Category: Video

NBA has ‘no plans’ to host ‘Summer League’ before 2020-21 season

The NBA reportedly has no plans to host a winter version of Summer League prior to the start of the 2020-21 season.

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When the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended on March 11 due to the coronavirus pandemic, one unintended consequence meant the 2020 Summer League in Las Vegas would also be canceled due to the uncertainty of hosting live sports.

Now that the season has officially been completed, the NBA is full-speed ahead in determining the salary cap and key dates for next year, including free agency and the start of the 2020-21 season itself. However, the NBA reportedly has no plan to host a winter version of Summer League, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.

The NBA’s restart in the bubble began during what would typically be the time for the offseason Las Vegas Summer League, which meant the 2020 version was canceled. Currently, there are no plans to stage a winter version of the event before next season. It’s too early to tell what might happen to the 2021 edition.

Summer League typically begins roughly 1-2 weeks following the NBA Draft but with the league targeting Jan. 18 to start next season, it seems highly unlikely the event will be held prior to that date. When you consider that the NBA wants to give teams an eight-week notice before the start of next season, there just doesn’t appear to be enough time to hold it.

While the shortened offseason certainly presents challenges of holding Summer League in its own right, the question of player safety also makes it unlikely the event will happen. The league could look at hosting it in another bubble environment but it doesn’t seem like a high enough priority to expend the resources required to pull it off.

Summer League serves as a tremendous opportunity for players — draft picks, undrafted players and free agents — to showcase their abilities on the court but holding the event this year doesn’t seem feasible given the circumstances.

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Locked On Spartans: A surprise commitment and a QB breakdown

Wil and Matt react to Michigan State landing a football commit, AJ Kirk, seemingly out of nowhere.

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Wil and Matt react to Michigan State landing a football commit, AJ Kirk, seemingly out of nowhere. Then they breakdown MSU’s quarterback competition. Learn more about your ad choices.

You can find the episode on iTunes, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.

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BREAKING: Florida Gators football put on hold due to COVID-19 outbreak

Florida is facing a moratorium on football activities after a slew of positive COVID-19 tests, according to sources close to the team.

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There appears to be a coronavirus outbreak on the University of Florida’s football team, according to several sources on Tuesday afternoon. UF’s athletic director Scott Stricklin issued a press release earlier in the afternoon after reports began leaking of positive test results for the school’s players.

Initially, the Florida Gators’ official Twitter account posted a statement regarding team activities with Stricklin’s statement.

Out of an abundance of caution, @GatorsFB team activities are paused as of Tuesday afternoon.

Stricklin’s full statement is published below.

The University of Florida football team has experienced an increase in positive COVID tests among players this week. Out of an abundance of caution, team activities are paused as of Tuesday afternoon.

Head coach Dan Mullen has been in communication with football players and their parents, and I have had conversations with the Southeastern Conference office, last week’s opponent Texas A&M, and this week’s opponent LSU.

These circumstances will be re-evaluated by UF Health and the athletic department’s sports medicine staff Wednesday.

This official statement was followed up by Payton Titus, The Independent Florida Alligator’s online editor, who reported the number of positive tests confirmed.

According to sources close to the team, 19 football players have tested positive for COVID-19.

At this point, it is unclear what the ramifications of these results will be for this weekend’s game against the LSU Tigers, but things are looking grimmer and grimmer by the hour.

UPDATE:

I have received conflicting reports from sources close to the athletic department that that number is too high

We will continue to keep you updated as events warrant.

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Florida flops out of College Football Playoff contention in latest bowl projections

Florida took a hard fall after its road loss to the Texas A&M Aggies in SEC Week 3 which put a major damper on their postseason hopes.

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Editor’s note: This article was originally published by USA TODAY Sports and has been republished below in its entirety. 

Is it possible the College Football Playoff picture is getting clearer with the Big Ten and Pac-12 yet to start their season?

Florida’s flop at Texas A&M and Georgia‘s manhandling of Tennessee established the Bulldogs as the clear favorite in the SEC East. The stumbles of LSU and Auburn have left Alabama as the leader in the conference’s West division. Georgia travels to Alabama this Saturday in what should be the first of two games between the schools. The latter showdown in the SEC title game would send the winner to the playoff. The loser would be in great shape when being evaluated with teams from the Pac-12, Big Ten or Big 12.

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The home field should help the Tide this week. The edge, right now, goes to the Bulldogs when playing on neutral ground in Atlanta, leaving both with one loss and comfortably in the field.

Ohio State and Clemson remain clear favorites in their conferences, rounding out the four participants in the semifinals.

However, like everything in college football, nothing is set in stone. Oregon and Oklahoma State have the best opportunity to upset things. The Ducks will be hampered by a shortened schedule that lacks a ranked opponent, but an unbeaten season would be worthy of consideration. The same is true for the Cowboys, who still have to navigate the toughest part of their Big 12 schedule without a hiccup.

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With the expectation that the NCAA will waive the required six-win threshold for teams to play in the postseason, we will continue to fill out the entire bowl schedule. Conferences are expected to be able to fill their allotment of games.

Gator Grades: Breaking down the upset loss to the Texas A&M Aggies

Three key takeaways from Florida’s loss to the Texas A&M Aggies

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Chiefs to open ticket sales for Jets, Panthers home games beginning next week

The Kansas City Chiefs have announced when their next wave of home tickets go on sale.

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The Kansas City Chiefs have announced when the next batch of tickets for home games will go on sale.

The Chiefs began the 2020 NFL season, opening up ticket sales for the first three home games. Following the successful conclusion of both home games in the first quarter of the season, the team has announced that ticket sales for the Week 8 game against the New York Jets and the Week 9 game against the Carolina Panthers will go on sale next week. This has come with discussion with local health care experts and government officials.

You can begin buying tickets for both games on Monday, Oct. 12. Tickets will still be sold in grouped pods of as many as six seats. There are not increasing capacity for any of the upcoming games, so it’ll remain at 22% of Arrowhead Stadium’s initial capacity (roughly 16,000 fans). The team will also continue enforcing the new policies and protocols put in place to protect fans, staff and others from COVID-19. You can find a full list of those policies here.

There’s one thing worth noting if you intend to buy tickets to an upcoming home game. The team policy prohibits refunds from rescheduled games. The game would need to be canceled in order for you to receive a refund. Many fans who traveled to Kansas City for the Week 4 game vs. the New England Patriots found themselves in a bind when the game was rescheduled for Monday night following positive COVID-19 cases on both teams. It’s best to be prepared for anything and clear your schedule through Tuesday if you intend to buy tickets to a game.

You can find the Chiefs’ full 2020 schedule here to look at all upcoming home games.

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NFL Expert Picks, Predictions: Week 4

NFL expert picks, predictions for Week 4, highlighted by Buffalo at Las Vegas, Pittsburgh at Tennessee, and Atlanta at Green Bay.

NFL expert picks, predictions for Week 4, highlighted by Buffalo at Las Vegas, Pittsburgh at Tennessee, and Atlanta at Green Bay

Experts, Results So Far …

Gill Alexander, VSIN: SU: 31-16-1 ATS: 21-26-1
@beatingthebook, VSIN
Patrick Conn, Longhorns Wire: SU: 21-9-1 ATS: 17-16
@PatSportsGuy, LonghornsWire.com
Jeff Feyerer, CFN: SU: 30-17-1 ATS: 24-23-1
@JeffFeyerer, FightingIrishWire.com
Pete Fiutak, CFN: SU: 35-12-1 ATS: 24-23-1
@PeteFiutak, CFN 
Phil Harrison, Buckeyes Wire: SU: 30-17-1 ATS: 18-29-1
@PhilHarrisonBW, BuckeyesWire.com
Jeremy Mauss, MW Wire: SU: 33-15-1 ATS: 27-20-1
@MWCWire, MWwire.com
Nick Shepkowski: SU: 19-12-1, ATS: 20-12
@Shep670, FightingIrishWire.com
Scott Steehn, WinnersandWhiners: SU: 33-15-1 ATS: 26-21-1
@Steehnroller, WinnersandWhiners.com
Keith Stewart, WinnersandWhiners: SU: 33-15-1 ATS: 22-25-1
WinnersandWhiners.com
Brian Stultz, Auburn Wire: SU: 32-16-1 ATS: 28-19-1
@BrianJStultz, AuburnWire.com
Clucko the Chicken, CFN (coin flip): SU: 19-29 ATS: 23-24-1
CONSENSUS PICK: SU: 35-13-1 ATS: 24-23-1

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Week 4 Expert Picks
Denver at NY Jets | Indianapolis at Chicago
Jacksonville at Cincinnati | Cleveland at Dallas
New Orleans at Detroit | Pittsburgh at Tennessee
Seattle at Miami | LA Chargers at Tampa Bay
Baltimore at Washington | Arizona at Carolina
Minnesota at Houston | NY Giants at LA Rams
New England at Kansas City | Buffalo at Las Vegas
Philadelphia at San Francisco | Atlanta at Green Bay

If there’s an *next to the pick, that means the team will win, but not cover.

INSTRUCTIONS: Make your pick against the spread. For example …
– If you think Chicago will win -4 over Detroit: Chicago
– If you think Detroit will win outright: Detroit
– If you think Chicago will win, but NOT cover: Chicago*

Click on each game for game preview & prediction when they come out over the next few days

Thursday, October 1

Denver at NY Jets

– Denver at NY Jets Prediction, Preview
8:20 NFL
Line: Denver -3, o/u: 40
– Bet on this at BetMGM

Gill Alexander, VSIN: NY Jets
Patrick Conn, Longhorns Wire: NY Jets
Jeff Feyerer, CFN: NY Jets
Pete Fiutak, CFN: Denver
Phil Harrison, Buckeyes Wire: Denver
Jeremy Mauss, MW Wire: Denver
Nick Shepkowski, Fighting Irish Wire: Denver
Scott Steehn, WinnersandWhiners: COMING
Keith Stewart, WinnersandWhiners: Denver
Brian Stultz, Auburn Wire: Denver
Clucko the Chicken, CFN: NY Jets
CONSENSUS PICK: Denver

Week 4 Expert Picks
Indianapolis at Chicago
Jacksonville at Cincinnati | Cleveland at Dallas
New Orleans at Detroit | Pittsburgh at Tennessee
Seattle at Miami | LA Chargers at Tampa Bay
Baltimore at Washington | Arizona at Carolina
Minnesota at Houston | NY Giants at LA Rams
New England at Kansas City | Buffalo at Las Vegas
Philadelphia at San Francisco | Atlanta at Green Bay

NEXT: Indianapolis at Chicago, Jacksonville at Cincinnati

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7, Page 8, Page 9

Division Round-Up: Will any NFC East teams find a win in Week 3?

Judging by what we’ve seen so far this year, it’s easy to believe that the NFC East will be held winless this weekend.

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Once again, the NFC East has been the laughing stock of the NFL through two weeks of the season, with the Washington Football Team tied with the Dallas Cowboys for first place in the division at 1-1. Even that doesn’t quite give the whole story, as the Cowboys are lucky to even have a win on the calendar after an incredible comeback win over the Atlanta Falcons, who conveniently forgot how to play special teams late in the game.

Through just two weeks of the 2020 season, the NFC East boasts a total record of 2-6, and the Week 3 slate doesn’t look to be much easier.

Washington (1-1) vs. Cleveland Browns (1-1)

Philadelphia Eagles (0-2) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (0-2)

Dallas Cowboys (1-1) vs. Seattle Seahawks (2-0)

New York Giants (0-2) vs. San Francisco 49ers (1-1)

It may not be the toughest schedule we’ve ever seen, but how many wins can you find in that group? As much as we hate to admit it, Washington is facing an uphill battle against the Browns. Dallas will partake in the game of the week against Russell Wilson and the Seahawks, who look unstoppable through two weeks. Both the Giants and Eagles have the two easiest matchups here, but neither team has given us any reason to believe that they can put together a win. The 49ers are playing without half of their starters due to injury, and Cincinnatti’s only redeeming quality is that Joe Burrow looks like the real deal, playing with a below-average roster around him. Despite this, I still wouldn’t be surprised to see both teams fall to 0-3 on Sunday.

What does this mean? Well, it could very well be Washington and Dallas again tied for the NFC East lead with 1-2 records, and the division as a whole will continue to be the butt of the joke around the league.

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Bengals announce inactive players for Week 1 vs. Chargers

Here’s the inactive list for Week 1 between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals.

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The Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Chargers announced their respective lists of inactive players before their late-afternoon kickoff in Week 1.

The Bengals ruled the following players inactive:

  • CB Torry McTyer
  • RB Trayveon Williams
  • S Shawn Williams
  • CB LeShaun Sims
  • LB Markus Bailey
  • G Shaq Calhoun
  • DT Geno Atkins

As expected, the Bengals won’t have Geno Atkins and some excess talent at other spots got pushed to the list, too. The team called up defensive lineman Amani Bledsoe and safety Trayvon Henderson using a new rule this year to help to hurt spots.

The Chargers ruled the following players inactive, including a starting center:

  • Jason Moore
  • Tevaughn Campbell
  • Mike Pouncey
  • Trai Turner
  • Storm Norton
  • Donald Parham Jr.
  • Cortez Broughton

 

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Chuma Okeke is in the ‘late stages’ of his rehab from knee surgery

Magic first-round pick Chuma Okeke is nearing the end of his recovery from a torn ACL suffered in March 2019 during the NCAA Tournament.

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Orlando Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman on Monday said that Chuma Okeke, the 16th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, is in the late stages of his recovery from knee surgery, according to Philip Rossman-Reich of Orlando Magic Daily.

The former Auburn forward suffered an ACL tear in his left knee in March 2019 against North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament. Okeke is the only unsigned first-round pick from the 2019 NBA Draft after he agreed to redshirt the 2019-20 season in order to rehab his knee.

Okeke has spent much of his time rehabbing with the Magic’s G League affiliate in Lakeland, roughly one hour west of Orlando. He has practiced with some of the team’s G League players and has supported his teammates in Lakeland.

The road back for Okeke is not complete yet, however. He will still need to participate in 5-on-5 practices with the Magic. Due to workout restrictions, because of the coronavirus pandemic, the team is unsure when he will be able to practice with the team ahead of next season.

The Magic view Okeke as a potential player that can impact games on both ends of the floor. Head coach Steve Clifford believes Okeke is a perfect fit with the team as a player that is versatile on defense and can help stretch the floor on offense.

The organization has high hopes for Okeke and Weltman has said in the past that the team will not rush him back into action early but it appears likely that Okeke will suit up for the Magic next season.

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Photo gallery: The best of Miesha Tate vs. Holly Holm at UFC 196

Still buzzing a little over Saturday night’s co-main event at UFC 196? Now you can relive some of the best moments between Miesha Tate and Holly Holm through the lens of Mark J. Rebilas from USA TODAY Sports.

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Still buzzing a little over Saturday night’s co-main event at UFC 196?

Now you can relive some of the best moments between [autotag]Miesha Tate[/autotag] and [autotag]Holly Holm[/autotag] through the lens of Mark J. Rebilas from USA TODAY Sports.

In the UFC 196 co-feature, Tate (18-5 MMA, 5-2 UFC) upset women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm (10-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) to win the title. Tate, who was a Strikeforce champion before losing her belt to Ronda Rousey in 2012, choked Holm unconscious in the fifth round. Holm was more than a 3-1 favorite in the fight.

Had the fight gone to the judges, the final frame was crucial. Holm won Rounds 1, 3 and 4 from the three judges, but Tate got a 10-8 Round 2 from all three, meaning had she won Round 5, the fight would’ve ended in a 47-47 draw. But Tate rendered all that meaningless by handing Holm the first loss of her MMA career, which came in her first title defense after upsetting Ronda Rousey to win the belt this past November.

UFC 196 took place at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.

Above, check out the photo gallery from the fight, which netted Tate a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus to go along with her new hardware.

For complete coverage of UFC 196, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid4621179066001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAABvaL8JE~,ufBHq_I6FnxR-PQW_F3sm5QdUbP7D6E9&bctid=4788360564001