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Keyshawn Hall scored 26 points and Moustapha Thiam had 16 points and five blocks to lead UCF to an 85-58 victory over TCU on Saturday in Orlando, Fla.
UCF (13-6, 4-4 Big 12) returned to the .500 mark in conference play on the strength of a dominant first half. The Knights led 37-23 at the break, shooting 7-of-16 from beyond the arc, to end a two-game slide following losses to top-10 teams Iowa State and Houston.
TCU coach Jamie Dixon, who remained two wins shy of 500 for his career, needed a 30-second timeout after UCF built a 13-0 lead less than three minutes into the game. The Horned Frogs (10-9, 3-5) shot 26 percent (9-of-35) from the floor and missed all 12 3-point attempts during the opening 20 minutes.
Jordan Ivy-Curry tallied all 14 of his points in the second half to go with six rebounds and three steals for UCF, which made 13 of 31 3-pointers. The Knights also converted 18 of 22 free throws, with Hall hitting 11 of 13.
Hall, who earned a Big 12 Newcomer of the Week honor on Jan. 20, also contributed eight rebounds.
TCU made just 1 of 20 attempts from 3-point range and was outscored 20-9 in points off turnovers.
Vasean Allette scored in double figures for the 10th straight game as he finished with 15 points for the Horned Frogs. David Punch chipped in nine points and six rebounds and Ernest Udeh Jr., who attended Dr. Phillips High in Orlando, had six points.
UCF started 4-of-4 from long range, with Hall sinking triples on the Knights' first three possessions and Darius Johnson (15 points, five assists) adding a corner three.
A quick 5-0 run pulled TCU within 40-30 with just under 15 minutes left, as Isaiah Manning made a 3-pointer to halt TCU's 0-of-15 start from deep.
But Hall recorded a pair of three-point plays and Ivy-Curry scored eight points to fuel a 25-8 run that pushed UCF's lead to 65-38 with under nine minutes remaining.
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Bruce Pearl addresses rumor he will run for Tommy Tuberville’s senate seat
Bruce Pearl on Monday announced his retirement as the head basketball coach at Auburn. He also addressed the rumor that he might run for a senate seat in the state of Alabama. Auburn shared a 14-minute long video via social media on Monday that showed Pearl speaking from his desk inside an office. He shared his message to the fans regarding his decision to retire. “The truth is, it’s time. I told myself that when I got to the point where I could not give it my all. Where I wasn’t necessarily 100%, where I couldn’t be the relentless competitor that you expected of me, that it was going to be time. And as hard as it is to say this, I reached the realization that it’s time for me to step aside,” Pearl said. “I just feel that when I can’t give a hundred percent, it’s time to pass the torch.” Pearl also addressed the speculation about him running for political office. The 65-year-old said he will not run for Tommy Tuberville’s upcoming senate seat. “Many you know that I thought and prayed about maybe running for United States Senate. Maybe to be the next great senator from the state of Alabama. That would have required leaving Auburn. And instead, the university has given me an opportunity to stay here and be an Auburn senator.” Tuberville, 71, was the football coach at Auburn from 1999-2008. He won a U.S. senate seat in the 2020 election, but has since said he will run for governor of Alabama in 2026.
Cowboys' Jerry Jones provides ominous injury update on CeeDee Lamb
As the Dallas Cowboys look to find their footing after a 1-2 start, their top offensive playmaker doesn't look like he'll be around to help. On Monday, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones provided an update on wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (ankle), telling reporters that the All-Pro could be moved to injured reserve, which would require him to miss at least four games. Lamb suffered a high-ankle sprain during the first quarter of the Cowboys' Week 3 loss to the Chicago Bears, 31-14, but Jones attempted to remain optimistic afterward, saying, "Let's just keep our fingers crossed" when asked about his star receiver's health. CeeDee Lamb's absence would be near impossible to replace Lamb only played seven offensive snaps against the Bears and didn't record a catch. In the season's first two games, the four-time Pro Bowler had 16 receptions for 222 yards. His 13.9 yards per reception are tied for his career high, set in 2021. Lamb is by far Dallas' most dynamic and reliable playmaker, and his absence will certainly be felt. The Cowboys are heavily dependent on their passing attack, ranking first in the league in pass attempts, averaging 43.7 per game. Running back Javonte Williams, averaging 5.3 yards per carry, has been a pleasant surprise, but defenses will be able to put an added emphasis on stopping the run when game planning for Dallas without Lamb. Wide receiver George Pickens, added in an offseason trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, isn't dependable enough to shoulder the load of the passing offense at wide receiver. On Sunday, he dropped a perfectly placed pass from Dak Prescott, with the ball bouncing off his hands and to Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds for an interception. Afterward, Pickens had an outburst on the sideline, slamming his helmet on the turf as Lamb and others watched. The Cowboys don't have a defense capable of stopping opponents either. Through three games, they've allowed 30.7 points and 397.7 yards per game while also ranking last in third-down defense, with opponents converting at a 53.7 percent clip. Lamb is one of the two players, along with Prescott, that Dallas can't afford to lose. He's indispensable to the Cowboys offense, which will likely have a hard time moving the football in Week 4 against the top-ranked Green Bay Packers defense. Games at the New York Jets (0-3) and Carolina Panthers (1-2) are more manageable, but the stretch ends with an NFC East showdown against the Washington Commanders (2-1). Regardless of the opponent, the next four weeks — if that is how long Lamb misses — will be a real test for first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer. And based on the Cowboys roster, he might be set up to fail.
Waking 'Dancing Bear' could be steal of Bills' 2025 draft haul
When the Buffalo Bills selected Deone Walker in the fourth round, there weren't big expectations for the rookie heading into the 2025 season. Still, many fans wanted the Bills to draft a "big man" and assumed he fit into the 3-technique spot, currently occupied by DaQuan Jones. Walker stands at 6'7" and weighs over 330 pounds. Men that size are typically 3-tech players. Deone Walker is not an average big man Walker is different, though. His quick feet and agility have taken some by surprise. As pointed out by Sal Capaccio, "A man that big shouldn't be able to move that well." Ed Oliver nicknamed Walker the "Dancing Bear". Bills' defensive coordinator Bobby Babich said, "People that are his size shouldn't be able to do some of the things he does." Babich added, "But again, just like T.J., we need some consistency, because if we don't get the dancing bear, all that type of stuff, it doesn't matter." The consistency hasn't been there yet, but Walker has made some plays at points this season, including delivering a game-saving play against the Dolphins, when he shielded Tagovailoa's vision and tipped his pass, which linebacker Terrel Bernard picked off, sealing the win against the Dolphins. On a recent episode of Center Stage with Eric Wood and Josh Reed, Wood commented on Walker, "Well, he looks like a heck of a fourth-round pick, and if he leaves a year earlier, he's likely a first-round draft pick." Added Wood, "Right now, he looks like steal, and he's a guy who started last night with Ed Oliver out." Flashes of greatness and need for consistency "I think at times he's flashed and done a good job rushing the passer. At times he's made some splash plays in the run game as well. Consistency will come as far as him recognizing plays, seeing double teams coming, not getting washed out of his gap", said Wood. Walker fell to the Bills due to a previous back injury he suffered, but so far, that doesn't seem to be an issue. If Walker can hold up physically and start to build the consistency that Wood spoke of, Walker will become a serious part of the Bills' defense as the season progresses and into the playoffs. More Buffalo Bills News: What does Bills' perfect 3-0 start mean for playoffs and beyond Bills' defense under construction but blueprint is promising Bills' defensive woes plus 3 more quick reactions from win over Dolphins 'Comfortable' Elijah Moore shares insight on unique Bills' locker room Hawes Effect: How rookie tight end is reshaping Bills' offensive identity
Bears get big injury updates ahead of Week 4 game against Raiders
While the Dallas Cowboys are dealing with a high ankle sprain that's expected to keep CeeDee Lamb out for at least two games, the Chicago Bears had a Week 3 injury scare of their own that, luckily, does not appear to be as severe. Rookie tight end Colston Loveland left the game early in the first half with what was described as a hip injury. As if to (quite literally) add insult to injury, this came just after his first big play of the year on a pass from Caleb Williams, when the rookie appeared on the verge of a breakout game. We still don't know too much about the hip injury to Loveland, but Bears fans at least now have an update, courtesy of ESPN's Adam Schefter. Apparently the Bears and Loveland dodged a bullet and the injury is not expected to be severe. Furthermore, the expectation is that he should be good to go next Sunday when the Bears travel to Las Vegas to face the Raiders. This is great news for the rookie. As the tenth overall pick of the 2025 NFL draft, he's expected to be a serious contributor to this team right away, and prior to Week 3 he had recorded just two receptions for 12 yards. That's not nearly good enough, especially not when Tyler Warren, who was the second tight end to be drafted this year, is already looking like a legitimate Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate. Loveland arguably has the most to prove for this team in 2025 and is going to need a lot more plays like his lone highlight from Sunday. Additionally, head coach Ben Johnson confirmed the medical outlook for Jaylon Johnson. The two-time Prow Bowl cornerback will undergo core muscle surgery, according to NFL insider Ian Rapaport, and should be able to return this season. In an ideal world for the Chicago Bears, by the time Johnson returns the Bears will be rolling and battling for their first playoff spot since 2020. The return of their star cornerback at that point would be a huge boost for this team and its fanbase.
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