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Finally Friday! Plus, it’s the first day of June. Start the new month and weekend off right with some of the bigger news going on in the conference.
Will the Conference USA basketball schedule become a trend?
They are trying a new schedule, with 13 games in the traditional round robin, travel partner twice. Then for the final four games will be based on seeding from the first batch to get to the 18 regular season conference games. This is an attempt for a traditional 1-bid league to boost their strength of schedule in hopes to gain an extra bid. If it works, other mid-major conferences may try it themselves.
Former Boise State LB at another crossroads in his sports career.
It’s another turn for Joey Matarano. The two-sport athlete may be crossing over yet again. He was drafted by the Cubs but wanted to play football at Boise State. He tried to juggle both sports for two seasons, but ultimately decided to focus solely on football two years ago. But that only lasted a year. The off-season before he would’ve been the unquestioned starter at MLB, he set his sights to pursue his dream of playing in the MLB (see what I did there?) and rejoined the Cubs organization. Fast forward to this season and he was released by the Cubs in April. Now, if another team doesn’t sign him, he may try to get back on the football field.
The recent rise and fall of Ole Miss football.
If you want to know the detailed story of the scandals and improper benefits that helped Ole Miss become a fixture in the recruiting world which led to on the field success. Then a few years later it all came tumbling down. It’s a long but worthwhile read.
Your Friday feel-good story.
Braden Anderson was born in Idaho. He was also born deaf. He was also born extremely skilled at soccer. He will spend the summer trying to make a US national squad. Can’t help but cheer for a young man like this.
On the horizon:
- Later today: The inaugural post in our new Friday Night Lights series. Read all about the Mayfair football team from our interview with head coach Derek Bedell.