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By: Milith Batchu  It’s no secret. The NBA has been searching tirelessly for a sort of adjustment or alteration to restore the All-Star Weekend to its former glory.
It’s been a painful journey, hindered by unrealistic expectations and forced nostalgia, but in spite of their efforts to establish its popularity, the league has failed to battle the ghosts and stand for the future. This year, expectations were middling, and the product was even worse. The Dunk Contest saw an admittedly ridiculously athletic G-leaguer take home his third consecutive crown, the Skills Challenge was gamified, and the main event was more ads than basketball. So what’s going on, and how do we fix it?
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By: Sam Wilmeth  Earlier this month, we watched some of the world’s top ice hockey prospects face off in a heated competition during this year’s World Juniors. The annual ice hockey tournament, featuring under 20 players from across the globe representing their country, displayed exciting match-ups which resulted in Team USA winning gold for the second straight year.
The tournament saw triumph and heartbreak for different countries, but it undoubtedly gave star players a chance to showcase their talent, and helped NHL scouts gauge how players, both drafted and undrafted, would perform on teams at a professional level. Here’s a look at a few of the top prospects, and what their future in ice hockey holds: By: Henry Kvech  Super Bowl 59 is right around the corner, with two of the league's most elite teams battling for their trip to Disney World. But the path to winning the Super Bowl is not for the average princess. As these two storied teams battle it out for the Lombardi, only one will claim the title and write their name in the NFL’s history books.
By: Ademide Shodunke and Milith Batchu  Apart from the NBA playoffs, Christmas Day has always had the greatest duels of the NBA season, and this time isn’t any different. From Victor Wembanyama’s highly anticipated debut at Madison Square Garden to Luka Dončić and Anthony Edwards’ Western Conference Finals rematch, this day is packed with drama and star power. Fans will have the opportunity to witness historic performances from Jayson Tatum versus Tyrese Maxey to Lebron James and Steph Curry. We are even blessed with a primetime showdown between the defending champion Denver Nuggets and superstar- led team in Phoenix. Featuring five games across the day, what more could every fan of the sport ask for?
Here’s a closer look at each matchup, breaking down the key storylines, players to watch, and even our prediction for the games, which we hope to be holiday hoops classics. By: Henry Kvech  In the modern era, the run game is the most vital factor for many teams around the NFL.
But, in reality, it’s the person actually running the ball who is the LEAST vital factor for those teams. By: Avery Donnellon  72: The number of combined championship titles between the New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Steelers, Montreal Canadiens, and Boston Celtics.
0: The number of championship titles among 37 different teams across the MLB, NFL, NHL, and NBA. The notable imbalance begs the question: What makes one team generationally great, while another is lost to the wayside, relegated to an endless cycle of obscurity? The answer should be obvious to any sports viewer: money. By: Jacob Miles with Mr. Illuzzi  Photo courtesty of Charles Levie If the age-old adage that “defense wins championships” is true, then the Glenelg football team is in an enviable position heading into the 2024 playoffs.
With a record of 6-3, the Gladiators are riding a three-game win streak, outscoring opponents 63-14 during that stretch, and outpacing all other county teams with a near league record of 8.1 points allowed per game – a third of their wins this season, including their last two, have been shutouts. Ask any player if they are surprised to find this year’s team leading defensive statistical categories, and the confident “no” you’ll receive in response indicates a squad that expects to succeed. It certainly helps when the core of senior defensive players has grown together since their freshman year. By: Milith Batchu  With the NBA season underway, here are some narratives you should watch for out of the Western Conference during the 2024- 2025 season.
By: Henry Kvech  We are already 5 weeks into the NFL season, and it's been nothing short of surprising. Let's dive into some of the major headlines that have emerged thus far.
By: Avery Donnellon  The 2024-25 NHL season is right around the corner, and with some major trade acquisitions and rookies on the rise, it’s bound to change up the dynamics across the league. Before the season gets into full swing, here are five teams hockey fans should keep their eyes on this year.
By: Thomas Seaman  As the pressure mounts ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics where athletes look to set new standards in their respective disciplines, one American performance has the weightlifting community buzzing.
On April 2, Hampton Morris became the first American male to break a senior weightlifting world record in 55 years at the IWF World Cup in Phuket, Thailand. Despite having already punched his ticket to the Paris Olympics, Morris amazed at the World Cup. On his third and final attempt in the clean and jerk, Morris made the lift at 176 kilos setting a new junior and senior world record in the clean and jerk for the 61 kg weight class. While records in weightlifting may be frequent to come by for some nations, this lift marked a monumental milestone for both Morris and the sport of weightlifting in the United States. The ending of this 55-year drought marks an upturn in the competitiveness of American lifters on the global stage. While the sport often goes unnoticed in the US, years of hard work go into performing at the highest level in the sport. Unlike many other sports, weightlifting is in season year round with multiple events that athletes must attend on the route to Olympic qualification. Despite the sports general lack of recognition from the public and lackluster compensation for competitors, athletes still devote themselves to the pursuit of Olympic glory. Generally, an athlete’s continued dedication to their sport year in and out despite them generally being underdogs would be seen as a classic American story. Unfortunately, it’s quite the opposite with some athletes, especially weightlifters (check that, especially female weightlifters) remaining largely unnoticed in American sports culture. But not for long. Not if 20-year-old Olivia Reeves has anything to say. In Phuket, the 71kg lifter brought home gold for the snatch, clean and jerk, and total, and will carry her momentum into the Olympics where she will enter ranked number two in the world behind Song Kuk Hyang, a North Korean athlete who will not be competing in Paris. Another potential American Olympic medalist in weightlifting is thrower turned weightlifter Mary Theisen-Lappen who is currently ranked 5th in the world and 4th among athletes who will be competing in Paris this summer. Entering the Olympics, Theisen-Lappen will be a very competitive lifter in the 87+ kg category and will definitely have medal potential. Overall, the American weightlifting team at this year's Olympics in Paris will be more competitive than it has been in decades. With medal contenders in both male and female categories it will be interesting to see how American lifters perform when it comes to the world’s biggest stage. By: Finn Reynolds  Over the last two seasons of college football, Caleb Williams has been the star of the show. He's been heralded by analysts as the next great quarterback, a generational player, and someone who has no weaknesses and can compete as a rookie.
But too many people are blinded by their impressions and don't look further into the player he is. While there is no denying he is an amazing player, his weaknesses will be far more exploited than his talents in the NFL. Playing in college doesn't mean anything. There are plenty of QBs who never won anything or didn't crush college, but still performed well in the NFL. Despite his collegiate success, don’t expect Williams to be one of them. By: Milith Batchu  The introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights has been a game changer in college sports.
Since the NCAA’s 2021 policy adjustment, college athletes are now allowed to profit from their NIL without risking their sports eligibility. But what stands for the new era in college sports and what other possibilities or challenges could arise? The answers will have major implications for collegiate athletics. By: Justin Goldberg  Let’s point out the obvious: Jayden Daniels is a phenomenal quarterback at the collegiate level. College defenses can’t keep up with his unreal athleticism, rocket arm, deep accuracy and precision outside the numbers. Daniels can make lots of throws on the field from a clean pocket and under pressure.
But I was less than impressed watching his tape, especially for someone who will enter his rookie season at 24. I watched every single offensive snap of his Heisman campaign in 2023. He has the natural ability to make plays with his legs and throws with his cannon of a right arm, but there are too many glaring weaknesses that are overshadowed by how likable he is. By: Victoria Wright  Caitlin. Clark.
You’ve probably heard this name somewhere in the last few months. Clark is a talented basketball player for the Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team. Over the last few years she has gained incredible amounts of recognition for her scoring ability and overall influence on the game. Growing up in Iowa, Clark started her basketball journey playing for local teams. During sixth grade she joined the All Iowa Attack, a program part of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), which she played for until the end of high school. By: Justin Goldberg and Mr. Illuzzi  Serena Williams. Simone Biles. Ronda Rousey. Alex Morgan. All world-class athletes who have recently shaped, even transformed, their respective sports.
Go ahead and add Caitlin Clark to the list. Over the past two seasons, Clark, and Iowa women’s basketball, has been at the center of the basketball world, and with good reason: the back-to-back recipient of the Naismith Women’s Player of the Year Award has revolutionized the game. By: Milith Batchu  In one of college basketball’s most cherished traditions, the Duke vs. UNC rivalry is set to enter a new chapter this Saturday, March 9, and the matchup is bound to be more than a simple basketball game. This game, which has a rich history dating back a century, brings together emerging talents and seasoned veterans in a rivalry that is as much a part of North Carolina’s culture as it is of collegiate basketball.
By: Justin Goldberg  Brock Purdy’s underdog story, from being drafted last in the 2022 draft to MVP consideration and near Super Bowl victory in 2024, is the stuff straight out of a movie script.
As much as his story is blockbuster worthy, his being labeled as a “system quarterback” and “game manager,” seeks to reduce and mar his status. What people don’t realize is that neither of the aforementioned qualifiers should be used to critique a player, which speaks little of his actual abilities on the field. By: Thomas Seaman  With the conclusion of the college football season it’s a good time to look back at the successes, failures, and aging features of the college football system. While once a captivating and useful concept, the bowl game system has become entirely dated and this is reflected by player participation and results.
No game demonstrates this disturbing reality more effectively than this past season’s Orange Bowl matchup between Georgia and FSU. |
