Kansas Falls to TCU in Big 12 Tourney
The top-ranked Kansas Jayahawks suspended star freshman Josh Jackson for the first Big 12 Tournament game, but little did they know that it would be the only Big 12 Tournament game for them. The TCU Horned Frogs got two big free throws from Desmond Bane with 2.5 seconds left, sealing an 85-82 upset of the Jayhawks Thursday night. Bane finished with 16 points, leading TCU to a late rally, as they came back from a four-point deficit in the final minute of the game. Alex Robinson had the go-ahead layup for TCU, as Devonte Graham missed a three at the buzzer to seal the stunning result in the quarterfinals. Kenrich Williams had 18 points, Robinson chipped in 13, and Brandon Parrish added 12, helping the eighth-seeded Horned Frogs come back from a 12-point first half deficit. Jackson was suspended for the quarterfinal matchup for failing to report a traffic violation from February. Now the Jayahwks will go home until the NCAA Tournament, while TCU moves on to face No. 23 Iowa State on Friday night.
Westbrook Ties Chamberlain, Thunder Snap Spurs' Streak
Russell Westbrook continues to keep his name atop the MVP conversation with his unbelievable season, as he recorded his 31st triple-double of the year in the Oklahoma City Thunder's 102-92 win over the San Antonio Spurs. The win snaps the Spurs' nine-game win streak, as Westbrook ties Wilt Chamberlain for the second-most triple-doubles in one season. Chamberlain had 31 in the 1967-68 season, and only Oscar Robertson has more with 41 in 1961-62. Westbrook finished with 23 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists on Thursday against the second-best team in the league. Victor Oladipo had 20 points to support the offense, while Enes Kanter had 14 points and 10 rebounds, as OKC snapped a four-game losing streak of their own. Kawhi Leonard had 19 points to lead San Antonio, but left the game in the third quarter after taking a hard hit in the neck area from Oladipo. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is not sure how serious the injury is. San Antonio was also resting Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Kyle Anderson on the night.
NFL Free Agency Wastes Little Time
The NFL free agency period officially began on Thursday, and teams were wasting no time getting deals agreed upon. It began with a blockbuster, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers got a deep threat for Jameis Winston by adding wide receiver DeSean Jackson. Jackson had spent just about his entire NFL career in the NFC East with the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles. Speaking of the Eagles, they added a couple of wideouts of their own. They brought in veterans Torrey Smith and Alshon Jeffery on Thursday. Smith's deal is for three years, while Jeffery's is for just one. One wide receiver that may or may not be on the move is Brandin Cooks from the New Orleans Saints. The New England Patriots are said to be favorites to land the player in a trade, with cornerback Malcolm Butler thrown out there as possibly heading to New Orleans. The Saints did sign wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. on Thursday, which could signal the end to Cooks with the Saints.
The Cleveland Browns also had an interesting day, which was headlined by them acquiring quarterback Brock Osweiler from the Houston Texans. The thought process from Cleveland was the amount of draft picks they received in the deal, which was two. They are expected to release or trade Osweiler, which could lead to possibly more draft picks. The Texans made the deal most probably expecting to sign now free agent Tony Romo. Another veteran quarterback available is Jay Cutler, who was cut by the Chicago Bears after requesting they do so. This came after the team gave Mike Glennon a three-year deal. One quarterback that is not available is Kirk Cousins, who remains in Washington, despite requesting a trade after failing to reach a long-term deal. This issue led to the firing of the team's general manager, Scott McCloughan, after just two seasons with the team.
Other big names that were signed on Thursday include wide receiver Kenny Britt, who got a four-year deal with the Browns. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore adds to the Patriots' impressive defense by agreeing to a deal. The Chargers gave former Broncos offensive tackle Russell Okung a four-year contract. And the Jacksonville Jaguars continued to improve their defense after adding Pro Bowler Calais Campbell, they also brought along cornerback A.J. Bouye on a five-year deal. All of these in less than 24 hours of the free agency period, which can only mean there is much more to come this off-season.
The top-ranked Kansas Jayahawks suspended star freshman Josh Jackson for the first Big 12 Tournament game, but little did they know that it would be the only Big 12 Tournament game for them. The TCU Horned Frogs got two big free throws from Desmond Bane with 2.5 seconds left, sealing an 85-82 upset of the Jayhawks Thursday night. Bane finished with 16 points, leading TCU to a late rally, as they came back from a four-point deficit in the final minute of the game. Alex Robinson had the go-ahead layup for TCU, as Devonte Graham missed a three at the buzzer to seal the stunning result in the quarterfinals. Kenrich Williams had 18 points, Robinson chipped in 13, and Brandon Parrish added 12, helping the eighth-seeded Horned Frogs come back from a 12-point first half deficit. Jackson was suspended for the quarterfinal matchup for failing to report a traffic violation from February. Now the Jayahwks will go home until the NCAA Tournament, while TCU moves on to face No. 23 Iowa State on Friday night.
Westbrook Ties Chamberlain, Thunder Snap Spurs' Streak
Russell Westbrook continues to keep his name atop the MVP conversation with his unbelievable season, as he recorded his 31st triple-double of the year in the Oklahoma City Thunder's 102-92 win over the San Antonio Spurs. The win snaps the Spurs' nine-game win streak, as Westbrook ties Wilt Chamberlain for the second-most triple-doubles in one season. Chamberlain had 31 in the 1967-68 season, and only Oscar Robertson has more with 41 in 1961-62. Westbrook finished with 23 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists on Thursday against the second-best team in the league. Victor Oladipo had 20 points to support the offense, while Enes Kanter had 14 points and 10 rebounds, as OKC snapped a four-game losing streak of their own. Kawhi Leonard had 19 points to lead San Antonio, but left the game in the third quarter after taking a hard hit in the neck area from Oladipo. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is not sure how serious the injury is. San Antonio was also resting Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Kyle Anderson on the night.
NFL Free Agency Wastes Little Time
The NFL free agency period officially began on Thursday, and teams were wasting no time getting deals agreed upon. It began with a blockbuster, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers got a deep threat for Jameis Winston by adding wide receiver DeSean Jackson. Jackson had spent just about his entire NFL career in the NFC East with the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles. Speaking of the Eagles, they added a couple of wideouts of their own. They brought in veterans Torrey Smith and Alshon Jeffery on Thursday. Smith's deal is for three years, while Jeffery's is for just one. One wide receiver that may or may not be on the move is Brandin Cooks from the New Orleans Saints. The New England Patriots are said to be favorites to land the player in a trade, with cornerback Malcolm Butler thrown out there as possibly heading to New Orleans. The Saints did sign wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. on Thursday, which could signal the end to Cooks with the Saints.
The Cleveland Browns also had an interesting day, which was headlined by them acquiring quarterback Brock Osweiler from the Houston Texans. The thought process from Cleveland was the amount of draft picks they received in the deal, which was two. They are expected to release or trade Osweiler, which could lead to possibly more draft picks. The Texans made the deal most probably expecting to sign now free agent Tony Romo. Another veteran quarterback available is Jay Cutler, who was cut by the Chicago Bears after requesting they do so. This came after the team gave Mike Glennon a three-year deal. One quarterback that is not available is Kirk Cousins, who remains in Washington, despite requesting a trade after failing to reach a long-term deal. This issue led to the firing of the team's general manager, Scott McCloughan, after just two seasons with the team.
Other big names that were signed on Thursday include wide receiver Kenny Britt, who got a four-year deal with the Browns. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore adds to the Patriots' impressive defense by agreeing to a deal. The Chargers gave former Broncos offensive tackle Russell Okung a four-year contract. And the Jacksonville Jaguars continued to improve their defense after adding Pro Bowler Calais Campbell, they also brought along cornerback A.J. Bouye on a five-year deal. All of these in less than 24 hours of the free agency period, which can only mean there is much more to come this off-season.
