Attention: America's Diehard Sports Fans : CS&T/AllsportsAmerica Friday Sports News Update and What's Your Take? 03/06/2015.

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Sports Quote of the Day:

"Fear stifles our thinking and actions. It creates indecisiveness that results in stagnation. I have known talented people who procrastinate indefinitely rather than risk failure. Lost opportunities cause erosion of confidence, and the downward spiral begins." ~ Charles Stanley, Pastor and Author, Atlanta, Georgia

Trending: ESPN: Five teams that can beat Kentucky. What's your take?

By Chris Fisher

Even as college basketball's last unbeaten team at a perfect 22-0, Kentucky has still at times shown signs of vulnerability.

ESPN ranks the five teams that could potentially expose some the Wildcats' weaknesses in NCAA Tournament time in March:

1. Wisconsin: One miraculous shot. That's how Kentucky sent the Badgers back to Madison in last year's Final Four. Kentucky is even better this year, and it's deeper. But the Badgers have improved, too. They still present the same matchup problems with Wooden Award favorite Frank Kaminsky and with Sam Dekker so comfortable in space. Nigel Hayes is one of the most improved players in the country. Per ESPN Stats & Info, the trio combined to shoot 19-for-24 (79.1 percent) from the field in Wisconsin's 92-78 victory over Indiana on Tuesday. Right now, the Badgers boast the most efficient offense in America (1.25 points per possession), according to Ken Pomeroy. They'd be tough to beat in a rematch with Kentucky.

2. Virginia: Everything is a chess match with the Cavaliers. They're masters of controlling the pace. North Carolina has averaged 70.3 possessions per game. The Tar Heels played 64 against Virginia. Duke averages 68 and played just 59 possessions in its weekend win at Virginia. When things get tight, Virginia's execution on offense and defense -- sixth and third in efficiency, respectively -- becomes the most significant factor in the game. Kentucky is averaging 63 possessions per game, proof that its opponents have tried to slow things down to maximize their chances of victory. But no team dictates pace the way that Virginia does, and no team finishes opponents in those gritty matchups the way that Virginia can. That coupled with Tony Bennett's pack-line defense could prove to be the antidote for the Wildcats.

3. Duke: The dazzling conclusion to Saturday's upset win at Virginia that my colleague Eamonn Brennan described as “an 11-possession, 28-point explosion in the final eight minutes that turned the entire game -- and perhaps the state of the ACC race -- on its head” was some of the best basketball that any team in America has played this year. It is the Duke that the ACC and the college basketball world should fear. Kentucky wasn't the only team that began the season with nine former McDonald's All-Americans. Duke matched that tally. Jahlil Okafor is arguably the best player in America. Tyus Jones is one of the best point guards in the country. Sure, there would be questions about Duke's ability to handle Kentucky's big backcourt and its talent inside, but Duke's offense would be a handful for Kentucky, too.

4. Gonzaga: There's only one blemish on Gonzaga's resume. And it's more of a spot than a stain. The Bulldogs controlled most of the action in their 66-63 overtime loss to Arizona in Tucson. They stumbled in the final minutes of regulation and lost in extra time, but the Zags proved they could hang with a top-10 team in a tough road environment. Their strength of schedule is 98th per the BPI. But that doesn't diminish Gonzaga's versatility and talent. The Bulldogs would have a tough time keeping Kentucky away from the rim, especially in a man-to-man scheme. But the Wildcats would have a multitude of challenges with Gonzaga, too. And they would begin with 6-10 sharpshooter Kyle Wiltjer. Three Zags shoot 40 percent or better from the 3-point line. Gonzaga-Kentucky would be a competitive game.

5. Arizona: These Wildcats have a couple of troubling losses on their resume (Oregon State and UNLV). Since that two-point loss at Oregon State, however, Arizona has won six in a row by an average margin of 19.8 PPG. That stretch includes an 18-point win over then-No. 8 Utah. Stanley Johnson is a monster, and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson can defend multiple slots. A pair of 6-foot-6 athletic, NBA-ready wings would be a unique look for a Kentucky team that's often the cause of mismatches. Kaleb Tarczewski and Brandon Ashley are capable in the post. Arizona's limited depth might be a problem in a game against Kentucky. But the Wildcats are playing as well as any team in the country right now. They wouldn't back down against Kentucky.

Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica Take: It's the most wonderful time of the year for college basketball, The NCAA Basketball, ("March Madness"),Tournament. "The National Championship", it doesn't get any better than that. The big question is, can Kentucky go unbeaten and win all of the cheese? We saw this same scenario a couple of years ago with the New England Patriots. They went through the regular season undefeated only to lose the Super Bowl to the New York Giants 17-14. Kentucky is in a similar situation. They've had several close games recently but have won them all, a sign of a championship caliber team. Now, they can be beat, possible, yes, probable, no. Just don't count anyone out, on any given day or night, any team is capable of winning or capable of causing an upset. At this point, we aren't counting anyone out. There's always crazy upsets in this tournament and who knows what lies ahead in the future. We can tell you one thing, it's going to be a terrific tournament and several top tier teams have a chance to win.

Now that you know what we think and how we feel, we'd love to hear your thoughts, what's your take? Don't be bashful, go the comment section at the bottom of this blog and post your thoughts. Last, Good luck to you favorite team in the tournament.

The Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica editorial staff.

By JEFF MEZYDLO (STATS Senior Writer)

Insisting the team bond is stronger than ever, the Chicago Blackhawks head into the final five weeks of the regular season with confidence.

Trying to build on their highest-scoring game in more than a month, the Blackhawks look to continue the recent offensive home success they've enjoyed against the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night.

After dispelling recent rumors of dressing room discord, Chicago (38-21-5) scored the first four goals en route to a 5-2 home win over Carolina on Monday.

"I think it's important, the camaraderie of a team being together, supporting one another through the ups and down," coach Joel Quenneville said a day after the Blackhawks scored more than four goals from the first time since a 6-1 rout of Arizona on Jan. 20.

Third in the Central Division, the Blackhawks have won three of four and are only concerned about collectively getting better down the stretch.

"We've never been a tighter group," defenseman Brent Seabrook said.

"We've got to get back to playing our game every night, and consistently. ... We're excited about the challenge and the opportunity."

After recording two goals and an assist Monday, Jonathan Toews appears poised to pick up even more of the void left by the absence of injured star Patrick Kane. Toews has five goals in the last five games, and four with two assists during a four-game point streak versus Edmonton (18-36-10).

Chicago has scored five goals in three straight home games against the Oilers, including wins in the last two. The Blackhawks scored at least four in six straight overall against Edmonton before their five-game series winning streak ended with a 5-2 road loss Jan. 9.

Quenneville believes the memories of that meeting will be enough to prevent his club from taking anything for granted even though the Oilers have the Western Conference's worst record and have totaled six goals while losing four of five.

Edmonton's lone victory in those five came in its only game on the road, 2-1 on Feb. 24 to snap Minnesota's six-game home winning streak.

"Everybody's got meaning (to play) at this time of the year," Quenneville said. "You've got teams that aren't making the playoffs and they can find motivation, maybe play more relaxed. Everybody wants to play well. The last time we played them we saw a dangerous team."

The Oilers open a five-game trip looking to bounce back after Tuesday's 5-2 loss to Los Angeles.

"I think we're trying to find a level of consistency where we're playing our game every night," forward Jordan Eberle told the Oilers' official website. "When you have a step back like that, it (ticks) you off."

Teammate Taylor Hall had a goal with an assist during the home win over the Blackhawks and has 10 points in seven career games at Chicago, but he remains out with a leg injury that's limited him to one game since Jan. 20.

Expected to start, Chicago's Corey Crawford has allowed two goals in his last two games and is looking to win three in a row for the first time since November.

Crawford made 24 saves in a 7-1 road victory Nov. 22 for his third straight win over Edmonton. He's 2-4-0 with a 3.31 goals-against average against the Oilers in Chicago but hasn't faced them there since November 2013.

While recently acquired veterans Antoine Vermette and Kimmo Timonen failed to register points in their Chicago debuts Monday, physical forward Andrew Desjardins is expected to make his first appearance with the Blackhawks since coming over from San Jose.

Blackhawks: Kimmo Timonen making most of final season.

By Tracey Myers

Kimmo Timonen knew his chance of returning to hockey was a small one.

The blood clots discovered in his leg and lungs last summer were obviously a huge concern. But Timonen talked to as many doctors and specialists as he could to see if hockey was a possibility. Yes there was a chance, and that’s all he needed to hear.

“I wanted to retire with my skates on, not my shoes,” the Blackhawks defenseman said. “I wanted to finish on a good note and with a good season behind me. Then that happened. I had a small chance and I got that chance. I wanted to make sure they gave me that chance.”

Timonen, acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday, played his first game of the season on Monday when the Blackhawks beat the Carolina Hurricanes 5-2. Timonen played 17 ½ minutes, a healthy amount of ice time for a guy who hadn’t played since April 30, 2014. It wasn’t easy, but Timonen was happy with the outing.

“I felt it after the game and that night, cramping. It was good to get that, but my body was telling me getting that much probably was a little too much,” Timonen said after Thursday’s practice. “But the only way you get better is to play games, play minutes; you can’t get better sitting on the bench. I was happy with it.”

Niklas Hjalmarsson was impressed with what Timonen could do in that first game and appreciates the veteran’s presence.

“Personally, I think it’s a lot of fun to have a guy like that here. He’s Finland’s Nicklas Lidstrom; he was always the No 1 D-man in Sweden and I bet Kimmo has the same kind of status in Finland. It’s cool to be able to play with players like that,” Hjalmarsson said. “He’s had a great career and he came here for a reason. That inspires me to get even more motivated to get into the playoffs and get as far as we can and help him make something special.”

Every player who’s traded goes through the usual adjustments: a new team, new teammates and a new system. For Timonen, there was even more on that plate.

“To me it was everything. I hadn’t played, practiced. It was a weird feeling but guys were welcoming me really well,” he said. “It’s been easy. One game under my belt, but I need more games.”

Coach Joel Quenneville was happy with Timonen’s first game and minutes, which included 44 seconds of short-handed time – Timonen will also log power-play time but the Blackhawks didn’t have one on Monday vs. Carolina. Quenneville said it was impressive for Timonen to have that solid a debut given the amount of time he’s been gone.

“He’s astute, be it [with his] positioning, his anticipation,” Quenneville said. “His first game he hadn’t played a whole year; no training camp, no games at all, no feel for it and not much practice either. That was a good beginning for him and I expect him to improve as he goes along.”

This is Timonen’s last shot at a Cup – he’s said he’s retiring after this season whether he wins it or not, and reiterated that on Thursday. He’s taking advantage of the small chance he had to play hockey one more season. He’s gone through a lot to get to this point but for him, it’s worth it.

“I’m sure there’s a lot of people saying, ‘What is he doing?’” Timonen said. “If I had won a Cup before I wouldn’t be here, but I haven’t. That’s the driving factor here. That’s why I’m here.”

Just Another Chicago Bulls Session… E'Twaun Moore gives Bulls more with game-winning 3 over Thunder 108-105.

By Vincent Goodwill

The crowd goes wild after Bulls guard E'Twaun Moore hits the game-winning shot at the United Center on Thursday. (Photo/Chris Sweda, Chicago Tribune).

How many more unlikely heroes can emerge for the Chicago Bulls this season, in how many ways…and how many more tricks does Tom Thibodeau have up his sleeve in this desperate Bulls season?

After gamely guarding Russell Westbrook, E’Twaun Moore brought the United Center from a dull roar to total insanity after Pau Gasol tipped an inbounds pass out to him in the corner with 4.9 seconds left, calmly hitting a triple to give the Bulls a two-point lead and eventually a 108-105 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Moore had been in moth balls for most of the season, but scored 19 on just 10 shots, hitting all but one in 22 minutes, again showing just when you think this Bulls team is on life support—and facing the most dangerous player in professional basketball, Russell Westbrook—they emerge alive and well.

“He just read the play and (I) knocked down the shot,” Moore said. “It was a smart play and he trusted me to knock down the shot.”

That was one possession after the Bulls defense forced an airball from Westbrook to cause a shot-clock violation, which opened the door for Moore’s heroics—two plays after Westbrook walked Moore down for what felt like a dagger jumper with 37.9 seconds left, putting the Thunder up 105-102.

“I thought there were a couple plays where we defended him as well as we could’ve and he still made (shots),” Thibodeau said. “But you can’t say enough about E’Twaun.”

Gasol was the first option on the play but it was up to him to read and react in such a quick moment depending on how the defense played him. Westbrook came to help, leaving Moore with just enough daylight to launch the triple.

“There’s several options on the play,” Thibodeau said. “You have to trust the playmaking ability of the players getting the ball. A lot of guys would’ve shot that, and he had the presence of mind to hit the open man and trust the pass.”

Not only did the Bulls trust themselves in that moment, but also did throughout, even after falling behind by 16 points in the second quarter when their offense couldn’t muster good shots and squandering a fair share of easy opportunities.

But even after Westbrook administered kill shot after shot, with devastating drives and relentless attacks to his sweet spots in the middle of the floor helping him achieve another banner night of 43 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, the Bulls kept their composure.

Slowly they began to surge back, cutting the lead to two before the half with a Gasol tip-in at the buzzer. Then after absorbing a Westbrook explosion in the third where he scored 19—including a ridiculous 10 in a little more than 90 seconds—the Bulls again found themselves close enough to believe they were good enough to make another run.

“We started slowly but we kept learning our way through the game,” Thibodeau said.

A seven-point cushion wasn’t enough for the Thunder as Westbrook began to run out of effectiveness if not energy, and the Bulls figured out the Thunder defense to the tune of 36 points on 75 percent shooting—with Nikola Mirotic again leading the Bulls in scoring in the final 12 minutes with 14 of his team-high 26 points. Moore merely made all six of his field goals to score 13.

“This team just keeps on fighting, keeps on going,” Gasol said. “No matter the score, we just play hard. Sometimes we get down on the scoreboard but we’re a resilient team and we want to win every night. So far we’ve been doing a good job.”

Gasol didn’t play much in the fourth, giving way to Mirotic, who went to the line 10 times in the period, hitting both of his shots—3-pointers, at crucial times for the Bulls.

“He’s been battling things,” said Thibodeau of Mirotic. “He had a good mix going tonight. He didn’t shoot the 3 like he normally does but the threat of him being out there opens up the defense.”

Joakim Noah helped diversify the Bulls’ offense, even before helping force Westbrook into stepping on the sideline out-of-bounds line with two seconds left. Noah only had two field goals but his nine assists meant the Bulls’ wing players were cutting to the basket and whizzing around the perimeter, probing for open-shot opportunities.

His emotion and inspiration were immeasurable, but yet another unsung hero was able to step up—as his triple sent the United Center into delirium and the fans home with more hope that all isn’t lost.

Mike Dunleavy honored as Bull of the Year at Sports Awards.

CSN Staff

Chicago Bulls Mike Dunleavy #34

Mike Dunleavy's talent on the court is matched by his efforts off it.

That's why he was honored at the 27th annual Comcast SportsNet Sports Awards on Wednesday night.

Dunleavy was named the 2015 Bull of the Year.

Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!! Biggest team needs in free agency, (Chicago Bears).

By Dan Hanzus

Bears slot receiver

The Bears have a pair of talented playmakers in Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery, but Chicago's passing offense still lacked an underneath receiver who could make those two stars even better. If the Bears can land a slot receiver who can exploit the holes in the middle of the defense, the Bears' offense can make a dramatic jump in effectiveness this season. Keep an eye on Randall Cobb, who would be a perfect fit in that role. Sticking it to the Packers would be icing on the cake.

Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica Opinion: Total defense overhaul.

Report: Bears put WR Brandon Marshall on the trade block.

By Scott Krinch

New Bears GM Ryan Pace and head coach John Fox declined to comment on Brandon Marshall's future in Chicago at last month's NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

And now it appears that the new regime has made their decision on Marshall.

According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, the Bears are exploring trade options for the veteran wide receiver. However, a trade can't be finalized until Tuesday, March 10 at 3 p.m.

If Marshall is still on the Bears roster on March 12, his $7.5 million base salary for the 2015 season is guaranteed.

After eight-straight 1000-yard receiving seasons, Marshall had the second-lowest output of his career in a drama-filled 2014 season. In 13 games, he hauled in 61 receptions for 721 yards and eight touchdowns before suffering a season-ending injury with a collapsed lung against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14.

It wasn't just Marshall's on-the-field performance that was at the forefront of his disappointing season.

Marshall drew criticism for joining Showtime's 'Inside the NFL' as a weekly guest, challenged a Detroit Lions fan to a fight on Twitter, got into a shouting-match with kicker Robbie Gould in the locker room and held a bizarre press conference centered around past issues with domestic violence.

All of this coming less than a year after Marshall signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Bears.

If the Bears were to trade Marshall, it would create $3.95 million in cap savings in 2015, according to Biggs.

Moving on from Marshall would create a massive hole at wide receiver. Alshon Jeffery would likely slide into the No. 1 role and the team would look into bringing in a No. 2 via free agency, trade or the upcoming NFL Draft.

Source: Lance Briggs will not return to Bears in 2015.

By John Mullin

An era of sorts is coming to a quiet end in Chicago as the Bears have informed Lance Briggs that he will not be offered a contract for 2015, sources have confirmed.

CSN's Jen Lada was the first to report the news.

************************************************

Jen Lada Follow
@JenLada

Sources confirm Lance Briggs will not be returning to the #Bears next season. #NFL

2:42 PM - 5 Mar 2015

Chicago Bears Kyle Long

It wasn't pretty for the Bears in 2014 after the team finished with a 5-11 record.

But one player who stood out on and off the field was guard Kyle Long.

On Wednesday, Long was honored at the Comcast SportsNet Awards for his charitable work as he received the award for "Bear of the Year."
Maddon makes debut with Cubs in spring tie with A's.

By JAY COHEN (AP Sports Writer)

Joe Maddon gushed about the ballpark and the fans. He praised starter Travis Wood and said he liked the performance by his team.

Surrounded by his family under a beautiful blue sky, the new manager of the Chicago Cubs sounded quite pleased with his first game of spring training.

''Just a really, really nice, wonderful first day,'' he said after a 2-2 tie against Barry Zito and the Oakland Athletics.

Travis Wood pitched two perfect innings for a split-squad of Cubs, and Mike Olt hit a two-run homer in the second inning.

Maddon opted out of his contract with Tampa Bay over the winter and then agreed to take over the Cubs, who begin the year with big expectations after an active offseason.

''I thought we played well,'' he said. ''Oakland pitches well always.''

Zito pitched two innings in his first spring game for the A's after taking last year off. The left-hander allowed two hits, struck out two and walked none.

Zito retired his first five batters, including strikeouts of Starlin Castro and Miguel Montero. But he hit Chris Coghlan in the second and then yielded the long drive to left by Olt.

''That changeup, got to tip my hat to that guy. He squared it up pretty good,'' Zito said. ''That's still a pitch right now that the consistency is not there yet, but I saw some good things.''

Zito hasn't appeared in a regular-season game since Sept. 29, 2013, with San Francisco. He agreed to a minor league deal with Oakland in February and gets a $1 million, one-year contract if he makes the 40-man roster.

''It doesn't feel like a year and half,'' said Zito, who spent his first seven seasons with the A's. ''You just kind of go right back to where you were.''

Wood is trying to win the No. 5 slot in Chicago's rotation after he struggled last season. The left-hander made the NL All-Star team in 2013, and then slipped to an 8-13 record and a 5.03 ERA last year.

He struck out Coco Crisp leading off the game and also fanned Mark Canha for his final out.

''I learned a lot last year (about) when you fail, picking yourself back up and getting back after it,'' Wood said. ''That's what we took into the offseason and hopefully we keep moving forward.''

BULLPEN ADDITION

The Cubs agreed to a minor league deal with Phil Coke, adding the veteran reliever to the competition for a lefty specialist in their bullpen. A person with direct knowledge of the situation said Coke is planning to join the Cubs' major league camp on Friday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced the deal.

Coke made 62 appearances for Detroit last season and finished with a 5-2 record and a 3.88 ERA.

SWITCH PITCHER

Pat Venditte used his left and right arm to pitch a perfect third inning for Oakland. With switch-hitter Dexter Fowler up first for Chicago, Venditte indicated he would pitch left-handed so Fowler batted from the right side, and then bounced to second. After Anthony Rizzo flied out, Venditte switched his special glove to his other hand and retired Castro on a fly ball to right.

FOR ERNIE

There was a pregame video tribute and moment of silence for Hall of Fame slugger Ernie Banks, who played for the Cubs for 19 years and died in January at age 83. Banks' No. 14 was mowed into the grass in center field, and the Cubs wore hats with his number and a patch on their uniforms.

STARTING TIME

Athletics: Zito, who turns 37 in May, said he threw about 10 changeups. ''It's definitely the most feel pitch that you throw,'' he said. ''I mean more than anything, that's why you see guys just throwing it as much as possible.''

Cubs: Wood said he is used to fighting for a spot in the rotation. ''Every year but last year that's been the role I've had to come into, so I've been there, I know how to handle it and it really just makes you want to work harder,'' he said.

UP NEXT

Athletics: RHP Kendall Graveman starts against Arizona. Graveman, an eighth-round draft pick in 2013 who was acquired in the November trade that sent Josh Donaldson to Toronto, is trying to win a spot in Oakland's rotation. He will be followed by RHP Matt Buschmann, RHP R.J. Alvarez, RHP Fernando Rodriguez, LHP Jim Fuller, RHP Brock Huntzinger and LHP Eury De La Rosa.

Cubs: LHP Jon Lester makes his spring debut against Cincinnati. Lester went 16-11 with a career-low 2.46 ERA in 32 starts with Boston and Oakland last season, and then signed a $155 million, six-year contract with Chicago over the winter.

Golf: I got a club for that; Former PGA pres. Bishop: Mickelson was 'grandmaster' of Ryder Cup task force.

By Ryan Ballengee

Former PGA of America president Ted Bishop believes Phil Mickelson got precisely what he wanted from the now-dissolved Ryder Cup task force, acting as the "grandmaster" of the 11-man committee.

Writing for Golf Magazine, Bishop said Mickelson got the captain he wanted in Davis Love III, even though at the 2014 Ryder Cup he explicitly named Paul Azinger and favoring his approach. However, Bishop also contends Mickelson didn't care for Azinger's sometimes brash leadership style. The five-time major winner liked the framework, which Love employed in building a four-point lead heading into the final day of the 2012 Ryder Cup.

Bishop believes Fred Couples, three times the winning U.S. Presidents Cup captain, will get the nod to lead in France in 2018, followed by Steve Stricker in his native Wisconsin in 2020, Jim Furyk in 2022 and Phil Mickelson taking his turn at Bethpage Black in 2024.

Perhaps most interesting was Bishop's suggestion that the Ryder Cup is now Mickelson's baby, and may somewhat explain why fellow task force member Tiger Woods didn't show to last week's news conference to announce the changes.

"Phil made his presence felt. I can't help but think that Phil's taking charge of the U.S. Ryder Cup process might represent the first time in years that he isn't living in Tiger's shadow," Bishop wrote. "I wonder if that has motivated Phil, because he certainly seems energized by the task at hand."

U.S. Ryder changes a 'shrewd' move, says Europe's McGinley.

Reuters: By Larry Fine, Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes

Former European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley said on Thursday he thought recent changes the struggling United States side has made in their approach to the premier match play team event were "shrewd" moves.

A U.S. task force set up after the Americans were thrashed by 16-1/2 points to 11-1/2 by McGinley's Europeans last year in Scotland gave more input to players and installed a system patterned after the European model to nurture future captains.

"I think it's a shrewd move," Irishman McGinley told Reuters after his address to the Leaders Sport Business Summit in New York.

"They (the U.S.) have lost eight of the last 10 Ryder Cups. If you're a business and your profits keep going down, what you would do is step back, reassess everything. Put some new things in place.

"It's the right thing to do," he said and imagined a likely dialogue. "'We're obviously making some mistakes here. We're not going to keep banging our head against the wall. These guys are doing it well, what can we learn from them?'"

McGinley said his own challenges as Ryder Cup captain were dealing with high expectations of being favorites, and allowing players to be individuals while at the same time bonding as a team.

The Irishman brought in fabled soccer manager Alex Ferguson, who had resounding success in charge of Manchester United from 1986–2013, as a sounding board in preparations to lead his 12-man team at Gleneagles.

McGinley gazed up at a photo of his jubilant players laughing, pointing skyward as they surrounded him as he held the cherished Ryder Cup, and said it gave him chills and reminded him of inspiring words from Ferguson.

He had told Ferguson one of his messages to his players at the Ryder Cup was that there would be a time and place for each man to take the lead.

"That reminds me of the story of the Canadian geese, who fly across the Atlantic in a vee shape," Ferguson told McGinley. "Then they 'quack, quack' when the guy in front gets tired and he moves to the back."

McGinley had Ferguson speak to the team early on in the Ryder Cup week at Gleneagles and heard him use the geese as a symbol.

"That resonated with a lot of the players," the 2014 captain said.

"So there we are getting our picture taken surrounding the cup, and hundreds of photographers about to snap when Rory McIlroy says 'Look, look above the clubhouse'.

"And there's this perfect formation of geese in a vee flying right over the clubhouse," said McGinley. "Gives me chills even now just thinking about it."

Holmes takes control at Doral, McIlroy cards a 73.

Reuters; By Mark Lamport-Stokes, Editing by Frank Pingue

American J.B. Holmes made light of the daunting Blue Monster course as he fired a sizzling 10-under-par 62 to seize a commanding four-shot lead in the first round of the WGC-Cadillac Championship in Miami on Thursday.

While world number one Rory McIlroy recovered from a dismal start to open with a one-over 73, the long-hitting Holmes piled up an eagle and eight birdies to take control of the first of the year's four elite World Golf Championships (WGC) events.

Despite blustery conditions on a fast-running layout at the Trump National Doral Resort, Holmes delivered a near-perfect exhibition of course management as he stole the limelight from a high-calibre field including every player in the world's top 50.

Fellow American Ryan Moore double-bogeyed his last hole, the par-four 18th, after finding water off the tee to card a 66 while Frenchman Alexander Levy and Americans Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler opened with 68s.

"We game-planned it," Holmes, a three-times winner on the PGA Tour, told Golf Channel after getting up and down from a greenside bunker to par his final hole, the par-three ninth. "I hit all my shots where I needed to.

"I hit great putts, hit great shots and my tee ball was right where I wanted it to be. I really didn't have that many bad swings.

"I had a couple of bad swings with the driver and I made birdie on those two holes so I was able to get out of it just fine. It was a great day and you don't get those very often."

Holmes eagled the par-five 12th after hitting a six-iron from 226 yards to within a foot of the cup for a tap-in putt.

"I hit it just like I had envisioned and luckily we guessed right on the bounce," he smiled.

McIlroy, who missed the cut at last week's Honda Classic in windy conditions after making his first PGA Tour start of the year, struggled badly in his first nine holes on Thursday.

The Northern Irishman reached the turn in four-over 40 after bogeying the 11th and 17th and running up a double at the 18th but rebounded with a storming run over the closing stretch.

Birdies at the fourth, fifth and seventh and an eagle at the eighth more than offset further dropped shots at the sixth and ninth as he ended the day at one over.

Adam Scott debuts short putter at WGC-Cadillac.

NBC on Yahoo Sports

One by one, the world's best golfers have emerged from the dark shadows of hibernation, creating a staggered if not staggering start to the calendar year. The last of those to awaken from that slumber is Adam Scott, making his season debut at this week’s WGC-Cadillac Championship with more variables than an 11th grade math problem.

In chronological order, he will begin his year with the following changes: A new caddie, a new daughter and a new putter.

“Yeah, everything was getting a little boring,” he offered with a sarcastic smile, “so I thought I’d just change everything completely.”

To be certain, some of these changes deserve a greater congratulatory response than others and some will affect his performance more than others.

Let’s start with the most recent development.

One of the last holdouts from the anchored putting brigade, Scott was spotted practicing with multiple standard-length putters here at Trump National Doral, later intimating that he will “probably” have one in the bag for Thursday’s opening round.

“Thinking a little more objectively about it at the back end of last year, I thought because I do have to make an adjustment by the end of this year, if I'm going to spend some time doing it, I should try and start now and maybe find the best solution,” he said, alluding to the rule which will ban anchoring in less than 10 months. “It's been feeling good. I've enjoyed doing it. It's not that big a deal. I did it for a long time, too, that way.”

Barring a last-second change of heart, Scott will follow in the footsteps of Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson and others, playing his first competitive round in 81 days without the crutch – mental imagery intended – of his much-maligned broomstick.

For some players, such a weighty shift in equipment would be a life-changing event. And it might have been for Scott, too, if not for the decidedly more life-changing event that took place just three weeks ago.

He and wife Marie welcomed daughter Bo Vera to the world on Feb. 15 – and just in case anyone was planning to accuse the world’s fifth-ranked golfer of failing to get his hands dirty, he offered up a theory on early diaper changing.

“I thought if I change a lot early,” he mused, “I'll make up for my six week absence at the moment.”

Scott won’t be competing each of the next six weeks, but he will be playing more regularly, starting his campaign later than any top-level peers in search of his second Masters title in the last two years.

This time, though, ubiquitous caddie Steve Williams won’t be walking alongside him in that journey. Longtime looper Mike Kerr filled in during a few late events last year and now has the full-time gig – a move with which Scott already seems comfortable.

“You've just got to take a chance; you've just got to pick someone,” he said. “I could keep having different guys try all the time, but I don't think I was going to get anything more, so I felt confident with Mike and my decision – and hopefully we're going to start a good run right here.”

To nobody’s surprise, he wasn’t lacking for suitors.

Scott hinted that his list of potential candidates for the position ranged from top-level professional caddies to, well ... some who aren’t.

“There was a letter from a Japanese guy – and apparently he's related to the royal family over there – but even in his letter, he says he's extremely lazy. I can't even remember the whole thing. But I've kept it, because it's just too good. And he included a picture of himself.

“A guy here in Florida, also, sent in a picture of himself – big strong guy, looks like he works out, muscle man kind of thing and lives with his 85-year-old mother. He made a point of telling me that, as well, in the application. But unfortunately, those ones were unsuccessful for them.”

As he relayed those stories Wednesday afternoon, Scott offered another smile. If there is any hesitation, any nervousness, any anxiety over so many new variables in his life, he isn’t showing it.

For one of the game’s most easygoing players, these changes were always going to be inevitable – and he was always going to roll with ‘em in the same relaxed manner that’s gotten him here in the first place.

US NASCAR driver Busch won't face charges.

AFP

Suspended NASCAR driver Kurt Busch will not face charges over alleged domestic abuse accusations involving his ex-girlfriend, the Delaware attorney general's office said Thursday.

The attorney general said there was a lack of evidence in the case at Dover International Speedway last September involving Busch and Patricia Driscoll in his camper van.

Busch was suspended last month by the popular stock car racing series after a Delaware family court judge granted Driscoll a protective order, saying Busch more likely than not committed an act of domestic violence against her.

The criminal case, conducted by Delaware police and officials at the speedway, was separate from the family court probe.

Twenty storylines to watch during the 20th season of Major League Soccer.

By Leander Schaerlaeckens

All eyes will be on Jozy Altidore, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Kaka. (Photo/Amber Matsumoto)

After months of handwringing, Major League Soccer and its Players Union finally hashed out a new collective bargaining agreement on Wednesday, meaning the league's 2015 season will start on time. On Friday night, the Chicago Fire will kick things off against the defending champion Los Angeles Galaxy in Carson, Calif.

So, with the CBA finally squared away for five more seasons, here are the 20 storylines we're watching ahead of MLS's 20th season, in no particular order:

1. The New York Red Bull reboot

Perhaps the Red Bulls picked the worst possible year to go cheap, now that they'll have, for the first time, a cross-town rival in star-powered expansion team New York City FC. Thierry Henry has retired and Tim Cahill left for China. So for the first time in memory, this team has no marquee player. That said, the new management has assembled a capable side and seems to have a plan. The pursuit of a first MLS Cup continues.

2. The post-Landon Donovan L.A. Galaxy

Nobody meant as much to MLS as the freshly retired Donovan. And so, by extension, nobody meant so much to the Galaxy, either. After three championships in four years, the Galaxy hope to stay competitive without the league's all-time leader in goals and assists – who holds the same records for the U.S. national team. Luckily, Robbie Keane is still the league's best striker – and the reigning league MVP.

3. Steven Gerrard

With Donovan gone, the Galaxy's third designated player slot – Keane and Omar Gonzalez occupy the others – will go to the Liverpool legend as soon as he finishes up his Merseyside career. Gerrard is expected to join the club during the July transfer window. But how much does he have left to give?

4. Toronto FC's reshuffle

So the Jermain Defoe experiment, after being wildly successful, turned into something of a disaster. He began by scoring 11 times in his first 13 starts but then his season unraveled due to injuries and his growing disinterest. This winter, TFC managed to swap him with Sunderland for Jozy Altidore and added Sebastian Giovinco from Juventus. With Benoit Cheyrou added to help out Michael Bradley in midfield, the Reds finally have the makings of their first playoff team. And perhaps more.

5. Kaka

It was real coup expansion Orlando City SC to sign the Brazilian playmaker, who is a former superstar with AC Milan and Real Madrid, a Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year winner and once the second-most expensive player in the world. Kaka's career has been on the decline since he joined Real in 2009, but he's still only 32 and could have an immense impact.

6. David Beckham's Miami team

It's been more than a year since the league announced that Beckham had exercised the option from his playing contract with the Galaxy to purchase a franchise – doing so well below market rate – and place a team in Miami. But since then, he's been treading water in Miami's political swamp, hardly getting close to getting a stadium deal done. And he probably doesn't get to play until he has his venue.

7. Who will be the 24th franchise?

The league will have 20 teams this year. Chivas USA has been disbanded but a second Los Angeles team will be back in a few years under new ownership. Atlanta has also been awarded a team. And Beckham's Miami team makes it 23. The league plans to grow to 24 teams by 2020, leaving just one spot. Sacramento, Minneapolis, San Antonio and Las Vegas looked to be the contenders. The latter two appear to have been eliminated, so it seems to be between Sacramento and Minneapolis.

8. Xavi

According to reports from Spain, it's already done. According to NYCFC sporting director Claudio Reyna, it's not. Either way, the rumor that Barcelona's long-time playmaker could be coming to New York makes for a tantalizing prospect. Playing behind former Spain striker and onetime Barca teammate David Villa and alongside all-time Chelsea hero Frank Lampard, Xavi would bring that much more stardust, experience and savvy to the expansion side.

9. Frank Lampard

Speaking of Lamps, his so-called signing with New York has been a bit of a PR disaster so far. He was introduced amid much fanfare last summer and would go "on loan" to sister club Manchester City. But when he had a real impact there, rather than just hanging around to stay fit, it was decided he would finish the Premier League season instead of coming back to New York for the start of the MLS season. It turned out he hadn't signed, exactly, and was free to do so. The question now is whether we'll see him stateside this summer at all. What happens, after all, if Manchester City would rather he stick around a little longer again?

10. The new CBA

So a deal was finally struck. The players won a limited form of free agency, although salary caps won't rise very much above the $3.1 million it stood at last season. Some players are said to be upset. The vote to take the league's deal was apparently a close one. Could any lingering issues bubble to the surface amidst this discontent?

11. Can D.C. United stabilize?

It's been a weird and wacky ride for Ben Olsen since the club veteran was made manager halfway through the 2010 season. In 2011, his first full year in charge, his team finished seventh in the Eastern Conference. In 2012, it came in second. In 2013, it was 10th and dead last. In 2014, it won the conference. He needs to build on last year's success to return the franchise to its early success.

12. Playoff expansion

After the number of playoff teams was raised from eight to 10 in 2011, two more will be added this year. That means 12 of 20 teams will go to the postseason. (Slots seem to be added whenever about half the teams qualify because more teams have been brought into the league.) Six teams will qualify from each of the two 10-team conferences. The top two from both the East and the West will skip the first round of the playoffs, where one-off games will decide who advances. The conference semifinals and finals will be home-and-away contests. The MLS Cup final is still one winner-takes-all game. The question is: Will two more spots further dilute the importance of the regular season?

13. How far can Montreal go in the CONCACAF Champions League?

The Impact, the worst team in MLS last season, which qualified for this tournament anyway by winning the Canadian Championship, bested the New York Red Bulls and FAS to advance to the quarterfinals. There, they became just the third team to beat a Mexican club in a home-and-away series, doing so in heart-stopping fashion. They gave up a 2-0 lead away to Pachuca before settling for a 2-2 tie. And at home, they overturned a deficit with a 94th-minute Cameron Porter goal, which sent his side through with seconds to spare. Montreal squares off with Costa Rica's Alajuelense in the semifinals in the ongoing quest for an MLS team to win this tournament.

14. Will Rafael van der Vaart really come to Sporting Kansas City?

Word is, Sporting are in talks to sign the onetime Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur attacking midfielder, who has fallen out of favor at Hamburg in his second stint there. At 32, van der Vaart, who was made 109 appearances for the Netherlands, is still capable. But at a reported $4 million price tag, the question becomes what value he could contribute to an already stacked K.C. midfield. He might actually slow down their zippy playing style.

15. Owen Coyle

When Dominic Kinnear left the Houston Dynamo after nine years in charge – and four MLS Cup finals and two titles – to return to the San Jose Earthquakes, the club made an unusual hiring for his successor. Coyle, a Scotsman who recently managed Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League, was put in charge. While he's very experienced, big-name foreign managers have a rather checkered history when working for MLS clubs. In fact, the bulk of them fail. Coyle's exploits will be watched with interest.

16. Can the Portland Timbers get over the hump?

In 2013, it seemed like Caleb Porter's Timbers had finally put things together, winning the Western Conference and reaching the conference finals. But last year, they regressed to sixth place, missing the playoffs for the third time in their four years of existence. This is a savvy and well-run club, but they need to begin performing more consistently.

17. Can the Seattle Sounders win MLS Cup?

Last season, the Sounders won the Supporters Shield for the best regular-season record and, amazingly, lifted the U.S. Open Cup for a fourth time in their six-year MLS existence. Yet for the sixth year in a row, their playoff campaign stranded short of the MLS Cup final, as the Galaxy trumped them yet again. With Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins nearing the end of their primes and a deep roster built around them, the window is closing on this team.

18. Can Juan Agudelo and Charlie Davies put the Revs over the top?

The New England Revolution has now been to five MLS Cup finals. And they have lost five times. Last season, they fell to the Galaxy. Theirs is a young, deep, mostly American team that's favored to run the Eastern Conference. But in order to do so, either Agudelo or Davies will have to produce goals up front. Agudelo, a one-time phenom who is still only 22, has returned from a failed European adventure. Davies, once a budding U.S. national team star, has never quite been the same since his 2009 injury but came alive during last year's playoffs.

19. The San Jose Earthquakes' new stadium

The Quakes become the 15th MLS team to open a new or refurbished soccer-specific stadium this year. Their venue, baptized Avaya Stadium, will further up the game. It's the league's first cloud-enabled facility – of course, since it's near Silicon Valley – and steep banks of seats emulate the atmosphere and intimacy of European stadiums. Apparently, it also has the largest outdoor bar in America right beside the field.

20. Will the Western Conference rule again?

Last season, the four best teams in the league were all active in the West, according to many pundits. The Sounders, Galaxy, Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas were all better than any of their counterparts back East. This year, with Sporting K.C. and the Dynamo returning West – to make room for Orlando and New York City – it adds two more historically successful clubs. Will this cause further imbalance? Could this become a problem?

NCAA announces upgrade to it's replay and timekeeping systems for men's and women's tournament.

By Raphielle Johnson

If one were to put together a photo album of images of the current college basketball season, one of the images would have to be of officials huddled around a video monitor. While there’s nothing wrong with attempting to get the call correct, on multiple occasions this season such reviews have led to lengthy delays that remove any flow from the game. Ahead of the NCAA tournament, the NCAA has announced changes that will hopefully result in shorter game delays.

The NCAA will use the latest in video replay and timekeeping technology during the men’s and women’s Division I basketball tournaments, with DVSport handling the replay aspect and Precision Timing Systems dealing with the timekeeping department.

“We are excited to enter into these relationships with these reputable companies who will allow us to use the best available technology to be as accurate as possible with regards to timing and reviewable plays,” NCAA vice president of men’s basketball Dan Gavitt said in the release.

“The Division I men’s basketball committee and our staff spent considerable time reviewing this and we’re happy to be able to implement each system into the 2015 championship. We think using these technologies is going to improve the championship experience for coaches, players, fans and officials.”

While some conferences are already working with one (or both) of these companies, this is a first for the NCAA. And in regards to DVSport’s work, hopefully having the best technology available leads to not only accurate calls but also less time spent waiting for the officials to make the call in question.

Seven cities ready to bid for future College Football Playoff championship, seven more interested.

By Kevin McGuire

Atlanta, Charlotte, Jacksonville, South Florida, Minneapolis, San Antonio and Santa Clara are among the cities expressing a desire to host a future College Football Playoff national championship game, but they may not be alone. According to Brett McMurphy of ESPN.com, Arlington, Houston, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Orlando and Pasadena are other cities currently undecided but evaluating whether or not to place a formal bid. New Jersey has also expressed an interest.

The current games that are available for host bids are the 2018, 2019 and 2020 national championship games. Rather than designate the hosting duties to one specific host bowl game, as was the case under the BCS system, cities place bids for the title game similar to NFL Super Bowl bids. Cities have until late May to submit a bid proposal to the College Football Playoff. The cities winning the bid for one of the three championship games will be announced in October.

Cities can bid for a specific year’s championship game. South Florida reportedly will place a bid for the 2018 and 2020 games. The Orange Bowl in Miami is the host bowl for one of the College Football Playoff semifinal games in 2019. Minneapolis intends to apply for the 2019 and 2020 national championship games.

Last season’s national championship game was played in Arlington, Texas. This season’s championship game will be played in Glendale, Arizona. The 2017 championship game will move to Tampa, Florida.

2015 Forbes' Billionaires Sports List.

AP- Sports

Michael Jordan, newcomer to Forbes' Billionaires Sports List.

Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is listed as the world's 35th wealthiest billionaire for 2015, according to a list released Monday by Forbes Magazine. Michael Jordan, owner of the Charlotte Hornets, was a newcomer on the list. The magazine reported there are a record 1,826 billionaires in the world. Some of the sports-related billionaires are listed below by name (affiliation), net worth and worldwide rank in terms of net worth:

Steve Ballmer (Clippers), $21.5 billion, 35

Paul Allen (Seahawks), $17.5 billion, 51

Stephen Ross (Dolphins), $6.5 billion, 216

Stanley Kroenke (Rams), $6.3 billion, 225

Robert Kraft (Patriots), $4.3 billion,381

Jerry Jones (Cowboys), $4.2 billion, 393

Bernard Ecclestone (Formula One), $3.9 billion, 435

Stephen Bisciotti (Ravens), $2.7 billion, 690

Arthur Blank (Falcons), $2.5 billion, 737

Robert McNair (Texans), $2.4 billion, 782

James France (NASCAR), $2.1 billion, 894

Tom Benson (Saints, Pelicans), $1.9 billion, 1006

James Irsay (Colts), $1.75 billion, 1105

Daniel Snyder (Redskins), $1.7 billion, 1118

Leslie Alexander (Rockets), $1.6 billion, 1190

John Henry (Red Sox, Liverpool Soccer), $1.6 billion, 1190

Frank Fertitta (Ultimate Fighting), $1.5 billion, 1250

Lorenzo Fertitta (Ultimate Fighting), $1.5 billion, 1250

Arturo Moreno (Billboards), $1.5 billion, 1250

Jerry Reinsdorf (Bulls), $1.3 million, 1415

Alexander Spanos (Chargers), $1.25 billion,1500

Jeffrey Lurie (Eagles), $1.1 billion, 1638

Michael Jordan (Hornets), $1 billion, 1741

Memoriesofhistory.com

1973 - Larry Hisle (Minnesota Twins) became baseball's first designated hitter. The spring-training exhibition game was against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

1982 - National Basketball Association history was made when San Antonio beat Milwaukee 171-166 in three overtime periods to set the record for most points by two teams in a game. The record was beaten on December 13, 1983 by the Pistons and the Nuggets when they played to a final score of 186-184

1983 - The United States Football League began its first season of pro football competition.

1997 - Mike Gartner (Phoenix Coyotes) scored his 30th goal of the season. He set a record for scoring 30 goals in a season for the 17th time in his career.

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Friday, March 6, 2015

CS&T/AllsportsAmerica Friday Sports News Update and What's Your Take? 03/06/2015.

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