NFL THE NEW COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3/15/2020
STATEMENT BY NFL COMMISSIONER ROGER GOODELL ON THE RATIFICATION OF THE NEW COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT
We are pleased that the players have voted to ratify the proposed new CBA, which will provide substantial benefits to all current and retired players, increase jobs, ensure continued progress on player safety, and give our fans more and better football. We appreciate the tireless efforts of the members of the Management Council Executive Committee and the NFLPA leadership, both of whom devoted nearly a year to detailed, good faith negotiations to reach this comprehensive, transformative agreement. # # #
NBA to suspend season following tonight’s games
Official Release |
March 11, 2020
NEW YORK – The NBA announced that a player on the Utah Jazz has preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19. The test result was reported shortly prior to the tip-off of tonight’s game between the Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena. At that time, tonight’s game was canceled. The affected player was not in the arena.
The NBA is suspending game play following the conclusion of tonight’s schedule of games until further notice. The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic.
Big Ten Conference Statement
The Big Ten Conference announced today that it will be canceling the remainder of the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament, effective immediately.
The Big Ten Conference will use this time to work with the appropriate medical experts and institutional leadership to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The main priority of the Big Ten Conference continues to be the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, fans and media as we continue to monitor all developing and relevant information on the COVID-19 virus.
Commissioner Kevin Warren
Press Conference
The verbiage in the release is ‘canceling’. The NBA said ‘suspend’. Is there any chance that later on you might revisit concluding the tournament?
COMMISSIONER WARREN: I would say no. I think it’s important, we wanted to make it clear, that we’re canceling it because, again, first and foremost we need to make sure we protect the health and safety of you all, of our student-athletes, of our administrators, of our fans.
I wish I knew more information. This is a fluid situation. I can’t recall the last time we’ve had a pandemic, but we do here. It’s really important that we’re thoughtful. If it comes down that I overreacted or we overreacted, I’m comfortable with that.
I think as I sit here today in these kind of situations, you can never overreact from a safety standpoint, and I think we needed to make sure we went to the highest level to give us a chance to deal with this acute problem.
I believe the ACC just crowned Florida State the No. 1 seed, the tournament champion. I was wondering if you had any plans to crown a champion when there wasn’t a tournament played?
COMMISSIONER WARREN: As I sit here today, it is difficult to crown a champion if you don’t compete. We do have three champions from the regular season. That’s the other thing, when you think about it, we were blessed with an incredible Big Ten basketball season, the number of teams that played well. We have those memories to really think about as we sit here today.
I don’t think I would recommend to our staff or crown a champion from the tournament because we didn’t get a chance to play the tournament.
PAC-12 STATEMENT ON MEN’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
| For Immediate Release // Thursday, March 12, 2020 |
| Contact // Andrew Walker |
PAC-12 STATEMENT ON MEN’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT, PAC-12 SPORT COMPETITIONS & PAC-12 CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS
The Pac-12 Conference has made the decision to cancel the remainder of the Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Tournament and all Pac-12 sport competitions and Pac-12 Championship events, effective immediately, until further notice. This decision has been made in consultation with our member universities in an effort to limit the spread of the virus and in the interest of the health and safety of our student-athletes, campus personnel, working and event personnel, and all those who attend Pac-12 events.
27 Unanswered Points Fuels Wildcats Comeback Win
Carson, CA – Beating the DC Defenders gave Los Angeles a bit of hope in the XFL. Knowing that the top two teams in each conference make the playoffs, it helps a bit that there is one dominant team in the conference (Houston Roughnecks). Some of that momentum was lost after struggling to find any rhythm against New York, trailing early and not being able to find any footing on offense. Tampa Bay, starting the season 0-3, shut out the DC Defenders, forcing their downward spiral to continue.
At first, it all seemed like the Vipers would force a spiral to the Wildcats after going up 24-6 with a turnover brigade. Throughout the first 15 minutes or so, Tampa Bay looked like they were having all the fun with getting into the endzone on their first three of four possessions, capped off by 15 points off of turnovers. The Wildcats in the mean time managed their own game plan hoisting an unexpected comeback that gave Los Angeles a much needed 41-34 win, putting them back in the talks being relevant in the Western Conference.
“We don’t want to put ourselves in a game like this again,” Tre McBride said. “With that being said, a win is a win, and our goal every week is to put up as many points as possible. We did that tonight, but this tells us as a team we need to do more.”
It was beyond an ugly start for the Wildcats. In their first five possessions, the Wildcats had a very hard time holding onto the ball in all aspects. From an interception on the first play to bad shotgun snaps and muffed punts, the Wildcats looked as if they were ready to hand the game to Tampa Bay.
Josh Johnson though found more than just his receivers and footing. He played practically throughout the rest of the game like a professional, evading sacks and reading just about all of his passes. They closed the first half with 16 unanswered points with touchdown strikes to De’Quan Hampton and Brandon Barnes. Heading into the half down by just four, their defense bailed them out with key stops and a forced turnover. With the Wildcats then scoring on two more possessions from the arm of Johnson, the LA faithful looked as if they were behind this team.
With the way Johnson’s game started out, he finished with everything going his way. He ended the night going 20-for-34 with four touchdowns, all of which was done in the 27-0 run.
“Josh is playing great,” Tre McBride said. “He has never lost confidence in his receivers and it showed in a game like this today. It is important to have that core be dedicated like the way we played today.”
“All in all, we just stuck to the game plan.” Johnson said. “We felt like last week we lost our guidance and missed out on passing tests. This week it was about how we could respond as a team, and to that we responded well.”
Tampa Bay only managed 233 yards after leading big early, with more than two thirds of those yards only surmounting three points and a game ending interception in the endzone.
“We all feed off of each other,” “Our defense did their part to feed the momentum offensively. They did their job, so we ended up doing our job as well to our advantage.”
Los Angeles has put themselves back in relevance, but a crowd of just over 12,000 on a Sunday night raised a bit of concern. While there are no rumors of any type of relocation, they currently hold two of the three lowest attended games this season. This week was also a part of the lowest attended games from the first five weeks, which could put Los Angeles in the conversation of finding out if Carson is the right place for the XFL.
Still, wins are important when building a franchise and to be recognized. The Wildcats arguably earned one of the more impressive ones in the young season by any team. With Seattle next week, they can put a team behind them and chase after the second seed where Dallas lies.
After Breaking Record, Mathews Breaks Hearts With Game Winner
LOS ANGELES – Jonah Mathews closes the regular season with a record-breaking performance in the USC Trojans’ 54-52 victory over the UCLA Bruin’s Saturday afternoon at the Galen Center, ending their cross-town rival’s seven-game winning streak.
Mathews entered the game needing to make four threes to break Elijah Stewart’s Trojan record of 245 three pointers. Mathews made a season-high five three pointers to set a new Trojan record at 247. But none was more important than the game-winning three he made with one second left on the clock.
UCLA’s Cody Riley, who scored a Bruin-leading 13 points, made two free throws to give Bruins a 52-51 lead with 9 seconds left. The Trojans called a timeout in between to try to ice Riley, to no avail but to also set up the final play.
“We set a high ball screen, “ said USC head coach Andy Enfield. “Jonah can take on the big and go to work. It was his call to drive or step back. You put the ball in your best playmaker’s hands.”
The ending was a moment of redemption for Mathews. With 1:41 on the clock and Trojans leading 51-48, Mathews missed a pair of free throws that could have given his team more cushion and pressure on the Bruins in the final minutes.
“Coach told me before the free throw even happened, he was putting the ball in my hands and we’re going to live or die,” Mathews said. “So I was like ‘We’re going to live today!’ We’re going to live and celebrate.”
The moment was particularly special considering it was against the Trojans’ rivals.
“That was a dagger in their heart,” said Mathews.“It’ll stick with them forever like this will stick with me forever… I actually dreamed it last night. I said, ‘What if I end it like that, what if I break the record?’”
Onyeka Okongwu, who scored 16 points for the Trojans grabbed a huge offensive rebound with two Bruins draped all over his back. He then passed to Mathews at the top of the three-point arc who then made a three to put USC up 43-38. It was Mathews’ fourth of the game and the record breaking 246th of his career.
It was a close game for all 40 minutes, with the largest lead either team held at five points. And another of the grind-it-out variety for the Trojans, who once again kept an opponent to under 40 percent shooting; they improve to 16-3 when doing so.
With the win, the Trojans finish tied for third place in the Pac-12 Conference and secures a bye for the first round of the conference tournament, to be played later this week in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Dallas Outlasts New Orleans’ Offensive Surge
Dallas, TX – While the home crowd eagerly awaited a Zion Williamson sighting, it was the presence of New Orleans players Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball that made Wednesday evening’s 127-123 Dallas victory especially hard-fought.
Ingram scored 27 points. Ball added 25 points, making seven three point baskets. Williamson contributed 21 points for the Pelicans.
Dallas starter Dorian Finney-Smith left the game in the first half with an apparent hip injury, leaving the Mavericks without one of their better defenders and his constant contribution of second-chance points.
Kristaps Porzingis led all scorers with 34 points. The big man also added 12 rebounds and blocked five shots. Luka Doncic totaled 30 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists Wednesday night, earning his 14th triple-double of the season. Doncic passed Dallas legend Jason Kidd Wednesday night by earning his 22nd triple double – he now has more triple doubles than any player in Mavericks’ history.
With a balanced offensive attack from both teams and a hectic final quarter, the night’s matchup proved entertaining for the Dallas crowd. Nicolo Melli scored his first basket of the night for the Pelicans with just seconds remaining on the clock, inevitably sending the game into overtime with a 112-112 tie.
Overtime was all about the collaboration of Doncic and Porzingis. The two now appear more in sync than ever before this season. The Mavericks simply did a lot of things right in overtime and outlasted the Pelicans.
“I’ve been just playing my game,” Porzingis shared postgame. “It took me a little bit of time to figure out my spots and when to be aggressive.”
Trojans Exact Revenge on Sun Devils
LOS ANGELES – Jonah Mathews and Daniel Utomi carried the torch, leading four Trojans scoring double figures in a 71-61 USC victory over the Arizona State Sun Devils Saturday night at the Galen Center. It was the second consecutive win over an NCAA-Tournament bound team, completing a home sweep over the Arizona schools.
Mathews scored a game-high 23 points. Utomi scored 19 and added 11 rebounds. Nick Rakocevic, seemingly recovered from a virus that caused him to lose 16 pounds in two days, also had a double double of 13 points and 11 rebounds. Big O, who fouled out of this game, chipped in with 10 points.
These teams met three weeks prior to this contest in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils forced the Trojans to commit 24 turnovers that day, which was the most by an ASU opponent since 2002, en route to a 66-64 victory for the Sun Devils.
Now as visitors, the Devils tried to use the same recipe but lacked a little bit of sauce. Meaning they did the same thing as before but couldn’t get any buckets. The Trojans showed up on defense again, as they held the Sun Devils to below 33 percent shooting.
Romello White opened the game scoring for Sun Devils. But the 2-0 lead would be the last and only time they were ahead on the scoreboard. Mathews evened the game with a pull up jump shot, followed by an Utomi three, and another Utomi three, then Utomi made a three again. Before they knew it, the Devils trailed by 10 by the first TV timeout at the 15:48 mark.
“He’s definitely the X-factor on the team,” said Mathews about Utomi. “When he plays well, we’re for sure playing good. He came out hot with four threes. He played well and had a double double tonight. So it wasn’t just shooting, he rebounded. He was tough.”
Coach Andy Enfield couldn’t have liked the 14 turnovers by USC in the first half. Trojans shoot 59% from the field, Arizona State made only 35% but it was only a 41-36 game at halftime. Sun Devils strategy of applying pressure after every made basket and whenever the Trojans inbounded the ball worked well enough to keep them in the game.
“They have to go make plays,” said Enfield. “You have to be tough with the ball and run through your catch. You have to go perform and we finally did that in the second half. We limited our turnovers in the second half and played much better.”
The Trojans came out of the break looking to put the visitors away early as their lead was increased to 12 points over the first eight minutes of the closing half. However, the Devils showed resiliency and went on an 11-0 blitz during the next four minutes. That’s when Mathews stepped in and grabbed the Devils by their horns.
“We knew they were gone come back with a punch,” said Mathews. “At that point, I just wanted to solidify the win. My teammates found me. I had to make plays, as a senior. Coach put the ball in my hands so I had to produce.”
Mathews responded to the run with a traditional three-point play as he got fouled making a layup. The next time down the floor he made a three pointer, giving his team a seven-point lead. After the Sun Devils’ Remy Martin, who led his team with 22 points, made a layup, Mathews answered with one of his own, making it a 62-55 score and put the game away for the Trojans.
USC is now 21-9 on the season and face cross-town rivals UCLA next Saturday at the Galen Center. UCLA defeated the Arizona Wildcats 69-64 Saturday after beating these same Sun Devils on Thursday. This means both LA schools had a home sweep the Arizona schools in Pac-12 play this week.
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