NEU » have been one of the mos

MIAMI -- Other than being widely known by just the first syllable of their surnames, the coaches who will match wits in these NBA Finals may seem like polar opposites. Of course, they would probably disagree with that assertion. Miamis Erik Spoelstra wears sharp suits and is a stats guy; San Antonios Gregg Popovich often skips the tie and would immeasurably prefer to answer questions about wine than anything about himself. Both are intensely private, but even during an NBA Finals loaded with star power -- the "Big Three" from Miami, the "Big Three" from San Antonio, a four-time MVP in LeBron James, a four-time champion in Tim Duncan -- the coaches will share misery in one way. To their chagrin, Spo and Pop will be in the spotlight. "Its easier to talk about how they are similar versus how they are dissimilar," said ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy, a former NBA coach who is part of the broadcast team for the series that opens Thursday in Miami. "They are both going to the Hall of Fame. They both have tremendous respect from the coaches they coach against, and they both have a level of humility that I believe shows NBA coaching in the most positive light possible." Spoelstra is in the finals for the third straight year and is looking for a second consecutive championship. Popovich is going for his fifth title, the last of the ones currently in his collection coming over James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2007, and could join Phil Jackson as the only coaches to win championships in three different decades. So far, only Jackson, Red Auerbach, John Kundla and Pat Riley -- Spoelstras mentor and boss in Miami -- have five rings as a head coach. "Maybe I dont show it the way I should, but its pretty special," Popovich said, in a rare moment of near-sheepishness, after his team beat Memphis and won the West title for a fifth time. "Im just really proud of the group the way they worked all year long to get there, and Im sure that weve been a team thats probably been written off like theyve had their day." Spoelstra took over for Riley five seasons ago, has won nearly twice as many games as hes lost, and has endured a constant circus of distractions ever since the Heat acquired James and Chris Bosh to play alongside Dwyane Wade in 2010. San Antonio hasnt had anywhere near that sort of scrutiny; being in a smaller market helps keep the level of attention down. By now, Spoelstra doesnt even notice what he calls "the noise." Even in the din of an Eastern Conference championship celebration on Monday night -- actually during the trophy presentation ceremony -- Spoelstra found his mind drifting away from the grind of facing the Indiana Pacers and onto the next challenge, this duel with the Spurs for the NBA title. "Its one of those few times in competitive team sports youre not thinking about tomorrow, youre not thinking about the previous games, youre not thinking about what possibly may happen, youre not thinking about the reward. All youre thinking about is the desperation of that moment," Spoelstra said. "Thats a great place to live." And then ... "It probably hit me right about then, and it was the ohh type moment," Spoelstra said. "We have to get our act together in the next 48 hours. ... They are a great organization. I think the two organizations from afar have always respected each other for similar foundations and culture." The coaches have items designed to inspire players in their respective locker rooms, a famous quote about a stonecutter for the Spurs, a replica of the championship trophy with the words "All In" emblazoned on it for the Heat. Both believe in loyalty, proven by the fact neither has changed work addresses in nearly two decades. Maybe theyre not so different after all. "Both sides have great coaches. A great coaching staff," Wade said. "Theyre going to get their team prepared as well as they can. Obviously San Antonio has a system. Obviously they have certain players thats featured in the system, that have been featured awhile, many years for them. Thats not a surprise. "Were going to have to make adjustments every game, throughout the series." There may be no coach in the league with more open disdain for in-game interviews, the ones taking place at the end of the first and third quarters of nationally televised games, than Popovich. Its not personal. Hed simply rather coach than talk. "He says what he needs to say and he gets out," Duncan said. "So I guess Ive learned that much. ... I think its hilarious. I think its awesome. As I said, hes direct. He says what he needs to say and he gets out of there." Popovich has proven that time and again. In these playoffs alone, some of his interview highlights included calling half-seriously calling Duncan a pain in the butt, talking about wanting to trade Manu Ginobili over poor shot selection, prefacing his response to a question by warning a reporter he was about to receive a trite answer, and offering this gem when asked for his favourite part of the gameday process. "Dinner," Popovich said. Spoelstra clearly embraces banter with the media more, though its almost impossible to get him to reveal much of his innermost thinkings or workings. He rarely has revealed any facet of his personal life. And just this week, when asked about how many hours coaches log in the playoffs, he had a two-word answer. "Thats irrelevant," he said. What is relevant, more than anything else, is this: Spoelstra and Popovich are the last two coaches standing. And in a few days, one of them is going to cradle the Larry OBrien Trophy once again. That action will be worth much more than any words. "Erik is still in the phase where he gets more blame for their losses than credit for their wins, but hes going to the Hall of Fame. Hes that good," Van Gundy said. "His even-keel demeanour, his humility, I think helps him really get the most out of his best players and you know, its fun to watch his teams, fun to watch Pops teams. I just love the grace and humility both teams play with."Roger Clemens Yankees Jersey . Didier Drogba gave away the penalty that put Senegal one goal away from a major upset, but the veteran striker will get another chance -- probably his last -- at the World Cup after Salomon Kalous injury-time strike sealed the Ivorians place in Brazil next year. Nestor Cortes Jr. Yankees Jersey . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency. https://www.cheapyankees.com/1931g-dj-lemahieu-jersey-yankees.html . 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The 26-year-old finished last season with Clevelands Triple-A affiliate in Columbus after signing with the Indians in August.STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Arkansas Rawleigh Williams wiggled through the line of scrimmage and then laid a vicious stiff arm on a Mississippi State defender before running toward the end zone.Near the end of his 42-yard dash for his second touchdown of the night he nearly broke into laughter -- one of the referees had tripped over his own feet and fallen along the sideline.I started laughing in my head, but then I looked up and said, `I need to score. That guys coming, Williams said.Just like the rest of the night, he made it with room to spare.Williams ran for a career-high 205 yards and four touchdowns -- and also threw for a touchdown -- to lead Arkansas over Mississippi State 58-42 on Saturday night.The Arkansas offense did just about anything it wanted against Mississippi State, gaining 661 total yards. The 5-foot-11, 203-pound Williams was easily the Razorbacks biggest star, running for touchdowns of 72, 42, 7 and 33 yards -- all in the first half.The holes were huge, Williams said with a wide grin. It just felt like I was running straight. I didnt have to do too much.Then to top off his big night, Williams took a handoff in the third quarter and stopped short of the line of scrimmage before jumping in the air and tossing a 1-yard touchdown pass to Austin Cantrell.Arkansas coach Bret Bielema enjoyed watching Williams touchdown pass, but it was the aforementioned stiff arm that really caught his attention.He played with a little bit of a chip on his shoulder, Bielema said. Played with a purpose.Arkansas (7-4, 3-4 Southeastern Conference) broke a four-game losing streak to Mississippi State. Austin Allen completed 18 of 25 passes for 303 yards and two touchdowns for the Razorbacks. Even Arkansass backup running back Devwah Whaley got in on the fun, running for 112 yards and a touchdown.dddddddddddd.Mississippi State (4-7, 2-5) had a big night on offense as well.Nick Fitzgerald ran for 131 yards and four touchdowns and also threw for 328 yards and two touchdowns, but the Bulldogs could never hold the Razorbacks long enough to climb back into the game after falling into a 38-14 hole by halftime.Mississippi State receiver Fred Ross caught 10 passes for a career-high 171 yards and two touchdowns.But all those big numbers didnt matter because the Bulldogs defense couldnt make a stop.We missed tackles, had some bad fits, didnt execute clean, Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen said. When you give up that many yards its not one thing. Its several things.THE TAKEAWAYArkansas: The Razorbacks have been one of the most inconsistent teams in the SEC this year, but this was definitely one of their better performances, especially on offense. Arkansas Williams had huge running holes all night long and took advantage.Mississippi State: Its the second straight week the Bulldogs have given up at least 50 points after losing to No. 1 Alabama 51-3 last weekend. The lopsided loss to the top-ranked Tide might be excusable, but this defensive disaster against the Razorbacks is much harder to explain.UP NEXTArkansas: The Razorbacks have a quick turnaround before playing at Missouri on Thanksgiving Day.Mississippi State: The Bulldogs have a road game against rival Mississippi in the Egg Bowl.-----More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 . ' ' '