Baxter’s goal - to keep Chiefs focused

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

Stuart Baxter has shown his quality by becoming the first foreign coach to win the ABSA Premier League in his maiden season.


|||

One of the marks of a good coach is his ability to juggle participating in numerous competitions at the same time and manage to produce results while keeping the entire squad happy.


Stuart Baxter has shown his quality by becoming the first foreign coach to win the championship in his maiden season in the country’s elite league in 2013.


His failure to defend the title the following season, despite enjoying a good lead, somehow served to undermine that effort – leaving some to doubt his credentials.


Contributing to that failure was Kaizer Chiefs’ participation in the Caf Champions League midway through the season that also had the Nedbank Cup on the go.


The situation repeats itself again, starting this week, and it will be interesting to see how Baxter fares this time around.


Just like last year, Baxter’s Amakhosi are top of the table going into the new year and have already been declared by many as champions-elect.


But the former Bafana Bafana coach knows better than to count his chickens before they’ve hatched and refuses to see his side’s massive lead as unassailable. “On paper it certainly looks like a big lead,” he said on Monday “But I am taking nothing for granted and I know that if we don’t perform we will be under pressure.”


Chiefs will thus have to perform their utmost best against a tricky Bloemfontein Celtic side that welcomes them to the Free State Stadium still smarting from the defeat they suffered to Orlando Pirates on the last day of the year before the Africa Cup of Nations induced break. Positioned a mere three points away from the play-off spot, Celtic will want to pick up points in their backyard to extricate themselves from the danger zone and will not be lacking in motivation. Add to that the lure of becoming the first side to inflict defeat on Baxter’s team in the league this season and you can bet Clinton Larsen has arguably the easiest team talk to make tonight.


Not so for Baxter, who will be hard-pressed to get some of his players – Brilliant Khuzwayo, Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Mandla Masango – focused on the domestic front following their Afcon participation.


He will also have to ensure that his team is not distracted by the idea of saving themselves for the Caf Champions League preliminary tie against Township Rollers of Botswana coming up at the weekend.


One thing Baxter has succeeded in doing is getting Chiefs to not allow their incredible league run to get to their heads – Amakhosi having tackled each and every one of their league clashes with high intensity and determination, irrespective of the opponents.


In Celtic though, they will be well aware of the potential danger posed by the team that often lifts their game to incredibly high levels whenever Amakhosi come to visit.


But as Baxter said, his teams have generally gotten the better of Celtic – they beat them 1-0 in the first round already – and the key will be for them to stay focused on the job and not be distracted by the looming challenges of continental and local cup competitions ahead.


In other matches tonight, Pirates are away to bottom-dwellers AmaZulu, Platinum Stars host Black Aces, while Polokwane City travel to Cape Town for a clash with Ajax while SuperSport United welcome Free State Stars. - The Star






from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1E04JUL
Read More

Pitso chuffed after Swallows clobbering

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane hailed their 4-1 demolition of Moroka Swallows in the Premiership as the perfect start to the second half of the season.


|||

Johannesburg – Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane hailed their 4-1 demolition of Moroka Swallows in the Premiership as the perfect start to the second half of the season.


“It's the kind of start each and every coach would love to have. We scored four goals after showing our intention to play direct football,” Mosimane said after clobbering the Dube Birds at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Tuesday.


“We were in control of the game. My players showed their hunger to win after a long break.”


The comprehensive victory came courtesy of a brace from Cuthbert Malajila, and strikes from Alje Schut and Teko Modise.


Modise said during the midseason break the team had sharpened their edge in front of goal.


“We have been working hard during the break to improve our finishing. Every game we play we have been creating chances but sometimes our finishing let us down,” Modise said.


“We could have scored more goals but we are happy with the result.


“We knew that once we were ahead they would try to come back strong in the second half especially after they got one goal.”


Swallows got onto the score-sheet with a penalty conversion from on-loan Sundowns player Luyolo Nomandela just before the half-time break.


Coach Fani Madida bemoaned Swallows' lethargy in the opening stanza and said it was the reason they were dominated by the defending champions.


“Sundowns overpowered us and we could not contain their wing play. At haIf-time I told my players we could also score four goals against their defence,” Madida said.


“I tried to remind them that the Sundowns players are also human. They came back and fought harder in the second half.”


With their ninth win of the season, Sundowns narrowed the gap on log-leader Kaizer Chiefs who play Bloemfontein Celtic on Wednesday. – Sapa






from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/17f1oal
Read More

City’s Pellegrini plays it cool

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

Manuel Pellegrini insists he is not feeling under pressure as Manchester City go to Stoke seven points behind Chelsea in the title race.


|||

Manuel Pellegrini insists he is not feeling under pressure as Manchester City go to Stoke tonight seven points behind Chelsea in the title race.


City officials say they have no interest in Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone, following Sportsmail’s story yesterday, but Pellegrini’s future could hinge on how City do against Barcelona in the knockout stages of the Champions League.


Their run of five games without a win is their worst since Pellegrini’s predecessor and current Stoke boss Mark Hughes was sacked in December 2009.


Pellegrini said: ‘I don’t feel any pressure from inside the club or from outside. I never feel pressure. We’re involved in the Champions League and if we win on Wednesday I think we are just two points less than last season.’


Asked if they may have to win all 14 of their remaining games to have a chance of retaining the title, he said: ‘Yes of course. When you have 42 points to fight for you must do it.’


Wilfried Bony arrives this week after helping Ivory Coast win the Africa Cup of Nations and Pellegrini hopes he will help reignite their title challenge. He added: ‘Bony will be a very important player for our team. I always say that the players produce their best performance when they have competition within the squad.’ – Daily Mail






from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1Dh68rH
Read More

Balotelli goal sinks Spurs

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

Much-maligned striker Mario Balotelli proved to be Liverpool’s match winner as he scored his first Premier League goal for the Anfield outfit to sink Tottenham Hotspur.


|||

Mario Balotelli went from forgotten man to match-winner at Liverpool as his late goal against Tottenham tightened up the race for Champions League qualification in the Premier League on Tuesday.


The maverick Italy striker came off the bench for just his second appearance in a month, and pounced for an 83rd-minute strike to secure Liverpool a 3-2 win after the team had twice surrendered the lead at Anfield.


Arsenal, another team battling for a Champions League berth, scraped a 2-1 win over last-place Leicester to bounce back from its north London derby loss to Spurs and provisionally move level on points with third-place Southampton.


There are just three points between Southampton, whose game in hand is on Wednesday, and seventh-place Liverpool. Tottenham is sixth, a point ahead of Liverpool.


In Tuesday's other two games, Hull and Queens Park Rangers beat rivals for relegation to climb out of the bottom three.


QPR's 2-0 win at Sunderland ended its run of 11 straight losses in Premier League away games, while Hull won by the same score over Aston Villa, which dropped into the relegation zone and has now lost five straight games.


Liverpool fans arrived at Anfield to celebrate the first start after a long injury lay-off for Daniel Sturridge. They left singing the name of another striker.


Balotelli's future at Liverpool has looked bleak in recent months, with manager Brendan Rodgers acknowledging that the Italy international's lack of mobility doesn't suit the team ethos. Balotelli also hadn't scored a league goal since moving from AC Milan.


That changed when he poked in a cross from fellow substitute Adam Lallana, although he barely raised a smile as he was mobbed by teammates.


Spurs had come from behind twice in an entertaining game, with Lazar Markovic's opener in the 15th cancelled out by a superb turn and finish by in-form striker Harry Kane for his 23rd goal in all competitions this season.


Captain Steven Gerrard, who later went off with a hamstring injury, regained Liverpool's lead from the penalty spot in the 55th before Kane set up Mousa Dembele in the 61st for a second equalizer.


Liverpool is unbeaten in nine league games and midfielder Jordan Henderson said: “We've got a little momentum, we've been playing some great stuff and I thought we showed great character tonight.”


Arsenal is back above Tottenham, three days after losing to its neighbor at White Hart Lane, after withstanding a spirited second-half response by Leicester.


Laurent Koscielny and Theo Walcott scored to give Arsenal a 2-0


lead by halftime but Leicester provided a greater threat after the break and Croatia striker Andrej Kramaric scored his first goal for the club in the 61st.


The win came at a cost for Arsenal as star forward Alexis Sanchez and midfielder Aaron Ramsey went off injured in the second half.


Leicester is five points adrift of safety, putting more pressure on manager Nigel Pearson in the week his future was placed in jeopardy following reports he had been fired then reinstated by the club's Thai owners on Sunday.


“When you see the way they are playing football, you are surprised they are bottom of the league and that they want to get rid of their manager,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. – Sapa-AP






from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/16QDJMl
Read More

QPR record first away win

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

Managerless Queens Park Rangers climbed out of the relegation zone with a 2-0 win at Sunderland which would have impressed their “dream manager”.


|||

London - Managerless Queens Park Rangers climbed out of the relegation zone with a 2-0 win at Sunderland on Tuesday which would have impressed their “dream manager” as they earned their first Premier League away points this season.


Leroy Fer and Bobby Zamora scored first half goals for the west Londoners who won away at the 12th time of asking after chairman Tony Fernandes hinted on Twitter at the appointment of a “dream manager” to replace the departed Harry Redknapp.


“It's a very important result,” QPR interim boss Chris Ramsey told Sky Sports. “It's been a long time coming.


“We have had some good away performances but we just haven't had the rub of the green.


“It's nice from a visual point of view to see yourselves above the (relegation) line. We need to stick together and continue to perform like that.


“The goals that we got were great and a good quick fast start was important for us. The boys kept the momentum up throughout the game.”


QPR have climbed to 17th but are still embroiled in a fierce relegation battle and only lead Aston Villa, who are now in the drop zone after losing 2-0 at Hull City, on goal difference.


Rangers have been without a manager since Redknapp quit last week to have an operation on his knees and Ramsey said he would be happy to be considered for the job on a permanent basis.


“The club's been really good to me and I was really focused on the job at hand and whatever's going to happen will happen,” he said. “If the job's available and I'm the right man then I'll do it.” – Reuters






from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1DDOYoo
Read More

News sport : Hey, nice jacket, Dwight Howard

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,

Dwight Howard has been sidelined by a right knee injury since the last week of January, and he won't be participating in any of the festivities during the NBA's upcoming All-Star Weekend — including the league's hotly anticipated first-ever fashion show competition. Since he won't be able to do his little turn on the catwalk in New York City, the shelved center decided to showcase his sartorial splendor on the bench during the Houston Rockets' Tuesday night win over the Phoenix Suns, rocking a suit jacket that would make Walt "Clyde" Frazier blush:



[Follow Dunks Don't Lie on Tumblr: The best slams from all of basketball]


Well, if you can't contribute to your team's on-court efforts, I suppose the least you can do is look like the host of an early 1970s game show on which every contestant received a lifetime supply of terrible wallpaper.


To be more precise, as identified by the intrepid @nick_pants, Dwight's fit was more akin to backsplash swag:



Since TNT's cameras first captured Howard's game attire, I've been thinking about Chris Webber's suggestion that a coat like this demands its own theme music. I'm sure Dwight would like it to be something like the "Diamonds Are Forever" remix, but I'm thinking it's something less anthemic and a bit more pattern-appropriate.


More NBA coverage:





- - - - - - -


Dan Devine is an editor for Ball Don't Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at devine@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter!



Stay connected with Ball Don't Lie on Twitter @YahooBDL, "Like" BDL on Facebook and follow Dunks Don't Lie on Tumblr for year-round NBA talk, jokes and more.






from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/17dRVA8
Read More

News sport : Tigers get good news on Victor Martinez's health

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,

(Getty Images)

The Detroit Tigers couldn't have asked for a better prognosis following Victor Martinez's left knee surgery.


Martinez went under the knife to repair a torn meniscus on Tuesday and the timeline for his return is four to six weeks, which is on the quick side of the expected recovery times for the procedure he underwent. The 36-year-old designated hitter needed the surgery after injuring his knee during his offseason workout program earlier this month.


"We are very happy the surgery went well and that Victor will be ready to compete for the start of the 2015 season," said general manager Dave Dombrowski.


"Probably as good of news as I could've hoped for," added manager Brad Ausmus.


[Yahoo Sports Fantasy Baseball: Sign up and join a league today!]


With Miguel Cabrera's availability to start the season already in doubt, having a healthy Martinez on opening day, April 6 at Comerica Park against the Twins, would certainly be a boost for the Tigers. According to the Detroit News, the team would like Martinez to get "at least a couple weeks worth of spring-training at-bats."


However, if Martinez takes slightly longer than expected to get back on the field, the Tigers are going to play it safe and have him spend more time working out in Florida before inserting him in the lineup. It's the prudent move after they signed him to a four-year, $68 million contract just a few short months ago.


The Tigers may seem more vulnerable in the AL Central after losing Max Scherzer in free agency. The way they're handling Martinez and Cabrera's injuries shows they're aware that the margin for error has thinned considerably. In the long-term, trading a few games in April for the potential of a few in October is an easy decision to make.


More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:





- - - - - - -


Israel Fehr is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him at israelfehr@yahoo.ca or follow him on Twitter.






from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/1KL75ZZ
Read More

News sport : The Sixers finally have a mascot, a blue dog named Franklin

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,

Mascots brighten up every sports fan's day, but several franchises sadly do not employ fuzzy and/or be-spandexed characters on a full-time basis. While franchises like the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers can claim tradition for their lack of mascot, other squads do not have the same excuse. The Los Angeles Clippers, for instance, could use a cuddly character given their history.


Kudos to the Philadelphia 76ers, then, for finally escaping the land of mascot-less franchises. The team introduced Franklin, a large and presumably friendly blue dog, to fans on Tuesday. Take a look at him here:



I'm Franklin, the rockin' dog! (via Sixers.com)

Ooh, Franklin is one outrageous dude. He's totally in my face:



The Sixers' press release is suitably ridiculous:


As they dug through piles of books, watched movies and spoke with Philadelphians far and wide, along with more than 1,000 kids, they found a common thread…a special creature…whose ancestors had been a part of the city’s history from the start. [...]

The designers were convinced that this creature, if they could find it today, might be the mascot they’d been looking for all this time.

They took a break from their research to play some basketball at the arena…and found tiny blue scratch marks on the court….then bits of blue fur…and then, peeking around the corner of the Sixers’ locker room, the Chief Designers saw eyes looking up at them from a blue furry creature.

They’d found it! The descendant of these great blue creatures had come to live at the Center!

Yes, Franklin isn't just a corporation-created mascot, but a truly essential part of Philadelphian and therefore American history. Unlike many national heroes, he has a Twitter account and is available for bookings. Take that, Patrick Henry!


Mascot historians (there are dozens of us!) may remember that the Sixers held a fan vote to select a mascot way back in December 2011, a season in which the currently tank-happy franchise won a playoff series. The options back then were Big Ben, an even more cartoonish version of Benjamin Franklin); Franklin B. Dogg, a brown dog named after Benjamin Franklin, which is just weird given the presence of Big Ben; and Phil E. Moose, an anthropomorphic version of an animal that doesn't even inhabit the area around the city. The Sixers never explained why they didn't honor the results of this fan vote, but the new Franklin is an improvement over all these choices. Yes, the Cleveland Cavaliers also have a dog for a mascot (Moondog), but not differentiating yourself from the competition is better than making everyone wonder whether Big Ben would be a man dressed like Ben Franklin or a full-on plush costume. Then again, the three previous choices were all better than the team's previous mascot, the arguably offensive Hip Hop the Rabbit.


Whatever Franklin's merits, it's a safe bet that the kids who go to games at Wells Fargo Center will enjoy the mascot's antics. Given that the Sixers have two active players not born in the 1990s, the players may find him a lot of fun, too.


- - - - - - -


Eric Freeman is a writer for Ball Don't Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at efreeman_ysports@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!







from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/1zUvcSO
Read More

Revitalised Ozil boosts Arsenal

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

Arsenal climbed into the Premier League’s top four after a laboured victory over a gutsy Leicester City.


|||

London - Arsenal climbed into the top four with a laboured 2-1 win over a spirited Leicester City, while Liverpool continued their push up the Premier League table with a pulsating 3-2 victory at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday.


Mario Balotelli's first league goal for Liverpool sealed a topsy-turvy game at Anfield that they twice led through Lazar Markovic and a Steven Gerrard penalty before being pegged back by the in-form Harry Kane and Mousa Dembele.


Arsenal, with a revitalised Mesut Ozil in a central role, led 2-0 through Laurent Koscielny and Theo Walcott before basement side Leicester's record signing Andrej Kramaric got his first goal for the club as they dominated the second half.


Fourth-placed Arsenal have 45 points from 25 games - two clear of sixth-placed Spurs and three ahead of Liverpool in seventh - though they could be displaced by Manchester United in fifth who host lowly Burnley on Wednesday.


“The performance wasn't the best at times but we got the three points and we ground it out in the end,” Arsenal goalscorer Walcott told Sky Sports.


“I can't believe they're bottom of the league as they played some very good football. I think they're one of the best teams who have come to the Emirates this year. If they continue playing like that they won't be there much longer.”


Queens Park Rangers claimed their first points away from home this season with a 2-0 victory at Sunderland thanks to goals from Leroy Fer and Bobby Zamora.


Hull City climbed out of the relegation zone with a 2-0 victory at home to free-falling Aston Villa - courtesy of goals from Nikica Jelavic and Dame N'Doye - subjecting the Midlands side to a fifth successive league defeat in the process.


At Anfield, striker Daniel Sturridge, on his first Premier League start after a long-term injury, was one of Liverpool's liveliest players and could have scored twice inside 13 minutes.


First the England international's tame shot was saved by Hugo Lloris before the France goalkeeper made a stunning, instinctive save to keep out his rasping drive minutes later.


Liverpool were not to be denied in the 15th minute though when Markovic's low shot squirmed past Lloris.


Tottenham's Kane, fast becoming one the Premier League's most feared forwards, restored parity for the visitors in the 26th minute with a neat turn and low finish.


Sturridge could have given Liverpool the halftime lead but his audacious backheel clipped the post after an unfortunate mix-up between two Spurs defenders.


The second period was only eight minutes old when Liverpool regained the lead through captain Gerrard who converted a penalty won by Sturridge's mazy run.


Tottenham responded and only a fantastic Simon Mignolet save prevented Erik Lamela bringing the sides level again.


Moments later Dembele bundled home Kane's scuffed cross and, as both sides pushed for a late winner, it was Liverpool and the much-maligned Balotelli who pounced with a close-range finish.


The visit of Leicester provided Arsenal with the perfect opportunity to rebound from their bitter 2-1 north London derby defeat at rivals Spurs on Saturday.


With Ozil orchestrating their attacking play, Arsenal opened the scoring when Koscielny converted the German's corner in the 27th minute.


But in an encouraging first half for the visitors, Leicester belied their lowly position to cause a number of problems with quick and enterprising counter-attacks.


As their confidence grew they were dealt a blow when Walcott doubled Arsenal's lead, reacting quickest to convert Ozil's parried shot.


Leicester were unperturbed and started the second half brightly, pulling back a goal through 9 million pounds ($13.73 million) record signing Kramaric in the 61st minute.


The visitors dominated the rest of the match and were unlucky not to leave the Emirates with a point As they remained four points adrift at the bottom of the table.


Leicester have 17 points from 25 games behind Burnley, who have 21, with Villa and Queens Park Rangers on 22, West Bromwich Albion and Hull City with 23 and Sunderland on 24.


Reuters






from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/197tLbb
Read More

News sport : Non-call helps Notre Dame survive rough outing at Clemson

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,

It looked for a long time Tuesday night like No. 10 Notre Dame's blowout loss last weekend against Duke might cost it two games.


The Fightin Irish were beaten so bad by the Blue Devils - a 30-point drubbing - they seemed to have a hangover on the road at unranked Clemson. The Tigers nabbed an early eight-point advantage and it was a dogfight from there.


Clemson had a chance to win in the final minutes but missed two jump shots in the final 12 seconds and saw a chance at a massive upset slip through it fingers. Notre Dame escaped with a 60-58 win, but the Tigers have a legitimate argument that Steve Vasturia fouled Rod Hall in the final seconds and Hall should have been on the foul line with a chance to tie.


Vasturia clearly knocked Hall to the floor as both went after a loose ball but officials allowed play to continue.


Once again, Notre Dame has guard Jerian Grant to thank for keeping it in the game and providing a chance to steal a win -- and that's exactly what this was -- late. Grant scored 22 points, including a jumper with 47 seconds left that proved to be the deciding points. Fellow guard Demetrius Jackson added 11, including several badly needed buckets in the final minutes to help get the Irish over the top.


Clemson had even more success on the offensive glass against Notre Dame than Duke did, gradding 13 offensive rebounds. Buit the Tigers didn't make 60 percent of their shots against Notre Dame the way the Blue Devils. They shot 43 percent and made only five of 17 attempts from behind the arc.Forward Jaron Blossomgame scored 17 points with 14 rebounds for Clemson, which has lost two straight after a four-game win streak.


A little better shooting night from the Tigers and Notre Dame might have been really searching for answers. As it is, the Irish have to feel fortunate to have survived this one with the proverbial ugly win.


- - - - - - -


[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!






from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/1Dgv6Y7
Read More

News sport : Kyle Korver to replace Dwyane Wade for East, giving Hawks four All-Stars

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,

Mere hours after Dwyane Wade announced he'd miss the 2015 NBA All-Star Game due to injury, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver named his replacement on the Eastern Conference All-Star roster — Kyle Korver of the Atlanta Hawks. (Good thing he was going to be in New York for the weekend anyway.)


[Follow Dunks Don't Lie on Tumblr: The best slams from all of basketball]


It's the first All-Star nod for the 33-year-old Korver, who is averaging a career-best 12.9 points per game while shooting an NBA-leading 52.8 percent from 3-point land and 92 percent from the foul line, along with a career-high 51.6 percent mark from the field, for Mike Budenholzer's East-leading 43-10 Hawks. Considering only former marksman and current Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has ever put up 50/50/90 shooting splits over the course of a full season — and his work for the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls comes with the asterisk of insufficient amounts of field goals and free throws made to qualify for their respective leaderboards — there's a decent argument to be made that Korver's in the midst of not only the best year of his career, but the single best shooting campaign in league history.


While Korver's accuracy, and the attention to detail that produces it, is remarkable enough, it's the sheer threat of him getting clean looks that's made him such a lethal and influential part of Atlanta's offense this season. Defenders have to pay extra attention to him, knowing they can't stray more than a hair's breadth away from their marks to help on other Hawks lest they open up a better-than-a-coin-flip Korver triple try, which distorts coverages and creates room for his teammates to operate.


The Hawks have scored an average of 112 points per 100 possessions with Korver on the floor this season, and 98.2 points-per-100 when he hits the bench, according to NBA.com's stat tool. That's the difference between having the league's No. 1 offense and its third-worst unit, and the largest disparity on the Hawks' roster. And, perhaps as importantly, Atlanta's defense operates just about as well with Korver on the floor (100.4-per-100 allowed) as off it (100.3-per-100 given up), making him just about a pure upside play whenever he checks in. He's a difference-maker, plain and simple.


Korver's selection represents sour news for several other Eastern hopefuls, like Milwaukee Bucks point guard Brandon Knight, Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic and Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Kevin Love, all of whom had reasonable cases for inclusion. But there's a certain poetic justice in Korver getting recognition this year; in an era in which floor-spacing, perimeter shooting, ball movement, smart team defense and execution are perhaps more paramount than ever, Korver's crafted himself into something like the perfect perimeter role player, and that deserves to be celebrated.


Korver becomes the fourth Hawk named to the Eastern squad, after teammates Paul Millsap, Al Horford and Jeff Teague were voted in as reserves by NBA coaches. This marks the first time since 2011 that four teammates have appeared in the midseason exhibition; Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen of the Boston Celtics suited up for the East that year.


More NBA coverage:





- - - - - - -


Dan Devine is an editor for Ball Don't Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at devine@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter!



Stay connected with Ball Don't Lie on Twitter @YahooBDL, "Like" BDL on Facebook and follow Dunks Don't Lie on Tumblr for year-round NBA talk, jokes and more.






from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/1vDwgMy
Read More

News sport : Alabama RB Tyren Jones suspended indefinitely

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,

Alabama running back Tyren Jones works through drills during an Alabama NCAA college football practice, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014, at the Thomas-Drew Practice Facility in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/AL.com, Vasha Hunt) Alabama running back Tyren Jones has been suspended indefinitely, the university’s athletic department announced Tuesday. No explanation or timeframe was given for the rising redshirt sophomore’s suspension.


“Tyren Jones has been suspended indefinitely for conduct not to the standard of the Alabama football program,” head coach Nick Saban said in a statement through Alabama media relations.


Jones, who was also suspended by the program for a week last October, was fourth on the team in rushing in 2014, racking up 224 yards and two touchdowns on 36 carries as a redshirt freshman. He finished the season third on the depth chart at running back behind Derrick Henry and T.J. Yeldon. Jones also saw action on special teams for the Crimson Tide.


Jones, who redshirted in 2013, is expected to compete for carries along with Henry and Kenyan Drake, a rising senior who suffered a serious leg injury early in the 2014 season.


Additionally, the program is bringing in five-star Damien Harris and four-star Desherrius Flowers in its 2015 class to add to the mix at running back.


Another running back, rising junior Altee Tenpenny, announced his intent to transfer from Alabama in January.


For more Alabama news, visit TideSports.com.


- - - - - - -


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







from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/1yau1ee
Read More

News sport : DL coach Jerry Montgomery leaving Oklahoma for NFL job

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,

Sep 7, 2013; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive coordinator Mike Stoops (right) linebacker coach Tim Kish (center) and defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery during the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. (Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports) Oklahoma’s Jerry Montgomery is the latest college assistant to head to the NFL in the days after National Signing Day.


Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops confirmed Tuesday that Montgomery, the Sooners’ defensive line coach who was recently promoted to co-defensive coordinator, has agreed in principle to join an NFL staff. Though the NFL team was not named in Oklahoma’s release, The Oklahoman is reporting that Montgomery is headed to Green Bay.


“This is a rare opportunity for Jerry and his family to join one of the finest organizations in the National Football League,” Stoops said. “I appreciate the positive impact that Jerry has made with our defensive line the past two seasons, as well as his many other contributions to Oklahoma Football. The NFL is getting a fine man and a very talented football coach. I support Jerry’s decision to further his career goals working with one of the most stable and successful franchises in pro football.”


Montgomery has coached the Oklahoma defensive line for the past two seasons and emerged as one of the top recruiters on Stoops’ staff. He arrived at OU in February 2013 after spending two seasons at Michigan. He previously coached at Wyoming and Northern Iowa.


“My family will be forever grateful to Coach Stoops for providing me with the privilege of learning from him and the rest of his staff at the University of Oklahoma,” Montgomery said. “The past two years have been invaluable helping me grow personally and professionally. It’s truly been an honor to coach such a wonderful group of student-athletes at OU, and I’ll continue to follow their progress closely.


“I have been offered an unbelievable opportunity to pursue my dream of coaching in the National Football League. There are very few jobs that I would have even considered. Our family has been blessed to have represented the University of Oklahoma, and we will always have a great appreciation for our time working for Coach Stoops and the Sooners.”


With Montgomery out the door, Stoops said he has already begun the search for his replacement.


“The University of Oklahoma continues to be an attractive destination for some of the nation’s elite coaches and players,” Stoops said. “I have already begun the search process to bring another talented defensive line coach into our program. On behalf of our entire staff, we wish Jerry, Natalie and their family the very best.”


Montgomery joins a growing list of assistants to leave the college ranks for the NFL recently including Ohio State running backs coach Stan Drayton, Florida defensive line coach Terrell Williams, and UCLA defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich.


For more Oklahoma news, visit SoonerScoop.com.


- - - - - - -


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







from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/1KG03av
Read More

News sport : House budget committee votes to temporarily close South Carolina State

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,

South Carolina State is facing such budget issues that a South Carolina House of Representatives budget committee has voted to shut the university down.


The budget panel voted Tuesday to close the university on July 1, 2015. It would re-open in 2017 after a two-year closure. As part of the shutdown, all athletic programs, including football, would be suspended.


The plan needs to pass the South Carolina House and Senate. The school faces a $10 million deficit and just 14 percent of students graduate within four years.


From The State:



House budget writers said they were frustrated the school sought $6 million from lawmakers this year to pay off a state loan given last year. S.C. State also is receiving another $12 million from the state to help with crisis.




S.C. State leaders said they could not cut curriculum, faculty or athletics, Merrill said. Then administrators suggested $50 million in new funding over the next few years to improve the school’s academic programs.




Those spending plans lacked specifics, Merrill said, and that sent panel members to a boiling point.




“We are looking at a bankrupt institution,” Merrill said. “There seems to be unwillingness to make the cuts that are necessary. ... No one takes any pleasure in recommending this.”



South Carolina State competes at the FCS level in college football. It played Clemson this year and lost 73-7. It is not on the schedule for either Clemson or South Carolina in 2015.


Last season, the Bulldogs went 8-4 and 6-2 in the MEAC. It was one of four teams that ended the season tied at the top of the conference.


According to The State, students with a 2.5 GPA could get scholarships to attend other public state schools or historically black schools.


- - - - - - -


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://ift.tt/16QpYgP
Read More