Warriors collapse as Nikola Jokic hits miracle game-winner; New QB1 at Ohio State?

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Good morning to everybody however particularly …

WILL HOWARD AND OHIO STATE

Ohio State has its subsequent quarterback. Will Howard has his subsequent residence. The previous Kansas State signal-caller is headed to Columbus because the Buckeyes reload — and maybe enhance — beneath heart after Kyle McCord transferred to Syracuse.

Howard threw for twenty-four touchdowns and ran for 9 extra with the Wildcats final 12 months and had curiosity within the portal from USC and Miami along with Ohio State. With the Buckeyes, he’ll possible compete with Devin Brown for the beginning job, although Howard could have one key benefit, notes Dean Straka.

• Straka: “Howard will not be a showstopper on the subject of quarterbacks, however his presence does give coach Ryan Day a QB1 choice with Energy 5 beginning expertise in 2024 — a luxurious the crew did not have final 12 months when the alternatives had been McCord and Brown. With a full offseason at his disposal, Howard must be effectively versed in Ryan Day‘s system by the point Week 1 rolls round.”

Honorable mentions

And never such an excellent morning for …

THE GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

The Warriors had been cruising to their greatest win of the 12 months. They ended up with considered one of their most soul-crushing regular-season losses not simply of the 12 months, however of the Stephen Curry period.

Nikola Jokic banked in a half-court buzzer-beater (watch it here) to elevate Denver to a 130-127 win over host Golden State in a matchup of the final two NBA champions. The Nuggets completed the sport on a 25-4 run over the ultimate 6:34.

We need not overview each aimless offensive possession, each miss and each defensive implosion. The Warriors, now 16-18 this season and eleventh within the West, simply suffered an absolute backbreaker and have nobody in charge however themselves, writes Colin Ward-Henninger.

• Ward-Henninger: “What was poised to be a celebratory, probably transformative night time for the Warriors devolved into one more jagged lump of proof suggesting that the unparalleled mojo of the Steph Curry-Klay Thompson-Draymond Inexperienced dynasty is quickly nearing — and maybe previous — its expiration date.”

Oh yeah, that Jokic fella is not half unhealthy, both.

Not-so-honorable mentions

NFL Week 18 picks

It is right here. Week 18, in all of its glory. Sixteen video games — 13 with playoff implications, three with draft implications. It begins tomorrow, first with the Steelers going through the Lamar Jackson-less Ravens, adopted by a win-and-in Texans-Colts showdown. Tyler Sullivan says …

• Sullivan: “C.J. Stroud is the X-factor. He provides Houston the clear benefit at quarterback over Gardner Minshew and was strong in his return from his concussion final week in opposition to Tennessee. With the rust dusted off of him for this matchup in opposition to the Colts, he ought to discover success in opposition to a protection that he threw for 384 yards in opposition to again in Week 2. The Texans are additionally 7-0 SU and ATS of their final seven divisional highway video games. Projected rating: Texans 28, Colts 24. The choose: Texans +1“

Sunday, the Packers have their very own win-and-in recreation in opposition to the Bears. John Breech says …

• Breech: “The Bears are one of many hottest groups within the NFL they usually’ll be going into Inexperienced Bay with a speeding assault that averages 145.3 yards per recreation, which is the second-best within the NFL. And so they’ll be going up in opposition to a Packers protection that has been horrible at stopping the run this season. The choose: Bears 30-27 over Packers“

Justin Fields has made his case to be “the man” long-term, however how about this protection?! Since Week 10, the Bears lead the league in defensive success charge. So I am with John right here.

Final week I went three for 3 on my picks, so we’ll strive it once more. Along with Bears over Packers, I am going …

• Saints over Falcons
• Jaguars over Titans

As for our consultants’ picks …

Pete Prisco | Will Brinson | John Breech | Jordan Dajani | Tyler Sullivan

NIL modifications coming this 12 months?

Bear in mind one month in the past when NCAA president Charlie Baker proposed a pay-for-play plan that will revolutionize school sports activities and create a brand new subdivision of D-I faculties? It could be coming prior to you suppose.

In response to CBS Sports activities insider Dennis Dodd, the NCAA will contemplate adopting at the least a part of Baker’s proposal as quickly as August.

In the event you do not fairly bear in mind the main points, here is a nice abstract from Shehan Jeyarajah.

• Jeyarajah: “Membership within the new subdivision could be voluntary, however would require an funding of at the least $30,000 per 12 months into an academic belief fund for at the least half of its whole quantity athletes. … The football-based subdivision could be impartial of the FBS and FCS dichotomy. Groups at both stage are eligible to choose into the soccer subdivision. Nevertheless, groups that choose in will finally be capable to exist at a distinct stage than the remainder of school soccer. The group might resolve completely different roster sizes, recruitment practices, switch or NIL guidelines, even whereas competing in opposition to different members of FBS or FCS working beneath the prevailing guidelines.”

Extra particulars:

• Baker’s plan would add many advantages powerhouse applications may need sought by breaking away from the NCAA, whereas remaining beneath the NCAA umbrella.
• Athletes could be straight compensated with out them being designated (or protected) as staff.
• The academic belief fund could be along with scholarships.
• The remaining FBS faculties would nonetheless have entry to the Faculty Soccer Playoff.
• A number of high athletic administrators have voiced assist for the proposal.

Per Dennis’ reporting, the NCAA Council will meet in April to debate, in June to finalize suggestions and in August to behave on the suggestions — and probably institute them by subsequent soccer season. The creation of a brand new subdivision might come by January 2025.

There are nonetheless a number of hurdles from many sides: faculties, athletic departments, student-athletes and even authorized illustration. However for now, it seems like Baker’s proposal could possibly be taking steps ahead, and shortly.

What it is prefer to play alongside Tyrese Haliburton

“Diabolical.”

That is how considered one of Tyrese Haliburton’s teammates described Haliburton’s passing to Jack Maloney. And it is a honest solution to put it. Haliburton is the NBA’s assists chief at 12.7 per recreation. Solely six gamers have ever averaged a dozen assists. And it is not simply that Haliburton racks up the help numbers. It is the shortage of turnovers, too. Nobody has ever averaged 12 assists with a 5.0 assist-to-turnover ratio, as Haliburton is doing presently.

Diabolical certainly.

Jack has an exquisite story on what it is prefer to play alongside Haliburton, as informed by his Pacers teammates. A few of my favourite descriptions?

• “Shit, he is inventive, man.”
• “He makes it flashy, but it surely’s the fitting play each time.”
  
• “It is simply Tyrese.”

In the event you did not catch Haliburton’s star rise in the course of the In-Season Match, I am sorry. The excellent news is it is not too late. He and the Pacers host the Hawks tonight and the NBA-best Celtics tomorrow and Monday.

What we’re watching this weekend

Friday

Knicks at 76ers, 7:30 p.m. on ESPN
No. 9 Illinois at No. 1 Purdue (M), 9:30 p.m. on FS1
Grizzlies at Lakers, 10 p.m. on ESPN

Saturday

 No. 7 Marquette at Seton Corridor (M), midday on CBS Sports activities Community
 No. 8 North Carolina at No. 16 Clemson (M), midday on ESPN2
 TCU at No. 2 Kansas (M), 2 p.m. on CBS
 Steelers at Ravens, 4:30 p.m. on ABC/ESPN
 No. 22 Ole Miss at No. 5 Tennessee (M), 6 p.m. on SEC Community
Texans at Colts, 8:15 p.m. on ABC/ESPN

Sunday

No. 3 NC State at No. 13 Virginia Tech (W), midday on ACC Community
Mississippi State at No. 1 South Carolina (W), 1 p.m. on ESPN 
Jaguars at Titans, 1 p.m. on CBS
Falcons at Saints, 1 p.m. on CBS
Buccaneers at Panthers, 1 p.m. on Fox
No. 7 LSU at Ole Miss, 3 p.m. on ESPN
Cowboys at Commanders, 4:25 p.m. on Fox
 Eagles at Giants, 4:25 p.m. on CBS
Bears at Packers, 4:25 p.m. on CBS
Seahawks at Cardinals, 4:25 p.m. on Fox
Payments at Dolphins, 8:20 p.m. on NBC