CS&T/AllsportsAmerica Monday Sports News Update, 02/13/2017.

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"Sports Quote of the Day"

"Winning isn't everything, but playing and competing and striving and going through things can be a lot of fun and really important. As long as you're doing it in a way that's healthy, sports can be an incredible opportunity." ~ Andrew Shue, Actor and Writer

TRENDING: Blackhawks cruise past Oilers for fifth straight win. (See the hockey section for Blackhawks updates and NHL news).

TRENDING: If Alshon Jeffery doesn't return to Bears, where might he play next season? (See the football section for Bears news an NFL updates).

TRENDING: Five Cubs under the microscope this spring. (See the baseball section for Cubs and White Sox updates).  

TRENDING: Spieth cruises to four-shot win at Pebble Beach. (See the golf section for PGA news and tournament updates).

TRENDING: Lindsey Vonn becomes first American and oldest female to medal at five world championships. (See the last article on this blog for winter sports news and skiing updates).

Lindsey Vonn (Photo/Getty Images)

How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Next Game: Edmonton Oilers Vs. the Chicago Blackhawks, February 18, 2017, 6:00 PM (CT) at the United Center, Chicago, IL. 

Blackhawks cruise past Oilers for fifth straight win. (Saturday night's game, 02/11/2017).

By Tracey Myers

 

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

There have been times where the Blackhawks have gone into breaks playing so-so hockey.

They've looked tired, unmotivated, like they've flipped the calendar to their off day a few hours too early. But on Saturday, the Blackhawks looked like a team that was going to earn a few days off.

Richard Panik had two goals and an assist and Jonathan Toews added two assists as the Blackhawks beat the Edmonton Oilers 5-1 on Saturday night. The Blackhawks went 5-1-0 on their Ice Show trip and enter the break on a five-game winning streak, three points behind the Western Conference-leading Minnesota Wild.

Patrick Kane had a goal and two assists. Scott Darling stopped 30 of 31 shots for the victory and Artem Anisimov scored his 20th goal of the season.

The Blackhawks got steadily better on this road trip and they saved their most convincing victory on it for the end.  Patrick Maroon gave the Oilers a 1-0 lead four minutes into the game after Connor McDavid picked Niklas Hjalmarsson's pocket. That was pretty much the last time the Blackhawks were caught playing careful.

"We're playing good hockey," Darling said. "That's a super talented team with a lot of skill. We weathered the storm and took over the game. We played 200-foot hockey and that helped give me an easier night."

Indeed, when the Oilers made mistakes, they capitalized – Trevor van Riemsdyk's goal off Oscar Klefbom's gaffe was one such example. Their power play was stellar. Kane scored from behind the net on one advantage, shooting the puck off Edmonton goaltender Cam Talbot's skate. Panik cleaned up a rebound on the second, which gave the Blackhawks a 4-1 lead late in the second period.

The four-line rotation was evident again but the top line did the most damage. Panik had his second three-point night of the season – his other one was his hat trick against the Nashville Predators on Oct. 15.

"If you get a goal your confidence is high," Panik said. "When you're hot you have to keep doing it as long as it goes because if you go on a cold streak you can go on it for a while. That's what happened to me at the beginning of the season."

Considering how well the Blackhawks are playing right now you wouldn't have been surprised to hear a player or two wish they could delay the bye and keep playing. Nope. As Darling said, "we'll be back pretty quick."

"We'll use it to our advantage," Duncan Keith said. "We'll try to use it to rest up and feel as good as we can, come back and try to carry on the momentum. At the end of the day it's been a good stretch of games here lately. All four lines, defensemen and goalies are playing great. It's just something we can keep in our heads, of what we can do."

The Blackhawks have had a habit of sliding into a break. They could've done it again on Saturday, coming off big victories over the Minnesota Wild and Winnipeg Jets and playing on the second night of a back to back. Instead, whatever energy they had remaining, they used it wisely.

"Minny, which had our number going back eight games, we knew the importance of that game. Winnipeg owned four games against us and good response [Friday] night. Earlier this season we got pounded here. Good response all three games," coach Joel Quenneville said. "We're certainly happy how we're going into the break. Everyone should enjoy it, knowing we put a nice standard going into it."

Blackhawks: Jonathan Toews and consistent linemates 'makes a world of difference'.

By Tracey Myers

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

For several games now Jonathan Toews’ glances to line mates have been to the same players: Nick Schmaltz to his left and Richard Panik to his right. The same guys for more than a game or two. Not bad, really.

“It makes a world of difference,” Toews said. “We were talking on the bench and we had a couple of goals midway through the game [on Wednesday]. We got that confidence going and we want to build on it and not just sit around and be OK with it.”

When the Blackhawks make changes it’s usually to provide a spark or get more of a four-line rotation. But there’s something to be said for familiarity, and especially giving your captain a chance to have some of that. Schmaltz, Toews and Panik, first put together on Feb. 2 against the Arizona Coyotes, have started to click. After each scored a goal in the Blackhawks’ victory over Minnesota, the three combined for six points in the team’s 5-1 triumph over Edmonton on Saturday night.

Panik said giving the three a chance to figure things out has been beneficial.

“Sometimes it happens overnight when you click with someone and the chemistry’s there. Sometimes you have to work on it, watch videos and talk about plays. That’s what we were trying to do, just talk to each other and figure out where we should be,” Panik said. “So it’s started working the last couple of games so we’ll just keep doing it.”

It’s also about knowing how and when to feed off each other, when to be selfish and when to give up the puck. When Schmaltz went to the top line the concern was him passing to Toews too often instead of taking his own opportunities. Schmaltz has fallen into that trap now and then but he’s also has not been shy about calling for the puck, as he did to Toews for his fourth goal of the season on Wednesday.

“[We talk] a lot, especially on our goal there. He told me he didn’t even see me, he just heard me and kind of threw it to that area,” Schmaltz said. “Communication is huge and the more we talk, you just know if you have pressure, if you have time, stuff like that. We’ll keep talking and keep building the chemistry.”

The top line’s budding chemistry benefits the Blackhawks overall, but especially Toews. In his last five games, Toews has two goals and five assists.

As Panik said, you can’t always assume chemistry will be there right way. The Blackhawks’ latest top line was given a chance to formulate some and they’ve done that. They’ve collected some points and confidence, too.

“I think when you start playing well or start getting a feel for what it’s like to play with a couple of line mates you want to continue to build on that confidence… be predictable and make plays and know where everyone is going to be on the ice,” Toews said. “I think we’ll look to keep working on that. Whether they go in or not I think as long as we’re working, we’ll get our chances.”

Blackhawks send four to Rockford

For most of the Blackhawks, this week will be for rest. For some of the team’s younger players, however, it’s time to go back to work.

The Blackhawks sent defenseman Gustav Forsling and forwards Vinnie Hinostroza, Tanner Kero and Nick Schmaltz to the Rockford IceHogs. The IceHogs face Milwaukee today and Cleveland on Wednesday and Saturday.

Additionally, the Blackhawks activated defenseman Michal Rozsival from injured reserve.

Blackhawks stay hot, beat Jets for fourth straight win. (Friday night's game, 02/10/2017).

By Tracey Myers

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

The Blackhawks came into the back half of this Ice Show trip knowing some of their opponents had had their way with them this season. On Wednesday, the Blackhawks exacted some measure of regular-season revenge against the Minnesota Wild.

On Friday, they did it to the Winnipeg Jets.

Corey Crawford stopped 28 of 30 shots and Duncan Keith's goal proved to be the game winner as the Blackhawks beat the Jets 5-2 at MTS Centre. The Blackhawks remain in second place in the Central Division but still trail the Minnesota Wild by five points. The Wild beat the Tampa Bay Lightning in a shootout on Friday.

Patrick Kane scored his 269th career goal, moving him to sixth place all-time among Blackhawks goal scorers. He's also now the team's leading U.S.-born goal scorer. Artem Anisimov scored his 19th goal of the season. Keith, Kane and Anisimov all had two-point nights while Artemi Panarin turned in a three-point game.

As much as the Blackhawks would've loved to gain some ground on the Wild, this trip has been about snapping losing streaks against some of their foes and improving their overall game. So far, they've done both.

"I liked our game, I liked our trip here. I think each game we've done a lot of good things, may have been our most complete game," coach Joel Quenneville said. "Crow was good in the net and made some big, timely saves for us. We've always been chasing the game against them. Last game we got ahead of them late but couldn't hold on. Tonight I like how we finished it."

The finish came in the form of late empty-net goals, first from Marian Hossa for his team-leading 20th goal of the season, then from Artemi Panarin. But from defense to offense to goaltending, the Blackhawks played well. Crawford nullified the Jets' prime opportunities. Brent Seabrook's late second-period save kept the momentum – and the lead – for the Blackhawks. And the late third-period offense stymied any last-second comeback chance the Jets hoped to have.

"We did what we had to," Kane said of the third period. "We were not generating much throughout the first 17-18 minutes there but we didn't give up much, either. You get a [Keith] shot through you get a goal, all of a sudden it's 3-1 and a couple of empty netters and it looks like a good third for us."

Kane also noted the Blackhawks' start, which was also strong. His goal gave them a 1-0 lead and the Blackhawks dominated the Jets in the first 20 minutes, outshooting them 16-9. One of the Blackhawks' big problems in previous games vs. the Jets was not getting enough shots or traffic around Winnipeg's goaltending. They did both on Friday.

The Blackhawks will be going into a break soon. During that time other teams, including the Wild, will catch up to them on games. The Wild could pull ahead more. The Blackhawks can't control what happens during their bye week but they can finish this trip positively in Edmonton on Saturday night. So far, they've been trending the right way in just about every facet of their game.

"Just a solid game from us," Crawford said. "We've gotta keep rolling here, build more momentum. That could be one of our best games here. We have to keep playing like that."

Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! What if the Bears can't re-sign Brian Hoyer? They aren't alone in the hunt.

By John Mullin

(Photo/USA TODAY)

Several of the Bears’ options at quarterback for 2017 – they have, unofficially, somewhere between 10 to 15 – involve veteran Brian Hoyer being re-signed, an interim solution for a team with an empty developmental pipeline but expected to be moving on from the largely failed Jay Cutler Era.

But what if they can’t get Hoyer?

The Bears may find themselves in a situation not entirely dissimilar from where they stood in the 2014 offseason and were faced with a decision on Josh McCown after his career-best stretch in relief of Cutler. Then-GM Phil Emery wanted Cutler over the feelings of the coaching staff and signed Cutler to that $126 million contract. McCown’s price rose to eventually $5 million per season and the organization went in another direction with Jimmy Clausen.

McCown is back on the market after his release this month by the Cleveland Browns. He would be cheaper than Hoyer but is also 37 and possibly headed for a coaching job rather than back under center.

The conventional sense has been that Hoyer will be back with Chicago after his dramatic burst of four straight 300-yard games before going down for the year with a broken arm suffered at Green Bay. And he very well could be. Agent Joe Linta has some positive history with the Bears (Hoyer, Vlad Ducasse, Jim Miller) and the Bears offer Hoyer a starting job, at least in the near term after his interception-free run of 200 passes last season. Hoyer was a locker-room fit and arguably the best option not only as a veteran starter, but also a quality mentor/teammate for young quarterbacks with the organization’s goal of replacing him.

But Hoyer took a visit with the New York Jets last offseason and the Jets have youth (Christian Hackenberg, Bryce Petty) in training, with a short-term opening ahead of them. The Dallas Cowboys are even deeper in a true win-now mode behind Dak Prescott, and Dallas isn’t expected to keep Tony Romo as Prescott’s (very expensive) backup. Hoyer is a topic within both organizations, although the Cowboys do not offer Hoyer a shot at starting even on an interim basis.

The Jets just hired Jeremy Bates as their new quarterbacks coach, the same Bates who worked with Cutler as Denver QB coach in the latter’s Pro Bowl 2008 season, and later (2012) in Chicago. But ESPN’s Rich Cimini reported that the Jets are not in the Cutler market. However, Jets coach Todd Bowles has a known preference for a veteran, Bowles is now under job pressure after a disastrous 5-11 season in 2016 and the Jets were considered more likely to lean toward Hoyer than Cutler, anyway.

But back to the Bears...

The injury riddled outcome of the season makes any projection beyond mediocrity appear laughable in hindsight. But the Bears’ signing of Hoyer last offseason, to a one-year deal worth $2 million, was a statement that the Bears believed they were in a win-now mode in addition to the rebuilding process that, frankly, every NFL team does in some degree every offseason.

Hoyer is a quality veteran, the kind of quarterback signed as a backup only amid serious expectations. Otherwise, the pipeline behind Jay Cutler is filled with youth, beginning in the draft, which the Bears didn’t do. Connor Shaw was in fact “the promising young guy” in development, a decision that was looking good right up until Shaw broke his leg late in the third preseason game.

Shaw will be back, and presumably he will be joining a depth chart that will include a drafted QB. The early handicapping here is Clemson’s Deshaun Watson but this is way too early to start making mock draft picks. Plenty of time for those.

But the name at the top of the depth chart, best case scenario, has been and is Hoyer. The problem is, the Bears’ may not be the only ones holding a door open for Hoyer.

If Alshon Jeffery doesn't return to Bears, where might he play next season?

By John Mullin

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

Wednesday begins a two-week window in which Bears general manager Ryan Pace must decide whether to apply the franchise tag once again to free-agent wide receiver Alshon Jeffery for a second straight year.

At Pace's last meeting with the media a little more than two weeks ago at the Senior Bowl, he said he had not had discussions with Jeffery's representation since the end of the season. That's undergone adjustments since the passing of prominent agent Eugene Parker last March 31, though Jeffery has remained with the same renamed, restructured agency.

The next time Pace is tentatively scheduled to meet with reporters is on that deadline to tag Jeffery, March 1, at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Another tag would raise Jeffery's salary from roughly $14.5 million in 2016 to $17 million in 2017. Depending on whether you reference Over The Cap or Spotrac, the Bears currently rank in the top 10 in salary-cap space, anywhere between $54 million and $58 million. Devoting nearly a third of that money to a player who's had trouble remaining "available" is the quandary Pace faces if Jeffery is unwilling to accept a more team-friendly multi-year contract in the $13 million range.

Over the past two years, elite wideouts like Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas, Julio Jones and A.J. Green have all signed multi-year deals averaging in the $14 million to $15 million range. Accounting for dead cap penalty charges, the Bears would add $14 million more in cap space by cutting Jay Cutler and $5 million more each for Lamarr Houston and Eddie Royal. But if Jeffery hits the market, he'll be the top wideout available, and a team could very well be willing to invest Bryant, Jones and Green money, if not more.

So getting to the purpose of this entire piece, if Jeffery is allowed to reach free agency March 9, here's a look at what I believe would be the most likely fits for him, based on a combination of need and salary-cap space.

Tennessee Titans

Despite huge strides by Marcus Mariota — now in recovery from a serious leg injury — the Titans passing offense ranked 25th in the NFL last season, with slot wideout Rishard Matthews and tight end Delanie Walker catching 65 passes apiece. Fifth-round rookie Tajae Sharpe showed promise, but between the 1-2 ground attack punch of DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry, combined with an elite run defense (and a low-ranked pass defense), Jeffery would be a potentially playoff-clinching piece. The Titans have between $65 million and $67 million of cap space.

Washington Redskins

With $60 million to $64 million of cap space available, one-third of that figures to go to quarterback Kirk Cousins. Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson are free agents (one of which could conceivably be a replacement for Jeffery in Chicago). Washington has big needs defensively, but never put a splash signing past owner Daniel Snyder (see Josh Norman a year ago). Jeffery signing in D.C. would put him a hop, skip and jump from his native South Carolina.

Philadelphia Eagles

Perhaps there could be a battle between NFC East teams for Jeffery's services. Jordan Matthews and Carson Wentz started developing a connection last season (73 receptions, 804 yards and three touchdowns), but Jeffery could provide a Twin Tower weapon to go along with tight end Zach Ertz in the passing game. The Eagles have roughly $10 million in cap space and would likely have to make cuts or do a few restructuring of contracts.

Los Angeles Rams

Tavon Austin can be an even more dangerous slot receiver if he had a legitimate outside threat for Jared Goff and new head coach Sean McVay to target, combining with Todd Gurley on the ground. The Rams have about $40 million in cap space and have competition in town now with the Chargers' move north.

San Francisco 49ers

They have tons of salary cap space (north of $80 million), no real playmakers and a new head coach in Kyle Shanahan looking for a comparison to Julio Jones, who he had in Atlanta. Jeffery would immediately become the offensive star but also need a little help around him. Like his situation with the Bears, though, there are questions about whom he'll be catching passes from.

Here are a few next-tier possibilities.

Cleveland Browns

Complete money grab. More than $100 million in salary cap space. It's Cleveland. Quarterback questions. And probably only if they don't re-sign their own big wideout heading to market: the less-experienced Terrelle Pryor.

New England Patriots

It's not like the Patriots to dump huge money in a wideout's lap. They do well enough without one. They have more than $60 million in cap space, however. How much better would Tom Brady be with someone like Jeffery? Hey, how about an Jeffery-for-Jimmy Garoppolo "trade"?

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts' cap space is between $55 million and $60 million, and they really need to invest in defense and to continue building their offensive line. This might be a stretch, since Donte Moncrief had seven touchdown receptions in an injury-prone season. But Andrew Luck with Moncrief, T.Y. Hilton, Phillip Dorsett and Jeffery? Yikes!

Arizona Cardinals

Veteran beast Larry Fitzgerald is back for one more year, but what happens after this season? (Not to mention their quarterback situation.)  They have waterbug wideouts in John Brown and J.J. Nelson, but Bruce Arians will be lacking a physical, jump-ball specialist once his future Hall of Famer likely retires after this year. The Cardinals have less than $35 million in salary-cap space but finished this past season top 10 in offense and defense.

Miami Dolphins

Adam Gase has some pieces to work with in a passing game in Jarvis Landry (94 catches for 1,138 yards), 2015 first-round pick DeVante Parker (56 catches for 744 yards) and Kenny Stills (42 catches for 726 yards), but Ryan Tannehill & Co. managed just the 26th-ranked passing offense, with Tannehill's Week 13 knee injury still looming this offseason. Gase knows Jeffery. But the Dolphins might need to focus their $30 million in cap space on its 29th-rated defense.

Jeffery's not out of town yet. Perhaps Pace and Jeffery's representatives have begun exchanging numbers for something compatible on both sides. Jeffery's departure would mark yet another offensive playmaker who's left town the past three offseasons and signify another hole that'd need to be plugged. But as we can see above, there are teams with needs that Jeffery would fill nicely.

Bears, NFLPA spar over workers' comp bill impact on Illinois pro athletes.

By John Mullin

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

An off-field dustup between the Bears, as the point organization for Illinois pro sports teams, and the NFL players association ratcheted up on Friday with representatives of the NFLPA again urging defeat of proposed legislation limiting the years that pro athletes can receive a workers' compensation supplement, and the Bears responding that the legislation simply corrects an anomaly in Illinois law.

The Bears and Illinois teams are pushing for a change in workers' compensation law that currently allows pro athletes to collect a differential for lost income due to an injury while playing. The law now permits that wage differential to continue until the age 67 limit applied to all workers; the teams contend that the career expectancies for pro sports, particularly football, should cap the term of those benefits to age 35, on the basis of most pro careers being over by that age.

Senate Bill 12 contains a proposal for workers' comp reform, specifically eliminating the ability of pro athletes to collect wage-differential benefits until age 67.

"We want one of two outcomes," said George Atallah, NFLPA assistant executive director of External Affairs via conference call. "For the NFL to call the Chicago Bears and tell them to stop this; or for the state senator [Republican Christine Radogno] to pull this bill on behalf of the Bears and the other professional sports teams  who essentially wrote it for her."

The wage-differential benefit is neither present nor uniform in state laws nationally. "This is really an anomaly in the law that needs correction," said Bears General Counsel Cliff Stein.

Stein disputed a number of assertions by NFLPA officials, stating that "IIlinois is the only [state] that has athletes pursuing or filing for wage differential benefits until age 67. ... This is an anomaly that only exists here."

NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith declared last week that he would urge free agents to spurn the Bears if the bill does pass. Stein, himself a former players agent, said that he did not expect agents and players to rule out Illinois because of the situation. Several other states do not offer any kind of workers' compensation benefits to pro athletes.

Just Another Chicago Bulls Session..... Shorthanded Bulls thumped by Wolves to end road trip .

By Vincent Goodwill

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

Perhaps it was the early afternoon start, or the change in time zones from a long flight from Phoenix the day before.

Or maybe it was Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade being inactive with injuries.

Or maybe it was the last game of a long road trip and the Bulls just wanted to go home after two weeks in foreign places.

If one looks hard enough, any reason could be found for the Bulls' lifeless showing against the one team the organization didn't want to be anything but lively against, Tom Thibodeau's Minnesota Timberwolves in a 117-89 thrashing at Target Center Sunday afternoon as the Bulls finished their six-game trip with a 2-4 record.

On one hand, it probably would've been hard for the now-Sainted Thibodeau to coax something from the band of misfit toys the Bulls started, with Doug McDermott and Michael Carter-Williams taking Butler and Wade's place in the first five.

But then again, seeing more lethargy for an extended amount of time isn't going to excite anyone, as the Bulls fell behind by 26 in the first half.

Instead, it incited Fred Hoiberg, the mild-mannered coach who took three timeouts in a disastrous first 10 minutes, the last of which took place when the Bulls were down 31-12 with 2:40 left.

"Start hitting somebody. Get physical. They outhorsed us inside," Hoiberg said. "We're not very good taking the ball out of the net. We were turning the ball over, led to easy baskets. A lack of rebounding, a lack of physicality cost us early."

Young, athletic and likely highly motivated from their coach wanting to send another resounding message to his previous employer, the Wolves ran out at the Bulls from the jump—following the blueprint set forth by the Phoenix Suns.

Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins looked like they were on pogo sticks compared to the ground-bound Bulls—quick feet with quick and long hands that of course, gave the Bulls issues.

Never mind Zach LaVine, perhaps their most athletic player, is out for the season with a torn ACL.

It would've been worse, as Towns scored 22 with seven rebounds and four assists and Wiggins scored 27 with six rebounds and four assists. Ricky Rubio controlled the tempo, hitting the open men against a scrambling defense for 17 points, 11 assists and six rebounds.

"I thought the start was important," Thibodeau said. "This game we sustained our effort better, so it was good."

With four minutes left in the first half, the Bulls committed their 10th turnover and were well under 40 percent, essentially handing the Timberwolves the shovel to dig their own holes.

McDermott shot six of 15 for 16 points and Bobby Portis played 31 minutes and tied a season high with 16 points and six rebounds.

"We don’t really play to our strengths sometimes," said Taj Gibson, who only played 17 minutes. "Sometimes we rush, turn the ball over. Sometimes we gotta play to the strong suits and play a little smarter. Especially when you don't touch the ball sometimes, guys tend to do a little too much and guys get turnovers. And it happens."

And without Wade and Butler, they didn't have the horses to remotely challenge or scare a Timberwolves team that's suffered its share of growing pains this season. They exploited every mismatch and shot 64 percent in the first quarter and 57 percent for the first half.

Missed easy opportunities like 3-on-1 breaks turning into a break for other team or blowing uncontested dunks, as was the case for Cristiano Felicio in the third quarter as the usually dependable backup center missed an easy flush when the ball caromed off the rim.

If there was a bright spot, perhaps it was Portis awaking from a slumber, but it often rang hollow as the Bulls continue to search for that ever-elusive consistency that seems like a mirage at this point—only succeeding at giving their former coach more satisfaction in the form of an easygoing blowout.

"I've been around so there's a lot of those (former) teams and it's always hard when you've been through things with people so I really root for that team and those guys," Thibodeau said.

His affection was certainly on display when leaving his regulars in late to keep the score as disproportionate as possible, but to the victors go the spoils.

Road Ahead: Bulls return home to close out first half of season.

By #BullsTalk

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

After ending their six-game road trip with a thud in Minnesota, the Bulls return home to close out the first half of the season this week. 

Ending their current three-game losing streak won't be an easy task, though, as a pair of Eastern Conference contenders hit the United Center floor. First up, the Toronto Raptors, who currently sit at No. 4 in the playoff standings, head to town for a Valentine's Day matchup. The Bulls have shown little love for the Raptors recently, beating them nine straight times. 

The Bulls then get set to face Isaiah Thomas and the red-hot Celtics Thursday night before getting a much needed All-Star break. Unfortunately for the injury-riddled Bulls, their chances of picking up two crucial wins before All-Star weekend may be directly tied to the health of Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade. The top scoring threats both sat out Sunday afternoon's game against the Timberwolves, resulting in a 117-89 blowout.

Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler return but Bulls come out flat against Suns. (Friday night's game, 02/10/2017).

By Vincent Goodwill 

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

Dwyane Wade had a wry smile as he mishandled a dribble on the baseline, an unforced turnover that often leads to nothing.

But the Phoenix Suns were off and running in the blink of the eye, with P.J. Tucker getting it ahead to Eric Bledsoe who Euro-stepped into the lane for a layup and foul on Jerian Grant.

No time to complain, half-step or even smile at yourself in disbelief as the Suns have one advantage, especially at home.

Run you out of the building.

Wade and Jimmy Butler's return was necessary but it wasn't fruitful as the Bulls dropped one to the Western Conference basement-dwelling Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena, 115-97 Friday night.

"Awful, awful," Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said. "They out-competed us in every category tonight: rebounding, loose balls, transition. Tells you all you need to know."

Butler returned from a three-game absence due to a right heel contusion and scored 20 in 30 minutes. Wade getting back from that illness that made its way through the league and the team last month served him well as he played with fresh legs and scored 18.

But both came away with injuries as Wade had his wrist wrapped up after a hard second half spill and Butler took a shot to the knee from Bledsoe in the fourth quarter.

He tried to stay in but a few minutes later the game was out of hand as the Bulls couldn't cut into a double-digit deficit in the fourth, perhaps their worst end to end effort in quite awhile.

"I'm just hoping this pain goes away. Sometimes the game goes, you gotta use that foot," Butler said. "Nothing major (knee). It's all good. I'll be fine."

But when asked would he play Sunday, Butler seemed to put his availability into question, saying, "That's a good question. That's a very good question."

Having Butler back aided in terms of shot creation, as he had little trouble getting his own despite clearly looking less than his usual self. He started the second half just one of six and finished going six of 16 from the field, with the Bulls unable to get any offensive traction with just 43 percent from the field and hitting five of 19 triples.

Even though the offense was a big enough problem for Hoiberg to harp on, the defense was inexcusable as they didn't get back — the first tenet of defense.

"That's all we talked about and we said don't be surprised," Hoiberg said.

Apparently, they looked shocked the Suns came out and ran.

"It didn't get better," Butler said. "We didn't get back. They got a lot of easy ones and it's tough when you gotta take the ball out of the net every time. They get their confidence, they get rolling."

Notably, it was the Suns' backcourt that gave the Bulls the flu, as the Bulls had to know containing Bledsoe and Devin Booker was the biggest key to picking up their third win in five games on the West Coast swing.

Bledsoe lived in the paint all night on his way to 23 and the sharpshooting Booker scored 27 easy points. The Suns shot nearly 50 percent and turned it over just eight times.

Facing the best team at getting out for quick scores gave them a nice primer on the Suns' attack — although the Suns are nowhere near as sophisticated or good as the Warriors.

But they ran the Bulls up and down in the second quarter to take a 13-point lead. They had trouble tracking the dangerous Booker and too many times the Bulls blew defensive assignments inside to allow easy baskets.

"If you don't know what you do well how do you win consistently? In a game like today when you look at it statistically, everything we gave up is how we lose games," Wade said. "We turned the ball over a lot, gave them a lot of transition points and didn't have a lot of ball movement. Those things and losing the rebounding war, those are the things that give you a chance to win most nights."

But it wasn't just Bledsoe breaking the Bulls down but also Brandon Knight off the bench and bruiser Alan Williams bumping and knocking bodies around for a double-double off the bench after former Bull Tyson Chandler went out in the second quarter with an injury.

This was supposed to be a game the Bulls could pick up as the topsy-turvy East isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Instead, they laid an egg — just the momentum they want to carry into Minneapolis Sunday afternoon.

CUBS: Five Cubs under the microscope this spring.

By Patrick Mooney

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

From chairman Tom Ricketts to team president Theo Epstein to manager Joe Maddon, the Cubs will have a ready-made answer to any questions this spring about the franchise's business operations, baseball decisions and in-game strategy: We won the World Series.

That will wear off eventually, but the honeymoon period will continue on Tuesday, when pitchers and catchers officially report to Arizona and the Cubs ramp up preparations to defend their title.

We already have a clear idea of what the Opening Day roster should look like, but even in a camp without much open competition for jobs or any of the 1908 anxiety, this team will never be boring, because there’s too much interest, personality and history.

With that in mind, here are five Cubs who will be under the microscope in Mesa:

• The Game 7 questions have been asked and answered, on WSCR-AM 670, the team’s flagship radio station, at a Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center event with Fox Sports insider Ken Rosenthal, at the winter meetings, at Maddon’s "Thanksmas" dinner for the Chicago homeless and again at Cubs Convention.  

There's absolutely no need to rehash those decisions. But it will be interesting to see how much repair work, if any, Maddon has to do inside the clubhouse, the way he reprograms his message and if some of the gimmicks begin to get a little stale.

"Whatever he goes with, we go with," first baseman Anthony Rizzo said. "He's the one who makes this team what it is. He's the one who's come in and completely changed this culture, made us winning players, made us believe in ourselves. The clubhouse we have is not (the same) without Joe."

• Except for a post-election "#beatit" tweet that he said was misinterpreted, Jake Arrieta purposely kept a low profile this winter, skipping the late-night talk-show circuit that promoted so many of his teammates.

"My main concern was to get home and relax with my family," Arrieta said. "It was such an emotional rollercoaster that we wanted to enjoy the parade – and by the way that might have been the coolest part of the whole process for me.

"But, yeah, I wanted to decompress and start to like reflect on some (stuff) and just enjoy it with my family. There were so many people pulling us in different directions and I just said 'no' to everybody. That's the way I wanted to do it.

"The guys that did it (were) hilarious (and it was) well-deserved. I'm glad that a bunch of our guys did those kinds of things. But I just decided not to." 

Given the stakes in his final season before becoming a free agent – super-agent Scott Boras has compared him to another Cy Young Award-winning client, $210 million Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer – every Arrieta bullpen session, simulated game and Cactus League start can be viewed through that prism.

• Videos of Jason Heyward working on his revamped swing went viral this winter, and everyone around the team will be curious to see how he rebounds from the worst offensive season of his career and if the Cubs can salvage their $184 million investment.   

But beyond the Gold Glove defense, attention to detail and sense of calm that helped shape their identity, the Cubs may have discovered a more vocal presence – and not just a leader by example – when Heyward called a players-only meeting in a Progressive Field weight room during that Game 7 rain delay in Cleveland.   

"It was time to say something," Heyward said. "We all did a great job of stepping up, saying our piece and doing our part when it came to certain things in that season. Right there, it was kind of my time.

"I felt moved to say something. It brought us together at that time. It allowed other guys to speak up, too, and say what they were feeling and kumbaya a little bit.

"Just go play baseball and have fun and do what we're capable of doing."

• The Cubs have pulled off the unbelievably difficult trick of winning now while still developing young talent for later and think they have options to replace Dexter Fowler – who signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals – in center field and at the top of their lineup.

Will Albert Almora Jr. – who usually puts on a show in spring training – grab the job or settle into more of a center-field timeshare with Jon Jay?   

"That’s really Joe’s job," general manager Jed Hoyer said. "How the playing time is divided up is largely going to be based on how the guys are performing. We're a team that expects to win a lot of games (this) year and it’s a performance-driven game.

"I love the balance of the two of them. And certainly with Albert, he's a guy that we see as our center fielder of the future. It's important for him to develop in the big leagues and get a chance to face all kind of pitchers.

"But ultimately this game does come down to performance. And I think we've given Joe two really good options in center field."   

• Kyle Schwarber will be impossible to miss, as the World Series folk hero, unconventional leadoff hitter, wannabe catcher and the dude shattering windshields in the parking lot during batting practice.

"How do you describe Schwarber?" catching/strategy coach Mike Borzello said. "A legend at 23 years old or whatever it is? He's the biggest name in Chicago. I mean, I don't know what to say about it. He's the greatest kid I've ever been around. He's wise beyond his years. And he's so in love with the game of baseball."

Can Cardinals, Pirates stop Cubs from running away with the NL Central?

By Tony Andracki

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

It's been a little over a year since the changing of the guard atop the National League Central.

When the Cubs took down a 100-win Cardinals team in the 2015 NLDS, they did something the Pirates were never able to fully accomplish: Take sole control of the division.

Whether the Cubs retain control of the NL Central is still up for debate, however.

Neither the Cardinals nor the Pirates are in rebuilding mode and USATODAY pegged them at 88 and 81 wins, respectively, in the season projections.

However, neither team had a very active offseason with only four players acquired that figure to play big roles on the 25-man roster. Dexter Fowler's five-year, $82.5 million deal with the Cardinals was the most high profile of those, cashing in on back-to-back big seasons with the Cubs.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

Fowler's signing was the biggest move within the division this winter as the Cardinals got a shot back in on the Cubs after Theo Epstein's front office stole Jason Heyward and John Lackey the year before. 

Fowler is a perfect fit for the Cardinals in 2017 as they needed a leadoff hitter and tablesetter, allowing Matt Carpenter to move down in the order and help make up for the loss of Matt Holliday in the middle of that lineup.

Here's how RosterResource (which is awesome, btw) pegs the Cardinals' Opening Day 25-man roster, as of right now:

Brett Cecil is the other big acquisition, inking a four-year, $30.5 million deal, which seems like a lot of money for a 30-year-old reliever who has averaged just 51 innings a season over the last four years and has 11 career saves.

The Fowler and Cecil contracts may not look so hot a few years from now, but they absolutely make the Cardinals better in 2017. 

Cecil figures to play a big role in the bullpen in a left-handed role after Zach Duke — acquired late last season in a trade with the White Sox — underwent Tommy John surgery in October and will miss all of 2017. The only other lefty in the Cardinals bullpen is Kevin Siegrist, who has actually been tougher on right-handed batters than lefties over his career.

Cecil's arrival should help solidify a bullpen that looks to be one of the better units in the NL behind closer Seung hwan Oh, the guy he beat out for the job in the middle of last season (Trevor Rosenthal) and another former closer (Jonathan Broxton).

The starting rotation is another story.

After serving as the strength of the team in the 2015 season, the starting staff took a step back with Carlos Martinez the only guy to post an ERA under 4.62. Martinez just signed his first big contract and looks to be coming into his own as an elite starter at age 25.

One of the main issues with the rotation was Adam Wainwright's regression as the 35-year-old veteran posted his highest ERA, WHIP, H/9 and HR/9 rates of his career while leading the league in both hits and earned runs allowed.

If Wainwright can return to form, the rotation may be a strength once again as Lance Lynn returns from Tommy John surgery and top prospect Alex Reyes is waiting in the wings. 

Biggest question: Can the new regime find their footing?

Beyond the starting pitching uncertainty, it'll be interesting to see how the Cardinals handle a changing of the guard within their own roster.

When Heyward migrated north, he pointed to the Cardinals' aging core as one of the reasons why and he's got a point.

Holliday is gone while Yadier Molina and Jhonny Peralta will turn 35 during the season and Wainwright is already 35. 

The Cardinals have some nice young players — led by Stephen Piscotty (26), Aledmys Diaz (26), Martinez (25) and Reyes (21) — looking to take the torch as the leaders of the new regime, but there will inevitably be something of a learning curve.

In the meantime, the Cubs are primed for another big season with a young pre-prime core and a full year of Jake Arrieta and Wade Davis before they become free agents in November.

X-Factor: Matt Adams

Adams can no longer go by the (mean) moniker of "Fat Adams" as he's dropped a bunch of weight this offseason. If that helps him on the field remains to be seen, but if he can return to the guy who hit .287 with an .800 OPS, 32 homers and 48 doubles in 2013-14, that would be a welcome sight for the Cardinals in the middle of the order.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES

The Pirates were one of baseball's best stories for a few years there before floundering last season and finishing 78-83.

But it would not be wise to overlook them just based on last season. The Pirates have a nice blend of a young core plus veteran leadership and a quality coaching staff to bring it all together. 

Their window of contention has not closed just yet, even if setup man Daniel Hudson was the only real acquisition of the winter.

Here's RosterResource's projected 25-man roster:

Gerrit Cole leads a starting rotation that is just coming into its own with only Ivan Nova (30) older than 26. After Cole — a bonafide ace at 26 — and Nova, the Pirates have a host of youngsters in Jameson Taillon (25), Chad Kuhl (24), Tyler Glasnow (23) and Steven Brault (24) to fill out the final spots of the rotation. Drew Hutchison (74 career big-league starts) and Wade LeBlanc (79 career MLB starts) provide veteran depth if any of the kids aren't ready to step into full-time roles.

The lineup is underrated with Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco forming the middle of the order behind Andrew McCutchen and top prospect Josh Bell finally getting a chance to play every day.

A huge question surrounding the Pirates is the status of Jung Ho Kang's personal life, as the South Korean star infielder will miss part of spring training while at trial for his third DUI (he was arrested in December in Seoul). Kang will turn 30 in April and has played a vital role in the Pirates lineup over the last two seasons, posting an .838 OPS, 36 homers and 120 RBI in 229 games.

Biggest question: What happens with Andrew McCutchen?

McCutchen — who has been the face of the franchise for nearly a decade — just finished up his worst year in the big leagues (.766 OPS, poor defensive metrics) but this is the same guy who finished in the Top 5 in NL MVP voting four straight seasons from 2012-15 and won the award in 2013.

The Pirates were shopping McCutchen this winter and even if he sticks around, the 30-year-old would have to make a move out of center field for the betterment of the defense.

History indicates McCutchen would return to normal levels at the plate and he still put up solid power numbers (24 homers, 79 RBI) last year hitting in the middle of the order.

If GM Neal Huntington does find a taker for McCutchen before the final year of his contract is up, it could change the course of the future for the franchise but it may also mean 2017 is another playoff-less season. It would be hard for the Pirates to put together a championship-caliber team capable of dethroning the Cubs without Cutch.

X-Factor: Gregory Polanco

Polanco's emergence could help ease the pain of McCutchen's regression (or eventual loss if he is traded). 

The 25-year-old Polanco looked primed for an explosive breakout season when he hit .287/.362/.500 (.862 OPS) in the first half before slumping to a .220/.267/.414 (.682 OPS) line after the All-Star Break while battling a shoulder injury.

As it was, he finished with 22 homers, 86 RBI and 17 stolen bases and very well may take the next step and blossom into a superstar in 2017.

WHITE SOX: Five storylines to watch as White Sox begin spring training.

Chicago White Sox

(Photo/Chicago White Sox)

The White Sox open spring training on Tuesday and they’ll do so with a new manager, a slew of fresh acquisitions and headed in a considerably different direction than they were a year ago. As they begin camp ahead of the 117th season in franchise history, manager Rick Renteria and the White Sox are in the midst of their first rebuild since 1997. Despite describing the ensuing process as painful and deliberate while trading away stars Chris Sale and Adam Eaton, general manager Rick Hahn has re-energized the fan base by acquiring seven highly-touted prospects.

Here’s a look at what’s in store over the next 6 1/2 weeks.

1. How will the veterans handle the situation?

Hahn has laid it all out for the fans -- while the next few seasons may be fruitful for the long-term view, there’s sure to be trying times ahead in the interim. One area that could very well surface is in how players who aren’t part of the big picture handle their time in limbo. Though there’s the possibility for some awkward moments, Renteria, Hahn and a number of veterans said they don’t expect anything less than to handle the situation professionally.

2. Prospect push

White Sox officials have only had a glimpse of many of their new prized possessions and thus far they’ve been ecstatic. How couldn’t they be as they get their first extended look at a farm system revamped by a pair of franchise-altering trades? Each of the team’s top eight prospects, according to MLB.com, will spend part of the spring in big league camp, which will give the staff and front office a good idea how far along are their prospects.
Renteria and his player-development friendly staff get an early chance to mold the team’s future before they arrive in the majors. He looks forward to familiarizing himself with the team’s newest players.

“We are going to have a vigilant eye for what we recognize in terms of where we believe they are in the process,” Renteria said. “But we have to trust each other.

“We have many voices that can chime in to give us each their individual opinion so we can assess and draw best conclusion at the end.”

3.  The World Baseball Classic effect

There aren’t any position players competing in next month’s exhibition, but the White Sox pitching staff features four participants, including Jose Quintana, Miguel Gonzalez, Nate Jones and David Robertson. Pitching coach Don Cooper spoke to all four players in advance of their official selections to have them prepared for the event, which runs March 6-22. Cooper also has a plan in place how to have his pitchers ready for the regular season once they return to camp.

4. What’s next for the young guys?

During a Winter Meetings press conference, Hahn implied that the only Carlos Rodon and Tim Anderson had no chance of being traded. Both men have had success at the major league level, but both are still developing. Anderson is looking to improve upon a very good start in the field and at the plate while Rodon continues to look for consistency with his strike throwing.

5. Filling the vacancies

Though there don’t appear to be many openings on the pitching staff, the everyday lineup has several starting jobs to be determined. Catcher, center field and designated hitter are the spots in question with plenty of potential candidates for playing time.

Davidson, Tilson set for spring training after unlucky White Sox debuts.

By JJ Stankevitz

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

Two of the White Sox players hit by some of the worst luck imaginable have made good progress this winter and should be ready to compete for spots in Rick Renteria's starting lineup when pitchers and catchers report to Camelback Ranch next week. 

Infielder/designated hitter Matt Davidson, who broke a bone in his foot in his White Sox debut last June, and outfielder Charlie Tilson, who tore his hamstring in his major league debut last August, both offered optimistic assessments of their respective recovery processes at SoxFest last month. 

Davidson delivered an RBI single in his second at-bat with the White Sox June 30, which was his first major league appearance since 2013. But at some point while running the bases after that hit, he fractured a bone in his foot, which required surgery and sidelined him for the rest of 2016. 

The White Sox acquired the 25-year-old Davidson from the Arizona Diamondbacks in December of 2013 for right-hander Addison Reed, but the former top 100 prospect struggled in his first two years in the White Sox system. Davidson improved during his third season with Triple-A Charlotte last year, hitting .268/.349/.444 and earning his first promotion to Chicago after 75 games. 

Davidson will be in White Sox mix at designated hitter in 2017. He had an X-Ray on his foot in late January and said he's been feeling 100 percent since the middle of December. 

Tilson will enter spring training as the favorite to start in center field on Opening Day despite getting just two major league at-bats before suffering that season-ending injury in Detroit. Tilson, who the White Sox acquired for left-hander Zach Duke last July, singled in his first career at-bat and hit .293 with a .346 on-base percentage and 89 stolen bases in five minor league seasons spent in the St. Louis Cardinals' farm system. 

"I like to think a setback is a setup for a comeback," Tilson said. "I tried to harness all that energy and move it toward rehab. I've been progressing really well."

Golf: I got a club for that..... Spieth cruises to four-shot win at Pebble Beach.

By Will Gray

Jordan Spieth wins Pebble Beach Pro-Am for 9th career PGA Tour victory. (Photo/Golf/AP News)

The final day at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am delivered plenty of scenery but little drama. Here's how things ended up on the Monterey Peninsula, where Jordan Spieth cruised to a four-shot win:

Leaderboard: Jordan Spieth (-19), Kelly Kraft (-15), Dustin Johnson (-14), Brandt Snedeker (-13), Jason Day (-12)

What it means: Spieth started the day with a six-shot lead, and the outcome of the tournament was never really in doubt as he birdied the second hole and made it around Pebble Beach without dropping a shot. It's his ninth career PGA Tour victory, first since last year's Dean & DeLuca Invitational and signals that Spieith is again included among any discussion of the hottest players in the world.

Round of the day: Gary Woodland made a big move Sunday after carding 10 birdies on one of the most scenic courses in the world. Woodland notched seven birdies in a 10-hole stretch from Nos. 5-14, then added two more over his final three holes. It led to a 7-under 65 and allowed Woodland to jump into a tie for fifth, his third top-6 finish of the young season.

Best of the rest: Kraft won the U.S. Amateur at Erin Hills in 2011, and he recorded his best career PGA Tour finish after a 5-under 67 in the final round. Kraft had five birdies in a six-hole stretch on the front nine, including four in a row on Nos. 3-6, before finishing his round with seven straight pars to seal runner-up honors.

Biggest disappointment: Snedeker appeared ready to put some heat on Spieth, but for the second time in the last three weeks he failed to muster a back-nine charge. Snedeker birdied three of his first six holes but dropped a shot on No. 9 and then closed with nine straight pars to shoot a 2-under 70 that left him alone in fourth.

Shot of the day: Nursing a three-shot lead with two to play, Spieth played safe to the middle of the green on No. 17 but managed to roll in yet another lengthy putt, this one from 29 feet to effectively seal the victory.

Melissa Reid wins Oates Vic Open inspired by mother's memory.

By James Corrigan

(Photo/Getty Images)

Melissa Reid took inspiration from her late mother to win her first tournament in two seasons, as the Englishwoman made just the start to the season she craved in Solheim Cup year.

The 29-year-old from Derby prevailed on the fourth play-off hole of the Ladies’ European Tour’s Oates Vic Open against Germany’s Sandra Gal and then revealed her emotional motivation. Joy Reid was killed in a head-on car crash in 2012 while travelling to see her daughter play in a tournament.

“I didn’t want to mention it to anyone but it was my mum’s birthday this week so I thought something good had to happen,” Reid said. “My mum’s favourite movie was Dirty Dancing and when we were warming up on the practice green, they were playing the theme tune to that film. I said to my caddie, Benji [Brewer], ‘I’ve just got a feeling about this week. It’s fate’.”

Reid has kicked off 2017 in tremendous style. Having finally earned her card for the LPGA Tour, she finished in a tie for 13th in her rookie US event, the Pure Silk Bahamas Classic, and then used the confidence to win her sixth title on her home circuit.

Reid teed off in the final round with a two-short advantage, but was hauled back after just four holes before showing her mettle by coming through.

Annika Sorenstam, the Europe captain, would have been especially pleased to see not only Reid perform so well, but also Gal, as she looks forward to playing America in Des Moines in August.

There was no such cheer for Danny Willett in the Maybank Malaysia Classic in Kuala Lumpur on the European Tour. The Masters champion went out with a three-shot lead, but a 73 meant he trailed in a tie for fifth behind Paraguay’s Fabrizio Zanotti, who eagled the 18th for a 63 at the Saujana Country Club to beat America’s David Lipsky by a shot. 

“It was obviously not the final round I was looking, for but there were signs of encouragement,” Willett said.

After Further Review: Doubts growing around Tiger.

By Golf Channel Digital

(Photo/Golf Channel Digital)

On the doubts surrounding Tiger Woods' comeback:

Tiger Woods pointed to the Masters as his real target in his return to the PGA Tour at Torrey Pines two weeks ago, and there was hope in that for anyone eager to see him make one more push at a meaningful comeback. His withdrawal from the Genesis Open and the Honda Classic because of back spasms didn’t just remove those events from his preparation for the year’s first major. They pretty much removed any hope he will be competitive at Augusta National - if not all hope he’ll even be able to play there. Forget Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy as Tiger’s toughest foes. There’s a growing legion of demon doubts to beat before he can worry about them. - Randall Mell

On Patrick Reed's decision to play in the conditions at Pebble Beach despite "respiratory infection":

Patrick Reed has some ‘splaining to do.

The Ryder Cup hero was set to headline next week’s Super 6 Perth in Australia, a tournament that used his likeness to promote a brand-new event with a unique format. Tickets were sold, and Reed’s face was splashed on magazines in Australia.

But more than two weeks ago, Reed announced that he wasn’t going to be able to play because of a “respiratory infection” that led him to withdraw well in advance of the event.

“I have done everything I can to make the trip possible, but my health and the advice of doctors is not something I can overlook,” he said in a Jan. 25 statement.

It was a curious sight, then, to see Reed back in action this week, battling through some dismal conditions over the first two days en route to a T-23 finish at Pebble Beach. Now admittedly, a trip to California is far different from a plane trip halfway around the world, but it’s not a good look for Reed, as the tournament is left to kick off without its leading attraction. - Will Gray

On even more U.S. Ryder Cup selection process changes:

For the better part of two years the U.S. Ryder Cup task force was an easy target. Pundits denounced the sweeping changes to the American selection process and opponents offered only light-hearted skepticism.

The outcome provided all the justification those who spearheaded the changes needed. But this week the tinkering continued, with ’18 captain Jim Furyk unveiling next year’s selection criteria that included a move away from the final captain’s pick following the Tour Championship.

Instead, Furyk will make his final pick after the BMW Championship, a week earlier than last year. The U.S. Ryder Cup system was broken in 2014, which made the changes necessary. But after the American victory last fall, these recent adjustments feel like change for the sake of it. - Rex Hoggard

NASCAR: Stars offer their advice for the 2017 NASCAR Cup rookie class.

By Jerry Bonkowski

(Photo/Getty Images)

When they first came into the NASCAR Cup Series, drivers like Kurt Busch, Martin Truex Jr., Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott were given advice on what to expect.

Now, with Erik Jones, Daniel Suarez, Ty Dillon and Gray Gaulding making up the 2017 NASCAR Cup rookie class, it’s time for Busch, Truex and others to be the advice givers.

During the recent NASCAR Media Tour in Charlotte, several drivers were asked by NBC Sports about what advice they’d impart upon the rookies.

2004 Cup champ Kurt Busch had one of the best replies, followed by a serious addendum.

“Just pull in behind the 41 car and I’ll take you to the front,” he quipped.

On the more serious side, Busch added: “Being a rookie in the NASCAR Cup Series, it’s a responsibility and there’s a lot to learn, but you deserve this right to be here.

“You’ve raced well in the Xfinity Series. Daniel, you’re a champion, Erik Jones you’re a winner, Ty you’re a winner. Welcome to the club. This is a tough group, but you’re going to be just fine.”

Busch’s teammate at Stewart-Haas Racing, 2014 Cup champ Kevin Harvick, had some observations, as well.

“As you look at rookies in general, in my mind you see this a lot,” Harvick said. “You see guys come in and they will have a very good start to the year and they’ll get excited about everything that is going on and they’ll put a lot of effort into what is going on.

“The hardest thing for a rookie is having to manage their time as you get into the grind and through the year; really the second year would be harder than the first year. It takes drivers with experience and knowledge – and sometimes the young drivers have it and sometimes they don’t have it – to help your race team to grow, to push your team in the right direction, to progress your cars to where they’ll run faster.”

Last but not least, Harvick noted, “Learn how to manage your time and it’s okay to say ‘no’. … It’s important to take care of yourself.”

Martin Truex will have two rookies as Toyota teammates. Jones will be a teammate with Truex on the Furniture Row Racing team, while Suarez will drive the No. 19 car for Joe Gibbs Racing.

“(My) advice is just keep an open mind, enjoy yourself, try not to let the pressure get to you,” Truex said. “It’s such a big step, going from Xfinity to the Cup Series.

“Really, it’s like going from the first rung of the ladder to the top and I’m talking about a 25-foot ladder. It’s a big change. It’s a big jump, lot of pressure and a lot of people expecting you to do things. Just try to enjoy it and take it all in and learn as much as you can.”

Denny Hamlin will have Suarez, who replaces Carl Edwards in the No. 19 car, as one of his teammates at Joe Gibbs Racing.

“I think Daniel is more prepared than I ever was,” Hamlin said. “So I would imagine he would have a lot of success.”

But Hamlin also warns that Suarez could have a significant learning curve.

“No matter what, it’s a giant step and eventually you have to take it,” Hamlin said. “He just won the Xfinity championship. He was running in the top five every single week.

“So, like my dad said, what is there to accomplish? Move up to the next level and challenge yourself again. I think this is going to be a challenge for Daniel and Erik, but they’re as prepared as anyone I’ve seen in a while.”

And then there’s last year’s NASCAR Cup Rookie of the Year, Chase Elliott. As he enters his sophomore season in the Cup series, the son of a NASCAR Hall of Famer says this year’s rookie class is well prepared to make the jump to NASCAR’s marquee series.

“They’ve been racing long enough, they know what to expect,” Elliott said. “I don’t think me sharing something with them is going to be news to them. I think they have a good grasp of what’s going on.”

NASCAR America analysts discuss key storylines entering season.

By NBC Sports

(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

The NASCAR season is almost here and so is the return of NASCAR America on NBCSN.

NASCAR America will be back on the air at 6 p.m. ET Monday. NASCAR on NBC analysts Steve Letarte, Kyle Petty, Jeff Burton, Dale Jarrett and Parker Kligerman are ready for the start of the season.

With that in mind, they each talked about the storyline that intrigues them the most entering this season.

Steve Letarte: I’m a true believer that of the 16 playoff spots there are going to be four or six of them that will be determined on points alone. I think that leaving Richmond in September we’re going to look at the stage points awarded determining what four of six drivers there are. I think that those are basically going to determine what driver in that mid-tier that was not fortunate enough to win a race moves forward.

Kyle Petty: Stewart-Haas Racing. Move to Ford and lack of sponsorship as a whole for the company. How will this affect Kevin Harvick, arguably the most consistent championship driver since joining SHR.

Jeff Burton: The format changes, the points changes, how they influence the races, I think that is going to be fascinating to watch.

Dale Jarrett: I think probably like everybody else, how does the new format impact the racing first and foremost and then, eventually what this looks like when we get to the playoffs. How do all the points add up with the drivers getting those opportunities? Does it create racing in a different way? I’m really excited to see this. I'm glad the changes were made. Now, that they have been made, everybody understands where the rules are, and I know this is something that will evolve over the season. In the beginning of the year I’m really anxious to see how does it impact the racing and is it better for the fans.

Parker Kligerman: I know the much vaunted enhancements will be a major storyline for the year simply because they will eventually decide the champion in a new way and may affect the races in ways we have never seen before.

With that said, I believe something bigger is occurring as we head into 2017. With the addition of a new title sponsor, the enhancements, continual shuttering of downforce and the intrigue of maybe using those under-utilized road courses in the tracks we go to, NASCAR is entering a brand new era of possibilities we haven’t seen in this sport. Ever. 

NASCAR America begins its fourth season at 6 p.m. ET on Monday, Feb. 13 on NBCSN

Stage lengths revealed for more Cup races.

By Dustin Long

(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Stage lengths have been revealed for three more tracks that host Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races. Las Vegas Motor Speedway announced the stages for its race on Friday, and NBC Sports has learned the stage lengths for races at Bristol Motor Speedway and Dover International Speedway.

Stages have been previously announced for the Daytona 500 and Cup races at Pocono Raceway and Watkins Glen International.

Here are the stages known for the 2017 Cup season:

Daytona 500

(200 laps)

Stage 1: 60 laps

Stage 2: 60 laps

Final stage: 120 laps

Las Vegas

(267 laps)

Stage 1: 80 laps

Stage 2: 80 laps

Final Stage: 107 laps

Bristol 

(500 laps)

Stage 1: 125 laps

Stage 2: 125 laps

Final Stage: 250 laps

Dover

(400 laps)

Stage 1: 120 laps

Stage 2: 120 laps

Final Stage: 160 laps

Pocono 

(160 laps)

Stage 1: 40 laps

Stage 2: 40 laps

Final Stage: 80 laps

Watkins Glen

(90 laps)

Stage 1: 20 laps

Stage 2: 20 laps

Final Stage: 50 laps

Las Vegas Motor Speedway also announced that its March 11 Xfinity race, which is 200 laps, will have two 45-lap stages and a final stage of 110 laps. The 146-lap Camping World Truck Series race at Las Vegas on Sept. 30 will have two 35-lap stages and a final stage of 76 laps.

SOCCER: Swansea City 2-0 Leicester City: Foxes continue plunge as Swans clear drop.

By Kyle Bonn

(Photo/Getty Images)

Swansea City has pulled much further off the relegation zone at Leicester City’s expense as the Swans picked up a 2-0 victory at the Liberty Stadium behind first-half goals from defenders Alfie Mawson and Martin Olsson.

While Swansea continues its climb free of the drop, Leicester City is moving in the other direction, now without a Premier League goal in a whopping 610 minutes and losing for the fifth straight match. It’s the first time since 1956 that the defending champions lost five straight league games at any point during the season.

There was a penalty shout straight away in the third minute, with Swansea feeling they should get a spot-kick after a shot by Gylfi Sigurdsson struck the arm of Wes Morgan while sliding to block the shot. The Foxes were forced to do plenty of defending early, with the in-form Sigurdsson looking dangerous.

The game eventually progressed into a back and forth midfield battle, with Swansea looking to hold possession and Leicester playing a physical foil to the hosts’ intent. Past the half-hour mark, there was another big decision for referee Jon Moss who only showed yellow to Robert Huth who clumsily went into a two-footed challenge that clobbered Tom Carroll, a decision that was met with plenty of boos around the Liberty Stadium.

The Swans would finally find a deserved breakthrough on 36 minutes. A free-kick from Sigurdsson just beyond the center circle was lobbed into the box, and it came first to the head of Fernando Llorente then Federico Fernandez, and before it could touch the ground, Mawson cannoned the ball into the back of the net with a vicious volley.

The margin would widen just ticks before halftime as a beautiful bit of passing between Llorente, Sigurdsson, and Olsson sprung the latter down the left, cutting inside and hitting for Swansea’s second in 1st half injury time.

Leicester City nearly found a way back into the game just past the hour mark with a pair of chances for halftime substitute Islam Slimani back from injury. He was threaded in by Riyad Mahrez, but Slimani was stoned by goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski. Slimani got a cross his way seconds later, but it was just out of his reach.

Following that big chance, Swansea effectively slowed the game to a crawl as they looked to ease the game through. Leicester held much of the possession, but could do little with it. The win for Swansea pushes them all the way up past Middlesbrough into 15th, four points above relegation. Leicester, meanwhile, drops to 17th, still just a single point above the drop.

Burnley 1-1 Chelsea: Robbie Brady free-kick holds Blues.

By Kyle Bonn

(Photo/Getty Images)

Chelsea gains ground on the rest of the Premier League, but maybe not by as much as they would have hoped.

The Blues pummeled Burnley through the final 20 minutes in the snow at Turf Moor, but could not find a winner as Robbie Brady‘s free-kick strike past the half-hour mark was enough for the Clarets to continue their fine home form with a point against the league leaders.

Chelsea forced the hosts onto their heels straight away, and Eden Hazard forced the first save on six minutes as Diego Costa threaded him through but the low shot was in range for Tom Heaton to collect. Just a minute later, the Blues had their opener as a counter featured beautiful movement to ease the ball into the Burnley half, and Victor Moses fed Pedro who beat Michael Keane one-on-one and passed the ball into the back of the net.

It was all too easy for Chelsea, who following the goal seemed content to sit back, let Burnley possess, and hit back on the counter. That strategy would haunt them, however, as the hosts struck to even things up in the 24th minute. An exquisite free-kick from January signing Robbie Brady in his first start for the club beat Thibaut Courtois and buried into top-left corner to bring it back level the score at 1-1.

Burnley continued to look dangerous, forcing Chelsea to take back the initiative. The Clarets nearly went in front in the 36th minute as Joey Barton delivered a brilliant ball to Matthew Lowton who had snuck free near the right post but Courtois saved well. The Blues had a chance of their own minutes later, as a ball into the box by Marcos Alonso screamed just millimeters above the head of Diego Costa who rose high to meet it.

The Clarets seemed in to take the lead just minutes after the halftime break as Ashley Barnes skipped past Gary Cahill on the right wing and then fed Andre Gray, and while the ball scooted through the legs of David Luiz embarrassingly, Courtois was there to save the poor effort on goal.

Chelsea gained control through the final 20 minutes, as they pushed for an opener with substitute Cesc Fabregas pulling the strings, but they could not find a way through a well-organized and hard-working Burnley defense. The point pushes Chelsea 10 points above Arsenal and Tottenham, while Burnley pulls 10 points away from the relegation zone, jumping Watford into 12th position. The draw snaps a five-match home winning streak for Burnley, without a loss at Turf Moor since November 26th against Manchester City.

La Liga & Serie A: Correa rescues Sevilla late; Juventus, Roma win.

By Matt Reed

(Photo/Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

A roundup of Sunday’s action in Spain and Italy’s top flights…

La Plamas 0-1 Sevilla 

Joaquín Correa kept Sevilla within three points of league leaders Real Madrid on Sunday after rescuing his side in the final 10 minutes against Las Palmas. Despite posting just three shots on target in the match, Sevilla managed to keep its title hopes alive in Spain, which is shaping up to be a three-team race. Las Palmas currently sits in 11th place on 28 points, however, the club is just eight points out of the top six.

Atletico Madrid 3-2 Celta Vigo

Late goals from Yannick Carrasco and Antoine Griezmann helped rescue Atletico Madrid on Sunday at the Vicente Calderon after a tough test from Celta Vigo. The visitors jumped out to a 1-0 lead inside of five minutes before Fernando Torres equalized in emphatic fashion with a brilliant overhead volley. John Guidetti restored the Celta lead in the 78th minute before Atleti turned it up in the final 10 minutes to pull out the victory.

Elsewhere in La Liga

Villareal 1-1 Malaga

Leganes 0-2 Sporting Gijonareal

Cagliari 0-2 Juventus

Gonzalo Higuain’s brace helped restore Juventus’ seven-point cushion at the top of Serie A on the road. The Bianconeri stymied the Cagliari attack on the afternoon, allowing just one shot on target, while the hosts had their chances of nicking a result diminished after the sending off of Nicoló Barella in the 67th minute.

Crotone 0-2 Roma

Roma continues to fight for a Champions League spot in Serie A after another solid performance on Sunday against Crotone. Radja Nainggolan and Edin Dzeko each found the back of the net for the visitors, who now overtake Napoli for second position in Italy’s top flight. Meanwhile, Crotone remains in the relegation zone on 13 points in 24 matches.

Torino 5-3 Pescara

When there’s three goals in the opening 15 minutes chances are you’re in for a great match, and that’s exactly what happened at the Olimpico di Torino. The hosts jumped out to a comfortable 3-0 advantage in the opening quarter of an hour before expanding the lead to 5-0 in the second stanza. However, Pescara did its best to make it a compelling match after netting three goals in 10 minutes in the second half. Pescara remains at the bottom of Serie A on nine points, while Torino currently sits ninth in Italy.

Elsewhere in Serie A

Inter Milan 2-0 Empoli

Palermo 1-3 Atalanta

Sassuolo 1-3 Chievo Verona

Sampdoria 3-1 Bologna

La Liga & Serie A: Barca nets six, Real holds off Osasuna.

By Matt Reed

(Photo/Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

A roundup of Saturday’s action in Spain and Italy’s top flights…

Barcelona 6-0 Alaves

Luis Enrique’s side has looked like a shell of itself at times this season, but Saturday showed just how good Barcelona can be when one top of its game. The Blaugrana throttled Alaves at the Camp Nou behind a brace from Luis Suarez to keep chase in the title race. Neymar, Lionel Messi and Ivan Rakitic also got their names on the scoresheet in the rout, while an own goal from Alexis helped give the hosts a six-goal afternoon.

Osasuna 1-3 Real Madrid

Real received an unexpected fight from Osasuna on Saturday but the league leaders battled past the hosts with a strong second half effort. Cristiano Ronaldo put Los Blancos ahead inside of 24 minutes, but the hosts responded nine minute later through Sergio Leon. Real came away with the points though when Isco and Lucas Vasquez scored in the second stanza to make the scoreline more comfortable.

Elsewhere in La Liga

Real Betis 0-0 Valencia

Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Deportivo La Coruna

Fiorentina 1-0 Udinese

The Viola moved into seventh place on Saturday with this match the lone fixture on the Serie A docket. Fiorentina dominated the encounter, scoring on both sides of halftime to pull within three points of the top four. Borja Valero found the back of the net in the opening stanza, while Kouma Babacar and Federico Bernardeschi put the finishing touches on the affair after halftime.

PL Saturday roundup: Mane stars against Spurs; Arsenal, United win.

By Matt Reed

(Photo/Mike Hewitt/Getty Images for Tottenham Hotspur FC)

Many of the Premier League’s elite came away with victories on Saturday, however, one side saw its title hopes stomped on. Five teams currently sit within two points of another for the second spot in England’s top flight.

Meanwhile, the relegation battle continues to be a heated one, with six teams currently separated by three points at the bottom.

Here, we take a look back at Saturday’s action from around England’s top flight.

Arsenal 2-0 Hull City — RECAP

Controversy was the name of the game at the Emirates Stadium, however, the Gunners managed to come away with a critical three points against relegation side Hull City. Alexis Sanchez was at the center of the drama, after having scored the game’s opener by knocking the ball over the line with his hand in classic Diego Maradona fashion. The Chilean added a second in stoppage time after converting from the penalty spot to move the Gunners into third in the PL.

Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham — RECAP

Sadio Mane was dearly missed for the Reds while he was away on African Cup duty but Liverpool is surely grateful for his return. The speedy attacker tallied twice in the opening stanza at Anfield, and that was enough for the Reds to make the top of the league all the more congested. Spurs struggled to break down the Liverpool back line for much of the afternoon, and now Mauricio Pochettino‘s side has its hands full for the second spot.

Manchester United 2-0 Watford — RECAP

Jose Mourinho’s side has now gone unbeaten in 16 matches. 16. Juan Mata and Anthony Martial booked their names on the scoresheet at Old Trafford as United now sits 11 points out of the top spot in the PL. Watford sits on 30 points and in 12th place in England’s top flight.

Middlesbrough 0-0 Everton — RECAP

The scoreline was certainly at least somewhat positive for the Boro, but it won’t draws won’t be enough to keep them comfortable in the relegation race after staying winless in their last eight fixtures. Meanwhile, Everton remains unbeaten in its last eight, but Ronald Koeman‘s side currently sits 18 points out of the top spot in the PL.

Sunderland 0-4 Southampton — RECAP

It was a less than ideal performance from the hosts at the Stadium of Light, and the Black Cats remain at the bottom of the PL because of the result. Manolo Gabbiadini netted a brace in the opening half before Shane Long and an own goal finished off the lopsided scoreline for Southampton. The Saints moved into 11th place following the victory.

Stoke City 1-0 Crystal Palace — RECAP

Joe Allen continues to prove to be one of the most-underrated signings of the season after the Welshman netted his sixth goal of the campaign on Saturday. While Palace’s run in the PL looks to be nearing an end with each passing defeat, Stoke currently sits in ninth place.

West Ham 2-2 West Brom — RECAP

Jonny Evans played hero for West Brom with a stoppage-time equalizer at the London Stadium after West Ham appeared to have the points in the bag. Goals from Sofiane Feghouli and Manuel Lanzini gave the Hammers a lift after Nacer Chadli had given the Baggies an early advantage. The draw keeps the two sides in the top half of the table, with West Brom ahead by five points and in eight place.

NCAABKB: SATURDAY’S SNACKS: Villanova, Kansas and Baylor protect No. 1 seed with wins.

By Scott Phillips

(Photo/Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

SATURDAY’S THINGS TO KNOW

The NCAA tournament men’s basketball selection committee unveiled its top 16 seeds at this current point in the season. In the televised event, defending champion Villanova was given the current No. 1 overall seed while one notable major power conference didn’t have any top-16 seeds. We have more on this here.

Speaking of Villanova, they went on the road to play Xavier and won convincingly to help head coach Jay Wright win his 500th game. I have more on how the Wildcats have been really tough to stop offensively with the emergence of new scorer.

Another one of those No. 1 seeds is Gonzaga, the No. 1 team in the country that now looks like a sure-bet to get to undefeated during the regular season. If you didn’t already think this was a team that can win the national title, a 10-point win at Saint Mary’s should convince you.

The Big East had an interesting start to the afternoon that saw Georgetown beat Marquette and St. John’s upset Seton Hall. The Golden Eagles and Pirates are fighting for a spot in the Field of 68 while the Hoyas are trying to win enough to be in bubble consideration. More on this in Bubble Banter.

Freshman Josh Jackson had one of the best games of the year to help lead No. 3 Kansas to a tight road win over Texas Tech. I have more on why Jackson’s game is important to Kansas down the stretch.

No. 9 Arizona remained in sole possession of first place in the Pac-12 on Saturday thanks to a tough home win over a better-than-you-realize Cal team. No. 5 Oregon was given a fight by USC on the road, but they shook off their collapse against UCLA on Thursday to beat the Trojans.

Luke Kennard had 25 points to help lead No. 18 Duke to a two-point win over Clemson. CBT’s Rob Dauster has more on why the Blue Devils have a glaring issue that is starting to hurt them.

No. 14 Florida State went into South Bend and got worked over by Notre Dame, who seemed to take umbridge with the fact that they were dropped out of the top 25 this week.

STARRED

J.J. Frazier, Georgia — Frazier finished with 29 points and six assists as Georgia went into Knoxville and knocked off a Tennessee team that is still fighting for their spot on the bubble.

Josh Jackson, Kansas — Frank Mason fouled out with a few minutes left and only played 26 minutes for Kansas on Saturday. So Jackson took over. The freshman played all 40 minutes and knocked in the game-winning free throw as he had a career-high 31 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. Jackson was 12-for-15 from the field and very efficient. He willed the Jayhawks to victory.

Bonzie Colson, Notre Dame: The undersized four went up against one of the biggest front lines in the country for No. 14 Florida State and put up 33 points and 13 boards.

Johnathan Motley, Baylor — Keeping pace with the Jayhawks was Baylor as Motley also had himself a great afternoon. Motley finished with 25 points and seven rebounds as he was 12-for-15 from the field.

Tadric Jackson, Georgia Tech — Jackson scored 29 points for the Yellow Jackets in a come-from-behind win over Boston College that kept Josh Pastner’s club in the conversation for an NCAA tournament bid.

REST OF THE TOP 25

• It took a second-half rally but No. 4 Louisville held off Miami for an ACC home win. Deng Adel and Donovan Mitchell both finished with 18 points. Point guard Quentin Snider finished with 13 points after missing six games with injury.
• Convincing home win for No. 6 Baylor over TCU as the Bears attempt to keep pace with Kansas in the Big 12 race. The Bears had a really good game from Johnathan Motley in this one as he tallied 25 points.
• In a game that was tied at halftime, No. 13 West Virginia outscored Kansas State by 19 in the second half to pull away with a Big 12 home win. Junior guard Jevon Carter had 19 points and nine rebounds.
• There was a late rally that put a scare into No. 15 Kentucky but they ultimately pulled away for an SEC road win at Alabama. Malik Monk had a so-so shooting game but still managed 17 points.
• A big second-half run gave No. 17 Florida a home SEC win over Texas A&M. Justin Leon paced the Gators with 18 points while John Egbunu had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
• No. 21 Maryland held off Ohio State at home thanks to a terrific first half. The Terps had lost back-to-back games to fall out of the Big Ten title race.
• Just hours after being listed as a top four seed in the NCAA tournament selection show preview, No. 22 Butler went out and lost at Providence.
• Easy win for No. 23 Creighton as they rolled past DePaul for a Big East road win. The Bluejays had five players finish in double-figures, led by Toby Hegner’s 14 points.

NOTABLE

• Minnesota did what they were supposed to do and beat Rutgers on the road. Sophomore Jordan Murphy led the Golden Gophers with 17 points while also unleashing a poster dunk.
• Playing the role of potential spoiler was Pitt as they beat Syracuse at home. The Orange had won five straight games but the Panthers were led by 22 points from Cameron Johnson and 21 points from Michael Young.
• Another embarrassing loss for N.C. State as they lost by 30 on the road at Wake Forest. Since winning at Duke, the Wolfpack have dropped five consecutive games — three by 20 or more points. Center John Collins continued his stellar stretch with 23 points and seven rebounds.
• After earning an important road win at Northwestern earlier this week Illinois lost by double-digits at home to Penn State. The Illini have lost seven of nine games and head coach John Groce’s job could be in trouble. Payton Banks led the Nittany Lions with 24 points.

2017 NCAA tournament top 16 teams unveiled for the first time.

By Scott Phillips

(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

The NCAA tournament men’s basketball selection committee unveiled its first early look at 2017 tournament on Saturday.

In an effort to draw more attention to the NCAA tournament and college basketball’s regular season, for the first time, the committee announced the 16 teams that would be the top four seeds in each region if the 2017 NCAA tournament were to begin today.

Obviously, these teams and seeds will change dramatically over the final month of the season but it is a useful look at how the committee might view certain teams as we move closer to Selection Sunday.

Defending champion Villanova is currently the No. 1 overall seed.

East Region

1. Villanova (overall No. 1 seed)
2. Louisville (overall No. 7 seed)
3. Kentucky (overall No. 12 seed)
4. UCLA (overall No. 15 seed)

Midwest Region

1. Kansas (overall No. 2 seed)
2. Florida State (overall No. 6 seed)
3. Arizona (overall No. 9 seed)
4. Duke (overall No. 16 seed)

South Region

1. Baylor (overall No. 3 seed)
2. North Carolina (overall No. 5 seed)
3. Florida (overall No. 11 seed)
4. Butler (overall No. 13 seed)

West Region

1. Gonzaga (overall No. 4 seed)
2. Oregon (overall No. 8 seed)
3. Virginia (overall No. 10 seed
4. West Virginia (overall No. 14 seed)

There was hardly surprise with the No. 1 seeds. Gonzaga, Kansas, Villanova and Baylor have earned the right to sit atop their individual regions.

North Carolina and Florida State are the two most interesting teams on the No. 2 seed line, as an outright winner of a league as strong as this year’s ACC will have a very strong argument for being a No. 1 seed. Florida State in particular seems to be the team valued more by the committee than by the polls, as they are currently ranked 14th in the country.

Oregon ended up as the No. 2 seed out west, which means that the committee factored in the injuries that Dillon Brooks has dealt with this season. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the Pac-12 season shakes out, because Arizona, who is currently a No. 3 seed in the Midwest, is sitting all alone in first place in the league standings.

Easily the most exciting region is the East, where No. 2 Louisville and No. 3 Kentucky appear to be on a crash course to meet in the Sweet 16, where they will move on to play the winner of Villanova and No. 4 seed UCLA.

The other interesting team to watch?

Duke, who is the No. 4 seed in the Midwest, is on track to face off with Kansas in the Sweet 16. The Blue Devils are finally healthy and playing some of their best basketball of the season right now.

Perhaps the biggest storyline here is the total lack of a Big Ten presence in the top 16. No Wisconsin, no Purdue, no Maryland, a fact that may be all the more surprising considering that the Badgers are currently ranked No. 7 in the polls and that our most recent bracket projection has eight Big Ten teams in the tournament.

This may not be a good sign for the Big Ten teams on the bubble – looking at you, Indiana, Michigan State, Michigan and Northwestern. If the committee doesn’t value the league enough to think that Wisconsin or Purdue deserve a top five seed at this point, how much are they going to value teams at the bottom of the conference whose best wins came against the top of the league?

Still, it’s important to remember that this is hardly a done-deal.

Just because you’re favorite team is a No. 1 seed doesn’t guarantee that they’ll be a No. 1 seed 19 days from now.

On this day one year ago, our bracket projection had Iowa as a No. 1 seed in the West Region while Wisconsin wasn’t even in the field. Both ended up as No. 7 seeds on Selection Sunday. Oregon, who ended up as the actual No. 1 seed out west, was a No. 3 seed, as was Michigan State, who entered the NCAA tournament as a No. 2 seed – a questionable decision – and the overall favorite to win the tournament.

Northwestern punches ticket with win at No. 7 Wisconsin.

By Rob Dauster

(Photo/Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

I don’t know if Northwestern’s win on Sunday was the biggest win in the history of the program, but I cannot imagine that there has ever been one bigger.

The Wildcats went into Madison on Sunday evening and knocked off No. 7 Wisconsin, 66-59, to move to 19-6 on the season and 8-4 in the Big Ten, a record that is now impressive enough to lock Northwestern into the NCAA tournament.

That’s right.

The Wildcats are going to be dancing for the first time in program history barring catastrophe, and I’m not even sure Northwestern is capable of Northwesterning this. The way things currently stand, Northwestern has three top 50 wins and five more top 100 wins. Four of those eight top 100 wins are on the road – including at Wisconsin – and a fifth is a neutral court win over Dayton. Throw in the fact that Northwestern has just one sub-50 loss, which was to an Illinois team that looks worse on TV than it does in the RPI’s formula, and yeah, there is a lot to like about this profile.

The most impressive part of this win?

The Wildcats did it without Scottie Lindsey, their leading scorer. Lindsey had missed the previous two games, a 21-point whipping at Purdue and the loss to Illinois at home earlier this week.

There is a downside to this for the Big Ten, however.

The conference didn’t get a single team into the top 16 when the Selection Committee previewed the bracket over the weekend. No Wisconsin, no Purdue, no Maryland, and that was before the Badgers took this loss at home.

In fact, I’d go as far as to day that it is time to start being worried about Wisconsin. The Badgers were taken to overtime by Nebraska earlier this week, a week after they were taken to overtime by Rutgers and struggled to put away a struggling Indiana team at home.

Wins are wins in conference play, I get that, but when you consistently struggle to beat teams you should walk over, it’s not a great sign moving forward, especially when you consider this: Wisconsin’s best win this season is … at Indiana? At Minnesota or Marquette? Over Georgetown or Tennessee in Maui? Syracuse when Syracuse was still a disaster?

That’s a problem, one that could end up causing the Badgers to get a seed much closer to last year’s No. 7 seed than you would expect for the No. 7 team in the AP poll.

NCAAFB: College athletes hoping to unionize receive big boost from National Labor Relations Board

By Geoff Baker, The Seattle Times/College Sports

(Originally published February 12, 2017 at 5:14 pm Updated February 12, 2017 at 6:23 pm)

Northwestern quarterback Kain Colter, right, tried to unionize his football team back in 2013. (Photo/Paul Beaty/AP)

The NLRB’s chief counsel issued a memo saying football players at 17 private colleges are employees and can seek better working conditions.

Inside sports business

While still quarterbacking for Northwestern University in 2013, Kain Colter began seeking better working conditions for his fellow players.

Initially, he says, his coaches and administrators were privately supportive. But that quickly changed once they realized this wasn’t a passing fancy and Colter was committed to taking his fight to a national level.

“I think that was to be assumed,’’ Colter told me last week. “They are the beneficiaries of the current system and getting paid a lot of money — specifically, the coaches, commissioners and athletic directors. And so, any change to the system, they were going to fight it.’’

Two weeks ago, Colter saw his quest move beyond hypothetical to possible. A memo from the chief counsel of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) opined that football players at 17 private colleges and universities are indeed “employees” and can seek better working conditions including — gasp! — actual money for their play.

If you think that didn’t throw a scare into the NCAA like a Myles Garrett blindside sack, you don’t understand the billions being made by Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools off their scholarship athletes. The NCAA is getting $7.3 billion over 12 years from ESPN for the rights to its College Football Playoff games alone.

For now, the memo only involves private FBS schools — Northwestern, Notre Dame and Duke among them. And as NCAA chief legal counsel Donald Remy noted in a New York Times interview, the memo doesn’t constitute a binding position that must be followed.

But it’s a start for those pursuing compensation beyond the NCAA’s “amateur” rules. And once you inch open those floodgates a tad, the possibility of being overwhelmed by a sudden surge of complaints under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) becomes real indeed.

Colter hailed the memo as a “very historic decision’’ paving the way for future player claims. He co-founded the College Athletes Players’ Association in 2014 with former UCLA player Ramogi Huma in an effort to unionize Northwestern’s team.

A regional NLRB director ruled in March 2014 that Northwestern players could unionize. But the national board unanimously overturned that decision in 2015, while declining to address whether players enjoyed “employee’’ status.

This latest memo, for now, is the furthest the national office has gone in addressing that issue.

“It goes to show that office is willing to prosecute any unfair labor practice charges that fall within the NLRA,’’ Colter said. “So, it’s a big decision and I think it’s opening the door for more progress to be made.’’

For now, he says, players from the 17 colleges can file claims for better working conditions, medical benefits and financial compensation while receiving NLRA protections. Specifically, he adds, Section 7 protections that also allow employees to engage in activities promoting their interests.

So, while the memo states players still cannot unionize, they can campaign for things such as pay without fear of being benched or kicked off the team.

In issuing the memo, NLRB chief counsel Richard Griffin wrote to regional directors nationwide that “there is substantial evidence that colleges and universities control the manner and means of scholarship football players’ work on the field and numerous facets of the players’ daily lives to ensure compliance with NCAA rules.’’

Using Northwestern as an example, he stated scholarship football players there received up to $76,000 annually as of 2012 to cover tuition, fees, rooms, board and books. In addition, he added, by 2015, they received an additional stipend to cover incidental costs such as travel and child care.

He also noted, “The players’ compensation is clearly tied to their status and performance as football players, since they risk the loss of their scholarships if they quit the team or are removed because they violate their schools or the NCAA’s rules.’’

His conclusion? They are employees. And like other employees, entitled to protections and the right to negotiate future improvements.

Colter adds the goal isn’t to see players paid millions. He says his quest was borne of the suicide of NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Junior Seau, who’d suffered chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) from repeated head trauma.

Seau played with Colter’s uncle at USC.

“It was something that was very scary,’’ Colter said. “I saw there was a need for some protections to be made and for players to have guaranteed medical coverage moving forward. We didn’t have guaranteed medical coverage at the time.’’

Colter found it “funny” watching college football on TV and noting coaches, officials and even stadium vendors and concessionaires had such coverage.

But “the people most at risk — the players’’ weren’t covered.

Nowadays, the focus is more on actual compensation. The decisions by LSU running back Leonard Fournette and Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey to skip December bowl games and focus on the NFL draft highlighted financial risks faced by college players unpaid beyond scholarships.

While savoring this victory for now, Colter knows it might be fleeting. Griffin’s term as chief counsel expires in November. His successor is to be named by President Trump and it’s unclear whether he or she will support Griffin’s memo or issue a new one that goes in an opposite direction.

Regardless of what happens, Colter expects the NCAA and its schools to keep fighting attempts to alter the status quo.

“They’ve made tons of money,’’ Colter said. “They’ve spent that money to build new facilities and to pay enormous coaching salaries and salaries of the different administration. And so if there was a redistribution of this towards better resources for the players it might hurt that.’’

Lindsey Vonn becomes first American to medal at five world championships.

By Kirstie Chiappelli, Omnisport

(Photo/Getty Images)

Lindsey Vonn didn't win gold this week, but what she did earn felt just as good.

The veteran skier became the oldest woman to win a medal at the world championships and the first American alpine skier to earn a medal at five worlds when she took downhill bronze Sunday at the 2017 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in St. Moritz, Switzerland.

Vonn got down the mountain in 1:33.30, 0.45 seconds behind Slovenian winner Ilka Stuhec, who finished with a time of 1:32.85. Austria’s Stephanie Venier took silver in 1:33.25. Though she was visibly frustrated when she finished nearly a half-second behind Stuhec, Vonn held her head high.

"Not bad for an old lady," Vonn said on Eurosport, via NBC Sports. "It’s been a difficult season. I’m very thankful for a medal. Now I have a medal in downhill [at worlds] in every color, pretty damn cool. … All things considered, it was a really great performance."

The 32-year-old had made a New Year's resolution not to crash after violently wrecking or undergoing season-ending surgery in each of the last four years. Vonn suffered three fractures in her left knee in a crash in February 2016. While attempting to return from those injuries, she suffered a severely broken right arm in a training accident in November. So far, she's on track for a successful comeback.

Down the road, Vonn aspires to take home gold in the 2018 Winter Olympics in ‎PyeongChang‎, South Korea.

On This Date in Sports History: Today is Monday, February 13, 2017.

Memoriesofhistory.com

1920 - The National Negro Baseball League was organized. 

1923 - "The Renaissance," the first black pro basketball team, was organized.

1937 - The NFL's Boston Redskins moved to Washington.

1953 - The Oakland Athletics changed the name of Shibe Park to Connie Mack Stadium. The change was in honor of their longtime owner and manager.

1965 - Sixteen-year-old Peggy Fleming won the ladies senior figure skating title at Lake Placid, NY.  

1973 - Frank Mahovlich (Montreal Canadiens) scored his 1,000th career point in the NHL.

1977 - Julius "Dr. J" Erving played in his first NBA All-Star Game. He was voted MVP with 30-points and 12-rebounds.

1982 - Bryan Trottier (New York Islanders) scored five goals against the Philadelphia Flyers.

1983 - Marvin Gaye sang the U.S. national anthem at the NBA All-Star game.

1983 - The World Boxing Council became the first to cut matches from 15 to 12 rounds.

1990 - Bryan Trottier (New York Islanders) scored his 500th career goal in the NHL.

2002 - Bill Simpson filed a defamation suit against NASCAR for blaming a seat belt made by Simpson Performance Products for the death of Dale Earnhardt a year before. Simpson said that all he wanted was an apology, but when NASCAR refused he filed the suit.

2008 - Roger Clemens denied having taken performance-enhancing drugs in testimony before Congress.

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