By Nunnie Robinson, WSG Sports Editor
At the NFL Combine, speed prevailed as 22 potential draftees ran the 40-yard dash between 4.26 and 4.39 seconds. The Combine tests potential NFL players’ physical abilities, including speed, quickness, explosiveness, and agility. Those who perform exceptionally well often improve their draft position or overall status.
First on several analysts’ lists is Ohio State Buckeyes 240-pound linebacker Sonny Styles, who ran an impressive 4.5-second 40-yard dash. Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq, at 6-foot-3 and 241 pounds, ran a 4.39 40-yard dash coupled with a 43.9-inch vertical jump, drastically improving his draft stock. Another Oregon Duck, safety Dillon Thieneman, posted a 43.5-inch vertical jump, a 4.35 40, and a 10-foot-5 broad jump, an eye-opening performance. Miami Hurricanes star Ahkeem Mesidor, though he did not participate in the Combine, remains highly regarded by many scouts.
The prohibitive favorite to be drafted first overall is Miami native and Indiana national championship quarterback Fernando Mendoza, projected to go to the Las Vegas Raiders. The next four projected picks are Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese to the New York Jets; Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa to Arizona; Hurricanes edge rusher Rueben Bain to the Tennessee Titans; and USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon to the New York Giants. Remember, this is only a mock draft, so anything is possible as teams consider trades to strengthen and improve their rosters.
The continued attention surrounding the Combine and upcoming draft speaks volumes about the NFL’s popularity, as well as the league’s national and international growth.
The NBA has also grown in popularity, but I personally believe the season is too long, placing star players in greater jeopardy of injury Stephen Curry, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Trae Young, among several others, have all missed time due to lingering injuries. The answer is money so what’s the question? Additionally, the regular season has fewer than 20 games remaining before the Play-In Tournament and Playoffs begin, practically another season in itself.
Ever heard of March Madness? And you do realize March is upon us. It all underscores the overlapping of sports seasons. Since nothing is likely to change anytime soon, here are the favorites to win the NBA and NCAA men’s and women’s titles:
In the NBA Eastern Conference, the top teams are the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, and Philadelphia 76ers. In the Western Conference, the contenders include defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, the San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
In women’s college basketball, several serious contenders are led by defending champion and undefeated UConn Huskies, followed closely by the South Carolina Gamecocks, Texas Longhorns, and UCLA Bruins.
On the men’s side, the top contenders are the Arizona Wildcats, Duke Blue Devils, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, and Florida Gators.
Our beloved Miami Heat and Florida Panthers are living in the world of mediocrity, fighting for their Play-In and Playoff lives, respectively. If the season ended today, the Heat would be the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference, facing the No. 7 Orlando Magic in the Play-In Tournament.
The Panthers have played 60 games thus far, compiling a 30–27–3 record. They are currently 13th in the Eastern Conference out of 16 teams. The two-time defending Stanley Cup champions are fighting for their playoff lives. We will delve into the reasons for their struggles in a subsequent column.
Of course, hope springs eternal as MLB Opening Day approaches. Such is the nature of sports.