The Pacers had one of the hottest starts in the NBA winning 6 out of their first 8 and new head coach Nate Bjorkgren is a big reason why. The Pacers have changed their style of play. It’s faster, they’re shooting a lot more 3s, and the players have way more freedom than they did under Nate McMillan.

The whole team has thrived in this new system but especially Domantas Sabonis, Malcolm Brogdon and Victor Oladipo. All 3 are averaging over 20 points a game. There is only 1 other team in the NBA with 3 players averaging over 20 points a game, the Houston Rockets. Sabonis is also in the top 5 in the NBA in rebounds per game averaging over 12 a game. He even had a game of over 20 points and 20 rebounds, the first one for a Pacer in over 10 years. Brogdon is leading the team in assists and steals. Oladipo really seems to have his burst and explosiveness back for the first time since his injury.

RAISE UP VIC pic.twitter.com/eYog9e7ZLi

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) January 10, 2021

Adding to the strong play from Sabonis, Brogdon, and Oladipo, Myles Turner is leading the NBA in blocks with 4 a game and Doug McDermott has been lethal off the bench.

But the key for the Pacers going forward will be the same as it has been for the past couple years and that is to stay healthy. They have already lost one starter to injury. TJ Warren is out after he had surgery on his foot, and the Pacers are still waiting on the return of another important player, Jeremy Lamb.

Nate Bjorkgren is off to a fantastic start with this team, and the Toronto Raptors seem to be struggling without him on the bench.

@cole_dunbar 

The Colts season ended this weekend with a 3 point loss to the Buffalo Bills and Indy fell just short of an AFC South title finishing with an 11-5 record. We probably aren’t going to see major changes from the Colts this offseason but they do have a number of big free agents coming up including Philip Rivers, T.Y. Hilton, Jacoby Brissett, Justin Houston, Marlon Mack, Malik Hooker, Anthony Walker, Xavier Rhodes and Denico Autry.

The biggest question for the Colts will be finding a long-term fit for the quarterback position. The Colts could bring Phillip Rivers back but he likely only has one more year left and then you are right back in the same position next off-season. Another name that has been tied to the Colts is Eagles’ QB Carson Wentz. Wentz reportedly wants out of Philly and played at an MVP level when Colts’ coach Frank Reich was his offensive coordinator.

The Colts could use their 1st round draft pick on a QB. Zach Wilson from BYU, Trey Lance from ND State and Kyle Trask from Florida are all trending to be selected near that 21st pick. The Colts also will still have a QB on their roster that they drafted last year, Jacob Eason.

While there might not be any major roster changes for the Colts this off-season it will still be a very important one for Chris Ballard and his staff again.

@cole_dunbar

The NCAA announced that the entire men’s basketball tournament will be held in Indiana at various locations around the state.

Lucas Oil Stadium, Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indiana Farmers Coliseum  , Hinkle Fieldhouse, Assembly Hall and Mackey Arena will all be host sites.

@cole_dunbar

The Colts could be the third 11 win team in the NFL’s history to not make the playoffs.

They could also still win the AFC South.

They could also still be a Wild Card team.

The Colts still have an 84% chance to make the playoffs and here are the different scenarios that get them in.

1. The Colts beat the Jaguars and the Titans lose to the Texans. This would give the Colts the AFC South title.
2. The Colts beat the Jaguars and either the Dolphins, Browns, or Ravens lose. This would give the Colts a Wild Card spot.
3.  The Colts beat the Jaguars and the Dolphins, Browns and Ravens all win. The Colts will miss the playoffs.
4. The Colts lose to the Jaguars. Then the Colts will miss the playoffs.

The Colts will need to win and will need a little help on Sunday but there is still a good chance the Colts get in with a win on Sunday.

@cole_dunbar

1. Lamar Jackson (BAL)
2. Aaron Rodgers (GB)
3. Baker Mayfield (CLE)
4. Tua Tagovailoa (MIA)
5. Drew Lock (DEN)

RB:

1. Derrick Henry (TEN)
2. Jonathan Taylor (IND)
3. Miles Sanders (PHI)
4. Kareem Hunt (CLE)
5. Mike Davis (CAR)

WR:

1. Stefon Diggs (BUF)
2. Allen Robinson (CHI)
3. Calvin Ridley (ATL)
4. Tyreek Hill (KC)
5. T.Y. Hilton (IND)

TE:

1. Travis Kelce (KC)
2. Mike Gesicki (MIA)
3. T.J. Hockenson (DET)
4. Irv Smith (MIN)
5. Robert Tonyan (GB)

K:

1. Rodrigo Blakenship (IND)
2. Greg Zuerlein (DAL)
3. Dustin Hopkins (WAS)
4. Jason Myers (SEA)
5. Cairo Santos (CHI)

DEF:

1. Football Team
2. Rams
3. Cardinals
4. Cowboys
5. Bears

The playoff race in the AFC is tight. The Colts entered the game tied with the Titans for the top spot in the AFC South, but with the Titans currently holding the tiebreaker, the Colts are fighting for one of the 3 wild card spots. This weekend the Colts traveled to Las Vegas to take on another team battling for one of those wild card spots, the Raiders, who only sit a game behind the Colts in the standings.  

The Colts flexed their muscles right from the beginning taking a 10-0. Vegas would answer with a 14-0 run of their own, but a couple of Colts field goals would give Indy the 20-14 edge heading into the halftime break.  

Scoring went back and forth in the 3rd, but the quarter was highlighted by a 62-yard run from Jonathan Taylor. Taylor added another touchdown to start the 4th, giving the Colts a 14-point lead. The final dagger would be a 50-yard interception returned for a touchdown by Khari Willis putting the Colts up 24. Vegas would add one more score, but it would not be enough. The Colts beat the Raiders 44-27 improving to 9-4 on the year and remaining tied with the Titans for 1st place in the AFC South.  

Jonathan Taylor dominated with 150 yards on 20 carries and 2 touchdowns. T.Y. Hilton continued his hot streak with 86 yards and 2 touchdowns on 5 catches. The Colts come back home next week for an AFC South showdown with the Titans.  

@cole_dunbar  

1. Deshaun Watson (HOU)
2. Patrick Mahomes (KC)
3. Kirk Cousins (MIN)
4. Aaron Rodgers (GB)
5. Tom Brady (TB)

RB:

1. Derrick Henry (TEN)
2. Antonio Gibson (WAS)
3. James Robinson (JAX)
4. Nick Chubb (CLE)
5. Latavius Murray (NO)

WR:

1. Tyreek Hill (KC)
2. Will Fuller (HOU)
3. Jarvis Landry (CLE)
4. DK Metcalf (SEA)
5. Allen Robinson (CHI)

TE:

1. Dallas Goedert (PHI)
2. Robert Tonyan (GB)
3. Evan Engram (NYG)
4. Rob Gronkowski (TB)
5. Travis Kelce (KC)

K:

1. Younghoe Koo (ATL)
2. Graham Gano (NYG)
3. Jason Sanders (MIA)
4. Robbie Gould (SF)
5. Dustin Hopkins (WAS)

DEF:

1. Falcons
2. Panthers
3. 49ers
4. Texans
5. Football Team

Last night the NBA held their draft virtually and with the 54th pick the Indiana Pacers selected Cassius Stanley from Duke.

Welcome to the team, @cassius_stanley!

Let's get to work #PacersDraft2020 pic.twitter.com/LRoCdD1ku5

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) November 19, 2020

Can’t wait to join the @Pacers !! Shoutout to Snaps for getting me right !! pic.twitter.com/rrOLXW0zeq

— Cassius Stanley (@cassius_stanley) November 19, 2020

Stanley is a 6 ft 6 in guard from Los Angeles, California. In his one season at Duke he started all 29 games and averaged 12.6 points per game.

Stanley’s athleticism impressed the Pacers enough for them to take him late in the 2nd round, their only pick of the night.

"To say he plays above the rim is an understatement." @Cassius_Stanley is ready to take flight

: @espn | #PacersDraft2020 pic.twitter.com/eNMyDVF8Fh

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) November 19, 2020

The NBA season gets started this year on December 22nd.

@cole_dunbar

1. Tom Brady (TB)
2. Kyler Murray (ARI)
3. Ben Roethlisberger (PIT)
4. Josh Allen (BUF)
5. Aaron Rodgers (GB)

RB:

1. Alvin Kamara (NO)
2. Josh Jacobs (LV)
3. Nyheim Hines (IND)
4. D’Andre Swift (DET)
5. Ronald Jones (TB)

WR:

1. Cole Beasley (BUF)
2. DeAndre Hopkins (ARI)
3. Stefon Diggs (BUF)
4. Marques Valdes-Scantling (GB)
5. Dionta Johnson (PIT)

TE:

1. Mark Andrews (BAL)
2. Rob Gronkowski (TB)
3. Hunter Henry (LAC)
4. Cameron Brate (TB)
5. Jordan Reed (SF)

K:

1. Tyler Bass (BUF)
2. Matt Prater (DET)
3. Ryan Succop (TB)
4. Daniel Carlson (LV)
5. Zane Gonzalez (ARI)

DEF:

1. Raiders
2. Saints
3. Rams
4. Bears
5. Steelers