Is Pac-12 on verge of complete disaster?
The loss of USC and UCLA is a bad sign
Commentary on the historic decision by USC and UCLA to leave the conference that has been their home since time immemorial ...
RISING: WASHINGTON AND OREGON'S LEVERAGE >> The Hotline calls `em like we see `em, and we see the complete disintegration of the Pac12 as a scenario that cannot be discounted.
To be sure, it's not the most realistic outcome for the conference. But ignore it at your peril.
In our view, survival starts with Washington and Oregon.
Both schools have undoubtedly been attempting to gain entry into the Big Ten since Thursday morning. But according to a Hotline source, that “door is closed for the foreseeable future.”
From here, it's clear the Big Ten's next move is to grab Notre Dame. If the Irish are willing to end their existence as an Independent, they would need either one or three partners to accompany them into the Big Ten (for even numbers). The Huskies and Ducks might become candidates at that point, along with North Carolina.
But we don't envision a nearterm scenario in which either Northwest school is offered admission to the Big Ten without Notre Dame involved. And that could take time, perhaps years.
Also, this: Any speculation of Oregon and/or Washington joining the Big Ten presumes that USC and UCLA would support the admittance of other West Coast football programs.
For competitive purposes (i.e., recruiting), the Trojans and Bruins are better off as the only members this side of the Rockies.
So for the moment, let's assume Washington and Oregon are without an immediate, viable path into the Big Ten.
In that state, they become
WIMBLEDON, ENGLAND >> It is, to be sure, the stuff of movies: An oft-injured guy ranked outside the top 100, making his Grand Slam debut thanks to a wild card, knocks out two seeded players on his way to a fourth-round matchup at Wimbledon against none other than No. 1 Novak Djokovic, the three-time defending champion.
We can guess what Hollywood might do with that script. Tim van Rijthoven, a 25-year-old Dutchman, earned the chance to see what will happen in real life across the net from Djokovic after both men won in straight sets Friday at the All England Club.
“Before the tournament started, it was a dream for me to play him, basically. So to be able to have that chance, and to maybe even play on Centre Court or Court 1, is beautiful and magical,” van Rijthoven said after beating No. 22 Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 on Court 12, with its capacity of 1,736, to become the first wild-card entry since 2015 to get to the round of 16 at Wimbledon.
“I go into every match thinking I can win the match,” said van Rijthoven,
whose baseline-based style eliminated No. 15 Reilly Opelka earlier in the week. “Also, against Djokovic, I'll go into that match thinking I can win that match.”
Actually, until June, the backward-ballcap-wearing van Rijthoven never had won a match on the ATP Tour. Since then, he hasn't lost one, going 8-0, including a victory over current No. 1 Daniil Medvedev
to claim the trophy at a grasscourt event in the Netherlands.
“It's been a long one. I've had my ups and downs, injuries here and there. Also struggled mentally,” said van Rijthoven, whose health issues included wrist surgery, a procedure on a vein in his right arm because of thrombosis and nine months healing from “golfer's elbow” that he noted with a smile he incurred from playing tennis.
“I'm just happy to be in the place I am right now,” he said. “I hope to be there for a couple more years — or a lot more years, actually.”
If he's an unknown to most, he is not to Djokovic, who grabbed the initial seven games and then six of seven in a strong stretch later on, during a 6-0, 6-3, 6-4 victory over No. 22 Miomir Kecmanovic at nearly 15,000-seat Centre Court.
That's in part because Djokovic is pals with van Rijthoven's coach, Igor Sijsling. And in part because he's been keeping an eye on the guy.
So Djokovic offered a bit of a scouting report.
“His game, from what I've seen, is quite suitable to this surface. His big serve, one-handed backhand. Uses the slice well. He's an all-around player. He can play fast, he can also stay in the rally and come to the net,” said Djokovic, who seemed to enjoy the sunny, breezy conditions in the afternoon, compiling a 36-13 edge in winners against his Serbian Davis Cup teammate. “I'm sure he's excited to play on a big stage. He doesn't have much to lose. He's on his dream run. He's a young player that is just starting, so I'm sure his career will be very good.”
Other men's fourth-round matchups set up for the middle Sunday — traditionally an off day, that is now a scheduled day of play for the first time in the tournament's 145year history — are No. 5 Carlos Alcaraz vs. No. 10 Jannik Sinner, No. 23 Frances Tiafoe vs. David Goffin, and No. 30 Tommy Paul vs. No 9 Cam Norrie.
Djokovic is eyeing a seventh career title at Wimbledon and 21st major championship overall. Only one other man on the top half of the bracket ever has been to the fourth round at the All England Club in the past: Goffin.
And Djokovic is the only man still around who reached last year's quarterfinals.
“I've been playing better and better as the tournament progresses,” Djokovic said. “I always expect the highest of myself.”
Women's fourth-rounders Sunday are No. 3 Ons Jabeur vs. No. 24 Elise Mertens, No. 12 Jelena Ostapenko vs. Tatjana Maria, Marie Bouzkova vs. Caroline Garcia, and Heather Watson vs. Julie Niemeier. One of those players will play for the championship; the only one who's ever participated in a Grand Slam singles final previously is 2017 French Open champion Ostapenko.