Latest news with #Cougar
Boston Globe
4 days ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
AJ Dybantsa and BYU to face UConn at TD Garden this fall
It'll be a matchup between teams projected to be among the preseason top 10, as well as between two of the top New England players in college basketball. Advertisement Dybantsa will face a UConn team led by Southborough native Alex Karaban, a two-time national champion who averaged 14.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game last season. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'The game against UConn in Boston is going to be a great test for our team and allow Cougar fans all over the East Coast to see us play in one of the premier venues in the NBA,' BYU coach Kevin Young said in a statement. The game will be the Huskies' first in Boston since the 2024 East Regional, when UConn blew past San Diego State in the Sweet 16 and Illinois in the Elite Eight en route to becoming repeat national champion. It will be UConn's second appearance in the Hall of Fame Series after the Huskies beat Gonzaga at Madison Square Garden in December. Advertisement 'The Hall of Fame Series has been great to us in the past, so it was a no-brainer to jump at an opportunity to play an elite opponent in 'Storrs North,' ' UConn coach Dan Hurley said in a statement. 'We know it will be a quality event with a great crowd and a stiff test to see where we are as a team.' One week after the game at TD Garden, the Naismith Hall of Fame also will put on a showcase featuring Boston University, Harvard, Providence, and Penn State at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. Additionally, UConn men's and women's basketball teams will take part in an exhibition doubleheader against Boston College at Mohegan Sun Arena on Oct. 13. It'll be the teams' first meeting on the women's side since 2005, and first on the men's side since 2013. Emma Healy can be reached at
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
John Mellencamp 'embarrassed' by Pat McAfee calling out Knicks celebrities at Pacers game
A former Cougar has a bone to pick with a former Colts punter. John Mellencamp was so bothered by what Pat McAfee did during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks that the Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter took to social media to voice his displeasure and apologize "on behalf of most Hoosiers." Advertisement Mellencamp was at Gainbridge Fieldhouse when the Pacers took a 3-1 series lead on Tuesday, May 27, when the ESPN and WWE host riled up Pacers fans inside the arena during a timeout in the fourth quarter. McAfee used a few expletives while encouraging the crowd's boos of Hollywood stars Timothee Chalamet, Ben Stiller and Spike Lee, all who were in attendance and rooting for the Knicks. NBA DRAFT 2025: Winners and losers after landscape-shifting college withdrawal deadline Mellencamp, 73, didn't mention McAfee by name but chastised him for a lack of "Hoosier Hospitality." "I was embarrassed when somebody, under whose direction I don't know, called out some of the people who had made the trip from New York to support their team – and in turn, support our team," Mellencamp wrote. "The audience booed these people. I'd say that was not Hoosier Hospitality. One could only say it's poor, poor sportsmanship. I was not proud to be a Hoosier, and I've lived here my entire life. On behalf of most Hoosiers, I would like to apologize for our poor behavior. I'm sure the Pacers had nothing to do with this smackdown." McAfee acknowledged Thursday he is the "somebody" to whom Mellencamp is referring. The former Indianapolis Colts punter, who based his daily sports talk show in Indianapolis, did not attend Game 5 on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden despite a social media invitation from Stiller in the aftermath of his antics. The Knicks beat the Pacers, 111-94, with Chalamet and Kylie Jenner, Stiller, Lee, Tracy Morgan and Shaboozey among the celebrities in the New York crowd. Advertisement The Knicks and Pacers meet again for Game 6 back in Indianapolis on Saturday, May 31. Indiana leads the Eastern Conference finals, 3-2. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: John Mellencamp rips Pat McAfee for antics at Knicks vs Pacers game
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
BYU football recruit sparks buzz as MVP of Under Armour Next Camp
When Bott Mulitalo lines up in the trenches, you can feel the shift. Pads pop a little louder. Coaches stop mid-sentence. Recruits watch quietly. And last weekend at the Under Armour Next Camp in Salt Lake City, the Lone Peak standout made sure everyone knew why he's BYU's top offensive line commit in the class of 2026. The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Mulitalo left no doubt, taking home the Offensive Line MVP award after a commanding performance that showcased his raw strength, balance, and explosiveness against the best competition from across the West. The four-star recruit didn't just win reps—he erased defenders. Advertisement Mulitalo, who is currently rated No. 90 overall in the 2026 class by 247Sports, has transitioned from the defensive line to offensive tackle, a move that looks more genius by the day. While he continues to refine his pass-blocking sets, his natural ability to anchor and drive defenders into the turf is already at a collegiate level. It wasn't just the trophy that made headlines—it was who he did it in front of. The Salt Lake City edition of the Under Armour Camp drew elite talent from states like Arizona, California, Oregon, and Colorado. Among the BYU faithful, though, Mulitalo's performance stood tallest. He was one of five Cougar commits competing, part of a strong showing from BYU's 2026 class that also included fellow four-star Brock Harris. Mulitalo's early commitment to BYU came after flipping from Oregon, largely due to his growing connection with offensive line coach TJ Woods. That bond now looks like a cornerstone in BYU's rebuilding strategy up front. The message from Mulitalo this weekend was clear: he's not just committed—he's coming for dominance. Advertisement If this is what he's doing before his senior year, just imagine the impact when he finally suits up in Cougar blue. Related: AJ Dybantsa take his talents to international stage Related: BYU Basketball players are turning heads for unexpected choice
Leaders
13-05-2025
- General
- Leaders
RSAF Takes Part in Anatolian Phoenix Exercise in Türkiye
The Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) is participating in the Anatolian Phoenix 2025 exercise, taking place at Konya Air Base in Türkiye, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). Running from May 12-23, 2025, the Anatolian Phoenix is a multinational combat search and rescue exercises that aim to enhance combat efficiency and operational readiness. RSAF is taking part in the exercise, alongside forces of brotherly and friendly countries, with two Cougar helicopters and their entire air, technical and support crews. The Saudi participation also includes six air controllers. This aims to strengthen operational preparedness, provide training in a realistic operational environment, and foster expertise exchange among participants. The Anatolian Phoenix 2025 exercise aims to train participating forces on combat search and rescue operations, as well as training tactical air control teams on carrying tasks in coordination with systems of friendly nations taking part in the exercise. RSAF has just concluded its participation in the Desert Flag 2025 exercise at Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, a key joint exercise that aims to exchange expertise in the fields of planning and execution, enhance combat readiness, and strengthen relations with the forces of the participating countries. The Royal Saudi Air Force joined the drill with the F-15C aircraft system, with its entire air, technical and support crews. Joint military exercises, such as Anatolian Phoenix and Desert Flag, strengthen integrated coordination among national forces, develop capabilities and achieve mutual benefits to bolster national security. The participation of RSAF underscores its commitment to bolstering combat efficiency and operational readiness. Short link : Post Views: 19
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
BYU sparks major buzz with another addition through the transfer portal
If BYU fans felt the 2025-26 basketball roster was nearly complete, think again—Kevin Young and his staff just added one more weapon. UC Riverside transfer Nate Pickens, a dynamic 6-foot-3 combo guard, has officially committed to BYU following a campus visit on May 1–2. The senior-to-be brings scoring punch, elite shooting splits, and underrated athleticism to a Cougar backcourt that's already bursting with playmaking depth. Advertisement Pickens quietly put up consistent numbers at UC Riverside, averaging 9.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists last season. His efficiency stood out: 40% from the field, 39% from three, and 76% from the line. With nearly half his shots coming from beyond the arc, he went 47-for-120 from deep and ranked 12th in the Big West in free throw rate—an indicator of his aggressive shot creation. Against BYU earlier in the season, he dropped 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting, proving his ability to perform on a big stage. With Rob Wright expected to run the show and AJ Dybantsa and Kennard Davis sharing facilitation duties, BYU didn't need a traditional point guard—they needed a backcourt weapon. Pickens fits the mold: he can create off the bounce, space the floor, and elevate in traffic. He'll likely slot in as a backup point guard and secondary creator, offering high-level production without the pressure of primary playmaking. Nov 30, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; UC Riverside Highlanders guard Nate Pickens (11) celebrates after dunking the ball against the UCLA Bruins in the first half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesKirby Lee-Imagn Images Pickens enters his senior season with three years of D-I experience. That maturity matters. With Big 12 play demanding physical and mental toughness every night, BYU gains a battle-tested contributor who has already shown he can deliver in hostile environments. Advertisement With Pickens on board, BYU's backcourt is now one of the most intriguing in the Big 12. Fans won't have to wait long to see how Young integrates him into a rotation loaded with versatility. The Cougars are going all-in on depth and firepower—and Pickens might be the final piece that tips the balance. Related: BYU Basketball players are turning heads for unexpected choice Related: AJ Dybantsa admits BYU wasn't top school, blown away by NBA ready program
