Today on KSR: Chadwick Boseman, college football, basketball and more

Beloved actor Chadwick Boseman has passed away at the age of 43 after a four-year battle with colon cancer.

In a shocking announcement made via Boseman’s official Twitter page Friday evening, the public was made aware of the “countless surgeries and chemotherapy” over the course of four years – all while continuing his acting career – leading up to the actor’s heartbreaking death.

“It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman. Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and battled with it these last four years as it progressed to stage IV.

“A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much. From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and several more, all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy.

“It was the honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther.

“He died in his home with his wife and family by his side. The family thanks you for your love and prayers, and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time.”

pic.twitter.com/aZ2JzDf5ai

— Chadwick Boseman (@chadwickboseman) August 29, 2020

Boseman was best known for his role of King T’Challa in Black Panther, along with other Marvel films Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame. He also portrayed Jackie Robinson in 42, James Brown in Get on Up, Thurgood Marshall in Marshall, and Floyd Little in The Express: The Ernie Davis Story, among other roles.

Grossing over $1.3 billion worldwide, Black Panther broke numerous box office records, including becoming the highest-grossing film by a Black director. It currently stands as the twelfth-highest-grossing film of all time, including No. 5 overall among Marvel movies.

When you combine all of Boseman’s Black Panther roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the late actor contributed to four of the top 25 highest-grossing films of all time, including two of the top five. All four movies combined for $7.3 billion grossed worldwide, all filmed and released while Boseman battled cancer.

Chadwick Boseman getting emotional about trading letters with kids with terminal cancer who passed before they got to see Black Panther…knowing he was himself battling cancer when he said this. Jesus. pic.twitter.com/o6l6hUjanU

— David Dennis Jr. (@DavidDTSS) August 29, 2020

Real-life superhero.

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College football begins this evening

As we try to shift back to the world of sports and talk about what’s on the agenda, how about a little college football to lift everyone’s spirits?

Starting tonight – yes, tonight – an actual college football game will be played, as Austin Peay is set to take on Central Arkansas starting at 9 p.m. ET.

Playing at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, AL, the season-opener will take place with reduced capacity – about 2,000 game tickets were distributed – and broadcast live on ESPN.

In terms of game day information, here are a few notes:

• No tailgating is allowed adjacent to the stadium
• Seating will be socially distanced (six feet apart)
• Fans must wear a mask when entering the stadium and walking around
• Cheerleaders will be seated in the stands
• Concession stands will be open for prepackaged items

As for the television broadcast, ESPN reporter Lauren Sisler will be live on the sideline for on-field analysis, while game announcers Matt Barrie (play-by-play) and Mike Golic Jr. (analyst) will broadcast live from the ESPN studios in Bristol, Connecticut.

After a summer of chaos and uncertainty, college football is back.

Mark Stoops will speak to the media

Speaking of football, Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops will speak to the media at 12:15 p.m. ET this afternoon, followed by seniors Yusuf Corker and Landon Young soon after.

The media opportunity will take place after the team’s first official scrimmage of fall camp, so we’ll likely get plenty of updates and info to quench your thirst for football leading up to kickoff later this evening.

Bring on the news.

NBA games return today

After a two-day hiatus, the NBA is also set to officially return this afternoon, with three games scheduled throughout the day.

The Milwaukee Bucks will look to advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals in game one, up 3-1 on the Orlando Magic. That game will take place at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

From there, the Oklahoma City Thunder will take on the Houston Rockets at 6:30 p.m. ET on TNT, with that series tied 2-2.

To close out the evening, the Los Angeles Lakers – up 3-1 in the series – will also have the opportunity to close things out against the Portland Trail Blazers at 9 p.m. ET on TNT.

As for the former Wildcats in play, take a look at the team-by-team breakdown:

• Game 1: Milwaukee Bucks (Eric Bledsoe) vs. Orlando Magic – 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
• Game 2: Oklahoma City Thunder (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nerlens Noel, Hamidou Diallo) vs. Houston Rockets – 6:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
• Game 3: Los Angeles Lakers (Anthony Davis, Rajon Rondo) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (Wenyen Gabriel) – 9:00 p.m. ET (TNT)

UFC Fight Night to close out the evening

Not in the mood for college football or the NBA? Yet another UFC Fight Night event is set to take place in Las Vegas tonight.

With 11 fights total on the night, things will get rolling with six prelims starting at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+, followed by five fights on the main card beginning at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

Here are the updated odds, courtesy of William Hill Sports Betting:

• Aleksandar Rakic (-270) vs. Anthony Smith (+220)
• Neil Magny (-230) vs. Robbie Lawler (+195)
• Alexa Grasso (-310) vs. Ji Yeon Kim (+255)
• Magomed Ankalaev (-350) vs. Ion Cutelaba (+290)
• Impa Kasanganay (-130) vs. Maki Pitolo (+110)
• Mallory Martin (-300) vs. Hannah Cifers (+250)
• Alessio Di Chirico (-120) vs. Zak Cummings (+100)
• Giga Chikadze (-240) vs. Alex Caceres (+200)
• Polyana Viana (-110) vs. Emily Whitmire (-110)
• Sean Brady (-380) vs. Christian Aguilera (+310)
• Alex Caceres (TBA) vs. Austin Springer (TBA)

Complete schedule

College Football	TIME ET	TV
Austin Peay at Cent. Arkansas	9:00pm	ESPN
Cycling	TIME ET	TV
Tour de France (Stage 1)	8:00am	NBCSN
Golf	TIME ET	TV
European: UK Championship	7:30am	GOLF
BMW Championship Charity Event	12:00pm	GOLF
BMW Championship Charity Event	3:00pm	NBC
MLB	TIME ET	TV
NY Mets at NY Yankees	1:05pm	–
Atlanta at Philadelphia	1:15pm	FOX
Cleveland at St. Louis	1:15pm	FOX
Kansas City at Chi. White Sox	2:10pm	FS1
Chi. Cubs at Cincinnati	4:10pm	–
Minnesota at Detroit	6:10pm	–
Tampa Bay at Miami	6:10pm	–
Baltimore at Toronto	6:37pm	–
LA Dodgers at Texas	7:05pm	–
Oakland at Houston	7:10pm	–
Pittsburgh at Milwaukee	7:10pm	–
Washington at Boston	7:30pm	–
Chi. Cubs at Cincinnati	7:40pm	–
San Francisco at Arizona	8:10pm	–
San Diego at Colorado	8:10pm	–
Seattle at LA Angels	9:40pm	–
Motor Sports	TIME ET	TV
IndyCar: Bommarito Automotive Group 500 Race 1	3:00pm	NBCSN
NASCAR Cup: Coke Zero Sugar 400	7:30pm	NBC
NBA	TIME ET	TV
Milwaukee vs. Orlando	3:30pm	ESPN
OKC vs. Houston	6:30pm	TNT
Los Angeles vs. Portland	9:00pm	TNT
NHL	TIME ET	TV
Philadelphia vs NY Islanders	12:00pm	NBC
Vegas vs Vancouver	8:00pm	NBCSN
Soccer	TIME ET	TV
MLS: NY Red Bulls at New England	8:00pm	FS1

Just a few months ago, the world of sports had little of nothing to offer. Today, we have football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and golf, among others.

Enjoy it, BBN.