Author: Gabby Har

The soon-to-be former Blue Devil is gathering high praise before he head to South Beach

Jai Lucas is popular among NBA circles and the soon-to-be former Duke basketball associate head coach has already landed two major endorsements after officially becoming the head coach of the Miami Hurricanes.

It had been reported for nearly two weeks that Lucas would be joining the Hurricanes next season, but it became official on Thursday when he signed his contract. Shortly after the deal was confirmed, LeBron James and Dwayne Wade took to social media tocongratulate the 36-year-old.

They are going to welcome you with open arms,” James said. “It’s all nothing but love down there, it’s all family.”

Lucas’ father, John Lucas II, was a head coach in the NBA for three different stints with the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, and Cleveland Cavaliers. He most recently spent time as an assistant coach for the Houston Rockets.

Jai Lucas has been steadily climbing up the assistant coaching ranks around the country and felt like a matter of time before he landed a head coach job but due to the transfer portal opening on March 24, he is leaving the Duke basketball program after the regular season finale and will not coach the team during the ACC or NCAA Tournaments – a major hit to its National Championship chances.

“You come from a heritage of great basketball minds,” Wade explained in his congratulation video.

Other NBA players like Anthony Edwards and Tristian Thompson also sent their congratulations to Lucas, as well as his former players at Duke Jared McCain and Dereck Lively.

“I’m sad to see you go, but there’s no one else who deserves it more than you, man,” the former Blue Devil said.

Lucas will coach his final game with Duke on Saturday night (6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) against North Carolina.

If Jai Lucas had his choice, he’d stay coaching with the No. 2 Duke Blue Devils as far as their upcoming NCAA Tournament run lasts.

His current boss, Jon Scheyer, said that’s not reality in the current college basketball world.

After Duke closes its regular season Saturday at North Carolina, Lucas will move on to become Miami’s head coach and leave behind the championship team he helped build.

“Jai wanted to stay,” Scheyer, Duke’s third-year head coach, said Thursday, three hours after Miami officially announced Lucas’ hire as their head coach. “This wasn’t a decision that Jai made. This is me and him working to get together.”

The 36-year-old Lucas came to Duke three years ago, the first assistant coaching hire Scheyer made after taking over the program following Mike Krzyzewski’s retirement.

Together Scheyer and Lucas helped build Duke (27-3, 18-1 ACC) into a team that’s already clinched a share of this season’s ACC regular-season championship and can claim it outright with a win Saturday at UNC.

But Miami’s dismal season will end Saturday with the Hurricanes (6-24, 2-17 ACC) in last place no matter how they fare against N.C. State in their noon game.

This is the first season not all league teams will qualify for the ACC Tournament as expansion to 18 schools led to the bottom three teams not qualifying. So Lucas has major work to do building his roster for next season beginning Sunday.

Plus, he’ll need to fill out a staff and start looking into transfer portal, where players will become available on March 24.

Scheyer repeated his opinion that this situation is “not ideal.” But it’s the way the sport is setup these days, so it left no other option. “This is one of those things where I think we can look at this and say it doesn’t make sense,” Scheyer said. “Our decision makes sense, but it comes from the timing, which it’s not ideal, frankly.

Even put aside hiring new coaches, the fact that the transfer portal will be open throughout the tournament. I understand why it is that way, but I think the focus should be on the tournament and the focus should be on the teams that are playing for something and have a chance.”

As for the Blue Devils, Lucas will coach with them in Chapel Hill on Saturday night then depart. That will leave Scheyer’s staff with associate head coach Chris Carrawell plus assistant coaches Emanuel Dildy and Will Avery.

Duke also has former Elon head coach Mike Schrage on staff in an administrative role as well as former Duke player Justin Robinson as director of player development.

So there’s plenty of knowledge. But to say Duke will be the same without Lucas would be unfair, Scheyer said. “I’m not going to sit here and say Jai’s not important to what we do,” Scheyer said. “Of course, he is. He’s smart. He’s great.

We have continuity. But really, at this point of the year, we’ve developed our identity already. So really, it comes down to the day to day preparation, the job with our players on the court. And that’s why you have a staff. That’s why it’s not just one guy.”

Bruce Pearl’s 2024-25 Auburn basketball team has gotten the deep-dive treatment. ESPN’s Myron Medcalf went to the Neville Arena to check out how Pearl’s No. 1 Tigers practice to make (nearly) perfect.

Medcalf described a scene that isn’t unfamiliar to most Auburn fans: a joking happy-go-lucky group before the whistle and a locked-in program once duty calls.

And perhaps most unsurprisingly of all is Chad Baker-Mazara’s role in it all.

“At first glance, an Auburn practice looks more like a middle school gym class on the last day before spring break. In mid-February, as the Tigers jogged around, Chad Baker-Mazara — the team’s resident class clown and temperamental star — poked teammates and giggled like a kid at the dinner table,” Medcalf relayed.

“The squad that has dominated the greatest SEC in conference history does not seem to take itself too seriously. But when Pearl blew his whistle, the laughing stopped and the No. 1 team in America began to compete with the same intensity that has overwhelmed a multitude of opponents.”

CBM, who will likely be returning to the program in 2025-26 with an extra year of eligibility granted due to the NCAA’s recent JUCO ruling, explained how the players agreed for it to be this way.

“That’s how we are. We goof around with each other at all times,” Baker-Mazara said. “I mean, this is outside the court. We goof around all the time. It is always playing around and joking around. But we made a pact this summer that whenever we come in here and [Pearl] says his first words, that’s it.”

Auburn cannot relent after the whistle blows in March Madness. A fourth straight exit before the second weekend even starts would be even more devastating considering AU’s regular season greatness.

Even if reports say practice is intense, there will be an underlying worry until the Tigers start streaking during the Big Dance.

PARADISE ISLAND, The Bahamas – Sophomore guard Gabe Cupps has returned to practice, at least in limited action, after missing Indiana’s past two games. Whether Cupps is available for this week’s games in the Battle 4 Atlantis remains to be seen.

IU coach Mike Woodson, speaking with reporters after the Hoosiers’ practice Tuesday here in The Bahamas, said Cupps has “practice a little bit” in recent days following an undisclosed injury. Redshirt freshman guard Jakai Newton remains benched by a hamstring problem.

“I don’t know,” Woodson said, when asked if either player might be available this week. “Gabe has practiced a little bit. Jakai is still slow coming back, I don’t know if he’ll dress or play tomorrow. Gabe hasn’t had a lot of practice time under his belt since he went down.”

Newton’s road back to full health has been littered with obstacles, after a knee problem cost him all of last season. The Atlanta-area native saw limited action in the preseason, and in the Hoosiers’ Nov. 10 win against Eastern Illinois. He played eight minutes in that game, scoring two points, pulling down two rebounds and logging a steal.

But Newton has missed the past two games dealing with that hamstring problem, with his status for this week also potentially in doubt.

The latest Indiana Hoosiers news from IndyStar IU Insider Zach Osterman. Covering all things crimson on the court.

Per Woodson’s assessment Tuesday, Cupps could be closer to a return. The sophomore from Ohio has been a valuable ball-handler/defender from the bench early in this season, after seeing substantial action last winter as a freshman.

Whether the Hoosiers can call on Cupps this week in Atlantis remains to be seen. With the sheer physical demands of three games in three days, Woodson will hope to have as many hands on deck as possible.

“We’ll just see, you know? If Gabe tells me he can play, if he’s ready to play, then if I find minutes for him, I’ll throw him in there,” Woodson said. “But right now, I don’t know the rotations in terms of who’s gonna play, who’s not gonna play. If you’re in uniform, you’ve just got to be ready to play when called upon.”

In an emotional farewell to Indiana Hoosiers basketball fans, Gabe Cupps took to social media to announce his decision to part ways with the team. The freshman guard, who joined the Hoosiers with high hopes, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent the storied program, thanking the coaches, staff, and loyal fans for their support throughout his time at Indiana.

Cupps, a highly regarded prospect coming out of high school, had hopes of making an immediate impact on the court for Indiana. However, after careful consideration, the player announced that he would be leaving the program, citing personal reasons and the desire to explore new opportunities in his basketball career.

In his heartfelt post, Cupps reflected on the memories made during his brief tenure with the Hoosiers, acknowledging the challenging moments as well as the growth he experienced both on and off the court. The decision was undoubtedly difficult, as Cupps had built strong relationships with teammates and coaches. Yet, he emphasized that this decision was the best step forward for his future.

Fans of Indiana basketball responded with messages of appreciation and support, understanding the tough choice Cupps had to make. His departure marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another in his basketball journey.

Indiana’s coaching staff, led by Mike Woodson, has yet to comment on Cupps’ departure, but the team will now look ahead to filling the gap left by his exit. Fans are hopeful that the Hoosiers will continue to build on their recent successes despite the loss of the talented freshman guard.

Kerr Kriisa, the standout guard for the University of Arizona basketball team, faces potential sanctions from the NCAA following his recent declaration for the 2025 NBA Draft. The NCAA has launched an investigation into Kriisa’s eligibility, which may jeopardize his college career.

Sources close to the NCAA have revealed that the governing body is scrutinizing Kriisa’s decision to enter the NBA draft after declaring for it while still enrolled in school. Typically, student-athletes are allowed to declare for the draft while maintaining eligibility if they do not hire agents or sign contracts. However, in this case, the NCAA is concerned that Kriisa’s actions may be in violation of their rules regarding the amateurism of college athletes.

Kriisa’s situation is made even more complex by the timing of his decision. With the 2025 NBA Draft looming, the NCAA is reportedly reviewing whether Kriisa received financial or other benefits during the evaluation process, which could lead to severe consequences, including potential suspension or permanent loss of eligibility.

In a statement, the NCAA confirmed that they are “actively reviewing the situation” but refused to comment further. Meanwhile, Kriisa’s legal team is reportedly working to address the NCAA’s concerns.

The Arizona Wildcats, who rely heavily on Kriisa’s talents, are now facing uncertainty about the future of their star player. His team and fans are anxiously awaiting further developments as Kriisa’s eligibility remains in question.

As the situation unfolds, it could set a precedent for how the NCAA handles similar cases involving high-profile players who are caught between the worlds of college athletics and the NBA.

The Ohio State football team’s defensive line coach addressed his future.

The Ohio State football program has had Larry Johnson as their defensive line coach for over a decade now. He’s the only coach on staff (besides Mickey Marotti) who was on staff when the Buckeyes won the national championship in 2014. He’s now won two national titles with the Bucks.

There have been rumors swirling that Johnson still hasn’t decided whether or not he is going to coach this year. Rumors were swirling that if he did come back for this season, it would be his final season. Johnson is someone who has been great at what he does for a while.

Friday morning was the first time that the coaches have been heard from since winning the national championship. Johnson was asked about his future with the team. His answer will make one segment of the Buckeye fanbase happy and one sgement very unhappy.

Johnson doesn’t seem ready to hang it up anytime soon. In fact, he gave an interesting answer when asked about his future with the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Johnson seems like he is going to coach for as long as he can. It might take Ryan Day telling him to go away for him to finally retire. Will that happen next year? It’s unclear. What is clear is that he will be coaching for the Buckeyes this season. He’s still in charge of the defensive line.

A large part of his future could come down to how well he gets along with new defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. If he gets along with Patricia, he might try to stay even longer than just a year. If he doesn’t, this will likely be the last year that he coaches.

At some point, the Buckeyes are going to need a succession plan. They have to get someone who is younger and won’t be negatively recruited by other programs for his age. It’s honestly a bit surprising that he didn’t want to go out on top after winning a national championship.

University of Oklahoma punter Michael Turk made the final home game of his college career a memorable one. Not only did the Sooners get a 28-13 victory over rival Oklahoma State on Saturday, but Turk also left Oklahoma Memorial Stadium with a fiancée.

Before every game, Turk gets a card with a Bible verse on it from girlfriend Grace Lyons, an All-American shortstop on Oklahoma’s national championship softball team. Turk decided to propose by writing on the back of Saturday’s card.

After punting the ball 11 times and averaging 49.0 yards per punt, he raced back into the locker room to grab the ring. He then gathered some of his teammates and popped the question.

Turk documented the entire day in a video for his popular YouTube channel.

In his Instagram post celebrating the engagement, Turk gave thanks to God for bringing Lyons into his life.

“I got to propose to the love of my life after the game against Oklahoma State last night,” he wrote. “I knew she was the one for me very early on… and I’m so thankful the Lord brought us together at this time.”

He ended the post with Proverbs 19:14, which reads, “Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.”

Lyons also posted on Instagram after the proposal and included Romans 8:28 in her caption. The post celebrated the way Lyons sees God through Turk.

“Michael Turk is an answered prayer,” she wrote. “He leads me and he loves me so genuinely. And he reminds me of God’s goodness and mercy every single day. There are too many things to explain how the Lord has led each of our steps to this point. I’m simply thankful!”

Turk is in his second season at Oklahoma after transferring from Arizona State. He declared for the 2020 NFL Draft and was granted a waiver to return to college when he went undrafted.

During his preparation for the NFL draft, Turk joined the Sports Spectrum Podcast to talk about his punting journey and the role faith plays in his life.

“It’s about glorifying Him, preaching the Gospel and then just whatever avenue we are — whether you’re a punter or a teacher or whatever you’re doing — doing it for His glory and allowing Him to use that for His purposes,” he said on the podcast.

Lyons, meanwhile, is a two-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American who hit .401 with 23 home runs and 70 RBIs last season as the Sooners repeated as national champions.

She is also the founder of The Player’s Conference, an organization that helps build community among Christians in college softball and baseball. Lyons shared about the inspiration behind The Player’s Conference on the Sports Spectrum Podcast in August.

Knowing that she is a child of God before anything else has helped keep Lyons grounded during all the success she’s experienced.

Turk will play his final regular-season game at Texas Tech on Saturday, while Lyons is preparing for her final season at Oklahoma this spring.

Bobby Plump -– the real-life Jimmy Chitwood –- said Gene Hackman deserves as much credit as anyone for taking his small-town Hoosier state basketball story beyond Indiana to the rest of the world.

Hackman’s dazzling acting career stands out for sports fans for a single reason: His unforgettable role as Hickory Huskers coach Norman Dale in “Hoosiers,” the 1986 movie loosely based on tiny Milan’s run to the 1954 Indiana state title.

Plump was the star of that Milan team. He said Hackman and the late Dennis Hopper, who played the role of Wilbur “Shooter” Flatch, are two of the main reasons people still want to talk to him when they visit Plump’s Last Shot, his Indianapolis sports bar. A day after Hackman was found dead at the age of 95 in his New Mexico home, Plump reflected on the late star and the “Hoosiers” phenomenon.

“How important was his role? I think it was the key to the whole thing — he and Dennis,” said Plump, now 88. “It came out so well, basically because those two were just excellent.”

In it, Francis thanked the people for their prayers. But his voice was barely discernible through his labored breaths and he spoke in his native Spanish, not Italian.

“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the square, I accompany you from here,” he said to the hushed square. “May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you.”

Indiana had a golden opportunity to solidify their spot in the NCAA Tournament on Tuesday night, but instead, another late-game collapse left them in limbo.

The Indiana Hoosiers looked like the team fans saw throughout the season that had them calling for Mike Woodson to be fired. The team Indiana put on the court on Tuesday night vs. Oregon looked like the team that “forced” Woodson to say he was going to step down at the end of the season. The team that lost 73-64 to Oregon Tuesday night is not the team that should show up to the Big Ten Tournament or the NCAA Tournament if they are lucky enough to get in.

The Hoosiers played a close game with Oregon throughout the majority of the game, staying within one or two possessions, either behind or with a lead. However, in the final two minutes of the game, after taking a one-point lead on a Trey Galloway three-pointer, Indiana basically gave the game away and didn’t even score another basket.

For a team that is fighting and clawing to get into the NCAA Tournament, not scoring a single point in the final two minutes of a game is a problem, one Indiana knows all too well this season. This is not the first time Indiana has had a late-game collapse that cost them the win before. This happened in their first matchup against Purdue, again vs. Northwestern, as well as Maryland, Michigan, and UCLA.

This is something that has plagued Indiana all season long, and if they aren’t careful, it could be the reason they don’t make the NCAA Tournament. Now, thanks to some high-quality wins in their past six games, Indiana still sits in a good spot based on tournament projections, right now projected as an 11-seed, but they are right on the cusp of having to be in the play-in bracket.

The team right behind them is the team that they face in their regular season finale on Saturday, The Hoosiers will take on Ohio State on Saturday, March 8, at 3:34 p.m. EST on CBS. Indiana has to win this game in order to solidify their spot in the tournament. As said in an earlier story, Indiana can afford to go 1-1 in their final two games, well they have that one loss and have to get a win against the Buckeyes.

Playing a full game will be crucial for the Hoosiers against Ohio State, they have to stay out of foul trouble, and they have to hit their free throws, something they didn’t do against Oregon, going just 3-for-7 on. The buckets will start to fall, but defensively, Indiana just needs to get stops and have good shot selections.