News sport : TCU makes a big statement with 42-3 win against Ole Miss in Peach Bowl

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Dec 31, 2014; Atlanta , GA, USA; TCU Horned Frogs linebacker Paul Dawson (47) reacts after sacking Mississippi Rebels quarterback Bo Wallace (not pictured) during the second quarter in the 2014 Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome. (Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports) TCU spent the past few weeks trying not to comment on being left out of the College Football Playoff, and that was probably a good thing, considering the Horned Frogs’ performance in the Peach Bowl spoke volumes.


No. 6 TCU dismantled No. 9 Ole Miss 42-3 in one of the most dominating performances between two top 10 teams this season.


The 39-point loss tied for the most lopsided bowl loss in SEC bowl history (Georgia-Nebraska, 1969 Sun Bowl), and it was TCU’s first bowl win against an SEC opponent since defeating LSU in the 1936 Sugar Bowl.


And the dominance started early.


From the opening snap, TCU’s defense swarmed Ole Miss quarterback Bo Wallace. It was stronger and faster than Ole Miss’ offensive line and the Horned Frogs managed an interception on the Rebels’ first drive of the game.


TCU jumped out to a 14-0 lead with 6:23 remaining in the first quarter and never looked back. It forced four turnovers — all by Wallace — and was held to 129 yards of total offense, including just nine yards rushing. TCU punctuated its performance by mocking Ole Miss' signature "landshark" posture by pretending their hand was a fin at the front of their helmet.


Ole Miss' three points came on a field goal with 7:18 remaining in the game after a TCU turnover gave the Rebels a short field.


TCU didn’t have a stellar offensive day, but it didn’t need to with the way its defense played. Quarterback Trevone Boykin completed 22-of-31 passes for 188 yards and three touchdowns, but he also threw three really ugly interceptions. Running back Aaron Green led all rushers with 67 yards and a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown.


Boykin’s three picks were really the only thing that kept the game from really getting out of hand as the Horned Frogs seemed like a threat to score on every offensive drive. In fact, TCU only punted four times the entire day.


TCU ranked No. 3 heading into the final wave of rankings and soundly defeated Iowa State to make their case to stay in the top four. However, the committee essentially wiped the slate clean and promoted No. 5 Ohio State into the top four and dropped the Horned Frogs all the way down to No. 6 behind Baylor, the only team that defeated it all season.


The move sparked all sorts of controversy and debate about the validity and the politics of the rankings, but TCU coach Gary Patterson and his players stayed largely above the fray and said their only focus was on Ole Miss.


But it’s clear, the Horned Frogs knew a dominating performance against Ole Miss would be the most powerful statement they could make and it also would set them up for a potential playoff run in 2015.


If there’s one other positive TCU can take from this game, it’s that it will end its season with a statement win while only one of the teams in the College Football Playoff can claim the same.


For more TCU news, visit PurpleMenace.com.


For more Ole Miss news, visit RebelGrove.com.


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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter!


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News sport : Seton Hall earns a head-turning victory to open Big East action

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Seton Hall didn’t have much of an argument for being ranked in the top 25 going into Wednesday’s game against No. 15 St. John’s. The Pirates had lost to two of the three best opponents on their schedule.


They significantly improved their case after beating the Red Storm 78-67 to open Big East Conference play and doing it without, perhaps, their best player, Isaiah Whitehead, who is out indefinitely with a stress fracture in his foot.


If Seton Hall can follow up with another win, or at least a solid performance, against undefeated No. 6 Villanova on Saturday, coach Kevin Willard might have to evolve from coaching an up-and-coming group to suddenly managing expectations. \


Willard started the season with a 66-66 career mark at Seton Hall in four seasons and a 24-48 record in conference games. Starting 11-2 with a victory over a ranked Big East opponent to open league play is a nice way to take some of the pressure off.


Could this finally be the year Seton Hall gets back to the NCAA tournament and Willard gets that monkey off his back? The Pirates aren’t quite to that bridge yet.


Still, it has to be encouraging for patient Seton Hall fans to see their team come together and play cohesively without Whitehead. Forward Angel Delgado was a beast on the boards collecting 12 rebounds to go with his 13 points and d Jaren Sina dropped some timely 3-pointers to keep the Red Storm at bay.


Three other players also scored in double figures fro Willard, led by guard Sterling Gibbs’ 25 points. Willard clearly has options when it comes to putting the ball in the basket and his team seems to like a high-pressure defensive style. Having depth in the backcourt has been a blessing in the wake of Whitehead’s injury and it helped take down St. John’s.


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[Kyle Ringo is the assistant editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at kyle.ringo@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!






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News sport : Did LeBron James promise Dwyane Wade they're 'gonna reunite again?' (Video)

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This is dumb.


This is really dumb.


Is this real?


It’s still dumb.


On Wednesday, with the eyes of the nation staring down college football bowls and the same suit they’ve worn to New Year’s Eve parties for the last seven years, a Reddit user splashed online to claim LeBron James was telling Dwyane Wade on Christmas Day that James would be well on his way to Miami should the Cleveland Cavaliers fail to make something meaningful happen this year.


Watch, and turn up your speakers (and turn down your own personal brand of throbbing cynicism):



The Reddit user claims James said, "Like I said, if we aren't better this year, we're gonna reunite again and do some bigger and better things, alright?" Others have parsed it out to, "Listen, we've done it before. We're gonna reunite again and do some better things, alright?"


Now that your eyes have stopped rolling, let’s settle down a bit.


Even if the quoted variations are true, this could mean absolutely anything. This could be a discussion about a relationship – it’s not uncommon for displaced friends to promise future meetings while warming themselves in the light of the figurative Christmas fire – or some sort of post-playing career transitional partnership.


If you think this has something to do with LeBron James promising Dwyane Wade he’ll be back in Miami once he opts out of his contract this summer, you’re taking a rather large bite.


If James fled Ohio once again this summer after his massive and much-adored love letter to the state, Cavs fans wouldn’t just burn his jerseys. They’d burn Florida. Militias would be created, and huge gobs of Gold Star Chili (they wouldn’t waste the good stuff) would be thrown at the whole of South Beach.


LeBron James has been pretty tone deaf before, as we saw during his 2010 decision, but the underlying theme in both his 2010 and '14 choices was secrecy. Nobody had the scoop before James announced it, and as sound as his friendship with Wade might be, the dude is not going to hint at 2015 free agency plans with all manner of microphones and cameras milling about in the NBA’s most-watched game of its season so far.


James was correct, in his postgame press conference, to point out the double standard fans and media use when it comes to judging players and teams making transaction decisions. The Cavs are in real trouble this year of just being a pretty good team, Dwyane Wade is currently having an All-Star-worthy bounce-back year, and old habits die hard. Not only does James have a player option for next year, but so does Wade – and James’ ostensible Miami replacement in Luol Deng.


Would the entire lot of them opt out to take less money to play in Miami? If you’ll recall, the only reason James, Wade, Deng and Kevin Love (who has yet to sign a contract extension) are working with these flexible contracts is to ensure their ability to eventually make as much money as possible under NBA salary bylaws. With that in place, it’s still possible that …


… wait. Stop. Seriously.


James and Wade both probably own cell phones, and the ability to text each other without anyone hearing anything. James isn’t going to drop something like this with the klieg lights on and the cameras rolling. Anything’s a possibility with LeBron, but let’s just wait until July to work with an air of certainty, OK?


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Kelly Dwyer is an editor for Ball Don't Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at KDonhoops@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!






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News sport : Cotton Bowl: Can Michigan State's tough D contain the Baylor offense?

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Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

Michigan State (10-2) vs. Baylor (11-1)

Arlington, Texas

Jan. 1, 2015


Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty (14) points upward with teammate offensive linesman Jarell Broxton (61), right, following his touchdown over Kansas State in the first half of NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Waco Tribune Herald, Jerry Larson) This year’s Cotton Bowl between Baylor and Michigan State is a classic matchup featuring a high-powered offense versus a stout defense matchup.


The fifth-ranked Bears boast the top offense in the country in both points and yards per game. Led by quarterback Bryce Petty, Baylor averaged a whopping 48.8 points and 581.3 yards per game en route to an 11-1 record and a share of the Big 12 crown.


The Bears, like their Big 12 brethren TCU, just missed out on the College Football Playoff, leading to some outspoken criticism from head coach Art Briles. They’ll look up to back up their head coach’s talk with Petty in the passing game. The senior threw for 3,305 yards and 26 touchdowns to a deep and talented group of receivers. Corey Coleman led the Bears with 57 catches for 969 yards and 10. Antwan Goodley added 50 catches for 833 yards and six touchdowns while Antwan Goodley caught 51 passes for 737 yards and six scores as well.


The Bears have a solid run game too with Shock Linwood (1,226 yards, 16 TDs), but they could struggle against a Spartans defense that is third nationally in rush defense (97.5 yards per game) and fifth in total defense (293.5 ypg). Michigan State will play its final game with Pat Narduzzi as defensive coordinator after Narduzzi accepted the head-coaching gig at Pittsburgh.


While Michigan State is known for its defense, the Spartan offense was seventh in the country in scoring at 43.1 points per game and 13th in total offense with 496.5 yards per game. The Spartans’ only two losses came at the hands of Oregon and Ohio State – two College Football Playoff participants.


Junior quarterback Connor Cook threw for 2,900 yards and 22 touchdowns while only giving away six interceptions. The Spartans were extremely balanced all year with senior Jeremy Langford rushing for 1,360 yards and 19 touchdowns on the year. Cook’s favorite target was Big Ten receiver of the year Tony Lippett, who caught 60 passes for 1,124 yards and 11 touchdowns.


Baylor’s defense will be key in this one. You know the Bears will be able to score, but will the Bears be able to stop the Spartans from keeping pace?


ODDS


Baylor (-2.5)


FUN FACT


Interestingly, Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said that Tony Lippett, the Spartans’ leading wideout, will also start at defensive back for the third straight game to help against Baylor’s pass offense. He’s played a lot of cornerback in the past, so it’s not new territory for him, but he could be in for a ton of snaps against the Bears’ quick-strike offense.


PREDICTIONS


Graham: Michigan State isn't as good as Baylor, but I wonder about Baylor's motivation in this contest after being left out of the College Football Playoff. Still, the Bears should come into this game with a chip on their shoulder and that should be enough to motivate them to victory. Baylor 28, Michigan State 17.


Nick: Is the Big 12's bowl disaster going to continue? I'm not sure this is a good matchup for Baylor. Cook will match Petty and Michigan State will get a key stop late in the game. Michigan State 31, Baylor 29.


Sam: While Baylor’s offense against Michigan State’s defense is the matchup everyone’s been talking about, I think Baylor’s defense is the key. I’m not sure the Bears will be able to keep the Spartans out of the end zone at crucial parts of the game. Michigan State 37, Baylor 33.


For more Baylor news, visit SicEmSports.com.


For more Michigan State news, visit SpartanMag.com.


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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!







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News sport : DeMarcus Cousins is still being left in the dark about Sacramento's coaching choices

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This has not been a December to remember for DeMarcus Cousins. The once-glorified sales event that led to Vivek Ranadive’s purchase of the Sacramento Kings, allowing the franchise to stay in northern California, has also resulted in quite a bit of meddling as Ranadive tinkers with basketball operations as he sees fit.


The most infamous example of such came just a few weeks ago, when the Kings fired coach Michael Malone in the wake of a poor stretch of games, contests played without Cousins while he battled a debilitating strain of viral meningitis. Former Utah Jazz head man Tyrone Corbin was promoted to interim coach as rumors of George Karl and Mark Jackson’s candidacy swirled, and earlier this week Corbin was given the title of head coach for the rest of the season.


That was an ascension that Cousins had to find out about at the same time we all found out. Great:



That management had made the commitment to Corbin was news to his players.




“I didn’t know,” Cousins said. “I didn’t know officially until (Monday) night, either. That’s when a lot of us found out.”



You’ll recall that Cousins also found out about the Malone firing via Twitter.


The Kings are under no obligation to let even their best players know ahead of time about any such firings or hirings, but a simple call or text before a press release wouldn’t hurt. Asking a franchise player to concurrently hear important news and form an opinion at the same time while working on the record in front of the media probably isn’t the right thing to do. Cousins handled both awakenings professionally and properly, but it’s probably not wise to keep him or any other player in the dark. Everyone’s got a phone, now. Everyone’s checking their screen.


Cousins liked Malone, and for good reason. These are easy shots, with the Kings at their lowest ebb (Sacto is 2-6 since his firing), but Malone’s defensive instincts and penchant for slowly-paced basketball worked right into Cousins’ strengths on both ends. The Kings have been absolute garbage since Corbin took over and amped up the possession count, and while this may help DeMarcus’ points per game totals, he’s being asked to do things defensively that he’s just not capable of doing.


The sign of a great coach is to make your good players great, and your great players dominant. There is a very good chance the once-dominant Cousins will take a step back under Corbin through no fault of Cousins’ own.


Then again, he’s still capable of this:



With that in place, it still feels like we’re years away from this:



The Kings’ front office put themselves in this sort of situation, so it’s hard to feel bad for the crew. George Karl was never going to take over without the benefit of a training camp, the same goes for Kings personnel advisor Chris Mullin, and there’s no way Mark Jackson was going to walk away from his dual role of taking guaranteed money from the Golden State Warriors while annoying all of North America while calling NBA games. Corbin knows more about basketball than all of us, but time in Utah was unimpressive and his players understand that he won’t be coaching the squad in 2015-16. When management gives up on a season after a promising start, ensuring a lame duck season, players can’t help but follow suit.


With the Western Conference playoff bracket just about set in stone (Kevin Durant returns on Wednesday night, and his Oklahoma City Thunder are sure to rebound and grab the final postseason seed), Kings fans will have to wait yet another year for the payoff. That has to be incredibly frustrating, but apparently this is the unfortunate price they’re going to have to pay for having a team in Sacramento in the first place.


Cousins, who famously vowed to pick up just five techincal fouls on the season prior to the 2014-15 campaign, picked up his third and fourth technical in a blowout loss to the Boston Celtics. Celtic guard Marcus Smart made what should probably be categorized as a dirty move, Cousins responded to his entanglement by throwing Smart to the floor, and Cousins was shown the door.


This is frustrating. And there's a very good possibility that it's only going to get worse.


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Kelly Dwyer is an editor for Ball Don't Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at KDonhoops@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!






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News sport : Citrus Bowl: Minnesota can reach 9 wins for second time since 1905 vs. Mizzou

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Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl

Missouri (10-3) vs. Minnesota (8-4)

Orlando, Fla.

Jan. 1, 2015


Oct 11, 2014; Columbia, MO, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Hutson Mason (14) throws a pass and is pressured by Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Shane Ray (56) during the first half at Faurot Field. (Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports) While most will be focused on the College Football Playoff-affiliated bowls of New Year’s Day, sandwiched in between is a solid matchup between No. 16 and No. 25 Minnesota in the Citrus Bowl.


A six-game winning streak helped Missouri unexpectedly make its second consecutive trip to the SEC Championship Game. The Tigers were blown out by top-ranked Alabama, but Mizzou reaching the 10-win plateau again was good enough for the invite to Orlando. And if the Tigers can beat the Gophers, Missouri will reach at least 11 wins in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history.


Missouri’s offense, led by sophomore quarterback Maty Mauk, was one of the weaker units in the SEC. Mauk had an up-and-down season, completing just 52.9 percent of his passes, but after throwing nine interceptions in his first seven games he threw only two interceptions (along with nine touchdowns) in his final six games.


The Tigers feature a productive timeshare at running back between junior Russell Hansbrough (970 yards, 9 TDs) and senior Marcus Murphy (767 yards, 4 TDs) while 6-foot-2 senior Bud Sasser (70 catches, 935 yards, 10 TDs) leads a talented group of receivers.


Those backs face a tough task with Minnesota linebackers Damien Wilson (111 tackles, 10.5 TFL) and De’Vondre Campbell (71 tackles, 6.5 TFL) swarming to the ball.


On the other sideline, Minnesota can reach nine wins for the first time since 2003 and register its first bowl win since 2004 if it wins the Citrus Bowl – the program’s first New Year’s Day bowl since 1962. The 8-4 Gophers headed into the final week of the regular season with a shot to play in the Big Ten title game, but they fell 34-24 to Wisconsin on the road.


The Gophers rely heavily on their running attack, which is led by record-setting senior David Cobb and sophomore Mitch Leidner. Cobb set a single-season Minnesota record with 1,548 yards and also reached the end zone 13 times. The 6-foot-4, 237-pound Leidner also had a nose for the end zone – scoring 10 times to go with 462 yards.


The Gophers rarely look to pass and when they do, Leidner (1,540 yards, 10 TDs, 8 INTs) looks for All-Big Ten tight end Maxx Williams. Williams led the Gophers with 29 catches for 471 yards and seven touchdowns in his sophomore campaign.


The Gophers may look to Williams to combat a ferocious Missouri defense that will surely key in on Cobb. The Tigers ranked 31st nationally in rush defense, allowing 135.8 yards per game. Missouri also totaled 42 sacks on the season to lead the SEC. All-American defensive end Shane Ray led the way with 61 tackles, 21 tackles for loss and 14 sacks while Markus Golden added 68 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks.


If Minnesota can’t run on the Tigers, it could be a tough afternoon for Jerry Kill’s team.


ODDS


Missouri (-4.5)


FUN FACT


If Minnesota wins, it will reach nine wins for the first time since 2003. Before the Gophers went 10-3 in 2003, the program hadn’t reached nine wins since 1905.


PREDICTIONS


Graham: Minnesota has had a great season, but it hasn't seen anything like Missouri's defensive front and Shane Ray should have a great game if he manages to not get tossed from it. Missouri 35, Minnesota 17.


Nick: Missouri has been gashed by teams with power running games this season in Georgia and Alabama. And while Minnesota's rushing attack is very good, it's not as good as either of the two SEC teams. The Tigers get win No. 11. Missouri 27, Minnesota 17.


Sam: Minnesota is tough on both sides of the ball, but if it can’t put together a somewhat competent passing game against Missouri, I don’t see any way in which the Gophers can pull out a win. Missouri 24, Minnesota 14.


For more Missouri news, visit PowerMizzou.com.


For more Minnesota news, GopherIllustrated.com.


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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!







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Sturridge set for January return

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Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge is set for a January return, according to manager Brendan Rodgers, who hinted he was unlikely to dip into the transfer market to solve the club's current striker issues.


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London - Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge is set for a January return, according to manager Brendan Rodgers, who hinted he was unlikely to dip into the transfer market to solve the club's current striker issues.


Sturridge last played for Liverpool in August after suffering a thigh injury on international duty with England and his absence has been keenly felt as the Merseysiders have struggled for goals and consistency in a disappointing start to the season.


With close-season signing Mario Balotelli failing to score a Premier League goal and Rickie Lambert, another summer arrival, struggling to cement a place in the side, Sturridge's return to action cannot come soon enough for last season's runners-up.


“He's coming back into the country in early January to finalise his rehab here,” Rodgers told reporters on Wednesday.


“Hopefully at some point in January - the middle to end - he'll be available to play.”


Rodgers has drafted Raheem Sterling into a makeshift centre forward role in recent weeks in an effort to replicate last season's scintillating attacking play, but he said he does not expect any new arrivals in January.


“My first look is always within,” he said. “We have seen how we have adapted the team and the structure of the team in order to make that work. I still think we've got players that can do that for us.


“So there won't be much activity for us in January. We brought in a lot of players over the course of the summer that we feel can develop, and those players are now starting to adapt to the life here at Liverpool and our way of working.


“There won't be a lot of transfer activity from us - if any - over the course of the January period. My job is to coach and manage the players that are currently here and work hard at maximising the talent that they have. That's what we'll look to do.”


Liverpool, chasing a third successive Premier League victory, host Leicester City on Thursday.


They will be without centre back Martin Skrtel, who is suspended, but could welcome back Dejan Lovren after a groin injury.


“Dejan has only been back training in the last couple of days. We'll see how he is today and then we'll take it from there,” Rodgers said. – Reuters






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Serero not good enough

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Shakes Mashaba was unwilling to explain the shock omission of Thulani Serero from the final 23-man Afcon squad.


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Shakes Mashaba remained steadfast in his unwillingness to explain the shock omission of Thulani Serero from the final 23-man squad that will represent South Africa at the Africa Cup of Nations finals next month.


The Ajax Amsterdam star, who contested European Champions League matches against world giants such as Barcelona, was declared not good enough for Bafana Bafana yesterday when a highly philosophical Mashaba named the players that will try to conquer the continent in Equatorial Guinea.


All the coach would say was “Serero is not in the team because other players proved to be better than him”. That explanation, however, did not seem to wash with most of the press corps who had gathered in downtown Johannesburg for the announcement.


The general feeling was that Serero – who was key in Bafana’s qualification for the biennial, continental soccer showpiece – could have been left out due to his failure to avail himself for the recent camp that ended yesterday, despite football in the Dutch league being on a break.


Not that Mashaba would have been bothered about any speculation as to why he left the star midfielder out. “I explained the criteria we followed in getting to where we are and I do not have to justify why I have not included some players or why some are left out,” the stern-faced coach said.


And among the criteria were factors such as “a player’s good standing with his club, patriotism and a good attitude” – and Serero’s no show for the mini-camp that ended yesterday probably failed to meet the last two. Mashaba spent no less than half-an-hour reading what would have made for a successful university thesis as he explained the long process he took to get to the final 23-man line-up.


Phrases ranging from “the genesis of every success is a dream” to “we can only reap rewards if we apply the necessary work” littered his talk in an uncharacteristic address that helped explain the enormity of what the veteran coach is facing.


Mashaba should have led South Africa at the Afcon 10 years ago, having presided over Bafana’s qualification for Tunisia 2004. But he was fired just before that for refusing to be dictated to in terms of team selection. Yesterday he spoke of his elation at finally getting the chance to go to the continent’s premier soccer event.


“I feel like a champion,” he said with a smile. “I’m excited. It’s an opportunity to gauge my coaching abilities at the highest level.”


Serero’s exclusion aside, the squad was pretty much what most would have predicted – Mashaba having kept faith with most of the players who did duty in the qualifiers as well as taking along a few players he termed “prospectives” in the form of Bongani Zungu and Thamsaqa Sangweni.


SuperSport United’s Thuso Phala also got the nod, no doubt for his great form for his club towards the end of the year.


While the inclusion of Bernard Parker surprised, given that the Chiefs striker did not start playing until deep into the new season, Mashaba explained why: “As a country we’re bankrupt in the striking force. So we brought him (Parker) to help strengthen us,” he said of the experienced striker.


Not that he rates experience highly: “For me, experience is just a name we give our yesterday’s mistakes. Experience doesn’t guarantee us a win.”


Not even the fact that Bafana are in what most view as the tournament’s toughest group (alongside Algeria, Senegal and Ghana) seems to have Mashaba shaken.


“Have you bought coffins,” he asked Natasha Tsichlas, the Safa technical boss who chaired the conference.


“They talk of a group of death. I don’t know who is going to die. We’re definitely not going to die there. We’re going there to compete.” - The Star






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Villa fined for player disorder

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Aston Villa have been fined £30 000 for failing to control their players during their recent 1-1 draw with Manchester United.


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London – Aston Villa have been fined £30,000 ($46,700, 38,400 euros) for failing to control their players during their recent 1-1 draw with Manchester United, the Football Association (FA) announced on Tuesday.


The charge relates to the reaction of Villa's players after Gabriel Agbonlahor was sent off for a challenge on Ashley Young during the 1-1 draw at Villa Park earlier this month. The red card was later rescinded.


“Aston Villa have been fined £30,000 for failing to control their players in or around the 65th minute (of) their recent fixture with Manchester United on 20 December 2014,” the FA said in a statement.


Villa were also warned as to their future conduct.


Meanwhile, Villa midfielder Fabian Delph has lost his appeal against the red card he was shown for a foul on Jordi Gomez during his side's 0-0 home draw with Sunderland on Sunday.


“DELPH NEWS: The appeal to have Fabian Delph's suspension reduced has been unsuccessful. #AVFC,” Villa said on Twitter.


Delph, who made his England debut in September, will now serve a three-game ban. – Sapa-AFP






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Herrera, Januzaj boost for United

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Manchester United midfielders Ander Herrera and Adnan Januzaj have returned to training ahead of the Premier League trip to Stoke City.


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London - Manchester United midfielders Ander Herrera and Adnan Januzaj have returned to training ahead of the Premier League trip to Stoke City, manager Louis van Gaal said.


United have climbed to third in the table after winning seven of their last nine games going into the match against Stoke on Thursday.


“Herrera has trained today for the first time with us and Januzaj has also trained two training sessions with us,” Van Gaal told a news conference.


“They don't have match rhythm. Januzaj was ill and you have to recover from your illness, not from your tiredness. Maybe it's worse to recover from illness.”


Defenders Rafael, Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw have returned to the squad after recovering from injuries but Daley Blind, Marouane Fellaini and Marcos Rojo are still sidelined.


“It's a problem for me to come through this two weeks around Christmas and New Year, all these matches,” Van Gaal said. “That is difficult now.”


The Dutchman sent out an unchanged team for the 0-0 draw at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, the first time United have named the same starting line-up in 85 league matches going back to November, 2012.


That was surprising since they had played Newcastle United less than 48 hours earlier and Van Gaal has been a fierce critic of English soccer's heavy Christmas fixture schedule. – Reuters






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Bale is not for sale at any price

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Real Madrid have made it clear to Manchester United and other possible suitors for his signature that Gareth Bale is not for sale.


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Madrid - Real Madrid have made it clear to Manchester United and other possible suitors for his signature that Gareth Bale is not for sale at any price.


Real president Florentino Perez told Spanish newspaper Marca that Welshman Bale, who signed for the European champions for a world record 100 million euros ($121.6 million) last year, was key to the club's present and future.


“Just as I can't imagine Real Madrid without Cristiano (Ronaldo), I can't imagine Real Madrid without Bale either,” Perez said.


Bale has been linked with a move to Premier League giants United, who have been undertaking very expensive rebuilding under manager Louis van Gaal.


“We have not received an offer from Manchester or any other club for Gareth Bale,” Perez said.


“We haven't received any offers for one simple reason: every club knows that Gareth Bale will never leave Real Madrid and that the club will not discuss their star, no matter how much is offered.”


It has not taken Bale long to woo the Bernabeu fans, with his goals in the King's Cup and Champions League finals establishing his credentials as a world-class performer on the big occasion. At 25, he is growing into his Galactico boots.


“Bale is a key player,” Perez said. “He has already done so much for the team and is a key part of our club's future.” – Reuters






from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://www.iol.co.za/bale-is-not-for-sale-at-any-price-1.1800345
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Shelvey facing violent conduct charge

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Swansea City midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has been charged with violent conduct over an incident involving Liverpool's Emre Can.


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London – Swansea City midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has been charged with violent conduct over an incident involving Liverpool's Emre Can, the Football Association (FA) announced on Tuesday.


Shelvey appeared to swing his arm into Can's face during Swansea's 4-1 Premier League defeat at Anfield on Monday, but although referee Andre Marriner allowed play to continue, the FA has taken retrospective action.


“Swansea City's Jonjo Shelvey on Tuesday has been charged by the FA for violent conduct, following an incident in his side's fixture with Liverpool,” the FA said in a statement on its website.


“The incident, which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video, occurred during the fixture between the two sides at Anfield on Monday 29 December 2014.”


Shelvey, who joined Swansea from Liverpool in 2013, has until 1800 GMT on Wednesday to respond to the charge.


In a message posted on Twitter after the game, the 22-year-old claimed he had caught Can by accident.


“Just wanna say didn't intentionally elbow Emre Can was just trying to get my arm across to get round him and it's come off as (if) I'm trying to hurt another play and I can assure you that that isn't the case,” he wrote.


“And I had apologised to Emre Can for catching him.”


Having been sent off at Everton at the start of November, Shelvey faces a four-match ban if found guilty. – Sapa-AFP






from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://www.iol.co.za/shelvey-facing-violent-conduct-charge-1.1800343
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Three-match ban for Newcastle’s Cisse

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Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse has accepted a charge of violent conduct during the Premier League match against Everton, the Premier League club said.


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London - Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse has accepted a charge of violent conduct during the Premier League match against Everton, the Premier League club said.


Cisse, who has scored nine league goals this season, elbowed defender Seamus Coleman in the game on Sunday and will serve a three-match suspension.


He will miss league games against Burnley and leaders Chelsea and the FA Cup third-round trip to Leicester City. – Reuters






from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://www.iol.co.za/three-match-ban-for-newcastle-s-cisse-1.1800335
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FA must ban divers - Wenger

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has called on the Football Association to ban players who dive in order to rid the game of play acting to win free kicks or penalties.


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London - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has called on the Football Association (FA) to ban players who dive in order to rid the game of play acting to win free kicks or penalties.


Diving is once again a hot topic in the Premier League after three Chelsea players, Cesc Fabregas, Diego Costa and Willian, were all booked for simulation this month.


Chelsea defenders Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic have also recently been accused of diving by opposition managers with Blues boss Jose Mourinho countering that there was an agenda against players at his club.


Wenger said the only way to solve the problem would be for the FA to take retrospective action against players who have clearly dived.


“I'm against diving,” Wenger told reporters. “We should punish it after the game. The problem will be to decide when it was obvious diving or not. That's a big issue and sometimes it's not obvious,” the Frenchman added.


“Punish only obvious cases but not mixed ones. “You have to suspend the players, I don't know how long. It depends. I am not a specialist in this kind of thing.


“But the only way that the players will stop doing it, is if they feel they can get punished. Whether it is Arsenal, or Manchester United, or Liverpool or Chelsea, it is for everybody the same.”


The Arsenal manager was also quick to dismiss speculation linking forward Lukas Podolski with a move to Inter Milan.


The German has found himself largely out of favour this season, having started only two matches, but Wenger was adamant that any move to Italy was not imminent.


“That is a joke. Inter Milan are not serious. There's only talk,” he said.


Arsenal are currently fifth in the standings, level on 33 points with fourth-placed Southampton, who they face on Thursday. – Reuters






from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://www.iol.co.za/fa-must-ban-divers-wenger-1.1800333
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News sport : Stanford dominates Maryland in Foster Farms Bowl

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Maryland was no match for Stanford in the Foster Farms Bowl.


On a blustery night in Santa Clara, Calif., Stanford's offense capitalized on short fields and the Terrapins weren't able to do much productive with the ball as the Cardinal rolled to a 45-21 win.


After Maryland tied the game at 7-7 early in the second quarter, Stanford, 8-5, scored three unanswered touchdowns. The first drive was a quick 5-play 49-yard drive that was capped by Remound Wright's second touchdown. Wright got a third on the next drive, which was a 5-play 70-yard drive. And then Kevin Hogan tossed his first touchdown of the night on the 10th play of a 54-yard drive.


The score was 28-7 at halftime and it might as well have been 56-7.


Maryland QB C.J. Brown wasn't incredibly effective until it was late in the fourth quarter and was hampered by the lack of a ground game. After tying the game, Maryland's next seven drives accrued a grand total of 60 yards while Stanford's in the same timeframe tallied over 300. The lone bright spot in the second half was a 100-yard touchdown return by William Likely after Stanford went up 42-7.


Hogan finished 14-20 passing for 189 yards and two touchdowns before being given a break early in the fourth quarter. Brown finished 16-28 passing for 214 yards as Maryland finishes the year 7-6.


For more Maryland news, visit TerrapinSportsReport.com.


For more Stanford news, visit CardinalSportsReport.com.


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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!







from Yahoo Sports http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/stanford-dominates-maryland-in-foster-farms-bowl-055344096.html
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