The Sportsletter - December to Remember

BY JEFF YODER

DEC. 1, 2022  |  SUBSCRIBE  |  REFER  |  WEB VIEW

Good Morning,

Huge news came late on Wednesday when the Rose Bowl cleared the way for a 12-team College Football Playoff beginning in 2024. And as the calendar turns to December, we're celebrating 2022 with a little awards recognition. But we're handing you the keys to the car. Help us determine the top teams, players and moments from the last 11 months.

Letter Rip!

AWARDS

The 2022 Sports Awards

Photo: Sarah Stier / Getty Images

Help The Sportsletter Team Pick the Top Teams, Players, Highlights & More From 2022

We’re turning the page to December for the final month of 2022 in sports, and we need your help. Before we take off for the holidays, we’re dishing out the end-of-year awards. From Team of the Year to Player of the Year and so much more, it’s up to you to help us decide the winners. We’re even looking into the top highlight and best game (links below). Take the quick survey in about 60 seconds to cast your vote.

Highlight of the Year

Justin Jefferson Catch (Vikings)

Aaron Judge 62nd Home Run (Yankees)

Carlos Alcaraz Behind-the-back shot 

Andrew Wiggins Dunk on Luka Doncic

Game of the Year

Chiefs-Bills AFC Divisonal Round 

Bucks-Celtics R2G5 Playoffs or

Timberwolves-Grizzlies R1G5 Playoffs 

Duke-UNC in Final Four (Coach K’s Last Game)

Astros-Mariners 18 Innings

PKs in MLS Cup Final 

Carlos Alcaraz-Jannik Sinner US Open Quarterfinals

WORLD CUP

Messi Joins the Party

Photo: Richard Sellers / Getty Images

Argentina, Poland & Australia Advance to Knockout Stage; Mexico Eliminated

Another day in Qatar saw three more teams punch tickets to the Round of 16. Australia downed Denmark (1-0) to secure the second spot out of Group D behind France. In Group C, Argentina topped Poland (2-0) to survive Group C after their opening match loss, but Poland hung on to the second bid despite Mexico’s win. Both Poland and Mexico finished with 4 points, but a one-goal advantage made the difference. More action is on the way today.

World Cup Highlights

Group C: Argentina def. Poland (2-0)

Group C: Mexico def. Saudia Arabia (2-1)

Group D: Australia def. Denmark (1-0)

Group D: Tunisia def. France (1-0)

Teams Advanced: Argentina, Poland, Australia, USA, England, Senegal, Netherlands, France, Brazil & Portugal

Today’s Schedule

Group F: Croatia vs. Belgium (10:00 am ET)

Group F: Canada vs. Morocco (10:00 am ET)

Group E: Japan vs. Spain (2:00 pm ET)

Group E: Costa Rica vs. Germany (2:00 pm ET)

Additional Storylines

CBS Sports: Mexico Out of World Cup on Goal Difference Tiebreaker

Yahoo! Sports: Australia Stuns Denmark, Advances Out of Group D With France

NCAA

ACC Breaks 5-Year Curse

Photo: Grant Halverson / Getty Images

ACC Tops Big Ten in Conference Challenge (8-6) for 1st Win Since 2017

The ACC/Big Ten Challenge wrapped up for the final time on Wednesday night, and it was the ACC who won the cross-conference tournament for the first time 2017. The two conferences have battled for 24 straight seasons, but the ACC will launch a new series with the SEC in 2023. Both top-10 teams from the state of Indiana were double-digit winners, but Duke and Notre Dame closed it out for the ACC to win the challenge (8-6). It’s another pair of conferences going head-to-head today when the Big East and Big 12 square off.

ACC/Big Ten Challenge Highlights

#5 Purdue def. Florida State (79-69)

#17 Duke def. #25 Ohio State (81-72)

#10 Indiana def. #18 North Carolina (77-65)

Notre Dame def. #20 Michigan State (70-52)

Today’s Schedule (Big East-Big 12 Battle)

Oklahoma State at #8 UConn (6:30 pm ET)

#7 Creighton at #2 Texas (7:00 pm ET)

Seton Hall at #9 Kansas (9:00 pm ET)

Women’s Basketball Schedule (Today)

#6 North Carolina at #5 Indiana (6:00 pm ET)

#20 Maryland at #7 Notre Dame (6:30 pm ET)

#12 NC State at #10 Iowa (8:30 pm ET)

Additional Storylines

B/R: Scores, Highlights & Reactions From ACC/Big Ten Challenge

🎥 THE HIGHLIGHTS

🏀 NBA’s Top Performers

Devin Booker (PHX): 51 points, 6 assists

Jayson Tatum (BOS): 49 points, 11 rebounds

Kevin Durant (BKN): 39 points

Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL): 37 points, 13 rebounds 7 assists

Zion Williamson (NOP): 33 points, 10 rebounds

🏒 NHL Top Performers

Leon Draisaitl (EDM): 2 goals, 1 assist

Max Domi (CHI): 2 goals

Dylan Cozens (BUF): 2 goals

Ryan Lindgren (NYR): 3 assists

Mitch Marner (TOR): 18-game point streak

THE STORYLINES

🏀 We Cannot Forget Brittney Griner

Brittney Griner has started her nine-year prison sentence at a penal colony in Mordovia. We shouldn't forget her as she disappears into that hellhole. (USA Today)

⚽️ Team USA Handled the Challenge

The do-or-die World Cup match was played under the context of Iran’s anti-government protests and a historic, geopolitical rivalry. Despite it all, a young American team coped with the pressure. (The Ringer)

🏈 Conference Championship Week

There is a lot on the line as the college football world heads into Championship Week. From Purdue-Michigan to Utah-USC, here are the games that will shape the College Football Playoff. (FOX Sports)

📰 THE HEADLINES

• Rose Bowl Organizers Clear Path for College Football Playoff Expansion to 12 Teams in 2024 (AP News)

• MLBPA to Close Watch Teams After $1 Billion Influx From Tech Sale (USA Today)

• Cristiano Ronaldo Offered £300m+ Deal From Saudia Arabia Club (ESPN)
• Falcons TE Kyle Pitts Out for Season With Knee Surgery (SI)
• UAB to Hire Ex-NFL QB Trent Dilfer as Next Head Coach (Yahoo! Sports)
• Blue Jays Hire Don Mattingly as Bench Coach (CBS Sports)
• Charles Barkley Explains 10-Year Rift With Michael Jordan (USA Today)

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