DePaul Dominates Mercer 95-64
Remains Undefeated in Chris Holtmann Era
Remains Undefeated in Chris Holtmann Era
Remains Undefeated in Chris Holtmann Era
By Joshua M Hicks
Sports Editor
ON AIR Daily News
@joshmhicksmedia
The Chris Holtmann head coaching era continues to move in the positive direction as DePaul defeats Mercer 95-64 to remain undefeated so far this season. The Blue Demons set the tone to start the game, with junior Conner Enright taking charges on back-to-back defensive possessions and graduate forward David Skogman and senior forward Troy D’Amico hitting 3-point baskets to help the team get a 12-4 early lead.
Remains Undefeated in Chris Holtmann Era
Remains Undefeated in Chris Holtmann Era
Upon coming out of the first game timeout, the Blue Demons continued their hot start by forcing 4 turnovers over a 2-minute span and going on a 8-0 scoring run within a minute to expand their lead to double digits, leading 22-9 with 13 minutes left in the first half.
The Blue Demons didn’t let up, continuing with another 18-3 run over a 7-minute period while holding Mercer to 1-12 shooting and forcing 4 turnovers, allowing the team to expand their lead to 29 heading into halftime, 51-22. The Blue Demons held Mercer to 37 percent shooting from the field and 20 percent from the 3-point line. D’Amico led the way for the Blue Demons with 9 points.
The Blue Demons’ dominance continued into the second half. The Blue Demons continued to push the gas pedal with a 14-2 run to extend their lead. Players like junior guard CJ Gunn, sophomore guard Jacob Meyer and junior forward NJ Benson joined the party, giving the team additional offensive support.Though the Blue Demons had some ups and downs in the second half, they still finished the game strong with a 31-point v ictory. The Blue Demons scored 53 bench points, with senior forward JJ Traynor, Gunn, Benson and Meyer leading the charge. The numbers were a good sign to coach Holtmann, and he gave insight on how he wants to utilize his rotations more in games throughout the season, something he admitted he never really operated on in previous coaching stints.
Remains Undefeated in Chris Holtmann Era
“We do need to be able to play and have good depth,” Holtmann said. “Our bench is going to be really critical for us throughout the year and I’d like to be able to play 9 or 10 guys on most nights. It may be a little bit more than I’ve played at points throughout my career but I would like to do that if I could.”
Traynor believes that even though the bench played well tonight, no matter who is leading the charge, the job remains the same and the team has to remain consistent in that production.
“Whether we are coming off the bench or starting, our job remains the same,” Traynor said. “We come in having to play with a lot of energy and confidence and good things will happen.”
The Blue Demons are now 3-0 to start the season. The Windy City hasn’t had that type of production coming from DePaul in awhile. Gunn understands the importance of the winning streak, but remains humble. He wants to make it clear that though this is an accomplishment, the team still has a long way to go.
“This city hasn’t seen that in a long time,” Gunn said. “For us, we’re going to keep taking it day by day as if it was the first game of the season. We’re going to stay level and go into every game well prepared.”
Windy City Falls to Grand Rapids on Buzzer Beater
Hoffman Estates, Ill. – The Windy City Bulls, presented by BMO, the NBA G League affiliate of the Chicago Bulls, fell to the Grand Rapids Gold 121-124 in their Sunday rematch. Despite the loss, Windy City again had five players in double figures, three with 20-plus points, and one with 30-plus points. Guard Javon Freeman-Liberty led the Bulls on the floor with 32 points and six assists.
Chicago Bulls two-way guard DJ Steward tallied 25 points and six assists, shooting 62% from the field. Bulls two-way forward/center Adama Sanogo added another double-double to his season, notching 22 points and 13 rebounds for Windy City.
Windy City had a hot start, going 4-4 on three pointers and 2-2 from inside the arc for their first 16 points, but the Gold took the first quarter by three. The second quarter was kept close, but the Gold entered the half maintaining their three-point lead. A needed steal for the Bulls in the third quarter came from guard Jordan Jackson, who assisted Javon Freeman-Liberty on a cutting dunk to give Windy City the lead.
The final stretch saw seven lead changes and four ties as the Bulls battled to maintain their lead. Denver Nuggets guard Jalen Pickett, on assignment with the Grand Rapids Gold, posted 17 points in the fourth, including the game-winning three at the buzzer. Chicago Bulls two-way forward EJ Liddell contributed 16 points for Windy City, while shooting 60% from the field.
Guard Ryan Arcidiacono chipped in 12 points from the bench, along with five assists. Jordan Jackson and center David Muoka saw their first minutes with the Windy City Bulls, playing 18 and 12 minutes respectively.
ON AIR Daily News Sports Editor Joshua Hicks (at right) discusses the upcoming season with new ON AIR Sports Reporter Kalia Butler on Media Day, October 31, 2024, when the Windy City Bulls introduced its 2024-25 season team and staff. Photo by John L. Alexander/ON AIR Daily News.
Jalen Pickett led all scorers with 37 points, shooting 65% from the field, while also dishing out 12 assists. Two-way Denver Nuggets center PJ Hall put up 22 points and took down eight rebounds. Windy City heads to Detroit to wrap up their road trip before returning home. The matchup is slated for Tuesday, November 12, at 7:00 pm CT. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
UIC Secures Victory on Homecoming Night Against Yale
By Joshua M. Hicks
Sports Editor
ON AIR Daily News
@joshmhicksmedia
In a game of runs, the UIC Flames sent a positive message to fans Friday night by securing a win on home opening night against the Yale Bulldogs 91-79. The team has started the season 2-0 with their next game against Northwestern on Tuesday, November 12.
The Flames got off to a slow start, trailing 7-0 in the first four minutes of the game. After the Bulldogs’ run, the Flames started to find their offensive rhythm thanks to a few quick baskets from sophomore forward Sasa Ciani and senior forward Filip Skobalj.
Their efforts led to the Flames going on a 8-0 run and making five out of their next seven field goals, allowing them to take a 19-17 lead halfway through the first half. But the Bulldogs went on a run of their own, and when they came back, it was difficult for the Flames to get over the hump.
Even when the Flames made runs of their own, the Bulldogs always found an answer. Flames graduate guard Tyem Freeman came off the bench giving the team a spark with 8 points, but Bulldogs senior guard John Poulakidas watered down the fire, hitting timely baskets to keep the Bulldog’s lead alive.
Shooting 48 percent from the field and 58 percent from the 3-point line, the Bulldogs led at halftime 41-34. Yale also out-rebounded the Flames 24-16. Poulakidas led all scorers with 10 points. After the first half, it appeared dull on the Flames side, but the second half took a twist and the Flames began to rise up. In the heat of the moment, the Flames began the second half scorching the Bulldogs a 13-0 run that led the Flames to take the lead behind the leadership of junior guard Javon Jackson.
After taking the lead, the team didn’t look back, flipping the switch defensively and shooting the ball effectively. Thanks to the contributions of junior guard Jordan Mason, Freeman and Jackson, the Flames secured the win. Freeman gave the team a huge boost coming off the bench with 19 points. Last season, though he shot 45 percent from the 3-point line, he didn’t play as much. With a new role on a revised roster, Freeman is taking advantage of his opportunities.
“In a new environment, he’s really gelled and he’s really comfortable here,” Flames head coach Rob Ehsan said. “He’s always had that kind of talent, and he’s earned a good opportunity.”
Ehsan gave credit to his players for their resiliency to sticking to the game plan and coming together as a unit to create the comeback. Led by Jackson, the Flames expressed not only trust in their leaders, but they were also demonstrating the depth the team had as a whole.
UIC guard Javon Jackson (22) stretches past Yale center Samson Aletan' (10) and goes up for two points, helping the UIC Flames come from behind for Friday's 91-79 win. Photo by John L. Alexander/ON AIR Daily News.
“We told the guys that if we keep shooting and play confident, they will hopefully go in,” Ehsan said. “Jackson spark plugged us in the second half. When he got going, the team fed off of it. The [second half] wasn’t anything different [than the first half]. Just stuck with the game plan and we ended up playing well in the second half.”
Yale forward Isaac Celiscar (8) lands on his feet and maintains his balance as he grabs and holds on to a rebound, despite heavy pressure from the UIC Flames. Photo by John L. Alexander/ON AIR Daily News.
UIC guard Ethan Pickett (4) skillfully maneuvers the ball while evading Yale's defensive moves and heads down court to score two more for the Flames. Photo by John L. Alexander/ON AIR Daily News.
UIC guard Joshua Reaves (23) aims to shoot over the head of Yale guard Bez Mbeng (2). Photo by John L. Alexander/ON AIR Daily News.
Ehsan wants to put together a product that makes fans proud. After securing the home opener against a solid NCAA tournament contender, he hopes that winning culture continues to progress in a positive direction
.“Our team has been practicing so hard and they want to represent UIC and represent Chicago. To have 3,000 plus fans here and get a win in the way that we won added to the excitement in the building. Hopefully we can continue to put a good product on the floor that people around here are proud of.”
Kenny McReynolds Uses Platform To Fulfill Life's Mission
Helping Student Athletes Succeed
Helping Student Athletes Succeed
Helping Student Athletes Succeed
By Joshua M Hicks
Sports Editor
ON AIR Daily News
South Side native Kenny McReynolds has made his mark over the years in the city of Chicago. As an award-winning sports journalist, McReynolds’ love for sports has allowed him to stay close to his passions. However, his greatest passion is more than just being around the games he loves. He inspires future generations to use sports as an avenue to pursue their dreams and put them in a position to succeed after sports.
McReynolds grew up in sports, being an avid baseball, football, basketball and track fan. But track became the sport that provided the opportunity to stay home and become a student-track athlete at DePaul University.
Upon arrival, McReynolds' sports career was cut short due to several knee injuries, derailing his ability to keep up with the competition. He then pivoted to life after sports, knowing he wanted to be near the game. It was then where his desire for sports broadcasting came into play.
“I always tell student athletes that they’ll never know when that ball is going to stop bouncing, but they can’t take their education away from them,” McReynolds said. “Even if I didn’t hurt my knee and I made a trillion dollars, I still was going to get my education.”
McReynolds majored in sports journalism while at DePaul and started his broadcasting career in radio at WBMX 102.7 FM (which is now V103) and Fox 32 before coming to MeTV/WCIU-TV, where he created the Sports Edition television show. In collaboration with Chicago Public Schools, the show was formed to give student athletes good exposure on what they were doing in and out of the playing surface.
When professional athletes became guests on the show, they were given opportunities to provide wisdom to the student athletes to listen and follow. The exposure was more than just highlighting the good views of student athletes. It was also to educate the student athletes in learning how to handle press and effectively conduct interviews, knowing their presence is going to be magnified due to the programs they were playing for in their collegiate careers.
“Magic Johnson said no matter who we are, along the way somebody helped us. That is the philosophy I try to live by.” McReynolds said. “We’ve done over 1,000 sports edition shows, and it’s not about me. It’s about the student athletes.”
Calvin Davis, current athletic director for Proviso Township school district 209, formerly co-hosted the Sports Edition show with McReynolds. During his 10-year tenure, he witnessed first-hand the importance of McReynolds mission, learning some important tactics that he was able to transfer to his current position in middle and high school sports.
Davis recalled occurring events such as the Dinner of Champions, where every single champion in all 22 sports would be honored, including the top academic student athletes. Lots of Chicago legends have been acknowledged, but the ultimate purpose was fulfilled: honoring greatness and providing additional resources to invest in development for their future success.
“That’s one of my fondest memories, along with the work that we did to enhance scholarship opportunities and develop students in the most positive way.” Davis said. “Kenny and WCIU-TV contributed greatly to that.”
Former DePaul legend Lemone Lampley is a witness to what preparation can do in adjusting to life post high school. McReynolds and Lampley came to DePaul at the same time, with Lampley being a player and McReynolds being his assistant coach in 1982.
Helping Student Athletes Succeed
Helping Student Athletes Succeed
February 13, 2023 - Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot honored kenny McReynolds for his 2,500th high school broadcast as an announcer. (Photos provided courtesy of Kenny McRet=ynolds)
He admitted that McReynolds played a role in his commitment to DePaul, and was an instrumental resource in his growth and development at the university.
That friendship carried into his adult life and still is prevalent today. As his “big brother”, McReynolds not only took care of him at DePaul, but also used his platform to highlight his non-profit organization called MOCCHA (Men of Color Connected for Higher Achievement), which was created to help young men of color navigate their teen years.
“Anytime a person is willing to sacrifice time, money, resources to give back, it is a huge accomplishment and speaks well to the person that they are,” Lampley said. “That was reciprocated to me. I have a burden to give back to young Black men, and Kenny sowed some of those seeds in my heart and mind to want to give back and be a mentor to some of the young men coming behind me.”
Antoine Walker, former high school All-American, NBA All-Star and NCAA/NBA champion, was a product of the McReynolds preparation tree. Walker met McReynolds during his high school days at Mount Carmel. From that point on, McReynolds was instrumental to Walker’s growth and development in the media space, including how to handle interviews and talk to the press.
But for Walker, McReynolds was more than just a teacher, he was family. Walker described McReynolds as a father-figure who was loyal and has always been by his side through various trials and tribulations. He also used McReynolds as a sound board, gaining advice from him so that he can make the best decisions
February 10, 2024 - Craig Anderson, executive director of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) presented Kenny McReynolds with the IHSA distinguished Media Service Award. (Photos provided courtesy of Kenny McReynolds)
August 2, 2024 - Ray Richardson of NABJ Sports Task Force presented Kenny McReynolds with the 2024 Sam Lacey Lifetime Achievement Award during the 2024 NABJ National Convention. (Photos provided courtesy of Kenny McReynolds)
.“If he sees potential in a kid, knows he can better himself, get into college and maybe one day make it to the next level, he’ll do what he can to help you,” Walker said. “Whether that is making a phone call, getting you with the right trainer, or helping your mother and father put you in the best position possible by using those resources.”
McReynolds broadcast career ranges over 30 years, with a plethora of awards and various honors for his contributions to high school sports broadcasting. He has announced over 2,500 high school games and helped over 100 student athletes with their careers. Though a great achievement, he is not slowing down.“I want to try to get 100 more,” McReynolds said.
DEPAUL STAYS UNDEFEATED, ROLLS AGAINST PRAIRIE VIEW A&M
The Blue Demonds Continue Their Winning Ways During Their Early Homestand, Winning 92-59
The Blue Demonds Continue Their Winning Ways During Their Early Homestand, Winning 92-59
The Blue Demonds Continue Their Winning Ways During Their Early Homestand, Winning 92-59
Conor Enright hesitates after drawing in two defenders and looks for a cutting teammate. (Photo by Andy Diederich/ON AIR Daily News)
By Andrew Diederich
Sports Reporter
ON AIR Daily News
The DePaul Blue Demons men’s basketball team impressed on Thursday evening, November 7, 2024, claiming a blowout victory of 92-59 over the Prairie View A&M Panthers. The Demons never trailed in their dominating performance, starting the game on a 9-0 run and never looking back. A 45-point first half from the Demons paved the way to an easy victory in front of the home crowd at Wintrust Arena.
Many of the concerns stemming from Monday’s overtime victory against Southern Indiana were soothed. DePaul won the rebound battle by a margin of 21, assisted twice as much as their opponent, and knocked down their free throws at an 85% clip. Graduate guard Isaiah Rivera spoke postgame on why DePaul’s offense looked so potent.
“I’d say our preparation before the game, the coaches really prepared us for (Prairie View’s) unique style of basketball,” Rivera said.
Rivera, a graduate transfer from UIC, led the way with 17 points and eclipsed the 1,000-point mark for his collegiate career. He was one of five Blue Demons to finish in double figures, alongside fellow starter sophomore guard Layden Blocker, as well as reserves sophomore guard Jacob Meyer, senior forward JJ Traynor, and junior forward NJ Benson.
The scoring came early, often, and easily for DePaul due to their ability to penetrate the perimeter and find the open man, assisting on 24 of their 29 field goals. Sharing the basketball efficiently allowed DePaul to knock down 11 three-pointers on top of countless open layups and dunks.
The Blue Demonds Continue Their Winning Ways During Their Early Homestand, Winning 92-59
The Blue Demonds Continue Their Winning Ways During Their Early Homestand, Winning 92-59
DePaul’s new head coach Chris Holtmann gives a wave to the student section after his team’s blowout victory at home. (Photo by Andy Diederich/ON AIR Daily News)
Head coach Chris Holtmann was very encouraged by the assist numbers, though admitting the 18 turnovers that accompanied them were less than desirable.
“24 assists, really good. 18 turnovers, not what we want…(those statistics) are probably more of a byproduct of how they play defensively, and how much they were in scramble mode…we're going to be a high-assist team because our guys pass it and share it, and I think we've got a good passing team,” Holtmann said.
Defensively, the Demons held Prairie View to a mere 2/16 from long range, forcing numerous turnovers with their suffocating on-ball pressure. This defensive prowess helped DePaul keep their opponents to only 20 points in the first half. While the second half showed some weakness in defending the interior, the Demons gave a much better performance on D than seen in the Southern Indiana matchup.
Chris Holtmann has now opened his tenure in Chicago with two wins, one being a nail-biting overtime thriller, and the second an absolute one-sided rout. He gave his thoughts on the program’s mentality after the wildly different games they’ve played and won so far.
“I think to be able to pull (the Southern Indiana game) out in the dramatic fashion and finish the way we did was really important,” Holtmann said. “But any time you're winning, I think as much as anything, you're more concerned with how you're playing right now…That's really what we're evaluating, almost regardless of what the result is.” DePaul continues their early-season homestand on Monday against Mercer at 8 PM. They’ll play 4 more times at Wintrust Arena after that before heading to Lubbock to take on Texas Tech.
Isaiah Rivera drives past his defender towards the hoop, eventually netting two of his 17 points that would move him past 1000 points for his NCAA career. (Photo by Andy Diederich/ON AIR Daily News)
DePaul’s NJ Benson throws the hammer down on Marcel Bryant of Prairie View A&M. (Photo by Andy Diederich/ON AIR Daily News)
WINDY CITY BULLS ANNOUNCE 2024-25 OPENING NIGHT ROSTER
G-League Team Kicks off 2024-25 Season against Grand Rapids Gold
Hoffman Estates, Ill. – The Windy City Bulls, presented by BMO, the NBA G League affiliate of the Chicago Bulls, announced today the organization’s 2024-25 Opening Night roster of 13 players. Windy City, led by Head Coach Billy Donovan III, tips off its 50-game slate on Friday, November 8, at the Grand Rapids Gold. The Bulls have three away games to start their schedule. Windy City then comes home for its first matchup at NOW Arena on Saturday, November 16, against the Motor City Cruise.
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DePaul Secures New Coach’s First Win in Overtime Thriller
By Joshua M. Hicks
Sports Editor
@joshmhicksmedia
The DePaul Blue Demons turned the page on a new chapter starting the first season of the Chris Holtmann era with a 80-79 overtime thriller against Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles.
The match was a constant back and forth. The Blue Demons started the game strong with 8 straight points from graduate guard Isaiah Rivera and a 3-point shot from senior forward Troy D’Amico. But Southern Indiana took the first punch and gathered themselves with a quick comeback to cut DePaul’s lead to two points, leading 11-9 at the first break.
Post break, the Screaming Eagles went on an 11-0 run, (14-3 run overall) over a four-minute period, making their next seven shots giving them a 16-11 lead. To slow the Screaming Eagles down, Off the bench, the Blue Demons brought junior guard Conor Enright off the bench and he sparked the time with energy on both ends of the floor. He drew a charge and stopped the bleeding by hitting a timely 3-point shot to cut DePaul’s deficit to two, giving Southern Indiana a 16-15 lead.
DePaul had moments where they struggled to put points on the board, encountering multiple scoring droughts throughout the first half. But the team regrouped themselves, going on a 15-3 run and hitting 7 straight field goals to give the team a 34-28 lead.
Led by Rivera, the team hit 11 of their last 12 shots, including a last second 3-point shot that allowed DePaul to go into halftime with a 44-40 lead. The team shot 63 percent from the field and 67 percent from the 3-point line. Rivera led the team with 20 points.
The back and forth play continued in the second half. Rivera continued his scoring efforts and sophomore guard Jacob Meyer joined the 3-point party, hitting consecutive 3-point baskets to help extend DePaul’s lead.
But Southern Indiana fought back and cut DePaul’s lead to two, holding DePaul to only hitting two of their last 12 field goal attempts, including 0 field goals over a five minute span. With under 4 minutes to go, DePaul was hanging on by a thread, holding on to a 68-66 lead. Down the stretch, Southern Indiana took over. As DePaul’s scoring woes varied throughout the stretch, the Screaming Eagles took a 71-69 lead with 34 seconds left to play behind the leadership of sophomore forward Stephen Olowoniyi.
The game appeared to be over, but the Blue Demons had the final say so. Meyer stepped up and knocked in 3 of his 23 points in the final seconds of the half to end regulation, sending the game into overtime. Overtime became a defensive battle, both teams making it difficult to score.
DePaul sophomore guard Layden Blocker came up with timely defensive stops that included a steal that led to Meyer drawing a foul on the fast break and making two free throws.
Meyer’s free throws sealed the deal with the Blue Demons taking their home opener 80-78.
Meyers broke down the shot that gave the Blue Demons a second chance at winning the game.
“Coach [Holtmann] put his trust in me to make that shot,” Meyers said. “I practiced that shot with my assistant coaches all the time.”With Blocker in and out of the game due to severe cramps, Rivera stepped up to help the team in the scoring department, dropping 25 points. Though he struggled in the last exhibition game against Illinois Wesleyan, he expressed his work ethic as the reason why he was able to knock off some of the rust and begin finding himself on the court.
“Last game was my first game since I had double hip surgery,” Rivera said. “It didn’t go the way I wanted but I got back in the gym and worked with Coach Mullins. Coach Holtmann had me shoot shots when I was tired and tried to get my legs back to it.”
Head coach Chris Holtmann won his first game as the new coach of the program. He expressed gratitude and praised the team for their resiliency and fight to stay in the game and make big plays down the stretch. It has been over 300 days since DePaul won their last game. Holtmann’s message to the fanbase is simple: it’s a new day and he wants to earn the right for the arena to be full.
“I can’t wait until this place is filled,” Holtmann said. “We have to earn the right for people to come watch us, but this place will be full.”
DePaul guard Isaiah Rivera finds space in the paint and finishes with his off hand in an exhibition against Illinois Wesleyan. Photo by Andy Diederich/ON AIR Daily News.
DePaul sophomore transfer Jacob Meyer draws in defenders and looks for an open teammate. Photo by Andy Diederich/ON AIR Daily News.
Blue Demons head coach Chris Holtmann argues a foul call against DePaul in the first half of their exhibition game against Illinois Wesleyan. Photo by Andy Diederich/ON AIR Daily News.
Chicago Sky Names Tyler Marsh Head Coach
CHICAGO - Former Las Vegas Aces assistant coach Tyler Marsh is the new head coach of the Chicago Sky basketball team. This is General Manager Jeff Pagliocca's first head coaching hire since his arrival in 2023.
“The Chicago Sky organization is proud to welcome our next head coach Tyler Marsh to Skytown,” a Chicago Sky team spokesperson said. “Coach Marsh is widely respected for the development of elite players and shares our goal of being a playoff and championship contender every year.”
The Chicago Sky's 2024 WNBA season record was 13 wins and 27 losses, with a win percentage of .325. The Sky finished sixth in the Eastern Conference and did not qualify for the playoffs, marking the first time since 2018 that they missed the playoffs.
While there is no set date for the upcoming WNBA season, the league is expected to resume play in May 2025.
Tyler Marsh new Chicago Sky basketball team Head Coach
The Blue Demons have a fully new team top-to-bottom
DePaul’s Layden Blocker makes a move and heads towards the basket. (John L. Alexander / On Air Daily News)
By Andrew Diederich
Sports Reporter
ON AIR Daily News
The DePaul Blue Demons men’s basketball team shined in their first action of the 2024-2025 season, defeating Illinois Wesleyan 76-60 in exhibition. A slow start for the Demons turned into smooth sailing down the stretch, much to the pleasure of the home crowd at Wintrust Arena.
While only an exhibition, the matchup was largely important in establishing what this DePaul team will actually look like this season. An entirely new roster filled with both freshman and graduate transfers alike will be led into battle this year by new head coach Chris Holtmann.
DePaul made the most of their lone preseason game, which saw all 14 newcomers to the roster take the court. Leading the charge for the Demons were sophomore guard transfers Layden Blocker and Jacob Meyer, notching 19 points each along with six combined steals. Blocker and Meyer are both 6’2’’ guards coming off of standout freshman seasons at Arkansas and Coastal Carolina, respectively.
They’ll be aided this season by the experience from graduate transfers David Skogman and Isaiah Rivera, who both started and logged 27 minutes on Sunday. The big man in Skogman had an efficient 12 points and 9 rebounds, but Rivera finished 1/12 from the field for only three points.
Coach Holtmann had little concern about where Rivera stands heading into the season.
"As coaches, we shouldn't expect him to be in full season," Holtmann said. "He had no summer. He's coming off double hip surgery. He just doesn't quite have his game legs, [or] his game conditioning yet, which is why him playing 28 [minutes] was really good. I think we'll see a completely different player come January, but it is going to take him some time when you have that kind of surgery and you don't do anything all summer."
Other key contributors for DePaul were forward Troy D’Amico, forward JJ Traynor, and guard David Thomas, who combined for 21 points and 6 assists. However, the biggest storyline of this DePaul team is what head coach Chris Holtmann can do in his first season. DePaul is coming off a horrid 3-29 season last year, going winless in their 20 games of Big East play. Long gone are the glory days with Ray Meyer at the helm, as the Demons have not made a trip to the NCAA tournament in 20 years.
With nothing to lose, DePaul went all in on Holtmann, inking him to a 6-year contract in March. His previous success at Butler and Ohio State more than qualifies him to lead a D1 program.
But unlike his previous teams, Holtmann has had to build up this roster and staff from the ground up in hopes to finally turn the tides in the Blue Demons favor. He himself acknowledged there will be growing pains. telling his team
Troy D’Amico soars in to finish off a pass from teammate Jacob Meyer. (Andy Diederich / On Air Daily News)
NJ Benson draws three defenders to him in the post late in the first half. (Andy Diederich / On Air Daily News)
“We didn’t prepare you for everything right now, let’s find solutions together, okay?” Holtmann said.
With this newfound energy, DePaul will open their season against Southern Indiana at home on Monday, November 4th. Their first Big East action comes on December 10th against Providence.
Have the Bulls found the glue for their future backcourt?
Newest Chicago Bull Josh Giddey Could Be Missing Piece to Thriving Back Court
Newest Chicago Bull Josh Giddey Could Be Missing Piece to Thriving Back Court
Newest Chicago Bull Josh Giddey Could Be Missing Piece to Thriving Back Court
Josh Giddey fields questions from reporters at Bulls Media Day. (Andy Diederich / On Air Daily News)
By Andrew Diederich
Sports Reporter
ON AIR Daily News
At Chicago Bulls media day Monday afternoon, faces, new and old, donned the classic red and white threads inside the practice facility at the Advocate Center. Most notable amongst those new faces is former Thunder guard Josh Giddey, who was traded for Alex Caruso this offseason.
The move came as part of a whole host of offseason transactions from the Bulls’ front office. Veteran star DeMar DeRoza
n was dealt via sign and trade in exchange for Chris Duarte and a pair of second-round picks.
Other new additions were made in free agency, specifically the likes of Jalen Smith, Talen Horton-Tucker, and EJ Liddell.
Giddey, an Australia native now entering his fourth year, feels the most notable amongst the crew. Team president Arturas Karnisovas opened his media day presser with the following statement:
Newest Chicago Bull Josh Giddey Could Be Missing Piece to Thriving Back Court
Newest Chicago Bull Josh Giddey Could Be Missing Piece to Thriving Back Court
Coby White, Nikola Vucevic, Patrick Williams, and Zach Lavine pose alongside Giddey during media day. (Andy Diederich / On Air Daily News)
“Our emphasis is on playing a fast-paced, tough, and energetic style that will showcase the talent we’ve invested in, particularly our youth, while still retaining key veteran leadership to guide them.” - Bulls President Arturas Karnisovas
Of the offseason acquisitions, Giddey is the one that checks all of the boxes. In 210 games with OKC, Giddey averaged 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists a night, mainly providing value in jumpstarting the potent Thunder offense.
“You look around this team that we have, and there's a lot of guys that can handle the ball, make plays in the open floor,” Giddey said. “It's a big luxury to have, and as a guy that likes to kick the ball ahead and get things going in transition, it's a great group of guys to play with.”
Giddey spoke fondly of the assets that will be flanking him on the floor this season and elaborated on some of the work they’re doing to give this offense new life.
“We've started playing scrimmages with 14-second shot clocks, and really emphasizing the pace that we want to play at,” Giddey said. “We've got the guys in this group to do it with, and that's just a matter of drilling it in, and once it becomes a habit, this team's going to be pretty scary to deal with in the open court.”
Certainly, Giddey’s value will also be tested by what help he’s able to provide on defense.
Head coach Billy Donovan would not commit to setting a starting lineup for opening night, specifying the possibility of a three guard lineup at times.
Newest Chicago Bull Josh Giddey Could Be Missing Piece to Thriving Back Court
Team executive Arturas Karnisovas and head coach Billy Donovan speak at their media day press conference. (Andy Diederich / On Air Daily News)
This would put more defensive responsibility on Giddey as he’s replacing the ball-hawking Alex Caruso, whom he was traded for. And with Nikola Vucevic being the only solid rim defender on the roster, Giddey and the backcourt will need to shoulder even more when it comes to help defense and working the glass. Still, Giddey’s teammates were thrilled to run things back with some new young blood amongst them.
“He's a very good passer, a good pick-and-roll player, good in the open court,” Center Nikola Vucevic said of Giddey. “I think that's something when Lonzo (Ball) was injured, we missed a lot. And now we get both of them, which will be great.”
The mention of Ball is also important to gauge what the Bulls will be able to do with a floor general in Giddey. The best this current Bulls core has looked was in 2021, where a healthy Bulls team with Ball at the point guard were first in the East halfway through the season.
Sure, it helps that DeMar DeRozan was playing MVP-caliber hoops, but the presence of a playmaker was really what amped up offensive output night after night. With Ball’s imminent return, albeit in a limited role, Giddey can hopefully step up and provide open looks for teammates while still pushing the pace.
Giddey and the Bulls start preseason play on October 8th against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Their regular season opener is at the New Orleans Pelicans on October 23rd.
WHITE SOX WIN SEASON FINALE, BUT NOT MUCH ELSE
The Sox avoid further embarrassment on the field… for now
The Sox avoid further embarrassment on the field… for now
The Sox avoid further embarrassment on the field… for now
By Andrew Diederich
Sports Reporter
ON AIR Daily News
You are not hallucinating - the White Sox won again.
In their final game of the 2024 season, the White Sox came out victorious against the Detroit Tigers, 9-5. An early five-run lead was nearly squandered before a suddenly potent White Sox offense put up 4 runs in the seventh inning.
The Sox avoid further embarrassment on the field… for now
The Sox avoid further embarrassment on the field… for now
This win means the Sox finished their season winning 5 of their last 6 games, perhaps motivated by trying to not be laughed at any more than they already have.
Where does one begin when reflecting upon the Sox’s year? Despite finishing with the most losses in the modern era of baseball, their 41-121 record seems too generous in telling the full story. Somehow the events and reports coming out of the clubhouse tell a story of a team that transcends being bad. It’s not so much that the White Sox didn’t win, it’s being shown that they simply can’t win.
We’ll start with the numbers. 41 wins, 121 losses. Over 50 games back of the division-leading Cleveland Guardians. A losing streak of 14 games starting in May, only to surpass that mark a few months later by losing 21 straight.
Allowing XXX runs while scoring only XXX themselves, for a dismal run differential of -XXX. Even for those not very familiar with the sport of baseball, the statistics seem cartoonishly poor.
The Sox avoid further embarrassment on the field… for now
It’s even difficult to find individual efforts that are worthy of acknowledgment. It certainly didn’t come from anyone on the coaching staff, as manager Pedro Grifol was fired after a 28-89 start to this year. Erick Fedde and Garrett Crochet were solid starting pitchers for the Sox this year, with Fedde actually finishing with a winning record of 7-4.
But the real woes lie within the bullpen and those actually stepping up to the plate. Not a single member of the bullpen had an ERA under 4.13, and the hitters combined for an on base percentage south of .280.
Even advanced statistics won’t save these poor White Sox. No one outside of Fedde or Crochet had a WAR (wins above replacement) above 2, where any value less than 2 indicates a substitute level player.
Any professional organization that loses this much usually has problems that go higher-up than the clubhouse, and these Sox are no exception.
The statement put out by the White Sox on Sunday.
Scathing reports from members of the national media reveal dysfunction at all levels within the team, with most of the flack falling on second-year GM Chris Getz. And when interviewed about what changes might come this offseason, Getz seemed to indicate that most of the team will be returning as is.
“We’re not gonna be working heavy in free agency. We’ve got guys on the field right now who need to improve their game. A lot of young players who just need to make adjustments to be more productive.”
So what do Sox fans get for their trouble in watching this absolute travesty of a team?
The opportunity to watch them again next season, it appears! Well, that and a long, cookie-cutter statement put out on social media from owner Jerry Reinsdorf, calling the season a “failure” and “embarrassing”. Of course, a majority of comments responding to the post were full of Sox faithful telling the longtime owner to sell the team.
These calls for Reinsdorf to hand the keys to someone else are by no means new. Since acquiring the team in 1981, the White Sox have made the playoff a grand total of 7 times, many of these appearances coming after several years of plain ineptitude. If not for the 2005 World Series team, the Reinsdorf reign in Chicago would be one of, if not the worst, regimes in professional sports.
The White Sox won’t be bad forever. It was only three short years ago when they won 93 games and the AL Central division title. The MLB is no stranger to huge turnarounds over a single season, as proven by the Baltimore Orioles sudden return to contention.
This White Sox team is certainly not incapable of becoming a mainstay in the American League. Will that happen next year? Almost certainly not. But that’s why they play the games after all, right?
PHOENIX MERCURY DEFEATS CHICAGO SKY 93-88
Sky unable to contain Mercury’s stars during home finale
Sky unable to contain Mercury’s stars during home finale
Sky unable to contain Mercury’s stars during home finale
By Andrew Diederich
Sports Reporter
ON AIR Daily News
Amidst their push for the playoffs, the Chicago Sky were unable to finish late against the Phoenix Mercury, dropping the game 93-88 on Sunday, September 15, 2024 at the Wintrust Arena. They finish the season series winless against the Mercury, however this game was by far the Sky’s best against them. Sometimes the opponents have two future hall-of-famers in Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner.
“(The Mercury) went to what they knew worked, which was BG. She’s an amazing player,” said Michaela Onyenwere of the Sky, adding that ”They’re a veteran team with a lot of experience and I think that showed in the fourth quarter.”
The Sky indeed gave themselves a chance to win up until the end. As mentioned, Griner and Taurasi of the Mercury had monster outings, together tallying for 51 points on 55% shooting. But a surprisingly balanced offensive attack from the Sky kept things neck-and-neck throughout. Past struggles with outside shooting were nowhere to be found in the Sky’s 14 made threes, one less than their franchise record. Combined with a remarkable 26 assists and only 7 turnovers, the Sky got buckets much more easily than their two recent performances.
Rachel Banham got the start at small forward and spoke postgame on what she liked within the Sky’s offense. “The spacing was just really fun today, and we got really good movement.” “Even our bigs like Izzy (Isabelle Harrison) played super active outside of the paint.”
Banham had the hot hand early, finishing with 17 points including 5 three-pointers. She followed Onyenwere and Chennedy Carter in the scoring department for the Sky, who notched 18 and 20 points respectively. Other key contributions came from Lindsay Allen’s 7 assists and Dana Evans’ 13 points and 5 dimes off the bench.
Sky unable to contain Mercury’s stars during home finale
Sky unable to contain Mercury’s stars during home finale
Brittney Griner heads baseline on the Sky’s Kamilla Cardoso. Griner would finish the night with 26 points and 10 rebounds. (Andy Diederich / On Air Daily News)
Unfortunately, the Mercury took advantage of the depleted Sky roster to put forth a great offensive game of their own. Already without key bigs in Angel Reese and Elizabeth Williams, Kamilla Cardoso logged only 9 minutes due to her shoulder injury, which had her questionable to play at all this weekend. With their best interior defender Cardoso on the bench, Isabelle Harrison was the sole big to see significant time on the court. This meant slowing down Griner was even more difficult than it usually is, on top of managing Taurasi, sharpshooter Sophie Cunningham, and speedy point guard Natasha Cloud. Indeed it was those four for the Mercury who scored all but 11 of their 93 points.
Of course, slowing down a star-studded squad like the Mercury is much easier said than done. Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon sounded much more pleased with her team’s effort here than the last home game against the Mystics.
“These young ladies love to be a part of the grit and the grind…Unfortunately sometimes when you compete like this, the ball doesn’t bounce your way and you walk off the court the way we had to walk off tonight. The one thing you can see is that we competed. And when you compete, you can walk off holding your head high.”
Sky unable to contain Mercury’s stars during home finale
Diana Taurasi lays it up with her off hand with Chennedy Carter soaring to defend. (John L. Alexander / On Air Daily News)
This was the final home game of the season for the Sky. They are tied along with the Mystics and Dream at a record of 13-25, thanks to the Dream’s overtime victory against the Mystics Sunday night. With two games left to go and the tiebreaker between the tied teams belonging to the Mystics, it’s unlikely the Sky will play any postseason basketball. However that’s certainly not what coach Weatherspoon believes. After the final buzzer, she took to the mic to speak directly to the home crowd, concluding with a definitive message:
“We ain’t done yet”. Weatherspoon would later end her postgame presser with the same sentiment.
It’s uncertain whether the Sky will truly be done with their 2024 season come next week. They head to Atlanta to take on the Dream on Tuesday, then up to Connecticut for a matchup against the Sun. Whether the focus is on the first round of the playoffs or the first round of the draft, there’s much on the horizon for Chicago’s WNBA team.
The Sky regroup during a stoppage in play. (Andy Diederich / On Air Daily News)
Dana Evans extends for the finger roll finish early in the first half. (John L. Alexander / On Air Daily News)
Point Guard Lindsay Allen looks for space after getting past her defender in Natasha Cloud. (John L. Alexander / On Air Daily News)
The Sky’s bench celebrates a three-pointer from Rachel Banham in the first quarter. (John L. Alexander / On Air Daily News)
WASHINGTON MYSTICS DEFEAT CHICAGO SKY 89-58
The Sky bench discusses their frustrations during a Mystics run in the third quarter. (John L. Alexander / ON AIR Daily News)
Lindsay Allen and Kamilla Cardoso check on their teammate Michaela Onyenwere. (John L Alexander / On Air Daily News)
All-Star Angel Reese wears a hard cast on her surgically repaired wrist, seen here as she strikes a pose pregame. (John L Alexander / On Air Daily News)