For the first time in nearly five decades, Southern California has hit its highest ranking at No. 5 in the AP Top 25 men’s basketball poll, with Baylor remaining the unanimous No. 1.
A strong finish was not enough to save Miami’s coach, and the team now begins a search for a leader who can revive the offense.
See Andy Katz’s latest Power 36 men’s college basketball rankings for Jan. 10, 2022. Undefeated Baylor is still No. 1 and fast-rising Wisconsin vaults into the top 10.
So much for fatigue or rust! The super season of 2020-21, nine tournaments in the fall to open 2021-22 and a traditional holiday hiatus did nothing to slow the flow of record scoring at last week’s Sentry Tournament of Champions. But before you wonder if the Sony Open in Hawaii can follow that act, it’s already poised to replicate its own from a year ago. For details on that, a not-so-subtle change in the course setup and other analysis, continue reading beneath the projected contenders. Former Sony champions Ryan Palmer (2012) and Matt Kuchar (2019) will be reviewed in Tuesday’s Fantasy Insider with Jason Kokrak, world’s top-ranked amateur Keita Nakajima and other notables. There are so many things that define the warm welcome extended by the Sony Open in Hawaii. As host to 144 golfers, it’s the first full-field event of the reopening of the season. Waialae Country Club on the oceanside of Honolulu is a stock par 70 and the only stage since the tournament debuted in 1965. The setup is consistent and scoring is favorable. And, duh, it’s in paradise. Before Kapalua’s Plantation Course showcased record-low scoring last week, the 2021 edition of the Sony flashed its own tournament record – 67.975. Chris Kirk posted quad-65s … and settled for co-runner-up honors to Kevin Na’s 21-under 259. Of the 292 scores recorded by the 73 golfers who completed four rounds, only 14 (or 4.8 percent) were over par. The objective is easy: Hit the ground and run. However, it doesn’t hurt to have played the previous week at Kapalua. Seven of the last eight winners at Waialae made the short trip west from Maui. The only exception, ironically, is Cameron Smith in 2021, he, of course, of last week’s TOUR-record in relation to par (34-under 258). As of Monday afternoon, 21 of the 38 golfers who pegged it at Kapalua are committed to the Sony, including the Aussie. Those who already have given it a go at Waialae likely will notice longer primary rough. It’s up 33 percent from previous editions and allowed to grow to three inches. That’s not insignificant, so it should defend scoring on approach to some degree and cause pause on some tee boxes. However, bermuda greens remain restricted to 11 feet on the Stimpmeter, so Justin Thomas’ course-record 59 (2017) is a reasonable target, especially during the first three rounds when winds are expected to be light. Rain almost never can be ruled out, but dry conditions are forecast throughout. Experience on Waialae also has defined every champion except Russell Henley in 2013. Dismissing Bob Goalby, who prevailed in the inaugural edition for which all participants naturally were first-timers, Henley is the only debutant who has connected for victory. For the 16th consecutive edition, overall yardage is 7,044. The only modification of note occurred at the par-4 second hole where a pair of bunkers right of the fairways have been conjoined. ROB BOLTON’S SCHEDULE PGATOUR.COM’s Rob Bolton recaps and previews every tournament from numerous perspectives. Look for his following contributions as scheduled. MONDAY: Power Rankings TUESDAY*: Sleepers, Fantasy Insider SUNDAY: Qualifiers, Reshuffle, Medical Extensions, Rookie Ranking * – Rob is a member of the panel for PGATOUR.COM’s Expert Picks for PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf, which also publishes on Tuesday.
Bryson DeChambeau has withdrawn from the Sony Open in Hawaii with a sore wrist. The Golf Channel’s Ryan Lavner reported the news. According to Brett Falkoff, DeChambeau’s agent, he was experiencing wrist soreness and not prepared to play in back-to-back weeks. DeChambeau faded with a final-round 72 to finish 16 under par and tied for 25th place at the Sentry Tournament of Champions on Sunday. The popular power hitter, who led the PGA TOUR in driving distance the last two seasons, is eighth in the world and coming off a season in which he won twice (U.S. Open, Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard) and lost in a playoff to Patrick Cantlay at the BMW Championship. He also drove the first green in beating Sergio Garcia in singles at the Ryder Cup. Only twice had DeChambeau teed it up at the Sony, but he tied for 10th in his most recent appearance in 2019.
Here’s to the teams and players the pre-season forecasts didn’t see coming. Most every league has them. They are symbols of the splendid unpredictability of college basketball.
The Rams weren’t in a celebratory mood despite winning their third division title in five years but feel they are capable of a deep playoff run.
Let’s take a closer look at what happened in overtime and whether Los Angeles blew its chance to make the playoffs.
Greg Wyshynski discusses the recent surge in scoring in the NHL and how it has impacted betting over/unders.
Andy Katz breaks down the new Power 36 men’s basketball rankings for Jan. 10, 2022, which saw Wisconsin soar into the top 10 and Miami enter the rankings.
