In a move that will save the NY Football Giants 2 mil next season they have released DeVontae Booker.

The Giants are cutting players to get under the salary cap

I just saw a release from USU that his son passed away. I have no idea on details but prayers out to him and his family. Definitely sad news.

Poeltl is having a career year but he's apparently getting some added attention with "Poeltl Wordle".

Lots of news and rumors here:

Adam Gorney takes a look at some of the prospects at the Los Angeles Rivals Csmp Series…

https://n.rivals.com/news/recruiting-rumor-mill-chatter-from-rcs-los-angeles

I'm out of my element here, but for any here that are religious, your prayers would be appreciated as I have family in Ukraine.

My cousin was a retired Colonel or General (not sure if he got promoted before he retired) and his wife is a major in the Ukraine army. Both of them are on currently active duty somewhere in or around Kiev. My nieces were initially in the underground metro as a shelter with two aunts. Both aunts were able to get out with some friends to a small village where they should be safe.

My young nieces (early 20s) however decided to stay in Kiev and fight even though they have zero training. This is what they are facing over there right now. Anyone willing to pick up a weapon and fight is being given a gun.

Those of us who signed up to protect our nation understand that we may be placed in harm's way to protect those like my nieces who should never have to face this.

So again any prayers or well wishes from those who might not be religious would be greatly appreciated.

He talks top schools and thoughts on his recruitment:

https://youtu.be/rgxCg5lwA-s

Late tip off on ESPNU with the Runnin' Utes hosting the Arizona State Sun Devils.
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It was another tough close one. Here are Sean’s takeaways. Let’s hear from everyone else, too:

https://utah.rivals.com/news/takeaways-runnin-utes-lose-late-to-asu

Maaaaaannnnn, I mean it was expected, but, wow. Here are the takeaways, add your own, as well

https://utah.rivals.com/news/takeaways-runnin-utes-lose-to-no-2-arizona

Four pretty good seats I can transfer to you.

Starting lineup: Worster, Madsen., Stefanovic, Anthony, and Carlson.

Good to see Carlson able to go!

Wow… I really want to know what that assistant said that set him off to the point of punching.

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In Tucson we lost by 18 after going into halftime down 3. We played without Carlson. Thioune and Battin started and Mahorcic played 23 minutes. So the lineup will look different tonight with our without Carlson. We had 20 turnovers (Stefanovic had 5 and Anthony had 4).

Arizona shot over 50% and their PF Tubulis lit us up for 32 points.

I'm not optimistic about tonight even if Carlson plays as the talent discrepancy is significant and Az has been playing very well.

Mike Farrell’s with some extremely high praise for Devin Lloyd…

https://n.rivals.com/news/nfl-draft-top-10-lbs-heading-into-the-nfl-combine

7. Birmingham Stallions: Brian Allen, Utah

Brian Allen played in 42 games (12 starts) in four seasons at Utah (2013-2016) and recorded four interceptions in 2016, tied for fifth-most in the Pac-12. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round (173rd overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft.

This should be awesome…

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Here's my ranking of how guys have played compared to what we thought we would get.

1. Lazar Stefanovic - As a relative unknown, he's outperformed expectations, even though his shooting % is low and his TO's are high but declining.
2. Branden Carlsen - Our most talented guy. Has performed despite a number of challenges
3. Marco Anthony - What you look for in an upper classman - consistency. Best defender, best rebounder and some scoring pop.
4. Rollie Worster - Wasn't sure how he would handle increased competition. He's been solid -- and more durable than Rylan Jones.
5. Gabe Madsen - Slow start due to injury and covid. Coming on as of late.
6. Lahat Thioune - My expectations weren't high. He's exceeded them even though he's still pretty raw.
7. Jaxon Brenchley - Thought he'd get lost in the shuffle. Is carving out a role for himself.
8. Eli Ballstaedt - Didn't expect to see him except in mop up time. He's taken some minutes from others.
9. Both Gach - Thought he'd break out this year. Instead, he's been a yo-yo with more downs than ups.
10. Riley Battin - With our front court challenges, he was almost guaranteed an important role. Nope.
11. David Jenkins - Expected him to compliment Carlsen as our inside/outside combo. Season has been a steady fade.
12. Desan Mahorcic - Came with some hype. Left Thelma and Louise style.

I'm giving Bostyn Holt an incomplete due to his unfortunate injury.

Disappointing so far.

If you’re on Twitter, Morgan Scalley requests everyone to get #22Forever trending… and it was in response to Ty’s Aunt’s request this morning…

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In the Stanford game, Craig Smith finished a tight game with a back court of Worster, Gach and Madsen. Madsen made some plays that help get the W.

In the Cal game, he finished that tight game with a back court Worster, Gach and Stefanovich. Stefanovich made some clutch FTs to help get the W.

Curious as to his thinking -- which turned out correctly.

Any update on Carlson's ankle?

I am not expecting us to hang with Arizona but would like to see us beat ASU at home.

Initially there was a Zoom call set up with the team captains today, but that’s been moved to Wednesday. I’ll say this, as good as this group of captains could end up being, they have some big shoes to fill. Rising will unquestionably be the captain of the captains, and that part of the equation is a damn good thing. I’d say him and Clark Phillips are both very obvious choices.

The Utes continue their positive momentum, but now they have to await word on Carlson’s ankle. Here are the takeaways, add yours as well…

https://utah.rivals.com/news/takeaways-runnin-utes-complete-cal-sweep