Long Time Faces Of Programs Are Out + More Upsets In College Bball

Good Morning. The sports world keeps on giving. We’ve got faces of organizations calling it quits or being somewhat quietly pushed out the door. We also have some upsets in college basketball and some upset fans in the NBA.

Let’s go through it all.

Nick Saban Retires

After 17 years at Alabama, Nick Saban is calling it quits and will be spending more time on the golf course.

Saban spent 28 seasons as a head coach for Division I football programs. He finishes his career with a 297-71-1 record and seven national championships. Saban captured his first title with LSU in 2003 before winning six during his time with Alabama. Saban won 80% of the games he coached in his career, but his Alabama stats were even better as he won 87% of his games. That’s a better win % than the legendary Bear Bryant.

The 72-year-old led Alabama to a 12-2 record this season. The team fell to eventual national champion Michigan in the semifinals.

"The University of Alabama has been a very special place to (my wife) Terry and me," Saban said in a statement. "We have enjoyed every minute of our 17 years being the head coach at Alabama and becoming a part of the Tuscaloosa community."

It’s the perfect time for Saban to retire. Recruiting is wild with NIL money flying around. The transfer portal opens three times a year, and the seasons are getting longer and longer as they add more playoff games.

Here’s the question though. Saban brought greatness to Tuscaloosa for 17 years. Who is going to replace that? Who is the next coach in line, and can they keep the winning tradition of the Crimson Tide alive, or will it die with Saban? There were more than 20 years between Bear Bryant and Nick Saban, and do you know what the win % was during that time? 67%! Are Bama fans ready for that?

Pete Carroll Out But Also In W/ Seattle

Pete Carroll, 72, has been with the Seattle Seahawks for 14 years. He owns the franchise’s record for all-time wins with a 137-89-1 record and brought the city a Super Bowl. Carroll and the Seahawks’ ownership have agreed that Carroll will step down as head coach in an amicable decision.

After opening the season 6-3, The Seahawks finished 9-8 for the second consecutive year and just missed the playoffs.

Carroll will likely remain with the organization as an advisor.

Bill Belichick Out After 24 Years

Bill Belichick is expected to be out of New England this afternoon after 24 seasons as the Patriots head coach. Belichick led the Patriots through many unbelievable seasons and won six Super Bowls. Belichick had a 266-121 regular season record, won 17 AFC East titles, and won 11 straight division titles from 2009 to 2019.

The Patriots finished with 4-13 record this year and after many years of questionable personnel moves and the Patriots having a top draft pick this year it was clear that it was time to move on and hit the rest button.

Belichick is 15 wins shy of Don Shula's all-time win record. The 71-year-old Belichick plans to continue coaching.

More College Basketball Upsets

🏀 #3 Kansas was upset by UCF last night 65-60. UCF was down 16 at one point in the first half and would go into the locker room down eight at halftime. UCF then outscored the Jayhawks 36-23 in the 2nd half. Kansas turned the ball over 18 times, and UCF held Kansas well below their season average of 79 points per game.

🏀 #5 Tennessee was upset by Mississippi State 77-72. This is Mississippi State’s first win over a top 5 opponent since December of 2002. Freshman Josh Hubbard scored 25 for State, and Tolu Smith scored 23 points that included a 3-point play with 15 seconds remaining in the game to seal the deal.

🏀 #9 Oklahoma was upset by TCU 80-71. Emanuel Miller dropped 27 points for the Horned Frogs. Oklahoma was off to a hot start after hitting 8 of their first 10 shots but then was plagued with spotty shooting and had 12 first-half turnovers. Sooners guard Javian McCollum had six first-half turnovers, and he hasn’t had more than 3 in a game all season. Does the Big 12 have some basketball depth?

🏀 Our final surprise of the Wednesday night came when Butler upset #11 Marquette. Butler trailed Maruqette 35-28 at halftime and would score 7 points quickly in the 2nd half to tie things up. Butler would find themselves with a 10+ point lead with 4 minutes left and Marquette couldn't recover. Marquette’s star guard and Big East player of the year, Tyler Kolek, only scored 2 points last night.

🏀 #7 North Carolina avoided an upset at NC State with a 67-54 win. RJ Davis scored 16 for the Tar Heels and Harrison Ingram grabbed 19 rebounds.

🏀 #4 UConn held on in a close Big East matchup where the Huskies would outlast Xavier 80-75. Cam Spencer would lead UConn with 19 points, and Tristen Newton scored 16. Netwon also had 11 assists in the game. Xavier got 24 points from Quincy Olivari.

The Pistons Are Bad, But This Is Really Good

Victor Wembanyama recorded his first triple-double of his career last night, and he did it all in 21 minutes. Wemby had 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 130-108 win over the Detroit Pistons.

San Fran Fans Are Upset

The Golden State Warriors got blown out by the New Orleans Pelicans 141-105. The Warriors were also on their home court and the fans were not too happy as they let out boos in the crowd and left the game early. This loss comes just a few days after the Warriors lost to the Raptors by 15 at home. Golden State should be getting Draymond Green back in the next few games and maybe his cool, calm, and collected new self can spark a fire.

Celtics Outlast T-Wolves

The Boston Celtics are leading the East, and they faced the West, leading Minnesota Timberwolves last night. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown starred out as Tatum scored 45 and Brown dropped 35. Anthony Edwards scored 29 for the T-Wolves, and this game would have to be finished in overtime. Tatum scored 12 points in OT, where the Celts outscored Minnesota 16-9.

Boston travels for a big test tonight as they face the Milwaukee Bucks at 7:30 pm ET on TNT. The Bucks are coming off a few day's rest and a loss to the Utah Jazz on Monday night.

What’s On TV Tonight?

NBA

🗼In Paris, Brooklyn Nets vs Cleveland Cavaliers, 2 pm ET on NBA TV

🏀 Boston Celtics @ Milwaukee Bucks, 7:30 pm ET on TNT

🏀 Phoenix Suns @ LA Lakers, 10 pm ET on TNT

NHL (multiple games streaming on ESPN+)

🏒 Toronto Maple Leafs @ NY Islanders, 7 pm ET on ESPN

NCAA Basketball

🏀 #24 Florida Atlantic @ Tulane, 7 pm ET on ESPN2

🏀 Michigan State @ #10 Illinois, 9 pm ET on FS1

🏀 #23 Gonzaga @ Santa Clara, 9:30 pm ET on ESPN

PGA Tour Round 1 Sony Open

⛳️ Streaming on ESPN+ from Noon-7 pm and live coverage on Golf Channel at 7 pm ET

That’s all for today.

We’ll be back with probably more coaching news tomorrow and hopefully fewer upsets.

-The Daily Breakroom