• New here? Register here now for access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Plus, stay connected and follow BP on Instagram @buckeyeplanet and Facebook.

Toronto Raptors (2019 NBA Champions)

NBA bans Jontay Porter for life after investigation reveals Raptors forward violated league gambling rules

The NBA found that, among other violations, Porter limited his own participation in games for betting purposes​

The NBA issued a lifetime ban to Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter on Wednesday for violating league gambling rules. After an investigation, the league found Porter guilty of "disclosing confidential information to sports bettors, limiting his own participation in one or more games for betting purposes, and betting on NBA games."

The 24-year-old Porter, who is the younger brother of Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., went undrafted in 2019 and made his NBA debut with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2021. After spending time with multiple G League teams, he inked a two-way deal with the Raptors in December 2023 and made 26 appearances with the team this season. He last played on March 22, and was inactive for the remainder of the season after ESPN reported on March 25 that the league was looking into gambling irregularities.

"There is nothing more important than protecting the integrity of NBA competition for our fans, our teams and everyone associated with our sport, which is why Jontay Porter's blatant violations of our gaming rules are being met with the most severe punishment," NBA commissioner Adam Silver stated in a press release.

"While legal sports betting creates transparency that helps identify suspicious or abnormal activity, this matter also raises important issues about the sufficiency of the regulatory framework currently in place, including the types of bets offered on our games and players. Working closely with all relevant stakeholders across the industry, we will continue to work diligently to safeguard our league and game."
.
.
.
continued

Banned NBA player Jontay Porter to face federal felony charge​

Former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter will be charged with a federal felony connected to the sports betting scandal that spurred the NBA to ban him, court papers indicate.

Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn filed what's known as a criminal information sheet Tuesday. The document doesn't specify a court date or the charge or charges, but it does show the case is related to an existing prosecution of four men charged with scheming to cash in on tips from a player about his plans to exit two games early.

Porter's lawyer, Jeff Jensen, said last month that Porter had been "in over his head due to a gambling addiction" but was getting treatment and cooperating with law enforcement.
.
.
.
continued
Upvote 0

Favorite Simpsons quotes

“I’m used to seeing people promoted ahead of me: friends, co-workers, Tibor. I never thought it’d be my own wife.”
“Well, maybe you’d get promoted if you worked a little harder.”
“Are you kidding? I work like a Japanese beaver!”
“Oh really? I came to see you three times today. Twice you were sleeping and once you were kicking that ball of electrical tape around.”
Upvote 0

PG Jamari Wheeler (Official Thread)


TITLE TIME. Jamari Wheeler is a champion — or, to be more accurate, a campeon. Last week, the former Ohio State point guard helped Rayos de Hermosillo secure a Mexico CIBACOPA title over the Astros de Jalisco.

Login to view embedded media
Wheeler, who played three years at Penn State and one year at Ohio State before becoming a professional, spent last season with BC Prievidza in Slovakia. Following a couple of workouts for NBA G-League teams, Wheeler ended up in Hermosillo, where he appeared in 47 games and averaged 8.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game for Rayos.

In his team's four-game sweep of Jalisco, Wheeler averaged 10.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.3 steals per contest. His best performance came in Hermosillo's Game 3 win as the 6-foot-1, 170-pound guard scored 17 points and added six boards, seven helpers and three forced turnovers.
Upvote 0

Big Ten Network (BTN)

Thanks DaddyBB, was thinking the same thing, but glad to see thoughts confirmed. Will add to your comments, in that when the 'fall tour' goes on B10, it will NOT have 'Fall Tour- OSU' or somesuch, but just Fall Tour. Doesn't help we poor folk on the other end of the TV much at all. I agree that they're trying for fairness, which will only become more diluted now that the B10 has grown by four. On my TV at least, there's two other channels blocked out for B10 football games, so how about they add one or more camera crews to travel to other venues and capture two different sets of teams to plug on their channels? Know that it's expensive, but if they're paying a billion for the rights, then use 'em, huh? With an apology to the other members of the league, don't really hurry to watch a replay of X versus Y teams, unless it's our beloved Buckeyes. Maybe Texas had it right all along....maybe we need a Buckeye channel, and share rights with the B10. Betcha the ratings would be higher....if the Buckeye fan base all have TV sets. Go Bucks!
Upvote 0

UConn Huskies

Former UConn star: Dan Hurley told me to 'get the hell out of here' and join NBA

Donovan Clingan was the 7th pick of the NBA Draft​

9830bde1-Donovan-Clingan.jpg


Donovan Clingan wanted to contend for a three-peat, but Dan Hurley was having none of it.

The former UConn star helped the Huskies to a second straight national championship earlier this year.

For a second straight year, the Huskies won every tournament game by double-digits and won their sixth title in school history.

The big man cemented himself as not just a lottery pick, but a top-10 selection in the draft with his performance in the tournament, averaging 15.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.

Clingan spent two seasons at UConn, and he was looking for a third title.

But Hurley knocked some sense into him.

"I went into Coach Hurley’s office, and I was like, ‘Yo coach, I’ll come back. I’ll go for another one.’ He’s like ‘You’re out of your mind, bro. Get the hell out of here.’ And I guess I had to go," Clingan told the "Knuckleheads Podcast," hosted by ex-NBA players Quentin Richardson and Darius Miles.
.
.
.
continued
Upvote 0

Big Ten Network (BTN)

Did in fact look for something like this, but could not find. Please move if I missed.
OK, Looking forward to the B10 studio crew visiting the B10 schools with an hour or so vignette on how the teams are looking. Realize I'm a bit early, as fall practices are a month or so away, but.....Does anyone know when (or if) they will be scheduled, etc? Realize that with the four new additions, it will take a bit more to happen, but so enjoy listening to the plusses and minuses (or in the Buckeye's case, just the plusses). DiNardo knows his stuff, as do the others, and reviewing with the HC is always a treat. Hopefully one of you guys has some info. Go Bucks!
Upvote 0

2025 IN DE Mariyon Dye (Tennessee Signee)

This reads like Odom/Roy was a first to commit.
One man's humble opinion, but the staff is in full pursuit for Hill and for good reason. He's more of an edge guy and thankfully we have Merrit and Mathis on board who are both legit. I don't see Dye as an interior DL, so I don't think Odom/Roy were the holdup rather than anticipating the 3 edge guys above being in this class

I don't know that this was a numbers game because he's a great player and we wanted him, but it could have turned into that. A lot can happen though, so this might be a guy we come back after if needed.
Upvote 0

SG Taylor Mikesell (All-B1G)


NEW BEGINNINGS. Former Ohio State women's basketball standout Taylor Mikesell will continue her professional career in Munich, Germany, this summer after she signed a one-year contract with Gernika Bizkaia.

Login to view embedded media
The Indiana Fever selected Mikesell with a second-round pick (No. 12 overall) in the 2023 WNBA draft, but the team waived her that summer. Three weeks into the regular season, Mikesell signed with the Atlanta Dream and appeared in nine games. This past offseason, Mikesell earned a camp invite with the Los Angeles Sparks but did not make the final roster.
Upvote 0

2023 tOSU Defense

Why the defensive tackles are the key to the Ohio State football team's defense​

The Ohio State football team is going to have one of the best defenses in the country this season. The defensive tackles are the key to it.

images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2F151%2F01j1aek0g04tbmj8chbw.jpg


The Ohio State football team is supposed to have one of the best defenses in the country this season. Last year, they were elite as well. Not only did they have the second-best scoring defense in the country, but they also had the best pass defense in the country.

The only part of the defense that wasn't as good was the run defense. They allowed 112.5 yards per game on the ground, which was the 23rd-best mark in the country. That's not bad, but it's not elite like the other numbers they put up. They also allowed the third-fewest total yards.

That's why the defensive tackles are going to be the key to the defense this season. Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton are back up front. They combined for five sacks last season and Williams in particular showed some burst up the middle on passing downs.

Those two defensive tackles will be tasked with plugging up the middle on run plays. If they can do that better than the Ohio State football team did last year, those rush yards per game totals will go down. Teams are already going to be afraid to throw the ball against them because of how good the secondary is.

Ohio State knows that they will be a defensive team again this season. Defense is how they won most of their games a year ago because the offense didn't have a consistently explosive pass game. They won't again this season, but it will be a little bit better in that regard.

Jim Knowles has transformed this defense into a powerhouse unit. Before he took over, big plays were given up at an alarming clip. That was an issue in his first season as defensive coordinator too. Since then, they've been very good at that. This team's defense is going to be brutally tough to beat.
.
.
.
continued
Upvote 0

Learfield Directors' Cup (Formerly Sears Directors' Cup)

Yeah, I don't know what the report I read that said 7th was thinking. No excuse for this, not even an off year in a few important sports should push us this far down. Given our history of top 5 finishes, AD budget and number of sports, anything outside the top 5 is a complete failure.

I think any finish out of the Top 10 is unacceptable.

The "Tier" level of support for certain sports (the financial plan going forward) probably won't help our finishes (in the Directors' Cup).
Upvote 0

2026 CA QB Troy Huhn (Penn State Verbal)

It’s going to be very VERY difficult to convince a 2026 QB come into the class when he may not see the field for 3- 4yrs with Sayin AND TSC in front of him. You can have all the confidence in the world, but common sense sets in, and TSC has arguably been the hottest ‘25 prospect in the country for the past few months. They may be better off just getting a transfer for ‘26
Exactly. Plus its the '26 class and there is a lot of time. Sayin/Noland/TSC...I would find another home, that is a crowded QB room but a situation you want as an OSU fan. No reason to worry about QB recruiting at all right now.
Upvote 0

San Diego Padres (Official Thread)

Login to view embedded media
Just sayin': Aside from Brutus, the San Diego Chicken may have been the greatest mascot of all time. For those that don't remember....

Login to view embedded media

Login to view embedded media

The Chicken entertained fans for the first time 50 years ago at San Diego Stadium

A San Diego State student named Ted Giannoulas dressed up in a chicken suit, bought a ticket to the Padres game and forever changed the fan experience at sporting events

00000177-e70f-d10d-a57f-ef2fa9460000.jpg


Ray Kroc had seen enough by the eighth inning of the team’s 1974 home opener.

The new Padres owner already had endured a three-game sweep by the Dodgers (getting outscored 25-2) in Los Angeles to open the season.

The home opener was more of the same. The Padres trailed the Houston Astros 6-0 after two innings and 9-2 in the eighth when Kroc cleared his throat and spoke into the PA microphone about the most “stupid ballplaying” he had seen in his life.

“I have some good news and some bad news,” the McDonald’s magnate said. “The good news is you loyal fans have outstripped Los Angeles. They had 31,000 on opening night. We have nearly 40,000.”

Just then the owner was interrupted when a streaker ran across the field at San Diego Stadium.

“Get him out of here,” Kroc yelled. “Take him to jail.”

And with that, Ted Giannoulas, a San Diego State student walking around the field-level concourse behind home plate, got out of there as well.

Giannoulas was concerned about angering Kroc for his appearance as well.

See, he was dressed in a chicken suit.

“This guy is going to look at me and say, ‘Get that chicken. We’re hamburger people around here,’” Giannoulas thought.

That was the scene on April 9, 1974 — 50 years ago Tuesday — when Giannoulas debuted at San Diego Stadium as the KGB Chicken.

No one had any idea that night, but they were witnesses to a transformative moment in sports history.

The play on the field was the only entertainment then at pro sports events, outside of organ music played during breaks in the action.

“There were no mascots in professional sports,” Giannoulas said last week. “Fans still showed up at the games in shirts and ties. They didn’t go in costumes or face paint or wild hair or anything of that.”

Certainly, no one entertained the crowd — often more than those they had paid to see — throughout the game. Game after game. The ballpark became the KGB Chicken’s regular roost.

A year after that first appearance, a stadium usher approached Giannoulas and said, “They want you up in the owner’s box.”

Giannoulas thought he was going to be dressed down for something he did, but Kroc just wanted to meet him and shake his hand.

“He told me,” Giannoulas said, “ ‘It’s amazing. We’re losing and our customers are going home happy every night because of you, young man. Thank you.’

“He wanted to win a pennant and a championship, of course. But goal No. 2 was, ‘Are my customers going home happy? And they were.”

Giannoulas was a game changer.

By 1979, he had become so popular that, after winning a lawsuit against KGB over rights to the character he created, 47,000 people showed up at the stadium to see his “Grand Hatching” as The Famous San Diego Chicken.

In 2005, The Chicken was part of the inaugural induction class for the Mascot Hall of Fame.

Jack Murphy, the San Diego Union sports editor when Giannoulas stepped on the stage, once said: “The Chicken has the soul of a poet. He is an embryonic Charles Chaplin in chicken feathers.”

Giannoulas, who grew up in Ontario, Canada, before his family moved to San Diego when he was a teenager, was influenced more by The Marx Brothers, The Three Stooges and stand-up comedy routines.

The Sporting News placed him among The Top 100 Most Powerful People in Sports of the 20th Century.

An idea hatches​

It is a most unlikely origin story.

In 1974, Giannoulas was a journalism major at San Diego State, intent on becoming a sportswriter — go figure — or maybe a broadcaster.

He was sitting in the office of KCR, the campus radio station, chatting with half a dozen others when a man from San Diego radio station KGB walked in looking to hire someone for a promotion.

The one-week assignment paid $2 an hour to give out candy Easter eggs to children at the San Diego Zoo.

There was one catch — the person had to wear a chicken suit.

“Everybody pauses a second, but then everybody volunteers,” Giannoulas said. “He scans the room and he sees me in the back corner and he says, ‘You, the short dude. You’ll fit the chicken suit best of all.’ ”

It wasn’t the first time the 5-foot-3 1/2 Giannoulas was presented with such an opportunity.

“When I was a kid at Hoover (High School), they had an open tryout for the Cardinal mascot,” Giannoulas said. “Nobody wanted to do it. My friends said, ‘Ted, you should do that.’ I turned and said, ‘I’m way too hip to be doing anything like that. You guys really think I’m that stupid? To be a goof like that?’ “

Giannoulas didn’t bawk this time.

He was eager to extend his employment beyond one week when the idea of wearing the chicken suit to a Padres game came to him.

He bought a ticket to the home opener, got suited up in the parking lot and walked up to the entrance gates.

“It created a little consternation,” Giannoulas said. “You don’t see somebody coming up to the turnstiles in 1974 wearing a chicken suit expecting to get in.

“They had to radio people in the front office to ask if I could be allowed in.”

Padres President Buzzie Bavasi had just one question: “Does he have a ticket?”

“Yes,” he was told.

“It created a lot of amusement around the sections,” Giannoulas said, “but I figured I better get a little more attention — I had the KGB call letters on my chest — got up and just started walking around the aisles, waving to fans. I would do a little soft shoe in the aisles when the organ music played.

“People were laughing. Those who brought cameras wanted pictures. It was completely off the wall. As irreverent as you can get.”

The radio station got more publicity that one night than it did the entire week at the zoo. And Giannoulas enjoyed the attention.

He returned the next game. And the next game. And the next.
.
.
.
continued
Upvote 0

Philadelphia Phillies (2x World Series Champions)

Phillies turn rare 1-3-5 triple play, MLB's first since 1929​

Login to view embedded media
The Philadelphia Phillies turned a rare triple play to snuff out a possible Detroit Tigers rally in the third inning Monday night.

Trailing 4-0, the Tigers had a chance to get something going when Zach McKinstry and Carson Kelly hit back-to-back singles, putting runners on the corners.

Matt Vierling hit a broken-bat liner back to Aaron Nola, who tossed to Bryce Harper to double Kelly off first.

Catcher Garrett Stubbs, noticing McKinstry had never stopped running from third, signaled to Harper to throw to third, where Alec Bohm stepped on the bag to finish the triple play.
Upvote 0

Ohio State Rowing Team (6 Straight B1G Champs, 2013-2014-2015 National Champs)

OHIO STATE ROWING PROMOTES VETERAN ASSISTANT COACH EMILY GACKOWSKI TO HEAD COACH​

147640_h.jpg


Ohio State rowing didn't need to look far for its next head coach.

On Tuesday, Ohio State senior deputy athletic director Janine Oman announced veteran assistant Emily Gackowski will be the program's newest leader. Gackowski agreed to a five-year contract with the Buckeyes that will continue through the 2029 season.

Login to view embedded media
“We’re thrilled to promote Emily Gackowski to lead our rowing program,” Oman said in a statement. “She’s earned this opportunity, not only through the good work she’s done as assistant coach and the personal connections she’s made with our student-athletes and staff, but also because of her long-range vision for the program.”
.
.
.
continued
Upvote 0

Filter

Back
Top