Clan-Members » Johnson stifled the offense of Edson Barboza with

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Clemson and quarterback Deshaun Watson are the preseason picks for Atlantic Coast Conference favorite and player of the year.The reigning champion Tigers were picked on 144 of 191 votes released Monday from media members attending last weeks league media days. Atlantic Division rival Florida State was second with 39 votes, while Coastal Division favorite North Carolina was picked on seven.The Tigers are coming off a 14-1 season that included a win against UNC in the ACC championship game and a trip to the College Football Playoff title game, where Clemson lost to Alabama.We want to finish with no regrets, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said during the ACC Kickoff in Charlotte. Even had we won the game, for us, were going to start over. Were going to go back to the basics and try and reinstall our program, the core values of our program, get everybody on the same page with a common purpose and go grind. Thats just what were always going to do.The Tigers earned 148 first-place votes as the Atlantic favorite over FSU, which had 42 votes. They were followed by Louisville, North Carolina State, Boston College, Syracuse and Wake Forest.The Tar Heels earned 121 first-place votes as the Coastal favorite as they come off an 11-win season. They lost to Clemson 45-37 in last years ACC championship game and are trying to become the first repeat Coastal champion since 2011 in a division with three new coaches.Miami was picked second with 50 first-place votes, followed by Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, Duke, Georgia Tech and Virginia.Watson earned 164 votes as player of the year, while FSU running back Dalvin Cook was second with 18. Atlanta Hawks Jerseys . -- Ohio States Urban Meyer has never had any issue acclimating to the biggest stages in college football. Alex Len Jersey . While hell be dialed in to that tournament on a course he loves, you can forgive him if his eyes glance down the calendar just a bit, towards April. https://www.thehawkslockerroom.com/Chandler-Parsons-City-Edition-Jersey/ . NBA officials ruled the court unplayable in the Bucks final exhibition game on Oct. 25 because players were slipping, and the game was cancelled midway through the first period. Damian Jones Hawks Jersey . According to a report from the Winnipeg Free Press, the Bombers will name Acting GM Kyle Walters to the post full time. Pete Maravich Hawks Jersey . Having already announced that the race will start May 9 with three stages in Northern Ireland and Ireland and finish in Trieste on June 1, the rest of the route was unveiled Monday. The UFCs nonstop 2016 schedule rolls on this weekend with a lightweight headliner between Dustin Poirier and Michael Johnson in Hidalgo, Texas.Poirier, 27, has exploded onto the lightweight scene since coming up from featherweight. The American Top Team fighter is 4-0 in the division, with impressive wins over the likes of Joseph Duffey and Bobby Green.Fighting out of Blackzilians in Boca Raton, Florida, just down the road from Poiriers ATT, Michael Johnson is coming off back-to-back losses, however his stock remains high from a four-fight win streak prior to that.Lets take a closer look at Saturdays UFC Fight Night main event. Dont agree with this pick? Let me know on Twitter: @bokamotoESPN.Main eventDustin Poirier (20-4) vs. Michael Johnson (16-10) Lightweights Odds: Poirier -165; Johnson +145Officially, yes, Johnson has lost his past two fight -- but anyone paying attention knows his stock hasnt fallen because of it.A split-decision loss to Beneil Dariush 13 months ago was just a flat out judging error. Johnson won that fight. And a three-round decision loss to Nate Diaz in December was very competitive, and that was a highly motivated, well prepared form of Diaz. Johnson hasnt fought since then, but he underwent a shoulder surgery to repair an injury he says had nagged him for awhile. He says his health is the best it has been in years.Johnsons best attribute is undeniably his speed. Hes comfortable standing within a boxing range and trusting his ability to land first. He moves well laterally, and doesnt vary much from that boxing distance. The speed also shows up in his takedown defense. According to Fightmetric, he has defended 81 percent of takedowns during his UFC career and most of those havent even been close. His athleticism makes it hard to get into his hips.That takedown defense will likely be tested in this matchup. Pooirier is an action fighter and half of his wins have come via knockout, but the truth is his grappling has always been the best aspect of his game.dddddddddddd And Johnson has had his share of letdowns on the floor. He has never been knocked out, but hes been submitted six times in 26 pro fights. Considering how rarely hes on the floor (thanks to that takedown defense), thats a pretty high number.Its easy to see why UFC matchmakers would make this fight. Both Johnson and Poirier work off pressure. Johnson stifled the offense of Edson Barboza with it. Poirier similarly negated the polish and finesse of Joseph Duffey. These guys arent afraid to get hit and they welcome exchanging in the pocket. Poirier will continue to work forward into a clinch and look for a takedown, whereas Johnson tends to maintain that space and box.If you believe in momentum carrying through fight to fight, it doesnt get much better than Poirier right now. His timing in a knockout win against Bobby Green in June was perfect. Much has been made of him settling into the 155-pound weight class, and for good reason. He says hes no longer starving himself during camp, which allows him to focus on technique instead of weight loss. His power has certainly seemed to benefit from it. Three first-round knockouts in four fights at lightweight.Both have legitimate knockout power, although Id give a slight advantage to Poirier. Also give Poirier an advantage in finishing prowess in general, thanks to the submission game. Dont expect either to tire much, even in a five-round fight.Prediction: An action-packed fight, which makes it more difficult to predict. Expect a lot of offense. Poirier has more ways to win. Poirier via third-round submission. ' ' '