Latest news with #SunBeltConference
Washington Post
a day ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
Sun Belt approves move to lure Louisiana Tech from Conference USA, AP source says
NEW ORLEANS — The Sun Belt Conference has formally approved a proposal to extend a membership invitation to Louisiana Tech, a person familiar with the situation said. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Monday because the Sun Belt has not announced the membership offer, and Louisiana Tech has not announced its decision to accept it and leave Conference USA.
New York Times
a day ago
- Business
- New York Times
Sun Belt votes to add Louisiana Tech after losing Texas State to Pac-12: Source
The Sun Belt Conference is inviting Louisiana Tech to the league as a replacement for Texas State, which recently announced a move next year to the new-look Pac-12. A person involved in the decision told The Athletic that the Sun Belt's presidents voted Monday to add Louisiana Tech to the conference at a date yet to be determined. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the move has not been officially announced. Advertisement The exit fee to leave Conference USA is expected to be more than $5 million after members signed a grant of rights to coincide with the conference's latest television deal. Louisiana Tech has been part of CUSA since 2013. The addition of the Ruston, La., based school will keep the Sun Belt at 14 football schools next year and give it three full members in the state, along with Louisiana in Lafayette and Louisiana-Monroe. Speculation about the Sun Belt's interest in Louisiana Tech started even before Texas State's move became official. ULM athletic director John Hartwell openly supported inviting La Tech. On July 1, Texas State announced it would move to the Pac-12 next year when the conference relaunches with Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Colorado State, Utah State and Gonzaga, which does not have a football program, joining holdovers Oregon State and Washington State. NCAA and College Football Playoff rules require a minimum of eight members for a conference to be eligible for automatic entry into championship events. Oregon State and Washington State are in the second season of operating the Pac-12 as a two-team conference following the mass departures of 10 longtime members to other power conferences. The trickle-down effect from the sweeping realignment at the power conference level, which began in 2021 with Texas and Oklahoma moving to the SEC, has led to significant turnover in CUSA. After recent additions of Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State and Sam Houston State, the conference is adding Delaware and Missouri State this year, two more schools making the transition from FCS to FBS. The departure of Louisiana Tech leaves Conference USA with 10 full members committed beyond 2025: The recent additions from FCS, plus Liberty, Middle Tennessee, Western Kentucky, New Mexico State and FIU. UTEP is leaving Conference USA after the upcoming school year to join the Mountain West.
USA Today
25-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 NBA draft: Get to know the draft class with exclusive Rookie Wire interviews
The 2025 NBA draft is set to begin on Wednesday, with 30 players expected to hear their names called in the first round by Commissioner Adam Silver in Brooklyn, New York. Throughout the predraft process, Rookie Wire sat down with several prospects to discuss various topics and provide insight into their personalities both on and off the court. From potential draft picks to those competing for roster spots, we spoke with a diverse range of individuals. Related: NBA draft workout tracker: Where prospects have visited in 2025 Prospects have been busy preparing for the upcoming draft by attending predraft workouts and interviews, while spending countless hours in the gym to achieve the ultimate goal of advancing to the next level and playing in the NBA. With the first round of the 2025 NBA draft tipping off Wednesday, familiarize yourself with these in-depth looks at several players who could hear their names called at the Barclays Center. Obinna Anochili-Killen, Marshall Obinna Anochili-Killen was the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year this past season, averaging 14.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.2 blocks on 54.8% shooting from the field in 32 games. He ranked third in the country in blocked shots (102) and fifth in block percentage (12.7). The 6-foot-8 Nigerian nearly recorded three triple-doubles with blocked shots, including a 23-point, 10-rebound, nine-block effort on Jan. 23 in a win over Georgia State. He became the 14th player in history to reach that stat line in a game. He wants to bring that defensive prowess to the NBA. "I want (teams) to know that if they're going to the rim or they're around, they're looking for me or I'm on the scouting report: 'You can't just go inside. You have to find him,'" Anochili-Killen said. "I wanted to make sure that, offensively, people are looking for me even if I'm on the ball or off the ball. They're looking to see where I am to try to find a way to take me out of the picture defensively, which isn't going to be possible because I'm all over the place." Interview: Marshall forward Obinna Anochili-Killen: 'I want to bring my length and my versatility' Koby Brea, Kentucky A 6-foot-7 wing with a career 43.4% average from beyond the arc, Brea could be the steal of the draft in the second round after a sensational year with the Wildcats. Averaging 5.9 attempts per game, Brea led the SEC in 3-point percentage and ranked ninth among all players in Division I. Brea, who played the first four years of his career at Dayton, finished last year with 93 total 3-pointers, tied for the seventh-most in a single season in program history. He was one of six players from a power conference to make 90 or more 3s on at least 40% shooting. "I've had to earn everything, and it's a big reason to why I'm here today, and it's a big reason to why I'll be able to have a pretty long, successful career, God willing, in the NBA," Brea told Justin Quinn. "(Being) a really good teammate, that's something that's really, really important to me." Interview: Kentucky alum Koby Brea on his NBA future, the 2025 NBA draft, and more Steven Crowl, Wisconsin Crowl helped Wisconsin to the NCAA Tournament last season, averaging 9.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists on 41.6% shooting from 3-point range. He had 18 points on 8 of 10 shooting in the first round, the best single-game percentage by a Badger in a tournament game. Since becoming a full-time starter as a sophomore, Crowl played and started in 141 out of a possible 141 total games for the Badgers. He is one of five Big Ten players since the 1986-87 season to tally at least 1,400 points, 800 rebounds and 300 assists. "I think I'm more versatile than I showed at Wisconsin, and that is why I was very grateful to get those predraft workouts and show teams that I'm more than the player I showed at Wisconsin," Crowl said. "Just being a big who can space the floor and knock the 3 down at a high level. Then lastly, just playing out of that short roll and being a facilitator when the team needs you to be, making those good decisions and not turning the ball over." Interview: Wisconsin center Steven Crowl: 'I'm more versatile than I showed at Wisconsin' Chaz Lanier, Tennessee Lanier led the Volunteers to the Elite Eight, averaging 18 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists on 39.5% shooting from 3-point range in 38 appearances last season. He was a third-team All-American and an All-SEC second-team selection. The 23-year-old ranked 15th in the country in points (684) and fourth in 3-pointers, setting the program record for a single season (123). He finished in double figures 36 times with the Volunteers, becoming the third player in the SEC over the last 20 years to accomplish that feat. "I feel like the SEC was definitely the toughest conference in the country, so being able to go up against high-level dudes, night in and night out, was big for me," Lanier said. "I feel like I made a great case for myself and put on a good showing throughout the season. I feel like every night was an Elite Eight game, so when you're playing high-level games like that, it really prepares you for the next level." Interview: Tennessee All-American Chaz Lanier: 'I'm a fierce competitor and I want to win' Clifford Omoruyi, Alabama Omoruyi helped Alabama advance to the Elite Eight for the second straight year, averaging 7.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 37 appearances. He registered two double-doubles and ranked ninth in the country in 2-point field goal percentage (73.9). The 6-foot-11 Nigerian finished fourth in the country in blocked shots (93) two seasons ago at Rutgers, with his 7-foot, 6 1/4-inch wingspan. He was the first player to have at least eight blocks in multiple conference games since the 1999-00 season. "I can be the best version of myself, I just need the opportunity to get there and keep doing what I'm doing," Omoruyi said. "I'm already a great defensive player, and I can improve more. I just have to keep improving on my shooting and everything." Interview: 'He was wonderful to coach': Nate Oats believes Clifford Omoruyi can flourish in the NBA Kobe Sanders, Nevada Sanders was an All-Mountain West third-team selection this past season, averaging 15.8 points, 4.5 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals on 34.2% shooting from 3-point range. He ranked fourth in the conference in assists (147) and sixth in points (523). The 6-foot-8 standout registered nine 20-point performances, including a season-high-tying 30 points, four rebounds and four assists on Feb. 22. He was one of four players in the Mountain West with multiple 30-point games last season. "I think I've shown in my career that I'm big into loyalty, and I'm going to pour as much into my teammates and an organization as they pour into me," Sanders said. "That is a big thing about me, and a big thing that I was raised on is loyalty and pouring into others. I think I'm a good locker room guy, I'm very versatile and I'm a hard worker. I'm going to come into work every day and be Kobe." Interview: Nevada guard Kobe Sanders: 'I'm very versatile and a hard worker'
Washington Post
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Coastal Carolina's 6-2 win over Oregon State at College World Series extends its streak to 25 games
OMAHA, Neb. — Coastal Carolina's unbeaten Jacob Morrison was dominant into the eighth inning and the Chanticleers capitalized on Oregon State's early mistakes to extend their win streak to 25 games with a 6-2 victory in the College World Series on Sunday night. Morrison went 7 2/3 innings for his longest outing in over two months. The 6-foot-8, 245-pound right-hander retired 16 straight over the middle innings and left with two outs in the eighth after allowing five hits, walking none and striking out seven. Coastal Carolina had to win five elimination games on its way to the 2016 national championship in its CWS debut. The Sun Belt Conference's team of teal hadn't been back to Omaha until this year, and its 2-0 start puts them in control of their bracket. The Chanticleers (55-11) would advance to the best-of-three finals with another win Wednesday. Their opponent will be either Louisville or Oregon State (48-15-1), which meet in an elimination game Tuesday. Morrison (12-0) had a 3-0 lead when he went to the mound for the bottom of the first. All three runs were unearned and the result of an unusual sequence of events. Leadoff man Caden Bodine reached on star shortstop Aiva Arquette's throwing error — only his sixth error of the season but second in two games — and went to second on a balk by Ethan Kleinschmit (8-5). The next batter, Sebastian Alexander, was down 0-2 in the count when he was called out for not being alert to the pitcher, as required, when the 20-second clock hit 8. Blake Barthol walked and Walker Mitchell and Blagen Pado were hit by pitches, but Pado was called out for not trying to get out of the way. Colby Thorndyke then delivered a two-out, bases-clearing double into the right-center gap. Oregon State's Easton Talt homered leading off the third to make it a two-run game, but the Chanticleers pulled away by scoring on an error and wild pitch in the fourth. It was 6-1 in the fifth when Thorndyke was hit by a pitch and scored from first on Dean Mihos' double. The Beavers went into the NCAA Tournament seventh nationally in fielding (.982) with just 35 errors in 54 games. They've committed 10 errors in 10 games since, including five in their first two CWS games. Two errors on the same play led them to blowing a ninth-inning lead against Louisville in their CWS opener Friday. They survived that, scoring in the bottom of the ninth for a 4-3 walk-off win. Oregon State wouldn't overcome its two errors, two hit batters, two wild pitches and six walks Sunday. Gavin Turley hit his 20th homer leading off the bottom of the ninth against Hayden Johnson, and the Chanticleers had to call on closer Ryan Lynch to get the last out when the Beavers put two runners on base. The Chanticleers improved to 42-0 when leading after six innings. ___ AP college sports:
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Coastal Carolina's 6-2 win over Oregon State at College World Series extends its streak to 25 games
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Coastal Carolina's unbeaten Jacob Morrison was dominant into the eighth inning and the Chanticleers capitalized on Oregon State's early mistakes to extend their win streak to 25 games with a 6-2 victory in the College World Series on Sunday night. Morrison went 7 2/3 innings for his longest outing in over two months. The 6-foot-8, 245-pound right-hander retired 16 straight over the middle innings and left with two outs in the eighth after allowing five hits, walking none and striking out seven. Advertisement Coastal Carolina had to win five elimination games on its way to the 2016 national championship in its CWS debut. The Sun Belt Conference's team of teal hadn't been back to Omaha until this year, and its 2-0 start puts them in control of their bracket. The Chanticleers (55-11) would advance to the best-of-three finals with another win Wednesday. Their opponent will be either Louisville or Oregon State (48-15-1), which meet in an elimination game Tuesday. Morrison (12-0) had a 3-0 lead when he went to the mound for the bottom of the first. All three runs were unearned and the result of an unusual sequence of events. Leadoff man Caden Bodine reached on star shortstop Aiva Arquette's throwing error — only his sixth error of the season but second in two games — and went to second on a balk by Ethan Kleinschmit (8-5). The next batter, Sebastian Alexander, was down 0-2 in the count when he was called out for not being alert to the pitcher, as required, when the 20-second clock hit 8. Advertisement Blake Barthol walked and Walker Mitchell and Blagen Pado were hit by pitches, but Pado was called out for not trying to get out of the way. Colby Thorndyke then delivered a two-out, bases-clearing double into the right-center gap. Oregon State's Easton Talt homered leading off the third to make it a two-run game, but the Chanticleers pulled away by scoring on an error and wild pitch in the fourth. It was 6-1 in the fifth when Thorndyke was hit by a pitch and scored from first on Dean Mihos' double. The Beavers went into the NCAA Tournament seventh nationally in fielding (.982) with just 35 errors in 54 games. They've committed 10 errors in 10 games since, including five in their first two CWS games. Two errors on the same play led them to blowing a ninth-inning lead against Louisville in their CWS opener Friday. They survived that, scoring in the bottom of the ninth for a 4-3 walk-off win. Advertisement Oregon State wouldn't overcome its two errors, two hit batters, two wild pitches and six walks Sunday. Gavin Turley hit his 20th homer leading off the bottom of the ninth against Hayden Johnson, and the Chanticleers had to call on closer Ryan Lynch to get the last out when the Beavers put two runners on base. The Chanticleers improved to 42-0 when leading after six innings. ___ AP college sports:
