Indiana lost a tough one at home against Maryland, but you still gotta shake the other team’s hands, Mike Woodson.

Indiana basketball is going through quite a rough patch right now, losing four of their last five games after a five-game win streak. The Hoosier’s 79-78 loss against Maryland yesterday might have been the toughest loss for Indiana during this streak, as they had the lead up until Maryland’s Rodney Rice three-pointer with seven seconds to go.

Indiana had a shot in the final seconds, but after almost two turnovers and a contested shot from Myles Rice, it just didn’t fall, and the Hoosiers dropped their second game in a row. A tough loss no doubt, but no excuse for head coach Mike Woodson to do what he did after the final buzzer.

Once the play clock hit zero, the boos began to rain down upon Woodson and his team, but everyone in that building was booing only Woodson. It can be seen that instead of lining up to shake hands with the Maryland bench, Woodson booked it to the locker room until forward Luke Goode stopped him and motioned toward the handshake line.

Sure looks like Mike Woodson couldn’t wait to get out of there (boos and all), and Luke Goode has to tell him, “Hey, we shake hands.”

It was a tough loss, but that is no excuse not to show good sportsmanship, shake the hand of the winning coach and players, and then retire to the locker room. Woodson has probably heard all the chatter of fans wanting him fired, but what message does that send to your players?

As a head coach, Woodson should be the shining example for his team, but instead, it took one of his own players telling him to go and shake hands with the other teams to show sportsmanship, which is a big part of this game. That looked like a coach that was giving up on his team and that kind of attitude won’t fly at Indiana.

This Hoosier team could still make a run for the NCAA Tournament, but not if Woodson is quitting on his team. There are still quite a few games left in this season, and Woodson should be behind his team, not leaving them for the locker room to get away from the boos from the Indiana faithful.

The Blue Devil rookie does not have any specified illness after his incident against the Wolfpack

It was a crazy night in Cameron for the Duke basketball team as it rallied from 13 points in the first half to defeat NC State, 74-64, but its freshman center failed to finish the game after an illness appeared to come over him.

The No. 2 Blue Devils were leading, 63-62, as Dontrez Styles – the leading scorer for the Wolfpack – fouled out after bumping Cooper Flagg on a drive but play was delayed because Khaman Maluach vomited on the court.

Trainers and staff cleaned up the court during the timeout and Jon Scheyer discussed his rookie’s status after the victory.

“He was cramping,” the Duke head coach explained. “Chugged a lot of Gatorade quickly and that’s what happened when he threw up.”

Other players looked lethargic throughout the game but there is not a stomach bug going around the team at this time. Maluach logged 27 minutes and posted four points, eight rebounds, and two blocks.

“I think it speaks to [his] character,” Scheyer added. “He was doing whatever he could to get back in the game, obviously he drank too much there.”

“He felt better after the game. I’m worried about him. We have to get him rested.”

Maluach is averaging 8.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game this season while having to play extended minutes over the last three weeks with the absence of Syracuse transfer Maliq Brown due to a knee sprain.

Shortly after the incident involving Khaman Maluach, a fan in the student section near halfcourt fainted and had to be carried off to the back of Cameron Indoor Stadium late in the second half. Duke officials reported afte the game that the student was cleared to return home by medical professionals after examination.

Duke (18-2, 10-0 ACC) hosts North Carolina (13-8, 6-3 ACC) for the first time this season on Saturday night (6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).

Kentucky men’s basketball suffered a 74-69 loss on the road to Vanderbilt. In their first year since 2008 without John Calipari coaching, the No. 9 Wildcats have kicked off their conference schedule with a 3-3 record against SEC opponents.

In a topsy-turvy affair, Kentucky trailed by 14 at halftime before going up seven points in the second half – only to lose by five. The Wildcats have boasted a top-five offense this season, but their No. 79-ranked defense gives up 76.0 points per game.

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Kentucky head basketball coach Mark Pope sends bullish message on SEC after Wildcats lose to Vanderbilt

BEN GRUNERT

January 26, 2025•2:03 am WAT

Kentucky men’s basketball suffered a 74-69 loss on the road to Vanderbilt. In their first year since 2008 without John Calipari coaching, the No. 9 Wildcats have kicked off their conference schedule with a 3-3 record against SEC opponents.

In a topsy-turvy affair, Kentucky trailed by 14 at halftime before going up seven points in the second half – only to lose by five. The Wildcats have boasted a top-five offense this season, but their No. 79-ranked defense gives up 76.0 points per game.

Stay

 

Duke’s Cooper Flagg Goes Off For 23 Second Half Points

ACC OFFICIAL HIGHLIGHTS

First-year Kentucky coach Mark Pope has endured some predictable criticism during his team’s recent stretch of three losses in five games. However, Pope is still embracing the challenges of competing in one of the strongest conferences in recent history.

“I think it (the SEC competition) makes us better,” Pope said. “I would choose this league the way it is this year every single year. It can rip you to pieces for sure, but our job is to keep finding a way to get better. I have a really good locker room of guys that are gonna keep focused on getting better, we’re not gonna lose our confidence … It makes us a better team. I think we’re really blessed to face this competition every year.”

Four of Kentucky’s five losses have come to unranked opponents. Their tale of two halves in the Vandy loss painted a perfect picture of their inconsistency.

Pope addressed the highs and lows of his team’s performance in his postgame presser.

“We were really disappointed with how we performed for parts of the game, and I was really proud of my guys for parts of the game,” Pope said. “We’re just hungry to get better.”

Vanderbilt has shocked the world this year with a 4-3 record in SEC play and a 16-4 overall record. The Commodores have now notched two top-10 wins in their last three games, taking down No. 6 Tennessee in dramatic fashion on January 18.

UK has its own matchup with Tennessee on the horizon. The Wildcats will hit the road on January 28 to take on the Vols.

Saturday night in Nashville, 8:23 remaining in the second half, Amari Williams makes a layup to push Kentucky’s lead to seven points, 58-51, marking the Wildcats’ largest lead of the game. They had just erased a 14-point halftime deficit through an offensive surge and solid defense. Kentucky had all the momentum and time on their side, silencing what had been a raucous crowd.

At that moment, fans in their living rooms turned to each other and said, “These next four minutes will determine the game.” If Kentucky could maintain a multi-possession lead until the under-four timeout, victory was assured.

However, less than two minutes later, the score was tied at 60. Two three-pointers by Carey and McGlockton cut the lead to one, at 58-57. The game then swung back and forth, but Kentucky ultimately lost their grip in this crucial four-minute stretch, allowing Vanderbilt to claw their way back into the contest. The result was a frustrating loss that should never have happened.

Three days later, Kentucky found itself in a similar position against Tennessee. After a free throw by Oweh, the score was again 58-51. Kentucky had once more come back from a halftime deficit, this time on the road, with impressive offense and a stingy defense. They had all the momentum, having quieted the home crowd, with Tennessee on their heels.

However, the situation was different this time, and not in Kentucky’s favor. They were facing a top 10 team, loaded with talent, who hadn’t lost at home all season and were coming off a heartbreaking defeat to the No. 1 team in the country. Additionally, Kentucky was without their top two point guards and starting forward Andrew Carr.

Here we go again. Another four-minute stretch that will dictate the outcome. But what unfolded over the next few minutes was a stark contrast to the game in Nashville. Kentucky matched Tennessee’s run with big shot after big shot.

The most pivotal moment came with 5:21 left when, after Tennessee cut the lead to five with a three-pointer by Igor Milicic, Koby Brea drilled a 24-footer just 13 seconds later, extending the lead back to eight and silencing the crowd in Tennessee orange. Kentucky held firm, not letting go of the rope this time.

The 78-73 victory was Kentucky’s sixth against top 15 opponents, matching the program’s historical best set by the 2002-2003 team. It was also their third consecutive win in Knoxville, all as significant underdogs.

With several more high-stakes games on the horizon, big blue nation is eager to see how much further this Kentucky team can evolve as they gear up for a significant March run.

In a stunning move that has shocked college basketball fans nationwide, the Kentucky Wildcats have announced a monumental deal with Mark Pope, agreeing to a staggering $99.7 million contract in replacement of former standout guard Kerr Kriisa. This unexpected transaction comes as part of the Wildcats’ aggressive strategy to bolster their roster and secure a bright future in the highly competitive SEC conference.

Mark Pope, who had previously turned heads with his impressive coaching at BYU, has now found a new home in Lexington. His leadership style, known for fostering dynamic offense and tight-knit team chemistry, is expected to complement Kentucky’s storied program. Pope’s appointment, at a substantial financial commitment, signifies the Wildcats’ ambition to reclaim their place atop college basketball.

This move comes just as Kriisa, who had been an integral part of the Wildcats’ backcourt, entered the transfer portal. The departure of Kriisa, a fan favorite for his scoring and playmaking abilities, left a noticeable gap in Kentucky’s lineup. In a surprising twist, Coach John Calipari and athletic director Mitch Barnhart moved swiftly to bring Pope on board, ensuring that the Wildcats remain in contention for the national title.

The $99.7 million contract is one of the largest in recent college basketball history, reflecting the high expectations surrounding Pope’s tenure. The deal is seen not only as a replacement for Kriisa but also as an investment in the future of the Wildcats’ program, signaling their intent to remain competitive both in the SEC and nationally.

With Mark Pope now at the helm, Kentucky fans are excited about the future. Pope’s arrival is expected to inject new energy into the team, paving the way for the Wildcats to make a deep run in March Madness. The pressure is on, but the stakes have never been higher for Kentucky.

The second half of Duke’s matchup against NC State saw two delays Monday night.

With Cooper Flagg and the Blue Devils eventually pulling out a 74-64 win over the Wolfpack, two separate incidents caused the game to be paused. First, Duke’s starting center, Khaman Maluach, vomited on the court.

Maluach wasn’t involved in a play when he threw up, but still turned to the floor while the game was going on and puked. Just minutes later, security at Cameron Indoor Stadium was seen attending to, and carrying out, a Duke student who appeared to pass out in the stands during the game.

Here are the latest updates on the situations with Maluach and the Duke student that unfolded in the closing moments of the Blue Devils’ matchup against NC State.

Duke held just a one-point lead vs. NC State in the second half with under five minutes remaining. Flagg, the Blue Devils’ young star, had the ball in the post, driving toward the rim as he looked to extend his team’s lead.

Maluach was under the rim, not involved in the offensive play. Just as Flagg drew a foul, Maluach put his hand toward his mouth, then abruptly turned toward the baseline and vomited all over the court.

Here’s a look at the incident with Maluach. Warning: do not watch if you’re squeamish.

The game remained delayed for a few minutes after Maluach vomited, and he left the floor. Staff at the stadium spent the delay cleaning the area where he vomited with plenty of towels:

The Blue Devils held on late to win their 18th game of the season. Head coach Jon Scheyer said postgame that it was cramping that led Maluach to vomit.

“He felt better after the game,” Scheyer said.

In a separate incident just a few minutes after Maluach was attended to, there was a second delay in the Duke vs. NC State game.

With 3:30 remaining, the matchup was paused as the ESPN broadcast caught security guards at Cameron Indoor Stadium picking up a Duke student who appeared to fall unconscious. You can find the video here, but be warned, it may be disturbing to some viewers.

“It looks like a young lady has passed out here. They are taking her away,” ESPN play-by-play announcer Dave O’Brien said on the broadcast.

There haven’t yet been further updates on the fan’s status after being taken back toward the stadium’s locker rooms.

It’s not often that we see high-profile, £67 million strikers considering moves to clubs outside the top five European leagues, especially when that club is FC Dinamo București in Romania. However, recent reports suggest that a highly-valued forward, currently playing in one of Europe’s more prominent leagues, has held talks with the Romanian club about a potential move. This surprising development has sent shockwaves through both European football circles and the broader transfer market.

The striker in question, whose identity has yet to be fully confirmed, is known for his skill, composure in front of goal, and his significant price tag. At £67 million, he represents a significant investment for any club, and his departure from his current team, after a relatively short time, would raise many eyebrows. Traditionally, players with such a high valuation are in demand by clubs in the top leagues of England, Spain, Germany, Italy, and France. The fact that Dinamo București, a club with a less prominent international profile, has entered the conversation signals that there may be more to the story than a simple transfer.

One possible explanation for the striker’s interest in moving to Dinamo București could be a desire for more playing time or a new challenge. It’s not uncommon for high-profile players to seek a fresh start when they feel their career trajectory has stalled at a larger club. Whether due to injuries, competition for starting spots, or lack of opportunities, a move to a club where the player can be the focal point of the team could appeal. In Romania’s Liga I, where Dinamo București is one of the more prominent clubs, the striker could expect more consistent playing time and a chance to become the team’s central figure, potentially leading them to domestic glory.

Another reason for the striker’s move could be financial considerations or a personal preference for living in a different part of Europe. While Romania may not boast the same level of financial resources as some of Europe’s biggest leagues, players may still find attractive offers, especially when considering signing bonuses, wage structures, and living conditions. Furthermore, some players are drawn to the idea of playing in a less pressure-filled environment, where they can potentially rediscover their form away from the high expectations of the top European leagues.

FC Dinamo București has not been one of the top clubs in European competitions for some time, but it has a storied history within Romanian football. If the transfer were to go through, it could represent a significant boost to the club’s profile, both domestically and internationally. The signing of a player valued at £67 million would be a statement of intent for Dinamo București, signaling their ambition to challenge for Liga I titles and possibly even pursue success in European competitions like the UEFA Europa Conference League or UEFA Europa League.

For the striker, joining Dinamo could also present an opportunity to reinvigorate his career. If he moves to Romania and flourishes, he could find his form again, perhaps even attracting the attention of bigger clubs down the line. Alternatively, a successful spell in Romania could see him become the face of the club, cementing his legacy there.

At this stage, it remains unclear whether the move will happen, but the very fact that talks are underway is intriguing. The transfer, if completed, would be one of the most unexpected twists in recent football history, highlighting how unpredictable the football transfer market can be. For Dinamo București, it could be a game-changer that elevates their standing both domestically and in European competitions. For the striker, it could be a chance to redefine his career on a new stage. The coming weeks will likely reveal more about this surprising potential transfer.

Mihael Mlinaric, noul atacant al echipei antrenate de Željko Kopić, este un jucător care atrage atenția nu doar prin abilitățile sale tehnice, ci și prin potențialul său de a deveni o piesă de bază în viitorul apropiat al echipei. Așadar, există mai multe motive pentru care Mlinaric merită urmărit în acest sezon.

1. Tineretea și potențialul de dezvoltare
   La doar 21 de ani, Mlinaric este un jucător tânăr, cu mult spațiu pentru a se dezvolta. Tinerii fotbaliști pot evolua rapid, iar cu un antrenor experimentat ca Željko Kopić, Mlinaric ar putea să-și atingă noi culmi ale performanței.
2. Abilități tehnice excelente
   Mlinaric este un atacant cu o tehnică deosebită, capabil să-și controleze mingea într-un mod care nu este doar eficient, dar și spectaculos. Are un dribling fluid și abilitatea de a crea faze periculoase din orice unghi, ceea ce îl face greu de apărat.
3. Instincte de golgheter
   Chiar dacă nu a avut încă un sezon exploziv în termeni de goluri, instinctele de golgheter ale lui Mlinaric sunt evidente. Are capacitatea de a se plasa în poziții bune și de a profita de orice oportunitate ivită în fața porții.
4. Versatilitate pe teren
   Un alt motiv pentru care Mlinaric merită urmărit este versatilitatea sa. Poate juca atât pe centrul atacului, cât și pe ambele flancuri, ceea ce îi permite să se adapteze diferitelor stiluri de joc ale echipei și să fie o piesă importantă în diverse scheme tactice.
5. Capacitatea de a crea oportunități pentru colegi
   Mlinaric nu este doar un finalizator, ci și un jucător care poate contribui la construirea jocului echipei. Cu o viziune bună și abilitatea de a pasa în spații excelente, el poate crea oportunități pentru colegii săi să înscrie.
6. Munca în echipă și atitudinea pozitivă
   Un aspect important al jocului său este etica de muncă. Mlinaric nu se bazează doar pe abilitățile sale individuale, ci și pe colaborarea cu coechipierii săi, având o atitudine pozitivă și un spirit de echipă care poate inspira restul grupului.
7. Flexibilitate tactic
   Kopić este cunoscut pentru adaptabilitatea tactică, iar Mlinaric se poate integra ușor în diverse sisteme de joc. Poate fi folosit într-o formă de atac tradițională sau în sisteme care pun accent pe presiune și viteză pe contraatac.
8. Rapiditate și viteză de reacție
   Una dintre trăsăturile cele mai notabile ale lui Mlinaric este viteza sa. Poate surprinde adversarii cu accelerările sale și cu capacitatea de a reacționa rapid în fața fazelor de joc, fiind un atacant periculos în situațiile de viteză.
9. Adaptabilitatea în fața presiunii
   Mlinaric a demonstrat, în diverse situații, că poate să rămână calm și să-și facă jocul chiar și în momentele de mare presiune. Acest tip de mentalitate îl face un atacant care poate să joace bine în meciuri importante sau în fața unor adversari dificili.
10. Căutarea permanentă a îmbunătățirii
    Un alt motiv pentru care Mlinaric merită urmărit este dorința sa constantă de a se îmbunătăți. Cu o mentalitate de a învăța și de a se adapta, el are toate ingredientele pentru a deveni un jucător important atât pentru echipă, cât și pe plan individual.

În concluzie, Mihael Mlinaric este un atacant complet, cu un mix de abilități tehnice, fizice și mentale care îl fac un jucător de urmărit. Dacă își va continua evoluția sub conducerea lui Željko Kopić, el ar putea deveni unul dintre cei mai buni atacanți ai campionatului.

On Saturday evening, CBS’s lead NFL insider, Jonathan Jones, reported that Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich might be interested in a lateral move to the Seattle Seahawks and has, in fact, already interviewed for the role.

Adam Stenavich, a left tackle for Michigan during his college years, failed to make the regular roster in the NFL. He spent time on the practice squads of the Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans… and Green Bay Packers. Stenavich began his coaching career back with Michigan—as the strength and conditioning coach in 2011 before making his way to the NFL as an offensive line coach under Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers in 2017. From there, Stenavich lateral moved to Green Bay to work as offensive line coach under Matt LaFleur and the Packers in 2019 before he was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2022. LaFleur still calls the plays in Green Bay, whereas he would presumably be the playcaller if hired by the Seahawks.

With the offense under Matt LaFleur and Adam Stenavich, the Packers had a fairly lackluster offensive attack in 2022, finishing 8-9 during Aaron Rodgers’s final season in Green Bay. In 2023, the Packers started slowly with Jordan Love at the helm but finished the season 6-2. Thanks to a strength of victory tiebreaker over Seattle, the Packers were able to squeak into the playoffs as the seventh seed and rack up 48 points in a wild-card win against the Dallas Cowboys. In the divisional round, they lost 24-21 to the San Francisco 49ers.

In 2024, the Packers improved again, with a regular season record of 11-6 (including a Week 15 win against the Seahawks on Sunday Night Football). However, they exited the playoffs early after a loss to the Eagles in the wild-card round.

According to PFF, the Packers ranked 8^th overall in points scored in 2024 with 430. PFF and Pro Football Network have the Packers offensive line ranked 9^th overall and particularly effective during pass blocking.

When Stenavich arrived in Green Bay, he inherited a hell of a group of veterans on the offensive line. And how did he endear himself to that group? According to Conor Orr’s January 16th article for SI.com, he poked fun at himself:

Stenavich would be routinely made fun of for both his baldness and the fact that he preferred, as Bakhtiari put it, “early 2000s style” streetwear. His shorts would lean into “capri territory,” according to the three-time Pro Bowler. He would take the criticism in stride and then, on a random day, show up in the “flyest outfit you’ve ever seen” just to let everyone know he was in on the joke.

In Seattle, one thing remains clear: Mike Macdonald and John Schneider are doing their homework and are in no hurry to find the next offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks. There are a lot of names out there, but I couldn’t tell you who they actually like or who might be coming to interview next. While we wait for more news, check out this cool breakdown on the outside zone combo block drill by Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator interviewee Adam Stenavich: