Indian cricket team skipper Rohit Sharma‘s disastrous form continued as he was dismissed for just 3 during the Ranji Trophy encounter between Mumbai and Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. Rohit, who played his first Ranji match since 2015, looked quite uncomfortable against the bouncers from the Jammu and Kashmir bowlers. Rohit scored just 3 runs off 19 deliveries before he was dismissed by fast bowler Umar Nazir Mir. It was a short of length delivery from Mir and Rohit completely miscued his shot. Yudhvir Singh was placed perfectly to complete the catch as Rohit’s innings came to an end.
Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has finally relented and has agreed to allow the Indian cricket team’s jersey for the Champions Trophy 2025 to sport Pakistan’s name as the host.
Sources from Pakistan informed IANS a few days ago that the BCCI has refused to allow the national men’s team to use Pakistan’s name on the official kit for the Champions Trophy 2025.
But now, the BCCI has finally decided that the team will sport Pakistan’s name on the jersey.
“We will follow whatever are the ICC guidelines,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told Cricbuzz. When pointed out that the official ICC logo has Pakistan beneath it, Saikia reiterated stating, “We will follow the ICC directive.”
Saikia’s assertion puts to rest the uproar over India filing an objection to the official logo since the team will not be travelling to Pakistan. Pakistan are the designated hosts of the Champions Trophy which will be played from February 19 to March 9, the cricbuzz report said.
India will play their matches in Dubai after the PCB accepted a proposal to host the event on a hybrid model after the Indian government refused to allow the national team to travel to Pakistan.
(With IANS inputs)
Topics mentioned in this article
Rohit Sharma’s Terrible Run Continues On Domestic Cricket Return, Dismissed For a Duck
Domantas Sabonis is averaging career-highs for points (20.8) and rebounds (14.2) this season.
Three-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis, among the best bigs in the league for multiple seasons, has stepped up his game with a career-best campaign for the Kings so far in 2024-25.
The star big man is coming off a huge 29-point, 18-rebound, four-assist performance in a comfortable 123-100 win over the Washington Wizards on Sunday. That outing extended his double-double streak to 19 consecutive appearances. Sabonis is averaging 20.5 points, 15.9 rebounds and 6.3 assists across 35.5 minutes per game over that stretch. He’s recorded a double-double in all but two games this season, giving him 37 double-doubles in 39 appearances.
This isn’t anything new for Sabonis, though. He already led the league in double-doubles in 2023-24 after reaching that feat in 77 of his 82 regular-season contests. Few players bring Sabonis’ mix of rebounding ability, scoring prowess and passing skill to the table on a game-to-game basis. He averaged a career-high 8.2 assists per game in 2023-24, and while that number is down in the current campaign, his 6.3 dimes per contest are still an above-average mark for a center, even in today’s era of elite big passers. In fact, it ranks fourth among non-guards this season.
The Kings have managed to right the ship and have surged up the standings since installing Doug Christie at the helm as interim head coach, but they will likely only go as far as Sabonis can carry them.
Domantas Sabonis, the Indiana Pacers’ star center, has been on an absolute tear this season, consistently putting up impressive double-double performances game after game.
Sabonis, who was named an All-Star for the second consecutive year, has been a dominant force on the court, averaging a double-double with 20.8 points and 12.0 rebounds per game.
His versatility and skill set have made him a nightmare matchup for opposing teams, as he can score in the post, crash the boards, and facilitate the offense with his passing ability.
Despite facing tough competition in the Eastern Conference, Sabonis has continued to shine and establish himself as one of the top big men in the league.
With his relentless work ethic and determination, there’s no doubt that Domantas Sabonis will continue to be a double-double machine for the Pacers and a force to be reckoned with in the NBA.
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Irving entered the night sitting at 17,997. He hit a pair of free throws and then a short jumper in the first quarter to surpass the 18,000 mark. He ended the first half with eight points.
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Irving is the 81st player in NBA history to hit the 18,000-point milestone. He’s currently sandwiched on the NBA’s all-time scoring list between World B. Free at No. 82 and Dave Bing at 80. Bing sits a little over 300 points ahead of Irving. Assuming health for Irving for the rest of the season (which is a big assumption for the Mavericks these days), the Mavs guard could fly through the 70s after catching Bing and even break into the high-60s on the all-time list by the end of the year. Among the names on Irving’s horizon: Julius Irving (No. 78), Tracy McGrady (77) and former Maverick Mark Aguirre (74).
Irving is currently playing his third season with Dallas and his 14th overall in the NBA. He’s posted 2,828 of his 18,001 points with the Mavericks, along with 3,062 with the Celtics, 3,879 with the Nets, and 8,232 (plus his only NBA championship) with the Cavaliers.
This post will be updated with further information.
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving reached another milestone in his impressive NBA career, as he surpassed the 18,000-point mark in a recent game. Irving’s scoring prowess has been on full display throughout his career, and he continues to climb up the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
Irving, known for his exceptional ball-handling skills and ability to score from anywhere on the court, has solidified himself as one of the league’s premier offensive talents. His smooth shooting stroke and crafty finishing around the rim have made him a nightmare for defenders to contain.
As Irving notches another milestone in his career, it serves as a reminder of his impact on the game of basketball. With each point scored, he etches his name further into the history books and solidifies his place among the greatest scorers in NBA history.
Mavericks fans can look forward to many more memorable moments from Irving as he continues to light up the scoreboard and lead his team to victory. Congratulations to Kyrie Irving on reaching the 18,000-point mark, a feat that further cements his status as a future Hall of Famer.
Arkansas star freshman Boogie Fland, a projected top-10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, has no timetable for a return to action after undergoing surgery to repair an injury to his Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) on his right thumb, the school announced on Wednesday.
CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein reported on Tuesday that Fland would miss the remainder remainder of the 2024-25 season due to the hand injury. Fland has been dealing with the injury since the Razorbacks’ matchup against Florida on Jan. 11.
“Boogie’s hand, he fell in the game at our place against Florida,” Razorbacks coach John Calipari told reporters on Saturday. “Billy (Richmond) jumped on him, so his hand is pretty bad. Don’t know what we’ll do going forward, but we’ve got to make sure that we get that thing right.”
Fland entered the week ranked second on his team in points (15.1) behind Adou Thiero and first in assists (5.7). Fland scored four points and dished out six assists in Arkansas’ 83-65 loss to Missouri on Saturday, which dropped the Razorbacks to 0-5 in SEC play in Calipari’s first season as coach. Fland is the No. 9 ranked player in the CBS Sports NBA Draft Prospect Rankings.
Year 1 of the Calipari era hasn’t gone according to plan following his highly publicized exit from Kentucky. At 0-5, Arkansas and South Carolina are the only SEC teams without a win in conference play heading into the fourth week of the new year and three of Arkansas’ five losses have been by double-digits. Arkansas opened conference play with a 76-52 loss to Tennessee on the road and has sustained losses to Ole Miss, Florida, LSU and Missouri since.
Fland’s injury is a big deal because the Razorbacks are losing a proven scorer and also the player that’s been facilitating the offense. Former FAU star Johnell Davis, the No. 1 ranked player in the transfer portal by CBS Sports, has struggled in a more limited role under Calipari. Davis is averaging 8.3 points and 1.4 assists in just over 28 minutes per game after averaging a career-high 18.2 points last season.
Ranking best freshmen in college basketball: Auburn’s Tahaad Pettiford earns Freshman of the Week honors
Wins without Fland, arguably their most impactful player, will be hard to come by moving forward unless someone like Davis takes a huge jump down the stretch.
The University of Arkansas basketball team suffered a major blow today as star player Boogie Fland will miss the remainder of the season due to a thumb injury. This news comes as a devastating blow to the team and head coach John Calipari, who has already faced a tough season filled with injuries and setbacks.
Fland, a key player for the Razorbacks, was averaging 15 points and 7 rebounds per game before his injury. His absence will undoubtedly be felt on the court as the team looks to navigate through the rest of the season without one of their top performers.
For Coach Calipari, this news adds to what has already been a challenging year. The team has faced numerous injuries and struggles on the court, making it difficult to find consistency and success in their games.
Despite this setback, the Razorbacks will look to rally together and finish the season strong in Fland’s absence. The team will need to come together and step up in order to overcome this latest obstacle and push forward towards their goals.
Our thoughts are with Boogie Fland as he begins his recovery process, and we wish him a speedy and full recovery. In the meantime, the Razorbacks will need to dig deep and find a way to persevere in the face of adversity.
Gov. Hochul kicked off the state’s budget process on Tuesday by doing exactly the opposite of what you do when you make a budget, instead ducking any responsibility for finding the $33 billion that is missing from the MTA’s capital plan … and growing it by a couple billion dollars on top of that.
The governor actually began the day by suggesting that the MTA was working on a revised capital plan to replace the one that state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie vetoed at the last possible moment on Christmas Eve.
“The MTA is developing an updated capital plan to propose to me and the legislature, and once we receive it, we will determine the best way to fund it,” the governor said while unveiling her Fiscal Year 2026 budget.
A spokesperson for the governor later cleaned up the remarks by saying that the MTA would resubmit its plan to members of the Capital Program Review Board, a relatively obscure panel made up of the governor, Assembly Speaker and state Senate Majority Leader that passes final judgment on every proposed MTA capital plan. Any one of the panelists can veto the plan.
The MTA does need to submit another capital plan for CPRB approval, but the agency can legally simply submit the same plan that was rejected by Heastie and Stewart-Cousins, who had not objected to any specific pieces of the plan, but threw it out entirely because of the $33-billion funding hole.
A confusing day upstate
Assembly and Senate leaders have maintained that they want to figure out how to find the money, but haven’t said anything about ripping up the plan and starting again. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday before Hochul’s budget press conference, Stewart-Cousins sounded like she was waiting for Hochul to make the first move in the budget process that’s typically dominated by whoever is in the governor’s mansion.
“We’ll see what she actually puts in,” Stewart-Cousins said when asked how the conversation around funding the MTA will begin. “Whoever starts [the conversation], we’ve gotta get an answer. Everybody knows that. We will figure that out.”
Hochul seems insistent that the answer comes from the Assembly and Senate. Blake Washington, the governor’s budget director, placed additional responsibility for plugging the budget hole directly at Heastie’s and Stewart-Cousins’s feet.
“What the governor was trying to say is that, obviously, we’re going to have to partner with the legislature and the MTA to land the plane on a new plan,” Washington said on Tuesday. “[The MTA] obviously are professional people, and they have to adapt to the realities before them. The realities are the state legislature vetoed their first plan, so it’s incumbent upon [the MTA] to do engagement and outreach with the legislature and say, ‘If it’s not this, what it what will it be? What works?’”
Hochul’s main offer so far for the capital plan has been to slash the amount of money both the state and city are supposed to give to it. In September, MTA Chief Financial Officer Kevin Willens said that the agency expected the state and city to chip in $4 billion each.
MTA
But Hochul’s budget only assumes the state and city will give $3 billion each, turning a $33-billion funding gap into a $35-billion funding gap with the stroke of a pen. Washington said that Hochul was just repeating the same exact amount from the last plan, one that was $17 billion cheaper, and that it’s up to the legislature to decide on more state and city aid.
“If you saw the budget requests that I get from state agencies, every state agency asks for certain things. Every state agency, every public authority, has a a certain set of expectations. The legislation. Naturally, the legislature is going to look at the financial plan, they’re going to say, ‘Well, you know, it’s $3 billion here. Can I plus up another billion dollars, or do I really need that for something else?’ That’s all part of the negotiation,” Washington said.
Hochul’s attempt to make this situation the legislature’s problem flies directly in the face of what she said about the capital plan over the last couple of months. At her November press conference, she announced her full support for the next five-year renovation plan.
“I’m telegraphing my support for the capital plan, to show my commitment to long-term investments that nobody else had the guts to do, because it is tough. It is tough to do this, and it’s so easy to kick the can down the road. It is so easy to do that, and it’s not something I’m prepared to do,” the governor said.
Hochul also gave herself props for supporting a theory of the capital plan in a Dec. 22 interview with ABC7.
“Governors before me have not had the courage to spend the money necessary to invest in new [train] cars, invest in the cameras, invest with accessibility for people with disabilities and moms with strollers,” she said.
Hochul and her administration’s attempt to use the CPRB veto as a cudgel against state legislators could be read as smart politics, but advocates pointed out that this predictable and exhausting staring contest only winds up hurting people who actually ride the bus and train.
“This is an abdication of the governor’s responsibility to millions of Downstate transit riders and puts the engine of the state economy at risk,” Reinvent Albany said in a review of Hochul’s budget. “The governor is playing a dangerous game of political chicken with the legislature to see who will be the grown-up in Albany.”
Budget or Budge It? Gov. Hochul Continues Dawdling on the MTA Capital Plan
Governor Kathy Hochul has been facing criticism for her slow progress on approving the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) capital plan. The MTA’s capital plan outlines crucial investments in infrastructure, equipment, and technology to improve the transit system for millions of New Yorkers.
With the current plan set to expire at the end of the year, Governor Hochul’s indecision is causing concern among transit advocates and riders alike. The delay in approving the plan could lead to delays in critical projects, maintenance issues, and ultimately a decline in the quality of service for MTA riders.
While Governor Hochul has expressed support for the MTA and its capital plan, many are urging her to take swift action in approving the necessary funding. The longer the delay, the more costly and detrimental the consequences could be for the transit system and its riders.
It’s time for Governor Hochul to make a decision – will she stick to the budget and prioritize the MTA’s capital plan, or will she continue to budge on this critical issue? The future of New York’s transit system hangs in the balance.
Thursday and Friday remain cold before we see a bit of a warmup and reaching above the freezing mark over the weekend.
Warming Centers
The City of Chicago coordinates a network of more than 190 public facilities available for warming. This includes participating Chicago Public Library locations, Chicago Park District, Chicago Police Department and City Colleges of Chicago facilities during business or designated hours.
The warming areas are open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with reduced locations on holidays.
Under extreme cold conditions, as defined by the National Weather Service and communicated by OEMC, warming center hours of operation at 10 S. Kedzie may be extended.
Seniors are welcome at any of DFSS’s 21 senior centers. DFSS partners with OEMC to use robocalls to inform seniors of key information regarding how to stay safe during extreme weather. Visit Chicago.gov/Seniors for senior center locations and hours.
Those seeking a warm place to go after hours can also call 3-1-1 to be connected with available services.
Individuals requiring emergency overnight shelter should also call 3-1-1.
DFSS Homeless Outreach and Prevention (HOP) teams and street outreach partners work proactively with unhoused individuals to connect with warming options, shelter and well-being checks.
Residents are also encouraged to check on relatives, neighbors and friends during a winter weather emergency.
Warming Center Locations available Monday, Jan. 6 – Friday, Jan. 10:
All Community Service Centers (9 a.m.-5 p.m.)
Englewood Community Service Center – 1140 West 79th Street.
Garfield Community Service Center – 10 South Kedzie Avenue.
Dr. Martin Luther King Community Service Center – 4314 South Cottage Grove.
North Area Community Service Center – 845 West Wilson Avenue.
South Chicago Community Service Center – 8650 South Commercial Avenue.
Trina Davila Community Service Center – 4312 West North Avenue.
Senior Centers (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) – visit Chicago.gov/Seniors for locations.
Chicago Public Library locations, visit chipublib.org for hours and locations.
Cook County will open warming centers in the north, south and west suburbs to help residents combat the extremely cold conditions.
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As the cold snap persists, Wednesday is expected to bring a chance of snow to the area. With temperatures remaining below freezing, the snowfall could add to the wintry conditions and create slick roads and hazardous travel conditions.
Residents are urged to exercise caution while driving and to bundle up to stay warm in the frigid temperatures. It’s important to take necessary precautions to stay safe during this winter weather event.
Stay tuned for updates on the snow forecast and be prepared for potential disruptions to daily routines. Let’s all stay safe and warm during this cold spell. #winterweather #snowfall #staysafe
A WINTER STORM WARNING – The WINTER STORM WARNING continues for the entire area. Snow and sleet continues through the early morning hours today before we shut things off just before sunrise this morning. When all is said and done, expect most of Horry and Georgetown County to see 4″ – 6″ of snow with isolated higher totals possible.
Heavy snow will continue overnight(WMBF)
Temperatures are bitterly cold this morning with many of us sitting in the low-mid 20s. When you factor in the wind, the wind chill is in the single digits and teens out there this morning. Factor in the cold with less traveled roads overnight and it’s an absolute mess on the roads this morning. We continue to recommend you stay off the roads today until we see major improvements.
Highs today will only reach the upper 20s. A wind chill will likely be in the teens through the entire day today.(WMBF)
Highs today will remain cold and only climb into the upper 20s thanks to the snow pack on the ground. Even with the return of sunshine, wind chills throughout the day will make it feel like the teens at best. While you spend time outside playing in the snow with the kids, make sure you are bundled up for the dangerously cold temperatures.
TRAVEL IMPACTS
As mentioned above, travel is not advised today. Roads have become less traveled overnight and have frozen up in many spots. The layer of sleet this morning has actually hurt things more than helped. Travel is expected to remain treacherous through most of the day. Hang tight as the crews continue to work diligently on the roads.
Please stay home today. Travel is not recommended and we’re looking at widespread issues from the snow and sleet overnight.(WMBF)
With temperatures expected to stay below freezing today, we don’t anticipate any melting. Anything that does slush up from travel today will refreeze tonight as temperatures fall into the teens overnight.
WHEN DO WE WARM UP?
It’s going to be a slow process but we should see temperatures climb a couple degrees above freezing on Thursday afternoon. Despite a cold start, travel and warmer than freezing temperatures will allow for roads to improve by the end of the week. We’re still holding onto an isolated shower for Thursday’s forecast. At this point, any rain chance would be light and mainly in the form of a drizzle. We’ll need to keep an eye on the timing in case temperatures are still near or below freezing.
Temperatures will warm up as we head into the weekend and expect travel conditions to improve by the end of the week.(WMBF)
Mornings will remain cold with temperatures in the 20s through the upcoming weekend. Afternoon temperatures will return to the 40s by Friday and slowly climb back into the upper 40s and lower 50s by Sunday afternoon.
Copyright 2025 WMBF. All rights reserved.
As winter weather persists, snow and sleet are expected to continue across much of the country, leading to widespread travel impacts through Wednesday.
With icy roads, reduced visibility, and possible flight delays, travelers are advised to exercise caution and plan accordingly. Road crews are working around the clock to clear highways and streets, but conditions may still be treacherous.
If you must travel, make sure to check road conditions and weather updates before heading out. Allow for extra travel time and drive slowly to ensure your safety and the safety of others.
Stay warm and stay safe as we weather this winter storm together. Let’s all do our part to minimize the impacts of this wintry weather and keep our communities safe.
Don’t be surprised to see Norman or the state of Oklahoma as a big viewing market for the national championship despite the absence of, you know, OU.
Sooner fans are going to tune in for the belief, the hope that the defensive coordinator for 2025 is coaching his final game Monday evening for Ohio State.
Rumors, reports are running rampant about the mutual interest between OU and Buckeyes defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and Knowles returning to the state.
Knowles has been a defensive mastermind in recent years. It started with turning around Oklahoma State, and he has gone to that next level with the Buckeyes.
So a return to the Sooner State? Wasn’t exactly a denial when asked this weekend.
“Just trying to beat Notre Dame,” Knowles told On3 when asked about his name being floated for other jobs. “That’s all I’m focused on [Monday],” he said. “You are right, these things happen, I guess, when you have success. And players are making plays, and my job is to put them in the best position.”
What would it take? Hmm. Time to get back into the SoonerScoop studios with Eddie Radosevich and George Stoia and break it all down.
Knowles watch continues
“Oklahoma is going to have pay up, make no mistake about it,” Stoia said. “Maybe make him the highest paid defensive coordinator in the country… which is crazy to think about it.”
Is it a countdown of when and not if with Knowles? Think that’s the biggest question for OU fans at this moment. Once the clock hits zero between the Fighting Irish and Buckeyes, everybody will be on watch.
“As of right now? I think it’s just a wait-and-see,” Stoia said. “Let’s get to the national championship game, get that behind us and see what happens.”
Head coach Brent Venables has been active in trying to make this happen. There is zero confusion as to why OU is interested.
“For Oklahoma, it’s a no-brainer,” Stoia said. “He runs the same defense as Brent Venables does. In terms of your base 4-2-5 defense, it’s the exact same.”
But why would Knowles want to leave Columbus?
“Family, personal connections,” Stoia said. “He is somebody, from my understanding, that loves a new challenge.”
The waiting game continues. Keep it locked on SoonerScoop for more as this story develops throughout the week.
As the search for a new defensive coordinator for the Oklahoma Sooners continues, all eyes are on Jim Knowles. The highly sought-after defensive guru has been the talk of the town since news broke that he was leaving his post at Oklahoma State to join rival OU.
Knowles’ track record speaks for itself, with his aggressive and innovative defensive schemes leading the Cowboys to multiple top-10 finishes in total defense during his tenure. Now, Sooners fans are eagerly awaiting news of his official hiring and the impact he will have on their team.
Speculation is running rampant as to how Knowles will reshape the OU defense, which has struggled in recent years. Will he bring his signature blitz-heavy approach? Can he turn the Sooners into a defensive powerhouse once again?
As the days tick by and rumors swirl, one thing is certain: all eyes are on Jim Knowles as the watch continues for his official arrival at OU. Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds.
PHOENIX — It has been a gorgeous MLK Day weekend in the Valley!
Our clear and sunny skies will continue Monday with highs in the mid-60s. Meanwhile, the wind will remain calm for the Valley but will start picking up late Monday into Tuesday.
Morning temperatres will still be chilly as overnight lows drop into the upper 30s to low 40s across the Valley.
Winds are set to pick up across northern and western Arizona Monday and Tuesday. This is due to a storm system passing to our northeast.
A Wind Advisory will go into effect at 9 a.m. MST Monday for areas along the Colorado River. This includes Lake Havasu City and Bullhead City. Winds will gust up to 45 mph. The advisory will expire at 7 p.m. MST on Tuesday.
As that storm system passes to our northeast early next week, it will reinforce cool air across the state through midweek. Expect the high country to see morning lows widely drop into the single digits and some areas below zero.
With winds remaining breezy Monday and Tuesday, we will contend with some wind chill issues in the high country, make sure to stay bundled up even in the afternoon as wind chills will be in the teens in the high country. By Tuesday morning many areas will wake up to wind chills well below zero.
As our forecast stays dry, Phoenix will continue adding days to the current dry streak.
Sunday marked the 150th day in a row without measurable rain at Phoenix Sky Harbor. That’s the second-longest dry streak on record! The all-time record, set in 1972, is 160 days in a row without measurable rain and that may be in jeopardy in the weeks ahead.
More Impact Earth stories:
2025 Sky Harbor Official Rainfall to date: 0.00″ (-0.57″ from average) _________________________________________
2024 Sky Harbor Official Rainfall to date: 4.54″ (-2.68″ from average)
Monsoon 2024 Sky Harbor Official Rainfall: 0.74″ (-1.69″ from average)
__________________________________________
Daily rainfall reports from all across the Valley can be found here. __________________________________________
PHOENIX IS GETTING DRIER – LOWER RAINFALL AVERAGES NOW
Average Monsoon Rainfall in Phoenix (1981-2010): 2.71″ of rain
NEW Average Monsoon Rainfall in Phoenix (1991-2020): 2.43″ of rain
Average Yearly Rainfall in Phoenix (1981-2010): 8:03″ of rain
NEW Average Yearly Rainfall in Phoenix (1991-2020): 7.22″ of rain __________________________________________
Share your weather photos and videos with us anytime:share@abc15.com. ______________________________________
As we wrap up the long MLK Day weekend, the weather has been absolutely stunning here in the Valley. With clear blue skies, warm temperatures, and a gentle breeze, it’s the perfect time to get outside and enjoy all that our beautiful surroundings have to offer.
Whether you’re hitting the hiking trails in the nearby mountains, picnicking in a local park, or simply taking a leisurely stroll through your neighborhood, the weather couldn’t be more perfect for outdoor activities.
As we reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the progress we’ve made as a society, let’s also take the time to appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds us and the opportunities we have to enjoy it.
So grab your sunglasses, lather on some sunscreen, and make the most of this gorgeous MLK Day weekend in the Valley. Whether you’re spending time with loved ones, exploring new places, or simply soaking up the sun, make it a weekend to remember.
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MLK Day weekend, Valley events, MLK Day celebrations, Valley activities, weekend events, MLK Day weekend in the Valley, Valley community events, MLK Day weekend fun, Valley festivities, MLK Day weekend activities
ATLANTA — Following Ohio State‘s fourth straight loss to Michigan, the players had a meeting with coach Ryan Day during which they “really hashed some things out,” quarterback Will Howard said Saturday, a turning point in their season that helped propel the team to Monday’s national championship game against Notre Dame.
“It was really a truth-telling time,” Howard said at the College Football Playoff media day. “The facts were laid out there. People were challenged. Everyone including myself had to look in the mirror a little bit and say, ‘What can I do better? How can we fix this thing?’ The thing that we clung to was we still have this opportunity out in front of us to right all these wrongs and go play for a national championship and here we are. We’re right where we wanted to be. A lot of people wrote us off, but we really just believed in ourselves.”
The Buckeyes were favored by 21 points against Michigan, the widest point spread for the rivalry since 1978, according to ESPN Research. Since then, they have reeled off three straight playoff wins — against Tennessee, Big Ten champion Oregon and SEC runner-up Texas.
Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly said the team has shown its resiliency over the past few weeks, but had a choice to make.
“They talked through it,” Kelly said. “I think they understood what was presented, what’s ahead of us. I think that’s a big point. When you look at the game against Michigan, it could be one of two things: It could be your tombstone, or it could be a stepping stone, and Ryan and our players turned it into a stepping stone.”
Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said the 13-10 loss to Michigan made the team closer. After the first loss of the season to Oregon, Knowles said, “There were a lot of fingers being pointed at the defense. And the second one, it was kind of the other way.”
“I made a point to say to our guys, ‘Remember what that felt like the first time? You need to go out of your way to pick up your brothers on offense,’” Knowles said. “In a way they did, and it kind of really merged us.”
The Buckeyes are making their sixth national championship game appearance (national championship games began with the inception of the BCS in the 1998 season), but haven’t won one since the 2014 season. Ohio State is 2-3 in national championship games. The Buckeyes are trying to win their first national title under Day, who faced heavy backlash and questions about his job security following the loss to Michigan.
“Every year you learn and you grow,” he said, “trying to be self-aware enough to surround yourself with people who will tell you the truth, hoping to get better, and that’s really all you can do.
“When you go through great moments, you really grab on to the people who are around you, and it’s the same thing when you go through difficult moments,” Day said. “That’s why you build relationships.”
Ohio State has a 6-2 lead in the all-time series and has won six straight. Notre Dame’s last win over Ohio State came in 1936. Knowles said Day never allowed any of the criticism to impact his work or effect the staff.
“It’s not something we talk about because we just try to put our heads down and work,” Knowles said. “But in the end, brothers in arms, you’re happy he is being seen for the quality of person and coach that he is because he does a great job and he cares about the players and is in tune with what’s going on with the staff. The only thing you can do to help is win, so I’m glad we have done that.”
The bitter defeat of Ohio State to Michigan in the recent game has left Buckeyes fans reeling, as the truth-telling loss continues to fuel their desire for redemption. The rivalry between these two powerhouse teams runs deep, and every game is a battle for bragging rights and supremacy in the Big Ten.
The loss was a harsh reminder that Ohio State is not invincible, and that even the most dominant teams can fall short on any given day. The pain of defeat has only fueled the fire within the Buckeyes, as they now have a renewed sense of determination to come back stronger and reclaim their spot at the top.
As fans mourn the loss and analyze what went wrong, the team is using this setback as motivation to work harder, train smarter, and come back with a vengeance. The truth-telling loss has laid bare the areas that need improvement, and the Buckeyes are ready to put in the work to address those weaknesses and bounce back stronger than ever.
While the loss to Michigan may sting, it has also ignited a fire within the Ohio State team and its fans. The Buckeyes are determined to learn from their mistakes, rise to the occasion, and prove that they are still a force to be reckoned with. The truth-telling loss may have been a bitter pill to swallow, but it has only made Ohio State hungrier for victory.
