First kick is just over three weeks away, which means that teams around the league are starting to scramble to fill some holes (or in some cases, to create new holes that will subsequently need to be filled).

The Lipscomb Bisons will host conference opponent Eastern Kentucky. The teams meet Thursday for the first time this season.

In a bit of a surprise, Bulls head coach Billy Donovan has revealed that guard Coby White is slated to return from an injury absence Wednesday against the Celtics, per K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network.

Is there plausibly a scenario where New York might be able to sneak up on Boston and steal the No. 2 seed for the 2025 NBA Playoffs from the Celtics?

Today, we’ll be focusing on the Eastern Conference reserves, which are voted on by coaches from around the league. Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Karl-Anthony Towns comprise the East’s starting lineup, leaving seven open spots off the bench.

The starters for the Eastern Conference were announced as guard Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks, guard Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers, center Karl-Anthony Towns of the Knicks, forward Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, and forward Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics.

The countdown to the trade deadline heated up last last week when the Carolina Hurricanes swung a blockbuster deal to land both Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche and Taylor Hall from the Chicago Blackhawks.

Bradyn Volz won the 126-pound championship and upped his season record to 27-2 with a fall in 2:48 over Shenandoah’s Dillon Williams. A sophomore, it is the second straight year he has won an individual MEC title. He won the 113-pound class in 2024.

PHOENIX -- With their well-known interest in Jimmy Butler, the Phoenix Suns could reportedly pursue another Eastern Conference star ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline. NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported Friday that the Suns could develop interest in Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine:

Eastern Washington Eagles (6-15, 2-6 Big Sky) at Idaho State Bengals (8-10, 3-4 Big Sky) Pocatello, Idaho; Thursday, 9 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Bengals -6; over/under is 139 BOTTOM LINE: Jake O'Neil and Idaho State host Nic McClain and Eastern Washington in Big Sky play.

An Eastern Conference rival has their eyes on acquiring Giannis Antetokounpo despite the Milwaukee Bucks' recent success.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have one of the hottest names on the trade market with Julius Randle. The trade deadline is next week, which means Minnesota is expected to be actively shopping the 30-year-old forward. According to SNY reporter Ian Begley, the Miami Heat have some interest in acquiring Randle.