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Buenos Aires! Iowa is actually pretty good.
Experiment: Wait, does this really work?
Back in April, when the NBA officially announced an in-season tournament, we all decried its vanity. Want to host a mid-season soccer tournament but no other leagues are participating? This is a pure money grab.The court is ridiculous. Why should we care?
All of these criticisms were valid and still valid. However…the in-season tournament was great. I am all present. Consider last night’s two bombings:
- Pacers 157, Hawks 152. When Tyrese Haliburton scored all 37 points in the first three quarters (the two teams combined for 309 points), I had never cared so much about basketball in November.
- Cavaliers 122, 76ers 119 (overtime). Real tension! Real bets! Ugly court! Maybe I’m just overstimulated from watching these, but yes, 100 times yes. The 76ers are essentially doomed in this game, while the Cavaliers hold out hope of a wild-card berth.
I recommend going through this summer’s Mike Volkunov commentator to get the backstory. We have six groups and the winner of each group will advance to the knockout rounds. Two wild-card teams — one from each conference — will also advance. This is where we stand now:
- Locking in a spot in the quarterfinals: Pacers, Lakers
- eliminate: Pistons, Wizards, Grizzlies, Trail Blazers, Spurs
I’m still thinking of a way Why this works, as there is no functional change. Maybe it’s the early season influence thinking. Maybe, sigh, this is the court.Ahead of last night’s list, John Hollinger wrote Biggest chaos happening in IST. This also helps.
Yes, the courts are harsh, but they Do Tell me something in my brain that these games are different. I hate admitting this. It’s like admitting that nice weather makes you happy. Of course there is, but it feels simple. I should be more advanced than this. But my brain still goes, “Oh, bright colors,” and the serotonin kicks in.
Basketball is great, and Zach Harper—who listened to me complain about my simple brainwaves last night—will have more IST material. bounce Later this morning.
Oh, another thing: this all happens fast. The NBA Championship finals will be held on December 9.
Shout to the clouds: Brady, Sanders scared their dogs
One of the bad things about aging is seeing players you saw in their prime turn into something you never expected: old guys complaining about things now. Yesterday, Tom Brady and Deion Sanders took center stage.
- Brady, who was playing just two years ago, told Stephen A. Smith that football isn’t what it used to be. His full review is worth readingincluding sharp criticism of the NFL and college coaches, as well as some additional hostility to recent rule changes.
- I’m not going to pretend to know more about football than the most accomplished quarterback in NFL history, but I do know that our league has dazzling young talent (hi, C.J. Stroud) and scheme-heavy guys (Mike McDaniel). Mike McDaniel, Kyle Shanahan) a lot of games. Brady’s comments come across as caustic and bad-tempered here.
- Meanwhile, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders continues to struggle as his Buffaloes fall to 1-7. He had an incredible start to the season, leading Colorado to a top-20 ranking and more wins than anyone could have dreamed of on a team that went 1-11 the year before. Since then, he’s transformed the game caller (not effectively) and, after two broken promises, now Condemn the entire recruitment process.
- Specifically, Sanders said he wants the NCAA to ban any players who have committed to the school from visiting, which is interesting considering he’s known for Poached from his alma mater Signing day. Anyway, unrelated: Colorado’s 2024 recruiting class ranks No. 70, According to 247sandwiched between the Coastal Carolinas and Miami (Ohio)…and below Colorado.
I can’t wait to go on someone’s podcast in 10 years and complain about a newsletter from 2033.
News to know
Parents Hire Hilt
The team announced yesterday that Mike Shildt is San Diego’s new head coach. The former Cardinals head coach succeeds Bob Melvin, who spent two tumultuous years in San Diego before heading to San Francisco. Shildt inherited arguably the most talented roster in baseball, with expectations soaring amid a well-documented difficult working environment.
Rare mid-season change
The Steelers fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada yesterday, a move that was two years in the making and still comes as a shock.This is the first time the team has changed coaches during the season Since 1941. Under Canada’s dominance, Pittsburgh’s offense, while loaded with talent, still languished.
more news
Under Cover: We’re still crushing the undercover
Iowa State’s offense has been a meme this year. It’s bad enough to have the offensive coordinator (aka the head coach’s son) fired. But I think the story is more interesting than that. Before we get there, we have another jaw-dropping line this week:
- BetMGM will play Iowa-Nebraska in the over/under game this Friday 26.5. Ridiculously low, but I still thought I was going to hit rock bottom. Despite an incredibly low hit total this week, the Hawkeyes rank last in the FBS in hits this year. For views: 71 FBS teams average more points than the game’s projected total (calculated individually).
What doesn’t get enough attention in the national conversation is: Iowa is pretty good. The defense was good enough to lock down the Big Ten West with one game left. A win over the Cornhuskers this weekend would give Kirk Ferentz his third 10-win season in the past five years, one of which was 6-2 during the pandemic.
still. Place your bet.
watch this game
NCAAM: No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 4 Marquette
Live on ESPN at 5 p.m. ET
Yesterday, the two defeated No. 7 Tennessee and No. 1 Kansas State respectively to compete for the Maui Invitational crown.
NBA: Bucks vs. Celtics
Airs on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET
Milwaukee finally has its superstar duo, and Boston might be the best team in the NBA. Must pay attention.
News Featured
Narrated by Zach Keefer Bill’s tragic story Nyheim HinesHis career nearly ended this summer after a jet ski accident. He experienced physical pain and mental anguish (as well as contract disputes). However, he has big plans for next year.
this Lions Club It’s not surprising that there’s a title fight when you look at one thing: Penny Sewell and the offensive line.Nick Baumgardner Detailed analysis of Detroit’s stellar performance.
Have a look 12 teams this week college football playoff projection. We could definitely describe how the current model of college football is disappearing, but it would also be interesting to watch.
jason stark a very interesting conversation with new angel manager Ron WashingtonThe self-proclaimed “baseball giant.”
Sean McIndoe Tracking Hockey Franchise Dysfunction’s ‘Championship Belt’ from preNational Hockey League By 1992. An interesting start to an interesting series.
A headline you don’t see every day: Daphne Coleboz Turned down medical school to play soccer in Europe. Now, she has two master’s degrees and a year’s worth of Ph.D. This story is worth your time.
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(Photo: Jesse D. Garabrant/Getty Images)