Wemby Sets Another Record + A New NFL Mock Draft and 2026 College Football Preview
Could the Jets land Arch Manning in next year's draft?
In Today’s Issue: Victor Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Bill Walton, Arch Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Jeremiah Smith, Felix Rosenqvist, David Malukas, Will Warren, Aaron Judge, Bobby Witt Jr., Shohei Ohtani, Elly De La Cruz, Christopher Sanchez, Cam Schlittler, Dylan Cease, and Jared Bednar.
WHAT TO READ
Victor Wembanyama once again took over for the Spurs, scoring 33 points in Game 4 to tie the series. Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored just 19 points in 31 minutes. The series heads back to Oklahoma City with the Thunder still as the significant favorite. Read about how Wembanyama became only the second player since blocks became an official stat to collect 300 points, 150 rebounds, and 50 blocks in a first postseason appearance, joining Bill Walton. (ESPN)
It’s never too early to look at NFL mock drafts, and CBS Sports has Texas quarterback Arch Manning going No. 1 to the Jets next year. The long-suffering franchise only has one season since 2016 with the same quarterback starting every game (Aaron Rodgers in 2024), and had 13 different quarterbacks get a start in that time period. Read the full mock draft to see who could take Ohio State superstar wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, along with the rest of the first round selections. (CBS Sports)
With less than 100 days until college football kicks off, ESPN takes a look at the top 10 storylines, games and predictions to watch heading into the season. The piece also has the 10 top Heisman Trophy contenders along with five coaches on the hot seat. Read the full preview to see which team the World Wide Leader thinks could make its first CFP appearance. (ESPN)
Now that the NFL schedule is out, pundits are reassessing their way-to-early power rankings. Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano jumped the Broncos to No. 1 after Denver got some soft matchups in the second half of the season and kept the Cardinals last because a 0-13 start before their bye isn’t improbable. Read where Vacchiano puts all 32 teams early in the offseason. (Fox Sports)
Felix Rosenqvist won the closest Indianapolis 500 in history with his 0.023-second victory. It was the 34-year-old’s second win in 120 career IndyCar starts and came 20 days after his first child was born. Read about how the veteran driver’s audacious move to pass leader David Malukas earned him the most famous milk in the United States. (Associated Press)
WHAT TO WATCH
3:40pm — Yankees vs. Royals on ESPN: Will Warren is back on the mound for New York, hoping to once again get a win for his suddenly average club. The Yankees are 8-2 when Warren starts (he’s 6-1 with a 3.61 ERA), and he’s earned the decision in six of his past seven, with five of those decisions being wins. (NYY -156, KC +129)
8pm — Knicks vs. Cavaliers on ESPN: New York has won 10 straight in the playoffs and is a victory in Cleveland away from headed to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. After their historic Game 1 comeback, the Knicks won the next two games in the series by an average of 14.5 points. (NYK -2.5, Total: 217.5)
8pm — Hurricanes vs. Canadiens on TNT: Carolina got the win it needed at home to tie the series as the teams head to Canada. Despite its impressive home ice advantage fan-wise, Montreal is just 2-4 at home so far this postseason. Carolina is 4-0 on the road. (CAR -135, MTL +114)
WHAT TO TRACK
The market for MLB’s individual awards is starting to settle a bit, with Kalshi making Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (48%) the big favorite over Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (14%) for AL MVP. Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani has an even larger 78%-to-3% advantage over Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz in the National League. Phillies starter Christopher Sanchez (36%) has the lead over Ohtani (19%) for the NL Cy Young, while the Yankees’ Cam Schlittler (38%) has the best odds over Toronto’s Dylan Cease (23%) in the American League.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“As low as it can get. It’s a big hill to climb.”
— Avalanche coach Jared Bednar on his team’s emotions after going down 0-3 in the Western Conference Final against the Golden Knights.
See you tomorrow,
Abe