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"Sports Quote of the Day"
"Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning." ~ Benjamin Franklin, One of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America
Trending: Blackhawks batter Coyotes to end short-lived scoring drought. (See the hockey section for Blackhawks updates).
"Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning." ~ Benjamin Franklin, One of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America
Trending: Blackhawks batter Coyotes to end short-lived scoring drought. (See the hockey section for Blackhawks updates).
Trending: See every NFL playoff scenario with just one week remaining. (See the football section for details).
Trending: Bears In-Foe: The "Animal Bowl" for third place. (See the football section for Bears updates).
Trending: Harlem Globetrotter Meadowlark Lemon, famed hoops jester, dies at 83. (See last article on this blog for details).
Trending: Harlem Globetrotter Meadowlark Lemon, famed hoops jester, dies at 83. (See last article on this blog for details).
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! Making a little sense of Bears ’15 season, culture change.
By John Mullin
(Photo/Chicago City Sports)
One is that they generally won’t be well served in strength-of-schedule tiebreakers in whatever draft order they find themselves after next Sunday’s wrap up at home against Detroit. This weekend concluded with six six-win teams. The fact that the Bears managed their six against from a schedule with so many games against playoff teams, unofficially at this point, suggests that the Bears are one of the stronger teams in that group; hence, higher draft slot.
(For record-keeping purposes, the Bears had wins over Green Bay and Kansas City; and losses to Arizona, Denver, Green Bay, Minnesota (twice), Seattle and Washington.)
More important is that while the 5-11 meltdown of 2014 left the locker room and collective psyche in shambles in only Marc Trestman’s second year, the Bears have rarely had total breakdowns.
“We feel it; those [players] feel it,” said coach John Fox. “We’re getting there.”
The Bears played a total of 37 games without core members of their projected No. 1 offense – Martellus Bennett (5), Jay Cutler (1), Matt Forte (3), Alshon Jeffery (6), Eddie Royal (6) and Kevin White (16) – and six different offensive lines in 15 games. So winning six games probably ought to be graded on a little bit of an expectations curve, even if the NFL doesn’t.
But nine wins hasn’t cracked a core group persona: “Playing free and playing with heart and intensity,” said rookie nose tackle Eddie Goldman, “and at the same time, trust each other – I think that’s who we are, a group that has character. Of course we have some rough patches. But we can play with anybody.”
Maybe. Maybe not.
But Fox’s prime directive taking over as head coach was to reform the culture and the level of football along with it. When defensive end Willie Young stood up Saturday night in the team dinner in St. Petersburg, it was an indicator that the culture reformation was coming from within, not just imposed by Fox. And that is when that culture starts to mean something.
“One of the things you try to create is a ‘player-culture,’” Fox said on Monday. “They’re the guys who play the game. Sure, coaches are part of it. We’ve got systems, schemes, but at the end of the day they have to execute.
“The term ‘TEAM’ – Together Everybody Accomplishes More – and doing it for your teammates and doing it for something bigger than yourself helps create chemistry, an edge, whatever word or label you want to put on it. It’s empowering guys to lead. In my experience with different teams, different championship teams, you had that. Whether it’s been here with the Bears or with teams you’ve experienced or I’ve experienced, it’s something you try to establish. It doesn’t happen overnight. It takes a minute. I think we’re developing that. We’re not a finished product yet by any means.”
Bears In-Foe: The "Animal Bowl" for third place.
By Chris Boden
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The Lions would go on to lose twice more amidst the firing of offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and their offensive line coach, and the front office firings of president Tom Lewand and GM Martin Mayhew (replaced, respectively, by Rod Wood and Sheldon White, the latter on an interim basis). While Martha Ford's taken control from the rest of the family in overseeing the team, the future Jim Caldwell (and his 17-14 record over two years) hangs in the balance until Mayhew's permanent replacement is found. But the team has rallied to win five of seven, making Sunday's finale at Soldier Field decide third and last place in the NFC North.
OFFENSE
This 5-2 run began a week after quarterbacks coach Jim Bob Cooter was elevated to offensive coordinator. Check out quarterback Matthew Stafford's numbers before and after:
| Completion percentage | Pass yards/game | TD/INT | Rating | |
| Last 7 games | 69.7 | 269 | 16/2 | 108.7 |
| First 8 games | 64.5 | 260 | 13/11 | 84.1 |
Keep in mind the first meeting between these teams came during those first eight, and Stafford chewed the Bears up by going 27-of-42 for 405 yards, four touchdowns and an interception. Matter of fact, before last Sunday in Tampa Bay, it was the only other game this season the Bears had three takeaways, and they couldn't take away a victory. Stafford also ran six times for 37 yards that afternoon. He ranks in the top ten in all the major passing categories, but is the seventh-most sacked signal-caller, going down 40 times. The Bears could only get him down twice in Motown, and despite some youth and talent on the interior, the edges remain shaky - and old friend Michael Ola has taken over at right tackle for LaAdrian Waddle, who was released.
Rookie Ameer Abdullah has run for 553 yards (4.2 average) while catching 24 balls out of the backfield and losing two of his four fumbles. Bell is averaging 3.5 a carry, totaling 302 yards and four touchdowns. But the biggest weapon out of the backfield is Theo Riddick, who had a crushing 34-yard reception late in regulation back in Week Six. He leads all NFL running backs with 76 receptions for 668 yards (a franchise record for a running back).
Golden Tate's controversial scoring reception in the first meeting was one of six TD's and 86 receptions (ninth in the NFL). Ebron is starting to come around (42-512, four TD's) but Pettigrew is done for the season. T.J. Jones out of Notre Dame has stepped into playing time after Lance Moore was injured in Week 12 and has ten receptions for 132 yards.
Then there's Megatron. As he turns 30, his salary cap hit for next season is $24 million, so a decision on his future, or a renegotiation, looms. He's still productive (78-1,077, eight touchdowns) and remains a focus for opposing defense's, opening things up for Stafford's other weapons. The 57-yard bomb versus Harold Jones-Quartey set up the deciding field goal. The rookie hadn't started again until his strong performance last Sunday, leading HJ-Q to state afterwards he was looking forward to his rematch with Johnson this week. Okay. Have at it, kid.
The Lions lead the league in red zone touchdown percentage (68.1) but are 30th in opponents red zone TD percentage (64.9).
DEFENSE
Ziggy Ansah has stepped into the defensive spotlight vacated by Ndamukong Suh's departure. He's third in the league with 13.5 sacks. The only marks he made on the stat sheet versus Charles Leno, Jr. in Detroit were two quarterback hits. Devin Taylor (six sacks, including 3.5 in the last five) is taking snaps on the opposite end from Jason Jones (4.5 sacks). Ngata is back in the lineup, while Ivy Leaguer Caraun Reid starts at the other tackle after Tyrunn Walker landed on injured reserve.
That's also where stud linebacker Levy is after playing in just one game (17 snaps) this season before surgery for a hip injury sustained shortly after signing a four-year, $33 million contract extension in August. Middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch is their tackles leader, flanked by Tamir Whitehead and Josh Bynes.
The talented safety tandem of Ihedigbo and Glover Quin (three interceptions) is back in place, but Darius Slay now works in tandem with Nevin Lawson at cornerback after Rashean Mathis was lost for the season with an injury. Sixth-round rookie Quandre Diggs is just 5'9, but has four pass breakups and 14 tackles his last four games.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The weekly Burn Notice the Bears' Teams experienced early in the season came in the form of a 30-yard gain by Isa Abdul-Quddus on a direct snap out of punt formation with the Bears trying to protect that 31-24 fourth quarter lead. Jones struggled filling in for Abdullah (who was dealing with a hand injury) in the first meeting, but Abdullah's now leading the NFL with a 30.7 kickoff return average (no touchdowns) while Tate averages 7.5 per punt return. Prater went 3-for-3 in the first encounter and has connected on 21 of 22 field goal attempts on the season.
Here is every NFL playoff scenario with just one week remaining.
By Emmett Knowlton
With just one week remaining in the regular season, the playoff picture is starting to come into focus.
In the NFC, the six playoff teams are already set, but the seeding is still very much up in the air. The Vikings and Packers will play for the NFC North title, while the loser will drop into the wild card.
At the top half of the NFC, both the Panthers and Cardinals are guaranteed first-round byes, but the top-seed, and the home field advantage that comes with it, is yet to be decided.
Meanwhile, the AFC is still a logjam. A variety of scenarios will decide which team secures home field advantage, which teams secure first-round byes, and which teams secure the wild card. Monday night's Broncos vs. Bengals game will help give us a better sense of the AFC's playoff picture, but ultimately nothing is certain until after Week 17 ends.
Below you'll find every playoff scenario. Note that all percentages are courtesy of FiveThirtyEight.
AFC New England Patriots (12-3) — clinched playoff berth.
- Won AFC East, guaranteed a first-round bye.
- Can clinch home field advantage with a Week 17 win in Miami; or with losses by both Denver and Cincinnati.
- Won AFC North.
- Can clinch a first-round bye with a Week 16 win against Denver; or with a Week 17 win and a Denver loss; or if Kansas City wins and Denver loses in Week 17.
- Can secure home field advantage in AFC with Week 16 and Week 17 wins and a New England loss in Week 17.
Kansas City Chiefs (10-5) — clinched playoff berth.
- Can win AFC West with Week 17 win and a Denver loss in either Week 16 or Week 17; or if Denver loses out.
- Can clinch a playoff berth with a win in Week 16 (Monday night) or Week 17; or with a Pittsburgh loss in Week 17.
- Can clinch a first-round bye with wins in Week 16 and Week 17.
- Can win AFC West with a win in Week 16 or 17 and a Kansas City loss.
- Can secure home field advantage in AFC with Week 16 and Week 17 wins and a New England loss in Week 17.
Houston Texans (8-7) — 99% chance to make playoffs.
- Can win AFC South with a Week 17 win; or with an Indianapolis loss in Week 17; or if Cincinnati beats Denver in Week 16.
New York Jets (10-5) — 61% chance to make playoffs.
- Can clinch wild card spot with a Week 17 win against Buffalo; or with a Pittsburgh loss to Cleveland in Week 17; or if the Broncos lose final two games.
- Can clinch a wild card spot with Week 17 win and a Jets loss to Buffalo; or with a win and consecutive losses by the Broncos in Weeks 16 and 17 losses by the Broncos. The Steelers went from a 90% chance to make the playoffs to a 45% chance with a loss on Sunday to the Ravens.
- Can only make the playoffs by winning the AFC South, and in order to win the AFC South the Colts would need a Week 17 win and nine other scenarios to all play out concurrently.
NFC
Carolina Panthers (14-1) — clinched playoff berth.
- Won NFC South; guaranteed a 1st-round bye.
- Can clinch home field advantage with a Week 17 win or tie; or if Arizona loses in Week 17.
- Won NFC West; guaranteed a 1st-round bye.
- Can clinch home field advantage in NFC with a Week 17 win and a Carolina loss.
- Won NFC East.
- Secured a wild card spot.
- A Week 17 win against Arizona guarantees Seattle the 5th seed; a loss would drop them to the 6th seed only if Minnesota beats Green Bay.
- Wins NFC North with a win against Green Bay in Week 17
- A loss against Green Bay drops Vikings to 6th seed, regardless of Seattle's Week 17 result.
- Wins NFC North with a win or tie against Minnesota.
- A loss against Minnesota drops Vikings to either 5th or 6th seed, depending on outcome of Seattle's Week 17 game. If the Packers and Seahawks both lose in Week 17, the Packers would secure the 5th seed and Seattle would drop to the 6th seed due to head-to-head.
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Blackhawks batter Coyotes to end short-lived scoring drought.
By JJ Stankevitz
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
After managing one goal in their last two games, the reigning Stanley Cup champions blasted the Arizona Coyotes, 7-5, Tuesday night in front of crowd composed of mostly Blackhawks fans at Gila River Arena. The Blackhawks scored on three of their four power plays and at one point in the evening had four goals on eight shots.
Duncan Keith opened the scoring in a wild first period when he blasted a nifty Patrick Kane pass past Arizona goalie Anders Lindback from the top of the left circle. Kane notched another assist a minute and a half later, finding Brent Seabrook, who rifled a shot from the point that was deflected into the back of the net by Artem Anisimov.
Arizona quickly responded, with Shane Doan and Sbynek Michalek scoring back-to-back goals midway through the first. Doan’s was particularly egregious, as he flipped a bouncing puck toward Corey Crawford, who failed to pick the short hop off the ice as the puck careened past him for a goal.
But Artemi Panarin put the Blackhawks ahead for good with less than a minute left in the first, scoring his 11th goal of the season as the visitors ended the period a perfect three-for-three on power plays. The Blackhawks finished the night three of four on power plays, and now have 14 goals on 51 road power play attempts, a success rate of 27 percent that’s tops in the NHL.
Andrew Desjardins scored the first of his two goals early in the second, and Patrick Kane wristed a goal into an open net off a perfect circle-to-circle pass from Andrew Shaw.
Desjardins netted his second goal early in the third when Coyotes defenseman Nicklas Grossman deflected the Blackhawks center’s shot past goalie Louis Domingue — who replaced Lindback after the first period — for the sixth goal.
It turned out to be an important point, as Doan and Connor Murphy added third period goals to keep Arizona within striking distance. Jonathan Toews scored on an empty net late in the third period, which was quickly followed by Doan completing his second career hat trick with 27 seconds remaining. Doan's goal tied him with Hall of Famer Dale Hawerchuk for the most goals in Coyotes franchise history with 379.
The seven goals are a Blackhawks season-high and the most scored by the team since a Nov. 22, 2014 win over the Edmonton Oilers.
Just Another Chicago Bulls Session... Indiana Pacers-Chicago Bulls Preview.
By KEVIN MASSOTH
The Chicago Bulls have made a habit of playing up to elite competition and down to the lesser of late.
It seems the Indiana Pacers are rejoining the former, especially now that they're winning even when Paul George struggles.
The Bulls seek consecutive wins for the first time in two weeks when they host the rejuvenated Pacers on Wednesday night.
Chicago (17-12) has stumbled through a tough December, which features two three-game losing streaks and the well-documented critical comments from All-Star Jimmy Butler on new coach Fred Hoiberg.
The Bulls, though, do have five wins this season over division leaders - two over Oklahoma City and one apiece against Cleveland, San Antonio and Toronto - but they've lost to under-.500 teams Phoenix, New York and Brooklyn this month.
''It's all about effort and energy,'' point guard Derrick Rose said. ''We have that when we play the best teams and sometimes we don't against the lesser teams.''
Rose has averaged 21.3 points as the Bulls have won two of three games - beating the Thunder and Raptors - following a three-game skid which included losses to the Knicks and Nets.
The common thread to Friday's 105-96 win in Oklahoma City and Monday's 104-97 victory over Toronto was good defense, holding those teams to a combined 40.8 percent shooting. Opponents are averaging 92.5 points on 39.9 percent shooting in Chicago's wins, compared to 110.6 points and 44.5 percent in losses.
The common thread to Friday's 105-96 win in Oklahoma City and Monday's 104-97 victory over Toronto was good defense, holding those teams to a combined 40.8 percent shooting. Opponents are averaging 92.5 points on 39.9 percent shooting in Chicago's wins, compared to 110.6 points and 44.5 percent in losses.
The Bulls have seen mixed results against the Pacers (18-12), with each team winning once at home in November, but couldn't keep George in check either time. He totaled 59 points while making 8 of 15 from 3-point range, but the former All-Star enters this matchup stuck in his worst stretch of the season.
George is averaging 11.5 points in his last four games while shooting 25.4 percent. He scored nine points on 3-of-14 shooting in a 93-87 win over Atlanta on Monday.
It's a long season," George said. "I'd rather go through this now than late in the year."
It's a long season," George said. "I'd rather go through this now than late in the year."
Indiana had been 2-7 when he failed to score at least 19 points before winning its last two games without him doing so.
Monta Ellis has picked up the slack by averaging 23.0 points on 54.2 percent shooting in the last three games, including a season-high 26 on Monday.
George breaking his slump will take another big effort against Butler, an All-Defensive second-team pick last season. George has averaged 20.5 points in six games against the Bulls since Butler became a full-time starter in the 2013-14 season.
"I know Jimmy's one of the best defenders in this league," George said. "But it's him being locked in defensively that might get me going offensively."
George breaking his slump will take another big effort against Butler, an All-Defensive second-team pick last season. George has averaged 20.5 points in six games against the Bulls since Butler became a full-time starter in the 2013-14 season.
"I know Jimmy's one of the best defenders in this league," George said. "But it's him being locked in defensively that might get me going offensively."
The Pacers have certainly had Pau Gasol's number this season, limiting him to a combined 14 points on 6-of-27 shooting. Gasol, though, has averaged 22.2 points in his last five games.
Both teams are banged up with the Bulls still missing Mike Dunleavy (back) and Joakim Noah (shoulder sprain) while Doug McDermott is day-to-day with a sprained knee. While Jordan Hill (tooth infection) has been ruled out for the Pacers, it's unclear if Myles Turner (thumb) or C.J. Miles (back) will play.
Indiana has lost five of the last six meetings in Chicago.
The Bulls are 0-5 at home when giving up more than 100 points and 12-0 when they don't.
The Bulls are 0-5 at home when giving up more than 100 points and 12-0 when they don't.
Snell plays unlikely hero as Bulls pull away from impressive Raptors, 104-97. (Monday night's game, 12/28/2015).
By Vincent Goodwill
The Toronto Raptors came into Monday’s game against the Bulls ready to run and eager to stamp themselves as the best team in the East not named the Cleveland Cavaliers.
But the Bulls, playing their third game in four nights, were ready for a fight and used every trick in the toolbox despite being shorthanded to deliver a win on the scorecard, a 104-97 decision at the United Center.
For the first time this season, it wasn’t Derrick Rose or Jimmy Butler or Pau Gasol who led them to a win against a plus-.500 team. Actually Rose and Gasol sat for nearly the entire fourth quarter after scoring 23 of the 29 Bulls points in the third. Gasol (22 points, seven rebounds) re-entered with 1:25 left and the Bulls lead in double figures, and Rose came shortly thereafter.
“It’s not an easy decision,” Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said. “Pau had a really good game, and Derrick played well also. It’s the balancing act.”
But never fear, Tony Snell was there to close things out as we all expected. Hitting big triples, being in the right place to space the floor on other plays and actually finishing at the rim, he scored 16 in the final 12 minutes and finished with 22.
Playing because Doug McDermott was a late scratch with right knee soreness, Snell helped extended a five-point lead after three quarters into a 14-point lead with the stars on the bench, as the Bulls offense became more efficient as the night went on, finishing shooting 46 percent and 38 percent from 3-point range.
“You talk to him before and after I took him out of the lineup, and he took it like a champ,” Hoiberg said. “I told him to keep himself ready. He had some good workouts, and then he went out and responded.”
Rose put up 20 with four assists, doing most of his damage in the third and even hit three triples as his backcourt mate Butler struggled with his legs and his shot. Rose seemed to find his in the last few games, scoring 20 for the second time in a row and doing it on just 16 shots.
“I’m playing the same way, just taking the shots they’re giving me,” Rose said. “It’s something I work on every day.”
Butler scored just five but didn’t force his offense, taking just seven shots and adding five rebounds with four assists.
He didn’t have to, as Rose, Snell, Gasol, Bobby Portis and Aaron Brooks had efficient games going and there was no need to disrupt the flow.
Portis again stated his case for more playing time, and it’ll be damn near impossible to remove him when the roster returns to full health. Scoring 12 with nine rebounds is only part of it, as he and Taj Gibson (11 rebounds) helped the Bulls to a 49-46 rebounding edge.
But playing against some tough and crafty guys in the Raptors frontcourt, along with fighting through a bad call in the fourth when the Raptors were making a run, could go a long way into accelerating his maturation process.
“Effort and energy,” Rose said. “It’s those two things. If we bring them to games, who knows.”
Speaking of acceleration, there was Rose going against perhaps the Eastern Conference’s best point guard in Kyle Lowry, who scored 28 with nine assists and six rebounds. But on one of the game’s first plays, Lowry tried a turnaround jumper on Rose that was stuffed back in his face before recovering and going full-speed to the rim for a left-handed layup.
He played fast, but the Raptors played faster, thus opening up things for Luis Scola, who feasted to make all six of his shots in the first quarter as the Raptors took a nine-point lead and looked like they could blow the Bulls out of the building.
But Brooks and Portis re-energized the group in the second, scoring the first 19 points of the period and bringing things even at 42 right before halftime. Brooks scored 17 with five assists in 27 minutes.
It was the type of balance and poise that’s re-emerged for the Bulls in the last week or so, and perhaps they’ve weathered a self-made storm that will help them down the line.
Bulls rookie Bobby Portis shining after opportunity.
By Vincent Goodwill
(Photo/thesportsmockery.com)
The Rookie treatment is something first-year players have to get adjusted to, particularly from officials as the players begin to think they’re being targeted—often to the point of paranoia.
But when an official from half-court calls a foul on what the league will likely deem a flopping violation, Bobby Portis has every right to get the “crazy eyes” and talk about a lack of fair treatment.
Here’s looking at you, Kyle Lowry, who acted as if he were shot from a cannon when Portis grabbed a rebound and Lowry flung for the ball, barely making contact with Portis’ elbow that wasn’t extended.
It drew an offensive foul on Portis and gave the Raptors a little bit of life midway through the fourth as they were desperate for a late comeback in the Bulls’ 104-97 win Monday.
“I think he flopped,” Portis said. “I kinda got the rebound and I hit him a little bit. It’s the way he reacted, I don’t think it was a foul.”
But after the momentary frustration subsided, the rookie scored on a cut to the basket while being fouled, restoring a double-digit lead and playing crucial, valuable minutes in a win he felt was necessary.
“I feel like our team needed this for a confidence boost,” Portis said. “It’s a long season and we needed the positive energy.”
Portis scored 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds in 27 minutes of run, his fifth straight game where he’s played consistent minutes. Fans have been crying for the energetic first-round pick to get some playing time but it took Joakim Noah’s shoulder injury to create some room for Fred Hoiberg to use him.
And now, Hoiberg’s going to have to keep Portis on the floor because he’s so effective, even when Noah returns.
“He’s not afraid of the moment that’s for sure,” the Bulls coach said. “To be 20 years old and go out there, big minutes against Oklahoma City in a game on Christmas Day on ABC, it shows you what the kid’s makeup is all about. The kid’s got no concern, just thrives and has all kinds of confidence. You love to see that. He’s not gonna back down from anybody.”
Hoiberg said Portis grabbed “some grown-man rebounds” down there, a nod to the growing toughness forged by practicing against the likes of Noah and Taj Gibson every day.
“It’s a wonderful thing,” Gibson said. “Bobby’s one of those guys, he’s a young guy but he’s so eager. He challenges you every day in practice. It’s like going against one of those old Boston Celtics.”
Sitting and waiting hasn’t been the easiest, especially with the Bulls lacking energy plenty of nights and other members of Portis’ rookie class getting the opportunities to play and play through mistakes.
“I can be patient. I haven’t had to wait on my turn since high school,” Portis said. “It’s the next stepping stone of my career, and I’m just being patient. And I’ve harped on it. It’s came and now I’ll keep working to be the best I can for this ball club.”
And one thing Portis is not, is bashful. When he’s out there, he’s looking for his shot and post-ups. He plants himself on the block and has a comfort level with a right-handed jump hook he executed twice to perfection in the second quarter, when he and Aaron Brooks combined to score the first 19 points, erasing a nine-point deficit.
“He’s still a rookie and he’s gonna make mistakes,” Gibson said. “Even if you know it, you have to put it in his head to be aggressive.”
He kept asking Gibson questions throughout the game about matchups and angles, and kept taking advantage, earning Hoiberg’s trust to the point of playing big minutes in the fourth when the energetic Bulls ran away from the Raptors while the vets sat on the bench.
“It’s at an even keel,” said Portis of his demeanor. “I’m not where I need to be or where I want to be. I just let the game come to me. It’s just picking the defense.”
“Offensively I wanna bring aggression. Post up, shoot, pass the ball. Blocking shots, rebounding. Rebounding has always come to me, I can do that at a high level.”
And with that, he’s become a valuable asset for the Bulls, not just for the future but the present as well.
Cubs believe Jason Heyward still has room to grow as a power hitter.
By Tony Andracki
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
If you thought fans were excited when Jason Heyward chose to sign in Chicago, just imagine how the Cubs must be feeling.
Joe Maddon called Heyward "a beautiful man," throughout the 2015 season when he watched the dynamic 26-year-old outfielder star for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Theo Epstein's front office took note of the way Heyward played against the Cubs all year, but it was a particular at-bat in the National League Division Series that really caught Epstein's eye.
In Game 3 at Wrigley Field, Heyward got a breaking ball from Jake Arrieta - the best pitcher on the planet at the time - off the plate outside and drove it to the left-field bleachers.
"It was a swing I hadn't seen from him up close in person before," Epstein said. "It shows a real sophisticated approach and an ability to make and adjustment like that against one of the best pitchers in the game.
"A lot of our players and staff were buzzing about that swing in the clubhouse after the game. You couldn't help but envision maybe some of the damage he could do playing at Wrigley Field on a consistent basis."
Heyward has had success at Wrigley Field throughout his career, sporting an .898 OPS (on a .311/.376/.522 line) in 25 games at "The Friendly Confines."
He also enjoyed playing in Chicago during the postseason, going 3-for-6 with a double, that homer off Arrieta and a pair of walks in a limited sample size.
That being said, Heyward only hit 13 homers in the regular season, after hitting 11 in 2014. In fact, he's only topped 18 homers one time in his career - clubbing 27 with the Atlanta Braves in 2012.
The Cubs are paying Heyward like a middle-of-the-order slugger ($184 million), but the fact of the matter is, he may never develop into more of a power hitter.
That doesn't mean the Cubs can't hope, however.
"I think it's in there," Epstein said. "He has hit 27 home runs before. There are a lot of players who don't find their consistent power stroke until they get to this age - 26, 27, 28."
Epstein then compared Heyward to another right fielder - Dwight Evans - who didn't find his consistent power stroke until his late 20s with the Boston Red Sox.
Up until age 26, Evans managed just 65 homers over six seasons in the big leagues, topping out at 17 in 1976 at age 24.
However, Evans hit 24 homers in his age 26 season, launching a 12-year run where he hit 301 longballs, averaging 25 per season and hitting at least 20 in every year but one during that stretch.
"Obviously for Jason, it's in there," Epstein said. "But his frame and his batspeed, how far he does hit the ball when he gets ahold of one and his ability to manipulate the barrel and opposite field home runs in parks that allow it like Wrigley Field, I think there's more power in there.
"But the beautiful thing about this is he doesn't have to hit for more power than he already has to really help us win a lot of games because of what he brings to the table defensively, on the bases and his on-base skills.
"Now, you add consistent power production into the mix and you're talking about one of the true, true elites in the game. We'll see how his career evolves.
"But he doesn't have to do more than what he's already done. His approach and how hard he works and wants to get better and the growth mindset that he has, he could put it all together."
Heyward was an interesting free agent, given that most players who hit the open market are on the wrong side of 30. But he is a young player with his prime years ahead of him and even though he isn't a consistent power threat yet, he was still considered the top position player in the free agent class.
Heyward appreciates the way this game has developed and everybody can understand there's more to a player's skillset than just batting average, home runs and RBI.
But he also believes - like the Cubs - that there's room for his game to grow.
"I feel like I'm not done," Heyward said. "I feel like there's more in there. I said that at the beginning of spring training in 2015.
"I feel like I took some strides going forward and getting back to some things that I used to do when I was 19, 20 years old. I want to see what I can do to make the most of that and continue to build off this past year."
White Sox reportedly continue to pursue Alex Gordon, Yoenis Cespedes.
By Dan Hayes
The White Sox reportedly are still in the hunt for outfielders Yoenis Cespedes and Alex Gordon.
New reports surfaced on Tuesday that the White Sox continue to pursue the free agent outfielders, including one that lists the White Sox among the leaders for Cespedes, who was valued at 6.7 Wins Above Replacement last season by Fangraphs.com.
While the White Sox have already made a series of moves this offseason sure to impact the roster, general manager Rick Hahn said earlier this month the team would stay aggressive on “multiple fronts.” After they spruced up the infield with the additions of Todd Frazier and Brett Lawrie and two offensive-minded catchers were added, it appears the team’s focus is now on the outfield.
One factor that can’t be overlooked is how the shelves are still stocked full of premium players with spring training roughly seven weeks away. Many suspected the $184-million deal Jason Heyward signed with the Cubs on Dec. 11 would break the ice and begin a wave of signings.
But Gordon, Cespedes and Justin Upton remain unsigned with the New Year right around the corner. A surplus of talent (Dexter Fowler also remains unsigned) could mean that prices have dropped, which likely gives the White Sox a better chance to add an outfielder.
Foxsports.com’s Ken Rosenthal suggested the White Sox are strong in their pursuit of the two outfielders on Tuesday. Meanwhile, MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez said the White Sox and Baltimore Orioles are considered in the lead “for now” for the services of Cespedes.
Cespedes, 30, is expected to earn a bigger annual salary than Gordon and could command a deal in the five-year range. But, because he was traded last July, Cespedes — who hit .291/.328/.542 with 35 home runs last season — doesn’t require the team he signs with to surrender a draft pick.
While the White Sox have said they’d prefer to hang on to their draft picks, including the compensatory selection for losing Jeff Samardzija, Hahn said it wouldn’t stop them from signing a player if he were deemed the right fit.
Gordon, who turns 32 this season, is expected to receive a lesser deal in the four-year range. The Kansas City Royals product and four-time Gold Glove winner hit .271/.377/.432 in 104 games last season and would tidy up an outfield that was minus-22 in Defensive Runs Saved, according to Fangraphs. But in order to sign Gordon, the White Sox would have to surrender their second-highest pick, which is expected to fall between 27-29 in next June’s draft.
With Frazier, Lawrie, Alex Avila and Dioner Navarro in the mix, payroll for the White Sox 25-man roster already is hovering in the $115 million range.
Joe Maddon called Heyward "a beautiful man," throughout the 2015 season when he watched the dynamic 26-year-old outfielder star for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Theo Epstein's front office took note of the way Heyward played against the Cubs all year, but it was a particular at-bat in the National League Division Series that really caught Epstein's eye.
In Game 3 at Wrigley Field, Heyward got a breaking ball from Jake Arrieta - the best pitcher on the planet at the time - off the plate outside and drove it to the left-field bleachers.
"It was a swing I hadn't seen from him up close in person before," Epstein said. "It shows a real sophisticated approach and an ability to make and adjustment like that against one of the best pitchers in the game.
"A lot of our players and staff were buzzing about that swing in the clubhouse after the game. You couldn't help but envision maybe some of the damage he could do playing at Wrigley Field on a consistent basis."
Heyward has had success at Wrigley Field throughout his career, sporting an .898 OPS (on a .311/.376/.522 line) in 25 games at "The Friendly Confines."
He also enjoyed playing in Chicago during the postseason, going 3-for-6 with a double, that homer off Arrieta and a pair of walks in a limited sample size.
That being said, Heyward only hit 13 homers in the regular season, after hitting 11 in 2014. In fact, he's only topped 18 homers one time in his career - clubbing 27 with the Atlanta Braves in 2012.
The Cubs are paying Heyward like a middle-of-the-order slugger ($184 million), but the fact of the matter is, he may never develop into more of a power hitter.
That doesn't mean the Cubs can't hope, however.
"I think it's in there," Epstein said. "He has hit 27 home runs before. There are a lot of players who don't find their consistent power stroke until they get to this age - 26, 27, 28."
Epstein then compared Heyward to another right fielder - Dwight Evans - who didn't find his consistent power stroke until his late 20s with the Boston Red Sox.
Up until age 26, Evans managed just 65 homers over six seasons in the big leagues, topping out at 17 in 1976 at age 24.
However, Evans hit 24 homers in his age 26 season, launching a 12-year run where he hit 301 longballs, averaging 25 per season and hitting at least 20 in every year but one during that stretch.
"Obviously for Jason, it's in there," Epstein said. "But his frame and his batspeed, how far he does hit the ball when he gets ahold of one and his ability to manipulate the barrel and opposite field home runs in parks that allow it like Wrigley Field, I think there's more power in there.
"But the beautiful thing about this is he doesn't have to hit for more power than he already has to really help us win a lot of games because of what he brings to the table defensively, on the bases and his on-base skills.
"Now, you add consistent power production into the mix and you're talking about one of the true, true elites in the game. We'll see how his career evolves.
"But he doesn't have to do more than what he's already done. His approach and how hard he works and wants to get better and the growth mindset that he has, he could put it all together."
Heyward was an interesting free agent, given that most players who hit the open market are on the wrong side of 30. But he is a young player with his prime years ahead of him and even though he isn't a consistent power threat yet, he was still considered the top position player in the free agent class.
Heyward appreciates the way this game has developed and everybody can understand there's more to a player's skillset than just batting average, home runs and RBI.
But he also believes - like the Cubs - that there's room for his game to grow.
"I feel like I'm not done," Heyward said. "I feel like there's more in there. I said that at the beginning of spring training in 2015.
"I feel like I took some strides going forward and getting back to some things that I used to do when I was 19, 20 years old. I want to see what I can do to make the most of that and continue to build off this past year."
White Sox reportedly continue to pursue Alex Gordon, Yoenis Cespedes.
By Dan Hayes
The White Sox reportedly are still in the hunt for outfielders Yoenis Cespedes and Alex Gordon.
New reports surfaced on Tuesday that the White Sox continue to pursue the free agent outfielders, including one that lists the White Sox among the leaders for Cespedes, who was valued at 6.7 Wins Above Replacement last season by Fangraphs.com.
While the White Sox have already made a series of moves this offseason sure to impact the roster, general manager Rick Hahn said earlier this month the team would stay aggressive on “multiple fronts.” After they spruced up the infield with the additions of Todd Frazier and Brett Lawrie and two offensive-minded catchers were added, it appears the team’s focus is now on the outfield.
One factor that can’t be overlooked is how the shelves are still stocked full of premium players with spring training roughly seven weeks away. Many suspected the $184-million deal Jason Heyward signed with the Cubs on Dec. 11 would break the ice and begin a wave of signings.
But Gordon, Cespedes and Justin Upton remain unsigned with the New Year right around the corner. A surplus of talent (Dexter Fowler also remains unsigned) could mean that prices have dropped, which likely gives the White Sox a better chance to add an outfielder.
Foxsports.com’s Ken Rosenthal suggested the White Sox are strong in their pursuit of the two outfielders on Tuesday. Meanwhile, MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez said the White Sox and Baltimore Orioles are considered in the lead “for now” for the services of Cespedes.
Cespedes, 30, is expected to earn a bigger annual salary than Gordon and could command a deal in the five-year range. But, because he was traded last July, Cespedes — who hit .291/.328/.542 with 35 home runs last season — doesn’t require the team he signs with to surrender a draft pick.
While the White Sox have said they’d prefer to hang on to their draft picks, including the compensatory selection for losing Jeff Samardzija, Hahn said it wouldn’t stop them from signing a player if he were deemed the right fit.
Gordon, who turns 32 this season, is expected to receive a lesser deal in the four-year range. The Kansas City Royals product and four-time Gold Glove winner hit .271/.377/.432 in 104 games last season and would tidy up an outfield that was minus-22 in Defensive Runs Saved, according to Fangraphs. But in order to sign Gordon, the White Sox would have to surrender their second-highest pick, which is expected to fall between 27-29 in next June’s draft.
With Frazier, Lawrie, Alex Avila and Dioner Navarro in the mix, payroll for the White Sox 25-man roster already is hovering in the $115 million range.
In pursuit of offense, White Sox haven't overlooked defense.
Todd Frazier’s bat is critical to his new team, but the third baseman’s glove also brings significant — and much-needed — value, too.
As they try to mop up the sloppy mess left by three consecutive losing seasons, the White Sox have been hopeful to not only find players who could hit, but ones also capable of good defense.
While the team’s offense excelled in inducing boredom last season, it finished last in the American League in most major offensive categories. And the defense wasn’t much better. The 2015 White Sox finished 28th in the majors in Defensive Runs Saved with minus-39 and were last in Ultimate Zone Rating (minus-39.5), according to Fangraphs.com.
In Frazier, the White Sox finally believe they have a third baseman that can provide them with both aspects. Frazier was acquired from the Cincinnati Reds earlier this month in a three-team deal that sent Frankie Montas, Trayce Thompson and Micah Johnson to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“Certainly the offense is probably the calling card,” general manager Rick Hahn said. “You are talking about a guy who also was a Gold Glove finalist and one of the better defensive third basemen in the game, depending on which metric you trust over the last several years.”
Over the past three seasons, Frazier has averaged six Defensive Runs Saved, which ranks fifth among all qualified major league third baseman. He also has averaged a 7.8 Ultimate Zone Rating, which is also fifth.
Overall, third base wasn’t a huge problem defensively for the White Sox in 2015 because they limited the damage Conor Gillaspie could do when they replaced and traded him by July. With outstanding glovework provided by Gordon Beckham and Tyler Saladino, the White Sox finished 10th in Defensive Runs Saved with four.
But the team’s third baseman also combined to produce a .611 OPS, which ranked 30th, and only hit 16 home runs.
That’s where Frazier comes in. In the past two seasons, Frazier has blasted 64 homers, including 35 in 2015.
The White Sox also hope to receive a similar uptick in offensive production at second base from Brett Lawrie without suffering much of a defensive drop off. A strong defender at third base in his first two seasons, Lawrie is believed to be a very capable second baseman (Hahn called him ‘solid’ and thinks he is an everyday player).
If he can do that and hit 15 homers, as Fangraphs projects, the White Sox would feel pretty confident they have improved in both areas on the infield. And Hahn would have done so without robbing Peter to pay Paul, as he likes to say.
“While certainly the offense has been a priority, or upgrading the offense, we didn’t want to lose sight of some of the defensive issues we’ve had in the recent past,” Hahn said. “We didn’t want to give away, we didn’t want to exacerbate that problem while addressing the offense. This (Frazier) move helped us both offensively and defensively at a difficult position to fill.”
Next up, the White Sox reportedly are looking to improve upon an outfield that combined for minus-22 Defensive Runs Saved (though minus-16 came from center field). Several national reports have suggested the White Sox are pursuing corner outfielder Alex Gordon, who has saved 94 runs in six seasons.
Even if Gordon were asked to switch from left field to right, he’d provide an instant upgrade over Avisail Garcia, who has produced minus-21 runs saved over the last two seasons.
Golf: I got a club for that..... PGA Tour widening gap in world ranking points.
By DOUG FERGUSON
European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley laid out ambitious plans with hopes of becoming a ''viable alternative'' to the PGA Tour.
That starts with an increase in prize money, and he went so far as to say that it would make more sense for the European Tour's flagship event to be the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai ($8 million purse) instead of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth ($5 million purse) because of the money.
Another measure of the mountain he has to climb is the world ranking.
The gap continues to widen in the average ranking points for PGA Tour events compared with Europe - up an average of one point this year, two points from 2012.
Including the four majors and the four World Golf Championships, the PGA Tour averaged 56.4 points for the winner compared with 42.2 points for the European Tour. That's a difference of 14.2 points, up from 13.3 points a year ago.
Throw out the majors (each worth 100 points) and the WGCs, and the PGA Tour offered an average of 49.5 points compared with 32.9 points for the European Tour.
The European Tour had six regular events that offered 50 points or more, including the BMW PGA Championship, which is guaranteed 64 points as the flagship event. The PGA Tour had seven events that offered 60 points or more, including The Players Championship, which is guaranteed 80 points (The Players actually has a stronger field by raw numbers than three of the majors).
The four events in The Finals Series for the Race to Dubai offered an average of 53 points to the winner. The four FedEx Cup playoff events on the PGA Tour awarded an average of 68.5 points to the winner.
Pelley is aware he needs time to become a viable option, and his target is the next generation of players.
''That's not going to happen necessarily in 2016,'' Pelley said last month in Dubai. ''You'll start to see it happen in 2017. You'll start to see it come to fruition in 2018. We definitely in three to five years will have a viable alternative, so that 17-, 18-, 19-year-old doesn't necessarily need to go to America to be able to make as much money as they possibly can.''
SETTING THE BAR HIGH: Jordan Spieth and caddie Michael Greller have made a bet each of their three years. Greller sets a number of times Spieth must hole out from off the green, and if he surpasses the number, Greller has to take him for dinner. Of course, Spieth gets to invite anyone he wants, and last year in San Diego there were about 20 guests on Greller's tab.
''That's not going to happen necessarily in 2016,'' Pelley said last month in Dubai. ''You'll start to see it happen in 2017. You'll start to see it come to fruition in 2018. We definitely in three to five years will have a viable alternative, so that 17-, 18-, 19-year-old doesn't necessarily need to go to America to be able to make as much money as they possibly can.''
SETTING THE BAR HIGH: Jordan Spieth and caddie Michael Greller have made a bet each of their three years. Greller sets a number of times Spieth must hole out from off the green, and if he surpasses the number, Greller has to take him for dinner. Of course, Spieth gets to invite anyone he wants, and last year in San Diego there were about 20 guests on Greller's tab.
Based on what he did last year, the new number for Spieth to beat is 20. Only it doesn't start next week at Kapalua.
''He talked me into starting in Australia,'' Greller said, shaking his head.
Spieth holed out with an 8-iron on the 17th hole at the Australian Open. A week later, Spieth made a hole-in-one at Albany Golf Club on his second hole of the Hero World Challenge.
Alas, there was one sliver of good news.
''He wanted anything over 100 yards to count as double,'' Greller said in the Bahamas. ''So it would be four if I had gone for that.''
Holing out in the majors, however, still counts double.
HORSCHEL'S OUTLOOK: Billy Horschel wanted to be the first player to win the FedEx Cup in consecutive years. Not only did he fail to make it to the Tour Championship, he didn't make it back to Kapalua for the Hyundai Tournament of Champions.
Horschel is known as a streaky player. He had a big run in the spring of 2013 when he won in New Orleans, and then had only four top 10s in his next 39 events. He had a great run in September 2014 when he won the BMW Championship and Tour Championship to capture the FedEx Cup, and he has had only three top 10s in 30 tournaments worldwide since then.
He thinks he knows the fix.
''We played a lot with Jordan (Spieth), a lot with Zach (Johnson). We see them hit it 10 to 15 feet on average, and I'm hitting it 20 to 30,'' Horschel said. ''For me to be a more consistent player and have those runs last longer than a four- to five-week stretch, my short game and wedge play need to be more consistent.''
Holing out in the majors, however, still counts double.
HORSCHEL'S OUTLOOK: Billy Horschel wanted to be the first player to win the FedEx Cup in consecutive years. Not only did he fail to make it to the Tour Championship, he didn't make it back to Kapalua for the Hyundai Tournament of Champions.
Horschel is known as a streaky player. He had a big run in the spring of 2013 when he won in New Orleans, and then had only four top 10s in his next 39 events. He had a great run in September 2014 when he won the BMW Championship and Tour Championship to capture the FedEx Cup, and he has had only three top 10s in 30 tournaments worldwide since then.
He thinks he knows the fix.
''We played a lot with Jordan (Spieth), a lot with Zach (Johnson). We see them hit it 10 to 15 feet on average, and I'm hitting it 20 to 30,'' Horschel said. ''For me to be a more consistent player and have those runs last longer than a four- to five-week stretch, my short game and wedge play need to be more consistent.''
Horschel said he has worked so hard on his short game the last few months that ''I'm sick of hitting wedges.''
''If we look back at 2016, the reason I'll have had a great year is because I put in all the time on my wedge play, and it's a result of it,'' he said.
IT'S ALL ABOUT TIMING: Imagine if Rickie Fowler could blend his last two seasons.
IT'S ALL ABOUT TIMING: Imagine if Rickie Fowler could blend his last two seasons.
Last year was all about the majors. Fowler in 2014 joined Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus as the only players to finish in the top five at all four majors (Jordan Spieth did it this year). The only problem was Fowler didn't win any of them. In fact, he didn't win at all.
This year, he won a career-high three times - The Players Championship, Scottish Open and a FedEx Cup playoff event at the Deutsche Bank Championship. But the majors were somewhat of a bust. He shot 81-73 to miss the cut in the U.S. Open, and he finished a combined 37 shots behind in the other three majors.
This year, he won a career-high three times - The Players Championship, Scottish Open and a FedEx Cup playoff event at the Deutsche Bank Championship. But the majors were somewhat of a bust. He shot 81-73 to miss the cut in the U.S. Open, and he finished a combined 37 shots behind in the other three majors.
So how do you have a year of big wins and big chances in majors?
''No clue,'' Fowler said with a smile. ''I've been trying to figure that out. I don't think there's a justifiable answer. It's just timing, when you get hot. You can only prepare so much and be ready to play. But actually getting it to happen at the right time?''
So which year would he rather have? He was plenty happy with this one.
''Holding trophies feels a lot better,'' Fowler said.
BACK TO TORREY? Adam Scott wants to play two times during the West Coast swing. One will be the Sony Open because Honolulu is on his way back from Australia. He loves Riviera, where he won in 2005 when it was reduced to 36 holes because of rain. Then again, Torrey Pines makes more sense because of the schedule. He could hang out in Hawaii an extra week and then tee it up the next week in San Diego.
BACK TO TORREY? Adam Scott wants to play two times during the West Coast swing. One will be the Sony Open because Honolulu is on his way back from Australia. He loves Riviera, where he won in 2005 when it was reduced to 36 holes because of rain. Then again, Torrey Pines makes more sense because of the schedule. He could hang out in Hawaii an extra week and then tee it up the next week in San Diego.
Scott hasn't been to Torrey Pines since the 2008 U.S. Open. And he hasn't seen the North Course since he was a teenager.
He played the 1994 Junior World Championship and tied for 20th. Trevor Immelman was the runner-up that year, losing in a playoff to a kid named Ben Flam.
Also in the field that week: Jose Luis Campra, who now caddies for Emiliano Grillo, and Joe Skovron, the caddie for Rickie Fowler.
STAT OF THE WEEK: Of the 14 players who have won the Masters and British Open, two are not yet in the World Golf Hall of Fame - Tiger Woods and Zach Johnson.
FINAL WORD: ''They weren't like Jordan and Rory, winning multiple majors in their early 20s. There was really only Tiger doing that at the time.'' - Adam Scott, comparing young players today with his generation.
Euro Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke labels his team underdogs.
By Ryan Ballengee
The European Ryder Cup team has won eight of the last 10 biennial matches.
Their only losses in that stretch have come on American soil, thanks to the Miracle at Brookline in 1999 and a Paul Azinger-led trouncing in 2008 at Valhalla.
The Ryder Cup returns to American soil next fall, with the Americans looking to turn the embarrassment and dissension from the 2014 matches at Gleneagles into a Task Force-inspired win and a bit of sweet revenge for second-time captain Davis Love III at Hazeltine National in Minnesota.
The Ryder Cup returns to American soil next fall, with the Americans looking to turn the embarrassment and dissension from the 2014 matches at Gleneagles into a Task Force-inspired win and a bit of sweet revenge for second-time captain Davis Love III at Hazeltine National in Minnesota.
European captain Darren Clarke hopes to spoil those dreams and continue his side's dominance. However, he's couching his team -- at least, right now -- as the underdogs.
This is a common European tactic, making it seem like they're not as talented as their American foes, hoping to inspire their players to rise to the occasion yet again. Since it works, why deviate and give the Americans some potential bulletin board material? Every American who will make the U.S. team, however, knows the generation-long bad history of the Americans and the Ryder Cup. It is a motivating factor, certainly.
Maybe that's why former PGA of America president Ted Bishop, who hired Tom Watson as a disastrous captain for Gleneagles, called out Clarke for singing the inaccurate refrain.
Maybe that's why former PGA of America president Ted Bishop, who hired Tom Watson as a disastrous captain for Gleneagles, called out Clarke for singing the inaccurate refrain.
NASCAR: 2015 Season in Review: Martin Truex Jr.
By Daniel McFadin
(Photo/motorsport.com)
MARTIN TRUEX JR
CREW CHIEF: Cole Pearn
TEAM: Furniture Row Racing
POINTS: 4th
WINS: 1 (Pocono I)
Top 5s: 8 (career best)
TOP 10s: 22 (career best)
LAPS LED: 567 (career best)
POLES: 0
WHAT WENT RIGHT: Truex qualified for the Chase for the Sprint Cup for the third time in his career a year after recording the worst season of his career … Truex advanced all the way to the championship race before finishing fourth, his career best result … After leading the most laps in the three previous races without winning, Truex scored his first and only win of 2015 in the spring race at Pocono Raceway. It was Truex’s first win since the 2013 event at Sonoma Raceway …
WHAT WENT WRONG: Truex’s hot summer streak ended when he recorded his only two DNF’s of the year in consecutive races, at Daytona and Sonoma … After his Pocono win, the N0. 78 failed to lead a lap in 15 of the next 18 races … Though he advanced to the championship race, Truex failed to win any race in the Chase.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2016: Truex enters his third season with Furniture Row Racing and it will be the team’s first with Toyota after years with Chevrolet. FRC will be part of a partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing.
Motors: Scott Goodyear, Super Bowl champ Adam Vinatieri, form F4 team for 2016.
By Jerry Bonkowski
CREW CHIEF: Cole Pearn
TEAM: Furniture Row Racing
POINTS: 4th
WINS: 1 (Pocono I)
Top 5s: 8 (career best)
TOP 10s: 22 (career best)
LAPS LED: 567 (career best)
POLES: 0
WHAT WENT RIGHT: Truex qualified for the Chase for the Sprint Cup for the third time in his career a year after recording the worst season of his career … Truex advanced all the way to the championship race before finishing fourth, his career best result … After leading the most laps in the three previous races without winning, Truex scored his first and only win of 2015 in the spring race at Pocono Raceway. It was Truex’s first win since the 2013 event at Sonoma Raceway …
WHAT WENT WRONG: Truex’s hot summer streak ended when he recorded his only two DNF’s of the year in consecutive races, at Daytona and Sonoma … After his Pocono win, the N0. 78 failed to lead a lap in 15 of the next 18 races … Though he advanced to the championship race, Truex failed to win any race in the Chase.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2016: Truex enters his third season with Furniture Row Racing and it will be the team’s first with Toyota after years with Chevrolet. FRC will be part of a partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing.
Motors: Scott Goodyear, Super Bowl champ Adam Vinatieri, form F4 team for 2016.
By Jerry Bonkowski
(Photo/Getty Images)
The world of racing and football have come together to form a new open-wheel team that will compete in the FIA Formula 4 Series sanctioned by SCCA Racing.
Two-time Indianapolis 500 runner-up and broadcaster Scott Goodyear, three-time Indianapolis 500 competitor Dr. Jack Miller and four-time Super Bowl champion Adam Vinatieri have formed a new team known as Goodyear, Miller, Vinatieri Motorsports LLC.
The new organization is wasting little time getting started. Based in Westfield, Indiana, just north of Indianapolis, Honda-powered GMVM plans to campaign up to two entries in the Formula 4 series in 2016.
The three principals of the organization bring their own unique talents to serve in specialized roles. Goodyear has past experience not only as a professional racer, but also as a driving instructor.
Miller will handle much of the marketing and conceptualization of the new program, while Vinatieri is a member of the Indianapolis Colts, and before that won four Super Bowl titles with the New England Patriots. A longtime motorsports fan, Vinatieri hopes to translate some of the success he has achieved on the football field to his race team and what it does on race tracks.
“I’ve known Jack for years and his commitment to success and his passion for the sport inspired me to get involved,” Vinatieri said in a media release. “Indianapolis is all about racing and helping young drivers work to achieve greatness and make it to the pinnacle of the sport at the Indy 500 is something I’m excited about.”
In a sense, the team will be a combination of friends as owners and a family affair that will feature two of their sons as competitors.
Goodyear’s son, Michael, will run a limited number of events. A college sophomore and Accounting and Economics double major, has been racing in karting since age 12 and has collected a number of poles, wins and six championships.
Meanwhile, Miller’s son, Jack William, will be a test driver for the team in 2016 and hopes to participate full-time in the 2017 season. Jack William has been racing since the age of 3 and has earned over 100 karting wins and multiple championships across several karting classes.
“F4 allows young up and coming drivers to graduate from karting to a state of the art open-wheel car and gain valuable experience in a single-seater,” Goodyear said. “I’m excited to be part of this leading edge series and to have the opportunity to share my racing knowledge and some valuable secrets of success with up and coming racers.
“Both Jack and Michael have shown their speed and success in karting, and like many fathers whose child is competing in karting, I’m excited for them to move up to the next level of competition and we are excited to provide that opportunity for them and others in the Formula 4 Series.”
At the same time, GMVM is looking for additional younger drivers to potentially fill a second car.
“The team is excited by the opportunity that the Formula 4 series will provide young racers and will have the option of a second car for the season and welcomes inquiries from interested drivers who wish to advance their skills under the guidance of the team,” the release said.
The Formula 4 Series begins on May 27-28 at Lime Rock Park and will run a 15-race, five-venue schedule.
SOCCER: Stoke City considering making move for Fire’s Accam.
Two-time Indianapolis 500 runner-up and broadcaster Scott Goodyear, three-time Indianapolis 500 competitor Dr. Jack Miller and four-time Super Bowl champion Adam Vinatieri have formed a new team known as Goodyear, Miller, Vinatieri Motorsports LLC.
The new organization is wasting little time getting started. Based in Westfield, Indiana, just north of Indianapolis, Honda-powered GMVM plans to campaign up to two entries in the Formula 4 series in 2016.
The three principals of the organization bring their own unique talents to serve in specialized roles. Goodyear has past experience not only as a professional racer, but also as a driving instructor.
Miller will handle much of the marketing and conceptualization of the new program, while Vinatieri is a member of the Indianapolis Colts, and before that won four Super Bowl titles with the New England Patriots. A longtime motorsports fan, Vinatieri hopes to translate some of the success he has achieved on the football field to his race team and what it does on race tracks.
“I’ve known Jack for years and his commitment to success and his passion for the sport inspired me to get involved,” Vinatieri said in a media release. “Indianapolis is all about racing and helping young drivers work to achieve greatness and make it to the pinnacle of the sport at the Indy 500 is something I’m excited about.”
In a sense, the team will be a combination of friends as owners and a family affair that will feature two of their sons as competitors.
Goodyear’s son, Michael, will run a limited number of events. A college sophomore and Accounting and Economics double major, has been racing in karting since age 12 and has collected a number of poles, wins and six championships.
Meanwhile, Miller’s son, Jack William, will be a test driver for the team in 2016 and hopes to participate full-time in the 2017 season. Jack William has been racing since the age of 3 and has earned over 100 karting wins and multiple championships across several karting classes.
“F4 allows young up and coming drivers to graduate from karting to a state of the art open-wheel car and gain valuable experience in a single-seater,” Goodyear said. “I’m excited to be part of this leading edge series and to have the opportunity to share my racing knowledge and some valuable secrets of success with up and coming racers.
“Both Jack and Michael have shown their speed and success in karting, and like many fathers whose child is competing in karting, I’m excited for them to move up to the next level of competition and we are excited to provide that opportunity for them and others in the Formula 4 Series.”
At the same time, GMVM is looking for additional younger drivers to potentially fill a second car.
“The team is excited by the opportunity that the Formula 4 series will provide young racers and will have the option of a second car for the season and welcomes inquiries from interested drivers who wish to advance their skills under the guidance of the team,” the release said.
The Formula 4 Series begins on May 27-28 at Lime Rock Park and will run a 15-race, five-venue schedule.
SOCCER: Stoke City considering making move for Fire’s Accam.
By Dan Santaromita
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
A number of big name MLS players have moved abroad early in the offseason, and Chicago Fire winger David Accam could be joining that group soon.
Accam has been training with Premier League team Stoke City during the MLS offseason, and now the English club may be looking into acquiring the 25-year-old, according to reports from his native Ghana and from British tabloid The Daily Mail. His training stint with Stoke has sparked some rumors of a move to England after Accam led the Fire with a team-high 10 goals in 24 appearances in 2015.
He would need to qualify for a work permit, which isn’t a given, but it would probably be hard for Accam to turn down the move if given the opportunity. England’s midseason transfer window opens in January so even if a move is in the works, it would have to wait until 2016.
Accam is currently one of the key pieces for the Fire to build around, so losing him would be a big blow to any hopes of a quick turnaround in coach Veljko Paunovic’s first year.
Leicester City 0-0 Manchester City: Top-three battle ends in deserved draw.
By Kyle Lynch
Manchester City’s struggles away from home continue, as the Citizens were held scoreless at the King Power Stadium in a 0-0 draw with Leicester City.
NCAAFB: With Chip Kelly now a free agent, is a return to college football in the works?
Accam has been training with Premier League team Stoke City during the MLS offseason, and now the English club may be looking into acquiring the 25-year-old, according to reports from his native Ghana and from British tabloid The Daily Mail. His training stint with Stoke has sparked some rumors of a move to England after Accam led the Fire with a team-high 10 goals in 24 appearances in 2015.
He would need to qualify for a work permit, which isn’t a given, but it would probably be hard for Accam to turn down the move if given the opportunity. England’s midseason transfer window opens in January so even if a move is in the works, it would have to wait until 2016.
Accam is currently one of the key pieces for the Fire to build around, so losing him would be a big blow to any hopes of a quick turnaround in coach Veljko Paunovic’s first year.
Leicester City 0-0 Manchester City: Top-three battle ends in deserved draw.
By Kyle Lynch
Manchester City’s struggles away from home continue, as the Citizens were held scoreless at the King Power Stadium in a 0-0 draw with Leicester City.
It was a deserved draw for both sides, as neither team looked overly dangerous moving forward. Leicester City is now tied with Arsenal on points at the top of the table, although the Foxes sit second on goal differential. Manchester City will enter 2016 in third place.
Manchester City had the better of possession in the first half, with Raheem Sterling looking the most dangerous man on the attack. Despite the lopsided possession numbers, City did not create many dangerous goal-scoring chances.
City’s best chance of the half came from Sterling, who controlled with his chest and fired a shot on goal, forcing Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel to get down and make a strong save.
After a relatively slow opening to the match, Leicester suddenly found life and nearly took the lead in the final ten minutes of the half. Christian Fuchs whipped in a cross the slid right through the box, fizzing past Jamie Vardy and an outstretched Marc Albrighton. Seconds later, Vardy pick-pocketed Fernandinho on the top of the box, but fired his shot high over the net.
Manchester City should have went ahead just a minute into the first half, as Kevin De Bruyne hit a low cross into Sergio Aguero at the near post. From just yards out, Aguero somehow saw his flick go over the bar, as the striker is clearly still trying to find his form after coming back from injury.
Aguero had a penalty shout just after the hour mark, as the striker looked to have been taken down by Gokhan Inler in the box. However, referee Craig Pawson made no call and the play was Aguero’s last action, as he was taken off and replaced by Wilfried Bony.
Leicester nearly broke the deadlock in the 77th minute, with Riyad Mahrez and Christian Fuchs standing over a free kick. Mahrez touched the ball to Fuchs, whose shot was headed towards the top corner only to be parried wide by a diving Joe Hart.
The Foxes looked more likely to find a game-winner late in the match, although the 90 minutes ended scoreless in a result both sides will take.
NCAAFB: With Chip Kelly now a free agent, is a return to college football in the works?
By Zach Barnett
(Photo/www.chicagonow.com)
But now, for the one question that truly matters: does this mean he’ll be back in college football?
Maybe, maybe not. But it definitely won’t happen immediately.
The FBS job market at the moment resembles the Wal-Mart TV aisle at 5 p.m. on Black Friday, with only Ball State and Texas State open.
That could change, though. In their infinite wisdom, athletics directors can usually be counted on to turn at least one disappointing bowl loss into a surprise firing (Auburn? Texas A&M?). And we can count on one NFL team trying its hand at hiring a college coach (UCLA? Notre Dame?). In the event either or both happen, Kelly’s representatives will receive a call in a De'Anthony Thomas footstep.
Of course, there is the issue of whether the man in question would even want to return to college football. He is said to have not enjoyed recruiting or the dog-and-pony show that comes with appeasing the egos of 16-year-old running backs and 56-year-old boosters. If Kelly is determined to stay in the NFL, the Tennessee Titans and their rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota represent an opportunity that makes too much sense not to happen.
But in the event the NFL views Kelly as too radioactive to hire immediately after the Eagles dumped him and no college vacancy pops open in January that tickles his fancy, brace yourself for an 11-month courting where programs that considered firing their coaches in 2015 but didn’t (LSU? Texas?) and those with reason to become unhappy with their coach (USC?) to line up for the opportunity to pay the former Oregon coach in the neighborhood of $7 million a year to lead their team.
Which, in turn, would then ramp up another round of speculation of when Kelly inevitably returns to the NFL. And ’round and ’round we go.
Iowa's first Rose Bowl in 25 years is a dream fulfilled.
By GREG BEACHAM
The Rose Bowl has a lavish list of cool pregame traditions, and the Iowa Hawkeyes are embracing them all during their school's long-awaited week in the sun.
The Hawkeyes have explored Disneyland, taken in Hollywood night life and eaten disturbing amounts of prime rib at Lawry's in Beverly Hills. Yet they also practiced on Christmas, showing they haven't forgotten the serious side of this trip to Southern California after a quarter-century away.
''The game means so much after what we had to go through to get here,'' running back Jordan Canzeri said Tuesday. ''We understand this is something that we'll never forget. We've been saying to each other, 'Do you want to come back to Kinnick (Stadium) 25 years from now and say we just played in the Rose Bowl, or do you want to say we won it?'''
Iowa (12-1) will face Stanford (11-2) on Friday in the 102nd edition of the Granddaddy of Them All. This is nothing new to the Cardinal, who are in Pasadena for the third time in four postseasons, but it's a dream fulfilled for the Hawkeyes and coach Kirk Ferentz, who is capping his 17th season in charge with his first Rose Bowl trip as a head coach.
''The game means so much after what we had to go through to get here,'' running back Jordan Canzeri said Tuesday. ''We understand this is something that we'll never forget. We've been saying to each other, 'Do you want to come back to Kinnick (Stadium) 25 years from now and say we just played in the Rose Bowl, or do you want to say we won it?'''
Iowa (12-1) will face Stanford (11-2) on Friday in the 102nd edition of the Granddaddy of Them All. This is nothing new to the Cardinal, who are in Pasadena for the third time in four postseasons, but it's a dream fulfilled for the Hawkeyes and coach Kirk Ferentz, who is capping his 17th season in charge with his first Rose Bowl trip as a head coach.
''What's enjoyable about coaching is watching a lot of people that have worked hard, that have earned the right to be rewarded in a nice way, be rewarded in the nicest way possible,'' Ferentz said.
Nobody on the current Iowa roster had been born when the Hawkeyes made their last appearance in Pasadena on Jan. 1, 1991, losing to Washington. Yet eight current Hawkeyes have fathers who were on Iowa teams that played in the Rose Bowl during the 1980s, a reflection of the family connections and loyalty prized at Iowa.
Nobody on the current Iowa roster had been born when the Hawkeyes made their last appearance in Pasadena on Jan. 1, 1991, losing to Washington. Yet eight current Hawkeyes have fathers who were on Iowa teams that played in the Rose Bowl during the 1980s, a reflection of the family connections and loyalty prized at Iowa.
That tradition has required patience at times, but that makes the payoff even sweeter for Iowa.
''You have to think you're going to get to the Rose Bowl if you're in the Big Ten, because that's the goal,'' defensive back Jordan Lomax said. ''But to actually be here, that's the greatest part. That's the achievement that we all want and we work on for so long. It feels great to reach it.''
''You have to think you're going to get to the Rose Bowl if you're in the Big Ten, because that's the goal,'' defensive back Jordan Lomax said. ''But to actually be here, that's the greatest part. That's the achievement that we all want and we work on for so long. It feels great to reach it.''
Iowa is back because of its remarkable 12-0 regular season, an achievement that reserves a spot in Hawkeye history for this team no matter what happens this week. A heartbreaking loss to Michigan State in the Big Ten title game didn't knock the Hawkeyes out of the Pasadena picture, but the pain has been a motivational tool for the past month.
''That was very disappointing to all of us, but we've got a great opportunity and great challenge in front of us, and that's a lot more important than looking back,'' Ferentz said. ''You spend your whole life looking back, and you miss a lot of life. Our focus after we got over the mourning stage, if you will, we've moved on and excited to be part of such a great game.''
Ferentz made the trip to Pasadena twice as an assistant coach at Iowa in the 1980s under Hayden Fry, but the Hawkeyes haven't won the Rose Bowl since the 1959 game. Ferentz and Iowa nearly got here 13 years ago, even meeting with Rose Bowl officials about the idea, but they ended up at the Orange Bowl thanks to the machinations of the Bowl Championship Series.
Ferentz made the trip to Pasadena twice as an assistant coach at Iowa in the 1980s under Hayden Fry, but the Hawkeyes haven't won the Rose Bowl since the 1959 game. Ferentz and Iowa nearly got here 13 years ago, even meeting with Rose Bowl officials about the idea, but they ended up at the Orange Bowl thanks to the machinations of the Bowl Championship Series.
While many traditions haven't changed since the 1980s, other parts of this trip are new: Iowa is staying in revitalized downtown Los Angeles, which wasn't exactly the coolest place to hang out when Ferentz and the 1980s Hawkeyes were in town.
''My memories are so distant of the Rose Bowl, and it was a whole different experience,'' Ferentz said. ''We stayed in a little bit more remote areas.''
''My memories are so distant of the Rose Bowl, and it was a whole different experience,'' Ferentz said. ''We stayed in a little bit more remote areas.''
NCAABKB: NCAA Top 25 Basketball Poll, December 28, 2015.
AP
The top 25 teams in The Associated Press' college basketball poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through Dec. 27, total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote and previous ranking:
RANK
|
SCHOOL
|
POINTS
|
RECORD
|
PREVIOUS
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan St. (64) | 1623 | 13-0 | 1 |
| 2 | Kansas (1) | 1534 | 10-1 | 2 |
| 3 | Oklahoma | 1498 | 11-0 | 3 |
| 4 | Maryland | 1428 | 11-1 | 4 |
| 5 | Virginia | 1351 | 10-1 | 5 |
| 6 | Xavier | 1296 | 12-0 | 6 |
| 7 | North Carolina | 1219 | 10-2 | 7 |
| 8 | Arizona | 1081 | 12-1 | 8 |
| 9 | Butler | 984 | 10-1 | 9 |
| 10 | Kentucky | 963 | 10-2 | 12 |
| 11 | Iowa State | 938 | 10-1 | 11 |
| 12 | Providence | 923 | 12-1 | 10 |
| 13 | Miami (Fla.) | 867 | 10-1 | 13 |
| 14 | Purdue | 818 | 12-1 | 14 |
| 15 | Duke | 781 | 9-2 | 15 |
| 16 | Villanova | 643 | 9-2 | 17 |
| 17 | SMU | 636 | 11-0 | 18 |
| 18 | Louisville | 516 | 11-2 | 16 |
| 19 | West Virginia | 500 | 10-1 | 19 |
| 20 | Texas A&M | 371 | 9-2 | 21 |
| 21 | Utah | 224 | 10-2 | 24 |
| 22 | Cincinnati | 199 | 10-3 | 22 |
| 23 | Baylor | 195 | 9-2 | 23 |
| 24 | South Carolina | 175 | 11-0 | 25 |
| 25 | UCLA | 51 | 9-4 | NR |
Dropped Out: None
Others Receiving Votes: Connecticut 49, Oregon 45, Gonzaga 44, Pittsburgh 42, Geo. Wash. 40, Dayton 19, Colorado 15, Monmouth 11, Northwestern 11, Vanderbilt 10, Iowa 7, Texas Tech 6, Texas 4, Florida 4, St. Joseph's 2, Mississippi 1, St. Mary's 1
Iowa upends No. 1 Michigan State 83-70.
By Luke Meredith
![Iowa forward Jarrod Uthoff, left, fights for a rebound with Michigan State forward Marvin Clark Jr. (15) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015, in Iowa City, Iowa.]({"default":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BBo2cT4.img?h=373&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=283&y=274"} "Iowa forward Jarrod Uthoff, left, fights for a rebound with Michigan State forward Marvin Clark Jr. ... - AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall")
Michigan State discovered just how tough things can be without do-everything star Denzel Valentine.
Mike Gesell scored a career-high 25 points and Iowa cruised past top-ranked Michigan State 83-70 on Tuesday night, handing the Spartans their first loss of the season.
Peter Jok had 19 points for the Hawkeyes (10-3, 1-0 Big Ten), which toppled a No. 1 team for the first time in 16 years.
"It was one of the rare times in my career I thought we got, for (lack) of a better choice of words, punked," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. "We got out-hustled."
Eron Harris scored 21 points to lead the Spartans. They were playing their second game without Valentine -- their leader in scoring, rebounds and assists -- and their first since Izzo's father Carl died Monday.
But Izzo refused to use Valentine's absence as an excuse, pointing instead to what he called a "disappointing effort."
"Zero," Izzo said about how much Valentine not playing hurt the Spartans. "That had something to do with not making baskets. But it had nothing to do with the effort you give."
Still, the Spartans looked so underwhelming in beating Oakland 99-93 last week without Valentine -- who is out likely through next week after arthroscopic surgery on his left knee-- that the unranked Hawkeyes were actually a slight favorite.
From the opening tip, it was easy to see why.
Iowa kept Michigan State off the scoreboard for nearly 6 minutes, and Dom Uhl's banked 3 put the Hawkeyes up 31-17 -- despite having star Jarrod Uthoff on the bench with foul trouble -- with just over 5 minutes left in the first half.
The Spartans trailed by double digits at halftime, this time 37-23, for the second straight game.
But the Hawkeyes aren't Oakland -- and the Spartans simply couldn't keep up.
Consecutive 3s from Jok made it 58-39 with 11 minutes left, and Iowa cruised to its first win over a No. 1 team since beating Connecticut in former coach Steve Alford's debut in 1999.
"We really sustained effort and paid attention to the details," Iowa coach Fran McCaffery said. "I think we disrupted their offense quite a bit."
Matt Costello had 17 points for Michigan State.
"We struggled a lot defensively," Costello said. "They just got bucket after bucket, and we couldn't stop them."
TIP-INS:
Michigan State: Valentine entered Big Ten play averaging 18.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 7.1 assists per game. ...The Spartans play four of their first six Big Ten games on the road but close league play with four out of six in East Lansing. ... Alvin Ellis inadvertently deflected an inbounds pass into Iowa's basket early in the second half.
Iowa: The Hawkeyes lost to Dayton, Notre Dame and Iowa State in non-conference play by a combined 12 points. ... Iowa held a moment of silence for Izzo's father, and its fans followed with a polite ovation. ... Iowa was the second team from its state to take down the top-ranked team at home this season. Northern Iowa knocked off North Carolina in November in Cedar Falls.
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT
"My dad was kind of a two-job, blue-collar immigrant that worked his posterior off most of his life, and that's what I asked of my team. `Don't honor him with a win. Honor him by how we play.' That's been the most disappointing of all the things that've happened in the last two days," Izzo said.
PIVOTAL MOMENT
Iowa redshirt freshman Nicholas Baer missed a tough layup late in the first half, and though he was clearly gassed he still got back in time to block Matt McQuaid's 3-point try. It was yet another moment of unexpected brilliance from the redshirt freshman, who still isn't even on scholarship. McCaffery said earlier this month that Baer, who had 11 points, will get a full ride as soon one becomes available.
WHAT'S NEXT
Michigan State plays at Minnesota on Saturday.
Iowa visits No. 14 Purdue on Saturday.
NCAABKB: Tennessee rallies late to beat Tennessee State 74-69.
By STEVE MEGARGEE
Consider Tennessee sufficiently warned.
The Volunteers survived a sluggish performance Tuesday while coming from behind to beat Tennessee State 74-69 in their last game before beginning Southeastern Conference competition. They realize a similar effort won't suffice in most league games.
''We've got to get a whole lot better,'' Tennessee forward Armani Moore said. ''I think today we came out and we did enough to win the game, but we didn't do enough to be successful in SEC play. We've got to get way better than that.''
Kevin Punter scored 23 points and capped a critical 9-0 run with a 3-point play as Tennessee rallied late to beat an instate opponent for the second straight game. The Vols beat East Tennessee State 76-67 on Dec. 22 by scoring the game's final nine points.
Tennessee (7-5) trailed by as many seven points in the second half before Moore put the Volunteers ahead for good 67-66 on a putback of Punter's missed 3-point attempt with 2:26 remaining. Detrick Mostella's basket and Punter's 3-point play extended the lead to 72-66.
Wayne Martin got Tennessee State (9-4) within 72-69 on a 3-point play with 49 seconds left. Punter clinched the victory by sinking two free throws with 15 seconds remaining.
''I think they picked up their defensive pressure a little bit and caused us to get out of our comfort zone,'' Tennessee State coach Dana Ford said. ''They defended us better and maybe took away some options we'd been getting most of the time.
Mostella had 16 points for Tennessee. Moore added eight points, 14 rebounds, six assists and three blocks. Tennessee coach Rick Barnes credited Moore for turning the game around with his defensive intensity.
Martin scored 19 points, Keron DeShields had 13 points and Marcus Roper had 10 for Tennessee State.
Tennessee had won each of its previous five meetings with Tennessee State by at least 16 points, including a 67-46 decision last season. The Tigers were much more competitive this time.
Tennessee State closed the first half on a 10-1 run to own a 43-36 lead at the intermission as the Vols gave up too many easy baskets and failed to take care of the ball.
''At halftime I told our team there's no doubt who's the better-coached team, who's the better team,'' Barnes said. ''I really think the best team didn't win today.''
Tennessee won because it was the best team for the last few minutes, if not for the majority of the game.
''At halftime I told our team there's no doubt who's the better-coached team, who's the better team,'' Barnes said. ''I really think the best team didn't win today.''
Tennessee won because it was the best team for the last few minutes, if not for the majority of the game.
The Vols will need much more complete efforts from now on.
''If we don't figure out post defense and we give away baskets like we did today, we're not going to be very good because conference play changes everything,'' Barnes said. ''It's here. It's on now. The key will be how much better we can get, because we've got to get a whole lot better.''
TIP-INS
Tennessee State: The Tigers already have nearly twice as many victories as they produced each of the last two seasons. Tennessee State went 5-26 last season and 5-25 in 2013-14.
Tennessee: The Vols improved their home record to 7-0. They haven't won away from Thompson-Boling Arena this season.
TIP-INS
Tennessee State: The Tigers already have nearly twice as many victories as they produced each of the last two seasons. Tennessee State went 5-26 last season and 5-25 in 2013-14.
Tennessee: The Vols improved their home record to 7-0. They haven't won away from Thompson-Boling Arena this season.
MOSTELLA SIZZLES, ALEXANDER STRUGGLES
Mostella continued his recent surge. After failing to score in double figures in Tennessee's first nine games, he has averaged 15.3 points over the Vols' last three contests.
Mostella continued his recent surge. After failing to score in double figures in Tennessee's first nine games, he has averaged 15.3 points over the Vols' last three contests.
But the Vols didn't get much from Kyle Alexander in his second career start. The freshman forward played just four minutes and had no points or rebounds.
Barnes said Alexander didn't compete hard enough.
''He played four minutes - and probably played two more than he should have,'' Barnes said.
Barnes said Alexander didn't compete hard enough.
''He played four minutes - and probably played two more than he should have,'' Barnes said.
KEY STATS
Punter has scored over 20 points in eight of his last nine games. .... Tennessee outrebounded Tennessee State 39-30 and outscored the Tigers 16-4 in second-chance points. Tennessee State entered the day with a plus-5.6 rebound margin.
Punter has scored over 20 points in eight of his last nine games. .... Tennessee outrebounded Tennessee State 39-30 and outscored the Tigers 16-4 in second-chance points. Tennessee State entered the day with a plus-5.6 rebound margin.
UP NEXT
Tennessee State: At Southeast Missouri on Saturday.
Tennessee: At Auburn on Saturday.
Tennessee: At Auburn on Saturday.
Harlem Globetrotter Meadowlark Lemon, famed hoops jester, dies at 83.
By Brandon Griggs
(Photo/The Sporting News)
Lemon played 24 seasons and by his own estimate more than 16,000 games with the Globetrotters, the touring exhibition basketball team known for its slick ball-handling, practical jokes, red-white-and-blue uniforms and multiyear winning streaks against overmatched opponents.
He also was one of a handful of Globetrotters whose fame transcended sports, especially among children during the team's heyday in the 1960s and 1970s. Lemon was immortalized in a Harlem Globetrotters cartoon series and appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show," episodes of "Scooby Doo" and many national TV commercials.
A gifted player whose basketball skills were sometimes overshadowed by his on-court high jinks, Lemon was known for sinking half-court hook shots, throwing behind-the-back passes and pretending to spy on his opponents' huddles.
Nicknamed the "clown prince" of basketball, he also pioneered a trademark routine in which he doused a referee with a bucket of water and then pranked fans by heaving another bucket -- filled with confetti, not water -- into the stands as people scrambled to get out of the way.
Brown said he had a phone conversation with Lemon on Christmas Eve and that his former teammate sounded in good health. Lemon was trying to interest movie producers in making a feature film about his life, Brown said.
"I'm just honored that I had the opportunity to ... have him as a mentor and play on the same court with him," Brown told CNN.
Born in Wilmington, North Carolina, Lemon joined the Globetrotters in 1954 after serving two years in the Army. Over the next quarter-century, he and the team played almost everywhere, from high school gyms to Madison Square Garden to an exhibition in Moscow during the Cold War.
His website says Lemon and his teammates played before popes, kings, queens, presidents and regular basketball fans in almost 100 countries.
After a salary dispute, Lemon left the Globetrotters in 1979 to form his own comedic basketball teams, which performed under the names Meadowlark Lemon's Bucketeers, the Shooting Stars and Meadowlark Lemon's Harlem All Stars.
He returned to the Harlem Globetrotters for a 50-game "comeback" tour in 1993.
"For a generation of fans, the name Meadowlark Lemon was synonymous with the Harlem Globetrotters," Globetrotters CEO Kurt Schneider said. "He was an incredible entertainer and brought happiness and lifelong memories to millions around the world. We have lost a great ambassador of the game."
Lemon was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003. He spent the last several years of his life serving as an ordained minister and motivational speaker.
His death follows that of early Globetrotter player and teammate Marques Haynes, who died in May.
On
On
Memoriesofhistory.com
1926 - The Chicago Tribune broke a story that the Detroit Tigers threw a 4-game series to the Chicago White Sox in 1917.
1934 - Two NHL games ended in a scoreless tie. The games were Boston at the New York Rangers and the New York Americans at Detroit.
1954 - The 24-second shot clock was used for the first time in professional basketball.
1961 - Jack Nicklaus lost his first attempt at pro golf to Gary Player in an exhibition match in Miami, FL.
1978 - Ohio State University fired Woody Hayes as its football coach, one day after Hayes punched Clemson University player Charlie Bauman during the Gator Bowl. Bauman had intercepted an Ohio pass.
1983 - Julius "Dr. J" Erving (Philadelphia 76ers) became the 9th basketball player to reach 25,000 points.
1996 - Brett Favre (Green Bay Packers) became only the second player to win consecutive NFL MVP Awards.
1997 - Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls) scored more than 10 points in 788 consecutive games.
1934 - Two NHL games ended in a scoreless tie. The games were Boston at the New York Rangers and the New York Americans at Detroit.
1954 - The 24-second shot clock was used for the first time in professional basketball.
1961 - Jack Nicklaus lost his first attempt at pro golf to Gary Player in an exhibition match in Miami, FL.
1978 - Ohio State University fired Woody Hayes as its football coach, one day after Hayes punched Clemson University player Charlie Bauman during the Gator Bowl. Bauman had intercepted an Ohio pass.
1983 - Julius "Dr. J" Erving (Philadelphia 76ers) became the 9th basketball player to reach 25,000 points.
1996 - Brett Favre (Green Bay Packers) became only the second player to win consecutive NFL MVP Awards.
1997 - Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls) scored more than 10 points in 788 consecutive games.
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