The Sports Bank

Football. Soccer. Basketball. Gaming and Much More

Andrej Stojakovic Making Own Name for Himself; He’s Much More than Peja’s Son

By

As the Illinois Fighting Illini went on their deep run through March, certain story angles got beaten to death. We chronicled most of them in our Illinois Fighting Illini Bingo Card/Drinking Game with "Camera Shows Peja Stojakovic" near the top of the list. Right next to it is "Announcer Says Andrej Stojakovic Has a Completely Different Kind of Game tha His Ftaher." Ok, we get … [Read more...] about Andrej Stojakovic Making Own Name for Himself; He’s Much More than Peja’s Son

Barcelona Team News vs Atletico Madrid: Ronald Araujo, Marc Bernal, Frenkie de Jong

By

You again? Yes, indeed familiarity breeds contempt as FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid square off for the second time in four days and fourth time since Feb 12. Atletico took the two-legged Copa del Rey seminfinal tie 4-3 on aggregate, having won the first leg 4-0, before then dropping the second leg 0-3. Barcelona struck back by winning the La Liga fixture on Saturday, 2-1. So … [Read more...] about Barcelona Team News vs Atletico Madrid: Ronald Araujo, Marc Bernal, Frenkie de Jong

Liverpool Team News at Paris Saint-Germain: Alisson Becker, Alexander Isak

By

The injury return timeline for Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has been officially delayed. Reds manager Arne Slot said on Friday, ahead of the blowout loss to Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-final that Alisson would miss out on the weekend. Slot ruled him out for Tuesday at Paris Saint-Germain as well, saying: "He will not be part of the PSG game either, (he is) out … [Read more...] about Liverpool Team News at Paris Saint-Germain: Alisson Becker, Alexander Isak

Exclusive: How Jim Nantz and Pat Sullivan Saved One Shining Moment

By

(Editor's note: in honor of national title game night, we are now re-publishing this exclusive that originally ran in 2014.) When you watch the iconic "One Shining Moment" video montage a week from tonight, after the 2023 national title game, take a minute or two to think about how it nearly disappeared. If it weren't for the combined efforts of broadcaster Jim Nantz and … [Read more...] about Exclusive: How Jim Nantz and Pat Sullivan Saved One Shining Moment

Revisiting the Most Cutthroat, Ruthless One Shining Moment Clip Ever

By

(Editor's note: in honor of the national championship game last night, we are re-running this piece which originally ran in 2013.) At first I thought this portion of "One Shining Moment" was only an oversight. Then I hit rewind on DVR again to make sure I saw what I thought I did. Then I thought "well, it's just an oversight, but I definitely understand, if you were rushed … [Read more...] about Revisiting the Most Cutthroat, Ruthless One Shining Moment Clip Ever

Bayern Munich at Real Madrid Team News: Harry Kane, Ferland Mendy, Dani Ceballos

By

Harry Kane is obviously the lead when it comes to team news items for the massive Bayern Munich at Real Madrid Champions League clash on Tuesday night. Kane missed the comeback win at Freiburg in the Bundesliga, but he'is expected to be fit again for the midweek UCL quaterfinal clash at the Spanish capital. Most likely, Harry Kane will play, but not from the opening. … [Read more...] about Bayern Munich at Real Madrid Team News: Harry Kane, Ferland Mendy, Dani Ceballos

Arsenal Team News at Sporting CP: Gabriel, Rice, Saka, Hincapie, Trossard, Eze

By

A high number of key players missed out for Arsenal yesterday, against Southampton FC in the FA Cup quarterfinals, and the result was a humiliating 2-1 loss, and with it, an exit from the tournament. Some players were substantially or seriously injured (Leandro Trossard, Eberechi Eze, Piero Hincapie) while others (Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka) were held out for precautionary … [Read more...] about Arsenal Team News at Sporting CP: Gabriel, Rice, Saka, Hincapie, Trossard, Eze

David Mirkovic on Illini Loss: ‘it just wasn’t our day, it happens’

By

Illinois Fighting Illini power forward David Mirkovic said it best in postgame: "It just happens, the basketball, it doesn't want to get in." That was exactly how it felt watching Illinois lose to UConn 71-62 tonight in the Final Four. The Illini got a lot of great open looks, both inside and outside. Assistant coach/offensive coordinator Tyler Underwood had the system … [Read more...] about David Mirkovic on Illini Loss: ‘it just wasn’t our day, it happens’

Illini Basketball Game Preview, Prediction: Final Four vs UConn

By

When this Illini basketball team lost to UConn at Madison Square Garden on Black Friday, it was a game that didn't receive much hype. After all, it was an early tip-off on the day after Thanksgiving, on many people were more focused on food, shopping, holiday season activities and football than they were on basketball. And then the game itself lived down to the lack of hype, … [Read more...] about Illini Basketball Game Preview, Prediction: Final Four vs UConn