Anchor Drop, December 7, 2019: Championship Saturday Open Thread

It’s a slow news week what with finals and everything so... here, have an open thread.

By Tom Stephenson@tcstephenson818 Dec 7, 2019, 9:18am EST

Good morning.

It’s pretty slow for news what with finals getting underway. About the only thing of substance pertaining to Vanderbilt is that Aaron Nesmith was named to the Oscar Robertson Award watch list on Friday. These watch lists don’t really mean a ton — I mean, there are 46 players on it, so basically anybody who could maybe possibly win the award is probably on the list — but it’s nice to see the recognition.

Meanwhile, coaching search news in three parts. One of these is not like the others.

Sources: #Memphis coach Mike Norvell is the leading candidate to become the next coach at Florida State. An official announcement could come Sunday. Memphis hosts Cincinnati in the AAC title game Saturday.

Story from @Mark_Schlabach and me: https://t.co/yzSZxIrV09
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) December 7, 2019

It's not officially signed, but it's done. Lane Kiffin is Ole Miss' next head football coach. He'll arrive in Oxford Sunday. I expect the Ole Miss band to meet him there. He'll be announced officially on Monday, likely at the Pavilion at Ole Miss. @RivalsChase.
— Neal McCready (@NealMcCready) December 7, 2019

The situation at Arkansas isn’t settled — but after a fruitless search, signs are pointing toward promoting Barry Lunney Jr., an alum/former star QB who has been the interim coach since Chad Morris’ firing.
— George Schroeder (@GeorgeSchroeder) December 7, 2019

And with that... championship Saturday! Here’s your viewing guide and open thread.

FBS Conference Championship games

Big 12 Championship Game: Baylor vs. Oklahoma, 11:00 AM CT, ABC

Sun Belt Championship Game: Appalachian State vs. UL Lafayette, 11:00 AM CT, ESPN

MAC Championship Game: Central Michigan vs. Miami (Ohio), 11:00 AM CT, ESPN2

Conference USA Championship Game: Florida Atlantic vs. UAB, 12:30 PM CT, CBS Sports Network

AAC Championship Game: Cincinnati vs. Memphis, 2:30 PM CT, ABC

SEC Championship Game: Georgia vs. LSU, 3:00 PM CT, CBS

Mountain West Championship Game: Boise State vs. Hawaii, 3:00 PM CT, ESPN

SWAC Championship Game: Alcorn vs. Southern, 3:00 PM CT, ESPNU

ACC Championship Game: Clemson vs. Virginia, 6:30 PM CT, ABC

Big Ten Championship Game: Ohio State vs. Wisconsin, 7:00 PM CT, FOX

FCS Playoffs

Monmouth at James Madison, 12:00 PM CT, ESPN3

Northern Iowa at South Dakota State, 1:00 PM CT, ESPN3

Albany at Montana State, 2:00 PM CT, ESPN3

Illinois State at Central Arkansas, 2:00 PM CT, ESPN3

Kennesaw State at Weber State, 2:00 PM CT, ESPN3

SE Louisiana at Montana, 2:00 PM CT, ESPN3

Nicholls at North Dakota State, 2:30 PM CT, ESPN3

Austin Peay at Sacramento State, 8:00 PM CT, ESPN3

Division II Playoffs

Notre Dame at Slippery Rock, 11:00 AM CT, video

Northwest Missouri State at Ferris State, 12:00 PM CT, video

Texas A&M-Commerce at Minnesota State, 12:00 PM CT, video

West Florida at Lenoir-Rhyne, 12:00 PM CT, video

Division III Playoffs

Muhlenberg at Salisbury, 11:00 AM CT, video

Delaware Valley at North Central, 12:00 PM CT, video

St. John’s at Wheaton, 12:00 PM CT, video

Wisconsin-Whitewater at Mary-Hardin-Baylor, 12:00 PM CT, video

NAIA Playoffs

Grand View at Morningside, 12:00 PM CT, video

Lindsey Wilson at Marian, 12:05 PM CT, video

Bad Gambling Advice (Football Edition)

Georgia vs. LSU: LSU -7, Under 55.5

Bad Gambling Advice (Basketball Edition)

Florida at Butler (11:00 AM CT, FOX): Butler -4, Under 120.5

CS Bakersfield at Ole Miss (1:00 PM CT, SEC Network+): CS Bakersfield +16.5, Under 131.5

FDU at Kentucky (3:00 PM CT, SEC Network): FDU +24.5, Under 137.5

Missouri at Temple (6:30 PM CT, ESPNU): Temple -3, Under 126.5

Arkansas at Western Kentucky (6:30 PM CT, CBS Sports Network): Arkansas -1.5, Under 137

Scoreboard

SEC Basketball: Alabama 78, Stephen F. Austin 68.

NBA: Magic 93, Cavaliers 87 ... Pistons 108, Pacers 101 ... Nets 111, Hornets 104 ... Heat 112, Wizards 103 ... Warriors 100, Bulls 98 ... Thunder 139, Timberwolves 127 ... Celtics 108, Nuggets 95 ... Bucks 119, Clippers 91 ... Spurs 105, Kings 104 ... Lakers 136, Trail Blazers 113.

NHL: Blackhawks 2, Devils 1 ... Canadiens 2, Rangers 1 ... Penguins 2, Coyotes 0 ... Oilers 2, Kings 1 ... Capitals 3, Ducks 2.