Dein erstes Forum » OF REBOUNDSSMU finished with a 41-24 reboun

The New York Rangers offered the right opportunity and situation to win hockeys late-summer showcase: the Jimmy Vesey sweepstakes.Vesey chose the Rangers from among eight finalists, agreeing to terms on a two-year entry-level contract Friday that marks the coveted college free agents next step to the NHL. The Hobey Baker winner as the NCAAs player of the year said the Rangers won out because of their intense interest in him, among other factors.The thing that jumped out at me was that they came to really want me, Vesey said on a conference call. It seemed that they really needed to have me in their lineup and it seemed that they believe in me. That was something that I was looking for.Vesey, who had 24 goals and 22 assists in 33 games for Harvard last season, couldve been a top-six forward for the Nashville Predators, who drafted him 66th overall in 2012. But Vesey told the Predators hed explore free agency rather than sign, so they traded his rights in June to the Buffalo Sabres for a third-round pick.Taking a calculated risk for the inside track, the Sabres were in the mix to sign Vesey along with the Rangers, Islanders, Chicago Blackhawks, New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins and his hometown Boston Bruins. Vesey said he and his representatives looked at each teams depth chart before meeting to get an idea where he might best fit in.Vesey felt he could plug in right away for the Rangers, and figures to be a top-nine forward, even if general manager Jeff Gorton made no official promises on where hed fit in the lineup.I never got the feeling that he was looking for any kind of promise, Gorton said on a conference call. I think that hes a pretty proud guy. Hes very confident in his ability. When he looks at our team, I think he sees an opportunity to play. I think he likes the fact that some other players that we brought in recently have gotten an opportunity as young players.Former captain Chris Drury, the 1998 Hobey Baker winner, helped sell the Rangers along with coach Alain Vigneault and one of Veseys childhood friends, winger Kevin Hayes, who also went unsigned out of Boston College and had 45 points in his rookie season.Hayes was a big deal two summers ago when he spurned the Blackhawks for the Rangers, but Veseys process admittedly took on a life of its own. It wasnt like The Decision with LeBron James, and the 23-year-old said he didnt expect or want this kind of attention and isnt worried about it shifting more pressure to him in New York.They dont expect me to come in and be a savior, Vesey said. I think Im just a piece they want to add, and hopefully I can help the New York Rangers win hockey games.The 6-foot-3, 203-pound forward from North Reading, Massachusetts, native had 144 points in 128 games at Harvard, so that level of production will bring the spotlight. So will the fact that several celebrities and New York-area athletes took to Twitter to convince Vesey to go there.Darryl McDaniels from Run-DMC, actress Susan Sarandon, Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard, Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson and former Giants defensive end Justin Tuck were among those who tweeted at Vesey vouching for the Rangers. Vesey said he tried to stay off social media this week, but had friends texting him the tweets, so he was well aware of what was going on.They were pretty funny and pretty cool that those celebrities were reaching out to me, Vesey said. I dont think it had a factor in the decision, so to speak, but one of the things I definitely liked about New York was the top-notch lifestyle that the city offers.Something had to tip the scales because NHL rules limit the contract to two years with a base salary of $925,000 and bonuses. Every team could give Vesey the maximum money, so he had to decide based on the right fit.The Rangers have been looking to get younger after not making a first-round pick since 2012. Vesey fits that bill.We have a really good player with a lot of intangibles, Gorton said. Hes got an ability to score, he can make plays, hes a very talented player. Vegas Golden Knights Gear . Aside from the trilogy main event title fight, there are a number of intriguing matchups in the heavyweight, welterweight and lightweight divisions. Cheap Golden Knights Jerseys . The mixed zone is not a place to make friends. https://www.cheapgoldenknights.com/ . Bryzgalov stopped 25 shots on Saturday in the Oklahoma City Barons 4-1 victory over the Abbotsford Heat. The Oilers signed Bryzgalov to a one-year $2 million contract last Friday after shedding payroll by dealing defenceman Ladislav Smid to the Flames. Golden Knights Jerseys China . -- The plastic that was taped across the lockers in Oaklands clubhouse came down and the champagne that was on ice went back into the cooler. Golden Knights Jerseys 2020 . Gather a group of friends, or find a league to join online, draft your team, set your lineup and compete in a number of different formats. NEW YORK -- Derrick Walton Jr. didnt get to play in a blowout loss to SMU last season because of a sprained ankle. He was held scoreless in Michigans opening-round win in the 2K Classic Benefiting Wounded Warrior Project because of foul trouble.Boy, did he make up for those two games.Walton hit seven 3-pointers and finished with 23 points and six assists to lead Michigan to a 76-54 victory over SMU on Friday night in the championship game at Madison Square Garden.Personally, I kind of felt I let my teammates down by picking up two cheap fouls, Walton said about Thursdays win over Marquette. Thankfully they did a great job without me. It just shows how good we are as a unit and today I just wanted to be really aggressive and that was pretty much it.He kept hitting from 3-point range to keep the Mustangs at bay. The closest they got in the second half was 13 points when they hit two 3s to open the second half.Coach has been giving me the green light to not worry about the missed shots, Walton said. I miss a couple, I kind of shake it off. I feel like my guys had confidence in me as well, so that does wonders for my confidence as well.Walton, who had seven 3s total in the first three games, was 4 of 6 from 3 in the first half as Michigan took control right away and went on to a 44-25 halftime lead.Zak Irvin, the tournament MVP, added 16 points for the Wolverines (4-0), while Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman had 12.The last loss we had to them, we basically got punked throughout the whole game and we knew we werent going to let that happen this game, Irvin said of the 24-point loss. We came out with a chip on our shoulder. Derrick really started it off on the offensive end but also collectively on the defensive end. We held them to 37 percent from the field, thats huge for us.Semi Ojeleye led the Mustangs (3-1), who beat Pittsburgh in the opening round, with 13 points and nine rebounds.Michigan played about as good a game as anybody has played against us in over four and change years, Mustangs coach Tim Jankovich said.dddddddddddd I think they were absolutely outstanding. I thought everything they tried to do, include hit a number of guarded shots, it was incredible. I thought they were terrific.Michigan, which had only four turnovers, finished 13 of 31 from 3-point range, led by Waltons 7 of 12. SMU was 6 of 16 from beyond the arc.BIG PICTURE:Michigan: It was nothing new for Michigan to light it up from 3-point range. The Wolverines were ninth nationally last season making 342 from long range. ... Michigan is 9-2 in its last five trips to New York City. ... Michigans average margin of victory in the tournament was 25 points.SMU: The Mustangs were ineligible for the NCAA Tournament last season. ... This was the first loss to Michigan in three all-time meetings. ... The Mustangs had four players play at least 32 minutes.STEADY MVPIrvin couldnt have two games any closer statistically. Against Marquette he had 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists. In the championship game he had 16 points, six rebounds and five assists.GOOD SHOOTINGMichigan shot 52.9 percent (27 of 51) from the field while the Mustangs hit 37.3 percent (22 of 59).LOT OF REBOUNDSSMU finished with a 41-24 rebound advantage over the Wolverines including 18-2 on the offensive end.OLD COACHFormer SMU coach and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Larry Brown was sitting behind the Mustangs bench for the second straight night. Brown brought Jankovich with him to SMU as an assistant.UP NEXT:Michigan: The Wolverines are at South Carolina before a four-game home stand against Mount St. Marys, Virginia Tech, Kennesaw State and Texas.SMU: The Mustangs return home for a game with UC Santa Barbara and then its on the road again to Southern Cal and Boise State. ' ' '