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Articles by Jake Blancher
Tulane Hullabaloo’s 2023 NFL Mock Draft
Now just days away, the 2023 NFL Draft is a much anticipated night for both players and fans alike as rumors give way to reality. These are The Hullabaloo’s expert predictions for what will happen on day one, as the first 31 picks unfold — the Miami Dolphins were stripped of their first round selection this year. 1.
Women’s tennis last three matches end in nail-biting results
Sports Tennis Jake Blancher, Associate Sports Editor The Tulane women’s tennis team strung together a series of thrilling matches, all three of which were decided by 3-4 or 4-3 scores. In their home matchup against Virginia Commonwealth University, the Green Wave split the first two doubles matchups. In the pivotal No. 2 doubles court, graduate student Adelaide Lavery and sophomore Jiayun Zhu were narrowly defeated 6-4, ceding a point to the Rams.
Victories remain elusive for Tulane Baseball
The Tulane baseball team continues to struggle, dropping four of their last five games en route to a profoundly disappointing 2-10 record. Their first two losses of the span came on Feb. 28 and March 1 against the South Alabama Jaguars and the New Orleans Privateers, respectively. Against the Jaguars, Tulane surrendered four runs in the first three innings, a deficit they were unable to surmount for the remainder of the game.
From the Basement | Who could play quarterback for Saints?
Ever since Drew Brees decided to hang up his cleats following the 2020 season, the New Orleans Saints have struggled to find a steady replacement. Instead, they’ve had five different starting quarterbacks, all en route to two disappointing seasons. While not quite the ‘aints of 1980 lore, the franchise is not where it wants to be. The answer is in limbo as to who will take the snaps when the next NFL season commences in 2023.
Green Wave basketball rolling in February
Basketball Sports Jake Blancher, Associate Sports Editor The Tulane Green Wave men’s basketball team has yet to lose in the month of February. The team looked to bounce back after a short slump that saw them lose two of their three previous in-conference games. On the first of the month, they took on the SMU Mustangs, a struggling squad that had lost twice as many conference games as they had won going into the contest.
Track, field has strong January showings
Sports Track and Field Jake Blancher, Associate Sports Editor Clearly keeping atop their New Year’s resolutions, the women’s Tulane track and field team had strong showings in their two January meets, with numerous top 10 finishes across a wide variety of events. On Jan. 13 — the Ides of January — in Lexington, Kentucky, the women had particularly impressive performances in the 600-meter, 800-meter, pole vault, triple jump, shot put and the mile competing in the Rod McCravy Memorial meet.
The Hullabaloo’s 2022 NFL Mock Draft
The 2022 NFL Draft is now just days away. It is a much anticipated night for both players and fans alike. Here are The Hullabaloo’s predictions for what will happen on day one, as the first 32 picks unfold: 1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Aidan Hutchinson, Edge Rusher, University of Michigan This offseason, the Jaguars focused on surrounding last year’s first overall pick Trevor Lawerence with the pieces he needs to succeed.
Tulane baseball poised to reclaim spot among top 25
Jake Blancher, Associate Sports Editor March 22, 2022 Tulane RHP Michael Massey throws a pitch in Sunday’s contest against Villanova. (Parker Waters) Hosting the Villanova Wildcats this past weekend on Greer Field at Turchin Stadium, our Tulane Green Wave Baseball team tallied two wins and a draw, extending their record to 13-7-1.
Jake Blancher, Associate Sports Editor February 15, 2022 Tulane men’s basketball stands at an even .500 through 22 games. Five games remain in the 2021-22 regular season. (Parker Waters) Since our last update, Tulane Green Wave has played five conference games, finishing with a 3-2 record over the span, improving their in-conference record this season to 8-5.
Jake Blancher, Associate Sports Editor February 2, 2022 The Rams and the Bengals will face off the Lombardi trophy on Feb. 13. (Matthew Tate) After a divisional round that will go down in annals of NFL history for its sheer abundance of nail-biting, late-game drama, the NFL conference championship games did not disappoint. Sunday’s first contest was a matinee AFC matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals.
Upsets, heroics, late drama mark NFL divisional round
Jake Blancher, Associate Sports Editor January 29, 2022 The NFL’s conference championship weekend slate is set with the Bengals preparing to face Kansas City and the 49ers traveling down the West Coast to face the Rams. (Jada Roth) If the NFL league office hired a team of writers to script this past weekend’s divisional round contests, they likely could not have crafted more hectic, nail-biting Hollywood excitement, with each and every game ending on a walk-off score.
Heisman candidates: Who’s who?
Jake Blancher, Associate Sports Editor December 8, 2021 Bryce Young is the current favorite to win this prestigious award. (Matthew Tate) With the conclusion of the 2021 college football regular season, the focus now turns to bowl games and award presentations, especially the most prestigious of them all: the Heisman Trophy. The four finalists were announced on Monday, Dec.
Tulane football ends season on whimper, falls to Memphis
Jake Blancher, Associate Sports Editor December 1, 2021 The Green Wave preparing to enter the Liberty Bowl. This past Saturday the Tulane Green Wave Football team lost their final game of the 2021 season to the Memphis Tigers by a score of 33-28. The game started off as a shootout, with the Tigers and the Green Wave exchanging touchdowns for the first four drives, a 14-14 tie by the beginning of the second quarter. The rest of the half was scoreless, with a punt and a turnover apiece.
Green Wave football falls to Tulsa despite late heroics
Phat Watts finds his way into the endzone against Tulsa. This past Saturday, the Tulane Green Wave lost in a heartbreaker by a final score of 20-13 in overtime against the visiting Tulsa Golden Hurricane much to the disappointment of the visiting Tulane alumni and parents that filled Yulman Stadium during homecoming weekend. The game got off to quite a slow start and remained much the same through the first three quarters.
Dodgers to face Braves in NLCS rematch, Red Sox, Astros to meet for AL Pennant
Matthew Tate The Dodgers and Braves are set to face each other for the NL title, while the Astros and Red Sox are fighting for the AL pennant. This past Thursday, Oct. 14 marked the end of the MLB divisional series. It culminated with the Los Angeles Dodgers edging out the San Francisco Giants in a game five battle between the two teams with the best records in all of baseball, not to mention bragging rights within the state of California.
Saints fall at home to underdog New York Giants
Jake Blancher, Associate Sports Editor October 6, 2021 Matthew Tate This past Sunday at the Caesar’s Superdome, the New Orleans Saints were upset in overtime by the New York Giants by a score of 27-21, sending the usually fervent Big Easy fandom home dispirited after their first home game since and first full capacity game since their wild-card matchup against the Minnesota Vikings back in 2019.
MLB pennant chase heats up as fall comes around
Matthew Tate 15 teams are fighting for six playoff spots as the MLB pennant chase begins to heat up. Jake Blancher, Associate Sports Editor September 23, 2021 With just over two weeks of regular season baseball remaining, the annual “Hunt for October,” during which fringe teams desperately battle to land a vaunted playoff spot, is well upon us. With 15 teams vying for six playoff spots, the last fortnight is sure to break the hearts of some fan bases while electrifying others.
Oklahoma fends off late Tulane comeback in season opener
Tulane Athletics The field at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium emblazoned with Tulane’s Green Wave logo on both 25 yard lines. Jake Blancher, Staff Reporter September 10, 2021 Despite ultimately losing by a final score of 40-35, Tulane football opened the season looking extremely strong against the second-ranked Oklahoma Sooners football team. At plus-2500 moneyline and 31.5 point underdogs, the Green Wave far exceeded expectations led by resilient sophomore quarterback Michael Pratt.
The Hullabaloo’s picks for 2021 NFL Draft
Jake Blancher, Associate Sports Editor April 14, 2021 The start of the 2021 NFL Draft is just weeks away, with the first round coming on April 29. It marks a night filled with excitement and disappointment, for fans and prospects alike. This is my prediction on what will happen for the first 32 picks on the much anticipated night. 1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson No surprises here.
Team LeBron defeats Team Durant in NBA All-Star Game
Jake Blancher, Associate Sports Editor March 10, 2021 The 2021 NBA All-Star festivities concluded late Sunday night as Team LeBron defeated Team Durant 170-150. LeBron James also extended his All-Star Game winning streak as general manager to four. Despite being the top vote-getter in the Eastern Conference, and as a result being a team captain, Kevin Durant did not play in the All-Star Game because of a hamstring injury and was replaced by Boston Celtics 23-year-old phenom Jayson Tatum.
The Tulane Hullabaloo
Jake Blancher, Contributor February 24, 2021 The Tulane men’s basketball team is currently 9-9, coming off of a heartbreaking 84-81 loss to the University of Central Florida, continuing their struggle in conference games. Jaylen Forbes attempts a layup. (PARKER WATERS) Gabe Watson attempts a three-point shot (PARKER_WATERS) Despite jumping to an early Tulane 8-0 lead punctuated by a devastating Kevin Cross dunk, UCF pulled ahead in the second half, leading by as much as 11.
After suspended 2020 season, Tulane baseball shoots for success in 2021
Parker Waters Braden Olthoff recorded a 0.32 ERA over 28 innings in 2020. Jake Blancher, Staff Reporter February 10, 2021 After the COVID-19 outbreak ended the 2020 season prematurely, Tulane Green Wave Baseball opens their 2021 season at home against in-state rival University of Louisiana at Lafayette on Friday, Feb. 19.
A Battle of the Ages: Mahomes vs. Brady
Jake Blancher, Staff Reporter February 3, 2021 The opening kickoff of the 2021 Super Bowl is just days away in Tampa Bay, Florida, marking the conclusion of an NFL season unlike any other. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic that regularly ravaged rosters, we saw a virtual draft process, empty stadiums, pumped-in crowd noise, player opt-outs and even a wide receiver starting at quarterback for the Denver Broncos.
Army’s trick play blows up as Tulane football prevails
Last Saturday the Tulane football team dominated the now 6-2 Army Knights, 38-12. The Green Wave got off to an early 14-point lead in the first quarter, including a one-play drive consisting of an electric 50-yard rushing touchdown from junior running back Amare Jones. Credit must be given to the offensive line, which ripped open a huge hole for Jones to exploit with his explosive speed as he tore across the newly installed turf in Yulman Stadium.
Saints lead NFC South entering second half of season
After stumbling into a 1-2 start, the New Orleans Saints are now sitting atop the NFC South having won five straight games. Most recently, the Saints firmly handed their rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers a loss in a decisive 38-3 rout Sunday night. The Saints’ attack through the air was lethal and relentless.
Spooky returns from near death: Greatest sports comebacks
Jake Blancher, Associate Editor November 2, 2020 Halloween is not the only event to feature ghoulish zombies and creepy creatures crawling back from the dead. The world of sports, too, and the great gods that control it, have been known to spawn many spooky reincarnations throughout the ages. Teams whose championship hopes were six feet under have clawed back to claim their crowns. Gather around the campfire, shine that flashlight under your chin and get ready for the spookiest sports comebacks.
Ranking the top ten Tulane athletics alumni of all time
Jake Blancher, Associate Sports Editor October 7, 2020 In its illustrious existence as both an athletic and academic powerhouse, Tulane University has produced many noteworthy athletes. Our crop of sports heroes is especially noteworthy due to Tulane’s longtime inability to attract top-level high school athletes. With many of the so-called “sure things” attending larger public universities, our stars have emerged from under the radar to achieve greatness at the professional level.
Tulane’s Dominik Koepfer continues to climb pro tennis rankings
Tulane alumnus Dominik Koepfer defeated French player Antoine Hoang this past weekend in four sets in the opening round of the French Open. After winning the first set 6-2, Koepfer dropped the second set, then cruised to victory after winning the last two sets 6-1. During his time at Tulane, Koepfer dominated, accruing a record of 103-29 in singles and 68-33 in doubles from 2012-16.
Saints spoil Brady’s Buccaneer debut
After enduring a third-straight heartbreaking playoff loss last season, ending with a deja vu no-call for potential pass interference, the New Orleans Saints won their season opener 34-23 this past Sunday. The epic season opener featured a battle between two of the greatest quarterbacks of all time: Drew Brees and Tom Brady. The New Orleans Saints defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 34-23 in their season opener.
Club ultimate frisbee team set to soar
Jake Blancher, Staff Reporter February 5, 2020 This past month, the Tulane men’s club ultimate frisbee team, Tucks, went on a 2,000-mile journey to attend the Santa Barbara Invite 2020, hosted by University of California, Santa Barbara. Though this tournament didn’t end the way the team had hoped, placing 18th in a field of 20 competitors, players are optimistic for the future. With two upcoming tournaments in the month of March, the team will have ample opportunity to bounce back.
Tulane women’s basketball team off to hot start
Jake Blancher, Staff Reporter January 29, 2020 Tulane’s women’s basketball team has been riding the wave as of late, winning seven of its last eight games, including six intraconference wins. The Green Wave’s success has positioned the team second in the American Athletic Conference (AAC), only behind women’s basketball powerhouse University of Connecticut. In its last game, on January 25th, the team finished just short of a victory, falling 56-63 to the University of Southern Florida.
Astros, Red Sox, Mets face large punishment in MLB sign stealing scandal
After a two-month period of relative tranquility following the initial Nov. 12 New York Times report, the effects of the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal have now rippled throughout Major League Baseball. In late 2019, former Astros pitcher Mike Fiers reported that the Astros used a system of cameras and trash cans to steal opposing teams’ signs and relay the upcoming pitches to their hitters.
Men’s tennis team serves early success
Courtesy of Tulane Athletics Courtesy of Tulane Athletics Courtesy of Tulane Athletics Having achieved key victories in the first invitationals and tournaments before the official regular season kicks off, the Tulane men’s tennis team is already off to a strong start.
Women’s basketball season begins with dominating win
Jake Blancher, Staff Reporter November 6, 2019 On Tuesday, Nov. 5th, the Green Wave women’s basketball team opened their season at home with a dominating win against the Jackson State Tigers. Krystal Freeman lead the Green Wave with 18 points with Louisiana-Monroe transfer, Arsula Clark, adding 15. Dene’ Mimms had a superb game defensively with six blocks, contributing to an overall team win for the Green Wave.
Memphis alone stands between Tulane and spot in AP top 25
Jake Blancher, Contributing Reporter October 16, 2019 This Saturday, the Tulane Green Wave will face the 5-1 Memphis Tigers for lone control of second place in the American Athletic Conference West Division, trailing only the 6-0 SMU Mustangs. This will be the 36th matchup between the two AAC teams, with Memphis currently leading the all-time series 22-12-1. Tulane, however, won the most recent contest last September, coming out with a 40-24 victory.
Tulane tennis alumnus Dominik Koepfer impresses at US Open
Jake Blancher, Contributing Reporter October 2, 2019 Tulane alumnus Dominik Koepfer recently made headlines after advancing to the fourth round of the U.S. Open. Although he eventually lost in four sets to fifth-ranked Daniil Medvedev in a nationally televised match, Koepfer made a strong showing at the event.
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