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Good morning, sports enthusiasts, and happy Thursday! Austin Nivison here, bringing you the latest updates before the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions kick off NFL Week 14 tonight. There’s plenty happening across sports, from trade chatter about Giannis Antetokounmpo, USC’s impressive National Signing Day, to the Buffalo Bills bolstering their defense.
Let’s dive in.
5 Key Sports Highlights This Thursday
USC tops the National Signing Day rankings for the first time ever by a non-SEC school in the modern era. Lincoln Riley’s leadership is shaping a promising future for the Trojans, snapping the SEC’s 17-year streak. Their class boasts five-star offensive tackle Keenyi Pope and an impressive 18 four-star recruits. Meanwhile, Penn State faces turmoil, struggling to find stable leadership, whereas former coach James Franklin has raised Virginia Tech’s recruiting profile.
Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is questionable for tonight’s game against the Cowboys. Although the serious ankle injury feared after Thanksgiving seemed avoided, St. Brown remains officially listed as questionable. If he sits out, receivers Jameson Williams, Tom Kennedy, and Isaac Tesla will need to step up.
The Buffalo Bills have claimed veteran cornerback Darius Slay off waivers. Released by the Steelers, Slay joins to strengthen Buffalo’s secondary as they eye a potential Super Bowl run. Despite being a healthy scratch against the Bills last week, Slay’s veteran presence will be tested this weekend versus Joe Burrow and the Bengals’ explosive offense.
Kansas State’s head coach Chris Klieman is retiring, with school legend Colin Klein set to take over. After seven successful seasons and a 54-34 record, Klieman announced his retirement, passing the torch to Klein, a 2012 Heisman finalist and current Texas A&M offensive coordinator, who now faces the challenge of elevating the Wildcats.
NBA champion and Clemson star Elden Campbell has passed away at 57. Campbell was a key player for the Lakers in the ’90s and won a title with the Pistons in 2004. A standout at Clemson, he remains the school’s all-time leading scorer and earned two All-ACC honors.
NBA Update: Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Rumors Heat Up
Bucks fans have been quiet on trade rumors for months, but now buzz is picking up again about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with Milwaukee. The team’s recent struggles—winning only 2 of their last 10 games—have spurred new discussions. If Giannis decides to move on, there could be up to 29 potential destinations for him, broken down into categories by Sam Quinn.
While teams like the Nuggets and Mavericks lack the assets to acquire him, and the Cavaliers face salary cap hurdles, the Knicks remain a wildcard despite limited trade capital. Quinn notes the Bucks prefer to deal with teams other than the Knicks, such as the Pistons, Spurs, or Rockets, but the Knicks might still secure Giannis at a steep price—unless Giannis signals otherwise. His recent calf injury, which sidelined him against the Pistons, could also impact trade talks in the short term.
NFL News: Lamar Jackson Drops in QB Power Rankings
The Ravens have clawed back in the AFC North, but Lamar Jackson hasn’t looked like his MVP self since returning from a hamstring injury. Baltimore is 4-1 with him back, yet his stats reveal a decline: averaging 194.4 passing yards and just 19.6 rushing yards per game with five passing touchdowns and three interceptions. NFL analyst Cody Benjamin placed Jackson much lower in his latest quarterback power rankings, though he expects Jackson to find his rhythm before the season ends. Baltimore will need Jackson firing on all cylinders as they face the Steelers in a crucial matchup.
What to Watch Today
- West Ham vs. Manchester United at 3 PM on USA Network
- 7th-ranked North Carolina vs. 2nd-ranked Texas Women’s Basketball at 7 PM on ESPN2
- No. 3 South Carolina vs. No. 22 Louisville Women’s Basketball at 7 PM on ESPN
- 76ers vs. Warriors NBA game at 7 PM on NBA TV
- Blue Jackets vs. Red Wings at 7:30 PM on Hulu
- Lions vs. Cowboys NFL game at 8:15 PM on Prime Video
- No. 5 LSU vs. Duke at 9 PM on ESPN
- No. 18 Notre Dame vs. No. 13 Ole Miss Women’s Basketball at 9 PM on ESPN2
- Blackhawks vs. Kings at 10 PM on Hulu
Fan Take: The resurgence of Giannis trade rumors is critical for basketball fans as it could reshape the league’s power balance and player movement dynamics. How this situation unfolds will offer insights into the future of superstars and franchise strategies in the NBA.
