Category: College sports

Bracketology: Clemson up to 5 seed in Joe Lunardi’s new projection

The Clemson Tigers are a No. 5 seed in the latest bracketology projections from ESPN’s Joe Lunardi.

Clemson has consistently been slotted in the Nos. 6-8 seeds of NCAA tournament projections by bracketologists in recent weeks.

The team’s recent three-game win streak before last weekend’s loss to NC State has bumped the Tigers up to a 5 seed in the latest bracketology projections from ESPN’s Joe Lunardi.

Lunardi’s new predictions have Clemson (17-8 overall, 7-7 ACC) facing projected Southern Conference champion Samford. The Bulldogs are 23-4 overall and 12-2 in conference play.

The projected 5 vs. 12 matchup would be held in Spokane, Washington, Lunardi forecasts. In the same Spokane region of the bracket with Clemson and Samford are projected No. 4 seed Creighton from the Big East and projected 13 seed UC Irvine of the Big West conference.

Similar to last week, Lunardi predicts that Clemson will be one of just four ACC schools that will make the NCAA tournament on Selection Sunday. ACC leader North Carolina (20-6, 12-3), Duke (20-5, 11-3), and Virginia (20-7, 11-5) are the other three projected ACC members who will make the field of 68 in Lunardi’s latest update.

The longtime bracketologist awards the SEC and Big 12 with the most bids by conference with nine apiece.

Clemson will look to improve its seeding when it returns to the court Wednesday night in Atlanta against Georgia Tech. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. EST tipoff and will be televised by ACC Network.

UConn stays at No. 1 in latest AP Top 25 poll; Clemson receives votes

Defending national champion UConn remained No. 1 in the AP Top 25 men’s basketball poll for the sixth consecutive week Monday.

Defending national champion UConn remained No. 1 in the AP Top 25 men’s basketball poll for the sixth consecutive week Monday.

The Huskies are 24-2 overall and have won 14 straight games entering the week. They haven’t lost in almost two full months since December 20. UConn received 62 first-place votes in Monday’s updated poll.

Houston (22-3) moved up a spot to No. 2 after Purdue (23-3) lost Sunday to unranked Ohio State. The Boilermakers, ranked as the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament selection committee’s rankings over the weekend, fell to No. 3.

Arizona (20-5) and Tennessee (19-6) rounded out the top five.

As for Clemson (17-8 overall), the Tigers remained outside the top 25 for the sixth consecutive week after losing 78-77 to NC State on Saturday night.

The Tigers were ranked as high as No. 13 at one point earlier this season before ACC play began in full. Clemson received three votes for top 25 consideration from the various sportswriters and broadcasters who make up the AP poll. The Tigers will return to action Wednesday at 7 p.m. EST when they travel to Atlanta to face Georgia Tech.

Tony Bennett’s Virginia team received the most votes for any school that just missed the top 25. The Cavaliers (20-6) garnered 103 votes for consideration.

Elsewhere in the ACC, Duke moved past North Carolina to become the league’s highest ranked team. The Blue Devils (20-5) moved up one spot to No. 8 while Carolina (20-6) fell three more spots to No. 10.

The Tar Heels were ranked No. 3 only two weeks ago but are just 3-3 over their last six contests. By contrast, Duke has won four straight and seven of its last eight.

Iowa State (20-5) climbed four spots to move to No. 6 while Marquette (19-6) fell three spots to land at No. 7. Kansas (20-6) fell three spots in this week’s poll but still cracked the top 10 at No. 9.

South Carolina (21-5) fell nine spots to No. 20 after suffering a 40-point blowout loss on the road to Auburn on Wednesday night.

The SEC and Big 12 tied for the most ranked teams of any conference in Monday’s poll with six apiece.

Clemson offensive stars we’d love to see in EA Sports’ College Football

A list of Clemson football offensive stars fans and gamers would love to play with on EA’s new college football series.

College football fans and gamers have been waiting a long time for a new video game to play NCAA football on Sony PlayStation and Microsoft Xbox consoles. After more than 10 years, that wait appears to be almost over.

EA Sports announced last week that it was officially relaunching its heralded college football franchise, previously known as ‘NCAA Football,’ sometime this summer. The game will be titled ‘EA Sports College Football 25.’

Who will be on the cover and other details have yet to be finalized, but various reports state that a release date for the video game is expected to be sometime this summer, likely in either July or August.

The last college football game that was released by EA Sports was NCAA Football 14. That game featured former Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson on the cover. The ‘NCAA’ series was discontinued in 2013 after a wave of lawsuits over name, image and likeness.

For Clemson fans that didn’t hold on to PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 consoles and use downloaded rosters from other online gamers, that means they missed out on playing with a lot of Tiger legends from the Dabo Swinney era.

With that in mind, we decided to put together a list of Clemson football stars from the past 10 years that we’re sure fans and gamers alike would love to play with on EA’s new college football series if the makers of the game decide to allow users to access past players.

Huskers erupt in the final three innings to win 8-3 over Sacramento State

The Nebraska softball team concluded the Troy Cox Classic with a Sunday morning game against Sacramento State.

The Nebraska softball team concluded the Troy Cox Classic with a Sunday morning game against Sacramento State. The Huskers fell behind 3-0 early on but erupted in the fifth and seventh innings to win 8-3.

Nebraska started the eruption by scoring four runs in the fifth, which was capped off by a three-run homer from Sydney Gray. The Huskers scored four more runs in the seventh inning, which was again capped off by a three-run homer for Gray.

Ava Bredwell drove in the other two RBIs for Nebraska off of two hits in the game. Peyton Cody also delivered a notable performance in the batter’s box, going four-for-four with four hits and a run.

Freshman Emerson Cope started in the circle for the Huskers, pitching in the first three innings. Freshman Caitlin Olensky took over for Cope, earning the win by pitching through the sixth. Kaylin Kinney pitched the final inning and earned the save.

Nebraska moved to 6-3 on the season. The Huskers will travel out to California to compete in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic next weekend. They will start Friday with a doubleheader against San Diego State at noon, then UCLA at 2:30 p.m..

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Nebraska blows late lead in loss to Oklahoma

The Huskers entered the final day of the Shriners Children’s College Showdown, facing off against Oklahoma.

The Huskers entered the final day of the Shriners Children’s College Showdown, facing off against Oklahoma. Nebraska fell in the ninth to Texas Tech on Saturday and couldn’t change the script against the Sooners.

The Huskers built up a 6-3 lead heading into the seventh inning, but Oklahoma scored four unanswered runs, including two in the ninth. Both of the Sooners’ runs in the ninth came with Nebraska needing one more out.

The Huskers put seven total pitchers on the mound and produced ten strikeouts but surrendered 11 hits and seven runs. In the batter’s box, Joshua Overbeek delivered a hit and two RBIs. Both Josh Caron and Riley Silva delivered two hits and an RBI two hits and an RBI.

Nebraska falls to 1-2 on the season. The Huskers will travel to Phoenix, Arizona, to face Grand Canyon in a four-game series from Thursday to Sunday. The first pitch for Thursday’s game is set for 7:00 p.m. and can be viewed on ESPN+.

Clemson’s bats stay hot in sweep of Xavier

For the third consecutive day, Clemson’s offense scored early and often to lift the Tigers to a 11-7 victory and three-game season-opening sweep of Xavier on Sunday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

For the third consecutive day, Clemson’s offense scored early and often to lift the Tigers to an 11-7 victory and three-game season-opening sweep of Xavier at Doug Kingsmore Stadium Sunday.

The Tigers (3-0 overall) had a hit in every inning and out-hit the Musketeers (0-3), 14-8. Three hits from centerfielder Cam Cannarella (3-for-5) and second baseman Blake Wright (3-for-4) at the top of the lineup helped propel Clemson, which tallied three runs in the first, fifth and seven innings.

Also for the third straight day, the Tigers chased Xavier’s starting pitcher from the game before the fifth inning. Nick Boyle lasted just 3 2/3 innings Sunday and allowed four runs on six hits, He walked seven of the 24 batters he faced.

In the first inning, Wright tripled home two runs and Alden Mathes followed with a run-scoring groundout to give Clemson an early 3-1 lead. After Xavier tacked on two runs in both the third and fourth inning to take a 5-3 lead, Wright added an RBI sac fly in the fifth to tie the game for his third RBI of the day.

Clemson took the lead for good after Mathes followed Wright with an RBI single to left-center that made it 6-5. But a throwing error from Aedan Anderson allowed Mathes to take second and Cannarella to score to push the lead to 7-5.

The Tigers used back to back doubles from Jacob Hinderleider and Jack Crighton in the sixth to extend the lead to 8-5 before putting the game out of reach an inning later.

After Jimmy Obertop loaded the bases with a single to shallow center in the seventh, Andrew Ciufo lifted a sac fly to left to score a run and make it 9-5. A throwing error by shortstop Donovan Canterberry allowed two more runs to cross the plate to cap the day’s scoring at 11-7.

Rob Hughes pitched a scoreless eighth inning in relief, and Justin LeGuernic tossed a scoreless ninth to close out the game.

Freshman Aidan Knaak started for Clemson and pitched three innings. He allowed five runs on six hits in his Tigers debut, striking out six and walking three.

Matthew Marchal came on in relief and had tossed three scoreless innings before running into trouble in the seventh inning by walking the first two batters of the inning. Marchal (1-0) earned the win in relief.

Jake Hooker (0-1) was the losing pitcher, allowing three runs in an inning and a third of relief. The Musketeers used four pitchers in Sunday’s game, with Clemson scoring off each one.

The Tigers totaled 38 hits in the series sweep.

Clemson is scheduled to host Presbyterian College in its first mid-week game Tuesday at 4 p.m. EST at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. Presbyterian (3-0) swept St. Peter’s over the weekend in both schools’ opening series. Tuesday’s game will be broadcast by ACC Network Extra.

Huskers fall in ninth in 6-3 loss to No. 21 Texas Tech

The Nebraska baseball team entered its second day of Shriners Children’s College Showdown with a Top 25 battle with No. 21 Texas Tech.

The Nebraska baseball team entered its second day of Shriners Children’s College Showdown for a Top 25 battle with No. 21 Texas Tech. The Huskers squared off with the Red Raiders throughout the game, but surrendered three runs in the ninth, resulting in the loss.

Texas Tech took the lead in the second inning, but Nebraska tied the score at 3-3 in the fifth inning. The Huskers finished the game with ten hits but only produced two RBIs.

Dylan Carey drove in the tying in the fifth, earning his lone hit of the game with an RBI single to bring in Joshua Overbeek. Overbeek led Nebraska in the batter’s box, going 4-of-5.

Will Walsh started on the mound for the Huskers, pitching 5.2 innings. Walsh faced 24 batters, struck out four, and surrendered seven hits and three runs. Nebraska brought in five other pitchers following Walsh, combining for five strikeouts, four hits, three runs, and three walks.

Nebraska will conclude the tournament on Sunday morning as it will face Oklahoma. The first pitch is set for 10:30 a.m. and can be viewed on FloBaseball.

Nebraska softball goes 2-0 in second day of Troy Cox Classic

The Huskers entered the second day of the Troy Cox Classic, facing off against Montana and Sacramento State.

The Huskers entered the second day of the Troy Cox Classic, facing off against Montana and Sacramento State. Nebraska won the day, blowing over Montana 15-4 and fending off Sacramento State 5-4.

In the win over Montana, the Huskers trailed most of the game after falling behind 4-1 in the first inning. Nebraska erupted in the fourth inning, delivering 13 runs for a 15-4 five-inning victory. The Huskers produced ten hits in the fourth, including six doubles and a home run, setting season highs in hits (16), runs (15), and extra-base hits (8) in the win.

Sydney Gray and Caitlynn Neal each hit three RBIs for Nebraska. Samantha Bland and Ava Bredwell drove in two runs for the Huskers in the win. Bland hit a career-high two doubles, while Bredwell delivered a double and a home run.

In the win over Sacramento State, Nebraska fell behind again, this time down 2-0 after two innings. The Huskers responded in the following three innings, tallying up their five runs. Sacramento State attempted a comeback by scoring a run in the sixth and seventh innings but came up short.

Bella Bacon drove in the first two runs for Nebraska in the third inning with a two-run RBI. Peyton Cody homered in the fourth to give the Huskers a 3-2 lead. Brooke Andrews hit a sacrificial groundout to deliver the team’s fourth run. Alina Felix hit an RBI single in the fifth to make it 5-2 Nebraska.

Kaylin Kinney started in the circle for the Huskers and pitched six innings. Kinney faced 27 batters, striking out three while surrendering nine hits and three runs. Freshman Emerson Cope took over in the seventh and only surrendered a single run.

Nebraska moves to 5-3 on the season and will conclude the tournament Sunday morning against Sacramento State. The first pitch is set for 10 a.m..

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Everything Brad Brownell said after Clemson’s loss to NC State

Clemson squandered a 12-point lead in the second half of Saturday night’s game against NC State and fell 78-77 to end a three-game winning streak in ACC play. 

Clemson squandered a 12-point lead in the second half of Saturday night’s game against NC State and lost another heartbreaker at home, 78-77, in ACC play at Littlejohn Coliseum.

The Tigers’ last three losses have all been by one point. This one ended a three-game Clemson winning streak.

DJ Horne scored a game-high 27 points and hit the game-winner for NC State with 9.8 seconds left.

The Tigers (17-8 overall, 7-7 ACC) had a chance on their last possession, but Chase Hunter missed a layup on the other end of the floor. When the buzzer sounded, the Wolfpack (16-9, 8-6) had earned their first win at Littlejohn Coliseum since 2015.

Joe Girard had another strong shooting night for Clemson, finishing with a team-best 23 points in the loss. PJ Hall added 18, and Hunter and RJ Godfrey had 10 to give the Tigers four players in double figures.

Clemson will travel to Atlanta for a rematch with Georgia Tech (11-15, 4-11) Wednesday at 7 p.m. EST at McCamish Pavilion. The Tigers fell to the Yellow Jackets in double overtime back on January 16 at Littlejohn. Wednesday’s game will be televised by ACC Network.

Here’s everything Clemson coach Brad Brownell said after Saturday’s loss to NC State.

Huskers take down Purdue on the road 77-65

The Nebraska women’s basketball traveled to Purdue for a conference showdown with the Boilermakers.

The Nebraska women’s basketball traveled to Purdue for a conference showdown with the Boilermakers. Purdue took off in the first quarter, but the Huskers bounced back in the second before pulling away to win 77-65.

The Nebraska trio of Alexis Markowski, Logan Nissley and Jaz Shelley combined for 56 points in the game. Markowski led the trio, dropping 20 points and a career-high 21 rebounds. Nissley and Shelley both scored 18 points.

Nissley’s 18 points tied her season-high, which she earned by going 6-of-10 from the field and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. A majority of Shelley’s points came from the free throw line, going a perfect 10-for-10. This makes Shelley the 16th player in school history to go perfect at the free throw line with a minimum of 10 free throws made.

The Huskers move to 17-9 on the season and 9-6 in conference play. They will return home to host Northwestern on Tuesday night. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. and can be viewed on the Big Ten Network.