Month: January 2021

Georgia track star Matthew Boling sprints back to glory

UGA track star Matthew Boling continues to shine

Matthew Boling, the lightning-fast Georgia track sophomore, is already off to a roll in the 2021 season.

Boling continues to dominate on the indoor circuit, while looking to break more records in the spring outdoor season after COVID-19 cut last year short.

Take a look at this incredible clip.

Wow!

Rockets at Thunder: Lineups, injury reports, and broadcast info for Monday

This will be the first meeting between Oklahoma City and Houston since Game 7 of their first-round series in the 2020 playoffs.

When the Houston Rockets last played the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of their 2020 first-round playoff series, then-rookie Lu Dort was widely viewed as a defensive stopper but an offensive liability.

As it turned out, Dort scored 30 points in that Game 7 and nearly knocked the Rockets out of the playoffs. Now, in his second NBA season, Dort has built upon that Game 7 breakout and is Oklahoma City’s second-leading scorer, averaging 12.9 points in 29.1 minutes per game. His 3-point shooting is also up, from 29.7% last season to 38.1% in 2020-21.

Dort’s evolution into a legitimate “3&D” wing is a big part of why the Thunder (8-10) have remained competitive in the Western Conference — even after losing veterans Chris Paul, Danilo Gallinari, Dennis Schroder, and Steven Adams in the offseason and appearing to enter a rebuild.

Similarly, when the Rockets agreed to trade away franchise icon James Harden on Jan. 13, many expected Houston to begin a rebuild of its own. Instead, the Rockets have gone 6-3 since, and they’re currently on a season-long winning streak of five games. Houston’s defense has risen from No. 22 in net rating when Harden was on the roster to one of the league’s elite in the nine games following his departure.

On offense, Christian Wood was again the biggest story in Houston’s latest victory on Saturday. In only 27 minutes, Wood scored 27 points in New Orleans on 11-of-13 shooting (84.6%). Head coach Stephen Silas referred to the 25-year-old as an “emerging star,” and it’s easy to see why the athletic big man could become an All-Star in a few weeks.

https://embed.sendtonews.com/oembed/?SC=sZh2MWjV1t-1132265-7498&format=json&offsetx=0&offsety=0&floatwidth=400&floatposition=bottom-right&float=on

[lawrence-related id=44345,44293]

With both squads intent on proving their skeptics wrong, here’s when you should tune in to see Monday’s game from Chesapeake Energy Arena:

  • Date: Monday, Feb. 1
  • Time: 7:00 p.m. Central
  • TV Channel: AT&T SportsNet Southwest
  • Live stream: fuboTV (watch for free in Houston markets)

Probable starting lineups

Houston Rockets (9-9)

  • Guard: John Wall
  • Guard: Victor Oladipo
  • Forward: Jae’Sean Tate
  • Forward: PJ Tucker
  • Center: Christian Wood

Oklahoma City Thunder (8-10)

  • Guard: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
  • Guard: Luguentz Dort
  • Forward: Théo Maledon
  • Forward: Darius Bazley
  • Center: Al Horford

The Rockets and Thunder will play again in the same arena on Wednesday night, as part of the NBA’s plan to minimize travel for teams during the 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Houston is likely to be without a key reserve in both games, with defensive ace David Nwaba sidelined by a left ankle sprain. Meanwhile, the Thunder are without George Hill (right thumb sprain); Ty Jerome (left ankle sprain), and former Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (not with team).

The Thunder enter with two wins in their last three games, having registered impressive road victories at Portland and at Phoenix. As expected, Gilgeous-Alexander — viewed around the league as a rising star — leads the upstart group in points (21.9) and assists (6.4).

This post originally appeared on Rockets Wire. Follow us on Facebook!

[lawrence-related id=44341]

https://embed.sendtonews.com/oembed/?SC=8P0XWiD8jM-1128320-7498&format=json&offsetx=0&offsety=0&floatwidth=400&floatposition=bottom-right&float=on

[listicle id=44315]

Projecting the Vikings’ compensatory draft picks for 2021

See the Minnesota Vikings’ projected compensatory draft picks for the upcoming 2021 NFL draft.

Minnesota already has 10 draft picks for the 2021 NFL draft and due to compensatory picks, more could be on the way.

According to Over The Cap, Minnesota is projected to receive a fourth-round pick and a sixth-round pick for compensatory selections (H/T Daily Norseman).

On account of Trae Waynes’ free agency departure last offseason, Minnesota is projected to receive the fourth-round pick. Mackensie Alexander leaving leads to the Vikings getting the projected sixth-round pick.

Minnesota has another important draft coming up, with certain key veterans possibly being cap casualties this offseason. Like Justin Jefferson and Cameron Dantzler, there should be some rookies who may jump right into a starting role for the upcoming season.

The more draft picks, the better chance the Vikings have of landing game-changing talent. Compensatory picks would certainly help.

Dustin Poirier relishes target after Conor McGregor win, will step back until best option emerges

Dustin Poirier isn’t looking to fast play anything with his fighting career after scoring a signature victory over Conor McGregor at UFC 257.

[autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] isn’t looking to fast play anything with his fighting career after scoring a signature victory over Conor McGregor at UFC 257.

Poirier (27-6 MMA, 19-5 UFC) redeemed one of the most noteworthy losses of his career in his rematch with McGregor (22-5 MMA, 10-3 UFC) earlier this month. He scored a second-round TKO of the former two-division champion on “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi, and now the future appears to be very bright for him.

In the aftermath of the fight, Poirier has been the center of attention in the lightweight division. McGregor’s team has expressed interest in a rematch, Nate Diaz said he wants to reschedule their scratched matchup from UFC 230 in November 2018. Michael Chandler has pitched the idea of a vacant lightweight title bout, as has Charles Oliveira. And Tony Ferguson also wants a piece of “The Diamond.”

Poirier said he enjoys everyone is coming for him, and he’s well aware that he’s currently the man at 155 pounds.

“I’ve got a target on my back,” Poirier told MMA Junkie on Sunday. “(I’m a former) interim world champion, I just knocked out Conor McGregor, and now I’m No. 1 and the only person above me, (Khabib Nurmagomedov), might never fight again. People want to climb that ladder, and in order to do that, you’ve got to beat the guys at the top. You’ve got to beat the next guys in line, so I understand why the target is on my back, and I wear it proudly.

“I am the uncrowned lightweight champ. If Khabib’s out, I am the best in the division. Former interim world champion, former title challenger. I just took out a two-division former world champion. I am the champ. I know that.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGPafoBKkEw

The only thing that differentiates Poirier’s word from the reality of the situation is that he doesn’t have ownership of the UFC lightweight title. That still belongs to Nurmagomedov, who seemingly has closed the door on making a return to the octagon after retiring from MMA following his title defense against Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in October.

UFC president Dana White said post-fight at UFC 257 he likes the idea of a vacant title bout between Poirier and Chandler, a former Bellator champion who made a memorable debut the same night against Dan Hooker before Poirier stopped McGregor. Poirier immediately shot that down after the fight, citing his opinion Chandler hasn’t done enough under the UFC banner to warrant the opportunity.

Poirier thinks Oliveira, who is riding an eight-fight winning streak in the division, is a different story, though. But if the UFC doesn’t want to move forward with more sensible options, Poirier said he’ll pull himself out of the equation.

“I want to be the world champion, and Charles is a guy that’s paid his dues,” Poirier said. “He’s earned where he’s at, no doubt about it. Let him and Chandler fight for the belt. If they want Chandler in there for the title, and he’s calling for the title. Let them fight for the belt. I’ll take a step back and just watch.”

[lawrence-related id=585175,585077,585005,584378]

The possibility of a trilogy fight with McGregor is something Poirier doesn’t rule out either, he said. The perks of that fight are obvious, from exposure to financial gain. Despite his team coming out in favor of a third matchup, McGregor hasn’t said anything beyond his immediate post-fight comments, when he said it was something of interest.

What Poirier does know, however, is that he hasn’t been contacted directly about anything. And until then, nothing is real.

“It’s tough to call,” Poirier said. “I don’t know what they’re saying behind closed doors. And I haven’t been reached out yet by the UFC or by Conor’s management about the trilogy fight. So I’m not sure what’s going to happen. I haven’t been reached out to the UFC about anything.”

So until the UFC brings Poirier a matchup he deems worth his time and energy, he’s not jumping to push for anything definitive. All that’s on his mind now is the immediate plan of taking his wife, Jolie, and daughter, Parker, on vacation.

“The future is bright, for sure,” Poirier said. “I haven’t even really thought about it that far. Might go on a snow trip with my wife and my daughter in a couple of weeks. That’s what next.”

[vertical-gallery id=427270]

Georgia basketball travels to Auburn for tough test

Georgia basketball travels to The Plains of Auburn

Tuesday, the Georgia men’s basketball team will travels to The Plains for a tough game at Auburn.

The Bulldogs got blown out by Auburn just a few weeks ago in Athens, but will look to reverse course down on The Plains this time around.

Star point-guard Shariffe Cooper leads Bruce Pearl’s bunch into the matchup as a heavy favorite, though the Dawgs are coming off a big win over Ole Miss in Athens.

With a win, Georgia can re-ignite its NCAA Tournament hopes. However, a loss would all but eliminate the Dawgs without winning the SEC, due to a lack of quality wins on the season and too many losses.

The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network Tuesday at 7:00 PM.

Jamal Adams’ surgery, Chad Wheeler’s arrest and other Seahawks news

A look at the stories Arizona Cardinals fans should know about the Seattle Seahawks from the last week.

We wrap up our weekly trip around the NFC West to see what is happening with the Arizona Cardinals’ division rivals with the Seattle Seahawks. There has not been nearly as much going on with them as with the 49ers or Rams, but there are still notable stories for Cardinals fans to know.


Georgia baseball receives another low rank in SEC baseball vote

Georgia baseball receives low ranking in SEC atmosphere poll by Southern Slams Baseball

The Georgia baseball team will begin its 2021 season on February 19th in Athens.

However, the offseason polls and articles have not been too kind to the Dawgs.

Southern Slams Baseball, which covers the sport across the South, ranked the Bulldogs No. 11 in the SEC for their uniform list.

Now, the brand has announced that Georgia also falls quite low in its best atmosphere poll for the conference. Now, before turning your anger to the folks at Southern Slams, remember that this was voted on by fans across the nation.

Arkansas took home the top honors of the poll, while Texas A&M and Mississippi State gave it a great run.

The full list can be viewed here: 

Chargers 2021 NFL Draft Target: Texas OT Samuel Cosmi

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez breaks down former Texas offensive tackle Samuel Cosmi.

Over the next couple of months, we are going to be taking a look at a handful of draft prospects leading up into the 2021 NFL Draft. With the Chargers having needs at various positions, we will do our best to evaluate the players that we feel fit the team precisely.

Today, we are taking a look at Texas offensive tackle Samuel Cosmi.

Vitals

Height | 6-7

Weight | 309

College Bio Page

One-Liner

Due to his length, natural balance, athleticism, and movement skills, Cosmi has a very high ceiling, but his pass-blocking technique will need to improve and he will need to get stronger and put more muscle mass on his body.

Highlights

Strengths

Moldable frame with long arms.

NFL-level athleticism. Balanced in his set-up and initial movements.

Uses length to his advantage to initiate contact when he wants. Relies on his reach to meet rushers and maintain spacing.

Coordinated feet, able to transition smoothly laterally, with blocking range to take out defenders at the second level and on the perimeter.

Drives his legs to uproot defenders as a run blocker.

Physical mind-set and always looking for someone to block.

Smart and quickly picks up defenders on delayed blitzes and combo blocks.

Versatility to play both tackle spots (14 games at right tackle, 21 at left tackle).

Weaknesses

Room to add more bulk and get stronger. Needs to develop his upper and lower half to strengthen his anchor.

Technique in lower half is a work-in-progress. Rushers take advantage of his leaning and overeager pass-sets.

Inconsistent hand/punch timing, allowing rushers to cross his face and get into his chest.

Pad level tends to rise at contact, allowing defenders to get underneath him.

Chargers Fit

Cosmi projects as a starting right tackle in his rookie season with the capability of becoming a full-time starter at left tackle once he becomes a more polished lineman and gains more mass. That’s unless the team is completely comfortable of allowing him to protect the blindside in Year 1.

Projected Round: Top-20