Making It Happen
This is no early April Fool’s prank; here’s what’s happening in sports so you can create conversation all weekend long.
This is no early April Fool’s prank; here’s what’s happening in sports so you can create conversation all weekend long.
Like a boss,
The Last Night’s Game Team
MLB (Major League Baseball)
If your Thursday was a home run. By all accounts, Opening Day in baseball was a success. It started with a home run on the first pitch of the season and ended with a visit from Jennifer Lopez in the broadcast booth, where her former baseball player boyfriend, Alex Rodriguez, was broadcasting the Los Angeles Dodgers – San Francisco Giants game.
College Basketball
If your mama taught you to respect your elders. The final four is Saturday night and it features Villanova (#1) vs. Kansas (#1) and Loyola Chicago (#11) vs. Michigan (#3). The teams may have met their match but so has Sister Jean. The 98-year-old nun and chaplain for Loyola has been challenged by Michigan’s “Fab Five” legend and former NBA (National Basketball Association) player Jalen Rose’s grandma. The 100-year-old Grandma Rose loves her some Michigan basketball and told Sister that “it’s been fun but Loyola’s time is up.” A little shade thrown from her elders.
Overtime
The Los Angeles Rams (NFL – National Football League) have made a lot of noise in the offseason with on-field acquisitions but this one made history. The Rams hosted cheerleading tryouts this week and their new squad will feature the first two male cheerleaders ever in the NFL. You’ll see Quinton and Napoleon, both professional dancers, on the sideline this the fall. (Other teams have stuntmen, but not actual male cheerleaders/dancers).
Sideline stat
The NCAA (governing body of college sports) allocates $3,000 - $4,000 for players’ families to attend the final four and the national championship game. The money is for travel costs, hotel rooms and meals. The funds allow Kansas player Udoka Azubuike’s mom to see her son play for the first time. Her visa was approved for travel from Nigeria. Also on Kansas, Svi Mykhailiuk, whose parents travelled from the Ukraine to see him play on Saturday. MORE
Coaches’ corner
Zeke Upshaw of the Detroit Pistons G League developmental league collapsed on the court on Saturday and later died. Last night, the Detroit Pistons honored Upshaw posthumously with an honorary call-up. Being called up means he’ll officially be memorialized in the record books as a player for the Detroit Pistons.
What to watch
March Madness continues tonight with the final four in the women’s bracket. Unlike the men’s bracket, all final four teams started off the tournament ranked #1 in their division – UConn, Notre Dame, Louisville and Mississippi State.
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5 Things You Need To Know About The Heisman Trophy
Saturday night fever has struck college football. On Saturday night, we’ll find out who the winner of the Heisman Trophy is. The award is more than a move on the dance floor, it goes to the best player in college football.
Saturday night fever has struck college football. On Saturday night, we’ll find out who the winner of the Heisman Trophy is. The award is more than a move on the dance floor, it goes to the best player in college football.
Victory Dance,
The Last Night’s Game Team
PS – The gift of gab is the gift that keeps on giving. Share us with a friend so they too can tackle the holiday party conversation with sports.
Five Things You Need To Know About The Heisman Trophy
1. The finalists for the award are:
Baker Mayfield, senior quarterback from Oklahoma, who is hoping to become the first walk on player to win it.
Lamar Jackson, junior quarterback from University of Louisville, who won last year. (Only one other player has won twice).
Bryce Love, junior running back from Stanford, who ranks at the top of the nation despite an ankle injury this season.
FYI – Mayfield is the favorite to win.
2. As if they didn’t work out hard enough to get to the Heisman ceremony, the winner will have to hoist the bronze trophy weighing 45 pounds. They've carried the weight of their team, so this should be no problem.
3. The winner is chosen by over 870 media members, in addition to a vote from every former Heisman winner, 58 currently. There is one vote from the fans for a total of 929 votes. Wonder if Lamar Jackson voted for himself?
4. All three of this year’s Heisman Trophy finalists play for teams whose primary uniform color is red. Maybe the committee was in the holiday spirit?
5. Old guys rule, except when it comes to the Heisman. A senior hasn't won the award since 2006.
That’s not all folks
In today’s sports news, Beyoncé once again graces the sports world with her presence, why the Olympic Committee is saying nyet to the Russians and the cover of Sports Illustrated is unveiled. READ MORE
Friday For The Win!
While you may not be a sports fan, you’re probably a fan of a great conversation. Here’s what everyone will be talking about this weekend.
While you may not be a sports fan, you’re probably a fan of a great conversation. Here’s what everyone will be talking about this weekend.
It’s Fri-YAY!
The Last Night’s Game Team
PS - Today's tailgate treat will warm your bellies with fall around the corner. Mac and cheese bites baby!
NFL (National Football League)
United front. Look for the anthem protests to continue to be a hot topic this weekend in the NFL. In the past week, we’ve seen anthem singers quit, owners speak out and last night in Green Bay, we saw Packers fans join in at the encouragement of the team.
College Basketball
Heads will roll. The fallout from the FBI investigation into the college basketball bribery scandal is just beginning with University of Louisville’s head coach and athletic director as the first victims to lose their jobs. (Here’s a quick summary on the scandal).
MLB (Major League Baseball)
You’ve made it. It’s the last weekend of the regular season for baseball. While many of the spots in the playoffs have been clinched, there are still a few open. The big teams to watch this weekend are the Milwaukee Brewers and the Colorado Rockies as they vie for a spot in the post season that starts next week.
Overtime
The third annual Invictus Games also wrap up this weekend. The stories and success of 550 injured service men and women turned athletes overshadowed the debut of the Games' founder Prince Harry and his girlfriend Meghan Markle. If you need some morning inspiration, read this story about a newly minted indoor rowing silver medalist who is a triple amputee.
Sideline stat
The PGA (Professional Golfers Association) season may be over but there’s one more chance to prove who’s the best. The top golfers in the world have assembled into two teams – Team U.S. and International (featuring players from everywhere but Europe) – in the Presidents Cup. Former presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama were all part of the opening ceremonies yesterday.
Coaches’ corner
No one is going to overstay their welcome at Purdue anytime soon. University of Michigan head coach took to the media this week to complain that not only are their visitor facilities outdated but his players sat in the team bus during halftime because the locker room didn’t have air conditioning. That’s one way to tackle home-field advantage.
