The Rundown: Happy Chrismukkah!

While the rest of the world is celebrating the holidays, we're working hard to cover the trending topics in sports. It’ll give you something else to talk about with your family besides your cousin who imbibed in a little too much spiked eggnog the night before.

Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas!

The Last Night’s Game Team

PS - Like the Jelly of the Month club, being a Last Night’s Game subscriber is the gift that keeps on giving. Share us with your family and friends.

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NCAA Basketball (College)

• Those are some big feet. Duke University’s Grayson Allen is considered one of the best basketball players in the nation but he’s tripping…quite literally. Allen intentionally tripped an opposing player on Wednesday and he has a checkered past of intentionally tripping opponents. Duke announced he will be suspended indefinitely until he’s mentally ready to play and act like an adult. 

NFL (National Football League)

• Best secret Santa ever. Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (aka Ciara’s hubby) took care of the guys who take care of him. He bought his offensive line (the guys who protect him from the other team’s defense) brand new TV’s for the holidays. Don’t worry, he didn’t forget about the rest of his team. He bought each teammate first class plane tickets to anywhere they want to go. 

NBA (National Basketball Association)

• Bringing their A game. Christmas Day is a big day for the NBA and typically features the best matchups. Sunday’s games include a rematch of last season’s NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors vs the Cleveland Cavaliers as well as a game for citywide bragging rights when the Los Angeles Clippers take on the Los Angeles Lakers.

Overtime

• Tiger Woods let us know he is in the holiday spirit by sharing a picture of himself on Twitter as "Mac Daddy Santa.” Yep the photo is as weird and awkward as you think. This isn’t the mall Santa you used to visit as a child. 

Sideline stat

• Apparently the underwhelming University of Texas football season drove their fans to drink because stadium alcohol sales were up 70% this season compared to previous years. Alcohol sales at UT football games generated more than $3.1 million in revenue in only six home games.

Coaches’ corner

• Sunday’s Christmas Day game between the Clippers and the Lakers is a home game for both teams. How? The teams share the same home arena – the Staples Center.

The Rundown: Bowled Over

If you’re part of the polar vortex sweeping the country this weekend it’s a great excuse to sit in front of the fire and thaw out while warming your mind (and maybe your heart?) with sports.

Fire up those brain cells,

The Last Night’s Game Team

PS – You’re not likely to tailgate in the snow, but if you are we have the perfect recipe in this week’s tailgate treat to keep you all warm and snuggly. 

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NCAA Football (College)

• Solved that problem. University of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh’s name has surfaced as a possible candidate for the vacant Los Angeles Rams head coaching job. Harbaugh said it’s all rumors made up by enemies to hurt recruiting. He then insulted said enemies by calling them “jive turkeys.” Later he sang the national anthem at rapper Lil’ Dicky’s concert. Now that’s a renaissance man.
• It’s bowl game time. The University of Texas San Antonio Roadrunners are bowl eligible for the first time in school history. They play the University of New Mexico Lobos at home this weekend in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl. Movin’ on up. 
• Everybody’s doing it. Bowl game season starts on Saturday. Don’t forget to join our Last Night’s Game’s ESPN Bowl Mania Group to win prizes or to simply have a good time. It’s like a March Madness bracket for college football. (Once you click the link above, select "play now for free." Password: sports curious). 

UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship)

• Your lucky day. UFC will broadcast Saturday night’s fight live and free of charge. The main event is between Paige VanZant (PVZ) and Michelle Waterson. PVZ, as her friends call her, is a Sacramento resident. She may also look familiar because she was the runner-up on season 22 of Dancing with the Stars. 

Overtime

• Famed basketball sideline reporter Craig Sager, 65, was elected to Broadcast Hall of Fame on Tuesday. On Thursday he lost his battle with cancer. While he was known for his colorful attire and his time on the NBA (National Basketball Association) sidelines, Sager was actually the first person to interview Hank Aaron (legendary baseball player) on the field after he broke the all-time home run record. He will be missed. #SagerStrong 

Sideline stat

• The NFL’s (National Football League) Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears will play in frigid temperatures in Chicago on Sunday. The expected high temp is zero degrees with 15 mph winds. This game could go down as the coldest game in the Bears’ history.

Coaches’ corner

• The radio announcer for Wake Forest football received his stocking full of coal early this year - he was fired. An internal investigation uncovered that Tommy Elrod had been giving opponents Wake Forest's game plans since 2014. No word on why the alum and former Wake Forest coach deceived the team in the #WakeyLeaks scandal but three teams thus far have admitted to receiving the information. He’s on the naughty list for sure.

The Rundown: Freezing Friday

Friday and the Siberian Express have arrived all across the country. Unless you’re in Hawaii (Aloha Hawaii!) you’re probably freezing your tukus off this morning. May we warm your hearts with laughter and sports. If not, maybe you’ll learn something new to share with your friends through your chattering teeth.

Bundle up,

The Last Night’s Game Team

PS - Baby it’s cold outside so here’s a Tailgate Treat to keep it hot - Buffalo Chicken Dip. 

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NCAA Football (College) 

• Battle of the brave. ESPN College GameDay heads to Baltimore for the Army-Navy game, the only college football game this weekend. Navy has a 14-game winning streak over Army. No matter who wins they’ll look good doing it as the Army uniforms will honor the 82nd Airborne Division from WWII. The Navy unis are an homage to the 1963 team led by the last Navy Heisman Trophy winner, Roger Staubach. Here's a fashion show.
• The big day is almost here. The Heisman Trophy winner will be named on Saturday. In case you missed it, here are Five Things to Know About the Heisman Trophy to impress your holiday party guests. 

MLS (Major League Soccer)

• Frozen. The MLS Finals are tomorrow and the Seattle Sounders and the Toronto FC (Football Club) will duke it out for the title. With a high of -1°F it should be a brisk day for soccer.

MLB (Major League Baseball)

• Girl power. Reporter Claire Smith has become the first woman to win the J.G. Taylor Spink Award which is given to the top baseball writer in the country. 
• In the rafters. The New York Yankees will retire Derek Jeter’s jersey number (#2). This is the 21st number retired by the Yankees and it is the last single digit jersey number remaining to be retired.

F1 Racing (Formula One)

• Now hiring. Mercedes is looking for a driver to replace recently retired F1 champion Nico Rosberg. An ad taken out by Mercedes revealed the job posting. Benefits include an on-site gym and a subsidized restaurant facility. Start working on your resume now.  

Overtime

• UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) champion Conor McGregor is taking nearly a year off from fighting to be featured in season seven of Game of Thrones. Oh and to spend more time with his newborn baby.

Sideline stat

• The Dallas Cowboys (NFL) are on an 11-game winning streak. Their lone loss came in week one of the season to the New York Giants. Sunday night the division rivals will take the field again. Will the Giants hand the Cowboys their second loss?  

Coaches’ Corner

• What does it mean to have your number retired? It’s an honor to have your team retire your number because it means you were so talented and made such an impact on the team. When a number is retired, no one on that team can ever wear that number again. In Jeter’s case, no one who plays for the Yankees will be able to wear the #2 again. (In case you’re wondering. the number 42 has been retired by all MLB teams in honor of Jackie Robinson, the first African-American MLB player).