Check out this story from Asbury Park Press: Colts Neck man gets 4 years in prison in Jan. 6 Capitol riot case

Timothy Hale-Cusanelli, who breached the the Capitol building in the front of the mob during the Jan. 6 riot is sentenced to 4 years in prison.

So much for uniting the country, it’s clear as day there are two systems of justice in America. The FBI is an embarrassment. I took my flag down in front of my house this AM. A raid on a former President? Intimidation tactics I thought were reserved for 3rd world country’s. On one hand we have a Presidents son who is clearly guilty now but was protected by the FBI out of the gate. A former First Lady and Secretary of State destroys emails and nothing happens. The political machine doing there best to destroy Trump just energized his base. The hatred is growing deeper and deeper, great job by current administration of further dividing the country. Just when I thought things could not be worse, well they just got worse.

With 75-80 at bats or so left is Judge on pace to have the greatest offensive season in the history of MLB?

In the latest Dribble Handoff, our experts anticipate the effect on college hoops if the one-and-done era comes to an end​

By David Cobb


USATSI

College basketball is already in an era of transition, as loosened transfer restrictions and the arrival of the name, image and likeness era have changed the calculus in roster construction. Now, another monumental change might be in the works that could have a significant impact on the top of each recruiting class.

The NBA and NBPA are could potentially lower the minimum age for draft eligibility from 19 to 18 as soon as 2024, according to reports. In essence, the move would mean players could again jump straight from high school basketball to the NBA without making one-year stops somewhere else. Since 2005, one-and-done players have become a staple of college hoops as they regularly saw a season on a university campus as the best way to bridge the required gap between high school and the professional ranks.
So what would this mean for college basketball? The sport has survived a lot in recent years, and this development looks like just the latest curveball. So for this edition of the Dribble Handoff, our team of writers is weighing in on whether they think the potential change to the minimum draft age would be good or bad for college basketball.

College basketball might be hurt, but will be fine​

I think it's clear that losing the so-called one-and-done rule would hurt college basketball more than help considering we'll again start missing out on some of the best prep talent every year — i.e., the next versions of Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, Jayson Tatum, Carmelo Anthony, Zion Williamson, Anthony Davis, Lonzo Ball and any other prospect gifted enough to convince an NBA franchise to spend a first-round pick on him after high school. That's not great. But I'm still in favor of the rule going away because A) college basketball will be fine regardless, and B) it's simply the right thing to do.

It's been proven, over and over again, that the top high school prospects are perfectly capable of succeeding via the prep-to-pro route. From 1995 through 2005 — otherwise known as the 11-year window during which prep prospects entered the NBA Draft regularly before the one-and-done rule started preventing it — a franchise used a first-round pick on exactly 29 high school players. At least five of those players (and maybe six depending on what you think of Amar'e Stoudemire) will end up as Naismith Memorial Hall of Famers. And eight of the 29 made at least one NBA All-Star Team. In other words, if you spent a first-round pick on a high school player between 1995 and 2005, there was a better than 20% chance you were getting a future Hall of Famer, and a 27.6% chance you were at least getting a future NBA All-Star. That's an incredible hit-rate and proof that the prep-to-pro era that brought Kevin Garnett, Tracy McGrady, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwight Howard to the NBA was, broadly speaking, great for the prospects and franchises involved. It was fine last time. It'll be fine this time. And, more than anything else, it'll represent a system that's more right and fair once again. -- Gary Parrish

NBA age limit significantly boosted college hoops' star power​

Feast your eyes on the list of players below. These are prospects since 2006 who came out of high school ranked in the top 10 in their graduating class and/or became highly drafted one-and-done All-American talents who played just one season of college basketball. It's safe to speculate that the overwhelming majority would have gone straight to the NBA if allowed. Instead, college basketball had them as stars for a season.

The list is long; that's the point.

Kevin Durant, Greg Oden, Eric Gordon, Michael Beasley, Derrick Rose, Kevin Love, Jrue Holiday, DeMar DeRozan, John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Derrick Favors, Lance Stephenson, Kyrie Irving, Tobias Harris, Anthony Davis, Austin Rivers, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Bradley Beal, Nerlens Noel, Andrew Wiggins, Julius Randle, Aaron Gordon, Jabari Parker, D'Angelo Russell, Ben Simmons, Brandon Ingram, Jaylen Brown, Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafor, Lonzo Ball, Jayson Tatum, De'Aaron Fox, Bam Adebayo, Malik Monk, Trae Young, Deandre Ayton, Marvin Bagley III, Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, Vernon Carey Jr., Anthony Edwards, Cole Anthony, Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley Jr., Scottie Barnes, Jalen Suggs, Chet Holmgren and Paolo Banchero.

Will become acting celtics head coach

South Orange, N.J. - Over the Summer 2022 period, Seton Hall Athletics made five outstanding hires that strengthen the department and its pursuit for enhancing the student-athlete experience. In a nod to Seton Hall University's commitment to prepare students to be leaders in their professional lives, included in the five hires are four Seton Hall graduates.

Joining the athletics department this summer were Matt Ambrose '19 as an Assistant Director for Athletics Communications, Caroline Brennan '19, MS ATC '20 as an Assistant Athletic Trainer, Gregg Childers '15 as an Assistant Equipment Manager, Anthony Fabiano '22 as an Assistant Director for Recreational Services and Tyler Davis as the McLendon Minority Leadership Initiative (MLI) Student-Athlete Experience Coordinator.

"We were very excited to add five talented individuals who are working towards making an impact for our student-athletes and the student body at large here at Seton Hall," said Director of Athletics & Recreation Bryan Felt '97, MA '05. "It is especially a proud moment for us that we are able to welcome home four Seton Hall graduates who have a passion for this University and want to come back and help make a difference at their alma mater. Congratulations to Matt, Caroline, Gregg and Anthony on coming home!

"And we are also excited to welcome Tyler as part of the McLendon Minority Leadership Initiative. Tyler is a former student-athlete who can draw upon his own experiences to help our student-athletes grow and enhance their day-to-day experience."

Ambrose, who graduated from Seton Hall with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism in 2019, returns to The Hall after one year as a communications assistant at the BIG EAST Conference, where he was the primary media contact for multiple sports and assisted with men's and women's basketball media relations and operations. He also currently freelances as play-by-play broadcaster with the BIG EAST Digital Network. Prior to the BIG EAST, Ambrose spent two years as an athletic communications broadcast assistant at Frostburg State University, where he also earned his master's degree. At Seton Hall, Ambrose currently works closely with the men's soccer, men's & women's cross country, men's & women's swimming & diving and softball teams.

Brennan, who graduated from Seton Hall in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Social and Behavioral Sciences and again in 2020 with a Master of Science in Athletic Training, is coming home to The Hall after previously working as an assistant athletic trainer at Army West Point and Drew University. At Army, she worked closely with the department's football and wrestling teams. Now at Seton Hall, she is the athletic trainer for the volleyball and baseball teams.

Childers graduated from Seton Hall in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management and Finance. While an undergraduate, he served as a manager for the men's basketball team all four years. After graduation, he spent two years as a graduate assistant at Fairleigh Dickinson, where he earned his Master of Arts in Sports Administration, and then one and a half years at FDU as an Athletic Equipment Specialist. Prior to returning to Seton Hall this summer, he spent nearly three years at Fairfield, most recently as the Director of Facility, Game and Equipment Operations. He is currently assisting with all equipment operations for all 14 Pirates sports.

Fabiano graduated from Seton Hall this past May with his bachelor's degree in Marketing and Sport Management. He was a four-year manager for the men's basketball team and also had experience as a marketing and communications intern with the USA Sport Group and experience working with production crews for FOX Sports. He also gained experience in working recreation, serving as a recreation assistant in his hometown of Nutley. He is currently charged with general administration of all recreational programming and operations of the Richie Regan Recreation and Athletic Center.

Davis's position at Seton Hall has been created through a partnership with the McLendon Foundation and the McLendon Minority Leadership Initiative, which strives to provide minorities a jump-start to their careers through practical experiences, opportunities to build their network, and instilling the values of John McLendon: Integrity, Education, Leadership, and Mentorship.

Davis is a former track and field student-athlete at Morehead State, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Sport and Fitness Administration/Management, in 2017 and he earned his master's degree at University of Cincinnati in Sports Administration in 2020. He's served in various roles across the industry including time as a youth counselor, academic counselor for Boys Hope Girls Hope of Baltimore, and as a director of basketball operations for Coppin State women's basketball. At Seton Hall, Davis will partner with various members of the Seton Hall community to create and execute programming designed to enhance the student-athlete experience. Some areas of focus will include supporting the H.A.L.L Program and other special projects to build systems for continued growth across the department.

"In our current unforgiving climate"

That doesn't come off as being a rich elitist given the context of his actions?

I was having a conversation with a buddy this morning and he was saying the NIL deals could lead to a disaster for college athletes who don't save enough for taxes. So I said why don't these collectives make them W2 employees to reduce that risk. He believes you can't do that. Does anyone know?

Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver has been suspended one year and fined $10 million by the NBA as a result of the league's investigation into the franchise.

The NBA announced the punishment Tuesday, saying its investigation found that during his time with the Suns/Mercury organization, Sarver used the N-word at least five times "when recounting the statements of others."

There also were "instances of inequitable conduct toward female employees," the NBA said in its statement, including "sex-related comments" and inappropriate comments on employees' appearances.

The NBA commissioned an investigation after ESPN published a story in November 2021 detailing allegations of racism and misogyny during Sarver's 17 years as owner.

I was at the football games all the time. Remember driving to Fordham, Montclair, St Peters at Roosevelt Stadium, Upsala, and more, to support our squad. Tailgates at OTC Field, too. Many of the football players from the late 70's and 80's moonlighted with the rugby team in the spring, of which I am a proud alum and still see many of my brother ruggers regularly. Speak of that, rugby is also having a 50th year reunion during Seton Hall weekend. details below


The group putting this together have been amazing and have put in countless hours to make this happen. If you are a rugby alum hope to see you there.

In the season premiere of 60;Minutes tonight, Joe Biden started his interview with huge news saying the COVID 19 Pandemic is over.

Associated Press

NEW YORK -- The Mets are on track to have baseball's highest payroll for the first time since 1989, among a record-tying six teams set to pay a penalty for spending.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, who started the season as the top spender, fell into second due to Trevor Bauer's suspension.

New York entered the last full month of the season with a $273.9 million payroll, according to updated figures through Aug. 31 complied by Major League Baseball. The Dodgers are second at $267.2 million, followed by the New York Yankees at $254.4 million.

The Mets hope to win their first World Series title since 1986.

"I have expectations of the Mets being the last team standing. What else is there? I mean, that's why we get up in the morning every day," Mets manager Buck Showalter said Sunday. "It's kind of cold. It's kind of cruel, but I'd rather know it up front what the endgame's supposed to be. Some people go through their whole life not knowing exactly what success is supposed to be. Nobody's got to in here tell me how we're doing. There is a scoreboard and standings. It's right there. You don't like it, play better."

Mets pitcher Max Scherzer, at a big-league-high $43.3 million, makes roughly $5 million less than Oakland's entire team and combines with teammates Jacob deGrom and Francisco Lindor for about $103 million -- more than eight of the 30 clubs.

When the Mets last topped MLB in payroll, their total was $21.3 million.

The Dodgers' payroll dropped when Bauer was suspended for two years without pay on April 29 for violating the sport's domestic violence policy. Bauer's 2022 salary was $32 million but was reduced to what he was owed at the time of the suspension: $3.8 million. He is challenging the discipline before an arbitrator.

Los Angeles led in payroll in both 2020 and 2021. The Dodgers set a payroll record with $291 million in 2015.

The Mets' payroll has risen steadily since Steven Cohen bought the team from the Wilpon and Katz families after the 2020 season. The Mets' spending rose from $146 million in 2019 to $199 million last year, the first season after the pandemic, and negotiators said last March a new tax threshold was aimed at him. Cohen then quipped: "It's better than a bridge being named after you."

For purposes of the luxury tax, which uses average annual values for players on 40-man rosters, the Mets are on track to set a record at $298.8 million and eclipse the 2015 Dodgers' $297.9 million. Luxury tax payrolls include just over $16 million per team for benefits and $1.67 million for each club's share of the new $50 million pool for pre-arbitration players.

The Mets are in line for a tax of $29.9 million, Midseason trades boosted their tax payroll from an opening-day projection of $289.3 million and past the new $290 million threshold in the March agreement that ended a 99-day lockout.

The Dodgers opened this season with a $310 million tax payroll, on track to pay a record penalty of $47 million. Their tax payroll dropped to $289.96 million by Aug. 31, leaving them just under the Cohen Tax. With higher tax rates as a repeat offender, the Dodgers are on track to pay $29.4 million.

The Yankees have a tax payroll of $267 million and a projected tax of $9.4 million, and the Phillies at $243 million would owe $2.6 million.

Boston, just over the first threshold at $234.5 million, would owe about $900,000. After paying tax for the first time last year, San Diego is a second offender with a payroll of about $233 million and a tax of just over $800,000.

This year's four tax thresholds are $230 million, $250 million, $270 million and $290 million.


First-time offenders pay 20% on the amount above the first threshold, 32% above the second, 62.5% above the third and 80% above the fourth.

As a repeat offender, the Dodgers pay 30% above the first, 42% above the second, 75% above the third and 90% above the fourth.

The Yankees have paid $348 million in tax since the penalties began in 2003, followed by the Dodgers' $182 million.

Only once before have six teams paid tax, with the Dodgers and Yankees joined in 2016 by the Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Detroit and San Francisco for a total of $74 million.

Oakland has the lowest regular payroll at $49 million and lowest tax payroll at $65 million.

By Zach Braziller

St. John’s hopes of pairing one star recruit forward named Brandon with another was extinguished on Monday afternoon.

Four-star wing Brandon Williams of Christ the King opted for UCLA over the Johnnies on Monday, passing on the chance to stay home and play for Mike Anderson. It is a significant blow to the Red Storm’s recruiting class.

Anderson and his staff had recently landed new Christ the King forward Brandon Gardner, a four-star like Williams, and were hoping to bring in both of them next year. Instead, the 6-foot-9, multi-talented Williams picked the far more established program that reached the Final Four just two years ago.

For weeks, Williams was considered an UCLA lean, following his official visit out west. The Bruins’ coaching staff impressed him with a detailed outline for his development, from how he would fit into coach Mick Cronin’s system to immediate playing time to a specific nutrition plan, sources said. Williams and his family believed picking UCLA would set him up better for a professional career and those close to him were pushing for him to see the world outside of Queens.

“He likes the plan they had for him,” a source close to Williams said. “They said he has a good chance right away, he could be one of the four guards they’ll be using.”

Prior to the UCLA visit, Williams was viewed as a likely St. John’s commit. His high school is closely aligned with St. John’s and the Johnnies had made him a clear priority for much of the spring and summer. Williams was drawn to the family atmosphere Anderson has created and developed strong relationships with different members of the staff. He told The Post in July that by staying home he would have a “different type of love.” His grandmother, Dawn Grubbs, said he would have had up to 50 family members and friends at home games.

It was a strange recruitment. Williams, still only 16 years old, was at times overwhelmed by the process. He announced a final two of St. John’s and UCLA in mid-August, in part to slow the onslaught of phone calls and outside parties pushing schools he wasn’t interested in.

St. John’s also lost out on one of their top guard targets last week, when four-star prospect Elijah Gertrude committed to Virginia. Another four-star guard, Carl Cherenfant from Florida, will take an official visit to Queens starting Thursday. He is one of the coaching staff’s focuses now, along with three-star Newark, N.J. wing Aaron Clark, who recently took an unofficial visit.

St. John’s recruiting had been on the upswing of late. This year’s current freshmen class included top-100 guard AJ Storr and Gardner is the highest-rated recruit of the Anderson era. Anderson was also able to pick up two of the top-rated transfers this offseason in guard Andre Curbelo (Illinois) and Jones. But the idea of a really strong recruiting class took a major hit with Williams’ commitment to UCLA.

Emoni Bates arrested with loaded gun in his car.

Aaron Judge’s MVP case should not even be a debate​

By Jon Heyman

MILWAUKEE — This MVP debate is getting a little wacky. It may be the most heated argument ever, at least among arguments that ended weeks ago. Or should have.

Angels interim manager Phil Nevin says he loves Aaron Judge like a son but picks Shohei Ohtani for MVP. Hopefully, Judge’s father has a clearer mind and stronger family values.

Judge hit two more home runs Sunday — one an opposite-field, upper-deck job, the other up near Bernie’s Chalet in left — and now has 59 homers in a season like no one’s ever had before and is almost sure to break Roger Maris’ American League record of 61 homers. But I really can’t blame Nevin. Considering the Angels are worse under him than Joe Maddon, it wouldn’t be wise from a job-security standpoint to pick the other guy. A son, even an imagined one, can’t get revenge. But an employer certainly can.

The MVP discussion is getting crazy on the internet. I was called everything from a meanie to a typical New Yorker (that may be the same thing, not sure) after my column Friday correctly stating there’s West Coast bias in the voting. Let me go over this once more. If there’s East Coast bias, how to explain the Angels winning four MVP awards in a decade without winning a playoff game? The Yankees are almost the opposite: five rings since 1996, two MVP awards.

Almost no one not currently employed by the Angels or living in Orange County, Calif. actually believes someone other than Judge could be MVP. Roger Lodge, the former “Blind Date” guy who has a nice Angels-centric talk show in the OC, tweeted Ohtani should win. And now comes Nevin, the former Yankees coach who’d become former Angels manager if he took up the case for Judge. There are a few others spouting strange logic.

The odds boards now put Judge at 1-200 to win. But from an odds standpoint, this is like betting on Secretariat in a maiden claiming race. Here’s one time I’d risk a lot for a little.

Aaron Boone, as unbiased as Nevin, called Judge’s year “a season for the ages.” But Boone doesn’t need to stump for Judge. One, Boone’s job isn’t in jeopardy (sorry to the blood-thirsty Yankee fans among you). And two, it’s obvious Judge will win.

“I understand there’s going to be a storyline over the next couple weeks who deserves MVP,” Anthony Rizzo said, “This hasn’t been done in this era, someone chasing 61 [homers] clean like this and really no question marks about what’s going on in the game. It’s really impressive.

“I know there’s a debate about Ohtani. But it’s [Judge’s] season. It’s his special season.”

Judge’s season, already not to be believed, gets better by the day. He smoked No. 58 off Brewers starter Jason Alexander (his real name, not that there’s anything wrong with it) and No. 59 off reliever Luis Perdomo, putting Babe Ruth’s biggest season within a swing of striking distance, assuming pitchers dare to keep pitching to him. The awards, the chase, “it’s all noise,” to Judge. “If it happens at home, that’ll be great. But we will talk about it when it happens.”

Umpire Gabe Morales threw out a specially marked ball for history before Judge’s final at-bat — Judge is so focused he said he didn’t even notice — but alas, he only lined a double to left, giving him a four-hit day and raising his average to .316, one point behind AL leader Luis Arraez for the batting title and Triple Crown. Thanks to Judge, the first-place Yankees’ hung on to a series-salvaging 12-8 win Sunday in a matchup of the journeyman Alexander versus. ace Gerrit Cole, who now leads the AL with 29 homers allowed. (Side note: I’d like to see the Yankees try to make the fancy argument Judge is worth less than Cole, who got $324 million.)

In terms of value in 2022, there’s no way to say anyone affected the race like Judge, leading MLB in runs, RBIs, one-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS and total bases and almost single-handedly propping the Yankees up while everyone around him is aching, ailing or hoping to return soon. The Yankees are six games under since the break while Judge is putting together a fantasy half.

He was MVP front-runner in the first half when he had a .983 OPS. Since the break, it’s higher than 1.300, which truly is unreal. While he hasn’t tried pitching, his Fangraphs WAR is about to hit 10 off this game, which would put him with Mike Trout and Mookie Betts as the only active players to reach that height.

Ohtani is incredible and obviously doing two things exceptionally well but his WAR is about 10 percent lower than Judge’s. Ohtani also hasn’t affected the standings as the Angels have been out of it since June. So to recap: Ohtani is less good this year, and much less valuable.

No bias here. But if Judge gets fewer than 28 votes — all but the presumed two coming out of Angels central — something is wrong.

19. New York Giants (2-0)​

Week 2 ranking: 24

Biggest early adjustment: Find a No. 1 WR

It could be Kadarius Toney. He handled a bigger workload in Week 2, but still had just two catches for zero yards. It could be Kenny Golladay, who saw just two snaps Sunday, or Sterling Shepard, who leads the Giants with 14 targets through two weeks. Or Richie James, who leads the team with 10 catches for 110 yards. As coach Brian Daboll said after this week's win over Carolina, there were will a "continual competition" at wide receiver to determine playing time and ultimately targets. But someone needs to step up. -- Jordan Raanan

29. New York Jets (1-1)​

Week 2 ranking: 32

Biggest early adjustment: Give the ball to Michael Carter and Breece Hall more

The Jets are too pass-reliant, which explains why Carter and Hall have combined for only 30 carries through two games. And it's not like they're not productive -- the duo is averaging 5.2 yards per carry. If the Jets want to make serious noise this season, they have to get back to their roots -- balance on offense. That will be especially important when quarterback Zach Wilson (knee) returns to the lineup, which could be Week 4. -- Rich Cimini

NEW YORK – Seton Hall's Johannes Pex (Stephansposching, Germany) was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll, the conference announced on Monday.

Pex scored the equalizing goal in each of the Pirates' matches last week. The senior's goal on Tuesday against Army came on a shot from outside the box which found the back post to level the score at 1-1. Then in Saturday's 2-2 draw against No. 24 Xavier, Pex scored the game-tying PK in the 90th minute as the Pirates scored twice in the final six minutes of the match. Pex has scored in back-to-back matches for the first time since last season, when he netted goals against Delaware and NC State in consecutive games.

The Pirates continue BIG EAST play on Saturday, as they travel north to Providence to face the Friars at 7 p.m.