Heisman Snubs, Jimmy Butler, High School Betting and More
Arizona Sports Roundup: From Heisman Snubs to High School Betting
Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo may have lead the Sun Devils to an improbable College Football Playoff berth, but his Heisman Trophy hopes were dashed.While Travis Hunter and Ashton jeanty had stellar seasons, Skattebo’s performance, coupled with Arizona State’s remarkable turnaround from last place in the Big 12, made him the top choice on my ballot.
It’s a familiar story for talented players from non-conventional powerhouses. Marshall Faulk in 1992 and Christian McCaffrey in 2015 both suffered similar fates, their brilliance overshadowed by the lack of national exposure. Sadly, Skattebo seems destined to join that list of snubs.
Meanwhile, Rich Rodriguez’s return to West Virginia has sent ripples thru the college football landscape. The Mountaineers’ new head coach reportedly received a helping hand from Arizona Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick, a longtime admirer of Rodriguez. It will be interesting to see if any current ASU assistants follow Rodriguez to Morgantown.
On the hardwood, Arizona, Arizona State, and Grand Canyon all look poised for March Madness runs. while the Wildcats have struggled early, the Sun Devils and Lopes have shown the consistency and grit needed for a deep tournament run. There’s still plenty of basketball left to be played, but Tommy Lloyd and the Wildcats have some work to do if they want to join the party.
High school football is also making headlines, but not for the reasons you might expect. Betting on high school and even Pop Warner games is becoming increasingly common, raising serious ethical concerns.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are facing some tough decisions this offseason. With the Yankees reportedly pursuing Cody Bellinger, where does that leave Christian Walker? While rumors suggest both Walker and Joc Pederson won’t return, I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of one of them staying in the desert.
The Arizona Cardinals are facing an uphill battle after a disappointing 6-7 start. The pressure is mounting on Kyler Murray, with some fans calling for his replacement. But finding a suitable alternative won’t be easy.
The Phoenix Suns have made a splash by acquiring Jimmy Butler, but expecting him to magically solve all their problems is unrealistic.
a heartfelt shout-out to Jude LaCava, whose absence is deeply felt in the Arizona sports scene.
And one last thought: Can any other state boast three bowl games, including a College Football Playoff matchup, and a performance by Snoop Dogg? I think not.
However,the Cactus League might see a dip in attendance next year. The Dodgers and Cubs are scheduled to open the regular season in Tokyo,cutting into their Arizona spring training schedule.