Magic man: Simmons leads Sixers past Heat

For as long as the College Football Playoff has existed – so a total of four seasons – the four teams chosen by the selection committee and why create an annual controversy among programs and their fan bases. Under its current format, it seems like there will always be snubs, teams with questionable credentials included and, especially recently, teams that feel they aren’t given a fair shot. The network – which has the playoff and national championship game broadcasting rights through the 2025-26 season – shared the results of its new Playoff Predictor formula, which will attempt to forecast each team’s chance of making the cut before and throughout the season. ESPN’s analytics is basing its predictions on strength of record, number of losses, conference championships, independent status ( re: Notre Dame) and the Football Power Index (FPI) – how well a team is playing based on expectations.

Jordan Bell has played one season and has one championship. And now he might hold the title for most confident NBA player, too. The Warriors big man made a big block in the closing minutes of Friday night’s summer league win over the Clippers. After the swat, cameras caught Bell looking toward the crowd with a call-me gesture — and at one couple in particular. Utah’s Donovan Mitchell, a star immediately in his first year last season, was sitting with his girlfriend, Déja Lighty, taking in the game. Bell apparently was talking with them, the implication being he was making a public move on Mitchell’s girlfriend. Bold! According to those involved, though, this isn’t what exactly transpired — and