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Deadspin | Missouri intends to draw a line in visit to South Carolina

Deadspin | Missouri intends to draw a line in visit to South Carolina

Jan 31, 2026; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Dennis Gates gestures to players against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the second half of the game at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

As Missouri battles to make the NCAA Tournament’s field of 68, perhaps the most important number it needs to pay attention to is 332.

That is where the Tigers currently sit, out of 361 Division I teams, in free-throw shooting percentage as coach Dennis Gates’ team faces South Carolina in Columbia, S.C., on Saturday.

Missouri (15-7, 5-4 Southeastern Conference) has made just 67.4% of its shots from the free-throw line, making the team dead last in the SEC. That includes an atrocious 34.8% (8-for-23) showing in a 90-64 setback at Alabama last month.

The Tigers rebounded in an 84-79 victory over Mississippi State last week, making 75.8% (25 for 33) of their free throws, including 10 of 12 in the final two minutes to hold off the Bulldogs.

It is not the sexiest statistic, but it could end up making the difference as Missouri tries to qualify for the NCAA Tournament.

“That’s good coaching. I was able to telepathically get into their brain right there on the line and start whispering, ‘Calm down, calm down.’ And you just saw a swish. So, the coaching. I’ll take that today,” Gates said.

Mark Mitchell led Missouri with 19 points and seven rebounds in the triumph over Mississippi State. T.O. Barrett added 16 points, eight rebounds, and four assists.

Trent Pierce, who made 19 starts last season but missed this year’s entire nonconference schedule, started for the first time in nine appearances this year and made two early 3-pointers on the way to 13 points.

Mitchell leads the team with 17.5 points and 5.5 rebounds. He has scored in double figures in 20 of 22 games. Jayden Stone is averaging 14.6 points and 5.3 rebounds.

The Tigers are just 1-3 on the road in the conference, but in South Carolina, they are facing a spiraling squad poised to miss the NCAA Tournament for the eighth time in nine years. The Gamecocks have lost four straight and eight of 10.

South Carolina has dropped two straight and four of five at home and lost its last outing 84-75 at Texas on Tuesday despite jumping out to an early lead.

“We did a lot of right things that allowed us to be in a position to win the game. … Our first responsibility was to do enough right things that when it got to game-winning time, you were right there to win the game,” Gamecocks head coach Lamont Paris said. “It stings to be in that position and then in the last 2 1/2, 3 minutes, not be in a position to win the game.”

Meechie Johnson scored a career-best 35 points while shooting 12 of 21 from the field and 10 of 14 from the free-throw line. Elijah Strong added 12 points.

Johnson leads the team with a career-best 16.5 points, 4.3 assists, and 1.3 steals. He is averaging 22.6 points over his last seven games.

“Meechie has had a good year. He’s been getting better at his one-on-one attacking,” Paris said. “So he’s been doing that a lot more, I’d say, in the last few games, especially getting to the rim and finishing strong. That’s been a point of emphasis for him to try to improve.”

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Astros’ Isaac Paredes hopes power surge continues vs. Guardians  Apr 20, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes (15) rounds the bases after hitting a home run as Cleveland Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo (9) looks on during the fourth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images   The start of Isaac Paredes’ second season with the Houston Astros has not gone according to plan.  After he was an All-Star last season, Paredes entered play Monday hitting .190, slugging .254 and homerless after he had 20 long balls last season.  He believes things are starting to trend back in the right direction after hitting his first two homers of the season on Monday in the Astros’ 9-2 win over the host Cleveland Guardians in the series opener.   Paredes will pursue an encore when the teams meet again in the middle contest of a three-game set on Tuesday.  “A lot of happiness because of what I’ve been going through,” Paredes said on the postgame broadcast when asked about his feelings regarding the breakout game. “I think these home runs give me a lot of confidence to keep on going, to keep on competing.”  Cleveland will turn to breakout rookie Parker Messick (3-0, 1.05 ERA) as it looks to level the series on Tuesday. Houston will counter with rookie Ryan Weiss (0-2, 6.75).  Paredes’ confidence could stand to spread to the Astros as a whole. Their Monday win snapped a four-game skid and marked their first time plating at least nine runs since April 5 after doing so five times in the first 10 games of the season.  Houston, which has lost 12 of 15 since a 6-3 start, is in the basement of the American League West.  Messick will be making his first start since he took a no-hitter into the ninth inning of a 4-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday. He ended up three outs away from delivering the franchise’s first no-hitter since Len Barker’s perfect game in 1981.   “He just keeps working,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “Parker’s tenacious. He’s dedicated to his craft.”  While it was the strongest outing of Messick’s young career, it was far from an anomaly for the 25-year-old left-hander. After winning a rotation spot during spring training, Messick ranks third in the majors with a 1.05 ERA after four starts this season.  Through his first 11 major league starts dating back to last season, Messick has a 6-1 record and a 2.07 ERA with 63 strikeouts and 13 walks.  “He’s got such good stuff, executes every pitch,” Guardians catcher Austin Hedges said. “He’s got (six) pitches to work with and is throwing every one of them to righties and lefties. Hitting is hard already, but when you’ve got to cover that many pitches, that many speeds, that many shapes, executed, you’re going to get nights like (Thursday).”  This will be Messick’s first career start against the Astros. He will be seeking better run support after the Guardians stranded 12 runners in their Monday loss.  Weiss, who debuted in March, hasn’t found the same early success. The 29-year-old right-hander is coming off his first major league start, when he allowed two runs on three hits over 3 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday.  The Astros are expecting to be without outfielder Taylor Trammell “for a little bit” after he sustained a left groin injury while running the bases in the Monday win, manager Joe Espada told reporters.  It’s a tough setback for Trammell, who is hitting .345 in 10 games since he was called up from Triple-A Sugar Land on April 10.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Astros #Isaac #Paredes #hopes #power #surge #continues #GuardiansApr 20, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes (15) rounds the bases after hitting a home run as Cleveland Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo (9) looks on during the fourth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

The start of Isaac Paredes’ second season with the Houston Astros has not gone according to plan.

After he was an All-Star last season, Paredes entered play Monday hitting .190, slugging .254 and homerless after he had 20 long balls last season.

He believes things are starting to trend back in the right direction after hitting his first two homers of the season on Monday in the Astros’ 9-2 win over the host Cleveland Guardians in the series opener.

Paredes will pursue an encore when the teams meet again in the middle contest of a three-game set on Tuesday.

“A lot of happiness because of what I’ve been going through,” Paredes said on the postgame broadcast when asked about his feelings regarding the breakout game. “I think these home runs give me a lot of confidence to keep on going, to keep on competing.”

Cleveland will turn to breakout rookie Parker Messick (3-0, 1.05 ERA) as it looks to level the series on Tuesday. Houston will counter with rookie Ryan Weiss (0-2, 6.75).

Paredes’ confidence could stand to spread to the Astros as a whole. Their Monday win snapped a four-game skid and marked their first time plating at least nine runs since April 5 after doing so five times in the first 10 games of the season.

Houston, which has lost 12 of 15 since a 6-3 start, is in the basement of the American League West.


Messick will be making his first start since he took a no-hitter into the ninth inning of a 4-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday. He ended up three outs away from delivering the franchise’s first no-hitter since Len Barker’s perfect game in 1981.

“He just keeps working,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “Parker’s tenacious. He’s dedicated to his craft.”

While it was the strongest outing of Messick’s young career, it was far from an anomaly for the 25-year-old left-hander. After winning a rotation spot during spring training, Messick ranks third in the majors with a 1.05 ERA after four starts this season.

Through his first 11 major league starts dating back to last season, Messick has a 6-1 record and a 2.07 ERA with 63 strikeouts and 13 walks.

“He’s got such good stuff, executes every pitch,” Guardians catcher Austin Hedges said. “He’s got (six) pitches to work with and is throwing every one of them to righties and lefties. Hitting is hard already, but when you’ve got to cover that many pitches, that many speeds, that many shapes, executed, you’re going to get nights like (Thursday).”

This will be Messick’s first career start against the Astros. He will be seeking better run support after the Guardians stranded 12 runners in their Monday loss.

Weiss, who debuted in March, hasn’t found the same early success. The 29-year-old right-hander is coming off his first major league start, when he allowed two runs on three hits over 3 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday.

The Astros are expecting to be without outfielder Taylor Trammell “for a little bit” after he sustained a left groin injury while running the bases in the Monday win, manager Joe Espada told reporters.

It’s a tough setback for Trammell, who is hitting .345 in 10 games since he was called up from Triple-A Sugar Land on April 10.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Astros #Isaac #Paredes #hopes #power #surge #continues #Guardians">Deadspin | Astros’ Isaac Paredes hopes power surge continues vs. Guardians  Apr 20, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes (15) rounds the bases after hitting a home run as Cleveland Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo (9) looks on during the fourth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images   The start of Isaac Paredes’ second season with the Houston Astros has not gone according to plan.  After he was an All-Star last season, Paredes entered play Monday hitting .190, slugging .254 and homerless after he had 20 long balls last season.  He believes things are starting to trend back in the right direction after hitting his first two homers of the season on Monday in the Astros’ 9-2 win over the host Cleveland Guardians in the series opener.   Paredes will pursue an encore when the teams meet again in the middle contest of a three-game set on Tuesday.  “A lot of happiness because of what I’ve been going through,” Paredes said on the postgame broadcast when asked about his feelings regarding the breakout game. “I think these home runs give me a lot of confidence to keep on going, to keep on competing.”  Cleveland will turn to breakout rookie Parker Messick (3-0, 1.05 ERA) as it looks to level the series on Tuesday. Houston will counter with rookie Ryan Weiss (0-2, 6.75).  Paredes’ confidence could stand to spread to the Astros as a whole. Their Monday win snapped a four-game skid and marked their first time plating at least nine runs since April 5 after doing so five times in the first 10 games of the season.  Houston, which has lost 12 of 15 since a 6-3 start, is in the basement of the American League West.  Messick will be making his first start since he took a no-hitter into the ninth inning of a 4-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday. He ended up three outs away from delivering the franchise’s first no-hitter since Len Barker’s perfect game in 1981.   “He just keeps working,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “Parker’s tenacious. He’s dedicated to his craft.”  While it was the strongest outing of Messick’s young career, it was far from an anomaly for the 25-year-old left-hander. After winning a rotation spot during spring training, Messick ranks third in the majors with a 1.05 ERA after four starts this season.  Through his first 11 major league starts dating back to last season, Messick has a 6-1 record and a 2.07 ERA with 63 strikeouts and 13 walks.  “He’s got such good stuff, executes every pitch,” Guardians catcher Austin Hedges said. “He’s got (six) pitches to work with and is throwing every one of them to righties and lefties. Hitting is hard already, but when you’ve got to cover that many pitches, that many speeds, that many shapes, executed, you’re going to get nights like (Thursday).”  This will be Messick’s first career start against the Astros. He will be seeking better run support after the Guardians stranded 12 runners in their Monday loss.  Weiss, who debuted in March, hasn’t found the same early success. The 29-year-old right-hander is coming off his first major league start, when he allowed two runs on three hits over 3 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday.  The Astros are expecting to be without outfielder Taylor Trammell “for a little bit” after he sustained a left groin injury while running the bases in the Monday win, manager Joe Espada told reporters.  It’s a tough setback for Trammell, who is hitting .345 in 10 games since he was called up from Triple-A Sugar Land on April 10.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Astros #Isaac #Paredes #hopes #power #surge #continues #Guardians

India opener Shafali Verma climbed two places to sixth in the ICC Women’s T20I Batting Rankings after her half-century against South Africa in the ongoing five-match T20I series.

Shafali struck a 57 off 38 balls in the second T20I in Durban last Sunday, but India lost to the host by eight wickets, slipping to 0-2 in the series.

India had also been defeated in the opening T20I at the same venue by six wickets, with Shafali contributing 34 runs.

India vice-captain and Shafali’s opening partner, Smriti Mandhana, has slipped one spot to fourth after an underwhelming showing in the two matches so far, scoring 13 and 12. She has been overtaken at No. 3 by West Indies’ Hayley Matthews.

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has climbed two places and is now on the brink of the top 10, currently ranked 11th. She scored an unbeaten 47 in the first T20I.

ALSO READ | Wolvaardt, Luus fifties help South Africa script 8-wicket win over India

Women’s World Cup hero Jemimah Rodrigues has suffered a notable drop of four places and is now ranked 14th among batters following a subdued run of form.

The series serves as crucial preparation for both teams ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin in June in England and Wales.

South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt has retained her fifth position among T20I batters, sitting behind Australia’s Georgia Voll, following a fine half-century in the second match against India.

Her teammates Annerie Dercksen, who has jumped 18 places to 33rd, and Sune Luus, up eight spots to 35th, have also made significant gains in the rankings after strong performances in the Durban match.

Meanwhile, India’s bowling stalwarts Deepti Sharma, Renuka Singh Thakur, and Arundhati Reddy have all slipped in the bowlers’ rankings. Deepti has dropped two places to fifth, while Renuka has fallen four spots to ninth.

Arundhati, meanwhile, has moved out of the top 10 after slipping three places to 12th.

Published on Apr 21, 2026

#ICC #T20I #rankings #Shafali #Harmanpreet #climb #Smriti #Jemimah #slip #batters">ICC T20I rankings: Shafali, Harmanpreet climb while Smriti, Jemimah slip amongst batters  India opener Shafali Verma climbed two places to sixth in the ICC Women’s T20I Batting Rankings after her half-century against South Africa in the ongoing five-match T20I series.Shafali struck a 57 off 38 balls in the second T20I in Durban last Sunday, but India lost to the host by eight wickets, slipping to 0-2 in the series.India had also been defeated in the opening T20I at the same venue by six wickets, with Shafali contributing 34 runs.India vice-captain and Shafali’s opening partner, Smriti Mandhana, has slipped one spot to fourth after an underwhelming showing in the two matches so far, scoring 13 and 12. She has been overtaken at No. 3 by West Indies’ Hayley Matthews.India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has climbed two places and is now on the brink of the top 10, currently ranked 11th. She scored an unbeaten 47 in the first T20I.ALSO READ | Wolvaardt, Luus fifties help South Africa script 8-wicket win over IndiaWomen’s World Cup hero Jemimah Rodrigues has suffered a notable drop of four places and is now ranked 14th among batters following a subdued run of form.The series serves as crucial preparation for both teams ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin in June in England and Wales.South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt has retained her fifth position among T20I batters, sitting behind Australia’s Georgia Voll, following a fine half-century in the second match against India.Her teammates Annerie Dercksen, who has jumped 18 places to 33rd, and Sune Luus, up eight spots to 35th, have also made significant gains in the rankings after strong performances in the Durban match.Meanwhile, India’s bowling stalwarts Deepti Sharma, Renuka Singh Thakur, and Arundhati Reddy have all slipped in the bowlers’ rankings. Deepti has dropped two places to fifth, while Renuka has fallen four spots to ninth.Arundhati, meanwhile, has moved out of the top 10 after slipping three places to 12th.Published on Apr 21, 2026  #ICC #T20I #rankings #Shafali #Harmanpreet #climb #Smriti #Jemimah #slip #batters

Wolvaardt, Luus fifties help South Africa script 8-wicket win over India

Women’s World Cup hero Jemimah Rodrigues has suffered a notable drop of four places and is now ranked 14th among batters following a subdued run of form.

The series serves as crucial preparation for both teams ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin in June in England and Wales.

South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt has retained her fifth position among T20I batters, sitting behind Australia’s Georgia Voll, following a fine half-century in the second match against India.

Her teammates Annerie Dercksen, who has jumped 18 places to 33rd, and Sune Luus, up eight spots to 35th, have also made significant gains in the rankings after strong performances in the Durban match.

Meanwhile, India’s bowling stalwarts Deepti Sharma, Renuka Singh Thakur, and Arundhati Reddy have all slipped in the bowlers’ rankings. Deepti has dropped two places to fifth, while Renuka has fallen four spots to ninth.

Arundhati, meanwhile, has moved out of the top 10 after slipping three places to 12th.

Published on Apr 21, 2026

#ICC #T20I #rankings #Shafali #Harmanpreet #climb #Smriti #Jemimah #slip #batters">ICC T20I rankings: Shafali, Harmanpreet climb while Smriti, Jemimah slip amongst batters

India opener Shafali Verma climbed two places to sixth in the ICC Women’s T20I Batting Rankings after her half-century against South Africa in the ongoing five-match T20I series.

Shafali struck a 57 off 38 balls in the second T20I in Durban last Sunday, but India lost to the host by eight wickets, slipping to 0-2 in the series.

India had also been defeated in the opening T20I at the same venue by six wickets, with Shafali contributing 34 runs.

India vice-captain and Shafali’s opening partner, Smriti Mandhana, has slipped one spot to fourth after an underwhelming showing in the two matches so far, scoring 13 and 12. She has been overtaken at No. 3 by West Indies’ Hayley Matthews.

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has climbed two places and is now on the brink of the top 10, currently ranked 11th. She scored an unbeaten 47 in the first T20I.

ALSO READ | Wolvaardt, Luus fifties help South Africa script 8-wicket win over India

Women’s World Cup hero Jemimah Rodrigues has suffered a notable drop of four places and is now ranked 14th among batters following a subdued run of form.

The series serves as crucial preparation for both teams ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin in June in England and Wales.

South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt has retained her fifth position among T20I batters, sitting behind Australia’s Georgia Voll, following a fine half-century in the second match against India.

Her teammates Annerie Dercksen, who has jumped 18 places to 33rd, and Sune Luus, up eight spots to 35th, have also made significant gains in the rankings after strong performances in the Durban match.

Meanwhile, India’s bowling stalwarts Deepti Sharma, Renuka Singh Thakur, and Arundhati Reddy have all slipped in the bowlers’ rankings. Deepti has dropped two places to fifth, while Renuka has fallen four spots to ninth.

Arundhati, meanwhile, has moved out of the top 10 after slipping three places to 12th.

Published on Apr 21, 2026

#ICC #T20I #rankings #Shafali #Harmanpreet #climb #Smriti #Jemimah #slip #batters

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