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NBA Preview: Sacramento Kings (24-18) at Los Angeles Lakers (20-24)

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NBA Preview: Sacramento Kings (24-18) at Los Angeles Lakers (20-24)

Surging while on a four-game winning streak, the Sacramento Kings will visit Los Angeles on Wednesday to meet the Lakers with some payback in mind.

The Kings have won their last four games, including a 132-119 road victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday in a streak that started after a home defeat to the Lakers on Jan. 7. That 136-134 loss came despite 34 points and nine assists from De’Aaron Fox and 25 points and 12 rebounds from Domantas Sabonis.

It is just one of three defeats for Sacramento in the past 10 games, in a stretch that includes a victory over the Western Conference-leading Denver Nuggets.

The Kings’ past four games have included an average of 135.5 points per contest in two victories over the Houston Rockets and one each against the Orlando Magic and Spurs. Harrison Barnes scored 29 points at San Antonio, while Fox had 23 and Sabonis had 18 with 18 rebounds.

Fox leads the Kings with 23.8 points per game, while Sabonis is on top with 12.6 rebounds. Barnes delivers 15.2 points, but during the four-game winning streak that average is up to 25.5 points.

Sabonis, who has delivered 20 consecutive double-doubles, was named the most recent Western Conference player of the week. He has averaged 18.5 points, 14.3 rebounds and 10.3 assists during the win streak.

The next step for the Kings? Improving the defense.

The defensive focus for the Kings on Wednesday will be on LeBron James, who scored a season-high 48 points in the Lakers’ 140-132 victory over the Houston Rockets on Monday. James has averaged 37.0 points over his last seven games, with 9.7 rebounds and 8.6 assists.

James is also 315 points away from matching Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time NBA scoring record of 38,387 career points.

The Lakers just ended a three-game losing streak and are much improved, going 6-3 since Dec. 30. One key to the recent run of success has been taking care of the ball. The Lakers set a franchise low of two turnovers against the Rockets.

The Lakers’ Russell Westbrook matched his season high of seven turnovers as recently as a Jan. 9 loss to the Denver Nuggets, but he did not have a turnover in 32 minutes Monday.

NBA Preview: Minnesota Timberwolves (22-23) at Denver Nuggets (31-13)

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NBA Preview: Minnesota Timberwolves (22-23) at Denver Nuggets (31-13)

Red-hot Nuggets out for revenge vs. Wolves

The Nuggets haven’t lost much over the past month, but one of those setbacks was in Minnesota on Jan. 2. It was one of just three losses Denver has suffered since Dec. 6, 2022, and the Nuggets get a chance for some payback when it hosts the Timberwolves on Wednesday night.

Denver will be playing back-to-back home games after beating Portland 122-113 on Tuesday night without head coach Michael Malone. Malone was placed in the NBA’s health and safety protocol Tuesday morning.

Nuggets assistant David Adelman served as the acting head coach and will likely stay in that role Wednesday night.

The Timberwolves’ 124-111 win over Denver kick-started a turnaround for them. That win started a run of six wins in seven games for Minnesota. That run stopped with a 126-125 loss at home to Utah on Monday night. The Timberwolves have been winning despite not having Karl-Anthony Towns since Nov. 28.

Towns suffered a right calf strain and is not expected to be back for a couple of more weeks.

Minnesota got some more tough news when Rudy Gobert, acquired this past summer from the Jazz in an aggressive move, suffered a groin injury Monday and is questionable for Wednesday night.

That will make it harder to stop two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who is having another outstanding season for the Nuggets. He has battled Gobert many times, and Gobert helped “hold” Jokic to 24 points in the Jan. 2 game.

Without Towns or Gobert, the Timberwolves will rely even more on Anthony Edwards, who is averaging 23.9 points and 6.0 rebounds in his third season after being taken first overall in the 2020 draft. He scored 29 points in the first game against the Nuggets but has shown a willingness to trust his teammates.

In Monday’s loss, instead of putting up a contested shot with time running out, he passed to a wide-open Jaden McDaniels, who missed a 3-pointer.

Great decisions have been the hallmark of Jokic’s career, and even more so this season. He is averaging a career-high 9.8 assists and could become the third player to average a triple-double for a season.

He finished with 36 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists on Tuesday for his NBA-leading 13th triple-double of the season. He did it while missing just one of the 14 shots he attempted to improve his field-goal percentage to 62.7 percent, which ranks sixth best in the league among qualifiers.

Jokic isn’t the only reason Denver sits atop the Western Conference after winning 17 of their last 20 games. Murray, Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. have played well, and the bench has become better since the team has gotten healthier.

That could pose problems for a short-handed Minnesota team even though the Nuggets played Tuesday night.

NBA Preview: Los Angeles Clippers (23-23) at Utah Jazz (23-24)

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NBA Preview: Los Angeles Clippers (23-23) at Utah Jazz (23-24)

With Paul George back in the lineup Tuesday night after missing nearly two weeks due to hamstring issues, the Los Angeles Clippers fielded a starting lineup that had never played together this season.

Injuries have turned Clippers coach Tyronn Lue into a lineup juggler. He will shake up the starting crew again on Wednesday night when Los Angeles visits Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Jazz in a back-to-back scenario.

George started alongside Kawhi Leonard, Terance Mann, Marcus Morris Sr. and Ivica Zubac on Tuesday against the visiting Philadelphia 76ers, but following the Clippers’ 120-110 loss, he said he would not play against the Jazz.

The seven-time All-Star and team officials want to be “smart about it” in terms of his comeback, he said.

George scored 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds in 29 minutes against the 76ers. He has missed 14 games overall this season, including the past five prior to the Tuesday contest, so a gradual return makes sense.

While the Clippers got George back, they were without John Wall. The five-time All-Star sustained an abdominal injury on Friday against the Denver Nuggets and is expected to be out for a minimum of two weeks.

Los Angeles’ Luke Kennard has missed five consecutive games because of a calf ailment and is day-to-day.

The Jazz also are playing short-handed. Utah did, however, manage to pick up a nice win in Minnesota on Monday without leading scorer Lauri Markkanen. The Finnisher, as the 7-foot forward from Finland is being called, has missed two games in a row due to a hip injury. He is listed as questionable for Wednesday.

The Jazz eked out a 126-125 win over the Timberwolves as seven Utah players scored in double figures, including Jordan Clarkson, who had 21 points and the game-winning free throw in the final seconds.

That triumph came after Utah lost 118-117 against the visiting 76ers on Saturday, falling after Joel Embiid scored a game-winning bucket in the waning moments. Embiid scored 30 against Utah before dropping 41 on the Clippers on Tuesday.

To wit, the Jazz lead the NBA in games played in the clutch, a statistic that accounts for games within five points with five minutes or less remaining. Utah is 14-18 in those contests. The Clippers are 12-11 in “clutch” games.

The Wednesday game will be the finale of the season series between the Jazz and Clippers. Utah has a 2-1 edge, having won once on the road and at home.

Los Angeles will begin a road-heavy stretch with the visit to Salt Lake City. The Clippers will play their next four away from home and will be on the road for 10 of their next 11, though one of those away contests is vs. the Los Angeles Lakers.

The schedule is in Utah’s favor, on the other hand. The Jazz will play the next three at home, travel for a one-off in Portland, and then return for five consecutive games on their own court.

NBA Preview: Atlanta Hawks (22-22) at Dallas Mavericks (24-21)

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NBA Preview: Atlanta Hawks (22-22) at Dallas Mavericks (24-21)

Whenever the Dallas Mavericks and Atlanta Hawks play — they meet for the first time this season in Dallas on Wednesday — the discussion always turns to the team’s star players and their connection to one another.

It goes back to 2018, when Atlanta drafted Luka Doncic with the third overall pick and moments later traded him to the Dallas Mavericks for the No. 5 draft pick that turned out to be Trae Young. Since then, the debate inevitably focuses on who got the better end of the deal.

In fact, both players have had great starts to their careers and are in the midst of All-Star seasons.

Doncic, averaging 33.8 points, nine rebounds and 8.8 assists, did not play on Sunday when the Mavericks were beaten 140-123 by Portland. He had a season-low 15 points in 35 minutes on Saturday and was given a day off for the fifth time this season — all second games of back-to-backs.

Young is averaging 27.4 points and 9.8 assists. He had 24 points, eight rebounds and 10 turnovers in Monday’s 121-113 win over Miami.

In six career games against Atlanta, Doncic is averaging 22.7 points, 9.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists. In eight career games against Dallas, Young is averaging 20 points, 3.9 rebounds and 9.4 assists.

Their respective teams are in different situations.

Dallas is working through some injuries and has lost four of its last five games, all of them on the road, including back-to-back losses in Portland. The Mavericks are currently No. 5 in the Western Conference.

Christian Wood averages 18.3 points and 8.4 rebounds for Dallas, but he is dealing with a right ankle sprain that caused him to miss a game. Spencer Dinwiddie averages 16.6 points and former Hawk Tim Hardaway Jr. averages 14 points but is still feeling the effects of a left ankle sprain. Dallas is already missing Josh Green (right elbow sprain), Dorian Finney-Smith (right adductor strain) and Maxi Kleber (right hamstring tear).

Atlanta has won three in a row and is back at the .500 mark for the first time since Dec. 27. With the return of Clint Capela, who missed 10 games with a right thigh injury, the Hawks finally have their entire roster intact. Capela had 12 points and six rebounds in his return.

In the last two games, the Hawks have seen the results they expected after acquiring Dejounte Murray in the offseason. Murray and Young have both scored 20-plus points in each of the last two games. Murray averages 20.4 points and 6.1 assists.

The Hawks also get 15.6 points apiece from Bogdan Bogdanovic and De’Andre Hunter, as well as 13.1 points and 7.8 rebounds from John Collins.

The teams split the two games last season and the Mavs have won the last four meetings in Dallas.

Orlando Pride Signs Midfielder Jordyn Listro to New Contract Ahead of 2023 Season

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Orlando Pride Signs Midfielder Jordyn Listro to New Contract Ahead of 2023 Season

27-year-old returns to Pride for her first full season with the Club

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Pride and midfielder Jordyn Listro have agreed to a new one-year contract, with a Club option for the 2024 season, it was announced today. Listro originally joined the Pride signing a short-year contract for the 2020 Fall Series, before rejoining the Pride in the summer of last year and signing a contract for the entire 2022 season. 

“Jordyn is a player who has roots here in Florida and fights every day to represent the badge and the community,” Head Coach Seb Hines said. “After returning to us last year, she stepped in right away and made an immediate impact on the pitch. She is a player that is always looking to improve, and is willing to do the dirty work in the midfield, which is vital to the type of team we want to be. We couldn’t be happier to have her back in a Pride uniform.”

“I am so excited to be back for another year with the Pride. This is a club I love representing and a city where I feel at home,” Listro said. “You saw a glimpse of what this team is capable of last season and we have a lot to prove this season. I can’t wait to get started.”

Listro is coming off one of her best seasons in the National Women’s Soccer League, setting career highs with 19 appearances and 13 starts while also picking up her first professional assist against the Washington Spirit on May 27, 2022, on a second-half stoppage time goal which helped spark a Pride comeback.

The University of South Florida product set a record for games played with 82 while in school and recorded five assists. As a native of Toronto, Canada, Listro has also represented Canada at the youth and senior levels and earned her senior national debut on Feb. 21, 2022, at Exploria Stadium in the SheBelieves Cup. Listro made her professional debut with Spanish Primera División team UDG Tenerife back in 2017.

TRANSACTION: Orlando Pride signs midfielder Jordyn Listro to a new contract for the 2023 season, with an option for the 2024 season.

Orlando Pride and Defender Celia Agree to Two-Year Contract

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Orlando Pride and Defender Celia Agree to Two-Year Contract

Two-time World Cup veteran rejoins the Pride through 2024 NWSL season

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Pride and defender Celia Jiménez Delgado have agreed to a new two-year contract, signing the player through the 2024 NWSL season, it was announced today. Celia re-signs with the Pride after joining the Club via trade prior to the 2022 season. 

“Celia is a dynamic and technical player that provides us with both a defensive presence and  attacking threat on the right side. With her international experience, she has a veteran impact both on and off the field, and is a great part of creating our positive locker room culture,” Head Coach Seb Hines said. “She is intelligent when she defends and takes her opportunities when she gets forward, which is all you can ask for from a defender. We are excited she will return to the Pride, where she can continue to grow as a player and a leader in this organization.”

“I’m excited for this 2023 season to begin. Our team has the talent and the grit to be within the top teams,” Celia said. “I’m looking forward to building a solid winning culture and enjoying the unity of the team.”

Celia is coming off a productive 2022 season for the Pride backline, appearing in 18 games and making 17 starts during the regular season. She found the back of the net twice for the Pride during the regular season, both of which came while the Pride were away from home. Her first was scored in a 2-2 draw at Kansas City after she beat her defender to the spot and headed the ball past the goalkeeper. The latter came in a 2-1 win against NJ/NY Gotham, putting the Pride up 1-0 just minutes into the second half.

The 27-year-old has 55 appearances across all competitions in the NWSL, with 22 of them coming while representing the Pride. Celia was originally selected with the 36th-overall pick in the 2018 NWSL College Draft by the Seattle Reign and has also spent spells at Sweden’s FC Rosengård, Australia’s Perth Glory and France’s Olympique Lyon. 

The Spanish international has appeared 23 times for the Spanish National Team and was selected to Spain’s 2015 and 2019 World Cup rosters. In the 2015 World Cup, Celia started all three of the nation’s matches, in which she was the youngest player on the roster. She was also a part of the Spain team that won the 2018 Cyprus Women’s Cup. 

TRANSACTION: Orlando Pride signs defender Celia Jiménez Delgado to a two-year contract through the 2024 season.

Lynx Forward Maya Moore Announces Her Retirement From The WNBA

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Lynx Forward Maya Moore Announces Her Retirement From The WNBA

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – Minnesota Lynx forward Maya Moore this morning announced her official retirement from the WNBA on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” effective immediately.

“I am extremely thankful for the opportunities that the WNBA, the Minnesota Lynx and basketball have given me in my lifetime,” said Moore. “It was a dream come true for me to play basketball at the highest level and help build the foundation for women’s basketball. Ever since I was drafted in 2011, the state of Minnesota, Lynx organization and fan base welcomed me with open arms and supported me throughout my entire career. I will forever be grateful for Glen Taylor, Coach Reeve and the Lynx community for all of the support and am excited to continue this next chapter in my life.”

A four-time WNBA champion , Moore finishes her career as the Lynx franchise leader in scoring average (18.4), three-point field goals made (530) and steals (449) and finished second in total points scored (4,984), field goals made (1,782), assists (896) and blocks (176). Additionally, Moore holds the single-season franchise record for points (812, 2014) and scoring average (23.9, 2014). Moore was drafted by Minnesota No.1 overall in the 2011 WNBA Draft and appeared in 271 games (all starts) and averaged 18.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game.

The Jefferson City, Mo., native will retire with an impressive résumé that includes 2011 Rookie of the Year, eight-consecutive playoff appearances, six WNBA Finals appearances, four WNBA championships (including one Finals MVP), six All-Star appearances (three All-Star MVPs) and Olympic gold medals with Team USA in 2012 and 2016. After the 2014 season, Moore was named league MVP finishing the season with a career-high 812 points (23.9 ppg), connecting on 295-of-613 from the field (48.1%), a career best 276 rebounds, 116 assists and 64 steals in 34 games played.

Moore is one of two players (Diana Taurasi) to tally at least three games scoring 40+ points in the regular season and the only player in WNBA history to have at least four 40+ scoring performances in both the regular season and playoffs throughout their career. In 2016, she was named to the WNBA’s Top 20@20 Team, honoring the league’s best 20 players as part of its 20th anniversary celebration. When the WNBA celebrated their 25th anniversary, Moore was selected to The W25, a collection of the 25 greatest and most influential players in WNBA history.

“Maya Moore has forever left a mark on the state of Minnesota, the Minnesota Lynx franchise and the hearts of Lynx fans everywhere,” said Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx owner Glen Taylor. “Maya’s accolades are numerous; her leadership and talent both fearless and inspirational set the foundation for the most exciting and historic championship run in the league from 2011-2017. While today culminates Maya’s basketball career, there is no doubt she will continue to impact the game we all love. We wish Maya all the best and will root for her always.”

Moore joined the Lynx after a storied career at the University of Connecticut, that saw her reach milestones never seen before in the women’s collegiate game. Moore entered the WNBA as the only three-time Wade Trophy winner (2009, 2010, 2011) in NCAA history. She also won the John R. Wooden and Naismith Awards twice (2009, 2011), and became only the second player in NCAA history to achieve four-time All-America status. A three-time Big East Player of the Year, Moore became the first player – male or female – to capture the Big East Player of the Year honors as a freshman (2007-08).

Moore finished her four-year collegiate career with a win/loss record of 150-4, which includes two National Championships (2009, 2010). The 150 wins represent the most over a single career in NCAA basketball history – male or female. Moore appeared in as many NCAA Final Fours (four) over her career as she had total losses (four) and finished with an unblemished 81-0 at home. Moore captained the Huskies to an NCAA-record 90-game winning streak that spanned over two seasons before being snapped by Stanford on Dec. 30, 2010.

“On behalf of the Minnesota Lynx organization, I want to congratulate Maya on an incredible basketball career,” said Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations Cheryl Reeve. “We will always cherish her time in a Lynx uniform and we wish her the best as she continues to pursue this next chapter of her life.”

Over her eight-year WNBA career, Moore appeared in 271 regular season games (all starts) and averaged 18.4 ppg (45.3% shooting), 5.9 rpg and 3.3 apg. Moore holds the highest winning percentage of any player in Lynx history at 73.8% (min. 100 regular season games played) with an impressive 200-71 record and is one of just three players in franchise history to mark 200 regular season wins, joining Seimone Augustus (225) and Lindsay Whalen (201).

Moore appeared in 56 postseason contests, posting averages of 19.2 ppg (on 46.6% shooting), 6.0 rpg and 3.2 apg. Throughout her postseason career, Moore holds a 40-16 record joining a four-way tie with Rebekkah Brunson (40-15), Whalen (40-16) and Augustus (40-17) for most postseason wins in Lynx history.

MBB-FBS: USC Trojans (13-5) at Arizona State Sun Devils (15-3)

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MBB-FBS: USC Trojans (13-5) at Arizona State Sun Devils (15-3)

TONIGHT’S GAME — The USC Trojans (13-5, 5-2) will play the Arizona Wildcats (15-3, 4-3) at the McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on Jan. 19 at 6:00 p.m. PT. The game will air on the Pac-12 Network with Roxy Bernstein and Bill Walton calling the action. USC has started 5-2 through its first seven Pac-12 games for the sixth consecutive season. USC has started 6-2 in Pac-12 play in fi ve of the last six seasons.

USC’S STELLAR STRETCH — USC won a school-record 73 games over the last three seasons (22 in 2020, 25 in 2021 and 26 in 2022). The previous school record for wins in three consecutive seasons was 71 (2016-18). The three consecutive seasons of 20+ wins also equals the school record for most consecutive 20-win seasons set from 2016-18.

WINNING WAYS — USC’s 73 total wins the previous three seasons tied for the third most among all Power 6 basketball programs, trailing only the last two NCAA champions Kansas (83) and Baylor (81). Also, USC’s 160 wins the previous seven seasons ranked 13th among all Power 6 conference teams.

ENFIELD LEADING THE WAY — USC head coach Andy Enfield is in his 10th season at USC and has compiled an 196-123 record. His wins total ranks fourth on USC’s all-time wins list, trailing only Sam Barry (260), Forrest Twogood (251) and Bob Boyd (216). Including his two seasons as the head coach at FGCU (2012-13), Enfi eld has compiled a 237-151 record.

FACING No. 11 ARIZONA — The No. 11 Arizona Wildcats (15-3, 4-3) are coming off an 87-68 loss at Oregon on Jan. 14, but are 9-2 in their last 11 games, same at the Trojans in that stretch. Arizona is 9-1 at home this season and is 145-17 at home the last 10 seasons. Junior forward Azuolas Tubelis leads Arizona with a 20.4 scoring average and is second on the team with a 9.0 rebounds per game average. Arizona has outrebounded its opponents by over 8 rebounds per game. USC lost both games to Arizona last season and has lost its last three games to the Wildcats. USC last win over Arizona was an 87-73 victory at the McKale Center on Jan. 7, 2021, which snapped USC’s 10-game losing streak at Arizona. USC trails 45-71* in the all-time series (*1 USC win and 1 Arizona win later vacated due to NCAA penalty, original record 46-72).

ARIZONA STATE ON DECK — USC’s next game will be at Arizona State (15-3, 6-1) in Tempe, Ariz. on Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. PT. Desmond Cambridge Jr. and D.J. Horne are leading Arizona State with 12.1 scoring averages. The Sun Devils have won 13 of their last 15 games, including four straight. Arizona State is coming off a 74-69 win at Oregon State on Jan. 14 and will host UCLA on Jan. 19 before facing USC. USC has won its last fi ve games against Arizona State and leads the all-time series 59-42* (2 wins later vacated by NCAA penalty, original record 61-42). Six of the last 10 games between USC and Arizona State have been decided by 5 points or less.

PRIME TIME TROJANS — USC is 9-0 this season when the tip is set for 7 p.m. or later.

IT STARTS WITH DEFENSE — USC held California to 27.7 shooting on Nov. 30, the lowest by an opponent since holding Stanford to a 25.4 shooting percentage on March 3, 2021. USC allowed Washington State to make a 2022-23 opponent high 49.1 percent of its shots on Jan. 1, but has held 3 of its last 5 opponents to under 35 percent shooting. USC has held 11 of its 18 opponents this season to under 40 percent shooting. USC is holding its opponents to a 38.0 shooting percentage this season, 10th in the country. Over the last four seasons, USC’s defense has held the opposition to 38.7 FG percentage, 3rd in the country.

THE TOP STACK IN THE PAC — USC is tied for second in conference regular season wins among Pac-12 teams for the past six seasons (since the 2017-18 season). USC is 65-36, as is Arizona, while UCLA is 67-33 in that stretch, through games of Jan. 15. Next up would be Oregon at 62-35 and Colorado at 57-42.

ENJOYING THE HOME COOKING — USC is 9-1 at the Galen Center this season, losing the opener to FGCU on Nov. 7, then winning the next 9 games. The 9-game home winning streak is USC’s longest single-season home winning streak since beginning the 2016-17 season 9-0 at the Galen Center.

USC HOSTING A BLOCK PARTY — USC has 105 blocks this season, led by Joshua Morgan’s 48 blocks. USC is averaging 5.8 blocks per game, 11th in the country. Morgan’s 48 blocks this season lead the conference and rank 9th in the country. Morgan had 7 blocks vs. FGCU on Nov. 7 which tied him for fi fth on USC’s all-time single game blocks list. He matched that total with 7 blocks at Cal on Nov. 30. USC as a team has registered 576 blocks over the last four seasons which ranks 6th nationally.

PETERSON PROVIDING THE ASSIST — Guard Drew Peterson leads USC and is third among Pac-12 players with 89 assists. Peterson is one of two players nationally (Jalen Pickett of Penn State) averaging at least 13.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game this season. Peterson is averaging 13.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game.

JEKYLL & HYDE FROM WAY OUTSIDE — USC made 43.8 percent of its 3-pointers vs. Utah on Jan. 14, its fifth game this season making at least 43 percent from 3-point range. In those five games USC has made 46.2 percent of its 3-pointers (49-for-106), while it has averaged 24.6 percent from beyond the arc in the other 13 games (52-for-211).

MBB-FBS: Abilene Christian Wildcats (9-9) at Utah Valley Wolverines (14-5)

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Utah Valley continues WAC play at home on Wednesday against Abilene Christian. Tip off at the UCCU Center is set for 6 p.m.

Aziz Bandaogo came up just short of a triple double with a career-high 23 points, 13 rebounds, and a career-best seven assists to lead Utah Valley in an 85-80 setback to Seattle U on Saturday night at the UCCU Center. The loss is the first setback for the Wolverines since falling at Boise State on Nov. 26.

With its loss to Seattle U on Saturday night, Utah Valley’s win streak was snapped at 11 games. It was tied for the fourth-longest win streak in the nation. The 11-game streak began with an 88-78 win over Long Beach State on Dec. 3 and came to an end in an 85-80 loss to Seattle U on Jan. 14. UVU’s 11-game streak was the second longest win streak in school history. The 2011-12 team holds the longest streak in team history at 13 games.

Utah Valley’s six straight road wins is tied for the longest road win streak in the nation. The Wolverines have not lost a road game since falling at Boise State on Nov. 26. UVU’s six-game road win streak includes wins at BYU, Northern Arizona, Oregon, UT Arlington, UTRGV, and California Baptist.

With its 77-72 win at Oregon on Dec. 20, Utah Valley became one of four WAC teams to pick up a win over a team from a Power 5 Conference. Utah Valley (Oregon) joins Sam Houston (Oklahoma, Utah), California Baptist (Washington), and Tarleton (Boston College) to pick up wins over teams from a Power 5 league.

Utah Valley is the top shot blocking team in the nation at 6.6 blocks per game. The Wolverines sit ahead of Illinois (6.3 bpg.), Iona (6.2 bpg.), and Washington (6.2 bpg.)

Aziz Bandaogo ranks in the top-15 nationally in six statistical categories. He ranks third in blocks (53), fifth in rebounds (198), sixth in blocks per game (2.79), eighth in double doubles (9), ninth in rebounds per game (10.4), and 11th in defensive rebounds per game (7.58).

Le’Tre Darthard knocked down his 100th career three-pointer on Jan. 5 at UT Arlington. He now ranks ninth all-time at UVU with 109 career made threes. Darthard ranks fourth all-time at UVU with a 40.4 percent clip from long range. He also ranks fifth all-time at UVU with an 83.9 percent career mark from the free throw line.

BROADCAST INFORMATION
Wednesday night’s game against Abilene Christian will be broadcast live on the ESPN+, which is available on the ESPN+ app and at ESPNplus.com. Brandon Crow and Josh Kallunki will be on the call. The game will also be broadcast over the Utah County airwaves on ESPN 960 AM with Jim McCulloch on the call.

ABOUT ABILENE CHRISTIAN
Abilene Christian enters Wednesday’s game with a 9-9 overall record and a 1-4 mark in WAC play. The Wildcats have dropped three straight, including a 72-63 setback at Tarleton on Saturday night. ACU forces a lot of turnovers, ranking seventh nationally at 18.94 turnovers forced per game and 16th in the country in steals at 9.6 a game. The team gets a lot of production from its bench as the Wildcats rank 13th nationally in bench points per game at 30.72. Senior forward Joe Pleasant recorded his first double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds in Saturday’s loss at Tarleton. Redshirt senior guard Immanuel Allen and sophomore guard Ali Abdou Dibba led ACU with 14 points apiece at Tarleton. Allen leads the team in scoring this season at 11.9 points a game, while Tobias Cameron also averages double digits at 10.7 points a contest. Cameron leads the team on the boards, pulling down 4.8 rebounds a game. As a team, ACU averages 76.5 points per game while limiting opponents to a 67.8 points per game average.

SERIES HISTORY VS. THE WILDCATS
Utah Valley and Abilene Christian will meet for just the third time on the basketball hardwood. The two teams first met last season with ACU taking an 80-76 win in Orem on Dec. 30, 2021 in UVU’s WAC opener last season. ACU then defeated UVU in the second round of the 2022 WAC Tournament in Las Vegas, 82-74.

NATIONAL BLOCKS LEADER
As of Jan. 17, Utah Valley now leads the nation in both total blocks and blocks per game. The Wolverines lead the country with 126 blocks and lead the nation in blocks per game at 6.6. Illinois is second in the country at 6.3 blocks per game.

UTAH VALLEY HOLDS NATION’S LONGEST ROAD WIN STREAK IN THE COUNTRY
Utah Valley’s six straight road wins is tied for the longest road win streak in the nation. The Wolverines have not lost a road game since falling at Boise State on Nov. 26. UVU’s six-game road win streak includes wins at BYU, Northern Arizona, Oregon, UT Arlington, UTRGV, and California Baptist.

UTAH VALLEY HELD NATION’S FOURTH-LONGEST WIN STREAK IN THE NATION, SECOND-LONGEST IN SCHOOL HISTORY
With its loss to Seattle U on Saturday night, Utah Valley’s win streak was snapped at 11 games. It was tied for the fourth-longest win streak in the nation. The 11-game streak began with an 88-78 win over Long Beach State on Dec. 3 and came to an end in an 85-80 loss to Seattle U on Jan. 14. UVU’s 11-game streak was the second longest win streak in school history. The 2011-12 team holds the longest streak in team history at 13 games.

UTAH VALLEY HOLDS SECOND-BEST NCAA NET RATING IN THE WAC
As of Jan. 17, Utah Valley holds the second-best NCAA NET ranking in the Western Athletic Conference at No. 82. The Wolverines are second behind Sam Houston at No. 47. Grand Canyon is third (99), followed by Seattle U (114), Southern Utah (118), Stephen F. Austin (138), Tarleton (157), California Baptist (167), New Mexico State (177), Utah Tech (196), Abilene Christian (238), UTRGV (261), and UT Arlington (284).

UTAH VALLEY SITS ATOP WAC RESUME SEEDING SYSTEM
As of Jan. 17, Utah Valley leads the WAC in the latest WAC resume seeding system standings. The WAC will be seeding its teams at the WAC Tournament based on an algorithm that will rate performance against all teams faced in the regular season, not just conference play, that will rank teams for the conference postseason tournament. Using this resume seeding system, teams will receive more credit by playing stronger opponents than if they play weaker opponents. WAC Commissioner Brian Thornton and WAC Associate Commissioner of Basketball Drew Speraw worked with Ken Pomeroy of kenpom.com to put together this formula.

MBB-D3: Hampden-Sydney Tigers (12-4) at Randolph Wildcats (5-12)

NCAABB Editor
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Hampden-Sydney College plays on the road at Randolph College in Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) basketball action on Wednesday night, January 18, at 7:30 p.m. in Lynchburg. H-SC has won three-straight and 10 of its last 11 games, and is 12-4 overall, 7-1 in the ODAC, while Randolph has lost two-straight and 10 of its last 12 games and is 5-12 overall, 1-6 in the ODAC. The game will be available to watch via WildCats All-Access.

Head Coach Caleb Kimbrough
H-SC is led by the fourth-year head coach who took over the program on April 4, 2019. The former head coach at Huntingdon (AL) College from 2016-19, Kimbrough is the 19th head coach in the 113-year history of the storied Hampden-Sydney program. He is no stranger to the ODAC, having played four years at Guilford (NC) College and coached six years with the Quakers, and one year at Washington and Lee University. Caleb is 42-32 overall at the College, including 24-20 in ODAC games.

Scouting Hampden-Sydney
The Tigers, getting votes (36) in this week’s D3hoops.com Top 25, won their most recent game vs. conference member Bridgewater, 80-63, on Jan. 14 in S. Douglas Fleet Gymnasium. H-SC had four players averaging in double-figure scoring among its five starters that are each scoring at least 8.8 points per game. The Tigers are led by junior forward Davidson Hubbard (Charlotte, NC) with his 13.0 points and 7.3 rebounds, followed by senior guard Ryan Clements (Conyers, GA) (12.5 points, 4.6 rebounds), junior guard and team captain Adam Brazil (Mooresville, NC) (10.1 points, 3.6 assists, 29 3FGs), junior guard DJ Wright (Greensboro, GA) (10.0 points, 24 3FGs) and junior guard/forward Josiah Hardy (Ashburn) (8.8 points, 5.8 rebounds). H-SC is shooting 47% (472-1015) from the field, including 36% (135-377) on three-point field goals, and 73% (178-244) at the free throw line. The Tigers average 78.6 points, and allow 66.5 points, for a +12.1 scoring margin.

Scouting Randolph
The WildCats are coached by seventh-year head coach Pete Hamilton. Randolph lost its most recent game at Bridgewater, 73-71, on Jan. 11. The WildCats are led by senior guard Danny Bickey who is averaging 18.2 points with 44 three-pointers, followed by junior guard Jordan Phillips-McLoyd (14.6 points, 44 3FGs) and fifth-year guard Jerry Goodman (11.2 points, 21 3FGs). Randolph shoots 43% (464-1088) from the field, including 35% (127-364) on three-pointers, and 74% (209-281) at the line; scoring 74.4 points, and yielding 80.4 points, for a -6.0 scoring margin.

Series History
H-SC leads the all-time series between the two schools, 10-7. The Tigers have won two-straight and three of four in the series, including the most recent, 73-72, on Jan. 12, 2022 in Fleet Gym. Randolph won the first-ever contest between the two schools, 57-49, on Jan. 28, 2009 in Lynchburg, as current WildCat head coach Pete Hamilton scored a game-high 20 points, including 5-8 three-pointers, also Randolph’s first-ever ODAC victory in men’s basketball.

Double-Double?
Davidson Hubbard has posted five double-doubles this season. He scored 12 points, adding 10 rebounds at Greensboro (NC) on Nov. 8. Hubbard had game-highs of 21 points and 10 rebounds versus Alvernia (PA) on Nov. 11. He equaled his career-high with 22 points, adding a season-high 11 rebounds at Mary Washington on Nov. 22. Hubbard had 10 points and a game-high 11 rebounds at Lynchburg on Dec. 3. He had a game-high 18 points, adding 13 rebounds versus Bridgewater on Jan. 14. Davidson now has eight career double-doubles, and has scored in double figures in 12 of 16 games this season.

Chasing 1,000 Career Points
Ryan Clements is seeking to become the first Tiger to surpass the magical 1,000 career point plateau since 2016 (Mike Murray, 1,178). He entered this season with 767 career points in 58 career games, needing to average approximately nine points per game. Clements’ career scoring average through three seasons is 13.2, and he is currently averaging 12.5 points through 16 games and now totals 967 career points. Ryan has scored in double figures in 13 of 16 games this season, and would become the 44th 1,000-point scorer at H-SC.

Up Next
H-SC will remain on the road for a non-conference game at Salisbury (MD) University on Saturday, Jan. 21, at 1 p.m. in Salisbury, Maryland. The Tigers return home for big contest against nationally-ranked No. 17 Guilford (NC) College on Wednesday night, Jan. 25, at 7 p.m. in Fleet Gym.

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