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EspañolHenderson leads Georgia State against Louisiana after 21-point showing
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns (4-24, 2-15 Sun Belt) at Georgia State Panthers (9-20, 4-13 Sun Belt)
Atlanta; Friday, 5 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Georgia State hosts Louisiana after Crystal Henderson scored 21 points in Georgia State's 92-84 loss to the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers.
The Panthers have gone 6-8 in home games. Georgia State is ninth in the Sun Belt scoring 69.2 points while shooting 38.3% from the field.
The Ragin' Cajuns are 2-15 in conference games. Louisiana has a 2-19 record in games decided by 10 points or more.
Georgia State is shooting 38.3% from the field this season, 4.4 percentage points lower than the 42.7% Louisiana allows to opponents. Louisiana averages 57.7 points per game, 17.2 fewer points than the 74.9 Georgia State allows to opponents.
The Panthers and Ragin' Cajuns match up Friday for the first time in Sun Belt play this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Henderson is averaging 16.7 points, four assists and 2.1 steals for the Panthers. Cheyenne Holloman is averaging 11.0 points and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 42.7% over the last 10 games.
Imani Daniel is averaging 12.1 points and six rebounds for the Ragin' Cajuns. Mikaylah Manley is averaging 15.6 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Panthers: 1-9, averaging 68.6 points, 28.0 rebounds, 12.0 assists, 10.8 steals and 1.0 block per game while shooting 36.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 79.5 points per game.
Ragin' Cajuns: 3-7, averaging 59.8 points, 29.0 rebounds, 9.0 assists, 8.2 steals and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 37.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 76.8 points.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Titans' Mike Borgonzi still 'evaluating' CB L'Jarius Sneed
Tennessee Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi met with the media on Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine and talked about multiple draft prospects, the coaching staff, and some veterans already on the roster.
The Titans would go on to release two veterans, Lloyd Cushenberry and Xavier Woods, and while he didn’t talk about it during the media availability on Wednesday, one has to wonder about the fate of another veteran that he did mention: L’Jarius Sneed.
Mike Borgonzi said he talked to L'Jarius Sneed yesterday. Sneed is still going through the rehab process and working hard to get back. Like all players, Borgonzi said the #Titans are in the process of evaluating Sneed.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) February 25, 2026
Sneed, who has been a major bust since being acquired, has produced less than either Cushenberry or Woods and is often viewed as a potential salary cap casualty.
While Borgonzi failed to provide specific details about his recent conversation with Sneed, it is an alarming sign that the veteran cornerback is still working through rehab after missing the majority of his two seasons with the Titans due to injury. Borgonzi said the team is still evaluating Sneed, but the comments didn’t sound like a ringing endorsement.
With Tennessee starting to make offseason roster moves by parting ways with high-priced veterans, one has to wonder whether and when the Titans could move on from Sneed. Free agency starts in less than a month, so an answer should be coming soon.
This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Tennessee Titans' Mike Borgonzi still 'evaluating' CB L'Jarius Sneed
Omer Mayer shows breakthrough in Purdue basketball role but he 'never feel(s) satisfied'
WEST LAFAYETTE — Omer Mayer experienced a Purdue men’s basketball right of passage Friday against Indiana.
As the freshman guard from Israel pumped in one 3-pointer, then another, then another, the Mackey Arena crowd responded more enthusiastically to each one. With his fourth 3 of the night to cap a career-high 18-point performance, he gave the Boilermakers fans a late reason to erupt in a game no longer in doubt.
Less than a week later, Mayer kept a different count. In 24 hours and change, he would be back on Keady Court against No. 13 Michigan State.
“It was a lot of fun, especially with our crowd,” Mayer said. “Those are the one of moments that we’re playing basketball for.
“But never too high, never too low. Obviously it was fun, but it was (last week), and it’s over.”
That focus helped Mayer push through his acclamation period in the first two months to begin producing more consistently. He finished December shooting 30.2% from 3-point range. He’s shooting 47.4% since, making at least one 3 in 11 of 14 games. (In two of the games without one, he played under 10 minutes.)
The better measure of Mayer’s impact, though, shows up in his 3-point performance in bigger games. In games KenPom classifies as A or B quality – ranked in the site’s top 50 or top 100 – Mayer shoots 47.2% behind the arc.
In losses to Illinois and Michigan, his 5-for-10 effort behind the arc either helped keep the game competitive or extended the window of opportunity. February is a fine time of the season to establish oneself as a clutch performer.
With production and confidence both trending up, Mayer’s volume increased as well. He’s made 9 of 17 from 3 over the past three games. He averaged fewer than three attempts per game before that surge.
Mayer cannot pinpoint any particular reason for the improvement. Purdue coach Matt Painter said he’s seen steady improvement in Mayer’s ability to be a catch-and-shoot threat. That required an adjustment after his years as a ball-dominant lead guard.
“He’s had the ball in his hands a lot,” Painter said. “Now playing off the ball, he’s gotten more comfortable doing it.
“But he’s been able to shoot before he got here. He’s a really good player.”
Mayer still projects for a ball-dominant future as Braden Smith’s successor. For now, he’s learned to thrive alongside him.
Per KenPom, roughly 15% of Purdue’s lineups over the past five games included both Smith and Mayer on the court together. Mayer on the court without Smith comprised only 2.8% of lineups.
He remains fourth in minutes in that stretch behind Loyer, C.J. Cox and Gicarri Harris. That dynamic likely won’t change much. What has changed is the impact Mayer can make in those minutes.
“Playing a game's way different to playing 5 on 5 in practice,” said center Oscar Cluff, who like Mayer adjusted to a new program this season. “After a few games you kind of pick it up and get comfortable, and every game after that just continuing to grow.
“I’ve seen what he’s been able to do – I think everyone has. I think it’s just fitting in with his position and fitting in with the program.”
Smith was one of two players to whom Mayer referred to as a “big brother.” The other was assistant coach P.J. Thompson, who he also called “my mentor.” Thompson, who also rode that playing time ups and downs before accepting a bigger role in Year 2, has also been a sounding board for the challenges of the grind.
Mayer’s upward trend shows up in more than his shooting. He went to the free throw line in only six of the first 21 games, but has reached it in four of the last six. He totaled only 10 steals in the first 21 games, but has one in four of the last six.
Mayer said he is ignoring judgments on his production and focusing on maximizing his opportunities. So, does he feel he’s start to accomplish that?
“I never feel satisfied,” Mayer said. “I never feel like I’m maximizing my potential. I always have room to improve.
“So my answer is no. I think I can do better. With that being said, I’m playing good. But again, I don’t care about that. It’s all over and all I care about is my next game.”
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Omer Mayer 3-point shooting strengthens Purdue basketball offense
Arkansas State faces Louisiana, seeks 4th straight victory
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns (10-20, 7-10 Sun Belt) at Arkansas State Red Wolves (19-11, 10-7 Sun Belt)
Jonesboro, Arkansas; Friday, 8:30 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Arkansas State will attempt to build upon its three-game win streak with a victory over Louisiana.
The Red Wolves have gone 10-4 at home. Arkansas State is third in the Sun Belt with 15.6 assists per game led by Chandler Jackson averaging 4.4.
The Ragin' Cajuns have gone 7-10 against Sun Belt opponents. Louisiana is 3-12 in games decided by 10 or more points.
Arkansas State averages 83.2 points, 13.6 more per game than the 69.6 Louisiana gives up. Louisiana averages 62.9 points per game, 14.9 fewer points than the 77.8 Arkansas State allows to opponents.
The teams meet for the second time in conference play this season. Arkansas State won 79-62 in the last matchup on Feb. 20. Jackson led Arkansas State with 31 points, and Jaxon Olvera led Louisiana with 18 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Christian Harmon is averaging 13.1 points for the Red Wolves. Jackson is averaging 11.2 points over the last 10 games.
Dorian Finister is averaging 14.5 points for the Ragin' Cajuns. Dariyus Woodson is averaging 2.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Red Wolves: 6-4, averaging 83.5 points, 41.0 rebounds, 16.1 assists, 7.6 steals and 3.1 blocks per game while shooting 45.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 74.9 points per game.
Ragin' Cajuns: 5-5, averaging 68.3 points, 26.6 rebounds, 10.8 assists, 6.1 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 42.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 70.8 points.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.