Chelsea star Christian Pulisic close to sealing moving to AC Milan

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July 12, 2023

Christian-Pulisic-120122-6-022ef7772fbe42719eadc6c5d1b4b79d — Photo Cred: People

Christian Pulisic’s much-discussed departure from Chelsea appears to be on the horizon as recent reports suggest that the American winger will join AC Milan. Pulisic has expressed a desire for regular playing time at a Champions League-caliber club is pushing for the move himself. Negotiations between Chelsea and Milan have been ongoing, with the Italian giants raising their offer this week to fend off competition from other European clubs.

Photo Cred: All Football

AC Milan’s latest bid for Pulisic stands at $22 million, with additional bonuses included. This enhanced offer has propelled discussions forward, and a deal could be finalized in the coming days. Should the transfer materialize, Pulisic would potentially join Stefano Pioli’s side in time for their preseason.

The 22-year-old American international has shown glimpses of his immense talent during his time at Chelsea. However, the presence of several high-profile attacking players, injuries, and stiff competition for starting spots limited his playing time. It hindered his progress and quest for consistent minutes on the field. Pulisic’s desire to compete regularly in the UEFA Champions League, one of the most prestigious club competitions in the world, has led him to seek a move away from Stamford Bridge.

Photo Cred: Reddit

AC Milan’s interest in Pulisic showcases their ambition to bolster their squad and return to the pinnacle of European football. The historic Italian club has been rebuilding under the guidance of Pioli and the addition of a dynamic winger like Pulisic would undoubtedly strengthen their attacking options. Despite reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League last season, Milan only managed to finish fourth in the Serie A, having won the competition two seasons ago.

Pulisic’s potential move to AC Milan highlights his aspirations for personal growth but signifies the increasing global recognition of American soccer talent. The United States national team captain has become a prominent figure in American soccer and has played a vital role in raising the profile of the sport in his home country.

Photo Cred: WTOP

If the deal is finalized, Pulisic would have the opportunity to join a club with a rich history and pedigree. Their known for their attacking prowess and success in European competitions. The move would also enable him to work under the guidance of Pioli, a respected coach known for nurturing young talent.

While the reports suggest that a move to AC Milan is imminent for Pulisic, it is important to note that until all formalities are complete, the transfer remains subject to change. Nevertheless, should the deal come to fruition, Pulisic would embark on a new chapter in his career. He’s aiming to make his mark on Italian football. The player seeks to fulfill his aspirations of playing regularly for a top-tier European club in the Champions League.

NBA Free Agency Winners/Losers

By

Troy Finnegan

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July 12, 2023

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Each summer, the landscape of the NBA is flipped upside down, and rosters change during the free agency period. This year there weren’t any star players on the move. Still, plenty of deals were made with quality rotation players. Some teams got better, and some got worse, as contenders are bolstering up before the 2023-24 year gets underway. Here are a few winners and losers from the first week of free agency.

Winner: Phoenix Suns

Photo Cred: Valley of the Suns

Earlier in the offseason, the Suns decided to go all in on offense and star power after they traded for Wizards star Bradley Beal. The trio of Beal, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker will be a headache for defenses to stop, but heading into free agency, the Suns lacked depth and didn’t have much money to spend. The task at hand for the Phoenix front office was a difficult one. With mostly just minimum deals available, they needed to fill out a bench that could help them compete for a championship. They did an excellent job.

The Suns were able to keep wings Damion Lee and Josh Okogie on small deals, retaining some of their bench from a year ago. Lee was a solid minute-eater during the regular season for Phoenix, while Okogie contributed with his on-ball defense. The Suns picked up a few more wings on minimum deals as well. Sharpshooter Yuta Watanabe signed to Phoenix after shooting a blistering 44% from three-point range last season in Brooklyn. Meanwhile, two-way wing Keita Bates-Diop will fill in the gaps for the Suns. The Ohio State product is a solid wing defender on the perimeter and improved his shot last season. Both Watanabe and Bates-Diop should provide good outlets if defenses want to send extra help to the three stars.

The Suns lost backup big Jock Landale, who signed a four-year, $32 million deal with the Rockets, but replaced him with former Portland Trail Blazer Drew Eubanks. Then, a few days in, they made a bigger splash when they signed Eric Gordon away from the Clippers. While he may not be as quick as he was in his prime, Gordon will serve as a secondary creator who is always a threat off the ball as a spot-up shooter. Defensively, he competes hard and uses his strength to bother opposing guards, and he should see significant playing time on this Suns roster. With no cap room after the Beal trade, Phoenix’s brass did a great job around the margins to fill out the rest of the roster.

Loser: Denver Nuggets

Photo Cred: The Denver Post

In a way, Denver’s hands were tied. Bruce Brown headed to free agency, having wildly outplayed his contract last season, and Denver was limited in what they could offer him. Brown accepted a lucrative two-year, $45 million contract from the Indiana Pacers early in the free agency period. That’s not why Denver ended up as a free-agency loser. They didn’t have a plan for Brown’s seemingly inevitable departure, using their taxpayer mid-level exception slot to bring back Reggie Jackson.

Many people thought Jackson would re-sign for the minimum, and using the TPMLE on him prevented them from making a bigger splash elsewhere. Jackson fills a need as a backup point guard but didn’t make the playoff rotation due to his ineptitude on defense last season. The defending champs also lost Jeff Green, another wing who played valuable minutes throughout their playoff run and a well-respected veteran in the locker room. The Nuggets did sign free agent Justin Holiday to a minimum contract, and he should theoretically provide shooting and some perimeter defense in the Nuggets’ rotation.

However, he is not on the same level as Brown or Green, and it’s no guarantee that he will be in the rotation when it matters most. It’s now looking likely that Denver will need significant internal growth from guys like Christian Braun and Peyton Watson. It’s not uncommon for championship teams to lose critical pieces, but the Nuggets seemed unprepared to compensate for the departure of two key players from last year’s team.

Winner: Los Angeles Lakers

Photo Cred: SportsKeeda

The Lakers didn’t make major splashes, but they took a team that was in the Western Conference Finals a year ago and made it better. The Lakers priority was to take care of their own, retaining three key pieces from last year’s team. Forward Rui Hachimura is back in Los Angeles on a four-year deal after arriving in a mid-season trade last season. Hachimura was great on both sides of the ball for the Lakers last year and provides a lot of size in the frontcourt.

Los Angeles also retained their backcourt, re-signing D’Angelo Russell, and Austin Reaves to multi-year contracts. Both guards return means the Lakers will have initiators and creators all over the floor next year and can limit LeBron James’ workload during the regular season. The Lakers did lose backup point guard Dennis Schroder but replaced him with Heat point guard Gabe Vincent. Vincent can do the same things as Schroder, serving as a point-of-attack defender and a versatile weapon as a scorer and a facilitator on offense. Los Angeles still has some spots to fill, but they have done an excellent job reloading for another run behind James and Anthony Davis.

Loser: Portland Trail Blazers

Photo Cred: Oregon Live

Portland hasn’t been super active in free agency, nor have they lost any key pieces. But the trade request in recent days from Damian Lillard changes the calculus for the Blazers. Portland went into this offseason looking to build a contender around Lillard, but after failing to find a trade partner for the No. 3 pick, the franchise point guard made it known that he would like to play elsewhere next year.

Before requesting a trade, the Blazers re-signed Jerami Grant to a five-year, $160 million contract. Grant is a talented player, providing significant two-way impact and positional versatility on the wing. He has grown to a scorer in the half-court and can guard elite opposing wings out west. Grant makes Portland better, and the $32 million annual salary isn’t terrible for a wing of his caliber. But Grant isn’t a transformational talent, and with Portland headed for a rebuild, such a long-term, expensive commitment doesn’t fit the timeline in the pacific northwest.

MLB First Half Review

By

Arnav Sarkar

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July 11, 2023

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Photo Cred: Marca

With the MLB All-Star game wrapping up, let’s look at how the first half of the season went before previewing the rest of the season and the playoffs.

The Tampa Bay Rays went out of the gate swinging as they started this season 13-0 and have the top record in the American League at 57-34. However, they recently have lost six games in a row, including a sweep to the Phillies and losses to the Mariners and Braves. The Rays lead a tough AL East division in which all five teams sit above .500. The Baltimore Orioles have had a strong start as well and sit in second place with a 52-35 record, with the Toronto Blue Jays a few games back at 49-41, the New York Yankees at 48-41, and even the last place Boston Red Sox sit at 46-43.

Photo Cred: GQ

The AL Central has performed much worse, as the first-place Minnesota Twins have a worse record than the last-place Red Sox at 45-44. The Cleveland Guardians are right behind at 44-44, with the rest of the division having a record under .500. The Detroit Tigers are battling the Chicago White Sox for third, with 38-49 and 38-52 records, while the Kansas City Royals have been one of the worst teams in baseball with a miserable 25-64 record.

In the AL West, the Texas Rangers have surprised viewers by leading the defending champions Houston Astros in their division. The Astros got off to a slow start but have rebounded to a 49-40 record, three games back of the Rangers’ 52-37 mark. The Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels look to make wild card pushes with 44-43 and 45-45 records. Meanwhile, the Oakland Athletics, who are heading to Las Vegas to the dismay of their fans, have the worst record in baseball, half a game behind the Royals with just 25 wins and 65 losses.

Over in the National League, the Atlanta Braves have baseball’s best record at 59-28 and are comfortably ahead of the rest of the NL East. The Miami Marlins are starting to stumble but currently hold a 51-39 record as they battle the Philadelphia Phillies in a series, who are 48-39 and coming off a sweep of the AL-leading Rays. Meanwhile, the New York Mets, who have looked atrocious at times this season, have recently gotten things turned around, sweeping the Diamondbacks, and carrying a 6-game win streak into a 42-46 record. The Washington Nationals round out the division with a 34-54 record as they continue to rebuild.

Photo Cred: USA Today

In the NL Central, the Cincinnati Reds are in a battle with the Milwaukee Brewers at the top of the division, as the Reds rode a 12-game win streak to sit at 49-40, with the Brewers on their heels at 48-41. The Reds and Brewers are in a series to make matters more interesting. The Chicago Cubs, who just had their first-ever win at Yankee Stadium, are sitting at 41-46, slightly ahead of the once hot-starting Pittsburgh Pirates at 40-48, while the St. Louis Cardinals are in the cellar at 36-52.

One of the biggest surprises is the Arizona Diamondbacks performing so well in the NL West. With a 51-38 record, they sit a half-game ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers, perennial division leaders and World Series contenders. The San Francisco Giants are close behind at 47-41, while the San Diego Padres have fallen off from an NLCS appearance last season and currently sit at 41-47. Finally, the Colorado Rockies have the worst record in the National League at just 34-55.

I expect most division leaders to retain first-place spots, but some will fall off their strong pace and open the door for teams trailing them. The Rays will recover from their recent slump and should still win the AL East, clinching the top seed in the American League. The Astros will eventually overtake their in-state rivals and win the AL West, sending the Rangers to the first wild card spot. Meanwhile, I expect the Guardians to surpass the Twins and win the AL Central, although they won’t make a deep playoff run as a .500 team going against much higher records. Aaron Judge’s eventual return will spark the Yankees to the second wild-card spot, while the Orioles will do well enough to secure the final wild card and a playoff spot in the AL.

Photo Cred: MLB

In the National League, the Braves will continue their sizzling pace, joining the Rays as the only two teams to finish with more than 110 wins and seizing the top overall record in the MLB. I expect the Dodgers to catch the Diamondbacks and take their usual spot atop the NL West. And I believe the Reds will win the battle against the Brewers and ride Elly De La Cruz’s stellar play to the top of the NL Central. The D-Backs will still make the playoffs as the first wild card, the Phillies will attempt to make another deep run with the second wild-card spot, the Marlins will fall out of a playoff spot, and the Brewers will hold off the Giants and Mets for the final wild-card spot in the NL.

Photo Cred: MLB

Once all is said and done, I think the Braves and the Rays will meet in the World Series, and there will be no surprise playoff runs like we saw last year with the Phillies and other playoff upsets, especially in the National League. I have the Braves winning in six games and raising their fifth World Series after recently winning over the Astros in 2021.

Bengals Season Predictions

By

Seth Miller

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July 11, 2023

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It’s an exciting time of year for Bengals fans, with only one month until the preseason football kicks off. Cincinnati will face the Packers, Falcons, and the Commanders. It will be awesome for Bengals fans to see the newly drafted rookies into action and the big-time offseason addition of the franchise’s new Left Tackle, Orlando Brown Jr. There is a lot of excitement that has taken the city by storm. Fans eagerly await the regular season, which opens up with a road game against Ohio rivals Cleveland Browns on September 10th. Other exciting games include Week 17 in Kansas City and Week 9 against the Bills for SNF. Here are my predictions for the Bengals’ regular season record.

Photo Cred: Cincy Jungle

My Predictions

Week 1: @ Browns: Bengals win, by 7+

Week 2: vs. Ravens: Bengals win in a very tight game, decided by 3 points.

Week 3: vs. Los Angeles Rams: Bengals win by 10+

Week 4: @ Tennessee Titans: Bengals win by 14+

Week 5: @ Arizona Cardinals: Bengals win by 3 here, closer game then most would think.

Week 6: vs. Seattle Seahawks: Bengals win this one easily by 7+

Week 7: Bye Week.

Week 8: @ 49ers: 49ers win this by 3, handing Cincinnati its first loss of the year.

Week 9: vs. Buffalo Bills: Bengals win this by 7 or more.

Week 10: vs. Houston Texans: Bengals win by 10+

Week 11: @ Ravens: Ravens win this by 3.

Week 12: vs. Steelers: Bengals win this by 7.

Week 13: @ Jaguars: Jaguars win this by 7.

Week 14: vs. Indianapolis Colts: Bengals win by 20+

Week 15: vs. Vikings: Bengals win this by 7+

Week 16: @ Pittsburgh Steelers: Bengals win by 3.

Week 17: @ Kansas City Chiefs: Bengals win this one in OT on a FG.

Week 18: vs. Browns: Browns win by 10+, due to resting of Bengals players.

Photo Cred: Stripe Hype

I like this year’s schedule, so I am going to say that the Bengals will get a 14-3 record. This will give them the #1 seed in the AFC. I also think this is the year Joe Burrow takes home the MVP award! Not only that, I also predict that the Bengals take home some hardware as they defeat the 49ers in Super Bowl 57 in Las Vegas, NV!

Damian Lillard to the Heat?

By

Rives Reucassel

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July 10, 2023

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All-star guard for the Portland Trail Blazers, Damian Lillard, requested a trade from the team last week, making it the first time he is available in his entire career. Lillard has played his entire career with the Trailblazers, making several all-star games and one conference final. Lillard has always said he has wanted to win in Portland. However, it has been a struggle there for most of his career.

Photo Cred: USA Today

This trade request came a few days after the NBA draft, where Lillard wanted the Blazers to trade and sign some high-level veterans. That didn’t happen. Portland used the third pick in the draft to select Scoot Henderson, who has upside potential but is still a few years away from being a potential all-star. Lillard doesn’t want to wait for these young guys to develop; he wants to be a championship contender immediately.

The teams interested in Lillard are the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, and Philadelphia 76ers. Damian Lillard’s clear favorite destination is the Miami Heat. He wants to play alongside Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. For this trade to work, the Heat would have to give up Tyler Hero, potentially Kyle Lowry, Duncan Robinson, and Jaime Jaquez Jr, who they just drafted, and multiple picks. This is a trade that the Heat should absolutely do. Not only is Lillard one of the best players in the league, but he also fits in perfectly with the Heat.

Photo Cred: ClutchPoints

The Heat were missing high-level guard play at the point guard position, which is a position you need high-level players to succeed. As we just saw Jamaal Murry win a championship with the Denver Nuggets. The Heat were too reliant on Butler to close out games and give them high-level scoring production night in and night out. Although Butler can do that most nights, that isn’t really his game. Lillard is the perfect complement to Butler because of his high-volume shooting and proficient shooting ability from the three-point range.

Butler is at his best when slashing toward the rim and getting in people’s faces defensively. Adebayo is at his best when rolling toward the rim in a high pick-and-roll situation. Having Lillard on the other side of those pick-and-rolls will benefit both guys tremendously. Teams often trap Lillard during pick-and-roll because of his shooting ability. This will allow Adebayo to play with more space on the floor that he didn’t have this past season.

Photo Cred: SI

If the Heat can secure this deal, which many expect will happen, it will put them right at the top to make it out of the Eastern Conference. Lillard will form a big three alongside Butler and Adebayo and be one of the favorites to win the championship. Lillard is itching to play on the highest stage in the NBA, as he has yet to reach the NBA finals, and adding one of the best closers in the game will propel Miami right back into the finals.

Can the Georgia Bulldogs Three-Peat

By

Rives Reucassel

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July 10, 2023

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USATSI_19756581-1024x683 — Photo Cred: The Athletic

The Georgia Bulldogs are the reigning two-time defending national champions of college football. They beat the Alabama Crimson Tide 33-18 two years ago and romped the TCU Horned Frogs 65-7 in last year’s championship game. Now the question is: What do the Bulldogs need to do to three-peat?

A big reason Georgia won back-to-back championships was the play of quarterback Stetson Bennet. As a former walk-on, many thought Bennet wasn’t the answer to the quarterback position at the University of Georgia, but he proved everyone wrong. Not only did he manage and lead the Bulldogs to their first national championship since 1980, but he was also a finalist for the Heisman trophy. Benent was also recently drafted by the LA Rams in this year’s NFL draft.

Photo Cred: CNN

Without Bennet, the Bulldogs likely will turn to sophomore Carson Beck. Beck was on the team last year and was able to learn the system under head coach Kirby Smart and was able to follow and learn from Stetson Bennet. Beck was a highly recruited prospect coming out of high school and has the potential to be an NFL quarterback. Beck will need a stellar season if the Bulldogs want to three-peat as National Champs.

Photo Cred: Dawg Nation

Another key to success this year for Georgia will be future first-round pick tight end, Brock Bowers. Brock Bowers is easily the best tight end in college football and one of the best players overall. I fully expect Bowers to continue his stellar play for the University of Georgia. In his first season for the Bulldogs, Bowers had 56 receptions for 882 yards and 13 touchdowns. In his second season, he had 63 receptions for 942 yards and seven touchdowns. I fully expect Bowers to be around the 1000-yard receiving mark and be one of the best players in the country.

A concern to look out for this season for the Bulldogs is offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. Todd Monken was Georgia’s offensive coordinator the past few seasons when they won back-to-back championships and left for the NFL. Monken is a fantastic offensive mind and one of the best offensive coordinators you can find. It will be interesting to see how Mike Bobo follows.

Photo Cred: Georgia Bulldogs

However, Bobo does have experience in the Georgia system as he was the offensive coordinator under previous Bulldog head coach Mark Richt. Bobo needs to find his rhythm with this team because, as we have seen, offense in college football is what wins you championships. Bobo also has experience as the quarterbacks coach and has been a long-time assistant coach for many years.

The Bulldogs have a pretty favorable schedule, and I expect them to make it to the SEC championship game undefeated. I expect them to go up against the Alabama Crimson Tide in that game, which is always a slugfest. Ultimately, the Bulldogs have what it takes to three-peat and win another national championship. The play of quarterback Carson Beck is
their key to success. I expect the All-American talent that the Bulldogs have will make him more comfortable on the field.

Analyzing Offseason Moves of NFL Contenders: Kansas City Chiefs

By

Andrew Bruner

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July 5, 2023

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Time to analyze the offseason of a top contender heading into 2023 and the team that won it all back in February: the Kansas City Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes and company will look to transform the Chiefs into a surefire dynasty. Thus far, they have two Super Bowl wins and five straight AFC championship appearances. Their path to ring #3 will be challenging as the AFC continues to load up. It will be a gauntlet next season and beyond. The Chiefs could not keep the whole gang back together, but that didn’t mean they were afraid to do anything. They surprised many with some of their moves, their aggressiveness, who they let walk, and their attempt to make another run at the big show. Let’s see how they did.

The Chiefs went into the new league year with many pivotal losses. They had to replace starting offensive tackles for the second time in three years. LT Orlando Brown Jr. was undoubtedly their most significant player loss, making his way to the Cincinnati Bengals after contract disputes soured his relationship with the team. The departure of Offensive Coordinator Eric Bieniemy may be even more crucial than Brown. Head Coach Andy Reid holds Bieniemy in high regard, personally advocating for years that he deserved head coaching consideration. Now, we get to find out what Bieniemy is made of as he heads off to call plays for the Washington Commanders. He is also taking RT Andrew Wylie with him. The Chiefs brought back former Bears head coach Matt Nagy as OC. This is a return to the role he held previously (and insight into the other team’s apprehension with Bieniemy). Reid will remain the cog driving this electric Chiefs offense.

Photo Cred: Yahoo Sports

To start the free agency period, the Chiefs surprised everyone. They signed Jaguars OT Jawaan Taylor to a monster 4-year $80 million contract. Initially, it was announced that Taylor would be moving to LT. It’s a position he had never played before in his NFL career. Their signing of LT Donovan Smith (a former Buccaneer) quelled many doubts, returning Taylor to his more natural role of RT. In the 3rd round of the 2023 NFL draft, the Chiefs traded up for OT Wanya Morris out of Oklahoma. The move further shores up depth at the position. JuJu Smith-Schuster (the team’s de-facto WR1) also departed, as did WR Mecole Hardman. They signed with the New England Patriots and New York Jets, respectively.

Photo Cred: Arrow Head Pride

The Chiefs already featured a lackluster WR core outside TE Travis Kelce, with many waiting to see if 34 is the age that catches up to him. The team will look to replace their production through a healthy Kadarius Toney. Last year, they traded for him mid-season. They will be hoping that Skyy Moore has a year-two leap. Kansas City also selected rookie Rashee Rice in the 2nd round.. The WR room remains the most questionable position group, full of unproven talent. De’Andre Hopkins was a potential trade candidate, though his ultimate release from Arizona makes that move unlikely. The team currently holds less than $1 million in cap space, meaning a push for Hopkins or other WRs would require them to kick money down the road. If there were one area to pinpoint a potential downfall, this would be the one. The days of Tyreek Hill speeding down the sideline are long gone.

The Chiefs spent their first-round pick on Defensive End Felix Anudike-Uzomah. The Kansas City native will attempt to replace the production of DE Frank Clark. DE Charles Omenihu, who signed a 2-year, $16 million deal, will help him. Anudike-Uzomah is the latest addition to a slew of draft capital spent on the Chiefs’ defense. The team will be banking on leaps from their young guys, who are all on the cheap.

Photo Cred: USA Today

DE George Karlaftis, CB Trent McDuffie, and S Bryan Cook were drafted in the first two rounds of the 2022 NFL draft. The team will need them to take the year-two leaps they’re expecting. Cook must replace another key starter lost in free agency, S Juan Thornhill, who signed with the Cleveland Browns. Thankfully, S Mike Edwards (also from the Buccaneers) will be there to start if Cook is not quite ready. Overall, the Chiefs are banking on smart drafting and bargain-bin free agency signings to replace their high-priced veterans. This roster remains loaded from top to bottom. Lombardi #3 is easily within their grasp if it all pans out.

Five Big Games for Missouri in 2023

By

Ethan Burke

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July 4, 2023

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After finishing the last four regular seasons with a .500 record, Missouri head coach Eliah Drinkwitz will look to take his program to the next level in 2023. Last season, the Tigers lost multiple close games by one possession in a 24-17 loss at Florida and a 26-22 loss to Georgia, who went on to win its second national championship in a row. Missouri has a rough schedule this upcoming season, and here are five games that stand out for the Tigers in 2023:

Kansas State (9/16)

Photo Cred: Kvoe

Missouri will face off against Kansas State in back to back in September. The Tigers got dismantled by the WIldcats 40-12 when Kansas State hosted Missouri last season. The Wildcats will be heading into 2023 ranked no. 14 in the nation according to CBS after finishing with a 10-4 overall record and winning the Big 12 championship against TCU last season.

Kansas State has some talented players returning this season. Starting quarterback WIll Howard, who recorded 1,633 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, is back. The WIldcats will also be returning DJ Giddens and adding Florida State transfer Treshaun Ward who will be favorites to replace Deuce Vaughn. Vaughn rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns against Missouri last season. If the Tigers want to reach a bigger bowl game and improve their record, this is a big game in front of their home crowd.

Memphis (9/23)

Photo Cred: Memphis Ahtetics

The matchup between Missouri and Memphis will take place in St. Louis. The neutral site game against Memphis is not something that the Missouri Tigers should take lightly. The Memphis Tigers are coming off a 7-6 record in 2022 with wins against Navy and Utah State in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl. Memphis also suffered some close losses last season as a 35-28 loss to then no. 25 UCF, a one-point loss to Houston and a three-point defeat at SMU.

Quarterback Seth Henigan leads the Memphis Tigers offense. He’s poised for a big year in 2023. Henigan ranked no. 16 in the NCAA last season in passing yards with 3,559 yards with 22 touchdowns. The Missouri Tigers defense will also go up against former Missouri wide receiver Tauskie Dove who found success during his time in Columbia. With Missouri’s schedule in 2023, this is a must win, and the Tigers can’t afford to fall short in this contest if they want to make strides this season.

LSU (10/7)

Photo Cred: The Athletic

Missouri has a huge chance to gain national recognition as it hosts LSU in October. The LSU Tigers are coming into this upcoming season ranked at no. 16 in the nation according to CBS. LSU is fresh off of a 10-4 season and a trip to the SEC championship after winning the West division in Brian Kelly’s first year as the head coach. In 2022, LSU had victories over Ole Miss, Florida and an overtime victory over Alabama on a game winning two-point conversion.

The LSU Tigers will be returning multiple talented players as starting quarterback Jayden Daniels who recorded 17 touchdowns last season. Alongside Daniels, Missouri’s defense will also face wide receivers Malik Nabers and Alabama transfer Aaron Anderson. The Missouri Tigers’ offense will also go up against defensive lineman Mehki Wingo who spent one season with Missouri before ultimately transferring to LSU. This will be a big challenge for the Missouri Tigers but a giant opportunity to make some noise in SEC play.

At Kentucky (10/14)

Photo Cred: Sea of Blue

Missouri has lost the last two matchups against Kentucky in close games. The Tigers couldn’t keep up with the Wildcats in a 35-28 shootout in 2021, and a controversial call on a punt ended Missouri’s hopes in coming out victorious in the Tigers’ 21-17 loss to Kentucky last season. A win over Kentucky on the road would be a step in the right direction for Drinkwitz and his program.

Defeating Kentucky would be no easy task. Expected starting QB is North Carolina State transfer Devin Leary, replacing Will Levis. Leary put up 1,265 yards and 11 touchdowns with the Wolfpack last season. Kentucky will also be Courtland Ford at the offensive tackle position, where he previously played at USC. The Tigers only have four road games this season, and a win in Lexington would be a key victory for the program.

Tennessee (11/11)

Photo Cred: USA Today

Much like the LSU game, this is a massive opportunity for Missouri to gain some respect on the national stage. Tennessee is coming off an impressive 11-2 season in 2022 with wins over Alabama, LSU and Clemson in the Orange Bowl. Last year, Missouri stayed within reach in the first half but couldn’t keep in the second as it got steamrolled by the Volunteers 66-24 in Knoxville, Tennessee.

The Volunteers are starting 2023 ranked at no, 6 in the nation according to CBS. After a strong Orange Bowl performance, Joe Milton III will replace Hendon Hooker as the starting quarterback this upcoming season. In order to have a chance to win, the Tigers’ defense is going to need to come up big against a fast-paced Tennessee offense. This is a big game as Missouri gets a chance to knock off a top-ranked team at home towards the end of the regular season.

Wimbledon Preview 2023

By

Troy Finnegan

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July 3, 2023

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The most prestigious event on the tennis calendar will kick off at The Championships at Wimbledon. Novak Djokovic is the favorite to collect his eighth Wimbledon title and extend his all-time Grand Slam record to 24. Djokovic is also looking to pick up the third leg of the calendar Grand Slam after winning the first two majors at the Australian Open and Roland Garros.

Photo Cred: Timeout

With a very young and inexperienced field around him, the chances of Djokovic losing a match (barring an injury or other unforeseen circumstance) are low. The arguments for the Serb winning are nearly endless. Djokovic is on a 21-match win streak in majors and hasn’t lost a completed match at Wimbledon since 2016.Djokovic has mastered grass-court tennis like nobody else on tour today. His ability to turn defense into offense and find free points on serve make him a nearly impossible opponent to topple on the quick courts of Wimbledon.

Photo Cred: Tennis Majors

Djokovic also got a very favorable draw for this year’s Championships in London. He likely won’t face off against anyone who can threaten him until the semifinals. If Hubert Hurkacz and his big first serve can reach the round of 16, he could push Djokovic but shouldn’t be a problem for the Serb’s unmatched return game. Australian Nick Kyrgios, a possible quarter final opponent, pushed Djokovic in last year’s Wimbledon final but is returning from a knee injury and has only played one match in 2023. Overall, Djokovic avoided many of his potential threats before the semis.

Jannik Sinner, who could meet the Serb in the semifinals, is seemingly the threat in Djokovic’s half but has been out of form and banged up as of late. If healthy, Sinner is one of the most dangerous players in the draw with his aggressive ground game from both wings. In last year’s quarterfinals, Sinner won the first two sets against Djokovic before losing in a decisive fifth.

Photo Cred: Fan Duel

Many threats to Djokovic landed in the top half of the draw and would not see the seven-time champion until the final. Carlos Alcaraz enters as the top seed. He’s the favorite to make it out of the top half of the draw. But he was beaten by Djokovic on a clay court that suits his game better. Daniil Medvedev, the No. 3 seed, can make some noise but has never made a Wimbledon quarterfinal.

Holger Rune has also emerged as a threat to win any Grand Slam and has had some success against Djokovic. Rune owns two wins over the Serb, one at the Rolex Paris Masters last November and one in Rome just last month. However, Rune’s inexperience on grass (won his first tour-level grass match just over a week ago) makes him an underdog in a potential final against Djokovic.

Photo Cred: USA Today

The top half of the draw also has a few players that could have a breakout tournament at this year’s Championships. Americans Frances Tiafoe (No. 10 seed) and Sebastian Korda (No. 22 seed) have big grass court games and have shown what it takes to make a run. Korda is a lesser-known name, but his effortless power and fluid movement skills on grass courts make him an outside contender this year.

He looked good in reaching the Queens semi final two weeks ago before losing to Alcaraz. Korda’s draw is also very favorable, with the out-of-form Cameron Norrie in round three and No. 5 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas (who struggles mightily on grass) in round four. Tiafoe burst onto the scene last September during his run to the US Open semifinals and excels on grass courts.

Photo Cred: Sky Sports

He is a flat hitter from the baseline and an excellent volleyer at the net, two skills will make him an extremely tough out in the next few weeks in London. Regardless of how the draw shakes out, Djokovic will be tough to beat, and it will take a historic effort to beat him. His quest to conquer the grass for the eighth time begins Monday against Argentinian Pedro Cachin.

Who is 2023’s Second Round Sleeper?

By

Troy Finnegan

-

June 29, 2023

0

Sometimes players come in the form of top talents, picked high in the draft. Other times they come from second-round picks that teams use to fill out their roster. If you look at recent NBA champions, they all have gotten contributions from second-rounders.

It’s no secret that 2023 Finals MVP Nikola Jokic (2014, pick 41) has become arguably the best second-round pick ever. But the Nuggets aren’t champions without the contributions of Bruce Brown (2018, pick 42) off the bench. Golden State has won four championships since 2015, thanks in no small part to the role played by Draymond Green (2012, pick 35). Khris Middleton (2012, pick 39) helped lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a ring in 2021 as their primary perimeter scorer. With the 2023 NBA Draft in the rearview, who could be a second-round sleeper this year? Someone becoming a player of Jokic’s caliber is impossible to foresee, but a few guys in this year’s second round have a path to being solid contributors.

Photo Cred: CNN

One second-rounder I have my eye on is Pepperdine wing Maxwell Lewis, was taken with the 40th pick and headed to the Los Angeles Lakers after a trade. The first thing that sticks out about Lewis is his frame. He is built like an ideal NBA wing in 2023, standing just over 6’6” without shoes and sporting a 7′ 0” wingspan. He is a little thin right now, weighing in at 207.2 pounds, but when his frame fills out, he’ll guard one through four on the court.

Photo Cred: YardBarker

His skillset shows what teams look for in the era of 3-and-D wings. Lewis is long and rangy and uses his frame to block shots from the weak side and disrupt passing lanes. He struggles to stay in front of quicker guards but has enough positive reps against all kinds of perimeter players to give me hope for his defensive upside as a stopper.

Photo Cred: Fan Duel

Lewis hasn’t played a ton of wings with overwhelming size in the WCC but should be able to fill out his frame enough to handle stronger players. Offensively, Lewis showcased a versatile skill set that makes him a potential steal at this draft slot. He’s a shooter; Lewis has shown the ability to knock down threes off the catch and the dribble. He can spot up around the arc or shoot on the move off screens, a valuable trait for someone his size.

Lewis’ efficiency from outside did drop this past year. Defenses focused all their attention on him as Pepperdine’s most talented scorer. Regardless, Lewis has a pretty shot and can make jumpers in different contexts, which should translate to the next level. Lewis lacks the elite quickness and first step to be a great driver. His contact balance is solid, and he can finish at the rim with both hands. He showed play making ability and passing flashes but also turned the ball over a little too much. He will benefit from attacking scrambling defenses instead of operating as the primary ball handler.

Photo Cred: Malibu Times

Of course, hitting as a second-round pick comes down to fit and opportunity. I think Lewis will have both of those things in Los Angeles. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are on the books for two more seasons. But beyond that, the Lakers require wing depth and shooting. Those are two things that Lewis can provide. Rui Hachimura is in the mix for 2023-24 and was a critical part of Los Angeles’ playoff rotation. Jarred Vanderbilt will be back at leas tone year, but he hurts the Lakers’ spacing when on the court.

In the long run, Los Angeles will be looking for guys to surround Davis with as LeBron enters the twilight years of his career, and Lewis’ skillset should compliment the big man very well. Obviously, there is a lot left to be decided in free agency, and we will see what happens with D’Angelo Russell and especially Austin Reaves, but neither guy helps the Lakers on the wing. With LeBron and AD taking such a large chunk of the salary cap, the Lakers will need cheap contributors if they want to make another deep playoff run this year. Lewis has the skills to fill that role for LA early in his career.

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