Author: Gabby Har

In a move that has taken the college basketball world by storm, Mike Woodson has secured a record-breaking contract extension with the Indiana Hoosiers, locking him in as the team’s head coach through the 2030-31 season. The new deal, worth an impressive $12.5 million, is a significant commitment from the Hoosiers, solidifying Woodson’s position as one of the highest-paid coaches in college basketball.

The deal is a testament to Woodson’s success since taking over the program in 2021. Under his leadership, the Hoosiers have shown marked improvements, culminating in a return to the NCAA Tournament after a multi-year absence. His ability to recruit top-tier talent and revitalize Indiana’s historic basketball program has garnered widespread praise from fans and analysts alike.

Indiana’s athletic director, Scott Dolson, expressed his excitement for the future of the program, stating, “Mike has done an exceptional job revitalizing our program and bringing it back to national prominence. This extension reflects our belief in his leadership and vision for the future.”

Woodson’s extension, which extends his tenure until 2031, ensures the Hoosiers will have stability at the top for the foreseeable future. The $12.5 million deal is a major investment in Indiana’s basketball program, with the university demonstrating confidence in Woodson’s ability to lead the team back to greatness.

This unprecedented contract extension is expected to have major ramifications across college basketball, setting a new standard for compensation in the sport and signaling Indiana’s commitment to competing at the highest level for years to come.

In a groundbreaking move that has sent shockwaves through the college basketball world, Mark Pope has agreed to a record-breaking contract extension with the University of Kentucky, securing his place with the Wildcats through 2031. The new deal, valued at a stunning $12.5 million, has raised eyebrows across the sport, signaling Kentucky’s commitment to retaining their head coach for the long term.

Pope, who took over the Wildcats in 2020, has made an immediate impact with his innovative strategies and ability to recruit top-tier talent. Under his leadership, Kentucky has seen impressive performances on the court, and fans are buzzing with excitement over what’s to come. His ability to balance building a strong team while developing young talent has elevated the program’s stature even further.

Kentucky, known for its rich basketball history, made the decision to lock Pope down with this massive extension after a highly successful season. The school believes Pope is the key to returning the Wildcats to championship glory. The $12.5 million extension is a clear statement of confidence in his vision and leadership.

“This extension reflects the trust and belief we have in Mark Pope,” said Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart. “He’s the right coach to continue leading us into the future and achieving greatness.”

For Pope, this extension not only cements his future but also positions him as one of the highest-paid coaches in college basketball. With Kentucky’s storied tradition and Pope’s growing reputation, the Wildcats’ future looks incredibly promising. The 2031 commitment marks a new era for Kentucky basketball, one that fans hope will bring them back to the top of college hoops.

It was about midway through the second half of the final Kentucky basketball home game of the season.The Cats were rolling, and Collin Chandler was feeling it. The freshman from Utah — the first recruit of the Mark Pope era, in fact — had already set a career high in scoring.

Chandler hit a pair of 3-pointers just before halftime — his first two shot attempts of the night — and he hit another not long after coming off the bench in the second half.

As March Madness draws near, Kentucky men’s basketball head coach Mark Pope is counting on the contributions of three freshmen to help elevate the Wildcats’ championship hopes. With the pressure mounting and postseason play on the horizon, the freshmen have the opportunity to prove they belong on the big stage.

Pope, who took over as head coach this season, has shown confidence in his young players, incorporating them into key roles. These freshmen, each with their unique skill set, have been pivotal in Kentucky’s success this season. Their growth and development over the next few weeks will be crucial as the Wildcats look to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

The trio includes standout guards and forwards who have already demonstrated flashes of brilliance throughout the season. Their ability to adapt quickly to the high intensity of SEC play has impressed Pope and the coaching staff. As the tournament approaches, Kentucky will need these freshmen to step up, especially in crucial moments when experience will be tested.

The Wildcats have always relied on a mix of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers to fuel their deep tournament runs, and this year is no different. Pope’s ability to balance the talents of his freshmen with the leadership of upperclassmen will be key to navigating the tough road ahead.

With the Wildcats’ postseason hopes on the line, fans are excited to see if these freshmen can rise to the occasion. Their performances in March could very well define Kentucky’s fate in the tournament and set the stage for the program’s future. The stage is set, and Mark Pope will need his freshmen to shine when it matters most.

Kentucky guard Kerr Kriisa will not return to the court this season, head coach Mark Pope confirmed on Thursday.

The fifth-year player has been sidelined since December 7 due to a persistent foot injury, and despite efforts to recover, he has not met the necessary benchmarks for a return. “We’re past the window now where he could actually get back,” Pope stated.

“It’s been a stubborn healing process, and he just hasn’t reached the required milestones.” Kriisa appeared in nine games for the Wildcats, starting once, and posted averages of 4.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game.

His assist total ranked second on the team, just behind Lamont Butler’s 4.5 per game. Though his numbers were modest, his presence as a floor leader and distributor was evident in Kentucky’s offensive flow.

Having played in less than 30% of Kentucky’s games and none beyond the season’s midpoint, Kriisa qualifies for a medical redshirt, giving him the option to return in 2025-26.

His potential eligibility for an additional season was a key factor in his absence from Kentucky’s recent senior night ceremony. If he chooses to return, he could play a crucial role in Kentucky’s backcourt next season.

Kriisa, originally from Estonia, has played in 108 collegiate games, making 94 starts. Before transferring to Kentucky, he spent the 2023-24 season at West Virginia, where he averaged 11 points and 4.7 assists per game.

Prior to that, he spent three years at Arizona, leading the Pac-12 in assists per game in both 2021-22 and 2022-23. His ability to facilitate an offense and make plays for teammates has been a hallmark of his college career.

While Kriisa’s shooting percentages with Kentucky-27.9% from the field and 26.3% from three-were below expectations, he still played a meaningful role off the bench.

Before his injury against Gonzaga, he had an impactful performance with eight points, three rebounds, and four assists. His hustle and effort were evident, particularly when he rushed back on defense after a fall, a moment that resonated with fans.

Despite his injury, Kriisa has remained engaged with the team. His energy and leadership from the bench have been evident, as he continues to support teammates and contribute to the team dynamic in non-playing roles. His enthusiasm and vocal presence boost the Wildcats, even from the sidelines.

Looking ahead, Kriisa’s eligibility for a medical redshirt presents an opportunity for a return next season. Kentucky could benefit from his experience and playmaking ability if he chooses to utilize it. His potential return would also add valuable depth to the team’s guard rotation, helping Kentucky maintain a strong backcourt presence. For now, his focus will be on recovery, with the potential to make a stronger impact in the 2025-26 campaign.

If he returns at full strength, he could provide the Wildcats with a veteran presence capable of guiding the team through another competitive season.

Earlier in the season, the Indiana Hoosiers’ basketball program was struggling in a bad way. Due to those struggles, pressure was being put on head coach Mike Woodson to either step down or end up getting fired.

Woodson decided to announce that he would leave the program following the end of the 2024-25 season.

Since all of that happened, Indiana has started turning things around. At this point in time, the Hoosiers appear to be headed towards the NCAA Tournament.

Following the Hoosiers’ big win over the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday, Woodson spoke out and seemed to be regretting his decision to leave the program.

 

The Washington Commanders trusted Zach Ertz for veteran leadership and crucial catches at tight end. The NFC runner-ups looked set to lose him in NFL free agency. Washington will instead welcome him back.

The multiple Pro Bowl tight end Ertz agreed to a one-year deal, per NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero Saturday night. Pelissero added that Ertz’ deal is worth $6.25 million, plus will feature $9 million in incentives.

“Ertz made a big impact in Washington and now is headed back on a deal negotiated by Steve Caris of Wasserman NFL,” Pelissero posted on X. 

The veteran looked appealing for the upcoming free agency cycle. Ertz even looked strong for the Los Angeles Rams, who need TE help. Other contenders needing TE help looked appealing for Ertz. The Commanders still surfaced as a contender to bring back Ertz, though. Now he’ll run it back with Washington.

The Duke basketball program had only two national titles to its name the last time the ACC Coach of the Year trophy landed in Durham.

Zero 2024-25 Duke basketball rotation pieces are leftovers from Mike Krzyzewski’s reign. No, on his own with the help of his staff, Jon Scheyer has at one point reeled in each of the talents for his third season at the helm.

On Sunday night, ahead of ACC accolade announcements this week, Scheyer’s former Duke teammate and fellow 2010 national champion, sharpshooter Andre Dawkins, took to social media to argue just how clear it should be that there’s no one more deserving of the ACC Coach of the Year distinction:

Coach K won the award five times. That said, his last was 25 years ago, despite the fact that the program’s national championship count grew from two to five across his next 22 years in charge before handing the reins over to Scheyer.

The 37-year-old Jon Scheyer finished 27-9 in each of his first two campaigns as head coach of the Blue Devils.

So, counting his 28-3 record entering postseason action this go-round, he’s 82-21 overall (79.6 percent), needing only for Duke to extend its eight-game winning streak to 10 to boast an 80.0 career winning percentage.

Duke basketball, the conference’s outright regular season champ thanks to Saturday night’s 82-69 road win over archrival UNC, is now gearing up for an ACC Tournament quarterfinal clash against either No. 8 seed Georgia Tech or No. 9 seed Virginia in Charlotte’s Spectrum Center at noon ET Thursday (ESPN or ESPN2).

In a heartbreaking turn of events for the Arkansas Razorback football team, star defensive end Landon Jackson has been suspended indefinitely, leaving fans devastated and the team facing an uncertain future.

The suspension, announced earlier this week, has sent shockwaves through the Razorback community. Jackson, who has been a standout player since transferring to Arkansas, was expected to play a pivotal role in the team’s defense this season. His absence will certainly be felt on the field, where his remarkable skills and leadership have been a key part of the Razorbacks’ success.

Though the university has not disclosed the specific reason behind Jackson’s suspension, rumors have circulated that it involves a violation of team rules. Fans, however, are not focused on speculation. Instead, they are rallying behind their favorite player, holding out hope for his eventual return to the team. Social media has been flooded with messages of support, with hashtags like #WeWantHimBack trending in honor of the star.

“I just can’t believe this is happening,” said one heartbroken fan. “Landon’s been such a big part of this team’s identity. We need him back out there.”

With the Razorbacks facing a critical stretch in their season, the team now finds itself with a glaring hole in its defense. Whether or not Jackson will be able to return to the field remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: fans and teammates alike are hoping for a swift resolution, and the return of their superstar.

Kris Knoblauch, who led the Edmonton Oilers to a Stanley Cup Final appearance in the 2024–25 season, has announced his departure from the team. Knoblauch’s tenure began in November 2023, following the mid-season dismissal of Jay Woodcroft. Under Knoblauch’s leadership, the Oilers achieved a 46–18–5 record, securing a playoff berth and advancing to the Stanley Cup Final, where they narrowly lost to the Florida Panthers in a seven-game series.

Before joining the Oilers, Knoblauch served as head coach of the Hartford Wolf Pack, the New York Rangers’ AHL affiliate, from 2019 to 2023. His coaching career also includes successful stints with the Kootenay Ice and Erie Otters in the WHL and OHL, respectively, where he guided teams to multiple championships and earned Coach of the Year honors.

The Oilers organization has expressed gratitude for Knoblauch’s contributions and leadership during his tenure. A search for his successor will commence immediately, with the team aiming to build upon the progress made under Knoblauch’s guidance.

The Georgia Bulldogs football program is in turmoil as sophomore quarterback Gunner Stockton has been suspended indefinitely, leaving fans devastated and confused. The news broke early Sunday morning, sending shockwaves through the Bulldogs’ loyal fan base, who were already preparing for an intense offseason.

Stockton, a highly touted recruit, had been vying for the starting quarterback role after the departure of Stetson Bennett. His promising performances during the previous season and spring camp had made him a fan favorite, and many had high hopes for his future under center.

The reason for Stockton’s suspension remains undisclosed, and university officials have been tight-lipped regarding the specifics. Sources close to the team, however, suggest that the suspension could be related to a violation of team rules, though nothing has been confirmed at this time. The lack of clarity has only added to the frustration and worry among Georgia fans, who are left wondering if Stockton’s suspension will have long-term implications for the team’s 2025 season.

As the Bulldogs work to navigate this setback, questions loom over who will fill the void at quarterback. The team has other options, but none carry the same promise as Stockton, who was expected to lead the team into a new era.

In the meantime, fans have taken to social media, expressing their disappointment and hoping for a quick resolution to the situation. “We want him back,” many fans have posted in support of the young quarterback, showing just how much faith they had in his potential to lead Georgia to another national championship.

As the situation continues to unfold, Georgia fans will be watching closely, hoping for a positive outcome for both Stockton and the team.