The Sportsletter - Back-to-Back 1-2s

BY JEFF YODER

NOV. 23, 2021  |  SUBSCRIBE  |  BROWSER VIEW

Good Morning,

Today’s Tuesday recaps are short and sweet before tomorrow’s lengthy preview of Thanksgiving Weekend. It’s a full buffet of info in tomorrow’s edition, so come hungry.

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PROGRAMMING

The Sportsletter will not be published on Thursday (Nov. 25) or Friday (Nov. 26).

NCAA

Back-to-Back 1-2 Matchups

Photo: Elsa / Getty Images

#1 Gonzaga to Face #2 UCLA Tonight | #1 S. Carolina def. #2 UConn (73-57)

An exciting 24 hours in college hoops is halfway through. The top two teams in the women’s game squared off last night in the final of the Battle 4 Atlantis, with No. 1 South Carolina taking down No. 2 UConn. The men’s game brings the top non-conference clash of the year in Las Vegas with No. 1 Gonzaga and No. 2 UCLA tipping off tonight. Let’s run one back and look ahead to the other…

NCAAW: #1 S. Carolina def. #2 UConn (73-57)

The 1-2 showdown in the women’s game was a one-point contest at the break, but South Carolina blew it open in the second half. They outscored UConn 40-21 over the final 20 minutes, including a 16-3 advantage in the 4th quarter. Aliyah Boston earned the game ball with 22 points and 15 rebounds.

NCAAM: #1 Gonzaga vs. #2 UCLA (Tonight, 10:00 pm ET)

For just the 43rd time ever, the top two teams in men’s college hoops will meet in the regular season tonight in Las Vegas. Gonzaga and UCLA clash in the Empire Classic for a rematch of last year’s Final Four thriller where the Zags won it on Jalen Suggs’ miraculous game-winner (93-90, OT).

NFL

Bucs Bounce Back

Photo: Julio Aguilar / Getty Images

Buccaneers Smash Giants (30-10) to Get Back in the Win Column

Tom Brady was back to his old form on Monday Night Football as the Buccaneers rolled the Giants (30-10). After two straight losses, the defending champs needed a rewind. The return of TE Rob Gronkowski added another dimension. Four pass-catchers caught six balls, including Gronk, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Leonard Fournette. Head coach Bruce Arians called the team “dumb” after last week’s loss, but Monday’s total team effort delivered Tampa Bay another home win. They’re 5-0 this season at home.

QB Comparison

T. Brady (TB): 30/46, 307 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT

D. Jones (NYG): 23/38, 167 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs

Fun Fact: Tom Brady set an NFL record in the game with his 19th season throwing for 3,000-plus passing yards.

NFC South Standings

Bucs (7-3)

Saints (5-5)

Panthers (5-6)

Falcons (4-6)

Watch: Bucs Smash Giants on MNF (30-10)

Additional Storylines

USA Today: Brady, Buccaneers Humble Giants in Prime Time

WaPo: Brady & the Bucs Can Feel Better After Overwhelming the Giants

NBA

Phoenix Rising

Photo: Ronald Cortes / Getty Images

Suns Hold Off Spurs’ 4th-Quarter Rally (115-111) to Win 13th Straight

Another night, another win for the Suns. Phoenix extended its win streak to 13 on Monday night after beating the Spurs (115-111). The Suns started 1-3 before reeling off a baker’s dozen. DeAndre Ayton (21 points, 14 rebounds) was the lead man. The streak is the Suns’ longest since the 2006-07 season (17 straight) with Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire. Even after a 13-game roll and a 14-3 record, it’s the Warriors (15-2) who still own the best record in the league.

Watch: Suns Extend Win Streak to 13 With Win Over Spurs

Other NBA Highlights

Nets def. Cavaliers (117-112)

Hornets def. Wizards (109-103)

Hawks def. Thunder (113-101)

Celtics def. Rockets (108-90)

Pacers def. Bulls (109-77)

Bucks def. Magic (123-92)

Timberwolves def. Pelicans (110-96)

Grizzlies def. Jazz (119-118)

76ers def. Kings (102-94)

THE STORYLINES

🏈  Early Week 12 Waiver Wire Targets

Elijah Moore feels like a safe pickup, and Cam Newton is back to a consistent start. Here are some of the players we’ll be targeting ahead of Week 12. (CBS Sports)

🏒  Projecting the 2022 Winter Olympics Hockey Roster

Team USA has already named forwards Patrick Kane and Auston Matthews to the team, but the remaining players will be announced in January. Here are some early predictions. (USA Today)

🏀  NBA Power Rankings: Week 6

Can the Suns close the gap on the Warriors? Can the Lakers turn things around? Our experts break down all 30 teams. (ESPN)

📰 THE HEADLINES

Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr. Could Miss Season With Nerve Issue in Back

(SI)

Broncos Agree to 4-Year, $61 Million Deal With WR Courtland Sutton

(ESPN)

Alex Rodriguez & Barry Bonds Headline 2022 Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot

(Bleacher Report)

Packers’ LT Elgton Jenkins Suffers Season-Ending ACL Tear

(CBS Sports)

Judge Allows Henry Ruggs III to Remain on House Arrest After Missing Alcohol Test

(Yahoo! Sports)

Saints Sign QB/RB Taysom Hill to Hybrid Contract Extension Worth Up To $95 Million

(SI)

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