APPLICATION » first three games of the season -- s

Max Verstappen says he is encouraged by Red Bulls long run pace following one of the best Fridays of 2016 at the Japanese Grand Prix.Verstappen ended the second practice session in fourth, sandwiched between the Ferraris of Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel. The Dutchman was left feeling confident of his teams prospects at Suzuka after showing strong long-run pace in both sessions.I think its one of the best Fridays so far, Verstappen said. Everything seemed to work really well, the car handling is good, long run pace was good. I think we are quite happy but of course we still have work to do.It was positive again. It was a good Friday, I think a bit similar to Malaysia so you cant complain. Of course we still want to improve but so far I have quite a good feeling with the car.Despite finishing behind Raikkonen in the afternoon session, Verstappen, who made his F1 practice debut at Suzuka in 2014, played down Ferraris pace and said he had been compromised on his flying lap when the Virtual Safety Car was deployed for Esteban Gutierrezs stranded Haas.We were trying to push on our timed lap and the Virtual Safety Car came out so we had to box and then go out again on used tyres which were very cold. It should be better than the Ferrari. On the short run with the Virtual Safety Car we didnt get our lap in, so well see.It ruined our short run a bit, so the pace in the short run didnt look too good but it was just because we were already preparing our fast lap and then we had to come in again so the tyres cool down. Thats not ideal, but I think from the long run we had a really good balance.When asked if a front row start could be possible for Red Bull if the forecasted does arrive in time for qualifying, Verstappen replied: Well see tomorrow. At the moment the possibility very strong so we will try to be close and hopefully with some rain tomorrow that could help us.It would be a little bit better than us, I think. So if it rains I think we will be quite happy. In the wet we have even more of a chance to do a good job, so yeah, rain, I would like that. Hopefully we can be close to the Mercedes cars. Pat Tillman Jersey . PAUL, Minn. Byron Murphy Cardinals Jersey . Ibaka equaled a career high with 20 rebounds, adding four blocked shots and 15 points as the Thunder smothered the Milwaukee Bucks offence in a 92-79 victory Saturday night. http://www.nflcardinalsrookiestore.com/Cardinals-Kyler-Murray-Jersey/ .ca! Hi Kerry, Heres an interesting one. I know its common knowledge that all players are responsible for their sticks. We witnessed that when Zack Kassian hit Edmontons Sam Gagner in the face after a missed check. Kurt Warner Youth Jersey . Those lessons were more than enough to overwhelm the Utah Jazz. Lou Williams scored 25 points and the Hawks continued their offensive upswing as they rolled to an easy 118-85 victory over the Jazz on Friday night, winning their third straight and for the fourth time in five games. Haason Reddick Jersey . The Browns coaching search remains incomplete. After mostly cruising through four games, fifth-ranked North Carolina takes a different kind of challenge this week.The Maui Invitational should test the Tar Heels endurance.North Carolina has won each game by double-digit margins, so the likelihood for heightened competition is appealing at this stage of the season.I think that is what the whole team wants, Tar Heels guard Joel Berry said. We want a good challenge. We still have to go out there and play our hardest, so we can try and get better. I think going out to Maui and playing against some better competition will help us.The tournament schedule calls for three games in three days at Lahaina Civic Center, with the Tar Heels beginning Monday night against tournament host Chaminade (2-0), a Division II program.This is North Carolinas seventh appearance in the Maui Invitational, with the Tar Heels reaching the finals five times and winning the 1999, 2004 and 2008 events. The Tar Heels have a 15-3 record in the tournament.Coach Roy Williams said the competition is important. Hes also prone to point out the fringe benefits of the trip because he enjoys tropical weather.We go to Maui every four years for a reason -- the head coach likes it, Williams said.Yet the Tar Heels are aware that the basketball value is of utmost importance.We have to go with the right mindset, senior forward Kennedy Meeks said. I know its a nice place to go.North Carolina holds a 4-0 record for the first time since November 2012.Freshman post player Tony Bradley has scored in double figures in all four North Carolina games. Thats the most consecutive games in double figures at the beginning of a college career for a Tar Heel since Brandan Wrights 18-game stretch in 2006-07.ddddddddddddWilliams, with a 787-209 coaching record, moved into ninth place in Division I mens coaching victories with Friday nights 83-68 win at Hawaii. He passed Lefty Driesell.That game also resulted in the lowest point total of the season for the Tar Heels, who rang up more than 90 points in the first three games of the season -- something they hadnt done in 22 years.This marks the third Maui Invitational appearance in a row in which the Tar Heels will match up with Chaminade, though the last time it came in a consolation round.Chaminade, which was coming off a 12-15 record in 2015-16, hasnt played since winning Nov. 11 and 12 against Alaska Anchorage and Alaska, respectively, to open the new season.Our defense has been really, really good, sixth-year coach Eric Bovaird said on the schools web site. Its something weve focused on. Were getting better. Its something were going to focus on.Guards Rohndell Goodwin and Kiran Shastri averaged 24 and 20.5 points in the opening two games for Chaminade. Sam Daly, who was among the best in the Pacific West Conference last season in assists and steals, is a senior guard in his second year with the Silverswords after transferring from Grand Canyon.Starting out 2-0 going into Maui feels really good, Bovaird said.The North Carolina-Chaminade winner takes on the Connecticut-Oklahoma State winner in Tuesday nights semifinals, while the losers meet in the consolation bracket. ' ' '