Friday, January 6, 2017

CS&T/AllsportsAmerica Friday Sports News Update and What's Your Take? 01/06/2016.

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"Sports Quote of the Day"

"Anything can happen in this world. It is a crazy place, but as long as we have each other we can overcome anything life throws at us. Just have to believe in ourselves and keep moving forward." ~ Dustin Ash

TRENDING: After Artem Anisimov ties it in third, Patrick Kane leads Blackhawks past Sabres in OT. (See the hockey section for Blackhawks updates and NHL news).

TRENDING: Bears GM Ryan Pace: 'I'm as frustrated as anybody. I get it.' (See the football section for Bears News an NFL updates). 

TRENDING: Report: Bulls shopping star Jimmy Butler. What's Your Take? (See the basketball section for Bulls news and NBA updates).

TRENDING: NASCAR Fan Appreciation Day at Hall of Fame set for Jan. 21. (See the NASCAR section for NASCAR news and racing updates).

TRENDING: No. 18 Butler hands No. 1 Villanova their first loss of the season. (See the NCAABKB section for collegiate basketball news, game scores and updates). 

How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? After Artem Anisimov ties it in third, Patrick Kane leads Blackhawks past Sabres in OT.

By Tracey Myers

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(Photo/csnchicago.com)

There are ebbs and flows to every season, teams going through winning streaks and slumps.

The Blackhawks have been through both and rarely get too emotional through either. But following their come-from-behind victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night, there was an overall feeling that they needed that one.

Artem Anisimov scored twice, his second forcing overtime, and Patrick Kane won it 56 seconds into that overtime as the Blackhawks beat the Sabres, 4-3. The Blackhawks remained atop the Western Conference standings with the overtime win. The team behind them, the Minnesota Wild played the San Jose Sharks late Thursday.

Kane had a three-point night, his goal coming off a Jonathan Toews rebound early into overtime. It was the icing on a game in which the Blackhawks played well but chased throughout nevertheless. The Blackhawks, despite never leading this one until Kane won it, were confident down the stretch.

“I think even at 3-2 we felt good about ourselves tying it up, and it was nice to get one before we had to pull the goalie and kind of lean on that,” Kane said. “I think the biggest thing is just trying to get that net-front presence and a couple big goals by there by Arty where he’s at the net, he makes a play, he’s patient, he’s able to finish it off. I think after that, you’re 3-3, you’ve got some confidence, huge getting a point there. And like I said, nice to finish it off.”

Anisimov tied the game at 2 late in the second period before Kyle Okposo had the go-ahead power-play goal early in the third. But it was Anisimov once again, at his familiar spot in front of the net, recording the tying goal with just over two minutes remaining in regulation. It was Anisimov’s team-leading 18th goal of the season.

“He’s been great for us,” coach Joel Quenneville said. “I don’t even think about his production. (It’s) how effective he is to our team game, 5-on-5, faceoffs, to the net on that line, those guys can sustain a lot of pucks. When he gets to the net it enhances all our opportunities, and he finishes around there because he’s hanging around the dirty part.”

Still, the Blackhawks had to claw their way through this one throughout. They out-shot the Sabres 20-6 in the first period yet were tied at 1. That tying goal was a pretty one from Ryan Hartman, who was falling as he wristed one high over Anders Nilsson.

“I don’t know if I got tripped or not. I can say maybe I did. I don’t want to say I fell on my own,” Hartman said to laughs.

The Blackhawks could’ve fallen short again on Thursday night. Despite a lot of things going well in their game, they were close to losing another one. But they eked this one out, and you get the sense that they absolutely needed to do so.

“Certainly a big two points; kind of changed the flow we’ve had recently,” Quenneville said. “I liked the way we played tonight. I thought we had our best first period in a long stretch, maybe all year. We didn’t give up many chances, but we seemed to be behind all game. But it was a very timely goal by Arty again, great play to finish it off. Our goals were nice plays tonight. I thought we put a lot of bodies and pucks to the net. Outside of playing from behind, I thought we played one of our better games.”

Five Things: Artem Anisimov shines in Blackhawks' win over Sabres.

By Tracey Myers

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(Photo/csnchicago.com)

Some victories you just need. It seemed that was the case for the Blackhawks, who stemmed their slump with an overtime victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night.

We talked about the overall stuff in the game story. Since this will be a quick turnaround — another game here on Friday night, this one against the Carolina Hurricanes — let’s skip all the bravado and get to the Five Things to take from the Blackhawks’ 4-3 over the Sabres.

1. Artem Anisimov shines. The second-line center came off his upper-body injury just after Christmas and hasn’t skipped much of a beat. When the Blackhawks needed a jolt on Thursday, he was there to provide it with goals late in the second and third periods, both tying the game at those times. Anisimov now leads the Blackhawks with 18 goals this season. As Artemi Panarin said (through Igor Alfimov), “I’m really happy for him having such a great season. It’s proof that if you work hard, you’ll get rewarded.”

2. Penalty kill struggles. The Blackhawks’ penalty kill has been very good as of late, but when needed on Thursday night, it failed. Kyle Okposo came through on one, and Jack Eichel scored on another early in the third — the second proved to be the game winner. As our own Chris Kamka tweeted, the Blackhawks had gone 20 consecutive games without allowing multiple power-play goals before Thursday. The kill didn’t hurt them in the end, but it made things tougher on them.

3. Marian Hossa is fine. You could see Hossa looked fully recovered from his upper-body at Wednesday’s practice, but confirmation in a game is always a bonus. Well the Blackhawks got that, as Hossa looked like he didn’t skip a beat in his first game since Dec. 20. Hossa was sharp, shooting and one of the Blackhawks’ best players out of the gate. Said coach Joel Quenneville, “So smart and he showed some good pace, speed and the puck was following him around in shifts. He’s so useful for us.”

4. Killing momentum quickly. The Blackhawks were set to go into second intermission down 2-1, despite outplaying the Sabres for most of this one. But thanks to Anisimov’s spin-and-shoot effort just 18 seconds after Okposo’s go-ahead goal, the Blackhawks went in with a 2-2 tie instead.

5. Getting to the net. The Blackhawks did a better job of that on Thursday — Anisimov’s second goal was Exhibit A of what can happen when you do. But Quenneville wants to see it on a more consistent basis. “I think we can still do a better job of trying to play net when you go to the net and distract the goalie. When you’re playing right in front of his eyes, don’t make it convenient for him to see clearly at the puck and that’s a work in progress. We’re getting there, and let’s do a better job once we’re there.”

Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! CSN goes 1-on-1 with Bears chairman George McCaskey: 'Keep the faith, go Bears and go Giants'.

By Chris Boden

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(Photo/csnchicago.com)

When I asked George McCaskey in wrapping up a sit-down interview Wednesday if he had one final message for Bears fans, the chairman responded: “Keep the faith. Go Bears. And go Giants.”

Well, naturally there’s nothing unusual about rooting for whomever is playing the Packers. But before removing his microphone, McCaskey drew a comparison about keeping patient, as he and management have decided to do with Ryan Pace and John Fox, despite winning half as many games in year two of this regime compared to its first season.

“When they were 4-6, someone in the media said they need to fire somebody just to fire somebody. And they didn’t,” McCaskey told us. “They believed in their people. They stayed the course. The quarterback talked about running the table, but they approached each game as a must-win situation and put themselves in a good situation. I tip my cap to them.”

Laying the groundwork in hopes of sustained success is why the Packers have controlled the division since the early 90s. They’re already there, a well-run machine, with the help of a second straight great starting quarterback. That’s what McCaskey is expecting from Pace and Fox, even if the Phil Emery-Marc Trestman duo won four more games over their two seasons together before being fired two years ago.

“I don’t think there’s anything to be gained by comparing regimes. We’re in the here-and-now. We’re assessing Ryan and John and their performance. We haven’t seen the results that anyone has wanted, and that’s disappointing, but we’re excited about the future.”

As his mother Virginia McCaskey turns 94-years-old on Thursday, George had to gather his composure for a moment in front of a group of reporters he’d earlier taken questions from. In a perfect world, he’d love nothing more than to have his mom accept the Lombardi Trophy one more time, if time and a successful rebuilding of the roster allows.

“People are surprised when I tell them mom goes to every game, home and away. And the players make way for her as she wheels herself up the stairs to the plane,” said McCaskey. “They want to win for her. But it can’t be just about one person. They want to win for each other, and they want to win for this great city and their great fans.”

As for the general manager he hired two years ago, he likes how Pace hasn’t let a disappointing, step-back season deter the vision with patience even the chairman would find hard to muster.

“He’s a steadying influence. I like the type of players he’s acquiring. Now we just need more “better” players.”

In his group Q-&-A with the media Wednesday, McCaskey shared the mostly positive face-to-face feedback he gets from the fans, but was challenged about what’s believed to be a growing tune-out factor, anger, even apathy. But in following up with him, McCaskey isn’t naïve enough to think it doesn’t exist among some diehards after his team missed the playoffs for a ninth time in ten years since Super Bowl XLI.

“We understand that. It’s not to say that everybody is happy in the stands. That’s certainly not the case. We understand that people are disappointed in their Bears. The way I can best describe it is, Bears fans’ relationship with the team ... like when a loved one disappoints you, the disappointment is more profound because you expect so much. We understand that we’ve fallen short of their expectations. We’ve fallen short of our expectations. Bears fans deserve a winner.

“In some cases, we may have to win people back. But most of the people I’ve been talking to have been saying, `Hang in there. We know you’re on the right track. We know you have the right plan, and we know you’ve got the right people.’”

CSN goes 1-on-1 with Bears GM Ryan Pace: 'I'm as frustrated as anybody. I get it.'

By Chris Boden

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(Photo/csnchicago.com)

Shortly after Ryan Pace’s joint season-ending press conference with head coach John Fox on Wednesday, the third-year general manager took the time to sit down with CSN’s Chris Boden for a follow-up question-and-answer session as he enters what he describes as the most significant offseason in his goal to rebuild the Bears following a disappointing 3-13 season.

How would you characterize your first two seasons for fans that only see a 9-23 record?

Coming into this, I knew what we were getting into. I knew there was gonna be a lot of heavy lifting that needed to take place, and the competitor in me kind of enjoys the process. These times are painful, it’s hard. Three wins are unacceptable. But the silver lining behind it is — as you look deeper — you see a lot of younger core players playing well. It’s important that we continue adding to that group. This offseason is significant. We have a lot of opportunity in front of us, so we’d better take advantage of it.

What do you feel the degree of urgency is this offseason?

I think the urgency’s amplified because of where we’re picking in the draft. Picking third is significant. Hopefully we’re not there ever again, but while we’re there, we’d better take advantage of it.

Drafting third overall, do you need a Day 1 starter out of that pick?

I think when you’re picking top five, you’re looking for an impact guy. Different positions will have different expectations, depending who you’re picking. The quarterback position’s one we talk a lot about, but sometimes playing a quarterback right away isn’t the best thing. So we just have to take a look at who it is, and what position it is.

When you arrived here you discussed the desire to draft a quarterback every year. Looking at that situation this past season, is there any regret you didn’t take the opportunity to do that in your first two drafts, while realizing there were so many areas of the roster that required attention?

I really think it has to align. I don’t want to take a quarterback that we’re not all on board with just because we’ve got to take the position. It really has to align for you. And I think as we got deeper into the roster there were a lot of critical needs that we have to address in other areas, so that’s kind of what we were doing. There will be a point in time where quarterback’s going to be addressed.

How do you feel about the quarterbacks on your roster right now?

They’re all different. They’ve all had good moments. We’ve played so many different ones it was difficult to find a rhythm and continuity this year. We were all able to find out about each guy, but that’s an area where we want to create competition. And when you only win three games, we’re trying to create competition everywhere. I fully understand the magnitude of that position and how critical is to get that position right. I’ve been places before where that position can carry the team, and we’ve got to get that decision right and again a lot of things are on the table right now.

How do you feel about your first two first-round draft picks?

The stigma on Kevin (White) is gonna be his durability, and he’s motivated to prove people wrong. He has a chip on his shoulder, and he’s working real hard right now. I think we started to see, right before the injury this season, 'OK, here he comes,' with some of that explosiveness, and I think he’ll get that back. This isn’t a long-term thing. It’s fully recoverable. I’m just excited to see his growth. He knows what he needs to do, and he’s driven by that. Leonard Floyd, I think he’s the explosive player we expected. He’s going to get a little bigger and stronger as time goes on. I think he can be an impact player for us for a really long time.

How much has the growth of some of your key young players been limited by their injuries, and was that the most disappointing aspect this season, with missed opportunities for valuable playing time?

The injuries in some ways forced some guys to grow — the (Nick) Kwiatkoskis, the Cam Merediths. Really an injury led Jordan Howard to get out there sooner and flourish, so in some ways, there’s a silver lining to the injuries. But we talk about Year 2 growth, the fact that Kevin White and Eddie Goldman and Hroniss Grasu were hurt, that hurts that second-year growth. The good thing about those guys is that, with their professionalism and work ethic, I think they’ll overcome that.

Do have any more clarity about Alshon Jeffery’s value to this team after this season?

It’s not just the games, it’s being with him every day. When you first get in here, you’re trying to learn every single thing about your roster — not just the player on the field, but the heart and makeup of that person. So I think just being around Alshon for two years now, I have a real good feel for who he is, how driven he is and how much of a team guy he is. Alshon wants to win more than anybody, and I see him after a game and he’s passionately hurt by these losses. That means a lot to me because I feel the same way. You’re sick to your stomach. Unfortunately, he missed four games this year, and it was hard for him to get into a rhythm with all the changes that we had. But he’s a talented player, and that’s gonna be a real important decision this offseason.

Where do you feel your team’s strengths are two years in, and how close are you to establishing whatever identity you want this team to have?

I like the makeup and the character and the culture of the team. That’s kind of the first thing. You’ve got to get rid of any bad guys, and your roster can kind of flourish from there. I like the young talent that we talked about, whether it’s Cody Whitehair, or Floyd, or Meredith, or Howard, kind of have a base foundation of young talent. Now it’s on us to build on that foundation and keep adding to those young guys.

I’m sure you feel a certain amount of pressure after this season. What has it been like upstairs in the building, with all the (other management) people around you?

It’s actually been real good, and it stems from good communication. I’m as frustrated as anybody. I get it. This is hard. But these tough times can bring us closer together and kind of lock us in and make us a little more driven. There’s teams recently you can look at — Dallas, Oakland — who have quickly flipped it, but they’ve done it the right way, building through the draft and developing players. Sometimes, it’s a little painful, sometimes there’s growing pains, sometimes your patience gets tested. But you can’t deter that from doing things the right way and staying on course of building a team the right way.

Is that the message you’d like to share with Bears fans?

It bothers me when I walk through the stands and the tailgates. I see fans wearing jerseys of old players who are no longer here, and I get it. It’s on me to add talented players where they’re proud to wear the jersey of a new player we have because that player’s out there making plays and winning games for the Bears. I appreciate them. I know how passionate they are. I’m equally as passionate, and I promise you, we’re gonna get this rollin’.

Pro Football Focus ranks two Bears among Top 10 NFL rookies in 2016. 

By Tony Andracki

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(Photo/csnchicago.com)

In order to get back into contention in the NFL, the Bears are going to need to hit on draft picks.

So far, so good according to one list.

Pro Football Focus ranked the Top 10 rookies around the league throughout 2016 and two Bears made the cut — running back Jordan Howard at No. 5 and center Cody Whitehair at No. 9.

Howard — a fifth-round pick — finished as PFF's seventh-highest graded running back on the season despite not being a focal point of the Bears offense for the first three games.
Here's PFF's full rationale on Howard, who totaled 1,313 rushing yards and 5.2 yards per carry on the season:

In nearly any other season, former Indiana running back Jordan Howard would be a shoe-in for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Howard averaged 109.5 yards from scrimmage per game for the Bears, and that’s with multiple games as a backup. In the 13 games where Howard was the lead back, he averaged 122.2 yards from scrimmage. That’s outstanding production for a fifth-round pick who ended the 2016 season as PFF’s seventh-highest graded running back. Among players with at least 200 touches on the year, Howard finished with the fifth-best elusive rating.

Whitehair, meanwhile, was the sixth-best center in the NFL according to PFF's metrics. He played tackle in college but was drafted as a guard and moved to center when 2015 draft pick Hroniss Grasu suffered a season-ending knee injury.


Here's PFF's complete rationale for Whitehair as the ninth-best rookie in 2016:

Yet another player who is already one of the best at his position for the Bears, Whitehair finished 2016 as PFF’s sixth-highest graded-center. What’s most encouraging is the fact that this was his first experience at the position; he didn’t even practice in the middle during training camp this year. Whitehair graded well above average in pass protection, run blocking, and screen blocking.

The Dallas Cowboys (Ezekiel Elliott, Dak Prescott) and Kansas City Chiefs (Chris Jones, Tyreek Hill) are the only other teams with multiple players on PFF's list and they combined for a 25-7 record in the regular season.

Bears' Jordan Howard tabbed as NFL's rookie of the month.

By Tony Andracki

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(Photo/csnchicago.com)

Jordan Howard was one of the few consistent positives for a Bears team that finished with the third-worst record in the NFL.

Thursday, the league honored the Indiana University product with the offensive rookie of the month award for the final month of the 2016 regular season.

Howard tallied 547 rushing yards in his final five games, averaging 5.3 yards per carry and scoring 4 touchdowns.

On the season, Howard totaled 1,611 yards from scrimmage and 7 TDs, setting the Bears franchise record for most rushing yards by a rookie.

Howard has emerged as a diamond in the rough for Bears GM Ryan Pace, who used a fifth-round pick (150th overall) on the running back.

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott took home NFL offensive rookie of the month honors in November and his teammate Ezekiel Elliott was the award's recipient in October. Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz won the accolade in September.

Bears keep coordinators Dowell Loggains, Vic Fangio 'intact'.

By John Mullin

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(Photo/csnchicago.com)

Shakeups are inevitable at the ends of football seasons, all the more so when the result is the 3-13 disaster that the Bears’ 2016 was. And a number of changes within the coaching staff were in process on Wednesday, although none at the highest levels.

Besides GM Ryan Pace and coach John Fox being retained for the third years of their tenures – “Under Ryan’s leadership and with John’s coaching, we think we can get there,” said Chairman George McCaskey after coach and GM had addressed fans and media at Halas Hall – both offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will remain in place for 2017.

“I can tell you that our coordinators are intact,” Fox said. “There were different reports throughout the season. It's probably too early to say [as far as changes], almost like who you're going to sign as a player. We're in that process, guys are under contract.”

Offensive line coach Dave Magazu and safeties coach Sam Garnes were let go after their two seasons here despite long working histories with Fox, who declined any comment on those situations.

Running backs coach Stan Drayton is leaving for a post at the University of Texas.

“His goal in life was to be a head coach in college and it was a great opportunity for him,” Fox said. “Those kinds of things happen when you have good coaches, but we're excited for [Stan].”

Just Another Chicago Bulls Session..... Report: Bulls shopping star Jimmy Butler. What's Your Take? 

By #BullsTalk

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(Photo/csnchicago.com)

The Chicago Bulls are open to dealing Jimmy Butler, according to a Thursday report from Bleacher Report's Ric Bucher

"The team made it known weeks ago through back channels that shooting guard Jimmy Butler is available for the right price," Bucher said in his report. 

This week, Butler has already put together a 52-point explosion in a win over the Hornets and 20-point performance in a win over the Cavaliers. Bucher said that this recent hot streak is not likely to change the front office's thinking, though, adding "they are uncertain about building around Butler." 

It's not the first time Butler has been at the center of trade rumors. Butler's name consistently popped up on draft night, with Tom Thibodeau's Timberwolves reportedly expressing interest. 

This season, Butler is averaging a career-high 25.2 points per game to go along with 6.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He also ranks sixth among forwards for Eastern Conference All-Star votes.

As for another high-profile guard on the team's roster, Bucher noted that Rajon Rondo is still on the market "of course." 

Follow CSNChicago.com for more updates on this developing story.

Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica Take: We're not team owners or front office management but sometimes we can see the forest for the trees. We're beginning to wonder if the Bulls upper management can see that far. We're trying to figure out what their plan is and what their goal is? To build a great team, you need a mixture of good young talent and a couple of wily veterans with leadership ability. They have wily veterans in Dwayne Wade and Jimmy Butler. They have some good young talent from recent drafts but they don't that experienced matured coach to develop the players. The Blackhawks brought in Joel Quenneville for their young talent development, the Cubs brought in Joe Maddon, The Bears brought in John Fox, (even though he didn't have much to work with, he's getting some young talent now), the White Sox brought in Rick Renteria for the young talent they are assembling, (he hasn't proven himself yet but the odds are they will improve), and the Bulls brought in Fred Hoiberg. Now we're not saying Hoiberg is not a good coach, we're saying a proven, mature coach is needed to develop young talent, demand respect and to get the veterans to buy in. That's missing from the Bulls organization. 

The word is that they want to possibly trade Jimmy Butler for perhaps younger players, why? When they have no one to develop them. Why not build around Jimmy Butler? I wish anyone from the Bulls organization would explain that. Jimmy Butler is going to be successful wherever he goes because he's hungry, aggressive, and want's to win. The Bulls seem to have lost those traits. John Paxton and Gar Forman have a lot of fans wondering what's going on and what is the plan? Like you, we'll wait and see where do we go from here. We are diehard Chicago Sports fans and as with many of you, we are frustrated too. We enjoyed the Bulls championship years and know what can be done, we wonder if the people are in place to get it done?

You've heard our thoughts, now we would like to know what's your take? Please go to the comment section at the bottom of this blog and share your thoughts with us.

We value your opinion and cannot wait to hear from you.

Thanks in advance for your time and consideration.

The Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica Editorial Staff.   

Jimmy Butler takes over late to push Bulls to win over LeBron James, Cavs. (Wednesday night's game, 01/04/2017).

By Vincent Goodwill

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In the midst of Jimmy Butler’s miserable night against the NBA Champion Cleveland Cavaliers, Dwyane Wade went from co-star to Bundini Brown as the Bulls’ once solid lead was slipping away.

Wade’s message: “Win the game.”

And boy, did that young man rumble afterwards, turning in a 14-point fourth quarter to finish off the Cavs as the Bulls pulled back to .500 with a 106-94 win at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland—their second straight win over the champs this season.

“A guy that wears number 3 (Wade) came to me and was like, win the game,” Butler said. “I guess a switch cut on and get a couple baskets and tried to get some stops on the defensive end. I guess I did alright today.”

Butler followed up his exhilarating 52-point performance against Charlotte with a more subtle box score line of 20 points, eight rebounds and six assists in 38 minutes, but his plays were loud—so loud they quieted the vociferous Cleveland crowd, or sent them wailing to themselves.

He took a squared-up charge on LeBron James when the Cavaliers cut the lead to one and James was charging downcourt on a one-man fast break. Butler guessed right on James’ move and took the physical contact, earning the call.

“He coming at you full speed, that’s the right play to make,” Butler said. “It can go either way. It went our way. We capitalized on it.”

Not having the best of nights, starting the fourth quarter two for 11, it didn’t seem likely Butler would put together another performance suitable for framing but perhaps he showed another step in his maturation in the last half of the fourth quarter.

Butler hit a triple on the ensuing possession, then hit a turnaround jumper over Richard Jefferson after grabbing a defensive rebound. All in all, he scored 10 straight for a reeling Bulls team and 12 of 14 as they put the shorthanded Cavaliers out of reach.

“The 4th quarter is always go time,” Butler said. “That’s when the biggest of the biggest players are supposed to show up. That’s when I showed I belong here.”

He made star plays.

Franchise Plays against the Franchise Player of today’s game.

“It’s my job to be aggressive. I know I was gonna have to do that in fourth anyways,” Butler said. “Him telling me that, you can’t let D-Wade down, he’s done it for years. I think it was my time to step up.”

Wade has been that guy before and played with the guy on the other end in James, so filling Butler’s head with confidence was the least he could do in the moment—particularly when Wade had great moments in the first matchup in early December.

“Last five minutes. That’s when you have to do it,” Wade said. “That’s’ when the greats separate themselves. LeBron is a different way, he’ll take over. He may get five assists. Jimmy’s is buckets (laughs). It’s getting them.”

To that point, James was getting the better of Butler and still finished with a line of 31 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in 36 minutes, but without Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving, the Cavaliers were shorthanded and the Bulls had to take advantage.

They responded with three of their best quarters of the season following a miserable first 12 minutes, finishing with 13 3-pointers and holding the Cavaliers to just four triples after the first quarter—doing most of the work without Butler.

“He was so positive in the huddles, continuing to talk about getting the bigs the ball,” Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said, noting the contributions of Robin Lopez in the third as he had a couple buckets to stabilize things. “I thought the trust with our team was excellent, not just the defensive end but on offense.

The first quarter looked like a horror show, as the Cavaliers jumped to a 15-2 lead after a James triple midway through the period.

Some of the lesser-knowns took turns taking over, as Butler struggled with his shot and decided not to force the issue. Nikola Mirotic was in good mode, hitting two triples and showing a vast array of shots on his way to 16 points and four rebounds.

Doug McDermott hit his first five shots from the field in the first half, taking advantage of James’ ball watching to get free.

Michael Carter-Williams dunked over Jordan McRae and hit a couple jumpers in succession in the third to give the Bulls some breathing room.

They led at the half and began pulling away, especially with Taj Gibson continuing his mastery over the Cavs, following up a 23-point, 11-rebound night with 18 points and seven boards, missing just one shot in 10 attempts.

“Doug was playing incredible, so was Niko,” Butler said. “If you’re open and it’s your shot, take it because that’s what the game is telling you what to do.”

But when the Cavaliers stormed back—on the backs of players like McRae (21 points) Channing Frye (15 points) and Kay Felder (nine), and James headed to the scorer’s table to a standing ovation from the crowd with nine minutes left, having took a tough tumble on his ankle earlier in the half, it was time for someone to take over the game.

“It don’t matter who’s on the floor, the ball’s coming to you,” Wade said. “And we want you to do you.”

And it was done by the burgeoning star, the young man who rumbled and rumbled against the biggest star of all.

Dwyane Wade second among guards, Jimmy Butler sixth among forwards in first All-Star voting.

By Mark Strotman

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(Photo/csnchicago.com)

Dwyane Wade is second among guards and Jimmy Butler is sixth among forwards in the first NBA All-Star voting returns, the league revealed Thursday.

Wade, who has appeared in 12 All-Star Games (including 10 starts), received 278,052 votes, trailing only Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving (543,030). LeBron James (595,288) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (500,663) were the only other players to receive more votes than Wade, who was the leading vote-getter among guards last season.

Wade's 10 All-Star Game starts are tied for 11th most in NBA history. If Wade were to start in 2016 for the Eastern Conference he would move into a tie for 7th most starts in NBA history. Only 12 players have appeared in 13 All-Star Games, though James will make it 13 by the time final votes are counted. Wade would also be the first Bulls starter in an All-Star Game since Pau Gasol in 2015.

Wade won the All-Star Game MVP in 2010 when he scored 28 points on 12-for-16 shooting and 11 assists in the East's 141-139 victory.

One of the most respected and well-liked players in the league, Wade's approval rating among fans - as seen by the sheer number of votes - is hardly surprising. But Wade's numbers have dipped in his 14th NBA season. His 18.5 points per game are the lowest since his rookie season and he's averaging a career-low in assists (3.1) and field-goal percentage (43.3 percent). Wade is ninth among guards in the East in Player Efficiency Rating (19.53).

Butler has received 189,066 votes, trailing James, Antetokounmpo, Kevin Love (250,347), Joel Embiid (221,984) and Carmelo Anthony (189,817) among forwards. Butler has made appearances in the last two All-Star Games and is a lock to make it again this season. There's also a real argument to be made that Butler should make his first start.

In 36 games Butler has averaged 25.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He trails only Antetokounmpo and James in Player Efficiency Rating among East forwards (26.34) and has molded himself into a legitimate MVP candidate.

Voting for this year's All-Star Game will be compiled and averaged in three categories. The fan vote will account for 50 percent of the voting, while the players vote and media vote will both count for 25 percent of the voting. Players will be ranked in each conference by frontcourt and backcourt, and their "score" will be averaged among the weighted three categories. The two backcourt players and three frontcourt players with the best score will be named starters (fan votes will be the tiebreaker if two players are tied after their scores are compiled).

Here are the first returns of voting by position in each conference:

Eastern Conference frontcourt

1. LeBron James (CLE) 595,288
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) 500,663
3. Kevin Love (CLE) 250,347
4. Joel Embiid (PHI) 221,984
5. Carmelo Anthony (NY) 189,817

6. Jimmy Butler (CHI) 189,066
7. Kristaps Porzingis (NY) 184,166
8. Paul George (IND) 138,332
9. Hassan Whiteside (MIA) 72,628
10. Jabari Parker (MIL) 64, 141


Eastern Conference backcourt

1. Kyrie Irving (CLE) 543,030
2. Dwyane Wade (CHI) 278,052
3. DeMar DeRozan (TOR) 253,340
4. Isaiah Thomas (BOS) 193,297
5. Derrick Rose (NY) 129,924
6. Kyle Lowry (TOR) 128,940
7. John Wall (WAS) 87,360
8. Jeremy Lin (BKN) 59,562
9. Kemba Walker (CHA) 52,122
10. Avery Bradley (32,822)


Western Conference frontcourt

1. Kevin Durant (GS) 541,209
2. Zaza Pachulia (GS) 439,675
3. Kawhi Leonard (SA) 341,240
4. Anthony Davis (NO) 318,144
5. Draymond Green (GS) 236,315
6. DeMarcus Cousins (SAC) 202,317
7. Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN) 125,278
8. LaMarcus Aldridge (SA) 101,724
9. Blake Griffin (LAC) 100,524
10. Marc Gasol (MEM) 97,370


Western Conference backcourt

1. Stephen Curry (GS) 523,597
2. James Harden (HOU) 519,446
3. Russell Westbrook (OKC) 501,652
4. Klay Thompson (GS) 293,054
5. Chris Paul (LAC) 173,830
6. Damian Lillard (POR) 117,857
7. Eric Gordon (HOU) 76,609
8. Manu Ginobili (SA) 65,832
9. Andre Iguodala (GS) 64,247
10. Zach LaVine (MIN) 53,642

CUBS: Baseball America unveils Top 10 Cubs prospects for 2017.

By Tony Andracki

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(Photo/csnchicago.com)

As "next year" has rolled into "last year," the focus on the Cubs prospects has taken a backseat to a big-league core that will live on forever in Cubs history.

The Cubs won the World Series for the first time in 108 years with a homegrown group of players like Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Addison Russell who appeared on top prospect lists over the last few years.

So who's next to make an impact on the North Side?

Baseball America released their Top 10 Cubs prospects looking ahead to 2017 Thursday with a trio of hitters leading the way:

1. Eloy Jimenez - OF
2. Ian Happ - 2B/OF
3. Albert Almora - OF
4. Dylan Cease - RHP
5. Oscar de la Cruz - RHP
6. Mark Zagunis - OF
7. Jeimer Candelario - 3B
8. Trevor Clifton - RHP
9. D.J. Wilson - OF
10. Jose Albertos - RHP


Jimenez put the baseball world on notice with his performance in the Futures Game last summer and finished 2016 with a .901 OPS, 40 doubles and 14 homers in 112 games as a 19-year-old.

Happ was the Cubs' first-round draft pick in 2015 (ninth overall) and sported a .279/.365/.445 slash line last year while splitting time between Advanced Class-A and Double-A.

Almora spent a good portion of the 2016 regular season in Chicago, but did not exceed his rookie limits, thus still qualifying as a prospect. He figures to be a key part of the Cubs' outfield in 2017 in his age-23 season.

Trevor Clifton was the organization's minor league pitcher of the year in 2016 with a 2.72 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 9.8 K/9 in 23 games started for Advanced Class-A Myrtle Beach.

Dylan Cease is the most intriguing arm in the Cubs system. He was one of the top high school pitchers in the 2014 Draft, but arm injuries have forced the Cubs to move slow with the former sixth round pick. The 21-year-old has just 68.2 professional innings under his belt, but he has posted a 2.36 ERA and 91 strikeouts in that span, topping out at short-season Eugene in 2016.

Cease also appeared on the 2016 BA prospect list  that looked like this:

1. Gleyber Torres - SS
2. Willson Contreras - C
3. Ian Happ - OF/2B
4. Duane Underwood - RHP
5. Dylan Cease - RHP
6. Albert Almora - OF
7. Billy McKinney - OF
8. Oscar de la Cruz - RHP
9. Eloy Jimenez - OF
10. Jeimer Candelario - 3B


Obviously, Contreras was promoted and a huge part of the success in Chicago.

Torres and McKinney were traded to the New York Yankees in late July in the Aroldis Chapman deal.

That leaves Happ, Cease, Almora, de la Cruz, Jimenez and Candelario as the holdovers on the top prospect list year-over-year, with Jimenez making the largest jump.

Underwood — selected in the second round of the 2012 MLB Draft (Theo Epstein's first draft) — is still only 22, but pitched only 73 innings in 2016 across 18 starts with arm issues, posting an 0-6 record, 4.32 ERA and 1.507 WHIP.

Cubs reportedly hoping to host annual college football bowl game at Wrigley.

By #CubsTalk

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(Photo/csnchicago.com)

The Cubs are looking to maximize their Wrigley Field usage once the renovation project is completed.

Teddy Greenstein of the Chicago Tribune reports the Cubs are hoping to use "The Friendly Confines" as the host stadium for a college football bowl game each year beginning in 2020. The idea stems from the New York Yankees hosting the annual Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium.

In the fall of 2020, the Cubs and Northwestern are planning for the Wildcats to host "multiple" games at Wrigley Field, according to Greenstein.

Even with a football field already in place in Chicago on the lake, the Cubs believe they can offer something special with Wrigley that Soldier Field can't.

More than 41,000 people packed into Wrigley to watch Northwestern play Illinois in 2010, a game played that boasted a national TV backdrop despite both teams being forced to play in the same direction when one endzone was deemed unsafe last minute as it ran too close to the stands. 

"Concerts that may not sell out elsewhere sell out at Wrigley," Crane Kenney, Cubs president of business operations, told the Tribune. "It's because of the ballpark, Wrigleyville, Chicago, the history. It gives us confidence that a bowl game will succeed here."

Find out more information on the future of football at Wrigley in Greenstein's article.

White Sox gearing up for offseason hitters minicamp.

By Dan Hayes

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(Photo/csnchicago.com)

Next week’s hitters minicamp will afford White Sox prospects and the franchise’s player development staff a chance to get accustomed to each other.

Newly acquired prospect Yoan Moncada and 2016 first-round pick Zack Collins are among the 15 White Sox minor leaguers set to attend the three-day camp, which begins Monday at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz.

New player development director Chris Getz and first-year hitting coordinator Mike Gellinger will facilitate the event along with White Sox hitting coach Todd Steverson. Getz said he’s eager to get a wide-ranging group of players together roughly 5.5 weeks before the team’s first full-squad spring training workout (Feb. 18).

“There’s a lot of benefit,” Getz said. “Just to get acquainted.

“It’s good to get them all together.”

The session gives the White Sox their first close look at Moncada, who MLB.com has rated as the No. 1 overall prospect in baseball. The infielder was acquired from the Boston Red Sox last month as part of a four-player package in exchange for Chris Sale.

“It’ll be nice to have him out there,” Getz said. “He can hit. He has power. The upside is impressive.”

Also scheduled to attend the camp are Alex Call and Jameson Fisher, the team’s third- and fourth-round picks in 2016. Kevan Smith, Jason Coates and Charlie Tilson are also set to appear. Tilson, who had surgery last August after he tore his left hamstring, has made enough progress in his road back to health to participate.

“He’s had fairly positive signs in his rehab,” Getz said. “He’s trending in the right direction.”

The same goes for third baseman Matt Davidson, who has worked his way back after he broke a bone in his foot last June.

Though spring training is right around the corner, Getz said January is normally the time when hitters “establish their solid habits.”

Ideally, the White Sox would love for a group of their prospects to form a bond in the minors and learn how to win together before they reach the majors. Getz spent the past two seasons in Kansas City and also played alongside a core that developed together and later helped the Royals reach the World Series in 2014 and 2015, winning the latter. He’s aware of the benefit of that chemistry but knows it doesn’t always work that way.

“We’ve got some guys a little further down the line,” Getz said. “It’s definitely valuable to get them to grow up together. But at the same time, we have to remember they’re individuals at different stages and on different paces.”

A member of the organization since he was a minor leaguer, Gellinger is in a different role, taking over as the hitting coordinator for Vance Law, who moves to infield coordinator.

“It’ll be good for him to get together with the other coaches,” Getz said.

Golf: I got a club for that..... Paradise lost: Shaky start for big names at TOC.

By Rex Hoggard

(Photo/Golf Channel Digital)

Like most all-star tilts in professional sports, there’s rarely any defense at the SBS Tournament of Champions.

The winds that normally whistle up the mountainside off the Pacific Ocean at the year's lid-lifter, which is the closest thing golf has to a “midsummer classic,” were little more than a cooling breeze on Thursday on a Plantation Course that has been made even more vulnerable by heavy rains earlier in the week.

Idyllic views and fairways wide enough to hold even the most wayward shots, the Tournament of Champions is where pars go to die, and Day 1 at Kapalua didn’t disappoint.

Twenty-seven of the 32 players who made the trip to Maui were under par, led by Jimmy Walker, whose 8-under 65 included an eagle at the par-5 fifth hole and not even the hint of a bogey (he missed just one green).

It’s what the field has come to expect at the winners-only event, where the field average on a picturesque Thursday was 70.34 (par is 73).

Put an umbrella in an adult beverage and Israel “Iz” Kamakawiwoʻole’s “Over the Rainbow” on a loop and score becomes relative, not to par but to how the rest of the pack is picking apart the sprawling layout.

Like the leaderboard on Sunday at the Masters, things can change quickly on the Plantation Course. Consider that Ryan Moore got off to a less-than-stellar start with back-to-back pars, which at Kapalua is movement in the wrong direction. Three holes later Moore was 4 under par with eagles at Nos. 3 and 5 and on his way to an opening 67 that left him tied for second place with Jim Herman and Justin Thomas.

Rookie Cody Gribble was in an even worse position following bogeys at the first and third holes, but finished his day at 4 under.

“You're reeling, no doubt,” Gribble said. “But I played much better after that, hit more fairways, had plenty of opportunities to make birdie. A little disappointed that I couldn't get to 5 or 6 [under], because that was right there to really push to 7.”

Only at Kapalua, which is Hawaiian for “go low,” or something like that, is a 4-under card after early miscues a score worth lamenting.

But low scores are part of the charm of the TOC, where Jordan Spieth scorched the field and the history books with a 30-under total and an eight-stroke romp last year.

There will be plenty of time for “good pars” and damage control as the season inches toward the major championships; for one week let them eat cake and enjoy the walk.

But then it wasn’t the scoring onslaught that was curious on Day 1, it was those who weren’t joining in the mayhem that stood out. With a few notable exceptions, the top of the game’s marquee got off to a more measured start than most of the rank and file.

It started with Spieth, who managed just two birdies on his outward loop and played his closing nine in 1 over par for a 72 to tie for 22nd.

“Looking at the board right now, somewhere in the low 20s is probably the winning score,” said Spieth, who in two previous starts at the TOC had just a single round in the 70s and was a combined 48 under par. “I need to try and shoot 7 [under] each day. It's certainly easier said than done, but we've also done it here before.”

But Spieth wasn’t the only star who didn’t exactly appear ready for primetime. Dustin Johnson, a former winner at Kapalua and the kind of bomber one would expect to feast on the defenseless course, rallied with a birdie at the last for a 4-under 69, but that was well off the pace set by Walker.

After more than three months of rest and rehabilitation, world No. 1 Jason Day bogeyed his second hole and carded a wild 70 that left him mired in the middle of the pack.

Although the Australian has plenty of room for improvement after being sidelined late last season with a back injury, he seemed pleased with his ball-striking if not his ability to score.

“The average winning score at this tournament is 22 under, so you’ve got to build on it each day and not make silly errors,” Day said. “If I can take out the errors tomorrow I can play some decent golf.”

But then “decent” golf really isn’t a recipe for success at the Tournament of Champions, particularly without the kona winds that normally gust across the former pineapple plantation.

A successful start to the new year requires a singular mindset and plenty of offense, just like every other all-star game.

Tiger Woods Needs to Address These Areas to Win Again, Says Johnny Miller.

Golf Wire

Tiger Woods Needs to Address These Areas to Win Again, Says Johnny Miller
(Photo/Golf)

Storylines We Want to See in 2017 GOLF.com's Jessica Marksbury and Marika Washchyshyn, along with GOLF LIVE's Ryan Asselta, make their cases for most wished-for storyline of the 2017 season. The first two months of Tiger Woods's 2017 are filling up fast, and NBC-Golf Channel analyst Johnny Miller says it will be up to Woods to "break the ice" and relieve some of the mounting pressure.

"The hardest thing for Tiger is just the attention that he draws and the media coverage and the pressure that his unbelievable career has created," said Miller during a Golf Channel conference call on Wednesday. "Let's say he's tied for the lead going into Sunday. It gets so amped up, what people expect, and it's just hard."

Miller added that he was "impressed" with Woods's putting and iron play at the Hero World Challenge, where Woods made a field-leading 24 birdies over four rounds, and he also liked the slower tempo of his swing. But Miller said there are a couple of areas Woods needs to address to get back in the winner's circle.

"If he wants to win, he's got to get a dependable shot off the tee, like Dustin Johnson has gone to a cut or whatever he wants to hit that he can do in his sleep, and number two, he's got to somehow -- I still think he's got the heebie-geebies chipping around the green, little pitch shots, and I'm not sure if he has a lot of confidence or not," Miller said. "I saw a couple of mediocre shots in the Bahamas in that area. Those are the two areas, the driver, the expectation, and one other thing obviously is the chipping."

On Wednesday, the Farmers Insurance Open (Jan. 26-29), Omega Dubai Desert Classic (Feb. 2-5) and Honda Classic (Feb. 23-26) all announced that Woods has committed to play their tournaments. He had previously committed to the Genesis Open at Riviera on Feb. 16-19 and is now scheduled to play four events in a five-week stretch.

Wood's start at the Farmers will be his first on the PGA Tour since the Wyndham Championship in August 2015. He made his much-anticipated return at the Hero, an unofficial event, in December and finished 15th in the 17-player field, but showed many positive signs.

"You know, he's going to be a lot of fun to watch," Miller said. "He's going to really help the TV ratings."

Jordan Spieth Says 'Demons Gone' After Recent Return to Augusta National's 12th.

By Josh Berhow

Jordan Spieth Says 'Demons Gone' After Recent Return to Augusta National's 12th
(Photo/Golf)

Jordan Spieth's Masters Collapse Fair or not, Danny Willett's Masters win was overshadowed by the undoing of defending champ Jordan Spieth on Sunday with seven holes to go. As Jordan Spieth prepares for his first start of 2017, he's leaving some of his 2016 demons behind him.

Specifically, the demons haunting him from the par-3 12th at Augusta National and the final round of the 2016 Masters.

In the final round of the Masters, Spieth dropped two balls into Rae's Creek on the short par-3, flushing away his lead and falling into a tie for fourth. His quadruple-bogey 7 led to Danny Willett slipping on his first green jacket. Spieth went on to finish in a tie for second, which denied him back-to-back Masters victories.

He played the course for the first time since that dreadful Sunday in December, and this time he fared better.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday prior to the start of the SBS Tournament of Champions at Kapalua, Spieth said he played Augusta twice in December — and he birdied the 12th both times.

He put an 8-iron to 15 feet for the first birdie, and the following day he stuck a 9-iron to tap-in range.

"I gave a big fist pump (after the first birdie)," Spieth said. "I was walking around with my hands up — demons gone."

The two-time major-winner said he was "very nervous" when he got to the 12th.
"'Guys, we got some demons to get rid of here; I would appreciate it if you all stood to the side of the tee box while I do my work here,'" he told his playing partners.

"So, it was cool. I immediately after the first (birdie), whenever I could use my phone, I called (caddie) Michael (Greller) right away. 'Mike, you are going to want to hear this.'"

Spieth, the defending champion at Kapalua, is paired with Dustin Johnson for the first round of the Tournament of Champions.

NASCAR: NASCAR Fan Appreciation Day at Hall of Fame set for Jan. 21.

By Daniel McFadin

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(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images for NASCAR Hall of Fame)

The NASCAR Hall of Fame will hold its annual Fan Appreciation Day on Jan. 21, the day after the Hall of Fame inducts its 2017 class.

Fan Appreciation Day is a free event, but tickets to autograph sessions must be secured in advance. Tickets can be claimed at NASCARHall.com starting at 10 a.m. ET on Saturday. One fan can claim up to two tickets for one of the seven autograph sessions (one ticket for an individual or two tickets for an individual and their guest).

The day will include Q&A’s with NASCAR drivers and owners that will be followed by the autograph sessions. Q&A sessions are open to all fans.

NASCAR Next drivers and 2017 inductees Rick Hendrick and Mark Martin will also participate in Q&As for every fan in attendance.

Here are the seven autograph sessions. The Q&A sessions begin 30 minutes before each session.

Session

Drivers

Session 1 (9:30 a.m.)

Richard Childress, Austin Dillon, Ty Dillon

Session 2 (10:30 a.m.)


Session 3 (11:30 a.m.)


Session 4 (12:30 p.m.)


Session 5 (2 p.m.)


Session 6 (3 p.m.)


Session 7 (4 p.m.)Paul Menard, Brendan Gaughan, Johnny Sauter

Kevin Harvick joins Fox Sports as Xfinity, Truck series analyst for select races.

By Daniel McFadin

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(Photo/Fox Sports)

Kevin Harvick will work as an NASCAR analyst for Fox Sports in eight Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series races this season.

The network announced Wednesday that the 2014 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion will be an analyst for five Xfinity races and three Truck Series events. He’ll start his season in the booth with the Xfinity opener at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 25 on Fox Sports 1.

Harvick was a guest analyst for the Xfinity opener the last two seasons.

After Daytona, Harvick will join Adam Alexander and Michael Waltrip for the Xfinity races at Phoenix International Raceway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway and Pocono Raceway. He will be in the booth for the Truck Series races at Kansas Speedway, Eldora Speedway and Talladega.

“I really enjoy calling races,” Harvick said in a press release. “I enjoy the perspective of sitting up there and trying to figure out what’s going on. I also want to be a part of watching these young guys come up through the NASCAR Camping World Truck and Xfinity Series and have the experience of having been in the booth when they raced because, ultimately, it’s something I want to do down the road when I’m done driving.”

SOCCER: Forward Luis Solignac re-signs with Fire.

By Dan Santaromita

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(Photo/USATODAY)

Luis Solignac had his option declined by the Chicago Fire in November, but will still be back with the team in 2017.

The Argentine forward signed a new deal with the Fire on Thursday. He stays with the Fire at a contract number lower than his option was for and gives the Fire some extra depth at forward. The contract is guaranteed through 2018 and has a club option for 2019.

With the acquisition of Nemanja Nikolic earlier this offseason, the Fire now have better depth, certainly in terms of sheer numbers if not also quality, than in 2016.

With Solignac, Nikolic, Michael de Leeuw and David Arshakyan, along with winger David Accam, coach Veljko Paunovic will have more options at forward than he did at any point in 2016. The Fire traded for Luis Solignac on Aug. 3, 2016, sending allocation money to Colorado. That was the same day the Fire signed Arshakyan. By that time both Gilberto and Kennedy Igboananike were gone.

Solignac joins Johan Kappelhof, de Leeuw and Nikolic as players with guaranteed contracts for the 2018 season.

In a similar move last offseason the Fire declined Razvan Cocis' option and then re-signed him for 2016.

Solignac scored a pair of goals in 13 appearances, 12 of which were starts, after the Fire acquired him. With Nikolic and de Leeuw in the fold this season Solignac figures to play more of a bench role in 2017.

The 25-year-old scored five goals in 31 combined games, 24 starts, with the Fire and Colorado last season.

Solignac re-signing means the Fire have seven international players currently on the roster. As it stands, the Fire have one more international slot open, which could affect future moves as the Fire near the start of preseason training on January 23.

The Fire currently have 19 players under contract with two first round picks in the upcoming draft, which will take place Jan. 13. The draft combine starts Sunday.

Bruce Arena announces roster for January USMNT camp.

By Kyle Bonn

PASADENA, CA - JULY 23:  Head coach Bruce Arena of the Los Angeles Galaxy smiles before the match with Manchester United at the Rose Bowl on July 23, 2014 in Pasadena, California. Manchester United won 7-0.  (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
(Photo/Getty Images)

Bruce Arena’s first official foray into his second stint as the USMNT manager begins now, with January camp meant to test several options for future matches.

The MLS-heavy roster has brought in a number of players Arena wishes to see before the true test of friendlies to conclude the camp.

Most notably, Arena has called in players like Benny Feilhaber, Sebastian Lletget, and Dax McCarty who couldn’t manage looks under former manager Jurgen Klinsmann (McCarty will arrive late following his wedding next Saturday). Also invited were defenders Chad Marshall, Matt Hedges, Walker Zimmerman, and Keegan Rosenberry who all had outstanding MLS campaigns but have yet to receive USMNT call-ups.

The other large point of interest is Graham Zusi’s listing as a defender. This seems to confirm a report by FourFourTwo writer Paul Tenorio who claimed Zusi would be tested as a right-back during the camp. While it’s somewhat of a surprise that Arena – often touted as a structured deviation from the test-tube tenure of Klinsmann – would be experimenting, it’s also an intriguing option given Zusi’s lack of attacking prowess, his occasional history there with Sporting KC, and the lack of USMNT options at wing-back.

Overall, 32 MLS players were called into the squad. There are recognizable names in Jordan Morris, Jozy Altidore, Jermaine Jones, Michael Bradley, and even 34-year-old DaMarcus Beasley, whom Arena confirmed last month he would call up with the US short at his position.

Notably missing from the group is Clint Dempsey, who is still not ready to return after his heart troubles, but Arena expressed hope that Dempsey will still be able to return for the March qualifiers. Also absent from the roster is Tim Howard, who is recovering from a serious groin injury, and Matt Besler who has ankle trouble. Gyasi Zardes has successfully returned from a foot injury to make the camp.

The January camp will conclude with two friendlies, one against Serbia on January 29th and another against CONCACAF opponents Jamaica on February 3rd.

ROSTER

GOALKEEPERS: David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes), Stefan Frei (Seattle Sounders FC), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), Luis Robles (New York Red Bulls)

DEFENDERS: DaMarcus Beasley (Unattached), Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Greg Garza (Atlanta United FC), Matt Hedges (FC Dallas), Taylor Kemp (D.C. United), Chad Marshall (Seattle Sounders FC), Keegan Rosenberry (Philadelphia Union), Walker Zimmerman (FC Dallas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

MIDFIELDERS: Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas), Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Sporting Kansas City), Jermaine Jones (Unattached), Sacha Kljestan (New York Red Bulls), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy), Kekuta Manneh (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Dax McCarty (New York Red Bulls), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Chris Pontius (Philadelphia Union), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC)

FORWARDS: Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution), Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)

German football chief speaks out against enlarging World Cup.

Associated Press

MARSEILLE, FRANCE - JULY 07:  Reinhard Grindel, president of Deutscher Fussball Bund DFB speaks during the DFB EURO 2016 Club reception at Le Palais du Pharo on July 7, 2016 in Marseille, France.  (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images,)
(Photo/Getty Images)

Germany’s football president is against enlarging the World Cup.

Reinhard Grindel says in an interview published on the federation’s website that FIFA proposals to enlarge the tournament from 32 teams to 40 or 48 “have considerable weaknesses that are also clearly shown in FIFA factsheets.”

Grindel says, “At the DFB, we’re fundamentally convinced that the tried and tested model of 32 participating nations should be held. The world championships were always tournaments that inspired, why should that change?”

The DFB president warns that the quality of the tournament could suffer in soccer’s core markets if more participants are added, and that conflicts could emerge between national teams and clubs “if we overburden the players.”

Revised: Predicting Premier League standings for 2016-17

By Joe Prince-Wright

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 30: Diego Costa of Chelsea celebrates scoring his sides second goal with his Chelsea team mates during the Premier League match between Southampton and Chelsea at St Mary's Stadium on October 30, 2016 in Southampton, England.  (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
(Photo/Getty Images)

After reaching the halfway point of the 2016-17 Premier League, Pro Soccer Talk is handing out its awards over the next few days.


Click on the link above for all of the midseason awards, while below we release out revised predictions for the Premier League standings and how things will look at the end of the season in May.


Joe Prince-Wright

1. Chelsea
2. Manchester City
3. Manchester United
4. Spurs
5. Arsenal
6. Liverpool
7. Everton
8. West Brom
9. Leicester
10. Stoke
11. Saints
12. West Ham
13. Bournemouth
14. Burnley
15. Sunderland
16. Hull
17. Swansea City

18. Middlesbrough
19. Watford
20. Crystal Palace

Nick Mendola

1. Chelsea
2. Manchester City
3. Manchester United
4. Arsenal
5. Liverpool
6. Spurs
7. Everton
8. West Ham
9. Saints
10. Bournemouth
11. Leicester
12. Stoke
13. Burnley
14. West Brom
15. Middlesbrough
16. Crystal Palace
17. Watford

18. Sunderland
19. Swansea
20. Hull

Kyle Bonn

1. Chelsea
2. Liverpool
3. Man City
4. Arsenal
5. Spurs
6. Man United
7. Everton
8. Bournemouth
9. Southampton
10. West Brom
11. Stoke City
12. West Ham
13. Leicester
14. Watford
15. Burnley
16. Middlesbrough
17. Crystal Palace

18. Swansea
19. Sunderland
20. Hull

Matt Reed

1. Chelsea
2. Liverpool
3. Man City
4. Arsenal
5. Man United
6. Spurs
7. West Ham
8. Everton
9. West Brom
10. Southampton
11. Bournemouth
12. Watford
13. Crystal Palace
14. Leicester
15. Burnley
16. Stoke
17. Middlesbrough

18. Sunderland
19. Hull
20. Swansea

Eric Scatamacchia

1. Chelsea
2. Liverpool
3. Manchester City
4. Arsenal
5. Manchester United
6. Tottenham
7. Everton
8. West Brom
9. Southampton
10. West Ham
11. Bournemouth
12. Stoke City
13. Leicester City
14. Burnley
15. Watford
16. Crystal Palace
17. Middlesbrough

18. Sunderland
19. Swansea
20. Hull

Checking the road ahead for six PL title chasers.

By Nicholas Mendola

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Willian of Chelsea (L) and Mesut Ozil of Arsenal (R) battle for possession  during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on September 24, 2016 in London, England.  (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

The most important team in the next month of the Premier League’s race for the Top Four is Hull City.

We’re only half-kidding.

After Tottenham Hotspur snapped Chelsea’s 13-match losing streak, the table is looking a lot more friendly for would-be title contenders who ply their trade away from Stamford Bridge.

Hull faces three of the six contenders for the crown in the next month: Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United.

While that spells trouble for the Tigers, the remaining fixtures spell good fortune for some PL sides and could be trouble for the leaders.

Chelsea

Jan. 14 – at Leicester City
Jan. 22 – vs. Hull City
Jan. 31 – at Liverpool
Feb. 4 – vs. Arsenal


Not much to like here, as the leaders’ five-point table advantage will be tested twice in five big days between the Reds and Gunners. And heading to Leicester is no waltz either.

Liverpool

Jan. 15 – at Manchester United
Jan. 21 – vs. Swansea City
Jan. 31 – vs. Chelsea
Feb. 4 – at Hull City


Two huge tilts on the docket are spelled by trips against relegation teams who will likely be under roster tumult. Could be worse, but also could be much, much better.

Tottenham Hotspur

Jan. 14 – vs. West Brom
Jan. 21 – at Man City
Jan. 31 – at Sunderland
Feb. 4 – vs. Middlesbrough


Spurs have already bested Man City once, and will love their chances of creeping toward the top of the table by the time Boro visits to kickstart February.

Arsenal

Jan. 14 – at Swansea City
Jan. 22 – vs. Burnley
Jan. 31 – vs. Watford
Feb. 4 – at Chelsea


The Gunners may be kicking themselves for the 3-3 draw at Bournemouth long after this season is over. Claiming nine points from nine ahead of Chelsea is a necessity.

Manchester City

Jan. 15 – at Everton
Jan. 21 – vs. Spurs
Feb. 1 – at West Ham
Feb. 5 – vs. Swansea City


The toughest run of the bunch, City doesn’t have an “easy” looking fixture out of its next three (especially with West Ham looking prepared to the turn a corner).

Manchester United

Jan. 15 – vs. Liverpool
Jan. 21 – at Stoke City
Feb. 1 – vs. Hull City
Feb. 5 – at Leicester City


If the Red Devils can make it six-straight wins with a home defeat of Liverpool — no easy task given the opponent and a congested Cup schedule — there’s a decent chance they’ll be knocking on the door of the leaders in one month’s time.

Bob Bradley linked with Norway national team job.

By Nicholas Mendola

Swansea manager Bob Bradley watches the action during their English Premier League soccer match against West Ham United at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales, Monday, Dec. 26, 2016. (Simon Galloway/PA via AP)
(Photo/Simon Galloway/PA via AP)

Could Bob Bradley be getting back on the managerial horse already?

Fired by Swansea City after just 85 days, Bradley is “high on the list” of candidates to take the Norway managerial job according to reporter Kristan Heneage.

Bradley was in Oslo on Wednesday, and met with Norwegian soccer chief Nils Johan Semb. He told TV2 in Norway that they did not discuss the job specifically, but spoke of Norwegian football at-large, though he added that he’d be humbled to have further discussions about the job as he reflects on what may be ahead for him.

The 58-year-old worked wonders at tiny Stabaek in Norway’s top flight, and is well-regarded in the Scandinavian nation.

Bradley, of course, managed the United States into the knockout rounds of the 2010 World Cup, and came within a win of lifting Egypt into the 2014 World Cup.

Norway won just one of its first four World Cup qualifiers for the 2018 tournament in Russia, and sits nine points back of Germany for the automatic qualifying spot from Group C and four points back of second-place Northern Ireland. The group also has Azerbaijan, Czech Republic, and San Marino.

The side has been to three World Cups, but hasn’t qualified since 1998. It’s led by Hertha Berlin midfielder Per Ciljan Skjelbred, Bournemouth’s Joshua King, and West Ham’s Havard Nordtveit, and has some intriguing young prospects in Freiburgh’s Mats Moller Daehli and Real Madrid’s Martin Odegaard.

NCAAFB: What does Clemson have to do to beat Alabama?

By Zach Barnett

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 31:  Deshaun Watson #4 of the Clemson Tigers reacts after scoring a third quarter touchdown with teammates Wayne Gallman #9, and Mike Williams #7 during the 2016 PlayStation Fiesta Bowl against the Ohio State Buckeyes at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 31, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona.  (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
(Photo/Getty Images)

What does Clemson have to do to beat Alabama? Well, first we must acknowledge that everything written henceforth is mere theory, not fact. Right now, there is no blueprint to beat this Alabama team. They’ve been too fast, too strong, too explosive, too well-coached to experience the same sting of defeat that visited every other Division I squad this season.

But that doesn’t mean the Tide can’t be beaten.

The path to beating Alabama, a path populated by overgrown cactus and alligators and swarms of African killer bees, leading to same holy grail Clemson narrowly missed last season, starts with the quarterbacks. Deshaun Watson must repeat the same effort he posted in last season’s title game, when he hit 30-of-47 passes for 405 yards with four touchdowns against one interception, plus 20 carries for 73 yards. The Tigers can not and will not win without a similar game from their best player.

While Clemson has to have Watson at its best, it also must get Jalen Hurts at his worst. Hurts only threw the ball 14 times against Washington and many, up to and including Nick Saban, thought that was too much. Hurts has shown a penchant for giving the ball away, and Clemson must take advantage of that.

Pursuant to that, to beat Alabama, Clemson must grab an early lead and hold on to it.

We don’t know what Steve Sarkisian will be like as a play-caller on Monday night, and neither does he. If Clemson can secure a touchdown or greater lead beyond the first quarter, Sarkisian may start to feel that glare — the glare of dozens of ESPN cameras, the glare of his new boss. Alabama hasn’t trailed much this season — they haven’t trailed in the second half since a 33-14 win over Texas A&M on Oct. 22 — and forcing the Tide into that uncomfortable position, against a team that has a better quarterback than they do and a defensive line equal to theirs, could pull the full weight of the Tide’s 26-game winning streak on Sarkisian and Hurts’s shoulders.

Because while the path to an Alabama defeat is treacherous and untouched, the path to an Alabama victory is wide open and well-worn. If Watson has a bad game, Alabama will win. If Alabama has a second-half lead, allowing Bo Scarborough to start his oversized-bowling-ball-rolling-downhill routine, Alabama will win.

And there you have it. Either Watson will lead Clemson past the alligators and around the killer bees, or the Tigers will be flattened by a weaponized bowling ball. Sounds simple, right?

Big 12 reportedly discussed a possible scheduling agreement with Pac-12, ACC and SEC.

By Kevin McGuire

USC and Oklahoma line up during first half action at the FedEx Orange Bowl National Championship at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida on January 4, 2005. USC beat Oklahoma 55-19. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
(Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

With concerns about overall strength of schedule reaching new heights, the only two conferences to be left out of the College Football Playoff in the past three years have reportedly explored the idea of injecting a little juice into the overall conference strength of schedule with a conference vs. conference concept. The Big 12 and Pac-12 reportedly discussed the possibility of working together, according to a report from Dennis Dodd of CBSSports.com. But don’t expect anything more to happen with those future schedules any time soon.

The discussions took place in an exploratory stage over the summer as the Big 12 was weighing future options for conference stability, including expansion. Unfortunately, that was about as far as the idea got as the Big 12 continued to follow through on its plan to add a conference championship game in 2017 and put any expansion plans on ice. For whatever reason or reasons, a deal with the Pac-12 could not gain any momentum and the talks essentially ended there. Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby also said in the report the Big 12 had similar discussions with the ACC and SEC.

A few years back, before conference expansion really hit its stride, the Big Ten and Pac-12 worked out an arrangement that would see the two conferences schedule a conference vs. conference slate of games involving every member of the conference. It was a brilliant idea at the time, feeding off similar concepts employed in college basketball, but the Pac-12 ultimately backed out of the arrangement due to increasing concerns about adding this type of deal on top of a nine-game conference schedule (the Big Ten, with 12 teams at the time, had not yet committed to a nine-game conference schedule). With the Pac-12 backing out, the deal was done and there had been no talk about such a scheduling arrangement by the Big Ten or Pac-12 until now (that we are aware of).

It is a shame such a deal could not have been worked out, because it would seemingly solve a possible problem the Big 12 and Pac-12 each have compared to the stature of the ACC, Big Ten and SEC. Like the ACC, Big Ten and SEC, all Big 12 schools are required to schedule at least one game per year against another power conference opponent. Of course, having a deal in place with the Pac-12 would automatically satisfy such a requirement for Big 12 schools. The problem, albeit minor, is the conferences do not have even membership, which means there would be two Pac-12 schools left out of the fun each season.

It is good to know the Big 12 continues to explore such an idea, although knowing the Big 12 and witnessing how long it takes this conference to move on anything tells us it will be a long time before anything comes out of it. If any conference could benefit from a scheduling agreement with another conference, it might be the Big 12. The conference has missed out on the College Football Playoff twice, including this past season, in part because of the overall perception of the conference compared to its peers. One loss was enough to help keep the Big 12 co-champions TCU and Baylor from the playoff three years ago and two losses prevented even a red-hot Big 12 champion Oklahoma from surging into the playoff mix. A solid bowl season helps, but improving the strength of schedule as a conference is key to adding an extra ingredient to combat criticism of the conference. If the big 12 does work out an agreement in the future, will other conferences respond?

The ACC and Big Ten have a terrific basketball series that would also make for a fantastic football series as well if one were to be created, for example. Basically, the bottom line is the bottom line. If it makes fiscal sense for power conferences to arrange a full conference vs. conference scheduling agreement, then it will come together. It is hard to argue there would be no interest in a series from a fan standpoint, and network partners and advertisers would jump at the opportunity to get in on more attractive games.

Let’s make this happen, college football overlords.

Chip Kelly Is Interested In Returning To College Next Season And Several Schools Are Reportedly Interested.

By Simon Olgus

Chip Kelly was fired by the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday evening, but Tuesday is was reported that several Division I schools could have interest in him to coach next season. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

While the rule of thumb is to always to expect the unexpected in the NFL, it still came as a surprise on Sunday night when the San Francisco 49ers fired Chip Kelly after just one season with the team. While no coach should be in comfortable standing after a 2-14 season, it was still a bold and costly move by the team to fire a coach after one season after doing the same to Jim Tomsula, the coach Kelly replaced.

Tomsula was working on a four-year, $14 million contract that still runs for two more seasons at $3.5 million per year and now the 49ers will also owe Kelly $6 million per year through the 2019 season. These contracts, along with those of Tomsula’s and Kelly’s assistants and former general manager Trent Baalke, will reportedly cost the 49ers upwards of $70 million.  And that doesn’t factor in the costs of whoever will run the team in 2017 and beyond.

The obvious next question is where Kelly will next coach. It’s unlikely that he will get a third chance in the NFL and all the NCAA Division I openings were filled last month, so it seemed like a year off from the game might be in his best interests.

But the coach spoke with Fox Sports’ Bruce Feldman on Tuesday and said that he could be back in the college game as soon as next year. So the question is whether any school would make a move on their head coach without the firm assurance that Kelly will be in the fold immediately.

“I evaluate all jobs individually,” Kelly said. “I wouldn’t rule anything out.”

Kelly’s interest at the college level is not unexpected. He was 46-7 at Oregon in his four seasons in Eugene.  He led the Ducks to Rose Bowl and Fiesta Bowl wins and fell just short in the 2010 national championship game against Auburn. He then went 26-21 with the Eagles in three seasons before his most recent stint in San Francisco.

With Kelly’s overwhelming success at Oregon and a willingness to jump back into the game next season, Fox Sports has also reported that there are several schools that would strongly contemplate a coaching change immediately if Kelly were to agree to coach at their university.

Another factor that could benefit Kelly and the future school that hires him is that he is due $6.5 million from the 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles even if he decides to take the year off. This payout could help a school that might have to buy out their existing coach in order to obtain Kelly. It could also open up a broader set of opportunities if Kelly decides that money is not the primary criteria in where he chooses to next coach. There is undoubtedly offset language in Kelly’s Eagles and 49ers contracts if he were to coach next year, but Kelly will still get the $6.5 million regardless of where he lands.

While Kelly’s stock is down compared to his run at Oregon, it seems he is still in demand at the college level. It will be interesting to see if any schools are able to make the bold move at this late date and get Kelly into the college game for the 2017 season and beyond.

NCAABKB: No. 18 Butler hands No. 1 Villanova their first loss of the season.

By Rob Dauster

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 04: Head coach Chris Holtmann of the Butler Bulldogs reacts in the first half of the game against the Villanova Wildcats at Hinkle Fieldhouse on January 4, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
(Photo/Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Andrew Chrabacsz had 13 points and seven boards to lead No. 18 Butler and Kethan Savage added 13 huge points off the bench before fouling out as the Bulldogs upset No. 1 Villanova, 66-58, on Wednesday night.

The loss is Villanova’s first of the season. Jalen Brunson scored 23 points to lead the way for the Wildcats, but the NBC Sports midseason Player of the Year, Josh Hart, played an unusually poor game.

Here are four things to know after Butler’s win:

1. This was a huge win for Butler’s tournament profile: It shouldn’t come as a surprise to you that Butler was able to knock off Villanova in Hinkle Fieldhouse. And it shouldn’t be a surprise to you that Butler is a good basketball team. The Bulldogs are ranked in the top 20. They opened as 4.5 point favorites against the No. 1 and undefeated Wildcats. KenPom projected the final score to be 70-69. Playing in front of 9,100 riled up Bulldog fans in Hinkle, these two teams are, essentially, equals.

A loss wouldn’t have changed that, especially if it was a close loss.

A win really doesn’t, either. Villanova is still a national title contender. Butler is still a team that can win a game like this at home and lose to a team like St. John’s on the road. What this win does do, however, is gives the Wildcats something to hang their tournament résumé on, and I say that knowing just how impressive Butler’s profile already is. They won at Utah. They won a neutral court game against Arizona in Vegas, which means it wasn’t really all that neutral. They beat Indiana on a neutral. They beat Cincinnati. Their win over Northwestern keeps looking better and better.

And now they have a win over a team that will be, at worst, in the top ten of all metrics come Selection Sunday.

That’s big.

2. This is good news for everyone in the Big East: Because it means that the league title race isn’t quite over yet. There is only going to be one more game during Big East play where Villanova will enter as an underdog – at Xavier – and I’m not convinced they won’t be favored in that game by the time that lines close. Put another way, a win against Butler would mean that Villanova would be 3-0 in the league with victories in two of the three toughest games they are going to play.

Villanova is still the heavy favorite to win their fourth-straight regular season title. This is just their seventh conference loss since Josh Hart, a senior, enrolled in school. They hadn’t lost since March 12th, 2016, and hadn’t lost a regular season game since Feb. 24th. This win for Butler means that door is just a little bit more open for the Bulldogs, as well as Creighton and Xavier.

3. Kethan Savage made big plays down the stretch: Savage is a transfer from George Washington. A 6-foot-4, athletic combo-guard, Savage was a double-figure scorer for the Colonials, but he missed the first four games of the season and struggled to find his way into the rotation in non-conference play due to a mystery illness; could’ve been mold, could’ve been pneumonia, the doctors didn’t really seem to know.

But Savage is back now. He scored 10 points in each of the first two Big East games, and followed that up with 13 points in 21 minutes against Villanova. He scored three critical baskets late in the game, providing the spark that led to a game-changing, 11-2 run that put Butler up 58-52 with two minutes left. Butler doesn’t really have another guy like him – a big, athletic slasher that can create off the bounce – and his addition certainly changes their look for the better.

4. Does Villanova need a third option?: Jalen Brunson’s scoreline is going to look impressive – he finished with 23 points, but he didn’t play nearly as well as he did against Creighton. Josh Hart made a couple shots late, but he was, overall, not himself. He finished with 13 points, eight boards and three assists, but he was just 3-for-11 from the floor, battled foul trouble for most of the second half and committed an incredibly costly turnover in the final minute.

It seemed, at times, that Villanova’s offense would get bogged down. Much of that credit goes to Butler, who played well defensively, but it was a bit concerning that Villanova didn’t seem to have an answer down the stretch. Maybe I’m just making too much of this, and maybe it should be a good sign that Villanova could have those issues and still play a winnable game at Butler, but it’s something I’ll be monitoring moving forward.

What has gone wrong with Indiana?

By Rob Dauster

Tom Crean
(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Indiana’s season is on the brink.

The Hoosiers have lost three straight games and four of their last six, falling to 10-5 on the season and nearly out of the top 25 despite having two of the best wins that anyone in the sport has landed.

So what happened?

How did Indiana go from being a team that can beat Kansas and North Carolina to a team that can lose at home to Nebraska?

1. Their point guard play just isn’t good enough: Indiana lost Yogi Ferrell to graduation after last season, and it’s not exactly breaking news that replacing a dude as talented as Yogi is not an easy thing to do. The issue, however, isn’t simply that Indiana lost Yogi Ferrell, it’s that the guy they brought in to replace him, Josh Newkirk, simply isn’t good enough. “I think they have no point guard,” a coach that has played Indiana said of Newkirk. “He’s really limited.” Talentwise, he’s a back-up Big Ten point guard, but he’s being asked to replace an all-American and one of the most beloved Indiana Hoosiers in a generation.

That’s an issue, and it has manifested itself in a couple ways of late.

For starters, Indiana has an enormous problem with turning the ball over. On the season, they’re 308th nationally, coughing the ball up on 21.8 percent of their offensive possessions, but in these last three games, that number has ballooned to 23.1 percent. Extended over an entire season, that would slot the Hoosiers at 342nd out of 351 Division I teams. This doesn’t simply fall on Newkirk, either. Indiana doesn’t have a single player on their roster who has a higher assist rate than turnover rate. That’s not normal.

But downgrading from Ferrell to Newkirk hurts everyone else of the roster. Ferrell makes everyone around him better in ways that Newkirk can’t. Robert Johnson has more defensive attention on him. James Blackmon Jr. isn’t getting the same kind of looks from three that he got last season. O.G. Anunoby and Thomas Bryant have to create more for themselves. None of that is ideal, particularly for a team that has so many guys – Anunoby, Bryant, Blackmon – that are reliant upon other to create shots for them.

2. The defense has been really bad, too: The Hoosiers rank 77th nationally in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency metric despite having played three teams that rank outside the top 230 in KenPom. That’s not good, and the last three games have been even worse. Nebraska, Louisville and Wisconsin combined to score 1.201 points-per-possession on Indiana. Wisconsin has a top ten offense this season, but Louisville is 44th nationally in offensive efficiency. Nebraska is 157th, and they put up 87 points in 72 possessions. Combined, they’re shooting 47.4 percent from three in those three games.

Gross.

Some of that falls on their point guard situation. Those three teams combined for 63 points in transition, feasting on “pick-six points”, live-ball turnovers that lead directly to layups at the other end. Indiana’s half-court defense hasn’t been half-bad, either; according to Synergy’s logs, they’re in the 85th percentile in half court defense and the 28th percentile in transition defense.

But some of that falls on the fact that Indiana just isn’t, and for the most part never has been, a good defensive team under Crean.

“They play 2-3 zone because they’re [getting killed] in ball-screens,” said one coach who has recently scouted Indiana. “Blackmon will not guard. His help, his close-outs, he gives up on them.”

Maybe it wasn’t such a coincidence Indiana’s season turned around when Blackmon injured his knee in 2015-16.

3. There is a distinct lack of leadership on the roster: It took a while for Ferrell to get to where he needed to be as a leader, but once he got there, he took the Indiana team over. He was the quintessential point guard, embodying every cliché of the position: He was the coach on the floor, he held teammates accountable, he drew up plays during timeouts, he spoke as much as the coach. All of it.

“He’s been a terrific leader,” Dan Dakich, an ESPN commentator and former Indiana coach that currently hosts a radio shot in Indianapolis, told me last season. “It’s his team, everyone understands that and follows that and respects his every word. Previous teammates didn’t respect him.”

Who is there to fill that role this year?

Indiana has two first round picks on their roster, but neither of them are suited to that leadership role. Anunoby is quiet and unassuming, a blue-collar forward that can do anything on a basketball court except, it seems, take over a game. Bryant is quite the opposite. “He’s emotional,” a Big Ten coach told me. “His temperament’s not great. You can psyche him out. It’s not hard to encourage him to lose his mind. He needs to grow up.”

Blackmon doesn’t seem to be cut out for the role as he’s more of a quiet dude himself. Robert Johnson represented the men’s basketball program when they unveiled the renovated Assembly Hall, but being good at public speaking doesn’t mean you inspire 20-year olds to play better on defense. Indy Star beat writer Zach Osterman said on the CBT Podcast that he thought it would have been Collin Hartman had Hartman not injured his knee.

There’s no one to pull this team together in a moment like this, a moment when coming together is really the only way to turn things around.

“They just look like their confidence is shot,” the Big Ten coach said.

4. Indiana will be fine, but maybe “fine” is all they were ever going to be: There is talent on Indiana’s roster. There are really good players – future NBA players – and guys that can be difference-makers at the college level. In the end, they are going to be just fine.

But the idea that this is a team that can consistently beat the likes of Kansas and North Carolina, a team that isn’t going to have their ups-and-downs throughout the year, is wrong.

That’s not who they are.

At the end of the day, this is an Indiana team with a flawed roster. They have no point guard, which makes them entirely reliant on making difficult threes to win games, and they have no alpha-dog, which makes it just that much more difficult to stop runs within a game and to stop losing streaks within a season.

They’ll finish in the top four or five of a Big Ten that isn’t all that intimidating. They’ll win 22 games and get to the NCAA tournament, and if they get the right draw, they might be able to get to the second weekend.

But that’s about all Indiana fans should expect from a team that used Juwan Morgan to initiate offense on critical possessions at home against Big Ten favorites Wisconsin.

The ACC makes absolutely no sense, and I love it.

By Rob Dauster

North Carolina coach Roy Williams reacts in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Florida State in Tallahassee, Fla., Monday, Jan. 4, 2016. (AP Photo/Mark Wallheiser)
(AP Photo/Mark Wallheiser)

We’re now more than a week into the start of ACC play, and the conference, as a whole, makes less sense today than it has in a long time.

Let’s start with the obvious: No. 9 Louisville – a team that is talented enough to get to the Final Four and good enough to win the ACC, not to mention beat the likes of No. 25 Indiana, No. 6 Kentucky and No. 20 Purdue – is currently sitting at 0-2 in the league, the only winless team in the ACC.

Huh?

And we’re just at the beginning.

Boston College entered the year as the team picked to finish dead-last in the conference as long as Georgia Tech didn’t beat them to it (more on the Jackets in a second). They kicked off ACC play by blowing out Syracuse, a preseason top 25 team coming off of a trip to the Final Four. Syracuse, after the loss to BC, smacked around Miami on Wednesday just three days after Miami did the same to N.C. State, who blew out a No. 21 Virginia Tech team that was three days removed from giving No. 8 Duke a beatdown.

Using the always-accurate transitive property, Boston College should be 88-point favorites when they play the Blue Devils on Saturday.

Right?

There’s more.

Georgia Tech opened up their season by playing North Carolina and Duke in back-to-back games. They beat the No. 14 Tar Heels by 12 points despite being 18 points underdogs while losing to Duke on Wednesday by a whopping 53 points; they were one basket away from getting doubled-up. So if BC is 88 points better than Duke, then UNC might as well not even make the trip to Beantown to play the Eagles.

My larger point is this: There are just two teams in the ACC without a loss yet this season, Notre Dame and Florida State, and just two more teams, Virginia and Wake Forest, that have more than one loss, meaning that ten of the teams in the conference are 1-1 on the year. We talked all throughout the preseason about just how good, how deep and how balanced the ACC can be this season, and that was while we were under the assumption that A) Boston College and Georgia Tech weren’t going to be beating the likes of Syracuse and UNC, and B) that Grayson Allen wouldn’t trip Coach K into needing to get back surgery (or something like that).

The team we thought was going to be the best in the league may be coming back to the pack. The two teams were thought were going to be bottom-feeders are better than anyone expected.

Which means that weird results are going to be the norm, and that the ACC is going to have more than their fair share of upsets.

You better be able to protect your home court, because if you can’t there are a lot of good teams in the ACC that could find themselves on the wrong side of .500 in conference and, thus, the wrong side of the bubble on Selection Sunday.

It’s going to be awesome.

Baffert's loss a gain for other trainers. Breaking up not so hard to do.

By Jay Hodvey

Elizabeth Arden Graham, cosmetics entrepreneur and racehorse owner, drove her trainers to distraction with her frilly pink stable trappings, her bizarre interpretations of horsey dreams, and her demands to use products designed for the faces of women on the hooves of her Thoroughbreds.

Not surprisingly, Graham went through scores of trainers during the heyday of her Maine Chance Farm. She also won the Kentucky Derby with Jet Pilot, raced the champions Star Pilot and Beaugay, and in 1945 led the nation's owners in earnings.

Fred Hooper, the Alabama road builder who established a Thoroughbred empire, had his many trainers trotting through a revolving door of favoritism over his six decades in the business, never sure if they were in or out, or for how long. Susan's Girl, a three-time champion and the best mare Hooper ever bred or raced, started 63 times while at one time or another being trained by Jimmy Picou, John Russell, Charley Parke, Tommy Kelly, Robert L. Smith, and Ross Fenstermaker.

Hooper also was presented with two Eclipse Awards as outstanding breeder as well as the Eclipse Award of Merit for 1991, at the age of 94.

When Hooper fired Fenstermaker in 1987, barely a year after he had trained Hooper's Precisionist to 1985 Eclipse Award heights as champion sprinter, Ross took it with a philosophical shrug.

"We've been together a lot of times over the years, and he's made changes before," Fenstermaker told the Los Angeles Times. "That's the way he's been all his life, and you just have to accept it."

Hooper replaced Fenstermaker with Russell, who was back in after being out. Russell's reaction?

"Something like this happens so often in this business that it hardly qualifies as a big story anymore," Russell said.

He was right. Horses do change barns all the time -- they're called claimers -- and no one ever bats an eye. But when it happens to someone like Bob Baffert, it does qualify as a big story, although not an unusual one.

Kaleem Shah's decision to remove his horses from the Bob Baffert stable this week has provided juicy grist for social media mavens. Their exploits together with the likes of Bayern and Dortmund stamped them as an enviable owner-trainer combo. How the bloom fell from the rose is anyone's guess, but one thing is certain: No one is feeling sorry for anybody.

Baffert's well of A-list clients continues to seem bottomless, while Shah, a tech-sector entrepreneur whose principal client is the U.S. government, has been tireless in pursuit of racing's biggest prizes, and spending the money to get there. It made perfect sense that in the wake of the split Shah would turn to horsemen who have trained three of the five most recent Kentucky Derby winners, Doug O'Neill and Art Sherman.

"Well, it was a surprise to me," said Sherman, who is putting the finishing touches on preparations for California Chrome's swan song in the Pegasus World Cup on Jan. 28. "He called me from out of the blue."

The O'Neill stable is accustomed to the level of play afforded by patrons like Paul Reddam and, more recently, Calumet Farm. Sherman, on the other hand, is braced for an exciting new experience at the age of 79.

Most trainers will tell you they're no different than coaches or managers. They are hired eventually to be fired by patrons who have every right to come and go as they please.

In the fall of 1964, Charlie Whittingham arrived at his Bay Meadows barn one afternoon to find that the horses owned by Maj. C.C. Moseley, the enterprising aviator who founded a chain of flying schools, had been led away to another trainer.

"The man wanted me to blister all his horses," Whittingham told a friend, referring to a common treatment for sore shins. "I told him it wasn't such a good idea. He told me to do it anyway, so I told him where to put the peaches."

By then, Whittingham already had trained the champion Porterhouse and major stakes winners Mister Gus and Social Climber, but Moseley was his biggest patron, and the wind whistled through the line of empty stalls. A few days later, Whittingham received a call from Howard B. Keck, the owner of 1959 Hollywood Derby winner Bagdad, who was looking to make a trainer change.

"Hiring Charlie was a sheer guess on my part," Keck said years later.

Let the record show that their association lasted more than a quarter of a century and led to, among many other major moments, Whittingham's first victory in the Kentucky Derby with Ferdinand, who raced for Keck's wife, Elizabeth.

Sherman is cautiously excited about his new opportunity.

"Most of my clients have had to scuffle to stay in the game, but they love it so much they find a way," Sherman said. "This will be the first time I've trained for someone who has spent the kind of money Mr. Shah has on horses."

After 21 years as a jockey, Sherman is now in his 39th year as a trainer.

"I don't think I was ever actually fired," Sherman said. "I have recommended to an owner that somebody else might be able to do a little better, that I'd done all I could. That way, you've left the door open for them to come back to you.

"Although," Sherman added, "most of the time, it doesn't work that way."

On This Date in Sports History: Today is Friday, December 30, 2016.

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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