The Spartans and Blue Devils square off first in a 7:10 tipoff, followed by Kansas and Kentucky. We’re playing Champions Classic BINGO over at our Sporting News college basketball Twitter page, so hop on over there to play along with the live broadcast. As for why you’re here: we’ll be updating this post live with some of the more interesting tidbits of the night. GAME ONE: Michigan State vs. Duke 5:50 p....
Duke’s dominant start (5-0 SU, 5-0 ATS) has prompted the Westgate to drop the Blue Devils’ odds to win the 2015 NCAA Tournament from 10-to-1 to 6-to-1. Much has been said about Duke’s top-rated recruiting class, but the the team also brings the type of experience and size that most serious championship contenders possess. Kentucky’s odds, already historically low heading into the Classic, continue to fall. The Wildcats’ current number, 7-to-4, is down from last week’s 9-to-5 price....
That foursome of matches concludes on Wednesday when Manchester City take on Sporting Lisbon and Real Madrid play Paris Saint-Germain. Here’s a look at how each team could progress from this week’s ties. A reminder that away goals will not count as a tiebreaker beginning this season. So the math should be fairly straightforward for the rest of the tournament. Real Madrid vs PSG (0-1 on aggregate) A late goal from Kylian Mbappe in the first leg has put PSG in the ascendancy going into the second leg of this high-profile fixture....
Messi muzzled by Juve’s giants Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are once again in with a chance of returning to Europe’s biggest club match, where Atleti will hope to avenge their defeat to Zinedine Zidane’s men in last season’s final. Challenging them for a place at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff are Juventus and Monaco, who booked their places in the last four on Wednesday night to complete the quarter-final ties....
Real must avoid CRexit The managerless Black Cats finished bottom of the Premier League last season under David Moyes and will seek an instant return in 2017-18, kicking off the EFL campaign with a home clash against the Rams on Friday August 4. Fellow relegated clubs Hull City and Middlesbrough, both of whom have changed managers, face opening-game trips to Aston Villa – managed by former KCOM Stadium boss Steve Bruce – and Wolves respectively....
Unlike the Oscars, screener tapes have never been allowed. That’s meant that any member of the American Academy of Television Arts and Sciences who hadn’t been watching much TV had to attend group showings of programs that were nominated. The folks who showed up for these marathon viewing sessions at hotels and theaters were largely those with lots of time on their hands. That is, older viewers. That’s why perennial Emmy favorites such as John Lithgow and “Frasier” have taken home awards again and again....
Some have much bigger chores than others. Bringing in a new coaching staff usually means the previous one did too much losing. That’s true times seven this year as Smith takes over at Tampa Bay, Caldwell in Detroit, Zimmer in Minnesota, Ken Whisenhunt in Tennessee, Bill O’Brien in Houston, Jay Gruden in Washington and Mike Pettine in Cleveland. PETTINE: BEING BLUNT Pettine might have the biggest challenge because he takes over a perennial loser: Cleveland last made the playoffs in 2002....
Story’s power alley is right-center field, but that’s where the Rockies raised the outfield fence this offseason from 8 feet, 9 inches, to match the height of the out-of-town scoreboard at 16 feet, 6 inches. MORE: Longest tenured player for each MLB team | Is Carlos Correa the next Mike Trout? That’s a critical 7 feet, 9 inches. “It’s supposed to get the other team,” Rockies manager Walt Weiss joked after Story’s two triples in Colorado’s first homestand that would’ve been home runs at the fence’s old height....
Los Angeles will be attempting to cling to its wild-card spot in the AFC playoffs. The Colts will take another step on their long march to the end of the season and likely the Jeff Saturday experiment. MORE: Why is Nick Foles starting for Colts? Jeff Saturday turns to new QB1 vs. Chargers The Chargers (8-6) enter with three wins in their last four games. Justin Herbert continues to be all the rage in prime-time matchups, and he’ll be the clear marquee quarterback Monday....
Hands On Hartford said it has received “dozens and dozens” of donations from the local community and from other countries after turning down hundreds of pounds worth of food from the far-right group. The attempted donation from the Proud Boys, listed as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center and whose members were part of the extremist attack on the Capitol on January 6, was first reported by The Journal Inquirer on January 29....
“What I said was inappropriate. I would never punch an NBA player,” Barkley said during TNT’s “NBA Tip-Off.” “I meant what I said (regarding Green’s on-court behavior), but I would never punch an NBA player.” NBA PLAYOFFS: Scores, live updates Barkley advocated for assault after Green went chest to chest with Pelicans guard Rajon Rondo at halftime of Golden State’s victory in Game 2 of their second-round Western Conference playoff series....
Barkley’s history of appearances on the famous late-night comedy show spans over a couple decade. Fans of the band Nirvana, and the rap group Migos, are usually seen as almost complete opposites. After Barkley’s latest show ended early Sunday morning, the Basketball Hall of Famer has hosted alongside both groups. The show hit on topics related to the current social climate, like the #MeToo movement, issues surrounding the world of sports, like the NFL’s concussion protocol, and, of course, Barkley’s weight....
Both sides have blamed the other, while fans continue to be frustrated over not seeing arguably the two best heavyweights duking it out for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world. The journey for Joshua to get to this point began when he scored a second-round knockout of Charles Martin to capture the IBF strap in April 2016. Join DAZN and watch more than 100 fight nights a year...
The clip in question features a dinner party with YouTuber James Charles, as part of the D’Amelios’ new YouTube series, Dinner with the D’Amelios, and shows Charli and Dixie being incredibly rude to their personal chef, Aaron May. Marc and Heidi, the sisters’ parents, also appear in the video. As of time of this article’s publication, the video has been watched over 8.5 million times since being shared on Monday....
With four drivers knocked out after next week’s race at Dover International Speedway, the 16 Chase drivers know they will advance as long as they are not among the four drivers lowest in points who have not won in the three-race opening round. So while they know they can win Sunday in the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and not have to worry about their Dover finish, they also know that a major gamble that goes bad could result in major worries about advancing, relying on a strong Dover finish....
But few have missed practice for high school graduation. That’s what Nationwide Series points leader Chase Elliott will do Saturday morning, attending his high-school graduation before flying to Iowa Speedway for Sunday's race. MORE: Dillon not counting on 3 for fan vote | Danica favored | Earnhardt sponsor concerns | Weekend schedule Elliott, 18, will graduate from Kings Ridge Christian School in Georgia in Alpharetta, Georgia. He will participate in all three practice sessions at Iowa on Friday before flying home on Friday night....
Busch will start at the rear of the field after wrecking all by himself in practice Saturday morning and totaling his primary car. MORE: Busch brothers damage cars | Kyle, Keselowski at odds after wreck | PHOTOS: Kyle pictures At just 12 points behind series points leader and Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Matt Kenseth, Busch can't afford to lose much ground in the fourth race of the 10-race Chase for the Sprint Cup....
The 30-year-old Headley can become a free agent after this season. He’s hitting .229 with seven homers and 32 RBIs but has a .339 average since July 4. He was a Gold Glove winner two years ago, when he hit .286 with 31 homers and a National League-leading 115 RBIs. As part of the deal, the Padres will pay $1 million of the $3,968,443 remaining of his $10,525,000 salary this year....
The 10-race Chase for the Sprint Cup started pretty much like the regular season ended, with Brad Keselowski winning and Jeff Gordon, Joey Logano and Kevin Harvick all running strong. While there were some disappointing performances — Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson — the first Chase race was pretty similar to the way the regular season played out. That sets the tone for the top contenders and puts a lot of pressure on the hopefuls heading into Race No....
The veteran second baseman is close to re-signing with Los Angeles, Fox Sports reports. He’ll get a one-year deal, according to Yahoo Sports. MORE: Possible bargain bin free agents Coming off what was by far the worst season of his career, Utley should come at a relatively affordable price — perhaps on an incentive-laden deal considering his struggles with an ankle injury. That shouldn’t be a huge issue for a man who has cleared more than $115 million in his career, particularly since Utley reportedly prioritized staying near his Southern California home....
