Di Maria will come good - Giggs

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

Angel Di Maria can still play an important role in his side's quest for success this season, according to assistant manager Ryan Giggs.


|||

London - Angel Di Maria, whose form has declined since his British record transfer from Real Madrid to Manchester United, can still play an important role in his side's quest for success this season, according to assistant manager Ryan Giggs.


The 27-year-old Argentine became the most expensive player signed by a British club when he joined United for 59.7 million pounds ($90.3 million) last year but after scoring three times in his first five league matches, he has not found the net since January.


“He's a quality player and we'll be looking for him to produce because it is big game after big game now,” Giggs said before United play holders Arsenal in an FA Cup quarter-final on Monday.


“Players get used to different leagues, sometimes quickly and sometimes it takes a bit of time.


“He had a really good start to the season but with players who take risks and who can win games it's always difficult to be consistent because they will try things that other players won't do.


“They're capable of doing that and that's why they're match-winners and the best players.”


While things have not gone well on the field for the Argentine, they have been even worse off it.


The 4 million-pound house he was renting was attacked by burglars in January who used scaffolding poles to try to smash in doors while he and his young family were eating.


The thieves fled empty-handed after triggering an alarm system.


Di Maria and his family moved into a luxury hotel after the incident with round-the-clock security and the house was put up for sale by the owner last week.


United, who are fourth in the Premier League, face a tough run of matches as they bid to finish high enough to return to the Champions League after a season's absence.


After playing Arsenal, their next five games are against Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Chelsea. – Reuters






from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1AVGe7q
Read More

Soweto derby was disappointing

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

Matshelane Mamabolo says Saturday’s Soweto derby was like watching Bafana at Afcon 2015.


|||

It was like watching Bafana Bafana’s failed Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Equatorial Guinea all over again.


Saturday’s goalless Soweto Derby put the heart of the country’s football problem into sharp focus, but sadly the men who should know better seemed unable to see the bigger picture. Both Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter and Orlando Pirates coach Eric Tinkler spoke in glowing terms of the match that was actually all about build-up but no threat to either goal.


Baxter termed it “probably the best 0-0 derby the crowd will see in a long time” while Tinkler said that “everybody gave it their all and no one held back.”


As with our senior national team in the biennial, continental showpiece earlier this year – Chiefs and Pirates were just not good enough.


Yes, there’s nothing wrong with a goalless match. But all is not right when a match does not produce goals because the two teams just don’t have a clue how to get to the opposition danger area.


And this was the hallmark of Saturday’s match in which both sides enjoyed possession to the extent of even providing entertainment for the watching crowd with some stylish play.


But neither side looked like hurting the other as that positive play almost always got spoiled in the final third of the field by a myriad of failings that have beset local game for many years. Lack of composure, indecisiveness, wrong decisions, over-elaboration, one-too-many touches and an unwillingness to take the responsibility when faced with goals ensured that both Itumeleng Khune and Brighton Mhlongo had a fairly quiet afternoon.


It was only after this was pointed out to them that the two coaches seemed to acknowledge that the match was not as fantastic as they’d earlier made it out to be.


“It was not a good game for the cardiac patients (coaches) on the benches,” Baxter joked in relation to the incredibly high ball turnover in the match.


Tinkler concurred: “The crowd would have been happy but for us it was very stressful.”


The Pirates coach added “we were let down by our final pass and our decision making in the final third was poor.”


It was this that saw Bafana return from the Afcon after just three matches, Shakes Mashaba’s team having come unstuck against the more polished and tactically aware sides such as Algeria and Ghana.


Those sides allowed Bafana to prance about with the ball all over the pitch in the knowledge that once they reached the final third, the South Africans did not have the ability to hurt them. At the FNB Stadium on Saturday, the likes of Oupa Manyisa – who was in Equatorial Guinea – and Sifiso Myeni had the crowd on their feet and cheering loudly with some slick play in the heart of the field only to resemble rabbits caught in car-lights once they got near the box.


Baxter feels it is about time South Africa worked hard to rid itself of this problem but acknowledges it can’t be done at the highest level.


“We need to teach our youngsters to learn to finish. There are way too many touches by our players in the final third. You know they say that you have an 80% chance of finishing if you take (your shot) on the first touch.”


Granted it might be a bit too late to teach some of our professionals who are also internationals those basics, but surely they all ought to know that the purpose of this game is to put the ball into the opposition net more than they do into yours.


But then again in a country where half the stadium stands up to cheer a player who dribbles an opponent and then immediately sends a pass astray – as they did for Reneilwe Letsholonyane on Saturday – you have little hope of things changing for the better anytime soon. - The Star






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

Wenger driven by golden memory

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

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is under no illusions about the potential repercussions of tonight’s visit to Old Trafford.


|||

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is under no illusions about the potential repercussions of tonight’s visit to Old Trafford.


Any clash against Manchester United, particularly in the Wenger era, carries added value for the Gunners. The fact that it is an FA Cup quarter-final with a place at Wembley at stake merely adds to the occasion.


And for Wenger it’s a chance to land what could be a crucial psychological blow on Louis van Gaal’s side ahead of the tense season finale.


The FA Cup isn’t the only competition in which these two giants are going toe to toe. They are also battling for a Champions League position, a race which is perhaps more pertinent to both clubs’ long-term ambitions.


There are no points at stake tonight but Wenger said: ‘It’s a big game, and every big win in a big game has an impact subconsciously in the belief of the team.’


However, the reverse is also true. Losing against United could plant a seed of doubt in Arsenal’s quest to finish in the top four — and their poor recent record at Old Trafford doesn’t bode well. United have won nine out of their last 10 home games against the Gunners.


We shouldn’t forget, though, that Wenger also has pleasant memories of the Theatre of Dreams. He lists Sylvain Wiltord’s goal that clinched the title for Arsenal at Old Trafford in 2002 as his favourite. And the Frenchman insists his current crop of players can produce another win in United’s back yard tonight.


‘I don’t believe our recent record at Old Trafford (to be a factor). When the team is less good, they lose. When the team is not as good, they lose,’ said Wenger.


‘It doesn’t matter what shirt they wear, or what stadium they play in. It is down to quality.


‘If I’ve learnt something in my life it’s that the performance on the day decides the outcome of the day, not where you play.


‘The fact that we can win away from home, that is important. If you haven’t won away from home all season it’s more difficult. But we know we can do well away from home.’


Indeed, their victory over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season proved they can produce big away performances against England’s elite, and Wenger insists last season’s FA Cup triumph has bolstered belief that his side can become English football’s top dogs once more.


‘Yes, of course we want to dominate again,’ said Wenger.


‘I think today you have more competitors and it will get worse with the seasons coming because you get more money in. That means even the smaller teams will be capable to buy the best players in Europe.


‘Maybe the competition will become harder for everybody. Winning the FA Cup gave us energy because we had a few years without winning a trophy and so on that front it was vital.


‘This team has a good mentality because we had a slow start this season and every time we lost a big game you see how much the players are touched.


‘I think the mentality is very healthy, they want to do well and we will be focused on Manchester United.


‘Once you get to the quarter- final you think that’s a good opportunity to win a trophy. You want to do it, but it’s at that stage where it’s conflicting always with the Champions League.’ – Daily Mail






from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/194HjV0
Read More

Misfiring Real hoping for Modric boost

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

Misfiring Real Madrid hope to have Luka Modric back for their Champions League last 16 clash with Schalke.


|||

Barcelona - Misfiring Real Madrid hope to have Luka Modric back for their Champions League last 16 clash with Schalke and provide the creativity that they have been missing.


Murmurs of crisis at the Bernabeu have been growing with Real having surrendered their lead at the top of La Liga following a 1-0 defeat away to Athletic Bilbao and the focus of the concern has been on their poor form in attack.


With a 2-0 lead from the first leg in Germany, at least the pressure should be off the champions in the second leg against Schalke and it should be the ideal chance for Carlo Ancelotti's side to get back on track.


The team has not been able to rediscover their sharpness ever since they crashed to a 4-0 defeat in the derby against Atletico Madrid at the beginning of February.


Since then, they have won just three from six in all competitions and the focus is now on whether the return of Modric can spark the forwards back into life.


“There was too much confusion to what we were doing,” Ancelotti told a news conference following the Bilbao loss.


“We were too slow and did not move the ball around well so that there was no space for the forwards.”


Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale, the attacking trident who plundered opposition defences in Real's Spanish record 22-match winning streak at the end of 2014, have now mustered just 15 goals from 14 games.


Confidence among the trio appears low with Bale, who has received whistles from the Real fans for being selfish, now having gone eight games without a goal.


Modric was a key player in the opening months of the season with his clever passing from midfield before he suffered a hamstring injury last November.


With James Rodriguez also in the treatment room, Real have looked predictable in the middle of the pitch and been unable to find an effective link with the forwards.


Modric was keen to face Bilbao but Ancelotti felt it wiser to give him a few extra days to get stronger following his hamstring injury and return against Roberto Di Matteo's Schalke, who lie fourth in the Bundesliga after their 3-1 victory over Hoffenheim on Saturday. – Reuters






from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1EJ6GHl
Read More

Skrtel okay despite bad fall

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

Martin Skrtel should be fit for Liverpool's next game despite being carried off on a stretcher wearing a neck brace during the 0-0 FA Cup quarter-final draw with Blackburn Rovers.


|||

London - Martin Skrtel should be fit for Liverpool's next game despite going to hospital after being carried off on a stretcher wearing a neck brace during the 0-0 FA Cup quarter-final draw with Blackburn Rovers on Sunday.


The Slovakia defender contested a header with Rovers forward Rudy Gestede in the third minute but landed heavily on his neck, briefly losing consciousness, and the game was halted for eight minutes while he received treatment at Anfield.


“He was shouting that (he wanted to play on) when he was on the stretcher,” Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers told BT Sport.


“You've got to leave that with the specialists and medical team and he had to come off but I think he'll be fine and I think he'll be able to play in the next game,” added Rodgers referring to the March 16 Premier League match at Swansea City. – Reuters






from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1EJ6E2q
Read More

News sport : Patriots retain safety Devin McCourty before free agency begins

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

Cross another big name off the potential free agent list. Devin McCourty isn't going anywhere.


The New England Patriots, fresh off a Super Bowl championship, had one of the biggest names about to hit the market. But they retained McCourty, their free safety who played a huge role in their title run. According to Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Globe, McCourty's deal is for five years, $47.5 million with $28.5 million guaranteed. Manza Young reported that McCourty told her he was considering three teams. The Patriots made it worth his while to stay.


The Patriots previously put a franchise tag on kicker Stephen Gostkowski, which opened up the possibility of them losing McCourty. Getting his deal done before free agency begins on Tuesday is a big move for the defending champs.


The Patriots still have one piece of unfinished potential free-agent business: cornerback Darrelle Revis. Revis has a $20 million option due before free agency starts, and the Patriots will try to get a more comfortable long-term deal done before he hits free agency. The deal for McCourty makes that harder, but Revis is a major priority for the Patriots as well.


For anyone hoping the Super Bowl champions were in for a major hit once McCourty wasn't franchised, they will be disappointed. The free agency class took yet another hit, but the Patriots will remain mostly intact trying to defend their title during the 2015 season.


- - - - - - -


Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdowncorner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!






from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/1wi6SvO
Read More

News sport : Dahntay Jones bumps Draymond Green, who later reminded Jones that 'he don't play' (Video)

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

Dahntay Jones has played double-figure minutes for the Los Angeles Clippers just once this season. He is not a member of the team’s rotation, in spite of Los Angeles’ depth woes, and when he appeared on my TV on Sunday afternoon I had to do a double-take before recalling the fact that Dahntay Jones is an actual member of the Los Angeles Clippers.


Did you see Jones on your television on Sunday? Here’s his lone closeup:



This was an odd, and clearly intentional, bump of Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green after Green’s team kept Jones’ Clippers at arm’s length all afternoon before walking away with a 106-98 win. Jones dropped 23 points in that conquest, and while Green and Jones don’t appear to have any longstanding feud to re-hash in these pages, the move did seem in line with Jones’ pugnacious NBA history.


Frankly, the bump seemed kind of cool; as it was nice to be reminded of what Dahntay Jones does. Green didn’t take great offense to it either, which made his postgame comments on the incident all the more charming:



The Clippers and Warriors don’t like each other. Years into their rivalry, the two teams are now relying on a role player gone boffo and a longtime NBA instigator to keep things interesting. We dig it, and we’d also like seven more games of it come playoff-time.


(Vine from Scott Noah via Deadspin, and YouTube clip courtesy Ethan Sherwood Strauss.)


- - - - - - -


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!






from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/1A6r0wh
Read More

News sport : Former Florida walk-on kicker Daniel Krysalka shot and killed in apparent accident

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

Former Florida walk-on kicker Daniel Krysalka was killed Sunday morning after accidentally being shot in the face by a friend.


According to a police report obtained by GatorSports.com, Jefferson Guinn, 20, was showing Krysalka, 19, his gun when it accidentally went off. Guinn has been arrested on a manslaughter charge.


Police were called to a southeast Ocala address at 12:41 a.m., and Krysalka was in the bedroom with Guinn and another man, Ethan Hayhurst. Hayhurst told police the three were talking about an incident the night before that involved Guinn reportedly “point(ing) his unloaded handgun at someone” during a party.


Krysalka was sitting on the floor in front of Guinn who was sitting in a chair while the three were showing each other the guns that they carried. Guinn mentioned to Krysalka that he had never cleaned his gun. According to Hayhurst, Krysalka told Guinn to take the gun apart to show him how dirty it was.


More from GatorSports.com:


The report states Hayhurst told the detective that Guinn disassembled the gun “but could not put the gun back together” at which time “the two watched a YouTube video and (Hayhurst) put the gun back together and handed, still unloaded, to Guinn.”

Hayhurst advised that Guinn “put a magazine in the firearm, cycled the slide chambering a round into the weapon, and pointed at the face of Krysalka,” the report states.

Hayhurst stated to the detective that the defendant was making fun of the people who had chastised him for the incident on March 6.

Hayhurst stated the “firearm then fired and Krysalka fell backwards, bleeding from the face,” according to the report.

The medical examiner’s review said the gunshot went through Krysalka’s mouth.


Krysalka walked on to the football team last season as a true freshman, but was not still on the roster. He was a star kicker and punter for Forest High School in Ocala, Fla.


For more Florida news, visit InsideTheGators.com.


- - - - - - -


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!


And don’t forget to keep up with all of Graham’s thoughts, witty comments and college football discussions on Facebook






from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/193HcsR
Read More

News sport : Repeated contact sends Kasey Kahne into the wall, Carl Edwards sliding

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

Carl Edwards pushed Kasey Kahne into the wall off of turn four. Kahne was not happy and returned the favor a lap later.


And while Kahne's car sustained damage on both sides from the impact, Edwards ended up with the worse end of the deal.


Let's rewind to how the conflict started. Edwards and Kahne were racing for a top-five spot just after a restart. Edwards' car washed up off turn four with Kahne to his outside and Kahne simply had nowhere to go.


Kahne's car was sandwiched between Edwards' and the wall, and as the two barreled down into turn one, Kahne drove close to Edwards to signal his displeasure. He then cut an early entry into turn one and made contact with Edwards, who clipped Denny Hamlin and went into a prolonged slide before eventually hitting the inside wall.


Edwards was forced to go behind the wall for repairs while Kahne was able to carry on. Edwards finished 42nd while Kahne came home 17th.


- - - - - - -


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







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

News sport : Kevin Harvick wins at Las Vegas

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


A year after after seeing a great car at Las Vegas go for naught because of a broken hub, Kevin Harvick's fast car was aptly rewarded on Sunday.


The defending Sprint Cup Series champion controlled the last half of Sunday's race at Vegas and captured his first win of the season and his third-straight top-two finish to start the year.


The win wasn't without a bit of drama. Or reported drama, anyway. With his car visibly loose over the final laps of the race, Harvick reported back to his crew that he had a vibration. However, he moved his car to the high side and if there was a vibration, it didn't affect his performance. The interval over second-place Martin Truex Jr. stabilized over the last seven laps and Harvick was able to cruise to the win.


"I don't know but it wasn't right," Harvick said. "Luckily we were able to hang on to it and had a good enough lead to where we could pace ourselves and were able to keep the lead, I guess."


Last year, Harvick led 23 laps before he finished 30 laps down because of the hub issue.


Truex's second was his third-straight top 10 to start the season. He's never started a Sprint Cup Series season with three consecutive finishes so high.


Jimmie Johnson, last week's winner at Atlanta, had a car to challenge Harvick but he wasn't around for the finish. Johnson was forced to pit road after he was leading in the first half of the race because of a tire issue. The green flag stop put him a lap down and as he attempted to climb through the field he had problems. He smacked the wall twice, once because of an apparent flat tire in the trival and he then hit the wall again in turn four. He finished 41st.


Jeff Gordon won the pole for the race but didn't start there after contact with Danica Patrick in the final moments of practice on Saturday. Gordon had to go to a backup car and worked his way up to the top 10 at one point after starting 41st. However, when Johnson lost the tire in the tri-oval, Gordon got into the back of Jeb Burton, damaging the nose of his car.


"I guess Jimmie blew a right front tire," Gordon said. "I was right behind Jeb getting ready to make a move on him. I wasn't sure if I was going to go inside or outside and all of the sudden he starts checking up. And I thought he was doing it to let me go by him and I didn't realize until right at that moment when my spotter said something to me that Jimmie was having a problem and I ran into the back of him. Ruined the front -- ruined our day with this 3M Chevrolet. It certainly ruined the front end. The car just wouldn't go down the straightaway and then it was real tight."


Harvick's win is his first at Las Vegas and his 29th overall.


- - - - - - -


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







from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/193mRE5
Read More

News sport : Ezekiel Elliott wants you to stop talking about his butt after Ohio State's dance routine (Video)

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

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer teased last Thursday that a few of his players were working on a dance for the halftime of Sunday’s basketball game against Wisconsin.


And the routine didn’t disappoint.



Nine members of the Buckeyes football team joined the dance team for a three-minute routine that included the football players dancing by themselves and with the dance team in coordinated fashion.


It was highly entertaining.


Not sure any of these guys have a future career on Dancing with the Stars, except perhaps Darron Lee, who has a nice solo moment. But we are proud of running back Ezekiel Elliott, who apparently can’t wear a football jersey unless its cropped 80s style. Way to stay on script, Zeke.


However, while we were focusing on the jersey, apparently a lot of folks were focusing on something other than Elliott’s attire.



For more Ohio State news, visit BuckeyeGrove.com.


- - - - - - -


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!


And don’t forget to keep up with all of Graham’s thoughts, witty comments and college football discussions on Facebook






from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/1KHW0xU
Read More

News sport : Stephen Curry makes a ridiculous shot, coach Steve Kerr disapproves and then approves

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

Stephen Curry missed six of nine shots in his team’s win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. He managed four assists but also turned the ball over four times in Golden State’s 106-98 win. On a national TV showcase, Curry did little to establish himself as a bonafide MVP candidate to those that had yet to watch Stephen play this season.


It hardly matters. One of his makes was this monstrosity:



You may have noticed that there were nine seconds left on the shot clock when Curry decided to let loose. You may have noticed, but Warriors coach Steve Kerr most definitely did notice. Take a look at his reaction:



This is an appropriate series of reactions to a play that was wholly inappropriate. Golden State dominated the Clippers on Sunday, the team has won 49 of 61 games so far this season, and they currently own the best record in the NBA.


And frighteningly, this wasn’t even Curry and his Warriors at their best. Even after winning over 80 percent of their games to start the first three-quarters of the 2014-15 season, you still have to feel like this group hasn’t even scratched the surface.


(Cheers to For the Win, James Herbert, and SportsNation for the clips.)


- - - - - - -


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!






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

News sport : North Florida is going dancing with a band member who will fit right in

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

North Florida freshman band member Stephen Putnam already was well known around the school and in Jacksonville for his wild dances during the first time out of the second half of Ospreys' games. Now he'll get to show his stuff in the NCAA Tournament.


[DraftKings: Play March Madness Fantasy College Hoops. $20 Entry. $20,000 Guaranteed Cash Prizes.]


North Florida beat South Carolina Upstate on Sunday to win the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament. Putnam captured the attention of the television cameras early in the second half when he did his wild dance meant to help fire up the team.


Putnam told the Florida Times-Union he first did his dancing at a volleyball match in the fall. It took hold when he performed earlier in the basketball season and he's been doing it ever since. We say performed, but this isn't exactly Fred Astaire or Michael Jackson stuff here. It's more possessed, crazy person and we can't wait to see it again in the first round of the tournament in two weeks.


"I got used to being the crazy guy in high school, so I’m just carrying it over to college,” Putnam told the Times-Union.


By the way, he also plays the baritone.



- - - - - - -


[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/1EtPMxV
Read More

News sport : Ticket Punched: Northern Iowa wins to the relief of all bubble teams

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

They can exhale in Bloomington, Champaign, Provo, College Station and all the other bubble outposts around the nation.


Northern Iowa has thwarted a potential bid thief with a memorable second-half comeback.


[DraftKings: Play March Madness Fantasy​ College Hoops. $20 Entry. $20,000 Guaranteed Cash Prizes.]


Having fallen behind upset-minded Illinois State by 18 points late in the first half of Sunday's Arch Madness title game, the 11th-ranked Panthers roared back with a momentum-altering 25-4 surge to start the second half. That was enough to carry Northern Iowa to a 69-60 victory that actually felt somewhat routine by the end of it.


Northern Iowa's first conference tournament championship since 2010 could propel the Panthers as high as a No. 3 or 4 seed when the NCAA tournament brackets are unveiled next Sunday evening. They don't have as many RPI top 50 wins as teams from power conferences, but they're 30-3 with victories over Iowa, Wichita State, Richmond and a very good Stephen F. Austin team.


Had Illinois State followed up its semifinal victory over top-seeded Wichita State by toppling Northern Iowa as well, the Redbirds would have claimed the Valley's automatic bid and reduced the number of available at-large bids by one. The Valley would have become a three-bid league because the Shockers and Panthers are locks to reach the NCAA tournament.


Northern Iowa's second-half surge ensured that would not happen, transforming a 14-point halftime deficit into seven-point lead nine minutes later. Valley player of the year Seth Tuttle had eight of his 15 points during the run and his teammates sank four 3-pointers.


Though the Panthers shot poorly from the field on Sunday, they made up for it by sinking 22 of 26 foul shots and committing only three turnovers. Illinois State got 16 points from guard Daishon Knight and 14 from forward Deontae Hawkins, but the Redbirds never mounted a serious charge in the final five minutes.


If the conference tournament championship was just a tad bittersweet for Northern Iowa because it didn't come at the expense of Wichita State, the Panthers will nonetheless surely relish in the outcome.


They're headed back to the NCAA tournament for the first time since Ali Faroukhmanesh's thunderbolt of a jump shot delivered one of the great upsets in recent years. And this time if Northern Iowa is playing in a Sweet 16 again, it won't be nearly as big a shock.


- - - - - - -


Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at daggerblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!







from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/18t7Z0C
Read More

News sport : Tim Duncan went an entire game without hitting a field goal, world continues apace

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

Tim Duncan missed this shot. (Getty Images) The San Antonio Spurs easily dispatched the injury-plagued Chicago Bulls on Sunday afternoon, utilizing crisp ball movement and perfect spacing on their way to a 116-105 win. Tony Parker emerged as a go-to force, nailing 13-19 shots for 32 points in his best game since his admission that hamstring woes have hampered him all year. Kawhi Leonard seemed to be everywhere on both sides of the ball yet again, and Patty Mills kept the offense flowing off the bench with 15 points.


Also, Tim Duncan didn’t hit a single field goal. That seems kind of weird.


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


Duncan missed all eight of his attempts from the floor in nearly 28 minutes of rather strong all-around play, the first time in his career that he’s gone an entire game without hitting a shot. Duncan hit three of four free throws and managed eight boards and three assists, but his ohfer from the floor marked the first such goose egg in 1310 career NBA games.


It wasn’t even a bad game for the future Basketball Hall of Famer – that’s the kicker. Had Duncan rattled in one of his eight attempts from the floor, nobody would have even noticed Tim’s supposed misstep.


Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has been limiting the big man’s minutes for years, literally dating back to a decade ago when Coach Pop decided to only play Duncan 33 minutes a contest on his team’s way to a third championship ring in 2005. Duncan, who will turn 39 in April, isn’t quite the offensive force he once was, but he can still carry a team on that end when called upon, and he went into Sunday averaging 5.7 makes a game, while nearly shooting 50 percent from the field.


The Spurs’ win allows them to briefly tie the Dallas Mavericks for the sixth seed in the loaded Western Conference playoff bracket, though the Mavs will take on the lowly Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday evening and likely vault back into the lead.


With that in place, the Spurs will still enter the postseason as The Team Nobody Wants To Play for, near as we can tell, the 17th time in the 18 seasons Tim Duncan has played in San Antonio. We’re excepting the 1999-00 postseason, which saw Duncan on the bench recovering from injury, the only other time in his career that he’s actually looked fallible before our adoring eyes.


The only other time until Sunday afternoon, that is. Here’s hoping Duncan does the right thing and stay after practice tomorrow to get some extra shots up. He’s been slacking for too long.


- - - - - - -


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!






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