INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL SCORES FRIDAY
Anderson 68 Lafayette Jeff 44
Barr-Reeve 43 Loogootee 41
Bedford North Lawrence 64 Mitchell 55
Bellmont 51 Norwell 45
Bethesda Christian 72 Indianapolis International 32
Bloomington North 69 Martinsville 47
Brownstown Central 82 Silver Creek 54
Cascade 58 Cloverdale 44
Christian Academy 50 Lanesville 23
Clay City 39 Eastern Greene 36
Clinton Prairie 68 Carroll (Flora) 35
Columbia City 65 Huntington North 38
Columbus East 47 Bloomington South 46
Columbus North 63 Mooresville 51
Corydon Central 63 Clarksville 57
Danville 73 North Montgomery 30
Delphi 44 Eastern (Greentown) 39
Eastern (Pekin) 54 North Harrison 42
Eastern Hancock 75 Union County 58
Elwood 36 Alexandria 34
Eminence 58 Central Christian 32
Evansville Memorial 52 Evansville Mater Dei 50
Evansville North 63 Vincennes Lincoln 57
Fishers 60 Brownsburg 45
Forest Park 77 South Spencer 69
Frankfort 49 Western Boone 37
Frankton 52 Madison-Grant 50
Frontier 56 North White 40
Greencastle 59 North Putnam 54
Greenfield-Central 70 New Castle 50
Guerin Catholic 44 Covenant Christian 34
Homestead 71 Fort Wayne Snider 53
Indianapolis Riverside 78 KIPP Indy Legacy 40
Indianapolis Washington 64 Indianapolis Shortridge 49
Jeffersonville 74 Floyd Central 49
Kokomo 76 Harrison (West Lafayette) 42
Lafayette Central Catholic 66 Benton Central 49
Lapel 77 Hamilton Heights 63
Lawrenceburg 49 Madison 45
Leo 66 New Haven 57
Linton-Stockton 46 Bloomfield 43
Maconaquah 88 Peru 68
Manchester 65 Wabash 58
McCutcheon 68 Logansport 52
Mississinewa 53 Blackford 50
Mount Vernon (Fortville) 57 Marion 42
Mount Vernon (Posey) 49 Southridge 42
New Albany 72 Charlestown 51
New Palestine 57 Pendleton Heights 54
Noblesville 62 Zionsville 59
North Central (Farmersburg) 51 Paris (Ill.) 48
North Daviess 47 Shakamak 38
North Decatur 55 South Decatur 41
North Knox 47 Shoals 40
North Miami 59 Northfield 57
North Posey 75 Tecumseh 43
Northview 62 South Putnam 45
Oak Hill 53 Eastbrook 39
Orleans 54 Crawford County 22
Owen Valley 53 Edgewood 40
Paoli 66 Northeast Dubois 41
Parke Heritage 66 Covington 50
Penn 35 Jimtown 31
Pike Central 56 Heritage Hills 55
Princeton 55 Gibson Southern 42
Purdue Poly Englewood 72 Christel House 68
Richmond 40 Muncie Central 32
Rising Sun 75 Milan 64
Riverton Parke 75 Attica 56
Rossville 69 Tri-Central 66
Rushville 52 Morristown 17
Scottsburg 82 Salem 31
Seton Catholic 67 Liberty Christian 57
Shawe Memorial 60 Assumption Academy (Ky.) 51
South Central (Elizabeth) 67 Crothersville 35
South Ripley 70 Oldenburg Academy 44
South Vermillion 51 Fountain Central 43
Southwestern (Hanover) 66 Switzerland County 55
Springs Valley 60 West Washington 58 OT
Sullivan 43 West Vigo 28
Terre Haute North 56 Terre Haute South 45
Tipton 84 Northwestern 54
Tri-West 65 Lebanon 55
University 80 Muncie Burris 41
Washington 44 Boonville 41
Westfield 42 Hamilton Southeastern 27
Wood Memorial 81 Washington Catholic 24
Allen County Conference Tournament
Adams Central 50 Jay County 35 SF
Heritage 37 Bluffton 35 SF
Clerc Tournament
Maryland Deaf 57 Indiana Deaf 38 SF
Delaware County Tournament
Delta 72 Wes-Del 38 SF
Yorktown 55 Wapahani 41 SF
Evansville Harrison Classic
Castle 68 Springfield Southeast (Ill.) 49
Evansville Harrison 76 Indianapolis Ritter 37
Johnson County Tournament
Whiteland 63 Greenwood Christian 47 SF
Center Grove 81 Greenwood 48 SF
Marion County Tournament
Lawrence North 73 North Central (Indianapolis) 53 SF
Franklin Central 55 Warren Central 49 SF
Southern Roads Conference Tournament
Medora 71 Cannelton 12 R1
Pleasant View Christian 80 Seven Oaks 27 R1
Christian Academy Madison Lighthouse Christian 8:30 pm
INDIANA BOYS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE SATURDAY
ALL TIMES EASTERN
Anderson at Hamilton Southeastern 7:30 pm
Anderson Prep at Tri-Central 6:00 pm
Andrean at Lafayette Central Catholic 7:30 pm
Attica at Faith Christian 7:30 pm
Austin at Springs Valley 7:30 pm
Bedford North Lawrence at Jennings County 7:30 pm
Borden at Charlestown 7:30 pm
Brownstown Central at Carmel 7:30 pm
Carroll (Flora) at Pioneer 7:30 pm
Clay City at Owen Valley 7:30 pm
Clinton Central at Alexandria 7:30 pm
Cloverdale at Parke Heritage 7:30 pm
Connersville at Noblesville 7:30 pm
Cornerstone Christian (Ky.) at Shawe Memorial 2:30 pm
Corydon Central at Crawford County 7:30 pm
Crothersville at White River Valley 2:30 pm
Crown Point at Griffith 8:00 pm
Culver Academy at Fort Wayne Wayne 2:30 pm
Delphi at North Newton 2:30 pm
Detroit Voyageur (Mich.) at Bowman Academy 7:00 pm
Eastern Hancock at Greenfield-Central 7:30 pm
Eminence at Edinburgh 7:30 pm
Evansville Memorial at Henderson County (Ky.) 8:30 pm
Evansville North at Bloomington North 7:30 pm
Floyd Central at North Harrison 7:30 pm
Fort Wayne Blackhawk at Fort Wayne Luers 7:30 pm
Fort Wayne Dwenger at Peru 7:45 pm
Fort Wayne North at Huntington North 1:30 pm
Fort Wayne South at Indianapolis Tech 7:30 pm
Franklin County at East Central 1:30 pm
Gary 21st Century at Marquette Catholic 3:30 pm
Gibson Southern at Boonville 8:00 pm
Greencastle at Edgewood 7:30 pm
Guerin Catholic at Indianapolis Cathedral 7:30 pm
Hamilton Heights at Western Boone 7:30 pm
Harrison (West Lafayette) at Benton Central 7:30 pm
Hebron at Lake Station 8:00 pm
Henryville at Clarksville 7:30 pm
Hobart at Illiana Christian 8:00 pm
Indianapolis Ritter vs. TBA TBA
Jac-Cen-Del at Waldron 7:30 pm
Kouts at Rensselaer Central 8:00 pm
LaLumiere Regional at Bethesda Christian 7:30 pm
LaPorte at Chesterton 3:30 pm
Logansport at Lewis Cass 7:30 pm
Marion at Homestead 7:30 pm
Monrovia at North Putnam 7:30 pm
MTI Knowledge at Cambridge City Lincoln 2:30 pm
Muncie Burris at Liberty Christian 7:30 pm
Munster at Merrillville 8:00 pm
New Castle at Rushville 7:30 pm
New Haven at Carroll (Fort Wayne) 7:30 pm
New Washington at Trinity Lutheran 7:30 pm
North Decatur at Lawrenceburg 7:30 pm
North Miami at North Judson 7:00 pm
North Montgomery at Sheridan 7:30 pm
North Posey at Forest Park 7:30 pm
North Vermillion at Schlarman (Ill.) 4:30 pm
Northeastern at Knightstown 7:30 pm
Oregon-Davis at Winamac 7:30 pm
Orleans at Lanesville 7:30 pm
Paoli at Eastern (Pekin) 7:30 pm
Pendleton Heights at Shelbyville 7:30 pm
Perry Central at Shoals 8:00 pm
Plainfield at Northview 7:30 pm
Providence at Jeffersonville 7:30 pm
Providence Cristo Rey at Indianapolis Chatard 12:00 pm
Richmond at Madison 7:30 pm
Rossville at Frankfort 7:30 pm
Scottsburg at New Albany 7:30 pm
Seeger at Fountain Central 7:30 pm
Seymour at Columbus East 7:30 pm
Smith Academy at Elwood 2:30 pm
South Bend Career at Mishawaka Marian 1:00 pm
South Central (Elizabeth) at West Washington 7:30 pm
South Central (Union Mills) at Whiting 8:00 pm
South Dearborn at Greensburg 7:30 pm
South Knox at Bloomfield 7:30 pm
South Ripley at Switzerland County 7:30 pm
South Spencer at Tell City 8:00 pm
Southmont at Riverton Parke 7:30 pm
Southridge at Princeton 7:30 pm
Southwestern (Shelbyville) at South Decatur 7:30 pm
Sullivan at Vincennes Lincoln 7:30 pm
TBA vs. Evansville Bosse TBA
TBA at Castle TBA
Tecumseh at Heritage Hills 8:00 pm
Tippecanoe Valley at Maconaquah ppd.
Traders Point Christian at Cascade 6:00 pm
Trinity Greenlawn at Lakeland Christian 1:00 pm
Triton Central at Milan 7:30 pm
Tri-Township at Tri-County 7:30 pm
Union (Modoc) at Believe Circle City 12:00 pm
Vincennes Rivet at North Central (Farmersburg) 7:30 pm
Washington at Jasper 7:30 pm
West Central at Caston 7:30 pm
West Lafayette at Danville 7:30 pm
Western at Taylor 7:30 pm
Wheeler at Demotte Christian 8:00 pm
Winchester at Blackford 7:30 pm
Wood Memorial at Pike Central 8:00 pm
Allen County Conference Tournament
Adams Central vs. Heritage 7:30 pm 1st
Clerc Tournament
Indiana Deaf vs. Riverside Deaf 3:00 pm 3rd
Delaware County Tournament
Yorktown at Delta 8:00 pm 1st
Evansville Harrison Classic
Springfield Southeast (Ill.) vs. Evansville Central 10:00 am
Christian County (Ky.) vs. Evansville Christian 11:45 am
Indianapolis Ritter vs. Evansville Bosse 1:30 pm
Brownsburg vs. Castle 3:15 pm
Springfield Southeast (Ill.) at Evansville Harrison 5:00 pm
Christian County (Ky.) vs. Evansville Reitz 6:45 pm
Hopkinsville (Ky.) vs. Evansville Central 8:30 pm
Johnson County Tournament
Yorktown at Delta 7:00 pm 1st
Marion County Tournament
Lawrence North vs. Franklin Central 7:00 pm 1st
Northeast Corner Conference Tournament
Angola vs. Fairfield 7:30 pm 1st
Southern Roads Conference Tournament
Medora at Columbus Christian 11:30 am SF
Pleasant View Christian vs. Winner Game 3 1:00 pm SF
Seven Oaks vs. Loser Game 3 9:45 am Con
Cannelton vs. Loser Game 5 4:15 pm Con
Loser Game 4 vs. Winner Game 6 2:45 pm Con
Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8 6:00 pm 3rd
Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5 7:30 pm 1st
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING SCORES
https://indianamat.com/index.php?/dualresults.html/
SUPER WILD CARD WEEKEND SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, JAN. 13
AFC: 4:30 P.M. 5 CLEVELAND AT 4 HOUSTON (NBC, PEACOCK, TELEMUNDO)
AFC: 8:00 P.M. 6 MIAMI AT 3 KANSAS CITY (PEACOCK)
SUNDAY, JAN. 14
AFC: 1:00 P.M. 7 PITTSBURGH AT 2 BUFFALO (CBS, PARAMOUNT+)
NFC: 4:30 P.M. 7 GREEN BAY AT 2 DALLAS (FOX, FOX DEPORTES)
NFC: 8:00 P.M. 6 LOS ANGELES RAMS AT 3 DETROIT (NBC, PEACOCK, UNIVERSO)
MONDAY, JAN. 15
NFC: 8:00 P.M. 5 PHILADELPHIA AT 4 TAMPA BAY (ESPN/ABC/ESPN+, ESPN2/ESPN+- MANNINGCAST, ESPN DEPORTES)
MEN’S TOP 25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL SCORES
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
ELSEWHERE:
INDIANA 74 MINNESOTA 62
ROBERT MORRIS 91 PURDUE FT. WAYNE 88 OT
IOWA 94 NEBRASKA 76
WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL TOP 25 SCORES
#8 STANFORD 66 #19 UTAH 64
#5 COLORADO 76 CALIFORNIA 61
ELSEWHERE:
DRAKE 83 VALPO 54
NBA SCOREBOARD
PHILADELPHIA 112 SACRAMENTO 93
INDIANA 126 ATLANTA 108
HOUSTON 112 DETROIT 110
LA CLIPPERS 128 MEMPHIS 119
MIAMI 99 ORLANDO 96
MINNESOTA 116 PORTLAND 93
GOLDEN STATE 140 CHICAGO 131
SAN ANTONIO 135 CHARLOTTE 99
UTAH 145 TORONTO 113
DENVER 125 NEW ORLEANS 113
NHL SCOREBOARD
NASHVILLE 6 DALLAS 3
PHILADELPHIA 4 MINNESOTA 3 OT
NATIONAL SPORTS RELEASES/HEADLINES
NBA NEWS
NBA ROUNDUP: BAM ADEBAYO’S HEROICS LIFT HEAT OVER MAGIC
Bam Adebayo hit a go-ahead jumper at the free-throw line with 18.8 seconds left, leading the host Miami Heat to a 99-96 win over the Orlando Magic on Friday night.
Magic star Paolo Banchero missed a short banker with 11.9 seconds left. He grabbed the rebound and missed a layup that would have put Orlando on top.
After two free throws by Miami’s Haywood Highsmith, Banchero had a chance to send the game to overtime, but he missed a 3-poiner from the top of the key as the ball bounced off the back of the rim, ending the contest.
Banchero led all scorers with 25 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter. He also had eight rebounds and six assists. Orlando’s Moritz Wagner scored 19 points off the bench. Miami’s Duncan Robinson scored a team-high 23 points. Adebayo added 21 points and 11 rebounds.
76ers 112, Kings 93
Tobias Harris scored a season-high 37 points to lift host Philadelphia past Sacramento.
Harris, who sank 14 of 25 shots from the floor, finished two points shy of tying his career high. Tyrese Maxey added 21 points as the Sixers snapped a three-game losing streak.
Philadelphia improved to 3-7 without reigning MVP Joel Embiid, who remains out with a swollen left knee. De’Aaron Fox led the Kings with 21 points, and Domantas Sabonis added 14 points, 12 rebounds and five assists. Sacramento had won its previous two games and four of the past five.
Pacers 126, Hawks 108
Indiana wasn’t slowed by the absence of its top scorer, as it placed eight players in double figures and overpowered host Atlanta to post its ninth victory in 10 games.
The Pacers improved to 2-0 without Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring), who leads the team in scoring (23.6 points per game) and leads the NBA with an average of 12.5 assists. The Pacers got 18 points apiece from Obi Toppin and Buddy Hield, 15 from Bennedict Mathurin and 13 from Aaron Nesmith.
The Hawks, who took their third loss in four games overall, were led by Dejounte Murray with 29 points. Trae Young struggled from the field, making only 4 of 17 shots and finishing with 13 points, matching his season low.
Warriors 140, Bulls 131
Klay Thompson returned to the site of his record-setting 3-point performance and turned in another dazzling long-range show, leading Golden State to a win at Chicago.
Thompson, who set the NBA record with 14 3-pointers in a 2018 visit to Chicago, shot 7-for-15 from beyond the arc en route to a team-high 30 points. Golden State’s Stephen Curry saved 15 of his 27 points for the final 6:05.
DeMar DeRozan paced the Bulls with a game-high 39 points, 11 of which came in a second quarter during which Chicago outscored the guests 45-29. Coby White and Zach LaVine backed DeRozan with 25 points and seven assists apiece.
Nuggets 125, Pelicans 113
Nikola Jokic had 27 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds for his 12th triple-double of the season and the 117th of his career as host Denver beat New Orleans.
Michael Porter Jr. finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds, Jamal Murray added 20 points and nine assists for the Nuggets, who have alternated wins and losses for the past five games.
Zion Williamson scored 30 points for the Pelicans, who had their seven-game road winning streak snapped. New Orleans’ Jonas Valanciunas added 17 points.
Clippers 128, Grizzlies 119
Paul George drained seven 3-pointers en route to a game-high 37 points as visiting Los Angeles beat Memphis.
George sank 12 of 18 shots overall for Los Angeles, which also got 22 points on 10-of-16 shooting from Kawhi Leonard.
Already without guards Ja Morant (shoulder) for the season and Marcus Smart (finger) for at least six weeks, Memphis lost Desmond Bane to a left ankle sprain with 5:05 left in the third quarter. Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 21 points.
Timberwolves 116, Trail Blazers 93
Rudy Gobert scored 24 points on 9-of-11 shooting and collected 17 rebounds as Minnesota steamrolled wobbly Portland in Minneapolis.
Karl-Anthony Towns added 23 points on 7-of-8 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds for the Timberwolves, who never trailed while improving to 15-2 at home.
Times continue to be bad for Portland, which has lost three straight games by a staggering 113 total points. Reserve Jabari Walker topped the Trail Blazers with 17 points and a career-best 13 rebounds.
Jazz 145, Raptors 113
Lauri Markkanen scored
Lauri Markkanen scored 22 points and Jordan Clarkson added 21 as Utah turned in a dominant performance in its season-high fourth straight win, a rout of visiting Toronto.
Collin Sexton had 20 points while Kelly Olynyk finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Jazz, who won their seventh straight at home and improved to 10-2 overall in their past 12 games.
Pascal Siakam returned after missing one game with back spasms and led the Raptors with 27 points. Toronto lost its fourth straight meeting against Utah, which led 105-85 after scoring 41 points in the third quarter.
Spurs 135, Hornets 99
Victor Wembanyama racked up 26 points and 11 rebounds in 20 minutes of court time as San Antonio rocked visiting Charlotte.
The Spurs notched their biggest winning margin of the year after leading by 21 points at halftime and by 32 early in the third quarter. Doug McDermott added 14 points for San Antonio.
LaMelo Ball, playing his first game since spraining his right ankle on Nov. 26, led the Hornets with 28 points and five steals. Terry Rozier added 16 points for Charlotte, which has lost four straight games and 15 of its past 16.
Rockets 112, Pistons 110
Alperen Sengun scored 29 points as visiting Houston edged Detroit.
Jalen Green supplied 28 points and Fred VanVleet had 20 points and 12 assists for the Rockets, who had lost three of their previous four games. Jabari Smith Jr. added 19 points and 11 rebounds.
Kevin Knox II and Alec Burks each scored 19 points for the Pistons, who have lost seven straight. Jaden Ivey contributed 18 points, eight assists and seven rebounds.
WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
WOMEN’S TOP 25 ROUNDUP: NO. 8 STANFORD EDGES NO. 19 UTAH
Kiki Iriafen scored 25 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to lead No. 8 Stanford to a 66-64 win over No. 19 Utah on Friday in Salt Lake City.
The Cardinal (15-1, 4-0 Pac-12) led 65-60 after Iriafen sank 1 of 2 free throws with 2:51 to go.
Utah’s Alissa Pili followed with the next four points, getting the hosts within a point with 54 seconds left.
Stanford subsequently committed two turnovers and Utah lost the ball once before the Cardinal’s Talana Lepolo split a pair at the foul line with two seconds remaining. Pili was unsuccessful on a 3-point attempt at the buzzer.
Hannah Jump finished with 12 points for Stanford, which won its seventh game in a row.
Pili scored a team-high 16 points for Utah (11-5, 1-3), which fell for the third time in four games. Jenna Johnson added 15 points, and Ines Vieira and Matyson Wilke each had 11 points.
No. 5 Colorado 76, Cal 61
Aaronette Vonleh put up 19 points and Quay Miller logged a double-double as the Buffaloes handled the Golden Bears in Boulder, Colo.
Miller produced 12 points and 12 rebounds as Colorado (14-1, 4-0 Pac-12) notched its eighth win in a row.
Marta Suarez amassed 14 points and nine rebounds for Cal (12-4, 2-2), which had won five of its previous six games. Ioanna Krimili and Kemery Martin each scored 11 points, and Leilani McIntosh and McKayla Williams wound up with 10 points apiece.
Cal led by four points before the Buffaloes scored the final 10 points of the first quarter. The margin reached 11 points in the second quarter, and the Golden Bears never drew closer than four points in the second half.
FOOTBALL NEWS
KALEN DEBOER HIRED TO REPLACE NICK SABAN AT ALABAMA, LEAVING NATIONAL RUNNER-UP WASHINGTON
Alabama wasted little time in finding Nick Saban’s successor, hiring Kalen DeBoer away from national runner-up Washington.
The powerhouse program tapped DeBoer on Friday to replace Saban, just two days after the 72-year-old coach announced his retirement.
The 49-year-old DeBoer is a former NAIA coach who led Washington to the national championship game in his second season. Now, he takes over a program where Saban made that kind of success an annual expectation.
“I have always had an incredible respect for Alabama football and its commitment to excellence,” DeBoer said in a statement released by the university Friday night. “The tradition-rich history of this program is unmatched across the landscape of college athletics, and I look forward to continuing that moving forward.
“Following coach Saban is an honor. He has been the standard for college football, and his success is unprecedented. I would not have left Washington for just any school. The chance to lead the football program at the University of Alabama is the opportunity of a lifetime.”
Alabama did not disclose details of DeBoer’s contract pending formal approval of its board of trustees.
Saban announced his retirement Wednesday after leading the Crimson Tide to six national championships in 17 seasons. He leaves massive shoes to fill and outsized expectations at the program Paul “Bear” Bryant helped build and Saban took to even greater heights.
Saban also won a national title at LSU and his seven championships are a major college record. The Crimson Tide have been in national title contention just about every season since winning their first in 17 years back in 2009, Saban’s third season.
The task of maintaining that standard falls to a coach with just two years of experience leading a Power Five program.
“Coach DeBoer has proven he is a winner and has done an incredible job as a head coach at each of his stops,” Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne said. “One of the things I told our team the other day is we are going to get someone who is not only a great coach with the Xs and Os, but also someone who cares about his players and someone I’d want my sons to play for, just like I would have wanted them to play for Coach Saban.
“We got that in coach DeBoer.”
The fast-rising DeBoer led the Huskies to a 14-1 record this season. Washington won the Pac-12 championship, beat Texas in the College Football Playoff semifinals and lost to No. 1 Michigan 34-13 in the national title game. DeBoer was named The Associated Press coach of the year.
DeBoer led the Huskies to a 25-3 record in two seasons after taking over a program that was 4-8 in 2021. He is the first Washington coach to win 11 games in consecutive seasons and won Pac-12 coach of the year honors twice.
DeBoer also has won national titles, albeit a few levels down in college football.
DeBoer led his alma mater, Sioux Falls, to a 67-3 record from 2005-09 and won three NAIA championships at the small, Baptist-affiliated school in South Dakota’s largest city. He later had immediate success at Fresno State, going 12-6 from 2020-21, with nine wins in his second season.
That’s a career mark of 104-12 at all levels, or 89.7%.
DeBoer became the first Washington coach to win 11 or more games in consecutive seasons after going 11-2 in 2022, twice earning Pac-12 coach of the year honors The Huskies also went 10-1 against ranked teams, and DeBoer is 18-3 in playoff games as a head coach.
Alabama’s short-term expectations
Alabama’s short-term expectations won’t change with a team led by quarterback Jalen Milroe and a roster fortified by a string of highly rated recruiting classes.
DeBoer coached Heisman Trophy runner-up Michael Penix Jr. last season and brings an offensive track record to replace Saban, a former NFL defensive coordinator. He was Fresno State’s offensive coordinator in the 2017 and 2018 seasons and held the same job at Indiana for a year before replacing Bulldogs coach Jeff Tedford.
An All-America receiver at Sioux Falls, DeBoer helped the Cougars win their first national championship in 1996. He then stayed on as receivers coach, returning in 2000 as offensive coordinator after a stint as a high school coach in Sioux Falls.
At Washington, DeBoer signed an extension after going 11-2 in 2022, raising his salary to $4.2 million with incremental increases to $4.8 million in the last year of the contract in 2028. It also included an increased buyout of $12 million if DeBoer left for a new job.
DeBoer hired high-powered agent Jimmy Sexton, who also represents Saban, last year. Saban received an eight-year deal in 2022 worth at least $93.6 million, including some $11.1 million this year.
“Kalen DeBoer has been an outstanding leader of our football program and what he accomplished in two seasons on Montlake will forever be a part of our storied history,” Huskies athletic director Troy Dannen said. “We are sad to see him leave and we did all that we could to keep Kalen at UW. But ultimately, he made a decision that was in the best interests of his family and furthered his professional goals.”
REPORTS: ‘BAMA WR ISAIAH BOND 1ST TO HIT PORTAL AFTER NICK SABAN’S EXIT
Two days after Nick Saban retired from his head-coaching role at Alabama, Crimson Tide receiver Isaiah Bond entered the transfer portal, multiple media outlets reported on Friday.
Bond is the first Crimson Tide player looking to exit in the wake of the program’s change at the top. Alabama settled on former Washington coach Kalen DeBoer as Saban’s replacement on Friday.
Even if he leaves, Bond will always be remembered in Tuscaloosa for one of the great plays in the history of the Iron Bowl rivalry with Auburn.
On fourth-and-goal from the Auburn 31-yard line in the last minute, Bond caught a touchdown pass from Jalen Milroe in the corner of the end zone to give the Crimson Tide a stunning 27-24 win on Nov. 25.
The victory gave Alabama momentum entering the Southeastern Conference championship game, which it won by the same 27-24 score against then-No. 1 Georgia. The Crimson Tide subsequently lost to Michigan in a College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl.
Bond, a sophomore, finished the season with 48 catches for 688 yards and four touchdowns. He had 17 receptions for 220 yards and one score as a freshman.
The Crimson Tide now have multiple vacancies in their receiving corps, as Malik Benson transferred to Florida State and Jermaine Burton declared for the NFL draft.
REPORTS: WASHINGTON QB WILL ROGERS BACK IN TRANSFER PORTAL
Washington quarterback Will Rogers re-entered his name in the transfer portal Friday night after the departure of coach Kalen DeBoer, multiple media outlets reported.
Rogers previously departed Mississippi State and announced his transfer to Washington on Dec. 15. He was expected to be the starting quarterback in 2024 with the eligibility of star Michael Penix Jr. complete.
But the record-setting quarterback at Mississippi State apparently is examining his options after DeBoer left the Huskies to become coach of Alabama.
Rogers was with Washington on Monday during its 34-13 loss to Michigan in the College Football Playoff national title game. He was wearing a Huskies uniform with his name on the back and threw some passes pregame.
Though Rogers re-entered the portal, he still could decide to remain at Washington.
A four-year starter for his home-state Bulldogs, Rogers threw for 1,626 yards with 12 touchdowns and four interceptions in eight games in 2023. He missed four games due to an upper-body injury.
Rogers finished with a school-record 12,315 career passing yards at Mississippi State, a total that ranks second all-time in Southeastern Conference history to Georgia’s Aaron Murray (13,166 from 2010-13). Rogers’ total of 94 passing touchdowns ranks fourth in league history.
FALCONS INTERVIEW RAVENS DC MIKE MACDONALD
The Atlanta Falcons completed a virtual interview with Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald for their head-coaching vacancy on Friday.
The Falcons have been linked to several potential candidates since firing Arthur Smith hours after Sunday’s season finale, but Macdonald was the first official interview.
The 36-year-old began his NFL coaching career as an intern with Baltimore in 2014 and returned in 2022 after spending a year at the college level as Michigan’s defensive coordinator.
Baltimore finished the regular season first in scoring defense, tied for first in takeaways and first in net yards allowed per pass attempt. The Ravens secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC, and the Falcons have until the end of the wild-card games to conduct virtual interviews with any employees of teams on a bye week.
Atlanta has until the conclusion of the divisional playoff games on Sunday, Jan. 21 to complete virtual interviews with employees of any other teams. For teams playing in wild-card games, the Falcons can begin virtual interviews with employees three days after their respective games and must completed them before the end of the divisional round.
The Falcons must complete virtual interviews with any employees of other clubs by the conclusion of the divisional playoff games on Jan. 21.
In-person or virtual interviews can begin on Monday, Jan. 22 with candidates from other teams whose seasons have ended. For those whose teams reach the conference championships, the Falcons are prohibited from conducting initial interviews until after their seasons conclude.
Atlanta fired Smith following the team’s third consecutive 7-10 finish. The Falcons said owner Arthur Blank and CEO Rich McKay will lead their coaching search with general manager Terry Fontenot also having input.
Other candidates whose names have been linked to the Falcons include former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, Michigan Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinators Ben Johnson (Detroit Lions), Eric Bieniemy (Washington Commanders), Bobby Slowik (Houston Texans) and Kellen Moore (Los Angeles Chargers).
PATRIOTS NAME JEROD MAYO AS NEXT HEAD COACH, BILL BELICHICK’S SUCCESSOR
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Jerod Mayo spent his entire professional football career learning from Bill Belichick, first as a player and then as an assistant.
He’ll now have the weighty task of succeeding the future Hall of Famer and leading a New England Patriots team as its first new voice in more than two decades.
The Patriots named Mayo to succeed Belichick as the franchise’s 15th head coach on Friday. Mayo is the first Black head coach in team history.
He will be formally introduced at a news conference on Wednesday, the team announced.
Mayo played eight NFL seasons and won a Super Bowl ring with the Patriots during the 2014 season. He has been an assistant under Belichick since 2019, serving primarily as the Patriots linebackers coach. He’ll become the NFL’s youngest head coach at age 37.
Mayo’s hire comes a day after Belichick agreed to part ways with the Patriots after a 24-year run that included six Super Bowl wins.
Mayo immediately rose to the top of the list of viable Belichick successors after the Patriots took the unique step of announcing they were giving the assistant a long-term extension last offseason. Mayo, along with Belichick’s son and fellow linebackers coach Steve Belichick, handled the play calling duties for the Patriots defense over the past two seasons.
NFL ALL-PRO: MCCAFFREY, HILL, WARNER UNANIMOUS; 14 FIRST-TIMERS
Christian McCaffrey, Tyreek Hill and Fred Warner are unanimous choices for The Associated Press 2023 NFL All-Pro Team.
The 49ers’ McCaffrey and Warner and the Dolphins’ Hill received first-team votes from all 50 members of a nationwide panel of media members who regularly cover the league.
“No freakin’ way,” Warner said of being a unanimous pick for his third selection overall. “Wow, that’s special.”
Running back McCaffrey and linebacker Warner are joined by three San Francisco teammates: left tackle Trent Williams, fullback Kyle Juszczyk and tight end George Kittle.
Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson earned his second All-Pro selection, receiving 45 first-place votes. Dallas’ Dak Prescott and San Francisco’s Brock Purdy each received two first-place votes and Buffalo’s Josh Allen got the other one.
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald becomes an eight-time pick, tied for most by a defensive player and tied for fifth-most overall. Cowboys right guard Zack Martin is a seven-time choice and Eagles center Jason Kelce earned his sixth selection.
Fourteen players are first-timers, including three from NFC East champion Dallas: wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who missed being a unanimous choice by one vote; cornerback DaRon Bland and kicker Brandon Aubrey.
“It’s very rewarding,” said Lamb, who led the NFL with 135 receptions and had 1,749 yards receiving to go with 12 touchdowns. “Obviously, all the hard work has paid off. It’s humbling also.”
Tampa Bay safety Antoine Winfield Jr., Detroit wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams — each snubbed for the Pro Bowl — made the All-Pro team.
“That’s the highest of them all so it’s an honor but I got to keep working,” said St. Brown, who helped the Lions win their first division title in 30 years.
Winfield had six forced fumbles, six sacks, four fumble recoveries and three interceptions this season, becoming just the fourth player with at least five sacks and seven takeaways since sacks became a stat in 1982. He edged Atlanta’s Jessie Bates by two points.
“Coming into the season, it was one of my goals,” said Winfield, who forced a game-changing turnover in the Buccaneers’ division-clinching victory last week. “I put the work in and it’s just cool to see how everything played out. I’m blessed.”
Williams’ younger brother and teammate, defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, was an All-Pro last season.
“That’s a big accomplishment,” Quincy Williams said. “Grateful for the work I put in. This is amazing.”
Hill made it for the fifth time, fourth as a wideout, after leading the league with 1,799 yards receiving. Pittsburgh edge T.J. Watt, who led the NFL with 19 sacks, earned his fourth selection, and Cleveland edge Myles Garrett got his third.
McCaffrey made it for a second time following an outstanding all-around season. He ran for 1,459 yards and 14 TDs and caught 67 passes for 567 yards and seven scores. Kittle also got his second selection as the 49ers earned the NFC’s No. 1 seed.
“If you would’ve told my 6-year-old self that I was going to have that opportunity at some point, I’d be incredibly happy,” Kittle said. “My goal every single year is to be great at every aspect of being tight end because I think it’s the most fun position.”
Jackson also was an All-Pro in 2019 when he was the NFL MVP. He helped the Ravens (13-4) finish with the best record in the league this year and the AFC’s No. 1 seed while playing his best in the biggest games against the best teams. The Ravens had 10 wins against teams with a winning record. Jackson finished with 3,678 yards passing and 24 TDs and also ran for 821 yards and five scores.
Lions right tackle Penei Sewell, Chiefs slot cornerback Trent McDuffie and left guard Joe Thuney and Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton are among the first-timers.
Four of the six special-teams players are first-timers, too. They are: Aubrey, Steelers special teamer Miles Killebrew, Saints punt returner Rashid Shaheed and Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik. Packers kick returner Keisean Nixon and Raiders punter AJ Cole got their second nods.
Chiefs interior lineman Chris Jones, Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith and Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner earned their second straight selection.
This was the second year for the AP’s new voting system. Voters chose a first team and a second team. First-team votes are worth 3 points, second-team votes are worth 1.
NFL PREVIEW: THE STARTING 11
No one scripts and spawns hope like the National Football League.
Two of the best examples of that hope will kick off the 2023 NFL Playoffs when the CLEVELAND BROWNS (11-6) meet the HOUSTON TEXANS (10-7) at NRG Stadium on Saturday (4:30 p.m. ET, NBC, Peacock, Telemundo).
The Texans completed a worst-to-first turnaround by winning the AFC South the year after finishing in last place. In 19 of the past 21 seasons (2003-23), at least one NFL team has won its division the year after finishing last or tied for last. Houston became the first team with a rookie head coach (DEMECO RYANS) and rookie starting quarterback (C.J. STROUD) to win its division in the Super Bowl era (1966-present).
What’s more, in 25 of the past 28 seasons (1996-2023), at least one team has made the playoffs the year after finishing last or tied for last. This year, both Cleveland and Houston qualified for the postseason after finishing last in their respective divisions in 2022.
Meanwhile, in each of the past four years, a team that started 2-5 has rebounded to earn a playoff berth. This season, the GREEN BAY PACKERS (9-8) accomplished the feat, and in the process became the 11th team since 1990 to author such an impressive in-season turnaround. The Packers visit the DALLAS COWBOYS (12-5) on Sunday (4:30 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX Deportes). Including the 2023 Cowboys, there has not been a repeat NFC East division winner since 2004, the longest active streak among divisions in the NFL and the longest such streak in league history.
The ultimate reward for that abundance of hope starts to pay dividends this week.
With two games on Saturday, three on Sunday and a primetime finale on Monday, Super Wild Card Weekend begins the 33-day, 12-game march to the Super Bowl in Las Vegas.
Ready or not, the NFL Playoffs are here.
And in the immortal words of Cowboys quarterback DAK PRESCOTT, here we go.
The Starting 11 entering Super Wild Card Weekend…
1. DOLPHINS-CHIEFS AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ON PEACOCK: When MIAMI (11-6) visits KANSAS CITY (11-6) on Saturday (8 p.m. ET, Peacock), Peacock will present the first-ever exclusively live-streamed NFL postseason game. Peacock’s AFC Wild Card exclusive will again feature a commercial-free fourth quarter, similar to the Dec. 23 Bills-Chargers game.
- And that could be a good thing because the forecast for GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday night calls for bitter cold. When that fourth quarter begins, current models expect the temperature to hit minus-6 degrees with double-digit wind speeds and a 43-percent chance of light snow. The Dolphins and Chiefs, who played the longest game in NFL history (82 minutes and 40 seconds in the 1971 AFC Playoffs), also could be playing in one of the coldest. The coldest-recorded kickoff temperatures all-time:
| TEMP | WIND CHILL | DATE | SITE | RESULT |
| -13 | -48 | Dec. 31, 1967 | Lambeau Field | GB 21, DAL 17; NFL Championship |
| -9 | -59 | Jan. 10, 1982 | Riverfront Stadium | CIN 27, SD 7; AFC Championship |
| -6 | -25 | Jan. 10, 2016 | TCF Bank Stadium | SEA 10, MIN 9; NFC Wild Card |
| -1 | -23 | Jan. 10, 2008 | Lambeau Field | NYG 23, GB 20 (OT); NFC Championship |
- Miami wide receiver TYREEK HILL, selected by the Chiefs in the fifth round (165th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft, plays his first game in Kansas City since the Chiefs traded him to Miami before the 2022 season. Hill, who led the league this year with 1,799 receiving yards and tied for the NFL lead with 13 touchdown receptions, is the first player in NFL history to record at least 1,700 receiving yards in multiple seasons. He finished second in the league last year with 1,710.
- Dolphins quarterback TUA TAGOVAILOA makes his postseason debut. A first-time Pro Bowl selection this season, Tagovailoa (4,624) became the first Dolphins player to lead the NFL in passing yards since Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO in 1992.
- Kansas City’s ANDY REID is in his 25th season as an NFL head coach, including 1999-2012 at the reins of the Eagles. His 2023 defense under defensive coordinator STEVE SPAGNUOLO is one of the best Reid has ever deployed. The Chiefs this season produced 57 sacks and allowed only four rushing touchdowns and 176.5 net passing yards per game – all the best marks among any team with Reid as a head coach. Kansas City also allowed 289.8 total yards per game, the second-fewest mark by a Reid-coached team, surpassed only by the 2008 Eagles (274.3).
- Reid has won 10-or-more games in nine consecutive seasons, the second-longest streak in NFL history. Only BILL BELICHICK (17 seasons of 10-plus wins from 2003-19) owns a longer stretch.
- Saturday’s contest features the NFL’s most prolific offense (Miami led the league with 401.3 yards per game) against the league’s second-stingiest defense (Kansas City finished second, allowing just 289.8 yards per game). The Dolphins also produced 29.2 points per game, second in the league, while the Chiefs allowed the second-fewest points per game (17.3).
2. NUMBER OF THE WEEK – 6,104: The age difference in days between Houston rookie C.J. STROUD (22 years, 102 days old on Saturday) and Cleveland’s JOE FLACCO (38 years, 362 days old). Only four other games in NFL postseason history have seen a larger gap in the age of starting quarterbacks, and all involved TOM BRADY (7,674 days between Brady and JALEN HURTS on Jan. 16, 2022; 6,619 days between Brady and PATRICK MAHOMES on Jan. 20, 2019; 6,619 days between Brady and Mahomes in Super Bowl LV on Feb. 7, 2021; and 6,281 days between Brady and JARED GOFF in Super Bowl LIII on Feb. 3, 2019).
- When CLEVELAND (11-6) meets HOUSTON (10-7) on Saturday at NRG Stadium (4:30 p.m. ET, NBC, Peacock, Telemundo), Flacco is expected to make his first postseason start in nine years, when he started two games for the Ravens in the 2014 NFL Playoffs. Flacco’s 3,290 days between playoff starts will be the second-longest gap ever for a quarterback, behind DOUG FLUTIE, who went 4,382 days between postseason starts on Jan. 3, 1987, and Jan. 2, 1999.
- Stroud finished with 4,108 passing yards this season, becoming the fifth rookie all-time with 4,000 passing yards, joining ANDREW LUCK (4,374 in 2012), JUSTIN HERBERT (4,336 in 2020), CAM NEWTON (4,051 in 2011) and JAMEIS WINSTON (4,042 in 2015). Stroud recorded a 100.8 passer rating and became the fourth qualifying rookie quarterback in NFL history with a passer rating of 100-or-higher, joining DAK PRESCOTT (104.9 in 2016), ROBERT GRIFFIN III (102.4 in 2012) and RUSSELL WILSON (100.0 in 2012). And, Stroud had nine games with 250 passing yards, surpassing ANDREW LUCK (eight in 2012) for the second most by a rookie quarterback in NFL history. Only JUSTIN HERBERT (12 in 2020) had more.
- Cleveland head coach KEVIN STEFANSKI, a Coach of the Year candidate after winning games with four starting quarterbacks this season, is bidding to become the first Browns head coach to win a second career postseason game since MARTY SCHOTTENHEIMER in 1986-87.
3. THE CLOSE-GAME ERA: The 2023 regular season produced 113 games decided by six-or-fewer points, 135 decided by seven-or-fewer and 147 decided by eight-or-fewer, all the second-most or tied for the second-most single-season marks in league history. And in all three categories, only 2022 had more. That means that over the past two seasons (543 games), 43.3 percent of all NFL contests were separated by no more than six points, 50.8 percent by no more than seven and 55.8 percent by no more than one score (eight points).
4. SPOTLIGHT – INDIVIDUAL MATCHUP: When HOUSTON (10-7) has the ball against CLEVELAND (11-6) at NRG Stadium on Saturday (4:30 p.m. ET, NBC, Peacock, Telemundo), circle the matchup on the left side of the line of scrimmage. That’s where Texans tackle LAREMY TUNSIL and Browns defensive end MYLES GARRETT will engage in a game within the game that features nine combined Pro Bowl selections, five for Garrett and four for Tunsil. Garrett has 14-or-more sacks in each of the last three seasons.
5. SPOTLIGHT – TEAM MATCHUP: The Eagles’ offensive line includes three players selected as Pro Bowlers this season, guard LANDON DICKERSON, tackle LANE JOHNSON and center JASON KELCE. When PHILADELPHIA (11-6) faces off against TAMPA BAY (9-8) in the final Wild Card game on Monday (8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC/ESPN+, ESPN2/ESPN+ ManningCast, ESPN Deportes), that Eagles line will see a Buccaneers front seven that includes former Pro Bowl selections SHAQUIL BARRETT, LAVONTE DAVID, VITA VEA and DEVIN WHITE.
6. STREAK SPEAK: Jan. 5, 1992 – that was the date the Lions last won a postseason game, a 38-6 victory over the Cowboys in the NFC Divisional Playoffs at the Pontiac Silverdome. With a victory over the LOS ANGELES RAMS (10-7) at Ford Field on Sunday (8 p.m. ET, NBC, Peacock, Universo), DETROIT (12-5) would end the third-longest streak without a playoff victory in league history. The Cardinals went 51 years and five days between postseason wins, from Dec. 28, 1947, to Jan. 2, 1999, and the Lions went 34 years and seven days between playoff victories, from Dec. 29, 1957, to Jan. 5, 1992.
7. DID YOU KNOW?: The showdown between the LOS ANGELES RAMS (10-7) and DETROIT LIONS (12-5) at Ford Field on Sunday (8 p.m. ET, NBC, Peacock, Universo) might set a postseason record for most pregame storylines. Among those angles, Lions quarterback JARED GOFF, a former first-overall selection who led the Rams to a Super Bowl berth in 2018, faces the team that traded him for MATTHEW STAFFORD. Stafford, himself a former No. 1 overall pick who led the Rams to a Super Bowl title in 2021, returns to Detroit to meet his former team. Another individual meeting his former team, Detroit general manager BRAD HOLMES, spent 18 years (2003-2020) in the Rams’ front office before joining the Lions in 2021. And speaking of front offices, Holmes and counterpart LES SNEAD of the Rams have engineered some of the most impressive personnel performances in recent memory. Nowhere is that work more evident, in collaboration with their respective coaching staffs, than the wide receiver position.
- Detroit’s AMON-RA ST. BROWN has memorized each of the 16 wide receivers selected ahead of him in the 2021 NFL Draft, before Holmes drafted him in the fourth round (112th overall). St. Brown has 315 career receptions and surpassed CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY (303) for the third-most catches by a player in his first three career seasons in NFL history. Only JUSTIN JEFFERSON (324) and MICHAEL THOMAS (321) have more.
- Nineteen wide receivers were taken before Snead selected PUKA NACUA in the fifth round (177th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. Nacua had 105 receptions and surpassed JAYLEN WADDLE (104 in 2021) for the most by a rookie in NFL history. Plus, Nacua had 1,486 receiving yards and surpassed BILL GROMAN (1,473 in 1960) for the most by a rookie all-time.
- The Lions – with rookie running back JAHMYR GIBBS (11 scrimmage touchdowns), rookie tight end SAM LAPORTA (10), veteran running back DAVID MONTGOMERY (13) and St. Brown (10) – were the second team in NFL history with four players with 10 scrimmage touchdowns in a season, joining the 2013 DENVER BRONCOS. Gibbs and LaPorta were the first pair of rookie teammates each with at least 10 scrimmage touchdowns in NFL history.
- LaPorta had 86 receptions and surpassed KEITH JACKSON (81 in 1988) for the most by a rookie tight end in NFL history. With 10 touchdown receptions this season, LaPorta became the third rookie tight end in NFL annals to reach the mark, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer MIKE DITKA (12 in 1961) and ROB GRONKOWSKI (10 in 2010). And among rookies at all positions, LaPorta was the second rookie in NFL history with at least 85 receptions and 10 touchdown catches, joining ODELL BECKHAM JR. (2014).
8. UNDER-THE-RADAR STORYLINE: The cradle of 2023 NFL playoff coaches is located in Williamsburg, Va. The 1993-94 football rosters at the College of William & Mary listed both wide receiver MIKE TOMLIN and defensive back SEAN MCDERMOTT, the respective head coaches for the PITTSBURGH STEELERS (10-7) and BUFFALO BILLS (11-6), who clash at Highmark Stadium on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS, Paramount+). Several other coaches in the 2023 NFL Playoffs also made stops at William & Mary, including Bills interim offensive coordinator JOE BRADY, Cowboys defensive coordinator DAN QUINN and Steelers special teams coordinator DANNY SMITH.
9. TREND TIME: The Cowboys, the NFL’s only team to go undefeated (8-0) at home this season, have won 16 straight games at AT&T Stadium, the second-longest home winning streak in franchise history (Dallas won 18 consecutive home games from 1980-81). In home games this season, DALLAS (12-5) led the NFL in points scored (299), points margin (plus-172), total offense per game (425.8) and turnover margin (plus 1.25 per game). The Cowboys’ Wild Card opponent, GREEN BAY (9-8) on Sunday (4:30 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX Deportes), won three of its final four road games, a big reason the Packers are in the playoffs.
- Thirteen years ago, MIKE MCCARTHY led the Packers to a Super Bowl XLV triumph in Dallas. McCarthy, who now holds the reins of the Cowboys, is 29-9 (.763) at AT&T Stadium, including the postseason. He was 4-0 as Green Bay’s head coach.
- Six decades ago, Green Bay used victories over Dallas to earn trips to each of the first two Super Bowls. One year before the Ice Bowl (the 1967 NFL Championship Game), Pro Football Hall of Fame coaches VINCE LOMBARDI and TOM LANDRY squared off in the first of eight all-time postseason meetings between the Packers and Cowboys (the teams are tied, 4-4). That 1966 NFL Championship Game at the Cotton Bowl, where Green Bay sealed a 34-27 victory with a last-minute interception in the end zone, marked the first of the Packers’ seven all-time postseason trips to Dallas. The Packers have won their last two playoff games in Dallas, a 34-31 thriller in the 2016 NFC Divisional Playoffs and a 31-25 triumph in Super Bowl XLV. Before that, however, the Cowboys ended Green Bay’s hopes in three straight seasons, 1993-95, at Texas Stadium.
- Led by JORDAN LOVE, the first Packers quarterback since at least 1950 to lead the team to the playoffs in his first full season as a starter, Green Bay became the youngest team to earn a postseason berth since Pro Football Hall of Famer WALTER PAYTON and the 1977 CHICAGO BEARS.
- The Cowboys’ DAK PRESCOTT (36 touchdown passes) became the first Dallas player in 50 years to lead the NFL in touchdown passes, since Pro Football Hall of Famer ROGER STAUBACH in 1973. Prescott also became the first quarterback in NFL history with four games in a season with a completion percentage of 80-or-higher (minimum 30 attempts in each game).
- Dallas wide receiver CEEDEE LAMB had 12 touchdown catches and a franchise-record 135 receptions, becoming the fourth player all-time with at least 125 receptions and 10 touchdown receptions in a season, joining ANTONIO BROWN (2014 and 2015), Pro Football Hall of Famer MARVIN HARRISON (2002) and COOPER KUPP (2021). Lamb had seven games with at least 11 receptions, surpassing MICHAEL THOMAS (six games in 2019) for the most games with 11-or-more receptions in a season in NFL history.
10. NEXT GEN STAT OF THE WEEK: In last week’s regular-season finale, Miami running back DE’VON ACHANE was traveling 14.83 MPH when he crossed the line of scrimmage on his 25-yard touchdown run, and reached a top speed on the carry of 17.67 MPH. This season, Achane averages the fastest speed at the line of scrimmage (12.22 MPH) among running backs with at least 50 carries. Teammate RAHEEM MOSTERT ranks second in that category among running backs (11.28 MPH).
11. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST: For the first time in 23 years, the NFL playoff field features three franchises that have never played in a Super Bowl: CLEVELAND, DETROIT and HOUSTON. The last time an NFL postseason included as many franchises without a Super Bowl berth was 2000 (BALTIMORE, NEW ORLEANS and TAMPA BAY). After the Ravens captured a Super Bowl XXXV championship in 2000, the Buccaneers followed just two years later by winning Super Bowl XXXVII. And in 2009, the Saints also earned their Lombardi Trophy with a win in Super Bowl XLIV. Could similar futures await Cleveland, Detroit and Houston?
- The last time both the Browns and Lions won at least 10 games in the same season was 1953, when Detroit defeated Cleveland in the NFL Championship Game, 17-16.
NFL PLAYOFF PREVIEW: WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Below are among the players that can set milestones on Super Wild Card Weekend:
- Cleveland (Joe Flacco & Kareem Hunt)
- Houston (C.J. Stroud)
- Kansas City (Patrick Mahomes & Travis Kelce)
- Miami (Tyreek Hill & Raheem Mostert)
- Dallas (Dak Prescott & CeeDee Lamb)
- L.A. Rams (Matthew Stafford & Cooper Kupp)
- Detroit (Jared Goff)
- Buffalo (Leonard Fournette)
- Philadelphia (Jalen Hurts)
FLACCO LOOKS TO CONTINUE HISTORIC POSTSEASON CAREER
Cleveland quarterback JOE FLACCO will be making his 16th career postseason start when the Browns travel to face the Texans on Saturday (4:30 p.m. ET, NBC, Peacock, Telemundo). In his previous 15 playoff starts, all with Baltimore, Flacco compiled a 10-5 record with 25 touchdown passes. Seven of his 10 playoff wins have come on the road, while five have come in the Wild Card round.
With a victory on Saturday, Flacco would surpass TOM BRADY (seven road playoff wins) for the most road playoff wins by a starting quarterback in NFL history. He would also surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer BRETT FAVRE (five wins in the Wild Card round) for the most wins by a starting quarterback in the Wild Card round.
In each of his past eight playoff games, Flacco has recorded at least two touchdown passes. With two touchdown passes this weekend, he will tie AARON RODGERS (nine consecutive playoff games) for the longest streak of postseason games ever with multiple touchdown passes. Also this weekend, Kansas City quarterback PATRICK MAHOMES can become the sixth quarterback ever with at least two touchdown passes in seven-or-more consecutive postseason games.
The players with at least two touchdown passes in the most consecutive postseason games in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | CONSECUTIVE GAMES |
| Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay | 9 (Jan. 10, 2016 – Jan. 24, 2021) |
| Joe Flacco | Baltimore | 8* (Jan. 15, 2012 – Jan. 10, 2015) |
| Terry BradshawHOF | Pittsburgh | 7 (Dec. 30, 1978 – Jan. 9, 1983) |
| Drew Brees | New Orleans | 7 (Jan. 21, 2007 – Jan. 14, 2012) |
| Joe MontanaHOF | San Francisco | 7 (Jan. 1, 1989 – Jan. 12 – 1991) |
| Tom Brady | New England, Tampa Bay | 6 (Jan. 14, 2017 – Feb. 4, 2018) |
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City | 6* (Jan. 16, 2022 – Feb. 12, 2023) |
| *Active streak | ||
Since becoming Cleveland’s starting quarterback in Week 13, Flacco has totaled 1,616 passing yards (323.2 per game) and 13 touchdown passes over five games (Flacco did not play in Week 18). In each start, he recorded multiple touchdown passes and in each of his last four, totaled at least 300 passing yards.
With 300 passing yards on Saturday, Flacco – who will be 38 years and 362 days old on Saturday – will become the first player 38 years or older to record at least 300 passing yards in five consecutive games, including the playoffs, in NFL history.
STROUD MAKES PLAYOFF DEBUT
After being selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Houston quarterback C.J. STROUD recorded 4,108 passing yards and 23 touchdown passes with a 100.8 rating in his rookie season, the third-most passing yards and third-highest passer rating among qualified rookie quarterbacks in NFL history.
With 229 passing yards on Saturday against Cleveland (4:30 p.m. ET, NBC, Peacock, Telemundo), Stroud will surpass JUSTIN HERBERT (4,336 passing yards in 2020) for the second-most passing yards ever by a rookie, including postseason. Only ANDREW LUCK (4,662 in 2012) has more.
The rookies with the most passing yards in NFL history, including postseason:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | PASSING YARDS | |
| Andrew Luck | Indianapolis | 2012 | 4,662 | |
| Justin Hebert | L.A. Chargers | 2020 | 4,336 | |
| C.J. Stroud | Houston | 2023 | 4,108* | |
| *Entering Saturday | ||||
Stroud tied for the league lead with 300 passing yards in six games this season, tied for the second-most 300-yard games ever by a rookie. With 300 passing yards on Saturday, Stroud can become the fifth rookie quarterback ever to record 300 passing yards in a postseason game, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer SAMMY BAUGH, DAK PRESCOTT, BROCK PURDY and RUSSELL WILSON.
The rookie quarterbacks with at least 300 passing yards in a postseason game:
| ROOKIE QB | TEAM | SEASON | ROUND | OPPONENT | FINAL SCORE | PASSING YARDS |
| Russell Wilson | Seattle | 2012 | NFC Divisional | at Atlanta | ATL 30, SEA 28 | 385 |
| Sammy BaughHOF | Washington | 1937 | NFL Championship | at Chicago Bears | WAS 28, CHI 21 | 335 |
| Brock Purdy | San Francisco | 2022 | NFC Wild Card | vs. Seattle | SF 41, SEA 23 | 332 |
| Dak Prescott | Dallas | 2016 | NFC Divisional | vs. Green Bay | GB 34, DAL 31 | 302 |
With a win against Cleveland this weekend, Stroud can become the fourth rookie quarterback that was selected in the first round of the NFL Draft to win a postseason game in the common-draft era, joining JOE FLACCO (2008), BEN ROETHLISBERGER (2004) and MARK SANCHEZ (2009).
The first-round rookie quarterbacks to win a postseason game in the common-draft era:
| ROOKIE QB | TEAM | SEASON | DRAFT PICK | PLAYOFF WINS |
| Mark Sanchez | N.Y. Jets | 2009 | 5 | 2 |
| Joe Flacco | Baltimore | 2008 | 18 | 2 |
| Ben Roethlisberger | Pittsburgh | 2004 | 11 | 1 |
MAHOMES, KELCE AND HILL MOVING UP ALL-TIME POSTSEASON RANKS
Kansas City quarterback PATRICK MAHOMES enters the 2023 postseason as one of six quarterbacks all-time to win multiple Super Bowl MVPs (Super Bowls LIV and LVII). In 14 career playoff starts, Mahomes is 11-3 with 4,084 passing yards (291.7 per game) and 35 touchdown passes with a 107.4 passer rating, the highest postseason rating ever among qualified quarterbacks. Nine of his 11 wins have come at home in Kansas City.
With a win against Miami on Saturday night (8 p.m. ET, Peacock), Mahomes will tie Pro Football Hall of Famers PEYTON MANNING (10 home playoff wins) and JOE MONTANA (10) for the second-most home playoff wins by a starting quarterback in NFL history. Only TOM BRADY (21) has more.
The starting quarterbacks with the most home playoff wins in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | HOME PLAYOFF WINS | |
| Tom Brady | New England, Tampa Bay | 21 | |
| Peyton ManningHOF | Indianapolis, Denver | 10 | |
| Joe MontanaHOF | San Francisco, Kansas City | 10 | |
| John ElwayHOF | Denver | 9 | |
| Brett FavreHOF | Green Bay, Minnesota | 9 | |
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City | 9* | |
| *Entering Saturday | |||
Mahomes’ top target throughout his postseason career has been tight end TRAVIS KELCE, as the two have connected for 14 postseason touchdowns. With a touchdown between Mahomes and Kelce on Saturday night, they will tie TOM BRADY and ROB GRONKOWSKI (15 touchdowns) for the most postseason touchdowns between a quarterback-receiver pairing in NFL history.
The quarterback-receiver pairings with the most postseason touchdowns in NFL history:
| QUARTERBACK | RECEIVER | TOUCHDOWNS |
| Tom Brady | Rob Gronkowski | 15 |
| Patrick Mahomes | Travis Kelce | 14* |
| Joe MontanaHOF | Jerry RiceHOF | 12 |
| *Entering Saturday |
Kelce enters Saturday ranked second all-time in postseason receptions (133), receiving yards (1,548) and touchdown receptions (16), trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famer JERRY RICE in each category. Kelce has recorded at least five receptions in each of his past 10 playoff games, 50 receiving yards in each of his past nine, and a touchdown reception in each of his past six.
With a touchdown reception on Saturday, Kelce will tie DAVID GIVENS (seven consecutive playoff games) for the second-most consecutive postseason games with a touchdown reception in NFL history. Only Pro Football Hall of Famer JOHN STALLWORTH (eight) has a longer streak.
The players with a touchdown reception in the most consecutive postseason games in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | CONSECUTIVE GAMES |
| John StallworthHOF | Pittsburgh | 8 (Dec. 30, 1978 – Jan. 1, 1984) |
| David Givens | New England | 7 (Jan. 18, 2004 – Jan. 14, 2006) |
| Rob Gronkowski | New England | 6 (Jan. 10, 2015 – Jan. 13, 2018) |
| Travis Kelce | Kansas City | 6* (Jan. 16, 2022 – Feb. 12, 2023) |
| *Active streak | ||
Miami wide receiver TYREEK HILL led the NFL with a franchise-record 1,799 receiving yards this season. In 14 career playoff games, he has totaled 91 receptions for 1,150 yards and five touchdowns. He played 13 of those 14 games with the Chiefs and he will be making his return to Kansas City as a visiting player this weekend.
Both Hill and Kelce have recorded at least 50 receiving yards in each of their past nine postseason games and can become the fifth and sixth players ever to total at least 50 receiving yards in 10 consecutive playoff games, joining JULIAN EDELMAN (13 consecutive games), GARY CLARK (10), JULIO JONES (10) and Pro Football Hall of Famer JERRY RICE (10). Jones, with Philadelphia, can extend his streak to 11 games on Monday night at Tampa Bay (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC/ESPN+, ESPN2/ESPN+-ManningCast, ESPN Deportes).
The players with at least 50 receiving yards in the most consecutive postseason games in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | CONSECUTIVE GAMES |
| Julian Edelman | New England | 13 (Jan. 11, 2014 – Feb. 3, 2019) |
| Gary Clark | Washington | 10 (Jan. 10, 1988 – Jan. 9, 1993) |
| Julio Jones | Atlanta, Tennessee, Tampa Bay | 10* (Jan. 8, 2012 – Jan. 16, 2023) |
| Jerry RiceHOF | San Francisco | 10 (Jan. 1, 1989 – Jan. 17, 1993) |
| Tyreek Hill | Kansas City, Miami | 9* (Jan. 19, 2020 – Jan. 15, 2023) |
| Travis Kelce | Kansas City | 9* (Jan. 17, 2021 – Feb. 12, 2023) |
| Wes Welker | New England | 9 (Jan. 12, 2008 – Jan. 20 – 2013) |
| *Active streak | ||
Hill can also become the fifth player ever to record at least five receptions in 10 consecutive postseason games, while Kelce can join JULIAN EDELMAN (13 consecutive games) as the only players to accomplish the feat in 11-or-more consecutive playoff games.
The players with at least five receptions in the most consecutive postseason games in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | CONSECUTIVE GAMES |
| Julian Edelman | New England | 13 (Jan. 11, 2014 – Feb. 3, 2019) |
| Travis Kelce | Kansas City | 10* (Feb. 2, 2020 – Feb. 12, 2023) |
| Jerry RiceHOF | San Francisco | 10 (Jan. 1, 1989 – Jan. 17, 1993) |
| Wes Welker | New England, Denver | 10 (Jan. 12, 2008 – Jan. 12, 2014) |
| Tyreek Hill | Kansas City, Miami | 9* (Jan. 19, 2020 – Jan. 15, 2023) |
| *Active streak | ||
PASSING TOUCHDOWN LEADERS MEET IN DALLAS
Dallas quarterback DAK PRESCOTT led the NFL with 36 touchdown passes this season while Green Bay quarterback JORDAN LOVE ranked second with 32.
When the two meet on Sunday (4:30 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX Deportes), it will mark the second Wild Card matchup ever between the league leaders in touchdown passes from the regular season. The other was between Pro Football Hall of Famers TERRY BRADSHAW and DAN FOUTS in 1982 when Fouts’ Chargers defeated Bradshaw’s Steelers, 31-28.
Sunday will mark Prescott’s seventh career postseason start. In four of those six starts, he has recorded both a touchdown pass and rushing touchdown. With a similar performance this weekend, Prescott will become the third player ever to record both a touchdown pass and rushing touchdown in five career postseason games, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer STEVE YOUNG (seven games) and TOM BRADY (five). Kansas City’s PATRICK MAHOMES also has four such games and can join Young and Brady this weekend.
The players with the most postseason games with both a touchdown pass and a rushing touchdown in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | GAMES | |
| Steve YoungHOF | San Francisco | 7 | |
| Tom Brady | New England, Tampa Bay | 5 | |
| John ElwayHOF | Denver | 4 | |
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City | 4* | |
| Donovan McNabb | Philadelphia | 4 | |
| Dak Prescott | Dallas | 4* | |
| *Active in 2023 postseason | |||
Prescott’s top target this season has been wide receiver CEEDEE LAMB, who set single-season Cowboys records with 135 receptions and 1,749 receiving yards. Lamb finished the season with 13 receptions in each of his final two games and can become the first player ever with 13 receptions in three consecutive games, including the postseason.
Lamb led the league with at least 10 receptions in seven games this season, three more games than any other player. With 10 receptions on Sunday, Lamb will join MICHAEL THOMAS (nine games in 2019) as the only players ever to total at least 10 receptions in eight-or-more games in a season, including the playoffs.
The players with the most games with at least 10 receptions in a season, including the playoffs, in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | GAMES |
| Michael Thomas | New Orleans | 2019 | 9 |
| Andre Johnson | Houston | 2008 | 7 |
| CeeDee Lamb | Dallas | 2023 | 7* |
| Michael Thomas | New Orleans | 2018 | 7 |
| Wes Welker | New England | 2009 | 7 |
| *Entering Sunday | |||
Dallas head coach MIKE MCCARTHY has complied an 11-10 career postseason record, which includes leading Green Bay to a Super Bowl XLV championship following the 2010 season. With a victory on Sunday, McCarthy will become the first head coach in NFL history to win a playoff game against a team with which he won a Super Bowl as head coach.
STAFFORD & GOFF FACE FORMER TEAMS, KUPP LOOKS TO MAKE PLAYOFF HISTORY
Los Angeles Rams quarterback MATTHEW STAFFORD was selected No. 1 overall in the 2009 NFL Draft by Detroit, while Detroit quarterback JARED GOFF was selected No. 1 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Rams. The two clubs swapped quarterbacks prior to the 2021 season and will be facing off on Sunday night (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC, Peacock, Universo).
The winning starting quarterback will become the first quarterback ever to win a playoff game against a team for which he previously started a playoff game.
In the 2021 playoffs, Rams wide receiver COOPER KUPP set the record for most receptions in a single postseason (33) while totaling the second-most receiving yards (478) and tying for the second-most touchdown receptions (six). He recorded a touchdown reception in each of the four games during that playoff run, including two touchdown receptions in both the NFC Championship and Super Bowl LVI, when he earned MVP honors following the Rams victory.
With two touchdown receptions on Sunday night, Kupp will become the third player in NFL history to record multiple touchdown receptions in three consecutive postseason games, joining LARRY FITZGERALD (2008-09) and ERNEST GIVINS (1989-91).
In six career postseason games, Kupp has totaled seven touchdown receptions. With a touchdown reception in Detroit, Kupp will tie Pro Football Hall of Famer JERRY RICE (eight touchdown receptions) for the third-most touchdown receptions ever by a player in his first seven career playoff games. Only LARRY FITZGERALD (nine) and Pro Football Hall of Famer RANDY MOSS (nine) have more.
The players with the most touchdown receptions in their first seven career postseason games in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | REC. TDs | |
| Larry Fitzgerald | Arizona | 9 | |
| Randy MossHOF | Minnesota | 9 | |
| Jerry RiceHOF | San Francisco | 8 | |
| Cooper Kupp | L.A. Rams | 7* | |
| *In first six games | |||
RUSHING INTO POSTSEASON RECORD BOOKS
Several players have a chance to set historic postseason marks on the ground this weekend.
Cleveland running back KAREEM HUNT has recorded a rushing touchdown in each of his first three career postseason games. With a rushing touchdown at Houston on Saturday (4:30 p.m. ET, NBC, Peacock, Telemundo), he will become the fourth player ever with a rushing touchdown in each of his first four playoff games, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers TERRELL DAVIS (first seven playoff games) and CURTIS MARTIN (five) as well as ARIAN FOSTER (four).
The players with a rushing touchdown in the most consecutive games to begin a postseason career in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | GAMES |
| Terrell DavisHOF | Denver | 7 (Jan. 4, 1997 – Jan. 17, 1999) |
| Curtis MartinHOF | New England, N.Y. Jets | 5 (Jan. 5, 1997 – Jan. 17, 1999) |
| Arian Foster | Houston | 4 (Jan. 7, 2012 – Jan. 13, 2013) |
| Kareem Hunt | Kansas City, Cleveland | 3* (Jan. 6, 2018 – Jan. 17, 2021) |
| *Active streak | ||
Miami running back RAHEEM MOSTERT led the league with a franchise-record 18 rushing touchdowns this season and has recorded a rushing touchdown in four of his past five games. In three career postseason games, all with San Francisco, Mostert has totaled five rushing touchdowns.
With a rushing touchdown at Kansas City on Saturday night (8 p.m. ET, Peacock), Mostert will tie Pro Football Hall of Famer TERRELL DAVIS (six rushing touchdowns), SONY MICHEL (six) and RICKY WATTERS (six) for the third-most rushing touchdowns ever by a player in his first four career playoff games. Only LEGARRETTE BLOUNT (seven) and Pro Football Hall of Famer CURTIS MARTIN (seven) have more.
The players with the most rushing touchdowns in their first four career postseason games in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | RUSH TDs | |
| LeGarrette Blount | New England | 7 | |
| Curtis MartinHOF | New England, N.Y. Jets | 7 | |
| Terrell DavisHOF | Denver | 6 | |
| Sony Michel | New England | 6 | |
| Ricky Watters | San Francisco | 6 | |
| Raheem Mostert | San Francisco | 5* | |
| *In first three games | |||
Buffalo running back LEONARD FOURNETTE has totaled nine rushing touchdowns in nine career playoff games. With a rushing touchdown against Pittsburgh on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS, Paramount+), he will become the fifth player all-time with at least 10 rushing touchdowns in his first 10 career postseason games, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers TERRELL DAVIS (12 rushing touchdowns), JOHN RIGGINS (12) and EMMITT SMITH (10) as well as and LEGARRETTE BLOUNT (10).
The players with the most rushing touchdowns in their first 10 career postseason games in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | RUSH TDs | |
| Terrell DavisHOF | Denver Denver | 12 | |
| John RigginsHOF | Washington | 12 | |
| LeGarrette Blount | New England, Philadelphia | 10 | |
| Emmitt SmithHOF | Dallas | 10 | |
| Leonard Fournette | Jacksonville, Tampa Bay | 9* | |
| Marshawn Lynch | Seattle | 9 | |
| *In first nine games | |||
Philadelphia quarterback JALEN HURTS tied a Super Bowl record by rushing for three touchdowns in Super Bowl LVII last year, his third consecutive playoff game with a rushing touchdown.
With a rushing touchdown at Tampa Bay on Monday night (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC/ESPN+, ESPN2/ESPN+-ManningCast, ESPN Deportes), Hurts – who tied the single-season record by a quarterback with 15 rushing touchdowns this season – will become the second quarterback ever with a rushing touchdown in four consecutive games, joining DAK PRESCOTT (2018-22).
NFL PLAYOFF GAME CAPSULES
CLEVELAND BROWNS (11-6 – AFC NORTH – NO. 5 SEED) AT HOUSTON TEXANS (10-7 – AFC SOUTH – NO. 4 SEED)
DATE: Saturday, January 13, 2024 GAME TIME: 4:30 PM ET
NBC: Noah Eagle, Todd Blackledge, Kathryn Tappen
Westwood One: Ian Eagle, Jason McCourty, A.J. Ross
SiriusXM (also available on the SXM App) CLE: 82 or 226 HOU: 209 or 225 National: 88
POSTSEASON SERIES HISTORY
First postseason meeting
Cleveland Browns Playoff Record: 12-21 Championships: 8 (1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1954, 1955, 1964)
Last Postseason Game: AFC-DIV 1/17/21: CLE 17 at KC 22
BROWNS NOTES:
BROWNS clinched postseason for 2nd time in past 20 years (2020). Led NFL in total defense (270.2 yards allowed/game) in 2023, fewest yards per game allowed in a season since Seattle in 2014 (267.1). • KEVIN STEFANSKI can become 1st Cle. HC to win multiple playoff games since Marty Schottenheimer (playoff wins in 1986-87). • QB JOE FLACCO is 1st player in NFL history with 250+ pass yards & 2+ TD passes in each of 1st 5 games with a team & 2nd player ever with 300+ pass yards in 4 of 1st 5 games with a team. Since becoming Cle. starter in Week 13, ranks 2nd in NFL with 1,616 pass yards & tied-2nd with 13 TD passes. Is 10-5 in 15 career playoff starts, with 2+ TD passes in each of his past 8 playoff starts. Has 7 career road playoff wins, tied with Tom Brady for most in NFL history by starting QB. • RB JEROME FORD set career highs with 1,132 scrimmage yards & 9 TDs (5 rec., 4 rush) in 2023. Finished season with TD in 2 of past 3, incl. rush TD in Week 16 meeting. • RB KAREEM HUNT led team with career-best 9 rush TDs in 2023. Had rush TD in Week 16 meeting. Can become 4th player ever with rush TD in each of 1st 4 career playoff games. • WR AMARI COOPER made 5th-career Pro Bowl in 2023 after leading team with 1,250 rec. yards in 2023 & had 5 rec. TDs, becoming 4th player ever with 5+ rec. TDs in each of 1st 9 seasons. Had 11 catches for career-high 265 yards & 2 TDs in Week 16 meeting. Had TD catch in each of his past 2 playoff games. • TE DAVID NJOKU made 1st-career Pro Bowl in 2023 after setting career highs in catches (81), rec. yards (882) & rec. TDs (6). Finished season with TD catch in 3 of past 4. • G JOEL BITONIO made 6th-career Pro Bowl this season. • DE MYLES GARRETT made 5th-career Pro Bowl in 2023 after 3rd-straight season with 14+ sacks (14). Has TFL in 5 of 6 career games vs. Hou., incl. 2 in Week 16 meeting. • LB JEREMIAH OWUSU-KORAMOAH led team with career high 98 tackles & ranked 4th in NFL with career-high 20 TFL this season. Had 2 PD & INT in Week 16 meeting. Owusu-Koramoah & Garrett (17) only pair of teammates each with 15+ TFL in 2023. • CB DENZEL WARD made 3rd-career Pro Bowl with 11 PD in 2023 & is 1 of 2 in NFL (James Bradberry) with 10+ PD in each of past 6 seasons.
TEXANS NOTES:
Houston Texans Playoff Record: 4-6 Championships: 0 Last Postseason Game: AFC-DIV 1/12/20: HOU 31 at KC 51
TEXANS won 1st division title since 2019. Became 1st team in SB era to win division with rookie HC & rookie QB. • DEMECO RYANS is 1st Hou. HC to make playoffs in 1st season. • QB C.J. STROUD totaled 4,108 pass yards & 23 TD passes this season, 3rd-most pass yards by rookie in NFL history. Became 4th qualifying rookie QB ever with 100+ passer rating (100.8). Had 6 games with 300+ pass yards in 2023, tied-most in NFL & tied 2nd-most ever by rookie. Had 18 TDs (17 pass, 1 rush) vs. 4 INTs with 108.3 rating in 8 home starts this season. • RB DEVIN SINGLETARY totaled 1,091 scrimmage yards (career high 898 rush, 193 rec.) in 1st season with Hou. & is 1 of 6 RBs with 950+ scrimmage yards in each of past 5 seasons. Has 3 rush TDs in his past 4 playoff games. • WR NICO COLLINS became 3rd Hou. player ever (DeAndre Hopkins & Andre Johnson) with 1,200+ rec. yec. yards (1,297) in a season. Had 9 catches for career-high 195 yards & TD last week. Had TD catch in Week 16 meeting. Had 906 rec. yards (100.7 per game) & 7 rec. TDs in 9 home games this season. • WR NOAH BROWN had career-best 567 rec. yards in 2023. • WR ROBERT WOODS has 38 catches (6.3 per game) in 6 career playoff games, with 5+ catches in 5 of 6 games. • TE DALTON SCHULTZ is 1 of 3 TEs (Travis Kelce & George Kittle) with 50+ catches, 500+ rec. yards & 5+ rec. TDs in each of past 3 seasons. Had 8 catches for 61 yards in Week 16 meeting. Has TD catch in each of his past 2 playoff games. • T LAREMY TUNSIL was named to 4th-career Pro Bowl this season. • DE JONATHAN GREENARD led team with career-high 12.5 sacks in 2023 & finished season with sack in 3 of his last 4. • DE WILL ANDERSON (rookie) has 6 sacks in his past 5 at home, with 2 sacks in each of his past 2 at home. • LB BLAKE CASHMAN led team with career-high 104 tackles this season & had career-best 9 TFL. Aims for his 7th in row at home with 6+ tackles. • LB CHRISTIAN HARRIS had career-high 100 tackles & 7 TFL in 2023. Has 5+ tackles in each of past 10 & TFL in 3 of past 4. • CB DEREK STINGLEY led team with career-best 13 PD & 5 INTs this season. Has PD in 3 of past 4, incl. 2 in Week 16 meeting.
MIAMI DOLPHINS (11-6 – AFC EAST – NO.6 SEED) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (11-6 – AFC WEST – NO. 3 SEED)
DATE: Saturday, January 13, 2024 GAME TIME: 8:00 PM ET
Peacock: Mike Tirico, Jason Garrett, Kaylee Hartung
Westwood One: Kevin Harlan, Ross Tucker, Olivia Dekker
SiriusXM (also available on the SXM App) MIA: 82 or 226 KC: 210 or 227 National: 88
POSTSEASON SERIES HISTORY
LEADER: MIA leads series, 3-0
LAST GAME: AFC-WC 12/31/94: KC 17 at MIA 27
LAST GAME AT SITE: AFC-DIV 12/25/71: MIA 27 at KC 24
DOLPHINS NOTES:
DOLPHINS made playoffs in consecutive seasons for 1st time since 1997-2001. Led NFL in total offense (401.3 yards/game). • MIKE MCDANIEL is 3rd Mia. HC ever to make playoffs in each of 1st 2 seasons, joining HOFer Don Shula & Dave Wannstedt. • QB TUA TAGOVAILOA was selected to 1st-career Pro Bowl after leading NFL with 4,624 pass yards, 3rd-most in a season in franchise history. Is only QB in NFL with 25+ TD passes & 100+ rating in each of past 2 seasons. Can make playoff debut. • RB RAHEEM MOSTERT made 1st-career Pro Bowl after tying for NFL lead with single-season franchise-record 21 TDs (18 rush, 3 rec.) in 2023, 3rd-most by undrafted player in a season since 1967. Has TD in each of his past 5 games. Rushed for 85 yards & TD in Week 9 meeting. Has 336 rush yards (112 per game) & 5 rush TDs in 3 career playoff games, 4th-highest rush yards per game in playoff history (min. 3 games). • RB DE’VON ACHANE tied for lead among rookies this season with 11 TDs (8 rush, 3 rec.) & ranked 4th with 997 scrimmage yards, tied 2nd-most TDs ever by Mia. rookie. Had 100+ scrimmage yards & TD in 3 of 4 road games this season. • WR TYREEK HILL made 8th-straight Pro Bowl after leading NFL with 1,799 rec. yards, tying for lead with 13 rec. TDs & tying for 2nd with 119 catches. Had 8 catches for 62 yards in Week 9 meeting. Spent 1st 6 career seasons (2016-21) with KC & ranks 4th in franchise history in catches (479) & rec. TDs (56) & 5th in rec. yards (6,630). Ranks 6th in NFL playoff history with 91 catches & 11th with 1,150 rec. yards. Has TD catch in 3 of his past 4 playoff games. • WR JAYLEN WADDLE had 3rd-straight season with 70+ catches (72) & 1,000+ rec. yards (1,014). Has 50+ rec. yards in each of his past 6. • DT ZACH SIELER had career-high 10 sacks this season & has 0.5+ sacks in each of his past 4. Had 7 tackles & FR in Week 9 meeting. Had 2 sacks & FR in only career playoff game (1/15/23 at Buf.). • DT CHRISTIAN WILKINS had career-best 9.5 sacks in 2023. • LB DAVID LONG led team with career-high 110 tackles this season. • CB JALEN RAMSEY has PD in each of his past 3 playoff games. Since entering NFL in 2016, ranks 3rd with 97 PD. • CB XAVIEN HOWARD has PD in 6 of 7 road games this season. Has 2 PD & INT in each of 2 career playoff games.
CHIEFS NOTES:
Kansas City Chiefs Playoff Record: 20-21 Championships: 4 [1960, 1969 (SB IV), 2019 (SB LIV), 2022 (SB LVII)]
Last Postseason Game: SB LVII 2/12/23: KC 38 vs. PHI 35
CHIEFS clinched AFC West division title for 8th-straight season, 2nd-longest streak of division titles in NFL history. Can advance to Divisional round for 6th-straight season with win. • ANDY REID has 22 career playoff wins, 2nd-most ever by HC. Is 1 of 14 HCs all-time with multiple SB wins (LIV & LVII). • QB PATRICK MAHOMES ranked 6th in NFL with 4,183 pass yards in 2023 & is 1 of 2 QBs all-time (HOFer Peyton Manning) with 4,000+ pass yards in 6 of 1st 7 seasons. Has 2 TD passes in each of 2 career starts vs. Mia., incl. in Week 9 meeting. Has 11-3 record in 14 career playoff starts, with 2+ TD passes & 90+ rating in each of his past 6. Is 1 of 6 all-time with multiple SB MVPs (LIV & LVII). • RB ISIAH PACHECO had career-high 1,179 scrimmage yards (935 rush, 244 rec.) & 9 TDs (7 rush, 2 rec.) in 2023. Finished season with TD in each of his final 4 games & 85+ scrimmage yards in 4 of final 5. Rushed for 66 yards in Week 9 meeting. Had 75+ scrimmage yards in each of 3 playoff games last year. • TE TRAVIS KELCE ranked 2nd among TEs with 984 rec. yards & 3rd with 93 catches in 2023, becoming 3rd player ever with 90+ catches in 6 straight seasons. Ranks 2nd in postseason history in catches (133), rec. yards (1,548) & rec. TDs (16). Has 75+ rec. yards in 9 straight playoff games, longest streak ever, & rec. TD in 6 straight playoff games, tied 3rd-longest streak ever. Has TD catch in 3 of 4 career games vs. Mia. • WR RASHEE RICE ranked 2nd among rookies with 938 rec. yards, 2nd-most ever by KC rookie. Has 5+ catches & 55+ rec. yards in each of his past 6. Had TD catch in Week 9 meeting. • DT CHRIS JONES tied for team lead with 10.5 sacks in 2023, 3rd-career 10-sack season. Aims for his 4th in row with sack. • DE GEORGE KARLAFTIS tied for team lead with career-high 10.5 sacks this season. Has 0.5+ sacks in 6 of his past 7 in KC. • LB NICK BOLTON has 9+ tackles & FR in 2 of his past 3 playoff games. • CB L’JARIUS SNEED led team with career-best 14 PD in 2023. Has 6 PD in his past 4. Has 7+ tackles in 5 of his past 6 playoff games. • CB TRENT MCDUFFIE ranked tied-3rd in NFL with 5 FFs in 2023. Has 5+ tackles in 4 of past 5. Had 11 tackles & FF in Week 9 meeting. • S JUSTIN REID led team with career-high 95 tackles this season. Aims for his 8th in row with 5+ tackles.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (10-7 – AFC NORTH – NO. 7 SEED) AT BUFFALO BILLS (11-6 – AFC EAST – NO. 2 SEED)
DATE: Sunday, January 14, 2024 GAME TIME: 1:00 PM ET
CBS: Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson, Jay Feely
Westwood One: Tom McCarthy, Tony Boselli, Ryan Leaf
SiriusXM (also available on the SXM App) PIT: 82 or 225 BUF: 158 or 226 National: 88
POSTSEASON SERIES HISTORY
LEADER: PIT leads series, 2-1
LAST GAME: AFC-DIV 1/6/96: BUF 21 at PIT 40
LAST GAME AT SITE: First meeting in Buffalo
Pittsburgh Steelers Playoff Record: 36-27 Championships: 6 [1974 (SB IX), 1975 (SB X), 1978 (SB XIII), 1979 (SB XIV), 2005 (SB XL), 2008 (XLIII)] Last Postseason Game: AFC-WC 1/16/22: PIT 21 at KC 42
STEELERS NOTES:
STEELERS made playoffs for 3rd time in 4 seasons & secured 20th-consecutive season with .500-or-better record, 2nd-longest such streak in NFL history. Seeking 1st playoff win since 2016. Ranked tied-3rd in NFL with +11 turnover differential this season. • MIKE TOMLIN makes 11th postseason appearance as HC. Led Pit. to SB XLIII championship in 2008. • QB MASON RUDOLPH is 3-0 with 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs & 120.4 rating in 3 starts this season. Has won or tied 5 of past 6 starts overall. • RB NAJEE HARRIS is 1 of 2 RBs (Joe Mixon) with 1,200+ scrimmage yards in each of past 3 seasons. Is 5th RB since 2000 with 1,000+ rush yards & 7+ rush TDs in each of 1st 3 seasons. Has rush TD in each of his past 3 & 120+ scrimmage yards in each of past 2. • RB JAYLEN WARREN has career-high 1,154 scrimmage yards (784 rush, 370 rec.) this season & ranked 5th among RBs with 61 catches. Has 50+ scrimmage yards in 9 of past 10. Harris (1,205) & Warren were 1 of 2 pair of RB teammates each with 1,100+ scrimmage yards this season. • WR GEORGE PICKENS set career highs in catches (63), rec. yards (1,140) & rec. TDs (5) this season. Has 125+ rec. yards in 2 of past 3. Had 6 catches for 83 yards in last meeting. • WR DIONTAE JOHNSON had 5th-straight season with 50+ catches (51) & 4th-career season with 5+ rec. TDs (5) in 2023. Finished season with TD catch in 4 of final 6 games. Had 50+ rec. yards in 5 of 6 road games this season. Had TD catch in last playoff game (1/16/22 at KC). • LB ELANDON ROBERTS led team with 101 tackles in 1st season with Pit., 2nd-straight 100-tackle season. Has TFL in 2 of his past 3 vs. Buf., incl. playoffs. Has 34 tackles in 11 career playoff games. • LB ALEX HIGHSMITH had 3rd-straight season with 6+ sacks (7). Has TFL in 2 of 3 career games vs. Buf. Had sack in last playoff game (1/16/22 at KC). • DT CAMERON HEYWARD aims for his 3rd in row vs. Buf. with FF. • CB PATRICK PETERSON tied for team lead with 11 PD in 1st season with Pit., 5th-career season with 10+ PD. Has 8 PD & 5 INTs in 4 career games vs. Buf, with INT in each game. • S MINKAH FITZPATRICK selected to 4th-career Pro Bowl this season.
BILLS NOTES:
BILLS won AFC East title for 4th-straight season, tied-longest streak in franchise history (1988-91). Ranked 4th in NFL in scoring defense this season (18.3 points allowed per game). • SEAN MCDERMOTT can join HOFer Marc Levy (11 wins) as only Buf. HCs ever with 5+ playoff wins. • QB JOSH ALLEN ranked 4th in NFL with 4,306 pass yards this season & tied-5th with 29 TD passes, 4th-straight 4,000-yard season. Tied single-season record by QB with 15 rush TDs & is 1 of 2 in NFL (Derrick Henry) with 6+ rush TDs in each of past 6 seasons. Passed for 424 yards & 4 TDs in last meeting. Is 4-1 with 13 TDs (11 pass, 2 rush) vs. 3 INTs with 104.9 rating in 6 career home playoff starts. Has 3+ TDs in 3 of his past 4 playoff starts. • RB JAMES COOK made 1st-career Pro Bowl after ranking 3rd among RBs with 1,537 scrimmage yards in 2023, becoming 1st Buf. RB with 1,500-yard season since LeSean McCoy in 2017. Has 100+ scrimmage yards in 3 of his past 4 at home. Had rush TD in last meeting. • RB LEONARD FOURNETTE has 10 TDs (9 rush, 1 rec.) in 9 career playoff games, with TD in 7 of his past 8 playoff games. • WR STEFON DIGGS led team with 107 catches for 1,183 yards & 8 TDs in 2023 & is 1 of 4 players all-time with 100+ catches in 4 straight seasons. Has 27 catches for 301 yards (100.3 per game) & 2 TDs in his past 3 vs. Pit. • WR GABE DAVIS had 7 rec. TDs in 2023. Davis & Diggs are 2 of 6 players with 6+ rec. TDs in each of past 4 seasons. Had 171 rec. yards & 2 rec. TDs in last meeting & has TD catch in each of 3 career games vs. Pit. Has 6 rec. TDs in his past 4 playoff games. • TE DALTON KINCAID ranked 2nd among rookie TEs with 73 catches & 673 rec. yards. Aims for 3rd in row with 80+ rec. yards. • LB TERREL BERNARD led team with 143 tackles in 2023, most by Buf. player in single season since 2017. Has sack in 2 of past 3. • DE LEONARD FLOYD led team with 10.5 sacks, 4th-straight season with 9+ sacks. Aims for 5th in row at home with TFL. Has 5 career playoff sacks, with sack in 2 of past 3 in playoffs. • DT ED OLIVER had career-best 9.5 sacks in 2023 & finished season with sack in 2 of past 3. Has sack in 2 of past 3 playoff games. • S JORDAN POYER had 3rd-career 100-tackle season (101). • CB RASUL DOUGLAS has 4 INTs since joining Buf. in Week 9.
GREEN BAY PACKERS (9-8 – NFC NORTH – NO. 7 SEED) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (12-5 – NFC EAST – NO. 2 SEED)
DATE: Sunday, January 14, 2024 GAME TIME: 4:30 PM ET
FOX: Kevin Burkhard, Greg Olsen, Erin Andrews, Tom Rinaldi
Westwood One: Ryan Radtke, Mike Golic, Laura Okmin
SiriusXM (also available on the SXM App) GB: 82 or 225 DAL: 83 or 227 National: 88
POSTSEASON SERIES HISTORY
LEADER: Series tied, 4-4
LAST GAME: NFC-DIV 1/15/17: GB 34 at DAL 31
LAST GAME AT SITE: 1/15/17
Green Bay Packers Playoff Record: 36-25 Championships: 13 [1929-31, 1936, 1939, 1944, 1961-62, 1965, 1966 (SB I), 1967 (SB II), 1996 (SB XXXI), 2010 (SB XLV)] Last Postseason Game: NFC-DIV 1/22/22: SF 13 at GB 10
PACKERS NOTES:
PACKERS qualified for postseason for 4th time in 5 seasons under HC MATT LAFLEUR. Had 31 rec. TDs by players in 1st or 2nd NFL season, most by any team in a season in common-draft era. • QB JORDAN LOVE ranked 2nd in NFL with 32 TD passes & 4th in NFC with 4,159 pass yards in 2023 reg. season. Was 1 of 3 QBs (Dak Prescott & Brock Purdy) with 9 games of 2+ TD passes & 100+ rating in 2023. Since Week 11, has 20 TDs (18 pass, 2 rush) vs. INT & 112.7 rating in his past 8 starts. • RB AARON JONES was 1 of 4 players with 400+ scrimmage yards (406) over final 3 weeks of season (Weeks 16-18). Has 466 scrimmage yards (93.2 per game) & 5 TDs (4 rush, 1 rec.) in 5 career playoff games. Has 472 scrimmage yards (157.3 per game) & 6 rush TDs in 3 career games vs. Dal., incl. 182 scrimmage yards (107 rush, 75 rec.) & career-high 4 rush TDs in last road meeting (10/6/19). • RB AJ DILLON had 899 scrimmage yards (676 rush, 223 rec.) & 2 rush TDs in 2023. Rushed for 65 yards in last meeting. • WR JAYDEN REED ranked 3rd among rookies in rec. TDs (8), tied-3rd in scrimmage TDs (10), 6th in rec. yards (793) & 8th in receptions (64). Aims for his 6th in row on road with TD. • WR DONTAYVION WICKS (rookie) had 39 catches for 581 yards & 4 rec. TDs in 2023 & aims for his 3rd in row with TD catch. Reed & Wicks became 1st pair of rookie teammates each with 500+ rec. yards since 2014 (JAX Allen Hurns & Allen Robinson). • WR ROMEO DOUBS had 59 receptions for 674 yards & career high 8 rec. TDs in 2023. • WR CHRISTIAN WATSON had 4 rec. TDs in his final 3 reg.- season games (Weeks 11-13) this season. • DL KENNY CLARK had career-high 7.5 sacks & team-high 9 TFL in 2023. Has sack in 4 of his past 5 postseason games. • LB RASHAN GARY led team with 9 sacks in 2023. Has 1.5+ sacks in 2 of his past 3 playoff games. • LB PRESTON SMITH had 8 sacks this season, his 6th-career season with 8+ sacks. • LB QUAY WALKER led team with 118 tackles in 2023, his 2ndstraight season with 115+ tackles. • CB JAIRE ALEXANDER had 5 PD in 7 games in 2023.
COWBOYS NOTES:
Dallas Cowboys Playoff Record: 36-30 Championships: 5 [1971 (SB VI), 1977 (SB XII), 1992 (SB XXVII), 1993 (SB XXVIII), 1995 (XXX)] Last Postseason Game: NFC-DIV 1/22/23: DAL 12 at SF 19
DALLAS clinched NFC East for 2nd time in 3 seasons. Led NFL in scoring offense (29.9). Only team to go undefeated at home in 2023 & became 2nd team since 2000 to win 16 straight reg.-season home games. • HC MIKE MCCARTHY spent 13 seasons as GB head coach & led Packers to SB XLV title following 2010 season. • QB DAK PRESCOTT led NFL with 36 TD passes, ranked 2nd with 105.9 rating & 3rd with 4,516 pass yards in 2023. Since 2021, has 60 TDs (57 pass, 3 rush) vs. 13 INTs for 111.4 rating in 23 reg.- season home starts. Has 15 TDs (11 pass, 4 rush) vs. 5 INTs for 92.3 rating in 6 career playoff starts, incl. 302 pass yards & 3 TDs vs. INT for 103.2 rating in last postseason meeting (2016 NFC-D). Aims for his 6th in row, incl. postseason, vs. GB with 2+ TD passes. • RB TONY POLLARD had career-high 55 catches, 1,316 scrimmage yards (1,005 rush, 311 rec.) & 6 rush TDs in 2023 reg. season, his 2nd-straight 1,300-yard season. Rushed for 115 yards & TD in last reg.-season meeting (11/13/22). • WR CEEDEE LAMB led NFL with career-high & franchise-record 135 receptions in 2023 reg. season & became 6th player ever with 130+ catches in a season. Became 4th player ever with 125+ catches & 10+ rec. TDs (12) in a season. Had 7 games with 11+ catches, most in a season in NFL history. Ranked 2nd in NFL with career-high & franchise-record 1,749 rec. yards in 2023 reg. season. Aims for his 8th in row at home with TD. Had 11 catches for 150 yards & 2 rec. TDs in last reg.-season meeting (11/13/22). • WR BRANDIN COOKS had 54 catches for 657 yards & 8 rec. TDs in 2023 reg. season, incl. TD catch in each of his final 3 games. Has 100+ rec. yards in 3 of his 6 career postseason games. • LB MICAH PARSONS had career-high 14 sacks in 2023 & became 5th player since 1982 with 40+ sacks (40.5) in 1st 3 NFL seasons. Is 1 of 4 players with 50+ TFL (52) since 2021. Has 3 TFL & 3 PD in 3 career playoff games. • DE DEMARCUS LAWRENCE had 6th-career season with 10+ TFL (10) in 2023. Has 8 TFL in 8 career playoff games, incl. both of his playoff games vs. GB. • CB DARON BLAND led NFL with 9 INTs & had NFL-record 5 INT-TDs in 2023 reg. season. • CB STEPHON GILMORE has 11 PD in 7 career playoff games.
LOS ANGELES RAMS (10-7 – NFC WEST – NO. 6 SEED) AT DETROIT LIONS (12-5 – NFC NORTH – NO. 3 SEED)
DATE: Sunday, January 14, 2024 GAME TIME: 8:00 PM ET
NBC: Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Melissa Stark
Westwood One: Spero Dedes, Mike Mayock, Ross Tucker
SiriusXM (also available on the SXM App) LAR: 82 or 225 DET: 85 or 228 National: 88
POSTSEASON SERIES HISTORY
LEADER: DET leads series, 1-0
LAST GAME: NFC-DIV 12/21/52: LAR 21 at DET 31
LAST GAME AT SITE: 12/21/52
Los Angeles Rams Playoff Record: 26-27 Championships: 4 [1945, 1951, 1999 (SB XXXIV), 2021 (SB LVI)]
Last Postseason Game: SB LVI 2/13/22: LAR 23 vs. CIN 20
RAMS NOTES:
RAMS clinched playoff berth for 5th time in past 7 seasons under HC SEAN MCVAY, who led team to SB LVI title following the 2021 season. • QB MATTHEW STAFFORD passed for 3,965 yards & 24 TDs in 15 starts this season. Had 2+ TD passes & 100+ rating in 5 of his final 6 reg.-season starts in 2023. Has 1,188 pass yards (297 per game) & 11 TDs (9 pass, 2 rush) vs. 3 INTs for 108.3 rating in 4 postseason starts with LAR. Was selected No. 1 overall by Detroit in 2009 NFL Draft & is franchise leader in pass yards (45,109) & pass TDs (282). • RB KYREN WILLIAMS had career-high 1,350 scrimmage yards [1,144 rush (3rd-most in NFL this season), 206 rec.] & ranked tied-3rd with 15 scrimmage TDs (12 rush, 3 rec.) in 2023 reg. season. Was 1 of 3 (Tyreek Hill & Christian McCaffrey) to average 110+ scrimmage yards per game (112.5) in 2023. Has 100+ scrimmage yards in each of his final 7 reg.-season games this season (Weeks 12-17). • WR COOPER KUPP had 59 catches for 737 yards & 5 TDs in 12 games this season, incl. TD catch in 4 of his 5 reg.-season games. Had 33 catches for 478 yards & 6 rec. TDs during 2021 playoffs, the most receptions in a single playoff run all-time. Had 10 catches for 156 yards & 2 rec. TDs in last meeting (10/24/21). • WR PUKA NACUA set single-season rookie records in receptions (105) & rec. yards (1,486). Became 5th rookie ever with 7+ games (7) of 100+ rec. yards. • DT AARON DONALD had 8 sacks & 16 TFL in 2023 reg. season, his 9th-career season with 8+ sacks & 10th-straight season with 10+ TFL. Has 6 sacks & 10 TFL in 10 career playoff games. Has 6 sacks & 9 TFL in 4 career games vs. Det. • NT KOBIE TURNER led all rookies with 9 sacks & tied-4th with 8 TFL. Turner & LB BYRON YOUNG (8 sacks) became 2nd pair of rookie teammates since 1982 each with 8+ sacks (2022 Lions – James Houston & Aidan Hutchinson). • LB ERNEST JONES set career highs in tackles (145), TFL (14), PD (6) & sacks (4.5) in 2023 reg. season. Had sack in 3 of his final 4 reg.-season games. • CB AHKELLO WITHERSPOON had career-high 14 PD in 2023. • DB JOHN JOHNSON has PD in 3 of his past 4 playoff games.
Detroit Lions Playoff Record: 7-13 Championships: 4 (1935, 1952, 1953, 1957) Last Postseason Game: NFC-WC 1/7/17: DET 6 at SEA 26
LIONS NOTES:
DETROIT tied franchise record with 12 wins & clinched 1st division title since 1993. Became 2nd team ever (2013 Broncos) with 4+ players (4) each with 10+ scrimmage TDs in same season. • QB JARED GOFF ranked 2nd in pass yards (4,575) & 4th in TD passes (30) in 2023. Has 36 reg.-season games with 300+ pass yards, 3rd-most by player in 1st 8 seasons all-time. Has 930 pass yards (310 per game) & 9 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 122.2 rating in his past 3 home starts. Was selected No. 1 overall by Rams in 2016 NFL Draft & had 19,471 pass yards & 121 TDs (111 pass, 10 rush) in 75 games (74 starts), incl. postseason, with Rams. • RB DAVID MONTGOMERY had 1,132 scrimmage yards (1,015 rush, 117 rec.) & career-high 13 rush TDs in 2023, his 5th-straight 1,000- yard season. Had rush TD in each of his final 3 games of reg. season. • RB JAHMYR GIBBS ranked 1st among rookies in rush TDs (10), tied-1st in scrimmage TDs (11) & 3rd in scrimmage yards (1,261). Montgomery & Gibbs became 1st pair of teammates in NFL history each with 1,000+ scrimmage yards & 10+ rush TDs in same season. • WR AMON-RA ST. BROWN ranked tied-2nd in NFL with career-high 119 catches, 3rd with career-high 1,515 rec. yards & had career-high 10 rec. TDs in 2023. Led NFL with 9 games of 100+ rec. yards. • TE SAM LAPORTA set NFL rookie TE record in receptions (86), had 4th-most rec. yards (889) by rookie TE all-time & became 3rd rookie TE ever with 10+ rec. TDs (10). Gibbs & LaPorta became 1st pair of rookie teammates each with 10+ TDs. • DL AIDAN HUTCHINSON had career highs in sacks (11.5) & TFL (14), FFs (3) & PD (7) in 2023. Is 1st player since Bryce Paup (1994-95) with 20+ sacks (21) & 4+ INTs (4) in 1st 2 career seasons. Had 5 sacks & 7 TFL in his final 2 reg.-season games. • LB ALEX ANZALONE had career-high 129 tackles in 2023, his 2nd-straight season with 125+ tackles. • LB JACK CAMPBELL ranked 2nd among rookies with 89 tackles. • S IFEATU MELIFONWU had 7 PD, 3 sacks & 2 INTs in his final 4 reg.-season games in 2023. • S C.J. GARDNER-JOHNSON had INT in Week 18 & had 3 PD in 3 games in 2023. • DB BRIAN BRANCH ranked 2nd among rookies in INTs (3) & 3rd in PD (13).
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (11-6 – NFC EAST – NO. 5 SEED) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (9-8 – NFC SOUTH – NO. 4 SEED)
DATE: Monday, January 15, 2024 GAME TIME: 8:00 PM ET
ESPN/ABC: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters, Laura Rutledge
Westwood One: Kevin Kugler, Kurt Warner, Taylor Davis
SiriusXM (also available on the SXM App) PHI: 83 or 225 TB: 88 or 109 National: 88
POSTSEASON SERIES HISTORY
LEADER: TB leads series, 3-2
LAST GAME: NFC-WC 1/16/22: PHI 15 at TB 31
LAST GAME AT SITE: 1/16/22
Philadelphia Eagles Playoff Record: 25-25 Championships: 4 [1948, 1949, 1960, 2017 (SB LII)] Last Postseason Game: SB LVII 2/12/23: KC 38 vs. PHI 35
EAGLES NOTES:
PHILADELPHIA clinched playoff berth for 3rd-straight season • QB JALEN HURTS had career highs in pass yards (3,858) & pass TDs (23) & rushed for 15 TDs in 2023, tied-most rush TDs by QB in single season in NFL history. Ranks 4th all-time among QBs with 41 reg.-season rush TDs. Has 9 TDs (5 rush, 4 pass) in 4 career postseason starts. Had 2 TDs (1 pass, 1 rush) in Week 3 meeting. • RB D’ANDRE SWIFT had career-hih 1,263 scrimmage yards [1,049 rush (5th-most in NFL in 2023), 214 rec.] & 6 TDs (5 rush, 1 rec.) this season, his 1st-career season with 1,000+ rush yards. Rushed for 130 yards in Week 3 meeting. • WR A.J. BROWN had career-high 106 receptions for 1,456 yards & 7 rec. TDs in 2023 reg.-season & is 1 of 2 (Tyreek Hill) with 1,400+ rec. yards in each of past 2 seasons. From Weeks 3-8, became 1st player ever with 125+ rec. yards in 6 straight games, incl. 131 rec. yards in Week 3 meeting. • WR DEVONTA SMITH had 81 catches for 1,066 yards & 7 rec. TDs in 2023 reg. season, his 2nd-straight 1,000-yard season. Has 60+ rec. yards in 3 of his 4 career playoff games. • TE DALLAS GOEDERT had 59 catches for 592 yards & 3 rec. TDs in 2023 & is 1 of 4 TEs with 500+ rec. yards in each of past 5 seasons. • LB HAASON REDDICK had 11 sacks & 13 TFL in 2023 & is 1 of 2 (Myles Garrett) with 10+ sacks in each of past 4 seasons. Has 3.5 sacks in 3 career playoff games. • DT FLETCHER COX has 7 TFL in 11 career playoff games. • DT JALEN CARTER (rookie) had 6 sacks & 8 TFL in 2023. Had 2 FFs in Week 3 meeting. • LB NICHOLAS MORROW had career-high 12 TFL in 2023, incl. TFL in each of his final 3 reg.-season games. • CB JAMES BRADBERRY had 13 PD in 2023 & is only DB with 10+ PD in each of past 8 seasons. Had FR in Week 3 meeting. • CB DARIUS SLAY had 15 PD in 12 games this season. Since 2015, Slay (126) & Bradberry (112) rank 1st & 2nd in NFL in PD. • S KEVIN BYARD ranked tied-4th among DBs with career-high 122 tackles in 16 games with Phi./Ten. in 2023, his 3rd-career 100+ tackle season. Ranks 2nd among DBs with 679 tackles since 2017. • S REED BLANKENSHIP had career highs in tackles (108), PD (11) & INTs (3) in 2023.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Playoff Record: 11-11 Championships: 2 [2002 (SB XXXVII), 2020 (SB LV)] Last Postseason Game: NFC-WC 1/16/23: DAL 31 at TB 14
BUCS NOTES:
TAMPA BAY clinched 3rd-consecutive NFC South division title & 4th-consecutive playoff appearance. • QB BAKER MAYFIELD had career highs in completions (364), pass yards (4,044) & TD passes (28) in 2023, his 1st-career 4,000-yard season. Had 2+ TD passes & 90+ rating in 3 of his final 4 home starts this season. Has 4 TD passes in 2 career playoff starts (both in 2020 w/ Cle.). • RB RACHAAD WHITE ranked 4th among RBs with career-high 1,539 scrimmage yards & career-high 64 receptions in 2023. Was 1 of 5 RBs with 50+ scrimmage yards in 15+ games (15) & had 60+ scrimmage yards in 7 of 8 reg.-season home games. • WR MIKE EVANS ranked tied-1st in NFL with 13 TD catches & became 5th player all-time with 12+ rec. TDs in 5+ (5) career seasons. Had 79 receptions for 1,255 yards in 2023 & became 1st player ever with 1,000+ rec. yards in each of his 1st 10 career seasons. Had 9 catches for 117 yards & rec. TD in last playoff meeting (2021 NFC-WC) & has rec. TD in 4 of his 5 career games vs. Phi., incl. playoffs. • WR CHRIS GODWIN had 83 catches for 1,024 yards in 2023 & is 1 of 5 with 80+ catches & 1,000+ rec. yards in each of past 3 seasons. Had 50+ rec. yards in each of his final 5 reg.-season games. Has 5+ catches in 2 of his 3 career games vs. Phi. • LB LAVONTE DAVID had 133 tackles, his 10th-career 100-tackle season, & ranked 3rd in NFC with 17 TFL, his 5th-career season with 15+ TFL, in 2023. Aims for his 3rd in row in postseason with 11+ tackles. Had 13 tackles & sack in Week 3 meeting. • LB DEVIN WHITE has 6 TFL & 4 PD in 6 career playoff games. • LB YAYA DIABY (12 TFL – most among rookies) & DL CALIJAH KANCEY (10 TFL) became 2nd pair of rookies since 2000 each with 10+ TFL (2017 Steelers – Mike Hilton & T.J. Watt). • S ANTOINE WINFIELD JR. became 1st DB since 2000 (Rodney Harrison) with 120+ tackles (122), 10+ PD (12) & 5+ sacks (6) in a season. Became 4th DB since 1982 with 6+ games (6) with a sack in a season. Became 1st DB since 2000 with 6 sacks & 6 FFs in a season. Ranked tied-1st in FFs (6) & FRs (4) in 2023. Has 15 career sacks, 2nd-most by DB in 1st 4 seasons since 1982. Had 11 tackles in Week 3 meeting. Had sack in last playoff meeting.
GOLF NEWS
THREE SHARE LEAD AT MIDPOINT OF SONY OPEN IN HAWAII
Austin Eckroat, South Korea’s Byeong Hun An and China’s Carl Yuan all birdied their final hole of the second round on Friday in Honolulu to share the lead at the Sony Open in Hawaii.
An posted a 6-under-par 64 at Waialae Country Club, leaving him at 9-under 131. Yuan was 5 under for the day, and Eckroat was 4 under.
The trio have a one-shot edge on Ben Griffin, Stewart Cink, Keith Mitchell, Taylor Montgomery, Kurt Kitayama, Chris Kirk, Grayson Murray, Germany’s Stephan Jaeger, France’s Matthieu Pavon and first-round leader Cam Davis of Australia.
Eckroat, 24, is seeking his first career PGA Tour win in his 45th start, while An, 32, is winless in 181 career prior starts. Yuan, 26, has never finished in the top three of an event in 34 previous starts. He earned full playing status for the 2024 season when Jon Rahm signed with LIV Golf, bumping Yuan from 126th in the FedEx Cup standings to 125th.
Gary Woodland, playing his first event after undergoing brain surgery in September, and Will Zalatoris, returning from back surgery that kept him out for nine months, both missed the cut. Woodland shot 1-over 71 on both Thursday and Friday. Zalatoris produced a second-round 69, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a first-round 76.
INDIANA SPORTS NEWS RELEASES/NEWS REPORTS
INDIANA PACERS BASKETBALL
GAME REWIND: PACERS 126, HAWKS 108
Even without Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers keep breaking offensive records.
Indiana set a new franchise record by shooting 67.1 percent from the field and eight players scored in double figures in a 126-108 victory on Friday night in Atlanta to open a six-game road trip. The Pacers (23-15) have now won three straight and nine of their last 10.
Buddy Hield and Obi Toppin led Indiana with 18 points apiece off the bench. Toppin went a perfect 7-for-7 from the field and tallied six rebounds and four assists, while Hield went 7-for-11 from the field and 4-for-6 from 3-point range while also collecting three blocks.
The Pacers set a franchise record with 50 assists against Atlanta in a 150-116 victory at Gainbridge Fieldhouse last Friday. A week later, they dished out another 41 assists against the Hawks (15-23) while breaking the franchise mark for best field goal percentage in a game. The previous high was .667 in a win at Minnesota on Oct. 24, 2017.
“The spirit is really good, the spirit of the group,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said after the victory. “The guys that were in the game were playing together, encouraging each other. The guys on the bench were up encouraging the guys that were playing. When you have that kind of synergy, you can have some special nights.”
With Haliburton sidelined for the second straight game with a left hamstring strain, fellow point guards Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell combined for 20 assists, with Nembhard tallying 10 points and six dimes in the starting lineup and McConnell amassing six points and 14 assists off the bench.
“That’s our M.O. really on offense,” Nembhard said. “We play fast, we get the ball moving, we’re super random. When we’re playing that way we’re going to fall into having a lot of guys score the ball.”
The Pacers hit 11 of their first 13 shots on Friday, racing out to a 24-16 lead. Atlanta then reeled off 10 unanswered points to briefly take the lead, but Indiana’s second unit closed the opening frame with a 10-4 run to give the Blue & Gold a 34-30 lead after one.
The Pacers went 16-for-19 from the field and scored 28 points in the paint in the first quarter, but also committed seven turnovers in the frame.
Indiana’s bench continued their strong play to open the second quarter. Toppin converted a three-point play on the first possession of the frame, McConnell made a mid-range jumper the next trip down the floor, then Bennedict Mathurin got a breakaway layup.
That forced a timeout from Hawks head coach Quin Snyder. Out of the stoppage, McConnell stole Atlanta’s inbounds pass and dished to Toppin, who converted another layup plus the foul. Toppin hit the free throw, then Hield drained a three on Indiana’s next possession to cap a 13-0 Pacers run to start the quarter.
The Pacers led by as many as 19 points in the quarter, but the Hawks fought back just before halftime, scoring on their final five possessions. Saddiq Bey, Jalen Johnson, and Dejounte Murray all hit threes before Johnson made a dunk and then Trae Young converted a three-point play with 5.8 seconds remaining. That 14-2 Hawks run trimmed Indiana’s lead to 66-62 before Bruce Brown raced down and converted a layup at the buzzer to push the margin back to six entering the intermission.
Indiana rebuilt its lead in the third quarter thanks to a 12-2 run that featured threes from Aaron Nesmith and Nembhard and made it 90-72 with 3:55 remaining in the frame.
Toppin’s dunk with 33.4 seconds left in the quarter extended the lead to 20 points. Johnson answered with a slam of his own just before the third quarter buzzer to trim Indiana’s lead to 99-81 entering the fourth.
The Pacers put the game away early in the final frame with a 10-0 run that pushed the lead to 114-89. McConnell set up Toppin twice more in that stretch, including tossing a lob over his head which Toppin finished with a two-hand slam.
Indiana led by as many as 27 in the fourth quarter. The only drama in the final minutes was whether the Pacers could maintain a high enough field goal percentage to set a new franchise record. Two late baskets by rookie center Oscar Tshiebwe were enough to keep Indiana above 67 percent.
Mathurin tallied 15 points off the bench on 6-of-9 shooting. Fellow reserve Isaiah Jackson stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting, five rebounds, four blocks, and four steals.
Nesmith tallied 13 points while going 5-for-6 from the field and 3-for-3 from 3-point range. Brown added 12 points, while starting center Myles Turner finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and two steals.
“A really good effort by our guys,” Carlisle said. “…It’s two wins without Tyrese and that’s really important right now as we head (out) West.”
Murray led all scorers with 29 points, going 13-for-18 from the field and 3-for-6 from 3-point range. Bey added 17 points, Johnson scored 16, and Young had 13 points and six assists for Atlanta.
The Pacers will head West for the rest of their longest road trip of the season. They play on Sunday afternoon in Denver against the defending NBA champion Nuggets before continuing on to Utah, Sacramento, Portland, and Phoenix over the next week.
Inside the Numbers
Indiana shot 84.2 percent from the field in the first quarter on Friday, the best field goal percentage in a quarter by any team in the NBA this season, according to Sportradar.
McConnell’s 14 assists were his most in a game this season. His previous high was 11 on Dec. 2 at Miami.
The Pacers matched their season high with 76 points in the paint, outscoring Atlanta by 28 points on the interior. They also had 76 points in the paint at Miami on Dec. 2.
Jackson matched his season high with four blocks and matched his career high with four steals. He is just the fourth player in the NBA this season to amass 10 or more points, five or more rebounds, four or more steals, and four or more blocks in a single game, joining Daniel Gafford, Victor Wembanyama, and Ausar Thompson. Each of those players logged 25 or more minutes. Jackson played just 18 on Friday.
Indiana’s bench outscored the Hawks’ reserves 73-26. The Pacers entered the night leading the league in bench points (50.8 per game) and have scored more bench points than their opponent in 32 of 38 games this season.
The Pacers have done an exceptional job defensively on Hawks star guard Young in both of their wins over Atlanta over the last week. Young entered the night seventh in the NBA in scoring (27.8 points per game) and second in assists (11 per contest). Indiana limited him to 13 points and six assists — both season lows — the same totals he had a week ago at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Young went just 4-for-17 from the field and 2-for-6 from 3-point range on Friday after going just 4-for-18 from the field and 1-for-11 from beyond the arc last week in Indiana.
Indiana won despite committing a season-high 27 turnovers, seven more than their previous high this season. The Pacers’ 27 giveaways were the second most in any NBA game this season (Golden State had 28 turnovers in an overtime game at Oklahoma City on Dec. 8) and the most turnovers by the Pacers in any game since they had 32 at Charlotte on Nov. 4, 1999.
You Can Quote Me On That
“When the ball’s moving like that, shots tend to go in more often. We had a good points in the paint number, we were aggressive getting to the rim, and a lot of our threes came off of penetration and those are the best ones.” -Carlisle on the keys to Indiana’s record-setting shooting night
“People don’t really realize that’s one of the main things that we do is score in the paint. Our movement creates problems where guys are kind of mismatched on the weakside and opens that paint up.” -Nembhard on the Pacers’ focus on attacking the paint
“Everybody has an important job. We’re going to play 10 guys on most nights. You’re basically tag-teaming your position with somebody else. You go play your butt off and then you high-five the guy coming in and you encourage him. That’s how we’ve got to do business right now.” -Carlisle on the buy-in in the locker room right now
“Everyone’s making a collective effort with Tyrese out. He’s the engine that makes us go…No one can replicate what Tyrese does. So as a group, me and Drew have to do better at getting people involved. I think we’ve done a good job of that, but credit to the rest of the group (for) sharing the ball and making the extra pass. It’s just really fun to be out there and it’s awesome to watch.” -McConnell on finding ways to win without Haliburton
“We’ve got a team full of killers. Everybody can go from the bottom to the top. I think it showed tonight just how much depth we (have), even Oscar getting in at the end went in there and did his thing.” -Jackson on the Pacers’ balanced offensive attack
“All our guys are really taking the challenge. It’s a tough challenge defending in the NBA in 2024. You’ve got to do it as a team and you’ve got to really react well. You’ve got to help each other and you can’t let bad things on offense affect you…I was real proud of the group.” -Carlisle on the Pacers’ improved defensive performance in recent weeks
“He’s a great player and we’re giving him a lot of attention. We spent a lot of time game-planning for him. He had some looks that he normally makes that didn’t go in tonight and the last game.” -Carlisle on slowing down Young in the last two matchups
Stat of the Night
The Pacers have set a different offensive franchise record in all three of their games against Atlanta this season. They scored an NBA franchise-record 157 points in an In-Season Tournament game in Atlanta on Nov. 21. They dished out a franchise-best 50 assists in their win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Jan. 5. And they set a new record for best field goal percentage in a game on Friday night, making 67.1 percent of their shots against the Hawks.
Noteworthy
With Friday’s victory, the Pacers have won the season series with Atlanta for the first time since 2020-21. Indiana and Atlanta will meet once more on the final day of the regular season on April 14 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Indiana is 12-2 on the year when seven or more players score in double figures and 4-0 when eight players score 10 or more points. They are 14-3 when three or more bench players score in double figures.
Pacers rookie forward Jarace Walker missed his second straight game due to an upper respiratory infection. He did not travel with the team to Atlanta, but could join them later on the trip.
Up Next
The Pacers travel to Denver to take on the Nuggets on Sunday, Jan. 14 at 3:30 PM ET.
INDIANA MEN’S BASKETBALL
HOOSIERS HANDLE GOLDEN GOPHERS, 74-62
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Once again, Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall magic is, well, magical.
Once again, Indiana imposed its will on a streaking visiting opponent, this time Minnesota. It defended, scored, and dictated in Friday’s night’s 74-62 victory.
The result — the Gophers’ seven-game winning streak is over, and IU again showed signs of how good it can be if it can play as well on the road as it does at home, where it’s 9-1 overall.
“You saw the intensity,” center Kel’el Ware said. “If we bring that to every game, we’ll be good.”
IU (12-5 overall, 4-2 in the Big Ten) buried any lingering Rutgers disappointment from the opening tip. In the first four minutes, it committed no turnovers, scored 11 points, and forced a turnover.
A tone was set. Minnesota (12-4, 3-2) never challenged.
“It was our defense,” coach Mike Woodson said. “Our scouting report fit perfectly. (Our players) followed it right from the start. We defended the ball. We didn’t let their guards get away from us.
“We focused in on not giving up straight-line drives where we had to help. Our bigs did a good job of battling their bigs.”
The Hoosiers got a second straight double-double from Ware, who is up to seven this season. He had 17 points and 14 rebounds.
They got impressive play from forwards Mackenzie Mgbako (a career-high 19 points, four rebounds) and Malik Reneau (16 points, six rebounds, three assists) and from guard Trey Galloway (10 points, seven assists).
Mgbako, a freshman, reached double figures for the second-straight game, and 10th time in 12 games. His season scoring average is up to 10.2 points.
On Friday night, he attacked from the opening tip, and never let down.
“He was aggressive from the start,” Woodson said. “The whole team was aggressive on both ends.”
Added Ware: “Even in practice, I’m always on him that he’s got to get to the rim and get a bucket. If you do that in practice, it translates to the game. Be more aggressive.”
Mgbako’s improvement is fueled by defense.
“It’s locking up on defense,” he said. “That’s the No. 1 thing Coach harps on. Defense creates offense.
“My defense has gotten better. I’m keeping my head on a swivel and talking on defense. Just being confident. Those are the things that are helping out.”
Mgbako has made a big jump from scoring four points or less in four of his first five college games after a five-star high school career.
“I started slow,” he said. “There’s a big difference (from high school to college). Being able to grow under Coach Woodson has been good.”
Added Woodson: “It takes these young guys a while to develop. It’s not that easy to walk into college ball and be great. He’s put the work in. All we can do is continue to teach and push and get as much out of him as we can.”
Overall, IU shared the ball (17 assists) and forced the issue (a 16-10 edge in points off turnovers). It led for 39 minutes and 42 seconds, and never trailed.
Defensively, the Hoosiers forced 14 turnovers and held Minnesota to 39.0% shooting.
Two main concerns – IU was just 16-for-27 from the free throw line and was outrebounded 42-40 – weren’t factors.
Guard Xavier Johnson didn’t start. Freshman Gabe Cupps did.
Johnson came in after eight minutes. He finished with two points, one rebound, and one assist in 17 minutes.
Cupps didn’t score, but defended tenaciously, starting with Minnesota guard Elijah Hawkins, who was held to five points on 2-for-12 shooting.
“He’s done it before,” Woodson said. “He’s been doing it all season. We stick him on quick guards. All we ask is for him to put heat on the ball and not let it get downhill. He did a hell of job.”
IU opened with 3-pointers from Galloway and Mgbako, forced a couple of Minnesota turnovers, and jumped to an 11-2 lead. A 10-0 edge in points off turnovers boosted it to a 25-8 lead eight minutes into the game. Mgbako and Galloway set the pace with a combined 15 points.
A 10-0 Gopher run cut the lead to five. Anthony Walker ended that with a basket off a Cupps assist. Ware added a 3-pointer and IU led 33-23 with five minutes left.
Mgbako’s four-straight points made it a 37-27 lead with just under four minutes left in the half.
Mgbako’s 14 points and a 7-to-1 assist to turnover ratio boosted IU to a 41-31 halftime lead. It had an 11-3 advantage on points off turnovers.
IU’s second half strategy centered on getting Ware and Reneau the ball. They combined to score the Hoosiers’ nine points to build a 50-35 lead. Galloway and Mgbako followed with 3-pointers and the lead swelled to 21.
With 13:53 left, the Hoosiers had control they never lost.
Next up is Tuesday’s home game against rival Purdue before a grueling road swing to Wisconsin and Illinois, the Big Ten’s top two teams in the standings. That stretch might determine if the Hoosiers can contend for a conference title.
“The road is tough on everybody,” Woodson said. “It’s not just our team. Everybody is having a tough time winning on the road.
“We have to figure it out. Our safe haven is here. We have to continue to win at home and feel good about playing on the road.
“We have to convert how we play here to how we play on the road. That will be the difference.”
INDIANA WRESTLING
NO. 21 INDIANA DROPS DUAL AT NO. 14 RUTGERS
PISCATAWAY, N.J. ––– No. 21 Indiana fell to No. 14 Rutgers on the road Friday night, 30-11, at No. 21 Rutgers in Jersey Mike’s Arena.
With the loss, Indiana’s record drops to 3-1 and 0-1 in the conference.
KEY MOMENTS
• Rutgers won the first two matches by fall and tech fall, respectively, building an early 11-0 lead.
• No. 23 Dan Fongaro (141) and No. 14 Graham Rooks (149) each earned victories to cut into the deficit. Fongaro won by tech fall, 19-3 (6:41), over Max Hermes and Rooks won by decision, 8-2, over Michael Cetta. After those two wins, it was an 11-8 match.
• The Hoosiers and Scarlet Knights split the next two matches, including No. 22 Tyler Lillard (165) winning over Anthony White by decision, 4-1. That pushed the team score to 15-11 in Rutgers’ favor.
• Rutgers closed out the dual with winning the final four bouts.
NOTABLES
• Fongaro’s win was his second by tech fall this season.
• Fongaro wrestled in his home state, hailing from Lincoln Park, N.J., a little under an hour away from Rutgers.
• While they didn’t wrestle against one another, Fongaro’s brother Joe, wrestles for the Scarlet Knights.
• G. Rooks’ win improved his season record to 12-4.
• With the win, Lillard’s season record now stands at 14-4.
UP NEXT
• Indiana Wrestling will be back in action this weekend when it takes on No. 1 Penn State on Sunday at 1 p.m. in Rec Hall.
FULL RESULTS
125: No. 13 Dean Peterson (RU) def. Blaine Frazier (IU) |Fall (5:54) | Score: RU up 6-0
133: No. 8 Dylan Shawver (RU) def. Cayden Rooks (IU) |TF, 22-7 (7:00)| Score: RU up 11-0
141: No. 23 Dan Fongaro (IU) def. Max Hermes (RU) |TF, 19-3 (6:41)| Score: RU up 11-5
149: No. 14 Graham Rooks (IU) def. Michael Cetta (RU) |Dec. 8-2| Score: RU up 11-8
157: Al DeSantis (RU) def. Zack Rotkvich (IU) |MD, 9-0 | Score: RU up 15-8
165:Tyler Lillard (IU) def. Anthony White (RU) |Dec. 4-1| Score: RU up 15-11
174: No. 27 Jackson Turley (RU) def. No. 9 DJ Washington (IU) |TF, 15-0 (4:56)| Score: RU up 20-11
184: No. 21 Brian Soldano (RU) def. Roman Rogotzke (IU) |MD, 15-5 | Score: RU up 24-11
197: No. 8 John Poznanski (RU) def. Gabe Sollars (IU) |Dec. 7-1 | Score: RU up 27-11
285: No. 7 Yaraslau Slavikouski (RU) def. Nick Willham (IU) |Dec. 4-1 | Score: RU up 30-11
FINAL TEAM SCORE: NO. 14 RUTGERS 30, NO. 21 INDIANA, 11
PURDUE MEN’S BASKETBALL
#1 PURDUE RETURNS TO MACKEY ARENA TO HOST PENN STATE
GAMEDAY INFORMATION — GAME 17
[1] Purdue (14-2, 3-2) vs. Penn State (8-8, 2-3)
Saturday, January 13, 2024
2:15 p.m. ET | West Lafayette, Ind.
Mackey Arena | 14,876
TELEVISION: BTN (Dave Revsine, Robbie Hummel)
RADIO: Purdue Global Radio Network (Rob Blackman, Bobby Riddell)
THE NOTES TO KNOW
• The No. 1-ranked Purdue Boilermakers look to bounce back from their second loss of the season, when Penn State visits Mackey Arena for the team’s only meeting of the season. Tip is scheduled at 2:15 p.m. ET, as Purdue aims for its 15th season of the season.
• Saturday’s game marks the return of The Paint Crew, the first Purdue home game with the student section in attendance in 40 days (Dec. 4 vs. Iowa). With The Paint Crew in attendance, Purdue is 62-6 (.912) against Big Ten foes since the start of the 2014-15 season.
• The Boilermakers are 14-2 (or better) through 16 games for the third straight season, the second stretch in school history that Purdue has been at least 14-2 through 16 games, joining a stretch from 1985-86 to 1987-88. It marks the seventh time in Matt Painter’s 19 seasons that Purdue has been 14-2 or better. A win gives Purdue a 15-2 start in three straight years for the first time ever.
• Purdue has won nine straight games at Mackey Arena, which is tied for the Big Ten’s longest streak with Minnesota (home on Monday vs. Iowa). A win gives Purdue its 10th winning streak of at least 10 games at Mackey Arena under Matt Painter. Purdue’s nine straight home wins have come by an average of 25.1 points per game with six coming by at least 19 points.
• Purdue leads the country in quad-1 wins (6) and quad-1 and 2 wins combined (9). No other team has more than seven quad-1 and 2 wins (Memphis – 7). Purdue has as many quad-1 wins as teams ranked No. 4 (BYU), 5 (Alabama), 6 (Tennessee), 8 (Auburn), 10 (Iowa State) and 11 (Illinois) have combined.
• Since the start of last season, Purdue is 43-8, the fifth-most wins nationally, while the eight losses are the second fewest behind Houston (5). The eight losses during that span have come by 1, 5, 6, 14, 8, 5, 4 (OT) and 16 points. Thirty-one of the 43 wins have come against teams ranked in the KenPom top-100, including 24 against teams ranked in the top-50.
• Purdue enters the Penn State game with a 75-12 (.862) record in Mackey Arena against league foes since the 2014-15 season (when Maryland and Rutgers joined the Big Ten). The Boilermakers are 98-12 (.891) against unranked Big Ten teams at Mackey Arena in the Painter era.
• Matt Painter now needs two wins to tie Lou Henson for fifth place on the all-time wins list for Big Ten Conference games only. Painter enters the Penn State game with 212 league victories. Henson is fifth with 214 wins.
• Turnovers tell the story… When forcing 10 or more turnovers, the Boilermakers have won 17 straight games in a row. In Purdue’s two losses this season, the Boilermakers’ turnover margin is -9.50 (31 to 12). In the losses, opponents average 8.5 steals per game to Purdue’s 1.0.
• Purdue was voted No. 1 in the AP Top 25 poll on Monday for the fourth straight week and for the fifth time during the 2023-24 season. With its No. 1 ranking this week, Purdue has now been ranked in the top 5 of the AP poll for 26 straight weeks, the longest-active streak in America by 11 weeks (Kansas – 15). It has been ranked in the top 3 in 20 of those 26 weeks.
• Purdue started last calendar year ranked No. 1 (first poll of 2023) and ended the year ranked No. 1 (final poll of 2023). The Boilermakers are the only team in the country to be ranked No. 1 in each of the last three seasons (2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24), and have now been ranked No. 1 in four different calendar years (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024).
• The 26 straight weeks ranked in the top 5 is the fifth-longest streak in Big Ten history, but the second-longest streak in the last 45 years.
• Purdue’s starting lineup of Braden Smith, Lance Jones, Fletcher Loyer, Trey Kaufman-Renn and Zach Edey have started all 15 games. It’s the longest stretch for a starting group to start the season since the 2017-18 season (28 games).
• Zach Edey became the second player in school history with 1,000 rebounds and has moved into second on the school’s career rebounding chart (1,013). He is also now ninth in points (1,882) and 5th in blocks (184).
• Purdue is at least 14-2 through 16 games for the third straight season. Last year’s team was 15-1, while the 2021-22 team was 14-2 through 16 games.
• In years that Purdue won the Big Ten regular-season championship under Matt Painter, the Boilermakers started 2-3 (2010), 3-2 (2017), 3-2 (2019) and 4-1 (2023) through five games. This year’s team is 3-2 through five games.
• In Purdue’s two losses, opponents have shot 24-of-43 (.558) from long distance while having just 12 turnovers. Entering the game, the two teams were shooting 32.0 percent (Northwestern) and 34.1 percent (Nebraska) from deep.
• Purdue’s 13, 3-pointers against Nebraska were its most in a loss since making 14 against Virginia in the epic 2019 Elite Eight contest. The Boilermakers had won 32 straight games when making 10 or more 3-pointers.
• The Boilermakers are now 72-9 all-time when making 12 or more 3-pointers in a game.
• When you add a positive rebound margin to it (Purdue was +5 vs. Nebraska), Purdue is now 59-2 all-time when making at least 12, 3-pointers in a game and outrebounding its opponent. The only other loss was at Minnesota on March 5, 2019.
• This year across college basketball, teams are 238-6 (.975) when making at least 13, 3-pointers in a game and outrebounding a team by five rebounds or more.
• In the last three Big Ten games (Maryland, Illinois and Nebraska), Purdue has shot just 50 free throws, an average of 16.7 free throw attempts per game. In the previous 13 games, Purdue shot 330 free throws, an average of 25.4 free throw attempts per game.
• Through 16 games, Purdue is shooting 39.4 percent from 3-point range, currently the fifth-best percentage in school history, and 12th nationally. Last year through 16 games, Purdue was shooting just 32.2 percent from long range.
• This year’s senior class (Edey, Morton, Gillis) have been court-stormed in every road loss but one (Michigan State – 2022) over the last three seasons (2021 didn’t count – CoVid attendance), coming in nine of the 10 setbacks. All of the losses have occurred with Purdue ranked inside the top 10.
• Purdue currently has four players averaging at least 11.0 points per game. The last time Purdue had four players average at least 11.0 points per game was during the 2017-18 season (Carsen Edwards, Isaac Haas, Vince Edwards, Dakota Mathias). It has happened only five times previously in school history (2017-18, 1997-98, 1987-88, 1986-87, 1977-78).
• Among players that have made at least 20, 3-pointers this year, Mason Gillis’ 52.5 percentage ranks 11th nationally and fifth among high–major players.
• Braden Smith’s eight games of at least 10 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists are the second-most nationally and most in the Big Ten by four games. Smith has dished out at least five assists in 14 of the 16 games, leading the country in five-assist games (14).
• In three of Zach Edey’s last four games, he has shot under five free throws. In the first 12 games of the year, he never shot fewer than eight free throws.
• Since the start of last year, Purdue is 13-0 when Zach Edey attempts single-digit field goal attempts. Purdue is 30-8 when he has 10 or more field goal attempts.
PURDUE WRESTLING
WRESTLING BEGINS BIG TEN SLATE AGAINST #14 RUTGERS
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Boilermakers kick off the 2024 Big Ten dual season with a home contest against No. 14 Rutgers on Sunday, January 14 at 1:00 p.m. ET in Holloway Gymnasium.
The match will be streamed live on BigTenPlus.com with live stats on TrackWrestling.
PURDUE POINTS
• It will only be the 7th meeting all-time between these programs, with the Boilers taking the last two matchups. The Scarlet Knights hold a 4-2 record in the series that only dates back to 2011.
• Purdue took an 18-15 win back on Jan. 31, 2021 when the two teams last faced. A pin from Devin Schroder in the opener proved to be the difference as the matches were split five apiece.
• Head coach Tony Ersland is in the midst of his 10th season at the helm of Purdue Wrestling and holds a 79-69 dual record. His 79 wins is the third most in program history.
• Joey Blaze (6) and Greyson Clark (5) have the most and second most dual wins of any true freshmen in the Big Ten.
• The duo are also 2-of-6 Big Ten true freshmen currently ranked by Intermat.
• The Boilermakers are outscoring their opponents by 143 points in the first period and are +100 in back points on the year.
PROBABLES
PROJECTED LINEUPS
Purdue #14 Rutgers
125 #2 Matt Ramos #13 Dean Peterson
133 Dustin Norris or
Jacob Macatangay #8 Dylan Shawver
141 #32 Greyson Clark #11 Mitch Moore
149 Marcos Polanco Jacob Butler or
Michael Cetta
157 #18 Joey Blaze Andrew Clark
165 Stoney Buell or
Cooper Noehre Anthony White or
Luke Gayer
174 Brody Baumann #27 Jackson Turley or
Shane Cartagena-Walsh
184 James Rowley or
Hayden Filipovich #21 Brian Soldano
197 Ben Vanadia or
Mitch Hutmacher #8 John Poznanski
285 Tristan Ruhlman #7 Yaraslau Slavikouski
or Kyle Epperly
NUMBERS TO KNOW
• 9 – Matt Ramos has nine bonus point wins this season in 19 matches and has not given up bonus points himself.
• 4 – Blaze has already racked up a team high 4 tech falls on the year. The most by a Boiler since Devin Schroder had 9 in 2019-20.
• 12 – Blaze and Clark have the most wins of any ranked true freshmen in the Big Ten.
• 18 – Brody Baumann has scored 18 points in each of his last two matches, compiling nine takedowns in both tech fall victories.
LAST TIME OUT
Purdue Wrestling came away victorious in its first dual of 2024, racking up four pins and four tech falls in a 50-6 win over Lindenwood.
It was Purdue’s first 50-point performance under Ersland. It was also the most pins and the most tech falls the team has had in a single match in his tenure. The Boilers last had four wins via fall in a single dual against Division II Ashland on Jan. 19, 2014.
The pins came from Ramos, Polanco, Vanadia and Ruhlman while Blaze, Buell, Baumann and Rowley all picked up tech falls. The dual lasted less than an hour and none of the matches went to the end of the third period.
FRESHMEN PHENOMS
True freshmen Joey Blaze and Greyson Clark earned spots in the lineup from day one of their college careers and have already shown the talent that made them both top-30 recruits.
Blaze (12-4) made the biggest splash early by knocking off No. 5 Ed Scott of N.C. State in sudden victory. He was the first unranked Boiler to beat a top-10 opponent since Thomas Penola pinned No. 9 Quinn Miller of Virginia.
Clark (12-3) has shown technique beyond his years. He leads the team with 38 back points on 11 near-fall attempts with five bonus point victories to his name.
NOTRE DAME HOCKEY
IRISH COMEBACK FALLS SHORT IN COLUMBUS
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The University of Notre Dame hockey program fell to 10-11-2 on the season following a 3-2 defeat at Ohio State University Friday night. The Irish came back strong early in the final period of regulation, scoring twice in the first 10 minutes to tie things up, but a powerplay goal halfway through the final frame sealed their fate at Value City Arena.
The Irish held possession through the opening minutes of play Friday but an offensive zone faceoff win resulted in a tripping infraction against the visitors and the penalty kill unit went to work at 3:30 of the opening period.
Notre Dame successfully killed off three penalties in the opening frame before the Buckeyes were able to sneak a puck past Ryan Bischel in the Irish net to open the scoring.
At the first intermission the Irish continued to seek a break onto the scoreboard and found themselves down by one through 20 minutes of play.
The Irish peppered the Buckeye end in shots but were unable to break the OSU goaltending nearly halfway through the second period. The Buckeyes then regained possession and forced an odd-man rush up ice the other way, firing a shot top shelf to beat Bischel and take the 2-0 lead.
The score held through the remainder of the middle frame and the Irish were tasked to overcome the two goal deficit in the final period of regulation.
Drew Bavaro finally broke the scoring drought for the Irish just 65 seconds into the third period to slice the Buckeyes’ lead in half.
The Irish tied it up at just under halfway through the final frame with a goal from Danny Nelson.
Shortly after the Irish game-tying goal, Notre Dame was whistled for a slash and headed back to the penalty kill. The Buckeyes capitalized on the man-advantage and regained the lead at 11:32 of the third period.
Notre Dame opted for the extra attacker with just over two minutes to play in regulation and the offensive end draw. Trevor Janicke nearly had the team’s third goal of the night but his shot from the doorstep hit the pads of the Buckeyes’ netminder and play continued.
The Irish won one final faceoff but the horn sounded and the 3-2 score went final with the visiting team dropping to 10-11-2 on the year.
GOALS
The Irish got on the board just 1:05 into the third period when Drew Bavaro skated into the slot, finding a lane and firing a shot into the back of the net to make it a 2-1 game. Landon Slaggert and Patrick Moynihan won the puck battle along the boards to get the puck up to Bavaro, each earning assists on the goal.
In his first game back following his trip to the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championships, Danny Nelson picked up the puck in the neutral zone and skated it in, all alone, for the 2-2 tally at 9:33 of the third period to tie it up. Brennan Ali, who found the tape of Nelson, was credited with the assist.
KEY STATS
The Irish won the battle at the circle, led by Danny Nelson’s .571 percentage (12-9). In total the Irish won 37 of 67 faceoffs Friday night in Columbus.
Cole Knuble and Drew Bavaro led the Irish in shots on goal, firing four shots on net each.
Bavaro scored the first goal for the Irish on the night and his fifth of the season.
With four blocked shots, Ryan Siedem led the team in the category.
In his return to the lineup, Danny Nelson net his fourth goal of the season, and first of 2024.
Named a Mike Richter Award Watchlist honoree Friday afternoon, Ryan Bischel finished the night with 34 saves and a .919 save percentage.
UP NEXT
The Irish and Buckeyes close out the regular season series Saturday night with puck drop set for 7:15 p.m. The first period will stream on the FOX Sports App before moving to Big Ten Network at 8 p.m.
NOTRE DAME MEN’S BASKETBALL
SATURDAY WITH THE SEMINOLES
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Notre Dame men’s basketball team has said they let two go on their home court in ACC play so they had to go on the road and get one back. At Georgia Tech in overtime, they did just that, and now the Fighting Irish are riding that momentum into Saturday’s contest against Florida State. The Irish look to protect the home court against the Seminoles at 2:15 p.m. ET on Jan. 13. The game will air live on the CW with tickets still available.
SATURDAY WITH THE SEMINOLES
The Irish will look to halt a three-game skid against the Seminoles while trying to even their ACC record back to .500. A win on Saturday would also already match the number of league wins achieved by Notre Dame last season.
Florida State enters with a 9-6 record and the winners of three straight. The Seminoles are 3-1 in league play with wins over Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest, and a loss to North Carolina.
Darin Green Jr. averages 12.9 ppg and is FSU’s deep threat. The senior guard ranks 35th in the country in three-point shooting percentage, converting 41.7 percent from deep.
As a team, FSU ranks highly in free throw attempts per game (23.7 – 27th nationally), steals (9.2 – 29th) and turnovers forced (15.7 – 27th).
ROAD KILL + SHREWSBERRY BREAKS OUT
In just his second attempt, Coach Shrewsberry and company got their first ACC road win – and did it by persevering through overtime. After Georgia Tech hit a dagger of a three with five seconds left to send the game to overtime, the Irish outscored the Yellow Jackets 9-2 to seal the win.
Braeden Shrewsberry put the team on his back with a season-best 25 points. He connected on a season-high five made three-pointers.
Marcus Burton added 12 points and dished out seven assists. Plus, Tae Davis (10p/10r) and JR Konieczny (10p/11r) each recorded double-doubles.
Notre Dame also converted a weakness from last week into a strong point tonight, converting 19-of-21 from the free-throw line. The Irish also outrebounded the Yellow Jackets 48-33, as the 48 boards were the most since ND grabbed 54 against High Point on Nov. 16, 2021.
1ST YEAR STAMP ON THE PROGRAM – DEFENSE
If you are looking for an early Coach Shrewsberry stamp on the program, look no further than the defensive effort by this young Irish squad.
Because of the defensive effort, Notre Dame’s 2-3 ACC record could easily be 4-1. The Irish held all five of its ACC opponents to under their season averages, with Miami and Duke being held to season lows at the time.
Furthermore, an Irish opponent has not recorded 70 points or more since Georgetown on Dec. 16 (six-game streak). With that said, Notre Dame’s scoring defense of 65.1 now ranks 2nd in the ACC and 47th in the country. According to KenPom, Notre Dame’s defensive efficiency ranks 50th.
In ACC play only, Notre Dame ranks 2nd in scoring defense (61.0), field goal percentage defense (.369) and three-point field goal percentage defense (.290).
HITTING THE MARK
Point guard Markus Burton has put his name amongst the top freshmen in the country with his stellar play thus far. For those who aren’t acquainted with the local standout from Mishawaka, here are some quick hitters:
His 15.9 ppg leads all ACC freshmen and ranks 4th nationally amongst DI freshmen.
He is 1-of-2 players in the ACC averaging over 15 points and 4 assists. 1-of-3 freshmen nationally.
If the season ended today, Burton’s 15.9 ppg would rank 3rd all-time in the ND freshman record book. The two in front of him – Adrian Dantley (18.3) and Troy Murphy (19.2).
Burton leads the team with 14 double-digit scoring games.
Ranks 12th in the ACC in scoring, 7th in Assists (4.1), 15th in steals (1.4) and 10th in FT% (.828).
Averaging 5.8 assists in ACC play only which ranks 3rd.
#TRENDING
Burton has produced 9 straight games in double figures, totaling 151 points (16.8 ppg). He’s also averaging 4.6 assists in that span.
Braeden Shrewsberry has produced back-to-back games in double figures, averaging 18.5 points. He’s 9-of-16 (.563) from three in that span. Ultimately, Shrewsberry is averaging 10.2 points in ACC play as well.
Both J.R. Konieczny and Tae Davis are coming off double-doubles. It marked the first time 2 Irish earned double-doubles since Paul Atkinson and Dane Goodwin at NC State on Feb. 5, 2022. Konieczny leads the team in double-doubles with four this season, followed tightly by Davis with three.
NJIE HO
Kebba Njie has been a rebounding machine the last three games, reeling in 30 boards (10.0 rpg). That stretch includes a career high 11 rebounds vs. NC State. He also nearly achieved his first career double-double when he had nine points and 10 rebounds against #14/13 Duke.
BUTLER WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
BUTLER BACK AT HINKLE SATURDAY NIGHT TO HOST VILLANOVA
INDIANAPOLIS – Butler will host Villanova in a rare Saturday night game on Jan. 13. The two teams will come together at Hinkle Fieldhouse for a 7:30 PM tip on FloHoops.com. Joey Lindstrom and Amber Stocks will call the action on the BIG EAST Digital Network.
GameDay
Date: Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Indianapolis, Ind. – Hinkle Fieldhouse
Live Stats: ButlerSports.com – Statbroadcast
Watch: BEDN – FloHoops.com
Bulldog Bits
– Rachel Kent needs four more 3-pointers to reach 300 in her collegiate career.
– Kent led BU in scoring Wednesday night (10) for the fifth time this season.
– Caroline Strande ranks 10th in the BIG EAST in rebounding (7.4) and 13th in scoring (14.4).
– Strande is the fifth-best free throw shooter in the conference (78.6%) and ranks sixth in field goal percentage (46.4%).
– Strande has made 44 free throws this season the rest of the team combines for 66.
– BU made 12 free throws in Omaha, their third highest total of the season.
– Jordan Meulemans led BU in minutes Wednesday night playing 37 of 40 vs. the Bluejays.
– Meulemans ranks fourth in the BIG EAST and 14th in the NCAA in 3-point field goal percentage (46.2).
– The Bulldogs rank second in the BIG EAST in made 3-pointers per game (8.7) and 3-point percentage.
– Ari Wiggins ranks ninth in the BIG EAST in steals per game (1.8).
– Karsyn Norman jumped into the starting lineup for the first time this season at Creighton.
– Butler is 8th in the country in fewest fouls per game (13.0), they only committed seven fouls at Creighton.
– Five different players were responsible for Butler’s five 3-pointers at CU. It was their second-lowest single game total of the season (4 vs. Austin Peay).
BIG EAST Standings
UConn 5-0, 13-3
St. John’s 4-1, 10-7
Villanova 3-1, 10-5
Marquette 3-2, 14-2
Creighton 3-2, 12-3
Providence 2-2, 8-9
Georgetown 2-3, 12-4
Seton Hall 2-3, 10-6
DePaul 1-3, 9-8
Butler 0-4, 8-7
Xavier 0-4, 1-12
Scouting Villanova
The Wildcats are currently third in the conference standings with a 3-1 BIG EAST record. They lost by five at St. John’s to open league play but have bounced back with three-straight wins over Xavier, Seton Hall, and Georgetown. Head Coach Denise Dillon has a terrific duo in Lucy Olsen and Christina Dalce. Olsen leads the BIG EAST in scoring (23.3), free throws made and minutes played. She ranks second in the nation in field goal attempts and fourth in made field goals. Dalce leads the BIG EAST with six double-doubles. She leads the conference in rebounds per game (10.5) and is the second leading shot blocker (1.8). The floor general for the Wildcats is senior Bella Runyan. She only averages 6.3 points per game, but she is the league leader in assist to turnover ratio. Runyan averages 3.7 assists per game and has only committed 20 turnovers in 500 minutes of action this season.
All-Time Series
Villanova leads Butler in the all-time series 15-6. The Wildcats have won six-straight with every victory coming by 10 points or more. Butler swept the regular season series over Villanova in 2019-20. They won 58-41 at Villanova and 63-61 at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Last Meeting vs. Villanova
Villanova was ranked #19 the last time these two programs met on Feb. 4, 2023. The Wildcats went to Hinkle Fieldhouse to record a 78-58 victory. Maddy Siegrist, Lucy Olsen and Christian Dalce supplied Villanova with 62 of their 78 points. Olsen hit three 3-pointers to help her score 18 and Dalce was in the box score with a double-double collecting 12 rebounds to go along with her 13 points. Sydney Jaynes led Butler with 16 points and six rebounds. Jaynes went 6-for-8 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free throw line.
Strande Needs Nine for 500
Caroline Strande needs nine points against Villanova on Saturday night to reach 500 career points. She recently had eight at Creighton on 2-of-4 shooting. Strande has scored in double figures in 12 of Butler’s 15 games. She scored a season-high 22 points vs. Chicago State and has hit at least one 3-pointer in four-straight games.
Turnovers
The turnover battle will be something to watch on Saturday night. No BIG EAST team takes better care of the basketball than Villanova. The Wildcats only commit 10 turnovers per game (best in the BIG EAST) while the Bulldogs average 14. Butler only committed nine turnovers in their last game, their second-fewest total in a contest this season.
Patrol The Paint
Butler will have to match Villanova’s intensity around the rim on Saturday. Defensively, Nova leads the league in blocked shots per game (4.9). On the other end, they crash the glass and rank second in the BIG EAST in offensive rebounds per game (12.8).
Starting Five Shakeup
Butler used a different starting five at Creighton putting Karsyn Norman in at point guard. The freshman had four points, two assists and tied her season-high with two steals in 27 minutes. Another freshman led Butler in minutes off the bench. Riley Makalusky logged a season-high 22 minutes of court time and responded with three points and four rebounds.
Jumpstart the Offense
Butler is averaging 55 points per game against BIG EAST competition. The ‘Dawgs averaged 67 points per game against non-conference opponents.
Carter Coming Along
Cristen Carter has grabbed three or more rebounds in 11 games this season. The freshman forward averages 3.3 per game and recently tied Rachel Kent for the team lead with five boards at Creighton. Carter has as many offensive rebounds this season (23) as defensive. She has also scored at least one field goal in Butler’s last six games, moving her shooting percentage to 47.6 on the season.
Sharpshooter
Jordan Meulemans has hit a 3-pointer in 12-straight games. 42 of her 56 field goals this season have been from 3-point range and 74 of her 97 career field goals have been from distance. Meulemans has attempted 189 3-pointers over her career, but just six free throws.
Butler For 3!
Jordan Meulemans and Rachel Kent are two of the top 3-point shooters in the NCAA. Meulemans has made a team-high 42 3-pointers this season and Kent is second on the team with 38. Meulemans is shooting 46.2 percent from 3-point range and Kent is right at 40 percent (40.7).
2 for 20
Jordan Meulemans and Caroline Strande became the first Bulldog teammates to score 20 points or more in the same game since Feb. 28, 2020. Meulemans scored a team-high 23 points against Chicago State on Dec. 10 and Strande scored a career-high 22 points. The last Bulldog duo to score 20 each in the same game prior to this season was Kristen Spolyar and Kat Strong. Spolyar had 28 at St. John’s and Strong posted 21.
Tied a Team Record
Jordan Meulemans made eight 3-pointers in the win over St. Thomas to match the single-game high in the BIG EAST this season. She ended the contest going 8-for-10 from behind the arc to score a career-high 24 points. Meulemans was just one 3-pointer shy of tying the single-game BU individual record and the ‘Dawgs tied their team record with 16 made 3-pointers in the victory.
Up Next
Butler will be in Queens Wednesday night to face the Red Storm at 7 PM. Fans can catch the BIG EAST Digital Network game on FloHoops.com. St. John’s is 4-1 in conference play and will take a three-game winning streak to UConn on Saturday.
BUTLER MEN’S BASKETBALL
BULLDOGS HOST BIG EAST-LEADING SETON HALL SATURDAY AT HINKLE
Coming off their most impressive win of the season, the Bulldogs return to Hinkle Fieldhouse for a Saturday afternoon tip with Seton Hall. The Pirates are currently one of three teams leading the BIG EAST with a 4-1 conference record. Saturday’s game serves as Butler’s annual men’s basketball alumni game with many Bulldog letterwinners in attendance.
Butler (11-5, 2-3 BIG EAST) vs. rv/rv Seton Hall (11-5, 4-1)
Saturday, Jan. 13; Noon
Hinkle Fieldhouse; Indianapolis, Ind.
TV: FS1 – Dan Hellie & Casey Jacobsen
Radio: WXNT 1430AM, Varsity Network Radio App, SiriusXM 384, SXM App 974 – @MarkMinner & Nick Gardner (@n_gardner)
The Series with the Pirates
• All 22 meetings have come since Butler joined the BIG EAST prior to the 2013-14 season.
• The teams have met twice in the BIG EAST Tournament, splitting those match-ups.
• Butler won seven of the first eight meetings between the two programs, while Seton Hall has won seven of the eight most recent games played.
Series: Seton Hall Leads, 12-10
Streak: Seton Hall, W4
At Hinkle: Tied, 5-5
First Meeting: BU, 64-57, 1/29/14 (at SH)
Last Meeting: SHU, 70-49, 1/28/23 (at Butler)
Home, Sweet Hinkle
• Butler is 8-1 at Hinkle Fieldhouse so far this season.
• Thad Matta is 31-8 at Hinkle Fieldhouse as the head coach at Butler (2000-01 and his current stint that began prior to the 2022-23 season).
• Butler has scored at least 80 points in seven of its nine home games this season (going over the 90-point mark five times).
• Butler is 77-2 over its last 79 non-conference home games, winning 15 straight.
Of Note
• Butler defeated No. 11/12 Marquette, 69-62, Wednesday night on the road in the team’s most recent outing.
• The win moved Butler from No. 63 to No. 48 in the NCAA NET rankings and from No. 64 to No. 52 in KenPom overnight.
• The win was Butler’s first “true road win” over a ranked team since beating No. 2 Villanova Feb. 22, 2017.
• Butler’s win snapped Marquette’s 19-game home winning streak and ended the Golden Eagles’ 20 consecutive home BIG EAST wins.
• The Bulldogs’ defense limited Marquette to 33-percent shooting, including a 5-for-31 mark from three-point range. Butler moved from 120th nationally to 63rd overnight in three-point percentage defense after the performance.
• Marquette led by as many as 11 in the first half and seven at halftime; Butler is now 2-4 this season when trailing at the half.
• Jalen Thomas posted his second double-double of the season with 10 points and a career-high 14 rebounds against Marquette.
• Landon Moore matched his season-high with 14 points on 4-for-5 shooting.
• Pierre Brooks II shared the team lead with Moore with his 14 points; he has scored in double figures in every game this season.
• Posh Alexander matched his season-high with five steals at Marquette. He is second in the BIG EAST at 2.12 steals per game. Alexander’s 5.3 assists per game are fourth in the league.
• DJ Davis ranks third nationally in free throw percentage (95.9). He has two separate games going 10-for-10 from the charity stripe and has hit 47 of his 49 attempts on the season.
• On the season, Butler ranks eighth nationally in free throw shooting at 78.3 percent. Butler has shot 70 percent or better from the line in all but one game this season.
• Davis and Brooks have combined to go a perfect 28-for-28 from the free throw line in BIG EAST games.
• Over the last two games, Butler has combined to go 19-for-39 (49 percent) from three-point range.
• Davis is making 45 percent (21-for-47) of his three-point attempts in home games this season. His 46.4-percent marksmanship in BIG EAST games leads the conference.
• Butler has scored at least 80 points in nine of its 16 games to start the season; the Bulldogs only hit the 80-point mark six times total a season ago.
• Butler’s 81.3 points per game rank among the Top 50 nationally.
• The Bulldogs rank eighth nationally, committing just 13.5 fouls per game.
• The Bulldogs were able to overcome a season-worst 18 turnovers at Marquette. Butler has committed 10 or fewer turnovers in seven games this season, including a season-low five against Providence Dec. 23. Butler is 8-1 when committing fewer turnovers than its opponent.
• Brooks’ 16.4 points per game scoring average is seventh in the BIG EAST.
• Davis, Brooks, Jahmyl Telfort and Alexander all have games scoring 20 or more points this season. Butler has three games with two Bulldogs each eclipsing 20.
• Butler owned a 46-22 advantage in points in the paint over Georgetown in the BIG EAST opener Dec. 19. Butler has outscored its opponent in the paint in 11 games.
• Butler out-rebounded Georgetown, 37-29, in the BIG EAST opener. Butler is 9-0 this season when out-rebounding its opponent.
• Butler shot 52 percent from the field Dec. 9 vs. Cal; the Bulldogs have shot 50 percent or better in six games this season.
IUPUI MEN’S BASKETBALL
JAGUARS TO HOST OAKLAND UNIVERSITY ON SATURDAY AT THE COLISEUM
INDIANAPOLIS – The IUPUI basketball team will host Oakland University inside Indiana Farmers Coliseum on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 13) at 2:00 p.m. on ESPN+. The first 75 fans in attendance will receive a FREE IUPUI pint glass for their attendance and Saturday’s game is presented by IU Health.
On the court, the Jaguars are coming off a tough 68-58 home loss to Green Bay, which moved atop the Horizon League standings with the win. Oakland (10-8, 5-2 HL) comes in tied atop the Horizon League standings nearly one-third of the way through the schedule.
Sophomore Vincent Brady II had a team-high 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting and was recently named IUPUI’s 92C Partners Male Athlete of the Week. Junior Jlynn Counter added 14 points in the loss.
IUPUI built a quick 22-10 lead midway through the opening half, aided by Qwanzi Samuels’ play off the bench. Samuels finished with eight points and six rebounds, making 4-of-5 from the field.
SCOUTING OAKLAND
Oakland enters play at 10-8 overall and 5-2 to start Horizon League play. The Golden Grizzlies are 6-6 away from home this season, going 4-5 in true road games with wins at Xavier, Detroit Mercy, Eastern Michigan and Youngstown State. The Golden Grizzlies have won four straight heading into Saturday’s contest. Trey Townsend (17.4 ppg, 7.7 rpg) leads a balanced OU attack that also features double-digit scorers Blake Lampman (12.2 ppg), Chris Conway (10.3 ppg) and Jack Gohlke (10.3 ppg). Townsend also leads the Golden Grizzlies in assists (58), steals (27) and free throws made (79).
INSIDE THE SERIES
IUPUI is 20-32 against Oakland in a series that dates back to 1975. The two teams were foes in the Mid-Continent Conference, Summit League and now Horizon League. IUPUI is 13-10 in 23 meetings in Indianapolis and comes in having lost the last four meetings in the series.
UP NEXT
IUPUI will face Purdue Fort Wayne on Wednesday night (Jan. 17) at 7:00 p.m. in Fort Wayne. That game will be aired on ESPN+.
Notes and Tidbits (click here to download the full IUPUI Game Notes)
BRADY BUNCH (OF NOTES)
The past five games, sophomore Vincent Brady II is averaging 15.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per game while shooting 45.3 percent overall and 11-of-29 (37.9 percent) from three and 19-of-26 (73.1 percent) from the foul line. He’s scored in double figures in all five of those games.
At Youngstown State last Sunday, Brady hit for a season-high 18 points (5-10 FG, 4-6 3’s, 4-4 FT), including a season-high four treys (most by an IUPUI player this season).
In Horizon League play, Brady is leading the team in scoring (12.3 ppg) and threes made (11) and is second on the team in rebounding (4.4 rpg).
HOT QWANZ
The past three games, forward Qwanzi Samuels is a combined 10-of-12 from the field and is now shooting 49 percent from the floor this season.
#SCTOP10
IUPUI players were featured on ESPN’s SportsCenter Top 10 Plays twice in three days on Dec. 29 and Dec. 31 with a pair of dunks. Against Detroit Mercy on Dec. 29, Kidtrell Blocker’s one-handed dunk from the right side was the No. 8 play on SportsCenter. Two days later, Vincent Brady II’s one-handed dunk from the left baseline was chosen as the No. 4 play in the country that evening.
ONLY THE LONELY
Only two Jaguars (John Egbuta and Qwanzi Samuels) have appeared in all 18 games so far this season as 13 different players have missed at least one game due to injury or illness. The most recent to have been sidelined is Kidtrell Blocker, who missed Wednesday’s game against Green Bay due to illness.
FOR STARTERS
With the glut of injuries and sickness, head coach Matt Crenshaw has found himself shuffling his starting lineup. After relying on the starting group of Jlynn Counter, Bryce Monroe, Kidtrell Blocker, Qwanzi Samuels and Yves Nkomba to start the season (7 games, 2-5 overall), Crenshaw has tried some alternatives of late. Cooper Dewitt has started 10 straight games in place of Samuels and both Vincent Brady II and DJ Jackson have recently earned seven starts. Most recently, sophomore Abdou Samb moved into the starting five, replacing Nkomba ahead of the Dec. 21 game with Defiance.
SAMB, FOR STARTERS
In six games in the IUPUI starting lineup (2-4 overall), sophomore Abdou Samb is averaging 6.5 points and 3.8 rebounds, going 16-of-22 from the field (72.7 percent). Samb’s field goal percentage has risen from 55.5 percent to 63.3 percent since he moved into the starting five.
ACTION JACKSON
Sophomore DJ Jackson has started the past seven games, scoring double-digits in five of those contests. During that span, Jackson is averaging 10.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg and 1.5 steals/game while shooting 26-of-55 (47.3%) from the floor and 18-of-22 (81.8%) from the foul line. Jackson had scored in double-digits just two times in the season’s first 11 games.
MR. DO-IT-ALL
In his second season with the program, junior guard Jlynn Counter has become the Jaguars’ Mr. Do It All, leading the team in scoring (14.5 ppg; 10th in HL) and assists (46) while ranking second on the team in rebounding (4.3 rpg). Counter, a preseason Second Team All-Horizon League pick, led the team in scoring (14.5 ppg) and assists (3.3 apg) last season.
COUNTER COUNT
Counter tallied his 500th career point against Elon on Nov. 17 and enters today with 698 career points.
…He’s scored in double-digits 34 times in 48 career games
…He’s hit for 20-or-more points 13 times in 48 career games
QWANZ SEES DOUBLE
Graduate transfer Qwanzi Samuels recorded his first collegiate double-double at Minnesota (Dec. 16), having finished with a career-high 13 points (5-8 FG, 3-3 FT), 10 rebounds and four assists in 30 minutes off the Jaguars’ bench. It marked his first-ever double-digit scoring game (in his 96th career game) and his second career game with 10-or-more rebounds.
BENCH WORK
IUPUI is averaging 25.2 points per game from its reserves this season and has gotten at least 21 bench points in 15 of 18 games (including five games of 30+).
NINE MAN ROTATION
Nine different Jaguars are playing at least 12 minutes per game, led by Jlynn Counter (29.4 mpg) down to Cooper Dewitt (12.4 mpg).
IN THE CLASSROOM
Seven members of the squad topped a 3.0 grade point average for the fall semester, paced by John Egbuta (3.62) and Amhad Jarrard (3.51). Others included Vincent Brady II (3.48), Yves Nkomba (3.46), Derek Petersen (3.29), Qwanzi Samuels (3.12) and Bryce Monroe (3.00).
SEEING RED
It’s likely that both Amhad and Armon Jarrard will redshirt this season. Amhad missed the entire summer and preseason after suffering an injury last season and Armon was limited to just three games this season while playing through an injury. He was shutdown after trying to play at Indiana State on Nov. 14. The Jarrards are one of 21 sets of brothers playing for the same team this season and one of nine sets of twins in Division I basketball.
FIRST TO TIP
IUPUI was the first team in the country to tip-off the 2023-24 season, starting at 11:00 a.m. on Nov. 6 in front of a crowd of 4,867 on the annual NCAA ‘Readers Become Leaders’ Day at Indiana Farmers Coliseum. The 4,867 represented a new home attendance record for the Jaguars, eclipsing the previous mark of 4,114 from last year’s similar event.
ROAD KILL
The road win at Valpo was a welcome event, marking IUPUI’s first road win since winning at Robert Morris on Feb. 17, 2022. It was the first road non-conference victory since winning at South Florida on Nov. 13, 2019 at the Cayman Islands Classic.
ARC ISSUES
IUPUI has struggled with the three-point line this season, both offensively and defensively. Offensively, IUPUI ranks 357th (of 362) in the country in three-point percentage at 25.6 percent. The Jaguars’ 3.9 made/game rank 361st nationally. Defensively, IUPUI is No. 332 nationally in allowing opponents to shoot 36.3 percent from beyond the arc. The Jaguars threes made differential (3.6 fewer than their opponents) is No. 352 in the country and the three-point percentage differential (10.7% worse than opponents) is No. 358 in the nation.
BALL STATE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
WBB LOOKS TO TAKE ON THE FALCONS IN THE BATTLE OF THE BIRDS SATURDAY IN WORTHEN
Ball State (13-2, 3-0 MAC) vs Bowling Green (9-4, 3-0 MAC)
January 13, 2024
January 13, 2024 >>Worthen Arena >Muncie, Ind.>> 1 pm ET
– The Ball State women’s basketball team looks to remain undefeated in Mid-American Conference action while also extending its win streak to eight when it hosts the Bowling Green Falcons Saturday at 1 pm ET in Worthen Arena. Bowling Green will also enter the contest with an unblemished MAC mark at 3-0. The Cardinals are coming off of a come-from-behind 67-62 victory over Buffalo Wednesday while the Falcons recently defeated Eastern Michigan, 69-57 in midweek #MACtion.
– Ball State and Bowling Green have met a total of 73 times in program history with the Falcons leading the all-time series record, 48-26. In their last meeting in Worthen Arena, the Cardinals defeated the Falcons on Jan. 4, 2023 by a score of 81-73. Ball State has dropped its last two contests against Bowling Green after suffering losses on March 1 by a score of 76-81 and then in the semifinal game of the 2023 MAC Tournament on March 10 by a score of 61-70.
– Ball State and Bowling Green’s first-ever meeting was in 1974-75, the Cardinals defeated the Falcons by a score of 58-52 in Terre Haute, Ind.
– Ball State head coach Brady Sallee owns a 5-2 record against Bowling Green at home from 2013-present.
– It is only fitting that junior transfer Nyla Hampton is 13 points shy of 1,000 and could reach the milestone against her former Bowling Green teammates. Hampton had 865 points when she came to Ball State and has scored 122 so far this season for the Cardinals.
– Currently there are four teams that are undefeated in MAC play — Ball State, Toledo, Bowling Green and Kent State have all begun league action with a 3-0 mark with the Cardinals having the best overall record at 12-2. The last time the Cardinals opened MAC play with a 4-0 ledger was in 204-15.
Home Sweet Home:
John E. Worthen Arena has been very good to the Cardinals for the past decade. Ball State has a record of 178-86 (.654) at Worthen Arena from 2004-present. In 12 seasons Brady Sallee has compiled a 113-51 (.659) record in Worthen Arena. His best season at home was last season as the Cardinals finished 15-1 at home.
Falcon to Cardinal:
Hampton made her mark into the Bowling Green record book over her three-year stint, ranking first in steals per game (2.64), second in total steals (243), 10th in assists per game (3.02) and 14th in total assists (478). She also ended the 2022-23 campaign ranked seventh in the nation in steals per game (1.6). A three-time MAC All-Defensive Team recipient, Hampton is nearing the 1,000-point plateau with 865 career points. She has also pulled down 131 rebounds, dished out 278 assists, and stolen the ball 243 times. According to HD Intelligence, which rates and provides analytics on every player at the NCAA Division I and II levels, Nyla is the highest rated transfer for a school outside of the power 5 conferences.
Next Game:
Ball State returns to the road Wednesday when it plays an 11 am ET game at Central Michigan. Wednesday’s game against Central Michigan will mark the 87th time the teams have met, with the Chippewas leading the all-time series record, 44-42. The Cardinals have won five of their last six meetings against the Chippewas.
Three All-Stars Start:
Three of the Cardinals’ juniors this season were tabbed to their respective states all-star squads in high school. Both Ally Becki and Madelyn Bischoff were selected to the Indiana All-Star team while fellow teammate Marie Kiefer was a Kentucky All-Star. All three juniors are in the starting lineup and have combined for 446 points thus far for the Cardinals, 168 rebounds, and 103
assists.
BALL STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL
CARDINALS SET TO BATTLE ROCKETS IN TOLEDO SATURDAY NIGHT
The Ball State men’s basketball team returns to the road to play Toledo at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Savage Arena.
The game will be streamed on ESPN+, with Mason Lowry and Rhett Boyd on the call. Mick Tidrow and David Eha handle the radio broadcast on WMUN 1340AM – 92.5FM.
The Cardinals (8-7, 0-3 MAC) and Rockets (9-6, 3-0 MAC) meet for the 105th time in series history. Last season, the road team took both contests, as Ball State won 90-83 on Jan. 3 in Toledo before the Rockets got revenge to the tune of an 87-81 victory on March 3 at Worthen Arena.
Ball State dropped a heartbreaker to preseason league favorite Akron on Tuesday night, falling 80-76 after being up by six points with under four minutes to play, as the Zips hit a trio of three-pointers in a row to pull ahead. Basheer Jihad went for 27 points and 16 rebounds, while Jalin Anderson tallied 21 points and five assists for the Cardinals.
Toledo begins its Mid-American Conference slate undefeated after beating Ohio 86-77 on Jan. 2, Miami 68-64 on Jan. 5 and Kent State 89-75 on Jan. 9. In addition to the Golden Flashes, the Rockets have played common opponents with Ball State twice in nonconference action including Detroit Mercy on Nov. 6 (won 94-60) and Indiana State on Nov. 24 (lost 76-74).
SCOUTING TOLEDO: The Rockets went 27-8 (16-2 MAC) last season in head coach Tod Kowalczyk’s 13th leading the program. Toledo won the MAC regular season title but fell to Kent State in the tournament championship game.
The Rockets lead the MAC in scoring offense (79.3 points per game), field goal percentage (47.9) and fastbreak points per game (13.7) so far this season while ranking No. 16 in NCAA Division I in free throw percentage (77.4).
Junior guard Tyler Cochran leads the league with 2.27 steals per game (No. 31 nationally) and ranks tenth at 6.1 rebounds per game. Fellow junior guards Ra’Heim Moss (15.7) and Dante Maddox Jr. (14.8) rank 9th and 12th in the conference in points per game, respectively.
CARDINAL DIRECTIONS
Jihad leads the Cardinals in scoring (19.1 points per game) and rebounding (8.0) averages. The junior forward out of Detroit has led the Cardinals in scoring 10 games so far, scoring in double-figures 14 times, including seven games with 20+ points. The big man’s total points (286) and scoring average both rank third in the Mid-American Conference, while his rebounding average is fifth.
The Cardinals lead the MAC and rank No. 37 nationally in fewest fouls committed per game (14.7), while being second in the league in rebounding margin (+3.7) and third in 3-point shooting (37.0 percent), free throw shooting (75.2 percent) and scoring defense (69.7 points per game).
Ball State’s 20 wins last year were its most since 2016-17 when that team won 21. This season’s Cardinals will look for back-to-back 20-win schedules for the first time since that 2016-17 season.
The Cardinals are a young group, as the roster includes only one senior or graduate student (Ethan Brittain-Watts). Ball State returns only 21.5 percent of minutes played and 19.6 percent of points scored from last year’s team.
Brittain-Watts (Boston University), Jalin Anderson (Loyola Marymount) and Davion Bailey (Southeastern CC) form Ball State’s trio of transfers.
Joey Brown (Indianapolis), Zane Doughty (Indianapolis), Mason Jones (Valparaiso, Ind.), Trent Middleton Jr. (Philadelphia) and Jurica Zagorsak (Zadar, Croatia) are the Cardinals’ quintet of true freshmen.
Ball State recently signed forward Jai Anthoni Bearden (Phoenix, Ariz.) and guard Jermarhi “Fatt” Hill (Bessemer, Ala.) to national letters of intent to form the Cardinals’ 2024 recruiting class.
PRODUCTIVE PAIR: Juniors Basheer Jihad (19.1 points per game) and Jalin Anderson (15.8) rank third and eighth in the MAC in average scoring, respectively.
The duo joins Northern Illinois’ David Coit (19.0 ppg, fourth) and Zarique Nutter (15.2 ppg, tenth), as the only two tandems in the league to rank in the Top 10 in scoring.
TOP OF THE MAC: Ball State’s first four games on its Mid-American Conference schedule include games against the three teams who finished at the top of the MAC in 2022-23.
The Cardinals played at Kent State, who was voted second in the MAC preseason coaches poll, on Jan. 2 and preseason league favorite Akron on Tuesday. Ball State’s matchup on Saturday, Toledo, won the MAC regular season crown in 2022-23.
BANKING ON BASHEER: Jihad leads the team in scoring (19.1 points per game), rebounding (8.0 per game) and field goal percentage (49.2) among Cardinals averaging at least four field goal attempts this season. Jihad has established or tied career highs in scoring five times already this season, including in the Dec. 10 win vs SIUE (27 points).
The Detroit native’s scoring average has nearly tripled over last year (7.1), while his rebounding average has doubled (3.6). Jihad started only one game in his first two seasons at Ball State, but has been a mainstay in the starting lineup as an upperclassman now.
JALIN JAMS: Anderson, a transfer out of Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles, leads the Ball State backcourt in scoring (15.8 points per game) and the team in assists (4.5 per game) as the Cardinals’ lead guard.
The Jackson, Tenn., native boasts Ball State’s highest offensive output (29 points against Old Dominion) so far and is on pace to set career bests for points, assists and steals while already establishing his career high for single season rebounds. Anderson has shown a penchant for explosive offensive performances, posting five 20+ point games so far this season.
EMERGENCE OF BIG BEN: Redshirt junior center Ben Hendriks had started each of the last six games before missing the Dec. 21 game at Minnesota, totaling career-highs of 11 points and seven rebounds in the Dec. 2 win over Bellarmine and 32 minutes played in the Dec. 10 win against SIUE.
Hendriks already surpassed his career-bests for points (64), rebounds (48), assists (13), blocks (13) and steals (four) in a season through the schedule’s first 15 games while shooting an impressive 84.2 percent at the free throw line. The big man has seen increased playing time over his last 10 contests, averaging 19.8 minutes per game after playing 6.8 per in the first four games.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK X2: Jihad was named the Mid-American Conference Men’s Basketball Co-Player of the Week on both Dec. 4 and Dec. 11.
Jihad averaged 24.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, setting career highs in scoring three times over the four-game stretch to lead Ball State to a 3-1 record.
WINNING IN WORTHEN: The Cardinals clinched an undefeated home nonconference slate for the fourth straight season with the Dec. 10 decision over the Cougars.
Ball State has won 19 consecutive nonconference contests at Worthen Arena, with its last loss being on Dec. 3, 2019 to Loyola (Chicago).
1,300 WINS: The Ball State men’s basketball team recorded win No. 1,300 in program history with the Dec. 2 decision against Bellarmine. The Cardinals are the tenth current MAC men’s basketball team to reach that milestone.
MAC Program Wins (as of Dec. 4, 2023)
Akron – 1,697
Ball State – 1,300
Buffalo – 1,279
Bowling Green – 1,452
Central Michigan – 1,356
Eastern Michigan – 1,292
Kent State – 1,332
Miami (OH) – 1,436
Northern Illinois – 1,315
Ohio – 1,614
Toledo – 1,551
Western Michigan – 1,372
MILESTONE WATCH: Jihad and Pearson Jr. both scored their 500th career points in the second half on Saturday against Indiana St, with Jihad hitting the figure with a 3-pointer and Pearson Jr. getting to the total on a layup.
Pearson Jr. tallied 23 of those points playing at TCU, while Anderson (841) boasts the most career points in NCAA Division I on the current roster.
HOME HEROES: Ball State boasts a 7-2 record in the friendly confines of Worthen Arena, beating visitors by an average of 17.0 points per game (80.4-63.4).
The success includes advantages in rebounding margin (+7.2), turnover margin (+2.7), field goal shooting (.477 to .420) and 3-point shooting (.387 to .310).
Up Next
The Cardinals stay on the road to play Eastern Michigan at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
INDIANA STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL
SYCAMORES HOST BELMONT ON HALL OF FAME DAY IN HULMAN
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State men’s basketball returns to Hulman Center following a two-game road stretch in Iowa to host the Belmont Bruins. Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and 105.5 The Legend.
About Belmont
Belmont is in their 5th season with Casey Alexander at the helm. Coach Alexander owns a 61.3% overall winning percentage with a 75.7% winning percentage while at Belmont. Belmont sits in a five-way tie for first place in the MVC with its 4-1 record. Belmont was selected to finish in fifth place in the preseason poll. BU finished 21-11 in 2022-23 with a 14-6 MVC record. The Sycamores ended the Bruins’ season with a 94-91 win in the Quarterfinals of the 2023 MVC Tournament. Three Bruins currently average 10.0+ PPG: Malik Dia (18.0), Cade Tyson (16.7), and Ja’Kobi Gillespie (16.2).
Hall of Fame In-Game Recognition
Throughout the game on Saturday afternoon, the Sycamores will be recognizing members of the newly inducted 31st Indiana State Hall of Fame class during the in-game media timeouts. ISU will hold its annual Hall of Fame ceremony on Friday evening as five members will be forever enshrined in the Sycamores’ Hall of Fame.
The 31st ISU Hall of Fame Class is listed below
Anton Hulman Jr. (Donor – 1969-77)
Jenny Folz (Women’s Track & Field – 1998-99)
Cathy Baker (Athletic Administration – 1986-2010)
Megan Stone (Softball – 2011-15)
Frankie Young (Men’s Track & Field – 1996-99)
50th Anniversary of Hulman Center
Indiana State will recognize the contributions of Anton Hulman Jr. and the entire Hulman-George family in a halftime ceremony during Saturday’s game. The Hulman Center opened to the public officially on December 14, 19873 and has become one of the finest college basketball and multi-purpose facilities in the nation. The 9,000-seat facility underwent a $50 million renovation which ended in 2020, while adding another $2 million videoboard upgrade in 2022.
ISU will recognize members of the Hulman-George family in attendance at the game during a brief ceremony with an on-court recognition immediately following the conclusion of the first half.
Pregame Moment of Silence
Before tipoff, Indiana State will honor Eric Curry with a moment of silence after the recent news of his passing. Curry was a member of the legendary 1978-79 team.
Last Time Out – Indiana State
Indiana State men’s basketball suffers its first lost in Missouri Valley Conference play in the 2023-24 season at Drake University, 89-78. The Sycamores move to 13-3 overall and 4-1 in league play.
Robbie Avila and Ryan Conwell led the way for Indiana State, each finishing with 17 points. Avila made four three-pointers, grabbed seven rebounds, and dished out three assists. Conwell’s 17 points came from 5-for-11 shooting from the floor, including three made triples, accompanied by five rebounds and three assists.
Xavier Bledson scored 12 points on 5-for-7 shooting, grabbed three rebounds, and tallied two assists. Isaiah Swope also recorded 12 points, converting on 7-for-8 from the foul line. Julian Larry, the Sycamores’ fifth scorer in double figures, finished with 10 points with all 10 coming from the free-throw line – a perfect 10-for-10 night.
The turnovers factored into the loss for the Sycamores, tying the fourth-highest turnover mark of the season with 15 leading to 18 Bulldog points. Drake limited their turnovers to only three, the lowest total by a Sycamore opponent this season, which led to only a single Sycamore point.
Last Time Out – Belmont
Behind 17 points and six rebounds from Malik Dia, Belmont University men’s basketball defeated Illinois State, 67-60, Wednesday night from the Curb Event Center. Cade Tyson added 16 points as Belmont managed foul trouble and played a second consecutive game without standout guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE MEN’S BASKETBALL
‘DONS DROP OT CONTEST AT THE BUZZER TO ROBERT MORRIS 91-88
MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – Robert Morris’ Markeese Hastings made a 3-pointer at the buzzer in overtime to defeat Purdue Fort Wayne 91-88 in Horizon League men’s basketball play on Friday (Jan. 12).
Hastings corralled a full court pass and hit the 3-pointer to give the Colonials the win. It was the second of a pair of late game 3-pointers for RMU. Josh Corbin made a three to tie the game at 78 in regulation to force overtime. Corbin had a game-high 28 points for the Colonials.
The Mastodons were led by Quinton Morton-Robertson’s 24 points. He was one of five ‘Dons in double-digits. Jalen Jackson finished with 17 points, nine rebounds, four steals, two blocks and two assists. Rasheed Bello had 14 points and six assists. Anthony Roberts and Maximus Nelson each added 12 points.
The contest featured 19 lead changes and 10 ties
Purdue Fort Wayne trailed by as many as nine in the second half after RMU went up 45-36 with 16:37 left. A 13-3 run quickly followed, fueled by 3-pointers by Corey Hadnot II, Morton-Robertson and Bello to put the ‘Dons up again.
Bello, Morton-Robertson and Jackson each made two free throws in the final minute of regulation, but RMU had an answer after each possession. The first two responses were Justice Williams layups. The final was Corbins’ 3-pointer to tie it.
The overtime session saw the Colonials out-score the ‘Dons 13-10. Morton-Robertson put the ‘Dons up 88-86 with 1:24 left thanks to a three, but it would be the final points of the game for the ‘Dons.
The ‘Dons forced 25 turnovers in the contest. Purdue Fort Wayne shot 41.5 percent (27-of-65). RMU finished at 51.7 percent (31-of-60).
It was Purdue Fort Wayne’s first overtime loss since falling to Western Michigan in Fort Myers, Florida on Nov. 27, 2021.
Robert Morris improves to 6-12 (2-5 Horizon League). The ‘Dons are now 13-5 (4-3 Horizon League). The Mastodons host IUPUI on Wednesday.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE MEN’S VOLLEYBALL
MASTODON MVB MOVES TO 3-0 WITH WIN OVER SACRED HEART
FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Jon Diedrich and Mark Frazier recorded 17 kills each to lead Purdue Fort Wayne men’s volleyball to a 3-1 (25-15, 24-26, 25-23, 25-22) win at Sacred Heart on Friday night (Jan. 12).
Seventeen kills for Diedrich and Frazier marked season-highs for both pin hitters. Frazier also had three of the team’s seven aces.
From the middle, Bryce Walker and Kaden Fosdick combined for 11 kills on 15 attempts. Walker was 5-0-6 and Fosdick was 6-0-9.
The Mastodons were on fire offensively on Friday, as they finished the match with a .448 hitting percentage. They hit .611 in the first set.
After leading 20-15 in the opening frame, the ‘Dons rattled off a 5-0 run to close the set. Diedrich had a kill and an ace in this stretch.
The second set went to Sacred Heart despite the two teams hitting an identical .355. Frazier was nearly perfect in set two, going 6-0-7.
Set three was a back-and-forth affair once Sacred Heart tied the set at 21. The Mastodons went to their two All-MIVA players from a year ago, getting kills from walker and Diedrich to take a 2-1 lead.
The Mastodons charged out to an 8-4 thanks to three blocks in the early portion of the set. SHU went up 14-12, but the two teams were square at 19 later on. From there, a pair of blocks and three kills from Frazier got the ‘Dons their third set.
Freshman Andrew Mayer had a season-high eight digs, the most on the team.
Patrick Mucherino had a match-high 20 kills for Sacred Heart, but the ‘Dons held him to .111.
Purdue Fort Wayne moves to 3-0 while Sacred Heart falls to 0-2. The Mastodons will continue their road swing with a match at NJIT tomorrow (Saturday, Jan. 13) at 7 p.m.
EVANSVILLE TRACK
ACES BREAK SIX PROGRAM RECORDS IN FIRST DAY AT COMMODORE CHALLENGE
NASHVILLE — It may have been the first meet day of the 2024 track and field season, but the University of Evansville team was in mid-season form to start the Commodore Challenge.
The Purple Aces were ready to go out of the gate at the Commodore Challenge as six runners broke indoor program records and five other team members set personal bests. All six of UE’s new records came during nonchampionship track events with an even split between the men’s and women’s events. Program records were set by Nicole Prauchner (Neuhofen an der Ybbs, Austria BORGL St.Pölten) in the women’s 1000-meter, Rafael Rodriguez (Segovia, Spain Colegio Claret) in the men’s 1000-meter, Eline Brenne (Skien, Norway Telemark Toppidrett Gymnas) in the women’s 600-meter, Jakub Nowicki (Poznan, Poland) in the men’s 600-meter, Taylor Johnson (Evansville, Ind., Reitz HS) in the women’s 300-meter, and Raymond Felton III (Houston, Clear Brook HS) in the men’s 300-meter.
The first day of the Commodore Challenge began with field events as Evansville’s throwers saw multiple personal records. On the men’s side graduate student Jaden Hayes (Huntingburg, Ind. Southridge HS) set a PR in the weight throw reaching 16.20m for 14th place. Graduate student Zach Dove (Princeton, Ind., Princeton Community HS) finished three spots ahead of Hayes in the event with a throw of 16.62m. On the women’s side, sophomore Gwen Darrah (Cleveland, Ohio, Orange HS) set a PR in the weight throw at 12.03m. Senior Hannah Bryan (Evansville, Ind., Reitz HS) made her throwing debut on Friday with a weight throw of 7.95m. Junior Mason Douglas (Howe, Ind. Manchester University) was the Aces lone juickmper on the day with a long jump of 5.87m.
The Aces sprinters also had a big day as sophomore Kate Walke (Batesville, Ind. Oldenburg Academy) set a personal record in the 200-meter dash at 29.20. But freshman Connor Shin (Bloomington, Ind., Bloomington North HS) had a Top 15 finish in his first collegiate meet running the 200-meter dash in 22.81 seconds. Sophomore Jude Nyugen (Farmington Hills, Mich. North Farmington) placed 22nd in the 200-meters at 24.07 seconds. Sprinters finished out the day for UE at the Commodore Challenge in the 300-meter as Johnson and Felton set program records at 41.80 seconds and 35.56 seconds respectively. Also racing in the 300-meters on the men’s side were Austin Liversgowdy (Florence, Ky. Cooper HS) in 17th with a time of 36.22 and sophomore Jose Ocampo (Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico) finished 23rd with a time of 36.68.
Mid-distance runners also had strong finishes at the Commodore Challenge. Three women finished in the Top 13 of the 1000-meters for Evansville as Prauchner set a new record at 2:52.14. Freshman Kalina Urbaniak (Suchy Las, Poland) placed 10th with a finish of 2:56.95 while Nayla Martin (Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec, Canada) placed 13th with a finish of 3:00.07. In the men’s 1000-meters Rodriguez ran a 2:29.41 for 8th and a new program record while Alvaro Monfort (Castile Y Leon, Spain I.E.S. Alonso de Madrigal) finished 11th with a time of 2:33.10 and Tommaso Losma (Lombardia, Italy Liceo Scientifico David Maria Turoldo) finished 14th with a time of 2:34.63.
In the 600-meters Brenne set a new program record of 1:37.10 on the women’s side in 10th place. On the men’s side Nowicki finished 15th with a time of 1:23.50 to break the program record set by junior Adam Oulgout last season. Also finishing the men’s 600-meters for Evansville was sophomore Joey Taylor with a time of 1:27.04 in his first 600-meter race.
Day two of the Commodore Challenge begins tomorrow at 11 a.m. with field events including shot put, pole vault, and the triple jump. Running events will begin at 12 p.m. starting with hurdle preliminaries and wrapping up with 4×400 relays at 4:35 p.m.
EVANSVILLE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
UE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL FALLS TO BELMONT ON EDUCATION DAY
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville women’s basketball team hosted local EVPL students at the Ford Center in an 84-40 loss to the Belmont Bruins.
The Purple Aces had a ruckus crowd of over 1,000 elementary and middle school children for their Education Day game as they hosted the Bruins in the Ford Center. Guard Kynidi Mason Striverson led UE on offense with 11 points, two assists, and two steals. In her return to the court after two months away due to injury, freshman forward Nevaeh Thomas put up 10 points and a steal in only 11 minutes of action.
“I’m so grateful for our community coming out today,” said Head Coach Robyn Scherr-Wells following the game. “It’s my favorite game of the year because it’s awesome for our players to have a chance to play in front of these kids and the community. I certainly wished we had played better and given a much better performance than what happened out there. It’s still special to see those kids out there.
“As we subbed lineups, we weren’t able to maintain intensity. We can’t play our starting five for some 40 minutes. And I felt like we had more breakdowns as we subbed and didn’t communicate as well. We didn’t stay locked into the game plan. We got way too low on some of their actions and gave up threes. Belmont really capitalized on our breakdowns which just widened that gap too far.”
It was a slow start on Friday morning for Evansville as it took until the third and a half minute for a made basket. Thomas opened scoring for the Aces with a second chance layup inspiring a quick back-and-forth rhythm. A fast four-point stretch for the Bruins had UE down by seven. But Evansville responded with a six-point run of its own to get back within one. The first ended with back-to-back baskets for Belmont as the Aces trailed by five.
UE struggled offensively in the second quarter, only putting up nine points in 10 minutes of action. Evansville had its first made basket in the third minute as forward Maggie Hartwig made one of the team’s four threes. The Bruins continued to make brief runs through the quarter that the Aces would break up every few minutes. UE didn’t score for the final three minutes of the first half, heading into the third quarter down by 22 points.
Evansville’s offense struggled to rebound in the second half, as the first basket of the half came on free throws with 6:36 on the clock. It was a long scoreless stretch for both teams midway through the third as Mason Striverson put up a three-point play to give the Aces a little life. Center Barbora Tomancova made a layup shortly after. But a nine-point run from Belmont made it a 37-point deficit. With 10 minutes to play, UE trailed by 34 after a layup for guard Alana Striverson and free throws for Mason Striverson.
An early five points were about all for Evansville in the fourth quarter against the Bruins. Striverson added her lone three of the day while Thomas had a fast break layup in the first two minutes. The Aces final basket of the game came from Thomas as well on a turnover with 6:32 on the clock. UE was scoreless for the final six and a half minutes, falling to Belmont 84-80.
The Aces return to Meeks Family Fieldhouse on Sunday afternoon against another opponent unbeaten in Valley play. Evansville welcomes Murray State to town for a 1 p.m. tip-off on Sunday Jan. 14.
EVANSVILLE MEN’S BASKETBALL
ACES AND BEARS MEET UP ON SATURDAY INSIDE THE FORD CENTER
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Two home games are on the slate for this week for the University of Evansville men’s basketball team beginning with a match-up against Missouri State on Saturday evening at the Ford Center. Tip is set for 6 p.m. CT with ESPN+ and the Purple Aces Radio Network having the coverage.
Last Time Out
– Bradley jumped out to an 11-2 lead and never looked back, taking an 86-50 win over the Purple Aces on Wednesday evening in Peoria
– Chuck Bailey III was the lone double figure scorers for UE, scoring 18 points while converting 10 of his 13 free throw tries
– Tanner Cuff registered 9 points and 2 assists while Tyler Myers connected on his first 3-pointer of the season
Back in Form
– Chuck Bailey III put forth an 18-point effort at Bradley on Wednesday after averaging 5.5 PPG in the prior two contests
– Bailey missed the game at Cincinnati and struggled in the ensuing two games before erupting for 18 against the Braves; he connected on 10 of his 13 free throw tries, both career highs
– He remains third on the squad with a season average of 10.5 points per contest
Back to the Top
– With two assists and no turnovers at Bradley, Tanner Cuff has retaken the MVC lead in assist-to-turnover ratio at 2.53
– Over his last six games, Cuff is averaging 8.3 points per game
– After scoring a total of five points against Indiana State and Murray State, Cuff recorded 9 tallies at Bradley
Scouting the Opponent
– Missouri State comes into Saturday’s game with a 9-7 mark while going 1-4 through their first five MVC games
– Last time out, MSU lost to Murray State by a final of 77-53
– UE and MSU met in the league opener on Nov. 29 with the Bears taking the game by a final of 90-78 in Springfield
– Alston Mason leads a trio of double figure scorers with 17.1 points per game
– Donovan Clay and Chance Moore average 13.6 and 12.3 PPG, respectively
– On the glass, N.J. Benson holds the team lead with 6.8 per contest
VALPO SWIMMING
SWIMMING SWEEPS ROSE-HULMAN FRIDAY EVENING
The Valpo men’s and women’s swimming teams got the spring 2024 semester off to a winning start on Friday in Terre Haute, Ind., as both squads earned dual meet victories over host Rose-Hulman.
How It Happened
The Valpo men earned their first win in program history over the Fightin’ Engineers, emerging victorious by a 154-134 final, while the Beacon women rolled to a 189-90 win.
The women picked up event wins in nine of 12 individual events, as well as both relays.
Three freshmen on the women’s side recorded two individual wins apiece. Kailyn Benoit (Sussex, Wis./Hamilton) led a 1-2 Valpo finish in the 100 back with a winning time of 1:02.89, and then led the Beacons to a sweep of the top three spots in the 200 back with a time of 2:18.52.
Avery Ball (Aurora, Ill./Waubonsie Valley) took top honors in the 100 breast (1:13.10) and the 100 fly (1:04.59).
Olivia Tressler (Las Vegas, Nev./Desert Oasis) picked up her two victories over the course of the final three individual events, claiming first place as part of a 1-2-3 Valpo finish in the 500 free (5:34.41) before turning around to claim the 400 IM as well (4:52.59).
Sophomore Emma Schmidt (Overland Park, Kan./Blue Valley) touched the wall first in the 200 fly (2:23.05), freshman Sophie Schoch (Medina, Ohio/Medina) led the way as Valpo took the top four spots in the 50 free (26.43) and freshman Roxanne Adams (Aguadilla, Puerto Rico) was the top half of a 1-2 Valpo finish in the 200 breast (2:36.67).
The Valpo men earned individual event wins in eight of 12 events, led by three victories apiece by sophomores Anthony Martin (Bartlett, Ill./Bartlett) and Jackson Oostman (Aurora, Ill./Marmion Academy).
Martin dominated the freestyle events, touching the wall first in the 200 free (1:45.93), the 50 free (22.10) and the 100 free (48.27).
Oostman took top honors in both backstroke events, posting times of 54.44 in the 100 back and 2:00.52 in the 200 back. He closed out his trio of individual event wins with a time of 4:21.16 in the 400 IM.
Sophomore Ricky Helmboldt (Tucson, Ariz./Arizona Connections Academy) covered the 1000 free in 10:11.29 to claim that event win, while sophomore Matthew Mantz (Spokane, Wash./Mead) earned a first-place finish in the 200 fly with a time of 2:00.01.
Next Up
Valpo turns around for another meet Saturday, heading to Crawfordsville, Ind. for an 11 a.m. CT start. The men will face host Wabash and UIndy in double dual meet action, while the women will vie with UIndy in a single dual meet.
VALPO WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
BEACONS RETURN HOME, FALL TO DRAKE
The Valpo women’s basketball team matched a season high on Friday evening by connecting on 11 3-pointers in its first MVC home game of the season, falling to Drake 83-54.
How It Happened
Drake opened the game on an 8-0 run over the opening two minutes. Valpo came back with three 3-pointers over its next four possessions, getting two triples from Saniya Jackson (Fort Wayne, Ind./Northrop) and one from Leah Earnest (Stevens Point, Wis./SPASH) to get to within 10-9 with 5:36 to play in the quarter.
The Bulldogs got their lead back up to five points before 3-pointers in the final minute of the quarter from Ella Van Weelden (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Marion) and Earnest gave Valpo a brief lead late in the period. Drake’s Katie Dinnebier drove for a layup in the waning seconds to put the Bulldogs on top at the end of one, 18-17.
Valpo went scoreless for nearly four minutes to start the second quarter, but the Beacons allowed just four points over that same stretch to stay within striking distance.
The Bulldogs scored six in a row over a two-minute stretch late in the quarter to push their lead to its first-half apex at nine points. Earnest beat the shot clock with a turnaround jumper on Valpo’s final possession of the period to bring the Beacons within 31-24 at halftime.
A basket by Layla Gold (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral) 74 seconds into the second half made it a five-point game, and after Drake extended out to an 11-point edge, Earnest and Ava Interrante (McHenry, Ill./McHenry) converted driving layups on consecutive possessions to make it 37-30 with 5:45 to play in the third period.
Drake came up with a 19-3 run over the next four-plus minutes to pull away. Dinnebier hit a 40-footer at the buzzer to give the Bulldogs a 62-36 lead with 10 minutes to play, and Valpo got no closer in the fourth quarter.
Inside the Game
Friday’s game was the first home game for the Beacons in 34 days, the longest stretch between home games since a 35-day stretch in the 1999-2000 season.
It also was Valpo’s third home game of the year, the latest in the calendar the program has played its third home game since the 1988-89 squad played its third home game on Jan. 18.
The Beacons hit 11 3-pointers to match their season high, previously accomplished against Chicago State. Eight different players combined for the 11 triples.
Earnest scored a team-best 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting Friday. It is the sixth time this season the senior has led Valpo in scoring, while she also paced the Beacons in rebounds for the ninth time.
Interrante knocked down a pair of triples on her way to a season-best 10 points. She also came up with a team-high three steals to match her season high.
Nevaeh Jackson (Fort Wayne, Ind./Northrop) led Valpo with a season-high five assists.
Valpo limited Drake, which entered the game averaging 81.9 points/game to just 31 points in the first half. The Bulldogs were just 11-of-24 from the floor, 2-of-10 from the 3-point line, 7-of-8 from the foul line and committed 13 turnovers over the first 20 minutes.
Drake scored 52 points in the second half, however, hitting 16-of-28 from the field, 7-of-14 from the 3-point line and 13-of-14 from the foul line. The Bulldogs also turned the ball over just six times in the second half.
VALPO MEN’S BASKETBALL
MEN’S BASKETBALL STARTS SET OF BACK-TO-BACK ROAD GAMES ON SUNDAY
Valparaiso (4-12, 0-5 MVC)
at Illinois State (8-8, 2-3 MVC)
Game No. 17 – Sunday, Jan. 14, 2 p.m. CT
CEFCU Arena (10,200) – Normal, Ill.
Next Up in Valpo Basketball: The Valparaiso University men’s basketball team will play its first Sunday game of the season this week with a matinee against Illinois State. This is one of two Sunday contests all season for the Beacons, and both are against the Redbirds. The next time the two teams clash will be in the regular season finale on March 3 at the Athletics-Recreation Center.
Last Time Out: Isaiah Stafford (19) and Darius DeAveiro (18) led Valpo in scoring as the Beacons outscored Southern Illinois 44-33 after halftime but the Salukis prevailed 77-68 thanks to a 20-point halftime lead on Wednesday at the Athletics-Recreation Center. Valpo shot a robust 63 percent after the break on a night where the nation’s second leading scorer – SIU’s Xavier Johnson – had 22 points and seven assists.
Following the Beacons: Streaming – ESPN+ – Kurt Pegler (play-by-play) and Lexi Ayala (analyst)
Radio – 95.1 FM, WVUR, ValpoAthletics.com, TuneIn Radio App – Todd Ickow (play-by-play) and Brandon Vickrey (analyst)
Twitter updates – @ValpoBasketball
Links for video, audio and live stats will be available at ValpoAthletics.com.
Head Coach Roger Powell Jr.: Roger Powell Jr. (4-12) is in his first season as the head coach of the Valpo men’s basketball program. After helping guide Gonzaga to a 121-13 record during his four seasons as an assistant coach, Powell returned to Valpo, where he was part of head coach Bryce Drew’s staff from 2011-2016 and led the team to 124 wins in five seasons, including a program-record 30 victories and a National Invitation Tournament (NIT) title game appearance in 2015-16. He was part of head coach Mark Few’s Gonzaga staff as the Bulldogs reached the 2021 national championship game after winning their first 31 games of the season. During Powell’s first season on staff in 2019-20, Gonzaga was 31-2 at the time the NCAA college basketball season was halted due to COVID-19. The Bulldogs reached the Sweet Sixteen in each of his final three seasons on staff, including two Elite Eight appearances and the aforementioned trip to the 2021 national title game. Prior to his arrival at Gonzaga, Powell served as the associate head coach at Vanderbilt University under Bryce Drew from 2016-2019. During his stint as an assistant at Valpo, he was part of four Horizon League regular-season championships in a five-year period while also leading the 2012-13 and 2014-15 squads to Horizon League tournament titles and NCAA Tournament appearances. A product of Joliet West High School and a native of Joliet, Ill., Powell capped a prolific collegiate playing career at Illinois with a national title game appearance in 2005 before going on to a successful professional playing career.
Series Notes: Valpo holds a 14-9 lead in an all-time series that dates all the way back to the 1939-40 campaign. The Beacons have had great success against the Redbirds since joining the Missouri Valley Conference as they own a 10-2 record and have won nine of the last 10 with the only defeat in that 10-game stretch coming in overtime. Four of the last five games have been decided by five points or fewer with two of those contests requiring OT. Valpo swept last season’s series, blowing out the Redbirds 71-51 on Jan. 21 in Normal before winning 81-76 on Feb. 11 at the ARC.
Scouting the Redbirds
Picked up a pair of early MVC wins, beating UIC on Nov. 30 (69-64) and Murray State on Dec. 3 (76-72).
Lost each of their first three MVC games in the new year, 88-71 at Drake and 71-64 vs. Southern Illinois before most recently incurring a 67-60 setback at Belmont on Wednesday.
Picked to finish eighth of 12 in the MVC preseason poll.
Led in scoring by Darius Burford at 13.1 points per game, one of three Redbirds averaging in double figures. Myles Foster is the team’s top rebounder at 7.3 per game.
Roger the Redbird
Visiting Illinois State holds significance for Valpo head coach Roger Powell Jr., whose father Roger Powell Sr. is a 1998 inductee into the Illinois State Athletics Hall of Fame.
Powell Sr. was a men’s basketball student-athlete for the Redbirds from 1973-76 as a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter.
Powell Sr. scored 1,306 career points, an average of 13.2 points per game. He finished his career with 568 made field goals, shooting 48.1 percent from the field.
During his senior season in 1975-76, Powell Sr. led the team by averaging 19.2 points per game. He shot a team-best 51.8 percent from the floor during his senior campaign.
Second-Half Sharpshooting
Valpo finished with a season-best field-goal percentage of 51.0 on Jan. 10 vs. Southern Illinois.
This marked the team’s highest shooting clip since Feb. 11, 2023 vs. Illinois State (54.9 percent).
In the game against the Salukis, Valpo went just 8-of-22 (36.4 percent) from the field before halftime before hitting at a 63 percent clip (17-of-27) after the break. The game completely flipped on both ends of the floor after the break as SIU shot 60.7 percent in the opening half but 39.1 percent after halftime.
Both teams finished the game at exactly 51 percent shooting. This was just the third Valpo game since joining the Missouri Valley Conference where both teams shot over 50 percent, and both previous games were against Loyola – Feb. 16, 2022 at the ARC and Feb. 9, 2020 in Chicago.
This was the second time in the last four games that Valpo shot above 60 percent in the second half. The team hit at a 61.3 percent clip after halftime at Elon. The 63 percent against the Salukis was the team’s best single-half shooting percentage since the first half of the 2022-23 season opener on Nov. 7, 2022 at Toledo when Valpo shot 65.5 percent.
Other Notes Wrapping Up Jan. 10: SIU 77, Valpo 68
Valpo outscored SIU 44-33 in the second half, the first time the Beacons have held the upper hand in a half in a Missouri Valley Conference game this season. It marked the team’s best half in any game since outscoring Central Michigan 45-34 after the break on Dec. 6.
Isaiah Stafford (19) and Darius DeAveiro (18) were the team’s top scorers, while Cooper Schwieger had a team-best seven rebounds to go along with his nine points and Sherman Weatherspoon IV played a season-high 25 minutes and tallied eight points.
SIU’s Xavier Johnson, the nation’s second leading scorer, had 22 points including 10-of-10 at the free-throw line.
Longtime Valpo fan and 1942 graduate Connie Bretscher celebrated her 103rd birthday by attending the game.
Back in Action
Isaiah Stafford returned to the floor on Jan. 6 at UIC after missing the previous two games with an injury that occurred on Dec. 19 vs. Samford. In his return to action, Valpo’s leading scorer turned in 19 points to pace the team, then he followed that up with another 19-point showing on Jan. 10 vs. Southern Illinois.
The junior college transfer has led the team in scoring (outright or tied) in 10 of his 14 games this season.
Stafford, who ranks seventh in the MVC in scoring at 16.6 points per game, has scored 17 points or more in nine of his 14 contests.
In the Dec. 9 game at Virginia Tech, Stafford became the first Valpo player with 14+ points, four or more steals and multiple blocks in a game since Ryan Broekhoff on Feb. 10, 2011 vs. Detroit Mercy.
Handing Out Helpers
Just 16 games into the season, Darius DeAveiro has 86 assists, already surpassing his previous single-season career high of 68, set in 25 games last year. He’s up to 204 career assists, reaching the 200 milestone on Jan. 10 vs. Southern Illinois.
DeAveiro ranks 30th nationally and second in the MVC with 86 total assists and ranks 33rd in the country and second in the league at 5.4 assists per game.
By recording five assists on Jan. 10 vs. Southern Illinois, DeAveiro made it 12 straight games with four or more helpers.
DeAveiro is on pace to become just the third Valpo player in the last 30 years to average at least 5.4 assists per game. The last to do so was Ali Berdeil in 2003-04 (6.0) and before that it was Bryce Drew in 1994-95 (6.0).
His 10 assists in this season’s game vs. Samford tied a career high set on Nov. 13, 2022 vs. Western Michigan.
Darius Delivering
Over his last 12 games, junior point guard Darius DeAveiro is averaging 9.8 points per game while dishing out four or more assists in each contest.
DeAveiro has scored in double figures in four straight games after entering that stretch with two double-figure scoring outputs in his first 66 collegiate contests. He’s scored 18 or more in two of his last three games.
A breakout season for DeAveiro continued in a big way on Jan. 3 vs. Bradley, when he posted a career-high 19 points to go along with seven rebounds, four assists and one steal while committing just one turnover.
Since 2010, DeAveiro became just the seventh Valpo player with at least 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists in a game while committing one turnover or fewer. He joined a star-studded list of six Valpo greats who were all first-team all-conference performers – Brandon Wood, Ryan Broekhoff (twice), Alec Peters (3x), Tevonn Walker, Javon Freeman-Liberty (twice) and Ben Krikke. DeAveiro was the first to do it since Krikke on Jan. 25, 2023.
DeAveiro’s career-high 19 points against the Braves easily outdid his previous career best of 11, which was reached twice this season (Nov. 21 vs. Western Illinois, Nov. 29 vs. Drake). It also marked the first time in his collegiate career (68th game) that he led the team in scoring.
DeAveiro’s seven rebounds vs. Bradley led the team, his second straight outing with seven boards after squeezing seven on Dec. 29 at Elon. Before the Elon game, DeAveiro’s season high in the rebounding department was four and his career high was six, achieved back on Nov. 27, 2021 vs. Trinity Christian.
The four-assist game against Bradley snapped DeAveiro’s streak of nine straight games with five or more helpers. (Since you cannot assist your own made basket, it’s hard to put up a big assist total when you’re the one doing all of the scoring!)
We Are Young
Valpo’s 2023-24 roster is a new-look group that is among the nation’s most inexperienced teams.
The Beacons rank 356 of 362 in the KenPom “experience factor” at 0.54. The experience factor is calculated using eligibility class weighted by minutes played.
The only more inexperienced teams nationally, per KenPom, are Notre Dame, Boston, Saint Francis, Siena, Northwestern State and Idaho.
Valpo has four freshmen with multiple double-figure scoring outputs this season – Jahari Williamson, Kaspar Sepp, Cooper Schwieger and Sherman Weatherspoon IV. The last time that occurred was 2013-14 – Alec Peters, Clay Yeo, Lexus Williams and Jubril Adekoya.
Rookie Report
Cooper Schwieger is averaging 10.3 points per game and 4.8 rebounds per game this season.
The Overland Park, Kan. native ranks third in the Missouri Valley Conference in scoring average among freshmen at 10.3 points per game. He is behind only Drake’s Kevin Overton (13.0 ppg) and Evansville’s Chuck Bailey III (10.5 ppg).
Schwieger ranks second among MVC freshmen with 1.0 blocks per game and leads the league in rebounds per game among freshmen at 4.8.
Schwieger is one of 15 freshmen nationally averaging at least 10.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks.
Battling on the Boards
Valpo enjoyed its best rebounding margin of the season at +11 on Jan. 6 at UIC, outdoing the Flames 44-33 including 15-8 on the offensive glass.
This marked Valpo’s biggest rebounding edge since Feb. 11, 2023 vs. Illinois State (+11).
This was just the fourth time total and third against a Division-I opponent that Valpo won the battle on the boards this season. The team’s previous rebounding advantages were vs. Trinity Christian (+8), vs. Southern (+4) and at Elon (+3).
This was Valpo’s best rebounding performance in a road game since Feb. 19, 2022 at Evansville (+15).
Double-Double Details
Sophomore Jaxon Edwards enjoyed his first collegiate double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds on Jan. 6 at UIC.
This marked Valpo’s second double-double of the season and first since Jerome Palm’s 12 points and 10 rebounds on Nov. 17 at No. 23 Illinois.
Edwards boasted his second double-figure scoring output in the last three games (15 points at Elon) and his sixth of the season. This marked his second double-figure rebounding performance and first since 15 on Nov. 17 at No. 23 Illinois.
Edwards also rejected three shots in the game against UIC, his fifth game this season with three or more blocks.
Edwards became just the fourth different and sixth total Valpo player since 2010 to record a stat line featuring 10 or more points, 11 or more rebounds and three or more blocked shots. He joined Kobe King (Feb. 5, 2022 vs. Indiana State), Vashil Fernandez (three times, M.R. 1/18/16 at Youngstown State) and Ryan Broekhoff (Nov. 18, 2011 vs. Akron).
Edwards slammed home his team-leading eighth dunk of the season in the game against UIC. Four of those jams have came in a three-game span from Dec. 29 to Jan. 6.
Other Notes Wrapping Up Jan. 7: UIC 70, Valpo 64
Four Valpo players finished in double figures – Isaiah Stafford (19), Darius DeAveiro (11), Jaxon Edwards (10) and Kaspar Sepp (10).
Edwards paced the team with 11 rebounds, while Cooper Schwieger had eight to tie a season high set way back on Nov. 6 vs. Trinity Christian. Ola Ajiboye squeezed seven boards.
The game featured eight ties and 18 lead changes.
Valpo lost the turnover battle for the second straight game after a stretch of six straight either winning or tying the turnover battle. UIC’s seven giveaways were the second-fewest by a Beacon opponent this season (Drake, six).
The Beacons held the Flames to 6-of-24 (25 percent) from 3-point distance, the lowest clip by a Valpo opponent in the last 12 games after Green Bay was 2-of-18 (11.1 percent) on Nov. 14.
UIC entered the game leading the nation with an average of 6.9 blocked shots per game, but it was the Beacons who rejected seven shots while the Flames turned away two. The seven blocks marked Valpo’s highest total in the last 11 games since registering seven on Nov. 17 at No. 23 Illinois.
This was Valpo’s fourth loss by six points or fewer in the last seven games.
Williamson Captures MVC Honor
Valpo’s Jahari Williamson was named the Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Week on Jan. 2 following his career-high 24 points on Dec. 29 at Elon.
Making his first collegiate start in the game against the Phoenix, Williamson knocked down five 3s and was a perfect 7-of-7 at the free-throw line. He also had five rebounds and two assists. The scoring output outdid his previous season best of 20 that came on Dec. 16 vs. Chicago State.
Williamson’s 24 points marked the most by a Valpo rookie since Javon Freeman-Liberty had 27 on Feb. 5, 2019 at Illinois State.
Williamson became the third Beacon to achieve a Missouri Valley Conference weekly award this season, joining Isaiah Stafford (Nov. 20, Newcomer of the Week) and Cooper Schwieger (Nov. 27, Freshman of the Week). This year’s team has already tied for Valpo’s second most weekly awards in a single season since joining the MVC and needs just one more weekly honor to tie for the program’s most since joining the conference.
Valpo became the first Valley team this season to have two different players who have won the MVC Freshman of the Week Award (Williamson and Schwieger).
Stafford’s recognition came after he averaged 24.0 points per game against Green Bay and No. 23 Illinois including 30 against the Fighting Illini. Schwieger’s came after a week where he averaged 15.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in wins over Western Illinois and Southern.
20-Point Tandem
On Dec. 29 vs. Elon, Cooper Schwieger and Jahari Williamson both eclipsed 20 points, marking the first time a Valpo tandem turned that trick since Ben Krikke and Kobe King did it on Feb. 14 of last season vs. Southern Illinois.
This marked the first time in over 30 years that a pair of Valpo rookies each reached the 20-point threshold. No freshman tandem had achieved that feat since at least the start of the Homer Drew head coaching era in 1988-89.
This marked the first time Valpo had a pair of 20-point scorers in a true road game since Dec. 18, 2019 at High Point (Javon Freeman-Liberty and Eron Gordon).
Underclassmen on Display
A young and inexperienced team was even more young and inexperienced on Dec. 29 at Elon as junior Isaiah Stafford was sidelined with an injury.
Three of the five starters in that game were freshmen and four were underclassmen, including rookie Jahari Williamson, who made his first collegiate start.
Of the team’s 78 points at Elon, 51 (65.3 percent) were scored by freshmen and 68 (87.2 percent) were scored by freshmen and sophomores.
Williamson scored a career-high 24 points, knocked down five 3s and was a perfect 7-of-7 at the free-throw line. He also had five rebounds and two assists. He outdid his previous season best of 20 that came on Dec. 16 vs. Chicago State.
Cooper Schwieger went 7-of-11 from the field for a season-high 21 points with the bulk of his damage coming after halftime. Over the final 20 minutes, he scored 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting. Schwieger outdid his previous personal best of 18 that occurred on Dec. 2 at Belmont.
Jahari’s Jumpers
Jahari Williamson returned to the rotation on Dec. 16 vs. Chicago State after missing the previous two games due to an illness. He made a significant impact, tallying 20 points and going 4-of-6 from 3-point territory.
Williamson enjoyed his second 20-point output in a three-game span when he went 5-of-8 from 3 and produced a season-high 24 points on Dec. 29 at Elon.
On Jan. 3 vs. Bradley, Williamson scored 12 points, his third double-figure scoring output in a four-game span, more than he had in his first eight games of the season (two).
Before that four-game stretch, Williamson had been held to six points or fewer in six of his previous seven games.
SMALL COLLEGE ATHLETICS
INDIANA WESLEYAN ATHLETICS: https://iwuwildcats.com/
EARLHAM ATHLETICS: https://goearlham.com/
WABASH ATHLETICS: https://sports.wabash.edu/
FRANKLIN ATHLETICS: https://franklingrizzlies.com/
ROSE-HULMAN ATHLETICS: https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/
ANDERSON ATHLETICS: https://athletics.anderson.edu/landing/index
TRINE ATHLETICS: https://trinethunder.com/landing/index
BETHEL ATHLETICS: https://bupilots.com/
DEPAUW ATHLETICS: https://depauwtigers.com/
HANOVER ATHLETICS: https://athletics.hanover.edu/
MANCHESTER ATHLETICS: https://muspartans.com/
HUNTINGTON ATHLETICS: https://www.huathletics.com/
OAKLAND CITY ATHLETICS: https://gomightyoaks.com/index.aspx
ST. FRANCIS ATHLETICS: https://www.saintfranciscougars.com/landing/index
IU KOKOMO ATHLETICS: https://iukcougars.com/
IU EAST ATHLETICS: https://www.iueredwolves.com/
IU SOUTH BEND ATHLETICS: https://iusbtitans.com/
PURDUE NORTHWEST ATHLETICS: https://pnwathletics.com/
INDIANA TECH ATHLETICS: https://indianatechwarriors.com/index.aspx
GRACE COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://gclancers.com/
ST. MARY OF THE WOODS ATHLETICS: https://smwcathletics.com/
GOSHEN COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://goleafs.net/
HOLY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php
TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/
VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index
NFL STANDINGS
https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/standings
NBA STANDINGS
https://www.foxsports.com/nba/standings
NHL STANDINGS
https://www.foxsports.com/nhl/standings
NCAA MEN’S BASKETBALL STANDINGS
https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/standings/
NCAA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL STANDINGS
https://www.ncaa.com/standings/basketball-women/d1
FOOTBALL HISTORY
Football History Headlines
January 13, 1957
January 13, 1957 – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – The NFL held its 7th annual Pro Bowl game and it was the all-stars of the Western Conference who overcame the challenge of their Eastern Conference rivals 19-10. The Most Valuable player on the defensive side per the Pro-Football-Reference.com was Pittsburgh’s Ernie Stautner, a defensive tackle and Baltimore Colt Bert Rechichar, a kicker won the award for the MVP of the offense. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1957/probowl.htm
January 13, 1958 – NCAA adds 2 point conversion to football scoring. Despite the plays used in college ball, according to the liveabout.com website, it was not immediately adapted in professional football. In fact, the two-point conversion rule was not officially adopted by the NFL until 1994. The professional levels of football did tinker with the 2 point play prior to 1994 though. According to the American Football Database, the AFL used the conversion tactic during its ten years of existence in the 1960’s. The NFL Europe and its reincarnation the World League of American Football adopted the rule and were probably a further testing ground of it prior to the NFL’s adoption. It has really added some interesting dynamics to contests as formulas and charts have been famously made to determine when a team should go for two. The success of the two point try has been reported to be anywhere from 40% to 55% accomplishment, so there is a pretty good sized risk reward aspect to it.
January 13, 1963 – Balboa Stadium, San Diego – The second AFL All Star Game was played. In the contest it was the Western Division All-stars who edged their Eastern Division, counter parts 21-14. The MVPs of the game were Dallas Texans running back Curtis McClinton and Earl Faison who played defensive end for the Chargers.
January 13, 1963 – The annual NFL Pro Bowl game was played at the Lis Angeles Memorial Coliseum once again. The NFL Eastern Conference outscored the Western Conference Pro Bowlers 30-20. The offensive Most Valuable Player was Jim Brown of the Cleveland Browns while the MVP of the defense was Pittsburgh’s defensive tackle Eugene Lipscomb.
January 13, 1974 – Rice Stadium, Houston, Texas – The Miami Dolphins won their second consecutive NFL Title by claiming victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl VIII. The final score was Miami 24, Minnesota 7. The big game’s Most Valuable Player was Dolphins bruising running back Larry Csonka. The Dolphins became the first teams to play in three consecutive Super Bowl games.
January 13, 2020 – Superdome, New Orleans – National Championship for College Football took place as Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow and his teammates of the #1 LSU Tigers were to be tested by Trevor Lawrence and the rest of his Tigers of #3 Clemson. LSU overpowered Clemson 42-15 to win the National College Playoff Championship in this battle of Tigers.
Hall of Fame Birthdays for January 13
January 13, 1907 – Sulphur Springs, Texas – Southern Methodist University’s Hall of Fame stalwart QB Gerald Mann was born.
January 13, 1947 – Cairo, Georgia – Defensive Tackle Bill Stanfill of Georgia celebrated his arrival into the world. The National Football Foundation voters chose Bill Stanfill for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1998.
January 13, 1958 – Vero Beach, Florida – Florida A&M’s outstanding guard Tyrone McGriff was born per the NFF. The College Football Hall of Fame happily opened its doors wide in 1996 to accept Tyron McGriff into the lodge of collegiate legends.
NUMBERS IN SPORTS
99- 44 – 70 – 13 – 32 – 76 – 86 – 16 – 39 – 22 – 20 – 21 – 9 – 23 – 14 – 7 – 10
January 13, 1953 – 3rd NBA All-Star Game, Allen County Coliseum, Fort Wayne, Indiana: West beats East, 79-75; MVP: Number 99, George Mikan, Minneapolis Lakers, C
January 13, 1957 – 7th NFL Pro Bowl, LA Memorial Coliseum: Western Conference beats Eastern Conference, 19-10; MVPs: Number 44, the kicker of the Baltimore Colts, Bert Rechichar and Defensive tackle Ernie Stautner, Number 70 of the Pittsburgh Steelers
January 13, 1962 – Wilt Chamberlain in his number 13 for the Philadelphia Warriors set an NBA record at the time scoring 73 points in a contest against the Chicago Packers for a 135-117 win. This game high point total still ranks third in the NBA record books!
January 13, 1963 – Number 32 Jim Brown, who played for the NFL’s Cleveland Browns, earned the offensive MVP honors in the NFL Pro Bowl game on this day as the Eastern Squad downed their Western counterparts 30-20 at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Eugene Big Daddy Lipscomb Number 76 of the Pittsburgh Steelers was the defensive MVP for the same Pro Bowl game in 1963.
January 13, 1963 – 2nd AFL All Star Game, Balboa Stadium, San Diego, California: Western Division beats Eastern Division, 21-14. The game MVPs were Dallas Texans, RB, Number 32, Curtis McClinton & LA Chargers, DE Earl Faison, who wore Number 86
January 13, 1965 – 15th NBA All-Star Game, St. Louis Arena, St. Louis, Mo: East beats West, 124-123; MVP: selected was Cincinnati Royals, F, Number 16, Jerry Lucas
January 13, 1974 – Super Bowl VIII, Rice Stadium, Houston, TX: Miami Dolphins beat Minnesota Vikings, 24-7; MVP: Number 39 of the Miami Dolphins, Running back Larry Csonka.
January 13, 1981 – New York Islander’s Number 22, Mike Bossy’s 15th career hat trick-4 goals
January 13, 1982 – Baseball legends Hank Aaron (Number 44) and Frank Robinson (Number 20) were both elected to Hall of Fame
January 13, 1985 – Playing in his 436th career game, Edmonton center Number 99, Wayne Gretzky scores his 400th career NHL goal and adds 2 assists in a 5-4 Oilers’ win over the Sabres in Buffalo
January 13, 2001 – Atlanta Hawks retire Dominique Wilkins’ Number 21 in pre-game ceremonies at Philips Arena; joins Bob Pettit (Number 9) and Lou Hudson (Number 23) as the only Hawks to have their numbers retired
January 13, 2008 – Orlando Magic knocked down a then NBA-record 23 3-pointers in 37 attempts (62.2%). Number 14, Jameer Nelson goes 5-for-5 from beyond the arc as Magic beat the Sacramento Kings, 139-107
January 13, 2014 – FIFA Ballon d’Or: Real Madrid & Portugal forward Number 7, Cristiano Ronaldo ends Number 10, Lionel Messi’s domination of award; FFC Frankfurt goalkeeper Number 1, Nadine Angerer takes women’s award
January 13, 2019 – Lionel Messi scored for FC Barcelona in 3-0 win over Eibar, his 400th goal in La Liga; becomes first player to reach mark in just one of Europe’s top 5 leagues; Cristiano Ronaldo had 409 in Spain, England & Italy
TV SATURDAY
BOXING
10 p.m.
ESPN — Top Rank Main Card: Artur Beterbiev vs. Callum Smith (Light Heavyweights), Quebec City, Quebec
COLLEGE BASKETBALL (MEN’S)
12 p.m.
BTN — Northwestern at Wisconsin
CW — NC State at Louisville
ESPN — Syracuse at North Carolina
ESPN2 — Tennessee at Georgia
ESPNU — Morehead St. at SIU-Edwardsville
FS1 — Seton Hall at Butler
12:30 p.m.
USA — VCU at La Salle
1 p.m.
FOX — St. John’s at Creighton
SECN — Vanderbilt at Mississippi
2 p.m.
CBS — San Diego St. at New Mexico
ESPN — Kentucky at Texas A&M
ESPN2 — Virginia at Wake Forest
FS1 — Xavier at Providence
2:15 p.m.
BTN — Penn St. at Purdue
CW — Florida St. at Notre Dame
2:30 p.m.
USA — Fordham at St. Bonaventure
3 p.m.
ACCN — Boston College at Clemson
CBSSN — Utah St. at UNLV
3:30 p.m.
SECN — South Carolina at Missouri
4 p.m.
ESPN — Arkansas at Florida
ESPN2 — Kansas St. at Texas Tech
ESPNU — Loyola of Chicago at Saint Jospeh’s
5 p.m.
ACCN — Georgia Tech at Duke
CBSSN — Jacksonville St. at W. Kentucky
6 p.m.
ESPN — Houston at TCU
ESPN2 — Oklahoma St. at Iowa St.
ESPNU — Temple at North Texas
PAC-12N — Arizona at Washington St.
SECN — LSU at Auburn
7 p.m.
ACCN — Miami at Virginia Tech
CBSSN — UNC-Greensboro at Chattanooga
8 p.m.
ESPN — Cincinnati at Baylor
ESPN2 — Drake at S. Illinois
ESPNU — Charlotte at UTSA
PAC-12N — California at Oregon
8:30 p.m.
SECN — Alabama at Mississippi St.
10 p.m.
ESPN2 — Southern Cal at Colorado
ESPNU — Long Beach St. at UC Santa Barbara
COLLEGE BASKETBALL (WOMEN’S)
2 p.m.
ESPNU — Texas at Kansas St.
4 p.m.
FS1 — Seton Hall at Xavier
8 p.m.
FOX — Indiana at Iowa
9 p.m.
CBSSN — DePaul at Marquette
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
12 p.m.
CBSSN — The Hula Bowl: Aina vs. Kai, Orlando, Fla.
COLLEGE GYMNASTICS (WOMEN’S)
4 p.m.
ABC — Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad: From West Valley City, Utah
9 p.m.
ACCN — Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad: From West Valley City, Utah
COLLEGE HOCKEY (MEN’S)
4:30 p.m.
BTN — Michigan St. at Penn St.
8 p.m.
BTN — Notre Dame at Ohio St.
FIELD HOCKEY (WOMEN’S)
9 a.m.
CBSSN — Olympic Qualifier: India vs. U.S., Pool B, Ranchi, India
6:30 a.m. (Sunday)
CBSSN — Olympic Qualifier: U.S. vs. Italy, Pool B, Ranchi, India
FIGURE SKATING
1 p.m.
E! — European Championships: Free Dance, Kaunas, Lithuania
GOLF
7 p.m.
GOLF — PGA Tour: The Sony Open In Hawaii, Third Round, Wai’alae Country Club, Honolulu
2:30 a.m. (Sunday)
GOLF — DP World Tour: The Dubai Invitational, Final Round, Dubai Creek Resort, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL (BOY’S)
9 a.m.
NBATV — Hoophall Classic: Bishop Hendricken High School (R.I.) vs. Gulliver Prep (Fla.), Springfield, Mass.
10:30 a.m.
NBATV — Hoophall Classic: Camden High School (N.J.) vs. North Mecklenburg High School (N.C.), Springfield, Mass.
12 p.m.
NBATV — Hoophall Classic: Sunrise Christian Academy (Kan.) vs. LaLumiere School (Ind.), Springfield, Mass.
1:30 p.m.
NBATV — Hoophall Classic: TBA, Springfield, Mass.
HORSE RACING
2:30 p.m.
FS2 — NYRA: America’s Day at the Races
NBA BASKETBALL
8 p.m.
NBATV — Golden State at Milwaukee
NFL FOOTBALL
4:30 p.m.
NBC — AFC Wild Card Playoff: Cleveland at Houston
8 p.m.
PEACOCK — AFC Wild Card Playoff: Miami at Kansas City
NHL HOCKEY
1 p.m.
ABC — NY Rangers at Washington
7 p.m.
NHLN — Colorado at Toronto
RODEO
1 p.m.
CBS — PBR: Top 15, Rosemont, Ill.
11 p.m.
CBSSN — PBR: Round 2 & Championship Round, Rosemont, Ill.
SAILING
5 a.m.
CBSSN — Sail GP: Event 7, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
6 a.m.
CBSSN — Sail GP: Event 7, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
5 a.m. (Sunday)
CBSSN — Sail GP: Event 7, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
6 a.m. (Sunday)
CBSSN — Sail GP: Event 7, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
SOCCER (MEN’S)
7:30 a.m.
USA — Premier League: Fulham at Chelsea
12:30 p.m.
NBC — Manchester City at Newcastle United
SWIMMING
1:30 p.m.
CNBC — TYR: Pro Swim Series, Knoxville, Tenn. (Taped)
TENNIS
12 a.m. (Sunday)
ESPN2 — ATP/WTA: The Australian Open, First Round, Melbourne, Australia
3 a.m. (Sunday)
ESPN2 — ATP/WTA: The Australian Open, First Round, Melbourne, Australia
SUNDAY, JAN. 14
AUTO RACING
2 p.m.
NBC — AMA Supercross Series: Round 2, San Francisco (Taped)
4:30 p.m.
CBS — ABB FIA Formula E: The 2024 Hankook Mexico City E-PRIX – Round 1, Mexico City
COLLEGE BASKETBALL (MEN’S)
12 p.m.
BTN — Rutgers at Michigan St.
FOX — Georgetown at UConn
1 p.m.
ESPN2 — Memphis at Wichita St.
2 p.m.
BTN — Maryland at Illinois
3 p.m.
ESPN2 — Liberty at Louisiana Tech
4 p.m.
CBSSN — Delaware at UNC-Wilmington
7 p.m.
PAC-12N — Washington at UCLA
COLLEGE BASKETBALL (WOMEN’S)
12 p.m.
ACCN — Pittsburgh at Boston College
CBSSN — Rhode Island at Richmond
CW — Miami at Notre Dame
1 p.m.
ESPN — Virginia Tech at Florida St.
ESPNU — South Florida at Rice
SECN — Missouri at Vanderbilt
2 p.m.
ACCN — Wake Forest at Louisville
CBSSN — Davidson at Fordham
PAC-12N — Stanford at Colorado
3 p.m.
ESPN — LSU at Auburn
SECN — Arkansas at Alabama
4 p.m.
ACCN — Virginia at North Carolina
BTN — Michigan St. at Ohio St.
5 p.m.
ESPN — Tennessee at Texas A&M
PAC-12N — UCLA at Southern Cal
SECN — Mississippi vs. Mississippi St.
6 p.m.
CBSSN — N. Illinois at Kent St.
FIELD HOCKEY (WOMEN’S)
6:30 a.m.
CBSSN — Olympic Qualifier: U.S. vs. Italy, Pool B, Ranchi, India
FIGURE SKATING
12 p.m.
NBC — European Championships: Women’s and men’s free skates, plus pairs and dance finals, Kaunas, Lithuania (Taped)
GOLF
4 p.m.
NBC — PGA Tour: The Sony Open In Hawaii, Final Round, Wai’alae Country Club, Honolulu
6 p.m.
GOLF — PGA Tour: The Sony Open In Hawaii, Final Round, Wai’alae Country Club, Honolulu
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL (BOY’S)
5:30 p.m.
ESPN2 — Hoophall Classic: Don Bosco Prep (N.J.) vs. Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.), Springfield, Mass.
7:30 p.m.
ESPN2 — Hoophall Classic: Montverde (Fla.) vs. Prolific Prep (Calif.), Springfield, Mass.
HORSE RACING
2:30 p.m.
FS1 — NYRA: America’s Day at the Races
IIHF HOCKEY (GIRL’S)
7 p.m.
NHLN — Under-18 World Championship: TBD, Gold-Medal Match, Zug, Switzerland
NBA G-LEAGUE BASKETBALL
2 p.m.
NBATV — Indiana at Maine
4 p.m.
NBATV — Salt Lake City at Iowa
NFL FOOTBALL
1 p.m.
CBS — AFC Wild Card Playoff: Pittsburgh at Buffalo
4:30 p.m.
FOX — NFC Wild Card Playoff: Green Bay at Dallas
8:20 p.m.
NBC — NFC Wild Card Playoff: LA Rams at Detroit
NHL HOCKEY
1 p.m.
NHLN — Washington at NY Rangers
SAILING
5 a.m.
CBSSN — Sail GP: Event 7, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
6 a.m.
CBSSN — Sail GP: Event 7, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
SOCCER (MEN’S)
9 a.m.
USA — Premier League: Aston Villa at Everton
1:30 p.m.
ABC — Spanish Super Cup: Real Madrid vs. FC Barcelona, Final, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
SWIMMING
1:30 p.m.
CNBC — TYR: Pro Swim Series, Knoxville, Tenn. (Taped)
TENNIS
3 a.m.
ESPN2 — ATP/WTA: The Australian Open, First Round, Melbourne, Australia
8 a.m.
ESPN2 — ATP/WTA: The Australian Open, First Round, Melbourne, Australia (Taped)
7 p.m.
ESPN — ATP/WTA: The Australian Open, First Round, Melbourne, Australia
11 p.m.
ESPN2 — ATP/WTA:
ESPN2 — ATP/WTA: The Australian Open, First Round, Melbourne, Australia
3 a.m. (Monday)
ESPN2 — ATP/WTA: The Australian Open, First Round, Melbourne, Australia