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"Sports Quote of the Day"
"Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy." ~ Saadi, Medieval Period Poet
Trending: Bears shoot themselves in the foot in OT loss to 49ers. (See football section for Bears updates).
Trending: Cubs upgrade playoff-caliber rotation with $32 million deal for John Lackey. (See baseball section for Cubs updates).
NFL Scoreboard, Sunday, 12/07/2015.
Green Bay Packers 27
Detroit Lions 23
New York Jets 23
New York Giants 20
Arizona Cardinals 27
St. Louis Rams 3
Atlanta Falcons 19
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23
Seattle Seahawks 38
Minnesota Vikings 7
Houston Texans 21
Buffalo Bills 30
Baltimore Ravens 13
Miami Dolphins 15
Cincinnati Bengals 37
Cleveland Browns 3
Jacksonville Jaguars 39
Tennessee Titans 42
San Francisco 49ers 26
Chicago Bears 20
Denver Broncos 17
San Diego Chargers 3
Kansas City Chiefs 34
Oakland Raiders 20
Carolina Panthers 41
New Orleans Saints 38
Philadelphia Eagles 35
New England Patriots 28
Indianapolis Colts 10
Pittsburgh Steelers 45
Dallas Cowboys Monday Night's Game
Washington Redskins 12/07/2015
Red denotes winning team
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! Bears shoot themselves in the foot in OT loss to 49ers.
By Tony Andracki
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The Bears need a miracle if they're going to make the playoffs in 2015.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert hit Torrey Smith for a 71-yard touchdown in overtime to hand the Bears a gut-wrenching 26-20 loss at Soldier Field on Sunday.
This was a must-win game for the Bears, who were already facing long odds at a postseason bid before Sunday's loss to a Niners team that came into the day 3-8.
The Bears shot themselves in the foot repeatedly, starting drive after drive in Niners territory and coming away without any points.
Robbie Gould missed two field goals on the afternoon, including a 33-yarder as time expired in regulation.
The game was tied 13-13 before Jay Cutler helped engineer a Bears scoring drive late in the fourth quarter that culminated in a four-yard Ka'Deem Carey plunge into the end zone (his first NFL TD).
Gabbert responded on the ensuing drive, leading the Niners down the field and tying the game with a 44-yard touchdown run.
Deonte Thompson answered immediately by taking the ensuing kickoff 74 yards and setting the Bears up in field goal territory with less than two minutes left in regulation.
After the Bears picked up a first down and ran out the clock, Gould missed his second field goal of the day, wide left.
The Bears are now left sitting at 5-7 in the NFC, searching for answers after coming up short in their third bid at getting back to .500.
Robbie Gould shoulders blame for Bears loss: 'I feel terrible'.
By Tony Andracki
Robbie Gould was waiting at his locker as soon as the Bears clubhouse opened, ready to face the music.
The Bears limped off Soldier Field Sunday afternoon with a stomach-churning 26-20 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in overtime, a game in which Robbie Gould missed two field goals - including a 36-yarder as time expired in regulation.
"There's no excuse for it," Gould said. "I just didn't get it done today. I feel terrible. I have a job to do and I didn't do that today.
"This one falls on me and my shoulders. I feel bad for my teammates because I didn't do the job that I'm supposed to do."
It's only the fourth time in Gould's career that he missed multiple field goals in the same game, but it's already the second time this season (he also missed two field goals in Week 9 against the San Diego Chargers).
Both field goals against the Niners fell within Gould's "comfort" range - tries of 36 and 40 yards. Entering play Sunday, Gould had missed just 10 field goals from the 30-39 yard range in his career, going 88-for-98 in such attempts (89.8 percent).
Gould did connect on his first two field goals on the afternoon - a 40-yarder and a 51-yarder in the first quarter.
"I hit the ball really well the first time," Gould said. "I had a lot of confidence going into the last two kicks. I just got quick on both of them and rushed them and hurried them.
"They're both probably the worst kicks I had all year."
Gould's teammates, however, refused to let him take all the blame.
"That's not fair at all," Bears rookie running back Jeremy Langford said. "You learn as a football player that it's not one play that loses a game. There are a lot of those plays that add up at the end of the game to help with that loss."
Matt Forte echoed Langford's thoughts.
"It's a team," Forte said. "Everybody knows that. ... We lost the game as a team. We had a chance to win the game multiple times.
"It's not fair for him to say that he lost the game. ... He can't put that all on himself. And he shouldn't."
Gould entered the game 24-for-27 on field goals on the season is also still over 85 percent in his career (269-for-315, 85.3 percent).
"I told him on the sideline, 'You're our brother. We got your back,'" Bears linebacker Pernell McPhee said. "It's football. Nobody's ever going to be perfect, man.
"He's going to be a legendary kicker someday. He's our brother and we got his back and we're gonna fight through this together."
Blown chances in OT loss to 49ers put Bears on brink of being finished.
By John Mullin
A team that not all that long ago prided itself on forming an identity as fighters and finishers now finds itself fighting to avoid succumbing to a feeling that their season is finished.
Indeed, the toughest part of Sunday’s 26-20 overtime loss to the San Francisco 49ers (4-8) was “probably not finishing the game, letting them stay around, stay in the game, not finishing,” said linebacker Lamarr Houston. “We didn’t finish quite the way we wanted to but we’re going to be all right. We’re headed in the right direction; we’ll get it together.”
Maybe not this season, however.
The loss, coming after the Bears had won three of their last four, two of them on short weeks, dropped the Bears to 5-7. As concerning, it marked the third time in the span of just seven games that they have failed to deliver a win that would have brought them to the break-even point in a season that started 0-3. This one came with their allowing leads of 6-0, 13-6 and 20-13 to ebb away.
That is not the stuff of “finishers.”
The ignominy was all-encompassing and absolute. “I know we’re not going to like watching the film [Monday],” said quarterback Jay Cutler.
Said coach John Fox: “Like any close loss like today – and we’ve had our share – it comes down to us making plays in every area of the team. We just didn’t make enough.”
The game ended on a breakdown in deep coverage on which San Francisco quarterback Blaine Gabbert threw 71 yards to wide receiver Torrey Smith for the winning score in the overtime, the second OT game (Detroit) that the Bears lost to drop back two games below .500.
“We just had miscommunication,” said safety Adrian Amos, who had Smith off the line but left him to drop into zone coverage, “just miscommunicated.”
The game should have ended on a 36-yard field goal by historically accurate Robbie Gould, who inexplicably yanked the kick wide left for his second miss of the game.
“I didn’t get the job done today,” Gould said. “This falls on me, on my shoulders.”
The game could have effectively ended many times before either of those plays, or before Gabbert’s 44-yard scramble through nearly every Bear on the field with 1:50 to play. The misses and breakdowns will be the most remembered but the game never should have gotten to either of those points.
Eight of 12 Bears possessions in regulation ended in the San Francisco end of the field. But only two of those ended in touchdowns, two ended in settling for field goals, and two ended in field goals that weren’t, Gould missing from 40 and 36 yards.
“We had good field position for most of the day,” said quarterback Jay Cutler, who struggled with accuracy and put up his poorest passing game (64.2 rating, 18-for-3 passing, 202 yards, 0 TD’s, 1 INT, returned for a touchdown). “I thought our defense did a heck of a job for us. We’ve got play better offensively. That starts with me.”
In overtime, after the defense delivered a three-and-out and the Bears could have won the game with any kind of score on their possession, the offense went three-and-out.
The Bears had at least one penalty on six of their final nine possessions. They scored on none of the six.
The loss comes after a franchise-lifting win over the Green Bay Packers and after extra time off that comes after a Thursday night game.
Suddenly, the talk of “playoffs” the past several weeks rings hollow. The defeat doesn’t eliminate them from playoff hope, "we just need a little help,” said linebacker Pernell McPhee.
“We have to handle our business. We just gotta win out. If we win these next four games and we're gonna get whatever help we get."
When it came to handling their business and helping themselves, however, the finishers didn’t.
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Patrick Kane sets Blackhawks point-streak record in win over Jets.
The Bears limped off Soldier Field Sunday afternoon with a stomach-churning 26-20 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in overtime, a game in which Robbie Gould missed two field goals - including a 36-yarder as time expired in regulation.
"There's no excuse for it," Gould said. "I just didn't get it done today. I feel terrible. I have a job to do and I didn't do that today.
"This one falls on me and my shoulders. I feel bad for my teammates because I didn't do the job that I'm supposed to do."
It's only the fourth time in Gould's career that he missed multiple field goals in the same game, but it's already the second time this season (he also missed two field goals in Week 9 against the San Diego Chargers).
Both field goals against the Niners fell within Gould's "comfort" range - tries of 36 and 40 yards. Entering play Sunday, Gould had missed just 10 field goals from the 30-39 yard range in his career, going 88-for-98 in such attempts (89.8 percent).
Gould did connect on his first two field goals on the afternoon - a 40-yarder and a 51-yarder in the first quarter.
"I hit the ball really well the first time," Gould said. "I had a lot of confidence going into the last two kicks. I just got quick on both of them and rushed them and hurried them.
"They're both probably the worst kicks I had all year."
Gould's teammates, however, refused to let him take all the blame.
"That's not fair at all," Bears rookie running back Jeremy Langford said. "You learn as a football player that it's not one play that loses a game. There are a lot of those plays that add up at the end of the game to help with that loss."
Matt Forte echoed Langford's thoughts.
"It's a team," Forte said. "Everybody knows that. ... We lost the game as a team. We had a chance to win the game multiple times.
"It's not fair for him to say that he lost the game. ... He can't put that all on himself. And he shouldn't."
Gould entered the game 24-for-27 on field goals on the season is also still over 85 percent in his career (269-for-315, 85.3 percent).
"I told him on the sideline, 'You're our brother. We got your back,'" Bears linebacker Pernell McPhee said. "It's football. Nobody's ever going to be perfect, man.
"He's going to be a legendary kicker someday. He's our brother and we got his back and we're gonna fight through this together."
Blown chances in OT loss to 49ers put Bears on brink of being finished.
By John Mullin
A team that not all that long ago prided itself on forming an identity as fighters and finishers now finds itself fighting to avoid succumbing to a feeling that their season is finished.
Indeed, the toughest part of Sunday’s 26-20 overtime loss to the San Francisco 49ers (4-8) was “probably not finishing the game, letting them stay around, stay in the game, not finishing,” said linebacker Lamarr Houston. “We didn’t finish quite the way we wanted to but we’re going to be all right. We’re headed in the right direction; we’ll get it together.”
Maybe not this season, however.
The loss, coming after the Bears had won three of their last four, two of them on short weeks, dropped the Bears to 5-7. As concerning, it marked the third time in the span of just seven games that they have failed to deliver a win that would have brought them to the break-even point in a season that started 0-3. This one came with their allowing leads of 6-0, 13-6 and 20-13 to ebb away.
That is not the stuff of “finishers.”
The ignominy was all-encompassing and absolute. “I know we’re not going to like watching the film [Monday],” said quarterback Jay Cutler.
Said coach John Fox: “Like any close loss like today – and we’ve had our share – it comes down to us making plays in every area of the team. We just didn’t make enough.”
The game ended on a breakdown in deep coverage on which San Francisco quarterback Blaine Gabbert threw 71 yards to wide receiver Torrey Smith for the winning score in the overtime, the second OT game (Detroit) that the Bears lost to drop back two games below .500.
“We just had miscommunication,” said safety Adrian Amos, who had Smith off the line but left him to drop into zone coverage, “just miscommunicated.”
The game should have ended on a 36-yard field goal by historically accurate Robbie Gould, who inexplicably yanked the kick wide left for his second miss of the game.
“I didn’t get the job done today,” Gould said. “This falls on me, on my shoulders.”
The game could have effectively ended many times before either of those plays, or before Gabbert’s 44-yard scramble through nearly every Bear on the field with 1:50 to play. The misses and breakdowns will be the most remembered but the game never should have gotten to either of those points.
Eight of 12 Bears possessions in regulation ended in the San Francisco end of the field. But only two of those ended in touchdowns, two ended in settling for field goals, and two ended in field goals that weren’t, Gould missing from 40 and 36 yards.
“We had good field position for most of the day,” said quarterback Jay Cutler, who struggled with accuracy and put up his poorest passing game (64.2 rating, 18-for-3 passing, 202 yards, 0 TD’s, 1 INT, returned for a touchdown). “I thought our defense did a heck of a job for us. We’ve got play better offensively. That starts with me.”
In overtime, after the defense delivered a three-and-out and the Bears could have won the game with any kind of score on their possession, the offense went three-and-out.
The Bears had at least one penalty on six of their final nine possessions. They scored on none of the six.
The loss comes after a franchise-lifting win over the Green Bay Packers and after extra time off that comes after a Thursday night game.
Suddenly, the talk of “playoffs” the past several weeks rings hollow. The defeat doesn’t eliminate them from playoff hope, "we just need a little help,” said linebacker Pernell McPhee.
“We have to handle our business. We just gotta win out. If we win these next four games and we're gonna get whatever help we get."
When it came to handling their business and helping themselves, however, the finishers didn’t.
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Patrick Kane sets Blackhawks point-streak record in win over Jets.
By Tracey Myers
Teuvo Teravainen scored the game-winning goal and Patrick Kane set a new franchise record with his 22-game point streak in the Blackhawks’ 3-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday afternoon.
It looked like Kane may not extend his streak but his pass to Artemi Panarin, not long after Michael Hutchinson was pulled, led to Panarin’s empty-net goal. Kane surpassed Bobby Hull, whose 21-game point streak had stood as a franchise mark since the 1971-72 season.
Teravainen’s goal was his first since Nov. 4 against the St. Louis Blues. Marian Hossa also scored. Corey Crawford stopped 30 of 31 in the victory.
Trevor Daley suffered an upper-body injury during a scary moment midway through the second period. Daley was leaning forward while he was trying to pass up ice and his head collided with Chris Thorburn’s knee. Daley was down for several moments and the Blackhawks brought a stretcher onto the ice. But Daley was able to get up on his own and gingerly skate to the locker room.
Bryan Bickell was recalled prior to the game. He recorded a game-high seven hits in just over seven minutes of ice time.
The Blackhawks thought they had a lead earlier in the first period but Marcus Kruger’s possible goal was waved off for a distinct kicking motion. Hossa would give them the 1-0 lead nonetheless when he scored on a Brent Seabrook rebound with 2:04 remaining in the first.
There was another replay in the second, and this went for the Jets. Thorburn scored his fourth of the season at 5:34 but nobody seemed to notice at the time. Upon review during the first available stoppage, replays showed he scored to tie it 1-1.
Teravainen gave the Blackhawks the 2-1 lead after settling down a Duncan Keith pass and scoring from a sharp angle. Then Panarin’s goal sealed it with less than two minutes remaining in regulation.
It looked like Kane may not extend his streak but his pass to Artemi Panarin, not long after Michael Hutchinson was pulled, led to Panarin’s empty-net goal. Kane surpassed Bobby Hull, whose 21-game point streak had stood as a franchise mark since the 1971-72 season.
Teravainen’s goal was his first since Nov. 4 against the St. Louis Blues. Marian Hossa also scored. Corey Crawford stopped 30 of 31 in the victory.
Trevor Daley suffered an upper-body injury during a scary moment midway through the second period. Daley was leaning forward while he was trying to pass up ice and his head collided with Chris Thorburn’s knee. Daley was down for several moments and the Blackhawks brought a stretcher onto the ice. But Daley was able to get up on his own and gingerly skate to the locker room.
Bryan Bickell was recalled prior to the game. He recorded a game-high seven hits in just over seven minutes of ice time.
The Blackhawks thought they had a lead earlier in the first period but Marcus Kruger’s possible goal was waved off for a distinct kicking motion. Hossa would give them the 1-0 lead nonetheless when he scored on a Brent Seabrook rebound with 2:04 remaining in the first.
There was another replay in the second, and this went for the Jets. Thorburn scored his fourth of the season at 5:34 but nobody seemed to notice at the time. Upon review during the first available stoppage, replays showed he scored to tie it 1-1.
Teravainen gave the Blackhawks the 2-1 lead after settling down a Duncan Keith pass and scoring from a sharp angle. Then Panarin’s goal sealed it with less than two minutes remaining in regulation.
Blackhawks recall Bryan Bickell from Rockford.
By Tracey Myers
Bryan Bickell had the same thought process in every game, especially every productive game, while he was with the Rockford IceHogs.
“To have a good game, might be the next game I’m called up,” Bickell said. “I played every game like it was my last game down there. I took that in hand and played good hockey and it helped me to get here.”
Bickell, who was sent to Rockford nearly a month ago to hone his game, did just that and was recalled by the Blackhawks on Sunday. He’ll be in the lineup later this afternoon when the Blackhawks host the Winnipeg Jets – coach Joel Quenneville said Bickell would probably be with Andrew Shaw, but wouldn’t say the third forward for that possible line.
The forward had 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in 12 games with the IceHogs. For Bickell, that was big. For the Blackhawks, Bickell’s minor-league production transitioning to a Blackhawks team that could use it would be a welcome sight.
“Production-wise, everyone can contribute in their ways. But if you spend more time in the offensive zone and get more flow to the game, that’s what we’re looking for,” Quenneville said. “Bicks has the ability to score, play big and create traffic at the net and hopefully [get] some zone time. So that’s what we’re looking for from him and basically the other three lines.”
The Blackhawks talked for a few weeks now about possibly bringing Bickell back, but they needed to clear at least $950,000 of salary-cap space to do it. So they placed Viktor Tikhonov, who carries a salary-cap hit of $1.04 million, on waivers on Saturday. The Arizona Coyotes picked Tikhonov up off waivers; Tikhonov was a first-round draft selection (28th overall) by the Coyotes in 2008 and he was with the organization until 2011, when he returned to the KHL.
For Bickell, the last month was like traveling back to his early career years.
“It was like old times, being down there and starting and finding a way to get back up here,” said Bickell. “With the month or so I was there it got me playing time, got me playing how I’m capable of [playing].”
The Blackhawks exhausted pretty much every option in trying to get Bickell playing like he’s capable of these past two seasons. In early October they placed Bickell on waivers in a drastic light-a-fire tactic. He cleared and stayed with the team at that time but that move gave the Blackhawks the option to send him to Rockford, without having to go through waivers, later. And after so-so performances and a few healthy scratches, Bickell was sent to Rockford on Nov. 2.
The news wasn’t easy to take but Bickell said he took the right attitude while in Rockford.
“The first time hearing it, [being put] on waivers and knowing it could happen in a month and then it happened, I took a big swallow and accepted it. I was positive down there for the guys and for myself to find a way, and I did,” Bickelll said. “You can look at the numbers and how I approached things to find a way back here. I’m happy to be back.”
“To have a good game, might be the next game I’m called up,” Bickell said. “I played every game like it was my last game down there. I took that in hand and played good hockey and it helped me to get here.”
Bickell, who was sent to Rockford nearly a month ago to hone his game, did just that and was recalled by the Blackhawks on Sunday. He’ll be in the lineup later this afternoon when the Blackhawks host the Winnipeg Jets – coach Joel Quenneville said Bickell would probably be with Andrew Shaw, but wouldn’t say the third forward for that possible line.
The forward had 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in 12 games with the IceHogs. For Bickell, that was big. For the Blackhawks, Bickell’s minor-league production transitioning to a Blackhawks team that could use it would be a welcome sight.
“Production-wise, everyone can contribute in their ways. But if you spend more time in the offensive zone and get more flow to the game, that’s what we’re looking for,” Quenneville said. “Bicks has the ability to score, play big and create traffic at the net and hopefully [get] some zone time. So that’s what we’re looking for from him and basically the other three lines.”
The Blackhawks talked for a few weeks now about possibly bringing Bickell back, but they needed to clear at least $950,000 of salary-cap space to do it. So they placed Viktor Tikhonov, who carries a salary-cap hit of $1.04 million, on waivers on Saturday. The Arizona Coyotes picked Tikhonov up off waivers; Tikhonov was a first-round draft selection (28th overall) by the Coyotes in 2008 and he was with the organization until 2011, when he returned to the KHL.
For Bickell, the last month was like traveling back to his early career years.
“It was like old times, being down there and starting and finding a way to get back up here,” said Bickell. “With the month or so I was there it got me playing time, got me playing how I’m capable of [playing].”
The Blackhawks exhausted pretty much every option in trying to get Bickell playing like he’s capable of these past two seasons. In early October they placed Bickell on waivers in a drastic light-a-fire tactic. He cleared and stayed with the team at that time but that move gave the Blackhawks the option to send him to Rockford, without having to go through waivers, later. And after so-so performances and a few healthy scratches, Bickell was sent to Rockford on Nov. 2.
The news wasn’t easy to take but Bickell said he took the right attitude while in Rockford.
“The first time hearing it, [being put] on waivers and knowing it could happen in a month and then it happened, I took a big swallow and accepted it. I was positive down there for the guys and for myself to find a way, and I did,” Bickelll said. “You can look at the numbers and how I approached things to find a way back here. I’m happy to be back.”
Just Another Chicago Bulls Session... Phoenix Suns-Chicago Bulls Preview.
By KEVIN MASSOTH
Phoenix's exhausting road trip ends in Chicago, where the Bulls hope to awaken their sleepy offense.
The Suns close a six-game stint away from home Monday night when they visit a Bulls team searching for a bounce-back performance.
Chicago (11-6) opened the season with seven wins in eight games at the United Center and won four straight there entering Saturday's contest against Charlotte.
But a run of subpar shooting continued with a 102-96 loss to the Hornets, the Bulls' third in six games. They shot 41.6 percent while falling short of 100 points for the sixth straight game, a spurt during which they are shooting 39.6 percent.
The Bulls made just two of their final 10 shots after the score was tied with 5:10 left.
''We missed some really, really good looks,'' coach Fred Hoiberg said. ''Even Doug (McDermott) and Jimmy (Butler) there at the end, they had great looks that hit every part of the rim and bounced out.''
Butler finished with 25 points while making 8 of 18 shots, and Derrick Rose ended his stretch of poor shooting with 19 while finishing 8 of 17 from the field. McDermott chipped in 13, but the rest of the Bulls finished 16 of 45.
Chicago also made just 13 of 19 free throws and has hit just 69.7 percent at the stripe in the last three games.
To Butler, though, the offensive end isn't the issue.
"We score enough points," Butler told the team's official website. "It's all about our energy level, guarding at times and know the other team's personnel. We're a good team. We mess up here and there, but we'll fix it."
The Suns close a six-game stint away from home Monday night when they visit a Bulls team searching for a bounce-back performance.
Chicago (11-6) opened the season with seven wins in eight games at the United Center and won four straight there entering Saturday's contest against Charlotte.
But a run of subpar shooting continued with a 102-96 loss to the Hornets, the Bulls' third in six games. They shot 41.6 percent while falling short of 100 points for the sixth straight game, a spurt during which they are shooting 39.6 percent.
The Bulls made just two of their final 10 shots after the score was tied with 5:10 left.
''We missed some really, really good looks,'' coach Fred Hoiberg said. ''Even Doug (McDermott) and Jimmy (Butler) there at the end, they had great looks that hit every part of the rim and bounced out.''
Butler finished with 25 points while making 8 of 18 shots, and Derrick Rose ended his stretch of poor shooting with 19 while finishing 8 of 17 from the field. McDermott chipped in 13, but the rest of the Bulls finished 16 of 45.
Chicago also made just 13 of 19 free throws and has hit just 69.7 percent at the stripe in the last three games.
To Butler, though, the offensive end isn't the issue.
"We score enough points," Butler told the team's official website. "It's all about our energy level, guarding at times and know the other team's personnel. We're a good team. We mess up here and there, but we'll fix it."
A good chance for the Bulls to wake up comes against a Suns team they have owned in recent seasons. Chicago has won 11 of 14 in this series, including a 103-97 victory on Nov. 18 in Phoenix as Butler had 32.
Phoenix (8-13) is 3-8 on the road and has stumbled through its road trip. The Suns opened with a 107-102 win in Toronto but dropped games at Brooklyn, Detroit, Washington and Memphis by a combined 13 points.
Sunday's 95-93 loss to the Grizzlies was sealed by Jeff Green's dunk off an inbounds pass with 0.5 seconds left, erasing Phoenix's rally from six points down in the final 90 seconds.
Sunday's 95-93 loss to the Grizzlies was sealed by Jeff Green's dunk off an inbounds pass with 0.5 seconds left, erasing Phoenix's rally from six points down in the final 90 seconds.
''There's no way that game doesn't go into overtime, at least,'' P.J. Tucker said. ''But the fate of the Suns right now is crazy.''
Phoenix has eight losses by six points or fewer. The latest tight one came after Eric Bledsoe scored a game-high 23 points and Brandon Knight added 17.
The Suns have played their entire road trip without center Tyson Chandler, who has been out with a right hamstring injury. Alex Len has averaged 9.0 points and 7.8 rebounds while starting the last five games in his place.
Chandler hasn't practiced with the team all week, so his return is iffy.
The Bulls' Nikola Mirotic returned against Charlotte after passing the NBA's concussion protocol following Wednesday's 99-90 win over Denver. Kirk Hinrich also returned after missing two games with a left hip pointer.
The Bulls' Nikola Mirotic returned against Charlotte after passing the NBA's concussion protocol following Wednesday's 99-90 win over Denver. Kirk Hinrich also returned after missing two games with a left hip pointer.
Slow start, quiet finish doom Bulls in loss to Hornets. (Saturday night's game, 12/05/2013).
By Mark Strotman
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
From the 9-minute mark of the first quarter to the 2-minute mark of the fourth quarter, the Bulls played well enough to win. Unfortunately that five-minute stretch Saturday against the Charlotte Hornets also counted in the final tally, with a lackadaisical start and quiet finish proving costly in the Bulls’ 102-96 loss Saturday at the United Center.
A Doug McDermott 3-pointer from the top of the key tied the game at 94 with 2:06 remaining, and the Bulls were given consecutive chances to take the lead at home after a pair of errant shots from Nicolas Batum, the game’s leading scorer with 24 points.
And while the Bulls got the looks they wanted – first Derrick Rose ran the pick-and-roll with Pau Gasol, playing in his 1,000th game, and got the center an open look from 15 feet that went long; then McDermott had a look from the right wing that went halfway down before popping out – execution was an issue down the stretch, as they made just five of their final six shots after McDermott’s game-tying triple.
The Hornets, ranked fourth in the NBA in efficiency, wouldn’t give the Bulls any more chances. Cody Zeller hit a pair of free throws and Kemba Walker connected on a stepback jumper after Jimmy Butler’s 3-point try from the right corner rimmed out to essentially put the game out of reach. Where the Bulls struggled in the closing moments, the Hornets scored eight points on their final five possessions to seal the victory, their second in three tries against the Bulls.
“We missed some shots we thought we hit. But we’ve got to get stops,” McDermott said after the game. “We didn’t do a job. Batum kind of had it rolling in the second half and we couldn’t really cool him off. It’s tough but we’ve got to bounce back, we’ve got more coming at us. We’ll be able to bounce back.”
That the Bulls had a chance to win in the closing minutes was a surprise in itself, considering they put themselves in a 12-3 hole to begin the game. Energy was lacking, the defense appeared to be a step behind Charlotte, winners in six of their last eight, and the offense wasn’t clicking, missing six of their first seven like they did to end the game.
Nikola Mirotic, who returned after suffering a concussion in Wednesday’s win over Denver, scored seven points on 3-for-4 shooting in the opening period. But aside from him, the other four starters combined to shoot 5-for-15.
“We know what it takes to win and having high energy from the gates, truthfully that’s on the starters,” said Butler, who missed his first five shots. “Definitely on the guards, on myself and Derrick for letting it happen. The bench did their job. They came in high energy, got us back into this game. It’s on us. The starting five has to go out there and start with energy.”
A gutty performance from the second unit included a 16-4 run that gave the Bulls a three-point lead, but the Hornets responded on the backs of Batum and Kemba Walker, who finished with 17 points, to take a two-point halftime lead.
The Bulls appeared to be rolling in the third quarter, with Butler and Rose showing off that energy by each scoring nine points, while the Hornets were limited to 20 points and committed six turnovers, which turned into eight points for the Bulls. That looked more like the defense that entered Saturday leading the league in field goal percentage defense, though it faltered late when the offense couldn’t respond.
The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team leading by more than one possession from the 9:45 mark until less than a minute remaining, with Walker’s jumper putting the Hornets up four, 98-94, with 28.9 seconds left.
Taking out the first 3 minutes and final 2 minutes, the Bulls outscored the Hornets, 91-82. In the remaining 43 minutes they shot 35-for-77, a respectable 45 percent.
But those other five minutes counted in the final tally, and despite the Bulls getting the ball in the right hands – they had 29 assists on 37 made field goals – the slow start felt as though they were playing catch-up all night, even when they took the lead in the third quarter.
“We just weren’t playing with pace. Coming out the gates they came out playing harder than we did as a whole on both ends of the floor,” Butler said. “When we play like that we’re not a good enough team to just play lazy and expect ourselves to outscore people.”
Scoring in general has been a difficulty for the Bulls of late. Though ranked in the top-10 in pace, they’ve now gone six straight games without scoring 100 points. There were signs of more progress – Derrick Rose scored 19 points and made three 3-pointers, half his season total entering the game, and McDermott looked good with 13 minutes and got late-game minutes – and now the challenge for Hoiberg is to get his players to show that consistency for 48 minutes. It didn’t happen at the start or very end Saturday night, and the result was the Bulls’ second home loss this season.
“I thought we missed some really, really good looks. I thought even Doug and Jimmy at the end had great looks that hit every part of the rim and bounced out,” Hoiberg said of the late-game struggles. “Our movement’s getting better and just we have to sustain it, we have to do it for 48 minutes.”
A Doug McDermott 3-pointer from the top of the key tied the game at 94 with 2:06 remaining, and the Bulls were given consecutive chances to take the lead at home after a pair of errant shots from Nicolas Batum, the game’s leading scorer with 24 points.
And while the Bulls got the looks they wanted – first Derrick Rose ran the pick-and-roll with Pau Gasol, playing in his 1,000th game, and got the center an open look from 15 feet that went long; then McDermott had a look from the right wing that went halfway down before popping out – execution was an issue down the stretch, as they made just five of their final six shots after McDermott’s game-tying triple.
The Hornets, ranked fourth in the NBA in efficiency, wouldn’t give the Bulls any more chances. Cody Zeller hit a pair of free throws and Kemba Walker connected on a stepback jumper after Jimmy Butler’s 3-point try from the right corner rimmed out to essentially put the game out of reach. Where the Bulls struggled in the closing moments, the Hornets scored eight points on their final five possessions to seal the victory, their second in three tries against the Bulls.
“We missed some shots we thought we hit. But we’ve got to get stops,” McDermott said after the game. “We didn’t do a job. Batum kind of had it rolling in the second half and we couldn’t really cool him off. It’s tough but we’ve got to bounce back, we’ve got more coming at us. We’ll be able to bounce back.”
That the Bulls had a chance to win in the closing minutes was a surprise in itself, considering they put themselves in a 12-3 hole to begin the game. Energy was lacking, the defense appeared to be a step behind Charlotte, winners in six of their last eight, and the offense wasn’t clicking, missing six of their first seven like they did to end the game.
Nikola Mirotic, who returned after suffering a concussion in Wednesday’s win over Denver, scored seven points on 3-for-4 shooting in the opening period. But aside from him, the other four starters combined to shoot 5-for-15.
“We know what it takes to win and having high energy from the gates, truthfully that’s on the starters,” said Butler, who missed his first five shots. “Definitely on the guards, on myself and Derrick for letting it happen. The bench did their job. They came in high energy, got us back into this game. It’s on us. The starting five has to go out there and start with energy.”
A gutty performance from the second unit included a 16-4 run that gave the Bulls a three-point lead, but the Hornets responded on the backs of Batum and Kemba Walker, who finished with 17 points, to take a two-point halftime lead.
The Bulls appeared to be rolling in the third quarter, with Butler and Rose showing off that energy by each scoring nine points, while the Hornets were limited to 20 points and committed six turnovers, which turned into eight points for the Bulls. That looked more like the defense that entered Saturday leading the league in field goal percentage defense, though it faltered late when the offense couldn’t respond.
The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team leading by more than one possession from the 9:45 mark until less than a minute remaining, with Walker’s jumper putting the Hornets up four, 98-94, with 28.9 seconds left.
Taking out the first 3 minutes and final 2 minutes, the Bulls outscored the Hornets, 91-82. In the remaining 43 minutes they shot 35-for-77, a respectable 45 percent.
But those other five minutes counted in the final tally, and despite the Bulls getting the ball in the right hands – they had 29 assists on 37 made field goals – the slow start felt as though they were playing catch-up all night, even when they took the lead in the third quarter.
“We just weren’t playing with pace. Coming out the gates they came out playing harder than we did as a whole on both ends of the floor,” Butler said. “When we play like that we’re not a good enough team to just play lazy and expect ourselves to outscore people.”
Scoring in general has been a difficulty for the Bulls of late. Though ranked in the top-10 in pace, they’ve now gone six straight games without scoring 100 points. There were signs of more progress – Derrick Rose scored 19 points and made three 3-pointers, half his season total entering the game, and McDermott looked good with 13 minutes and got late-game minutes – and now the challenge for Hoiberg is to get his players to show that consistency for 48 minutes. It didn’t happen at the start or very end Saturday night, and the result was the Bulls’ second home loss this season.
“I thought we missed some really, really good looks. I thought even Doug and Jimmy at the end had great looks that hit every part of the rim and bounced out,” Hoiberg said of the late-game struggles. “Our movement’s getting better and just we have to sustain it, we have to do it for 48 minutes.”
Bobby Portis waiting for his time, embracing current role.
By Mark Strotman
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The night Bobby Portis was drafted he knew playing time would be at a premium in his rookie season.
Portis, the second team All-American his sophomore year at Arkansas, slipped to No. 22 at draft night, with the Bulls scooping up the best player available expected by many to be taken in the lottery.
The Bulls had a need at point guard behind Derrick Rose and could have added a wing to complement Tony Snell and Doug McDermott, but instead they drafted with an eye toward the future and added to their already loaded frontcourt, perhaps the deepest in the league.
There was optimism that Portis was ready for the big stage when he averaged 14.5 points and 8.7 rebounds in the Las Vegas Summer League, and he performed well in seven preseason games, averaging 11.1 points and 9.1 rebounds.
But the regular season was a different story. Portis has appeared in just three games, totaling 22 minutes. The Bulls' frontcourt quartet of Pau Gasol, Nikola Mirotic, Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson have combined to miss just one game, with Noah sitting out a game in Philadelphia last month.
"Once I got drafted I kind of knew. It’s not that hard to tell," Portis said of his expected playing time. "They’ve been here longer than I have and obviously I’m a rookie so I have to play to my role and my role is to be a positive guy on the bench and cheer for my teammates and be the best teammate possible.
"My role is not to play right now. I’m cool with waiting on my turn and once my turn comes then I’ll be the Bobby Portis I’ve always been."
He made his NBA debut in the Bulls' blowout loss to the Hornets in November, scoring 10 points on 5-for-7 shooting in the fourth quarter. When Noah sat out in Philadelphia, Portis saw his first first-half action, scoring two points in 10 minutes.
And though his playing time has been minuscule, head coach Fred Hoiberg has constantly applauded Portis' work ethic and attitude, where he "pushes the heck out of our guys in practice."
"He’s a great attitude, great spirit, he’s doing all the things that he has to do to keep himself ready for when that time comes that his name is called," Hoiberg added, "which again will happen sometime this season and most likely sometime soon."
Portis has admitted frustration at not playing a year after he averaged 29.9 minutes per game for the Razorbacks. But the same veterans playing ahead of him also have been the ones in his ear, telling him to be ready whenever his number is called.
"(Joakim Noah) and Taj (Gibson) always tell me that their rookie years they were siting on the bench and something happened, someone got traded or injured and then they started playing," Portis said. "So they told me to stay ready because things happen in this league that are crazy and things can change easily."
Portis has filled the void of not playing by participating in 1-on-1 and 2-on-2 drills after practice against teammates. And while he'd like to be playing, with the Bulls' frontcourt playing well and the team sitting at 11-7, just a half game out of the top seed in the East, Portis is taking his role in stride.
"(Hoiberg) actually talked to me today, told me to stay ready. He likes the things that I’m doing," Portis said. I come here every day with a positive attitude. I don’t complain about me not playing. I just try to bring positive energy on the bench, in practice and even on the road. I just try to be myself.
"Like I’ve always said, it’s not about me right now. It’s about the team. I’m just trying to be the best teammate possible."
Portis, the second team All-American his sophomore year at Arkansas, slipped to No. 22 at draft night, with the Bulls scooping up the best player available expected by many to be taken in the lottery.
The Bulls had a need at point guard behind Derrick Rose and could have added a wing to complement Tony Snell and Doug McDermott, but instead they drafted with an eye toward the future and added to their already loaded frontcourt, perhaps the deepest in the league.
There was optimism that Portis was ready for the big stage when he averaged 14.5 points and 8.7 rebounds in the Las Vegas Summer League, and he performed well in seven preseason games, averaging 11.1 points and 9.1 rebounds.
But the regular season was a different story. Portis has appeared in just three games, totaling 22 minutes. The Bulls' frontcourt quartet of Pau Gasol, Nikola Mirotic, Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson have combined to miss just one game, with Noah sitting out a game in Philadelphia last month.
"Once I got drafted I kind of knew. It’s not that hard to tell," Portis said of his expected playing time. "They’ve been here longer than I have and obviously I’m a rookie so I have to play to my role and my role is to be a positive guy on the bench and cheer for my teammates and be the best teammate possible.
"My role is not to play right now. I’m cool with waiting on my turn and once my turn comes then I’ll be the Bobby Portis I’ve always been."
He made his NBA debut in the Bulls' blowout loss to the Hornets in November, scoring 10 points on 5-for-7 shooting in the fourth quarter. When Noah sat out in Philadelphia, Portis saw his first first-half action, scoring two points in 10 minutes.
And though his playing time has been minuscule, head coach Fred Hoiberg has constantly applauded Portis' work ethic and attitude, where he "pushes the heck out of our guys in practice."
"He’s a great attitude, great spirit, he’s doing all the things that he has to do to keep himself ready for when that time comes that his name is called," Hoiberg added, "which again will happen sometime this season and most likely sometime soon."
Portis has admitted frustration at not playing a year after he averaged 29.9 minutes per game for the Razorbacks. But the same veterans playing ahead of him also have been the ones in his ear, telling him to be ready whenever his number is called.
"(Joakim Noah) and Taj (Gibson) always tell me that their rookie years they were siting on the bench and something happened, someone got traded or injured and then they started playing," Portis said. "So they told me to stay ready because things happen in this league that are crazy and things can change easily."
Portis has filled the void of not playing by participating in 1-on-1 and 2-on-2 drills after practice against teammates. And while he'd like to be playing, with the Bulls' frontcourt playing well and the team sitting at 11-7, just a half game out of the top seed in the East, Portis is taking his role in stride.
"(Hoiberg) actually talked to me today, told me to stay ready. He likes the things that I’m doing," Portis said. I come here every day with a positive attitude. I don’t complain about me not playing. I just try to bring positive energy on the bench, in practice and even on the road. I just try to be myself.
"Like I’ve always said, it’s not about me right now. It’s about the team. I’m just trying to be the best teammate possible."
Can Cubs land a big-name outfielder at winter meetings?
By Patrick Mooney
Can the Cubs accomplish what they need to do on the pitching side and still have enough money leftover to make a significant multiyear commitment to a position player?
“I wouldn’t rule anything out or anything in,” team president Theo Epstein said.
That’s how the Cubs roll into the winter meetings that begin Monday in Nashville, Tennessee, looking to add to their rotation, strengthen the bullpen and find someone to play center field. But after assembling a young core that advanced to the National League Championship Series, the Cubs won’t feel any pressure to walk out of the Opryland with deer antlers (as general manager Jed Hoyer would say).
The Cubs already crossed a major item off their list, agreeing to a two-year, $32 million contract with veteran right-hander John Lackey, a short-term deal that looks reasonable at a time when the Boston Red Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks just guaranteed $423 million combined to David Price and Zack Greinke.
Epstein’s front office always likes to keep an open mind and kick the tires on everything, but the Lackey deal and a surplus of hitters does create a degree of flexibility.
All the buzz leading up to the winter meetings revolved around big-ticket pitchers, and maybe now the Cubs will get a better idea of whether or not they can really compete for an established outfielder from a group that includes Jason Heyward, Alex Gordon and Dexter Fowler.
“It depends on some other things that take place,” Epstein said. “Sometimes, when you make a trade, it opens up the ability to then sign a free agent. Not all really good players are expensive, especially if you get them through trade and you can get creative with how you structure certain deals.
“We’ve been working with our business side on some ways to create a little bit more room for 2016 within the parameters that we have.”
The Cubs have been linked to the Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians and San Diego Padres since the July 31 trade deadline, and maybe that’s where they find another starter like Julio Teheran, Danny Salazar or Tyson Ross.
The Cubs also have nearly $80 million still tied up in infielder Starlin Castro, catcher Miguel Montero and pitcher Jason Hammel. You know Castro’s name will somehow wind up on MLB Trade Rumors this week, but the Cubs believe a healthy Hammel will bounce back next season, and catching isn’t an area where a contending team can cut corners.
The Cubs will probably have to think along those lines – trades to add pitching and free up more funds – if they want something more than a stopgap solution in center field (which actually might make the most sense at this point in The Plan).
“I don’t feel like if we do something on the pitching end, we won’t be able to do anything with position players,” Epstein said. “It just depends on exactly the type of commitments you’re looking at, and how they’re structured.”
With the St. Louis Cardinals positioned to spend aggressively and already having a comfort level with Heyward, it’s hard to see the Cubs actually setting the market for a defensive game-changer and a good-enough hitter who’s still only 26 years old.
If years were an issue in the Jeff Samardzija talks – The Shark got $90 million over five from the San Francisco Giants – then it will probably be problematic with Gordon as he enters his age-32 season after a World Series run with the Kansas City Royals.
During the season, the Cubs and Fowler gave off vibes that it would only be a one-year rental, though Epstein has kept the lines of communication open with agent Casey Close (who represents Fowler and Gordon and is involved with Heyward’s camp).
If the money is right – and that is usually a question mark in the economic climate surrounding this franchise – the Cubs have so many other selling points to free agents.
“We’ve become a really attractive destination,” Epstein said. “It’s not just getting to be one of the Final Four this year. It’s the atmosphere at Wrigley Field. It’s our fan base. It’s that we’re still on this tremendous journey to try to win a World Series for the first time in what will now be 108 years.
“It’s (manager) Joe Maddon and the culture that he creates. It’s our ownership and how they treat players like family. It’s our young players and veterans wanting to come here and be part of this surge that we’re having right now.”
Cubs upgrade playoff-caliber rotation with $32 million deal for John Lackey.
By Patrick Mooney
In an overheated market for pitching, the Cubs found what they saw as a reasonable solution, reaching an agreement with John Lackey on a two-year, $32 million contract that should stabilize a playoff-caliber rotation.
The short-term deal – first reported by Fox Sports on Friday – also gives the Cubs some flexibility as they try to improve a 97-win team and keep their window to contend open.
Lackey makes sense on so many levels, even at the age of 37, and even with the added cost of a draft pick after declining a one-year, $15.8 million qualifying offer from the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Cubs are willing to pay that price in this competitive phase. Lackey switches sides in the rivalry after making 33 starts for the Cardinals and going 13-10 with a 2.77 ERA for a 100-win team.
Lackey joins his buddies – $155 million lefty Jon Lester and backup catcher David Ross – from the 2013 Boston Red Sox team that won a World Series at Fenway Park.
Cubs president Theo Epstein once signed Lackey as Boston’s general manager, drawing up a unique five-year, $82.5 million contract that had him working for the major-league minimum this year after Tommy John surgery on his right elbow wiped out his 2012 season.
Lackey also made an impression on Cubs manager Joe Maddon, who worked as Mike Scioscia’s bench coach when the Anaheim Angels rookie beat the San Francisco Giants in Game 7 of the 2002 World Series.
The Cubs crossed a big item off their list heading into the winter meetings that begin Monday in Nashville, Tennessee. Zack Greinke’s anticipated decision between the Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers could come as soon as this weekend, which should start a chain reaction among free-agent pitchers.
While Epstein has maintained a dialogue with Jeff Samardzija’s camp, the sense is that Shark’s market is escalating to a point that makes the Cubs uncomfortable. Samardzija’s disappointing season with the White Sox (11-13, 4.96 ERA) hasn’t fundamentally changed the perception of his physical skills, clean medical history and upside potential.
The Cubs certainly aren’t done making moves, but with Lackey slotting in behind Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta and Lester, they feel like they have a rotation that can get back to October.
“I wouldn’t rule anything out or anything in,” team president Theo Epstein said.
That’s how the Cubs roll into the winter meetings that begin Monday in Nashville, Tennessee, looking to add to their rotation, strengthen the bullpen and find someone to play center field. But after assembling a young core that advanced to the National League Championship Series, the Cubs won’t feel any pressure to walk out of the Opryland with deer antlers (as general manager Jed Hoyer would say).
The Cubs already crossed a major item off their list, agreeing to a two-year, $32 million contract with veteran right-hander John Lackey, a short-term deal that looks reasonable at a time when the Boston Red Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks just guaranteed $423 million combined to David Price and Zack Greinke.
Epstein’s front office always likes to keep an open mind and kick the tires on everything, but the Lackey deal and a surplus of hitters does create a degree of flexibility.
All the buzz leading up to the winter meetings revolved around big-ticket pitchers, and maybe now the Cubs will get a better idea of whether or not they can really compete for an established outfielder from a group that includes Jason Heyward, Alex Gordon and Dexter Fowler.
“It depends on some other things that take place,” Epstein said. “Sometimes, when you make a trade, it opens up the ability to then sign a free agent. Not all really good players are expensive, especially if you get them through trade and you can get creative with how you structure certain deals.
“We’ve been working with our business side on some ways to create a little bit more room for 2016 within the parameters that we have.”
The Cubs have been linked to the Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians and San Diego Padres since the July 31 trade deadline, and maybe that’s where they find another starter like Julio Teheran, Danny Salazar or Tyson Ross.
The Cubs also have nearly $80 million still tied up in infielder Starlin Castro, catcher Miguel Montero and pitcher Jason Hammel. You know Castro’s name will somehow wind up on MLB Trade Rumors this week, but the Cubs believe a healthy Hammel will bounce back next season, and catching isn’t an area where a contending team can cut corners.
The Cubs will probably have to think along those lines – trades to add pitching and free up more funds – if they want something more than a stopgap solution in center field (which actually might make the most sense at this point in The Plan).
“I don’t feel like if we do something on the pitching end, we won’t be able to do anything with position players,” Epstein said. “It just depends on exactly the type of commitments you’re looking at, and how they’re structured.”
With the St. Louis Cardinals positioned to spend aggressively and already having a comfort level with Heyward, it’s hard to see the Cubs actually setting the market for a defensive game-changer and a good-enough hitter who’s still only 26 years old.
If years were an issue in the Jeff Samardzija talks – The Shark got $90 million over five from the San Francisco Giants – then it will probably be problematic with Gordon as he enters his age-32 season after a World Series run with the Kansas City Royals.
During the season, the Cubs and Fowler gave off vibes that it would only be a one-year rental, though Epstein has kept the lines of communication open with agent Casey Close (who represents Fowler and Gordon and is involved with Heyward’s camp).
If the money is right – and that is usually a question mark in the economic climate surrounding this franchise – the Cubs have so many other selling points to free agents.
“We’ve become a really attractive destination,” Epstein said. “It’s not just getting to be one of the Final Four this year. It’s the atmosphere at Wrigley Field. It’s our fan base. It’s that we’re still on this tremendous journey to try to win a World Series for the first time in what will now be 108 years.
“It’s (manager) Joe Maddon and the culture that he creates. It’s our ownership and how they treat players like family. It’s our young players and veterans wanting to come here and be part of this surge that we’re having right now.”
Cubs upgrade playoff-caliber rotation with $32 million deal for John Lackey.
By Patrick Mooney
In an overheated market for pitching, the Cubs found what they saw as a reasonable solution, reaching an agreement with John Lackey on a two-year, $32 million contract that should stabilize a playoff-caliber rotation.
The short-term deal – first reported by Fox Sports on Friday – also gives the Cubs some flexibility as they try to improve a 97-win team and keep their window to contend open.
Lackey makes sense on so many levels, even at the age of 37, and even with the added cost of a draft pick after declining a one-year, $15.8 million qualifying offer from the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Cubs are willing to pay that price in this competitive phase. Lackey switches sides in the rivalry after making 33 starts for the Cardinals and going 13-10 with a 2.77 ERA for a 100-win team.
Lackey joins his buddies – $155 million lefty Jon Lester and backup catcher David Ross – from the 2013 Boston Red Sox team that won a World Series at Fenway Park.
Cubs president Theo Epstein once signed Lackey as Boston’s general manager, drawing up a unique five-year, $82.5 million contract that had him working for the major-league minimum this year after Tommy John surgery on his right elbow wiped out his 2012 season.
Lackey also made an impression on Cubs manager Joe Maddon, who worked as Mike Scioscia’s bench coach when the Anaheim Angels rookie beat the San Francisco Giants in Game 7 of the 2002 World Series.
The Cubs crossed a big item off their list heading into the winter meetings that begin Monday in Nashville, Tennessee. Zack Greinke’s anticipated decision between the Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers could come as soon as this weekend, which should start a chain reaction among free-agent pitchers.
While Epstein has maintained a dialogue with Jeff Samardzija’s camp, the sense is that Shark’s market is escalating to a point that makes the Cubs uncomfortable. Samardzija’s disappointing season with the White Sox (11-13, 4.96 ERA) hasn’t fundamentally changed the perception of his physical skills, clean medical history and upside potential.
The Cubs certainly aren’t done making moves, but with Lackey slotting in behind Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta and Lester, they feel like they have a rotation that can get back to October.
Jeff Samardzija's departure nets White Sox extra top draft pick.
By Dan Hayes
Forfeiting a draft pick wouldn’t prevent a free agent signing, but the White Sox are excited to possibly possess three top-50 selections in the 2016 amateur draft.
The franchise receives an extra pick (in between the first and second rounds) as compensation for the loss of free-agent pitcher Jeff Samardzija, who signed with the San Francisco Giants on Saturday.
Not only do they draft 10th overall next June, but the White Sox now have an additional pick (perhaps as high as 25th) in a draft that’s expected to be full of college and prep hitters, White Sox amateur scouting director Nick Hostetler said in October.
And while they wouldn’t shy away from signing a free agent with a qualifying offer if it’s the right fit, the White Sox plan to weigh any decision against the potential loss of adding another talented amateur player to a farm system in need of more.
“I love the idea of loading up picks like that,” general manager Rick Hahn said last month. “I think that’d be great. I might not love it quite as much as Doug (Laumann) and Nick love it. We’ll have to balance their passion for having extra picks versus what we can do via free agency and if it makes sense in the end. But it certainly would be a nice shot in the arm in continuing to add quality prospects to the organization, which is a priority.”
Similar to last offseason, the White Sox are already in an advantageous position to sign free agents courtesy of a poor 2015 season. Because they finished with the 10th-worst record in the majors last season, the White Sox have a protected first-round selection, meaning they could sign any free agent without forfeiting their top pick.
Instead, they would forfeit their second-highest pick if they chose to splurge on a Jason Heyward. Last offseason, the White Sox surrendered their second- and third-round draft picks in order to sign free agents Melky Cabrera and David Robertson.
But after Samardzija signed a five-year, $90-million contract with the Giants, the White Sox have an additional pick to part with, if need be. So were they to decide that Daniel Murphy or Yovani Gallardo is the answer to all their woes, the White Sox would still pick 10th and then again in the second round.
Either way, the White Sox should be able to add talent to an improved farm system that could still use a boost.
“We haven’t ruled out a free-agent move strictly because the loss of a pick,” Hahn said. “It’s a consideration, but it’s a different analysis when you have the 10th pick locked in.
“But our goal has been for the last several years is to get to the point where we’re self-sustainable -- where we’re only dipping into the free-agent market to add those complementary pieces to a solid developing core. Obviously last year we saw the opportunity to be aggressive in certain areas of need and to build around that smaller core. But ideally that core is a little bigger.”
The franchise receives an extra pick (in between the first and second rounds) as compensation for the loss of free-agent pitcher Jeff Samardzija, who signed with the San Francisco Giants on Saturday.
Not only do they draft 10th overall next June, but the White Sox now have an additional pick (perhaps as high as 25th) in a draft that’s expected to be full of college and prep hitters, White Sox amateur scouting director Nick Hostetler said in October.
And while they wouldn’t shy away from signing a free agent with a qualifying offer if it’s the right fit, the White Sox plan to weigh any decision against the potential loss of adding another talented amateur player to a farm system in need of more.
“I love the idea of loading up picks like that,” general manager Rick Hahn said last month. “I think that’d be great. I might not love it quite as much as Doug (Laumann) and Nick love it. We’ll have to balance their passion for having extra picks versus what we can do via free agency and if it makes sense in the end. But it certainly would be a nice shot in the arm in continuing to add quality prospects to the organization, which is a priority.”
Similar to last offseason, the White Sox are already in an advantageous position to sign free agents courtesy of a poor 2015 season. Because they finished with the 10th-worst record in the majors last season, the White Sox have a protected first-round selection, meaning they could sign any free agent without forfeiting their top pick.
Instead, they would forfeit their second-highest pick if they chose to splurge on a Jason Heyward. Last offseason, the White Sox surrendered their second- and third-round draft picks in order to sign free agents Melky Cabrera and David Robertson.
But after Samardzija signed a five-year, $90-million contract with the Giants, the White Sox have an additional pick to part with, if need be. So were they to decide that Daniel Murphy or Yovani Gallardo is the answer to all their woes, the White Sox would still pick 10th and then again in the second round.
Either way, the White Sox should be able to add talent to an improved farm system that could still use a boost.
“We haven’t ruled out a free-agent move strictly because the loss of a pick,” Hahn said. “It’s a consideration, but it’s a different analysis when you have the 10th pick locked in.
“But our goal has been for the last several years is to get to the point where we’re self-sustainable -- where we’re only dipping into the free-agent market to add those complementary pieces to a solid developing core. Obviously last year we saw the opportunity to be aggressive in certain areas of need and to build around that smaller core. But ideally that core is a little bigger.”
Golf: I got a club for that..... Bubba Watson dominates Albany, wins Hero World Challenge by 3.
By Ryan Ballengee
Bubba Watson of the United States poses with the trophy after his three-stroke victory at the Hero World Challenge at Albany, The Bahamas on December 6, 2015 in Nassau, Bahamas (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
Bubba Watson was in, then he was out, then he was back in, then he won the Hero World Challenge.
Watson, a day after tying the course record at host Albany in the Bahamas with a 9-under 63, closed with 66 to cruise to a three-shot win over Patrick Reed. Watson's total of 25-under 263 was, in part, a reflection of the long-hitting two-time Masters champion's length. On a course with five par 5s, Watson played the long holes in 12 under for the week.
Coming into the day ahead by two shots, Watson made his only bogey of the day on the 72nd hole of the tournament.
The Florida native was originally committed to this 18-player unofficial event, which benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation. However, facing visa issues for his family, who he wanted to bring to the tournament, Watson bowed out. When Jason Day withdrew after the birth of his second child, Watson got a spot back when all of the documentation issues were worked out for his wife and kids.
Rickie Fowler finished in third at 21 under, with Jordan Spieth another shot behind and alone in fourth place.
The course record Watson set yesterday with Paul Casey stood for only one day. Justin Rose, who has a home at Albany and hovered near the bottom of the leaderboard throughout the week, shot 10-under 62 on Sunday to wind up alone in 13th place.
Roundup: Garcia wins in Vietnam, Leishman takes Sun City in South Africa.
By Ryan Ballengee
Sergio Garcia won his first tournament in two years on Sunday, taking the Asian Tour's inaugural Ho Tram Open in a four-man, sudden-death playoff.
Garcia finished on 14-under 270 along with Wen-tang Lin, Himmat Rai and Thaworn Wiratchant. The Spaniard made a double bogey on the 71st hole of the tournament, relinquishing a two-shot lead, but a par at the last got him to extra holes.
On the first hole of the playoff at The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip, Garcia and Rai made birdies to match, eliminating Thaworn and Lin. A hole later, Rai's tee shot found bushes, while Garcia made a simple par to earn the victory.
"Winning is never easy. I was fortunate and you have to be lucky to win," said Garcia, who earned his first win since the 2014 Qatar Masters. "I was fortunate to get a second chance after I pretty much gave it away. I'm very happy as I haven't won in a while.
Thomas Bjorn finished a shot out of the playoff at 13 under par.
***************
Marc Leishman won one of two European Tour-sanctioned events on Sunday, taking the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Gary Player Country Club in South Africa.
The Aussie shot 5-under 67 on Sunday, pulling away from Swede Henrik Stenson, whose even-par 72 left him six shots behind the winner. Leishman's 19-under 269 total earned him $1.28 million.
Chris Wood finished alone in third in the 30-man field at 9 under par.
For Stenson, this is his sixth worldwide second-place finish in 2015. His season ends without a win, as he goes under the knife next week for a knee procedure.
As for Leishman, this is a good moment in what has been a very tough year. Leishman's wife, Audrey, nearly died earlier this year in a battle with acute respiratory distress syndrome and toxic shock syndrome. She is recovering now, some eight months later, but Leishman is hoping this win is a sign of a more memorable 2016.
"I’m pretty happy to have this year over, to be honest," he said. "Audrey got very sick and I lost an uncle who I was very close to. This tops off what was otherwise not a great year."
"I’m pretty happy to have this year over, to be honest," he said. "Audrey got very sick and I lost an uncle who I was very close to. This tops off what was otherwise not a great year."
NASCAR: Tears and emotions plentiful at Sprint Cup Awards.
By Dustin Long
Sprint Cup champion Kyle Busch first thanked the doctors who reassembled his broken bones earlier this year and saved a special message at the end of his speech for wife Samantha that left her wiping her eyes, and trying to hold back tears.
This was not a typical NASCAR Sprint Cup Awards where the drone of thank yous, while necessary, proves numbing.
Yes, thanks were given, but this night felt so much different and that had nothing to do with Tom Cruise’s surprise cameo to introduce Gordon, his friend.
Gordon was brought to tears by Cruise’s appearance – “That messed me up, that got me good,’’ Gordon said. As they shared an extended embrace on stage, Cruise told Gordon: “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.’’
Gordon told Cruise: “Man, I wish I was an actor like you because I’m getting ready to struggle with this speech.’’
He did multiple times in his final act as a Sprint Cup driver. Gordon’s quivering voice halted as he talked about the end of “a fulfilling career.’’
He caught himself, sniffled and scrunched his face as he tried to restrain more tears. They returned when he thanked car owner Rick Hendrick and wife Linda. After saying their names, Gordon could only say “thank you so much” before he briefly broke down. Gordon had told Hendrick beforehand he would say little about his boss because he wouldn’t be able to get through the speech with all that he wanted to say. Same for Gordon’s family.
“When I speak, I speak with my heart,’’ Gordon said afterward. “When it’s speaking from my heart in a thankful way and appreciative way and I start to really go there in my mind, the river starts flowing.’’
Gordon held back the river but the tears were plentiful.
Kevin Harvick joked about having to follow Gordon’s speech, but Gordon had to follow Truex.
Truex ended his speech by talking about Pollex, who was diagnosed with Stage III ovarian cancer in August 2014. That came as Truex was struggling in his first year at Furniture Row Racing. AS Pollex’s condition has improved, so did Truex’s fortunes on the track, leading to a spot in the championship round at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
“The only advice I have for you tonight,’’ Truex told about 1,500 people in the ballroom and an NBCSN audience, “is to enjoy every moment, celebrate life, help others and never give up.’’
Then he looked at Pollex.
“Sherry, thank you for being in my life,’’ Truex said, his voice wavering. “You’re an inspiration, and I love you very much.’’
Gordon saw the emotion and said he thought: “I’m not going to be the only one (emotional).’’
Gordon admits that Truex “held it together far better than I could have ever.’’
Kyle Busch felt the emotions within him as he turned to his wife at the head table and thanked her at the end of his speech, moments after they cried while watching a video of the past season.
Their journey to this moment had been anything but easy. The struggles on the track most knew about. The issues with infertility had not until they revealed it after Samantha became pregnant. Three months before their long-coveted child was to be born, Busch suffered a broken right leg and fractured left foot in a crash in Daytona International Speedway. Suddenly, Samantha had to care for her injured husband.
He returned to racing days before son Brexton was born in May, beginning a remarkable journey that led to a Sprint Cup title.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t thank you for giving me the best gift life can give in our Brexton,’’ Busch said toward the end of his speech, as Samantha cried. “I love you.’’
Through tears, Samantha mouthed to her husband “I love you.’’
Jeff Hanson Awarded NASCAR Foundation's Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award.
By Daniel McFadin
The NASCAR Foundation awarded Jeff Hanson its fifth annual Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award Friday night at Sprint Cup Awards.
Hanson, 22, was one of four finalists voted on by fans at NASCAR.com. Hanson receives a $100,000 donation from the foundation to the charity he represents, the New York-based Children’s Tumor Foundation, and a car from Ford.
“Jeff Hanson’s story is inspiring and his accomplishments are impressive,” said France, who presented the award Friday night. “This is a resilient and immensely talented young man we have become proud to know – and even more proud to have as our fifth annual award winner.”
At the age of 6, Hanson was diagnosed with optic glioma, a tumor that infected his optic nerve. Undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments caused Hanson to go legally blind at the age of 12. Hanson then took up creating paintings with bright colors for people with limited vision. Selling them from his driveway in the summer of 2006, Hanson raised $15,000 for the Children’s Tumor Foundation.
“What this means to me … is I’m thrilled, I’m honored,” Hanson said. “It means so much to me, that I can help the Children’s Tumor Foundation with a $100,000 donation.
“Being recognized by such a well-known name as NASCAR is a win for the Children’s Tumor Foundation and for neurofibromatosis, helping to raise awareness of a disorder that affects one in every 3,000 people. The money that we receive from The NASCAR Foundation will be used to launch an exciting new research program aimed at improving the lives of people like me who live with NF and help us get a little closer to finding a cure.”
SOCCER: Champions! Timbers Top Crew SC To Lift 2015 MLS Cup.
By Andy Edwards
(Photo/nbcsports.com)
For the first time in club history, the Portland Timbers are Major League Soccer champions after knocking off Columbus Crew SC, 2-1, in the 2015 MLS Cup final at MAPFRE Stadium on Sunday.
Diego Valeri and Rodney Wallace will go down in Timbers lore as the scorers of the Rose City’s Cup-winning goals, 27 seconds and seven minutes into the game respectively, lifting Caleb Porter’s side to the MLS mountaintop.
Valeri, who was named Most Valuable Player of Sunday’s final, opened the scoring with just 27 seconds on the clock (fastest in MLS Cup history – WATCH HERE), when he capitalized on a shocking error by Crew SC goalkeeper Steve Clark inside his own penalty area. Clark let the ball run across his body in an attempt to play it out of the back, but a poor first touch saw it run behind him. He attempted to recover quickly, but Valeri sensed the gaffe and was quick to close down the space. When Clark finally attempted to boot it out wide, Valeri came in with the sliding challenge and swept the ball into the back of the net.
Portland quickly doubled their lead after another spell of poor Crew SC defending and a massively blown no-call by an assistant referee. Diego Chara played the ball out wide — too wide, in fact, as in, out of play by a two or three feet — to Alvas Powell, but the assistant referee on that side of the field didn’t signal for the throw-in that should have been given (WATCH HERE). Play continued, Darlington Nagbe weaved his way through midfield, played Lucas Melano through out wide and he crossed for Wallace at the back post, where he headed past Clark for 2-0.
Crew SC pulled a goal back through Kei Kamara (WATCH HERE), scorer of 22 regular-season goals and three more in the MLS Cup Playoffs en route to Sunday’s final, in the 18th minute. A mad scramble inside the Timbers’ penalty area began with a failed punch by Adam Kwarasey, and finished with Kamara dancing his way around a sea of defenders and firing a low, bouncing shot past Kwarasey for 2-1.
Lucas Melano had the best chance to re-establish Portland’s two-goal lead in the 54th minute, but the Argentine newcomer dwelled on the ball far too long inside the penalty area, where he was briefly one-on-one against Clark, allowing Michael Parkhurst to recover and block the untimely shot on goal. Parkhurst came up with another massive block in the 60th minute, making a last-ditch, sliding block against Fanendo Adi.
A moment of pure madness followed on the ensuing corner kick. The ball was whipped into the Crew SC penalty area, where Parkhurst made one goal-line clearance with his forehead, then another with his left arm after the ball caromed off the crossbar. No penalty given, no red card, no yellow card, no whistle blown — nothing.
A header by Adi went inches from doubling the lead in the 71st minute, but the big Nigerian striker could only watch helplessly as the ball hit the inside of the post and bounced back into play, catching Clark completely off-guard, hitting him in the midsection and very nearly deflecting into the goal, but ultimately only going out of play for a corner kick. Scenes. Absolute scenes.
Crew SC mustered very little late on with the game and their season on the line, with Portland effectively seeing out the game en route to lifting the Philip F. Anschutz trophy in front of more than 2,000 traveling fans clad in Green and Gold. Sunday’s MLS Cup triumph makes the Timbers the 10th different MLS franchise to win the title.
Premier League roundup: Stunning day for underdogs sees Chelsea, Man City fall.
By Nicholas Mendola
All the upsets.
Okay, so maybe “mostly” is a better word choice, but you can’t help but feel like Saturday was one of the biggest days of top-tier tumult in recent history.
While Leicester and Arsenal surged, Manchester’s duo failed to impress and Spurs wasted a chance to climb into the Top Four.
Chelsea 0-1 Bournemouth — RECAP
Glenn Murray‘s late header shocked a dominant Chelsea side at Stamford Bridge, as Diego Costa‘s second-half entrance failed to help the Blues find their finishing touch. The win keeps Chelsea in a relegation battle, while Bournemouth leaps out of the drop zone.
Stoke City 2-0 Manchester City — RECAP
Marko Arnautovic scored a pair of goals as the Potters handled a lackadaisical Manchester City at the Britannia Stadium.
West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur — RECAP
Tottenham had one of the best looking goals of the day, but that’ll matter little as James McClean‘s equalizer ensured that Spurs would stay out of the Top Four.
Arsenal 3-1 Sunderland — RECAP
The Gunners are flying, and have to fancy their chances at winning the league now that only Leicester City is ahead of them. Olivier Giroud scored an own goal, but put one in the Sunderland goal as well. Joel Campbell and Aaron Ramsey also scored for the Gunners, and the Black Cats sank back into the drop zone.
Swansea City 0-3 Leicester City — RECAP
Jamie Vardy‘s Premier League record for consecutive games with a goal is complete, but Riyad Mahrez reminded everyone that he’s been among the best players in the league all season by throwing down a hat trick and plunging embattled Swansea boss Garry Monk further toward the relegation zone.
Manchester United 0-0 West Ham United — RECAP
Mauro Zarate missed a plum set-up for West Ham, and United missed everything else. Marouane Fellaini registered the only shot on target of 21 Red Devils’ attempts, and United wasted a chance to make a move on their noisy neighbors.
Watford 2-0 Norwich City— RECAP
Odion Ighalo is a lock for PL team of the week after drawing a penalty and scoring a goal from the run of play. Troy Deeney had the PK goal for now mid-table Watford, as Quique Flores would be on pace for Manager of the Year honors in a world without Claudio Ranieri.
Southampton 1-1 Aston Villa — RECAP
Saints fans won’t be happy that they needed Oriel Romeu to bail them out at home against Remi Garde’s beleaguered Villa, which got its goal from Joleon Lescott. The Villans still sit dead last in the Premier League, seven points back of 17th.
NCAAFB: NCAA AP Top 25 Football Poll, 12/06/2015.
Valeri, who was named Most Valuable Player of Sunday’s final, opened the scoring with just 27 seconds on the clock (fastest in MLS Cup history – WATCH HERE), when he capitalized on a shocking error by Crew SC goalkeeper Steve Clark inside his own penalty area. Clark let the ball run across his body in an attempt to play it out of the back, but a poor first touch saw it run behind him. He attempted to recover quickly, but Valeri sensed the gaffe and was quick to close down the space. When Clark finally attempted to boot it out wide, Valeri came in with the sliding challenge and swept the ball into the back of the net.
Portland quickly doubled their lead after another spell of poor Crew SC defending and a massively blown no-call by an assistant referee. Diego Chara played the ball out wide — too wide, in fact, as in, out of play by a two or three feet — to Alvas Powell, but the assistant referee on that side of the field didn’t signal for the throw-in that should have been given (WATCH HERE). Play continued, Darlington Nagbe weaved his way through midfield, played Lucas Melano through out wide and he crossed for Wallace at the back post, where he headed past Clark for 2-0.
Crew SC pulled a goal back through Kei Kamara (WATCH HERE), scorer of 22 regular-season goals and three more in the MLS Cup Playoffs en route to Sunday’s final, in the 18th minute. A mad scramble inside the Timbers’ penalty area began with a failed punch by Adam Kwarasey, and finished with Kamara dancing his way around a sea of defenders and firing a low, bouncing shot past Kwarasey for 2-1.
Lucas Melano had the best chance to re-establish Portland’s two-goal lead in the 54th minute, but the Argentine newcomer dwelled on the ball far too long inside the penalty area, where he was briefly one-on-one against Clark, allowing Michael Parkhurst to recover and block the untimely shot on goal. Parkhurst came up with another massive block in the 60th minute, making a last-ditch, sliding block against Fanendo Adi.
A moment of pure madness followed on the ensuing corner kick. The ball was whipped into the Crew SC penalty area, where Parkhurst made one goal-line clearance with his forehead, then another with his left arm after the ball caromed off the crossbar. No penalty given, no red card, no yellow card, no whistle blown — nothing.
A header by Adi went inches from doubling the lead in the 71st minute, but the big Nigerian striker could only watch helplessly as the ball hit the inside of the post and bounced back into play, catching Clark completely off-guard, hitting him in the midsection and very nearly deflecting into the goal, but ultimately only going out of play for a corner kick. Scenes. Absolute scenes.
Crew SC mustered very little late on with the game and their season on the line, with Portland effectively seeing out the game en route to lifting the Philip F. Anschutz trophy in front of more than 2,000 traveling fans clad in Green and Gold. Sunday’s MLS Cup triumph makes the Timbers the 10th different MLS franchise to win the title.
Premier League roundup: Stunning day for underdogs sees Chelsea, Man City fall.
By Nicholas Mendola
All the upsets.
Okay, so maybe “mostly” is a better word choice, but you can’t help but feel like Saturday was one of the biggest days of top-tier tumult in recent history.
While Leicester and Arsenal surged, Manchester’s duo failed to impress and Spurs wasted a chance to climb into the Top Four.
Chelsea 0-1 Bournemouth — RECAP
- WATCH: Murray’s big goal
- MURRAY: Chelsea “were more nervous than we were”
Glenn Murray‘s late header shocked a dominant Chelsea side at Stamford Bridge, as Diego Costa‘s second-half entrance failed to help the Blues find their finishing touch. The win keeps Chelsea in a relegation battle, while Bournemouth leaps out of the drop zone.
Stoke City 2-0 Manchester City — RECAP
Marko Arnautovic scored a pair of goals as the Potters handled a lackadaisical Manchester City at the Britannia Stadium.
West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur — RECAP
Tottenham had one of the best looking goals of the day, but that’ll matter little as James McClean‘s equalizer ensured that Spurs would stay out of the Top Four.
Arsenal 3-1 Sunderland — RECAP
The Gunners are flying, and have to fancy their chances at winning the league now that only Leicester City is ahead of them. Olivier Giroud scored an own goal, but put one in the Sunderland goal as well. Joel Campbell and Aaron Ramsey also scored for the Gunners, and the Black Cats sank back into the drop zone.
Swansea City 0-3 Leicester City — RECAP
Jamie Vardy‘s Premier League record for consecutive games with a goal is complete, but Riyad Mahrez reminded everyone that he’s been among the best players in the league all season by throwing down a hat trick and plunging embattled Swansea boss Garry Monk further toward the relegation zone.
Manchester United 0-0 West Ham United — RECAP
Mauro Zarate missed a plum set-up for West Ham, and United missed everything else. Marouane Fellaini registered the only shot on target of 21 Red Devils’ attempts, and United wasted a chance to make a move on their noisy neighbors.
Watford 2-0 Norwich City— RECAP
Odion Ighalo is a lock for PL team of the week after drawing a penalty and scoring a goal from the run of play. Troy Deeney had the PK goal for now mid-table Watford, as Quique Flores would be on pace for Manager of the Year honors in a world without Claudio Ranieri.
Southampton 1-1 Aston Villa — RECAP
Saints fans won’t be happy that they needed Oriel Romeu to bail them out at home against Remi Garde’s beleaguered Villa, which got its goal from Joleon Lescott. The Villans still sit dead last in the Premier League, seven points back of 17th.
NCAAFB: NCAA AP Top 25 Football Poll, 12/06/2015.
AP
| RANK | SCHOOL | RECORD | POINTS | PREVIOUS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Clemson (51) | 13-0 | 1510 | 1 |
| 2. | Alabama (9) | 12-1 | 1465 | 2 |
| 3. | Michigan St. (1) | 12-1 | 1382 | 5 |
| 4. | Oklahoma | 11-1 | 1376 | 3 |
| 5. | Stanford | 11-2 | 1221 | 7 |
| 6. | Iowa | 12-1 | 1214 | 4 |
| 7. | Ohio St. | 11-1 | 1208 | 6 |
| 8. | Notre Dame | 10-2 | 1070 | 9 |
| 9. | Florida St. | 10-2 | 972 | 10 |
| 10. | N. Carolina | 11-2 | 949 | 8 |
| 11. | TCU | 10-2 | 936 | 11 |
| 12. | Northwestern | 10-2 | 776 | 13 |
| 13. | Oklahoma St. | 10-2 | 767 | 14 |
| 14. | Houston | 12-1 | 710 | 17 |
| 15. | Oregon | 9-3 | 685 | 15 |
| 16. | Mississippi | 9-3 | 656 | 16 |
| 17. | Michigan | 9-3 | 578 | 19 |
| 18. | Baylor | 9-3 | 426 | 12 |
| 19. | Florida | 10-3 | 420 | 18 |
| 20. | Utah | 9-3 | 323 | 21 |
| 21. | Navy | 9-2 | 271 | 22 |
| 22. | LSU | 8-3 | 270 | 23 |
| 23. | Wisconsin | 9-3 | 197 | 25 |
| 24. | Temple | 10-3 | 94 | 20 |
| 25. | W. Kentucky | 11-2 | 70 | NR |
Others Receiving Votes: Georgia 67, USC 57, BYU 28,Tennessee 23, S. Diego St. 22, Washington St. 20, Arkansas 20, Memphis 10, Bowling Green 8, South Florida 8, Mississippi St. 6, Toledo 4, UCLA 4, Arkansas St. 2
The College Football Playoff rankings are set with one surprise.
By Graham Watson
The College Football Playoff is officially set.
Clemson is the No. 1 seed after running through its schedule undefeated, which included a win against North Carolina in the ACC title game on Saturday night. It will play No. 4 Oklahoma, which won the Big 12 title last week, but was dropped a spot because it didn’t play on championship weekend. Those two teams will meet in the Capital One Orange Bowl on Dec. 31.
The No. 2 seed is Alabama, which dominated Florida in SEC title game. It will face No. 3 Michigan State, which used a long fourth-quarter drive to win the Big Ten title against Iowa and move from out of the playoff to one of the coveted top four. Those two teams will meet in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on Dec. 31.
This is about what we all expected.
In the previous two weeks, the top four of the CFP rankings had not changed — Clemson, Alabama, Oklahoma and Iowa. The Big Ten title game between Iowa and Michigan State was considered a makeshift play-in game with the Spartans hovering at No. 5 during last week’s rankings.
The only surprising thing was the Spartans' jump over Oklahoma.
“Great discussion, great debate,” College Football Playoff Committee chairman Jeff Long said of the choice between Michigan State and Oklahoma. “Both conference champions, both four wins over Top 25 teams, but what it came down to was really Michigan State with two top 10 wins and then adding the win over last week’s No. 4-ranked team. I think when you looked at the body of work, the complete resume, that’s what pushed Michigan State just slightly ahead of Oklahoma.”
Here’s a look at the résumés of each of the four playoff teams:
No. 1 Clemson
Record: 13-0
Notable wins: vs. No. 6 Notre Dame; vs. No. 16 Florida State; vs. No. 10 North Carolina
Notable losses: None
How it got in: Clemson is the only undefeated team in the College Football Playoff and the second ACC team to claim that feat in as many years.
The Tigers didn’t exactly dominate all of their competition, but they did enough to leave no doubt about their top ranking. The season was capped with a 45-37 win against North Carolina in the ACC title game.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson is considered a Heisman contender, especially after he threw for 289 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 131 yards and two scores in the victory against the Tar Heels.
If there’s any knock on the Tigers, it’s that its competition wasn’t as tough as some of the other teams in the top four, especially down the stretch. In the final five weeks of the season, Clemson averaged 35 points per game.
No. 2 Alabama
Record: 12-1
Notable wins: vs. No. 2 LSU; at No. 17 Mississippi State; vs. No. 18 Florida
Notable losses: vs. No. 15 Ole Miss
How it got in: Similar to Michigan State, Alabama had several close wins on the schedule, but its dominance of Florida in the SEC title game secured the Tide’s spot in the top four.
After losing to Ole Miss during the third game of the season, Alabama went on to average 33.4 points per game. In that span, running back Derrick Henry established himself as the player to beat in the race for the Heisman. This season, Henry has rushed for at least 100 yards in nine games and for more than 200 yards in four contests. He’s also scored at least one touchdown in every game this season.
During the last two games against Auburn and Florida, Henry has rushed the ball 90 times for 460 yards and two touchdowns. His increased workload has taken the pressure off quarterback Jacob Coker, who has struggled at times this season. Coker has only thrown for more than 200 yards six times this season while the focus has been on the running game. However, when Coker does throw the ball, it’s usually to Calvin Ridley, who has 75 catches for 893 yards and five touchdowns.
No. 3 Michigan State
Record: 12-1
Notable wins: vs. No. 7 Oregon; at No. 12 Michigan; at No. 3 Ohio State; vs. No. 4 Iowa
Notable losses: at Nebraska
How it got in: Few teams have had a more charmed existence than Michigan State this season. It’s had close wins against Purdue (24-21), Rutgers (31-24), Michigan (27-23), Ohio State (17-14) and its 16-13 triumph against Iowa in the Big Ten title game. However, in nearly every game, the Spartans have cobbled together a late defining drive to put out the victory. To say the Spartans are the most gritty and determined team in the field might be an understatement.
Michigan State is led by quarterback Connor Cook, who has been nursing a shoulder injury in the last few weeks. He has been the catalyst for the Spartans offense.
Against Iowa, he helped orchestrate a 9-minute, 22-play drive — which included converting 5 of 6 on third down and one fourth down — that culminated in running back L.J. Scott reaching the ball over the goal line with 27 seconds remaining. The win gave the Spartans the Big Ten title and moved them from No. 5 in the CFP standings to the coveted No. 3 spot, and ousted the Hawkeyes totally.
Scott leads all Michigan State rushers with 691 yards and 11 touchdowns and receiver Aaron Burbridge is one of the most dynamic players in the CFP field. He has 80 catches for 1,219 yards and seven touchdowns.
No. 4 Oklahoma
Record: 11-1
Notable wins: at No. 23 Tennessee; at No. 6 Baylor; vs. No. 18 TCU; at No. 11 Oklahoma State
Notable losses: vs. Texas
How it got in: Oklahoma beat three ranked conference opponents — two on the road — in the final three weeks of the season to become Big 12 champions and solidify a spot in the College Football Playoff. Even though the Sooners didn’t play during championship week (the Big 12 does not have a championship game), it was clear their final month was gauntlet no other team in the top four had to endure.
If all the teams in the top four, the Sooners have the weirdest and worst loss (24-17 to Texas). However, after that game, Oklahoma became one of the most formidable teams in the country, dominating its opponents on both sides of the ball. During the seven games following the Texas loss, Oklahoma averaged 52 points per game and defeated its opponents by an average of 32.5 points.
By Graham Watson
The College Football Playoff is officially set.
Clemson is the No. 1 seed after running through its schedule undefeated, which included a win against North Carolina in the ACC title game on Saturday night. It will play No. 4 Oklahoma, which won the Big 12 title last week, but was dropped a spot because it didn’t play on championship weekend. Those two teams will meet in the Capital One Orange Bowl on Dec. 31.
The No. 2 seed is Alabama, which dominated Florida in SEC title game. It will face No. 3 Michigan State, which used a long fourth-quarter drive to win the Big Ten title against Iowa and move from out of the playoff to one of the coveted top four. Those two teams will meet in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on Dec. 31.
This is about what we all expected.
In the previous two weeks, the top four of the CFP rankings had not changed — Clemson, Alabama, Oklahoma and Iowa. The Big Ten title game between Iowa and Michigan State was considered a makeshift play-in game with the Spartans hovering at No. 5 during last week’s rankings.
The only surprising thing was the Spartans' jump over Oklahoma.
“Great discussion, great debate,” College Football Playoff Committee chairman Jeff Long said of the choice between Michigan State and Oklahoma. “Both conference champions, both four wins over Top 25 teams, but what it came down to was really Michigan State with two top 10 wins and then adding the win over last week’s No. 4-ranked team. I think when you looked at the body of work, the complete resume, that’s what pushed Michigan State just slightly ahead of Oklahoma.”
Here’s a look at the résumés of each of the four playoff teams:
No. 1 Clemson
Record: 13-0
Notable wins: vs. No. 6 Notre Dame; vs. No. 16 Florida State; vs. No. 10 North Carolina
Notable losses: None
How it got in: Clemson is the only undefeated team in the College Football Playoff and the second ACC team to claim that feat in as many years.
The Tigers didn’t exactly dominate all of their competition, but they did enough to leave no doubt about their top ranking. The season was capped with a 45-37 win against North Carolina in the ACC title game.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson is considered a Heisman contender, especially after he threw for 289 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 131 yards and two scores in the victory against the Tar Heels.
If there’s any knock on the Tigers, it’s that its competition wasn’t as tough as some of the other teams in the top four, especially down the stretch. In the final five weeks of the season, Clemson averaged 35 points per game.
No. 2 Alabama
Record: 12-1
Notable wins: vs. No. 2 LSU; at No. 17 Mississippi State; vs. No. 18 Florida
Notable losses: vs. No. 15 Ole Miss
How it got in: Similar to Michigan State, Alabama had several close wins on the schedule, but its dominance of Florida in the SEC title game secured the Tide’s spot in the top four.
After losing to Ole Miss during the third game of the season, Alabama went on to average 33.4 points per game. In that span, running back Derrick Henry established himself as the player to beat in the race for the Heisman. This season, Henry has rushed for at least 100 yards in nine games and for more than 200 yards in four contests. He’s also scored at least one touchdown in every game this season.
During the last two games against Auburn and Florida, Henry has rushed the ball 90 times for 460 yards and two touchdowns. His increased workload has taken the pressure off quarterback Jacob Coker, who has struggled at times this season. Coker has only thrown for more than 200 yards six times this season while the focus has been on the running game. However, when Coker does throw the ball, it’s usually to Calvin Ridley, who has 75 catches for 893 yards and five touchdowns.
No. 3 Michigan State
Record: 12-1
Notable wins: vs. No. 7 Oregon; at No. 12 Michigan; at No. 3 Ohio State; vs. No. 4 Iowa
Notable losses: at Nebraska
How it got in: Few teams have had a more charmed existence than Michigan State this season. It’s had close wins against Purdue (24-21), Rutgers (31-24), Michigan (27-23), Ohio State (17-14) and its 16-13 triumph against Iowa in the Big Ten title game. However, in nearly every game, the Spartans have cobbled together a late defining drive to put out the victory. To say the Spartans are the most gritty and determined team in the field might be an understatement.
Michigan State is led by quarterback Connor Cook, who has been nursing a shoulder injury in the last few weeks. He has been the catalyst for the Spartans offense.
Against Iowa, he helped orchestrate a 9-minute, 22-play drive — which included converting 5 of 6 on third down and one fourth down — that culminated in running back L.J. Scott reaching the ball over the goal line with 27 seconds remaining. The win gave the Spartans the Big Ten title and moved them from No. 5 in the CFP standings to the coveted No. 3 spot, and ousted the Hawkeyes totally.
Scott leads all Michigan State rushers with 691 yards and 11 touchdowns and receiver Aaron Burbridge is one of the most dynamic players in the CFP field. He has 80 catches for 1,219 yards and seven touchdowns.
No. 4 Oklahoma
Record: 11-1
Notable wins: at No. 23 Tennessee; at No. 6 Baylor; vs. No. 18 TCU; at No. 11 Oklahoma State
Notable losses: vs. Texas
How it got in: Oklahoma beat three ranked conference opponents — two on the road — in the final three weeks of the season to become Big 12 champions and solidify a spot in the College Football Playoff. Even though the Sooners didn’t play during championship week (the Big 12 does not have a championship game), it was clear their final month was gauntlet no other team in the top four had to endure.
If all the teams in the top four, the Sooners have the weirdest and worst loss (24-17 to Texas). However, after that game, Oklahoma became one of the most formidable teams in the country, dominating its opponents on both sides of the ball. During the seven games following the Texas loss, Oklahoma averaged 52 points per game and defeated its opponents by an average of 32.5 points.
The Sooners are led by energetic quarterback Baker Mayfield, a former Texas Tech walk-on, who has executed the new air raid offense perfectly. Mayfield’s job is made easier by the play of receiver Sterling Shepard, who has 79 catches for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns, and running backs Samaje Perine (1,291 yards and 15 TDs) and Joe Mixon (749 yards and 7 TDs).
NCAABKB; Observations: Kentucky's loss to UCLA won't be the last upset this season.
By Jon Rothstein
UCLA's win over Kentucky again proves how rankings are meaningless.
Three weeks ago the Bruins lost at Pauley Pavilion to Monmouth.
On Thursday night they beat top-ranked Kentucky in the same building and the game was never in doubt down the stretch.
Sensing a trend here?
You shouldn't.
This is going to be college basketball during the 2015-16 season.
Unlike last season when teams like Kentucky, Duke, Wisconsin, and Virginia prior to losing Justin Anderson separated themselves from the rest of the nation, this year is going to see different teams taking turns at the top of the polls each and every week.
Think about this for a second: UCLA wasn't receiving any votes in last week's Top 25 and it went out and handled Kentucky -- the supposed "top-ranked" team in the country -- with relative ease.
Like many others I submit my vote for the Top 25 each Sunday night, but the numbers next to each program each week have very little bearing to how games are going to turn out.
Two years ago in 2014 we saw a No. 7 seed (UConn) beat a No. 8 seed (Kentucky) in the national title game.
Nobody should be remotely shocked if something similar happens next April in Houston.
UNLV's Derrick Jones could become a national name after Friday.
There are freak athletes and then there's UNLV's Derrick Jones.
Look him up on You Tube and you'll see what I'm talking about.
UNLV's high-flying freshman made his name on the AAU circuit thanks to his freakish athleticism and ability to regularly send crowds into a frenzy with his high octane dunks from all angles on the court.
That type of ability will be in the spotlight Friday as the Runnin Rebels take on Oregon at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Dave Rice's team (6-1) played well last week at the Maui Invitational, but needs a win against a quality opponent like Oregon to cement its place as a legitimate contender in the Mountain West Conference. The Ducks aren't at full strength as Dylan Ennis and Jordan Bell are still out with injuries, but have already beaten both Baylor and Valpo this season despite being shorthanded.
If UNLV is going to have a chance to win this game it's going to need Jones to play heavy minutes against Oregon's versatile front line.
Goodluck Okonoboh's decision to leave the Runnin Rebels' program last week and transfer means that UNLV has minutes available up front and those minutes are likely to slide to Jones as an undersized power forward at 6-7.
The Philadelphia native is already averaging 13.0 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting an impressive 63.4 percent from the field in just 19.7 minutes.
Those numbers are sure to now increase.
How soon?
We'll find out Friday in Sin City.
Vanderbilt fans better buckle up for the next few weeks.
The 'Dores proved they were for real when they stood toe-to-toe with Kansas on the night before Thanksgiving in the finals of the Maui Invitational.
Now we're going to find out how Vanderbilt responds when it gets punched in the mouth because it's bound to happen at some point between now and Christmas.
Kevin Stallings' team is about to begin an arduous four-game stretch which features a pair of road games at Baylor and Purdue along with home tilts against Dayton and reigning SoCon champion Wofford.
That's two games against two teams with two of the best front lines in the sport -- Baylor and Purdue -- and another that runs offense as well as anybody in Dayton.
The Dores have one of the best offensive teams in the country, but I'm still not sure how they're going to respond in a really physical game.
We'll find out during the next two and a half weeks.
This Just In
• Mark Few told CBS Sports he still doesn't know if Przemek Karnowski (back) will play Saturday vs. Arizona. "Spasms are slightly better," Few said.
• Wake Forest's Codi Miller-McIntyre (foot) will not play Friday against Arkansas, Danny Manning told CBS Sports. McIntyre has yet to play this season.
• Wichita State's Fred VanVleet (hamstring) will "probably give it a go" Saturday against Saint Louis, Gregg Marshall told CBS Sports. VanVleet did not play in three games last week at the Advocare Invitational in Orlando.
• Oregon's Jordan Bell (foot) will not play Friday against UNLV, Dana Altman told CBS Sports.
This and That
• Duke's interior combination of Amile Jefferson and Marshall Plumlee is similar to the tandem of Lance Thomas and Brian Zoubek that started for the Blue Devils when they won the 2010 national title. Just like Thomas and Zoubek, Jefferson and Plumlee know their roles, embrace who they are, and do an unbelievable job of sacrificing for their teammates. You can't measure what these guys do in a box score. Mike Krzyzewski's team is currently 7-1 overall.
• Butler's Tyler Wideman is gradually starting to do all the things that Kameron Woods did last season on the interior. The 6-8 sophomore is averaging 10.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks over his last four games. If Wideman continues to produce near this level, Chris Holtmann's team could be really dangerous by February and March.
• The sleeper game of the weekend is Davidson against North Carolina on Sunday night in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels will have a significant advantage up front with their size and athleticism, but Bob McKillop is one of college basketball's elite coaches and has another prolific offensive team that's averaging 88.0 points each time it takes the floor. This one will be worth your time.
• Indiana is allowing an average of 73.6 points this season and that obviously includes games against low and mid-major opponents. In the five games the Hoosiers have played against Creighton, Wake Forest, St. John's, UNLV, and Duke, they're surrendering an average of 77.2 points. That's not going to cut it if this team has aspirations of competing with the teams at the top of the Big Ten. Tom Crean's squad is 5-3 overall.
• Mike Lonergan is positioning George Washington to make its second NCAA Tournament in three seasons. The Colonials earned major equity with an early-season win over Virginia and methodically scheduled several strong RPI games that will help their resume down the line. George Washington is 7-1 overall and has a legitimate chance to win all five of the remaining games on its non-conference schedule.
• Providence transfer Josh Fortune has found a home at Colorado. The 6-5 wing is third on the Buffaloes in scoring and is averaging 11.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. A long-range specialist while he was with the Friars, Fortune is shooting 46.9 percent from 3-point range this season and has made 11-19 shots from distance in his last three games.
• Ethan Happ officially arrived on Wednesday night for Wisconsin. The redshirt freshman broke out against Syracuse at the Carrier Dome and had 18 points, 15 rebounds, and three blocked shots in an overtime victory that could jolt the Badgers' season in the right direction. Bronson Koenig and Nigel Hayes are going to be All-Big Ten caliber players this season for Wisconsin, but the key for the Badgers is getting a guy like Happ to consistently be an offensive threat each time he takes the floor. Bo Ryan's squad is 5-3 overall and next hosts Temple on Saturday at the Kohl Center. Tip off is at 12:30 ET on CBS.
• If Rhode Island wants to have a chance to play in the NCAA Tournament the Rams have to beat Providence on Saturday night at the Ryan Center. Dan Hurley's team is 5-2 overall and have remade their offense following E.C. Matthews' season-ending ACL injury. But to truly move the needle nationally they need to take down their in-state rival. This should be one heck of an atmosphere in Kingston.
• Alabama transfer Ricky Tarrant has quietly made a significant difference for Memphis. The fifth-year guard is second on the Tigers in scoring at 13.3 points and has dished out 18 assists on the season to just seven turnovers. The key for Josh Pastner's club is improving that ratio as a team: Memphis is averaging 15 assists to 13 turnovers each time it takes the floor. The Tigers are 4-2 overall.
• The Big 12 may not be pound-for-pound as good of a league as the ACC, but you better believe it's going to be a bear once again. One of the main reasons why? How well coached the teams are that are projected at the bottom of the conference. Kansas State, TCU, and Texas Tech all have coaches -- Bruce Weber, Trent Johnson, and Tubby Smith -- that have taken teams deep into the NCAA Tournament and in Smith's case he won a national title at Kentucky in 1998. It's not going to be easy to face these teams in league play -- especially on the road.
NCAA cases seeking money for players become class action.
By Jon Rothstein
UCLA's win over Kentucky again proves how rankings are meaningless.
Three weeks ago the Bruins lost at Pauley Pavilion to Monmouth.
On Thursday night they beat top-ranked Kentucky in the same building and the game was never in doubt down the stretch.
Sensing a trend here?
You shouldn't.
This is going to be college basketball during the 2015-16 season.
Unlike last season when teams like Kentucky, Duke, Wisconsin, and Virginia prior to losing Justin Anderson separated themselves from the rest of the nation, this year is going to see different teams taking turns at the top of the polls each and every week.
Think about this for a second: UCLA wasn't receiving any votes in last week's Top 25 and it went out and handled Kentucky -- the supposed "top-ranked" team in the country -- with relative ease.
Like many others I submit my vote for the Top 25 each Sunday night, but the numbers next to each program each week have very little bearing to how games are going to turn out.
Two years ago in 2014 we saw a No. 7 seed (UConn) beat a No. 8 seed (Kentucky) in the national title game.
Nobody should be remotely shocked if something similar happens next April in Houston.
UNLV's Derrick Jones could become a national name after Friday.
There are freak athletes and then there's UNLV's Derrick Jones.
Look him up on You Tube and you'll see what I'm talking about.
UNLV's high-flying freshman made his name on the AAU circuit thanks to his freakish athleticism and ability to regularly send crowds into a frenzy with his high octane dunks from all angles on the court.
That type of ability will be in the spotlight Friday as the Runnin Rebels take on Oregon at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Dave Rice's team (6-1) played well last week at the Maui Invitational, but needs a win against a quality opponent like Oregon to cement its place as a legitimate contender in the Mountain West Conference. The Ducks aren't at full strength as Dylan Ennis and Jordan Bell are still out with injuries, but have already beaten both Baylor and Valpo this season despite being shorthanded.
If UNLV is going to have a chance to win this game it's going to need Jones to play heavy minutes against Oregon's versatile front line.
Goodluck Okonoboh's decision to leave the Runnin Rebels' program last week and transfer means that UNLV has minutes available up front and those minutes are likely to slide to Jones as an undersized power forward at 6-7.
The Philadelphia native is already averaging 13.0 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting an impressive 63.4 percent from the field in just 19.7 minutes.
Those numbers are sure to now increase.
How soon?
We'll find out Friday in Sin City.
Vanderbilt fans better buckle up for the next few weeks.
The 'Dores proved they were for real when they stood toe-to-toe with Kansas on the night before Thanksgiving in the finals of the Maui Invitational.
Now we're going to find out how Vanderbilt responds when it gets punched in the mouth because it's bound to happen at some point between now and Christmas.
Kevin Stallings' team is about to begin an arduous four-game stretch which features a pair of road games at Baylor and Purdue along with home tilts against Dayton and reigning SoCon champion Wofford.
That's two games against two teams with two of the best front lines in the sport -- Baylor and Purdue -- and another that runs offense as well as anybody in Dayton.
The Dores have one of the best offensive teams in the country, but I'm still not sure how they're going to respond in a really physical game.
We'll find out during the next two and a half weeks.
This Just In
• Mark Few told CBS Sports he still doesn't know if Przemek Karnowski (back) will play Saturday vs. Arizona. "Spasms are slightly better," Few said.
• Wake Forest's Codi Miller-McIntyre (foot) will not play Friday against Arkansas, Danny Manning told CBS Sports. McIntyre has yet to play this season.
• Wichita State's Fred VanVleet (hamstring) will "probably give it a go" Saturday against Saint Louis, Gregg Marshall told CBS Sports. VanVleet did not play in three games last week at the Advocare Invitational in Orlando.
• Oregon's Jordan Bell (foot) will not play Friday against UNLV, Dana Altman told CBS Sports.
This and That
• Duke's interior combination of Amile Jefferson and Marshall Plumlee is similar to the tandem of Lance Thomas and Brian Zoubek that started for the Blue Devils when they won the 2010 national title. Just like Thomas and Zoubek, Jefferson and Plumlee know their roles, embrace who they are, and do an unbelievable job of sacrificing for their teammates. You can't measure what these guys do in a box score. Mike Krzyzewski's team is currently 7-1 overall.
• Butler's Tyler Wideman is gradually starting to do all the things that Kameron Woods did last season on the interior. The 6-8 sophomore is averaging 10.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks over his last four games. If Wideman continues to produce near this level, Chris Holtmann's team could be really dangerous by February and March.
• The sleeper game of the weekend is Davidson against North Carolina on Sunday night in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels will have a significant advantage up front with their size and athleticism, but Bob McKillop is one of college basketball's elite coaches and has another prolific offensive team that's averaging 88.0 points each time it takes the floor. This one will be worth your time.
• Indiana is allowing an average of 73.6 points this season and that obviously includes games against low and mid-major opponents. In the five games the Hoosiers have played against Creighton, Wake Forest, St. John's, UNLV, and Duke, they're surrendering an average of 77.2 points. That's not going to cut it if this team has aspirations of competing with the teams at the top of the Big Ten. Tom Crean's squad is 5-3 overall.
• Mike Lonergan is positioning George Washington to make its second NCAA Tournament in three seasons. The Colonials earned major equity with an early-season win over Virginia and methodically scheduled several strong RPI games that will help their resume down the line. George Washington is 7-1 overall and has a legitimate chance to win all five of the remaining games on its non-conference schedule.
• Providence transfer Josh Fortune has found a home at Colorado. The 6-5 wing is third on the Buffaloes in scoring and is averaging 11.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. A long-range specialist while he was with the Friars, Fortune is shooting 46.9 percent from 3-point range this season and has made 11-19 shots from distance in his last three games.
• Ethan Happ officially arrived on Wednesday night for Wisconsin. The redshirt freshman broke out against Syracuse at the Carrier Dome and had 18 points, 15 rebounds, and three blocked shots in an overtime victory that could jolt the Badgers' season in the right direction. Bronson Koenig and Nigel Hayes are going to be All-Big Ten caliber players this season for Wisconsin, but the key for the Badgers is getting a guy like Happ to consistently be an offensive threat each time he takes the floor. Bo Ryan's squad is 5-3 overall and next hosts Temple on Saturday at the Kohl Center. Tip off is at 12:30 ET on CBS.
• If Rhode Island wants to have a chance to play in the NCAA Tournament the Rams have to beat Providence on Saturday night at the Ryan Center. Dan Hurley's team is 5-2 overall and have remade their offense following E.C. Matthews' season-ending ACL injury. But to truly move the needle nationally they need to take down their in-state rival. This should be one heck of an atmosphere in Kingston.
• Alabama transfer Ricky Tarrant has quietly made a significant difference for Memphis. The fifth-year guard is second on the Tigers in scoring at 13.3 points and has dished out 18 assists on the season to just seven turnovers. The key for Josh Pastner's club is improving that ratio as a team: Memphis is averaging 15 assists to 13 turnovers each time it takes the floor. The Tigers are 4-2 overall.
• The Big 12 may not be pound-for-pound as good of a league as the ACC, but you better believe it's going to be a bear once again. One of the main reasons why? How well coached the teams are that are projected at the bottom of the conference. Kansas State, TCU, and Texas Tech all have coaches -- Bruce Weber, Trent Johnson, and Tubby Smith -- that have taken teams deep into the NCAA Tournament and in Smith's case he won a national title at Kentucky in 1998. It's not going to be easy to face these teams in league play -- especially on the road.
NCAA cases seeking money for players become class action.
By Jon Solomon
The Jeffrey Kessler case is moving forward as a class-action lawsuit. A federal judge on Friday granted class-action status to two lawsuits, including Kessler's, that are challenging the NCAA's rules that limit the amount of compensation college athletes can receive.
The certification of the cases allows the lawsuit to move forward against the NCAA and conferences, who have been sued on behalf of Football Bowl Subdivision football players and Division I men's and women's basketball players. The certification places more pressure on the NCAA to potentially find a solution on how to compensate college athletes.
The plaintiffs in the case allege that the NCAA and its schools violate federal antitrust law by conspiring to impose a cap on the amount of money a school can provide a college athlete. Without the cap, the plaintiffs argue, schools would compete in recruiting players by offering more generous scholarships.
The plaintiffs were able to persuade U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken that the issues related to the case are common to a wide class. The NCAA and FBS conferences had argued, in part, that the “substitution effect” and “economics of superstars” would hurt some athletes while benefitting others by allowing players to receive more than their current scholarship value.
But Wilken wrote that those theories “depend on the assumption that schools could not afford to spend more money compensating all student-athletes rather than cutting payments to some.” She concluded that assumption by the NCAA is not supported.
In their arguments, the NCAA and conferences predicted that an injunction would increase the costs to FBS and Division I schools and some would stop participating at that level or reduce their costs, such as offering fewer scholarships. But Wilken stressed that the plaintiffs are not seeking an unrestricted market for player competition.
“Defendants assume that any increase in student-athlete compensation resulting from an injunction would force schools to offset such cost by disadvantaging some members of the proposed classes,” Wilken wrote. “The Court finds insufficient basis for such an assumption, because of schools' past behavior and alternative available sources of funds.”
Instead, the plaintiffs “persuasively” showed that the NCAA's predictions that schools “would be forced by budgetary constraints to make decisions leading to intra-class conflicts are flawed," Wilken wrote.
Kessler is a high-profile sports attorney who helped bring free agency to the NFL. Kessler brought the lawsuit on behalf of former Clemson football player Martin Jenkins. The other two plaintiffs for Kessler are current Wisconsin basketball player Nigel Hayes and Wisconsin football player Alec James.
"My reaction is I'm very pleased and I look forward to studying the decision," Kessler said.
Kessler is teaming with attorney Steve Berman, who initially brought a similar lawsuit. Berman's case was brought by former West Virginia football player Shawne Alston, who is no longer a named plaintiff. Other suits were consolidated into the Alston case. Kessler and Berman recently agreed to team up to try the lawsuit and Wilken named them co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs.
Berman described the decision as an "enormous win" for college athletes. "For too long, the NCAA has taken advantage of scholarship protocols that we believe are in direct violation of national antitrust laws -- effectively cheating student-athletes who receive scholarships by thousands of dollars each, each year," he said.
Berman said Wilken "rejected many of the arguments we will see in the opposition to damages so we are pleased all around."
Said NCAA chief legal officer Donald Remy in a statement: "The NCAA and its members award $2.7 billion in athletics scholarships every year to more than 150,000 student-athletes. The plaintiffs continue to misconstrue and inaccurately portray these scholarships. As other federal court decisions have consistently stated, agreeing to appropriate limits on financial aid does not violate antitrust laws."
Wilken is the judge from the Ed O'Bannon lawsuit that found the NCAA's rules limiting compensation for football and men's basketball players violate antitrust law. That decision was upheld by a three-judge panel from the Ninth U.S. Circuit of Appeals, but the judges eliminated Wilken's plan to allow schools to provide deferred compensation to athletes.
The panel's majority ruled that the law requires the NCAA allow schools to provide up to cost of attendance, but doesn't require more. The O'Bannon plaintiffs are attempting to have the case heard through a larger panel from the Ninth Court.
The certification of the cases allows the lawsuit to move forward against the NCAA and conferences, who have been sued on behalf of Football Bowl Subdivision football players and Division I men's and women's basketball players. The certification places more pressure on the NCAA to potentially find a solution on how to compensate college athletes.
The plaintiffs in the case allege that the NCAA and its schools violate federal antitrust law by conspiring to impose a cap on the amount of money a school can provide a college athlete. Without the cap, the plaintiffs argue, schools would compete in recruiting players by offering more generous scholarships.
The plaintiffs were able to persuade U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken that the issues related to the case are common to a wide class. The NCAA and FBS conferences had argued, in part, that the “substitution effect” and “economics of superstars” would hurt some athletes while benefitting others by allowing players to receive more than their current scholarship value.
But Wilken wrote that those theories “depend on the assumption that schools could not afford to spend more money compensating all student-athletes rather than cutting payments to some.” She concluded that assumption by the NCAA is not supported.
In their arguments, the NCAA and conferences predicted that an injunction would increase the costs to FBS and Division I schools and some would stop participating at that level or reduce their costs, such as offering fewer scholarships. But Wilken stressed that the plaintiffs are not seeking an unrestricted market for player competition.
“Defendants assume that any increase in student-athlete compensation resulting from an injunction would force schools to offset such cost by disadvantaging some members of the proposed classes,” Wilken wrote. “The Court finds insufficient basis for such an assumption, because of schools' past behavior and alternative available sources of funds.”
Instead, the plaintiffs “persuasively” showed that the NCAA's predictions that schools “would be forced by budgetary constraints to make decisions leading to intra-class conflicts are flawed," Wilken wrote.
Kessler is a high-profile sports attorney who helped bring free agency to the NFL. Kessler brought the lawsuit on behalf of former Clemson football player Martin Jenkins. The other two plaintiffs for Kessler are current Wisconsin basketball player Nigel Hayes and Wisconsin football player Alec James.
"My reaction is I'm very pleased and I look forward to studying the decision," Kessler said.
Kessler is teaming with attorney Steve Berman, who initially brought a similar lawsuit. Berman's case was brought by former West Virginia football player Shawne Alston, who is no longer a named plaintiff. Other suits were consolidated into the Alston case. Kessler and Berman recently agreed to team up to try the lawsuit and Wilken named them co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs.
Berman described the decision as an "enormous win" for college athletes. "For too long, the NCAA has taken advantage of scholarship protocols that we believe are in direct violation of national antitrust laws -- effectively cheating student-athletes who receive scholarships by thousands of dollars each, each year," he said.
Berman said Wilken "rejected many of the arguments we will see in the opposition to damages so we are pleased all around."
Said NCAA chief legal officer Donald Remy in a statement: "The NCAA and its members award $2.7 billion in athletics scholarships every year to more than 150,000 student-athletes. The plaintiffs continue to misconstrue and inaccurately portray these scholarships. As other federal court decisions have consistently stated, agreeing to appropriate limits on financial aid does not violate antitrust laws."
Wilken is the judge from the Ed O'Bannon lawsuit that found the NCAA's rules limiting compensation for football and men's basketball players violate antitrust law. That decision was upheld by a three-judge panel from the Ninth U.S. Circuit of Appeals, but the judges eliminated Wilken's plan to allow schools to provide deferred compensation to athletes.
The panel's majority ruled that the law requires the NCAA allow schools to provide up to cost of attendance, but doesn't require more. The O'Bannon plaintiffs are attempting to have the case heard through a larger panel from the Ninth Court.
On
Memoriesofhistory.com
1925 - Swimmer Johnny Weissmuller set a world record in the 150-yard freestyle with a time of 1 minute, 25 and 2/5 seconds. He went on to play "Tarzan" in several movies.
1939 - Lou Gehrig was elected to Baseball's Hall of Fame. He was the first player to have the rule waived that required a player to be retired one year before he could be elected.
1963 - CBS introduced the first-ever "Instant Replay" during the Army-Navy football game.
1978 - Mike Bossy (New York Islanders) got his first career hat trick.
1986 - Huey Lewis and the News sang the U.S. national anthem a Capella before a San Francisco 49ers-New York Jets NFL football game at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, CA.
1988 - The Texas Rangers signed free-agent pitcher Nolan Ryan to a one-year contract.
1939 - Lou Gehrig was elected to Baseball's Hall of Fame. He was the first player to have the rule waived that required a player to be retired one year before he could be elected.
1963 - CBS introduced the first-ever "Instant Replay" during the Army-Navy football game.
1978 - Mike Bossy (New York Islanders) got his first career hat trick.
1986 - Huey Lewis and the News sang the U.S. national anthem a Capella before a San Francisco 49ers-New York Jets NFL football game at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, CA.
1988 - The Texas Rangers signed free-agent pitcher Nolan Ryan to a one-year contract.
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