Kevin Collins and Josh Maurer called Boston College mens basketball games together for nearly a decade. But with a new era regime taking over, both Collins and Maurer were informed their services are no longer needed. On the surface, it didnt seem like the two were related. New coaching staffs rarely have any impact on team announcers. They tend to operate in related, but separate, avenues. But that was apparently not the case this time around. In an interview with Awful Announcing, Collins said he and Maurer were fired because new head coach Luke Murray wanted to sever all ties to the losing mentality the program had under its previous regime.The reasoning delivered to the pair, relayed through Deputy Athletic Director Craig Anderson, was that Murray didnt want anyone in the travel party whod been part of what was described as the programs losing mentality under the previous staff, despite neither broadcaster having any real relationship with the coaching staff itself beyond showing up to call games The reasoning that I was given was that Coach Murray basically wants a whole new fresh coat of paint on the entire program and wants no remnants of the past around the program, Collins said. We have nothing to do with any of that. But he wanted us removed. Didnt feel comfortable being around a link to the past, if you will. My challenge was, well, how can he not feel comfortable around us? He hasnt even given us the chance to meet us.Collins, who called Boston College games for 13 seasons, a span that included three different head coaches and five different athletic directors, said he and Maurer attempted to meet with Murray numerous times over the offseason, but were rebuffed. Collins said he and Maurer were told Murray was either recruiting, or that a recruit was in town and it wasnt a good day to meet.Collins said he even offered to stay with the program, but work as an engineer and not an on-air presence during broadcasts. He was told that wouldnt work either.Despite all of that, Collins told Awful Announcing he loves and still supports Boston College. He also expressed that sentiment in a social-media post announcing his firing, saying he, will always be an Eagle.Still, he doesnt think it was fair the way things were handled behind the scenes. [Murray is] a young head coach, no experience, and hes being given the power to take two guys careers away from them who have done nothing but try to serve the program and promote the program.Collins later added, It just seems really unjust to me.Murray, 41, was hired as Boston Colleges mens basketball coach in March. He previously served as an assistant at UConn under Dan Hurley. Murray is the son of actor Bill Murray. Upon being hired, Murray said fans will find our program defined by a standard of excellence, and our team will play an unselfish, tough and highly competitive brand of basketball.Boston College hasnt posted a winning season since 2010-11, when the team went 9-7.

Seattle A couple of issues mightve gotten lost in the rubble of the trade deadline fallout Monday night.Why didnt president Scott Harris move veteran pending free agents Kenley Jansen and Gleyber Torres? Because the offers coming back for those two players wouldnt have impacted the team more than keeping them.This was not a sell-off.In each case, we analyzed the potential return and tried to make a judgment call as to whether it was worth pulling the trigger and making the deals or keep those players and continue to try to flip the script on the season and try to force our way into the playoff picture, Harris said.The markets for Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize were too good for Harris to pass up. The markets for Torres and Jansen, presumably for Jack Flaherty, too, who is trying to work through flexor tendon strain, not so much.With respect to other markets with other players," Harris said. "It was a lot clearer to us that the value of potentially winning and keeping those players around some of these young players and continuing to build upon the momentum that we have created was more important than the additional value we couldve provided by pulling the trigger on those deals.The other question, given the state of the Tigers bullpen recently, did Harris explore potentially adding another reliever? Explore? Yes. Find the right fit? No.Given the prices of relievers right now, like, can we really afford to trade young talent to add the 'pen? he said. Or are we better off improving through internal additions? There are some guys who are going to get opportunities as a result of these trades.Harris mentioned lefty Brant Hurter (lumbar spine inflammation) is beginning his rehab assignment and is on track to return this month. He mentioned River Ryan possibly joining the mix in September, presumably as a starter, but maybe as a bulk reliever.Right-hander Troy Watson, whom the Tigers put on the 40-man roster to block a move to Korea, has been working out of the bullpen recently at Triple-A Toledo and performing well.Beau Brieske, Tyler Mattison, Tanner Rainey, Ricky Vanasco and Nick Sandlin would also be options.When looking at the prices and the quality of the relievers that were available to us at the deadline and with the overall context of our situation, it just didnt make sense, Harris said. I think it made a lot more sense to give more opportunity to some of the young players that deserve it. There are some guys who are throwing the ball pretty well in Toledo, and were going to continue to give those guys opportunity.Tigers at Mariners First pitch: 9:40 p.m. Wednesday, T-Mobile Park, Seattle TV/radio: Detroit Sports Net/97.1 FM TBA, Tigers: Manager AJ Hinch pushed Troy Melton up a day to start on Tuesday after Mize was traded. That created the opening for a bullpen game in this one. Tyler Holton has been the opener of choice recently. Ty Madden and Enmanuel De Jesus, depending on what pitchers were used Tuesday, would bulk relief candidates. RHP Bryan Woo (7-8, 4.56), Mariners: The Tigers roughed him up at Comerica Park on June 5 (five runs, nine hits in 6.1 innings), but he's a different cat at home. He's 6-0 this season at T-Mobile with a 2.20 ERA and 0.767 WHIP. Which might be comforting to Woo after giving up 10 runs in 10 innings over his last two starts at Texas and at the Dodgers. When he's right, he can cause fits mixing sliders, sweepers and changeups of lively 96-mph four-seamers and sinkers.Chris.McCosky@detroitnews.com@cmccoskyThis article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Why didn't Tigers trade Gleyber Torres or Kenley Jansen? Scott Harris explains

The Milwaukee Bucks officially entered a new era this offseason after trading franchise iconGiannis Antetokounmpoto the Miami Heat. In exchange, the Bucks acquiredTyler Herro,Kelel Ware,Jaime Jaquez Jr.,Kasparas Jakucionis, two unprotected first-round picks, a 2030 first-round pick swap, and a 2023 second-round pick.However, the Bucks will soon face another franchise-altering decision.Herro is entering the final year of the four-year contract he signed with the Heat. With Milwaukee entering a rebuilding phase, extending Herro could become one of the franchises most important decisions moving forward.A Great Cornerstone for the Bucks Next EraWith the Bucks now looking toward the future, Herro has the potential to become a foundational piece of their next era.Throughout his career, Herro has averaged 19.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.1 assists while shooting 38.2% from three-point range. However, his production has reached another level recently.Over the last two seasons,he has averaged 22.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assistswhile earning his first All-Star selection in the 2024-25 season. After beginning his career as one of the leagues premier sixth men, Herro has evolved into a legitimate offensive centerpiece.At the age of just 26 and recently putting up impressive numbers, Herro is arguably in the midst of the prime of his career.Milwaukee Needs Offensive FirepowerThe biggest challenge facing the Bucks after trading Antetokounmpo is replacing the offensive impact of one of the greatest players in franchise history.Herro cannot replicate Antetokounmpos all-around dominance. However, he can still provide the offensive firepower Milwaukee needs. Along with averaging 20-plus points a night, Herro can score in multiple ways.Herros greatest offensive strength is his ability to create his own shot. His ability to create separation and consistently make difficult shots over defenders makes him one of the leagues more dangerous scoring guards. He can also thrive off the ball, using his shooting ability to punish defenses with catch-and-shoot opportunities.When he isnt having a great scoring night, Herro can also be a decent playmaker. While he has improved as a decision-maker, he has become especially effective in pick-and-roll situations. His shot-making ability can allow him to carry an offense, while his improved playmaking can also make the team better.The departure of Antetokounmpo marks the end of a historic era in Milwaukee. But it also opens the door for a new chapter. Herro has already proven he can be a high-level offensive player. With the right pieces around him, he could become the centerpiece who leads Milwaukee into its next era.The post Tyler Herro Could Be the Foundation of Milwaukees Next Chapter appeared first on The Lead.

The Philadelphia Eagles entered training camp with what many assumed would be a straightforward competition for the backup quarterback job. There were also theories about one of the parties that was involved. Tanner McKee was seen as the organization's best trade piece outside of A.J. Brown. Also among the most popular discussions were the reports stating the Eagles wanted a second-round pick for his services. Obviously, there hasn't been any movement, and McKee finds himself lodged in a battle with Andy Dalton. Five practices into camp, this all remains intriguing. That has forced the obvious questions. Where do things stand as we settle into August? Who has the upper hand? Both are certainly interesting topics of conversation. Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee are embracing the competitionVeteran Andy Dalton has consistently played well throughout the opening week of training camp, showing the arm strength, timing and command that have kept him in the NFL for nearly two decades. Rather than serving strictly as a veteran presence, Dalton has positioned himself as a legitimate contender for the No. 2 role behind Jalen Hurts.Both quarterbacks addressed the competition following the Eagles' second padded practice. Neither sounded interested in anything beyond earning the job. McKee acknowledged that competing for a roster spot has become part of life in the NFL."It's the NFL. Every year that I've been here, we've had four quarterbacks. You gotta compete for a job, that's nothing new. As an athlete, you have to love competition. You have to love to compete."Dalton echoed that mindset. He embraced the challenge while continuing to let his play speak for itself. Full quotes from both are below.Eagles backup QB Tanner McKee on the Eagles trading for veteran Andy Dalton, and their competition for the No. 2 job behind Jalen Hurts. pic.twitter.com/xYD7OvOxkw Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) August 4, 2026Andy Dalton on the competition for QB2 pic.twitter.com/AN7o4fYVWH PHLY Eagles (@PHLY_Eagles) August 4, 2026The competition has become increasingly intriguing because Dalton continues backing up his experience with production on the practice field. He has delivered several impressive throws during team periods, including a touchdown to Hollywood Brown, a strike to Johnny Wilson over the middle and another highlight-reel touchdown pass to Darius Cooper during Tuesday's goal-line work.McKee has shown flashes of his own, but Dalton has consistently made the conversation more difficult than many anticipated entering camp. There's still plenty of football remaining before the Eagles settle on a backup quarterback.Joint practices and preseason games carry far more weight than training camp sessions. Still, one thing has become increasingly clear through five practices. This competition is real, and Andy Dalton has ensured it won't be decided by expectations set before camp began.This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Andy Dalton is refusing to concede Eagles backup job to Tanner McKee

Aces surge up new WNBA power ranking as A'ja Wilson continues to dominate originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Las Vegas Aces got back on track Monday night following a surprise loss to the Chicago Sky.The Aces walked into State Farm Arena and blew out the Atlanta Dream to improve to 21-9 on the season. Jackie Young recorded a triple-double, and A'ja Wilson dropped an efficient 23 points in 30 minutes as Las Vegas secured a 109-87 win over a fellow WNBA title contender.Wilson on Tuesday was named WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week for the 10th week of the regular season -- and her recent displays have powered the Aces to third in ESPN's latest power ranking.MORE:Angel Reese turns heads with Barbie Game Day look before Dreams blowout lossFor the week ending Aug. 2, Wilson averaged 32.3 points, 12.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists while shooting 52.5 percent from the field. She has extended her lead atop the scoring chart and now sits at 26.6 points per game; the record is 26.9, a mark Wilson herself set in 2024.Averaging 32.3 PPG with 12.0 RPG on 52.5% shooting? Can we get a round of a'pplause for the M'P pic.twitter.com/303kiqNG6w Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) August 4, 2026The Aces have just tipped off a brutal stretch of games against likely playoff teams that should get Vegas ready for another championship run.Wilson and the Aces visit Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on Thursday before continuing their road trip through Minnesota on Saturday and New York on Sunday.Though the Aces are unlikely to catch the Lynx for the No.1 overall seed in the WNBA playoffs, Las Vegas won the WNBA title as the second seed in 2025 and seem poised to repeat as the No.2 seed in 2026.With Wilson and Young playing this well, no one will want to see Vegas come the end of September.More WNBA news:One key stat explains Valkyries' choice not to make Kelsey Plum tradeKelsey Plum reveals emotional Mercury welcome after whirlwind trade: Gods grace on meWings' Arike Ogunbowale had fans agreeing with 5-word response to big future updateCaitlin Clark and the Fever stay put in latest WNBA power ranking despite Lynx loss

In today's fast-paced world, finding a reliable source of energy that doesn't come with the unwanted side effects of jitters or a dreaded afternoon crash is a top priority for many. Traditional energy drinks often rely on excessive caffeine and sugar, leading to a cycle of spikes and slumps. This has driven a growing demand for more natural, balanced alternatives that support sustained focus...

Cleveland owner Jimmy Haslam is confident his team will surpass Vegas expectations, and the easiest schedule in the NFL suggests he might be right

The Rapids secured a record $17 million fee for defender Lucas Herrington, but the real test is whether Colorado can convert this massive payday into on-field wins

There are a couple of ways you can look at Dukes football schedule for the 2026 season: the Blue Devils dont have the challenge of facing SMU or Louisville, but do take on the two conference favorites, Miami and Clemson, in back-to-back weeks.And, with Illinois and Tulane on the non-conference slate, Manny Diazs squad will be tested outside of ACC play.Can the Blue Devils make another run at the ACC title? I wouldnt say no, but things will be tough sledding for Duke to bring back another trophy.Here are the 12 opponents on Dukes 2026 schedule ranked from easiest to most challenging.12. William & MaryThe only FCS opponent on the schedule, the Tribe should be some easy competition in Week 2 and give Diaz a chance to rest some starters in the second half.11. StanfordPicked to finish last in the ACC, the Cardinal come to Durham to begin ACC play in a game that the Blue Devils should win easily.10. North CarolinaThe disaster that is going on in Chapel Hill has been riveting to watch, but the product on the field is lacking.If things continue to spiral downward, Bill Belichick's job could be in serious jeopardy.9. Boston CollegeYet another former NFL coach, Bill OBrien, enters the season on the hot seat for BC after going 9-16 in his first two seasons back with the Eagles.8. Wake ForestJack Dickert led the Demon Deacons to a 9-4 record in his first season in Winston-Salem, but not much is thought of how Wake will do in an encore.7. NC StateOutside of Dabo Swinney, no conference coach has been at their school longer than Dave Doeren, who enters his 14th season in charge of the Wolfpack.6. TulaneThe season opener in Wallace Wade Stadium is a rematch of last years Green Wave win in New Orleans. Unlike last year, the headline story wont be focused on Darian Mensah (more on that later), but if the Blue Devils can get off to a good start against a team that made the College Football Playoff last season.5. Georgia TechThe Yellow Jackets got the best of Duke last season in a 27-18 victory. Winning in Atlanta in 2026 will be even more of a challenge.4. IllinoisThe Fighting Illini took advantage of four turnovers by Duke last season to pull away in the second half. Now, the Blue Devils travel to Champaign to battle a team looking to improve on a 9-4 season.3. VirginiaA rematch of the 2025 ACC Championship Game, the Cavaliers will have revenge on their minds after losing to Duke in overtime.2. ClemsonAfter a 7-6 season, can Dabo Swinney turn things around at Clemson? The Tigers come to Wallace Wade also with revenge on their minds after a 46-45 loss to Duke last season.1. MiamiThe game marked on everyones schedule after Mensah and Cooper Barkate departed Duke for the Hurricanes this past offseason at the last second. There will be a lot of talk surrounding this one, especially after Mensahs comments at ACC Media Days.This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: Ranking Duke's 2026 opponents from easiest to hardest

At age 49, Brock Lesnar has finally put a bow on one of the most decorated combat sports careers of all-time.The former WWE and UFC champion announced his retirement from combat sports Tuesday on The Pat McAfee Show following his much-celebrated WWE program with Oba Femi, which culminated in a Hell in the Cell loss at this past Saturdays SummerSlam Night 1 main event in Lesnars home state of Minneapolis, Minnesota.Said Lesnar:"I'm here today to do this interview, to let the world and everybody know that I am retired. And I wanted to say a big thank you to everybody. Saturday was a very emotional day for me. Kind of weird because I did when Oba Femi slammed me a WrestleMania, I was like, I cant do this again. So I was like, I think Im done. But the business [wanted me back] and I still had some fuel in the tank. But Saturday, for Brock Lesnar, thats it. Thats it for me in the squared circle and for everything else too.So I just want to give a shoutout to everybody in this universe who has followed since I was a little kid all the way until Saturday. I was just a farm kid from South Dakota with a big dream and a big heart and a big-ass chip on my shoulder, and Im just grateful. Grateful to be 49 years old and to have been able to do what I did in this lifetime. I thank God and everybody that supported me.I want to thank all my coaches, and I want to especially say to the little kids I was just a farm kid with a bunch of lint in my pocket, and I had big dreams, and I just worked. And I think a lot of people nowadays with social platforms platforms, athletes [post themselves] doing things, but they leave out the hard work. And if kids just stay focused on work and putting the time in, good things will happen.More on this story in a moment