Tests keep coming for Auburn and Duke, who collide at Cameron Indoor Stadium in a typical prove-it game in a rare environment on Wednesday night. No. 2 Auburn and No. 9 Duke square off less than one month into the season as two of the most battle-tested teams in basketball. They're matched as one of the marquee games in the crossover showcase known as the ACC-SEC Challenge. Auburn (7-0) jumped two spots in the latest Top 25 poll propelled by its Maui Invitational championship. In one of Feast Week's toughest brackets, the Tigers rallied from 18 points down to beat then-No. 4 Iowa State, handled then-No. 12 North Carolina 85-72 and rolled past Memphis 90-76 in the title game. With a week off to shed any remnants of jet lag returning from the islands, Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl is pointing to another potential resume-building win. "The confidence that we're going to get from (Maui) is that we know we can play with anybody," Pearl said. "I promise you this, we'll stay humble and hungry. We will not begin to think too much of ourselves." Helping lead Auburn in Maui was fifth-year power forward Johni Broome. The tournament's MVP, Broome averaged 21.7 points, 15 rebounds, 4.3 assists and three blocks in the three-game sweep. Spearheading a veteran Tigers roster, Broome couldn't care less about individual honors. "I wanted to come to a place where the foundation was already built, and that's why I came to Auburn," Broome said. "Winning player of the year doesn't matter to me. I care about winning games, and making sure I can help my team in any way." Broome's 20.7 points and 12.9 rebounds per game lead the Tigers, while Chad Baker-Mazara adds 12.6 ppg and Denver Jones chips in 11.1. Auburn's next roadblock is earning its first-ever win against Duke. The Tigers are 0-3 all-time against the Blue Devils, including a six-point loss in the 2018 Maui Invitational. Duke (5-2) has already been through three games against ranked opponents. The Blue Devils had a 77-72 loss against then-No. 19 Kentucky, a 14-point win at then-No. 17 Arizona and a 75-72 defeat against No. 1 Kansas last week in Las Vegas. "Best team we've played so far," Pearl said of Duke. Bouncing back on Friday, the Blue Devils took down Seattle 70-48, holding the Redhawks to just 10 made field goals on 47 attempts (21.3 percent). Despite the suffocating defensive effort, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer knows his team has a long way to go. "I wasn't really happy with much tonight, to be honest," Scheyer said on Friday. "I thought we rushed some shots, had too many turnovers. We need to finish stronger, drive stronger, make extra passes, there were a whole bunch of things. ... We just need to get back to practice. In fairness to our guys, we've been traveling a lot and we just need practice time." Pacing the Blue Devils in scoring is five-star freshman Cooper Flagg. He's averaging 15.9 points per game to go along with 8.3 rebounds. Fellow freshman Kon Knueppel adds 13.4 points per contest. Far less seasoned raw freshman, big man Khaman Maluach has given Duke's interior defense an edge it was lacking last season. A projected lottery pick who can be overshadowed by the Flagg publicity train, Maluach (7-2, 248) is averaging 8.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and has two three-block games. In last year's inaugural ACC-SEC Challenge, Duke lost at Arkansas 80-75 and Auburn topped Virginia Tech 74-57. --Field Level Media
Albury councillor Kylie King will soon no longer jointly host radio 2AY's breakfast show. or signup to continue reading Station owner Ace Radio has decided not to renew King's contract beyond December 20, which means will be the solo announcer in 2025 for the program, which is also broadcast on Wangaratta's 3NE. Company chief executive Mark Taylor cited the business environment, with media companies under pressure from online giants and advertising tight, as the reason for the decision. "It's purely economic that we're pulling down to a one-person breakfast show," Mr Taylor said. "It's an amicable departure. "Kylie has been a contractor, she hasn't been an employee and I'm sure we'll do work with Kylie again in the future." Mr Taylor said it "absolutely" was a hard decision, having known King since they worked together in Gippsland radio decades ago. "We're not one of those companies that take these things lightly or do it on the spot, that's why Kylie was told some weeks ago and she's working up to the Christmas period," he said. "I'm sure in the future there will be a place for her in our sports coverage but right now we need to tighten the belt." She teamed up with and they then went on to become councillors and and Wodonga, respectively, while on-air. "I'm disappointed and quite sad," King said. "It's been a wonderful opportunity to connect with the audience for six years. "To have so many loyal listeners choosing to spend their mornings with Kev Poulton and I and now Matt Griffith has been a privilege that's not lost on me. "The COVID lockdowns, when I was broadcasting from home while Kev was in the studio remain a powerful memory of the importance of those local connections and telling and sharing the stories of our community. "With a background in journalism I have always been interesting in unearthing stories and talking to people from diverse backgrounds from politicians to sports people, community members, volunteers and listeners. "I thank the management of 2AY for the opportunity over these past six years - it's been a blast." Radio 2AY station manager Andrew Harrison lauded King's ability to balance on-air duties with mayoral duties from 2022 to September this year. "She's just such a professional performer, particularly having a role as mayor as well as broadcaster, which was not an easy thing, but she did it with professionalism and grace," Mr Harrison said. Mr Taylor said the exit of King was "definitely not" a prelude to a networked breakfast show. In 2020, DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement Advertisement
While we understand the inconvenience that the temporary closure of the public bathhouse may cause to regular patrons and staff, we firmly believe that the safety and well-being of individuals must always come first. We appreciate the public’s understanding and cooperation as we work diligently to rectify the issues at hand and ensure that the facility meets all necessary safety regulations and standards.Unions score a major win in Wisconsin with a court ruling restoring collective bargaining rights
