PROVO There s no denying that BYU basketball head coach Mark Pope is an excellent recruiter.
But in arguably the most unique recruiting job of his career trying to convince his three seniors, all transfers, to return to BYU for another season after one impacted by COVID-19 that provided a free year of eligibility from the NCAA. The coach is now 0 for 2.
Matt Haarms officially opted not to return to BYU on Friday, making the announcement himself on social media after several reports and second-hand accounts alluded to it all week. Haarms made the announcement Friday on his Instagram account, a message that was immediately met with, We love you, Matt; go get it, from assistant coach Cody Fueger.
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The BYU Cougars gave Gonzaga a bit of a scare during the West Coast Conference Tournament championship game. Although they couldn’t pull off the upset, the Cougars looked good on the floor and will be in the NCAA Tournament field.
The coach
Head coach Mark Pope was hired in 2019 and led the Cougars to a 24-8 record in his first season. This was the most wins for a first-year coach in program history, and because of that success, Matt Norlander from CBS Sports named him the best hire of the 2019-20. season.
Strengths
BYU ranks 35th nationally in scoring offense with 78.7 points per game. Three players are averaging double digits with senior guard Alex Barcello leading with 15.9 points per game. Brandon Averette and Matt Haarms follow with 11.5 and 11.3 points respectively.
Matt Haarms becomes first BYU player to win WCC Defensive Player of the Year byu.edu - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from byu.edu Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Updated: 4:16 PM EST Feb 17, 2021 By Russ Reed The Boston Red Sox player is on the COVID-19-related injured list as the team s pitchers and catchers report to spring training.The Red Sox announced Wednesday that catcher Kevin Plawecki was placed on the COVID-19 IL. This does not necessarily mean that Plawecki has tested positive for the coronavirus. He could also have landed on that list for having come into close contact with someone who has COVID-19.Boston s pitchers and catchers reported to the team s spring training site in Fort Myers, Florida, on Wednesday. The first workout for pitchers and catchers at Fenway South is scheduled for Thursday, while the first full squad workout is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 22.Plawecki, 29, made his Red Sox debut last year and set career highs in batting average (.341, 28-for-82), on-base percentage (.393) and slugging percentage (.463) in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. He hit five doubles, one home run and drove in 17 runs
Boston Red Sox trade: Who are Ronald Hernández and Nick Sogard, the prospects acquired from the Rays?
Updated Feb 17, 2021;
Posted Feb 17, 2021
This is a 2020 photo of Ronaldo Hernandez of the Tampa Rays baseball team. This image reflects the 2020 active roster as of Feb. 17, 2020 when this image was taken. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)AP
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The Red Sox and Rays swung a bit of a surprising trade Wednesday morning, with Boston shipping two pitchers Chris Mazza and Jeffrey Springs to Tampa Bay for catcher Ronaldo Hernández, infield prospect Nick Sogard and cash ($100,000). For two pitchers who had been designated for assignment, Boston acquired an intriguing catching prospect in Hernández and a young infielder who comes from a baseball family in Sogard. Here’s a breakdown of both players: