Deadspin | Reports: Auburn fires coach Hugh Freeze

Deadspin | Reports: Auburn fires coach Hugh Freeze

Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze walks the field after Auburn Tigers take on Kentucky Wildcats at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. Kentucky Wildcats defeated Auburn Tigers 10-3.

Auburn has fired head coach Hugh Freeze after two-plus seasons, multiple media outlets reported on Sunday.

The report comes one day after the Tigers (4-5, 1-5 Southeastern Conference) dropped a 10-3 decision to Kentucky. Chants of “Fire Hugh!” were audible in the second half.

“At the end of the day, I’m frustrated, too,” Freeze said after the loss. “We all know that when we sign up for this. We accept it. I love what we’re doing here, but we haven’t gotten the results.”

Freeze, 56, fell to 15-19 overall and 6-16 in the SEC during his time with Auburn. He be owed $15.4 million in buyout money.

Freeze, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer earlier in the year, was coach at Liberty for four seasons before taking the Auburn gig after the 2022 season. He also has held Division I coaching jobs at Arkansas State (2011) and Ole Miss (2012-16) and has a 98-62 record.

Multiple media outlets reported defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin is expected to serve in an interim head coaching role.

–Field Level Media

Source link
#Deadspin #Reports #Auburn #fires #coach #Hugh #Freeze

Deadspin | Raptors host Heat for a pair with both vying for optimal playoff positioning  Dec 23, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA;  Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) dunks around Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) during the second half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images   Plenty will be at stake on Tuesday when the Toronto Raptors host the Miami Heat for the first of two straight meetings north of the border between the postseason-bound teams.  Entering Monday’s action, Toronto (43-35) sits in the No. 7 spot of the crowded Eastern Conference standings, tied with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Raptors are just a half-game ahead of the Charlotte Hornets, a game ahead of the Orlando Magic and two games in front of the No. 10 Heat (41-37).  After a three-year stretch of mediocrity that saw the franchise miss the playoffs each time, head coach Darko Rajakovic’s team has its most wins since the 2021-22 season and is in line to bring postseason basketball back to Canada.  As it stands now, Toronto would host Charlotte in the 7 vs. 8 play-in game, with the winner facing the No. 2 Boston Celtics in the first round. With four games remaining, though, the Raptors can find themselves as low as the 10th spot.  The Raptors enter this game as losers in three of their last four, including a 115-101 road loss to Boston on Sunday. A bright spot for Rajakovic’s group has been second-year guard Ja’Kobe Walter. Inserted into the starting lineup the last six games, Walter is averaging 10.5 points across that stretch, drilling four 3-pointers in the setback against the Celtics.  Ahead of the Raptors’ most pivotal stretch of the year, Walter has gained the trust from his head coach.  “I love it. Ja’Kobe is a two-way player that does a lot for us,” Rajakovic said. “These opportunities that he’s had to start are showing us a lot of what he’s capable of and all the work he’s been putting in. Knocking down those shots for a young player, it’s awesome to see him doing so good in those situations.”  Walter averages 7.3 points on a 40.2% 3-point shooting clip. Brandon Ingram’s 21.3 ppg lead the Raptors, followed by RJ Barrett’s 19.1 and Scottie Barnes’ 18.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per contest.   Miami hopes it’s beginning to regain its form after a woeful end to March. The Heat dropped seven of eight games, before winning two of their last three. Miami picked up a much-needed 152-136 win over the woeful Washington Wizards on Saturday.  “We had two really good days of practice coming off the last disappointing game (a 147-129 loss to Boston),” Head coach Erik Spoelstra said. “That’s what you want out of a group, particularly with everything we’ve gone through these last 10 games. We’re just focusing on solutions and working to get better.”  Since Miami’s tailspin began on March 14, defense has been at the forefront of its issues. The Heat have allowed 129.9 points per game across their last 11 outings.  Second-year center Kel’el Ware pulled his weight against Washington, posting seven blocks to go along with 24 points and 19 rebounds. After Ware’s dominant performance, Spoelstra challenged Ware to continue his production against Toronto.  “He wants more for me; he wants better for me,” Ware said of Spoelstra. “He just wants to see me perform at a higher level.”  Ware averages 11.1 points and 9.1 boards per game. Norman Powell (22.1 ppg) has missed the last four games with an illness, while Tyler Herro (21.4 ppg) looks to return after missing Saturday due to personal reasons. Both are listed as probable.  Bam Adebayo has compiled 20.2 points and 10 rebounds per game.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Raptors #host #Heat #pair #vying #optimal #playoff #positioningDec 23, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) dunks around Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) during the second half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images

Plenty will be at stake on Tuesday when the Toronto Raptors host the Miami Heat for the first of two straight meetings north of the border between the postseason-bound teams.

Entering Monday’s action, Toronto (43-35) sits in the No. 7 spot of the crowded Eastern Conference standings, tied with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Raptors are just a half-game ahead of the Charlotte Hornets, a game ahead of the Orlando Magic and two games in front of the No. 10 Heat (41-37).

After a three-year stretch of mediocrity that saw the franchise miss the playoffs each time, head coach Darko Rajakovic’s team has its most wins since the 2021-22 season and is in line to bring postseason basketball back to Canada.

As it stands now, Toronto would host Charlotte in the 7 vs. 8 play-in game, with the winner facing the No. 2 Boston Celtics in the first round. With four games remaining, though, the Raptors can find themselves as low as the 10th spot.

The Raptors enter this game as losers in three of their last four, including a 115-101 road loss to Boston on Sunday. A bright spot for Rajakovic’s group has been second-year guard Ja’Kobe Walter. Inserted into the starting lineup the last six games, Walter is averaging 10.5 points across that stretch, drilling four 3-pointers in the setback against the Celtics.

Ahead of the Raptors’ most pivotal stretch of the year, Walter has gained the trust from his head coach.

“I love it. Ja’Kobe is a two-way player that does a lot for us,” Rajakovic said. “These opportunities that he’s had to start are showing us a lot of what he’s capable of and all the work he’s been putting in. Knocking down those shots for a young player, it’s awesome to see him doing so good in those situations.”


Walter averages 7.3 points on a 40.2% 3-point shooting clip. Brandon Ingram’s 21.3 ppg lead the Raptors, followed by RJ Barrett’s 19.1 and Scottie Barnes’ 18.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per contest.

Miami hopes it’s beginning to regain its form after a woeful end to March. The Heat dropped seven of eight games, before winning two of their last three. Miami picked up a much-needed 152-136 win over the woeful Washington Wizards on Saturday.

“We had two really good days of practice coming off the last disappointing game (a 147-129 loss to Boston),” Head coach Erik Spoelstra said. “That’s what you want out of a group, particularly with everything we’ve gone through these last 10 games. We’re just focusing on solutions and working to get better.”

Since Miami’s tailspin began on March 14, defense has been at the forefront of its issues. The Heat have allowed 129.9 points per game across their last 11 outings.

Second-year center Kel’el Ware pulled his weight against Washington, posting seven blocks to go along with 24 points and 19 rebounds. After Ware’s dominant performance, Spoelstra challenged Ware to continue his production against Toronto.

“He wants more for me; he wants better for me,” Ware said of Spoelstra. “He just wants to see me perform at a higher level.”

Ware averages 11.1 points and 9.1 boards per game. Norman Powell (22.1 ppg) has missed the last four games with an illness, while Tyler Herro (21.4 ppg) looks to return after missing Saturday due to personal reasons. Both are listed as probable.

Bam Adebayo has compiled 20.2 points and 10 rebounds per game.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Raptors #host #Heat #pair #vying #optimal #playoff #positioning">Deadspin | Raptors host Heat for a pair with both vying for optimal playoff positioning  Dec 23, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA;  Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) dunks around Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) during the second half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images   Plenty will be at stake on Tuesday when the Toronto Raptors host the Miami Heat for the first of two straight meetings north of the border between the postseason-bound teams.  Entering Monday’s action, Toronto (43-35) sits in the No. 7 spot of the crowded Eastern Conference standings, tied with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Raptors are just a half-game ahead of the Charlotte Hornets, a game ahead of the Orlando Magic and two games in front of the No. 10 Heat (41-37).  After a three-year stretch of mediocrity that saw the franchise miss the playoffs each time, head coach Darko Rajakovic’s team has its most wins since the 2021-22 season and is in line to bring postseason basketball back to Canada.  As it stands now, Toronto would host Charlotte in the 7 vs. 8 play-in game, with the winner facing the No. 2 Boston Celtics in the first round. With four games remaining, though, the Raptors can find themselves as low as the 10th spot.  The Raptors enter this game as losers in three of their last four, including a 115-101 road loss to Boston on Sunday. A bright spot for Rajakovic’s group has been second-year guard Ja’Kobe Walter. Inserted into the starting lineup the last six games, Walter is averaging 10.5 points across that stretch, drilling four 3-pointers in the setback against the Celtics.  Ahead of the Raptors’ most pivotal stretch of the year, Walter has gained the trust from his head coach.  “I love it. Ja’Kobe is a two-way player that does a lot for us,” Rajakovic said. “These opportunities that he’s had to start are showing us a lot of what he’s capable of and all the work he’s been putting in. Knocking down those shots for a young player, it’s awesome to see him doing so good in those situations.”  Walter averages 7.3 points on a 40.2% 3-point shooting clip. Brandon Ingram’s 21.3 ppg lead the Raptors, followed by RJ Barrett’s 19.1 and Scottie Barnes’ 18.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per contest.   Miami hopes it’s beginning to regain its form after a woeful end to March. The Heat dropped seven of eight games, before winning two of their last three. Miami picked up a much-needed 152-136 win over the woeful Washington Wizards on Saturday.  “We had two really good days of practice coming off the last disappointing game (a 147-129 loss to Boston),” Head coach Erik Spoelstra said. “That’s what you want out of a group, particularly with everything we’ve gone through these last 10 games. We’re just focusing on solutions and working to get better.”  Since Miami’s tailspin began on March 14, defense has been at the forefront of its issues. The Heat have allowed 129.9 points per game across their last 11 outings.  Second-year center Kel’el Ware pulled his weight against Washington, posting seven blocks to go along with 24 points and 19 rebounds. After Ware’s dominant performance, Spoelstra challenged Ware to continue his production against Toronto.  “He wants more for me; he wants better for me,” Ware said of Spoelstra. “He just wants to see me perform at a higher level.”  Ware averages 11.1 points and 9.1 boards per game. Norman Powell (22.1 ppg) has missed the last four games with an illness, while Tyler Herro (21.4 ppg) looks to return after missing Saturday due to personal reasons. Both are listed as probable.  Bam Adebayo has compiled 20.2 points and 10 rebounds per game.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Raptors #host #Heat #pair #vying #optimal #playoff #positioning

Deadspin | Rays defeat Cubs in return to Tropicana Field  Apr 6, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Chandler Simpson (14) greets catcher Nick Fortes (40) after hitting a home run against the Chicago Cubs in the third inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images   Cedric Mullins and Jonathan Aranda crushed two-run homers, and the Tampa Bay Rays returned to their renovated domed stadium Monday afternoon with a 6-4 home-opening win over the Chicago Cubs in St. Petersburg, Fla.  Back in the dome across the bay from Tampa, the Rays rallied from a two-run deficit to claim their third straight win.   It was their first game at Tropicana Field in 19 months after the destruction from Hurricane Milton on Oct. 9, 2024 – 561 days ago.   Junior Caminero hit a solo shot for the second straight game, and Yandy Diaz (stolen base) and Chandler Simpson (two stolen bases) had two hits apiece, with Simpson reaching base for the 10th straight game to tie Randy Arozarena’s club record to start a season.   Starter Shane McClanahan lasted four innings and allowed two runs on just one hit. He struck out five and walked four.   Matt Shaw homered in the ninth, and Nico Hoerner drove in two runs as the Cubs mustered four hits and lost for the second straight time.  In a six-inning start, Chicago’s Jameson Taillon yielded seven hits and four runs (three earned). He fanned four without a walk but surrendered two homers.    Making his first start in the dome since July 22, 2023, the oft-injured McClanahan fought control problems early, walking Michael Busch and Dansby Swanson to start the second inning before loading the bases by issuing another to Miguel Amaya with two outs.   The patience paid off when Hoerner lined a two-run single to left for a 2-0 lead as the southpaw’s pitch-count climbed to 51 over the two frames.  Mullins evened it in the second when he roped a 3-2 changeup from Taillon down the right field line and over the fence to plate Simpson, who singled and stole two bases. The Rays took their first home lead on Diaz’s two-out infield single and throwing error by shortstop Swanson.   Caminero boomed a 401-foot blast to left for a 4-2 advantage in the third, but Michael Busch got one back with a sacrifice fly in the sixth to score Ian Happ, who opened with a double.   Aranda ripped a two-run long ball off Phil Maton, hammering a 76 mph curve to right center for a 6-3 lead in the seventh.  Kevin Kelly (1-1) and Bryan Baker (first save) reversed their roles from Sunday’s series-earning victory in Minnesota.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Rays #defeat #Cubs #return #Tropicana #FieldApr 6, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Chandler Simpson (14) greets catcher Nick Fortes (40) after hitting a home run against the Chicago Cubs in the third inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Cedric Mullins and Jonathan Aranda crushed two-run homers, and the Tampa Bay Rays returned to their renovated domed stadium Monday afternoon with a 6-4 home-opening win over the Chicago Cubs in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Back in the dome across the bay from Tampa, the Rays rallied from a two-run deficit to claim their third straight win.

It was their first game at Tropicana Field in 19 months after the destruction from Hurricane Milton on Oct. 9, 2024 – 561 days ago.

Junior Caminero hit a solo shot for the second straight game, and Yandy Diaz (stolen base) and Chandler Simpson (two stolen bases) had two hits apiece, with Simpson reaching base for the 10th straight game to tie Randy Arozarena’s club record to start a season.

Starter Shane McClanahan lasted four innings and allowed two runs on just one hit. He struck out five and walked four.

Matt Shaw homered in the ninth, and Nico Hoerner drove in two runs as the Cubs mustered four hits and lost for the second straight time.


In a six-inning start, Chicago’s Jameson Taillon yielded seven hits and four runs (three earned). He fanned four without a walk but surrendered two homers.

Making his first start in the dome since July 22, 2023, the oft-injured McClanahan fought control problems early, walking Michael Busch and Dansby Swanson to start the second inning before loading the bases by issuing another to Miguel Amaya with two outs.

The patience paid off when Hoerner lined a two-run single to left for a 2-0 lead as the southpaw’s pitch-count climbed to 51 over the two frames.

Mullins evened it in the second when he roped a 3-2 changeup from Taillon down the right field line and over the fence to plate Simpson, who singled and stole two bases. The Rays took their first home lead on Diaz’s two-out infield single and throwing error by shortstop Swanson.

Caminero boomed a 401-foot blast to left for a 4-2 advantage in the third, but Michael Busch got one back with a sacrifice fly in the sixth to score Ian Happ, who opened with a double.

Aranda ripped a two-run long ball off Phil Maton, hammering a 76 mph curve to right center for a 6-3 lead in the seventh.

Kevin Kelly (1-1) and Bryan Baker (first save) reversed their roles from Sunday’s series-earning victory in Minnesota.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Rays #defeat #Cubs #return #Tropicana #Field">Deadspin | Rays defeat Cubs in return to Tropicana Field  Apr 6, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Chandler Simpson (14) greets catcher Nick Fortes (40) after hitting a home run against the Chicago Cubs in the third inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images   Cedric Mullins and Jonathan Aranda crushed two-run homers, and the Tampa Bay Rays returned to their renovated domed stadium Monday afternoon with a 6-4 home-opening win over the Chicago Cubs in St. Petersburg, Fla.  Back in the dome across the bay from Tampa, the Rays rallied from a two-run deficit to claim their third straight win.   It was their first game at Tropicana Field in 19 months after the destruction from Hurricane Milton on Oct. 9, 2024 – 561 days ago.   Junior Caminero hit a solo shot for the second straight game, and Yandy Diaz (stolen base) and Chandler Simpson (two stolen bases) had two hits apiece, with Simpson reaching base for the 10th straight game to tie Randy Arozarena’s club record to start a season.   Starter Shane McClanahan lasted four innings and allowed two runs on just one hit. He struck out five and walked four.   Matt Shaw homered in the ninth, and Nico Hoerner drove in two runs as the Cubs mustered four hits and lost for the second straight time.  In a six-inning start, Chicago’s Jameson Taillon yielded seven hits and four runs (three earned). He fanned four without a walk but surrendered two homers.    Making his first start in the dome since July 22, 2023, the oft-injured McClanahan fought control problems early, walking Michael Busch and Dansby Swanson to start the second inning before loading the bases by issuing another to Miguel Amaya with two outs.   The patience paid off when Hoerner lined a two-run single to left for a 2-0 lead as the southpaw’s pitch-count climbed to 51 over the two frames.  Mullins evened it in the second when he roped a 3-2 changeup from Taillon down the right field line and over the fence to plate Simpson, who singled and stole two bases. The Rays took their first home lead on Diaz’s two-out infield single and throwing error by shortstop Swanson.   Caminero boomed a 401-foot blast to left for a 4-2 advantage in the third, but Michael Busch got one back with a sacrifice fly in the sixth to score Ian Happ, who opened with a double.   Aranda ripped a two-run long ball off Phil Maton, hammering a 76 mph curve to right center for a 6-3 lead in the seventh.  Kevin Kelly (1-1) and Bryan Baker (first save) reversed their roles from Sunday’s series-earning victory in Minnesota.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Rays #defeat #Cubs #return #Tropicana #Field

Post Comment