Month: June 2024

Washington has No. 13 hardest schedule in 2024 according to ESPN’s FPI

The Washington Huskies have one of the nation’s toughest schedules according to ESPN’s FPI.

The Big Ten is going to present a fair share of challenges for the Washington Huskies in their first season in the new conference, and among them is a tougher schedule.

ESPN’s Football Power Index, or FPI, is defined as “a measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of a team’s performance going forward for the rest of the season. FPI represents how many points above or below average a team is.”

ESPN also uses FPI to rank each of the 134 FBS teams’ strength of schedule and projects the Huskies will have the No. 13 hardest schedule in the country this season. That mark is good for the third-toughest in the Big Ten, behind Purdue at No. 11 and UCLA at No. 12.

In their inaugural season in the conference, coach Jedd Fisch’s team will play over half of its schedule against teams in the FPI’s top 50, which has the Oregon Ducks, who the Huskies will face on the road this year, as the Big Ten’s highest-ranked team at No. 2.

Also on Washington’s schedule are home games against the Michigan Wolverines (No. 12), USC Trojans (No. 18), and UCLA (No. 40). The Huskies will hit the road for matchups at Penn State (No. 6), Iowa (No. 37), and Rutgers (No. 45).

Novak Djokovic’s torn meniscus might mark the beginning of the end of his reign at the top of tennis

Father time is undefeated.

This is For The Win’s daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here. Have feedback? Leave your questions, comments and concerns through this brief reader survey! Now, here’s Mike Sykes.

Good morning, Winners! Thanks so much for tapping in with the Morning Win today. We appreciate you for taking the time here.

For the bulk of his career, Novak Djokovic has been superman on the court. He’s played through nagging injury after nagging injury. There was a time we thought his wrist would sideline him. Nope. Maybe that sore elbow? Nuh-uh. How about an abdominal injury? It’s fine.

He’s always been able to power through and come out on the other side victorious. That’s why how he got to where he is today. That’s why he’s arguably the greatest tennis player of all time.

Seeing him go down with a torn meniscus on Tuesday at Roland-Garros was a shock to the system.

He injured his right knee during his French Open match with Francisco Cerundolo. He played through the pain and won, but it’s unclear if any further damage was done. ESPN reports he will reportedly undergo surgery on Wednesday.

This makes the all-time Grand Slam leader’s future murky in both the long term and the short term.

Djokovic will miss Wimbledon, which begins July 1. There’s hope he’ll make it back for the Olympics, which is a big deal for him but he’ll be less than two months removed from a knee surgery at 37-years-old. We’ll see.

That’s exactly why his long-term outlook is questionable, too. He’s 37 years old! He’s still incredible, but it already felt like he lost a step this season when he lost to Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open earlier this year. He’ll lose his No. 1 ranking to Sinner, who now has a good chance at winning the French Open with Djokovic sidelined.

It’s hard to forecast how this will go for Djokovic. But it’s around this age when all the greats begin to struggle. We’ve seen how it’s gone for Rafael Nadal with injuries. Roger Federer was marred by injuries late in his career, too. Tennis is a grueling game. It takes a lot and it’s hard to do for such a long time.

Djokovic has been tough. He’s also been really lucky. At some point, that luck was probably going to run out.

I hate to say it, but there’s a good chance we’ve reached that point here.

JJ Redick plays it coy

(Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)

All signs seem to point to JJ Redick becoming the Lakers head coach after he finishes calling the NBA Finals with ESPN this year. The Athletic’s Shams Charania reports that LA is “zeroing in” on Redick as the guy.

Redick, though, is not giving any hints. He appeared on the Gojo and Golic show and said his focus is on the NBA Finals. That’s it and that’s all.

“My day-to-day right now is consumed with calling games, the 19 different podcasts I feel like I have, my obligation to all of our partners. So, my focus is on the NBA Finals. In terms of Shams [Charania], that will be addressed once the season is over. So, I’ll just say that.”

That’s a great answer from JJ. On one hand, yeah, it definitely sounds like a guy who is headed for LA after this season is over. On the other? There’s plausible deniability there! We’ll just have to wait and see.

But let’s not kid ourselves here. This is happening. The two names that came up the most in the Lakers coaching search have been Redick and Ty Lue. One of those dudes just signed an extension with the Clippers. The other is still offering up boilerplate answers to speculative coaching questions. The math isn’t that hard to do here.

Best of luck in LA, JJ. You’re going to need it.

The worst ejection ever

Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Looks like the WNBA Officials decided to take Angel Reese’s “bad guy” comments to heart.

The Chicago Sky rookie got two back-to-back technical fouls and an ejection for … seemingly nothing? Reese appeared to tell the official that a call was BS initially, which she got an initial tech for. But then she immediately got another one for simply waving the official off.

Yes, really.

Even the Liberty were surprised by this. It made no sense. Here’s a good take from our Cory Woodroof:

“While it’s possible she also said something to anger the ref after the first call, this is still an absurd way for Reese to be thrown out of the game … especially after, y’know, that whole hard foul situation went down over the weekend between Sky guard Chennedy Carter and Indiana Fever rookie guard Caitlin Clark.”

Be better, refs. Please. I’m begging you.

Quick hits: Please stop talking, Pat McAfee … An awesome Mariners rally video … and more

— Pat McAfee has to know when to fold ’em. Stop talking about Caitlin Clark, please. Cory has more here.

— Andrew Joseph has more on this amazing rally video from the Mariners that looked like a Microsoft Word doc.

— Jontay Porter amassed so much debt to his co-conspirators in his NBA betting scheme. This is insane. Prince Grimes has more.

— Happy birthday, Kate Martin! Sorry you missed the bus. Meg Hall has more.

— Speaking of Meg, here she is with all the cool WNBA storylines you missed while everyone lost their minds.

— Here are the five most hateful moments between Kyrie Irving and the Boston Celtics.

That’s a wrap, folks! Thanks so much for reading. I appreciate you! Have a fantastic Wednesday. We out. Peace.

-Sykes ✌️

Keenan Allen says Bears defense looks like a ‘top 5’ unit

New Bears WR Keenan Allen had high praise for Chicago’s defense.

New Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen practiced for the first time at Halas Hall on Tuesday to kick off mandatory minicamp, where he got his first glimpse of this Chicago defense.

As evidenced by last year’s training camp practices, the Bears defense — which returns most of its key starters from a year ago — is a vocal, boisterous group. And Allen experienced it firsthand.

The offense had its ups and downs during Tuesday’s practice, where they were solid during 11-on-11 and 7-on-7. But the defense dominated during both two-minute drills, forcing two three-and-outs. They definitely left an impression on Allen.

“They look like a top 5 defense,” he said. “They sound like a top 5 defense, too. Defenses are annoying, especially at practice. You just hear them every time they make a play. It’s hooray celebration. These guys are running up and down the sideline. So it’s annoying.

“Offense we get a first down. One guy just trots around. He comes back to the huddle. Everybody is like, ‘OK, what’s the next play?’ You don’t really see too much: ‘YEAHHHHHH!’ You don’t really get all that just because somebody did a rip-through and got back to the quarterback. So it is what it is. Their energy, the way they communicate, the way they get lined up,  definitely high-class.”

While the spotlight has been on rookie Caleb Williams and the offense this offseason, the defense is positioning itself to be a top unit in the NFL this season.

Despite a rough start to the 2023 season, Chicago finished the year as a top five defense. They return cornerstones cornerback Jaylon Johnson and defensive end Montez Sweat, one of the best linebacker groups with Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards and have a young secondary that could emerge as a top group in the league.

The offense is talented in its own right — with one of the league’s best receiver trios, a highly-touted rookie quarterback and other weapons — which should make for some entertaining battles this summer. In the end, iron sharpens iron.

Raiders LT Kolton Miller named among best NFL draft picks in last decade

Raiders LT Kolton Miller named among best NFL draft picks in last decade

In a recent article by Pro Football Focus, they took a look at the best picks at every spot in Round 1. At pick No. 15, they selected Kolton Miller, who has been one of the top left tackles in the NFL over the last several years. Here is what the site had to say about his career so far with Las Vegas:

The Raiders didn’t get many draft picks right during the Jon Gruden era, but Kolton Miller turned out to be a big hit. He has recorded single-season PFF blocking grades above 80.0 for each of the last three seasons.

There weren’t many other standouts to consider here, which means 2024 rookie Laiatu Latu has a chance to make a name for himself as the most recent No. 15 pick.

Miller was an incredible athlete coming out of UCLA, but he was far from a polished player. But Miller managed to improve his game every year with the Raiders and is now widely viewed as one of the top tackles in the league.

The Raiders certainly don’t have a ton of success stories when it comes to their Round 1 selections, but Miller is a massive hit. Here is to hoping that the Raiders can find more Kolton Millers in the NFL Draft for years to come.

Pony up to ‘Bama? Alabama football flips Keelon Russell from SMU

Keelon Russell is headed to Alabama.

Alabama football pulled off a big-time flip on Wednesday, landing quarterback Keelon Russell. The four-star had been committed to SMU before committing to the SEC juggernaut.

It is a big-time recruiting win for Alabama to not just land the consensus four-star recruit but to flip him from his hometown school.

247Sports has Russell as the No. 39 player in the nation in the 2025 class. According to ESPN, he is the top quarterback recruit in the class.

Baylor, Duke, Florida, Ole Miss, Oregon, TCU and Virginia Tech were all offers in what was a crowded recruitment for Russell.

For SMU, losing Russell stings. The starting quarterback at Duncanville High School (Duncanville, Texas), Russell played in SMU’s backyard. Duncanville finished sixth last season in the USA TODAY HSS Super 25.

Last year, Russell completed 74.1 percent of his passes for 3,267 yards. He had 35 touchdowns and three interceptions.

 

With the commitment of Russell, the Crimson Tide now have nine commitments. They now have the eighth-best recruiting class in the nation in the 247Sports rankings.

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Vikings GM: ‘Never a second in my mind’ Justin Jefferson extension wouldn’t get done

On Monday, the Vikings extended Justin Jefferson and gave him an extension and in Kwesi Aodofo-Mensah’s mind it was always happening.

On Monday, the Minnesota Vikings extended Justin Jefferson and gave him the richest contract to someone who doesn’t play the quarterback position. In the mind of General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, that was always going to be the end result.

Speaking at a press conference announcing the deal, Adofo-Mensah made it very clear that this deal and the future of Jefferson were never up in the air. He confirmed they never entertained any trade scenarios, while also stating that this process was never frustrating or prolonged. He explained it as a negotiation that started last offseason, took a break, and returned to it this offseason to finish it.

“There was never a second in my mind that we weren’t going to be here,” Adofo-Mensah said at the press conference.

Both he and Kevin O’Connell also acknowledged how special a player Justin Jefferson is. They know keeping him in a Vikings uniform is and was important, now, they do that for the next five years.

Husker linebacker target to give recruiting update on Wednesday

Last month, Dawson Merritt named Nebraska and Alabama as his two finalists. 

A highly-rated linebacker targeted by Nebraska is expected to give an update on his recruitment on Wednesday evening. Last month, Dawson Merritt named Nebraska and Alabama as his two finalists.

The prospect will live-stream a recruitment update and fan AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Wednesday, June 5 at 6:00 p.m. CT. Merritt plays for Blue Valley High School in Stilwell, Kansas. Last season, the four-star prospect recorded 83 tackles, 17 for loss, and seven sacks.

Merritt has told Chad Simmons of the On3 network that his close relationship with the Nebraska staff has played a significant role in Nebraska’s status as a finalist. He has even confirmed that he’s heard from a certain Nebraska quarterback.

“My relationship with that whole staff is different. I’m close to a lot of guys on the defensive staff. Me and Dylan Raiola have had a recent connection.”

Merritt officially visited Nebraska for the spring game at the end of April. He’s planning a visit to Tuscaloosa on June 7, with an announcement expected shortly afterward.

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

Terance Mann gives thoughts on Sixers target Paul George’s free agency

Los Angeles Clippers starter Terance Mann gave his thoughts on Philadelphia 76ers target Paul George’s free agency.

Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George is the top target of the Philadelphia 76ers in the upcoming free agency market. The Sixers will have a ton of cap space and need to add a wing player who can produce on both ends of the floor.

Therefore, George makes the most sense. He is coming off another All-Star season and Philadelphia has the money to throw at him. He would be a nice fit next to Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in order to seriously challenge the Boston Celtics in the East.

Clippers starter Terance Mann hopped on Fan Duel’s “Run it Back” and gave his thoughts on George’s free agency as he hopes PG-13 will be back in LA:

I hope so. You ever know with this free agency stuff, but I really hope so. I think we had a great chance this year if we were healthy. So I hope we get him back.

The Sixers will certainly make a big run and a big offer at George in free agency, but it’s hard to believe the Clippers will let him go. The two sides will continue to negotiate and try to get everybody on the same page and he will likely stay in LA.

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Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson left off top safeties list again

They are not included in Touchdown Wire’s list of the top 11 safeties in the NFL.

We have hit the part of the offseason in which lists and rankings rule the Internet. Touchdown Wire has begun its top players at each position series and began with safeties.

Doug Farrar ranked the top 11 safeties in the NFL and the list notably did not include either starting safety for the Arizona Cardinals — Budda Baker or Jalen Thompson.

Baker is coming off a slightly down year, playing in only 12 games last season, but he was selected to the Pro Bowl for the fifth consecutive season.

He consistently is recognized by coaches and players as one of the best safeties in the game but seemingly is left off every offseason ranking of the top safeties in the game.

He did not have an interception or a broken up pass last season, so this year might be the one when that makes the most sense.

Thompson has never cracked such a list, either, and that is after picking off four passes in 2023 and breaking up nine.

Of course, Thompson and Baker were the best defensive backs on one of the league’s worst pass defenses. Perhaps it makes sense.

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