Month: June 2024

Where Penn State ranks in ESPN’s first FPI rankings for 2024

ESPN predicts Penn State being among the highest-ranked teams in college football in its preseason FPI ratings.

Coming off a 10-3 season in 2023 and with high hopes in the new era of college football, Penn State continues to draw some national respect in the preseason polls and rankings. Already labeled a preseason top-10 team by Athlon Sports, the Nittany Lions are now receiving a top-10 ranking from ESPN’s own metric, the Football Power Index (or the FPI for short). ESPN updated its FPI for the 2024 college football season this weekend, and Penn State is looking to start the season with a top-10 ranking.

ESPN ranks Penn State at no. 6 in its updated FPI rankings for 2024. Despite the lofty ranking, Penn State is still the third-highest-ranked team in the Big Ten. Newcomer Oregon is no. 2 in the FPI rankings and popular preseason Big Ten favorite Ohio State is ranked no. 4.

The top team in ESPN’s FPI rankings is Georgia, of the SEC. Incoming SEC member Texas is ranked no. 3 between Oregon and Ohio State, and Alabama comes in at no. 5 between the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions. Defending Big Ten and national champion Michigan is ranked no. 12 as the next highest-ranked Big Ten team after Penn State.

According to ESPN’s FPI projections, Penn State is expected to win 10 games this season (10.1 is the official mathematical prediction of ESPN’s FPI metric). Penn State has a 7.1% chance of going undefeated and a 99.1% chance of meeting the bowl eligibility minimum of six wins. ESPN’s FPI predicts Penn State has a 22.2% chance of winning the Big Ten and a 59.1% chance of making the new 12-team College Football Playoff bracket.

When it comes to winning it all, something Penn State has not officially been recognized for doing since beating Miami in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl, the FPI gives Penn State a 13.3% chance of reaching the national championship game and a 6.6% chance of winning the national championship.

So you’re telling me there’s a chance.

You can see ESPN’s full FPI rankings to see where other schools rank in the preseason FPI ratings.

Follow Kevin McGuire on Threads, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X, Facebook, and Threads.

Watch: Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald breaks down different pressures

Watch: Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald breaks down different pressures

Aside from former Michigcan head coach Jim Harbaugh, easily the most sought after coaching candidate was Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. The Seattle Seahawks, suddenly in the market for a new head coach, were patient and waited until after the conference championship games to snag Macdonald.

Fortunately, their patience was a virtue as Macdonald became the ninth head coach in franchise history. Lauded as a defensive guru and teacher of the game, it is clear the Seahawks brought him in to finally fix their pourus defense. But what kind of teacher is he? Well, we at Seahawks Wire thought it would be prudent to show everyone a glimpse of what he is like.

Below is a video from a Ravens fan YouTube page where he is breaking down pressures. The five-minute video is below and is well worth a watch!

 

It is going to be hard for fans to not be excited to see what Macdonald can do for Seattle’s defense. We will get a first look in Week 1 as the Seahawks take on Sean Payton and Bo Nix’ Denver Broncos at Lumen Field.

More Seahawks Wire stories

Sam Howell says Seattle was one of his preferred destinations

200 seconds of Devon Witherspoon rookie highlights

Seahawks projections for 8 key offensive players in 2024

ESPN ranks all 32 teams’ safety units after the 2024 NFL draft

ESPN ranks all 32 teams’ corner units after the 2024 NFl draft

Drake Maye’s throws caught this standout Patriots defender’s attention

Drake Maye is making an early impression on the Patriots defense as well

The quarterback room competition should be a lot more interesting this year for the New England Patriots. Jacoby Brissett is an underrated veteran playing in a familiar offense, and Drake Maye’s potential is leaps and bounds above anything the Patriots have seen in years.

Safety Jabrill Peppers, who emerged as one of the best players on the defense last season, has witnessed all of it in person on the practice field. When asked about Maye by media members, the standout defender claimed the rookie has made some throws that grabbed his attention.

“The arm talent is definitely there. I seen him make some throws and I was like, ‘That’s a hell of a throw right there,'” Peppers said, while nodding his head in approval. “Coby [Brissett] as well. Of course, Joe. I was happy he’s doing his thing as well. It’s going to be interesting, man, and I’m definitely excited to keep competing against those guys.”

Maye stole headlines when a clip of his no-look pass completion hit social media.

Granted, the team isn’t practicing in pads, and this is only OTAs work. With that said, guys are still on the field competing for their jobs and future roster spots. So it isn’t like he’s throwing against statues, either.

Brissett has also stood out as a legitimate starting option for the Patriots. He has everything you’d expect from a veteran quarterback with plenty of experience at the NFL level.

Rookie Joe Milton III and Bailey Zappe being added to the mix ensures a must-see quarterback competition for New England over the summer.

Top 2025 women’s basketball prospect includes Duke in her final three options

Lara Somfai, a top-40 women’s basketball prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, will decide between Stanford, UConn, and the Blue Devils.

According to a Saturday report from 247Sports’ Dushawn London, the Blue Devils remain in contention for a top 2025 women’s basketball talent.

Lara Somfai, a four-star prospect, shared with London that she is deciding between the Blue Devils, Stanford, and the Connecticut Huskies.

Somfai, despite hailing from Australia, plays for IMG Academy in Florida. A 6-foot-4 forward, she is the 33rd overall prospect in the 2025 HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings.

Somfai didn’t guarantee she’ll play for one of the three programs, saying she could let more schools in the mix if she doesn’t feel right, but the Blue Devils, Huskies, and Cardinal have her attention as of now.

London’s article added that Somfai already visited the Huskies, and she’ll visit both of the other two programs in contention before making any decisions on her commitment.

Should Kara Lawson land Somfai, she would be the first top-60 commit in Duke’s 2025 class. Only a third of those recruits have committed to a school, however, so the Blue Devils have time to build a powerful class.

Oregon baseball given overwhelming odds to win Santa Barbara Regional

The Oregon Ducks have overwhelming odds to win the Santa Barbara regional and advance to the Super Regionals.

The Oregon Ducks baseball team defied odds so far and won their first two games in the Santa Barbara Regional, beating San Diego and Santa Barbara in dramatic fashion to advance to the Regional Final.

On Friday afternoon, center fielder Bryce Boettcher hit a go-ahead homerun in the top of the 11th inning to send the Tritons into the loser’s bracket, and then a dominant pitching performance on Saturday night let Oregon squeak past the Gauchos.

Now, the Ducks will face a rematch against one of the two teams in the final on Sunday night, and according to the latest simulation odds from college sports analyst Parker Fleming, they have an overwhelming chance to get to the super regionals.

As a result of winning their first two games, the Ducks are in an advantageous position, as they can still lose a game and stay alive thanks to the double-elimination nature of the tournament. However, it will only take one win on Sunday night to advance to the Super Regionals.

San Diego and Santa Barbara play at noon on ESPNU, and the winner will go on to face Oregon in the regional final at 6 p.m. Should the Ducks lose that game, the final will take place on Monday.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Updated first pitch time in Knoxville Regional

An updated first pitch time has been announced on Sunday for the Knoxville Regional.

The third day of the NCAA Tournament Knoxville Regional will be contested on Sunday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

No. 2 seed Southern Miss will face No. 3 seed Indiana in an elimination game at 12:36 p.m. EDT and can be watched on ESPN+. The contest between the Golden Eagles and Hoosiers was originally scheduled for noon EDT.

Tennessee announced that a first pitch time for the Vols’ game against the winner between Indiana and Southern Miss will remain at 6 p.m. EDT. Television information for the Vols’ game on Sunday has not been determined.

PHOTOS: Tennessee baseball advances to Knoxville Regional championship game

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

WNBA upgrades Chennedy Carter’s foul on Caitlin Clark to Flagrant 1

It’s been upgraded to a Flagrant 1.

After a league review, the WNBA has upgraded Chennedy Carter’s away-from-the-play foul on Caitlin Clark to a flagrant one. Per CBS Sports’ Jack Maloney, Carter will not be fined.

During Saturday’s 71-70 Indiana Fever win over the Chicago Sky, Carter body checked Clark just before the end of the third quarter. Carter slammed into Clark after the Sky guard had connected on a jumper and before Aliyah Boston could toss an inbounds pass to Clark.

At the time, it was assessed as an away-from-the-play foul and Clark and the Fever were awarded one free throw.

Clark sank it, and that ultimately proved the game-winning point in the Fever’s second win of the season and its first home victory of the 2024 campaign.

WNBA fans had a wide range of reactions to the hard foul. Many believed it was an reflection of the league’s jealousy of Clark.

During the ESPN telecast, Clark was interviewed before the fourth quarter and she commented on the sequence.

“Yeah, that’s just not a basketball play,” Clark said. “But you know, I’ve gotta play through it, that’s what basketball is about at this level.”

Afterward, Carter refused to comment on it.

“I ain’t answering no Caitlin Clark questions. I don’t know what she said. I didn’t say anything,” Carter told reporters.

Clark had a chance after the win to sound off again.

“It is what it is,” Clark said. “I feel like I’m just at the point where you accept it and don’t retaliate. … I’m trying not to let it bother me.”

Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides applauded Clark’s professionalism in her postgame media press conference on Saturday.

“We’re just going to keep sending these possessions to the league, and these plays, and hopefully they’ll start, you know, taking a better look at some of the things that we see happening, or we think is happening.

“Just more happy that Caitlin handled it the way she did. You know, it’s tough to keep getting hammered the way she does and to not get rewarded with free throws or foul calls. She’s continued to fight through that. Appreciate that from her. Really, really proud of her for doing that,” Sides said.

Then, Sides took to X to really defend Clark and make her point to the WNBA.

“This is unacceptable WNBA. When will the consistent complaints be heard?!? Something has to be done!” Sides posted on X.

The Fever return to action on Sunday at the New York Liberty in a game that will be televised on NBA TV.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions.

Follow Josh on X: @JoshOnREF

Cardinals get a bunch more cap space

The release of D.J. Humphries finally takes effect and the Cardinals now have over $35 million in cap space.

It is June 2. The Arizona Cardinals suddenly have a lot more space under the salary cap.

Why?

It is because finally the contract of tackle D.J. Humphries, who was released in March, has come off the books.

Humphries was scheduled to count $22.9 million against the cap this year. He tore his ACL at the end of the season and was not going to be able to play for almost all, if any, of the 2024 season. Arizona released him with two years remaining on his deal.

With a normal release, the remaining bonus proration that had not yet been counted against the salary cap would have accelerated all to 2023. The Cardinals would have saved about $9 million in cap space but would have carried a $13.8 million dead money charge to the cap.

Instead, they released Humphries with a post-June 1 designation, meaning the dead money could be split over two years. As a result, they carried the $22.9 million cap charge for his contract through June 1. Now, they gain nearly $16 million in cap space and carry a dead money charge of $6.9 million in 2024 and again in 2025.

According to Over the Cap as of June 2, the Cardinals have the fourth-most cap space in the league with $35.5 million.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

 

The WNBA fined Angel Reese and the Sky for not complying with media availability after loss to Fever

Angel Reese wasn’t available for interviews after the game.

Going into Saturday’s game between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever, the biggest storyline was the meeting of some of the best players from the 2024 rookie class. It was the first pro game between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, and also the debut of Kamilla Cardoso.

By the end of the game, the focus had shifted away from Chicago’s rookies and centered on Chennedy Carter’s hip check on Clark, which she refused to answer questions about after the game.

However, while Carter at least made herself available for questions, Reese didn’t. As a result, the WNBA fined her $1,000. Additionally, the Sky were fined $5,000 for failing to ensure all players complied with media policies.

It’s hard to completely blame Reese for not wanting to answer questions, knowing much of the focus would have likely been about Clark — especially given Reese’s reaction to Carter’s hip check. And dating back to her time at LSU, Reese has probably answered more questions about Clark than any other player not named Caitlin Clark.

At the same time, this is a part of her new responsibility as professional, so she has to do it. When she doesn’t, this is the result.

Potential No. 1 pick Alex Sarr reveals goals to begin NBA career

Sarr has emerged as one of the top international prospects and potential top pick wants to make an immediate impact at the next level.

Alexandre Sarr has emerged as one of the top international prospects in the 2024 NBA draft, and the potential No. 1 pick wants to make an immediate impact at the next level.

Sarr, who was born in France, brings plenty of experience after beginning his career with the Real Madrid junior team at the age of 14. He then spent two years at Overtime Elite before signing with the Perth Wildcats in the National Basketball League.

The 7-footer averaged 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks on 52% shooting from the field in 27 games with the Wildcats. He scored in double figures 14 times, including a season-high 18 points, five blocks and two rebounds on Jan. 26 against the S.E. Melbourne Phoenix.

Sarr, speaking on “Podcast P with Paul George” presented by Wave Sports + Entertainment, believes that professional experience will help his transition to the NBA.

I want to make an impact the first day I get there. Obviously, there are going to be some learning moments. There are going to be some bad games probably. I feel like I kind of already went through it and know how to get through it.

Sarr established himself as one of the top prospects after dazzling in two preseason games against the G League Ignite, averaging 21.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, six blocks and two assists. He continued to perform at a high level in the NBL and remained atop draft boards throughout the season.

The Frenchman is highly touted for his ability to protect the paint and block shots with his 7-foot, 4 1/4-inch wingspan. He has an evolving offensive game and has drawn some comparisons to Giannis Antetokounmpo with his size, skill set and ability in the open court.

Sarr saw the success that Victor Wembanyama saw this past season and wants to follow in his footsteps. He wants to affect games just as Wembanyama did.

I want to make an impact as much as he did in the league. I think what he did this year, he met the expectations that were given to him. It is really inspiring. He makes me think about the (French) national team 2-3 years from now and it is exciting.

He has some competition to be the first player selected by the Atlanta Hawks on June 26. Fellow countryman Zaccharie Risacher is also in contention, as the Hawks are reportedly considering both players. But Sarr likely won’t fall past the Washington Wizards at No. 2.

Sarr cited his versatility on both ends of the court and ability to play in any system as key reasons why he should be the top pick by the Hawks. He also feels as though his offensive game is underrated after being limited some in the NBL.

With much of the predraft process left to play out, Sarr is focused on preparing himself to make the jump to the NBA and his goal to become a franchise cornerstone with his next team.

“I (want to be a) part of a winning team in five years, having that established around me,” Sarr said. “Individually, I would say probably winning Rookie of the Year, getting All-Star appearances (and) making All-NBA teams maybe in 3-4 years.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=650262612]