Yardbarker

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

EXPERTISE:

NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, Premier League, MLS, US Soccer, UFC

Summit League moves basketball tournaments to smaller venue, bans fans from games

Summit League commissioner Tom Douple confirmed on Thursday that the men's and women's basketball conference championship tournaments will be relocated from the Denny Sanford Premier Center to the smaller Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota because of issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Atlantic 10 men's basketball championship relocated from Brooklyn due to COVID-19

The Atlantic 10 confirmed on Thursday that the 2021 men's basketball championship tournament will be relocated from Barclays Center in Brooklyn to the campus of a conference member because of issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jaguars hire Urban Meyer as new head coach

Multiple reports surfaced on Thursday that it was only a matter of time before the Jacksonville Jaguars announced the hiring of three-time college football

Dolphins coach Brian Flores committed to QB Tua Tagovailoa

Even though Flores benched Tagovailoa in favor of popular journeyman veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick on multiple occasions, the coach is committed to the young prospect as he begins offseason evaluations.

Michigan State-Indiana men's basketball game postponed due to COVID-19

Michigan State confirmed on Thursday that Sunday's game between the Spartans and Hoosiers has been postponed. The news comes one day after head coach Tom Izzo told reporters that guard Steven Izzo, his son, and center Mady Sissoko tested positive for COVID-19. 

Saturday's Indiana Pacers-Phoenix Suns game postponed

The Phoenix Suns won't be returning to action on Saturday. The NBA confirmed that Saturday's matchup between the Suns and Indiana Pacers has been postponed because the Suns can't dress the required league-minimum of eight healthy and available players to compete. 

East Carolina pauses basketball activities, postpones two games due to COVID-19

Saturday's game against the Temple Owls and next Wednesday's showdown with the South Florida Bulls have been postponed.

Pelicans' Zion Williamson cleared after inconclusive COVID-19 test results

Williamson's absence was caused by inconclusive COVID-19 test results, and the 20-year-old should be good to go on Friday night. 

Athletics acquire reliever Nik Turley from Pirates

The Athletics sent Pittsburgh cash considerations in return.

Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Being fifth WR drafted in 2020 was 'disrespectful'

The 21-year-old made history by setting the new record for receiving yards recorded by a rookie with 1,400. 

Mets sign slugger Jose Martinez to one-year deal

Signing Martinez may be a mere blip on the radar for fans, but he could provide the Mets with some needed defensive depth and coverage.

Rams to start QB Jared Goff vs. Packers; John Wolford out with injury

Former Jacksonville Jaguars starter Blake Bortles, the third pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, will serve as Goff's backup at Green Bay. 

Raiders owner Mark Davis buys WNBA's Las Vegas Aces

Davis has become a fixture at events such as Aces games and contests hosted by the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights. Davis' Raiders have a working relationship with MGM.

MLB hires Theo Epstein as consultant

It's assumed Epstein will advise Manfred on issues such as pace-of-play and overall entertainment value, as well as how to improve the sport in the eyes of younger audiences. 

Rafael Nadal, Dominic Thiem won't have coaches for Australian Open?

Nadal's coach Carlos Moya is not traveling to Australia because of the country's strict health and safety protocols that include a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival.

Celtics expect to resume play Friday vs. Magic

The Boston Celtics have had three consecutive games postponed because of complications linked with COVID-19 cases and subsequent quarantines, but it appears they're finally set to take the court again.

Madison Keys to miss Australian Open after positive COVID-19 test

Keys, currently No. 16 in the official WTA rankings, added that she hopes to resume play at some point next month. 

Sloane Stephens' grandmother, aunt died from COVID-19

Stephens is the latest prominent sports figure to share how the coronavirus pandemic has directly impacted her life and family.

Browns activate WR KhaDarel Hodge from reserve/COVID-19 list

The Cleveland Browns continue to get more whole ahead of Sunday's playoff game at the Kansas City Chiefs.

New Packers OT Jared Veldheer reportedly tests positive for COVID-19

Veldheer has tested positive for the coronavirus and won't be cleared from the reserve/COVID-19 list for Saturday's NFC divisional-round playoff game versus the Los Angeles Rams. 

Friday's Wizards-Pistons, Warriors-Suns games postponed

The NBA's ongoing COVID-19 crisis will continue to affect the league's schedule through at least Friday night. 

Rams DT Aaron Donald (ribs) 'healthy' ahead of playoff clash at Green Bay

Aaron Donald, a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, wants everyone to know that the rib injury he suffered in last Saturday's victory over the Seahawks won't be bothering him heading into this Saturday's must-win game at the Packers. 

UConn star guard James Bouknight out indefinitely after elbow surgery

Bouknight is second in the Big East in scoring and averaging 20.3 points per game while shooting 45% from the field and over 32% from three-point range. 

Georgetown men's basketball postponing three games due to COVID-19?

Georgetown is temporarily pausing team activities because of coronavirus-related concerns.