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Sports Quote of the Day:
"Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit." ~ Conrad Hilton, Hotelier And The Founder Of The Hilton Hotels
Trending: The picture below says it all..........
(Picture taken from Marcelino Renteria Facebook post)
Trending: Blackhawks logo change may be coming based on court ruling. (See hockey section for details).
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! Bears predicted to be the worst team in the NFL. (This is total BS, Just our opinion at CS&T/AA. Bears at least 8-8 or better).
By Dan Cahill
USA Today projected the 2015 NFL season by playing out all 256 games. Bears fans are not going to like this.
USA Today has the Packers (12-4) winning the NFC North, followed by the Vikings (10-6), the Lions (7-9) and the Bears (3-13) with the worst record in the NFL.
Here’s what they say about the Bears:
Defense will look almost entirely different in terms of personnel and scheme. They can only hope QB Jay Cutler looks entirely different from 2014 version under new coaching staff.
Defense will look almost entirely different in terms of personnel and scheme. They can only hope QB Jay Cutler looks entirely different from 2014 version under new coaching staff.
It gets worse, Bears fans.
AFC playoffs
Wild card: (3) Broncos def. (6) Dolphins; (4) Ravens def. (5) Bills
Divisional: (2) Patriots def. (3) Broncos; (1) Colts def. (4) Ravens
AFC Championship Game: (1) Colts def. (2) Patriots
NFC playoffs
Wild card: (6) Rams def. (3) Panthers, (5) Vikings def. (4) Eagles
Divisional: (1) Packers def. (6) Rams; (2) Seahawks def. (5) Vikings
NFC Championship Game: (1) Packers def. (2) Seahawks
Super Bowl 50:
PACKERS def. Colts
The bright side for Bears fans? If things go as predicted, Chicago will get the No. 1 pick of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Judge Berman has an opportunity to effect real change.
By Mike Florio
Judge Berman has an opportunity to effect real change.
By Mike Florio
(Photo/Getty Images)
It’s clear that Judge Richard M. Berman wants the NFL and NFLPA to settle their differences regarding the Tom Brady suspension. It’s becoming more clear that, if the case doesn’t settle, he has an opportunity to bring real change to the way the NFL takes care of its internal business.
A ruling from Judge Berman that scraps the suspension and points out the many flaws in the investigation and the league’s handling of it could finally force the NFL to ease back from its insistence that the Commissioner retain final say on any disputes involving player discipline.
The Missouri Supreme Court already has taken a chunk out of the Commissioner’s power when it comes to non-player employees, finding earlier this year that the Commissioner cannot serve as an impartial arbitrator in cases involving claims made against one of the 32 teams for which he works. Now, Judge Berman could provide a written ruling that would make the Southern District of New York the new forum of choice for players fighting suspensions.
Which should make Judge Berman even more inclined to ensure that cases like this won’t come up again in the future.
Indeed, if the NFL used a truly neutral arbitrator, cases like this would come up far less frequently. If ever.
And why shouldn’t there be neutrality? As explained on Wednesday’s PFT Live on NBC Sports Radio (every weekday at 12-3 p.m. ET), the NFL should want its partnership with the league’s players to provide them access in all matters of league-imposed discipline to a truly independent forum. If the players had that, they would feel less compelled to seek out a neutral forum after the arbitrator-commissioner rules.
Neutrality would ensure an outcome that seems fair due in large part to a process that seems fair. If there was any doubt before the release of the Tom Brady appeal hearing transcript, there should be none now about whether the process is truly fair. Jeff Pash, who injected himself into the investigation/prosecution by reviewing and commenting on the Ted Wells report before it was published, was shielded from testifying by the arbitrator-commissioner. Jeff Kessler, who wanted to have the same access to the raw interview notes from the “independent” investigation that investigator-advocate Lorin Reisner enjoyed, was denied that opportunity by the arbitrator-commissioner.
Let’s think about that for a second. How can we know that Ted Wells and company accurately translated the interview notes to the 243-page report without seeing the notes? Indeed, no one ever would have known that the characterization of Brady’s testimony in the Commissioner’s ruling conflicts with Brady’s actual testimony if the transcript hadn’t been released (and now we know why the NFL didn’t want the transcript to be released).
The use of a neutral arbitrator would provide a much greater sense that decisions are being made based on fundamental notions of fairness and justice and not a potential desire to justify a predetermined conclusion and/or to suppress evidence that would contradict it. A neutral arbitrator would enhance player confidence in the adequacy of the process.
At this point, only the use a neutral arbitrator would restore public confidence in the game of professional football, as it relates to the manner in which the game of professional football punishes its players.
Although Judge Berman doesn’t have the power to strip the Commissioner of his power to be the arbitrator, a sufficiently strong and clear ruling from Judge Berman could lead to the same place. In recent months, the NFL abandoned its outdated blackout policy (technically, it’s suspended, but it’s not coming back) and changed the league office’s tax-exempt status because the issues had become too awkward from a political and P.R. standpoint. Judge Berman’s ruling could prompt the NFL to make a similar decision regarding the insistence on final say.
Maybe a final ruling from Judge Berman isn’t needed. Maybe Judge Berman’s intent to broker a settlement of the Brady case will become something broader on August 12, especially if he makes it clear to the NFL and NFLPA that he prefers an outcome that not only takes the Brady case off his docket, but that ensures no other cases of this type will ever land there again.
When it comes to Bears camp news, don't fall for banana in tailpipe.By John Mullin
Somewhere John Fox and Eddie Murphy have to be really enjoying this.
The old banana in the tailpipe.
If you don’t know about it, check it out in “Beverly Hills Cop.” It refers to something being put over on you, and you not falling for it. While Fox isn’t trying to put anything over on anyone, there’s something vaguely Murphy-esque now.
On Tuesday's edition of the “Jim Rome Show,” the Bears coach was asked by the hosts for information on the shin injury still sidelining rookie wide receiver Kevin White. Fox allowed that “you can call it shin splints or his shin just flared up.”
On Wednesday, Fox repeated his “assessment:” “He's got a shin. You can call it splints, call it whatever you want.”
Later on, I was asked, “Did you hear? Fox said Kevin White has shin splints.”
Actually, no, Fox didn’t say White has shin splints. White might have shin splints (I doubt it). But all Fox said was that you can call it shin splints or call it whatever you want. Because he’s not calling it anything. “I just know we’re doing what’s right for the kid and Chicago Bears,” Fox said.
So don’t fall for the old banana in the tailpipe. White will practice when he’s allowed to — “He's (chomping) at the bit, he's mad at me right now because I won't let him practice,” Fox said — and until he does, Marquess Wilson is getting an extended chance and he seriously needs to do more to take advantage of it.
“I think this year he’s done things this spring and camp so far to take that (next) step,” quarterback Jay Cutler said. “But he needs to take one more step and become the guy we think he can become.”
No banana, just fact.
Tailpipe banana II
Reactions to camp news are always interesting.
A simple CSNChicago.com report a couple days ago and one that still holds: Jay Cutler hasn’t thrown an interception or lost a fumble in the course of training camp. If this is construed as declaring Cutler turnover history to be history, that would be falling for the banana in the tailpipe.
It’s just a simple fact. Take it however you want. If he were throwing a pick a day, that would probably be news and possibly disturbing indicator that Cutler is reverting to his career base course, glowing platitudes from or about his latest offensive coordinator notwithstanding.
But Cutler isn’t turning the football over. And he’s not doing it against a defense that is doing not showing everything, but neither is it holding back for the benefit of the offense.
“(Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio) is not afraid to drop eight (into coverage) or to (rush) eight,” Cutler said. “Throws a lot of different things at you — three-down, four-down, nickel, dime. He’s got an extensive package, so it makes you think.”
Said offensive coordinator Adam Gase: “Every play is something different from those guys, and we’re kind of adjusting as we go.”
And maybe that’s the real point in all of this. Maybe that’s another banana in the tailpipe.
But Cutler and the Bears have been flummoxed more than a few times by 3-4 schemes: Green Bay twice annually, for instance. The Bears defeated San Francisco and the Jets last year, but only because of five combined interceptions by their defense in the two games. The offense netted 216 and 257 yards in the games.
So for Cutler to go interception-free for a week of camp against a blizzard of looks — that’s the whole point of why a 4-3 disciple like John Fox is all for the change to a 3-4 — shouldn’t be entirely dismissed.
Or maybe it’s me that’s falling for the banana.
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Blackhawks Logo Change May Be Coming Based On Court Ruling. What's Your Take?
Chicago Slapshot; Admin News
Based on recent rulings, Will Chicago Blackhawks have to change their logo?
The tides appear to be shifting in American Society. Recently same sex marriage was upheld by the Supreme Court, and the Confederate flag was removed from the South Carolina statehouse. Many experts believe that the Chicago Blackhawks will be next.
The Blackhawks logo was recently named the “Best Sports Logo in America.” And Chicago fans are very passionate. So it’s unlikely the logo will be changed without a major fight.
If the Blackhawks are forced to remove the logo…will they keep the name? Will they remove all of the images from historical records? Will they keep the alternate logo used on their shoulders now?
The Washington Redskins lost a key battle in the courtroom today as a judge ruled that their trademark registration will be cancelled due to their name being disparaging to Native Americans.
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Is the Chicago Blackhawks’ Indian Head logo next?
It’s about who it offends, who it bothers, who it makes roll their eyes or shake their head. It is still offensive to some, voices that aren’t as loud as a majority already mumbling to itself that this column is stupid … and shut up, loser.
I understand why Native Americans would have a problem with it. Imagine instead if a team used a profile of an African American, Asian or Hispanic man. It wouldn’t stand for a second. But in this case using one of a minority is fine to most people. (Tim Baffoe ’13)
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This court ruling could very well set the stage for future cases involving the trademarks of other professional sports teams around the country. Names such as the Indians, Seminoles and Chiefs could all be subject to change, along with the Blackhawks’ logo.
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This court ruling could very well set the stage for future cases involving the trademarks of other professional sports teams around the country. Names such as the Indians, Seminoles and Chiefs could all be subject to change, along with the Blackhawks’ logo.
No more confederate flag, and now the redskins are gonna have to change there logo. Just a matter of time before the Blackhawks. #ComeOn 
Roy, an Ojibwe and a member of the M’Chigeeng First Nation, wishes the Blackhawks would’ve changed their logo when the team reinvented itself. “Being a Native American here, it’s a trigger,” Roy said. “It’s a sea of floating dead Indian heads.”
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Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica Take: The Blackhawks logo is not derogatory in any way. It does not make fun of the tribe nor is the logo disrespectful with regards to it's facial expression. In the Blackhawks locker room, it is forbidden to walk on the logo embedded in the carpet. It is often heard at Blackhawks assemblies and get togethers to "Respect the Indian Head" and "Commit to the Indian". I can assure you that these terms are not used in a joking manner. The name Blackhawks represents a very proud Indian Tribe unlike the term, "Redskins" which is totally disrespectful. And like the Blackhawk tribe, the team has fought long and hard to create a winning and successful image. The team and it's fans are very proud of it's franchise name and defend it whenever challenged. As stated in the article above, the logo has constantly been voted, "The best sports logo in America". The in term right now is, "To be politically correct"; why? Why not just be correct. I would love for someone to explain to me why the Blackhawks name and logo are derogatory and/or disrespectful. The above statement is just my personal opinion, I look to hearing what your feelings are, pro and con. Please go to the comment section at the bottom of this blog and let me know what you really think. We truly value your opinion. Thanks in advance for your particpation in this discussion.
Marion P. Jelks, Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica Sports Editor.
Blackhawks' Patrick Kane subject of police investigation.
CSN Staff
Blackhawks' Patrick Kane subject of police investigation.
CSN Staff
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Patrick Kane garnered headlines for all the right reasons back in June, when he helped the Blackhawks win their third Stanley Cup in the past six seasons. Now he could be the subject of a police investigation near his hometown of Buffalo.
According to The Buffalo News, Hamburg police are investigating an incident that reportedly involves Kane. The newspaper, citing sources, said Hamburg police officials have forbidden their staff members from publicly discussing the investigation.
No charges have been filed, according to the Buffalo News.
"We are aware of the matter and are in the process of gathering information. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time," the Blackhawks said in an official team statement.
Kane had his issues in the past, including his arrest in the summer of 2009 for attacking a cab driver. In 2010 Kane was photographed shirtless in the back of a limousine during the team's trip to Vancouver. Not long after the 2010-11 season ended Kane was again photographed during a Cinco de Mayo celebration in Madison, Wisc.
When Kane addressed his past issues with CSN's Chris Boden in the summer of 2013, he expressed remorse.
"My parents were huge during that. And I'm sure they're disappointed when their kid goes through something like that. My sisters are the greatest, nicest kids in the world and then something like that happens to me, it was tough to let them down," Kane said with tears in his eyes. "Then the Blackhawks were great for sticking with me through those tough times was huge. After we won the Cup, talking to those guys and seeing the faith they had in me it makes you emotional. It's unbelievable."
And over the last few years it looked like lessons were learned, as Kane showed the necessary maturity off the ice.
Eddie Olczyk weighs in on Blackhawks offseason moves.
By C. Roumeliotis
While next season will certainly feel different, CSN Blackhawks analyst Eddie Olczyk believes the Blackhawks made the best out of a difficult situation, and it may not necessarily be a bad thing.
"I think Stan Bowman and his staff have done an amazing job of making some really good 'hockey trades,'" Olczyk told CSNChicago.com. "It's not easy to make 'hockey trades' in the salary cap era. Sure, you're going to miss Johnny Oduya and Patrick Sharp and Brandon Saad and you had to put Stephen Johns in the deal, but the Hawks have picked up some really good players."
Some of those players include Artem Anisimov, Marko Dano, Trevor Daley, and Ryan Garbutt, all of whom were acquired via trade this off-season. The talent is there, but with the many new additions comes growing pains.
The Blackhawks will have to overcome that, which Olczyk believes will take some time, on top of battling a short off-season if they want to become the first team to win back-to-back Stanley Cups since the Detroit Red Wings in 1997-98.
While it certainly presents a tough challenge, anything is possible under coach Joel Quenneville and the Blackhawks leadership.
"It is really difficult. I just think that it's going to take some time," Olczyk said. "You've got one of the best coaches of all-time behind the bench. ... I think he's got an opportunity here with a lot of new faces, a lot of young guys, some new players coming in to mix and match. It's not going to be easy — there's nothing easy."
Las Vegas, Quebec City NHL expansion bids advance to Phase 2.
By John Wawrow
Las Vegas and Quebec City are moving on to the second of three phases in their bids to land NHL expansion franchises, the respective groups announced Wednesday.
Bill Foley, who heads the Las Vegas bid, issued a statement on his group's website, "Vegas Wants Hockey," that the league has invited it to advance. Quebecor, a Montreal-based communications giant, announced on its Twitter account that its Quebec City bid is moving forward.
Foley said Phase 2 will feature bidders providing the NHL additional information regarding their respective markets and arena plans. The bidders will also gain access to certain league-related information.
The Las Vegas group has already secured more than 13,200 season-ticket deposits for a potential team. And there's a multipurpose arena under construction near the Las Vegas Strip and set to open next spring.
In Quebec City, the publicly funded, 18,259-seat Videotron Centre is set to open next month. It replaces the small and outdated Colisee, which previously served home to the NHL's Nordiques, who relocated to Colorado to become the Avalanche in 1995. Quebecor manages and owns the naming rights to the new arena.
There is a third phase to the process, though it's unclear when that will begin. Bids must also be approved by the NHL Board of Governors.
The NHL isn't expected to expand until 2017-18 at the earliest. Commissioner Gary Bettman has proposed an expansion fee of $500 million. That's a significant jump from the $80 million fee paid by the Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild, when the NHL last expanded to 30 teams in 2000.
Las Vegas and Quebec City were the only expansion applications out of 16 accepted by the NHL last month.
As part of their applications, the two groups were required to submit a $10 million down payment, $2 million of which was nonrefundable.
Just Another Chicago Bulls Session... Pau Gasol preparing for big second season in the Windy City.
By Sam SmithGasol says Bulls have title aspirations in 2015-16.
The man in the middle from Spain…? From Florida?
“It’s not that I see myself starting,” Pau Gasol was saying Thursday during a media conference call from Africa, where he is participating in the NBA’s first ever Africa game. “I’m going to work and earn (my spot). I don’t take anything for granted no matter how well I played or how great of a player I think I am. You have to prove yourself in practice, earn your minutes.”
The Bulls basically didn’t make any significant changes to their roster and rotation heading into next season following a second round playoff elimination. Of course, the Bulls did make a coaching change from Tom Thibodeau to Fred Hoiberg. But there will be major changes for the Bulls in 2015-16. Not so much in personnel, but likely in how those players are employed.
Perhaps the biggest question coming into the season is who will start at center. The Bulls have two All-Star centers in Gasol and Joakim Noah, and starting both last season obviously didn’t work well. Though new coach Hoiberg has been circumspect about his plans, it seems likely Gasol and Noah will no longer both start.
Which leaves many possibilities:
Gasol and Nikola Mirotic: The pairing will be on display in September when they both play for Spain in the Eurobasket Olympic qualifier in September. Though the tournament is close to the start of Bulls training camp, Gasol said it should benefit he and Mirotic and could be a preview of the new starting front court.
“There’s always an upside and a downside to playing internationally,” said Gasol. “I feel you get into camp in better shape and better basketball condition and rhythm. It’s a matter of how you approach things and how you feel about them. If you are excited and energized about playing for your national team and you are excited and energized to play for the NBA team, it should be all a positive thing. At the same time, I feel like Niko and I playing this summer, I think it will develop our relationship on and off the court and it will be another positive to carry on and transfer to our team in Chicago.”
However, Gasol and Mirotic are weaker defenders and pairing them together could prove problematic.
However, Gasol and Mirotic are weaker defenders and pairing them together could prove problematic.
Gasol and Taj Gibson: That brings a defensive component alongside Gasol, though it could squeeze the court as happened too often last season with Noah given Gibson isn’t a three-point shooter.
Noah and Gibson: The best defensive pair with familiarity playing together, though again limited shooting range. Plus, it’s always an issue to bring an older big man off the bench (Gasol turned 35 earlier this month) because they tend to take longer to get going once they’ve warmed up and sat down.
Noah and Mirotic: Long distance shooting with Mirotic and Noah’s defensive presence, which is better at center, where Noah seemingly needs to play. Again, bringing Gasol off the bench could limit his effectiveness and perhaps back off on the promises or expectations Gasol had when signing last summer with the Bulls. And then there’s rookie Bobby Portis, who played well, if erratically on offense, in summer league. Gasol, after all, led the Bulls in total minutes played last regular season and perhaps predictably broke down and was unable to play most of the series with the Cavaliers. But he was the Bulls most consistent and healthy player during the regular season and would hardly deserve a “demotion.” Gasol even led the NBA in double/doubles last season with a career high 54 and started the All-Star game. That a season after Noah was first team all-NBA center. Though we always hear what matters is who finishes.
“I’m not expecting to play the most minutes on the team,” Gasol said in his first comments to Chicago media since the end of last season. “I did not average the most minutes; Jimmy averaged the most. I expect to have a substantial role as I always have in my career and be a key part of our team.”
Gasol said he is optimistic about the team coming into next season and comfortable with the changes. But he also emphasized that the relative indifference and lack of preparation the team often displayed last season has to change if the Bulls are to be successful.
“Our goal is to try to be the best team, not to just beat one team,” Gasol said about the threat of the Cavaliers and LeBron James. “Obviously, they are the Eastern Conference champions from last year. Our goal is to be as strong as we can be to win, hopefully, the title at the end of the year. We have to make a quick transition with our new coach and his new philosophy.
“We have talked on the phone and we have exchanged messages,” Gasol said of he and Hoiberg, who plans to be in Spain next month to see Gasol. “We look forward to continuing to communicate so when training camp starts we can be on the same page and start working on how we can adjust quicker to the new philosophy and his system. I don’t know exactly how much my role will change, if at all. I’m sure there will be some adjustments and some changes, but I don’t know to what extent they will affect me individually.
“It’s hard to pinpoint the specific reasons (why the team failed to go farther last season),” Gasol said. “There definitely was an inconsistency throughout the year. Even though we finished third in the conference, we still had a lot of games we just weren’t ready to play, too many games we gave away against teams we were supposed to beat and we were a better team overall. At the end of the day, we paid the price of that lack of a sense of urgency and (not) giving importance to those moments during the regular season. Hopefully, we’ll learn from that and understand how important it is throughout the season, how important it is each and every game during the regular season and what difference it does make at the end of the year.”
Gasol said it’s always unfortunate when there is a coaching change, but he said that remains a time for the players to move on.
“It’s always a difficult, hard time when you see a coach released or let go of his duties, especially after Tom had invested a lot of years in the team,” said Gasol. “At the same time, you understand why it happened. The organization had to make a decision and it was a difficult one, but we all try at the end of the day to give the team a better chance to win the championship and improve, so that comes from the top. The players really have nothing to do with it; you accept those types of decisions and try to make the best out of them. From that point on we’re going to try to fulfill our goals and be a better team next season and that’s all we can do.”
Gasol said it is his sixth trip to Africa and this game, which will be televised by ESPN 8 a.m. (Central time) Saturday, is a milestone for the NBA and the players association. The rosters feature former Bull Luol Deng leading Team Africa in the exhibition game along with fellow former Bull Nazr Mohammed, whose parents were from Ghana. That team will be coached by the Spurs’ Gregg Popovich. Pau Gasol will play for Team World along with Chris Paul, Chicagoan Evan Turner and Marc Gasol. The players this week have been involved in a series of events to support youth education and building projects.
And perhaps begin to make the case for the next Luol Deng or Manute Bol or talent better than LeBron James. In the U.S., commentators often declare players the best on the planet. But how do you know when kids from Africa have rarely gotten the chance? Now with the help of the NBA and its players they will.
“I’m really excited about this game, about the work being done here, the effort of the NBA and NBPA, players, coaches, everybody putting a lot of effort into giving children a better chance, giving children here an opportunity to receive an education, access sports and physical activity and develop health habits and have a healthier life,” said Pau. “So I’m just excited to be a part of it; it’s a historical game for the game itself and for the continent of Africa. Africa (has) huge potential at many different levels that has a lot of struggles. But it’s worth investing the time and effort and energy to give this continent a chance; obviously a lot of players have come out already, but there’s potential that a lot more younger players can come out and be ready and become great basketball players and have an opportunity to have a great life for themselves and their families.”
And though the Bulls didn’t make significant changes, Pau says he is optimistic, if cautious.
“We have a lot of good players and each and every one has to understand the window is very small,” Pau said. “You just never know when it is going to close; you just know it’s going to close fast. So you do have to take advantage of each opportunity that comes along. We have a great opportunity; we have a very strong team. There’s very few changes as far as our roster and our players. So we can build on what we had going last year. We have all the tools to be a much stronger team than we were and learn from our mistakes of last year and we all have to understand that. Me, personally, I will try to do my job as far as the leadership role within the team now that I have been through a season with the guys. But each individual has to understand the center of responsibility and accountability within the team.”
* * * * * * *
Mohammed is playing in the Africa game as well. He wasn’t offered a new contract by the Bulls and turns 38 before the start of next season, which would be his 18th. The Bulls are optimistic about Brazilian big man Cristiano Felicio from their summer league team and he could fill a final spot on the roster. Mohammed is in excellent shape and could have played much more last season. But he was caught in a tight rotation with few reserves seeing time. So Mohammed says he’s contemplating his next step. It still could be in the NBA. He recently wrote a blog about his prospects. Here are excerpts:
“I’m a free agent. After 17 seasons playing NBA basketball, I’m currently at a point where I’m trying to decide what I do next – continue playing basketball or pursue a post-playing career. There are a few factors in play that are making this decision kind of tough for me. I still love playing basketball and everything about this game – the camaraderie, the competition, working together with a group of guys toward a common goal of winning a championship. I feel like I have some unfinished business and some basketball left in my body. The shocking part is that my body still feels great. I’ve always heard that as a professional athlete starts getting older, your body starts hurting. But I have yet to experience that. Years ago I decided that I was going to play until I couldn’t play anymore or until nobody else wanted me to play for them anymore – whichever came first. That way you know you have maximized your ability to compete as a professional athlete. And neither of those things has happened yet. It’s funny because I’ve found that over these last three or four years, so many times when I bump into a retired NBA player or even a guy who played overseas, they come up to me and say, “Hey, don’t stop playing. Keep playing until the wheels fall off!” But while I love playing basketball, I am considering moving on and taking advantage of some of the opportunities that are coming my way in the business of basketball. One of my goals is to one day become a general manager of an NBA team, and there are opportunities presenting themselves that will allow me to take a step in that direction and get my foot in the door. Then there’s always the elephant in the room, which is the fact that I caught the “broadcast bug” after attending the NBPA’s Sportscaster U. program last month. The one thing that has happened that I didn’t account for is the fact that I’m no longer willing to play anywhere. I’m down to about 8-9 teams that I would consider playing for, but sometimes they may or may not need your services. At this point in my career, if I continue to play, I want to be part of a winning organization with a great coach and teammates that approach the game with the same professionalism that I have. I realize that this is all a great “problem” to have. I truly appreciate the opportunities that people are offering me, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that the decision to give up your first love to go in another direction is a tough one. It’s a decision I will be making very soon.”
Cubs take Game 1 from Giants, move ahead in wild card standings.
Cubs take Game 1 from Giants, move ahead in wild card standings.
By Patrick Mooney
The Cubs passed their first test against the San Francisco Giants, beating the defending World Series champs, 5-4, on Thursday night at Wrigley Field.
Two rookies the Cubs are building their future around — Jorge Soler and Kyle Schwarber— drove in the first five runs in this four-game measuring-stick series.
Joe Maddon managed with a sense of urgency, walking out to the mound in the fifth inning after watching Jason Hammel walk back-to-back Giants on nine pitches. Maddon pulled Hammel after 76 pitches, trying to protect a three-run lead and preparing to unload his bullpen with five different relievers.
With the win, the Cubs moved into the second wild-card position, a half-game ahead of the Giants.
“Our thing is just playing naïve,” outfielder Chris Coghlan said. “Just going out there and doing it — like we’ve been doing every other game — because that’s really essentially what it’s about.
“When we play in October, it’s the same thing. It’s the same game. Now it’s magnified to the nth degree, but it really is the same thing for us. You’re just critiqued a whole lot more or praised a whole lot more.”
This made you wonder how loud the place would get in October.
“The vibe is spectacular,” Maddon said. “You cannot beat that. It’s unbeatable. I know you talk about soccer in Europe, whatever. But baseball-wise, this is unbeatable.”
Avisail Garcia drives in four as White Sox top Rays in 10.By Dan Hayes
Avisail Garcia has produced more good signs in the past three days than he did in the previous two months.
Only in the lineup Wednesday because of recent progress at the plate, the White Sox outfielder forced in the winning run with a bases-loaded walk in the 10th inning of a 6-5 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays at U.S. Cellular Field. Garcia -- who also blasted a three-run homer during a five-run first -- followed two intentional walks with a five-pitch walk against All-Star reliever Brad Boxberger and then was forced to dodge a mob of happy teammates in pursuit.
“That's why we're here,” Garcia said. “We've been fighting, fighting, fighting. Take that at-bat, I was looking for a good pitch and trying to bring pressure. Relax and throw my hands through the ball.
"Don't try to do too much because it's one out, the bases loaded. I just tried to be focused and be patient."
During a two-month slump, Garcia earned a reputation as a free swinger with poor pitch selection. The young outfielder has always been aggressive, but in between June 8 and Tuesday’s loss, Garcia struck out 28.8 percent of the time, up five percent from 2014.
So with Adam Eaton on third base and one out and Jose Abreu and Melky Cabrera due up, Rays manager Kevin Cash called for two free passes. Garcia fouled off Boxberger’s second pitch to even the count at 1-1 before he took three straight balls, including several close pitches.
“He has to be patient,” said White Sox manager Robin Ventura, who started Garcia over rookie Trayce Thompson because he had begun to pull the ball in losses Monday and Tuesday. “You know (Boxberger) has a great split and throws 94 so it’s hard to lay off that.
“For (Garcia) to be able to do that and look comfortable doing it, not looking like he had a trigger finger going -- he needs to do that. That’s part of the rumor going around about him; he’s going to swing at everything. He’s got to be able to shorten up and be able to get it in the zone and do something with it.”
Losers in five of their previous six, the White Sox offense looked in the zone in the first inning against Tampa Rays starter Erasmo Ramirez.
Eaton walked and Saladino and Abreu singled, the latter bringing a run in when Kevin Kiermaier overran the ball in center. Cabrera’s ground-rule double made it 2-0 and Garcia pulled a three-run homer to give the White Sox a five-run lead. Garcia also homered on Tuesday, his first since June 8. Wednesday’s homer traveled 420 feet.
But Ramirez settled down and retired 16 of the last 18 he faced, which allowed Tampa Bay to rally from its 5-0 deficit. The Rays scored four off Carlos Rodon and got another in the eighth on a sloppy relay on Brandon Guyer’s two-out RBI double.
The White Sox didn’t rally again until the seventh inning when Geovany Soto and Carlos Sanchez started with consecutive singles. But Eaton struck out looking and Tyler Saladino grounded into an inning-ending double play.
Eaton led off the 10th inning with a single to center against Boxberger, stole second base and advanced to third when the throw glanced off Asdrubal Cabrera’s glove and hit him in the ear. Asdrubal Cabrera exited the game after the second intentional walk and was diagnosed with a bruise after he underwent tests for concussion-like symptoms.
Five pitches later, Garcia raced toward the middle of the diamond to escape the playful charge of Melky Cabrera and the rest of his teammates.
“Competitors -- especially Avisail -- kind of rally to that,” Eaton said. “When they pick the guy you want to face, you kind of take that as, ‘Hey, I need to do it here.’ You take a littlerival to that -- ‘Let’s hurt them here, make it hurt, right guy, right spot kind of mentality.’ And when he got down early, Avisail’s an aggressive hitter, but he stayed patient, which was great.”
Golf; I got a club for that; Lee sets pace with an opening 65 at Firestone.
Reuters; By Mark Lamport-Stokes, Editing by Andrew Both
Golf; I got a club for that; Lee sets pace with an opening 65 at Firestone.
Reuters; By Mark Lamport-Stokes, Editing by Andrew Both
Former teenage prodigy Danny Lee birdied three of his first four holes en route to a one-shot lead in the opening round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational on Thursday.
On a day when Jordan Spieth finished five strokes off the pace, the 25-year-old Lee, who won his first PGA Tour title in a playoff for the Greenbrier Classic last month, fired a five-under-par 65 at Firestone.
He ended a challenging day one ahead of American Jim Furyk and Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell.
Texan Spieth birdied his final hole for a 70 in the third of four World Golf Championships (WGC) events to be held this year.
"Making birdie to shoot even (par) feels better than making bogey to shoot one-under," Masters and U.S. Open champion Spieth told reporters after his first competitive round since his tie for fourth at last month's British Open.
"That's just the way it works. It was a nice finish. I hit three really good shots. Feels good to take that momentum and see one kind of fall in the lip," he said of his seven-foot birdie putt at the par-four 18th.
"I had quite a few (putts) that looked pretty good today that just didn't quite go. As far as my first round back after a couple-week layover, I'm pleased with the way we finished."
While Spieth, arguably the greatest putter in the game, was not quite at his best on the firm Firestone greens, Lee celebrated "a good day" as he accrued seven birdies and two bogeys to take the outright lead.
"I was hitting it that good, and I was very happy with my result," said Lee, 25, who was born in South Korea but is a citizen of New Zealand where he spent his youth.
"The course out there is in such phenomenal conditions. It's very firm, greens rock hard. If you can just hit the fairways, you're getting a lot of short irons (into the greens).
"It was a good day for me, even though I left a couple short birdie putts out there. It's tough for everybody, but I like it though."
Veteran Furyk, a 17-times winner on the PGA Tour, was also at five under with one hole to play but bogeyed the par-four last after being unable to get up and down from behind a tree in the right rough, 38 yards short of the green.
Several players in the elite field of 77 struggled in the firm conditions. Five-times major champion Phil Mickelson carded 76 and fellow American Troy Merritt ballooned to an 82 just four days after winning the Quicken Loans National.
The long-drive contest is coming back to the PGA Championship.By Ryan Ballengee
After its successful resurrection a year ago at Valhalla, the PGA Championship long-drive contest is back in 2015.
The 593-yard, par-5 second hole at Whistling Straits will serve as the Tuesday host ot the contest brought back by then-PGA of America president Ted Bishop and CEO Pete Bevacqua.
The winner will get a money clip which pays homage to the clip Nicklaus won in '63 for taking the contest. Charitable donations will be made in the name of the top three finishers in $25,000, $15,000 and $10,000, respectively.
A year ago, Louis Oosthuizen won the event with a 340-yard drive. However, that win was somewhat tainted by the antics of Bubba Watson, who chose to participate in the contest by hitting a 3-iron down the fairway in protest of what he believed was a silly sideshow.
“I’m there to play golf,” he said afterward, “not to hit it far.”
We'll see if Watson changes his tune next week.
NASCAR: Expect fuel mileage to once again be a prevailing topic at Watkins Glen.By Nick Bromberg
If NBC Sports wanted to bring back Metallica's "Fuel" as its theme song for Sunday's race at Watkins Glen, we would understand. We'd appreciate the nostalgia too. And given what happened on Sunday at Pocono and what's likely to be the dominant story-line at Watkins Glen, it'd be incredibly appropriate.
The finish of the Windows 10 400 was unexpected. Teams stretched their fuel, thinking there would be a caution in the final quarter of the race. There wasn't, and Matt Kenseth, who was fourth with three laps to go, won the race as Joey Logano, Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr. all ran out of fuel.
NASCAR has had a recent tendency to throw late race cautions. Sometimes those cautions are blatantly obvious. When cars crash, a yellow is mandatory. Other times, well, that's when it gets tricky. Debris cautions can always be a source of conspiracy unless there's a giant piece of sheet-metal visible in the middle of the track for all to see.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. said he was "absolutely" surprised to see the race go caution-free for the final 63 laps.
“Yeah, in the booth up there, they turned the clock back to 1973 and let that thing play out a little bit and let everybody run out of gas," Junior said after the race. "That was pretty cool. It’s kind of like some of the older races where you just can’t count on them to throw them cautions there at the end. And they didn’t today.”
There were seven cautions in the first 72 laps at Pocono. It made sense to reason there would be another one before the race ended, which is why teams followed the lead of Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus, who started the cycle of pit stops on lap 123. The team ended up having to pit again, but finished sixth because of all the gas craziness.
38 laps of green flag racing at a 2.5 mile track is too much to ask for a full fuel tank, but with some caution laps it's doable. Crew chiefs who brought their cars to pit road early were playing the probabilities. But as we know, history isn't always indicative of future results.
"The statistics have said we’re going to have cautions for so many of these races that we’ve really kind of hedged our bet — kind of like the mortgage boom," former crew chief and NBC Sports analyst Steve Letarte told Yahoo Sports. "We forgot what it was really all about and the economy collapsed. That’s how racing was.
"We all just assumed we were going to have four, five, six, eight, 10 yellows and then last week really made a big difference. Last week kind of put the exclamation point on we’re not always going to have these cautions and when the leaders started running out of gas I think that makes for an even more exciting Watkins Glen."
Yes, that brings us to the upcoming race, where you'll see a lot of the same types of strategy plays. Track position is vital at Watkins Glen and you can also pit there under green without losing a lap. Teams will be looking to save fuel from the start of the race to make their final pit stop as early as possible.
They'll be banking on caution flags once again too. The last five races at Watkins Glen have all featured at least one caution flag in the last 20 laps and the 2014 and 2013 races have had three cautions in the final 20 laps. Letarte said that crew chiefs have to have short memories; despite the recency bias that is Pocono, expect some teams to make their final pit stop with the idea that they'll need a caution or two to make it to the end of the race.
And if the race plays out like Pocono did and abnormally stays green, chaos could once again reign.
"If you only budget for green flag laps and a caution comes out you’ve been beat," Letarte said. "Because there are a whole bunch of crew chiefs who are way more aggressive than that. So depending on what you’re trying to accomplish, there were times when I would — Las Vegas (in 2014) is the perfect example," Letarte said of his calculated fuel gamble with Earnhardt Jr. that came up short as Junior was racing Brad Keselowski for the win. "We ran out of gas off turn two (on the last lap). We knew we were going to run out of gas on turn two. We had four yellows (in the entire race) ... There was a caution about six laps after we pitted. If we had two more caution laps in the same caution. We win the race."
SOCCER: With win vs. Union, Fire would host U. S. Open Cup final.By Danny Michallik
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
A blind draw conducted by U.S. Soccer to determine hosting priority for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final awarded the Fire with a chance to host this year's Open Cup final, pending next week's result against the Philadelphia Union.Wednesday's proceedings at Soccer House in Chicago were emceed by U.S. men's national team Press Officer Michael Kammarman, along with U.S. Open Cup Commissioner Paul Marstaller and U.S. Soccer Development Academy Director Jared Micklos, who pulled the names of all four semifinalists from envelopes at random.
Should the Fire beat the Union at PPL Park next Wednesday, the four-time champions would host the winner of the second semifinal between Real Salt Lake and Sporting Kansas City on Sept. 30 at Toyota Park. The kickoff time for the final will be determined once the semifinals play out.
Advancing to the final would give head coach Frank Yallop and the Men in Red a sought-after trophy to play for and ample time to home in on climbing up the Eastern Conference table. The Fire rose to ninth place with Sunday's impressive performance against FC Dallas, earning a clean sheet on their way to a 2-0 victory over the then-Western Conference leader.
In the event that the Fire prevail over the Union, the final would cap another stretch of closely scheduled matches. The Men in Red welcome Orlando City SC to Toyota Park on Sept. 19 before traveling north of the border to face the Montreal Impact and Toronto FC on Sept. 23 and Sept. 26, respectively.
Semifinals
Philadelphia Union vs. Chicago Fire - Aug. 12, 6:30 p.m. CT at PPL Park; Chester, Pa. (via live web-stream at Chicago-Fire.com)
Sporting Kansas City vs. Real Salt Lake - Aug. 12, 7:30 p.m. CT at Sporting Park; Kansas City, Kan.
Final
Chicago Fire vs. Sporting Kansas City/Real Salt Lake winner - Sept. 30, Time TBD at Toyota Park; Bridgeview, Ill.
OR
Real Salt Lake vs. Philadelphia Union - Sept. 30, Time TBD at Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah
OR
Philadelphia Union vs. Sporting Kansas City - Sept. 30, Time TBD at PPL Park
Jon Gruden: 'Tennessee is a dream job,' but 'Butch Jones is the right guy.'
By Chip Patterson
Jon Gruden: 'Tennessee is a dream job,' but 'Butch Jones is the right guy.'
By Chip Patterson
Jon Gruden is happy doing TV. (Photo/USATSI)
Jon Gruden, the most popular and dominant name in coaching rumors for couple years, called Tennessee a "dream job" during an appearance on the Paul Finebaum Show.
The end of the Derek Dooley era at Tennessee was filled with speculation that Gruden, with some ties to the Vols, would return to the sideline and take over before a re-commitment to ESPN and the hire of Butch Jones put that rumor to rest.
"I don't know how close," Gruden said when asked how close he was to taking the Tennessee job, or any other in college football. "I love football. I'll be the first to tell you. I miss coaching, but I do feel like my job around here as a lot like coaching. I get to be around it 364 days a year and I feel like I'm improving.
"Tennessee is a dream job for a lot of people, me included. Timing wasn't right, but I'll say this about the Volunteers: they got the right guy. I think Butch Jones is going to put the Volunteers back on the map and it might happen this year. I really like that football team."
Gruden's quarterback clinics and passion for coaching the game have kept his name around when jobs open up in college football and the NFL. It's been a few years since we've had a real "GRUDEN WATCH" in a effect, but it's definitely too early to rule one last good speculation season for the Super Bowl winning head coach.
After all, CBS Sports' Jason La Confora reported in May that the Tennessee Titans, not Vols, might chase Gruden's services "if Ken Whisenhunt flops."
NCAAFB: Mason excited about running defense as Vanderbilt reports.
By Ryan Ballengee
Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason knows one thing is crucial for his Commodores: They have to be better in 2015 because they sure weren't last year.
The coach also is doing his best to make sure Vanderbilt improves by taking control of the defense.
''I put a lot of pressure on myself,'' Mason said Wednesday as the Commodores reported for fall practice. ''I think this team is tired of the talk, the outside banter about who we are, what we are. For us ... that's motivated. I'm as energized as I've been in a couple years. So for me it's just about being able to get out there and do the work.''
Mason took only a couple days off after going 3-9 in his first season as a head coach, then he got busy. He fired his offensive and defensive coordinators, and he lured Andy Ludwig away from Wisconsin to take over as his offensive coordinator. Then Mason put himself in charge of the defense, a job he did so well at Stanford before being hired at Vanderbilt.
He wants the Commodores to play relentlessly and establish the intense attitude he wants. Mason said he feels he's a better teacher and thinks working with his defensive players more closely will help them play faster and better, starting with the season opener Sept. 3 against Western Kentucky.
''They're more invested than I am right now,'' Mason said. ''I like where we're at.''
Mason has all 11 starters back from last season, and he gave them a taste of what to expect from him as a defensive coordinator by taking over the unit in the season-ending 24-17 loss to Tennessee. Linebacker Nigel Bowden said he expects the defense to be more fast-paced with no hesitation.
''He makes everything simpler for all of us,'' Bowden said.
The biggest question comes on offense. Patton Robinette came out of the spring as the projected starter, but over the summer he chose to give up football and attend medical school. That leaves Ludwig needing to decide between Johnny McCrary and Wade Freebeck, who were among four quarterbacks who started last season.
Mason said he wants a clear starter and backup at quarterback. Ludwig said they are waiting for either McCrary or Freebeck to take the decision out of their hands. Both are pretty similar to each other right now.
''We've got a competition,'' Ludwig said.
Ludwig also likes to run the ball, and he said the offensive line is bigger and stronger thanks to the off-season workouts. Guard Spencer Pulley is shifting to center, and Ludwig also will have converted defensive back Darrius Sims at wide receiver after Mason told the junior he needed his help on offense.
Vanderbilt also brings back Ralph Webb, who set the school freshman rushing record with 907 yards on 212 carries.
''We've got a great starting point there,'' Ludwig said. ''It's really tough to downplay that's the starting point of the offense. That's what we're building it around right now.''
NCAABKB: Five off-season questions on the Big 10?By Jon Rothstein
Michigan coach John Beilein will have guard Caris LeVert back for his senior season. (Photo/USATSI)
1. How many Big Ten teams will reach the NCAA Tournament in 2016?
The league got seven programs into the field of 68 last March and that was in a supposed “down year” for the conference. With the Big Ten set up to be beyond loaded next season, eight seems like a reasonable number depending on what happens elsewhere around the country. The ACC proved last season that it was clearly the best conference in college basketball and that was before programs like Florida State and Virginia Tech added terrific recruiting classes. How stocked is the Big Ten for 2015-16? If you were rating the teams based on returning talent, neither Wisconsin or Ohio State would be ranked in the league's top seven -- that's scary. There will be ten Big Ten teams -- Maryland, Indiana, Purdue, Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Iowa, Illinois and Northwestern -- who will enter next season believing they have a legitimate chance to earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament.
2. Can Maryland handle expectations?
A year ago, the Terps did their work in the shadows. Now they're fully in the spotlight. Mark Turgeon's squad was an afterthought heading into last season, but had unbelievable chemistry and won 28 games. Now Maryland will likely enter November as the team to beat in college basketball and it will be interesting to see how this program handles being the hunted. Perhaps the Terps' great attribute last season was their concrete role allocation, something that could be a work in progress early given the additions of Diamond Stone, Rasheed Suliamon, Georgia Tech transfer Robert Carter, and JUCO point guard Jaylen Brantley. Maryland returns six rotation players who played double-figure minutes last season led by Melo Trimble and it may take Turgeon some time to find out what works and what doesn't for this group early on. Still, there's no denying this team's talent level. The Terps likely have pound-for-pound the best 10-man rotation in the sport.
3. Which program will emerge as a potential Top 10 team?
Michigan. The Wolverines went 16-16 last season with an 8-10 mark in league play and didn't have either Caris LeVert or Derrick Walton -- two players who started on an Elite Eight team in 2014 -- available after Jan. 27 due to injury. Had both LeVert and Walton been healthy for the entire season, Michigan would have likely won 21 or 22 games and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Instead, John Beilein's team is a bit of an afterthought heading into next season. It won't stay that way for long. Walton, LeVert, Spike Albrecht, and Zak Irvin (77 made 3-point shots last season) give this team a savvy and experienced perimeter while both Aubrey Dawkins and Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman got valuable minutes last season as freshman. Ricky Doyle, D.J. Wilson, and Mark Donnal should stabilize the post and if the Wolverines can get more out of the “stretch four” position they should be loaded for bear. Kameron Chatman (3.6 points 2.5 rebounds per game in 2014-15) had a disappointing freshman season after being a highly touted prospect out of high school, but should be better as a sophomore. The name to watch for Michigan? Duncan Robinson. A transfer from Williams (Division III), Robinson has good size at 6-foot-8 and a potent shooting touch that should give Beilein another option in addition to Chatman to extend the defense from the four-spot.
4. Why have people forgotten about Iowa?
I have no idea. The Hawkeyes went 22-12 last season and won a game in the NCAA Tournament, but haven't generated a stitch of postseason buzz despite the fact they return six players who averaged double figure minutes. Fran McCaffery has a trio of seniors that have been through the gamut in Mike Gesell, Anthony Clemmons, and Adam Woodbury as well as Jarrod Uthoff and Peter Jok, who both played key roles last season. The 6-8 Uthoff (12.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.6 blocks per game in 2014-15) should emerge as an All-Big Ten caliber player following the departure of Aaron White and if Iowa can get a breakout season from sophomore forward Dom Uhl then a third straight trip to the field of 68 is very possible. Long, lanky, and ultra athletic, the 6-9 Uhl averaged 10.0 minutes a game last season as a freshman, but needs to take on a bigger role in terms of his overall production level if this team is to hear its name called on Selection Sunday. The Hawkeyes aren't the first team people are going to mention when they bring up the Big Ten, but Iowa is still very capable of being a legitimate factor in this league during the 2015-16 season.
5. Who is the sleeper?
Northwestern. The Wildcats have never made the NCAA Tournament, but Chris Collins' first two years in Evanston have proven that he's the guy that's eventually going to get them there. Northwestern returns its top four scorers -- Tre Demps, Alex Olah, Bryant McIntosh, and Vic Law -- from last year's team that went 15-17 and lost six consecutive conference games by a combined 25 points in January. The Wildcats will be better with another year of experience and add two key pieces in freshman power forward Aaron Falzon and Virginia Tech transfer Joey Van Zegeren, who should spell Olah nicely in the pivot. The 6-8 Falzon is a lethal shooter that can extend the defense and open up for the floor for McIntosh, Demps, and Law, who Collins expects to take a big jump as a sophomore. Northwestern will be noticeably improved from a year ago, but so will the rest of the Big Ten. If the Wildcats can win half of the close games they dropped last season in league play, competing for a spot in the field of 68 is very much within the realm of possibility.
This and That
• How good was Bronson Koenig at taking care of the ball last season for Wisconsin? The 6-4 point guard played 1,152 minutes for the Badgers and only committed 33 turnovers -- that's ridiculous.
• Purdue's addition of freshman big man Caleb Swanigan made national headlines in the Spring, but it will be interesting to see how it affects the Boilermakers defensively. With Swanigan, Isaac Haas, and A.J. Hammons, Matt Painter now has three lumbering big men that could have a hard time dealing with small of the Big Ten's smaller and more skilled power forwards.
• The sleeper in Ohio State's recruiting class is A.J. Harris. The 5-9 point guard doesn't have elite size, but can run a team and gives the Buckeyes another option at the most important spot on the floor in addition to highly touted freshman JaQuan Lyle. There's not much buzz right now about Ohio State, but as usual that will likely change as we inch closer to the middle of next season.
• Michigan State freshman Deyonta Davis has turned heads this Summer in East Lansing with his ability to shoot the ball. The 6-9 power forward was a McDonald's All-American and will likely be an instant starter for the Spartans. With Davis, Marvin Clark, Matt Costello, and Gavin Schilling up front, Tom Izzo has options on the baseline -- as usual.
• Looking for an under-the-radar transfer in the Big Ten? Try Nebraska's Andrew White. The 6-7 wing is a former Top-50 recruit who never cracked the Jayhawks' rotation two years ago, but should be a double-figure scorer this season for the Cornhuskers. Expect White to be Tim Miles' second offensive option after Shavon Shields.
• He doesn't get the same ink as Yogi Ferrell, James Blackmon, or Troy Williams, but Robert Johnson is an extremely critical piece for Indiana. The 6-3 guard averaged 27.0 minutes per game last season while scoring 8.9 points per game and shooting an impressive 38.8 percent from long distance -- as a freshman. Don't forget about this kid when you're scouting the Hoosiers -- he's a major part of their puzzle.
• Will Illinois get over the hump and return to the NCAA Tournament in 2016? It's hard to tell right now because there's so many new faces in Champaign. The Illini will have six players -- Tracy Abrams, Jalen Coleman-Lands, D.J. Williams, Michael Finke (redshirt), Darius Paul, and Mike Thorne (transfer from Charlotte -- who will likely be part of their rotation that didn't play a single minute last season.
• Minnesota has a potential All-Big Ten player in sophomore guard Nate Mason. The 6-1 Mason averaged 9.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game last season as a freshman and should be the Gophers' top player in 2015-16. This is the best player in the Big Ten that nobody is talking about.
The Nike-Under Armour battle for high school stars is heating up.By Gary Parrish
The Under Armour Elite 24 is one of the nation's best events for college basketball recruits -- evidence being the way it's consistently lured top prospects to New York each August.
Jaylen Brown and Cheick Diallo are among the stars who participated last year.
D'Angelo Russell and Emmanuel Mudiay played the year before.
It's a game that's grown in terms of popularity and prestige -- somewhat because it's one of the few high school events NBA scouts are allowed to attend, mostly because Under Armour has never had to compete for prospects with another shoe company. But that second part is changing. Because multiple sources told CBS Sports that Nike has created, pretty much on the fly, a new event designed to draw players and attention away from Under Armour, one that was also certified by the NBA within the past week.
And the best part?
The event will be held in ... the Bahamas!
Which means Nike has decided the best way to prevent prospects from wearing Under Armour on ESPN is to offer them all-expenses-paid trips to the Bahamas on the exact days as Under Armour's Elite 24. In other words, prospects are now picking between three days in New York or three days on an island with some of the world's most beautiful beaches.
"That seems to be a pretty fair interpretation," Nick Blatchford, Under Armour's director of grassroots and college basketball, told CBS Sports on Thursday. "It's a paid-for vacation."
And, predictably, it's working.
Blatchford said at least two prospects he planned to have in the Under Armour Elite 24 -- specifically Class of 2016 standouts Harry Giles and Jayson Tatum -- have recently declined UA's invitations even though they both played in the Under Armour Elite 24 last year.
"So we have to assume they'll be going to the Bahamas," Blatchford said.
That's likely a safe assumption.
(And it's probably worth noting both Giles and Tatum are consensus top-five prospects who starred this summer with USA Basketball and will likely enroll at Duke next season, meaning there are multiple strong Nike-ties in play with those two. But I digress ...)
Either way, it's all fascinating, right?
The so-called Shoe Wars have been mostly quiet since Sonny Vaccaro, the godfather of grassroots basketball, left the summer scene several years back. But this is a tangible sign that high-stakes fighting over players is returning, and it's also proof that Under Armour is making an impact in the world of basketball -- both at the professional and amateur levels.
Under Armour has the NBA's reigning MVP, Stephen Curry, under contract.
Last month's event in Charlotte featured Class of 2016 stars Josh Jackson and Thon Maker.
Translation: Under Armour is a real player in the game.
To be clear, Nike is still king and probably will be forever; don't get it twisted. But there's absolutely no reason for Nike to, rather abruptly, create an event in the Bahamas for the exact days as the Under Armour Elite 24 unless it felt threatened in some way.
This event is a clear reaction to Under Armour's growing presence.
There really is no other intelligent way to perceive it.
"The fact that they're putting something together, kind of last-minute, tells me they're trying to play defense," Blatchford said. "It's interesting to see them react to our event in this way."
On This Date in Sports History: Today is Friday, August 7, 2015.
Memoriesofhistory.com1907 - Senator pitcher Walter Johnson won his first major league game by defeating the Indians, 7-2.
1965 - Britain's Jim Clark won his fifth consecutive Grand Prix.
1968 - In his major league debut, Joe Keough (A's) hit a home run in his first at-bat.
1985 - A five-year agreement between the major league baseball players union and team owners ended a two-day mid-season players’ strike. The season resumed the next day.
1987 - Bill Mazeroski's uniform jersey #9 was officially retired from active service by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
1999 - Tony Gwynn (San Diego Padres) got his 3,000th hit.
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