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

Saturday's NCAA men's tournament takeaways: Gonzaga is peaking at right time, NBA Draft prospect's stock rises

Gonzaga is doing Gonzaga things again. This and other takeaways from Saturday's games in the men's NCAA Tournament.

Saturday's NCAA women's tournament takeaways: Stars shine bright on Day 2 of first round

Saturday's first round of the NCAA women's tournament featured stars galore. From Iowa's Caitlin Clark to Syracuse's Dyaisha Fair, to stellar freshmen JuJu Watkins (USC) and Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame), some of the very best talent in the sport took to the court.

Arizona reaches second Sweet 16 under HC Tommy Lloyd with win over Dayton

The Arizona Wildcats are living the sweet life.

Watch: Nets' Mikal Bridges drains full-court shot to beat halftime buzzer vs. Knicks

Nets forward Mikal Bridges drained a three against the Knicks on Saturday afternoon that spanned the Brooklyn and Manhattan boroughs, ending an entertaining first half.

What the L'Jarius Sneed trade means for Titans and Chiefs

Undoubtedly an underwhelming return for one of Kansas City's most impactful defenders, this is what the trade means for both teams.

Jimmy Butler doubles down on Pelicans criticism following blowout loss

The Pelicans let their game do the talking in a 111-88 blowout win over the Heat on Friday night. Afterward, Heat forward Jimmy Butler had a difficult time accepting defeat.

Jermaine Couisnard torches former team to send Oregon to round of 32

Oregon guard Jermaine Couisnard waited five seasons to make his NCAA Tournament debut. On Thursday, he made up for lost time with a game for the Oregon record books against his former team, the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Who's challenging South Carolina in the women's NCAA Tournament?

A talented field behind South Carolina is nipping at its heels. Here are four teams with the best chance of pulling off a March (or April) stunner.

Six players not named Caitlin Clark to watch in the 2024 women's NCAA Tournament

The women's NCAA Tournament's Round of 64 tips off on Friday, and the game has arguably never been stronger. While Iowa's Caitlin Clark is rightfully the headliner, she's not the only player deserving your attention.

NFLPA vehemently opposes proposed rule change

The NFL Players Association is tackling a proposed rule change before it's approved.

Three hottest seats on Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Here are the three hottest seats on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Three hottest seats on the New Orleans Saints

The Saints missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year in 2023. That should make more than a few people's seats uncomfortable within the organization, but here are three who are feeling it the most.

Three hottest seats on the Carolina Panthers

No one is safe in Carolina. Owner David Tepper has gone through several quarterbacks and coaches since purchasing the team six years ago, all with no success.

Closing stretch will determine if Pelicans are NBA title contenders

Few teams are playing as well as the Pelicans since the All-Star break. Their upcoming schedule will determine how seriously we should take them in the playoffs.

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.