Joel Embiid had 45 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 131-122 win over the Indiana Pacers Tuesday night in Indiana’s home finale. Tyrese Maxey hit eight 3-pointers to finish with 30 points, as the Sixers handed the Pacers their eighth straight loss. Buddy Hield led Indiana with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Pacers point guard T.J. McConnell returned from a wrist injury and played for the first time since December 1st. The Blue and Gold trailed by 23 at halftime, and got within five in the fourth quarter before the Sixers went on a 10-3 run to pull away. The two teams will match up again Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia.
New Butler basketball coach Thad Matta will be introduced Wednesday at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The event begins at 2:30 p.m. Eastern, and is open to the public, and it will also be streamed on the Butler Athletics’ YouTube page. The rally will include remarks from Matta, along with Butler president James Danko and athletic director Barry Collier. Matta was announced as the Bulldogs’ next coach on Sunday. He coached the Dawgs for the 2000-2001 season before moving on to Xavier and then Ohio State. The 54-year-old has not coached since 2017, and replaces LaVall Jordan, who was fired last week after five seasons.
The Indianapolis Colts signed free agent safety Armani Watts Tuesday. Watts played for the Chiefs for the last four seasons, and appeared in 53 games with one start. The 26-year-old provides safety depth and special teams help, replacing All-Pro special teamer George Odum, who signed with the 49ers last month. Last season, Watts played in 16 of 17 games, primarily on special teams. He finished with nine tackles, one tackle for loss, a fumble recovery, and 10 stops on special teams.
Former Purdue basketball coach Lee Rose died Tuesday at the age of 85. Rose coached the Boilers for two seasons, including to their most recent Final Four in 1980. He came to West Lafayette from the University of Charlotte, which he had led to the Final Four in 1977. In 1979, Purdue earned a share of the Big Ten title and finished as the NIT runner-up. The following year, with eventual number one draft pick Joe Barry Carroll leading the way, the Boilermakers advanced to the Final Four in Indianapolis and beat Iowa in the third-place game.
Notre Dame football will face Tennessee State in the 2023 home opener, marking the first time the Fighting Irish have ever played a Football Championship Subdivision team. It will also be the first time Notre Dame has faced a Historically Black College or University. The game will take place September 2nd, 2023. Tennessee State is coached by former NFL running back and 1995 Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George.
