The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current, December 21, 2018, Image 12

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The times., December 21, 2018, Image 12

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Newspaper Page Text2B Friday, December 21,2018 The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | gainesvilletimes.com SPORTS MEN’S COLLEGE BASKCTBALL TOP 25 No. 2 Duke tops No. 12 Texas Tech Associated Press Zion Williamson had 17 points, 13 rebounds and Duke fans roaring each time he touched the ball before he fouled out, and the second-ranked Blue Devils ended No. 12 Texas Tech’s unbeaten start with a 69-58 victory Thursday night at Madi son Square Garden. RJ Barrett scored 16 points for the Blue Devils (11-1) and the program earned its 35th win at MSG. With the Garden rocking from the tip, the Blue Devils must have felt like they had a home game. Cam Reddish hit a late 3-pointer for a 63-57 lead that sealed the win in the first meeting between the programs. Both reached the Elite Eight last season and the atmosphere had a late- March feel. Jarrett Cul ver scored 25 points for the Red Raiders (10-1) in their first loss since the NCAA Tournament. Top 25 glance Thursday’s results 1. Kansas (10-0) did not play. Next: at No. 18 Arizona State, Saturday. 2. Duke (11-1) beat No. 12 Texas Tech 69-58. Next: vs. Clemson, Saturday, Jan. 5. 3. Tennessee (9-1) beat Samford 83-70. Next: vs. Wake Forest, Saturday. 4. Michigan (11-0) did not play. Next: vs. Air Force, Saturday. 5. Virginia (10-0) beat South Carolina 69-52. Next: vs. William & Mary, Saturday. 6. Nevada (11-0) did not play. Next: vs. Akron, Saturday. 7. Auburn (9-2) lost to N.C. State 78-71. Next: vs. Murray State, Saturday. 8. Gonzaga (10-2) did not play. Next: vs. Denver, Friday. 9. North Carolina (8-2) did not play. Next: vs. No. 19 Kentucky, Saturday. 10. Michigan State (9-2) did not play. Next: vs. Oakland, Friday. 11. Florida State (10-1) beat North Florida 95-81. Next: vs. Saint Louis, Saturday. 12. Texas Tech (10-1) lost to No. 2 Duke 69-58. Next: vs. Texas-Rio Grande Valley, Friday, Dec. 28. 13. Virginia Tech (10-1) beat N.C. A&T 82-60. Next: vs. Maryland-Eastern Shore, Friday, Dec. 28. 14. Buffalo (11-0) did not play. Next: at No. 20 Marquette, Friday. 15. Ohio State (10-1) did not play. Next: vs. UCLA, Saturday. 16. Wisconsin (9-2) did not play. Next: vs. Grambling State, Saturday. 17. Mississippi State (10-1) beat Wofford 98-87. Next: vs. Wright State, Saturday. 18. Arizona State (8-2) did not play. Next: vs. No. 1 Kansas, Saturday. 19. Kentucky (8-2) did not play. Next: vs. No. 9 North Carolina, Saturday. 20. Marquette (9-2) did not play. Next: vs. No. 14 Buffalo, Friday. 21. Houston (10-0) vs. Utah State. Next: vs. Coppin State, Sunday. 22. Indiana (10-2) beat Central Arkansas 86-53. Next: vs. Jacksonville, Saturday. 23. Iowa (9-2) did not play. Next: vs. Savannah State, Saturday. 24. Furman (12-0) did not play. Next: at LSU, Friday. 25. Nebraska (9-2) did not play. Next: vs. Cal State Fullerton, Saturday. Transactions BASEBALL American League LOS ANGELES ANGELS — Agreed to terms with RHP Trevor Cahill on a one-year contract. SEATTLE MARINERS — Agreed to terms with LHP Zac Rosscup on a one-year contract. National League SAN DIEGO PADRES — Agreed to terms with INF Ian Kinsler on a two-year contract. Designated LHP Clayton Richard for assign ment. FOOTBALL National Football League NFL — Suspended New England WR Josh Gordon indefinitely for violating an agreement that allowed him to play after multiple drug suspensions. ARIZONA CARDINALS — Re-signed 0L Justin Evans to the practice squad. Released WR Daniel Braverman from the practice squad. CAROLINA PANTHERS — Placed LB Shaq Thompson on injured reserve. Signed QB Kyle Allen from the practice squad. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS — WR Josh Gordon announced he is stepping away from football. TENNESSEE TITANS — Placed RB David Fluellen on injured reserve. Signed LB Nigel Harris from the practice squad. WASHINGTON REDSKINS — Signed WR Darvin Kidsy from the practice squad. HOCKEY National Hockey League ARIZONA COYOTES — Recalled G Adin Hill and F Conor Garland from Tucson (AHL). CALGARY FLAMES — Recalled Fs Ryan Lomberg and Buddy Robinson from Stockton (AHL). Reassigned F Kerby Rychel to Stockton. NASHVILLE PREDATORS — Recalled F Tyler Gaudet from Milwaukee (AHL). SOCCER Major League Soccer MINNESOTA UNITED — Signed M Jan Gregus. NASHVILLE — Signed F Cameron Lancaster. National Women’s Soccer League SKY BLUE FC — Announced the resigna tion of vice president of communications John Archibald. COLLEGE NORTH CAROLINA — Extended the contract of Roy Williams men’s basketball coach through the 2027-28 season. Associated Press GEORGIA ■ Continued from 1B his job and left Crean with a depleted roster. The rebuild ing process was slow and painful. In Crean’s first season, Indiana endured the worst mark in school history: 6-25, with only a single win in the Big Ten. The next two seasons weren’t much bet ter. But the Hoosiers finally broke through in 2011-12, knocking off top-ranked Kentucky early in the season on the way to a 27-9 finish. They captured the Big Ten title the following year, rais ing hopes that Indiana had reclaimed its place among the nation’s elite. The success didn’t last. Another conference cham pionship was offset by three seasons in which the Hoo siers failed to post a winning mark in conference play. They never advanced past the NCAA round of 16. Crean was criticized for failing to land the state’s top high school talent. Finally, after a first-round loss in the NIT, Crean was fired by Indiana in 2017. Now, he’s back in the game at Georgia, a school where basketball is gener ally viewed as a way to pass the time between football season and spring football. But Crean, who worked in television during his year out of coaching, was struck by a conversation he had about the Bulldogs with another coach-turned-broadcaster, Seth Greenberg. “He said their facilities are better than what you had at Indiana,” Crean recalled. “I mean, it is all right here.” Indeed, the school has spent millions on much- needed renovations at aging Stegeman Coliseum, to go along with a state-of-the-art practice facility. Also, in what could be viewed as a backhanded slap at his previous employer, Crean said he’s already got a strong relation ship with Georgia President Jere Morehead and athletic director Greg McGarity. “I am not used to having an athletic director that is waiting for me after games,” Crean said. “I’m not used to being in a situation where I am getting a text from the president after the game. It isn’t some, ‘Hey, hang in there,’ but real words.” No one can deny foot ball’s hold over this univer sity, which has only grown under coach Kirby Smart. The Bulldogs reached the national championship game last season and just missed out on the playoff this year. Even Georgia’s basketball players gush at the gridiron success. “As long as Kirby is the coach, I think they’re going to be national champion ship contenders,” forward E’Torrion Wilridge said. Football/NFL AMERICAN CONFERENCE East W L T Pet PF PA New England 9 5 0 .643 374 310 Miami 7 7 0 .500 295 374 Buffalo 5 9 0 .357 215 333 N.Y. Jets 4 100 .286 292 359 W South L T Pet PF PA Houston 10 4 0 .714 352 281 Indianapolis 8 6 0 .571 372 300 Tennessee 8 6 0 .571 268 254 Jacksonville 4 100 .286 225 289 W North L T Pet PF PA Pittsburgh 8 5 1 .607 384 316 Baltimore 8 6 0 .571 341 253 Cleveland 6 7 1 .464 309 348 Cincinnati 6 8 0 .429 337 413 W West L T Pet PF PA x-Kansas City 11 3 0 .786 499 380 x-L.A. Chargers 11 3 0 .786 395 298 Denver 6 8 0 .429 306 299 Oakland 3 11 0 .214 260 418 NATIONAL CONFERENCE W East L T Pet PF PA Dallas 8 6 0 .571 276 269 Philadelphia 7 7 0 .500 311 318 Washington 7 7 0 .500 265 310 N.Y. Giants 5 9 0 .357 307 348 South W L T Pet PF PA y-New Orleans 12 2 0 .857 459 292 Carolina 6 8 0 .429 333 344 Atlanta 5 9 0 .357 356 381 Tampa Bay 5 9 0 .357 344 403 W North L T Pet PF PA y-Chicago 10 4 0 .714 383 264 Minnesota 7 6 1 .536 323 308 Green Bay 5 8 1 .393 332 331 Detroit 5 9 0 .357 284 333 W West L T Pet PF PA y-L.A. Rams 11 3 0 .786 448 343 Seattle 8 6 0 .571 363 292 San Francisco 4 100 .286 301 373 Arizona 3 11 0 .214 192 367 x-clinched playoff spot y-clinched division Saturday’s Games Washington at Tennessee, 4:30 p.m. Baltimore at L.A. Chargers, 8:20 p.m. Sunday’s Games Atlanta at Carolina, 1 p.m. Houston at Philadelphia, 1 p.m. N.Y. Giants at Indianapolis, 1 p.m. Green Bay at N.Y. Jets, 1 p.m. Minnesota at Detroit, 1 p.m. Buffalo at New England, 1 p.m. Cincinnati at Cleveland, 1 p.m. Jacksonville at Miami, 1 p.m. Tampa Bay at Dallas, 1 p.m. L.A. Rams at Arizona, 4:05 p.m. Chicago at San Francisco, 4:05 p.m. Pittsburgh at New Orleans, 4:25 p.m. Kansas City at Seattle, 8:20 p.m. Monday’s Games Denver at Oakland, 8:15 p.m. Football/college Thursday’s game Gasparilla Bowl At St. Petersburg, Fla. Marshall (8-4) vs. South Florida (7-5), late Today’s games Bahamas Bowl Nassau Toledo (7-5) vs. FIU (8-4), 12:30 p.m (ESPN) Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Boise Western Michigan (7-5) vs. BYU (6-6), 4 p.m. (ESPN) Saturday’s games Birmingham (Ala.) Bowl Memphis (8-5) vs. Wake Forest (6-6), Noon (ESPN) Armed Forces Bowl Fort Worth, Texas Houston (8-4) vs. Army (10-2), 3:30 p.m. (ESPN) Dollar General Bowl Mobile, Ala. Buffalo (10-3) vs. Troy (9-3), 7 p.m. (ESPN) Hawaii Bowl Honolulu Louisiana Tech (7-5) vs. Hawaii (8-5), 10:30 p.m. (ESPN) Wednesday, Dec. 26 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl Dallas Boston College (7-5) vs. Boise State (10-3), 1:30 p.m. (ESPN) Quick Lane Bowl Detroit Minnesota (6-6) vs. Georgia Tech (7-5), 5:15 p.m. (ESPN) Cheez-lt Bowl Phoenix California (7-5) vs. TCU (6-6), 9 p.m. (ESPN) Thursday, Dec. 27 Independence Bowl Shreveport, La. Temple (8-4) vs. Duke (7-5), 1:30 p.m. (ESPN) Pinstripe Bowl Bronx, N.Y. Miami (7-5) vs. Wisconsin (7-5), 5:15 p.m. (ESPN) Texas Bowl Houston Baylor (6-6) vs. Vanderbilt (6-6), 9 p.m. (ESPN) Friday, Dec. 28 Music City Bowl Nashville, Tenn. Purdue (6-6) vs. Auburn (7-5), 1:30 p.m. (ESPN) Camping World Bowl Orlando, Fla. West Virginia (8-3) vs. Syracuse (9-3), 5:15 p.m. (ESPN) Alamo Bowl San Antonio Iowa State (8-4) vs. Washington State (10-2), 9 p.m. (ESPN) Saturday, Dec. 29 Peach Bowl Atlanta Florida (9-3) vs. Michigan (10-2), Noon (ESPN) Belk Bowl Charlotte, N.C. South Carolina (7-5) vs. Virginia (7-5), Noon (ABC) Arizona Bowl Ihcson, Ariz. Arkansas State (8-4) vs. Nevada (7-5), 1:15 p.m. (CBSSN) Cotton Bowl Classic Arlington, Texas CFP Semifinal, Notre Dame (12-0) vs. Clemson (13-0), 4 p.m. (ESPN) Orange Bowl Miami Gardens, Fla. CFP Semifinal, Oklahoma (12-1) vs. Alabama (13-0), 8 p.m. (ESPN) Monday, Dec. 31 Military Bowl Annapolis, Md. Cincinnati (10-2) vs. Virginia Tech (6-6), Noon (ESPN) Sun Bowl El Paso,Texas Stanford (8-4) vs. Pittsburgh (7-6), 2 p.m. (CBS) Redbox Bowl Santa Clara, Calif. Michigan State (7-5) vs. Oregon (8-4), 3 p.m. (FOX) Liberty Bowl Memphis, Tenn. Missouri (8-4) vs. Oklahoma State (6-6), 3:45 p.m. (ESPN) Holiday Bowl San Diego Northwestern (8-5) vs. Utah (9-4), 7 p.m. (FS1) Gator Bowl Jacksonville, Fla. NC State (9-3) vs. Texas A&M (8-4), 7:30 p.m. (ESPN) Tuesday, Jan. 1 Outback Bowl Tampa, Fla. Mississippi State (8-4) vs. Iowa (8-4), Noon (ESPN2) Citrus Bowl Orlando, Fla. Kentucky (9-3) vs. Penn State (9-3), 1 p.m. (ABC) Fiesta Bowl Glendale, Ariz. LSU (9-3) vs. UCF (12-0), 1 p.m. (ESPN) Rose Bowl Pasadena, Calif. Washington (10-3) vs. Ohio State (12-1), 5 p.m. (ESPN) Sugar Bowl New Orleans Texas (9-4) vs. Georgia (11-2), 8:45 p.m. (ESPN) Monday, Jan. 7 College Football Championship Santa Clara, Calif. Cotton Bowl winner vs. Orange Bowl winner, 8 p.m. (ESPN) TODAY ON TV BASKETBALL ■ G-League: Agua Caliente Clippers vs. Capital City GO-GO, 3 p.m., ESPNU ■ G-League: Suns vs. Bayhawks, 5:30 p.m., ESPNU ■ UC (Irving) at Butler, 6:30 p.m., FS1 ■ Oregon at Baylor, 7 p.m., ESPN2 ■ NBA: Bucks at Celtics, 8 p.m., ESPN ■ G-League: Legends vs. Raptors 905, 8 p.m., ESPNU ■ Providence at Texas, 9 p.m., ESPN2 ■ Buffalo at Marquette, 8:30 p.m., FS1 ■ NBA: Pelicans at Lakers, 10:30 p.m., ESPN ■ G-League: Red Claws vs. Skyforce, 10:30 p.m., ESPNU FOOTBALL ■ Bahamas Bowl: Florida International vs. Toledo, 12:30 p.m., ESPN ■ Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Western Michigan vs. BYU NFL Crossover clashes ED ZURGAI The Associated Press Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) reacts after running back Darrel Williams scored a touchdown in the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 13 in Kansas City, Mo. League has full schedule of AFC vs. NFC Associated Press For inter-conference matchups in the penulti mate week of the season, the NFL couldn’t have done much better. Pittsburgh at New Orleans, Houston at Philadelphia, Kansas City at Seattle, and Washington at Tennessee all have signifi cant playoff implications. Not a bad way to head into the final two weekends. “I think the message for the whole team is we’re not satisfied with where we’re at,” says Chiefs quarter back Patrick Mahomes. Kansas City can clinch the top seed in the AFC and win the AFC West under certain circumstances. “We wanted to put our selves in this position, but at the same time, we know we still have a long way to go. We’re going to keep in that mentality the rest of this season and into the playoffs (of) not being satisfied with just being here. We want to make sure we can go and win the big games whenever we need to.” Well, there are a lot of big games on Saturday and Sunday. PITTSBURGH (8-5-1) AT NEW ORLEANS (12-2): NFC South champion New Orleans gets home-field edge for the conference playoffs by winning here, though it can happen in other ways, too. Pittsburgh’s situation is precarious: The Steelers snapped a three- game slide by beating New England, but has no postsea son guarantee yet. There are scenarios for them to secure the division, and others, with two losses, that keep them from making the postseason. Pittsburgh’s previous vic tory in New Orleans came in 1990. The Saints are 5-1 in the Superdome, averag ing 38 points. Drew Brees’ 74.9 percent completion rate leads the NFL. He holds the single-season record at 72 percent. During their six home games, Brees has completed 77.7 percent (153 of 197) for 1,925 yards (320.8 per game) with 20 TDs and one interception. KANSAS CITY (11-3) AT SEATTLE (8-6): Although the Chiefs are safely into the postseason and in strong position, one loss could sink them to a wild card. Their prolific offense leads the league in points per game (35.6), yards per play (6.78) and yards per game (427.3). But it will be tested in Seat tle, which had quite a mis step in a loss at lowly San Francisco last Sunday, but has a physical, aggressive defense and top-ranked run ning game. Yet it’s KC defensive tackle Chris Jones who has the gaudiest numbers. He had 2 y 2 sacks last week and has at least one sack in 10 straight games, an NFL record. Jones has 14 for the season. The Seahawks must win and have some other things occur to secure an NFC wild card spot. HOUSTON (10-4) AT PHILADELPHIA (7-7): The defending Super Bowl champ Eagles must win out and it still might not be enough to get to January. Then again, 9-7 also could win the NFC East. That’s how jumbled things are. “We’re fighting for our lives right now. It’s a little different for us, different feel,” says coach Doug Ped erson, whose team had the NFC’s best record in 2017. Houston has the AFC’s second seed behind Kansas City and will have a wild card bye if it wins out. But the Texans don’t own the AFC South title yet, though it comes by beating Philly. Making the playoffs is very likely after a 0-3 start. “It really doesn’t mat ter how you win, you just have to win,” says star DE J.J. Watt, in the midst of a sensational comeback sea son. “We’ve kind of heard it all year: ‘This. That. They didn’t.’ We won. I don’t care how we win, I just want to win. I don’t care if people think it’s pretty, I don’t care if they like it, if they don’t like it, I just want to win. ” WASHINGTON (7-7) AT TENNESSEE (8-6), SATURDAY After winning seven of eight, the Titans have gone from forgotten — similar to Houston — to a player. They almost certainly are aiming for a wild card and probably need to win out to get it. The Redskins seemed done until they beat Jack sonville last week. They actually could win the NFC East by winning out and get ting help, but they also are ravaged by injuries, includ ing at quarterback, where journeyman Josh Johnson now has the job. Tennessee is 5-1 at home and has swept three games with the NFC East. BALTIMORE (8-6) AT LOS ANGELES CHAR GERS (11-3), SATURDAY: The Ravens own the second AFC wild card, but are tied with the Titans and Colts. Their eyes are on something bigger considering how close they are to the Steel ers in the AFC North. The Ravens are 4-1 under rookie QB Lamar Jackson, and lead the NFL in total defense (290.2 yards per game) and fewest points allowed (18.1). But beating the Chargers is a tall order. No team is playing more maturely or doing better in clutch situ ations. Los Angeles is 20-6 since starting last season 0-4 and hopes to get back featured RB Melvin Gordon (knee) NEW YORK GIANTS (5-9) AT INDIANAPOLIS (8-6): Indy is another AFC wild-card contender that probably needs two victo ries, which would include the finale at Tennessee. Andrew Luck, like Watt, is having a monster return sea son from injury, and needs 49 yards passing for a fourth 4,000-yard season. “I’ve been a part of teams where you sit and say, ‘We need this to happen with this.’ It doesn’t work like that,” Luck says. “You’ve got to handle your own business.” That means trying to shut down RB Saquon Barkley, who needs seven catches to break Reggie Bush’s record for receptions (88) by a rookie. Barkley is tied with former Colts star Edger- rin James for second-most games with 100 yards from scrimmage by an NFL rookie (12). He also needs 191 scrimmage yards to join James and Eric Dickerson as the only rookies with 2,000 yards from scrimmage. BUFFALO (5-9) AT NEW ENGLAND (9-5): For the third straight week, the Patriots can secure their 10th straight AFC East crown. Considering their success against Buffalo, well, here are the numbers: ■ Patriots will be looking for their 26th season sweep over the Bills and 14th series sweep since 2000. ■ Bill Belichick has an 86-30 (.741) all-time regular- season record against the AFC East as Patriots coach. ■ Tom Brady owns a 29-3 record against the Bills. Brady’s 29 wins against Buf falo are the most by a quar terback against any single opponent. ■ New England is 6-0 at home. LOS ANGELES RAMS (11-3) AT ARIZONA (3-11) Things have turned sour for the Rams, who for the first time under second-year coach Sean McVay have lost two in a row. Of course, their gaudy record already has earned them the NFC West championship and they get a wild-card round bye with two victories. In what appears a mis match, the Rams have gone 3-0 and outscored Arizona 99-16 under McVay. Still, in the past three games, Jared Goff has one TD pass and six interceptions. Los Angeles DT Aaron Donald leads the NFL with 16(4 sacks. The Cardinals have lost eight games by 10 or more points and four by at least 20. CHICAGO (10-4) AT SAN FRANCISCO (4-10): Chi cago’s turnaround season has brought its first playoff berth since 2010 as NFC North champs. With two victories, the Bears could find themselves with a first- round bye, but more likely will be seeded third. Matt Nagy is Chicago’s first rookie coach with 10 wins since George Halas went 10-1-2 in 1920, the first year for the franchise then known as the Decatur Staleys. The Bears lead the NFL in takeaways (35), turn over margin (plus-13), inter ceptions (26) and points off turnovers (107). Niners TE George Kittle has 1,154 yards receiving and needs 26 more to post the most for San Francisco since Terrell Owens had 1,300 in 2002. TAMPA BAY (5-9) AT DALLAS (8-6): A win gives Dallas the NFC East. The Cowboys come off a shutout loss at Indy that ended a five- game winning streak. They are 9-1 at home in the regu lar season against Tampa. Dallas has a 20-game streak of not allowing 30 or more points, its longest since a 26-game run in 1993-94. The key here might be slow ing WR Mike Evans, who was overlooked for the Pro Bowl despite being second in the NFL to Julio Jones with 1,328 yards receiving. Evans needs 95 yards to break Mark Carrier’s club record of 1,422 from 1989. MINNESOTA (7-6-1) AT DETROIT (5-9): The Vikings can clinch a wild card with a win and help despite a stag nant offense. And Detroit’s offense is worse. The Lions have not scored more than 22 points since Oct. 21, and Minnesota has an NFL-best 47 sacks. Min nesota sacked Matthew Stafford 10 times in their previous meeting, and had nine against Miami last week. ATLANTA (5-9) AT CAROLINA (6-8): No Cam Newton here thanks to a bad shoulder that has ham pered his throwing; Taylor Heinicke makes his first career start. The Panthers have dropped six in a row, but Atlanta is 1-5 on the road even though Matt Ryan has 12 TD passes and three interceptions in the past five away games.