Author: Mikesportz

Canada has been searching for a Stanley Cup since the Montreal Canadiens hoisted it in 1993. Since then, there have been several Canadian teams that have competed in the Cup final, but they’ve failed each time. Including this year’s final, there have been eight finals that have consisted of a Canadian team. The Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers featured in two Cup finals leading up to this season. In addition to those teams, the Calgary Flames, Ottawa Senators and Canadiens made appearances. Edmonton was the last Canadian team to lose in the Cup final, falling to the Florida Panthers in…

Kansas head coach Bill Self didn’t mince words after the Jayhawks’ shocking 72–66 loss to Iowa State in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals. Despite a late surge by Kevin McCullar Jr. and a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double from KJ Adams Jr., Kansas crumbled in the final five minutes, squandering an 11-point lead. The usually composed Self was visibly frustrated during the postgame press conference, saying, “We’ve got talent, but talent doesn’t win championships—leadership and toughness do.” It was a stinging statement aimed at his upperclassmen, including Dajuan Harris Jr., who committed three crucial turnovers late in the game. Kansas shot just…

Hunter Dickinson delivered a dominant performance, scoring 23 points and pulling down 13 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to save the Kansas Jayhawks from a stunning 79–72 loss to Arkansas in the NCAA Tournament’s first round. The upset sent shockwaves through college basketball, as Kansas—once a top contender—exited March Madness earlier than expected. Despite Dickinson’s double-double, the Jayhawks struggled to defend Arkansas guard Tramon Mark, who erupted for 24 points, including a clutch three with under two minutes left. Kevin McCullar Jr. added 14 points for Kansas, but foul trouble and inconsistent perimeter defense proved costly. Coach Bill Self admitted…

Donovan Mitchell did everything a superstar could in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. He dropped 40 points, shooting 14-of-24 from the field and sinking five three-pointers, trying to will the Cleveland Cavaliers back into the series. But the Indiana Pacers’ balanced attack proved too much, and the Cavs fell 113–107, ending their postseason run. Mitchell carried the offensive load for Cleveland, especially in the fourth quarter, scoring 16 points in the final frame. However, a few costly turnovers and missed free throws down the stretch allowed Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam to seal the game. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff…

The Indiana Pacers are on the brink of their first NBA Finals berth since 2000, but their hopes hang on the health of superstar guard Tyrese Haliburton. The All-Star has been nursing a nagging hamstring injury since Game 4 and was clearly limited in Game 5, scoring just 13 points with 6 assists and visibly favoring his leg. With the series standing at 3–2 in Indiana’s favor, Game 6 looms as a defining moment. Head coach Rick Carlisle said Haliburton is “day-to-day,” but added, “We’re not risking his long-term health—he has a future beyond one series.” T.J. McConnell and Andrew…

Tyson Walker gave everything in Michigan State’s Elite Eight matchup against Auburn, dropping 22 points with relentless energy and leadership. The senior guard, known for his clutch shooting, sparked a late run midway through the second half. However, Johni Broome and Auburn’s suffocating defense held strong, disrupting the Spartans’ offensive flow in the final five minutes. Coach Tom Izzo, seeking his ninth Final Four appearance, remained animated on the sidelines as his team fought back from a 12-point deficit. With Malik Hall struggling to find rhythm and A.J. Hoggard in foul trouble early, the Spartans lacked secondary scoring options when…

Longtime Kansas Basketball Staff Member Leaving Jayhawks Originally posted on Kansas Jayhawks on SI By Joshua Schulman  |  Last updated May 29, 2025 11:13 AM ET On Thursday morning, Kansas Athletics revealed that the Jayhawks and longtime staff member Fred Quartlebaum would be parting ways. Quartlebaum, who spent 12 seasons in Lawrence, held several positions during his tenure at KU, including director of student-athlete development. He was a member of the coaching staff that captured the 2022 national championship and played a key role in developing 22 players who went on to reach the NBA. With past experience at schools like Notre Dame, North Carolina, and Iowa…

The Wisconsin Badgers basketball program has been on a scheduling run this last week. They added an exhibition game with Oklahoma at the Fiserv Forum for next season. They’ve added a home-and-home with neutrals with BYU. Where the Badgers will play in Salt Lake City next season, and the Cougars will come to Milwaukee in the following year. They are now doing the same thing with Villanova. According to Jon Rothstein, the two programs have agreed to a “neutral site” split, which basically means they won’t be playing at their home arenas but nearby NBA arenas. The first season will…

Star Pacers forward Pascal Siakam and Indianapolis Star columnist Gregg Doyel got into a heated back-and-forth exchange during a press conference following Indiana’s Game 5 loss to the Knicks on Thursday. Doyel pressed Siakam repeatedly on why he thought the Knicks outplayed the Pacers — and why Indiana allowed that to happen — in their 111-94 loss at the Garden. What’re you talking about?” Siakam asked at the start of the awkward exchange. “They played harder than us. It’s OK. We played hard, but they played harder. What’s your point? I don’t get it.” Siakam then proceeded to say “that…

Rick Carlisle confronts brutal reality as Indiana Pacers face elimination after devastating Game 5 loss to New York Knicks In the high-stakes world of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, the Indiana Pacers found themselves at a critical juncture, their aspirations of reaching the NBA Finals hanging by a thread. The anticipation that filled the air as they faced off against the New York Knicks in Game 5 quickly turned into a palpable sense of dismay for Pacers fans. The team suffered a crushing 111-94 defeat, a game that not only highlighted their struggles but also sent them reeling back to…