Coast2Coast

  Veteran Leaders Green, Iguodala Help Golden State Capture a 3-0 Lead After A Tough Game In Denver By Liam Willerup It was well aware that Nikola Jokic wasn’t going to be quiet this whole series. After all, he’s in line to become a back-to-back MVP after his historic statistical season. However, Golden State was able to close out the game and set themselves up for a chance to win the series on Sunday in Denver. Klay, Poole and Curry all scored 26+ points in the 118-113 win, but the two players who made the biggest impact in my eyes throughout the fourth quarter were veterans Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green. Green, one of the league’s premier defensive players and an elite playmaker, was able to stay composed late in the fourth with five fouls and make the game-ending steal on Jokic. Green had the highest plus/minus out of the Golden State starting unit Thursday night, but his impact can not be expressed through simple box score numbers. In addition, Andre Iguodala played impactf...

San Francisco All-Pro Deebo Samuel Requests a Trade Amid Contract Negotiations By Liam Willerup | April 20th, 2022 This afternoon, Jeff Darlington of ESPN broke to Twitter that San Francisco 49ers All-Pro “swiss-army knife” receiver Deebo Samuel has requested a trade out of the Bay. This news comes amidst contract negotiations, as it was believed that Deebo Samuel was not receiving the contract he was desiring. The third-year wide receiver from the South Carolina Gamecocks wrapped up a historic season for the 49ers, going for over 1,750 scrimmage yards and scoring 14 total scrimmage touchdowns while lining up both out wide and in the backfield. Samuel proved himself as the league’s most versatile and effective weapon, leading all receivers with 18.2 yards per reception and rushing for 6.2 yards per carry. OTAs and training camps are coming up and it seems like fans shouldn’t expect to see Deebo out there for the Niners. However, the NFL Draft next Thursday provides the 49ers with a u...

Favorite Storylines and All-NBA Teams from the First Half of the 2021-2022 NBA Season by Carson Hull The Memphis Grizzlies Evolving Into Legitimate Threats      I love seeing players fulfill their potential, and that is exactly what we are seeing from 3rd year superstar Ja Morant. To make this jump, Ja improved his 3 point percentage from the low to mid 30s(35.6%). This forces defenders to close out on him just a little bit more, but for such an explosive athlete like Morant who is unstoppable going downhill, that is all it takes. He has one of the best floaters, verticals, and layup packages in the league making him dangerous around the basket. He is this team’s spark. Then you go down the line. Grayson Allen playing for Milwaukee has allowed Desmond Bane to become the perfect backcourt partner for Ja. From year one to two, he has doubled his points per game from 9 to 17 in just 7 extra minutes per game. Despite being built like an All-Pro Linebacker, he is undoubtedly o...

 It's Time for the Browns to Shake It Up by Liam Willerup | UMiami     A recent discussion I brought onto our last podcast was the Cleveland Browns and their struggles this season. Former #1 pick from Oklahoma Baker Mayfield was the player that I highlighted as the problem in Cleveland this season. Despite an elite running game no matter the running back out there, Baker has simply regressed as a QB after last season. He is on pace for his worst statistical season of his career, even when this is the best team he has had in his career. Without OBJ has been when Baker's stats have looked the best, and no matter when he was on or off the field he's been bad. He currently has his lowest YPG and QBR of his career, while only having 11 TDs and 6 INT and 6 fumbles this season. With pressure for the Browns to deliver, it may look like Baker can't be that guy to deliver a championship to Cleveland. So let's say the Browns miss or exit early in the playoffs and I'm the G...

  The Rise of the Trojans and The Fall of the Sooners by Liam Willerup | UMiami     Lincoln Riley, the biggest prize in college football, is taking his talents to Los Angeles to become the new coach at University of Southern California. A historic program, boasting the likes of Reggie Bush, OJ Simpson, Marcus Allen and many more that I don't have the time to name. Being the HC at USC has a lot of pressure, as you are expected to continuously be a top finisher in the Pac-12. However, USC has failed to impress as of recent. Pete Carroll led the Trojans to a Top 4 finish every season from 2002-2008, cementing himself as an all-time great USC coach propelling himself to an NFL coaching job with the Seahawks. Public opinion surrounding Riley is that he is the man to turn the Trojans back to an elite program. Riley commanded high powered Oklahoma Sooners teams over the past few years, known most notably for his ability to develop the quarterback position. Riley played in k...

 Breaking Down and Predicting the College Football Playoff Race by Liam Willerup | University of Miami The public just recently received the second edition of the College Football Playoff rankings, with Georgia, Alabama, Oregon and Ohio State. A trend that happens every year is the public complaining about the rankings. Everyone always gets mad why one team was in and one team was out. This year, I think the voting has been very interesting. Some things just don't make sense and I'm going to dive into a coupe of teams that shouldn't be considered as high and teams that should be considered higher.  Cincinnati Bearcats: Too Low      A team that has been fighting for respect more than any team this season is the Bearcats. With NFL talent leading both sides of the ball in Desmond Ridder and Ahmad Gardner, it's time for CFP to put them in the Top 4. They are undefeated this season, have a big time regular season win at Notre Dame, and straight up deserve a spot in t...

Bryce Young, Matt Coral, or The Field: Is There Really a Clear Heisman Candidate? By Liam Willerup University of Miami     The most profound award in all of college football, the Heisman trophy. Last year we saw the rare occurrence of a wide receiver winning this award, as Alabama wideout DeVonta Smith scored 24 TDs on over 1800 scrimmage yards. However this season, as we are more than halfway through the season there isn't anyone that jumps off the board as a clear favorite. There hasn't been a candidate that has had a true Heisman defining game, such as last year when DeVonta Smith had 203 yards and 4 TDs versus Mississippi State or Joe Burrow when he dismantled Oklahoma in the playoffs. And even if these players this year didn't have a Heisman moment, they haven't had any crazy statistical seasons. If anything this season has been filled with teams and their star players failing to win games. It seemed like Ole Miss had a true Heisman winner in Matt Coral, bu...