Monday Sports Update – College Championship Tonight
Alabama, Clemson Clash For National Championship Tonight
(Santa Clara, CA) — Alabama and Clemson battle again tonight in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The Crimson Tide and Tigers have faced off in the title game two of the last three seasons, with each winning once. Alabama beat Clemson in the CFP semifinals last season on its way to another championship. Both squads enter at 14-and-0. The Crimson Tide seek their sixth championship under head coach Nick Saban. Former Alabama player and assistant coach Dabo Swinney hopes to knock off his alma mater once again for a title.
Cowboys Advance, Play Next At Rams
(Arlington, TX) — The Cowboys will meet the Los Angeles Rams in a road game this Saturday in the next round of the NFL Playoffs. Dallas advanced with a 24-22 home win over the Seahawks on Saturday. Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 137 yards and a touchdown against Seattle. The Rams drew a first-round bye.
Cowboys’ Receiver Has Surgery
(Arlington, TX) — The Cowboys will be without wide receiver Allen Hurns for the remainder of the playoffs. Hurns had surgery to repair a broken fibula. He was injured in Saturday’s win over the Seahawks.
Colts End Texans’ Season
(Houston, TX) — The Indianapolis Colts eliminated the Texans from the playoffs with a 21-7 triumph in the Wild Card round Saturday in Houston. The Colts jumped out to a 21-0 halftime lead. Deshaun Watson threw a six-yard touchdown pass to Keke Coutee with 10:57 remaining for the Houston score.
Thomas Wants To Return
(Houston, TX) — Texans wide receiver Demaryius Thomas wants to come back next season. He missed the last month with an Achilles injury. The 31-year-old has a base salary of 14 million dollars next season, but none is guaranteed.
NFL Divisional Round Set
(Undated) — The NFL’s Divisional Round is set for this coming weekend. On Saturday, the Colts clash with the Chiefs in Kansas City and the Cowboys rumble with the Rams in LA. On Sunday, the Chargers play the Patriots in Foxboro and the Eagles face the Saints in New Orleans.
NBA
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Minnesota Timberwolves 108, Los Angeles Lakers 86
LA Clippers 106, Orlando Magic 96
Brooklyn Nets 117, Chicago Bulls 100
Atlanta Hawks 106, Miami Heat 82
Washington Wizards 116, Oklahoma City Thunder 98
Toronto Raptors 121, Indiana Pacers 105
Charlotte Hornets 119, Phoenix Suns 113
Mavericks Facing Lakers Sans James Tonight
(Dallas, TX) — The Mavericks will return home tonight to host the Los Angeles Lakers. Dallas is coming off weekend road losses at Boston and Philadelphia. The Lakers are 1-and-5 since losing LeBron James to a groin injury on Christmas. The Mavs are 15-and-3 at home.
Rockets Hosting Nuggets Tonight
(Houston, TX) — The Rockets are home tonight against the Nuggets in a matchup of division leaders. The Rockets lead the Southwest with a 22-and-16 record, but are coming off a 110-101 loss Saturday in Portland. Denver tops the Northwest with a 26-and-11 record.
PGA
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Sentry Tournament of Champions (at Kapalua, HI)
1. Xander Schauffele (-23)
2. Gary Woodland (-22)
3. Justin Thomas (-18)
Stars Lose In Winnipeg
(Winnipeg, Manitoba) — The Stars fell to the Jets 5-1 in Winnipeg. Alexander Radulov scored on a Dallas power play in the second period. It was the first Stars’ loss in regulation in their last six games. They are back on the ice tomorrow night against the Blues in St. Louis.
NHL
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Carolina Hurricanes 5, Ottawa Senators 4
Arizona Coyotes 5, New York Rangers 0
Vegas Golden Knights 3, New Jersey Devils 2
Washington Capitals 3, Detroit Red Wings 2
Winnipeg Jets 5, Dallas Stars 1
Chicago Blackhawks 5, Pittsburgh Penguins 3
Edmonton Oilers 4, Anaheim Ducks 0
College Basketball (Top-25 Coaches Poll)
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#4 Michigan Wolverines 74, #22 Indiana Hoosiers 63
#18 Marquette Golden Eagles 70, Xavier Musketeers 52
#17 Houston Cougars 90, Memphis Tigers 77
#20 (tie) Iowa Hawkeyes 93, #23 (tie) Nebraska Cornhuskers 84
#23 (tie) Wisconsin Badgers 71, Penn State Nittany Lions 52
College Basketball Roundup
(Undated) — In area college basketball tomorrow night: Iowa State at Baylor, Texas at Oklahoma State, Oklahoma at Texas Tech and Texas A&M at Kentucky. Wednesday: TCU at Kansas. Thursday: SMU at UConn, North Texas at UTEP and UT-Arlington at Appalachian State.
Buffs Sweep Western New Mexico In Silver City On Saturday
#13 West Texas A&M 72, Western New Mexico 55
#3 West Texas A&M Lady Buffs 64, Western New Mexico 49
