The Dodgers are looking like a particular type of villain. Also: Game of the NITe of the Weekend, two types of Friday news dumps, the deal with St. Thomas, and the return of Sean Dyche.
Stu’s Notes: The Last Days of Kenny Payne
Kenny Payne did not get his fifth win of the year last night. Kentucky is seven days away. Also! Big Ben’s Steelers lament, Joe Kelly’s Hall of Fame thought, and is getting suspended a backdoor to load management?
Joe’s Notes: Hope for Chicago State
Chicago State has a path to relevance, and all it took was one big win. Also: The redshirt/restraining order mess, Ohtani’s opt-out, Hoskins vs. Bellinger, and some miscellany.
Joe’s Notes: The Alexandria Wizards
A proposal to keep teams from fleeing to the suburbs. Also: the FSU “lawsuit,” the transfer lawsuit, and the Dodgers’ Sisyphean pursuit of triumph.
Joe’s Notes: Does the NFL Have Too Many Good Teams?
It’s hard to win. Also: The Joe Barry question, more on Ohtani’s money, Oregon State & Washington State’s reign of terror, Connor Bedard, and the Bulls should trade Coby White.
Stu’s Notes: Michigan, Michigan State, Scandal, and the NIT
“He can hit.” Also: Andy Enfield & LeBron James; Adam Silver & Lebron James; whether Zion needs Moriah Mills; Joe Kelly’s new number; and the Ottawa Senators.
Joe’s Notes: But What If Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani Went to the Same Team?
On the one side, there’s money. On the other…
Stu’s Notes: What’s on the Line for Shaka Smart in Maui*
Shaka Smart is undefeated, lifetime, in the Maui Invitational. And he’s never even been to Maui.
Joe’s Notes: Revisiting the Kyle Schwarber Non-Tender
Three years later, it’s non-tender day again. Also: The Packers could make the playoffs, why injury reports exist, and the competitive stakes of F1’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Stu’s Notes: Chris Partridge vs. Computer
Also: The A’s run F1, the Cubs care what we think, and Burnley has received justice but it might not help.
Joe’s Notes: The NCAA Didn’t Screw James Madison. Here’s Who Did.
Plus: Coaching changes, Michigan and the B1G cut a deal, the MWC/Pac-2 alliance takes shape, and Justin Steele made a million.
Stu’s Notes: Ten Teams Who Could Win the NIT
Including…milkshake bobbleheads, a defense of Draymond Green, Kelly Oubre’s doorbell, and Brad Bohannon got banned.
Joe’s Notes: Why the Padres (Evidently) Need to Trade Juan Soto
The second-biggest prize of the MLB offseason. Or so we’re told. Also: Jim Harbaugh’s suspension (?), the Iowa under, Duke vs. Arizona, and a hockey question for the room.
Stu’s Notes: What Aaron Rodgers Knows About When He’ll Return
Aaron Rodgers didn’t fake an Achilles tear. But he’s definitely up to something. Also: JMU resembles a certain other Cinderella, Arch Manning Bust Watch returns, and a thought on Thursday weddings.
Stu’s Notes: Is FAU an NIT Contender?
The Owls have us hooting. Also! UNT raised a banner, Connor Stalions has a strange LLC, the Dodgers might be bankrupt, and the Cubs hired a personal enemy.
Stu’s Notes: Michigan’s Many Crimes
Keeping Michigan’s scandals straight, plus: Arch Manning Bust Watch, Moscow’s vibes, more NIT format thoughts, Nilla Wafer timing, and more.
Stu’s Notes: Bummed About the Ballparks
Mourning the baseball-ness we’ve lost, plus: El Paso Vice, Flavor Flav, the NIT Cinematic Universe, and the Sens.
Joe’s Notes: It’s the Pitching, Stupid
Why top MLB seeds are going down. Also: West Virginia vs. Houston, the dawn of Connor Bedard, and a charitable thought towards Matt LaFleur.