The daily pitch from Sports Editor Matt Daniels: July 22, 2024

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Sports Editor Matt Daniels with a look at what’s going on around the area:

Three reasons we love sports today

➜ 1. Xander Schauffele is now a two-time major champion. The 30-year-old from San Diego backed up his PGA Championship at Vahalla in May by winning the British Open on Sunday at Royal Troon in Scotland and the cool-sounding title that comes along with it as the “champion golfer of the year.”

➜ 2. The Olympics are almost here with Friday’s opening ceremonies featuring an athlete parade on the River Seine in Paris.

➜ 3. There’s something about Arike Ogunbowale and All-Star Games. Ogunbowale poured in a record 34 points — she had zero at halftime — to win MVP honors in Team WNBA’s 117-109 victory against Team USA on Saturday night before 16,407 fans at Footprint Center in Phoenix.

Numbers game

11,328

Passing yards last season of the five quarterbacks who will attend Big Ten media days in Indianapolis. Oregon will send Dillon Gabriel (3,660 yards at Oklahoma in 2023), Minnesota will have Max Brosmer (3,464 yards at New Hampshire), Purdue will bring Hudson Card (2,387 yards with the Boilermakers), UCLA trots out Ethan Garbers (1,136 yards with the Bruins) and USC is taking Miller Moss (681 yards with the Trojans).

Crowd control

Three events I’m paying attention to

➜ 1. Big Ten football media days. Tuesday marks the start of 18 teams descending upon Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Bret Bielema and Illinois are one of six to open the festivities on Tuesday, along with Northwestern, Ohio State, Purdue, Rutgers and Wisconsin.

➜ 2. The Neitzel Family Open. The pro tennis tournament begins Monday at Atkins Tennis Center in Champaign, with current Illini standout Karlis Ozolins attempting to continue his superb summer with another tournament title.

➜ 3. Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp at Danville Dans. Let’s play two. This Prospect League doubleheader is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Danville Stadium.

Coach’s corner

Three questions with Erich O’Donnell, the Mahomet-Seymour girls’ and boys’ swimming coach who won N-G All-Area Coach of the Year honors last winter in boys’ swimming.

➜ 1. My favorite sports team is ... the Illinois men’s basketball team.

➜ 2. Four coaches I’d like to have dinner with are ... Peter Linn, Eddie Reese and Phil Jackson.

➜ 3. My biggest pet peeves are ... when people are late.