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"Sports Quote of the Day"
“It is only through labor and painful effort, by grim energy and resolute courage, that we move on to better things.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt, The 26th President of the United States of America
“It is only through labor and painful effort, by grim energy and resolute courage, that we move on to better things.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt, The 26th President of the United States of America
TRENDING: Bears projected to set new franchise low in 2017. BULLSH_T!!!!! What's Your Take? (See the football section for Bears news and NFL updates).
TRENDING: Blackhawks lock up Richard Panik with two-year extension. (See the hockey section for Blackhawks updates and NHL news).
TRENDING: Blackhawks lock up Richard Panik with two-year extension. (See the hockey section for Blackhawks updates and NHL news).
TRENDING: NBA executives understand why top players skip combine. (See the basketball section for Bulls news and NBA updates).
TRENDING: Why Joe Maddon won’t hit the panic button with slow-starting Cubs. Could White Sox and Cubs become trade partners? (See the baseball section for Cubs and White Sox updates).
TRENDING: McGirt, Hughes share Players lead. (See the golf section for PGA news and tournament updates).
TRENDING: Weekend schedule for NASCAR Cup, Trucks at Kansas. (See the NASCAR section for NASCAR news and racing updates).
TRENDING: Derby winner Always Dreaming begins Preakness prep. More horses prep to challenge Always Dreaming at Preakness. (See the last article on this blog for Thoroughbred Racing News and Preakness updates).
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! Bears projected to set new franchise low in 2017. BULLSH_T!!!!! What's Your Take?
By Bryan Perez
(Photo/bearswire.com)
It’s officially prediction season, where various media outlets take their best swing at projecting each team’s record for 2017.
The Chicago Bears aren’t going to be the darlings of preseason tarot card readings. In fact, according to Sports Illustrated, it’s going to be a really bad year for Bears fans. SI predicts that Chicago, coming off a franchise-worst three-win season in 2016, will set a new low in 2017:
The Chicago Bears aren’t going to be the darlings of preseason tarot card readings. In fact, according to Sports Illustrated, it’s going to be a really bad year for Bears fans. SI predicts that Chicago, coming off a franchise-worst three-win season in 2016, will set a new low in 2017:
- Projected record: 2–14
- Neither Mike Glennon nor Mitchell Trubisky nor an Alshon Jeffrey–less receiving corps will strike fear in anyone, and opponents won’t be afraid of throwing against the Bears when they have the ball. Chicago has finished in last place in the NFC North three years running, and it will probably be four in John Fox’s third year as coach. They have the misfortune of opening against Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh and Green Bay. Pivotal game: Week 16 vs. Browns. Remember that miserable snow game last season between the Bears and 49ers? This is the 2017 version of that. This game is pivotal for two reasons: It will give us amazing GIFs, and it could decide who’s picking first and second in the 2018 draft.
- Bears fans will certainly feel disrespected by predictions like this, but Chicago hasn’t done anything on the field in the last two seasons to warrant anything but cheap shots and puns.
Obviously, this prediction piece has the Bears finishing last in the NFC North behind the Green Bay Packers (13-3), Detroit Lions (9-7) and Minnesota Vikings (8-8).
Chicago Sports & Travel Inc./AllsportsAmerica Take: We just continue to read these terrible predictions by the so called know it all pundits. The Bears will improve on their record from last year of 3-13. There's a new attitude and change of culture in the locker room. The players are younger, stronger, faster, hungry to win and want to prove themselves while the coaches, front office and ownership are committed to winning. The Bears could have won two to three more games last year if they had known how to close. They will feed off of each other and consistently improve. Either you believe or you don't. that's up to you. We can't wait to see what you detractors have to say next year when the Bears go 8-8 or better. They will be in the Super Bowl two years after this season. No one thought it was possible with Lovie Smith as Head Coach and Rex Grossman at quarterback but it happened. The 2017-18 season is to be determined but one thing is for sure, they will have a better record than the 2016-17 season.
As usual, we've spoken our opinion and we stand by it. We'd love to hear your thoughts and what's your take? Please go to the comments section at the bottom of this blog and share your thoughts with us. We value your opinion and love to hear from you. As always, we want to thank you in advance for your valuable time and consideration.
The Chicago Sports & Travel Inc./AllsportsAmerica Editorial Staff.
Bears to use tutor approach for Mitch Trubisky's NFL orientation.
By John Mullin
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Coming into this year’s draft with just 13 starts at North Carolina, Mitch Trubisky projects to have a slightly steeper learning curve if only because of experience. The Bears have a plan to address that with a slight staff tweak to intensify and accelerate the rookie quarterback’s development beyond this weekend’s rookie minicamp.
Quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone will devote additional coaching time to Trubisky, while offensive coordinator — and former quarterbacks coach — Dowell Loggains works with the offense and vets Mike Glennon and Mark Sanchez in addition to Connor Shaw, who is coming off a broken leg last preseason and worked with Loggains with the Cleveland Browns in 2014.
NFL teams occasionally hire an additional assistant position coach for rookie quarterbacks, particularly when the head coach is not himself a former quarterbacks coach. Because of Loggains’ background, which included coaching Jay Cutler to his best NFL season (2015), working with Brian Hoyer and getting something out of Matt Barkley last year, the Bears did not expect to add staff for the care and feeding of the No. 2-overall pick (Trubisky).
Trubisky will be tasked with learning NFL defenses, his own offense and technique modifications. He worked primarily out of the shotgun at North Carolina but has been working on taking direct snaps since January.
“It's been a seamless transition,” Trubisky said after his selection by the Bears. “I feel like working under center has helped me become even more consistent with my footwork and I felt like they were impressed and saw everything they needed to see, so I feel like being athletic is going to help that transition and continue to improve my feet, so it was good.”
The Bears ran 63 percent of their snaps out of a shotgun last season, albeit in part because of being routinely in catch-up, passing situations through their 3-13 season.
Bears release veteran wide receiver Eddie Royal, waive three others.
By John Mullin
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The Bears offseason, already among the NFL’s busiest, spun again on Thursday with roster trims that included wide receiver Eddie Royal and defensive lineman Will Sutton, two players that finished 2016 on injured reserve but had figured prominently into personnel and rotation packages over the past two seasons.
Also waived were offensive lineman Cornelius Edison and fullback Paul Lasike.
Royal was a high-profile signing in the first offseason under GM Ryan Pace and coach John Fox, agreeing to a three-year deal with $10 million guaranteed with the plan for him to be a slot receiver complementing Alshon Jeffery and Kevin White. But with a succession of injuries, Royal played in just nine games in each of the past two seasons, finishing with 33 catches last season and 37 in 2015, and a total of just 3 TD receptions, plus a punt returned for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles last season.
His contract contained no more guaranteed money for this season. The Bears’ signings of Rueben Randle, Markus Wheaton and Kendall Wright, the anticipated return of White from a broken leg, and the emergence of Cameron Meredith created a crowd on the depth chart ahead of Royal, who turns 31 this month.
Sutton was a third-round pick in 2014 under then-GM Phil Emery, projected as a 4-3 interior pass rusher out of Arizona State. He earned a spot in the 3-4 schemes under coordinator Vic Fangio and line coach Jay Rodgers, and started six games last season as an undersized nose tackle before going down for the year with an ankle injury against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The offseason additions of Jaye Howard from the Kansas City Chiefs and John Jenkins from the Seattle Seahawks added needed size to the defensive line, which also has Jonathan Bullard, Eddie Goldman, Akiem Hicks and Mitch Unrein in the mix for front-line playing time.
Bears sign two members of 2017 NFL Draft class.
By Scott Krinch
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
It's been a busy day at Halas Hall.
After releasing veteran wide receiver Eddie Royal and waiving three others earlier on Thursday, the Bears officially signed two members of their 2017 draft class.
The Bears announced they have signed running back Tarik Cohen and offensive lineman Jordan Morgan.
Cohen, a fourth-round pick (119th overall) out of North Carolina A&T, rushed for 1,588 yards and 19 touchdowns, while adding 37 receptions for 339 yards and one touchdown in 2016.
Morgan, a fifth-round (147th overall) selection out of Kutztown, started every game for the Golden Bears in his four years with the team. Morgan was also coached by John Fox's staff at the Senior Bowl in January.
The only remaining unsigned Bears draft picks are quarterback Mitch Trubisky, tight end Adam Shaheen and safety Eddie Jackson.
Report: Bears schedule visit with former Pro Bowl wide receiver Victor Cruz.
By Scott Krinch
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
After releasing one veteran wide receiver on Thursday, the Bears will reportedly meet with another next week.
According to NFL Network's Kimberly Jones, former New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz is scheduled to meet with the Bears.
After missing the entire 2015 season with a calf injury, Cruz bounced back to play in 15 games with the Giants in 2016. He had 39 receptions for 586 yards and a touchdown.
Cruz, 30, has appeared in 67 career NFL games and has accumulated 303 receptions for 4,549 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Cruz helped the Giants capture the Lombardi Trophy in a victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. During the 2011 playoffs, Cruz had 21 receptions for 269 yards and a touchdown.
If the Bears sign Cruz, he'll join an already crowded wide receiver group which includes Cameron Meredith, Kevin White, Markus Wheaton, Kendall Wright, Josh Bellamy, Deonte Thompson, Daniel Braverman and Rueben Randle.
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Blackhawks lock up Richard Panik with two-year extension.
By Tracey Myers
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
When Richard Panik had his final season media session on April 22, he didn’t know what the future held for him. Coming off what he considered his most consistent season in the NHL, he hoped to return to the Blackhawks.
Now he will.
The Blackhawks and Panik agreed on a two-year extension, the team announced on Thursday. In a statement, general manager Stan Bowman said, “Richard made tremendous strides this past year and we were pleased with the consistency he showed throughout the season. We are looking forward to having him in Chicago for the next two seasons.”
Pierre LeBrun of TSN reported that Panik’s deal has a cap hit of $2.8 million per season. Panik is coming off a one-year deal with a $875,000 cap hit. Speaking on a conference call on Thursday morning, Panik said the deal the Blackhawks offered was a good one and there was, “not much thinking about it.”
Panik gets a raise but he earned it with his 2016-17 regular season, when he set career highs in goals (22), assists (22) and points (44). Panik was happy with his season, right up until the first round of the playoffs.
“I think when I look back at the season, this was my most consistent season in the NHL. That’s good. But when you get swept in the playoffs it’s not looking good, your individual season,” Panik said on April 22. “So you’re disappointed.”
Still, Panik provided a net-front presence that the Blackhawks needed this past season and will need going forward. He helped the top line find some stability, as he, Jonathan Toews and Nick Schmaltz were together for most of the season’s second half.
The Blackhawks will face another offseason of number crunching, and Panik’s new deal will add to that. According to CapFriendly.com, the Blackhawks are more than $3.6 million above the current cap ceiling ($73 million). That includes bonuses of more than $3.5 million that players earned in the 2016-17 season. In March, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the 2017-18 cap could be between $75.5-$76 million, depending on inflator negotiations with the NHLPA. Even with the increase, the Blackhawks will have some math to do.
Also, will the Blackhawks protect Panik in the upcoming expansion draft? It would seem they would, considering how happy they’ve been with Panik’s progression. The Blackhawks have to leave two forwards unprotected: Panik, Marcus Kruger, Ryan Hartman and Jordin Tootoo are all eligible to be exposed in the expansion draft.
“There is still a chance but hopefully Chicago will protect me,” Panik said. “My main reason [in re-signing] was I wanted to stay in Chicago. So hopefully they will protect me and I’ll stay here.”
Since coming to the Blackhawks in a minor-league trade in January of 2015, Panik has done some great things here. If the Blackhawks protect him, he’ll look to build off last season.
“I know how good I am, what I’m capable of and how I can play,” he said on Thursday. “Chicago gave me the opportunity and that’s what it’s all about. I wanted to show them, wanted to earn a spot on the team that was my main focus in training camp, to earn a spot and go from there.”
Blackhawks prospects Matthew Highmore, Nathan Noel win QMJHL title.
By Charles Roumeliotis
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Matthew Highmore and Nathan Noel finished off their Quebec Major Junior Hockey League season on top.
The pair of Blackhawks prospects helped the Saint John Sea Dogs knock off the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada 5-1 Wednesday to complete the series sweep and capture the President's Cup. Highmore scored a goal and two assists in the series-clinching victory, and finished second on the team with 24 points (six goals and 18 assists) in 18 playoff games.
Noel contributed with two goals and seven assists, two of them coming while shorthanded.
Highmore, 21, and Noel, 19, each signed entry-level contracts with the Blackhawks in March and April, both of which will begin in 2017-18.
The Sea Dogs will now advance to the Memorial Cup, where they will compete in a four-team, round-robin tournament from May 19-28 to determine the champion of the Canadian Hockey League. One of those teams is likely to feature Blackhawks top prospect Alex DeBrincat and the Erie Otters, who own a 3-1 series lead in the Ontario Hockey League Championship Series.
Just Another Chicago Bulls Session..... NBA executives understand why top players skip combine.
By Vincent Goodwill
(Photo/AP)
The NBA Draft Combine is a battleground of sorts for two different yet equally understandable ends of a spectrum, with the draft a matter of weeks away.
There’s the top players who don’t see the need in going through the drills, measurements and competition are on one side, while the executives and scouts who’ve made the trek to Chicago would ideally like to see every available player put on a jersey and go through at least some of the drills.
But prospective top picks Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball, Josh Jackson and most of the consensus top 10 weren’t in attendance. Fultz came to Chicago but wasn’t at the combine and it presents an issue of sorts.
It was highlighted by Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant blasting the usefulness of the combine as a whole, considering he couldn’t bench press 185 pounds as a skinny teenager from the University of Texas before the 2007 draft.
Durant went second overall and is on his way to a Hall of Fame career, so his words about the memories from what seems to be a humiliating experience holds some weight.
Teams also sit down with players through the week to get a feel for them, something that isn’t guaranteed after the combine considering players can refuse to work out for a team because it isn’t a desirable destination or if they believe the team won’t be in a position to draft them.
CSNChicago.com spoke to several league executives and scouts in attendance, and while the opinions varied, they certainly understood the position players — or more specifically, their agents are in, at least in terms of the workouts.
“I want to see guys compete,” an Eastern Conference scout said. “Even if he misses every shot, going against a guy who’s a mid-round pick and watching how they handle the competition tells you part of their mental makeup. Their body of work won’t be discounted over two days here.”
A Western Conference President agreed but said if he had a son or a client who’s slated in the top 5, he would advise him against coming to the combine.
“It can’t do anything but cost you money. That’s the honest truth,” he said. “We have better just done all of our homework when it comes to making the right selection. It’s on us.”
“I don’t care if they play or do the 5-on-5 stuff,” a longtime executive from a playoff team said. “They’ve done enough through the year, but every team should have physicals from every player available in the draft, whether they work out and play or not.”
It sounds rather simplistic but every team has its own criteria for physicals and if a player refuses to work out for a team, the team is without valuable information that could aid it in selecting or passing up on a top prospect. The NBA doesn’t mandate universal physicals for incoming players and due to college prospects not being members of the players union, it puts the league in a tricky position it can’t control.
Agents can sometimes protect their clients from damaging information getting out, which is why players sometimes slip late in the draft process if a medical evaluation is red-flagged.
Former Celtic forward Jared Sullinger’s back was red-flagged before the 2012 draft, and he went from a lottery selection to being picked 21st. Bulls first-round draft pick Denzel Valentine was thought to be a top-10 selection last year before his knees were deemed a concern for the top teams, as he slipped to the Bulls toward the end of the lottery.
"Tell me one thing they get out of it?” queried a Western Conference executive. “If I was an agent, and I have a guy like Josh Jackson (Kansas), what good is it that Josh Jackson comes in? He’s gonna go in the top 2-3 anyways.”
There’s the top players who don’t see the need in going through the drills, measurements and competition are on one side, while the executives and scouts who’ve made the trek to Chicago would ideally like to see every available player put on a jersey and go through at least some of the drills.
But prospective top picks Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball, Josh Jackson and most of the consensus top 10 weren’t in attendance. Fultz came to Chicago but wasn’t at the combine and it presents an issue of sorts.
It was highlighted by Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant blasting the usefulness of the combine as a whole, considering he couldn’t bench press 185 pounds as a skinny teenager from the University of Texas before the 2007 draft.
Durant went second overall and is on his way to a Hall of Fame career, so his words about the memories from what seems to be a humiliating experience holds some weight.
Teams also sit down with players through the week to get a feel for them, something that isn’t guaranteed after the combine considering players can refuse to work out for a team because it isn’t a desirable destination or if they believe the team won’t be in a position to draft them.
CSNChicago.com spoke to several league executives and scouts in attendance, and while the opinions varied, they certainly understood the position players — or more specifically, their agents are in, at least in terms of the workouts.
“I want to see guys compete,” an Eastern Conference scout said. “Even if he misses every shot, going against a guy who’s a mid-round pick and watching how they handle the competition tells you part of their mental makeup. Their body of work won’t be discounted over two days here.”
A Western Conference President agreed but said if he had a son or a client who’s slated in the top 5, he would advise him against coming to the combine.
“It can’t do anything but cost you money. That’s the honest truth,” he said. “We have better just done all of our homework when it comes to making the right selection. It’s on us.”
“I don’t care if they play or do the 5-on-5 stuff,” a longtime executive from a playoff team said. “They’ve done enough through the year, but every team should have physicals from every player available in the draft, whether they work out and play or not.”
It sounds rather simplistic but every team has its own criteria for physicals and if a player refuses to work out for a team, the team is without valuable information that could aid it in selecting or passing up on a top prospect. The NBA doesn’t mandate universal physicals for incoming players and due to college prospects not being members of the players union, it puts the league in a tricky position it can’t control.
Agents can sometimes protect their clients from damaging information getting out, which is why players sometimes slip late in the draft process if a medical evaluation is red-flagged.
Former Celtic forward Jared Sullinger’s back was red-flagged before the 2012 draft, and he went from a lottery selection to being picked 21st. Bulls first-round draft pick Denzel Valentine was thought to be a top-10 selection last year before his knees were deemed a concern for the top teams, as he slipped to the Bulls toward the end of the lottery.
"Tell me one thing they get out of it?” queried a Western Conference executive. “If I was an agent, and I have a guy like Josh Jackson (Kansas), what good is it that Josh Jackson comes in? He’s gonna go in the top 2-3 anyways.”
“He’s not gonna play. None of them are gonna play. He’s gonna interview where he’s (likely) gonna go.”
The draft lottery is next week, where teams will know where they’ll be slotted for the June 22 made-for-television extravaganza. In a spirited conversation between the executive and a former coach, they both seemed to sit on the same side of the fence, while also acknowledging their interests at the same time.
“Here’s the problem the league has, it’s taking control away from them and they don’t like it,” the executive said.
The coach responded.
“If the physical is gonna hurt the agent’s client, why would he give it access to everyone?”
The executive continued.
“And he’ll slide 10 spots and lose out on guaranteed money. But for me, oh yeah, I wanna see everything. I’m not mad at the agents. Everybody’s talking about how it should be, it’s self-serving interests for us. You want access to as much as you can get.”
CUBS: Why Joe Maddon won’t hit the panic button with slow-starting Cubs.
By Patrick Mooney
By Patrick Mooney
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
“If we haven’t reached rock bottom with this, we’re pretty damn close.” – Mike Quade, May 17, 2011.
If only all Cubs managers could have experienced Joe Maddon problems. Hit the panic button if Jon Lester wrecks his left shoulder while racing a dirt bike on his day off, or Jake Arrieta blows off an MRI and gets shut down with a torn lat muscle, or Kyle Hendricks parties to the point of a suspension for violation of team rules.
The San Francisco Giants might already be nearing a point of no return with Madison Bumgarner in 2017 and forced to think about selling at the trade deadline. The New York Mets are a three-ring circus, desperately trying to restore order with Noah Syndergaard and Matt Harvey and now closer Jeurys Familia diagnosed with an arterial clog in his right shoulder.
So while the Cubs never expected to be 17-17 and in fourth place in the National League Central by the middle of May, FanGraphs still gives them a 91.5-percent chance to make the playoffs. If you’re hoping for Maddon to publicly rip his players and storm out of a press conference, well, you haven’t been paying attention.
“Starting pitching drives the engine,” Maddon said. “When you’re doing that right, everything else has a better opportunity or chance. Your defense gets bigger. Contact is not as hard. Hitters don’t have to battle from behind all the time. There’s more pressure on the other side. All those things are interchangeable. They’re interconnected. So as we pitch better, we’ll play better.”
The next great hope for the pitching infrastructure is Eddie Butler, the change-of-scenery guy who will face the first-place St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night at Busch Stadium. Butler is a promising right-hander with top-prospect pedigree who pitched well at Triple-A Iowa – and put up a 6.50 ERA across parts of three seasons with the Colorado Rockies.
Whether or not Butler clicks, the turnaround will have to happen with Lester, Arrieta, Hendricks and John Lackey – the top four starters from the rotation that led the majors with a 2.96 ERA last season (while no other starting group dropped below 3.60).
The 2017 Cubs have a 4.56 rotation ERA with 13 quality starts through 34 games, putting an enormous strain on a much stronger bullpen and exposing some of the learning-on-the-job issues with the lineup.
The defending World Series champs deserve the benefit of the doubt. But if the stress from back-to-back playoff runs finally catches up to 30-something pitchers and a rotation that has stayed remarkably healthy, then the Baseball Prospectus playoff odds that are less bullish (77 percent) will plummet and Cubs fans will really have something to worry about.
“I have so much confidence in these hitters,” Maddon said. “If we were hitting like on all cylinders – literally hitting on all cylinders – and these starting pitchers were pitching to their optimal situations and you’re playing sort of like this, I would be upset or concerned.
“But I’m not. All these guys are going to play to their normal levels. We’ll pitch better. We’re definitely going to hit better. Overall, the defense, I think, is holding its own.”
Eh, “D-Peat” is an area where the Cubs aren’t playing with the same focus or sharpness. By Thursday morning, only two teams in the big leagues had committed more errors than the Cubs (27). The team that led the majors in defensive efficiency last year now ranks 20th in that category. The Cubs have already allowed 23 unearned runs after giving up 45 all last season.
Within the NL, the Cubs are still a middle-of-the-pack offensive team. Even with leadoff guy Kyle Schwarber striking out almost 30 percent of the time. Ben Zobrist, Jason Heyward, Addison Russell and Willson Contreras are also at a sub-.700 OPS level (or anywhere from 32 to 100 points lower than the big-league average).
“You need to fail on the major-league level in order to understand how to dig yourself out of that hole,” Maddon said. “I really expect fully and anticipate struggles, and even with guys that had shown a lot of success last year. We have a really young and inexperienced team still.
“Even in spite of having two good seasons – and in spite of winning a World Series – we are young and inexperienced on a lot of different levels. So I really know we’re going to have problems. I know we’re going to mess up. I know we’re going to chase pitches. I know the process isn’t going to be right all the time. We might not think it all the way through.
“It’s part of the process, man. We’re still in good shape, record-wise. We’re still in good position. And we haven’t even played near our best baseball.”
“I read the newspapers,” Maddon said. “I read the front pages. I have kids. I have grandkids. I have a foundation where we deal with a lot of people in very difficult situations.
“At the end of the day, it’s a game. Listen, I want to win as badly as anybody. And I hate when we lose. I do carry it home sometimes. But I like to meditate in the morning. I like to get my thoughts together. Evaluate exactly what’s going on here.
“Let’s not get carried away. Hyperbole has no place in all this stuff. But it has a tendency to creep in. Understand exactly what’s going on. Don’t exaggerate your plight.
“If you really want to get wrapped up and be a finger-pointer constantly, it’s a tough way to live your life.”
Cubs make roster moves to create room for pitcher Eddie Butler.
By Tony Andracki
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The Cubs made a roster move Thursday, but the moves they didn't make could be more interesting.
Pitcher Eddie Butler was called up from Triple-A Iowa and will start Friday in St. Louis as planned.
Justin Grimm's seesaw journey continues as he was optioned to Triple-A to make room for Butler on the roster. Grimm — who hasn't quite gotten on track this season with a 7.53 ERA and 1.67 WHIP — was sent to the minors on May 5, only to be recalled two days later when Brett Anderson went on the disabled list.
Anderson's lower-back strain created the opportunity for Butler in the rotation.
Neither pitcher Felix Pena or infielder Jeimer Candelario were sent to the minors to make room for Butler and both players will get a shot to keep making the most of their opportunity in The Show.
Pena was first called up when Grimm was sent down and the 27-year-old righty has allowed four runs (two earned) and seven hits in five innings with the Cubs. He had a 4.00 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in nine innings with the club last season.
Candelario was called up as part of the Cubs' expanded roster for Tuesday's doubleheader and has remained with the big-league team through two roster cuts now.
The 23-year-old corner infielder is one of the team's top prospects and is 1-for-8 with a walk and his first MLB RBI in his first two big-league games this season in Colorado.
Butler, 26, was one of the game's top pitching prospects as recently as 2015 and sports a 6-16 record with a 6.50 ERA and 1.77 WHIP in 36 big-league games (28 starts). He is 1-0 with a 1.17 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in five starts with Triple-A Iowa this season.
White Sox fall behind early, but show fight in loss.
By Dan Hayes
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The White Sox nearly climbed out of the massive cavern they created for themselves on Thursday night.
But in the end, a series of early mistakes was just too much to overcome. The White Sox gave away too many outs yet again and the Minnesota Twins didn’t let them get away with their mistakes. The Twins hit three home runs off Derek Holland and then held on to send the White Sox to a 7-6 loss in front of 16,084 at Guaranteed Rate Field. It was the fifth straight loss for the White Sox, who have fallen to 15-17.
“It was just not a good start to say the least,” manager Rick Renteria said. “But that being said, I thought for goodness sake, we got those guys out there continuing to battle, chip away.
“Guys don’t take it as a deflating moment. It’s not the best moment to have, but it’s not a deflating moment for them because as you can see they kept fighting.”
Holland said he felt good but found trouble early with a pair of first-inning walks. The left-hander still appeared to escape the jam when Jorge Polanco bounced into a potential inning-ending double play. But Jose Abreu dropped Tyler Saladino’s relay throw to keep the inning alive. Joe Mauer took advantage with a two-out RBI single and Eduardo Escobar followed with a three-run shot to put Minnesota ahead 4-0. All four runs were unearned.
The Twins continued to hit Holland hard in the second inning as Brian Dozier and Miguel Sano blasted solo homers to make it a 6-0 game.
“Those guys are going to make the plays,” Holland said. “I still have to make pitches after that no matter what happens. I know what the situation was, but overall I feel like it’s my fault more than anything. I didn’t execute the pitches after that, and that’s what put us in that bigger hole.
I felt really good. I thought I had everything where it needed to be. I just didn’t miss some barrels sometimes, and they found the holes when they needed to and hit a few home runs as well. Like I said, it just comes back on me.”
Escobar later doubled in a run off Holland — who allowed seven runs (three earned) in five innings — to give Minnesota a 7-2 lead. The former White Sox infielder drove in four runs.
The three homers allowed by Holland matched his season total.
In spite of a large deficit the White Sox managed to get the go-ahead run in scoring position in the bottom of the eighth inning.
They did so even though they ran themselves out of their first rally. Todd Frazier’s sac fly in the fourth — on Byron Buxton’s dropped fly ball — got the White Sox within 6-1 and Matt Davidson’s fielder’s choice RBI brought them within four runs. But Davidson tried to go from first to third on Tim Anderson’s single to left field and was thrown out by 20 feet to end the threat.
Melky Cabrera’s three-run homer off Twins starter Phil Hughes helped chase him from the game before he could qualify for the victory. Davidson got the White Sox within a run in the sixth inning with a solo homer off Tyler Duffey.
But the Twins bullpen held firm the rest of the way. Taylor Rogers and Ryan Pressly each provided a scoreless inning of relief.
Brandon Kintzler took over with two aboard in the eighth, a pair he moved up with a wild pitch. Kintzler got out of the jam with strikeouts of Omar Narvaez and Leury Garcia to preserve the one-run lead.
Kintzler returned to retire the top of the White Sox lineup in order in the ninth.
Despite the loss, the White Sox have been pleased with their late-game efforts.
“That’s kind of what you ask for from our team every night,” Davidson said. “We want to come out on top, but we want to give every team a fight every night and know we’re not backing down.”
“We ran into a Baltimore team that was playing well and coming off a series where they were pretty energetic. But we’re going to have these ups and downs through the season. We want to stop it and go another direction.”
Could White Sox and Cubs become trade partners?
By CSN Staff
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
In the latest SportsTalk Live Podcast, David Schuster (670 The Score), Patrick Finley (Chicago Sun-Times) and Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic) join Kap on the panel.
The Cubs are stuck in the middle at .500. What’s the biggest reason for their overwhelming start?
Meanwhile, Theo Epstein doesn’t see the White Sox ever calling him with a big trade offer.
Plus, Mitch Trubisky drives into minicamp in a ’97 Camry, but when will he lead a drive on the field?
Check out the latest SportsTalk Live Podcast right here.
White Sox relievers Zach Putnam, Nate Jones take first steps in rehab.
The Cubs are stuck in the middle at .500. What’s the biggest reason for their overwhelming start?
Meanwhile, Theo Epstein doesn’t see the White Sox ever calling him with a big trade offer.
Plus, Mitch Trubisky drives into minicamp in a ’97 Camry, but when will he lead a drive on the field?
Check out the latest SportsTalk Live Podcast right here.
White Sox relievers Zach Putnam, Nate Jones take first steps in rehab.
By Dan Hayes
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Zach Putnam worked hard to reach this point and he’s optimistic after a light day of throwing.
The White Sox reliever played catch on Thursday, the first time he’s done so since going on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to April 23. Putnam has plenty ahead in his rehab from right elbow inflammation but feels he’s on the right track. The right-hander played catch with Nate Jones, who is also on the DL and who began to play catch a day earlier.
“It’s good,” Putnam said. “It was a real easy day today. Got out to 60 feet, a couple throws of 45. A couple throws of 60. Everything was good. It was very light. Arc on the ball, the whole deal. But it’s a good place to start.”
Putnam was off to a strong start before he hit the DL with a 1.04 ERA and nine strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings. He’s one of three Opening Day bullpen members currently on the DL along with Jones and Jake Petricka.
Putnam didn’t travel with the White Sox on their most recent road trip, instead heading home to rehab in Ann Arbor, Mich. He did two-a-day physical therapy sessions (120-150 minutes each) to get ready. Still, Putnam knows he has plenty of work ahead.
“I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself,” Putnam said. “It’s going to be this whole process, it’s going to be hinging on how I feel each time I go out and throw. Today was good and next time out, try to build off of that.”
Manager Rick Renteria is encouraged but said he has no timeline for either Putnam or Jones. Renteria said the team is still awaiting word on what direction to head with catcher Geovany Soto, who is also on the DL with elbow inflammation. Renteria added there’s nothing new regarding James Shields (lat muscle strain), who was shut down last week and hasn’t played catch since.
The White Sox reliever played catch on Thursday, the first time he’s done so since going on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to April 23. Putnam has plenty ahead in his rehab from right elbow inflammation but feels he’s on the right track. The right-hander played catch with Nate Jones, who is also on the DL and who began to play catch a day earlier.
“It’s good,” Putnam said. “It was a real easy day today. Got out to 60 feet, a couple throws of 45. A couple throws of 60. Everything was good. It was very light. Arc on the ball, the whole deal. But it’s a good place to start.”
Putnam was off to a strong start before he hit the DL with a 1.04 ERA and nine strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings. He’s one of three Opening Day bullpen members currently on the DL along with Jones and Jake Petricka.
Putnam didn’t travel with the White Sox on their most recent road trip, instead heading home to rehab in Ann Arbor, Mich. He did two-a-day physical therapy sessions (120-150 minutes each) to get ready. Still, Putnam knows he has plenty of work ahead.
“I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself,” Putnam said. “It’s going to be this whole process, it’s going to be hinging on how I feel each time I go out and throw. Today was good and next time out, try to build off of that.”
Manager Rick Renteria is encouraged but said he has no timeline for either Putnam or Jones. Renteria said the team is still awaiting word on what direction to head with catcher Geovany Soto, who is also on the DL with elbow inflammation. Renteria added there’s nothing new regarding James Shields (lat muscle strain), who was shut down last week and hasn’t played catch since.
Golf: I got a club for that..... McGirt, Hughes share Players lead.
By Al Tays
(Photo/Golf Channel Digital)
Golf's annual pucker-fest took center stage Thursday at TPC Sawgrass, with the notorious island-green 17th hole meting out its usual punishment (although not to Sergio Garcia, whom we'll get to in a minute). Here's how things stand after one round of The Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.:
Leaderboard: William McGirt (-5), Mackenzie Hughes (-5), J.B. Holmes (-4), Alex Noren (-4), Chez Reavie (-4), Jon Rahm (-4)
What it means: There's a lot of golf to be played, a lot of trips to the potentially round-wrecking 17th hole. We should give props to McGirt for another fast start in a big tournament. At the Masters, he opened with a 69 that left him in second place after Round 1. Unfortunately, he would end up tied for 22nd.
Rounds of the day: McGirt followed an interesting path to his 67. After making three birdies on the front nine, he eagled both par-5s on the back. Unfortunately, he also bogeyed the 10th and the 18th. Canadian Hughes bookended his front nine with two birdies, then made three more on the back.
Best of the rest: Holmes, Noren, Reavie and Rahm all shot 68. Sweden's Noren made it to the final group on Sunday in the Wells Fargo Championship, where he closed with a 77, and Spain's Rahm finished fourth in the same event.
Biggest disappointment: We have two candidates: First, Scott. He was cruising along, leading the tournament at 6 under, when he didn't get his tee shot deep enough onto the 17th green and watched it bounce back into the water. He made double bogey. Then he hit his second shot into the water at the 18th and made another double bogey. It wasn't the best of days for Jordan Spieth, who shot a 73 that included a double-bogey 6 on his 10th hole of the day (No. 1) that he blamed on a poorly raked bunker.
Shot of the day: The 137-yard, par-3 17th was no problem for Garcia, who hit his iron shot right at the front pin, bounced it jut past and sucked the ball back into the cup.
Main storyline heading into Friday: How will things shake out after 36 holes? For one thing, where are the leaders in the world ranking? No. 3 Jason Day shot 70 and is three shots back, and No. 1 Dustin Johnson is four back after a 71. Also, two of Thursday's finishes were potentially misleading: Scott played well until the final two holes, where he dropped four shots. Conversely, Garcia was fortunate to keep his score down to 73, thanks to his hole-in-one at the 17th.
Garcia (73) still center of attention after ace at 17.
By Will Gray
Leaderboard: William McGirt (-5), Mackenzie Hughes (-5), J.B. Holmes (-4), Alex Noren (-4), Chez Reavie (-4), Jon Rahm (-4)
What it means: There's a lot of golf to be played, a lot of trips to the potentially round-wrecking 17th hole. We should give props to McGirt for another fast start in a big tournament. At the Masters, he opened with a 69 that left him in second place after Round 1. Unfortunately, he would end up tied for 22nd.
Rounds of the day: McGirt followed an interesting path to his 67. After making three birdies on the front nine, he eagled both par-5s on the back. Unfortunately, he also bogeyed the 10th and the 18th. Canadian Hughes bookended his front nine with two birdies, then made three more on the back.
Best of the rest: Holmes, Noren, Reavie and Rahm all shot 68. Sweden's Noren made it to the final group on Sunday in the Wells Fargo Championship, where he closed with a 77, and Spain's Rahm finished fourth in the same event.
Biggest disappointment: We have two candidates: First, Scott. He was cruising along, leading the tournament at 6 under, when he didn't get his tee shot deep enough onto the 17th green and watched it bounce back into the water. He made double bogey. Then he hit his second shot into the water at the 18th and made another double bogey. It wasn't the best of days for Jordan Spieth, who shot a 73 that included a double-bogey 6 on his 10th hole of the day (No. 1) that he blamed on a poorly raked bunker.
Shot of the day: The 137-yard, par-3 17th was no problem for Garcia, who hit his iron shot right at the front pin, bounced it jut past and sucked the ball back into the cup.
Main storyline heading into Friday: How will things shake out after 36 holes? For one thing, where are the leaders in the world ranking? No. 3 Jason Day shot 70 and is three shots back, and No. 1 Dustin Johnson is four back after a 71. Also, two of Thursday's finishes were potentially misleading: Scott played well until the final two holes, where he dropped four shots. Conversely, Garcia was fortunate to keep his score down to 73, thanks to his hole-in-one at the 17th.
Garcia (73) still center of attention after ace at 17.
By Will Gray
(Photo/Golf Channel Digital)
As he addressed the media next to the yawning clubhouse at TPC Sawgrass, the chant from the autograph area grew louder by the minute.
“Sergio! Sergio! Sergio!” said seemingly every pre-teen in the greater Jacksonville area.
Garcia answered each question, but the chants grew louder still. Finally, they reached a crescendo that elicited a wry grin from the Spaniard.
“I guess I’d better head over there,” he said.
This was always the dream scenario for Sergio Garcia. The 1:41 p.m. tee time in the opening round of The Players Championship was effectively a celebration in his honor, the first of many opportunities for Garcia to be introduced on the first tee of a tournament as Masters champ.
The green jacket wasn’t on his shoulders as he struck his opening tee shot, but it might as well have been. And while the honeymoon period quickly dried up once he hit the course, Garcia managed to author a highlight by day’s end that will be difficult to top the rest of the week.
Garcia has been one of the few players to consistently tame Pete Dye’s menacing design, and he entered this week with 13 straight made cuts at the PGA Tour’s flagship event. But after six holes that streak appeared in dire jeopardy, as Garcia stood at 4 over after an opening bogey and a four-putt double on No. 5.
“I was a little bit nervous early on. I think I wasn’t quite in the tournament because of everything that’s been going on, obviously after the Masters win, and media, and people congratulating you left, right and center,” Garcia said. “I felt like I was a little bit up in the clouds, and when I woke up, I was 4 over after six.”
He managed to get things somewhat back on track, but as he made the nerve-wracking walk from the 16th green to the 17th tee he still stood at 3 over.
Garcia’s relationship with the island green certainly qualifies as complicated. It was there that he defeated Paul Goydos in a playoff to win the 2008 Players, and it was also where he lost the tournament in both 2013 (two balls in the water during the final round while leading) and 2015 (part of a playoff loss to Rickie Fowler).
But Thursday he used his 52-degree wedge to author another positive memory on one of the most iconic holes in golf.
“It was nice to see it bounce and spin back into the hole,” Garcia said. “Maybe I needed it after the start I had. It kind of made a poor round into, not a great round, but a decent round.”
Garcia’s ace was the eighth in tournament history on No. 17, the second in as many years and a shot that sent the fans gathered in the adjacent amphitheater into a frenzy.
“It was a great shot the whole way,” said playing partner Matt Kuchar. “You’re kind of hoping for it, and then it was awfully exciting when it went in. I mean, 17 has got to be the most recognizable hole in the world. To have one there is very cool.”
Garcia watched a replay of his shot on a giant video screen next to the tee, and he basked in the applause that deservedly went his way. It was a remarkable situation considering this was the same setting where a very pro-Tiger Woods gallery had reveled in Garcia’s demise on the penultimate hole just four years ago.
But the sport’s landscape has undergone a seismic shift in the interim, and now Garcia is the man of the hour.
“It was awesome,” Kuchar said. “Just the first tee experience was very cool, Sergio being announced as Masters champ. The crowd was very warm and welcoming, excited to have him. It was a lot of love there from fans for Sergio.”
Garcia did his best to downplay the situation, noting the quirkiness of the 17th hole that caused Adam Scott to follow his ace, land his ball a few feet to the right and watch as it spun back into the water.
“Obviously, it was a hole-in-one,” Garcia said. “So if they don’t react to that, then something’s wrong.”
The day began with Garcia squarely in the spotlight, and hours later he managed to thrust himself back into it with a single, 123-yard wedge.
It’s not often that a 1-over 73 makes you the center of attention. But these days it’s good to be Sergio Garcia, and Thursday was no exception.
Northwestern in, Illinois out of NCAA women's golf championships.
By Teddy Greenstein
Northwestern advanced to the NCAA women's golf championships for the fifth consecutive year, finishing second Wednesday in an 18-team regional in Athens, Ga.
The Wildcats will get to play relatively close to home in the May 19-24 championships at Rich Harvest Farms in west suburban Sugar Grove.
The top six teams in each of four regionals advanced. Northwestern's third-round score of 5-under 283 was the best of the day in Athens, and the Wildcats' 54-hole total of 7-over 871 was 14 strokes behind Alabama.
Sarah Cho closed with a 4-under 68 to finish tied for fifth individually at 2-under 214. Hannah Kim tied for eighth at 215.
Illinois will not be in the 24-team field at Rich Harvest after tying for 11th in its regional in Albuquerque, N.M.
Rich Harvest also will host the men's championships May 26-31. The Illinois and Northwestern men will look to advance out of regionals next week.
NASCAR: Weekend schedule for NASCAR Cup, Trucks at Kansas.
By Jerry Bonkowski
(Photo/Getty Images)
The NASCAR Cup Series and Camping World Truck Series will both race under the lights at the 1.5-mile Kansas Speedway.
The Trucks will race Friday and the Cup race is Saturday night, allowing teams to be home Sunday for Mother’s Day.
Kyle Busch won last spring’s Cup race at Kansas, while William Byron earned the first of what would become seven wins in the Truck Series race there.
Here’s how this weekend’s schedule looks:
(All times are Eastern)
Friday, May 12
9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Cup garage open
10:30 a.m. – Truck garage opens
11:30 a.m. – 12:25 p.m. – Cup practice (Fox Sports 1, MRN)
1:30 p.m. – 2:55 p.m. Cup final practice (FS1, MRN)
4:35 p.m. – Truck series qualifying (FS1, MRN)
6:15 p.m. – Truck driver/crew chief meeting
6:45 p.m. – Cup qualifying/multi-vehicle, three rounds (Fs1, MRN)
8 p.m. – Truck driver introductions
8:30 p.m. – Toyota Tundra 250 truck race (167 laps, 250.5 miles) (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday, May 13
1 p.m. – Cup garage opens
5:30 p.m. – Cup driver-crew chief meeting
6:50 p.m. – Cup driver introductions
7:30 p.m. – Go Bowling 400 (267 laps, 400.5 miles) (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
The Trucks will race Friday and the Cup race is Saturday night, allowing teams to be home Sunday for Mother’s Day.
Kyle Busch won last spring’s Cup race at Kansas, while William Byron earned the first of what would become seven wins in the Truck Series race there.
Here’s how this weekend’s schedule looks:
(All times are Eastern)
Friday, May 12
9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Cup garage open
10:30 a.m. – Truck garage opens
11:30 a.m. – 12:25 p.m. – Cup practice (Fox Sports 1, MRN)
1:30 p.m. – 2:55 p.m. Cup final practice (FS1, MRN)
4:35 p.m. – Truck series qualifying (FS1, MRN)
6:15 p.m. – Truck driver/crew chief meeting
6:45 p.m. – Cup qualifying/multi-vehicle, three rounds (Fs1, MRN)
8 p.m. – Truck driver introductions
8:30 p.m. – Toyota Tundra 250 truck race (167 laps, 250.5 miles) (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday, May 13
1 p.m. – Cup garage opens
5:30 p.m. – Cup driver-crew chief meeting
6:50 p.m. – Cup driver introductions
7:30 p.m. – Go Bowling 400 (267 laps, 400.5 miles) (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
NASCAR at Kansas: Vegas odds, key stats, predictions, sleepers, fantasy drivers to watch.
By Joe Rodgers
(Photo/Getty Images)
Kyle Busch wanted to return to a "real" race track following his loss at Talladega Sunday and this weekend he'll get his wish at Kansas Speedway's 1.5-mile circuit under the lights for Saturday night's Go Bowling 400.
Busch will attempt to defend his victory in the Kansas spring race on Saturday. He struggled at Kansas early in his career, but seems to have figured it out lately. He has logged a top-five finish in his last four starts there but is still seeking his first win of the season to automatically clinch a playoff spot.
Kevin Harvick has also had recent success at Kansas, finishing first or second in five of his last seven starts while Joey Logano has placed in the top five in six of his last seven starts in the Sunflower State, including two wins.
It's no surprise the trio of veterans are among the favorites to win Saturday night (7:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1).
What are the Las Vegas odds for the NASCAR race at Kansas?
Here are the race odds according to the Westgate Sportsbook:
Kevin Harvick, 6-1
Jimmie Johnson, 6-1
Brad Keselowski, 6-1
Martin Truex Jr., 6-1
Kyle Larson, 6-1
Kyle Busch, 8-1
Joey Logano, 8-1
Chase Elliott, 10-1
Matt Kenseth, 20-1
Denny Hamlin, 25-1
Clint Bowyer, 25-1
Erik Jones, 30-1
Ryan Blaney, 30-1
Dale Earnhardt Jr., 30-1
Kurt Busch, 30-1
Jamie McMurray, 30-1
Kasey Kahne, 30-1
Ryan Newman, 80-1
Austin Dillon, 80-1
Daniel Suarez, 100-1
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 100-1
Trevor Bayne, 200-1
Ty Dillon, 500-1
AJ Allmendinger, 500-1
Paul Menard, 500-1
Chris Buescher, 500-1
Aric Almirola, 500-1
Danica Patrick, 500-1
Field, 1,000-1
Who are the sleepers to win the NASCAR race at Kansas?
Hometown hero Clint Bowyer is looking for his first top-10 at Kansas since 2013 but has been on a decent roll at 1.5-mile tracks this season, finishing 11th or better at all three races. His last win came a similar circuit (Charlotte) in 2012.
Ryan Blaney finished fifth in the Kansas spring race last season and has a 13.2 average finish in four career Kansas races. The Wood Brothers driver, who has an alliance with Team Penske, led a race-high 148 laps at Texas Motor Speedway — the most recent 1.5-mile track this season.
Jamie McMurray is off to a solid start to the season, entering Saturday's race fifth in the standings. He hasn't won a race since 2013 but as teammate Kyle Larson has proved, Chip Ganassi Racing has plenty of speed at 1.5-mile layouts.
Which drivers are best for fantasy NASCAR in Kansas?
Since the start of the 2014 season, Kevin Harvick paces all Monster Energy Series drivers with 2,112 laps led at intermediate (1.5-mile) tracks and is our pick to win Saturday. He is followed by Martin Truex Jr. (1,354), Brad Keselowski (1,286), Joey Logano (1,246) and Jimmie Johnson (1,149). Kyle Busch (680), Matt Kenseth (615), and Kurt Busch (364) round out the top eight.
Johnson will go for his third win in five races at Kansas Speedway — a track where he is tied with Jeff Gordon for the wins lead with three. The No. 48 Chevrolet driver also boasts nine top fives, 17 top 10s and an 8.9 average finish at the 1.5-mile track. Johnson is also the winner at Texas nearly a month ago.
Logano has led at least one lap in his last seven Kansas starts for a total of 294 while Truex has just one DNF in the last 27 races at intermediate tracks to go along with four wins and a 8.9 average finish.
Kyle Larson has finished second in all three of the previous 1.5-mile races this season and owns the fastest laps run among active drivers at Kansas.
SOCCER: Drew Conner moves positions to get his first MLS start.
By Dan Santaromita
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
For years Drew Conner was warned this might happen.
Growing up as a defensive midfielder, Conner was told by coaches early in his career that a move to right back was something he needed to be ready for. That move finally happened this season as the Chicago Fire’s homegrown player made his first MLS start at the LA Galaxy on Saturday and did so at his new position.
Growing up as a defensive midfielder, Conner was told by coaches early in his career that a move to right back was something he needed to be ready for. That move finally happened this season as the Chicago Fire’s homegrown player made his first MLS start at the LA Galaxy on Saturday and did so at his new position.
“In college and all throughout my youth career, coaches always kind of hinted that it would happen at some point, that I would transition into that position,” Conner said. “I think you kind of see it sometimes with a lot of defensive mids that come out of college and come into the league.”
The combination of the Fire’s glut of central midfielders and a lack of depth at right back made the move a somewhat obvious choice for coach Veljko Paunovic. Michael Harrington, who has typically played more left back than right back in his career, started the first eight matches of the season at right back.
Conner had been learning the new position since the start of the season. After only making appearances on loan as a rookie in the USL last season, Conner had made four substitute appearances for the Fire in 2017, including a 12-minute stint at right back against New England on April 15.
“Since right after preseason I’ve kind of been jumping in that position in practice,” Conner said. “So I’ve been getting a lot of reps there in training. When I got on the field I was kind of just focusing on keeping that line and keeping my hips open and watching the wide mid.”
Based on where he was playing in training leading up to the LA game, the Cary native had an idea that he would be starting. Paunovic confirmed Conner’s suspicion in the airport before traveling to LA.
The Wisconsin product’s first assignment involved going up against Romain Alessandrini, who already has four goals and four assists in his first nine games with the Galaxy, Premier League veteran and England national teamer Ashley Cole and then speedy winger Emmanuel Boateng when he subbed into the match just before halftime.
“All those guys are really quick so when the centerbacks, the center mids got the ball I just made sure I had a couple yards of starting space and was able to keep with them,” Conner said. “I think I played pretty well. I thought my positioning was pretty good. The second half they kind of started to overload that right side, starting overlapping more. Their wide mids started cutting in so there was some chaos going over on my side, but as far as most of my 1v1 challenges were pretty good. On the ball I thought I was pretty clean going forward.”
Conner went 75 minutes before being subbed out for Jonathan Campbell. His teammates agreed that Conner had a good first MLS start.
“I think he did quite well,” Bastian Schweinsteiger said. “It’s not easy when you play your first match and against LA. It’s not easy, but I think he did a good job. It should give him confidence.”
“I thought Drew played really well,” Dax McCarty said. “First start on the road in LA against some really, really talented attacking players in (Giovani) Dos Santos, (Gyasi) Zardes and Alessandrini. I thought he held his own really well. He probably saved a goal for us in the first half on the cross when he stayed with the runner and put a lot of pressure on him. So overall a really good performance from him and hopefully he can build on it.”
Conner’s dad made the trip to watch the game, but that wasn’t exactly due to the special occasion of his first start.
“My dad pretty much goes to all my games,” Conner said with a laugh. “Even the ones in college I don’t think he missed a lot of away games. I pretty much assume he’s coming to every one.”
Before this season Conner’s only experience playing defense was a short stint at right back last season when he was with St. Louis in the USL. He said he had no complaints about the position switch, but does still hope he can return to the midfield.
Fire goalkeeper Matt Lampson believes he is 'vastly improved' from last year.
By Dan Santaromita
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Matt Lampson is going through a bit of role reversal this year.
Last season, Lampson began the season as the Chicago Fire’s starting goalkeeper. Lampson took the spot even though longtime starting goalkeeper Sean Johnson was still on the roster. He started the first nine matches of the season, but made just two more starts in MLS play the rest of the way.
Last season, Lampson began the season as the Chicago Fire’s starting goalkeeper. Lampson took the spot even though longtime starting goalkeeper Sean Johnson was still on the roster. He started the first nine matches of the season, but made just two more starts in MLS play the rest of the way.
This year, things are reversed for Lampson. Johnson departed in the offseason, but the Fire brought in Jorge Bava and Bava made the first eight starts. Lampson waited for his chance and got it in the draw at LA on Saturday.
“I’ve been hoping for this the entire year,” Lampson said on Tuesday after training. “I came into the preseason vastly improved on last year, a lot more confidence and I was ready to go help the team win. That’s the number one thing is I’ve been really waiting for my opportunity to help the team win games and I’m glad that I finally got the opportunity.”
Lampson wasn’t credited with any saves, but wasn’t at fault for either of the goals he conceded in the 2-2 draw. The Fire led 2-0 at halftime and Lampson said it was the best first 45 minutes since coach Veljko Paunovic took over before last season.
Lampson said he focused on improving his footwork in the offseason, but it’s the mental side that has changed the most from a year ago.
“I’m not afraid to make mistakes anymore,” Lampson said. “Last year with Sean behind me I knew that there was a ton of pressure for him to play. At this point I’m just confident and I’m just out there playing.”
With goalkeepers, if you’re not starting, you’re not playing unless the starter gets hurt. Despite entering the season with newfound confidence and belief in his ability, Lampson began the year as the No. 2 goalkeeper and not able to get on the field at all. Lampson was frustrated he couldn’t show what he believes was improvement in his game.
“It’s incredibly frustrating,” Lampson said. “Everybody always wants to play, but definitely you have to take positives out of it and you have to be mentally strong and be ready for your opportunity when it comes. The number one thing that keeps me going is I’m out here everyday for 30 minutes plus after every practice just improving on things not necessarily to get on the field, but I know it will pay off in the long run when I do get my opportunity. I think that’s what’s happening now.”
Lampson said Paunovic told him the Monday before the LA game that he would be starting. After training on Tuesday, Lampson said Paunovic hadn’t said anything regarding who would get the start Saturday against Seattle.
As Paunovic has said countless times in his Fire tenure, competition for spots in training is something he wants to see. Speaking of Lampson and fellow first-time starter Drew Conner, Paunovic was pleased with how they showed.
“Drew and Matt did well in this game,” Paunovic said. “They deserved it first and they helped the team and that’s the mentality that we forged even last year. We continued doing the same things that we believe are helpful for the team. We also know that our squad improved. The competition on the team is higher than before and that’s what we wanted.”
The 27-year-old Lampson is hoping he can make his starting job stick after being unable to hold down the position last year.
“It felt awesome to get back out there,” Lampson said. “I feel significantly better than I did last year at this time. Hopefully we put a few wins together.”
USWNT to face Australia, Brazil & Japan in Tournament of Nations.
By Matt Reed
USWNT to face Australia, Brazil & Japan in Tournament of Nations.
By Matt Reed
(Photo/nbcsports.com)
After participating and hosting the SheBelieves Cup several months back, the U.S. Women’s National Team is readying itself to host another elite competition this summer with some of the world’s top teams.
U.S. Soccer announced on Wednesday that the USWNT will host the first-ever Tournament of Nations this summer, a four-team competition with a similar round-robin format that resembles the SheBelieves Cup.
Joining the USWNT will be fellow top-10 ranked teams (based on FIFA’s latest world rankings) Japan — no. 6, Australia — no. 8 and Brazil — no. 9.
The competition will be played across three cities in the west coast of the U.S. (Seattle, Washington, San Diego, California and Carson, California) from July 27 to August 3.
“It’s fantastic to play another tournament at home against some of the world’s best teams in a year after the world championship cycle, and it shows U.S. Soccer’s continuing dedication to growing the women’s game,” USWNT head coach Jill Ellis said via a U.S. Soccer press release. “These are three talented teams that we haven’t played in a while so we’re looking forward to a summer tournament that will be extremely challenging and valuable for our players and entertaining for the fans.”
U.S. Soccer’s announcement also states that the same four sides will compete in next summer’s tournament and that the Tournament of Nations will likely be scheduled every summer when there isn’t a World Cup.
Championship Playoffs: Wild five days in store for quartet of PL hopefuls.
By Nicholas Mendola
(Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
The quartet of teams vying to join Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion as newly-promoted Premier League teams begin a week-long gauntlet this weekend.
Fulham vs. Reading
12:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Craven Cottage
2:45 p.m. ET Tuesday at the Madejski Stadium
Fulham is one of the more exciting teams in the Championship, and hasn’t been shut out in league play since Feb. 1. That they’ve only kept two clean sheets during that time period is a concern, but the Cottagers are unbeaten in six matches to finish the regular season.
Plenty of credit is due to Tom Cairney and Sone Aluko, who have logged nearly 8,000 minutes to go with 20 combined goals and another 20 combined assists.
There’s little predictable about Reading, which allowed the 15th most goals in 24-team championship but also managed to score 68.
Part of that vaunted attack is Yann Kermorgant, the 35-year-old French attacker who helped spearhead Bournemouth’s promotion two seasons ago. He’ll be key as will goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi and American midfielder Danny Williams, who played the fourth-most minutes of any Reading player this season.
The sides split their two Championship matches this season.
Huddersfield Town vs. Sheffield Wednesday
7 a.m. ET Sunday at John Smith’s Stadium
2:45 p.m. ET Wednesday at Hillsborough Stadium
David Wagner’s Terriers have dropped off a bit since their red-hot start to the season, and the German-American boss enters the playoffs having lost three-in-four and with a 5W-1D-7L record down the stretch.
Wagner was the Championship’s Manager of the Year, and was joined on the awards list by right back Tommy Smith and midfielder Aaron Mooy.
It’s the opposite in the other dugout, where Wednesday used a six-match winning streak to rip into a playoff place. Sure there was a loss to Fulham to close the season, but Wednesday boss Carlos Carvalhal won’t be sweating that too much.
Wednesday’s balanced team has a number of names familiar to the Premier League, including Jordan Rhodes, Barry Bannan, Steven Fletcher, Gary Hooper, and goalkeeper Keiren Westwood.
Final
May 29 at Wembley Stadium
Premier League Power Rankings: Chelsea awaits its crown.
By Nicholas Mendola
(Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
The Premier League Power Rankings include a remarkably muddled middle, with so many teams still harboring top half hopes thanks to significant drop-offs from clubs like West Bromwich Albion.
Let’s see where we stand ahead of the final two weeks of fixtures.
TEAM
|
RANKING
| ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | 20 (19) | Middlesbrough: Officially relegated, Boro drops a spot (and, yeah, Sunderland winning a match helped the move, too). | |
 | 19 (20) | Sunderland: Beginning the race for re-promotion with a win over desperate Hull City. It’s something. | |
 | 18 (17) | Hull City: Still not sure the loss to Sunderland actually happened. | |
 | 17 (18) | Swansea City: Gylfi Sigurdsson calling upon the spirit of Iceland, and Fernando Llorente continues to come good at the right time. | |
 | 16 (11) | Crystal Palace: Three-straight losses, two to Premier League powers, could have the Eagles in a precarious spot should Hull take three points at Selhurst Park this weekend. | |
 | 15 (10) | Watford: Thumped by Leicester to walk its losing streak to three. | |
 | 14 (14) | West Bromwich Albion: When the preseason goal is clearly “survive”, should it be any surprise when the Baggies start yawning soon after the 40-point mark? | |
 | 13 (14) | Burnley: Sean Dyche has the Clarets primed for another Premier League season. Unlike West Brom, this is a fine preseason goal come good. | |
 | 12 (16) | Stoke City: The PL’s muddled middle is keeping a top half finish possible for Mark Hughes‘ Potters. | |
 | 11 (9) | Southampton: The Arsenal loss is no shame, and Saints’ shutout of Liverpool was pretty good, too. | |
 | 10 (12) | Bournemouth: The wins over Boro and Sunderland were nice (and important), but the 2-2 draw with Stoke shows that Eddie Howe remains in control of the Cherries’ upward growth. | |
| 9 (15) | West Ham United: Unbeaten in five with four clean sheets since the 3-0 loss to Arsenal. | |
 | 8 (6) | Everton: It’s probably difficult to play with desperation when you’re dead set in 7th, but we still expect more from Ronald Koeman‘s bunch. | |
 | 7 (8) | Leicester City: With respect to the Craig Shakespeare effect, we can’t help but wonder if the Foxes would still be competing for a spot in Europe if Wilfried Ndidi was signed in August instead of January. | |
 | 6 (5) | Manchester United: See: The Red Devils can lose. They just need to play a second-tier lineup and be focused on a match in the future. | |
 | 5 (7) | Arsenal: With the odds very long, the Gunners are finally piling up wins. Too little, too late for the Top Four? | |
| 4 (3) | Liverpool: Disappointing draw, even given Saints’ dogged defense. | |
 | 3 (4) | Manchester City: Back in the win column with style, cruising past Palace 5-0. | |
 | 2 (2) | Tottenham Hotspur: Everyone loses (besides Celtic) every now and then. | |
 | 1 (1) | Chelsea: Will be popping champagne come Friday unless West Brom reverses form in fabulous fashion. |
Prince-Wright’s Premier League picks – Week 37.
By Joe Prince-Wright
(Photo/Getty Images)
There is still plenty to sort out as we reach the penultimate week of the Premier League season.
If you, like me, love to dissect all the games and predict what the score will be and which team will win, I encourage you to get involved in the comments section below. Let’s have a bit of fun.
Okay, so I’ve consulted my crystal ball and here’s how we see things panning out.
With the first section labelled “basically, free money” for the picks I think are dead certs. The section labelled “don’t touch this” means if you’re betting I advise you to stay clear, while the “so you’re telling me there’s a chance” section are the longshots. If it is better odds you are after, those are the picks to go for.
BASICALLY, FREE MONEY
Tottenham 2-0 Man United – (Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET, NBCSN) – [STREAM]
Everton 4-0 Watford – (Friday, 2:45 p.m. ET, Premier League Extratime) – [STREAM]
Stoke City 1-3 Arsenal – (Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN) – [STREAM]
Bournemouth 2-0 Burnley – (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, Premier League Extratime) – [STREAM]
West Brom 1-3 Chelsea – (Friday, 3 p.m. ET, NBCSN) – [STREAM]
DON’T TOUCH THIS…
Man City 3-2 Leicester City – (Saturday, 7:30 a.m. ET, NBCSN) – [STREAM]
Middlesbrough 1-1 Southampton – (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, Premier League Extratime) – [STREAM]
Sunderland 1-1 Swansea City – (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, NBCSN) – [STREAM]
“SO YOU’RE TELLING ME THERE’S A CHANCE…”
Crystal Palace 1-2 Hull City – (Sunday, 7 a.m. ET, CNBC) – [STREAM]
West Ham 1-1 Liverpool – (Sunday, 9:15 am. ET, CNBC) – [STREAM]
Real Madrid reaches third UCL final in four years with win over Atletico.
By Matt Reed
(Photo/Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
The Vicente Calderon hosted its last European match on Wednesday, and unfortunately for the hosts the end result didn’t go in favor of Atletico Madrid.
Atletico picked up a 2-1 victory on the day over Real Madrid, however, Zinedine Zidane’s side still advanced to the UEFA Champions League final with a 4-2 aggregate win.
The victory pushes Real through to its third UCL final in the last four seasons, and the Spanish giants will now meet Serie A leaders Juventus after they defeated Monaco on Tuesday.
Real certainly didn’t replicate its first leg performance during the first half, but Isco’s finish on the stroke of halftime gave Los Blancos a crucial away goal and pushed the score to 4-2.
Antoine Griezmann didn’t hit his penalty kick as well as he would’ve liked but it still ended up in the back of the net after a quarter hour when Keylor Navas couldn’t keep the attempt out.
The pressure mounted for Atleti from the start and Saul Niguez gave Diego Simeone’s side the lead after 12 minutes when he headed home Koke’s corner kick.
Yannick Carrasco nearly gave the hosts a dream start after five minutes when Navas punched the Atletico midfielder’s attempt wide of goal, while Jan Oblak responded with an equally good save for Atleti a minute later after Casemiro’s close-range header.
Navas made a brilliant double-save with under half an hour remaining when Carrasco was sent in on goal from a long Felipe Luis through ball.
NCAAFB: Bowl schedule will ask six teams to sign players during early signing period.
By Zach Barnett
(Photo/Getty Images)
The December signing period is happening, and we now have one example of the ripple effect this change will have on college football.
The Football Bowl Association on Wednesday released its 2017-18 schedule, which once again includes 40 games packed between the third Saturday in December and the second Monday in January. This calendar, of course, includes the Dec. 20-22 signing period.
Three games are in the direct crosshairs of the new signing period:
Thursday, Dec. 21: St. Petersburg Bowl (8 p.m. ET/ESPN)
Friday, Dec. 22: Bahamas Bowl (12:30 p.m. ET/ESPN)/Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (4 p.m. ET/ESPN)
There really aren’t any bad guys here, it’s just one of those unfortunate circumstances where separate agencies with understandable agendas and schedules happen to contradict each other, which will leave six as-yet-unknown programs looking to juggle two tasks never asked of any college football programs before.
Thankfully, no games are scheduled on the first day of the December signing period, though the six teams slated for these games — and the eight more playing in the two days immediately following the Dec. 20-22 signing period — will be in full bowl prep and at their bowl sites while most likely looking to lock down a large portion of their signing class.
How big a deal is this, you ask? Well, Gus Malzahn admitted in a podcast this week he sleeps with his cell phone on his chest each Signing Day eve. Now consider the coaches playing in the above bowl games will be from Group of 5 programs, and thus looking to protect their players from Power 5 poachers as well as their conference foes, all while getting ready to play a game.
2017-18 college football bowl schedule: Dates, times, TV channels.
By CBS Sports Staff
Photo/www.collegefootballplayoff.com)
A detailed look at every college football bowl game set to be played following the 2017 season.
The 2017-18 bowl season has been set. With a few minor details to be determined, this is how the 40 games will line up over the month of December and into January, culminating with the College Football Playoff National Championship on Jan. 8, 2018.
There are some date changes among the smaller bowls, but the bigger story comes later in bowl season. As previously promised by college football's big wigs, there are no games on New Year's Eve. College football's bizarre mission to "take back" New Year's Eve was unsuccessful and common sense eventually prevailed.
Below is the list of the 2017-18 college football bowl schedule. All times Eastern.
The 2017-18 bowl season has been set. With a few minor details to be determined, this is how the 40 games will line up over the month of December and into January, culminating with the College Football Playoff National Championship on Jan. 8, 2018.
There are some date changes among the smaller bowls, but the bigger story comes later in bowl season. As previously promised by college football's big wigs, there are no games on New Year's Eve. College football's bizarre mission to "take back" New Year's Eve was unsuccessful and common sense eventually prevailed.
Below is the list of the 2017-18 college football bowl schedule. All times Eastern.
College Football Playoff
| Date | Game | Location | Time (TV) | Matchup |
| Jan. 8 | National Championship | Atlanta | 8 p.m. (ESPN) | TBA vs. TBA |
| Jan. 1 | Rose | Pasadena, Calif. | 5 p.m. (ESPN) | Semifinal |
| Jan. 1 | Sugar | New Orleans | 8:45 p.m. (ESPN) | Semifinal |
Selection committee bowl games
| Date | Game | Location | TV (Time) | Matchup |
| Jan. 1 | Peach | Atlanta | 12:30 p.m. (ESPN) | At-large vs. At-large |
| Dec. 30 | Fiesta | Glendale, Ariz. | 4 p.m. (ESPN) | At-large vs. At-large |
| Dec. 30 | Orange | Miami | 8 p.m. (ESPN) | ACC vs. Big Ten/SEC/ND |
| Dec. 29 | Cotton | Arlington, Tex. | 8:30 p.m. (ESPN) | At-large vs. At-large |
Other bowl games
| Date | Game | Location | Time (TV) | Matchup |
| Jan. 1 | Outback | Tampa | Noon (ESPN2) | SEC vs. Big Ten |
| Jan. 1 | Buffalo Wild Wings | Orlando | 1 p.m. (ABC) | SEC vs. Big Ten/ACC |
| Dec. 30 | Arizona | Tucson, Ariz. | TBA (CBSSN) | MWC vs. C-USA |
| Dec. 30 | TaxSlayer Bowl | Jacksonville, Fla. | Noon (ESPN) | SEC vs. Big Ten/ACC |
| Dec. 30 | Liberty | Nashville, Tenn. | 12:30 p.m. (ABC) | SEC vs. Big 12 |
| Dec. 29 | Belk | Charlotte | 1 p.m. (ESPN) | SEC vs. ACC/ND |
| Dec. 29 | Sun | El Paso, Tex. | 2 p.m. (CBS) | Pac-12 vs. ACC/ND |
| Dec. 29 | Music City | Nashville, Tenn. | 4:30 p.m. (ESPN) | SEC vs. Big Ten/ACC/ND |
| Dec. 28 | Military | Annapolis, Md. | 1:30 p.m. (ESPN) | AAC vs. ACC/ND |
| Dec. 28 | Camping World | Orlando, Fla. | 5:15 p.m. (ESPN) | Big 12 vs. ACC/ND |
| Dec. 28 | Alamo Bowl | San Antonio, Tex. | 9 p.m. (ESPN) | Big 12 vs. Pac-12 |
| Dec. 27 | Independence | Shreveport, La. | 1:30 p.m. (ESPN) | SEC vs. ACC/ND |
| Dec. 27 | Pinstripe | Bronx, N.Y. | 5:15 p.m. (ESPN) | Big Ten vs. ACC/ND |
| Dec. 27 | Texas | Houston | 9 p.m. (ESPN) | Big 12 vs. SEC |
| Dec. 26 | Quick Lane | Detroit | TBA (ESPN) | Big Ten vs. ACC/ND |
| Dec. 26 | Heart of Dallas | Dallas | TBA (ESPN) | Big 12 vs. C-USA |
| Dec. 26 | Cactus | Phoenix | TBA (ESPN) | Big 12 vs. Pac-12 |
| Dec. 24 | Hawaii | Honolulu | 8:30 p.m. (ESPN) | MWC vs. AAC |
| Dec. 23 | Birmingham | Birmingham, Ala. | Noon (ESPN) | SEC vs. AAC |
| Dec. 23 | Armed Forces | Fort Worth, Tex. | 3:30 p.m. (ESPN) | Big Ten vs. Army |
| Dec. 23 | Dollar General | Mobile, Ala. | 7 p.m. (ESPN) | MAC vs. Sun Belt |
| Dec. 22 | Bahamas | Nassau, Bahamas | 12:30 p.m. (ESPN) | MAC vs. Sun Belt |
| Dec. 22 | Idaho Potato | Boise, Idaho | 4 p.m. (ESPN) | MWC vs. MAC |
| Dec. 21 | St. Pete | St. Petersberg, Fla. | 8 p.m. (ESPN) | C-USA vs. AAC |
| Dec. 19 | Boca Raton | Boca Raton, Fla | 7 p.m. (ESPN) | AAC vs. C-USA |
| Dec. 16 | New Orleans | New Orleans | 1 p.m. (ESPN) | Sun Belt vs. C-USA/MWC |
| Dec. 16 | Cure | Orlando, Fla. | 2:30 p.m. (CBSSN) | AAC vs. Sun Belt |
| Dec. 16 | Las Vegas | Las Vegas | 3:30 p.m. (ABC) | Pac-12 vs. MWC |
| Dec. 16 | New Mexico | Albuquerque, N.M. | 4:30 p.m. (ESPN) | C-USA vs. MWC |
| Dec. 16 | Camellia | Montgomery, Ala. | 8 p.m. (ESPN) | MAC vs. Sun Belt |
| TBA | Foster Farms | Santa Clara, Calif. | TBA (Fox) | Big Ten vs. Big 12 |
| TBA | Holiday | San Diego, Calif. | TBA (TBA) | Big Ten vs. Pac-12 |
| TBA | Frisco | Frisco, Tex. | TBA (ESPN) | AAC vs. Sun Belt |
NCAABKB: NBA Draft Combine Preview: Ten Decisions That Will Change College Basketball.
By Rob Dauster
(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The NBA Draft Combine will kick off on Thursday in Chicago, and there are a number of college players who will be participating in the event that have yet to decide on whether or not they will be hiring an agent and turning professional.
Even with the likes of Donovan Mitchell and Johnathan Motley signing with agents last week, there are still more than a dozen players who are still on the fence.
Here are the ten most important decisions left to be made:
1. Caleb Swanigan, Purdue
Even with the likes of Donovan Mitchell and Johnathan Motley signing with agents last week, there are still more than a dozen players who are still on the fence.
Here are the ten most important decisions left to be made:
1. Caleb Swanigan, Purdue
- Projected: Late first round or early second round
- If he stays in: It will be a massive blow for Purdue, although one that the program should not be surprised about. Swanigan had an argument to be the National Player of the Year last season with the year that he had, and frankly, I’m not sure what else there is for him to prove at the college level. We know what he is offensively, and I don’t think that his flaws as a player are necessarily fixable. How much can he improve his body? How much different can he be as a defender? At this point he is what he is as a player.
- If he returns: The Boilermakers will be returning a guy that will be a lock to be the Preseason National Player of the Year. Without him, Purdue still has a shot to be a top 25 team and a threat to finish near the top of the Big Ten. With him? Matt Painter will have a chance to repeat as the Big Ten regular season champ, even with Michigan State looking like the best team in college basketball.
- CBT says: He should, and probably will, remain in the draft.
2. Tony Bradley, North Carolina
- Projected: Early second-round
- If he stays in: It would be a significant loss for the Tar Heels, but not a fatal one with Joel Berry set to return as a potential National Player of the Year candidate along with Theo Pinson, Luke Maye and Kenny Williams also in the starting lineup. What’s missing would be that experienced presence in the middle.
- If he returns: North Carolina would be without a doubt one of the top national title contenders. With Bradley in the lineup, the Tar Heels simply won’t have a huge weakness in the lineup that teams can immediately exploit. It won’t make them the clear-cut title frontrunner, but it’ll put them in the top tier.
- CBT says: With a first-round selection no guarantee, Bradley has a lot to gain returning to one of college basketball’s best teams.
3. Semi Ojeleye, SMU
- Projected: Late first or early second
- If he stays in: The Mustangs are probably a bubble team if their best and most dynamic player doesn’t return. The American doesn’t figure to be super imposing next year, but it would be putting quite a bit of pressure on Shake Milton to put up big numbers.
- If he returns: With Ojeleye in the fold, SMU goes from borderline tournament team to a potential top-25 squad. The 6-foot-7 forward will be one of the premier players in the conference and could put up monster numbers.
- CBT says: Already 22 years old, Ojeleye may feel the need to go should be feel he’s in a spot to make the first round.
- Projected: Wilson is a potential first round pick, but Wagner may end up going undrafted
- If they stay in: The biggest loss for Michigan is going to be point guard Derrick Walton, who was on another level at the end of last season. John Beilein’s teams are at their very best when they have a great ball-screen point guard, and their season is going to depend, in the end, on how Ohio transfer Jaaron Simmons adjusts to a higher level. But Beilein also runs an offense based on spacing the floor, and there’s no better way to space the floor than having a pair of big men that can step out on the perimeter and make threes.
- If they return: Suddenly, Michigan goes from being a team that could end up making the NCAA tournament to one that has a ceiling of being a top 15 team. Wilson probably has the most to gain by coming back for another year. He’s dealt with injuries throughout his career, and his defensively versatility and perimeter skill make him a more likely first round pick if he can prove he’s more than just a one year wonder. Wagner may actually have a higher ceiling, but he needs to get tougher and show he can defend and rebound.
- CBT says: The safe bet is that Michigan loses Wilson and gets Wagner back, but I wouldn’t be shocked if both returned to school.
5. Justin Jackson, Maryland
- Projected: Mid-second round with first round potential
- If he stays in: It’s a massive blow for a Maryland team that will be looking to replace Melo Trimble, the man who is as responsible for turning around the Terp program as Mark Turgeon is. But Jackson has some NBA potential. He’s 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, he can defend multiple positions and he shot 44 percent from three. He’s built in the combo-forward mold that NBA teams love these days. There’s a real chance he leaves as a one-and-done player, and while the Terps have some other young, talented pieces, this loss could cost them the NCAA tournament.
- If he returns: Maryland should once again be a fringe top 25 team. Jackson has the chance to develop into an all-Big Ten kind of player next season as he takes on a bigger role of the offense. The freshmen trio of Jackson, Anthony Cowan and Kevin Huerter should have Maryland fans excited.
- CBT says: All it takes is for one team to fall in love with Jackson’s potential to get him picked in the back end of the first round. How he performs at the combine may determine that.
- Projected: Late first round, early second round
- If he stays in: Kentucky has a ridiculous amount of talent joining the program next season, enough that John Calipari will likely have the pieces to make another push for an SEC title and a trip to the Final Four without him. At this point, he is really the only five-star off-guard on the roster, and losing him means the Wildcats may take a hit on the defensive end, but that would also allow some better shooters to get on the floor, so it may end up being a wash.
- If he returns: Kentucky suddenly looks like a team that is going to be as good as anyone on the defensive end. Between Diallo, Jarred Vanderbilt, Kevin Knox, Nick Richards and, potentially, Mo Bamba, there is as much length and athleticism on that roster as Coach Cal has ever had. Where their points come from will be the question, and this may be what gets Diallo to stay in the draft. He may be the most explosive athlete in the draft, but he’s also very raw. He’s not a shooter and he doesn’t have a great feel for the game. There’s a line of thinking that, if he returns to a team that doesn’t have myriad options offensively, he could end up being exposed on that end of the floor.
- CBT says: I think it would be in Diallo’s best interest to return — remember, he redshirted the second semester of last season after enrolling in January — but I would not be shocked to see him remain in the draft.
7. Frank Jackson, Duke
- Projected: Second round
- If he stays in: Jackson is an interesting case, and ironically enough, Duke may actually be better if he elects to remain in the NBA Draft. Why? Because if Jackson decides to sign with an agent, it could very well mean that Duke landed a commitment from Trevon Duval, the top point guard in the Class of 2017. The thing that the Blue Devils were missing last year was a natural point guard, and they have yet to solve that problem this season.
- If he returns: Does that mean that Duke missed out on Duval? For Jackson, individually, this is probably the best option. He’d have a chance to play the point full-time, which he did not do last season and which is probably the position that he will play as a professional, but if he couldn’t play the point last season, will he be the answer for Duke at that position next year?
- CBT says: It’s probably in Jackson’s best interest to return either way, but I’m not convinced that’s how it will play out.
8. Thomas Welsh, UCLA
- Projected: Undrafted
- If he stays in: The Bruins will still have quite a bit of talent and will be a preseason top-25 team, but losing a player like Welsh would seriously lower their ceiling. Take a big step back is certainly something Steve Alford will look to avoid after a breakthrough season last year that started with him under some pressure.
- If he returns: The Bruins won’t be the toast of the Pac-12, that distinction will stay with Arizona, but UCLA asserts itself as a top-15(ish) team that has enough firepower, especially with a major 7-foot contributor, to at least push the Wildcats in the league.
- CBT says: Welsh has a lot of tools, but probably even more questions that make his stock pretty low right now.
9. Eric Mika, BYU
- Projected: Undrafted
- If he stays in: BYU is no stranger to roster influx and change given its players’ missions – of which Mika took one – so they’ll be able to deal with his potential departure, but his experience and skill would be sorely missed.
- If he returns: The Cougars become a pretty interesting team in the WCC. TJ Haws had a very intriguing freshman year and Nick Emery is a really nice piece as well. BYU isn’t a top-25 team with Mika, but it bolsters the team’s NCAA tournament chances with him in the mix.
- CBT says: Expect Mika to be back in Provo this season.
10. Rawle Alkins, Arizona
- Projected: Undrafted
- If he stays in: Losing Alkins would obviously hurt the Wildcats some, but it probably doesn’t do anything to change their status as national title contender. There’s just too much talent there with Deandre Ayton, Allonzo Trier, Dusan Ristic and company. Alkins leaving would be a blow, but just a glancing one.
- If he returns: Arizona cements itself as one of the two or three preseason favorites to not only reach a Final Four – the only thing eluding coach Sean Miller during his accomplished career – but to win a national title. Alkins is a versatile and productive player, something that is of serious value to top-tier teams.
- CBT says: Alkins will have the chance to bolster his stock on a great team by returning.
Northwestern State's Jalan West receives rare seventh year of NCAA eligibility.
By Mike DeCourcy
(Photo/Getty Images)
You know all those jokes about how a particular college basketball player seems like he's been in college for seven years?
Jalan West of Northwestern State has been granted a seventh season of eligibility by the NCAA. No joke.
And it's definitive proof the NCAA has more compassion than is commonly believed.
Getting a seventh year to play is not unprecedented, but it is extremely rare.
"We're very fortunate," coach Mike McConathy said.
West, who turned 24 last month, is a 5-11 point guard from Bossier City, La.
After redshirting as a freshman because of issues establishing initial eligibility, was named Southland Conference defensive player of the year three consecutive seasons, was a two-time all-conference performer and led the NCAA in assists in 2014-15.
In the opening game of the 2015-16 season, however, West tore the ACL in his left knee. After surgery and rehab that consumed the rest of that year, West was ready to play in 2016-17, but that injury recurred and he was forced to again miss an entire season.
Friday, the Demons learned West had been granted an opportunity to try one more time.
"I was very excited," West said in a YouTube interview. "I kind of had a feeling they were going to give me another year because I didn't even get to play a game; I only got to practice. Just thankful and grateful to have another opportunity to lead."
West called the two years away from the court "probably the toughest years of my life. Having something that you love taken away from you is always pretty tough."
West laughed at the profound age difference that will exist between himself and some of his teammates. But he is hoping they all have the same goal: "To get back to the Tournament."
Derby winner Always Dreaming begins Preakness prep.
Reuters; Editing by Larry Fine
Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming took to the Pimlico racetrack for a light jog Wednesday morning to begin preparing for the 142nd Preakness Stakes in Baltimore on May 20.
The colt jogged around the track under an exercise rider and in the company of a pony in his first training session that was overseen by assistant trainer Ginny DePasquale after arriving from Churchill Downs on Tuesday.
Head trainer Todd Pletcher was scheduled to arrive in Baltimore later on Wednesday and is expected to be on hand Thursday to observe Always Dreaming's second trip around the Pimlico track.
"He looked good. He was bright, alert, checking things out, jogging with the pony," DePasquale told the Baltimore Sun. "We're happy with the way he went this morning."
Always Dreaming is being housed in Stall 40, the famous corner spot which has previously been filled by Secretariat, Seattle Slew and other Triple Crown winners.
DePasquale said Always Dreaming is responding well after winning Saturday's Kentucky Derby by 2 3/4 lengths over the 1 1/4-mile track rated sloppy in 2 minutes 3.59 seconds.
"The race, I think, took nothing out of him. We're happy. He bounced back almost immediately," DePasquale said.
Conquest Mo Money Supplemented, Ready to Hit the Road
Judge Lanier Racing’s Preakness candidate Conquest Mo Money is scheduled to arrive at Pimlico Race Course on Sunday, May 14.
Owner Tom McKenna, 81, said the New York-bred colt will be shipped by van from Prairie Meadows racetrack in Altoona, Iowa to Maryland. He said the trip will likely take two days, with an overnight stop at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. The son of Uncle Mo is handled by McKenna’s private trainer, Miguel Hernandez. His regular rider, Jorge Carreno will spend the week at Pimlico and be aboard for the Preakness.
Although Conquest Money Mo earned enough points to start in the Kentucky Derby, McKenna opted not to run him in a 20-horse field. The colt was not nominated to the Triple Crown series, but McKenna has paid $150,000 to supplement him to the Preakness.
Conquest Mo Money - purchased for $8,500 at the Conquest Stables dispersal in November - will be the first Triple Crown series starter for McKenna and his wife Sandy. They are the leading owners in New Mexico.
“It’s a dream come true. I never thought I would be here,” McKenna said. “Everybody dreams about it that gets in the horse business, whether you have one horse, two horses or three horses. If you ask anyone what their dream is, they would say, ‘I hope to get to the Kentucky Derby.’ Everybody tells you that. Did I ever think I would get there? I hoped so. Lo and behold, I’m there.”
Joel Rosario Awarded Preakness Mount on Multiplier
Joel Rosario will ride Illinois Derby winner Multiplier in the Preakness, said trainer Brendan Walsh. The son of The Factor won the 1 1/8-mile Illinois Derby (G3) by a head over Hedge Fund in his stakes debut after winning a two-turn maiden race at the Fair Grounds and finishing in the money in his first two starts.
James Graham was aboard for the Grade 3 victory April 22 at Hawthorne Race Course. Walsh said the switch was no reflection on Graham but rather the opportunity presenting itself to get a jockey who is well-versed in the sport’s biggest events. Rosario finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby on Practical Joke, who is not running in the Preakness.
The New York-based Rosario won the 2013 Kentucky Derby with Orb, the 2014 Belmont with Tonalist and six Breeders’ Cup races. He was second in the Preakness with a pair of long shots in Ride On Curlin in 2014 and Tale of Verve in 2015.
“He’s an experienced rider and a fantastic rider,” Walsh said.
Multiplier had a routine gallop at Keeneland Wednesday under exercise rider Asael Gonzalez. “He’s doing great,” Walsh said.
Asked if he’d had time to study the field, Walsh said, “Yes, but I know all the horses pretty much. I mean, my horse, I worry about him right now. He’s doing well and on his last run, I think he fits. We’ll have a better look at it closer to the time and see how the race is going to pan out and adapt to that. If the pace is slow, he’ll be closer. If not, he’ll be a little ways farther back. He’ll come running at the end, I know that for sure.”
O’Neill-Trained Term of Art Confirmed for Preakness Run
Trainer Doug O’Neill notified Pimlico officials of his intention to run Term of Art in the Preakness. The Calumet Farm-owned son of Tiznow, who is winless in four starts this year, concluded his 2-year-old season with a maiden-breaking triumph in the Cecil B. DeMille (G3) at Del Mar.
“We think he’s a talented colt who deserves a chance in this big race,” O’Neill said. “We think he has classic-type ability and we’re going to roll the dice.”
Jose Ortiz will ride.
O’Neill, who captured the Preakness with Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another in 2012, saddled Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist for a distant third-place finish as the 3-5 favorite last year. O’Neill’s other Preakness starter, Goldencents, finished fifth in 2013.
Back to the Track for Lookin At Lee and Hence
Kentucky Derby runner-up Lookin At Lee and 11th-place Hence resumed training Wednesday, both having routine gallops at Churchill Downs. On Thursday, they’ll get their usual weekly session standing in the starting gate, both working an easy half-mile on Monday and flying to Baltimore Tuesday from Louisville.
“I’ve been very pleased with how they came out of the race,” trainer Steve Asmussen said. “Very impressed with their energy level and how they’re traveling.”
Asmussen said repeatedly after the Kentucky Derby’s post-position draw that, as unproductive as the No. 1 post has been in the race the past 25 years, that Lookin At Lee was the sort of horse that could handle it.
“You know the statistics from the 1 hole, and you’ve watched the race and how troubling the crowding can be or whatever. But Lookin At Lee was the perfect horse for it,” Asmussen said. “He hung out there, waited his turn and was ready to go when they called upon him.
Asmussen is likely to have the following horses in other Pimlico stakes: Terra Promessa, Allaire Dupont Distaff (G3); Chanteline, Skipat; Holy Boss, Maryland Sprint Stakes (G3); Resiliency, Sir Barton; Vertical Oak, Miss Preakness (G3); Grand Candy; Jim McKay Turf Sprint; and Total Tap, James Murphy. The horses running Friday most likely will van Monday with others vanning or flying on Tuesday.
Classic Empire Returns to Racetrack for Preakness Date
John Oxley’s Classic Empire returned to the track for a jog for the first time since finishing fourth in the Kentucky Derby while encountering severe bumping and traffic literally from the start. Norman Casse, who oversees the Kentucky operation for his dad, trainer Mark Casse, said last year’s 2-year-old champion will resume galloping Thursday and will van to Pimlico Sunday.
“I think he looked really good,” Norman Casse said. “His energy level was great. Looks like he’s keeping his weight. All the good signs are there, so we’re excited where he’s at right now.
“It’s the Derby. You know things aren’t going to go your way all the time. He kind of had a bad trip. It started at the very beginning, and that’s just how it goes. But we think we can be competitive against Always Dreaming. We think our best race would put us right there with his best race. We’re excited about the opportunity to face him again.”
The Casse barn should be well-represented in the other stakes, including World Approval in the Longines Dixie (G2); Summer Luck (excluded from the Kentucky Oaks on the points system) in the Black Eyed Susan (G2); Corporate Queen most likely in the Hilltop but possibly the Black Eyed Susan; 2016 Pimlico Special (G3) winner Noble Bird likely to defend
On This Date in Sports History: Today is Wednesday, May 12, 2017.
Memoriesofhistory.com
1917 - Omar Khayyam became the first imported horse to win the Kentucky Derby.
1950 - The American Bowling Congress abolished its white males-only membership restriction after 34 years.
1955 - Sam Jones (Chicago Cubs) became the first black to pitch a no-hitter. The game was against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
1957 - A.J. Foyt won his first auto racing victory in Kansas City, MO.
1966 - The St. Louis Cardinals played their first game at Busch Memorial Stadium. They won the game 4-3 over the Atlanta Braves.
1970 - Ernie Banks (Chicago Cubs) hit his 500th home run.
1972 - The Milwaukee Brewers beat the Minnesota Twins, 4-3, in 22 innings. The game was actually completed on May 13.
1982 - The United States Football League (USFL) was formed.
1985 - The New York Knicks won the first NBA Draft Lottery.
1996 - Lance Armstrong became the first cyclist to repeat in the American Tour DuPont.
1997 - Larry Bird was announced as the new head coach of the Indiana Pacers.
1998 - Indiana Pacers head coach Larry Bird became only the third rookie head coach to win the NBA Coach of the Year award.
1998 - The Atlanta Braves tied a national league record when they hit a home run in their 24th consecutive game.
1998 - Mark McGwire (St. Louis Cardinals) hit a 527-foot home run at Busch Stadium. It was the longest home run in the history of the stadium.
1998 - St. Louis Cardinal manager Tony LaRussa recorded his 1,500th victory.
2003 - Churchill Downs stewards announced that they had determined that Jose Santos had not done anything prohibited in his Kentucky Derby win.
1950 - The American Bowling Congress abolished its white males-only membership restriction after 34 years.
1955 - Sam Jones (Chicago Cubs) became the first black to pitch a no-hitter. The game was against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
1957 - A.J. Foyt won his first auto racing victory in Kansas City, MO.
1966 - The St. Louis Cardinals played their first game at Busch Memorial Stadium. They won the game 4-3 over the Atlanta Braves.
1970 - Ernie Banks (Chicago Cubs) hit his 500th home run.
1972 - The Milwaukee Brewers beat the Minnesota Twins, 4-3, in 22 innings. The game was actually completed on May 13.
1982 - The United States Football League (USFL) was formed.
1985 - The New York Knicks won the first NBA Draft Lottery.
1996 - Lance Armstrong became the first cyclist to repeat in the American Tour DuPont.
1997 - Larry Bird was announced as the new head coach of the Indiana Pacers.
1998 - Indiana Pacers head coach Larry Bird became only the third rookie head coach to win the NBA Coach of the Year award.
1998 - The Atlanta Braves tied a national league record when they hit a home run in their 24th consecutive game.
1998 - Mark McGwire (St. Louis Cardinals) hit a 527-foot home run at Busch Stadium. It was the longest home run in the history of the stadium.
1998 - St. Louis Cardinal manager Tony LaRussa recorded his 1,500th victory.
2003 - Churchill Downs stewards announced that they had determined that Jose Santos had not done anything prohibited in his Kentucky Derby win.
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