LeBron James loves playing at Madison Square Garden, and he gave the New York fans another show on Saturday when he led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 128-112 win over the New York Knicks with a 33-point, 11-rebound, 12-assist triple-double.
This was James’ 10th triple-double of the season, which is second only to Nikola Jokic (22), and his second since turning 40, which is the most in NBA history by a 40-year-old. Furthermore, it was his fourth career triple-double at MSG, which is second only to Larry Bird (six) for the most by a visiting player.
“It’s the mecca of basketball, the greatest arena in the world,” James said during his post-game interview. “Seen so many athletes come here and play the game of basketball, seen so many entertainers come here and rock the house, so many performers, and I’ve been blessed in my 22 years to be a part of this history in this building.”
James scored a driving layup for the first basket of the game, and neither he nor the Lakers looked back. They led for the majority of the night before pulling away late in the fourth quarter for a comfortable win. James shot 14 of 26 from the field, and while he did most of his work in the paint, he also made three 3-pointers, including a ridiculous fadeaway off one leg.
“I have no idea how I’m still doing this, Lisa,” James told ABC’s Lisa Salter after the win. “Man above’s given me some great gifts, I’m trying to take full advantage of it. I put all the work, all the dedication into the game and it’s given me so much. But I have no idea how I’m still doing this at this level.”
With the victory, the Lakers continued their mid-season hot streak. They’ve now won eight of their last 10 to improve to 28-19 on the season, which is good for fifth place in the crowded Western Conference. All of a sudden, they’re just one game back of the Denver Nuggets for a top-four seed, which would come with homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
In a dominating performance at Madison Square Garden, Los Angeles Lakers’ superstar LeBron James recorded a triple-double to lead his team to a big win over the New York Knicks.
LeBron was firing on all cylinders, finishing the game with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists. His impressive stat line helped propel the Lakers to a 118-108 victory over the Knicks.
The win showcased LeBron’s versatility and leadership on the court, as he controlled the game and made plays for his teammates throughout the night. His performance left fans in awe and solidified his status as one of the greatest players in NBA history.
The Lakers’ victory at the iconic Madison Square Garden was a statement win for the team and further solidified their position as a top contender in the league. With LeBron leading the way, the Lakers continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the NBA.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Even on the road, Bronny James was quite a crowd favorite.
Fans in Washington chanted for LeBron James’ son early and often, and with the Los Angeles Lakers way ahead of the Wizards on Thursday night, the younger James played the entire fourth quarter of his team’s 134-96 victory.
Bronny James scored a career-high five points. He shot only 1-for-6 from the field, but he made a driving layup while being fouled and converted the free throw for a three-point play.
“He did a lot of really good things tonight. I thought he made a couple really nice passes,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “Defensively he was great. It’s building blocks for every young player, and I think tonight was a good, positive building block for him.”
James’ night also included an air ball from 3-point range, two rebounds, two assists and two fouls. He came up with a steal and made a nice long pass to Dalton Knecht for a dunk. Shortly after his lone field goal, James drove to the basket again and lobbed an alley-oop to Christian Koloko for a dunk.
James closed out the scoring with a pair of free throws in the final seconds — and received an “MVP! MVP!” chant from the crowd.
“He’s had eyeballs on him his whole life. He’s used to it,” Redick said. “I remember not playing a lot my rookie year and second year. The Orlando fans would sometimes chant that in a blowout in the fourth quarter — ‘We want JJ’ — and it’s a weird feeling. There’s that audible sort of anticipation every time you shoot the ball. It’s a lot.
“He has handled everything with dignity, grace, class, all that stuff. He’ll continue to grow.”
Bronny James, the son of NBA legend LeBron James, received thunderous ovations from fans during the Los Angeles Lakers’ road win against the Washington Wizards.
The young basketball prodigy, who is currently a junior in high school, was in attendance to support his father and the Lakers as they battled the Wizards at the Capital One Arena. Bronny was spotted sitting courtside, cheering on his dad and the team throughout the game.
As the cameras panned to Bronny in the stands, fans erupted in applause and cheers, showing their support for the budding star. The crowd’s reaction was a testament to the growing popularity and star power of the 17-year-old, who has been making waves in the basketball world with his impressive skills and potential.
Despite not being on the court, Bronny’s presence was felt and appreciated by fans, teammates, and his father, who expressed his pride and gratitude for his son’s support. The ovations and attention that Bronny received during the game only further solidified his status as a rising star in the basketball world.
As the Lakers secured a crucial road win against the Wizards, Bronny’s presence and the support he received served as a reminder of the bright future ahead for the James family and the basketball world as a whole. The ovations for Bronny were well-deserved and only added to the excitement and anticipation surrounding his promising career.
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Bronny James, Lakers, road win, Washington, NBA, basketball, LeBron James, ovation, sports, victory, game recap, standout performance, player highlight
Expect the unexpected regarding who might just show up in the men and women’s Royal Rumbles tonight. Ahead of what will likely be an unpredictable night, it appears two former world champions are in Indianapolis, Indiana, the host city for this year’s Rumble. According to reports by “Fightful Select,” two-time WWE Champion “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles, and two-time NXT Champion Trick Williams are in town. As of this report, there is no confirmation if either man will participate in the men’s Royal Rumble, or if they are simply in Indianapolis to fulfill other obligations this weekend.
Possible Spoiler Alert: Two Big WWE Names Spotted in Town for Royal Rumble
Rumors are swirling as two major WWE superstars have been spotted in town for the upcoming Royal Rumble event. Could this mean a surprise return or debut at the highly anticipated pay-per-view?
Fans are speculating that the presence of these two big names could shake up the Royal Rumble match and potentially change the course of the WWE landscape. While nothing has been confirmed yet, the excitement and anticipation are building as we wait to see what unfolds.
Stay tuned for more updates and be sure to tune in to the Royal Rumble to see if these two superstars make their presence known in a big way. This could be a game-changing moment for WWE fans everywhere!
The road to WWE WrestleMania 41 officially began this weekend at WWE Royal Rumble 2025. The event took place on February 1, 2025, at the iconic Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Fans are already speculating about the potential winners of both the Men’s and Women’s Royal Rumble matches. Many expect a dramatic and action-packed show that will set the stage for WrestleMania 41.
For the men’s match, top favorites include John Cena, Roman Reigns, CM Punk, Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, and Jey Uso. On the women’s side, Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, and Alexa Bliss lead the discussions on potential winners.
Amid all the excitement surrounding WWE Royal Rumble 2025, recent reports have revealed that WWE has massive plans for their newest signee, Penta El Zero Miedo. WWE expects Penta El Zero Miedo to play a key role in both the Royal Rumble match and WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas this April.
Report reveals Penta set for a major role at WWE WrestleMania 41
Recent reports from Chris Featherstone on Backstage Pass reveal that WWE has big plans for Penta. WWE has scheduled Penta for an impressive performance in the Men’s Royal Rumble Match. The report also states that he will continue being pushed strongly, leading to a prominent spot at WrestleMania 41.
Penta El Zero Miedo made his debut on the January 13th edition of WWE RAW, and the former AEW star has made a huge impact since his arrival. He is currently involved in a feud with Chad Gable, who is attempting to master the dark arts of Lucha Libre against Penta.
Amid this rivalry, the latest episode of RAW teased a major feud for Penta. This time, it involved WWE Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker. Could this lead to a WrestleMania 41 match between them? Only time will tell.
As WrestleMania 41 approaches, WWE fans are buzzing with excitement as rumors swirl about which top star will have a major role in the event. According to insider sources, WWE has big plans for a certain superstar to have a standout moment at the grandest stage of them all.
Speculation has been running rampant about who this mystery star could be. Some believe it could be a returning legend like The Rock or John Cena, while others think it could be a rising talent like Bianca Belair or Big E. With so many possibilities, the anticipation is building as fans eagerly await the official announcement from WWE.
One thing is for certain—WrestleMania 41 is shaping up to be an unforgettable event, and whoever WWE has in mind for a top spot is sure to deliver a show-stopping performance. Stay tuned for more updates as the road to WrestleMania continues to unfold.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Eight of the Big Ten’s 18 schools have reached the 10-game halfway point of the 20-game Big Ten men’s basketball season, and the rest will hit it this week.
Hoosiers On SI took a look at where each Big Ten stands as they make the turn for the second half of the Big Ten season and assigned mid-season grades for each school.
Michigan State
Jan 9, 2025; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Jaden Akins (3) puts a shot off the glass against the Washington Huskies during the second half at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. / Dale Young-Imagn Images
• Record: 18-2 overall, 9-0 Big Ten. • Preseason Big Ten prediction: 5th. • Current Big Ten position: 1st. • Overview: Last year, Michigan State was supposed to be good because of a flashy backcourt trio. Big Ten title contention wasn’t necessarily expected from the Spartans this season, but when coach Tom Izzo’s teams are counted out? Look out. The Spartans are sound. They manage to score 81.3 points per game without a devastating 3-point attack or a dominant scorer. They’re well put together, they’re unselfish, and they play hard. That will carry you far. • Grade: A+. Izzo defies conventional wisdom by building a team the old-fashioned way – via good high school recruiting, good retention and good player development. Unbeaten in the Big Ten gets an A+.
Purdue
Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Jordan Derkack (0) battles Purdue Boilermakers forward Trey Kaufman-Renn (4) and guard Gicarri Harris (24) for a rebound during the second half at Jersey Mike’s Arena. / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
• Record: 16-5 overall, 8-2 Big Ten. • Preseason Big Ten prediction: 1st. • Current Big Ten position: 2nd. • Overview: No one thought Purdue was going to go away in the post-Zach Edey era, and they haven’t. That Braden Smith, the preseason Big Ten Player of the Year, is playing well is no surprise. That Trey Kaufman-Renn is leading Purdue in scoring is a surprise but shouldn’t be because players get better under coach Matt Painter’s tutelage. An underrated Purdue trait is its guard depth. • Grade: A-. Purdue trails Michigan State by 1 ½ games, the only reason for the minus in the Boilermakers’ grade. Apart from that, it’s the usual steady-as-she-goes in West Lafayette.
Michigan
Michigan Wolverines center Vladislav Goldin (50) shoots the ball against UCLA Bruins guard Lazar Stefanovic (10) in the first half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
• Record: 15-5 overall, 7-2 Big Ten. • Preseason Big Ten prediction: 9th. • Current Big Ten position: 3rd. • Overview: First-year coach Dusty May quickly built a fascinating team. Michigan’s 9.7 made threes per game ranks 39th nationally, but with 7-footers Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf the paint is also a danger zone for opponents. Five players average double-digit scoring. It’s a well-balanced team. • Grade: A. May has done an outstanding job. The last four games, two of them losses, have shown some vulnerabilities, but the Wolverines are back after two dreadful seasons.
Wisconsin
Butler Bulldogs forward Jahmyl Telfort (11) defends Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell (25) Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during the NCAA men’s basketball game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Wisconsin Badgers won 83-74. / Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
• Record: 16-4 overall, 6-3 Big Ten. • Preseason Big Ten prediction: tied for 12th. • Current Big Ten position: 4th. • Overview: It seems to be an annual exercise in expecting decline to begin in Madison for coach Greg Gard, but he continues to defy his skeptics. The maturation of sophomore guard John Blackwell has made him a force. Gard combined solid veterans like Steven Crowl, Max Klesmit and Nolan Winter with an inspired portal pickup in guard John Tonje. The Badgers are averaging 82.5 points per game, nearly eight better than they did in 2024 and their highest average since the early 1970s. • Grade: A. The Badgers are dangerous. Their three Big Ten losses have been by no more than six points.
Illinois
Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell (4) and Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kasparas Jakucionis (32) celebrate after a play during the first half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. / Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
• Record: 14-6 overall, 6-4 Big Ten. • Preseason Big Ten prediction: 4th. • Current Big Ten position: Three-way tie for 5th. • Overview: Illinois coach Brad Underwood lost nearly everyone from an Elite Eight team, but did a masterful job in putting the puzzle back together. Guard Kasparas Jakucionis is dazzling at times. His flash is a counterpoint to grittier work done by Kylan Boswell and Tomislav Ivisic. On any given night, Illinois can overwhelm teams – ask both Oregon and Indiana – teams the Fighting Illini roasted on their home floors. • Grade: B+. For as powerful as Illinois is at its best, the Illini don’t always show up. A home loss to Southern California was baffling (a subsequent home defeat against Maryland was easier explained due to team sickness) and so was a fade job at Northwestern. That dropped their grade, but on their day, Illinois is as good as any Big Ten team.
Maryland
Maryland Terrapins guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie (0) drives to the basket as Illinois Fighting Illini guard Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (2) defends during the second half at State Farm Center. / Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
• Record: 16-5 overall, 6-4 Big Ten. • Preseason Big Ten prediction: 10th. • Current Big Ten position: Three-way tie for 5th. • Overview: Coach Kevin Willard hit the jackpot in both high school recruiting and the portal. Freshman Derik Queen (15.2 ppg, 8.1 rpg) has been great right out of the box, and Belmont transfer point guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie (14.6 ppg, 4.7 apg) has been a good fit. The complementary pieces around that pair fit very well. • Grade: B+. Maryland showed me something by winning a pair of road games in its last two games. That was the one knock against the Terps – that they were great at home and faded on the road. If they can continue that trend, they will continue to rise up the Big Ten charts.
UCLA
UCLA Bruins guard Sebastian Mack (12) goes to the basket as Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Jamichael Davis (1) defends during the first half at Jersey Mike’s Arena. / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
• Record: 15-6 overall, 6-4 Big Ten. • Preseason Big Ten prediction: 3rd. • Current Big Ten position: Three-way tie for 5th. • Overview: A strange Big Ten maiden voyage for the Bruins. They lost four straight at the beginning of January, prompting a rant from coach Mick Cronin on their toughness. They’ve won four in a row since, but all on the West Coast. Apart from being a solid defensive team, especially inside the arc where they limit shots, I still don’t think we know what these Bruins are about yet. • Grade: B-. If Maryland proved something in its recent games, UCLA can’t claim to be a top Big Ten team until it wins east of the Rocky Mountains – something the Bruins have yet to achieve.
Oregon
Oregon Ducks guard Jackson Shelstad (3) attempts to dribble the ball against Ohio State Buckeyes guard Evan Mahaffey (12) and guard Bruce Thornton (2) in the second half at Value City Arena on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio. / Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
• Record: 16-4 overall, 5-4 Big Ten. • Preseason Big Ten prediction: 6th. • Current Big Ten position: 8th. • Overview: Resume-wise, Oregon looks great with wins over Texas A&M and Alabama. Within the Big Ten, however, the form has been inconsistent. The Ducks have a weird stack of scores. Wins at Ohio State and Penn State, but three home losses and a defeat at Minnesota. Befitting that trend, Oregon floats near the middle of the Big Ten in nearly every major team statistical category for offense and defense. • Grade: B. The Ducks are basically what we thought they would be – very competitive, but not overwhelming.
Indiana
Indiana Hoosiers center Oumar Ballo (11) controls the ball as Ohio State Buckeyes forward Sean Stewart (13) defends during the first half at Value City Arena. / Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
• Record: 14-7 overall, 5-5 Big Ten. • Preseason Big Ten prediction: 2nd. • Current Big Ten position: 9th. • Overview: Based on preseason expectations, the Hoosiers are under-performing under coach Mike Woodson. Inconsistency in every facet has defined these Hoosiers. A look at Indiana’s record shows decline could be in the cards. Indiana has not beaten a single team above it in the Big Ten standings. Seven of their remaining 10 games are versus teams above them. • Grade: C-. A segment of Indiana fans will think this grade is way too kind. Another segment will think it’s harsh. The grade would have slipped into D territory, but Indiana has won five league games, so that would be unduly harsh. How much the talent was overrated entering the season, and thus how realistic the expectations were in the first place, is a fair question to ask at this point.
Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes guard Micah Parrish (8) celebrates a three point shot during the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena. / Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
• Record: 12-8 overall, 4-5 Big Ten. • Preseason Big Ten prediction: 8th. • Current Big Ten position: Tied for 10th. • Overview: Point guard Bruce Thornton has been the veteran presence everyone expected. Ohio State’s other scoring standouts – Devin Royal, Micah Parrish and freshman John Mobley – are a bit more surprising given that there were more highly touted players that were Columbus-bound in the portal. • Grade: B-. I don’t trust the Buckeyes. Which means I don’t trust them to win or lose when they’re supposed to! There’s talent here, but they haven’t yet figured out how to harness it to attain consistency.
Southern California
USC Trojans guard Desmond Claude (1) controls the ball as Illinois Fighting Illini forward Morez Johnson Jr. (21) defends during the second half at State Farm Center. / Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
• Record: 12-8 overall, 4-5 Big Ten. • Preseason Big Ten prediction: 14th. • Current Big Ten position: Tied for 10th. • Overview: Coach Eric Musselman has molded the Trojans into an occasionally dangerous squad – witness road wins at Illinois, Washington and Nebraska. They’re average in almost every way but hit the glass hard, leading the Big Ten in offensive rebounding in conference games. • Grade: B. No one knew what to make of USC entering the season given that it had an almost completely new roster. What we know now is that they’re hard to play against and they share the scoring with five different players averaging double figures. A solid outfit.
Iowa
Iowa Hawkeyes guard Josh Dix (4) dribbles the ball as Ohio State Buckeyes forward Devin Royal (21) defends during the first half at Value City Arena. / Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
• Record: 13-8 overall, 4-6 Big Ten. • Preseason Big Ten prediction: 11th. • Current Big Ten position: 12th. • Overview: Iowa is what it is – a good offensive team that can’t defend consistently. Lately, however, even the offense has fallen off. Iowa has scored more than 10 points below its season scoring average in three of its last four games. • Grade: C. A threat to beat anyone when they’re on, a threat to lose to anyone when they’re not. The definition of average. Hence the grade.
Northwestern
Northwestern Wildcats forward Nick Martinelli (2) reacts after the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Center. / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
• Record: 12-8 overall, 3-6 Big Ten. • Preseason Big Ten prediction: 16th. • Current Big Ten position: Tied for 13th. • Overview: Per usual, coach Chris Collins has crafted his Wildcats well. They’re not deep, but they’re tough and the 1-2-3 scoring punch of Nick Martinelli, Brooks Barnhizer and Jalen Leach can be a chore to defend when they’re on their game. • Grade: B-. Is it ironic that the Big Ten’s most famous academic institution gets graded on a curve? The Wildcats don’t play by the same rules other Big Ten teams do by their own choice, so while they’re in the fight to avoid missing out on the Big Ten Tournament, wins over Illinois, Maryland and Indiana attest to their competitiveness.
Rutgers
Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard/forward Ace Bailey (4) looks to shoot the ball as Penn State Nittany Lions guard Nick Kern Jr (3) defends during the second half at Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State defeated Rutgers 80-72. / Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
• Record: 10-10 overall, 3-6 Big Ten. • Preseason Big Ten prediction: 7th. • Current Big Ten position: Tied for 13th. • Overview: Super freshmen Ace Bailey (19.8 ppg) and Dylan Harper (18.6 ppg) have brought the goods as advertised. However, that’s about all the Scarlet Knights have. Rutgers’ defensive mentality, which has defined them under coach Steve Pikiell, has dissipated. The Scarlet Knights are giving away 75.2 points per game, seven points worse than any previous Pikiell-coached Rutgers team. • Grade: C-. The Top 25 preseason ranking Rutgers got seems laughable now, a case study in how everyone gets too caught up in stars over how teams mesh. Seeing Rutgers conceding points in the way that it has is just jarring.
Minnesota
Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Dawson Garcia (3) controls the ball as Iowa Hawkeyes forward Owen Freeman (32) defends during the first half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. / Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
• Record: 11-10 overall, 3-7 Big Ten. • Preseason Big Ten prediction: 18th. • Current Big Ten position: Tied for 15th. • Overview: It was looking hopeless in Minneapolis when the Golden Gophers were 0-6 in league play with no wins against any Power Four schools. However, there is hope at Williams Arena as Minnesota has won three of four, including wins over ranked Michigan and Oregon. • Grade: C+. Let this be the latest article to say that Ben Johnson is a good coach without a good situation at Minnesota in terms of recruiting and NIL. He’s making the best of it, though, and if Minnesota continues to improve? He deserves a standing ovation.
Penn State
Penn State Nittany Lions guard Ace Baldwin Jr. (1) dribbles against Michigan Wolverines guard Roddy Gayle Jr. (11) in the second half at Crisler Center. / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
• Record: 13-8 overall, 3-7 Big Ten. • Preseason Big Ten prediction: 17th. • Current Big Ten position: Tied for 15th. • Overview: How many fans outside of the Keystone State would know that Penn State has six players averaging double figures? Penn State’s scoring hasn’t been quite as prolific in the Big Ten, and stopping anyone is a problem – Penn State gives up 48.2% from the field and 79.4 points in conference contests. • Grade: B-. Could have gone C+, but I err on the side of being nice. Penn State has settled into its rep as a Hard Team To Play Against in the Big Ten. A compliment, but it also means the Nittany Lions aren’t a likely threat to crack the top half of the league – and that they can be had if your team is on its game.
Nebraska
Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Brice Williams (3) handles the ball during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. / Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images
• Record: 12-8 overall, 2-7 Big Ten. • Preseason Big Ten prediction: tied for 12th. • Current Big Ten position: 17th. • Overview: The Cornhuskers are in a freefall having lost six in a row. A big reason is defense. The Huskers are giving up 81.2 points per game. Scoring outside of Brice Williams and Juwan Gary has also been inconsistent. • Grade: C-. While no one thought Nebraska would contend near the top of the league, many thought the Huskers could build on their positive 2024 season and at least maintain their spot near the middle of the Big Ten. A relatively tough remaining schedule won’t make things any easier in Lincoln.
Washington
Washington Huskies forward Great Osobor (1) dribbles against the Oregon Ducks during the second half at Matthew Knight Arena. / Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images
• Record: 10-10 overall, 1-8 Big Ten. • Preseason Big Ten prediction: 15th. • Current Big Ten position: 18th. • Overview: Not much was expected from the Huskies, but somehow they seem even worse than anticipated. Forward Great Osobor (15.5 ppg, 8.6 rpg) has performed as expected, but no one else has really stepped up for coach Danny Sprinkle as Washington only averages 65.4 points in Big Ten games. • Grade: D+. A hope for Washington going into the season was that it could protect its home court to tread water, but the Huskies are 1-4 in Big Ten home games, and that’s why their grade is low. Good news for Washington is that all of its remaining home games are against teams eighth or lower in the Big Ten standings.
As we reach the midway point of the Big Ten men’s basketball season, it’s time to evaluate the performance of each team so far. Here are the mid-season grades for each Big Ten team:
Illinois Fighting Illini: A-
Illinois has been one of the top teams in the conference, with key wins over ranked opponents. They have shown great potential and are poised for a strong finish to the season.
Indiana Hoosiers: C
Indiana has had some ups and downs this season, with inconsistent play and some tough losses. They will need to improve in the second half of the season to make a push for the NCAA Tournament.
Iowa Hawkeyes: A+
Iowa has been dominant this season, led by star player Luka Garza. They are a top contender for the Big Ten title and a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
Michigan Wolverines: B+
Michigan has had a solid season so far, with key wins and a strong showing in conference play. They will need to continue their strong play in the second half of the season.
Michigan State Spartans: C-
Michigan State has struggled this season, with losses to unranked opponents and inconsistent play. They will need to turn things around quickly to salvage their season.
Minnesota Golden Gophers: B
Minnesota has had a solid season, with some key wins and competitive play in the Big Ten. They will need to continue to improve to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Ohio State Buckeyes: B-
Ohio State has had a mixed season, with some strong wins and some tough losses. They will need to improve their consistency in the second half of the season.
Wisconsin Badgers: A
Wisconsin has been one of the top teams in the Big Ten, with strong play on both ends of the court. They are a serious contender for the conference title and a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
Overall, the Big Ten has been highly competitive this season, with several teams vying for the top spot. It will be exciting to see how the rest of the season unfolds and which teams will come out on top.
With the Big Ten regular season just about at its halfway point, Michigan State looks to be on pace for its first conference regular season title in four years.
In its lone game of the week, Tom Izzo’s seventh-ranked Spartans (17-2, 8-0 in Big Ten) kept alive their undefeated start to conference play with an 81-74 win over Rutgers at Madison Square Garden in New York. It’s the 12th consecutive win for Michigan State, and their best start in Big Ten play since 2018-2019.
Spartans freshman guard Jase Richardson hit 6 of 9 shots from the field on the way to a career-high 20 points in his first game inside The World’s Most Famous Arena. The Spartans, who are 12-0 since Tre Holloman entered the starting lineup, have a one-game lead over Purdue in the Big Ten standings.
Speaking of Purdue, the Boilermakers split the week 1-1 at Mackey Arena with a loss to Ohio State and a win over then-No. 21 Michigan. Purdue senior guard Braden Smith finished three rebounds shy of recording a triple-double in the Boilermakers’ 91-64 romp over the Wolverines, who split last week’s games with an 80-76 overtime win vs. Northwestern.
Wisconsin appears to be back on track after a rocky December start to Big Ten play, as the Badgers defeated Nebraska 83-55 on Sunday at the Kohl Center for their eighth win in their last nine contests.
Here are the latest updates of where Big Ten teams standing in the Coaches Poll and AP Top 25 poll:
Big Ten teams in bold. First-place votes in parentheses.
Auburn (31)
Duke
Iowa State
Alabama
Houston
Florida
Michigan State
Tennessee
Marquette
Purdue
Kansas
Kentucky
Mississippi State
St. John’s
Texas A&M
Memphis
Wisconsin
Oregon
Texas Tech
Illinois
Missouri
Louisville
Ole Miss
UConn
Clemson
Others receiving votes:Michigan 67; Gonzaga 55; Maryland 50; Vanderbilt 44; Saint Mary’s; Arizona 41; Utah State; Creighton 18; West Virginia 17; Georgia 6; Baylor 4; New Mexico 3; UC Irvine 1.
AP Top 25
Big Ten teams in bold. First-place votes in parentheses.
Auburn (62)
Duke
Iowa State
Alabama
Florida
Houston
Michigan State
Tennessee
Marquette
Purdue
Kansas
Kentucky
Texas A&M
Mississippi State
St. John’s
Oregon
Wisconsin
Illinois
Memphis
Missouri
Louisville
Texas Tech
Ole Miss
Vanderbilt
UConn
Others receiving votes: Michigan 129; Maryland 116; Utah State; Clemson 92; Arizona 47; Saint Mary’s 45; Gonzaga 34; Texas 22; Creighton 12; Baylor 8; New Mexico 4; VCU 4; West Virginia 3; Oklahoma 2; Bradley; UCLA 1.
In the latest Coaches Poll and AP Top 25 rankings, the Big Ten conference continues to be well represented with several teams making their mark on the national stage.
The Michigan Wolverines have climbed to the top spot in both polls, solidifying their status as a powerhouse in college basketball. Right behind them are the Purdue Boilermakers, who have also been turning heads with their impressive performances.
Other Big Ten teams making appearances in the rankings include the Wisconsin Badgers, Illinois Fighting Illini, and Ohio State Buckeyes. Each of these teams has shown their ability to compete at a high level and are poised to make a run in the upcoming NCAA tournament.
With March Madness just around the corner, it’s clear that the Big Ten conference will be a force to be reckoned with. Stay tuned as these teams battle it out for conference supremacy and a shot at the national championship.
We’ve cracked the halfway point of the Big Ten Conference men’s basketball season, and if some of the preseason championship favorites want to be involved they’d better wake up.
Preseason No. 1 Purdue remains right there in striking distance of still-unbeaten Michigan State. Winning in East Lansing in a couple of weeks might be crucial, though.
The ship has probably sailed for preseason No. 2 Indiana. Hoosiers need to focus on not completely embarrassing themselves and missing the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis.
Mick Cronin already grumbles about preseason No. 3 UCLA’s travel burden and has not yet been to Champaign or West Lafayette. All of the analytics sites still love preseason No. 4 Illinois. Like the Bruins, though, the Fighting Illini already hold four losses and might need to run the table to hoist the trophy.
Winning percentage of the eight teams Spartans have played so far: .338. Winning percentage of the 10 still to come: .592.
2. Purdue (16-5, 8-2)
Prev: 2
Trey Kaufman-Renn living up to Matt Painter’s preseason All-Big Ten prediction — and then some.
3. Maryland (17-3, 7-4)
Prev: 6
If not for an overtime loss at Northwestern, Terrapins would be working on a seven-game winning streak.
4. Michigan (15-5, 7-2)
Prev: 3
The team that got molly wopped at Purdue last week did not look like a Big Ten championship contender.
5. Illinois (14-6, 6-4)
Prev: 4
Illini are retiring Kofi Cockburn’s jersey in a couple of weeks. Sorry, just wanted to type Kofi Cockburn again.
6. Wisconsin (16-5, 6-4)
Prev: 5
February and March could set up nicely for the Badgers, but only if they survive sneaky road games like Northwestern on Saturday.
7. UCLA (15-6, 6-4)
Prev: 7
Four-game winning streak pushes Bruins’ record back to 14-2 in Pacific time zone, 1-4 everywhere else.
8. Oregon (16-5, 5-4)
Prev: 8
Opened a stretch of four roadies in five games by losing the “easy” one at Minnesota. Sub-optimal.
9. Ohio State (12-8, 4-5)
Prev: 9
It’s only a two-game winning streak, but could the Buckeyes be gearing up for another late-season run?
10. USC (12-8, 4-5)
Prev: 12
While some teams on this list are still looking for their first Big Ten road win, the Trojans and their treacherous travel have tallied three.
11. Penn State (13-8, 3-7)
Prev: 10
Has not won a game played outside the Keystone State since before Thanksgiving.
12. Northwestern (12-8, 3-6)
Prev: 11
Wildcats likely need big surge down the stretch to extend program-record NCAA Tournament streak to three.
13. Nebraska (12-8, 2-7)
Prev: 13
Starting to wonder if there will be actual corn in the ground before the Cornhuskers win again.
14. Iowa (13-8, 4-6)
Prev: 14
It’s almost as if beating up on East Texas A&M — the purchased win formerly known as Texas A&M Commerce — and USC Upstate does not prepare a team for a Big Ten schedule.
15. Indiana (14-7, 5-5)
Prev: 15
When was the last time a Hoosiers coach needed a win at Purdue this desperately?
16. Rutgers (10-10, 3-6)
Prev: 16
Needed Ace Bailey big time at Northwestern on Wednesday, and he turned in his third 30-plus point performance in the last eight games.
17. Minnesota (11-10, 3-7)
Prev: 17
Oregon visited the Land of 10,000 Lakes only to drown in Dawson Garcia’s 31 points.
18. Washington (10-10, 1-8)
Prev: 18
Check out Sub Pop’s old “world headquarters” on 2013 Fourth Street before grabbing some deep fried salmon at the Pike Place Market.
Big Ten men’s basketball power rankings: Maryland makes jump
After a strong week of performances, the Maryland Terrapins have made a significant jump in the Big Ten men’s basketball power rankings. With key wins over ranked opponents and standout performances from their star players, the Terrapins have solidified their position as a top team in the conference.
Maryland’s impressive victories have been led by their dynamic duo of Eric Ayala and Aaron Wiggins, who have been lighting up the scoreboard and making big plays in clutch moments. Their strong play has propelled the Terrapins to the top of the standings and has caught the attention of the rest of the conference.
As the season continues, Maryland will look to build on their recent success and continue their climb up the rankings. With tough matchups ahead, including games against other top teams in the Big Ten, the Terrapins will have the opportunity to prove themselves as one of the best teams in the conference.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Big Ten men’s basketball power rankings as the season progresses.
Tags:
Big Ten basketball, men’s basketball rankings, Maryland basketball, Big Ten power rankings, college basketball rankings
– The surprise teases continue heading into this Saturday night’s WWE Royal Rumble 2025. During her appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday to promote her new ESPN series, Stephanie McMahon-Levesque noted WWE Royal Rumble will have “lots of surprises” that she claims even she doesn’t know about.
“John Cena competing in his last Royal Rumble ever is going to be really meaningful,” she said when discussing the show. “I’m looking forward to Charlotte Flair’s return to the ring, it’s been way too long. Lots of surprises that I don’t even know about, and if I did, I wouldn’t be allowed to say. I don’t know, truthfully. I know some thing, but not all things.”
– During an interview on the Talking With Natasha podcast, WWE Superstar and Pure Fusion Collective leader Sonya Deville described her being the first openly gay woman in WWE as a “happy accident.”
“It was like a big accident,” she began when telling the story. “It’s a really funny story. It’s a happy accident. So I was on Tough Enough, the reality show. The first episode of that show was like the tryouts for the show. So they showed like all the competitors trying out to be on the show. Part of the tryout was an in-ring interview, essentially, with Triple H, the big boss, and a couple other corporate executives. You’re just in the ring. They told you to wear a bathing suit. I’m looking around. My wife laughs at this, too. I’m looking around at all these girls, and they all come from bikini world champions and swimsuit models. They’re all in G-string bikinis. I didn’t get the memo and I’m in a billabong bikini. They all were in like stilettos and I wore a wedge, like a Sam Edelman wedge. Okay. Got it. I just, I didn’t look like the others. I didn’t really fit in with the rest. So here I am in all my glory in a bathing suit, standing in the middle of the ring. If you look back at the video of it, it’s really funny, cause I don’t even know how to like stand in a bathing suit. I’m like legs, like wide apart. Triple H, one of his first questions he asked me, which would be like a pretty standard reality TV show question, ‘are you in a relationship? Are you single?’ They’re trying to get to know the contestants. But for me, it was a loaded question because I had a girlfriend and I was not out at the time. And so I kind of just froze and was like, ‘I have a girlfriend, but she’s not my wife yet.’ Like, I just got nervous and said like a really weird answer and he starts laughing and he’s like, ‘did you just come out on national television?’ I was like, ‘Uh, I guess so. Then I had to like rush backstage to call my girlfriend at the time. Cause she wasn’t even out to her parents and her mom was like onto us, but we were trying to deny it to her. Cause she was not okay with it. So I had to call her and be like, ‘I’m so sorry.’ But if your mom’s watching, cause her mom knew like, ‘Oh, her friend Daria was on this show and she was watching to support her friend.’ But now I just said on the show that she’s my girlfriend, which is, and I said her name. So like she’s just, yeah, she’s done for. It is so confirmed. So I felt so bad. So I called her. ‘She’s like, no, it’s okay.’ Like it was meant to be that way. That was 10 years ago. So that’s my coming out.”
(H/T to Fightful for transcribing the above quotes.)
Sonya Deville made history as the first openly gay woman in WWE, but according to the superstar herself, it was all a “big accident.”
In a recent interview, Deville revealed that she never intended to come out publicly while working for the wrestling company. “It was never my intention to be the first openly gay woman in WWE,” she said. “It just kind of happened.”
Deville, whose real name is Daria Berenato, explained that she had been out to her family and friends for years before deciding to share her sexuality with the world. “I just wanted to be myself and live my truth,” she said. “I never expected it to be such a big deal, but I’m grateful for the support I’ve received from fans and colleagues.”
Meanwhile, WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon has been teasing some surprises for the upcoming Royal Rumble event. In a recent tweet, McMahon hinted at some “game-changing moments” that fans won’t want to miss.
Could one of those surprises be related to Deville or another groundbreaking moment for LGBTQ+ representation in WWE? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: the Royal Rumble is shaping up to be an event to remember.
The Michigan men’s basketball team is back on the road this weekend, as the Wolverines travel to New Jersey to take on Rutgers in the first of what could be seven straight quadrant-1 games for Michigan.
In addition to trying to bolster their resumé, the Wolverines will also try to snap a two-game losing streak in Big Ten road games, and move to 8-2 in league play. Read up on Saturday’s game below, including how to watch or listen to the game, and some of the keys for Michigan to win the matchup.
Game information
Matchup: Michigan (15-5; 7-2 Big Ten) at Rutgers (11-10; 4-6 Big Ten)
Date: Saturday, February 1, 2025
Tipoff: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Piscataway, New Jersey
Arena: Jersey Mike’s Arena (8,000)
TV: FOX
Talent: Kevin Kugler (p-by-p) and LaPhonso Ellis (analyst)
Radio: Michigan Sports Network from LEARFIELD
Talent: Brian Boesch & Terry Mills
Flagship: WWJ-Radio (950 AM; Detroit)
Local: WWWW (102.9 FM, Ann Arbor)
Satellite: SiriusXM: 83 | SXM App: 83
Line: Michigan -5.5, O/U 154.5
Preview
About Rutgers: Led by projected top-five NBA Draft picks Ace Bailey (20.7 points per game, 1st in the Big Ten) and Dylan Harper (18.6 pig, 4th in the Big Ten), the Scarlet Knights have plenty of size and athleticism, but have struggled to make it count against fellow power-conference opponents, as they enter the weekend 11-10.
So far this season, Rutgers has been a two-man game, with both Bailey and Harper averaging more than 11.0 points per game more than any of their teammates. So far this season, the duo has attempted 44.8 percent of Rutgers’ field-goal attempts.
Stylistically, Rutgers leans into its physicality, averaging 21.9 free-throw attempts per game and ranking 258th in percentage of field-goal attempts coming from 3-point range. Defense has been a weak point at times — 211th in points per possession allowed, 107th in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency — but Rutgers has scored quadrant-1 wins over UCLA, at Nebraska, and at Northwestern on Wednesday.
Matchup to watch: With Harper out to injury, the matchup of Bailey vs. Michigan’s Danny Wolf will be the key matchup. Bailey, who scored 37 points in Rutgers’ win Wednesday, is averaging a Big Ten-leading 20.7 points per game to go with 7.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. The 6-foot-10, 200-pounder can score at every level, as he is currently the only high-major player in the country with at least 40 made field goals each from 3, the midrange and by the rim, per BartTorvik.com. Bailey has scored 17 points or more in six straight games, and at least 15 points in all but three games this season.
On the other side, Wolf has been in something of a slump lately. In Michigan’s last five games, Wolf has 10.6 points per game (he averaged 14.6 the prior nine games), is shooting 36.2 percent from the field (previously was 58.7 percent from the field) and has struggled especially to make a different in the first half of games.
How well Wolf can defend Bailey’s scoring by himself, and what he’s bringing to Michigan’s offense on the other end, will go a long way in this matchup
Keys for Michigan
Keep Bailey contested. Odds are that Bailey will score a lot, draw fouls and control his matchup at times. But keeping him inefficient on his shots will limit Rutgers’ chances, especially with Harper out.
Match the Scarlet Knights’ physicality. Rutgers wants Saturday to be a bruising game for the Wolverines, and has played like it for much of Big Ten play. Just a few days after Dusty May said he wants his team to show more physicality, Saturday offers a test on the Wolverines’ ability to win a grittier game.
Get area 50-1 going. In addition to Wolf’s slump above, Vlad Goldin is coming off a four-point, 17-minute performance affected by an illness. If he and Wolf can come out strong Saturday, Rutgers will struggle to keep pace with the Wolverines.
Be sure to join the discussion in the comments section for updates before, during and after the game!
Michigan Wolverines are hitting the road once again as they gear up to face off against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in a Big Ten clash. After a tough loss in their last game, Michigan is looking to bounce back and secure a much-needed win to stay in the hunt for the conference title.
The Wolverines have been showing flashes of brilliance this season, with standout performances from key players like Hunter Dickinson and Eli Brooks. However, they will need to bring their A-game against a tough Rutgers team that has been playing well and will be looking to defend their home court.
This game will be a test of both teams’ skills and determination, as they battle it out for crucial conference points. Michigan will need to play smart and execute their game plan effectively in order to come out on top.
So, grab your maize and blue gear and get ready to cheer on the Wolverines as they take on Rutgers in what is sure to be an exciting Big Ten showdown. Let’s go Blue!
Tags:
Michigan football, Big Ten, Rutgers, college football, Michigan Wolverines, Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Big Ten clash, Michigan football game, Michigan vs Rutgers, college football matchup
Changes are a-comin’ to the PGA Tour. Here’s what the Tour had to say about the 5 biggest.
Luke Walker | Getty Images
On Wednesday at Pebble Beach, several PGA Tour executives met with a group of reporters — including our James Colgan and Dylan Dethier — to answer questions about changes coming to the PGA Tour. For months the Tour has been surveying golf fans for its “Fan Forward” initiative and now, they said, they’re ready to act. So what are they doing in what they called an “inflection year”? The Tour broke it into four categories. Dethier and Colgan run through their biggest takeaways below.
1. “Broadcast enhancements”
Dylan Dethier, GOLF senior writer: James, my biggest takeaway here was that the Tour at least knows your complaints about the broadcast. They know you hate how many commercials there are. They know you’re bored by tap-in putts. They know you like mic’d up conversations between players and caddies. (That one led to a laugh when Jordan Spieth was asked about it a few minutes after our meeting ended. “That was not directed at me. I think we have enough of that,” he said.) They know, in short, that you want to see more golf shots and more action. They also mentioned risk-reward shots and “consequential” golf shots — plus cut-line watch.
So now what? Now it sounds like they’ll try to change things for the better. Already they said they’ve practiced re-cutting broadcasts from 2024 using this research. It looks different. But I think it’s fair that we believe it when we see it — especially when it comes to the commercial load. What was your biggest learning here?
James Colgan, GOLF news and features editor: Well Dylan, I’ll say first that I’m impressed by the Tour’s thoroughness here. After an offseason dominated by headlines about drooping TV ratings and existential angst, the Tour enters 2025 with its largest-ever self-scouting report. More than 50,000 people responded to the “Fan Forward” survey, and (as a survey respondent I can confirm) no shortage of those answers involved potential fixes for TV.
Here’s the good news: The PGA Tour is proactively trying to fix golf on television in ways that will feel noticeable to fans at home. PGA Tour CMO Andy Weitz said the Tour is leaving no stone unturned in finding possible solutions, including literally focus-group testing various edits of pro golf tournament broadcasts to see which shot cadences resonate with fans. Based on what we heard, I think we’ll see leaner and faster PGA Tour telecasts in 2025 and beyond, with the possibility that sponsors could look to subtler forms of advertisement, marginally cutting down on the commercial load.
“I talked about sponsors being open to opportunities to be more additive to the broadcast,” Weitz said. “We’ve seen in recent years examples of that, where our partners have said, ‘We don’t want to interrupt.’ We understand that consumer behavior is changing, and that’s another place where we think we can test in ways that bring more live golf to our fans.”
The problem is that the big issues with the PGA Tour on TV might not be fixable with a survey or a shift on the margins. The PGA Tour’s TV rights make more than $700 million per year because networks get 18 minutes of ads per hour. The Tour is betting that a better 42 minutes of golf per hour will make the fans at home happier. And maybe they’re right – CBS’s transition into new leadership 4 years ago revolutionized their telecast and the public perception of it. But we haven’t seen enough proof (yet) that these fixes amount to more than a new coat of paint on a condemned building.
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Dethier: Okay, here we’re mostly talking about slow play — and honestly this is where this Q&A session directed most of its time and energy. A few highlights:
— Rulings really clog things up. The Tour intends to make more “virtual rulings” or at least get officials on the scene faster using its video review center back at Tour HQ in Florida.
— They’re going to test out rangefinders (distance-measuring devices, to get technical) beginning this year. Whether that’ll speed things up remains something of an open question, but Tour officials said they’re going to collect data at some upcoming events. The Zurich Classic was suggested as one example, but they didn’t get specific.
— There are just too many people on the golf course for things to flow. One quote that stood out: “slower players have been allowed to hide.” Next year’s reduced field sizes should help, as should their increased data collection.
— The Tour is finally considering naming and shaming. They know how long it takes every player on Tour to hit each type of shot. They’ve been handing out fines behind closed doors. And they’ve met with slow-play offenders to try to help them speed things up. But one tweak they’re considering is sharing that data publicly in the interest of greater transparency (and, theoretically, peer pressure).
James, what am I missing?
Colgan: You’re missing the biggest buzzword of our whole Wednesday: Average Stroke Time! The Tour said it has been secretly keeping this data for more than a decade now, but is considering opening up the books for the world to see the sport’s fastest and slowest players. Tour exec Tyler Dennis pointed out a few times that such transparency would bring the Tour “into line” with its sports league siblings.
Distance Measuring Devices (or, as literally everyone else in the world calls them, rangefinders) are an interesting pace of play solution, but as our pal Max Greyserman pointed out on the range, your golf is only faster with them “if you know how to subtract.” A worthy exercise, but I’m dubious of a silver bullet fix here.
As for the issue of enforcement, Dennis also said that fines and other punishments have been handed out “behind the scenes” over the last several years. I’m not sure I’d expect that to change under the new world order. I think the Tour hopes that between a more frenetic TV product and marginally faster/slimmer tournaments, golf fans will get what they need without needing to further offend the Tour’s players.
(An aside: I’m obsessed with the Video Review Center — and yes I’m giving it the title-case treatment. It’s actually sort of insane that it took a $95 million production studio for the Tour to have a virtual command center for rulings, but I’m glad it exists.)
Dethier: I’m not really sure what we learned about this but they did reference Justin Thomas’ letter to fellow players about guys raising their hands to help out when it comes to the broadcast. They also mentioned that for young viewers, someone’s “on-course persona” is incredibly important in forming a connection with fans. I know, I know — you could have told them that. But while the idea of walk-and-talks might connect a viewer to a player, having a player wear his heart on his sleeve is probably a simpler way to get to the same spot.
What else, James?
Colgan: Dylan, I was actually kinda shocked by this information. According to the Tour, in the all-important 18-34 demo, golf fans listed their three most important factors in assessing fandom as 1. On-course personality 2. Off-course personality and 3. Competitive success. In other words, young sports fans care more about entertainment than they do about winning.
The Tour is investing heavily in outlets that incentivize player personality (the TGL), but it’s a walking paradox for a corporate monolith like the Tour to own the means of player distribution. Young sports fans are almost universally allergic to the kind of image-conscious, overly sanitized content likely to be well-received within Tour HQ.
Rawness and realness would go a long way in reaching this audience, but there’s only so much the Tour’s (excellent) player content team can do. This strikes me as one area where the Tour should be open to outside help.
4. “On-site experience”
Dethier: Did we hear anything about on-site experience upgrades? I’m not being snarky here, James. I’m just not sure we really tackled this one.
Colgan: Yeah, only briefly touched on, but the universal agreement among the PGA Tour brass was that the competition is best with great players at great venues. As for whether the Tour would be willing to adopt the USGA and R&A’s forthcoming golf ball rollback that could allow it to attend new, great venues? The Tour’s higher-ups sidestepped the question.
“We’ve been closely collaborating with the USGA to understand it,” Dennis said. “That’s something that our board is keenly focused on, and we’re in the process of finalizing that analysis.”
5. “Format changes”
Dethier: I’m adding a fifth category because even though they didn’t specifically lay things out this way, this one seemed significant. James, the Tour Championship format could change very literally this year. It sounds like it could change dramatically, too. We’re talking match-play, bracket-style, big money. The data (I am now sick of that phrase) was clear that viewers want “consequential play” and that the competition “needs meaning” but that getting there still has to be an entertaining process. In other words, the idea of crowning the most deserving year-end champion may give way to a more entertaining finale.
Andy Weitz reiterated commissioner Jay Monahan’s statement from last month that “everything is on the table” and it does sound like they’ll continue to evaluate other formats and compositions. But for now the Tour Championship seems like the big one. James, is this a good thing? Are there other changes coming?
Colgan: Man, I think it’s a great thing. And I think the best piece of it is what Weitz said at the very end, which is that if there is universal agreement between the board and the players, a change to the Tour Championship could arrive as soon as this year. Expediency! Alignment! This is the kind of PGA Tour we’ve been looking for the last half-decade.
I like the idea of seeing Ryder Cup-style team golf at least once on the Tour calendar before the Ryder and Presidents Cups each year. I like the idea of match play-style competition to crown a season-ending champ. Golf is so much more than 72 holes of strokeplay, and the Tour finally seems to be recognizing that.
As for Weitz’s point about the Tour Championship needing “consequential play,” I’m with him! The Eagles might be about to win the Super Bowl with the third-easiest SoS and a cupcake walk through the NFC — does that make them unworthy champions? How about the Florida Panthers of 2023, who were NHL runners-up despite getting into the playoffs on a Wild Card spot?
The answer is no. Sometimes fluky stuff happens and the best competitors don’t win, but that doesn’t make a sport bad, or a playoff system flawed.
Dylan Dethier
Golf.com Editor
Dylan Dethier is a senior writer for GOLF Magazine/GOLF.com. The Williamstown, Mass. native joined GOLF in 2017 after two years scuffling on the mini-tours. Dethier is a graduate of Williams College, where he majored in English, and he’s the author of 18 in America, which details the year he spent as an 18-year-old living from his car and playing a round of golf in every state.
James Colgan
Golf.com Editor
James Colgan is a news and features editor at GOLF, writing stories for the website and magazine. He manages the Hot Mic, GOLF’s media vertical, and utilizes his on-camera experience across the brand’s platforms. Prior to joining GOLF, James graduated from Syracuse University, during which time he was a caddie scholarship recipient (and astute looper) on Long Island, where he is from. He can be reached at james.colgan@golf.com.
The PGA Tour recently announced that big changes are on the horizon for the sport of golf. These changes are set to revolutionize the way the game is played and experienced by fans. Here’s a breakdown of what these changes mean for players and spectators alike:
1. Premier Golf League: The PGA Tour has hinted at the possibility of a new Premier Golf League that would feature some of the biggest names in the sport competing in a series of high-stakes tournaments. This league could provide a new level of excitement and competition for both players and fans.
2. Schedule restructuring: The PGA Tour is looking to revamp its schedule to create a more streamlined and cohesive season for players. This could mean changes to the timing and format of tournaments, as well as a more balanced schedule throughout the year.
3. Fan engagement: The PGA Tour is focused on enhancing the fan experience, both on and off the course. This could include new technologies, interactive experiences, and more opportunities for fans to connect with their favorite players.
4. Sustainability initiatives: In an effort to become more environmentally conscious, the PGA Tour is exploring ways to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainability within the sport. This could include initiatives such as using eco-friendly materials, implementing recycling programs, and reducing water usage on courses.
Overall, these changes are aimed at modernizing and elevating the game of golf to new heights. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and fan engagement, the PGA Tour is setting the stage for an exciting future for the sport. Stay tuned for more updates as these changes unfold.
Tags:
PGA Tour, golf news, sports updates, tournament updates, professional golf, PGA Tour changes, golf industry, sports news, PGA Tour updates, golf updates, PGA Tour announcements, PGA Tour events.
