Tag: takeaways

Takeaways From Buffs At Air Force

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BOULDER — After two games and two losses by an average of 28 points, Colorado Buffaloes coach Karl Dorrell didn’t mince words.

In his postgame press conference following Saturday’s 41-10 loss at Air Force, Dorrell said, “We have a tremendous amount of work to do … the coaches and myself, we all take responsibility for it.”

Saturday’s defeat at Falcon Stadium bore some similarity to Colorado’s season-opening 38-13 loss to TCU. Despite some early mistakes, the Buffs were in the game in the third quarter — and then they weren’t. CU failed to take advantage when opportunity knocked, and the Falcons were more than happy to slam the door.

Our takeaways from Week 2:

1. Inability to convert crucial short-yardage situations. Despite two early turnovers that put the Buffs in a 20-0 hole, Colorado had a chance to close the gap to 20-17 early in the third quarter and make it anyone’s ballgame.

But a first-and-goal at the Air Force 2-yard line produced a fumble on second down, an AFA recovery and an empty trip to the red zone. Colorado then failed to convert a fourth-and-2 in Air Force territory on its next possession — with the score still 20-10 — and later in the game came up short on fourth-and-3 when quarterback J.T. Shrout slid too early with the first down marker well within his reach.

Saturday was not a one-time aberration. The Buffs were 0-for-3 on fourth-down tries the previous week, including a try deep in TCU territory early in the game that would have given CU some terrific early momentum.

Granted, had the Buffs been able to convert at the goal line Saturday, there’s no guarantee the game would have turned out differently. But it no doubt would have been at least interesting to see how Colorado would have responded had the Buffs been able to narrow the deficit to three and apply a little more pressure to the Falcons.

2. Still no answer at quarterback. The Buffs went with Shrout the entire game Saturday, ending a streak of 13 consecutive starts for Brendon Lewis.

But the change didn’t inject much life into the CU offense. The Buffs had just one drive that went for longer than 26 yards, a 71-yard touchdown march in the second quarter when Colorado’s running game suddenly found life. After that, however, the Buffs never really established anything resembling a rhythm again.

By no means was the limited production all on the shoulders of Shrout. CU didn’t handle the wet conditions particularly well. Colorado receivers had their hands on a half-dozen passes that fell incomplete — with one tip leading to an interception. It also appeared that Shrout, who hadn’t had any extended playing time in roughly two years, is also still finding his touch in the short game.

“We’re going to have to find someone that can give us a spark,” Dorrell said. “We have to continue to develop that position. Maybe we need to look at some of these younger guys, too.”

That group included sophomore Drew Carter, who had a handful of snaps last year, true freshman Owen McCown and freshman transfer Maddox Kopp. 

(Historical side note here that means nothing more than the guy writing this is old: Thirty years ago — Sept. 19, 1992 —  the Buffs traveled to Minnesota and trailed 17-0 early in the third quarter. QB Kordell Stewart did not play because of an injury and backup Duke Tobin was struggling. CU completed just two passes in the first half and had minus-8 yards rushing. Buffs coach Bill McCartney then yanked the redshirt off true freshman Koy Detmer. The Texas prep product came in and rallied Colorado to a 21-20 victory, throwing a 49-yard touchdown pass to Michael Westbrook and a 24-yard TD pass to Charles E. Johnson for the game winner. Detmer finished 11-for-18 for 184 yards and two touchdowns, and was named the Big Eight Offensive Player of the Week. One other note from the game: Colorado’s wide receivers coach that night was Karl Dorrell.)

3. CU’s defense gave the Buffs a chance. Yes, the Falcons scored 41 points and rang up 435 yards rushing. But Colorado also forced three AFA turnovers and with 10:40 left in the third quarter, the Buffs were 2 yards away from making it a 20-17 ballgame.

Colorado’s defense also had a solid first half against TCU, shutting the Horned Frogs offense out for the first two quarters and giving the Buffs a chance to be in that game.

Linebacker Quinn Perry is quickly becoming a force. He finished with 17 tackles against AFA, including one for loss. Fellow LB Josh Chandler-Semedo had 10 stops and it’s likely that safety Trevor Woods would have finished in double digits had he not been ejected early in the third quarter for targeting. He finished with eight tackles, including one for loss, and had a big hit that produced an AFA fumble and led to a Colorado field goal.

Also promising was the play of second-year freshman defensive lineman Tyas Martin. The 6-4, 340-pounder finished with four tackles and gave CU some needed depth in the trenches.

4. Air Force is very experienced and very good. That was a veteran bunch the Buffaloes faced Saturday, with seniors up and down the starting lineup. Nobody is going to be surprised if the Falcons run the table in the Mountain West and put themselves in position for at least a New Year’s Day bowl.

5. The Buffaloes are young. Dorrell bristles at the thought of using this as an excuse, but truth is, the Buffs are wet behind the ears in plenty of places. CU has 90 underclassmen on the roster (60 freshmen and 30 sophomores).

It’s not an alibi for Colorado’s performance thus far. You play the hand you are dealt. 

But for two straight weeks, the Buffs have been in the game in the second half, then watched it quickly get out of hand. Young players have to learn how to play through adversity — and right now, the vast majority of CU’s roster is undergoing a very painful learning curve.

6. The schedule doesn’t get any easier. Next weekend, the Buffs travel to Minnesota, who has been receiving Top 25 votes. After that, it’s a home game with UCLA, which is spending its non-conference time tuning up against Bowling Green, Alabama State and South Alabama.

Again, it’s the hand Dorrell’s team has been dealt. You won’t hear any excuses coming from the UCHealth Champions Center.

But the Buffs have to figure out a way to finish some of those critical early drives and take advantage of opportunities when they arise.

“When we had a chance to capitalize, we didn’t follow through,” Dorrell said. “We didn’t finish. We have work to do.”

 





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WNBA 2022 opening night – Biggest surprises and takeaways as the season tips off

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The 2022 WNBA season tipped off Friday night with four action-packed games.

In the first, the Washington Mystics notched a 14-point win over the Indiana Fever. Then, the 2021 defending champions Chicago Sky fell 98-91 in overtime to the Los Angeles Sparks after a controversial foul call with 1.5 seconds left in regulation helped force overtime.

Later in the night, the Las Vegas Aces cracked triple digits, defeating the Phoenix Mercury — opening their season without Brittney Griner, who has been detained in Russia since February — 106-88. And the Seattle Storm christened their new home court at Climate Pledge Arena in style, with a 23-point win against the Minnesota Lynx.

ESPN’s Mechelle Voepel, Alexa Philippou and Kevin Pelton analyze each of the four games to open the season.

How Chicago lost to Los Angeles

It’s necessary to start with a caveat here: Like most WNBA teams right now, neither squad was at full strength. The Sky were without Allie Quigley (knee) and 2021 Finals MVP Kahleah Copper (overseas). The Sparks were without Kristi Toliver (coaching in the NBA playoffs) and Katie Lou Samuelson (overseas). So it’s too soon to entirely overreact one way or another about either team.

That said, this was a nice win for the Sparks, who are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2021 in which they missed the postseason for the first time in a decade. What may have been most surprising or notable about the performance was that it wasn’t the likes of prized free agency additions Liz Cambage and Chennedy Carter who moved the needle to beat the reigning champs. Cambage got in early foul trouble and didn’t score from the field until the second half, finishing with 12 points and four rebounds. Carter was limited to 12 minutes, although she was productive in that time with 12 points.

Nneka Ogwumike (19 points, seven rebounds, three steals, two assists) dominated the first half — great news for L.A. after she dealt with a knee injury last season — while Jordin Canada, who won two titles with Seattle before signing with the Sparks this past offseason, carried the team across the finish line with a team-high 21 points and eight assists. Lexie Brown‘s clutch shooting (4-for-5 on 3s) kept the momentum from entirely shifting in Chicago’s favor. Chiney Ogwumike played 19 minutes and had some nice moments, and Brittney Sykes, who said she worked in the offseason on bringing back her offensive swagger, was also a difference-maker at times on both ends. Overall, that sort of depth will serve the Sparks well, especially if better luck with health is on their side this year.

It certainly didn’t look like a finished product, and I’m curious to see how Derek Fisher continues to tinker with lineups, especially once Toliver and Samuelson are back. Another storyline to watch will be how quickly Cambage (who finished -3, the second worst mark on the team) can find her footing, and how the Sparks can put her, and the Ogwumikes around her, in the best position to succeed.

Chicago did a lot of things that put itself in position to win the game, and barring a controversial foul call with 1.5 seconds to play, would have come away with the W. Afterwards, players and James Wade said they thought they were just gassed in overtime, which contributed to their turnover problem (25 vs. L.A.’s 22 on the game). Emma Meesseman stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points, five assists and eight rebounds, but it was obvious she’s still getting used to her new teammates and system. Her continued comfort will certainly be something to watch, including as Copper and Quigley re-insert themselves into the lineup, too.

And how about Dana Evans? I did not have her scoring a career-high (and team-best) 24 points on my bingo card, but hey, that’s why you play the game. — Alexa Philippou

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Sue Bird sends a full-court pass to Jewell Loyd, who finishes the shot plus the foul.

Seattle’s depth came through against Minnesota

SEATTLE — On a historic night where the Storm returned to the Seattle Center campus for the first time since 2018, making their regular-season debut at newly rebuilt Climate Pledge Arena, the reigning Commissioner’s Cup champions delivered a performance worthy of their modern new home. Seattle outscored the visiting Minnesota Lynx 34-14 in the third quarter, turning a tie game at halftime into a 97-74 rout.

Like the building, the Storm’s supporting cast underwent a makeover after the team was eliminated in the second round of the playoffs without injured star Breanna Stewart last season. Seattle traded for starting small forward Gabby Williams and added veterans Briann January and Jantel Lavender to the bench, hoping to reduce the team’s dependence on its three All-Stars (Stewart, Sue Bird and Jewell Loyd).

On the eve of the opener, Bird argued the additions made the Storm the deepest team in the league. The second unit looked the part Friday, carrying Seattle through a poor-shooting first half for Stewart (2-of-10). With all three stars on the bench, the Storm rallied to tie the game in the second quarter.

By contrast, Minnesota’s depth was compromised by the absence of four key players: Napheesa Collier (pregnant), Damiris Dantas (working back from a Lisfranc injury), Kayla McBride (still playing abroad in Turkey) and Angel McCoughtry (who underwent a PRP injection earlier in the week). The Lynx had just nine players in uniform, one of whom, Serbian rookie Nikolina Milic, had never practiced with the team before making her WNBA debut on a hardship contract.

The absences left Minnesota heavily dependent on the duo of Sylvia Fowles and Aerial Powers, who were up to the task in the first half. Powers had 14 and Fowles 12 to account for 63% of the team’s scoring. Yet Seattle was able to contain them after halftime, and the game flipped in a hurry. The Lynx had more turnovers (seven) than field goals (five) in the third quarter.

Meanwhile, the Storm’s stars were making their presence felt at the other end. Loyd and Bird combined for 17 of the team’s 34 points in the period and hooked up on a highlight when Bird lobbed the ball from well beyond half court to Loyd, who finished the alley-oop with a layup for a three-point play. The assist was one of nine on the night for Bird, who finished one shy of a double-double in 22 minutes to begin her 19th and likely final WNBA season.

Friday’s game was a reminder that as long as Bird, Loyd and Stewart are healthy, the Storm will be tough to beat. If Seattle continues to get the kind of production that the bench offered in the season opener — three reserves scored at least nine points, with January and Stephanie Talbot combining for six assists and five blocks — this team is capable of hanging another banner in the rafters of the new arena. — Kevin Pelton

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Kelsey Plum blows by the defense to score for the Aces.

Aces, absences too much for Phoenix to overcome

On an opening night when the Mercury’s thoughts were on Brittney Griner, they also missed their star center on the court.

In a 106-88 loss to visiting Las Vegas that provided the Aces’ Becky Hammon with her coaching victory, the Mercury were far from their best defensively without Griner and Brianna Turner, their top rim protectors, plus guards Diamond DeShields and Kia Nurse. DeShields and Turner have been playing overseas but are expected back soon, while Nurse is rehabbing a knee injury suffered during the playoffs last October.

“We have some important players coming in for our next game that I’m sure will help us,” said Vanessa Nygaard in her debut as the Mercury’s coach. “I have to be better. And we’ll all continue to improve.”

Guard Skylar Diggins-Smith picked up where she left off last season, leading the Mercury with 25 points. Shey Peddy had 16 and Tina Charles 15. Diana Taurasi, starting her 18th WNBA season, had nine points and nine assists.

“They shot the hell out of the ball tonight,” Diggins-Smith said of the Aces’ 58.2% shooting from the field. “We know we’ve got to get better. We’re missing some pieces.” The Mercury staff and players wore warm-up T-shirts that read, “We Are BG 42.”

U.S. representative Greg Stanton of Arizona, a longtime Mercury fan who was mayor of Phoenix when Griner was drafted in 2013, attended Friday’s game. Stanton told ESPN that the decision earlier this week by the U.S. government to classify Griner as “wrongly detained” was an important step in the effort to get her out of Russia.

“That allows for significant additional action by the United States’ state department and the special envoy to get much more actively involved,” Stanton said. “No one is operating under any false hope here … this is going to be very difficult negotiations and discussions. I know in Congress, we’re going to do everything we can do to help bring Brittney Griner home, and we’re going to keep pushing the administration.

“I was lucky to help greet her at the very first press conference when she was introduced as our first pick. It’s been a great joy to watch the professional and personal development of Brittney. I’ve marched with her in a gay pride parade. My wife and she worked together on anti-bullying efforts. I’ve seen her blossom as a leader in this community. We need to get her home.” — Mechelle Voepel

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Shakira Austin gets the and-1 reverse layup to fall as the Mystics pad their lead vs. the Fever.

Rookies showed out for Washington and Indiana

As happy as the Mystics were to have Elena Delle Donne back for Friday’s season-opening 84-70 victory over Indiana, they also wanted to see how their draft lottery pick did in her first WNBA game.

Center Shakira Austin, whom the Mystics took with the No. 3 selection in April’s draft, didn’t have big numbers — three points, three rebounds and one block — but showed promise, according to coach Mike Thibault.

“She didn’t finish some shots around the basket; I think that’s going to come with some time,” Thibault said after the game. “She kind of rushed herself a little bit today. But I thought she really defensively bothered them. I think this was a good initial game for her.”

Austin began her college career at Maryland but then transferred to Ole Miss, where she averaged 15.2 points and 9.0 rebounds this past season. With Delle Donne not traveling to Minnesota for Sunday’s game due to load management, the 6-foot-5 Austin will have a test against veteran star center Sylvia Fowles of Minnesota.

“She played big minutes on defense,” Delle Donne said of Austin. “She just makes the game easier for us because she creates more opportunities when she’s getting second-chance rebounds. When she’s attacking, we’re really good.

“Defensively, she’s just so long. So even when she’s in a ball-screen, she smothers guards. And her ability to get back and recover is also really impressive. And just how much you see her wanting to get better.”

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Elena Delle Donne makes a beautiful inside move for the Mystics’ bucket.

Austin wasn’t the only lottery pick on the floor on Friday night, though: No. 2 NaLyssa Smith and No. 4 Emily Engstler, both forwards, were also in action for Indiana. Smith, a standout from Baylor, had 13 points and 13 rebounds to start her WNBA career, while Engstler had four and nine, respectively. Center Queen Egbo, the No. 10 pick in the draft, had 10 points and six rebounds for the Fever, who are expected to rely a lot on their young players — which includes Destanni Henderson and Lexie Hull — this season.

Guard Crystal Dangerfield, a third-year player, who was the rookie of the year for Minnesota in 2020, was cut by the Lynx this past week, but wasn’t out of action for long. The Fever added her to their roster, and she had five points and two assists Friday. — Voepel



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Key takeaways from South Carolina’s win over Miami in NCAA Tournament

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COLUMBIA – Aliyah Boston switched off the screen and picked up point guard Kelsey Marshall.

There’s seven inches height differential between the two. While general physiology would suggest the Miami point guard would be quicker on the bounce, but Boston isn’t like many post players with extreme agile footwork.

Marshall tried attempted to take No. 1 South Carolina‘s star junior forward off the dribble down the lane but Boston slid in front and forced the guard to travel, picking her feet as she tried to find someone to pass to in the second quarter.

It was the sixth straight trip that resulted in a turnover for Miami.

National Player of the Year?: Who’s the best? Aliyah Boston-Caitlin Clark debate & why it matters to women’s basketball

NCAA Tournament: Instant analysis from South Carolina’s win over Howard in 1st round of NCAA Tournament

The Gamecocks (31-2) were marred in offensive struggles themselves. The stretch of takeaways were clutch as Dawn Staley’s team was already up enough to hold on for the 49-33 victory in the NCAA Tournament second round matchup inside Colonial Life Arena Sunday.

Staley has now led USC to eight straight Sweet Sixteens.

South Carolina Gamecocks shut down hot Miami team

Much was made coming into the the second-round meeting about the Canes’ blistering shooting of late. Against South Florida in the opening round of the NCAA tourney, Miami put up 78 points, mostly behind a solid mix of outside and inside shots for 53 shooting percentage.

Led by Aliyah Boston and reserve forward Kamilla Cardoso, who was clearly the player of the game with her 11 points, eight rebounds and four blocks, and the team’s ability to rotate swiftly, the Gamecocks stifled Miami’s offense. They didn’t allow the Hurricanes to score a single field goal in the second quarter. South Carolina’s defense went more than 14 minutes from late first quarter into the third without giving up a made shot.

USC forced 19 turnovers, resulting in a few more possessions and converting them into 12 points, enough for basically the difference. The defense was at a championship level but the offense left much to be desired.

Laeticia Amihere: ‘Be thankful’: Recovery from two knee injuries shaped who South Carolina’s Laeticia Amihere is

Destanni Henderson: What 2022 WNBA draft projections say about South Carolina point guard Destanni Henderson

South Carolina offense in search of spark

It has felt like the Gamecocks have been searching for efficiency on offense since their 41-point win at Texas A&M back on Feb. 24. The outside shots have been very spotty. When they’ve tried more than 10 3’s, the percentage has significantly dropped. 

In four of the six games, South Carolina has struggled to make more than 37 percent of its field goal tries. Zia Cooke has made shots in stretches but consistency isn’t there. Dawn Staley has repeatedly stated that she’d like Destanni Henderson to look to score more, but the senior point guard still hesitates to shoot.

As good as Boston’s been on the glass, she hasn’t exploded offensively in a while.

A championship run will require more offensive efficiency. Light years beyond the 30 South Carolina shot against Miami.

The less fortunate news for USC there is it’ll have to find what works while navigating the NCAA Tournament and it must happen by the time the team gets up to Greensboro.

Aliyah Boston secures 26th double-double in dramatic fashion

Boston reached double-digits rebounds before halftime with as poorly as the Canes were shooting the ball.

The problem was the frontrunner for Player of the Year was downright cold on the offensive end all afternoon long. She entered the fourth period with just 6 points to go along with her 15 rebounds by that time.

It took her knocking down two, late free throws to notch her 26th straight double-double. The moment itself, on top of her missing her first two free throws of the game earlier, was a chance to display a clutchness that Boston has desired to show since missing that putback against Stanford in the Final Four last season.

Free throws woes will need to be cleaned up

Remember when Cooke stepped to the line inside Bridgestone Arena in Nashville during crunch time in the SEC Tournament Championship game against Kentucky and what happened?

Woes at the free throw line continue to persist for the Gamecocks. Against Miami, they went a worrisome 9-for-16. 

USC can’t afford to be that inefficient at the stripe during the rest of its journey in March Madness.

South Carolina advances to face winner of North Carolina-Arizona

It’s onto Greensboro for the Gamecocks. It remains to be seen who they’ll see first next weekend. 

Arizona and North Carolina face off in a clash of the 4- and 5-seeds in the at 10 p.m. tonight with the winner drawing South Carolina Friday, March 25. A tip time hasn’t been assigned yet.

Cory Diaz covers the South Carolina Gamecocks for The Greenville News as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his work for all things Gamecocks on Twitter: @CoryDiaz_TGN. Got questions regarding South Carolina athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.



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Celtics vs. Suns takeaways: Road trip mercifully comes to an end for C’s

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At what point is a sample size large enough to draw conclusions from?

Dating back to the start of the 2020-21 season, the Boston Celtics have played 99 regular season games. With Friday’s 111-90 loss to the Phoenix Suns, they have guaranteed themselves a record of no better than .500 through their last 100 contests.

Boston was 36-36 in 2020-21 and is now 13-14 in 2021-22.

Sans Jaylen Brown for a fifth straight game — the duration of their disastrous trip to the left coast — the Celtics trailed by as many as 25 points in finishing the swing at 1-4.

Jayson Tatum led Boston with 24 points on 10 of 25 shooting — 1 for 7 from 3-point range — and Dennis Schroder poured in 15 points on 7 of 15 shooting.

Here are some takeaways from a loss which leaves Boston below .500 for the first time since the middle of November, when it was 7-8:

Marcus Smart turns back the clock, not in a good way

While the Celtics remain as frustrating as ever, the play of Marcus Smart hasn’t been quite as erratic as it had been of late. He’d shot a respectable 45% (20 for 44) from the field over the first four games of the road trip for the Celtics, averaging more than four assists per contest.

That all changed Friday, when he missed his first 11 shots from the field en route to a 1 for 13 night (0 for 5 from 3-point range) with no assists.

Smart avoided making Celtics history, if nothing else, but it was about as poor a finish to the road trip as possible for the enigmatic point guard.

 

Suns were primed to set early

So long as the ageless Chris Paul (he’ll turn 37 in May) is in the lineup, Phoenix remains a formidable foe.

But the Suns were without their two leading scorers Friday night in Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, who joined with Paul in leading Phoenix to an NBA Finals appearance last season, a franchise-record 18-game win streak earlier this season and will play a role in getting the Suns as far as they ultimately go next spring.

Yes, the Celtics were missing Brown, but after leading by as many as 5 in the first quarter, were outscored by Phoenix, 32-15, in the second quarter and never recovered.

Young players get some run, and it wasn’t pretty

Romeo Langford, Peyton Pritchard and Aaron Nesmith combined to play 48 minutes off the bench, shooting 5 of 16 from the field for 11 points and were an aggregate minus-29.

Veterans such as Al Horford (2 for 8, 0 for 4 from 3, 9 points) and Smart were dreadful as well, but no young player made a compelling case for more playing time Friday.

Home cooking won’t come easy

The Celtics start a five-game homestand on Monday night, which is nice and all, but they’ll be welcoming in the defending NBA champions in the Milwaukee Bucks. After that, the team with the best record in the NBA, the Golden State Warriors, comes to town.

The homestand finishes with three games which would appear more winnable against the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers, but the way the Celtics are going, who’s to say what games are winnable or not at this juncture?

Tip-off against the Bucks at TD Garden Monday is set for 7:30 p.m.





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Giants’ top takeaways, key considerations heading into final two weeks of stunning season

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With the Giants’ stunning season down to the final two weeks, here are some takeaways and story lines to consider following their penultimate homestand and in advance of their final regular-season trip of 2021:

The fun factor: These guys are having a ball. It’s not just a business, after all. Kevin Gausman turned into a 12-year-old boy when he hit a medium-deep fly to right field Friday night, good for an 11th-inning, walk-off sacrifice fly.

The pitcher’s joyful exuberance radiated into the night as the Giants celebrated an unlikely victory, one of the most memorable in 2021. It wasn’t atypical. Fun stems from winning but also the confidence of believing in winning.

“I think laughter and having fun playing this game in a pennant race is an indication of confidence,” said manager Gabe Kapler, citing Brandon Belt recently wearing a electrical-taped C on his jersey as the self-proclaimed team captain.

“That sort of playfulness and taking the game lightly and not getting too wound up is an indication the players are confident. It’s very hard to be smiling, laughing and enjoying yourself if you’re lacking confidence.”

The MVP: The deeper into the season, the louder and more pronounced the chants. “MVP … MVP … MVP.” No player is more responsible for the Giants’ success than Brandon Crawford, who deserves a place on all voters’ 10-man MVP ballot.

“I think they’re inspiring and encouraging,” Kapler said of the chants. “I have no doubt Craw appreciates them, hears them and uses them as motivation and fuel.”

At 34, the shortstop is at the top of his game both at the plate and at shortstop, where he used to make an incredible play once a series, and now it’s once a day. Like Friday, when he dived into the hole and threw a laser to first base, earning a tip of the helmet from Austin Riley, who hit the ball. Sometimes twice a day. Like Saturday, when he twice ranged deep in the hole to register outs.

Plus, the man brought a .900 OPS on the season into Sunday’s game, especially remarkable for someone who never had an .800 OPS season in his previous 10 years in the majors. His single on a 3-0 pitch Saturday set up Curt Casali’s game-deciding, two-run single.

The schedule: The Giants have 12 games left, half on the road and half at home. Kapler said, “Between now and the rest of the season is sort of a mini-lifetime.”

Fortunately for the Giants, they needn’t travel too far east. The final trip starts Tuesday in San Diego, home of the tailing-off Padres, and finishes in Colorado, home of the also-ran Rockies.

The focus is avoiding letdowns, maintaining a distance in front of the second-place Dodgers and considering every foe a legitimate challenge. And never mind the strength of schedule. Or lack thereof.

“The Rockies have played good baseball recently and have all season long played very tough at home,” Kapler said, “and the Padres are as tough as any group in baseball. They have a nasty bullpen. We don’t have to touch on how good the middle of their lineup is. Everybody knows it.”

The new guy: Kris Bryant, the Giants’ prized trade-deadline acquisition, has been consistent on offense (reaching base 18 straight games) and is as versatile as advertised. He started in center field Friday, at third base Saturday and in right field Sunday.

Recently, he has taken grounders at second base, where there’s already plenty of depth with Tommy La Stella, Donovan Solano and Wilmer Flores. Bryant playing there would be more of an emergency situation.



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Three Takeaways from the LA Clippers’ Loss to the New York Knicks

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McDonald’s takeaways: RYZE Tip-Off Classic

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Emerson, GA — The RYZE Hoops Tip Off Classic took over the Atlanta area this weekend at LakePoint Sports Champions Center with much of the top talent in the Southeast taking the floor. Dan McDonald recaps many of the standout performances from the event.

We’ve come to expect Bruce Thornton to play at a real high level, and that’s exactly what he did this weekend. Thornton’s best trait is his understanding for how to play point guard. The Ohio State commit is a great decision-maker, great passer, tough on-ball defender and can score it when needed. He has a knack for producing in tight games as he showed with 17 of his 23 points in a close win over Team Huncho coming in the last 10 minutes of the game.

Sage Tolentino committed early to Auburn, but we had yet to get a solid evaluation of him. After seeing him this weekend with TSF Mack, it’s clear he’s going to make a sizable move into the Rivals150 at the next update. The Hawaii native is a legit 7-footer with good mobility and skill. He’s a rim protector and tough on the boards. Adding strength will come in time, but he looks like a really strong early addition for Bruce Pearl’s staff.

Scoot Henderson also took the court and showed the natural ability that makes him one of the top prospects in the 2022 class. He has elite athleticism, great size, and has added strength over the past several months. He’s also a much more consistent shooter now and one of the top playmakers around. Alabama, Auburn, Florida State and Georgia are among the schools firmly in the mix for the five-star prospect.Julian Phillips has reeled in scholarship offers from all over the country, and it’s not hard to see why. He’s long and athletic at 6-foot-8 and really versatile. He’s a really smooth finisher around the rim and can knock down the three-ball. His upside is really high. Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, North Carolina, Ohio State and Wake Forest are involved here.

Jermahri Hill was the surprised performer of the weekend. Coming off a good high school season, Hill took the next step this weekend for Team Huncho by starting the weekend with a 37-point scoring outburst against Game Elite. He’s always been known for his slashing ability, but he’s become a much better shooter lately. He received calls from Georgia and Georgia Tech, who were both watching the event on a live stream.

Another under-the-radar standout performer this weekend was Noah Clowney out of South Carolina. The 6-foot-9 power forward had a terrific weekend for Team Dickerson. Not only does he dominate around the rim on both ends, but he’s added a perimeter shot and a mid-range game to his repertoire. He averaged 16.3 points per game in four games. Virginia Tech and Xavier threw out early offers, but they won’t be the last high-major offer.

Isaiah Collier and Kanaan Carlyle are one of the most exciting and talented backcourts in the country. Both played key roles in state championships for their high school teams this season and now they are dominating on the travel circuit. At about 6-foot-4 and potentially still growing, Collier has always been an elite passer that has now become a much more consistent shooter. He’s in the conversation for best point guard in the class. Carlyle, at about 6-foot-3, is the more natural scorer and an elite athlete that can play either guard spot. He’s also one of the best on-ball defenders around.

DK Manyiel (20.3 PPG) has come a really long way in the past year in his development. The 7-footer for Team Forrest has always been a really good athlete and a rim protector, but he’s made big moves on the offensive end. He’s a really gifted finisher inside with great hands and can step out and hit jumpers too. He’s super competitive and seems to have all the intangibles that a coach could ask for. He could be a major stock riser whenever college coaches can get back on the road.

David Thomas put up 83 points in his four games for Team Huncho 16-under. He’s one of the more talented scorers in the 2023 class. Along with being able to score it at all three levels, he showed the ability to hit some tough shot, including back-to-back step-back threes on Sunday afternoon against Team Grind (AL). He too should be a popular target for high-major programs down the road.

Want a prospect to remember in the 2024 class? Jayden Williams (14 PPG) for the Atlanta Celtics has a ridiculously high ceiling. Probably standing at 6-foot-9 right now, he’s one of those prospects that combines both potential and production. He has really good hands and soft touch finishing inside. He can hit a jump shot. He runs the floor really well. His biggest impact right now though is the way protects the rim and rips down rebounds. He’ll be a fun one to track the next few years.

OTHER NOTES

Aidan Hadaway from the Atlanta Timberwolves is a versatile 6-foot-8 forward out LaFayette (Ga.). He’s the new age forward that combines being able to defend and rebound with big boys while having the skill and athleticism to play on the perimeter offensively. Georgia head coach Tom Crean contacted him on Sunday. … Keith Robbins knocked down nine three-pointers in his four games this weekend and averaged 17 points per game. The 6-foot-5 guard is more than a shooter though. He’s a crafty scorer attacking the basket and a good athlete. … Jameel Rideout and Emeka Iloh had good showings for Team Huncho this weekend. Rideout showed his ability to score it (12.5 PPG) while also a running the team efficiently. Iloh, a 6-foot-9 center, saved his best performance for last with a dominant 15-point, 15-rebound performance against TSF Mack

Remember the name Eltramon Smith (19.3 PPG). The Class of 2023 forward played behind five-star Auburn signee Jabari Smith this year for Sandy Creek, but he’s ready to show his talent next season. He’s a really skilled and athletic 6-foot-7 forward that really popped in my short viewing. … Joining Jayden Williams on the Atlanta Celtics 15-under is Michael Matthews. The 6-foot-3 combo guard is an electric scorer. … Khalil Green (13 PPG), Klairus Amir (10 PPG) and Derrion Reid (16 PPG) will be a fun trio to watch in the 2024 class for Team Dickerson’s 15-under going forward. Green is the consummate point guard that can run a team, score it, and lock up the other team’s point guard.Amir and Reid are versatile, athletic forwards at about 6-foot-6. Amir received an early offer from Xavier.

Last but certainly not least, Karris Bilal (15 PPG) and David Clark (13.8 PPG) are another duo to watch in the 2024 class for Game Elite’s 15-under. Bilal is a smooth scoring guard at 6-foot-3. Clark is a bouncy 6-foot-6 wing forward that showed the ability to hit some contested shots from deep.



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McDonald’s takeaways: RYZE Tip-Off Classic

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Emerson, GA — The RYZE Hoops Tip Off Classic took over the Atlanta area this weekend at LakePoint Sports Champions Center with much of the top talent in the Southeast taking the floor. Dan McDonald recaps many of the standout performances from the event.

We’ve come to expect Bruce Thornton to play at a real high level, and that’s exactly what he did this weekend. Thornton’s best trait is his understanding for how to play point guard. The Ohio State commit is a great decision-maker, great passer, tough on-ball defender and can score it when needed. He has a knack for producing in tight games as he showed with 17 of his 23 points in a close win over Team Huncho coming in the last 10 minutes of the game.

Sage Tolentino committed early to Auburn, but we had yet to get a solid evaluation of him. After seeing him this weekend with TSF Mack, it’s clear he’s going to make a sizable move into the Rivals150 at the next update. The Hawaii native is a legit 7-footer with good mobility and skill. He’s a rim protector and tough on the boards. Adding strength will come in time, but he looks like a really strong early addition for Bruce Pearl’s staff.

Scoot Henderson also took the court and showed the natural ability that makes him one of the top prospects in the 2022 class. He has elite athleticism, great size, and has added strength over the past several months. He’s also a much more consistent shooter now and one of the top playmakers around. Alabama, Auburn, Florida State and Georgia are among the schools firmly in the mix for the five-star prospect.Julian Phillips has reeled in scholarship offers from all over the country, and it’s not hard to see why. He’s long and athletic at 6-foot-8 and really versatile. He’s a really smooth finisher around the rim and can knock down the three-ball. His upside is really high. Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, North Carolina, Ohio State and Wake Forest are involved here.

Jermahri Hill was the surprised performer of the weekend. Coming off a good high school season, Hill took the next step this weekend for Team Huncho by starting the weekend with a 37-point scoring outburst against Game Elite. He’s always been known for his slashing ability, but he’s become a much better shooter lately. He received calls from Georgia and Georgia Tech, who were both watching the event on a live stream.

Another under-the-radar standout performer this weekend was Noah Clowney out of South Carolina. The 6-foot-9 power forward had a terrific weekend for Team Dickerson. Not only does he dominate around the rim on both ends, but he’s added a perimeter shot and a mid-range game to his repertoire. He averaged 16.3 points per game in four games. Virginia Tech and Xavier threw out early offers, but they won’t be the last high-major offer.

Isaiah Collier and Kanaan Carlyle are one of the most exciting and talented backcourts in the country. Both played key roles in state championships for their high school teams this season and now they are dominating on the travel circuit. At about 6-foot-4 and potentially still growing, Collier has always been an elite passer that has now become a much more consistent shooter. He’s in the conversation for best point guard in the class. Carlyle, at about 6-foot-3, is the more natural scorer and an elite athlete that can play either guard spot. He’s also one of the best on-ball defenders around.

DK Manyiel (20.3 PPG) has come a really long way in the past year in his development. The 7-footer for Team Forrest has always been a really good athlete and a rim protector, but he’s made big moves on the offensive end. He’s a really gifted finisher inside with great hands and can step out and hit jumpers too. He’s super competitive and seems to have all the intangibles that a coach could ask for. He could be a major stock riser whenever college coaches can get back on the road.

David Thomas put up 83 points in his four games for Team Huncho 16-under. He’s one of the more talented scorers in the 2023 class. Along with being able to score it at all three levels, he showed the ability to hit some tough shot, including back-to-back step-back threes on Sunday afternoon against Team Grind (AL). He too should be a popular target for high-major programs down the road.

Want a prospect to remember in the 2024 class? Jayden Williams (14 PPG) for the Atlanta Celtics has a ridiculously high ceiling. Probably standing at 6-foot-9 right now, he’s one of those prospects that combines both potential and production. He has really good hands and soft touch finishing inside. He can hit a jump shot. He runs the floor really well. His biggest impact right now though is the way protects the rim and rips down rebounds. He’ll be a fun one to track the next few years.

OTHER NOTES

Aidan Hadaway from the Atlanta Timberwolves is a versatile 6-foot-8 forward out LaFayette (Ga.). He’s the new age forward that combines being able to defend and rebound with big boys while having the skill and athleticism to play on the perimeter offensively. Georgia head coach Tom Crean contacted him on Sunday. … Keith Robbins knocked down nine three-pointers in his four games this weekend and averaged 17 points per game. The 6-foot-5 guard is more than a shooter though. He’s a crafty scorer attacking the basket and a good athlete. … Jameel Rideout and Emeka Iloh had good showings for Team Huncho this weekend. Rideout showed his ability to score it (12.5 PPG) while also a running the team efficiently. Iloh, a 6-foot-9 center, saved his best performance for last with a dominant 15-point, 15-rebound performance against TSF Mack

Remember the name Eltramon Smith (19.3 PPG). The Class of 2023 forward played behind five-star Auburn signee Jabari Smith this year for Sandy Creek, but he’s ready to show his talent next season. He’s a really skilled and athletic 6-foot-7 forward that really popped in my short viewing. … Joining Jayden Williams on the Atlanta Celtics 15-under is Michael Matthews. The 6-foot-3 combo guard is an electric scorer. … Khalil Green (13 PPG), Klairus Amir (10 PPG) and Derrion Reid (16 PPG) will be a fun trio to watch in the 2024 class for Team Dickerson’s 15-under going forward. Green is the consummate point guard that can run a team, score it, and lock up the other team’s point guard.Amir and Reid are versatile, athletic forwards at about 6-foot-6. Amir received an early offer from Xavier.

Last but certainly not least, Karris Bilal (15 PPG) and David Clark (13.8 PPG) are another duo to watch in the 2024 class for Game Elite’s 15-under. Bilal is a smooth scoring guard at 6-foot-3. Clark is a bouncy 6-foot-6 wing forward that showed the ability to hit some contested shots from deep.



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Shaw’s Takeaways: Big Shots Rock Hill Tip-Off

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ROCK HILL, S.C. – When you are ranked the No. 34 prospect in the country, you are going to get your opponents’ best game every time you are on the court. The Big Shots Rock Hill Tip-Off featured a proving ground of sorts for 2022 Rivals150 No. 34 Jazian Gortman, as he lined up in his semi-final match-up against No. 88 B.J. Edwards.

Gortman has exploded in the national rankings, going from unranked to to No. 34 overall. The ranking however has yet to parlay into offers. His current Power Five offers are Maryland, Clemson, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Wake Forest and Providence. Gortman told us, “I am not sure why I am not getting any schools looking, I can’t control that. I try to take every game personally and come out and do something special.”

Gortman provided something special for everyone watching, as he finished with a game-high 31 points. Gortman has ridiculous craft off the bounce and his footwork gets him open looks in any situation. No matter who Bmaze Elite threw at him, no matter what double team they brought, Gortman was nothing short of spectacular. His 31 points included three threes, 6-of-7 at the free throw line and any number of mid-range jumpers and off hand finishes at the rim. The skill, the pop, the craft, the handle, it is all there.

Edwards has a final six of Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Florida, Georgia and Virginia Tech. He finished with a steady 12 points, and the win, in the game.

OTHER STANDOUTS

Dillingham has been on fire in 2021, leading his Combine Academy team to a state championship with an average win margin over 20-points per game. These performances have not stopped in travel ball as Dillingham showed up in Rock Hill and exploded for 26-points in his first game, only to follow that up with 35-points in his second game. Dillingham is the 2023 Rivals150 No. 12 prospect, with his shot making ability and slippery way to get a clean look with the ball hands. Dillingham’s innate scoring ability continues to shine every time on the floor.

*****

Huntley-Hatfield walks on the floor looking the part, standing every bit of 6-foot-9 and 230 pounds. The long armed forward finished today with a 22-point double-double in his first game and followed that up with a 19-point double-double in his semi-final win. Huntley-Hatfield said after the game his recruiting is down to Auburn, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Syracuse and Wake Forest. He admits he is contemplating coming out in 2021 or the 2022 class, and each school would take him in both. However, he wants to play through the travel season and see how much he can “dominate” the circuit to gauge if he is ready.

*****

Wessler teamed with the aforementioned Dillingham this season, his first at Combine Academy. The 7-foot lefty developed his game throughout the year, as it culminated in the program’s first state championship. At this event, Wessler showcased patience on the block with a go-to over his right shoulder for an up and under or jump hook. He finished with 21-points and 12-rebounds in his first game and then an MVP winning 17-points and 11-rebound performance in the semi-finals. Wessler said he currently hears the most from Wake Forest, South Florida and Virginia Tech. Expect a lot of Power Five eyes to be on Wessler the second college coaches are allowed on the road.

*****

NEW PROSPECT TO WATCH

Any time a 6-foot-11 player walks on the floor, scouts tend to take note. When you look at the roster and see Ramsey is only a sophomore you start to look closely. While the Abingdon, Va. post player is still raw, his tools are definitely there. Ramsey showed some toughness on the boards, natural shot blocking ability around the rim and he even knocked down a couple spot threes on the day. He is brand new to the scene, but do not be surprised if we are talking about multiple offers for him, a year from now.



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5 takeaways from Delta’s CEO on the future of travel

Posted on | by getsetntravel | Leave a Comment on 5 takeaways from Delta’s CEO on the future of travel





5 takeaways from Delta’s CEO on the future of travel










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