INDIANA BOYS BASKETBALL SCORES
| BELLMONT | 50 | GARRETT | 40 | |
| FORT WAYNE WAYNE | 69 | NEW HAVEN | 62 | |
| INDIANAPOLIS WASHINGTON | 63 | PHALEN ACADEMY | 60 | |
| LAWRENCEVILLE (ILL.) | 87 | VINCENNES RIVET | 34 | |
| MARQUETTE CATHOLIC | 74 | LIGHTHOUSE CPA | 59 | |
| OWENSBORO (KY.) | 77 | EVANSVILLE HARRISON | 74 | |
| PRAIRIE HEIGHTS | 57 | WHITKO | 43 | |
| SOUTH DEARBORN | 60 | SWITZERLAND COUNTY | 43 |
INDIANA BOYS BASKETBALL AP POLLS
4A
1. BEN DAVIS (7-0)
2. PENN (5-0)
3. BROWNSBURG (6-0)
4. INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL (4-1)
5. HOMESTEAD (4-0)
6. NOBLESVILLE (4-0)
7. CHESTERTON (4-1)
8. ANDERSON (4-1)
9. NORTHRIDGE (5-1)
10. CARMEL (4-2)
11. KOKOMO (3-2)
12. WARREN CENTRAL (3-1)
13. CENTER GROVE (5-0)
14. WESTFIELD (3-1)
14. FISHERS (4-3)
16. LAWRENCE NORTH (3-1)
16. JENNINGS COUNTY (6-0)
18. HAMMOND CENTRAL (5-0)
19. MARION (5-0)
3A
1. MISHAWAKA MARIAN (6-0)
2. NORTH DAVIESS (5-0)
3. NORTHWOOD (6-1)
4. SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON (7-0)
5. NORWELL (5-1)
6. BREBEUF JESUIT (3-1)
7. WEST NOBLE (5-0)
8. BEECH GROVE (3-2)
9. PERU (4-1)
10. GREENSBURG (1-2)
11. CULVER ACADEMY (4-3)
12. LEBANON (5-1)
13. BENTON CENTRAL (5-1)
13. SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH (4-1)
15. TIPPECANOE VALLEY (4-1)
16. FORT WAYNE CONCORDIA (3-1)
17. NEW CASTLE (4-2)
18. HERITAGE HILLS (4-1)
18. LAKE STATION (5-1)
18. CONNERSVILLE (3-2)
2A
1. FORT WAYNE BLACKHAWK (4-0)
2. CARROLL (FLORA) (4-0)
3. LINTON-STOCKTON (4-1)
4. BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL (5-1)
5. EASTERN HANCOCK (4-1)
6. SOUTH SPENCER (5-0)
7. GARY 21ST CENTURY (4-1)
8. WAPAHANI (4-1)
9. SOUTH KNOX (4-1)
10. TAYLOR (6-0)
11. TIPTON (5-1)
12. PROVIDENCE (2-2)
13. TRITON CENTRAL (5-1)
14. CENTRAL NOBLE (2-1)
15. UNIVERSITY (4-0)
16. LEWIS CASS (5-1)
17. SOUTHWESTERN (HANOVER) (5-0)
18. NORTH DECATUR (3-0)
1A
1. BLOOMFIELD (5-1)
2. ORLEANS (4-0)
3. EVANSVILLE CHRISTIAN (4-2)
4. LOOGOOTEE (5-2)
5. EDINBURGH (4-1)
6. FOUNTAIN CENTRAL (3-0)
7. JAC-CEN-DEL (4-2)
8. BARR-REEVE (3-3)
9. INDIANAPOLIS LUTHERAN (2-1)
10. BETHESDA CHRISTIAN (4-0)
11. INDIANAPOLIS TINDLEY (2-3)
12. CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (5-0)
13. COVINGTON (6-3)
13. BORDEN (4-2)
15. BETHANY CHRISTIAN (2-3)
16. TRI (3-1)
17. TRITON (3-3)
18. WESTVILLE (5-1)
19. GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN (2-3)
20. SPRINGS VALLEY (3-2)
INDIANA GIRLS BASKETBALL SCORES
| ANDREAN | 65 | HANOVER CENTRAL | 44 | |
| ANGOLA | 53 | LAKELAND | 41 | |
| BROWN COUNTY | 50 | GREENWOOD | 44 | |
| CROWN POINT | 88 | HAMMOND MORTON | 27 | |
| EAST CHICAGO CENTRAL | 67 | BOWMAN ACADEMY | 23 | |
| EVANSVILLE CENTRAL | 52 | EVANSVILLE REITZ | 47 | |
| HUNTINGTON NORTH | 60 | FORT WAYNE DWENGER | 21 | |
| LAVILLE | 51 | SOUTH BEND RILEY | 18 | |
| MISHAWAKA MARIAN | 72 | PORTAGE | 41 | |
| NORTH DAVIESS | 43 | VINCENNES RIVET | 38 | |
| NORTHEASTERN | 57 | HAGERSTOWN | 14 | |
| OWEN VALLEY | 48 | NORTH CENTRAL (FARMERSBURG) | 37 | |
| RANDOLPH SOUTHERN | 70 | CAMBRIDGE CITY LINCOLN | 18 | |
| SOUTH CENTRAL (UNION MILLS) | 45 | WHEELER | 15 | |
| TIPTON | 53 | SHERIDAN | 44 | |
| TRI | 49 | UNION COUNTY | 27 | |
| WARREN CENTRAL | 71 | INDIANAPOLIS ATTUCKS | 28 | |
| YORKTOWN | 57 | MISSISSINEWA | 36 |
INDIANA BOYS WRESTLING RESULTS
LOWELL 49 HIGHLAND 30
MERRILLVILLE 45 CHESTERTON 25
GARRETT 37 CARROLL FORT WAYNE 33
CENTERVILLE 58 MONROE CENTRAL 18
TELL CITY 54 CORYDON CENTRAL 27
RUSHVILLE 45 NEW CASTLE 30
CATHEDRAL 54 BISHOP CHATARD 28
NEW PALESTINE 36 MOUNT VERNON 32
PENN 66 SOUTH BEND RILEY 9
YORKTOWN 54 WARREN CENTRAL (JV)
CASCADE 53 PLAINFIELD 21
NEW PRAIRIE 48 ELKHART 28
COWAN 34 S. ADAMS 30
FRANKLIN 60 CONNERSVILLE 12
GLENN 72 SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH 9
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
#16 UCLA 87 #20 MARYLAND 60
#17 MISSISSIPPI STATE 69 JACKSON STATE 59
#19 AUBURN 72 GEORGIA STATE 64
MINNESOTA 72 ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF 56
AKRON 66 WRIGHT STATE 54
DUQUESNE 66 DEPAUL 55
CINCINNATI 103 MIAMI OHIO 76
FLORIDA 82 OHIO 48
NORTHERN KENTUCKY 64 EASTERN KENTUCKY 61
NORFOLK STATE 81 BOWLING GREEN 75
LOUISVILLE 94 WESTERN KENTUCKY 83
COMPLETE SCOREBOARD: HTTP://HOSTED.STATS.COM/CBK/SCOREBOARD.ASP?CONF=-1&DAY=20221214
WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
#11 LSU 88 LAMAR 42
#13 UTAH 85 COLORADO 58
#20 ARIZONA 89 TEXAS SOUTHERN 55
MINNESOTA 75 MILWAUKEE 59
NORTHWESTERN 66 ILLINOIS CHICAGO 62
GREEN BAY 70 WISCONSIN 60
TENNESSEE 99 CENTRAL FLORIDA 64
LOUISVILLE 73 BELLARMINE 43
COMPLETE SCOREBOARD: HTTP://HOSTED.STATS.COM/WCBK/SCOREBOARD.ASP?CONF=-1&DAY=20221214
NFL
WEEK 15
THURSDAY, DEC. 15
SAN FRANCISCO AT SEATTLE, 8:15 P.M.
SATURDAY, DEC. 17
INDIANAPOLIS AT MINNESOTA, 1 P.M.
BALTIMORE AT CLEVELAND, 4:30 P.M.
MIAMI AT BUFFALO, 8:15 P.M.
SUNDAY, DEC. 18
PITTSBURGH AT CAROLINA, 1 P.M.
PHILADELPHIA AT CHICAGO, 1 P.M.
KANSAS CITY AT HOUSTON, 1 P.M.
DALLAS AT JACKSONVILLE, 1 P.M.
ATLANTA AT NEW ORLEANS, 1 P.M.
DETROIT AT NEW YORK JETS, 1 P.M.
ARIZONA AT DENVER, 4:05 P.M.
NEW ENGLAND AT LAS VEGAS, 4:05 P.M.
TENNESSEE AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS, 4:25 P.M.
CINCINNATI AT TAMPA BAY, 4:25 P.M.
NEW YORK GIANTS AT WASHINGTON, 8:20 P.M. (SNF)
MONDAY, DEC. 19
LOS ANGELES RAMS AT GREEN BAY, 8:15 P.M.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL BOWL SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, DEC. 16
UAB VS. MIAMI (OHIO) — BAHAMAS BOWL (NASSAU, BAHAMAS) | 11:30 A.M. | ESPN
NO. 24 TROY VS. NO. 25 UTSA — CURE BOWL (ORLANDO, FLORIDA) | 3 P.M. | ESPN
MOUNT UNION VS. NORTH CENTRAL (IL) — DIII NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP (ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND) | 7 P.M. | ESPNU
SATURDAY, DEC. 17
CINCINNATI VS. LOUISVILLE — FENWAY BOWL (BOSTON) | 11 A.M. | ESPN
JACKSON STATE VS. N.C. CENTRAL — CELEBRATION BOWL (ATLANTA) | 12 P.M. | ABC
FERRIS STATE VS. COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES — DII NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP (MCKINNEY, TEXAS) | 1 P.M. | ESPNU
NO. 14 OREGON STATE VS. FLORIDA — LAS VEGAS BOWL (LAS VEGAS) | 2:30 P.M. | ESPN
WASHINGTON STATE VS. FRESNO STATE — LA BOWL (INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA) | 3:30 P.M. | ABC
RICE VS. SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI — LENDINGTREE BOWL (MOBILE, ALABAMA) | 5:45 P.M. | ESPN
SMU VS. BYU — NEW MEXICO BOWL (ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO) | 7:30 P.M. | ABC
BOISE STATE VS. NORTH TEXAS — FRISCO BOWL (FRISCO, TEXAS) | 9:15 P.M. | ESPN
MONDAY, DEC. 19
MARSHALL VS. UCONN — MYRTLE BEACH BOWL (CONWAY, SOUTH CAROLINA) | 2:30 P.M. | ESPN
TUESDAY, DEC. 20
EASTERN MICHIGAN VS. SAN JOSE STATE — FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL (BOISE, IDAHO) | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN
LIBERTY VS. TOLEDO — BOCA RATON BOWL (BOCA RATON, FLORIDA) | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 21
SOUTH ALABAMA VS. WESTERN KENTUCKY — NEW ORLEANS BOWL (NEW ORLEANS) | 9 P.M. | ESPN
THURSDAY, DEC. 22
BAYLOR VS. AIR FORCE — ARMED FORCES BOWL (FORT WORTH, TEXAS) | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN
FRIDAY, DEC. 23
HOUSTON VS. LOUISIANA — INDEPENDENCE BOWL (SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA) | 3 P.M. | ESPN
WAKE FOREST VS. MISSOURI — GASPARILLA BOWL (TAMPA, FLORIDA) | 6:30 P.M. | ESPN
SATURDAY, DEC. 24
MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE VS. SAN DIEGO STATE — HAWAI’I BOWL (HONOLULU, HAWAI’I) | 8 P.M. | ESPN
MONDAY, DEC. 26
BOWLING GREEN VS. NEW MEXICO STATE — QUICK LANE BOWL (DETROIT) | 2:30 P.M. | ESPN
TUESDAY, DEC. 27
BUFFALO VS. GEORGIA SOUTHERN — CAMELLIA BOWL (MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA) | 12 P.M. | ESPN
OKLAHOMA STATE VS. WISCONSIN — GUARANTEED RATE BOWL (PHOENIX) | 10:15 P.M. | ESPN
MEMPHIS VS. UTAH STATE — FIRST RESPONDER BOWL (DALLAS) | ESPN
COASTAL CAROLINA VS. EAST CAROLINA — BIRMINGHAM BOWL (BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA) | ESPN
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 28
DUKE VS. UCF — MILITARY BOWL (ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND) | 2 P.M. | ESPN
ARKANSAS VS. KANSAS — LIBERTY BOWL (MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE) | 5:30 P.M. | ESPN
NO. 15 OREGON VS. NORTH CAROLINA — HOLIDAY BOWL (SAN DIEGO) | 8 P.M.
TEXAS TECH VS. OLE MISS — TEXAS BOWL (HOUSTON) | 9 P.M. | ESPN
THURSDAY, DEC. 29
MINNESOTA VS. SYRACUSE — PINSTRIPE BOWL (BRONX, NEW YORK) | 2 P.M. | ESPN
NO. 13 FLORIDA STATE VS. OKLAHOMA — CHEEZ-IT BOWL (ORLANDO, FLORIDA) | 5:30 P.M. | ESPN
NO. 12 WASHINGTON VS. NO. 20 TEXAS — ALAMO BOWL (SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS) | 9 P.M. | ESPN
FRIDAY, DEC. 30
NO. 23 NC STATE VS. MARYLAND — DUKE’S MAYO BOWL (CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA) | 12 P.M. | ESPN
NO. 18 UCLA VS. PITT — SUN BOWL (EL PASO, TEXAS) | 2 P.M. | CBS
NO. 19 SOUTH CAROLINA VS. NO. 21 NOTRE DAME — GATOR BOWL (JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA) | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN
OHIO VS. WYOMING — ARIZONA BOWL (TUCSON, ARIZONA) | 4:30 P.M.| BARSTOOL
NO. 6 TENNESSEE VS. NO. 7 CLEMSON — ORANGE BOWL (MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA) | 8 P.M. | ESPN
SATURDAY, DEC. 31
IOWA VS. KENTUCKY — MUSIC CITY BOWL (NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE) | 12 P.M. | ABC
NO. 5 ALABAMA VS. NO. 9 KANSAS STATE — SUGAR BOWL (NEW ORLEANS) | 12 P.M. | ESPN
NO. 2 MICHIGAN VS. NO. 3 TCU (CFP SEMIFINAL) — FIESTA BOWL (GLENDALE, ARIZONA) | 4 P.M. | ESPN
NO. 1 GEORGIA VS. NO. 4 OHIO STATE (CFP SEMIFINAL) — PEACH BOWL (ATLANTA) | 8 P.M. | ESPN
MONDAY, JAN. 2
NO. 22 MISSISSIPPI STATE VS. ILLINOIS — RELIAQUEST BOWL (TAMPA, FLORIDA) | 12 P.M. | ESPN2
NO. 17 LSU VS. PURDUE — CITRUS BOWL (ORLANDO, FLORIDA) | 1 P.M. | ABC
NO. 10 USC VS. NO. 16 TULANE — COTTON BOWL (ARLINGTON, TEXAS) | 1 P.M. | ESPN
NO. 8 UTAH VS. NO. 11 PENN STATE — ROSE BOWL (PASADENA, CALIFORNIA) | 5 P.M. | ESPN
SUNDAY, JAN. 8
FCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP (FRISCO, TEXAS) | 2 P.M. | ABC
MONDAY, JAN. 9
CFP NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA) | ESPN
2022 AFCA FBS COACHES’ ALL-AMERICA TEAMS
| First Team-Offense | |||||||||||||
| First Team-Defense | |||||||||||||
| Pos | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | School | Coach | Hometown (High School) | ||||||
| WR | Marvin Harrison Jr. | 6-4 | 205 | So. | Ohio State | Ryan Day | Philadelphia, Pa. (St. Joseph’s Prep) | ||||||
| WR | Jalin Hyatt | 6-0 | 185 | Jr. | Tennessee | Josh Heupel | Irmo, S.C. (Dutch Fork) | ||||||
| TE | Brock Bowers | 6-4 | 230 | So. | Georgia | Kirby Smart | Napa, Calif. (Napa) | ||||||
| OL | O’Cyrus Torrence | 6-5 | 347 | Jr. | Florida | Billy Napier | Greensburg, La. (St. Helena Central) | ||||||
| OL | Peter Skoronski | 6-4 | 315 | Jr. | Northwestern | Pat Fitzgerald | Park Ridge, Ill. (Maine South) | ||||||
| C | Olusegun Oluwatimi | 6-3 | 307 | Gr. | Michigan | Jim Harbaugh | Upper Marlboro, Md. (DeMatha Catholic) | ||||||
| OL | Paris Johnson Jr. | 6-6 | 310 | Jr. | Ohio State | Ryan Day | Cincinnati, Ohio (Princeton) | ||||||
| OL | Steve Avila | 6-4 | 330 | Sr. | TCU | Sonny Dykes | Arlington, Tex. (South Grand Prairie) | ||||||
| QB | Caleb Williams | 6-1 | 215 | So. | USC | Lincoln Riley | Washington, D.C. (Gonzaga College HS) | ||||||
| RB | Blake Corum | 5-8 | 210 | Jr. | Michigan | Jim Harbaugh | Marshall, Va. (St. Frances Academy) | ||||||
| RB | Bijan Robinson | 6-0 | 222 | Jr. | Texas | Steve Sarkisian | Tucson, Ariz. (Salpointe) | ||||||
| Pos | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | School | Coach | Hometown (High School) | ||||||
| DL | Isaiah Foskey | 6-5 | 265 | Jr. | Notre Dame | Marcus Freeman | Antioch, Calif. (De La Salle) | ||||||
| DL | *Jalen Carter | 6-3 | 300 | Jr. | Georgia | Kirby Smart | Apopka, Fla. (Apopka) | ||||||
| DL | Calijah Kancey | 6-0 | 280 | R-Jr. | Pittsburgh | Pat Narduzzi | Miami, Fla. (Miami Northwestern) | ||||||
| DL | Tuli Tuipulotu | 6-4 | 290 | Jr. | USC | Lincoln Riley | Hawthorne, Calif. (Lawndale) | ||||||
| LB | *Will Anderson Jr. | 6-4 | 243 | Jr. | Alabama | Nick Saban | Hampton, Ga. (Dutchtown) | ||||||
| LB | Ivan Pace Jr. | 6-0 | 235 | Sr. | Cincinnati | Luke Fickell | Cincinnati, Ohio (Colerain) | ||||||
| LB | Jack Campbell | 6-5 | 246 | Sr. | Iowa | Kirk Ferentz | Cedar Falls, Iowa (Cedar Falls) | ||||||
| DB | Christopher Smith | 5-11 | 195 | Sr. | Georgia | Kirby Smart | Atlanta, Ga. (Hapeville Charter) | ||||||
| DB | Devon Witherspoon | 6-0 | 180 | Jr. | Illinois | Bret Bielema | Pensacola, Fla. (Pine Forest) | ||||||
| DB | Emmanuel Forbes | 6-0 | 180 | Jr. | Mississippi State | Mike Leach | Grenada, Miss. (Grenada) | ||||||
| DB | Clark Phillips III | 5-10 | 183 | So. | Utah | Kyle Whittingham | Lakewood, Calif. (La Habra) | ||||||
| First Team-Special Teams | |||||||||||||
| Second Team-Offense | |||||||||||||
| Pos | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | School | Coach | Hometown (High School) | ||||||
| P | Bryce Baringer | 6-3 | 215 | Sr. | Michigan State | Mel Tucker | Waterford, Mich. (Notre Dame Prep) | ||||||
| PK | Christopher Dunn | 5-8 | 170 | Gr. | NC State | Dave Doeren | Lexington, N.C. (North Davidson) | ||||||
| AP | *Deuce Vaughn | 5-6 | 176 | Jr. | Kansas State | Chris Klieman | Round Rock, Tex. (Cedar Ridge) | ||||||
| LS | Michael Vinson | 6-2 | 228 | Sr. | Notre Dame | Marcus Freeman | Winnetka, Ill. (New Trier) | ||||||
| Pos | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | School | Coach | Hometown (High School) | ||||||
| WR | Nathaniel Dell | 5-10 | 165 | Jr. | Houston | Dana Holgorsen | Daytona Beach, Fla. (Mainland) | ||||||
| WR | Xavier Hutchinson | 6-3 | 205 | R-Sr. | Iowa State | Matt Campbell | Jacksonville, Fla. (Bartram Trail) | ||||||
| TE | *Michael Mayer | 6-4 | 265 | Jr. | Notre Dame | Marcus Freeman | Independence, Ky. (Covington Catholic) | ||||||
| OL | Alex Palczewski | 6-6 | 315 | Sr. | Illinois | Bret Bielema | Mount Prospect, Ill. (Prospect) | ||||||
| OL | Jarrett Patterson | 6-4 | 310 | Sr. | Notre Dame | Marcus Freeman | Laguna Hills, Calif. (Mission Viejo) | ||||||
| C | John Michael Schmitz | 6-4 | 320 | Sr. | Minnesota | P.J. Fleck | Flossmoor, Ill. (Homewood-Flossmoor) | ||||||
| OL | Joe Alt | 6-7 | 317 | So. | Notre Dame | Marcus Freeman | North Oaks, Minn. (Totino-Grace) | ||||||
| OL | Andrew Vorhees | 6-6 | 325 | R-Sr. | USC | Lincoln Riley | Kingsburg, Calif. (Kingsburg) | ||||||
| QB | C.J. Stroud | 6-3 | 218 | Jr. | Ohio State | Ryan Day | Inland Empire, Calif. (Rancho Cucamonga) | ||||||
| RB | Chase Brown | 5-11 | 205 | Jr. | Illinois | Bret Bielema | London, Ontario (St. Stephen’s Episcopal) | ||||||
| RB | Mohamed Ibrahim | 5-10 | 210 | Sr. | Minnesota | P.J. Fleck | Baltimore, Md. (Our Lady of Good Counsel) | ||||||
| Second Team-Defense | ||||||||||||
| Second Team-Special Teams | ||||||||||||
| Pos | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | School | Coach | Hometown (High School) | |||||
| DL | Byron Young | 6-3 | 292 | Sr. | Alabama | Nick Saban | Laurel, Miss. (West Jones) | |||||
| DL | Felix Anudike-Uzomah | 6-4 | 255 | Jr. | Kansas State | Chris Klieman | Kansas City, Mo. (Lee’s Summit) | |||||
| DL | Mike Morris | 6-6 | 292 | Sr. | Michigan | Jim Harbaugh | Belle Glade, Fla. (American Heritage) | |||||
| DL | Tyree Wilson | 6-6 | 275 | Sr. | Texas Tech | Joey McGuire | Henderson, Tex. (West Rusk) | |||||
| LB | Drew Sanders | 6-5 | 233 | Jr. | Arkansas | Sam Pittman | Denton, Tex. (Ryan) | |||||
| LB | Jamon Dumas-Johnson | 6-1 | 245 | So. | Georgia | Kirby Smart | Hyattsville, Md. (St. Frances Academy) | |||||
| LB | Nick Herbig | 6-2 | 228 | Jr. | Wisconsin | Jim Leonhard | Kauai, Hawaii (Saint Louis School) | |||||
| DB | *Jordan Battle | 6-1 | 206 | Sr. | Alabama | Nick Saban | Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (St. Thomas Aquinas) | |||||
| DB | Joey Porter Jr. | 6-2 | 194 | R-Jr. | Penn State | James Franklin | Bakersfield, Calif. (North Allegheny (Pa.)) | |||||
| DB | Kool-Aid McKinstry | 6-1 | 188 | So. | Alabama | Nick Saban | Birmingham, Ala. (Pinson Valley) | |||||
| DB | Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson | 5-9 | 180 | Sr. | TCU | Sonny Dykes | Waco, Tex. (Midway) | |||||
| Pos | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | School | Coach | Hometown (High School) | |||||
| P | Kai Kroeger | 6-4 | 207 | Jr. | South Carolina | Shane Beamer | Lake Forest, Ill. (Lake Forest) | |||||
| PK | *Jake Moody | 6-1 | 210 | Gr. | Michigan | Jim Harbaugh | Northville, Mich. (Northville) | |||||
| AP | Jaylin Lucas | 5-9 | 170 | Fr. | Indiana | Tom Allen | Houma, La. (Edna Karr) | |||||
| LS | Joe Shimko | 6-0 | 220 | Jr. | NC State | Dave Doeren | Belmar, N.J. (Wall Township) | |||||
NBA
INDIANA 125 GOLDEN STATE 119
ORLANDO 135 ATLANTA 124
DETROIT 141 CHARLOTTE 134 OT
NEW YORK 128 CHICAGO 120 OT
SACRAMENTO 124 TORONTO 123
PORTLAND 128 SAN ANTONIO 112
MIAMI 110 OKLAHOMA CITY 108
CLEVELAND 105 DALLAS 90
DENVER 141 WASHINGTON 128
LA CLIPPERS 99 MINNESOTA 88
BOX SCORES: HTTP://HOSTED.STATS.COM/NBA/SCOREBOARD.ASP
NHL
OTTAWA 3 MONTRÉAL 2
MINNESOTA 4 DETROIT 1
VANCOUVER 4 CALGARY 3
BOX SCORES: HTTP://HOSTED.STATS.COM/NHL/SCOREBOARD.ASP
TOP NATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES
49ers QB Brock Purdy questionable for game vs. Seahawks
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is officially listed as questionable for Thursday night’s game at Seattle after injuring his ribs and oblique in an impressive first start in his career.
Purdy was limited during the light practices all week because of the injury. Coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday a final decision on Purdy’s status wouldn’t be made until the day of the game against the Seahawks.
Shanahan said Purdy is not in danger of making the injury worse by playing. Purdy said he’s dealing with some pain but said it wasn’t “excruciating.”
“I feel like this is part of the game,” Purdy said. “A lot of the guys have said, welcome to the NFL in terms of you get banged up a little bit, you have to be ready to roll in four days. You have to learn another install, you have to memorize plays, you have to get guys going around you, so this is it. This is the best of the best. And for me, I look at it as a challenge.”
Purdy has answered his first challenges since taking over in the first quarter in Week 13 after Jimmy Garoppolo went down with a broken left foot.
Purdy, who was the last pick in the NFL draft in April, threw two TD passes in a relief effort to help beat Miami in his first extensive action and then had two TD passes and a TD run last week in a 35-7 win over Tampa Bay.
Purdy got injured on the second drive that game but played through the injury.
The 49ers also listed defensive lineman Kerry Hyder (ankle) and cornerback Ambry Thomas (ankle) as questionable for the game Thursday night. San Francisco (9-4) can clinch the NFC West with a win.
The Niners said Garoppolo (foot), receiver Deebo Samuel (ankle, knee), defensive linemen Kevin Givens (knee) and Hassan Ridgeway (pectoral), defensive back Tarvarius Moore (knee) and CB Samuel Womack (concussion) will all miss the game.
NFL PREVIEW: WHAT TO LOOK FOR WEEK 15
PLAYOFF PUSH: Last week, the PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (12-1) became the first team to secure a spot in the 2022 postseason and five other teams can join them in Week 15.
In the AFC, the KANSAS CITY CHEIFS (10-3) can secure their seventh-consecutive AFC West division title, tying the 1973-79 LOS ANGELES RAMS for the second-longest streak of division titles in NFL history. Only the 2009-19 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (11 consecutive seasons) had a longer streak.
Additionally, the BUFFALO BILLS (10-3) can clinch their fourth-consecutive postseason berth, which would tie for the second-longest streak in franchise history (1963-67). Their only longer streak was when they made six consecutive playoff appearances from 1988-93.
In the NFC, both the MINNESOTA VIKINGS (10-3) and SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (9-4) can win their respective divisions this week. The Vikings are looking for their first NFC North title since 2017, while the 49ers can win the NFC West for the first time since 2019.
The DALLAS COWBOYS (10-3) can also clinch a postseason berth this week, as they can make the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2006-07.
For the full Week 15 playoff scenarios for each club, click here.
— NFL —
PASSING LEADERS: Kansas City quarterback PATRICK MAHOMES leads the NFL with 4,160 passing yards this season, while Los Angeles Chargers quarterback JUSTIN HERBERT ranks second with 3,706. Last week, Mahomes joined Pro Football Hall of Famer PEYTON MANNING as the only players in NFL history with at least 4,000 passing yards in five of their first six season.
With 294 passing yards against Tennessee on Sunday (4:25 PM ET, CBS), Herbert can become the first player ever to record at least 4,000 passing yards in each of his first three seasons.
Mahomes also leads the league with 33 touchdown passes in 2022. Since becoming Kansas City’s starter in 2018, Mahomes’ 184 touchdown passes are the most in the NFL and he has totaled at least 35 touchdown passes in three of the past four seasons.
With two touchdown passes at Houston on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, CBS), Mahomes will become the fifth quarterback in NFL history to record at least 35 touchdown passes in four-or-more different seasons, joining TOM BRADY (six seasons), AARON RODGERS (six), DREW BREES (four) and Pro Football Hall of Famer PEYTON MANNING (four).
The players with the most seasons with at least 35 touchdown passes in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | SEASONS |
| Tom Brady | New England, Tampa Bay | 6 |
| Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay | 6 |
| Drew Brees | New Orleans | 4 |
| Peyton ManningHOF | Indianapolis, Denver | 4 |
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City | 3* |
| *Has 33 touchdown passes in 2022 |
— NFL —
MILESTONE MARKER: Detroit quarterback JARED GOFF has led the Lions to five wins in their past six games and has totaled over 325 passing yards in each of the past two weeks. He ranks third in the NFC this season with 3,352 passing yards.
Since entering the league in 2016, the former No. 1 overall pick, has 24,768 passing yards in 96 career games. With 232 passing yards at the New York Jets on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, CBS), Goff can tie Pro Football Hall of Famers PEYTON MANNING (97 games) and KURT WARNER (97) as the third-fastest player ever to reach 25,000 career passing yards. Only MATTHEW STAFFORD (90 games) and Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO (92) reached the mark in fewer games.
The players to reach 25,000 career passing yards in the fewest games in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | GAMES |
| Matthew Stafford | Detroit | 90 |
| Dan MarinoHOF | Miami | 92 |
| Peyton ManningHOF | Indianapolis | 97 |
| Kurt WarnerHOF | St. Louis Rams, N.Y. Giants, Arizona | 97 |
| Jared Goff | L.A. Rams, Detroit | 96* |
| *Has 24,768 passing yards |
Las Vegas quarterback DEREK CARR enters Week 15 with 3,117 passing yards this season and last week became the third player in NFL history to record at least 3,000 passing yards in each of his first nine seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer PEYTON MANNING and RUSSELL WILSON.
Since entering the league in 2014, Carr ranks third among all players with 34,817 passing yards. With 183 passing yards against New England on Sunday (4:05 PM ET, FOX), Carr will become the fourth quarterback ever to record at least 35,000 passing yards in his first nine seasons.
The players with the most passing yards in their first nine seasons in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | PASSING YARDS |
| Matt Ryan | Atlanta | 37,701 |
| Peyton ManningHOF | Indianapolis | 37,586 |
| Dan MarinoHOF | Miami | 35,386 |
| Derek Carr | Oakland/Las Vegas | 34,817* |
| *Entering Sunday |
— NFL —
JEFFERSON MAKING HISTORY: Minnesota wide receiver JUSTIN JEFFERSON leads the NFL this season with 1,500 receiving yards and ranks second with 99 receptions. Last week, he recorded a career-high 223 receiving yards, his fifth-career game with at least 175 receiving yards, tied with Pro Football Hall of Famer LANCE ALWORTH (five games) for the most such games by a player in his first three seasons in NFL history.
Jefferson ranked second in the league with 1,616 receiving yards in 2021 and with 100 receiving yards against Indianapolis on Saturday (1:00 PM ET, NFLN), can become the third player ever with at least 1,600 receiving yards in consecutive seasons.
The players with at least 1,600 receiving yards in consecutive seasons in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | CONSECUTIVE SEASONS |
| Antonio Brown | Pittsburgh | 2014-15 |
| Calvin JohnsonHOF | Detroit | 2011-12 |
| Justin Jefferson | Minnesota | 2021* |
| *Has 1,500 receiving yards in 2022 |
Since entering the league in 2020, Jefferson ranks fifth with 295 receptions. With five catches on Saturday, he will become the third player all-time with at least 300 receptions in his first three seasons, joining MICHAEL THOMAS (321 receptions) and CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY (303).
After totaling 108 receptions last season, Jefferson can also become the fifth player ever to record at least 100 receptions in two of his first three seasons, joining ANQUAN BOLDIN, BRANDON MARSHALL, McCaffrey and Thomas.
— NFL —
SATURDAY NIGHT RECEIVER: When the BUFFALO BILLS (10-3) host the MIAMI DOLPHINS (8-5) in a key, late-season AFC East matchup on Saturday night (8:15 PM ET, NFLN), three of the top receivers in the league will be on display.
Miami’s TYREEK HILL ranks second in the NFL with 1,460 receiving yards this season, while teammate JAYLEN WADDLE ranks seventh with 1,003. They are the only pair of teammates each with at least 1,000 receiving yards in 2022. Buffalo’s STEFON DIGGS ranks fourth with 1,239 receiving yards and tied for third with 10 touchdown receptions. Hill (100 receptions) and Diggs (94) also rank first and third, respectively, among reception leaders this season.
Saturday’s meeting will mark the fourth game in NFL history featuring opposing players each with at least 1,200 receiving yards on the season entering the matchup in Week 15 or earlier.
| PLAYERS (REC. YARDS ENTERING GAME) | WEEK, SEASON | RESULT |
| MIA Tyreek Hill (1,460) & BUF Stefon Diggs (1,239) | Week 15, 2022 | ??? |
| HOU Andre Johnson (1,360) & IND Reggie Wayne (1,220) | Week 15, 2012 | HOU 29, IND 17 |
| SF Jerry RiceHOF (1,464) & NE Stanley Morgan (1,222) | Week 15, 1986 | SF 29, NE 24 |
| OAK Art Powell (1,301) & SD Lance AlworthHOF (1,221) | Week 15, 1964 | OAK 21, SD 20 |
Hill recorded a 57-yard fumble-recovery touchdown and his sixth touchdown reception of the season last week, becoming the fifth player in NFL history to record at least six touchdown receptions in each of his first seven seasons.
Since entering the league in 2016, Hill ranks second among wide receivers with 74 total touchdowns (62 receiving, six rushing, four punt-returns, one kickoff-return and one fumble-recovery). He is also the only player in the Super Bowl era to score a 50-yard touchdown in five different ways.
With a touchdown on Saturday night, Hill will tie Pro Football Hall of Famer LANCE ALWORTH (75 touchdowns) for the third-most touchdowns by a wide receiver in his first seven seasons in NFL history. Only Pro Football Hall of Famers JERRY RICE (97 touchdowns) and RANDY MOSS (91) have more.
The wide receivers with the most touchdowns in their first seven seasons in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | TOUCHDOWNS |
| Jerry RiceHOF | San Francisco | 97 |
| Randy MossHOF | Minnesota | 91 |
| Lance AlworthHOF | San Diego Chargers | 75 |
| Tyreek Hill | Kansas City, Miami | 74* |
| Terrell OwensHOF | San Francisco | 74 |
| *Entering Saturday |
Hill can also join Moss as the only wide receivers in NFL history with at least seven touchdowns in each of his first seven seasons.
With six catches on Saturday night, Diggs will become the sixth player ever to record at least 100 receptions and 1,200 receiving yards in three-or-more consecutive seasons. He can become the first player to ever accomplish the feat in each of his first three seasons with a team.
The players with at least 100 receptions and 1,200 receiving yards in the most consecutive seasons in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | CONSECUTIVE SEASONS |
| Antonio Brown | Pittsburgh | 6 (2013-18) |
| Marvin HarrisonHOF | Indianapolis | 4 (1999-2002) |
| Herman Moore | Detroit | 3 (1995-97) |
| Jerry RiceHOF | San Francisco | 3 (1994-96) |
| Michael Thomas | New Orleans | 3 (2017-19) |
| Stefon Diggs | Buffalo | 2* (2020-21) |
| *Active streak |
In nine career starts against the Dolphins, Buffalo quarterback JOSH ALLEN has totaled 27 touchdowns (23 passing, four rushing) and has recorded at least two touchdown passes in each game.
With two touchdown passes on Saturday night, Allen will become the second player ever to record at least two touchdown passes in 10 consecutive games against a single opponent, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO (10 consecutive games against the New York Jets from 1991-97).
— NFL —
RIDICULOUS RAIDER: Las Vegas wide receiver DAVANTE ADAMS ties for the league lead this season with 12 touchdown receptions, while ranking third with 1,247 receiving yards.
With 53 receiving yards against New England on Sunday (4:05 PM ET, FOX), Adams can become the fifth player all-time to record at least 1,300 receiving yards and 10 touchdown receptions in four-or-more different seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers JERRY RICE (six seasons), MARVIN HARRISON (five), RANDY MOSS (five) and TERRELL OWENS (four).
The players with the most seasons with at least 1,300 receiving yards and 10 touchdown receptions in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | SEASONS | |
| Jerry RiceHOF | San Francisco | 6 | |
| Marvin HarrisonHOF | Indianapolis | 5 | |
| Randy MossHOF | Minnesota, New England | 5 | |
| Terrell OwensHOF | San Francisco, Dallas | 4 | |
| Davante Adams | Green Bay, Las Vegas | 3* | |
| *Has 1,247 receiving yards and 12 touchdown receptions in 2022 |
— NFL —
HEY, ROOKIE: Green Bay wide receiver CHRISTIAN WATSON ties for the lead among rookies this season with nine touchdowns (seven receiving, two rushing) and has recorded a touchdown reception in each of his past four games.
Since Week 10, he leads all players with seven touchdown receptions and is the third rookie in the Super Bowl era with at least seven touchdown receptions in a four-game span.
With a touchdown reception against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football (8:15 PM ET, ESPN/ABC), Watson will become the fourth rookie in the Super Bowl era with a touchdown catch in five consecutive games and the first since LEE EVANS IN 2004.
The rookies with a touchdown reception in the most consecutive games in the Super Bowl era:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | CONSECUTIVE GAMES |
| Randy MossHOF | Minnesota | 1998 | 7 |
| Lee Evans | Buffalo | 2004 | 5 |
| Chris Sanders | Houston Oilers | 1995 | 5 |
| Christian Watson | Green Bay | 2022 | 4* |
| *Active streak |
AP source: No. 24 Mississippi State hiring DC Zach Arnett
(AP) — No. 24 Mississippi State is promoting defensive coordinator Zach Arnett to head coach to replace Mike Leach, who died suddenly of a heart condition earlier this week
No. 24 Mississippi State is promoting defensive coordinator Zach Arnett to head coach to replace Mike Leach, who died suddenly of a heart condition earlier this week.
Mississippi State was working to finalize a four-year contract with the 36-year-old Arnett, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday on condition of anonymity because a deal had not yet been completed. ESPN first reported the move.
Leach, 61, died Monday night at a Jackson, Mississippi, hospital after falling gravely ill Sunday at his home in Starkville. Mississippi State has scheduled a memorial service to celebrate Leach on Tuesday at Humphrey Arena on campus. The event will be open to the public.
Arnett was put in charge of the team by Mississippi State officials in Leach’s absence. With the early signing period a week away and the transfer portal active, Mississippi State was motivated to move quickly to put a new coach in place. The Bulldogs also play Illinois in the Reliaquest Bowl on Jan. 2.
Mississippi State is also currently without an athletic director after John Cohen left the Bulldogs for Auburn at the end of October. Longtime Mississippi State athletic department administrator Bracky Brett has been serving as interim AD.
Before Leach’s death, the school was moving to fill its vacant athletic director position before Christmas.
Brett told AP on Tuesday, hours after Leach’s death was announced by the school, that the AD search and next move with the head coach were going to be in the hands of university President Mark Keenum.
Arnett has been Leach’s defensive coordinator since he took the head coaching job at Mississippi State in 2020. His defense ranked fourth in the Southeastern Conference in yards per play allowed this season and fifth in 2020, falling off to 11th in the 2021.
Arnett is a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, who played linebacker for the University of New Mexico from 2005-08 under coach Rocky Long.
His coaching career began under Long, too, at San Diego State. He spent nine seasons with the Aztecs, rising to defensive coordinator in 2018 and leading some of the top defenses in the Mountain West before joining Leach’s staff.
Arnett being elevated makes him the eighth former Leach assistant to be a head coach currently in major college football.
Tennessee’s Jalin Hyatt declares for NFL draft, to skip bowl
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) All-America wide receiver Jalin Hyatt will watch his sixth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers play No. 10 Clemson in the Orange Bowl from the sideline after announcing Wednesday he is leaving after his junior season for the NFL draft.
Hyatt thanked his teammates, coaches and fans for what he called “an amazing ride” in a social media post. The Volunteers went 3-7 in 2020 in Hyatt’s freshman season and now are 10-2 in coach Josh Heupel’s second season.
“Together with my brothers and coaches, we built this program back to where it deserves to be – among the best in the country – through hard work and perseverance,” Hyatt wrote.
Hyatt led the nation with 15 touchdown catches and led the Southeastern Conference averaging 5.6 catches and 105.6 yards per game, finishing with 1,267 yards receiving. He is third nationally in total yards receiving and set the school record for TD catches in a season.
The 6-foot, 185-pound wide receiver received a deal with the World of Hyatt hotel brands that included gift cards for each of Hyatt’s teammates’ families to help them with hotel rooms for the Orange Bowl on Dec. 30.
“Though I will not be playing in the Orange Bowl, I will be there in Miami to support my teammates like I always have,” Hyatt wrote.
Kent State hires Minnesota assistant Burns as new coach
Kent State has agreed to hire Minnesota associate head coach Kenni Burns to replace Sean Lewis, who left after five seasons, a person familiar with the deal confirmed to The Associated Press.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the schools had not announced the move.
Burns will be returning to the Mid-American Conference after working for one year with Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck at Western Michigan, which went 13-1 in 2016 and made Fleck one of the nation’s most sought-after coaches. Burns followed Fleck to the Gophers in 2017.
ESPN first reported Tuesday that Burns was leaving Minnesota for Kent State.
He’ll take over a program rebuilt by Lewis, who resigned last week to be Deion Sanders’ offensive coordinator at Colorado. Lewis went 24-31 during his tenure and led the Golden Flashes to their first bowl win in 2019, when they beat Utah State in the Frisco Bowl. Of Kent State’s six winning conference records in the last 35 seasons, three have come in the last four years under Lewis.
Kent State went just 5-7 overall this season but gave No. 1 Georgia a scare before losing 39-22. The Golden Flashes also played at Washington and Oklahoma.
Burns previously was an assistant at Southern Illinois (2008-09), North Dakota State (2010-13) and Wyoming (2014). He coached the running backs for the Gophers and was promoted to assistant head coach in 2019. Under his guidance, Rodney Smith left the program in 2019 as the all-time leader in all-purpose yards.
California Regents vote to affirm UCLA’s move to Big Ten
LOS ANGELES (AP) UCLA cleared a major hurdle toward joining the Big Ten Conference in 2024, getting approval for the move from the University of California Board of Regents on Wednesday.
The regents voted 11-5 to affirm the Bruins’ move during a special meeting on the university’s Westwood campus. A simple majority was needed to pass.
“We’ve always been guided by what is best for our 25 teams and more than 700 student-athletes,” UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond said after the vote. “The Big Ten offers exciting new competitive opportunities on a bigger national media platform for our student-athletes to compete and showcase their talent.”
The regents imposed conditions to mitigate the impact of the move on athletes, including UCLA investing an additional $12 million in nutritional support, mental health services, academic support while traveling and charter flights to reduce travel time.
Richard Leib, chair of the Board of Regents, said it was important to make a decision given UCLA’s ongoing recruiting efforts and the Pac-12 Conference’s negotiations for a new media rights deal.
“We spent an inordinate amount of time into trying to make a reasonable decision. I’m pleased with how we did it,” Leib said. “I think in the end people will be pleased with it and excited about it.”
UCLA will also have to pay the University of California at Berkeley between $2 million and $10 million because of how the move will affect the Cal athletic program. The regents will determine the precise total once the upcoming Pac-12 Conference media rights deals are completed.
“From the very beginning we said we understand we may need to help Berkeley. We’re OK with it and happy it is resolved,” UCLA chancellor Gene Block said.
The decision came nearly five months after Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized UCLA’s move because Block and Jarmond did not give advance notice to the regents.
UCLA and the University of Southern California announced on June 30 that they were leaving the Pac-12 for the Big Ten. USC is private and not part of the UC system.
In 1991, campus chancellors were delegated authority by the UC Office of the President to execute their own contracts, including intercollegiate athletic agreements. But the regents heard during an August meeting that they retain the authority to review decisions impacting the UC system, meaning they could affirm, overturn or abstain from following up on UCLA’s decision.
“The Regents provided the oversight the public deserves – ensuring that decisions about athletic conferences benefit, first and foremost, the student-athletes and campus communities impacted by those decisions,” said Erin Mellon, a spokeswoman for the governor. “By requiring UCLA to nearly double its investments in student supports, all student-athletes at both UCLA and Berkeley will have greater access to better nutrition, mental health supports, tutoring and support for travel.”
Despite the increased funding, the National College Players Association, a nonprofit advocacy group for athletes, said the move to the Big Ten exploited UCLA’s athletes.
“UCLA athletes are not university property. They should be treated fairly in both the educational and business aspects of college sports. This move does neither,” executive director Ramogi Huma, a former UCLA football player, said in a statement.
Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren said in a statement that the conference was grateful to the regents for respecting UCLA’s decision to join. USC and UCLA become official members of the Big Ten on Aug. 2, 2024.
Leib said he did not have any conversations with regents who voted no.
The Pac-12 said in its statement that “regardless of any determination by the UC Board of Regents, the Pac-12 has been and remains incredibly bullish on the future success and growth of our Conference.”
Cards GM Steve Keim takes health-related leave of absence
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim has taken a leave of absence from the organization because of a health-related issue.
The team acknowledged Keim’s health issues Wednesday, but didn’t elaborate. Quentin Harris and Adrian Wilson – who both work with Keim in player personnel – will handle his duties on an interim basis.
The team said it wouldn’t have any further comment on Keim’s health, citing privacy laws.
The 50-year-old Keim has been with the Cardinals since 1999 and served as the team’s general manager since 2013.
Keim’s absence continues a rough year for the Cardinals franchise. The team started with high hopes but now has a 4-9 record and is all but eliminated from playoff contention.
Franchise quarterback Kyler Murray seriously injured a knee Monday night in a loss to New England Patriots and is out for the season.
Jets move Wilson up to No. 2 QB, still expect White to start
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) Zach Wilson is moving up on the New York Jets’ quarterback depth chart this week.
Coach Robert Saleh announced Wednesday the benched former starter is being promoted from No. 3 to the backup behind Mike White, who is dealing with a rib injury but is expected to make his fourth straight start on Sunday against the Detroit Lions.
“Zach’s been doing a great job,” Saleh said. “He has been deliberate in his approach over the last three weeks. He’s been holding himself accountable with regards to how he wants to attack practice, how he’s been performing in practice going against our defense – which I think is a pretty good defense to go against – and working on all the different things we’ve been asking him to accomplish.”
Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in last year’s draft, said he was excited by the promotion and acknowledged the biggest challenge for him the past several weeks was “finding the fun in football” again.
“I love this game and it definitely wasn’t lost,” he said. “But I think you guys felt the frustrations over some of those rough games.”
Wilson said he’s ready to take the field again, and hopes to this season – “but that’s not up to me.”
Entering this year, the focus for the Jets was Wilson’s continued progress and development as their quarterback of the present – and future. And he still thinks he can be.
“Yeah, I definitely believe in myself,” Wilson said. “Of course, I have all the confidence in the world, and I think that’s how it should be. But you’ve got to be able to prove that. That goes back to just attacking every single day.”
Wilson missed the first three games while recovering from a knee injury. He started the next seven and the Jets went 5-2 in those games, but his play was mostly shaky. Wilson had four touchdown passes and five interceptions and had a 55.6 completion percentage as New York’s offense struggled to produce points.
After Wilson went just 9 of 22 for 77 yards in a 10-3 loss at New England in Week 11, the Jets elevated White to starter.
Meanwhile, Wilson was inactive the last three games, not even dressed in uniform on the sideline.
“I mean, it’s frustrating and you would like to be out there,” Wilson said. “But you’ve got to control what you can control. Right now, it’s how can I just do everything I can to put myself in the best position to help this organization and this team?”
Under White, the Jets (7-6) are 1-2 but have been better offensively as they try to make a playoff push and end an 11-year playoff drought – the longest active skid in the NFL.
White was limited at practice Wednesday after twice being forced out of New York’s 20-12 loss at Buffalo last Sunday after taking big hits to his midsection. He returned both times but was sent to the hospital after the game to be examined further.
White told The Associated Press at a charity event Tuesday night his “ribs are good” and was waiting to get clearance from doctors.
“We’re still working as if he’s playing this week,” Saleh said, adding that Wilson’s promotion was just “a coincidence” in timing.
Joe Flacco, who started the first three games this season, will be the No. 3 quarterback.
The Jets wanted Wilson to sit as part of a mental and physical “reset” to focus on fundamentals such as extending the pocket, moving the football and getting his footwork corrected.
“He’s been good,” Saleh said. “Obviously, it’s not over. Continue working and understanding you’re the next man up.”
Saleh reiterated his stance that the plan is to have Wilson back on the field and playing again at some point.
“I’m still in that same mindset, guys, with regards to Zach,” the coach said. “He’s a very talented young man – very talented young man. We’re in the business of developing guys and I’ve said it before: This is Mike White’s opportunity and he’s attacking the heck out of the opportunity and is doing a great job with it.
“But at the same time, we’ve still got to make sure we’re doing everything we can to develop Zach to the spot we know he’s capable of getting to.”
NOTES: DL Quinnen Williams (calf), DL John Franklin-Myers (flu), CB Brandin Echols (quadriceps), WR Corey Davis (concussion protocol) and S Will Parks (not injury related) didn’t practice Wednesday. Saleh said Williams, who has a career-high 11 sacks, remains “50-50” to play. … OTs George Fant (knee) and Duane Brown (shoulder) were limited, as was DE Micheal Clemons (knee). … The Jets signed OL Eric Smith to the practice squad. It’s the third stint with New York for Smith, who was most recently with Tennessee.
Mbappe, France advance to World Cup final, beat Morocco 2-0
AL KHOR, Qatar (AP) Kylian Mbappe vs. Lionel Messi.
Soccer’s latest superstar against perhaps the sport’s greatest player in the World Cup final just about everyone was hoping for.
France and Mbappe are headed back to the biggest game in soccer, and to a much-anticipated matchup with Argentina, after ending Morocco’s historic run at the World Cup on Wednesday.
In front of the country’s president, Emmanuel Macron, France beat Africa’s first ever semifinalist 2-0, with Mbappe playing a part in goals by Theo Hernandez in the fifth minute and substitute Randal Kolo Muani in the 79th.
Mbappe became a global phenomenon by leading France to the title in Russia in 2018 and has a chance to emulate Brazil great Pele as a champion in his first two World Cups when he comes up against the 35-year-old Messi, who has dominated the game with Cristiano Ronaldo for the past 15 years.
It’s the dream final for many, with France looking to become the first team to retain the title since Brazil in 1962 and Argentina on a mission to win soccer’s ultimate prize for the third time in what is likely to be Messi’s last World Cup.
“We need all our strength, all our energy to face a very competitive team with one of the legends in the sport with Messi,” France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris said.
There will be no team from the Arab world in the final of the first World Cup in the Middle East, a prospect that seemed nigh impossible before the tournament yet nearly happened in Qatar.
Morocco has been widely lauded for breaking ground for Africa and generated an outpouring of pride among Arab nations after topping a group containing Croatia and Belgium and eliminating two more European powers – Spain and Portugal – in the knockout stage. Their players gave France a far-from-easy ride, too, before collapsing on the ground in despair after the final whistle.
“We are disappointed for the Moroccan people – we wanted to keep their dream alive,” Morocco coach Walid Regragui said. “We felt we could have gone further but we have given a good image of Morocco and of African football. That was important to us.”
Remarkably, Hernandez’s early goal was the first scored against Morocco by an opposition player in the tournament – the other had been an own-goal in the group stage – but the team responded to that and injury issues in its defense with a fearless performance in front of tens of thousands of fans who dominated the 60,000-seat Al Bayt Stadium.
France was forced into some last-ditch defending at times but has developed a knack of pulling out victories despite not playing its best. The country will be playing in the final for the fourth time in the last seven World Cups, more than anyone else.
“It wasn’t easy,” France coach Didier Deschamps said, “and we showed our quality, experience and team spirit.”
Mbappe failed to add to his five goals in the tournament but helped create the opener for Hernandez when his shot deflected off a defender and into the path of the left back. Hernandez let the ball bounce before driving a downward effort into the net from a tight angle.
Typically a defense-first team, Morocco was forced to come out and play even though it was reeling from losing Nayef Aguerd to injury in the warmup and another center back, captain Romain Saiss, after only 21 minutes because of a hamstring injury. Both players were doubts ahead of the game but were risked by Regragui along with left back Noussair Mazraoui, who has had the flu and only lasted until halftime.
Roared on by its red-and-green-clad fans, Morocco came closest to scoring when Jawad El Yamiq hit the post with an overhead kick in the 44th minute and forced France to defend in numbers, with Antoine Griezmann – the team’s playmaker – effectively playing as a deep-lying midfielder and often clearing balls from inside his box.
However, Mbappe enjoyed more space as Morocco tired late in the second half and he was moved into a central position. After dribbling past two defenders, he took a shot that deflected toward Kolo Muani, who tapped in having been on the field for less than a minute.
The goal was celebrated in the VIP seats by Macron, who flew in for the match and had earlier visited the Souq Waqif bazaar in Doha before traveling to the stadium. The president congratulated France’s players in the locker room after the match.
They might need to raise their game against Argentina, though.
“Any team with Messi in,” Griezmann said, “is a totally different proposition.”
TOP SCORER
The World Cup trophy isn’t the only thing at stake on Sunday. Messi and Mbappe are tied as the leading scorers with five goals as they chase the Golden Boot award.
THIRD PLACE
Morocco’s World Cup isn’t over. The team will play the third-place playoff match against Croatia at Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday.
Magic beat Hawks 135-124 for 4th straight victory
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) Franz Wagner scored 24 points, Orlando had a franchise-record 50 points in the first quarter and the Magic beat the Atlanta Hawks 135-124 on Wednesday night for their fourth straight victory.
Cole Anthony finished the first period with two free throws to make it 50-22, the most points the Magic have ever scored in any quarter. Orlando has its first four-game winning streak since the first four games of the 2020-21 season.
Bol Bol added 21 points, Paolo Banchero had 20 points and six rebounds, and Markelle Fultz finished with 16 points, seven rebounds nine assists and a lot of fun.
“I kind of thought it was halftime almost,” Fultz said about the big first quarter. “No disrespect, but it was so crazy how well we were doing it. But it was so much fun. This game is so competitive that sometimes you lose sight of how much fun it is.
“Today we had a lot of fun, and a win like this is going to bring out a lot of team chemistry for sure.”
Orlando led by 29 at one point and by 28 at the end of the quarter.
“The thing I was most happy about is that they scored 22 points in that quarter,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. “It was the defense that got it done in that quarter, and then from there obviously we let them score a little too much.”
DeAndre Hunter scored 20 of his 25 points in the second quarter for Atlanta. Trae Young added 19 points and 16 assists.
Hunter scored 20 of Atlanta’s final 28 points in the first half to help cut the deficit from 29 to 14.
The Hawks got the lead down to eight, but Ross finished the third quarter with a 3-pointer and Mo Bamba opened the fourth quarter with another to make it 108-94.
The Hawks, who have lost five of six, never thought they were in it after the first quarter.
“Giving up 50 points in one quarter is kind of ridiculous,” said Onyeka Okongwu, who came off the bench with 15 points and 11 rebounds. “But that’s the NBA. We’re all here for a reason. Everybody can play, and you’ve got to be ready from the start. We just got ourselves in a big hole and couldn’t get out of it.”
Said coach Nate McMillan: “Urgency, energy, scrappy play is something that you have to bring every single night. You can’t wait until you’re busted in the mouth before you respond.”
TIP-INS
Hawks: C Clint Capela left the game with calf tightness with 5:10 remaining. … The Hawks shot 8 of 21 with seven turnovers in the first quarter. … F John Collins missed a seventh straight game since injuring his ankle in the Hawks’ last visit to Orlando on Nov. 30.
Magic: Eight players scored in double figures, tying a franchise record. … G R.J. Hampton volunteered to leave the team and play two games with the G League’s Lakeland Magic before rejoining the Magic in Boston on Saturday. … C Wendell Carter Jr. missed a 14th game with right plantar fascia.
UP NEXT:
Hawks: At Charlotte on Friday night.
Magic: At Boston on Friday night.
Burks, Pistons spoil Ball’s return to floor with OT win
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Alec Burks scored a season-high 27 points off the bench, Killian Hayes added 25 and the Detroit Pistons spoiled LaMelo Ball’s return with a 141-134 overtime victory against the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night.
Bojan Bogdanovic had 24 points and Isaiah Stewart chipped in with 19 points and 11 rebounds for Detroit (8-22). Jalen Duren grabbed 18 rebounds as the Pistons snapped a three-game losing streak.
Burks had five points in overtime, including his fourth 3-pointer of the game with 1:47 left to put the Pistons up for good.
“We know what he is going to do,” Hayes said of Burks, now in his 12th NBA season. “He has been through these situations and he definitely gave us a lift in overtime.”
Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 28 points to lead the Hornets. Terry Rozier added 25, although he was just 2 of 13 from beyond the arc.
Ball had 23 points on 9-of-18 shooting to go with 11 assists in his first game since Nov. 16 due to a sprained left ankle. He fouled out with 29.6 seconds left in regulation, and his presence was missed in overtime as the Hornets were outscored 14-7.
Ball said he felt some pain in his ankle during the game and felt a step slow.
The 21-year-old point guard looked rusty early on with five of his first six 3-point attempts hitting the front rim.
“It was legs and stuff, just getting back into it,” Ball said.
But he began to heat up early in the fourth quarter, knocking down back-to-back 3s, including a fadeaway in the left corner, to trim Detroit’s lead to five. Ball then drove the lane and dished to Jalen McDaniels up top for a 3-pointer to tie it with just under 10 minutes left in regulation.
“He’s really talented and we had three quarters scoring 30 or more,” Hornets center Mason Plumlee said. “It’s great to have him back.”
With the game tied late, Bogdanovic missed a fall-away jumper and the Hornets grabbed the rebound and called a timeout with 1.3 seconds left in regulation to set up a side inbounds play. But Rozier’s off-balance 3 from the corner rattled around the rim and out at the buzzer, sending the game to overtime.
Detroit dominated in OT with Ball out of the game.
Burks and Hayes drained consecutive 3s to give Detroit a 138-134 lead with 1:11 left.
“When you get an overtime win like that, it shows character,” Hayes said.
Hornets coach Steve Clifford ripped into his team after the game, expressing his dissatisfaction with the defensive effort.
“Until we care about something besides how many points we score, we’re not going to win much,” Clifford said in an opening statement before leaving without taking questions from reporters. “We are playing no defense – not one guy. There’s not a bright spot. We don’t run back on defense, we don’t guard the ball, our pick-and-roll stuff … all we care about is scoring. That’s it.”
Said Ball: “We have to lock in on defense and figure that out. As soon as we do we will turn this thing around.”
SILAS REMEMBERED
The Hornets honored former coach Paul Silas, who died Saturday, with a moment of silence and a video tribute before the game. The team will wear a commemorative “Silas” patch on the left sleeve of its pullovers for the remainder of the season.
Silas spent eight seasons with the Hornets and is third in club history in games coached (401), games won (193) and winning percentage (.481).
TIP-INS
Pistons: Made 18 3-pointers.
Hornets: McDaniels contributed 21 points and six rebounds in 35 minutes off the bench. But he also had a rather embarrassing moment when he received a backdoor bounce pass from Plumlee and attempted a one-handed dunk, only to have the ball bounce off the rim and sail over the team’s bench and out of bounds.
UP NEXT
Pistons: Host Sacramento on Friday night.
Hornets: Host Atlanta on Friday night.
Randle, Brunson lead Knicks past Bulls 128-120 in OT
CHICAGO (AP) Julius Randle scored 31 points and Jalen Brunson added a season-high 30, including a 3-pointer with less than a minute left in overtime, and the New York Knicks won their fifth straight, 128-120 over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night.
Randle missed a chance to win the game in regulation when his step-back shot from the baseline resulted in an air ball and shot-clock violation with 0.7 seconds left.
But Quentin Grimes and Brunson each nailed 3-pointers with less than a minute left in OT to give the Knicks a nine-point lead.
“We had very good rhythm, made 3s and rebounded well,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said.
DeMar DeRozan scored 32 points and Zach LaVine had 25 for the Bulls, who fell in overtime for the second consecutive game.
Randle had 30 points or more for the third time in his last four games and sixth time this season.
“We did a great job of getting timely stops and rebounds when we needed to, and guys hit timely shots,” Randle said.
The Knicks, who entered shooting an NBA-worst 31% from 3-point range, converted 18 of 34 attempts from behind the arc. R.J. Barrett scored 22 points before fouling out with 47 seconds left in regulation.
LaVine made a 3-pointer to tie the game at 107-all with 4:33 left. But Grimes nailed a 3, Barrett blocked a shot, and Mitchell Robinson scored on a putback that extended New York’s lead to five.
DeRozan’s layup with 24.7 seconds left made it 117-all.
Chicago trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half and didn’t take its first lead until Nikola Vucevic converted a layup and dunk to cap a 10-0 run with 4:16 left in the third quarter.
Brunson showed no effects from a right foot bruise as he sliced the Bulls’ defense for 10 second-quarter points.
The Bulls’ lack of depth at point guard resulted in LaVine, backup forward Javonte Green and reserve guard Goran Dragic sharing the ballhandling duties.
“Just because you lose it doesn’t pay off,” Bulls forward Patrick Williams said of Chicago’s recent close losses. “You got to make them pay.”
TIP-INS
Knicks: Derrick Rose, the 2010-11 MVP while with the Bulls, has adjusted well despite falling out of the rotation. “I can’t complain if we’re winning,” said Rose, a Chicago native. Thibodeau has been pleased with Rose’s leadership, especially his mentoring of guards Brunson and Miles McBride.
Bulls: G Ayo Dosunmu was sidelined with an abdominal bruise, and coach Billy Donovan was unsure how soon he would return. “I don’t think it’s severe,” Donovan said. “I think it’s just a matter of how well he can move and what kind of discomfort he has while he’s playing.” Dosunmu suffered the injury in Sunday’s loss at Atlanta.
UP NEXT
The teams meet in Chicago again on Friday night.
Fox has 27 points and 10 assists, Kings beat Raptors 124-123
TORONTO (AP) De’Aaron Fox had 27 points and 10 assists, Domantas Sabonis added 21 points and 20 rebounds and the Sacramento Kings held on to beat the Toronto Raptors 124-123 on Wednesday night.
Malik Monk scored 24 points and Terence Davis had 19 against his former team as the Kings overcame a 16-point second-quarter deficit to beat the struggling Raptors.
Kings coach Mike Brown was ejected after picking up two technicals with 9:09 left in the third quarter. Brown left the bench and ran onto the court to argue with the officials after guard Fox was called for a technical foul.
“He has our back,” Sabonis said about Brown. “That was big time. I feel like that kind of changed the whole mood.”
Harrison Barnes scored 12 points and Keegan Murray had 10 as all five Sacramento starters reached double figures.
Sacramento came in having lost three of four on its current Eastern Conference road trip but recovered from loss Tuesday night at Philadelphia, a game that saw the Kings surrender 80 points in the first half.
“I’m just proud of everyone,” Barnes said. “Coming off a back-to-back and being able to get this win, I think that’s huge for us.”
Fred VanVleet scored a season-high 39 points for Toronto, but missed a 3-pointer that would have tied it with four seconds to go.
Scottie Barnes had 27 points and 10 assists and Pascal Siakam scored 19 points for the Raptors. They dropped to 10-4 at home and have lost three straight for the first time this season. The Raptors were swept at Orlando over the weekend.
“This was a very winnable game,” Toronto’s Barnes said. “I feel like we should have won this one.”
Sacramento attempted a season-high 46 3-pointers and made 17, with Davis and Monk each hitting five.
“We got the right spots, we let it fly and we saw it go in,” said Kings associate head coach Jordi Fernandez, who took over for Brown.
Toronto shot 6 for 21 from 3-point range, matching its fewest made 3-pointers of the season.
Raptors forward O.G. Anunoby missed his second straight game because of a sore left hip.
Fox split a pair of free throws with six seconds left in the fourth, putting Sacramento up 124-121.
After a timeout, VanVleet got open but missed a 3-pointer, leading to a layup for Siakam.
VanVleet scored 13 points in the first and the Raptors led 31-23 after one. Toronto scored the first eight points of the second to lead 39-23, but the Kings cut it to 62-59 by halftime.
VanVleet scored nine of his 16 third-quarter points at the free throw line, including five straight when Brown was ejected. Toronto took a 94-88 lead to the fourth.
TIP-INS
Kings: G-F Kevin Huerter (left ankle) was not available. Huerter had started all 26 games for Sacramento prior to Wednesday. . Sabonis finished with seven assists.
Raptors: Barnes had seven rebounds. . F Juancho Hernangomez returned after missing the past four games because of a sprained right ankle. . Toronto used its 15th different starting lineup in its 28th game of the season.
TAKE CARE
The Raptors didn’t turn the ball over in the first half, just the second time in franchise history they’ve done that. It also happened April 13, 2016 at Brooklyn. Toronto finished with seven turnovers.
ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC
Sacramento became the first non-Atlantic Division opponent to win in Toronto this season. Brooklyn, Boston and Philadelphia have all won north of the border.
UP NEXT
Kings: At Detroit on Friday night.
Raptors: Host Brooklyn on Friday night.
Lillard leads Blazers past Spurs 128-112 for 3rd straight
SAN ANTONIO (AP) The Portland Trail Blazers are feeling better now that Damian Lillard is healthy.
Lillard had 37 points and the Trail Blazers beat the San Antonio Spurs 128-112 on Wednesday night for their third straight win.
Portland has had the NBA’s most efficient offense while winning five of its last six games.
“We’re not going to have the No. 1 efficiency when your best player is not playing,” coach Chauncey Billups said. “So, you’ve got to give him a lot of that credit.”
Lillard is averaging 34.4 points per game in December after missing two weeks in late November with a strained muscle in his right leg.
Anfernee Simons added 23 points, Jerami Grant had 18 and Jusuf Nurkic 15 for Portland.
Keldon Johnson led San Antonio with 25 points, Doug McDermott added 14 and Keita Bates-Diop had 13.
The Spurs were seeking their fourth consecutive victory after losing 11 in a row, but they couldn’t slow Lillard.
The star guard dazzled San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich, his coach on Team USA when it won a gold medal last year at the Tokyo Olympics.
“He’s amazing,” Popovich said. “I was very happy he was on the Olympic team. Not happy tonight.”
Lillard also had eight assists and five rebounds. He was 14 for 23 from the floor, including 7 of 14 from 3-point territory. He scored 22 points in the first half, the most the Spurs have allowed to an opponent this season.
“His pace, his change of speed is so good right now,” Billups said. “In pick-and-rolls, he’s keeping the defense off kilter so well. Obviously, he’s such a threat to shoot it from wherever, but he’s getting to that basket and he’s making that extra play, the passes for the team. He’s setting an incredible tone for us every night.”
San Antonio cut Portland’s lead to 85-78 with 4 1/2 minutes remaining in the third quarter on consecutive 3-pointers by Devin Vassell and Johnson. Vassell was fouled on his jumper and completed a four-point play.
Lillard then hit successive 3s in a 30-second span to help the Blazers maintain control.
“Chauncey is very clear about what he wants and what guys’ jobs are, and everybody is executing,” Lillard said.
Portland shot 60.5% from the field, including 18 for 40 (45%) from 3-point range.
The Blazers closed the first quarter on a 27-15 run after the Spurs took their first lead at 13-12 with 7:23 remaining.
Bates-Diop had eight of San Antonio’s first 13 points in his return from a three-game absence. But the Spurs lost Zach Collins and Romeo Langford to injury Monday, and Jakob Poeltl and Blake Wesley also remained out.
TIP-INS
Trail Blazers: Lillard averaged 38 points in his previous three games. . Not only was Blazers G Shaedon Sharpe whistled for traveling midway through the second quarter, official Kevin Scott mimicked Sharpe’s move before signaling the violation. . G Gary Payton II continued his rehabilitation from offseason core muscle surgery. Payton’s season debut is expected in the next couple of weeks as he has entered return-to-competition reconditioning.
Spurs: San Antonio is 0-17 when trailing by double digits this season. . Poeltl has missed seven straight games with a bruised right knee bone. . Collins and Langford both sprained their left ankles in San Antonio’s victory over Cleveland on Monday.
NEW ROLE
Spurs center Charles Bassey made his first start in 41 career games. He finished with six points and five rebounds in 19 minutes while battling early foul trouble.
“He’s just a young guy that is trying to find his place in the league,” Popovich said. “Those guys (on Portland) are very experienced.”
The Spurs signed Bassey on Oct. 24 after he was cut by the Philadelphia 76ers.
UP NEXT
Trail Blazers: At Dallas on Friday.
Spurs: Host Miami on Saturday.
Herro makes 9 3s, scores 35 points to lead Heat past Thunder
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Tyler Herro made a career-high nine 3-pointers, hit the go-ahead jumper and scored 35 points in the Miami Heat’s 110-108 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night.
Herro made a mid-range jumper to finish the scoring with 4.9 seconds left. “The play was drawn up for me to shoot it,” Herro said. “It was one-on-one, so I felt like I had an advantage.”
Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed a mid-range jumper, and Josh Giddey’s putback rimmed out at the buzzer.
“I thought I felt contact,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I guess the ref didn’t think so. It was tough.”
The Heat made a season-high 24 3-pointers – with Herro going 9 of 17 – in sending the Thunder to their fourth straight loss. Miami star Jimmy Butler sat out to rest his right knee.
“There’s been a little bit more intent of getting to our actions and finding the open guy without missing the moment,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said. “We were finding our open shooters in those open windows that close very quickly in this league.”
Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 27 points.
Herro began the second quarter with a personal 11-0 run to help Miami pull away. He capped the scoring spree with a corner 3-pointer.
Miami led by 21 points in the second quarter and was up 64-52 at the half.
Oklahoma City opened the third quarter on a 10-0 run and led 78-77 at the 3:42 mark. Miami regained control to take an 86-84 lead into the fourth quarter.
“I thought the way we attacked in the second half was excellent,” Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault said. “Our defense was much better and more alert in the second half. It was not a perfect 48 minutes, but I thought our team really course corrected tonight and gave ourselves a great chance to win the game against a high-quality team.”
TIP-INS
Thunder: F/C Darius Bazley made his first start of the season. He scored 12 points. . F/C Jeremiah Robinson-Earl sat out with a sprained right ankle. . F Kenrich Williams missed his fifth straight game with a sprained right knee.
Heat: Duncan Robinson played after he missed the previous two games with a sprained left ankle. He scored 14 points.
UP NEXT
Thunder: Host Minnesota on Friday night.
Heat: At Houston on Thursday night.
Mitchell leads Cavs to 105-90 win over 2022 playoff foe Mavs
DALLAS (AP) Donovan Mitchell said he was thankful, in a strange way, for the playoff loss to Dallas last season because it helped send him to Cleveland.
The smile said there might have been a bit more adrenaline flowing for the first meeting since then.
Mitchell scored 34 points facing Luka Doncic and the Mavericks for the first time since his final game with Utah last April, and the Cavaliers rolled to a 105-90 victory Wednesday night.
The Jazz lost to Dallas 98-96 at home in Game 6 of the first round in the Western Conference, then Mitchell switched to the East as the centerpiece of a blockbuster offseason trade that vaulted the Cavaliers into the conversation of title contenders.
“It could have been anybody,” Mitchell said. “I think for me it’s just understanding at the end of the day, they’re kind of the reason I’m in Cleveland. So I’m thankful I’m here. I’m glad to be here.”
Cleveland had slipped a bit after a strong start, thanks in part to eight losses in the past nine road games, including a surprising defeat at San Antonio to start a two-game Texas swing.
The Cavs found a fix with a 17-0 run in the first half, and now gear up for a season-high six in a row at home, where they are 12-2, starting with Indiana before seeing Dallas again Saturday.
“What we do, when we do it right, travels,” Cleveland coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “Defense goes everywhere. With us, our defense sets the tone for everything else we do.”
Doncic scored 30 points and had the Mavericks within nine late in the third quarter and midway through the fourth.
Mitchell answered Dallas’ fourth-quarter surge with a 3-pointer, and the Cavs led by at least 10 the rest of the way.
Mitchell was 13 of 20 overall and 6 of 9 from 3 as the Cavs shot 53%.
Lamar Stevens scored 18 points and was part of a strong defensive first half that limited Doncic to 4-of-13 shooting as Dallas shot 35% and trailed by 19 before the break against one of the NBA’s best defenses.
“You could look at the subs. You could look at a lot of things,” Dallas coach Jason Kidd said. “I just think that we just couldn’t get in sync. We just couldn’t put the ball in the basket.”
Cleveland big men Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley had 14 points apiece and limited Doncic’s ability to get to the rim, a key facet for the NBA’s scoring leader.
“They have a pretty big team,” said Doncic, who finished 9 of 23 and was held below his averages with five rebounds and six assists. “And a great team.”
Christian Wood scored 20 points for Dallas.
COUNT TO FIVE
Darius Garland, who scored 12 points, finished the third quarter with three free throws to get Cleveland’s lead back to 15. The third freebie was a technical because Dallas had four players on the court coming out of a timeout used for an unsuccessful challenge on Doncic’s foul of Garland.
TIP-INS
Cavaliers: Cleveland had four consecutive road wins as part of an 8-1 start. Five straight road losses followed. … Caris LeVert scored 11 of the Cavs’ 13 bench points as Cleveland went just eight deep before emptying the bench in the final two minutes. … Mobley had seven rebounds and six assists.
Mavericks: G Josh Green missed a third consecutive game with a right elbow sprain, and F Maxi Kleber was out for the second time in three games. Kleber had a sprained right knee this time after right foot soreness kept him out Saturday at Chicago. … Doncic set a franchise record with a 35th consecutive game with at least 20 points.
UP NEXT
Cavaliers: Cleveland swept the four-game season series from the Pacers last season for the first time since 2007-08.
Mavericks: A three-game homestand ends Friday against Portland before a four-game trip that starts in Cleveland, then continues with consecutive games at Minnesota.
Jokic scores 43 as Nuggets down ex-mates, Wizards 141-128
DENVER (AP) Nikola Jokic had a season-high 43 points to go with 14 rebounds and eight assists, and the Denver Nuggets overcame strong games from former teammates Will Barton and Monte Morris to beat the undermanned Washington Wizards 141-128 on Wednesday night.
Jokic shot 17 of 20 from the field, missing just one attempt from inside the 3-point line in a fast-paced game devoid of much defense.
“I was rolling,” Jokic said. “Guys were finding me.”
Bones Hyland scored 23 points and Aaron Gordon added 22. Denver shot 65% from the field and had a whopping 98 points in the paint in its third straight win.
Nuggets coach Michael Malone was “shocked” at all the points inside. Wizards coach Wes Unseld Jr. was disgusted.
“They were just playing with a level of ease,” he said.
Barton matched a season best with 22 points and Morris added a season-high 20 in Washington’s eighth straight loss. Kyle Kuzma scored 24.
The Wizards were without their top two scorers in the opener of a six-game trip. Bradley Beal (hamstring) missed his fifth straight game and Kristaps Porzingas (back) was out after exiting early Monday against Brooklyn. Rui Hachimura (ankle) and Delon Wright (hamstring) also remained sidelined.
Barton and Morris stepped up in the first matchup since the offseason trade that sent the pair to Washington for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ish Smith.
Barton spent eight seasons in Denver and is the franchise leader in 3-pointers. Morris started 74 games last season while filling in for injured point guard Jamal Murray.
They combined for seven 3s in a first half that left Washington trailing 72-67. But without Porzingis, the Wizards had nobody to contain Jokic.
Taj Gibson started on him and got into foul trouble. Daniel Gafford then took a shot and provided little resistance. A small lineup didn’t work, either.
The two-time reigning MVP scored on a post move, went coast-to-coast for a layup, then grabbed a rebound and threaded a long bounce pass to Caldwell-Pope for a bucket during a 6-0 run early in the third quarter.
Jokic later scored with his left hand in the lane, had a three-point play and converted in the post. He ended up with 15 points in the third as Denver took the lead for good.
After Washington got within five early in the fourth, Jokic returned and hit two free throws before feeding Jeff Green for a dunk as the Nuggets pulled away.
“We were hitting him, meeting him early. He just found his spots,” Gibson said. “He’s 7-foot. He’s talented.”
MILE HIGH RETURN
The crowd roared after the Nuggets played video tributes for Barton and Morris during the first two timeouts.
Barton said he’s proud of “laying the bricks” for a franchise that moved from the draft lottery to Western Conference contender.
“It was a blessing to come here, making a name for myself and making a career out of this,” Barton said. “To show what I can do and get respect around the league, I’ll never take that for granted. I cherish all the moments I had.”
TIP-INS
Wizards: Beal worked out Tuesday but is “still not where he needs to be,” according to Unseld. … There’s no structural damage for Porzingis, but Unseld was unsure when he’ll return. … Unseld said “it’s trending in the right direction” that Wright will play on the trip.
Nuggets: Michael Porter Jr. (heel) participated in shootaround drills but hasn’t been cleared for contact. He missed his 10th straight game. … Malone decided no one deserved the defensive player of the game chain “because there was no defense in the game.”
UP NEXT
Wizards: Visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.
Nuggets: At the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.
George has triple-double, Clippers beat Timberwolves 99-88
LOS ANGELES (AP) Kawhi Leonard scored 19 points, Paul George had a triple-double and the Los Angeles Clippers rallied to beat the undermanned Minnesota Timberwolves 99-88 on Wednesday night for their third straight victory.
George had 17 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists for his first triple-double since joining the Clippers before the 2019 season.
“I don’t know how he did that,” Leonard said. “I was like, `Who were you passing the ball to?'”
Luke Kennard added season highs of 16 points and four 3-pointers as six Clippers scored in double figures.
“We finally started making shots and played defense,” Leonard said. “We kept going from there.”
Coming off a 20-point victory over the NBA-leading Boston Celtics on Monday, the Clippers started out cold. They missed 13 of their first 15 shots and it wasn’t until the third that they shot over 30% from the floor.
Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 19 points while in foul trouble. Rudy Gobert had 11 points and 13 rebounds.
“We couldn’t make a bucket basically,” Wolves coach Chris Finch said. “Things dried up for us a little bit in the fourth.”
The teams were tied twice early in the fourth, the last time at 71 on Kyle Anderson’s basket.
From there, the Clippers outscored the Wolves 25-9 before both teams brought in their benches for the final two minutes. Los Angeles ran off eight straight points and Kennard hit two 3-pointers while Nicolas Batum had another.
George scored four in a row, pushing the Clippers’ lead to 91-78. He had a pair of free throws and Batum stole the ball and fed George for a layup.
“Just took what the defense game him, didn’t force it,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said about George. “We’ve been talking about playing the right way, the simple way and he did it.”
Down five at halftime, the Clippers started Batum in the second half for Ivica Zubac, who left with left knee discomfort. Batum hit a 3-pointer and another basket for five quick points. He added another 3-pointer that pushed the Clippers’ lead to 61-55.
“I needed a good scoring game at home finally because I’ve been pretty bad,” Batum said.
Minnesota took a 65-64 lead on Edwards’ basket before Kennard’s 3-pointer put the Clippers back in front by two going into the fourth.
The Timberwolves have been without Karl-Anthony Towns (right calf strain) the last couple weeks, and D’Angelo Russell (left knee contusion) is day-to-day.
TIP-INS
Timberwolves: Fell to 6-8 on the road and 2-6 against the West away from home. … Jordan McLaughlin (left calf strain) missed his third straight game. … Taurean Prince (right shoulder subluxation) remains out.
Clippers: It was George’s fifth career triple-double and the 47th in franchise history. … John Wall (left knee) sat out to avoid playing back-to-back on Thursday. … Batum turned 34 and Robert Covington turned 32 on Wednesday. Batum said he was relieved to see France beat Morocco to reach the World Cup final.
UNDER 25
The Clippers held the Wolves under 25 points in all four quarters. “That’s elite defense,” Lue said. Leonard called it “amazing basketball.”
OUCH!
A ball coming off the hands of Anderson hit Lue in the leg on the sideline. “He messed me up, I was hurting,” Lue said, “but I’m all right.”
UP NEXT
Timberwolves: At Oklahoma City on Friday night to conclude trip.
Clippers: Host Phoenix on Thursday night in the second game of a back-to-back.
AP source: Syndergaard agrees to $13M, 1-year deal with LA
LOS ANGELES (AP) Pitcher Noah Syndergaard and the Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to a $13 million, one-year deal, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the agreement had not been announced.
The deal includes the opportunity to earn $1.5 million in performance bonuses.
Syndergaard began last season with the Los Angeles Angels, posting a 3.83 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 15 starts. The 30-year-old right-hander was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in August and his numbers fell off. His ERA ballooned to 4.12 and he averaged 5.1 strikeouts per nine innings. He made nine starts in 10 appearances for the eventual World Series runners-up.
Syndergaard had Tommy John surgery in March 2020 before the season was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. An injury setback delayed his return for the 2021 season before he made two relief appearances for the New York Mets late in the season.
The Dodgers have room in their rotation for Syndergaard because All-Star right-hander Walker Buehler is expected to miss all of next season after having Tommy John surgery. Free agents Tyler Anderson and Andrew Heaney signed elsewhere this offseason.
Syndergaard is seeking a return to some of the success he had with the New York Mets, where he pitched his first seven seasons and was an All-Star in 2016. He pitched for the Mets in the 2015 World Series, earning their only win of the series against the Kansas City Royals.
Also Wednesday, the Dodgers acquired right-hander J.P. Feyereisen from Tampa Bay in exchange for minor league pitcher Jeff Belge.
Feyereisen was designated for assignment a day earlier by the Rays. He was 4-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 22 games after missing the second half of last season with shoulder discomfort.
The 29-year-old right-hander has been in the major leagues for parts of three seasons with Milwaukee and the Rays. He has a career 2.31 ERA with an 8-4 record and 85 strikeouts in 83 games.
Belge has been with the Dodgers organization for three years. The 25-year-old was 3-3 with a 3.66 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 29 games for High-A Great Lakes last season.
UCLA Notches Road Rout at No. 20 Maryland, 87-60
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The No. 16-ranked UCLA men’s basketball team rode a dominant first-half performance to an 87-60 win over No. 20 Maryland on Wednesday night at XFINITY Center.
The Bruins (9-2) led by as many as 30 in the opening half and ultimately went into the locker room with a 49-20 lead, UCLA’s largest halftime advantage Nov. 18, 2014 against Nicholls State (60-29).
The 27-point margin of victory was the program’s largest over a ranked opponent since March 18, 2000. Coincidentally, that game was also against Maryland, as the Bruins downed the No. 17-ranked Terrapins, 105-70, in the NCAA Tournament (Round of 32).
UCLA had four players finish in double figures, led by junior guard Jaylen Clark’s 19 points. Fifth-year guard David Singleton went 3-of-4 from deep as part of an 18-point night, senior forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. and freshman forward Adem Bona each added 14 points.
“Our goal was to play great defense, hold them to one shot, take care of the ball,” said Mick Cronin, The Michael Price Family UCLA Men’s Head Basketball Coach. “If we take care of the ball, we have plenty of guys who can score. Talent isn’t an issue for us, all we have to do is not turn it over. Tonight, our mind was on defense for the first time in a long time. It’s the hardest thing, to keep things grounded.”
The Bruins’ most significant advantage came in the turnover department, forcing 16 from the Terrapins (8-3) while committing just four. Five different Bruin players notched at least one steal, including four apiece for Clark and Jaquez Jr.
UCLA took control of the game from practically the opening tip, scoring the first seven points of the game. The Bruins built a double-digit lead before the halfway point of the first half. With 11:04 remaining in the first half, Clark nailed a jump shot in transition off a Jaquez Jr. steal, giving UCLA a 19-5 cushion.
While Maryland answered Clark’s basket with a lay-up, UCLA just kicked off another lengthy scoring drive, going on a 20-4 run that pushed the lead to 28 points. Singleton keyed the Bruins during that scoring spree, sinking a pair of three-pointers and notching eight points during that run. Another Singleton basket, a lay-up with just over a minute left, gave the Bruins their largest lead of the half, at 47-17.
Clark scored 16 of his 19 points in the opening half, shooting 6-of-10 while going a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line. Jaquez Jr. also had a dozen points. On the defensive end, UCLA limited Maryland to 30.8% shooting and forced the hosts into 11 turnovers.
A 7-0 run early in the second half – with a pair of Bona slam dunks to book-end another Singleton trey – pushed the lead to a game-high 37 points for UCLA with 15:36 remaining. Bona ultimately paced the Bruins with 10 points in the second stanza, with Tyger Campbell scoring all nine of his points in the game’s final 20 minutes.
Maryland guard Ian Martinez scored a team-leading 16 points against UCLA, connecting on 6 of 9 shots. The Terrapins shot just 40 percent from the field for the night, and ultimately got within 27 points, thanks to some hot shooting from beyond the arc late in the game. Maryland drained 8 of 16 three-point attempts in the second half, after having made just 2 of 11 tries in the first half.
UCLA returns to action on Saturday afternoon, facing Kentucky at Madison Square Garden in New York City as part of the CBS Sports Classic. The game is scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. PT tip-off and will be televised live on CBS.
The Bruins have two non-conference games remaining on the schedule before moving into Pac-12 play. Including this Saturday’s game against Kentucky (in New York), UCLA will host UC Davis in Pauley Pavilion next Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 2 p.m. (PT).
Former Arizona coach Miller not sanctioned in NCAA case
(AP) — Former Arizona basketball coach Sean Miller escaped sanctions on Wednesday when a report from the Independent Accountability Resolution Process largely accepted the program’s self-imposed penalties stemming from a NCAA rules violations case that dates back to 2017.
Arizona’s athletics program was put on three years of probation through 2025. The school announced a one-year postseason ban in December 2020, which took effect for the 2020-21 season.
The IARP report released Wednesday said former assistant coach Emanuel Richardson was given a 10-year show-cause penalty after he “solicited and accepted $20,000 in cash bribes and paid $40,000 for a fraudulent academic transcript.”
Another former assistant coach, Mark Phelps, was given a two-year show cause after he provided “an impermissible benefit to a student-athlete and then directed the student-athlete to conceal the violation.”
Miller emerged largely unscathed from the report. He is now the head coach at Xavier.
“All of the actions, or nearly all of the actions that these two assistant coaches took, were covert,” IARP arbitrator Dana Welch said. “With respect to former assistant men’s basketball coach No. 1, they were criminal. It took the FBI two years of wiretapping to find out what he had done. So in our view, these kind of actions could not have been detected by the head coach.”
The basketball program will also lose one additional scholarship for the 2023-24 season.
“This has been a long journey and I am glad everything is finally finished,” Miller said in a statement. “I am excited to move forward. I’d like to thank my wife Amy and my entire family, (Xavier) President (Colleen) Hanycz and (Xavier athletic director) Greg Christopher for their support through the completion of this process.”
The Independent Accountability Resolution Process was created to handle particularly complex cases and acts outside the purview of the NCAA.
The infractions report said it “found no violation for the former head men’s basketball coach because the hearing panel determined that the former head men’s basketball coach demonstrated that he promoted an atmosphere of compliance and monitored two of his assistant coaches regarding the academic eligibility of men’s basketball prospective student-athletes, rebutting the presumption of head coach responsibility.”
The panel’s decision is final, meaning there will be no appeals.
Arizona was originally accused of nine counts of misconduct, including five Level I violations, in a Notice of Allegations sent by the NCAA in October 2020. The violations included a lack of institutional control and failure to monitor by the university, and lack of head coach control by Miller.
But the IARP report was much more lenient on Miller in its report.
Arizona announced in April 2021 that Miller was leaving the school after 12 seasons. The Wildcats hired former Gonzaga assistant Tommy Lloyd to take his place.
Miller routinely pulled in some of the nation’s top recruiting classes after being lured from Xavier in 2009, but his recruiting methods came under scrutiny when Richardson was among 10 people arrested as part of a federal corruption investigation into college basketball.
Richardson was fired by the university and later pleaded guilty to accepting $20,000 in bribes from aspiring business manager Christian Dawkins. He was sentenced to three months in prison in 2019.
Miller sat out a game in 2018 after ESPN reported that he was heard on an FBI wiretap discussing a $100,000 payment to future No. 1 overall NBA pick Deandre Ayton. Miller vehemently denied the report and university President Robert C. Robbins announced a few days later that Miller would remain the Wildcats’ coach.
The investigation also included Arizona’s swimming and diving program, which received relatively minor penalties.
Senators score 3 in 2nd, hold on to beat Canadiens 3-2
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) Shane Pinto, Drake Batherson and Brady Tkachuk scored in Ottawa’s three-goal second period and the Senators held on to beat the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 Wednesday night for their third straight win.
Alex DeBrincat had three assists as Ottawa won for the seventh time in 10 games (7-2-1) overall and improved to 8-8 at home. Cam Talbot stopped 23 shots made 23 saves to win his third straight start.
“We’ll take any win at this point,” Senators coach D.J. Smith said. “You’ve just got to keep clawing and scratching and clawing and grab as many points as you can and hope you get some guys back and keep this thing going.”
Kirby Dach and Christian Dvorak scored in the third period for Montreal, which has lost five of its last eight (3-4-1), but were unable to score the equalizer. Sam Montembeault stopped 28 shots.
The Canadiens finally solved Talbot at 8:05 of the third as Dach glided into the slot and converted a pass from Jake Evans for his fifth to send the partisan Montreal crowd into a frenzy.
“When you get both sets of fans in the building, it goes both ways,” Talbot said. “It’s pretty fun . these close knit rivalries are always good to be a part of and happy to come out on the winning end of this one.”
Dvorak made it a one-goal game when he beat Talbot on a delayed penalty call with 6:48 remaining for his sixth.
That was as close as the Canadiens could get.
“Obviously they had a good push at the end, but we stay with it,” Pinto said. “Talbot made some good saves and we just stay calm, as much as we could. I know it got a little hectic there, but we got two points so that’s all that matters.”
Montembeault denied Pinto on a point-blank shot early in the second. However, moments later, the Senators forward took a great feed from Nikita Zaitsev and and scored off the post for his 10th at 1:28.
Batherson made it 2-0 with a power-play goal at 5:41 when he scored through his own legs in front of the net for his eighth.
“I didn’t even know it was between the legs until the replay,” Batherson said. “I’ll take it any way they can come though.”
Tkachuk added Ottawa’s second power-play goal when he tipped DeBrincat’s pass past Montembeault at 8:02 for his 13th.
“Our discipline kind of slipped away in the second,” said Dach, who took a double minor late in the period. “I felt like 5-on-5, we were playing our game, we had control. . I obviously take ownership with the penalties I took. The timing of them wasn’t the best.”
Dvorak agreed, adding: “We were just on the penalty kill the whole period. … It’s tough when you’re doing that.”
DeBrincat extended his point streak to seven games (three goals, seven assists). Batherson pushed his point streak to six games (three goals, five assists).
DEBUT
Senators C Jacob Lucchini made his NHL debut Wednesday night. The 27-year-old got the experience of taking a rookie lap during warmups.
SIDELINED
The Senators will be without Tim Stutzle for at least a week as he recovers from a shoulder contusion after being hit by the Ducks’ Brett Leason on Monday night. … Tyler Motte is expected to miss at least a week with an undisclosed upper body injury after going down hard in the same game. … Jonathan Drouin returned to Montreal’s lineup after missing 13 games with an upper-body injury.
UP NEXT
Canadiens: Host Anaheim on Thursday night to open a two-game homestand.
Senators: At Detroit on Saturday to open a three-game trip.
Gaudreau scores twice as Wild top Red Wings 4-1
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Frederick Gaudreau scored twice, including a long-distance empty netter, and Matt Dumba notched his third goal of the season as the Minnesota Wild won 4-1 on Wednesday over the visiting Detroit Red Wings.
Filip Gustavsson made 16 saves in net for Minnesota to improve his record to 6-4-1. Mats Zuccarello extended his point streak to eight games with a second-period goal for the Wild, who earned their third straight win.
“We’ve got two good goalies and we’re doing a lot of good things,” Zuccarello said. “Just have to stick with it even though I don’t think we played our best game today.”
Detroit goalie Magnus Hellberg made just his second start in net this year and sixth NHL start of his career Wednesday. He stopped 18 of the 21 Wild shots he faced.
The Red Wings pulled Hellberg with just over three minutes remaining in the third period but couldn’t break through with the extra attacker. Minnesota’s Ryan Reaves missed an empty netter after Hellberg was pulled.
Wednesday’s loss was the fourth in a row for Detroit.
Minnesota’s Ryan Reaves didn’t end up with a point but made a few notable plays for the Wild that set the tone early for what turned out to be a physical game. The veteran winger, acquired from the Rangers in a trade in late November, made a big open ice hit on Detroit defenseman Filip Hronek in the first period. Hronek remained on the ice for a minute before skating off and did not return to the game. No penalty was called on Reaves.
“He just kind of turned his head and held onto the puck, so I’m not sure exactly what happened,” Reaves said. “I hope he’s OK, but you’ve got to know when I’m on the ice, definitely don’t skate at me like that.”
In the second period, Reaves earned his first fight in a Wild sweater after Ben Chiarot hit him up high. The two dropped the gloves briefly before getting broken up. Reaves, playing in his 10th game with Minnesota, pointed to his flexed bicep as he skated to the penalty box.
“I just thought it was important to show that we’re not going to be pushed around,” Chiarot said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s one of the toughest guys in the league or anyone else, we can’t let that go on.”
Both teams got a goal within a 16-second span late in the second period. A Wild turnover led to a goal by Detroit’s Elmer Soderblom that made it a 2-1 game with 1:19 to play in the second. Not long after, Zuccarello fired from his knees past Hellberg to help the Wild regain a two-goal lead.
“I have to be faster making that save, especially in a crucial moment in the game like that we just scored,” Hellberg said. “It killed our momentum a little bit.”
Gaudreau put the Wild up 1-0 in the first when he fired a shot through traffic that found the back of the net with eight seconds left on Minnesota’s power play. Dumba took a nifty backhand pass from Jordan Greenway to make it a 2-0 game at the 8:02 mark of the second period.
Gustavsson is now 5-0-0 with a 1.37 goals against average in his last five games.
“I try to stay calm and do the same boring saves every time,” he said. “It’s what’s working.”
A fan threw an octopus on the ice late in the third period, a tradition at Red Wings home games.
LARKIN SCRATCHED
Dylan Larkin, Detroit’s captain and leading scorer, did not play against Minnesota after injuring his hand Tuesday against Carolina. The team did not offer an update on his status Wednesday. Larkin has 10 goals and a team-high 17 assists in 28 games this year.
UP NEXT
Red Wings: Host Ottawa Senators on Saturday.
Wilds: Host Chicago Blackhawks on Friday.
Kuzmenko scores in SO to give Canucks 4-3 win over Flames
CALGARY, Alberta (AP) Andrei Kuzmenko scored the only goal of the shootout and the Vancouver Canucks beat the Calgary Flames 4-3 Wednesday night for their sixth straight road win.
Bo Horvat, Conor Garland and Sheldon Dries scored in regulation for the Canucks. Nils Hoglander had two assists and Spencer Martin stopped 35 shots to improve to 9-3-1.
Mikael Backlund, Andrew Mangiapane and Trevor Lewis scored for Calgary, which lost its fourth straight overall – third straight beyond regulation – and fell to 6-1-1 in its last eight at home. Dillon Dube had two assists and Jacob Markstrom finished with 24 saves.
Kuzmenko scored on the Canucks’ first attempt of the tiebreaker, firing a shot over Markstrom’s glove. Dube and Backlund both missed on Flames’ final two attempts to give Vancouver the win.
In overtime, Markstrom denied Ilya Mikheyev on a breakaway with a minute remaining to keep it tied.
Horvat and Garland scored 34 seconds apart to give Vancouver a 2-0 lead less than 2 minutes into the game. Horvat deflected a Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s shot from the left point past Markstrom at 1:14 for his 21st to get the Canucks on the board. Garland got the puck near the left corner and beat Markstrom from the left circle for his fifth at 1:48.
With the Flames on the power play, Backlund redirected a feed from Dube at 9:40 for his sixth to make it 2-1.
Mangiapane tied it with 3:51 remaining in the first as he quickly scored from the left circle off a pass from Nazem Kadri from behind the goal. It was Mangiapane’s seventh.
Lewis put the Flames ahead 3-2 at 3:51 of the second as he banked his own rebound from a sharp angle off Martin’s glove and in for his sixth.
Dries tied it from the left circle on a Canucks rush off a pass from Hoglander to tie it at 5:31 of the middle period with his third.
PENALTY PARADE
After a road trip in which Calgary was short-handed 20 times in three games, the parade to the penalty box continued in the first period. The Canucks went on the power play twice. The Flames have been short-handed 115 times, tied for second-most behind Edmonton (116). St. Louis has been short-handed the fewest times at 65.
LINEUP SHUFFLES
Flames D MacKenzie Weegar (non-COVID illness) returned after missing one game while D Chris Tanev (upper body) sat out after taking a shot to the side of the head in Montreal on Monday. Calgary also got C Elias Lindholm (upper body) back after a one-game absence and inserted RW Brett Ritchie for rookie forward Matthew Phillips. … For the Canucks, F Brock Boeser (non-COVID illness) did not play, which opened up a spot for Dries’ return.
UP NEXT
Canucks: Host Winnipeg on Saturday night to open a three-game homestand.
Flames: Host St. Louis on Friday night to wrap up a two-game homestand.
TOP INDIANA RELEASES
Colts’ Irsay isn’t ready to oust Snyder, wants discussion
IRVING, Texas (AP) Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said Wednesday he isn’t ready to oust Daniel Snyder as owner of the Washington Commanders and wants to discuss the possibility with other NFL owners.
Irsay said two months ago there was merit to removing Snyder amid several scandals and investigations into workplace misconduct with the Washington franchise.
Additionally, a House Committee on Oversight and Reform report released last week was sharply critical of the team and the league’s handling of its issues.
“I’m not ready to vote him out,” Irsay said after attending the league’s December meetings in the Dallas. “I need to hear more of my partners talk. It’s been something where you want to get more information about everything is the key.”
Snyder’s status has been widely debated for years, and the league has been investigating allegations of sexual misconduct and financial impropriety.
Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday he hasn’t given attorney Mary Jo White a timeline for issuing her report.
Goodell defended himself and the league against allegations in the report that the NFL had misled the public over investigations of the Washington franchise and wasn’t holding people accountable.
“My name’s been on this from Day 1,” Goodell said. “There were comments about secret agreements. They’re not secret agreements. They’re legal documents that we explained.”
Daniel and Tanya Snyder revealed last month they are exploring a sale, but didn’t indicate if any potential deal would be for all or part of the team. Irsay said there hasn’t been any update from the league on the Snyders’ intent in any sale.
“I think that’s something that’s certainly a better solution if it came to that,” Irsay said.
The Commanders shot back at Irsay’s comments in October, saying they were inappropriate and that he would see no reason for them to sell the team once he saw all the evidence.
Irsay said there’s been no discussion of when the other 31 owners might meet alone to discuss the status of the Snyders. He said such a meeting without others present was his preferred forum.
“I said from the beginning, I was only interested in finding out more because there’s a lot of concern and there’s merit to look that possibility,” Irsay said. “But I said give it consideration or look at it. I never said vote him out. It’s something that’s a big deal. We’ll see what the new year brings.”
On the field, the NFL is considering ejections for roughing-the-passer penalties and hits on defenseless players, although league executive Troy Vincent expressed caution on how such rulings would be enforced.
Vincent, a former player, said ejections were part of a discussion about including roughing-the-passer calls and some other hits among reviewable plays.
Vincent brought up a roughing call against Miami’s Jaelan Phillips on Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert on Sunday night, saying officials erred in that decision.
Vincent also noted that roughing calls on the QB are down to 76 through 14 weeks from 121 at that point a year ago.
“The officials, I must say, have been pretty consistent with and very accurate when making that call,” said Vincent, the league’s vice president of football operations. “But they’re human.”
Any changes wouldn’t happen until the offseason, Vincent said, adding that any changes would have to be weighed against the length of games and other factors.
“It’s a personal foul and there’s a ton of fouls in that category,” Vincent said. “Where does it end? Again, the most impactful play in football is pass interference. Now we start including the personal foul. But that’s why we’ll discuss it. I’ll be looking forward to this discussion.”
Asked how realistic it would be for the NFL to adopt a rule similar to the targeting call in college, Vincent seemed skeptical. He said he was speaking more as a former player than as someone considering a rule change on the competition committee.
Vincent said the replay center should continue assisting in calls that have already been made, rather than deciding those calls.
The NFL made pass interference reviewable for only one season in 2019 before reversing that decision.
“I think chasing perfection is a dangerous place to go for the National Football League and, frankly, for officiating,” Vincent said. “And that’s what happens with the cameras, replay. You begin chasing perfection, which is not a good place for the game.”
Also Wednesday:
– The league said the Colts will have to open the hiring process for a coach after firing Frank Reich and replacing him with Jeff Saturday as interim coach even though the former Indianapolis center had no previous NFL coaching experience.
Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney, whose father, Dan Rooney, was namesake of the “Rooney Rule” promoting diversity in hiring for head coaches, said the league couldn’t control decisions on interim coaches, but would require the Colts to follow those requirements after the season.
Irsay said he looked forward to the coaching search.
– Owners unanimously approved Buffalo’s 30-year lease for its $1.4 billion stadium, which is scheduled to be built across the street from the current facility in time for the 2026 season. The Bills are in the midst of finalizing other parts of the agreement with state and county governments, which are committed to spending $850 million on the project.
Pacers hold off Warriors 125-119
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Tyrese Haliburton scored 29 points and the Indiana Pacers made 16 3-pointers to hold on for a 125-119 victory Wednesday night over the Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry, who didn’t finish the game because of a left shoulder injury.
Curry scored 27 of his 38 points in the first half for the defending champions but departed with 2:04 remaining in the third quarter. The Warriors, who lost at Milwaukee on Tuesday night, fell to 2-12 on the road.
“He’s going to get an MRI tomorrow,” coach Steve Kerr said of Curry. “The trainers told me he was out midway through the fourth quarter. I only spoke to him briefly after the game, so I haven’t had a chance to talk with him yet.”
Curry got hurt during the third quarter while trying to defend against Jalen Smith, who ran into the Warriors star’s arm. Curry immediately grabbed his shoulder while hunched over and went to the locker room during the timeout. The eight-time All-Star and two-time MVP did not speak to reporters.
Even with the Warriors’ biggest scoring threat sidelined, the Pacers struggled to put the game away.
Bennedict Mathurin added 24 points for Indiana, which snapped a two-game skid by sweeping the Warriors for the first time since 2017-18 and just the second time in a decade. Haliburton rebounded from his lowest-scoring game with the Pacers – one point – by going 9 of 17 from the field and making five 3s.
Jordan Poole scored 20 points for Golden State, which has lost four of five. The Warriors played without Klay Thompson (right knee) and Andrew Wiggins (abdominal muscle). Draymond Green scored a season-low one point in 27 minutes and was ejected in the fourth quarter.
Indiana looked like it would cruise after rallying from an early 20-11 deficit and using nine 3-pointers to spur a 47-point second-quarter barrage. The Pacers led 74-54 at halftime.
But after Indiana opened the third with yet another 3, Curry methodically led the Warriors back.
It started with a 14-0 run and Curry’s three-point play with 4:16 left in the third made it 83-80. The Pacers answered with 10 straight points, but the Warriors refused to let them pull away and cut the deficit to 122-119 when Donte DiVincenzo made a 3 with 1:25 to go. Golden State never got any closer.
“We had some good answers when we absolutely needed to have them,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “We weren’t perfect, but we’ve just got to keep learning the things we need to learn and keep getting better.”
TIP-INS
Warriors: Golden State has lost all six road games against Eastern Conference opponents this season. The Warriors’ three-game winning streak at Indiana ended. … Curry made five 3s to extend his record to 215 consecutive games with at least one. He also has 250 career 30-point games.
Pacers: Indiana’s second-quarter point total was a season high. … The Pacers improved to 2-3 against Western Conference foes at home. … Myles Turner had 21 points and made of 1 of 2 free throws after Carlisle won a challenge on what would have been Turner’s sixth foul. Buddy Hield had 17 points and four 3s, giving him 104 this season.
BLOWN OVER?
One day after a fan in Milwaukee was ejected for what Green described as a threat against him, Kerr said he had not spoken with Green about the incident but said he thought threats and vulgarity warrant penalties.
“I think there has to be a line,” Kerr said. “I didn’t get a chance to talk with him about it after the game and today after we had our film session, I kind of forgot about it, honestly.”
BATTLE TESTED
Following Monday’s rugged loss to Miami, Carlisle posed a simple question to his young team: How many of them had competed in an NBA playoff game?
“A lot of hands went up,” Carlisle said. “I said you have now. It’s a great example for our team and what we’re going through.”
UP NEXT
Warriors: Continue their six-game trip Friday at Philadelphia.
Pacers: At Cleveland on Friday for the first of four meetings this against the Cavaliers.
Walters begins Purdue tenure by promising points, defense
New Purdue coach Ryan Walters first flexed his muscle by giving walk-on running back Devin Mockobee a scholarship.
Then he promised to keep the Boilermakers’ reputation intact – as the Cradle of Quarterbacks and the Den of Defensive Ends.
The 36-year-old Walters said Wednesday that he envisions putting together a program that scores in bunches, stops the run and routinely harasses opposing quarterbacks.
“On offense, we will be creative,” he said in his introductory news conference. “We will be explosive in the air and on the ground. We will be strategically aggressive, and we will put points on the board and we will put them up in bunches. On defense, you already know how we get down. It’s going to be organized chaos from whistle to snap.”
Walters’ deviates from Purdue’s traditional practice of hiring offensive-minded coaches. He’s the first defensive coach to lead the Boilermakers since Leon Burtnett in 1982.
The former high school quarterback and Illinois defensive coordinator certainly understands the school’s legacy. He dreamed of following Drew Brees, from Rose Bowl parade to the NFL.
When those plans changed, the 25-year-old Walters joined the Arizona staff as the youngest Power Five position coach. He quickly rose through the ranks with stops at Oklahoma, North Texas, Memphis and Missouri before Illinois coach Bret Bielema hired him as defensive coordinator in 2021.
Now the architect of one of this season’s top defenses plans to build on the momentum Jeff Brohm created before taking the job at his alma mater, Louisville, last week. The university’s board of trustees still must approve the proposed five-year contract for the fifth-youngest coach in the Bowl Subdivision.
Meanwhile, the Boilermakers’ bowl plans remain unchanged. Brohm’s younger brother, Brian, and co-defensive coordinator Mark Hagen will be calling plays in the Jan. 2 Citrus Bowl against No. 17 LSU while Walters watches practices, hires assistants, recruits and starts preparing for next season with players such as Mockobee, the record-setting freshman runner.
Athletic director Mike Bobinski and outgoing university president Mitch Daniels believe it’s a home-run hire.
“Seven days ago, I didn’t think I could feel worse,” Daniels said. “As of the last 72 hours, I couldn’t feel better for all the reasons Mike just outlined and you just personified.”
Still, questions remain.
Bobinski noted that Walters prefers to keep the traits of his trademark defense as secretive as the recipe for Coca-Cola, and Walters did nothing to dispel the notion by even declining to describe the scheme he prefers. And while he does intend to hire a defensive coordinator, Walters plans to be making the play calls.
And now, for the first time in his career, his decisions will be the final word.
Mockobee is the first to profit from that final say.
“I thought he was in the upper echelon of the running backs we had faced or were going to face this past season,” Walters said of Mockobee. “I found out he was not on scholarship, and you know, now I’m like, `Shoot, this guy needs a scholarship’ and I’m reminding myself like, `Well, yeah, you’re the head coach, so you can do that.'”
Hudson Tabbed AVCA All-America Honorable Mention
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue volleyball freshman Eva Hudson rounds out the 2022 season as an American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-America Honorable Mention. Hudson is the first freshman in program history to receive an All-America nod.
The full-rotation outside hitter was also recently named AVCA Midwest Region Team honoree as well as regional Freshman of the Year, Big Ten Freshman of the Year, First Team All-Big Ten and a unanimous Big Ten All-Freshman Team selection. Hudson closed out her inaugural season leading the Big Ten in total points (570.5). On the national stage, the Fort Wayne, Indiana, native ranks 14th in total points, seventh in total attacks and 15th in total kills.
Eva Hudson
AVCA All-America Honorable Mention
All-Midwest Region Team
Midwest Region Freshman of the Year
Big Ten Freshman of the Year
First Team All-Big Ten
Unanimous Big Ten All-Freshman Team
First Purdue freshman to earn an AVCA All-America nod.
First AVCA Midwest Region Freshman of the Year in program history.
First Purdue freshman to be recognized on the All-Region team since 1986.
Second Big Ten Freshman of the Year in Purdue history (last: Debbie McDonald, 1986).
First unanimous Big Ten All-Freshman Team selection.
Ranks T-No 5 in program history with 1,420 attacks this season. Not only is it the most-ever by a Purdue freshman, Hudson is one of only four Boilermakers to post as many attempts in a single-season (joins Ariel Turner: 2012, 2011, 2010,Collen DeMeyer: 1979 and Caitlyn Newton: 2021).
Closed the season three kills shy of tying the 10th-most kills by a Boilermaker in a single season – a feat only four Boilermakers this century have managed – all of whom were All-Americans (Ariel Turner in 2011 and 2012, Sherridan Atkinson in 2018, Danielle Cuttino in 2016 and Annie Drews in 2015).
As the Big Ten leader in points/set and kills/set for the first 10 straight weeks, Hudson has set the standard for Big Ten freshmen.
Currently, Hudson leads the Big Ten in total points (546) and second in total kills (480). Meanwhile, on the national stage, she ranks No. 11 in total attacks (1,332), No. 17 in total points (546) and No. 18 in total kills (480) among all players.
The Fort Wayne, Indiana native has reached double-digit kills in all but two matches this season.
Hudson ranks No. 9 in program history with 1,332 attacks this season. That is the most by a freshman in school history (last Boilermaker to crack the top-10: All-American Sherridan Atkinson in 2018).
In conference play, Hudson averaged 3.94 kills per set, 4.48 points per set and 2.11 digs per set.
Hudson closed out the regular-season with a pair of double-doubles. Four of those came in a five-match-span, including her career-high 24 kills and 17 digs at Illinois.
Number of 20+ kill matches: 6
Number of 15+ kill matches: 21
Number of matches hitting .300% or above: 11
Number of matches hitting .350% or above: 8
Number of matches hitting .400% or above: 6
Matches hitting .500% or above: 1
When reaching 20 kills in a match, Hudson has done so at some of her most efficient rates, including 23 kills with three errors on 50 swings (.400) in the NCAA First Round vs. Tennessee (12/2) and 21 kills with a .475% vs. Xavier (9/10), proof that when she gets going, she is even more difficult to stop. In the past seven years, only All-Americans Sherridan Atkinson, Grace Cleveland, Danielle Cuttino and Faye Adelaja have registered as efficient of a match while posting 20+ kills. Of those four Boilermakers, only Hudson has accomplished the feat as an underclassman.
Hudson has won more Big Ten Player of the Week awards (three) as a freshman than anyone in the league’s history. She started the season 5-for-7 on Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors in addition to being named Player of the Week three times. Moreover, she ties for No. 2 in Big Ten history for most Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors (ties Minnesota’s Samantha Seliger-Swenson six in 2015; record is nine by Wisconsin’s Dana Rettke in 2017).
Hudson is the first Boilermaker in program history to win both Big Ten Player and Freshman of the Week awards.
She is the 11th player in Big Ten history to receive both Player and Freshman of the Week honors in the same week. Ten of those players went on to be named All-Americans during their career and/or Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
Posted 36 attempts in the season-opener, the most touches by a freshman since before 2014. A feat she has continued to best and current stands at a season-high of 68 which came at Maryland (11/23).
Hudson’s 4.52 kills per set and 5.51 points per set are the most by a Boilermaker in non-con play for more than seven years. Annie Drews, who went on to win Olympic Gold in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, was the next closest with 4.91 points per set during her 2015 senior campaign.
Indiana Softball Announces 2023 Schedule
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana softball head coach Shonda Stanton has announced the Hoosiers upcoming 2023 opponents facing 21 opponents who were ranked in the 100 RPI last season and 13 teams who made it to the NCAA Regionals.
“We will be challenged early and often,” Stanton said. “Excited to compete in the NFCA leadoff classic with all they do to grow our sport and then follow that up with an invite to the TaxAct Clearwater tournament is a special honor. Our schedule will prime us for Big Ten and post season play. Team 50 is a special group, and we are excited to hit the field.”
The Hoosiers will begin the season starting with the first two weekends of action in Clearwater, Fla. Indiana will face Prairie View A&M, Pittsburgh, Auburn and Howard at the NFCA Leadoff Classic from Feb. 10-12.
IU is one of 16 teams selected to compete in the ESPN’s TaxAct Clearwater Invitational on Feb. 16-19 where they will face top opponents in Louisiana, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Alabama and Arizona.
Indiana will also participate in a tournament hosted by UNC Greensboro during the third week of play facing opponents in UCONN, Delaware and UNC Greensboro.
The Hoosiers will host their first games in the Hoosier Classic on March 3-5, with four teams in Wisconsin, IUPUI, Wisconsin Green Bay and Purdue Ft. Wayne.
Indiana heads south to Nashville where the Hoosiers will play in a tournament at Lipscomb on March 10-12.
IU will play two midweek games against Western Kentucky on March 13 in Bowling Green and head back to Nashville for a game with Belmont on March 14.
The first Big Ten homestand at Andy Mohr Field will begin with a series against Maryland on March 24-26.
Indiana will face in-state rival Purdue in a double-header on March 28 before hosting Butler on March 29 in Bloomington.
The Hoosiers will host Ohio State on March 31-April 2 in its next series before traveling to Minneapolis, Minn. On April 7-9 for a series against the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
The Hoosiers will return home to host Louisville on the April 11 before traveling to South Bend, Ind. for a game against Notre Dame.
Indiana will host Nebraska at Andy Mohr Field on April 14-16.
The Hoosiers will close out the regular season with three Big Ten matchups. IU will head to Piscataway, N.J. for a series against Rutgers on April 21-23 and Ann Arbor, Michigan to close out the end of the month (April 28-30).
The regular season ends on the weekend of May 5-7 against Michigan State in the last Big Ten series.
Lucas Garners Pair of All-America Recognitions
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and USA Today are the latest outlet to honor true freshman Jaylin Lucas with All-American honors, as the USA Today placed him as a first teamer at return specialist and the AFCA named him to its all-purpose second team.
The only freshman on either of the 52-person All-America squads and was one of eight underclassmen on the AFCA organizations list.
Lucas is the first Hoosier to earn All-America honors from the AFCA or the USA Today since Tevin Coleman in 2014. The last Indiana kick returner to garner All-America status was Marcus Thigpen during the 2006 season. He is the first IU return specialist to earn All-Big Ten honors and the first true freshman to win the Rodgers–Dwight Return Specialist of the Year (both began in 2015).
Along with two All-American honors this week, USA Today, Walter Camp, Pro Football Focus and CBSSports.com each named him a first-team All-American and the AFCA tabbed him second team. The Athletic named him as a first-team Freshman All-American. A full list of honors and awards can be found at the bottom of this release.
With two return touchdowns, Lucas is No. 2 on both the IU single season and career charts after one season on campus. He trails Thigpen (2005-08), who returned all three of his career kickoffs for scores during the 2006 campaign. His two kickoff return touchdowns rank tied for No. 7 among active FBS student-athletes, as well.
With 591 kickoff return yards, Lucas finished No. 12 in a single season in program history and led the Big Ten in the category. His 28.1 yards per return rank No. 4 nationally. He added 271 yards rushing and 82 yards receiving to total 994 all-purpose yards on the season to lead the team. That total is the most in a season by an IU player since Whop Philyor (1,094) in 2019.
The Houma, Louisiana, native is the first Hoosier since Coleman in 2014 with three 70-yard scoring plays in a single season. Both of his kickoff return scores covered 80-plus yards and he added a 71-yard rushing touchdown in the season finale versus Purdue as part of his first career 100-yard rushing game.
2022 Postseason Honors
Aaron Casey – Third-team All-Big Ten (Pro Football Focus), honorable mention All-Big Ten (B1G media).
James Evans – Honorable mention All-Big Ten (B1G coaches & media).
Cam Jones – Honorable mention All-Big Ten (B1G coaches & media).
Jaylin Lucas – All-America (AFCA, 2nd; CBS Sports, 1st; Pro Football Focus, 1st; Walter Camp, 1st; USA Today, 1st), Freshman All-America (The Athletic, 1st), Big Ten’s Rodgers–Dwight Return Specialist of the Year, first-team All-Big Ten (B1G coaches & media, Pro Football Focus, Associated Press).
Tiawan Mullen – Honorable mention All-Big Ten (B1G coaches & media).
Butler Hosts No. 3 UConn Saturday Night to Open BIG EAST Play
The Bulldogs put their four-game winning streak on the line and open BIG EAST play Saturday, hosting No. 3 UConn at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Butler (8-3) vs. #3/3 UConn (11-0)
Saturday, Dec. 17; 7PM
Hinkle Fieldhouse; Indianapolis, Ind.
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PDF Notes Available at https://bit.ly/3NGADRf
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THE SERIES: UConn Leads, 5-0
Streak: UConn, W5
At Hinkle: UConn Leads, 2-0
First Meeting: UConn, 53-41; 4/4/11 (2011 National Championship Game)
Last Meeting: UConn, 75-56, 1/20/22
• Butler and UConn first met in the 2011 National Championship Game.
• The four most recent match-ups in the series have come over the past two seasons since UConn rejoined the BIG EAST.
• UConn is the highest-ranked opponent to visit Hinkle Fieldhouse since No. 1 Villanova played in Indianapolis Dec. 30, 2017; Butler won that game, 101-93.
• At 11-0, UConn is the team with the most wins without a loss to visit Hinkle since that 13-0 Villanova team in 2017.
• Due to one of the 2021-22 match-ups being rescheduled due to COVID, the teams played twice over a three-day window in two different cities last season.
• Butler is 6-4 all-time in its BIG EAST home opener.
• Butler’s 82-58 win on the road at Cal Saturday was the program’s largest margin of victory against a non-conference Power 6 opponent since beating Stanford, 83-50, Dec. 18, 2010.
• For the season, Butler is shooting 50.2 percent from the field, which is 12th nationally.
• Through 11 games, Butler has shot 50 percent or better from the field eight times; the Bulldogs hit the 50-percent mark six times all of last season (31 games). In a similar fashion, Butler already has six games this season shooting 40 percent or better from three-point range, which was only done four times during the 2021-22 season.
• Butler is 8-0 this season when leading at halftime.
• Over the past eight games, Butler has limited its opponents to 25-percent shooting from three-point range (39-155); six of those eight opponents have hit five or less three-pointers.
• Butler put all five starters in double figures Saturday at Cal, the third time this season doing so.
• Butler is committing only 12.2 fouls per game, which is third nationally.
• Butler’s 5.4 blocks per game are 24th nationally.
• Butler last trailed in a game at the 15:36 mark of the first half against Tennessee Tech Dec. 3, a streak of 115:36 consecutive game minutes without trailing.
• Butler’s balance has been displayed by five Bulldogs averaging in double figures and the field goal attempts this season for those five players ranging a slim margin of 97 to 118.
• Thad Matta is 19-1 at Hinkle Fieldhouse as the head coach at Butler.
• Among active coaches with at least 10 seasons of experience, Matta’s .740 winning percentage ranks fourth.
• Eric Hunter Jr. posted the first double-double of his collegiate career in Saturday’s win at Cal; he scored 13 points to go along with a career-high 11 rebounds.
• Including his seasons at Purdue, Hunter enters Saturday’s game with 980 career points.
• Manny Bates is ninth nationally in blocks per game at 2.82 per game; his 63.6 field goal percentage is 23rd in the NCAA.
• Bates led the Bulldogs with 22 points and 10 rebounds against Kansas State Nov. 30, his third double-double of the young season.
• Chuck Harris is averaging 17.3 points per game and shooting 48.5 percent from three-point range at Hinkle Fieldhouse this season.
• Harris is now tied for 23rd in Butler history in career three-pointers (115).
• Harris posted career-highs of 32 points and six three-pointers in the Dec. 3 win over Tennessee Tech.
• Simas Lukosius handed out a career-high seven assists against Kansas State Nov. 30, which also matched the most by a Butler player this season.
• Lukosius averaged 13.0 points per game in two meetings with UConn last season.
• Jayden Taylor has scored in double figures in all but one game this season.
• Taylor scored 19 points in the Jan. 18, 2022 game at UConn last season.
• Including the return of DJ Hughes, who had missed four games due to a concussion, and the first action of the season for Myles Wilmoth (arm), Butler’s bench played 39 minutes Saturday at Cal, the most bench minutes since Nov. 23 vs. Tennessee.
Jags To Cap Two-Game Homestand Against Eastern Illinois
INDIANAPOLIS – The IUPUI basketball team will cap a quick two-game homestand on Saturday (Dec. 17) when the Jaguars host Eastern Illinois at noon inside Indiana Farmers Coliseum. Head coach Matt Crenshaw’s team is looking for a clean sweep of the two-game homestand, having defeated Spalding 75-53 on Monday (Dec. 12) as part of the annual NCAA Readers Become Leaders Day. The Jaguars defeated Spalding in front of a program record 4,114 fans with the majority of the crowd coming from local elementary schools as the NCAA Readers Become Leaders initiative invites third-graders to the game as part of a partnership with WISH-TV, Scholastic and the Indianapolis Public Library.
As part of Saturday’s Holiday Hoops Day festivities, fans will be treated to pregame entertainment in the lobby from the Fishers Community Choir and the game is being sponsored by IU Health. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ as Greg Rakestraw (pxp) and Zach Gunn (analyst) describe the action.
On Monday, the Jaguars buzzed out to a 44-17 halftime lead and never looked back, shooting a blistering 60.4 percent from the field in the victory. Graduate transfer Chris Osten had a career-high 19 points on 9-of-10 shooting and reigning #HLMBB Freshman of the Week Vincent Brady II hit all seven of his field goal attempts and scored 17 points in 19 minutes off the bench. Daylan Hamilton (12 points, three assists) and Jlynn Counter (10 points, four rebounds, four assists) also finished in double-figures. IUPUI led by as many as 32 in the second half and held Spalding to just one made three overall. Freshman Amhad Jarrard closed with five points and a career-high six assists and John Egbuta had seven points and three boards.
Brady, an Indianapolis-native, has been hot of late, scoring 17-or-more in each of IUPUI’s last three games and shooting 61.3 percent overall and 47.3 percent from three-point range during that span. In addition to averaging 17.3 points per game during that stretch, he’s also contributing 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.7 steals per game during the last three games.
Saturday’s game will kickoff a home-and-home series between IUPUI and Eastern Illinois as the Jaguars will return the trip to Charleston next season.
QUOTABLE
“I was proud of our guys. It’s been a tough week with a lot of guys out of practice and out of today’s game due to some sickness. We weren’t sure who was going to be able to play until Saturday, so it’s been hard to get some good, solid practices in. I thought we did a good job of getting the ball inside early and really establishing our big men on the interior. That got us free for some open looks and things just work so much better when you make those open shots. I thought Vince came in and gave us a nice lift off the bench,” Crenshaw said following Monday’s win over Spalding.
SCOUTING EASTERN ILLINOIS
EIU comes in at 2-9 on the season and 0-5 away from home. The Panthers two victories have come over Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (102-40) and Blackburn College (93-43). Saturday’s game will mark EIU’s first road game since playing twice at the Bobcat Battle on Nov. 25-26 when they were defeated by Ohio (67-78) and Alabama State (58-67). Kinyon Hodge leads EIU in scoring (12.4 ppg) and is shooting 46.8 percent from the floor while Yaakema Rose checks in at 8.8 points and 2.6 assists per game. Nick Ellington averages 6.4 points and a team-high 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting 53.5 percent from the field.
SERIES HISTORY
IUPUI is 3-3 all-time against Eastern Illinois and 2-0 in the two meetings in Indianapolis, having defeated the Panthers inside Conseco Fieldhouse in November 2008 and then defeating them inside Indiana Farmers Coliseum in November 2018. That game was the most recent meeting in the series as the Jaguars escaped with a 71-65 victory behind 21 points from Camron Justice and a double-double from Illinois-native Elyjah Goss, who had 10 points and 10 boards. (BOX SCORE)
UP NEXT
IUPUI will head to Fort Wayne for a pair of games, beginning with a Monday, Dec. 19 meeting with Southern Indiana inside the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. Both games in Fort Wayne will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Women’s Basketball To Host Bowling Green Thursday Night
INDIANAPOLIS – The IUPUI women’s basketball returns to the Jungle to host Bowling Green on Thursday, Dec. 15 for a 5:00 PM tipoff. The Jags are coming off a loss at Bowling Green’s MAC foe, Ball State on Dec. 8, 61-54.
Natalie Andersen led the Jaguars with 16 points, seven rebounds and three assists while Kent followed with 12 points, four assists and team-high eight rebounds in the loss. Perkins added nine points with four assists and two rebounds while Ali Berg added seven rebounds.
Perkins runs the point for IUPUI, averaging 12.9 points and is second in the Horizon League with 3.8 assists per game. Jazmyn Turner adds 11.9 points per game and Natalie Andersen adds 10.0 points.
Bowling Green enters Thursday on a five-game win streak, going 7-1 overall. The Falcons have recorded big wins over Detroit Mercy (76-29) and Northern Kentucky (76-68) with their only loss coming from #4 Indiana (96-61). Elissa Brett leads the Falcons in scoring, with 14.0 points per game, and she is second on the club in rebounding, at 6.0 boards per contest.
The Jags and Falcons are tied in the all-time series at 2-2 with the last game going IUPUI’s way, 71-60.
The game will be aired on ESPN+ with a 5:00 PM tip.
Women’s Soccer Announces Nine Additions For 2023
INDIANAPOLIS – The IUPUI Athletics Department and head women’s soccer coach Chris Johnson announced the additions of nine student-athletes for next season as each signed National Letters of Intent during the early signing period. All nine will be true freshmen beginning in Fall 2023. The signing class has a decidedly Midwest feel as Johnson inked four student-athletes from Ohio, two from Illinois and one each from Indiana and Missouri. In addition, he signed the program’s first-ever student-athlete from Poland to round out the class.
The Jaguars are coming off a 9-4-6 campaign and went unbeaten at home at 5-0-4 this season. Johnson’s team also went unbeaten in non-league play at 4-0-3 this season and will graduate five seniors of this year’s squad.
“I’m very excited to welcome such a large and talented group of young ladies to our program,” Johnson said. “The sheer number of incoming freshmen will give us some much needed depth and we believe many of them will challenge for starting positions and playing time right away.”
Avery Bangert (Oakville, Mo./Oakville)
5-foot-9 // Forward
-Earned Second Team All-Conference as a sophomore in 2020
-Was an honorable mention All-Conference honoree as a junior in 2021
-Played club soccer with Sporting St. Louis and St. Louis Scott Gallagher
-Was also an all-conference performer in golf in high school
Julia Biesiada (Wolomin, Poland)
5-foot-7 // Defender/Midfielder
-Helped her club to the 2021 and 2022 Polish National Central Women’s Cup
-Completed and passed trials for AC Perugia Calcio Team in Italy in 2021
-Helped her team to a 2019 Futsal Polish National Championship runner-up finish
-Played up, helping her team to the 2017/2018 Polish Championship U-17 quarterfinals
-Her team earned the 2016/2017 Polish Championship U-13 title
Lindsey Castillo (Pataskala, Ohio/Watkins Memorial)
5-foot-6 // Forward/Midfielder
-Four-time First Team All-Conference selection
-Named First Team All-District as a senior and Second Team honoree as a junior
-Scored 102 career goals and was a three-time team captain
-Holds school records for goals in a season (40) and in a game (8)
-Also competed in track in high school
Ava Elliott (Hinsdale, Ill./Hinsdale Central)
5-foot-7 // Midfielder
-Named All-Conference in 2021
-Was an All-Sectional honoree in 2022
-Was a USYS ECNL RL Bracket Champion
-Is on the All-State Watch List for the upcoming 2023 season
Katie Hoog (Cincinnati, Ohio/Saint Ursula Academy)
5-foot-8 // Defender
-Named 2022 All-Southwest Ohio Team
-Also selected to the GGCL All-Star First Team this fall
-Three-year varsity letterwinner for perennial power Saint Ursula
Caroline Kelley (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern)
5-foot-11 // Forward
-2022 High School All-American Game selection
-2022 First Team All-State, First Team All-Conference and IndyStar Central Indiana First Team pick
-Two-time First Team All-District selection and Academic All-State honoree
Maddie Long (Cincinnati, Ohio/Anderson)
5-foot-7 // Defender
-Four-time ECC All-Conference honoree
-Was Anderson High School’s Defender of the Year in 2020 and 2021
-Helped her club team to the Ohio State Cup title in 2019, 2021 and 2022
-Led her club team to a 2021 Regional Championship
Shannon Ott (Cincinnati, Ohio/Seton)
5-foot-4 // Forward
-Helped her high school team to the 2022 OHSAA State Championship, tallying the lone goal in the championship game
-Named Second Team GGCL
-Named a Cincinnati Enquirer All-Star Fall Athlete
-Chosen to the Best XI at the USYS National League P.R.O.
-Was the U17 Offensive Player of the Event at the NL P.R.O. in Orlando, helping her club team earn Girls ProScore Team of the Event
Emily Tobin (Tinley Park, Ill./Victor J. Andrew)
5-foot-7 // Midfielder/Defender
-Two-time Illinois State Cup Champion
-Named to the Best XI at the USYS National League P.R.O. and USYS Midwest Conference Club v. Club
-Helped her club team to a USYS ECNL RL Bracket Championship
-Missed a good chunk of her high school junior season, but returned to help her squad win regionals
Afca Tabs Five Irish Players As 2022 All-Americans
The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) has released its 2022 All-America teams and five Fighting Irish student-athletes earned accolades, including first-team selections for junior defensive end Isaiah Foskey and senior long snapper Michael Vinson. Junior tight end Michael Mayer, senior guard Jarrett Patterson and sophomore left tackle Joe Alt also earned second-team honors.
The AFCA has selected an All-America team since 1945 and currently selects teams in all five of its divisions.
ISAIAH FOSKEY
2022 AFCA First-Team All-American
2022 Walter Camp First-Team All-American
2022 The Sporting News Second-Team All-American
2022 Associated Press Second-Team All-American
2022 FWAA Second-Team All-American
Foskey piled up 11 sacks for the second consecutive season from his defensive end position and broke the Notre Dame career sack record in 2022. The Antioch, California, has posted 26.5 sacks in his career, besting the school record that stood since 2004. His 11 sacks tied for fourth in FBS this year and he led the Irish with 14 tackles for loss and six quarterback hurries.
One of the most consistent defenders on the team, Foskey logged at least three tackles in 10 of Notre Dame’s 12 games this season including five at North Carolina (with 1.5 sacks and two hurries) and another five at No. 5/5 Southern Cal with 1.5 sacks.
MICHAEL VINSON
2022 AFCA First-Team All-American
The American Football Coaches Association is the only organization to include the long snapper position in its All-America team and the 2022 team marks the position’s debut. Irish senior Michael Vinson has earned the first-ever first-team All-America accolade from the AFCA as a long snapper.
A Patrick Mannelly Award semifinalist, Vinson worked a clean slate in 2022 as the snapper for Notre Dame’s punt and field goal operation. He helped the Irish rank 25th nationally in net punting (40.82) while assisting the field goal operation to finish the regular season 13-for-18, 7-for-8 inside of 40 yards and a perfect 43-for-43 in point-after-touchdown kicks.
JOE ALT
2022 Associated Press First-Team All-American
2022 AFCA Second-Team All-American
2002 The Sporting News Second-Team All-American
2022 FWAA Second-Team All-American
2022 Walter Camp Second-Team All-American
Alt has quickly developed into one of the top left tackles in the nation after assuming the position in Notre Dame’s lineup midway through the 2021 season. He anchored an Irish line this season that opened the way for six 200-yard rushing performances, including over 250 yards against No. 5/5 Clemson.
The North Oaks, Minnesota, native is the top-ranked run block offensive tackle in the country according to Pro Football Focus and the second-ranked overall tackle in FBS. Of his 370 pass block sets this season, Alt allowed just five pressures and zero sacks.
MICHAEL MAYER
2022 The Sporting News First-Team All-American
2022 Associated Press First-Team All-American
2022 Walter Camp First-Team All-American
2022 AFCA Second-Team All-American
2022 Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) Second-Team All-American
Mayer led all FBS tight ends in touchdown receptions in 2022 while posting a team-high 67 receptions for 809 yards. The Independence, Kentucky, native finished his career at Notre Dame as the greatest statistical tight end in school history, setting program tight end marks for receptions (180), yards (2,099) and touchdown receptions (18) while also owning the single-season tight end records for receptions (71 in 2021), yards (840 in 2021) and touchdowns (9 in 2022).
Among Mayer’s noteworthy games in 2022 was an 11-catch, 118-yard, two-touchdown performance against No. 16/16 BYU in Las Vegas, a game in which he established a tight end record for receptions in a game. He piled up six catches for 115 yards and a touchdown against UNLV, seven catches for 88 yards and a score at North Carolina, four catches for 44 yards and a touchdown against No. 5/5 Clemson and eight catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns at No. 5/5 Southern Cal.
Mayer, who has declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, led all active FBS tight ends in receptions (180) and yards (2,099). He also finished his career third on Notre Dame’s all-time receptions list while becoming the 13th Irish player to amass 2,000 receiving yards in a career. Mayer ended his time at Notre Dame on a 36-game streak of games with at least one reception which represented every game he suited up in the blue and gold.
JARRETT PATTERSON
2022 AFCA Second-Team All-American
One of the top centers in college football throughout his first three active seasons at Notre Dame, Patterson made the switch to left guard this season and helped the Irish offense post six 200-yard rushing performances. The Laguna Hills, California, native served as a team captain in 2022 and returned from a preseason injury to start the last 11 games of the season.
Patterson has performed 1,652 pass block sets in his career without allowing a single sack and only allowed seven pressures all season from his left guard position.
Men’s Basketball Returns to Action Against Elon
Elon (2-8*, 0-0 CAA)
at Valparaiso (4-7, 0-2 MVC)
*Entering Thursday at Presbyterian
Game No. 12 – Sunday, Dec. 18, 1 p.m. CT
Athletics-Recreation Center (5,000) – Valparaiso, Ind.
Next Up in Valpo Basketball: After a week away from game action due to final exams, the Valparaiso University men’s basketball program will face its next test on Sunday afternoon as Elon makes its way to the Athletics-Recreation Center for the penultimate nonconference game of the season. It will be Family Day at the ARC, with all children 18 and under receiving $5 tickets for upper bleacher seating. Tickets will be available at the door or online at valpoathletics.com/tickets.
Last Time Out: Valpo fell 98-61 at Ole Miss on Saturday, Dec. 10 in the first matchup between the two programs since Bryce Drew’s historic buzzer-beater in the first round of the 1998 NCAA Tournament. Kobe King paced the team with 20 points, while Ibra Bayu (13 rebounds) and Darius DeAveiro (seven assists) were also statistical leaders for the Beacons.
Following the Beacons: Streaming – ESPN+ – Todd Ickow (play-by-play) and Jamie Stangel (analyst)
Radio – 95.1 FM, WVUR, ValpoAthletics.com, TuneIn Radio App – Zach Collins (play-by-play)
Twitter updates – @ValpoBasketball
Links for video, audio and live stats will be available at ValpoAthletics.com.
Head Coach Matt Lottich: Matt Lottich (101-103) is in his seventh season as the head coach of the men’s basketball program in 2022-2023. Twice during his tenure, Valpo has upset Top-25 opponents, defeating Drake and Rhode Island at the ARC. Valpo has four wins over AP Top 25 teams in program history, and two have come under Lottich. In 2019-2020, Valpo became the first team in the history of Arch Madness, the annual Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis, to reach the title game after playing in the opening round by winning three games in three days. Lottich, hired as the 22nd head coach of the Valpo men’s basketball program in April 2016, graduated from Stanford University in 2004 and New Trier High School (Illinois) in 2000.
Series Notes: This will mark the first ever matchup between these two teams.
Krikke on the Verge of Top 20
Ben Krikke will crack the top 20 on Valpo’s all-time scoring list with his first points on Dec. 18 vs. Elon.
Krikke enters the game with 1,195 career points, just one point away from moving into a tie for 20th in program history with Lance Barker (1991-1995).
Darryl Ashby is 19th at 1,247.
Krikke reached a milestone on Dec. 6 vs. Trinity Christian when he played his 100th collegiate game.
Have It Your Way – BK Among National Leaders
Ben Krikke ranks third in the nation in made field goals with 92.
He is 14th in the nation in minutes per game at 36:37.
The senior forward is 21st nationally in points per game (20.1, second in MVC), eighth in total points (221, second in MVC) and eighth in field-goal attempts (174, second in MVC).
Bayu on the Boards
Freshman Ibra Bayu skied for a career-high 13 rebounds in the Dec. 10 game at Ole Miss.
Not only did he shatter his own previous career best of six – which came in his Nov. 23 collegiate debut at Samford – but the rookie matched the most rebounds in a single game by any Beacon this season. He equaled Ben Krikke’s total from the season opener at Toledo.
The Netherlands native nearly doubled his season total in one game as he entered that contest with 15 total boards over his first six outings.
The 13 rebounds marked the most in a single game by a Valpo freshman since Tevonn Walker accumulated that same number on Jan. 23, 2015 at Green Bay.
Other Notes Wrapping Up Dec. 10: Ole Miss 98, Valpo 61
Nick Edwards enjoyed his second straight double-figure scoring effort after reaching double figures just once over his first nine games. He totaled 14 points, finishing as one of Valpo’s three double-figure scorers.
Sophomore Darius DeAveiro handed out seven assists in 22 minutes of action. It was his second game this season with seven or more helpers and his highest assist output since 10 on Nov. 13 vs. Western Michigan. DeAveiro got his most playing time in the last six games in this contest.
Valpo was outscored 36-0 in points off turnovers, committing 21 turnovers to Ole Miss’ five.
Scouting the Phoenix
Picked 12th of 13 in the Colonial Athletic Association Preseason Poll.
Lost eight straight before beating Johnson & Wales 101-69 on Dec. 11.
Played at Presbyterian on Thursday.
Will remain in the Hoosier State to take on Indiana on Tuesday night in Bloomington.
Ben Bits
As of Dec. 13, Ben Krikke is one of eight players in the nation averaging better than 20 ppg and 6 rpg. He is joined by Drew Timme (Gonzaga), Jalen Wilson (Kansas), Zach Edey (Purdue), Azuolas Tubelis (Arizona), Drew Pember (UNC Asheville), Jake Stephens (Chattanooga) and Josh Cohen (Saint Francis).
Krikke has reached double figures in six straight games and has scored 16+ in five straight. He has hit double figures in 10 of his 11 games this season including six outputs of 20 points or more.
Krikke got off to a strong start to his fourth season at Valpo, as the Edmonton native scored 18 points or more in each of his first four games including three straight with 20 or more points.
Krikke became the first Valpo player with three straight 20-point outputs since program legend Alec Peters did so in December 2016 (at Missouri State, vs. Indiana State, vs. Santa Clara).
Krikke played all 40 minutes on Nov. 19 vs. Incarnate Word. This marked the first time in his career that he has played the entire game. He did play 40+ minutes on two prior occasions but both were overtime affairs.
After tallying a then-career-high 28 points in the Nov. 13 home opener vs. Western Michigan, Ben Krikke followed with 27 on Nov. 16 at Chicago State.
Krikke’s 27 points on Nov. 16 at Chicago State were the most by a Valpo player in a true road game since Javon Freeman-Liberty’s 28 on Jan. 15, 2020 at UNI.
Krikke became the first Valpo player to score 27 points or more in back-to-back games since Alec Peters did so in three straight outings in December 2016 (at Missouri State, vs. Indiana State, vs. Santa Clara).
Last season, Ben Krikke was one of three players in the Missouri Valley Conference to shoot 50 percent or better from the floor and 80 percent or better from the free-throw line, joining Isiaih Mosley of Missouri State and Malevy Leons of Bradley while owning the highest field-goal percentage of that elite group.
Krikke entered the season with a career field-goal percentage of 53.4, a mark that ranks seventh in program history.
Krikke had a 12-game double-figure scoring streak that was snapped in the final game of the season, the MVC Tournament quarterfinal vs. Missouri State. He totaled 22 double-figure outputs and seven performances of 20 points or more while pacing the team in scoring on 11 occasions.
After earning third team honors for the second straight year, Krikke became the first Valpo player to earn All-MVC accolades in two different seasons. The program’s last multi-time all-conference honoree was Alec Peters, who was a first-team all-Horizon League pick in each of his final three seasons, concluding in 2016-17.
He earned MVC Scholar-Athlete First Team status for the second straight year. He is the only Valpo player who has been part of the MVC Scholar-Athlete First Team since the department joined the conference.
SMALL COLLEGE ATHLETIC SITES:
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
| American Football Conference | ||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | |
| Buffalo Bills | 10 | 3 | 0 | .769 | 0.0 | 353 | 221 | 5 – 1 – 0 | 5 – 2 – 0 | 7 – 2 – 0 | 2 – 2 – 0 | 4 W |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 10 | 3 | 0 | .769 | 0.0 | 384 | 298 | 5 – 1 – 0 | 5 – 2 – 0 | 6 – 3 – 0 | 4 – 0 – 0 | 1 W |
| Baltimore Ravens | 9 | 4 | 0 | .692 | 0.0 | 301 | 250 | 4 – 2 – 0 | 5 – 2 – 0 | 6 – 3 – 0 | 3 – 0 – 0 | 2 W |
| Tennessee Titans | 7 | 6 | 0 | .538 | 0.0 | 241 | 276 | 3 – 3 – 0 | 4 – 3 – 0 | 5 – 4 – 0 | 3 – 1 – 0 | 3 L |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 9 | 4 | 0 | .692 | 0.0 | 335 | 265 | 5 – 1 – 0 | 4 – 3 – 0 | 6 – 3 – 0 | 2 – 3 – 0 | 5 W |
| Miami Dolphins | 8 | 5 | 0 | .615 | 0.0 | 316 | 312 | 5 – 1 – 0 | 3 – 4 – 0 | 6 – 3 – 0 | 2 – 1 – 0 | 2 L |
| New England Patriots | 7 | 6 | 0 | .538 | 0.0 | 276 | 239 | 3 – 3 – 0 | 4 – 3 – 0 | 5 – 3 – 0 | 2 – 2 – 0 | 1 W |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 7 | 6 | 0 | .538 | 1.0 | 295 | 326 | 3 – 3 – 0 | 4 – 3 – 0 | 5 – 4 – 0 | 2 – 3 – 0 | 1 W |
| New York Jets | 7 | 6 | 0 | .538 | 1.0 | 264 | 243 | 3 – 3 – 0 | 4 – 3 – 0 | 5 – 5 – 0 | 2 – 3 – 0 | 2 L |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 5 | 8 | 0 | .385 | 3.0 | 294 | 294 | 3 – 3 – 0 | 2 – 5 – 0 | 5 – 4 – 0 | 2 – 2 – 0 | 1 W |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 5 | 8 | 0 | .385 | 3.0 | 308 | 313 | 3 – 2 – 0 | 2 – 6 – 0 | 4 – 5 – 0 | 3 – 2 – 0 | 1 L |
| Cleveland Browns | 5 | 8 | 0 | .385 | 3.0 | 300 | 323 | 3 – 3 – 0 | 2 – 5 – 0 | 3 – 7 – 0 | 2 – 2 – 0 | 1 L |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 5 | 8 | 0 | .385 | 3.0 | 227 | 293 | 2 – 4 – 0 | 3 – 4 – 0 | 2 – 7 – 0 | 1 – 3 – 0 | 1 L |
| Indianapolis Colts | 4 | 8 | 1 | .346 | 3.5 | 209 | 298 | 2 – 4 – 0 | 2 – 4 – 1 | 4 – 5 – 1 | 1 – 3 – 1 | 3 L |
| Denver Broncos | 3 | 10 | 0 | .231 | 5.0 | 194 | 238 | 2 – 4 – 0 | 1 – 6 – 0 | 2 – 8 – 0 | 0 – 4 – 0 | 5 L |
| Houston Texans | 1 | 11 | 1 | .115 | 6.5 | 211 | 314 | 0 – 5 – 1 | 1 – 6 – 0 | 1 – 6 – 1 | 1 – 1 – 1 | 8 L |
| National Football Conference | ||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | |
| x-Philadelphia Eagles | 12 | 1 | 0 | .923 | 0.0 | 386 | 248 | 6 – 1 – 0 | 6 – 0 – 0 | 7 – 1 – 0 | 3 – 1 – 0 | 4 W |
| Minnesota Vikings | 10 | 3 | 0 | .769 | 0.0 | 312 | 313 | 6 – 1 – 0 | 4 – 2 – 0 | 6 – 3 – 0 | 3 – 1 – 0 | 1 L |
| San Francisco 49ers | 9 | 4 | 0 | .692 | 0.0 | 317 | 197 | 6 – 1 – 0 | 3 – 3 – 0 | 7 – 2 – 0 | 4 – 0 – 0 | 6 W |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 6 | 7 | 0 | .462 | 0.0 | 224 | 254 | 4 – 3 – 0 | 2 – 4 – 0 | 6 – 3 – 0 | 3 – 1 – 0 | 1 L |
| Dallas Cowboys | 10 | 3 | 0 | .769 | 0.0 | 360 | 229 | 7 – 1 – 0 | 3 – 2 – 0 | 7 – 3 – 0 | 3 – 1 – 0 | 4 W |
| Washington Commanders | 7 | 5 | 1 | .577 | 0.0 | 253 | 256 | 3 – 3 – 0 | 4 – 2 – 1 | 4 – 4 – 1 | 1 – 2 – 1 | 1 T |
| New York Giants | 7 | 5 | 1 | .577 | 0.0 | 267 | 300 | 4 – 3 – 1 | 3 – 2 – 0 | 3 – 5 – 1 | 0 – 3 – 1 | 1 L |
| Seattle Seahawks | 7 | 6 | 0 | .538 | 0.5 | 342 | 334 | 3 – 3 – 0 | 4 – 3 – 0 | 5 – 5 – 0 | 3 – 1 – 0 | 1 L |
| Detroit Lions | 6 | 7 | 0 | .462 | 1.5 | 349 | 347 | 4 – 4 – 0 | 2 – 3 – 0 | 5 – 4 – 0 | 3 – 1 – 0 | 2 W |
| Green Bay Packers | 5 | 8 | 0 | .385 | 2.5 | 263 | 302 | 3 – 3 – 0 | 2 – 5 – 0 | 4 – 5 – 0 | 2 – 2 – 0 | 1 W |
| Carolina Panthers | 5 | 8 | 0 | .385 | 2.5 | 260 | 290 | 4 – 3 – 0 | 1 – 5 – 0 | 4 – 5 – 0 | 3 – 1 – 0 | 2 W |
| Atlanta Falcons | 5 | 8 | 0 | .385 | 2.5 | 288 | 312 | 4 – 3 – 0 | 1 – 5 – 0 | 4 – 5 – 0 | 1 – 3 – 0 | 2 L |
| Arizona Cardinals | 4 | 9 | 0 | .308 | 3.5 | 277 | 348 | 1 – 7 – 0 | 3 – 2 – 0 | 3 – 6 – 0 | 1 – 4 – 0 | 3 L |
| New Orleans Saints | 4 | 9 | 0 | .308 | 3.5 | 265 | 297 | 3 – 4 – 0 | 1 – 5 – 0 | 3 – 6 – 0 | 1 – 3 – 0 | 2 L |
| Los Angeles Rams | 4 | 9 | 0 | .308 | 3.5 | 218 | 296 | 3 – 5 – 0 | 1 – 4 – 0 | 3 – 7 – 0 | 1 – 4 – 0 | 1 W |
| Chicago Bears | 3 | 10 | 0 | .231 | 4.5 | 270 | 333 | 2 – 4 – 0 | 1 – 6 – 0 | 1 – 8 – 0 | 0 – 4 – 0 | 6 L |
NBA STANDINGS
| Eastern Conference | ||||||||||||
| W | L | Pct | Conf GB | Home | Road | Div | Conf | Last 10 | Streak | |||
| 1 Boston | 22 | 7 | .759 | — | 11-2 | 11-5 | 4-0 | 14-5 | 7-3 | 1 W | ||
| 2 Milwaukee | 20 | 7 | .741 | 1.0 | 13-3 | 7-4 | 4-1 | 11-4 | 8-2 | 1 W | ||
| 3 Cleveland | 18 | 11 | .621 | 4.0 | 12-2 | 6-9 | 3-2 | 13-5 | 6-4 | 1 W | ||
| 4 Brooklyn | 17 | 12 | .586 | 5.0 | 10-5 | 7-7 | 4-2 | 13-6 | 8-2 | 4 W | ||
| 5 Philadelphia | 15 | 12 | .556 | 6.0 | 10-5 | 5-7 | 2-3 | 11-8 | 6-4 | 3 W | ||
| 6 New York | 15 | 13 | .536 | 6.5 | 7-7 | 8-6 | 1-2 | 10-6 | 6-4 | 5 W | ||
| 7 Indiana | 15 | 14 | .517 | 7.0 | 9-6 | 6-8 | 1-1 | 10-6 | 4-6 | 1 W | ||
| 8 Miami | 14 | 15 | .483 | 8.0 | 9-6 | 5-9 | 5-1 | 8-9 | 6-4 | 2 W | ||
| 9 Atlanta | 14 | 15 | .483 | 8.0 | 9-5 | 5-10 | 2-3 | 10-11 | 3-7 | 2 L | ||
| 10 Toronto | 13 | 15 | .464 | 8.5 | 10-4 | 3-11 | 1-5 | 9-11 | 4-6 | 3 L | ||
| 11 Chicago | 11 | 16 | .407 | 10.0 | 7-6 | 4-10 | 2-1 | 9-8 | 4-6 | 2 L | ||
| 12 Washington | 11 | 18 | .379 | 11.0 | 8-7 | 3-11 | 3-3 | 7-13 | 1-9 | 8 L | ||
| 13 Orlando | 9 | 20 | .310 | 13.0 | 8-9 | 1-11 | 2-3 | 5-15 | 4-6 | 4 W | ||
| 14 Detroit | 8 | 22 | .267 | 14.5 | 4-9 | 4-13 | 0-5 | 3-14 | 3-7 | 1 W | ||
| 15 Charlotte | 7 | 21 | .250 | 14.5 | 4-10 | 3-11 | 3-5 | 4-16 | 3-7 | 6 L | ||
| Western Conference | ||||||||||||
| W | L | Pct | Conf GB | Home | Road | Div | Conf | Last 10 | Streak | |||
| 1 New Orleans | 18 | 9 | .667 | — | 12-3 | 6-6 | 5-1 | 12-6 | 8-2 | 1 L | ||
| 2 Memphis | 18 | 9 | .667 | — | 12-2 | 6-7 | 3-2 | 8-6 | 8-2 | 6 W | ||
| 3 Denver | 17 | 10 | .630 | 1.0 | 8-3 | 9-7 | 6-2 | 14-6 | 7-3 | 3 W | ||
| 4 Portland | 16 | 12 | .571 | 2.5 | 7-6 | 9-6 | 4-2 | 12-7 | 6-4 | 3 W | ||
| 5 Phoenix | 16 | 12 | .571 | 2.5 | 12-3 | 4-9 | 5-0 | 13-8 | 4-6 | 5 L | ||
| 6 LA Clippers | 17 | 13 | .567 | 2.5 | 9-6 | 8-7 | 3-3 | 11-10 | 6-4 | 3 W | ||
| 7 Sacramento | 15 | 12 | .556 | 3.0 | 8-4 | 7-8 | 3-4 | 5-6 | 5-5 | 1 W | ||
| 8 Utah | 16 | 14 | .533 | 3.5 | 10-5 | 6-9 | 3-4 | 14-9 | 4-6 | 1 W | ||
| 9 Dallas | 14 | 14 | .500 | 4.5 | 11-5 | 3-9 | 1-2 | 9-5 | 5-5 | 1 L | ||
| 10 Golden State | 14 | 15 | .483 | 5.0 | 12-2 | 2-13 | 4-3 | 9-8 | 5-5 | 2 L | ||
| 11 Minnesota | 13 | 15 | .464 | 5.5 | 7-7 | 6-8 | 3-4 | 7-11 | 3-7 | 3 L | ||
| 12 LA Lakers | 11 | 16 | .407 | 7.0 | 6-7 | 5-9 | 0-5 | 6-10 | 5-5 | 1 L | ||
| 13 Oklahoma City | 11 | 17 | .393 | 7.5 | 6-6 | 5-11 | 1-5 | 5-10 | 4-6 | 4 L | ||
| 14 Houston | 9 | 18 | .333 | 9.0 | 6-5 | 3-13 | 1-3 | 5-14 | 6-4 | 2 W | ||
| 15 San Antonio | 9 | 19 | .321 | 9.5 | 5-11 | 4-8 | 1-3 | 3-17 | 3-7 | 1 L |
BIG 10 MEN’S BASKETBALL
| Conference | Overall | vs | ||||||||
| W-L | Pct | Hm | Rd | W-L | Pct | Hm | Rd | Nt | Top 25 | |
| 1 Purdue | 2-0 | 1.000 | 1-0 | 1-0 | 10-0 | 1.000 | 5-0 | 2-0 | 3-0 | 2-0 |
| 22 Wisconsin | 2-0 | 1.000 | 1-0 | 1-0 | 8-2 | .800 | 3-1 | 2-0 | 3-1 | 1-1 |
| Northwestern | 1-0 | 1.000 | 0-0 | 1-0 | 7-2 | .778 | 4-1 | 2-0 | 1-1 | 1-1 |
| 23 Ohio State | 1-0 | 1.000 | 1-0 | 0-0 | 7-2 | .778 | 5-0 | 0-1 | 2-1 | 1-2 |
| Michigan | 1-0 | 1.000 | 0-0 | 1-0 | 6-3 | .667 | 3-1 | 1-0 | 2-2 | 0-2 |
| 14 Indiana | 1-1 | .500 | 1-0 | 0-1 | 8-2 | .800 | 6-0 | 1-1 | 1-1 | 1-1 |
| 20 Maryland | 1-1 | .500 | 1-0 | 0-1 | 8-3 | .727 | 5-1 | 1-1 | 2-1 | 1-2 |
| Penn State | 1-1 | .500 | 0-1 | 1-0 | 7-3 | .700 | 4-1 | 1-1 | 2-1 | 1-0 |
| Michigan State | 1-1 | .500 | 0-1 | 1-0 | 7-4 | .636 | 3-1 | 2-1 | 2-2 | 1-2 |
| Rutgers | 1-1 | .500 | 1-0 | 0-1 | 6-4 | .600 | 6-1 | 0-2 | 0-1 | 1-1 |
| Iowa | 0-1 | .000 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 7-3 | .700 | 5-1 | 1-0 | 1-2 | 1-1 |
| 18 Illinois | 0-2 | .000 | 0-1 | 0-1 | 7-3 | .700 | 5-1 | 0-1 | 2-1 | 2-2 |
| Nebraska | 0-2 | .000 | 0-1 | 0-1 | 6-5 | .545 | 4-1 | 1-2 | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| Minnesota | 0-2 | .000 | 0-1 | 0-1 | 5-6 | .455 | 4-3 | 0-2 | 1-1 | 0-2 |
BIG 10 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
| Conference | Overall | vs | ||||||||
| W-L | Pct | Hm | Rd | W-L | Pct | Hm | Rd | Nt | Top 25 | |
| 3 Ohio State | 2-0 | 1.000 | 1-0 | 1-0 | 10-0 | 1.000 | 6-0 | 4-0 | 0-0 | 2-0 |
| 4 Indiana | 2-0 | 1.000 | 1-0 | 1-0 | 10-0 | 1.000 | 6-0 | 2-0 | 2-0 | 2-0 |
| 12 Iowa | 2-0 | 1.000 | 1-0 | 1-0 | 8-3 | .727 | 5-1 | 2-1 | 1-1 | 1-2 |
| Nebraska | 2-0 | 1.000 | 1-0 | 1-0 | 8-3 | .727 | 5-0 | 1-3 | 2-0 | 1-2 |
| 19 Michigan | 1-0 | 1.000 | 1-0 | 0-0 | 9-1 | .900 | 4-1 | 2-0 | 3-0 | 1-0 |
| Purdue | 1-1 | .500 | 0-1 | 1-0 | 9-2 | .818 | 6-1 | 1-0 | 2-1 | 0-1 |
| Illinois | 1-1 | .500 | 1-0 | 0-1 | 9-2 | .818 | 6-0 | 2-1 | 1-1 | 0-1 |
| 15 Maryland | 1-1 | .500 | 0-1 | 1-0 | 9-3 | .750 | 3-2 | 4-0 | 2-1 | 3-1 |
| Minnesota | 1-1 | .500 | 1-0 | 0-1 | 7-5 | .583 | 6-2 | 0-3 | 1-0 | 0-1 |
| Northwestern | 0-1 | .000 | 0-0 | 0-1 | 5-5 | .500 | 4-2 | 1-3 | 0-0 | 0-3 |
| Penn State | 0-2 | .000 | 0-1 | 0-1 | 8-3 | .727 | 6-2 | 0-1 | 2-0 | 0-1 |
| Michigan State | 0-2 | .000 | 0-1 | 0-1 | 6-5 | .545 | 5-2 | 1-1 | 0-2 | 0-3 |
| Rutgers | 0-2 | .000 | 0-1 | 0-1 | 5-7 | .417 | 5-2 | 0-2 | 0-3 | 0-3 |
| Wisconsin | 0-2 | .000 | 0-1 | 0-1 | 4-9 | .308 | 3-2 | 1-3 | 0-4 | 0-1 |
BIG EAST MEN’S STANDINGS
| Conference | Overall | vs | ||||||||
| W-L | Pct | Hm | Rd | W-L | Pct | Hm | Rd | Nt | Top 25 | |
| St. John’s | 1-0 | 1.000 | 1-0 | 0-0 | 10-1 | .909 | 8-0 | 0-1 | 2-0 | 0-1 |
| 3 UConn | 0-0 | – | 0-0 | 0-0 | 11-0 | 1.000 | 7-0 | 1-0 | 3-0 | 1-0 |
| Xavier | 0-0 | – | 0-0 | 0-0 | 8-3 | .727 | 6-1 | 1-0 | 1-2 | 0-3 |
| Marquette | 0-0 | – | 0-0 | 0-0 | 8-3 | .727 | 6-1 | 1-1 | 1-1 | 1-0 |
| Providence | 0-0 | – | 0-0 | 0-0 | 8-3 | .727 | 7-0 | 1-1 | 0-2 | 0-0 |
| Butler | 0-0 | – | 0-0 | 0-0 | 8-3 | .727 | 6-0 | 1-1 | 1-2 | 0-1 |
| Seton Hall | 0-0 | – | 0-0 | 0-0 | 7-4 | .636 | 5-1 | 1-1 | 1-2 | 0-1 |
| Creighton | 0-0 | – | 0-0 | 0-0 | 6-5 | .545 | 4-1 | 0-1 | 2-3 | 2-2 |
| Villanova | 0-0 | – | 0-0 | 0-0 | 5-5 | .500 | 4-0 | 0-2 | 1-3 | 0-0 |
| Georgetown | 0-0 | – | 0-0 | 0-0 | 5-6 | .455 | 4-3 | 0-2 | 1-1 | 0-0 |
| DePaul | 0-1 | .000 | 0-0 | 0-1 | 6-5 | .545 | 4-1 | 2-2 | 0-2 | 0-0 |
BIG EAST WOMEN’S STANDINGS
| Conference | Overall | vs | ||||||||
| W-L | Pct | Hm | Rd | W-L | Pct | Hm | Rd | Nt | Top 25 | |
| St. John’s | 2-0 | 1.000 | 1-0 | 1-0 | 10-0 | 1.000 | 7-0 | 1-0 | 2-0 | 1-0 |
| Seton Hall | 2-0 | 1.000 | 1-0 | 1-0 | 8-3 | .727 | 3-2 | 3-0 | 2-1 | 1-0 |
| 9 UConn | 1-0 | 1.000 | 1-0 | 0-0 | 7-2 | .778 | 5-0 | 0-2 | 2-0 | 3-2 |
| DePaul | 1-0 | 1.000 | 0-0 | 1-0 | 8-3 | .727 | 3-1 | 3-1 | 2-1 | 1-0 |
| 16 Creighton | 2-1 | .667 | 0-0 | 2-1 | 8-1 | .889 | 2-0 | 6-1 | 0-0 | 3-0 |
| 25 Villanova | 1-1 | .500 | 0-1 | 1-0 | 9-2 | .818 | 2-1 | 5-0 | 2-1 | 1-2 |
| Marquette | 1-1 | .500 | 0-0 | 1-1 | 8-2 | .800 | 5-0 | 1-1 | 2-1 | 1-1 |
| Georgetown | 1-1 | .500 | 1-1 | 0-0 | 7-3 | .700 | 4-1 | 2-1 | 1-1 | 0-1 |
| Providence | 0-2 | .000 | 0-1 | 0-1 | 8-4 | .667 | 7-1 | 1-3 | 0-0 | 0-2 |
| Butler | 0-2 | .000 | 0-2 | 0-0 | 5-5 | .500 | 3-4 | 0-1 | 2-0 | 0-0 |
| Xavier | 0-3 | .000 | 0-2 | 0-1 | 7-3 | .700 | 5-2 | 2-1 | 0-0 | 0-1 |
NHL STANDINGS
| Eastern Conference | ||||||||||||
| GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | ROW | GF | GA | Home | Road | L10 | ||
| 1 Boston Bruins | 28 | 23 | 4 | 1 | 47 | 21 | 110 | 61 | 15-0-1 | 8-4-0 | 7-2-1 | |
| 2 New Jersey Devils | 29 | 21 | 6 | 2 | 44 | 21 | 104 | 71 | 10-5-1 | 11-1-1 | 5-3-2 | |
| 3 Toronto Maple Leafs | 30 | 19 | 5 | 6 | 44 | 19 | 100 | 70 | 11-2-3 | 8-3-3 | 9-0-1 | |
| 4 Carolina Hurricanes | 28 | 16 | 6 | 6 | 38 | 14 | 81 | 73 | 5-3-1 | 11-3-5 | 6-1-3 | |
| 5 Pittsburgh Penguins | 29 | 17 | 8 | 4 | 38 | 16 | 102 | 84 | 9-3-2 | 8-5-2 | 8-1-1 | |
| 6 Tampa Bay Lightning | 28 | 18 | 9 | 1 | 37 | 18 | 101 | 84 | 11-4-1 | 7-5-0 | 7-3-0 | |
| 7 New York Islanders | 30 | 17 | 12 | 1 | 35 | 17 | 95 | 84 | 9-6-0 | 8-6-1 | 5-4-1 | |
| 8 New York Rangers | 30 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 35 | 14 | 93 | 85 | 6-6-4 | 9-4-1 | 5-4-1 | |
| 9 Washington Capitals | 31 | 15 | 12 | 4 | 34 | 15 | 94 | 92 | 8-4-1 | 7-8-3 | 7-2-1 | |
| 10 Detroit Red Wings | 29 | 13 | 10 | 6 | 32 | 12 | 85 | 91 | 7-5-3 | 6-5-3 | 3-5-2 | |
| 11 Florida Panthers | 30 | 14 | 12 | 4 | 32 | 13 | 102 | 98 | 8-3-3 | 6-9-1 | 4-4-2 | |
| 12 Montreal Canadiens | 29 | 14 | 13 | 2 | 30 | 10 | 86 | 100 | 7-7-0 | 7-6-2 | 5-4-1 | |
| 13 Ottawa Senators | 29 | 13 | 14 | 2 | 28 | 13 | 89 | 91 | 8-8-0 | 5-6-2 | 7-2-1 | |
| 14 Buffalo Sabres | 29 | 13 | 14 | 2 | 28 | 12 | 115 | 103 | 7-8-2 | 6-6-0 | 5-3-2 | |
| 15 Philadelphia Flyers | 30 | 9 | 14 | 7 | 25 | 9 | 72 | 99 | 6-8-1 | 3-6-6 | 2-6-2 | |
| 16 Columbus Blue Jackets | 28 | 10 | 16 | 2 | 22 | 10 | 80 | 115 | 8-10-1 | 2-6-1 | 3-6-1 | |
| Western Conference | ||||||||||||
| GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | ROW | GF | GA | Home | Road | L10 | ||
| 1 Vegas Golden Knights | 31 | 21 | 9 | 1 | 43 | 19 | 104 | 85 | 8-7-0 | 13-2-1 | 5-5-0 | |
| 2 Dallas Stars | 30 | 17 | 8 | 5 | 39 | 17 | 110 | 84 | 9-3-3 | 8-5-2 | 5-3-2 | |
| 3 Winnipeg Jets | 28 | 18 | 9 | 1 | 37 | 18 | 94 | 75 | 10-5-0 | 8-4-1 | 7-3-0 | |
| 4 Seattle Kraken | 28 | 16 | 9 | 3 | 35 | 16 | 98 | 91 | 7-6-2 | 9-3-1 | 6-4-0 | |
| 5 Los Angeles Kings | 32 | 15 | 12 | 5 | 35 | 14 | 106 | 118 | 7-5-2 | 8-7-3 | 4-3-3 | |
| 6 Minnesota Wild | 29 | 16 | 11 | 2 | 34 | 13 | 92 | 86 | 9-6-1 | 7-5-1 | 7-3-0 | |
| 7 Edmonton Oilers | 30 | 17 | 13 | 0 | 34 | 17 | 109 | 102 | 9-7-0 | 8-6-0 | 7-3-0 | |
| 8 Colorado Avalanche | 27 | 15 | 10 | 2 | 32 | 13 | 85 | 76 | 6-4-2 | 9-6-0 | 4-5-1 | |
| 9 Calgary Flames | 30 | 13 | 11 | 6 | 32 | 12 | 90 | 93 | 10-5-2 | 3-6-4 | 4-3-3 | |
| 10 Vancouver Canucks | 29 | 13 | 13 | 3 | 29 | 12 | 101 | 112 | 5-7-1 | 8-6-2 | 7-3-0 | |
| 11 Nashville Predators | 27 | 12 | 12 | 3 | 27 | 10 | 70 | 85 | 7-5-2 | 5-7-1 | 4-4-2 | |
| 12 St. Louis Blues | 29 | 13 | 15 | 1 | 27 | 12 | 85 | 108 | 6-7-1 | 7-8-0 | 3-6-1 | |
| 13 San Jose Sharks | 31 | 10 | 16 | 5 | 25 | 9 | 96 | 112 | 3-8-5 | 7-8-0 | 3-5-2 | |
| 14 Arizona Coyotes | 27 | 9 | 14 | 4 | 22 | 9 | 74 | 99 | 3-2-1 | 6-12-3 | 3-5-2 | |
| 15 Chicago Blackhawks | 27 | 7 | 16 | 4 | 18 | 7 | 65 | 101 | 4-9-2 | 3-7-2 | 1-8-1 | |
| 16 Anaheim Ducks | 30 | 7 | 20 | 3 | 17 | 5 | 70 | 130 | 5-7-0 | 2-13-3 | 1-7-2 |
BASEBALL HISTORY
1896 The first pitching machine, created by Princeton professor Charles E. Hinton, is demonstrated in the university’s gymnasium. The mathematics instructor’s device resembles a rifle that shoots the ball toward the batter.
1900 The Giants trade Amos Rusie, a veteran pitcher who hasn’t played since 1898 but won 20+ games each season during his eight years with the team, to the Reds for Christy Mathewson. ‘Matty,’ a future Hall of Famer, will post a 373-188 record and becomes a legend during his 17-year tenure in New York.
1910 During a five-hour session at the Hotel Breslin in New York, National League president Tom Lynch informs the owners that umpires will be required to take a ‘severe’ eye test before the start of the season. As a result of the decree, any arbitrator with defective eyesight will no longer work.
1912 The Cubs trade Joe Tinker along with Harry Chapman and Grover Lowdermilk to the Reds for Red Corriden, Bert Humphries, Pete Knisely, Mike Mitchell, and Art Phelan. The former Chicago shortstop, immortalized in 1910 by Franklin Pierce Adams’ baseball poem “Tinker to Evers to Chance,” will serve as the player-manager for Cincinnati next season.
1920 Brooklyn trades Rube Marquard to the Reds for Dutch Ruether. The Robin’s southpaw fell in displeasure with the team after being arrested in a Cleveland hotel lobby before Game 4 for scalping World Series tickets worth $52.80 for $400 to a city police detective.
1948 The Dodgers trade the much-heralded but injury-prone Pete Reiser to the Braves for outfielder Myron McCormick. ‘Pistol Pete’ will play in only 137 games in his two years in Boston.
1959 Frank Lane replaces Hank Greenberg as the Indians’ general manager. ‘Trader Lane,’ who has made 60 separate deals since December 2, 1957, lives up to his well-deserved nickname when, just before Opening Day, he sends the Tribe’s very popular Rocky Colavito to Detroit for batting AL champ Harvey Kuenn.
1960 The lowly Reds obtain two players in separate deals, who will play critical roles in the club’s National League pennant next season, sending shortstop Roy McMillan to the Braves for Juan Pizarro and Joey Jay, a 21-game winner for his new team. Cincinnati will package Pizarro and Cal McLish to obtain White Sox third baseman Gene Freese, who will hit 26 home runs and drive in 87 runs for the NL champs.
1967 The Mets obtain Tommie Agee, the 1966 Rookie of the Year, and utility infielder Al Weis from the White Sox in exchange for Buddy Booker, Tommy Davis, Jack Fisher, and Billy Wynne. New York’s newest additions will both play a pivotal role in the team’s 1969 World Championship season.
1974 Arbitrator Peter Seitz rules in favor of Cy Young winner Catfish Hunter in a dispute with A’s owner Charlie Finley. The decision makes the right-hander a desirable unrestricted free agent, ushering in a new era in the owners’ relationship with their players.
1980 Dave Winfield (.276, 20, 87) becomes the highest-paid professional athlete when he agrees to a ten-year free-agent deal with the Yankees worth a record $16 million. Reggie Jackson (.300, 41, 111), who heartily endorsed the signing when asked his opinion by owner George Steinbrenner, will not be offered an extended contract when he becomes a 34-year-old free agent at the end of the season because of his age.
1981 The Yankees and Ron Guidry agree to a four-year, $3.6 million deal keeping the free agent in New York. During the span of the contract, ‘Gator’ will average nearly 17 wins a season.
1995 The Ted Williams Tunnel, the third in the city to travel under Boston Harbor, opens with the 77-year-old Splendid Splinter leading the way across the $1.9 billion, 8,500-foot-long roadway. The TWT, at first open for only authorized commercial traffic and later, non-commercial traffic on weekends and holidays, will be available to all traffic at all times in 2003, with the substantial completion of the I-90 portion of the Big Dig completed.
2000 In their third free agent signing in the last eight days, the Red Sox come to terms with pitcher Hideo Nomo. The 32-year-old right-hander, who will lead the league in strikeouts (220) and walks (96) in his only season with Boston, agrees to a one-year deal worth 4.5 million dollars.
2001 The Mariners acquire 32-year-old two-time All-Star third baseman Jeff Cirillo (.312, 17, 83) from the Rockies in exchange for reliever Jose Paniagua and minor leaguers Dennis Stark and Brian Fuentes.
2002 With the threat of losing their heavy-hitting second baseman, Jeff Kent, the Giants sign former All-Star free agent Edgardo Alfonzo (.308, 16, 56) to a four-year deal. The 29-year-old infielder named the Mets All-time second baseman in August was not tendered arbitration after turning down several contract proposals from the team.
2004 Coming off an injury-shortened season with the Diamondbacks, Richie Sexson (.233, 9, 23) agrees to a $50 million, four-year deal with the Mariners. The 29-year-old free-agent first baseman will reunite with Seattle’s new manager Mike Hargrove, his former skipper in Cleveland from 1997-2000.
2004 After offering a four-year deal worth approximately $53 million, the Mets announce the club has come to terms with Pedro Martinez (16-9, 3.90 ERA). The former Red Sox ace, who posted a 117-37 record in seven seasons with Boston, criticizes his former team for not being more aggressive in retaining his services.
2004 After the District of Columbia Council votes to require private financing for at least half of a Nationals’ new ballpark’s construction costs, MLB suspends all sales of the team’s merchandise and tickets. The decision may make any item with the National League’s latest logo quite a collector’s item.
2006 The late Buck O’Neil, who passed away in October, is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously by President George W. Bush for his “excellence and determination both on and off the baseball field.” Accepting the country’s highest civilian honor on behalf of the Negro league baseball legend is his 91-year-old brother, Warren.
2007 Joining his close friend Takashi Saito, right-hander Hiroki Kuroda agrees to a three-year, $35.2 million free-agent deal to pitch for the Dodgers. The 33-year-old native of Osaka compiled a 103-89 record, posting a 3.69 ERA in the Japanese Central League during the past 11 seasons playing with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.
2008 In possibly the richest contract ever offered to an older player, 46-year-old Jamie Moyer (16-7, 3.71) signs a $13 million, two-year deal to stay with the World Champion Phillies. In his last outing, the southpaw pitched six strong innings against Tampa Bay in Game 3 of the World Series.
2008 The Tigers improve their infield defense, signing Adam Everett to a one-year contract reportedly worth $1 million to replace the recently departed Edgar Renteria, who signed a free-agent deal with the Giants. The light-hitting infielder, formerly with Minnesota, is one of the better defensive shortstops in baseball and will improve upon the 16 errors made at that position last season.
2009 Adam Lind wins the Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award. The Blue Jays outfielder batted .299, slugged 21 homers, and collected 74 RBIs while appearing as a DH in 95 games for Toronto.
2009 Bud Selig establishes a committee composed of managers and longtime executives to explore “on-field matters,” that the baseball commissioner will chair. The 15-member panel includes four owner representatives – Paul Beeston (Blue Jays), Dave Montgomery (Phillies), Chuck Armstrong (Mariners), and Bill DeWitt (Cardinals), three current managers – Tony La Russa (Cardinals), Jim Leyland (Rockies), and Joe Torre (Dodgers) along with Mike Scioscia (Angels), Orioles president for baseball operations Andy MacPhail, Indians GM Mark Shapiro, Braves president John Schuerholz, former Twins GM Terry Ryan, political columnist George Will, and Hall of Famer Frank Robinson.
2011 The Twins’ signing of former Oakland left fielder Josh Willingham (.246, 29, 98) to a three-year deal worth $21 million makes it unlikely the team will try to ink their own free-agent outfielders. Minnesota plans to fill the vacancies of the probable departure of Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel with fleet flycatchers Denard Span and Ben Revere.
2014 The Cubs and Jon Lester have terms on a $155 million contract that will keep the 30-year-old southpaw in Chicago for the next six years. The deal, which includes a record $30 million signing bonus, makes the former Red Sox and A’s ace the second-highest-paid pitcher in baseball history, behind only Clayton Kershaw, who inked a $30.7 million pact with the Dodgers.
2015 Major League Baseball’s goodwill tour to Cuba, the first official MLB visit to the country since 1999, opens with a news conference at Havana’s Hotel Nacional. Players participating in the four days of children’s clinics and charitable events include White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu and Dodger outfielder Yasiel Puig, both defectors from the island nation to the United States to play baseball.
2016 The Giants make the final payment on AT&T Park, 17 years after playing their first game in the new ballpark located in the China Basin. The team’s home, originally known as Pacific Bell Park when the gates opened in 2000, was built by HOK Sport at the cost of $357 million.
SPORTS IN NUMBERS
9 – 7 – 31 – 16 – 3 – 14
December 15, 1925 – 1st hockey game played at Madison Square Garden, NYC took place on this day between the Montreal Canadiens 3, NY Americans 1
December 15, 1959 – Ballon d’Or: Real Madrid forward Number 9, Alfredo Di Stéfano won his second award for best football player in Europe ahead of teammate Number 7, Raymond Kopa and Juventus’ Welsh utility John Charles
December 15, 1973 – Tennessee beats Temple 11-6 in low scoring NCAA basketball game
December 15, 1980 – New York Yankees Number 31, Dave Winfield became the highest-paid MLB player, on a 10 years $15 million contract
December 15, 1997 – SF 49ers retired Joe Montana’s Number 16 jersey
December 15, 2002 – 68th Heisman Trophy Award was won by USC Quarterback Number 3, Carson Palmer
December 15, 2008 – 74th Heisman Trophy Award was won by Oklahoma Quarterback Number 14, Sam Bradford
TV THURSDAY
| COLLEGE BASKETBALL – MEN’S | TIME ET | TV |
| Elon at Presbyterian | 12:00pm | ESPN+ |
| North American at Rice | 12:15pm | CUSAtv |
| Lehigh at Wisconsin | 7:00pm | BTN |
| Stony Brook at Wagner | 7:00pm | NEC |
| Chattanooga at Middle Tennessee | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| St. Mary’s of the Woods at Southern Indiana | 8:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Louisiana at McNeese | 8:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Southeastern Louisiana at Nicholls | 8:00pm | ESPN+ |
| North Alabama at Colorado | 8:30pm | PAC12 |
| Southwestern Christian at UTRGV | 8:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Western Oregon at BYU | 9:00pm | – |
| Westminster at Utah State | 9:00pm | MWN |
| UC Irvine at Santa Clara | 10:00pm | WCC |
| Seattle U at Oregon State | 10:30pm | PAC12 |
| GOLF | TIME ET | TV |
| DP World: AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open | 3:30am | GOLF |
| NBA | TIME ET | TV |
| Milwaukee at Memphis | 8:00pm | NBATV Bally Sports |
| Miami at Houston | 8:00pm | Bally Sports ATTSN-SW |
| New Orleans at Utah | 9:00pm | Bally Sports ATTSN-RM |
| Phoenix at LA Clippers | 10:30pm | NBATV Bally Sports |
| NFL | TIME ET | TV |
| San Francisco at Seattle | 8:15pm | PRIME |
| NHL | TIME ET | TV |
| Columbus at Tampa Bay | 7:00pm | Bally Sports |
| Dallas at Washington | 7:00pm | NBCS-WSH Bally Sports |
| Los Angeles at Boston | 7:00pm | Bally Sports NESN |
| Philadelphia at New Jersey | 7:00pm | NBCS-PHI MSGSN |
| Seattle at Carolina | 7:00pm | Root Sports Bally Sports |
| Toronto at NY Rangers | 7:00pm | MSG Sportsnet |
| Nashville at Winnipeg | 8:00pm | Bally Sports Sportsnet |
| Vegas at Chicago | 8:30pm | ATTSN-RM NBCS-CHI |
| Buffalo at Colorado | 9:00pm | MSG-BUF ALT |
| St. Louis at Edmonton | 9:00pm | Bally Sports Sportsnet |
| SOCCER | TIME ET | TV |
| UEFA Women’s Champions League: Rosengård vs Bayern München | 12:45pm | DAZN |
| UEFA Women’s Champions League: Juventus vs Zürich | 12:45pm | DAZN |
| UEFA Women’s Champions League: SL Benfica vs Barcelona | 3:00pm | DAZN |
| UEFA Women’s Champions League: Arsenal vs Olympique Lyonnais | 3:00pm | DAZN |
| Scottish Premiership: Rangers vs Hibernian | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Copa por Mexico: América vs Necaxa | 8:00pm | UniMas TUDN |