Month: December 2024

ASU basketball drops Big 12 opener on road to BYU

PROVO, Utah (AP) — Richie Saunders scored a career-high 30 points and BYU cruised to a 76-56 victory over ASU basketball on Tuesday’s Big 12 Conference opener.

BJ Freeman had 11 points to lead the Sun Devils (9-3), who as a team shot 36.8% from the field and 20.7% from beyond the arc. Freeman was the only player on the team to score in double figures.

Saunders made 11 of 18 shots with a career-best six 3-pointers and 2 of 3 free throws for the Cougars (10-2), who have won four in a row. He is the first BYU player to score 30 since Alex Barcello had 33 nearly three years ago.

Kanon Catchings buried three from 3-point range and scored 11 for BYU. Keba Keita had nine points and 10 rebounds.

Saunders made three 3-pointers and scored 13 to help BYU take a 31-26 advantage into halftime. He scored eight as the Cougars jumped out to an 11-2 lead and his 3-pointer off a fast break gave them an 18-4 advantage in the first 8:19. Arizona State shot just 32.3% and missed 13 of 15 from 3-point range at the intermission.

Saunders hit a 3-pointer and Keita had baskets at both ends of a 9-0 run as BYU upped its lead to 12 in the first three minutes of the second half. The Cougars led by double digits from there.

ASU cut the deficit to 59-45 with 7:42 remaining after an Amier Ali dunk, but technical fouls called on Ali and head coach Bobby Hurley allowed BYU to break the game open further. ASU was down 65-45 when it got the ball back.

Arizona State will host Colorado on Saturday.



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GCU beats Bryant behind career night from Makaih Williams

PHOENIX (AP) — Makaih Williams scored a career-high 31 points on 9-for-16 shooting to propel GCU past Bryant 112-66 on Monday night.

His 25 points in the first half were the most for a Grand Canyon player since 2019, and the 31 points is the most by a ‘Lope this season. The career night also came without a turnover and after an 0-for-8 performance in the win over San Diego.

“I haven’t been playing my best recently, but … I just went out there and played, my teammates trusted me and I just kept going,” Williams said postgame. “After I seen that (first 3) go in, I knew it was gonna be a good game.”

After it was 13-11 ‘Lopes through about 7:15, GCU broke off a 31-2 run and finished the half up 61-23. The ‘Lopes cruised the rest of the way, winning the second half 51-43.

Williams added six rebounds and five steals for the Antelopes (10-4). Lok Wur scored 14 points while shooting 5 for 11, including 3 for 5 from beyond the arc and added eight rebounds. Rayshon Harrison had 13 points.

Earl Timberlake led the way for the Bulldogs (6-9) with 16 points and three blocks. Barry Evans added 14 points and 10 rebounds. Jakai Robinson had 10 points.

“We’re still figuring out who we are. I thought we had stretches out there that we just looked fantastic and then there’s some other stretches that, you know, the ball doesn’t look as smooth moving out there. It’s definitely a work in progress,” coach Bryce Drew said postgame of where the ‘Lopes stand after the 10-4 nonconference schedule.

GCU starts WAC play on Saturday against preseason last-place Southern Utah at 6 p.m. on FOX 10 Xtra and ESPN+.

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Caleb Love scorches TCU, Arizona Wildcats win Big 12 debut

Caleb Love dropped a season-high 33 points, as the Arizona men’s basketball program earned a 90-81 win over TCU in its first Big 12 game on Monday.

Love knocked down five triples at McKale Center, shooting 11-for-17 from the floor and 5-for-11 from deep for the Wildcats (7-5, 1-0).

The 2023-24 Pac-12 Player of the Year has eclipsed 20 points for the third straight game (all wins), heating up after a tough shooting stretch in non-conference play. He added seven assists and seven rebounds without a single turnover in the victory.

As a team, the Wildcats shot 57% from the field compared to TCU’s 46% and had 28 assists to only seven turnovers. Big man Henri Veesaar provided 15 points and six rebounds off the bench, while Jaden Bradley delivered eight points and a team-high eight assists.

Arizona led by 14 points in the first half, but TCU cut the deficit to one possession multiple times during the second half.

Up 58-55 with just over 12 minutes left, Love hit 3-pointers on three straight Wildcats possessions. TCU did not go away, but the hot streak kept the Horned Frogs at arm’s length.

The Horned Frogs (7-5, 0-1) never took the lead in Monday’s game.

The Wildcats earned their first win over a Power 4 school this season, and their Big 12 slate continues Saturday at Cincinnati.



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NFL announces kickoff time for 49ers, Cardinals in Week 18

The Arizona Cardinals will host the San Francisco 49ers at 2:25 p.m. MST Sunday at State Farm Stadium for each team’s season finale, the NFL announced.

The game between NFC West foes will air on FOX.

Both teams have been eliminated from the playoff picture, but the game will be a fight for better optics heading into next season.

The 10-6 Los Angeles Rams secured the division title Sunday after defeating the Cardinals 13-9 a day prior. The NFC West’s second-place team, the Seattle Seahawks, have been eliminated from postseason contention at 9-7.

San Francisco (6-9) has yet to play its second-to-last game with a Monday Night Football meeting against the Detroit Lions leading into the matchup in Arizona.

The Cardinals (7-9) began the year 6-4 but since a Week 11 bye have gone 1-5.

Here’s a peek at the full Week 18 NFL schedule.

Week 18 NFL schedule features afternoon 49ers-Cardinals kickoff time (MST)

Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025

Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens, 2:30 p.m. ET (ESPN/ABC)
Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers, 6 p.m. ET (ESPN/ABC)

Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025

Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons, 11 a.m. (CBS)
Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys, 11 a.m. (FOX)
Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers, 11 a.m. (FOX)
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts, 11 a.m. (FOX)
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots, 11 a.m. (CBS)
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles, 11 a.m. (CBS)
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 11 a.m. (FOX)
Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans, 11 a.m. (CBS)
San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals, 2:25 p.m. (FOX)
Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos, 2:25 p.m. (CBS)
Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders, 2:25 p.m. (CBS)
Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams, 2:25 p.m. (FOX)
Miami Dolphins at New York Jets, 2:25 p.m. (FOX)
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions, 6:20 p.m. (NBC)



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Simmons confident Montana Warren can step up in 1st start

Arizona State starting nickel Shamari Simmons had plenty of confidence in freshman Montana Warren to play in his place in the Peach Bowl during a press conference on Friday.

Simmons, who is is set to miss the first half of the Peach Bowl on New Years due to a targeting call in the Big 12 Championship game, expressed his support for Warren despite him only playing just 52 defensive snaps this season.

“Montana Warren is going to play my spot and I just know I’m fully confident in him,” Simmons said. “He hasn’t gotten that many snaps this season, but I just know his work ethic and the way he just prepares for the game, I know he’s gonna have a great game and I’m just here for him.”

Simmons said the team’s next-man-up mindset has prepared them for any adversity the team has faced throughout the year.

“Our motto has always been next man up,” Simmons said. “Montana has been working hard all year long. I’m here to support him and answer any questions he has. I’m Montana Warren’s number one fan. He’s very talented and he’s gonna be perfectly fine.”

Simmons isn’t the only one confident in Warren with ASU defensive coordinator Brian Ward also assured in the freshman’s ability to step up in Simmons’ absence. Ward said on Friday that Warren brings something different as a nickel when he is on the field.

“Our nickel position schematically is one of our more simpler positions and Montana actually brings some strengths to that position that maybe Shamari didn’t possess,” Ward said.

“Shamari obviously brings his own strengths and savviness and greatness and experience, whereas Montana is one of our best athletes on our team. So we think having him there, we’re going to be able to do some different things with him there.”

What should Montana Warren, ASU expect from Texas’ offense?

ASU’s defense will be tasked with with stopping Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers and a Texas offense that ranks 15th in the nation, averaging 33.2 point per game this season.

Quarterback Quinn Ewers has led the way for the Longhorns, passing for 2,867 yards and 26 touchdowns in nine games this season. Texas’s offense also has seen freshman quarterback Arch Manning play in relief of Ewers. In nine games, Manning has thrown for 939 yards and nine touchdowns.

Ward said ASU’s defense is game planning for both quarterbacks in their preparation for the Peach Bowl.

The secondary will also be tasked with stopping junior receiver Matthew Golden, who led the Longhorns in touchdowns (8) and receiving yards (787) in 2024.

Isaiah Bond could potentially be another threat for ASU to look out for if he suits up as the junior has been dealing with an ankle injury. Bond caught 33 passes for 532 yards and scored six touchdowns for the Longhorns in 2024.

Tight end Gunnar Helm will be another top target to watch with the senior catching 55 passes for 688 yards and scoring six touchdowns in 2024. Helm led the way in receiving against Clemson, catching six passes for 77 yards and scoring a touchdown.

ASU and Texas square off in the Peach Bowl at 11 a.m. MST on Wednesday. Listen to coverage on 98.7, the Arizona Sports app or online, with pregame coverage beginning at 8 a.m., or catch the broadcast on ESPN.



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James Conner active for Cardinals-Rams

Arizona Cardinals fans and fantasy football managers, rejoice! Veteran running back James Conner is officially active for his team’s Week 17 game against the Los Angeles Rams.

The veteran entered the matchup as questionable after practicing in a limited fashion due to a knee injury suffered in last week’s overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers.

It’s unclear if Conner will have his typical workload or be pulled back a bit due to the knee issue.

In his eighth season as a pro, the running back has already set a new career best in rushing yards with 1,090 to go along with eight touchdowns on 232 attempts. He’s also caught 45 balls (52 targets) for 410 yards and a score.

He was an absolute problem for L.A. in Week 2, ripping off 122 yards and a score on 21 carries.

Conner’s production on the field and impact off of it were major reasons why general manager Monti Ossenfort inked a two-year contract extension with the team captain.

Along with Conner, offensive lineman Evan Brown (neck) and pass rusher Baron Browning (neck) are active.

James Conner in, Trey Benson out

While the veteran is getting the green light for Saturday’s matchup, the same can’t be said for rookie running back Trey Benson.

Benson was questionable heading into the tilt due to an ankle injury. He was a limited participant throughout the week of practice.

Year 1 has had its up and downs for the rookie, who has 291 yards and one touchdown on 63 carries. He’s chipped in another 59 yards on six receptions (six targets).

Arizona will likely turn to Michael Carter, who was elevated from the practice squad ahead of Saturday’s game, to pick up the slack with Benson sidelined. Carter ran for 18 yards on five carries last week in what was his first action all year.

Arizona also has running back DeeJay Dallas as an option. The special teams ace caught a one-yard pass for a touchdown last week. He’s up to eight attempts for 27 rushing yards and the one catch on the year.

In addition to Benson, wide receiver Xavier Weaver, tight end Travis Vokolek, safety Jammie Robinson and linebackers Benton Whitley and Milo Eifler are inactive for Sunday’s game.

They join safety Joey Blount (ribs), cornerback Elijah Jones (ankle) and kicker Matt Prater (left knee), all of whom were ruled out this past Thursday.

Who’s out for L.A.?

Starting right tackle Rob Havenstein is officially inactive for Sunday night’s game.

The same goes for quarterback Stetson Bennett, wide receiver Tyler Johnson, running back Cody Schrader and offensive lineman Dylan McMahon.

The Cardinals take on the Rams at 6 p.m. on the Arizona Sports app, 98.7 and ArizonaSports.com.



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Corbin Burnes signing sends shockwaves throughout MLB

Was the top arm in free agency on your Christmas wish list, Diamondbacks fans? It probably was, but those wishes likely didn’t come with realistic expectations.

But sometimes, miracles do come true.

The Arizona Diamondbacks and right-handed starting pitcher Corbin Burnes on Friday evening agreed to a six-year contract worth $210 million over six years, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman first reported. The deal has a reported opt-out after 2026.

The deal — though not yet official — will involve a significant amount of deferred money, with Burnes making more money the last four years of his contract if he chooses to stay with the team, according to Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro.

Well, who could’ve seen this coming?

It’s the largest contract in Diamondbacks history — beating out Zack Greinke’s $206.5 million — and gives the Diamondbacks stability at the top of the rotation for years to come.

Burnes struck out 181 hitters in 194.1 innings pitched along with a 2.92 ERA with the Baltimore Orioles last season. He’s finished in the top 10 of Cy Young voting in five of his seven MLB seasons.

ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle graded the signing a B+, noting the Diamondbacks are taking a gamble with how the contract is structured. He used Blake Snell as an example, where the southpaw after one season opted out of his two-year, $62 million contract with the San Francisco Giants to sign a five-year, $182 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

But in the end, he credits Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen for going out and getting the best player left in free agency, giving them a real shot at competing among some of the game’s top squads.

In a loaded, top-heavy National League, teams that aren’t eligible to win the NL Central have to be aggressive. The Dodgers, Braves, Mets and Phillies are overwhelming favorites to land four of the five non-Central playoff slots, leaving the D-backs, Padres and Giants most likely vying for the last slot.

With this move, the Diamondbacks become the favorites to get that spot, although Arizona still has work to do on its bullpen. With this rotation, backed by an elite, athletic offense and top-flight defense, Arizona is poised to stand tall even in a league full of behemoths.

Corbin Burnes shocks fanbases around MLB

The 30-year-old former Cy Young winner was certainly sought after by numerous teams.

One of those being the San Francisco Giants, who had been linked to Burnes all offseason and made their pursuit well known. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported that the Giants and Toronto Blue Jays offered more money but Burnes — who’s a Scottsdale resident — chose Arizona due to its lighter taxes.

The Baltimore Orioles also made an aggressive run to re-sign Burnes, but were unsuccessful.

But this means the NL West-rival Giants missed out once again on a top free agent, sending its fanbase — as well as much of MLB — into array.

In addition to Burnes, other free agents who were linked to the Giants in past years but signed elsewhere include: Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, Carlos Correa and Shohei Ohtani.

Some reactions from around the league:

Diamondbacks fans rejoice

On the other hand, it’s celebration time in Arizona.

Nearly a week after acquiring first baseman Josh Naylor from the Cleveland Guardians, the Diamondbacks signed the top arm in free agency.

In a competitive NL West division and after narrowly missing the postseason with an 89-73 record in 2024, the Diamondbacks enter 2025 with impressive pitching depth, including Burnes, Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez, Brandon Pfaadt, Jordan Montgomery and Ryne Nelson. The team has received trade inquiries for each of their starting pitchers.

It’d be fair to expect more moves as the offseason progresses, but for now, rejoice, Diamondbacks fans.

Here are some reactions from those around the Valley:



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Diamondbacks to sign ace starter Corbin Burnes

The Arizona Diamondbacks and ace right-handed starting pitcher Corbin Burnes have agreed to a six-year contract, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman first reported on Friday night.

The surprising deal is worth a reported $210 million, the largest contract in franchise history, beating out Zack Greinke’s $206.5 million. The deal has a reported opt-out after 2026 and is not yet official.

Burnes won the 2021 National League Cy Young for the Milwaukee Brewers after winning the ERA title at 2.43 and has been an All-Star in each of the past four seasons.

Last year with the Baltimore Orioles, he produced a 2.92 ERA in 32 starts with 181 strikeouts and 48 walks in 194.1 innings pitched. In seven MLB seasons, the 30-year-old owns a 3.19 ERA and has finished in the top 10 of the Cy Young voting five times. His 2.88 ERA since the start of 2020 is second lowest in MLB behind only Max Fried.

And he has been dependable, having surpassed 193 innings pitched for three straight years. Aaron Nola is the only other pitcher in MLB to do so.

Burnes has a deep arsenal, throwing mostly cutters, curveballs, changeups and sliders last year with sweepers and sinkers mixed in, according to Statcast. His slider produced a 46.3% whiff rate. His sinker averaged 97 mph in 2024.

USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported the San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays offered Burnes bigger contracts. He lives in Scottsdale during the offseasons.

Burnes joins a D-backs rotation headlined by Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, who are entering the final season on their respective contracts.

Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodriguez, Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson make up the starting pitching depth on the roster, as the D-backs have a surplus to potentially trade from. The D-backs have reportedly shopped Montgomery and his $22.5 million contract for 2025, but they have received trade calls for each of their starting pitchers.

With this move, Arizona has added a star pitcher to a deep group for next season and created stability at the top of the rotation beyond 2025.

Burnes is the second All-Star addition for the D-backs this offseason after they traded for first baseman Josh Naylor from Cleveland.



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Suns’ Devin Booker out vs. Warriors, return date unknown

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker has been ruled out for Saturday against the Golden State Warriors, coach Mike Budenholzer said prior to Friday’s tip versus the Dallas Mavericks.

Budenholzer added that Booker is making progress, but his return date is up in the air.

The star shooter did not miss the Suns’ first 26 games, but the latest downgrading means Booker will be inactive for a minimum of five games.

The 28-year-old is still dealing with a left groin tightness he first aggravated in a 120-111 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Dec. 19. He had put up 17 points (5-of-10 shooting) before exiting in the third quarter with the injury.

How have Devin Booker-less Suns fared so far?

Phoenix (15-14) lost the first two games without Booker before coming alive for a Christmas Day win over the Denver Nuggets. The remaining duo of the Suns’ Big 3, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, have steered clear of the injury bug in Booker’s indefinite absence.

Still, the trio have only played at full strength in 11 games this season. The Suns are 9-2 in such games.

Booker has averaged 25.1 points (13th in the NBA), 3.7 rebounds and 6.4 assists (17th) while shooting the 3-ball at a 34.5% clip.

In the Suns’ first meeting with the Warriors this season on Nov. 30, Booker led all scorers with 27 points and was a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line. He also dished out nine assists in the 113-105 win at Footprint Center.

Suns-Mavericks tips off from Footprint Center at 7 p.m. MST on 98.7, ArizonaSports.com and the Arizona Sports app.

 



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Arizona State Sun Devils football transfer portal tracker

Arizona State football has bolstered both sides of the ball in the transfer portal, most recently adding Army running back Kanye Udoh and Washington State safety Adrian Wilson.

Udoh will compete to potentially slide into the starting spot Cam Skattebo will leave open as an outgoing senior. Wilson will help a secondary that is losing some talent to the portal.

One of the Sun Devils’ latest departures is sophomore defensive back Cole Martin to the transfer portal, according to multiple reports. Martin was a transfer from Oregon who played sparingly and produced four tackles for ASU this year.

The secondary will also lose redshirt sophomore Kamari Wilson to the portal. He joined the Sun Devils after previously playing at Florida. Wilson played 12 games this year with 11 tackles.

Wilson has been behind junior Myles Rowser on the depth chart and will stay through the playoff. He was a four-star prospect by 247 Sports and Rivals out of IMG Academy.

Another player whose days with the program are done is cornerback Laterrance Welch, who was dismissed after being accused of stealing a watch from a teammate.

Welch, a junior who transferred in from LSU,  played nine games and recorded 19 tackles, two interceptions and nine passes defensed this season. He notably scored on a pick-six at the end of the first half against UCF at Mountain America Stadium.

He did not play in ASU’s Big 12 title game win over Iowa State.

ASU’s first transfer portal additions included wide receiver Noble Johnson and kicker Jesús Gómez. The program continued to bolster the offense for 2025 with wide receiver Jalen Moss.

Head coach Kenny Dillingham said last week the College Football Playoff-bound program has received lots of transfer interest already, particularly at the wide receiver position, as the portal opened on Dec. 9.

A group of Sun Devils have entered their names in the portal, although that does not in itself end their runs at Arizona State.

Dillingham and his staff has allowed players to enter the portal but remain with the program through its playoff run.

“We’ve met with most of our guys going in, our guys have the opportunity to stay on our football team,” Dillingham told reporters on Monday. “They’re like, ‘Well, we’ll go in at the end.’ I go, ‘No, that’s not fair to you to go in after our run is over. I want you to have the best opportunity to find a spot. You can go in right now, day one, we’ll help you find a spot and stay on our football team if you want to stay on our football team and let’s go on this ride together the rest of the way.’

“I didn’t want those guys to feel like they had to wait to go in because they wanted an opportunity to have a bigger role for a program … I think that would hurt their chances. So I made it very clear to the guys that you can stay on the team as long as you do what you’re supposed to do.”

Dillingham revealed there will be players who stay and some who do not. Tight end Markeston Douglas, for example, will ride this season out, Dillingham posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Here is who else is involved in the transfer portal from ASU’s program.

Arizona State Sun Devils football 2025 transfer portal tracker

Additions

S Adrian Wilson (Dec. 23) — Washington State

TE Khamari Anderson (Dec. 22) — Kentucky

RB Kanye Udoh (Dec. 21) — Army

WR Jalen Moss (Dec. 19) — Fresno State

WR Noble Johnson (Dec. 15) — Clemson

K Jesús Gómez (Dec. 15) — Eastern Michigan

Departures

DL Harold Brooks

OL Luis Cordova

CB Cole Martin — UCLA

LB K’Vion Thunderbird

DL Kyran Bourda

CB Laterrance Welch

S Kamari Wilson

TE Markeston Douglas — Florida State

DL Tristan Monday

DL J’Mond Tapp

WR Jamaal Young II — North Dakota

WR Korbin Hendrix — Montana

CB Keontez Bradley — Buffalo

WR Kaleb Black



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