Screen Shots: December 5th-11th, 2024

Welcome to Screen Shots! This is where I tell you what sporting events you should watch on TV every week! Make sure you subscribe so it comes straight to your inbox! Have your own suggestions? Shoot me an email at [email protected]!

Y’all would not believe the week I’ve had. But anyway, there was no new episode from me this week. However, I did record an episode of the Gamecocks Football Captain’s Log where Captain P.D. and I talked about South Carolina beating Clemson only to end up getting snubbed by the College Football Playoff Committee!

Now, to the sports!

Thursday, December 5th, 2024

• Women’s College Basketball: #14 Kentucky Wildcats @ #16 North Carolina Tar Heels at 5:00 pm (ET) on ESPN2

If you watched her when she filled in for the injured Liz Kitley in last year’s NCAA Tournament, then Clara Strack’s fantastic performance this season should come as no surprise. A showdown with a physical Tar Heel team will give us an idea of how she’ll fare during her first year in the SEC.

• NFL: Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions at 8:15 pm (ET) on Prime Video

How often do we get a Thursday Night Football game featuring 2 contenders who have each had a full week of rest? The Lions have looked like a Super Bowl contender all season long. They’re so good that they don’t even care if you know what plays they run. The Packers need a win to keep up with Detroit and the Vikings in a stacked NFC North race. Should be some good football and a lot of points scored in this one!

Friday, December 6th, 2024

• WNBA: Golden State Valkyries Expansion Draft at 6:30 pm (ET) on ESPN

This will give us a lot of insight into not only what the league’s newest franchise is trying to do but also what current teams’ plans are for their own roster construction.

• College Football: UNLV Runnin’ Rebels @ Boise St. Broncos at 8:00 pm (ET) on Fox

The Mountain West Conference championship game. A win for Boise St. secures their spot in the College Football Playoff while also helping strengthen the Heisman case for star RB Ashton Jeanty.

• College Football: Tulane Green Wave @ Army Black Knights at 8:00 pm (ET) on ABC

The American Athletic Conference championship game. If Boise St. loses, that could open the door for the Green Wave to make the College Football Playoff. An Army win makes Notre Dame’s weak schedule look better. Root accordingly.

Saturday, December 7th, 2024

• College Football: Iowa St. Cyclones @ Arizona St. Sun Devils at 12:00 pm (ET) on ABC

The Big 12 championship game. The winner is guaranteed a spot in the College Football Playoff. As a result of the conference being underrated all season long, the loser will go to the Piggly Wiggly Greenbax Stamps Bowl in Orangeburg, South Carolina. The stakes are high, the teams are evenly matched, so lock in!

• College Football: Georgia Bulldogs @ Texas Longhorns at 4:00 pm (ET) on ABC

The SEC Championship game. Both teams are in the College Football Playoff no matter what. The Bulldogs already beat Texas back in October. This is another opportunity to show the Longhorns that they can’t just come into the SEC year 1 and bully everybody.

• College Football: Penn St. Nittany Lions @ Oregon Ducks at 8:00 pm (ET) on CBS

The Big Ten championship game. Again, both teams are in the College Football Playoff despite a conference-wide aversion to playing any non-conference games against teams ranked in the top 100. However, it’ll be interesting to see if James Franklin can actually win a big game.

• College Football: Clemson Tigers @ SMU Mustangs at 8:00 pm (ET) on ABC

The ACC championship game. Remember when the NCAA killed SMU’s program for doing what every other program at the time was doing? And now, every program can legally do those things! Fun times. No matter what Clemson does, they lost to South Carolina at home. Never forget!

• Men’s College Basketball: #4 Kentucky Wildcats @ #7 Gonzaga Bulldogs at 10:00 pm (ET) on ESPN2

A little palate cleanser as we transition away from college football for a couple of weeks. Two of the most prominent men’s hoops programs of my lifetime will be facing off for just the 3rd time ever. Kentucky is coming off of a tough loss to Clemson. They’re good but keep an eye on if their 3-pointers are falling and how the defend the nation’s leader in assists, Ryan Nembhard.

Sunday, December 8th, 2024

• Women’s College Basketball: #3 South Carolina Gamecocks @ #9 TCU Horned Frogs at 7:00 pm (ET) on ESPN2

I had no clue what to make of TCU heading into the season. The talent on the roster was obvious, but most of those faces were brand new to the program. Well, so far so good. The Horned Frogs, who started the season unranked, have already beaten NC State and Notre Dame. They can get rid of any remaining doubters by taking down a Gamecocks squad that has been cutting ass since having their 43-game winning streak snapped. Hailey Van Lith can do a lot for her draft stock with a solid performance here.

Monday, December 9th, 2024

• Christmas Movie of the Week: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

You will find no better commentary on societal issues than this classic. Off the top of my head, it addresses racism, colorism, sexism, classism, homophobia, climate change, and the healthcare industry. Get in the holiday spirit by reminding yourself of everything that’s wrong with the world!

Tuesday, December 10th, 2024

• NBA Cup Quarterfinals: Orlando Magic @ Milwaukee Bucks at 7:00 pm (ET) on TNT

The Magic struggled, losing 4 straight, after star Paolo Banchero went down with an injury. However, they have figured things out in a major way, thanks in large part to Franz Wagner. He’s averaging 25, 6, 7 in Banchero’s absence, and the Magic have won 12 of their last 14.

• NBA Cup Quarterfinals: Dallas Mavericks @ Oklahoma City Thunder at 9:30 pm (ET) on TNT

In the 6 games since he made his season and Thunder debut, Isaiah Hartenstein is averaging 13.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. How did the rest of the league let this happen?

Wednesday, December 11th, 2024

• NBA Cup Quarterfinals: Atlanta Hawks @ New York Knicks at 7:00 pm (ET) on ESPN

Trae Young can’t make a jumper but is on pace for the highest assists per game average in a single season in nearly 30 years.

• NBA Cup Quarterfinals: Golden State Warriors @ Houston Rockets at 9:30 pm (ET) on TNT

The Rockets, yes, the Houston Rockets, have the 2nd best record in the Western Conference.

I truly appreciate you reading this! Be sure to share it with a friend or two! I’ll catch you next week!