CS&T/AllsportsAmerica Friday Sports News Update and What's Your Take? 12/09/2016.

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"Sports Quote of the Day"

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow." ~ Author Unknown 

Trending: Blackhawks improve faceoffs in Jonathan Toews’ absence. (See the hockey section for Blackhawks updates and NHL news).

Trending: The standard for Bears evaluating Matt Barkley? Use what John Fox uses.
(See the football section for Bears News an NFL updates).

Trending: Bulls erase recent struggles, hand Spurs first road loss of season. (See the basketball section for Bulls news and NBA updates).

Trending: The Cubs have a bevy of terrific young talent on their active roster and at their farm club level, however, the team's management believes that for them to repeat as World Series Champions, their pitching will be key. That is where they are focusing all of their attention right now as evidenced by today's articles. (See the baseball section for Cubs and White Sox updates).

Trending: Lexi Thompson Is Playing from the Same Tees as the Men This Week. Let's Not All Freak Out. (See the golf section for PGA news and tournament updates).

Trending: The case for and against an eight team playoff in college football. What's Your Take? (See the last article on this blog for our take. Please take some time and share your thoughts with us on this issue).

How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Jonathan Toews, Brent Seabrook out vs. Rangers.

By Tracey Myers

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

Brent Seabrook is out and Jonathan Toews will miss his eighth consecutive game when the Blackhawks host the New York Rangers on Friday night.

Seabrook suffered an upper-body injury in the second period of the Blackhawks’ 4-0 victory over the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday night. The defenseman fell awkwardly along the boards and was down for a few moments. Coach Joel Quenneville said Seabrook is day-to-day. Quenneville added he’ll decide tomorrow who takes Seabrook’s place in the lineup.

“Seabs has played really well for us on the back end this year and we’ll definitely miss his contributions,” Quenneville said. “We’re looking for someone to step in.”

Toews is feeling better and could skate on Friday. Quenneville would not rule out the possibility of Toews returning Sunday against the Dallas Stars.
Duncan Keith did not practice on Thursday but he’s expected to play vs. the Rangers. Scott Darling will start.

Quenneville said Corey Crawford, who had an appendectomy on Saturday, is “status quo.”

Meanwhile, Nick Schmaltz, who was assigned to Rockford over the weekend, scored two goals in the IceHogs’ 3-2 loss to the San Antonio Rampage.

“I talked to Norm (Maciver, Blackhawks assistant general manager) about his game, they were extremely happy with how he played,” Quenneville said of Schmaltz. “He scored twice and there could’ve been more.”

Blackhawks improve faceoffs in Jonathan Toews’ absence.

By Tracey Myers

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

Yanic Perreault came onto the ice as the Blackhawks wrapped up practice on Thursday.

It’s been a relatively common sight the last few seasons. Most of the time, Perreault has helped out when a particular player is struggling from the faceoff dot. That was true with Artem Anisimov earlier this season. But with Jonathan Toews sidelined the Blackhawks have been even more focused on improving upon and winning faceoffs. Thanks to the extra diligence, they’ve done that.

The Blackhawks’ overall faceoff performance has steadily improved. They’ll see how it goes again on Friday night when they face the New York Rangers, their eighth consecutive game without Toews.

“We’re working almost every practice and trying to get better on faceoffs,” Anisimov said on Thursday. “If we win the faceoff, we start with the puck and it’s pretty good. You can go to the offensive zone or win in the offensive zone you start with the puck and you have the opportunity to shoot the puck all day and get chances. It’s a big part of the game.”

Enter Perreault, who was a great faceoff man during his NHL career. The Blackhawks players say Perreault offers a wealth of information in each session.

“It’s different every day. The whole science behind it, he’s been great since he was brought in,” Marcus Kruger said. “He always has something new he wants us to work on, whether it’s just timing or body-positioning or something like that. It’s a lot of different stuff and we work on new stuff every day.”

Rasmussen agreed.

“It’s a lot of things you can work on,” he said. “You try to work on being in a low position so you get stronger. [There are] a lot of small things on how you can go against other guys that do it certain way, and you have to find your own way, too.”

Their first game without Toews, against the Anaheim Ducks, was dismal. Part of that is the Ducks having some tremendous face-off guys. But Toews is the Blackhawks’ best at the dot – he’s won 60.3 percent of the time this season – so that first game without him was rough.

Here’s how things have progressed for the Blackhawks, with faceoffs won and lost and percentage, in Toews’ absence.

Opponent	Wins-Losses	Percent
Ducks	18-49	27 percent
Kings	21-37	36 percent
Panthers	39-35	53 percent
Devils	22-27	45 percent
Flyers	22-31	42 percent
Jets	31-27	53 percent
Coyotes	30-28	52 percent

So yes, there’s been improvement.

“I think we hold our own,” coach Joel Quenneville said. “Yan works well with our center men, they take pride in trying to be the best they can and now they’re taking some important faceoffs and some they probably haven’t taken in the past, whether they’re defensive or special-teams faceoffs. They’ve all won some important faceoffs for us at key times, too.”

The Blackhawks have done their best filling the void left by Toews, especially on faceoffs. There’s been a lot of work put into it, especially with Perreault following practices. But the results have been there.

“We know we’d like to start with the puck, and we had a couple of tough games when Jonny went down initially,” Quenneville said. “But it’s been much better since.”

Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! Bears, Lions have been totally different teams in fourth quarters.

By John Mullin

Apart from any specific player or statistic, one unavoidable part of Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions looms ominously in front of the Bears, and there is no way they can avoid it: The fourth quarter.

Every game has one, and it has been the blessing of the Lions’ 2016 existence and the bane of the Bears’. The Bears talk constantly about the importance of playing a 60-minute game.

Before last Sunday’s 28-13 win over the New Orleans Saints, the Lions had trailed in the fourth quarter of all seven of their previous victories this season. A team that had traditionally found undisciplined ways to squander games has been finding ways to win them, according to a formula.

As Detroit Free Press columnist Jeff Seidel noted, “every single one of these games has looked the same: There was the drive, the field goal and the huge defensive play or, at least, some variation of those things."

This is particularly relevant — and concerning — for the Bears, who have been the virtual opposite: Three times this season (at Houston, at Indianapolis, vs. Jacksonville) they have led in fourth quarters and lost those games.

The reasons lie in different phases, not simply cases of one, same unit failing.

"With us it’s not excuses, but we’re young, on our third quarterback, and that can affect it as far as experience and just being in that situation,” said coach John Fox. “To close the game, sometimes it’s just a mindset. When you have young players, it’s learning how to deal with adversity and learning how to deal with prosperity.”

The Bears did not outscore an opponent in the fourth quarter of any of their first 10 games this season, finally getting something going late in the Tennessee and San Francisco games, outscoring those two opponents by a combined 19-3.

“Being able to finish games, that’s something we’re learning and I think I saw examples of it last week in the San Francisco game and even going back to Minnesota, games where we have closed it, even in the first Detroit game, although we made that one interesting,” Fox said. “We found a way. So a lot of it’s experience under pressure and hopefully we’re figuring it out and can figure it out the last four games of the year.”

Beginning Sunday, presumably, against the NFL’s reigning comeback team.

The standard for Bears evaluating Matt Barkley? Use what John Fox uses.

By John Mullin

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

The play of Matt Barkley in the past two games catapulted the previously dismissed young quarterback deep into the Great Bears Quarterback Debate (GBQD), which may not be a particularly exclusive confab, but it does mean that Barkley has gone from castoff to contender for a job somewhere beyond this season. And one particular aspect of his game is the key to what has transpired, as well as what happens going forward.

The law of averages suggests that Barkley will put up a clunker at some point, maybe even more than one. Then again, maybe not. Of the four remaining defenses (Detroit, Green Bay, Washington, Minnesota), only the Vikings rank in the top 10 defensively in either points or yardage allowed through the first 13 weeks of the 2016 season. So Barkley won’t exactly be looking at a Murderer’s Row of the ’85 Bears, ’76 Steelers, ’00 Ravens and ’15 Broncos.

But there’s a bigger Barkley picture that serves as the real framework for evaluating whether or not he’s truly got the right stuff, regardless of whom he faces.

It is not what he’s done – getting his team in position to win in consecutive fourth quarters. It’s what he hasn’t done – turn the football over.

The measure of Barkley, as it was with Jay Cutler and Brian Hoyer, will be ball security. In a FoxWorld, that is axiomatic.

The second question to Fox after Sunday’s game was on Barkley’s performance. Fox’s mindset was evident in his answer: “He improved,” Fox began, followed immediately by, “He eliminated any interceptions.”

Barkley’s huge leap forward has indeed come, not with his TD passes (including the should-have-been ones), but with his control of the football.

Barkley may have been undone with drops against Tennessee. But he undercut his team with two appalling red-zone interceptions, one in the end zone.

After the interception on the Bears’ opening second-half possession, which turned into Titans points, Barkley proceeded to throw his next 33 passes without a pick. Then against San Francisco, Barkley stayed INT-free on 19 dropbacks (18 passes, one sack). The result was a season-high for Bears points and a win.

Barkley threw two interceptions in his emergency step-in for Hoyer at Green Bay. Given his situation there, no real surprise, and rightfully not a referendum on his quarterbacking.

But consider:

Before his broken arm against the Packers, Hoyer played his way into the GBQD less with his weekly 300-yard passing production than with his 200 pass attempts without an interception. Cutler, in his truncated season, revealed a regression from his step-forward ’15 and its ball security, sliding back up to an interception percentage in the unacceptable mid-3’s where it’s been for his career. This was the prove-it year for Cutler and he rendered ’15 as the exception, not a career turning point.

Barkley’s accuracy in the Soldier Field conditions last Sunday was exceptional. Not only did he not throw interceptions (which is how to earn a 97.5 passer rating), but also repeatedly put footballs where either his guy or nobody was catching them. Too often certain of his guys didn’t catch them, but that’s not on Barkley, who stayed with Josh Bellamy in a team-building statement.

Only the Vikings (No. 5) among the final four Bears opponents have interception percentages ranked better than 14th. Washington (95.0), Detroit (101.9) and Green Bay (102.1) are allowing egregious opponent-quarterback passer ratings (the Bears are at 94.3). Meaning: Barkley will have opportunities to stay his ball-security course against beatable defenses.

The inability of the Bears defense to generate takeaways is a significant 2016 storyline. But the ability of the Bears offense – specifically their quarterbacks – to hold onto the football is a potential tipping point in the most significant position-decision for the franchise.

John Fox, Vic Fangio nix report of rift in Bears coaching ranks.

By John Mullin

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was game-planning for the Detroit Lions on Wednesday morning when he got a visit from his boss. A story had appeared that Fangio and coach John Fox were at odds to the point where Fangio was planning on leaving the Bears at the end of this season.

“I wasn't aware of [the story] and he told me about it because he was all nervous about it,” Fangio said. “So I said 'Don't worry about it… . [Fox was nervous] because it wasn't true and thought I might take it the wrong way.”

The Bears have more than enough to worry about, taking their 3-9 record to Detroit to face the streaking Lions. A looming staff upheaval could send the remainder of the season into a total collapse given that in this case, for instance, Fangio is very popular with his players.

Fangio said expressly that he plans on being back for 2017. Fox added his own staff statement.

“Well, I think when you spend as much time as we do as coaches, I think we get along great,” Fox said of Fangio and himself. “I want our whole staff back. Now, whether that proves to be a reality or not, things happen.”

The surprise would be if the Bears 3-9 situation were without some tension. Linebacker Pernell McPhee verbally went after quarterback Jay Cutler earlier this season after the latter threw a costly interception. And whole units have had reason to harbor unkind thoughts about each other.

Fangio’s defense has maintained respectability through its injuries and even improved through the season. Their efforts have not always been rewarded by complimentary success or apparent game plans by the offense.

Conversely, the offense gave the defense a 13-point lead to start the fourth quarter against Jacksonville and the Jaguars won 17-16. The Bears led the Indianapolis Colts 23-19 midway through the fourth quarter and lost. The Bears led Houston 14-10 after three quarters and lost.

Still, “I think our staff is tremendous,” Fox said. “I think right now, if you flashback two years ago this defense was 32nd in the league; right now it is seventh. I think you even look at offensively, similar numbers even from a year ago. We were 24th. This offense is 16th. So with going on our fourth quarterback, I couldn’t be more proud of our staff. I’ll just leave it at I am very, very pleased with our staff.”

Bears win over 49ers nets DE Akiem Hicks NFL defensive honor.

By John Mullin

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

It may have been just a distant similarity to players on an MLB cellar-dweller earning a Cy Young or MVP award (which happens in Chicago, a lot – Andre Dawson, Ernie Banks twice), but to the Bears it matters. Defensive end Akiem Hicks was named NFC defensive player of the week after his dominating performance in the Bears win last Sunday over the San Francisco 49ers, and he is not alone among Bears getting recognition after one of their few victories.

Never mind that the victory moved the Bears to 3-9 and came over a team losing its 11th straight game. What Hicks accomplished – two sacks, 10 tackles, a quarterback hit, a forced fumble – was being a force in the Bears’ domination of the 49ers and has been part of the emotional core of a team that has lost but not folded.

“It’s easy to say, ‘We’re not getting the results we want,’ but guys have invested,” Hicks said. “I’ve told guys, ‘just think about the hours you’ve invested, to get your body and mind ready for a 16-game season. Why would you put all that work in and then, when you don’t get the results you want, just quit?’"

Jordan Howard is one of the nominees for the FedEx Air & Ground NFL player of the week. Howard, who posted his fifth 100-yard rushing game of the year, could be a double-winner: He also is among the nominees for Pepsi NFL rookie of the week, as is teammate Leonard Floyd (two sacks, safety, four tackles).

Voting on the latter two awards is still open.

Hicks’ play vs. San Francisco boosted him to a career-best six sacks, and he credited Bears coaches afterwards with giving him opportunities to rush the passer, not simply be utilized as a run-stopper. He has been everything and perhaps a little more than the Bears anticipated when they signed him this offseason to a two-year contract worth $10 million, with $5 million guaranteed.

“I think he's done well,” said defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. “It's a credit to him, a credit to Jay [Rodgers, defensive line coach]. Akiem has kept improving throughout the season, and he's been one of the guys that have been there each and every week, playing a lot of plays for us, and he's been a steady bell cow for us in there.”

Just Another Chicago Bulls Session..... Bulls look to find consistency during home-heavy December schedule.

By Sam Smith

(Photo/chicagobulls.com)

Six of the Bulls next seven games will be at home after a three-game slide. 

It really still is early in the NBA season. It’s just the first week of December. Fred Hoiberg hasn’t even picked out his Christmas gifts for media members. Dwyane Wade hasn’t selected a restaurant for Christmas Eve dinner with Pat Riley. Jimmy Butler hasn’t decided if he’ll host the Oscars.

The Bulls haven’t done great of late, losing three straight and six of nine to fall back to 11-10, in the midst of nine teams separated by two and a half games between third and 11th in the Eastern Conference. Though it’s been arguably the team’s most difficult stretch of the season, a six-game road trip leaking into the team’s only four games in five nights stretch of the season.

“What we have is what we have,” said Wade. “We’ve won 11; we have enough to win. We just have to get to where we are playing more consistent.”   

But as the Bulls prepared Thursday for the 8:30 p.m. national TNT game against the streaking San Antonio Spurs, 18-4 and 13-0 on the road, these next few weeks for the Bulls are setting up as if not a season make-or-break, perhaps a defining period for the fate of the team this season.

That’s because after the hectic first six weeks, the Bulls have a dominant home schedule for the next month and an unusual period in the next almost three weeks of basically not being out of town at all.

“We have a lot of home games coming up, have to do a better job of coming out with energy and playing at home,” said Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg. “We’ll be in Chicago 15 of the next 16 days; nine of our remaining 13 (in December) are in Chicago and we have to do a good job of coming out and setting the tone in our home building. We have to protect our home court. If we do that we’ll be fine; the big thing now is to stay together, keep fighting, keep playing for each other and go out and play with confidence.”

There’s a possibility Doug McDermott, who has missed the last nine games with a concussion, could return Thursday, (and he will), in the Pau Gasol gala homecoming. Michael Carter-Williams remains out at least a few more weeks. Depth production has been an issue for the team recently, though the trends of late have been pointing downward during the more rigorous schedule period.

The Bulls have dropped to last in three-point shooting, which is not unexpected, especially with McDermott out so long. More worrisome, they fell to 26th in defending the three and 14th overall in defensive field goal percentage. Their rebounding has been keeping them above .500 at second in the league. But assists have fallen to 24th, points are down to 18th and turnovers have increased, the differential now 17th in the league. It’s pointing toward factors for a .500 season.

Which is why this next stretch of games to balance off the difficult first six weeks may be so vital.

“The toughest part where you have a new team coming together and you depend on young guys, it’s that consistency,” Wade reiterated. “The good teams figure it out earlier than not; if we don’t figure it out, we’ll be .500 all year. If we do, we’ll take some games and go over. The coaches have done a good job preparing us; they’ve done their job. It’s on us as players. Whoever comes in the game play their part, play their role, understand the game plan, tendencies and all these things. (If) we don’t do that, we are failing each other. It’s our job as leaders to continue to stay on guys that don’t do that and vice versa to point that out as well; that’s a winning team.”

There obviously have been myriad uncertainties with this Bulls team given the additions of Wade and Rajon Rondo, nine new players, numerous young players trying to establish themselves and find roles. There was an encouraging start, a little setback and then the promising road trip that receded in the wake of the home losses to the Lakers and Portland.

Wade isn’t one to worry. He is the sage of the group, the comforting force. He’s the flight attendant on the airplane in turbulence. If he’s not panicking, you can relax some. He’s the shelter in the storm. His behavior and reactions are the signals to others. He’s not despairing.

“I’ve been in this league 14 years; I’ve seen everything,” Wade said. “I’m good; nothing is going to get me down from that standpoint. Do I like losing? No. Do I understand the process? Yes. Do I want to fast track it? Yes. Do I want to see us play more consistent? Yes. But we can’t rush. It’s going to happen in its own time and happen if this team can do it; the games are going to show who and what we are going to be. We can’t hit a stumbling block and get to the record I want; we have to go through the process.”

So Wade understands the highs and lows, the uncertain starts, the defensive lapses, the kids’ inconsistencies, the injuries.

To the credit of the team, and which probably has a lot to do with Wade and Butler, this has been a Bulls team that doesn’t give up or give in. They’ve had their share of games falling behind. But they come back and compete. They just haven’t always had enough.

Butler is even in the MVP discussion, averaging 26 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists. But his minutes also have been creeping up amidst the weaknesses in other areas and injuries. He’s moved into the top 10 for the first time in minutes per game at 36.2 League leader Anthony Davis is at 38. Wade is averaging a strong 19.8 points per game in 31 minutes with 4.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists. Taj Gibson is averaging 12 points and eight rebounds, but no one other than McDermott is in double figures and McDermott has missed more than half the games.

Bulls erase recent struggles, hand Spurs first road loss of season.

By Vincent Goodwill

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

Jimmy Butler kicked his legs out and the ball swirled around, and around and stopped…before rolling in after the official’s whistle blew for a foul.

The pushback from the rim on an imperfect night for Butler seemed to capture his feelings perfectly.

The San Antonio Spurs stalked the Bulls after sleepwalking for 24 minutes, and Kawhi Leonard will probably be in Butler’s nightmares as he shadowed the two-time all-star all night — as the league’s best out-of-nowhere two-way players battled all night.

Butler went scoreless in the first half and his streak of 20-point games ended at 15 but he came away with the most important statistic as the Bulls ended their three-game losing streak and the Spurs’ 13-0 road streak to start the season with a perfectly predictable 94-88 win at the United Center Thursday night.

Dwyane Wade led the Bulls with 20 points, including a couple buckets when the Bulls were reeling late and needing some stability in the worst way, hitting Taj Gibson for an inside dunk with two minutes remaining.

This is what the Bulls do, author improbable storybook endings on national TV against quality opponents when the odds are stacked against them and public conversation begins to sway in the other direction after some puzzling losses.

But with Doug McDermott back after missing 11 games and the stage of a national audience at home — the night was tailor-made for the Bulls to pull out a win like this, even without Butler being his usual self.

Butler scored 13 with nine rebounds, including two on the offensive end while the Bulls were trying to seal the win, with four assists and two steals in 38 minutes.

Leonard, the 2014 NBA Finals MVP for his work against LeBron James, was the only starter aside from Pau Gasol to get a rhythm in a rhythmless game, scoring 24 with eight rebounds and five assists while doggedly defending Butler.

Leonard had two straight ridiculous 3-point plays that seemed awkward and prayer-like but pulled the Spurs to within six midway through the fourth quarter, pulling the Spurs back from an 18-point deficit.

It seemed like the Spurs were sleeping and just waiting for an opportunity to pounce on the Bulls, and of course, the expectation was for a Bulls collapse considering how putrid their fourth quarters have been recently.

Patty Mills kept shaking free of the Bulls defense to hit four triples while the Bulls couldn’t fully pull away, despite all five starters scoring in double figures and Rajon Rondo coming an assist shy of getting a triple-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

They won’t have many games where Butler and Wade aren’t the headliners, but then again, they won’t have many games where the defense actually picks up the slack against one of the more disciplined offensive teams in the league.

Butler didn’t score until midway through the third quarter, finally shaking free of Leonard in semi-transition for a short jumper to put the Bulls up 60-47.

But the Spurs began to wake up and nearly did more than make the Bulls sweat. But in these early tilts, the more desperate team usually wins.

And although the Bulls don’t want to admit it, they needed to play like a desperate team.

CUBS: Joe Maddon breaks down Wade Davis vs. Aroldis Chapman as Cubs ramp up for another World Series run.

Editor's Note: The Cubs have a bevy of terrific young talent on their active roster and at their farm club level, however, the team's management believes that for them to repeat as World Series Champions, their pitching will be key. That is where they are focusing all of their attention right now as evidenced by the following articles. 

By Patrick Mooney

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

The Cubs downplayed expectations after spending almost $290 million on free agents during their 2-for-1 offseason.

Trading for one season of Wade Davis at $10 million – and betting his right arm can withstand another deep playoff run – feels logical and measured in an environment where the New York Yankees just gave Aroldis Chapman a five-year, $86 million contract that smashed the record for closers.

Giving up Jorge Soler – an immense Cuban talent who looks like an NFL linebacker and once sparked a bidding war among big-market teams like the Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers – seems painless. The Cubs have a roster crunch and obvious concerns about Soler’s ability to stay healthy and can’t turn him into the part-time designated hitter the Kansas City Royals envision.

But don’t confuse acting rational at the winter meetings with thinking small. Everything becomes clearer once you escape the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center bubble and head toward Reagan National Airport. Make no mistake, the Cubs left Washington on Thursday after acquiring the closer they believe will get the final out of the 2017 World Series.

“The Wade Davis move is an aggressive move,” team president Theo Epstein said. “It’s not like a hedge or a cautious move. We traded a longer-term asset for a short-term asset. But if you do that, you have to make sure the short-term asset is an impact one. And that was the case with Chapman. And that’s now the case with Davis.

“I see that as an aggressive move of an organization that’s hungry to win another World Series.”

After the Cubs handed manager Joe Maddon a shiny new toy – and gave up uber-prospect Gleyber Torres in that blockbuster Chapman deal with the Yankees in late July – Epstein asked: “If not now, when?”

The Cubs viewed Chapman strictly as a rental and showed no interest in bringing him back to Chicago. The end would always have to justify the means after trading for a player who began the season serving a 30-game suspension under Major League Baseball’s domestic-violence policy. The Cubs got that championship parade down Lake Shore Drive and Michigan Avenue, so it won’t really matter if Torres becomes a star in The Bronx.

Beyond the enormous financial commitment and off-the-field concerns with Chapman, the Cubs are now getting an All-Star closer who worked at his craft by first making 88 starts in the big leagues. Where dealing with Chapman presented a language barrier and his preference to work one clean inning at a time, Maddon managed Davis during his first four seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays.

“They’re just different kinds of pitchers,” Maddon said. “I mean, Aroldis is pretty great.

There’s several guys out there right now that everybody would like to have – and the guys that are out there as free agents are obvious. Guys like Wade Davis – ask around the industry – how many people would like to have him also?

“I can’t tell you he’s better. He’s just different. Like I said, Aroldis pretty much relies on his fastball and he’s got a great slider, whereas Wade, growing up as a starter, pitches.
“It’s just a different method of closing.”

Chapman is an athletic freak who created a buzz throughout Wrigley Field as fans looked up at the 3,990-square-foot LED video board for the velocity readings. He will turn 29 in spring training, but at some point the question will inevitably become: Can he pitch with something less than a 103-mph fastball?

Instead of waiting to pounce at the trade deadline, having Davis from Opening Day through possibly October should help protect Hector Rondon, Pedro Strop, Carl Edwards Jr. and Justin Grimm from a manager who wants to win every pitch and pushes his relievers hard.

Credit Chapman for evolving in the World Series and throwing 97 pitches in Games 5, 6 and 7 combined. But adding Davis shows the Cubs want to be a dynasty.

“He’s definitely a difference-maker,” Maddon said. “His stuff is that good. He’s high velocity, great cutter, very good curveball. He knows how to pitch, too, so part of the allure with him is he’s just not a thrower out there.

“He has other things other than his fastball. He gets out righties and lefties. So he pretty much does it all.”

Cubs add left-handed pitcher to bullpen mix in trade with Brewers.

By Tony Andracki

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

The day after the Cubs acquired a new closer, they added a left-handed option to the bullpen.

The Milwaukee Brewers selected Caleb Smith in the Rule 5 Draft Thursday morning at the MLB winter meetings and then immediately flipped the southpaw to the Cubs for cash.

Smith is 25 and has pitched only one game above the Double-A level.

Originally selected in the 14th round of the 2013 MLB Draft by the New York Yankees, Smith posted a 3.96 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 27 games (seven starts) in Double-A Trenton last year, striking out 70 batters in 63.2 innings.

With Aroldis Chapman back on the Yankees, Travis Wood still a free agent and Mike Montgomery expected to move into the rotation, the Cubs' bullpen was lacking left-handed pitchers this winter.

The Cubs signed veteran southpaw Brian Duensing last week and Rob Zastryzny is expected to contribute after impressing during his rookie campaign (1.13 ERA). 

Smith represents another option for Joe Maddon's bullpen, but the Cubs have to keep the young pitcher on the 25-man roster all season or else he would go back to his original team (Yankees).

Hector Rondon represents proof Rule 5 Draftees can make an impact when he was selected by the Cubs in 2012, but the organization was in a much different position four years ago than they are now as the defending World Champs with a loaded roster.

Elsewhere in the Rule 5 Draft, the Cubs lost right-handed pitcher Armando Rivero to the Atlanta Braves.

Rivero will be 29 in February and began his Cubs tenure in 2013 after defecting from Cuba. He's posted a 2.70 ERA and 12.4 K/9 throughout his four minor-league seasons in the Cubs system.

Rivero has spent the last two seasons in Triple-A Iowa, posting a 2.13 ERA, 1.123 WHIP and 105 strikeouts in 67.2 innings in 2016.

The Cubs also selected infielder Kevin Cornelius from the Yankees with the 30th pick of the Triple-A portion of the Rule 5 Draft.

Cornelius hit .299 with a .393 on-base percentage and .589 slugging percentage in the Yankees system last season, playing 43 games at Advanced Class-A and 13 games in rookie ball.

Teams can protect players from the MLB portion of the Rule 5 Draft by adding them to the 40-man roster. For the Triple-A part of the Rule 5 Draft, organizations can protect up to 38 more players on top of the 40-man roster.

The Cubs lost infielder Daniel Lockhart to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Triple-A portion of the Draft.

Lockhart — the 24-year-old son of former big-leaguer Keith Lockhart, who is currently a Cubs scout — played 89 games in the Cubs system in 2016 at Myrtle Beach (Advanced Class-A) and Tennesee (Double-A).

Koji Uehara would add another dimension to Cubs bullpen.

By Patrick Mooney 

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

The Cubs are reportedly on the verge of adding another pitcher who’s notched the final out of a World Series as Theo Epstein’s front office builds out the bullpen for manager Joe Maddon.

The Cubs are nearing a one-year, $4.5 million deal with Koji Uehara, according to Nikkan Sports in Japan, which would open up even more possibilities for the defending champs in front of All-Star closer Wade Davis.

The Cubs made their biggest splash during this week’s winter meetings at National Harbor in Maryland by trading young outfielder Jorge Soler to the Kansas City Royals for Davis, who finished off Game 5 in the 2015 World Series.

Uehara closed out the 2013 World Series for the Boston Red Sox, the beginning of three straight seasons where he put up 20-plus saves. The Cubs have not confirmed an agreement is in place.

The Cubs needed another lefty presence with Mike Montgomery – the pitcher on the mound when the 108-year drought ended in November – moving to the rotation and Travis Wood likely leaving as a free agent.

Uehara throws right-handed, but he shuts down left-handed hitters (.183 batting average, .555 OPS across 800 at-bats) and has appeared in seven postseason series after a distinguished career in Japan.

Uehara will turn 42 the day after Opening Day. But an array of relievers should help preserve Uehara, strengthen Carl Edwards Jr. (who’s generously listed at 170 pounds) and maybe prevent the late-season injuries that marginalized Hector Rondon and Pedro Strop during the playoffs.

“We’re going to try to build up a ton of depth,” Epstein said. “We’re going to try to build up a really talented, deep bullpen with a lot of different options that you can use in close games.

“Instead of three late-game options, it would be ideal if you had five or six. And you could always like who you’re turning to in the ‘pen and not feel the need to use a Rondon four out of five times.

“(We could) use them every other day and occasional back-to-backs. And that would help keep them fresh down the stretch – and help keep them strong in October.”

Cubs unveil championship Trophy Tour.

By Tony Andracki 

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

The Cubs announced their World Series championship victory lap Thursday afternoon.

The Cubs Trophy Tour presented by State Farm will take the World Series hardware around throughout the Midwest, beyond just the Chicagoland area.

“We’re excited to share our cherished trophy with fans this offseason as we celebrate such a historic World Series Championship,” Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said in a statement. “This year’s World Championship team is unparalleled, and so are our fans. We can’t wait for them to experience the joy of seeing this piece of history in person.”

The tour begins Friday, Dec. 9 at the official Cubs Team Store on Michigan Ave. from Noon to 3 p.m.

From there, the trophy gets the weekend off before surfacing again Thursday, Dec. 15 at Chicago City Hall from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Trophy Tour hits the road after that, with stops in central Illinois; the Quad Cities; South Bend and Indianapolis; Des Moines, Iowa and other Midwest locations.

Of course, the trophy will also be with the Cubs in spring training in Mesa, Ariz. and at Wrigley Field for the Cubs' home opener on April 10.

Check out Cubs.com/trophytour for more info, including a schedule, social media post and highlights from each stop along the way. 

Also be sure to follow @Cubs on Twitter and Instagram for more updates while CSN will document the Trophy Tour.

WHITE SOX: Much-needed face lift has vastly improved White Sox farm system overnight.

By Dan Hayes

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

Bolstered by a pair of franchise-altering trades, including the Adam Eaton deal on Wednesday, the White Sox totally revamped their farm system overnight.

In the span of 29 hours, the White Sox added seven high-caliber minor leaguers to a previously razor thin farm system, including baseball’s top position and pitching prospects. Headed by second baseman Yoan Moncada and right-handed pitcher Lucas Giolito, one of three pitchers acquired from the Washington Nationals on Wednesday in exchange for Eaton, all seven acquisitions are among the team’s top-10 MLB.com prospect list.

Wednesday’s additions also include right-handers Reynaldo Lopez, who MLB rates as the No. 38 overall prospect in baseball, and Dane Dunning, Washington’s 2016 first-round pick — a player the White Sox highly coveted at draft time. A day earlier, the White Sox received Moncada, hard-throwing righty Michael Kopech, outfielder Luis Basabe and right-hander Victor Diaz in exchange for five-time All-Star Chris Sale.

“We are ecstatic about the return we were able to secure for Adam's services,” general manager Rick Hahn said. “That's a result of hard work by our scouts, the amateur scouts, the background they have done on these players over the number of years, and our international scouts and pro scouts and everybody from the front office targeting what we feel are high-impact potential rotational pieces that will help further our goal of getting ourselves in a position for success.”

Last month, one MLB executive suggested the White Sox would have an almost unprecedented talent pool to deal away were they to rebuild. The group was similar to the 1976 Oakland A’s, who tried to sell off a number of stars, including Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson and Rollie Fingers, before they hit free agency only to have most deals overturned.

With only two players dealt — arguably their first and third most valuable pieces — the White Sox have already positioned themselves extremely well for the future. Not only have they acquired the two headliners in Giolito and Moncada, they added potentially elite pitching depth to a system that has proven incapable of providing replacement-level talent whenever the White Sox were in need.

And their situation should only improve as the White Sox endure what they expect to be a painful, slow rebuild. In an attempt to self-sustain, the White Sox plan to dig deep and continue to trade away valuable major leaguers in an attempt to ensure they limit future instances where they don’t have the pieces to pull off a blockbuster trade or even simply fill a hole when one arises.

“The problem with our roster the last year or year before wasn’t the top third or so, certainly wasn’t Sale or Eaton,” Hahn said. “It was the matter of, in my opinion, a lack of 1-25 depth, or even 1-40 depth given some injury issues that every club encounters, and that’s what we’re trying to rectify over an extended period of time. We’re trying to get ourselves in a position where we not only have that high-end impact talent at the top of the roster that we’ve benefited from and that other teams are coveting, but that we also have the depth to survive when you have unfortunate underperformance or injury along the way.”

So far the White Sox couldn’t be much happier.

There was an audible gasp in the media room (and perhaps throughout the building) on Wednesday when it became clear what the White Sox received in exchange for Eaton and Eaton alone.

Even though the White Sox no longer have Eaton or Sale, they still have pitchers Jose Quintana and Nate Jones on team-friendly contracts, 2018 free agents Todd Frazier and Melky Cabrera, slugger Jose Abreu and closer David Robertson to potentially trade. Given that pool, Hahn and the front office believe they can continue to further overhaul a farm system that has resided in the bottom third of baseball for much of the last decade.

“Expectations are high in these deals,” Hahn said. “We expect there to be strong returns for them. We were very pleased with how these first two have gone so far.”

White Sox add pitcher Dylan Covey in Rule 5 draft.

By Dan Hayes

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

The White Sox added another young pitcher on Thursday when they selected right-hander Dylan Covey in the Rule 5 draft.

Covey, formerly the No. 20 prospect in the Oakland A’s farm system, missed all but six starts of the 2016 regular season after he sustained an oblique injury. A fourth-round selection in 2013, Covey also made six starts in the Arizona Fall League, compiling a 4.74 ERA in 24 2/3 innings. He is the sixth pitcher added by the White Sox at the Winter Meetings this week, including five acquired in the trades for Chris Sale and Adam Eaton.

White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said Covey, who must stay on the major league roster the entire season or would potentially be offered back to Oakland, can compete for a spot in the bullpen or even the team’s rotation.

“Interesting kid,” Hahn said. “Up to 95 with some sink. Four-pitch mix. Obviously, he’s not a finished product. But we think he has a chance to compete for a spot in our bullpen or possibly even in the rotation. Long term he has starter potential and we’ll just have to wait and see how he looks when he gets to Glendale. But interesting arm and we’re interested in adding as much talent as we can to the organization.”

The White Sox added a bevy of prospects in the previous two days, including MLB.com’s top-ranked position player (Yoan Moncada) and pitcher (Lucas Giolito). The haul also includes talented pitchers Michael Kopech and Reynaldo Lopez, among others.

“It’s a weird feeling,” Hahn said. “Mixed emotions. You never like parting ways with stalwarts on this roster like Chris Sale and Adam Eaton. At the same time, we had a plan that we know is going to take some time and it’s nice to feel good about the first steps in that plan and the return which we received.”

Originally selected in the first round of the 2010 draft by the Milwaukee Brewers, Covey opted for college after he was diagnosed with Diabetes. Covey played alongside Cubs star Kris Bryant for three seasons (2011-13) and White Sox farmhand Louie Lechich at the University of San Diego before Oakland drafted him in 2013.

Covey was limited to six regular season starts in 2016 at Double-A Midland after his oblique injury. He finished 2-1 with a 1.84 ERA in 29 1/3 innings.

Rick Hahn: White Sox 'still thoroughly, deeply engaged' in trade talks as meetings close.

By Dan Hayes

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

The White Sox have a pair of relievers to dangle and have become increasingly busier with two of three free-agent closers off the board.

Prior to leaving the Winter Meetings on Thursday, White Sox general manager Rick Hahn was asked if a pool of relievers including closer David Robertson and setup man Nate Jones had drawn much interest.

Having already traded Chris Sale and Adam Eaton, it’s believed the White Sox are willing to part with most anyone if the price is right. It sounds as if that possibility has improved after the Yankees’ late night signing of Aroldis Chapman on Wednesday, two days after the San Francisco Giants signed Mark Melancon. With only Kenley Jansen still left in free agency and due a big salary, Robertson, who has two years and $25 million left on his deal, could solve several teams’ relief needs. Jones is also a draw with potentially five years left on his current team-friendly deal, which includes two club options and one mutual option for 2021.

“We’ve had a lot of interesting conversations on a number of different fronts involving are players,” Hahn said. “And yes, we still have reliever pieces and starting pieces that are appealing to various teams throughout the league. I don’t think anything is going to happen between now and the time I go pick up my bags and head to the airport. But still thoroughly engaged, deeply engaged on a number of different fronts.”

Despite adding five pitchers and two position players through their first two moves, the White Sox still have a long list of desires. That list potentially includes a long-term starting catcher and another big bat among others.

Golf: I got a club for that..... USGA, R&A create local rule in wake of Dustin Johnson's U.S. Open issues.

By Ryan Ballengee

Dustin Johnson was pleading his case to a USGA rules official at the U.S. Open. (Photo/Getty Images)

If you’ll recall, the U.S. Open was nearly marred by a rules controversy.

Eventual winner Dustin Johnson had his final round and championship put into limbo when his ball moved on the fifth green at Oakmont Country Club. After the walking rules official declared Johnson didn’t cause the ball to move, USGA officials kept looking at the footage. As Johnson was making his back-nine run toward his first major, the USGA informed Johnson that he might — might — be penalized for the ball moving.

Johnson played on, winning the title anyhow, even with the post-round protestations of the USGA that they would award the in-limbo penalty stroke. Widely panned for how they handled the situation, the USGA acknowledged the fault but blamed the language of the Rules of Golf that left them in what they felt was an almost impossible situation to ignore.

Now, the USGA and R&A have introduced a change to the Rules of Golf that should prevent this kind of situation in the future.

Starting Jan. 1, 2017, a new Local Rule (meaning it doesn’t have to be used by every tournament) absolves a player if they accidentally cause their ball or ball marker to move on the green. The change reads in full:

Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1 are modified as follows: 

When a player’s ball lies on the putting green, there is no penalty if the ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved by the player, his partner, his opponent, or any of their caddies or equipment. 

The moved ball or ball-marker must be replaced as provided in Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1. 

This Local Rule applies only when the player’s ball or ball-marker lies on the putting green and any movement is accidental. 

Note: If it is determined that a player’s ball on the putting green was moved as a result of wind, water or some other natural cause such as the effects of gravity, the ball must be played as it lies from its new location. A ball-marker moved in such circumstances is replaced.

This change would have prevented Johnson from being penalized, and it corrects a correction to Rule 18-2 that made it more vague and difficult to interpret.

All of golf’s major governing bodies have agreed to implement the rule in their events starting in 2017.

Lexi Thompson Is Playing from the Same Tees as the Men This Week. Let's Not All Freak Out.

By Marika Washchyshyn

(Photo/yahoosports.com)

Lexi Thompson is the only woman in the Franklin Templeton Shootout field this week, and she'll play the same tees as the men. Shock! Awe! Gasp! Right? No, not really. Let's not make a bigger deal out of this than we need to. Touting this event as some kind of tricked-up Battle of the Sexes would be insulting not only to Thompson's ability but also to the caliber of elite female golfers in general.

Thompson finished the 2016 LPGA season second in driving distance at 277.40 yards, which was longer than 26 players' driving distance on the PGA Tour in the 2015-16 season. Thompson hit nearly 77 percent of her greens in regulation, or more than six and a half percentage points more than the PGA Tour average. And her 70.37 scoring average? That was a stroke clear of the PGA Tour scoring average.

Not only that, but Thompson is somewhat of a veteran of the course. Tiburon Golf Club plays host to the LPGA's season-ending tournament, the CME Group Tour Championship, which Thompson competed in just three weeks ago. The Shootout has extended the track to 7,200 yards, about 500 yards longer than Thompson has played in competition previously. She finished fourth there in 2015.

Apples to oranges, some will say, but I'll say this: 21-year-old Lexi Thompson is more talented than your average PGA Tour player. For years she's been smashing preconceptions about the "limitations" of female golfers, and wowing countless fans along the way. So why, in 2016, does a woman playing from the back tees feel like some sort of holy rite of passage?

One, because the LPGA tour continually has been deemed "lesser than" by a not insignificant number of sports fans. And, two, because mixed-gender contests are, shamefully, still a novelty. Thompson is just the second LPGA player to compete in Shootout since Annika Sorenstam partnered with Fred Couples. That was 10 years ago. A decade. That's a long time to have boxed out the ladies, especially given the LPGA's explosive growth.

There are more eyes on the LPGA today than ever before, with more than 170 countries broadcasting the tour's events. Since Sorenstam pegged it in the Shootout, LPGA purses have increased a combined $11 million, with average purses increasing nearly half a million dollars per event, a testament to sponsor interest in the tour's new stars. Since 2006, the LPGA has seen the rise of Lorena Ochoa, Yani Tseng, Inbee Park, Stacy Lewis and Lydia Ko. Yet none of those players were invited to the Shootout.

If Thompson and DeChambeau finish at or near the bottom of the leaderboard (as Sorenstam and Couples did in 2006), cynics will say that they never had a chance, while others will argue that the deck (or tees, as it were) was stacked against them. If the pair contend, however, it will come as a revelation to a wide swath of golf fans that, hey, the women can play. Really, though, Thompson has nothing to prove. She has insane talent, and so do her LPGA peers – no matter what tees they play from.

(c) 2016 Time Inc. Lexi Thompson: Visualize Your Shot and Control Your Drive LPGA star Lexi Thompson shows you how to add power and control to your drives by visualizing your shot off the tee.

Back in Business: Tiger Woods Now Faces a Pivotal 2017 On and Off The Course.

By Michael Bamberger

(Photo/yahoosports.com)

Tour Confidential: Could Tiger Have Major Potential in 2017? Tiger Woods is back, and with it, major speculation. Our panel breaks down his performance at the Hero World Challenge and discusses whether or not more major championships are in Tiger's future. Tiger Woods on a golf course is an exciting thing. We all got a heavy reminder of that last week at the Hero World Challenge. Tiger Woods, swinging well and making birdies and climbing up a leader board, is actually one of the most exciting things in all of sports. Yes, the setting was a nearly meaningless exhibition, yet it was still electrifying, at least for a while. It was Tiger.

What is it?

It’s his physique, his we-are-the-world ancestry, his interesting fashion choices (chopstick sideburns and collarless shirts in the Bahamas), his Chiclets smile, his remarkable athletic resume, his personal history, his health history. It’s our history with him, 20 years for many of us, if not 25. Woods shot a second-round 65 (playing by himself in light winds) and in the third round he was four under through five holes and on a northbound express train. Suddenly, anything seemed possible.

Suddenly, it was 2008 all over again.

Then reality set in. Woods is 40 and coming off back surgery. He was playing in his first tournament in 15 months and experimenting with new sticks and a new ball. It was breezy, and the greenside lies were tight. (Not his thing, these days.) Also, Tiger at 40 is nothing like he was at 30 or 20. In the end, he beat two players in the 17-man field. He made the most birdies and the most bogeys, and in the end we learned . . . not much.

In a few weeks, Tiger will turn 41 and chart his course for the new year. Between now and April 6, the day the Masters begins, he’ll talk about getting his game in shape to win at Augusta, and so will we. It’s a story, a possibility, that sucks us all in.

What will be less apparent is simply this: Tiger Woods, 2017, his life and times.

Let’s start here. Woods has a meaningful relationship with the incoming president of the United States. In mid-October, Woods was asked, through his agent, Mark Steinberg, if he was endorsing a candidate or if he had an opinion on whether the Trump course in Bedminster, N.J., was a suitable location for the U.S. Women’s Open next July. Steinberg passed. Last week, Donald Trump sent out a welcome-back-to-golf tweet to Woods. In 2014, Trump and Woods—alongside Ivanka, Donald Jr. and Eric—gathered at Doral for the opening of the Tiger Woods Villa at the Miami resort. Come Jan. 20, Eric Trump, who is taking over the family’s golf portfolio, will become one of the most significant people in the business of building and running golf courses. In that regard, the Trump family’s interests and Woods’s business interests overlap significantly. Each can be good for the other.

Come the new year, the PGA Tour will have a new commissioner, as Jay Monahan takes the reins. Tim Finchem, a masterful politician, understood that in the Woods-Tour relationship, the balance of power tilted mightily in Tiger’s direction. Monahan does not have a disruptor personality, but he is taking over at a time when Woods’s hold on the game is waning.

Woods will have to pay closer attention to his relationship with the Tour, for the sake of the World Challenge and the Quicken Loans National in suburban Washington, D.C., two events that he and his people run. The historic Tour stop in Los Angeles, now called the Genesis Open, is a new fundraiser for the Tiger Woods Foundation, replacing the FedEx playoff event in Boston. The Honda Classic, played at PGA National, raises money for the TWF as well. Woods also has deep relationships with AT&T, as does the Tour. His playing schedule and the Tour’s tournament and broadcast schedule are entwined, and in that sense the Monahan-Woods relationship is significant. It can be a starting and stopping point for a great deal of Tour business.

With Nike out of the equipment business, Woods will be testing a variety of clubs between now and the start of the 2017 golf year. He will continue to promote TGR as a new (essentially) holding company for all his business and philanthropic interests. In March, Woods is expected to publish a book about his historic 12-shot win at the 1997 Masters, his first major as a professional. He has already agreed to be an assistant captain to Steve Sticker when the Presidents Cup is played in New Jersey next September. (The Presidents Cup is run by the PGA Tour.) The U.S. Ryder Cup team is run by the PGA of America, and Woods is being groomed to be a captain.

Which leads us to the most significant relationship change for Woods. In his heyday, Woods was the PGA Tour, and the players trying to beat him—Ernie Els, Vijay Singh, Phil Mickelson, Davis Love III, among others—grew weary of answering questions about his greatness. These days the PGA Tour is a collective again, owned and operated by a slew of players. In his prime, Woods didn’t want or need relationships with his touring brethren. But now he does, and he is working on it. He made so much effort at the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine, where he was an assistant captain. Ditto at the World Challenge. He makes physical contact with players. He puts a hand on a player’s back. He'll squeeze a neck. He'll exchange high-fives.

And players are returning the favor in a significant way. In recent months, young stars have all gone out of their way to welcome Woods back to competition, to root for his success.

Really, it makes no sense, at least if you take a micro view. If Woods wins again, it will be at their expense. But they are looking beyond that. These are players who grew up on Woods. They know what he has done for the game, for TV ratings, for the purses for which they play. They want that to continue. The truth is obvious: Now is their time. But it’s hard, if not impossible, to say goodbye to Tiger Woods. Plus, goodbye may be premature. We don’t know, and we won’t get an answer anytime soon.

NASCAR: Dale Earnhardt Jr. cleared to return to NASCAR, will race at the 2017 Daytona 500.

By Nate Ryan

(Photo/Jerry Markland/Getty Images)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has completed his recovery from a concussion that sidelined him for the last half of the 2016 NASCAR season.

Hendrick Motorsports announced Thursday morning that Earnhardt had been cleared to race again in NASCAR after a Wednesday test at Darlington Raceway. Earnhardt was cleared by Dr. Micky Collins, director of the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program in Pittsburgh. Collins consulted with Dr. Jerry Petty, who attended the test at the 1.366-mile oval.

Earnhardt will return with the Daytona 500 on Feb. 26, 2017.

Earnhardt, who is getting married Dec. 31, has said he plans to drive the No. 88 Chevrolet in a tire test at Phoenix International Raceway in January. The recently named 14-time most popular driver hasn’t raced since finishing 13th in the July 9 race at Kentucky Speedway.

Here’s the full release Thursday from Hendrick Motorsports:

Following a test session Wednesday afternoon at Darlington Raceway, Hendrick Motorsports driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been medically cleared to resume NASCAR competition after making a full recovery from a concussion. He will return for the beginning of the 2017 season at the Feb. 26 Daytona 500. 

Earnhardt, 42, was cleared Wednesday evening by Dr. Micky Collins, medical director of the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program in Pittsburgh, in consultation with Charlotte neurosurgeon Dr. Jerry Petty. Petty attended the test at the 1.366-mile South Carolina racetrack. 

“Dale is one of the hardest-working patients I’ve ever encountered,” Collins said. “He’s done everything we’ve asked, and we believe he is ready to compete at a professional level again and can withstand the normal forces of a race car driver. Dale has been very open with us, and we’ve had plenty of time for his treatment, so we feel very good about his long-term prospects and how this has been managed by everyone involved.” 

Earnhardt, driver of the No. 88 Chevrolet SS for Hendrick Motorsports, completed 185 laps during a nearly five-hour session at Darlington under the guidance of his crew chief, Greg Ives. In addition to the on-track test, which was observed by NASCAR, the driver has logged more than 15 hours in a racing simulator during his recovery. 

“I feel great, and I’m excited to officially be back,” Earnhardt said. “I expected things to go really well yesterday, and that’s exactly what happened. Actually getting in a race car was an important final step, and it gives me a ton of confidence going into 2017. Thanks to the staff at Darlington for hosting our team and to NASCAR for giving us the opportunity to put a car on the track. I’ll do more testing in January to help knock the rust off. When it’s time to go to Daytona, I’ll be ready.” 

Alex Bowman (10 races) and four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon (eight races) handled substitute driving duties for the No. 88 team during Earnhardt’s recovery. He missed the final 18 races of the 2016 NASCAR season beginning with the July 17 event at New Hampshire. 

“Dale deserves so much credit,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “I’m proud of him for listening to his body and standing up to take responsibility for his health. He’s worked extremely hard and set a terrific example for others. It’s great news as we go into the off-season, and we can’t wait to see him back on the racetrack at Daytona.” 

Bowman will race the No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet SS in the Feb. 18 season-opening, non-points The Clash at Daytona International Speedway, which will feature pole position winners from the previous year. Bowman won the No. 88 team’s lone 2016 pole at Phoenix in November. 

“Alex did such a great job in the car this year, and I felt like he deserved another opportunity,” Earnhardt said. “When I spoke with Rick and the team about him driving The Clash, everyone agreed that he more than earned it, and Nationwide was 100-percent on board. I’m really grateful to him and Jeff for what they did for our team, and I’m glad Alex is getting another run with us.”

NHRA: Chevrolet takes wraps off new Pro Stock Camaro SS.

By Tony DiZinno

(Photo/Chevrolet)

A new look for the Chevrolet Camaro SS in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series’ Pro Stock class has been revealed. See the release below for the details:

The Gen Six Chevrolet Pro Stock Camaro SS makes its public debut at the Performance Racing Industry trade show in Indianapolis on Thursday, Dec. 8.

The new model builds on the success of the championship-winning fifth-generation-based race car. It’s more athletic-looking and aerodynamically optimized bodywork draws its styling from the Gen Six Chevrolet Camaro SS.

“Our goal was to minimize aerodynamic drag within the NHRA guidelines and incorporate as many design cues from the production car,” said John Mack, Chevrolet Camaro exterior design manager. “The result is a sleeker and more aerodynamic Camaro SS.”

The new race car makes its competition debut this February in Pomona, Calif., at the kickoff event for the 2017 NHRA Mello Yellow Drag Racing Series.

Chevrolet Pro Stock Camaro drivers won 23 of 24 events in the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Jason Line won eight events, capturing his third world title — and the third straight championship for Chevrolet. Runner-up Greg Anderson won eight events in a Camaro SS race car.

Track testing with the 2017 Pro Stock Camaro SS begins later this month.

In addition to the new Pro Stock Camaro SS, Chevrolet’s 2017 COPO program offers specialty race cars designed for NHRA’s Stock Eliminator classes, and earlier this fall Chevrolet announced a drag racing development program for production-based Camaro models.

Roger Penske honored with Horatio Alger Award.

By Daniel McFadin

(Photo/Jamie Squire/Getty Images}

Roger Penske, the owner of teams in NASCAR and the Verizon IndyCar Series, has been selected as one of the 11 recipients of the Horatio Alger Award.

The award, presented by the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, recognizes “exceptional corporate and philanthropic leaders from across the country who have succeeded despite facing challenges.”

The association, founded in 1947, is named after Alger, a 19th century author who is most known for the “Ragged Dick” book series.

“It is a privilege to receive the Horatio Alger Award alongside 10 remarkable men and women,” said the owner of Team Penske in a press release. “I was fortunate enough to have a strong support network growing up and I learned the importance of believing in yourself and having the courage to take the first step toward your dream. We are all stronger and more capable than we think, and I hope to convey that message to as many young people as possible through my work with the Association.”

Penske is currently celebrating the 50th anniversary of his race team, which included winning the IndyCar championship with Simon Pagenaud. The association is celebrating its 70th anniversary of working to “dispel the mounting belief among citizens that the American Dream was no longer attainable.”

Penske’s legendary career in racing took shape after he was involved in a motorcycle accident at a young age that left him with several serious injuries and months of rehabilitation.

“Roger’s strong work ethic and determination to reach his goals is admirable and inspiring,” said Byron Trott, president, Horatio Alger Association in a press release. “My fellow Members and I congratulate Roger on his induction into the Association, recognizing his self-made success, entrepreneurial vision and commitment to giving back. We look forward to working with him to further encourage our Scholars to follow their dreams, no matter the adversities they face.”

Other receiving the award:

• Alain Bouchard, founder and executive chairman of the board, Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
• John Elway, executive vice president of football operations/general manager, Denver Broncos
• Mellody Hobson, president, Ariel Investments, LLC
• Harold B. Matzner, chairman, CBA Industries Inc.
• Valerie Montgomery Rice, president and dean, Morehouse School of Medicine
• Byron Pitts, chief national correspondent, ABC News and co-anchor, ‘Nightline’
• John H. Scully, co-founder and managing partner, SPO Partners & Co.
• Richard J Stephenson, founder & chairman, Cancer Treatment Centers of America
• Marcia G. Taylor, president and chief executive officer, Bennett International Group, LLC
• Lenard B. Tessler, vice chairman and senior managing director, Cerberus Capital Management, L.P.

SOCCER: Top 5 Premier League storylines for Week 15: Chelsea top, Leicester tested.

By Kyle Bonn

(Photo/Getty Images)

This weekend is absolutely critical for the Premier League. Last time out, the top of the table kept pace and little changed. This time around, there is danger lurking for much of the top. Arsenal, Liverpool, and Spurs all have difficult tests, but can Tony Pulis be the one to pin Chelsea back?

Spurs and Manchester United 9:15 a.m. ET Sunday, NBCSports.com) meet with both teams clawing for scraps from those above them. These two teams very well could be battling it out for a final Champions League place at the end of the season, meaning this matchup could go a long way in building a true gap in the table.

The bottom of the table is fascinating as well. Bob Bradley has his biggest chance yet to pull the Swans off the bottom against Sunderland amid the noise, while Hull City and Crystal Palace have a key meeting.

1. Moving day for Chelsea

Chelsea vs. West Brom — 7:00 a.m. ET Sunday, NBCSports.com

Chelsea is in the best form of any Premier League team in years. Their clean sheet streak predictably ended two games ago, but it hasn’t stopped the Blues’ fine run. They’ve won eight in a row and look impossible to stop. Can Pulis-ball keep the Blues at bay? They’re three points on top of the table, and another win would likely give them even more space considering tough matches for the other top teams.

2. Any magic left in the tank for Leicester City?

Leicester City vs. Manchester City — 12:30 p.m. ET Saturday, NBCSports.com

The Foxes topped their Champions League group, but things continue to look more and more bleak in league play. Claudio Raneiri admitted they’re in a relegation battle with the Foxes just two points above the drop. But we’ve learned not to count this team out already, and a win against Pep Guardiola‘s stumbling team could be more than just three points.

Speaking of Manchester City, Pep was pipped by fellow first-time Premier League manager Antonio Conte last weekend, and then held to a 1-1 draw with Celtic in midweek Champions League action. However, City has taken care of business so far this season against weaker opponents, and the Foxes certainly seem to be just that at this point.

3. Will Arsenal stumble against Stoke?

Arsenal vs. Stoke City — 10:00 a.m. ET Saturday, NBCSports.com

For all the heat the Gunners have (unfairly?) taken this season, Alexis Sanchez has them just three points off the top. For Arsenal to still be one game off Chelsea despite the Blues’ fabulous run is somewhat remarkable, and for them to have thus far weathered the storm, it would be truly something to see them capitalize on a slip-up from Conte.

However, Stoke has been here before. The Potters have conceded just three goals in their last seven matches, including a pair with clean sheets; if anyone can stop Sanchez’s amazing form, it’s the Mark Hughes and the defensively stout Potters. A win for Stoke could potentially see them jump as high as sixth, could they go on the road and halt the Gunners? It’s possible, but a 315-minute shutout streak vs. Stoke for Arsenal puts things squarely in Arsene Wenger‘s favor before kickoff.

4. Bob Bradley’s golden opportunity

Swansea City vs. Sunderland — 10:00 a.m. ET Saturday, NBCSports.com

Bob Bradley has taken plenty of flak at Swansea City, and rightly so. Since his anointment as the first American manager in England’s top flight, the Swans have picked up just five points and still sit bottom of the table, two points back of anyone else. But to be fair, the competition has been tough. The four losses since his appointment have come against Arsenal, Stoke City, Manchester United, and Tottenham, and he picked up a pair of points against 8th placed Everton and 11th placed Watford. Now is his chance to pick the Swans off the bottom with a win against those directly above him.

Sunderland visits Wales sitting in 18th, and should Swansea win, they would jump above the Black Cats. The task is no given, however, with Sunderland owning three wins in its last four, meaning they’ve picked up nine of their 11 total points in the last month. Bradley fended off much criticism the past week, and if he’s going to silence those calls for his job after just two months, this is a must-win.

5. West Ham finishes gauntlet stretch

Liverpool vs. West Ham United — 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday, NBCSports.com

The Hammers are in the midst of a brutal run of matches where they have just two points, putting them a single point above the relegation zone. The teams they’ve played? Everton, Stoke City, Spurs, Manchester United, Arsenal. Yikes. And yet, if West Ham aspire to the heights they reached last season, Slaven Bilic will expect better. Can the Hammers get a result against the high-flying Reds? Liverpool sits four points off the top, but goalkeeper Loris Karius was exposed last week in the stunning Bournemouth comeback, and it’s possible that disappointment leaves a lasting impact. Who will prevail?

Europa League roundup: Manchester United through, Southampton bounced.

By Kyle Bonn

(Photo/Getty Images)

The Europa League group stage finished up Thursday and a pair of Premier League teams are through, along with other big-name clubs.

Manchester United secured its spot in the knockout stage by beating Ukranian side Zorya 2-0 on goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Paul Pogba looked incisive as well, feeding Zlatan on the second goal. They finish second in Group A after Fenerbahce beat Feyenoord on a wonderful overhead kick from bike specialist Moussa Sow, giving the Turkish club the group’s top spot.

Southampton, however, suffered a double blow as they needed a win or a 0-0 draw against Israeli side Hapoel Be’er Sheva, but were dumped from the competition with a wild 1-1 draw after Maor Bar Buzaglo scored with 11 minutes remaining to send the Israeli club through. In addition, the Saints may have lost striker Charlie Austin for some time after he went down with what looked to be a dislocated shoulder, as trainers appeared to pop it back in as Austin lay on the pitch, before he came off in clear pain.

Group B finished with a tight margin. Cypriot club Apoel Nicosia defeated bigger brothers Olympiacos 2-0 with one early and one late. That sent Apoel clean through at the top of the club, while the Greeks took second. Olympiacos finished level with Young Boys on eight points, but the Greek club went through thanks to a win and a draw against their Swiss groupmates.

Group C ended even tighter as St. Etienne completed a stunning comeback, down 2-0 in the first half on the road at Anderlecht before coming from behind to win 3-2 with all three goals coming in a 12-minute span in the second half. That gave the French side the group win with 12 points, while the Belgians came in second with 11. FC Mainz won 2-0 over Qabala but finished third with nine points.

AZ Alkmaar’s wire to wire 3-2 win over Group D winners Zenit St. Petersburg saw them advance despite Maccabi Tel Aviv’s victory, while Celta Vigo overtook Standard Liege to move on through Group G thanks to a 2-0 win over Panathanaikos. The Spaniards came into the day tied with Standard Liege on points, and the three points saw them through, while the Belgians were bounced after managing just a draw against group leaders Ajax.

Group F is the only question mark, as Genk and Sassuolo were meant to play, but the match was postponed due to significant fog cutting sight to essentially nothing at Mapei Stadium in Italy. Athletic Bilbao, meanwhile, sits atop the group, but a 1-1 draw Thursday with Rapid Wien means Genk is still able to take over the top spot from the Spaniards with a draw or win.

Red Bull Salzburg caught FC Krasnodar on points thanks to a win over group leaders Schalke plus a Krasnodar loss to Nice, but it wasn’t enough thanks to the head-to-head tiebreaker, so Schalke and Krasnodar move through in Group I.

Finally, Villarreal secured a place in the knockout stages thanks to a late 2-1 win over 10-man Steaua Bucharesti. Manu Trigueros scored the winner in the 88th minute, pushing them clean into second behind Turkish club Osmanlispor who won the group with a 2-0 win over FC Zurich thanks to two late goals.

SCORELINES

Zorya 0-2 Manchester United
Southampton 1-1 Hapoel Be’er Sheva
Feyenoord 0-1 Fenerbahce
Astra Giurgiu 0-0 Roma
AZ Alkmaar 3-2 Zenit St. Petersburg
Standard Liege 1-1 Ajax
Inter Milan 2-1 Sparta Prague
Red Bull Salzburg 2-0 Schalke
Villareal 2-1 Steaua Bucharesti
Qarabag 1-2 Fiorentina
Sporting Braga 2-4 Shakhtar Donetsk
Anderlecht 2-3 Saint Etienne
Mainz 2-0 Gabala
Panathinaikos 0-2 Celta Vigo
Viktoria Plzen 3-2 Austria Wien
Konyaspor 0-1 Gent
PAOK 2-0 Liberec
Apoel Nicosia 2-0 Olympiacos
Young Boys 3-0 Astana
Osmanlispor 2-0 FC Zurich
Nice 2-1 Krasnodar
Sassuolo vs. Genk (postponed until Friday)

The draw for the Round of 32 will take place on Monday, December 12th.

ROUND OF 32:

Group winners: Fenerbahce, Apoel Nicosia, St. Etienne, Zenit St. Petersburg, Roma, Athletic Bilbao/Genk, Ajax, Shakhtar Donetsk, Schalke, Fiorentina, Sparta Prague, Osmanlispor.

Runners Up: Manchester United, Olympiacos, Anderlecht, Anderlecht, Astra Giurgiu, Athletic Bilbao/Genk, Celta Vigo, KAA Gent, Krasnodar, PAOK, Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Villareal.

Dropping down from Champions League: Ludogorets, Besiktas, Borussia Monchengladbach, FC Rostov, Tottenham Hotspur, Legia Warsaw, FC Copenhagen, Lyon.

NCAAFB: Charlie Strong, Temple have reportedly spoken as USF talk heats up.

By John Taylor

(Photo/Getty Images)

Temple lost its head coach to an FBS program in the state of Texas. Could the Owls find his replacement in the form of the former head coach at that state’s flagship university? Or, as is looking more and more likely, could they “lose” him to a fellow AAC school?

According to at least one report the former could be the case as the Philadelphia Inquirer, citing a source familiar with the situation, reported that Strong and Temple officials have spoken about the vacant head-coaching job. How strong, so to speak, the former Louisville and Texas head coach’s interest is in the AAC football program is something the source couldn’t gauge, the Inquirer noted.

That said, “[t]hey had a conversation with Strong, that is a fact,” the source said.

The strongest, so to speak, competition for Strong may very well be coming from USF, with Roy Cummings of Florida Football Insiders reporting that “[i]t is believed that USF has already begun negotiating a contract with Strong.” A subsequent report from the Tampa Bay Times noted that USF spent Thursday in heavy pursuit of Strong.

The 56-year-old coach had previously been connected to the USF job, and his deep ties to the fertile recruiting grounds in the state that makes a marriage almost a no-brainer for both sides.

Strong was fired by the Longhorns in November after going just 16-21 during his three seasons in Austin. UT currently owes Strong roughly $11.2 million as part of his buyout. Per the terms of his contract, Strong must make “reasonable efforts” to obtain another job. If he does, USA Today wrote, “Texas’ obligation to him will be offset by an amount equal to 50% of the total compensation Strong receives from his new job.”

Matt Rhule, who left Temple for Baylor earlier this week, was paid just north of $1 million for his final season with the Owls, a figure that was eighth amongst AAC coaches. Willie Taggart, who created the USF vacancy by leaving for Oregon, was the fifth-highest paid coach in the conference at $1.7 million.

Strong’s salary final salary of $5.2 million was sixth nationally.

Jim Harbaugh is looking forward to seeing Chief Osceola and Renegade at the Orange Bowl.

By Kevin McGuire

(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher got together for a joint press conference in Miami today as the two coaches prepare to face one another in the Orange Bowl on December 30. Harbaugh said he is looking forward to the matchup but seemed to be much more interested in getting a chance to witness one of the pregame traditions of Florida State; Chief Osceola riding on Renegade and planting a spear in the turf.

“I’ve never been to a game at Florida State,” Harbaugh said. “I’ve always wanted to go there and see what that atmosphere was like in person. This will be as close as I’ve ever been to that. I’m excited for that. I know I’m going to get some chills when that Appaloosa comes riding out there.”

Of course, this isn’t exactly a home game for the Seminoles, so sometimes pregame traditions are put on ice for the bowl season. Knowing this, Harbaugh made his case and made sure everyone listening knows just how cool he thinks it is.

“I want to see that. That’s one of the cool things,” Harbaugh said. “We have cool things and other teams have cool things, but that is right up there as one of the coolest things.”

Fortunately for Harbaugh, he will indeed get a chance to witness this pregame routine in person. Florida State Associate Athletics Director Jason Dennard said on Twitter Chief Osceola and Renegade will make the trip to Miami from Tallahassee.

Houston reportedly closing in on a head coach; Kiffin and Miles still being considered.

By Kevin McGuire

(Photo/Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

The Houston Cougars are reportedly hoping to have a new head coach named as soon as this coming weekend. As expected, Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin and former LSU head coach Les Miles are among the final candidates being considered for the job.

One candidate no longer to be in the mix, according to a report from Joseph Duarte of The Houston Chronicle, is Oklahoma offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley. That should be good news for Oklahoma, as it likely means Riley will be back in Norman for at least one more season to run the offense (and with Baker Mayfield coming back for 2017, the Sooners offense should continue to rack up some big numbers).

As noted by Duarte, five total candidates were vetted by Houston for the head coaching job. Kiffin, Miles and interim Houston coach Todd Orlando and offensive coordinator Major Applewhite along with Riley all were checked by the university as a decision is approaching.

NCAABKB: LATE NIGHT SNACKS: Indiana State, Colorado score upset wins.

By Travis Hines

(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

GAME OF THE NIGHT: Indiana State 72, No. 16 Butler 71.

Don’t play road games against mid-majors in the Hoosier State, apparently. Two weeks after Indiana lost at Fort Wayne, Butler goes down in Terre Haute to the Sycamores. Yet another example of why such scheduling practices remain the oddity. Butler probably should have known better than to play at Indiana State on Larry Bird’s 60th birthday, though.

IMPORTANT OUTCOMES

No. 6 Kentucky 87, Valparaiso 63: In their first game back since losing to UCLA, the Wildcats carved up Valpo in a game that said much more about UK than the Crusaders.

No. 10 Creighton 77, Nebraska 62: The Bluejays jumped out to an 18-4 lead early, but led by just one at halftime. Then, Creighton’s offense went into overdrive and used a 15-4 run break the game open early in the second half and then cruise to a comfortable victory in Lincoln against the rival Huskers while showing off its potent offense.

Colorado 68, No. 13 Xavier 66: The Musketeers shot just 38.3 percent from the floor while Derrick White had 23 points, six rebounds and four assists to power the Buffaloes in the upset victory. Xavier has now dropped two-straight, with the losses coming in its only two true road games of the non-conference schedule.

SMU 74, TCU 59: The Horned Frogs were off to an 8-0 start to a season that signals its commitment to basketball, but fell short in their attempt to deliver a truly signature win after an otherwise relatively soft non-conference schedule. Winning at Moody Coliseum, with a presidential audience no less, probably won’t be the difference in wherever TCU lands this spring, but now their fate will rest almost exclusively in how they navigate the Big 12. SMU got its second Power 5 victory after dispatching Jamie Dixon’s previous employer, Pitt, earlier this season.

STARRED

Deng Adel, Louisville: Put up a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Cardinals.

West Virginia’s defense: Maybe it wasn’t the 40 turnovers the Mountaineers forced against Manhattan, but Bob Huggins’ group tallied 34 takeaways from Western Carolina.

A.J. Astroth, Belmont: It happened in a losing effort, but Astroth had 16 points and 15 rebounds in 37 minutes in the Pirates’ 69-63 setback to Gardner-Webb.

STRUGGLED

VCU: The Rams dropped their second-straight game, this one at home, in an overtime setback, 76-73, to Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets’ previous best win was against KenPom No. 166 Sam Houston State – at home, no less.

San Diego State: The Aztecs lost their second straight game, this one coming on the road against Grand Canyon. It looks like the Mountain West is going to be a one-bid league again.

TOP 25

• Davidson made them sweat, but No. 7 North Carolina held on late for an 83-74 win over the Wildcats.
• No. 11 Louisville held Southern Illinois to 35.2 percent shooting in a 74-51 victory.
• On top of forcing 34 turnovers, No. 15 West Virginia held Western Carolina to 26 percent shooting in a 90-37 victory.
• Bronson Koenig went for 21 points and Ethan Happ had 12 points and 12 rebounds in No. 17 Wisconsin’s 78-44 win over Idaho State at the Kohl Center.

NOTABLES

• George Mason won its sixth-straight game by thrashing Penn State in the second half to win 85-66. The Patriots outscored the Nittany Lions by 20 after halftime in Happy Valley. Marquise Moore had 25 points for George Mason.
• Tommy Amaker became the winningest coach in Harvard history with a 74-66 win over Boston College in Chestnut Hill.
• Seton Hall survived a half-court heave from Jabari Bird that just missed its mark to beat Cal, 60-57, at the Pearl Harbor Invitational.
• JC Hampton hit 5 of 7 3-pointers to score 21 points and Texas A&M beat Denver, 80-58.

Amaker becomes winningest coach at Harvard after 74-66 win.

Associated Press

(Photo/Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

Harvard’s Tommy Amaker still feels the influence that Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski provided. It’s helped lead him through a successful coaching career.

Amaker became the winningest coach in Harvard history on Wednesday night when Chris Lewis scored a season-high 22 points and Seth Towns had 18 to lead the Crimson to a 74-66 road victory over local rival Boston College.

It was Amaker’s 179th win in his 10th season, moving him ahead of his predecessor, Frank Sullivan (178-245), who was the coach from 1991-2007.

“I’ll communicate with coach for sure,” Amaker said. “He has so many different guys that he likes to keep track of. I don’t want to be a burden in any way, but obviously his influence has been paramount. It’s been as big as it comes for me.

“I’ve always thought of him as an amazing teacher, leader. I’ve always tried emulate some of the things he’s taught through the years.”

A star guard with the Blue Devils from 1983-87, the 52-year-old Amaker felt he could take Harvard to a successful level that’s led to five Ivy League titles in the past six seasons.

“We always thought if we could build our basketball program to go along with the things that happen at Harvard, we would feel good about ourselves, and we’ve done that,” he said.
It was the third straight victory for Harvard (4-4).

Jerome Robinson led Boston College (4-4) with 25 points. A.J. Turner scored 13.
The Crimson looked dedicated to driving to the basket on most possessions from the start, collecting a number of easy looks when they shot near 60 percent in the opening minutes. It triggered a 13-2 spree that helped them open a 23-10 lead.

“The last couple of games I was encouraged of what we were doing defensively, but we took a step back,” BC coach Jim Christian said. “We’d played seven games. These guys have played a lot of minutes – bad defense is bad defense.”

The Crimson pushed their advantage to 39-21 after Bryce Aiken’s driving basket capped a 6-0 spurt.
The Eagles trailed by 19 points with just under 10 minutes to play, but made a late charge, closing the deficit to 69-60 on Robinson’s 3-pointer from the left corner.

Both teams then went nearly three minutes without a basket before Harvard closed it out.

BIG PICTURE

Harvard: The Crimson seemed to have figured out what type of team they have become after opening the season 1-3. They showed balance in a two-night span when they beat Northeastern on Tuesday and Boston College. On Tuesday, they scored only 18 points in the paint and they had 20 at halftime against the Eagles, finishing with 34.

“We’re constantly trying to preach that we set the tone and be the aggressor early,” Amaker said. “I just thought they responded very well and made the necessary plays.”

Boston College: The Eagles need to find some more consistent scoring to go along with Robinson. The 6-foot-5 sophomore guard entered the game second in the Atlantic Coast Conference, averaging 20.1 per game.

REFLECTION

“I’m very proud of that,” Amaker said of the milestone. “I’m proud of our program and our team.”

PERFECT TEST

The Crimson looked at playing consecutive nights as a warm up to how things will be in conference play, when schools mostly compete on Fridays and Saturdays.

“We approached these two back-to-back games how we’d see Ivy League play,” said point guard Siyani Chambers, who had 11 assists. “We’re trying to figure out who we are.”

SERIES

BC leads the all-time series 34-16 and had won the last two meetings after losing six straight.

The two schools first met in the 1905-06 season when Harvard won 42-6.

UP NEXT

Harvard: At Houston of the American Athletic Conference on Friday.

Boston College: Hosts Hartford from the America East Conference Friday.

The case for and against an eight team playoff in college football. What's Your Take?

By Ben Kercheval and Chip Patterson

These are the reasons why the College Football Playoff should and should not expand

Mark Emmert doesn't have control over the College Football Playoff format -- the NCAA doesn't run the Football Bowl Subdivision postseason and would graciously like to remind you of that -- but if he did, he'd expand it to eight teams.

And so would roughly half of college football-loving America.

Speaking Wednesday at the Learfield Intercollegiate Athletics Forum, Emmert said he prefers an eight-team format that includes automatic bids for champions of each Power Five conference.

However, as Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany noted on Wednesday, the field selection this year did not provide any movement toward an eight-team playoff.

The tires have been kicked on an eight-team playoff, casually or otherwise, even before major college football had a four-team playoff. With the three-year-old postseason format paying out hefty sums of money, one can venture to guess expansion is coming at some point in the future.

The question is whether that expansion is good or not.

The case for expansion

For the first two years of the playoff, one thing looked abundantly clear: Winning your conference championship was important. It wasn't a prerequisite for inclusion, but it did matter. All eight playoff teams in those two years were conference champs.

Then Penn State won the Big Ten. Suddenly, the qualifying statements perpetuated by the CYA mission of selecting the "four best teams" began pouring in.

The resumes between Penn State and Ohio State weren't close enough.

Divisions aligned by geography have watered down championship games.

To be clear, this isn't to say those statements are wrong. In many ways they're right. But can anyone remember this much dismissing of conference titles last year? How about the year before? Funny how it emerges when it's the team no one expects winning the conference.

The macro point here is that the first three seasons of the playoff have been filled with inconsistencies. Fans see this on a week-to-week basis with the mock rankings selection show. "Body clocks" is a pass one week and "game control" is a criterion the next. Flexibility is the beauty of having a human committee. It's also what makes it extraordinarily frustrating. Having the Power Five conference champions as automatic bids absolutely takes away the drama, but it also takes away a lot of the frustration.

Additionally, two things fans love about March Madness take effect. There's the Cinderella story, which would have been Western Michigan this year, and the team with the hot hand. No one denies that early-season losses by Oklahoma and USC matter, but it's also true they aren't the same teams now as they were in September. Expanding to eight at least allows for greater consideration of this.

The case against expansion

What do you want to reward? The best team in tournament play at the time of the tournament, or the best team in the land?

In the modern era of college football, championships have been won by teams with superior talent and excellent coaching. Each year, you could make an argument that only about 13-16 teams in the country will fit that description at the beginning of the year, and many of those teams will fall from title contention because of injuries or ill-timed poor play. If the playoff is expanded, you gain the element of postseason drama but risk losing a worthy champion because of a bad break. Let's leave the "Cinderella story" to college basketball and let college football crown its king with the four best teams in the country.

I also think expanding the playoff would require increasing the scholarship limit or cutting back on the number of regular-season games. Expanding the playoff would also decrease the urgency for conference championship weekend for teams that were "locks," like Ohio State was heading into Selection Sunday this season.

I'm not great at math but scholarships cost money, cutting regular season or conference title games means less money, and there isn't enough impetus for this current crop of conference commissioners to go through the headache or reworking the letter of the law without knowing more regarding the future of finances (media rights) in college football.

Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica Take: Valid points have been made on both sides of this issue, the reasons for and the reasons against the playoff format expansion. Before any committee makes a determination as to whether or not something should be done, we think that the loyal collegiate fan base should have some say. The feelings of the fans along with research by a knowledgeable committee should be able to come up with a viable playoff format. If expanded, the format should not exceed eight teams and if a determination is made that there should be no expansion, then the format should remain as it is. A two year time limit should be enough for a committee to come up with a comprehensive playoff format.

These are some of our thoughts, now we'd like to hear your thoughts, your feelings and what's your take? Please go to the comment section at the bottom of this blog and share some of your ideas on this issue with us. As always, we look forward to hearing from you as we respect and truly value your comments.

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

On This Date in Sports History: Today is Friday, December 09, 2016.

Memoriesofhistory.com

1926 - The United States Golf Association legalized the use of steel-shafted golf clubs.

1951 - Bob Waterfield (Los Angeles Rams) became the first professional football player to kick five field goals in one game.

1955 - Sugar Ray Robinson knocked out Carl Olson and regained his world middleweight boxing title.

1973 - Jim Bakken (St. Louis Cardinals) kicked six field goals against the Atlanta Falcons.

1978 - The first game of the Women's Pro Basketball League (WBL) was played between the Chicago Hustle and the Milwaukee Does.

1984 - Eric Dickerson (Los Angeles Rams) became only the second pro football player to run for more than 2,000 yards in a season. O.J. Simpson held the previous record at 2,003.

1984 - Walter Payton (Chicago Bears) ran six plays as quarterback. He ran the ball four times and threw two interceptions.

1985 - Jerry Rice (San Francisco 49ers) began a streak of 100+ consecutive games with receptions.

1991 - Dan Marino (Miami Dolphins) reached the 20 touchdown mark for an NFL record ninth season.

2004 - NHL officials and union leaders held talks for the first time since summer. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman imposed a lockout on September 16 due to an impasse in contract negotiations. 

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