Yardbarker

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans. You can find him on Twitter/X and Threads at @ericsmithling and at Bluesky at @ericsmithling.bsky.social.

EXPERTISE:

NFL, College Football, NBA, Men's and Women's College Basketball, NHL

Ranking the NBA's play-in teams from least to most dangerous

The NBA's play-in tournament begins on Tuesday. Here's our rankings of the teams from least to most dangerous.

Watch: Kentucky head coach Mark Pope makes incredible entrance at introduction

New Kentucky HC Mark Pope certainly has the fans behind him, for now anyway.

What we learned during the final round of the Masters

Scottie Scheffler has a second green jacket. Things got tight on Sunday for a brief moment until Scheffler separated himself in the middle of the round for his third win in his last four PGA Tour events.

Alabama spring game takeaways: Jalen Milroe, RBs excel in Kalen DeBoer's first scrimmage

We got our first glimpse of Bama football post-Saban during Saturday's spring game, and here are our takeaways.

Ohio State spring game takeaways: Defense shines, question at quarterback remains

Ohio State showed why it's a 2024 title contender during its spring game on Saturday. Here are the takeaways.

Welcome to League One: Wrexham receives second consecutive promotion

The club was an afterthought when actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney purchased it in November 2020. 

Why Braves should be able to take starting pitcher's major injury update in stride

Losing an ace such as Spencer Strider this early in the season would be a devastating blow for most teams. But most teams aren't the Atlanta Braves.

Watch: Tiger Woods birdies first hole at 2024 Masters

Tiger Woods looked good on his first hole at the 2024 Masters. The 15-time major champion birdied the par-4, 445-yard hol — a much better start than the one he had last year.

Bryson DeChambeau exorcises Masters demons with excellent opening round

What once was a house of horrors for DeChambeau turned into a funhouse during the opening round of the Masters. The LIV golfer took the lead at Augusta National after an opening-round 65, a massive improvement from last year when he began the tournament with a 74 and missed the weekend cut.

Watch: Royals knock Astros starter for nine runs, 11 hits in wild first inning

Houston Astros starter Hunter Brown was obliterated by the Kansas City Royals on Thursday.

Hawks' playoff hopes take hit with pair of devastating injury updates

The Hawks' push for a playoff berth may have ended days before their play-in game against the Bulls tips off.

Vikings, Giants set to meet with 2024 top QB prospect

Quarterback Jayden Daniels is a wanted man.

Mavericks win locks them into intriguing first-round matchup

The first Western Conference playoff series is set, and it might be the best of Round 1.

Insider reveals new details in Alex Rodriguez's failed Timberwolves ownership bid

Alex Rodriguez's failed ownership bid with Marc Lore for the Timberwolves might be a home run for the teams' fans.

WNBA schedule release shows Caitlin Clark effect is real

The league revealed its TV schedule on Tuesday.

Victor Wembanyama joins Hall of Fame company with fifth block vs. Grizzlies

To say Victor Wembanyama has had an excellent rookie season would be an understatement.

Karl-Anthony Towns could return just in time for Timberwolves playoff run

Timberwolves power forward Karl-Anthony Towns is gearing up for his return to the court just in time for Minnesota’s playoff run.

Indiana State star center entering transfer portal

One of the biggest stars of the 2023-24 college basketball season is headed to the transfer portal.

Potential landing spots for Zach Edey in NBA Draft

No one knows what to make of Zach Edey's NBA potential. Players aren't named National Player of the Year twice by accident, and Edey's size alone should make him an attractive center prospect.

Five storylines to watch for at the 2024 Masters

The world's best golfers are descending upon Augusta this week for 2024's first major. The Masters tees off on Thursday.

Watch: Yankees SS Anthony Volpe continues hot start to season with three-run HR

Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe continued his torrid start to the 2024 MLB season against the Marlins on Monday.

NCAA Tournament final sets another viewership record for women's basketball

A massive audience tuned in for a historic women's NCAA Tournament championship game. South Carolina-Iowa drew 18.7 million viewers, the largest audience for a basketball game — college or professional — since the men's NCAA Tournament championship game in 2019, an 85-77 overtime win by Virginia over Texas Tech.

Watch: Dodgers P Yoshinobu Yamamoto escapes bases-loaded jam with three Ks

Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto is showing that he has the stuff and mentality to escape tight spots on the MLB mound. Now it's a matter of keeping out of those spots entirely.