Links: Matt Brown explains wild weekend in Brazil
Matt Brown’s former coach was arrested for sucker punching him in his hotel in Brazil this past Sunday.
Published on Tuesday, 5/17/16, at 5:45 p.m. Eastern.
—Matt Brown opens up on his chaotic weekend in Brazil to Damon Martin on his podcast. After his former coach sucker punched him and then ran away like a chump, Brown belatedly gave chase through the hotel. By the time he got downstairs, his former coach was long gone (at least he thought; his coach was found and arrested, but not before Brown’s teammate went upside his head a few times). As fans recognized Brown, the perennial welterweight contender was asked to take pictures. And he did, not realizing his buddy had tracked down the former coach and was taking it to him outside in the street.
—My preview of tonight’s series opener between the Cavs and Raptors in Cleveland over at VegasInsider.com.
–The Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas currently has the Raptors at +650 on the money line for tonight’s Game 1 (risk $100 to win $650).
–Most books currently have the Warriors favored by 8.5 points for Wednesday’s Game 2 vs. Oklahoma City. The total is 221.5 or 222 points. Billy Donovan’s squad is +375 on the money line.
—Jeff Van Gundy has been extremely impressed with Billy Donovan for a long time, including these playoffs. As Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun points out, Donovan is seven wins away from becoming just the second coach to win it all in the NBA and college basketball. Larry Brown won titles with Kansas (1988) and the Detroit Pistons.
–The headliner for UFC 201 on July 30 at Philips Arena in Atlanta is official. Robbie Lawler will defend his welterweight strap for the third time against Tyron Woodley.
—Chris Weidman pulled out of his UFC 199 rematch with Luke Rockhold earlier today.
—Stipe Miocic is the UFC’s new heavyweight champ. He will be honored by the Cavs at Game 1 tonight.
–I have no idea how I missed this last week, but Ernest Wallace was acquitted of murder charges last week stemming from the death of Odin Lloyd. Wallace was convicted of being an accessory after the fact to murder. Aaron Hernandez was convicted of first-degree murder more than a year ago in the same Fall River, MA., court room. Wallace, who has been in jail since the summer of 2013, will be given credit for time served. Judge Susan Garsh sentenced Wallace to 4.5 to seven years in prison. Carlos Ortiz, another alleged co-conspirator to Hernandez, will face trial on murder charges later this year. Hernandez is serving a life sentence.
–Another former Gator behind bars is Reche Caldwell. His story was featured in ESPN the MAG last week. Check it out here if you wish.
–While on the topic of former Gators — Dominique Easley has a new home. After being released by the Patriots, Easley has signed with the L.A. Rams.
–The Patriots have announced that Kevin Faulk, the former LSU great, will be inducted in the Pats Hall of Fame.
—Emily Ratajkowski is on fire – as always!
—Alabama All-American OT Cam Robinson was arrested on multiple charges, including felony possession of a stolen gun, early this morning in Louisiana.
—Gridironnow.com has Robinson ranked as the SEC’s third-best NFL prospect for the 2017 Draft. Florida’s Jalen Tabor is ranked fourth.
–Athlon’s magazine will hit newsstands soon. The publication has Alabama as its preseason No. 1. Six SEC teams are in the Top 25, including the Gators, who are No. 21.
—It has been a rough week for Fordham head basketball coach Jeff Neubauer, who allegedly cheated on his wife, who took to twitter to announce that the marriage was over.
