Tag: Houston

How Wisconsin transfer A.J. Storr performed in Kansas’ 2OT loss to Houston

Wisconsin transfer A.J. Storr late free-throw misses key to Kansas’ 2OT loss to Houston

Wisconsin transfer guard A.J. Storr was a big story from No. 12 Kansas’ double-overtime loss to No. 7 Houston on Saturday, and not in a good way.

Storr was scoreless during 18 minutes of action, going 0-of-6 from the field, 0-of-3 from 3-point range and 0-of-4 from the free-throw line. His only contributions to the stat sheet were a rebound and an assist.

Related: Updated game-by-game predictions for Wisconsin basketball after UCLA loss

The performance halted Storr’s recent stretch of strong play dating to a Jan. 18 win over Kansas State. It also played an integral role in the outcome of the tightly-contested game.

The Wisconsin transfer was on the court during the closing moments of double overtime. He went to the free-throw line with Kansas trailing 88-84 with 45 seconds remaining. Two makes were critical to the Jayhawks’ chance at a signature victory.

Storr, a career 77% free-throw shooter, missed both. Houston added several makes at the line to ice the game.

Kansas went 17-of-30 from the free-throw line on the evening, including Storr’s four misses. That performance was is punctuated by a 6-of-14 conversion rate during the two overtime periods. Jayhawks coach Bill Self was asked postgame whether fatigue played a role in the team’s heightened late-game struggles in the area.

“I don’t know, I don’t know,” Self said. “But certainly, you have go to the line and make two, or at least make one. We were 6-of-14 in overtime from the line. So that obviously played a role. We still had our chances to put it away if we just executed better, if I had done a better job.”

Storr wasn’t alone in his struggles at the line. Forward Flory Bidunga missed a pair of key free throws early in the first overtime period. Guard Dajuan Harris Jr.’s two late misses led to a game-deciding sequence. Kansas led 79-73 with 18 seconds remaining in the first overtime. Harris Jr. missed two free throws, and Houston hit a 3-pointer with eight seconds left to make the score 79-76. Kansas turned the ball over on the inbounds pass, and Houston made another late 3 to tie the game at 79.

According to KenPom, Houston had a 0.4% win probability when Kansas had the ball, a six-point lead and free-throw attempts with 18 seconds remaining in the first overtime. It turned that circumstance into one of the most improbable wins of recent memory.

The result dropped Kansas to 15-4 (5-3 Big 12). Houston is 16-3 (8-0 Big 12).

Storr’s scoreless performance dropped his per-game averages to 17.9 minutes, 6.6 points, 2.1 rebounds and one assist on 40% shooting and 26.7% from three. Those totals are all far below what was expected when the former Badger made his high-profile transfer move to the Jayhawks.

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Photos of Notre Dame men’s basketball loss to Creighton in Las Vegas

See how the Irish concluded their time in Sin City.

Notre Dame’s appearance in the inaugural Players Era Festival in Las Vegas could have gone a lot better. Not only did it lose all three games, including an 80-76 decision to Creighton on the final day, but [autotag]Markus Burton[/autotag] suffered a knee injury in the first contest that will keep him out for an undetermined amount of weeks. One can’t help but think Sin City would have been kinder to the Irish had that not happened.

That said, the Irish were in every single game up until the end or close to it, including against a ranked Houston team. That’s encouraging for a team that was missing its best player almost the entire time. While we don’t know if things will get any better without that player, it’s nice to see that there’s enough available talent to at least keep games exciting.

Here are some photos of the Irish in action during this loss to the Bluejays:

New mock draft has the Texans adding a running mate for Joe Mixon

The Texans are building up their running back room in the latest 2025 NFL mock draft heading into Week 13.

If the Houston Texans are going to keep the same offensive approach behind second-year coordinator Bobby Slowik, they’ll have to emphasize the run game.

Joe Mixon, who’s inching closer to becoming the first Texans’ running back since Carlos Hyde in 2019 to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season, remains the workhorse for Houston’s rushing attack. He’s posted four 100-yard outings and continues to be a touchdown machine.

He’s also set to turn 30 next year and might begin to lose steam over the final three years of his new contract. Alleviating pressure off second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud is essential for Houston’s offense to thrive and while Mixon has provided that in 2024, it must carry over into the final three years of his rookie deal.

One mock draft would tend to agree.

In  Daft on Draft’s new mock draft, the Texans bolster their running back room with the selection of Iowa tailback Kaleb Johnson at pick No. 22. A Doak Walker Award finalist, Johnson’s physical north-to-south running approach would be an ideal fit in Slowik’s offense.

Joe Mixon has had a productive season for the Texans this season, but he will be entering his ninth season in 2025. We all know the shelf life of a running back and why a contingency plan is needed. Kaleb Johnson is an excellent scheme fit and gives the Texans that plan for life after Mixon.

In his first year as the Hawkeyes’ top runner, Johnson’s productivity has carried Iowa toward another potential eight-win season. Not only does he lead the Big Ten in rushing yards (1,492), but he also leads the conference in yards per attempt (6.7), rushing touchdowns (21) and carries (223).

The junior has also rushed for 100-plus yards in eight of his 11 appearances this year. He’s considered by multiple analysts as the No. 2 running back prospect behind Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, who landed with the Dallas Cowboys with the 11th overall pick.

The Texans must build a new offensive line to protect Stroud, but that’s where free agency could factor in. Adding a cost-friendly running back on a potential five-year deal might benefit Houston tenfold should Johnson eventually surpass Mixon as the long-term RB1 in Houston.

Notre Dame men’s basketball doomed by poor shooting in loss to Houston

Another late night, another loss in Vegas.

When the Notre Dame men’s basketball team looks back on this season, it can proud of it played No. 6 Houston. While it resulted in a 65-54 defeat during the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas, it was a testament to how the Irish could respond to adversity.

[autotag]Markus Burton[/autotag] was ruled out indefinitely with a knee injury earlier in the day. But that didn’t mean the Irish (4-3) just folded against the Cougars (4-2). In fact, their biggest deficit didn’t come until the very end of the game, which shows they were in it almost the entire time.

The problem for the Irish was that they shot 38.8% from the floor, making only 19 field goals. Over eight minutes elapsed between field goals at one point in the second half. It also didn’t help that the Cougars used their suffocating defense to score 11 points off 12 Irish turnovers.

Emanuel Sharp led the Cougars with 17 points. Milos Uzan scored 10 points and finished within an assist of a double-double.

Terrance Arceneaux had 13 points off the bench on 6-of-7 shooting. That alone was a far better showing than the entire Irish bench, which collectively was shut out in this game while missing all three field-goal attempts.

[autotag]Tae Davis[/autotag] led all scorers with 22 points and tied for the game high with eight rebounds. Although [autotag]Braeden Shrewsberry[/autotag] scored 16 points, he shot 4 of 13 from 3-point range, perhaps an indicator that he’s trying to make up for Burton’s absence.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on X: @gfclark89

Texans cut veteran CB, sign former first-round OL

The Texans are making changes to the roster before their Week 11 showdown against the Dallas Cowboys.

An internal move has been made to the Houston Texans’ roster entering Week 11’s matchup against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.

The Texans are re-signing cornerback D’Angelo Ross and adding former first-round offensive tackle Cameron Erving to the practice squad.

In a corresponding move, Houston is releasing veteran All-Pro defensive back and return man Desmond King and offensive tackle David Sharpe.

Ross, who started two games in place of rookie cornerback Kamari Lassiter, was released on Saturday and cleared waivers. He was always expected to return to the practice squad, espeically given his knowledge of the defense.

In the two games Ross started, he allowed 10 catches on 10 targets and one touchdown for 148 receiving yards. He also recorded 13 tackles.

King, who started three seasons with the Texans, was a valuable asset to Houston’s success after rejoining the team following his release from the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In six games, he totaled 47 tackles, one sack, and two pass breakups in seven games for the AFC South champions.

This past season, King played in one game as an elevation from the practice squad. He recorded one tackle.

Erving, a former first-round pick by the Cleveland Browns, was part of the Texans’ roster during the preseason but was cut during roster trimdowns.

He’ll replace Sharpe as the potential added offensive lineman from the practice squad, especially given his position flexibility.

Kickoff from AT&T Stadium on Monday night is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN.

Colts vs. Texans injury report: Latest updates, news for Wednesday

Here are the latest updates and news on the Houston Texans injury report ahead of Week 8’s game against the Indianapolis Colts

For the first time in two weeks, Kamari Lassiter looked healthy.

The Houston Texans rookie cornerback returned to practice as a limited participant Wednesday in preparation for Week 8’s matchup against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium.

Lassiter, the Texans’ second-round pick out of Georgia, had been dealing with a scapula fracture, a rare football injury involving the back of the shoulder blade suffered during an offensive pass interference infraction against the Buffalo Bills.

While there’s still a chance he could miss Sunday’s outing, practicing is a sign in the right direction that he could be cleared.

https://texanswire.usatoday.com/2024/10/23/texans-deandre-hopkins-chiefs-patrick-mahomes/ 

This season, Lassiter has been one of the better rookie cornerbacks. He’s recorded 15 tackles, two for losses, three pass deflections and an interception. According to Pro Football Focus, opposing quarterbacks have completed 9 of 24 passes against Lassiter for 193 yards.

Linebacker Henry To’oTo’o also returned to practice as a limited participant after suffering a concussion in Week 6’s win over the New England Patriots. He didn’t play last week but could be cleared to return by Thursday afternoon.

Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) and defensive back Jimmie Ward (groin) missed practice for the fourth consecutive day. According to KPRC2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson, Ward is expected to miss his third consecutive game due to injury.

Rookie Calen Bullock, who totaled his third interception in Week 7, is expected to start opposite Eric Murray.

Al-Shaair, who left in Week 6 during the third quarter, could be a game-time decision. Earlier Wednesday, Houston signed former first-round pick Devin White to the active roster for depth purposes.

Receivers Robert Woods (foot) and Steven Sims (back) also missed Wednesday’s practice. Woods hasn’t played since Week 5’s win over the Buffalo Bills.

Here’s a look at the injury report for the Texans and Colts after Wednesday’s practice. With a win on Sunday, the Texans would finish with at least a .500 record in divisional play for 2024.

Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT. The game will be televised on CBS.

Watch: Texans WR Stefon Diggs involved in pregame incident with Packers CB Jaire Alexander

Jaire Alexander and Stefon Diggs already have the tempers flaring before kickoff at Lambeau Field.

Tempers are flaring early at Lambeau Field between Houston Texans receiver Stefon Diggs and Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexader.

Expect this to be a storyline of the afternoon between the two All-Pro talents.

Diggs appeared to get into it with several Packers players, including Alexander, during pregame warmups. Coaches and others got involved as separated, but not before a few words were exchanged between the two.

Here’s a look at the incident below.

This isn’t the first time these two have had beef. It dates back to Diggs’ time with the Minnesota Vikings and Alexander’s rookie season with the Packers back in 2018.

It continued to Diggs’ stint with the Buffalo Bills. In 2022, the two went up against one another in coverage and had multiple fights between reps.

Diggs finished that game with six catches for 108 yards and a touchdown. Alexander allowed four catches for 68 yards and the score. Sunday will mark the sixth time the two have faced each other in coverage.

In the five previous games, Diggs has totaled 44 receptions for 419 yards and six receiving touchdowns against Alexander. The 6-foot Alexander has one interception and six pass deflections in those games.

Earlier this week, the four-time Pro Bowler declined to comment on his skirmishes with Alexander in the past.

“I could say yeah, but it’s no different than our approach any other week,” Diggs said. “I try to earn it each and every week in practice, try to get on the same page with my quarterback. I don’t really try to get into all the extra stuff.”

The Texans will receive the ball to begin the second half.

Texans provide injury update on RB Joe Mixon

Joe Mixon is currently dealing with an ankle injury suffered during the third quarter against the Chicago Bears.

While the Houston Texans lead, they might have lost a key offensive weapon.

Running back Joe Mixon is questionable to return with an ankle injury against the Chicago Bears. The Texans likely rest him for the rest of the evening knowing his value for the remainder of the season.

https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/status/1835507250594566554

Acquired from the Cincinnati Bengals in the offseason, Mixon caught a pass from C.J. Stroud and headed toward the sideline. Following the tackle, he was slow to get up but was able to limp his way back to the sidelines.

It looked like a hip drop tackle from the defensive back, but nothing was called by the officials. Mixon was first evaluated in the blue tent and then later walked back to the locker room.

https://twitter.com/MySportsUpdate/status/1835505488202531129

 

Last week in a 29-27 win over the Indianapolis Colts, Mixon led the NFL with 159 rushing yards and a touchdown on 30 carries. Through two-plus quarters, Mixon has 20 yards off seven carries.

If Mixon doesn’t return, the Texans will turn to Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale for the rest of the evening.

UPDATE: Mixon has returned to the game after further evalution from the medical staff. 

Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud nominated for Best Breakthrough Athlete at ESPYs

C.J. Stroud could be adding another piece of hardware to his mantel after his breakout rookie season with the Houston Texans.

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud won the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award after guiding his team to a division title for the first time since 2019.

Stroud, the fifth quarterback in league history to throw for over 4,000 yards in his rookie season, became one of the biggest breakout stars in the sports world. Soon, he might have the hardware to settle the debate.

This week, Stroud was nominated for Best Breakthrough Athlete at the ESPY Awards. He’ll join San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama, USC’s women’s basketball player JuJu Watkins and gymnast Haleigh Bryant in a race to finish for the award.

Each nominee has a strong case following their dominant seasons. Best Breakthrough Athlete is awarded to the person who made the most substantial breakthrough as a rookie or achieved a rapid improvement in performance.

Stroud, who helped Houston triple its win total from 2022 while becoming the youngest quarterback in league history to win a playoff game, might be the favorite. Houston won a combined 11 games from 2020-2022 and fired its head coach each offseason.

Stroud also became the third player in league history to lead the NFL in both touchdown-to-interception ratio (23:5) and passing yards per game (274) in the same season, joining Hall of Famer Joe Montana and seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady.

The award was won last year by former LSU star and current Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese. Other notable winners include Tiger Woods (1997),  Kurt Warner (2000), Brady (2002), LeBron James (2004), Adrian Peterson (2007), Jeremy Lin (2013), Dak Prescott (2017) and Saquon Barkley (2019).

The 2024 ESPY Awards will be aired on July 11 at 7 p.m. on ABC.

Report: Houston’s Jamal Shead had predraft workout with Thunder

Report: Houston’s Jamal Shead had predraft workout with Thunder.

The calendar has flipped to June, which means NBA teams are intensifying their predraft process and hosting players for workouts and visits. The 2024 NBA draft will take place from June 26-27.

The Oklahoma City Thunder enter this year’s class with a sole draft pick of the No. 12 selection. OKC was gifted the free lottery pick via the Houston Rockets.

The Thunder will host several meetings with draft prospects in the coming weeks. This includes players outside the lottery range as OKC will likely seek to add undrafted free agents or even buy back into the second round if it likes someone enough.

One possibility is Houston’s Jamal Shead. He had a predraft workout with the Thunder on Sunday, per Rookie Wire.

The 21-year-old played four college seasons from 2020-24 with Houston. He was a starter in his final three campaigns. The Cougars’ season ended in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Men’s Tournament.

In 37 games last season, Shead averaged 12.9 points on 40.9% shooting, 6.3 assists and 3.7 rebounds. He shot 30.9% from 3 on 3.8 attempts. At 6-foot, 200 pounds, he’s a bit small for a guard.

Shead is a potential undrafted free agent target. He has a shot to join the Thunder’s summer league squad and possibly be added to the G League’s OKC Blue for next season if he impresses enough.

A full list of 2024 NBA draft prospects that have worked out or visited the Thunder in the predraft process can be viewed here.

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