South Florida Local News

By CORA LEWIS, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Chain stores have Black Friday. Online marketplaces have Cyber Monday. For local businesses, it’s Small Business Saturday.

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In the last 20 years, more segments of the retail industry have vied for their own piece of the holiday shopping season. The travel trade has firmly joined the trend with another post-Thanksgiving sales push: Travel Tuesday.

On the same day as the nonprofit world’s Giving Tuesday, airlines, hotels, cruise ship companies, travel booking platforms and tour operators get in on the annual spirit to spend by promoting one-day deals. Consumer advocates say there are legitimate savings to be had but also chances to be misled by marketing that conveys a false sense of urgency.

“People see ‘40 percent off’ and assume it’s a once-in-a-lifetime steal, without recognizing that the underlying price may have been inflated or that the same itinerary was cheaper last month.” Sally French, a travel expert at personal finance site NerdWallet, said.

She and other seasoned travelers advised consumers who want to see if they can save money by booking trips on Travel Tuesday to do research in advance and to pay especially close attention to the fine print attached to offers.

People hoping to score last-minute deals for Christmas or New Year’s should double-check for blackout dates or other restrictions, recommended Lindsay Schwimer, a consumer expert for the online travel site Hopper.

It’s also wise to to keep an eye out for nonrefundable fares, resort fees, double occupancy requirements or upgrade conditions that may be hidden within advertised discounts, according to French.

Shoppers should be wary of travel packages with extra transportation options or add-on offers, French said. Instead of lowering fares or room rates, some companies use statement credits, extra points, included amenities and bundled extras as a way to tempt potential customers, she said.

“Many travel brands want to keep sticker prices high to maintain an aura of luxury, but they still need to fill planes, ships and hotel rooms,” French said. “Add-on perks are their workaround.”

Consumers who are prepared rather than impulsive and on the lookout for the up-sell are in a much better position to identify authentic bargains, consumer experts stressed. Knowing what a specific trip would typically cost and comparison shopping can help expose offers based on inflated underlying costs and whether the same itinerary might have been cheaper at other times, they said.

“Compare prices, check your calendar and make sure the trip you’re booking is something you genuinely want, not something you bought because a countdown timer pressured you,” French said. “What gets glossed over is that the best deal might be not booking anything at all if it doesn’t align with your plans.”

Travel Tuesday came about based on existing industry trends. In 2017, Hopper analyzed historical pricing data and found that in each of the nine previous years, the biggest day for post-Thanksgiving travel discounts was the day after Cyber Monday.

The site named the day Travel Tuesday. The number of offers within that time-targeted window and the number of travelers looking for them has since expanded.

“Nearly three times as many trips were planned on Travel Tuesday last year compared to Black Friday,” Hopper’s Schwimer said. “We continue to see growth in the day, year over year, as more travel brands and categories offer deals.”

The event’s origin story is in line with the National Retail Federation coining Cyber Monday in 2005 as a response to the emerging e-commerce era. American Express came up with Small Business Saturday in 2010 to direct buyers and their dollars to smaller retailers, credit card fees and all.

A report by the consulting firm McKinsey & Company last year noted that November and December tend to be slow months for travel bookings, making Travel Tuesday a “marketing moment” that could help boost revenue.

Hotel, cruise and and airline bookings by U.S. travelers increased significantly on Travel Tuesday 2023 compared with the two weeks before and after the day, the report’s authors wrote, citing data provided by the travel marketing platform Sojern.

While Travel Tuesday so far has been mostly confined to the United States and Canada, “European travel companies can anticipate the possibility that Travel Tuesday will become a growing phenomenon in their region, given that other shopping days such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday have spread beyond North America,” the report stated.

Vivek Pandya, lead insights analyst for Adobe Analytics, which tracks online spending, said consumers have more tools than ever this holiday season to help them determine if deals hold up to scrutiny.

“Social journeys, influencers providing promo codes and values, and generative AI platforms taking all that in – the prices, the social conversation, the reviews – and giving guidance to the consumer, that’s a very different, dynamic kind of journey consumers are taking than they have in previous seasons,” Pandya said.

Both he and French emphasized that prices rise and fall based on multiple factors, and that the winter holidays are not the only major promotional period of the year.

“We now have dozens of consumer spending ‘holidays,’” French said. “Amazon alone keeps adding new versions of Prime Day. So if you don’t buy on Travel Tuesday, you haven’t missed your moment.”

The Associated Press receives support from the Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism.

In the wild, Florida’s manatees already face threats from cold stress, habitat loss, boat strikes and other human activities.

Now advocates worry about the potential peril that manatees may encounter from the Trump administration’s proposed changes to federal implementation of the Endangered Species Act. Environmentalists say the proposed rollbacks could threaten the lives of sea cows through further habitat degradation, pollution and the adverse effects of development.

“I’ve spent 50-some years trying to get [manatees] to a place where they’re going to be around and they’re going to be a part of a healthy, sustainable ecosystem,” said Pat Rose, executive director of Save the Manatee Club. “If these changes occur, it’s going to be a huge battle going forward.”

The Trump administration says the modifications — which would change how agencies manage species and habitat under the act, not the act itself — are aimed at curbing “regulatory overreach.”

One of the proposed revisions includes rescinding the “blanket rule” that affords animals and plants listed as threatened, such as the Florida manatee, the same strict protections automatically given to the more critically at-risk animals and plants on the Endangered Species List. Instead, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would be tasked with making species-specific rules, a process that could be time and labor-intensive.

Another change will allow “consideration of economic impacts” when deciding whether to include an area as protected ‘critical habitat’ for a species, allowing for cost-benefit studies rather than solely focusing on science.

Earlier this year, FWS also proposed a rule change that would revise the definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act, in effect allowing modification or degradation of endangered species’ habitats that have historically been protected under the law.

“When you deregulate or when you chip away at the framework of this bedrock conservation law by undermining it piece by piece, trying to pull out critical pieces that make it successful, it puts species and their habitats back at risk,” said Katherine Sayler, southeast representative with Defenders of Wildlife.

A Florida manatee comes up for a breath near Hunter Spring during a tour with Crystal River Watersports in Crystal River on Nov. 19. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

Florida manatees were first protected by Florida state law in 1893, but federal legislation — the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973 — established the bedrock conservation laws that protect manatees to this day, which also includes protection of their habitat.

The Endangered Species Act has prevented the extinction of roughly 291 species since 1973 and has saved more than 99% of listed species under its protection, according to a 2019 study.

These safeguards helped Florida manatees to rebound from an estimated 1,267 manatees in 1991 to an estimated 8,350 to 11,730 manatees in the state based on 2021-2022 surveys. 

A Florida manatee swims through the clear water of Three Sisters Springs during a tour with Crystal River Watersports in Crystal River on Nov. 19. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

Though the gentle giants have recovered substantially in recent decades, the environmental group Defenders of Wildlife says the proposed changes could diminish the gains of the Florida manatee and push them further towards endangered status.

From December 2020 to April 2022, manatees in the Indian River Lagoon experienced an “Unusual Mortality Event” (UME) due to a lack of forage. An overabundance of phosphorus and nitrogen in the estuary — the result of leaking septic tanks, wastewater spills, stormwater runoff and over-fertilization of lawns — caused algae blooms that choked out the natural seagrass that manatees rely upon to survive. The UME was tied to the death of more than 1,200 manatees.

A Florida manatee and calf float in Three Sisters Springs during a tour with Crystal River Watersports in Crystal River on Nov. 19. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

To date in 2025, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has counted nearly 600 manatee deaths, including 91 caused by watercraft and 130 perinatal deaths of manatee calves less than 5 feet in length. 

The fear among manatee advocates is that rolling back habitat protections could exacerbate the habitat loss that has dramatically accelerated in recent years.

Another proposed change would introduce a two-step process for designating critical habitat that favors currently occupied areas while creating a higher standard for designating unoccupied but potentially significant habitat. Yet another would weaken the requirements for interagency cooperation and consultations, opening the door for federal agencies to approve resource extraction and development projects without assessing future impact to threatened and endangered species or their habitats, according to Defenders of Wildlife.

“Projects may go forward without the level of attention to, ‘What are the effects on species’ habitats going to be?’ What you don’t measure, you can’t mitigate,” said Jane Davenport, senior attorney for Defenders of Wildlife. “It’s just putting the blinders on to one of the five major drivers of extinction, which is habitat loss.”

A Florida manatee swims through the clear water of Three Sisters Springs during a tour with Crystal River Watersports in Crystal River on Nov. 19. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

The U.S. Department of the Interior said the changes are aimed at advancing “American energy independence” and improving “regulatory predictability,” according to a news release.

“These revisions end years of legal confusion and regulatory overreach, delivering certainty to states, tribes, landowners and businesses while ensuring conservation efforts remain grounded in sound science and common sense,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum in the release.

A Florida manatee rests in Three Sisters Springs during a tour with Crystal River Watersports in Crystal River on Nov. 19. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

Critics argue that the changes will favor industry interests and profit over actual species conservation goals.

“The question is, ‘Who benefits?’ Certainly not the species,” Davenport said. “That deregulatory agenda certainly favors the few over the many.”

Sayler said that manatees can help indicate what’s happening with Florida’s broader environment.

“They’re an umbrella species and a sentinel species. When manatees are doing well, so many other marine species benefit,” she said. “They also tell us when things are not quite right with an estuary, a watershed or a system.”

A Florida manatee rests in Three Sisters Springs during a tour with Crystal River Watersports in Crystal River on Nov. 19. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

There’s also more than sea cows at stake. When manatees benefit, so do economic, fishing and tourism interests. When the ecosystem suffers, so can humans.

“I think in Washington some have lost sight of the fact that we’re dependent on a healthy ecosystem,” said Elizabeth Fleming, senior Florida representative with Defenders of Wildlife. “We can’t thrive if we’re breathing polluted air, eating polluted food and drinking polluted water.” 

A public comment period is currently open through Dec. 22 for the public to weigh in on the proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act. Comments can be made by visiting federalregister.gov/agencies/fish-and-wildlife-service.

Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Due to a computer meltdown earlier this year, I had to rebuild my holiday greeting card address list.

When I asked my mother-in-law to share her list from that side of the family, I was flummoxed to find that she addresses her cards as “Mr. and Mrs. Husband’s Name” — e.g., John and Jane Smith would be addressed as “Mr. and Mrs. John Smith.”

While I know this used to be a correct form of address, I (married for 15 years and using my husband’s last name) find this sexist and would be somewhat insulted to be addressed as “Mrs. Husband’s Name.”

I imagine that in this day and age, there are quite a few other female friends and relatives that would feel likewise. There are so many other alternatives — the holiday cards may be addressed to “The Smiths,” “The Smith family,” “Mr. John and Mrs. Jane Smith,” for example.

Should I bring up the subject with my mother-in-law? I had not realized the issue previously because we live in the same town, and she typically gives us our cards in person rather than through the mail.

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GENTLE READER: When people want to insult their friends, Christmas cards are probably not their weapon of choice.

Or so Miss Manners would think. But you — and others, no doubt — think otherwise.

So here is an idea for an advance Christmas present for your mother-in-law: Offer to update her list by asking each of her friends how they wish to be addressed.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a young woman who has recently moved into a larger city. I am not comfortable interacting with strange men on the street who ask passersby for change or attention.

It seems that most of my peers respond to such requests by ignoring them, but I dislike the contempt expressed in ignoring anyone. I prefer to give a polite “No, thank you,” “I’m sorry, no” or “Excuse me, please,” and then move on.

Unfortunately, since these gentlemen are used to being ignored, my more polite evasions serve only to encourage them to continue these unwanted conversations.

I feel that if I give in and begin ignoring people on the street, I will be allowing the rudeness of others to force me into rudeness myself. However, I do not care to spend every day disengaging from conversations with very persistent strangers who see every tactic for evasion — except for silence — as encouragement.

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Any suggestions as to how to handle such tricky situations would be appreciated.

GENTLE READER: You are not supposed to be comfortable interacting with strange gentlemen on the street. Evidence that people are destitute and desperate should make you uncomfortable. And so should solvent strangers who have personal designs on you.

However, Miss Manners is reluctant to discourage you from responding initially with those polite phrases when they might serve to acknowledge the humanity of the unfortunate. That does not oblige you to continue with an exchange. Whether they are seeking your money or your acquaintance, you should react to aggressive behavior by moving away.

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, gentlereader@missmanners.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Here are the top stories for Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. Get the weather forecast for today here.

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Today is Tuesday, Dec. 2, the 336th day of 2025. There are 29 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Dec. 2, 2015, a couple loyal to the Islamic State group opened fire at a holiday banquet for public employees in San Bernardino, California, killing 14 people and wounding 21 others before dying in a shootout with police.

Also on this date:

In 1804, Napoleon crowned himself emperor of France in a coronation ceremony at Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral.

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In 1823, President James Monroe outlined his doctrine opposing further European expansion or colonialism in the Western Hemisphere. The Monroe Doctrine effectively created separate spheres of influence for the Americans and Europe.

In 1859, militant abolitionist John Brown was hanged for his raid the previous October on Harpers Ferry in hopes of inciting a large-scale slave rebellion. His execution further exacerbated North-South tensions in the run-up to the American Civil War.

In 1942, an artificially created, self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction was demonstrated for the first time at the University of Chicago. The experiment led by physicist Enrico Fermi marked the dawn of the Atomic Age.

In 1954, the U.S. Senate, voting 67-22, passed a resolution condemning Republican Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy of Wisconsin, saying he had “acted contrary to senatorial ethics and tended to bring the Senate into dishonor and disrepute.”

In 1982, in the first operation of its kind, doctors at the University of Utah Medical Center implanted a permanent artificial heart in the chest of Barney Clark, a retired dentist who lived 112 days with the device.

In 1993, Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar was shot to death by security forces while trying to flee across rooftops in Medellin (meh-deh-YEEN’).

In 2004, Typhoon Nanmadol lashed the Philippines, killing hundreds of people.

In 2016, a fire raced through an illegally converted warehouse in Oakland, California, during a dance party, killing 36 people.

In 2020, The U.N. Commission on Narcotic Drugs voted to remove cannabis and cannabis resin from a category of the world’s most dangerous drugs, in a step with potential impacts on the global medical marijuana industry.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Actor Cathy Lee Crosby is 81.
• Film director Penelope Spheeris is 80.
• Author T. Coraghessan Boyle is 77.
• Actor Dan Butler is 71.
• Actor Steven Bauer is 69.
• Actor Lucy Liu is 57.
• Bassist Nate Mendel (Foo Fighters) is 57.
• Rapper Treach (Naughty By Nature) is 55.
• Tennis Hall of Famer Monica Seles is 52.
• Singer Nelly Furtado is 47.
• Pop singer Britney Spears is 44.
• Actor-singer Jana Kramer is 42.
• Actor Yvonne Orji is 42.
• Actor Daniela Ruah is 42.
• NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers is 42.
• Actor Alfred Enoch is 37.
• Pop singer-songwriter Charlie Puth is 34.

GAINESVILLE — As Florida positioned national championship-winning Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer feet away from the podium where next year’s coach Jon Sumrall spoke in his introductory press conference, the current team pensively stared at him.

While Florida wanted onlookers to believe it could still recapture the magic of Tim Tebow and Danny Wuerffel, the reality of this season hung over the 100-person crowd like an August thunderstorm.

​This team, to put it kindly, has been dragged through the sludge of the college football sewers, ending one of the worst seasons in a decade with a 4-8 record. The representatives of the team — DJ Lagway, Myles Graham and seven other players — sat before the Gators’ latest hire, bruised and battered. ​

Sumrall cracked jokes and reinforced his winning mentality, but Florida’s current players watched with straight faces. After all, the team had experienced this before. When former head coach Billy Napier was hired from a Group of Five team, he preached a return to Florida’s dynastic reign in the 1990s and early 2000s. Instead, Napier produced only one season with as many as eight wins during his tenure that spilled into a fourth season.

The comparisons between the two didn’t escape the Tulane coach.

“No two people are the same,” Sumrall said. “Judge me for who I am. I’m a winner. We’re going to win. Just give me a shot. Believe in me.”

Belief in Gainesville comes sparingly, and criticisms quickly follow any falter. Sumrall will have to rapidly assemble a team able to overcome the fourth-quarter letdowns that haunted this year’s team to have any chance of success in 2026.

​”He is wired to win,” athletic director Scott Stricklin said. “He builds teams that reflect his competitive identity, and he creates environments where players and staff understand what it takes to perform at a championship level every single day.”

Sophomores such as Graham and Lagway will have to decide if they believe Stricklin’s and Sumrall’s words. Five days after a new coach hire, players have 15 days to express a desire to enter the transfer portal.

Despite Sumrall’s pleas for a chance, players might not be keen to sign on for another year in Gainesville. Wide receiver Tank Hawkins already gave up his season weeks ago in favor of redshirting. Some, like running back Jadan Baugh, who crossed 1,000 yards for the season in last Saturday’s victory against FSU, will have suitors beckoning for a change of scenery.

Somehow while coaching his former team in the AAC title game, hiring a new Florida staff and preventing a mass exodus, Sumrall also has to recruit. Napier assembled the No. 13 class in the nation, according to 247Sports, and the Tulane coach has been cycling through FaceTime’s to ensure every high school player has a chance to speak with him.

“While maybe future Gators matter to me, current Gators matter more,” he said. “I’m going to give more to the guys in the back of the room that are on our football team than I’m going to give anybody who could become on our team.”

His words earned a few nods from Graham and defensive lineman Jamari Lyons, but the rest remained like statues, silently assessing the coach before them.

While Florida may have rolled out the red carpet, printing out cardstock sheets of Sumrall’s accomplishments, the hardest crowd in Gainesville to win over might be the players who survived the 2025 season pummeling, armed with skepticism and cynicism.

The Gators might not be uncrackable, however. As the media conference conclusion neared, Spurrier joked that Sumrall should go and win another championship. Defensive lineman Brendan Bett smiled. The hardened shell around this team is rock-solid, but not unbreakable.

With the 2025 season finished, UCF coach Scott Frost and his coaching staff already are focusing on the program’s future. Much of that begins this week with the start of the Early Signing Period on Wednesday and runs through the opening of the 15-day window for the transfer portal starting on Jan. 2.

For Frost, the process is much different than than last season.

“I made a gamer metaphor that the younger people might understand,” Frost said following his team’s loss at BYU on Saturday. “When I was an assistant coach, I played [the video game] Call of Duty because all the players were playing it and I was single. When you get into the game late, all you have is the starter gun and everybody else has advanced weaponry. You don’t even want to play because you don’t feel like you’re armed enough. I’m excited to level up and go back at it next year.”

Last season, UCF added nearly 70 newcomers to the roster, mainly through the portal. This time around, the Knights aren’t expecting as much turnover in the offseason. However, retention is still a concern.

“The game’s in a bad place, and agents have been shopping kids that are playing for teams with other teams for the last six weeks,” said Frost. “I hope we’ve created a good enough environment in our building that kids like being in that we have a lot of kids that want to stay.”

With that said, here are five areas of concern for the Knights heading into this offseason:

QUARTERBACK

UCF finds itself at a crossroads when it comes to the future of the quarterback position.

While Tayven Jackson took the majority of the snaps this season, the redshirt junior struggled, particularly on the road late in the season. Cam Fancher and Jacurri Brown missed significant amounts of time this season with injuries, opening the door for redshirt freshman Davi Belfort to get some playing time.

Where the Knights go from here remains a mystery.

Jackson could return next season with the intention of returning as the team’s starting quarterback. Fancher and Brown are most likely gone, although both could apply for medical waivers that would give them an additional year of eligibility; the likelihood of either returning seems unlikely. Belfort should also be back after picking up some experience.

With four-star commitment Rocco Marriott, expected to sign this week, along with three-star commitment Dante Carr, the Knights have some solid, young talent on the roster.

The question concerns whether the Knights return to the transfer market to search for a significant upgrade at the starting position or stick with what they already have on the roster.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Ever since UCF made the move to the Big 12 in 2023, the Knights have witnessed firsthand the quality of the offensive line play in the league.

Programs such as Kansas, Texas Tech and Baylor have demonstrated the benefits of having bigger and stronger offensive linemen.

UCF is expected to lose a handful of starters led by Paul Rubelt, Gaard Memmelaar, Jabari Brooks, Cam Kinnie, Keegan Smith and Pat Barnett. Replacing those players with top-tier talent is a priority for the program this offseason.

The Knights finished in the middle of the pack in the Big 12 in rushing offense (11th) and gave up 20 sacks on the season. But the unit also struggled, allowing nearly 6 tackles for loss per game.

Fast start not enough as UCF’s season ends with blowout loss at No. 11 BYU

Losing offensive coordinator Shawn Clark, who passed away early in the season, was a massive blow to the program and also to the unit. Finding his replacement will be the first step in rebuilding this group for next season.

RUNNING BACK

Another unit that was depleted by injuries this season was the running backs group.

UCF lost freshmen Taevion Swint and Stacy Gage to season-ending injuries early on, leaving the bulk of the work to fall on seniors Myles Montgomery and Jaden Nixon.

Swint and Gage are expected back along with walk-on freshman Agyeman Addae, whose emergence late in the season was a pleasant surprise for the Knights.

Still, the team needs depth, making running back a position of need in the offseason whether it’s finding a starting running back or an experienced back for a rotation.

LINEBACKER

Improvement at linebacker is one of the reasons UCF finished with a top-40 defense this season.

Keli Lawson, Cole Kozlowski and Lewis Carter were solid in the middle, providing the unit with plenty of versatile leadership. Carter finished as the top tackler on the team with 92, followed by Kozlowski’s 82, and Lawson had 34.

Carter should return as the anchor next season, but the group will once again need to dip into the transfer portal to find more depth. Incoming freshmen Preston Hall and Matthew Occhipinti could help with adding that depth.

RECEIVER

Not much was known about or expected from the receivers this season, particularly with the group returning almost nothing in terms of yards and catches from the previous season, but there were plenty of pleasant surprises.

Duane Thomas Jr. emerged as a jack-of-all-trades for the Knights, leading the team in receiving yards (528) and receptions (53). He was also utilized in the backfield on end-arounds and in the running game.

Freshman Waden Charles saw his role expand later in the season, finishing with 290 yards on 26 catches.

Tight end Dylan Wade emerged as the go-to option for Jackson late in the season, finishing with 523 yards and 5 touchdowns.

If all three of those players return, it sets up a nice core of players, especially with the help of Carl Jenkins Jr. and Day Day Farmer, who missed all of this past season with a leg injury. That said, the group could still benefit from more depth and speed.

Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.

MIAMI — Observations and other notes of interest from Monday night’s 140-123 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers:

– Bam Adebayo helped set the tone.

– On a night the tone was all about the 3 for the Heat.

– An Adebayo 3-pointer opened the game’s scoring.

– An Adebayo 3-pointer opened the second-half scoring.

– In the end, a career high five 3-pointers for Adebayo.

– Closing with 27 points and 14 rebounds.

– But the 3-pointers were the thing.

– Because if Adebayo from the arc is a thing, spacing concerns are alleviated.

– And pick your poison against the threat of Tyler Herro and Norman Powell becomes even more challenging.

– This is among the reasons Erik Spoelstra doesn’t go with Kel’el Ware in the first unit.

– Because it allows everyone to space.

– For now, opponents are likely to leave Adebayo open at the arc.

– But a few more of these could change that thinking.

– This was a case of a player setting a goal of doing something better.

– Then doing something better.

–  And, so, Adebayo for 3, and again, and again, and again, and again.

– For the third consecutive game, the Heat opened with the smaller-ball lineup of Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, Powell, Herro and Davion Mitchell, leaving Ware in reserve.

– Despite being back from the G League, Heat two-way players Vlad Goldin and Jahmir Young were inactive, to save the NBA days against their two-way limits.

– The Clippers opened with a lineup of James Harden, Kris Dunn, Kawhi Leonard, John Collins and Ivica Zubac.

– Harden spent most of the night looking as if he couldn’t be bothered.

– Back from a one-game absence with a groin strain, Jaime Jaquez Jr. was back in his role as Heat sixth man.

– Kel’el Ware and Pelle Larsson then followed together.

– With Dru Smith making it nine deep.

– And Simone Fontecchio 10 deep.

– Leaving Nikola Jovic on the outside of the rotation looking in.

– Fontecchio had been out of the rotation Saturday against the Pistons.

– Larsson then missed the second half with a sprained right foot.

– Before the game, Spoelstra was asked how continuity and development are factoring into his lineup and rotation decisions.

– “It’s a little bit of both,” he said. “I wouldn’t say I’m prioritizing either. You have to prioritize whatever is best for the team to win. But, you know, also I’m treating it that the combinations and the players will let me know. And I don’t feel stressed out that I have to have all those answers right now. It’s a long season.”

– He added, “And we started out without one of our main players that was not in the rotation, so that definitely changes things.”

– In other words, a work in progress, even at the season’s quarter pole.

– “Like I said the first day of the media session, I want to be open to the unknown, but also open to the possibilities,” Spoelstra said. “And I was hopeful that there would be some surprises and that there will continue to be surprises this season, and there already have been.”

– He added, “I want it to be competitive and guys to continue to get better and show us they can help us win more than they could at the beginning of the year. So we’ll see where it lands, and it probably will be a few changes. That’s the nature of this business.”

–  Spoelstra said Herro’s progress has been heartening, citing the work put in for the two months between the September ankle surgery and last week’s return.

– “I’m sure he wants to feel like he’s 100 percent, physically, mentally, emotionally and with his movement and everything,” Spoelstra said. “But I think he’s moving great. And it’s a testament to how hard he works. Everything he does is full speed. So behind the scenes he’s doing things full speed. And that allows you to come back and be ready.”

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– Spoelstra added, “It’s hard to replicate that kind of training if you’re not really scrimmaging and not playing in games. And then all of a sudden everybody else has been and you get thrown out there, I think he made that look a lot easier than what it actually is.”

– Herro was a finalist for NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week that on Monday went to Knicks guard Jalen Brunson.

– Herro then extended his career best streak to 14 consecutive games with 20 points dating to last season, the longest such Heat streak since a similar 14-game run by LeBron James in 2012-13.

– The Clippers entered having lost 13 of 14, while the Heat was trying to avoid a 2-2 homestand.

– “Now we’re facing a team that’s coming in here, first game of their road trip, and they want to start off their road trip on the right note for them,” Spoelstra said pregame. “And we’re coming off of a loss, where we want to create something here that’s tough for teams coming into our building. So you have two opposing forces. That’s competition and who’s going to get to who.”

– The game concluded the two-game season series against the Clippers, becoming the first series concluded this season. It marks the earliest the series concludes in the franchise’s histories.

– The Heat now have concluded the series against the Clippers before playing against Atlanta, Boston, Brooklyn, Indiana, Toronto or Washington,  Houston, Minnesota, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Sacramento and Utah.

MIAMI — Erik Spoelstra began the night by attempting to cast the matchup as a study in intestinal fortitude, the Los Angeles Clippers with losses in 13 of their previous 15, his Heat coming off a physical loss to the Detroit Pistons.

“You have two opposing forces,” a stoic Spoelstra said. “That’s competition and who’s going to get to who.”

Um, yeah, or you could just make a whole bunch of 3-pointers early, push the lead to 38 and hold on from there for a 140-123 victory.

So with those 3s, plus three runaway quarters, now a 14-7 record after concluding a 3-1 homestand by holding off a late Clippers rally.

In a league where Spoelstra often stresses nothing comes easy, this for most of the night came close, with the Heat closing 24 of 46 on 3-pointers, tying the franchise record for 3-point conversions.

“I thought we took the right shots,” Spoelstra said. “It always helps if it goes down.”

So 27 points and 14 rebounds from Bam Adebayo (who converted five 3-pointers), 30 points from Norman Powell (who had six 3-pointers), 22 from Andrew Wiggins (two 3-pointers), 22 from Tyler Herro (four 3-pointers) and 16 from Davion Mitchell (four 3-pointers).

All the while as the Heat also closed with a season-high 10 blocked shots, not taking that side of the court for granted.

“It was about us trying to respond,” Spoelstra said. “If we want to be a great team, you have to handle your business at home.”

About the only sign of life for the Clippers came from Kawhi Leonard, who closed with 36  points, fueling a too-little, too-late rally.

“We set the tone to come out and start the game,” Powell said.

Five Degrees of Heat from Monday night’s game:

1. Game flow: The Heat led 35-24 after the first period, after building an early 14-point lead.

“I love what the starters brough from an energy standpoint,” Spoelstra said.

The Heat then lost all of that lead in the second period, before putting together a 30-2 run over a stretch of 5:25 to move to a 26-point lead and then a 76-56 halftime edge.

The Clippers then pulled all five starters 1:26 into the second half, when down 85-56, with the Heat taking a 114-82 lead into the fourth.

From there, Leonard attempted to rally the Clippers from what ultimately was too deep of a hole, scoring 19 in the fourth.

“I just feel like everyone was active defensively,” Mitchell said. “That started up our offense.”

2. A 3-for-all: It was nothing short of a 3-for-all for the Heat in the first half, shooting 14 of 21 from beyond the arc. The 14 3-pointers were just two fewer than total baskets by the Clippers over the opening two periods.

With the Clippers 3 of 15 on 3-pointers, it had the Heat with a 42-9 scoring advantage from beyond the arc in the first half.

“The ball was moving,” Mitchell said. “We were making the right plays.”

Mitchell and Powell each had three first-half 3-pointers for the Heat, with two apiece from Adebayo and Herro.

“I think it’s also important to read the game,” Spoelstra said of the Heat taking the open 3-pointers when offered.

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3. (Almost) All in: Every player on the roster, other than Terry Rozier and Keshad Johnson were available for the Heat, with Jaime Jaquez Jr. back from his groin strain and Kasparas Jakucionis back from the G League.

That had Jaquez back in his familiar role as sixth man, after missing his first game of the season, on Saturday night against the Pistons.

Johnson was sidelined by an illness, with Rozier on a NBA-enforced leave amid the FBI gambling investigation.

Two-way players Vlad Goldin and Jahmir Young were inactive and in street clothes, as a means of saving the NBA days each is eligible for this season.

4. And then …: Because good fortune comes in limited doses for the Heat, second-year guard Pelle Larsson was lost for the night at halftime with a sprained right foot.

That had Larsson closing with five points, two assists and one rebound in eight minutes.

“It’s a sprained foot,” Spoelstra said. “He says he’ll be all right. Don’t we all say that?”

With Larsson limited, it allowed for a return to the rotation by forward Simone Fontecchio, who had been held out of Saturday night’s loss against his former team.

All the while, Nikola Jovic again was out of the rotation for the second time in three games, having been held out of last Wednesday’s victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. His lone action Monday was the game’s final 54 seconds.

5. Onward: Up next for the Heat is a two-game trip, Wednesday night against the Dallas Mavericks and Friday night against the Orlando Magic.

The game against the Magic is the first in Orlando over a four-day period, with the Heat returning to Kia Center next Tuesday for an NBA Cup quarterfinal.

Now confidently moving forward.

“It can be anybody’s night,” Adebayo said. “Tonight it was everybody’s night.

“We’re figuring this out.”

GAINESVILLE — With Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer in the audience and a skeptical fan base tuned in, new Gators football coach Jon Sumrall made a Tim Tebow-like promise he expects to keep.

Sumrall didn’t shy away from the enormous — and at times unrealistic — expectations at Florida when he was introduced Monday at the Heavener Football Center.

“The standard here is championships,” he said. “That’s why I came. I’m built for this job. I was made for this job. Winners win; I’m a winner; we’re going to win.”

UF hired the 43-year-old away from Tulane to resurrect a once-proud program with three national titles and eight SEC crowns from 1991-2008 under Spurrier and Meyer. A former Kentucky linebacker who overcame marginal athleticism with grit and determination, Sumrall aims to tackle the challenge head-on and not disappoint those who believe he’s the man for the job.

Along with Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Danny Wuerffel, Meyer was among those who spoke with Sumrall and endorsed him to UF athletic director Scott Stricklin as he determined the most important hire of his career.

“Urban called me after that conversation, and said, ‘Dude, that guy’s a winner,’” Stricklin recalled. “We need to go get him signed up.”

Gators' coaching legends Urban Meyer, left, and Steve Spurrier chat before Jon Sumrall is introduced as UF's next coach Monday in Gainesville.(Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

For weeks, Gator Nation had its hearts set on Lane Kiffin who eventually, and contentiously, left Ole Miss in the lurch Sunday for LSU.

Sumrall’s signature on a six-year, $44.7 million deal could be a blessing at a far lower price point than Kiffin. The 50-year-old commanded $13 million annually at LSU and has generated his share of drama during stops at Tennessee, USC, Alabama and  Ole Miss.

“I really enjoyed my conversation with him, and I thought they were productive,” Stricklin said of Kiffin. “I respect the decision he made at the end of the day. He’s a fascinating guy.

“I love where we are. I love this position we ended up.”

Sumrall surely swayed his share of nay-sayers and won the hearts of many Florida faithful Monday, displaying  passion, energy and raw emotion football fans can appreciate.

He played to his audience.

“I’m not going to do my Coach Spurrier impersonation, but I’ll give it to you at some point,” Sumrall said. “Coach, you were good, man.”

New Florida coach Jon Sumrall bursts into laughter as he speaks while being introduced as the Gators' next coach Monday at UF in Gainesville. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Spurrier chimed in, “Just win a whole bunch.”

In response, Sumrall laughed, stepped back, clapped his hands and pumped his fist into air, saying, “We’re going to do that.”

The Huntsville, Alabama, native grew up admiring the Gators from afar and coming to understand their fans. Winning is the top priority, but style points matter.

During two seasons at Troy, Sumrall’s teams fielded top-10 defenses. At Tulane, the 2024 Green Wave averaged a healthy 35.4 points but just 28.7 this season for a 10-2 squad set to face North Texas Friday in the AAC title game for a spot in the 12-team CFP.

“I want the scoreboard to light up,” Sumrall said. “The way we’ve played maybe where I’ve been has looked a little different than how I want to play moving forward. Your job everywhere you are is to figure out how you win for the place you’re at.

“Here, I think we can score a lot of points, and that’s what I want to do.”

To that end, Sumrall will pursue a top offensive coordinator as he builds a staff allotted $16.3 million for assistants and support staff.

A sizable investment is required to have a chance in the nation’s top football conference. Even then, success is a rare commodity.

“The SEC is a different league,” he said. “It’s the closest thing you get to the National Football League. That’s why I wanted to come. I crave that challenge. It invigorates me. It gets me a little bit fired up.

“This is what I’ve wanted to do my entire life. When I was my [12-year-old] son’s age, this is what I dreamed about doing.”

New Florida football coach Jon Sumrall speaks during his introductory press conference Monday on the UF campus in Gainesville. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Sumrall won the press conference Monday. Next season he plans to win games, something predecessor Billy Napier failed to do while going 22-23 before UF fired him Oct. 19.

Stricklin immediately began a wide-reaching search, featuring about a dozen candidates — with Kiffin the initial focal point.

By a twist of time and fate, Sumrall was the first coach Stricklin interviewed via Zoom.

“From our very first conversation, Jon Sumrall stood out,” Stricklin said “His clarity, his urgency, his competitive mindset was unmistakable. He didn’t just tiptoe around expectations, he leaned into them.”

Stricklin ultimately leaned into a bold choice.

A coach from a Group of Five school — with ties to the Sun Belt Conference (at Troy) and coming from a school in Louisiana — was all too familiar albeit not identical to Napier. UF’s former coach was 40-12 at Louisiana, or about the same as Sumrall’s 42-11 mark in four seasons.

The connections led some members of the fan base to become unhinged during the weekend as news of Sumrall’s pending hire and Kiffin’s exodus to LSU.

• New Florida coach Jon Sumrall bursts into laughter as he speaks while being introduced as the Gators' next coach Monday at UF in Gainesville. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
• UF football legend Steve Spurrier chats before Jon Sumrall is introduced as the new head coach of the University of Florida football team during a press conference on campus in Gainesville on Monday, December 1, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
• Jon Sumrall, right, is introduced as the new head coach of the University of Florida football team by UF athletic director Scott Stricklin, left, during a press conference on campus on Monday, December 1, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
• Jon Sumrall’s family takes it all in as Sumrall is introduced as the new head coach of the University of Florida football team during a press conference on campus on Monday, December 1, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
• UF athletic director Scott Stricklin, right, hugs Jon Sumrall as Sumrall is introduced as the new head coach of the University of Florida football team during a press conference on campus on Monday, December 1, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
• UF athletic director Scott Stricklin speaks before introducing Jon Sumrall as the new head coach of the University of Florida football team during a press conference on campus on Monday, December 1, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
• UF athletic director Scott Stricklin speaks before introducing Jon Sumrall as the new head coach of the University of Florida football team during a press conference on campus on Monday, December 1, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
• Jon Sumrall speaks after being introduced as the new head coach of the University of Florida football team during a press conference on campus in Gainesville on Monday, December 1, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
• Gators' coaching legends Urban Meyer, left, and Steve Spurrier chat before Jon Sumrall is introduced as UF's next coach Monday in Gainesville.(Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
• Jon Sumrall speaks after being introduced as the new head coach of the University of Florida football team during a press conference on campus in Gainesville on Monday, December 1, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
• Jon Sumrall speaks after being introduced as the new head coach of the University of Florida football team during a press conference on campus in Gainesville on Monday, December 1, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
• Jon Sumrall smiles as he speaks after being introduced as the new head coach of the University of Florida football team during a press conference on campus in Gainesville on Monday, December 1, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
• Jon Sumrall speaks as he is introduced as the new head coach of the University of Florida football team during a press conference on campus in Gainesville on Monday, December 1, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
• UF athletic director Scott Stricklin watches as Jon Sumrall is introduced as the new head coach of the University of Florida football team during a press conference on campus in Gainesville on Monday, December 1, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
• Jon Sumrall speaks as he is introduced as the new head coach of the University of Florida football team during a press conference on campus in Gainesville on Monday, December 1, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
• Ginny Sumrall, wife of Jon Sumrall, chats with former UF coach Urban Meyer before Sumrall was introduced as the new head coach of the University of Florida football team during a press conference on campus on Monday, December 1, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
• Jon Sumrall speaks as he is introduced as the new head coach of the University of Florida football team during a press conference on campus on Monday, December 1, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
• UF head football coach Jon Sumrall shakes hands with athletic director Scott Stricklin after Sumrall was introduced as the new head coach of the University of Florida football team during a press conference on campus on Monday, December 1, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
• UF head football coach Jon Sumrall, left, chats with former UF coach Urban Meyer after Sumrall was introduced as the new head coach of the University of Florida football team during a press conference on campus on Monday, December 1, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Show Caption1 of 19New Florida coach Jon Sumrall bursts into laughter as he speaks while being introduced as the Gators' next coach Monday at UF in Gainesville. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)Expand

Aware of the outside noise and nay-sayers, Sumrall set aside concerns with confidence he will look to instill in his new football team.

“No two people are the same,” he said. “Coach Meyer, you coached G5 football, right? [Indiana’s] Curt Cignetti coached G5. No two people are the same. Judge me for who I am.

“I’m a winner. We’re going to win. Just give me a shot. Believe in me.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

Today is Sunday, Nov. 30, the 334th day of 2025. There are 31 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Nov. 30,2013, actor Paul Walker, star of the “Fast & Furious” movie series, was killed in a single-car accident north of Los Angeles; Walker’s friend Roger Rodas, who was driving the car, also died. Walker was 40 years old.

Also on this date:

In 1782, the United States and Britain signed preliminary peace articles in Paris for ending the Revolutionary War; the Treaty of Paris was signed in September 1783.

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In 1936, London’s Crystal Palace exhibition hall was destroyed by a massive fire.

In 1993, President Bill Clinton signed the Brady Bill, which required a five-day waiting period for handgun purchases and background checks of prospective buyers.

In 1999, an estimated 40,000 demonstrators clashed with police as they protested against the World Trade Organization as the WTO convened in Seattle.

In 2004, “Jeopardy!” fans saw Ken Jennings end his 74-game winning streak as he lost to real estate agent Nancy Zerg. Years later, Jennings became the host of “Jeopardy!”

In 2012, Israel approved the construction of 3,000 homes in Jewish settlements on occupied lands, drawing swift condemnation from Palestinians a day after their successful bid for recognition by the United Nations.

In 2018, former President George H.W. Bush, a World War II hero who rose through the political ranks to the nation’s highest office, died at his Houston home at the age of 94; his wife of more than 70 years, Barbara Bush, had died in April.

In 2024, Syrian insurgents took over most of Aleppo, the country’s largest city, facing little or no resistance from government troops. The insurgents would capture the capital of Damascus days later in December as President Bashar al-Assad fled the country, ending his family’s decades-long rule of Syria.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Filmmaker Woody Allen is 90.
• Filmmaker Ridley Scott is 88.
• Historian and screenwriter Geoffrey C. Ward is 85.
• Filmmaker Terrence Malick is 82.
• Playwright David Mamet (MA’-meht) is 78.
• Actor Mandy Patinkin is 73.
• Singer Billy Idol is 70.
• Historian Michael Beschloss is 70.
• Comedian Colin Mochrie is 68.
• Actor-filmmaker Ben Stiller is 60.
• U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is 54.
• Singer Clay Aiken is 47.
• Actor-filmmaker Gael García Bernal is 47.
• Actor Elisha Cuthbert is 43.
• Actor Kaley Cuoco (KWOH’-koh) is 40.
• Model Chrissy Teigen is 40.
• Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen is 35.

The FHSAA on early Sunday morning released its reseeding for the football state final-four games in the 7A-1A classifications. Here are the matchups involving schools from Broward and Palm Beach counties:

Friday at 7:30 p.m. unless noted

6A

West Boca Raton at Seffner Armwood

West Broward at Gainesville Buccholz

5A

Riverdale at St. Thomas Aquinas

4A

American Heritage at Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee

2A

Cardinal Gibbons at Jacksonville Bolles

1A

Carrollwood Day at Cardinal Newman

Trinity Christian Academy at Chaminade-Madonna

Florida Invitational Tournament (FIT)

7A-4A championship

At 7 p.m., Thursday in Sumterville

Dr. Joaquin Garcia vs. Tate

 

MIAMI — Observations and other notes of interest from Saturday night’s 138-135 loss to the Detroit Pistons:

– For a rare time, the Heat have the needed size.

– Which means little if you don’t maximize it.

– Or put it together.

– So for the second game in a row it was Bam Adebayo starting.

– But Kel’el Ware off the bench.

– So get Adebayo to switch out to the perimeter and it’s the ability to work against short, shorter, small and smaller.

– And it’s not as if Ware is fully adept at the nuance of rim protection.

– (See: Third period, Paul Reed double pump, layup.)

– Such is the reality of having a roster loaded with quality wings.

– And a roster where your other big man on a standard deal, Nikola Jovic, has not been very good this season, and Saturday wasn’t even that.

– So 42 paint points for the Pistons Saturday’s first half.

– And 76 overal.

– Bully Ball 1, Small Ball 0.

– Yes, if the Heat shot better, the difference could have been mitigated.

– Yes, the late rally was fun.

– But size matters.

– Especially when otherwise surrounded by quality, which the Pistons have in abundance.

– So even without the incredible bulk of sidelined Jalen Duren, the Pistons pounded and attacked.

– Leading to whether the Heat instead now decide to stand tall.

– Because getting pushed around, as Saturday showed, is no fun.

– And takes the edge off any rally.

– For the second consecutive game, the Heat opened with the smaller-ball lineup of Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, Norm Powell, Tyler Herro and Davion Mitchell, leaving Ware in reserve for a second consecutive game.

– Ware this time was first off the Heat bench, in a lineup that had Adebayo still on the floor.

– Such, however, was not often the approach in this one.

– With Jaime Jaquez Jr. sidelined, Pelle Larsson then played as the Heat’s first wing off the bench.

– Jovic also entered at that point.

– Dru Smith followed for nine deep.

–  With Simone Fontecchio out of the rotation mix.

– With Jaime Jaquez Jr. sidelined by a groin strain, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra offered an appreciation pregame of what was lost for the night.

– “You just have clarity with that second unit,” Spoelstra said of the sixth-man niche Jaquez has carved amid this season’s revival. “I think that clarity has helped him. He knows when he’s going in the game. He can see the game for the first six minutes.”

– Spoelstra added, “I think everybody has welcomed the boost of energy that he brings, immediately, as soon as he comes into the game.”

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– Spoelstra said Jaquez has been about all the right things.

– “He’s really worked at improving the things that he’s needed to improve on, to be able to maximize his strengths, which is getting downhill, getting in the paint,” Spoelstra said. “But the playmaking and the decision making has improved to allow him to be that aggressive.”

– Yes, Spoelstra monitored Friday’s results in the NBA Cup that allowed his idle team to advance.

– Monitored to a degree.

– “I was watching two of the games at the same time,” Spoelstra said. “I just got more confused. And then in the last four minutes of both games, I was starting to get stressed out. Really, I don’t want to root for anybody,  especially not these teams.”

– So? “So I put on a movie instead and then waited,” Spoelstra said of the clarity Saturday morning delivered.

– Boxing legend Bernard Hopkins was among the faces in the crowd.

– As was former Heat forward Jamal Mashburn.

MIAMI — These are the spots in the schedule you circle: at home after a two-day break against an opponent playing on the second night of a back-to-back set after a down-to-the-wire home loss 1,400 miles away the night before.

And, still, the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons were too good for the scheduling to make a difference.

Barely.

And thus the end of the Miami Heat’s six-game winning streak, despite a furious late rally, with a 138-135 loss Saturday night at Kaseya Center.

“Detroit showed us why they’ve been number one in the East so far,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “We’ve been an up-and-coming team but that was a different level for big parts of the game.”

With Cade Cunningham doing all the things for the Pistons expected of an elite leading man, closing with 29 points, eight assists and four rebounds, not even solid nights from the Heat’s Andrew Wiggins and Norman Powell and a valiant late surge were enough to compensate.

Wiggins closed with 31 points, Powell with 28, on a night Tyler Herro, on his third game back from preseason ankle surgery, closed at 6 of 17 from the field, albeit still with 24 points.

The Pistons also got 26 points from veteran forward Tobias Harris, as Detroit improved to 16-4 and the Heat dropped to 13-7.

“I think their force on both ends of the court kind of flattened us out,” Spoelstra said “And sometimes you need to see what it is in order to take that next step.”

The Heat complete their four-game homestand Monday night against the Los Angeles Clippers, before then heading out for three of their next four on the road.

Five Degrees of Heat from Saturday night’s game:

1. Game flow: It was a dreadful first period for a Heat team coming off their two days of rest, down 36-23 after one, at 6 of 22 from the field, including 2 of 10 on 3-pointers.

It didn’t get much better in the second period, with the Heat down 71-59 at the half, the 71 matching the Pistons high for a first half this season.

The Heat then went down 19 in the third period, taking a 108-91 deficit into the fourth.

Detroit went up 22 from there, but it wasn’t over.

The Heat then closed within 131-123 with two minutes to play, with a Herro 3-pointer making it 131-126 with 85 seconds to play. Later, three free throws by Powell with 55.5 seconds to play cutting the deficit to 131-129.

From there, Pistons basket, Heat basket and Pistons basket left the Heat down four with 20.2 seconds to play, the rally ultimately too little, too late.

“Those last five minutes, you could just see us scrambling, really making plays and doing things with incredible urgency,” Spoelstra said. “But that’s our identity, but that wasn’t enough tonight.

“Defensively, it just took us a long time to be aggressive.”

2. Too small: Even with Pistons bruiser Jalen Duren sidelined, the Pistons had their way against the Heat smallish lineup, including 42 paint points in the first half and 76 overall, most against the Heat this season.

“They made a point to get into the paint,” Wiggins said.

The Heat again opened with Bam Adebayo surrounded by wings Wiggins, Powell, Herro and Davion Mitchell.

That again had 7-foot Kel’el Ware playing in reserve, with the Heat able to offer little in the way of rim deterrence.

Detroit’s power play was such that Pistons journeyman reserve Paul Reed was arguably the game’s most productive big man until Adebayo came on late to close with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

“They’re a paint team,” Powell said. “That’s who they are.”

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3. Herro hunting: A reality the Heat will have to get used to again is opposing offenses hunting Herro defensively, with the Pistons opening by relentlessly forcing Herro switched onto their scorers.

In Herro’s injury absence, the Heat moved back to more switching defenses, which now means having to deal with the Herro hunt that stood as a prime liability in last season’s blowout playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

On one early set Saturday, it meant the Heat running a help defender to Herro’s side, resulting in an open 3-pointer for Duncan Robinson.

On the other end, Herro opened 0 for 7 before converting a 3-pointer early in the second period.

Asked when he might be fully closer to himself in his comeback, Herro said, “I’m still working. I work every day at my craft. So tomorrow. maybe?”

4. Back in: A game after being moved out of the rotation, Nikola Jovic was back in the mix with Jaime Jaquez Jr. sidelined by a groin strain.

It was the first absence of the season for Jaquez, after the first benching of the season for Jovic.

It was another uneven run for Jovic.

“We’re going to continue to push for that development,” Spoelstra said. “And the beginning of the year so far has been a little bit uneven, but that’s going to happen to young guys. I’m not stressed out about that.

“A challenge when you’re coaching a team that has several young guys, it’s probably not realistic that everybody’s going to hit at the same time. So there’s gonna be some little ups and downs. But he’s dedicated. We’ll continue to work with him.”

Jovic struggled mightily, with five turnovers in his 10:12.

“Look he needs to get in better rhythm,” Spoelstra said. “He needs to put in some work. But he’ll be just fine.

“He’ll get there. He’ll get in a better rhythm.”

5. Trade winds: Honored with a pregame video tribute for his standing as the Heat’s all-time leader in 3-pointers, Robinson came out and drained an early pair of 3-pointers.

By contrast, Simone Fontecchio, the player obtained from the Pistons in the trade that sent Robinson to the Pistons, was out of the Heat rotation, even with Jaquez sidelined.

It was the first time Fontecchio was held out this season, shooting 5 of 33 on 3-pointers over the previous five games.

Robinson closed with 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting, including 3 of 9 on 3-pointers.

“Obviously we know how dangerous and capable he is,” Herro said, “It’s tough, because when he gets open, it just opens everything for everyone else.”

FORT LAUDERDALE — When Lionel Messi recorded his 405th career assist Saturday night, it was a nice pass, an international record and also gave Inter Miami some necessary breathing room with a 3-1 lead en route to their Eastern Conference championship.

“Mes-si!” the latest sellout crowd at Chase Stadium chanted. “Mes-si!”

Still, the moment that spoke of not just this night but Messi’s larger adventure with Inter Miami came after the celebratory fireworks and obligatory confetti following a 5-1 win against New York FC. Messi stood on the field 30 minutes after the game, milling around, celebrating the three goals of teammate Taddeo Allende, sharing a laugh with team owner Jorge Mas and generally enjoying this next step.

In the coming week, the kind the kind of question that’s been asked since his grand, MLS adventure started will be repeated:

Does he need to win next Saturday’s championship to confirm this chapter as a success?

Answer: Let’s not be silly.

Messi got MLS an Apple TV deal, brought sellouts to every stadium, led the league with 29 goals and 20 assists in 28 games this season and, as Saturday’s final scene showed, seems to be enjoying himself all the way.

This isn’t LeBron James coming to the Miami Heat to reach the mountaintop. This isn’t even close to soccer’s mountaintop anyway. Whatever hardware Inter Miami could win at home next Saturday would be relegated into the overflow portion of his trophy case.

So, no, Messi isn’t the issue here.

The better question: Does Inter Miami as an organization need a title to confirm the years spent chasing Messi, the millions of dollars spent on him and the surrounding European talent and all the international attention around this team?

That’s a different matter. It’s one Inter Miami look ready to provide a good answer to, too. They’ve now outscored their three playoff opponents 13-1 over the past three games after a regular season in which they only earned the third seed.

“We got hammered tonight with five goals, and the way we conceded the goals was so unlike us,’ New York FC coach Pascal Jansen said. “I haven’t seen that before.”

Nor had Inter Miami until a few games ago when they got some odd fortune to line up with Messi. Nashville appealed three days after their Game 2 loss and the MLS suspended Inter Miami legend Luis Suarez for the deciding Game 3.

His replacement, 19-year-old Matteo Silvetti, played with such speed in that 4-0 clinching win that coach Javier Mascherano made a bold decision. He started Silvetti over Suarez in the succeeding game against Cincinnati. Miami won that 4-0, too.

“It was a hard decision,’’ Mascherano said. “But the results made it easier.”

Messi is the creative force field for Inter Miami. But there was Allende taking the kind of long passes that have become staples to this reborn offense and scoring Saturday’s opening two goals. There, too was Silvetti accelerating en route to taking a beautiful, back-heel pass from Jordi Alba to make it 4-1.

“Perfect,’’ Mascherano called the play.

Jansen had a different word.

“The word is naivete,’’ he said of being outscored 3-0 after intermission. “We were very naïve in the second half.”

You expect Inter Miami’s experience to create such moments for young teams like New York. But even as Inter Miami climbs to the title game it’s undergoing change as Allende and Silvetti show. Messi’s Barcelona teammates, Alba and Sergio Busquets, already have announced their retirements after this season.

Suarez might not be far behind considering his benching of late.

That means only Messi is assured back among the legendary names to open the franchise’s new stadium in Miami. That puts more meaning into next Saturday’s championship. It’s not that Messi needs to win to prove anything. What’s left to prove?

But he surely wants to win to end this time with his good friends. And to start this time with his young forwards. As he stood walking around the field long after Saturday’s win, he seems to be enjoying this in a way that says this chapter is just what he wants. Does he need a MLS title? No, but it’d be nice to have anyway.

GAINESVILLE — The Florida–Florida State rivalry died Saturday night at The Swamp, and the body barely twitched.

Oh, sure, technically the game was played. The helmets clacked. The bands played. The mascots waved. And, yes, the Florida Gators, behind bulldozing running back Jaden Baugh’s 266 rushing yards, ended their nightmarish season with a dominating 40-21 victory over Florida State — if you want to call surviving this mudslide of a football season a victory of any sort.

Let’s be honest with ourselves, with our neighbors and with whatever football gods we deeply wronged over the past decade: this season’s edition of the once-mighty rivalry felt more like two abandoned shopping carts drifting toward each other in a Publix parking lot.

The Gators ended their season at 4-8; Florida State at 5-7. Florida’s lopsided victory was like finding a $10 bill on the sidewalk after your car got repossessed. Sure, it’s a temporary positive, but it changes nothing about the bleakness of your situation.

Now Gator Nation turns its attention to moving on from the Lane Kiffin rejection and quietly Googling Tulane coach Jon Sumrall, who has emerged as the frontrunner for UF’s vacated head-coaching job and could be named as Florida’s new coach by Sunday afternoon. In other words, the Gators were hoping to board the Lane Train and will likely end up in a Jon Boat.

This was the Swamp’s first home game since Kiffin snubbed the Gators — a brush-off so devastating that fans reacted like a middle-schooler being dumped via text message. You could feel it in the air; that lingering sour pit-in-the-stomach heartbreak of a fanbase forced to downshift from imagining Kiffin’s swaggering arrival to debating whether the defensive-minded Sumrall is the “right cultural fit.”

It just goes to show just how far both of these programs have fallen. Florida–Florida State used to be The Game in this state. Used to be the Thanksgiving weekend feast — Steve Spurrier and Bobby Bowden trading haymakers, national titles on the line, entire seasons building toward this one glorious moment. Instead, this year’s game on Saturday evening at The Swamp felt like an obligation, like jury duty with shoulder pads.

This rivalry once determined the Sugar Bowl, the Orange Bowl or the national championship. On this night, it would decide whether the Seminoles would pathetically get an invitation to the Gasparilla Bowl.

They didn’t.

Not even close.

Instead, after Baugh steamrolled the Seminoles for the second-most rushing yards in school history (behind only Emmitt Smith) and struggling UF quarterback DJ Lagway threw three TD passes, FSU athletic director Michael Alford now will absorb even more backlash for deciding to stick with embattled head coach Mike Norvell. It’s no secret that the only reason Norvell still has a job is because Florida State boosters collectively shook their couch cushions and came up about $53,999,982 short of covering his contract buyout.

You don’t want to keep a coach at $54 million. You get stuck with a coach at $54 million.

But at least Norvell still has a job. Billy Napier is already a ghost haunting the Swamp, drifting silently through the hallways like regret wearing an embroidered Gator Head polo. The Gators were coached by Billy Gonzales, who until his one and only victory Saturday night has looked less like an interim coach and more like a man who just inherited a condemned house and has gamely been trying to hold up the ceiling tiles with a broomstick.

Yes, Florida won, but the victory over a down-and-out FSU team still felt hollow. And this rivalry hasn’t just taken a year off; it has completely disintegrated.

For the second consecutive year, the two teams entered the game unranked — the first time that has happened since the mid-1960s.

And the Florida win and the FSU loss was the moment when everyone — every booster, every fan, every alum, every poor soul clutching a plastic cup of warm stadium beer — probably had the same thought:

Let’s just get this season over with.

Give the sellout crowd that filled the stadium credit for at least providing a decent atmosphere. Honestly, I expected this to be more like a candlelight vigil than a football game. I didn’t expect to hear cheers and boos, I thought it would be a collective sigh of exhaustion from both fan bases.

And, yes, there were actually FSU fans in the stadium, but they weren’t rowdy. They were more like tourists visiting the ruins of an ancient civilization: “Wow, I heard they used to win championships here. Fascinating.”

Look, rivalries are supposed to be emotional fuel — pride, bragging rights, hatred, history. But when both teams limp into the game with losing records; when one has already fired its coach and the other can’t afford to; when the most exciting storyline is which bowl game will tolerate you … the rivalry stops being a rivalry.

Saturday night wasn’t Florida vs. Florida State.

It was Melancholy vs. Malaise.

It was Existential Crisis vs. Budgetary Restraints.

Florida may have won on the scoreboard, but nobody truly won on this night.

And as the lights dimmed over The Swamp, you could almost feel Bowden shaking his head from the heavens and Spurrier shaking his from a stadium luxury suite, wondering how their beloved programs had turned a once-glittering rivalry into a soggy, slow-motion pillow fight.

The Gators won big.

But the rivalry?

It’s gone.

All that remains is the hope — faint and flickering – that someday someone will resurrect it from this pit of irrelevance.

Email me at mbianchi@orlandosentinel.com. Hit me up on social media @BianchiWrites and listen to my new radio show “Game On” every weekday from 3 to 6 p.m. on FM 96.9, AM 740 and 969TheGame.com/listen 

GAINESVILLE — If Florida wasn’t going to play football again in 2025, the Gators wanted to make sure Florida State didn’t either.

A year with little to celebrate finished on a high note as the Gators ended Florida State’s season during a 40-21 win to stop a four-game skid Saturday night in the Swamp.

Tailback Jadan Baugh led the way with a career-high 266 rushing yards and two scores while quarterback DJ Lagway threw three touchdowns for the first time since a season-opening win against Long Island University. 

“The way we finished today, it was the first time we played a complete game,” said Billy Gonzales after his first win as interim coach. “It takes everybody on a football team to be successful. Finally, we had that the last game of the season. I’m super proud of these guys.”

Since the 55-0 opening win against an overmatched FCS opponent, the Gators (4-8) have muddled through a miserable season as the SEC’s lowest-scoring attack entering Saturday. Against FSU (5-7), Florida — led by sophomore stars Baugh and Lagway on Senior Night — rose to the occasion to end the Seminoles’ hopes for a bowl bid.

Baugh finished with the most rushing yards by a UF back other than Emmitt Smith’s 316 in 1989 against New Mexico.

“Being in a category with those guys, it’s just amazing,” Baugh said. “I don’t think I can wrap my head around it yet.”

Florida sophomore Jadan Baugh (13) ran for 266 yards during the Gators' 40-21 win against Florida State, the most in the series by a UF running back. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Playing in his final game, center Jake Slaughter was glad to be part of the historic performance.

“Jadan ran like somebody was trying to kill him all night,” he said.

A sellout crowd of 90,007 at the Swamp savored each of his 38 carries during the bloodletting.

If not for a missed extra point by Trey Smack after the final score, ending a streak of 100 straight PATs without a miss, UF would have recorded its second straight win in the series by at least 20 points — a first since UF beat FSU by at least 20 points three consecutive seasons in 2007-09.

But the Seminoles never stood a chance and were on their heels all night as Baugh battered FSU’s defense to break Jimmy DuBose’s 50-year series-record of 204 rushing yards against Florida’s in-state rival.

“We came into [the game] saying that’s a guy you have to stop,” FSU coach Mike Norvell said. “For him to have that kind of production is a complete failure.”

With Baugh shouldering the load, Lagway picked his spots in the passing game.

“It’s always great to end the season on a good note,” he said. “We clicked offensively. We ran the ball at will. I feel like just a great day at the park.”

The Gators scored on their first three possessions, two ending in Lagway touchdown throws, to build a 17-7 lead.

After a 9-yard touchdown pass from Lagway to tight end Tony Livingston, FSU responded with a drive to UF’s 20 before Tommy Castellanos fumbled and lost the ball when tackled by safety Bryce Thornton, one of four UF sacks.

But two plays later, Lagway’s pass to Aidan Mizell was broken up by Michai Danzy and intercepted by Edwin Joseph, who returned it to the UF 21. Castellanos scored three plays later on a 4-yard keeper, a scoring drive aided by a personal foul on the previous play by sophomore linebacker Myles Graham.

The Seminoles, though, could not keep up the pressure as Florida steadily pulled away behind Baugh.

“It started on Sunday,” he said. “Just going into the facility understanding everything, just focusing on a mission, understanding we still have a mission to finish out the season.”

A rare combination of speed, size (6-foot ¾, 230) and elusiveness, Baugh was on a mission. After FSU cut the lead to three points, he had runs of 20 and 14 yards to set up Lagway’s 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Hayden Hansen.

Baugh ended Florida’s next series with a 22-yard touchdown run for a 31-14 lead.

Officials separate Florida and Florida State players during the Gators' 40-21 win Saturday in the Swamp. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images

Baugh even recovered an onsides kick by FSU with 3:06 after a 17-yard touchdown pass from Castellanos to Lawayne McCoy cut the lead to 34-21. But Baugh was not finished.

He ended a special night with a 12-yard TD run with 56 seconds remaining to deliver the final salvo to the Seminoles, even when Baugh could have taken it easy on FSU.

“Coach told me don’t score. He told me to slide,” Baugh said, “I’m like, ‘Coach, don’t do me like that. We don’t like them guys.’ I feel like it was good for our team to just score at the end of the game.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

By TIM REYNOLDS

FORT LAUDERDALE — Lionel Messi will play for another trophy. Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets clearly aren’t ready to begin their retirements, either.

Tadeo Allande scored three goals — Alba and Busquets, a pair of longtime Messi teammates who will retire when this season ends, had the assists on his first two — and Inter Miami topped New York City FC 5-1 on Saturday night for the Eastern Conference title and a berth in the MLS Cup final.

Mateo Silvetti scored in the 67th minute for Inter Miami, with Messi setting up that goal — the 405th assist of his career for club and country, which is generally believed to be the most in soccer history. Telasco Segovia scored off a heel pass from Alba in the 83rd minute to turn it into a runaway, and Allande finishing off the hat trick in the 89th minute was the final play.

Inter Miami — the No. 3 seed in the East — will play host to either San Diego or Vancouver for the league title on Dec. 6 at 2:30 p.m. Eastern. San Diego and Vancouver play for the Western Conference title later Saturday night.

It’ll be the first MLS final appearance for Inter Miami, which had never made it past the opening postseason round in any of its first five seasons. Messi’s club went 0-2 against Vancouver this season, losing both legs of a semifinal meeting in the CONCACAF Champions Cup by a 5-1 aggregate.

Justin Haak scored in the 37th minute for NYCFC, which went 0-2-1 against Inter Miami this season.

The win moves Inter Miami one step closer to another trophy, after winning the Leagues Cup in 2023 and the Supporters’ Shield as MLS’ top regular-season team last year. Messi, a World Cup champion for Argentina and now eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, joined the team midway through the 2023 season when it was at the bottom of the MLS standings and in an 11-match winless streak.

Now? The club’s brand is global, Messi’s No. 10 jersey in the club’s pink kit is sold all over the world, a new stadium near Miami International Airport is on the way for next season, Messi is signed through 2028, he seems like a lock to win his second consecutive MLS MVP award and the team is on the brink of an MLS title.

Stars flock to see this team because of Messi; tennis great Carlos Alcaraz was there Saturday night, as were some members of the U.S. women’s national team.

“Everyone in the world knows who Lionel Messi is. … I think everyone thought he would come in here and do exactly what he’s done,” said U.S. women’s forward Lindsay Horan — whose Messi fandom goes back many years.

Messi got struck along the left side of his head in the ninth minute and was briefly shaken up, remaining down near the center circle for a few seconds before eventually getting to his feet. He got tripped with Inter Miami on the attack about two minutes later, then took a direct kick from about 30 yards out — playing it into the box, but Silvetti’s header was easily caught by NYCFC goalie Matt Freese.

Inter Miami’s next chance came a minute later. This one was cashed in — a long pass from Busquets was controlled by Allende, who easily beat Freese from about 12 yards out for a 1-0 lead.

Allende struck again on a header off a long pass from Alba in the 23rd minute, making it 2-0. And after Messi set Silvetti up for the 3-1 lead, what essentially was a 25-minute or so countdown to a celebration was underway.

___

AP MLS: https://apnews.com/hub/major-league-soccer

General Daily Insight for November 30, 2025

Simple kindness can currently turn walls into open doors. As tender Venus waltzes into Sagittarius at 3:14 PM EST, we’re encouraged to lean on kindness and good communication. Earlier, Venus, planet of compassion, formed a trine with dreamy Neptune, giving our imagination space to flow freely. We can soften rough edges through creativity expressed with care. As the day unfolds, promises are continually strengthened by our cosmically-inspired efforts. Sincerity is key to finding the best path forward, regardless of the context of a specific relationship.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Take the road less traveled by! This doesn’t necessarily mean the road everyone else avoids — perhaps you’ve resisted trying a food everyone loves or ignored a TV show all your friends adore. As vigorous Venus trots into your exploratory 9th house, a spark of curiosity could mark the beginning of the trail you’re about to blaze. If a rule feels overly restrictive, now is the time to talk (respectfully!) about potentially changing it. Travel a fresh trail and let the universe reward your courage!

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Think of today like walking along a beach — slow, steady paces will get you further than tripping as you attempt to sprint on unsteady sand. Your 8th House of Sharing begins hosting Venus, planet of values, encouraging honest talk about material resources. Even if you totally trust someone, consider setting up a contract before lending any valuables. If someone resists, stay calm and grounded in the knowledge that rules will support both the lender and lendee. Patience can turn tension into a realistic plan.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

A simple question can bring a whole conversation alive. Appreciative Venus twirls into your connection zone today, where she’ll boost your ability to interpret mixed signals. Whether you can’t tell if a friend is angry or you’re struggling to align with a co-worker, this is the time to apologize when necessary or reach out with friendly plans. Regardless of context, make sure everyone knows what the expectations are (including yourself). If someone talks in circles, repeat what you heard and get the vital details.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

A tidy space equals a tidy mind. With fashionable Venus strutting into your practical 6th house, your ability to look and feel good is maximized. Small acts of care for others shine, though you could also beautify your own desk. You might draft a kinder schedule or plan a lunch with a co-worker — you never know when they’ll return the favor, after all. If emotions rise with chores, take a deep breath. Look for ways to simplify the next step, alone or on a team.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Your playful heart wants a stage — and the spotlight. Your 5th House of Charm gleams under the light of Venus’s entry, encouraging expression and generous affection that make life feel bright. You may share a song over text or plan a fun game night in person. Either way, praise and laughter should warm the room. If someone seems shy, offer gentle encouragement by showing your own enthusiasm. That should help them relax and join the fun. Your warmth invites others to blossom!

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

A calmer room can soothe your anxious mind. Gracious Venus shifts into Sagittarius, imbuing your 4th House of Comfort with her charming kindness. You may rearrange a shelf or choose warmer lighting in your quest to make small improvements that ease shared routines. On the other hand, some relatives or roommates may cause tension. Try asking what everyone needs most right now, since modest changes can likely smooth whatever friction you keep noticing. Tend small details, allowing comfort to grow from simple care.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

A friendly chat could brighten the strictest schedule. Words carry extra power as socialite Venus slides into your 3rd House of Communication, inviting you to start more conversations. You might text a sibling or invite a neighbor for coffee, letting your kind tone invite cooperation. You’re at risk of being easily distracted, though, so make sure to keep your eyes on the prize. Stay focused on your next actual step if the situation gets overwhelming in any way. Above all else, speak with kindness.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Every choice today shapes how you value yourself. Venus, with her mind on the money, moves to your 2nd House of Resources, linking earning and esteem. You’ll understand what your time is worth. You might also compare subscriptions or return an impulse buy, because careful selection strengthens your sense of power. If a negotiation feels intense, pause and speak slowly. Staying level-headed shows resolve without force and turns fraught confrontations into honest conversations. Invest in self-worth — it’s the best way to nurture your soul.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

A single smile can bring countless people joy. Your charm opens doors as free-loving Venus enters your sign, refreshing your identity and presence with her characteristic grace. You might update a profile photo or reintroduce yourself to an acquaintance, letting a casual warmth permeate your connections. It’s also possible that you’ll be in the public eye — in that case, accept any applause (or critique) with gratitude and don’t let it go to your head. Wherever you’re at, you can lead with warmth.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Taking a quiet hour or so should give you room to breathe. Your 12th House of Solitude is softened by the entry of compassionate Venus, encouraging reflection and rest that restore focus. You may silence social media notifications to finish a task in peace, or tell your friends that you’ll be offline for a while. If chaotic feelings threaten your rest, try jotting them down by hand. You don’t have to keep your notes, either. The simple act of writing could be immensely restorative.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Big ideas will need a big team to pull them off. Cosmic darling Venus is sashaying into your 11th House of Humanitarianism, inspiring collaborative invitations that spark progress around societal hopes. You may plan a volunteer outing, revive a club chat, or otherwise encourage positive momentum. People may not agree on the best way to help others, but you can keep the conversation steady with a reminder that you’re all here for the same reasons. Build together to create a better future.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Kindness doesn’t have to cost a thing at the moment. You’re gifted with extra grace as Venus strides into your high-powered 10th house, especially when it comes to your career and publicly visible life. You may polish your portfolio or let someone know how grateful you are for their support. Conflict isn’t impossible, but it shouldn’t be too rough to handle overall (especially if you rely on empathy and mutual respect). You’re capable of having high standards without exhausting yourself or others.

Always imposing, often impressive, notably consistent, remarkably complementary, surgically delivered, precisely as-ordered …

Was Miami convincing enough Saturday?

That’s the only adjective that matters.

Miami beat Pittsburgh 38-7. It won its final four games. It finished 10-2 on the season. It also left the field wondering what everyone was wondering:

Could they get a little help, please?

No. 8 Oklahoma almost lost to LSU before coming back to win Saturday, and No. 10 Alabama escaped Auburn later that night. That leaves Miami hoping No. 9 Notre Dame loses later Saturday to open an at-large spot in the playoff. Or, after their chances of reaching the ACC championship game evaporated, they’d need the 12-member voting committee to change its mind.

So, now the fun starts. The politicking. The finger-pointing. This is the worst part of the college postseason, this loud stretch until Tuesday’s next vote by the committee as Miami will pound the fact it beat Notre Dame in the season opener and is ranked below Notre Dame.

“The best part of football is you get to settle it on the field where Head-to-head is always the No. 1 criteria,” Miami coach Mario Cristobal said after Saturday’s win, just as he should. Just as Miami should pound, too.

But there’s something worse than the politicking right now. It’s wanting to pound the homer table for Miami and being unable to do it. Yes, it beat Notre Dame on the final play. All things being equal, that would be the tiebreaker.

But all things aren’t equal, not really, considering Miami …

… lost to unranked Louisville and SMU, who after clambering to No. 21, also will likely be unranked after losing to Cal late Saturday.

… won’t even make the ACC Championship Game (and could finish in a four-way tie for third place).

… had a schedule with a CFP-high eight home games, will have played one top-25 team by the time the final rankings come out (Notre Dame), faced two of the other top six ACC teams (SMU, Pitt) and still had two losses.

Notre Dame won at Pitt two weeks ago, 37-15. How does that compare to Miami’s win Saturday? Does either get style points here?

Can’t we just talk about how Malachi Toney? There’s someone everyone can agree on.  He might have wrapped up the 2026 Heisman Trophy with another electric game on Saturday.

Toney threw a 9-yard touchdown, caught a 22-yard touchdown and was a running touchdown away from a spectacular hat trick.

As it was, Toney had 13 catches for 126 yards. That gave him 84 catches, one behind Xavier Restrepo’s school record of 85 in a season.

Miami did more than flash Toney’s rare talent again Saturday. It went into the trenches and whipped Pitt. It controlled the ball offensively behind Carson Beck completing 23 of 29 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns. It controlled the game defensively right from the start as Pitt was minus-12 yards after its first two drives.

Miami even showed the kind of on-field discipline that’s been lacking some moments. Twice on a third-quarter drive, Pitt players acted up after crucial stops to merit unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties. Miami took advantage of that with Mark Fletcher’s touchdown run to end a 75-yard drive for a 24-7 lead.

The Hurricanes looked at their best Saturday. Can that matter some? Mario Cristobal will press that point right to Tuesday’s vote. Just as he should. Before the game, ESPN’s Nick Saban went on the offense for Miami.

“If they get in this playoff, they’re going to be the most dangerous team that anybody has to play because of the talent level,’’ Saban said.

The former Alabama coach knows a few things about championships. He also knows how to come to the aid of a former assistant like Cristobal.

Saban’s point underlines the shame of it all. Miami does have great talent. It would be dangerous in the playoff.

Miami is a team the committee wants in, too. Don’t talk about some conspiracy theory or how everyone has hated Miami for years. That’s nonsense. Why was Miami-Notre Dame a prime-time showcase of the opening weekend? Why did Miami jump an idle Vanderbilt and close-win Utah on successive weeks? (Vanderbilt tops Miami on the outrage-meter. Its only two losses are on the road at Alabama and Texas).

“That’s a College Football Playoff team,” Cristobal said. “We’ve all seen it. We know it.”

It was Saturday. It’s been so many weeks. It just had two bad weeks that might keep them out.