SB Nation Dallas: All Posts by Ronald Clark

Northern Arizona Hall of Famer Jeff Lewis dies in Phoenix

2013-01-06T17:57:47Z

One of the best players to wear a Northern Arizona Lumberjack jersey, former quarterback Jeff Lewis, died Saturday in Phoenix, according to the Arizona Republic. He was 39.

Lewis served as an assistant coach on his alma mater's football team during the 2012 season and is a member of the Northern Arizona Athletics Hall of Fame. His exploits from 1991 to 1995 put him near the top of the list in multiple statistical categories. When his career was over, he was second in school history in passing yards, touchdowns, completions and attempts.

"This loss is felt throughout NAU Athletics, where Jeff's impact as a player, a coach and an outstanding person will always be remembered," said Lisa Campos, vice president of intercollegiate athletics, to the Arizona Republic. "We were deeply grateful for his return to the football program and wish our time together could have been longer. Our thoughts go out to his family at this difficult time."

Lewis spent a few years in the NFL with the Denver Broncos, Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints from 1996 to 2002 after being drafted in the 4th round of the 1996 NFL Draft by the Broncos. He won a Super Bowl ring as a member of the Broncos when they won Super Bowl XXXII. He played in 12 career games, including a career-high five in his final season in the NFL with the Panthers in 2000.

Phoenix Suns replace practice with video, talks

2013-01-06T17:21:47Z

The Phoenix Suns have gone back to the film room to try to figure out what is wrong with the team after some alarmingly inconsistent play plagued them during their 87-80 loss to the Utah Jazz on Friday night.

The Suns spent Saturday discussing their issues amongst themselves and watching film instead of practicing to see if they could find some reasoning behind their inability to hold leads and play four complete quarters.

"We say, ‘Yeah rah-rah let's go do it,' and after a couple games we do it, and then the next three or four games we're back in a slump," said Jermaine O'Neal to the Arizona Republic.

What led to the meeting was an 11-point lead being squandered against the Jazz. There were some substitution patterns that head coach Alvin Gentry blamed himself for as the second unit was unable to keep up the momentum the starters had built.

The Suns have fallen to 12-22 on the season and second-to-last place in the Western Conference, ahead of only the New Orleans Hornets. They've lost seven of their last eight games heading into their game on Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies.

D-backs want young pitching from Orioles for Jason Kubel

2013-01-06T16:57:02Z

The Arizona Diamondbacks would like young pitchers from the Baltimore Orioles if they are to trade outfielder Jason Kubel, but the Orioles have resisted doing that, according to a tweet from CBS Sports' Jon Heyman.

Kubel, along with fellow outfielder Justin Upton, has been on the trading block for the entire offseason. The Diamondbacks are looking to lighten the load of their talented outfield, and will try to get help in other areas for their services.

Kubel hit .253 with 30 home runs and 90 RBIs this past season for the Diamondbacks. Between Kubel and Upton, Kubel is seen on the market as the one that will bring a lesser package of players back to the Diamondbacks. But with each passing day, the Diamondbacks are just looking for an opportunity to unload one of their outfielders, preferably for some pitching help.

Other teams rumored to be interested in acquiring Kubel include the Chicago White Sox.

Cal State Fullerton vs. Cal State Northridge results: Titans blow out Matadors

2013-01-06T16:22:19Z

The Cal State Fullerton Titans couldn't ask for much more offensively as they exploded for 105 points to defeat the Cal State Northridge Matadors, 105-86, on Saturday in Northridge.

The Titans shot 58.6 percent from the field, 52.2 percent from three-point range and even went 25-for-31 at the free-throw line. A big reason for their offensive production was guard D.J. Seeley, who led the team with a career-high 37 points on 10-for-17 shooting and 13-for-15 from the free-throw line.

But Seeley wasn't alone. Sammy Yeager (21 points, six rebounds) and Kwame Vaughn (22 points) both had big games as well. The Titans led by as many as 22 points.

The Titans were able to overcome a double-double by the Matadors' Stephen Maxwell (22 points, 12 rebounds) and Stephen Hicks' 20 points and six rebounds.

With the win, Fullerton improved to 8-6 overall, 2-1 in the Big West while Northridge fell to 9-6, 0-3 in conference.

USC vs. Cal results: Trojans fall to Golden Bears at home

2013-01-06T15:54:36Z

The USC Trojans lost a hard-fought game to the California Golden Bears on Saturday night, 72-64, at the Galen Center in Los Angeles.

USC couldn't stop Golden Bears guard Allen Crabbe, who put up 27 points on just 12 shots. Justin Cobbs and Tyrone Wallace each pitched in 10 points for the 9-5 Golden Bears.

The Trojans can blame their free-throw shooting for this loss, as they missed 10 of their 18 attempts, going just 3-of-8 in the second half. They had won their previous two games and were looking for their first three-game winning streak since Feb. 2011.

The Trojans put four players in double figures, led by Eric Wise's 14 points and five rebounds. Dewayne Dedmon finished with a double-double of 10 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks, while Byron Wesley (13 points) and Jio Fontan (11 points, six assists) pitched in as well.

Both teams are now 1-1 in Pac-12 play.

Dwight Howard injury: Lakers center probable for Denver

2013-01-06T15:26:52Z

The Los Angeles Lakers suffered two health scares during Friday night's loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, but it doesn't seem like the injuries suffered by Dwight Howard and Jordan Hill will keep them out of the Lakers' next game against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night, as they are listed as probable to play.

Howard suffered a minor shoulder strain in the fourth quarter of Friday's game while Hill rolled his ankle in the same quarter. Howard didn't practice on Saturday and Hill didn't play in the closing of the Clippers' game but would have been able to do so if called upon.

Howard is averaging 17.4 points, 12.0 rebounds and 2.6 blocks on 56.4 percent shooting in his first season in L.A. Hill is averaging 6.5 points, 5.8 rebounds on 50.0 percent shooting as the primary big man coming off the bench.

The Lakers are 15-17 coming into Sunday's game against the Nuggets.

Lakers vs. Nuggets preview: L.A. tries to snap 2-game skid

2013-01-06T15:07:42Z

The Los Angeles Lakers will host the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night at 6:30 p.m. PT, as they continue to try to pull themselves out of the early-season hole that their inconsistent play has put them in.

Even with the four-star lineup they've all dreamed about, the Lakers still can't seem to get out of their own way. Currently on a two-game losing streak, they welcome a Nuggets team that is built completely differently than they are. The Nuggets rely on depth and chemistry, and were able to navigate one of the toughest early season schedules in the NBA with some success. Denver is the eighth seed in the Western Conference, with a record of 19-16.

The Lakers can't say the same. Chemistry, lack of depth, lack of defense and health concerns have derailed a much-anticipated regular season, as the Lakers are currently the 11th seed in the Western Conference at 15-17, despite having the seventh-highest plus/minus in the West.

UH hires OK State assistant Doug Meacham to be new OC

2013-01-05T22:02:38Z

The Houston Cougars will hire current Oklahoma St. assistant coach Doug Meacham as their new offensive coordinator, according to a tweet from CBS Sports' Bruce Feldman. It was originally reported by the Houston Chronicle.

Meacham served as inside receivers coach and passing game coordinator for the past eight seasons at Oklahoma State. He last served as an offensive coordinator at Samford from 2002 to 2004 following stints at Jacksonville State and Georgia Military.

Oklahoma State ranked third nationally in points per game (45.7), seventh in passing yards (331.7) and 22nd in rushing yards (215.3) during an 8-5 campaign that ended in a 58-14 shellacking of Purdue in the Heart of Dallas Bowl. The Cougars were 11th in passing yards (328.4), 72nd in rushing (151.2) and 38th in points per game (32.4), finishing 5-7 this season.

Meacham won't have to start from scratch, but will have his work cut out for him to get Houston's offense at the level the Cowboys played at this season.