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"Sports Quote of the Day"

“Toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles.” ~ Alex Karras, Former NFL Player, Actor, Wrestler and Sportscaster

TRENDING: Blackhawks beat Predators, set franchise record with eighth straight road win. (See the hockey section for Blackhawks updates and NHL news).

TRENDING: Jamal Adams argues why safeties deserve a top pick, could Bears think the same way too? (See the football section for Bears news and NFL updates).

TRENDING: Chicago Bulls Vs. Detroit Pistons, Monday, 03/06/2017. (See the basketball section for Bulls news and NBA updates).

TRENDING: D. Johnson hangs on for WGC-Mexico title. (See the golf section for PGA news and tournament updates).

TRENDING: Brad Keselowski grabs first Cup win of 2017 at Atlanta after Kevin Harvick penalty. (See the NASCAR section for NASCAR news and racing updates).

How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Next Game: Anaheim Ducks Vs. Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center, Chicago, IL., 03/09/2017 at 7:30PM (CT) 

With injury and illness, Blackhawks’ latest break is welcomed.

By Tracey Myers

When the Blackhawks entered their bye week on Feb. 12 they were ready to do so.

At that point, it was more of a fatigue factor. The Blackhawks had played 57 games entering the bye and, despite winning five in a row after several weeks of up-and-down play, the rest was welcome.

On Sunday the Blackhawks start another respite, this one for four days that will include a practice or two. This time around, the break isn't so much needed as perhaps necessary.

The Blackhawks are rolling right now in terms of results; their 5-3 victory over the Nashville Predators on Saturday was their 12th in their last 13 games. But they've been hit by injuries and illness the last several games, so their latest break couldn't have come at a better time.

The break is good for Johnny Oduya, who will get a few more days to get up to speed following an ankle injury that sidelined him for a month. Same for Niklas Hjalmarsson (upper body), who's been out since Feb. 23. It's good for Nick Schmaltz, whose illness kept him out the last two games. It's good for Artem Anisimov, who only missed one game from a lower-body injury but gets to recuperate more.

Healthy players could use this time, too. Asked about the break following the Blackhawks' 5-3 victory over Nashville on Saturday night, coach Joel Quenneville said, "some will get a couple more days off than the [scheduled] rest." Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook, paired together again with Hjalmarsson out, have taken on the brunt of the responsibility and minutes. Patrick Kane's minutes increased some (26 against the New York Islanders on Friday before going back to 17 on Saturday in Nashville). Corey Crawford just returned from illness on Friday but, with Scott Darling sidelined for three weeks, they'll need him at his best.

The Blackhawks have been getting the results but the wear and tear of the season was catching up to them. The four-line rotation was thrown off some. With Oduya and Hjalmarsson both out, the Blackhawks were minus what's expected to be their second defensive pair.

On Thursday the Blackhawks could return to games at their healthiest all season. They'll have to be, because the stretch run won't be easy. In their final 31 days of the regular season (Thursday-April 8), the Blackhawks will play 17 games. The Blackhawks have the four-line rotation they want. They have the defensive setup they want. Breaks don't always come at opportune times but this one is a welcomed one.

"It's been a good stretch for us, fun," Quenneville said. "But enjoy some time off for some guys here and let's come back energized for the last stretch because we're busy."

Blackhawks beat Predators, set franchise record with eighth straight road win. (Saturday night's game, 03/04/2017).

By Tracey Myers

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

Brian Campbell's "strategy" as he came through the slot late in regulation was pretty simple.

"Finding some open net, look up, shoot and hope for the best," Campbell said with a laugh.

The Blackhawks have won seven in a row and 12 of their last 13 games, and stars like Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane have been at the forefront of this hot streak. But it takes everyone contributing, and sometimes getting big plays and big goals from players who may not get on the score sheet as often. On Saturday night, the Blackhawks got a little bit of all of that.

Jordin Tootoo got his first goal of the season against his former team and Campbell had the game winner as the Blackhawks beat the Nashville Predators 5-3 on Saturday night. The Blackhawks are once again atop the Western Conference standings, a point ahead of the Minnesota Wild, who were idle on Saturday and have three games in hand. The Blackhawks also established a new franchise-best, eight-game road winning streak.

"It's a fun accomplishment, knowing the organization, franchise has had a proud history, great tradition here. Being recognized as one of the teams that did something pretty amazing," coach Joel Quenneville said. "It's fun but I still think we want to keep moving along here, keep trying to get points. We played in some tough buildings, tough games finding ways to win a lot of nights differently. Tonight was a good illustration of that."

Indeed, this one had a little of everything, from Patrick Kane's two goals (power play and empty net) to Jonathan Toews' 17th of the season (power play) to Tootoo's all-around night to Campbell's winner. It was an especially good night for Tootoo, who spurred the Blackhawks with a first-period fight that changed momentum, a drawn penalty that led to Kane's goal and his goal.

"Three huge plays he was involved in. It's good to see," Campbell said. "He works hard every day. You guys see him out there early on the ice. He hasn't played a lot lately but he steps in and does his job. I'm glad he got rewarded."

Entering this one, the Blackhawks were missing four players (Nick Schmaltz, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Johnny Oduya and Scott Darling) and coming off a shootout victory over the New York Islanders on Friday. What was a 3-1 lead near the end of the second period became a 3-3 tie early in the third thanks to Viktor Arvidsson's second goal of the night. It stayed that way until 1:05 remaining in the third period when Toews' pass from the side boards found Campbell in the slot for the winner.

"We have a lot of guys who can make plays in big-time situations. There they came through," Quenneville said. "That's a good goal tonight to show what we're talking about, because that was a great play."

On Feb. 18 the Blackhawks were nine points behind the Wild. They may not stay ahead of them for long now. The Blackhawks have four days off, which they'll use to hopefully get a few injured players back. The Wild, again with three games in hand, will be playing. Nevertheless, the Blackhawks like what they're seeing right now. They're playing great all-around hockey when they're healthy and finding ways when they're not. 

"I know [the Wild] had an amazing run and we've had a nice run ourselves. All of a sudden you move up and obviously, whether it was just a dream or something like that, let's keep the pressure on them," Quenneville said. "It was realistic keeping them in our sights."

Artemi Panarin lifts Blackhawks past Islanders in shootout for sixth straight win. (Friday night's game, 03/03/2017).

By Tracey Myers

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

The Blackhawks weren't in their usual rhythm or playing at their usual pace on Friday night. Injuries were to blame for some of that. So were the New York Islanders, who are fighting for a playoff spot.

But as the third period wore on the Blackhawks were looking like themselves again. And after a few extra minutes' worth they were pulling out another one.

Artemi Panarin scored his 20th goal of the season to tie it late in regulation and Corey Crawford stopped 31 of 32 as the Blackhawks came back to beat the Islanders 2-1 in a shootout on Friday night. The Blackhawks have now won 11 of their last 12, including six in a row, and are one point behind the Minnesota Wild.

Jonathan Toews notched the shootout winner for the Blackhawks, who were missing Artem Anisimov (lower body), Nick Schmaltz (illness), Johnny Oduya (ankle) and Niklas Hjalmarsson (upper body). Now for the next three weeks they'll be without Scott Darling, who got hurt late in Friday morning's skate. A source said Darling suffered a hand injury.

The Blackhawks took a time out late in the third period, a period in which they dominated. After the Islanders boxed them out and blocked 20 shots through 40 minutes, the Blackhawks were finally getting inside. Still, Thomas Greiss was stellar, stopping 30 of 31 shots, including 14 of 15 in the third period. Panarin, however, finally got one through traffic with 1:14 remaining in regulation to tie it.

"No doubt that we have the guys to step up, make up for the loss of a few key players tonight," Toews said. "Collectively, the first 40 wasn't our best. I don't think we were playing with the speed and energy we have as of late. But we stay within one, we always know if we put some pressure on the end there's always a chance to stay in that game. Great goaltending, decent defensive play to keep us in that game as well."

Crawford looked very good in his first start since Feb. 23 – he had been ill at the end of last month. The only shot that eluded him was Brock Nelson's 2-on-1 break following the Blackhawks' second power play.

"Felt better and better as the game went on. The one goal, it was a squeaker. But I felt pretty sharp out there," Crawford said. "Thought we played well all game. We just kept playing hard, never gave up. Nice to see Bread Man get a big shot there."

Toews' shot claimed the shootout but Panarin also got one to seal it. As for his game-tying goal, Panarin looked as relieved as he did happy to get it.

"I think top players, they like scoring, making plays, getting production. But I still think there's production there between him and [Patrick Kane]. Whether he's scoring or not there's a threat and you still have to be aware of them on the ice. They have the puck a lot, present some cycle shifts that are tough to defend."

The Blackhawks were down a few players. They could get Anisimov and Schmaltz back on Saturday in Nashville. But they've gone through this all season and for the most part, they've found ways to keep getting points. 

"You're not always going to be up in every game. It's not always going to go our way," Crawford said. "We have to battle back in some games and we showed some character tonight."

Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! Jamal Adams argues why safeties deserve a top pick, could Bears think the same way too?

By JJ Stankevitz

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

The 2017 NFL Draft class is loaded with defensive backs, which certainly is good news for a Bears team needing a boost to its secondary. 

What direction the Bears take in the draft will first be determined by free agency, which begins March 9 and features the likes of A.J. Bouye (cornerback from Houston), Stephone Gilmore (cornerback from Buffalo) and Tony Jefferson (safety from Arizona). But whatever direction the Bears do take on the open market to address their secondary, it'll can also be augmented through the draft in April. 

The thought here is that a dependable starting cornerback or safety could be found as late as the third or even fourth round. But could the Bears' plan go beyond that depth and include drafting a safety with the team's highest draft pick in over 40 years?

LSU safety Jamal Adams doesn't see why not. 

"The game is changing," Adams said Sunday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. "You need safeties that can do everything in the back end, can cover, can make the calls, can tackle and just doing what the coaches are asking them to do." 

Finding a transformational talent is the goal when a team is picking in the top five, but generally speaking, those players usually come from one of three positions: Quarterback, tackle and edge rusher/defensive end. And that makes sense — teams generally look for a quarterback, someone to protect a quarterback or someone to disrupt an opposing quarterback. Only seventeen of the last 50 top-five picks have come from positions other than QB/T/EDGE/DE (a number which includes menacing defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh, Marcell Dareus and Gerald McCoy). 

But one of the things Bears coach John Fox said he wants out of a quarterback — someone who "raises all boats" — could apply to a safety, too. If someone with the pure talent and football skill of Adams or Ohio State's Malik Hooker (who isn't participating in on-field drills due to surgery in January to repair a torn labrum in his hip and a sports hernia) were able to raise the level of play of everyone around him at Halas Hall, that could make them worthy of such a high pick. 

So if the Bears leave Indianapolis blown away by Adams or Hooker, and that player is at the top of their big board and available at No. 3, why not go with him?

"I definitely feel like I should be the No. 1 pick," Adams said. "Top five, that's definitely in the range."

Report: Bears have 'positive' meeting with Alshon Jeffery's agent. 

By JJ Stankevitz

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

The door may not be shut on a reunion between Alshon Jeffery and the Bears, based on the latest morsel of news on the soon-to-be free agent wide receiver. 

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the Bears and Jeffery's agent had a "positive meeting" on Saturday and that both sides are open to the 27-year-old making a return to Halas Hall. Bears general manager Ryan Pace on Wednesday confirmed the team would not place the franchise tag on Jeffery, putting him on the open market when free agency begins at 3 p.m. CT on March 9. 

In a statement to ESPN's Josina Anderson last Thursday, Jeffery said he isn't harboring any resentment toward the Bears. But he also said in addition to looking for a team that needs a wide receiver, he's hoping to sign with a team that would "put me in the best situation to win a championship right now."

On Wednesday, Pace sounded as if he was preparing for Jeffery to move on from Chicago.  

"Sometimes when you can't come to a common ground with a player and an agent, sometimes it's necessary to kind of test the market to determine that player's value, and that's really where we're at," Pace said Wednesday. "He's a good player and we'll see how it plays out. But I think there are certain instances where testing the market is a necessary part of the process."

Glennon, Garoppolo or Hoyer? Bears begin moving on possible quarterback options.

By John Mullin 

L to R, Glennon, Garoppolo and Hoyer. (Photo/USA TODAY)

General manager Ryan Pace stated that the Bears had developed multiple scenarios for resolving their quarterback situation both for 2017 and beyond. Priorities now appear to be emerging with the opening of free agency looming a week away.

But not all scenarios have been created equal, and some represent puzzling strategic directions for an organization that has bumbled through myriad failed quarterback strategies over its recent history.

The Bears are expected to meet with representatives of Brian Hoyer this weekend, though indications from various sources are that Hoyer is option No. 3 behind former Tampa Bay quarterback Mike Glennon and trading for New England backup Jimmy Garoppolo — this despite head coach John Fox's seemingly strong endorsement of Hoyer on Wednesday based on Hoyer's decision-making, ball security and experience with many different offensive systems.

Each of these scenarios would presumably be followed by selecting a quarterback in this draft. Opting for Garoppolo or Glennon, however, being clear moves for an anticipated starter, would hint at the Bears dialing down the draft urgency and pursuing other positions based on their draft board instead of over-drafting a quarterback.

Looking closer at the three leading options ahead of next Tuesday's start of the period when teams may openly begin talks with players from other organizations.

Glennon

The Buccaneers chose Glennon out of North Carolina State in the third round of the 2013 draft. He represents perhaps the most curious of the options available for the Bears, given that he lost his starting job twice in the first three years with Tampa Bay.

Glennon, who hasn't started a game since 2015, was respectable in his rookie year with the Bucs, going 4-9 in his starts. Tampa Bay then signed Josh McCown away from the Bears to be the starter over Glennon, with Glennon relegated to starting only when McCown was injured. The Bucs went 1-4 in his starts.

The Bucs then drafted Jameis Winston. Glennon, now 27, did not play in 2015 and appeared in just two games last season.

Parenthetically, few quarterbacks Glennon's size (6-foot-7) have achieved noteworthy success. More have gone the way of Brock Osweiler, Houston's failed $72-million gamble in free agency last offseason.

Garoppolo

Whether the Bears are willing to part with sufficient draft capital to satisfy the Patriots is problematic. But that might be the only real obstacle, even if the former Eastern Illinois standout doesn't have the Bears at the top of this destination wish list.

The Patriots' No. 2 will be entering the fourth and final year of his rookie contract at $820,077. After that, if he has played as well as hoped, the Bears would have the option of using their franchise tag on him. Twice. Even tagging Garoppolo twice would cost the Bears some $46 million over three years, considerably less than Jay Cutler cost the team ($54 million) over the first three years of his deal.

A deal could go down as soon as late next week when the league year officially opens.

Hoyer

A groundswell of public sentiment has started in Cleveland for the Browns to bring Hoyer back as a quality bridge quarterback while a draft pick develops. In the meantime, the lack of urgency on the part of the Bears could be construed as lukewarm interest intended on keeping Hoyer as a hedge if the first two options fall through.

Hoyer threw 200 passes last season without an interception.

Just Another Chicago Bulls Session..... Chicago Bulls Vs. Detroit Pistons, Monday, 03/06/2017.

Scores & Stats

The Detroit Pistons are holding onto a spot in the top eight in the Eastern Conference and are in a position to move up in the standings with the way the schedule sets up this week. The Pistons will try to pull into a tie for the No. 7 spot when they host the seventh-place Chicago Bulls on Monday.

Detroit is one game behind the Bulls and two below the sixth-place Indiana Pacers, who it will visit on Wednesday. The Pistons are feeling good about themselves after reaching a season high in points scored during Saturday's 136-106 romp over the Philadelphia 76ers and have a chance to pull within a game of .500 for the first time since Dec. 17 with a win on Monday. "We did a lot of little things, like screening, moving the ball around, which worked," Detroit small forward Tobias Harris told reporters after Saturday's triumph. "Our pace on offense was key for us, and we were able to get stops in transition. We had a good flow out there, both groups, we played well as a team." Chicago dropped two of three - all three games against top eight teams from the Western Conference - on its just-completed homestand and will play four of the next five on the road.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, FSN Detroit

ABOUT THE BULLS (31-31): All-Star small forward Jimmy Butler attempted only seven field goals in Saturday's 101-91 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers and is averaging 17.2 points on 37.8 percent shooting - down from season marks of 23.8 and 44.6 percent - in five games since the All-Star break. "I want to get everybody involved," Butler told ESPN.com. "I think that's what coaches want me to do. I think that's what everybody wants me to do. I'm trying to do that. I think we all know I can shoot the ball at any time. Good shot, bad shot, but I don't want to do that. I don't care what my stats look like, man. Just win me the game." Veteran shooting guard Dwyane Wade is fighting through his own slump after combining to shoot 7-of-26 from the field in the last two games.

ABOUT THE PISTONS (30-32): Center Andre Drummond keeps racking up double-doubles but impressed his coach with his activity on the defensive end on Saturday, when he added three blocks and four steals to his 14 points and 14 rebounds. "Two games in a row he has brought better energy, and that's absolutely key to us," Detroit coach Stan Van Gundy told reporters. "He had three blocks, three goaltends, but he was challenging shots inside, he was running the floor, he was active. When he plays with that kind of energy it makes a big deal." The Pistons did a good job keeping Drummond off the free-throw line on Saturday as he had zero attempts after going a combined 5-of-29 from the stripe in the previous three contests.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Pistons backup PG Ish Smith recorded 11 points and 13 assists on Saturday for his second double-double of the season.

2. Chicago PG Michael Carter-Williams (knee) sat out the last four games and is day-to-day.

3. The home team took each of the first two meetings this season, with Detroit earning a 102-91 triumph on Dec. 6.

PREDICTION: Pistons 112, Bulls 108

Bulls' offense disappears late as loss to Clippers halts momentum.

By Mark Strotman

 

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

For 24 minutes the Bulls looked reminiscent of the team they had defeated at the United Center two days earlier. The ball moved with precision, cutters found open shooters and the pace quickened as Fred Hoiberg’s group attempted to outrun a Clippers team on the second half of a back-to-back.

The result was a 19-assist first half that gave the Bulls a 61-55 lead at halftime that felt like more given how well they had played. Their 13 fast break points and 15 second-chance points before halftime were reflective of a team playing its best basketball of the year ready to earn a fifth impressive win in its last six tries.

And though they had struggled out of the gates in the third quarter, a Rajon Rondo 3-pointer gave the Bulls a 71-70 lead and gave them back some momentum briefly halted by a 15-5 Clippers run.

The momentum was short-lived, as the next 10-plus minutes became the Bulls’ ugliest stretch during this six-game span. Brook Lopez, who had 12 points in the first half, missed a 17-footer and Blake Griffin finished with a vicious dunk over Paul Zipser on the other end.

That became a microcosm for the second half, as the Bulls were outscored 26-9, shot 3-for-18 and committed seven turnovers. In that span Jamal Crawford scored 14 of his 25 points to push the Clippers’ lead to 16 and effectively close out the game. The Bulls wound up scoring 30 points in the second half – after a 32-point second quarter – shooting 10-for-35 and committing 13 turnovers in 101-91 loss.

“We just have to find a way to fight through tough times, understand what makes us a successful team,” Fred Hoiberg said. “When we get it on the floor we’re pretty tough to stop. That all stopped (in the) second half.”

The loss didn’t come at a critical juncture for the Bulls, who had won four of five and were playing with a sort of house money after beating the league-leading Warriors on Thursday. But there was still momentum to be gained playing a Clippers team that had lost in Milwaukee the previous night and lost four of five since the All-Star break.

All 11 Bulls who saw time in the first half scored, and the Bulls had built their lead while getting just eight points on three field goal attempts from leading scorer Jimmy Butler. Rondo was aggressive with the second unit, tallying six assists while reserves Paul Zipser and Cristiano Felicio both went 3-for-3 in the first half.

Early in the third quarter Lopez was called for offensive fouls on consecutive possessions. Hoiberg’s group wound up committing five offensive fouls in the half that he admitted took the Bulls out of their rhythm. Hoiberg himself was called for a technical foul arguing an offensive foul call on Zipser during the Clippers’ 26-9 stretch.

It didn’t help matters that Rondo rolled his ankle stepping on Clippers head coach Doc Rivers’ foot following the 3-pointer. He jogged to the locker room to get the ankle taped and returned for the fourth quarter, but the Bulls were outscored 12-2 to end the third quarter in his absence, and the offense never regained its form. Rondo finished with nine assists in 29 minutes and was easily the Bulls’ best option at the point; Jerian Grant and Cameron Payne each finished with two points in a combined 22 minutes.

“Obviously he’s a motor in that lineup and that group, and it kind of took it away a little bit,” Wade said of Rondo. Wade struggled with 10 points on 2 of 11 shooting. “We didn’t get back in it, (the Clippers) really got it going. It obviously hurt us. We depend on Rondo a lot to push the pace, to get us moving, to get the ball moving. It was a tough stretch there for a minute but it’s not an excuse.”

Butler spent most of the night passing out of double-teams; his seven field goal attempts were the fewest in a game that he played 30 minutes or more in since Dec. 19 against the Pistons. He registered five assists in the first half but appeared passive at times after halftime, though Hoiberg disagreed with the assessment.

Butler pointed to the Bulls’ turnovers as the reason for the second half drop-off in the second half.

“We can’t turn the ball over. That’s the main thing,” he said. “We were whipping that ball around in the first half, taking care of the basketball, getting easy shots. Second half we didn’t do that. That was the game within itself.”

Butler averaged 16.6 field goal attempts and 9.5 free throw attempts in 48 games before injuring his right heel in Oklahoma City on Feb. 1. In eight games since he’s averaging 15.0 field goal attempts and 8.0 free throw attempts. The turnovers have been frustrating but Butler, who has shot 37.5 percent in those games, insists he’s taking what defenses are giving him.

“I want to get everybody involved. I think that’s what coaches want me to do, it’s what everybody wants me to do. I’m trying to do that,” he said. “I think we all know I could shoot the ball at any time. Good shot, bad shot, but I don’t want to do that.”

The Bulls still find themselves in good position in the East. After wins over Toronto, Boston, Cleveland and Golden State, they sit comfortably in the No. 7 as they prepare for four of their next five on the road. So while Saturday’s loss wasn’t one they needed, it’s certainly one that got away after 24 minutes of near-flawless execution.

“It was all about pace,” Hoiberg said. “First half we had it, second half we didn’t.”

CUBS: Joe Maddon believes Javy Baez came to Cubs camp with a purpose.

By Tony Andracki

(Photo/USA TODAY)

Joe Maddon sees a sense of purpose in Cubs camp from Javy Baez.

Baez — the breakout star of the postseason — was in the starting lineup hitting leadoff and playing second base Sunday in his final game with the Cubs before leaving to play for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.

It's the sixth spring game for Baez out of the Cubs' nine days of Cactus League action and he's picked up where he left off, making dazzling plays in the field and showing off that all-world bat speed as he gears up to play for his home country.

A thumb injury kept Baez from joining the Cubs at the start of the 2016 season, so this would represent the spring training leading up to his first full season in the big leagues.

Still, Maddon doesn't see any issue with Baez leaving to spend the next couple weeks with Puerto Rico.

"He knows what we're doing here," Maddon said before Sunday's game. "Watch him play; he's been playing deeper into the game. You see how well he's been playing, how hard he's been playing.

"He came here with a purpose to get ready for this. I have no problem with it. We are really simple with our methods, so he's already gotten all the layers he needs — what we do as a group, as a team defensively, offensively. He's gotten everything that we do."

Of course, Maddon and the Cubs will be monitoring Baez's health in the WBC, but they're not worried about him missing time given it's his third spring with this coaching staff.

"He's a big boy," Maddon said. "He gets it."

No longer underrated, Kyle Hendricks insists nothing changes as he ramps things up in Cubs camp.

By Tony Andracki

(Photo/USA TODAY)

It's March 4, 2017.

It's been four months and two days since Kyle Hendricks was taken out of Game 7 of the World Series in the fifth inning by Joe Maddon and he's still getting asked about it from fans.

Constantly.

"Pretty much everybody I run into, that's one of the first things [they say]," Hendricks said.

After throwing two completely stress-free innings in his Cactus League debut in the Cubs' 9-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers Saturday, Hendricks said fans were still yelling, "Why'd they take you out?" at him.

Every time that happens, Hendricks — who is extremely polite and one of the nicest guys in the game — has a stock response ready to go:

"I say, 'Hey, we won, right?' That's all that matters," Hendricks said. "I really just tell them I was expecting [Game 7] to be a short start going into it, which it was.

"You guys [the media] have heard it all before, but to hear it from fans sometimes, it gives you a little reassurance. It's good they're on your side."

He's got a point: It is validation, but it also represents a stark contrast to where the 27-year-old pitcher was for most of 2016, when fans couldn't tell him apart from the average accountant while he took public transit to and from work at Wrigley Field.

This time last year, Hendricks was in spring training fighting for a spot in the Cubs' rotation.

Now, he's the reigning National League ERA leader and a third-place finisher in Cy Young voting.

Even though the situation has changed, Hendricks is still trying to keep the same mindset and maintain a chip on his shoulder.

He did admit, however, that it's weird to not have to fight for a spot for the first time in his career.

"You have to — I think Joe said it — you can't be too comfortable with it," Hendricks said. "I've had to make sure I'm pushing myself, be aware of where my pitches are at, making sure I have an angle on it. 

"You can't slow-play it. You wanna give yourself some time to get ready, but you can't take it so slow where you're not sharp for Day 1. ... The situation may have changed a little bit, but in my mind, I'm still just getting myself ready, doing the same things, throwing my bullpens, getting ready for the first day."

Hendricks said he's gotten enough throwing in this spring; he only tossed 16 pitches in two clean innings in Saturday's game, so he went back out to the bullpen and threw 40 more there.

One of Hendricks' main points of focus this spring is developing his curveball, so he can use it more in 2017, particularly late in counts. Last year, he felt like he used it more to open counts and set up hitters and not as much as a weapon to put guys away.

So yes, he does think there is room to improve on his 2016 season (16-8, 2.13 ERA, 0.979 WHIP). You don't even have to ask.

"You're always competing with yourself, in a way," Hendricks said. "As long as you don't focus on the outside factors. Focus on what you can control.

"For me, yeah, I'm always trying to raise the bar and get better. It's always a process. You gotta see what the hitters are giving you. That's really a big goal of mine — be aware of what the hitters are trying to do to me in spring and see what adjustments I can make."

Mike Montgomery keeping things simple for Cubs: 'I felt like a pitcher again'.

By Tony Andracki 

(Photo/USA TODAY)

Mike Montgomery isn't fighting for a spot on the Cubs' 25-man roster when they break camp, but he still has plenty to prove.

If everybody is healthy, the Cubs will roll out Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, Kyle Hendricks and John Lackey as their top four starting pitchers.

That leaves Montgomery and newcomer Brett Anderson fighting for the fifth spot and potentially sharing a hybrid role as a quasi-six-man rotation situation. 

However, with two off days in the first week — and five in the first month — of the regular season, the Cubs don't figure to have a strong need for a sixth starting pitcher much in April, even if they're aiming to give the rest of their starters a break after last season's deep run.

And with Anderson battling injuries so much throughout his career and Montgomery already comfortable pitching out of the bullpen, it would make the most sense to deploy Montgomery in the swingman role.

The 27-year-old lefty knows he can't get caught up worrying about where he stands on the pitching staff in April when it's still the first week of March.

"I feel good with how everything is," Montgomery said after starting and throwing one inning in the Cubs' 8-4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds at Sloan Park Friday. "I'm gonna get ready to make good pitches, whether they want me to start or not.

"Just knowing that I'm on top of my game. Today felt good. I felt like a pitcher again. I can't control that kinda stuff and I know that. The team is gonna do what's best for the team. 

"If I'm at my best, I'm gonna help the team some way or another. So I'm just looking forward to keep getting out there, keep getting innings and whatever they want me to do."

Montgomery admitted he wished he could've gotten at least one more inning in Friday's game, but he was forced to throw 31 pitches in the first thanks to a leadoff single by Jose Peraza that Cubs centerfielder Albert Almora Jr. misplayed into a two-base error.

"I had a little extra adrenaline — a guy on third and nobody out and I was trying to get out of it," Montgomery said. "It was good to have that situation. ... Just getting out of the stretch, different situations. The more you can do 'em, the more comfortable you're gonna feel."

Montgomery gave up an unearned run in the frame, but wound up striking out three, giving him five punchouts in two innings so far this spring.

"The biggest thing I was looking for — and I noticed a difference — is command was a lot better," he said. "Mechanics felt smoother and I had a couple bullpens in between. I threw a lot in between and definitely made a step forward in delivery, mechanics, consistency and started to see some of the misses a little smaller and a lot more around the plate, which is a good sign.

"Last time, it was a crapshoot where I was gonna throw the ball. It's early spring, so that's kind of expected. Just to get better from one outing to the next is a good sign."

Montgomery doesn't know when his next Cactus League outing will come, but he said he feels his arm conditioning getting better.

He threw more than 60 pitches in a bullpen earlier this week in an effort to get the feel back and he's encouraged about his prospects moving forward, even if he doesn't know how exactly he'll be deployed when the games start to count.

"[The bullpen session] was one of those days where I just said, 'I'm gonna get on the mound and keep throwing until I can find it,'" Montgomery said. "It could've been 20, it could've been 50 or 60. I was just gonna get out there and throw.

"I've always noticed my arm responds better to more throwing. Whether it's off the mound, in between, I like to get out there and throw a lot. And when the game comes, I have a better feel."

WHITE SOX: Elder statesmen Nate Jones likes look of White Sox future.

By Dan Hayes

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

Nate Jones let out a hearty laugh when reminded that he's the most tenured member of the White Sox. Having seen what in's store for the future, Jones hopes his run with the White Sox extends through 2021.

Jones, 31, is about to enter his sixth full season with the White Sox. His current deal guarantees two more seasons and includes club options for three more years.

Though it has been difficult to see several clubhouse staples exit the past few years, Jones is enthusiastic about the wave of talent expected to arrive soon -- even if makes him the elder statesman.

"It definitely makes you feel old quick," Jones said. "To get this influx of younger guys who are going to eventually come up and do awesome is exciting. It makes you want to be a part of it. It makes you want to be here and last those five years I've got left. I want to be part of this retool or rebuild or whatever they're calling it, to be able to sustain that success as an organization."

Chris Sale had the most tenure in the clubhouse before he was traded to the Boston Red Sox in December. He had taken over the honor with the May release of John Danks, who inherited the status when Paul Konerko retired at the end of the 2014 season.

Now that Sale is gone, the club doesn't have many players who have stayed around for a long time. Jones -- who went 5-3 with three saves, a 2.29 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 70 2/3 innings last season -- holds a slight edge in tenure over Jose Quintana, who debuted May 7, 2012 and has been with the team for good since he returned later that month.

Outfielder Avisail Garcia, who debuted with the team on Aug. 9, 2013, is the longest-standing position player. Jake Petricka (Aug. 22, 2013) and Leury Garcia (Aug. 23, 2013) are the next in line.

Jones doesn't feel too old, however, as the White Sox roster still boasts plenty of experience. Whether it's David Robertson, Derek Holland, James Shields, Melky Cabrera, Todd Frazier, Geovany Soto or Peter Bourjos, the club is loaded with veterans. But it's still a strange thought to Jones that he has been around longer than anyone else.

"Obviously it's not something I was thinking of coming into this offseason," Jones said. "It's definitely different. I still look at those (veterans), looking for advice from them.

"Time flies when you're having fun. That's what the game's about, having fun and winning. It doesn't seem like it has been that long of a time, but that's part of the business I guess."

Jones -- who leaves this week to join Team USA for the World Baseball Classic -- also knows moving on is also part of the game. When he sees the boatload of talented prospects on the way, Jones likes where the White Sox are headed.

He also likes the idea of helping those players find success on their path to the majors.

"It's good stuff," Jones said. "We've got a good mix here between the veterans and the young guys. We're always here for those guys if they want to ask questions or how we do things, we're an open book. We're here to talk about it, here to come together as a team and work together."

Brett Lawrie's departure from White Sox paves way for prospect Yoan Moncada.

By Dan Hayes

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

Yoan Moncada's path to the big leagues has one less obstacle after the White Sox waived Brett Lawrie on Friday morning.

Wanting to create opportunity for younger players, general manager Rick Hahn said the club requested waivers on Lawrie for the purpose of granting him his unconditional release. Lawrie hit .248/.310/.413 with 12 home runs and 36 RBIs in 384 plate appearances last season but hasn't played since he sustained a leg injury last July.

By releasing him now, the White Sox saved roughly $2.9 million of the $3.5 million Lawrie was set to earn. Hahn said the White Sox would give the playing time to Tyler Saladino, Carlos Sanchez and several others in the interim. Ultimately, Moncada, who went 2-for-4 with an RBI triple and a run in a 3-1 White Sox win over the San Diego Padres on Friday night, is expected to take over as the everyday second baseman.

"Part of this process of building something sustainable for the future involves making some difficult decisions," Hahn said. "Today was a difficult decision. Brett is a talented player who no doubt in any of our minds will help a club this season. At the same time, we are committed to giving an opportunity several of our young players, players who are going to be here for an extended period of time and we want to find out about it."

"This was a baseball decision about the long term interest of the club."

Acquired from Oakland when the team was in win-now mode, Lawrie's usefulness to the rebuilding White Sox had its limits. The White Sox want to create space for their younger guys now that they've headed in the opposite direction. Though Moncada is expected to start the season at Triple-A Charlotte, the hope is he'd arrive in Chicago at some point in 2017.

Saladino should get the first look after he put together a strong sophomore campaign in 2016. Slowed by a back injury late in the year, Saladino hit .282/.315/.409 with eight homers and 38 RBIs in 319 plate appearances and was even better as a starter, hitting .301/.332/.409 from July 20 to September 21.

"When Saladino was participating, he made things happen," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "He could steal a base. Defensively he made the plays. On the offensive side he put together really good at-bats. He just has all the energy and all the things you want a big league player to have."

Lawrie hadn't participated in a game this spring despite feeling like he'd made good progress in a frustrating rehab. He had been a full participant through the first handful of full-squad workouts but informed Renteria last Friday he didn't feel as if he was at 100 percent, which prompted the team to keep him out of the lineup.

"I haven't really gone backwards and that's been key for me," Lawrie said on Saturday. "I guess the biggest thing is being able to trust myself when I get out on the field and not have to worry about my body and just worry about the game."

Lawrie last played for the White Sox on July 21 when he sustained a left leg injury. Neither Lawrie or the team could find the cause of the malady for the remainder of the season, which left him frustrated. Lawrie tweeted in the offseason that he believed an injury Robin Ventura accurately described as "tricky" was caused by the use of orthotics.

A highly energetic player, Lawrie never proved to be a handful in the White Sox clubhouse despite his reputation as one. While he bounced off the walls, the team seemed to thrive off his energy early and fans appreciated Lawrie's all-out effort.

"We got along real well," third baseman Todd Frazier said. "It's a crazy business. We talk about it all the time. But like I said, he's a good friend of mine. I'll keep in touch with him forever. Class act.  He was a gamer. When he was out there battled his butt off and one of those guys you always want on your side."

Oddly enough, it's likely that Frazier's presence perhaps expedited Lawrie's exit. Hahn said the White Sox signed Lawrie to a one-year, $3.5-million deal on Dec. 2 because they thought another spot might soon be open.

"We certainly envisioned various transactions that would have opened up more play time for him," Hahn said.

At that point, the Los Angeles Dodgers had yet to re-sign Justin Turner and appeared to be a good fit for Frazier. The Dodgers had at least considered trading for Frazier on their own the previous offseason before they helped facilitate a three-team deal with the Cincinnati Reds that brought him to the White Sox. But Turner returned to LA on a four-year deal on Dec. 13 and the White Sox found no takers for Frazier the rest of the offseason.

Lawrie could have provided an expensive block for Moncada, who isn't too far from the majors even though he's only played 53 contests above Single-A.

"Obviously Moncada is going to be a factor at some point here in the future," Hahn said. "As I've said from the time we acquired him, very likely not to start the season, but certainly you can envision over the course of the 2017 season, wanting to have second base open for Moncada.

Plaudits continue to pour in for revamped White Sox farm system.

By Dan Hayes

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

Six months of sterling additions has catapulted the White Sox farm system to near the top of the rankings.

Previously graded in the lower third of all franchises, the White Sox have been ranked between third and sixth in three separate farm system rankings recently released. Bolstered by 12 new prospects, the White Sox were named the third-best farm in baseball by MLBPipeline.com on Friday. The team has six prospects ranked among MLB's top 100.

"We don't spend a ton of time focused on prospect ratings," general manager Rick Hahn said. "At the same time, it's nice that outside analysts who are perhaps more objective than we are seeing the same things our scouts initially saw and our player development people are seeing ever since we got down here."

It has been a long time since the White Sox have possessed a highly-regarded farm system.

But they followed up what is considered to be a strong showing in the amateur draft by acquiring seven highly-touted prospects in the trades for Chris Sale and Adam Eaton.

The series of additions has resulted in plenty of acclaim for the White Sox, who also have been ranked fifth overall by Baseball America and sixth by Baseball Prospectus.

There's no telling how high the White Sox can go. Of MLB.com's top 15 White Sox prospects, 11 have been added since last June with many more likely on the way. With Jose Quintana, David Robertson, Todd Frazier, Jose Abreu, Melky Cabrera and more still on the roster, the White Sox could give themselves an absurd amount of depth in the near future.

"We've made it clear we're still early in this process, so having a well-regarded farm system is nice," Hahn said. "We hope that's something we're going to be able to continue here over the coming months and years as we continue this process. Ultimately we know having a good farm system is great, but what we need is wins at the big-league level. And hopefully that's the next step in this process after we build up that system."

Golf: I got a club for that..... D. Johnson hangs on for WGC-Mexico title.

By Will Gray

(Photo/Golf Channel Digital)

It wasn't exactly as easy as Riviera, but in the end Dustin Johnson did just enough to capture his second trophy in as many starts. Here's how things ended up at the WGC-Mexico Championship, where Johnson strengthened his grip on the No. 1 ranking:

Leaderboard: Dustin Johnson (-14), Tommy Fleetwood (-13), Ross Fisher (-12), Jon Rahm (-12), Thomas Pieters (-11), Justin Thomas (-11)

What it means: Johnson started the day one shot back, but as Thomas started to fade he quickly took over the top spot and at one point led by four shots. He gave some of that back and received a back-nine challenge from Rahm, who briefly drew even, but a birdie on No. 15 and three closing pars were good enough to give DJ the win in his first-ever start as the top-ranked player in the world.

Round of the day: Fisher's final-round 65 included nine birdies and gave the Englishman some valuable OWGR points. Fisher made the turn in 33 and closed with three straight birdies, essentially locking up his spot in the WGC-Dell Match Play and giving him a great chance to earn a Masters bid via the world rankings later this month.

Best of the rest: Brandt Snedeker tied Fisher with a 6-under 65, a score that moved the veteran up 11 spots into a tie for seventh at 10 under. Snedeker had four birdies in a six-hole stretch from Nos. 11-17 and rebounded nicely after an opening 75 by carding three straight rounds of 68 or better.

Biggest disappointment: Thomas entered with a one-shot lead, but he seemed to struggle from the start. A watery double bogey on the par-3 seventh gave the lead to Johnson, and by the time Thomas birdied Nos. 14 and 15 it was too little, too late. A 1-over 72 after three straight rounds in the 60s dropped him into a tie for fifth.

Shot of the day: Nursing a one-shot lead and facing an awkward lie in the fairway bunker, Johnson carved his approach on No. 18 around a tree and watched it settle pin-high to set up an easy two-putt for the victory.

Quote of the day: "I played just well enough, I guess, because I won by one." - Johnson

Inbee Park wins LPGA Singapore by 1 stroke with closing 64.

The Associated Press

Inbee Park of South Korea poses with her trophy after winning the HSBC Women's Champions golf tournament held at Sentosa Golf Club's Tanjong course on Sunday, March 5, 2017, in Singapore. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

Inbee Park used her self-described ''amazing'' putting to win the HSBC Women's Champions tournament by one stroke on Sunday after closing with an 8-under 64.

The South Korean finished on 19-under 269 at the Sentosa Golf Club, one shot clear of her playing partner Ariya Jutanugarn, who was second after a 66.

Sung Hyun Park (68) was third, a further shot back, while overnight leader Michelle Wie dropped back into a tie for fourth after a 72.

Wie was two in front after making birdies on the second and third holes before her round unraveled when she four-putted for a double-bogey on the par-5 fifth.

''Overall, I can't complain, but right now it stings a little bit,'' Wie said. ''Just a couple putts didn't go in, and Inbee played really well. Obviously I wanted to walk away with the trophy, but there's so many leaps and strides forward that I made this week.

''Stuff happens sometimes. Sometimes you just 4-putt and you've just got to carry on with your life.''

The American finished alongside Canadian Brooke Henderson (66) and last year's Singapore champion Jang Ha-na (69).

Inbee made her first birdie of the day on the same hole that Wie's charge started to falter, then proceeded to reel off another eight birdies to the 17th hole, draining a series of long putts in a near-flawless display on the greens.

''My putting was amazing today, obviously,'' she said. ''I couldn't make any putts yesterday and obviously I made up for it today.

''Pretty much everything I looked at, it wanted to drop in. It was very consistent ball-striking all week, and obviously there is a lot of birdie opportunities out there and I was able to convert the birdies. This was one of my best putting days...I was just in that zone.''

Despite being a seven-time major winner, Inbee Park said she surprised herself by winning so soon. The 28-year-old took six months off shortly after winning the gold medal at the Rio Olympics last year to recover from a thumb injury and was playing only her second event.

''I thought it may take maybe a couple months to kind of get back out on the tour and to get my rhythm back,'' she said. ''I thought I was going to be just a little bit rusty. That's how I felt exactly last week. This week was totally different. Especially the final round was just what I wanted.''

Jutanugarn was tied with Park after 10 holes and was left in awe at her playing partner's performance.

''I had so much fun playing with Inbee. She's awesome. She's the best player,'' said Jutanugarn. ''I learned a lot from her. She's very calm. I feel like she makes every putt. I don't think she missed one today.''

There was some drama even after Inbee Park clinched the title when play was halted because of an electrical storm, with Sung Hyun Park, Wie and Ko still on the course, within a wedge shot off the 18th.

When the weather cleared and play resumed after a 50-minute suspension, the trio finished off their rounds with Ko shooting a final-round 72 to finish at 12-under, seven behind the winner.

Park stepped forward to receive her winner's trophy in front of her family, including her aging grandfather, who had followed her every step of the way.

''He's 83 this year, and he's very dedicated,'' Park said. "My husband and my dad, they always take short cuts . But he doesn't take the short cut. He's just that into my game.''

Feherty: Media pressure 'suffocated' Tiger Woods.

By Ryan Ballengee

Tiger Woods has played three rounds and withdrawn from three tournaments in his return to golf. (Photo/AP)

Here’s how bad it got for Tiger Woods at his peak.

As David Feherty told it to a group of reporters in Manhattan ahead of the seventh season of “Feherty,” Woods was walking with him down the fairway at a golf tournament, telling a joke. Woods was so concerned about getting scrutiny for what he said — even if it might have been a joke that wasn’t blue — that he said the whole joke while talking down to the ground. As Feherty explained, he was concerned someone could read his lips and would report on the contents of the joke.

It’s an indication of the kind of pressure Woods felt as he was pursing record after record, namely trying to rack up as many major championship wins as Jack Nicklaus. At a time in that run, Woods seemed destined to not only catch Nicklaus but sprint past him. Now? It seems Jack has won.

For his part, Feherty has never pursued Woods as a guest on his show, even as he’s had a who’s-who of golf names on his program. He wants Woods to be on the show when he feels like Woods can be himself, let his guard down and offer some unvarnished candor about his career and accomplishments.

“I just want him to be in the right place, because I don’t want to do a show with him where he has to give padded answers. I don’t want that show,” Feherty said, according to USA Today. “I want him to be the kid that I know. I want him to lose the iron dome. You know, when he first came out, before we followed him from the car to the putting green to the range to the course and back through the press area. Before every time he finished a round we wanted him to stand in front of a microphone and answer questions for 45 minutes every single time that he played, I’m surprised he lasted as long as he did.”

NASCAR: Brad Keselowski grabs first Cup win of 2017 at Atlanta after Kevin Harvick penalty.

By Daniel McFadin

(Photo/nbcsports.com)

Brad Keselowski passed Kyle Larson with seven laps remaining and raced unchallenged to his first win of the 2017 NASCAR Cup season in the Folds of Honor Quik Trip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

The door was opened for Keselowski after Kevin Harvick, the race’s pole-sitter and winner of the first two stages, was called for speeding during a caution 15 laps from the finish. Harvick led 292 laps.

The Team Penske driver had bounced back two unscheduled pit stops. The first was on Lap 117 for a tire problem. He was later forced to pit a second time right before a Lap 270 restart for a loose tire. Keselowski had beat Harvick off pit road and would have restarted first.

“This one kind of fell in our lap at the end and my team put it all together when it counted,” Keselowski said. “They gave me a great Auto Trader Ford Fusion and we were able to get by Kyle (Larson) there at the end. I knew that he wasn’t going to be easy to pass. His car was great and I was able to make the right moves to get by him.””

With his 22nd Cup Series victory, Keselowski earned his first Atlanta win in nine starts at the track. It was the No. 2 team’s first win since Keselowski’s victory at Kentucky Speedway last July.

“When you win, you don’t know if you’re ever going to win again,” Keselowski told Fox Sports. “You go through some spells. Gosh it feels good to get one early in the season like this.”

Completing the top five was Larson, Matt Kenseth, Kasey Kahne and Chase Elliott.
Harvick finished ninth.

WHO HAD A GOOD RACE: Matt Kenseth bounced back from a speeding penalty to finish third, his third top five in the last five Atlanta races … Martin Truex Jr. was caught speeding in the third stage of the race but managed to finished eighth … Larson led seven laps before finishing second, his first top five in four Atlanta starts … Kahne earned his first top five of the season. In 2016, his first of three didn’t come until the ninth race of the season …

WHO HAD A BAD RACE:  Clint Bowyer smacked the wall with 47 to go after losing a tire, but finished 11th on the lead lap … Richard Childress Racing batteries: Austin Dillon and Ryan Newman each fell victim to them in the final stage of the race, finishing 32nd and 35th respectively … Defending race winner Jimmie Johnson was caught speeding twice on pit road and finished 19th, a lap down  … Denny Hamlin finished 38th after going to the garage twice, initially for a burnt wheel hub … After multiple tire issues and a speeding penalty, Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished 30th, five laps down.

NOTABLE: Larson has been passed for the lead with under 10 to in each of the last three races … Harvick’s 292 laps led are the most ever at Atlanta by a driver who failed to win. He has led the most laps in the last four races at Atlanta but failed to win all four.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:  “I have to go find Marcus Smith and Ed Clark and beg them not to repave it (the track). I don’t think that I’ll win that battle. Atlanta has always been one of those old school race tracks, look at victory lane…we’re out here on the frontstretch… it feels old school. A great place to win. A track that I haven’t won at before. Gosh darn it, it feels good.” – Brad Keselowski after he first Cup win at Atlanta.

Christopher Bell dominates for Truck Series win at Atlanta.

By Jerry Bonkowski

(Photo/Getty Images)

It was a Bell-ringing day in Saturday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Active Pest Control 200 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Pole-sitter Christopher Bell won the first two stages of the event, then regained the lead late after a caution to claim his third career Truck win in 32 starts.

Following a late caution brought out by an Austin Cindric spin, Bell had a great restart with two laps left, holding off a strong charge by former Truck Series champion Matt Crafton.

“This thing was really fast all weekend,” Bell told FS1 in victory lane. “It was a dream machine. It was really, really good.”

Added Crafton, “We had a shot. At the end of the day that was what it all about. It was close.”

Bell dominated the first two stages, leading the first 83 laps. When the third stage began, teammate and team owner Kyle Busch gained the lead coming off pit road, with Bell alongside on the front row.

Busch seemed headed to the win, but he fell back and then cut a tire, making contact with the outside wall and ending his chances at the checkered flag. He finished 26th.

Bell ultimately led 99 laps in the 130-lap event.

Crafton finished second, followed by Johnny Sauter, Ben Rhodes and Chase Elliott. Sixth through 10th were Alex Bowman, Austin Dillon, Grant Enfinger, Timothy Peters and Ross Chastain.

Prior to the Truck race, Busch won the Xfinity Series’ Rinnai 250 earlier in the afternoon and was seeking a three-race sweep, including Sunday’s featured Folds of Honor Quik Trip 500 NASCAR Cup race. He still can go 2 for 3.

STAGE 1 (Laps 1-40) WINNER: Christopher Bell.

STAGE 2 (Laps 41-80) WINNER: Christopher Bell.

WHO ELSE HAD A GOOD RACE: It was a good day for Truck Series regulars, who claimed the top four spots and six of the first nine spots. … Chase Elliott, who made only his second Truck Series start since 2013, finished fifth.

WHO HAD A BAD RACE: Last year’s race winner, John Hunter Nemechek, was knocked out of the race when a right-side tire blew out and sent him into the wall on Lap 79. Nemechek finished 28th. … After avoiding a crash on the first lap and improving from 17th to ninth over the next 25 laps, NASCAR On NBC analyst Parker Kligerman lost power in his truck under caution on Lap 28. He coasted to a stop on the back straightaway. He was unable to get restarted and finished 31st in the 32-truck field.

NOTABLE: Surprising Daytona winner Kaz Grala finished 15th. … Japanese driver Akinori Ogata, making his sixth career Truck start and first of 2017, was involved in a late Stage 2 incident that ended his day with a 30th place finish.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Please, please do not repave this racetrack. This is, by far, the coolest racetrack that we race on.” – Runner-up Matt Crafton on FS1 (AMS will begin repaving the entire track following Sunday’s NASCAR Cup race).

WHAT’S NEXT: The Truck Series is off for the next four weeks. The next race is April 1 at Martinsville Speedway.

Kyle Busch wins Xfinity event at Atlanta, takes first step toward a tripleheader sweep.

By Jerry Bonkowski

(Photo/nbcsports.com)

It’s one down, two to go for Kyle Busch this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

The younger Busch brother is one-third of the way to a weekend sweep, capturing Saturday’s Rinnai 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at the 1.54-mile oval in Hampton, Georgia.

Shortly after celebrating in victory lane, Busch was scheduled to climb into a truck and go for a second win in the afternoon’s Active Pest Control 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race.

The 2015 NASCAR Cup champ then hopes to wrap things up with a third weekend win in Sunday’s main event, the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race.

It was Busch’s 87th career victory in the Xfinity Series and his second consecutive win in NASCAR’s junior series at AMS, having earned his first Xfinity win at AMS last year.

“Pretty proud to put ourselves in Victory Lane here once again,” Busch said. “It took me so long to get here to begin with, and now we won two in a row. That feels really good. … What else can I say? We just keep knocking them out of the park here in the Xfinity Series. But we love it, and we wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

Brad Keselowski finished second in the Xfinity event, followed by Kyle Larson, Kevin Harvick and Elliott Sadler.

Finishing sixth through 10th were Darrell Wallace Jr., rookie William Byron, Austin Dillon, Daniel Hemric and Cole Custer.

There were six lead changes and five cautions in the scheduled 163-lap event.

STAGE 1 (Laps 1-40) WINNER: Brad Keselowski

STAGE 2 (Laps 41-80) WINNER: Kevin Harvick

WHO ELSE HAD A GOOD RACE: Elliott Sadler was the highest-finishing Xfinity Series regular (fifth place). Other Xfinity regulars with good finishes were Darrell Wallace Jr. (sixth), who overcame early contact with the wall, and rookie William Byron (seventh).

WHO HAD A BAD RACE: Blake Koch’s rough weekend came to an early end in last place after a Lap 2 crash. Koch piled into Ty Dillon, who appeared to lose a left-rear tire in the first turn. … Jordan Anderson also lasted just two laps before his day came to an abrupt end.

NOTABLE: Brendan Gaughan recovered from a late Stage 2 incident to finish 13th. On the other hand, Denny Hamlin was unable to recover much from a Stage 2 spin and finished 20th.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “To get second is (like) kissing your sister, but it is still better than nothing, I guess.” – Second-place finisher Brad Keselowski.

WHAT’S NEXT: March 11, Boyd Gaming 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

SOCCER: Fire rally for draw at Columbus in season opener.

By Dan Santaromita

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

It is a new season with some new players for the Chicago Fire, but Saturday's game in Columbus still started with a very familiar feel.

The first half was reminiscent of many of the Fire's road matches in 2016. Fall behind early, struggle to keep possession, struggle to get shots on target. The Fire had two shots in the first half, none were on goal.

The second half, though, was a different story and the Fire were able to leave Ohio with a 1-1 draw thanks to a David Accam goal in the 73rd minute.

Columbus got things started early with a great chance in the third minute. A Justin Meram shot from point blank range was hit right at Jorge Bava, who was in position for the save.

The Crew would later take the lead in the 17th minute though. Ethan Finlay headed in a Justin Meram cross to make it 1-0.

In the second half the Fire had some extended periods of possession and had 10 shots, three on target. The Fire, which had 44 percent of the possession in the first half and just over 46 percent in the second half, were able to get on the ball a bit more and put more pressure on Columbus.

That was rewarded when Dax McCarty intercepted a ball just past the halfway line to start an attack. He fed John Goossens, who gave David Accam the ball in the box, allowing him to work his magic. Accam put some moves on fellow Ghanaian Jonathan Mensah to set up his right foot and put a low curled shot out of reach from Crew goalkeeper Zack Steffen.

"I think the main (halftime) message they gave us was believe in ourselves," Accam said in the postmatch interview on the CSN Chicago broadcast. "I know we have a very strong forward lineup and for us we needed one chance."

Both teams had chances in the final 15 minutes as the game opened up down the stretch, but neither could convert. The Fire also had a draw in the first road match of 2016, a 1-1 result in Orlando with another Accam goal, but finished with just one win and one more draw in the remaining 16 road matches.

With midfielder Juninho suspended and his likely replacement Matt Polster still injured, Goossens played in central midfield along with McCarty. Goossens subbed off in the final minute of the match after going down with what appeared to be an ankle or knee injury. In his place was second-year homegrown Drew Conner, who made his brief MLS debut.

The Fire's home opener is next Saturday against Real Salt Lake.

U.S. Soccer adds new bylaw requiring standing during anthem.

By Nicholas Mendola

(Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

U.S. Soccer has changed its national anthem policy regarding in the wake of Megan Rapinoe’s controversial decision to kneel during the performance of it last summer.

Rapinoe opted to kneel in solidarity with NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s stance on racial inequality, adding that she felt the measure also protested injustices against the LGBTQ community in the United States.

Here’s Stu Holden’s Twitter post. He was asked of any consequences by Grant Wahl, and says USSF president Sunil Gulati said there is no preset punishment.



Stuart Holden✔
                  @stuholden

New Policy added to @ussoccer bylaws: Players "shall stand respectfully during playing of national anthem @ which federation is represented"

1:32 PM - 4 Mar 2017

USWNT stunned by England in SheBelieves Cup.

Associated Press

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Substitute Ellen White scored on a rebound in close in the 89th minute and England stunned the United States 1-0 in the second round of the SheBelieves Cup at Red Bulls Arena on Saturday.

It marked the first time that England has beaten the United States since a friendly in 2011. It was only England’s fourth win in 14 games (4-9-1) against the U.S.

White, who entered in the 76th minute, scored her 20th goal in 60 games with England, just seconds after Lucy Bronze cracked a shot off the crossbar moments following a corner kick. Two U.S. defenders collided trying to clear the ball and White ripped it past goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris.

Until the goal, it appeared it would be a scoreless draw. Neither team had a good scoring chance in the second half that was played in temperatures in the 20s with a wind chill that made it feel like 10 degrees.

Each team had an outstanding scoring chance in the first half.

Rose Lavelle, making her first start for the United States, was stopped point blank by England goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain in the 16th minute.

Harris used her right arm to stop Nikita Parris in the 6-yard box in the 31st minute.

In the first match of the day, French goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi stopped a first-half penalty kick, and France and Germany played to a scoreless draw.

After two rounds, France leads the tournament with four points. The United States and England have three and Germany one. The round-robin finishes on Tuesday in Washington with the U.S. facing France and Germany playing England.

Premier League Sunday roundup: 03/05/2017.

Sunderland 0-2 Man City

Tottenham 3-2 Everton

Championship Focus: Newcastle’s lead grows to 5 points.

By Andy Edwards

(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

With promotion-chasing Championship sides down to 11 (0r 12) games remaining during the league season, one side is nearly (back) up, while their closest competition for the title falters badly.

Huddersfield Town 1-3 Newcastle United

After overthrowing then-leaders Brighton & Hove Albion on Tuesday, Newcastle’s focus shifted to opening up an 11-point lead on third-place Huddersfield — a margin leaving them miles clear in one of two automatic promotion places — and they did just that, thanks to Matt Ritchie (9th league goal of the season), Daryl Murphy and Dwight Gayle (21st of the season — second-most in the Championship). Huddersfield, meanwhile, sit just two point clear of slipping all the way to fifth, though they do so with a game in hand.

Nottingham Forest 3-0 Brighton

For nearly 60 minutes, Brighton were arguably the better side away to Forest. The home side hadn’t even registered a shot on target until Zach Clough broke the deadlock on the hour mark. In fact, they would register just three shots on target over the course of 90 minutes, ruthlessly punishing Brighton for three goals in the process. Ben Osborn made it 2-0 in the 89th minute, and Clough completed the rout seven minutes into stoppage time. Despite the heavy defeat, Brighton still sit six points clear of Huddersfield in the race for the second and final automatic promotion spot.

Birmingham City 1-3 Leeds United

Coming on strong, at just the right time, are Leeds United. Friday’s triumph away to Birmingham pushes Garry Monk‘s side to within a point of Huddersfield for third, now and points clear of Fulham in the race for a top-six (playoff) place. Chris Wood thwarted Gayle’s bid to overtake him atop the goalscoring charts with a brace, in the 14th and 67th minutes, before Alfonso completed the scoring. That’s three wins in four league games for Leeds, who would all but clinch a playoff place for themselves with a victory over Fulham on Tuesday.

Elsewhere in the Championship

(5th) Reading 2-1 (21st) Wolverhampton Wanderers

(6th) Sheffield Wednesday 5-1 (8th) Norwich City

(7th) Fulham 3-1 (9th) Preston North End

(10th) Derby Count 2-1 (11th) Barnsley

Premier League Saturday roundup: Drama central.

By Joe Prince Wright

(Photo/Getty Images)

What. A. Day. Late winners, red cards, controversy, upsets.

The seven Premier League games on Saturday produced just about everything.

Below is a look back at all the action from Saturday’s seven games in the PL.

Manchester United 1-1 Bournemouth – RECAP

1-1 doesn’t even go close to telling the story of this game. United led through Marcos Rojo‘s first Premier League goal but Bournemouth scored a penalty kick via Joshua King. Then, things got tasty. Tyrone Mings and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were going at it the whole game and the former looked to stamp on Zlatan’s head while he was on the floor, then Zlatan connected with an elbow on Mings’ head moments later. In the melee which ensued Andrew Surman was shown a second yellow card as Bournemouth played the entire second half with 10 men.

Zlatan had the chance to the be the hero, once again, but his penalty kick was saved by Artur Boruc and United were held to a seventh draw in their last 11 PL home games. Frustration for Jose Mourinho as his men lost ground in the top four race, while Ibrahimovic and Mings could well get retrospective bans.

Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal – RECAP

Alexis Sanchez was left on the bench and it backfired badly for Arsene Wenger as Liverpool secured victory. First half goals from Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane set Jurgen Klopp‘s side on their way and even though Sanchez jumped off the bench at half time to spark life into Arsenal and set up Danny Welbeck‘s strike, Wenger’s men lost for the third time in four games as Georginio Wijnaldum scored late on.

Liverpool again rose to the occasion against a top four rival as they remain unbeaten against the top six this season, while Arsenal’s top four hopes are in real jeopardy with Liverpool leapfrogging them in the table.

Watford 3-4 Southampton – RECAP

What. A. Game. Watford took the lead through Troy Deeney early on but Saints came roaring back as Dusan Tadic first scored and then set up Nathan Redmond to make it 2-1. Then Stefano Okaka equalized late on but Manolo Gabbiadini made it 3-2 (he’s now scored six goals in four games for Saints) and Redmond added another to make it 4-2 before Abdoulaye Doucoure scored a late consolation for the Hornets. Claude Puel‘s Saints have now scored 10 goals in their last three games and have put their EFL Cup final heartbreak firmly behind them.

Leicester City 3-1 Hull City – RECAP

What a difference one week makes. Leicester have won back-to-back PL games for the first time this season as they continue to prove life is just fine after Claudio Ranieri. Caretaker boss Craig Shakespeare has overseen two-straight 3-1 wins against Liverpool and now Hull but the Foxes had to fight back from 1-0 down. In fact, it’s the first time this season that Leicester have won after going behind as Sam Clucas put Hull ahead. However, Christian Fuchs made it 1-1 at half time and then second half goals from Riyad Mahrez and a late own goal from Tom Huddlestone sealed the win. The reigning champs are finally pulling away from the relegation zone.

Swansea City 3-2 Burnley – RECAP

Another thriller took place at the Liberty Stadium as Paul Clement celebrated wildly thanks to Fernando Llorente’s late winner. The Swans went ahead through a Llorente header but then a controversial penalty kick was awarded to Burnley (Clarets striker Ashley Barnes handled the ball but referee Anthony Taylor gave a spot kick) and Andre Gray made it 1-1 before adding another in the second half to make it 2-1. Martin Olsson made it 2-2 with 20 minutes to go and then Llorente popped up in stoppage time to hand Swansea a fifth win in nine games under Clement. Swansea now have 27 points and some breathing space from the bottom three.

West Brom 0-2 Crystal Palace – RECAP

A simply massive away win for Palace as Sam Allardyce‘s men are out out of the drop zone. A goal in each half from Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend proved the difference for the Eagles against a West Brom side who had an off day after reaching 40 points after just 26 games. For Palace, they’re on 25 points and have given themselves hope ahead of a tough run of games.

Stoke City 2-0 Middlesbrough – RECAP

Routine win for the Potters as two first half goals from Marko Arnautovic saw them past goal-shy Middlesbrough. The Potters dominated from start to finish and Aitor Karanka‘s Boro, the lowest scorers in the PL, have now slipped into the relegation zone and are just three points off the bottom. As for Stoke, they’re up to ninth place and just five points behind West Brom in eighth.

NCAABKB: SATURDAY’S SNACKS: Kentucky claims the SEC title; bubble comes more into focus.

By Scott Phillips

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

SATURDAY'S THINGS TO KNOW

Wake Forest, Vanderbilt and Seton Hall and damn near the entirety of the Big East seemed to punch their ticket to the NCAA tournament on Saturday. It was a wild day on the bubble over all.

No. 5 North Carolina locked up their outright ACC regular season title, winning the conference by two full games after Saturday night’s win over No. 17 Duke.

Kentucky claimed the outright SEC regular-season title with a comeback win over Texas A&M. We’ve seen Wildcat comebacks fueled by freshman guards before, but this time it wasn’t Malik Monk. More on this one here.

The ACC saw two ranked teams go at it as No. 8 Louisville outlasted No. 19 Notre Dame to avenge a loss to the Irish earlier this season. Nobody seems to be talking about the Cardinals with regards to the national title picture — even though they might be a No. 2 seed — as I examine that a bit more here.

The bubble picture also became a bit clearer on Saturday as teams like Illinois, California and Georgia all suffered losses in must-win scenarios.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Vanderbilt scored a huge win over No. 12 Florida as the Commodores now own an impressive season sweep of the Gators. CBT’s Rob Dauster goes into more detail about Vandy’s fascinating bubble profile.

Seton Hall also did plenty to enhance its NCAA tournament cause with a road win at Butler in Big East play. Desi Rodriguez had 21 points to pace the Pirates while double-double machine Angel Delgado had 20 points and 16 rebounds. Dauster has more on Seton Hall punching their ticket here.

You can get all of the details about how the bubble currently looks in Saturday’s Bubble Banter.

STARRED

Melo Trimble, Maryland: This wasn’t the best outing we’ll see from the junior this season, as he only finished with 16 points and six rebounds. But Trimble nailed the game-winning three-pointer to lift Maryland over Michigan State as it was the fifth time this season that Trimble has scored Maryland’s game-winning points in the final 30 seconds. He remains one of the nation’s premier clutch players.

Jawun Evans vs. Frank Mason III: No. 1 Kansas won at Oklahoma State in a battle of the PGs. Evans had 22 points and 15 assists, but Mason finished with 27 points, nine boards and nine assists in the win.

Keith Braxton, St. Francis (PA): The freshman scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds, but more importantly, Braxton kept St. Francis’ NCAA tournament hopes alive by hitting the buzzer-beater for the win in the NEC tournament semifinals. Braxton’s heavily-contested prayer was answered as the Red Flash beat Wagner on the road and advanced to the NEC tournament title game.

Cameron Morse, Youngstown State: Morse had 34 points, seven boards and five assists, which included setting up the game-winning bucket as the No. 9 seeded Penguins upset top seed Oakland in the Horizon League tournament.

Andrew White III, Syracuse: When you celebrate Senior Day with 40 points in a win, then you’re doing it right. That’s exactly what White did on Saturday as the Orange blew out Georgia Tech. White was 8-for-9 from three-point range and 12-for-16 from the field overall.

REST OF THE TOP 25

• Villanova closed out the regular season with an easy Big East road win at Georgetown. The No. 2 Wildcats had 21 points from Josh Hart and 19 points from Kris Jenkins in the win.
• No. 6 Oregon won a share of the Pac-12 title on Saturday, as they beat the brakes off of Oregon State on the same day that …
• … No. 7 Arizona won on the road against Arizona State. Allonzo Trier led the Wildcats with 19 points.
• Picking up a Big 12 road win was No. 11 Baylor as the Bears outlasted Texas. Johnathan Motley added to his All-American case with 17 points and 17 rebounds.
• Huge win for No. 14 SMU as the destroyed Memphis for an AAC home win. On Senior Day, Sterling Brown led the Mustangs with 26 points and 10 rebounds.
• Good home win in the ACC for No. 15 Florida State as they won despite a late push from No. 25 Miami. Dwayne Bacon led the Seminoles with 23 points.
• Easy win for No. 23 Virginia as the Cavaliers cruised an ACC home win over Pitt. London Perrantes finished with 22 points while Ty Jerome added 13 points.

NOTABLE

• Keeping its bubble hopes alive was Kansas State as they picked up a Big 12 home win over Texas Tech. D.J. Johnson scored 19 points to pace the Wildcats.
• Providence is also keeping its bubble hopes alive as the Friars took down St. John’s for a Big East road win. Isaiah Jackson led Providence with 18 points.
• Surviving on the road with a Big East win was Xavier as the Musketeers held off DePaul. Trevon Bluiett paced Xavier with 24 points. This was also the final home game for DePaul at Allstate Arena after 37 years of playing there.
• Staying in the Big East, Marquette added another good win to its cause with a home win over Creighton as JaJuan Johnson had 20 points. Big man Luke Fischer also proposed to his girlfriend as part of Senior Day.
• Syracuse should feel decent about its NCAA tournament prospects after taking care of Georgia Tech at home. The Orange had 40 points from senior Andrew White in the win.
• Another win for Clemson as they took care of Boston College for an ACC home win. Jaron Blossomgame and Avry Holmes each had 17 points to pace the Tigers.
• A solid week continues for Wake Forest as they bested Virginia Tech for an ACC road win. The Demon Deacons had 26 points and five assists from Bryant Crawford in the win.
• Decent win for Arkansas as the Razorbacks trounced Georgia for an SEC home win. Moses Kingsley, Dusty Hannahs and Jaylon Barford all had 15 points each for Arkansas.
• Indiana put up 54 points in the first half and held on to beat Ohio State for a Big Ten road win. The Hoosiers had five players in double-figures led by Robert Johnson’s 26 points.

No. 5 North Carolina locks up outright ACC title with win over No. 17 Duke.

By Rob Dauster

(Photo/Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Joel Berry II scored 28 points, Isaiah Hicks added 21 points and nine boards and No. 5 North Carolina finished off their outright ACC regular season title, beating the field by two full games, in a 90-83 win over No. 17 Duke in the Dean Dome on Saturday night.

And with the win, the Tar Heels have just about locked up a No. 1 seed in the south, regardless of how the ACC tournament plays out. It’s not totally safe, not if, say, Louisville beats Duke, UNC and Notre Dame en route to the ACC tournament title, but as long as UNC wins a game or two next week in Brooklyn, they should be just fine.

The biggest story here, however, is that Duke cost themselves a shot at being the No. 4 seed in the ACC tournament, and what that means is that the Blue Devils are going to have to win four games in four days if they want to be the ACC tournament champs. It also means that their beat-up superstar, Grayson Allen, has one less day to try and get his ankle right.

To be frank, it makes me wonder if it’s worth it for Duke to truly make a run at this thing.

Think about it like this: Duke’s season isn’t going to be determined by how they do in the ACC tournament. With the expectations this group had coming into the year, it’s about Final Four and national titles. This is also a team that doesn’t have certain guys practicing due to injuries, and now they’re going to be asked to play 40 minute games on, potentially, four consecutive days?

That’s seems like an unnecessary risk when winning the ACC tournament would very likely require Duke to go through Louisville and North Carolina before they even get to the title game.

It’ll also never play out that way.

Competitiveness has a way of winning out in situations like this.

Anyway, back to Carolina, they sure did make me look smart for calling them the nation’s best team a few weeks ago. When this group has Isaiah Hicks and Theo Pinson healthy, they are very, very good even on the nights that one of Justin Jackson or Berry doesn’t play all that well.

Introducing Cinderella: The Jacksonville State Gamecocks are headed to the NCAA tournament.

By Rob Dauster

(Photo/Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Conference: Ohio Valley

Coach: Ray Harper

Record: 20-14, 9-7 (t-4th)

Ratings and Rankings:

– Kenpom: 168

– RPI: 169

– AP/USA Today: Not ranked

Seeding: A lot of this will depend on just how many upsets there are in the conference tournaments this week, but I can’t see Jacksonville State climbing higher than a No. 15 seed. That said, they do have wins over Belmont and Tulsa, so that matters.

Names you need to know: The strength of this team is in the back court, where Malcolm Drumwright and Greg Tucker carry the load. Those two combined for 39 points in the upset win over No. 1 seed Belmont in the semifinals of the OVC tournament, and combined, they averaged 23.7 points and 6.4 assists.

Stats you need to know: Four. That’s how many national titles that Ray Harper has won in his career, two at the Division II level with Kentucky Wesleyan and two at the NAIA level with Oklahoma City. All told, during his time at those two jobs, he made it to a national title game nine times in 11 seasons. He also has now made the NCAA tournament three times in six seasons as a Division I head coach, all three of which came as an upset-winner of a league tournament. Long story short: the man knows how to win in tournament play.

Big wins, bad losses: Jacksonville State’s best win of the season came against Belmont, who won the OVC regular season title by five games, in impressive fashion. They also own a win at Tulsa, who finished .500 in the AAC this year.

How’d they get here?: After getting picked last in their division in the OVC, the Gamecocks finished 9-7 in the league and were the No. 4 seed in the tournament, but they upset Belmont and then smacked around UT Martin in the league title game.

Outlook: There are two things to like about this team: Ray Harper is coaching them and they have talented guards that have proven they can make plays in big games. But they’re very likely going to end up playing a top 10 team in the first round of the NCAA tournament. I can’t see them pulling off the upset.

How do I know you?: You probably don’t. The school has sent a few football players to the NFL, but this is the first time, since their move to the Division I level, that the Gamecocks have been relevant.

So congrats for that.

NCAAFB: Myles Garrett might have locked up going No. 1 to Browns.

By Eric Edholm

Myles Garrett put on a show in the workouts at the NFL scouting combine. (Photo/AP)

Resisting the urge to overreact to NFL scouting combine numbers is an exercise in restraint, but sometimes it’s just futile.

Case in point: Myles Garrett.

The Texas A&M pass rusher entered Indy as the presumed favorite to be picked first by the Cleveland Browns, and he will leave town likely even more entrenched in that position. The only thing that might change this is if the Browns — these are the Browns, yes — were to trade the pick. And yes, they’re fielding offers for No. 1, but it might take even more to get it now.

Garrett’s workout Sunday was sensational. Weighing in at a shade under 6-foot-4 and 273 pounds, he ran a scalding 4.64 40-yard dash, good for fifth-best among the DL/LB group. For comparison, there were five wide receivers who ran slower 40 times than Garrett did. His second attempt was a tenth of a second slower, but no one is complaining.

Straight-line speed is overrated perhaps, as Garrett might never run 40 yards in a line on a football field again. But his other athletic numbers — a 41-inch vertical jump and a 128-inch broad jump — were terrific. His vertical jump tied for 10th-best among the LB-DL group since 2006, and his broad placed him in the top 16 in that group over the past dozen years.

In addition, he racked out 33 reps on the bench press, which tied for second in the same group on Sunday behind Auburn’s Carl Lawson at 35. The feat is even more impressive when you consider Garrett’s freakishly long arms at 35 1/4 inches.

Myles Garrett at the combine: Taller than Julio Jones Heavier than Rob Gronkowski Quicker than Devonta Freeman Faster than Jarvis Landry.

Sure, the tape is what matters. Some have nitpicked Garrett’s sack production against SEC competition, and he lost head-to-head battles against Laremy Tunsil in 2015 and Cam Robinson in 2016. Garrett also hasn’t exactly thrown bouquets at Cleveland through the process so far.

But he’s the best prospect in the draft, and it would be extremely risky for the Browns to pass on a potential game wrecker at No. 1 at this point. If the Browns don’t overthink it, they could have a Joey Bosa-like impact defender on the field to help upgrade one of the statistically worst units in the league last season.

A reminder that spring game attendance is useless, but some schools love it.

By Kevin McGuire

(Photo/Ken Ruinard/Anderson Independent-Mail via AP)

The spring football game or scrimmage season is underway with Duke getting in a spring scrimmage in Durham on Saturday. Illinois also hosted an open practice for fans. With the first taste of spring football on our hands, it is time to dive head first into the spring football attendance conversation for the 2017 season. But to sum things up before continuing, remember that spring football is not held in a uniform regard from conference to conference or program to program. The numbers clearly show that.

Over the past three years, I have taken the liberty of tracking spring football game attendance figures out of pure curiosity. What I have learned from the past three years is not exactly all that shocking. Big time programs tend to see a higher interest in spring football, which leads to a higher interest in spring football games and scrimmages, which in turn leads to higher attendance figures. Last year, Ohio State set a national spring game record by drawing over 100,000 fans to its spring football game. Georgia impressed everyone with its spring draw with over 90,000 fans showing up for a unique experience complete with a concert, topping perennial SEC spring game attendance champion contender Alabama in the process. Penn State, Nebraska, Tennessee, and Auburn continued to be among the nation’s leaders in spring game attendance with their usual big crowds. The same cannot be said for programs from the Group of Five, obviously, but even among the power conferences it is statistically clear the Big Ten and SEC are playing on a different playing field in the spring game attendance game compared to the Big 12 and Pac-12. The ACC tends to straddle the line.



Here are a few things to keep in mind when the spring game attendance numbers start to come together…

Not every school bothers to track attendance

In truth, most of the spring game numbers that are reported are actually estimates. That or it is an incredible coincidence that so many schools see an attendance figure that ends with a zero. In the three years I have tracked these numbers, Boston College, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Northwestern, and Texas are the power conference programs that have not reported or supplied a spring attendance figure for one reason or another. A large number of Group of Five programs do not track attendance figures either. Each school has their own philosophy in place over such a thing, so it is not at all shocking to see a good number of schools not pay extra care and scrutiny to such a figure.

Some games or scrimmages will not be played in a stadium

Sometimes a school will take its spring scrimmage outside of the typical home stadium, which means the attendance maximum will potentially be significantly lower than usual. Arizona State played its spring scrimmage on a soccer field last year. Notre Dame Stadium renovations forced the Fighting Irish to hold its spring scrimmage on a non-traditional field in 2015, resulting in a crowd of just 3,590 compared to crowds of over 27,000 in 2014 and 2016 in Notre Dame Stadium.

Stadium renovations are often the main reason a power conference program will move its spring game to a different venue, but that is not always the case. Not having access to a home football stadium also comes into play. Temple and Pittsburgh have each played their spring scrimmage on a practice field or a high school field in recent years, for example. Part of the reason may be having to fund a lowly-attended spring game in an NFL stadium. It’s just not worth it.

Texas A&M didn’t hold a spring game for two years (2014 and 2015) due to ongoing renovations at Kyle Field and an inability to figure out an alternative location that would comply with SEC spring game rules.

Weather can also be a factor

Some games get rained out. Some fans choose not to put up with the weather for a spring game.

Every school treats it spring game differently

Schools like Nebraska, Alabama, Auburn, Penn State and Ohio State have used their spring game to be the focus of an entire weekend or community event by making it a pretty big deal over years. Alabama lets fans run on the field for autographs. Penn State has a fair atmosphere outside the stadium. Some schools charge admission. Some schools simply open the doors and let the fans come and go as they please. There is no one way to handle a spring game. All of these different mechanics play into how the game is seen by fans.

In 2015, Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio made it a point to have more fans than ever attend the Michigan State spring game. It almost worked, but it would be another year (and a Big Ten title) before Michigan State hit the 50,000 mark. Michigan experimented with making the spring game a Friday night event. It worked, although it struggled to match the buzz over the first spring game with Jim Harbaugh the previous year. Georgia organized an elaborate concert event around the spring game and led the SEC in attendance.

Schools will continue trying new and innovative ways to make the spring game something fans want to flock to, while others will treat it as nothing more than an afterthought. For example, are you surprised Wisconsin has failed to draw 10,000 fans each of the past three years? Considering how successful Wisconsin has been, that may seem odd to you, but Wisconsin simply doesn’t treat its spring game as much of anything at all.

Who will be the spring game champions of 2017?

It goes without saying the Big Ten and SEC will be the dominating forces in the spring game attendance standings. With the biggest stadiums and some of the top annual spring draws between them, nobody will stand much of a chance to keep the pace. Eight of the top 10 spring game attendances were seen in the Big Ten or SEC in 2016. The two outliers were Florida State and Clemson of the ACC. Both the Seminoles and Tigers appear to go against the grain compared to the rest o the ACC, although Virginia Tech was right in the mix last year.



Speaking of Clemson, the defending national champions are one of a small handful of power conference teams to see an increase of spring game attendance each of the past two years (Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan State, and USC are the others) during this ongoing three-year research. Coming off a national championship, it would not be a stretch to think Clemson may see another year of increased attendance this spring, weather pending. The past two College Football Playoff national champions (Alabama and Ohio State) each saw a higher spring attendance compared to the previous season before winning the national title.

We’ll update the spring game attendance records throughout the spring, so stay tuned to see how it all plays out this year. Spring attendance numbers are good for PR purposes and gives some fans one more thing to brag about in the offseason.

UFC 2017 fight schedule: Cormier-Johnson, Miocic-dos Santos lead PPVs.

By Brandon Wise

UFC has light heavyweight and heavyweight title fights set for their next two big shows.

After the success of UFC 205, 206 and 207, the company has opened 2017 on a bit of a down note. Their first two pay-per-view events haven’t exactly lived up to the hype, but UFC’s next two events could make up for that rather quickly. Light heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier is set for a rematch with Anthony “Rumble” Johnson and heavyweight belt holder Stipe Miocic gets his shot at revenge against Junior dos Santos.

Plus, Demetrious Johnson is set to defend his belt for a 10th time. 

Check out the full breakdown of UFC’s upcoming fights below.

UFC fight schedule:
Date	Location	Event	Main Event	Network
March 11	Fortazela, Brazil	UFC Fight Night Brazil	Vitor Belfort vs. Kelvin Gastelum	FS1
March 18	London, England	UFC Fight Night London	Jimi Manuwa vs. Corey Anderson	Fight Pass
April 8	Buffalo, New York	UFC 210	Daniel Cormier (c) vs. Anthony Johnson	PPV
April 15	Kansas City, Missouri	UFC on Fox Kansas City	Demetrious Johnson (c) vs. Wilson Reis	Fox
April 22	Nashville, Tennessee	UFC Fight Night	Cub Swanson vs. Artem Lobov	FS1
May 13	Dallas, Texas	UFC 211	Stipe Miocic (c) vs. Junior dos Santos	PPV
May 28	Stockholm, Sweden	UFC Fight Night Stockholm	Alexander Gustafsson vs. Glover Teixeira	FS1
June 3	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil	UFC 212	Jose Aldo (c) vs. Max Holloway	PPV

On This Date in Sports History: Today is Monday, March 06, 2017.

Memoriesofhistory.com

1973 - Larry Hisle (Minnesota Twins) became baseball's first designated hitter. The spring-training exhibition game was against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

1982 - National Basketball Association history was made when San Antonio beat Milwaukee 171-166 in three overtime periods to set the record for most points by two teams in a game. The record was beaten on December 13, 1983 by the Pistons and the Nuggets when they played to a final score of 186-184

1983 - The United States Football League began its first season of pro football competition. 

1997 - Mike Gartner (Phoenix Coyotes) scored his 30th goal of the season. He set a record for scoring 30 goals in a season for the 17th time in his career.

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