Every NIT alum in action.
Off the Lake: The Cubs Need to Sweep the Angels. Here’s the Math.
Anything less than a sweep this weekend and the Cubs’ playoff chances are probably over. Also: Luis Robert Jr.’s gaffe, Angel Reese is an all-star, the Zach LaVine spat, and Cooper Rush as a possible Bear.
Joe’s Notes: What the Lakers Are Doing
The Lakers aren’t trying to win right now. They didn’t leave that as a choice.
Stu’s Notes: America Needs to Stop Caring About (Men’s) Soccer
We can care and win, or we can abstain and lose. At this point, the choice has been made.
Joe’s Notes: The Splash Brothers Showed How Millennial Athletes Can Thread the Needle
Klay Thompson and Steph Curry managed to be both competitive and cool.
Off the Lake: The Cubs Keep Losing Numbers Games
In catcher’s interference as in life. Also: Zach LaVine is not worth a first-round pick (it’s worse than it sounds).
Stu’s Notes: Will Chris Paul Ruin Wemby’s Vibes?
Have faith in San Antonio. Also: A rogue escalator, and Zach Edey might defect.
Joe’s Notes: Five World Series Contenders and the 25 Others, Entering the MLB Second Half
Categorizing baseball’s best (and worst) teams with the stretch run in sight.
Off the Lake: How Bad Are the Cubs’ Playoff Chances?
They’re bad, but *how* bad? Also: Matas Buzelis, Connor Bedard, a little Sky, and a little Sox.
Stu’s Notes: How Did College Basketball Fans Not Notice Kyle Filipowski’s Girlfriend?
A disappointing performance by the lifeblood of the sport.
Joe’s Notes: Who Are Baseball’s Biggest Stars?
Objectifying the subjective, as much as one can. Then: Rich Paul’s Australia threat, the USMNT’s failure, and Purdue Pharma’s House v. NCAA parallel.
Stu’s Notes: Why We Respect Hockey (and Why We Don’t Respect the NBA)
Pouring one out for Connor McDavid.
Off the Lake: Shōta Imanaga Is Probably Fine. The Cubs Need Him to Be Great.
Also: Miguel Amaya, Angel Reese, Paul DeJong, a Bulls’ mock draft roundup, and the Bears’ offensive line.
Joe’s Notes: Will There Ever Be Another Wayne Gretzky?
No matter what he does tonight, Connor McDavid is only an echo of what Edmonton once saw. Also: Tennessee sports, Houston’s AD, and a little Lane Kiffin.
Stu’s Notes: If the Panthers Blow a 3–0 Lead
Don’t bother making fun of Panthers fans. They have you outmatched.
Joe’s Notes: JJ Redick Went to Duke
He even played basketball there! A look at why JJ Redick’s probably a good hire.
Off the Lake: Ryne Sandberg’s Weekend Arrives at Wrigley
The Cubs prepare to honor an all-time great, and the Bulls traded Alex Caruso for more of the thing they already have.
Joe’s Notes: What’s Being Celebrated Tonight at Rickwood Field
So many things.