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🏀 Good morning to all, however particularly to …

THE DETROIT PISTONS

Round this time final yr, the Detroit Pistons had simply misplaced their twenty eighth straight sport, setting the file for many consecutive losses in a single season and had been hurtling towards a league-worst 14-68 file. That workforce was nowhere to be discovered final night time.

The Pistons put it on the reigning champions with a formidable 117-97 win over the Boston Celtics. That was Detroit’s eighth straight win, its longest such streak in 17 years. That 2007-08 workforce featured franchise legends like Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton and Rasheed Wallace.

This yr’s squad is probably not on par with that one — a minimum of not but — but it surely was a formidable workforce effort towards the Celtics. The Pistons bought contributions from in all places with Cade Cunningham main the way in which and strengthening his All-NBA resume.

• Cade Cunningham: 21 factors | 11 assists | 4 rebounds
• Malik Beasley: 26 factors | 6 3-pointers | 5 rebounds
• Tobias Harris: 16 factors | 9 rebounds | 2 blocks
• Jalen Duren: 13 factors | 11 rebounds

Such a success hasn’t been seen in Detroit for some time, however do not make the error of assuming that is only a enjoyable mid-season story. As our personal Sam Quinn factors out, the Pistons have been outplaying a few of the East’s heaviest hitters for some time now.

• Quinn: “This one nonetheless has a methods to go earlier than it reaches these heights, however at this level, they will not be handled as simply an up-and-coming group of children, both. Detroit is now 24-11 in its final 35 video games, a greater file than the No. 3-seed New York Knicks in that span.”

With upcoming video games towards the Nuggets, Nets and Jazz, how for much longer can the Pistons hold motoring by way of the remainder of the NBA?

👍 Honorable mentions

And never such a great morning for …

ABDUL CARTER

Penn State pass-rusher Abdul Carter has been thought of a possible top-two choose within the 2025 NFL Draft, however his inventory could also be impacted by his medical analysis on the NFL Scouting Mix.

Checks revealed that Carter has a stress response in his proper foot that will require surgical procedure. If Carter goes that route, the Nittany Lions standout can be sidelined for eight weeks with a screw in his foot. Carter may additionally elect to not bear surgical procedure and take part in Penn State’s Professional Day.

Both means, it is a robust blow for a participant who had an enormous quantity of buzz coming into this yr’s draft season. In 2024, Carter led the complete FBS in tackles for loss with 24. He additionally racked up 12.0 sacks and 66 pressures whereas incomes Unanimous All-American honors.

All of that pushed Carter’s inventory by way of the roof, placing him in the identical dialog with Travis Hunter on the prime of draft boards. Our personal Chris Trapasso had the Penn State star coming off the board to the New York Giants at No. 3 general in his newest mock draft.

Keep tuned to CBS Sports activities to see what occurs to Carter’s inventory now that groups know the edge-rusher is coping with a foot damage simply two months earlier than the draft.

👎 Not so honorable mentions

🏈 NFL Mix sleepers to observe

The on-field portion of the NFL Scouting Mix begins tomorrow, and some of the highest draft prospects can be going by way of exercises and drills all through the weekend. Whereas these massive names will get many of the consideration, remember about a few of the less-heralded prospects.

It is not arduous to seek out late-round picks who went on to develop into NFL stars. Ever heard of Brock Purdy, also called Mr. Irrelevant? How a few man named Tom Brady?

Our personal Josh Edwards put collectively an inventory of sleepers to maintain a watch on in Indianapolis. Maybe probably the most recognizable title on that checklist is Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who completed third in Heisman Trophy voting final season.

Gabriel hasn’t gotten as a lot buzz as different quarterbacks, however do not underestimate him even when the bodily measurements underwhelm.

• Edwards: “His lack of ideally suited measurement could also be problematic for some groups, however he has performed in Eugene, Oregon, on the very least. The Hawaii native is extremely constant and throws with contact and anticipation. The size of time he spent in faculty would have allowed him to finish a post-graduate diploma, and that’s actually evident on the soccer area.”

Travis Hunter has gotten loads of buzz, and he’ll be in Indianapolis for the festivities as properly. Proper now, the conundrum for groups on the prime of the draft is whether or not Hunter can be used as a cornerback or vast receiver on the subsequent degree.

The NFL drama will not be restricted at hand sizes and 40 occasions this weekend both. The commerce rumors are buzzing, and Matthew Stafford is considered one of a number of affect gamers who may very well be on the transfer within the close to future.

With free company additionally on the horizon, the NFL information can be coming sooner than a ball out of a JUGS machine. Maintain it locked proper right here with CBS Sports activities to remain updated on all the most recent information.

🏀 Spartans’ buzzer-beater serves as March appetizer

March remains to be a pair days away, however the Insanity has already arrived. No. 8 Michigan State gave followers a preview of what is to return with a buzzer-beater in its 58-55 win over No. 16 Maryland.

Followers in Faculty Park had been buzzing because the Terrapins mounted a second-half comeback, but it surely fell painfully brief as time expired. That is as a result of Tre Holloman’s halfcourt heave on the buzzer discovered the underside of the bucket to carry Michigan State over Maryland.

Calling it a “halfcourt” shot may even be underselling it. Holloman was a step or two shy of the block “M” at midcourt when he chucked the ball into the air.

Previous to that minor miracle, Holloman was not having an ideal night time from the sphere. He had solely hit two of his 11 makes an attempt, and he was 0 for 3 from 3-point vary. Now, the one factor anybody will bear in mind is that ball falling by way of the ring.

Not solely was that an emotional win for the Spartans, but it surely was a giant one for his or her championship hopes and their resume. Now 14-3 in convention play, Michigan State remained in stride with rival Michigan atop the Massive Ten.

Plus, the Spartans entered the day as a No. 2 seed in our personal Jerry Palm’s Bracketology, and this victory over Maryland gave them their ninth Quad 1 win.

So, due to Michigan State for giving us somewhat March Insanity appetizer on the finish of February.

🏈 Is Carson Beck CFB’s subsequent nice villain?

Sports activities want heroes, and there will be no heroes with out villains. Miami quarterback Carson Beck could have put himself within the latter class this yr after his high-profile switch from Georgia.

After two largely profitable seasons because the starter in Athens, Beck modified locales this offseason with a big NIL deal luring him right down to Miami, the place he can be united with girlfriend and Canes basketball star/TikTok icon Hanna Cavinder.

Beck’s standing as a villain is only one factor our personal Shehan Jeyarajah and Brad Crawford debated within the newest version of “Purchase or Promote.” Whereas the hate directed towards Beck is probably not honest, he’s the participant who most epitomizes the NIL and switch portal period, and that is sufficient to attract the ire of many followers.

• Jeyarajah: “Beck hasn’t carried out something flawed, however honest or not, he’s set to develop into the face of school soccer’s NIL period. He transferred to Miami, maybe probably the most aggressive NIL program within the nation. He is courting Hanna Cavinder, a Miami ladies’s basketball participant and TikTok star. He had, not one, however two luxurious automobiles stolen, and is making a lot cash that he turned down the NFL Draft.”

Whether or not followers view him as a hero or villain in all probability is not on the forefront of Beck’s thoughts as of late. That is as a result of he is coping with a real-life villain plucked straight out of a “Grand Theft Auto” online game.

📺 What we’re watching Thursday

⛳ Cognizant Traditional: Spherical 1, 2 p.m. on Golf Channel
⚽ West Ham United vs. Leicester Metropolis, 3 p.m. on USA Community
🏀 No. 22 Creighton at No. 5 UConn (W), 7 p.m. on CBSSN
🏀 No. 8 North Carolina at No. 16 Duke (W), 7 p.m. on ESPN
🏀 No. 11 Tennessee at No. 15 Kentucky (W), 7 p.m. on SEC Community
🏀 Nuggets at Bucks, 8 p.m. on TNT
🏀 Rutgers at No. 15 Michigan (M), 9 p.m. on Peacock