Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta wanted a pass rusher before the 2019 trade deadline. He ended up with Marcus Peters.

The story has been told before, but its worth revisiting ahead of Tuesdays 4 p.m. ET trade deadline. DeCosta was in negotiations with his Los Angeles Rams counterpart, Les Snead, about another player when the talks hit a snag. Thats when Snead asked DeCosta if hed have any interest in Peters.

For DeCosta, the next best thing to getting an edge rusher who can sack the quarterback was acquiring a cornerback who can make the quarterback hold the ball a little longer. The addition of Peters helped transform the Ravens defense. More than a pass rusher, the 2019 Ravens needed a defensive playmaker and Peters proved to be that guy.

Two years later, the Ravens are sitting at 5-2, but they again could use a jolt. Less than $2 million of salary-cap space, however, will require them to be picky and perhaps creative. Theyre not going to be able to land a running back, offensive tackle, inside linebacker and a cornerback. Theyd probably be lucky to fill one of those holes before the deadline.

As the Peters situation revealed, its not necessarily what a team ideally wants at the trade deadline. Its whats available and what it can afford.

With that in mind, lets look at eight players who have been involved in trade speculation and would make some sense for the Ravens on the surface.

Josh Andrews, G,

Link:
Inside the Ravens: 8 players who make sense as trade additions, upcoming roster activity and news, notes, opinions - The Athletic

One of the great losses of the COVID-19-impacted 202021 season was the lack of high-profile nonconference games. While some big games were still played, several tournaments couldnt go off as originally planned and other games that did make it onto the schedule (like Gonzaga vs. Baylor) were wiped away due to positive COVID-19 tests. Thankfully, the 202122 season should be far more normal, and with that normalcy come some outstanding nonconference showdowns between mens college basketballs best teams.

Heres a look at the top 10 standalone games and five best multi-team events (MTEs) on tap for this season.

Robert Deutsch/USA TODAY Sports

1. UCLA vs. Gonzaga: Nov. 23, Las Vegas

The spectacle of this Final Four rematch will be special, particularly considering how many players from that memorable March Madness matchup return. UCLA returns all five starters and adds impact transfer Myles Johnson (Rutgers), while Drew Timme and Andrew Nembhard return after playing starring roles on last years Gonzaga team.

2. Texas at Gonzaga: Nov. 13, Spokane

This matchup between Sports Illustrateds No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the preseason should be absolutely electric. Plus, in a world where so many high-profile nonconference games get played on neutral courts, its great to see a matchup with these stakes played on campus. Dont let this game get overshadowed by a college football Saturday.

3. Duke vs. Kentucky: Nov. 9, New York City

Coach Ks final season begins with a high-profile matchup against John Caliparis new-look Kentucky team in the headliner of opening night. The Blue Devils may be without talented freshman AJ Griffin as he recovers from a knee injury, but the chance to see potential No. 1 NBA pick Paolo Banchero in the spotlight for the first time should be all kinds of fun.

4. Michigan at North Carolina: Dec. 1, Chapel Hill, N.C.

In the best game of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, Hubert Davis gets his first big home test in Chapel Hill against a Michigan team set to contend again for the Big Ten title. The frontcourt matchup between Armando Bacot and Hunter Dickinson will be the headliner, but whoever wins the point guard battle of Michigans DeVante Jones and UNCs Caleb Love will likely win the game.

5. Gonzaga vs. Duke: Nov. 26, Las Vegas

From an NBA draft standpoint, no game will be talked about more this season than this one. It pits perhaps the two best prospects in next years class in Dukes Banchero and Gonzagas Chet Holmgren. Both players will likely spend significant time guarding each other in this one, which could wind up as a top-10 matchup depending on how the Blue Devils fare in the Champions Classic.

6. Memphis vs. Tennessee: Dec. 18, Nashville

An in-state rivalry game between two teams loaded with talent, this matchup is an absolute treat for mid-December. Penny Hardaways Tigers loaded up this summer with the additions of five-star freshmen Emoni Bates and Jalen Duren, while Rick Barnes and the Vols added a pair of five-stars in Kennedy Chandler and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, as well as top transfer Justin Powell.

7. Villanova at Baylor: Dec. 12, Waco, Texas

The defending national champs play host to a program that has won two of the last five national championships. Is that enough to convince you to watch? Its a new-look Baylor team headlined by transfer point guard James Akinjo and returners Matthew Mayer and Adam Flagler. Villanovas experienced group, led by Collin Gillespie, should be well-equipped to win on the road.

8. Kentucky at Kansas, Jan. 29, Lawrence, Kan.

The SEC/Big 12 Challenge provides us with this matchup of bluebloods in late January. Expect this Kentucky team in particular to look far different in this one than it does in the Champions Classic in November as Calipari integrates lots of new faces to his team. Kansas, an older group that adds fifth-year point guard Remy Martin, should be more ready to win from the outset.

9. Villanova at UCLA, Nov. 12, Los Angeles

This matchup is one of the premier games of the seasons opening week, which is what makes it so disappointing that it will tip off at 11:30 p.m. ET, well after many on the East Coast head to bed. My recommendation: Brew yourself a cup of coffee or two and stay up to see two talented, experienced teams battle it out in Westwood.

10. Alabama at Gonzaga, Dec. 4, Seattle

High-level basketball returns to Seattle for this one, which will be played at the new Climate Pledge Arena. These two squads can put up points in bunches: Gonzaga led the nation in scoring last year and Alabama ranked in the top-25 nationally in that stat as well. Expect plenty of offense in what will be a huge test for Nate Oatss Crimson Tide.

Watch college basketball games online all season long with fuboTV: Start with a 7-day free trial!

Field: Alabama, Belmont, Dayton, Drake, Iona, Kansas, Miami, North Texas

The combination of elite brands like Kansas and Alabama with all these mid-major darlings makes this perhaps the most unusual MTE of the year. The Jayhawks and Tide will be tested: Belmont won 26 games last year and runs it back, Drake returns significant production from a team that earned an at-large bid, North Texas won an NCAA tournament game a season ago and Iona has Rick Pitino roaming the sidelines. Thats saying nothing of Dayton and Miami, potential NCAA tournament teams in their own right.

Field: North Carolina, Purdue, Tennessee and Villanova

Four of the 20 best teams in the sport descend on Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., for two days of high-level basketball. UNC will face Purdue and Tennessee will take on Villanova in the first round, with the winners and losers facing off the next day. Im most excited about seeing Purdue in this setting as the Boilermakers look to make the leap behind growth from Jaden Ivey and a monstrous frontcourt that features Trevion Williams and Zach Edey.

Field: Arizona State, Auburn, Baylor, UConn, Loyola Chicago, Michigan State, Syracuse and VCU.

There may be only two preseason top-25 teams in this field, but its balance and talent level across the board makes the Battle 4 Atlantis one of the best MTEs of the year. Among the juicy first-round matchups is a battle between Michigan State and Loyola Chicago, which pits Tom Izzo against his former graduate assistant Drew Valentine, the youngest head coach in Division I. All eight teams here could compete for NCAA tournament bids.

Field: Butler, Chaminade, Houston, Notre Dame, Oregon, Saint Marys, Texas A&M, Wisconsin

For the second straight year, the Maui Invitational wont be played in Hawaii, as a surge in COVID-19 cases has caused the event to relocate to Las Vegas. The headliners of this one are Houston and Oregon, two preseason top-15 teams that could face off in the events championship game. As long as Bill Walton is sitting courtside wearing a lei, it will feel like Maui to me.

Field:

Beach DivisionCal, Florida, Ohio State, Seton Hall

Palms DivisionBowling Green, Milwaukee, Southern Utah, Yale

Three likely NCAA tournament teams in the top division and four intriguing mid-majors makes this event worth watching during Thanksgiving week. Seton Halls talented group of newcomers, headlined by Kadary Richmond, should pose a strong test to E.J. Liddell and Ohio State. On the mid-major front, Milwaukee features five-star wing Patrick Baldwin Jr. playing for his father, Pat, while Yale and Southern Utah are favorites in their respective conferences.

More College Basketball Coverage:

Men's 1358 Preseason National RankingsSI's Women's Top 25 Preseason Rankings Men's National Player of Year Candidates

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More:
Breaking Down the Best of the Mens College Basketball Nonconference Slate - CalBearsMaven

A satellite circling 14,000 miles over your head has some news for you: There is nothing like an atomic clock to get you to your precise destination both on time and, well, to your precise destination.

Most of us rarely think about how that GPS on our smartphone tells us where to go or how that airplane we are snoozing on gets us to our destination. We have come to accept global movement as something like the proverbial pin in a map. But what would a clock have to do with that?

At Leonardo, the Italian aerospace company that created the hydrogen atomic clocks for the first generation of 26 Galileo satellites that float over the planet working like celestial traffic cops, the scientists have some answers.

This past summer, the European Commission and the European Space Agency selected that first-generation clock, officially called the Passive Hydrogen Maser, for the second generation of 12 Galileo satellites. They will form the European Unions official satellite navigation system, and the newest additions are to be delivered starting in 2023. Each satellite is designed to last about 12 years.

From the companys perspective, atoms keeping time in the heavens is not unlike timekeeping throughout history. It is just that now humans move much faster, and expect all-but-instant gratification as well as precision.

Navigating the high seas at onetime required looking at the sun, the moon and the planets before scientists started developing better and better clocks, Jacopo Belfi, a system engineer for atomic clocks at Leonardo, which is based in Rome, said in a recent phone interview.

The 18th-century invention of the marine chronometer, a specific type of highly accurate mechanical timepiece, helped determine the longitude of a vessel by comparing the positions of the stars to the time on the chronometer (set to Greenwich Mean Time for most oceangoing vessels by the late 19th century), and calculating how far it had traveled east or west. (Latitude had long been determined by tracking the suns position at high noon, or when it reached its highest point.)

Fast-forward to the early 21st century. With the need for more precision and beginning of GPS, the only way to create the exact position was to use an atomic system because at the microscopic level it provides oscillation, almost like perfect little pendulums, Mr. Belfi said. An atomic clock doesnt suffer because of the changes in temperature or the movement of a ship or the humidity or atmospheric pressure.

The company said that more than two billion users relied on the Galileo satellites, which, along with other global navigation systems, measures the physical distance and the time difference between the receiver and the satellite. It pinpoints the users position, the time and the speed by gathering data from four satellites: three to determine the coordinates of the users position and a fourth for time.

The moment that you connect to your device, you receive a message from a satellite at the speed of light, and therefore the distance is measured by both speed and time, said Marina Gioia, integrated project team leader for atomic clocks at Leonardo. The receiver and the satellite need to be synchronized by time. An error of one millionth of a second would mean a positioning error of up to 300 meters (about 1,000 feet). But the accuracy of these clocks allows Galileo to guarantee a precision of 30 centimeters.

This need for precision is critical, and the Passive Hydrogen Maser boasts an error of only one billionth of a second per day, or one second every three million years, according to Leonardo. These are mind-bending numbers for those of us going about our daily business with little comprehension of all the scientific drama.

We take for granted satellite positioning, but what would happen if these signals were turned off? Ms. Gioia asked. Aircraft, shipping, trucks, finance, communication, public utilities, emergency services, agriculture they all rely on exact positioning.

The Passive Hydrogen Maser, which measures less than 2 feet long and weighs about 40 pounds, looks more like a high-tech science class creation than a conventional clock. But its insides are where the precision exists, which also has a connection to the heavens, from Mr. Belfis perspective.

The typical image is that the atom is a planetary system and that the charged nucleus has the same role of the sun, and the electrons are the planets orbiting around it, he said. The laws of physics make the atom the perfect timekeeper.

Now, on the heels of its contract with Galileo, Leonardo has been showing off its newest clock at the Italy Pavilion in the Dubai Expo 2020 (which runs through March).

It is the RbPOP, shorthand for rubidium pulsed optically pumped a rubidium atomic clock developed by the company in partnership with the National Institute of Meteorological Research in Italy. (Rubidium is a soft and absorbent metal, which allows its atoms to be more easily manipulated than other metals or substances.)

It weighs about 22 pounds, or about half that of the Passive Hydrogen Maser. While its main use has not been determined yet, it certainly will be involved in future space missions, the company said.

But here on Earth, the focus is making sure billions of people get from point A to point B with the most accurate atomic clocks possible.

If the time of the satellite is not precise, Ms. Gioia said with a laugh, you will end up at the grocery store instead of the beach.

Read the rest here:
Trying to Get Somewhere? An Atomic Clock May Be Helping. - The New York Times

NETFLIX ANNOUNCES LIMITED DRAMA SERIES, "GRISELDA," STARRING AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY SOFIA VERGARA

FROM EXECUTIVE PRODUCER ERIC NEWMAN,SHOWRUNNER INGRID ESCAJEDA AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER DOUG MIRO

ALL EPISODES TO BE DIRECTED BY ANDRS BAIZ

Netflix today announced the new limited drama series, Griselda, executive produced by and starring Sofia Vergara in the titular role. The project is the latest from Writer/Executive Producer Eric Newman under his overall deal with Netflix. Ingrid Escajeda is Showrunner, Writer and Executive Producer. Luis Balaguer, Doug Miro, Andrs Baiz, Carlo Bernard also Executive Produce.

SOFIA VERGARA: "Griselda Blanco was a larger-than-life character whose ruthless but ingenious tactics allowed her to rule a billion dollar empire years before many of the most notorious male kingpins we know so much about. We are thrilled to have found the perfect partners in Eric, Andrs and Netflix to help us bring this story of her life to the screen."

ERIC NEWMAN: "Griselda Blanco has long been a passion project for Sofia and we are grateful that she and her partners at LatinWe have chosen us to help her tell that story. Sofia is a brilliant talent and her passion combined with a fantastic story from Doug and Ingrid, and the amazing Andrs Baiz at the directing helm, means we have a very exciting series to share with audiences."

PETER FRIEDLANDER, VICE PRESIDENT, UCAN SCRIPTED SERIES, NETFLIX: "Eric Newman has deftly brought to life among the most dynamic characters and stories on screen today. We're excited to continue on this creative path with him and for this collaboration with Sofia Vergara -- a force in entertainment and a world-beloved talent. With an incredible team at the helm -- we can't wait for the world to see how Ingrid Escajeda, Doug Miro, and Andrs Baiz take on the twists and turns of Griselda Blanco's epic story."

Vergara and Executive Producer, Luis Balaguer, had been developing the project for eight years at Latin World Entertainment before bringing it to Netflix. The series is a standalone limited drama, it is not a spinoff and has no association or crossover to the Narcos franchise.

Vergara is joined by fellow Colombian native Andrs Baiz who will direct all episodes of the limited drama and also serves as Executive Producer.

Format: Limited Series; (6) 50-minute episodes

Logline: Griselda chronicles the real life of savvy and ambitious Colombian business woman, Griselda Blanco, who created one of the most profitable cartels in history. A devoted mother, Blanco's lethal blend of charm and unsuspecting savagery helped her expertly navigate between family and business leading her to become widely known as the "Black Widow".

Showrunner/Writer/Executive Producer: Ingrid Escajeda (Justified, Empire) who co-wrote the first episode with Doug Miro.

Executive Producers: Luis Balaguer with Latin World Entertainment, and Eric Newman, Doug Miro, Andrs Baiz and Carlo Bernard - the creative team behind Narcos

Director: Andrs Baiz will direct all six episodes

About Eric Newman:

Newman is currently under an overall deal with Netflix on both the feature and the television side. Newman is responsible for the immensely successful Narcos franchise, which he originated and brought to Netflix in 2014. He has segued from showrunning Narcos to overseeing an expanding Netflix slate. On the TV side, he is EP on Narcos: Mexico, which premieres its third and final season on November 5 as well as on his upcoming limited series True Story starring and executive produced by Kevin Hart premieres November 24 on Netflix. He is also working on the anticipated opioid TV drama Painkiller, as well as THE WATCHER with Ryan Murphy, currently filming in New York. On the feature side, Newman is in production on his third Netflix film, Escape From Spiderhead starring Chris Hemsworth, Miles Teller and Jurnee Smollett, directed by Joseph Kosinski, and in pre-production on Zack Snyder's Rebel Moon, and a sequel to the 2017 Netflix hit Bright, starring Will Smith and Joel Edgerton. Also in the works for Netflix isThe Upper World starring Daniel Kaluuya. (approved by Eric Newman)

About Sofia Vergara:

Sofia Vergara is an Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG-nominated actress who is best known for playing 'Gloria Delgado-Pritchett' in the five-time Emmy Award-winning comedy, MODERN FAMILY. She recently wrapped her second season as a judge on NBC's hit summer series, AMERICA'S GOT TALENT. Vergara's film credits include BOTTOM OF THE 9th opposite Joe Manganiello, NEW YEAR'S EVE, FOUR BROTHERS, CHEF, BIG TROUBLE and HOT PURSUIT, on which Vergara also served as a producer. In addition to her acting career, Vergara is well-known as a successful entrepreneur and global businesswomanwho has cultivated a strong lifestyle brand with a diverse portfolio of productsincluding haircare, furniture collections, eyewear and a bestselling apparel line for Walmart.

About Latin World Entertainment:

Founded by Luis Balaguer and Sofia Vergara, Latin World Entertainment (LWE) is a full-service, diversified entertainment and media company with a specialty in client management, production and licensing. Since its inception in the 1990's, the company has evolved from traditional talent management and film marketing to being one of today's most innovative companies operating at the intersection of content and product sales. Through this specialized strategy, LWE has become a leader in optimizing audiences as active consumers for major network partners (NBC, Fox, Disney), while helping clients build owned and operated brands leveraging their personal enterprise, value, and influence. The company's licensing agreements have generated millions in annual sales, while their brand extension division has brokered multiple large endorsement deals with P&G, Pepsi, Ford, Maybelline and more, in addition to a hugely successful business partnership with Walmart. In addition to Griselda, LWE has a variety of other major film and television projects in all stages of development and production.

Read the original:
Breaking News - Netflix Announces Limited Drama Series, "Griselda," Starring and Executive Produced by Sofia Vergara | TheFutonCritic.com -...

By Anthony Anderson| ND Insider Correspondent

SOUTH BEND When Notre Dame conducted an open womens basketball practice for its fans last week, the most notable thing missing compared to the last several years was that nobody was missing.

Not only was each player on the floor, but each was deemed fully healthy. Each went full throttle. Each appeared unencumbered.

It was more of the same, too, during NDs 104-46 exhibition throttling of Emporia State on Monday night at Purcell Pavilion.

Yes, and thank goodness, Irish coach Niele Ivey said of that unusual development. Knock on wood, but everybodys healthy, 100%.

Its hard to definitively pinpoint the last time NDs experienced that sweet circumstance, but it has to go back, as far as major injuries anyway, to at least before All-American Brianna Turner was sidelined during the 2017 NCAA Tournament.

Noie: How will second time be smoother for Notre Dame women's coach Niele Ivey?

More: Notre Dame's Niele Ivey to use NCAA women's tourney absence as motivation going forward

Ever since that day, until now even throughout the 2017-18 national title run, then the 2018-19 runner-up encore, then the 2019-20 freefall, then the 2020-21 pandemic surreality that accompanied Iveys first year in charge the Irish have had to navigate injury setbacks, major and minor, virtually nonstop.

If they eventually have to navigate them again in 2021-22, and almost no team escapes unscathed these days, theyll fervently hope for brief and minor setbacks.

Such becomes even more pivotal with just 10 scholarship players on the roster (the NCAA allows 15). The situation is accompanied by Iveys stated preference for an up-tempo style, one that best fits deep teams.

As ND continues to prepare for its regular-season opener Nov. 9 against visiting Ohio, it does so with eight of those 10 players having already proven theyre capable of positively impacting a regular-season major college basketball game.

The other two players freshman Sonia Citron, ranked No. 16 in her class by ESPN, and freshman in eligibility Nat Marshall, No. 34 from the 2020 class are expected to quickly grab minutes as well.

We have a shorter roster, Ivey said, but every (scholarship) person on this team is really going to contribute. Its exciting. I think everybodys going to play a vital role this year, and weve added the two walk-ons (sophomore guards Trinity Cha and Sarah Cernugel) to help our numbers.

Notre Dame, coming off a 10-10 (8-7 Atlantic Coast Conference) record in last winters COVID-shortened season, is headlined by forward Maddy Westbeld, who earned ACC Rookie of the Year honors while leading ND in scoring (15.2) and rebounding (7.9).

The only freshman in the nation to average at least 15 points, 7.5 boards, 2.5 assists and 1.4 steals, the 6-foot-3 Westbeld also shot 49% on 2s, 39% on 3s and 79% at the line.

The skys the limit for Maddy, Ivey said. The fact she came in with a college body, with that confidence she had to step in, I thought that was tremendous last year. I think this year, youre going to see the same consistency. … She has the experience now. She knows shes going to be someone Im going to call on and lean on, and shes not afraid of the big moment.

Nor is Westbeld afraid to embrace the still relatively new identity of the longtime perennial power Irish as they enter a season unranked in a major preseason poll for the first time since 2006.

Being an underdog is the most fun part, Westbeld claimed after ND was picked to finish sixth in the 15-school ACC by both coaches and media. Were going to come in and prove everybody wrong. ... Were kind of flying under the radar, but people are going to know who we are.

Who the Irish are, among other things, is a team returning 73% of last seasons scoring.

Individually, the returnees include senior shooting guard Dara Mabrey (11.3 ppg, 3.2 assists, 40-of-104 on 3s for 38.5%); slick freshman point guard Olivia Miles who averaged 9.3 points and a team-leading 3.5 assists across the six games she played upon becoming the programs first-ever early enrollee last January junior swing Anaya Peoples (9.1 ppg, 6.0 rebounds); and streamlined junior shooting forward Sam Brunelle (8.7 ppg, 58% on 2s, 38% on 3s).

Ive transformed my body to the best its ever been, Brunelle said definitively.

Last season, Brunelle, once the No. 1-rated high school player in the nation, was unable to run over the four months preceding the opening game due to knee issues. She wound up trying to play catch up all season.

This offseason, she not only dropped the 25 pounds she gained heading into last winter, but shes visibly turned more of her weight to muscle.

Brunelles not alone in wildly improved health.

The 6-4 Marshall moved freely and easily in the open workout and in the exhibition after missing nearly two years recovering from the torn anterior cruciate ligament she suffered as a high school senior in December 2019.

She and 6-3 grad transfer Maya Dodson the star of that exhibition with 24 points, 11-of-14 field goal shooting and five blocks give the Irish a two-pronged blend of agility and skills exceeding whats been available inside the last two years.

Maya brings a different presence, Ivey said of Dodson, who averaged 7.0 points and 1.6 blocks, good for third in the Pac-12, in 20.6 minutes per game during her 2018-19 sophomore season at powerhouse Stanford.

Also on the Irish roster are senior guards Abby Prohaska (4.2 ppg) and Kate Gilbert (3.8), both juniors in eligibility and the last remaining active players from the 2019 runner-up club.

Both have been sidelined for multiple extended periods by multiple health issues during their ND careers, but both, per Ivey, are full-go now.

(Purcell Pavilion homes games in ALL CAPS; all times Eastern)

NOVEMBER

1: EMPORIA STATE (exhibition), 7 p.m.

9: OHIO, 7

11: WESTERN ILLINOIS, 7

14: At Syracuse, noon

18: FORDHAM, 7

21: BRYANT, 5

26: Georgia, 4:30, (Daytona Beach Invitational)

27: Oregon State, 7, (Daytona Beach Invitational)

DECEMBER

2: At Michigan State, 8 (ACC/Big Ten Challenge)

5: At Connecticut, noon

8: At Valparaiso, 7

12: PURDUE-FORT WAYNE, 2

19: PITTSBURGH, 2

22: At DePaul, TBA

30: At Virginia, 7

JANUARY

2: At Duke, 2

9: N.C. STATE, 2

13 At Wake Forest, 7

16: NORTH CAROLINA, 1

20: At Boston College, 8

23: At Pittsburgh, 2

27: SYRACUSE, 8

30: BOSTON COLLEGE, 2

FEBRUARY

3: VIRGINIA TECH, 8

6: At Florida State, 2

10: MIAMI, 8

13: At Louisville, 2

17: At Georgia Tech, 8

24: CLEMSON, 8

27: LOUISVILLE, TBA

Reviewing the additions and subtractions to Notre Dames active roster as a whole, there are just three scholarship newcomers in Citron, Dodson and Marshall though Miles can kind of be counted as a fourth compared to seven departures.

Two of those gone are graduated regulars in shooting guard Destinee Walker (second in scoring last season at 11.4, 55-of-61 on free throws) and center Mikki Vaughn (7.6 points, 1.4 blocks), joined by graduated former walk-on Nicole Benz.

The other four transferred in Amirah Abdur-Rahim (SMU), Alli Campbell (Penn State), Danielle Cosgrove (St. Johns) and Alasia Hayes (Mississippi State), though none from that quartet played regularly last season, and ND was far from unique in player movement.

I was kind of surprised by the numbers, Ivey said of more than 1,000 individuals around the nation entering the transfer portal over the offseason, but I think its because of the legislation that passed so that players could have that one-time transfer waiver without sitting out. I think over time, it will slow down a little bit.

Added Ivey, I can only speak for Notre Dame, and as I recruit, I just pray I continue to bring in the right fit. … You try to do your due diligence, and Im so excited about the group I have right now.

The starters within that group have not been formally set, according to the coach, though Ivey indicated after the exhibition that she was pleased with the group she started first in Dodson, Westbeld, Mabrey, Peoples and Miles.

View original post here:
Season preview: Notre Dame women all healthy as season is set to begin - Notre Dame Insider

Austin American-Statesman

Tuesday is Election Day throughout the state and includes several ballot items specific toAustin and other local jurisdictions. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

Here are fourthings worth watching as the voting unfolds:

Austin voters will on decide Proposition A, ahotly contested measure aimed at requiring the city to hire hundreds more police officers. Supporters pointto two trends from the past two years: an increase in officer retirements that have led to slower response timesand a rise in homicides. The other side says the cost of the staffing planwould require raising taxes, scaling back other city servicesor both.

More: Millions spent on fight over Austin's Prop A, but will voters turn out?

More: Dueling Austin PACs each raise more than $1 million ahead of Prop A vote on police staffing

The second Austin ballot item is Proposition B, which would clear the way for the sale of 9 acres ofparkland the city owns near Lady Bird Lake.The city has a tentative deal in place to give the land to software giant Oracle in exchange for 48 acresin East Austin that Oracle has an option tobuy.Technically, Proposition B might allow for others to make a bid on the city's 9 acres, but the ballot language was written specifically with Oracle in mind. Oracle has donated $900,000 to support the measure.

More: Ballot language raises eyebrows as land swap between Austin, Oracle goes before voters

Voters will weigh in on two bond propositions in fast-growing Williamson County school districts. In Leander, school district officials are seekingapproval for a $772.2 million bond proposal to build five schools, renovate 13 others and make additional upgrades. The Georgetown school district is proposing a bond package of $381.7 million to build two elementary schools, a middle school, and other health and learning centers.

More: Leander school district asking voters to approve $772.3 million in bonds

Voters across the state will decide whether to make eight additions to the Texas Constitution, including twopandemic-inspired measures one to preserve access to loved ones in nursing homesand another barringgovernment ordersthat prohibit or limit religious gatherings. Other proposed amendments wouldchange eligibility requirements for judges, allow a state agency to investigate complaints against judicial candidates, and extend property tax breaks for some Texans.

American-Statesman staff writers Ryan Autullo, Maria Mendez andChuck Lindell

Read the original here:
Here are four things to watch this Election Day in Austin and surrounding counties - Austin American-Statesman

Happy Monday, VUHoops! We are back with our quick preseason previews before the season kicks off next Tuesday. As always, we will have full and in-depth previews for each opponent as the games approach but right now we plan to squeeze content like water from a stone.

The early takeaway from Villanovas first two weeks of the season is that it is chock full of chances to secure incredibly impressive wins that are likely to age well as the season goes along. The challenge with putting together a non-conference schedule as we know is hoping that, when the games come around, the opponents are potential Quad-1 wins. This year, Villanova will face #2 UCLA, #18 Tennessee, and then one of either #19 UNC/#7 Purdue four Top 25 teams - all before Thanksgiving.

Get ready for the Villanova Basketball season with fresh new Nike gear!

But, scared money dont make no money. Lets roll!

Head Coach: Dan Engelstad (3rd season)Previous Season Record: 12-11, 9-7 NEC Lost to Texas Southern in the First FourKey Players: Nanu Opoku, Malik Jefferson, Mezie OffurumKey Departures: Damian Chong Qui (transferred to Purdue Fort Wayne)

Date: Tuesday, November 9, 4:30 p.m. (Finneran Pavilion)

Preview: Villanova will kick off the 2021-2022 season with a match-up against the Mount St. Marys Mountaineers at the Pavilion on Tuesday, November 9. The Mountaineers, out of the NEC, made some noise in last years conference tournament upsetting both #1 Wagner and #2 Bryant to punch a ticket to the NCAA Tournament. While the Mountaineers were ultimately bounced by Texas Southern in the First Four, the team returns most of last years squad and has designs on once again challenging Bryant and Wagner for the NEC crown.

As for style of play, this is a great match-up for Villanova. The Mountaineers play at an excruciatingly slow pace and finished #355 (out of #358 teams!) in AdjTempo last year. Led by the 69 Opoku, 69 Jefferson, and 68 Offurum, the Mounties prefer to pound the ball inside and play strong defense on the glass. The Mount finished Top-50 in most of the defensive metrics but was hampered by a predicable and one-dimensional offensive attack. Its hard to imagine a situation where Mt. St. Marys is able to score enough points to beat Villanova, even if the Cats get off to the slow start. If the Cats can establish the outside shot early and eliminate the Mountaineers strength under the glass this one will likely be a snoozer.

Head Coach: Mick Cronin (3rd season)Previous Season Record: 22-10, 13-6 PAC 12 Lost to Gonzaga in the Final FourKey Players: Johnny Juzang, Tyger Campbell, Cody Riley, Jaime JaquezKey Departures: Jalen Hill, Chris SmithNew Additions: Peyton Watson

Date: Friday, November 12, 11:30 p.m. (ugh) (Pauley Pavilion)

Preview: Jeez, talk about switching gears. After (hopefully) dispatching the Mountaineers, the Cats will hop on a plane, fly 3,000 miles, and take on #2 UCLA in a game that tips off at 11:30pm EST (#VUHoopsAfterDark). If the Cats can escape with a win, it could go unmatched in terms of NCAA Tournament non-con resumes come March.

We all remember UCLAs Cinderella run last March. The Bruins entered the NCAA Tournament as an 11-seed after an up-and-down regular season that ended with four straight losses. From there, UCLA picked off Michigan St., Alabama, and Michigan en route to the programs 19th Final Four appearance. Ultimately, the Bruins were clipped by Gonzaga in an epic overtime semi-final game.

Now, Mitch Cronin returns the bulk of his squad and enters the season with sky-high expectations. While youll stumble across articles wondering if UCLA is really a Top-2 team or whether their March performance has blinded people as to still-lingering issues, the talent is clearly there.

Obviously, Villanovas primary concern with be Johnny Juzang who, with Collin Gillespie, was named a pre-season All-American and is the face of this Bruin squad. Hes an electric scorer with the ball in his hands and averaged 23 points per game in the NCAA Tournament last year. Juzang is joined by elite point guard Tyger Campbell and sniper Jaime Jaquez. In sum, this game has been circled on the Wildcats schedule since it was announced. While we will delve into the nitty gritty of this one as it gets closer, the Cats have a chance to grab a big time win on a big time stage all before the season hits its second week!

Head Coach: Kenny Blakeney (2nd season)Previous Season Record: 1-4 (remainder of season canceled)Key Players: Steve Settle III, Khalil Robinson, Kyle FosterKey Departures: Makur Maker

Date: Tuesday, November 16, 6:30 p.m. (Finneran Pavilion)

Preview: So, it is a little difficult to fully preview this match-up given that the Howard Bison only played 5 games last year before the school elected to cancel the remainder of the season. Villanova was actually scheduled to play Howard last year a game that had gained significant buzz due to the presence of Makur Maker, the highest recruit to ever commit to a HBCU. However, the game never took place and after playing in just two games, Maker was sidelined with a groin injury. He thereafter left Howard and is presently with the Sydney Kings of NBL.

Howard University is a historically black research university located in Washington D.C. Jay Wright has never played Howard but Villanova holds 2-0 advantage over the Bison with the last game coming in 1998. The Bison are coached by former DeMatha Catholic player and Duke national champion (1991) Kenny Blakeney.

Head Coach: Rick Barnes (6th season)Previous Season Record: 18-9, 10-7 SEC (lost to Oregon State as a 5-seed)Key Players: John Fulkerson, Victor Bailey, Josiah-Jordan James, Santiago VescoviKey Departures: Keon Johnson, Jaden Springer, Yves PonsNew Additions: Kennedy Chandler, Justin Powell

Date: Saturday, November 20, 1:00 p.m. (Mohegan Sun Arena)

Preview: Tennessees calling card last year was its smothering defense. The Vols finished the year Top-5 in AdjD and top 30 in nearly every defensive metric. They generated the 13th most turnovers in the country and were top-15 in blocks. Put simply, the Vols defense was lethal within the arc. However, the offense was inconsistent and anemic, which led to up-and-down season with the Vols finishing 18-9 and ultimately being bounced as a 5-seed by Oregon State in the NCAA Tournament.

This year, the Vols have bolstered their offense with 5-star point guard Kennedy Chandler and the addition of Justin Powell, a transfer from Auburn. With Santiago Vescovi shooting from deep, the Vols will look to open up the floor and space shooters. While Tennessees defense should still remain a force, the loss of SEC all-defensive player Yves Pons will require an adjustment, especially early in the season. Ultimately, this looks like a game where Villanova benefits from catching Tennessee early in the year as it could shape up to be an impressive win if the Cats can pull it out.

Head Coach: Hubert Davis (1st season)Previous Season Record: 18-11, 10-6 ACC (lost to Wisconsin as an 8-seed)Key Players: Caleb Love, Armando Bacot, Leaky Black, Kerwin WaltonKey Departures: Walker Kessler, Garrison Brooks, DayRon SharpeNew Additions: Dawson Garcia (transfer from Marquette), Brady Manek (transfer from Oklahoma), Justin McKoy (transfer from Virginia)

Date: Sunday, November 21, TBD (Mohegan Sun Arena)

Preview: Ole Roy is gone and the Wildcats will get their first shot at new UNC head coach Hubert Davis should the teams meet in the title game of the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic. I think the obvious headline for UNCs roster this year is the amount of talented transfers that joined the Tar Heels this offseason. All three, specifically Garcia and Manek, project to play big roles this season alongside Caleb Love, Leaky Black, Kerwin Walton, and Armando Bacot.

Tar Heels fans have high expectations for Love, who struggled last year in his freshman season, and they hope he can develop into a strong facilitator for Armando Bacot, the 610 beast down low. This is another game where Villanova benefits from seeing this team early. With a new coach and three transfers, the Tar Heels will likely have some growing pains early on. However, UNC projects to be fighting with the Duke Blue Devils for ACC supremacy by the end of the year.

Head Coach: Matt Painter (17th season)Previous Season Record: 18-10, 13-6 Big 10 (lost to North Texas as a 4-seed)Key Players: Trevion Williams, Eric Hunter, Brandon Newman, Sasha Stefanovic, Mason Gillis, Jaden IveyKey Losses: Aaron WheelerNew Additions: Caleb Furst,Trey Kaufman-Renn

Date: Sunday, November 21, TBD (Mohegan Sun Arena)

Preview: While the game against UCLA grabbed the scheduling headlines, this potential match-up against Purdue might be the true gem. Purdue is getting some early buzz as a sleeper national champion pick given the fact that Matt Painter returns nearly every piece of last years squad that earned a 4-seed in the NCAA Tournament. Nova fans will recall that the Boilermakers were picked off by North Texas, setting up a match-up with last years Wildcats.

Led by 610 forward Trevion Williams, the Boilermakers finished Top-25 in AdjO and AdjD last season with impressive wins over Wisconsin and Ohio State (twice). Purdue plays slow (278th) and is not much of a threat from deep. Williams will be a challenge for a Villanova team without Jeremiah Robinson-Earl but, if the Cats can make someone else beat them, they have a shot at a win that will age like a fine wine.

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Villanova Schedule Preview: Early games and Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic - VU Hoops

"It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"Record-Breaking 15th SeasonPremieres December 1st

Seasons 15 Launches Sunny Into the Record Books as the Longest-Running Live-Action Comedy Series in Television History

More Than 1.8 Billion Hours Viewed Since Sunny's Series Premiere in 2005

LOS ANGELES, November 3, 2021 - It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's record-breaking 15th season will premiere Wednesday, December 1 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on FXX, and stream the next day on FX on Hulu.

The premiere will include the first two episodes of the 15th season, which makes Sunny the longest-running live-action comedy series in television history, bypassing The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet. Sunny's remarkable run has also racked up more than 1.8 billion hours viewed since its premiere in 2005.

10:00 PM...

On a Wednesday...

In Ireland.

The record-breaking 15th season of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is its most ambitious yet. In the seismic wake of Covid-19 and all things 2020, The Gang stands at a crossroads in this strange new world. The rules are changing quicker than anyone can keep up with, despite herculean efforts from "Mac" (Rob McElhenney), "Charlie" (Charlie Day), "Dennis" (Glenn Howerton), "Dee" (Kaitlin Olson) and "Frank" (Danny DeVito) to continue business as usual. Now, they must face the music and decide who they'll become in the cultural upheaval that is 2021. Across the span of eight episodes - and the Atlantic Ocean - we find them answer in a way only they could think to.

Like a fine Irish whiskey, Sunny's distinct flavor has gotten richer and intensified through the years. First barreled in 2005, the show has become a landmark for dark comedy and American satire, uniting the most devoted of fans from all over the country and abroad, and this monumental 15th season is truly one to crack open and celebrate. Continuing to deliver some of the hardest laughs on television while tackling society's most pressing issues, Sunny turns its fearless focus both outward and inward: to a national and international level but also to a deeply personal level. This is a season that sees The Gang try to exploit pandemic aid, sidestep cancel culture, evade criminal justice, reflect on their origins, and reconcile their identities and homeland roots.

Oh, and did we mention this is season 15? Sunny now breaks the record and becomes the longest-running live-action sitcom of all time. The show is executive produced by McElhenney (creator), Day, and Howerton, along with David Hornsby, Megan Ganz, Rob Rosell, Nick Frenkel, and Michael Rotenberg. None of this could be possible without the unyielding faith and courage of FX, who took a gamble on a small, homegrown show and now have cultivated one of the most vital, boundary-breaking comedies in American history.

So, raise that snifter and cheers: To Sunny! Yes, it burns a little, and that's what you want.

About FX

FX is home to acclaimed and award-winning television available on the FX on Hulu streaming hub, the FX, FXX and FXM cable networks, and the video on-demand service FXNOW. FX on Hulu offers next day access to FX and FXX current series, FX's library of legacy series, and exclusive original programming, including Devs, Mrs. America, A Teacher, American Horror Stories, Reservation Dogs, Y: The Last Man and the upcoming The Old Man, Fleishman is in Trouble, Class of '09 and Under the Banner of Heaven. FX additionally features the drama series Mayans M.C., Snowfall and Taboo; the limited series American Horror Story, American Crime Story, Fargo, FEUD, Black Narcissus and the upcoming Pistol, Shgun, Retreat and The Patient; the comedies Archer, Atlanta, Better Things, Breeders, DAVE, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, What We Do in the Shadows and the upcoming Little Demon and The Bear; the half-hour series The Choe Show and The Premise; the weekly short-form comedy programming showcase Cake; and a growing slate of docuseries and documentary features, including The New York Times Presents, The Most Dangerous Animal of All, AKA Jane Roe, A Wilderness of Error, Hip Hop Uncovered; Hysterical, PRIDE and the upcoming Welcome to Wrexham. FX is the former home of The Shield, Nip/Tuck, Rescue Me, Damages, Sons of Anarchy, Justified, The Americans and Pose. FX's library of acquired box-office hit movies is unmatched by any ad-supported television network, with FXM featuring classic films, contemporary hits, award-winning features and short-form original programming. FXX is also the cable home to The Simpsons, the longest-running comedy in TV history.

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Breaking News - "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" Record-Breaking 15th Season Premieres December 1st | TheFutonCritic.com - The Futon...

Mark H. Baker was a UCLA film student who came up with the initial story of what eventually became "Flight of the Navigator." The idea for his very first screenplay came from a dream, and was originally entitled "Vanished." In the 2020 documentary "Life After the Navigator,"Baker explained the project's origin story. "It was [originally] more of a serious film. In my story, they build the ship from his memory, so they're experimenting with technology that they don't understand but David does, and it gets to a point where he realizes they're never going to let him go."

At one point, Brian de Palma had interest in directing it; John Avildsen of "Rocky" and "Karate Kid" fame later became attached as the helmer, before "Grease" and "Blue Lagoon" lenser Randal Kleiser got the call.

The film's theme, tone and script ended up a tug-of-war between the two companies involved in its production Mark Damon's Producer Sales Organization and Disney."There were two companies that made it, Producer Sales Organization and Disney," director Kleiser recalled in 2020. "Producer Sales Organization was an action movie place, they wanted to have governments trying to shoot down the spaceship and chases and things like that and Disney wanted to concentrate on the family story, so guess who won!"

In the end, Kleiser would say,"the compromises [between PSO and Disney] made the movie better."

Writer Baker reflected: "Most of the elements that I had in my film were in the final film, but it's the changes that really make it different."

Two additions did come from Kleiser himself, who dropped in references to a pair of pop culture classics he had worked on: "Starsky and Hutch," and "Grease" (via "You're The One That I Want," which can be heard on a radio).

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The Untold Truth Of Flight Of The Navigator - Looper

[11/03/21 - 03:45 PM]FOX Doubles Down on Hit Dating Show "Joe Millionaire" with a New Twist: "Joe Millionaire: For Richer or Poorer," Premiering January 2022 on FOXThe new series features two incredible single men... with one huge difference: one's a millionaire, and the other is definitely not. [11/03/21 - 03:24 PM]Science Channel Goes Live This Saturday at SpaceX's Crew-3 MissionNASA astronauts Raja Chari, Kayla Barron and Tom Marshburn and the European Space Agency's Matthias Maurer will ride to the International Space Station (ISS) in a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, launched atop a Falcon 9 rocket.[11/03/21 - 03:11 PM]ViacomCBS Consumer Products and Mint Group Partner on "Emily in Paris" Collaborations to Shop Fashions Inspired by the MTV Entertainment Studios-Produced SeriesA branded shop featuring many of the collaborations will roll out later this fall on Saks.com, aligning with the much-anticipated second season, releasing December 22.[11/03/21 - 02:31 PM]Daniel Dae Kim Joins the Cast of "Avatar: The Last Airbender"He will play Fire Lord Ozai, Prince Zuko's father, the ruthlessly-driven leader of the Fire Nation.[11/03/21 - 01:37 PM]FOX Sports Scores Media Rights to UEFA European Championship in Landmark DealThe massive rights deal - featuring more than 1500 soccer matches - makes FOX Sports the country's exclusive home to world-renowned competitions, beginning with the UEFA Nations League in June 2022.[11/03/21 - 01:31 PM]HGTV Returns to Wetumpka, Alabama, for Follow-Up Special "Home Town Takeover: Where Are They Now?" Sat., Nov. 27, at 8 P.M. ET/PTIn the one hour special, HGTV will explore the impact that "Home Town Takeover" had on Wetumpka's residents, its surrounding communities and small towns across the country.[11/03/21 - 12:07 PM]Netflix Announces Limited Drama Series, "Griselda," Starring and Executive Produced by Sofia VergaraThe project is the latest from writer/executive producer Eric Newman under his overall deal with Netflix.[11/03/21 - 12:03 PM]NBC Jumpstarts Its Comedy Slate with Originals in DecemberAll three of NBC's sophomore comedies - "Young Rock," "Kenan" and "Mr. Mayor" - are returning December 15 for holiday-inspired special episodes before they make their return to the primetime lineup in the new year to begin their second seasons.[11/03/21 - 12:00 PM]ABC Celebrates Country Music's Biggest Night with Special Programming Leading Into "The 55th Annual CMA Awards," Airing Live Wednesday, Nov. 10, on ABCNew additions include "Backstage Pass: Countdown to the CMA Awards," airing Monday, November 8 at 10:00/9:00c.[11/03/21 - 11:53 AM]BET Studios in Partnership with Klutch Sports Group Present "KLUTCH Academy""KLUTCH Academy" documents KLUTCH Sports Group - led by CEO Rich Paul - as they prepare six college basketball prospects for pro careers.[11/03/21 - 11:48 AM]The TNets Bolster 2022 Scripted Programming Slate with New Original Series and Two Series RenewalsTBS has greenlit "Kill the Orange-Faced Bear" to a 10-episode series; in addition, "Miracle Workers" has been picked up for a fourth season.[11/03/21 - 11:44 AM]Let's Get It On! The All-New Landmark Series "The Mating Game" Launches November 21 on discovery+The series launches Sunday, November 21 on discovery+ with the first two episodes, followed by new episodes dropping weekly on the streaming service.[11/03/21 - 11:06 AM]Video: "South Side" Season 2 - Official Trailer - HBO MaxShot in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood, the show offers an authentic look into what life on the South Side is all about.[11/03/21 - 11:03 AM]"It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" Record-Breaking 15th Season Premieres December 1stThe premiere will include the first two episodes of the 15th season, which makes "Sunny" the longest-running live-action comedy series in television history, bypassing "The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet."[11/03/21 - 11:00 AM]Video: "Pen15" Season 2, Part 2 TrailerThe Emmy-nominated comedy series returns with new episodes on December 3, only on Hulu.

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Breaking News - This One's for the Fans - "Heels" Season 2 Is Coming Your Way | TheFutonCritic.com - The Futon Critic