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"Sports Quote of the Day"
"You have to rely on your preparation. You got to really be passionate and try to prepare more than anyone else, and put yourself in a position to succeed, and when the moment comes you got to enjoy, relax, breathe and rely on your preparation so that you can perform and not be anxious or filled with doubt." ~ Steve Nash, Retired NBA All-Star Point Guard
Trending: Artemi Panarin lifts Blackhawks to OT win over Penguins. (See the hockey section for Blackhawks updates).
Artemi Panarin (R) celebrates his game-winning goal with Andrew Shaw (L). (Photo/Gene J. Puskar/AP)
Trending: Jimmy Butler, Derrick Rose put on a show in Bulls win over Bucks. (See the basketball section for Bulls updates).
Trending: Three NFL Teams Applied to Relocate to Los Angeles. (See the last article on this blog for details).
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! Pace: Bears could draft QB, huge splash in free agency unlikely.
By John Mullin
(Photo/chicagobears.com)
But the Bears will not pass up a quarterback in the 2016 draft if one falls to them, and the way GM Ryan Pace approaches the draft, it may be wrong to assume that the Bears wouldn’t take one if he were the clear best-available when the Bears turn comes at No. 11 of the first round.
“I think Jay played really well this season,” Pace said. “I was happy with his performance, especially with a lot of injuries to our skilled players. He persevered through that. Jay played well.
“In regards to the draft, and I honestly mean this, it’s always going to be best player available. So if it’s a quarterback, it’s a quarterback. I’ve said before how important that position is and that will continue to be the case.”
The Washington Redskins (Kirk Cousins), Denver Broncos (Brock Osweiler) and Cincinnati Bengals (A.J. McCarron) went into the playoffs behind backup quarterbacks. The Green Bay Packers drafted Aaron Rodgers in the 2005 first round despite having Brett Favre still near his prime.
The Bears clearly have a priority on upgrading the defense with pass rushers, and those quite often are more easily (and affordably) drafted rather than pursued in free agency. The Bears struck early and forcefully last offseason with a big-money push for rush-linebacker Pernell McPhee but are not expected to make a move of that magnitude this year, perhaps because of perceiving more needs than they have dollars even with a salary cap increase.
“I really think in free agency, we kind of spread out our resources a little bit,” Pace said. “You kind of limit your risk a little bit when you do that. I think last year, there might've been a little more one-year deals than we would typically do just because I think part of that is, ‘hey, we're just getting here, we want to evaluate our team,’ and these one-year deals give us a little bit of flexibility.
“But I don't like to put all our eggs in one basket in free agency. We can be a little more targeted now that we really know our team extremely well. I don't think you're going to see us make one splash free-agency signing. I think it's going to be kind of spread out your resources a little bit.”
Bears general manager sees team headed in right direction.
By ANDREW SELIGMAN
Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace is well aware he has a long to-do list this offseason. He also senses the positive vibes.
He believes the Bears are headed in the right direction despite finishing last in the NFC North at 6-10 and missing the playoffs for the eighth time in nine years.
He believes the Bears are headed in the right direction despite finishing last in the NFC North at 6-10 and missing the playoffs for the eighth time in nine years.
''The record's frustrating, the close losses are frustrating,'' Pace said Monday, a day after a season-ending loss to Detroit. ''Those kind of give you some sleepless nights. But then when I think bigger picture, I am excited with what we've got going here.''
The Bears made a surprising jump into playoff contention in their first season under Pace and coach John Fox before dropping four of their final five games. Even though they finished with just one more win than in 2014, they at least looked like they were building toward something after coming apart the previous season.
Question is: Where do they go from here?
Pace acknowledged the need to add play-makers to a team with holes on offense and defense. He said the Bears have a ''healthy salary cap'' and the flexibility to make moves. But about one-third of the roster also has expiring contracts. Topping that list are two-time Pro Bowl running back Matt Forte and No. 1 receiver Alshon Jeffery.
Offensive and defensive coordinators Adam Gase and Vic Fangio could be in the mix for head-coaching jobs, with Fox saying three teams have requested permission to interview Gase.
While Pace wasn't about to discuss negotiations with players, Forte wasn't ready to rule out staying with the team that drafted him in 2008. Given his age (30) and the fact that he split time with Jeremy Langford and Ka'Deem Carey, there is a sense that Sunday's game might have been his last with the Bears.
''Everybody's acting like it's a going-away party, like a funeral or something,'' Forte said. ''No decisions have been made. I can be back.''
Jeffery sidestepped questions about his status, saying he would leave that to his agent and Pace. He could be a candidate for the franchise-player tag after being limited to nine games by various injuries, although Pace acknowledged that is generally not the preferred route.
Jeffery, a second-round draft pick in 2012, shrugged off the possibility of the team using the franchise tag, saying, ''If it happens, it happens.''
Pace was also asked if Martellus Bennett will be back next season. The free-spirited tight end missed offseason workouts because he wanted a contract extension even though he had two years remaining, forcing him to play catch-up learning Gase's system. He played in 11 games before going on injured reserve with a rib injury.
''There's some things he can do better. There are some things he did really well,'' Pace said. ''We're going to analyze that in the coming weeks.''
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Artemi Panarin lifts Blackhawks to OT win over Penguins.
By Tracey Myers
Photo from the Blackhawks-Penguins game at CONSOL Energy Center. (chicagotribune.com)
There’s something about the Blackhawks when they play in Pittsburgh: it’s never easy.
The Blackhawks haven’t taken a regulation victory in this city in nearly 20 years – seriously, it was Feb. 22, 1997, when some of the current Blackhawks were elementary-school age or younger.
Tuesday wasn’t easy, either. But just when it looked like the Blackhawks were going to squander a point after squandering a two-goal lead, they found the overtime answer.
Artemi Panarin scored two goals, including the winner 3:47 into overtime, as the Blackhawks beat the Penguins 3-2 on Tuesday. The Blackhawks have now won four in a row as they head back to Chicago, where they’ll face the Penguins again on Wednesday night.
Jonathan Toews, who scored his 14th goal of the season, was cut early in overtime when he collided with Patrick Kane. Coach Joel Quenneville said Toews is fine and the captain is expected to play on Wednesday.
Corey Crawford had another strong game, stopping 34 of 36 shots in the victory.
The Penguins scored twice in the third period, a snipe from Sidney Crosby and a Kris Letang offering that deflected off Patrick Kane’s stick, as they salvaged a point after trailing 2-0 the first 40 minutes. The Blackhawks weren’t surprised by the pushback from the Pens, who are 7-0-5 in their last 12 meetings vs. the Hawks in Pittsburgh.
“I think it can be better in the third,” Duncan Keith said. “They were pressing. We made a few mistakes but they’ve got a good team, got some firepower and they’re going to get some chances and I thought it was a good overtime. They had some chances but we played good positionally and we gave them the outside and gave them some tougher angles."
The Blackhawks haven’t taken a regulation victory in this city in nearly 20 years – seriously, it was Feb. 22, 1997, when some of the current Blackhawks were elementary-school age or younger.
Tuesday wasn’t easy, either. But just when it looked like the Blackhawks were going to squander a point after squandering a two-goal lead, they found the overtime answer.
Artemi Panarin scored two goals, including the winner 3:47 into overtime, as the Blackhawks beat the Penguins 3-2 on Tuesday. The Blackhawks have now won four in a row as they head back to Chicago, where they’ll face the Penguins again on Wednesday night.
Jonathan Toews, who scored his 14th goal of the season, was cut early in overtime when he collided with Patrick Kane. Coach Joel Quenneville said Toews is fine and the captain is expected to play on Wednesday.
Corey Crawford had another strong game, stopping 34 of 36 shots in the victory.
The Penguins scored twice in the third period, a snipe from Sidney Crosby and a Kris Letang offering that deflected off Patrick Kane’s stick, as they salvaged a point after trailing 2-0 the first 40 minutes. The Blackhawks weren’t surprised by the pushback from the Pens, who are 7-0-5 in their last 12 meetings vs. the Hawks in Pittsburgh.
“I think it can be better in the third,” Duncan Keith said. “They were pressing. We made a few mistakes but they’ve got a good team, got some firepower and they’re going to get some chances and I thought it was a good overtime. They had some chances but we played good positionally and we gave them the outside and gave them some tougher angles."
The fact that the Blackhawks had a 2-0 lead through the first two periods was a bit surprising. They weren’t playing that well, with passes finding their opponents more than teammates. Still, Panarin, off a pass from a patient Kane, put the Blackhawks up 1-0 about nine minutes into the second and Toews scored with just over a minute remaining in the period.
“That second period it could’ve easily been 2 or 3-0 their way,” Quenneville said. “We had a really tough stretch there; we gave the puck away too many times. We got two breaks on our goals and they got themselves back in the game.”
Then came overtime – shtick or not, it’s entertaining and it was definitely that again on Tuesday night. Both Crawford and Marc-Andre Fleury made some fantastic saves before Panarin got the winner.
“I mean, he’s patient,” Crawford said of Panarin. “He’s got a great shot. He seems like he’s getting better as the season goes here. He’s definitely dangerous all over the ice.”
The Blackhawks always have some interesting outings in Pittsburgh. This one was no different, and a regulation victory would’ve been nice. But they’ll take the two points, even if it comes with some added drama.
Five Things: Corey Crawford stays hot in Blackhawks win.
By Tracey Myers
Hey, you weren’t expecting the Blackhawks-Pittsburgh Penguins game to end in ho-hum fashion, were you?
This is Pittsburgh, where Blackhawks’ potential regulation victories always go to die. But a little 3-on-3 never hurt anyone, and it certainly didn’t hurt the Blackhawks in their 3-2 victory over the Penguins on Tuesday night. And just in case you didn’t get enough excitement on Tuesday, these two are right back at it again on Wednesday.
But before we get to part 2 of the home-and-home, let’s look at Five Things to take from the Blackhawks’ victory on Tuesday.
1. Spurned in regulation again. The Blackhawks’ last regulation victory in Pittsburgh came on Feb. 22, 1997 at the old Civic Arena. Well, we can’t blame the building because the Blackhawks can’t win in regulation in the new CONSOL Energy Center, either. We’ve grown accustomed to the Blackhawks, when staked to a lead after 40 minutes, to automatically winning in regulation. But all usual events get thrown out in Pittsburgh.
2. 3-on-3 is fun. OK, we admit it: we’re hooked. There’s obviously a gimmicky side to this new overtime format but anything that helps us avoid shootouts is welcome. And if you like being entertained to any degree, you loved the three-plus minute overtime between the Penguins and Blackhawks on Tuesday. Two great teams full of talented and skilled players, and all on display in those few minutes. As coach Joel Quenneville said, this overtime format “is great for the sport.”
3. Artemi Panarin is stealth. Quenneville said the young Russian was “ordinary” most of Tuesday’s game. But he gave full marks to Panarin’s two goals and to his game through the first half of this season. Panarin is still rounding into form in some areas of his game but when he does get a chance at a shot, there’s little hesitation and plenty of confidence. Said Duncan Keith, “he’s got a great shot. I think he showed that tonight. He’s been a big addition to our team.”
4. Go with Corey Crawford again on Wednesday? It’s a question Quenneville will have to seriously ponder as Crawford stopped 34 of 36 shots, including five in overtime, in Tuesday’s victory. Crawford has been great. Scott Darling has struggled, but the Blackhawks need to get their backup goaltender going, get him confident again. So who to start?
5. Sidney Crosby is still Sidney Crosby. The Penguins star was questioned earlier this season, when he was struggling offensively. Well, he’s not struggling anymore. Crosby had a goal and an assist on Tuesday, giving him six goals and six assists in his last eight games. Even Crawford had to give Crosby credit on his third-period snipe. “It’s a good shot,” he said. “I didn’t really pick it up that great, but it was a pretty quick release and a quick shot. I guess you just have to forget about that one. Guys are going to make nice shots some times.” Especially that guy.
Just Another Chicago Bulls Session... Jimmy Butler, Derrick Rose put on a show in Bulls win over Bucks.
“That second period it could’ve easily been 2 or 3-0 their way,” Quenneville said. “We had a really tough stretch there; we gave the puck away too many times. We got two breaks on our goals and they got themselves back in the game.”
Then came overtime – shtick or not, it’s entertaining and it was definitely that again on Tuesday night. Both Crawford and Marc-Andre Fleury made some fantastic saves before Panarin got the winner.
“I mean, he’s patient,” Crawford said of Panarin. “He’s got a great shot. He seems like he’s getting better as the season goes here. He’s definitely dangerous all over the ice.”
The Blackhawks always have some interesting outings in Pittsburgh. This one was no different, and a regulation victory would’ve been nice. But they’ll take the two points, even if it comes with some added drama.
Five Things: Corey Crawford stays hot in Blackhawks win.
By Tracey Myers
Hey, you weren’t expecting the Blackhawks-Pittsburgh Penguins game to end in ho-hum fashion, were you?
This is Pittsburgh, where Blackhawks’ potential regulation victories always go to die. But a little 3-on-3 never hurt anyone, and it certainly didn’t hurt the Blackhawks in their 3-2 victory over the Penguins on Tuesday night. And just in case you didn’t get enough excitement on Tuesday, these two are right back at it again on Wednesday.
But before we get to part 2 of the home-and-home, let’s look at Five Things to take from the Blackhawks’ victory on Tuesday.
1. Spurned in regulation again. The Blackhawks’ last regulation victory in Pittsburgh came on Feb. 22, 1997 at the old Civic Arena. Well, we can’t blame the building because the Blackhawks can’t win in regulation in the new CONSOL Energy Center, either. We’ve grown accustomed to the Blackhawks, when staked to a lead after 40 minutes, to automatically winning in regulation. But all usual events get thrown out in Pittsburgh.
2. 3-on-3 is fun. OK, we admit it: we’re hooked. There’s obviously a gimmicky side to this new overtime format but anything that helps us avoid shootouts is welcome. And if you like being entertained to any degree, you loved the three-plus minute overtime between the Penguins and Blackhawks on Tuesday. Two great teams full of talented and skilled players, and all on display in those few minutes. As coach Joel Quenneville said, this overtime format “is great for the sport.”
3. Artemi Panarin is stealth. Quenneville said the young Russian was “ordinary” most of Tuesday’s game. But he gave full marks to Panarin’s two goals and to his game through the first half of this season. Panarin is still rounding into form in some areas of his game but when he does get a chance at a shot, there’s little hesitation and plenty of confidence. Said Duncan Keith, “he’s got a great shot. I think he showed that tonight. He’s been a big addition to our team.”
4. Go with Corey Crawford again on Wednesday? It’s a question Quenneville will have to seriously ponder as Crawford stopped 34 of 36 shots, including five in overtime, in Tuesday’s victory. Crawford has been great. Scott Darling has struggled, but the Blackhawks need to get their backup goaltender going, get him confident again. So who to start?
5. Sidney Crosby is still Sidney Crosby. The Penguins star was questioned earlier this season, when he was struggling offensively. Well, he’s not struggling anymore. Crosby had a goal and an assist on Tuesday, giving him six goals and six assists in his last eight games. Even Crawford had to give Crosby credit on his third-period snipe. “It’s a good shot,” he said. “I didn’t really pick it up that great, but it was a pretty quick release and a quick shot. I guess you just have to forget about that one. Guys are going to make nice shots some times.” Especially that guy.
Just Another Chicago Bulls Session... Jimmy Butler, Derrick Rose put on a show in Bulls win over Bucks.
By Vincent Goodwill
Pau Gasol, Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose during the second half. (Photo/Nuccio DiNuzzo/Chicago Tribune)
In a game that was tailor-made for the fast-breaking era of the 80’s, the Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks reacquainted themselves for the first time since last spring’s physical, hotly-contested six-game playoff series.
But while that series was at times a defensive struggle, Tuesday’s contest was not as both put on an offensive show in a game where the first team to put together any semblance of defensive stops would likely win.
The Bulls played enough defense in the fourth, although the offense carried the day to a 117-106 win at the United Center, their fifth straight victory as they held the Bucks to 15 points in the fourth. They spoiled hometown kid Jabari Parker’s first official game at the United Center, as he scored 11 with seven rebounds.
Jimmy Butler, coming off his record-breaking 40-point second half, did it all on the offensive end with 32 points and a career-high 10 assists, matching wits with Khris Middleton, who hit five triples to keep the Bucks in it, scoring 26 points with seven assists and four rebounds.
The Bulls didn’t trail through three quarters, even jumping out to a 10-0 lead behind Taj Gibson feasting inside against a toothless interior defense. Derrick Rose made his return after a three-game absence and found life easier than expected as his first step was more than enough to find himself in open real estate.
If there was any evidence of rust, it could only be found in his 3-point shooting because everything else was at an elite level, Bucks defense notwithstanding. He attacked at every opening, as his next-level speed opened things up across the board, even when he didn’t get the assist credit on the stat sheet.
Rose and Butler traded pretty reverse layups, as the lane was open without much resistance for most of the evening. Rose finished with 16 points in 34 minutes with six assists, going 8-for-17 from the field.
Butler added 20 in the first half to his 40 in the second half at Toronto, and his teammates joined him this go-round. Everyone who participated got good looks and the Bulls shot 55 percent, scoring over 100 for their eighth straight time.
Pau Gasol even hit a couple triples on his way to 26 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. All five starters scored in double figures, including Nikola Mirotic’s 14 with six rebounds.
If there was any downside to such an exciting win, giving up in excess of 100 points for another game shows some slippage that must be corralled. Bucks point guard Michael Carter-Williams scored 20 with 12 assists and center Greg Monroe scored a quick eight to start the second quarter to bring the Bucks within striking distance, a place they stayed until midway through the fourth when the Bulls finally pulled away.
But those gripes are minor compared to other serious questions that have been asked over the last few weeks, as the start of the new year has birthed some sincere optimism about this team getting itself right.
The Cardinals' petty winter of chasing Cubs has moved to videoboards.
By Tony Andracki
(Photo/csichicago.com)
"Mine's bigger than yours!"
The Cubs-Cardinals rivalry is amazing.
While the Cubs were rebuilding, there wasn't much in the way of passion or fiery spirit between the teams, cities or fan bases.
But now the rivalry is back with the heat of a thousand suns.
The Cardinals continued their petty offseason of chasing the Cubs, moving on from bashing Jason Heyward to videoboards.
The Cardinals are installing two new videoboards in Busch Stadium and they actually said - out loud, to people and everything - that the Cubs are a major reason why after Wrigley Field got a pair of fancy new videoboards in 2015:
"We'll be right up there with the best of them now," said Joe Abernathy, vice president of stadium operations for the Cardinals, told MLB.com. "It's amazing how technology has evolved in 10 short years. Technology has progressed considerably since we put this in back in April 2006.
"But we did get upset actually when the Cubs had a better videoboard than us. Especially with how it ended [in the National League Division Series] and all they're doing now, we don't want to be sitting behind the Cubs in anything."
Just...wow.
Well, no matter what the Cardinals do, the Cubs will still have a baseball up on the top of one of their videoboards (from when Kyle Schwarber went all Hulk and helped send the Cardinals home with a monster home run).
Is this the surefire sign that the Cubs have arrived? The constant shots from the Cardinals in the media?
Now that the Cubs have proven they can not only hang with the Cardinals, but also beat them when it matters the most (in the playoffs), this rivalry is on full tilt.
It's becoming the new Red Sox-Yankees.
Let's get the season started already. This is going to be fun.
Tim Anderson headlines Baseball America's White Sox prospect rankings.
By Dan Hayes
Tim Anderson has climbed to the top of the White Sox farm system as Baseball America named him the club’s top prospect on Monday.
The shortstop and 2013 first-round pick tops a revamped list, one altered by last month’s trade for third baseman Todd Frazier.
Last year’s first-rounder Carson Fulmer is ranked second while Spencer Adams moved up to third when Frankie Montas was included in the three-team Frazier deal.
Baseball America originally had Trayce Thompson ranked fifth and Micah Johnson at No. 8 until they also went to the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of the deal for Frazier, a two-time All-Star.
The 17th pick of the 2013 draft, Anderson produced a .312/.350/.429 slash line with five home runs, 46 RBI and 49 stolen bases at Double-A Birmingham last season.
He also continues to make defensive strides. One National League scout who didn’t see Anderson until late in the season after having seen him in spring training was impressed by the strides the third-year pro had made.
Back in spring, Anderson showed a flair for making spectacular plays and impressed the White Sox coaching staff in big league camp. The White Sox think Anderson is on the cusp of the majors and he’s expected to be at big league camp again in February. But the team also wants to give Anderson — who was drafted out of community college and is considered baseball young — time to further hone his approach and refine his defense. Last season, Anderson, whom Baseball America had rated as the No. 92 prospect in baseball, struck out 114 times and walked 24. He also committed 25 errors.
While he’s close, Anderson is expected to start the season at Triple-A Charlotte. But general manager Rick Hahn has said Anderson could force the issue with a strong start to 2016.
Whereas last year’s top prospect Carlos Rodon was in the majors by the third week of April, Fulmer isn’t likely to follow the same path. Drafted eighth overall out of Vanderbilt, the right-hander excelled in 10 minor league appearances. He finished with a 2.08 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 26 innings, including a three-inning performance against Myrtle Beach in the Carolina League playoffs. But the White Sox intend to take their time and allow Fulmer to develop.
Adams excelled in his second season after a strong debut in 2014. The 6-foot-3 right-hander went 12-5 with a 2.99 ERA in 24 starts between Single-A Kannapolis and Winston-Salem. A year after he posted a 59:4 strikeout-to-walk ratio in the Arizona Rookie League, Adams struck out 96 batters and walked 18 in 129 1/3 innings.
Trey Michalczewski, Jacob May, Tyler Danish, Adam Engel, Jordan Guerrero, Courtney Hawkins and Corey Zangari round out the rest of the club’s Top 10.
Golf: I got a club for that..... A new year on the PGA Tour raises 5 questions.
By DOUG FERGUSON
Jordan Spieth spent the first official practice day of the new year in good company.
As he rolled putts at Kapalua, his teenage sister Ellie sat next to him on the practice green and watched until she reclined on her back and took in the warmth of the Hawaii sun. Few tournaments are more relaxing than the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, and that's just what golf needs.
This is going to be a hectic year.
At stake is a gold medal in Rio and a gold Ryder Cup at Hazeltine.
Another prize is the No. 1 world ranking, and that could take all year to sort out.
Most of the attention, at least for now, is on Spieth. He is coming off a year that was beyond his expectations by winning the Masters and U.S. Open, three other PGA Tour titles and the FedEx Cup. His final tweet of 2015: ''Would rather this year not end.''.
It starts all over on Thursday with the most star power at Kapalua in 10 years. Where will it lead? Here are five topics to ponder for 2016:
THE ENCORE: In the last 25 years, only four players have won majors in consecutive seasons - Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy. In the last 50 years, only four players have followed a multiple-major season by winning another major - Woods, Tom Watson, Jack Nicklaus and Lee Trevino.
Good luck, Jordan.
Odds are against the 22-year-old Texan matching what he did last year. Remember, he won two of those tournaments in playoffs and won the second leg of the Grand Slam when Dustin Johnson three-putted from 12 feet. And for all he did last year, Spieth could lose the No. 1 ranking this week.
The competition is strong as ever. More than just McIlroy and Jason Day, the biggest competition for Spieth might be his 2015 season.
THE BIG THREE: For the first time since the world ranking began in 1986, the top three players are all in their 20s. The No. 1 spot changed six times in six weeks last year, and more movement is likely. Spieth, Day and McIlroy are so close that any one of them could be No. 1 before the PGA Tour reaches the Florida swing.
Ten years ago, Vijay Singh, Tiger Woods and Ernie Els were battling for No. 1. That prompted Retief Goosen to say, ''There will probably be a No. 1 player a few times this year.'' Woods took over in June and stayed at the top for the next five years.
So it's possible that one player pulls away from the other two.
Or considering the deepening pool of talent, the ''Big Three'' could become a lot bigger.
OLYMPICS: Golf returns to the Olympic program for the first time since 1904, and there is sure to be plenty of discussion about whether a gold medal is more valuable than a silver claret jug, much less a green jacket.
In one respect, this might be one of the easier tournaments to win. Because if qualifying ended today, the 60-man field would have only 25 from the top 50 in the world.
Until the players get to Rio, the biggest impact of the Olympics has been on scheduling. The PGA Championship has been moved to late July ahead of the games. That means Spieth and McIlroy could play eight times in 12 weeks - two majors, four FedEx Cup playoff events, the Olympics and the Ryder Cup.
RYDER CUP: The only player who faces a tougher encore than Spieth might be Darren Clarke, captain of a European team going after an unprecedented fourth straight victory. Clarke follows the masterful leadership of Paul McGinley at Gleneagles in 2014.
As for the Americans? They really pulled out all the stops by creating - wait for it - a task force. Davis Love III returns as captain, a chance at redemption from when the Americans lost a 10-6 lead at Medinah four years ago.
TIGER WOODS: The biggest star in golf sent a mixed message in The Bahamas last month. He spent more time talking about his past than the future, saying at one point that anything he accomplishes the rest of his career will be ''gravy.'' He also tried to cool speculation about retirement by saying he wants to play.
Three back surgeries in just over 18 months kept him from doing little more than walking.
Woods missed eight months recovering from reconstructive knee surgery after the 2008 U.S. Open. He missed four months after the scandal in his personal life led to divorce after 2009. He missed three months because of injuries in 2011 and 2014. He already has been out of competition for five months.
Interest might be higher than ever when he returns. If he returns.
Off and Running in 2016.
By Ryan O'Sullivan
By Ryan O'Sullivan
Aloha!
The 2016 segment of the 2015-16 PGA TOUR schedule is set to kick off on the Plantation Course at Kapalua, in the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. Here is a preview to get you off and running.
The 2016 segment of the 2015-16 PGA TOUR schedule is set to kick off on the Plantation Course at Kapalua, in the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. Here is a preview to get you off and running.
Just the Facts:
- The Plantation Course plays to a par of 73, featuring four par 5s, 11 par 4s and three par 3s. It stretches out to a deceptive 7,452 yards. More on that later.
- Patrick Reed bested Jimmy Walker in a playoff at 21-under-par 271 in last year’s edition to claim his first HTOC title.
- Other past champions in the field this week include Davis Love III (1993 – La Costa CC), Dustin Johnson (2013) and Zach Johnson (2014). That’s it, sports fans.
Deep Thoughts
The yardage (7,452) associated with the Plantation Course at Kapalua leads many novices to the fantasy golf world to immediately think that this is a bombers paradise. That’s not wrong, but it’s not right.
It’s not wrong because the course is very wide open off the tee, thus there are very few penalties associates with wayward drives. Bombers aren’t punished for poor drives very often. Three of the four par 5s are gettable for longer players, but all can be reached by bombers. One of the par 4s is also drivable for almost everyone as well, and a second one is almost reachable for those with the gift of length.
It’s not wrong because the course is very wide open off the tee, thus there are very few penalties associates with wayward drives. Bombers aren’t punished for poor drives very often. Three of the four par 5s are gettable for longer players, but all can be reached by bombers. One of the par 4s is also drivable for almost everyone as well, and a second one is almost reachable for those with the gift of length.
What really counts at Kapalua is wedging and putting. There are plenty of wedge opportunities on par 4s, meaning there are no shortages of birdie looks from the 10-foot range. That’s exactly why a guy like Zach Johnson won in 2014.
The formula for winning this tournament is to play the par 5s efficiently, regardless of length off the tee, and be above average with the wedges and putter. Oh. And make plenty of birdies.
Housekeeping
Three things tend to identify which players are legit, and those that are fool’s gold. These traits are the same for virtually every tournament, and they are current form, course history and statistical fit. The emphasis is different for each tournament, but all matter.
Because of the hilly terrain on the Plantation Course and the trade winds and Kona winds that have a legitimate impact on how the course plays, course history matters. Even if a guy finishes T15 in his first trip, as long as it wasn’t a disaster, he learned something. With a few exceptions, steer clear of first timers.
Because of the hilly terrain on the Plantation Course and the trade winds and Kona winds that have a legitimate impact on how the course plays, course history matters. Even if a guy finishes T15 in his first trip, as long as it wasn’t a disaster, he learned something. With a few exceptions, steer clear of first timers.
Current form should only be a factor this week for those that were extremely hot or very chilly when 2015 ended. Virtually every player took a few weeks off for the holidays, so everyone has some degree of rust.
We’ve covered stats, but here’s a review. Play the par 4s well, be strong with the irons from inside of 125 and make some putts.
While it’s very rare that the opportunity presents itself to mention every golfer in the field, this happens to be one of them. Below are a few thoughts on everyone in the field.
Let’s get started!
The Usual Suspects
Jordan Spieth: Taking it from the top, he was runner-up here in 2014. Similar to the Masters, there was no learning curve with him at Kapalua. He can play par 5s with the best of them, isn’t bad with the wedges and is well known for making putts.
Jason Day: Enters this week following a layoff, but he has the experience of a T3 last year at Kapalua on which to lean. You want class? He’s got it to spare.
Rickie Fowler: Finished third in the Hero World Challenge just before the Christmas break and tied for sixth in the Hyundai Tournament of Champions in 2013.
Dustin Johnson: In addition to being a past champion, he has top 10s in each of his last three trips to Kapalua. If his wedges and putter behave at all, he will be tough to beat. It’s a bit concerning that he could only manage a T15 in the Hero World Challenge last month.
Zach Johnson: Top 10s in his last two trips, including a win in 2014. He’s one of the guys that announced a change to the Parsons Xtreme Golf staff this week, so we’ll see if that has any impact after a long relationship with Titleist.
Zach Johnson: Top 10s in his last two trips, including a win in 2014. He’s one of the guys that announced a change to the Parsons Xtreme Golf staff this week, so we’ll see if that has any impact after a long relationship with Titleist.
Patrick Reed: In case you haven’t been tuned in to what’s going on in the wider world of golf, the defending champ was posting top 10s across the globe at a Jordan Spieth rate in the closing months of 2015. We’ve already learned that he has no fear of taking low, so this is a perfect spot for him in many gaming formats.
Bubba Watson: Top 10s at Kapalua in his last two trips, but has yet to fully crack the code. Enters on the heels of a win in the Hero World Challenge, so his recent play is pretty strong. Much like DJ, he has to wedge it and putt it just well enough for his power to be rewarded.
Bubba Watson: Top 10s at Kapalua in his last two trips, but has yet to fully crack the code. Enters on the heels of a win in the Hero World Challenge, so his recent play is pretty strong. Much like DJ, he has to wedge it and putt it just well enough for his power to be rewarded.
The Kapalua Rookie Class
Alex Cejka: He’s waited his entire career to get here, but it’s hard to image him rising to the top with some of the names listed above in play. Played reasonably well during the 2015 portion of the current season, but he’s has plenty of time to cool off.
Fabian Gomez: His last appearance leading up to this was a T44 on Sea Island. He picked up a win overseas just before that on PGA TOUR LATINOAMERICA, but that’s a much weaker field. The stats don’t suggest this as a great fit.
Fabian Gomez: His last appearance leading up to this was a T44 on Sea Island. He picked up a win overseas just before that on PGA TOUR LATINOAMERICA, but that’s a much weaker field. The stats don’t suggest this as a great fit.
Emiliano Grillo: One of a couple of rookies that have a chance to make an impact this week, Grillo has shown no fear and a very quick learning curve to date. Not quite elite, but he could be in another year.
James Hahn: After a solo sixth in the CIMB Classic, Hahn took a lengthy break. The good news is, he is obviously well rested. The bad news is, it is very tough to get a read on him this week. The stats line up just average.
Padraig Harrington: It was a bit of a shock that this is his first trip, given the successes of his career. He hasn’t done much since his win at The Honda Classic, so there is no reason to expect a big week at Kapalua.
Smylie Kaufman: Picked up a win very early in his rookie season to earn the invite, but didn’t do much to follow that up. Probably needs the benefit of four laps around the course this time to set up for success in the future.
Smylie Kaufman: Picked up a win very early in his rookie season to earn the invite, but didn’t do much to follow that up. Probably needs the benefit of four laps around the course this time to set up for success in the future.
Kevin Kisner: Finally lifted the lid with a win on Sea Island to end the 2015 portion of the schedule and very well may carry that momentum into this week. Certainly a first-timer to watch.
Russell Knox: Second in the FedExCup standings to Kisner, Knox ended the 2015 portion of his PGA TOUR schedule with a win in the WGC-HSBC Champions and a playoff loss at Mayakoba a week later. He was second in proximity last season, but pretty far down the line in strokes gained: putting. He needs to putt to win this week.
Russell Knox: Second in the FedExCup standings to Kisner, Knox ended the 2015 portion of his PGA TOUR schedule with a win in the WGC-HSBC Champions and a playoff loss at Mayakoba a week later. He was second in proximity last season, but pretty far down the line in strokes gained: putting. He needs to putt to win this week.
Brooks Koepka: Gamers should be concerned in the short term about his shift to Nike sticks and balls. His talent will overcome that in the long run, but a few bumps in the road could be a reality. Nike staffers tend to take a little longer to adjust than most other brands.
Danny Lee: An ironman last year, he’s coming off a fairly lengthy break. We’ll find out if he needs to play a bunch of tournaments to stay in form, or if the rest was what he needed to start hot in 2016.
David Lingmerth: Could be an eventual fit for this tournament, but will need the experience of this week to prepare him for the future. layout inside the top 10 would be a mild surprise, but don’t expect him to bomb out.
Peter Malnati: Already developed the reputation for having a positive attitude, the PGA TOUR sophomore may need some patience and a positive outlook to navigate the winds and terrain in his first look at the Plantation Course.
Troy Merritt: A true wildcard given his nature of hot-and-cold play.
Troy Merritt: A true wildcard given his nature of hot-and-cold play.
Justin Thomas: Very little doubt that he will have a big season, but it’s hard to predict if this will be a coming out party for 2016. He demolishes par 5s, but is only average with the par 4s.
The Second Level
Jimmy Walker: Just missed the cut for making the first group, but he’s not quite in the same class as the names that beat him out. In terms of this event, he’s still extremely dangerous after losing in a playoff to Patrick Reed last year. He was not as sharp as usual during the fall, so avoid pushing all the chips to the middle.
Bill Haas: After a top 10 in his first trip to Kapalua, he’s finished in the 20s in his subsequent three, and progressively worse in all. Tied for fifth at the Hero World Challenge, so perhaps there is some hope for a rebound. Still, for his price tag and future value, this may be a good time to pass.
The Second Level
Jimmy Walker: Just missed the cut for making the first group, but he’s not quite in the same class as the names that beat him out. In terms of this event, he’s still extremely dangerous after losing in a playoff to Patrick Reed last year. He was not as sharp as usual during the fall, so avoid pushing all the chips to the middle.
Bill Haas: After a top 10 in his first trip to Kapalua, he’s finished in the 20s in his subsequent three, and progressively worse in all. Tied for fifth at the Hero World Challenge, so perhaps there is some hope for a rebound. Still, for his price tag and future value, this may be a good time to pass.
J.B. Holmes: He’s very confusing for this week. Finished T4 back in 2007, but no better than T29 in his other two including 33rd last year. Form was great at the end of 2015, so he’s a box of chocolates.
Chris Kirk: His three finishes have ranged from T7 to T16, and that’s where his value lies this week. A T10 at the Hero is not that big of an accomplishment; so don’t let that be a deciding factor.
Graeme McDowell: Polished off an otherwise terrible 2015 with a win and a solo third in his final two starts. Pair that with a third in his only other trip to Kapalua (2013) and we have a man to watch.
Scott Piercy: Two trips went T12 and T13. That, along with solid form late in 2015 should have him in the hunt for a top-10 finish this week.
Brandt Snedeker: Perhaps the worst form of the entire field considering his MCs at the end of 2015, but finished no worse than 11th in three trips to the Plantation Course with a third-place finish the highlight.
Not Looking Good
Steven Bowditch: A T22 in 2015 isn’t much of a springboard considering a chilly end to 2015.
Matt Every: This isn’t Bay Hill, and he was T27 in his only other start in this event. Pass.
J.J. Henry: Actually possess good course history, with a T8 in 2007 and a T13 in 2013, but it’s hard to trust his current form. His talent could also be overshadowed by that of others.
Davis Love III: It’s not often that a guy who finishes T2 in his last stop at a course is ranked near the bottom of the field his next visit, but that was 2009. He’ll need to catch lightening in a bottle.
Keep an eye out for Playing the Tips to see all of the Rotoworld Staff picks for the Yahoo! and Golf Channel games.
Best of luck to all!
Best of luck to all!
NASCAR: Active win leaders: Who has won the most at each track after Jeff Gordon’s retirement.
By Daniel McFadin
(Photo/nbcsports.com)
With the retirement of Jeff Gordon after 23 full-time seasons in Sprint Cup, NASCAR lost a man of many descriptions. One of those was its active all-time wins leader.
The end of Gordon’s career saw him with 93 wins, the last coming at Martinsville Speedway. That win gave him nine at the half-mile track and once again made him the active win leader there for one more month.
But 2016 is the a new year. A year where Jimmie Johnson is the active all-time winner in Sprint Cup with 75 wins (one shy of Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s total of 76) and the leader in wins at Martinsville with eight.
But that’s not the only track Johnson holds the active record for wins at now. Of the 23 tracks the Sprint Cup Series competes each year, Johnson has the most wins at 10 of them.
There were tracks Gordon dominated that Johnson hasn’t come close to performing on the same level at, but there are not many.
The win totals will shift slightly more when Tony Stewart retires following the 2016 season.
Here’s a look at each Cup track, how many points wins Gordon achieved there and who owns the record for most active wins at each after his retirement.
Daytona International Speedway
Gordon Win Total: 6
Active Leaders: Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr., 4
Atlanta Motor Speedway
Gordon Win Total: 5
Active Leader: Johnson, 4; four drivers have three wins.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Gordon Win Total: 1
Active Leaders: Johnson, 4; Matt Kenseth, 3
Phoenix International Raceway
Gordon Win Total: 2
Active leader: Kevin Harvick, 7; Johnson, 4
Auto Club Speedway
Gordon Win Total: 3
Active Leaders: Johnson, 5; Kenseth, 3
Martinsville Speedway
Gordon Win Total: 9
Active Leaders: Johnson, 8; Denny Hamlin, 5
Texas Motor Speedway
Gordon Win Total: 1
Active Leaders: Johnson, 6; Carl Edwards, 3
Bristol Motor Speedway
Gordon Win Total: 5
Active Leaders: Kyle and Kurt Busch, 5; Kenseth, 4
Richmond International Raceway
Gordon Win Total: 2
Active Leaders: Kyle Busch, 4; four drivers have three wins
Talladega Superspeedway
Gordon Win Total: 6
Active Leaders: Dale Earnhardt Jr., 6; Brad Keselowski, 3
Kansas Speedway
Gordon Win Total: 3
Active Leaders: Johnson, 3; Stewart, 2
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Gordon Win Total: 5
Active Leaders: Johnson, 7; Kasey Kahne, 4
Dover International Speedway
Gordon Win Total: 5
Active Leaders: Johnson, 10; Stewart, 3
Pocono Raceway
Gordon Win Total: 6
Active Leaders: Hamlin, 4; Johnson, 3
Michigan International Speedway
Gordon Win Total: 3
Active Leaders: Greg Biffle, 4; Kurt Busch and Kenseth, 3
Sonoma Raceway
Gordon Win Total: 5
Active Leaders: Stewart and Kyle Busch, 2; six drivers with one win
Kentucky Speedway
Gordon Win Total: 0
Active Leaders: Kyle Busch and Keselowski, 2
New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Gordon Win Total: 3
Active Leaders: Ryan Newman, Johnson, Stewart and Kurt Busch, 3
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Gordon Win Total: 5
Active Leaders: Johnson, 4; Stewart, 2
Watkins Glen International
Gordon Win Total: 4
Active Leaders: Stewart, 5; Kyle Busch, 2
Darlington Raceway
Gordon Win Total: 7
Active Leaders: Johnson, 3; Biffle, 3
Chicagoland Speedway
Gordon Win Total: 1
Active Leaders: Stewart, 3; Keselowski and Harvick, 2
Homestead-Miami Speedway
Gordon Win Total: 1
Active Leaders: Stewart and Biffle, 3
Report: NASCAR and Sprint Cup teams moving closer to charter system.
By Dustin Long
(Photo/nbcsports.com)
Both sides said last month they were “cautiously optimistic” a deal could be done before the Feb. 21 Daytona 500.
Sports Business Journal, citing sources, reported Monday that both sides are examining the contract.
“Like most things, the devil’s in the details,” Rob Kauffman, chairman of the Race Team Alliance, told Sports Business Journal. “It’s a multiyear agreement, so it’s important that details are right.”
The report states the agreement would be for five years – matching the length of recent agreements NASCAR did with tracks that play host to Sprint Cup, Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series races.
By being granted a guaranteed spot in every race via a “charter,” teams would be able to assure sponsors they would not miss an event. A charter system also would allow teams to better forecast race earnings and provide greater value should an owner seek to sell their stake. The report states that original plans called for 36 charters for a 40-car field, which would be down from the 43-car field run this past season.
Car owners have been lobbying NASCAR for years to implement a franchising-style system similar to other professional sports, arguing that their teams have little value without sponsorship. Since 2011, Michael Waltrip Racing, Swan Racing, Red Bull Racing are Sprint Cup teams that have closed. MWR announced last season that it would not continue after Kauffman left as co-owner to be a co-owner at Chip Ganassi Racing.
David Higdon, NASCAR vice president of integrated marketing communications, said in a statement to NBC Sports: “NASCAR and NASCAR team owners all have a common goal to make our sport strong and competitive for decades to come, and there has been progress toward that goal. There still is work to be done so it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”
Sports Business Journal reported that key negotiators – including NASCAR Chief Operating Officer Brent Dewar, Roush Fenway Racing President Steve Newmark and Kauffman – worked through the holidays and held a conference call on Christmas Eve.
SOCCER: Mourinho said to be ‘frustrated’ with Man United.
By Joe Prince-Wright
(Photo/nbcsports.com)
The Portuguese coach has been at home and out of work for less than a month but according to a report from ESPN the former Chelsea boss is growing frustrated that he is yet to be installed as Manchester United manager.
Mourinho, 52, was said to be the overwhelming favorite to replace current United boss Louis Van Gaal in December during a stretch of eight games without a win for the Dutch coach.
It was also widely reported that LVG would be fired following United’s 0-0 draw with Chelsea on Dec. 28 but he remains in charge and Mourinho’s representatives have aired their displeasure as it is believed executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward wants Van Gaal to stay and turn things around.
Mourinho’s reps were said to be scouting around for other options as far back as October as things began to implode at Chelsea, with both Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan options, but the former Porto, Real Madrid and Inter boss is said to want a crack at the United job, something he has reportedly come close to on numerous occasions in the past.
Many among the United hierarchy are still hesitant to give Mourinho a chance to lead them and the report claims his representatives are now looking at other options as he aims to return to management as quickly as possible following his firing from Chelsea after the reigning champs’ abysmal start to the current season.
With United not impressing under van Gaal as his defensive tactics have seen them crash out of the UEFA Champions League at the group stage this season and slip to fifth in the PL table, many fans and pundits are calling for Mourinho to take over as the man who has delivered league titles in England, Spain, Portugal and Italy has a proven track record of success… even if his ability to remain at one club for longer than three years is questionable.
Looks like that window of opportunity may have passed.
Stoke City 0-1 Liverpool: Ibe gives Reds first-leg lead.
By Kyle Lynch
(Photo/Getty Images)
With an away goal, the Reds have the upper hand heading into the second-leg of this semifinal matchup, scheduled for January 26 at Anfield.
Rain poured down throughout a first half that was dominated by Liverpool, as the Reds pushed forward while Stoke struggled to create anything on the attack.
However, Philippe Coutinho and Dejan Lovren were both forced off with hamstring injuries, replaced by Jordon Ibe and James Milner respectively. Coutinho went down after 20 minutes while Lovren lasted just past the half-hour mark.
Despite the injuries Liverpool continued to control play, and it was the substitute Ibe who found the game’s first goal in the 37th minute. Adam Lallana rushed down the right wing and played a ball across to Joe Allen, who completely scuffed his attempt on goal. However, Allen’s mishit fell perfectly to Ibe, who smashed a left-footed shot past Jack Butland and into the back of the net.
Stoke manager Mark Hughes was irate on the touchline, screaming at his players as the Potters looked extremely out of sorts in the first 45.
Hughes would try to generate more attack with a substitution at halftime, replacing holding midfielder and United States international Geoff Cameron with a striker in Jonathan Walters. The move would help, as the Potters created more chances in the opening ten minutes than they did in the entire first half. However, Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet never really came under threat, as Stoke had a poor day overall.
The Potters must now climb out of a hole at Anfield in three weeks time to try and secure a spot in the League Cup final.
Steve Nash, Suns owner buy Spanish club Mallorca.
Associated Press
Former NBA star Steve Nash and Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver have bought a controlling share of Spanish soccer team Real Mallorca.
The Mediterranean island club announced Monday that Sarver’s company, also owned by Nash and Andy Kohlberg, has bought shares worth more than 20 million euros ($21 million).
Mallorca won the 2002-03 Copa del Rey title and had played for 16 consecutive seasons in Spain’s top league before being relegated to the second division in 2013.
NCAAFB: 40 thoughts on 40 bowls: Too many games, not enough ratings.
By Bill Bender
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(Photo/Provided by the Sporting News)
The bowl season is almost over. Alabama and Clemson will meet in the College Football Playoff Championship on Jan. 11, which will cap the postseason.
Aside from that, college football fans survived a 40-bowl season that featured way too many games, way too many points, and in some cases, not enough ratings.
Here are 40 lasting impressions from the bowl season. Don’t worry, you can breeze through these in almost 40 seconds.
Here are 40 lasting impressions from the bowl season. Don’t worry, you can breeze through these in almost 40 seconds.
1. Of the 40 bowls, a total of 23 winning teams scored more than 40 points. If you want to win, you better score.
2. San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl is 39 letters. Boise State beat Northern Illinois by 48 points in a 55-7 blowout. That’s the largest blowout of this year's bowls.
3. Yes, the 5-7 teams went 3-0 in the bowl games. But 5-7 teams still shouldn’t be in bowl games.
4. While it seemed like every game was a blowout, only 13 games had a 20-point winning margin.
5. Problem with that is four were New Year’s Day Six games, including the Cotton Bowl (38 points), Rose Bowl (29 points), Sugar Bowl (28 points) and Orange Bowl (20 points).
6. Yes, ratings were down on New Year’s Eve. There’s an easy fix for that. Move the playoff games to Jan. 1 or Jan. 2.
7. How do we get there? Give the Rose Bowl one of the semifinal matchups every year.
8. Best performance? Cal’s Jared Goff, who threw for 467 yards and six TDs in the Armed Forces Bowl win against Air Force.
9. Will Goff be the first quarterback taken in the NFL Draft? I’d still take Michigan State’s Connor Cook despite the struggles against Alabama in the Cotton Bowl.
10. Best breakout performance? Baylor’s Johnny Jefferson with 299 rushing yards and three TDs in the Russell Athletic Bowl.
12. Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey asserted himself as the Heisman Trophy front-runner for 2016 with a Rose Bowl-record 368 all-purpose yards against Iowa.
13. Unless it’s Leonard Fournette, who had 212 rushing yards and four TDs in the Advocare V100 Texas Bowl win against Texas Tech.
15. Best sendoff for a player? Navy’s Keenan Reynolds, who finished with 88 rushing TDs and led the Midshipmen past Pittsburgh in the Military Bowl.
16. Best sendoff for a coach? Virginia Tech’s Frank Beamer ended 29 years in Blacksburg with a 55-52 win against Tulsa in the Independence Bowl.
17. Utah-BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl was good, but Texas A&M-Texas would be better.
18. Group of 5 program on the rise: Appalachian State improved to 11-2 with a win against Ohio in the Camellia Bowl. The Mountaineers could emerge into a Sun Belt powerhouse, much like they did in the FCS.
19. Marshall and Connecticut combined for 26 points in the St. Petersburg Bowl, but the Thundering Herd won their fifth consecutive bowl game.
20. Should Ohio State’s Joey Bosa have been ejected for targeting? Absolutely not. The rule needs revised, and fast.
22. Team that is harder to hell than figure.
23. Coach you’d like to see in a bowl game next year? Chip Kelly.
24. Lasting image from the College Football Playoff semifinals: Derrick Henry with the stiff-arm on an 11-yard touchdown run that capped the scoring against Michigan State.
25. Play you can’t get out of your head? Clemson’s fake punt against Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. It worked!
26. Alabama and Clemson combined to outscore Michigan State and Oklahoma 49-0 in the second half of their College Football Playoff semifinals.
27. Best breakout performance in a College Football Playoff semifinal? How good is Alabama’s Calvin Ridley? He had 138 yards and two TDs against Michigan State.
28. Most impressive Group of 5 school? Houston finished 13-1 and won the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Florida State. Tom Herman could put this team in playoff contention if they open with a win against Oklahoma next season.
29. Only one bowl game ended in a shutout. Alabama dominated Michigan State 38-0 in the Cotton Bowl Classic.
30. Three teams that built momentum for 2016: Michigan, Tennessee and Stanford.
31. Three teams feeling more pressure in 2016: UCLA, Texas A&M and Penn State.
32. Best comeback? How about TCU rallying from a 31-0 deficit against Oregon without Trevone Boykin in the Valero Alamo Bowl.
34. Team that missed the playoffs that thinks it could’ve won the playoff now? Ohio State after season-ending wins against Michigan and Notre Dame. Should the playoffs go to six teams?
35. Best conference performance? The SEC went 8-2, and Alabama is favored to win the national championship. How does that chant go again?
36. Worst conference performance? The Big 12 went 3-4, and four teams lost by 20 points or more. That included Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl and Oklahoma State in the Sugar Bowl.
37. The closest game? The last game. West Virginia beat Arizona State 43-42 in the TicketCity Cactus Bowl behind 532 yards and 5 TDs from Skyler Howard.
38. Best coaching matchup? It’s coming in the last bowl game. We get Clemson’s Dabo Swinney vs. Alabama’s Nick Saban.
39. What about the 41st bowl game? We’re wondering if Clemson’s Deshaun Watson can have a transcendent performance a la Vince Young against Alabama’s loaded front seven.
40. Who wins it all? Roll Tide.
NCAABKB: NCAA Top 25 Basketball Poll, January 4, 2015.
AP
RANK
|
SCHOOL
|
RECORD
|
POINTS
|
PREVIOUS
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas (44) | 12-1 | 1,598 | 2 |
| 2 | Oklahoma (21) | 12-0 | 1,574 | 3 |
| 3 | Maryland | 13-1 | 1,459 | 4 |
| 4 | Virginia | 12-1 | 1,409 | 5 |
| 5 | Michigan State | 14-1 | 1,400 | 1 |
| 6 | North Carolina | 14-2 | 1,275 | 7 |
| 7 | Arizona | 13-1 | 1,126 | 8 |
| 8 | Providence | 14-1 | 1,108 | 12 |
| 9 | Kentucky | 11-2 | 1,039 | 10 |
| 10 | Xavier | 13-1 | 1,001 | 6 |
| 11 | Villanova | 12-2 | 979 | 16 |
| 12 | Miami (Fla.) | 12-1 | 921 | 13 |
| 13 | Iowa State | 11-2 | 844 | 11 |
| 14 | Duke | 12-2 | 830 | 15 |
| 15 | SMU | 13-0 | 731 | 17 |
| 16 | Louisville | 12-2 | 568 | 18 |
| 17 | West Virginia | 12-1 | 558 | 19 |
| 18 | Butler | 11-3 | 516 | 9 |
| 19 | Iowa | 11-3 | 456 | NR |
| 20 | Purdue | 13-2 | 450 | 20 |
| 21 | Texas A&M | 11-2 | 420 | 20 |
| 22 | South Carolina | 13-0 | 286 | 24 |
| 23 | Connecticut | 10-3 | 107 | NR |
| 24 | Pittsburgh | 12-1 | 103 | NR |
| 25 | Dayton | 11-2 | 100 | NR |
Dropped Out: Utah 21, Cincinnati 22, Baylor 23, UCLA 25.
Others Receiving Votes: Gonzaga 61, California 54, Texas Tech 40, George Washington 38, Saint Mary's 23, Baylor 22, Oregon State 4, Colorado 4, Seton Hall 4, Saint Joseph's 3, Wichita St 3, Utah 3, Cincinnati 2, Indiana 2, Michigan 2, Akron 1, Oregon 1.
Buddy Hield's defining outing isn't enough for Oklahoma in epic battle of No. 1s.
By Jeff Passan
Buddy Hield reacts as Jayhawks celebrate during Oklahoma's loss. (Photo/Getty)
About 50 minutes after the performance of his life, a go-for-broke, put-you-on-my-back, 46-point tour de force, Buddy Hield emerged from the Oklahoma locker room looking like a man who needed nothing more than the warm embrace of a comfortable bed and a welcoming pillow. From his neck dangled a slim chain. At the bottom, encrusted in diamond dust, hung a star.
To call Hield anything else would deny what he’d done in the preceding three hours, three of the finest ever played here at Allen Fieldhouse, where for 60 years they’ve hosted basketball games. For 53 minutes on the court, over a full regulation and three overtimes, Hield confounded the Kansas Jayhawks and turned the rarest of rare games – a No. 1-vs.-No. 1 matchup, pitting the top team in the AP poll (Kansas) against that of the coaches (Oklahoma) – into a personal showcase. And then came the final minute of the best regular-season college basketball game in years, the one Buddy Hield owned until he didn’t.
“It’s going to hurt my heart forever,” he said, and for all of the things the 16,300 who bore witness will remember – the impossible shots and 3-point mastery and fashion in which one man controlled a 10-man game – what will evermore plague Hield is what he couldn’t do. Such is the curse of greatness.
First and foremost, he’ll see the scoreboard: Kansas 109, Oklahoma 106, triple overtime, No. 1 vs. No. 1 exceeding the impossible expectations. And then he’ll envision the inbound pass with 8.6 seconds left in the third OT that he couldn’t slink past Frank Mason III, arms and legs splayed about, so close to the sideline Hield could smell his breath if he cared to. And finally the last shot, only his 23rd of the game, a 3-pointer to tie, missing badly and burying the long-held dream of a 22-year-old senior who came from the Caribbean to Wichita, Kan., as a teenager and yearned to beat the team that let the Player of the Year favorite get away.
“I just want to win here, man,” Hield said. “As a kid, I grew up watching this place in the Bahamas. I always said I want to play there, or I want to win there. And I came up short.”
Short is a relative term. What Hield did Monday night was unlike anything Allen Fieldhouse had seen since Kevin Durant scorched the Jayhawks for 25 first-half points in 2007, since Anthony Peeler dropped 43 on Kansas in 1992, since Kansas State’s Mike Wroblewski set the record for opponent scoring at the gym with 46 in 1961. The record had lived alone for half a century until Hield, a 6-foot-4 guard, laced his Nikes and torched the deep, unrelenting Jayhawks.
Hield’s feet were so sore by the end of the night he slipped off his sneakers and limped across the court toward the locker room, stopping only to oblige a picture with an Oklahoma fan who couldn’t help but ask. Already the Kansas faithful that stuck around after the game had feted him with a standing ovation, the performance so overwhelming that allegiance gave way to respect.
The particulars of the night – 13 of 23 from the field, 8 of 15 from 3-point range, 12 of 14 from the free-throw line, eight rebounds and seven assists – can’t fully encapsulate the work Hield put in to book the 46 points. “We actually did a really good job holding him to 46,” said Kansas coach Bill Self, who sicced all three of his starting guards – Mason, Devonté Graham and Wayne Selden Jr. – on Hield before settling on Mason in the second half.
Going into the second half, Self said he planned on using Graham to shadow Hield, whose 22 points pushed Oklahoma to a 44-40 halftime lead. Mason, a junior, did not appreciate this plan.
Going into the second half, Self said he planned on using Graham to shadow Hield, whose 22 points pushed Oklahoma to a 44-40 halftime lead. Mason, a junior, did not appreciate this plan.
“He’s gonna wear you down,” Self said.
“No,” Mason said. “I want him.”
Over the next 35 minutes, Mason played bounty hunter. Everywhere Hield went, he wasn’t far behind, and Hield still managed to sneak free, only an inch of space necessary to loft his gorgeous jump shot. Back and forth OU and KU went, leads never lasting too long, the first overtime beckoning followed a missed free throw from Khadeem Lattin with 2.1 seconds left, the second after Selden came up short on a wide-open 3-pointer, the third when a Mason floater missed its mark.
Over the next 35 minutes, Mason played bounty hunter. Everywhere Hield went, he wasn’t far behind, and Hield still managed to sneak free, only an inch of space necessary to loft his gorgeous jump shot. Back and forth OU and KU went, leads never lasting too long, the first overtime beckoning followed a missed free throw from Khadeem Lattin with 2.1 seconds left, the second after Selden came up short on a wide-open 3-pointer, the third when a Mason floater missed its mark.
Though he hadn’t locked down Hield, Mason put in a yeoman’s effort playing with four fouls. He face-guarded Hield on almost every possession, which Hield started in the corner before bolting to the top of the arc in search of a sliver of daylight. Kansas knew better than to leave him free in the corner, his favorite spot. Everyone had heard about Hield making 34 consecutive 3-pointers from the corner in warm-ups earlier in the day. That he’d turned into this sort of a scoring machine, averaging 24.7 points per game, still gnawed at Self. Hield was AAU teammates in Wichita with Perry Ellis, the senior who led Kansas with 27 points in 53 minutes. Self and his staff saw Hield enough to lure him here and whiffed. At a basketball factory like Kansas, it’s a mistake that can be papered over with class after class full of McDonald’s All-Americans.
The Jayhawks’ depth was supposed to be their advantage against Oklahoma, and yet Self ran out the same five for almost all three overtime periods: Mason, Selden, Graham, Ellis and senior Landen Lucas. Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger stuck with his starting five – Hield, Lattin, Jordan Woodard, Isaiah Cousins and Ryan Spangler – until Woodard fouled out with 15 seconds left. Graham hit both foul shots to put Kansas ahead 107-106, setting the stage for Hield’s inbound.
Surely the ball was going back to him, something everyone in the gym understood, particularly Mason. A referee told him not to get close to the sideline. He nodded. Then, when the ball was handed to Hield, Mason stepped in and started jumping, perilously near the line – over it, perhaps, claimed those examining the replay like Zapruder was behind the camera. Officials buried their whistles. Mason tipped the ball with his left hand, corralled it, ran upcourt, drew a foul on Hield and buried his free throws. When Hield missed the final shot, the whole of Allen let out sighs of relief, exhausted and exhilarated.
“January 4 is too early to be having games like this,” Self said.
Games like this are what make college basketball so great. The individual performance of a lifetime at a building where a team has won 31 consecutive games and the coach owns a 198-9 record sounds pretty fantastic any day of the year. It was good enough that even the man of the night needed to see it again.
“I have to watch it,” Buddy Hield said, and he didn’t mean tomorrow or next week. No, he was going back to his hotel room, getting film and breaking it down. Even if that meant starting at 1 a.m. and rolling and rewinding, watching and watching again, smiling and frowning, lamenting and yearning, he said he wouldn’t fall asleep until he’d seen what everyone else couldn’t stop raving about.
“You’ve got to get better,” Hield said.
His head would find that pillow and his body that bed eventually, and he planned to sleep off the pain both felt well into Tuesday. Until then, he would hold onto what could’ve been, what he couldn’t do, even if it paled compared to everything he did.
The Jayhawks’ depth was supposed to be their advantage against Oklahoma, and yet Self ran out the same five for almost all three overtime periods: Mason, Selden, Graham, Ellis and senior Landen Lucas. Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger stuck with his starting five – Hield, Lattin, Jordan Woodard, Isaiah Cousins and Ryan Spangler – until Woodard fouled out with 15 seconds left. Graham hit both foul shots to put Kansas ahead 107-106, setting the stage for Hield’s inbound.
Surely the ball was going back to him, something everyone in the gym understood, particularly Mason. A referee told him not to get close to the sideline. He nodded. Then, when the ball was handed to Hield, Mason stepped in and started jumping, perilously near the line – over it, perhaps, claimed those examining the replay like Zapruder was behind the camera. Officials buried their whistles. Mason tipped the ball with his left hand, corralled it, ran upcourt, drew a foul on Hield and buried his free throws. When Hield missed the final shot, the whole of Allen let out sighs of relief, exhausted and exhilarated.
“January 4 is too early to be having games like this,” Self said.
Games like this are what make college basketball so great. The individual performance of a lifetime at a building where a team has won 31 consecutive games and the coach owns a 198-9 record sounds pretty fantastic any day of the year. It was good enough that even the man of the night needed to see it again.
“I have to watch it,” Buddy Hield said, and he didn’t mean tomorrow or next week. No, he was going back to his hotel room, getting film and breaking it down. Even if that meant starting at 1 a.m. and rolling and rewinding, watching and watching again, smiling and frowning, lamenting and yearning, he said he wouldn’t fall asleep until he’d seen what everyone else couldn’t stop raving about.
“You’ve got to get better,” Hield said.
His head would find that pillow and his body that bed eventually, and he planned to sleep off the pain both felt well into Tuesday. Until then, he would hold onto what could’ve been, what he couldn’t do, even if it paled compared to everything he did.
Three NFL Teams Applied to Relocate to Los Angeles.
By Robert Hackett
Several billion-dollar stadium proposals are at stake.
Three U.S. football teams submitted applications on Monday night to the National Football League requesting to relocate their franchises to Los Angeles, Calif.
The trio consists of the St. Louis Rams, San Diego Chargers, and Oakland Raiders, the NFL said in a statement, confirming that each had submitted the appropriate paperwork. The teams seek to move before the start of the 2016 football season.
At stake are several billion-dollar stadium proposals: Rams owner Stan Kroenke has presented plans for a $1.86 billion arena in Inglewood (St. Louis’ is attempting to woo Kroenke back by contributing $400 million to a proposed $1.1 billion stadium of its own) and the Chargers and Raiders have joined forces to propose a $1.75 billion venue in Carson, ESPN reports.
Dean Spanos, owner of the Chargers, described his decision to file for relocation as “probably the single most difficult decision that I’ve ever made” in business in a video announcement on the team’s website. The longtime franchise CEO explained his reasoning, framing it as a defensive maneuver.
“We’ve had nine different proposals that we’ve made, and all of them were basically rejected by the city,” he said, referencing the team’s failure to reach a deal on funding a new venue in its present hometown.
More than a quarter of the Chargers’ business comes from Los Angeles County and its surrounding environs, Spanos said. “Another team or teams going in there would have a huge impact on that. I think that’s what really was the catalyst that got this whole thing going. When the Rams decided to make their move there, this was a move to protect our business more than anything, and so we find ourselves where we do right now.”
The Rams and Raiders issued comparatively terse confirmations of their own.
The NFL said that officials will review the proposals at a meeting in New York on Wednesday and Thursday this week. In order to gain relocation approval, the franchises must garner the support of three-quarters of league’s 32 clubs. A vote will take place at a league meeting in Houston, Texas, on Tuesday and Wednesday next week.
On
Memoriesofhistory.com
1896 - The first American women’s six-day bicycle race was held at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
1941 - Alice Marble made her professional tennis debut when she defeated Ruth Hardwick of Great Britain at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
1942 - The National Collegiate Football Rules Committee abolished the Y formation.
1951 - The Indianapolis Olympians beat the Rochester Royals 75-73 in a game that took six overtimes.
1976 - Ted Turner purchased the Atlanta Braves for $12 million dollars.
1988 - A seven-fight deal was signed between Mike Tyson and HBO.
1997 - Peter O'Malley announced that the Los Angeles Dodgers were for sale. The team had been owned by his family for 47 years.
1998 - Barry Switzer resigned as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.
1998 - The Dallas Cowboys signed lineman Larry Allen to a 6-year deal worth more than $3.5 million a year.
1999 - The National Basketball Association (NBA) and its players agreed to a tentative labor agreement to end a six-month lockout.
2002 - Emmitt Smith (Dallas Cowboys) became the first running back in the NFL to run gain 1,000 yards in 11 consecutive seasons.
2010 - NBA commissioner David Stern indefinitely suspended Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas without pay. Arenas has admitted to bringing guns into the Verizon Center locker room and was under investigation by local and federal authorities.
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