Vanderbilt Baseball, Men's Golf and Football looking for Greatness

Vanderbilt Baseball took two out of three from Florida last weekend. We got some stellar pitching from Bryce Cunningham Thursday and Carter Holton on Friday. We smacked four home runs Thursday, and lost a tough one Saturday when Florida Coach Kevin O'Sullivan protested that our pitcher, JD Thompson, was using a foreign substance on his arm. JD was ejected, unbelievably, and we lost in shocking fashion. Hope to see Florida and O'Sullivan again in the SEC Tournament. JD disposed of them in the semifinals last season on our way to the SEC Championship.

We've got UT Martin today at 6 PM at the Hawk and Mississippi State Friday through Sunday at home. Friday Night's game versus State is at 6 CT, Saturday is 2 PM CT., and Sunday is 1 PM CT. All games will be broadcast by SEC Network+.

Need a good week. Playing pretty solid baseball. Just need to keep progressing forward. We're now 29-11 overall and 10-8 in the SEC. We're third in the eastern division behind Kentucky (15-3, 32-7) and Tennessee (12-6, 33-7). Georgia is 9-9 and 29-10 overall. In the west, Arkansas leads at 14-4, 34-6 overall. A&M is 13-5 and 35-5 and State is 10-8 and 26-14. We are ranked No.11 in the D-1 Baseball.com Rankings. A&M is still No.1, Arkansas is No.2, UT is No.3, and Kentucky is No.4. Wow, what a conference. Clemson is No.5, and Duke is No.6. Alabama is No.23 and South Carolina is No.24. Our remaining SEC series after State are @Georgia Friday, 5/3-Sunday, 5/5, vs. Tennessee, Friday, 5/10-Sunday, 5/12, and @Kentucky, Thursday, 5/16-Saturday, 5/18. We'll play Louisville in our rivalry game with them on Tuesday, 5/7, at the Hawk. Will have those times and TV coming up in a later column. 

The SEC Tournament commences Tuesday, May 21st with the top 12 teams competing for the SEC Tournament Championship, which will transpire on Sunday, May 26th at 2 PM CT at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Alabama on ESPN2. The top 12 out of 14 teams compete in the SEC Tournament as always.

Vanderbilt Men's Golf plays in the SEC Championships in Sea Island starting Wednesday with the Championship Match set for Sunday, April 28th. Gordon Sargent is coming back for his senior season, which shows an amazing amount of maturity and integrity. Love what GS can do in this postseason along with fellow junior Jackson Van Paris, senior Cole Sherwood, graduate Matthew Riedel and graduate William Moll. Gordon wrote a column in Golf Digest where he explained he wanted to compete with his teammates this season and next season and try to win championships, improve as a player for the next level and get a degree. I hear ya, Gordo. I know he gets some NIL funds, but just a really mature decision.

Wednesday through Friday are three days of stroke play with 18 hole rounds each day. The top eight  scoring teams from the 14 team field will qualify for the Match Play beginning Saturday.

The quarterfinals will commence on Saturday morning and the semis will take place Saturday afternoon at 2 with SEC Network+ broadcasting. The SEC Network will televise the Championship match on Sunday starting at 7 AM CT.

So, huge week for the team as "Championship Season" begins. Will keep you informed on our guys' progress. Auburn is ranked No.1 in the Scoreboard Men's National Golf Rankings and we're No.2.

Football concluded spring drills and had a really nice scrimmage on Saturday. The offense did well as quarterback Nate Johnson did a nice job leading the offense. Nate, Diego Pavia, who's coming in June, Drew Dickey and Blaze Berlowitz will be competing for the QB 1 job in August. Johnson transferred from Utah and Pavia and Berlowitz have come from  New Mexico State. Dickey has been on the team since his freshman year. The defense has looked stellar. The secondary could be superb, and I like our linebackers and our guys up front.

The O line has played through some injuries this spring, but there will be key guys coming back and we just added a couple of 300+ pounders in the transfer portal last Friday. Will try to get maybe a couple of more linemen, and a few more wide receivers in the portal from the intel I'm gathering.

Quincy Skinner has looked spectacular at wide receiver and Cole Spence, back from injury, and Kam Johnson are looking stellar at tight end. Like what Sed Alexander, AJ Newberry and Diego Benson can do for us running the ball. One player that has stood out, particularly on defense, is inside linebacker Prince Kollie. Listened to interviews with Prince, Nate and fellow inside linebacker Langston Patterson and they all sounded super and pumped. Those will be three key players for us this season. I'm not counting out Pavia, Dickey or Berlowitz at QB though.

Also, love what CJ Taylor can do on the edge rushing the passer and wreaking havoc. CJ forces and recovers fumbles. He's a game changer. Really looking forward to seeing what sophomore corner Martel Hight can do this season. He's aiming for a terrific year. And our high four star freshman, Dontae Carter, is turning heads at safety. Our secondary is stacked with game changers. 

Love what Clark can do with the defense and the team, and what offensive coordinator Tim Beck, who came over from New Mexico State where he had major success, can do with that side of the ball. 

VA Tech game 1 Saturday, August 31st @ FirstBank Stadium in Vegas. That's Nashvegas, the real Veg
 

Vanderbilt Baseball, Men's Golf, Football, Men's Basketball Cookin'

The Vanderbilt Baseball team won two of three @ LSU last weekend with freshmen Jayden Davis and Braden Holcomb having major weekends at the plate. Jayden was named SEC player of the week for his prolific hitting last weekend. Braden cranked two long ones Saturday and Carter Holton was exceptional on the hill. Will have more stats coming up after this weekend. We run-ruled MTSU  on Tuesday, 14-1.

Our No.7 team now heads to College Station to square off with the third ranked Texas A&M Aggies (Both rankings are D1 Baseball.com rankings). 

We are now 26-7 and 8-4 in the SEC in second place in the SEC East behind Kentucky, which is 11-1 in the conference and 27-5 overall. Kentucky is ranked 8th by D-1. We face them in May in the last series of the season @ Lexington.

A&M is 29-4 overall and 8-4 in the conference, behind No.1 ranked (nationally) Arkansas in the west. The Razorbacks are 11-1 in conference and 29-3 overall. We do not play Arkansas in the regular season.

Loved what we got from our team after a tough game Friday Night with 8-6 and 13-3 victories on Friday and Saturday, games 2 and 3, respectively. 

This Friday's game commences at 6 PM CT on SEC Network+, Saturday's game is at 7:30 PM CT on the SEC Network and Sunday's game begins at 1 PM CT on SEC Network+.

The way the rotation has worked out with these Thursday games, Holton has been moved to Saturdays and Sundays, game 3 games. I loved what I saw out of freshman Ethan McElvain last Friday Night. Ethan is a complete stud hitting mid 90's with great off speed stuff. Would love to see him pitch Saturday if Corbs and Brownie choose to go that route. With Ethan and the great Holton, that's stellar weekend pitching. But we'll need a third guy to step up. We  still have Greyson Carter and Bryce Cunningham as potential starters Friday and Saturday, but both struggled last weekend in Baton Rouge, so there could be some shakeup. Like both pitchers a lot, they've both been excellent a lot of the season, so fine with them starting. But would personally love to see Ethan get a shot. Will let you know if there is any announcement on our weekend starters. Coach Corbin likes to keep that confidential, so we'll probably have to wait till Friday and Saturday Nights to find out. Will keep you apprised through the weekend. Huge series for our team.

Loved what we did last weekend at Baton Rouge after a tough Thursday Night. We've got our momentum back. Love the competitive spirit of this team.

Our Vanderbilt  Men's Golf team won the Mason Rudolph Championship played at our home course the Vanderbilt Legends Club South Course in Franklin last weekend. That was our fifth straight victory in the tournament.

The great Gordon Sargent came back with a vengeance and was special winning top individual honors. Gordon was named SEC Golfer of the week for his effort. Everybody played well. Jackson Van Paris, Cole Sherwood, Matthew Riedel and William Moll all contributed heavily in our victory. So, great stuff from Coach Limbaugh and the guys.

Next up for our No.3 Dores are the SEC Championships Wednesday, April 24th through Sunday April 28th at the Sea Island Golf Club Seaside Course in St. Simon's Island, GA.

The first three rounds will be stroke play with the top eight scoring stroke play teams competing in Match Play Saturday and Sunday. Saturday will feature the quarter and semifinals and the Championship match will take place on Sunday. The SEC Network will televise the championship match Sunday. Will keep you posted for sure on our guys.

Clark got another key commitment this week when when 5.7, 3-star (Rivals, highest three-star ranking) Austin Howard committed. Austin is a 6'3", 225 pound linebacker. Clark will use him both inside and outside. Austin is from Bartlett, TN. in the western part of the state, 10 miles from Memphis. He joined 5.7, 3 star safety Carson Lawrence, who is from McCallie School in Chattanooga. Carson is 6'2", 185. Both players are all over the field, they're hitters and Carson posted 4 ints last season. Austin was active piling up the sacks and TFLs. Like what we have in those two guys. Good start to the 2025 class. 

Our team is in the middle of spring drills and I really like quarterbacks Nate Johnson and Diego Pavia. Nate is practicing and showed a lot of talent at Utah the past two seasons. He'll be good for us. Diego, from New Mexico State, will join us this summer, and he was awesome in dominating Auburn last season @Auburn. New Mexico State transfer quarterback  Blaze Berlowitz, along with Pavia, is making some nice throws in the spring and possesses a cannon for an arm. Drew Dickey, a rising junior, who has shown a lot of loyalty to the program when others have transferred, definitely deserves a shot. So, I like our QB situation.

O line is still working towards getting their chemistry down, but there's great size and strength, just need some more development, which is what spring and summer are for. And I like our skill players and our defense. I think we're going to have a strong D with CJ Taylor and company doin' some serious work on Saturdays.

Game 1 at First Bank Stadium in Nashvegas, the renovated First Bank Stadium, is Virginia Tech on Saturday, August 31st. No time has been announced yet. Will keep you posted on that. Can't wait to see what team 4 under Clark looks like.

Coach Mark Byington has added two transfers with former James Madison 6'8" power forward Jaylen Carey and Virginia Tech 6'7" wing Tyler  Nickel joining the fold. Like what I'm seeing and reading about both guys.

We have some guys in the portal, including T Lawrence, Colin Smith, Paul Lewis, Jason Rivera-Torres and Carter Lang, but they are all considering their options and could return. All of them except for Lee Dort, who has transferred to Cal-Berkley. 

So Coach Byington wants to keep those guys along with Isaiah West, who has massive potential, "JQ" Roberts, Malik Presley, two players who I'm real high on who really came on at the end of the season, Jordan Williams and the great Ven-Allen Lubin. We also signed three freshmen: 6'2", 180 point guard Karris Bilal from Atlanta, 6'0, 160 point guard Tyler Tanner from Brentwood, TN. and 6'11", 210 center Jamie Vinson from Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, a very fine program traditionally in the country.

I think one of Coach Byington's major strengths is development of his roster. I'm excited to see what he does with this coming year's group. Think we've got a shot to be playing significant games next March. Love our new coach. 

Will check back soon.  Have an awesome weekend and Anchor Down. 
 

Calipari to Arkansas? Really? Pearl to Kentucky? National Championship Prediction

John Calipari is finalizing the deal to become the head coach at Arkansas. He is set to be Arkansas head coach. That’s a sure thing.

I have some questions about that. The guy has recruited stellar five-star talent to Lexington every year he’s been there, no doubt. But it’s what he does with the talent once it gets there that I question. The results have not been there. Five star after five star, you look at the NBA and it might as well be called the Kentucky Invitational with Anthony Davis at the LA Lakers, Karl-Anthony Towns at the Minnesota T-Wolves, Jamal Murray at Denver, Devin Booker at Phoenix, Tyler Herro and Bam Adabayo at the Heat. The list goes on and on. Yet, there is only one national championship banner at Rupp in the 15 seasons Calipari has been there. And talk about underachieving with this talent lately. In 2020-21, the Wildcats went 9-16 and 8-9 in the SEC. In ‘21-’22, they were 26-8, but lost in the first round to Saint Peter’s? Saint Peter’s? You gotta be kidding me. In ‘22-’23, they went 22-12 and lost in the round of 32 to Kansas State. Then this past season, they finished 23-10, 13-5 in the SEC, but lost in the first round to Oakland? Oakland? Again, are you kiddin’ me? So the guy is overrated for sure. Arkansas is a better fit for him because the pressure isn’t as intense as the rabid intensity at Kentucky. But he’ll be expected to win and Arkansas does take basketball seriously and has had a lot of success through the years. Eric Mussleman, their most recent coach, took the USC job after having a pretty weak season this year (16-17, 6-12 SEC), but had taken the Razorbacks to two Elite Eights prior to this season. The guy is out of control though in my opinion, so I bet Arkansas said good riddance to Musselman. We’ll see how Calipari fares at a place you can win big at. Nolan Richardson won a national championship in 1994 there, and they’ve had a lot of good teams through the years. There is good tradition, so there will be high expectations for Calipari. We’ll see if he can deliver. He can recruit, but his development of his talent and his on floor coaching is highly suspect.

And there are “rumors” that Bruce Pearl is a candidate for the Kentucky job. Another coach that can recruit, but is too out of control on the court and gets his players flustered. Pearl is coming off a first round loss to Yale? in the NCAA Tournament. Yale? I know that a lot of Auburn fans are not happy with that, and not happy with him. He’s a recruiter, so maybe it would work at Kentucky. He’s obnoxious, and they like that too in Lexington. The guy whom I think should get the job is Danny Hurley, if he wants it. He’s in line to repeat as a national championship coach at Connecticut. He’s what Kentucky likes. He’s brash, cocky and arrogant, all the qualities Kentucky fans like. And he’s a heckuva coach to boot.

He “checks the boxes.” The question is, does Hurley want the job? He’s got a great situation at UConn, but he may want to try it somewhere else. He’s quite a coach and would work well for the rabid, obnoxious Kentucky fan base. I’ve been to several Kentucky-Vanderbilt basketball games and it’s not a safe place to be even in Nashville. I’ve come close to blows with a couple of their fans. Not my favorite group of people.

So it’ll be interesting to see what transpires at Kentucky. The pressure will be ratcheted up for whomever the coach is. I like them to go after Dan Hurley, if he wants it.

National Championship Game Prediction

No.1 Purdue (Midwest, 34-4) vs. No.1 UConn (East, 36-3)

State Farm Stadium, Phoenix, 70,000

8:20 PM CT

TBS

Ian, Bill, Grant, Tracy (will need a step ladder to talk to Edey or Clingan), Gene (Rules)

Huskies by 6 1/2

How do you deny 7’2”, 280 pound Donovan Clingan, Stephon Castle, Tristen Newton, Cam Spencer and the Huskies? Zach Edey is a load for Purdue at 7’4”, 300 pounds and the Boilers can stroke if from trifecta, But UConn has the 9th ranked scoring defense in the country allowing 63.3 points per game. Purdue is 81st at 68.8.

The Crimson Tide gave the Huskies their toughest game of the tournament and were in it for a long time until the Huskies did what they always do: they completely went off for a minute and a half. They’re explosive as Derrick Henry through the middle of a defensive line. . I like Clingan as much as Edey. In fact, I think he’s better. Give me the Huskies to go back to back for the first time since Billy Donovan’s Florida Gators did it in 2006 and 2007.

Connecticut 70, Purdue 60

Final Four Predictions

The great Mark Sears and the Crimson Tide have put on shooting spectacle in this NCAA Tournament. So have the N.C. State Wolfpack and DJ Burns Jr. Can those two decided underdogs slay their respective Goliath opponents in Connecticut and Purdue? It’ll take great effort on defense and rebounding from both teams and a lot of shot-making, particularly from behind the arc for the Crimson Tide. Latrell Wrightsell Jr. is expected to play for the Tide, so that should help their cause. But can anybody defeat this dominant Huskies team led by their 7’2”, 280 sophomore pound center Donovan Clingan? It’s tough.

Here are a couple of brief previews of the games along with predictions for Saturday’s Final Four contests at State Farm Stadium in Phoenix.

Sweet 16/Elite 8 record

SU: 9-3

ATS: 10-2

Game 1

No.11 N.C. State (26-14, South Region) vs. No.1 Purdue (33-4, Midwest Region)

State Farm Stadium, 63,400

5:09 PM CT

TBS

Ian Eagle (Bird), Raft, Grant, Tracy, Gene Steratore (Rules analyst)

Boilers by 8 1/2

Burns Jr. has been phenomenal for the Wolfpack at 6’9”, 285. But he’ll face his stiffest test yet in 7’4”, 300 pound Purdue center Zach Edey. Edey has a very good shot at winning his second Wooden Award in a row as the best player in college basketball, and appears unstoppable. But the Pack has more than Burns underneath. Six foot 10, 215 pound power forward Mohamed Diarra and 6’10”, 240 power forward Ben Middlebrooks also supply a lot of muscle underneath. I like the Wolfpack’s guards a little better than Purdue’s. Give me the upset here.

N.C. State 78, Purdue 76

Game 2

No.4 Alabama (25-11, West) vs. No.1 UConn (35-3, East)

State Farm Stadium

7:49 PM CT

TBS

Same crew as above

Huskies by 11 1/2

Can the Crimson Tide keep it close and maybe have a shot to shock the Huskies and the college basketball world at the end? It’ll be hard. It’s like Ole Miss playing Alabama in football. They’ll have to play the perfect game. The Tide certainly has the shooters to stay in it with Sears, Rylan Griffen, the emerging freshman Jarin Stevenson, Aaron Estrada, particularly from mid range with him and his occasional threes, Grant Nelson and Wrightsell Jr., if he’s healthy. But can the Tide shoot well enough from 3 and get Clingan in foul trouble. Nick Pringle and Nelson will really have to be as physical as possible with Clingan on defense and hit the boards. Pringle will be crucial on defense and rebounding.I like the Crimson Tide to keep it close, but for the Huskies to prevail in the end. The Tide has a shot at pulling it off, and, regardless, what a season it’s been for Nate Oats and his team.

Huskies 86, Tide 82

Elite 8 Predictions

The NCAA Tournament “matriculates” into the Elite 8 today and Sunday. The No.4 seeded Crimson Tide put on a phenomenal showing Thursday Night at Crypto.com Arena in L.A. defeating the No.1 seed North Carolina Tar Heels in the West Regional, 89-87. Grant Nelson finished with a double-double with 24 points and 12 boards in a terrific performance on both ends of the floor. Nelson shut down North Carolina center Armando Bacot on defense in the second half. Rylan Griffen, who was draining trifectas, going 5 for 8 on the night, finished with 19 points along with his teammate, Aaron Estrada. Mark Sears, who’s been stellar throughout the tournament, added 18. The next step in reaching the Final Four is squaring off with the Clemson Tigers. Prediction below.

The No.2 seeded Tennessee Vols also made the SEC look good with an 82-75 victory over No.4 seeded Creighton in the Midwest Regional in Detroit.

Here’s a look at today and Sunday’s action along with predictions for which teams White’s World

Sports Confidential likes to advance to State Farm Arena in Phoenix next Saturday for the Final Four.

Sweet 16 results

SU: 5-3

ATS: 6-2

Today

East Region

No. 3 Illinois (29-8) vs. No.1 UConn (34-3)

TD Garden, Boston

5:09 PM CT

TBS/truTV

Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner, Stan Van Gundy, Andy Katz

Huskies by 8 1/2

UConn looks unstoppable right now, but you never know. The Illini is a very good team with dynamic offense and pretty good D. But gotta go with UConn. They’re a machine right now. Not saying they’ve got the national championship in the bag because they don’t. I just like’em today.

Huskies 80, Illinois 70

West Region

No.6 Clemson (24-11) vs. No.4 Alabama (24-11)

Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles

7:49 PM CT

TBS/truTV

Brian Anderson, Jim Jackson, Allie LaForce

Bama by 3 1/2

Latrell Wrightsell Jr. and Nick Pringle are game time decisions for the Tide today, but I would think Pringle would play, and I know the Tide’s hoping they’re excellent shooting guard will join him. The Crimson Tide has found lightning in a bottle in the NCAA Tournament and their victory over the Tar Heels Thursday Night was a stellar performance by the entire team. Grant Nelson took over in the second half and Rylan Griffen was on the money from three. The Tide lost to Clemson in Tuscaloosa back in late November at the ACC/SEC Challenge, 85-77, but they’re a different team this NCAA postseason. They’re hot, and that can take you a very long way in March.

Alabama 75, Clemson 71

Sunday

Midwest Region

No. 2 Tennessee (27-8) vs. No.1 Purdue (32-4)

Little Caesar’s Arena, the Motor City

1:20 PM CT

CBS

Andrew Catalon, Steve Lappas, Evan Washburn

Purdue by 3 1/2

Tennessee is a highly talented and athletic team led by their great forward Dalton Knecht, who poured in 26 versus Creighton last night in an 82-75 Vols’victory. Point guard Zakai Zeigler is just as valuable to his team. He finished with 18 and 6 assists last night. But I’m going to take Purdue to take the next step and advance to Phoenix led by their seven foot, 260 pound big man Zach Edey, who averaged 24.6 points and 12 rebounds this year and will very likely be the Wooden Award winner for the best player in college basketball this season. That would be back to back for Edey. He finished with 27 and 14 last night in their 80-68 victory over Gonzaga.

Boilermakers 73, Vols 69

South Region

No.11 NC State (25-14) vs. No.4 Duke (27-8)

American Airlines Center, Big D

4:06 PM CT

CBS

Ian, Bill, Grant, Trace

Duke by 6 1/2

I picked the Wolfpack to go to the championship game versus Connecticut in my bracket, and while that’s not set in stone as far as Connecticut and NC State go, I like the Pack here led by their all everything big man, DJ Burns Jr., who only finished with 4 points and 4 rebounds last night, but added 7 assists. The 6’9”, 275 pound senior has been a dominant player in March and is one of the best passing big men I’ve seen in a while in the college game He’s a strong scorer and rebounder as well They have other key assets as well. This would be their ninth victory in a row if they can outlast the Blue Devils. They split the season with Duke losing to the Blue Devils on Monday, March 4th @ Raleigh, 79-64, but then defeating Duke i in the second round of the ACC Tournament in D.C. 74-69, as part of their winning 5 in a row to capture the ACC Tournament Championship. Give me Burns Jr. and the Wolfpack. They just seem special to me like the Crimson Tide.

NC State 76, Duke 74

Sweet 16 Predictions; 2024 MLB Projections

The Sweet 16 tips off Thursday with the Crimson Tide and Tennessee Vols representing the SEC as teams compete to earn the right to play in the Final Four at State Farm Stadium in Phoenix on Saturday, April 6th. Game times on Saturday, 4/6 are at 5 and 7:30 PM CT. The Championship Game is Monday night, April 8th, at 8:20 PM CT. All 3 games will be broadcast by TBS.

State Farm Stadium holds 63,400 fans, and will be rocking. The pressure and electricity of the Sweet 16 will be ratcheted up for the players Thursday and Friday as they compete for the ultimate goal of making it to Phoenix and cutting down the nets on Monday Night, April 8th at approximately 10:30 CT.

Auburn and Kentucky took tough losses in the round of 64. John Calipari’s coaching acumen is being questioned after No.3 seed Kentucky lost to 14th seed Oakland in the South Regional. Calipari looks to still recruit the five star freshmen heavily, but add older transfers as well. I like 60-40 freshmen to transfers mix. You gotta like the 5 stars, but you also need veterans to go along with them. Calipari’s on floor coaching has always been a question mark for me.

Pearly had a tough ending as No. 14 Yale, like Oakland, couldn’t miss from trifecta in defeating the No.4 seeded Tigers. That seems to happen in the NCAA Tournament. Sometimes the Cinderella team doesn’t miss from 3 and they’re unbeatable. That’s what happened to the Tigers and Wildcats. Pearly is a yeller and screamer and sometimes you wonder if he overdoes it and makes his team tight in key moments. That’s something to examine more closely in 2025.

The Crimson Tide won a slugfest over Grand Canyon last Sunday Night, 72-61. The defense was outstanding, and Mark Sears was sensational. Sears poured in 26 as he was 8 of 18 from the field, 5-of-11 from trifecta, and 5 of 6 from the stripe. He also pulled down 12 boards and added six assists. What an effort. Latrell Wrightsell Jr. suffered a head injury in the game in the first half, but will be playing Thursday Night versus North Carolina. Sears will need to get more help from Aaron Estrada and Rylan Griffen as well. Both are capable. Nick Pringle will have to lock down on D like he did against Grand Canyon and Grant Nelson will need to be a factor. One guy who really gave the Crimson Tide a lift Sunday was freshman Mouhamed Dioubate. The 6’7”, 215 pound power forward scored 9 key points and pulled down 5 boards in a superb performance in 13 minutes of action versus the Lopes. He was the difference maker along with Sears, of course.

So there is some electric action forthcoming in the Sweet 16. Here are my predictions for the matchups.

Numbers in front of teams are seedings for the Region.

All times Central

Thursday, 3/28

West Region

No.6 Clemson (23-11) vs. No. 2 Arizona (27-8)

Cryto.com Arena, Los Angeles (formerly the Staples Center, 19,079)

6:09 PM

CBS

Brian Anderson, Jim Jackson, Allie LaForce

Zona by 7 1/2

Clemson coach Brad Brownell said after the matchups had been announced on Selection Sunday that the ACC played a much tougher non-conference schedule than the Big 12 did even though the Big 12 got 8 teams in the tournament and the ACC got only 5 in. He pretty much said the Big 12 was overrated. Four teams from the ACC have advanced to the Sweet 16 while only two from the Big 12 have. Clemson defeated Baylor 72-64 last Sunday in the round of 32. So Coach Brownell has a strong argument. Arizona usually struggles by the Sweet 16, so I like Clemson to pull off the upset.

Clemson 70, ‘Zona 68

East Region

No. 5 San Diego State (26-10) vs. No. 1 UConn (33-3)

TD Garden, Boston, 19,580

6:39 PM

TBS/truTV. Channel 780 on Spectrum, 247 on DirecTV

Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner, Stan Van Gundy, Andy Katz

UConn by 11 1/2

The Huskies look as dominant as last year. I don’t know if they’re any better, but they’re just as good.

UConn 74, SDSU 61

West

No. 4 Alabama (23-11) vs. No.1 North Carolina (29-7)

Crypto, L.A.

8:39 PM

CBS

Anderson, Jackson, Allie

UNC by 4 1/2

North Carolina has the studs in guard RJ Davis (21.3 ppg), 6 ‘11”, 240 center Armando Bacot (14.4 10.2 rebounds), Harrison Ingram (12.2 ppg 39% trifecta), Cormac Ryan (11.3) among other stellar players. However, I do like the athletes for Alabama even more. This will be hard fought. I’ll take Chapel Hill, but I like the Crimson Tide to give the Tar Heels everything they want.

North Carolina 87, Alabama 84

East

No. 3 Illinois (28-8) vs. No.2 Iowa State (29-7)

TD Garden, Boston

9:09 PM

TBS/truTV

Harlan, Bonner, Van Gundy, Katz

Iowa State by 1 1/2

Vegas expects this to be a close one. I like the Illini to pull off the slight upset.

Illinois 64, Iowa State 60

Friday, 3/29

South Region

No.11 NC State (24-14) vs. No.2 Marquette (27-9)

American Airlines Center, Dallas, 20,000

6:09 PM

CBS

Ian Eagle, Bill Raftery, Grant Hill, Trace Wolfson

Marquette by 6 1/2

I don’t like picking against one of my Final Four selections, so I’ll stick to my guns and take the Wolfpack.

NC State 75, Marquette 74

Midwest

No.5 Gonzaga (27-7) vs. No.1 Purdue (31-4)

Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, 20,491

6:39 PM

TBS/ truTV

Andrew Catalon, Steve Lappas, Evan Washburn

Boilers by 5 1/2

The Zags are clutch, and Mark Few is one of the best coaches in college basketball, if not the best. Give me the Zags to upset the Boilermakers.

Gonzaga 80, Purdue 76

South

No. 4 Duke (26-8) vs. No.1 Houston (32-4)

Big D

8:39 PM

CBS

Eagle, Raft, Grant, Trace

Houston by 4 1/2

I don’t think any other team is playing as well as Duke is right now. Maybe Gonzaga. Give me the Blue Devils in the upset. Another ACC over Big 12 victory.

Duke 69, Houston 66

Midwest

No. 3 Creighton (25-9) vs. No.2 Tennessee (26-8)

Motor City

9:09 PM

TBS/truTV

Catalon, Lappas, Washburn

UT by 2 1/2

Give me the Bluejays from Warren Buffet country in Omaha in the slight upset over “Regular season” Rick and the Vols.

Creighton 67, Tennessee 64

2024 MLB Predictions

The changes that were implemented into Major League Baseball last season turned out to be a resounding success. The 20 second pitch clock, the removal of the defensive shift, the larger bases (though not sure about that) and the regulation of pickoff moves to two helped speed up the games to 2 to 2 1/2 hours, and led to better hitting and more stolen bases. It was a much more exciting season with the Texas Rangers capturing the World Series in 5 games over the Arizona DBacks.

My daughter, a native of Fort Worth, was ecstatic with the ultimate outcome. I was, too. The two of us and her boyfriend went to a Rangers-Mariners game at plush Globe Life Field last June and had a complete blast. The Rangers looked great that night in a 2-1 victory over the Mariners in a 2 hour 10 minute game that saw the stars, Marcus Semien, Corey Seagar and Jon Gray flash their brilliance. Really got into the guys from DFW after that. Going back to see Fairbanks and Hayden again in June and we have tickets to the Rangers/Giants.

After the Wild Card round, I picked the Rangers to defeat the Braves in the Fall Classic in 7 and for Seagar to be the MVP of the Series. They defeated the DBacks in 5 in the Series, but Seagar was the MVP. In my preseason picks, I projected the Braves over the Rays in 6.

Now it’s a new season and the Dodgers have loaded up spending $1.2 billion in free agent acquisitions. The great Shohei Ohtani has signed up with the Dodgers for the largest contract in sports history; 10 years, $700 million. The former LA Angel came up I-5 from Anaheim to Chavez Ravine where he will showcase his immense talent as a Dodger this season. Ohanti’s interpreter is accused of stealing millions from him to pay off gambling debts and to buy expnsive items, so there is pressure and controversy surrounding Ohtani, though I think he’s innocent of any wrongdoing. Seems like a good guy to me and an all world hitter and pitcher. He will not pitch this season as he’s recovering from an arm injury. But he will DH for the Dodgers. Then you have Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman hitting in front of him. That’s dynamic.

The Braves have another prolific lineup. One to nine, they look just as strong as the Dodgers, if not stronger. If their pitching can come through, they can win another World Championship; their third in franchise history along with the 1995 and 2021 titles. Ronald Acuna, Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley among others are hitting machines/sluggers at the plate They remind me of the 1970’s with the Pirates featuring Stargell and the great Clemente and the Big Red Machine with Pete Rose, Joe Morgan, Johnny Bench and George Foster. The Braves with Hammerin’ Hank and Rico Carty, “the Beeg Boy” were big time sluggers, too, in the ‘70’s.

So, here are my postseason predictions for MLB 2024 along with my World Series champion, and MVP’s and Cy Young’s.

American League

Divison winners

AL East- Baltimore Orioles, tragic what happened in Baltimore two nights ago on the Frances Scott Key Bridge.

AL Central- Minnesota Twins

AL West- Houston Astros

Wild Cards, 1. Rangers, 2. Rays, 3. Mariners.

AL Wild Card games, Best 2 out of 3

Mariners over Twins in 3

Rangers over Rays in 2

ALDS, best 3 out of 5

O’s over Mariners in 3

Rangers over Astros in 5

ALCS, Best 4 out of 7

Rangers over O’s in 7

Like the defending champs to make it back to the Fall Classic. Bruce Bochy is the best manager in baseball.

National League

Division Winners

NL East- Braves

NL Central- Cubs

NL West- Dodgers

Wild Cards, 1. Phillies, DBacks, 3. Giants

NL Wild Card Winners

Cubs over Giants in 3

Phillies over Dbacks in 3

NLDS

Braves over Cubs in 3

Dodgers over Phillies in 5

NLCS

Braves over Dodgers in 7, slight upset, but not really.

World Series

Braves over Rangers in 7. The defending champs don’t go down without a fight.

World Series Most Valuable Player- Matt Olson

NL MVP

Shohei Ohtani-gets through the controversy and excels.

NL Cy Young

Spencer Strider, Braves

AL MVP

Corey Seagar, Texas

AL Cy Young

Gerrit Cole, Yanks

Bracketology 2024

After more meditation, hypnosis and acupuncture, here is White’s World’s bracket attached for this 2024 season. Please click on the “here” button below. Enjoy the games.

Click here for Bracketology 2024

The 50th Players Championship

It doesn’t get any better than the fifth major in March. If the Saudis and the extremely controversial LIV players hadn’t messed with the tour, this would be even better. But those guys have made their beds. They’re playing on that joke tour that has no substance or legacy. But guys like Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Hideki Matsuyama, Patrick Cantlay, Collin Morikawa, Will Zalatoris, Viktor Hovland and Wyndham Clark decided they want to play for a legacy, and that’s admirable. They can also make some really good money themselves to go along with it and also really know what it’s like to be a competitor.

Do I want the LIV players to return to the PGA Tour if there is a merger with the Saudis and the PGA? Not clear on that yet. Still working on it.Part of me wants to say see you later, but there are a few guys that would be nice to have back.I wish Jon Rahm hadn’t left; that was a blow. But what do you do. I know the guy got $300 million from the Saudis and that’s extremely hard to pass up. But he did say a year and a half ago what’s the differnce between $65M and $300M. There is a big difference, but $65 million or most likely more ain’t too bad either. And you play on a serious tour.

I do like the Signature Events this year. They make the season more fun. And this one is the best outside the 4 majors. The Players purse is $25 million with $4.5M going to the winner. So winning is a highly desirable goal . And it’s also a history making victory. People remember who wins the Players. From Hal Sutton’s “Be the right club to-day,” to Tiger’s “better than most,” there are some very historic and memorable moments in this tournament. Nothing like stepping up the to the tee on the Island Hole, No. 17, with the wind blowing 10 MPH or so on Sunday and having to execute an 8 iron or such and keep it from going into the water with everything on the line and the intense pressure that goes with it. Now that’s dramatic. Then you go to one of the most underrated and best holes on tour, the 18th, with everything still on the line, and left is the water and right are mounds and trees. The pressure is ratcheted up to the max. These are the electric, historic moments these guys play for. So that’s what’s in store this weekend.

The defending champion is Scottie Scheffler, who also won last week at the Arnie and with a new Taylor Made Spider putter that has weighing on the back to help straighten out the misses. He’s starting to putt lights out again. He was fifth for the week in Strokes Gained: Putting at the Arnie and No.1 on Sunday. He’s such a tremendous ball striker that if his putter is working, he’s the best in the world. And he is ranked No.1 at present. Guys like Jon Rahm and Cam Smith aren’t playing. No Koepka. No Dustin. No DeChambeau. That’s a shame, but it doesn’t take away from the extraordinariness of this event.

Here are this week’s odds for the Players:

Scottie Scheffler, 5 1/2:1

Rory: 12/1. I failed to mention Rory among the admirable PGA players, and he certainly is one and the leader for the Tour or he has been. He’s had me a little worried lately that he might defect as he’s been more empathetic towards the LIV players.

JT: 22/1. A previous winner here in 2021. Would like to see him really return to form.

Xander: 22/1. Another one I didn’t mention. Certainly in that group of stars who are dedicated to the Tour.

Hovland: 22/1. Definitely a contender this weekend.

Cantlay: 25/1

Zalatoris: 25/1

Hideki: 28/1

Max Homa: 33/1. Another guy who’s a stellar player and leader on the tour.

Ludvig Aberg: 33/1. Has come on lately. Not real knowledgeable about him.

Wyndham Clark: 33/1. The reigning U.S. Open champion.

Sam Burns: 33/1. Definitely a threat here. And another guy on the list above.

Morikawa: 35/1. Former Open and PGA champion. Trying to get his game back in form. If he does he’ll be a factor this weekend. The talent is there.

Spieth: 35/1. It would be awesome if he could get his game back in gear.

Shane Lowry: 40/1

Tommy Fleetwood: 45/1. What a likable, pleasant guy.

Jason Day: 45/1. Would like to see him get it going again like Jordan. He’s shown flashes in the last 2 years.

Sahith Theegala: 50/1. A young up and comer, who’s already making his mark. Watched an interview with him at the Arnie. Awesome guy.

Cam Young: 50/1

Min Woo Lee: 55/1

Sungjae Im: 60/1

Si Woo Kim: 60/1. Has won here in 2017.

Russell Henley: 60/1. In contention a lot.

Tony Finau: 60/1. Another leader on the tour who can break out at any moment.

Brian Harmon: 65/1. The defending Open Champion is very much a factor many times.

Harris English: 65/1. Like Henley and Harmon from that talented University of Georgia lineage. Always competitive.

Matt Fitzpatrick: 70/1. Another leader and a heckuva player when he’s on.

Adam Scott: 80/1. The veteran is still competitive and won the Players in 2004.

So, superb field for this 5th Major. Really loaded. Meanwhile, the member guest LIV Tour meanders on its boring path. Those guys don’t play again until April, the week before the Masters, the Miami tournament at Trump National. I know great players on this blog who are talented and have 10 times the heart that those guys have.

Weather

Thursday: 78, Sunny. Wind NE 9

Friday: 84, Partly Sunny. Wind S 11.

Saturday: 83. Chance of T storms in the PM. Wind WSW 10.

Sunday: 82. Chance of T storms, but only 38%. Wind SW !2.

No. 17 will be riveting on Sunday. So will 18.

TV

Thursday-Friday, 12-6 PM CT. Golf Channel.

Saturday, 1-6 PM CT. NBC

Sunday, 12-5 PM CT. NBC.

The great Gary Koch and the great Roger Maltbie will be on the call for NBC as well this weekend along with Dan Hicks and others. I wish they’d bring back those two legends permanently. They’re just what you think of when you think about key events on the PGA Tour.

Winner

It is so hard to pick against the 27 year old from Ridgewood, New Jersey by way of the University of Texas. There is fierce competition at the Players and nobody has won it back to back. There have been multiple winners like Tiger and Hal Sutton, but no-one has repeated as champion, which is interesting in and of itself. But I can’t go against a guy who is arguably the best ball striker on tour and has now gotten back his putting stroke. I just can’t go against him. He’ll win his 8th tournament on Tour in his young, illustrious and always ascending career.

Scottie Scheffler

Sleeper

I’ll take the 150/1 30 year old from Vienna, Austria by way of the University of Georgia.

Sepp Straka

Vanderbilt Sports has been vastly improved and super lately

Our baseball team took 2 of 3 from Gonzaga last weekend and hammered previously undefeated Indiana State, 20-4, then took care of business against the Evansville Aces yesterday at the Hawk, 7-3. We have a huge weekend at the 2024 Astros Foundation College Classic in Houston at Minute Maid Park as we face Louisiana on Friday at 3:05 PM, Houston on Saturday at 11:05 AM, and finish off the Classic versus Texas at 11:05 AM on Sunday. All times are central. We’ve really been hitting the ball well lately. Love our freshmen and sophomores on the mound and at the plate. Camden Kozeal, our freshman DH, is a hitting machine. Jacob Humphrey has stepped in in right field and given us an electric dimension in the lineup at the top of the order. Jason is a frosh, too. Tremendous right fielder and speed guy. Made a beautiful diving catch going to his left and then launched a deep on to right central all in the first inning. What a talent. Freshman second baseman Jayden Davis has a very nice stick as well. Sunday, our defense let us down. After going up 7-1, we committed two errors in a row and it was really three as shortstop Jonathan Vastine made a nice stop at short and made a flip to Davis for the force and the start of a 6-4-3 twin killing that would have gotten us out of the inning, but Davis couldn’t handle it unfortunately. I really felt bad for our freshman pitcher, Alex Kranzler. Alex was throwing strikes and should have gotten out of the inning. But after the errors, Alex gave up a grand slam. But I really like him a lot. He was very unlucky on Sunday due to some questionable defense. Still our team can hit a lot of singles and extra bases, we’re a prolific base stealing team, and we’ve got underrated power. We’ve got four guys, senior Troy LaNeve, Kozeal, Davis, and, if he can crack the lineup, Braden Holcomb, who can all hit double digit homers. Our pitching could very well be exceptional. With juniors Carter Holton, who looks fully healthy now and was outstanding last Friday versus Gonzaga, and Devin Futrell, who is a terrific Sunday starter who could be a Friday Night starter for a lot of teams, we look super with those two studs. We need a Saturday guy. I wouldn’t be opposed to using Futrell on Saturday and maybe Andrew Dutkanych on Sunday, or Andrew on Saturday and Devin on Sunday. Bryce Cunningham needs to keep developing, and the junior needs to do it sooner rather than later. Bryce has good stuff and can hit mid to high 90’s, but needs to work on his control. Ethan McElvain, Chris’s younger brother, looks like he could be a heckuva closer for us as a freshman. His stuff is electric. We’ve got a terrific freshmen class, key sophomores in RJ Austin, Chris Maldonado, who’s a little banged up, and Dutkanych. Davis Diaz needs to get his bat going, but he’s a solid junior third baseman. I see him being a .300 hitter if he can get it together, and he needs to sharpen up his defensive skills. Love Jonathan Vastine at short. RJ is playing first for now. We can put him a lot of places. He looks pretty comfortable at first though. Senior catcher Alan Espinol is a very nice defensive catcher who has a solid bat and can help us in both areas. He’s a good leader for us as is Jack Bulger, who was knocking the cover off the ball until he got banged up last Sunday. Need Jack back.

Sowhat kind of team do we have? Can we go to Omaha and win it? I know we can. This weekend is critical for our team going forward. LSU, Florida, the team from the East, and others will be threats for sure, but I like the makeup of this team. If we can shore up our defense, and pitch well, which I know we will, this team can take it a very long way this season. More on Monday.

Men’s Basketball

Tremendous victory for the team Tuesday Night at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville. We won 85-82 with Ezra Manjon, who has been awesome this season despite the struggles of the team, going for 22. Ezra is spectacular and could quarterback us to some more victories as we tune up for the SEC Tournament the second week of March. Tyrin Lawrence, who has also been stellar recently, added 21 and 7 boards and Ven-Allen Lubin, our 6’8”, 210 power forward, finished with 19 and 12, a spectacular night. Ven-Allen is a sophomore.I like what our big three are doing. Would like to see freshman Isaiah West play more and see less of Jason Rivera-Torres. Isaiah just gives us that great athletic ability and defensive skill and he’s a good scorer. Jason, a freshman, could be good, but right now, his defense is just not cutting it. Would like to see Isaiah playing a key role in the game and late in the game. Confident in him. Evan Taylor always gives us good minutes.

It’s been a rough go this season as we all know, but maybe we can string together some victories to close out the season and get some momentum for the SEC Tourney at Bridgestone Arena March 13-17th, a Wednesday-Sunday sequence. We’ll have to play on Wednesday most likely, but it would be good for momentum for the program to come away with some victories here at the end. Our team needs it as does our coach. Want the players to be rewarded for their hard work. They haven’t thrown in the towel, that’s for sure. With Ezra, Tyrin and Ven-Allen, we’ve got three standout guys. Throw in Isaiah and Evan and that’s a nice starting five. We’ll have to have some guys step up from the bench.

LSU @ home Saturday at 2:30 PM CT on the SEC Network.

By the way our baseball team will be broadcast on Astros.com this weekend, the Houston Astros website. If you can’t get to it, I’ll have a report on the team and the basketball team on Monday.

Football

I’m going to get more in-depth on this next week, but I love what Clark did in recruiting this cycle, 2024. He got four, 4 stars led by all world safety Dontae Carter, and a tremendous transfer class with three quarterbacks led by four star Nate Johnson from Utah and high three star Diego Pavia from New Mexico State, who single-handedly annihilated Hugh and the Auburn Tigers last November on the Plains. We’ve got two incoming frosh quarterbacks who look promising, a good receiving class, frosh and transfers, and some more nice young and older players at needed positions. We’ve got some studs coming back led by all world safety CJ Taylor, and I really like the potential of corner Trudell Berry. He showed signs of being a spectacular player last season. He had a pick six for three yards in one game. Martel Hight will be a stellar corner as well. I like the talent we have on defense. We have some new coaches. Clark will coordinate the defense, and while I don’t love that, it can work. It’s worked for Andy Reid as an offensive guy with the great Steve Spagnola coaching the defense. You know how that’s turned out the last couple of years. I can’t believe Spags hasn’t been hired as a head coach. The NFL can do some really poor hiring, and he’s a guy who should get another shot if he wants one, which I imagine he does. Tim Beck comes over from New Mexico State as our offensive coordinator. He was awesome as NMSU, and he’s brought some players with him. Blake Berlowitz is another NMSU transfer at quarterback. Like our talent. The schedule’s tough, but isn’t it always? We’ll be good next season. I can see us going to a bowl game and building from there. Getting guys the extra practice is so critical to the next season and you get that by making a bowl. And going to a bowl is always a boon for recruiting. So that’s the goal. We’ll have our spring game in early April. I’ll have a date for you next week. We open with VA Tech at First Bank Stadium Saturday, August 31st. Can’t wait. Will give you some more intel next week.

Men’s Golf…

is stellar. Coach Scott Limbaugh has another team, led by our superb junior Gordon Sargent, that can certainly go the distance. Coach Limbaugh, like Coach Corbin, has the expectations through the roof every year because, like Corbs, he’s the best coach in the country. We recently won the Watersound Invitational at Shark’s Tooth Golf Club in Panama City and we’re playing in the Cabo Collegiate starting this Sunday and continuing through next Tuesday. We defeated several ranked teams at the Watersound and we’ll square off with several more at the Twin Dolphin Club in Cabo San Lucas, Mejico. Always love what Coach Limbaugh does and we can Never take what Scott and Corbs do every year for our school for granted. They’re the best.

Jackson Van Paris, Cole Sherwood, Matthew Riedel and William Moll round out a stellar starting five. We’ve got some young guns behind them who have super potential. So our golf program is and remains phenomenal. We’ve definitely got a shot to win it all at the Omni La Costa Resort and Championship Course in Carlsbad, Cali in late May at the NCAA Championships. Excited to see this team progress. As Coach Limbaugh and Coach Corbin always say, we’ve got a long way to go and a lot of improving to do. It’s a day to day thing with our great coaches. We’ve certainly got the talent on both teams to win it all in both sports.

The Women’s basketball team is trying to earn their way into a double bye for the SEC Women’s Tournament March 6th through the 10th at Bon Secours? Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. Sounds like a place you could get a really good massage at, but I digress. The women are 7-7 in the conference and 20-8 overall. We play @ Mizzou tonight at 7 CT on SEC Network+ and Sunday, we finish off the season versus Georgia at 1 PM at Memorial in SECN+. That’s senior day. The women have been tremendous this season and Coach Shea Ralph is really making an impact on our program. Love what Coach Ralph is doing. She’s outstanding and the future this season and beyond looks terrific.

More coming up next week. Have an awesome weekend. Anchor Down. Let’s get a lot of victories this weekend.

Super Bowl LVIII Prediction

Record through the NFC/AFC Championships

SU: 7-5; ATS: 6-6


Super Bowl 58

San Francisco 49ers (14-5) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (14-6)

Allegiant Stadium, Vegas, 65,000

CBS

Jim, Tony, Trace, Gene Steratore (rules analyst)

Refs: Bill Vinovich (makes mistakes, hope it’s not a problema).

Halftime: Usher, could be fun.

Sideshow: Traylor Swift (my daughter’s going to be mad at me).

Niners by 1 1/2

I have no clue why the 49ers are the favorite. Why would you make Patrick Mahomes an underdog after he repeatedly beats the odds every year? He’s this generation’s Tom Brady. He may be better than Brady when his career is over and that’s a long way away. There are distractions for the Chiefs with Mahomes’ dad getting his third DWI in Texas and the ongoing Swift spectacle. But with Mahomes, M’Auto, Isaiah Pacheco and that underrated but spectacular defense, how do you go against this juggernaut? I’ve got one word to describe this game: “Bundle Home and Auto.” When asked by a fictional football locker room why that’s one word and not four, Jake from State Farm cooly responds, “It’s not if you’re bundling.”

Give me the Most Valuable Bundler and the Chiefs.

Chiefs 24, 49ers 20

Tracy Chapman/ Luke Combs Fast Car

An epic rendition of this song by two of the best in the business. The great veteran and the younger, country star who’s not afraid of the dinner table. This is not the best quality, so sorry. The best I can do. The performance and the song are worth it, however. Enjoy Super Bowl LVIII.


Winner at Pebble Beach Pro-Am

Odds

Rory, 7/1

Scottie Scheffler, 8/1

Viktor Hovland, 12/1

Jordan Spieth, 18/1

Patrick Cantlay, 20/1

Max Homa, 20/1

Collin Morikawa, 22/1

Ludvig Aberg, 25/1

Justin Thomas, 25/1

Tony Finau, 30/1

Sam Burns, 40/1

Matt Fitzpatrick, 40/1

Tommy Fleetwood, 40/1

Cameron Young, 40/1

Jason Day, 40/1

Sungjae Im, 40/1

Tom Kim, 45/1

Nicolai Hojgaard, 45/1

Keegan Bradley, 80/1

Sahith Theegala, 80/1

Brian Harmon, 80/1

Justin Rose, 80/1

Adam Scott, 80/1

Winner

All this money being thrown at golf now is a little disheartening to watch. It’s taking the fun and the spirit of competition out of the game. Now that a new group, led by Boston Red Sox owner John Henry and Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank, has thrown in $3+ billion into the PGA coffers, well, just more of an embarrassment of riches. They’re trying to hold off the Saudis from poaching more PGA players, but there’s also a business/money angle to it as well. It’s too much.

For the fun of the game and for you, my readers, here’s my pick.

Viktor Hovland

AFC, NFC Championship Game Predictions

The Chiefs and the Ravens and the Lions and the Niners square off for the privilege of playing in Super Bowl LVIII in Vegas on February 11th at 5:30 PM CT on CBS. The four teams are the best in the league, and the quarterbacks and defenses should determine each outcome. Will Patrick Mahomes continue his magical career or will Lamar Jackson and that No.1 ranked Ravens defense matriculate to Vegas. On the NFC side, Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey and the 49ers will try to earn their way in, but face a talented and hungry Detroit Lions team. A key factor for the 49ers is Deebo Samuels’ health. He’s got a hurt shoulder and is questionable. I expect him to play since it’s for the chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in 2 weeks, but his effectiveness could be hampered by his injury.

Here are predictions for today’s contests…..

Record so far

SU: 7-3, ATS, 5-5

AFC Championship Game

Kansas City Chiefs (13-6, 7-2 Away) @ Baltimore Ravens (14-4, 7-3 Home)

M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD.

2 PM CT

CBS

Jim, Tony, Trace, Evan, Jay

Yella, Shawn Smith

Ravens by 4 1/2

Like I’ve been saying the past couple of years, it’s so hard to go against Mahomes. He’s burned so many experts. He just keeps get’er done. But I like Lamar this year. He has been an extraordinary quarterback and the Ravens defense is superb. Roquan Smith, Marlon Humphrey, who’s back from an injury he suffered three weeks ago, and the Ravens defense is hard to penetrate. The Chiefs defense is underrated and very good as well. But I’ll take Lamar and the Ravens to advance to Allegiant Stadium for Super Bowl 58 on February 11th.

Ravens 24, Chiefs 17

NFC Championship Game

Detroit Lions (14-5, 6-3 Away) @SF 49ers (13-5, 6-3 Home)

Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA.

5:30 PM CT

FOX

Kev, Gregory, EA, Tom

Laundry, Clete Blakeman

Niners by 7

Some people would call this a reach, but I’m going to make it. I like Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, tight end Sam Laporta and stellar defensive end Aiden Hutchinson and the Lions to pull off the upset in the Golden Gate state, and put the Lions in Super Bowl 58 playing for their first Lombardi Trophy in franchise history. This team has magic. They went to Arrowhead the first game of the season and despite Everybody predicting them to lose, they defeated Mahomes and the Chiefs. I like them to do that at Levi’s late this afternoon as well. Give me Coach Dan Campbell, who’s done a remarkable job pulling a franchise from its bootstraps and brutal struggles all the way to the pinnacle of the sport.

Lions 28, 49ers 24

PGA Season kicks off on the Blog, The Farmers Insurance Open prediction, Australian Open predictions

Historic Torrey Pines will host the Farmers Insurance Open once again as golf season is in full swing now with the tour “matriculating” on the California Swing. The Farmers begins today and will conclude on Saturday so the tournament wants to not coincide with the NFC and AFC Championship Games on Sunday.

Last week at the American Express, 20 year old University of Alabama sophomore Nick Dunlap captured the title with a 5 foot nine inch par putt on 18 to hold off 29 year old South African Christian Bezuldenhout by a shot to become the first amateur to win a PGA Tour event since Phil Mickelson did it in 1991, 33 years ago. at the Northern Telecom Open in Phoenix. Now Dunlap is pondering whether to join the PGA Tour or remain an amateur. When he becomes a professional, he is exempt in all events up to 2026. If he joins this year, he can play in 3 of the 4 majors, the Masters, the PGA Championship, and the U.S, Open. He would not qualify for the Open Championship. If he played as an amateur, he would be eligible for all majors except the PGA Championship. He is the reigning U.S. Amateur champion. He finished -29 for the Amex, one shot clear of the South African. Quite a feat. There is no guarantee any young player is going to be super elite as a professional, but that’s quite a start for a 20 year old amateur. If he stays at Alabama this season he will get NIL deals with adidas and other sponsors, so that should be a nice deal as well. The Huntsville native is weighing his options. He shot a 12 under par 60 on Saturday and two under par 70 on Sunday.

Onto this week.

The pros will play two courses, Torrey Pines North (7,258 yards, par 72) and the epic Torrey Pines South Course (7,765 yards, par 72). The first two rounds will be played on both courses as the players split between the two and the final two days will be played exclusively on the South Course. the Poa Anuua greens will be stimping up to 14, very quick. The rough will on the South Course will be up to 4 inches.

The defending champion is Max Homa, who is in the field.

It’s been an interesting year and a half in golf with the LIV Tour raiding the PGA Tour for another player when it secured Jon Rahm in December. That’s a blow, but you look at the PGA Tour and there still are many elite players. The LIV and PGA are trying to come to an agreement and become one entity, but it’s a time consuming process. The PGA is moving on with the guys on its roster. You still have Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa, Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, and many more competing in all of the new signature events and the majors and other regular events. The Signature events this season are eight tournaments consisting of 70 to 80 players with the 50 top players from the Fed Ex Cup in 2023 competing with 20 to 30 other qualifiers in other ways. The events have purses of $20-25 million with first place paying $3.6 M. Chris Kirk has already won the first Signature event at the Sentry in Maui earlier this month. The seven other events are the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Jan. 29th-Feb 4th, The Genesis Invitational Feb. 15th-18th, the Arnie March, 7th-10th, the RBC Heritage April 18-21st, the Wells Fargo May 9th-12th, the Memorial June 6th-9th, and the Travelers Championship June 20th-23rd. The 50th Players Championship’s purse is $25 M with the winner earns $4.5 M. That stellar event will be played March 14th-17th. The 88th edition of the Masters is April 11th-14th. The 106th PGA Championship will be played at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville May 16th-19th. The 124th U.S, Open is June 13th-16th at Pinehurst No.2, and the 152nd Open Championship is July 18th-21st at Royal Troon. The Fed Ex Cup with a $25 million payout for first place consists of three events: the Fed Ex St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Aug 15th-18th, the BMW Championship Aug 22nd-25th, at Castle Pines Golf Club in Castle Rock, Colorago, and the Tour Championship at East Lake Aug 29th-Sept 1st. The Fed Ex St. Jude and BMW both have $20 M purses with first place paying $3.6 M.

So, the tour is always stepping it up for the players. Not a bad deal if you work hard and can be successful.

Weather in El Diego

Today, 62, partly cloudy, wind SSW 7 MPH.

Thursday, 63, Partly sunny, wind SW 7

Friday, 67, partly sunny, wind NNW 8.

Saturday, 71, Partly sunny, N 7.

Television

Today-Thursday, 2-6 PM CT, Golf Channel

Friday, 2-4 PM CT Golf, 4-7 PM CBS

Saturday, 1-3 PM CT, Golf, 3-7 PM CBS.

Here are the odds for the Farmers:

Xander 9/1

Cantlay 10/1

Homa 10/1

Morikawa 11/1

Ludvig Aberg 20/1, 24 year old Swede who won the RSM Classic in Sea Island last November.

Sungjae Im 22/1

Min Woo Lee 22/1

Tony Finau 25/1

Jason Day 25/1

Keegan Bradley 33/1

Eric Cole 35/1

Sahith Theegala 40/1

Sepp Straka 45/1

Will Zalatoris 45/1

Hideki Matsuyama 45/1

Harris English 50/1

Justin Rose 50/1

Shane Lowry 60/1

Daniel Berger 65/1

Luke List 80/1

Winner

I’ll take the 30 year old native on San Diego on his home course. He finished T-3 last weekend at the Amex shooting 63-65 on Saturday and Sunday to finish -27 tied with JT and Kevin Yu. Interestingly, Dunlap, being an amateur, could not claim the first place prize money, so Bezuldenhouf took home the $1.5+ million check.

This still young, but now veteran stallion finished T2 in the 2021 Farmers and tied for 7th in the 2021 U.S. Open at Torrey, which Rahm won. He has a T-10th and T-3rd to open the 2024 season. Give me:

Xander Schauffele

Sleeper

Sahith Theegala

Australian Open predictions

ESPN will televise. You need to be a real early bird as coverage begins at 2:30 AM CT for the semis and finals. It’ll be on when you wake up.

Men’s Semifinals

Novak Djokovic over Jannik Sinner 6-4, 5-7, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9-7)

Alexander Zverev over Danill Medvedev 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 6-3, 7-5

Men’s Final

“Sasha” Zverev over Novak 5-7, 7-5, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5

Winner. Alexander Zverev

Sasha’s hot right now and though Joker has won 10 Australians and 24 majors in all (7 Wimbledons, 3 French and 4 U.S.), I’ll take the upset.

Women’s Final

Dayana Yastremska over Coco Gauff, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (8-6)

Winner: Dayana Yastremska

The Ukrainian is an elite story and knocks off the red hot Coke. Coke’ll be back though.

****Coming up in the next couple of days*****

National Football League Predictions for the NFC and AFC Championship Games