Month: July 2020

College Football News Preview 2020: Cincinnati Bearcats

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Cincinnati Bearcats season with what you need to know.

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Cincinnati Bearcats season with what you need to know.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
– Top Players | Key Players, Games, Stats
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– Schedule Analysis
– Cincinnati Previews 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015

2019 Record: 11-3 overall, 7-1 in AAC
Head Coach: Luke Fickell, 4th year, 26-13
2019 CFN Final Opinion Ranking: 22
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 22
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 64

No one knows what’s going to happen to the 2020 college football season. We’ll take a general look at where each team stands – doing it without spring ball to go by – while crossing our fingers that we’ll all have some well-deserved fun this fall. Hoping you and yours are safe and healthy.

5. College Football News Preview 2020: Cincinnati Bearcats Offense 3 Things To Know

– The Cincinnati offense wasn’t the best in the AAC, and it certainly stalled out way too often, averaging just 390 yards and 30 points per game. The O moved the chains and controlled the clock, but it was about the running game rolling and the defense taking care of the rest.

Head man Luke Fickell and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock wanted to create a powerful attack, and they did just that. Cincinnati went from running for 1,624 yards in 2017 to over 3,000 with 38 touchdowns in 2018 and close to 3,000 last year with 30 scores. However, the main man for the ground game is gone.

CFN in 60 Video: Nebraska Preview
Cincinnati at Nebraska, Sept. 26
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– Michael Warren ran for well over 2,500 yards over the last two seasons with 33 scores. He was the focus of the attack, but the system had a lot to do with the production.

Enter Alabama transfer Jerome Ford, a superstar get for Nick Saban who couldn’t find his way into a ridiculously loaded backfield. He’s the most talented option, but 230-pound Gerrid Doaks is a pounding veteran who can handle the work, running for 526 yards and five scores last season.

They might have a better line to work behind than Warren did.

The guard situation is a wee bit iffy going into the fall, but the addition of Michigan transfer James Hudson gives the staff a whole lot of flexibility. There’s depth, good size – expect the UC line to average about 315 pounds per man – and a whole lot of options to play around with. Now the pass protection has to be stronger.

– The passing game has to be more consistent, but Desmond Ridder was great at pushing the ball down the field, and he’s a tough, dangerous runner who was second on the team with 650 yards and five scores. However, he only completed 55% of his passes. Sophomore Ben Bryant subbed in for the big game against Memphis late in the season and was good enough – he’s at least a solid No. 2.

The receiving corps loses star TE Josiah Deguara to the Green Bay Packers, and a few other parts are done, but leading receiver Alec Pierce is back coming off a 37-catch, 652-yard, two touchdown season.

The addition of Notre Dame transfer Michael Young along with Ohio State transfers Blue Smith and 6-6 Garyn Prater give the corps an upgrade of talent, and Michigan State transfer Noah Davis will make a push to be the new Deguara at tight end.

NEXT: College Football News Preview 2020: Cincinnati Bearcats Defense 3 Things To Know

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5

Draft Rewind: Warriors select high school product Monta Ellis in 2005 second round

After selecting Ike Diogu out of Arizona State in 2005 draft, the Golden State Warriors landed Monta Ellis out of Lanier High School in the second round.

As 22 teams prepare to finish the NBA season in the Orlando Bubble, the Golden State Warriors will have the opportunity to turn their attention to the draft.

For the first time since 2002, the Warriors will have the opportunity to own a top-five pick. As draft season starts to heat up, Bob Myers and Steve Kerr still have months to prepare before they’re on the clock. Before they make their first-round choice, Warriors Wire is digging back through some of Golden State’s memorable draft days.

Draymond Green’s name will always be listed as Golden State’s success story in the second round. However, before the Michigan State product landed in the Bay Area, the Warriors were fortunate finding another memorable playmaker outside of the first round.

June 28, 2005

The 2005 edition of the draft began with future Warrior Andrew Bogut getting selecting first overall by the Milwaukee Bucks. Jumping to the No. 9 overall pick, Golden State drafted Ike Diogu out of Arizona State.

Although their first-round pick never lived up to the expectation, the Warriors made up for it in the second round. With the No. 40 overall selection, the Golden State Warriors landed Monta Ellis out of Lanier High School in Mississippi.

In his rookie season, Ellis averaged 6.8 points on 41.5 from the field. The high school product added 2.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.

Watch highlights from his rookie year via YouTube:

With his numbers doubling in his sophomore season, Ellis quickly skyrocketed to a fan favorite in the Bay Area. In his second year, the Mississippi State commit averaged 16.5 points and 4.1 assists per contest.

Alongside Baron Davis and Jason Richardson in 2007, Ellis brought home the NBA’s Most Improved Player award. The explosive shooting guard was instrumental in Golden State’s “We Believe” campaign against the Dallas Mavericks. Ellis earned a bid to the NBA’s Rookie versus Sophomore game at All-Star Weekend.

Outside of Bogut and Ellis, other notable members of the 2005 draft class included Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Danny Granger, Nate Robinson, David Lee and fellow second-round pick Lou Williams.

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Warriors vs. Cavs listed in Bleacher Report’s ‘Biggest Rivalries of Every NBA Decade’

After facing off in four consecutive NBA Finals, the Warriors vs. Cavaliers earned a spot in Bleacher Report’s ‘Biggest Rivalries of Every NBA Decade.’

While it doesn’t have the fame of the Boston Celtics versus the Los Angeles Lakers or the Chicago Bulls against the New York Knicks, the Golden State Warriors built a steady rivalry with one Eastern Conference foe. After becoming the first NBA team to meet in four consecutive Finals, it’s fair to say the Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers held a memorable rivalry.

From 2015 to 2018, the Warriors faced off with the LeBron James led Cavs in the NBA Championship. Golden State bested Cleveland in three of the four Finals. To start the rivalry, the darling Golden State Warriors cemented their place at the top of the NBA pyramid with a win over Cleveland in the 2015 Finals.

In 2016, Cleveland put together a historic run to the title against a record-breaking Golden State squad. After blitzing to a 73-9 regular season campaign, the Warriors jumped out to a 3-1 lead against the Cavaliers in the Finals. James and Kyrie Irving stormed back to an improbable comeback in seven games to fuel the rivalry.

Adding more firepower to the clash, Golden State went on to add Kevin Durant alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala. With Durant on board, the Warriors went on to win back-to-back championships against Cleveland.

According to Bleacher Report, the Warriors battles against the Cavaliers ranked as the biggest rivalry of the 2010 decade.

Via @BleacherReport on Twitter:

Golden State’s feud with James Harden and the Houston Rockets were also considered in Bleacher Report’s rivalry rankings. When it came to individual contests, the matchups of James against Durant and Curry versus Kawhi Leonard made the cut.

With Curry and Thompson on the road back to the court and James linked alongside Anthony Davis in Los Angeles, Golden State could work their way towards another rivalry with a team led by the King.

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Sixers release statement regarding racial post involving dance team

The Philadelphia 76ers released a statement involving a racial allegation from a former dancer.

Late on Tuesday night, a social media post by a former Philadelphia 76ers dancer caused a stir over Instagram and Twitter as it included some racial accusations against other members of the dance team.

Yahne Coleman, a Black dancer on the team who left in 2013, posted on Instagram that she was racially profiled against by other white members of the team. She claimed that her pictures would be made fun of in the group chat, they would move her belongings to a bathroom stall for her to get ready, and they would threaten her safety. For more detail of what was said, the Instagram post is here.

The Sixers then released a statement that they will be investigating and looking into the matter. They added that the remarks are unacceptable and that they remain committed to creating a culture of inclusion.

This is a bad look on the dance team at the moment and the team’s managing group of Josh Harris and David Blitzer will have some work to do to ensure that this matter gets solved. [lawrence-related id=33789,33782,33770]

Vote for your favorite hotels and resorts across America

Help us choose America’s best hotels, resorts and resort amenities by choosing your favorites across 15 categories. Voting ends on Monday, July 27 at noon ET, and you can vote once per day, per category.

Note from 10Best: Someday, we’ll all be ready to pack our suitcases again and head out on our next adventures. In the meantime, we’ll keep supporting the places that inspire us. Please check individual hotel websites for the latest updates.

A quick glance at travel expenses from your last trip will likely reveal that one of the biggest line items is accommodation. A hotel is typically a travel necessity, but it’s also a whole lot more than just a place to stow your bags, take a shower and catch some ZZZs.

Hotels around the country are competing for travel dollars by offering a variety of amenities and creature comforts, ensuring that your time spent there is an enjoyable and relaxing part of your vacation or business trip. Some have even become destinations in their own right.

So, we need your help with crowning the winners in 15 categories for our sixth annual 10Best Readers’ Choice Hotel awards.

Click on each category below to vote:

Best All-Inclusive Resort

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We’re not sure which is more appealing: being in a stunningly beautiful place, or not having to think about money once you arrive. The combo of the two is a winning recipe for a relaxing vacation.

Vote: Best All-Inclusive Resort »

Best Budget-Friendly Hotel Brand

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Hotels are often one of the biggest expenses when it comes to travel, but you shouldn’t have to blow through your budget or stay in a drab, personality-less room in order to save. These 20 hotel brands combine affordable rates, lots of amenities and frequent freebies to set the scene for a comfortable and wallet-friendly stay—whether for business or pleasure.

Vote: Best Budget-Friendly Hotel Brand »

Best Destination Resort

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Sometimes a hotel is simply a place to lay your head at night, and sometimes it’s a destination in its own right. Each of these 20 U.S. resorts, chosen by a panel of 10Best travel experts, is totally travel-worthy, complete with plush accommodations, world-class dining, relaxing spa treatments and a host of indoor and outdoor activities: a complete vacation in a single package.

Vote: Best Destination Resort »

Best Eco-Friendly Hotel

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As Kermit the Frog once said, “It’s not easy being green,” but these 20 U.S. hotels have gone above and beyond to promote environmental sustainability. Along the way, they’ve earned certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) by the U.S. Green Building Council or other industry awards in sustainability.

Vote: Best Eco-Friendly Hotel »

Best Family Resort

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These 20 American resorts cater to families with a host of awesome amenities, including programming just for kids, childproofed rooms (with multiple bedrooms), gourmet dining with child-approved kids’ menus and access to such essentials as cribs and baby swings while on the road.

Vote: Best Family Resort »

Best Historic Hotel

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In today’s travel landscape dotted with sparkling new resorts and ultra-modern skyscraper hotels, a bit of history is often welcome. Each of these classic lodgings – nominated for the title of Best Historic Hotel by a panel of hotel experts – has witnessed a great deal of history, and each has held true to its historic roots and unique sense of place.

Vote: Best Historic Hotel »

Best Hotel Bar

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Pull up a stool, and look over our nominees for Best Hotel Bar. These 20 bars win big for their ambiance, stellar mixologists, signature cocktails, food menus and happy hours, and at most of them, you don’t have to be a guest to enjoy.

Vote: Best Hotel Bar »

Best Hotel Pool

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For many travelers, especially during these hot summer months, the quality of a pool can make or break a hotel stay. Book one of these 20 hotels, nominated as having the best hotel pools in the nation, and your stay is sure to be a memorable one.

Vote: Best Hotel Pool »

Best Hotel Restaurant

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Some of America’s best restaurants helmed by talented and often award-winning chefs can be found within hotels and resorts from coast to coast.

Vote: Best Hotel Restaurant »

Best Hotel Spa

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Turn your vacation dial to “Bliss.” Traveling can be stressful, whether you’re on vacation or hitting the road for business. If you’re in need of a little pampering, you’ll find it at these 20 blissful hotel spas, nominated by a panel of hotel and wellness experts for the quality of their facilities, treatments and service.

Vote: Best Hotel Spa »

Best Luxury Hotel Brand

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Luxury travelers have more choices than ever before when it comes to accommodations. When you book a stay at one of these high-end hotel brands with properties in the U.S., you can expect impeccable service and extreme comfort no matter what city you’re staying in.

Best Pet Friendly Hotel

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A family vacation isn’t complete without your four-legged friends, but finding pet-friendly accommodations isn’t always easy. 10Best teamed up with a panel of hotel experts to nominate the 20 top pet-friendly hotels in the U.S.

Vote: Best Pet Friendly Hotel »

Best Romantic Hotel

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The atmosphere of a hotel can make or break a romantic getaway. These properties offer couples an intimate escape, whether in the heart of a big city or a more rural region, complete with the best modern amenities and bespoke service.

Vote: Best Romantic Hotel »

Best Waterfront Hotel

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Whether by a lake or the sea, there’s something special about vacationing on the waterfront. Nominated by a panel of hotel and travel experts, each of these waterfront properties sets the scene for a memorable and relaxing vacation.

Vote: Best Waterfront Hotel »

Best Wellness Retreat / Resort

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Who says vacationing has to be unhealthy? The growing popularity of wellness retreats and resorts in the U.S. is testament to our growing interest in fitness and longevity, even while traveling.

Vote: Best Wellness Retreat / Resort »

Remember, you can vote once per day in each category. The 10 nominees with the most votes in each category will be announced on 10best.com on Friday, August 7.

10Best is a part of the USA TODAY Network, providing an authentically local point of view on destinations around the world, in addition to travel and lifestyle advice.