Battered Aggie Syndrome strikes again.
Miami, FL
Art Basel Miami Beach 2024: What To Expect At The Main Fair
From December 6 to December 8 (by-invitation private viewings on December 4 and December 5), Art Basel returns to Miami Beach for its 22nd year
Art Basel Miami Beach
It’s been an action-packed past few weeks, to say the least, but alas, December is upon us, and for anyone in Miami— or truly in the art world— it only means, Art Basel Miami Beach is here. From Friday, December 6 to Sunday, December 8 (by-invitation private viewings are held on Wednesday, December 4 and Thursday, December 5), the Miami Beach Convention Center will be home to 286 galleries, spanning 38 countries and territories, with a majority hailing from the Americas—from across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Guatemala, Peru and Uruguay. This year will also see Romania and Indonesia represented for the first time. It is the first edition under the leadership of director Bridget Finn, which has seen the largest cohort of new exhibitors— 34— in over a decade; the rolling out a smaller booth option for galleries; and the re-location of Meridians— the show’s central sector dedicated to large scale projects that transcend the traditional art fair booth— to more fluidly connect the different sections on the show floor.
Here’s what to expect at the main fair’s sectors this year:
Galleries, the fair’s main sector, where the world’s leading galleries present the highest quality paintings, sculptures, drawings, installations, photography, videos and digital works, will have 229 art dealers presenting works by 20th- century masters, contemporary blue-chip artists, mid-career practitioners and emerging talents. There are seven first-time participants this year.
First-time Galleries participant Tim Van Laere Gallery, with locations in Antwerp and Rome, will showcase Romanian-born, Berlin-based painter Adrian Ghenie’s “Study of A Head (2023″)”
Adrian Ghenie/ Tim Van Laere Gallery/ Art Basel Miami Beach A resounding theme for this year are works that advocate for social change. São Paulo’s Galeria Vermelho Vermelho will present a selection of works by artists from their program, including Swiss-born, São Paulo-based photographer and activist Claudia Andujar, whose practice is dedicated to the Yanomami Indigenous peoples. A portion of profits from sales of the artist’s work will benefit Hutukara Associação Yanomami (HAY), an NGO in Brazil dedicated to the rights of Indigenous people.
Claudia Andujar/ Galeria Vermelho/ Art Basel Miami Beach
There are big changes for Meridians this year— the the show’s sector dedicated to projects that transcend the traditional art fair booth. Firstly, it will be curated for the first time this year by Puerto Rican-born, Berlin-based Yasmil Raymond, former director of Portikus, and rector of the Hochschule für Bildende Künste-Städelschule in Frankfurt, and previous curator of The Museum of Modern Art in New York. Raymond succeeds Magalí Arriola, who oversaw the sector since its introduction in 2019.
Secondly, the sector will re-locate to the south end of the show floor, surrounding the Nova and Positions sectors, which are dedicated to emerging galleries and artists, to better anchor the contemporary art section of the fair.
Meridians will feature 17 projects this year, titled “State of Becoming,” which explore themes ranging from the unexpected contingencies of democracy to the growing anxiety of climate chane on a global scale.
“La Famille dans la Joyeuse Verdure (The Family in the Joyful Green)” is a large-scale embroidery hand-stitched over a four year period, 2015 to 2019, by Argentine artist collective Chiachio & Giannone, which pays tribute to the LGBTQ community and Indigenous Guarani culture.
Chiachio & Giannone/ Ruth Benzacar Galería de Arte/ Art Basel Miami Beach Portia Munson’s “Bound Angel (2021)” installation is made from found figurines, lamps, candles, string, rope, extension cords and a wedding gown as a table cloth evoking a bound and faceless bride enveloped in discarded objects in the shape of female angels
Lance Brewer/ Portia Munson/ P·P·O·W, New York/ Art Basel Miami Beach
Nova is exclusive to Art Basel Miami Beach, and provides a platform for younger galleries to present work created within the last three years by up to three artists. There will be 21 presentations from 40 artists, including nine newcomers this year.
Korean-born, Los Angeles-based Ken Gun Min’s “Revolution is love (Will you still love me tomorrow?)” is part of his series of works inspired by his experience as a queer Asian man and exemplifying his deeply personal approach to representing the public and private spaces inhabited by marginalized communities in Los Angeles and Seoul. For Min, these sites are complicated places of tragedy, resilience and celebration.
Ken Gun Min/ Nazarian Curcio/ Art Basel Miami Beach
Positions is dedicated to solo showcases of individual emerging artists— there are 15 this year, eight of which are first time participants— allowing collectors, museum professionals, curators, critics and enthusiasts the opportunity to dive deeper into their works
Guatemela-born Paula Nicho Cúmez references heritage and memory. The tableau draws connections between humans, the land, animals, and the spiritual world. Cúmez often paints natural landscapes peopled by female figures that sometimes become the mountains. The vibrant, traditional Maya patterns of their clothing also often become their skin, a nod to Cúmez’s memory of not being allowed to wear Indigenous clothing to school as a child. Her works challenge the history of colonialism and present-tense oppression.
Paula Nicho Cúmez/ Proyectos Ultravioleta/ Margo Porres/ Art Basel Miami Beach Jesse Stecklow’s “From Ear to Ear and Back Again (2021)” is made from ear of corn, corn whisky (derived from corn), acetic acid (derived from corn alcohol), ear drops (containing acetic acid), air sampler data, silkscreen on paper. Jesse Stecklow and Sweetwater, Berlin/ Art Basel Miami Beach
Survey features projects created before the year 2000 that challenge the conventional art historical canon, with a focus on elevating little-known artistic practices. Many of the presentations shed light on overlooked women artists in the 20th century.
Bonnie Lucas, “Two Friends (1985).” The alternative Portland-based gallery ILY2, which operates out of a mall, highlights feminist art and artists. This year, the gallery will highlight American artist Bonnie Lucas, who spent decades hand-sewing abstract, low-relief assemblages from sewing tools and dollar- store items. These assemblages are at once girly, provocative, and kitschy – functioning as both critiques and celebrations of consumer goods and their relationship to femininity.
Mario Gallucci/ Bonnie Lucas/ ILY2/ Art Basel Miami Beach
Kabinett provides provides galleries tightly curated presentations displayed within their main booths.
A selection of lesser-known marble and bronze sculptures by Cuban-born, Puerto Rico based 98-year-old artist Zilia Sánchez a singular figure of Latin American Modernism and geometric abstraction, will be presented by Galerie Lelong & Co. (New York, Paris). Zilia Sánchez/ Galerie Lelong & Co./ Art Basel Miami Beach
Miami, FL
Texas A&M takeaways: Aggies offense sputters in playoff loss to Miami
Texas A&M football’s season ended in the first round of the College Football Playoff, falling Saturday to Miami 10-3. The Aggies’ offense stood on the 5-yard line with 24 seconds left and a chance to tie the game when Hurricanes defensive back Bryce Fitzgerald intercepted quarterback Marcel Reed, ending the dream of a CFP quarterfinal against Ohio State.
MORE: Recap from Texas A&M’s College Football Playoff loss to Miami
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Texas A&M outgained Miami 326-278 in total yards of offense and ran 26 more plays. However, the Aggies lost the turnover battle three to one and failed to take advantage of the opportunities presented to them.
Here are some takeaways from Texas A&M’s loss:
Texas A&M’s inability to capitalize
After tying the game 3-3 to start the fourth quarter, Texas A&M found momentum when safety Dalton Brooks ripped the ball out of Malachi Toney’s hands with 7 minutes, 11 seconds left. The Aggies recovered the fumble at their own 47-yard line, but were unable to make anything of the field position, punting after a single first down.
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The defense had held firm for all of three quarters, allowing a field goal and holding Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck to 80 passing yards. But the offense was a different story, as untimely turnovers and inaccurate passes from Reed kept the unit from ever finding a rhythm.
Reed’s best drive of the day came after Miami went up 10-3. With just under two minutes remaining, he led the Aggies 70 yards in 10 plays. He made quick decisions, used his legs effectively and connected with wide receiver KC Concepcion for a 14-yard completion to set up first-and-goal. But the Aggies couldn’t close out the drive.

Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed (10) is tackled during the round one College Football Playoff game against Miami at Kyle Field on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-StatesmanAggies’ run defense collapses
The Aggies allowed 38 yards rushing in the first half, stonewalling the Hurricanes’ offensive line and running back Mark Fletcher Jr. But Miami began to get its run game churning in the third quarter, rushing for 47 yards on nine attempts. An injury at the end of the period to Aggies defensive lineman Albert Regis — one of their best run defenders — exacerbated the issue. Fletcher proceeded to rip off a 56-yard run with 4:01 remaining, which set up the game-winning 11-yard jet sweep pass to Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney.
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The Aggies allowed 91 rushing yards in the fourth quarter, despite holding the Hurricanes to 85 yards for the rest of the game.
A special teams spectacle
With winds gusting up to about 30 mph, each team’s kickers struggled to find the uprights in Kyle Field.
Aggies kicker Jared Zirkel began the day by mis-hitting a 22-yard attempt, allowing Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain to block the low-driven kick. Miami’s Carter Davis, who’d missed only two kicks all season, saw his 47-yard field goal in the second quarter fly wide right of the post. He missed attempts from 40 and 35 yards as well.
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Instead of sticking with Zirkel, A&M head coach Mike Elko turned to former starter Randy Bond, who was 11-for-18 entering the game. The kicker took advantage of his opportunity, tying the game on a 35-yard field goal despite a bad hold.
Elko dug into his bag of tricks toward the end of the second half. Aggies punter Tyler White faked a punt with less than two minutes remaining in the half, but defensive back Marcus Ratcliffe failed to bring in White’s pass.
Miami, FL
Why did Carson Beck transfer to Miami? Revisiting ex-Georgia QB’s move
Texas A&M vs Miami: College football playoff first round preview
Will Texas A&M’s dominant team or their inconsistent side face Miami in the playoff?
This time last year, Carson Beck had his first College Football Playoff start taken away from him due to a season-ending elbow injury in the SEC Championship game.
Fast forward a year and the veteran quarterback is set to make that long-awaited start against No. 7 Texas A&M at noon ET inside Kyle Field in College Station, Texas.
Only, it isn’t happening with the team he led to the CFP last season.
Instead, it comes with No. 10 Miami, which, just like Beck, is making its debut in college football’s biggest stage.
“It’s honestly unreal to just kind of step back and look at the whole of everything that’s happened,” Beck said in a Dec. 17 interview. “And it’s surreal to get to this point, honestly and to realize everything I’ve been through and realize the adversity that I’ve had to face and overcome.”
Beck has led the Hurricanes to a 10-2 record this season and is looking to lead the program to its first CFP win. Should Miami pull off the upset against Texas A&M, the Hurricanes will advance to the Cotton Bowl CFP quarterfinal against No. 2 Ohio State on New Year’s Eve.
Here’s a look back at why Beck transferred to Miami:
Where did Carson Beck transfer from?
Beck transferred from Georgia. He spent five seasons with the Bulldogs, with his final years coming as the starting quarterback.
Why did Carson Beck transfer to Miami?
The decision by the ex-Georgia quarterback to enter the portal was a head-scratching one to an extent, largely because he announced on Dec. 28 on his social media he was declaring for the NFL draft.
“I will forever cherish the memories that have been made,” Beck wrote in that initial NFL declaration post. “Thank you Dawg Nation for the time I’ve been here and to those who’ve supported and believed in me, thank you. It’s been an incredible journey and all these moments have ultimately led me to take the next step in my football career.”
He officially announced on Jan. 9 he was entering his name into the NCAA transfer portal. He announced his decision to return home to the state of Florida to play for the Hurricanes on Jan. 10. As noted by USA TODAY Sports’ Matt Hayes, Georgia wanted to keep Beck in Athens. One of the Bulldogs’ SEC rivals, Alabama, also showed an interest in Beck before he committed to Miami.
As for the reason behind Beck’s decision to transfer, that can likely be pointed to his season-ending elbow injury that he sustained during the SEC championship. Since he needed surgery to repair his UCL in his throwing arm, Beck wouldn’t have been able to throw during the heart of the NFL draft workout schedule with teams.
“This is my future, and I think that this decision is one of the better decisions I’ve made,” Beck said at ACC Kickoff in July. “Just trying to develop those relationships and that camaraderie, it’s just reinforced my decision in a positive way.”
Carson Beck stats
Here’s a look at Beck’s career stats at Georgia and Miami:
- 2021 (Georgia): 10 of 23 passing (43.5%) for 176 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions
- 2022 (Georgia): 26 of 35 passing (74.3%) for 310 yards with four touchdowns
- 2023 (Georgia): 302 of 417 passing (72.4%) for 3,941 yards with 24 touchdowns and six interceptions; 116 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns on 60 carries
- 2024 (Georgia): 290 of 448 passing (64.7%) for 3,485 yards with 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions; 71 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown on 55 carries
- 2025 (Miami): 263 of 353 passing (74.7%) for 3,072 yards with 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions; 39 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown on 38 carries
Miami, FL
Jumpshots Galore: Keys for the Miami Heat to overcome the Boston Celtics
The Miami Heat will face off against the Boston Celtics, who are ahead of the Heat by half a game in the Eastern Conference standings, on Friday night.
Here are some things they will need to hone in on to end up on the other side of the game with a win:
Be careful what you wish for: The Heat, for several years now, no matter what defensive scheme they’re deploy, are going to give up a high volume amount of threes. The Celtics, who take the fourth-highest amount of shots from three, will gladly take the Heat up on their offer. Unlike the Brooklyn Nets, who also like to take a ton of threes, the Celtics convert them at a decent clip.
The Heat will have a lot to be wary of in this aspect, as eight or nine of their ten rotation players are either high-volume three-point shooters or threats to ge them up. Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Anfernee Simons, Sam Hauser, Josh Minott, Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez and Jordan Walsh combine to shoot around 43 threes per game.
The Celtics take the lowest percentage of shots coming at the rim, with the lowest free throw rate and eighth-lowest percentage of shots coming from the short mid-range, but make them at a high level. Additionally, they take the second-highest amount of long mid-rangers and also convert those at an elite clip.
Time to break the slump: The Heat will need to hit some threes if they want to win this game. On defense, the Celtics, like the Heat, are going to play the gaps and allow opponents to take shots beyond the arc. They give up the eighth-highest percentage of opponent shots coming from three, (Heat sixth-highest).
Since Dec. 3rd (the first loss in their recently snapped five-game losing streak), the Heat have converted just 29.4 percent of their threes. Although they got away with another stinker from three against the Nets on Thursday, that type of shooting will likely not cut it against a Celtics defense that allows the second-lowest percentage of opponent shots at the rim.
The Celtics foul at one of the highest rates in the league, and with the Heat’s preference of taking shots in the paint combined with their recent stretch of rough three-point shooting, they will need to hit their free throws in this one. This has been a struggle for the Heat, who rank among the bottom 10 in free throw percentage in the NBA.
Possession Battle: A big part of the Celtics’ somewhat unexpected early-season success has been their ability to consistently win this aspect of the game.
They have the fourth-best offensive rating in the league, and, on top of their high-level shotmaking, they have the best turnover percentage and the fifth-best offensive rebound percentage in the league. They also do a good job of turning teams over.
The Celtics’ weak point in this aspect has been their defensive rebounding, another similarity they share with the Heat, giving up the fourth-highest offensive rebound percentage. The offensive glass is not exactly the Heat’s strong suit, but with Kel’el Ware likely starting again, they will have the opportunity to out-size them and, ideally, get extra opportunities.
For more Miami Heat information and conversation, check out Off The Floor.
Alexander Toledo is a contributor to Miami Heat On SI and producer/co-host of the Five on the Floor podcast, covering the Heat and NBA. He can be reached at Twitter: @tropicalblanket
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