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Jeff Mezydlo

A Chicago native, Jeff Mezydlo has professionally written about sports, entertainment and pop culture for parts of four decades. He was an integral member of award-winning sports sections at The Times of Northwest Indiana (Munster, Ind.) and Champaign (Ill.) News-Gazette, where he covered the NFL, PGA, LPGA, NCAA basketball, football and golf, Olympics and high school athletics. Jeff most recently spent 12 years in the editorial department at STATSPerform, where he also oversaw coverage of the English Premier League. A graduate of Northern Illinois University, Jeff's work has also appeared on such sites at Yahoo!, ESPN, Fox Sports, Sports Illustrated and NBA.com. However, if Jeff could do it again, he'd attend Degrassi Junior High, Ampipe High School and Grand Lakes University

EXPERTISE:

NCAA football, NCAA basketball, PGA/LPGA, international soccer, sports history, rock music, film history

The 2020 athletes of the year

In arguably the strangest calendar year in all sports history, there were still many stars who shined bright amid the dark cloud of a global pandemic that hovered over the world.

The entertainers who blew us away in 2020

It was certainly a unique 2020 in all facets. Especially, when it came to entertainment -- movies, television, streaming, music. We've had stars -- breakout or established -- sine bright amid some dark days of 2020.

The movies, shows, and music that defined 2020

Despite the pandemic, there have been plenty of movies, shows, and music to celebrate in 2020. Here's our list of some of the year's best, spanning those categories.

25 under-the-radar college hoops players to keep an eye on

We know about the stars of the 2020-21 college basketball season. The all-Americans and one-and-done elite freshmen. But what about those underrated performers who don't get the attention they deserve?

The 25 most memorable TV pets

The great television characters don't have to be human. In fact, some of our most beloved TV stars of all time are pets. Of all variety. In celebration, here's our rankings of the most notable pets in television history.

25 album cuts from iconic musical acts worth checking out

Some of the best tunes from a legendary group might be the ones that never earned much acclaim or commercial success. That's not to say they are not worth celebrating. Listed in chronological order are 25 of the best songs you might not have heard of or forgotten entirely from some of the best bands ever to do it.

We want to have a meal at these 25 fictional restaurants

Television and film have given us many memorable and beloved restaurants. They're so good that we would not mind stopping by for a visit — breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Here is our look at some of the more notable fictional restaurants.

The top transfers for the 2020-21 college hoops season

Every big-time college basketball program could use some improvement. If not from a strong recruiting class, then perhaps through transfer players -- of the graduate variety or otherwise.

Freshmen to keep an eye on during the 2020-21 college hoops season

Whether talking about one-and-done superstars or those who last the duration, there are plenty of talented freshmen to keep an eye during what should be a unique 2020-21 college basketball season.

The college hoops conference favorites for 2020-21

We're not sure what the 2020-21 college basketball season will look like -- thanks to COVID-19. Some schools already find themselves in a bind and the Ivy League has cancelled winter sports all together.  Still, the show will go on and there are conference championships to be won.

No words: The 20 greatest instrumental tracks ever recorded

Great music does not have to be dependent on memorable lyrics. Simply listening to the composition and creativity of an instrumental track can be just as rewarding.

The best possible fictional basketball team

It's not easy putting together a team of fictional basketball players. There have been many memorable made-up hoop stars on TV or the big screen. Our team includes 15 players, one head coach, and three assistant coaches.

The 25 most memorable fictional bands

Great bands don't have to be real. What does that mean? There are plenty of great bands that exist only on the screen. Sure, some fictional bands have managed to play some real-life gigs, but you get the point.

The top storylines heading into the 2020 Masters

The 2020 Masters, which tees off in this week, will look and feel like no other in the history of this beloved and grand event. That said, the intrigue and interest should not diminish from those watching at home.

Fictional parties we wished we could have attended

Everybody likes a party. In movies or on television, there have been many memorable parties that viewers wish they could have attended. Here are 25 of the best.

Albums that defined Los Angeles in the '80s

Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world. That's certainly true when it comes to making music. But the whole beachy, diverse and eclectic vibe of the city and its surroundings has also influenced and inspired many a musician to write and sing about it all.

Way-too-early 2020 bowl predictions

It might be early, but there's never a wrong time to start thinking about college football bowl matchups. Yes, this season's slate will look slightly different due to the coronavirus pandemic.