Nick's Sports Sprint: September 23, 2020

Each day, Nick will give his daily thoughts on the world of sports. These updates will consist of recaps, previews, insights, stats, opinions, predictions and more!


SOMETHING TO WATCH

Last night, I was happy to be a guest on Captain Lou's Extravaganza, hosted by Lou Gamelin. I was on the show to talk about Big Ten football, and it was a great conversation that we had! Check it out, I am on at about the 32:30 mark, but there is plenty to watch all night long.


BEST ARTICLES I READ YESTERDAY

ESPN: Inside Nick Saban's One Year at Toledo: This was an awesome read into Nick Saban's first year as a head coach in 1990. He coached Toledo before leaving to be the DC of the Browns, and this article interviews players, coaches, etc. from that 1990 season. Take the time and get some insight on Saban's coaching style, even 30 years ago. 


TWEETS OF THE DAY

 

 **Credit to Zach Tuori for sending me this one. I love this Joe Biden video meme.**


**Technically saw this on Monday night, but WAY TOO FUNNY to keep off this first post.

 


IN THE NEWS

Notre Dame v Wake Forest Cancelled: The Irish had more test positive for COVID, and as a result they will not be playing their game against Wake Forest on Saturday. With an open date for both schools next weekend (October 3), I would assume that they will try to play that weekend, but what is the probability of that if Notre Dame can't play now? Hopefully they can get that game in, but it really makes you wonder why the Big Ten didn't add a built in bye week during their season?


MLB Draft Order: According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the MLB Draft order for 2021 appears to be determined based upon 2020 record. This doesn't seem like a big deal, but the process of this selection is what bothers me. I'm of the camp that believes that if these were all small markets in the Top 5, they would have done something else. But of course, when Boston and Washington are in the Top 5, they will cater to benefit them. It's all about the big markets. Of course, Commissioner Manfred could have avoided this controversy if he just announced the process prior to the season. But like usual, Manfred can never do anything without controversy involved as he slowly ruins the game of baseball.

 

Billy Donovan Hired by the Bulls: The Chicago Bulls let Jim Boylen go, and this is the best possible hire for them in my opinion. Billy Donovan has been extremely successful throughout his career. He won two National Championships at Florida, and he went to four total Final Fours and seven Elite Eights in his tenure. More importantly, he has made the NBA Playoffs in all five years as the Head Coach of the Thunder, including an effort this year that was worthy of Coach of the Year efforts. With a veteran duo of Chris Paul and Steven Adams, he also helped develop Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Dennis Schroeder and Nerlens Noel this year. They had the Rockets, who have two of the NBA's best players in Russ Westbrook and James Harden, on the ropes in a two-point Game 7 loss. 

There is a young core for Billy Donovan to work with, led by Coby White and Lauri Markkanen, as well as older players in Zach LaVine and Otto Porter Jr. There is potential for this team to grow, and with the #4 pick in the NBA Draft, they can continue to develop a young nucleus. I think this was a fantastic hire, and the Bulls should be in playoff contention soon. 


WE NEED MORE GOLF: If you didn't watch the Payne's Valley Cup on Tuesday, you missed out. It was an awesome exhibition with trash talk and great play. These golfers mic'd up is a blast. With the "Super Season" taking up all of the available weeks, perhaps golf just needs to mic up their players during practice rounds or Round 1? It was great during the US Open as well to hear Bryson DeChambeau's thoughts on the course. The insight during the game could be unprecedented, and it would be awesome to watch each week. Either that, or let's have some more Tuesday showdowns so we can hear these guys talk trash.


NUGGETS TOP LAKERS: I really want the Nuggets to get to the NBA Finals. Whatever my feelings about LeBron are, I LOVE watching this team play. I don't even like the NBA, I think it's boring basketball compared to college, but the Nuggets have been an absolute blast in the bubble. Between Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, they really have an awesome duo. It's also a naturally occurring team, with smart GM decisions. None of that "Super Team" garbage where the players demand to play together. Great win last night, and I hope they get three more in the next four games to get to the NBA Finals.


I HATE THE EXTRA INNINGS RULE: The Tigers lost in the tenth inning last night against the Twins, and I want to use that event to reiterate my position against the extra innings rules. In case you don't follow baseball, once the game gets to the 10th inning, each team starts with a runner on second base. It surely ends the games faster, but teams have lost without giving up a hit! We already have a short season, why can't we just play full games? Don't even get me started on 7-inning doubleheaders...


PREDICTIONS ON WEDNESDAY

Celtics over Heat

Stars over Lightning

Twins over Tigers (at this point do we want to lose to improve our draft position?)


DAILY TRIVIA QUESTION

Respond with your answer to the trivia question in one of three places. (1) Reply to our tweet @TuoriSports, (2) Comment on our Facebook post, or (3) comment below. There will be a giveaway of a prize to be determined in the near future to lucky winners selected from correct answer submissions!

Q: Jamal Murray was a member of the Canadian U-16 team, and he played in the FIBA Americas U-16 Championship. Who was the Tournament MVP of the tournament in which he played?

A: Next Edition of Nick's Sports Sprint!


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