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

Surging Rockets could be serious threat to Warriors, Lakers for play-in spot

The Rockets (33-35, 11th in Western Conference) are 2.5 games behind the Warriors for 10th in the West and the final spot in the play-in tournament.

Three hottest seats on Atlanta Falcons

Once the Falcons get the memes out of their system, they'll need to win games with Cousins, who they signed to a sizable four-year, $180 million contract this offseason.

Addition of two-time Cy Young winner adds to impressive Giants offseason

Two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell finally found a home for 2024 after the Giants signed him to a two-year, $62M contract with an opt-out after the season.

What to watch for in this week's Dodgers-Padres MLB season debut

The Dodgers and Padres will meet in South Korea for a two-game set on Wednesday and Thursday in the first series of the league year.

Saints add another former Buckeye as they address glaring offseason need

The Ohio State to New Orleans pipeline grew stronger on Monday.

Duquesne ends 47-year NCAA Tournament drought with A10 title

Get ready to learn how to pronounce Duquesne.

Watch: Yale ends Brown's Cinderella run with buzzer-beater to win Ivy League title

Brown's Cinderella run toward a potential NCAA Tournament berth ended in the most heartbreaking fashion.

UConn reminds why its the best team in the country on chaotic Saturday

Three projected No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament were amid the casualties in a chaotic Saturday of college basketball, but the fourth separated itself from the pack.

What to expect on Selection Sunday for men's NCAA Tournament

It's almost time for the madness to ensue. What to expect from Sunday's bracket reveal for the men's NCAA Tournament.

Wisconsin peaking at right time after upsetting Big Ten No. 1-seed Purdue

Wisconsin is hitting their stride after topping the Big Ten's No. 1 seed on Saturday. The question is whether they can carry this momentum into the NCAA Tournament.

Brown stuns top-seeded Princeton to reach Ivy League championship game

Brown, which was 6-17 through its first 23 games, has won seven in a row — the program's longest streak in 21 years, per CBS Sports.

NCAA bubble Watch: Which teams are in and out one day before Selection Sunday?

As Virginia waits to see if it will play in the tournament, here are 10 others also on the bubble.

Ugly loss could mark the end of Penny Hardaway's Memphis tenure

After suffering an upset loss in the second round of the American Athletic Conference Tournament to 12-seed Wichita State, 71-65, the Tigers might have no other choice than to move on from head coach Penny Hardaway.

Mississippi State in solid position for tournament bid following win

Mississippi State might have punched its ticket to the NCAA Tournament on Thursday.

Bobblehead theft thwarts Penguins' Jaromir Jagr celebration

Where were you during the great bobblehead heist of 2024?

Montana State pulls off huge second-half comeback to win third straight Big Sky Tournament

Few could have imagined it'd be headed to the NCAA Tournament, but after winning its third game in three nights, Montana State surprisingly still has life left in it.

Five burning NFL questions at the start of the 2024 league year

Questions abound as the NFL's 2024 league year commences.

Watch: Panthers storm back from 3-0 deficit in possible Stanley Cup preview

Per ESPNBet, the Panthers (+650) are the favorite to win this year's Stanley Cup. They have a three-point lead on the Bruins in the Atlantic Division standings and an NHL-best plus-65 goal differential.

Stunning NEC Tournament final leads to No. 6 seed going dancing

An unexpected king is atop the Northeast Conference. On Tuesday, Wagner, which entered the conference tournament as the 6-seed, stunned 2-seed Merrimack in the finals, 54-47.

Winners and losers from Day 2 of NFL's free-agency period

On the eve of the official start of the 2024 league year, the Ravens gave quarterback Lamar Jackson a new running mate in the backfield, the Texans leveled up and the Cowboys took a long nap. Here are the winners and losers from another hectic day.

Former No. 1 overall pick's pending signing with Browns gives QB Deshaun Watson new backup

Former No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston is headed to the Browns to serve as backup to starting quarterback Deshaun Watson. 

Why Monday wasn't a (total) disaster for the Panthers

If you look beyond the Brian Burns fiasco, the Panthers had a decent day.

Watch: Warriors rookie puts Victor Wembanyama on a poster

It wasn't the only time the rookie posterized a Spurs defender.

NCAA Tournament automatic bid caps rise of Samford, HC Bucky McMillan

Samford head coach Bucky McMillan has the Bulldogs in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 24 years after winning the first Southern Conference title in program history on Monday.

RB Austin Ekeler could be next Commanders QB's best friend

 The Commanders are making their next quarterback's job easier.