The Celtics have lost four of their last five games.

How worried are you on a panic scale of 1 to 10 and what is the Celtics biggest issue?

Bill Sy: I’m at a 5. Watching everybody’s body language and listening to the postgame pressers, it seems largely mental at this point — missed shots leads to frustration leads to lapses and low effort on defense. If head coach Joe Mazzulla is unfazed by Boston’s shot selection, I’ll try to be, too.

Gregory Maneikis: I’m at a 3. It’s hard to sustain elite success over an entire 82-game season, and there aren’t quite as many cupcakes on the schedule as previous years. I know some might differ, but the Magic, when healthy are a real NBA team with some dogs. Losing back-to-back is inexcusable, but it shows the importance of execution, boxing out, etc. if you want to win the average NBA basketball game.

To me, their biggest issue is just that. Things were so easy early in the season, they didn’t need to worry about all of the little things. Now the book is out on how to slow down the offense, so the C’s will need to recommit to playing mistake-free basketball because when the offense isn’t there, the real game begins.

Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images

William Weir: It’s a 3 for me. Gotta tighten things up for sure but a lot of it comes down to a poor shooting stretch. They are 29th & 30th respectively shooting the 3 and from the field the last 5 games, but 4th and 6th in the NBA on the season for those categories. A lot of the role players are going through shooting funks at the same time, but water will find its level. They are still getting good looks, just not good results. Rob is back. Defense is improving They’ll be fine.

Mike Dynon: Level 5. I’d like to believe the offensive slump is just the flip side of the way-above-average first 20-25 games. That would be normal. But the problem is, when the shots stop falling, the Celtics tend to revert to bad habits. The ball movement disappears, hero ball creeps in, and as we saw in Sunday’s game, they still have difficulty executing winning plays in the final minute of a close contest.

Joe Mazzulla is facing adversity for the first time as a head coach. How will he respond? What will it take to get back on track? They need to restore some confidence before the Christmas showdown with Milwaukee, or the panic level will rise for sure.

Ben Vallis: I’m at a 2. This team knows what they’re capable of. They’ve demonstrated what they’re capable of. Better to get that wakeup call now (as opposed to the playoffs), that reminder that, despite their talent and depth, their wins won’t just come easy.

There’s also a few things in flux that I’m happy to give them a few more games to get in control of. Rob is a major piece who is still in the early stages of being reintegrated, White and Hauser are experiencing their first ever true NBA shooting slumps, and Tatum is perhaps experiencing some fatigue after starting the season in “Finals revenge/MVP overdrive” mode.

It’s more about how they respond, and at this point there’s not been much reason to doubt they can respond appropriately. Maybe a lame analogy, but whenever I get myself into half decent shape, I’m always like “okay, that’s done” and then start eating like crap again. The Celtics are in this phase of their basketball diet currently.

Jake Issenberg: 2 for me as well. The core of Tatum/Brown/Smart have proven that they can win at the highest level for years now. But if we know anything about that core, it’s they can fall into bad habits from time to time. They likely heard the outside noise, “Best offense in league history”, “Best scoring duo since Shaq and Kobe”. It’s human nature to fall into bad habits once in a while. The question will be how fast can they pull out of it. They will see on film the stark difference between what made them the best team in the league and where playing like they did against the Magic will get them. It’s a good test for Mazulla and the core to pull the team out of the tailspin, because there will be more adversity down the line. There’s no better time to go through some adversity than when you are (were) the 1 seed.

Trevor Hass: I’d say I’m at a 2. Hiccups are inevitable, even in a championship season. A six-game road trip against largely good teams is inherently tough, and a couple duds against the Magic don’t mean the parade is off. At the same time, it’s fair to be a little concerned short term. If this continues, and they drop, say, 8 of 10, then it’s fair to be worried big picture (I’d probably go to a 4 at that point). I expect them to get out of this slump and return to their winning ways in the near future.

The Celtics have lost their mojo heading into the holidays

1. Ugh.

Just ugh.

The Boston Celtics seven-game homestand is off to a terrible start with back-to-back losses to the Orlando Magic. We said after Friday’s loss that Orlando is better than most realize, especially now that they are getting healthy. But this is still a team Boston should be handling at home, even if Jayson Tatum is out.

The Celtics have the New England Patriots to thank for keeping them off the front page as a “What’s wrong with the Celtics?” story and as the lead topic of every sports radio show. The Pats epic debacle in Las Vegas knocked the Celtics off the map for at least a day or so.

2. Boston cleaned up a lot of their defensive issues from the first lost to Orlando. That included the defensive rebounding…for most of the game.

Late in the game, it became a problem again for the Celtics. And, as per usual when this is an issue, Boston is just outhustled for the ball.

No one gets a body on Markelle Fultz here and he finds Franz Wagner for the second-chance triple:

Down by one, the Celtics get the stop. But Two-Way player Kevon Harris outraces everyone to the loose rebound. Also, why is Grant Williams holding is block out for so long and not pursuing the rebound?

Needing to get a stop again, Boston comes up with one. But once again, Fultz outhustles everyone to come up with the big rebound:

Three times in the final two minutes of a close game the Celtics let guards beat them to the boards. That can’t happen.

3. The last Markelle Fultz rebound above didn’t come back to kill Boston, because Fultz committed a turnover on the inbounds play. Unfortunately, the Celtics gave it right back.

It’s unclear who was at fault here and no one was talking postgame, beyond “Didn’t execute”. Did Grant Williams lead Jaylen Brown too far? Did Brown stop his cut too early? Either way, this was bad:

Still, the Celtics had life. Down three, there was more than enough time left to get a good look up. Credit to the Magic for having everything covered, but the Celtics have to get a better shot than this:

Ball game. Back-to-back losses and four losses in the last five games.

4. The above were just the late-game follies that cost Boston. The main issues throughout the game were poor shooting and turnovers.

Only Malcolm Brogdon (3-of-6) and Marcus Smart (3-of-7) were decent from downtown. Everyone else combined to shoot 6-of-34 on three-pointers. And, for what it’s worth, Brogdon and Smart combined to shoot 2-of-10 on two-point shots.

When you start out historically good from behind the arc, there’s only one place to go. The Celtics have rapidly gotten to that place in the span of a week or so. Will that re-level some? Of course.

Right now, Boston is going through it. The shots are still mostly good ones. We don’t want the Celtics to pass up open or wide-open looks too often, but finding another way to score is a must.

As for turnovers, the overall numbers are starting to creep up. Jaylen Brown is clearly frustrated with getting called for so many travels. There seems to be a fairly easy answer for that: stop traveling so much. None of the calls against Brown are bad ones, nor are they him being officiated unfairly. He’s traveling and he’s getting called for it.

Marcus Smart and Grant Williams both had four turnovers on Sunday. Smart’s will come, to some extent, as a result of his role as the team’s point guard. But he’s committing some bad giveaways by trying to make highlight plays when a simple pass will do.

For Williams, he’s just trying to do too much sometimes. His improvement has been so good, that it’s fine for Williams to explore the studio space on occasion. But he has to remember his role and dial it back too.

5. The defense was better. Much better, actually. But Jaylen Brown falls asleep off-ball and gives up a layup at least once per game. In close games, these plays are killers:

Brown has no idea Markelle Fultz cut out of the corner until Fultz is catching the ball and laying it in. For a team with title aspirations, Brown has to be better than this.

6. The Celtics could be 81-0, lose the regular season finale and someone would suggest they need a trade. That’s sort of how our overreactionary world works now.

Boston doesn’t need a trade. They need the guys they have to play better. Sure, the next month-and-a-half may unveil a need for something Boston doesn’t have right now. But today, in mid-December, the Celtics don’t need to make a trade.

Also: If you say they need a trade, be prepared to suggest who Boston should trade for and, just as importantly, who the Celtics should trade away. And make sure it’s reasonable and legal too. There’s an awful lot of “Payton Pritchard and a first for (insert borderline All-Star here)” stuff out there that is completely nonsensical.

7. That said…the Celtics do need to shake up the rotation some. We hinted at this last Takeaways, but here’s a more fleshed out idea. Note: This is most effective when Rob Williams is able to play 25-30 minutes (which should be his top-out range in the regular season).

Starters:

· Rob Williams

· Al Horford

· Jayson Tatum

· Jaylen Brown

· Marcus Smart

Reserves:

· Malcolm Brogdon

· Derrick White

· Grant Williams

· Payton Pritchard

· Luke Kornet

In this scenario, Boston returns back to their starting group that dominated the NBA from January until Rob Williams got hurt. Brogdon and White get their 25 minutes per game off the bench, but by playing a lot in three-guard alignment. Both can hold their own against bigger players. Grant Williams plays his customary role as the third big. (On nights when Horford or Rob Williams sit, it’s Blake Griffin time.)

That leaves Pritchard and Kornet to get about 8-12 minutes a night as deeper depth. That should keep everyone fresh and rested, while still affording Joe Mazzulla the lineup versatility that makes the Celtics special.

Eventually, Sam Hauser can regain his rotation spot. But Hauser needs a little while to reset. When he gets back to making shots, drop Kornet or Pritchard, depending on what the game calls for.

8. Monday and Tuesday will be the first time the Celtics have had two consecutive days off without travel in a month. That means Tuesday should be a practice day, and that should do Boston wonders.

NBA teams rarely practice in-season. There just isn’t time. The every-other-day nature of the game schedule rarely affords it. The day after a game is a recovery and film day. The guys who are out of the rotation may scrimmage, but the regulars will get in a recovery workout and do film work.

With a practice day, and a healthy roster, Joe Mazzulla and staff can address some of the recent issues and maybe install a few new wrinkles. This practice day is hitting at the exact right time for the Celtics.

9. This is the last time we’ll address it (hopefully!), but Rob Williams looked good again. Williams hit the floor a couple of times, which was enough to catch the breath in the throat of Celtics fans. But he bounced right up and got back to it. Rhythm and conditioning are off for Williams, but that will come within the next week or two.

Yes, the last week has been crappy for the standings and the play on the floor. But if Williams stays healthy and the Celtics get back to being the Celtics again, this mid-December stretch of woe will be just a footnote.

10. As noted above, Boston doesn’t play again until Wednesday. That’s a couple of days to get things right. The Indiana Pacers are tough. They come at you in waves, as they play pretty fast. Indiana can get loose with a bunch of different guys who can shoot the ball.

This is a nice test for the Celtics and their mindset. Boston lost a couple to good teams out west and then came home and seemed to think they could just walk over the Magic. If they take a similar casual approach to the Pacers, the Celtics will lose again.

After a couple of days off, and a practice day, let’s hope Boston can rediscover what made them special to start the season. This is a good chance to get back on track building up to the big Christmas Day matchup against the now first-place Milwaukee Bucks.

The 2021 BIG EAST Tournament Most Outstanding Player moves on to UVA

Junior point guard Dante Harris has committed to transfer to Virginia. After a few months away from the Georgetown Hoyas team due to “personal reasons,” Harris entered the transfer portal and he ultimately has chosen to continue his collegiate basketball career with UVA and Tony Bennett.

Earlier this month, Georgetown confirmed to Bobby Bancroft that Harris had submitted his name to the transfer portal.

On Sunday, Joe Tipton reported that “Harris plans to play for the Cavaliers beginning next season and will have three years of eligibility remaining.”

Harris also told Tipton that “Coach (Tony) Bennett is a great coach and one of the best in the business. He says he runs his program through God’s word, which is very big for me. I’m huge on the scripture and to have a coach that runs his program through the Lord. What else can you ask for?”

Harris will be best known for his 2021 freshman efforts that carried the Hoyas through the BIG EAST Tournament as the awarded Most Outstanding Player into the NCAA Tournament.

Unfortunately, the ensuing winless conference season that followed for the Hoyas forced a complete overhaul of the Georgetown roster. Last spring, Ewing shed 6 players to the portal and added in 8 transfers and two freshmen. Harris was expected to be the only returning starter, but he never played a game.

Many fans have been pointing to the addition of Duquesne point guard Primo Spears as an exterior catalyst for Harris’ decision to leave, but additions of guards Brandon Murray and Jay Heath likely also spelled a reduced role for Dante.

While Dante Harris is no longer listed on the roster, there have been no formal announcements from GUHoyas.com.

In 2021-22, Harris averaged 11.9 points per game in 32.2 minutes per game, with 4.1 assists and 2.6 turnovers. Last year, he shot 37% from the field and 27.5% from three. In 2020-21, Harris averaged 8.0 points per game in 30.3 minutes per game, with 3.2 assists, and shot 35% from the field and 26% from three.

Harris will always be remembered for leading the BIG EAST Tournament Championship team, but his game unfortunately followed a path of a few other guards under Patrick Ewing who carried low field goal percentages with inconsistent assist and turnover statistics.

Ultimately, Ewing promised the world to each of his recruits and failed to uphold his end of the bargain, leading to their transfers.

Harris joins Ewing-era (2017-2022) transfers Donald Carey, Collin Holloway, Tyler Beard, Timothy Ighoefe, Jalin Billingsley, Kobe Clark, Jamari Sibley, T.J. Berger, Mac McClung, James Akinjo, Josh LeBlanc, Galen Alexander, Myron Gardner, Grayson Carter, Antwan Walker, Chris Sodom, and Qudus Wahab (returned).

Best of luck to Dante. We wish him well.

Recap all the Big Ten action from Saturday.

The Big Ten had a loaded slate on Saturday, highlighted by multiple marquee matchups. The headliners were matchups between Indiana and Kansas and Ohio State and North Carolina. Teams like Purdue and Rutgers also faced notable opponents.

Let’s take a look at what happened.

Game of the Night:

-North Carolina Tar Heels 89, No. 23 Ohio State Buckeyes 84 (OT)

This matchup was part of the CBS Sports Classic and took place in Madison Square Garden on Saturday afternoon. Fortunately for fans, the game lived up to the billing, as it went down to the wire and needed an extra session to get decided. Unfortunately for Buckeye fans, things didn’t end well for Ohio State as the team fell 89-84 in overtime.

The big story in this one was Ohio State’s underwhelming defense. While the Buckeyes got productive nights from most of the starting lineup, the team couldn’t slow down North Carolina inside the arc and gave up 59.1 percent from two-point range. Armando Bacot also destroyed the Buckeyes, finishing with 28 points and 15 rebounds. Brice Sensabaugh led the way for Ohio State with 22 points and eight rebounds.

The loss dropped the Buckeyes to 7-3 overall heading into the final stretch of non-conference play. The team will return to action on Wednesday at home against Maine and then wrap up play for the year on the 29th against Alabama A&M. Don’t expect either game to be competitive.

The Rest:

-No. 18 Illinois Fighting Illini 68, Alabama A&M Bulldogs 47

This game wasn’t expected to be competitive and fit that billing, as Illinois cruised to a 21-point win over the Bulldogs. Matthew Mayer led the way with 21 points and seven rebounds. Terrence Shannon also had an impressive performance with 18 points. The win pushed Illinois to 8-3 overall heading into an interesting game against Missouri in St. Louis on Thursday night. It’s the team’s last chance to build its non-con resume.

-No. 8 Kansas Jayhawks 84, No. 14 Indiana Hoosiers 62

It’s rare to see blue blood programs tangle in a home-and-home like this, but fans got to enjoy one of them on Saturday as Indiana went on the road to face Kansas. The crowd was electric and fans got to enjoy a really fun matchup. Unfortunately for Hoosier fans, Kansas took control early on and never looked back en route to an 84-62 win as the Hoosiers limped to 0.82 points per possession.

Indiana fell to 8-3 overall with the loss. The team has now lost two straight and three of its last four, dating back to a 15-point road loss against Rutgers earlier this month. The losses have derailed what was shaping up to be a fantastic start to the season in Bloomington, especially since all three have come by double-digits.

It’ll be up to Mike Woodson and company to resolve some of the issues in the coming weeks, or Indiana could be in big trouble with Big Ten play approaching. Fortunately, the team will get a few weeks to recover. That effort will begin on Tuesday at home against an overmatched Elon squad.

-Iowa Hawkeyes 106, Southeast Missouri State Redhawks 75

The Hawkeyes rolled in this one, beating down a terrible Redhawk squad at home by 31 points. Filip Rebraca led the way with 30 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. Patrick McCaffery also finished with 20 points. Iowa improved to 8-3 overall with the win and will now prepare for Eastern Illinois at home on Wednesday. Expect another easy win.

-Michigan Wolverines 83, Lipscomb Bison 75

While Michigan escaped this one with a win, it was certainly too close for Wolverine fans’ comfort. The game ended up going own to the final minutes as freshman point guard Dug McDaniel struggled offensively and the team’s defense gave up 1.04 points per possession to an underwhelming Bison squad. Fortunately for Michigan fans, the team found a way to get the job done and escape with an eight-point win.

The win pushed Michigan to 7-3 overall heading into a marquee showdown against North Carolina on Wednesday. It represents Michigan’s last chance to get a marquee non-conference win this season. Fans will hope the Wolverines fan pull off the upset.

-Kansas State Wildcats 71, Nebraska Cornhuskers 56

This looked like a pretty fun one on paper, as Nebraska faced off against Kansas State in a throwback game from the program’s former days in the Big 12. Unfortunately, the Huskers got behind double-digits in the first half and couldn’t get enough offense going to hang with the Wildcats. Notably, all five of the team’s starters failed to score double-digits.

The loss dropped Nebraska to 6-6 overall as the team prepares for its final non-conference game of the season at home against Queens on Tuesday. At this point, it’s fair to have mixed feelings about this Husker squad. The team is clearly improved, but probably no enough to make a serious postseason push. We’ll have to wait and see how it all shakes out.

-Northwestern Wildcats 83, DePaul Blue Demons 45

This projected as a fun in-state meeting between two teams who were hoping to play improved basketball this season. However, the game ended up being a complete blowout, as Northwestern scored a 38-point win over the Blue Demons. It was one of Northwestern’s better performances of the season as the Wildcats held DePaul to 0.61 point per possession.

The win pushed Northwestern to 8-2 overall. The team is quietly putting together a pretty solid resume with a lot of wins of this variety, i.e., not against quality opponents, but against teams good enough to count on the resume statistics. Fans will hope the momentum can keep buildin gon Tuesday at home against Illinois-Chicago.

-No. 1 Purdue Boilermakers 69, Davidson Wildcats 61

This game proved more competitive than Boilermaker fans would have liked, but still ended in the win column for Purdue thanks to 29 points and 16 rebounds for Zach Edey. Freshman Braden Smith also had 10 points and 12 rebounds. The win pushed Purdue to 11-0 on the season. It was the program’s eighth win over a top 150 opponent already this season.

Purdue will now get a few days off before hosting New Orleans at home on Wednesday. The win should be more than enough to keep the Boilers atop the weekly polls.

-Rutgers Scarlet Knights 81, Wake Forest Demon Deacons 57

The Scarlet Knights got a quietly important win in this one on Saturday, thanks to 15 points from Cam Spencer in just 19 points of action. It was only Rutgers’ second win over a quality opponent this season and pushed the team to 7-4 overall. Rutgers will now get a few days off before facing off against Bucknell at home on Friday.

Jeremiah Bailey – Caledonia Gladiators
Gladiators remained unbeaten at home with a sixth win on the bounce as Jeremiah Bailey led a first quarter blowout of Cheshire Phoenix at Emirates Arena on Friday night, leading to his fifth All-Star 5 appearance of the season and, amazingly, his fourth in a row. The dynamic American forward finished with a huge haul of 36 points, including 6-7 (85%) from the three-point line, with 11 rebounds and six assists, including 14 points in a first quarter where Gladiators scored 40 to lead by double-figures from the fourth minute and throughout.

Patrick Whelan – Leicester Riders
Also gaining weekly honours for the second week in a row, and third time overall, is GB guard Patrick Whelan after Leicester Riders made it four straight wins in all competitions on the road at Newcastle Eagles on Friday. In typical fashion, Whelan got an efficient 24 points on 7-11 (63%) shooting from the field and 4-6 (66%) from three-point range, also contributing seven rebounds and six assists while playing 37 minutes in the absence of backcourt duo Kimbal Mackenzie and Conner Washington. He had eight points and five boards as Riders jumped out to a big first quarter lead, and then scored four points in the last two minutes to secure victory after Newcastle had come all the way back to lead themselves.

Sam Dekker – London Lions
Former NBA star Sam Dekker also makes a third All-Star 5 appearance, but first since week three, as London Lions continued their dominant run of form atop the BBL Championship table by beating Bristol Flyers at the Copper Box Arena live on Sky Sports. He scored 25 points on 10-13 (76%) shooting in under 25 minutes, with five assists and three rebounds, including six points and two assists in a 17-0 start that all but settled the game in the opening six minutes.

David Sloan – Caledonia Gladiators
American guard David Sloan also had a double-double in Caledonia’s big win over Cheshire, leading to a first All-Star 5 showing for seven weeks. He scored 23 points on 10-12 (83%) interior scoring and handed out 10 assists, also grabbing five rebounds. Sloan had eight points and two assists in seven first quarter minutes as Gladiators led 27-11, and then added seven points and seven assists to keep the hosts in control over the third and fourth quarter break as Phoenix threatened a late comeback.

David Cohn – Newcastle Eagles
Newcastle scored a big road win at Surrey Scorchers on Sunday for a first win in seven games against the other side currently outside of the Play-off places, led by a do-it-all performance from point guard David Cohn as he also makes his third All-Star 5 appearance of the season. He scored 21 points on 7-8 (87%) shooting from the field and a perfect 5-5 at the free-throw line, with seven assists and four rebounds, including pulling the strings with 10 points and four assists in a fourth quarter that Eagles won 32-21 to come from behind and snatch the victory on the road.

Off the bench: Larry Austin Jr. (Cheshire Phoenix), Kipper Nichols (B. Braun Sheffield Sharks), Kyle Johnson (Newcastle Eagles), Javion Ogunyemi (B. Braun Sheffield Sharks), Tahjai Teague (Cheshire Phoenix), Tajh Green (Manchester Giants), Zach Jackson (Leicester Riders).

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This is the fourth season that WHoopDirt.com has run the Coach of the Week and Coach of the Year programs. The list of 2022-23 Coach of the Week winners, as well as previous Coach of the Year winners can be found below this week’s recipients

To nominate coaches for future weeks, please email [email protected] with your selection(s).

The Week 6 winners are:

NCAA D1: Kim Mulkey – LSU

NCAA D2: Kerry Phayre – Assumption University

NCAA D3: Maria Williamson – University of Chicago

NAIA: Ginger High Colvin – Campbellsville University

JUCO: Jamarra Robinson – Indian River State College

2022-23 WHoopDirt.com Coach of the Week Winners:

Week 1

NCAA DI: Carrie Moore – Harvard University
NCAA DII: Charlie Avercamp – Hillsdale College
NCAA DIII: Cherri Harrer – Baldwin Wallace University
NAIA: Alico Dunk – Stillman College
JUCO: MJ Baker – Eastern Florida State College

Week 2

NCAA DI: Ashleen Bracey – UIC
NCAA DII: Taylor Harris – Fort Lewis College
NCAA DIII: Lynn Hersey – Smith College
NAIA: Darrick Matthews – University of Science and Arts
JUCO: Kim Muhl – Kirkwood Community College

Week 3

NCAA DI: Larry Vickers – Norfolk State
NCAA DII: Grahm Smith – Lenoir-Rhyne University
NCAA DIII: Juli Fulks – Transylvania University
NAIA: Jeff Hans – Thomas More University
JUCO: Tanya Kaufmann – Western Technical College

Week 4

NCAA DI: Teri Moren – Indiana University
NCAA DII: Jenepher Banker -Daemen University
NCAA DIII: J.R. Fredette – Albertus Magnus College
NAIA: Candace Walker – St. Thomas University
JUCO: Clenita “Penny” Belford – Pensacola State College

Week 5

NCAA DI: Tricia Cullop – Toledo University
NCAA DII: Stephanie Lawrence Yelton – University of West Florida
NCAA DIII: KJ Krasco – Middlebury College
NAIA: Bill Harmsen – Dordt University
JUCO: Riley Maye – Harcum College

Previous WHoopDirt.com / Coach of the Year Award Winners:

Division I

• 2021-22: Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
• 2020-21: Adia Barnes – University of Arizona
• 2019-20: Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina

Division II

• 2021-22: Kim Stephens – Glenville State College
• 2020-21: Steve Gomez – Lubbock Christian University
• 2019-20: Molly Miller – Drury University

Division III

• 2021-22: Brian Morehouse – Hope College
• 2020-21: Brian Morehouse – Hope College
• 2019-20: Jill Pace – Tufts University

NAIA

• 2021-22: Jeff Hans – Thomas More College
• 2020-21: Kirsten Moore – Westmont College
• 2019-20: Chris Nelson – Bethel University

JUCO

• 2021-22: Trenia Tillis Hoard – Tyler Junior College
• 2020-21: No winner named – COVID season
• 2019-20: Cayla Petree – South Plains College

About WHoopDirt.com

WHoopDirt.com is the largest website in the country dedicated specifically to women’s college basketball coaching news, jobs, and rumors at all levels. WHoopDirt.com brings a unique insider perspective to the world of college basketball coaching – it was founded by college coaches as a way to help the college basketball community stay informed of what is going on in the coaching profession.

About Just Play Solutions

Just Play Solutions has become the market leader in coaches’ workflow. A platform to help coaches prepare playbooks, automate scouting reports, research analytics, integrate and distribute video, manage recruiting workflow, and organize recruiting schedules. The end-to-end platform is used by over 700 customers across the country and internationally in football, basketball, and lacrosse.

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Lakers vs. Suns prediction and odds for Monday, December 19 (Trust Phoenix to win big at home) - Valley of the Suns - Valley of the Suns - A Phoenix Suns Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Devin Booker has taken a playmaking leap for the Phoenix Suns - Valley of the Suns - Valley of the Suns - A Phoenix Suns Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Alabama Crimson Tide forward Noah Gurley (4) shoots against Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Anton Watson (22) during the first half at Legacy Arena at BJCC. Photo | Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports After falling to Gonzaga 100-90 in the C.

USA TODAY college basketball Coaches Poll top 25 rankings, Week 7

Purdue hung on to the No. 1 spot in the USA TODAY Sports men's basketball poll but there was one major change to the top five this week.

The Seminoles (11-2) showed resilience in battling back from a 23-point deficit to take control of the rest of the game, although it wasn’t enough at the end. Freshman guard Ta’Niya Latson led FSU with 24 points in just under 27 minutes, fouling out midway through the fourth quarter of a game that became tight.

Proud of our fight #NoleFAM pic.twitter.com/FM7JHCLunw

— FSU Women's Basketball (@fsuwbb) December 18, 2022

Redshirt senior forward Erin Howard added 18 points and buried four 3-point field goals, highlighting a Seminole unit that refused to go away. Sophomore Mariana Valenzuela stepped up with 11 points off the bench while sophomore Makayla Timpson added 11 points but fouled out late in the game.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Howard hit a 3-pointer that cut FSU’s deficit to 76-71 with 5:08 remaining. She then hit another one from downtown to leave FSU trailing by just four at 80-76 with 3:19 left in the game.

The Huskies (8-2) were able to execute down the stretch and get stops defensively, thwarting FSU’s promising comeback. After allowing 53 first-half points, the Seminoles buckled down in the second half and surrendered just 32 to UConn’s high-scoring squad.

Latson continued to get to the free throw line, proving why she has the most made free throws in the country. The Miami, Fla., native was a focal point of UConn and continued to attack, going 9-of-10 from the charity stripe. She now has 12 20-point performances in her first 13 games played.

FSU capitalized on points off turnovers all game, out-scoring UConn 21-11 in the category. The Seminoles generated 14 fast-break points while limiting the Huskies to eight. FSU’s high-ranked shot-blocking department added seven more blocks on Sunday.

UConn’s Aaliyah Edwards led all scorers with 26 points, while Lou Lopez Senechal added 23.

UConn jumped out to a 26-11 first-quarter lead, using a 10-0 start before Latson’s block and fast-break basket gave FSU its first field goal of the game. A 3-pointer by Sara Bejedi cut FSU’s early deficit to 19-9 with 1:31 left in the first, but UConn respond with a quick 7-0 run. Timpson ended the first on a positive note when she banked in a mid-range jumper right before the buzzer.

Latson led the Seminoles with 11 points at the break, hanging with UConn in the second quarter in what was a high-scoring 27-24 frame. Valenzuela had some effective minutes off the bench as well, carrying eight points at halftime, but the Seminoles trailed by 18 going into the locker room.

FSU had a tremendous third quarter, out-scoring UConn 27-18 which included a key 9-0 run. Latson got up to 22 points score in the third frame, although the Seminoles were hurt by eight fouls called against them that put them in foul trouble heading into the fourth.

FSU ended the game with 27 personal fouls, while UConn committed 19.

Florida State begins ACC play this Wednesday when it hosts rival Miami at Noon at the Tucker Center.

"Do more of what works and less of what doesn't." 

The initial passer (1) passes sequentially to each teammate while getting a return pass. 

Pelicans news: Anthony Davis injury and New Orleans’ lottery odds - Pelican Debrief - Pelican Debrief - A New Orleans Pelicans Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Special Pelicans Offer: Bet $10, Win $200 if We Make ONE 3-POINTER Tonight Against Bucks - Pelican Debrief - Pelican Debrief - A New Orleans Pelicans Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

NBA News: Davis’ injury. Lakers trade imminent? Expansion coming? More - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

McDaniels and Anthony Davis are the only two players with 30 or more steals and blocks this season. McDaniels is holding opponents to a 51.8 defensive field goal percentage at the rim. Per PBP Stats, among the 68 players who have defended at least 95 attempts at the rim, opponents are only shooting worse against two former Defensive Player of the Year winners, Draymond Green and Giannis Antetokounmpo. McDaniels also ranks tied for fourth in contested threes (3.7).

McDaniels discussed Minnesota’s adjustment after the Rudy Gobert trade, expectations for the Timberwolves this season, striving to be an All-Star and All-Defensive Team player, and much more in our HoopsHype interview.

Nikola Jokic scored 40 points Sunday night adding 27 rebounds and 10 assists leading the Nuggets to a 119-115 win over Charlotte. Jokic shot 13-26 from the floor, 12-17 from the free-throw line. In 39 minutes Jokic was a +20. “I didn’t know it was a 40-27-10 night but I knew he was having another Nikola Jokic stellar performance, efficient,” Mike Malone said. “And it’s not just about Nikola. It’s about his ability to make every one of his teammates better. Yeah, Nikola is a generational talent.”

Mike Breen is something else. On one particular play during Sunday night’s game between the Knicks and Pacers, Breen mentioned a Knicks player sprinting back on defense: “You gotta like him sprinting back.” HUH? Players are supposed to sprint back on defense. Why applaud someone for doing their job? Late in the game, with 1:56 remaining the Pacers went on a run. they led 104-98. Breen said, “The Knicks need a timeout.” No they don’t. New York came down court, made a 3, got a steal on defense which led to a layup. Now the Knicks are down 1. Sometimes you have to let the players play through it and figure it out. Huge pet peeve is when announcers try to coach.

George Blaha is another one. The long-time announcer for the Detroit Pistons had a classic line during the Nets game when talking about Nets center Nic Claxton, “He’s six-eleven…and a long six-eleven.”

Did you see Jaden Ivey’s dunk against the Nets? WOW!

How about James Harden saying the Nets didn’t have any structure? I thought players wanted to play with freedom? Make up your mind bearded one…

Kemba Walker still has game. The Rice High School alum filled in for Luka Doncic the other night against the Cavaliers and scored 32 points on 12-25 shooting, 4-13 from 3 with 5 rebounds and 7 assists. In just his third game with the Mavs Kemba got the start, his first with his new club. Dallas lost in OT, 100-99.

What would happen if basketball referees decided not to work games? Treat these men and women with more respect.

With their win Sunday night over the Indiana Pacers, the Knicks have won 7 straight games, including 6 straight road games. Chemistry and defense seem to be coming together.

What is going on with the Chicago Bulls? They gave up 150 points Sunday night in a loss to the T-Wolves. And Minnesota played without K.A.T. – Hey but kudos to their fans for giving Derrick Rose a round of applause against the Knicks. Bulls are 11-18. They’ve lost 4 straight, 7 of their last 9. Head coach Billy Donovan wants his team to compete harder on defense. Their next three games are at Miami, at Atlanta and at New York.

Mitchell Robinson is 4th all-time on the Knicks blocked shots list with 501. Patrick Ewing is one (2,758) followed by Bill Cartwright (543) and Marvin Webster (542).

Ben Simmons needs to work on his shot. I’m captain obvious, right? How come the Nets brass demand this of him?

Don’t you just love the gambling ads during basketball games? No, just kidding. Gambling is a huge problem. It’s an addiction.

I have been wondering about Luka Garza lately. Sunday night I turned on the T-Wolves and sure enough there was the former Iowa Hawkeye working hard.

Knicks announcers were talking nicknames Sunday night and Clyde mentioned Bones Hyland of the Denver Nuggets. The only “Bones” in my book is Howard “Bones” Tompkins – former Wagner Seawhawk. One night I was watching Wagner and St. Francis in Brooklyn. On the layup line before the game SFC athletic director Carlo Tramontozzi, in his Italian accent screams at him for dunking; “BONES, BONES, STAY OFF THE RIM.”

Love the Brooklyn Nets uniforms. They went old school from the Super John Williamson days…Has there ever been two teammates, (Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving) who led their team in scoring and shoot 92% or higher from the free-throw line? KD scored 26 in the 3rd quarter Sunday night, Pistons had no answer for him. Nets have won six straight.

Lakers beat the Wizards 119-117 without Anthony Davis. A.D. will miss a month of action. LeBron James scored 33 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists. LA is 2-2 without Davis this season. “Whoever is available to play, we have to make plays,” said James who had his fourth consecutive game of at least 30 points. “We’re all NBA players and we have to go out and trust the game plan the coaches put oth there. Tonight, we were able to do that for the majority of the game.” Big game for LeBron and Company tonight in Phoenix.

Congratulations to Argentina. They’re your 2022 World Cup Champions. I would love to travel to their country some day and work with their young basketball players.

Aaron had been the head coach at CAC for the past nine season, where he went 108-122. His team was 1-5 on the season at the time of the change.

The has been no formal release on the change, but CAC AD Shelby Davis confirmed to the Casa Grande Dispatch that Aaron is “no longer with CAC,” adding she is not permitted to comment on personnel issues.

Brown was hired in the off season after spending four years as the associate head coach at Alaska Fairbanks. He has also worked at Alaska Anchorage, Green River CC, and Tacoma CC.

CAC is now 3-7 on the season – 2-2 under Brown.

The post Coaching change made at NJCAA D1 Central Arizona appeared first on HoopDirt.

This is the eighth season that HoopDirt.com has run the Coach of the Week and Coach of the Year programs. The list of 2022-23 Coach of the Week winners, as well as the list of all-time COY winners can be found following this week’s honorees.

To nominate coaches for future weeks, please email [email protected] with your selection(s).

The Week 6 winners are:

NCAA D1: Richard Pitino – University of New Mexico

NCAA D2: Jeremy Currier – Young Harris College

NCAA D3: Jason Harris – UMass Boston

NAIA: Robert Ford – Saint Xavier University

JUCO: Bill Beilein – Niagara County Community College

2022-23 HoopDirt.com / Just Play Solutions Coach of the Week Winners

Week 1

NCAA DI: Pat Skerry – Towson University
NCAA DII: Matt Brock – University of Illinois Springfield
NCAA DIII: D.P. Harris – St. Vincent College
NAIA: Javier Heridia – Indiana University Northwest
JUCO: Kyle Fisher – Butler Community College

Week 2

NCAA DI: Frank Martin – UMass
NCAA DII: Eric Eaton – Saint Michael’s College
NCAA DIII: Glen Miller – University of Saint Joseph
NAIA: John Henry – William Penn University
JUCO: Hank Plona – Indian Hills College

Week 3

NCAA DI: Jerome Tang – Kansas State
NCAA DII: Brooks McKowen – Upper Iowa University
NCAA DIII: John Krikorian – Christopher Newport University
NAIA: Chase Teichmann – Florida College
JUCO: Brad Witherspoon – Dodge City Community College

Week 4

NCAA DI: Craig Smith – University of Utah
NCAA DII: Vinay Patel – Angelo State University
NCAA DIII: Matt McLaughlin – Bridgewater State University
NAIA: Chris Wright – Langston University
JUCO: Darren Stratton – Northern Essex Community College

Week 5

NCAA DI: Pat Duquette – UMass Lowell
NCAA DII: Brion Dunlap – Claflin University
NCAA DIII: Chris Bartley – WPI
NAIA: Jermael Bingham – Blue Mountain College
JUCO: Joey Cantens – Dayton State College

Previous HoopDirt.com Coach of the Year Award Winners:

Division I

• 2021-22: Ed Cooley – Providence College
• 2020-21: Dennis Gates – Cleveland State University
• 2019-20: Joe Gallo – Merrimack College
• 2018-19: Kelvin Sampson – University of Houston
• 2017-18: Porter Moser – Loyola University Chicago
• 2016-17: Chris Collins – Northwestern University
• 2015-16: Roy Williams – University of North Carolina

Division II

• 2021-22: Jim Crutchfield – Nova Southeastern
• 2020-21: Ben McCollum – Northwest Missouri State
• 2019-20: Fred Watson – Miles College
• 2018-19: Ben McCollum – Northwest Missouri State
• 2017-18: Andy Bronkema – Ferris State
• 2016-17: Ben McCollum – Northwest Missouri State
• 2015-16: Josh Schertz – Lincoln Memorial University

Division III

• 2021-22: Brian Baptiste – UMass Dartmouth
• 2020-21: Brooks Miller – Trine University
• 2019-20: Elliot Steinmetz – Yeshiva University
• 2018-19: Dale Wellman – Nebraska Wesleyan University
• 2017-18: Eric Bridgeland – Whitman College
• 2016-17: Stephen Brennan – Babson College
• 2015-16: John Tauer – University of St. Thomas

NAIA

• 2021-22: Stacy Hollowell – Loyola University New Orleans
• 2020-21: Delano Thomas – Shawnee State University
• 2019-20: Colby Blaine – College of Idaho
• 2018-19: Chris Briggs – Georgetown College
• 2017-18: Craig Doty – Graceland University
• 2016-17: Kevin Burton – Union College
• 2015-16: Larry Cordaro – LSU-Alexandria

JUCO

• 2021-22: Greg Heiar – Northwest Florida State
• 2020-21: COVID Season – No winner selected
• 2019-20: Randy Casey – Milwaukee Area Technical College
• 2018-19: Billy Gillispie – Ranger College
• 2017-18: Paul Cisek – Brookdale Community College
• 2016-17: Todd Lorensen – Southwestern Community College
• 2015-16: Craig Doty – Rock Valley College

USCAA

• 2018-19: LeShawn Hammett – Penn State Wilkes-Barre

About HoopDirt.com

HoopDirt.com is the largest website in the country dedicated specifically to college basketball coaching news, jobs, and rumors at all levels. HoopDirt.com brings a unique insider perspective to the world of college basketball coaching – it was founded by college coaches as a way to help the college basketball community stay informed of what is going on in the coaching profession. HoopDirt.com currently has a Twitter following of over 51,000, and receives nearly three-million page views per month.  

About Just Play Solutions

Just Play Solutions has become the market leader in coaches’ workflow. A platform to help coaches prepare playbooks, automate scouting reports, research analytics, integrate and distribute video, manage recruiting workflow, and organize recruiting schedules. The end-to-end platform is used by over 700 customers across the country and internationally in football, basketball, and lacrosse.

The post WEEK 6: HoopDirt.com Coach of the Week presented by Just Play Solutions appeared first on HoopDirt.

Will Brown joins the impressive list of successful head coaches that made their mark on the franchise. Brown led the 2022 Patroons team to an overall 29-4 record, the best record across all 44 TBL teams. The Patroons won their division, then went on to win 2 titles; the TBL East Conference title and the TBL Regional Conference title. Coach Brown was named ‘Coach of the Year’, and selected to coach the league’s All-Star Game, leading the TBL All Stars to a win against the NBL All Stars of Canada.

 “First, I would like to thank Ben Fernandez for the opportunity to be a part of the Patroons organization. When I was hired, it was clear my responsibility was to help revive the Albany Patroons while enhancing the level of professionalism to the organization. We enjoyed a tremendous amount of success on the court while attracting the attention of the local media and the community in the process. I am confident that I am a better coach as a result of my time with the Patroons and coaching in the TBL Pro League. I would like to thank our players, my coaching staff, Team President Michael Corts, Team VP Rocco Ricchiuti, our fans and my family for making this such an enjoyable and positive experience for me. A special thank you to the new ownership group led by Sam & Rebecca Clifford for having the trust and confidence in me to help guide the organization towards the future during this off season. After careful consideration and speaking with my family I feel the timing is right to step down. The Patroons are positioned for success, and have ample time to find a new coach, and continue the process of building a competitive roster for the 2023 season.  I will be rooting for the Patroons during the 2023 season and beyond! I am excited about the next chapter of my coaching career” -Will Brown

“It has been an honor working with Coach Brown.” Sam Clifford, Team Market Owner says. “We wish him well on his next journey and may success always follow his footsteps while he continues to pave his path to greatness. He will remain a part of these storied walls.”

David Magley, TBL President says, “Coach Brown brought a level of professionalism to the TBL that raised the standard for our coaches. He was the winning All Star Coach and Coach of the Year last season. We wish him all the best and feel fortunate for his time on the Patroons sidelines.

http://www.albanypatroonsbasketball.com/coach-brown-steps-away-role-ahead-2023-season

The post Former Albany Head Coach Will Brown steps down from TBL job appeared first on HoopDirt.

The Brooklyn Nets veteran guard Patty Mills, who has missed the last three games with a non-COVID illness, is expected back when the team returns to Brooklyn. David Duke Jr., Kessler Edwards, Day’Ron Sharpe, and Alondes Williams were all on G-League assignment with Long Island.

The post Patty Mills is expected back when Nets return to Brooklyn appeared first on TalkBasket.net.

The Brooklyn Nets players Kevin Durant (43 points) and Kyrie Irving (38 points) became the first teammates to each top 35 in the same game three times in a season since Durant and Russell Westbrook did so in 2011-12.

“That level offensively when we’re just clicking on all cylinders and the guys aren’t making shots but doing all the little things, it feels good,” Irving said. “The team morale is good and there’s a level of poise where we’re learning about one another when were down 17, down 19. We don’t want to be in these holes, but it’s a challenge for us to beat this team.”

The post Kyrie Irving: “The team morale is good” appeared first on TalkBasket.net.

For the third straight season Anthony Davis is set to miss extended time due to an injury. The 29-year-old forward injured his right foot during the game against the Nuggets and will be out for at least a month.

LeBron James says that while AD can’t help the Lakers on the court and it will take a team effort to cover for his teammate’s absence.

“It’s going to be a collective group effort. It’s always been health with us since we all joined forces…,” the four-time NBA champion said. “But it’s always about health.

“If we can stay healthy or close to healthy as possible, have guys on the floor available, we’re going to give ourselves a chance to win because we’re going to play hard and we’re going to play the right way. Obviously, health is wealth.”

This season Davis is averaging 27.4 points, 12.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 33.4 minutes per game.

The post LeBron James reacts to Anthony Davis going out with injury appeared first on TalkBasket.net.

3 games to watch in women’s college basketball for Week 7 - FanSided - FanSided - Sports News, Entertainment, Lifestyle & Technology - 300+ Sites

Anthony Edwards’ play proves Rudy Gobert trade was a mistake - Dunking with Wolves - Dunking with Wolves - A Minnesota Timberwolves Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

One frustrating roadblock may prevent Timberwolves from impactful trade - Dunking with Wolves - Dunking with Wolves - A Minnesota Timberwolves Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

NBA All-Star voting begins tomorrow. Here’s hoping the passionate Thunder fanbase will vote in droves for Shaivonte Aician Gilgeous-Alexander. While he isn’t likely to be voted in as a starter due the fact he’s a guard in the same conference as Steph Curry and Luka Doncic, a strong showing from the fan vote will help SGA’s overall campaign. There’s no reason why the #3 scorer in the league at 31.2 points per game should miss out on the All-Star Game. SGA’s first All-Star appearance should be a given. But heavy hitters Devin Booker, Ja Morant and Damian Lillard are also vying for at most four backup guard spots. Trendy names like Anthony Edwards, Desmond Bane, Anfernee Simons and De’Aaron Fox may (ridiculously) steal some votes as well. And of course, SGA has gotta beat out the biggest threat to his All-Star debut: Mike Conley.

The Other Guys

Let’s give it up to the other guys on this Thunder team. SGA gets all the headlines, for good reason, as he deserves all of them and then some. Josh Giddey is the second most heralded player on the team, and again, well deserved after being a high lottery pick and a much buzzed about rookie season. Chet Holmgren hasn’t played one NBA minute yet and he’s still a top three most talked about Thunder player. Yet not a single one of the core’s three biggest perceived building blocks were on the court for OKC’s most surprising win of the season on Saturday night at The Paycom Center.

This premium article will unlock for all subscribers next week. Can't wait? Try a free trial to support Daily Thunder.

The post Episode 373 — UNLV’s Kevin Kruger appeared first on College Hoops Today.

Let’s get it!

Anthony Davis (right foot) Is Out At Least One Month After Suffering A Foot Injury On Friday:

According to NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic, Antony Davis will reportedly miss at least one month after suffering an undisclosed right foot injury.

AD has been dominant this season while helping the Lakers surge to a 6-4 stretch over their last 10 contests. The Brow is averaging 27.4 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game on 59.3 percent shooting from the field and has dropped 19 30+ games with one 44-point game against the Bucks and a dominant 55-point effort against the Wizards.

Before he got hurt, AD had a three-game streak of scoring at least 30 points that were broken when he suffered his foot injury against the Nuggets.

Lakers are bracing for an indefinite absence for the Lakers star, sources say, after he sustained the right foot injury in Friday’s win over Denver. Davis has played arguably the most dominant ball of his career this season. https://t.co/WCTr2y7eNp

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 18, 2022

Devin Booker Puts Up An Historic 58-Point Effort To Beat New Orleans:

Devin Booker lifted the Suns over the Pelicans 118-114 after dropping a season-best 58 points. It was the second time this season that Book scored 50 points after he posted 51 against Chicago on Nov. 30.

He’s now the sixth-youngest player to score 12k points in his career, trailing only LeBron, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, and Tracy McGrady.

“Once I get it going a little bit, shooting over a hand is the right play,” Booker said per ESPN.

.@DevinBook's second 50-point game of the season. pic.twitter.com/CMwBniJ5Mv

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 18, 2022

Nikola Jokic Posts His 81st Career Triple-Double After Dropping 40-27-10 Against the Hornets:

Nikola Jokic (40 points, 27 rebounds, and 10 dimes) f***ed around and got his fifth triple-double of the season to lead Denver to a 119-115 win over Charlotte on Sunday night.

The two-time MVP sealed the W with two game-winning free throws with 13 seconds left on the clock. Nuggets head coach Mike Malone said he didn’t know Jokic was putting up massive numbers but knew that Jokic was having “another Nikola Jokic stellar performance, efficient,” and praised Jokic for his “ability to make every one of his teammates better,” and called Joker a “generational talent.”

“To be honest, I think it’s because of our defense, and I was just in the right spot to rebound the ball,” Jokic said per ESPN. “It’s not that I was grabbing for them or whatever, chasing for them. It just happened, you know? I wish it could be every night, to be honest.”

Triple double # 8️⃣1️⃣

40-27-10

m.v.p pic.twitter.com/ljQpTIVCHl

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) December 19, 2022

Jordan Poole Has A Career-High Night For the Ages:

Jordan Poole hung a career-high 43 points on 14-23 shooting from the field and 5-11 from beyond the arc. He also handed out six assists and scored career-best 25 points in the first half to lead the Warriors past the Raptors. The 126-110 win was the Dubs’ first win in five attempts without Stephen Curry in the lineup. ˝Golden State also snapped their three-game losing streak and are now 3-14 on the road.

“He was incredible on both sides of the ball,” Draymond Green (17 points and nine rebounds) said per Yahoo Sports. “And when you connect the game like that, things will go your way. We all know what a special talent he is. He’s been going through some growing pains. To see him come out tonight and have the game that he had – especially with Steph being down and us needing to get a win – was really huge.

“His effort on the defensive end carried over to the offensive end.”

What a night for 3️⃣.@googlecloud || Player of the Game pic.twitter.com/lKxkgmnlJz

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) December 19, 2022

WNBA Won’t Expand In 2024:

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert told The Athletic that the League’s plan for franchise expansion will be delayed until at least 2025. The commission is in touch with 10 investor groups discussing potential arenas, practice facilities, season ticket markets, and potential corporate partners.

Engelbert said that a new team would need around 18-24 months to hire coaches and executives and bring on players through an expansion draft, among the many preparations it takes to build a professional basketball franchise. Although expansion is delayed, Englerbet said it’s still a part of the W’s long-term plans and reiterated that the WNBA is on a growth trajectory.

Toronto, Nashville, and the Bay Area (Oakland and San Francisco) are on the short list of expansion cities.

“I’m a big, big believer in: let’s transform the economics, and then we’ll expand, not expand and then hope that economics transform,” she said per Front Office Sports. “We want to bring new owners in that are going to be successful in standing up a franchise that can compete for a championship.”

The post NBA Weekend Recap: Anthony Davis Is Out Indefinitely While Devin Booker and Jordan Poole Put Up Season and Career Best Efforts appeared first on SLAM.

Bulls guard Zach LaVine echoed the fans frustration with the losing. Then he took it a step further.

"It's frustrating for all of us," LaVine said. "I know it's frustrating for the fans. It's embarrassing. We're all a little embarrassed about it."

Veteran guard Goran Dragic said that the Bulls don't play for each other. LaVine agreed with that sentiment.

"You can name whatever you want to. We're just not getting it done as a unit," LaVine said. "And until we band together and start helping each other, you're not going to see a different result. I think that's the first thing you have to bring. You can't ask your team for effort each and every night. I think that's the first thing you have to bring top to bottom. Guys in here are talking. We're trying to be leaders in our own way, but we've got to find a way to get it done."

Happy Monday! Here are your links to start your week:

Mikal Bridges is Evolving, Trust his Process - Bright Side Of The Sun
The Phoenix Suns forward is continuing to improve in his 5th season.

Q&A: Suns’ Mikal Bridges talks toughest 1-on-1 matchups and ‘Ironman’ streak | NBA.com
The defensive-minded forward weighs in on his ability to stay healthy, the mid-range shot and some of Phoenix’s struggles.

Golden State Warriors' Donte DiVincenzo stars vs. Sixers | Inquirer
With All-Stars Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Andrew Wiggins out with injuries, DiVincenzo set season highs with 17 points and 10 rebounds and added six assists in a loss to the Sixers.

'The Number One Thing Is Heart' When It Comes To Josh Hart's Rebounding | NBA.com
He's been a big rebounder since Day 1, and the NBA is catching on.

Knicks' Jalen Brunson drills six 3-pointers to set career high | NY Post
Jalen Brunson has been cooking in New York, but when asked about his six 3-pointers, Brunson smiled and said, “just luck.”

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl’s ankle sprain a week-to-week injury | ThunderWire
OKC Thunder injury update: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl's ankle sprain a week-to-week injury.

Saddiq Bey unplugged: Pistons forward talks going to the bench, keeping faith and fitting in - The Athletic
The young Detroit forward gets real while talking about the adversity he's faced so far in his third season.

The Detroit Pistons have set their price for Saddiq Bey | PistonPowered
The Detroit Pistons have been in myriad trade rumors including for Saddiq Bey, and they have now named their asking price.

College basketball scores, winners and losers: Arizona, Kansas make big statements; No. 1 Purdue struggles - CBSSports.com
The Jayhawks beat the Hoosiers and then rubbed it in as their blue-blood battle was one of many highlights in college basketball Saturday.

College basketball rankings: Arizona cracks top five, North Carolina returns to Top 25 And 1 - CBSSports.com
Sorting through the newest top 25 following an important Saturday full of statement games

Women's Basketball: Wildcats Fall to No. 14 Iowa State, 74-62, at Invesco QQQ Hall of Fame Showcase - Villanova University
Villanova fell to Iowa State in a top-25 battle. Maddy Siegrist had 32 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks, but it wasn't enough.

Women’s Soccer Signs Seven National Letters of Intent - Villanova University
Villanova head coach Samar Azem and her staff have announced the addition of seven student-athletes to join the Wildcats. This class brings in one goalkeeper, two defenders, two midfielders and two forwards spanning the United States and Canada.

Villanova Athletics Announces $500,000 Gift to Women’s Basketball Program - Villanova University
A new milestone in support of Villanova Women's Basketball was reached today with the announcement of a leadership gift to the program.

It was an epic weekend of football that included wild comebacks, officiating blunders and the Patriots committing perhaps the dumbest play we’ve ever seen. Here are the winners and losers of Week 15.

Every week of the 2022 NFL season, we will celebrate the electric plays, investigate the colossal blunders, and explain the inexplicable moments of the most recent slate. Welcome to Winners and Losers. Which one are you?

Winner: An All-Time-Great Football Week

I’m sorry, we just couldn’t get to all the winners and losers in a single column this week. We wrote an entire separate post about the biggest comeback in NFL history on Saturday, which allowed me to devote my attention to one of the wildest Sundays in recent memory, a maelstrom of comebacks and thrillers highlighted by the single worst game-losing play I’ve ever seen in all my years watching this magnificent, idiotic sport.

Twelve of the 15 games this week were decided by just one possession; five were won with scores on the final play of the game, including three overtime walk-offs. There were three 17-point comebacks, the most in a single week in NFL history. There was snow, there was chaos, and there was this:

That’s Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers throwing a last-second lateral pass directly to Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones, who promptly stiff-armed Pats quarterback Mac Jones and romped 48 yards to the end zone to beat his former team. Frenzied multi-lateral plays sometimes end in defensive touchdowns … but normally, those scores just add points to the winning team’s total, with few implications outside of gambling. This play actually turned a tied game into a Pats loss. It’s the second time in NFL history that a last-second multi-lateral play has resulted in a walk-off game-winning touchdown … and the other was also against the Patriots, when the Dolphins went 69 yards for an offensive TD in 2018. Bill Belichick might be the coaching GOAT, but once guys start pitching the ball to other guys, Belichick’s useless.

So much stuff happened Sunday that I just have to list it: Tom Brady blew a 17-point lead in about 13 minutes of game time; the Chiefs somehow went to overtime with the Texans; the Jaguars came back from 17 down against the Cowboys and won on a pick-six in overtime; the Giants beat Washington in a hugely important playoff positioning battle thanks to this jarring stop at the 1-yard line:

And you know what? Let’s watch the Patriots thing again: It doesn’t get old.

Loser: The Dumbest Thing I Have Ever Seen on a Football Field

I just want to break down the final ridiculous play in the Patriots-Raiders game in full:

First, the context:

• The Patriots, notably, were tied with the Raiders. They did not need to score a touchdown to win. They had outscored the Raiders 21-7 in the second half, and up to that point, the only touchdown they had allowed after halftime may or may not have actually been a touchdown. While it would have been nice to win in regulation, there was no need to do anything ridiculous. (They did something ridiculous.)
• Even if Pats WR Jakobi Meyers felt the need to throw this ball, he had better options. Fellow receiver Tyquan Thornton was right next to him; tight end Hunter Henry was a few yards away. Instead, he tried to throw to Mac Jones, who was 20 yards behind him and 30 yards across the field.
• Meyers, to his credit, has taken full responsibility for the failure. He says the Patriots’ coaches told the team to play for overtime. “I thought I saw Mac Jones open,” Meyers said.

• I thought.
• I saw.
• MAC JONES.
• Open.

That’s really the dumbest part of this dumb thing: Meyers was trying to throw a pass to Mac Jones, one of the least athletic quarterbacks in the entire NFL, a three-star recruit coming out of high school whose shirtless pictures from college have been mocked. (Lest we needed a reminder of Jones’s lack of athleticism, a designed run for Jones a few minutes earlier had been an abject disaster.) Jones was trailing behind the entire play, with all the Raiders between him and the end zone. Meyers was apparently banking on this slow-ass QB single-handedly defeating the entire 11-man defense, with no blocking help or other teammates nearby to dump off another lateral to. Did Jakobi Meyers think that Mac Jones was some sort of hybrid of Derrick Henry and Justin Jefferson? And would a hypothetical Justrick Henfferson actually be able to make this play?

It’s also worth pointing out that Meyers’s throw was horrible. Meyers was a high school quarterback, which probably gave him the undeserved confidence to think he could complete this pass while on the move and throwing across his body while getting hit. It didn’t end up within five yards of Mac. Even if Chandler Jones wasn’t there to intercept the pass, Mac Jones probably wouldn’t have caught it. It turned out being a clean pick-six, but it could’ve also been a scoop-and-score fumble return.

And now the fun part … talking about Mac Jones’s tackle attempt:

• I think … I think … I think he’s trying to draw a charge? He’s getting his feet set outside of the restricted area, he’s dropping to the ground at the first whiff of contact, he’s looking to the ref for a signal, he’s looking to Coach K on the sidelines for approval. He’s not trying to make a tackle, that’s for damn sure.
• Mac Jones doesn’t attempt to use any of his body weight to stop the larger Jones, who is starting to rumble upfield. There is a nominal attempt from Mac to arm tackle on the ballcarrier’s legs, but he never gets a grip. It doesn’t even seem like Chandler Jones tries hard to put Mac on the ground—he simply puts a hand on Mac’s head and gently flattens him, like someone trying to push away a nipping 10-pound dog without hurting them too badly.

It was a horrible decision, a worse throw, and a pathetic effort. At every single juncture, the Patriots made the wrong choice, turning an inconsequential play into an all-time catastrophe. There was no world in which Meyers’s pass worked out, but I’m so grateful for the specific, baffling ways in which it failed.

Winner: The Eagles’ Sardine Sneak

Sometimes football is complicated, and sometimes it’s just a bunch of dudes shoving one another. The 13-1 Eagles are good at both—they run a sophisticated, intricate offense led by a spectacularly versatile quarterback. That offense is also extremely good at the shoving.

Jalen Hurts didn’t throw any touchdowns Sunday against Chicago, breaking an eight-game streak of throwing TDs. Instead, he merely threw for 315 yards and ran for three touchdowns in a 25-20 win; it was just the third game in which a player had 300 passing yards and three rushing touchdowns in NFL history. (The other two players to pull it off: Dak Prescott and Congressman Jack Kemp.) But Hurts didn’t really “run” for all three of those scores. He had one touchdown that actually involved running—a 22-yard score on which the Bears hit the wrong gap on a safety blitz, leaving the entire field in between Hurts and the end zone completely devoid of human beings.

But the other two TDs were one-yard scores out of a QB sneak–exclusive formation. He didn’t run into the end zone—he was pushed.

The QB sneak may be the defining play of this dominant Eagles team. Hurts has 28 conversions on third- or fourth-and-1 this year; nobody else in the NFL has more than 17. Hurts might have the most powerful legs of any quarterback ever to play the game—he competed in powerlifting competitions in high school, and his squatting videos in college went viral. The Eagles also have a tremendous offensive line anchored by center Jason Kelce, who was caught telling the Cowboys “you know what’s coming!” before a successful sneak a few weeks ago.

But this formation takes things to a new level. Hurts takes a snap from under center with three teammates lined up mere inches behind him, packed in like sardines in a can or clowns in a car. They’re too close for an effective handoff or a dropback pass: They can only push. The Eagles aren’t the first team to run sneaks out of such a crowded formation—I noticed Kansas State doing it a few years ago, and “have everybody push forward” is basically the simplest football concept, so it’s probably been used before—maybe even, like, 115 years ago. The Eagles didn’t start being this obvious about their sneaks until the last few weeks: On QB-sneak touchdowns against the Cardinals and Commanders, there were three players behind Hurts, but they were running misdirection to distract the defense. I guess the Eagles decided to stop screwing around and make those players useful.

Hurts now has 13 rushing touchdowns, the second-most in the NFL this season (behind Detroit RB Jamaal Williams) and the second-most in a season by any QB ever—Cam Newton had 14 in his rookie year.

But I think the Eagles can do even better. After all, they still had slightly-built WR DeVonta Smith on the field for these sneaks, split out wide doing absolutely nothing. Sub him out of the game and put a fourth player behind Hurts. And instead of running backs and wide receivers, they should just put a nose tackle, two backup offensive linemen, and a middle linebacker behind Hurts. And they should start running this play every single down, instead of actually playing offense. If the Eagles have 11 guys push forward, who can stop them?

Loser: Back-to-Back Prime-Time Ref Blunders

The Giants beat the Commanders 20-12 thanks to a thrilling goal-line stand: a crushing tackle on Taylor Heinicke at the 1-yard line by Kayvon Thibodeaux, relentless pressure on a third down to force a hurried throw by Heinicke, and then a pass breakup by Darnay Holmes to seal the win on fourth down. But two of those plays in that goal-line series featured questionable rulings by officials, and one was a clear miss. The Giants’ fourth-down stop actually featured some blatant pass interference by Holmes, a botched call that NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay confirmed on air:

The Giants should’ve been flagged there, and the Commanders should’ve gotten four more shots at the end zone.

The other officiating issue is more complicated. On third-and-goal from the 1-yard line, Washington actually did reach the end zone, with RB Brian Robinson powering into the end zone for a potentially game-tying touchdown—only for the score to be called back due to an apparent miscommunication between an official and a player. Washington WR Terry McLaurin was flagged for illegal formation on the play, the first penalty called on him all season, which pushed Washington back to the 6-yard line and made their chances of winning a lot harder. And to understand why he was flagged—and why it’s unusual—you need to know a little bit about football’s rules:

On every play, the offense needs to have seven players on the line of scrimmage. The five players in the middle on the line are ineligible to catch passes, which is why teams have five offensive linemen. The two players on the outside are the “ends” who are able to catch the ball—they used to be called tight ends and split ends, but now we say tight ends and wide receivers. It’s useful for the defense to be able to identify the two ends, which allows them to rule out certain pre-snap motions and trick plays. However, the offensive players don’t always line up directly on the line of scrimmage, even if the rules say they must. Offensive tackles like to play a skosh back to cut off edge rushers more easily, giving the O-line a distinct curve; receivers like a bit of space when playing against press coverage—and besides, they’re standing about 20 yards away from the ball and don’t always line up exactly right.

So officials tend to give them a bit of leeway. When outside receivers get set for a play, they typically check with one of the officials to confirm that they’re close enough to the line of scrimmage to avoid a penalty. You’ll see this dozens of times every game: A receiver will point over to the sideline, and most of the time the official will give them the A-OK. If they’re way off the line, the official will let them know they need to step up. Typically, refs throw the flag only if a receiver forgets to check with them and lines up unusually far behind the line of scrimmage.

But McLaurin checked with the official on the line of scrimmage! Replays clearly showed him looking over to the side and then scooting forward. The official appears to indicate that McLaurin is good to go—something McLaurin said in his postgame interview he believed occurred. McLaurin’s alignment didn’t provide a competitive advantage, and he clearly tried to be in compliance with the official, but the ref got his flag-throwing arm ready and pulled the trigger as soon as the ball was snapped.

It feels less excusable than the average officiating controversy. It wasn’t that the official didn’t see the play clearly, or didn’t interpret a rule correctly. It wasn’t a missed call so much as a breach of football etiquette, and it may have cost Washington the game.

Winner: The Jacksonville Jaguars

In Week 15 of the 2021 season, the Jaguars fired Urban Meyer, the head coach who (allegedly) kicked one of his players, (allegedly) did not know who Aaron Donald was, and (definitely) danced with a random woman that was not his wife in a bar in Columbus, Ohio, after skipping the team flight home after a loss. The team was 2-11, well on their way to earning the no. 1 pick in the draft; the guy they’d drafted with the no. 1 pick earlier that year, Trevor Lawrence, was tied for the league lead in interceptions.

In Week 15 of this season, the Jags moved to within one game of the AFC South lead after one of the greatest wins in franchise history, a 40-34 overtime win against the playoff-bound Cowboys. At one point, Jacksonville trailed by 17. Jacksonville DB Rayshawn Jenkins sealed the win with a walk-off pick-six of Dak Prescott; it was the team’s first game-winning overtime touchdown since 2005.

Jenkins was around the ball all game, finishing with 18 tackles and two interceptions, making him the first safety with 18 tackles in an NFL game since 2012 and the first player in the Pro Football Reference database with 18 tackles and two picks in a game. After the game, Jenkins was asked the difference between last year and this one, and he boiled it down to one thing: coaching. He didn’t specifically say anything about Urban Meyer, but (allegedly) Meyer was the coach of the team last year, when they sucked ass.

Lawrence, meanwhile, threw for four touchdowns, including a bunch of beautiful bombs. Last week, tight end Evan Engram led all non-quarterbacks in the NFL in fantasy scoring; this week, it was Jacksonville wide receiver Zay Jones, who caught three touchdowns from Lawrence. Since the start of November, Lawrence has had 14 touchdowns and one interception.

Between the Lions and Jags, the two teams with the worst records in the NFL last year are firmly in the playoff hunt with three weeks to go, led in large part by their young stars. What a difference a year makes.

Loser: Tom Brady, Again

In more than two decades of hating on Tom Brady, I have generally had to settle for faux failures and find small comforts in situations when Brady was otherwise awesome. Like making fun of him for losing the Super Bowl after leading the first team to go 18-0 in NFL history, or for dropping a pass in a Super Bowl where he threw for more than 500 yards. In 2022, though, we get legit reasons to make fun of Brady just about every week. On Sunday, his Buccaneers blew a 17-0 lead against the Bengals—and Brady was the primary reason for the loss.

Brady committed four turnovers Sunday for the first time since 2011, all in the second half on four consecutive drives. He threw two interceptions for the second straight week: One was a lobbed duck after he got hit, while the other was a straight-up bad throw.

Brady also lost two fumbles, including one in which the ball slipped out of his hand on a routine handoff.

Three of the turnovers gave Cincinnati the ball in Tampa Bay territory, resulting in three quick scores. With Brady quickly turning the ball over on those Tampa Bay second-half possessions, the Buccaneers defenders ran out of gas and gave up 34 unanswered points.

The Bucs are now 6-8; it’s the first time a Brady team has ever lost eight games in a season. They’ll need to go 3-0 down the stretch for him to avoid his first losing record ever as a starting QB. Brady is 31st among qualifying quarterbacks in yards per attempt, wedged between Baker Mayfield and Kenny Pickett. It’s a great time to be a Brady hater—but I’ve gotta admit, it’s a bit less fun when it’s this easy.

Winner: The Alley-Oopterception

Sunday’s games may have shown the foolishness of randomly hurling a ball in various directions on a football field—but a lateral led to the interception of the year in the Chargers-Titans game. Titans rookie CB Roger McCreary tracked a deep ball by Justin Herbert, and leapt to catch it—but realized he wasn’t going to land inbounds. So he tossed it to his teammate, safety Joshua Kalu, who caught the ball and tapped his feet inbounds—a rare two-man interception:

It’s a stunning feat of concentration and awareness by both players. McCreary seemingly keeps his eyes on the ball the whole time, but he’s actually paying attention to all sorts of things. He’s aware that Chargers receiver Mike Williams isn’t going to be able to make a play on the ball, and that he can possibly make a pick rather than just break up a potential touchdown. He’s aware of the approaching sideline, making sure to leap before either of his feet goes out of bounds so he can make the play. He’s aware of Kalu’s presence, and knows that his alley-oop has a potential recipient. He also seems to know that his toss has to be backwards—you can’t just throw footballs forwards, even if you are in the process of making a leaping interception out of bounds. And he’s seemingly aware that Williams isn’t going to try to catch his pitch to Kalu, turning a potential pick into a touchdown. McCreary calculates all of that, and then Kalu makes a spectacular play as well. In a millisecond, his brain processed that McCreary is pitching him the ball, and that he needs to get both feet down inbounds to make the interception count.

After the game, McCreary said that he had thought about making this exact play, making him either a football innovator who imagines never-before-seen highlights or a massive liar. Either way, he and Kalu had the vision to improvise—and execute—the interception of the year.

Loser: A Non-Walk-Off

With the Buccaneers’ loss to the Bengals and the Panthers’ loss to the Steelers, the dream of a sub-.500 NFC South champion crept even closer to reality on Sunday. Believe it or not, the Falcons could have moved into a tie for first place in the division with a win over the Saints—yes, those Falcons, the ones that are extremely bad, even according to their own loyal fans.

Atlanta put their hopes on rookie QB Desmond Ridder, making his first NFL start after the decision was made to bench Marcus Mariota. Those hopes ended when Ridder ran out of bounds near midfield after an 18-yard scramble with the game clock expired, in essence voluntarily ending the game and giving the Saints a 21-18 win. While virtually every other game this week ended with a game-winning score, this one ended with a player literally running off the field with no time left—not a walk-off win, but a run-off loss.

This exact scenario happened with a backup quarterback in a Georgia Tech game earlier this year—apparently, it’s a problem localized to teams from the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Falcons’ loss means the dream of an NFC South in which every single team finishes with a 6-11 record is alive and well.

The Falcons didn’t just lose because of this play, but it was a fitting capper on a disappointing debut for Ridder. He went 13-for-26 for 97 yards, only slightly surpassing the passing output of Saints tight end Taysom Hill, who was 2-for-2 for 80 yards. But it’s a tough look—QBs should know stuff like “How much time is on the clock?” or “Will this action cause my team to lose literally 100 percent of the time?” It literally would’ve been better for Ridder to lateral the ball backwards 20 yards across his body to a waiting defensive player—that attempt actually would’ve given the Falcons a better chance at winning than running out of bounds.

From ‘Nope’ to ‘The Fabelmans,’ this year featured plenty of perfect compositions

Note: I did not see Avatar: The Way of Water in time for this list, and it’s just as well, since—with a few subtle exceptions—I usually try to emphasize non-CGI-assisted images in this feature. James Cameron’s status as Hollywood’s reigning master of seamless, weightless unreality is uncontested, and unlike so many of the directors doing assembly-line work for big-ticket intellectual properties, he actually has a wonderful visual imagination: Generations of genre filmmakers are in his debt. With the Pandora’s box of Avatar off the table then, I strove to identify—and annotate—the compositions (or camera movements) that either crystallized or transcended my memories of the movies around them, several of which ranked among the year’s best. As usual, a list like this is deeply subjective, and so is the idea of what constitutes a perfect (or extraordinary) shot—whether the goal should be showing off or self-effacement. My only hope is that these 10 images lead you in the direction of a worthwhile cinematic experience (or 10).

Aftersun

A24

The photograph coming slowly into focus here serves as an ideal emblem for Charlotte Wells’s debut feature, Aftersun. It’s an ostensibly candid moment veiling—and then revealing—some deeper, sadder truth. Chewing over their joint holiday as they prepare to return to their separate homes, Calum (Paul Mescal) and his daughter Sophie (Frankie Corio) allow their minds to wander briefly to the idea of a never-ending beach vacation—an idyll away from the responsibilities awaiting them in the UK. “Why,” asks Sophie in a small, happy voice, “can’t we just stay?” The answer is as simple—and, in context, as quietly devastating—as the photograph’s development. Time moves forward no matter what, frozen only artificially (and futilely) by memory, or, more reliably, emulsion. Wells holds on the shot for what feels like a miniature eternity, as if she can’t bear to let the details sharpen—or to let go of her characters and their bond, leading to a final segment that’s dominated by melancholy evocations of departure both literal and (meta)physical. At once nostalgic and unsparing, Aftersun is the cinematic equivalent of a long goodbye; the photograph, which is special precisely because it’s so ordinary, leaves Sophie (and us) with something to hold on to.

Decision to Leave

CJ Entertainment

There are two sides to every story, and in his dazzling new thriller Decision to Leave, South Korean auteur Park Chan-wook skillfully emphasizes duality at every turn. Working in tandem with cinematographer Kim Ji-yong, Park—who rightly won a directing prize at Cannes—generates visual interest in nearly every frame, all without overwhelming the humming momentum of the story. One trick works especially well: When shooting interiors, he places his characters behind glass or against mirrors to hint at the multitudes they contain. Case in point: Charged with interviewing a beautiful and enigmatic murder suspect, police inspector Hae-joon (Park Hae-il) approaches the assignment with a mix of detached professionalism and burning curiosity—contradictory sensations channelled back at him by his subject, Seo-rae (Tang Wei), whose sphinx-like unreadability somehow suggests openness and guile at the same time. In a movie in which nearly every shot is calibrated to distill and convey dramatic and thematic information, their interrogation room meet-cute stands out as an example of how directorial imagination can transform conventions into visual coups.

EO

Sideshow/Janus Films

The spaces in Polish director Jerzy Skolimowski’s donkey-on-the-loose drama range from grittily realistic to hauntingly abstract. For example: the elevated, eerily symmetrical bridge that serves as EO’s final checkpoint on an incredible journey whose ultimate destination is, sadly, never really in doubt. That’s only a spoiler if you consider mortality a spoiler, and Skolimowski’s ability to make his locations feel increasingly tinged by death is central to EO’s uncanny formal power. Here, the idea of crossing over gets literalized through a composition that also gestures toward some larger, cosmic sense of indifference—a figure dwarfed by his surroundings. That both the dam and the bridge are man-made structures is also important to the sequence’s ultimate meaning; through the film, we’re asked to consider the relationship between ecology and industry, and the disastrous condition of the planet around us. Through Skolimowski’s keen directorial eye, beauty itself becomes weaponized; if the shot is a postcard, it’s being sent to (or from) the edge.

The Fabelmans

Universal Pictures

He’s got the whole world in his hands: Alone in the dark, projecting his own painstakingly captured Super 8 footage onto outstretched palms, young Sammy Fabelman appears to us as creator, viewer, and screen all at once. It’s a holy trinity that, as visualized by Steven Spielberg at his late-career image-making peak, signifies something deeply metaphysical about filmgoing and filmmaking—that the artist must imagine himself amidst the audience. (The trademark Spielberg Face, conveying awe at the power of cinema, is also on display.) Sammy’s close encounter is also tactile in a way that reaches back through the digital mist to cinema’s tactile, handmade 20th century history. For another filmmaker, Sammy’s rapture would be a landmark composition. For Spielberg, it’s just one more for the all-time highlight reel.

Hit the Road

Kino Lorber

A chip off the old block, emerging Iranian director Panah Panahi honored his father—the much celebrated and politically embattled Jafar Panahi—with the swift, inventive travelogue Hit the Road, in which a pair of loving, politically dissident parents must smuggle their older son out of the country to avoid his mandatory military service. For the most part, Panahi shoots his debut in cramped, intimate close-ups that turn his protagonist’s car into a kind of mobile prison—there’s no room to maneuver weary heads or aching limbs, and every passing vehicle manifests a potential threat. When the time comes for the parties to go their separate ways, he locks into a distanced master shot composition worthy of Stanley Kubrick (whose name, along with that of Christopher Nolan, comes up in conversation during the film via the dialogue of a movie-obsessed child). Panahi conjures up a moment of pastoral beauty that seems to exist out of time even as its arrival confirms that the clock is running out on a family that may never be whole again.

Nope

Universal Pictures

The urge to reach out and touch somebody is a very human concept rooted in ideas of empathy and emotional transference. More primal—and persuasive—is the feeling to recoil from an outstretched hand, especially one powerful enough to rip you limb from limb. If Jordan Peele’s marvelous, shape-shifting horror thriller Nope is, on some level, a meditation on our collective, hardwired responses toward fight or flight, the terrifying (and tragic) mid-film set piece depicting a sitcom taping gone haywire delineates the stakes with clear, comic-book precision. The imperiled child actor debating whether to fistbump his rampaging simian costar (and in doing so, soothe him) is caught not only between fast-twitch, life-or-death instincts but, more abstractly, between reassuring televisual fantasy and brutal reality—and wondering if one can redeem or rescue the other. The reference points for the image are obvious: Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam on down to Kubrick and Spielberg—but its actual meaning remains fluid, especially since fate (in the form of a SWAT team) intervenes before Nature can take its course one way or another.

RRR

Variance Films/Raftar Creations

In a remarkable upset, S.S. Rajamouli’s hyperbolic Tollywood action epic earned a Best Director citation from the New York Film Critics Circle—a possible precursor to an Oscar nod that’d make Bong Joon-ho’s presence at the 2020 ceremony seem almost uneventful. Simply put, Indian commercial cinema is virtually invisible in Western-critical tastemaking circles, and the question of why a veteran blockbuster director’s latest blowout has touched a nerve is worth asking. The film mythologizes a pair of real-life Indian revolutionaries, Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem, as comrades in the battle against the British Raj; in the climax, Raju adopts the image—and the kick-ass weaponry—of the Hindu god Rama in order to lay waste to colonial forces. RRR does not lack for over-the-top moments—I could have just as easily included the scene when one of our heroes fights a tiger, or when another hurls flaming motorcycles into the British barracks—but the backlit, fairy-tale grandeur of Raju’s quasi-supernatural rebirth stands out as an example of Rajamouli’s adroit pop-cinema chops.

Tár

Focus Features

Yes, the long take at the center of Todd Field’s acerbic character study constitutes an act of showing off: For nearly five minutes, the shot roams, tracks, and reframes around Cate Blanchett’s Lydia Tár as she stalks a Juilliard lecture room discoursing on everything from compositional technique to cancel culture, all without breaking stride, or even a sweat. (Blanchett is electric here—she should start practicing those award speeches now.) That’s because Tár and its severe, spectacular art-house aesthetics are made in the image of its antiheroine—a case of form fused to content that sometimes works brilliantly. What makes the scene thrilling and appalling is the tightrope it walks (camera in hand) between Lydia’s virtuoso rhetoric and comfortably tenured punching-down; her desire to make herself the center of attention will have consequences. Later in the film, when Lydia’s rant gets cut up and decontextualized in a takedown video on Twitter, it makes for a funny, vicious payoff to all that pumped-up, real-time formalism—a reminder that visual language is just as important as oratory.

We’re All Going to the World’s Fair

Utopia

Probably the key screenlife horror movie of the millennium so far along with Unfriended, Jane Schoenbrun’s We’re All Going to the World’s Fair unfolds largely across a series of monitors or else features laptops or other mobile devices within its mise-en-scène. Its protagonist, a lonely, isolated preteen named Casey (Anna Cobb) likes to cocoon herself inside internet videos, and in this surpassingly creepy early sequence she’s confronted by a mysterious upload of her own distorted image, which is projected against a screen so large it dwarfs her. The source of the message—and the relationship that evolves between Casey and its sender—offer plot threads to be untangled, but on a purely graphic level the shot evokes a set of disturbing, complex ideas about transformation, disfigurement, and self-loathing that lurk in the margins of the story. It’s a scene that works as a jump scare but also accrues anxiety with sustained contemplation; the only thing freakier than Casey not recognizing herself in this moment is the possibility that she just might.

X

A24

Ti West’s X takes place in 1979, a few years after its wannabe-movie-maker characters surely lined up to see Jaws. Mia Goth’s Max has no idea she’s sharing her West Texas skinny-dipping excursion with a hungry alligator, and her innocence imbues this bird’s-eye view with the requisite Spielbergian menace. It’s also a bit of a misdirection, since as the film goes on, our heroine proves to be anything but a damsel in distress—a Final Girl with an ax to grind instead. The best thing about X (and its hastily assembled surprise prequel, Pearl) is how it plays with concepts of predators and prey, and West’s pleasure in finding unexpected places for his camera is palpable. As for his star reptile, it makes a welcome return cameo in Pearl, leading us to wonder if the gator should somehow be included in the upcoming trilogy-ender MaXXXine—or if, given the L.A. setting, West will manage to find an even slimier antagonist.

Adam Nayman is a film critic, teacher, and author based in Toronto; his book The Coen Brothers: This Book Really Ties the Films Together is available now from Abrams.

Plus, more NFL weirdness and another edition of Parent Corner with Cousin Sal

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Cousin Sal to discuss the Cowboys’ overtime loss to the Jaguars, the Patriots’ puzzling last-second loss to the Raiders, Commanders-Giants, AFC/NFC playoff pictures, Colts-Vikings, Lions-Jets, takeaways from Dolphins-Bills, the Chiefs barely surviving the Texans, Bears-Eagles, and more (1:24). Then, they guess the lines for NFL Week 16 (40:39), before ending the show with Parent Corner (1:11:54).

Host: Bill Simmons
Guest: Cousin Sal
Producer: Kyle Crichton

Subscribe: Spotify / Apple Podcasts / Stitcher / RSS

Former NBA star Amar’e Stoudemire took to social media to respond to the allegations that appeared in media yesterday that he assaulted his daughter, specifically hitting her in the jaw.

The 40-year-old coach denied the allegations, saying that he loves his family, especially children and that he would never assault any person.

“Over the last 24 hours, an incident at my family home led to my being charged with assaulting my daughter,” Stoudemire’s statement reads. “It is an allegation based on a report that does not square with the facts.

“I am of the Jewish faith, today Jewish people all over the world celebrate Hanukkah and hear the story of how we fought wickedness. I believe that ‘whatever is hateful to you, do not do to others.’

“As the investigation unfolds, the facts will show the allegations to be groundless as my daughter’s medical condition is not the result of being assaulted by a father who is nearly 7 feet tall and weighs 250 pounds

“I could never see myself assaulting any person, especially my children. I respect, protect, and love my family, particularly my children. As a father, I ask for your grace as we secure our space and privacy.”

The post Amar’e Stoudemire issues statement on allegations that he assaulted his daughter appeared first on TalkBasket.net.

Toronto Raptors point guard Fred VanVleet doesn’t believe the return of OG Anunoby will completely turn this club around (13-17 record).

(via Jump View):

“It’s not really a one guy thing at this point. Obviously having all of our best players helps, just having the top guys. I don’t really think we’re built to have a ton of injuries or deal with a ton of injuries. So we need our top guys to be available and to play their best. Obviously we will be happy to have him back, but we got work to do, with or without him. Hopefully he can shore up some of those areas, but we got work to do.”

The post Fred VanVleet: “I don’t really think we’re built to have a ton of injuries or deal with a ton of injuries” appeared first on TalkBasket.net.

Following last night’s 109-106 loss at home, Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said that the New York Knicks are as good as any team in the league right now (7 game winning streak).

(via Bally Sports Indiana):

“Right now, New York is as good as any team in the NBA. To go toe to toe, have a 6 point lead, and then I think they hit 2 threes in the last couple minutes.”

The post Rick Carlisle: “Right now, New York is as good as any team in the NBA” appeared first on TalkBasket.net.

The Lakers began with a horrendous record, but it looked for a stretch as though Anthony Davis had regained his MVP form while LeBron James still had a lot left to offer. However, Davis will be out for at least the next month.

In a loaded Western Conference landscape, the Lakers simply cannot afford to play a whole month out with Davis sidelined if they aspire to make noise in the postseason.

The Pacers overachieved to begin the season but did so while playing a very easy schedule compared to the rest of the NBA. Now, they have a losing record. Time to make a trade?

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers & Los Angeles Lakers Updates

The Lakers and Pacers have been linked in trade rumors centered around Turner numerous times. Are the circumstances now set for a deal to actually transpire?

Here’s a deal that has them doing so by acquiring Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers.

The post Lakers Land Pacers’ Myles Turner In Bold Trade Scenario appeared first on NBA Analysis Network.

One of the players who are going to garner a lot of interest is Jakob Poeltl of the San Antonio Spurs. Poeltl is currently dealing with a right knee bone bruise that has already kept him sidelined for a week. He has yet to be cleared for contact, but his market shouldn’t be impacted too much.

San Antonio has a very high asking price on Poeltl, which isn’t too surprising. Still only 27 years old, Poeltl is one of the best defensive centers in the NBA given the rim protection and elite rebounding he provides. Offensively, the Utah product is efficient and you can run some offense through him given his developing playmaking skills.

If he were going to be traded, the Golden State Warriors make a lot of sense given their needs in the frontcourt. Ultimately, however, Poeltl will stay put. While no extension agreed upon before the season painted a picture of the sides not being on the same page, it could actually be the opposite.

Poeltl was limited to only a four-year, $58 million extension. A handshake deal could have been made since the Spurs have more than enough cap space to retain him in the summer. San Antonio also feels Poeltl is a great fit alongside Victor Wembanyama should they get lucky enough to win the NBA Draft Lottery.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Top Updates On Talks Around The League

The other center that is a popular trade candidate is Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers. Turner has been on the trade block for years as the Pacers contemplated breaking up their jumbo frontcourt. Had a foot injury not put his status in question during the 2021-22 season, Turner could have very well been on the move instead of Domantas Sabonis ahead of the 2022 NBA trade deadline.

The Texas big man is having a career season, averaging 16.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 2.2 blocks in 29.6 minutes per game. He benefits greatly from the addition of Tyrese Haliburton at the point guard spot, as he is shooting 55.5 percent from the field and 43.0 percent from 3-point range.

His value has only gone up during the season, as the Pacers can ask for even more in a trade package and he will land a nice contract in free agency. Indiana is 14-15 on the season, so they could go in either direction when it comes to parting ways with Turner or not.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Top Updates On Talks Around The League

A strong argument could be made for either side, but with the limited center market, the Pacers could cash in with arguably the best asset. Having Jalen Smith and Isaiah Jackson on the roster already, there is depth to handle moving Turner, who will end up with the Toronto Raptors.

This deal with the Raptors will also include another player who has been involved in some trade rumors in OG Anunoby. Toronto is reportedly open to trading Anunoby or Gary Trent Jr., knowing that big raises could be on the horizon for both players and Fred VanVleet. Looking to address their need for a big man and help manage their money, they will swap Anunoby for Turner.

Those two players can be swapped one-for-one and the money works, but other pieces, such as draft compensation, could be included. Anunoby has the profile of the kind of two-way wing that teams want to build around, providing Indiana with a long-term option at the forward spot. He reportedly wasn’t happy about his role with the Raptors during the offseason but with the Pacers, he could be the No. 1 option.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Top Updates On Talks Around The League

It wouldn’t be a trade article without mentioning the New York Knicks, who have made major adjustments to their rotation this season. Evan Fournier, Derrick Rose and Cam Reddish are currently on the outside looking in, as they are not currently in the mix for minutes as Tom Thibodeau has cut the rotation down to nine players and inserted young defensive dynamo Deuce McBride into the mix.

On more than one occasion there have been rumors of Reddish being available as he seeks a situation that will provide him with more consistent playing time. He could be used as a sweetener to move Fournier’s contract, and in that scenario, the Los Angeles Lakers make sense as a landing spot.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Top Updates On Talks Around The League

Los Angeles needs as much shooting and defense as they can get and the Knicks duo provides both in spades. Fournier set a Knicks’ franchise record for 3-pointers made in a season during his first year with the team, while Reddish has shown he can be the top perimeter defender in a rotation. He is oozing with potential and being on a veteran-laden roster led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis could be exactly what he needs to realize that potential.

The post Top Landing Spots For Key Names In NBA Trade Rumors appeared first on NBA Analysis Network.

If the Raptors conclude that it would be the right move to do so, one name that will generate a significant amount of interest is OG Anunoby. He’s a high-level defender that can play both forward spots with a growing offensive game.

Every player in the NBA can’t be a star. On the other hand, it’s easier to star within the role you have. Some aspire to achieve more and are capable of doing so in a difference situation.

Anunoby is having a career-year to begin the season, averaging numbers like 19.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.4 steals. He’s shooting 47.5 percent from the floor and 33.1 percent from 3-point range. The Bulls could use it.

There are plenty of possible trade suitors to watch for Anunoby if the Raptors were to go this route. It would depend on the type of return Toronto seeks in exchange.

Here’s a deal that has him landing with the Chicago Bulls. 

The post Bulls Land Raptors’ OG Anunoby In Bold Trade Scenario appeared first on NBA Analysis Network.

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Without Jayson Tatum, the Celtics didn’t have enough offensive juice against Orlando.

Two nights after losing to the lowly Orlando Magic at TD Garden, the Celtics suffered the same fate Sunday, falling 95-92 at TD Garden in one of their worst offensive showings of the season.

This one came without Jayson Tatum – sidelined for personal reasons – but it was still quite surprising. The Celtics have now lost four of five, and for the first time this season, it’s fair to be slightly concerned about the C’s.

Jaylen Brown paced the Celtics (22-9) with 24 points and 14 rebounds, Marcus Smart added 15 points and seven assists and Grant Williams added 14 points and six boards.

The first half wasn’t kind to the Celtics, as they fell behind, 26-23, though one quarter and 50-41 at halftime.

Magic star Paolo Banchero erupted for 22 of his 31 points in the first half alone. He hit all four of his 3-point attempts and was clearly the best player on the floor as the Magic (11-20) pulled ahead.

Smart, Brown and Derrick White paced the Celtics with eight apiece in the half, but the Celtics shot just 27.9 percent from the floor and 20.8 percent from distance. Their shot selection was questionable at best, and they were in a daze the bulk of the way.

The Celtics briefly took a 31-30 lead with 5:16 left in the half, but Banchero buried a 3 moments later that ignited a 20-10 extended run before the break. The Magic turned it over just three times in the half and looked just as comfortable as they did Friday, when they shot 46.2 percent and won, 117-109.

With Tatum out, it was reasonable to expect the offense to take a bit of a dip – just how much of a dip, however, was surprising. It felt like the Celtics should have been down 10 to 15 at the half, but they managed to keep it to nine.

In the second half, the Celtics settled into more of a rhythm and moved the ball closer to the way they have most of the season. Smart fueled a 16-6 run to start the third, as Boston took a 57-56 edge.

Brown then fired up the crowd with back-to-back dunks, as the Celtics took a 71-68 lead into the fourth quarter.

The teams traded buckets well into the fourth, as the Magic made it clear they weren’t going to go down quietly. Panchero buried a 3 to give Orlando an 88-87 edge with 3:28 remaining,

Franz Wagner canned a clutch 3 to give the Magic a four-point lead, then Malcolm Brogdon responded with a huge 3 of his own to slice it to 93-92 with 56 seconds remaining.

Smart dove on the floor in classic Smart fashion to secure a loose ball with 9.8 seconds left. Grant Williams inbounded the ball in Brown’s direction, but the pass never got to him.

Wagner calmly hit both free throws, then Williams missed a contested 3 as time expired. The Celtics had their chances but couldn't rally against one of the worst teams in the NBA.

Inside the process behind Luke Fickell’s first recruitment: Three-star DB Jonas Duclona.

Luke Fickell began his time at Wisconsin with a splash last week, landing his first set of commitments, which was followed by a transfer commit from former Oklahoma quarterback Nick Evers over the weekend.

Fickell, known for his recruiting ability and development, entered a situation of unrest, as players had seemed devoted to interim head coach Jim Leonhard, but has showcased why he was hired with a series of recruits to the Wisconsin 2023 class, while maintaining the commitments of several current Badger recruits.

The first recruit that sparked the shockwave? Three-star defensive back Jonas Duclona, who had initially committed to Cincinnati while Fickell was their head coach, before re-opening his recruitment.

Duclona spoke to Bucky’s 5th Quarter on his decision of choosing Wisconsin, as well as his relationship with Fickell.

The Florida cornerback acknowledged that his relationships with the former Cincinnati staff had been important in his process, leading him to commit to Wisconsin.

“The relationship I’ve built with the old Cincinnati staff, which is the new staff [at Wisconsin], is what led me to the decison of picking Wisconsin,” Duclona said. “Madison is a great place with lots of great history, and many greats came have through here.”

Duclona now joins a cornerback room that returns top cornerback Alexander Smith, but loses starter Jay Shaw, key reserve Justin Clark, and former four-star Semar Melvin, who transferred to Michigan State.

Additionally, the three-star recruit intends to early enroll, telling Bucky’s 5th Quarter that he plans to arrive on campus on January 15th, ensuring that he’ll be a participant in spring practices.

While there was uncertainty given the change in schools, Duclona appreciated Fickell and the recruiting staff’s message, which ultimately led to his decision.

“[Coach Fickell and the staff] just want me to trust the vision they have for Wisconsin and expect me to contribute to that,” Duclona said.

Duclona was followed by four-star safety Braedyn Moore in his recruitment to Wisconsin, leading to several other commits over the past week, improving the Badgers’ recruiting class for 2023 after they were severely depleted following the end of the regular season.

In the 2023 class, Duclona joins fellow three-stars Jace Arnold, AJ Tisdell, and Justin Taylor as the incoming cornerbacks for Wisconsin, which should insulate their depth to make up for the losses at the position group.

Top 100 NBA players: Updated rankings for 2023 - The Sixer Sense - The Sixer Sense - A Philadelphia 76ers Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Desmond Cambridge Jr. scored a season-high 23 points and Frankie Collins posted a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds as Arizona State men's basketball routed San Diego 91-67 for its ninth straight win.

What will the latest Coaches Poll Top 25 college basketball poll possibly be on December 19th? We make our best guess prediction before the real poll comes out on Monday morning

DALLAS (AP) Keyonte George scored five straight points that gave Baylor the lead for good and finished with 19 and the 11th-ranked Bears beat Washington State 65-59 Sunday night in the final game of the Pac-12 Coast-to-Coast Challenge. George, a freshman guard who has started every game for Baylor, converted two free throws that put the Bears ahead 44-43 with 10:32 left in the second half. Following a steal by Dale Bonner on Washington State's next possession, George hit a fadeaway 3-pointer for a 47-43 lead with 9:46 to go.

"Great offense is multiple actions." Hard cutting, on-time/on-target passing, and efficient finishes pile up points.

Lack of urgent cutting, mediocre passing, and unskilled finishers compromise any offense. 

A trip through the playbook reveals innovative and stolen actions. Enjoy and steal away. 

Clear and cut. 

DHO, clear, elbow PnR

Iverson action with STS action for a skilled big. 

1 wing drive, elevator screen 

Spread stagger, spread Spain PnR (backscreen the roller)

Lagniappe. Spacing, ball movement, relocation (Davidson zone offense)

Raptors’ lifeless loss to Warriors proves “Vision 6-9” is a failure - Raptors Rapture - Raptors Rapture - A Toronto Raptors Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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UNC Basketball: Tar Heel nation rocked the Garden! - Keeping It Heel - Keeping It Heel - A North Carolina Tar Heels Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

UNC Basketball: Championship Moments - Keeping It Heel - Keeping It Heel - A North Carolina Tar Heels Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

UNC Basketball: Random Observations Ohio State Win - Keeping It Heel - Keeping It Heel - A North Carolina Tar Heels Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

Wonder rookie Paolo Banchero didn’t hide the idea that the Orlando Magic had something to prove in light of Eddie House’s recent claims about their franchise.

“I’d be lying if I said we didn’t see that,” Banchero said, who led the Magic with his 31 points and six rebounds in Sunday’s win against the Boston Celtics (h/t Orlando Sentinel’s Khobi Price). “It definitely lit a fire under some of the guys and the team in general. We just want to earn the respect of the league. It’s clear that a lot of people still don’t respect us. We’re just going to have to go out, game by game, and lock in, and eventually, it’ll be earned. Until then, we’re going to have to keep proving people wrong.”

House, a former Celtic, ignited a fire against the Magic and their fans upon downplaying the team’s massive 117-109 win back in Friday, saying that Orlando is “still garbage” and “not a good basketball team”

“They got 10 wins [at the time]. They’re still garbage. They’re still not a good basketball team. They won’t make the playoffs. They won’t be in the play-in. The way the game unfolded was [the Celtics] came out complacent thinking they were head and shoulders better. Yeah, we are heads and shoulders better — the Celtics are heads and shoulders better.

“At the same time, there are proud professionals on the other side. I’m not talking about individually [that] they’re not good players, but as a team. We’re almost to Christmas. We’ve had a nice-sized sample to know exactly what you are.”

The young and exciting Magic, in an unexpected fashion, asserted their continuing momentum as they slapped the then-league’s best Celtics in back-to-back games, this time marking a 95-92 Sunday win in front of the shell-shocked TD Garden.

They are now boasting a six-game win streak, tied for the current second best so far within the league.

As such, House gave credit when credit was due for the promising club’s victory, but maintained his pesty stance over the Orlando faithful upon the rants and backlash he received.

“Let’s give credit to the Orlando Magic,” House said. “They played hard. This was their Game 7s back-to-back. I’m getting hit up on Twitter, on Instagram by all of their fans like they just won the NBA championship.

“Hey Orlando Magic fans, remember, you guys have the fifth-worse record in the league. When I was growing up there was a Mickey Mouse club — they’re in the goofy club because they’re so hyped over the two wins. No matter what, with those two wins, you’re still the fifth-worst team in the NBA. And we’re still at the top of the NBA. I had to shoot my shot at them. At the end of the day, it’s all good.”

As such, following the gutsy win, the likes of Markelle Fultz, Mo Bamba, Cole Anthony and Terrence Ross fired back of their own against the retired cager – posting a GIF clip of former Magic Rafer Alston slapping House at the back of his head during the 2009 Eastern Conference Semifinals.

“We just laughed,” Banchero added. “We took it and used it as fuel to the fire. Instant motivation. 

“Sometimes you might be satisfied with that first win or be happy you won one game out of two, but seeing that clip kind of gave us that extra boost to come out here in this second game and do the same thing.”

The post Magic, Paolo Banchero dusts off Eddie House’s ‘garbage’ description about Magic following solid back-to-back dub vs Celtics appeared first on TalkBasket.net.

With Anthony Davis being absent, Thomas Bryant was put in the starting lineup by the Lakers head coach Darvin Ham.

He responded by scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Bryant also made a game-winning dunk on a pass from LeBron James who turned the ball over, but managed to recover and find the open teammate under the basket.

“I knew if LeBron had an open lane I just had to make myself available, luckily it went my way right there and got the easy dunk,” the 25-year-old center said about the final play.

Bryant is averaging 9.4 points and 4.2 rebounds in 15.1 minutes per game this season.

The post Thomas Bryant on his game-winning dunk on a pass from LeBron James appeared first on TalkBasket.net.

Thomas Bryant earned a spot in the Lakers starting lineup after Anthony Davis went out with a right foot injury. The 25-year-old center had a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds against his former team, the Wizards.

Lakers head coach Darvin Ham talked about his performance in this game, saying that the team is not surprised with the way he is playing.

“Just that no-quit attitude,” Ham said about Bryant postgame. “He has some great hands. Couldn’t get some layups to drop tonight, but you look and see he still finished 7/13 [field goals], 16 [points] and 10 [rebounds]. Two huge threes down the stretch.

“The kid is just not afraid of the moment. He’s going to use all his will, all his power, all his God given ability to lay it on the line for us. His spirit is always is great. That’s the biggest thing about him.

“His teammates, we all want to see him do well. Just the spirit he brings every day, the no-quit attitude and he’s a serviceable player at that.

“He’s doing what he’s doing. He’s not surprising us at all. We always knew. He’s been a starter in this league with the Wizards at that. He’s been a starter, he understands what it’s about whether he’s coming off the bench or is starting the game off. Had another great night tonight.”

This season Bryant is averaging 9.4 points and 4.2 rebounds in 15.1 minutes per game.

The post Darvin Ham on Thomas Bryant: “He’s not surprising us at all” appeared first on TalkBasket.net.

Ant-Man. D’Lo. NBA cannot ignore Timberwolves backcourt any longer - Dunking with Wolves - Dunking with Wolves - A Minnesota Timberwolves Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Jacob, Tayler and Kamiar discuss the recent stretch of Thunder basketball, debate what Thunder players would ask Santa for Christmas, take a trip around the association, and SO much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mangia!

Things To Sample

Villanova is “in position to be in position”
That’s something that didn’t seem like it would be written a few weeks ago, but four straight wins can quickly change the narrative surrounding a program. There were several factors that contributed to the Wildcats’ 2-5 start, but the bottom line is this: Villanova is 4-0 with five-star freshman Cam Whitmore (13.5 points, 5.3 rebounds) in the lineup and 2-5 when he is not. That’s something that the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee will take into account if the Wildcats can put themselves in position to earn an at-large bid to the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Villanova will begin that quest on Wednesday night when it opens up Big East play at home against St. John’s (11-1). Remember: It was going to be difficult for Kyle Neptune — or anyone — to lead this program in its first season post-Jay Wright. It was also going to be difficult for Neptune to navigate a vicious schedule that features 29 out of 31 regular season games against either power conference or Big 5 opponents, especially when Whitmore wasn’t available for the first seven games and Justin Moore — an All-Big East first-team caliber player — is still out indefinitely with an achilles injury. With all that said, Villanova still is “in position to be in position” as it begins league play this week.

Jalen Pickett is playing like the best guard in the Big Ten
That is not hyperbole — it’s straight fact. Pickett — who opted to return for a fifth season — is doing a little bit of everything for the Nittany Lions, including serving as a low post option in Micah Shrewsberry’s “spread offense” despite only checking in at 6-4. Through 11 games, Pickett is averaging 16.2 points, 7.6 assists, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.5 steals. He’s the only guard in the Big Ten who’s in the top 10 among league leaders in points, rebounds, and assists. Pickett’s success is yet another example of why it’s so important for coaches to recruit productive players to come back for a COVID season unless they have a lucrative professional opportunity that they simply cannot pass on.

Keyontae Johnson is writing an incredible comeback story at Kansas State
And it’s only December. The 6-6 Johnson — who transferred to Kansas State after spending the first part of his career at Florida — is quietly playing like one of the best players in the Big 12 just a little over two years after collapsing on the floor when the Gators were playing at Florida State in Dec. of 2020. He’s currently averaging a career-high 17.8 points along with 6.8 rebounds while shooting 60.3 percent from the field and 51.5 percent from three-point range. All of this is happening as the Wildcats have tallied 10 wins in their first 11 games under first-year head coach Jerome Tang. This is a story to monitor closely as Kansas State wraps up its non-conference schedule on Wednesday against Radford before beginning Big 12 play on Dec. 31st against West Virginia at home.

On The Side

• Five of Marquette’s top six scorers — Kam Jones, Olivier Maxence-Prosper, Oso Ighodaro, David Joplin, and Stevie Mitchell — are all averaging career highs in both points and rebounds.
• Kansas (10-1) has had assists on 82 of its 133 made field goals during its current four-game winning streak. That’s 61.7 percent for those of you keeping score at home!
• One big reason why Houston (11-1) can get even better? Freshman guard Terrance Arceneaux has only scored a total of 14 points in his last six games. The 6-5 Arceneaux had 15 points in 19 minutes in a win at Oregon on Nov. 20th. This is a wildcard to watch for the Cougars moving forward.
• UCLA’s Jaylen Clark has had four steals in each of his last four games. It’s the first time that Clark has tallied four steals in a game since the first two games of the season.
• The Atlantic 10 is currently just 101-68 as a conference. Barring something unforeseen, the only member of this league that will hear its name called on Selection Sunday will be the winner of the Atlantic 10 Tournament.

Daily Specials

• Maine at Akron
• St. Bonaventure at Siena
• South Dakota State at Oral Roberts
• Weber State at Utah State
• UT Arlington at San Francisco

Leftovers

• The Breakfast Buffet: Villanova is “in position to be in position”, Jalen Pickett, Keyontae Johnson
• The Breakfast Buffet: Adama Sanogo, Mick Cronin has UCLA playing “Cincinnati” caliber defense, Gonzaga
• The Breakfast Buffet: Arizona/Tennessee, CBS Sports Classic, Houston/Virginia
• The Breakfast Buffet: Kansas’ interior defense is about to be tested, Creighton/Marquette, David Singleton
• The Breakfast Buffet: Adem Bona, Sean Miller, the SEC has heavyweights at the top

The post The Breakfast Buffet: Villanova is “in position to be in position”, Jalen Pickett, Keyontae Johnson appeared first on College Hoops Today.

On her Instagram, Griner shared photos of her return along with a statement, saying how grateful she is to be back on American soil and that she will do whatever it takes to help get other prisoners home too.

“The last 10 months have been a battle at every turn,” Griner wrote. “I dug deep to keep my faith and it was the love from so many of you that helped keep me going. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone for your help.”

“President Biden, you brought me home and I know you are committed to bringing Paul Whelan and all Americans home too. I will use my platform to do whatever I can to help you. I also encourage everyone that played a part in bringing me home to continue their efforts to bring all Americans home. Every family deserves to be whole.”

The 32-year-old had a long list of people to thank in her post and wanted to make it known to everyone of her intention to get back to her team.

“I also want to make one thing very clear: I intend to play basketball for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury this season, and in doing so, I look forward to being able to say ‘thank you’ to those of you who advocated, wrote, and posted for me in person soon.”

The post Brittney Griner Breaks Silence After Being Released From Russian Prison appeared first on Basketball Forever.

But when they saw him with someone else and in the best shape of his life, things changed.

Multiple reports have emerged this season claiming LA wants Kuzma back, and the man himself couldn’t help but comment on the renewed interest from his old team.

“I think it just shows you the grass is not always greener,” he said said in an interview with Fox Sports. “It’s definitely a good thing because at the end of the day, that means I’ve been playing well, and I have value in this league, that a team would want to trade for me. It’s a blessing.”

Kuzma added that his time as a Laker came with plenty of ups and downs.

“It’s a double-edged sword, a double-edged sword, for sure,” he said. “I believe that it was some of the best things to ever happen to me, you know, getting drafted, being a Laker, having that platform. Having millions and millions of people globally know who you are, that’s a blessing. That’s part of being a Laker. Learning from LeBron, winning a championship — it’s all been great.

“But at the same time, I always look back and wish I would’ve gotten the fairer end of the stick a little bit, just with my role and how much I sacrificed. It’s cool to sacrifice. That’s the only way you win championships, everybody has to sacrifice.

“But, just getting the fairer end of the stick, I feel like I never really got [that]. But everything happens for a reason. I’m here now [in Washington], and I’ve been able to expand my game and flourish.”

Kuzma isn’t kidding when he says he’s improved his game. This season he’s averaging a career-high 21.3 points to go along with 7.4 rebounds per game.

Most recently, he put up 22 points and 16 rebounds against the Lakers back in LA, albiet in a close loss.

But wins and losses aside, there’s no doubt Kuzma has benefited tremendously from being able to spread his wings in Washington.

The post Kyle Kuzma Responds to Lakers Wanting Him Back appeared first on Basketball Forever.

The power forward is killing it for the Pels, averaging 25.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists but it seems his size may be a disadvantage at times, with refs missing the foul calls which was particularly evident against their 118-114 loss to Suns on Saturday.

“Z puts a lot of pressure on the rim, on the defense consistently,” McCollum said. “The same whistle we see for other star players, I don’t feel like it’s the same whistle for him considering the fact that he rarely shoots outside the paint.”

Zion Williamson took 15 shots against the Suns. Fourteen of those came inside the paint. He also earned seven free throws, less than half of what the referees awarded Booker.

Asked if Williamson gets penalized for being stronger than his opponents after their loss head coach Willie Green said, “most definitely.”

“But it hadn’t been that way in previous games,” Green said Saturday. “Tonight it was. There are a lot of things we can do better. There are things I can do better. But we will go back to the drawing board and try to build.”

The Pelicans will face an extremely tough test on Monday when they face the Bucks, who are now first seed in the East. Milwaukee have a few big men themselves in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez, so it will be interesting to see which way the refs whistle goes.

The post Zion Williamson Doesn’t Get Same Whistle As Other Stars, Per CJ McCollum appeared first on Basketball Forever.

No. 20 Arizona toppled No. 18 Baylor, 75-54.

More results:

No. 1 South Carolina 87, Charleston Southern 23

No. 2. Stanford 77, Tennessee 70

No. 4 Indiana 87, Morehead State 24.....the largest margin of victory in Hoosier program history.

Undefeated no more: No. 5 Notre Dame downed No. 6 Virginia Tech, 63-52 - their first loss of the season.

No. 8 NC State 77, Clemson 59

No. 9 UConn 85, Florida State 77

No. 11 LSU 87, Oregon State 55

No. 12 Iowa 88, Northern Iowa 74

No. 14 Iowa State 72, No. 25 Villanova 62

No. 16 Oregon 97, Charleston 33

No. 24 Oklahoma 76, Southern 50

Louisville 77, Pitt 53

FGCU 69, Kentucky 63

Texas A&M 57, SMU 49

Texas 62, USC 48

Syracuse 67, Wake Forest 58

Boston College 74, Georgia Tech 62

Auburn 91, Samford 37

Virginia 84, Morgan State 27

Drexel 86, Penn State 82 (OT)

Kansas State 69, Northern Colorado 57

Liberty 66, Washington 54

Oklahoma State 87, UNLV 62

St. John's 63, Providence 55....the Red Storm are 11-0

DePaul 80, Georgetown 71

All scores

Tomorrow's game schedule

College coach news:

Geno Auriemma began feeling ill after shootaround today, and didn't coach UConn against Florida State. Associate head coach Chris Dailey handled the duties.

Donovan added that there is still no timetable for Ball to be cleared to run.

"We haven't had anything that's been like, 'Oh, geez, we're back at square one.' It's just slow unfortunately. It's just managing the pain and discomfort he's feeling," said Donovan.

Once Ball gets cleared, he will then have a "significant ramp-up period" for conditioning.

Adrian Wojnarowski reported last week that there are "no guarantees" that Ball suits up for the Bulls this season.

An official deal is expected to be agreed upon sometime in early 2023.

McNair is currently in the last year of his three-year deal.

With the success of the team this season, Stein adds that the fact that the Kings have yet to extend McNair is an "undeniable curiosity" around the league.

Chris Dailey improved to 14-0 as acting head in coach in Auriemma’s stead.

UConn women’s basketball’s 85-77 win over Florida State came without their head coach Geno Auriemma on the sidelines. The 68-year old missed the game after he started feeling ill after shoot-around, which meant associate head coach Chris Dailey took the reins in his place. According to the team, Auriemma decided not to be on the sidelines out of abundance of caution and postgame, Dailey provided more details.

“He’s okay. I think it’s flu-like symptoms right now and dehydration,” she said. “He’s feeling better and we’re looking forward to seeing him.”

Even without Auriemma, the Huskies were in good hands as Dailey improved to 14-0 as acting head coach in her career. She’s now taken charge of the team for at least one game in each of the last five seasons: A two-game road trip to Wichita State and Tulsa in 2018-19 when Auriemma got sick, one game against Oklahoma at Mohegan Sun in 2019-20 when he recovered from diverticulitis surgery, the first two games of the 2021 NCAA Tournament after he contracted Covid and at Creighton last season when he became sick prior to tip-off.

Seven of Dailey’s wins have come in the last five years after totaling the same number in the 33 seasons prior to that.

“I’m very proud of our assistant/head coach right here,” Nika Mühl said postgame. “She’s still undefeated. After we heard what happened with Coach (Auriemma), we’re used to it but it’s still devastating every time we hear some news like that. But I feel like she stepped in big time as always.”

Naturally, Dailey deflected credit to the team’s other two assistants: Jamelle Elliott and Morgan Valley.

“Coach wasn’t able to be with us today so we had to work as a staff,” she said. “Jamelle and Morgan were great on the bench and we worked as a staff [to] give our kids the best chance to win.”

This isn’t even the first time UConn has been short one coach on the bench this season. Prior to the Huskies’ win over NC State in November, Dailey collapsed after the national anthem and was taken to the hospital, though she was released the same day.

Juhász, Mühl return

While UConn lost Auriemma to an illness, it did get two key players back from injury: Dorka Juhász and Nika Mühl, both of whom earned the start.

Juhász missed seven games with a broken thumb picked up against Texas on Nov. 14 while Mühl sat out just one contest after suffering a concussion against Princeton on Dec. 7. Juhász had 15 points, nine rebounds and a career-high five blocks while Mühl racked up 12 assists, six points and six rebounds in the win.

For Mühl, her return was straightforward: Once she cleared concussion protocol, she could play again.

“The concussion protocol was good. It was all good. I passed all the steps necessary so I was back in practice by Thursday, Friday,” Mühl said. “I didn’t feel a difference honestly, it’s like I [wasn’t even out].”

That wasn’t the case for Juhász. While both Auriemma and Dailey have mentioned recently that she can’t make the injury worse, it’s still been a long process back. Juhász planned on playing last week — Dailey called her a “game-time decision” ahead of Princeton — until she suffered a setback.

“It’s still not fully here and it’s still pretty painful,” Juhász explained. “It got hit, I wasn’t able to go through the whole practice, it swelled up, I couldn’t put the splint on. So there was a lot of physical barriers that led to decisions about playing.”

“I was really excited last week to jump into practice, go through practice and it just didn’t respond well and it swelled up. It was in a lot of pain,” she added later. “Talking to doctors, coaches, it was just not ready to go yet.”

The injury news isn’t all positive for UConn, though. After the game, Dailey revealed that Inês Bettencourt sprained her ankle in practice on Saturday. The freshman did not play but she was dressed to play unlike the team’s others injured players, Azzi Fudd, Paige Bueckers and Ice Brady, who were in black sweats.

UConn held on for a win in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase on Sunday afternoon.

Aaliyah Edwards had 26 points while Lou Lopez Sénéchal added 23 points to help the UConn Huskies women’s basketball team to an 85-77 win over the Florida State Seminoles in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase at Mohegan Sun Arena on Sunday afternoon.

Photo ©: Ian Bethune

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The Huskies are looking to end their season over .500 for the first time since 2010. One of the strongest G5 teams in the country stands in their way.

KICKOFF: 2:30 p.m.

TV: ESPN

ANNOUNCERS: Mike Morgan (play-by-play), Eric Man Lain (color analyst), Tera Talmadge (sideline)

RADIO: UConn IMG Radio Network; Varsity Network App; 97.9 ESPN Hartford, WGCH 1490 AM, WAVZ 1300 AM, WATR 1320 AM, WILI 1400 AM and 95.3 FM, WICH 1310 AM and 94.5 FM

ANNOUNCERS: Mike Crispino (play-by-play), Wayne Norman (color analyst), Adam Giardino (sideline)

RECORDS: UConn (6-6), Marshall (8-4)

POINT SPREAD: Marshall -11.5

OVER/UNDER: 40.5 (odds via BetMGM)

SERIES HISTORY: The UConn Huskies and Marshall Thundering Herd have met just once on the gridiron. The matchup came in UConn’s last bowl appearance in the 2015 St. Petersburg Bowl won by Marshall, 16-10

DEPTH CHART: UConn; Marshall

PREGAME PRESS CONFERENCE(S): UConn head coach Jim Mora; Marshall head coach Charles Huff

WEATHER FORECAST: Conway, SC

Fun With Numbers

11.1: Tackles per game by Jackson Mitchell, good for fifth-best in FBS

9: Rushing touchdowns by true freshman Victor Rosa, which leads the team and puts him at 55th best in the country

5: Fumbles recovered by Mitchell, leading all of FBS

.875: UConn red zone percentage (28-of-32)

.696: Percentage of red zone scores by Marshall offense (32-of-46)

194.9: Rushing yards by UConn per game, 35th best in FBS

88.8: Rushing yards allowed per game by Marshall’s defense, 5th best in FBS

1425: Rushing yards by Marshall’s Khalan Laborn, 12th best in FBS

37: Sacks by Marshall defense in 12 games

What to watch for

Key Players Return

UConn’s offense will welcome back a handful of key position players who have been absent for most of the season. Cam Ross and Keelan Marion, the two receivers at the top of the depth chart in fall camp, are cleared to play and running back and kick returner Brian Brewton also could make an appearance, according to head coach Jim Mora.

The presence of Marion and Ross could free Nick Charlton to open up the playbook, and give Zion Turner more options down the field after a middling season from the UConn receiving corps.

Dangerous Defense

Even with reinforcements arriving, UConn’s offense will have its hands full against Marshall's defense. Ranked No. 8 in the nation per Bill Connelly’s SP+, the unit is one of the nation’s elite defenses.

The Thundering Herd give up just over 100 yards per game on the ground and rank No. 7 in the nation in sacks, with the experienced duo of defensive ends Owen Porter and Koby Cumberland combining for 16 sacks and 24.5 tackles for loss on the year. In the defensive backfield, the elite cornerback pairing of Micah Abraham and Steven Gilmore have locked down Sun Belt offenses, combining for eight interceptions on the year.

The Khalan Laborn Show

Marshall doesn’t attempt to hide its offensive gameplan. With an average of 185 rushing yards per game, they’re going to run the ball, and do it often with one particular player. In a third of Marshall’s offensive snaps in 2022, running back Khalan Laborn has touched the ball. The Florida State transfer hasn’t let them down. Laborn leads the Sun Belt and ranks No. 12 in the nation with 1423 rushing yards on the year. He’s a fierce, downhill runner with a low center of gravity and an equal number of bruising hits and ankle-breaking jukes across his career season with the Herd.

Plus, reacting to Justin Turner signing with the Red Sox

Brian recaps a wild Patriots-Raiders game and discusses the final play that doomed the Pats, as well as Mac’s performance and demeanor and Rhamondre’s big game (0:30). Then, he chats with three-time Super Bowl champion James White about the stunning loss, how the Patriots gave up a late fourth-quarter lead, Chandler Jones’s winning TD, and more (17:20). Finally, Brian takes a listener call and talks about another C’s loss to the Magic, plus the Sox signing Justin Turner (35:20).

We want to hear from you! Leave Brian a message on the listener line at 617-396-7172.

Host: Brian Barrett
Guest: James White
Producer: Jamie McClellan
Additional Production Supervision: Steve Ceruti

Subscribe: Spotify

The Argentina-France showdown wasn’t just the greatest World Cup final of all time, it was one of the most thrilling spectacles in sports, period, and a fairytale ending for the game’s best-ever player

OK, I’m going to do my best here. But I need you to know exactly what you are getting, as Joan Didion once wrote, and what you are getting is a man who cannot feel his face. My hands are still shaking. There are tears in my eyes. I’m writing this less than 10 minutes after the end of the greatest World Cup final ever, which Lionel Messi’s Argentina won on penalties over Kylian Mbappé’s France, and I do not believe it is recency bias that makes me think that this match was the single most thrilling sporting event I have ever witnessed. Every game is a story. And when you consider the stakes, the performances, the history in the balance, the refusal of either side to lose, the moments of astonishing play, the sudden reversals and wild swings of momentum, the knife’s-edge uncertainty of the outcome, and the epochal significance of a result that brought the career of the world’s best player to an almost magically perfect climax, it is hard to imagine a story more overwhelming or more satisfying than this one.

There’s something so pure—I want to say so innocent—about a story like this. It’s a story that feels lifted from a children’s book, a story unblemished by the disappointments and compromises and hypocrisies inescapable in adult life. This is, in a way, the essence of sport’s appeal to us. It lets us escape, for a few hours at a time, into a better world.

What sort of better world? One in which the greatest Argentine player of all time (this morning I would’ve had to add “arguably”), after years of trying and failing to escape from the shadow of his predecessor Diego Maradona, opens the scoring by doing something Maradona never did: netting a goal in a World Cup final. One in which Ángel di María gives Argentina a second goal through a jaw-dropping counterattacking move that immediately looks like one of the best goals of the tournament. One in which France, after struggling all week with a virus that spread throughout the team, after getting run off the pitch for most of the first 75 minutes, comes roaring back to life thanks to Mbappé, the young heir apparent to Messi’s greatness and his club teammate at Paris Saint-Germain. One in which Mbappé’s 80th-minute penalty is followed just one minute later by another Mbappé goal, this one the equal of di María’s for beauty and ferocity, to force extra time just when Argentina seemed destined to win the match.

The aging king and the young challenger. The legendary battle outside the castle gates. In extra time, the story somehow became even more astonishing. Messi scored again, this time stabbing in a loose ball during a scramble in the area, only to see Mbappé score another penalty, this one in the 118th minute, to haul France back into contention just moments from defeat. In a match in which Messi broke the record to become the male player with the most World Cup appearances, Mbappé became just the second male player to score a hat trick in a World Cup final. Back and forth between the older star and the younger star, between the South American side and the European side, between the two best teams in the world.

Throughout the match, the camera kept cutting to the French president, Emmanuel Macron. At first he looked trim and professional, a politician making an official appearance; by the end of the game, he looked like he’d staggered out of a bar and into the chorus of a Tom Waits song. Macron was going through it.

I’ll tell you two true things about penalty shootouts: One, on paper, they are an unsatisfying and semi-random way to end a soccer match. Two, they are one of the most unbearably intense and exciting spectacles in sport. I could barely watch. Mbappé—who had snatched the Golden Boot (the award for the player with the most goals in the tournament) from Messi with his flurry of late goals—smashed his home for France. Messi, older and more cunning, checked his run before shooting, then gently rolled the ball into the net after seeing which way French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris would dive. It was probably the last kick of Messi’s World Cup career, and it saw him equal Mbappé and bring Argentina level in the shootout.

Two more Argentine penalties, both successful. Two more French penalties, neither successful. Emiliano Martínez, Argentina’s flamboyant goalkeeper, blocked Kingsley Coman’s shot before Aurélien Tchouaméni—just 22 years old and one of France’s standout players in the tournament—sent his flying wide of the post. Randal Kolo Muani converted a must-score penalty for France, and then, with the outcome of the tournament at his feet, Gonzalo Montiel scored for Argentina.

In doing so, Montiel rewrote soccer history. Before his kick, no South American team had won the World Cup since Brazil in 2002. Before his kick, neither of the leading greatest-of-all-time candidates, Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, had ever won a World Cup; both had been hounded for years by speculation about what that failure would mean for their careers. After Montiel’s kick, one of those two players will never be hounded by any speculation regarding a missing piece of his legacy ever again.

Argentina lost its first match of this tournament, to Saudi Arabia, in what many people saw as a humiliating result. But what everyone knows about stories is that they’re not defined by their beginnings. Stories are defined by their endings, and after that first loss, the Albiceleste played with a raw edge of emotion whose equivalent I can’t remember seeing at a World Cup before. They weren’t the most talented or experienced team in the tournament, but they were the team that seemed to embrace the pressure of the moment with the most ferocious zeal. They won penalty shootouts in two of their last three matches, and when they taunted the Dutch after the first of those contests, it didn’t seem boorish or unsportsmanlike so much as it seemed like an earnest expression of competitive commitment: We are here to win, and we’re holding nothing back.

Maybe it was that undisguised emotion that made this story feel so childlike. I’ve been writing about Lionel Messi, in one form or another, since he was 20 years old and practically a child. I’ve been writing about Kylian Mbappé since he was even younger than that. Watching them today, with Messi at 35 and Mbappé at 23, I found myself thinking about what it means to grow up, what it means to confront all those compromises and disappointments from which soccer gives us a temporary escape.

Look at Messi now. He’s no longer the wide-eyed elf who danced through defenses for Barcelona. He carries some marks of time on him. Not many—not after his singularly blessed and idolized life—but some. You can see in his eyes that he’s taken some knocks, that he’s aware of the possibility of failure, that he knows life is not always going to give him exactly what he wants. He looks at the ball, before running up to take a penalty, not with blithe confidence but with a sort of chastened determination. Everyone, even Leo Messi, has to learn that reality doesn’t revolve around him all the time.

Mbappé, by contrast, looks utterly convinced of his own destiny. He looks certain, the way a child is certain, that he is the hero of the story. He glares fearlessly at every challenge, because being young is like holding a magic feather; it means believing that you are the chosen child of the universe, and if you do your best, you will inevitably be rewarded with a win.

We tell ourselves stories in order to live. I don’t know if growing up means learning to see reality through the story you tell yourself about it. But if it does, then it seems to me that this World Cup, and especially this final, held up a mirror to show us precisely how grown-up we are. Because the story felt so innocent, and just beneath the story, the reality was so grim. On the pitch, this was the best World Cup I’ve ever seen; it was also a tournament that was conceived as a sportswashing exercise, obtained through corruption, constructed with no regard for human life, and staged with contempt for anyone who spoke up for human rights. The childlike way to regard this competition was to delight in the stories it generated; the grown-up way was to mourn the fact that many, many people are dead now who would not be dead if this tournament hadn’t happened.

I think most of us tried to do both. I tried to do both. But the better the stories became, the harder it was to stay conscious of the terrible cost that someone—always other people; never us—paid to help create them. I don’t think Lionel Messi lifting the World Cup is worth a single human life. I still cried for joy when he lifted it. He lifted it after putting on an Arab ceremonial robe, and as he held up the trophy, it was hard not to think (even through joyful tears) that Qatar was claiming him as its asset, displaying him as a sort of brand icon. Qatar pays his salary, after all. Qatar pays Mbappé’s salary, too, because Qatar owns PSG.

And so the moral labyrinth of modern soccer keeps spreading over everything, luring you deeper with the promise of joy until you round the corner and collide with a dead end of money or propaganda or abuse. It would seem that there is no escape from our beautiful escape. My eyes haven’t dried yet. I still feel physically elated from that match. I know I’ll remember it for the rest of my life. What a story! And how often does life give you two hours that feel as magical as a children’s book? I need that feeling. I think we all need that feeling. I only wish we could feel it without having to remind ourselves that sometimes innocence is the least innocent thing that there is.

Sheil and Ben break down Philadelphia’s ugly win

The Eagles pulled out an ugly win vs. the Bears to remain atop the NFC with a 13-1 record. They’re now just one win away from clinching the top seed in the NFC and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. However, this wasn’t the prettiest win, and the offense struggled to find a good flow for the majority of the game. Sheil and Ben discuss the play calling, Jalen Hurts getting too many QB runs, and finding the proper balance as the season winds down and the playoffs approach.

Voice your concerns: 215-315-7982.

Hosts: Sheil Kapadia and Ben Solak

Subscribe: Spotify

This team got that dog in them.

If anybody ever needed the definition of “winning ugly” in college basketball, I think the Tar Heels executed the perfect ugly win game against Ohio State. While their shooting performance left a lot to be desired, they were able to get to the free throw line quite a bit, they led in rebounding, and they scored 27 points off turnovers. It’s also worth noting that they did all of this with Armando Bacot being 70% (his words, not mine), Puff Johnson hurting himself in the first half, and a decent amount of foul trouble. It’s easy to see why UNC shouldn’t have won this game, but it’s also easy to see why they earned the W against the Buckeyes.

Let’s take a look at three things that we learned from the Tar Heels’ performance at the CBS Sports Classic.

Caleb Love is starting to figure it out

Before I am chased off of the internet with pitchforks, hear me out: I think Caleb Love is starting to show some growth with this team. The junior guard is a rather polarizing player when it comes to Carolina fans, and a lot of his decision-making doesn’t do him any favors when it comes to the level of criticism that he gets. However, I think it’s time for us to admit that he’s at least trying to make better decisions, and we saw it pay off in yesterday’s game.

Love finished the game with 22 points, four rebounds, seven assists, and just two turnovers. Sure, his three-point shooting numbers are still bad, and he wasn’t without his trigger-happy moments, but think about that assist-to-turnover ratio for a moment: Love was +5 for the afternoon, which was the highest on the team. It isn’t just about the numbers themselves either, because if you watched the game you saw a very unselfish, intelligent player at times, and that guy was one of the most dangerous players on the court.

Love still had a number of rough moments, and I’d even argue that there were a couple of decisions that led to the Heels having to go to overtime. However, I do believe in giving credit where credit is due, and I hope that he will continue to evolve into the guard that we all know he’s capable of being.

Hubert Davis coached his best game of the season

One under-the-radar factor of UNC’s season so far is that Hubert Davis has been willing to take risks with his coaching decisions. To this point in the season, Davis has abandoned playing his starters into the ground in favor of giving his bench more minutes, which has had varied results. We also saw him giving players a rather loose leash when it comes to play-calling, and some of those results have been downright scary in a not-so-good way. However, Davis had full control of his team in the second half and in overtime against the Buckeyes, and what we saw was their most impressive performance of the season.

Coming out of halftime, it felt like the Heels’ energy changed. Davis stated after the game that he got loud with the team, and apparently that sparked some fight in the players. Strategy-wise, he had UNC trapping Ohio State when they were attempting to inbound the ball, and got a couple of turnovers in doing so. He also let Jeff Lebo draw up the play that led to Nance drilling the game-tying shot at the buzzer in the second half, which Nance himself said was designed to use Bacot and Love as decoys.

There are undoubtedly more moments to point to, but the moral of the story is that Davis proved that he can get what he needs out of these guys, and if he can pull it out of them on a night-to-night basis, I think this season will finally get back on track.

Three-point shooting is still broken

Alright, so this isn’t exactly a new lesson that we have learned in watching the Tar Heels, but it is something that needs to be discussed. Piggybacking off of what Hubert Davis did right in this game, I feel like the Heels had a lot of good shooting opportunities that they weren’t able to convert. There was a lot of ball-screen action that got some of Carolina’s shooters open on the perimeter, but ultimately they weren’t able to knock down most of them. They finished the game shooting 21% from three-point land off 6-28 shooting, with Love knocking down four of the makes. Not great, Bob.

The most frustrating thing about shooting woes is that there really isn’t a great fix. The obvious thing to point to is that there was still some bad shot selection — we still saw some NBA-distance threes attempted, and a few shots where players just tried to beat Buckeyes players off the dribble. However, there were numerous times where Nance, Black, Davis, and Love were open on the perimeter, but they just weren’t able to finish. The good news is that Hubert Davis knows a thing or two about shooting, so it’s possible that he could help his guys get out of this funk that they are in. However, it’s much more likely that this is an unfixable slump, and that this team is going to have to get comfortable winning games in the fashion that they did yesterday.

The Buckeyes had no answers for Carolina’s big man.

Let’s briefly run through some honorable mentions before zeroing in on the hero of the day.

• Leaky Black had an absolutely monstrous +/- (+27), the highest total on either squad, with the next highest Tar Heel being RJ Davis with +13. He had tough defensive assignments all night and managed to stay in the game with four fouls, most of them of the nonsense variety to even out calls.
• RJ Davis had a huge 21 points and eight rebounds in his New York homecoming, salting the game away at the end, hitting eight of nine free throws.
• Caleb Love had one of those inefficient shooting nights he’s prone to, but came up absolutely huge when the Heels needed him most. He finished with 22 points (with four made threes) and seven assists against just two turnovers.
• Pete Nance did this:

But let’s be real. The player of the game could only be one guy, and that’s senior center Armando Bacot.

Ohio State lacked the size to stop Bacot from getting to the rim one-on-one. His main opponent was Long Island native Zed Key, who is only 6’8”, but weighs 255 pounds (15 pounds heavier than Bacot!) Bacot battled Key and reserve center Felix Okpara, a 6’11” reserve center who couldn’t physically match Bacot. Okpara fouled out having only played 12 minutes, and the two centers combined for just 15 points and seven rebounds.

Early in the first half, Bacot was called for an offensive foul and was immediately pulled for Puff Johnson, then sat for six minutes. When he came back, Ohio State swarmed Bacot with double-team help whenever he got touches in the post. Bacot did not score his first field goal until the 8:19 mark when the Buckeyes were up 12. After that, it was a bevy of dunks, shots at the rim, and free throws as the Tar Heels closed the deficit to nine at halftime.

Bacot was extremely efficient, scoring 28 points on 11-19 shooting (6-9 from the free throw line) but it could have been so much more. There was a strange dichotomy in the foul calls all game where both UNC and OSU players were called for phantom or soft touch fouls, but Buckeye defenders were able to grab, smack, and body Bacot at will.

Bacot, who is usually a quiet professional on the court, was jawing with the Buckeyes and giving the “too small” gesture to Key after scoring key baskets against him.

Every basket Bacot provided was precious, as Ohio State was shooting better from downtown than Carolina (until the last nine minutes of the game). If UNC continues to shoot sub-30% from three, they’re gonna need all the Bacot juice they can squeeze out of the paint.

To put the cherry on top of a top-tier performance on the court, Armando had this to say on the postgame court-side interview:

UNC legend status secured.

As the season continues to expand, the NBA 2K23 is maintaining its mandatory monitoring on players who are tearing it up on a nightly basis. And on their latest rating update, they can’t choose the most deserving enough to lead the list. (Writer’s note: Want to earn money through betting? Click this boku casinos and just easily cash in! Enjoy!)

On their fifth overall update last week, New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson made a gigantic leap to lead fellow players in the NBA 2K23 rating increase.

Williamson pumped up his 2K rating with a solid +4 addition (92 overall rating), as he continued his productive output by leading the New Orleans Pelicans to a top seed so far in the Western Conference amid absence of fellow star Brandon Ingram.

Currently this season, Williamson is registering a 25.5 points average to go with 7.2 boards, 4.6 assists in a robust 61.0 percent efficiency.

Meanwhile, Anthony Davis also powered his way to elevate his 2K rating, going up for +1 on the game’s card. This comes in with no surprise, as he notably feasted this for the Los Angeles Lakers while defying odds with LeBron James sitting down due to ankle injury.

Davis is having the best season of his career thus far, averaging 27.4 points, 12.1 boards, 2.6 assists, 2.1 blocks in 1.3 steals a game – all of these while shooting a career high 59.3 percent from the floor.

Some other notable rise on their 2K ratings are: Jamal Murray (+2 – 83 OVR), Evan Mobley (+2 – 85 OVR), Klay Thompson (+1 – 85 OVR), Tyrese Haliburton (+1 – 89 OVR), Paolo Banchero (+1 – 84 OVR), Pascal Siakam (+1 – 89 OVR), and Kristaps Porzingis (+2 – 87 OVR).

You can see the full list of the NBA 2K23’s fifth update for ratings by clicking this.

The post LOOK: Zion Williamson stars on the NBA 2K23’s latest rating update appeared first on TalkBasket.net.

Apparently, the internet remains undefeated and Kyrie Irving can’t escape troll time amid his recent controversies. (Writer’s note: Earn some incentives while playing! Click king billy bonus to learn more.)

Irving regained his place as the league’s sole magnet of controversy from the previous weeks. Nike, the brand that he’s been sporting since his entrance in the league in 2011, ultimately cut its ties with the All-Star guard, which created rumblings about what would be the next for both sides.

This move by the giant apparel never came in with surprise. Phil Knight, the founder of Nike, already made headlines last month upon hinting that they are parting ways – as caused by Irving’s antisemitic stance and initial hesitancy to deny this beliefs.

Troll time

Shortly after the news broke out that Nike is indeed ending their partnership with Irving, the entire NBA world had mixed reactions and produced loud noise about both the brand and the Brooklyn Nets guard. Many condemned Nike’s hypocrisy in connection to their alleged human rights and labor violation, while some expressed sadness, support and sympathy for Irving.

With plenty of backlash and criticism swirling, there was perhaps a little light for such laughter. NBA Memes, a famous troll page on Twitter, posted hilarious photos that suggest what would be Kyrie’s footwear moving forward without the swoosh tag.

The said posts garnered hundreds of thousands of heart reactions, which we can say is an effective one to calm issues down.

Kyrie: ‘I AM FREE’

Last weeks ago, Kyrie made a public stir yet again as he donned his Nike Kyrie 3 PE “Raygun” – with such surprise. 

Irving blazed the court against the Charlotte Hornets while wearing some enticing shoes. As can be seen, Nike’s swoosh logo was covered with a tape. And on the tape, there were some etched words that said “I AM FREE Thank you God… I AM.”

On his shoe on the left foot, there was also marked “Logo Here” that might whisper something that Irving is looking for a new collaboration with a new brand.

Irving’s statement embedded on his shoes truly speaks volume regarding his beliefs and the divorce he had with Nike. As such, only time can tell if he’ll land a new deal with the other brand.

The post ICYMI: Kyrie Irving gets trolled with an NBA 2K shoes following break up with Nike  appeared first on TalkBasket.net.

The Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams was interviewed following the team’s 95-92 loss to the Paolo Banchero-led Orlando Magic on Sunday night. Jayson Tatum, who is Boston’s leading scorer (30.2 points) and rebounder (8.2), missed the game due to personal reasons.

The Celtics have now lost four of their last five games, including two straight to Orlando, as their offense fell to pieces. On his failed inbounds play, Grant Williams (14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists) said, “I gotta be better in terms of making sure that pass gets through.”

The post Grant Williams on his failed inbound pass appeared first on TalkBasket.net.

The Arizona Wildcats were blown out by the now-No. 22 Kansas Jayhawks on Dec. 8 in their first game against a team of merit. Will they have a better showing against a perennial power in the Baylor Bears?

The No. 20 Arizona Wildcats (8-1) will face their biggest challenge yet when they play the No. 18 Baylor Bears (8-2) on Sunday night at 7:30 p.m. ET in one of this weekend’s marque matchups.

The Wildcats have had an excellent non-conference season; they won seven straight to start the year. However, a skeptic would say they have yet to beat anyone of merit. That argument would end on Sunday if they beat the Bears. To accomplish that, they’ll need their starters to take charge. Shaina Pellington is averaging 13.6 points per game, leading all scorers. Esmery Martinez is grabbing 9.6 rebounds and Cate Resse is right alongside those two with 12.6 points and 6.6 rebounds.

The Wildcats will only go as far as their core takes them and a key to that core is Kailyn Gilbert. She may only play 15 minutes a night, but when the freshman gets opportunities and stays aggressive good things happen. Gilbert only played eight minutes against Kansas, so her minutes may go down in this high-pressure game if the score remains relatively close. If she has a good game and plays her season average in minutes, it gives Arizona another scoring threat in the backcourt and provides some extra rest to their high-usage guards. She may be at the back end of the rotation, but a good game from her might be the key to victory.

With the return of Aijha Blackwell, the Bears have their team at full strength right before Big 12 play begins. They’ll need all hands on deck to get this win and with six players averaging double digits in points, they’ll have plenty of options to go with. Still, Jada Owens might be the player to watch. Averaging 10.5 points and 6.2 assists, she is the engine of the offense and her being explosive and effective could make the game that much more difficult for the Wildcats.

Baylor has a good win against No. 25 Villanova and tough losses to No. 15 Maryland and No. 19 Michigan. Another win against a Top 25 team might bump it up the rankings and give it even more confidence heading into Big 12 play and the start of a new year. With 360 consecutive weeks in the Top 25, the Bears are the definition of consistency; another win this weekend would ensure they make it to Week 361.

Game information

No. 20 Arizona Wildcats (8-1, 0-0 Pac-12) vs. No. 18 Baylor Bears (8-2, 0-0 Big 12)

When: Sunday, Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m. ET

Where: American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX

How to watch: ESPN2

Key to the matchup: These two top teams seem evenly matched on paper as they prepare to square off on Sunday. Arizona will be relying on Pellington’s scoring and Reese’s leadership, while Baylor will have Owens spearheading its offense. With both teams having balanced offensive attacks, it will be the team who has a player step up and play beyond their season average that will likely win the game.

The Virginia Tech Hokies have started the season 10-0, but they’re down a significant piece of their backcourt rotation entering a key matchup against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Will Virginia Tech’s half-court defense and paint presence be enough to slow down Notre Dame’s explosive guard play?

The No. 6 Virginia Tech Hokies (10-0) host the No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-1) on Sunday in a matchup between the two highest-ranked teams in the ACC. It will be the first ACC game of the 2022-23 season for Notre Dame and the second for Virginia Tech, both of whom are expected to compete for the ACC title. The game will be broadcast on the ACC Network, with tip-off scheduled for 4 p.m. ET.

Virginia Tech entered the 2022-23 season with high expectations, and its spotless record thus far would suggest that the Hokies are, at the very least, playing up to par. They’ll be without star guard Ashley Owusu, however, for the foreseeable future; the 2020-21 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award winner, who transferred to Virginia Tech this past summer after three seasons at Maryland, recently suffered a broken finger and is without a clear date to return to the court.

While the Hokies have done just fine without Owusu in the three games she’s missed, her absence may hurt against the Irish, who field one of the most dynamic playmakers in the country in Olivia Miles. The sophomore guard recorded her third career triple-double in Notre Dame’s last game, against Merrimack, and she’s currently averaging a healthy stat line of 16 points, 7.8 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 2.4 steals per game.

Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Granted, the Hokies still have more than enough talent to pose a threat. Kayana Traylor has played well in Owusu’s stead, and Georgia Amoore ranks ninth in the country in assists per game (6.7). As a team, Virginia Tech is allowing 69.8 points per 100 possessions; per Her Hoop Stats, that’s the sixth-best defensive efficiency in the country.

Then there’s 6-foot-6 center Elizabeth Kitley, who is averaging career highs in points (18.8) and rebounds (11.2) per game. The reigning ACC Player of the Year anchors Virginia Tech on both ends of the floor and has recorded a double-double in eight of the Hokies’ 10 games. Kitley is also averaging 2.1 blocks and ranks second in the country in Her Hoop Stats’ defensive win shares metric.

With their go-to player operating primarily in the paint, the Hokies naturally play more of a half-court game than the Irish, so pace of play will definitely be a factor. Notre Dame thrives when it gets the ball in the open court, and Miles is flanked by Dara Mabrey, who’s shooting 39.3 percent on 6.8 threes attempted per game. Unsurprisingly, the Irish’s overall offensive numbers thus far have been impressive — Notre Dame currently ranks fifth in Division I in offensive efficiency, scoring 117.1 points per 100 possessions — but they’ve also gotten the job done on the glass, owning the fourth-best rebounding rate (60.4 percent) in the country.

Will Kitley’s undeniable presence in the paint neutralize the Irish’s team rebounding efforts, or will Notre Dame be able to manufacture efficient offense with its guard play? This may be an early-season matchup, but there’s already a lot at stake here; the ACC is expected to be one of the country’s toughest conferences throughout the season, and there’s a good chance the two programs meet again in next spring’s ACC Tournament.

Ta’Niya Latson was the expected star and Erin Howard was the unexpected one for the Florida State Seminoles, but they were unable to overcome a hot first half for Aaliyah Edwards, Lou Lopez Sénéchal and the UConn Huskies.

The Florida State Seminoles’ superstar freshman, Ta’Niya Latson, did not disappoint Sunday afternoon with 24 points, but picked up her third, fourth and fifth fouls in a matter of 41 seconds of her time on the court, forcing her to exit the game at 6:44 remaining and making it easier for the No. 9 UConn Huskies to reap a reward from their phenomenal first half in the form of an 85-77 victory at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Chris Dailey filled in for an under-the-weather Geno Auriemma and Aaliyah Edwards (26) and Lou Lopez Sénéchal (23) both went for 20-plus points to make up for the absence of Azzi Fudd, who is still out another one to four weeks with a knee injury. UConn (8-2, 1-0 Big East) was down five players in its previous game, an 85-78 loss to now-No. 15 Maryland, but kept its 29-season streak of not losing back-to-back games going with the help of Dorka Juhász (15 points, nine rebounds, four assists, two steals, five blocks) and Nika Mühl (six points, six boards, 12 assists), both of whom were unavailable against the Terrapins.

Edwards was 12-of-17 from the field and hauled in seven rebounds.

Latson picked up her third and fourth fouls in the first minute of the fourth quarter and had to exit the game. She came back with 6:58 remaining in the contest, but fouled out just 14 seconds later on an offensive foul. The Seminoles (11-2, 0-0 ACC) were down eight at the time; they remained competitive without their superstar, cutting it to 80-76 on an Erin Howard three with 3:19 remaining, but would get no closer than within four the rest of the way.

Howard showed off her skills from beyond the arc with four treys and finished with 18 points and eight rebounds.

UConn led by 18 at halftime, but a Latson three at the 4:58 mark of the third cut FSU’s deficit to 63-49. Latson followed that up by poking the ball away from UConn and to O’Mariah Gordon, who took it in for a fast break layup that cut it to 63-51. Later, a Mariana Valenzuela three with 2:50 left in the third cut it to 11 and a Gordon pull-up mid-range make in transition at the 2:26 mark of the frame cut it to nine. Latson then went on a 4-0 individual run to cut it to five with 1:18 to go before the fourth. UConn fought back to lead 71-62 after three.

UConn forced an FSU timeout one minute and 47 seconds into the contest by opening with a 6-0 run that featured four transition points and four points from Edwards. It became a 10-0 run after a nice Aubrey Griffin backdoor cut for a layup and Edwards’ third layup.

Latson stopped the bleeding by blocking a Lopez Sénéchal three and taking it all the way in for a layup. She scored the game’s next two points as well to cut it to 10-4, but left the game briefly after falling to the court and making her two free throws.

UConn got itself back into a groove with Latson out, cashing in on a Mühl three and an Edwards mid-range shot. Edwards then made an awesome, guard-like drive for two more and a 17-4 lead. Later, another 7-0 run, this one featuring a Lopez Sénéchal 4-point play and a Juhász three, put the Huskies up 26-9. They led 26-11 after one.

Latson continued to play with heart in the second quarter. She dove for a steal a few feet into FSU’s offensive half of the court, then passed it from the floor to Sara Bejedi for a layup that cut it to 30-13. Makayla Timpson followed with an inside bucket to cut it to 30-15 and then Latson took a steal in herself for a layup that made it 30-17 at the 7:51 mark of the second.

As the second frame progressed, UConn would maintain a comfortable lead with some 3-point shooting. Lopez Sénéchal knocked down a trey to make it 33-17. The Huskies seemed to be finding opening looks both inside and outside whenever they wanted and 21 seconds later Lopez Sénéchal missed what would have been another triple; the attempt went halfway down. Still, Caroline Ducharme scored next for the Huskies on a three and Lopez Sénéchal hit another herself to make it 41-23 UConn. Lopez Sénéchal finished 4-of-9 from downtown and 5-of-5 at the charity stripe.

The Huskies went on to gain their first 20-plus-point advantage after an interesting sequence. Juhász made a free throw and missed her second attempt, but a lane violation was called giving her another shot. She missed again and, again, a lane violation was called. Juhász made her fourth attempt to walk away with two points on the trip and then a technical foul was called on the Seminole bench, leading to two made free throws from Ducharme and a 49-28 lead for UConn.

The guard will have three years of eligibility remaining after his redshirt this season.

After a disappointing loss to the Houston Cougars yesterday, the Virginia Cavaliers have picked up a rare in-season transfer commitment from former Georgetown point guard Dante Harris. Having played two seasons for Patrick Ewing, Harris will have three years of eligibility after redshirting this year and the extra year for COVID-19 from the 2020-2021 season.

As UVA missed on a point guard in the 2023 high school recruiting class, the Wahoos were always going to need a transfer point guard this offseason to (ideally) play alongside and to backup Reece Beekman next season. Assuming Beekman doesn’t leave for the NBA after this year, that’s exactly the role Harris is set to play. Getting him to commit now — after leaving a defunct Georgetown program before the season — is a luxury, as is him being able to learn the system and get acquainted with the program this season before hitting the floor next fall.

Harris is a career 10 point per game scorer, while he averaged 11.9 PPG, 4.1 APG, and 1.5 SPG in his sophomore campaign for the Hoyas last year. Unfortunately, he’s a career 26.8% shooter from three and 36.5% from the field. That said, that was on relatively high volume in a bad Georgetown system. His 79.8% career free throw mark indicates he can develop into a better shooter than he’s been.

Additionally, the 6’0” guard can be a pest defensively and can touch the paint and get his teammates involved. In fact, he was the Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player his rookie year.

Stay tuned to Streaking the Lawn for additional analysis of this pickup for Tony Bennett and company!

Join us in the comments as the Mountaineers take on the Bulls on Bob Huggins Hall of Fame Day

Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here but, for the uninitiated, we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, and don’t be a troll.

WHEN/WHERE

Date: Sunday, December 18, 2022

Tip-Off Time: 5:00 PM EST

Where: WVU Coliseum, Morgantown, West Virginia

WVU Basketball | Photo taken by Katie MacCrory

WATCH/LISTEN

Channel: Big 12 Now on ESPN+

Announcers: Nick Farrell, Warren Baker & Angelica Trinone

Online Streaming: ONLY AVAILABLE ON ESPN+

Radio: Mountaineer Sports Network from IMG (Radio Affiliates) | WVU Gameday App (Apple | Android) | SiriusXM 375

Radio Announcers: Tony Caridi and Jay Jacobs

Betting Odds: West Virginia -19.5, Total 152 points via DraftKings Sportsbook

Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.

THE ENEMY

Where are they from? Buffalo, NY

Series History: West Virginia and Buffalo will meet for the fifth time in school history. Each team has won two games. The two teams last met in the 2018-19 season opener at the Coliseum with the Bulls winning in overtime, 99-94, on Nov. 9, 2018. WVU and Buffalo met in the first round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament with WVU coming away with a 68-62 victory. Buffalo also visited Morgantown on Dec. 11, 1991. WVU won that game, 91-46. The first meeting in the series took place on Feb. 21, 1918, in Buffalo with the Bulls winning, 41-22.

Record: 5-5

Record in 2021-22: 19-11 (13-6 MAC)

Head Coach: Jim Whitesell (4th Season)

David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP:

West Virginia Mountaineers: Tre Mitchell, Emmitt Matthews, Jimmy Bell, Erik Stevenson, and Kedrian Johnson

Buffalo Bulls: Jonnivius Smith, Isaiah Adams, Zid Powell, Curtis Jones and Armoni Foster

PREGAME READING & UPDATES

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Find a warm, comfortable spot, grab a favorite beverage or threeve, and join in on the running commentary, random observations, silly images, gifs, snark, wit, bitches, complaints, moans, groans, cheers, celebration and jubilation in the comments section below.

And, as always...

9-3

There have not been many occasions over the last few seasons where Gonzaga was in line to pick up an upset win. Of course, that tends to be the case when you start the season as the No. 1 team as has been the case in the last three campaigns. That made for an interesting scenario where the Zags were the road semi-neutral underdogs playing a team ranked 11 spots ahead of them in the AP poll. You’d be forgiven for thinking that Gonzaga might have been in line for another L. After all, the first six weeks of the season have been up and down, to say the least, and this was a rematch against a team that beat a better Gonzaga squad in Seattle last season and has since added some exceptional talent to their ranks. Seeing the Zags come together to produce THAT performance with EVERYONE in the lineup producing was extremely satisfying:

1. Don’t be fooled by the scoreline. Gonzaga’s defense came to play in this game. The Zags forced 14 turnovers in the first half (and 21 total) which carried them when the offense hit a bit of a lull. Give Alabama a lot of credit. The Tide, and especially Brandon Miller, ran some excellent offense and made a bunch of tough shots. Over the last 35 minutes, the Zags made them work for it, and that’s what you want to see.
2. Gonzaga’s offense showed the growth and discipline we have been hoping would come. Once again, everyone took care of the ball. Just a few weeks ago, the Zags were reeling off 20+ turnover games like nobody’s business, so this has been quite the turnaround over the last two weeks. In addition to ball security we saw a lot of patience, without hesitation, which is an important distinction and which allowed the Zags to hit the century mark against a strong defensive opponent that just beat Houston at its own game the week prior. There were plenty of opportunities for Gonzaga’s offense to wilt in this game, but as a collective, the group never blinked.
3. Alabama’s rebounding prowess was on full display in the opening minutes of the game (9-2 advantage just 4:34 into the game). That wasn’t a surprise. What was disappointing, however, was that Gonzaga didn’t seem ready to battle right at the tip. To Gonzaga’s credit, they snapped out of it and matched Alabama’s rebounding the rest of the way to make sure that 7 rebound deficit didn’t get any bigger. That was a major key to victory.
4. What else is there to say about Anton Watson? The senior forward was tremendous once again. True to form, Watson did a little bit of everything, and all of it at the highest level. He played the most minutes of any Zag and was vital in executing the offensive and defensive game plans.
5. Julian Strawther’s short floater was money today. It was great to see him play with a more aggressive mindset to get the rim rather than settle for jumpers on the perimeter. The short floaters were clearly a point of emphasis in the game plan, and Strawther was the best of the bunch in that department.
6. Drew Timme had to work extremely hard due to Alabama’s frontcourt length. He made an adjustment midway through the first half to get into his move much sooner before the help could come and swallow him up, and that really helped him overcome the waves of guys that the Tide sent at him.
7. Alabama’s Jaden Bradley got off to a great start until Hunter Sallis came in off the bench and locked him down. That work from Sallis kept Gonzaga in the game just when it looked like the Tide were going to run away with the game. You can see how much pride Sallis takes in taking on the toughest defensive assignment and winning his matchup.
8. Ben Gregg’s stock might be the only stock in the country that is skyrocketing upwards. He only played 4 minutes due to the flow that the starters found in the second half, but his minutes came at a tricky time for Gonzaga in the first and he didn’t let his teammates down. He provided great energy on the defensive end and made a 3 midway through the first that gave Gonzaga a 4-point lead—just a little bit of daylight—which they held on to the rest of the way.
9. Brandon Miller is so good. What a weapon to have. He’s very much in the conversation to be the second pick in the NBA Draft next summer behind Victor Wembanyama. There’s no reason for Alabama to not make a Final Four run this season considering the talent on that roster led by Miller.
10. Gonzaga needed its backcourt to step up in a big way in order to have a chance at winning this game. That’s what they got, which allowed us all to see what this team is capable of when the backcourt plays to its potential. Malachi Smith had his best defensive outing and paired it with a strong all-around showing in the second half. The offense hummed along even while Nolan Hickman was saddled on the bench with foul trouble for the last 10 minutes of the first half, and everyone made big buckets in the second to close out the Tide. Credit to these guys for putting in the work over the last few weeks and putting it all together in a difficult game this weekend.

One day, Bronny and Bryce James are expected to follow in their famous father’s footsteps into the NBA. However, on Saturday night, LeBron James earned bragging rights over his sons.

While playing for Sierra Canyon School, Bronny and Bryce faced off against LeBron’s alma mater, Akron’s St. Vincent-St. Mary’s High School. And it was the elder James’s school that came out on top.

LeBron was unable to attend the game, as the Lakers are in the midst of a homestand in Los Angeles.

St. Vincent-St. Mary’s defeated Sierra Canyon, 67-61, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Bronny scored just seven points and fouled out in the fourth quarter, while Bryce didn’t play in the game.

Despite Bronny’s struggles, Sierra Canyon head coach Andre Chevalier is pleased with his progress.

“Bronny always plays hard and plays the right way,” Chevalier said, via USA Today. “Sometimes he doesn’t make shots, but he does everything else for us.”

Unlike his father, Bronny is expected to play college basketball before playing in the NBA.

Redemption for Brock Wright as the Lions keep their playoff hopes alive

Sunday’s game against the New York Jets was almost an elimination game for the Detroit Lions.

The Lions entered play on Sunday having won five of their last six games, which pulled them to 6-7 on the season, and back into the chase for a playoff spot. Their playoff odds before kickoff, according to 538.com, were listed at 20%.

But a loss to the Jets would drop those to just 8%, meaning their margin for error on Sunday was rather slim.

With the fourth quarter winding down, those odds looked even slimmer.

A touchdown pass from Zach Wilson to tight end C.J. Uzomah gave the Jets a 17-13 lead with under five minutes to go, meaning the Lions offense, which had been slowed by a stout Jets defense, needed a touchdown to keep those playoff dreams alive.

Detroit began their ensuing possession on their own 22-yard line, with quarterback Jared Goff in the shotgun with the formation empty. Tight end Brock Wright released on a skinny post route and was wide-open initially, but Goff did not see him. But due to some pressure in the pocket, Goff slid to the left and reset himself, which gave him a window to find Wright, who was still wide-open with room to run. Goff put a throw into Wright’s hands.

But it was dropped.

It was the chance for a huge play to open the drive for Detroit, but instead they faced 2nd and 10.

On second down, running back D’Andre Swift picked up eight yards on an inside run, setting the Lions up with a 3rd and 2. Detroit would pick up the first down on the next play, with Goff connecting with wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown on a quick spot route to move the chains.

A run, an incompletion, and a short connection between Goff and wide receiver Kalif Raymond set the Lions up with a 4th and 1 at their own 49-yard line. Raymond’s reception was right at the first-down marker, but he was tackled just inches shy of the line to gain.

The clock bled down to the two-minute warning, and with the Lions trailing by four, and having just one timeout remaining, Dan Campbell kept his offense on the field.

And offensive coordinator Ben Johnson gave Wright a shot at redemption.

The offensive coordinator calls for a play-action pass, that begins with St. Brown coming in motion from left-to-right and then releasing to the flat. Goff comes out of the run fake and immediately looks to St. Brown, who is covered.

But leaking across the formation, away from the flow of the play, is Wright. For the second time on the drive he is open, and with a shot at redemption, he takes advantage:

Wright hauls in the throw to pick up the first down, but with nothing but space in front of him, he turns upfield and has visions of more. He picks up a block from wide receiver Josh Reynolds inside the ten-yard line, and cuts inside, running through a late tackle attempt from cornerback D.J. Reed for the go-ahead touchdown.

Here is another angle of Wright’s moment of redemption:

You can see how the design of the play — from the run fake to the motion from St. Brown — works to create separation for Wright. Goff could throw the flat route to St. Brown if he is open, but with that route covered, the QB does a good job at getting his eyes and feet back to Wright, and connecting with his tight end.

After the play, the NFL Next Gen Stats social media account shared a clip of the play, highlighting just how open Wright was:

According to their analysis, Wright was expected to gain 31 yards after the catch, the second-most on any reception this season.

That’s pretty wide-open.

Still, after working himself that wide-open, Wright needed to deliver. Beyond that, his quarterback — and offensive coordinator — needed to trust him to come through.

And he did.

After the win, Campbell talked about the play, and praised both Wright and Reynolds for their effort on the touchdown:

Goff also discussed the touchdown, talking about how the play was a “great call,” and how Wright flashed some speed on his way to the end zone:

For his part, Wright was a little more subdued after the game-winning score:

Wright was a part of a win on Sunday, and a big part at that.

Now? Now there is a chance he could be part of a playoff team.

Always run to the football, exhibit A

When coaches practice getting interceptions and turnovers, they always preach running to the ball. All 11 guys should be in full sprint to the ball, just in case something happens.

Well, we’ve seen what happens when players run to the ball in Los Angeles.

Titans DBs Roger McCreary and Joshua Kalu teamed up to get one of the most improbable interceptions that the NFL has ever seen. McCreary went up to intercept the ball, but noticed that he would land out of bounds, so he tipped it to Kalu, who was running back into the play. An impressive display of awareness and teamwork by the Titans DBs.

Even more impressive is that McCreary is starting his jump just to keep this ball in play. He knows this is going out of bounds, so he goes full send to keep it in. Then Kalu is able to get both feet down to make it one of the best interceptions of the season.

The play is also very similar to an interception Oklahoma State had against rival Oklahoma in 2010. I’d say the Oklahoma State one is better because the DB goes flying out of bounds, but McCreary’s is just as cool.

The Titans will need more of those plays, however. They’re currently down to the Los Angeles Chargers in the 4th quarter.

I WANT EVERYONE FIRED RIGHT NOW. JUST MAIL THEM THEIR CLOTHES.

One of the best pieces of advice I received when becoming a sportswriter was this:

Write when you are angry.

That advice is the reason I am the one writing this piece.

The New England Patriots, thanks to their win over the Arizona Cardinals last Monday night, were back in playoff position heading into Week 15. And with just under a minute remaining Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders, it looked like they were going to finish their two-game West Coast swing with a pair of victories, improving to 8-6 on the season, keeping their playoff hopes alive.

Then, suddenly, they had lost.

Thanks to the single dumbest play you will see this season.

The Patriots gave up the game-tying touchdown with under a minute remaining, when Raiders quarterback Derek Carr connected with Keelan Cole on a 30-yard touchdown. The play was reviewed, and while it did seem like Cole stepped on the sideline before completing the catch, it was upheld as a touchdown.

Fine. 24-24 with 32 seconds left. New England still had a timeout, so maybe they could make something happen.

They sure made something happen.

After a few plays, including a completion, and a run from Rhamondre Stevenson, the Patriots faced a 3rd and 10 at their own 45-yard line, with just ten seconds left. Quarterback Mac Jones stood in the shotgun, and handed off to Stevenson on a delay. With the Raiders anticipating a deeper throw downfield, Stevenson found plenty of running room as he worked across midfield, and into Las Vegas territory.

But with the clock reading zeros, either he reached the end zone, or this game was going to overtime.

Or, so you would think:

Apparently there was a third option, which was to TURN THIS PLAY INTO THE STANFORD-CAL LATERAL ENDING DESPITE A TIED SCORE AND OVERTIME STILL AN OPTION. Stevenson laterals to Jakobi Meyers, and the former college quarterback heard all the swelling trumpets and training montages in his head, because he thought a throw across the field back to Jones was the way to secure the W.

He connected with Jones all right.

Raiders pass rusher Chandler Jones. Who caught the ball on the fly, stiff-armed Mac Jones through the turf and into the shadow realm, and then raced into the end zone for the stunning, shocking, phenomenally absurd game-winning touchdown.

As a football fan, this is incredible.

As a Patriots fan, I want to know who thought this was a good idea, and then I want that individual manning a radar tower in Alaska. Just mail them their clothes.

The Kings will give their GM his long overdue new contract.

One of the more intriguing things going on in the Sacramento Kings’ organization is the question of General Manager Monte McNair. Currently in the final year of his three-year deal, McNair has certainly done enough to retain his position and be rewarded for the job he’s done thus far. But why have owner Vivek Ranadivé and the rest of the front office waited so long to make their decision?

According to a recent report by Marc Stein on his sub stack, that decision is likely to be made sooner than later.

One league source told me this week that there is a growing expectation around the organization that an extension for McNair is indeed forthcoming and likely to be announced in early 2023. The fact it hasn’t happened yet is an undeniable curiosity in league circles.

In my mind, and likely that of most Kings fans, McNair has done more than enough to receive a lucrative extension. During his tenure, the Kings have not only begun to consistently draft well (Tyrese Haliburton, Davion Mitchell, Keegan Murray, etc.), but they made one of the biggest trades in franchise history to acquire Domantas Sabonis and surround the star duo of Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox with complimentary talent. The team also currently has one of the best coaching staffs Sacramento has seen in a long time.

Oh, and the beam (I don’t know if it was his idea but it happened while he was here).

Due to the efforts of McNair, the Kings are now in a position to compete and end their playoff drought. Before he was in Sacramento, there was no clear path on what the team needed to do in order to change things up. But now, we can see the vision and there is a legitimate culture building and chemistry between the team and the front office. I could argue that because of McNair, the Kings are fun again like they were 20 years ago.

Now maybe McNair and Ranadivé had agreed to make the deal only after some sort of milestone was passed. But as an outsider, the deal needs to happen right now. He should get a multi-year, highly compensated deal frome Santa this Christmas. McNair has earned it.

Tobias Harris has been excellent stepping up and excelling in any role that Doc Rivers asks of him. He is averaging 17 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game as the glue guy on the team.

He has come up in some trade rumors this season, but it would be hard to imagine the 76ers parting ways with him given how important he is to the rotation. It is highly unlikely that Philadelphia would be able to get back a player that is a better fit schematically and personality-wise for this team than Harris.

But, don’t expect the 76ers to be shut out of the trade market altogether. They will certainly look to upgrade the rotation if possible, but their No. 1 goal for the remainder of the season could very well be monetary. 

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Joel Embiid & Philadelphia 76ers Updates

James Harden took a pay cut in the offseason to enable Daryl Morey to upgrade the roster without sacrificing a player such as Harris. It should be no surprise that the team has begun getting on track now that he is back in the lineup. But, there is still a little more work to do, especially if the team wants to get under the luxury tax line according to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report.

“For instance, the Philadelphia 76ers are just over the luxury tax and could net about $16 million if they sent $3 million with Jaden Springer or Shake Milton in a salary dump. It’s enough of a windfall for Philadelphia; someone on the team may be sacrificed.”

That is a lot of money to be saved. Shake Milton has received some minutes given all of the injuries, but Jaden Springer is nowhere close to the rotation. If the 76ers could find a team willing to take him on, even if it means attaching a second-round pick, they will not hesitate to do so.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Joel Embiid & Philadelphia 76ers Updates

Clearing a roster spot would also be beneficial for Philadelphia. They are expecting to contend, which means they could be players on the buyout market later on in the season. Trading away Milton and Springer not only saves them money but gives them roster spots to pursue ring-chasing veterans later in the season for their postseason push.

The post Shocking Details Emerge Of 76ers’ Potential Bold Trade Plans appeared first on NBA Analysis Network.

Let’s say you need major surgery. If you find out that your surgeon is one of the best in the world, that’s very reassuring. If you’re told that they’re simply good, it may be a little harder to sleep at night. 

That same divide exists in the NBA. Often, an important question is asked oboist a star player: is he good enough to lead a contender? 

Luka Doncic is good enough to lead a contender. In fact, he’s one of the 5 or so best basketball players in the world.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards & Dallas Mavericks Updates

By contrast, Bradley Beal is really good, but it doesn’t appear that he’s good enough to lead a contending NBA team. 

Should the Wizards start planning around that fact? 

The post Mavericks Land Wizards’ Kyle Kuzma In Bold Trade Scenario appeared first on NBA Analysis Network.

Toronto is currently riding a four-game losing streak, dropping their record to 13-16. They are in 10th place in the Eastern Conference and holding onto the final spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament.

There are a lot of pieces to like on this roster, as it is a talented team. But they still lack a true center, and things could look a lot different come the 2023 offseason when Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. could opt out of their contracts and seek long-term deals.

The Raptors have to decide if those two players, along with Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby, are the core they want to continue moving forward with or if they will adjust and start building around second-year forward Scottie Barnes Jr. According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, there are teams around the league hoping that it is the latter. But, he doesn’t see things unfolding in that fashion.

“But more realistically, the Raptors will fight to avoid the play-in, compete and answer their more essential questions later. If there’s one player who doesn’t stick through the deadline, it’s Trent.

Trent (almost 24) would fit with any team looking to add a wing scorer who can defend. The Suns, Lakers, Warriors, Hawks and Heat could be interested.”

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Gary Trent Jr & Toronto Raptors Updates

Trent, along with Anunoby, have been involved in the most trade rumors the last few months and it sounds like if they are going to make a move, it will be Trent as the centerpiece. With Anunoby taking another step forward in his development and arguably the best defender in the NBA, it makes sense that Toronto would want to keep him.

The list of teams that could be interested in Trent likely goes beyond the five that Pincus listed. Given his age, scoring ability and capability on defense, he would be a popular player on the trade market. But, his value could take a hit as teams know he is likely opting out to sign a lucrative long-term deal in the offseason.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Gary Trent Jr & Toronto Raptors Updates

The Duke product is more than a typical 3-and-D wing as he has vastly improved his efficiency on 2-point shots this season. Alas, he does leave something to be desired in other areas as he doesn’t rebound much and hasn’t made too many strides as a playmaker. But, his scoring and defense are well worth the price that he will likely demand on the open market.

The post Shocking Details About Gary Trent Jr.’s Raptors Future, Trade Suitors appeared first on NBA Analysis Network.

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The post Charting Defensive Accountability – Part 1 appeared first on Hoop Coach.

The Boston Celtics will need to avenge their recent loss without their MVP candidate.

The Boston Celtics will be without Jayson Tatum for their December 18 game against the Orlando Magic due to personal reasons, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Tatum’s absence comes hot on the heels of Boston’s shocking 117-109 defeat to the Magic on Friday, December 16, where Boston shot just 23.9% from the perimeter.

This will be the second game Tatum has missed this season after sitting out Boston’s November 27 victory over the Washington Wizards — a game he usually relishes due to the opportunity of playing against close friend Bradley Beal. As such, the Celtics will now be looking to avenge their recent defeat without the help of their budding superstar, who has been performing at an MVP level over the first 30 games of the season.

Tatum, 24, is currently averaging 30.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game and is shooting a career-best 55.7% from two-point range this season on 11.9 attempts per game. After having an entire off-season to focus on developing his skillset, Tatum has become a genuine threat when attacking the rim and is playing with newfound aggression, both on and off the ball.

Boston currently occupies the first seed in the Eastern Conference standings, one game ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks and three in front of the impressive Cleveland Cavaliers. As such, the Celtics will likely be firing on all cylinders on Sunday as they look to keep Milwaukee at arm's length heading towards their inevitable showdown on Christmas Day.

After Sunday’s game against the Magic, Boston will have a short break before facing the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, December 21, where hopefully, Tatum will return to the starting lineup and help Boston continue their charge towards Eastern Conference domination and, ideally, a spot back in the NBA Finals.

The Celtics will look to split the miniseries without Jayson Tatum.

Maybe revenge games don’t exist in the regular season or even the playoffs, but the Celtics will get a chance for a bounce back opportunity just days after getting upset by Orlando.

On Friday night, the Magic came into Boston riding a four-game win streak and upset the Celtics homecoming and the much-anticipated return of Robert Williams 117-109. The box score will tell you that poor shooting doomed Gang Green; they hit just 11-for-46 from behind the arc, continuing a slump that's followed them 3,000 miles from the west coast. In their three games in California, they were a combined 40-for-127 (31%). A deeper dive into the numbers will show that, to their credit, the Magic hit a ton of tough shots, making 21-of-41 contested shots to start the two-game mini-series. However, the eye test will tell you that Boston was bullied off their home floor. Orlando was bigger and nastier, resulting in the rare ejection of Al Horford and a technical foul by Jayson Tatum, only his second of the season.

Speaking of the Celtics MVP candidate, he's already been ruled out for Sunday's rematch for personal reasons. It'll be his second game missed of the year. And for what it's worth, Tatum is second in total minutes in the league in total minutes played.

Tatum's absence could give head coach Joe Mazzulla a chance to start the double-big front court that was so successful last season, particularly on the defensive end. Tatum won't be available, but we could see Brown slide down to the 3, White at shooting guard, and Williams and Horford in their familiar roles. Mazzulla went small on Friday to counter Orlando's size, but on Sunday, he might opt to match them inch-for-inch instead.

Many might view Friday's loss as an upset and rightfully so. At 10-20, Orlando is better off entering the Webanaya sweepstakes rather than compete for a playoff spot this season. But they're also franchise that's been gathering assets for several years and have amassed enough to say, "these are the handful of guys we're banking our future on.” Paolo Banchero is a player. Franz Wagner is a player. Cole Anthony is a player. They're not on the level of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but they want to prove that they are and on the three or four times they play the Celtics in the regular season, they'll use those games as measuring sticks.

Banchero told The Boston Globe's Adam Himmelsbach that Tatum has mentored the fellow Duke alum and warned him that because of his stature as a #1 pick, opposing players and teams would target him and give him their best shot. So yes, Friday night was an upset, but only in the context of wins and losses. Some games just matter more and for the Celtics, this afternoon's game is a chance to eliminate the bad taste from Friday's loss and maybe more so, put the rookie in his place.

The Celtics will tip off against the Orlando Magic at 3 pm EST. All nationally televised NBA games can be watched on Sling TV.

Horford was ejected on Friday for the incident

Boston Celtics big man Al Horford was fined $25,000 by the NBA for his Flagrant 2 foul and ejection on Friday:

On an inbounds play near the start of the second half on Friday night, Horford threw an elbow at Moritz Wagner of the Orlando Magic. The officials called a foul on Wagner for the initial contact, but then reviewed Horford throwing the elbow. Following the review, Horford was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul and ejected from the game.

The Celtics were trailing 66-55 at the time when Horford was ejected. Jayson Tatum made a free throw as a result of Wagner’s away-from-the-play foul. The Magic then went on an 9-0 run to open up a 19-point lead. Boston never truly threatened after that point.

Orlando went on to win the game 117-109.

The Celtics and Magic will meet in the second game of their two-game mini-series on Sunday afternoon. Horford is not listed on the injury report and will presumably be available to play in that rematch.

Surrey Scorchers 86-88 Newcastle Eagles (18-18, 21-18, 26-20, 21-32)
Scorchers – Lawrence 15, Busumbru 14, Martin 13; Eagles – Hamlet 23, Cohn 21, Johnson 20

B Braun Sheffield Sharks 64-71 Plymouth City Patriots (15-18, 24-13, 14-22, 11-18)
Sharks – Nichols 25, Koch 15, Delpeche and Glasgow 7; Patriots – Williams 23, Hassan 16, Bell 14

With many people preparing for long journeys to visit family at Christmas, the Plymouth Patriots and Newcastle Eagles got a couple of early BBL Championship gifts on the road, one week away from Santa’s extended travels.

Javion Hamlet led a big comeback for the Eagles as they took a two-point win down south, over the Surrey Scorchers.

And up north, Plymouth’s Antonio Williams scored 23 to lead a team effort that took down the B Braun Sheffield Sharks.

Surrey Scorchers will have entered Sunday’s lunchtime contest against the Newcastle Eagles with high hopes.

When the two teams faced off at the start of November, they took a four point win at Vertu Motors Arena in Newcastle.

December’s match-up saw the Scorchers come out with confidence in the first quarter, as they took a nine-point lead early. They did so from behind the three-point line.

Ryan Martin and Josh Jefferson pulled up with confidence from distance in the opening 10 minutes.

But Newcastle’s team travelled the length of England to Surrey Sports Park to avenge their loss at home earlier in the season. 

It was Javion Hamlet who led the comeback in the second quarter. He took over and scored nine points in myriad ways – threes, pull-ups, a floater that tied the contest, and a tough layup driving through the lane to take a one-point lead before halftime, even if the home team took a slim lead heading into the locker room.

After a tough talk from Lloyd Gardner, his Surrey team came out scorching. A 9-2 run, led by Jefferson’s joyous jumpshots put the home side up 10 points.

Every time Newcastle’s Hamlet got going, however, his team closed the gap. They trailed by four after he went on a mini-tear on the third.

The Scorchers built a gap on a well-rounded team effort to close the third and start the fourth.

And just when you thought Hamlet was going to lead the charge again to make a comeback for the Eagles, teammate David Cohn did the honours. 

Eagles are now in the lead, don’t miss the end of this crazy match up!

https://t.co/vATmPQ74an#KnowOurName #BritishBasketball pic.twitter.com/BmOwGjC6gZ

— British Basketball League (@BBLofficial) December 18, 2022

Cohn got going early by rushing the lane to pick off a pass from Surrey’s Kyle Carey. The Eagles guard dribbled down court with support from two teammates, who attracted the attention of the Scorchers defenders. 

This left Cohn all along on the three-point line, so he gladly made use of the space and drilled the shot from distance.

It was his layup a few possessions later that took the lead for the first time since the first half, and the Newcastle Eagles kept building on that momentum to steal a win on the road. 

The Plymouth City Patriots tend to get up and down the court at quite a pace, sitting in the top four in the league when it comes to field goal attempts per game. Meanwhile, the B Braun Sheffield Sharks are among the most defensive and methodical. 

There were times during the first half, especially the opening minutes of the second quarter, when the home team seemed happy to run with the visitors to Ponds Forge Sports Centre in Sheffield.

This included a handful of possessions from Rodney Glasgow Jr, who got ahead of the Plymouth defenders for a floating layup in transition. 

But the Sharks’ generally controlled the rhythm of the opening 20 minutes, thanks to their tough defence and patient offence, and they finished the quarter on track to their typical 72.3 points per game.

This is why the Patriots were particularly excited when they got fast break points, especially when Elvisi Dusha stole the ball from Henry Sako in the second quarter. 

It took no time at all for last week’s All-Star 5 player Antonio Williams to get down the court and receive the pass from Dusha for an open dunk. 

The Plymouth guard duo let their opponents know about the easy score, which meant Dusha picked up a technical foul that gave Sheffield’s Kipper Nichols the chance to build a small cushion with less than a minute to go.

Nichols hit the free throws and then a driving fadeaway across the middle of the lane.

His teammate Marcus Delpeche then muscled a layup into the basket in the closing seconds for an eight-point lead going into halftime.

No lead is safe in the BBL, and the Patriots came out to start the second half with fire in their belly, and on fire from the three point line.

After Rashad Hassan hit a couple of opening couple of shots for Plymouth, Markedric Bell and Antonio Williams hit big back to back threes to cut an 11 point lead to just three within a two minute stretch.

The teams went back and forth for much of the third, but it was the determination of Sheffield’s Javion Ogunyemi with around 90 seconds left in the third that nudged his team ahead. 

The big man was fronted, which made getting the ball into him difficult. It swung to the opposite side and he hustled over to receive a pass on the left block with the shotclock getting low. 

Ogunyemi backed his defender down and rose for a tough shot that missed. He grabbed the rebound and four white Patriots jerseys collapsed on him. He got a shot up and was fouled, but the big man hit two free throws to take a slim lead.

To start the fourth quarter, it took more than two minutes for any team to score, as both sides increased the defensive pressure. 

Plymouth’s Isa Brandon was the man to break the deadlock. He got out in transition and a Eurostep into the middle of the lane threw off the Sharks’ chasing defenders, who fouled him as the layup fell to open a three-point gap.

Dusha has built a reputation of being a clutch performer this season for the Patriots, and he got into the lane for a contested rising mid-range jumpshot to keep the lead.

On the other end, Bennet Koch has become one of the most difficult players to guard on the low post for the Sharks. He got into the paint with two minutes to go for a layup.

It was a two point game with a minute to go, when Brandon came up with a huge block on Sheffield’s Channel Banks Jr’s shot to keep the visitors ahead.

Big play from the @PlymCityPatriot to extend their lead in the last seconds of this game, can they stay in front?

https://t.co/iBrP521qD0#KnowOurName #BritishBasketball pic.twitter.com/JbOaH39YWU

— British Basketball League (@BBLofficial) December 18, 2022

On the other end, Plymouth looked to Williams in isolation. The Patriots worked the ball around the perimeter and found the scorer in the corner. He drove along the baseline, pump-faked and got Banks Jr in the air for a foul. 

A composed Williams got the layup and hit the free throw to take a five-point lead and the win.

Keen to see more BBL over the festive season? Get tickets by CLICKING HERE

The post Patriots and Eagles drive home for Christmas with the gift of road wins appeared first on British Basketball League.

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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (AP) Jalen Pickett scored 16 points, Andrew Funk added 15 and Penn State turned up the defense in the second half to roll to a 97-67 win over Canisius on Sunday. Pickett had 13 points and the Nittany Lions shot 56% in the first half but the Golden Griffins kept pace, matching Penn State's five 3-pointers and shooting 50% to trail 42-36. Kebba Njie started and ended a 9-0 run with dunks to open the second half for a 15 point lead.

The Runnin’ Utes went into Provo looking to make a statement that they have arrived under head coach Craig Smith…

Texas faces Stanford at 12 pm CT on ESPN2.

• TV: Fans can watch the game on ESPN.
• Radio: The matchup can be heard locally on 96.5 FM and 1270 AM, and can be accessed anywhere on Seminoles Leanplayer.
• In-game updates: Fans can follow on the FSU Women’s Basketball Twitter Account (@fsuwbb).

Measure progress with video. Identify the positives and need areas. 

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The post Best College Basketball Games of Week 7 appeared first on Project Spurs.

New Orleans Pelicans: Was Willie Green calling out refs or his own team? - Pelican Debrief - Pelican Debrief - A New Orleans Pelicans Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

How will New Orleans Pelicans respond to gut-wrenching loss? - Pelican Debrief - Pelican Debrief - A New Orleans Pelicans Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

UNC Basketball: Pete Nance’s “Tar Heel Moment” is one to remember - Keeping It Heel - Keeping It Heel - A North Carolina Tar Heels Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

UNC Basketball: Roy Williams enjoying retirement HIS way - Keeping It Heel - Keeping It Heel - A North Carolina Tar Heels Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

UNC Basketball: Armando Bacot: “I would die for this school” - Keeping It Heel - Keeping It Heel - A North Carolina Tar Heels Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

Lionel Messi’s Argentina won on penalties after an incredible 120 minutes of football, a match which ended 3-3.

NBA players took to Twitter to react to Argentina’s win and Lionel Messi’s achievement that arguably solidifies him as the greatest football player of all time.

Gonzaga 100 Alabama 90. Drew Timme had his way with the Alabama defense scoring 29 points on 12-18 shooting. He added 10 rebounds in 36 minutes. Bama was led by Freshman Brandon Miller 36 points in 37 minutes on 12-22 including 6-11 from distance. Bama committed 14 turnovers in the first half, 21 for the game compared to Gonzaga’s 9. Who’s better, Timme or Luka Garza? Since 2018 the Zags are 6-1 against Top 5 teams in the regular season. “We play these good games to figure out what we’ve gotta get better at, and we’ve got plenty of stuff we need to work on,” said Bama head coach Nate Oats.

Kansas over Indiana 84-62. I heard so much hype in pre-season for the Hoosiers. Thus far they haven’t impressed me. Before you jump on me and say their point guard got hurt during the game, sorry, don’t want to hear that. There’s no excuses in sports. When someone goes down, someone has an opportunity to step up. We always like to say, “stay ready.” Indiana has lost 3 of their last 4. In 29 minutes Trayce Jackson-Davis scored 13 points on 4-8 shooting. His point totals for the last 4 games: 13, 11, 12, 13. Kansas had 17 steals. IU turned the ball over 23 times. “I’m trying to get us to understand that when we play an elite team like Kansas, you need to be on your job. You have to compete for 40 minutes. You’re not going to just walk in here and think they’re going to give you a game,” said Mike Woodson.

Purdue 69 Davidson 61. The Wildcats made a visit to Indy to take on the Boilermakers in the Indy Classic. Steph Curry’s alma mater hung around for most of the night (down 4 with 3:30 left in the game) but Purdue was just too big and too strong. Zach Edey, who I have said since day 1 is the best big man in the nation led the way with 29 points on 9-11 shooting. Edey was 11-15 from the free-throw line. Foster Loyer had 10 points and 11 assists for Davidson. I like Braden Smith of Purdue, he had 10 points and 12 rebounds. Matt Painter’s squad needs to pull out the shooting machines in Mackey and work on their 3-point shooting. Boilermakers went 3-25 from downtown. “You know the thing about Zach, don’t take him for granted. I know I don’t,” coach Painter said. “He’s great, he’s fabulous and he’s unselfish, which makes for a great teammate.” Purdue is 11-0.

UConn 68 Butler 46. The Huskies stayed undefeated (12-0) beating the Bulldogs (8-4) at Hinkle Fieldhouse. It was the Big East opener for both schools. (It’s still strange thinking about Butler being in the Big East.) Kind of like UCLA and USC in the Big Ten next season…SMH. Adama Sanogo led the way with 27 points on 13-21 shooting. The Huskies made 10 3’s to Butler’s 3. UConn is 6-0 all-time against Butler. “It was a typical Big East game,” Danny Hurley said. “We took four free throws. They really let them play. You get the best officials in the country in the Big East. They really let you decide it on the court.”

Mississippi State stayed undefeated at 11-0 beating Nicholls 68-66. Arizona over Tennessee. UCLA beat Kentucky, Houston over Virginia and North Carolina topped Ohio State in OT.

Northwestern crushed DePaul 83-45. Ray Meyer is rolling over in his grave. Wildcats hit 13 3’s. They’ve won 5 of the last 6 meetings. What happened to Blue Demon basketball? Back in the day they were outstanding.

Chris Beard situation in Austin is not good. I once had a phone conversation with him when he was an assistant at Texas Tech. He was looking into one of my players.

Montana State beat Northwest Indian College 144-59. Come on man…Montana State made 23 3’s.

I’m not sure what to think of the NBA changing the name of the MVP award from Maurice Podoloff to Michael Jordan? It definitely makes it hard to teach a history lesson.

Have the Los Angeles Lakers found their ideal trade partner? - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

The Boston Celtics veteran Al Horford was fined $25,000 for making excessive contact with the lower body of Orlando Magic big man Moritz Wagner.

The incident happened at the start of the second half of the Celtics’ loss to the Magic on Friday night.

The post Al Horford fined $25K appeared first on TalkBasket.net.

Amar’e Stoudemire – former NBA star who most recently served as a player development assistant for the Brooklyn Nets – was arrested in Miami on Saturday just hours after graduating with a master’s degree.

He allegedly punched his daughter in the jaw and slapped her several times after “giving attitude,” according to a law-enforcement source. Police say they saw blood stains. Stoudemire’s bond is listed at $1,500.

The post Amar’e Stoudemire allegedly punched his daughter in the jaw appeared first on TalkBasket.net.

NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler joked during postgame of Heat vs. Spurs (Mexico City Game) that he will only attend Brazil on his coffee tour if soccer great Neymar goes with him.

(via Jump View):

Reporter: “I would like to know if Brazil is included in your coffee tour, and if so, what places are you planning to go?”

Butler: “Of course. Brazil is top of my list, but I’m only going if Neymar comes with me, for one. But all over the world, not just because of coffee, I just love different people and I love the culture everywhere. I learned so much because the world’s so much bigger than the United States. I have so much respect for coffee all around the world, for sure, everything about Brazil, everything about Mexico, because they have incredible coffee here as well. So I’m gonna put Mexico on the list, and then, I’m gonna circle around and make Neymar go drink coffee with me in Brazil.”

The post Jimmy Butler on coffee tour: “Brazil is top of my list, but I’m only going if Neymar comes with me” appeared first on TalkBasket.net.

A reminder of just how special Minnesota Timberwolves Anthony Edwards truly is - Dunking with Wolves - Dunking with Wolves - A Minnesota Timberwolves Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Timberwolves Finch asks: “Were you really ready to play?” Finally, yes. - Dunking with Wolves - Dunking with Wolves - A Minnesota Timberwolves Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Justin breaks down the short-handed Thunder's unlikely victory over the top team in the NBA Western Conference including: No Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, No Josh Giddey, No problem, Lu Dort takes over, Isaiah Joe's new career high, Tre Mann's development, and Jalen J-Dub Williams off night. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mangia!

Things To Sample

Adama Sanogo’s face up game continues to impress
During the first two years of his college career, the 6-9 Sanogo didn’t make a single three-point shot. He’s already made eight this season. Beyond that, Sanogo’s ability to be a threat facing the basket has opened up the floor for both he and his teammates on offense. In Saturday’s 68-46 win over Butler at Hinkle Fieldhouse, Sanogo regularly opened possessions away from the basket and finished them directly at the rim. He tallied 27 points and 14 rebounds in the 22-point win and was 13-21 from the field. The Huskies are 12-0 and have won all 12 games by double figures.

Mick Cronin has UCLA playing “Cincinnati” caliber defense
The Bruins improved to 57-2 under Cronin when they hold their opponents to 65 points or fewer following Saturday’s 63-53 win over Kentucky in the CBS Sports Classic at Madison Square Garden. It was the type of defensive performance that reminded many of Cronin’s teams at Cincinnati, where he installed a ruthless, physical style that allowed the Bearcats to advance to nine straight NCAA Tournaments from 2011-19. In two games this week against teams who were ranked in last week’s AP Top 25 — Maryland and Kentucky — the Bruins only allowed an average of 56.5 points in a pair of double digit victories. This is the first time during Cronin’s tenure in Westwood where UCLA has shown this type of nastiness on defense.

Gonzaga is in good shape as it heads towards WCC play
A pair of double figure losses to Texas and Purdue in November had many people — including myself — wondering if this group of Bulldogs was as good as the units we’ve seen in the past couple of seasons. While all of that is still TBD, Gonzaga has still navigated an arduous non-conference schedule with a terrific 9-3 record, which was highlighted by Saturday’s 100-90 win over Alabama in Birmingham. Mark Few’s squad also owns wins over Michigan State, Kentucky, Xavier, Washington, and MAC contender Kent State. Its only other loss in addition to Texas and Purdue was a one-point defeat to Baylor on a neutral court. Barring something unforeseen, this team should be 11-3 entering WCC play.

On The Side

• Alabama’s Brandon Miller has officially become appointment television. The 6-9 freshman had 36 points in Saturday’s loss to Gonzaga and averaged 30 points in two games this week while shooting 10-19 from three-point range during that span. This kid is ridiculous.
• Pete Nance is not going to be Brady Manek for North Carolina, but his last-second shot at the end of regulation in Saturday’s overtime win over Ohio State could be the type of moment that propels the Tar Heels moving forward. North Carolina (8-4) has won three straight and will next face Michigan (7-3) on Wednesday in the Jumpman Invitational in Charlotte.
• Rick Pitino is 2-0 in head-to-head meetings with Richard Pitino entering tonight’s game between Iona (7-2) and New Mexico (10-0) in Albuquerque. The elder Pitino won both of those games against his son when he was at Louisville and Richard Pitino was at both Minnesota and Florida International respectively.
• Auburn (8-1) will begin its two-game West Coast trip today against USC at the Galen Center. The Tigers will then play in Seattle against Washington on Wednesday.
• Baylor’s Adam Flagler (illness) and LJ Cryer (back) will be available for today’s game against Washington State in Dallas, Scott Drew told College Hoops Today on Saturday. The duo has not played since the Bears’ win over Gonzaga on Dec. 2nd. Flagler averages 16.1 points and Cryer averages 16.5 points for Baylor, who enters tonight’s game at 7-2 overall.

Daily Specials

• Texas/Stanford (Dallas)
• Auburn at USC
• Iona at New Mexico
• Colorado State at Saint Mary’s
• Baylor/Washington State (Dallas)

Leftovers

• The Breakfast Buffet: Adama Sanogo, Mick Cronin has UCLA playing “Cincinnati” caliber defense, Gonzaga
• The Breakfast Buffet: Arizona/Tennessee, CBS Sports Classic, Houston/Virginia
• The Breakfast Buffet: Kansas’ interior defense is about to be tested, Creighton/Marquette, David Singleton
• The Breakfast Buffet: Adem Bona, Sean Miller, the SEC has heavyweights at the top
• The Breakfast Buffet: UCLA hits the road, Butler, the Pac-12 is coming back to life

The post The Breakfast Buffet: Adama Sanogo, Mick Cronin has UCLA playing “Cincinnati” caliber defense, Gonzaga appeared first on College Hoops Today.

So it must have felt damn good for Booker to erupt for 58 points on 60 percent shooting against the Pelicans in Phoenix on Saturday.

Here’s how NBA players reacted, as well as the broader NBA Twittersphere:

Book going NUTSO right now!!! Sheesh

— LeBron James (@KingJames) December 18, 2022

Booooooook @DevinBook

— kuz (@kylekuzma) December 18, 2022

D Book going crazy!!

— Kentavious C.P (@CaldwellPope) December 18, 2022

Book goin

— TJ Warren (@TonyWarrenJr) December 18, 2022

What a game. After a week from hell and getting embarrassed in NOLA twice, Suns trailed the Pelicans 83-59 with 7:14 left in the 3Q tonight. Devin Booker drops 58 points, Phoenix comes back to win 118-114, and ties the season series 2-2. Favorite rivalry in the league right now.

— Devin Wobooker (@WorldWideWob) December 18, 2022

Please keep everyone that had to defend Devin Booker tonight in your thoughts and prayers. pic.twitter.com/tquNxp9TAY

— Suns Are Better (@SunsAreBetter) December 18, 2022

Devin Booker is the greatest Sun of all-time.

— Espo (@Espo) December 18, 2022

devin booker tonight pic.twitter.com/pLc6ygNJd6

— chris • leia steampirates!! (@triallsofapollo) December 18, 2022

Devin Booker is different pic.twitter.com/VJdmYo7GAs

— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) December 18, 2022

Devin Booker: good stats/bad team player? https://t.co/63FRaSEigc

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) December 18, 2022

The post NBA Players React to Devin Booker’s 58-Point Eruption appeared first on Basketball Forever.

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Hosted by BF’s Nick Jungfer and Alex Sumsky.

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While fighting for position on an inbounds play, Horford elbowed Wagner. After a review, Horford was given a Flagrant 2 foul and ejected from the game.

"Honestly, I feel that I am one of the best defenders in the league. I feel I should be in the top for the Defensive Player of the Year," Claxton said. "I feel like I wasn't getting the respect I deserve. We're winning, my numbers are good protecting the rim, guarding 1 through 5."

The Nets are on a five-game win streak and have moved up to fourth in the Eastern Conference. During that run, Brooklyn's defense has improved to 12th in the league, after starting the year ranked in the bottom third.

On the season, Claxton is averaging 2.3 blocks per game, which ranks second in the NBA. He's also averaging career-highs at 11.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, while leading the NBA in field goal percentage at 74%.

On the mics: Jerod Morris, Brian Tonsoni, Ryan Phillips.

We also point out a few meaningful moments you may have missed, go inside the numbers, and hand out our game balls. All of that, and more, on this edition of The Assembly Call.

(Music provided by Bob Thompson — die-hard Hoosier fan and longtime Assembly Call listener.)

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George Mason picked up their fifth win in a row with a Saturday afternoon victory over Tulane in Chicago. Tulane came into the game with a top 50 offense and Mason was able to hold them in check. Ronald Polite came up big holding down on the defensive end and Victory Bailey Jr. came up big shooting well from behind the arc. The game wasn’t televised, which was probably for the best because the final box score isn’t pretty.

Overall an ugly game with the Patriots committing 22 turnovers and somehow only getting to the free-throw line for six attempts the entire game. But the take away is they were able to grind it out for the win. We are starting to see them rely heavily on starters but they got quality minutes from Saquon Singleton and Malik Henry off the bench. Their overall shooting numbers have on the rise which is good considering conference play is around the corner.

Mason appeared to be the better team during the tail end of the second quarter, something that has been a recurring theme this season. During this winning streak they have fared well against some pretty good mid-majors such as Toledo, Hofstra and now Tulane. How their defense has stifled theses opponents have been impressive. You can see in a game like this how once they get going shooting the ball they can play with just about anybody.

The consistency on offense will need to continue. Josh Oduro will need to do more going forward, he hasn’t been looking like the preseason, all conference first teamer he should be. Oduro, DeVon Cooper and Tickets Gaines are three that were bearing the offensive burden last season but have been spotty this season. VBJ in the lineup certainly helps so they should be more balanced but we just aren’t seeing some of the same shooting numbers that carried the team last year.

They now head to Old Dominion on Wednesday for a tough road test. It will be interesting to see if their intensity on defense carries into this one. It would be nice to see the win a road game like this in a non-ugly type fashion. They haven’t played a true road game since the season opener at Auburn and hopefully they get off to a better start then they did in that game.

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"My goal, and we'd partner with Las Vegas Sands, is when we build a new arena it'll be in the middle of a resort and casino," Cuban told The Dallas Morning News. "That's the mission."

Texas is set to vote within the year on legalizing sports betting. If the resolution passes, up to four destination resorts could be built throughout the state, of which Dallas would be a primary contender.

After years of saying expansion was a non-discussion for the NBA, Silver has said it's something the league is starting to look into. However, Silver cautioned putting a timeline on it.

"We want to get a new collective bargaining agreement, our media rights deals are up soon, so we need to renew those, as well, but then we will turn to expansion," Silver said.

Silver also said the NBA will seriously look at Mexico City when it's time to expand. Silver reiterated that there are challenges to adding a franchise outside of the United State but added that Mexico City is well set up to do so. As he has in the past, Silver remarked that Mexico City can be the NBA's gateway to further growth throughout Latin America.

The 'Cats will look to continue their win streak as non-conference and Big 5 play concludes in this year’s Holy War.

Fresh off of finals and a week between games, the ‘Cats are back.

The Villanova Wildcats (5-5) will conclude non-conference play (and Big 5 play) on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET when they travel down the road to take on St. Joseph’s Hawks (4-5) in the latest edition of the Holy War.

Coach Kyle Neptune will look to continue a perfect December, while the Hawks will try to get a season-defining win after an up-and-down non-conference showing.

There is a lot riding on this game for Villanova. It’ll be looking to continue their win streak and build momentum into Big East play, earn a share of the Big 5 title, and ultimately, the annual bragging rights are on the table.

Ahead of Saturday’s matchup, let’s review a few areas to watch out for:

Youth Movement

Youth has been served on the Main Line, with the freshman class stealing headlines and providing a spark on the court as the calendar has flipped to December. While this is unique season for Villanova, having this many freshmen contribute at these levels is almost unheard of.

According to ESPN, all three freshmen are averaging 10+ minutes per game – a feat that we haven’t seen in recent memory at Villanova. There have been duos (Justin Moore and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Collin Gillespie and Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree, Josh Hart and Kris Jenkins, Ryan Arcidiacono and Daniel Ochefu) that all averaged double-digit minutes as true freshmen, but never three in one year.

This is not saying suggesting they’ll have the same impact of the Villanova legends mentioned, but it’s a rare feat and one to monitor as the young team continues to develop.

A quick recap of their impacts:

The debut of Cam Whitmore has electrified Nova Nation. The team is 3-0 and as an individual, Whitmore leads the freshman class in on court production with an average of 16 points, five rebounds, and two steals over the last three games.

Mark Armstrong recent form has been strong with scoring double figures in two of the last three games, while averaging 20-plus minutes and only committing one turnover in that stretch.

Brendan Hausen has proved to be a fearless and devastating sharpshooter, with the ability to score in bunches and is shooting 56% from deep in December.

The ‘Cats will need continued strong play from this group if they hope to extend the Holy War win streak to 11 games.

Battle of the Perimeter

I’m not sure what the record is for most 3-point attempts in a single Holy War game – but there’s a fair chance a new record is set on Saturday. Nova Nation is obviously used to Villanova’s reliance on the long ball, and a new head coach hasn’t changed that approach. The ‘Cats are currently ninth in the country in percent of shots taken from 3-point land.

On the other hand, St. Joe’s is 27^th in that same category. The expectation for this game should be a barrage of long-distance shots throughout the afternoon.

How exactly will that impact the ‘Cats?

It appears the ‘Cats may have found some of their shooting touch in December as they’ve averaged 41% from deep in their last three games. If this form carries over into Saturday, it could be a long day for the Hawks. However, on the defensive side – Villanova has a lot of work to do with their perimeter defense.

The Cats are currently ranked 270^th in the country in 3-point defense but have marginally improved in the last few weeks by holding opponents to 33%. This is still not a great place to be, but at least the trend is in the right direction.

To make matter worse – St. Joe’s two top scorers, Erik Reynolds and Cameron Brown, are off to a hot start this season as each shoot north of 40% from deep.

Neptune and staff will have their work cut out for them as the duo makes up over 45% of St. Joe’s scoring. A quiet night from either of these players is a recipe of success for Villanova.

The Holy War: Anything Can Happen

The last time St. Joe’s defeated Villanova was in the 2011-12 season when Langston Galloway led a red-hot shooting Hawks team over Maalik Wayns and the Cats in a 74-58 win at Hagan Arena.

Things haven’t been the same for St. Joe’s though, since the following year, when Halil Kanacevic drilled a three-pointer to extend the Hawks’ lead and proceeded to flip off the student section moments after. The gesture went unnoticed and energized the Pavilion crowd, even getting the wine-and-cheese crowd to join in on the boos to reach a volume level that hadn’t been seen in a while. Villanova came back, and in the end, Kanacevic ultimately cost his team the game.

He bricked two free throws in the final minute, then had the turnover that sealed the victory for the ‘Cats in the closing seconds.

Although Villanova has dominated since and this matchup has been a one-sided affair for the last decade, a rivalry like this is something where you throw out the records or win streaks because anything can happen.

A key to the game will be taking the crowd out of it as soon as possible. This includes avoiding a slow start and limiting any runs the Hawks might go on.

Fortunately, the young Cats have had a taste of hostile environments this year with matchups against Temple and Michigan State.

Rivalry games are as unpredictable as they come, but if Coach Neptune and staff can get the team to get contributions from the underclassmen, win the 3-point battle, limit their home court advantage - the Holy War win streak continues.

The Hawk is Dead. Go Cats.

The ‘Cats final Big 5 game.

Villanova wraps up their Big 5 slate of games as they travel to Hawk Hill to play St. Joe’s.

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We’ll have a recap up shortly after the game.

Is the Hawk still dead? Yes.

At Hagan Arena, fans were decked out in red and blue, and lines were clearly drawn.

Villanova’s no stranger to slow starts, and the ‘Cats didn’t play their greatest coming out of the gate against Big 5 rival St. Joseph’s.

Villanova trailed by three at halftime, but eventually picked things up in the second half. It was yet another battle between St. Joe’s and Villanova, with the ‘Cats winning for the 11th year in a row. They took on another victory, the final score being 71-64.

“I was really proud of the way our team, take out the first 10 minutes, I love the way we competed defensively,” Villanova coach Kyle Neptune said. “We took a lot of shots, a lot of punches from them. They came out hot, they had a great game plan, especially offensively. They’re a load — the way they shoot threes, the way they move the ball. Billy Lange is a great coach, especially offensively. Luckily, we made a lot of shots early, but they really had it going. We locked in, especially the last 30 minutes of that game.”

The Hawks brought their energy and their spirits, starting off strong. Erik Reynolds II made a three-point shot in the first six seconds, the first of many to come.

The ‘Cats quickly matched their foes, led by Brandon Slater. He had a hot streak from beyond the arc, draining five 3-pointers and finishing with 19 points overall.

“Every game is different,” Slater says. “The shots were coming from just some guys rotating in and my team finding me in the right places.”

Villanova turned to the three-ball early and often. The Hawks held their ground, though, as Reynolds, a career-high night for him, and Lynn Greer carried, scoring 27 and 14 points respectively. Just when Villanova seemed to take the lead at the end of the first half, Reynolds managed to make a three-pointer with a second to spare, giving St. Joe’s a 35-32 halftime lead.

However, Villanova brought their energy to the second half, with Erik Dixon managing to make a three within the first minute. Brandon Slater continued his trend from the first half and quickly followed him up with another three. Both shots were assisted by Caleb Daniels, who didn’t shoot well, but was consistent in his assists, layups, and defense.

The Wildcats used a 6-0 run in the second half to tie things up, as Chris Arcidiacono drained a three-pointer with 15:50 to go. The run extended to an 18-6 spurt topped off by another Slater three, which Villanova used to take the lead for good.

When the Hawks crept up on the ‘Cats, Arcidiacono was the key to regrouping the team and playing the role of a steadying influence. Arcidiacono made a late three, plus a series of free throws that helped ice the game.

“He knows exactly what we expect from him, and he always comes out and tries to execute,” Neptune said of Arcidiacono.

Arcidiacono finished with 14 points on 3-of-4 shooting, with three rebounds, four assists and no turnovers.

“I think that the guys have trusted me, and Coach Neptune has trusted me to just lead our team,” Arcidiacono said.

Aside from Slater and Arcidiacono, Eric Dixon added a 16-point, 12 rebound double-double. Caleb Daniels and Cam Whitmore each had seven points and both of them shot just 3-of-10 on the floor.

Both teams played well and battled it out for threes, as the three-point line was a focal point for both Villanova and St. Joe’s. Villanova shot 14-of-38 (36.8%) from the three-point line, while St. Joe’s finished just 9-of-29 (31.0%) as a team from deep. After the first half, though, the ‘Cats made it their mission to prevent the Hawks from taking more of their signature shots.

“Man, this was winnable,” Lange said. “We got to get a little bit better, and there’s a lot we can learn from this.”

Villanova improves to 6-5 overall and it has now won four straight. The ‘Cats return to action at home, when they host St. John’s at Finneran Pavilion. Tip-off is scheduled for Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. ET.

A competitive game early turned into a dominant Huskies road win.

No. 3 UConn men’s basketball team took down Butler at Hinkle Fieldhouse, 68-46, on Saturday night.

Adama Sanogo returned to his dominant ways with a 27-point, 14-rebound performance on 13-21 shooting. Nahiem Alleyne, who had been struggling this season, had one of his best games of the year with nine points on 3-5 shooting from 3-point range.

Butler came in winning four straight, including two against a pair of top-100 KenPom teams in Kansas State and Yale, but was physically outmatched by the Huskies. UConn flexed its depth with 16 bench points, highlighted by Nahiem Alleyne hitting three 3-point shots, ending with 9 points off the bench.

The Huskies flashed another dominant facet of their game, winning the rebounding battle by 22, 54-31. The Bulldogs simply could not snag a defensive rebound, as UConn wound up with 18 offensive rebounds, its second-highest mark of the season,

Two Simonas Lukosious 3-pointers put Butler up 6-2 early, but the Huskies clamped down and allowed Butler very few second-chance points. After Alleyne buried an outside shot with two seconds left in the half, UConn carried some momentum coming into the second period, up 28-20.

The second half was much of the same. A great defensive battle for the first ten minutes, but UConn quickly turned the game on its head.

The Bulldogs were hanging in because of their defensive player of the year hopeful Manny Bates and lead guard Chuck Harris (12 points), but UConn was able to hold a two-to-three possession lead for a majority of the half. Bates made a jumper to cut it to six at the 10-minute mark, but after that, the Huskies went on an 18-5 run on the back of Sanogo and Jordan Hawkins, putting the game completely out of reach. UConn closed it out with a Hawkins dunk and Calcaterra 3-pointer, bringing its record to 12-0 on the season.

Next up is a battle against Georgetown on Tuesday 6:30 p.m. at Gampel Pavilion, which will be broadcast on FS1.