Haftungsausschluss » rest of their games -- at Wisconsin, at

PHILADELPHIA -- Before President Barack Obama issues any final pardons as he leaves office, he has a basketball celebration to host.The reigning NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers will visit the White House on Thursday and be recognized for becoming the first team to bring a professional sports title to Cleveland in 52 years.Its just an honor for us to be able to be represented at the White House because of our accomplishment and what we were able to accomplish last year, LeBron James said before Cavs shootaround Saturday morning in preparation for their game against the Philadelphia 76ers.I know our guys are excited about it, especially the guys who have never been there before. They should take it in full and appreciate it. Were all going to appreciate the environment.The visit will occur just two days after the presidential election. Obama extended the invitation in June, after the Cavaliers won the NBA Finals by defeating the Golden State Warriors in seven games.In a congratulatory telephone call to Cavs coach Tyronn Lue, Obama invited the team to celebrate the championship with him at the White House before he leaves office.The date was largely determined by the Cavs schedule. They play two road games against the Washington Wizards this season, but the second one isnt until Feb. 6 -- a couple weeks after the 45th president of the United States will be sworn in.It will be James third trip to the White House to celebrate a championship and be honored by Obama after doing it twice before as a member of the Miami Heat. He says that the timing of this trip adds to the experience.Its going to be special for the simple fact that not only am I going to be there with my Cleveland teammates, but Im there when Barack is on his way out, James said. Like I said, hes been a great role model, especially to African-American kids. What he did was something that you never thought could be possible. Being a black president, for me to be there when hes on his way out and his last term is ending, I think thats pretty significant as well.James, who endorsed Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton for president last month, said he has already cast his ballot ahead of the election Tuesday in the battleground state of Ohio.Several days before the final vote, many polls show Republican candidate Donald Trump having the edge over Clinton in the Buckeye State. James will join Clinton on the campaign trail Sunday and speak at a rally at the Public Auditorium in downtown Cleveland to try to swing undecided voters toward the former Secretary of State.I know who Im endorsing, and I hope everybody has gotten their fair share of knowledge and understanding of what this is about, how important this is, James said. Like I said, I know who Im for, who Im endorsing and everyone has the right to do what they want to do.In his initial endorsement of Clinton, James said he believed that she would continue the legacy of Obama.Lue said that Obama is relatable to his team, which is predominantly African-American.Having our first black president was a big thing for me and for my family and I know for a lot of others, Lue said. I know having a chance for these guys to see a black president in office is a big thing. Its a big deal. So, thats one of the reasons why I wanted it to be while he was still in office because you never know if it will ever happen again.He added that Obama is also relatable as a basketball fan.I mean, he loves the game and being from Chicago, thats basketball heaven, Lue said. Hes a big basketball supporter. I thought Bill Clinton was also a great president as far as following basketball and being a big Arkansas fan, but I mean, its cool. Having a president that you can relate to, that knows the same things that you know about the game and growing up how you grew up and different things like that. So its cool for the guys to get a chance to see that.The visit will come a day before the teams Nov. 11 matchup with the Wizards. Joey Bosa Jersey . Once again Jordan Cieciwa (@FitCityJordan) and I (@LynchOnSports) go head to head in our picks. Last weekend at UFC Fight Night 32 my #TeamLynch got the best of #TeamJC by a score of 9-6. Let us know which side youre on for UFC 167 use the hashtag #TeamLynch or #TeamJC on Twitter. Philip Rivers Jersey . In the response filed Wednesday to the complaint by 30-year-old Alexander Bradley, attorneys say the former University of Florida player is invoking his Fifth Amendment right that protects people from incriminating themselves. http://www.prochargersteamstore.com/Youth-Jerry-Tillery-Elite-Jersey/ . 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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- With the two quarterbacks in front of him on the depth chart down with injuries, Jeff George Jr. has spent much of his redshirt sophomore season at Illinois on mop-up duty, manning the controls for a struggling offense.But on Dads Day at Memorial Stadium Saturday, the son of longtime NFL quarterback and Illinois legend Jeff George and the Illini defense pulled off a comeback that no doubt made the elder Georges day.George Jr. threw a touchdown pass with 1:25 left to take the lead, and with 19 seconds left Illinois defense came up with a fourth-down stop at its own 15 to pull out a 31-27 win.The victory was Illinois (3-6, 2-4 Big Ten) first over the Spartans since 2006, and ended a two-game losing streak in which Illinois coach Lovie Smith said he forgot how the team celebrates a win.We had forgotten what its like. They had to take me through the routine of singing the `Alma Mater, he said. Theres no excitement like a winning locker room, just genuine emotion.Across the stadium from the jubilant Illinois locker room, the Spartans struggled to explain how this one got away.The Spartans (2-7, 0-6) have lost seven straight, are off to their worst Big Ten start ever and are assured of a losing season. They dominated the game on paper, outgaining Illinois 490-304. Eight times Michigan State moved the ball to the Illinois 36-yard line or further, but turned those possessions into just two touchdowns and four field goals. Michigan States 10 penalties for 89 yards hurt.Very disappointing, Spartan coach Mark Dantonio said several times in his postgame news conference, shaking his head as he searched for an explanation. You kick four field goals, that sounds good. (But) it means theres missed opportunities in the red zone.George was just 13-29 for 140 yards, but he had two touchdown passes. The second touchdown was the 16-yard strike to Sam Mays that sealed the win.Obviously I feel like I made some mistakes, George said. The whole point of the game is to weather the storm and keep grinding.Michigan State had a shot late, driving the ball to the Illinois 15. But on fourth down with 19 seconds left in the game, Illinois linebacker Hardy Nickerson and defensive end Carroll Phillips stuffed quarterback Damion Terrys draw for a 1-yard loss.Terry came into the game in the fourth when Tyler OConnor left with an injury.THE TAKEAWAYMichigan State: OConnor and Terry proved Saturday that the Spartans arent lost at quarterback. With Brian Lewerke out for the seasonn, OConnor was steady.dddddddddddd He kept plays alive with his feet on a key third-quarter drive that ended with a touchdown and tied the game at 17-17. And when Terry came off the bench, he was cool under pressure.Illinois: Illinois came into the season talking up its defense, then spent eight weeks struggling to stop the run and, at times, avoid penalties and other mistakes that cost the Illini games. On Saturday, the Illini defense looked as good as initially promised. Playing with short fields and against an offense that has shown it can move the ball, defense kept the Illini in the game Saturday until the offense woke up.LONG-DISTANCE FOSTERKendrick Fosters day was almost lost in the late-game heroics, but Illinois junior running back was the spark that got the Illini offense going. He had 17 carries for 146 yards and two touchdowns, the second a 64-yarder. He has three scores of 56 yards or more this season, all of that after almost leaving the program last November.BOWLINGIts been a while since the Spartans finished a season with a losing record (2006, 4-8) or no bowl trip to look forward to (2009, a 6-7 season that ended at the Alamo Bowl).Six wins and a bowl remain possible for Illinois, but theres no margin for error. The Illini will have to win the rest of their games -- at Wisconsin, at home against Iowa and at Northwestern.INJURY REPORTMichigan State defensive end Malik McDowell left the game with an apparent leg injury in the third quarter. Details about the injury were not available. OConnor was injured in a pileup after running for a first down. He stayed seated on the sideline as Spartan staff talked to him for a long period. Dantonio did not have details about the injury but said he did not believe his fifth-year quarterback suffered a concussion.Illinois starting quarterback Wes Lunt for the second straight week dressed for the game but did not play because of the back injury he suffered Oct. 8 against Purdue. Second-stringer Chayce Crouch is out for the season.UP NEXTMichigan State: The Spartans host Rutgers Saturday. With Ohio State and Penn State left after that, the game is Michigan States best shot to get a third win this season.Illinois: The Illini head to Madison to face the No. 8 Badgers on Saturday.---More AP college football coverage: collegefootball.ap.orgFollow David Mercer on Twitter: (at)davidmercerAP ' ' '