9 days ago
WEST LAFAYETTE — You can call Purdue basketball's 87-55 exhibition victory over Ball State on Sunday a soft opening.
Rehearsals for the regular season continue, and roles remain up for grabs on a remade roster. The vibe around the 11 Boilermakers who shared relatively equal minutes, though, remains one of anticipation for what lies ahead.
You may need to give this new cast some time to come together. Those players – some character actors vying to become stars, some understudies stepping into the spotlight for the first time – like where this is headed.
They cannot offer the **** urance which comes with returning Final Four starters, roles chiseled in stone and championship expectations set as an afterthought. What was on display Sunday, though, was a new and different energy – one with unrealized upside.
"I feel that's what makes this team good and makes this team different, is the balance we have between all our guards and our bigs," redshirt freshman guard Antione West Jr. said. "Everybody brings something. There's no weak points or anything we lack in our guards, so it just brings a sense of balance. I think that's our identity."
#guards
Rehearsals for the regular season continue, and roles remain up for grabs on a remade roster. The vibe around the 11 Boilermakers who shared relatively equal minutes, though, remains one of anticipation for what lies ahead.
You may need to give this new cast some time to come together. Those players – some character actors vying to become stars, some understudies stepping into the spotlight for the first time – like where this is headed.
They cannot offer the **** urance which comes with returning Final Four starters, roles chiseled in stone and championship expectations set as an afterthought. What was on display Sunday, though, was a new and different energy – one with unrealized upside.
"I feel that's what makes this team good and makes this team different, is the balance we have between all our guards and our bigs," redshirt freshman guard Antione West Jr. said. "Everybody brings something. There's no weak points or anything we lack in our guards, so it just brings a sense of balance. I think that's our identity."
#guards
3 months ago
It didn't take Nasir Wyatt far into his freshman season with the Oregon Ducks before he began impressing, as he recorded his first career sack in the Ducks' second game against the Montana State Bobcats. He logged only 39 snaps but made the absolute most of them, finishing the year third on the team with three sacks, a forced fumble and 11 total tackles.
Primarily deployed on third-down blitzes and various pressures, Wyatt used his 6-foot-2, 228-pound frame to blast past would-be blocker and get to the quarterback in a flash. But what proved to be his superpower also turned out to be his downfall, as a sub-230-pound edge rusher had to be schemed into action. If he were to be on the field on early downs, teams would likely target his side and run the ball right at him, capitalizing on his lean frame.
No more in 2026. With his newly-chiseled, bulky frame, Wyatt arrived at fall camp already impressing and has continued that sentiment through one week, with CBS Sports' Brad Crawford tabbing him as one of the biggest risers thus far infall camp.
"From failing to bulk up early in his career to now tipping the scales at a muscular 245 pounds, Wyatt finally looks the part as one of the Ducks' outside linebackers," Crawford wrote. "Defensive coordinator Chris Hampton said after Oregon's second day of fall camp that Wyatt has a chance to be an "every-down player" this fall, which speaks to his offseason body makeover and what he's shown on the field early. That level of consistency must continue, Hampton says, to warrant extended reps at an uber-talented position group for one of the Big Ten's frontrunners."
Reps won't come easy for Wyatt, who, as a hybrid linebacker/edge rusher, is behind starters Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti, two players garnering early-round buzz in the 2027 NFL Draft class.
#camp
Primarily deployed on third-down blitzes and various pressures, Wyatt used his 6-foot-2, 228-pound frame to blast past would-be blocker and get to the quarterback in a flash. But what proved to be his superpower also turned out to be his downfall, as a sub-230-pound edge rusher had to be schemed into action. If he were to be on the field on early downs, teams would likely target his side and run the ball right at him, capitalizing on his lean frame.
No more in 2026. With his newly-chiseled, bulky frame, Wyatt arrived at fall camp already impressing and has continued that sentiment through one week, with CBS Sports' Brad Crawford tabbing him as one of the biggest risers thus far infall camp.
"From failing to bulk up early in his career to now tipping the scales at a muscular 245 pounds, Wyatt finally looks the part as one of the Ducks' outside linebackers," Crawford wrote. "Defensive coordinator Chris Hampton said after Oregon's second day of fall camp that Wyatt has a chance to be an "every-down player" this fall, which speaks to his offseason body makeover and what he's shown on the field early. That level of consistency must continue, Hampton says, to warrant extended reps at an uber-talented position group for one of the Big Ten's frontrunners."
Reps won't come easy for Wyatt, who, as a hybrid linebacker/edge rusher, is behind starters Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti, two players garnering early-round buzz in the 2027 NFL Draft class.
#camp
3 months ago
Isabelle Harrison shows off chiseled abs in striking pregame look despite missing Tempo game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Isabelle Harrison was not available to help the Toronto Tempo on the court Thursday night, but that did not stop her from making a statement before the game.
Harrison showed off her chiseled abs in a striking pregame look ahead of Toronto's matchup against the Minnesota Lynx at Scotiabank Arena. Athlete Vanity shared photos of the 6-foot-5 forward's outfit shortly before the opening tip.
It was another eye-catching tunnel appearance from Harrison, who has been sidelined by soreness in her left knee. Toronto officially ruled her out approximately 15 minutes before Thursday's game after initially listing her as questionable. Although Harrison could not play, she still made sure to support her teammates while bringing plenty of personality to the arena.
Harrison has long been one of the WNBA's most fashionable players, and Thursday's appearance continued that trend. The 32-year-old confidently displayed her toned midsection in a pregame outfit that perfectly blended athleticism and style. Her visible abs immediately stood out as she arrived for the Tempo's home game.
#chiseled #striking
Isabelle Harrison was not available to help the Toronto Tempo on the court Thursday night, but that did not stop her from making a statement before the game.
Harrison showed off her chiseled abs in a striking pregame look ahead of Toronto's matchup against the Minnesota Lynx at Scotiabank Arena. Athlete Vanity shared photos of the 6-foot-5 forward's outfit shortly before the opening tip.
It was another eye-catching tunnel appearance from Harrison, who has been sidelined by soreness in her left knee. Toronto officially ruled her out approximately 15 minutes before Thursday's game after initially listing her as questionable. Although Harrison could not play, she still made sure to support her teammates while bringing plenty of personality to the arena.
Harrison has long been one of the WNBA's most fashionable players, and Thursday's appearance continued that trend. The 32-year-old confidently displayed her toned midsection in a pregame outfit that perfectly blended athleticism and style. Her visible abs immediately stood out as she arrived for the Tempo's home game.
#chiseled #striking
