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Deadspin | No. 2 Michigan, on a ‘heater’, poses tall order for Penn State

Deadspin | No. 2 Michigan, on a ‘heater’, poses tall order for Penn State

Jan 2, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Elliot Cadeau (3) passes to forward Morez Johnson Jr. (21) in the first half against the Southern California Trojans at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Michigan has been streaking with an epic roll that contains 10 victories by 25 or more points already this season.

The No. 2 Wolverines look to add Penn State to the list of blowout victims when they face the Nittany Lions on Tuesday night in Big Ten play at University Park, Pa.

Michigan (13-0, 3-0 Big Ten) is one of six undefeated teams nationally and has topped 100 points seven times, including in six of their past eight games.

Friday’s 96-66 home victory over No. 24 Southern California marked the ninth time in the past 10 games that the Wolverines won by at least 25. Five of the wins during the stretch are by 40 or more, including a 52-point rout of La Salle on Dec. 21.

Overall, the Wolverines have six wins by 40 or more points.

“This is a heater,” Michigan coach Dusty May said of his team’s torrid play.

And May has no interest in taking his foot off the pedal.

“We’ve got to be excited for the preparation that’s going to go into giving us an opportunity to win that game,” May said of facing Penn State. “But as far as looking in the rear view, no. If we’re not learning from something specific or a past lesson, we’re not (doing that).”

Morez Johnson Jr. scored a career-best 29 points on 10-of-12 shooting against USC. It was his second straight game 20-point effort as he tallied 24 in a 112-71 rout of McNeese on Dec. 29 in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Johnson didn’t want to get caught up in his individual numbers.

“We’ve got to stay locked in and get better every day because we know we have an end goal at the end of the year,” Johnson said.

Johnson ranks second on the Wolverines in scoring (14.8), just behind Yaxel Lendeborg (15.1). Trey McKenney (10.8), Roddy Gayle Jr. (10.5) and Aday Mara (10.5) also average in double digits. Mara has a team-best 8.1 rebounding average.

Penn State (9-5, 0-3) has dropped four of its last five games and it follows the Michigan contest with a road game at No. 5 Purdue on Saturday.

The Nittany Lions never led in last Saturday’s 73-65 loss to Illinois in a contest played in Philadelphia at The Palestra.

Penn State trailed 13-3 right off the bat and was down by as many as 15 during a tough night.

“I wish we would have played better to start the game — that got us in a hole,” Nittany Lions coach Mike Rhoades said. “Illinois is a very good team. I thought our guys battled … We battled, but still not good enough; we’ve got work to do.”

Penn State struggled from 3-point range by going 8-for-38 and made 14 fewer free throws (23 to nine) than the Illini.

Kayden Mingo recorded 16 points, five assists and four steals and Eli Rice added 11 points for the Nittany Lions.

Rice, a redshirt sophomore guard, has scored in double digits in consecutive games and five times overall this season.

“I’m just trying to get better every game,” Rice said. “I think coaches are doing a good job helping me find shots and stuff. So really, just trying to get on that.”

Mingo, a freshman guard, leads Penn State with a 14.9 scoring average. Freddie Dilione V chips in 14.1 per game and Melih Tunca is third at 10.6.

Not a single Nittany Lion is averaging 4.0 rebounds per game.

Michigan registered a 76-72 home win over Penn State in last season’s lone meeting to snap a three-game skid in the series.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Michigan #heater #poses #tall #order #Penn #State

Deadspin | World Cup one-day attendance record broken Tuesday   June 16, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.; Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their third goal to complete a hat-trick.  Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images    Tuesday’s four World Cup matches drew a combined 281,223 fans, breaking the 32-year-old single-day tournament record.  The previous mark of 277,070, also for four matches, was set in the United States on June 28, 1994.  Tuesday’s total came on an action-packed day featuring matches between France and Senegal (80,545 fans in East Rutherford, N.J.), Argentina and Algeria (69,045 in Kansas City, Mo.), Austria and Jordan (68,527 in Santa Clara, Calif.) and Iraq and Norway (63,106 in Foxborough, Mass.)  The total attendance through six days sits at 1,309,652 (65,483 average), putting the tournament on pace to smash the 1994 cumulative attendance record of 3.5 million, according to FIFA.   “Wow! 281,223 fans in FIFA World Cup stadiums today — the highest attended day in the history of the competition!” said Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president, in a statement.  “16 June 2026 will go down in FIFA World Cup history! I cannot thank our fans enough for bringing color, atmosphere and emotions to this tournament. The most inclusive FIFA World Cup 2026 continues to show just how much our game is loved and how Football Unites The World!”  Tuesday’s highlights included a hat trick from Argentina legend Lionel Messi and two goals apiece from superstars Kylian Mbappe of France and Erling Haaland of Norway.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #World #Cup #oneday #attendance #record #broken #Tuesday June 16, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.; Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their third goal to complete a hat-trick. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Tuesday’s four World Cup matches drew a combined 281,223 fans, breaking the 32-year-old single-day tournament record.

The previous mark of 277,070, also for four matches, was set in the United States on June 28, 1994.

Tuesday’s total came on an action-packed day featuring matches between France and Senegal (80,545 fans in East Rutherford, N.J.), Argentina and Algeria (69,045 in Kansas City, Mo.), Austria and Jordan (68,527 in Santa Clara, Calif.) and Iraq and Norway (63,106 in Foxborough, Mass.)


The total attendance through six days sits at 1,309,652 (65,483 average), putting the tournament on pace to smash the 1994 cumulative attendance record of 3.5 million, according to FIFA.

“Wow! 281,223 fans in FIFA World Cup stadiums today — the highest attended day in the history of the competition!” said Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president, in a statement.

“16 June 2026 will go down in FIFA World Cup history! I cannot thank our fans enough for bringing color, atmosphere and emotions to this tournament. The most inclusive FIFA World Cup 2026 continues to show just how much our game is loved and how Football Unites The World!”

Tuesday’s highlights included a hat trick from Argentina legend Lionel Messi and two goals apiece from superstars Kylian Mbappe of France and Erling Haaland of Norway.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #World #Cup #oneday #attendance #record #broken #Tuesday">Deadspin | World Cup one-day attendance record broken Tuesday   June 16, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.; Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their third goal to complete a hat-trick.  Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images    Tuesday’s four World Cup matches drew a combined 281,223 fans, breaking the 32-year-old single-day tournament record.  The previous mark of 277,070, also for four matches, was set in the United States on June 28, 1994.  Tuesday’s total came on an action-packed day featuring matches between France and Senegal (80,545 fans in East Rutherford, N.J.), Argentina and Algeria (69,045 in Kansas City, Mo.), Austria and Jordan (68,527 in Santa Clara, Calif.) and Iraq and Norway (63,106 in Foxborough, Mass.)  The total attendance through six days sits at 1,309,652 (65,483 average), putting the tournament on pace to smash the 1994 cumulative attendance record of 3.5 million, according to FIFA.   “Wow! 281,223 fans in FIFA World Cup stadiums today — the highest attended day in the history of the competition!” said Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president, in a statement.  “16 June 2026 will go down in FIFA World Cup history! I cannot thank our fans enough for bringing color, atmosphere and emotions to this tournament. The most inclusive FIFA World Cup 2026 continues to show just how much our game is loved and how Football Unites The World!”  Tuesday’s highlights included a hat trick from Argentina legend Lionel Messi and two goals apiece from superstars Kylian Mbappe of France and Erling Haaland of Norway.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #World #Cup #oneday #attendance #record #broken #Tuesday

The United States got off to a tremendous start at the 2026 World Cup, with a dominant performance against Paraguay in a 4-1 win on Friday. The team was dynamic, creative, and delivered perhaps its best performance yet at a World Cup.

However, there is concern about the status of star forward Christian Pulisic.

Pulisic was replaced at halftime against Paraguay, after he was kicked in the left calf, reaggravating a training injury he picked up in the days before the World Cup. Following the match, Pulisic downplayed the injury.

“I just got a bit of a kick first half, so I’m really hoping that it’s nothing,” Pulisic told Fox Sports. “Taking a little bit of precaution today, but I’m hoping I’ll be fine the next few days.

“Just the back of my leg, my calf area. But I’ve had similar things before, and I’m staying positive. I don’t think it’s anything at all.”

The next USMNT match is against Australia on Friday, but there are expectations around the team that Pulisic will be available.

Teammate Tyler Adams as well as manager Mauricio Pochettino were among those offering positive updates.

“Christian will be ready, everyone. Let’s relax,” Adams said before the team’s training session on Monday.

“I think that he picked up a knock a few days before the game, and I think he got kicked in the same spot again during the game. And when you go in at halftime, things obviously get tight within the 15, 20 minute break. But he’ll be fine.”

“Good,” was how Pochettino described the USMNT’s status.

On Tuesday, Tim Weah offered an update of his own. “He looks normal, he’s fit,” said the USMNT winger. “He works with the trainers on the side, but I think he’ll be ready for the game.”

Officially, Pulisic is listed as “day-to-day:”

According to an update from Jenny Taft during FOX Sports’ coverage of the France-Senegal match on Tuesday, Pulisic worked with trainers again off to the side on Tuesday, ahead of Friday’s match against Australia.

Update (Wednesday): Here is the latest updated on Pulisic, as he remains officially “day-to-day” according to the USSF:

#Christian #Pulisic #injury #updates #UMSNT #star #daytoday #Australia #World #Cup #match">Christian Pulisic injury updates: UMSNT star ‘day-to-day’ for Australia World Cup match  The United States got off to a tremendous start at the 2026 World Cup, with a dominant performance against Paraguay in a 4-1 win on Friday. The team was dynamic, creative, and delivered perhaps its best performance yet at a World Cup.However, there is concern about the status of star forward Christian Pulisic.Pulisic was replaced at halftime against Paraguay, after he was kicked in the left calf, reaggravating a training injury he picked up in the days before the World Cup. Following the match, Pulisic downplayed the injury.“I just got a bit of a kick first half, so I’m really hoping that it’s nothing,” Pulisic told Fox Sports. “Taking a little bit of precaution today, but I’m hoping I’ll be fine the next few days.“Just the back of my leg, my calf area. But I’ve had similar things before, and I’m staying positive. I don’t think it’s anything at all.”The next USMNT match is against Australia on Friday, but there are expectations around the team that Pulisic will be available.Teammate Tyler Adams as well as manager Mauricio Pochettino were among those offering positive updates.“Christian will be ready, everyone. Let’s relax,” Adams said before the team’s training session on Monday.“I think that he picked up a knock a few days before the game, and I think he got kicked in the same spot again during the game. And when you go in at halftime, things obviously get tight within the 15, 20 minute break. But he’ll be fine.”“Good,” was how Pochettino described the USMNT’s status.On Tuesday, Tim Weah offered an update of his own. “He looks normal, he’s fit,” said the USMNT winger. “He works with the trainers on the side, but I think he’ll be ready for the game.”Officially, Pulisic is listed as “day-to-day:”According to an update from Jenny Taft during FOX Sports’ coverage of the France-Senegal match on Tuesday, Pulisic worked with trainers again off to the side on Tuesday, ahead of Friday’s match against Australia.Update (Wednesday): Here is the latest updated on Pulisic, as he remains officially “day-to-day” according to the USSF:  #Christian #Pulisic #injury #updates #UMSNT #star #daytoday #Australia #World #Cup #match

told Fox Sports. “Taking a little bit of precaution today, but I’m hoping I’ll be fine the next few days.

“Just the back of my leg, my calf area. But I’ve had similar things before, and I’m staying positive. I don’t think it’s anything at all.”

The next USMNT match is against Australia on Friday, but there are expectations around the team that Pulisic will be available.

Teammate Tyler Adams as well as manager Mauricio Pochettino were among those offering positive updates.

“Christian will be ready, everyone. Let’s relax,” Adams said before the team’s training session on Monday.

“I think that he picked up a knock a few days before the game, and I think he got kicked in the same spot again during the game. And when you go in at halftime, things obviously get tight within the 15, 20 minute break. But he’ll be fine.”

“Good,” was how Pochettino described the USMNT’s status.

On Tuesday, Tim Weah offered an update of his own. “He looks normal, he’s fit,” said the USMNT winger. “He works with the trainers on the side, but I think he’ll be ready for the game.”

Officially, Pulisic is listed as “day-to-day:”

According to an update from Jenny Taft during FOX Sports’ coverage of the France-Senegal match on Tuesday, Pulisic worked with trainers again off to the side on Tuesday, ahead of Friday’s match against Australia.

Update (Wednesday): Here is the latest updated on Pulisic, as he remains officially “day-to-day” according to the USSF:

#Christian #Pulisic #injury #updates #UMSNT #star #daytoday #Australia #World #Cup #match">Christian Pulisic injury updates: UMSNT star ‘day-to-day’ for Australia World Cup match

The United States got off to a tremendous start at the 2026 World Cup, with a dominant performance against Paraguay in a 4-1 win on Friday. The team was dynamic, creative, and delivered perhaps its best performance yet at a World Cup.

However, there is concern about the status of star forward Christian Pulisic.

Pulisic was replaced at halftime against Paraguay, after he was kicked in the left calf, reaggravating a training injury he picked up in the days before the World Cup. Following the match, Pulisic downplayed the injury.

“I just got a bit of a kick first half, so I’m really hoping that it’s nothing,” Pulisic told Fox Sports. “Taking a little bit of precaution today, but I’m hoping I’ll be fine the next few days.

“Just the back of my leg, my calf area. But I’ve had similar things before, and I’m staying positive. I don’t think it’s anything at all.”

The next USMNT match is against Australia on Friday, but there are expectations around the team that Pulisic will be available.

Teammate Tyler Adams as well as manager Mauricio Pochettino were among those offering positive updates.

“Christian will be ready, everyone. Let’s relax,” Adams said before the team’s training session on Monday.

“I think that he picked up a knock a few days before the game, and I think he got kicked in the same spot again during the game. And when you go in at halftime, things obviously get tight within the 15, 20 minute break. But he’ll be fine.”

“Good,” was how Pochettino described the USMNT’s status.

On Tuesday, Tim Weah offered an update of his own. “He looks normal, he’s fit,” said the USMNT winger. “He works with the trainers on the side, but I think he’ll be ready for the game.”

Officially, Pulisic is listed as “day-to-day:”

According to an update from Jenny Taft during FOX Sports’ coverage of the France-Senegal match on Tuesday, Pulisic worked with trainers again off to the side on Tuesday, ahead of Friday’s match against Australia.

Update (Wednesday): Here is the latest updated on Pulisic, as he remains officially “day-to-day” according to the USSF:

#Christian #Pulisic #injury #updates #UMSNT #star #daytoday #Australia #World #Cup #match

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