Sports
Maxime Raynaud, Stanford to test Clemson defense
Dec 21, 2024; San Jose, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal forward Maxime Raynaud (42) dunks against Oregon Ducks guard Keeshawn Barthelemy (right) during the first half at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images Clemson coach Brad Brownell said the Tigers’ ability to stick to the defensive plan tends to be a huge factor in the trajectory of games.
That figures to be even more crucial on Wednesday when Stanford arrives in Clemson, S.C., with the Atlantic Coast Conference’s leading scorer to kick off 2025.
Stanford’s Maxime Raynaud is the ACC leader in points (21.4) and rebounds (11.8) per game, while leading the country with 10 double-doubles in 12 games. The 7-footer is bound to give Clemson concerns with his versatility as he also tops the Cardinal with 21 baskets from 3-point range.
Both Clemson (10-3, 2-0 ACC) and Stanford (9-3, 1-0) have been off since Dec. 21, when Clemson defeated visiting Wake Forest 73-62 and Stanford fell 76-61 to former Pac-12 foe Oregon in a neutral-site game.
Clemson has widespread options on offense, with four players averaging more than nine points per game.
“Every game is different,” Brownell said. “Some of it is based on how the other team guards you.”
Jake Heidbreder provided Clemson with 15 points off the bench in the Wake Forest game, though he ranks seventh in team scoring this season with 5.1 points per game.
“It’s good to see Jake getting more comfortable and knocking a few shots down,” Brownell said.
Stanford coach Kyle Smith said the Cardinal are adjusting with some roster fluctuations. There has been progress for Stanford, even in defeats.
“We had some guys that made some positive steps,” Smith said. “… I think we are going to be good.”
Clemson has the fourth-most ACC victories (74) since the 2017-18 season. Stanford is a first-year ACC member.
The Cardinal’s only ACC game thus far came against Cal, so this will be the program’s first outing of the season against a traditional ACC team. Stanford guard Jaylen Blakes is familiar with Clemson from his three seasons at Duke. He’s the second-leading scorer for the Cardinal with 15.3 points per game.
Clemson’s only two losses since mid-November have come in overtime. Brownell said with the campus on holiday break there’s the likelihood that the home crowd might not be as amped up as normal for an ACC game.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Cards extend manager Oliver Marmol through '28 season
Feb 22, 2026; West Palm Beach, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (37) looks on from inside the dugout against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol received a two-year contract extension through the 2028 season, the team announced Sunday.
Financial terms were not disclosed by the team, which holds an option for the 2029 season.
“As I’ve gotten to know Oli, I’ve seen someone who cares about this organization and knows what has made the Cardinals special over time — and who understands that for us to get where we need to go, we must compete relentlessly to set new standards in everything that we do,” president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said.
“He is invested in the progress of our young core and is unafraid to challenge himself and to help those around him grow. I am energized to continue working with him towards the on-field success that we expect and that our fans deserve.”
Marmol, 39, has guided the Cardinals to a 325-323 record during his four seasons as the skipper. He led St. Louis to the National League Central title in 2022 before the team fell in the wild-card series to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Last season, the Cardinals posted a 78-84 record to finish in fourth place in the NL Central.
Marmol was a coach with St. Louis from 2017-21 under previous managers Mike Shildt and Mike Matheny.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Tyler Reif treated for heat exhaustion after Trucks race
Oct 31, 2025; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Truck Series driver Tyler Reif (41) during the NASCAR Truck Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series rookie Tyler Reif was treated for heat exhaustion after Saturday night’s street race in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Reif, 18, was transported to an area medical facility after finishing 16th in the race in the No. 42 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet. He was later released.
“Tyler and his family would like to express their gratitude to the NASCAR officials, track medical workers and the local medical facility staff for their care,” Niece Motorsports said in a release.
Reif made his debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks Series in 2025. Saturday’s race was just his third on the circuit, including a 17th-place finish at Atlanta on Feb. 21.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: RB David Montgomery 'wants out' of Detroit
Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) looks on before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images Lions running back David Montgomery “wants out” of Detroit after three seasons, ESPN reported on Sunday.
Montgomery, however, immediately appeared to refute the report on X, posting: “Damn, Dmo told you that?”
The ESPN report claims the Lions would want “a decent Day 3 pick (possibly a fifth-rounder)” in the 2026 NFL Draft in return for Montgomery, who turns 29 in June and is owed $6 million next season.
The report follows general manager Brad Holmes’ remarks after the season about Montgomery being unhappy with his playing time in 2025. Sharing a backfield with Jahmyr Gibbs, Montgomery rushed for a career-low 716 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games (no starts).
“Those are conversations that we’re going to have to have because I’ve got a lot of respect for that player,” Holmes said of Montgomery in January. “He deserves to be in a situation where his skillset can be utilized, and so yeah would love for it to be here, but if it can’t be here then you’d just love to see where could work out best for him.”
At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Tuesday, Holmes said the situation with Montgomery is “fluid.” He signed a two-year extension during the 2024 season that runs through the end of the 2027 campaign.
“Yeah, I have been in touch with David’s agent, and his representation,” Holmes revealed. “Obviously, we love David, he’s a great player, we love to have him, you know, kind of want to put last year in the rear view, and just move forward. But, obviously, a player has to want to be at a certain place as well. The conversations are still fluid, but we’ll see how it goes.”
Montgomery has rushed for 2,506 yards and 33 touchdowns in 45 games (28 starts) in three seasons with Detroit (2023-25). He has 76 catches for 650 yards in that span.
He began his career with the NFC North rival Chicago Bears, who drafted him in the third round in 2019. Montgomery rushed for 3,609 yards and 26 scores in 60 games (51 starts) with the Bears (2019-22).
–Field Level Media
Cards extend manager Oliver Marmol through '28 season
Tyler Reif treated for heat exhaustion after Trucks race
