Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (15-8, 6-4 CUSA) at Kennesaw State Owls (14-9, 6-4 CUSA) Kennesaw, Georgia; Saturday, 5 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Kennesaw State faces Middle Tennessee after Simeon Cottle scored 30 points in Kennesaw State's 76-69 victory over the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. The Owls have gone 11-1 at home.
Kelly and Charleston Southern host Gardner-Webb
Charleston Southern Buccaneers (8-17, 4-6 Big South) at Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs (9-14, 4-6 Big South) Boiling Springs, North Carolina; Saturday, 2 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Charleston Southern visits Gardner-Webb after Taje' Kelly scored 27 points in Charleston Southern's 83-65 loss to the Winthrop Eagles. The Runnin' Bulldogs are 5-3 on their home court.
Miles and North Florida host FGCU
Florida Gulf Coast Eagles (13-11, 8-3 ASUN) at North Florida Ospreys (13-11, 6-5 ASUN) Jacksonville, Florida; Saturday, 5 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: North Florida faces FGCU after Jasai Miles scored 22 points in North Florida's 95-88 win over the Bellarmine Knights. The Ospreys are 7-4 in home games.
Murray State visits Valparaiso following Wright’s 32-point game
Murray State Racers (11-13, 5-8 MVC) at Valparaiso Beacons (10-14, 3-10 MVC) Valparaiso, Indiana; Saturday, 4 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Valparaiso takes on Murray State after All Wright scored 32 points in Valparaiso's 80-62 loss to the Indiana State Sycamores. The Beacons have gone 8-5 in home games.
Drexel hosts UNC Wilmington following Newby’s 20-point game
UNC Wilmington Seahawks (19-5, 9-2 CAA) at Drexel Dragons (13-11, 5-6 CAA) Philadelphia; Saturday, 2 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: UNC Wilmington plays Drexel after Donovan Newby scored 20 points in UNC Wilmington's 77-67 victory over the Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens. The Dragons have gone 5-4 in home games.
Longwood hosts Moss and Radford
Longwood is 3-0 in games decided by less than 4 points. The Highlanders are 5-5 in conference matchups. Radford has a 1-2 record in games decided by less than 4 points.
McNeese puts home win streak on the line against Northwestern State
Northwestern State Demons (11-12, 7-5 Southland) at McNeese Cowboys (17-6, 11-1 Southland) Lake Charles, Louisiana; Saturday, 5 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: McNeese will try to keep its seven-game home win streak alive when the Cowboys play Northwestern State. The Cowboys are 9-1 in home games.
Mercer hosts Wofford following Tripp’s 20-point showing
The Bears have gone 6-3 in home games. Mercer ranks ninth in the SoCon at limiting opponent scoring, allowing 76.3 points while holding opponents to 42.6% shooting. The Terriers have gone 6-5 against SoCon opponents.
Ball State Cardinals to host Southern Miss Golden Eagles Saturday
Southern Miss Golden Eagles (10-14, 5-7 Sun Belt) at Ball State Cardinals (10-12, 4-6 MAC) Muncie, Indiana; Saturday, 2 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Southern Miss travels to Ball State for a Division 1 Division matchup Saturday. The Cardinals are 4-5 on their home court.
Bashir, Monmouth Hawks take on the Towson Tigers
Monmouth is sixth in the CAA with 9.4 offensive rebounds per game led by Cornelius Robinson Jr. averaging 2.0. The Tigers have gone 10-1 against CAA opponents. Towson ranks fifth in the CAA with 33.0 rebounds per game led by Mekhi Lowery averaging 5.4.
Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Pickups before the 4 Nations Face-Off
Fantasy hockey analyst Evan Berofsky recommends players with multiple games before the 4 Nations Face-Off starts, including Utah forward Nick Schmaltz, who should post sufficient stats as a lead player in all attacking situations.
Sports quiz of the week: Six Nations, stadiums, Simona Halep and speed
Have you been paying attention to the big (and small) stories in football, rugby, cricket, tennis, boxing and NFL?
Continue reading...Stalling England seek to step on the gas with Smith shuffle against France | Robert Kitson
Be bold and back yourself will certainly be the theme of Steve Borthwick’s paddock pep talk at Twickenham
A flash red Ferrari was parked directly outside England’s team hotel shortly before Steve Borthwick unveiled his lineup to face France. It was tempting to see it as a symbol of everything the home side would love their reshuffled weekend team to be: fast, striking and a far cry from the battered Skoda they have metaphorically been driving around this season.
In tossing the playmaking keys to Northampton’s precocious Fin Smith, with Marcus Smith shunted into the role of keen-eyed back seat driver, that is essentially the ambition this week. Up the pace, keep the accelerator down for longer than they did in Dublin last Saturday and see where it takes them. Both on paper and in the car park the superficial appeal is obvious.
Continue reading...Nate Tice & Gerald McCoy’s Chiefs vs. Eagles Super Bowl LIX Breakdown
Jason Fitz, Gerald McCoy and Nate Tice break down Super Bowl LIX in a special crossover podcast.
Butler’s arrival gives achy, fatigued Steph vital shot of support
The Golden State Warriors' addition of Jimmy Butler gives an achy and fatigued Steph Curry a vital shot of support, Monte Poole writes.