🏀 College BBall Upset, NFL Rumor Mill, + More!

Good Morning Blitzers,

Happy hump day! Good news for Lions fans: RB David Montgomery was a full participant after missing the last three games. He and RB Jahmyr Gibbs (aka Sonic and Knuckles) combined for 2,187 yards rushing this season and now get to face off against the Commanders, who allowed the third most rushing yards this season. Anyway, let’s get into the Blitz!

WTF Stat: Josh Hart is one of the most underrated players in the NBA. He currently sits 4th in plus/minus in the NBA with +397. His stat line is modest; he is averaging 14.3 ppg, 9.4 RPG (despite being 6'4"), and 5.5 assists. But he’s leading the league in Loose Balls Recovered, a stat that measures hustle. Love this type of player.

🏀 Caleb Grill scored 22 points, including two clutch free throws with five seconds remaining, as Missouri stunned No. 5 Florida 83-82, ending the Gators’ 16-game home winning streak. Mark Mitchell added 15 points and eight rebounds, and Anthony Robinson II contributed 12 points for Missouri, who secured their first road win against a top-five team since 2012.

🏈 After the Pittsburgh Steelers' fifth consecutive one-and-done playoff appearance, head coach Mike Tomlin addressed speculation about his future during a season-ending news conference. He dismissed any potential trade inquiries, telling teams to "save your time" as he has no intention of leaving the Steelers. Tomlin, who signed a three-year extension last offseason, acknowledged the fans' frustrations and shared in their disappointment, emphasizing that he takes responsibility for the team's struggles but remains confident in his ability to lead.

• 🔥Take: Tomlin’s been able to make the Steelers a playoff team the last five years with a combination of Ben Roethlisberger (when he was old and mostly injured), Mason Rudolph, Mitchell Trubisky, Kenny Pickett, Justin Fields, and Russell Wilson. I would say that’s pretty impressive coaching. He’s done this while competing against two of the best QBs in the NFL within his division. Give him just a top-15 QB, and the Steelers will be back to winning playoff games. I’m not even sure why this is a story. Firing him would be a massive mistake.

⛳️ Tiger Woods made his debut in the TGL (Technology Golf League), leading the Jupiter Links team alongside Kevin Kisner and Max Homa against the Los Angeles Golf Club, featuring Justin Rose, Collin Morikawa, and Sahith Theegala. Despite Woods' team's efforts, they were defeated 12-1 in the 15-hole, made-for-TV match. The match included both alternate shot and singles play, with Woods only taking 20 shots over the two-hour event. This was probably the highlight of the event:

🏀 Jimmy Butler, suspended by the Miami Heat for seven games on January 3rd, may return to play for the team after his suspension ends on Friday (if he is not traded beforehand). Despite tensions between Butler and the Heat—stemming from the team’s decision not to extend his contract during the offseason—Butler is reportedly prepared to rejoin the team if not dealt.

Free Forum Wednesdays

Free Forum Wednesdays are back! We'll be writing more outside-the-box, fun content – hope you enjoy!

5’11” Men Do Not Exist

I was paid one of the nicest compliments a man can receive a few days ago. I was asked if I was 6 feet tall. This made my whole year, and it happened on December 31st—so that tells you something.

Now, on a good day I come in at 5’10”, however, I can see how someone would think that I am taller, since I have amazing posture and I wear 2 inch shoe-lifts… I mean, what? Every inch counts, especially when you’re lacking in all departments where inches count.

Have you ever met someone who openly says they're 5'11"? No? Of course not, because you live in the real world. Height has its own scale. Every guy secretly lies about this; it's something we all know but just don’t talk about.

Here is roughly how the scale works:

A few key things to note: you really need to be above 5'10.5" or else you're liable to get called out. No one will really call you out for any height below 6 feet, but getting too greedy around the 6-foot mark can backfire. Nothing is worse than being told, "You're not 6 feet tall" in a group setting. You either have to immediately fight that person or go rev the engine of your American muscle car you purchased to help you overcompensate. I know this game all too well, I have a 2011 Nissan Sentra that roars like a lion. 

If you are in the 6-foot range, first off congrats, must be nice looking down on us from your ivory tower regular standing position. But no one wants to be just 6-foot-flat, so you round up an inch, and say you’re 6’1″. After that I believe people are actually somewhat accurate. Unless you get into the super tall range and you want to pull a Kevin Durant (this is a real quote):

Surely, there are people out there who are honest enough to admit that they're 5'11"? This is true, but these brave souls are not mere men; nay, they are gods among us. They've reached such an echelon that no measuring stick can contain them. Their confidence and inner beauty are immeasurable. If you're one of these honest 5'11" kings, know that you are truly special.

Three of the most talented, attractive, debonair actors out there, the Ocean 5-foot-11 crew themselves: Matt Damon, George Clooney, Brad Pitt

Who else is 5’11” you ask? How about the only man that could top the three actors above: Vin Diesel. It’s about family.

And lastly, the man, the myth, the legend, Russell “The Muscle” Wilson.  (When he was on the Seahawks he was 5’11”, now tells people that he’s 6-feet).

Top NBA Games

Cavaliers 127, Pacers 117: The Cleveland Cavaliers ended the Indiana Pacers' six-game winning streak last night with a 127-117 victory. Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 35 points, supported by Darius Garland's 24 points and Evan Mobley’s 22 points and 13 rebounds. The Pacers, missing All-Star Tyrese Haliburton due to a groin strain.

Bucks 130, Kings 115: Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded his 50th career triple-double, leading the Bucks to a 130-115 victory and snapping the Kings' seven-game win streak. Antetokounmpo finished with 30 points, 13 assists, and 11 rebounds, his fifth triple-double of the season. Damian Lillard added 24 points, Brook Lopez had 21.

Nuggets 118, Mavericks 99: Jamal Murray scored a season-high 45 points, with 32 coming in the first half, leading the Nuggets to a 118-99 victory. Murray shot 18 of 26 from the floor and added six assists and two steals. Kyrie Irving returned for Dallas after missing five games but struggled with 11 points on 4-for-18 shooting.

Full scoreboard here, and standings here.

Top NHL Games

Stars 4, Maple Leafs 1: Logan Stankoven led the Dallas Stars to a 4-1 victory, scoring two goals and adding an assist. Matt Duchene contributed with a goal and two assists, while Mavrik Bourque also found the net.

Avalanche 3, Rangers 2: Devon Toews scored in overtime to give the Colorado Avalanche a 3-2 win. Artturi Lehkonen tied the game late in regulation, and Toews sealed the victory with a one-timer off a Nathan MacKinnon pass. Mackenzie Blackwood made 27 saves for Colorado, including a key stop on a breakaway during overtime.

Panthers 2, Devils 1: Anton Lundell scored the shootout winner, and Spencer Knight made 26 saves as the Panthers defeated the Devils 2-1. The game, which ended New Jersey’s six-game home winning streak, saw Aleksander Barkov and Paul Cotter trade goals in the shootout before Lundell sealed the victory in the third round.

See full NHL scoreboard here, and standings here.

On this day in 1997, Chicago Bulls' forward Dennis Rodman kicks camera man Eugene Amos in the groin. He ultimately paid Amos a $200,000 settlement, and the league suspended Rodman for 11 games without pay. Which begs the question would you be kicked in the groin by Rodman (6-foot-7, 210 lbs) for $200k?

Yesterday’s Trivia Time Answer

Which NFL player has the most playoff sacks in their career?

D) Willie McGinest - This was a tough one. McGinest was a menace in the playoffs. He also holds the record for most sacks in a playoff game (against the Jaguars in 2006.)

Check back tomorrow for the answer to today's trivia question and more info!