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Articles by Josh walfish
TikTok presents grand opportunity for esports betting operators
By Josh Walfish TikTok’s popularity is rooted in microcontent and previously the social media sensation had enforced a strict 60-second message limit on content creators. However, the platform has become a home for tips and tricks in a variety of topics that require more than a minute to get their message across. Most content will still fit into the normal 60-second video, but the extended time is an excellent way to keep viewers hooked on content.
See the Thrills of Formula 1 on Exhibit in Mexico City
Here’s how Shutterstock and partners created an immersive experience—and brought the thrills of the Formula 1 raceway to life. As you wander around the exhibition hall in Mexico City, you stop in front of a photo of a Formula 1 driver. He’s still wearing his pink racing suit and a black face mask covering his mouth as he looks down at the ground. Many people might interpret that photo as the face of a disappointed Formula 1 driver.
See What's In Store for 2022's World Cup
The World Cup offers the greatest spectacle in sports star power. Here’s a look at this year’s favorites, underdogs, and legends. Every four years, it feels like the world shuts down for a month to behold the spectacle that is the World Cup. Most years, the world’s most prestigious soccer tournament takes place in the summer. Due to the hot climate of Qatar, we get a winter World Cup in 2022. The event kicks off on November 20 with the hosts taking on Ecuador in the opening match.
Connecting with esports fans outside of digital
By Josh Walfish There is good news for those hoping to target devoted esports fans, as these passionate consumers are among the most susceptible to out-of-home (OOH) advertising methods, according to a research study from YouGov. In both the UK and the US, avid esports fans outperformed the average adult in noticing and engaging with OOH advertisements.
Big brands seeing large ROI on esports sponsorships
By Josh Walfish As esports have grown in popularity worldwide, some of the biggest international brands have dipped their toe into esports sponsorship. Marvel, Mercedes-Benz and BMW are just three of the dozens of major companies that have sponsored an esports team or tournament over the past two years as they try to connect with new audiences. Even though all three have very high brand awareness, they needed to reconnect with their audience and make themselves relevant again.
Edge of glory: How Phillips led Northwestern onto the cusp of the college sports elite
Josh Walfish, Reporter October 18, 2013 Jim Phillips has always believed in the Wildcats’ ability to grow. He became Northwestern’s 21st athletic director in 2008. Four hours before kickoff Oct. 5, thousands of students lined up outside Gate T at Ryan Field in anticipation of Northwestern’s matchup against Ohio State. It’s a scene many people wouldn’t have expected when Jim Phillips became NU’s 21st athletic director on April 14, 2008. But Phillips always believed in his football team’s potential.
Undercard Underdogs | How To Bet The Kentucky Oaks Undercard
The first weekend in May is normally the time most people start paying attention to horse racing with the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby. Thanks to COVID-19, the most exciting two minutes in sports moved to the first weekend in September, and we have you covered for the big race over here. However, there are plenty of other exciting races on the card at Churchill Downs those two days that can earn you some money as well. My job is to look at the undercard on Kentucky Oaks Day on Sept.
Odds Boosts To Watch: MLB Odds + PGA Odds | Wednesday July 29, 2020
Odds boosts are exactly that: Promotions from sportsbooks where they move the odds in your favor on certain bets. Many of them are prop bets, hoping you’ll put a few dollars on someone to hit a home run or a certain team to score a certain number of goals and still win. But when you find the right odds boost, from MLB odds to PGA odds, the payoff is an incredible feeling. We scour the internet trying to find the best odds boosts for you every day, so here’s our favorites for Wednesday.
NFL Betting: Who Will Open the Season as the New England Patriots' Starting Quarterback?
For the first time in nearly two decades, there is uncertainty about who will be the New England Patriots' starting quarterback. The battle to replace Tom Brady in New England has basically boiled down to two leading contenders -- Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer -- with several outside options lurking in free agency. Over at FanDuel Sportsbook, you can place your bets on who will be the Patriots' starting quarterback in Week 1. Stidham is the favorite at -330 odds while Hoyer logs in at +300.
NFL Betting: Is Tyrod Taylor a Lock to Start Week 1?
It certainly wasn't a surprise in April when the Los Angeles Chargers used their first-round pick to draft Justin Herbert as their potential franchise quarterback. The Chargers were in need of a quarterback after agreeing to part ways with Philip Rivers, and it was likely one of the three highly-touted signal callers would be there at the sixth pick. But now the countdown clock begins as to when Herbert will earn his first start as the Chargers' quarterback of the future.
NFL Betting: Mitchell Trubisky to Beat Out Nick Foles as Chicago’s Week 1 Starter
When the Chicago Bears travel to Detroit to face the Lions on September 13th, someone will jog out with the offense as the starting quarterback. The question, of course, is whether that quarterback will be incumbent Mitchell Trubisky or newcomer Nick Foles, who Chicago traded for this offseason. Over at FanDuel Sportsbook, you can bet on which one of those two quarterbacks will be Chicago's starting quarterback in Week 1. Foles is the favorite at -300, while Trubisky is listed at +195.
Cam Newton Prop Bet: Which Team Will Sign the Former MVP?
It's remarkable how quickly the sports world forgets about past achievements while constantly looking toward the future. It's been only five years since Cam Newton was named the NFL MVP while leading the Carolina Panthers to a 15-1 record and a Super Bowl appearance, yet here we are, with Newton currently a free agent and almost assuredly not going to be a starting quarterback for beginning of the 2020 season.
NFL Betting: When Will the Colts Suffer Their First Defeat in 2020?
Over at FanDuel Sportsbook, there are seven prop bets for the "local favorites" about when those teams will win and lose their first games of the season. That list includes the Indianapolis Colts, who are coming off a disappointing 7-9 season a year ago as they lost five of their last six games to fall out of the playoff race. The Colts made a big splash this offseason by signing Philip Rivers to a , instantly upgrading the most important position on the field.
How to Bet the Broncos’ First Win and Loss in 2020
FanDuel Sportsbook is offering odds on when seven "local favorites" will win and lose their first games in the 2020 season. Our exploration of those teams continues with the Denver Broncos, who won four of their last five games in 2019 to finish the season at 7-9. Much of the Broncos' resurgence last December is credited to quarterback Drew Lock, who completed 64.1 percent of his passes in those final five games while tossing seven touchdowns and just three interceptions.
Analyzing the Buccaneers’ First Win and First Loss Prop Bets
FanDuel Sportsbook is accepting bets on when seven "local favorites" will earn their first win and suffer their first loss in the 2020 season. Among those teams are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team with one of the more intriguing storylines for this 2020 campaign. After signing Tom Brady in March, the Buccaneers slot in 10th in the numberFire power rankings and are listed at -230 to make the playoffs at FanDuel Sportsbook despite winning just seven games last season.
NFL Betting: When Will the Eagles Lose Their First Game in 2020?
FanDuel Sportsbook has bets on when seven "local favorites" will earn their first win in the 2020 season. But for certain teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles, you can also bet on when they will lose their first game of the season. Philadelphia has made the playoffs each of the last three years and won the NFC East in two of those seasons, including the last year.
NFL Betting: When Will the Jets Win Their First Game of 2020?
Over at FanDuel Sportsbook, there are seven "local favorites" for which you can bet on a team's first win of the season. One of those teams happens to be the New York Jets, who are looking to rebound after finishing last campaign with a losing record for the fifth time in six years. There is plenty of hope in the Meadowlands after the Jets reeled of six wins in their last eight games and no longer have to face Tom Brady twice each year in the AFC East.
NFL Betting: When Will the Giants' Get Their First Win of 2020?
FanDuel Sportsbook is offering "local favorites" bets on when one of seven teams, including the New York Giants, will earn their first victory. It's been a rough last three years for Giants fans as the team has finished third or fourth in the NFC East in each of those seasons, tallying an average of four wins per year.
Despite the Price, Stefon Diggs Is the Best Fantasy Football Value Among Buffalo Bills Receivers
Bills Mafia is surely eagerly awaiting the look of the Buffalo Bills' new offense after the offseason acquisition of Stefon Diggs. Pairing Diggs with John Brown as the two outside receivers along with Cole Beasley in the slot gives Buffalo a solid trio of weapons for Josh Allen to work with.
Devin Singletary’s Fantasy Ceiling Is Capped in 2020
When the Buffalo Bills surprised the NFL world last August by releasing LeSean McCoy, it put a large target on the team's fifth-round pick the previous April: running back Devin Singletary. All the Florida Atlantic product did in his first two games was perfectly fill the complementary role to Frank Gore as a change-of-pace back before emerging as a fantasy threat in the second half of the 2019 season.
The Recorder - UMass junior forward John Leonard’s scoring ability takes him to the front step of NHL
In the afterglow of a national championship game appearance last year, the sharks were literally circling for John Leonard. The San Jose Sharks showed interest in signing Leonard, their 2018 sixth-round selection, to an entry-level deal. But UMass coach Greg Carvel – an eight-year veteran NHL assistant coach – knew Leonard probably wasn’t ready to take the next step. There were still so many details Leonard needed to work on in his game, and felt another year in Amherst would help.
UMass junior forward John Leonard’s scoring ability takes him to the front step of NHL
In the afterglow of a national championship game appearance last year, the sharks were literally circling for John Leonard. The San Jose Sharks showed interest in signing Leonard, their 2018 sixth-round selection, to an entry-level deal. But UMass coach Greg Carvel – an eight-year veteran NHL assistant coach – knew Leonard probably wasn’t ready to take the next step. There were still so many details Leonard needed to work on in his game, and felt another year in Amherst would help.
Five best moments of UMass’ winter sports season
Published: 3/26/2020 3:24:48 PM March is when memories are made for winter sports programs. It’s the month when championships are awarded and heroes are crowned in the biggest moments of the season. We were robbed of those chances this year with the COVID-19 pandemic grinding the sports scene to a halt, but UMass still had plenty of remarkable moments during the winter season.
UMass basketball programs take large leap in 2019-20
Sam Breen, top, of UMass, snags a loose ball from Kyla Whitehead, of Dayton, that occurred after a rebound Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 at the Mullins Center. STAFF PHOTO/JERREY ROBERTS Vashnie Perry, right, of UMass, moves the ball against Kyla Whitehead, of Dayton, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 at the Mullins Center. STAFF PHOTO/JERREY ROBERTS UMass Head Coach Tony Verdi shouts instructions to his team during their game against Dayton, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 at the Mullins Center.
The Recorder - Amherst College places men’s lacrosse on probation, fires coach for racist incident
Published: 3/22/2020 5:53:46 PM AMHERST — Amherst College has placed its nationally ranked men’s lacrosse program on probation for the 2021 spring season and fired head coach Jon Thompson following a racially charged incident earlier this month. The incident that sparked the punishment was first reported by the Amherst Student on March 11.
Amherst College places men’s lacrosse on probation, fires coach for racist incident
Published: 3/21/2020 3:49:19 PM AMHERST — Amherst College has placed its nationally ranked men’s lacrosse program on probation for the 2021 spring season and fired head coach Jon Thompson following a racially charged incident earlier this month. The incident that sparked the punishment was first reported by the Amherst Student on March 11.
The Recorder - UMass junior John Leonard among 10 Hobey Baker finalists
Published: 3/19/2020 4:34:00 PM Modified: 3/19/2020 4:33:49 PM AMHERST — No school has had back-to-back Hobey Baker Award winners since Maine in 1992 and 1993. A year after Cale Makar took home the most prestigious trophy in college hockey, it didn’t seem likely that UMass would have someone who would contend for the award.
Walfish: Woodstock Academy pipeline should not be a concern
Published: 3/19/2020 6:56:21 PM Modified: 3/19/2020 6:56:10 PM The first shoe dropped on Tuesday. That was the day freshman guard C.J. Jackson officially put his name in the NCAA transfer portal after never cracking the UMass rotation this season. On Wednesday, it was Keon Clergeot who decided to leave the Minutemen after seeing the writing on the wall. Those were the two most likely candidates for transfer as coach Matt McCall continues to overhaul the UMass roster.
The Recorder - Spring practice cancellation hinders progress of UMass football program
Published: 3/17/2020 5:57:14 PM AMHERST — Next week, Walt Bell was supposed to get back in front of his players again and continue his methodical plan to building UMass football. Next Tuesday was going to be the first spring practice for the Minutemen, the first of 15 opportunities to grow and mature as a program after a tumultuous first year. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the school to cancel those practices among the hundreds of other sporting events affected by the outbreak.
Spring practice cancellation hinders progress of UMass football program
Published: 3/17/2020 5:48:46 PM AMHERST — Next week, Walt Bell was supposed to get back in front of his players again and continue his methodical plan to building UMass football. Next Tuesday was going to be the first spring practice for the Minutemen, the first of 15 opportunities to grow and mature as a program after a tumultuous first year. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the school to cancel those practices among the hundreds of other sporting events affected by the outbreak.
The Recorder - UMass hockey alums Cory Quirk, Greg Mauldin scramble to get home from Europe
Published: 3/16/2020 7:42:12 PM At 2 o’clock in the morning, there isn’t much time for nuance. When President Donald Trump delivered his address from the Oval Office last Wednesday evening, it was already early Thursday morning for Greg Mauldin and Cory Quirk, two UMass hockey alums who were playing in Europe. Mauldin was sleeping when Trump announced a travel ban from Europe, while Quirk happened to be awake with his 2-year-old son.
UMass hockey alums Cory Quirk, Greg Mauldin scramble to get home from Europe
Published: 3/16/2020 3:39:46 PM At 2 o’clock in the morning, there isn’t much time for nuance. When President Donald Trump delivered his address from the Oval Office last Wednesday evening, it was already early Thursday morning for Greg Mauldin and Cory Quirk, two UMass hockey alums who were playing in Europe. Mauldin was sleeping when Trump announced a travel ban from Europe, while Quirk happened to be awake with his 2-year-old son.
The Recorder - UMass AD Ryan Bamford vows to battle for extra eligibility for spring sports athletes
Published: 3/13/2020 9:55:26 PM Modified: 3/13/2020 9:55:11 PM UMass athletics director Ryan Bamford wasted no time in supporting his spring student-athletes. In the minutes after the NCAA canceled its spring sports championships Thursday afternoon due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Bamford tweeted, “no one likes things they can’t control & these decisions are gut-wrenching.
UMass AD Ryan Bamford vows to battle for extra eligibility for spring sports athletes
Published: 3/13/2020 5:14:25 PM Modified: 3/13/2020 5:14:10 PM UMass athletics director Ryan Bamford wasted no time in supporting his spring student-athletes. In the minutes after the NCAA canceled its spring sports championships Thursday afternoon due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Bamford tweeted, “no one likes things they can’t control & these decisions are gut-wrenching.
Atlantic 10 cancels rest of men’s basketball tournament; Division III tourney over for Amherst, Smith
Published: 3/12/2020 12:35:06 PM NEW YORK — UMass had taken the court and was preparing to line up for the national anthem Thursday afternoon. Then an eerie pause came over the mostly empty Barclays Center. Matt McCall was on the phone, waving his players off the court and the rest of the Minutemen were trying to get the message to Samba Diallo, who had already lined up for the anthem.
The Recorder - UMass bars fans from Mullins Center for Hockey East quarterfinals
Published: 3/11/2020 9:10:59 PM Modified: 3/11/2020 9:10:48 PM AMHERST — In conjunction with the school’s move to online classes starting after spring break, UMass has decided to play its Hockey East Tournament best-of-three quarterfinal series with Northeastern without spectators at the Mullins Center this week due to COVID-19.
The Recorder - UMass more connected in return to Barclays Center for Atlantic 10 Tournament
Published: 3/11/2020 9:13:14 PM AMHERST — Last year, UMass arrived at the Barclays Center, simply hoping to go on a five-day run and win the Atlantic 10 Tournament. This season, the Minutemen arrive in New York fully expecting to win four games in four days and punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament. The demeanor and culture within the program have done a complete 180-degree turn in Matt McCall’s third season in charge, in large part due to the freshman class UMass signed in the offseason.
UMass bars fans from Mullins Center for Hockey East quarterfinals
Published: 3/11/2020 8:19:05 PM AMHERST — In conjunction with the school’s move to online classes starting after spring break, UMass has decided to play its Hockey East Tournament best-of-three quarterfinal series with Northeastern without spectators at the Mullins Center this week due to COVID-19.
The Recorder - UMass’ Tre Mitchell named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year
Published: 3/10/2020 10:25:08 PM AMHERST — The writing has been on the wall for weeks, but on Tuesday it was finally confirmed – Tre Mitchell is the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year. Mitchell was the only UMass honoree when the conference released its annual awards Tuesday afternoon, as voted on by the 14 conference coaches.
UMass’ Tre Mitchell named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year
Published: 3/10/2020 8:26:07 PM AMHERST — The writing has been on the wall for weeks, but on Tuesday it was finally confirmed – Tre Mitchell is the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year. Mitchell was the only UMass honoree when the conference released its annual awards Tuesday afternoon, as voted on by the 14 conference coaches.
Walfish: Yep, I was wrong about these UMass freshmen
Published: 3/8/2020 6:50:42 PM AMHERST Five months ago, I had to fill out a ballot ranking the teams in the Atlantic 10 based on how I figured they would finish. At that moment in October when I sent in my predictions to the conference office, I picked UMass to finish 12th in the league. My reasoning at that time was very simple, I don’t trust freshmen to be able to live up to the hype that surrounds them.
UMass falls 64-63 in heartbreaker to Rhode Island
Published: 3/8/2020 6:27:58 PM AMHERST — Tre Mitchell almost saved UMass from itself Saturday night. Twice it looked like the Minutemen were down for the count against Rhode Island at the Mullins Center, and twice the freshman big man resurrected them. A 17-point first-half deficit was sliced to seven because Mitchell scored the final 11 points of the half for UMass.
It’s Russell to the rescue for URI
By Josh Walfish, Special to the Journal Saturday Mar 7, 2020 at 10:07 PM AMHERST, Mass. — Fatts Russell wanted to inbound the ball with 8.1 seconds left. His coach nixed that idea. He wanted the ball in his junior point guard’s hands. And David Cox was right at the most critical moment for his Rhode Island squad. Russell went end-to-end, blasting past his man and drawing a foul on Tre Mitchell with 2.1 seconds remaining and the Rams trailing by one.
URI 64, UMass 63: Russell’s foul shots lift Rams over Minutemen
By Josh Walfish, Special to the Journal Saturday Mar 7, 2020 at 10:07 PM AMHERST, Mass. — Fatts Russell wanted to inbound the ball with 8.1 seconds left. His coach nixed that idea and wanted the ball in his junior point guard’s hands. And David Cox was right at the most critical moment for his Rhode Island squad. Russell went end-to-end, blasting past his man and drawing a foul on Tre Mitchell with 2.1 seconds remaining and the Rams trailing by one.
The Recorder - UMass to celebrate an unconventional group of seniors against Rhode Island
Published: 3/6/2020 8:46:22 PM Modified: 3/6/2020 8:46:06 PM AMHERST — Three seniors with three different paths to the UMass basketball program will be honored Saturday night. There’s Djery Baptiste, the only scholarship player among the trio who joined the Minutemen as a graduate transfer from Vanderbilt in the middle of last season. Davonte Higginbottom was a three-year student-manager for the team before being asked to be a walk-on this season.
UMass to celebrate an unconventional group of seniors against Rhode Island
Published: 3/6/2020 8:42:15 PM Modified: 3/6/2020 8:42:02 PM AMHERST — Three seniors with three different paths to the UMass basketball program will be honored Saturday night. There’s Djery Baptiste, the only scholarship player among the trio who joined the Minutemen as a graduate transfer from Vanderbilt in the middle of last season. Davonte Higginbottom was a three-year student-manager for the team before being asked to be a walk-on this season.
The Recorder - Late breakthrough earns UMass 1-0 win over Vermont
Published: 3/5/2020 11:01:36 PM Modified: 3/5/2020 11:01:25 PM AMHERST – So many times over the last two seasons, it’s been a question of when not if UMass is going to score. Thursday night was not one of those nights for Greg Carvel. As the seconds ticked away in the third period against Vermont, the fourth-year coach wasn’t sure if the Minutemen would find a breakthrough against Stefanos Lekkas in his final collegiate game.
The Recorder - UMass grinds out win over La Salle to secure first-round bye
Published: 3/5/2020 6:33:09 PM Modified: 3/5/2020 6:32:58 PM PHILADELPHIA — For the first time in four years, UMass will get to relax on the first day of the Atlantic 10 Tournament. The Minutemen defeated La Salle, 75-64, on Wednesday night to secure themselves a bye into the second round of the conference tournament for the first time since 2016. They will either be the No. 8 or No. 9 seed and play Thursday at noon at the Barclays Center in New York against either Davidson or VCU.
The Recorder - Kolby Vegara positions himself in new role for UMass hockey
Published: 3/4/2020 9:18:20 PM AMHERST — If someone had asked Greg Carvel a month ago about playing Kolby Vegara as a third-line forward, the UMass hockey coach would probably be mentioning it as a harbinger of bad omens. Yet, on Saturday night against Connecticut, Carvel had little choice but to see what Vegara – a defenseman – could do alongside Anthony Del Gaizo and Jake Gaudet.
UMass grinds out win over La Salle to secure first-round bye
Published: 3/4/2020 10:22:03 PM PHILADELPHIA — For the first time in four years, UMass will get to relax on the first day of the Atlantic 10 Tournament. The Minutemen defeated La Salle, 75-64, on Wednesday night to secure themselves a bye into the second round of the conference tournament for the first time since 2016. They will either be the No. 8 or No. 9 seed and play Thursday at noon at the Barclays Center in New York against either Davidson or VCU.
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