XFINITY’s #5ToFollow: Wednesday, December 18
Vance McCullough, the voice of @XFINITYSports, delivers his analysis of the five key games to watch online, paired with five Twitter follows to give you insider information on the matchup. Have a matchup that youd like Vance to feature? Tweet @XFINITYSports with the hashtag #5ToFollow.
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Details: Wednesday, December 18 @ 2:45 PM ET - Britannia Stadium - Stoke-on-Trent, U.K.
Watch Here: beIN Sport on XFINITY
Why Watch: The Capital One Cup quarterfinals are live on beIN Sport as two of the Premier League’s clubs face-off. Manchester United might be in a slump in the Prem, but they’ve taken care of business in cup competition. Stoke are a tough bunch when playing at home, and will look to get the best of the Red Devils in front of their rowdy, raucous fans. One man stands above all on the Man U roster and that man is Wayne Rooney (10 goals, 11 assists). Rooney will supply the firepower, but Stoke’s scoring duo -- Charlie Adam (3 goals) and Stephen Ireland (3 goals) -- will be looking to strike first. This Hump Day, stream #ManU vs. #Stoke as Capital One Cup play kicks off on beIN Sports.
#5ToFollow Insider: beIN Sports - @beINSPORTUSA
The American’ channel that is airing the #CapitalOneCup has the top tweets to follow for league play. They”ve got the best stats in-game and player takeovers during Cup play, so follow @beINSPORTUSA for the exclusive coverage and player content!
Follow: @beINSPORTUSA
2. Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat
Details: Wednesday, December 18 @ 7:00 PM ET - AmericanAirlines Arena - Miami, FL
Watch Here: ESPN on XFINITY
Why Watch: These two teams do not like each other. It was a Western Conference Finals series that went the full seven. It was a game the Pacers won in Indy that came down to the final two minutes until Paul George sank the go-ahead three and the Heat’s chances at winning. What will the story be on South Beach? Will LeBron takeover and show why he’s held the NBA MVP title since the 2011-12 season? Will the Pacers, Roy Hibbert, be too much for the Heat to handle in the paint? Get ready for the beasts of the East to give us Wednesday night’s best game and Thursday morning’s headlines - Pacers vs. Heat is going to get your full attention.
#5ToFollow Insider: Michael Grady - @Grady
Michael Grady is the PA man for the Pacers and is a great follow for any of Indy’s road games. Follow Grady for the pulse of the Pacers as he’ll live tweet the game and RT the fan’s best during the showdown on South Beach.
Follow: @Grady
3. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Rangers
Details: Wednesday, December 18 @ 8:00 PM ET - Madison Square Garden - New York, NY
Watch Here: NBSCN on XFINITY
Why Watch: Sid the Kid skates into Gotham City to test the skill of King Henrik. Crosby has scored in all seven of his December games, and it doesn’t look like the streak will end Wednesday night. The Pens have won four in a row, and nine of their last night, but the Rangers know how to take down the Eastern Conference’s top team. The last meeting went the way of the NYR, a 5-1 drumming on home ice for the Broadway Blueshirts. When these two take the ice, the Pens will be out to prove they’re a contender, while the Rangers are looking to send the Pens home empty-handed once again. #RivalryNight is always better when its Crosby vs. Lundqvist, don’t miss it!
#5ToFollow Insider: Dave Molinari - @MolinariPG
Molinari will be in the Big Apple Wednesday night as the Penguins and Rangers take the ice. Make sure you’re following the Pens’ Post Gazette beat writer during this Eastern Conference clash.
Follow: @MolinariPG
4. UCLA vs. Duke
Details: Thursday, December 19 @ 7:30 PM ET - Madison Square Garden - New York, NY
Watch Here: ESPN on XFINITY
Why Watch: Jabari Parker: NBA Draft lottery pick, Duke Blue Devils freshman superstar, highly skilled in the business of scoring the basketball. Justin Adams: UCLA stud sophomore, averaging 21.2 ppg and 3.5 steals per game, flying under the radar, ready to have a breakout performance! Duke is ranked eighth, but have looked vulnerable against equal talent, and this unranked Bruins squad can create matchup problems for the Blue Devils. The Garden is known as the Mecca of basketball and Thursday night we will witness two of the college game’s most prestigious programs take the that illustrious stage. Tweet me who you think will win - #Duke or #UCLA?
#5ToFollow Insider: UCLA Men’s Basketball - @UCLAMBB
This Twitter feed will amaze you with stats from the game and the RT’s from NBA alum who’re tweeting every time the Bruins suit up. Get the best from Thursday’s game by following UCLA’s hoops handle.
Follow: @UCLAMBB
5. Washington vs. Penn State
Details: Thursday, December 19 @ 10:00 PM ET - KeyArena - Seattle, WA
Watch Here: ESPN2 on XFINITY
Why Watch: We are down to the final four in women’s collegiate volleyball and Thursday night’s match between the Huskies and Nittany Lions is going to be epic. Washington looks like the juggernaut with a 15-0 home record, but Penn State has lost only one road game all season. The Lions have the size and 6-foot-6 senior Katie Slay is proof, blocking 10 shots in their elite eight matchup with Stanford. Can Slay and the Penn State front wall slow down the Huskies player of the year nominee, Krista Vansant. She’s the Pac-12 player of the year and coming off a 38-kill performance - THIRTY EIGHT! Get ready for an intense match as a title shot is on the line Thursday night in the Emerald City.
#5ToFollow Insider: Mechele Voepel - @MechelleV
Voepel has covered women’s collegiate sports for ESPN.com since 1996. She’s broken down the Final Four and will tweeting her insights from the first service, to the final point.
Follow: @MechelleV
For more behind the scenes insights from the biggest sporting events and inside information on sports & social media, make sure to follow Vance McCullough, the XFINITY Sports Guy, @XFINITYSports.
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