Sports
Missouri aims to cap perfect nonconference home slate vs. Alabama State
Dec 8, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers guard Tamar Bates (2) celebrates after a play against the Kansas Jayhawks during the first half at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images Missouri will try to finish its nonconference home schedule unbeaten when it hosts Alabama State on Monday night in Columbia, Mo.
The Tigers (10-2) have won all 10 games on their home court so far, with their only losses coming at Memphis, 83-75, in the season opener and against Illinois, 80-77, in St. Louis on Dec. 22.
This is Missouri’s final tune-up before starting Southeastern Conference play on Jan. 4.
“The SEC has proven to be the best conference in the country so far,” Tigers guard Tamar Bates said. “Being in these close games and having these lessons to look back on, we will know what we have to clean up.”
Missouri coach Dennis Gates saw positives in the Tigers’ losses to NCAA Tournament-caliber teams.
“I’m thankful for the way we respond in adversity,” Gates said. “That’s what … our two losses provide. It provides Intel of how our guys have stayed connected through a little adversity … they’ve stuck together and they’ve dug themselves out of certain situations.”
Guard Mark Mitchell leads Missouri with 13.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Bates (12.7 ppg) and fellow guard Anthony Robinson II (10.7) have picked up the slack for the Tigers while Caleb Grill (13.6) remains sidelined with a neck injury.
Tony Perkins is coming off his best game since transferring to Missouri this season from Iowa. The guard stepped up with 18 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals against Illinois when Robinson struggled.
Alabama State (4-8) will begin its Southwestern Athletic Conference slate after facing the Tigers. The Hornets, who were picked sixth in the SWAC’s preseason poll, have earned victories over Omaha, Lamar, UT Martin and Division III school Virginia-Lynchburg.
“When we get to January, we’ll have to figure out how to make moves and get that position up where we need to be,” Alabama State coach Tony Madlock said. “The most important thing, like we all know, is to get playing well going into March and then find a way to go those three games (at the SWAC tourney) and get to the NCAA Tournament.”
The Hornets are led by guards CJ Hines (15.8 points per game), Amarr Knox (15.6) and TJ Madlock (12.1).
Hines had 25 points and six rebounds in Alabama State’s 83-80 loss to Delaware State at the HBCU Classic on Dec. 20.
–Field Level Media
Sports
A's place top pitcher J.T. Ginn (blister) on 15-day IL
Jul 18, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics starting pitcher J.T. Ginn (35) throws a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images The Athletics placed right-hander J.T. Ginn on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to a blister on his right middle finger.
The move is retroactive to Saturday for Ginn, who leads the team’s starters in wins (eight), ERA (3.46) and strikeouts (100) while making 22 appearances (19 starts) this season.
Ginn, 27, allowed just one hit and struck out seven batters over 6 1/3 scoreless innings in a 15-1 romp over the Washington Nationals in his last trip to the mound.
He is 13-14 with a 4.20 ERA in 53 career games (41 starts) with the Athletics.
Also on Wednesday, the A’s recalled right-hander Mason Barnett from Triple-A Las Vegas.
Barnett, 25, is 1-0 with two saves and a 4.64 ERA in 13 relief appearances with the Athletics this season. He is 3-1 with a 4.34 ERA in 10 games (all starts) with the Aviators.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Jasper Philipsen wins Stage 17 of Tour de France
Premier Tech’s Jasper Philipsen reacts after winning stage 17 of the Tour de France. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/Pool Jasper Philipsen won his first Tour de France stage of 2026 and the 11th of his career on Wednesday to extend a win streak by Belgian riders.
Philipsen’s victory in Stage 17 from Chambery to Voiron followed countryman Remco Evenepoel’s back-to-back triumphs in Stages 15 and 16, the longest streak for Belgium since 1981.
Philipsen, 28, completed the flat 174.7-kilometer trek just ahead of Switzerland’s Mauro Schmid and the Netherlands’ Olav Kooij.
Four-time champion Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia maintained the overall leader’s yellow jersey. His lead over Evenepoel is 4 minutes and 32 seconds, with Mexico’s Isaac del Toro in third place.
Stage 18 on Thursday is a mountainous 185.2-kilometer journey from Voiron to Orcieres-Merlette. The 113th edition of the Tour de France concludes on Sunday in Paris.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Inter Miami sign Brazilian superstar M Casemiro
June 29, 2026; Houston, Texas, U.S.; Brazil’s Casemiro celebrates after the match. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Inter Miami announced the signing of Brazilian superstar midfielder Casemiro on Wednesday.
Casemiro, 34, is under contract through 2027 with an option until June 2029 following five years with Premier League side Manchester United. Inter Miami acquired his discovery priority from the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Casemiro just helped Brazil reach the round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, increasing his career totals to 91 caps and 10 goals with the national team. It was his third World Cup.
“What motivates me the most, and I think this is true for every player, is winning and continuing to grow. The project the club presented to me, along with the effort everyone made to bring me here, means a lot to me,” Casemiro said.
“I’m incredibly grateful, and I can’t wait to get started so I can repay that trust — not only during the 90 minutes on matchday, but every day in training as well. All I can say is thank you, and I’ll give everything I have to return the affection and confidence the club has shown me.”
Casemiro has recorded 73 goals and 61 assists in 663 club appearances with Brazil’s Sao Paulo, Spain’s Real Madrid, Portugal’s Porto and Manchester United. His 21 club trophies include five UEFA Champions League titles and three La Liga crowns with Real Madrid from 2013-22.
“Casemiro’s arrival reflects the vision and ambition that define Inter Miami,” said managing owner Jorge Mas. “We never settle. We’re always looking to grow, improve, and raise our standards every season. We’ve built a global club with the vision of becoming not only the best club in the United States, but also a benchmark globally.
“Casemiro embodies everything this club stands for: leadership, a winning mentality, and an extraordinary track record at the highest level of the game,” Mas added. “After achieving virtually everything there is to achieve in fútbol, his decision to join Inter Miami shows that he shares our ambition and our commitment to the highest standards as we continue building for the future. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the Inter Miami family.”
Casemiro now joins forces with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, his former rivals at FC Barcelona.
“I’m very proud to welcome Casemiro and his family to Inter Miami,” said co-owner David Beckham. “He is a person and a player that I have admired for a long time. He is a winner who has achieved so much in the game, and after such an incredible career with Real Madrid and Manchester United, I’m delighted that he’s decided to make Miami his next home.”
Defending MLS Cup champion Inter Miami (15-9-2, 31 points) are in second place in the Eastern Conference as they return from the World Cup break to host the Chicago Fire on Wednesday night.
–Field Level Media
A's place top pitcher J.T. Ginn (blister) on 15-day IL
Jasper Philipsen wins Stage 17 of Tour de France
