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Basketball School Notre Dame In Position For ACC Title Run, High Tournament Seed

By
Matt Schoch
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Steve Vasturia had another big game for the Notre Dame basketball team.

The Notre Dame basketball team is trying to build up all the goodwill that the football team lost this fall.

The No. 24 Fighting Irish picked up a 77-70 victory against No. 9 Louisville on Wednesday night, moving to 2-0 on the young Atlantic Coast Conference season.

This win came three days after Steve Vasturia’s late 3-pointer in overtime knocked off Pittsburgh in the ACC opener.

Vasturia was the star again on Wednesday, scoring a career-high 24 points to beat Rick Pitino and the Irish.

With Coach K out at Duke for awhile, the ACC suddenly seems a little more winnable than usual. At 2-0, coach Mike Brey’s team joins Florida State as the only teams still unbeaten in the 15-team ACC, if you can believe that.

The Irish have a chance once again do something Illinois teams have failed to do, and that’s to make noise in the NCAA Tournament.

It’s a team that’s easy to like, and is doing the things you need to do to win tight basketball games in March.

https://twitter.com/DeanHuppertWSBT/status/816873614515597312

With experienced players like Vasturia, Matt Farrell, Bonzie Colson and V.J. Beachem, it has the makings of one of Brey’s best teams, and he’s been a pretty underrated coach, reaching the Elite 8 in each of the last two seasons and the NCAAs in eight of the last 10.

Maybe this is his year to take it even further.

With football season done and gone in these parts, here’s a local team you should be following.

Ryan Pace Drops Huge Hint About Bears 2017 Draft Plans

By
Erik Lambert
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ryan pace

Ryan Pace doesn’t talk to the media much, but when he does he certainly doesn’t lack a way with words. The Chicago Bears GM didn’t try to hide his dissatisfaction with the way the 2016 season went for his team. He repeatedly described the 3-13 finish using the word “unacceptable.” He also wasn’t bashful in his confidence that it would not happen again moving forward.

When asked to describe what went wrong, Pace could’ve easily leaned on a number of excuses. Chief among them being the loss of 19 players to Injured Reserve, not counting the many others who missed time with various ailments. To say nothing of the two additional suspensions of Alshon Jeffery and Jerrell Freeman.

Pace however refused to hide behind that.

“I’ve been thinking about that constantly. It was a significant thing for us. I think the wrong thing to do is for me to put our heads in the sand and say, ‘Oh, man, it was bad luck. Maybe better luck next year.’ We’re not going to do that.”

Above all the question centered around what he planned to do going forward. Pace was adamant about his excitement for the coming off-season. Not only would the Bears have a healthy amount of salary cap space, but also high draft position. That means they could be aggressive in order to improve the roster.

Nowhere more so than the quarterback position.

ESPN Reveals The Deadline Of Any Potential Jose Quintana Trade

By
Dan Fappiano
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Jose Quintana has seemed likely to be moved for most of the offseason. He has multiple suitors and is one of the most coveted pitchers on the trade market.

Quintana has appeared in 154 games and 951 innings in his five years in the MLB, all with the White Sox. He holds a career 46-46 record with a 3.41 ERA and a 781/244 K/BB ratio. He was voted to his first All Star game in 2016.

Quintana is also on an extremely team-friendly contract. He is making just $7 million in 2017 and is under team control until 2020.

The Astros, Pirates and Yankees have been the teams most involved on Quintana. All three are in need of frontline starting pitching and have the prospects needed to get a deal done.

But while there has been continued interest, there has been no sign that a deal is close. It seems like every day there is a new rumor on Quintana, but no real answers at his potential landing spot or trade package.

Since there has been no real traction on a deal, some have suggested that the White Sox could wait until midseason to trade their star pitcher. However a new report states that the White Sox plan on moving Quintana much, much earlier.

Buster Olney of ESPN recently wrote an article discussing some of the rumors surrounding the MLB. When Olney wrote on Quintana, he had this to say:

The Chicago White Sox could wait until after the start of spring training or even into next season to trade Jose Quintana, the best available starting pitcher. But evaluators with knowledge of the Quintana discussions say the White Sox seem intent on finishing a deal before camps open. The Pittsburgh Pirates could be the frontrunners for the left-hander, whose modest salary through the 2020 season make him perfect for Pittsburgh’s budget.

Pitchers and catchers report on February 14th with the entire team reporting on February 18th. It appears as if Rick Hahn wants to have a deal done by the 18th at the latest.

If that truly is the case then fans should expect to see more and more rumors as that date hits. The White Sox have likely seen what kinds of offers they will receive for Quintana, and are decided which one best helps their franchise.

However the White Sox must make sure they aren’t trading just to trade. While they have a deadline set, they shouldn’t trade Quintana for a worse package just to hit that deadline.

The White Sox need to be able to find the best value they can for their best trade asset. Realistically, they should see a package similar to that of Chris Sale. If Hahn does not get that offer, then there is no point in trading Quintana for pennies on the dollar.

If nothing else, now that the Sox deadline has been made public, acquiring teams know that they have to get serious with their offers. If they truly want Quintana, they’re going to have to offer a prospect package that intrigues the White Sox. With a little over a month until the potential deadline, teams must decide if acquiring Quintana is the best move for their team.

Quintana is still likely to be moved. He is the best player on the trade market and is sure to see a large prospect haul. Opposing teams now know that the White Sox want to move him before Spring Training.

It all comes down to which team is going to pony up and trade for the White Sox best pitcher, Jose Quintana.

 

Feel free to continue the conversation on Twitter: @DFappiano14

Rajon Rondo Didn’t Get Clear Message From Gar Forman & John Paxson

By
Matt Peck
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latest win proves bulls still no idea

Here’s a comforting thought, Bulls fans: if you’re confused about the direction of this team and the plans of front office wonks Gar Forman and John Paxson, you’re not alone. Apparently their $14 million point guard is confused too. And that’s even after he got some face time with the pair.

Still Confused

Rajon Rondo spoke to the media during Wednesday morning’s shootaround; the first time he’s spoken publicly since having a meeting with Forman and Paxson last Saturday night. For the proud veteran who suddenly finds himself out of coach Fred Hoiberg’s rotation, the hope was to gain a clearer understanding of what the next steps will be.

Surprise, surprise. GarPax failed to make the picture any clearer for Rondo.

“It went OK. It really wasn’t a clear-cut message [from Forman and Paxson]. We’ll talk again.” – Rajon Rondo

Sound frustratingly familiar, Bulls fans? Yeah. It sounds like the rantings of the group of pessimists (including yours truly) who called out GarPax for signing Rondo and fellow aging veteran Dwyane Wade last summer after they told fans the plan was to get “younger and more athletic.” Quit contradicting yourselves, for cryin’ out loud! Is it a “rebuild”? What’s a “retool”? What the hell is going on with this team?

Rondo has made it clear that he wants a trade if Hoiberg continues to bench him. When asked if GarPax said they’d be willing to help him find a new team, Rondo forwarded that question to his agent.

“I’m leaving that talk for my agent [Bill Duffy] and for them guys [Forman and Paxson] to talk.” – Rajon Rondo

What Happens Now

The reality is that John Paxson is the one pushing for the youth movement. He said in a Christmas Day interview with 670 The Score that he wants to see the kids on this roster get more minutes. Shortly after that interview, Rondo was benched in favor of Michael Carter-Williams and Jerian Grant has played the backup minutes at point guard. Even on Monday night when Dwyane Wade was unavailable (old knees), rookie guard Denzel Valentine leapfrogged Rondo in the rotation.

Now that Valentine is out again with a re-sprained left ankle, will Rondo see any minutes tonight against the Cleveland Cavaliers? Wade is a gametime decision with his swollen left knee. If he also sits, will the mostly ineffective Isaiah Canaan get another shot before Rondo sees the floor?

I guess we’ll have to wait and see. Just like Rondo has to wait and see what GarPax will do regarding his future with the team. Despite the popular notion that he’s a cancer in the locker room and can’t get along with his coaches, we’ve heard nothing but glowing reviews about Rajon’s leadership and professionalism since he arrived in Chicago. Part of me feels bad for the guy. He learned something last weekend that Bulls fans have known for years now: when it comes to GarPax, you can never be too sure just what the hell it is they’re thinking.

ESPN Insiders Believe Bulls & Rajon Rondo Will Agree To Buyout

By
Matt Peck
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espn insiders believe bulls rajon rondo agree buyout
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 22: Rajon Rondo #9 and Dwyane Wade #3 of the Chicago Bulls reacts to a play against the Denver Nuggets during the game on November 22, 2016 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Bulls are such a dysfunctional mess that every talking head around the NBA wants to give their two cents. ESPN joined in on the fun this morning with a Q&A round-table panel of their league insiders. The biggest storyline and pressing issue for Chicago right now is what they plan to do with recently benched veteran point guard Rajon Rondo. With team VP John Paxson trying to get more minutes for the younger players and Rondo struggling to run Fred Hoiberg’s offense, the $14 million free agent acquisition is looking like a completely busted experiment. And he’s made it publicly known that he wants to be traded if the benching continues.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear at first glance that there would be many teams interested in trading for the former Celtics champion before the NBA’s trade deadline next month. Rondo’s well past his prime, his numbers are way down this season and he’s a behavioral risk. If Paxson and GM Gar Forman found a suitor willing to take Rajon, they’d almost certainly have to include another piece (young player or draft pick) in the package. So how do the Bulls undo this mistake of a signing without losing any assets?

ESPN’s panel of insiders all seem to agree on the most logical option for Rondo and the Bulls:

a buyout.

Amicable Divorce

Here’s what each insider had to say when posed with the question of “Will Rajon Rondo still be on the Bulls roster after the trade deadline?”

If he is, only until a buyout is completed shortly thereafter. While Rondo has handled his benching with professionalism thus far, I don’t think it makes sense for either side for him to stay on the roster. And at this point, I’m not sure who would be interested in trading for Rondo, so I think a buyout is the most likely outcome. – KEVIN PELTON

The Bulls would be extremely happy if someone took Rondo off their hands. Problem is, it’s unlikely anyone wants a player suspended for “detrimental conduct” by two of his last three teams. I’m one of many who expect Rondo’s next destination to be China. – JEREMIAS ENGELMANN

Very little chance. The Bulls have younger options that need the court time at that position, and they need to give poor Fred Hoiberg a break. I can’t see another team giving up anything for Rondo, or even wanting him, so a buyout seems the most likely outcome — if Reinsdorf is willing to eat the money. – BRADFORD DOOLITTLE

No. I think Rondo and the Bulls will come to some sort of buyout. He still wants to play and the Bulls want to go in a younger direction. The Bulls rolled the dice and signed him. It didn’t work. Now it’s better for all involved if both parties make the divorce amicable. – NICK FRIEDELL

There you have it. Buyout, buyout, buyout, with an option on Rondo’s NBA career ending and going to China to continue playing. Nobody believes the Bulls will find a suitor for him, and there are plenty of reasons to support that theory. It will end up costing the Bulls some dough, but that’s a small price to pay for proactively fixing a mistake rather than letting it linger.

Still Professional

Despite this unfortunate situation, Rondo is being praised by his coach and teammates alike for the professional way he’s handled the benching. K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune proved as much in recent days.

Everyone’s being professional and sensitive. Great. But the final and most important piece of this gross puzzle is unchanged: if Rondo keeps sitting, he wants out. The general consensus appears to be that a buyout is necessary for that to happen.

Blackhawks Toews Line Gets A Return And A Recall

By
Marc-Louis Paprzyca
-

Coach Quenneville is never against changing the lineup when the Chicago Blackhawks are struggling. The organization has been trying to find scoring from younger players like Nick Schmaltz, Tanner Kero and Tyler Motte, with little success. As a result, they made a somewhat unexpected move as well as an expected one.

The Blackhawks recalled Spencer Abbott from Rockford while sending Motte back and will activate Marian Hossa. In practice, Hossa took his normal spot on Jonathan Toews’ right wing while Abbott was put on the left.

The 28 year old minor league journeyman is receiving quite the opportunity to play with two future Hall of Famers. Abbott has earned a chance as he has  proven he can score. He is currently tied for the team lead in points with the Rockford Ice Hogs but has only 5 minutes of NHL ice time. Those minutes came in October of 2013 with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Before practice he had this to say, “I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do. I can’t change anything. I’m an offensive guy, and I have to try to create scoring chances, shift in and shift out.”

While Abbott will be playing with the top line, we have to believe Abbott is playing on borrowed time. The organization is still taking looks at the much younger Schmaltz and Motte. Trade rumors are also swirling about the Blackhawks looking to acquire an established scorer before the trade deadline on February 28th.

Chicago Bears Announce The Fates of Dowell Loggains and Vic Fangio

By
Erik Lambert
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dowell loggains and vic fangio

For the first time since September of 2016, the Chicago Bears brass of John Fox and Ryan Pace stepped to the microphones to talk with the media. It was their end-of-season press conference they would endure the challenge of trying to explain how they would pick up the pieces from a year where the Bears endured their worst record in a 16-game schedule ever (3-13).

The questions came in a flurry and covered a wide range of topics. Alshon Jeffery and his suspension. Kevin White and recovery from another left injury. The injury situation across the rest of the roster that continues to play havoc with their ability to win games. What their plans are with such a high amount of cap space and high choice in the upcoming draft.

It was a lot to get through. However, Bears fans have lingered over one question in particular regarding the organization. That being the fate of the coaching staff. It’s already been made clear Fox is safe, but the same couldn’t be said for his assistant. Specifically the two coordinators. At last an answer was provided.

Justin Timberlake Is Draining Halfcourt Shots At The Staples Center

By
Matt Peck
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justin timberlake draining halfcourt shots staples center

Justin Timberlake is a man of many talents. He can sing, he can dance, apparently he’s an actor now too.

Go ahead and add “Steph Curry-like range” to his resume. The former *NSYNC frontman and global music icon was hanging out at the Staples Center in Los Angeles earlier today, shooting hoops with some friends. There’s no video evidence of his post up game, but holy cow can he shoot from deep.

Timberlake takes aim from the Lakers logo at midcourt and…wow.

Once could be a fluke, but he drains from halfcourt twice!

Timberlake is known to be an avid hoops fan, and is even a part owner of his hometown Memphis Grizzlies. He has also displayed his talents on an NBA court once before. He played in the 2003 NBA All Star Celebrity Game, surprising the audience with his impressive ballhandling and a decent jump shot.

But these half court heaves take the cake. Say, Justin, are you taking a break from the recording studio? Because the Bulls sure could use your deep ball accuracy this season. That might be a conflict of interests with his Grizzlies ownership, but I’m sure GarPax could find a loophole.

Chicago Bears Reveal Why John Fox Was NOT Fired

By
Sports Mockery
-

The Chicago Bears held their season-ending press conference today at Halas Hall to answer a variety of questions about the current state, and future, of the franchise. The interview was led by general manager Ryan Pace and head coach John Fox.

This was somewhat of surprise considering a lot of people expected Fox to be fired at the end of the season. Hub Arkish, a local Bears beat reporter, repetitively cited a possible rift between Pace and Fox over team control. Arkish has reported that Fox wasn’t Pace’s first choice for head coach, therefore a termination was possible after the last two years.

When addressing questions from the media today, Pace set the story straight. After a very poor 9-23 start, Fox’s record doesn’t appear to be what Pace is fully judging him on. Even though he did say this season was “unacceptable, ” Pace had a lot of good things to say about Fox and revealed exactly why he is being brought back.

RUMOR: White Sox Showing Interest In Former All Star Shortstop

By
Dan Fappiano
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The White Sox are reportedly showing interest in this former All Star short stop. (Photo courtesy of Fox Sports)

Tim Anderson is going to be the White Sox shortstop for a very long time. In the White Sox rebuild Anderson is one of the few players who is untouchable.

But beyond Anderson the White Sox middle infield depth is one of their weak points. The team has Brett Lawrie as their starting second baseman with Tyler Saladino and Carlos Sanchez as backups.

Saladino and Sanchez have been serviceable at best during their time in the league. They are nothing more than mediocre backups and will unlikely be with the team when they’re ready for their playoff push.

The 2016-17 offseason has been focused on acquiring prospects to add to their growing farm system. Perhaps the White Sox could look to add a veteran free agent shortstop in hopes that he proves his worth on a short term contract. If so, he could turn into another trade piece for the South Siders.

However the shortstop position is quite weak in this year’s free agent class. If Rick Hahn is looking to add a shortstop it seems likely that he will be with the team for the long haul.

Regardless of the White Sox plans at shortstop, it is clear that the team has a preference at the position.

According to Gerald Hernandez of Spanish sports website La Prensa, the White Sox have shown interest in former All Star shortstop Everth Cabrera.

Hernandez wrote that the MLB veteran is hoping that a team gives him another chance in the league. In response, Cabrera said:

“I hope it’s what God wants. I would like an invitation to spring training. There are possibilities with Washington and the White Sox. They are interested and my lawyer is handling that.”

Cabrera spent seven seasons in the MLB with the Padres and most recently the Orioles. He was out of the league in 2017. He has appeared in 510 major league games.

Cabrera has a career .246 batting average with a 12 homeruns, 132 RBIs and 138 stolen bases. He was named to the 2013 All Star Game. Cabrera also had the third most stolen bases in 2012 with 44.

Cabrera hasn’t seen his name in many, if any rumors this offseason. After not spending 2016 in the MLB, he has become an afterthought to major league teams. At 30 years old teams may want to take a chance on their younger players rather than taking a chance on Cabrera.

However as the White Sox rebuild, they are in a position to take a chance on a guy like Cabrera. If he could find his 2012-2013 form, he could either be a vital piece of the team or a vital trade piece.

He provides a veteran shortstop behind youngster Tim Anderson. He would likely need to get some seasoning in the minors, but he could end up being better than Saladino and Sanchez.

While Cabrera would add a potential speed threat to the bench, there are some negatives. For one, he was suspended for PEDS during his time in the MLB. More worrisome, in 2015 Cabrera appeared in 29 games with the Orioles. In those games he hit just .208 with four RBIs and two stolen bases. There’s a chance that Cabrera just doesn’t have it anymore.

Overall Cabrera would be an interesting addition by the White Sox. He hasn’t heard his name called this offseason and would be an under-the-radar signing.

Middle infield wasn’t expect to be a big part of the White Sox offseason, especially in free agency. Yet it appears that the White Sox have their eyes set on Everth Cabrera and the All Star shortstop could be on the move to the South Side in 2017.

 

Feel free to continue the conversation on Twitter: @DFappiano14

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