Lessons For the Red Wings From the First Round, Part 1 - Winging It In Motown

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As the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs come to a close we wanted to take a closer look at the eliminated teams to see what the Red Wings could learn from their mistakes, team build, and other takeaways to avoid the same pitfalls when they one day return to the playoffs.

We did a similar series last year and it drove a lot of conversation, between what exactly was the demise of any given team, and the difference between real red flags and things that are more likely just coincidental. We’ll do a round by round look as teams are eliminated on the way to the Cup Final. The first round will be split into two parts. Today we’ll be looking at the teams from the East and Central divisions. The eliminated teams include the Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, Florida Panthers, and Nashville Predators.

Washington Capitals

The Capitals missed out on the East division title by way of a tiebreaker to the Penguins. They were 4 points better than their first round opponent, the Boston Bruins, and they had the Bruins former captain, Zdeno Chara, on their roster to boot. This was a series picked by many to be among the most competitive. But it wasn’t, the Caps fell to the Bruins in five games. After taking the first game of the series in overtime, they lost four straight and quickly exited the playoffs. Although the Bruins did require overtime for two of their victories, this series felt like Washington went out with a whimper. Some may point to the goalie carousel as part of the reason, but there was just a lot left to be desired from this team as a whole.

Washington’s opponent was no slouch, but it’s hard to imagine they would have been any more successful against either of the Islanders or Penguins. The Capitals were among the league’s best offensive teams while being only mediocre defensively this season. But from the Red Wings perspective, it’s probably best to take a wider scope of the Capitals. They finally had their breakthrough with a Cup in 2018, but have repeated old history getting knocked out in the first round each of the three seasons since. In the Ovechkin (35) era, which is quickly closing, the Capitals have advanced past the second round exactly once. For all of the talent they’ve had in Ovechkin’s 16 year run, that’s inexcusable.

The biggest problem for this team in that time, coaching. They finally got the right coach with Barry Trotz. They were a team that always struggled defensively, often in the lower half of the league in goals against. In Trotz’s 4 year run they finished 6th, 2nd, 1st, and 15th in goals against. The irony being that last one is the year they actually won the Cup. Trotz managed to substantially improve the team defensively while not sacrificing offense to do it, the Caps stayed among the leagues top scoring teams those years. Players like Kuznetsov who seem to now be on the chopping block, were at their best under Trotz. The team let the coach walk after the Cup win and they’ve fallen into old habits, while they’re core begins to age out.

Not to kick a guy while he’s down but Jeff Blashill doesn’t appear to be the answer. And while it’s admirable the team is giving him plenty of opportunity to show what he can do, the Capitals have proven it can a few tries before finding the right fit. Coaching is a very fickle business, particularly with the recycling of coaches around the league. A guy can bomb out one place, and then receive all the credit for turning around another team. It has to be the right fit at the right time. The Wings would be wise to choose carefully if and when they decide to move on from Blashill because once the pieces are in place with the roster, you don’t want to have coaching be the reason the team can’t reach contender status.

Pittsburgh Penguins

The New York Islanders, coached by the aforementioned Barry Trotz, certainly seem to have the Penguins number, knocking them out of the first round in two of the past three seasons. The Penguins have fizzled out in three of their last four seasons since their back to back Cup winning seasons. They fell to the Islanders in six games this year.

But in contrast to the wide scope looking at the Capitals above, the Penguins downfall may be among the most obvious of the teams to fall in the first round. They got absolutely terrible goaltending. Tristan Jarry, had a solid enough regular season, but was brutal in this series against a team that finished 20th in offense this season. He made a boneheaded turnover in Game 5 that preceded the winning goal, and he got lit up in the deciding Game 6 to the tune of 5 goals on 19 shots through 2 periods, more-or-less burying the Penguins. He posted an .888 SV% for the series and still got to start and finish all six games. An advanced stat that paints a bleak picture, Jarry gave up -6.72 goals saved above expected (GSAx) in a six game series (evolving-hockey.com). Compare that to Semyon Varlamov at the other end who didn’t see the crease again after a tough performance in Game 3. Recognizing the Penguins didn’t have an Ilya Sorokin they could turn to, instead only having Casey DeSmith as a fall back. This was only Jarry’s 3rd season with the team at on a full-time basis at, but first as the go to starter at 25 years old. The Penguins have had success with young netminders but in hindsight they desperately needed to pick up one of the available veterans that could have been had at the trade deadline. Jeff Carter appeared to be a great pickup for this team but they ended up missing the piece they needed most.

While there are many things the Red Wings could learn from the Penguins, including their willingness to put their chips down every year and go for it when you reach your window, there is one main takeaway from their first round exit. Make sure you have goaltending in place and a good secondary option. This doesn’t mean you have to go out and pay a goalie $10 million to lock up the position (more on that problem in a bit). But you have to have a reliable proven option. That netminder doesn’t even have to be the usual starter, but even just a reliable veteran backup you can turn to if things go south. The Penguins were all in on Jarry like they once were with Matt Murray, and Marc-Andre Fleury before him. This time it didn’t work.

Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers emerged this season as a surprise near the top of the standings. They ended up one win shy of taking the Central division title and actually finished four points up on their opponent, cross-state rival Tampa Bay Lightning. But despite the higher seed, you would have had a hard time finding many pundits who picked the Panthers to come out on top. They ultimately overmatched against Tampa and fell in 6 six games.

Florida certainly held their own in this series and Game 1 was one everyone will remember for the fireworks and fast action it provided. They totaled 226 shots in the series, almost 38 per game. But they only managed to put 16 past Vasilevskiy, or 2.67 per game. Not a bad overall total but the Vezina favourite proved to be formidable.

This contrasts with what happened in Florida’s net. They had a similar problem as Pittsburgh. In 6 games, they cycled through 3 goaltenders. They led with $10 million man Sergei Bobrovsky who posted an .841 SV% in two starts and one relief appearance. He ended up in the press box by the end of the series. Next up was 2020-2021 surprise Chris Driedger. He didn’t provide much better backstopping with an .871 SV% in two starts and one relief appearance. To put their performances in perspective, Bobrovsky with a -5.58 GSAx, and Driedger -2.89 GSAx, had the 2nd and 4th worst marks for that stat in the first round despite their limited appearances. They were sandwiched by the aforementioned Jarry and Jordan Binnington in St. Louis. The lone bright spot in goal for Florida was 19 year old top prospect Spencer Knight. Credit to Quenneville and team management for giving the kid a shot instead of forcing what wasn’t working with the other two. He was 1-1 in two starts and put up a stellar .933 SV% and a 2.05 GSAx, putting him between Talbot and Fleury despite only two games.

Too bad for the Panthers that Knight faces a massive roadblock in getting the starter’s role due to Bobrovsky’s five remaining years and astronomical cap hit. This deal was a problem immediately due to the long term and the high draft capital spent on Knight. But I don’t think anybody thought this would come to a head this soon. The easy lesson here is don’t throw long term contracts at goaltenders, ever. They rarely work out. Tampa is just starting into a long term deal with Vasilevskiy and history shows he likely won’t maintain his Vezina form.

Beyond goaltending the Panthers are an interesting case study for the Wings. They have had the sort of climb you’d want after attaining the proper pieces. They hired a proven and successful coach in Joel Quenneville who has quickly made them a tough opponent. There are certainly thoughts of what could have been for this series if Ekblad hadn’t been lost for the season. This series was much closer if not for poor goaltending. The Panthers have been building toward this for awhile on the backs of stars like Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau who are in their prime. This was Quenneville’s second season behind the bench and he’s taken this group to another level in their breakthrough season. A common trend early on, coaching and goaltending seem to be pieces you severely covet if you don’t have them. The problem with the Florida model for Detroit is their centerpieces; Huberdeau, Barkov, and Ekblad were taken 3rd, 2nd, and 1st overall in their respective drafts.

Another thing Florida has done well, that Yzerman has also shown an ability to do, is to interchange the pieces around your core group as needed. Don’t commit to the secondary guys, that’s where you maintain flexibility. They have a couple of contracts that they likely would like to get out from with aging defensemen Yandle and Stralman but the only albatross contract on the roster is Bobrovsky. Aside from lottery luck in obtaining their top players, there are still things the Wings can learn from Florida’s team construction.

Nashville Predators

Nashville limped into the playoffs with 64 points grabbing the last spot in the Central division. They were in the conversation with teams like St Louis and Montreal for the “Thanks for Coming” award for this year’s playoffs. Essentially they were an expected footnote to these playoffs. With respect to the Predators they did manage to drag their series out with Carolina to six games. But that was thanks to two double overtime wins in Games 3 and 4, although Carolina did have to close the series out with back to back overtime wins themselves. This series was never all that close as Carolina just looked to be the far superior team.

The Nashville Predators are not the team they used to be for certain. After a run of successful seasons their window looks to be slamming shut quickly. Since their run to the Cup Final in 2018, they have won one playoff round, despite two division crowns. But they have at least maintained a playoff position every season. With their aging core they seem to have gotten stuck in the mushy middle. They are a long way from being a real threat anymore, but look like a team that’s going to continue to decline rather than improve.

Nashville is locked into two long term contracts on the back end. Roman Josi just finished the first season of an 8-year deal, but the Norris calibre defender is already 30, and likely won’t be worth his $9M ticket price for half of that contract. Similarly Ryan Ellis, 30, has 6 remaining years at $6.25M. The rest of their blueline is up for grabs if they want it to be with no other deal extending beyond next season if they don’t want it to. Up front they are locked into already poor looking deals with Ryan Johansen and Matt Duchene. Each have an $8M AAV with Johansen’s carrying 4 more years and Duchene’s 5 more years. Both are already underachieving, Johansen with 22 points in 48 games, and Duchene with 13 points in 34 games. Those two along with Arvidsson and Sissons are the only players the team is committed to beyond next season. Lastly in goal this season was Pekka Rinne’s likely swan song with Juuse Saros taking the reigns.

It’s a very unflattering cap picture for longtime GM David Poile. But Poile has shown to be creative and aggressive in past dealings, especially with his top of the lineup players. He’ll have to be at his best to sort this one out. Nashville could be staring the down the cannon of the start of a long rebuild similar to what Detroit was a few years ago. It’s probably best for Nashville to start the rebuild but with that many long term contracts on the books how do you shake loose from them.

There’s not as much of a straight line correlation between the Preds and Wings in many senses here. But perhaps one takeaway, and it’s something Yzerman has already shown a wisdom for, is don’t get tied into the wrong group. While Nashville did have a run of success for a few seasons, they’ve committed to some guys for past production rather than what they can or will do. This group got close to the ultimate goal and fell short. Then they locked into a lot of them hoping they could ride those guys to several years of success. Aside from a couple of players, flexibility is a strength you shouldn’t give up unless absolutely necessary.

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Wrapping Up

That’s it for Part 1 of the first round wrap-up. If you’re looking for the Coles notes there were a few particular lessons.

Goaltending is a piece you absolutely have to have to go on a run. But the variability in any goalie from season to season and over their career is high. It’s best to find a solid tandem where you can ride the hot hand and interchange individual guys in any given season. Yzerman has already shown this is what he’s looking to do in Detroit’s net.

Finding the right coach for your group is critical and one of the hardest things to nail down because success with one group doesn’t guarantee success with another. The wrong coach can make an entire roster look like it needs to be stripped down and start over. Time will tell on this one for the Red Wings, but teams around the league have shown it can take a few tries to find the right coach.

Lastly, and this is one that often comes up, every GM should try everything they can to maintain roster and cap flexibility. Particularly after your team has a run of success it’s easy to get generous with the guys that got you there. It’s been proven over and over this is a mistake and leads to long, painful rebuilds to escape tough contracts. Yzerman has generally proven to be pretty shrewd when it comes to dolling out term and dollars, even to the best players. It will serve him well to keep that up.

The Link Lonk


May 31, 2021 at 07:00PM
https://www.wingingitinmotown.com/2021/5/31/22456516/lessons-for-the-red-wings-from-the-first-round-part-1

Lessons For the Red Wings From the First Round, Part 1 - Winging It In Motown

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Fact check: Lemon drops and red onions will not cure or prevent COVID-19 - USA TODAY

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President Joe Biden says the country's future looks "brighter and brighter" as more Americans get vaccinated against the coronavirus.(May 28) AP Domestic

The claim: Eat red onions three times a day and use natural lemon drops in nostrils to treat COVID-19 

It's been more than a year since the World Health Organization declared the spread of COVID-19 a pandemic, but some internet users still peddle misinformation on how to cure or prevent the virus with at-home remedies. 

One Facebook post claims consuming red onions and applying natural lemon drops on the nose can curb the virus rather than the three COVID-19 vaccines the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized for emergency use.

"Eat red onions 3 times a day, use ocean for nostrils or sea salt," according to the May 11 post, which includes an image of a red onion. "Sleep 2 hours on stomach. Use natural lemon drops in nostrils for Covid19." 

Similar versions of the claim have gone viral in India, where there is a severe vaccine shortage amid a second wave of coronavirus cases and deaths.  Some versions of the claim, including a May 1 Facebook post, concentrate on the assertion about putting lemon drops in the nostrils. Other versions, such as a video posted to Facebook May 17, focus on onion and salt.

Fact check: No, the CDC did not release data showing 7 in 10 Americans decline COVID-19 vaccine

In a message to USA TODAY, the Facebook user behind the May 11 post, which is no longer there, said she got the information from a friend in India, who uses the methods as protection from COVID-19. 

There is no evidence that these methods are effective. 

Lemon drops do not prevent COVID-19

Numerous studies and experts have repeatedly debunked the claim that the acid or vitamin C in lemon juice will prevent the coronavirus. 

The WHO writes on its site, "There is no scientific evidence that lemon/turmeric prevents COVID-19. In general, however, WHO recommends consuming adequate fruit and vegetables as part of a healthy diet." 

Though lemons contain vitamin C, consuming lemon juice or dietary supplements containing Vitamin C will have no impact on COVID-19 infections, according to the National Academy of Sciences. 

An April 22 article from the Harvard Medical School says, "There is no evidence that taking vitamin C will help prevent infection with the coronavirus that causes COVID-19."

Fact check: Fauci didn't say half of CDC, FDA employees refused COVID-19 vaccine

The claim of lemon drops in the nostril went viral in India after politician and businessman Vijay Sankeshwar claimed it could increase oxygen saturation levels, the BBC reported, noting that this treatment has no effect on oxygen saturation levels. 

No evidence supporting onions and salt method

Experts also say eating red onion with rock salt is not a   treatment or cure for COVID-19. 

Mrinal Sircar, director and head of pulmonology at Fortis Hospital, Noida, told The Indian Express that the method does not work, and instead, people should wear a mask and stay sanitized. 

"Do not follow any such myth. In case you are infected, follow the line of treatment suggested to you by your doctor," he said. 

The National Onion Association writes onions are rich in prebiotics, helping increase beneficial bacteria in the gut to build immunity from viruses. However, because the strain of COVID-19 is so new, "there have been no studies specific to onions and coronavirus."  

"Nothing is yet known on whether the compounds found in onion would have protective or inhibitory effects on COVID-19," Irwin Goldman, a professor of horticulture at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, wrote in an expert opinion for the trade group.

On April 21, the Indian Press Information Bureau took to Twitter to debunk the claim, writing that there is no scientific evidence supporting that raw onion and rock salt intake can treat COVID-19. 

Fact check: False claim about Supreme Court and vaccination

USA TODAY debunked the claim that leaving raw onions around the house will prevent illnesses. 

Our rating: False

The claim that red onions and natural lemon drops will help kill or prevent COVID-19 is FALSE, based on our research. Experts say that although lemons contain vitamin C, there is no scientific evidence that they can prevent or help treat the coronavirus. Health officials and researchers say eating raw onions and rock salt is not proven to be a cure.

Our fact check sources: 

• World Health Organization, accessed May 31, Q. Does lemon or turmeric prevent COVID-19? 
• World Health Organization South-East Asia, March 23, tweet
• The National Academy of Science, accessed May 31, Lemon juice does not cure COVID-19
• Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School, April 22, Treatments for COVID-19
• BBC, May 2, India Covid-19: Fact-checking misleading claims on oxygen treatments
• The Indian Express, April 24, Fact check: Can eating raw onion with rock salt cure COVID-19? 
• National Onion Association, accessed May 31, Onions and Coronavirus
• Indian Press Information Bureau, April 21, tweet
• MyGovIndia, April 23, tweet
• USA TODAY, June 16, 2020, Fact check: Leaving raw onions around your house won't prevent illnesses
• National Onion Association, accessed May 31, Can eating onions help prevent the flu?

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here.

Our fact check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.

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June 01, 2021 at 01:34AM
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Fact check: Lemon drops and red onions will not cure or prevent COVID-19 - USA TODAY

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Texas Tech Launches 'Beyond Verified' Program for NIL - Texas Tech Red Raiders - TexasTech.com

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LUBBOCK, Texas – Already one of the most recognizable brands in college athletics, Texas Tech Athletics announced Monday the creation of Beyond Verified, a multi-faceted Name-Image-Likeness (NIL) program designed to build and safeguard each student-athlete's personal brand.
 
Beyond Verified will officially launch in June in anticipation of upcoming Texas state law and NCAA rules changes pertaining to NIL rights for student-athletes. The program, backed by a dedicated athletics staff, will provide industry leading tools for student-athletes to build and grow the reach of their name, image and likeness, while learning to protect their personal business assets.
 
"When you think about the Texas Tech brand, you think about the promise of the highest-quality education and competing on the biggest stages in college athletics," Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt said. "There is a promise and conviction of an entire fan base here that is as passionate as any program in the country. That's a promise we can guarantee to our student-athletes, one that enables a connection to the entire Red Raider Nation. The Texas Tech brand provides our student-athletes the opportunity to be at the forefront of this changing landscape."
 
As part of the new program, Texas Tech will extend its partnership with Opendorse, which has served as the athletics department's content-delivery platform for student-athletes since 2018. The existing partnership has included award-winning student-athlete engagement rates since its launch, giving Texas Tech the ability to provide photo or video content to its student-athletes in quick fashion following an event or through first-person narratives such as its "In My Words" series.
 
Opendorse Ready, a new NIL-specific component that will expand Texas Tech's relationship with the company, provides student-athletes education around personal branding, a personal-branding assessment and social media analytics, all while allowing athletics departments to more-easily manage NIL compliance through technology.
 
"Texas Tech has been an award-winning program in terms of athlete brand development for several years," said Opendorse CEO Blake Lawrence. "We've been fortunate to experience the program's growth as a longtime partner, providing products to best assist and engage their student-athletes and alumni. I'm proud to now expand this great partnership and prepare the Red Raiders to win in the new era of college sports."
 

 
While the turn to NIL will be new to many, Texas Tech has been preparing for this change in legislation for the past several years. The athletics department has invested numerous resources into helping student-athletes responsibly build their brands through its communications, social media and sports broadcasting staffs as well as through life-skills programing.
 
Texas Tech has built a state-of-the-art television studio in recent years to further promote its student-athletes through its vast social media reach and its third-tier rights agreement with ESPN+. The athletics department boasts an engaged social media audience that regularly ranks among the nation's leaders in engagement rates and total following.
 
Texas Tech has and will continue to prioritize storytelling as it relates to student-athletes promotion, giving a national alumni and fan base an inside look at who each student-athlete is not only in competition but more importantly, off the field.   
 
"For our football program, this has been a priority for us for several years now to put our student-athletes in the best possible situations to maximize their own exposure and build their personal brand," head football coach Matt Wells said. "Beyond Verified is going to only increase that commitment, and we are excited to work hand-in-hand with so many partners to deliver the best NIL program in the country."
 

 
Beyond Verified revolves around much more than social media, though. Through various campus partners, such as the College of Media and Communications, Texas Tech will provide resources for student-athletes to not only build their individual brands but safeguard it with continued education on fiscal responsibility and budgeting.
 
Amy Heard, Senior Associate Athletics Director for strategic initiatives, has been tabbed to oversee the Beyond Verified program.  
 
"Texas Tech has always been at the forefront of change in college athletics with the launch of Beyond Verified being the latest example," head men's basketball coach Mark Adams said. "We want our student-athletes to succeed in every aspect of life, and the education and guidance our student-athletes will receive from this program is invaluable. The Texas Tech way is to aspire to the highest level, and we are doing just that with our approach to NIL."
 
Texas Tech Athletics and the Double T, as a whole, are considered one of the most-profitable brands yearly as the university consistently ranks in the top 25 in royalties generated among the Collegiate Licensing Company's (CLC) partner institutions.
 
Additionally, Texas Tech has been the starting spot for several of the most-recognizable athletes and brand leaders in sports from the likes of NFL MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes II to Olympic gold medalist and Nike spokeswoman Sheryl Swoopes and a long list of other professional athletes such as Jarrett Culver (NBA), Josh Jung (MLB), Kim Kaufman (LPGA Tour) and Janine Beckie (Soccer), among others.
 
"I can say personally there is unlimited potential for a Texas Tech graduate in this world," head women's basketball coach Krista Gerlich said. "The Beyond Verified program will give our student-athletes a multitude of resources to navigate their NIL possibilities and reach their potential while still a student-athlete on our campus. We are excited about its launch and its ability to assist our student-athletes."
 

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May 31, 2021 at 10:08PM
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Texas Tech Launches 'Beyond Verified' Program for NIL - Texas Tech Red Raiders - TexasTech.com

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Red Bulls Expert Guide: May 31, 2021 - Once A Metro

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Welcome to the Red Bulls Expert Guide presented by Once a Metro.

Are you having a good year? It’s almost half over. You should try to accomplish something with your life. Start by reading this post. That counts as improvement.

Here’s this week’s top story.

***

Player agency Binary Sports Group posted on Instagram that Ugandan youth international Steven Sserwadda is set to join New York Red Bulls II in the USL Championship, appearing to confirm previous reports. The 18-year-old is described as “one of the most talented players of his generation,” possessing “amazing talent and work ethic.” His superlative performance at the 2021 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations attracted many clubs.

***

The Red Bulls missed out on a trophy… or at least a small portion of one.

Despite a superlative effort from Alejandro “Kaku” Gamarra, Al-Taawoun lost to Al-Faisaly by a 3-2 margin in the final of The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup. The Argentine-Paraguayan playmaker had a goal and an assist. In the 14th minute, he received a pass on the left side of the box and volleyed an inch-perfect cross to an awaiting Léandre Tawamba, who then finished from close range. His 45th minute penalty conversion put the Wolves ahead, but the lead did not last.

The disappointment cannot last long, as there is international soccer on the horizon. Kaku will miss the final match of the season against Damac FC, leaving Saudi Arabia to join up with the Paraguayan national team. There are two crucial World Cup qualifying matches on the schedule, facing off against Uruguay and Brazil.

***

Who here had Rubin Kazan on the Sead Hakšabanović bingo card? The Russian club beat out Napoli and Atalanta to sign the Swedish-Montenegrin playmaker. According to Daniel “Disco” Kristoffersson, the fee is in the range of $6 million to $7.25 million, which is “the third-largest transfer from the Allsvenskan.” Sportbladet claims the latter amount is accurate.

That is… slightly… more than the $4 million the Red Bulls reportedly offered. Can you believe that was almost six months ago? What have you accomplished since then? I haven’t done anything.

***

Your old pal Vincent Bezecourt has helped deliver the Armenian Premier League title for FC Alashkert. The French midfielder scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over FC Ararat Yerevan in the penultimate week of the season, drilling his volley into the back of the net to help secure the team’s place at the top of the table.

In the final fixture of the season, Alashkert defeated Ararat-Armenia, 1-0, to officially claim the title. The club has won the Armenian Premier League four times this decade. This is the fourth trophy of Bezecourt’s professional career, joining the 2016 USL Regular Season, 2016 USL Cup, and 2018 MLS Supporters’ Shield.

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There’s been other Red Bulls alums playing for trophies in the Caucasus this month. Congratulations to Anatole Abang and Keşlə Futbol Klubu as they captured this season’s edition of the Azerbaijan Cup with a 2-1 win over Sumqayıt. The Cameroonian striker started and played 90 minutes. He almost scored in the 94th minute but didn’t.

Keşlə finished at sixth in the Azerbaijan Premier League table, two points ahead of last place Səbail. By virtue of winning the cup, the club has qualified for the second qualifying round of next season’s Europa Conference League. Will Abang stick around the ASK Arena or add another stamp to his passport?

***

Belgian publication VoetbalPrimeur named their Team of the 2020-2021 Season and, surprise, surprise, Amir Murillo was included. The Panamanian right back had a great year Anderlecht despite being “a little too restrained by [manager] Vincent Kompany.” He can “hardly be stopped,” with four goals and four assists in 39 appearances.

After a chaotic 1-0 loss to Antwerp in the final match of the season that featured a Matt Miazga red card, Anderlecht dropped to fourth in the table and qualified for the third-tier Europa Conference League. While Murillo recently signed a long-term contract at the club, expect significant transfer interest in the 25-year-old this summer. According to Dylan Butler, the Red Bulls might be due an eventual sell-on fee, which could be quite munificent.

***

Former New York Red Bulls Academy player Jeciel Cedeño has joined Hartford Athletic in the USL Championship. The 21-year-old midfielder made two appearances as an amateur for the reserve team in 2019. He scored three goals during the preseason.

***

Would you like to participate in a digital platform that “mixes social networks, football education, and knowledge sharing with the global football community”? Gameinsight offers webinars, mentoring programs, and live chats. In case you’re not completely interested, what if I were to tell you that Hans Backe is involved?

“Hans Backe is a driving force in this, sprung from his drive to educate and share knowledge,” says COO John Wall. The two men previously worked together on a book dedicated to Marco Bielsa’s training methods. The company, once focused on Sweden, is hoping to become a tool for the entire footballing world.

I know that each and every Red Bulls fan will purchase a membership in order to learn the wonders of the 4-4-2 and positioning defensive midfielders as wingers.

***

Following three losses to open the 2021 Veikkausliiga season, the seat of one Teemu Tainio was hot and getting hotter. Local media insisted the FC Haka manager was not “showing any development steps,” claiming that the press was low intensity and there was a distinct lack of communication between the players. Perhaps those are harsh criticisms considering the club had only recently returned to the top flight and narrowly avoided relegation, but problems are easier to diagnose than solve.

For his part, Tainio was unconcerned with the slow start. The club has reeled off two straight wins against IFK Mariehamn and KuPS, rising to eighth in the 12-team standings. Following this weekend’s triumph, he remarked, “It’s really nice to sit on the bus after this victory.”

That’s not quite telling Joe Cole to look at the scoreboard, but every quote does not need to be a Paddy Chayefsky-level retort.

***

Did you know that Brentford is now in the Premier League after beating Swansea, 2-0, in the English Championship Playoff final? Did you know that one-time Red Bulls transfer target Ivan Toney converted a penalty in the tenth minute? Did you know that people mocked the current front office for pursuing him, even though he scored 32 goals in 51 appearances this season?

Here’s a joke that was submitted by Constance of North Haledon.

“If the Red Bulls had signed Ivan Toney, the club still wouldn’t have made it to the Premier League.”

Thank you, Constance. The Red Bulls still would have failed to secure promotion if Ivan Toney was signed.

***

Do you have a story you’d like to submit to the Expert Guide? Email us at bencorkOAM@gmail.com or send a DM to @Once_A_Metro on Twitter.

The Link Lonk


May 31, 2021 at 10:55PM
https://www.onceametro.com/2021/5/31/22461851/red-bulls-expert-guide-may-31-2021

Red Bulls Expert Guide: May 31, 2021 - Once A Metro

https://news.google.com/search?q=Red&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en

Red Cross asking for volunteers ahead of hurricane season, urging prepardness in Northeast Florida - WJXT News4JAX

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Hurricane season officially starts Tuesday, June 1st. Forecasters predict it will be an above-average year. There are 17 named storms, 8 hurricanes, and 4 are expected to be major hurricanes.

The 2020 season was the most active, and one of the most expensive on record.

Red Cross volunteers fanned out across the country and helped people affected by storms with names like Iota and Eta. Some brought back a new perspective, especially after dealing with the impacts of COVID-19.

The American Red Cross Disaster Relief in Northeast Florida is ready to depart at a moment’s notice. In his 40 years with the organization, Jack Morgan has seen a lot, but 2020 was unlike anything he’d seen before.

“Covid has impacted how organizations, nonprofits, government agencies, communities respond to events,” Morgan said.

While COVID-19 was front and center, the mission never changed. Morgan says the Red Cross had to switch gears from what it always knew, meaning families were evacuated to hotel rooms. He says it presented new challenges.

“When individuals are in hotels, it’s a little bit different trying to gain that support,” Morgan said. “Especially when you’re trying to provide mental health support, first aid health and safety, and spiritual care.”

Now that things are improving with the virus and more people are becoming vaccinated, the Red Cross volunteers are transitioning back to using schools and community centers for evacuations. Morgan says it helps volunteers provide the best care.

For this upcoming hurricane season, Morgan says people need to do the traditional preps. That includes getting your papers together, building your hurricane kit, and having a plan in place to make sure your pets are safe and taken care of. But he also says if Covid taught him anything, it’s knowing your exact health status. Along with that of every person who lives with you. He says this info is crucial when planning for a possible evacuation.

“Are you taking care of your mom or your dad? Or your aunt or your uncle--and do they have a condition?” Morgan said. “Which says, ‘hey, it would be best for them to stay in a non-congregate place such as a hotel?”

With hurricane season starting, Morgan says a great way to help everyone is to become one of the helpers.

“I think people stepped back and having gained that confidence or willingness to come back,” Morgan said. “The need for volunteers is exponential right now.”

The Red Cross and many other disaster response organizations need help with volunteers. To learn how click here: https://www.redcross.org/local/florida/north-florida/volunteer.html

The Link Lonk


May 31, 2021 at 05:56PM
https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2021/05/31/red-cross-asking-for-volunteers-ahead-of-hurricane-season-urging-prepardness-in-northeast-florida/

Red Cross asking for volunteers ahead of hurricane season, urging prepardness in Northeast Florida - WJXT News4JAX

https://news.google.com/search?q=Red&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en

American Red Cross hosting a Touch of Red Virtual Run - WIAT - CBS42.com

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ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) -- The St. Clair County coroner confirms four people have died following a car crash into Logan Martin Lake Saturday night at 11 p.m.

Coroner Dennis Russell identified the victims as April Whatley, 37; Mariah Towns, 18; Rosalyn White, 2; and Reginald J. White, 5. They are believed to be from the Birmingham/Adamsville area, and traveling to Georgia for a graduation party.

The Link Lonk


May 31, 2021 at 06:20PM
https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/american-red-cross-hosting-a-touch-of-red-virtual-run/

American Red Cross hosting a Touch of Red Virtual Run - WIAT - CBS42.com

https://news.google.com/search?q=Red&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en

Paint the Town Red: Mid-South organizations work to beautify Memphis neighborhood - WMC

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Klondike-Smokey City Community Development Corporation and its partner, Neighborhood Preservation Incorporated spread out over North Bellevue, north of Jackson Avenue, to install a new mural, assemble a garden bench and set up a planter filled with red flowers.

The Link Lonk


May 31, 2021 at 08:44PM
https://www.wmcactionnews5.com/2021/05/31/paint-town-red-mid-south-organizations-work-beautify-memphis-neighborhood/

Paint the Town Red: Mid-South organizations work to beautify Memphis neighborhood - WMC

https://news.google.com/search?q=Red&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en

As China's Communist Party turns 100, its members' 'red genes' matter more than ever to Beijing - CNN

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[unable to retrieve full-text content]As China's Communist Party turns 100, its members' 'red genes' matter more than ever to Beijing  CNN The Link Lonk


May 31, 2021 at 12:18PM
https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/31/china/red-tourism-communist-anniversary-mic-intl-hnk/index.html

As China's Communist Party turns 100, its members' 'red genes' matter more than ever to Beijing - CNN

https://news.google.com/search?q=Red&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en

European markets set to open in the red ahead of inflation data - CNBC

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European markets are set to open in the red Monday ahead of inflation data for some of the region's biggest economies.

Germany's DAX is expected to open down 37 points at 15482 after hitting an all-time high the previous week. France's CAC seen lower by 8 points at 6475. It is a bank holiday in the U.K.

This despite some good news in France; the country on Monday begins Covid-19 vaccinations for everyone over the age of 18.

On the data front, consumer price index counts for Germany, Spain and Italy are due later this morning.

Asian markets were mixed Monday, after China's official manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index for May on Monday came in at 51.0, a slight decrease from the previous month's reading of 51.1.

Meanwhile, U.S. markets are closed for Memorial Day weekend.

It comes amid hopes that U.S. job figures show a comeback in hiring for May, demonstrating continued global recovery. The dollar is holding onto a two-month high and the price of gold held above a key level of $1,900 as investors flock to the currency as an inflation hedge. U.S. core inflation rose above the Federal Reserve's target on Friday.

Stock picks and investing trends from CNBC Pro:

In the U.K., which is also off for its spring bank holiday, a coronavirus lockdown housing rental eviction ban expires.

In other news, OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria's term of office ends Monday and NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg is scheduled to brief press ahead of a Foreign and Defense Ministers meeting.

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The Link Lonk


May 31, 2021 at 01:33PM
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/31/european-markets-set-to-open-in-the-red-ahead-of-inflation-data.html

European markets set to open in the red ahead of inflation data - CNBC

https://news.google.com/search?q=Red&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en

Western New York Red Cross honors fallen World War I veterans - WIVB.com - News 4

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LEWISTON, N.Y. (WIVB) — Among the thousands of headstones nestled in Riverdale Cemetery, there’s a plot of land specifically dedicated to unclaimed World War I veterans.

Members of the Service to Armed Forces division of the Western New York Red Cross gathered on Saturday to plant flowers, weed, and clean up the headstones of those who served.

It’s a time of year when many visit the graves of fallen service members, often leaving behind flowers or flags. There are 39 unclaimed veterans at the Riverdale cemetery. Members of the Red Cross say they wanted to make sure they were respected, even though there may be no family to do so.

During a weekend of reflection and gratitude, decorated Air Force Colonel Bob Pecoraro says each and every fallen veteran deserves the utmost respect.

“We need to make sure we have a full accounting. That no one is left behind. It’s important for everybody to be identified and to understand where their final resting place is.”

Abby Fridmann is an anchor and reporter who has been part of the News 4 team since 2020. See more of her work here.

The Link Lonk


May 30, 2021 at 05:43AM
https://www.wivb.com/news/local-news/niagara-county/lewiston/western-new-york-red-cross-honors-fallen-world-war-i-veterans/

Western New York Red Cross honors fallen World War I veterans - WIVB.com - News 4

https://news.google.com/search?q=Red&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en

Red Wings mailbag: Looking ahead to free agent possibilities - MLive.com

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Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has opted not to make a free-agent splash while still deep in the rebuilding stage, signing players to short-term deals (one or two years) at reasonable cap hits, like Valtteri Filppula, Patrik Nemeth, Bobby Ryan, Vladislav Namestnikov, Troy Stecher and Thomas Greiss.

Will this be the summer Yzerman pursues a bigger-impact, higher-priced free agent on a longer term? Is that even possible, since many of the bigger names (Alex Ovechkin, Taylor Hall, Gabriel Landeskog, David Krejci, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman, Blake Coleman, Dougie Hamilton) will either re-sign with their current club or likely look to join another playoff- or Stanley Cup-contending team?

“My approach has been you look for opportunities, you wait for opportunities to come along,” Yzerman said earlier this month. “When I try to force or chase something, it hasn’t really worked out. I never tried to do anything to make a splash. There has to be a reason for it, a good reason, to think you’re going to be a better team. It doesn’t have to just look good; it has to be good.

“I’m not opposed to signing a free agent, it’s how much are they going to cost? Is it going to make sense, for the short term and the long term?”

The start of free agency is two months away (July 28), but one MLive reader wondered what the Red Wings might do in this week’s mailbag:

Q: Anyone who you think the Red Wings should sign as a free agent next season? Also, finishing as strong as we have down the stretch and improved defense, it doesn’t sound like a stretch to get to .500 or a little better next season. What is your prediction? -- Hunter

A: Starting from within, they’ll look to re-sign Luke Glendening, Jonathan Bernier and possibly Marc Staal. Can’t imagine Glendening going anywhere. Bernier is their best option for a goalie to pair with Greiss. Staal would fill one of their needs for a left-shooting defenseman.

They might have interest in re-signing Bobby Ryan and Sam Gagner as well. They were good team players and would fill their need for right-shooting forwards.

Of course, they can’t just bring back everybody. Some changes are needed after they finished 16 points out of the last playoff spot in the Central Division.

Other right-shooting forwards who might be available and fit their expected criteria (short term, low salary) include Kyle Palmieri, Travis Zajac, Jason Spezza, Corey Perry and Wayne Simmonds.

Left-shooting defensemen, in addition to Staal, who might be available include Alexander Edler, Alex Goligoski, Erik Gustafsson, and former Red Wings Merrill and Nemeth.

Reaching .500 in 2021-22 isn’t a stretch. Better health, more offense (including an improved power play), better results in overtime/shootouts would help. The return to the normal divisional alignment and schedule matrix featuring games against Buffalo, Ottawa and New Jersey will be a good thing, too.

Q: Do you think Detroit would have any interest in (Sean) Monahan if he really is available out of Calgary? A pretty good age for the core, but is it a good fit at all? -- Jeremy

A: Yzerman has said he is hesitant to part with prospects/draft picks for a player who might be around only for the short term, and Monahan would be under club control for only two more seasons. So, it seems doubtful, but it all depends on the price.

Monahan would fill the Red Wings’ second-line center void. He turns 27 at the start of next season, so he is in his prime. The Red Wings will have ample cap space even after signing their own free agents. Monahan has two years remaining at a $6.375 million cap hit, so they wouldn’t be handcuffed long-term if it doesn’t pan out. Monahan hasn’t lived up to the contract the past two seasons (a combined 32 goals and 76 points in 120 games), after averaging 30 goals and 66 points the previous five seasons.

Q: We had Petr Mrazek as the future No. 1 goalie for the Red Wings; do you know why he’s not around anymore? Our team was in a decline, our defense was poor, lack of scoring and lack of superstars. If we want to get a goalie for the future, we should draft a goalie only when our team is better in all areas. If we have one now, we will ruin his potential and then end up trading him just like what we did with Mrazek. I say, for now, sign veteran goalies. – Jerry

A: First off, this is exactly the time you want to draft a goalie because they take several years to develop. So, he would be NHL-ready by the time the team is poised for long playoff runs, ideally. In the meantime, they need to sign a veteran to pair with Greiss; they hope to bring back Bernier.

Couple reasons why they traded Mrazek to Philadelphia for a third-round pick (used on defenseman Seth Barton) in 2018. Mrazek had struggled for most of his final two seasons in Detroit and the Red Wings did not want to qualify him at $4 million as he approached restricted free agency. Also, the organization had soured on him due to what it perceived as coachability and attitude issues.

Q: What are the chances of Adam Oates becoming the power-play coach? -- Richard

A: It’s doubtful. He runs the Oates Sports Group, a consulting firm that works with players, NHL and amateur, and groups in an effort to improve their skills. Jeff Blashill brought in Oates during the 2015-16 season for three days to work with the coaching staff. Oates hasn’t coached since the latter part of the 2014-15 season with New Jersey.

Q: Filed under “Things I thought I knew, but now I’m not so sure …” What criteria are used when deciding which forwards will play on which wing? Is it system? Shot-handedness? I was contemplating a line of (Lucas) Raymond-(Joe) Veleno-(Jonatan) Berggren and I wasn’t even sure if that put players in the “correct” position. Please elucidate. -- John

A: A team’s system and the player’s style are among the factors. When the Red Wings played the “left-wing lock” under Scotty Bowman, the better defensive forward of the line’s wingers played left wing. Typically, a right-handed shot will play right wing and left-handed shot the left side, but not always. For example, right-shooting Brendan Shanahan played left wing because it provided more opportunities to open up for a one-timer from the left face-off circle. Left-shooting Filip Zadina plays right wing because his sweet spot to get off his shot is the right face-off circle.

I’m not sure it matters much for forwards to play right or left wing; it’s more important on defense to pair left and right shooters, making tape-to-tape passing easier.

(If you have a Red Wings-related question, email akhan1@mlive.com.)

The Link Lonk


May 30, 2021 at 05:05PM
https://www.mlive.com/redwings/2021/05/red-wings-mailbag-looking-ahead-to-free-agent-possibilities.html

Red Wings mailbag: Looking ahead to free agent possibilities - MLive.com

https://news.google.com/search?q=Red&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en

Roland Garros Doubles Draw: Nikola Mektic/Mate Pavic Try To Stay Red-Hot - ATP Tour

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© Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic will pursue their first Grand Slam title as a team at Roland Garros.

This article contains:

Australian Open champs Dodig/Polasek are seeded fifth

The Roland Garros doubles draw was released on Sunday, and top seeds Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic will be the favourites. The Croatians lead the FedEx ATP Doubles Team Rankings by 2,615 points following a red-hot start to 2021.

Mektic and Pavic have lifted six ATP Tour trophies this year, including three ATP Masters 1000 titles. They will play 2016 champion Feliciano Lopez and his partner, Jaume Munar, in the first round.

VIEW DOUBLES DRAW

Second seeds Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah, who have made the semi-finals in three of the past four years in Paris, will face a stiff opening test against British brothers Ken Skupski and Neal Skupski in their opener.

Another interesting first-round encounter pits ninth seeds Kevin Krawietz and Horia Tecau against Ariel Behar and Gonzalo Escobar, who triumphed in Delray Beach and Marbella earlier this season. Krawietz has won the past two Roland Garros titles with Andreas Mies, who is recovering from right knee surgery.

Australian Open champions Ivan Dodig and Filip Polasek are seeded fifth and they will play Andres Molteni and Frederik Nielsen. This tournament also marks the return of a longtime successful partnership, Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo, who had competed with different partners earlier in 2021.

More stories like this in:

The Link Lonk


May 30, 2021 at 08:10PM
https://www.atptour.com/en/news/roland-garros-2021-doubles-draw-preview

Roland Garros Doubles Draw: Nikola Mektic/Mate Pavic Try To Stay Red-Hot - ATP Tour

https://news.google.com/search?q=Red&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en

Orlando City vs. New York Red Bulls: Five Takeaways - The Mane Land

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The Lions headed up to New Jersey to face a Red Bulls team that generally protects its home grounds and, despite playing poorly, Orlando City had a chance to escape with a late draw. Unfortunately, shots don’t always go where you want them to and the Lions fell 2-1 to New York.

It was Orlando City’s 200th MLS regular-season game but it was one to ultimately forget. The Lions were forced to wear the PRIMEBLUE Parley kits that made them look like FC Cincinnati, and...well, they played like FC Cincinnati, to be honest.

Here are the things I took away from Orlando’s first L of 2021:

Missing Persons

If you keep taking players off a good team, it eventually catches up. Ruan’s continued absence and a personal matter Rodrigo Schlegel had to attend to forced Michael Halliday into the starting lineup for the first time on Saturday. While Halliday wasn’t terrible, he did turn the ball over in dangerous spots and was culpable on New York’s opening goal. If he’s not going to continue tracking Caden Clark there, he absolutely must make sure to communicate that a teammate has to pick him up. It did not appear Antonio Carlos knew much about Clark until the ball was in the net.

Up front, the second game of Nani’s ridiculous two-game suspension was obviously an issue. The midfield lacked composure on the ball and passes were off line just enough to force bad touches or simply turn the ball over on numerous occasions. Oscar Pareja said Mauricio Pereyra had experienced some tightness during the week and gave him 45 minutes anyway, but it was clearly not the normal Magic Mo out there.

Toothless Badger

It’s been painful watching Chris Mueller struggle in 2021 after his outstanding 2020 campaign. Mueller was deployed on the left again during the second match of Nani’s suspension and he just doesn’t look comfortable there at all. He’s still working his tail off but generally isn’t providing the expected width, he’s not generating consistent danger, and he’s been too passive at times. He had an opportunity to fire a quick shot in the box Saturday afternoon but instead tried to dribble past two defenders and was dispossessed.

But it isn’t just when he’s on the left. Silvester van der Water sent him on his way on the break just right of center and a heavy touch forced Mueller to re-gather the ball and by that time the defense had gotten into position to block his shot attempt. He’s not beating defenders 1-v-1, he’s passing backward a lot to restart attacking sequences, and he’s opting not to shoot when he’s got room to do so. The Lions need Mueller to get his swagger back and it might only take one shot going in to do it.

Flawed Strategy at the Start

Pareja said in his postgame press conference that the coaching staff picked a lineup and strategy expecting Orlando’s midfield to boss New York’s. That’s certainly not the way the game unfolded. The Lions were on their heels the entire first half and for stretches of the second half. Orlando struggled to break lines with poorly placed or weighted passes and every time the Lions turned it over, the Red Bulls looked threatening. Orlando changed tactics at halftime but the game was already 1-0 at that point, due mostly to one of those turnovers in transition. Instead of looking for a shot on goal, the Lions were picking a goal conceded out of their net because of a poor connection on the counter. Sebas Mendez had a shockingly poor game by his standards in terms of being loose with the ball and Andres Perea didn’t add much to the attack or to keeping possession.

The Lions’ turnovers were caused by numerous factors. Sometimes it was a misplaced pass, just a bit too far ahead or behind. Sometimes those passes were accurate but telegraphed. Often players in the middle of the pitch underestimated how much time and/or space they had before defenders closed and they kept the ball too long. Sometimes touches were simply too heavy and that little extra space between player and ball allowed the defender to close and poke the ball away.

Water Under the Bridge

Silvester van der Water has most certainly earned more minutes with his last two outings, tallying a goal and an assist. His 88th-minute miss on Saturday was a bad one, certainly, but without his goal four minutes earlier, the team’s not even in the match. After the match, van der Water seemed more concerned with the missed shot than the goal, which is the way you’d want your players to react, provided he puts the miss behind him and continues to be a dangerous attacking player.

The Dutchman provided an excellent ball to spring Mueller shortly coming on but Cash couldn’t control it on a day when it seemed like every bounce went the wrong way. So, it could have become a two-goal, one-assist outing in less than half an hour if things had gone more smoothly. I’ve seen enough that my conclusion is there’s just no excuse at this point not to start him every game until/unless Mueller starts producing at last year’s pace again.

Tesho’s Fine

There’s still a lot of blamethrowing going on when it comes to Tesho Akindele. I’m here to tell you that he’s not the problem with the offense at the moment. Even when not scoring, Akindele is finding ways to contribute both offensively and defensively. Saturday he listened to what Pareja has been drilling into him and selected the best options in the attack. He had two excellent layoffs for van der Water and should have had a two-assist game as his reward. He made an excellent run in the first half on a give-and-go with Junior Urso, but was forced onto his weaker foot before firing a shot on target. Akindele is more or less the team’s third-choice striker without Daryl Dike and Alexandre Pato, but he’s forged some good early chemistry with van der Water and does so many little things well that don’t show up on the score sheet, such as frequently forcing the opposing goalkeeper to turn the ball over.

Akindele has four direct goal contributions (two goals, two assists) in seven appearances after having just three (all goals) in 17 matches all of last year. He’s registered all four of those goal contributions in the past five games, including the last three straight. His next start will equal his total of starts from last season, his next shot attempt will equal his 12 from all of last season, and his next shot on target will equal the seven he had all of last year too. He’s not a prolific guy, but he’s stepped up his game in 2021. Unfortunately, some other guys have taken a step backward. If the surrounding pieces were clicking the way they had previously been, Akindele would find himself isolated less of the time and might even have better numbers to show for his work.

---

That’s the way I saw things during Saturday’s match. What did you see? Let me know in the comments section.

The Link Lonk


May 30, 2021 at 09:00PM
https://www.themaneland.com/2021/5/30/22460280/orlando-city-vs-new-york-red-bulls-five-takeaways

Orlando City vs. New York Red Bulls: Five Takeaways - The Mane Land

https://news.google.com/search?q=Red&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en

Red Raiders Fall Back to 14th at NCAA Championship - Texas Tech Red Raiders - TexasTech.com

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SCOTTSDALE, Arizona – Texas Tech fell back to a tie for 14th at the 2021 NCAA Men's Golf Championship after a challenging Saturday afternoon at the Grayhawk Golf Club's Raptor Course. The Red Raiders will tee off at 10 a.m. (CST) on Sunday in the third round, now needing to stay within the top-15 to advance to the fourth round.

Tech progresses into the third round of the tournament at 20-over after shooting 24-over during the afternoon wave on Saturday. The team led the tournament after carding 4-under on Friday and has a 276-304 – 580 team scorecard going into Sunday's round.

"It was a lot tougher this afternoon with the wind picking up and the greens getting baked out," Texas Tech coach Greg Sands said. "We just didn't do a good enough job hanging in there. We kind of let our emotions get to us early and we couldn't make enough birdies to catch up from our start. I don't think we did a very good job of executing or staying committed like we were able to do in our first round. We can't let this round beat us twice though. We are still right there and have a good chance to advance if we can play well tomorrow."

The NCAA Men's Golf Championships consist of three days of stroke play on Friday thru Sunday (54 holes) with the top 15 teams and nine individuals not on an advancing team moving on. That is followed by a final day of 18 holes of stroke play on Monday to determine the top eight teams that will advance to match play as well as the 72-hole individual champion. The team national champion will be determined by a match-play format that will consist of quarterfinals and semifinals conducted on Tuesday, followed by the finals on Wednesday. The Golf Channel will broadcast the individual championship round on Monday and the match play rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Oklahoma State leads the tournament through 36 holes at 6-under, while Oklahoma is second at 1-under. The pair of Big 12 rivals for the Red Raiders are the only teams under-par in the 30-team field after 36 holes. Arizona State is third at 2-over followed by Pepperdine (5-over) which is fourth and Illinois and North Carolina who are tied at 6-over. Tech is currently tied with Arkansas at 20-over and will be paired with the Razorbacks for the third straight round. SMU and Georgia are both one shot back at 21-over, Oregon State is at 22-over and Texas is 24-over with that contingent set for afternoon tee times and thoughts of creeping into the top-15 to advance.

Ludvig Aberg leads the Red Raiders at 4-over after shooting a 76 in his second round to follow up starting the tournament with a round of 2-under on the first day. A sophomore from Sweden, Aberg made four bogeys and a double bogey in an uncharacteristic round without a birdie. He came into the round fifth overall but dropped back to 46th going into Sunday.

Garrett Martin and Andy Lopez are tied at 5-over after two rounds with Martin shooting 4-over on Saturday and Lopez at 6-over. Martin has a 71-74 – 145 scorecard going into the third round of the championship after his second round where he made birdies on No. 3 and 12 but also six bogeys. Lopez was at even-par on Saturday through his first nine holes before bogeying six of nine to finish his day. A senior from Plano, Lopez began the tournament with a round of 1-under on Friday with two birdies and only one bogey.

Texas Tech freshman Baard Skogen finished his second round at 8-over after shooting 1-under in his first round. Skogen, who is in 82^nd at 7-over, was 6-over during his first nine holes of the day before making his first and only birdie of the day on hole 3. He would bogey three of the final five holes to take a 69-78 – 147 scorecard into Sunday. Kyle Hogan is at 8-over following shooting a 78 on Saturday where he began his day with a double and triple. A senior from Cypress, Hogan made his first birdie of the day on his 12^th hole of the day and finished strong with six straight pars.  

"We have to reset and get back to our process that has gotten us here," Sands said. "We didn't respond very well today to being in the lead. Sometimes a different mindset can cost you a lot and unfortunately that happened to us today. I think we'll respond tomorrow by getting back to being committed and focused on our game. We know that if we play like we are capable of being right there at the top of any leaderboard."

Oklahoma State's Bo Jin leads the tournament at 8-under followed by Ryggs Johnston (Arizona State) and Turk Petti (Clemson) who are both at 5-under. Jin shot 5-under on Saturday with seven birdies on his scorecard.

Fans can follow the tournament through live scoring at this Golfstat.com link along with on social media @TexasTechMGolf. The Golf Channel will begin its coverage of the tournament on Monday from 2-6 p.m. for the Individual National Championship before match play coverage on Tuesday and Wednesday.
 
 
 

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The Link Lonk


May 30, 2021 at 09:19AM
https://texastech.com/news/2021/5/29/mens-golf-red-raiders-fall-back-to-14th-at-ncaa-championship.aspx

Red Raiders Fall Back to 14th at NCAA Championship - Texas Tech Red Raiders - TexasTech.com

https://news.google.com/search?q=Red&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en

Red Raiders Qualify Six, Plus Three Relays, on Final Day in College Station - Texas Tech Red Raiders - TexasTech.com

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COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas Tech's final day of the NCAA West Preliminaries in College Station saw six qualifications across four events as well as three relays. 
 
The women's relay will head to Eugene, doing so on a program top-10 time of 44.01. This foursome, which began with Virginia Kerley and went to Kiah Dubarry-Gay, D'Jenne Egharevba and finally Peyton Ricks on the anchor. It tied for the fourth-fastest relay in school history and is the fastest 4x1 run since 2012. 
 

? ???????????? ?????????? ?

The ????????????-?????????????? time in program history is taking our 4x1 to nationals.

?? 44.01 pic.twitter.com/yxy0Ej1YWh

— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) May 29, 2021

That's ????.???? — the quickest we've gotten the stick around since 2012 ?? pic.twitter.com/NRhEYBC92V

— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) May 29, 2021

Later, the women would also get their 4x400 through to nationals. Jadsia Warden led off before handing to Sara Limp. Limp passed to Amanda Crawford, who split 52.23 before giving way to anchor Lexye Price, who brought it home to finish in 3:31.79. It is the second time that foursome has gone 3:31, the other being the 3:31.74 they ran at the Big 12 Championships. Tonight's time ranks seventh in school history, right behind their Big 12 time from two weeks ago. 
 

? ???????????? ?????????? ?

The 4x4 is ????, and they're in with the seventh-fastest time in school history.

?? 3:31.79 pic.twitter.com/2Rgf6KAR9O

— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) May 30, 2021

The 10^th-fastest men's 4x100 in school history led the Tech squad to a nationals berth. The relay was led off by Courtney Lindsey, who handed to Jacolby Shelton and then Ashton O'Conner with Terrence Jones Jr. on the anchor. Despite an awkward handoff between legs three and four, the Red Raiders timed a season-best 39.07 with a foursome who had yet to even run together this year. 
 

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With the 10th-fastest 4x1 time in school history.

?? 39.07 pic.twitter.com/zjDtuNy10p

— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) May 29, 2021

Ran away with this one, and now this squad's running its way to nationals ?? pic.twitter.com/891IF71esU

— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) May 29, 2021

Shelton was not done – and Lindsey was far from it. Lindsey was first to run again, setting up the blocks just under two hours later for the 100m. He timed a career-best 10.15 to grab the last auto bid from a blistering first heat that claimed all three of the at-large bids as well. 
 

? ???????????? ?????????? ?@GodSpeedddd is riding a 10.15 career best to the national title meet. pic.twitter.com/N6crB6OGXh

— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) May 29, 2021

Shelton was moving in his second heat, placing second with a 10.21. It was also a career best for him. Shelton had not dipped sub-10.30 in his career entering this sophomore season and has now done it each of his last five times running the event. 
 

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A PR 10.21 into headwind just bought @TheOfficialJS3 his first individual lane at a national meet. pic.twitter.com/ty0jGNUTFE

— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) May 29, 2021

Later, Lindsey would complete his busy day in even stronger fashion than how he started it. Running the 200m, he timed a season best of 20.24 to grab the automatic bid to nationals. Lindsey, a former NJCAA indoor 200m national champion, will now head to Eugene competing for NCAA DI titles in the 100m and 200m while running on the 4x100 relay. 

In that same heat, Jones Jr. ran a massive career best of 20.36. The Bahamian freshman entered the meet – his first NCAA meet – having never ran below 21.17 without wind. He earned his quarterfinal bid with a wind-aided 20.58, and now a wind-legal 20.36 will carry him to the outdoor title meet. 
 

Catch those boys flying, catch 'em in Eugene next ? pic.twitter.com/yfsa60fu4m

— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) May 29, 2021

Indoor triple jump champion Ruth Usoro secured her bid to compete for the outdoor title. Usoro landed a leap of 44'-8.75"(13.63m) on her very first attempt. She would try, unsuccessfully, to improve upon it on the second, but it was a moot point as the mark – incredibly, her shortest of the year – was plenty to send her through to Eugene. In fact, the 13.63m jump ranked second of everyone in the competition. 
 

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The indoor champ is on her way to compete for the outdoor title. pic.twitter.com/uxVvm2ztvH

— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) May 29, 2021

Chinne Okoronkwo finished just outside of a nationals bid, ending with a top mark of 42'-11.75" (13.10m). Monae' Nichols topped at 42'-4.5" (12.89m). Chelsey Cole ended her Tech career by tying a season best. She landed her top jump at 41'-5.75" (12.64m). 
 
Seasons Usual, the nation's fifth-ranked discus thrower entering the weekend, qualified for her second career NCAA Outdoor Championships. Usual landed a top throw of 190'-7" (58.10m) on her first attempt, and it would be plenty to carry her through. The mark ranked her fifth in the standings when all was said and done. 
 

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Seasons' career season will go on. pic.twitter.com/OkKy9RaQaY

— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) May 29, 2021

Karayme Bartley ran 20.78 in the 200m, but it would not be enough to advance. Later, he would run on a 4x400 relay that timed 3:09.04. Bartley was the third leg, taking the handoff from Sven Cepus and handing to Josiah Macinnis. Chancellor Stephenson was the leadoff. 
 
Maliek Kendall ran in his first career NCAA quarterfinal and emerged with a wind-legal PR. While his 13.80 was not enough to advance him to nationals on time, it would mark a great end of a strong outdoor season for the junior. 
 
Demisha Roswell ran in the women's hurdles, timing 13.33. Roswell had a massive – albeit wind-aided – personal best two nights before with a 12.85. Roswell is yet another Red Raider who would not advance past regionals but capped a strong debut season on a great note. 
 
Sara Limp ran 52.65 in an elite 400m field. It wrapped her season with the second time she has qualified for the NCAA quarterfinals in the 400m. 
 
Lexye Price was just outside of qualifying in an incredibly tough field as well. Price, running the 400m hurdles, timed a weekend-best 58.37 – her third-best time of the year. She would finish just one spot outside of advancing to Eugene. 
 
The 200m featured Kiah Dubarry-Gay, the freshman whose big 23.17w PR from Thursday got her a lane in the quarterfinal. In that quarterfinal, she would run 23.48 and finish 18^th to put an end to her individual season, though she is expected to contribute to the 4x100 at nationals. 
 
Marco Vilca ran the 800m, timing 1:50.54 in a fast second heat. The Peruvian freshman's first collegiate season would come to a close, but not before he ran a 1:49.59 PR in Tech's final home meet. 
 
The NCAA Outdoor Championships will run June 9-12 in Eugene, Ore., at the newly-renovated Hayward Field. 

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The Link Lonk


May 30, 2021 at 09:55AM
https://texastech.com/news/2021/5/29/track-and-field-red-raiders-grab-six-qualifications-plus-three-relays-on-final-day-in-college-station.aspx

Red Raiders Qualify Six, Plus Three Relays, on Final Day in College Station - Texas Tech Red Raiders - TexasTech.com

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