Latest news with #MattNorlander
USA Today
01-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Auburn basketball to face Michigan, Oregon at Players Era Festival in Las Vegas
More details of Auburn basketball's challenging schedule have been released. More of Auburn basketball's 2025-26 schedule has leaked, and it only proves that the Tigers will, once again, play one of the nation's toughest schedules. Matt Norlander of CBS Sports reports that Auburn will face a pair of Big Ten programs during its stay in Las Vegas at the Players Era Festival, which will be played Nov. 24-26. The Tigers will open the festival on Monday, Nov. 24, against the Oregon Ducks at 7 p.m. CT. The Ducks finished 25-10 last season and fell to former PAC-12 rival Arizona in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, 87-83. Oregon finished No. 27 in the KenPom last season, with its strongest quality being defense with a 95.8 efficiency rating, which ranked No. 21 in the country. The Tigers will then face the Michigan Wolverines in an NCAA Tournament rematch on Tuesday, Nov. 25, in a semi-final matchup at 7:30 p.m. CT. The Wolverines made a deep NCAA Tournament run last season before falling to Auburn in the Sweet 16, 78-65. A trio of Tigers scored 20-plus points in the game, including Tahaad Pettiford, who dropped 20 points by shooting 50% in the game. Johni Broome led the Tigers in points with 22, and in rebounds with 16. The Player's Era Festival third place game, as well as the championship game, will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 26. Not only will Auburn get to face some of the nation's best competition this season in Las Vegas, but it will also benefit the program in NIL earnings. Each program in the tournament will earn $1 million just for participating, with the pot of NIL earnings expected to be $20 million, according to Norlander. Venues for each game will be announced at a later date. However, the event will be broadcast on the Turner family of networks, including TNT and TBS, and will be streamed on HBO MAX. Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
USA Today
30-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Report: Ohio State basketball nonconference February game in the works vs. ACC power
Generally, when the conference college basketball season gets into full swing, we rarely see teams step outside the Big Ten to play teams. According to a report from CBS Sports, however, there appears to be something in the works between Ohio State and another school not in the Big Ten. In a post to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Matt Norlander cited sources that told him that the Buckeyes and Virginia Cavaliers are working on a February 14, Valentine's Day game. According to the story, "the game will be organized by Intersport, with the neutral-site venue soon to be determined. The goal is to house the one-off game at an arena that's practical for OSU and UVa fans. Nashville is under consideration as a destination, sources added." Playing these types of games used to be commonplace, but once television contracts, conference realignment, and resistance from conference administrators got in the way, it's a rare sight to see teams have these types of nonconference tussles late in the season. But, it's a trend that seems to be taking off more as of late. Other notable nonconference games before all the March Madness include Baylor vs. Louisville (also on Feb. 14, in Fort Worth, Texas) and Duke vs. Michigan (Feb. 21 in Washington, D.C.). This, after we saw Gonzaga at Kentucky in 2024 and Duke vs. Illinois last season at Madison Square Garden. Not exactly a big population, but a trend in the right direction nonetheless. As more details emerge about the Buckeyes and Cavaliers, we'll bring them to you. Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.
USA Today
29-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
College basketball adding one game to regular season
The NCAA Division I Council passed legislation on Wednesday that allows teams to schedule 32 regular-season games, ending a seven-year period where 31 games was the maximum. The current NCAA rules say 'teams can schedule 28 games with an additional three-game, multiple-team event, for a maximum of 31 games. Teams can also choose to schedule 29 games with a two-game, multiple-team event, again with a 31-game maximum. Or teams can schedule 29 regular-season games without a multiple-team event included.' Under the new rules, which begin during the 2026-27 season, teams can schedule up to 32 games without the restriction of having a multi-team event involved. There is no penalty for scheduling fewer than 32 games if a team wishes to do so. The oversight committee said the NCAA is trying to simplify as many rules as possible and allow for greater scheduling flexibility. Conference expansion impacting non-conference scheduling was also a factor. There is an expectation that larger MTEs, especially those funded by NIL contracts, will move to three- or four-game formats. Extra home games also have financial implications. "Multiple high-major coaches told CBS Sports in recent months that they are actively pursuing and hoping to play a nonconference game in the midst of the conference season moving forward, finding benefits in advance of postseason play in March," CBS Sports senior writer Matt Norlander said. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kings reportedly acquire No. 24 pick in 2025 NBA Draft, rights to Nique Clifford
Kings reportedly acquire No. 24 pick in 2025 NBA Draft, rights to Nique Clifford originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area The Kings are making moves. Sacramento traded up into the first round of Wednesday night's 2025 NBA Draft for the No. 24 pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder, acquiring the rights to Colorado State guard Nique Clifford, Matt Norlander of CBS Sports and ESPN's Shams Charania reported, citing sources. The Kings are sending the top-16 protected 2027 first-round pick they acquired from the San Antonio Spurs in the De'Aaron Fox trade to Oklahoma City in the deal, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported, citing a source. As a fifth-year senior at Colorado State, Clifford averaged 18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.6 steals in 35.4 minutes per game on 50-percent shooting from the field and 38-percent shooting from deep en route to Third-Team All-Mountain West honors. The 6-foot-5, 202-pound Clifford led the Rams to a first-round upset of Memphis in the NCAA Tournament, and was viewed by some as a potential lottery pick if he were younger. Clifford's style of play has been compared to a smaller version of NBA stars Kyle Kuzma and Paul George, as well as Jalen Williams and Ron Holland. Advertisement While only time will tell what kind of player Clifford ends up being for the Kings, the 23-year-old has the kind of college experience that could contribute to Sacramento's upcoming season right away. Download and follow The Deuce & Mo Podcast
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kentucky Basketball hits record high NIL offers for 2025
If money talks, then Kentucky basketball is screaming from the mountaintop, and every other basketball program can get to walking. In the new era of college hoops, where NIL deals now rival NBA-level perks, no program is dropping more cash than the Wildcats — and they're not being subtle about it. According to CBS Sports' Matt Norlander, at least 10 college basketball programs are projected to spend $10 million or more on NIL contracts in 2025. But insiders say Kentucky is in a class of its own. College hoops veteran Jeff Goodman didn't mince words: 'I'm not sure anyone is gonna touch Kentucky's NIL payroll this season… not even BYU.' Advertisement Kentucky's aggressive approach under new head coach Mark Pope is turning heads — and turning the transfer portal into a checkout line. With the school's NIL collective operating at full throttle, they've secured top-tier transfers and high school stars, outbidding traditional powers like Duke and UNC in a financial arms race that's changing the game. After a string of postseason disappointments, Kentucky is betting big to reclaim its throne. The proof? The roster. Pope landed key talents like former Oklahoma guard Javian McCollum and former Dayton standout DaRon Holmes II — players with NBA potential who likely wouldn't have chosen Lexington without serious NIL backing. It's not just about stacking talent. It's about sustaining it. Kentucky's collective has created an environment where elite athletes don't just come — they stay. That stability, combined with Pope's up-tempo system and a renewed recruiting pipeline, has reloaded the program faster than anyone expected. Related: Bill Belichick's girlfriend Jordon Hudson working to secure three UNC trademarks, per report In a landscape where blue bloods now need green to win, Kentucky isn't just participating — it's setting the market. For NIL-focused fans and recruits alike, one thing is clear: if you're looking for the program that's putting its money where its championship dreams are, it starts and ends in Lexington. Advertisement Related: Reggie Bush gives his two cents on college football transfer portal and NIL Want to win in today's college basketball? Follow the money — and follow Kentucky. Related: Miami NIL Twin announces engagement to Dallas Cowboys star Related: Lane Kiffin trolls Carson Beck's $4 million NIL deal from Miami: 'Did they watch his game against us?'
