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Boogie Ellis can’t be expected to carry the USC offense in the NCAA tournament

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This time, there could be no escape.

Because the crosstown rivals met for his or her rubber match, the chilly realities of March would supply a stern reminder to USC. Slip up as soon as, and your record-breaking season may quickly be over.

UCLA acquired the higher of USC of their third assembly Friday, and as each enter March Insanity with their eyes on one other deep run, it’s the Trojans who’ve essentially the most questions hanging over them.

Right here’s what we realized after USC’s 69-59 loss towards UCLA:

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USC has nothing to fret about on Choice Sunday. However after that …

The Trojans is likely to be comfortably within the area, however nothing in regards to the final two weeks ought to go away them feeling snug heading into the NCAA match.

The offense has been stagnant. USC’s prime scorers have been inconsistent. And the protection hasn’t been sufficient to beat both. Even when the Trojans have received over the previous month, they’ve completed so by the pores and skin of their enamel, escaping within the last minutes.

That technique isn’t normally a profitable one this time of yr. All it takes is one slip-up for USC to be despatched packing, and the Trojans have been significantly vulnerable to these varieties of issues recently.

Happily for USC, its invite isn’t incumbent on its efficiency the final two weeks. The Trojans nonetheless received 25 video games within the common season, a faculty file. That counts for one thing.

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Most bracket projections have USC within the vary of a sixth or a seventh seed. UCLA coach Mick Cronin referred to as that possible seeding “ridiculously low” and attributed it to “West Coast bias.” However the reality is USC is nowhere close to peaking at an important level of its season. Until it may possibly flip issues round quickly, it might be headed for an early exit.

UCLA had the higher protection, rattling USC on the inside.

All season, USC hung its hat on protection. Its inside work was particularly sturdy given its extraordinary measurement and size. Contained in the arc, few defenses in school basketball have been higher this season.

However Friday night time, it was UCLA that made its presence recognized across the paint. Bruin huge man Myles Johnson helped shut down USC on the inside, leaving Isaiah Mobley unable to make a lot of an influence across the basket. Mobley completed with simply 9 factors, whereas fellow ahead Chevez Goodwin was even much less of an element, ending with 5 factors on two-of-seven capturing.

USC made simply 4 of 17 pictures contained in the arc through the first half on its solution to simply 28 factors. With no constant presence inside, the Trojans had been left scrambling, settling for perimeter pictures as their offense struggled to settle right into a rhythm.

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Coach Andy Enfield noticed no cause for concern. “We simply have to complete a few of these,” he stated. “It’s nothing they did.”

However what was as soon as a transparent benefit for USC actually not appears that manner.

USC managed to restrict its turnovers towards UCLA. However its offense nonetheless isn’t shifting the ball easily.

Positive, it’s not laborious to enhance on 23 turnovers. However USC’s 9 giveaways Friday night time really ranked amongst its lowest turnover totals of the season.

That was the excellent news. The issue is it didn’t matter a lot. USC nonetheless struggled to maneuver the ball and sometimes discovered itself counting on Boogie Ellis to make performs in isolation. The artful ball motion that USC has flashed at its finest was nowhere to be discovered. The Trojans completed with a meager six assists, their lowest whole of the season.

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“We want the next help whole for us to achieve our potential offensively,” Enfield stated. “We simply have to be extra environment friendly.”

The place that effectivity would possibly come from is a professional query. Ellis isn’t precisely the ground basic sort, and neither Peterson nor Mobley has confirmed themselves as solely succesful catalysts. USC might must determine it out on the fly, because it continues to query who ought to provoke the offense.

Ellis saved USC alive once more. He’s going to want assist in March.

By the tip of Friday’s loss, after he’d poured in a profession excessive, Ellis was utterly out of breath. As he leaned again right into a defensive stance, USC’s level guard was completely exhausted.

It wasn’t laborious to see why. Ellis performed his coronary heart out because the Trojans’ solely constant offensive menace, scoring 27 factors, 16 greater than some other participant in USC’s rotation.

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His latest surge is an effective signal for USC because it seeks to search out anybody able to scoring on a constant foundation. Ellis had 44 factors over two video games within the Pac-12 match, placing the Trojans offense utterly on his again.

But when Ellis is USC’s solely constant scorer, then the Trojans are in bother. USC isn’t constructed for that. It wants a number of choices to have the ability to sustain with extra prolific offenses. In opposition to UCLA, although, there was nobody else.

Mobley scored 9 factors. Peterson scored 11. Each will have to be extra of an element subsequent week, if USC has any likelihood of advancing.

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Knicks reunite Mikal Bridges with Villanova teammates in blockbuster trade with Nets: reports

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Knicks reunite Mikal Bridges with Villanova teammates in blockbuster trade with Nets: reports

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There’s just something the New York Knicks love about those Villanova products in the NBA. 

The Knicks have reportedly struck a trade with the Brooklyn Nets to bring Mikal Bridges, a former teammate of Knicks stars, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo during their time at Villanova, to Madison Square Garden in a blockbuster deal. 

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In this first trade between both teams since 1983, the Knicks will send veteran forward Bogdan Bogdanovic, four unprotected first-round picks, one protected first-round pick via the Milwaukee Bucks, an unprotected pick swap and a second-round pick in exchange for Bridges, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Jalen Brunson #11 and Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks talk to Mikal Bridges #1 of the Brooklyn Nets after the game on March 23, 2024 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.  (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Knicks saw exactly what former college teammates could do on the floor together in the NBA last season, as Brunson, DiVincenzo and Hart all had stellar campaigns during the team’s playoff run. 

Now, Bridges reunites with teammates he won multiple NCAA national titles with during his college days. 

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Bridges’ reaction was likely that of all Knicks fans, as he posted on social media. 

“This is crazy lol,” Bridges simply posted on X. 

Bridges, the 10th overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft who was traded by the Philadelphia 76ers to the Phoenix Suns on draft night, has developed into a star with the Nets since he was dealt before the deadline in the 2022-23 campaign. 

He jumped from 17.2 points per game to 26.1 over 27 contests that season as a Net, and last year’s production was solid as well. 

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Mikal Bridges gets rebound

Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats grabs a rebound in front of teammates Donte DiVincenzo #10 and Jalen Brunson #1 against the Providence Friars at the Wells Fargo Center on January 23, 2018, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Bridges averaged 19.6 points per game with 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.0 steals, while shooting 43.6% from the field over all 82 regular-season games. 

The Philly native, who was a 2021-22 All-Defensive team honoree, figures to slot right into the starting lineup alongside his Villanova brothers, including the All-Star Brunson who exploded for an All-NBA nod after averaging a career-high 28.7 points per contest. 

The news of Bridges’ addition comes as OG Anunoby, the Knicks’ traded-for wing last season, reportedly opted out of his contract and decided to test free agency. 

Bridges, at 6-foot-6, has the ability to guard just about any player on the floor, and head coach Tom Thibodeau loves players with that extra hustle, which he provides every night. 

New York is clearly a win-now team after going 50-32 last season to earn the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. But they’ve lost in the conference semifinals in back-to-back seasons, so adding another playmaker who can thrive on both ends of the floor was paramount for their squad this offseason. 

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Mikal Bridges runs on court

Mikal Bridges #1 of the Brooklyn Nets celebrates after making a shot in the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on April 01, 2024, in Indianapolis, Indiana.  (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

That box is checked with the addition of Bridges, who shouldn’t have any trouble getting acclimated with his new team.

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Sika Anoa’i, WWE Hall of Famer and father of Roman Reigns, dies at 79

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Sika Anoa’i, WWE Hall of Famer and father of Roman Reigns, dies at 79

WWE Hall of Famer Sika Anoa’i, who won multiple WWE tag team titles with his brother Afa and is the father of current WWE star Roman Reigns, died Tuesday. He was 79.

His death was announced by nephew Jahrus Anoa’i on Instagram.

Jahrus wrote: “It is with profound sadness that I share the news of the passing of Former Hall of Famer, Polaivao Leati Sika Anoa’i. He passed away peacefully on June 25th. He was many things: a hard working father, a caring brother, a supportive uncle, and a proud grandfather. He was a cherished friend to many, a loving family member whose warmth and kindness knew no bounds, and an inspiration to countless individuals. His legacy will continue to inspire and uplift future generations, reminding us of the impact one person’s life can have on so many. Rest in love Uncle Sika.”

Anoaʻi was born on the island of Tutuila in American Samoa on April 5, 1945. He and his family (he had 13 siblings) moved to San Francisco when he was 14 and he joined the Merchant Marines in 1963 before leaving in 1969 at the behest of Afa to become a pro wrestler.

Sika and Afa were known as “The Wild Samoans” and joined the WWE (then known as the WWWF), managed by Lou Albano, in 1980, winning the tag titles just four months after their debut by defeating Tito Santana and Ivan Putski. They lost, then won them again later in 1980, then again in 1983. He had limited success as a singles wrestler, but anyone who saw “The Wild Samoans,” with their wild hair, sarong and wrestling barefoot in the ring, will never forget them. They were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007.

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Sika trained wrestlers after retiring and helped launch the careers of many, including Yokozuna, Virgil, Billy Kidman, Batista, Rikishi, Tonga Kid, Virgil, Michael P.S. Hayes and Snitsky.

Anoaʻi’s son, Joseph, better known as Roman Reigns, is the top star in WWE currently and members of his extended family make up the faction known as “The Bloodline,” which has led WWE to renewed success in recent years. Reigns headlined the last two WrestleManias, including the 2023 event at SoFi Stadium.

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Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk jumps in ocean with Stanley Cup as celebration hits the beach

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Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk jumps in ocean with Stanley Cup as celebration hits the beach

The Stanley Cup is back in Florida, as the Panthers won a thrilling Game 7 over the Edmonton Oilers, 2-1, on Monday night. 

The team wasted no time parading Lord Stanley’s Cup around South Florida, as Matthew Tkachuk, Aaron Ekblad and many others were spotted in Fort Lauderdale celebrating their victory less than 24 hours after defeating Edmonton. 

And since it is summer in Florida, what other way would you celebrate than by taking the Cup to the beach. 

Matthew Tkachuk of the Panthers celebrates with the Stanley Cup after their 2-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 24, 2024, in Sunrise, Florida. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

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Tkachuk, surrounded by teammates and fans alike, took the Cup across the street to the beach, where he decided to take it into the Atlantic Ocean. 

Think of it as a sort of baptism for the Cup, as it’s the first time in Panthers franchise history they have won the hardware. 

Panthers fans were screaming as Tkachuk, Ekblad and others held the Cup above their heads, giving it the customary kiss all while the waves came rolling in from the ocean. 

PANTHERS WIN STANLEY CUP IN THRILLING GAME 7 OVER OILERS

Tkachuk said after the victory to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan that winning the Cup was no longer a dream – it’s reality. And it was a grueling two years for the Panthers – they lost in the Final to the Vegas Golden Knights last season in five games – to finally get that inaugural trophy in the team building. 

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So, this celebration is a culmination of tons of hard work, and the Panthers are clearly letting loose now that their names will forever be etched on the precious metal. 

Panthers celebrate Stanley Cup win

Panthers players share champagne after beating the Edmonton Oilers at the Amerant Bank Arena on June 24, 2024, in Sunrise, Florida. (Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)

Through the Panthers’ 24 games in these playoffs, Tkachuk posted 22 points (six goals, 16 assists) to help Florida get the job done. 

He joined the Panthers last season after the Calgary Flames traded him following six seasons with the squad that drafted him sixth overall in 2016. 

Tkachuk posted a 109-point season in 2023, and though he would have 88 this past regular season, every Panthers fan knows the importance he makes at left wing for this hockey club. 

Matthew Tkachuk raise Stanley Cup

Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers lifts the Stanley Cup after beating the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena on June 24, 2024. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

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The celebration has only begun for Tkachuk and the rest of his Florida teammates, who will have their team parade on Sunday.  

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