Alex House Articles - Page 78

Failure is a part of sports, but admitting to it is not always easy. That is because too often the word is misconstrued. Falling short of a reasonable goal is technically failing. Though, within that big-picture shortcoming, there can be many accolades that justify praise and self-satisfaction. Many NBA fans gloss over the Golden State […]

Grand Canyon University is at the center of controversy. The school’s basketball program, namely head coach Bryce Drew, is receiving backlash for the controversial ending in the 2024 College Slam Dunk Contest. GCU hosted the event, as well as the 3-point Contest, but it appears it took the term “home-court advantage” far too literally. Antelopes […]

A healthy Damian Lillard will not completely obscure the distress that Milwaukee Bucks fans are feeling following perplexing back-to-back losses to the Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies, but it sure does help. The eight-time All-Star is returning to action on Friday versus the Toronto Raptors after missing the last three games with an abductor strain, […]

Indiana State (32-7) and Seton Hall basketball (25-12) entered the NIT with a chip on their shoulders after they were both left out of the NCAA Tournament’s field of 68 on Selection Sunday. The two teams could have fed into their disappointment and refused to compete for what others clearly deemed to be an unworthy […]

USC basketball does not have much time to tend to its wounds after a woefully disappointing 2023-24 season, as it faces significant change in the immediate future. Losing leading scorer Boogie Ellis already requires the team to make a big transition, but the departure of head coach Andy Enfield is plunging the program into an […]

The San Francisco 49ers are doing what they can to keep their Super Bowl title window open heading into the 2024-25 campaign, but they are still making some key changes this offseason. That includes parting ways with defensive tackle Arik Armstead, who was the longest-tenured member on the roster before being released on March 13. […]

Jordan Spieth has gone ice cold over the last month, failing to make the cut in each of his last two tournaments. He is off to another slow start this week at the Valero Texas Open, but it might just take one thrilling moment in his home state to spark a turnaround. The three-time major […]

Dejected New York Knicks fans should temporarily lift their heads up to read the latest bit of injury news regarding their two-way wing, whose presence becomes significantly more important with Julius Randle now officially done for the season. “Tom Thibodeau said Knicks are ‘cautiously optimistic’ about OG Anunoby’s progress,” SNY’s Ian Begley reported on Thursday. […]

Dusty May is laying down the first brick of his Michigan basketball renovation project, but it does not come in the form of a player. He is set to make his first addition to the coaching staff, and it is someone Big 12 fans know well. Former Oklahoma State head coach Mike Boynton Jr. is […]

The NBA world spends so much time marveling at LeBron James’ unprecedented durability (understandably so) that it becomes easy to overlook the fact that the Los Angeles Lakers star is approaching the final chapter of his transcendent career. The 39-year-old has four championships, the all-time scoring crown and an unquestioned place among the pantheon of […]

With the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference already locked up, the Boston Celtics have nothing to play for during the remainder of the regular season. However, because of some of their recent postseason struggles, back-to-back losses to the Atlanta Hawks are inevitably going to cast a bit of doubt on the franchise’s invincibility […]

Former Pro Bowl cornerback Vontae Davis has passed away at just 35 years of age, per WSVN.com. He is best known for his time with the Indianapolis Colts but also played for the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills. Davis’ body was found at his grandmother’s home in Southwest Ranches, Fla. Police arrived on the scene […]

The Western Conference has been chock-full of interesting storylines, emerging superstars and drama, so it is only fitting that the Houston Rockets (38-36) swoop in to give fans one more big plot twist at the end of the regular season. They used a stunning 11-game winning streak to catapult themselves into the NBA Play-In Tournament […]

The Miami Heat were 39-34 through 73 games last year, which is one game worse than their current record for the 2023-24 season. The difference now, though, is that few fans see them as a disappointment. Winning the Eastern Conference after starting in the NBA Play-In Tournament has earned this team the benefit of the […]

After a miserable 2023-24 campaign, which marked his final year with the New England Patriots, all-time great head coach Bill Belichick set out to regroup this offseason. He was heavily linked to the Atlanta Falcons’ vacant position but remained unemployed after all the slots were filled. A break from the never-ending grind probably appealed to […]

The New York Jets appear to be all in on the Aaron Rodgers era, as they continue to fortify their pass-rushing attack by acquiring star linebacker Haason Reddick in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. In return, they are sending a conditional 2026 third-round draft pick that will become a second […]

It has been more than two weeks since the tragic passing of RJ Barrett’s younger brother Nathan, and the Toronto Raptors player is now ready to address the media. The pain on his face was visible as he tries to find the strength to move forward in life and on the court following this loss. […]

With Monty Williams signing on as head coach, there was no doubt that a young Detroit Pistons team would definitively get better during the 2023-24 NBA season. But here we are. injuries to Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart (also suspended for three games), among others, have surely stunted the squad’s growth, but even […]

When North Carolina basketball held a 40-25 halftime lead over Kansas in the 2022 national championship game, Caleb Love and RJ Davis nearly experienced all the joy that March Madness has to offer. But a historic collapse, which included their own shooting woes, saw a phenomenal run end in complete dejection. Although the talented guards […]

Despite reaching the national championship in his first season as head coach and amassing a 78-31 record through three seasons, the Hubert Davis era of North Carolina basketball continues to be overshadowed by gut-wrenching results. The last three Marches have ended in despair, in some form or another. None of this is to say that […]

The Atlanta Hawks could be headed towards a difficult offseason defined by significant roster turnover, but they are firmly focused on the present after extending their winning streak in a stunning 123-122 overtime victory versus the Boston Celtics. Dejounte Murray, one of multiple players who could be in a new home in the next few […]

With a clubhouse overflowing with superstardom, the Los Angeles Dodgers should not have to rely on bulletin board material to win baseball games this season. But extra motivation can be a powerful thing in the early stages of a 162-game campaign. The St. Louis Cardinals might have drawn the full ire of The Boys in […]

When scanning the rosters, one can reasonably make the argument that the American League Central is still the Minnesota Twins’ to lose during the 2024 season. They have a solid combination of contact and power in their lineup, an All-Star starting pitcher at the top of their rotation and a flamethrower anchoring the bullpen. And […]

While everyone talked about UConn’s superiority, Purdue’s past fraudulence, Kansas’ problems and Houston’s smothering defense, Duke basketball slid under the radar. The same thing has somehow happened during the 2024 NCAA Tournament despite the Blue Devils earning decisive victories in both of their matchups. Make no mistake, though, they are dangerous heading into the Sweet […]

For the casual football fans who watch out of familial or social obligation, a good story might be needed to hold genuine interest for an extended period of time. Look no further than the comeback campaign of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield. The former No. 1 overall draft pick was flirting with bust territory […]

The Chicago Bears are in the midst of an undeniably active and potentially historic offseason, which could eventually be the impetus for a full-blown franchise revival. Not every one of general manager Ryan Poles’ moves have been met with universal praise, but he is visibly working towards building a winning football culture in The Second […]

With one defensive star heading off into the sunset, the Los Angeles Rams are hoping a former All-Pro can revitalize his career in a new home. LA is signing cornerback Tre’Davious White to a one-year, $8.5 million contract that could reach a maximum value of $10 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. White spent seven […]

Clinching the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time in more than 20 years is often something to celebrate, but the Miami Dolphins do not have the luxury of reveling in their significant progress. They must position themselves in true title contention for the 2024-25 campaign, or it is going to be extremely tough […]

Many storybook moments come to fruition during March Madness, but there are countless ones that do not get to be written or told in front of a national audience. They play out at practice and in film sessions, unbeknownst to the legions of fans who partake in the annual extravaganza known as the NCAA Tournament. […]

Let the debate begin. The NFL is implementing multiple rule changes starting next season, with one in particular drawing strong reactions from players and fans alike. The hip-drop tackle is no more. Players will be penalized 15 yards, and an automatic first-down will be rewarded to the opposition. “No surprise here, despite the {NFL Players […]

The Los Angeles Dodgers know that immense pressure and media attention is unavoidable this year following their historic offseason, but they were obviously not anticipating the 2024 campaign to start like this. All eyes continue to be on the Shohei Ohtani/Ippei Mizuhara gambling scandal, as social media devours this bizarre and distressing story. Former star […]

For many, it does not feel like it’s already been nine years since the Kansas City Royals won the World Series. It has not flown by for their fans, though. A championship and back-to-back American League Pennants alleviate the annual disappointment that has accompanied the franchise since 2015, but this city is anxious to exit […]

As Caitlin Clark and the Iowa women’s basketball Hawkeyes begin their pursuit of a national championship, their final one as a group, it is difficult to enjoy the moment. Despite South Carolina being the clear favorite to cut down the nets, it is title or bust for this history-making superstar and experienced team. Therefore, the […]

Longtime Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos has passed away at the age of 94. The former lawyer, city councilman, horse breeder and racer and philanthropist bought the franchise in 1993 for $173 million. The team recently sold for $1.7 billion. Angelos had been suffering through health issues for the past few years, as his son, […]

Philadelphia Eagles’ fans probably still have a bitter taste in their mouths over how the team squandered the 2023-24 season, but it is much easier to let go of the recent past thanks to a lively offseason. General manager Howie Roseman has been aggressive in free agency, adding potentially high-impact players on offense and defense, […]

For a while now, the biggest concern facing the Golden State Warriors (36-32) was their unfavorable positioning in the NBA Play-In Tournament picture. But there is actually a possibility they don’t even make it that far. The Dubs hold just a two and half game lead over the scorching hot Houston Rockets for 10th place […]

Jack Gohlke is receiving plenty of accolades after his historic March Madness performance in Oakland’s 80-76 win over No. 3 seed Kentucky in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Though, the compliment that is apparently sticking with him the most comes courtesy of polarizing ex-NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown. “My boys’ favorite moment on […]

Cinderella stories are a huge reason why the NCAA Tournament is embedded in American culture. A plucky underdog from a town most people have never heard of is what makes a college basketball game in March mean something to those who tune out the sport the rest of the year. A buzzer-beater or a clutch […]

The last few days for Kansas basketball have been muddled with controversy and speculation, which is the last thing a vulnerable Jayhawks team needs during March Madness. A phantom foul call allowed the No. 4 seed in the Midwest region to clinch a 93-89 win versus Cinderella hopeful Samford on Thursday night. One would assume […]