In another surprise move for the Scream franchise, Patrick Dempsey‘s Detective Mark Kincaid is not the husband of Neve Campbell‘s Sidney Prescott in the current timeline. A new piece of casting for the seventh film, which is now in production in Atlanta, sheds light on who is.
Joel McHale (Community) will officially play the role of Mark Evans, a completely different Mark who is married to Sidney in Scream 7, Entertainment Weekly has learned. Deadline was the first to report the news.
Fans (including this writer) long presumed Dempsey’s Kincaid married Ms. Prescott off-screen. The Grey’s Anatomy vet and Ferrari star first arrived in Scream 3 (2000) as the Hollywood detective investigating the murders of Cotton Weary (Liev Schreiber) and the actors associated with Stab 3, the latest slasher movie-within-the-movie adaptation of the Woodsboro massacre. Years later, during scenes in 2022’s Scream revamp and its sequel, 2023’s Scream VI, characters referred to Sidney’s husband as “Mark,” presumably being Mark Kincaid.
Dempsey even signaled a potential casting in Scream 7 this past October during an interview with the morning talk show hosts of the Today show. “I’m waiting on the script,” he said at the time. “There has been a conversation about it. I haven’t seen anything yet, so we’ll see what happens.”
EW reached out to representatives for Spyglass and Dempsey for clarification, though it seems like those negotiations never came together. Dempsey is not in the movie at all, EW has learned.
In addition to Campbell, McHale now joins Isabel May as Sidney and Mark Evans’ daughter; Courteney Cox as Gale Weathers; Mason Gooding as Chad Meeks-Martin; and Mckenna Grace, Grace’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife costar Celeste O’Connor, Gen V‘s Asa Germann, The Fabelmans‘ Sam Rechner, and Pitch Perfect‘s Anna Camp as undisclosed characters.
Jasmin Savoy Brown, who stars in Yellowjackets opposite McHale as an upcoming season 3 guest star, is also set to reprise her role of Mindy Meeks-Martin, Chad’s sister who appeared as a member of the “Core Four” from the past two films. Variety was the first to report news of Brown’s casting.
Everett
Plot details on Scream 7 are still under lock and key, but it’s at least clear that the sequel will show the family Sidney built off-screen after all these years. Kevin Williamson, who helped launch Scream by writing the original film, as well as Scream 2 and Scream 4, is now directing Scream 7. Guy Busick, a writer on Scream (2022) and Scream VI, now pens the seventh movie.
Paramount officially dated Scream 7 for release in theaters on Feb. 27, 2026, while Williamson shared the first production image as filming began in Atlanta this month.
“I’m not supposed to post about Scream, and I hope [Spyglass] and [Paramount] will forgive me, but when you have one of the best days of your life, it’s really hard to keep it to yourself,” he wrote in an Instagram post earlier in January. “What an extraordinary day I had working with an amazing and talented cast and crew. They brought their ‘A’ game and had my back every step of the way. I’m so very grateful for this opportunity and to Wes Craven, who was on my mind through it all. The profound impact he has had on my life and career is endless. What a day! I can’t wait for tomorrow!”
Campbell announced her return to Scream in a statement released in mid-March after sitting out the previous entry. “Sidney Prescott is coming back!!!!” Campbell wrote. “It’s always been such a blast and an honor to get to play Sidney in the Scream movies. My appreciation for these films and for what they have meant to me has never waned.”
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“I’m very happy and proud to say I’ve been asked, in the most respectful way, to bring Sidney back to the screen, and I couldn’t be more thrilled!!!” she continued. “Well, actually, I could. While I’ve been so incredibly lucky to make these films with both the master of horror Wes Craven and the wonderfully talented [Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin] team, I’ve dreamt for many years of how amazing it would be to make one of these movies with Kevin Williamson at the helm. And now it’s happening, Kevin Williamson is going to direct Scream 7! This was his baby and it’s his brilliant mind that dreamt up this world. Kevin is not just an inspiration as an artist but has been a dear friend for many years. To the amazing Scream fans, I hope you are as excited as I am. See you on set.”
This article was updated with Jasmin Savoy Brown’s casting.
Exciting news for all you horror fans out there! The highly anticipated ‘Scream 7’ is in the works, and there’s a major twist in store. Instead of Patrick Dempsey reprising his role as Sidney’s husband, we will see Joel McHale taking on the role.
Fans of the ‘Scream’ franchise are in for a treat as Joel McHale brings his own unique charm and wit to the character. Known for his comedic roles, McHale is sure to bring a fresh and entertaining dynamic to the film.
With the return of Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott and David Arquette as Dewey Riley, along with the addition of Joel McHale, ‘Scream 7’ is shaping up to be a thrilling and star-studded installment in the iconic horror series.
Stay tuned for more updates on ‘Scream 7’ and get ready to scream with excitement!
Tags:
Scream 7, Joel McHale, Sidney’s husband, horror movie, new release, cast update, Joel McHale news, Scream franchise, Sidney Prescott, Patrick Dempsey replacement
#Scream #Joel #McHale #Sidneys #husband #Patrick #Dempsey
EXCLUSIVE: Scream franchise final girl Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) has a husband, and it’s not Detective Mark Kincaid (Patrick Dempsey) of Scream 3, as has been speculated online. Set to play her spouse, Mark Evans, in Scream 7 is none other than Joel McHale, who’s currently in production on the film in Atlanta.
McHale joins a cast also featuring Courteney Cox and Mason Gooding, who respectively play legacy characters Gale Weathers and Chad Meeks-Martin, as well as newcomers Isabel May, Celeste O’Connor, Asa Germann, Mckenna Grace, Sam Rechner and Anna Camp. While May is playing the daughter of Prescott — last seen in 2022’s Scream reboot — further character details for new additions are under wraps, as is the plot of the latest installment in the meta horror franchise from Spyglass and Paramount Pictures.
Kevin Williamson, who scripted the original Scream, is directing from a script by Guy Busick. Aboard, following collaborations with the scribe on the Scream reboot and Scream VI, are James Vanderbilt, William Sherak, and Paul Neinstein, who produce for Project X Entertainment. Set to hit theaters worldwide on February 27, 2026, pic comes following the success of Scream VI, which brought in a franchise-high domestic gross exceeding $108 million in March 2023. Collectively, films in the series, centered on the Ghostface killings, have earned more than $900 million in worldwide box office receipts.
Currently starring in and exec producing Fox’s hit comedy Animal Control, which returned for its third season earlier this month, McHale has found another meaty role of late in Chef David, the abusive former boss of Jeremy Allen White’s Carmy, on FX’s The Bear. Set to guest star in the third season of Yellowjackets, premiering February 14, he’ll also soon be seen reprising his role as Jeff Winger from the cult hit comedy Community in Community: The Movie, which he’ll exec produce.
McHale is represented by UTA, Ziffren Brittenham, and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.
Joel McHale has officially been cast as Sidney Prescott’s husband in the upcoming Scream sequel. The beloved actor and comedian will be joining the iconic horror franchise alongside returning stars Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette.
Fans of the series are thrilled to see McHale take on this new role, as he is known for his wit and charm on screen. It will be interesting to see how his character fits into the twisted world of Ghostface and the town of Woodsboro.
With production set to begin soon, anticipation is building for the next installment in the Scream saga. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting casting news and the highly-anticipated film.
Tags:
#Joel #McHale #Lands #Sidney #Prescott #Husband #Role
While the SEC has been categorized by many as the best conference in college football in recent memory, the Big Ten has actually been the most dominant league this postseason.
Ohio State and Penn State will both play in the College Football Playoff semifinals, while Oregon and Indiana made the 12-team field but were knocked out. Michigan also beat 3-loss Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl whereas Illinois beat South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl.
REQUIRED READING:5 Michigan players who led upset win over Alabama and boosted stock for 2025
Overall, the Big Ten is 8-5 in bowl games this season, which ranks first among all FBS conferences. The conference is also 4-1 against the SEC in bowl games, with Missouri’s win over Iowa being the lone SEC-Big Ten matchup in favor of the former.
With the Big Ten’s success against programs from other conferences this bowl season, Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt believes there has been a shift in college football superpowers.
“The narrative that the SEC is clearly the best conference needs to die,” Klatt said in a podcast clip he posted on social media. “Because it’s pretty clear that it’s over. I think there are some people that are gonna sit there and be like, ‘Klatt’s gonna try and take a victory lap or relish in this.’ I’m not relishing in this actually at all.”
“It just needs to die, and it’s over. Because it’s been proven to be over. The games have played out. Let’s just try to evaluate the games for what they are and the teams for what they are without all of this spin. And I’m hoping that that’s the case.”
Klatt added he still thinks the SEC is really good but wasn’t on par with the Big Ten this season, given the Big Ten’s success in the CFP and against the other perceived strongest conference in college football.
Klatt also said Michigan dominated Alabama, despite being without numerous of their best players who opted out due to the NFL draft.
“Michigan totally handled Alabama,” Klatt said. “… Just locked up, Alabama couldn’t do anything offensively.”
All it takes to poke a hole in Klatt’s opinion is for Texas to win the national championship, as the Longhorns are still alive in the CFP. Texas will have to beat Ohio State at the Cotton Bowl, which would obviously put a dent in his argument.
Nonetheless, the argument of which powerhouse conference between the SEC and Big Ten likely isn’t going away anytime soon.
In a recent interview, college football analyst Joel Klatt made a bold statement about the SEC being considered the best conference in college football. Klatt said, “The narrative that the SEC is the best conference in college football needs to die.”
Klatt argued that the SEC’s dominance is often overstated and that other conferences, such as the Big Ten and ACC, have shown that they are just as competitive and talented. He pointed to the success of teams like Ohio State, Clemson, and Notre Dame as evidence that the SEC’s reign as the top conference may be coming to an end.
While Klatt acknowledged that the SEC has historically been a strong conference, he believes that it’s time to recognize the strength of other conferences and not automatically crown the SEC as the best every year.
College football fans may have differing opinions on Klatt’s statement, but one thing is for sure: the debate over which conference is truly the best will continue to rage on.
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#Joel #Klatt #SEC #considered #conference #die
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In this video, we take a closer look at Joel Berry and his performance on the court for UNC. Despite his undeniable talent and skill, Berry’s game is often plagued by undisciplined and disorganized play. Watch as we break down his strengths and weaknesses, and discuss what he needs to work on to elevate his game to the next level. Don’t miss out on this in-depth analysis of one of UNC’s star players. Check out the full video on Tar Heel Times now! #UNC #Basketball #JoelBerry #TarHeelTimes
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#Video #Rafters #Joel #Berry #Undisciplined #Disorganized #Basketball #UNC #Tar #Heel #Times
After a fairly one-sided loss on Monday against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Golden State Warriors once again find themselves sitting at .500, with a record of 16-16. But they’ve yet to dip below .500 this season, and they’ll try to avoid that tonight when they host the Philadelphia 76ers at 7:00 p.m. PT on TNT.
The Warriors and Sixers are two of the most talent-stacked teams in the NBA, but they’ve had times keeping their talent on the court and, as a result, the season hasn’t gone according to plan for either squad. Not surprisingly, neither team is at full strength heading into this showdown.
Here’s the full injury report.
Out — Brandin Podziemski (right abdominal tightness)
Podziemski will miss his second consecutive game after suffering a mild injury during the weekend’s dramatic win over the Phoenix Suns. The injury isn’t considered serious, so he should be back before too long … but until then, his playmaking will be missed.
Out — Gary Payton II (left calf strain)
Payton has been healthier this year than over the last few years, but he’ll miss his fourth consecutive game tonight. His return isn’t far off though, which is great news for a defense that sorely misses him.
Questionable — Steph Curry (right thumb strain)
It’s been minor ailment after minor ailment for Curry this year, as he’s struggled to look fully healthy or get into a rhythm. Hopefully he can play through this latest injury … and hopefully it doesn’t hurt his shot too much.
Questionable — Kyle Anderson (illness)
Anderson’s role has really fluctuated this year, and he’s mostly out of the rotation now when the team is healthy. But having him as a veteran option certainly helps.
Probable — Draymond Green (left lower back contusion)
Golden State’s defense has not been as good lately as it was to start the season, and there’s no chance of course correcting if Dray can’t play. Thankfully he looks good to go.
Out — Kelly Oubre Jr. (left hand sprain)
The Dubs will not get to face Oubre, who has looked significantly more comfortable in Philly’s system than he looked in Golden State’s.
Out — Jared McCain (left knee meniscus surgery)
McCain has captured the hearts of NBA fans all over — including yours truly — with his bubbly, charismatic personality, which plays out through infectious smiles, high-energy TikTok dances, and passionate lip-syncing. But he also captured the attention of the league when, after being slow-played to start his rookie season, the No. 16 overall pick was thrust into a big role due to Philly’s injuries, and ran with it. McCain has averaged 15.3 points per game and shot 38.3% from deep, and he looked like the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year before suffering a serious knee injury that will, sadly, keep him sidelined indefinitely.
Out — Andre Drummond (left toe sprain)
If you don’t pay close attention to the NBA, then let me inform you that yes, Drummond is still in the league. Still playing a sizable role, even!
Out — KJ Martin (left foot stress reaction)
Martin — the son of Kenyon Martin — has been having a solid season in a bench role. But he’ll be out for at least another week.
Questionable — Joel Embiid (left foot sprain; sinus fracture – mask)
There’s no denying that Embiid is one of the league’s premier talents. But this year has been defined by both injury and drama for Embiid, who has appeared in just 11 of the 76ers’ 31 games, while averaging career lows in rebounds and blocks, and his fewest points per game since the 2019-20 season.
Enjoy the action, Dub Nation!
Injury Update: Steph Curry, Joel Embiid questionable for Warriors vs. 76ers showdown
The highly anticipated matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the Philadelphia 76ers may be missing two of its biggest stars. Both Steph Curry and Joel Embiid are listed as questionable for the game due to lingering injuries.
Curry, who has been dealing with a sprained ankle, has missed the last few games and his status for the upcoming game remains uncertain. The Warriors will certainly miss his scoring ability and leadership on the court if he is unable to play.
On the other side, Embiid, who has been battling knee soreness, is also a game-time decision for the 76ers. His presence in the paint and dominant scoring in the post will be sorely missed if he is unable to suit up.
Fans of both teams will be anxiously waiting for updates on the status of these two superstars as the game approaches. The outcome of the matchup could greatly hinge on whether Curry and Embiid are able to take the court. Stay tuned for more updates as game day approaches.
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Steph Curry, Joel Embiid, Warriors vs 76ers, NBA, basketball, injury updates, game preview, NBA stars, sports news
#Steph #Curry #Joel #Embiid #questionable #Warriors #76ers
Meta is revamping its global policy team, with President Nick Clegg stepping down and being replaced by Joel Kaplan, his deputy and the company’s most prominent Republican, people familiar with the matter said.
Kaplan, who was White House Deputy Chief of Staff under George W. Bush, has been one of the most forceful voices inside Meta against restrictions on political speech, arguing internally that such policies would disproportionately mute conservative voices. Clegg, a former British deputy prime minister and ex-leader of the country’s Liberal Democrats, joined Meta in 2018 to lead its policy and lobbying efforts and was named president in 2022.
The shift, three weeks before Donald Trump’s inauguration, comes as US companies are embracing the president-elect, courting his inner circle, and backing away from progressive stances many had embraced in recent years. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg — whom Trump previously threatened to jail — dined with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in November and congratulated the president-elect on his win, one of many big tech executives to do so.
Meta’s political operation is now well placed for a Republican-dominated Washington: Its just-elevated vice president of global public policy, Kevin Martin, was appointed to the Federal Communications Commission by President George W. Bush, and its general counsel, Jennifer Newstead, was the top legal adviser to the Trump State Department from 2017 until joining Meta in 2019.
“I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for Meta and the world these past seven years,” Zuckerberg said of Clegg in a statement. “I’ve learned so much working with you and our whole team is better for having this opportunity. You’ve made an important impact advancing Meta’s voice and values around the world, as well as our vision for AI and the metaverse. You’ve also built a strong team to carry this work forward. I’m excited for Joel to step into this role next given his deep experience and insight leading our policy work for many years.”
— Ben Smith contributed to this report
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, recently announced that Joel Kaplan will be taking over as the head of its global policy team, replacing former deputy prime minister of the UK, Nick Clegg.
Kaplan, who has been with Meta for over a decade, previously served as the company’s vice president of global public policy. In his new role, he will be responsible for overseeing the company’s policy efforts in key areas such as content moderation, privacy, and data protection.
This move comes as Meta faces increasing scrutiny over its handling of misinformation and harmful content on its platforms. Kaplan’s deep understanding of the company’s policies and his experience navigating regulatory challenges will be crucial in helping Meta address these issues and rebuild trust with users and regulators.
We look forward to seeing how Kaplan’s leadership will shape Meta’s global policy team and its approach to addressing the complex challenges facing the company in the coming months.
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Meta, Joel Kaplan, global policy team, Nick Clegg, leadership change, social media, Facebook, meta platforms, tech news, corporate updates, executive appointments, global strategy, policy development
#Meta #appoint #Joel #Kaplan #lead #global #policy #team #replacing #Nick #Clegg
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Nick Clegg, the president of global affairs at Meta, is leaving the social media platform and will be replaced by Joel Kaplan, a prominent Republican known for overseeing the company’s relationships with conservatives.
In a post on Meta’s Facebook on Thursday, Clegg, a former leader of the Liberal Democrats and deputy prime minister in the UK, said he was departing the company after seven years. He added that he would spend “a few months handing over the reins” and representing Facebook at international gatherings before moving on to “new adventures”.
Kaplan previously served as deputy chief of staff in the White House during the George W Bush administration, and is known for handling the company’s relations with Republicans.
In the past, Facebook has dismissed claims that certain figures including Kaplan wielded political influence on its decision-making processes and treatment of politicians.
The shake-up comes just weeks before Donald Trump — who has repeatedly accused Meta and other platforms of censorship and silencing conservative speech — is set to return to the White House.
Some Big Tech executives who previously had cool relations with the Republican leader have since taken steps to court the president-elect. Meta’s chief executive Mark Zuckerberg has dined with Trump at his Florida estate in Mar-a-Lago since the US election and congratulated him on his victory. Semafor first reported on the changes.
In a surprising turn of events, Meta’s global affairs chief, Nick Clegg, is set to be replaced by Republican Joel Kaplan. This change comes amidst growing scrutiny over Meta’s handling of misinformation and its impact on global politics.
Kaplan, who previously served as the vice president of global public policy at Facebook, is known for his conservative views and close ties to the Republican party. His appointment has raised concerns among critics who fear that Meta’s policies may become more aligned with right-wing agendas.
As Meta continues to navigate the complex landscape of global affairs, the decision to replace Clegg with Kaplan signals a shift in the company’s approach to political engagement. It remains to be seen how this change will impact Meta’s relationships with governments around the world and its efforts to combat misinformation on its platforms.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
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Meta global affairs, Nick Clegg, Republican, Joel Kaplan, leadership change, social media, technology, politics, news, Meta leadership, global affairs chief
#Meta #global #affairs #chief #Nick #Clegg #replaced #Republican #Joel #Kaplan
PORTLAND, Ore. — When Joel Embiid is making jumpers, displaying the uncommon outside touch that has defined his career while running pick-and-pop action with Tyrese Maxey, he’s a great offensive basketball player.
When Joel Embiid is getting to the basket off the dribble, not settling for jump shots and playing with his back to the basket in the paint, he becomes one of the best offensive players in the world.
There is a difference.
Embiid is capable of dominating a game from the perimeter. That skill alone is a part of what makes him such a special player. But, when he refuses to settle, and when he decides to force his will on an opponent, that force spreads to the rest of his Philadelphia 76ers teammates.
It’s been almost a calendar year since the Sixers have seen that Embiid, the one who’s active on both ends of the floor, instead of laboring up and down. On Monday night, in a 125-103 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, Embiid’s season-high 37 points, and the way they came provided as strong an indication yet that he’s getting back to full health.
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He’s played well in pockets this year. There was a 35-point game when visiting the Grizzlies on Nov. 20. He gave the Celtics 27 points on Christmas Day before dropping 32 against the Jazz over the weekend. But there was a spring in Embiid’s step on Monday that hasn’t always been present. He ran the floor. He set screens and even re-screened a couple of times during the same possession. When the Blazers tried to double, Embiid didn’t accept the fact that he was double-teamed. He looked like he has finally found a rhythm after being largely in and out of the lineup over the bulk of the season.
“I think it’s a decision the defense has to make,” Embiid said. “If the defense gives me the jumper, I’m going to take it. But if the defense presses up on me, I want to drive to the basket, so it’s all about trying to read what the defense is trying to do. I used my left hand tonight, and I’m proud of that. Using my left was a point of emphasis. So, as I started making a lot of jumpers, I think the defense started pressing up on me, and that’s when you saw me start to drive to the basket.”
the big fella was on fire.
37 PTS | 9 REB | 3 AST | 12-13 FT vote @JoelEmbiid for #NBAAllStar: https://t.co/MkbjLhykqa@PALottery pic.twitter.com/1BrrM8yawk
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) December 31, 2024
The best thing that can be said about the Philadelphia 76ers right now is that they are returning to a state of normalcy. The Sixers are about basketball, making adjustments on the floor and weathering minor injuries. They aren’t in the news for team meetings, or losing 14 of their first 17 games with a talented roster. They aren’t making waves for locker room altercations, or will-he/won’t-he when it comes to Embiid’s health.
It’s allowed the Sixers to focus on themselves as a group, and the results are beginning to show. They have won eight of their last 10 games. They have won 10 of their last 13. They followed a groundbreaking win over the Celtics with wins over the Jazz and the Blazers. You look at that, and think, well, those aren’t impressive. The Jazz and the Blazers don’t want to win games. And there would be a lot of truth to that. But good teams follow up big wins, like the one over the Celtics on Christmas Day, by beating the teams that should be beaten.
That’s how you stack wins in the NBA. You just go out there and consistently play well. For the first time this season, the 76ers are starting to consistently play well. They are now 13-17 overall, including a 3-0 record on a current road trip that will last six games. They have climbed out of the bottom of the Eastern Conference and are tied for the final Play-In spot. That may not seem like much, but the Sixers were a walking disaster early in the season, and they currently look like a completely different team.
“I’ve been saying for a while, we’re just starting to play a lot better,” Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse said. “We’ve gone a long stretch where we are starting to take whatever has come. We have a few minor injuries, and we just keep on rolling. We are dealing with some foul trouble, and we just keep on rolling. What I’m most happy with is that we’re starting to get a defensive mentality to us. And that can take you a long ways. Defense travels on the road, and we’ve started to do it at a high level. These guys have worked at it. There have been lots of long practices, and it’s starting to pay off. So, these guys deserve all the credit.”
Nurse said that he’s still trying to get a feel for certain rotations. But some staples are beginning to stand out. When Paul George, Caleb Martin and Kelly Oubre are on the floor together, they are wreaking havoc defensively. They are long and athletic wings who are active on the defensive end, and they have been making it difficult for opponents to run offense.
Indeed, on Monday, Oubre came up with eight steals, spearheading a defense that created 36 points off Portland turnovers. Maxey, after a bad shooting start to the season, has been terrific of late. He’s shooting it a lot better, but he’s also getting into the paint off the dribble consistently and getting out and finishing in transition. He and Embiid have been a potent duo offensively, while George is still feeling his way through the offense.
But it all starts and ends with Embiid and what level he plays at. The road back to dominance has been a long one for him. And it will continue. There will still be missed games. There will be games where he feels better than others physically. But this has been a three-game stretch when he has looked pretty close to himself. And because of that, the Sixers have looked pretty close to what people thought they would look like when president of basketball operations Daryl Morey put the roster together.
“He was very good at being aggressive tonight,” Maxey said. “He used his pump fake. He used his pace. He played with a lot of physicality tonight. He is starting to look really good. He looks healthy, and he looks like he’s starting to feel better and get a rhythm. That’s what we’re used to seeing from him. He’s Joel Embiid.”
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(Photo: Amanda Loman / Getty Images)
After a slow start to the season, Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers are starting to show why they were considered one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Embiid, who has been plagued by injuries in the past, is finally healthy and playing at an elite level.
With an improved supporting cast around him, including the additions of Tobias Harris and Al Horford, the Sixers are beginning to click on all cylinders. Their defense has been stifling, and their offense is starting to find its groove.
Embiid, who is averaging 23.4 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, is showing why he is considered one of the best big men in the league. His dominance in the paint, combined with his ability to stretch the floor, makes him a nightmare matchup for opposing teams.
The Sixers currently sit at the top of the Eastern Conference standings, and if they can continue to play at this level, they will be a force to be reckoned with come playoff time. Joel Embiid and the Sixers are finally starting to look like the championship contenders we thought they could be.
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#Joel #Embiid #Sixers #beginning #thought #theyd
The first quarterfinal round of the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff has arrived!
Each of the four games will be played as a bowl game — the Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl — at a neutral location on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day. If I had my say, the Rose Bowl would serve as the national championship game on Jan. 1 each season, but that spiel is for another time.
Let’s get into these four games, though. We had another good showing of making picks against the spread in the first round, going 3-1. That improved our record to 51-32 in our picks against the spread this season.
Here are my thoughts and picks for each of the four games.
I think we can all agree that Penn State is playing its best football right now. Even in its recent loss to Oregon, Penn State had one of its best performances in a game against a legitimate top-five team in quite some time. We’ve seen Penn State struggle against Ohio State and Michigan in recent years before nearly taking down the Buckeyes earlier this season.
Penn State is getting closer. The naysayers might not want to hear that, but it’s true. The way PSU played against SMU signaled that this group is ready for the stage. This team is better than Boise State. As good as the story has been, it’s still a Group of 5 team that doesn’t have a roster nearly as good as Penn State’s. It’s not playing as well as PSU, either.
At this point, Penn State looks like it’s playing as well as anyone in the country. This team has a strong chance of reaching the title game. Offensively, the Nittany Lions scored 37 and put up over 500 yards in their Big Ten Championship Game loss. Defensively, they locked up the Mustangs in their first-round win with two pick-sixes and only 10 points allowed.
But Penn State is also getting the ball to the right people offensively. Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen are handling the football and delivering. Those two have combined for 482 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns over the past two games. Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki learned a hard lesson from the Ohio State loss and is now making sure the ball gets into the right player’s hands in the big moments.
As for Boise State, some people might point to that three-point loss to Oregon as a reason why it could pull off the upset, but that game occurred at the best time for a non-power conference school to take on a top-ranked team. The difference between the top programs and the non-power programs is that the top teams have the depth to withstand the war of attrition during a season.
That said, Ashton Jeanty is as elite as a running back as there is in the country. His ability to sustain high-level production throughout the year with the workload he has had is remarkable, and now he’s had three and a half weeks of rest. So, Penn State will have its hands full with him, and I think that’s the best way to attack the Nittany Lions’ defense. Penn State’s at its best defensively when it attacks in space, but Michigan and Ohio State have had success recently when they pounded it with their offensive line.
Because of that, I think Boise State will play outstanding in the first half, and we’ll ultimately have an enticing game. I don’t think Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen will be able to do a ton against this Penn State defense, though. This game is also one of the very few occasions where Boise State will have to get out of its comfort zone, as it has typically held a talent advantage over the rest of its conference in recent years.
So, Penn State will have to get Boise State out of its comfort zone, and I think it will do that. I believe the Nittany Lions will start to pull away in the third and fourth quarters. Even if quarterback Drew Allar turns the ball over, Penn State is going to score some points. PSU’s depth is going to be an issue for Boise State, and it doesn’t lose games that it should win.
Pick: Penn State 38, Boise State 24 (Penn State -11.5)
Let me start my preview of this game by saying this: One of the five teams that won in the first round is going to look sluggish in the quarterfinals. We typically don’t ask teams to play great against top teams in back-to-back weeks. That’s just not the nature of the sport. So, I feel like we could see Texas, or even Penn State, overlook its opponent. With all due respect to Arizona State and Boise State, they’re not going to strike a ton of fear in those teams. I think Texas and Penn State are the teams at the highest risk of playing poorly as a result.
Texas ran all over Clemson, rushing for 292 yards in its first-round win. Outside the two games against Georgia, you could bank on Texas’ offensive line and run game showing out. But it couldn’t run the ball in either of those games.
The question becomes: Is Arizona State able to do what Georgia did to Texas against the run? Well, Arizona State had the No. 1 rush defense in the Big 12, but that was only good for 27th in the country. I’m not sure if that makes it as good as Georgia’s run defense. The Sun Devils probably don’t have the defensive linemen that Georgia is able to play across several snaps, either.
But this is a great time to catch Texas in the CFP. Texas is coming off a good win and Arizona State has a great spark plug in running back Cam Skattebo. I love watching Skattebo. He’s a versatile player that’s hard to bring down. Arizona State made Iowa State look awful in the Big 12 Championship Game, in large part because of Skattebo. Quarterback Sam Leavitt has also won 11 of the 12 games he has started.
Here’s the problem for Arizona State: It’s missing its best wide receiver, Jordyn Tyson. That’s going to be a problem because it doesn’t have a ton beyond him.
I wanted to make this a tight game. I could see this game playing out the same way I envision the Fiesta Bowl playing out. Quinn Ewers is the major concern I have about Texas. If he’s asked to carry the Longhorns to a win, I’ve got my questions about that. If Ewers just has to manage the game, then I’m fine with Ewers.
Texas’ offensive line and wide receiver Isaiah Bond‘s expected return to the lineup should give the Longhorns the ultimate edge. I also think Texas’ defense, which is one of the best pass defenses in the country, will be too much for Arizona State, but it’ll be a little closer than what the spread suggests.
Pick: Texas 31, Arizona State 21 (Arizona State +12.5)
Oregon won the first matchup between these two teams, 32-31. Since then, Ohio State has changed its defensive structure due to what happened in that game. Prior to and during that game, Ohio State’s defense had a basic structure that was set to limit explosive plays. It only rushed three and single covered on the far side of the field. That caused Oregon to hammer Ohio State with explosive plays on the outside, with quarterback Dillon Gabriel completing some big passes to Evan Stewart. Gabriel wasn’t sacked, either.
Ryan Day and Ohio State’s coaching staff had a lot of internal discussion after that loss. They determined that they wanted their defense to rush the quarterback more creatively and wanted safety Caleb Downs to be more involved in every play. Downs became the focal point of what OSU does defensively by putting him in the middle of the field, firmly establishing him as one of the few best defensive players in the country.
That’s why Ohio State is better suited to play Oregon now than in October. But Gabriel honestly had an underrated season, taking full command of that offense in his first year in Eugene. It wasn’t great in the first month, but he and the team have continued to get better ever since then. I think Gabriel’s performance against Penn State was a case study of what he can do against an athletic pass rush, which Ohio State has. Gabriel had these subtle movements in that game that allowed him to play well when under duress. It reminded me of Michael Penix Jr.‘s performance against Texas in the Sugar Bowl last year.
Ohio State, I believe, has the best defense in the nation. However, I think its weakness is at corner, as I don’t think Denzel Burke can hold him in a speed matchup against Stewart — and Davison Igbinosun has had penalty concerns.
The biggest question, though, is how will Ohio State want to play offensively? If it has a game plan like it had against Nebraska or Michigan, Oregon is going to win, but if it has a game plan like the one it had in the first Oregon game or against Tennessee, then I like Ohio State to win. I think this game is dependent on how aggressive Ohio State will be. If the Buckeyes are aggressive, they will score points. That’s not a knock on Oregon, but the Ducks allowed 30 points in all three games they played against CFP teams this season.
Ohio State should’ve learned that lesson by now. The Buckeyes should know by now that Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka have to get the ball early and often. It seems like they learned that lesson when they demolished Tennessee.
This is the toughest game to pick. I’ve gone both ways on this, so I’m hedging here: Ohio State will win by one point this time around. This game should be incredible.
Pick: Ohio State 42, Oregon 41 (Oregon +2.5)
Which Georgia will we get in New Orleans? That answer is very dependent on its defensive line. There are some games where its defensive line is totally dominant and if it shows up, it can win this game. But what happens if Georgia’s defensive line plays the way it did against Alabama, Ole Miss or Georgia Tech and not the way it did in the two wins over Texas? Georgia has been so up and down, having some issues against teams with more mobile quarterbacks this season.
On the other side, Georgia’s offense is just OK. It was 15th in the SEC in rushing this year. Oh, and it’s starting its backup quarterback. So, Georgia can’t lean on the run game, and it was apparent that it was scared to throw the ball with Gunner Stockton late in the SEC Championship Game.
I don’t trust Georgia’s offense against a Notre Dame defense that has one of the best pass defenses in the country. Georgia doesn’t run the ball well enough to have success with a backup quarterback. Notre Dame’s defense is opportunistic and can get takeaways.
Offensively, Notre Dame has a run game it can rely on with a quarterback who also has the ability to move the ball with his legs in Riley Leonard. I love Jeremiyah Love and when you add that in with Leonard, I think Georgia could be in trouble. Leonard could have a big night, and this Notre Dame team has a roster built to beat this Georgia team.
I don’t think this isn’t the same Georgia team we’ve been accustomed to seeing the last few years, either. I think this game was the easiest of the four to pick.
Pick: Notre Dame 24, Georgia 17 (Notre Dame +1.5)
Joel Klatt is FOX Sports’ lead college football game analyst and the host of the podcast “The Joel Klatt Show.” Follow him at @joelklatt and subscribe to the “Joel Klatt Show” on YouTube.
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The College Football Playoff is back and bigger than ever for the 2024-25 season, with Joel Klatt offering his expert picks and preview for the quarterfinal matchups. The top teams in the country are ready to battle it out for a shot at the national championship, and Klatt’s insights are sure to give fans an inside look at what to expect.
In the first quarterfinal matchup, Klatt predicts that defending champion Alabama will face off against Ohio State in a rematch of last year’s thrilling semifinal showdown. Both teams boast powerful offenses and stingy defenses, setting the stage for an epic clash between two college football powerhouses.
The second quarterfinal game features a showdown between Georgia and Oklahoma, two teams with explosive offenses and dominant defenses. Klatt believes this matchup will be a high-scoring affair, with Heisman contenders and future NFL stars on both sides of the ball.
As for the third quarterfinal matchup, Klatt sees Clemson taking on Texas A&M in a battle of two perennial playoff contenders. With talented quarterbacks and playmakers on both teams, this game is sure to be a must-watch for college football fans everywhere.
In the final quarterfinal game, Klatt predicts that Notre Dame will square off against Oregon in a matchup of two teams looking to make a statement on the national stage. Both teams have strong defenses and dynamic playmakers, making this game a potential classic in the making.
With the stage set for an exciting quarterfinal round, Joel Klatt’s picks and preview offer a glimpse into what promises to be a thrilling College Football Playoff. Fans can expect plenty of drama, excitement, and unforgettable moments as the top teams in the country battle it out for a shot at the national championship.
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2024-25 College Football Playoff, Joel Klatt, quarterfinals picks, preview, college football playoff predictions, Joel Klatt analysis, NCAA football playoffs, college football playoff matchups, NCAA football analysis
#College #Football #Playoff #Joel #Klatts #quarterfinals #picks #preview
Josh Giddey has recorded his second triple-double for the Bulls after playing a pivotal role in a 116-111 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday at Chicago.
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In what was Giddey’s first game back from an ankle injury, the Australian was involved from the very start on his way to a team-high 23 points to go with 15 rebounds, 10 assists, one steal and a block.
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Tuesday December 31st
With it, Giddey became the first Bulls player to record multiple triple-doubles in a single season since Jimmy Butler in 2016-17, and the youngest with multiple since Michael Jordan.
Giddey was particularly physical in crashing the glass and fighting for rebounds and while he was putting his stamp on the game with his playmaking, as is usually the case, it was particularly pleasing to see him also making an impact on the defensive end.
That was especially true down the stretch as Giddey had two consecutive contests on Khris Middleton, forcing tough shots with the Bucks forward making one of two attempts.
“Josh has got length so just trying not to foul him and trying to make him shoot over him was what we hoped to,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said of Giddey’s efforts on Middleton.
“He made a couple in the lane and he’s hard to handle because he’s got size and he can get it off but I thought Josh really competed and battled defensively.”
The execution wasn’t always perfect but the effort was certainly there from Giddey, who had a clutch, go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute of the game and then backed it up with another strong defensive possession to help force a turnover that led to a Patrick Williams bucket on the other end.
That shot put Chicago up 111-108 inside the final 50 seconds before a Brook Lopez triple tied the game, but Coby White, who had 22 points in the win, put the Bulls back ahead 113-111 before Giddey hustled for another key defensive rebound to help seal the win.
The Bucks fouled Giddey, who made both free throws to extend the lead out to 115-111. Lopez then missed his next 3-point attempt and another Zach LaVine free throw was enough to see Chicago home.
It was particularly telling that Giddey was playing in the final minutes of the game, having previously not been trusted in clutch situations due to his issues on defence.
On Sunday, however, Giddey gave Donovan no choice but to play him and the Australian repaid the Bulls coach with a few big plays to secure the win.
“I’ve seen growth in that area and I’ve seen competitiveness in that area,” Donovan said of Giddey’s development on the defensive end.
“He’s got size, he’s got length and he’s got good feet. I think the biggest thing is how he can navigate screening actions and I think he fought through a lot. I thought he fought on post-ups.
“He’s capable but he’s got to do it consistently… when you point out things to him, he realises areas (he needs to improve). He enjoys watching film, he wants to find ways to get better. He’s been willing to grow in that area and I’ve seen significant progress.”
Giddey told Chicago Sports Network’s K.C. Johnson in his post-game interview that it was “good to be in there” late in the fourth quarter, adding that his previously injured ankle felt “great”.
“In this environment you guys (the crowd) were unbelievable and we feed off this energy. Not just myself but the rest of the guys that finished that game,” added Giddey.
“I thought we executed really well down the stretch. We were composed, we were poised and that’s a really good team. That’s an experienced team that has won a championship. They know how to close out games… that was a much-needed win.”
It was a huge result for the Bulls, coming off a 141-133 loss to the Hawks which saw them cough up 50 points in the fourth quarter. Back-to-back defeats of 21 and 25 points to the Bucks and Celtics preceded that result.
ELSEWHERE…
The NBA has suspended Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall for four games and Phoenix Suns centre Jusuf Nurkic for three games for their roles in an on-court brawl.
Dallas forward P.J. Washington copped a one-game and all of the suspensions handed down on Sunday are without pay.
Nurkic and Marshall came to blows and were ejected during the Mavericks’ 98-89 win at Footprint Center.
Things came to a head early in the third quarter when Nurkic was called for an offensive foul, sending the Mavericks’ Daniel Gafford to the floor inside the paint.
After a few moments, Nurkic and Marshall converged, with the former slapping Marshall on the noggin before Marshall punched his opponent up high.
P.J. Washington also shoved Nurkic in the middle of all this, sending him tumbling back near mid-court.
Officials then stepped in to prevent the teams from doing any further damage.
When all was said and done, all three players were ejected from the contest and Suns coach Mike Budenholzer was left unimpressed.
“I think that level of altercation is not good for our team,” he said after the game.
“It’s not good for anybody individually, it’s not good for our league.”
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd saw it a different way, saying he was happy with how his players protected themselves.
“They were protecting each other. That’s what that was,” Kidd said, according to the Dallas Morning News.
“Emotions can get high. For our guys to protect each other, we talk about it and it was displayed tonight.”
Suns rookie Ryan Dunn told reporters after the game that Nurkic and Marshall were talking with one another after the original offence foul before things got physical.
“I think it was just the heat of the moment, they were chipping back and forth,” Dunn said. “Heat of the moment we’re here for Nurk.”
Dunn clarified why he was in de-escalation mode and not trying to add to the fray.
“I’m a rookie, I don’t have enough money to be getting fined $5,000,” he said with a laugh. “I can’t throw a punch, but just trying to de-escalate it.”
EMBIID COPS HUGE FINE
Philadelphia 76ers centre Joel Embiid was fined $120,000 AUD by the NBA on Friday for making “obscene gestures on the playing court” in the Sixers’ 118-114 victory over the Boston Celtics on Christmas Day.
The league said in a statement the incidents occurred in the first half of the 76ers’ victory in Boston, in which Embiid scored 27 points with nine rebounds.
Embiid celebrated a layup in the first half with the “DX crotch chop” thrusting gesture he has adopted from professional wrestling and been fined for in the past.
He had another gesture for Boston fans after a three-pointer shortly before halftime.
The 2023 NBA Most Valuable Player has appeared in just nine games this season because of injuries — the latest a sinus fracture that has him playing in a protective mask — and a three-game suspension for a physical altercation with a journalist.
Embiid had another injury scare before Wednesday’s game, falling over the security rope at the perimeter of the court during warm-ups and grabbing his right ankle.
He appeared untroubled during the game, but was listed as “questionable” for Saturday’s game against the Utah Jazz with the sinus fracture and a left foot sprain.
Josh Giddey shines with a triple-double in win against Bucks, Naji Marshall and Jusuf Nurkic engage in heated brawl during Dallas Mavericks vs Phoenix Suns matchup, suspensions and fines handed out, Joel Embiid dominates on the court
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#Josh #Giddey #tripledouble #win #Bucks #Naji #Marshall #Jusuf #Nurkic #fight #brawl #Dallas #Mavericks #Phoenix #Suns #suspensions #fines #Joel #Embiid
