Good morning to everybody however particularly to…
THE NEW YORK KNICKS…
The New York Knicks are actually good, and no, it isn’t simply their actually good level guard. Even with Jalen Brunson out, the Knicks went into Boston and beat the Celtics, 131-129, in double additional time final evening.
It’s the Knicks’ ninth straight win — the longest energetic profitable streak within the league and tied for the crew’s second-longest within the final decade.The Knicks are actually 39-27 this season and just one recreation behind the Cavaliers for the No. 4 seed within the Eastern Conference.
Thrust into the highlight with Brunson dominated out shortly earlier than the sport, Immanuel Quickley poured in a career-high 38 factors. The explosive level guard is making a robust case for Sixth Man of the Year, writes our Brad Botkin.
Botkin: “Quickley flat out gained this recreation for the Knicks… Quickley performed 55 minutes — a Tom Thibodeau particular — and down the stretch of regulation and each additional time intervals, he nonetheless regarded like he had extra power than anybody on the ground. In all that point, he dedicated only one turnover. He did not relaxation for one second after halftime.”
And no, this streak hasn’t been the Knicks beating up on the league’s backside tier: All 9 wins are over groups presently in a playoff/play-in spot.
… AND ALSO A GOOD MORNING TO THE FIVE NCAA TOURNAMENT BERTH CLINCHERS
We’re giving out some Dance tickets. Welcome to the NCAA Tournament…
Kennesaw StateSoutheast Missouri StateFairleigh DickinsonDrakeUNC Asheville
Let’s begin with Kennesaw State, as a result of the Owls’ turnaround is outstanding.
They gained one — one!!! — recreation in 2019-20, their first season below coach Amir Abdur-Rahim.Then got here 5 wins in 2020-21 and 13 in 2021-22.This 12 months, their 67-66 win over Liberty within the Atlantic Sun Tournament championship gave them their twenty sixth win and their first NCAA Tournament berth since becoming a member of Division I in 2010.
It was solely the second-most thrilling end of these 5 groups above: Tennessee Tech‘s Diante Wood made a miraculous shot on the finish of regulation that was initially dominated a game-winning 3-pointer however then overturned to a 2. Southeast Missouri State then pulled it off in additional time, 89-82.
And lastly, for the strangest development, Fairleigh Dickinson hasn’t gained the NEC event, however the Knights are March Madness-bound as a result of the crew they’re going to face within the championship recreation — Merrimack — is ineligible whereas transitioning from Division II to Division I.
Here’s our convention event tracker.
Honorable mentions
And not such a superb morning for…
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JA MORANT AND THE MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
Ja Morant‘s newest off-court incident is costing him and his crew. The Grizzlies star is away from the crew indefinitely after the NBA introduced it’s investigating a submit of him showing to brandish a gun at a membership Saturday evening.
This is troubling, and the time away from the crew is required and (hopefully) useful. Ja Morant, the particular person, wants assist so he can reside as much as the superior potential of Ja Morant, the basketball participant.
Morant isn’t the one participant Memphis should transfer ahead with out. Brandon Clarke is executed for the season after tearing his Achilles. The damage occurred in Friday’s loss to the Nuggets. With Steven Adams nonetheless out with a knee sprain, Memphis is brief on reliable front-court our bodies.
Not so honorable mentions
CBB notes: Duke sweeps UNC, Mark Adams suspended 🏀
It’s formally the postseason in every single place throughout the nation, and North Carolina is operating out of possibilities. The reigning nationwide runner-up collapsed late at dwelling in a 62-57 loss to Duke, with the Blue Devils ending the season sweep. North Carolina scored two factors — and made zero subject objectives — over the ultimate 4:21 of the sport. Continuing a season-long aversion to creating 3-pointers, North Carolina went an abysmal 5 for 23 from deep.
Texas Tech additionally obtained an “F,” although that failure is for a special motive: Red Raiders head coach Mark Adams has been suspended for making an “inappropriate, unacceptable, and racially insensitive” remark.
Adams “referenced Bible verses about staff, lecturers, dad and mom, and slaves serving their masters,” per the college’s assertion. Adams instantly apologized, per the assertion, although the participant who complained mentioned Adams didn’t apologize. Adams additionally mentioned he didn’t really feel the remark was racist.Per a report, there was one other incident wherein Adams spit on a participant earlier this season. Adams mentioned he by chance slobbered on the participant whereas coping with a cough.Texas Tech is 16-15 this season, Adams’ second in cost in Lubbock, after going 27-10 and making the Sweet 16 final 12 months. The Red Raiders face West Virginia on Wednesday within the first spherical of the Big 12 Tournament.
Here’s every little thing else it’s essential know:
NFL Combine: Where will massive winner Anthony Richardson land? 🏈
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Another NFL Combine has come and gone, and now we’re actually rolling within the offseason: the franchise tag deadline is tomorrow, free company begins subsequent week and earlier than we all know it, the draft shall be right here.
But earlier than all of that, now we have lots to unpack from the mix. Let’s begin with the sport’s most vital place. That dialog has to begin with Anthony Richardson, the previous Florida star who…
However, he is nowhere close to the highest of Ryan Wilson’s newest mock draft. Instead, it is EDGE Will Anderson Jr. first to the Bears after which QB Bryce Young second to the Texans. Young measured in at simply 5-foot-10-and-1/8ths-inches tall. Which leads us to…
C.J. Stroud was additionally terrific in quarterback drills. We have touchdown spots for him and for Richardson. As for different high highlights:
Our NFL writers did unbelievable work protecting the mix. You can see all of it right here.
UFC 285: Jon Jones submits Cyril Gane for heavyweight title 🥊
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More than three years between fights? No drawback. New weight class? No drawback.
Jon Jones is the brand new heavyweight champion after submitting Cyril Gane within the first spherical of the UFC 285 predominant occasion. (Full outcomes right here). This outcome cements Jones on the high of the GOAT debate, Brent Brookhouse writes.
Brookhouse: “The ease with which he snatched the submission and regarded pure within the division confirmed all beliefs that he might really dominate within the land of giants. Despite being stripped of titles and having title wins overturned due to authorized issues and failed drug checks, Jones’ in-cage means continues to be second to none. Beyond his top-shelf wrestling or his dynamic placing, Jones is able to making in-fight calculations and changes higher than anybody within the sport. … Even if he by no means wins one other struggle, Jones has confirmed himself one of the best MMA has ever seen.”
You can see Brent’s all-time high 10 right here and his takeaways from the evening right here.
So, what’s subsequent for Jones? With Dana White saying Francis Ngannou won’t ever return to UFC, Stipe Miocic could be the subsequent challenger. I can not wait.
As for every little thing else…
What we’re watching Monday 📺
🏀 Hawks at Heat, 7:30 p.m. on NBA TV
🏀 BYU at No. 17 Saint Mary’s, 9 p.m. on ESPN
🏀 Pelicans at Kings, 10 p.m. on NBA TV
🏀 San Francisco at No. 10 Gonzaga, 11:30 p.m. on ESPN2
