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Bar Chat

01/13/2025

It's Notre Dame vs. Ohio State!

Add-on posted early Tuesday a.m.

NFL Playoffs

The schedule next weekend....

Saturday

Texans at Chiefs...4:30 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN

Commanders at Lions...8 p.m. ET on Fox

Sunday

Rams at Eagles...3 p.m. ET on NBC

Ravens at Bills...6:30 p.m. ET on CBS

On paper, at least three of the four could be highly entertaining, with Ravens-Bills the obvious marquee game.

--Since I posted, Green Bay was cooked after Keisean Nixon fumbled the opening kickoff, Philadelphia immediately converting the miscue into a touchdown, an 11-yard TD pass from Jalen Hurts, back after being out with a concussion for three weeks, to Jahan Dotson, and it was Eagles 10-0 at the half and they went on to win 22-10.

But while it was clear Nixon fumbled on the play, it wasn’t really clear who recovered it.  The officials ruled the Eagles had, but replays showed Nixon was able to wrangle the ball back before Philly linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. got possession of it. On the Fox broadcast, rules analyst Mike Pereira believed the call could be overturned...and then it wasn’t.  So that kind of sucked for Green Bay fans.  [It also didn’t help that Brandon McManus missed a 38-yard field goal in the first half.]

On the other hand, the Packers are a clear rung below the elite – Eagles, Lions and Vikings.  Jordan Love threw three interceptions, while for Philly, Saquon Barkley rushed for 119 yards on 25 carries.

As for Hurts, he looked fine, and didn’t have to do much.

But the Eagles lost key linebacker Nakobe Dean to a probable torn ACL, a big blow.

--In the nightcap, Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders prevailed 23-20 over the Bucs, and Baker Mayfield has to be the most dejected resident of Tampa Bay after a critical late fumble in Bucs territory, ruining an otherwise terrific effort.

The Bucs led 17-13 in the fourth, with a first-and-10 on their own 15-yard line, when Mayfield coughed it up, the Commanders’ Bobby Wagner recovered on the TB 13-yard line, and Washington took the lead at 20-17 four plays later.

The Bucs did tie it on a 32-yard field goal by Chase McLaughlin, but there was 4:41 left on the clock, enough time for Daniels to drive the Commanders down for a 37-yard field goal attempt, which Zane Gonzalez doinked off the right crossbar and through for the win as time expired, 23-20.

Daniels was awesome in his playoff debut, just the fourth rookie in NFL history to win a road playoff game, joining Joe Flacco, Mark Sanchez and Russell Wilson.  Daniels put the team on his back, accounting for 304 of Washington’s 350 yards, including 24/35, 268, 2-0, 110.2 through the air.

Poor Baker Mayfield.  He was terrific, 15 of 18, 185, 2-0, 146.5, but he’ll have nightmares over the fumble all offseason.

What a remarkable season for Washington.  A Hail Mary against Chicago, a last-second stop in New Orleans, a fourth-quarter comeback against Philadelphia, and an overtime game against Atlanta to clinch a playoff spot.

It was actually the seventh win on the final play of the game this season for the Commanders.

So now the Commanders travel to Detroit.

--Monday night, the Rams then took on the Vikings in Glendale, Arizona, after being forced to move the game from Los Angeles due to the fires in the L.A. area, the winner to travel to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles.

And it’s the Rams easily moving on, 27-9, Minnesota’s Sam Darnold with a nightmare first half, a fumble returned for an L.A. touchdown, an interception and five of what would be a playoff-tying nine sacks by the Rams defense (two by former Wake Forest lineman Kobie Turner).

--I am not in a minority that thinks Mike Tomlin and the Steelers should move on, and Tomlin, after a year off, a la Mike Vrabel, could then emerge in 2026 with a new team.

But Pittsburgh is not firing Tomlin after losing the last five games of the season, including the Ravens game, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, which should know.

He’s under contract until the 2027 season, so we’ll see what happens next fall.  The fans won’t be as loyal if the big slide continues.  They’re already pissed...they’ll run him out of town if the team started, say, 2-5.

Nonetheless, there is still some talk Tomlin could head elsewhere.  And it’s not surprising more than a few New York sports radio hosts would love to see Tomlin with the Jets or Giants, which would only happen through a trade, but I just don’t see it.

--Meanwhile, Dallas is parting ways with Mike McCarthy, who should immediately be on the Giants and Jets radars.

I have to admit, because McCarthy in his five seasons with Dallas was only 1-3 in the playoffs, I forgot the team did have three consecutive 12-5 seasons in Years 2-4.  And the 7-10 this season was because of Dak Prescott being out the final nine games, though they were only off to a 3-5 start before he was hurt.

Nonetheless, McCarthy won a Super Bowl in Green Bay and you could do worse than selecting him.

NBA

--After posting Sunday, I watched the end of the Knicks-Bucks at the Garden, New York attempting to bounce back from a humiliating loss to Oklahoma City on Friday, eliciting rare boos from the Garden crowd.

No boos Sunday, as the Knicks (26-14) got their act back together, destroying the Bucks (20-17) 140-106.

Jalen Brunson, who had 23 points in the first quarter, finished with 44, 16 of 26 from the field, 5 of 10 from three, while Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 30 points and 18 rebounds, and Josh Hart had another double-double, 11 and 11, hitting his only five field goal attempts.  That’s a great stat line.

--Also Sunday, the Pacers (22-18) upset the Cavs on the road, 108-93, Cleveland now 33-5.

--Monday, in a back-to-back, the Knicks (26-15) fell to the greatly improved Pistons (21-19) at the Garden, again, 124-119, as Malik Beasley had 22 off the bench for Detroit, 6 of 8 from downtown.

I watched the whole thing, disgusted by the Knicks’ 18 turnovers, though Mikal Bridges emerged from his shooting slump, 27 points, 6 of 8 from three.

College Basketball

--New AP Top 25, released Monday, records as of Sunday....

1. Auburn 15-1 (60)...all now about the injury status of star Johni Broome
2. Iowa State 14-1
3. Duke 14-2 (1)
4. Alabama 14-2
5. Florida 15-1 (1)
6. Tennessee 15-1
7. Marquette 14-2
8. Kentucky 13-3
9. Kansas 12-3
10. Houston 12-3
11. Texas A&M 13-3
12. Michigan State 14-2
13. Oregon 15-2
14. UConn 13-4
15. Mississippi State 14-2
16. Gonzaga 14-4
17. Purdue 13-4
18. Memphis 13-3
19. Illinois 12-4
20. Michigan 13-3
21. Ole Miss 14-2
22. Utah State 16-1
23. Georgia 14-2...first appearance in 14 years...
24. Wisconsin 13-3
25. Baylor 11-4

St. John’s is No. 26 if you carry out the votes.

Another week with only one ACC team.  [Louisville and Clemson received some votes.]

--Monday, Rutgers (9-8, 2-4) beat UCLA (11-6, 2-4) at home, 75-68.

--In women’s hoops, I can’t help but note Pitt’s historic win against SMU on Sunday.  The Panthers trailed the Mustangs 46-14, yet Pitt ended up winning, 72-59...or a 65-13 run!  The 32-point comeback was the biggest in Division I women’s basketball history.

Golf Balls

--The Sony Open ended hours after I posted and 36-year-old Canadian Nick Taylor won it.

Now if I say the name Nick Taylor to the casual golf fan, I’m guessing most people would put him in the ‘journeyman’ category.

But the journeyman has now won five PGA Tour titles!

I have a personal ranking for Tour players and their careers.

If you win 3 times, that’s a ‘solid career.’

Five wins... ‘good career.’

Seven wins... ‘very good.’

Ten wins... ‘great.’

Fifteen wins... ‘Hall of Fame, especially if one of them is a major.’  [Especially in today’s modern game, where the competition at the top is so much better than say the 1960s, 70s, and 80s.]

So Nick Taylor has had a good career.  And he won Sunday in a playoff with Nico Echavarria, meaning Taylor’s last three wins were all in playoffs, and the other two tourneys were not chopped liver...the WM Phoenix Open and the Canadian Open (with all the pressure that had on Taylor, the Canadian).

Stuff

--When I mentioned the Premier League was off last weekend due to FA Cup competition, I should have noted Manchester United’s win over Arsenal on penalty kicks, which is a big deal given Man U’s mighty struggles in the PL.

But then there was my Tottenham Hotspur’s bizarre win over Tamworth of the National League, the 96th ranked team in English professional football.

Reminder....what’s so great about the FA Cup is that all leagues play, so as I’ve noted before, it would be like in the Major Leagues, the New York Yankees could play a Double-A team as part of the tournament.  And every now and then a Double-A team pulls off an upset.

But England’s professional leagues go like this....

Premier League...equivalent of Major Leagues...using the baseball analogy.
Championship League...AAA
League One (Wrexham)...AA
League Two...A
National League...Rookie league

Tamworth is in the rookie league, and employs a sandwich shop owner and a construction worker among its players.  It’s a team of normal blue-collar folks.

And they held Tottenham to a 0-0 draw in regulation, before the Spurs pulled away in extra time, 3-0.

That’s why you follow the FA Cup if you know anything about English football.  It’s truly the world’s greatest competition, and there’s no real equivalent.

--British heavyweight Tyson Fury retired from boxing – again – one month after losing a rematch with Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk.

Fury wasn’t happy with the unanimous decision award Usyk when they met Dec. 21. 

Next Bar Chat, Sunday p.m.

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[Posted early Sunday p.m. prior to late NFL games and golf]

Brief Add-on up top by noon Tuesday.

College Football Quiz: Colorado coaching legend Bill McCartney died Friday.  He was 84.  The cause was dementia, his family said in a statement.  McCartney guided the Buffaloes to the AP national title in 1990.  Name the quarterback, top running back and receiver on that team.  Answer below.

CFP

--Notre Dame had a thrilling 27-24 win over Penn State in Thursday’s first CFP semifinal playoff in the Orange Bowl.

ND alum Mark R. was happy, for one, as the Fighting Irish took advantage of a crucial Penn State turnover with under a minute left that they then converted into a game-winning 41-yard field goal by Mitch Jeter, who was 6 of 12 during the regular season but is 7 of 8 in the playoffs.

The Fighting Irish then awaited the winner between Texas and Ohio State.

Down 10-0 with two minutes left in the second quarter and 24-17 with just under eight minutes to play, Notre Dame answered each time largely through the air, including a 54-yard touchdown pass from Riley Leonard to receiver Jaden Greathouse to even the game at 24-24 with 4:38 remaining.

It seemed that Leonard had left the game in the first half with a concussion, replaced ably by Steve Angeli, but then Riley returned and went 15/23, 223, 1-2.

Penn State had 141 yards rushing in the first half, but was held to 63 in the second, and quarterback Drew Allar made a bad late decision on a rollout and was picked off by ND’s Christian Gray.

The Fighting Irish proved their resiliency time and again in this one, as they advance to the title game for the first time since 2012.

And a big shoutout to Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, the first Black coach to lead a team to the sport’s national championship game.  After a stunning loss to Northern Illinois in September, and countless injuries, here they are.

Then there is Penn State coach James Franklin, who saw his record fall to 1-15 against top-five teams since Franklin took over the program in 2014, and that lone win was back in 2016.  Totally unacceptable.

I never really liked the guy, and then I read a piece in The Athletic by Pete Sampson:

“Notre Dame’s head coach just returned from a final news conference before kickoff, the kind of throwaway media gathering usually forgotten before the last bowl trophy photo can be snapped.  This wasn’t one of those times.  Not for Freeman, Notre Dame’s head coach whose youth had cut against the grain of what it takes to succeed in this sport of old guards and vintage attitudes. A head coach panned for not winning enough big games decided to make a point about his counterpart.

“Penn State head coach James Franklin playfully asked Freeman how old he was.  He complimented his hairline.  He might as well have patted the 38-year-old on the head and told him what a good job he was doing.  Because that’s how Freeman heard it, gritting his teeth throughout. And now Freeman was going to give that energy to a new source.

“His players could hardly believe it.

“ ‘He was angry. He was angry with the press conference thing, whatever was going on between that,’ safety Xavier Watts said.  ‘He was mad about that.  All the anger went toward us and that anger went onto the field.’

“In a game where Notre Dame needed everything, from its backup quarterback to two backup offensive linemen, Franklin managed to give the Irish a little bit more.  There was more to this spectacular College Football Playoff semifinal than Franklin’s self-inflicted verbal wounds – the confetti littering Hard Rock Stadium told that story.  Notre Dame didn’t win because of something said from the other sideline.  It won because that program knows how to catalyze every advantage and how to tackle every challenge.

“Franklin just offered a bonus one.

“ ‘I’m not gonna speak on their head coach, but we felt like their team didn’t really respect us,’ (running back Jeremiyah) Love said.  ‘We wanted to come into this game and make a statement.  Be the aggressors.  Dominate them physically.  That’s the message.  Be physical and play violent. The whole game.’”

--In Friday night’s game, Ohio State beat Texas, 28-14, the Buckeyes getting a 75-yard TD reception from TreVeyon Henderson at the end of the first half for a 14-7 lead at the intermission, Henderson’s second massive play of the playoffs as he sent NFL scouts another message.

And then in the second half, the Longhorns were on Ohio State’s 1-yard line, three feet from the end zone, trailing by seven.  There was 3:56 to play.  Quarterback Quinn Ewers handed the ball to running back Jerrick Gibson, who was stuffed by the Buckeyes defense.  Then the Longhorns tried a toss, which lost seven yards, which led to an incomplete pass, and it was fourth down from the eight.

That’s when OSU’s defensive end Jack Sawyer became a legend, strip-sacking Ewers for a nine-yard loss, Sawyer scooped up the ball and rumbled 83 yards for the touchdown.  Game over, 28-14, Ewers (23/39, 283, 2-1) with a final interception.

And it was another loss for the SEC, the so-called Super Conference.

Sawyer, a 4-year player at OSU, will never pay for another meal or beer in Columbus, or anywhere in the state for that matter.  Just a remarkable play at the biggest moment.

And good for embattled Ohio State coach Ryan Day.

--It was kind of bizarre that in the days leading up to the game, Quinn Ewers had to face rumors of his potential transfer, but rather than put them to rest he stayed mum.

On3 Sports reported that an unnamed school made a $6 million offer to Ewers to enter the transfer portal and play QB for its team.

When asked about it Wednesday, Ewers sidestepped the question about his future.  Then when USA TODAY’s Dan Wolken asked a follow-up question to see if the end result for Texas in either the semis or final would factor into a decision for the 2025 season, Ewers replied, “That’s a great question,” before repeating his focus was on the Cotton Bowl.

Ewers, a redshirt junior, had already transferred once in his collegiate career – from Ohio State to Texas – before the 2022 season.

So the decision is to declare for the NFL Draft, or play one more year of college ball, but where?

--Boise State star RB Ashton Jeanty declared for the Draft, as was appropriate in his case.  He is the rare running back who will be a first-round pick.

NFL Playoffs

--I said I wasn’t thrilled about Saturday’s two wildcard games and it turns out for good reason.  Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert threw just three interceptions this season, and never had more than two in a game for his career, but then threw four INTs against the Texans, one a pick-six, and Houston won it going away 32-12.  Not the way coach Jim Harbaugh wanted to end his first season in L.A.

C.J. Stroud was solid for the Texans, and Joe Mixon rushed for 106 yards, but really the story was the Houston defense and getting Herbert to cough it up.  The Chargers were a 3-point favorite.

--Steelers coach Mike Tomlin’s resume coming into the game against the Ravens was unmatched but with a big hole.  The Steelers have never had a below .500 record in Tomlin’s 18 seasons, but his playoff record is 8-10 – and just 5-9 since his Super Bowl victory after the 2008 season.  They haven’t won a playoff game in eight years, and they have reached the AFC championship game twice in 15 years.

So make it 8-11 (5-10), as Baltimore rolled Pittsburgh 28-14 in  a game that wasn’t even that close, the Ravens rushing for 299 yards...Derrick Henry with 186 on 26 carries and two touchdowns, Lamar Jackson with 81 yards on the ground, as the Pittsburgh ‘D’ was humiliated, and now the buzz in the Steel City is that Tomlin probably needs a change of scenery, which would be good for all sides.

--Today, in the first game, Broncos at the Bills, Buffalo a 9-point favorite, my man, Bo Nix, shocked Bills Mafia with an opening 70-yard drive, capped off by a 43-yard scoring strike to former Oregon teammate Troy Franklin.  7-0.  Huh.

But Buffalo got a Tyler Bass field goal and an 81-yard scoring drive engineered by Josh Allen, James Cook going in from the five, and it was 10-7 at the half, Denver’s Will Lutz doinking a 50-yarder on the final play before the intermission.

The Bills got another short Tyler Bass field goal to open the second half, Denver’s defense stiffening a second time deep inside their territory, and it was just 13-7.

And then with 3:06 to play in the third, Allen hooked up with Ty Johnson on a spectacular 24-yard touchdown on 4th-and-one, Johnson making a remarkable catch in the back of the end zone, Bills converting on the 2-point play, 21-7.

Allen then hit Curtis Samuel for a 55-yard TD, 28-7, and it was game over.

Final score ended up being 31-7...Allen 20/26, 272, 2-0, 135.4, 46 yards rushing.  James Cook had 120 yards on the ground in 23 carries plus a TD.

Denver’s defense had allowed the 3rd-fewest points in the league during the regular season (behind the Eagles and Chargers).

Time of possession was extraordinary.  Buffalo 42:00 to Denver’s 18:00.

And it’s the Ravens and the Bills in Buffalo.  I’m assuming the NFL will make it the second game next Sunday, the ‘Game of the Year’...and an early weather forecast looks like bone chilling cold.

Houston will be at Kansas City, which assuming its Saturday will also be very cold.

--Monday’s Vikings-Rams wild card game was moved to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona due to the L.A. fires.

--Since I last posted, the Raiders fired head coach Antonio Pierce following a dismal 4-13 campaign in his first full season.

--As expected, the Patriots hired Mike Vrabel to be their next head coach.  The 49-year-old was 54-45 in six seasons with the Titans, making the playoffs three times, including an AFC Championship game, and he won three Super Bowls as a linebacker for the Pats.  Good move, I hate to say.

My Jets had interviewed Vrabel, and others, and I think Ralph Kramden is next on the list.

--Deshaun Watson underwent surgery Thursday after tearing his right Achilles tendon again, the Browns announced.  He is likely out next season.

Watson initially tore his Achilles Oct. 20, marking the second straight year his season ended because of injury.  In 2023, he missed the final eight games after surgery to his throwing shoulder.

The Browns hold the No. 2 pick in the Draft, so what do you think they’ll be going for?

Deshaun is signed through 2026 and the team currently has more than $170 million in salary-cap commitments to him through 2028, all part of the world’s worst contract, a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million deal in March 2022.  He has started 19 games for the Browns since he came over in a trade with Houston, amidst all the ‘massage’ and sexual assault stories.

--The only honor that matters in pro football is the AP’s All-Pro team.  When you go to Sportsreference.com and are looking at players and who should be in the Hall of Fame, focusing on Pro Bowl selections is a waste of time.  Everyone makes it, at least in the old days, when countless players were replaced for the game due to ‘injury.’

Nope, the AP team is what you want to be selected for and Lamar Jackson beat out Josh Allen, and Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson were unanimous choices for the All-Pro Team.

Saquon Barkley received 48 of 50 first-place votes and Patrick Surtain II got 49 from a nationwide panel of media members who regularly cover the league.

“Wow, that’s crazy.  That’s respect right there.  That’s love,” Jefferson said of his unanimous selection and second overall.

Jackson received 30 first-place votes to Allen’s 18, making the team for the second straight year and third overall.  Peyton Manning (7) and Aaron Rodgers (4) are the only quarterbacks with more All-Pro nominations in the Super Bowl era than Jackson.

Derrick Henry got the only two first-place votes that didn’t go to Barkley.

College Basketball

--In Top 25 biggies this week, Tuesday, 8 Florida (14-1) destroyed, humiliated No. 1 Tennessee (14-1) 73-43.  In suffering their first loss of the season, the Vols’ 30-point defeat was the third-largest margin of victory against a No. 1 team ever.

It was also Florida’s first win over a No. 1 team since the 2007 national championship over Ohio State.

Also Tuesday, 4 Duke (13-2) exposed Pitt (12-3) as pretenders, 76-47, while Georgia (13-2) had a big win over 6 Kentucky (12-3) 82-69.

Wednesday, 9 UConn (12-4, 4-1) fell at Villanova (11-5, 4-1) 68-66.

Friday, Maryland (12-4, 2-3) had a much-needed win over slumping 22 UCLA (11-5, 2-3), 79-61, as Bruins coach Mick Cronin called out his players earlier in the week, labeling them “soft” and “delusional.”  Cronin was then ejected Friday for arguing with the officials.

Saturday, no massive upsets, though 3 Iowa State (14-1, 4-0) had to come from behind to force overtime at Texas Tech (11-4, 2-2) before prevailing 85-84...a fun game for us viewers.

Cooper Flagg set a freshman ACC scoring record with 42 points (11-14 from the field, 4 of 6 from three, 16 of 17 from the foul line) as 4 Duke (14-2, 6-0) held off Notre Dame (7-9, 1-4), 86-78.

5 Alabama (14-2, 3-0) defeated 10 Texas A&M (13-3, 2-1) in College Station, 94-88, All-American point guard Mark Sears with 27 points for the Tide.

But the big concern for the sport was the status of National Player of the Year candidate Johni Broome, No. 2 Auburn’s all-everything star.

Broome appeared to severely sprain his left ankle (at best) in the Tigers’ (15-1, 3-0) 66-63 win at South Carolina (10-6, 0-3).

Auburn fans await the results of an MRI Sunday.  Broome was averaging 18.7 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.7 blocks.

And then today we learned he will not require surgery, but he is out indefinitely.

--In other games, St. John’s improved to 14-3, 5-1, with an 80-68 win over Villanova (11-6, 4-2), RJ Luis Jr. with 30 points and 10 rebounds for Rick Pitino’s Red Storm.

North Carolina (11-6, 4-1) edged N.C. State (9-7, 2-3) 63-61.  The Tar Heels have to win virtually every game to assure themselves a spot in the Big Dance, assuming they can split their two games against Duke.

And Wake Forest (12-4, 4-1) is in the same position, needing a ton of Ws, and a split with Duke (and win over North Carolina) for the Deacs to go Dancin’, Wake beating Miami (4-12, 0-5) on the road yesterday, 88-78, as Cameron Hildreth went off for 31, 6 of 8 from three, and Hunter Sallis (22) had his fifth consecutive 20-point game.

--The Washinton Post’s John Feinstein has an article this weekend ripping his beloved ACC, mine too, and for good reason. The conference has sucked in both football and basketball.

But it’s even more disheartening what has happened to the once-legendary reputation of the ACC in hoops.

The conference expanded, adding so-so programs in both football and basketball, like Boston College, Syracuse and Pitt, while Florida State and Miami have collapsed, ditto Virginia Tech, and, voila!  And then we added Cal and Stanford, though SMU is a plus.  Yes, the conference does indeed suck.

Emblematic of such lousy play on the hardwood is our 5-27 record vs. top 25 teams out of conference, while the SEC is 21-8.  [Big Ten 12-15; Big 12 9-15; Big East 7-8]

[On the other hand, we are a soccer and baseball conference!]

--I was writing about Rutgers and the historically bad season it is having despite having two lottery picks long before the national press discovered the story, and after losses to Wisconsin last Monday, 75-63, and then Thursday against Purdue, 68-50, the Scarlet Knights are 8-8, with  virtually every NBA Mock Draft having Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey going in the top three along with Duke’s Cooper Flagg.

In the Purdue game, Bailey was 5 of 15 from the field, and Harper, still suffering from the flu, was just 2 of 9 before leaving the contest.

Coach Steve Pikiell should lose his job, to say the least.  As Matt Norlander of CBSSports.com wrote this week, Pikiell “is overseeing one of the most disappointing – and vexing – teams in the sport... Rutgers isn’t even a bubble team.  That’s what can happen when you change your template and rely on freshmen after having never done so before, as Pikiell is responsible for now.”

If Rutgers fails to make the Big Dance, and for them to do so they’ll have to win the Big Ten conference tournament, they would indeed be the first team ever to do so with two top-five NBA Draft picks in the same season.  They’d also be the first school in the modern era to sign two top-five high school prospects and fail to quality for March Madness.

NBA

--We had our game of the year in the NBA to date last Wednesday, Cleveland (32-4) ending Oklahoma City’s winning streak at 15, 129-122, the Thunder 30-6.  The Cavs extended their winning streak to 11, and are 11-0 against the West, 19-1 at home.

Jarrett Allen scored 25 points and Evan Mobley added 21 for Cleveland, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) had 31.

It was the first game in NBA history between a team on a 15-game winning streak and another on 10.  They were also two of just 24 teams to ever win at least 30 of their first 35 games.

The two meet again next Wednesday in Oklahoma City.

Cleveland (33-4) then beat the Raptors (8-30) on Thursday, 132-126.

OKC (31-6) traveled to New York to face the Knicks at the Garden in a rematch of their first game about ten days earlier and it was a totally embarrassing performance by New York, the Garden faithful for the first time booing them heavily.

The Thunder were up 70-43 at the half and rolled, 126-101, the Knicks having lost 4 of 5 to fall to 25-14.

Mikal Bridges, who had a super December to break out of his slump, is back in one...a brutal stretch that has seen him go 3 for 30 from three.  Three for 30, boys and girls!  He was 0 for 7 Friday from beyond the arc, 0 for 9 overall.  OG Anunoby missed all five of his 3-point attempts.

The Knicks were 4 for 32 from downtown (37-149, 24.8%, the last five games).  The only two who showed up were Karl-Anthony Towns, 23 points, 10 rebounds, and the always reliable Josh Hart, 16 points, 13 boards.  Jalen Brunson had 27, but it was one of those ‘whatever’ efforts.

For OKC, SGA was spectacular, 39 points in 29 minutes, 15 of 21 from the field.  Anthony Edwards the other day said SGA is the MVP and I can’t disagree.

The Knicks then faced the Milwaukee Bucks Sunday afternoon at the Garden, another stern test....New York up 75-62 at the half, Brunson with 27 points, 23 in the first quarter!

--Philadelphia, which has been playing better, suffered a huge blow when the team announced Thursday that standout rookie Jared McCain will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn left meniscus.

Prior to the injury, suffered in December, he was the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year, averaging 15.3 points while shooting 38% from 3-point range in 23 games.

--New Orleans’ Zion Williamson has been an immense bust, playing two full seasons, sort of, out of six.  Yes, he’s made some All-Star teams, but he’s played in just seven games this season due to a hamstring injury, including his return on Tuesday, where he scored 22 points in a loss to Minnesota. 

But then the Pelicans suspended him one game for a “violation of team policies” after he was late for the team’s flight to Philadelphia on Thursday.  Pathetic.  Zion did apologize profusely but there was zero excuse.

MLB

--The Mets and first baseman Pete Alonso are at a standstill in their contract talks.  Alonso wants to stay a Met, but wants a lot more than the Mets have reportedly offered him, three years, $90 million, with opt-outs.

But it seems only the Angels are showing any interest in Pete at this point.  He better snap up what’s on the table.  The Mets could still pull off a blockbuster of sorts that would bring them a first baseman, though I haven’t seen any such rumors.

--Justin Verlander, who turns 42 in February, signed a one-year, $15 million contract with San Francisco.  He was 5-6, 5.48, with Houston last year in a season limited by injury.  But the year before he was 13-8, 3.22, for the Mets and Astros.

--Toronto signed 32-year-old right-hander Jeff Hoffman to a 3-year, $33 million deal (with incentives that could take it to $39 million), Hoffman having had two outstanding seasons in Philadelphia out of the bullpen, a combined 118 2/3 innings, 158 strikeouts, ERAs of 2.41 and 2.17 (2.28 overall).

--Former Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz died suddenly at the age of 37.  No cause of death given.

Matusz was an Oriole from 2009-2016, 27-41, 4.92 ERA, but was fifth in the Rookie of the Year voting in 2010, when he had a 10-12 record as a starter.  He later transitioned to the bullpen.

--And an Original Met, Felix Mantilla, died.  He was 90.  Mantilla was a bright spot for the 1962 Mets, the infielder batting .275, 11 home runs, 59 RBIs.  It was his only season in Gotham.

Mantilla then went on to have two outstanding campaigns in Boston, 1964-65, hitting 30 home runs in ’64, and driving in 92 in ’65, when he made his lone All-Star team.

In his 11 seasons, 1956-66, Mantilla hit .261, and he was a member of the 1957 World Series champion Milwaukee Braves.  RIP.

Golf Balls

--The second event of the PGA Tour season, the Sony Open at Waialae in Honolulu will be wrapping up long after I post, but J.J. Spaun was in the lead after 54 holes, Keegan Bradley two strokes back.  Fourteen golfers were within three shots of Spaun’s lead.

--The status of Riviera Country Club is not real clear, ditto the status of the Genesis Invitational, which is to be held there Feb. 13-16.

Riviera was in the bullseye of the Pacific Palisades fire.  Even if the course sustained relatively minimal damage, as of today, it sure doesn’t seem appropriate to hold a tournament there.  It’s only a month away, but we’ll see.

Stuff

--No Premier League play this weekend...FA Cup action instead.

--In her first World Cup downhill in six years on Saturday in St. Anton, Austria, 40-year-old Lindsey Vonn finished sixth!  That is awesome. [Italy’s Federica Brignone won it.]

And then in Sunday’s super-G, Vonn was fourth!  Amazing stuff.  She’s basically already back.

But the bigger story today was 22-year-old American Lauren Macuga winning the race...her first podium finish!  You Go, Girls!!!

--Helio Castroneves, four-time winner of the Indy 500, announced he will make his NASCAR Cup Series debut at Daytona, with the goal of running in the 500, driving the No. 91 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing, which is co-owned by Pitbull.  This could be very cool.

--Peter Yarrow, the singer-songwriter best known as one-third of Peter, Paul and Mary, died.  He was 86.

Yarrow co-wrote the group’s most enduring song, “Puff the Magic Dragon,” #2 Billboard in 1963.  Also that year the group had the #2 “Blowin’ In The Wind,” which was a Bob Dylan song, ditto the #9 “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right,” also ’63.

“Blowin’ In The Wind” was performed at the 1963 March on Washington at which the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

And Peter, Paul and Mary had the #1 1969 hit, “Leaving On A Jet Plane,” which was written by John Denver.

--And Sam Moore, half of the Grammy-winning duo of Sam and Dave, died Friday at age 89.

Sam & Dave had the #21 “Hold On! I’m A Comin’”, which should have charted higher, #2 “Soul Man,” and #9 “I Thank You.”  Isaac Hayes was one of their producers.  Dave (Dave Prater) died in a car crash in 1988.

College Football Quiz Answer: 1990 Colorado national champions, 11-1-1, defeating 5 Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl.

Top 3 songs for the week 1/11/69: #1 “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” (Marvin Gaye)  #2 “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me” (Diana Ross and The Supremes & The Temptations)  #3 “Wichita Lineman” (Glen Campbell...in my all-time top ten...)...and...#4 “”Soulful Strut” (Young-Holt Unlimited)  #5 “Hooked On A Feeling” (B.J. Thomas)  #6  “Cloud Nine” (The Temptations)   #7 “For Once In My Life” (Stevie Wonder)  #8 “Crimson and Clover” (Tommy James and The Shondels)  #9 “Love Child” (Diana Ross and The Supremes)  #10 “I Love How You Love Me” (Bobby Vinton...’A’ week...)

Quarterback: Darian Hagan, 11 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 442 yards rushing.  RB: Eric Bieniemy, 288-1628, 5.7, 17 touchdowns (third in the Heisman voting, Ty Detmer of BYU won it).  WR: Mike Pritchard, 28-733, 26.21, 6 TDs.  Pritchard also carried it 29 times for 445 yards, a 15.3 average and five touchdowns.

But this wasn’t Bill McCartney’s only good team.  In 1989, Colorado was 11-1-0, final AP No. 4; and in 1994, they were 11-1-0, AP No. 3.  He then retired at age 54 to found Promise Keepers, after a 93-55-5 career mark in Boulder.

Hagan didn’t play in the NFL.  Bieniemy played 9 years with 3 teams, 1589 yards rushing, 1223 receiving.  And he was a long-time NFL assistant coach.  Pritchard also played nine seasons in the NFL, various teams, his best seasons with Atlanta, 422 career receptions, 5187 yards and 26 TDs.

Brief Add-on up top early Tues. a.m.

 

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