Catching Up on the World of Sports

As I sit down to write this article, I can’t help but wonder if any player in the NBA has received as much attention as Bronny James. But today, I want to talk about something else. The Illinois men’s basketball program has just received a huge boost with the signing of Will Riley, a five-star small forward and the ninth-ranked prospect in the Class of 2025. This is a massive coup for the Illini, and I’m excited to see how Riley will perform on the court.

The Illinois men’s basketball program has received a huge boost with the signing of Will Riley.

Riley, a Canadian, played high school basketball for The Phelps School in Malvern, Pa., and is considered one of the best scorers in the country. He averaged 26.5 points and six rebounds per game last season, and I have no doubt that he will be a dominant force in the NCAA. In fact, he’s already reclassified from the 2025 class to the 2024 class and will join the Fighting Illini this season. While he’s likely a one-and-done player, I’m excited to see what he can do in his short time in college.

The NCAA Tournament Could Be Expanding

There’s been talk of the NCAA Tournament expanding to either a 72- or 76-team field by the 2025-26 season. This would be a huge change, and I’m not sure how I feel about it. On the one hand, it would give more teams a chance to participate in the tournament. On the other hand, it could water down the competition and make the tournament less exciting. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see how it plays out.

The NCAA Tournament could be expanding to a 72- or 76-team field by the 2025-26 season.

Patrick Mahomes: A Bargain at $45 Million?

With NFL teams continuing to hand out huge quarterback contracts, it’s interesting to note that Patrick Mahomes, owner of three Super Bowl rings, is currently tied with Kirk Cousins for ninth highest annual salary among QBs at $45 million. Somehow, that seems like a bargain. Mahomes is first in total contract value at $450 million, but just 10th in guaranteed money at slightly more than $141 million. I guess that’s what happens when you’re a Super Bowl champion.

Patrick Mahomes is currently tied with Kirk Cousins for ninth highest annual salary among QBs at $45 million.

The Cubs’ Struggles Continue

The Cubs entered their weekend series against first-place Milwaukee in the National League Central cellar. To be fair, they also were only four games out of second place in the division that featured only two teams with winning records. Offense has been the Cubs’ primary problem. They went 8 for 37 with runners in scoring position and stranded 33 runners in a four-game series against the Giants. Their .230 team batting average ranks 25th in MLB, and their .370 slugging percentage 23rd. It’s been a tough season for the Cubs, and I’m not sure how they’ll turn it around.

The Cubs’ offense has been their primary problem this season.

A Legend Passes On

With the death of Orlando Cepeda, only two regulars from the 1967 and 1968 National League champion St. Louis Cardinals remain - second baseman Julian Javier, who turns 88 in August, and shortstop Dal Maxvill, 85. It’s always sad to see a legend pass on, and I’m sure Cepeda will be missed by many.

Orlando Cepeda was a legend on the field.

U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team Struggles

A stunning 2-1 home soil loss to Panama has created anxiety for the U.S. men’s national soccer team. While it is in second place in Copa America’s Group C and technically controls its own destiny, it most likely will need to beat first-place Uruguay July 1 in Kansas City and do better than Panama does against bottom-dwelling Bolivia to reach the knockout stage. The U.S. played the final 70-plus minutes against Panama shorthanded after forward Timoth Weah was sent off for a jab in the back of an opponent’s head away from the ball. Panama scored the game-winning goal in the 83rd minute.

The U.S. men’s national soccer team is struggling in Copa America.

A Young Golf Prodigy

One of the best stories in the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit was the PGA Tour debut of 15-year-old Miles Russell. Despite standing 5-foot-7 and weighing just 120 pounds, the left-hander shot even-par over the first two rounds to miss the cut, but showed he had game. The Detroit Golf Club had to waive its rule of no one under the age of 16 being allowed in the men’s locker room to accommodate the phenom.

Miles Russell is a young golf prodigy.

A Good Read

I’ve always been a fan of Mike Greenberg, first as co-host of “Mike and Mike in the Morning” on ESPN radio and now the host of TV’s “Get Up” and radio’s “Greeny.” My weekdays usually begin with a pot of coffee and two hours of “Get Up.” I recently ordered two of his books and recommend both.

Mike Greenberg is a great host and author.

The first, “Got Your Number: The Greatest Sports Legends and the Numbers They Own,” is a collection of short essays explaining why athletes and sporting events will forever be remembered for a number from 1 to 100. Let the debates begin.

The second, “Why My Wife Thinks I’m an Idiot: The Life and Times of a Sportscaster Dad,” touches on topics such as marriage, fatherhood, fame, athletes, crazed aunts with gambling problems, the true significance of sports, and the worst possible thing to say in a room of pregnant women. While there are touching moments, the book is often hilarious. I suspect my sports-covering brethren will, as I did, see themselves in many of the stories Greenberg tells. And so will their wives.