming out there in the top three, but that’s not until the calendars turn.

O-line OK through season-long upheavel

Offensive line coach Dave Magazu is doing something with his group. The Bears started the first six games with the same five starters, left to right: Charles Leno, Josh Sitton, Cody Whitehair, Kyle Long and Bobby Massie.

They have not started the same five in any two consecutive games since then. Only Leno and Whitehair have started all 11 games.

Yet the Bears are No. 5 in rushing average and respectably tied for 10th in sacks allowed, all in spite of rarely playing with a lead.

With Daniel Braverman up, who sits?

The addition of rookie wide receiver Daniel Braverman to the 53-man roster raises an interesting question: Who sits?

The Bears went against Tennessee with five wideouts active — Josh Bellamy, Cameron Meredith, Eddie Royal, Deonte Thompson and Marquess Wilson — plus three tight ends. All the wideouts except Royal committed egregious drops. Coach John Fox has never been one to just summarily cut someone for physical mistakes, but unless the Braverman promotion was to step in for Royal (dealing with a toe injury), someone is likely going to pay a price for poor play.

Bears find nuggets — and some fool’s gold? — amid struggles.

By John Mullin

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

The season that has now lurched downward to its 2-9 point has given the Bears little in the way of overall satisfaction. But it has not been without value already in giving the organization some very meaningful, albeit unwanted, evaluations of what their depth chart of the future may look like.

Some of it has been supremely concerning. Without Alshon Jeffery (suspended) and Kevin White (injured), receivers Josh Bellamy, Cam Meredith and Marquess Wilson in particular were pressed into service. The result – with each committing multiple dropped passes in Sunday’s 27-21 loss to the Tennessee Titans – served to suggest strongly that the Bears do not have a dependable alternative to Jeffery, franchise-tagged for this year but a looming issue again next offseason.

Meredith looked like a player after a combined 20 catches in the Indianapolis and Jacksonville games. On Sunday he dropped more of the nine balls thrown to him (3) than he caught (2). Wilson caught a career-best eight passes but dropped a pair, one a touchdown there for the taking. Wilson, beset repeatedly by injuries, is a free agent after this season; is he depth worth pursuing?

“I think Marquess Wilson, it was his second game this season,” said coach John Fox. “He hasn’t been playing football for months and months.”

Because Jeffery is still on suspension for two more games and White is not expected back, the receivers will get additional chances.

But the Titans released veteran cornerback Perrish Cox after Sunday’s game. The Bears have rookie Daniel Braverman on practice squad; Fox does not have any history of scapegoating or making examples of players, but he has sent messages… .

Overshadowed by the drops by receivers and running backs was a decidedly different scenario playing out because of absent, injured starters.

With guards Kyle Long and Josh Sitton down, the Bears started Eric Kush as left guard and Ted Larsen at right. The only other time Kush and Larsen both started was against Minnesota, the only Bears win in the past seven weeks. Against the Vikings the offensive line allowed just one sack; the Titans got none, despite the Bears far behind and throwing the football 33 times in the fourth quarter alone.

Meaning: the Kush-Larsen line has allowed just one sack in 86 pass plays. The Bears rushed for a season-high 158 yards and 5.4 yards per carry against Minnesota; running backs netted 95 yards on 20 carries vs. Tennessee, a 4.8-yard clip.

Put another way, the Bears appear to have found some offensive-line nuggets amid the injury carnage.

“I just feel like [Kush and Larsen] do a great job in practice getting themselves ready for the game and then just be able to start the game from start to finish,” said running back Jordan Howard. “I feel like they can get into a rhythm and not worry about messing up and they can follow their assignments correctly.”

Rookie linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski started alongside Danny Trevathan in place of suspended inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman. Kwiatkoski finished with four tackles in addition to spinning out of a blitz to pursue and force a throwaway by Tennessee quarterback Marcus Mariota.

Quarterback Matt Barkley likely played his way at the very least into an NFL training camp next year (probably Chicago’s), throwing 54 passes, shaking off dropped balls to have his team in position for a comeback win. Barkley impressed at least one teammate who knew exactly what Barkley has gone through.

“Guys like me are few and far between,” said defensive end Willie Young, a seventh-round draft pick who has played his way into a career. “But if we get an opportunity, the only thing we know how to do is take advantage of it. Whatever happens after that, happens. I play on the edge. I honestly feel like [Barkley] played on the edge also.”

Bears In-Foe: Post-Fangio fade.

By Chris Boden
 

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

Vic Fangio had "pieces" in his four years with the 49ers. And, man, did he put them to use. Units that ranked fourth, third, fifth, and fifth overall in the NFL made San Francisco a contender, no matter where the 49ers were offensively. 

Alas, Fangio was bypassed for defensive line coach Jim Tomsula to replace Jim Harbaugh, heading into 2015, freeing him up for John Fox and the Bears (whom Fangio chose after an interview in Washington, as well). Following him out the door would be most of his bread-and-butter players: Patrick Willis, Justin Smith and Chris Borland (retirement), Aldon Smith and Ray McDonald (drug and domestic violence issues), not to mention a 2014 campaign without NaVorro Bowman and his blown-up knee.

The Niners now, under former Browns (Browns?!) defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil? Last in the NFL in points, yards, and rushing yards per game, and next-to-last in third-down defense.

Oregon was known as an offensive school under now-Niners head coach Chip Kelly, but their last two first-round picks have been "Ducky" in an effort to resuscitate the other side of the ball. But 2015 defensive end Arik Armstead's sophomore season has end-ed prematurely with a shoulder injury. They came back last April by picking fellow end DeForest Buckner seventh overall, and he's delivered three sacks. Fangio worked with the two other starting linemen, Glenn Dorsey and Quinton Dial, while ex-Notre Dame nose tackle Ian Williams has landed on IR.

Remember Fangio's awesome linebacker foursome of Brooks, Willis, Bowman and Smith? Only Brooks currently remains (team-high four sacks) with Bowman out with an Achilles injury after an unbelievable return a year ago (league-leading 154 tackles) from his ugly knee injury in the 2013 NFC Championship game. Journeyman Nick Bellore has tried to step in, while Michael Wilhoite and Aaron Lynch fill out the right side of the corps. Backup Gerald Hodges has a team-high two interceptions, while 2015 third-rounder Eli Harrold is still trying to earn more playing time.

The secondary remains decent despite a revolving personnel door there. Current Bears defensive backs coach Ed Donatell had enough talent to plug-and-play. The NFL's 15th-ranked pass defense is without 2013 first-round safety Eric Reid, who's on injured reserve. Last year's second-rounder Jacquiski Tartt slides in to pair with Antoine Bethea, who had a breakout 2014 by the Bay after nine years in Indianapolis. A pectoral tear last season limited the 12th-year man out of Howard to nine games a year ago. NIU product Jimmie Ward has graduated to starting status at one corner, opposite Tramaine Brock.

When the defense has supplied takeaways (15 times), the offense has usually been able to convert (12 times for 65 points).

Special teams

Forty-one-year-old kicker Phil Dawson was named the team's MVP last year. Good for Phil, but not sure what that means for the offense and defense. He connected on 24-of-27 field goals in 2015, and has followed that up in his 19th season by going 15-of-16 (his lone miss from over 50 yards).

Jacorey Shepherd and Chris Davis have split kickoff return duties, both averaging in the 22-yard range, while Jeremy Kerley's 8.2-yard average on punt returns has yet to provide a scare to opponents. The Niners are, however, ranked fifth in kickoff return coverage.

Bears In-Foe: Kaep'n comeback.

By Chris Boden

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

The biggest weapon that should concern the Bears from a repeat of last December's home loss to San Francisco is a guy who didn't even play in that game.

Colin Kaepernick was already done with knee, shoulder and thumb injuries and Blaine Gabbert (yes, I said Blaine Gabbert) ran 44 yards for a game-tying touchdown with under two minutes to go, as the Bears tried to reach .500 at 6-6 after an emotional Thanksgiving night win at Green Bay. 

After Robbie Gould missed a makeable game-winning field goal at the end of regulation that'd eventually factor into his Chicago exit, Gabbert opened overtime with a 71-yard touchdown pass to burner Torrey Smith. It began a spiral that's seen the Bears drop 13 of 16 since that Lambeau ray of hope.

When Chip Kelly got a second NFL chance almost immediately after getting the boot from Philadelphia, Kaepernick seemed the perfect fit for his zone read offense. Problem was, Kaepernick was dealing with multiple injuries, and a desire to escape for a fresh start. Not finding enough takers, Kelly's intrigue over Kaepernick's fit into his scheme kept him around, despite not being physically ready for the appropriate amount of preseason action, much less a request to be traded that turned off teammates.

As Gabbert won the Opening Day starting job by default, he'd soon lose his grasp as Kaepernick got closer to full health. Now, Kaepernick is the man the Bears must stop Sunday. If you're rooting for a win, that is. If you want a higher pick, cheer for No. 7 in white to perform as he did in his first NFL start in prime time against the Bears in 2012, launching his stardom.

The Niners have not won since a 28-0 shutout in the opener against the Rams. The 10-game losing streak is a franchise-worst. But they see the 2-9 Bears as an opportunity, especially after taking Adam Gase's red-hot Dolphins down to the wire in Miami Sunday.

It took Ndamukong Suh to chase down Kaepernick on a fourth-and-goal from the 6-yard line to preserve a 31-24 win. Kaepernick threw for 296 yards, three touchdowns and an interception while running for 113 yards on 10 carries. Therein lies Vic Fangio's defensive focus versus a player he enjoyed watching opposing coordinators have to account for.

Kaepernick's 55.3 completion percentage ranks 32nd in the NFL, his 87.0 quarterback rating is 24th as he tries to works his way back into relevance that began to fade during Jim Harbaugh's final season in San Francisco two years ago. It was Harbaugh that fed into a Kaepernick phenomenon that began against the Bears in 2012 and resulted in a last-minute Super Bowl loss just a couple of months later. What seemed like a beginning for Kaepernick turned into what is now his greatest challenge.

As he continues to absorb (and welcome) public scorn to those opposed by his social stance by kneeling during the National Anthem, he could use a little help taking the heat off him ON the field. Carlos Hyde is serviceable at running back (594 yards, 3.9 per carry). Shaun Draughn was a factor last December at Soldier Field hurting his ex-team, especially in the passing game, which remains his primary role. Jeremy Kerley's 42 receptions lead the team, but rank tied for 60th in the NFL. 

Perhaps the most dangerous weapons are tight ends Vance McDonald and Grant Celek, who've combined for 43 catches and five scores (McDonald's 17.4 yards per reception are only surpassed by Rob Gronkowski among those at his position). Smith has just 20 catches, but three have gone to the house. 

Only four other quarterbacks have had a higher winning percentage than Kaepernick over their first 25 starts. San Francisco has had a knack for falling behind, big, early, and having to scratch and claw to have any hope of getting back into games. Their 11 lost fumbles are tied for first in the NFL, and the Dolphins scored 10 points off turnovers Sunday. They'll try to clean that up after spending the week in Orlando practicing before heading to the lakefront Sunday, looking to pull off a second December surprise in as many seasons against a Fangio defense thirsting to create turnovers.

Unless, that is, you're just rooting for a higher draft pick.

Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan done for season with ruptured patellar tendon.

By John Mullin

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

The Bears’ 2016 injury situation took another dire turn Sunday when linebacker and defensive co-captain Danny Trevathan went down in the closing minutes with what coach John Fox said is a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee.

Trevathan, a primary Bears target in this year’s free agency, had to be helped off the field and was transported via cart under the stadium. The injury finishes a painful year for the inside linebacker who led the Super Bowl-winning Denver Broncos in tackles before signing a four-year contract worth $24.5 million, of which $12 million was guaranteed, on March 9.

“He's obviously a very talented player, one that we targeted and went after,” Fox said on Monday. “Unfortunately he did have that thumb injury that required surgery earlier in the season. He looked very good in all the offseason work, even in training camp.

“Unfortunately this happened to him, it was a semi-contact injury, kind of behind the ball, he planted wrong and the injury occurred. He'll fight back, he's been through it before. Had a similar injury a couple years ago that he worked through, and he'll do the same off of this one.”

Trevathan had what was reported as a dislocated left patellar tendon in 2014, which ended that season for him. That came after two separate fractures in the left knee area.

Depending on the outcome of surgery and the overall severity of this latest injury,
Trevathan’s future might be uncertain. Former Bears wide receiver Wendell Davis ruptured his patellar tendons during a game on the notoriously dangerous artificial turf at Veterans Stadium in a 1993 game against the Eagles and took the next year off to rehab but was unable to play again.

This marks the second year in which the Bears have been struck with an injury to their No. 1 target in free agency. Last year it was linebacker Pernell McPhee, who was slowed and eventually sidelined by knee issues, required offseason surgery and did not return until the team's seventh game of this season.

Bears promote receiver Daniel Braverman from practice squad.

By Tony Andracki

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

The Bears will get a look at seventh-round pick Daniel Braverman, promoting the receiver from the practice squad to the active roster.

Two days after the Bears receiving corps dropped 10 passes, Braverman will get a shot to show what he can do with five games remaining.

In April, the Bears made Braverman the 230th overall pick out of Western Michigan, where he caught 213 passes for 2,509 yards and 19 touchdowns over three seasons.

He recorded 108 catches for 1,367 yards and 13 TDs in 13 games in 2015.

Braverman has not appeared in a game yet for the Bears this season, spending all of 2016 on the practice squad.

The Bears also signed tight end Justin Perillo to the practice squad and officially moved linebacker Danny Trevathan to injured reserve.

Perillo has played in 20 games with one start with the Green Bay Packers over the last three seasons, recording 15 catches for 137 yards and a score.

Just Another Chicago Bulls Session..... Los Angeles Lakers vs. Chicago Bulls Preview 11-30-2016.

Scores and Stats

Following their longest road trip of the season and a much-needed four-day break, the Chicago Bulls get back at it Wednesday night when they host the Los Angeles Lakers. The Bulls finished a six-game voyage at 4-2 after a 105-89 win in Philadelphia on Friday and now get to play nine of the next 12 at the United Center, where they are 4-1.

The Bulls enter the stretch brimming with confidence and planning to continue a rise toward the top of the Eastern Conference, where Friday's opponent - the Cleveland Cavaliers - reign supreme. "When you have a team new together, once you get to that point where you realize you're a good team, then you become a good team," Dwyane Wade told reporters. "And I think on this trip, with the way we performed, we started to understand that we're a good team and we can play with anyone in any building." Wade sat out Chicago's victory over the Lakers in Los Angeles midway through the trip but averaged 22.6 in the other five games. Los Angeles opened a four-game trip of their own with a whimper, falling 105-88 at New Orleans on Tuesday and losing guard Nick Young to an Achilles injury in the process.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles), CSN Chicago

ABOUT THE LAKERS (9-10): Young needed to be carried into the locker room after suffering his injury in the first quarter at New Orleans. The 10-year veteran, who entered the game averaging 14.1 points while shooting 41.8 percent from long range, will undergo an MRI exam in Chicago. The Lakers are already without starter D'Angelo Russell (knee) and fellow point guards Jose Calderon and Jordan Clarkson combined to shoot 5-for-19 with four turnovers versus the Pelicans.

ABOUT THE BULLS (10-6): As Wade finds his footing with his new team, holdover Jimmy Butler is taking his game to new heights and fashioned a scoring average of 28.3 on the trip. That included a 40-point effort on 14-of-23 shooting at Los Angeles and Butler - like Wade - saw something special emerge on the road. "Something about this group of guys, we just always want to be around each other," Butler told reporters after Tuesday's practice. "We realize we're all we have whenever we step out onto the United Center floor or an away game. It's us, it's these coaches, it's this organization."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Chicago has won five straight meetings at home.

2. Lakers PF Julius Randle (hip pointer) returned Tuesday from a three-game absence and produced his fourth double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds).

3. Bulls F Doug McDermott (concussion) has missed six straight games but reportedly participated in non-contact drills Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Bulls 115, Lakers 97

Tough December schedule both an opportunity and a test of Bulls' newfound chemistry.

By Vincent Goodwill

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg has repeatedly said the Bulls vets have set the tone for the bevy of young players on the roster, leading to a better-than-predicted start to the season.

And with Jimmy Butler’s almost incredulous laugh when asked about his teammates coming into practice early and staying late, one can tell exactly how the example is established and followed.

“I think of it like this: I don’t see what else you have to do all day. I don’t,” Butler said. “Like the job that we have it’s incredibly lenient. Like, you practice for an hour and a half, what do you do the rest of your day? Why don’t you come in here, work on your game? Shoot? Watch some film? All you’re going to do is sit at home and play some video games on your phone anyways.”

Being that Butler is the poster child for hard work and internal improvement, having made three sizeable leaps in his seven-year career and in the conversation as one of the league’s top 10 performers so far, work ethic is what he respects.

Hard work is what he expects as a leader whose voice is counted on and respected.

“These guys are buying into that, which is great,” Butler said. “And when you fall in love with the process you find out that your confidence only comes from the work anyways.”

At least to this point, playing on a team where anything less than a full effort can make one subject of ridicule in film sessions or practices — essentially being shamed into playing hard — is working to this point.

“It’s fun. Because now, we’re all competitors, so now you’re all competing in everything,” Butler said. “(Rajon) Rondo’s out there competing in 3s. Me, D-Wade, everybody. No matter what it is you want to compete, you want to be around your guys. That’s just building a bond.”

Butler has called Wade “critical” to his success this season, and Wade has pushed Butler while deferring and being extremely complementary.

“For me, he’s just adding a little extra recipe to what he already has. I’m a chef, he’s a cook,” Wade said. “Try to make him a chef. He’s having an unbelievable season. He can do this. What he’s doing now, this is not a facade.

“He loves the game. He loves playing the game. He’s one of those guys, when he doesn’t play well, when the team doesn’t play well, he doesn’t sleep. He’s watching film all the time. He’s the perfect student.”

Second-year forward Bobby Portis has said this has the feel of a college team with how much the players hang out with one another. Butler organized a team activity on the West Coast trip of “Escape Room,” where the players had to find clues in the effort to escape a locked room before the time expired.

“As much as you see guys around each other, you'd think we live in a a dorm together,” Butler said. “We all leave the building at the same time, we all eat together or are at somebody else's house. You would think, good or bad, that we are a college team. We're always talking in a group chat or competing, something about this group of guys, we always wanna be around each other.”

Being 10-6 makes it easy for guys to want to be around each other, but Butler certainly knows all the feel-good stories about team chemistry only apply if the wins far outweigh the losses.

“I told y'all that all last year. It's all fine and dandy when you're winning,” Butler said. “You lose a couple games, it seems everything goes to (spells out expletive).”

And with December having so many games at home after a road-heavy November, the opportunity comes for the Bulls to separate themselves from the Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets — or at the least, solidify themselves as more than an early surprise.

“I'm confident that these guys, each and every time they step on the floor, they're going to go out and compete and that's where it starts,” Hoiberg said. “You've got to go out and play with energy, you've got to play with an edge, and our guys for the most part have done that this season. We've got a tough stretch coming up here, starting with the Lakers tomorrow.”

Of their 17 December games, only three don’t come within a three-in-four-night stretch or four-in-five. While 11 of them are at home, there don’t appear to be many in the easy category.

“All these games are (important). We don't want to lose none of them,” Butler said. “If we could be 82-0, we could. We can't now. Every game is important, especially at home. That's a thing we emphasize. We say it before every game. Home games really matter. These are the ones you must win.”

CUBS: What the Jon Jay deal means for the Cubs and Dexter Fowler.

By Patrick Mooney

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

The Cubs and Dexter Fowler appear to be heading in opposite directions, with the World Series champs adding Jon Jay to their outfield mix while the “you go, we go” leadoff guy waits to finally land that big, multiyear contract.    

This doesn’t automatically slam the door shut on Fowler’s return, a team source said Tuesday after the Cubs finalized Jay’s one-year, $8 million deal. But the Cubs understand it would take something completely unexpected to bring back Fowler, the way they shocked the baseball world in spring training, days after he reportedly agreed to a three-year, $35 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles.

Without that $13 million investment in Fowler, it’s difficult to see the Cubs winning the franchise’s first World Series title in 108 years. Fowler took full advantage of the platform, earning his first All-Star selection, getting on base almost 40 percent of the time, hitting 13 homers with 25 doubles and seven triples and setting himself up for a huge payday, even with the added cost of a draft pick after the Cubs made him another qualifying offer (assuming that concept survives this round of collective bargaining).   

At the very least, the Cubs figure Jay will fill Chris Coghlan’s role as an extra outfielder and a left-handed hitter off the bench. But the Cubs also envision Jay complementing Albert Almora Jr. in center field and being a strong veteran presence in a clubhouse that will miss retiring catcher David Ross.

Almora – the first player Theo Epstein’s regime drafted here in 2012 – shared his excitement on his Twitter account: “Pumped for @jonjayU to join the squad!!!! #MiamiBoyz.”  

Jay, 31, also grew up in South Florida, going to the University of Miami and developing into a second-round pick of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006. Jay played in 12 postseason series with the Cardinals between 2011 and 2015 and won a World Series ring before getting shipped to the San Diego Padres in the Jedd Gyorko trade last winter.

Jay had surgery on his left wrist before the 2015 season and didn’t look like the same player, hitting .210 and appearing in only 79 games with the Cardinals. He recovered to hit .291 for the Padres, but a broken right forearm limited him to only 90 games.

If Jay can stay healthy, his .352 career on-base percentage and ability to play all three outfield positions should fit in a powerful lineup that values versatility.   

Jay – who owns a career .996 fielding percentage in center field, the highest mark for any active player (minimum 500 games) at the position – also joins a team that led the majors in defensive efficiency last season.

Jay follows big-game pitcher John Lackey and Gold Glove outfielder Jason Heyward – who can also play center – as ex-Cardinals who have left St. Louis and switched sides in the rivalry. The next chapter could even see Fowler in Cardinal red, with St. Louis believed to have some interest at the right price.

Baseball America names Cubs as organization of the year.

By Tony Andracki

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

Big surprise: The World Champion Cubs were named as organization of the year.

Baseball America tabbed the Cubs as the top organization in MLB in 2016, but they don't always choose the World Series winner.

In 2015, the Pittsburgh Pirates won BA's honor despite losing to the Cubs in the NL wild card game. In 2014, the Kansas City Royals were BA's organization of the year despite losing to Madison Bumgarner and the San Francisco Giants in the World Series.

BA pointed to the Cubs' success at the big-league level in 2016 as the nomination for organization of the year, but it goes beyond that:

The infrastructure Epstein, Hoyer and Co. put in place culminated in the Cubs winning 103 games this year, making their first World Series appearance since 1945 and, of course, winning their first World Series title since 1908. For that, the Cubs are the 2016 Baseball America Organization of the Year.

“It’s over-talked about, but every team has their own way of doing things, and we were trying to make the ‘Cubs way’ inclusive,” Hoyer said. “Have everybody have their opinions heard and have it be sort of an organic thing. I think that was a big part of it. We weren’t trying to dictate our own philosophy. We were trying to build a philosophy with the people here and I think that was effective.”

Baseball America also looked at the Cubs' future, highlighting 15 players on the World Series 25-man roster who are 28 or younger.

How Cubs plan to move forward with Javier Baez and Ben Zobrist.

By Patrick Mooney

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

If the Cubs never came that close to trading Javier Baez when he had been a Triple-A prospect with so much boom-or-bust potential – after a rough big-league debut where it looked like he might strike out 200-plus times a season – then they aren’t going to do it now that he’s become an indispensible part of a World Series team.

If the Cubs agreed with the idea Ben Zobrist would have a better chance of staying productive into his late 30s by focusing on one position – which helped frame a four-year, $56 million contract that includes two more seasons of full no-trade protection – then they aren’t going to permanently move a World Series MVP off second base and into the outfield.

But this won’t become an either-or scenario, because Baez is such a transcendent talent, Zobrist is such a good teammate and Joe Maddon is such a creative manager.

“We’re going to continue to lean on the versatility of all the players involved,” team president Theo Epstein said, “and (use) that to get some rest for guys and continue to put a good lineup out there every day and try to tailor the offense for that day’s opposing starting pitcher, as well as the defense for our starting pitcher.

“(We’ll) continue to try to be thoughtful about it, but not commit to any one position for any one player, except for some of the obvious ones.”

It will be hard to top the “multiple bank shot” Epstein pulled off at last year’s winter meetings, trading Starlin Castro to the New York Yankees to open up second base, free up money and win the Zobrist bidding war with an offer that didn’t top the $60 million guarantees from the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants. The Cubs bookended that move by signing veteran pitcher John Lackey and Gold Glove outfielder Jason Heyward away from the St. Louis Cardinals and forever changing that rivalry.

When – or if – the industry gathers again next week for the winter meetings at the National Harbor in Maryland, it could be under a cloud of uncertainty. All that hinges on Major League Baseball’s owners and the players’ union finalizing a new collective bargaining agreement by the time the current labor deal expires on Thursday. But whatever happens, Epstein’s staff has already done most of the heavy lifting for the defending World Series champs.

During that unforgettable playoff run, Baez transformed from a super-utility guy/defensive replacement/raw offensive talent into a center of attention, a national audience suddenly recognizing his sixth sense for tags, slick fielding, clutch hitting and daring base-running.

Maddon immediately saw all that potential and lobbied for Baez to make the 2015 Opening Day roster, an internal debate he did not win, though the decision to stay patient paid off big time. Maddon has predicted that Baez will someday stop bouncing around the infield and settle into one position. But even as Baez emerged as a National League Championship Series co-MVP – and started all 17 postseason games at second base – Maddon didn’t necessarily see that happening in 2017.

“It just depends on how we configure the team,” Maddon said during the World Series. “(With Kyle) Schwarber being healthy, and then what do you do in center field? (There’s) Heyward and then there comes Zobrist’s name, so how do you configure all that?

“I don’t know the answers to those questions right now. I’m just saying those are the kind of questions you’ll ask and try to address in the offseason when I have a chance to talk with Theo and (GM) Jed (Hoyer) once the offseason kicks in.”

Baez also looked lost at times against the Cleveland Indians, going 5-for-30 with zero walks and 13 strikeouts. This is a player who will turn 24 on Thursday and still hasn’t spent a wire-to-wire season in the big leagues yet. The Cubs ran that risk-reward calculus in Game 7, when Baez committed two careless errors at second base and then led off the fifth inning by driving a Corey Kluber slider over Progressive Field’s center-field wall, knocking out the Cy Young Award winner.

Zobrist came as advertised, showing why he developed into one of Maddon’s all-time favorite players during their time together with the Tampa Bay Rays and a World Series champion with the Kansas City Royals. This lineup absolutely needed Zobrist’s switch-hitting presence, inner confidence and sense of calm, a leader by example for the young Cubs.

“I can’t say that he’s not (our second baseman),” Maddon said during Zobrist’s MVP performance. “Right now, he’s been playing left field, yes, but down the road I can’t tell you that for sure. Not at all.

“He’s in a good place. He’s had good at-bats. He’s had a good postseason again. But that has nothing to do with next year. That’s just for right now.”

Winning 103 games only reinforced the importance of depth and flexibility, how a Cubs team stocked with interchangeable parts could withstand a marathon that lasted more than eight months and still peak at the right time.

Baez is insurance against another hamstring injury sidelining All-Star shortstop Addison Russell, coverage in case NL MVP Kris Bryant needs to move off third base and play more in the outfield or fill in for Gold Glove/Silver Slugger first baseman Anthony Rizzo.

Baez, Russell and Zobrist already went to Disney World. Though Zobrist and the middle infielders of the future are at different points in their careers, the Cubs will all have the same idea in mind in 2017: Repeating.

White Sox rebuild to revolve around key arm.

By Scott Merkin

(Photo/chicagowhitesox.com)

As Winter Meetings near, Hahn keeping open mind about potential Sale deal.

Picture this: Rick Hahn walks into a meeting room at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md., during the upcoming Winter Meetings from Dec. 4-8 and sits down at a table with hats from four different Major League Baseball teams in front of him.

The White Sox general manager then lifts the hat of the particular team making the chosen trade offer for staff ace Chris Sale.

OK, there's no chance this scenario will play out. But in some ways, the White Sox perceived rebuild is akin to what a top high school player goes through in the recruitment process, especially where a potential deal involving Sale is concerned.

MLB.com and MLB Network will have wall-to-wall coverage of the 2016 Winter Meetings from the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center outside Washington, D.C. Fans can watch live streaming of all news conferences and manager availability on MLB.com, including the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 8 at 8 a.m. CT.

Numerous teams have been in contact with Hahn and the White Sox about acquiring one of the best starters in the game, a move that could be the tipping point for a more extensive rebuilding process and could take place at the upcoming Meetings. They have presented their group of young talent as a return, and the prevailing school of thought is eventually a destination will be chosen by the South Siders.

Unlike a recruit having to make a collegiate choice, the White Sox could keep Sale if their demands aren't met. They have control over the southpaw through 2019, including two team options, so they need to win this deal or at least do a solid job of breaking even.

Some room to maneuver exists for the White Sox. In terms of teams who have the talent pool to acquire Sale -- the Dodgers, Nationals, Cubs, Astros, Red Sox, Rangers, Yankees and Braves -- the White Sox have identified the player or players they must have in order to make the deal work.

Sale, fellow All-Star starter Jose Quintana and Gold Glove-caliber right fielder Adam Eaton draw the most attention as a function of the potential rebuild because of their talent and team control. They also would bring back the most young talent. Other veterans such as closer David Robertson, third baseman Todd Frazier, first baseman Jose Abreu, left-hander Dan Jennings and left fielder Melky Cabrera will draw interest, reinforcing the point that nobody is untouchable.

There are definite needs to be filled by the White Sox. They have Omar Narvaez at catcher, but they are looking for another controllable, everyday backstop. Center field and designated hitter also remain targets, with free agency an option, but these openings are most likely to be filled via trade.

Hahn has yet to specify the direction of the team, other than explaining that short-term fixes are not an option for an organization he described late last season as "mired in mediocrity." He also has not laid out any sort of timetable for the direction to become apparent, but he could be a busy man next week.

"The pace and magnitude of any of our moves, regardless of the direction, is going to be dictated by the market," said Hahn at the General Managers Meetings in Arizona.

Saladino working back to be stronger than before.

By Scott Merkin

(Photo/chicagowhitesox.com)

Herniation cut short '16 season; offseason regimen has issue under control.

The main issue Tyler Saladino had to deal with during the final week of November was getting stuck in a massive traffic jam, a seemingly common problem for any California native.

As for the back problem -- a herniated disk L5 on his right side, to be precise -- that ended his strong 2016 season on Sept. 21, the 27-year-old White Sox infielder is not only without pain but also feeling confident the malady stands under control.

Saladino took three weeks off after the season doing nothing much but swimming. He then began an extensive physical therapy program at a place located in the Scripps Ranch community of San Diego about 10 minutes from his family's residence and recommended by White Sox head athletic trainer Herm Schneider.

"It actually has turned out to be the best-case scenario because they kind of have everything under one roof," said Saladino, who hit .282 over 93 games in 2016. "I'm able to see the physical therapist, and then they can use their expertise and communication skills with strength guys, and then there's also Pilates.

"There's chiropractic work. There's an acupuncturist involved with them as well. My back, I feel actually really good right now and strong and all that. I haven't had any symptoms. It's actually been the opposite. It has been feeling really good, knock on wood or whatever. It's been a good progression."

Hearing the word "herniation" concerning his back first gave Saladino pause for thought about a condition with the unfortunate potential to get worse. But an epidural during the season's final week helped immediately.

This current work has been informative beyond its positive effect on Saladino's body. As an example, doing a common exercise a little bit different targets all the little stabilizing muscles in the back that most people are not aware of.

"Only after the first week that my back was actually feeling strong," Saladino said, "with my posture and all the other things -- bending over, getting out of bed, all that stuff that kind of [stunk] at the end of the year -- I could actually feel really good, and I feel strong.

"Now after three weeks of that, I started doing some Pilates. I've never done it before, but the amount of core work that goes into that is … oh my goodness. The strengthening side of stuff right now has been going really well."

After taking part in a White Sox-themed trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, this weekend, which also includes Jose Quintana, Harold Baines, Ron Kittle and numerous fans, Saladino wants to begin speed work improvement upon his return to the San Diego area. Saladino picked up 11 stolen bases last season but plans on raising that total for the good of the team.

"That can be a game changer," Saladino said. "I did some speed training my first offseason that actually … I never thought I could be fast because I've always been an average runner, but it did make a big difference.

"I've tried to keep up with that the best I can. Now, getting back into a full speed-training deal or what not, to get as fast as I possibly can, it's a way I can get those bags when needed at a more successful rate and more frequently than I have."

Golf: I got a club for that..... Hero World Challenge Tee Times, TV Schedule.

Golf Wire

(Photo/Golf Wire)

Tiger Woods 'Ready to Go' for Hero World Challenge Tiger Woods is more confident about his return than ever after spending hours on the range ahead of the Hero World Challenge. Tee times for the Hero World Challenge were released Monday, and Tiger Woods will be paired with Patrick Reed for his first two rounds since August 2015.

Woods and Reed will tee off at noon ET on Thursday in the sixth group off at Albany in the Bahamas. The tournament will kick off with American Olympians Bubba Watson and Rickie Fowler in the first group.

The entire list of tee times and TV schedule are listed below.

TV Schedule:

Thursday, Dec. 1: Golf Channel (1:30-4:30pm ET)

Friday, Dec. 2: Golf Channel (1:30-4:30pm ET)

Saturday, Dec. 3: Golf Channel (12-2:30pm ET), NBC (2:30-5pm ET)

Sunday, Dec. 4: Golf Channel (11am-1pm ET), NBC (1-4pm ET)

Tee Times

11:10 a.m. – Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler

11:20 a.m. – Jimmy Walker, Brandt Snedeker

11:30 a.m. – J.B. Holmes, Zach Johnson

11:40 a.m. – Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson

11:50 a.m. – Jordan Spieth, Matt Kuchar

12:00 p.m. – Tiger Woods, Patrick Reed

12:10 p.m. – Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka

12:20 p.m. – Hideki Matsuyama, Louis Oosthuizen

12:30 p.m. – Emiliano Grillo, Russell Knox

Hero World Challenge odds: Johnson, Spieth favorites; Tiger Woods a long shot.

By Kyle Porter

There are 18 incredible golfers teeing it up at the Hero World Challenge, but D.J. is the man to beat.

The 18-golfer Hero World Challenge begins Thursday, and Dustin Johnson is the favorite to win the tournament by a narrow margin over Jordan Spieth and Hideki Matsuyama. Johnson last won at the BMW Championship in September while Spieth won the Australian Open two weeks ago. Matsuyama won at the HSBC Champions in November.

Tournament host Tiger Woods is 28-1 to win this week, which is actually the same as PGA Championship winner Jimmy Walker and ahead of J.B. Holmes and Zach Johnson. Woods has a chance to be all right this weekend in the Bahamas, but he doesn't have a chance to win.

Recent winners of this event include Bubba Watson (2015), Spieth (2014), Zach Johnson (2013), Graeme McDowell (who has won it twice) and Tiger (who has won it five times). This is just the second year it has been played in the Bahamas (2015 was the other).

• Dustin Johnson: 5-1
• Jordan Spieth: 6-1
• Hideki Matsuyama: 8-1
• Brooks Koepka: 10-1
• Henrik Stenson: 10-1
• Patrick Reed: 12-1
• Rickie Fowler: 16-1
• Justin Rose: 16-1
• Bubba Watson: 16-1
• Russell Knox: 25-1
• Matt Kuchar: 25-1
• Emiliano Grillo: 28-1
• Louis Oosthuizen: 28-1
• Brandt Snedeker: 28-1
• Tiger Woods: 28-1
• Jimmy Walker: 28-1
• J.B. Holmes: 33-1
• Zach Johnson: 33-1

Woods at Hero: 'I’m going to try to win this thing'.

By Jay Collins

(Photo/Golf Wire)

Tiger Woods’ tune was much different than it was a year ago when he couldn’t get out of bed without help and said anything else that happened in his playing career would be “gravy.”

This year at the Hero World Challenge, however, it was more similar to the one we’ve heard for most of the last 20 years.

“I’m entered in an event, I’m going to try to win this thing,” Woods said Tuesday in his pre-tournament news conference at the Bahamas event he hosts. “I know that’s a tall order since I’ve been away from the game for so long and I’ve made a lot of different changes in my game, but the mindset’s still the same.

“I know they’re going to try and beat me. I’m going to try and beat them.”

Woods declared himself ready and says there are no particular parts of his game that he’s worried about. The biggest concern, he insists, is how his body will react to competing inside the ropes for the first time in 16 months.

“I haven’t had adrenaline in my system in a while and having that surge of adrenaline through my system, how much farther is this ball going to be going,” he wondered. “I know it generally is a half a club, but is it going to be more than that because I haven’t played or is it going to be less than that or be about that?”

NASCAR: Could NASCAR be dropping the 'Cup Series' moniker in 2017 and beyond?

By Nick Bromberg

NASCAR has reportedly pitched potential sponsors without “Cup” in the Cup Series name. (Photo/Getty)

Is the era of the Cup Series over?

According to a Sports Business Daily report, NASCAR has approached potential sponsors for the now-former Sprint Cup Series by referring to the top level as the “premier series.” NASCAR’s No. 1 series has been referred to as the Cup Series since 1971 when Winston became the series’ title sponsor.

The word “Cup” stayed in the name when Nextel took over for Winston after the 2003 season. Sprint’s final year as the Cup Series sponsor was 2016 and the sanctioning body has not announced a new title sponsor for 2017 and beyond.

From SBD:

In at least some sales pitches, NASCAR has referred to the Cup Series as its “premier series” with no reference to the word “Cup,“ which would represent a notable brand change if it comes to fruition. Whether NASCAR had pitched any companies on a deal that would keep “Cup” included was unclear.

NASCAR declined comment to SBD. In a likely not-so-coincidental occurrence, JTG-Daugherty Racing referred to the Cup Series as the “premier series” multiple times in its release about signing Chris Buescher for a second car in 2017. Though Roush Fenway Racing referred to the top level as the “Cup Series” in its release Tuesday.

Dropping the “Cup” from the Cup Series sponsorship would help make a potential Monster Energy sponsorship more palatable. The energy drink company has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Sprint and as we’ve noted before, the “Monster Cup” sounds like something more associated with a fast-food restaurant than a top-level racing series.

But should NASCAR make the word “Cup” negotiable? NASCAR has an older fanbase and much of that fanbase — or at least a very vocal minority — is incredibly nostalgic for the sport’s past. Cutting off one of the last (symbolic) links to the time of Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt’s championships seems like an easy way to infuriate and easily-infuriated segment of fans.

Maybe NASCAR thinks any short-term outrage is worth the potential long-term benefit$. The Chase was a break in tradition and NASCAR has shown no signs of wavering from the format despite myriad changes since its inception in 2004. There are very few constants in NASCAR’s sea of change.

Tony Stewart retirement leaves one less driver who was ever Intimidated.

By Daniel McFadin

(Photo/nbcsports.com)

When NASCAR’s best gather in Las Vegas this weekend for the Sprint Cup Awards, someone needs to take a very specific picture.

The people who pose for the picture are part of a very exclusive club. It’s a club that stopped accepting members on Feb. 18, 2001 and loses members almost every year.

This picture would feature full-time Sprint Cup drivers who once raced against seven-time champion Dale Earnhardt Sr.

Had the club portrait been taken just last year the group of drivers would have included Bobby Labonte, Michael Waltrip,  Jeff Gordon (with the knowledge he’d be a substitute driver in 2016) and Tony Stewart.

Now Stewart is retired from NASCAR competition and Gordon is really retired. Labonte and Waltrip have not announced plans for next season.

How large is the club’s membership now 15 years after Earnhardt died in a last-lap crash in the 2001 Daytona 500?

When the green flag drops on the 59th Daytona 500 on Feb. 26, only four drivers in the field – Dale Earnhardt Jr., Matt Kenseth, Ryan Newman and Kurt Busch – will be able to boast that.

The last addition to the club of the four was Newman.

Two years before his rookie season in 2002, Newman made his Cup debut in the Checker Auto Parts / Dura Lube 500k at Phoenix International Raceway. At 22, Newman started 10th and finished 41st after engine problems. Earnhardt started 31st and finished ninth.

Busch made eight starts against Earnhardt, the first coming on Sept. 24, 2000 in the MBNA.com 400 at Dover International Speedway.

His eighth start was the 2001 Daytona 500. Years later, Busch proudly lays claim to being one of, if not the last driver, to ever be Intimidated.

The moment came on Lap 85, with Busch and Earnhardt running next to each other in the top five. Busch was driving the No. 97 Ford for Roush Fenway Racing.

“My ‘Welcome to NASCAR Moment’ was probably the finger out the window from Dale at Daytona,” Busch told the Las-Vegas Review Journal in 2011. “It was my first Daytona 500, and I got the finger out the window. I thought I was minding my own business in the middle lane, but when it’s Senior, you gotta move over and let him through.

“He was on his way to the front.”

Earnhardt Jr. and Kenseth will be the only full-time Cup drivers in 2017 who competed in a full season against Earnhardt Sr.

Both drivers had their rookie seasons in 2000, with Kenseth winning Rookie of the Year. But both made five starts in 1999, with Earnhardt Jr.’s first coming in the Coca-Cola 600.

However it’s Kenseth, now 44, who made the earliest start against the Man in Black.
On Sept. 20, 1998, at the age of 26, Kenseth was called on to substitute for Bill Elliott in the MBNA Gold 400 at Dover.

Driving Elliott’s No. 94 McDonald’s Ford, Kenseth started 16th and finished sixth. Earnhardt, starting last, finished 23rd.

Other active NASCAR drivers (in 2016) who competed against Dale Earnhardt Sr.

Elliott Sadler (33 Xfinity Series in 2016)

Morgan Shepherd (23 Xfinity starts in 2016)

Jeff Green (29 Xfinity starts in 2016)

Derrike Cope (24 Xfinity starts in 2016)

Mike Bliss (Three Xfinity and Truck Series starts in 2016)

Joe Nemechek (Two Xfinity starts in 2016)

Hermie Sadler (Two Xfinity starts in 2016)

Todd Bodine (One Xfinity start in 2016)

Ken Schrader (One Truck start in 2016)

Cadillac reveals DPi car ahead of IMSA comeback in 2017.

By Luke Smith

(Photo/IMSA)

Cadillac has revealed its new Daytona Prototype international (DPi) car ahead of its return to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2017.

Cadillac will return to the premier class of an IMSA-sanctioned series in 2017 after 14 years away, supplying cars to Action Express Racing and Wayne Taylor Racing.

The American manufacturer revealed renders of its new DPi car on Wednesday as the countdown continues until its race debut at the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January.

Here is the release in full from IMSA.

“Cadillac is proud to return to the pinnacle of prototype racing in North America after a 14-year absence.”

Those were the words used by Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen to confirm that three Cadillac Daytona Prototype international (DPi) race cars will compete in the full 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Prototype (P) class, beginning with the 55th Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 28-29, 2017. The new car will be known as the Cadillac DPi-V.R and is the first prototype race car from the New York-headquartered manufacturer since 2002.

“It is not possible to overstate how thrilled all of us at IMSA are to officially welcome Cadillac, one of the world’s most respected premium automotive brands, back to Prototype racing in the WeatherTech Championship,” said IMSA President Scott Atherton. “This is exactly the type of program we had in mind when we announced the Daytona Prototype international concept last year.

“As we open a new era of Prototype competition in 2017, we now have three benchmark examples of manufacturers using this platform to showcase their impressive and unique technology at the highest level. We cannot wait to get the new era underway in just a few short weeks at Daytona.”

The manufacturer confirmed that Action Express Racing and Wayne Taylor Racing each will field Cadillac DPi-V.R machines next season. Action Express, which has won the last three WeatherTech Championship Prototype titles, will have a pair of Cadillacs, while the Wayne Taylor Racing team continues its longstanding relationship with General Motors through a one-car effort.

“Cadillac’s V-Performance production models — the ATS-V and CTS-V — are transforming our brand’s product substance, earning a place among the world’s elite high performance marques,” de Nysschen said. “The Cadillac DPi-V.R further strengthens our V-Performance portfolio, placing Cadillac into the highest series of sports car racing in North America.”

The Cadillac DPi-V.R will be powered by a normally aspirated, 6.2-liter Cadillac V-8 engine, which shares inherent architecture with engines that power the third-generation Cadillac CTS-V and fifth-generation Cadillac Escalade production vehicles. The chassis for the Cadillac DPi-V.R was designed in cooperation with Dallara with styling cues inspired by Cadillac’s current line of V-Performance high-performance production models, specifically the Cadillac CTS-V.

“The DPi-V.R race car was an exciting new canvas for the Cadillac design and sculpting team,” said Andrew Smith, Global Cadillac Design executive director. “The studio embraced the opportunity to interpret the Cadillac form language, line work and graphic signature for this premier prototype racing application. Every detail of the final design was selected to support the car’s on-track performance and unmistakable Cadillac presence.”

The new Cadillac DPi-V.R will make its public on-track debut during a two-day IMSA-sanctioned test at Daytona International Speedway on Dec. 13-14.

Cadillac joins Mazda and Nissan as confirmed DPi manufacturers for IMSA’s top Prototype class, which also will include international LM P2 prototype chassis from Riley/Multimatic, Ligier, ORECA and Dallara, powered by single-specification Gibson V8 engines.

SOCCER: Airplane Crash; Fairytale to tragedy: Chapecoense the “Leicester City of Brazil”.

By Joe Prince-Wright

(Photo/Getty Images)

Chapecoense’s dramatic rise to the top levels of South American soccer has been halted in the most tragic way imaginable.

Late on Monday a charter plane transporting 77 people, including the Chapecoense team and its officials, crashed on its final approach to the Colombian city of Medellin, killing 71 people.

Chapecoense were due to play the Copa Sudamericana final (the South American equivalent of the UEFA Europa League) first leg against Atletico Nacional on Wednesday and they had captured the imagination of fans across Brazil and South America with their incredible rise from the fourth-tier of Brazilian soccer in 2009 to the top-flight in 2013 and on the brink of winning a continental title.

What could have become the finest week in the small clubs history had become a monumental tragedy.

With only a reported five survivors from the crash, three of them are believed to be Chapecoense players Jakson Follmann, Alan Ruschel and Heilio Neto.

Chapecoense manager Caio Junior, 51, is believed to have died among with his coaching staff and most of his players, plus 21 journalists perished on the flight, with arcraft mechanic Erwin Tumiri and journalist Rafael Valmorbida the only other survivors.

Speaking after a marquee win against Brazilian powerhouse Fluminese back in September, Cadu likened his teams rise to that of Leicester City, the 5000-1 shots who stunned the soccer world to win the Premier League in the 2015-16 season.

“Our team really reminds me of Leicester, a team from an unfancied city that was able to win an important title. I want to make a mark this season with this club, this group of players,” Cadu said.

Their star player was former Atletico Madrid and Real Mallorca midfielder Cleber Santana but aside from that they were a team full of tough, hard-working players from the unassuming city of Chapeco in southern Brazil. They had gone on a glorious run through the Copa Sudamericana and reached the final, knocking off Argentinian sides Independiente and San Lorenzo on the way to becoming the first Brazilian team in three years to reach a continental final.

After their incredible rise through the Brazilian leagues to the top-flight for the first time since 1979 (they were on course for a top 10 finish ahead of the final game of the Brazilian Serie A season) this two-legged final was meant to be the pinnacle for Chapecoense. It was the most important week in club history, manager Cadu had said before his team set off on their journey to Medellin.

Now, he and many others will never return and the sheer scale of the tragedy has led to three days of national mourning in Brazil.

Chapecoense were truly a team which captured the imagination of the people.

Below is a list of the Chapecoense players said to be on the flight to Medellin ahead of the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final, only three of which are said to have survived.

Danilo
Gimenez
Rafael Lima
Neto – Survived
Josimar
Dener
Lourency
Gil (on loan from Coritiba)
Bruno Rangel
Hyoran
Ananias (on loan from Cruzeiro)
Marcelo Boeck
Marcelo
Mateus Caramelo (on loan from São Paulo)
Lucas Gomes (on loan from Londrina)Willian Thiego
Moises
Nenem
Kempes
Sergio Manoel
Nivaldo
Jakson Follmann – Survived
Claudio Winck (on loan from Internacional)
Demerson
Filipe Machado
Arthur Maia (on loan from Vitoria)
Ailton Canela
Matheus Biteco (on loan from Hoffenheim)
Rafael Bastos
Alejandro Martinuccio
Cleber Santana (captain)
Alan Ruschel (on loan from Internacional) – Survived
Tiaguinho

Arena: USMNT ‘behind the eight ball’ in World Cup qualifying.

Associated Press

(Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Bruce Arena opened a binder to a page with 48 names, his depth chart for the U.S. soccer team.

Back in charge for the first time in a decade, he views the Americans’ state as urgent following losses in the first two games of the final round of World Cup qualifying and already has plans.

“We’re fighting for our lives starting March 24. We’re behind the eight ball,” he said. “We’ve got to close the gap, and we get six points in the next two games, the gap is closed.”

During an hour-long session with reporters Tuesday, Arena said comments he made in 2013 about foreign-born players on the national team were aimed at the U.S. player development system, not a criticism of German-Americans who made up almost a quarter of the 2014 World Cup roster under Jurgen Klinsmann.

“I was told today, somebody, they referenced me in Spain as the Donald Trump of soccer,” Arena said. “I think that I’m at fault obviously for those statements, but I would like to clear that up. It’s absolutely ridiculous. It’s no way in the way I think.”

“I think the phrase foreign nationals is a very poor term, whoever uses it, and I will not use it. I will not use dual citizens. They’re national team players,” he explained. “The comment regarding foreign-born players, at the time I believe was referencing player development. And I was simply saying that if our senior national team program consists of a large minority of players, large majority of players that were born elsewhere, where are we going with our development? It has nothing to do with who should be playing on the national team, who should not.”

Now 65 and a member of the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame, Arena coached the U.S. from 1998-2006 and is the winningest coach in team history. He led the Americans to the 2002 World Cup quarterfinals, their best finish since the first tournament in 1930, then was fired after a first-round elimination in 2006. He took over from Klinsmann last week following a 2-1 home loss to Mexico and a 4-0 rout at Costa Rica.

“Mexico certainly came out and took control of the game early, and I don’t think that should happen at home,” Arena said. “I think the game in Costa Rica was not good from start to finish. In general, I think the theme in both games: Our back line played poorly, and I don’t think they’re poor players. I think they can play better, so we’ve got to get them organized, get the right players in the right spots and get them playing better as a unit.”

Arena plans to open training camp in Carson, California, around Jan. 8 and follow with a pair of exhibitions with a roster mostly from Major League Soccer. Qualifying resumes March 24 with a home game against Honduras, followed four days later by a match at Panama.

Arena says goalkeepers Tim Howard and Brad Guzan need competition from the rest of the player pool, 31-year-old midfielder Benny Feilhaber likely will get an opportunity to return after playing just three games under Klinsmann and 35-year-old midfielder Jermaine Jones “certainly still has something to offer.”

He views captain Michael Bradley as a defensive midfielder rather than a playmaker, a role Klinsmann encouraged Bradley to assume.

“He plays an important position and at his best he’s a key figure, and we’ve got to get him at his best,” Arena said.

Settling on the center of the field is one of Arena’s keys.

“We need a better passer in the midfield than we have. We need to have a player in the attacking half of the field that can deliver the right ball at the right time,” he said. “Who that is remains to be seen. There’s a couple of domestic players that are very good at that that we’ll look at in camp in January, and that to me is an area that we’ve got to identify. And that will help establish how we play. Do we play with one striker, two strikers? Do we play with three? How do we define our midfield shape based on that.”

Arena’s office at the StubHub Center moves only about 30 feet from his previous job as coach of the LA Galaxy, and his parking spot remains the same. As he takes over, he wants to change the Americans’ mentality and consistency.

“Too many peaks and valleys,” he said, moving his hands up and down. “We’ve got to get them to level out their performance a little bit more.”

A former German star player and coach, Klinsmann criticized the level of play in Major League Soccer. Arena said it has come a long way.

“MLS isn’t on the level of the EPL or the Bundesliga or La Liga, Serie A. We know that,” he said. “But right after that, we’re in that area below that, and it will get better.”

Arena doesn’t tweet and isn’t that interested in statistics.

“I’m not a person that digs deep into analytics because I don’t think the sport of soccer is an analytic sport,” he said. “I think baseball clearly is. I think football can be, obviously, basketball a little bit more. I think soccer is a hard one.”

Who will USMNT boss Arena call-up for his 30-man January camp?

By Nicholas Mendola

(Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

The Associated Press referred to Bruce Arena’s 48-player USMNT depth chart, and said the player pool is between 50-60 players.

Isn’t that a reason for an exercise?

The new-old USMNT coach will call about 30 players to camp in January, a group largely based in Major League Soccer, and Arena has four months before he needs to name the roster for two massive World Cup qualifiers in March.

Well, 38 players currently in MLS have been called up by Jurgen Klinsmann in the past 12 months. Tony Tchani is now committed to Cameroon, but the rest of that MLS crew could very well earn a look. So 37 plus a solid batch of Klinsmann-ignored folk (Think: Feilhaber, McCarty, Hedges) needs to be whittled down to about 30.

Goalkeepers

This one’s tricky. The bulk of USMNT goalkeeping depth is in Major League Soccer, and Arena will probably take more than usual to January camp.

With Tim Howard out, the only two certainties would seem to be Molde’s Ethan Horvath (Norway plays an unusual season schedule) and DC United’s Bill Hamid.

Then there’s a batch of MLS-based keepers. We think 37-year-old Nick Rimando is done with the USMNT. Zack Steffen is a wild card after leaving Bundesliga side Freiburg for Columbus, but seems unlikely to be in Arena’s pecking order.

We suspect two of Luis Robles, David Bingham, Sean Johnson, and Bobby Shuttleworth could be under consideration, with two of the capped players getting nods.

In:  Ethan Horvath, Bill Hamid, Luis Robles, David BinghamNext out: Sean Johnson, Bobby ShuttleworthQuestion marks: Nick Rimando, Zack SteffenInjured: Tim Howard

Defenders (10)

Want to know why Fabian Johnson keeps getting put at left back? Because MLS isn’t exactly flying high when it comes to American full backs.

So while Arena will have to leave some pretty talented center backs out of the mix, you’re going to see some unusual names on the outside.

This could open up a spot for a blast from the past in DaMarcus Beasley and/or Robbie Rogers, and we’ll even sneak a veteran in at center back: Drew Moor is far removed from his last cap (2008), but he’s been outstanding and Arena will have seen a lot of him in reviewing footage of Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley at Toronto FC.

In: Matt Besler, Matt Hedges, Steve Birnbaum, Keegan Rosenberry, Walker Zimmerman, DaMarcus Beasley, Justin Morrow, Jonathan Campbell, Brandon Vincent, Drew MoorNext out: Tim Parker, Robbie Rogers, Justen GladQuestion mark: Brad Evans

Midfielders (12)

Welcome back, Benny Feilhaber. The crowd that’s used up every ounce of their hope tank to see the soon-to-be 32-year-old Sporting KC midfielder back on the USMNT stage is getting their just desserts. He’ll join Sacha Kljestan, Darlington Nagbe, and Dax McCarty is getting a chance to impress eyes that don’t belong to Jurgen Klinsmann.

This group will see a lot of usual suspects and probably be heavy on attack-minded guys considering Arena sees Michael Bradley as a No. 6.

And, yes, Kelyn Rowe (or Ethan Finlay) is going to take a backseat to a move I doubt Arena can resist: Landon Donovan in the new U.S. crest.

In: Michael Bradley, Sacha Kljestan, Benny Feilhaber, Alejandro Bedoya, Darlington Nagbe, Graham Zusi, Dax McCarty, Kelyn Acosta, Wil Trapp, Jermaine Jones, Ethan Finlay, Landon DonovanNext out: Kelyn Rowe, Fatai Alashe, Sebastian Lletget, Scott CaldwellQuestion marks: Lee Nguyen, Kyle Beckerman, Mix Diskerud (Yeah, I know).

Forwards (4)

This group isn’t much of a challenge. Altidore is going to start, and Morris will probably join him. Gyasi Zardes was essentially developed by Arena with the Galaxy, and Agudelo has bagged enough goals in MLS and abroad to get a chance ahead of the field (though Chris Wondolowski just keeps scoring for San Jose and Alan Gordon, well, someone had to vouch for his inclusion under Klinsmann. Was it his LA coach?).

In: Jozy Altidore, Jordan Morris, Gyasi Zardes, Juan AgudeloNext out: Khiry Shelton, Mike GrellaQuestion marks: Alan Gordon, Chris Wondolowski

Premier League Player Power Rankings – Week 13

By Joe Prince-Wright

(Photo/nbcsports.com)

The latest batch of Premier League Player Power Rankings has landed.

And it is starting to look like the top five guys will become very familiar indeed around these parts in the weeks to come.

Premier League leaders Chelsea dominate the list of the top 20 players in the PL, but Man City and Arsenal aren’t far behind them.

Let us know in the comments section below if you agree with the selections of the top 20 players in the Premier League right now.

1. Diego Costa (Chelsea) – Even
2. Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) – New entry
3. Sergio Aguero (Man City) – New entry
4. Virgil Van Dijk (Southampton) – Down 2
5. Victor Moses (Chelsea) — Up 1
6. Fernandinho (Man City) – New entry
7. N’Golo Kante (Chelsea) – Even
8. Gylfi Sigurdsson (Swansea City) – New entry
9. Alvaro Negredo (Middlesbrough) – New entry
10. Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal) – Down 6
11. Eden Hazard (Chelsea) – Up 4
12. Yaya Toure (Man City) – Down 4
13. Gaston Ramirez (Middlesbrough) – New entry
14. Gary Cahill (Chelsea) – Even
15. Darren Randolph (West Ham) – New entry
16. Leroy Fer (Swansea City) – New entry
17. Divock Origi (Liverpool) – New entry
18. Oriol Romeu (Southampton) – New entry
19. Lee Camp (Stoke City) — New entry
20. Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) – New entry

NCAAFB: 2016 NCAA Associated Press Football Rankings, 11/27/2016.

AP

RANK	SCHOOL	POINTS	RECORD	PREVIOUS
1	Alabama (61)	1525	12-0	1
2	Ohio State	1456	11-1	2
3	Clemson	1383	11-1	4
4	Washington	1298	11-1	6
5	Michigan	1264	10-2	3
6	Wisconsin	1237	10-2	5
7	Oklahoma	1141	9-2	7
8	Penn State	1118	10-2	8
9	Colorado	1035	10-2	9
10	Southern California	948	9-3	12
11	Oklahoma State	931	9-2	10
12	Florida State	847	9-3	15
13	Western Michigan	807	12-0	14
14	West Virginia	726	9-2	19
15	Florida	471	8-3	13
16	Louisville	468	9-3	11
17	Stanford	452	9-3	NR
18	Auburn	423	8-4	16
19	Virginia Tech	420	9-3	NR
20	Navy	387	9-2	NR
21	LSU	338	7-4	25
22	Iowa	217	8-4	NR
23	Nebraska	181	9-3	17
24	South Florida	168	10-2	NR
24	Pitt	168	8-4	NR

Others receiving votes: Houston 98, Boise St. 92, Utah 88, Washington St. 35, Texas A&M 33, Air Force 22, Temple 21, Tennessee 12, Troy 7, Miami 5, Georgia Tech 2, Tulsa 1

NCAAFB: 2016 NCAA College Football Playoff Rankings, 11/29/2016.

CFP

RANK	SCHOOL	RECORD	PREVIOUS
1	Alabama	12-0	1
2	Ohio State	11-1	2
3	Clemson	11-1	4
4	Washington	11-1	5
5	Michigan	10-2	3
6	Wisconsin	10-2	6
7	Penn State	10-2	7
8	Colorado	10-2	9
9	Oklahoma	9-2	8
10	Oklahoma State	9-2	10
11	Southern California	9-3	12
12	Florida State	9-3	14
13	Louisville	9-3	11
14	Auburn	8-4	13
15	Florida	8-3	15
16	West Virginia	9-2	18
17	Western Michigan	12-0	21
18	Stanford	9-3	24
19	Navy	9-2	25
20	Utah	8-4	22
21	LSU	7-4	NR
22	Tennessee	8-4	17
23	Virginia Tech	9-3	NR
24	Houston	9-3	20
25	Pitt	8-4	NR

Eastern Michigan accepts first bowl bid in nearly three decades.

By John Taylor

(Photo/Getty Images)

It’s been awhile, but Eastern Michigan can again say they’re going bowling.

Tuesday morning, the MAC football program announced that it has accepted a bid to play in the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl.  EMU will face Conference USA’s Old Dominion in the Dec. 23 game.

The Bahamas Bowl will mark the Eagles’ first postseason game since the 1987 California Bowl.  That had been the program’s lone bowl appearance.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to be selected to compete in the 2016 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl,” athletic director Heather Lyke said in a statement. “We are proud to represent the MAC and expect to finish our season strong. Our coaching staff and student-athletes have worked incredibly hard to be in a position to compete in the postseason and continue to build pride in the Block E. We are thankful for all of our loyal alumni, donors, fans and our university leadership for being committed to supporting our football program.”

EMU’s seven wins are its most since winning seven in 1989, and the team will finish above .500 for the first time since 1995.  The seven wins also matches the Eagles’ win total for the previous four seasons combined.

Lasts season, Chris Creighton‘s second with the school, EMU won just one game.  Their six-win turnaround this season tied for the best mark in the FBS.

“Nearly a year ago our seniors set our season goal, to go to a bowl game for the first time in 29 years,” the head coach said. “We could not be more excited to accept this invitation. What an awesome experience this is going to be for everyone associated with our program.”

Including BYU in the Poinsettia Bowl, three of the 80 bowl invitations have been extended.

Jim Harbaugh reprimanded by Big Ten, Michigan fined for criticizing officials after loss to Ohio State.

By Bill Landis, Cleveland.com

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh was reprimanded by the Big Ten, and the university fined for his comments about the officiating in Ohio State's win over Michigan on Saturday. (Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer)

The Big Ten issued on Monday a public reprimand of Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh and announced that the university would be fined $10,000 for Harbaugh's postgame comments on the officiating in Michigan's loss to Ohio State on Saturday.

Harbaugh said he was "bitterly disappointed" in the officiating in the Buckeyes' 30-27 double-overtime win, in addition to going into detail on specific incidents in the game where he thought the refs made the wrong call.

The biggest came on a fourth-down run by J.T. Barrett in the second overtime where it looked like Barrett might have been short of the first down marker, which would have ended the game and gave Michigan the win. The play was ruled a first down on the field, reviewed and upheld upon that review.

"It wasn't a first down. By that much (he said extending his arms)," Harbaugh said. "It wasn't a first down. I'm bitterly disappointed in the officiating today.

"That spot, the graphic displays and interference penalties. One not called on us on Grant Perry who was being hooked before the ball got there and then a previous penalty they called on Delano Hill, the ball was uncatchable and by the receiver. I'm bitterly disappointed in the officiating. Can't make that any more clear. My view on that first down is that it was short."

The Big Ten deemed that Harbaugh violated its sportsmanship policy, which in part states:

"The Big Ten Conference expects all contests involving a member institution to be conducted without compromise to any fundamental element of sportsmanship. Such fundamental elements include integrity of competition, civility toward all, and respect, particularly toward opponents and officials."

The Big Ten said it would not have any further comment on the issue.

NCAAFB: 2016 NCAA Associated Press Basketball Rankings, 11/28/2016.

AP

RANK	SCHOOL	POINTS	PREVIOUS	RECORD
1	Kentucky (40)	1590	1	6-0
2	Villanova (20)	1567	2	6-0
3	North Carolina (4)	1497	4	7-0
4	Kansas	1414	5	5-1
5	Duke	1365	6	6-1
6	Virginia	1286	7	6-0
7	Xavier	1181	9	6-0
8	Gonzaga	1112	11	6-0
9	Baylor (1)	1068	20	6-0
10	Creighton	965	12	6-0
11	UCLA	955	14	7-0
12	Saint Mary's	866	15	5-0
13	Indiana	857	3	4-1
14	Louisville	808	10	5-1
15	Purdue	687	17	5-1
16	Arizona	655	8	5-1
17	Wisconsin	555	16	5-2
18	Butler	506	NR	6-0
19	Iowa State	389	21	5-1
20	South Carolina	379	NR	6-0
21	Rhode Island	354	23	5-1
22	Syracuse	229	18	4-1
23	Oregon	189	13	4-2
24	Florida	154	NR	6-1
25	West Virginia	132	19	4-1

Others receiving votes: Maryland 126, Notre Dame 85, Cincinnati 49, Michigan State 28, Ohio State 22, Michigan 13, Temple 8, USC 7, Houston 6, Florida State 5, VCU 5, California 3, Tennessee State 2, Virginia Tech 1, Arkansas State 1, San Diego State 1, Colorado 1, Minnesota 1, Rutgers 1

Dropped from rankings: Texas 22, Michigan State 24, Michigan 25, Florida State 25

Player of the Year Power Rankings: Frank Mason III still tops the list.

By Rob Dauster

(Photo/Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

1. Frank Mason III, Kansas: Mason had a relatively quiet week, as the Jayhawks were able to cruise past Georgia in the CBE Classic title game and pick up a win over UNC Asheville over the weekend. On the season, the Kansas point guard is averaging 21.5 points, 5.0 assists and 4.3 boards while shooting 54.9 percent from the floor and 48.0 percent from three.

2. Josh Hart, Villanova: Like Mason, Hart has had a quiet week, with his only game since the last time we checked in coming against Charleston. He’s still the leading scorer for the Wildcats and he’s still the most important player in Jay Wright’s ‘positionless’ attack. There was some talk during the offseason that Hart would be this year’s Buddy Hield or Denzel Valentine, the senior that made massive strides heading into his final season, and while Hart’s numbers aren’t all that much improved from where they were a year ago, he’s turned into a more well-rounded player.

He’s hitting 44.4 percent of his threes while shooting a career-high 4.5 threes per game while, according to Synergy, 29.5 percent of his offensive possessions come through ball-screen actions, where he’s scoring at a 1.185 PPP clip. Last season, just 12.5 percent of his offensive possessions were in ball-screens, and he scored just 0.875 PPP. His raw numbers haven’t made the same leap that Hield’s or Valentine’s did, but rest assured, Hart is a much-improved basketball player.

3. Lonzo Ball, UCLA: The Bruins passed their first real test of the season, as they took home the title in the Wooden Legacy with wins over Nebraska and Texas A&M. Lonzo Ball was the star of the show for the Bruins, as he’s been all season long. He’s averaging 16.0 points, 9.1 assists, 5.3 boards and 1.3 steals while shooting 57.4 percent from the floor and 48.6 percent from three. He’s been nothing short of phenomenal this season, and it’s going to be a thrill to see him square off with Kentucky and their star guards on Saturday afternoon in Rupp Arena.

4. De’Aaron Fox, Kentucky: Last week, Isaiah Briscoe was the Kentucky guard that we had on this list. This week, it’s Fox, and while it’s hard to differentiate who in that group is the most important and the most valuable, I’m leaning Fox here because I think he’s the engine to Kentucky’s attack.

According to Synergy’s logs, 27.1 percent of Kentucky’s offensive possession come in transition. Better than 37 percent of the possessions that Fox uses are in transition. This is a team that’s built around perimeter pressure defensively creating those opportunities in transition, and Fox could be the best perimeter defender in all of college basketball. More than anyone, he is the player that makes this team go.

And for good measure, he’s averaging 15.3 points, 7.6 assists, 5.7 boards and 2.0 steals.

5. Luke Kennard, Duke: Kennard was just OK in Duke’s wins over William & Mary and Appalachian State this week, but that doesn’t change the fact that he has been Duke’s best player this season and the star of the two biggest games the Blue Devils have played this season. Their head is still above water this year with Jayson Tatum, Harry Giles III and Marques Bolden still out – and Grayson Allen dealing with a toe injury – because of how good Kennard has been.

6. Joel Berry II, North Carolina: Roy Williams’ best teams are when he has a star point guard on the roster, and Berry looks like he is very much filling that role this season. He’s averaging 17.1 points, 4.3 boards and 4.3 assists with shooting splits of 55.1/47/1/93.3, and if the Tar Heels can win at Indiana on Wednesday night, I think it’s fair to say that Berry will be the best player on the team with the most impressive résumé in the country this season.

7. Markelle Fultz, Washington: Fultz has been magnificent through the first three weeks of the season – 23.0 points, 6.7 assists, 5.5 boards, 2.2 steals, 1.5 blocks, 55.3% FG, 43.5% 3PT. But there’s valid concern to the idea that Fultz will be the second straight No. 1 pick to miss out on the NCAA tournament. The Huskies have already lost to Yale at home and to TCU in Las Vegas.

8. Jawun Evans, Oklahoma State: The same thing can be said about Evans, who entered the season with no where near the same amount of hype as Fultz. He’s averaging 24.3 points, 5.3 assists and 2.8 steals right now, but the Cowboys one game against elite competition resulted in a 35-point loss at the hands of Oklahoma State.

9. Caleb Swanigan, Purdue: We knew that Swanigan was going to be a monster on the block and on the glass, but what’s made him such a dangerous weapon this season – and what’s made Purdue so ruthless offensively – is his ability to space the floor. He’s making threes (5-of-8 on the year, but the threat of his jumper keeps defenses honest) and he’s become a terrific passer in high-low actions, which is part of the reason Isaac Haas has looked like Shaquille O’Neal at times this year.

10. Mo Watson, Creighton: Like Kentucky, there are a couple of players from Creighton that deserve consideration for this list, but we’ll got with Watson for now, who is the floor general for one of the nation’s most potent offensive attacks. He’s averaging 11.2 points and 8.5 assists, although his turnovers have been a bit higher than Greg McDermott would like.

JUST MISSED THE CUT

Melo Trimble, Maryland
Malik Monk, Kentucky
Isaiah Briscoe, Kentucky
James Blackmon Jr., Indiana
Deandre Burnett, Ole Miss
Monte’ Morris, Iowa State
Yante Maten, Georgia
Johnathan Motley, Baylor
Jock Landale, Saint Mary’s

On This Date in Sports History: Today is Wednesday, November 29, 2016.

Memoriesofhistory.com

1971 - ABC-TV aired "Brian's Song." The movie was about Chicago Bears' Brian Picolo and his friendship with Gale Sayers.

1991 - In the first Women's World Cup in soccer, the U.S. team defeated Norway 2-1.

1992 - The video "NFL Country," by various artists, was certified Gold by the RIAA.

1993 - The NFL awarded the league's 30th franchise to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

1996 - Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls) scored his 25,000th NBA career point. He was only the 10th player to reach the mark.

2005 - The Boston Bruins traded captain Joe Thornton to the San Jose Sharks for Marco Sturm, Wayne Primeau and Brad Stuart.

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