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"Sports Quote of the Day"
"Hope lies in dreams, in imagination, and in the courage of those who dare to make dreams into reality." ~ Jonas Salk, Medical Researcher and Virologist
TRENDING: Bulls clinch playoff berth with blowout win over Nets in regular-season finale. (See the basketball section for Bulls news and NBA updates). 
TRENDING: Blackhawks blanked by Pekka Rinne and Predators in Game 1 loss. (See the hockey section for Blackhawks updates and NHL news).
TRENDING: Rotoworld: Bears' top draft needs and a seven-round mock draft. It's all about the draft; What's Your Take? (See the football section for Bears news and NFL updates).
TRENDING: Rotoworld: Bears' top draft needs and a seven-round mock draft. It's all about the draft; What's Your Take? (See the football section for Bears news and NFL updates).
TRENDING: Take a look at the Cubs' ridiculously amazing World Series championship rings. (See the baseball section for Cubs and White Sox updates).
TRENDING: WHITE SOX offense pours it on in win over Indians.(See the baseball section for Cubs and White Sox updates).
TRENDING: Steelers' owner passes; Dan Rooney’s Steelers career spanned more than 60 years. (See the last article on this blog for the story on a NFL icon. We send our most sincere condolences to his family).
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Blackhawks blanked by Pekka Rinne and Predators in Game 1 loss.
By Tracey Myers
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The Blackhawks always judge their game on what they give up, and in that respect they were fine with their overall play on Thursday. It's what they couldn't generate on the other side that was the problem.
Pekka Rinne stopped all 29 shots he faced, and Viktor Arvidsson's great tip-in in front was all the offense the Nashville Predators needed as they took a 1-0 victory over the Blackhawks in Game 1 of their first-round series on Thursday. The Blackhawks will look to even things up on Saturday, when they host the Predators in Game 2, but as of now, the Predators have the home-ice edge.
It was the first time the Blackhawks had been shut out in a postseason game since the 2012 playoffs against the Arizona Coyotes. Rinne was good in this one, but coach Joel Quenneville wasn't happy with the quality, or lack thereof, they threw at Rinne.
"He looked all right tonight because we didn't make it tough on him," Quenneville said. "Any goalie who sees the puck as much as he did tonight (is) going to be effective. Whether we look the puck to the net ourselves or had the net presence or played goal when we're at the net, I think that's where we have to find a way to get through, hang around. That's where the rewards are."
Artem Anisimov, who was coming off a leg injury that kept him out a month, had some of the Blackhawks' best chances near the net. His timing, something players say is the last thing to get back off an injury, was a bit off.
The Blackhawks actually came out shooting to start the first, but that soon disappeared. For nearly 14 minutes of the first period, they had no shots. In between the Predators took a 1-0 lead, with Arvidsson tipping in Filip Forsberg's shot at 7:52 of the first. The Blackhawks had a chance to clear, but their forwards collided and the Predators produced off it.
"I think it was three forwards looking at each other to see who was going to grab the puck, (Ryan) Johansen came in and made a play, kept it alive," Jonathan Toews said. "Maybe all five of us got caught watching. We can't be standing around. Someone has to step up and make the simple plays, even if it's whacking it out of our zone. Try to kill plays like that before anything develops."
The Blackhawks outshot the Predators 23-9 in the final 40 minutes. It was certainly better than their too-quiet first, but when Rinne didn't make the stops, his teammates in front of him did. The Predators blocked 26 shots on Thursday.
"I think they out-battled us a little bit today, that's why we couldn't get into those dangerous areas in front of their goalie. They were battling extremely hard in their own end," Niklas Hjalmarsson said. "We had the puck most of the game and I thought we played decent, but it's not good enough. I think the intensity level has to go up a couple of levels, and we've got to find a way to score goals. They played really well defensively, but at the same time we have to find a way to score."
As Quenneville said, Game 1 wasn't terrible. It wasn't aggressive enough, either. The Blackhawks know how to beat Rinne, how to beat any goaltender at this level. They just didn't do it.
"We've got to be better across the board. We need everybody going," Quenneville said. "Obviously starting a little late tonight didn't help. More desperation around the net and that willingness to get there and fight through it, pay a price, whatever's there."
Quick Hits from Blackhawks-Predators Game 1: Get to the net.
By Tracey Myers
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The second and third period were pretty good. The first wasn't. Overall, it wasn't a bad game for the Blackhawks but they got away from what worked for them, including traffic in front of the net. The Nashville Predators didn't do too much on their end, either, but they did enough.
So the Predators take Game 1, 1-0. Before we head out for the evening, let's look at some of the notables.
What worked: The Predators' checking game. It's probably not a formula that's going to work over the long haul but it worked to take Game 1. After getting that first-period lead the Predators bent but didn't break, giving up a little but not too much. Said coach Joel Quenneville, "they were happy to check the rest of the game and they did a good job of having the lead and trying to frustrate us."
What didn't work: The Blackhawks' net-front game. Credit the Predators for part of this. As Niklas Hjalmarsson said, "they out-battled us a bit," making it difficult for the Blackhawks to get around Pekka Rinne. But the Blackhawks reverted back to an old habit of not working hard enough to get that space in front. Their slow start to the first period was a problem, too. But even when they were getting shots early, they were from too far away.
Star of the game: Pekka Rinne. The Predators were on the attack in the first period but were otherwise on the defensive against the Blackhawks. Enter Rinne, who denied the Blackhawks at every opportunity. Sure, the Predators blocked their share of shots in front of him. And coach Joel Quenneville thought the Blackhawks could have had much more quality against him. But a postseason shutout is a postseason shutout, and Rinne earned it.
He said it: "We know it's going to be a long series. We knew we were not going to sweep them. It's a good hockey team. It's a really good team. So we knew it was going to be a big challenge. It's a new game on [Saturday]. Just have to regroup." Hjalmarsson on the Blackhawks' Game 1 loss.
By the Numbers:
24:23 – Time on ice for Patrick Kane, the most of any forward on Thursday. Artemi Panarin was next with 21:31 of ice time.
13:46 – Amount of time the Blackhawks went without a shot in the first period, from Artemi Panarin's attempt at 6:08 to Duncan Keith's with six seconds remaining in the period.
26 – Shots blocked by the Predators. They had 19 of those through the second period. Roman Josi led the Predators with five blocks.
7 – Hits logged by Richard Panik, a game high.
After standing tall in Game 1, Pekka Rinne could determine Blackhawks-Predators series. (Guys, don't get too over-confident, it's just game 1. CS&T/AA
By Charlie Roumeliotis
Photo/csnchicago.com)
The Predators knew going into their first-round series that they needed every player on board to beat a perennial powerhouse like the Blackhawks, especially in their barn.
But one player might determine how far Nashville's spring will last, and if Game 1 was any indication, it could be a long one.
"I could say a lot," Predators center Ryan Johansen said of Pekka Rinne, who stopped all 29 shots he faced in a 1-0 win over the Blackhawks and became the first goaltender in franchise history to record a shutout in the team's opening round of a playoff game. "His play speaks for itself. He was our best player tonight. We're gonna need him to keep playing like that and we'll be successful."
Rinne has been really solid in the regular season throughout his career, but his numbers have dipped in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Entering Thursday, Rinne owned a career 2.38 goals against average and .917 save percentage in the regular season compared to a 2.51 goals against average and .912 save percentage in the postseason, including a .907 percentage in his previous 20 playoff games.
He was trending in the wrong direction. But he was a big reason the Predators set the tone and stole an early victory in Chicago to quickly gain home-ice advantage.
"Now the series is on," Rinne said. "We've got to remember it's just a Game 1, but we wanted to get off to a good start and start the series the right way. It feels great to be up 1-0, but now they call it a series, right?"
Yep.
It's not a series until the road team wins, and the Predators didn't waste any time in making it one.
Viktor Arvidsson, who had 31 goals during the regular season, halted the Blackhawks' strong start with a first-period goal at the 7:52 mark, which turned out to be a winner in the low-scoring bout. Predators coach Peter Laviolette summed up the game perfectly afterwards.
"In the first period we were really good, in the second they were really good, and the third period was a competitive period," he said. "That's pretty much it I guess. I thought our start was excellent. We did a lot of good things. I thought we stopped skating and working, and those two things, if you do it against Chicago it's going to be an ugly period."
Rinne was the reason the second period didn't turn into an even uglier one, staving off a Blackhawks team that registered 23 of their 29 shots in the final two periods.
"They did a good job of creating some space and moving the puck around, but they were mostly around the perimeter, and if they did get a chance, Peks was there to make a great save," Johansen said. "We're gonna keep trying to get better here as we go along. We'll look at some stuff tomorrow and get ready for the next one.
"We have a great group of hockey players here and we just have to be confident. We will use this win moving forward and I know that we can be successful.”
It was a crucial Game 1, specifically for Nashville, for a number of reasons.
The first, teams that win the opening game of a best-of-seven playoff series have gone on to win 68.7 percent (447-204) of the time, according to Elias.
The second? The Predators have never won a playoff series when trailing 1-0, going 0-for-7 in franchise history. They've finished the job three of five times when taking a 1-0 series lead, and avoided being in an early hole against a Blackhawks team that has won 11 of 12 playoff series' under Joel Quenneville when winning Game 1.
But it's just one game, and the series is far from over. The Predators know they have three more to go, but they're taking it one game at a time.
"I'm expecting it's going to be a long series, and we've got to keep our foot on the gas pedal and focus on Game 2," Rinne said. "But obviously it's a good position to be in on the road, to be up 1-0 with the next one on Saturday. That's going to be a big one."
If Rinne can duplicate his Game 1 performance, the Predators will stand a good chance at taking a commanding series lead — and perhaps making some noise in the Western Conference.
"If you are going to make a deep playoff run, everyone is going to have to be great," Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis said. "But your goalie is going to have to be your best player because there are going to be times where he is going to have to be the difference maker and tonight he was phenomenal."
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! Rotoworld: Bears' top draft needs and a seven-round mock draft. It's all about the draft; What's Your Take?
By Rotoworld
Evan Silva (@EvanSilva) is the Senior Football Editor for Rotoworld's NFL Page, and Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) leads Rotoworld's college football and NFL draft coverage. Together, they're breaking down every team's biggest needs and offering potential draft-day solutions.
For a breakdown on every team, check out the team-by-team draft preview schedule.
Check out all of CSN Chicago's NFL Draft Profiles on our official NFL Draft page.
Bears No. 1 Team Need: Quarterback
Silva’s Analysis
Signing career backups Mike Glennon and Mark Sanchez makes this no less of a need. It’s time for the Bears to invest a first- or early second-day pick on a potential franchise quarterback.
Bears No. 2 Team Need: Defensive Back
Silva’s Analysis
Prince Amukamara went to Chicago on a one-year deal. Tracy Porter was recently released. The Bears’ head-scratching, three-year, $16 million investment in Marcus Cooper netted one of the worst corners in the league with Arizona last season. 2014 first-round pick Kyle Fuller is a bust. The Bears coveted Stephon Gilmore in free agency, but he signed with New England instead. The Bears have also been heavily linked to top-safety prospects Jamal Adams and Malik Hooker.
Bears No. 3 Team Need: Defensive Line
Silva’s Analysis
In NT Eddie Goldman and DEs Akiem Hicks and Jonathan Bullard, the Bears have three quality young pieces up front. Hicks is entering a contract year, however, and Goldman has battled persistent ankle injuries. Chicago needs a dynamic playmaker in the trenches.
Other Considerations: Offensive Tackle, Wide Receiver, Linebacker
Norris’ Mock Draft
Round 1 (3): CB Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State - Lattimore is widely viewed as the top prospect at his position. his sample size is small, but if everything clicks he can progress into becoming one of the top corners in the league. Athleticism, plus mirroring plus ball skills.
Round 2 (36): T Antonio Garcia, Troy - I like Garcia more than most. I think he has true left tackle feet and a finisher’s mentality. The Bears have the three interior positions locked down and Charles Leno is entering a contract year. Nevertheless, I think I was higher on Leno coming out of Boise State than any other evaluator.
Round 3 (67): WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, USC - Smith-Schuster’s 2015 season was outstanding. He took advantage of manufactured space. He is a young and developing receiver … if you’re optimistic, that is.
Round 4 (111): QB Brad Kaaya, Miami - Kaaya could go off the board as early as the second round. He looks good when everything stays clean, but absolutely struggles when pressured. Glennon’s contract could be a short term deal, but it is all dependent on how he performs as a starter. Immediately.
Round 4 (117): S Delano Hill, Michigan - I like Adrian Amos, and Quintin Demps is likely a starter for a year. Hill played as Michigan’s strong safety and was overlooked due to the loaded defense.
Round 5 (147): DL Ryan Glasgow, Michigan - Another Michigan defender. Glasgow has size and production and would fit nicely along the Bears’ front.
Round 7 (221): EDGE Keionta Davis, UT-Chattanooga - An edge rusher with size.
Chicago Sports & Travel Inc./AllsportsAmerica Take: Two weeks until the draft, and yes, at this point, it's all about the draft. We've been looking at mock drafts for the last two weeks and the prognosticators have been all over the board. For some reason, we kept coming back to this mock draft. There's not a lot of big names here but some diamonds in the rough. It's obvious that the Bears need to draft their quarterback for the future. Someone with potential and talent, someone that they can have observe and learn for a couple of years as the Packers did with Aaron Rogers. Glennon is just a bridge unless as stated in the article above, he turns out to be exceptional and anything is possible. There has been a tremendous amount of effort put into the defense and that's because defense wins championships but the offense needs to be equally upgraded. The Bears also need to acquire a couple of mature free agents to steady their young draftees and last years young acquisitions.
They have an experienced coaching staff and some decent free agents that they acquired last year so there should not be any problem transferring the team's philosophy and expectations to the newcomers. If they can remain relative healthy and build on what they experienced last year, this team should go from 3-13 to 8-8 or better. It is imperative that the coaching staff preach finishing, finishing, finishing. In other words, they must play a full 60 minutes, not a first half or second half but a complete game.
The Bears have a long way to go but the potential is there and they can be as good as they want to be. It's up to the front office and coaching staff to instill that into the players. Most of the old attitudes are gone and it's time for a new day. We can foresee tremendous progress being made this year and that's just a stepping stone for the championship to come within the next two years.
We call them as we see them and now you know how we feel. Please take a minute and go to the bottom of this blog, share your thoughts with us and let us know what's your take?
We love to hear from you and truly appreciate your opinions, pro and con. As always, thanks in advance for your time, consideration and comments.
The Chicago Sports & Travel Inc./AllsportsAmerica Editorial Staff.
By Jacob Infante
(Photo/Cover 32)
We are almost two weeks away from the 2017 NFL Draft. Around this time, rumors start to heat up regarding which teams like which prospects. One rumor that seems to be growing stronger is Ole Miss tight end Evan Engram to the Chicago Bears.
Engram reportedly flew out to Halas Hall and met with the team on Sunday. He knows what they need, and he fits that need perfectly.
‘‘I know they just lost Alshon [Jeffery], so they’re definitely looking for that big-body receiver,’’ Engram said. ‘‘They have Zach Miller. He’s been doing a great job and doing a lot for the offense, when healthy.
Engram fits that mold to a T.‘‘I definitely know that they’re looking for another vertical threat in the passing game and a guy who can mix it up and a ‘move’ guy.’’
At 6’3″ and 234 pounds, he’s a bit lanky for a tight end. However, he more than makes up for his lack of bulk with his pass-catching abilities and athleticism.
Engram ran a jaw-dropping 4.42 40-yard dash at the Combine. He was also a top performer in the vertical jump, three-cone drill and 20-yard shuffle.
As crazy as those numbers seem, they were even more crazy in person. I got to watch Engram live at the Combine, and his athleticism stood out, even in such an athletic tight end class like this one. He just moved so well for someone his size. He looked like a better athlete than a lot of the wide receivers out there.
Engram also dominated the gauntlet drill at the Combine, as well. He displayed great speed, hands and body control. While some tight ends often ended up zig-zagging on their straight-line “route”, Engram stayed in control and maintained a straight pattern.
He’s not much of a blocker, as his size would indicate. However, the Bears already have a blocking tight end on their roster: Dion Sims. In the long run, Sims and Engram would be a balanced and dangerous tandem.
Bears fans also understand that Engram is a good fit. According to this chart below, he is the second-most associated player with the Bears on Twitter:
(Photo/twitter.com)
The Bears could use another weapon in their lackluster passing game. Engram would be a fantastic target for them in the long run.
Note: The post Evan Engram could be intriguing option for Bears appeared first on Cover32.
Just Another Chicago Bulls Session..... Bulls clinch playoff berth with blowout win over Nets in regular-season finale.
By Vincent Goodwill
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
One wonders when the minds of the Bulls players and coaches shifted from the Brooklyn Nets to the upcoming playoff opponent, the Boston Celtics.
It could’ve been five minutes into the game or five hours before, when they realized the Nets weren’t making any special additions to their lineup while sitting their top players.
Either way, they didn’t put forth their best performance in a 112-73 win, where the led wire-to-wire, clinching a playoff spot with a 41-41 record—one game worse than last season but enough to make the playoffs in an underwhelming Eastern Conference.
“Now the fun begins,” Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said, as Game 1 on Sunday evening starts the enjoyment against the Celtics in Boston, with Game 2 being Tuesday at TD Garden.
The Bulls were 34-39 a month ago, losers of five straight that included a 100-80 thrashing on a Sunday afternoon that wasn’t as close as the 20-point spread.
“I just told the guys how proud I am of them, our backs were against the wall,” Hoiberg said. “It was a great job of being resilient by our players, hanging in there and sticking in there and finding a way to battle all the way to the last day.”
They finished off their season like they started it—with more questions than answers, stumbling out after tipoff but thankfully for them, they played a team without Jeremy Lin, Brook Lopez and a few others who could’ve made the night miserable.
Instead, it allowed the Bulls to shoot just 36 percent through three quarters but have such a comfortable lead that none of the starters were truly needed in the fourth quarter.It could’ve been five minutes into the game or five hours before, when they realized the Nets weren’t making any special additions to their lineup while sitting their top players.
Either way, they didn’t put forth their best performance in a 112-73 win, where the led wire-to-wire, clinching a playoff spot with a 41-41 record—one game worse than last season but enough to make the playoffs in an underwhelming Eastern Conference.
“Now the fun begins,” Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said, as Game 1 on Sunday evening starts the enjoyment against the Celtics in Boston, with Game 2 being Tuesday at TD Garden.
The Bulls were 34-39 a month ago, losers of five straight that included a 100-80 thrashing on a Sunday afternoon that wasn’t as close as the 20-point spread.
“I just told the guys how proud I am of them, our backs were against the wall,” Hoiberg said. “It was a great job of being resilient by our players, hanging in there and sticking in there and finding a way to battle all the way to the last day.”
They finished off their season like they started it—with more questions than answers, stumbling out after tipoff but thankfully for them, they played a team without Jeremy Lin, Brook Lopez and a few others who could’ve made the night miserable.
Jimmy Butler concluded his best season as a pro with a 25 point, six-rebound and four-assist showing, with career-high averages in all three categories. Had the Bulls record been better and Butler not gone through a mini-slump after the All-Star break, he’d be on the back end of some Most Valuable Player conversation.
“I think we all are seeing the evolution of Jimmy Butler,” said Wade in the morning shoot-around. “I can’t say anybody, even Jimmy, knew that he would be this player right now. The biggest thing that surprised me is he’s a clutch player. For a guy who hasn’t had a lot of clutch moments in his career, he’s as clutch as it gets.”
He’ll have to settle for getting this rag-tag bunch into a playoff showdown with the Celtics, a team they probably feel confident against—or as confident as an eighth seed should against a top seed.
Presumably, Wednesday shouldn’t be an indication of how the Bulls are going to play but it appears their rotation is set the right way as Rajon Rondo returned from a right wrist injury to play 19 minutes and scored 10 points with five assists and six rebounds.
His backup, Jerian Grant, got valuable playing time in his stead and although he was right with the muck of the night, his 3-point shooting over the last couple weeks elevated him past Michael Carter-Williams for backup minutes.
And with Wade still working himself back into decent shape and rhythm, Paul Zipser had a career night, helping break the game open in the first quarter to score eight of his career-high 21 points off the bench in 29 minutes. The lead kept increased through the night against the undermanned Nets, who were led by Archie Goodwin’s 20 and K.J. McDaniels’ 15 points off the bench.
With the inconsistency of the season costing them throughout, it wasn’t a fatal blow as they get new life this weekend in Boston, with a chance to craft a new narrative and make the season a surprising success.
NBA releases Celtics-Bulls first round playoff schedule.
By CSN Staff
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The Bulls took care of the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday and earned a first round playoff matchup with the top-seeded Boston Celtics.
The Bulls and Celtics split the regular-season series 2-2. Here's the complete schedule (all times listed are CT)
Game 1: Chicago at Boston - Sunday, April 16 - 5:30 p.m.
Game 2: Chicago at Boston - Tuesday, April 18 - 7 p.m.
Game 3: Boston at Chicago - Friday, April 21 - 6 p.m.
Game 4: Boston at Chicago - Sunday, April 23 - 5:30 p.m.
Game 5: Chicago at Boston - Wednesday, April 26 - TBD*
Game 6: Boston at Chicago - Friday, April 28 - TBD*
Game 7: Chicago at Boston - Sunday, April 30 - TBD*
The Bulls and Celtics split the regular-season series 2-2. Here's the complete schedule (all times listed are CT)
Game 1: Chicago at Boston - Sunday, April 16 - 5:30 p.m.
Game 2: Chicago at Boston - Tuesday, April 18 - 7 p.m.
Game 3: Boston at Chicago - Friday, April 21 - 6 p.m.
Game 4: Boston at Chicago - Sunday, April 23 - 5:30 p.m.
Game 5: Chicago at Boston - Wednesday, April 26 - TBD*
Game 6: Boston at Chicago - Friday, April 28 - TBD*
Game 7: Chicago at Boston - Sunday, April 30 - TBD*
Chicago Bulls Vs. Boston Celtics, 1st Round NBA Playoffs Game Preview.
By Marc D'Amico
By Marc D'Amico
No one would have predicted back in October that the Boston Celtics would wind up where they are heading into the NBA Playoffs.
Boston, after winning its 53rd game of the season during Wednesday night’s regular-season finale, is the No. 1 seed in the East.
At the bottom of the bracket and in the eighth seed sit the Chicago Bulls, who earned a playoff bid by winning seven of their final nine games of the regular season. Chicago finished the regular season with an even 41-41 record.
These two teams split their four-game series during the regular season, and here’s how the they match up from head coaches to bench units.
Head Coaches – Brad Stevens vs. Fred Hoiberg
One of the head coaches in this matchup will earn their first career playoff series victory. That, however, doesn’t mean that one coach is not more accomplished than the other.
Brad Stevens unquestionably has the upper hand in this matchup. He has four seasons of NBA coaching experience compared to Fred Hoiberg’s two seasons. He has won 48 or more games during each of the last two seasons, while Hoiberg has won 42 or fewer during his first two NBA seasons. This will also be Stevens’ third appearance in the postseason, while Hoiberg will be coaching in his first playoff series.
Both of these coaches got their teams to the Playoffs, but both have yet to win a playoff series. That will change within the next two weeks.
Point Guards – Isaiah Thomas vs. Rajon Rondo
Boston is 2-for-2 so far. The Celtics also have the advantage at point guard.
Isaiah Thomas is the East’s leading scorer with an average of 28.9 PPG. He is one of the most explosive players in the league, as evidenced by his league-high average of 12.6 drives per game and his average of 8.5 free throw attempts per game.
Rajon Rondo is nowhere near the offensive player that Thomas is, but Celtics fans understand that Rondo’s eclectic skill set can change a series. He shot a team-best 37.6 percent from long range this season and is still an elite passer and rebounder for his position.
But will he outplay Thomas, who is entering his prime, during this series? Probably not.
Shooting Guards – Avery Bradley vs. Dwyane Wade
Avery Bradley is an All-Defensive First Team performer who has hounded Dwyane Wade in the past. Bradley also averaged career highs of 16.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game this season while canning 39.0 percent of his 3-pointers. He is a high-level player at both ends of the court, and he’s consistent with his effort every night.
Wade, in his first season with the Bulls, just completed arguably the worst regular season of his career. He averaged 18.3 PPG, the second-lowest mark of his career, but shot a career-worst 43.4 percent from the field.
Bradley has the upper hand based upon his performance this season, but we’ll be conservative and call this one a push due to Wade’s history of playing well in the Playoffs.
Small Forwards -- Jae Crowder vs. Jimmy Butler
At the bottom of the bracket and in the eighth seed sit the Chicago Bulls, who earned a playoff bid by winning seven of their final nine games of the regular season. Chicago finished the regular season with an even 41-41 record.
These two teams split their four-game series during the regular season, and here’s how the they match up from head coaches to bench units.
Head Coaches – Brad Stevens vs. Fred Hoiberg
One of the head coaches in this matchup will earn their first career playoff series victory. That, however, doesn’t mean that one coach is not more accomplished than the other.
Brad Stevens unquestionably has the upper hand in this matchup. He has four seasons of NBA coaching experience compared to Fred Hoiberg’s two seasons. He has won 48 or more games during each of the last two seasons, while Hoiberg has won 42 or fewer during his first two NBA seasons. This will also be Stevens’ third appearance in the postseason, while Hoiberg will be coaching in his first playoff series.
Both of these coaches got their teams to the Playoffs, but both have yet to win a playoff series. That will change within the next two weeks.
Point Guards – Isaiah Thomas vs. Rajon Rondo
Boston is 2-for-2 so far. The Celtics also have the advantage at point guard.
Isaiah Thomas is the East’s leading scorer with an average of 28.9 PPG. He is one of the most explosive players in the league, as evidenced by his league-high average of 12.6 drives per game and his average of 8.5 free throw attempts per game.
Rajon Rondo is nowhere near the offensive player that Thomas is, but Celtics fans understand that Rondo’s eclectic skill set can change a series. He shot a team-best 37.6 percent from long range this season and is still an elite passer and rebounder for his position.
But will he outplay Thomas, who is entering his prime, during this series? Probably not.
Shooting Guards – Avery Bradley vs. Dwyane Wade
Avery Bradley is an All-Defensive First Team performer who has hounded Dwyane Wade in the past. Bradley also averaged career highs of 16.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game this season while canning 39.0 percent of his 3-pointers. He is a high-level player at both ends of the court, and he’s consistent with his effort every night.
Wade, in his first season with the Bulls, just completed arguably the worst regular season of his career. He averaged 18.3 PPG, the second-lowest mark of his career, but shot a career-worst 43.4 percent from the field.
Bradley has the upper hand based upon his performance this season, but we’ll be conservative and call this one a push due to Wade’s history of playing well in the Playoffs.
Small Forwards -- Jae Crowder vs. Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler is an established two-way star in this league who has averaged 20 or more PPG during each of his last three seasons, maxing out with a career-high average of 23.9 PPG this season, and made the All-Defensive Second Team three times. Butler is one of the best in the league at getting to the line (8.9 free throw attempts per game) and he has also improved his 3-point shooting to 36.7 percent this season.
Jae Crowder will give him fits during this series, however. Crowder is a strong and athletic defender who narrowly missed being selected to the All-Defensive Second Team last season. He also hit 39.8 percent of 3s attempts this season.
Butler gets the nod due to his All-Star play at both ends. Crowder, however, will challenge him at both ends.
Power Forwards – Amir Johnson vs. Nikola Mirotic
This is the battle of the unsung starters. Amir Johnson and Nikola Mirotic fly under the radar.
Johnson is so consistent for Boston. He’s a versatile and effective defender, he rebounds, he moves the ball, he sets great screens, and he surprisingly led the Celtics in 3-point shooting at 40.9 percent this season.
Speaking of 3-point shooting, that’s the area with which Mirotic has made his name. He is a career 35.0 percent shooter from long distance, which isn’t elite, but every time he catches the ball on the perimeter, Boston’s coaching staff will be yelling to the defense to be in his bubble.
Mirotic has the greater potential to alter this series, but Johnson will be consistent every single game.
Centers – Al Horford vs. Robin Lopez
Al Horford is a four-time All-Star who’s been an integral part of Boston’s ascension this season. He led all NBA centers in assists with 5.0 a night while scoring 14.0 PPG on 47.3 percent shooting. Horford is also a versatile defender who will be able to defend all of Chicago’s big men, including Lopez, and he’s more than capable of stepping up on the glass if the game plan calls for it.
Lopez is a very solid player, but he’s limited compared to Horford. Lopez mainly scores around the rim and will occasionally toss in a jump hook or a 10-15-foot jumper. He has crushed the C’s on the offensive glass this season by grabbing 16 in four games. Lopez is a solid interior defender, but Horford, Johnson and Kelly Olynyk will regularly draw him away from the basket.
Horford is the better player, but Lopez has the ability to change a game with his offensive rebounding and shot-blocking.
Bench Units
Boston has a massive advantage when it comes to bench play. The C’s have two reserves (Marcus Smart and Kelly Olynyk) who averaged at least 9.0 PPG this season. Chicago doesn’t have a single reserve who averaged more than 6.8 PPG this season, which is Bobby Portis’ average.
Additionally, the Celtics reserves have far more playoff experience than Chicago’s incredibly young group of reserves. Smart, Olynyk, Jonas Jerebko and Tyler Zeller have all played in multiple playoff series, while Terry Rozier has participated in one. Chicago’s reserves total a mere 14 playoff game appearances.
Rotations are tightened during the postseason, so expect to see a lot of Smart, Olynyk and Jaylen Brown, and then situational minutes for Jerebko, Zeller, Gerald Green and Rozier for Boston. On Chicago’s side, you can expect to see a lot of Portis, but the rotation after that remains a mystery.
Jae Crowder will give him fits during this series, however. Crowder is a strong and athletic defender who narrowly missed being selected to the All-Defensive Second Team last season. He also hit 39.8 percent of 3s attempts this season.
Butler gets the nod due to his All-Star play at both ends. Crowder, however, will challenge him at both ends.
Power Forwards – Amir Johnson vs. Nikola Mirotic
This is the battle of the unsung starters. Amir Johnson and Nikola Mirotic fly under the radar.
Johnson is so consistent for Boston. He’s a versatile and effective defender, he rebounds, he moves the ball, he sets great screens, and he surprisingly led the Celtics in 3-point shooting at 40.9 percent this season.
Speaking of 3-point shooting, that’s the area with which Mirotic has made his name. He is a career 35.0 percent shooter from long distance, which isn’t elite, but every time he catches the ball on the perimeter, Boston’s coaching staff will be yelling to the defense to be in his bubble.
Mirotic has the greater potential to alter this series, but Johnson will be consistent every single game.
Centers – Al Horford vs. Robin Lopez
Al Horford is a four-time All-Star who’s been an integral part of Boston’s ascension this season. He led all NBA centers in assists with 5.0 a night while scoring 14.0 PPG on 47.3 percent shooting. Horford is also a versatile defender who will be able to defend all of Chicago’s big men, including Lopez, and he’s more than capable of stepping up on the glass if the game plan calls for it.
Lopez is a very solid player, but he’s limited compared to Horford. Lopez mainly scores around the rim and will occasionally toss in a jump hook or a 10-15-foot jumper. He has crushed the C’s on the offensive glass this season by grabbing 16 in four games. Lopez is a solid interior defender, but Horford, Johnson and Kelly Olynyk will regularly draw him away from the basket.
Horford is the better player, but Lopez has the ability to change a game with his offensive rebounding and shot-blocking.
Bench Units
Boston has a massive advantage when it comes to bench play. The C’s have two reserves (Marcus Smart and Kelly Olynyk) who averaged at least 9.0 PPG this season. Chicago doesn’t have a single reserve who averaged more than 6.8 PPG this season, which is Bobby Portis’ average.
Additionally, the Celtics reserves have far more playoff experience than Chicago’s incredibly young group of reserves. Smart, Olynyk, Jonas Jerebko and Tyler Zeller have all played in multiple playoff series, while Terry Rozier has participated in one. Chicago’s reserves total a mere 14 playoff game appearances.
Rotations are tightened during the postseason, so expect to see a lot of Smart, Olynyk and Jaylen Brown, and then situational minutes for Jerebko, Zeller, Gerald Green and Rozier for Boston. On Chicago’s side, you can expect to see a lot of Portis, but the rotation after that remains a mystery.
Bulls will depend on leaders to help youngsters get acclimated to playoffs.
By Vincent Goodwill
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The parquet floor of the Boston Garden can be alluring to observers but unsettling to visitors as the youth of the Bulls will get thrown into the playoff water on the deep end without a life raft this weekend.
The team that the Bulls brass often touts as having so many players with three years of NBA experience or fewer, it’ll surely come into play in the first two games as the Bulls will try to steal a game in the Garden.
For that to happen, they’ll need to lean on the experience of the veterans who won’t be awed or overwhelmed by the atmosphere. Bulls guard Rajon Rondo spit out the clichéd line about the series not starting until a road team wins a game, but for these Bulls it holds as much truth as it does for most, as they’ll need some serious positive reinforcement.
The last time they walked into Boston on March 12, they were sent home smarting after a 20-point whipping during the period when the Bulls were trotting out 12 men in an attempt to “evaluate” players as opposed to trying to win.
Whether that game sticks out in their minds is anyone’s guess and despite some of the puzzling losses they’ve suffered since, they haven’t had their doors blown off since they started to find themselves shortly thereafter.
First-timers Jerian Grant, Paul Zipser and Bobby Portis look to be in line for serious reserve minutes, along with Nikola Mirotic going through the postseason for the second time and Cris Felicio getting back into the rotation recently after a lower back injury.
Denzel Valentine has been out of the rotation recently but as a 3-point threat he could be called upon at some point.
The Bulls and Celtics tied the season series with two wins apiece, each winning on the other’s floor. The season opener was dramatic as Dwyane Wade punctuated his debut with a step-back 3-pointer that finished off a 105-99 win, as he scored 22.
“We weren’t the only team in the NBA to have a challenging season,” Dwyane Wade said. “This is what happens when you play in a challenging league. I’m proud of these young guys who have the opportunity to play in the playoffs.”
Wade has certainly had his share of battles with the Celtics over the years, both as a favorite and an underdog as a member of the Miami Heat. Rondo, of course, is a big part of recent Celtics lore, the point man for the 2008 title team and the others that were a conference fixture from that point on until the team was broken up after the 2012-13 season.
“I like this group, we have good, experienced guys,” Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said. “Obviously with Wade and Rondo with their championship experience and Jimmy has played in some huge games.”
Hoiberg walking into the playoffs as a novice probably isn’t understated, either, but he knows enough to know the Celtics are not a club to be trifled with—as Isaiah Thomas is one of the best scoring guards in the league and the Celtics have plenty of wings to throw at Wade and Jimmy Butler in Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder and Marcus Smart.
“It’s obviously a very talented team, a very versatile team,” Hoiberg said. “They have skilled guys at all five positions on the floor, basically at all times. They have guys who can shoot it, make plays, put it on the floor.”
The Celtics are the No. 1 seed in the East, but certainly not the most feared—as long as LeBron James has working limbs, every conversation starts with him. But the Celtics have arrived as a threat a bit ahead of schedule at the top of the conference, almost trying to wait and season their young pieces while the James flame doesn’t burns slowly instead of being the towering inferno it’s been for the decade.
Come Sunday, the Bulls will find out if the Celtics are a bit premature with their arrival and if their young players are still in the incubator.
The team that the Bulls brass often touts as having so many players with three years of NBA experience or fewer, it’ll surely come into play in the first two games as the Bulls will try to steal a game in the Garden.
For that to happen, they’ll need to lean on the experience of the veterans who won’t be awed or overwhelmed by the atmosphere. Bulls guard Rajon Rondo spit out the clichéd line about the series not starting until a road team wins a game, but for these Bulls it holds as much truth as it does for most, as they’ll need some serious positive reinforcement.
The last time they walked into Boston on March 12, they were sent home smarting after a 20-point whipping during the period when the Bulls were trotting out 12 men in an attempt to “evaluate” players as opposed to trying to win.
Whether that game sticks out in their minds is anyone’s guess and despite some of the puzzling losses they’ve suffered since, they haven’t had their doors blown off since they started to find themselves shortly thereafter.
First-timers Jerian Grant, Paul Zipser and Bobby Portis look to be in line for serious reserve minutes, along with Nikola Mirotic going through the postseason for the second time and Cris Felicio getting back into the rotation recently after a lower back injury.
Denzel Valentine has been out of the rotation recently but as a 3-point threat he could be called upon at some point.
The Bulls and Celtics tied the season series with two wins apiece, each winning on the other’s floor. The season opener was dramatic as Dwyane Wade punctuated his debut with a step-back 3-pointer that finished off a 105-99 win, as he scored 22.
“We weren’t the only team in the NBA to have a challenging season,” Dwyane Wade said. “This is what happens when you play in a challenging league. I’m proud of these young guys who have the opportunity to play in the playoffs.”
Wade has certainly had his share of battles with the Celtics over the years, both as a favorite and an underdog as a member of the Miami Heat. Rondo, of course, is a big part of recent Celtics lore, the point man for the 2008 title team and the others that were a conference fixture from that point on until the team was broken up after the 2012-13 season.
“I like this group, we have good, experienced guys,” Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said. “Obviously with Wade and Rondo with their championship experience and Jimmy has played in some huge games.”
Hoiberg walking into the playoffs as a novice probably isn’t understated, either, but he knows enough to know the Celtics are not a club to be trifled with—as Isaiah Thomas is one of the best scoring guards in the league and the Celtics have plenty of wings to throw at Wade and Jimmy Butler in Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder and Marcus Smart.
“It’s obviously a very talented team, a very versatile team,” Hoiberg said. “They have skilled guys at all five positions on the floor, basically at all times. They have guys who can shoot it, make plays, put it on the floor.”
The Celtics are the No. 1 seed in the East, but certainly not the most feared—as long as LeBron James has working limbs, every conversation starts with him. But the Celtics have arrived as a threat a bit ahead of schedule at the top of the conference, almost trying to wait and season their young pieces while the James flame doesn’t burns slowly instead of being the towering inferno it’s been for the decade.
Come Sunday, the Bulls will find out if the Celtics are a bit premature with their arrival and if their young players are still in the incubator.
CUBS move past celebrations with shutout win against Dodgers .
By Patrick Mooney
(Photo/USA TODAY)
The banner-raising ceremony at Wrigley Field, the championship-ring unveiling, the TV crews and surging fan energy could have been distracting, emotionally draining and totally disruptive to routines.
But if there's been any sort of hangover, it's hard to tell with these Cubs players who appear to be picking up where they left off last November. It's largely the same group that stormed back from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Cleveland Indians in the World Series – and could be playing together through 2021.
"It's been kind of a whirlwind, obviously, the last couple days, but we'll get back used to it," manager Joe Maddon said. "Great moment in Cubs history and now it's time to move forward."
The Cubs responded with a 4-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday afternoon, winning this National League Championship Series rematch. The Cubs are 6-3 and have won each of the season's first three series.
Brett Anderson – the only Cub on the 25-man roster without a World Series ring – shut down his old team for five scoreless innings. Anthony Rizzo and Addison Russell generated their first home runs this season, drilling Hyun-Jin Ryu pitches into the right-field bleachers and onto Waveland Avenue, knocking out the Dodger lefty in the fifth inning.
"It was great to celebrate what we did," Kyle Schwarber said. "Now it's time to focus on trying to get back there and do it all over again, because that's the best feeling in the world, winning a World Series. It's a long road. We got to take it game by game. But we're really looking forward to the challenge."
But if there's been any sort of hangover, it's hard to tell with these Cubs players who appear to be picking up where they left off last November. It's largely the same group that stormed back from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Cleveland Indians in the World Series – and could be playing together through 2021.
"It's been kind of a whirlwind, obviously, the last couple days, but we'll get back used to it," manager Joe Maddon said. "Great moment in Cubs history and now it's time to move forward."
The Cubs responded with a 4-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday afternoon, winning this National League Championship Series rematch. The Cubs are 6-3 and have won each of the season's first three series.
Brett Anderson – the only Cub on the 25-man roster without a World Series ring – shut down his old team for five scoreless innings. Anthony Rizzo and Addison Russell generated their first home runs this season, drilling Hyun-Jin Ryu pitches into the right-field bleachers and onto Waveland Avenue, knocking out the Dodger lefty in the fifth inning.
"It was great to celebrate what we did," Kyle Schwarber said. "Now it's time to focus on trying to get back there and do it all over again, because that's the best feeling in the world, winning a World Series. It's a long road. We got to take it game by game. But we're really looking forward to the challenge."
How life has changed for the Cubs since winning the World Series.
By Patrick Mooney
By Patrick Mooney
(Photo/USA TODAY)
Mike Montgomery was standing in a Target checkout line in Southern California when he saw himself on the cover of Time magazine's year-in-review special, right in between photos of Prince and Beyonce.
Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton took up one top corner, while Muhammad Ali standing over Sonny Liston and an image from Hurricane Matthew framed the bottom. There was Montgomery — a lefty swingman who had been traded three times — near the center of the Time cover and in the middle of the final-out celebration shot from an unforgettable World Series Game 7.
"Oh yeah, I got a couple," Montgomery said. "I grabbed like four or five of 'em, just because I thought that was pretty cool.
"We're everywhere, man. You can't get rid of us."
How do you turn the page when you're on the cover of national magazines? Maybe at some point, the Cubs will move beyond existential questions about their ultimate legacy and newfound celebrity, hard-hitting stuff like Sports Illustrated asking: "How Perfect is Kris Bryant?"
Raising the World Series banner next to Wrigley Field's iconic scoreboard — and trying on 14-karat white gold jewelry during Wednesday night's ring ceremony — symbolized the end of the victory lap and the beginning of the rest of the 2017 season. It started with a 2-0 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in front of 40,844. But in so many different ways, the Cubs also realize that their lives will never be the same again.
Like how Anthony Rizzo didn't miss a beat when he reported for spring training and a reporter asked how he wound up on the red carpet at the Grammys.
"World Series champion," Rizzo said.
But this phenomenon isn't only limited to All-Star/Gold Glove/face-of-the-franchise players. It goes for the animated reliever with the tilted-hat look and chest-pounding celebrations.
"I can't hide no more," Pedro Strop said. "People know who I am. It's awesome to see our fans happy, to see them smiling. If you go to a restaurant and you want to be chill with your family, your wife, kids, it's not happening. Now everybody just knows you."
Cubs fans knew all about Bryant and viewed him as a franchise savior from the moment he got drafted with the No. 2 overall pick in 2013. After Bryant mentioned his wedding registries on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," boxes from Crate & Barrel and Bed Bath & Beyond started piling up at his parents' Las Vegas home.
"That was probably one of the smartest moves out of any player this offseason," colorful reliever Justin Grimm said. "Good for him. I should have waited another year (to get married) and said something. I might have got a couple gifts, you know what I mean?
"But that's awesome. The fans wanted to take care of him. He gave them a pretty special moment in time, so they're giving back to him."
Grimm delayed his honeymoon and noticed the difference while trying to decompress at the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora.
"I don't know if it was the front desk telling them," Grimm said, "or if they found out through social media and they happened to be there, but I had people yelling 'Go Cubs!' at me while I'm drinking with my wife on the beach. I won't say hammered, but I'm on the beach, in Bora Bora, just loving life and I hear: 'Go Cubs!'"
First base coach Brandon Hyde, whose family lives year-round in Evanston, kept hearing it from strangers at restaurants and grocery stores.
"You heard it was going to be a huge deal," Hyde said. "Living there, you know it's going to be a huge deal. But I didn't truly understand how a big of a deal it was (until) I had people coming up to me who I didn't know telling me their stories about how they went to their grandfather's grave.
"They wanted to tell me these old family stories and how much it meant to them. Those (moments) would kind of catch me off-guard, like: 'Wow, what did we just do?'
"Everywhere I went, everybody wanted to say congratulations. Everybody wanted to say how happy they were and wanted to tell me where they were at the time — and wanted to tell me how stressed out they were in the seventh game.
"I truly underestimated the historical part of what it meant to so many people and their families — and there are generations of families. It was really cool to have something special to share and to be a part of something that made people feel so good."
In another surreal, only-in-Chicago moment, fans swarmed Ben Zobrist's North Center home after the team returned from Cleveland in early November. The World Series MVP was outside playing with his children when some neighborhood kids stopped by and asked for autographs and it mushroomed from there.
"The biggest thing that stuck out to me was how that championship really connected families," said Zobrist, who grew up in downstate Illinois. "For so many people, it was almost like a reunion of sorts, and even with loved ones that have gone before. It's just a remembrance of times in the past where they had always hoped together that the Cubs would win.
"So for it to finally happen, I think it was a family experience. You realize that it's not really about us. It's about families experiencing life together and enjoying the entertainment of watching Cubs baseball together. For them, it's family time."
That's why reliever Carl Edwards Jr. keeps getting this reaction from Cubs fans: "The first thing they say is 'thank you.'"
"It's pretty special to see," Kyle Hendricks said, "because most fans that come up you would think they're wanting something. But even in Chicago, everywhere I went, you heard like different stories from people and they just wanted to say thank you.
"They were all unique and specific to them, but they all kind of were the same stories, just where they were or something about their grandfather. It's really cool."
That's why Hendricks will have to change up his Wrigleyville routine after winning an ERA title, becoming a Cy Young Award finalist and starting that World Series Game 7.
"It's literally everywhere," Hendricks said. "I was in California, Arizona, Hawaii — it was just Cubs fans everywhere. I'm very inconspicuous. I don't really have that look. So it went from one year walking to the field back and forth every day, to now I don't think I can do that much anymore. In one year, man, a lot has changed. It's crazy."
Take a look at the Cubs' ridiculously amazing World Series championship rings.
By Stephanie Petit
After a 108-year drought, the Chicago Cubs had to hang in another five months to get the rings that proved they finally won the World Series - but this bling was worth the wait.
The team received their championship rings Wednesday night, which they promptly started showing off on social media.
According to a press release from the Cubs, the ring by Jostens is made from 14-karat white gold.
“Its top features the traditional Cubs bullseye logo, masterfully crafted from 33 custom-cut genuine red rubies that are surrounded by 72 round white diamonds, all within a circular perimeter made up of 46 custom-cut, genuine blue sapphires,” they describe. “The bezel is surrounded by 108 round white diamonds lifting the Cubs logo to victory and signifying the end of a historic 108-year championship drought. Overall, the ring contains 214 diamonds at 5.5 karats, 3 karats of genuine red rubies and 2.5 karats of genuine sapphires.”
One side of the new accessory features each players’ name and number with a W Flag formed from white diamonds. The other side displays the message “CUBS WIN!” with the year 2016 featured above an image of Wrigley Field.
The exact time and date of the win is engraved inside: Nov. 3, 2016 at 12:47 a.m.
The rings also feature a tribute to the “curse” that led to their century-long streak of not winning the World Series - on the inner band, there’s an image of a goat.
According to the legend, tavern owner William “Billy Goat” Sianis was not allowed in Game Four of the 1945 World Series, causing him to declare, “The Cubs ain’t gonna win no more. The Cubs will never win a World Series so long as the goat is not allowed in Wrigley Field.”
The Cubs beat the Cleveland Indians in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, winning the title for the first time in 108 years, ending the longest drought in major league baseball.
WHITE SOX offense pours it on in win over Indians.
By Dan Hayes
(Photo/USA TODAY)
The White Sox offense started a two-out hit parade early on Thursday night and didn't slow down.
Tim Anderson and Matt Davidson powered a five-run first inning with home runs and the White Sox added on late in a 10-4 victory over the Cleveland Indians in front of 15,060 at Progressive Field. Davidson and Avisail Garcia each drove in three runs for the White Sox, who produced nine two-out runs to improve to 4-4 and claim their first series victory of the season.
"When you get that hit with two outs it keeps it going and puts the pressure on the bullpen and pitchers extending their pitch counts and stuff," Davidson said. "I can't remember, there's a stat that somebody brought up about after a certain amount of pitches in an inning, the OPS skyrockets, like after 14 or 15. It was a pretty interesting stat, so extending those innings is huge for us."
The White Sox offense emerged for the first time since Saturday and they did so early.
Anderson ripped Josh Tomlin's first pitch out to left for a solo shot -- the team’s only run with less than two outs — and the White Sox continued to add on.
Garcia singled with two outs and a man on to extend the first inning for Davidson, who blasted a Tomlin pitch 401 feet the opposite way for a 4-0 lead. Davidson has driven in eight runs in 19 plate appearances.
Yolmer Sanchez then doubled and scored on an RBI single by Omar Narvaez to put the White Sox ahead by five.
The White Sox scored twice more in the second inning on a two-run single by Garcia that knocked Tomlin out of the game and made it a 7-1 contest. The two-out trend in the eighth inning when Jose Abreu, Cody Asche and Garcia all singled in runs.
It was a much-needed outburst from an offense that has struggled to score in all but two previous contests. While the team is averaging 4.4 runs per game through their first eight contests, 27 of the 35 have come in three games. The team has scored two or fewer runs four times already and produced three in their other contest.
"It's big," said Garcia, who is hitting .452 with eight RBIs. "They have a really good team. It's a strong team with strong pitching and hitting. It's good when you win a game like that. You just have to keep working and playing the game the right way."
Starter Miguel Gonzalez couldn't take advantage of the outburst, but the big cushion helped the White Sox manage a potentially precarious situation. Gonzalez ran a high pitch count early with four walks and five strikeouts in the first four frames and a two-run Cleveland rally chased him in the fifth. He allowed three earned runs, eight hits, four walks and struck out five in 4 2/3 innings.
The White Sox preferred to stay away from Zach Putnam, Nate Jones and David Robertson, all of whom had heavy use the previous few days.
Anthony Swarzak gave the White Sox a big lift with 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Dan Jennings went another 1 2/3 innings himself and Tommy Kahnle pitched a scoreless ninth to close out the victory.
"Everybody that came in and gave the innings they did and gave us the outs, they did a spectacular job," Renteria said. "All of them kind of rose to the occasion and stifled anything that the Indians were trying to do.
"The guys just came in and played. We had some good at-bats, we had some breaks, we had some things go our way and fortunately for us we walked away with this series and we're happy about that."
White Sox purchase contract of Kevan Smith as Geovany Soto placed on 10-day disabled list.
By Dan Hayes
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Geovany Soto is on the 10-day disabled list after he experienced abnormal pain while making a routine throw. The White Sox placed Soto on the disabled list on Thursday afternoon and purchased the contract of catcher Kevan Smith from Triple-A Charlotte.
Soto said an MRI determined everything in his elbow to be "fairly OK." The veteran said he's experiencing forearm tightness and is hopeful that 10 days of treatment will have him ready to return soon.
"We all play with aches and pains," Soto said. "But it comes to a time where it's kind of weird, it's not the same and I have to listen to my body at some point.
"It showed no tear.
"This kind of came out of the blue. Went to throw a ball and something felt a little weird, you know, a little more than what you're used to normal soreness. It kind of spooked me a little bit. It was a little different from your normal wear and tear. I had an MRI, everything was fairly OK. Had a couple floaters in there. Hopefully with medication and some treatment we can pass this."
Smith appeared in seven games for the White Sox in 2016 and finished with two hits in 16 at-bats. While he hoped he'd make the team out of camp, Smith said he got over his disappointment after a few days. Smith got off to an outstanding start with the bat at Charlotte hitting .438/.500/.563 with nine RBIs in 20 plate appearances.
"Obviously it's a tough pill to swallow to go back down there, but after I had a few days to digest it, I kind of understood what my role was," Smith said. "I really locked in on what they wanted me to do and took it to heart. I was working with those guys every day down there and talking about small things like reading hitters or pitch selection or just even the flow of the game.
"Unfortunately, Soto's elbow is bothering him a little bit. It's going to give me an opportunity. That's basically all I asked for. That's what I asked for this spring. It's just, you work so hard your whole life and basically for these small windows of opportunities. This is one of them and I'm going to do everything in my power to take advantage of it and go with it."
Soto had been off to a strong start for the White Sox. He homered three times in his first five games.
White Sox to wear special uniforms throughout 2017 season.
By #WhiteSoxTalk
The White Sox will be dressing up for some important days throughout the 2017 season.
The White Sox released via Twitter on Wednesday the uniforms they will be wearing for games on Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Father's Day.
Check them out below.
Mother's Day:
Soto said an MRI determined everything in his elbow to be "fairly OK." The veteran said he's experiencing forearm tightness and is hopeful that 10 days of treatment will have him ready to return soon.
"We all play with aches and pains," Soto said. "But it comes to a time where it's kind of weird, it's not the same and I have to listen to my body at some point.
"It showed no tear.
"This kind of came out of the blue. Went to throw a ball and something felt a little weird, you know, a little more than what you're used to normal soreness. It kind of spooked me a little bit. It was a little different from your normal wear and tear. I had an MRI, everything was fairly OK. Had a couple floaters in there. Hopefully with medication and some treatment we can pass this."
Smith appeared in seven games for the White Sox in 2016 and finished with two hits in 16 at-bats. While he hoped he'd make the team out of camp, Smith said he got over his disappointment after a few days. Smith got off to an outstanding start with the bat at Charlotte hitting .438/.500/.563 with nine RBIs in 20 plate appearances.
"Obviously it's a tough pill to swallow to go back down there, but after I had a few days to digest it, I kind of understood what my role was," Smith said. "I really locked in on what they wanted me to do and took it to heart. I was working with those guys every day down there and talking about small things like reading hitters or pitch selection or just even the flow of the game.
"Unfortunately, Soto's elbow is bothering him a little bit. It's going to give me an opportunity. That's basically all I asked for. That's what I asked for this spring. It's just, you work so hard your whole life and basically for these small windows of opportunities. This is one of them and I'm going to do everything in my power to take advantage of it and go with it."
Soto had been off to a strong start for the White Sox. He homered three times in his first five games.
White Sox to wear special uniforms throughout 2017 season.
By #WhiteSoxTalk
The White Sox will be dressing up for some important days throughout the 2017 season.
The White Sox released via Twitter on Wednesday the uniforms they will be wearing for games on Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Father's Day.
Check them out below.
Mother's Day:
Memorial Day:
Fourth of July:
Father's Day:
Workout Day and Home Run Derby:
Allstar Caps:
Golf: I got a club for that..... Cauley closes strong, leads by 2 at RBC Heritage.
By Will Gray
(Photo/Golf Channel Digital)
Scoring conditions were ideal for the opening round of the RBC Heritage, and the 132-man field took full advantage. Here's how things look after the first day at Harbour Town Golf Links, where Bud Cauley is out to a two-shot lead:
(Photo/Golf Channel Digital)
Leaderboard: Bud Cauley (-8), Luke Donald (-6), Graham DeLaet (-6), Sam Saunders (-6), Russell Henley (-5), Ian Poulter (-5), Webb Simpson (-5), Shane Lowry (-5)
What it means: Donald's 6-under 65 was the best of the morning wave, but he was later caught by DeLaet and Saunders and then passed by Cauley, who remains in search of his first career PGA Tour win. Cauley missed only one green in regulation during his opening round and closed with four birdies over his final five holes to separate from a pack that includes a number of established players.
Round of the day: Cauley's lone top-25 finish this season came at the CareerBuilder Challenge, but there he finished T-3 and challenged over the weekend. He's in position to chase another title this week after a blemish-free 64 that included four birdies on each side. Cauley birdied three of his first five holes then ended in a flurry, with a 12-foot make on No. 18 capping a run of three straight birdies.
Best of the rest: DeLaet is one of the best players still without a win on Tour, and he gave himself a great opportunity to contend with a bogey-free 65. The Canadian started on the back nine and birdied four of his first nine holes, relying on the strength of his iron game to find 16 of 18 greens in regulation despite Harbour Town offering some of the smallest targets on Tour.
Biggest disappointment: Matthew Fitzpatrick sports a Harbour Town headcover and calls this his favorite event of the year, but that passion didn't translate into success during an opening-round 73. Fitzpatrick didn't make a birdie until his 12th hole of the day, then followed a bogey on No. 13 with a watery double on the next hole. He now sits 10 shots behind Cauley entering the second round.
Main storyline heading into Friday: Cauley has a bit of a cushion, but don't lose sight of the two Englishman behind him. Donald has done everything but win this event, with six finishes of T-3 or better over the last eight years, while Poulter opened with a 66 with only one start remaining on his major medical extension. Expect one, if not both, to be near the top of the leaderboard this weekend on a course that accentuates their respective strengths.
Shot of the day: Donald had tugged his tee shot on the par-5 second hole into the trees, but he carved out an accurate approach that trundled up within 4 feet of the hole. The subsequent eagle took him to 5 under on the round and gave him a share of the early lead.
Quote of the day: "I love this place. It's different than anything else we play. It's a lot of fun to go out there and shape shots and kind of think your way around." - Cauley
Creamer shares Lotte lead in rainy Hawaii.
By Associated Press
(Photo/Golf Channel Digital)
A funny thing happened in sunny Hawaii while waiting for someone to break away from a pack of leaders in the opening round of the LPGA Lotte Championship Wednesday.
Rain zeroed in on Ko Olina Golf Club, forcing a 45-minute delay.
Then Paula Creamer and South Korea's Mi Hyang Lee took over, bolting into first at 6-under 66. Both had seven birdies and a bogey, with Lee's coming on the final hole, in the dark.
''I couldn't see the line or anything,'' she said. ''It was too hard.''
Play was suspended with six golfers still on the course.
Lee, 24, made the cut just once in three previous starts at Ko Olina. She is ranked 51st in the world, with a win in 2014 after earning Rookie of the Year honors on the 2012 Symetra Tour.
Two of Creamer's 10 victories have come in Hawaii and she would surpass $12 million in career earnings with a win Saturday.
Her only bogey came on the 15th and she erased it with a tap-in birdie two holes later. She waited out the rain delay under the waterfall next to the 12th hole, sitting next to 2012 champion Ai Miyazato.
''I'm 30, I'm getting old out here,'' Creamer said. ''I was like, 'Oh, gosh. I got to warmup a bit.' I went out with a good two-putt (at No. 12) and then birdied the par-5 right afterwards.
''You know, I played solid. I putted really well. I switched back to conventional-style putting. I've been left-hand-low for the last three years. This is my first week back doing that and using my line, and seems to be doing pretty good so far.''
Lizette Salas, Su-Yeon Jang, Beth Allen and Eun-Hee Ji shot 67 in the morning, when the wind came and went. Canadian Alena Sharp joined them in the afternoon, playing her final two holes after rain drenched the course and left puddles on the greens and in bunkers.
Salas, who played for the U.S. in the last two Solheim Cups, has fond and frustrating memories of Ko Olina. She fired a career-low 62 in the final round of the 2013 Lotte, but lost a playoff with Suzann Pettersen. They still share the tournament record of 19-under 269.
Salas played the back nine in 29 that day. She was 4 under Wednesday and finished with seven birdies. A pair of bogeys on the front nine kept her out of the lead.
''This week we really just tried to be aggressive from the get-go,'' said Salas, who broke 70 just twice in her first seven tournaments this year. ''I know this course pretty well and I've had some good success here, so being comfortable and confident coming in just really gave me that start that we've been wanting.''
She was not alone. Nearly half the field broke par on a day when the tropical breeze came and went, leaving a huge dark cloud over the course that let loose just before 4 p.m.
Leaders will come at Thursday's second round from very different directions.
Salas' only win came the year after she lost the playoff with Pettersen. Jang is playing on a sponsor exemption for the second time. She finished fifth last year. Ji won the 2009 U.S. Women's Open and was third there last year, but has never been in the Top 15 at Ko Olina.
Allen, 35, has never played Ko Olina before. She was a rookie on the LPGA tour in 2005, then moved around before becoming the first American to lead the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit last year.
''It was a great year for me,'' she said on TV. ''I thought I'd go back to the States and see what happens. I've taken my experience with all those wins and being in contention more and brought it here.
''At the end of the day it's golf. It's the same in every country. I thought I'd try it again on the LPGA.''
Sharp, 35, is coming off her best season, finishing 41st on last year's money list. She has played all six Lottes, with her best finish in her first, when she tied for 25th.
Second-ranked So Yeon Ryu, who won the year's first major two weeks ago, parred her last nine holes and shot 68. She can overtake top-ranked Lydia Ko with a win here.
Hawaii's Michelle Wie, the 2014 Lotte champion, shot 71.
D. Johnson commits to Wells Fargo Championship.
By Will Gray
(Photo/Golf Channel Digital)
Dustin Johnson committed to the Wells Fargo Championship Thursday, officially making the May 4-7 event in Wilmington, N.C., his first start since withdrawing from the Masters.
Johnson injured his lower back last week after falling down some stairs on the eve of the first round, and he ultimately walked off the first tee at Augusta National without hitting a shot. Tests on the current world No. 1 revealed no structural damage, and he has chosen to come back next month before heading to the Players Championship the following week.
"We certainly are excited that Dustin will be joining us in Wilmington in a few weeks," Kym Hougham, the tournament's executive director, said in a release. "More importantly, we are glad that he is OK and will be returning to the PGA Tour."
Typically held in Charlotte, the Wells Fargo is shifting this year to Eagle Point Golf Club in Wilmington because Quail Hollow Club is hosting the PGA Championship later this summer. Johnson will be making his first start at the event since 2011, and he'll be in search of his fourth straight win after capturing the Genesis Open and a pair of WGC titles earlier this year.
Johnson is the first top-10 commit for this year's field, which will also include Adam Scott, Patrick Reed, Jon Rahm and Phil Mickelson who are all ranked inside the top 20.
Johnson injured his lower back last week after falling down some stairs on the eve of the first round, and he ultimately walked off the first tee at Augusta National without hitting a shot. Tests on the current world No. 1 revealed no structural damage, and he has chosen to come back next month before heading to the Players Championship the following week.
"We certainly are excited that Dustin will be joining us in Wilmington in a few weeks," Kym Hougham, the tournament's executive director, said in a release. "More importantly, we are glad that he is OK and will be returning to the PGA Tour."
Typically held in Charlotte, the Wells Fargo is shifting this year to Eagle Point Golf Club in Wilmington because Quail Hollow Club is hosting the PGA Championship later this summer. Johnson will be making his first start at the event since 2011, and he'll be in search of his fourth straight win after capturing the Genesis Open and a pair of WGC titles earlier this year.
Johnson is the first top-10 commit for this year's field, which will also include Adam Scott, Patrick Reed, Jon Rahm and Phil Mickelson who are all ranked inside the top 20.
NASCAR: Kevin Harvick: Most 500-mile races should be shorter.
(Photo/www.nascar.com)
The Stewart-Haas Racing driver made the comments Tuesday night on his SiriusXM NASCAR Radio show, “Happy Hours.”
Harvick thinks race distances should be adjusted to fit the current landscape of NASCAR racing and fan attention spans.
There are eight 500-mile races on the schedule.
“I think the 500-mile race is a long time,” Harvick said. “I think with the stage racing and the things that we have going now and the attention spans of what people want to watch, I think that there should be the Coke 600, the Daytona 500, the Southern 500, the crown jewel events should have those distances, and I think everything else should be shorter.”
Sunday’s race in Texas was 334 laps and finished in three hours, 24 minutes and 18 seconds. It was the fourth Cup race through the first seven of the year to last longer than three hours and 20 minutes.
Last years’ spring Texas race was 3 hours, 37 minutes and 16 seconds. In 2015, it was three hours, 33 minutes and 57 seconds.
Five of the first seven races this year have been longer time wise than last year, that includes the Daytona 500 (three hours, 29 minutes and 31 seconds) and the 500-mile Atlanta race (three hours, 33 minutes and eight seconds).
Some tracks have shortened races in the last few years. In 2012, Pocono Raceway shortened both its races from 500 to 400 miles. In 2010, Auto Club Speedway did the same and Dover International Speedway went to 400-mile races back in 1997.
Phoenix Raceway briefly extended is spring race from 500 to 600 kilometers in 2010 before reverting to its original length the next year.
But the idea of Texas Motor Speedway shortening its two 500-mile races might be a pipe dream, at least as long as general manager and president Eddie Gossage has a say in the matter.
“I can tell you that the fans do not want shorter races,” Gossage told ESPN in 2015. “Period. End of story.
“The only people that want shorter races are the people that run the races — the teams. I guess I’d like to get work less and still get paid the same.”
In that same ESPN article two years ago Gossage said he hadn’t heard any talk about shortening races, especially from fans. But he had heard of discussions about “format and things like halftimes and quarters.
“… I don’t know how serious anybody is about that.”
Turns out, very.
F1 champion Fernando Alonso to run 2017 Indianapolis 500.
By Nick Bromberg
Alonso won the F1 title in 2005 and 2006. (Photo/Getty)
The Honda McLaren Formula 1 driver said Wednesday he’ll be driving a sixth Andretti Autosport car in the Indianapolis 500 on May 28. Andretti Autosport is powered by Honda, which makes it a seamless transition on the engine manufacturer side for Alonso’s move.
“I’m immensely excited that I’ll be racing in this year’s Indy 500 with McLaren, Honda and Andretti Autosport,” Alonso, 35, said in a statement. “The Indy 500 is one of the most famous races on the global motorsport calendar, rivaled only by the Le Mans 24 Hours and the Monaco Grand Prix.”
Alonso won back-to-back F1 titles in 2005 and 2006 while driving for Renault. Widely considered one of the best drivers in the series, Alonso has finished 17th and 10th the last two years as McLaren has struggled to keep up with Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull.
Alonso’s IndyCar appearance will also mean it’s the third-straight year where he’s missed a race on the F1 calendar. McLaren said it would announce Alonso’s replacement for the race in “due course,” and it stands to reason that Jenson Button would be considered for Alonso’s ride. The former F1 champion retired from full-time competition at the end of 2016 though he remained with the team and a team release made it obvious that Button could return to compete. He was replaced full-time in 2017 by Stoffel Vandoorne.
While the Coca-Cola 600 and Indy 500 double attempts of NASCAR stars Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch drew a (relative) ton of attention in the United States, Alonso’s appearance in the Indy 500 is a much bigger deal throughout the world given Formula 1’s international presence. The last time a Formula 1 champion raced in the Indianapolis was in 2014, when 1997 champion Jacques Villeneuve competed in the race. Villeneuve won the 1995 Indianapolis 500 and the 1995 CART title before he moved to Formula 1 in 1996.
Alonso said in a Formula 1 article that he wants to win at Monaco, Indy and Le Mans. He’s already won at Monaco and had previously hinted that he wanted to run the Indy 500.
“I’ve won the Monaco Grand Prix twice, and it’s one of my ambitions to win the Triple Crown which has been achieved by only one driver in the history of motorsport: Graham Hill. It’s a tough challenge, but I’m up for it. I don’t know when I’m going to race at Le Mans, but one day I intend to. I’m only 35: I’ve got plenty of time for that.”
How a track like Texas Motor Speedway can be listed accurately at two different lengths.
By Nick Bromberg
Is Texas Motor Speedway 1.44 miles long? 1.5? Based on your line, it could change from lap to lap. (Photo/Getty)
Is Texas Motor Speedway a 1.5-mile track? It depends on who you ask.
The track’s actual length was debated on Wednesday as IndyCar held an open test at the speedway in anticipation of its June race at Texas. Since 2001, IndyCar has officially listed Texas as a 1.455-mile course and adjusted that to 1.44 miles in light of Texas’ recent repaving and reconfiguration efforts.
As IndyCar’s measurements were discussed on Twitter, TMS president Eddie Gossage went so far as to say that IndyCar would be correcting its “error” that Texas wasn’t a 1.5-mile track like it’s officially listed.
"Yes. RT @NickBromberg: According to Wikipedia, IndyCar changed it to 1.455 in 2001. It’s been an error for 16 years?
— Eddie Gossage (@eddiegossage) April 12, 2017"
But IndyCar and Texas can both be right. Here’s why:
• Tracks themselves list the published distance for NASCAR races while NASCAR, for timing and scoring purposes, measures the distance of a track one lane — approximately 10 feet — from the outside wall. If you were to run an exact 1.5 mile lap around TMS, you’d need to stay that distance from the wall the entire length of the track. It’s also safe to presume the addition of SAFER barriers on outside retaining walls has changed the official length of tracks very slightly for NASCAR’s purposes but not enough to be significant.
• IndyCar measures track length a different way. It takes the onboard telemetry from its cars and calculates the distance of a track via the preferred racing groove. And this is where the phrase “the inside is the shortest way around the track” comes into play. Since the preferred groove at Texas is much closer to the white inside line at Texas than it is to the wall, the series’ calculations come up with a shorter track distance.
• It’s why IndyCar’s measurement changed slightly again this week. In addition to resurfacing the track, Texas also widened turns 1 and 2 from 60 feet to 80 feet. By widening out those two corners, Texas shortened the distance of the inside line at the track enough to merit a change in IndyCar’s official lap distance. For both NASCAR and IndyCar, a car’s average lap speed is calculated via the length of the official lap distance and the time in which the lap was run.
Here’s where it gets fun. Gossage tweeted after the test that IndyCar had corrected its “error” with a picture of the speeds from the test. You’ll note that it says “1.5-mile(s)” at the top right.
The speeds and times don’t match up to a 1.5-mile track. Scott Dixon’s average lap speed of 221.974 mph would take 24.33 seconds to cover 1.5 miles. You’ll notice that his lap time is listed at 23.35 on the sheet. Via the math, Dixon’s average speed (as well as everyone else’s) is still based off traveling a distance of 1.44 miles. IndyCar’s calculation didn’t change. And that’s OK. Both Texas and IndyCar can be correct.
Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton interested in Daytona 500 effort.
By Luke Smith
(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Three-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton would like to try his hand at NASCAR one day, saying an entry to the Daytona 500 would be of interest.
The F1 paddock was left stunned on Wednesday when Fernando Alonso announced he would be entering the 101st Indianapolis 500 as part of a joint entry between McLaren, Honda and Andretti Autosport.
Alonso’s decision to skip the Monaco Grand Prix and enter the Indy 500 comes in an era when few F1 drivers sample other series but has got many thinking.
“I think it’s great that a driver is able to do that. I think us drivers should be able to do more than one series,” Hamilton said on Thursday.
“There was a period of time in the past where there were drivers doing multiple series. I think it’s pretty cool that he’s doing it.”
So what would Hamilton like to try his hand at?
NBC Sports writer Nate Ryan wrote a column following Alonso’s announcement that he would like to see Hamilton (among others) try out the Daytona 500 one day – and hit the money, with the Briton admitting he’d like a shot at the race.
“I wouldn’t miss any of the races in F1, definitely continue to do all the races,” Hamilton said.
“I’d like to do MotoGP. I’d like to ride a MotoGP race. Probably a NASCAR race like the Daytona 500 maybe.”
Hamilton is not the only F1 driver to express an interest in NASCAR, with Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo and Haas racer Romain Grosjean also flirting with the idea in the past.
Ricciardo has an open invite from Dale Earnhardt Jr. to race with his team in the Xfinity Series one day, something that the Australian is keen to take him up on.
Grosjean, meanwhile, races for the team ran by Stewart-Haas Racing’s co-owner Gene Haas in F1, and tried to secure a run at a road course NASCAR event last year, but could not make it work due to schedule clashes.
SOCCER: Drew Conner, Daniel Johnson show potential in substitute roles.
By Dan Santaromita
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Veljko Paunovic didn't use all three of his subs in the Chicago Fire's 1-0 win against Columbus on Saturday, but the two that he did both had some noteworthy plays.
Rookie Daniel Johnson nearly scored the game's second goal after chipping over goalkeeper Zack Steffen, but saw his shot cleared off the line by Nicolai Naess.
Meanwhile, Drew Conner had a few of his own highlights after entering in the 55th minute, including a long run that led to Bastian Schweinsteiger's free kick that the German nearly scored on. He also weaved through the Columbus defense in the box later on, but was unable to connect with a teammate on a centering ball.
"I've always prided myself on being versatile, but I think when I got the ball those two times I just saw a lot of space ahead of me and guys running on the wing so I just took a couple big touches and baited a few guys," Conner said. "I don't consider it my strong suit, but the opportunity was there to dribble so I just did it."
Conner, a homegrown player, didn't play in his first season with the Fire other than some appearances on loan in the USL. Saturday was his third appearance of 2017. With Brazilian midfielder Juninho serving a red card suspension, Conner was higher up the pecking order in central midfield.
After playing a combined 12 minutes in his first two matches, Conner got a more extended run with a 35 minute outing against the Crew.
"It was nice to get in and get some time," Conner said. "My thoughts just going on the field were just trying to break stuff up defensively as much as I could and when I get it just move the ball and help the team build a rhythm."
As for Johnson, the winger has been involved in flashy plays near the box in both of his first two MLS appearances after not playing in the Fire’s first three matches.
Midfielder Dax McCarty said Johnson has changed the game both times he has played.
With John Goossens out with a long-term injury and Matt Polster still recovering from a knee injury suffered in preseason, there has been more minutes available to the Fire’s young midfielders.
"Very important to know that you can rely on the young players in a tough game like this when they come off the bench and help the team like they did," Paunovic said after the match. "I think both of them were very close to even influence more the game and change the game. I think Conner was close, that foul on him.
Bruce Arena: USA should be in conversation for 2026 World Cup champion.
By Kyle Bonn
(Photo/Getty Images)
With new World Cup fervor surrounding the United States amid the announcement of a CONCACAF bid for the 2026 World Cup, there has been talk about what a successful bid could mean for the growth of US Soccer.
The United States hosted the 1994 World Cup, and many saw that as a coming out party for the USA on a global stage, and US head coach Bruce Arena echoed that sentiment. Then he said this time around, the United States could use home field advantage to achieve a much bigger triumph.
“In 1994, the U.S. was looked at as this emerging frontier in the game and FIFA wanted to bring the U.S. into the world’s game,” Arena said via a teleconference Thursday. “In 2026, we’re going to be fully emerged into the game and a big player. I think 2026 will be the time where we are going to start talking about winning the World Cup. It wasn’t going to be in 1994. It wasn’t going to be in 2010. But 2026 could be our time.”
Arena brought the United States to the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup, but the nation has not advanced past the Round of 16 since. 1994 brought the US out of the group stage as well, but they fell 1-0 to eventual champions Brazil in the first knockout stage.
Popularity for the game has grown exponentially in the United States, but that hasn’t exactly translated to tangible growth on the field in the last decade or two. The US achieved its highest-ever FIFA ranking in early 2006, rising to 4th in the world, but they fell off with an unsuccessful World Cup later that summer, ending a stretch of five years where they reached the top 10 at least once in every calendar year. They have not cracked the top 10 since.
Premier League Power Rankings: Arsenal, Stoke City stumbling.
By Kyle Bonn
With just six to eight more games left for every team, time to revisit the Premier League power rankings.
Stoke City is dropping down the table like a rock, while Hull City and Crystal Palace made huge strides towards saving their Premier League status. Who are the big gainers and biggest losers over the last month? Take a look.
Top PL Storylines: Will Spurs have a chance to close down Chelsea?
By Kyle Bonn
From start to finish, the Premier League always has something on the line week in and week out. This time around, there are battles up and down the table.
With Chelsea’s difficult test at in-form Manchester United, could the Blues drop points and allow Spurs back into the title race? Who will gain and who will fall in the vicious relegation battle? What will the gap at the top look like at the end of the weekend? All that and more comes your way in the next few days.
Can Spurs move closer to the top?
Tottenham vs. Bournemouth — 7:30 a.m. EDT Saturday online via NBCSports.com
Spurs sit seven points back of Chelsea. If they are to catch the Blues, they obviously need some outside help. However, Mauricio Pochettino knows his side must be ready in the event Chelsea slips up, which there’s a serious chance of them doing this weekend. With Chelsea not playing until Sunday (more below), Spurs can put the pressure on and pull within four for at least a day.
Bournemouth is a dangerous team. They’ve drawn with Liverpool and Manchester United in recent weeks, and Harry Kane‘s return for Tottenham has come at a fantastic time. With the club’s leading scorer back, Tottenham will be well positioned to pull out the three points in this one, but need to get the job done.
Massive test for leaders Chelsea at Old Trafford
Manchester United vs. Chelsea — 11:00 a.m. EDT Sunday online via NBCSports.com
With Spurs at home facing a bottom-half side, Chelsea knows it needs to keep separation, or things become much more difficult. Manchester United is the highest-positioned side left on Chelsea’s remaining schedule, and should they get by this test, the title is all but secure.
That’s no given, however, considering Manchester United hasn’t lost since October 23rd – to Chelsea. That 4-0 drubbing sent the Red Devils on a 21-match unbeaten streak. A draw here would be a decent result for both sides, but the Blues would prefer not to eat up any of the cushion they’ve built on the rest of the field.
Manchester United themselves are fighting a significant battle, as they hope to gain ground on either Manchester City or Liverpool in the fight for a Champions League place. With Manchester City visiting a strong Southampton squad and Liverpool on the road at the Hawthornes, the chance could be there to pull within a single point of the promised land.
Which in-form team will pick up points?
Crystal Palace vs. Leicester City — 10:00 a.m. EDT Saturday online via NBCSports.com
The run Crystal Palace is on has shocked England. The run Leicester City was on rejuvenated the club. These two teams seem to have saved their respective Premier League statuses by completing a set of impressive results, but the job is not completely done.
Sam Allardyce has given the Eagles hope by rattling off five wins over their last six matches, including impressive victories over Arsenal and Chelsea. Their stretch run remains painful viewing, with Liverpool, Manchester City, and Manchester United all still to come on the fixture list.
Nevertheless, with an impressively paltry four goals conceded over those six games – three of those coming in the lone loss during that span – Palace is not just out of the relegation zone but six points clear. Is that enough cushion with such a brutal end-of-season run?
Leicester City, meanwhile, was bullied around the pitch against Atletico Madrid in Champions League play this week, but the Foxes still have their impressive start to Craig Shakespeare’s managerial tenure fresh in their memory. The bottom of the table is crammed together, so their 11th place position lends more sense of security than the eight-point gap might warrant, but the Foxes are solidly in the Premier League next season barring a total collapse. Will they have enough to overcome the high-flying Eagles?
Which relegation-threatened club will gain ground?
Sunderland vs. West Ham — 10:00 a.m. EDT Saturday online via NBCSports.com
Stoke City vs. Hull City — 10:00 a.m. EDT Saturday online via NBCSports.com
Watford vs. Swansea City — 10:00 a.m. EDT Saturday online via NBCSports.com
Three matches, four teams in the bottom seven and another two clubs gasping for air. Sunderland has precious little room for error, and the Black Cats are catching West Ham at the right time. Could they put pressure on the rest of the relegation scrap?
Meanwhile, Hull City is flying high with three wins in its last five, and catch Stoke City at the right time. The Potters have dropped four in a row and have won just twice since late January. A win here could potentially see Hull City shoot five points above the relegation zone, a huge gap for the stretch run.
Finally, Swansea City fans were overjoyed at the start to Paul Clement‘s tenure, seeing the 45-year-old turn their fortunes around in his first few weeks on the job. Fast-forward to now, and the club is on a five-match winless run and back in the drop zone having fallen victim to the great runs by Palace and Hull. They take on a Watford side firmly entrenched in the middle of the table. The Swans will find Walter Mazzarri‘s side difficult to break down, and with few goals scored between these to teams in the past, every moment will be precious.
Can Arsenal turn things around?
Middlesbrough vs. Arsenal — 3:00 p.m. EDT Monday online via NBCSports.com
The wheels have come off Arsenal’s season, and a loss at Middlesbrough would no doubt seal their fall from Champions League grace. Even with a win, it seems unlikely for the Gunners to catch the top four, but confidence is needed to make a push, and a road win over a defensively stout team would provide just that.
Boro’s inability to score is well-known throughout the land, but their defensive shape is just the kind of mentality that seems to stifle Arsenal teams in years past. Can the hosts keep the Gunners at bay, or even nick a scrappy win? If so, it would continue Arsenal’s nosedive…and let’s not forget the relegation fight, which could give Boro a much-needed boost as they battle for their Premier League lives.
Premier League release new schedule for final few weeks.
By Joe Prince-Wright
The Premier League announced on Wednesday the final batch of games selected for broadcast coverage, with many rearranged fixtures now having a date too.
Some highlights from the new schedule include two Friday night games on May 12, plus a run of seven-straight days with at least one Premier League game per day from May 12-18 as title contenders Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur make one final push for the crown.
Due to clashes with the FA Cup and EFL Cup over the past few months, plenty of makeups games have also been scheduled with a busy end to the season for the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham and Southampton.
Below is the new schedule for games rearranged in the final two weeks of the season, while the final day of the campaign (May 21) will see all 10 games kick off at 10 a.m. ET with plenty expected to the be on the line for those encounters.
Wednesday May 10
2:45 p.m. ET – Southampton v. Arsenal
Friday May 12
2:45 p.m. ET – Everton v. Watford
3 p.m. ET – West Bromwich Albion v. Chelsea
Saturday May 13
7:30 a.m. ET – Manchester City v. Leicester City
12:30 p.m. ET – Stoke City v. Arsenal
Sunday May 14
7 a.m. ET – Crystal Palace v. Hull City
9:15 a.m. ET – West Ham United v. Liverpool
11:30 a.m. ET – Tottenham Hotspur v. Manchester United
Monday May 15
3 p.m. ET – Chelsea v. Watford
Tuesday May 16
2:45 p.m. ET – Arsenal v. Sunderland
3 p.m. ET – Manchester City v. West Bromwich Albion
Wednesday May 17
2:45 p.m. ET – Southampton v. Manchester United
Thursday May 18
2:45 p.m. ET – Leicester City v. Tottenham Hotspur
NCAABKB: Stop calling college basketball transfers an ‘epidemic’.
The United States hosted the 1994 World Cup, and many saw that as a coming out party for the USA on a global stage, and US head coach Bruce Arena echoed that sentiment. Then he said this time around, the United States could use home field advantage to achieve a much bigger triumph.
“In 1994, the U.S. was looked at as this emerging frontier in the game and FIFA wanted to bring the U.S. into the world’s game,” Arena said via a teleconference Thursday. “In 2026, we’re going to be fully emerged into the game and a big player. I think 2026 will be the time where we are going to start talking about winning the World Cup. It wasn’t going to be in 1994. It wasn’t going to be in 2010. But 2026 could be our time.”
Arena brought the United States to the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup, but the nation has not advanced past the Round of 16 since. 1994 brought the US out of the group stage as well, but they fell 1-0 to eventual champions Brazil in the first knockout stage.
Popularity for the game has grown exponentially in the United States, but that hasn’t exactly translated to tangible growth on the field in the last decade or two. The US achieved its highest-ever FIFA ranking in early 2006, rising to 4th in the world, but they fell off with an unsuccessful World Cup later that summer, ending a stretch of five years where they reached the top 10 at least once in every calendar year. They have not cracked the top 10 since.
Premier League Power Rankings: Arsenal, Stoke City stumbling.
By Kyle Bonn
With just six to eight more games left for every team, time to revisit the Premier League power rankings.
Stoke City is dropping down the table like a rock, while Hull City and Crystal Palace made huge strides towards saving their Premier League status. Who are the big gainers and biggest losers over the last month? Take a look.
TEAM
|
RANKING
| ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | 20 (20) | Sunderland: It’s all but over for the Black Cats, and now David Moyes is likely managing for his career. | |
 | 19 (19) | Middlesbrough: No wins since December 17th. Goalless draws can only get you so far. | |
 | 18 (17) | Swansea City: You thought Paul Clement had the Premier League figured out? They’re back in the relegation zone after picking up 1 point in matches against Hull, Bournemouth, West Ham, and Middlesbrough. Sound the alarm bells. | |
 | 17 (9) | Stoke City: It’s all gone wrong for Mark Hughes, and while they seem quite safe, if the Potters can’t turn around their miserable form, they could be the team that gets sucked towards the bottom late. 3 of their 4 straight losses came by 1 goal; they should be able to turn it around. | |
 | 16 (11) | Hull City: They’re out of the relegation zone thanks to a perfectly timed uptick in form. | |
 | 15 (13) | West Ham United: The Hammers would do well to stick with Slaven Bilic through this tough period, and a win over Swansea last time out will buoy one of the Premier League’s unluckiest teams. | |
 | 14 (14) | Burnley: Conceded twice in their last four – but scored just one. Burnley’s defense should keep them afloat as it always does, but things might get nervy. | |
 | 13 (12) | Bournemouth: The Cherries continue to give top teams a hard time, and just when it looked to be spiraling downwards, they scrap out 9 points before losing to Chelsea in a hard-fought match. Eddie Howe deserves a chance at a top managerial job. Arsenal? | |
 | 12 (15) | Crystal Palace: A blistering run has likely saved their Premier League status. They beat Chelsea, Arsenal, and West Brom, and six 6 points clear of the drop. Well done, Big Sam. | |
 | 11 (16) | Watford: Beating up on lower teams, getting beat up by the top teams. Been that kind of year for Watford, which they’ll take. 2 wins in their last 3 have seen them touch the top half again. | |
 | 10 (11) | Leicester City: Beaten for the first time under Craig Shakespeare and then padlocked by Atletico Madrid, it seems this roller coaster might finally be settling to a base level where they belong. Not great, not bad. | |
 | 9 (7) | West Brom: The Baggies had a great January and February, but they’ve lost 4 of 6 to mid-table opposition and are mired in obscurity again. Still a positive season overall. | |
 | 8 (8) | Arsenal: Unlike Pep at City, the wheels have come off for Arsene Wenger, and the axels are next. A tough remaining schedule means Champions League has likely slipped away. | |
 | 7 (10) | Southampton: With an outside shot at Europe, the recent form has been good. Unfortunately, they have Arsenal, Man United, Man City, Chelsea, and Liverpool all left on the schedule. | |
| | 6 (4) | Manchester City: The wheels haven’t fallen off, but the more Pep Guardiola bungles results, the more chances Manchester United have to slip into the top 4. The defending has been appalling. | |
 | 5 (5) | Everton: Just two losses since Christmas, but they’ve come back down to Earth after it looked like they would have a go at a Champions League place. | |
| 4 (6) | Liverpool: Have weathered the injury storm well so far, with 4 wins in their last 6. Their stretch run is easy, with 8th placed West Brom their highest ranked remaining team on the schedule. | |
 | 3 (3) | Manchester United: Still have not lost in league play since October 23rd. Still plagued by draws. | |
 | 2 (2) | Tottenham Hotspur: The best recent form in the league, 6 straight wins and 13 of their last 16 means they’re ready if Chelsea slip. | |
 | 1 (1) | Chelsea: They haven’t secured the title yet, but it’s hard to see anyone else catching them. |
Top PL Storylines: Will Spurs have a chance to close down Chelsea?
By Kyle Bonn
(Photo/Getty Images)
From start to finish, the Premier League always has something on the line week in and week out. This time around, there are battles up and down the table.
With Chelsea’s difficult test at in-form Manchester United, could the Blues drop points and allow Spurs back into the title race? Who will gain and who will fall in the vicious relegation battle? What will the gap at the top look like at the end of the weekend? All that and more comes your way in the next few days.
Can Spurs move closer to the top?
Tottenham vs. Bournemouth — 7:30 a.m. EDT Saturday online via NBCSports.com
Spurs sit seven points back of Chelsea. If they are to catch the Blues, they obviously need some outside help. However, Mauricio Pochettino knows his side must be ready in the event Chelsea slips up, which there’s a serious chance of them doing this weekend. With Chelsea not playing until Sunday (more below), Spurs can put the pressure on and pull within four for at least a day.
Bournemouth is a dangerous team. They’ve drawn with Liverpool and Manchester United in recent weeks, and Harry Kane‘s return for Tottenham has come at a fantastic time. With the club’s leading scorer back, Tottenham will be well positioned to pull out the three points in this one, but need to get the job done.
Massive test for leaders Chelsea at Old Trafford
Manchester United vs. Chelsea — 11:00 a.m. EDT Sunday online via NBCSports.com
With Spurs at home facing a bottom-half side, Chelsea knows it needs to keep separation, or things become much more difficult. Manchester United is the highest-positioned side left on Chelsea’s remaining schedule, and should they get by this test, the title is all but secure.
That’s no given, however, considering Manchester United hasn’t lost since October 23rd – to Chelsea. That 4-0 drubbing sent the Red Devils on a 21-match unbeaten streak. A draw here would be a decent result for both sides, but the Blues would prefer not to eat up any of the cushion they’ve built on the rest of the field.
Manchester United themselves are fighting a significant battle, as they hope to gain ground on either Manchester City or Liverpool in the fight for a Champions League place. With Manchester City visiting a strong Southampton squad and Liverpool on the road at the Hawthornes, the chance could be there to pull within a single point of the promised land.
Which in-form team will pick up points?
Crystal Palace vs. Leicester City — 10:00 a.m. EDT Saturday online via NBCSports.com
The run Crystal Palace is on has shocked England. The run Leicester City was on rejuvenated the club. These two teams seem to have saved their respective Premier League statuses by completing a set of impressive results, but the job is not completely done.
Sam Allardyce has given the Eagles hope by rattling off five wins over their last six matches, including impressive victories over Arsenal and Chelsea. Their stretch run remains painful viewing, with Liverpool, Manchester City, and Manchester United all still to come on the fixture list.
Nevertheless, with an impressively paltry four goals conceded over those six games – three of those coming in the lone loss during that span – Palace is not just out of the relegation zone but six points clear. Is that enough cushion with such a brutal end-of-season run?
Leicester City, meanwhile, was bullied around the pitch against Atletico Madrid in Champions League play this week, but the Foxes still have their impressive start to Craig Shakespeare’s managerial tenure fresh in their memory. The bottom of the table is crammed together, so their 11th place position lends more sense of security than the eight-point gap might warrant, but the Foxes are solidly in the Premier League next season barring a total collapse. Will they have enough to overcome the high-flying Eagles?
Which relegation-threatened club will gain ground?
Sunderland vs. West Ham — 10:00 a.m. EDT Saturday online via NBCSports.com
Stoke City vs. Hull City — 10:00 a.m. EDT Saturday online via NBCSports.com
Watford vs. Swansea City — 10:00 a.m. EDT Saturday online via NBCSports.com
Three matches, four teams in the bottom seven and another two clubs gasping for air. Sunderland has precious little room for error, and the Black Cats are catching West Ham at the right time. Could they put pressure on the rest of the relegation scrap?
Meanwhile, Hull City is flying high with three wins in its last five, and catch Stoke City at the right time. The Potters have dropped four in a row and have won just twice since late January. A win here could potentially see Hull City shoot five points above the relegation zone, a huge gap for the stretch run.
Finally, Swansea City fans were overjoyed at the start to Paul Clement‘s tenure, seeing the 45-year-old turn their fortunes around in his first few weeks on the job. Fast-forward to now, and the club is on a five-match winless run and back in the drop zone having fallen victim to the great runs by Palace and Hull. They take on a Watford side firmly entrenched in the middle of the table. The Swans will find Walter Mazzarri‘s side difficult to break down, and with few goals scored between these to teams in the past, every moment will be precious.
Can Arsenal turn things around?
Middlesbrough vs. Arsenal — 3:00 p.m. EDT Monday online via NBCSports.com
The wheels have come off Arsenal’s season, and a loss at Middlesbrough would no doubt seal their fall from Champions League grace. Even with a win, it seems unlikely for the Gunners to catch the top four, but confidence is needed to make a push, and a road win over a defensively stout team would provide just that.
Boro’s inability to score is well-known throughout the land, but their defensive shape is just the kind of mentality that seems to stifle Arsenal teams in years past. Can the hosts keep the Gunners at bay, or even nick a scrappy win? If so, it would continue Arsenal’s nosedive…and let’s not forget the relegation fight, which could give Boro a much-needed boost as they battle for their Premier League lives.
Premier League release new schedule for final few weeks.
By Joe Prince-Wright
(Photo/Getty Images)
The Premier League announced on Wednesday the final batch of games selected for broadcast coverage, with many rearranged fixtures now having a date too.
Some highlights from the new schedule include two Friday night games on May 12, plus a run of seven-straight days with at least one Premier League game per day from May 12-18 as title contenders Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur make one final push for the crown.
Due to clashes with the FA Cup and EFL Cup over the past few months, plenty of makeups games have also been scheduled with a busy end to the season for the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham and Southampton.
Below is the new schedule for games rearranged in the final two weeks of the season, while the final day of the campaign (May 21) will see all 10 games kick off at 10 a.m. ET with plenty expected to the be on the line for those encounters.
Wednesday May 10
2:45 p.m. ET – Southampton v. Arsenal
Friday May 12
2:45 p.m. ET – Everton v. Watford
3 p.m. ET – West Bromwich Albion v. Chelsea
Saturday May 13
7:30 a.m. ET – Manchester City v. Leicester City
12:30 p.m. ET – Stoke City v. Arsenal
Sunday May 14
7 a.m. ET – Crystal Palace v. Hull City
9:15 a.m. ET – West Ham United v. Liverpool
11:30 a.m. ET – Tottenham Hotspur v. Manchester United
Monday May 15
3 p.m. ET – Chelsea v. Watford
Tuesday May 16
2:45 p.m. ET – Arsenal v. Sunderland
3 p.m. ET – Manchester City v. West Bromwich Albion
Wednesday May 17
2:45 p.m. ET – Southampton v. Manchester United
Thursday May 18
2:45 p.m. ET – Leicester City v. Tottenham Hotspur
NCAABKB: Stop calling college basketball transfers an ‘epidemic’.
By Rob Dauster
(Photo/Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)
There is no such thing as a “transfer epidemic” in college basketball, there are only players doing what every American does: Trying to better their situation in life.
It’s that simple.
And Rodney Pryor is proof.
The Portsmouth Invitational is a four-day, eight-team event that features 64 of the best graduating seniors playing in front of NBA executives, trying to earn their way onto some type of roster, be it summer league, D-League, training camp, anything.
It’s a group of guys looking to get their shot.
Pryor is headed there this week, as one of 45 players that come from what we consider high-major, or multi-bid, conferences. A 6-foot-5 lefty that averaged 18.0 points and shot 41 percent from three at Georgetown this past season, Pryor will get his shot at the league. He’ll probably make a summer league roster. He could very well end up in an NBA training camp. He’ll have his chance to earn an NBA roster spot before, in all likelihood, heading to the D-League or overseas.
Those opportunities might have come along had Pryor stayed at Robert Morris for his final year of eligibility.
They might not have, either. There are 19 players headed to Portsmouth from the mid-major ranks. Would Pryor have gotten an invite had he not spent all winter lighting up Big East defenses?
“I wanted to play on a higher level and showcase my talents,” Pryor told FanRag Sports in a profile of Robert Morris head coach Andy Toole. “There’s no substitute for the ability to play games regularly on national television.”
I bring up that FanRag Sports story because it’s a terrific look at what the rise in up-transfers can do to a mid-major program. Robert Morris, where Pryor played before leaving for Georgetown as a grad transfer, has been a stalwart in the NEC for as long Toole has been the coach. In his first five years with the program, he never finished worse than third in the league standings, winning two regular season titles, making two NITs — including one where Bobby Mo upset Kentucky in 2013 — and winning a game in the 2015 NCAA tournament.
But after the 2015 season, Toole lost his best player, Marcquise Reed, to Clemson. After last season, Pryor transferred out of the program. This year, Isaiah Still told the staff of his intentions to transfer to a bigger school to try and get more exposure.
Toole was one of the hottest names in college coaching in 2015.
He’s now coming off two straight losing seasons.
It’s a tough business, man.
But blaming the kids here is flat-out wrong.
Because this is what everyone does. When a better job offer comes along, you take it. Lawyers leave small firms for big firms. I stopped freelancing for Sports Illustrated while running my own website when NBC offered me a full-time job. In that FanRag Sports story, Toole says that he turned down Fordham — a bottom-of-the-barrel Atlantic 10 job — because of his loyalty to the program and his players, but would he have been as loyal if he was the one getting chased by Clemson or Georgetown instead of those players?
(Hint: He would’ve been an idiot to say no to either of those schools, and he’s an Ivy League grad. He ain’t dumb.)
That’s no different than Pryor jumping at the chance to play at Georgetown or Reed making the move to play for Clemson in the ACC.
And, frankly, it’s no different than a star college player jumping at the chance to head to the NBA early after an unexpectedly great year in college. I don’t see anyone pitying Greg McDermott for losing Justin Patton or Danny Manning for losing John Collins. The same can be said for the coaching staffs that developed, and likely will lose, the likes of Luke Kennard, and Semi Ojeleye, and Tyler Dorsey, and Jordan Bell.
But in only one of those cases are we referring to unpaid, amateur student-athletes trying to better their lot in life by transferring to a bigger program as an “epidemic”.
It’s not an epidemic.
It’s business.
It’s life.
And these players are doing the same damn thing every single one of you do in your career.
2017-18 College Basketball Preseason Top 25. We had to do this for the NCAA basketball junkies. It's never too early. CS&T/AA
By Rob Dauster
(AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
It’s about that time to release the 2017-18 preseason top 25.
A couple of notes here:
A couple of notes here:
- Final decisions on NBA Draft decisions won’t be made for more than a month. We’re making educated (some more than others) guesses on who will be doing what.
- We also make some educated guesses on where some of the remaining uncommitted kids will end up going to school.
- If there is a * next to a player’s name, it means we’re still waiting for official word on what his status will be next season.
Next season’s top 25 is awful uninspiring. There also isn’t anything close to a clear-cut No. 1 team, not with how much is still left to be determined through NBA Draft decisions, transfers and elite recruits picking a school.
Here is the top 25:
1. Louisville
- Who’s gone: Mangok Mathiang, David Levitch, Tony Hicks
- Who do they add: Malik Williams, Darius Perry, Jordan Nwora, Lance Thomas
- Projected starting lineup: Quentin Snider, Donovan Mitchell*, VJ King, Deng Adel*, Jaylen Johnson*
- Louisville has a chance to be very, very good next season. Just how good probably depends on what Donovan Mitchell decides to do — opinions seem split on him, as of this posting — but assuming Deng Adel is back and guys like VJ King, Ray Spalding and Anas Mahmoud take a step forward, the Cardinals might be the best team in the ACC. That says a lot this year.
2. Duke
- Who’s gone: Jayson Tatum, Harry Giles III, Grayson Allen*, Luke Kennard
- Who do they add: Gary Trent Jr., Wendell Carter, Alex O’Connell, Kevin Knox*, Trevon Duval*
- Projected starting lineup: Trevon Duval*, Frank Jackson, Gary Trent Jr., Kevin Knox*, Wendell Carter
- We’re going to go through this all over again with Duke next season, aren’t we? Look at that starting five and tell me the talent on that team isn’t scary. Try to. The problem? There would be four freshmen and a sophomore starting, and that’s only if Duke manages to get Trevon Duval and Kevin Knox, which is anything-but a lock at this point.
3. Michigan State
- Who’s gone: Eron Harris, Alvin Ellis III, Ben Carter*
- Who do they add: Jaren Jackson, Xavier Tillman
- Projected starting lineup: Cassius Winston, Josh Langford, Miles Bridges, Jaren Jackson, Nick Ward
- I like this Michigan State team a lot. Nick Ward was a beast last year and Jaren Jackson is the perfect sidekick. Cassius Winston and Josh Langford will both take a step forward. The key, however, is that a potential Player of the Year in Miles Bridges opted to return to school.
4. Arizona
- Who’s gone: Lauri Markkanen, Kadeem Allen, Kobi Simmons, Rawle Alkins*
- Who do they add: Deandre Ayton, Brian Bowen*, Brandon Randolph, Ira Lee, Alex Barcello, Dylan Smith
- Projected starting lineup: Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Allonzo Trier, Brian Bowen*, Deandre Ayton, Dusan Ristic
- The Wildcats add the most talented big man in the class in Deandre Ayton, and may add Brian Bowen to a class that also includes Brandon Randolph. The reason they’re a top five team, however is the return of Allonzo Trier.
5. North Carolina
- Who’s gone: Justin Jackson, Kennedy Meeks, Isaiah Hicks, Nate Britt
- Who do they add: Jaleek Felton, Sterling Manley, Brandon Huffman, Andrew Platek
- Projected starting lineup: Joel Berry II*, Kenny Williams, Theo Pinson, Luke Maye, Tony Bradley*
- The Tar Heels are coming off of back-to-back national title game appearances, and while they will lose three key seniors from that team, and probably Justin Jackson as well, there are some important pieces that will likely return. Berry will be a National Player of the Year contender, Tony Bradley will be a breakout star and Luke Maye will move into the starting lineup.
6. Kansas
- Who’s gone: Frank Mason II, Josh Jackson*, Landen Lucas
- Who do they add: Malik Newman, Billy Preston, Marcus Garrett, Sam Cunliffe
- Projected starting lineup: Devonte’ Graham, Malik Newman, Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, Billy Preston, Udoka Azuibuike
- The Jayhawks are going to have a lot to replace, but they do have some players coming in. If Devonte’ Graham does come back, I think he’ll be a star and all-Big 12 player at the point, and he’ll be joined by a former top 10 prospect in Malik Newman and a current top ten prospect in Billy Preston.
7. Miami
- Who’s gone: Davon Reed, Kamari Murphy
- Who do they add: Lonnie Walker, Chris Lykes, Deng Gak, Sam Waardenburg
- Projected starting lineup: Ja’Quan Newton, Bruce Brown, Lonnie Walker, Anthony Lawrence, Dewan Huell
- Losing Reed and Murphy will hurt, but Bruce Brown was one of the best-kept secrets last year, Lonnie Walker is a big-time scorer and Dewan Huell is a former top 30 prospect in line for a big bump in minutes this year. Jim Larrañaga is exactly the coach to take advantage of this guard-heavy lineup, too.
8. Florida
- Who’s gone: Kasey Hill, Canyon Barry, Justin Leon
- Who do they add: Isaiah Stokes, Chase Johnson, DeAundre Ballard, Michael Okauru, Jalen Hudson, Dontay Bassett
- Projected starting lineup: Chris Chiozza, KeVaughn Allen, Devin Robinson*, Kevarrius Hayes, John Egbunu
- Coming off of a trip to the Elite 8, the Gators bring back most of their key pieces while adding a talented recruiting class and two players that redshirted last season. Two keys to this team’s ceiling: The health of John Egbunu, who missed the second half of last season, and the developing of KeVaughn Allen and Devin Robinson, if he returns.
9. Gonzaga
- Who’s gone: Przemek Karnowski, Jordan Mathews, Zach Collins
- Who do they add: Jacob Larsen, Zach Norvell, Corey Kispert, Jesse Wade
- Projected starting lineup: Nigel Williams-Goss*, Josh Perkins, Silas Melson, Johnathan Williams III, Killian Tillie
- The key here is going to be Nigel Williams-Goss. If he’s back he’ll be a favorite for Preseason National Player of the Year and the Zags will be a top ten-caliber program. If he jumps to the professional ranks, they’re probably closer to a top 20 team.
10. Villanova
- Who’s gone: Josh Hart, Kris Jenkins, Darryl Reynolds
- Who do they add: Jermaine Samuels, Collin Gillispie, Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree, Omari Spellman
- Projected starting lineup: Jalen Brunson*, Phil Booth, Donte DiVincenzo, Mikal Bridges, Omari Spellman
- The Wildcats are going to take a major hit with Josh Hart finally graduating, but the good news is that Jay Wright is still around, as is Jalen Brunson. Omari Spellman getting eligible will help, and I know I’m not the only one that thinks Donte DiVincenzo has a chance to develop into an all-Big East player.
11. Kentucky
- Who’s gone: De’Aaron Fox, Malik Monk, Bam Adebayo, Isaiah Briscoe, Derek Willis, Mychal Mulder, Dominique Hawkins
- Who do they add: Hamidou Diallo, Quade Green, Nick Richards, PJ Washington, Jarred Vanderbilt, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jemarl Baker
- Projected starting lineup: Quade Green, Hamidou Diallo, Jarred Vanderbilt, PJ Washington, Nick Richards
- Kentucky is a tough team to peg for next season. They should be really good defensively — Hamidou Diallo and Jarred Vanderbilt are elite defenders — and insanely athletic, but it’s going to be another year where we don’t know who shoots it for Kentucky. They’re in the mix for Mo Bamba and Kevin Knox; the addition of either one, particularly Knox, would make Kentucky a top five team.
12. Wichita State
- Who’s gone: No one
- Who do they add: Samajae Haynes-jones, Asbjorn Midtgaard
- Projected starting lineup: Landry Shamet, Connor Frankamp, Zach Brown, Markis McDuffie, Shaq Morris
- The Shockers finished the season ranked in the top ten at KenPom, but ended up with a No. 10 seed in the NCAA tournament because they struggled to get used to each other early on in the season. With everyone returning from last year’s team, don’t be surprised to see Gregg Marshall’s team as a Final Four contender.
13. West Virginia
- Who’s gone: Tarik Phillip, Nathan Adrian, Teyvon Myers, Brandon Watkins
- Who do they add: Derek Culver, Brandon Knapper, D’Angelo hunter, Teddy Allen, Wesley Harris
- Projected starting lineup: Jevon Carter, Daxter Miles Jr., Esa Ahmad, Lamont West, Elijah Macon
- At this point, I’m just going to assume that Bobby Huggins is going to put a good team on the floor regardless of the situation. The names don’t even matter, although Jevon Carter is back for what feels like his 17th season in college hoops while Esa Ahmad seems primed for a monster year.
14. USC
- Who’s gone: Charles Buggs
- Who do they add: Derryck Thornton, Charles O’Bannon, Jordan Usher
- Projected starting lineup: Jordan McLaughlin, De’Anthony Melton, Elijah Stewart*, Bennie Boatwright*, Chimezie Metu*
- There is a lot of talent on the USC roster for now, but the key to this team is going to be whether or not they get Boatwright and Metu back. Both could declare for the NBA Draft.
15. Minnesota
- Who’s gone: Akeem Springs
- Who do they add: Isaiah Washington, Jamir Harris, Davonte Fitzgerald
- Projected starting lineup: Nate Mason, Dupree McBrayer, Amir Coffey, Jordan Murphy, Reggie Lynch
- The Golden Gophers bring everyone back from last season, a year where they were one of the most surprising teams in the country. Minnesota could win the Big Ten.
16. UCLA
- Who’s gone: Lonzo Ball, TJ Leaf, Ike Anigbogu*, Bryce Alford, Isaac Hamilton
- Who do they add: LiAngelo Ball, Cody Riley, Jalen Hill, Chris Smith
- Projected starting lineup: Jaylen Hands, Aaron Holiday*, Kris Wilkes, Cody Riley, Thomas Welsh
- It’s going to be interesting to see how the Bruins move on from the Lonzo Ball era. It will also be interesting to see how LaVar Ball handles the fact that LiAngelo Ball isn’t Lonzo.
17. Cincinnati
- Who’s gone: Troy Caupain, Kevin Johnson
- Who do they add: Keith Williams, Trevor Moore, Eliel Nsoseme, Cane Broome
- Projected starting lineup: Cane Broome, Jarron Cumberland, Jacob Evans, Gary Clark, Kyle Washington
- The Bearcats return a lot of important pieces from a team that won 30 games last season. Broome averaged 23 points for Sacred Heart as a sophomore.
18. Baylor
- Who’s gone: Ishmail Wainright
- Who do they add: Mark Vital, Tyson Jolly, Tristan Clark
- Projected starting lineup: Manu Lecomte, Jake Lindsey, King McClure, Jo Lual-Acuil, Johnathan Motley*
- It all hinges on whether or not Motley opts to return to school for his final year of eligibility. That’s very much in the air. With him, they’re a top ten team. Without him, they’re probably closer to the 20-25 range. We split the difference and went 18th.
19. Seton Hall
- Who’s gone: Madison Jones
- Who do they add: Myles Cale, Darnell Brodie
- Projected starting lineup: Khadeen Carrington, Myles Powell, Desi Rodriguez, Ishmael Sanogo, Angel Delgado
- This is the team that I’m going to probably overhype all offseason. I love this group.
20. Northwestern
- Who’s gone: Sanjay Lumpkin, Nathan Taphorn
- Who do they add: Anthony Gaines, Aaron Falzon, Rapolas Ivanauskas
- Projected starting lineup: Bryant McIntosh, Scottie Lindsey, Vic Law, Aaron Falzon, Dererk Pardon
- The Wildcats, a year removed from their first-ever trip to the NCAA tournament, bring back essentially everyone from last season and get Aaron Falzon healthy. Bryant McIntosh will contend for Big Ten Player of the Year.
21. Alabama
- Who’s gone: Nick King, Jimmie Taylor, Shannon Hale, Corban Collins
- Who do they add: Collin Sexton, John Petty, Daniel Giddens
- Projected starting lineup: Collin Sexton, John Petty, Dazon Ingram, Braxton Key, Daniel Giddens
- The Crimson Tide bring back a talented young core and add two five-star guards, including Collin Sexton, who could lead the conference in scoring.
22. Notre Dame
- Who’s gone: Steve Vasturia, VJ Beachem
- Who do they add: DJ Harvey, Nikola Djogo
- Projected starting lineup: Matt Farrell, Temple Gibbs, Rex Pflueger, Bonzie Colson, Martinas Geben
- At this point, I’m fine betting on Brey to have Notre Dame in the mix every year. They’re going to need Rex Pfleuger and Temple Gibbs to take a step forward, but Bonzie Colson and Matt Farrell can carry the Irish.
23. Virginia Tech
- Who’s gone: Seth Allen, Zach LeDay
- Who do they add: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Wabissa Bede
- Projected starting lineup: Justin Robinson, Ahmed Hill, Justin Bibbs, Chris Clarke, Khadim Sy
- The Hokies return all five starters from last season despite the fact that the team graduates their top two scorers. A healthy Chris Clarke and Kerry Blackshear will help.
24. Saint Mary’s
- Who’s gone: Joe Rahon, Dane Pineau
- Who do they add: Angus Glover
- Projected starting lineup: Jordan Ford, Emmett Naar, Calvin Hermanson, Evan Fitzner, Jock Landale
- Losing Rahon will hurt, but with Naar and Landale coming back, the Gaels are going to push Gonzaga in the WCC race once again.
25. Nevada
- Who’s gone: Cameron Oliver*, Marcus Marshall
- Who do they add: Hallice Cooke, Cody and Caleb Martin, Kendall Stephens
- Projected starting lineup: Lindsey Drew, Cody Martin, Caleb Martin, Kendall Stephens, Jordan Caroline
- Even without Oliver, the Wolf Pack look like a team that can make another run in the Mountain West. Jordan Caroline should be MWC Player of the Year.
NCAAFB: Female kicker making college football scholarship history.
By John Taylor
(Photo/Getty Images)
And some gender history, for that matter.
Wednesday, the Arizona Republic reported, Becca Longo signed a National Letter of Intent at a ceremony at her high school to play both basketball and football at Div. II Adams State in Colorado. It’s believed that Longo is the first female to sign a college football letter of intent for a NCAA Division I or II program.
Longo connected on 30-of-33 extra point attempts and one field goal, a 30-yarder, as a senior at hr Arizona high school.
“I contacted [Adams State] during the season, and after the season I got contacted back by them,” said Longo. “The offensive coordinator (Josh Blankenship), he told me he wanted me to come out for a visit.
“I went on my visit and I absolutely fell in love.”
Adams State is coached by former Washington State quarterback Timm Rosenbach, who said he sees Longo “as a football player who earned it” and doesn’t think about the history he’s part of.
A handful of females have played, or attempted to play, football at the collegiate level, albeit as walk-ons.
The first female to score in a college football game was Liz Heaston, who converted on two of four extra points for Willamette of the NAIA in 1997. Four years later, Jacksonville State’s Ashley Martin become the first female to score in a Div. I game, kicking three extra points for the FCS program.
Katie Hnida, originally on the roster at Colorado before transferring under what ultimately became controversial circumstances, was successful on two point-after attempts for New Mexico in 2003 to become the first female to score in an FBS game. Months prior to that debut, Hnida attempted an extra point in the Las Vegas Bowl — it was blocked — becoming the first female to play in an FBS game.
In September of 2015, April Goss became the second as she was successful on a point-after attempt in Kent State’s win over Delaware State.
In the spring of 2012, Lauren Luttrell (HERE) and Mo Isom (HERE) fell short in their tryout attempts with Virginia Tech (HERE) and LSU (HERE), respectively.
Wednesday, the Arizona Republic reported, Becca Longo signed a National Letter of Intent at a ceremony at her high school to play both basketball and football at Div. II Adams State in Colorado. It’s believed that Longo is the first female to sign a college football letter of intent for a NCAA Division I or II program.
Longo connected on 30-of-33 extra point attempts and one field goal, a 30-yarder, as a senior at hr Arizona high school.
“I contacted [Adams State] during the season, and after the season I got contacted back by them,” said Longo. “The offensive coordinator (Josh Blankenship), he told me he wanted me to come out for a visit.
“I went on my visit and I absolutely fell in love.”
Adams State is coached by former Washington State quarterback Timm Rosenbach, who said he sees Longo “as a football player who earned it” and doesn’t think about the history he’s part of.
A handful of females have played, or attempted to play, football at the collegiate level, albeit as walk-ons.
The first female to score in a college football game was Liz Heaston, who converted on two of four extra points for Willamette of the NAIA in 1997. Four years later, Jacksonville State’s Ashley Martin become the first female to score in a Div. I game, kicking three extra points for the FCS program.
Katie Hnida, originally on the roster at Colorado before transferring under what ultimately became controversial circumstances, was successful on two point-after attempts for New Mexico in 2003 to become the first female to score in an FBS game. Months prior to that debut, Hnida attempted an extra point in the Las Vegas Bowl — it was blocked — becoming the first female to play in an FBS game.
In September of 2015, April Goss became the second as she was successful on a point-after attempt in Kent State’s win over Delaware State.
In the spring of 2012, Lauren Luttrell (HERE) and Mo Isom (HERE) fell short in their tryout attempts with Virginia Tech (HERE) and LSU (HERE), respectively.
Steelers' owner passes; Dan Rooney’s Steelers career spanned more than 60 years.
By Mike Florio
(Photo/Getty Images)
With the passing of Dan Rooney, a Pro Football Hall of Famer who helped his father make the Steelers into a perennial contender and then carried the tradition forward for nearly three decades after the team founder’s passing, the NFL has lost one of its most important figures of the past half-century.
Dan Rooney first became officially involved with the Steelers in 1955, after graduating from Duquesne University. By 1960, he was involved in management of the team. By 1969, he assumed leadership of the organization. Not coincidentally, in that same year the Steelers hired coach Chuck Noll, one of only three head coaches the franchise has employed since then. It would prove to be one of the best hires made in any American sport.
The team that had perennially struggled quickly reversed its fortunes, with the 1972 Immaculate Reception sparking an unprecedented run of excellence, with four Super Bowl wins in six years and a slew of Hall of Fame players who helped Pittsburgh stay true to its blue-collar persona even as the steel mills that provided so many of their jobs shut down.
Rooney was firmly a member of the old guard, which gradually has seen its influence yield to a generation of owners who made millions (or billions) in other lines of work before buying NFL franchises. The Steelers have endured as a thriving, relevant franchise without pricing their most loyal fans out of Heinz Field, a dynamic that often frustrated owners who believe that every team should charge every last dollar that the market will bear.
Still, Rooney remained influential and vital to the league, championing the promotion of Roger Goodell to Commissioner in 2006 before stepping away from the team to become the U.S. ambassador to Ireland. Even after Dan Rooney accepted the assignment from President Barack Obama, Dan Rooney remained synonymous with the Steelers, and the Steelers remain synonymous with Pittsburgh.
But for his efforts during one of the best decades any sports franchise ever has had, that may not be the case.
Dan Rooney first became officially involved with the Steelers in 1955, after graduating from Duquesne University. By 1960, he was involved in management of the team. By 1969, he assumed leadership of the organization. Not coincidentally, in that same year the Steelers hired coach Chuck Noll, one of only three head coaches the franchise has employed since then. It would prove to be one of the best hires made in any American sport.
The team that had perennially struggled quickly reversed its fortunes, with the 1972 Immaculate Reception sparking an unprecedented run of excellence, with four Super Bowl wins in six years and a slew of Hall of Fame players who helped Pittsburgh stay true to its blue-collar persona even as the steel mills that provided so many of their jobs shut down.
Rooney was firmly a member of the old guard, which gradually has seen its influence yield to a generation of owners who made millions (or billions) in other lines of work before buying NFL franchises. The Steelers have endured as a thriving, relevant franchise without pricing their most loyal fans out of Heinz Field, a dynamic that often frustrated owners who believe that every team should charge every last dollar that the market will bear.
Still, Rooney remained influential and vital to the league, championing the promotion of Roger Goodell to Commissioner in 2006 before stepping away from the team to become the U.S. ambassador to Ireland. Even after Dan Rooney accepted the assignment from President Barack Obama, Dan Rooney remained synonymous with the Steelers, and the Steelers remain synonymous with Pittsburgh.
But for his efforts during one of the best decades any sports franchise ever has had, that may not be the case.
On This Date in Sports History: Today is Friday, April 14, 2017.
Memoriesofhistory.com
1925 - WGN became the first radio station to broadcast a regular season major league baseball game. The Cubs beat the Pirates 8-2.
1962 - Elgin Baylor (Los Angeles Lakers) scored 61 points in Game 5 against the Boston Celtics to set an NBA Finals record.
1969 - For the first time, a major league baseball game was played in Montreal, Canada.
1990 - Cal Ripken of the Baltimore Orioles began a streak of 95 errorless games and 431 total chances by a shortstop.
1996 - The Detroit Red Wings won their 62nd game of the season.
1997 - Allen Iverson (Philadelphia 76ers) scored 40 or more points in his fifth consecutive game.
1999 - Jose Canseco (Tampa Bay) became the 28th player to hit 400 career home runs. He was also the first non-United States born player to hit 400 runs.
2002 - Tiger Woods became the third player to win back-to-back Masters titles. It was the third Masters title of his career.
1962 - Elgin Baylor (Los Angeles Lakers) scored 61 points in Game 5 against the Boston Celtics to set an NBA Finals record.
1969 - For the first time, a major league baseball game was played in Montreal, Canada.
1990 - Cal Ripken of the Baltimore Orioles began a streak of 95 errorless games and 431 total chances by a shortstop.
1996 - The Detroit Red Wings won their 62nd game of the season.
1997 - Allen Iverson (Philadelphia 76ers) scored 40 or more points in his fifth consecutive game.
1999 - Jose Canseco (Tampa Bay) became the 28th player to hit 400 career home runs. He was also the first non-United States born player to hit 400 runs.
2002 - Tiger Woods became the third player to win back-to-back Masters titles. It was the third Masters title of his career.
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