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

Twitter/X: @ericsmithling

Muck Rack: eric-smithling

March 16, 2024 | College Basketball

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.

March 14, 2024 | Memphis Tigers

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.

March 14, 2024

Mississippi State in solid position for tournament bid following win

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

March 14, 2024 | Pittsburgh Penguins

Bobblehead theft thwarts Penguins' Jaromir Jagr celebration

Where were you during the great bobblehead heist of 2024?

March 14, 2024 | College Basketball

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.

March 13, 2024 | NFL

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

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

March 12, 2024 | NHL

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.

March 12, 2024

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.

March 12, 2024 | NFL

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.

March 12, 2024 | NFL

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.

March 12, 2024 | Carolina Panthers

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

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

March 11, 2024 | NBA

Watch: Warriors rookie puts Victor Wembanyama on a poster

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

March 11, 2024

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.