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Bar Chat

12/18/2023

Talkin' Football...hoops, and baseball....

Add-on posted before noon Tuesday, prior to any word on Aaron Rodgers’ status.

NFL

--Monday night, the Seahawks (7-7) defeated the Eagles (10-4) in Seattle, 20-17, snapping a four-game losing streak and staying in the hunt, while the Eagles lost their third straight, Jalen Hurts throwing two interceptions, but rushing for two touchdowns and 82 yards.

Drew Lock was announced as Seattle’s QB just moments before kickoff as Geno Smith continues to recover from a groin injury.  He then orchestrated the game-winning score, a 29-yard touchdown to rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba with 28 seconds left.

Down by four, Seattle got the ball with 1:52 on the clock. Lock connected with DK Metcalf three times on the drive, including a 34-yard lob and an impressive one-handed grab.

Seattle safety Julian Love had both interceptions, including the game-sealing pick with under 10 seconds left in the contest.

--In late games after I posted Sunday, the 49ers (11-3) whipped the Cardinals (3-11) 45-29, as Brock Purdy once again was outstanding, 16/25, 242, 4-0, 135.3, while Christian McCaffrey rushed for 115 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown, along with five receptions for another 72 and two scores, taking his season TD total to 20, matching Miami’s Raheem Mostert.

--The Bills (8-6) remain in the hunt, 31-10 over Dallas (10-4), Buffalo’s James Cook the star of the show: 221 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns, including 179 rushing.  Dak Prescott was not good…21/34, 134, 0-1, the Buffalo ‘D’ having something to do with that.

So in the span of about three weeks, we went from Dak being league MVP over Jalen Hurts, to Brock Purdy leap-frogging both of them.

--Then again, the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson is saying, ‘Not so fast, boys, don’t forget about me,” as Baltimore improved to 11-3 with a 23-7 win down in Jacksonville over the Jags (8-6).

But Baltimore suffered a big blow with the loss of running back Keaton Mitchell, who I said after his debut performance could be a huge difference maker.

Mitchell tore his ACL, out for the season, after rushing for 73 yards on nine carries, giving him 396 yards on just 47 carries, an 8.4 average!  Melvin Gordon is being added to the roster.

--Boy, the knives are out in Jetsland.  I’d say 95% of us fans want coach Robert Saleh and GM Joe Douglas to be fired, but owner Woody Johnson is going to listen to Aaron Rodgers.  Saleh is losing the locker room, though, which could make Woody and Aaron’s decision easier.

What the Jets don’t know is who will be at quarterback for their scintillating matchup Sunday against the Commanders.  Zach Wilson was physically pummeled in the Dolphins game, his mother, Lisa, ever active on social media, saying Monday that Zach didn’t alert the coaching staff or medical team about how bad he was hurt until blurred vision and issues with his depth perception reached a concerning level.

“Yesterday was a little bit rough, Zach took some really, really big hits and he fought through it and really tried to just stay out on the field.”

Wilson is in concussion protocol and highly questionable for Sunday.

Meanwhile, this is the 13th straight season the Jets will miss the postseason, the longest active streak in the four major sports leagues.  It really, really sucks being a fan of this team, folks.

As for Aaron Rodgers and his potential return, I sure hope he doesn’t, fearing the worst (given the atrocious offensive line), but we’ll see.  A decision has to be made soon whether or not to add him to the roster.

--Playoff Picture….

AFC

1. Baltimore 11-3
2. Miami 10-4
3. Kansas City 9-5
4. Jacksonville 8-6
5. Cleveland 9-5
6. Cincinnati 8-6
7. Indianapolis 8-6

8. Houston 8-6
9. Buffalo 8-6

NFC

1. San Francisco 11-3
2. Dallas 10-4
3. Detroit 10-4
4. Tampa Bay 7-7
5. Philadelphia 10-4
6. Minnesota 7-7
7. Los Angeles 7-7

8. Seattle 7-7
9. New Orleans 7-7

--Dave Sheinin and Emily Giambalvo of the Washington Post had an extensive piece on the state of the sport of football.

“For decades, few things have united America as consistently and completely as football – the autumnal obsession of small-town Friday nights, the ritualistic centerpiece of college-town Saturdays, the communal Sunday religion of a staggering percentage of the populace.  In American culture, the game stands virtually alone in the way its appeal cuts across demographic lines.

“But when it comes to actually playing tackle football – and risking the physical toll of a sport linked to brain damage – there are wider divisions marked by politics, economics and race….

“While participation is falling almost everywhere, The Post found, boys in the most conservative, poorest states continue to play high school tackle football at higher rates than those in wealthier and more politically liberal areas.  The politicization of the concussion crisis is forging deeper divisions between those who support youth football and those who don’t.  And while precise data about football’s racial makeup is hard to come by, the demographics appear to be gradually shifting. Among kids and teens, White and Black males are playing tackle football at declining rates, while Hispanic boys increasingly take up the sport.  In college, the proportion of White players is declining, and that of Black players rising, at faster rates than national demographic changes….

“Nationally, football remains the most popular boys’ high school sport in the country by a wide margin….

“But viewed from a wider lens, high school football is in steep, steady decline.  Participation has fallen 17 percent since 2006, when more than 1.1 million boys played the sport, a larger decline than any of the other top 10 most popular boys’ sports.”

College Football

--Bowl season is here, and I just couldn’t care less.  But I’ll get into it Dec. 28, with the Pinstripe Bowl, Miami vs. Rutgers, and I’ll watch the New Year’s Six games.  Otherwise, waiting for the CFP semis, like the rest of you.

--It’s really about the transfer portal.  Former Kansas State star QB Will Howard is going to USC.  He should thrive there.

--Nebraska pulled off a non-portal gem in getting five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola to flip from Georgia to the Cornhuskers for 2024. 

The Buford (Ga.) High School star will follow in his father’s footsteps and head to Lincoln, where his father, Dominic, was an All-American offensive lineman before a 14-season NFL career.

It isn’t a big loss at all for Georgia, however, at least for 2024, as Carson Beck announced he was returning, an immediate Heisman favorite.

College Basketball

--AP Poll…records through Sunday….

1. Purdue (48) 10-1…huh, thought it would be Kansas, even though Purdue beat Arizona…very stupid on my part…
2. Kansas (6) 10-1
3. Houston (8) 11-0
4. Arizona 8-1
5. UConn 10-1
6. Marquette 9-2
7. Oklahoma 10-0
8. Tennessee 8-3
9. Kentucky 8-2
10. Baylor 9-1
11. North Carolina 7-3
12. Creighton 9-2
13. Illinois 8-2
14. Florida Atlantic 9-2
15. Gonzaga 8-3
16. Colorado State 10-1
17. BYU 10-1
18. Clemson 9-1
19. Texas 8-2
20. James Madison 10-0
21. Duke 7-3
22. Virginia 9-1
23. Memphis 8-2
24. Wisconsin 8-3
25. Ole Miss 10-0

Not a lot of action this coming week, as you’d expect before Christmas.  Virginia-Memphis on Tuesday could be entertaining.   Arizona-FAU in Vegas next Saturday.  And Saturday night, Rick Pitino gets to find out if his Red Storm can compete against the best, taking on UConn in Hartford.

NBA

--Nice win for the Knicks (15-11) against the Lakers (15-12) in L.A. Monday night, 114-109, as Julius Randle had 27 points and 14 rebounds, playing 43 minutes, while Isaiah Hartenstein, filling in for both Mitchell Robinson and Jericho Sims (injured early in this contest), had 17 rebounds.  Anthony Davis had 32 points and 14 ‘boards for LA., while LeBron had a triple-double, 25-11-11.

--We note the passing of former North Carolina and NBA big man, Eric Montross, who died Sunday at the age of 52, his family announced Monday, after a battle with cancer.

“His family is grateful for the tremendous support and the truly overwhelming love expressed by so many people as he battled with his signature determination and grace,” his family said in a statement issued through the University of North Carolina.

“…To know Eric was to be his friend, and the family knows that the ripples from the generous, thoughtful way that he lived his life will continue in the lives of the many people he touched with his deep and sincere kindness.”

Montross played for Dean Smith at UNC from 1990 to 1994, the starting center on the 1993 national championship team.  He was a first-team All-ACC selection that season, and was a two-time AP second-team All-American.

Montross was the ninth overall pick in the 1994 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics and played for a number of teams over 8 seasons, averaging 4.5 points and 4.6 rebounds.  His best season was his rookie year with the Celts, 10 points, 7.3 rebound.

After his playing career, he served as a radio analyst for UNC game broadcasts for 18 seasons.

MLB

--Mets, Yankees fans, along with the fan bases of about four other clubs, are waiting to see who wins out on the Yoshinobu Yamamoto sweepstakes.

--We note the passing of original Met, left-handed reliever Ken MacKenzie, who died last Thursday.  He was 89.  I didn’t see a note on his passing until Monday.

MacKenzie was acquired from the Milwaukee Braves in October 1961 as they were filling out their first roster and he was the only pitcher with a winning record, 5-4, 4.95 ERA, for the 40-120 Metsies.

MacKenzie was 3-1 with a 4.97 ERA in 34 appearances for New York in 1963 before being traded to the Cardinals.  He retired in 1965, 8-10, 4.80.

Born in Gore Bay, Canada, MacKenzie attended Yale University. RIP.

Stuff

--The Champions League round of 16 matchups are in and the only thing I care about is that the Premier League still has two entrants, Man City and Arsenal.  First-leg matches in mid-February, and return legs early March.

The final is June 1 at Wembley Stadium in London.

--Tiger Woods seemed optimistic about playing once a month, including the majors this coming year, after the weekend’s event where he teamed with son Charlie.

--Viktor Hovland, speaking to Discovery’s golf podcast “Fore” in Norway, said “I doubt that” you will see him go to LIV Golf.

“If I had gone to LIV, I don’t think I would have become a better golfer,” said Hovland, the reigning FedEx Cup champion after winning three times in 2023.  “And then it is, in a way, the end of discussion.

“But I can’t blame people who make that decision and go over there.  Then we have to try to find an arrangement in the end.  We’ll see.”

Hovland has been heavily linked to LIV after Jon Rahm’s decision to join the league, but for now, Viktor said he’s committed to six PGA Tour events to start the season, including the opening Sentry in two weeks.

Hovland was highly critical, however, of the PGA Tour, saying “the management has not done a good job.”

“When you get to see what happens behind closed doors, how the management actually makes decisions, which are not in the players’ best interest, but best for themselves and what they think is best…they are businessmen who say that, ‘No, it should look like this and that.’  There is a great deal of arrogance behind it all.”

--We bid adieu to HBO’s “Real Sports” after a staggering 29 years.  Good job, Bryant Gumbel.

--A 67-year-old Colorado woman suffered a puncture wound to her leg after she was gored by an “aggressive” mule deer outside her home Saturday evening, officials said.

The woman was attacked by a small mule deer buck, armed with two spikes on each antler, in front of the door to her Silver Cliff home, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said in a news release.

The victim suffered a puncture wound to her left leg and horrific bruising on her right leg before she was able to run back inside, CPW said.

The woman was brought to the hospital after calling her husband.

Next Bar Chat, Sunday p.m., including my annual Christmas Special.

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[Posted early Sunday evening….prior to late NFL games…]

Add-on up top by early Tuesday p.m.

NFL Quiz: Tua Tagovailoa led the NFL in passing yards entering this week with 3,697, so an outside shot at 5,000.  C.J. Stroud is at 3,631.  Name the nine QBs to throw for 5,000 in a season.  Answer below.

NFL

--We had three games Saturday with playoff implications.  Five 7-6 teams and one 9-4 heading into the action.

The Bengals then won their third straight, kind of shockingly, with Jake Browning at the helm, 27-24 in overtime over the Vikings (7-7), the Bengals 8-6 and suddenly in the playoffs as of today.

Browning was 29/42, 324, 2-1, while Minnesota’s Nick Mullens, the fourth quarterback to start a game for the Vikings this season, was solid, 26/33, 303, 2-2.

The Bengals and Browning were down 17-3 in the third quarter, but Joe Burrow’s replacement engineered three fourth-quarter touchdown drives, throwing for two TDs and 184 yards to send the game into overtime, Cincy’s Tee Higgins with an unbelievably athletic reception for the tying score with just 0:39 remaining in regulation.  Browning then threw a lucky 44-yard pass in OT to Tyler Boyd, who made his own fantastic play on the ball, to set up Evan McPherson’s game-winning field goal.

--Former Pittsburgh Steelers great Ben Roethlisberger was highly critical of his old team this week, Pittsburgh having lost two straight to pathetic teams, including a loss to New England on Thursday Night Football.  He has been especially critical of coach Mike Tomlin.

Big Ben then said, “Maybe the tradition of the Pittsburgh Steelers is done.”

He said there doesn’t appear to be a leader that’s keeping up the franchise’s longstanding tradition of being viewed as a tough team.

Well, Roethlisberger couldn’t have liked what he saw Saturday, the Steelers falling to 7-7, 30-13 losers to Gardner Minshew’s Colts (8-6), the Stache with three touchdown passes, Indy roaring back from an early 13-0 deficit to score 30 unanswered.

--In Saturday’s nightcap, Jared Goff threw five touchdown passes, tying a career high, in Detroit’s 42-17 win over Denver (7-7).  Goff had had nine turnovers in his previous four games as the Lions (10-4) struggled.  But not last night.

So after Saturday’s play, the Bengals and Colts had the final two AFC playoff spots, the Steelers and Broncos falling to 10 and 11.

--San Diego fired coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco following one of the worst losses in franchise history on Thursday night, 63-21 to the Raiders in Las Vegas, the Raiders leading this one 42-0 at the half, the 63 points the most ever given up the Chargers.

Once again, the Chargers are one of football’s biggest disappointments, 5-9, despite having a stud quarterback, Justin Herbert, and some solid talent throughout the roster.

Staley was 24-24 for L.A. (0-1 in the playoffs), becoming the third coach to be fired this season, joining Josh McDaniels of the Raiders and Carolina’s Frank Reich.

Meanwhile, interim Raiders coach Antonio Pierce is 3-3, after McDaniels got off to a 3-5 start.  Whether Pierce gets the job full-time remains to be seen.  The Raiders scored their 63 points after being shut out the week prior by the Vikings, 3-0, Jim Kaat scattering five hits.

But with Justin Herbert, the Chargers head coaching job is an attractive opportunity.  Herbert is out for the season after surgery on his fractured right index finger this week.

Herbert is also the seventh starting quarterback in the league to be lost for the season because of an injury if Aaron Rodgers doesn’t return for the Jets from his torn Achilles.  [Rodgers looked great in practice Friday, incredibly, and even had an interception playing as a linebacker on the scout defense team.  The Jets could clear him to play this coming Wednesday, but as Tony Romo observed this afternoon, he’s not coming back with that atrocious offensive line.]

--So speaking of the Jets, they traveled to Miami and after Zach Wilson’s performance last week against the Texans, there were fleeting hopes it could continue. But as has been his wont, Wilson isn’t consistent, the Jets’ offensive line blows royally, he was knocked out, the Jets lost 30-0, with four yards in the first half.

The only thing to add is that Miami’s Raheem Mostert had two touchdowns to set a new franchise record of 20, the Dolphins 10-4, the Jets 5-9.

--And the other team playing in New York, the Giants, were on the air at the same time, down in New Orleans, and the Tommy DeVito Train derailed, at least for today, falling 24-6, Giants 5-9 like the Jets, the Saints 7-7. 

DeVito was sacked seven times, like Zach Wilson knocked out in the first half before returning, the Saints’ Derek Carr with three touchdown passes. 

Both games for us New York viewers were hideous.

--Meanwhile, Trader George’s Browns were down 17-7 at home to the Bears, when Joe Flacco, who had thrown three interceptions, including a pick-six, rallied the team to a 20-17 victory, Cleveland 9-5, Flacco 28/44, 374, 2-3…Dustin Hopkins with another game-winning field goal.

However, Justin Fields and the Bears almost pulled off a miraculous Hail Mary that the Bears’ receiver actually had in his hands and the ball slipped through.

--Kansas City (9-5) beat New England (3-11) 27-17 on the road, despite Patrick Mahomes’ two interceptions.

--Tampa Bay (7-7) handed Green Bay (6-8) a deadly loss for their playoff hopes, 34-20.

College Football

--Keeping up on some of the portal deals…former Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers is taking his homespun humor to Washington, replacing Michael Penix, who will go to the NFL following the College Football Playoff.

Rogers is No. 2 in SEC history in passing yards, but had a disappointing, injury-riddled 2023.  Nonetheless, the guy has experience and has thrown for 12,315 yards and 94 touchdowns.

--Duke QB Riley Leonard is heading to Notre Dame, as expected, announcing “this is a dream come true,” which infuriates Duke fans.  As one, Ken P., told me, “Now it’s our turn to hate Notre Dame.”

Nothing pisses a fan base off more than when a player has been with a school like Duke or Wake Forest, and then for the NIL money, goes off for a final season at a school like Notre Dame, see Sam Hartman, and talks about it being a dream come true. 

Duke, Wake Forest, paid for your education, gave you the opportunity on the field, and then you bolt for your “dream job.”

I do have to say that in Leonard’s case, he can say he’d have to be dealing with a new coach if he stayed, but that’s what he’s doing in South Bend now.

--Miami QB Tyler Van Dyke, who has a lot of potential, is transferring to Wisconsin.

--North Carolina State is getting Coastal Carolina’s Grayson McCall to be its next QB, a good move by both.  McCall was the Sun Belt Player of the Year in 2020, 2021 and 2022, though he comes off an injury-riddled, disappointing season under new coach Tim Beck.

--Texas quarterback Maalik Murphy confirmed Wednesday he has entered the transfer portal and will not be available for the Longhorns’ CFP semifinal against Washington on Jan. 1.

So this means Arch Manning will back up Quinn Ewers.

Murphy has potential, 2-0 as a starter when Ewers missed two games with an injury, throwing for 477 yards and three touchdowns, but with three interceptions.

But this is a little shocking given Texas’ CFP status.

As for 2024, Ewers has yet to publicly say whether he will declare for the 2024 NFL Draft.  If Ewers returns he’s a Heisman favorite.  But if he turns pro, the job could be Manning’s, perhaps a year sooner than might have been expected.

--Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe announced he will return.

--Kentucky picked up a solid running back, Chip Trayanum, who is moving over from Ohio State.  Guarantee: He will be an NFL fullback.  He was actually recruited by OSU to play linebacker.

--And then this afternoon, former Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord shockingly announced he was transferring to Syracuse!  Wow, what a coup for the Orange.  Good for them.  McCord said he liked the talent that new coach Fran Brown was accumulating.

NBA

--We had some interesting action Friday night…the Knicks upset Phoenix on the road, 139-122, as point guard Jalen Brunson had a night to remember, a career-high 50 points on 17 of 23 shooting from the field, 9 of 9 from three, one of only two players in NBA history to score at least 50 points while not missing a 3-pointer, the other being Kyrie Irving.

But Brunson also had nine assists and five steals in his 35 minutes of play, the Knicks improving to 14-10, Phoenix 13-12, suddenly losers of six of eight.

[The Knicks were then drilled by the Clippers (15-10) in L.A. Saturday night, 144-122, Kawhi Leonard with 36 points on 12 of 16 from the field.]

--Also Friday, Victor Wembanyama squared off against LeBron James for the first time in San Antonio and the Spurs (4-20) snapped a franchise-record 18-game losing streak, 129-115, as Wemby had 13 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals, while LeBron had 23 points, 14 assists and 7 rebounds, L.A. (15-11) playing without three starters, including Anthony Davis.

Wembanyama and James shared a warm embrace after.

--Meanwhile, speaking of losing streaks, Detroit’s is now 22 following a 124-92 defeat at the hands of the 76ers (17-7) Friday night.  Detroit is 2-23, and has a real shot at the all-time record of 28 held twice by Philadelphia.

But wait…make that 23 after a 146-114 loss at Milwaukee yesterday.

--And in Sacramento Saturday night, second-year forward Keegan Murray made 12 3-pointers for the Kings, including an NBA-record 11 straight, scoring a career-high 47 in Sacramento’s 125-104 win over the Utah Jazz.

Murray scored a franchise-best 26 points in the third quarter and ended up falling just two 3s shy of Klay Thompson’s record 14 in 2018.

Murray was the fourth pick in the 2022 NBA Draft out of Iowa.

--Going back to Wednesday, Giannis Antetokounmpo exchanged heated words with members of the Indiana staff and raced toward the Pacers locker room as both teams squared off in a hallway in a dispute over the game ball following the Milwaukee star’s franchise-record 64-point performance.

Giannis was in search of the game ball which Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said afterward the Pacers took for Oscar Tshiebwe, who scored his first official NBA point in the contest.

That led to a confrontation between members of the teams in the arena hallway.

More importantly, Giannis’ 64 point, 14 rebound effort was just the third since 1970, David Robinson with 71 and 14 in a game in 1994, and Michael Jordan with 69 and 18 in 1990.

But wait, there’s more!  One video showed the Bucks ended up with the game ball, at least on the floor.

--Draymond Green was suspended indefinitely for his latest thrown punch, a flagrant blow to Jusuf Nurkic’s head during a 119-116 loss to the Suns on Tuesday night, a good move by the NBA to take against this total thug.

Green has been ejected 19 times overall, and this is his sixth career suspension.

NBA vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars said in a statement that the unusual disciplinary move “takes into account Green’s repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts.”

Green “will be required to meet certain league and team conditions before he returns to play,” the league said.

The latest suspension comes less than one month after Green was ejected and subsequently suspended five games for putting Rudy Gobert in a headlock on Nov. 14.

--Oklahoma City will build a new, publicly owned arena that keeps the Thunder in town through at least 2050.  The Thunder will reportedly be on the hook for just $50 million of the estimated $900-million stadium, thanks to the citizens of OKC voting to build the new arena, 71% in favor.

It’s a great franchise, and great fanbase, but only came about because Seattle couldn’t come to an agreement to keep the Supersonics, the franchise moving to Oklahoma City in 2008.

--But in a huge blow to Washington, D.C., the owner of the Wizards and Capitals reached a nonbinding arrangement that would move the teams from downtown D.C. to a new arena in Northern Virginia as soon as 2028, potentially upending the regional sports landscape.

Ted Leonsis, owner of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin appeared together Wednesday at an event in Alexandria’s Potomac Yard neighborhood where the terms of the framework were detailed.

The facility would anchor a 12-acre mixed-use development.  If this goes through, and there is already controversy over the amount the public could be shelling, like over $1 billion in subsidies, it would be a huge blow to D.C.’s struggling downtown, and a major development win for Youngkin.

So D.C. leaders are making an 11th-hour attempt to retain the teams at Capital One Arena, built in 1997 and one of the older arenas in the NHL and NBA, with Leonsis over the years complaining about the surrounding area and the city’s lack of investment in the building.

As things stand, Monumental cannot move the Wizards and Capitals to Virginia until 2027 under the terms of its lease.  The company said it plans to relocate the teams in 2028.

D.C. is also facing appeals from the Washington Nationals baseball team for upgrades and competition to host the next Commanders football stadium.

--Basketball Hall of Famer George McGinnis died. He was 73.  He had been hospitalized since suffering a cardiac arrest at his home last week.

McGinnis was a 2-time ABA champion with the Indiana Pacers, a hometown hero, having played at George Washington High School in Indianapolis and college at Indiana University.

He starred on a Pacers team that won ABA championships in 1972 and 1973, playoffs MVP the second year.

The following season he was the ABA MVP and scoring champion, averaging 29.8 points per game.  He later had some solid seasons in Philadelphia and Denver before finishing his career back in Indianapolis, averaging 21.7 ppg and 11.8 rebounds for his 11 seasons.

College Basketball

It was a quiet week, until Saturday, but a few upsets and a biggie Friday night.

Wednesday, 8 Creighton fell to UNLV, 79-64; and 25 Northwestern was upset by Chicago State, 75-73.

Friday night, 5 UConn defeated 10 Gonzaga in Seattle, 76-63.

Saturday, No. 1 Arizona fell to 3 Purdue in Indianapolis, 92-84, the Wildcats’ first loss, 8-1, Purdue 10-1.

Arizona thought they had a good strategy for dealing with Purdue’s Zach Edey, and they held him to 22 points, but the Boilermakers’ sophomore guard duo of Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith combined for 9 of 16 from 3-point land and that was the decisive factor.

Arizona will lose the No. 1 spot in Monday’s AP Poll to 2 Kansas (10-1), which edged Indiana (7-3) in Bloomington, 75-71.

6 Baylor lost its first of the season, now 9-1, and it wasn’t close as Michigan State, in the midst of a disappointing start to the season, evened their mark at 5-5 with an 88-64 blowout of the Bears, the Spartans’ bench 12 of 13 from the field, MSU racing to a 45-17 halftime lead.

9 North Carolina (7-3) lost to 14 Kentucky (8-2) 86-83.

And 13 Clemson suffered its first loss, 79-77 to Memphis (8-2), the Tigers falling to 9-1.

In No. 4 Houston’s 70-66 win over Texas A&M, a key reserve for the Cougars, Terrance Arceneaux, suffered a torn Achilles.  The sophomore was averaging six points and five rebounds and just hitting his stride, according to coach Kelvin Sampson.

MLB

--The Dodgers are trying to surround Shohei Ohtani with a World Series caliber supporting cast and to that end spent a whopping $135 million, 5 years, on Tampa Bay pitcher Tyler Glasnow, after he was part of trade including outfielder Manuel Margot that sent right-handed starter Ryan Pepiot and outfield prospect Jonny Deluca to the Rays.

Glasnow, 30, is considered one of the better pitchers in the game, but he’s always hurt.  Last season he was 10-7 with the Rays, 3.53 ERA, over 120 innings, which was actually a career high.  He struck out 162, however, to give you a sense of the incredible stuff he has.

Glasnow has had ERAs of 1.78 and 2.66, 2019 and 2021, but he only made 12 and 14 starts, respectively, those seasons.  So who the hell knows.  It’s a gamble for the Dodgers, but they’re going for it.  [Manuel Margot is also a solid spare outfielder.]

Meanwhile, we learned the other day there is a wrinkle to Ohtani’s contract, an opt-out clause if Mark Walter is no longer controlling owner of the Dodgers or if Andrew Friedman is no longer president of baseball operations.  Talk about better job security for these two, let alone further leverage for Ohtani.

And if you want to see the Dodgers’ home opener against the Cardinals on March 28, you’ll have to shell out at least $400.

Fanatics also announced Wednesday that Ohtani’s No. 17 jersey set the record for highest sales within 48 hours of the release, beating the record previously set by Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami CF jersey release.

The Dodgers also have tied the Yankees for most followers on Instagram at 3.3 million.  But Ohtani himself has 6.5 million!

--The Yankees introduced Juan Soto to the press, via Zoom, which for a player of his stature was really bush league, but Soto said he’s focused on this season and nothing more, the implication being he will pursue free agency next offseason.  Yankees fans expressed concerns, but this is what you would expect him to say.  If he likes it in New York, and he should, he’ll stay.  Aaron Judge is a terrific teammate and no doubt they will bond big time.

--Right after I posted around noon on Tuesday, Mets fans learned of a big blow to their 2024 hopes…prospect Ronny Mauricio suffering a torn ACL in a Dominican Winter League game.  He is most likely out until August.

--The Giants, after losing out on Shohei Ohtani, signed Korean superstar Jung Hoo Lee to a six-year, $113 million deal, which exceeded most expectations.  Lee was KBO MVP, has huge potential, and is just 25.

--Max Scherzer had surgery to repair a herniated disk and will be sidelined until midseason, the Rangers announced Friday.

Scherzer, 39, missed time at the end of 2023 with a triceps issue, making three postseason appearances for the World Series champions after he missed the final few weeks of the regular season.  He is due $43 million in 2024 in the final year of a three-year, $130 million contract he signed with the Mets before the 2022 season.

Another former Met, Jacob deGrom, is recovering from Tommy John surgery and could be ready sometime after the All-Star break.

NHL

--Alex Ovechkin entered the season with 822 goals and was seen to be a cinch to eventually pass Wayne Gretzky’s mark of 894, but Ovechkin, kind of shockingly, has just five goals in 27 games for Washington, his career-worst goal drought stretched to 12 games on Saturday in 3-1 Capitals loss to the Predators, this after Ovechkin scored 42 and 50 goals the prior two seasons.

So…maybe Gretzky’s record is secure, Ovechkin 38 years old.

Premier League

This is a great time of year for PL fans.  While the other European leagues largely shut down for the holidays, the Premier League ramps things up with a game almost every day through New Year’s.

Friday, Tottenham defeated Nottingham 2-0.

Saturday, Manchester City had another disappointing effort, 2-2 at home against Crystal Palace, while freakin’ Everton won its fourth straight, 2-0 over Burnley.  No relegation for the lads who suffered the 10-point penalty.

Today, Arsenal reclaimed the top of the standings with a 2-0 win over Brighton, while Liverpool and Manchester United played to a 0-0 draw.

Table…17 of 38 played….

1. Arsenal…39 points
2. Liverpool…38
3. Aston Villa…38
4. Man City…34
5. Tottenham…33
6. Newcastle…29

16. Everton…7 points clear of relegation, already…

Finally, Luton Town captain Tom Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest on the field during the team’s match against Bournemouth, which was then ‘abandoned’ in after he went down with no one around him in the 59th minutes before he was taken off on a stretcher.  He is reportedly in stable condition.

Lockyer had a heart procedure earlier in the year.

Golf Balls

--Here’s something amazing. Tiger Woods is not yet technically eligible for the U.S. Open, because his exemption for the event has run out, but the USGA will of course extend him a special exemption, as it’s done with players like Phil Mickelson, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, as well as Tom Watson.

What’s amazing is this is the first major Woods isn’t automatically in (for now) since the 1996 PGA Championship, which took place a couple weeks before Tiger turned pro.  He then won his first major as a pro at the 1997 Masters by 12 shots.

FIS/World Alpine Ski World Cup

--Holy Toledo…or rather, Holy Truckee!

Bryce Bennett, a 31-year-old from Truckee, California (which has a great webcam for following Sierra Mountain snowstorms), won a downhill, and also picked up a third, at two downhill competitions in Val Gardena, Italy, this weekend.

This is just his second World Cup win.

Mikaela Shiffrin wasn’t a factor this weekend on the women’s circuit.

Stuff

--Larry David’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” is back for a 12th and final season on HBO, Feb. 4th.  Sad to see this great show end, but we’ve been lucky to get this much.

--Two men who allegedly killed approximately 3,600 birds, including bald eagles and golden eagles, face years in prison and fines up to $250,000 after being indicted by a federal grand jury in Montana.

Simon Paul and Travis John Branson are accused of poaching bald eagles and golden eagles on the Flathead Indian Reservation and elsewhere from January 2015 to March 2021 and then illegally selling them on the black market, according to the indictment.  They sold eagle tail feathers.

Among the charges is a violation of the Lacey Act involving wildlife with a market value in excess of $350 (penalty is five years in prison and a $20,000 fine).

The Lacey Act combats trafficking of illegally taken wildlife, fish or plants.

Needless to say, these two amazing scumbags should be tied down in the desert, with vultures picking at their bodies.

And then bring in a pack of hyenas to take care of any remains.

--We note the passing of Beach Boys musician Jeffrey Foskett after succumbing to cancer.  He was 67.  Foskett was a feature in the touring bands led by both Brian Wilson and Mike Love.

Wilson wrote on Instagram: “I’m so heartbroken that my dear friend Jeff Foskett has passed.  Jeff was always there for me when we toured and we couldn’t have done it without him.  Jeff was one of the most talented guys I ever knew.  He was a great musical leader and guitarist and he could sing like an angel.

“I first met Jeff in 1976 when he knocked on my door in Bel Air and I invited him in, and we were friends ever since.”

Top 3 songs for the week 12/14/63:  #1 “Dominique” (The Singing Nun…talk about a woman who rocked!...)  #2 “Louie Louie” (The Kingsmen)  #3 “Everybody” (Tommy Roe)…and…#4 “I’m Leaving It Up To You” (Dale & Grace)  #5 “You Don’t Have To Be A Baby To Cry” (The Caravelles)  #6 “Since I Fell For You” (Lenny Welch…timeless tune…probably in my Top 50 all time…)  #7 “Be True To Your School” (The Beach Boys)  #8 “Drip Drop” (Dion Di Muci)  #9 “There! I’ve Said It Again” (Bobby Vinton…underrated entertainer…)  #10 “Walking The Dog” (Rufus Thomas…C week…less than two months away from Ed Sullivan and, “Ladies and Gentlemen….THE BEATLES!  Aaghhhhhhh!!!....Close your eyes and I’ll kiss you…Tomorrow I’ll miss you…Aaghhhhhhh!!!...73 million tuned in that night…including the Editor and his family on our 75,000 lb. B&W television…)

NFL Quiz Answer: 5,000 yards passing in a single season….

1. Peyton Manning…5,477, 2013, DEN
2. Drew Brees…5,476, 2011, NOR
3. Tom Brady…5,316, 2021, TAM
4. Patrick Mahomes…5,250, 2022, KAN
5. Tom Brady…5,235, 2011, NWE
6. Drew Brees…5,208, 2016, NOR
7. Drew Brees…5,177, 2012, NOR
8. Drew Brees…5,162, 2013, NOR
9. Ben Roethlisberger…5,129, 2018, PIT
10. Jameis Winston…5,109, 2019, TAM
11. Patrick Mahomes…5,097, 2018, KAN
12. Dan Marino…5,084, 1984, MIA
13. Drew Brees…5,069, 2008, NOR
14. Matthew Stafford…5,038, 2011, DET
15. Justin Herbert…5,014, 2021, LAC

16. Matthew Stafford…4,967, 2012, DET

Brief Add-on up top by Tues. evening….

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