Nelly Korda looks to add to family legacy Down Under

Nelly Korda returns to the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open in hopes of defending her title this week.

Nelly Korda has made it a point not to let anyone step on her face this week in Australia. As defending champ, her face is everywhere, including the hotel floors.

“I was like, do not step on this, OK,” she joked during her pre-tournament press conference at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open at Royal Adelaide.

National Opens are always special, but this year’s Australian Open feels a bit different, as it’s the last event before an unexpected month-long break in the LPGA schedule. LPGA officials canceled the next three events in Asia due to concerns over the coronavirus.

For those who were settling into a long overseas swing, it’s now a matter of maximizing the moment.

For Korda, that means putting in a new set of irons. The top-ranked American got stronger over the offseason and struggled to control her ball-flight in the first two events.

“The shafts were too weak and they were bending on me,” she said.

Korda finished 10th at the season-opening Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions and tied for 28th at the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio. She planned to compete in both the Thailand and Singapore events. The younger Korda placed in the top 10 in both last year and was runner-up in Singapore in 2018.

It was that break-through victory at the Aussie Open, however, where Korda grew the family legacy Down Under, that felt like a dream. The first stretch of holes in particular helped shape the rest of her season.

“I started out with three bogeys last year and I just looked at my caddy and I was like, ‘You know what, I’m just going to not think about anything, about winning this tournament and just go out and play my golf game,’” said Korda. “From then on I played really well, so I think that’s kind of the mentality that I adapted throughout the whole year as well. It was funny, I learned that within three holes last year here and I kind of tried to take that mentality going throughout the whole year.”

While Korda’s face is plastered everywhere, there’s plenty of spotlight on the Aussies in the field, particularly Hannah Green, Minjee Lee and veteran Karrie Webb.

Lee’s younger brother, Min Woo, won last week’s Vic Open title. Minjee has twice won the Vic Open title, but has yet to put her name on the national open trophy. The 23-year-old is currently No. 8 in the world. Remarkably Su Oh, who is also 23 years old, is competing in her 12th Australian Open this week. She was 12 when she made her debut.

Webb is battling strep throat this week as she tees it up in her 24th consecutive Australian Open. She has won the event five times, with her last coming in 2014.

“I’ve always loved playing at home in Australia,” said Webb, “and I know I don’t have many Australian Opens left, so it’s just nice to be here.”

Green’s eyes were first opened to the life of professional golf when Karrie Webb brought her over for a behind-the-scenes look at the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open. Green had won the Karrie Webb Scholarship, which included a $10,000 prize and a trip to America. Webb got the idea from Greg Norman, who had done something similar for the overall winners of his junior golf foundation. The experience with Norman made a lasting impression on the future Hall of Famer.

Five years later, Green hoisted her own major championship trophy, winning the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship as a nervous Webb watched from outside the ropes.

“For that to happen and then Hannah to lead wire-to-wire and win was just an incredible experience,” said Webb. “Probably the worst job I’ve ever done of mentoring was I probably celebrated like I won, and probably wasn’t the best mentor that night, but I did show them how to celebrate the right way.”

Now Green, 23, is making her own mark on the next generation. This week she brought over two junior golfers, Alice and Rosie Tonts, from her home club in Perth for an inside-the-ropes experience. Green said the biggest change in her life since winning twice on the LPGA is the number of media requests she receives. Few things, however, keep a player grounded like giving back.

“I guess it’s kind of just making sure that I still stay the same type of person as I was last year and even my rookie year,” said Green. “It can definitely get to your head and you can definitely become a different person, and I hope that doesn’t happen.”

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Corey Anderson happy Jon Jones beat Dominick Reyes at UFC 247: ‘I get to be the one to dethrone him’

Corey Anderson is happy that Jon Jones beat Dominick Reyes so he gets to be the one to dethrone the pound-for-pound champion.

[autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag] thinks he might have been the biggest winner at UFC 247.

UFC light heavyweight champion [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] successfully defended his title in a back-and-forth battle with a very game Dominick Reyes this past Saturday in Houston. And while many thought Reyes should have gotten the nod, top contender Anderson (13-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC), is ultimately happy that Jones retained, because he wants to be the one to finally defeat Jones.

“I knew he was beatable,” Anderson told TMZ Sports. “I was the one that always said, ‘I know I can beat Jon, I know ways to beat him.’ I see the holes, I see what you got to do to beat him, and Dom went out there and did pretty much a lot of it. He went out there and did another blueprint of things that I had already seen, but I see so much more.

“I got more in my tank, and I got more in my style in the way I fight that Dom doesn’t that I think is going to be a problem for him. But at the end, I’m happy that Jon got the win because I get to be the one to dethrone him.”

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Anderson didn’t see the fight as the massive robbery some have claimed it to be, and instead acknowledged the work that both guys put in during their five-round war. He’s happy with the outcome, though, because he knew that, had Reyes won, the UFC would have most likely booked an immediate rematch, putting his own title aspirations on hold for even longer.

“When I was watching, I was like, ‘Man, I could lose that opportunity to be the one to beat Jon,'” he explained. “It could have gone either way, especially when he got caught with a couple of shots and looked like he might have been hurt. Dom is usually known for pouring it on, but he (was) just so tired, he couldn’t do it.

“Dominick threw more punches and landed more, but, percentage-wise, I think Jon landed more. You could flip the coin on that one, it could have went either way.”

Having campaigned hard for a title shot through 2019, Anderson is riding a four-fight winning streak heading into his first fight of 2020, and he hopes a second career victory over fellow contender Jan Blachowicz at Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 25 in New Mexico will see him move to the front of the queue to face Jones next.

Clearly, he fancies his chances of dethroning “Bones” and capturing the 205-pound crown.

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Ex-teammate says the Patriots are ‘100 percent done’ with Tom Brady

“I think the Patriots are okay and ready to move on.”

Few can believe Tom Brady is actually considering leaving Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. But what if it’s not his choice? What if the Patriots are already done with Brady?

Former New England tight end and current sports radio host Christian Fauria believes the Patriots aren’t interested in signing Brady when he hits free agency in March. Fauria thinks Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft won’t be putting a competitive deal on the table.

“I believe the Patriots are 100 percent done,” Fauria said on WEEI’s Ordway, Merloni & Fauria. “I think the Patriots are okay and ready to move on. Everything that comes out from (NFL Network reporter) Ian Rapoport is just bogus-ness. It’s fake, it’s narrative changing, it’s camouflage, it’s not the truth because there’s going to be ‘it’s not our fault’ fans. They know Brady’s not coming back.”

One team is already waiting in line to offer Brady a boatload of money. The Oakland Raiders want to pitch Brady, per ESPN. There will likely be more suitors to emerge in the coming weeks leading up to March 18, when free agency official opens. (The legal tampering period starts on March 16.)

The Patriots are reportedly comfortable letting Brady test free agency. Is that because they’re comfortable with him leaving, too?

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Charlotte Hornets at Minnesota Timberwolves odds, picks, best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Charlotte Hornets at Minnesota Timberwolves sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Charlotte Hornets (17-36) are at Target Center to take on the new-look Minnesota Timberwolves (16-36) Wednesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. E.T. We analyze the Hornets-Timberwolves sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Hornets at Timberwolves: Key injuries

Hornets

  • SF Cody Martin (concussion) out

Timberwolves

  • SF Jake Layman (toe) out

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

Hornets at Timberwolves: Odds, lines, picks, and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 12 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Timberwolves 117, Hornets 107

Moneyline (ML)

While both teams are amid massive slumps, the Timberwolves (-358) are big favorites over the Hornets (+280). Minnesota has lost 14 of its last 15 games, and Charlotte has lost 13 of its previous 15 games. Hopefully, newly-acquired point guard D’Angelo Russell can bring this Timberwolves team back to life Wednesday night. The Wolves just aren’t worth a play with a $10 bet returning a profit of only $2.80. PASS.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The TIMBERWOLVES (-8.5, -106) will need to win by at least 9 points to cover the spread against the Hornets, who have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games. Minnesota has been even worse against the spread of late, failing to cover in 10 of its last 11 games. While neither side inspires much confidence, take the Timberwolves at home and hope their recent trade proves to be worthwhile.

Over/Under (O/U)

The total for this matchup is set at  228.5, which feels a bit high. Charlotte has the league’s worst offense, averaging 102.7 points per game. While Minnesota’s offense is slightly better, neither of these teams can shoot very well. While it’s never fun to bet the UNDER (-110), it’s the smart bet in Minnesota.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Marcus_Mosher and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship, and there is no influence on news coverage.

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2020 NFL Draft: 3 quarterbacks the Titans could target

Here’s a look at just three prospects the Titans could target in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Tennessee Titans will likely do everything in their power without totally breaking the bank to keep quarterback Ryan Tannehill on the team ahead of free agency after he finished the season as one of the league’s best quarterbacks.

But what if Tannehill doesn’t return, or the Titans simply want to invest more in the backup position?

That decision would come at a fortunate time, considering how loaded this year’s free agency will be, and how many talented signal-callers have entered the 2020 NFL Draft.

Here’s a look at just three prospects the Titans could target in the 2020 NFL Draft.

1. Jordan Love, Utah State.

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Love is practically a lock to come off the board by mid-first round or so, meaning the Titans would have to take him on Day One and probably have to do some dealing to get the job done.

He finished 2019 with a 61.9% completion percentage, throwing for 3,402 yards with 20 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.

Last season was his worst on the stats sheet, after losing his starting offensive line, strongest running back, top wide receiver, on top of his head coach resigning and being forced to learn an entirely new offense.

There’s a lot to like about Love, with his impressive over-the-top release, impressive arm strength and ability to throw into even tighter windows than he may see in the NFL.

It’s also worth noting the Titans have already been connected to Love.

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Anthony Davis says playing with LeBron helped him gain in-season perspective

The Los Angeles Lakers All-Star forward believes that playing with LeBron helped him learn things about the flow of the season.

It’s easy to forget that Anthony Davis has never been on a team like the Los Angeles Lakers team he is currently on since he was a freshman at Kentucky. The Lakers, even though they have struggled a little bit over the past couple of weeks, likely due to a mix of mental, physical and emotional fatigue, still have a three-game lead for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.

But now that Davis is back on a team that is winning in a way that inspires hopes of a championship and heading back to his hometown of Chicago for All-Star weekend, it’s a fair time to look back at how much has changed since the awkward All-Star weekend Davis endured last year.

Davis spoke with ESPN’s Dave McMenamin and shared that one of the biggest things he’s learned from LeBron James is how to shift his perspective, especially when it comes to losing regular season games, which has only happened 12 times so far this season. Davis said that he “used to get so mad” when he lost games but LeBron has reassured him that losses before the postseason are not catastrophes, at least not at the level they are at.

The Lakers have one final game on the pre-All-Star schedule, later tonight in Denver against the Nuggets, who are currently No. 2 in the West.

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3 things to know about new Jags QBs coach Ben McAdoo

The Jags have a new quarterbacks coach in Ben McAdoo who has had quite an interesting career prior to signing.

The Jacksonville Jaguars filled another vacancy on their staff Tuesday night as former New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo signed to take the team’s quarterbacks coach vacancy. With the team having an unusual season behind center in 2019, McAdoo will now be charged with getting the best out of Gardner Minshew II and Nick Foles, who will battle to start this offseason.

With McAdoo being such a key hiring for the Jags, here are three things to know about the veteran assistant who will return to coaching after a few years off:

He’s been in the league for 16 years

McAdoo initially entered the NFL as a quality controls coach in 2004 with the New Orleans Saints and has worked his way up the ranks. It was there where he met and was interviewed by current Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, who he followed to San Francisco and Green Bay (where McCarthy became a head coach).

While in Green Bay as a tight ends coach (2006–11) and a quarterbacks coach (2012–13), McAdoo saw the Packers have great success including a victory in Super Bowl XLV and numerous playoff runs. However, his biggest achievement was getting to coach Aaron Rodgers for two years, who he grew a solid bond with (which we’ll bring up later).

McAdoo’s last stop before Jacksonville was with the Giants where he got his first crack at being an offensive coordinator (2014-15). In just his second year with the role, he propelled the Giants to having the sixth-highest-scoring offense in the NFL. Eli Manning also had career highs in passing attempts, completions, and touchdowns that season.

Of course, that led to the Giants promoting him to their head coaching role in 2017. Initially, he was able to have some success in his first season by aiding the team to their first playoff berth since 2011. Unfortunately after that, the wheels fell off in 2018 and he was fired but there are certainly some good achievements on his résumé.

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Mel Tucker to Michigan State is better than Wisconsin hoped

Michigan State reportedly has a coach

The disclaimer which has to be mentioned at the start of every reaction to the hire of a new head coach is that outcomes aren’t guaranteed.

Pete Carroll was not viewed as a great hire by USC 20 years ago. That turned out pretty well for the Trojans.

Tom Herman was viewed as a great hire for Texas. The Longhorns have zero Big 12 championships and zero 11-win seasons since he arrived in Austin. Texas has lost at least four games in all three of Herman’s seasons on the job.

Ed Orgeron just led LSU to one of the greatest seasons in college football history. I buried LSU and athletic director Joe Alleva for making that hire a few years ago. LSU got the last laugh.

These things often work out very differently from what pundits and commentators (myself very much included) expect. We always need to say that and acknowledge it when new head coaches are hired.

That having been said: Any Big Ten school other than Michigan State should feel relatively good about Mel Tucker leaving the Colorado Buffaloes to go to East Lansing as Mark Dantonio’s successor.

Yes, Tucker could turn out to be great. He could hire a great offensive coordinator, which — for any defensive specialist, as Tucker is — acquires considerable importance for anyone in his position. Yet, if you’re a Wisconsin fan, or an Ohio State fan, or a Michigan fan, or a Penn State fan, or an Iowa fan, are you quaking in your boots that Mel Tucker is reportedly coming to Michigan State (with the deal not having been formally announced, it should be noted)?

I would highly doubt it.

Tucker was Kirby Smart’s lieutenant at Georgia and did great work in leading the Bulldogs’ defense to a national championship game appearance. He obviously has solid credentials. Yet, as a head coach, he is entirely unproven. He had only one year at Colorado, so his grade is not a “bad” one so much as it is incomplete. Yet, in that one year, he was hardly overwhelming. Colorado went 5-7.

Maybe the Buffaloes were ready to rise in 2020. We will never know. Yet, in the absence of being able to see Year 2 for Tucker in Boulder, we can’t definitively say, “Wow, Tucker has really made a mark as a head coach.” He isn’t a flawed candidate, but he is an unproven one.

Luke Fickell was a proven candidate based on his work in Cincinnati. Pat Narduzzi was less proven, but at least somewhat proven.

Michigan State probably could have done a lot worse than Mel Tucker… but it also could have done a lot better. Wisconsin fans, on balance, should be happy today.

‘Ron will get him back here’: Why Rivera is perfect coach to bring Trent Williams back

Many who know him believe that Rivera is the perfect person to convince Williams to return to the Redskins ahead of the 2020 season.

In an offseason that is ripe with mega-decisions that have the potential to sway the future of the franchise in Washington, one of the biggest puzzle pieces to fall for the Redskins is regarding left tackle Trent Williams.

After holding out for the entire 2019 season due to a number of reasons, involving both a mistrust of the franchise and an inability to reach an agreement on a contract extension, the feeling in the building has started to shift. Williams made contact with head coach Ron Rivera on Tuesday, and it’s starting to feel like the two could piece together a plan to get the seven-time Pro-Bowler back into the locker room in Washington.

For one former Redskins player, this comes as absolutely no surprise. Ricky Ervins, a former Redskins tailback, and Super Bowl XXVI Champion talked to The Athletic recently and explained that if there is anyone who is capable of convincing Williams to come back, it’s Rivera.

“If anybody can talk to Trent, it’s Ron,” Ervins said. “Because you’ve got, not just a coach talking to him, but a player who’s been there and experienced some of the stuff. I’m sure he didn’t have no tumor, but he experienced some of those bumps and bruises. All that stuff, it’s in the past, those guys ain’t here no more. It’s a new slate. Let’s start fresh, and see what we can do. I promise you, Ron will get him back here.”

On top of Rivera taking over the coaching staff, Ervins notes that the addition of offensive line coach John Matsko should also be a heavy factor in Williams’ desire to come back to Washington. Matsko is a veteran coach who is well-respected in the NFL, and he won a Super Bowl with the St. Louis Rams in 2000 with ‘The Greatest Show on Turf.” According to Ervins, Matsko is already operating under the impression that he will get to coach Williams in 2020, and a successful marriage will be rebuilt.

“I haven’t asked him anything about how he felt about the line, but I know he has to be excited about it because he believes he’s going to get Trent,” Ervins said. “He has to believe that because when Ron speaks to (Williams), or when Ron speaks to anybody, things happen.”

Rivera has convinced us that he is the right guy to help lift the Redskins from this perpetual state of losing. Will Trent Williams be next?

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Christian Fauria thinks Patriots are ‘100 percent done’ with Tom Brady

It’s just his opinion, but… it’s a strong one.

Former New England Patriots tight end Christian Fauria is feeling extremely pessimistic about Tom Brady’s return to the franchise which has been his employer for the last 20 years.

He believes that when Brady enters free agency, he’ll sign with another team, in part because Fauria doesn’t think the Patriots are willing to pay Brady a respectable salary for the upcoming season.

“I believe the Patriots are 100 percent done,” retired Patriots tight end Christian Fauria said of Brady on WEEI’s Ordway, Merloni & Fauria. “I think the Patriots are okay and ready to move on. Everything that comes out from (NFL Network reporter) Ian Rapoport is just bogus-ness. It’s fake, it’s narrative changing, it’s camouflage, it’s not the truth because there’s going to be ‘it’s not our fault’ fans. They know Brady’s not coming back.”

It’s an interesting theory.

Brady is set to enter free agency on March 18, but can communicate with teams during the legal tampering period on March 16. The Patriots are prepared for Brady to test free agency, according to NFL Network. It’s likely a number of NFL teams will pursue him aggressively.

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