Doggone It
It may be cold outside but it’s hot in the world of sports. It’s the first Saturday since August with no football (cue basketball to fill in) and the last four football teams compete on Sunday for a spot in the Super Bowl.
It may be cold outside but it’s hot in the world of sports. It’s the first Saturday since August with no football (cue basketball to fill in) and the last four football teams compete on Sunday for a spot in the Super Bowl.
You’re in the know,
The Last Night’s Game Team
PS – Shout out to our fans who requested a Tailgate Treat that is special diet friendly. Don’t care about your diet? You’ll drool over it too.
NBA (National Basketball Association)
When you’re still paying for therapy after being picked last in gym class. The NBA All-Star Game (Feb. 18th) has undergone a face lift this year. The teams will now be chosen by the top vote getter in each conference and this year it’s LeBron James and Steph Curry. The list of starters has been determined by fans, players and media and James and Curry will choose from that list, regardless of conference, to create their team that will play in the all-star game. For more, catch this quick video.
NFL (National Football League)
When you can’t get “Who Let The Dogs Out” out of your head. They may be the Philadelphia Eagles, but Sunday during their game you will see dog masks everywhere. The Eagles have embraced their underdog label in the playoffs, hence the dog masks. They face the Minnesota Vikings which, with a win, will be the first team ever to play a Super Bowl in their home stadium.
Overtime
Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid asked Rihanna out on a date in 2014. She told him to come back when he’s an all-star. The day has come, Embiid was selected as a starter for the NBA All-Star team. The fans have not forgotten this promise and have been flooding Rihanna’s social media with reminders.
Sideline stat
If you’re more of a dog person, this one’s for you. March Madness brings us bracketology, but have you heard of barketology? Purina and former quarterback and baseball player, Tim Tebow, teamed up to bring you “barketology” for the Westminster Dog Show (Feb. 12-13). You can pick the pups you think will win for a chance at a $1 million prize. Brackets gone doggy style.
Coaches’ corner
All that stands between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Super Bowl are Tom Brady and the mighty New England Patriots this weekend. Everyone has been giving the team advice on how to beat the five-time Super Bowl champs including a first-grade class that sent them a folder of game notes and motivational messages. CHECK IT OUT
The Rundown: Get To The Point
We love a short week. Here’s what you’ll need to keep the conversation going this first weekend in June.
School’s out for summer,
The Last Night’s Game Team
MLB (Major League Baseball)
Worth the wait. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim’s Albert Pujols is on the edge of greatness. Going into the weekend he has 599 home runs. Will he join the exclusive 600 home run club this weekend? He would be only the ninth player to accomplish this feat in baseball history.
NHL (National Hockey League)
Bring the heat. On Saturday night, the eyes of the nation will be on the Nashville Predators as they head to Nashville for game three in the Stanley Cup Finals. The underdog Predators are down 2-0 against the defending champions, the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Overshadowed. The Predators have had a plethora of country music superstars sing the national anthem during the playoffs. (In case you missed it, Carrie Underwood’s husband plays for the Predators). Unfortunately, not everyone is excited about the star power. Dennis Morgan, the regular season anthem singer, is not thrilled about being upstaged. His disappointment will continue because rumor has it Martina McBride is slated to sing on Saturday.
Overtime
The road to the College Baseball World Series has begun for the 64 teams in the tournament, but #2 ranked North Carolina Tar Heels have a secret weapon. Remington, an adorable, morale-boosting 2-year-old golden retriever who can fist bump, has been a fixture in their dugout all season.
Sideline stat
The best matchup in last night's game one of the NBA Finals (National Basketball Association) was between Rihanna and Golden State Warriors’ Kevin Durant. After bowing to Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James, she proceeded to heckle the Warriors from her courtside seats, prompting a game full of stare downs between the two.
Durant and his Warriors proceeded to "Shut Up and Drive" and beat the Cavs by 22 points.
Coaches’ corner
We’re in the thick of the French Open and instead of talking about the usual suspects like Rafael Nadal or Venus Williams, everyone is talking about Maxime Hamou. Hamou was expelled from the tournament after forcibly kissing a reporter when she was interviewing him live. It was as awkward as you'd expect.
The Rundown: NYE Edition - Baby You're A Firework
The big guns are coming out this weekend for New Years. From a woman looking for revenge, to a group of guys who need to prove themselves on the field, to a gal who needs more muscles to keep her left hand up, they're all going to end 2016 with a bang.
See you next year,
The Last Nights’ Game Team
PS - Today's tailgate treat is in honor of Robert Leo Hulseman, the inventor of the Red Solo Cup who passed away at age 84. He brought joy (and pain) for so many. Cheers to you!
NFL (NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE)
- Over already? They say time flies when you’re having fun. That’s right, this weekend is the last weekend of the NFL regular season. The experts have overanalyzed the heck out of the team playoff scenarios. Should you wish to explore their rationale, check them out here.
UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship)
- Kind of a big deal. UFC 207 is tonight in Las Vegas. It will feature the first fight for female fighter extraordinaire Ronda Rousey since her devastating first career loss in November 2015. Rousey faces the current champion Amanda Nunes, who is a badass and the first openly gay UFC Champion.
NBA (National Basketball Association)
- Help a fella out. It’s time for fans to vote for the NBA All-Stars. Philadelphia 76ers rookie Joel Embiid needs your help. Embiid was told by his crush Rihanna that he needed to be an all-star to get a date. The game is February 19th so your vote could come just in time for Valentine's Day.
Overtime
- Top ranked women’s tennis player Serena Williams (35) revealed that she is engaged to the co-founder of Reddit, Alexis Ohanian (33). Surprisingly, they announced their engagement on….Reddit.
Sideline stat
- Soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo rejected an offer from a Chinese soccer team that would have paid him over $105 million a year. His agent Jorge Mendes said “money is not everything; the Spanish club (his current team Real Madrid) is his life."
Coaches’ corner
- This isn’t your normal New Year’s Eve party pre-game routine. The final four teams in college football will battle it out on Saturday for a spot in the National Championship game, which determines the best team in FBS college football. (FBS stands for the Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly known as Division One).
- The Peach Bowl (3 pm EST) - Alabama (1) vs Washington (4)
- The Fiesta Bowl (7 pm EST) - Ohio State (3) vs Clemson (2)