Things looking up for Pens following rocky start to campaign

Jacob Hebda | Staff Writer Feb. 25, 2021 The opening stage of the Penguins’ 2021 season could best be categorized as concerning. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin got off to slow starts. For his first nine games, Tristan Jarry was a 6-foot-2 sieve in goalie pads. Former General Manager Jim Rutherford abruptly resigned in late January, raising questions about the state of the organization. Fortunately … Continue reading Things looking up for Pens following rocky start to campaign

Penguins task Hextall, Burke with leading team

Jacob Hebda | Staff Writer Feb. 11, 2021 After five seasons as general manager of the Penguins, Jim Rutherford abruptly announced his resignation on Jan. 27. Rutherford, the architect behind the 2016 and 2017 Stanley Cup-winning Penguins, cited personal reasons for his departure. Regardless of his motivation, the choice left Pittsburgh scrambling. The team has experienced little postseason success in the wake of those back-to-back … Continue reading Penguins task Hextall, Burke with leading team

Hebda: Cherish Roethlisberger if he returns to play in 2021-22

Jacob Hebda | Staff Writer Jan. 28, 2021 Super Bowl LV is officially set. Kansas City and Tampa Bay are slated to battle on Feb. 7. Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs find themselves on the doorstep of a second consecutive championship. They would be the first team to accomplish that since the Patriots won back-to-back in 2003-04 and 2004-05. Speaking of that legendary New England team, their … Continue reading Hebda: Cherish Roethlisberger if he returns to play in 2021-22

Dukes’ Season Off to Erratic Start

Jacob Hebda | Staff Writer Dec. 6, 2020 The Duquesne men’s basketball squad kicked off its 2020-21 season on Nov. 30 as part of the Wade Houston Tipoff Classic in Louisville, Ky. If its first week back in action was any indication, a turbulent season lies ahead for the Dukes. Duquesne opened its schedule with a matchup against Little Rock. Following a summer filled with … Continue reading Dukes’ Season Off to Erratic Start

Hebda: Expect another step forward from Duquesne this season

Jacob Hebda | Staff Writer Nov. 19, 2020 1977. That’s the last time Duquesne appeared in the NCAA Tournament. Most programs catch a break somewhere along the road. Sometimes a standout player, precocious coach or practical miracle carries a team to the tourney. Duquesne has not been among that fortunate class. The Dukes have whiffed 43 years in a row, good for the sixth-longest ongoing … Continue reading Hebda: Expect another step forward from Duquesne this season

Maceo Austin an integral piece in Duquesne’s future

Jacob Hebda | Staff Writer Nov. 19, 2020 Prior to Keith Dambrot’s arrival, Duquesne was deemed a dead program. However, the former Akron coach quickly provided reason for optimism. In his first two years, the results were surprisingly strong. He inherited a team coming off a 10-22 season. Dambrot lost some of the best players from that roster, but still improved, coaching the Dukes to … Continue reading Maceo Austin an integral piece in Duquesne’s future

Hebda: While imperfect, Steelers have true Super Bowl hopes

Jacob Hebda | Staff Writer Nov. 5, 2020 In a year defined by unexpectedness and inconsistency, the Steelers-Ravens rivalry remains as competitive and entertaining as always. Pittsburgh kicked off November with a 28-24 comeback win over Baltimore on Nov. 1 at the Ravens’ M&T Bank Stadium. After an abysmal first half, the Steelers found themselves in a 17-7 hole. Their fortunes changed after rookie linebacker … Continue reading Hebda: While imperfect, Steelers have true Super Bowl hopes

Hebda: Lakers’ title cements LeBron as king of generation

Jacob Hebda | Staff Writer Oct. 15, 2020 The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Miami Heat to win the 2020 NBA championship on Oct. 11. Los Angeles finally put away the pesky Heat in Game 6 with a dominating performance. It is the 17th championship in franchise history for the Lakers. Like every other year, this title is meaningful. This is the end goal for … Continue reading Hebda: Lakers’ title cements LeBron as king of generation

Hebda: NBA Finals will be fun, but expect Lakers to prevail

Jacob Hebda | Staff Writer Oct. 1, 2020 There was a time when watching Los Angeles Lakers or Miami Heat in the NBA Finals would not come as a shock. That time is long gone. For the first time ever, two teams who did not even make the playoffs the previous year will be meeting for the title. The Lakers are among the league’s most … Continue reading Hebda: NBA Finals will be fun, but expect Lakers to prevail

HEBDA: March doesn’t feel right without hoops

Jacob Hebda | Staff Writer March 19, 2020 As we find ourselves in the midst of an international crisis, life has changed in ways previously unimaginable for many of us. Case in point, there are no sports to watch. We have seen lockouts and weather postponements, but cancellation and indefinite suspension is unprecedented territory for most. Sports are a profession for some, a hobby for … Continue reading HEBDA: March doesn’t feel right without hoops