Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs managed to get the best of the Atlanta Hawks in a 126-98 victory on the road Friday Dec. 19.

Wembanyama produced a double-double performance, leading the team in points and rebounds, and he did that coming off the Spurs’ bench. In fact, the MVP candidate actually tallied more points than minutes played in the contest.

San Antonio utilized nearly every player on its roster after jumping out to a 24-point halftime lead, allowing the Spurs to limit Wembanyama’s time on the court. But the limited minutes did nothing to slow the big man down.

The Spurs improved to 20-7 and won back-to-back games after coming up short against the New York Knicks in the NBA Cup final.

Here’s the latest on Wembanyama’s performance:

Victor Wembanyama stats tonight vs. Hawks

Points: 26
FG: 10-for-15 (2-for-4 3pts)
Free Throws: 4-for-7
Rebounds: 12
Assists: 3
Steals: 1
Blocks: 2
Turnovers: 2
Fouls: 1
Minutes: 21
Plus/Minus: +29

It’s been over a week since former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore was fired and subsequently arrested, and it remains the biggest storyline in college football.

The topic arose on the Friday, Dec. 19 edition of ESPN’s ‘College GameDay’ ahead of Oklahoma-Alabama in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Kirk Herbstreit applauded the Wolverines and interim head coach Biff Poggi for how they’ve handled the aftermath of the situation from a parents’ standpoint. Herbstreit’s son, Chase, is a freshman quarterback on Michigan’s roster.

‘It’s been interesting. I’ve been on a bunch of Zooms with the rest of the parents, listening in and trying to watch Biff Poggi try to navigate these uncharted waters,’ Herbstreit said on ‘College GameDay.’ ‘It’s been obviously a very difficult set of circumstances, something that not only Biff but the entire staff didn’t expect this, didn’t ask for this, and now they’re put in this situation.

‘I’ll just say, as a parent, I’ve been blown away by Biff Poggi and what he’s done. … Not necessarily surprised by that, but this is a difficult set of circumstances outside of Schembechler Hall. But what he’s done to be able to pull this team together (is) almost like a father figure to me. And the staff, these guys, a lot of these guys, who knows who the next head coach is gonna be. Maybe some will stay, maybe some are gonna be looking for other jobs. Meanwhile, they’re trying to continue to get ready for Texas.

‘So, I just want to say, as a parent, I salute the University of Michigan for how they’ve been able to try to keep this thing together, especially Biff, the entire staff, the coordinators. Dez (‘College GameDay’ analyst and former Michigan wide receiver Desmond Howard), I know you’d be very proud of what’s going on there. And now they got to go, like I said, get ready. These players are trying to lock in and block out all that noise. 
So, I tip my cap to them, and see how that’s looking forward to seeing how they play against Texas.’

The Wolverines announced on Wednesday, Dec. 10 that it Moore had been fired for cause after a university investigation found ‘credible evidence’ of him having been ‘engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.’

Moore was detained and booked later that day by police after the Pittsfield Township Police Department responded to an incident ‘for the purposes of investigating an alleged assault.’ He was officially charged two days later on Dec. 12 with third-degree felony home invasion and two misdemeanors of stalking related to a domestic relationship and breaking and entering-illegal entry without the owner’s permission.

Herbstreit wasn’t the only member of the ‘College GameDay’ desk to give Poggi credit for how he has stepped in since Moore’s firing and arrest. Poggi will serve as the Wolverines’ interim head coach in the Citrus Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 31 against Texas.

‘When you represent a university, we’re very much in a fishbowl. I mean the visibility is total 100%. We all have a responsibility and obligation to hold up that standard,’ former Alabama coach Nick Saban said. ‘You (Desmond Howard) went to a great university. The University of Michigan is a great place.

‘I think Biff has done a marvelous job in the way he’s handled this because he’s put the focus on the players and stayed with the players to get the players to come together. Michigan’s a first-class institution, and I know that they’ll come out of this in some kind of positive way, but I hope that we all learn something.’

Moore is set to return to court on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 9 a.m. ET.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

It’s been over a week since former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore was fired and subsequently arrested, and it remains the biggest storyline in college football.

The topic arose on the Friday, Dec. 19 edition of ESPN’s ‘College GameDay’ ahead of Oklahoma-Alabama in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Kirk Herbstreit applauded the Wolverines and interim head coach Biff Poggi for how they’ve handled the aftermath of the situation from a parents’ standpoint. Herbstreit’s son, Chase, is a freshman quarterback on Michigan’s roster.

‘It’s been interesting. I’ve been on a bunch of Zooms with the rest of the parents, listening in and trying to watch Biff Poggi try to navigate these uncharted waters,’ Herbstreit said on ‘College GameDay.’ ‘It’s been obviously a very difficult set of circumstances, something that not only Biff but the entire staff didn’t expect this, didn’t ask for this, and now they’re put in this situation.

‘I’ll just say, as a parent, I’ve been blown away by Biff Poggi and what he’s done. … Not necessarily surprised by that, but this is a difficult set of circumstances outside of Schembechler Hall. But what he’s done to be able to pull this team together (is) almost like a father figure to me. And the staff, these guys, a lot of these guys, who knows who the next head coach is gonna be. Maybe some will stay, maybe some are gonna be looking for other jobs. Meanwhile, they’re trying to continue to get ready for Texas.

‘So, I just want to say, as a parent, I salute the University of Michigan for how they’ve been able to try to keep this thing together, especially Biff, the entire staff, the coordinators. Dez (‘College GameDay’ analyst and former Michigan wide receiver Desmond Howard), I know you’d be very proud of what’s going on there. And now they got to go, like I said, get ready. These players are trying to lock in and block out all that noise. 
So, I tip my cap to them, and see how that’s looking forward to seeing how they play against Texas.’

The Wolverines announced on Wednesday, Dec. 10 that it Moore had been fired for cause after a university investigation found ‘credible evidence’ of him having been ‘engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.’

Moore was detained and booked later that day by police after the Pittsfield Township Police Department responded to an incident ‘for the purposes of investigating an alleged assault.’ He was officially charged two days later on Dec. 12 with third-degree felony home invasion and two misdemeanors of stalking related to a domestic relationship and breaking and entering-illegal entry without the owner’s permission.

Herbstreit wasn’t the only member of the ‘College GameDay’ desk to give Poggi credit for how he has stepped in since Moore’s firing and arrest. Poggi will serve as the Wolverines’ interim head coach in the Citrus Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 31 against Texas.

‘When you represent a university, we’re very much in a fishbowl. I mean the visibility is total 100%. We all have a responsibility and obligation to hold up that standard,’ former Alabama coach Nick Saban said. ‘You (Desmond Howard) went to a great university. The University of Michigan is a great place.

‘I think Biff has done a marvelous job in the way he’s handled this because he’s put the focus on the players and stayed with the players to get the players to come together. Michigan’s a first-class institution, and I know that they’ll come out of this in some kind of positive way, but I hope that we all learn something.’

Moore is set to return to court on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 9 a.m. ET.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

The Seattle Seahawks earned a thrilling 38-37 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in overtime on ‘Thursday Night Football’ to kick off Week 16 NFL action.

The win puts Seattle a game ahead of the Rams in the NFC West standings and into the top spot in the NFC playoff bracket ahead of Saturday and Sunday action.

They’ll continue that quest for a first division title since 2020 next week on the road against the Carolina Panthers. But they’ll be without one of their linebackers for that matchup.

The NFL is suspending Derick Hall for one game without pay for ‘an act of unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct’ during the first quarter of the Seahawks-Rams game Dec. 18.

The league stated that Hall unnecessarily stepped on the leg of Rams offensive lineman Kevin Dotson at the end of a play in the first quarter. Dotson was on the ground when that happened.

According to league officials, this violated ‘Rule 12, Section 2, Article 8, which prohibits unnecessary roughness, and Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which applies to unsportsmanlike conduct, including ‘any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship.’”

Hall will be eligible to return to Seattle’s active roster on Dec. 29, a day after the Seahawks’ game against Carolina.

He is allowed to appeal the suspension.

Seattle drafted Hall in the second round, No. 37 overall out of Auburn in the 2023 NFL Draft. He had a career-best 8.0 sacks and 20 quarterback hits last season. He’s notched one sack, 10 quarterback hits and two passes defensed so far this year.

Nneka Ogwumike, Women’s National Basketball Players Association president and Seattle Storm All-Star, told ESPN on Friday that the players want a 2026 WNBA season despite the strike authorization vote issued by the union on Thursday.

Players voted to authorize the WNBPA’s Executive Committee to ‘call a strike when necessary.’ The vote comes less than a month before the current CBA is set to expire on Jan. 9, 2026, following two previous extensions from the original Oct. 31 deadline.

Ogwumike said the vote is a ‘symbol of our unity and the confidence that we have in each other to be able to give ourselves some level of authority in these negotiations.’

‘We’re looking for a good deal to get done, but we’re also prepared for whatever it takes for that to happen, while also understanding that we want a 2026 season,’ Ogwumike said. ‘We want to make sure that that season is the way that it can be best for us to put the product on the court and for that product to be valued.’

The league’s latest offer includes a maximum $1 million base salary, with a projected revenue sharing component that raises players’ max total earnings to more than $1.3 million in 2026, a person with direct knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because they’re not authorized to speak publicly about ongoing negotiations. The league’s maximum salary would grow to nearly $2 million over the life of the agreement.

The proposal also raises the league’s minimum salary to over $250,000 and the average salary to more than $530,000, up from the current $67,000 and $120,000 salary, respectively.

The players have prioritized two main points amid negotiations — increased revenue sharing and salary structures. According to The Athletic, the league has offered revenue sharing at 15% while the union has proposed 30%. The sides also differ on how that percentage, as well as the salary cap, would be calculated.’This means we could possibly strike if we need to, but it doesn’t mean that we want that to happen,’ Ogwumike said. ‘But we have it in our arsenal in order for us to get exactly what we need, which is a fair deal that represents our value in a very meaningful way.

‘I want to play, and I know that I’m going to get a good deal done on behalf of these players, along with the amazing leadership of this executive committee. So I’m looking forward to seeing how conversations can be more collaborative.’

KANSAS CITY, MO ― Texas A&M believed it could make it to the NCAA volleyball Final Four and the national championship match, even if the rest of the sports world didn’t.

‘We have had faith in ourselves all year. From the first game of the season, we knew we were capable of this,’ outside hitter Kyndal Stowers said after the Aggies swept No. 1 Pitt on Thursday night. ‘Now living it, it’s like, ‘Wow. This is insane.”

The Aggies, who will play Kentucky for the national championship Sunday (3:30 p.m., ABC), call themselves as the ‘grittiest team in volleyball.’ The word ‘grit’ is on hats they created and metaphorically woven into every victory during the NCAA tournament.

Texas A&M’s last loss was to the Texas Longhorns during the SEC tournament on November 24, one of four this season. Aggies coach Jamie Morrison said the team had mixed emotions about playing a conference tournament before the NCAA tournament the following week.

The SEC tournament is three matches in three days, a grind to get through. Morrison maintains his team needed it. He likened the conference tournament to playoff experience, which he believes gave the Aggies, who had never been to the Final Four, an advantage during their NCAA tournament run. Morrison’s team beat four ranked opponents, including No. 1 overall seed Nebraska, which hadn’t lost all season, and No. 1 seed Pitt, which hadn’t been swept the entire season until Thursday.

‘I’m really thankful that every opponent that we’ve had has pushed us in some way,’ Morrison said. ‘Because the more you’re in those uncomfortable situations ― and we’ve talked a lot about discomfort during this and how we’ve earned the right to be in it more, but ― the more we’re in it, the more we get comfortable, the more we’re used to being ourselves in those moments. If you have a slip-up, you can learn from it.’

Senior opposite hitter Logan Lednicky says the Aggies ‘just know how to dig in [at] the right times.’ She believes reaching this level has been a long time coming for Texas A&M, and they have the right group of players to win it all.

The belief from Texas A&M started with Lednicky and senior libero Ava Underwood’s boyfriends. Underwood recently credited the duo’s significant others for introducing the NCAA tournament motto: ‘Why not us?’

‘I know it’s probably like beating a dead horse, but y’all keep hearing, ‘Why not us?’ Literally, why not us?’ Lednicky said during the Aggies’ post-match availability on Thursday. ‘We are considered the underdog in a lot of these moments just because we haven’t been here before. But we know we have all the right pieces. So why not us?’

Not a single player on Texas A&M or Kentucky’s roster has experience playing in the Final Four, let alone in a national championship. (The only person who has title experience is the Wildcats head coach Craig Skinner, who won a championship with Kentucky in 2020.) On Sunday, both teams have a chance in the already historic all-SEC title match to make history again.

The Aggies plan to win by doing it their way, which may or may not be conventional. The players are having fun, and that includes Stowers letting out the softest ‘boom’ and flashing a smile to her teammates after a significant kill or middle blocker Ifenna Cos-Okpalla unleashing her signature walk away after sealing Texas A&M’s spot in the national title match. The Aggies have also made almost daily TikTok videos, a full coordinated team effort, according to Stowers, and meant to show the world they are ‘just a bunch of goofy people who love being around each other and having a good time.”We started this season talking about who you are as a human being, then in the middle of the season, we talked about who you are as a competitor,’ Morrison said. ‘When you get in these big moments, you get sways of four points, then it’s a game of momentum because you start losing track of who you are.

‘On a stage with literally the brightest lights I’ve ever seen up here, they’re able to be themselves; they’re able to be happy, joyful … That’s the thing I’m most proud of.’

The Los Angeles Rams lost in heartbreaking fashion in overtime against the Seattle Seahawks on ‘Thursday Night Football’ to kick off Week 16 of NFL action.

Los Angeles’ offense managed to put up 581 total yards against one of the best defenses in the league in the 38-37 loss. That came despite missing receiver Davante Adams due to a knee injury.

The three-time All-Pro leads the league in touchdown catches and missed his first game of the season for the Rams.

Los Angeles coach Sean McVay seems to think that’ll be the case for at least another week.

McVay said he does not anticipate Adams will be back next week for the Rams’ game against the Atlanta Falcons on ‘Monday Night Football,’ per multiple reports.

With Adams out, the Rams leaned on leading receiver Puka Nacua, who ended the night with 12 catches for 225 yards and two touchdowns on 16 targets. Rookie Konata Mumpfield was second in the passing game with eight targets, which he converted to three catches for 40 yards.

The Rams’ offense had seven players with at least two catches in the loss.

Davante Adams stats

Adams is having a standout season in Los Angeles, his first with the Rams. Here’s a look at his statistics through Week 16:

Targets: 114
Receptions: 60
Receiving yards: 789
Receiving touchdowns: 14
Yards per reception: 13.2
First downs: 51

Adams leads the league in touchdowns and is second on the Rams in targets, receptions, yards and first downs behind Nacua.

Rams remaining schedule

NC State football ended its 2025 college football season on a positive note and a statement from its sophomore quarterback.

CJ Bailey accounted for three total touchdowns in a 31-7 win for the Wolfpack over Memphis in the Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Friday, Dec. 19.

Bailey finished 14-of-25 passing for 221 yards and two touchdowns, adding a 14-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter. Jayden Scott led the Wolfpack rushing attack with 19 rushes for 108 yards, as NC State (8-5) jumped out ahead 24-0 and led 31-7 at halftime.

Watch Memphis vs NC State in Gasparilla Bowl live with Fubo (free trial)

The Memphis offense was able to move the ball, finishing with 303 total yards, just 34 fewer than NC State. However, penalties (seven for 74 yards) and turnovers (one fumble and one interception) prevented the offense from putting points on the board.

Even though the Wolfpack did not score in the second half, the damage was already done to the Tigers (8-5), playing without their head coach, Ryan Silverfield, who is departing for an SEC job with Arkansas. The Wolfpack ended their season with three straight wins, marking their eighth eight-win season in 13 years under head coach Dave Doeren. It’s the first bowl win for NC State since 2017.

Brenden Lewis was limited to 14-of-25 passing for 106 yards, one touchdown and an interception. He was limited to 11 rushes for 51 yards on the ground.

USA TODAY Sports brought you live updates from the Gasparilla Bowl between Memphis and North Carolina State. Catch up here:

Memphis vs NC State final score

Memphis vs NC State highlights

Memphis-NC State score: Wolfpack 31, Tigers 7

Memphis-NC State final stats

NC State defeats Memphis in Gasparilla Bowl

NC State ends its 2025 college football season with a 31-7 statement win over Memphis in the Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa Bay, Florida. Neither team scored in the second half, as the Wolfpack took care of business in the first.

NC State attempts fake field goal

Instead of kicking a 49-yard field goal, NC State opts to attempt a fake field goal. However, kicker Kanoah Vinesett drops the ball as he attempts to throw it, resulting in an incompletion and a turnover on downs.

Interesting decision, as Vinesett had made a 51-yard field goal earlier in the game.

End of third quarter: NC State 31, Memphis 7

No scoring in the third quarter, but that’s good news for NC State as it holds a 24-point lead heading into the final quarter. The Wolfpack have the ball to open the final quarter.

Memphis tries a trick play, loses fumble

Frank Peasant attempts to run the ball on a trick play, but he loses the ball and NC State’s Joseph Adedire recovers. The Wolfpack take over on the Memphis 43-yard line with a chance to expand its lead.

Halftime: NC State 31, Memphis 7

Memphis-NC State halftime stats

NC State takes a 31-7 lead into halftime, dominating the first half. The Wolfpack scored 14 points in the opening quarter and added 17 more in the second.

CJ Bailey fires deep touchdown pass to Teddy Hoffmann

NC State pushes its lead to 31-7 with 1:28 left in the second quarter when CJ Bailey fires a perfect deep ball to a wide-open Teddy Hoffmann for a 40-yard touchdown.

The scoring drive is three plays for 75 yards and took 27 game seconds.

Memphis strikes back with touchdown

Memphis is finally on the board, as receiver Jamari Hawkins catches a pass from quarterback Brendon Lewis. Hawkins breaks a couple of tackles and takes it in for the 28-yard touchdown. It’s 24-7 NC State with 4:59 left in the first half.

The scoring drive is eight plays for 75 yards and takes 3:04 off the game clock.

The Tigers get the ball to open the second half, so they can make things interesting with a stop and score before the half.

Kanoah Vinesett hits 51-yard field goal

Kanoah Vinesett connects on a 51-yard field goal to extend the NC State lead to 24-0 with 8:03 left in the first half. That’s Vinesett’s first attempt over 40 yards this season. His previous long this year was 38 yards.

His career high is 52 yards.

Gianni Spetic misses 56-yard field goal

Needing a score, Memphis opts to send kicker Gianni Spetic out for a career-high 56-yard field goal. The kick is short left and the Tigers remain scoreless with 10:33 left in the first half.

NC State will begin its drive from its own 38-yard line.

Will Wilson sneaks in for touchdown for NC State

NC State extends its lead to 21-0 with QB Will Wilson sneaking it in for his 10th touchdown of the season.

The scoring drive is two plays for three yards following the interception by Caden Fordham.

End of first quarter: NC State 14, Memphis 0

All NC State in that first quarter, as the Wolfpack holds a 14-0 lead and is threatening to make it 21-0 when the second quarter commences.

Caden Fordham intercepts pass from Brendon Lewis

Caden Fordham picks off a deflected ball and returns it to the Memphis 2-yard line to set up another scoring opportunity for the Wolfpack.

CJ Bailey hits Wesley Grimes for a touchdown

CJ Bailey hits Wesley Grimes for a long 31-yard touchdown to extend the NC State lead to 14-0 with 3:21 left in the first quarter. Grimes is hurt after the play, as he took a hard hit crossing the end zone. However, he jogs off the field under his own power.

NC State forces a three-and-out

On a fourth-and-3 from deep inside the NC State territory, Memphis forces a turnover on downs. The 11-play drive comes up empty for the Tigers after they intercepted CJ Bailey set up the drive.

CJ Bailey strikes first for NC State

CJ Bailey cruises in for a 14-yard touchdown to give NC State a 7-0 lead with 11:32 left in the first quarter, on its first drive.

The scoring drive is seven plays for 75 yards and takes 3:28 off the game clock. The Wolfpack had two explosive plays of over 20 yards on the drive to set up the score.

On the opening drive, Bailey is 2-for-2 passing for 45 yards and adds 21 yards on two rushes.

NC State without Hollywood Smothers

NC State football will open Gasparilla Bowl on offense

NC State wins the coin toss and elects to receive. Memphis will defend the north goal.

Pregame

CJ Bailey Stats

CJ Bailey earns the start for the Wolfpack in the Gasparilla Bowl against Memphis. The sophomore from Miami has been a star for the NC State offense, with 40 total passing touchdowns in his first two seasons as the starter.

Here’s a look at Lewis’ stats with NC State:

2024: 196-of-302 passing (64.9%) for 2,413 yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions; 99 rushes for 279 yards and five touchdowns
2025: 259-of-372 passing (69.6%) for 2,884 yards, 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions; 82 rushes for 215 yards and five touchdowns

Brandon Lewis stats

Redshirt senior Brandon Lewis will be under center again for Memphis when it takes on NC State in the Gasparilla Bowl. Lewis is a sixth-year college football player. The dual-threat QB transferred in from Nevada to Memphis this past offseason.

Here’s a look at his stats:

2020 (Colorado): 6-of-10 passing (60%) for 95 yards; 9 rushes for 73 yards and a touchdown
2021 (Colorado): 149-of-257 passing (58%) for 1,540 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions; 98 rushes for 188 yards and two touchdowns
2022 (Colorado): 15-of-24 passing (62.5%) for 92 yards; 12 rushes for 43 yards
2023 (Nevada): 131-of-236 passing (55.5%) for 1,113 yards, two touchdowns and six interceptions; 120 rushes for 495 yards and four touchdowns
2024 (Nevada): 211-of-312 passing (67.6%) for 2,290 yards, 16 touchdowns and seven interceptions; 157 rushes for 775 yards and eight touchdowns
2025 (Memphis): 239-of-343 passing (69.7%) for 2,567 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions; 141 rushes for 618 yards and nine touchdowns

Memphis vs NC State history

The Gasparilla Bowl matchup between the Tigers and the Wolfpack will be the first-ever between the programs on the football field. NC State is 3-2 against Memphis in men’s basketball, with the last matchup coming in 2019.

Endzones painted for Gasparilla Bowl

With just an hour until game time, here’s a look at the end zones for the Gasparilla Bowl for the game between Memphis and NC State:

What channel is Memphis vs NC State on today?

TV Channel: ESPN
Livestream:Fubo (free trial)

Memphis vs NC State will be broadcast nationally on ESPN for the Gasparilla Bowl. Anish Shroff and Andre Ware will call the game from the booth at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, with Paul Carcaterra reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include Watch ESPN and Fubo, which offer a free trial to new subscribers.

Memphis vs NC State time today

Date: Friday, Dec. 19
Start time: 2:30 p.m. ET

The Memphis vs NC State game starts at 2:30 p.m. ET from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

Stream Memphis vs NC State with Fubo (free trial)

Memphis vs NC State predictions, picks, odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, Dec. 18

Spread: NC State (-3.5)
Over/under: 56.5
Moneyline: NC State -175 | Memphis +145

Prediction: NC State 35, Memphis 24

NC State’s offense is too much for Memphis, which is down some support with Silverfield off to Arkansas. Bailey and Smothers lead the way for the Wolfpack.