Süper Lig'de şampiyonluk yarışı kızışırken, rakamlar ezber bozdu! Fenerbahçe camiası, ortaya çıkan dev istatistik farklarının ardından tek ses oldu: "Galatasaray'dan daha çok hak ediyoruz!" Şut sayısından ikili mücadeleye, kornerden hücum aksiyonlarına kadar birçok kalemde zirveye ambargo koyan Fenerbahçe'de cephesi "Adalet" çığlıkları atıyor.

Fenerbahçe, istatistiklerdeki üstünlüğünü puan tablosuna yansımadığını iddia ederek isyan bayrağını çekti. Süper Lig’de şampiyonluk yarışı nefes kesen bir rekabete sahne olurken, sarı-lacivertli camia sahadaki verilerin şampiyonluk yarışındaki adaletsizliği gözler önüne serdiğini savunarak; "Galatasaray'dan daha çok hak ediyoruz" seslerini yükseltmeye başladı.

Fenerbahçe cephesinde şampiyonluğun daha çok hak edildiğine dair öne sürülen temel argümanlar, oyunun hem hücum hem de savunma sertliği yönündeki baskınlığına dayanıyor.

Fenerbahçe, maç başına 17.3 şut ve 6.2 isabet oranıyla ligin en çok kaleyi yoklayan ve isabet bulan takımı konumunda. Özellikle korner sayılarındaki 7.2'ye 5.6'lık üstünlük, sarı-lacivertlilerin rakip kalede kurduğu sürekli baskının bir kanıtı olarak görülüyor.

İstatistikler, Fenerbahçe'nin ikili mücadelelerde (%53.8) ve top çalmada (18.3) rakibinden daha agresif ve dirençli olduğunu gösteriyor. Taraftarlar, "Daha çok savaşan taraf biziz" diyerek bu verilere dikkat çekiyor.

Fenerbahçe'nin 43 kontratak ile ligin en hızlı hücuma çıkan takımlarından biri olması ve ceza sahası dışından bulduğu 7 gol, oyun çeşitliliğini kanıtlıyor.

Galatasaray’ın maç başına yediği 0.7 gol ortalamasına karşılık, Fenerbahçeliler kendi takımlarının daha çok "ürettiğini" ancak kritik anlarda şanssızlıklar yaşadığını savunuyor. Özellikle Galatasaray'ın gördüğü 4 kırmızı karta karşılık, Fenerbahçe'nin sezonu sadece 1 kırmızı kartla götürmesi, sarı-lacivertli ekibin saha içindeki disiplinini ve oyun odaklı kalışını simgeliyor.

21 maç sadece 3 gol: Fenerbahçe emin mi?

Beşiktaş'ta Hyeon-gyu Oh transferi "bile bile lades" hikayesine dönüştü. İlk geldiği dönemde parlayıp derbilerde susan Korelinin yerine düşünülen forvetler için en az 20 milyon Euro'lar konuşuluyor. Camia şu can yakıcı soruyu soruyor: 14 milyon Oh'a, 20 milyon da yeniye... 30-35 milyon Euro'ya Sörloth ya da Guirassy gibi bir dünya yıldızı daha iyi olmaz mıydı?

Beşiktaş’ta Hyeon-gyu Oh transferi fiyaskoya dönüşmek üzere. Siyah-beyazlı yönetim, büyük umutlarla ve rekor bir bedelle kadroya kattığı Güney Koreli forvet konusunda "bile bile lades" dedi. Gelinen noktada ne ödenen rakam ne de sahadaki performans camiayı tatmin etmiyor.

Hyeon-gyu Oh transferi gündeme geldiği ilk günden itibaren uzmanlar, form grafiği ve istikrarsızlığı konusunda defalarca uyardı. Beşiktaş'a gelmeden önce Genk'te bile forma şansı bulmakta zorlanan, maç eksiği bulunan Koreli için 14 milyon Euro verilmesinin "risk" olduğu haberleri yapıldı.

''Oh diyeceğim diye ah deme'' Beşiktaş dikkat

Koreli, Beşiktaş kariyerinin ilk döneminde "yeni bir yıldız doğuyor" dedirten gollere imza attı.Fakat o günler geride kaldı. Son haftalarda sahada hiçbir varlık gösteremeyen, derbilerde görünmeyen, ikili mücadelelerde ezilen ve oyunun tamamen dışında kalan bir Oh izleniyor. 14 milyon Euro’luk yatırım "gelecek sezon santrfor almalıyız" dedirtiyor.

Hyeon-gyu Oh'un beklentilerin altında kalmasıyla Beşiktaş yönetimi yeniden transfer piyasasına girdi. Hücum hattındaki sorunu kökten çözmek isteyen yönetimin kapısını çaldığı adaylar için konuşulan rakamlar en az 20 milyon Euro seviyesinden başlıyor. Bu durum, kulübün mali planlamasındaki hatayı bir kez daha gözler önüne seriyor.

Taraftar soruyor: Oh’a ödenen 14 milyon Euro ile bu yaz harcanması planlanan 20 milyon Euro birleştirilseydi; 30-35 milyon Euro bandında çok daha kaliteli, Avrupa çapında bir forvet alınamaz mıydı?

Bugün Alexander Sörloth veya Serhou Guirassy gibi isimlerin bu bütçelerle transfer edilebildiği bir piyasada, Beşiktaş’ın iki orta halli hamle yerine bir "dünya yıldızı" almaması, yönetim bazında stratejik bir hata olarak değerlendiriliyor.

Beşiktaş'ta beklentilerin çok uzağında kalan Vaclav Cerny, Kadıköy'deki etkisiz futbolu ve Sergen Yalçın ile yaşadığı kriz sonrası gözden çıkarıldı. Son 12 maçta sadece 2 gole katkı veren oyuncu için ayrılık çanları çalıyor. Gelen bilgilere göre de sezon sonunda teklif getiren Cerny'yi alır götürür.

Beşiktaş’ın çok şey beklediği Vaclav Cerny, Kadıköy’de sergilediği performansla beklentilerin çok uzağında kaldı. Fenerbahçe karşısında adeta sahada kaybolan 27 yaşındaki Çekyalı, sergilediği istatistiklerle siyah-beyazlı camiada şimdiden tartışma konusu oldu.

İKİLİ MÜCADELE KAZANAMADI

Fenerbahçe savunması karşısında hiçbir varlık gösteremeyen Cerny, ikili mücadelelerde %0 başarı oranıyla maçı tamamladı. İşte oyuncunun Saracoğlu'ndaki "hayal kırıklığı" yaratan karnesi:

İkili Mücadele: 6 / 0 (Girdiği hiçbir mücadeleyi kazanamadı)

Şut İsabeti: 3 / 0

Orta İsabeti: 2 / 0 (Hiç isabetli orta yapamadı)

Top Sürme: 1 / 0 (Başarısız)

Top Kaybı: 9

Maç boyunca 34 kez topla buluşan Çek yıldız, 0.26 xG (Gol Beklentisi) üretmesine rağmen çerçeveyi bulamadı. Sadece 1 kilit pas verebilen oyuncu, savunma tarafında da (1 geri kazanma) etkisiz kaldı.

Saha içindeki formsuzluk, saha dışındaki gerginlikle birleşti. Cerny'nin, Galatasaray derbisinin ardından teknik direktör Sergen Yalçın'ı sosyal medya hesabından takibi bırakması, ikili arasındaki bağların koptuğu şeklinde yorumlandı.

Cerny'nin son dönemdeki düşüşü rakamlara şöyle yansıdı:

Son 11 maçtır karşılaşmaları 90 dakika tamamlayamıyor.

Son 12 resmi maçta sadece 1 gol ve 1 asist yapabildi.

Tam 8 maçtır ağları sarsamıyor.

Cerny’nin hem saha içindeki formsuzluğu hem de teknik heyetle yaşadığı gerilim, ayrılık iddialarını beraberinde getirdi. Siyah-beyazlı camiada tartışılmaya başlanan Çek oyuncu için yönetimin tavrı da netleşmeye başladı.

Beklentilerin çok uzağında kalan Cerny için, sezon sonunda tatmin edici bir teklif gelmesi halinde yolların ayrılmasına kesin gözüyle bakılıyor.

Süper Lig hedefiyle yoluna devam eden Amedspor, transferde dev hamleler için düğmeye bastı. Bundesliga tecrübesiyle dikkat çeken Mahmoud Dahoud ile kurulan temasların ardından, Avrupa devlerinin peşinde olduğu U21 Milli Takım yıldızı Livan Burcu'dan da "Süper Lig" sözü alındı. İşte Amedspor'un ses getirecek transfer operasyonunun detayları.

TFF 1. Lig’de şampiyonluk mücadelesini sürdüren ve Süper Lig hedefine adım adım yaklaşan Amedspor, gelecek sezonun planlamasını erkenden başlattı. Süper Lige çıkılması durumunda iddialı bir kadro kurmak isteyen yönetim, rotayı yurt dışında forma giyen Kürt asıllı yıldızlara çevirdi.

Alman Milli Takım yıldızı Amedspor’da oynama sözü verdi

Amedspor yönetiminin listesindeki en heyecan verici isimlerin başında dünyaca ünlü orta saha oyuncusu Mahmoud Dahoud geliyor. Geçtiğimiz günlerde gazetemz, tecrübeli oyuncuyla ilk temaslar kurulduğunu yazdı. Süper Lig biletinin alınması halinde Dahoud, Amedspor forması giymeye sıcak bakıyor. Taraflar büyük ölçüde el sıkıştı.

Transfer çalışmalarını titizlikle yürüten yönetimin bir diğer önemli hedefi de Türk U21 Milli Takımı’nın parlayan yıldızı Livan Burcu. Torino ve Strasbourg gibi ekiplerin radarına girmesine rağmen, Augsburg forması giyen genç yetenek tercihini Amedspor’dan yana kullanmaya yakın.

Livan Burcu ile yapılan görüşmelerde olumlu sonuç alan Amedspor yönetimi, genç oyuncudan "Süper Lig'e çıkılması durumunda imza atarım" sözünü aldı.

Trabzonspor yönetimi "veliaht" operasyonu için düğmeye bastı! Paul Onuachu'nun fiziksel gücünün rakipler üstündeki baskısını yerli bir isimle sürdürmek isteyen Fırtına, Ankaragücü'nün 1.91'lik genç devi Atakan Güner'i radarına aldı.

Trabzonspor’un hücum hattında aradığı fiziksel güç, Başkent semalarında parlıyor! Paul Onuachu’nun durdurulamaz çıkışı bordo-mavi yönetimi "veliaht" operasyonu için zorladı. Ankaragücü’nün 1.91 boyundaki 2005 doğumlu golcüsü Atakan Güner, oyun stiliyle Onuachu’yu andıran bir profil çizince Ertuğrul Doğan yönetimi de çok güvendiği scout ekibinin raporuyla harekete geçti.

Sadece boyuyla değil, hava toplarındaki hakimiyeti ve sırtı dönük oyunuyla dikkat çeken genç Atakan, teknik heyetin "gelecekte Onuachu’nun yerini doldurur" dediği isim haline geldi.

20 yaşındaki genç yetenek, Onuachu’nun yarattığı fiziksel tehdidi yerli statüsünde sahaya yansıtabilecek nadir isimlerden biri olarak görülüyor. Ayrıca Türk Milli Takımının aradığı dev golcü boşluğunu doldurabileceği de savunuldu.

Trabzonspor scout ekiplerinin hazırladığı raporda Atakan için, "Rakipleri fiziksel olarak domine eden, kale önünde bitirici ve Onuachu gibi hava hakimiyeti de iyi" ifadeleri kullanıldı.

Bordo-mavili yönetimin, Ankaragücü ile pazarlık masasına oturarak bu transferi kısa sürede bitirmesi bekleniyor.

Paul Onuachu’nun saha içindeki "uzun menzilli" etkisini sürdürmek isteyen Fırtına, Atakan Güner transferi ile hem geleceğe yatırım yapacak hem de hücum hattını bir "kule" ile sağlama alacak.

Trendyol Süper Lig'in 27. hafta erteleme maçında Göztepe'ye konuk oluyor. Zorlu mücadele öncesi sarı kırmızılılarda teknik direktör Okan Buruk ilk 11 tercihi hakkında konuştu.

Galatasaray, Trendyol Süper Lig'in 27. hafta erteleme maçında deplasmanda Göztepe karşı karşıya geliyor. Zorlu mücadele öncesi sarı kırmızılıların teknik direktörü Okan Buruk açıklamalarda bulundu.

İŞTE BURUK'UN SÖZLERİ;

Okan Buruk: "Dünya futbolu için değerli, önemli bir teknik adamı kaybettik. İlk geldiği sezon Lucescu ile çalışmıştım. Lucescu futbolla yaşayan biriydi. Kader onu son maçına Türkiye'de çıkarttı. Allah'tan rahmet diliyorum."

"YUNUS, SARA, TORREIRA VE LANG..."

Çok önemli bir maça çıkacağız. Cumartesi kaybettik, çok hızlı toparlanmalıydık. O maçtan kalan bazı sakatlıklar oldu. Yunus'un ağrıları vardı, Torreira'nın ağrısı vardı, Sara'nın Brezilya'dan dönüşünde sakatlığı vardı, Noa Lang'ın elinde bir sorunu var, temaslı bir oyun olacağı için bugün zorlanabileceğini düşünerek başlatmadık.

"GEÇEN HAFTA GEÇİŞ YEDİK"

"İyi başlayacak, devam edecek, iyi bitirecek bir kadroya sahibiz. Barış'ın hızı ve hareketliliği önemli. Son maç ön alan baskısı yapmadılar ama geçen seneye bakınca yüzde yüz çıktılar, geçen hafta kendi sahalarında beklediler. Oyunun gidişatına göre göreceğiz. Top bizdeyken sahaya doğru yayılamamamız, güvenli olmamamız Trabzon'da kötü sonuca neden oldu. Top kaybı yapmamak gerekiyor. Geçen hafta çok fazla geçiş yedik. Göztepe de çok iyi geçiş yapıyor, direkt oyun oynuyor. Bunu yapmamamız gerekiyor. Topa daha doğru sahip olursak pozisyon bulacağımızı biliyorum."

Qadın voleybolçular arasında keçirilən Azərbaycan çempionatında (Yüksək Liqa) bu gün yarımfinal mərhələsinə start verilib.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, raundun hər iki qarşılaşması eyni gündə baş tutub.

Görüşlər Gənclər və İdman Nazirliyinin Voleybol Mərkəzində keçirilib.

İlk olaraq “Gəncə” “Turan”la üz-üzə gəlib. Qarşılaşma Tovuz təmsilçisinin 3:0 (25:22, 25:12, 25:13) hesablı qələbəsi ilə bitib. “Milli Aviasiya Akademiyası”nın “DH Volley” ilə oyununda isə ikincilər qələbə qazanıblar – 3:0 (25:22, 25:19, 25:19).

Tərəflər arasında ikinci görüşlər aprelin 11-i və 13-də baş tutacaq.

Qeyd edək ki, reqlamentə əsasən, yarımfinal mərhələsi ev və səfər prinsipi ilə iki oyundan ibarət olacaq. Nəticəyə əsasən komandaların qələbə sayı bərabər olarsa, qalibi müəyyənləşdirmək üçün “qızıl set” oynanılacaq.

Bürünc və qızıl medal uğrunda həlledici qarşılaşmalar isə cəmi bir oyundan ibarət olacaq.

Yüksək Liqa
Yarımfinalın ilk oyunları
8 aprel

“Gəncə” – “Turan” 0:3 (22:25, 12:25, 13:25)
“Milli Aviasiya Akademiyası” – “DH Volley” 0:3 (22:25, 19:25, 19:25)

Bu gün Azərbaycan basketbolunda yeni tarix yazılıb.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, “Sabah”ın gənc basketbolçuları Bosniya və Herseqovinanın Laktasi şəhərində keçirilən Gənclər Çempionlar Liqasında ilk qələbəsini qazanıb.

“Sabah”ın U-18 komandası “B” qrupunun ikinci turunda Almaniyanın “Porşe BBA Lyudviqsburq” klubunu 72:61 hesabı ilə məğlub edib.

Xatırladaq ki, reqlamentə əsasən, qrup qalibləri yarımfinala vəsiqə qazanacaq. İkinci yeri tutanlar 5-8, sonuncu yerin sahibləri isə 9-12-ci yerlər uğrunda mübarizə aparacaqlar.

Çempionlar Liqasının 1/4 finalında keçiriləcək “Barselona” – “Atletiko Madrid” matçı öncəsi Dieqo Simeonenin gizli strategiyası üzə çıxıb.

Futbolpress.az xarici mətbuata istinadən xəbər verir ki, mütəxəssis Kataloniya klubunun gənc ulduzu Lamin Yamalı dayandırmaq üçün aqressiv üsullara əl atacaq.

​İspaniyanın “Sport” qəzetinin yaydığı məlumata görə, Simeone futbolçularına Yamala qarşı yalnız taktiki deyil, həm də ciddi fiziki və psixoloji təzyiq göstərməyi tapşırıb.

Simeonenin planının əsas məqsədi 18 yaşlı futbolçunu özündən çıxarmaq və ona sarı vərəqə aldırmaqdır. Hazırda limitdə olan Yamal sarı vərəqə görəcəyi təqdirdə, aprelin 14-də Madriddə keçiriləcək cavab qarşılaşmasında iştirak edə bilməyəcək. Bu səbəbdən “Atletiko” futbolçularına matçın ilk dəqiqələrindən rəqibə qarşı sərt müdaxilələr etmək və onu səhvə vadar etmək tapşırılıb.

​”Barselona”nın ən böyük silahlarından biri olan Yamal bu mövsüm keçirdiyi 41 rəsmi oyunda 21 qol və 16 asistlə yadda qalıb.

Mingəçevirdə Gənclər və İdman Nazirliyi, Azərbaycan Üzgüçülük Federasiyasının birgə təşkilatçılığı ilə “Üzməyi Öyrənək” layihəsində çalışacaq məşqçilər üçün seminara start verilib.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, respublikanın müxtəlif bölgələrini təmsil edən 57 məşqçinin iştirakı ilə keçirilən seminarı üzgüçülük üzrə Azərbaycan milli komandasının baş məşqçisi, isveçrəli mütəxəssis Luka Qabrilo aparır.

Təlim proqramını uğurla başa vuran məşqçilər layihə çərçivəsində məktəblilərə üzgüçülük dərsləri keçəcəklər.

Layihənin məqsədi uşaqlarda üzgüçülük bacarıqları, su təhlükəsizliyi vərdişləri və özünəinam formalaşdırmaqdır.

​”Yuventus” rəhbərliyi komandada “yenidənqurma” layihəsinin memarı hesab olunan Luçano Spaletti ilə yola davam etmək qərarına gəlib.

​Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, ötən ilin oktyabrında İqor Tudoru əvəzləyən 67 yaşlı mütəxəssis qısa müddətdə “qoca sinyora”ya sabitlik gətirməyi bacarıb.

Çempionlar Liqası zonasına daxil olmaq üçün mübarizə aparan Turin təmsilçisi təcrübəli məşqçini yeni müqavilə ilə mükafatlandırmağa hazırlaşır.

İtaliya mətbuatının yaydığı məlumata görə, tərəflər 2028-ci ilin iyununa qədər qüvvədə olacaq yeni müqavilə üzərində razılığa gəliblər. Spalettinin hazırkı müqaviləsi 2026-cı ildə başa çatsa da, yeni razılaşma həm müddət, həm də maliyyə baxımından daha üstündür.

Onun yeni maaşı bonuslar da daxil olmaqla illik təxminən 5-6 milyon avro təşkil edəcək. Müddət isə 2028-ci ilin yayına qədər olacaq.

Məqsəd aprelin 11-də səfərdə keçiriləcək “Atalanta” matçından öncə rəsmi imzaları atmaq və komandanın diqqətini tamamilə oyuna yönəltməkdir.

Səudiyyə Ərəbistanı Pro Liqasının 28-ci turunda keçiriləcək “Əl-Əxdud” – “Əl-Nəsr” matçında maraqlı anlar yaşanacaq.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, meydan sahiblərinin azarkeşləri rəqib komandanın kapitanı Kriştiano Ronaldo üçün xüsusi sürpriz hazırlayıblar.

​Səudiyyənin “Okaz” qəzetinin yaydığı məlumata görə, “Əl-Əxdud” azarkeşləri qarşıdakı şənbə günü keçiriləcək oyunun 7-ci dəqiqəsində ayağa qalxaraq portuqaliyalı ulduzun adını xorla səsləndirəcəklər.

Azarkeşlər bu addımla Ronaldonun Səudiyyə futboluna verdiyi böyük töhfələrə və ölkəyə nümayiş etdirdiyi sevgiyə görə ona təşəkkür etmək istəyirlər.

Kriştiano Ronaldo hazırda 23 qolla bombardirlər siyahısında 3-cü pillədə qərarlaşıb. O, liderlər – İvan Toni (“Əl-Əhli”) və Xulian Kinonisdən (“Əl-Qadisiya”) 3 qol geri qalır.

Weston McKennie has reflected on a remarkable personal journey that has taken him from being cast aside at Juventus to becoming one of Luciano Spalletti’s most trusted and indispensable midfielders, and with a home World Cup on the horizon with the United States, life could hardly look more different from the darkest moments of his career.

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The American, who recently signed a contract renewal at Juventus after establishing himself as a key figure under Spalletti, spoke candidly to Goal about self-doubt, humility and the importance of staying grounded despite achieving things he once considered impossible.

His honesty about the fragility of his early career is striking for a player now operating at the very highest level.

“When I was in the USA youth teams I never would have thought something like this could happen to me,” McKennie said, with quotes via CalcioMercato.

“As a child you get discouraged easily, and every time I was left out of the squad I thought there was no way I could ever make it. I would go back to Dallas, to my family and to FC Dallas, and there they relaunched me, believing in me day after day. That pushed me to improve more and more, to push beyond what I thought was possible. I am grateful for the journey I have taken to get here, I never would have imagined reaching this level.”

McKennie: ‘I’m a human being like everyone else’

That journey has not only shaped him as a footballer but as a public figure, one acutely conscious of the responsibility that comes with being a role model for young American players trying to follow a similar path.

“It is an extraordinary feeling but also a responsibility,” he said. “Back then social media was not so common and my role models were people I saw on TV or in magazines. Today there is much more responsibility.”

What McKennie is most eager for people to take from his story, however, is something more personal than the goals and assists. “I am a good footballer, but above all I am a human being like everyone else,” he said.

“I try to always be faithful to my values and my roots. I wish people saw me as humble, you need to remain humble and follow your dream, finding your own path.”

Away from football, McKennie painted a picture of a man who values simplicity above all else. Barbecues with family, a drink with friends, time with his dogs, the kind of ordinary pleasures that keep him anchored to who he was before the fame.

“I like to enjoy life to the fullest,” he said. “The last six to eight months have been pretty positive, in family life, with friends, and with my dogs.”

Danilo has opened up on one of the most emotional moments of his career, the day his closest friend and long-time teammate Alex Sandro left Juventus, in a heartfelt documentary produced by Flamengo TV ahead of the new Copa Libertadores campaign.

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The Brazilian defender spent several years alongside Alex Sandro at the Turin club, having previously shared dressing rooms at Santos and Porto.

Their bond, forged across three different countries and multiple trophy wins, runs far deeper than football, and Danilo’s words made that abundantly clear.

Danilo reflects on Alex Sandro bond & Juventus exit

“When Alex left Juventus it made me cry on the pitch, because we had fought so many battles together,” Danilo said, with quotes via the Corriere dello Sport.

“When he left I didn’t think it would be that difficult. It was then that I truly felt his absence. Understanding how much we have supported each other during our careers and in difficult moments is something that makes me very satisfied, because it has extended to our personal lives and our families.”

Alex Sandro, speaking in the same documentary, was equally emotional in his tribute to a friendship he describes as lifelong. “We talk every day and share feelings that few people can imagine,” he said.

“For me he has always been a mirror, someone I have always admired enormously. Our story as brothers, friends and teammates will last a lifetime, it won’t end here at Flamengo.”

The two are now reunited once more at the Rio club, with Danilo having returned to Flamengo, the club where he grew up, after his time in Europe. He admitted that winning the Libertadores last season and scoring in the final against Palmeiras would have been the perfect moment to retire at 34, adding that only the unfulfilled dream of a World Cup with Brazil kept him going.

On that front, Danilo had warm words for Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti, whose path has crossed his own in unexpected ways. “When I was at Porto and moved to Real Madrid, it was practically Ancelotti who bought me, and then when I arrived, he had already been sacked,” he said with a smile. “The game is like that. But we found each other again more than ten years later in the national team. It is an enormous privilege to work with him.”

Antonio Conte’s candid declaration of interest in the Italy job following Sunday’s Napoli-Milan match has set in motion a fascinating chain of events that could reshape the managerial landscape across Serie A this summer.

Conte was clear on Sunday evening that he would need to speak with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis before any decision could be made, given that he still has a year remaining on his contract at the club.

The acknowledgement that he has put himself forward for the national team role makes it difficult to envision him continuing at Napoli beyond this season, though in football, stranger things have happened.

What has emerged in the wake of Conte’s comments is that Napoli had already been quietly exploring their options.

De Zerbi & Italiano among Napoli targets as Conte open to Italy

According to Alfredo Pedulla, the club held conversations with Roberto De Zerbi about a potential move to the Maradona, only for Tottenham to move faster and secure the Brighton manager for themselves.

It is a significant revelation that suggests De Laurentiis had already begun contingency planning well before Conte made his position public.

Vincenzo Italiano remains a name high on Napoli’s list, a long-standing target of De Laurentiis, while Gian Piero Gasperini, despite recent signs of tension at Roma, is tied to the capital club for another two years, making any move complicated.

At Roma, the suggestion that Gasperini could be vulnerable raises wider questions about the club’s direction.

As Pedulla’s report pointedly notes, Roma cannot continue to treat the manager as the primary problem when the issues clearly run deeper, particularly around transfer market strategy and internal alignment, concerns that have been present since at least December.

Massimiliano Allegri, meanwhile, continues to be mentioned as a potential Italy candidate despite recent denials, a situation that could become clearer once Milan’s season reaches its conclusion.

Pascal Struijk could be on his way out of Leeds United at the end of the season.

The 26-year-old central defender has a contract with the Premier League club until 2027, and he could be available for a reasonable amount of money in the summer.

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Aston Villa are planning to submit an offer for the Netherlands defender in the summer. Tottenham and Newcastle are lurking in the background as well, and they could look to make a move.

It remains to be seen where the 26-year-old central defender ends up. He has shown his quality in the Premier League, and he could prove a very useful addition to all three clubs. The opportunity to join Aston Villa, Tottenham or Newcastle will be attractive for him. It would be a step up in his career. 

Aston Villa is pushing for Champions League qualification and will look to add more quality and depth to the team if they finish in the top four. Adding more defensive depth could be ideal for them. They have a competitive team and a quality manager. Struijk will certainly fancy the opportunity of playing for them next season. 

On the other hand, Tottenham had a disappointing season, and they will look to bounce back strongly next year. They need quality additions in the summer to tighten up at the back. Struijk could help them defensively if he joins the club. 

As for Newcastle, they need long-term replacements for Dan Burn and Fabian Schar. The Netherlands defender could be the ideal acquisition for them. He is at the peak of his career, and this is the right time for him to take the next step. 

The post Aston Villa prepare offer as Tottenham and Newcastle circle for 26-year-old Dutchman appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller has been linked with a move to the Premier League in recent months.

According to FussballDaten, Manchester United and Liverpool are reportedly interested in securing his signature. The German International midfielder has a contract with Stuttgart until 2028 and includes a €40 million release clause.

However, they have an option to remove the release clause by paying €2 million, and the German club could demand around €65 million for the midfielder in the summer, if they manage to remove his release clause over the next few weeks. Stuttgart view the player as “untouchable”.

The two Premier League clubs are closely monitoring the player and hoping to secure his signature in the summer. Manchester United need a quality replacement for Casemiro, and the 24-year-old German International could be ideal for them. He is excellent at protecting the back four and winning the ball back for his team. He will allow the creative players to operate with more freedom. In addition to his defensive qualities, he is quite accomplished on the ball and has been compared to Toni Kroos. 

It will be interesting to see if Manchester United is willing to break the Bank for him. 

Meanwhile, Liverpool could use more quality and depth in the middle of the park as well. They need a reliable defensive midfielder, and Stiller would be an excellent addition. His arrival will allow Ryan Gravenberch to operate in his natural role. The Netherlands International has been used as a defensive midfielder, but he has struggled in that role. 

Both Premier League clubs could be exciting destinations for the midfielder. It will be interesting to see where he ends up. 

The player is reportedly looking for a salary of around €7-9 million per season. The two Premier League clubs have the financial muscle to accept his demands. It remains to be seen whether they come forward with an official offer in the summer. 

The post Man United & Liverpool chase “untouchable” Bundesliga star, clause twist could complicate deal appeared first on CaughtOffside.

If you shelved your inbound strategy this past year, you can shelve your Inbound conference mugs and swag with it.

HubSpot renamed its annual Inbound conference in Boston this September to Unbound. A note on the event site explains the thinking:

• “This evolution is our response to that reality. INBOUND is becoming UNBOUND because growth no longer fits within a single framework or function. Today, it covers marketing, sales, service, and operations across the full customer journey in an AI-driven environment. UNBOUND reflects that expanded reality and the mindset required to lead through it.” 

Inbound is outbound. HubSpot pioneered inbound marketing, which uses content and search rankings to attract visitors, then convert them on-site.

Recent Google core updates appeared to hurt the HubSpot blog, possibly because its content drifted from core topics like CRM, sales, and marketing into broader business areas like interview tips.

Inbound strategy has declined as search shifts from platforms like Google to LLMs like ChatGPT, which drive fewer clicks to websites.

From inbound to loop marketing. In 2025, HubSpot introduced its Loop marketing strategy to replace inbound. Loop focuses educating consumers in an AI-driven world.

The conference rebrand acknowledges that no single framework works for you in today’s marketing landscape.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is a frontrunner to be crowned the Premier League’s Player of the Year – and this incredible statistic proves exactly why he deserves the award.

The Heartbeat of the Team

The Red Devils look set to emerge from a chaotic season with a pivotal return to Europe’s elite competition next year, despite that prospect having seemed remote over a brutal winter period at Old Trafford.

Ruben Amorim‘s tumultuous tenure came to an abrupt end at the start of January after a complete breakdown in his relationship with the INEOS executive structure, though murmurings of discontent had been bubbling beneath the surface for weeks before.

A explosive meeting with sporting director Jason Wilcox after being held to a draw by an abject Wolverhampton Wanderers side on 30 December signalled the beginning of the end for the Portuguese tactician’s time in England.

Less than a week later, Amorim took aim at the club’s hierarchy in a bombastic interview at Elland Road, levelling veiled accusations at Wilcox and recruitment director Christopher Vivell after another disappointing stalemate with Leeds United. It proved his death knell.

Within 24 hours, the former Sporting manager had been sacked, replaced by under-18s coach Darren Fletcher on a temporary basis before Michael Carrick was handed the reins as caretaker until the end of the season. The transformation Carrick has overseen over the last three months has exposed Amorim, however, with United having climbed to third in the table, picking up seven wins, two draws and just one loss in 10 games – the best form amongst any side in the league.

At the heart of this remarkable upturn has been Fernandes, restored to his rightful throne as the team’s No.10. The Portugal international has returned three goals and eight assists in this more familiar role. There is a strong chance of breaking the Premier League’s record for the latter, which stands at 20 – he is currently on 16 with seven games to go.

Bruno Fernandes Stats: 2025/26 Season

However, truth be told, Fernandes’ form across the entire turbulent campaign has been imperious, ranking highly across both offensive and defensive metrics, given Amorim’s baffling decision to permanently redeploy him as a box-to-box midfielder, playing as close to his own box as the opposition’s.

In an interview last summer, Casemiro – another player to be reborn under Carrick’s tutelage, alongside his partner in crime, Kobbie Mainoo – described Fernandes as the “heartbeat” of the team. It’s little exaggeration to say United would have flatlined without their talismanic leader this season.

A League of His Own

While it’s unusual for a footballer to be awarded Player of the Season when their team fails to win, or at least meaningfully compete, for major honours, Fernandes has made as convincing an argument as possible to be the exception which proves the rule.

The 31-year-old’s stellar leadership and unrelenting work-rate off the ball are as good as anyone else in the Premier League. But his creativity in possession puts him in a world of his own – as a statistic by Statman Dave proves.

Tweet: “If you exclude set-pieces for Bruno Fernandes but include them for everybody else, he still has the most chances created in the Premier League this season (66).”

Set-pieces have dominated England’s top division this season, with Arsenal on course to win their first title in 23 years largely down to their prowess from corners and free-kicks. The fact that Fernandes is still the most productive creator in the country while ignoring his contributions from dead ball situations almost beggars belief – and is the best piece of evidence available to confirm he is the Premier League’s best player.

When the other contenders for the award are considered, such as Arsenal’s defensive lynchpins Gabriel Magalhães or Declan Rice, there can be only be one winner.

Final Thoughts

United are blessed to have a prodigious talent like Fernandes as their leader, with every member of the Old Trafford faithful praying he remains in Manchester past the summer as rumours swirl over a bombshell exit.

And while success for the Red Devils this season will simply constitute securing Champions League football, the Portuguese deserves more. He must be recognised as England’s finest footballer, with the cherry on top of that well-deserved cake being to break the Premier League’s assist record. He just needs his teammates to assist him over the line for the latter, while his peers elsewhere in the country vote en masse for the former.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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College basketball hasn't been the same without Dick Vitale regularly working games on TV. But after being declared cancer free last year, the 86-year-old legendary announcer made his return to broadcasting last season — and even worked the First Four with Charles Barkley.

His latest health update, though, might put his broadcasting return on pause once again.

In a statement through ESPN PR exec Josh Krulewitz, Vitale revealed that doctors identified areas of concern in his latest scans and ordered a biopsy for additional testing. Vitale had battled multiple cancer diagnoses over the past few years and was declared cancer free in 2025.

A health update from @DickieV that he asked me to share pic.twitter.com/N7W6UzLfVX

— Josh Krulewitz (@jksports) April 8, 2026

College basketball fans responded to the news by wishing the best for Vitale.

Like so many others, sending positive thoughts and wishing the best for @DickieV. ❤️ https://t.co/vQOdZOW9CN

— bill hofheimer (@bhofheimer_espn) April 8, 2026

Keep fighting, @DickieV! https://t.co/OEspKTbteh

— Myles Simmons (@MylesASimmons) April 8, 2026

Sending you love and prayers @DickieVhttps://t.co/yRmy1qVWcL

— Andrew Javier (@AndrewJav13r) April 8, 2026

Best wishes go out to Dick Vitale.

You've been through it all @DickieV and you've always come out a winner. I know you'll get through this and host your Gala on May 1. You got this! 🙏 https://t.co/OXUv88n0r6

— Owen VA & PBP 🎙 (@OwenOVAPBP) April 8, 2026

Get well soon @DickieVhttps://t.co/Mt8u6ZASSB

— Michael McCarthy (@MMcCarthyREV) April 8, 2026

Still fighting the fight. God bless him. https://t.co/lOgIPF9JkQ

— JJK (@MCHamr2) April 8, 2026

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Fans offered support for Dick Vitale after concerning health update

The Philadelphia Eagles have never shied away from investing in the secondary. If recent draft evaluations are any indication, they may have another intriguing option on their radar. Chris Johnson, the 2025 Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year and a First-Team All-Mountain West selection, is quickly gaining traction as one of the more versatile cornerback prospects in this year's class. His rise has been fueled not just by production but also by the kind of evaluation that tends to turn heads in NFL front offices.

Per the report, Philadelphia hosted Johnson for a virtual meeting ahead of the NFL Draft.

The #Eagles had a virtual meeting with San Diego State CB Chris Johnson, per @JustinM_NFL.

The projected 2nd round pick would be an elite option as an outside corner for Philly. pic.twitter.com/c4FeUw6htv

— James Simone (@JamesSimoneNFL) April 6, 2026

Lance Zierlein compares Chris Johnson to Byron Murphy.

In his draft profile, Lance Zierlein of NFL.com offered a notable comparison, linking Johnson's game to Byron Murphy, a former second-round pick who developed into a Pro Bowl-caliber player.

“Scheme-versatile cornerback prospect with average size and the ability to play inside or outside.. Johnson is consistent in mirroring the release from his pedal and rarely labors when transitioning with route breaks… He attacks the catch point with run-through force and is a tenacious wrap-up tackler who can quickly end plays.”

That type of versatility is exactly what Philadelphia has prioritized in recent years. Defensive schemes continue to evolve, and corners who can move between boundary and slot responsibilities without sacrificing effectiveness carry added value. Johnson checks those boxes. While he may not possess elite size, his discipline, technique, and willingness to play physically give him a strong foundation to contribute early at the next level.

For a team like the Eagles, which has shown a willingness to develop young defensive backs while competing, that profile fits. The comparison to Murphy doesn't guarantee anything, but it does set a tone, and if Johnson's trajectory continues upward, he could find himself firmly in the Eagles' conversation when draft weekend arrives.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles held a virtual meeting with San Diego State CB Chris Johnson

Between the excitement of the 2026 Winter Olympics, a thrilling NHL wild-card race, and the meteoric rise of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), the sport of hockey is experiencing an undeniable cultural surge. 

As interest in the sport peaks, Upper Deck is looking to welcome a new generation of fans into the sports card hobby. On Saturday, April 11, the manufacturer will host its 17th annual National Hockey Card Day. The premise is simple: visit a participating local hobby shop, and you will receive a free pack of Upper Deck hockey trading cards, while supplies last.

It’s an initiative designed to lower the barrier of entry for beginners and return collecting to its grassroots origins.

“We’re committed to the hobby channel, we’re committed to making our products accessible to them,” Paul Zickler, Director of Sports Brands at The Upper Deck Company, noted during a recent interview. “And I think that that’s another avenue that we’re starting to see some interest now from collectors typically collecting other sports.”

The PWHL Effect

One of the most significant evolutions in this year’s National Hockey Card Day is the official debut of the PWHL.

Following an incredibly entertaining Olympic tournament that featured physical play, overtime thrillers, and massive impacts from college-aged rookies, the women’s game is capturing a brand new demographic of fans. To honor this, Upper Deck has included the “PWHL Powerhouses” insert in this year’s free packs, marking the league’s debut in the NHCD set.

For shop owners like Ryan Holland, who operates three Real Sports Cards locations across Minnesota and Wisconsin, the impact of the PWHL on the local community is highly visible.

“PWHL is another one that is absolutely on fire,” Ryan said. “Anecdotally we had in our suburb, 64 eight-and-under girls come out for hockey… that just tells you how much excitement there is to get out there and play hockey.” Ryan also pointed out that the accessibility of PWHL athletes, such as Minnesota Frost players who graduated from high schools in the area and remain active in the local community, is driving unique excitement.

The Chase: What’s in the Packs?

While the core goal of National Hockey Card Day is accessibility, Upper Deck hasn’t skimped on the chase elements that veteran collectors love. The 2026 base set spans the entire history of the game, featuring prominent rookies, current superstars like Connor McDavid, and historic legends like Wayne Gretzky.

Upper Deck is keeping the product fresh by introducing a “Mascot Mannerisms” insert set, which includes the debut card of Tusky.

For collectors looking for premium hits, there are also unannounced autographs hidden inside the free packs. Upper Deck confirmed that Trevor Zegras and Jack Hughes are on the autograph checklist, alongside a teased Montreal Canadiens player.

Furthermore, collectors who spend $10 on Upper Deck products at participating shops will receive a special Ivan Demidov “Rookie Moments” card (#31), which highlights his first NHL goal from the end of last season.

Championing the Brick-and-Mortar Community

In an era where sports cards are largely consumed via online live-streaming, Upper Deck is using National Hockey Card Day to intentionally push fans back into physical stores.

“The growth and where the hobby all started was connecting like-minded sports fans and collectors in the community to share in the hobby,” Paul stated. “Whether you’re just wanting to buy your first hockey pack and get into collecting, or whether you’re a seasoned collector that wants to connect and have a fun day… that’s really what it’s at.”

Local shops serve as an educational hub for new fans trying to navigate the complex world of modern trading cards. “There’s a lot to learn in this industry,” Ryan explained. “Sometimes being able to go into a card shop that knows what they’re talking about that can help you navigate the many choices that there are… is really important.”

Beyond hobby shops, Canadian fans can pick up commemorative 9-card sheets at retailers like the Hockey Hall of Fame, London Drugs, and EB Games, while U.S. fans can find them at Pure Hockey locations. Several NHL teams are also joining the fun, with the Islanders handing out promo packs to the first 10,000 fans on April 11, and the Senators and Sharks offering sheets at their pop-up shops.

To cap it all off, Upper Deck is encouraging collectors to post their pack pulls on social media on April 11, using the #NHCD hashtag, tagging the brand and their local shop to win unique prizes —including a hand-drawn card of Mark Comb, sketched by top prospect Matthew Schaefer, and signed by Comb himself.

“The one testament that never grows old is opening up a pack of physical cards and finding your favorite player or your favorite team,” Paul concluded. “When you’re able to do that with other people in your local community… it just makes the experience that much more special.”

For more information on National Hockey Card Day visit the Upper Deck website. 

Texas women's basketball coach Vic Schaefer is going to have to reload his roster.

After making their second consecutive run to the Final Four, Texas is losing a handful of key players to the transfer portal. Three people with direct access to the transfer portal confirmed to USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday that Jordan Lee, Aaliyah Crump, Justice Carlton and Aaliyah Moore are in the transfer portal.

Lee and Carlton were regular starters for the Longhorns, which won the SEC Tournament title this season for the first time in program history. Crump was sixth on the team in minutes played this season, while Moore — who missed this season with a knee injury — is a former All-Big 12 selection who averaged 8.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in 90 games for the Longhorns.

Coupled with the fact that Rori Harmon, Kyla Oldacre and Teya Sidberry have exhausted their eligibility and are set to graduate, Texas is losing six of its top eight players from its Final Four squad.

Three-time All-American Madison Booker and junior starting forward Breya Cunningham are still expected to return, but Schaefer has holes to fill around them.

Lee is perhaps the loss that stings the most for the Longhorns. Widely viewed as the glue of the team, she was named to the All-Region team in Fort Worth 3 in this year’s NCAA Tournament for her performances in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight, where she piled up 22 points, six assists, three rebounds and four steals while also providing strong defense. A sophomore, Lee averaged 13.2 points, 2.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game while shooting 42% from the floor, 34% from 3-point land and 75% from the free throw line.

Carlton — a sophomore who was selected to the All-SEC Tournament Team — averaged 8.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per game while shooting 47.4% from 3-point range. A freshman, Crump averaged 7.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.

Texas is bringing a strong recruiting class, headlined by Addison Bjorn and Brihanna Crittendon, who are both ranked inside ESPN’s top 10 for the 2026 class. Bjorn was the Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year and helped Team USA win the U19 World Cup last summer.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Glue player Jordan Lee headlines wave of Texas departures to transfer portal

On Tuesday, tight end and defensive lineman Troy Walson announced on X that he will continue his football career at UConn this fall. Alongside Connecticut, the Fordham Rams and Virginia Military Institute scouted the versatile player.

In Walson’s final year with Bruton High School in Williamsburg, Virginia, he participated in 10 games, hauling in seven receptions for 121 yards, just over 17 yards per catch. As a junior, he registered 13 catches for 200 receiving yards in 12 games and notched an 18-yard touchdown. As of now, Walson’s primary position is at tight end, but he is not new to taking snaps defensively.

In 10 appearances, Walson racked up 23 total tackles (9 solo, 12 assisted) and recovered a fumble as a defensive lineman. Heading into this fall, he’ll be focused on developing with the Huskies.

Watson also played basketball for the Panthers. In 19 games his senior year, the future Husky contributed 4.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 0.3 assists per outing.

The Georgia Bulldogs basketball team is losing a seventh player to the NCAA transfer portal. Georgia forward Jaden Newell announced his plans to transfer the day the portal opened on Tuesday, April 7.

Newell is a former walk-on and is the older brother of former Georgia star Asa Newell, who was a first-round pick in the 2025 NBA draft and helped Georgia make the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Asa Newell was an elite recruit and having his brother on Georgia's team helped the Bulldogs land him. The older Newell will graduate from Georgia with a degree in biology.

Jaden Newell's decision to enter the transfer portal makes sense. He is getting his degree from Georgia, but has not earned much playing time. He likely wants a larger role at his transfer destination.

Newell played just 12 minutes across nine games during the 2025-2026 college basketball season. He scored two points in his limited time on the floor, but was a glue-guy for the Georgia team. Newell helped Georgia make back-to-back NCAA Tournaments during his final two seasons at Georgia. He grew from a walk-on player to a scholarship player.

During the 2025-2026 season, Georgia had 14 players played at least one minute. Half of those players now are expected to leave via the transfer portal. Two of the 14 players are out of eligibility (Justin Bailey and Justin Abson). Three players have announced their returns for next season while two players have not announced their plans.

Jaden Newell thanks Georgia basketball

View this post on Instagram

"After much prayer and careful consideration, I have made the decision to continue that growth by entering the transfer portal," Newell said in a thoughtful message via social media. "Thank you, Georgia. I will always bleed red and black. Go Dawgs!"

Georgia Bulldogs in the transfer portal

• Forward Jaden Newell
• Forward Dylan James
• Guard Jeremiah Wilkinson
• Center Somto Cyril
• Center Jackson McVey
• Guard Jordan Ross
• Forward Jake Wilkins

Follow UGA Wire on Instagram or Threads for more Georgia basketball coverage!

This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Seventh Georgia Bulldogs basketball player to transfer

The Atlanta Falcons are still dealing with the aftermath of James Pearce Jr.'s offseason arrest. The former first-round pick is facing three felony charges due to a stalking incident involving his ex-girlfriend. As expected, Pearce did not appear at the team's voluntary workouts.

"I will tell you guys that James Pearce is not here," said Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski. "We've been in constant communication with his representation."

Stefanski failed to provide much context and the team has said very little regarding Pearce's arrest and potential future in Atlanta. The expectation is that the NFL will suspend Pearce once his legal troubles are sorted out.

Falcons running back Bijan Robinson was asked about Pearce during his Wednesday press conference. Robinson said he hasn't spoken to Pearce since the incident, but that he's praying for his teammate.

"I'm praying for my brother," Robinson said of Pearce. "He's my teammate, I know the coaches have a plan and everything. If he's here in the building, I'm gonna make sure he's all the way focused, all the way ready to go."

Robinson was practically oozing excitement for the upcoming season and sounds like he's itching to get to work.

"I really feel like this is the best I've felt in my whole time being here," said Robinson. "Last year was a cool year, but this year I want to be even better."

The dual-threat back topped 2,000 all-purpose yards in 2025, and he's only just getting started. Over his first three NFL seasons, Robinson has rushed for 3,910 yards and 25 touchdowns, while adding 198 receptions for 1,738 receiving yards.

The Falcons let Robinson's backup, Tyler Allgeier, walk in free agency, but they signed veteran Brian Robinson Jr. as a replacement. Bijan praised both his former and current backfield mates.

"I'm very happy for him and what he's about to do in Arizona," Robinson said of Allgeier's new contact with the Cardinals.

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons: Bijan Robinson comments on James Pearce Jr.

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Part of the beauty of Augusta National is how a familiar course can play slightly different year to year. Greens will be reworked, tee boxes moved slightly, trees added or removed—to present a new challenge.

RELATED: Masters 2026: A comprehensive history of every change to Augusta National

The 90th edition of the Masters will offer a dynamic we rarely see to this degree: A completely firm-and-fast test without any rain in the forecast.

One of the biggest storylines of the week is the weather, but for good reason. Patrons, volunteers, players … everybody’s excited to see Augusta National in those conditions. Two-time Masters champion Scottie Scheffler said it’s the best weather conditions he’s seen for a Masters Tournament in his career. 

RELATED: Masters 2026: I found a weird stat that could predict the Masters winner

So how will the course change exactly?

Jordan Spieth, the 2015 Masters champion, talked about the difference in how a firm-and-fast Augusta will challenge players.

“It's going to be probably a more challenging green-in-regulation year,” Spieth said. “So it's going to be important to be coming out of the fairway just because it's going to be hard to get it to stay on some of the greens if you're not. And then it's going to probably get brown and crusty. Just with the weather coming, it's going to be so nice that I think they're going to let it go a little bit.”

Of course, most golf fans are probably aware of Augusta National’s Sub-Air system and how it can control its turf. Most of the time, the club will use its control mechanisms to reduce the moisture after rainfall to reduce how soft the course will play. This year, the club might deploy it to add some moisture if the putting surfaces are too firm. That’d be the best situation to have.

RELATED: Masters 2026: Man arrested after trying to sneak into Augusta National

Sure, firmness in the fairways means more distance on tee shots, potentially benefitting shorter hitters. But most important is the premium it will put on controlling your ball—particularly into and around the greens when they’re so bouncy.

“The chipping is going to be really tough,” said Akshay Bhatia. “You’ll just have to have some more creativity … It just makes your landing zones a lot smaller. You have to be very precise and miss in the right spot. Definitely makes it trickier.”

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The most recent best parallel to this year’s expected conditions would be the 2021 Masters, when the course dried out and got crispy even early in the week. Walking around on Wednesday, it was quite windy and crisp—adding to how dried out the turf should be, making it an ideal challenge.

Adding the need to be more precise around these greens will likely make this year’s Masters even more of a complete examination than it normally is. That’s what has people so excited. The best player will be identified by the extra challenge Augusta National presents.

RELATED: Masters 2026: There's a legend about a writer sneaking onto Augusta National and making an albatross. The truth is richer

“I'm excited to see how it plays this week,” Scheffler said. “We might get a little bit of wind and that increases the challenge. When it gets firm and fast, you're going to have some shorter clubs in, but it's going to be firmer, so you've got to kind of manage your way around.”

The two-time Masters champ has done a pretty good job of that.

RELATED: Masters 2026: Can the Masters be everything for everyone without losing what it is?

Shane Smith, the South Siders’ 2026 Opening Day starter, was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday. Smith’s demotion comes after his start on Wednesday, where he flashed some of that nasty swing-and-miss stuff we saw for stretches last season.

Smith was still erratic, however. He walked five Orioles, plunked a sixth, and burned through 99 pitches in 3 2/3 innings. Despite failing to end the fourth inning, Wednesday was still Smith’s longest outing of the year. That kinda says everything you need to know right there.

The issues are easy to diagnose. Smith has completely lost the ability to spot his fastball. Compare his 2025 heat map to 2026:

At his best, Smith features one of the liveliest four-seam fastballs in baseball. The pitch can overpower hitters even when they are sitting on it. Smith also added 1.3 inches of rise to his four-seamer early in 2026, which could help generate more swings and misses in the strike zone. None of this does a pitcher any good, however, when he’s constantly missing wide of the zone.

James Fegan got Smith and some of the White Sox development staff to talk about the fastball issues on Monday, and I was struck by this quote by Brian Bannister:

“He lost some of the qualities that made him unique,” Bannister said. “He had this unique little step forward that threw hitters off on their timing, and then he would speed up right after that to go slow, fast. You get some visual deception in a way that Tarik Skubal does.”

This isn’t the first time Bannister has talked about “visual deception” this season. Bannister is one of those guys who is always looking for the next big thing; in 2024 and 2025, he bet on the kick changeup and was correct. He’s now wagering on “funky,” a concept that has long been a staple of Japanese baseball culture but has grown more en vogue recently in MLB, from the more obvious (Nestor Cortes’s double leg kick) to the more subtle, like Shane Smith’s herky-jerky tempo from last year. The organization even has a term for them: “residuals.”

Smith took it upon himself over the offseason to regulate his windup tempo — we’re left to infer that Bannister hadn’t communicated his philosophy of funk to his pitchers before the offseason — and in doing so, he took away a piece of what made him a budding star last year. It’s like taking the loud parts out of “Smells Like Teen Spirit”—now the song is just some mumbly guy playing two notes over and over.

While an early-season demotion does not seem so bleak after last year’s extended Spring Training, where Colson Montgomery got his groove back, it also doesn’t instill much confidence in a ballclub when the Opening Day starter can’t make it to Tax Day. It’ll be up to the White Sox brain trust to get Smith back to the funk.

Wisconsin's recent NCAA Tournament foe, High Point, is one of the programs interested in former Badger guard Daniel Freitag, according to a report.

Dylan Lutey took to X on Wednesday to share that Freitag, who spent the 2024-25 season at Wisconsin before transferring to Buffalo, has heard from Ole Miss, Creighton, Cal, Grand Canyon, Washington, Penn State, Portland, Oregon State and High Point since entering the portal. Freitag later reposted the news.

The Minneapolis, Minnesota, native appeared in 14 games as a true freshman with the Badgers in 2024-25, totaling 29 minutes, two points, four rebounds and three assists. He later blossomed as a sophomore at Buffalo in 2025-26, averaging 33.2 minutes, 19.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 23 appearances.

247Sports currently ranks Freitag as the No. 123 overall player and No. 26 point guard in the transfer portal.

Buffalo guard Daniel Freitag (@DanielFreitag_) has heard from the following he tells me:

Ole Miss
Creighton
Cal
GCU
Washington
Penn State
High Point
Portland
Oregon St

After transferring from Wisconsin the 6-2 guard had a monster year averaging 19.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.3… pic.twitter.com/PpazFsAB6k

— Rising Ballers Network (@dylan_lutey) April 8, 2026

Freitag's Big Ten interest is notable, as he may soon be back competing in the Badgers' conference. It's also a minor note that High Point, which recently eliminated the Badgers from the NCAA Tournament, was among the programs listed.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion

This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin basketball transfer Daniel Freitag interest list High Point

Are the Boston Celtics interested in trading for Milwaukee Bucks star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo? Or is Giannis trying to find his way to a better situation with a dash of what the Athletic's Sam Amick calls "reverse tampering"?

Recently, the Bucks star had high praise for the Celtics and Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla, pointing out how the Celtics made a contender this season despite the loss of several key players from their 2024 title core to injury, free agency, or trades. The subtext, of course, is a shot at the team he's been playing for since he was drafted in 2013 for not doing the same. Now, Amick reports that Boston "who have the ‘Two Jays’ back now and look fully capable of winning it all, are known to be interested and discussed in league circles as potential suitors."

At first, a Celtics fan would have their hackles raised by such a statement, given that any move to bring on Giannis would require shipping out one of Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, or Derrick White and a large chunk of Boston's rotation players. And given the recent health and age (31) of the Greek forward, that does not sound like the boon it might have been as recently as a season or two ago.

Asked about the conversation Antetokounmpo cited regarding Boston's success this season and his role in it, Mazzulla replied (via Boston Dot Com reporter Khari A. Thompson), "He’s a great player, but I think my reaction is that you can’t do anything unless you have the players to be able to do it."

"It’s just that simple. I think the greatest gift you can have as a coach, especially in the NBA, is to have a group of players that have a high competitive character, care about winning and want to get better," noted the Celtics coach, reiterating his position in said conversation that it is less about him and more about the collective of people that have been assembled by the team's front office, and what they each bring to the table.

"I think it starts there."

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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Report: Celtics 'known to be interested' in Giannis Antetokounmpo

Dustin Johnson returns to The Masters this year with his stunning 20-under record still intact.

Johnson carded the lowest winning score at The Masters back in 2020, carding a 20-under 268 at Augusta National.

The superb score – 65-70-65-68 – helped secure a five-shot victory over Im Sung-jae and Cameron Smith.

Johnson has now returned to Georgia for his 16th start at The Masters, with his only other major championship win having arrived at the US Open in 2016.

The American, who missed the cut last year, has now predicted whether his record could be broken this time around.

Dustin Johnson thinks his 20-under record at The Masters is safe

Johnson was asked if he thinks his 20-under record at The Masters is safe, to which he replied simply: “I think it is.”

And when questioned why, the two-time major winner responded: “Because the course keeps getting harder every year.”

He was then asked if the time of year played a part, with Johnson saying: “I mean, the year before was what, 19?

“You know, Tiger [Woods], and I think and I finished at 18. So it’s all conditions.

“I mean, both those years it played fairly soft and it’s a completely different course this year. “Starting to bounce a little bit. Makes it a little bit more difficult.”

His 268 is two clear of the previous record, with Woods and Jordan Spieth both finishing on 270 in 1997 and 2015 respectively.

Dustin Johnson highlights ‘fantastic’ Augusta National condition for The Masters

Johnson delved further into the course itself and the conditions in Georgia, where he’s made 11 cuts from 15 starts.

Sharing if his approach to Amen Corner, which comprises holes 11-13, has changed over the years, he said: “It would be the same.

“I mean, obviously 13 is a little bit different. That would be the only hole that’s really… I mean 11 is a little bit longer but it’s always been a tough hole.

“12 is just exact same hole.

“But yeah, 13 is the only one that’s really a big change I would say. Just longer and a little bit tougher tee ball.”

And when asked how they are going to play this week amid the current conditions, he noted: “However they want it.

“I mean, the weather is perfect, so I think whatever they want to do with the golf course they’ll be able to.

“Course is in fantastic condition, and yeah, I think the weather is going to cooperate. However they want it to play that’s how it’ll play.”

It’s an important week for the LIV Golf star, who followed his missed cut at The Masters in 2025 by suffering the same fate at the PGA Championship and the US Open.

The 41-year-old can, however, take some form of confidence from finishing that major season with a T23 at The Open Championship.

It will be intriguing to see how the American deals with the greens this week, having struggled in that area of late, particularly compared to his solid efforts off the tee.

Read more:

Min Woo Lee suggests how the wind at Augusta this year could impact his game for The Masters

Collin Morikawa update as ‘notable info’ emerges from Augusta National range ahead of The Masters

How Scottie Scheffler really feels about his game ahead of The Masters compared to previous years

Chelsea have been outrun in every game they’ve played in the league this season, and clearly want to do something about it.

If you enjoy Chelsea News coverage and want to see more of it, add us as a preferred source on Google to make us a favourite and see more of our content.

Chelsea’s last Premier League game was a disaster. The Blues needed a win over Everton, and instead they got beaten handily 3-0.

It put them into the international break on a real negative, and even a big win against Port Vale last weekend hasn’t fully erased that. One of the notable stats from the game was how Chelsea had been outrun in the game – and in fact had been outrun in every game this season. There was a big debate about how bad this actually was, and Liam Rosenior addressed it in his press conference after the game.

Chelsea get stuck into physical preparation for Man City

Cole Palmer runs in Chelsea training.

Maybe it’s no coincidence, then, that the social media accounts at the club are very focused on the physical preparation for Man City this weekend. There’s been a slew of videos and photos on the club’s Twitter page pointing out how much running they’re doing.

Of course, it takes more than hard running to win in the Premier League, especially against a top team like City. But you’re not going to win without it either, so it’s nice to see the criticism has been taken on board.

In other news…

Jacobo Ramon is another player we’ve seen get linked to Chelsea a lot – but it seems like we might have a major rival for his signature.

Enzo Fernandez got in trouble for his comments during the international break, and Ben Jacobs was asked what he thought Chelsea’s position on them was.

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Caleb Williams has opened up about the figures who shaped his business mindset, highlighting a mix of personal influence and some of the biggest names in sports.

The Chicago Bears quarterback has consistently spoken about thinking beyond football, and that approach is rooted in both his upbringing and the examples set by elite athletes who built successful ventures off the field.

That combination of personal and professional influence defines how he sees his future. It also explains why his role models span different areas.

Caleb Williams says his father was his first business role model

Williams discussed his influences in a conversation with Front Office Sports News, where he was asked about the people who shaped his business thinking.

He made it clear that his earliest inspiration came from close to home rather than from sport.

Williams said, “Yeah, I think first and he’s not an athlete, is my father. He’s been a businessman my whole life. He showed me hard work and what it takes.

“So, I would definitely say, it started with him at a young age, going to his meetings.”

The answer highlights how his entrepreneurial mindset developed long before his rise in football.

Caleb Williams names Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and more as business role models from the sports world

Williams then pointed to several iconic athletes who have successfully transitioned into business.

He said, “I mean, MJ [Michael Jordan] has been the model. Magic Johnson has been the model. Kobe [Bryant], has been a model for all their foundation and all their businesses.

“How’s that been, for them and then, Steph Curry, the new age. I know, he’s on the latter part of his career.”

The list reflects a clear pattern: players who built lasting impact beyond their playing days.

For Williams, those examples serve as a blueprint for what his own post-NFL journey could look like.

Read more:

The Central Division and Metropolitan Division title races have been settled but the other two NHL division races are tight.

After games on Tuesday, April 7, the Tampa Bay Lightning, Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens are tied atop the Atlantic Division with 102 points each. In the Pacific Division race, the Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights are tied with 88 points and the Anaheim Ducks are one point back at 87.

So which team has the edge for the division title and which would finish second and have home-ice advantage in the second round?

That comes down to tiebreakers.

Here's an explanation of NHL tiebreakers and how they will affect the 2026 playoff races:

NHL tiebreakers: What is the first tiebreaker in NHL standings?

If two teams are tied in points at the end of the regular season, here are the tiebreakers:

1. Regulation wins
2. Regulation and overtime wins (ROW)
3. Total wins
4. Most points earned in head-to-head competition: If teams had an uneven number of meetings, the first game played in the city that has the extra game is excluded. When more than two clubs are tied, the percentage of available points earned in games among each other (and not including any odd games) shall be used to determine standings.
5. Goal differential
6. Total goals

How NHL tiebreakers affect the Atlantic Division race

The Lightning and Sabres entered Wednesday's game tied with 39 regulation wins, so that would go to the second tiebreaker. Tampa Bay leads 44 to 42 in ROW, giving it the division lead. The Canadiens have only 32 regulation wins and can't catch the other two teams in that category, so they'd have to finish ahead of the Lightning and Sabres in points to finish first or second in the division.

Buffalo plays on Wednesday and Thursday, April 9, while Tampa Bay visits Montreal on Thursday.

How NHL tiebreakers affect the Pacific Division race

Edmonton leads Vegas 30-28 in regulation wins and in ROW 39-35, so the Golden Knights will have to finish with more points or regulation wins than the Oilers to win the division. Anaheim has only 24 regulation wins.

How NHL tiebreakers affect the race for the Eastern Conference top seed

The Carolina Hurricanes have 106 points, but if the Lightning or Sabres can catch them, they have three more regulation wins than the Hurricanes.

How NHL tiebreakers affect the Eastern Conference wild-card race

The Boston Bruins (96 points) and Ottawa Senators (92) hold the two spots, with four other teams within five points of Ottawa. The Senators have the most regulation wins in that group (35) with only the Washington Capitals (33) able to catch them in that category, but they're five points back. Ottawa would take the first wild-card slot if they and Boston are tied in points at season's end.

How NHL tiebreakers affect the Western Conference wild-card race

The Utah Mammoth (88 points) are trending toward finishing with the first wild-card spot. The Nashville Predators (84) are sitting in the second wild-card spot, but they have played one or two more games than their closest pursuers: the Los Angeles Kings (83), San Jose Sharks (81), Winnipeg Jets (80) and St. Louis Blues (78).

The Kings currently have only 19 regulation wins, so they'd lose out in the event of a tie. The Predators have 27, the Sharks have 25, the Jets have 27 and the Blues have 29. The Sharks have the most ROW at 35 if it comes down to a second tiebreaker.

Nashville and Winnipeg are currently tied in regulation wins and ROW, but the Predators have three more total wins. If it comes down to a fourth tiebreaker between those teams. the Jets have the edge in the season series.

How NHL tiebreakers affect the second seed in the Central Division

The Dallas Stars vs. Minnesota Wild first-round series is the only one that is set, but home-ice advantage hasn't been determined. The Stars lead by two points and by an insurmountable five regulation wins, so the Wild can't win a tiebreaker. They would get home ice only if they finish with more points.

The teams play in Dallas on Thursday, April 9.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How NHL tiebreakers could affect 2026 playoff bracket, standings

Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich is often in the crosshairs of fans.

Some argue that Kimmich does not handle an aggressive press well enough to be a top flight midfielder, while others think that he might hold too much political power within the club.

However, there is one thing that you cannot argue — Kimmich is incredibly important to what Bayern Munich does with its attack. During the team’s 2-1 win in the Champions League on Tuesday, Kimmich had 19 successful final third entries to help push the attack forward:

Kimmich’s role at Bayern Munich has evolved over the years, but no matter what position he plays, the 31-year-old has always been a vital part of the team and what it wants to do offensively. Kimmich’s connection with the attacking group is a large reason why the squad has been so effective this season in scoring goals.

Can Kimmich have the same impact next week in leg two vs. Real Madrid?

If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…

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The Referee’s Committee (CTA) have acknowledged that Atletico Madrid’s outrage on Saturday night was justified, as they protested the decision to remove Gerard Martin’s red card at the Metropolitano. The incident occurred just minutes into the second half, and shaped the game.

Los Colchoneros were already down to 10 themselves after Nicolas Gonzalez had been dismissed in first-half stoppage time for taking down Lamine Yamal as he went into the box. Yet just two minutes into the second half, Martin cleared the ball, but his follow through caught Thiago Almada in a nasty manner. Initially, the referee brought out a red card. However after a VAR review, it was downgraded to a yellow card.

CTA: Martin should have been sent off

In their weekly review program, the CTA have concluded that the VAR was incorrect in intervening in the referee’s initial decision. The following is the explanation given.

“A dispute ensues over a 50/50 ball, clearly within reach of both players. The visiting player gets there first and strikes the ball. However, in the continuation of the play, his studs make contact with the side of the opponent’s leg, just above the ankle, causing a twisting of the joint. The referee, in real time, assesses the intensity, the area of ​​impact, and the consequences of the tackle and issues a red card for serious foul play.”

“The fact he touches the ball first does not negate subsequent reckless, dangerous, or rough play. The incidents in the Atletico Madrid-Barcelona match, as well as the Betis-Rayo Vallecano match already analysed during the review period of matchday 22 on February 24th, fall into this category.”

Diego Simeone and Robin Le Normand vented fury

After the match, Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone said that it was a clear sending off, and there was not much more to say, even referencing the review that is cited by the CTA. Barcelona counterpart Hansi Flick said that he did not feel it was a red card, to which Robin Le Normand responded that ‘Of course he would say that’. The Spain international went on to claim that he would have been sent off in the same situation.

In the run-up to the draft, we’ve been breaking down all of the players added by the Jets during free agency and in the legal tampering window. We continue today with offensive lineman Dylan Parham.

The 26-year old Parham is listed at 6’3” and 311 pounds and was a third round pick out of Memphis in 2022. Parham started 63 games during his first four seasons with the Raiders.

Background

Parham was only a two-star recruit out of high school and was originally listed as a defensive end prospect, although he started off as a tight end at Memphis, where he redshirted his first season in 2017.

Ahead of his redshirt freshman season, Parham switched onto the offensive line and became a four-year starter and then entered the 2022 draft, whereupon he was selected by the Raiders in the third round.

During his Tigers career, he was an all-AAC honorable mention in 2019 and first-teamer in 2021.

He’s been a four-year starter with the Raiders too, starting every game in his first two years and 29 of 34 games in the past two seasons.

2024 was his most consistent season but he struggled badly at the start of last year and there were calls for him to be benched, although he did settle down over the course of the season.

Parham was signed by the Jets in free agency on a two-year deal with a reported maximum value of $20 million.

Let’s move onto some more in-depth analysis of what Parham brings to the table, based on in-depth research and film study.

Measurables/Athleticism

Parham’s listed weight corresponds to what he weighed during the pre-draft process, but he was actually listed at 332 with the Raiders last season.

To add to the confusion, the Raiders had listed him at just 285 in the previous season, but that was apparently his weight back in his junior year in 2020. He bulked up to 304 that offseason and has obviously bulked up further from the 310 range to around 330 since entering the league.

Parham has average length but his athletic numbers are solid. He ran a 4.93 in the 40-yard dash at the combine and posted 25 bench press reps at his pro day. His explosiveness and agility numbers at the combine were also solid.

Usage

Parham has displayed excellent versatility during his career so far. At the NFL level, he has mostly played left guard, but he started at right guard in 2024 – his most consistent pro season – and has filled in as the starting center three times.

In college, he played both guard positions and was going to be the starting center in 2020 but ended up starting every game at right tackle instead.

In high school, he also played linebacker, defensive end and tight end.

Pass Blocking

Parham looked to have made good progress in 2024 as he only allowed one sack, having previously given up a total of 11 in his first two NFL seasons. However, he was part of a badly overmatched starting unit last season and ended up getting beaten for six sacks even though his rate of pressure allowed was quite low.

In college, he gave up eight sacks in his first two seasons, but then gave up just one in his last two seasons.

Parham can be moved off his spot or struggle to stay in front of his man at times.

Run Blocking

Parham’s run blocking grades from analytical sites such as Pro Football Focus were excellent in college and have typically been above average to good at the NFL level.

He displays good strength and power at the point of attack and can use his size to drive his man back.

However, he can be beaten by quickness at the snap, enabling opposing players to shoot gaps.

He has shown an ability to move from one assignment to another and has an understanding of angles.

While his skill-set is more suited to zone blocking assignments, he has enough athletic ability to get out on the move and can find a man to block in space.

Short Yardage

The Raiders were not very successful in short yardage situations last season. In fact, they didn’t have a one or two-yard touchdown run all season.

In previous years, they have fared better in such situations and Parham is a big body that can play his part in that.

Screen Blocking

Parham has displayed the athleticism and agility to get out in front of screen passes, which were a big part of the Raiders offense last year.

Footwork/Technique

Parham has struggled against the bull rush in the past, with his base too narrow and his pad level too high at times. However, this is an area where he has been seeing improved technique and results.

He moves his feet well and, despite only having average length, uses his hands and upper body strength well to buy himself time.

Penalties

Parham’s on-field discipline has generally been very good. He hasn’t had more than five penalties in any season at the college or pro level since he was a redshirt freshman at Memphis.

Where he has been penalized at the NFL level, the majority have been for offensive holding.

Special Teams

Parham’s only role on special teams at the NFL level has been blocking on the placekicking unit and he has no mistakes or penalties within that role.

This was also the case in college, although he did have a few snaps rushing kicks or blocking in punt protection.

Instincts/Intelligence

It’s difficult to judge who is at fault when there are as many breakdowns as there were on the Raiders’ line last year but it did seem clear that Parham’s awareness was lacking at times.

You would like to think that this, along with his occasional inability to diagnose stunts and games, would be an area where he improves with experience and on a unit that doesn’t keep losing key personnel.

There was also a game in 2024 when the Raiders could have beaten the Chiefs but Parham signalled for the ball to be snapped too early, leading to a costly fumbled snap.

He has had three pre-snap penalties at the NFL level, all of them on false starts.

In college, he was a three-time selection for the AAC’s all-academic team and was also on the Dean’s List in the 2018 fall semester.

Attitude

Parham is regarded as quiet, although he noted that he needed to become more vocal towards the end of his Memphis career as one of the few elder statesmen on offense.

As noted, his on-field discipline has been solid with just one personal foul for unnecessary roughness.

He does show a nasty streak at times, regularly displaying aggression in situations where he can go “looking for work”.

Injuries

Parham didn’t miss any time during his college career, or in his first two seasons with the Raiders, but he missed two games with a foot injury in 2024 and the last two games of 2025 due to illness.

He has also been listed on the injury report with injuries to his back, Achilles, calf and knee during his career but without missing any games due to these issues.

Scheme Fit

Parham looks set to slot into the starting lineup for the Jets at left guard and hopefully has similar traits to the outgoing John Simpson.

The Jets might draft a potential starter for the offensive interior as well, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that Parham would go to the bench. Joe Tippmann or even Parham himself could end up as the starting center, as some Raiders analysts felt that could be Parham’s best position and he didn’t give up a sack in his three starts there. There had been speculation that other teams were looking at Parham as a center option too.

He has been a teammate of current Jets players Geno Smith, Chris Smith and Mykal Walker while he with the Raiders.

Conclusions

After allowing both Simpson and Alijah Vera-Tucker to walk, the Jets had to fill one of their starting spots in a group that otherwise has good continuity.

Parham being a couple of years younger than Simpson makes him an attractive option and, while it may be a concern that the Raiders’ offensive line looked so bad last season, the hope would be that this had more to do with the players around Parham than anything he himself had control over. That being the case, slotting into a more stable unit could be the best case scenario for him.

You can expect the Jets to add some youth in the draft and perhaps look to extend Tippmann soon. Either way, the addition of Parham seems to consolidate the group nicely.

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The men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament is set to return on March 16, 2027 when the First Four tips off.

Our college basketball experts will guide you through the March Madness bracket with March Madness expert picks, matchup breakdowns, and betting analysis for every game, right through to the National Championship.

Bookmark this page and return ahead of the 2027 tourney for their college basketball picks.

March Madness betting 101

Single elimination changes everything. One cold shooting night or foul trouble can end a season, so aim for good prices and smart risk, not “can’t-miss” takes.

Start with the basics

Spread: In point spread betting, you’re wagering on how close the game stays. In the tournament, late-game fouling can turn a tight cover into a bad beat (or vice versa).

Moneyline:Moneyline betting is often the cleanest way to play a true March Madness upset, but you risk losing more frequently if you wager just on underdogs.

Total: Pace and shot quality matter in Over/Under betting, but so do tournament quirks like neutral rims, tight legs, and whistle changes.

Neutral-site mindset

Games aren’t played in familiar gyms, and crowds can be split. Travel, time zones, and quick turnarounds can matter, especially for teams that rely heavily on energy, depth, or shooting rhythm. When in doubt, lean on repeatable traits: defense, rebounding, and turnover control.

Why single elimination matters

Underdogs can be live because favorites feel pressure and have less room to “play through” a bad stretch. But favorites can also separate late when depth and free throws matter. Think in game scripts:

• Take the underdog + points if they can control tempo, defend without fouling, and protect the ball.
• Sprinkle a unit on the moneyline if they have a clear matchup advantage (e.g., elite 3-point volume vs weak perimeter D).
• Bet on the favorite if they can force turnovers, dominate the glass, or punish inside.

First half vs full game betting

Early nerves and unfamiliar sightlines can create slow starts. If you expect a tactical feel-out period, 1H Unders or 1H underdog spreads can be sharper than full game.

Overtime and endgame chaos

OT is usually included in spreads/totals, and late fouling can add 10–20 “free” points. Totals can swing wildly in the final minute, but don’t panic if you’re on the right side of pace and shot quality.

Still need help? Our Covers hoops analysts are here to provide you with March Madness expert picks from the First Four to the National Championship Game.

Popular March Madness betting markets

March Madness is a betting buffet - the key is picking the right market for your edge.

Futures: Futures are best when you’re early or disagree with the bracket. Conference tourney week and Selection Sunday can create mispriced numbers on title, Final Four odds, March Madness MVP odds, and region winner odds. Shop prices, and remember: a “good team” isn’t always a good futures bet if the path is brutal.

Game lines: The spread, moneyline, and total are the bread and butter once the bracket starts. Neutral courts, quick turnarounds, and unfamiliar sightlines can impact shooting (and totals) especially early. If you have a strong pace or matchup read, consider team totals or 1st half bets to isolate the edge.

Props:March Madness props shine when roles are stable and matchups are clear: usage, minutes, foul risk, and opponent style (rim protection, pace, rebounding). Ladders and alt lines can be powerful, but keep stakes smaller.

Same-game parlays: SGPs can be fun, but value varies. Compare the parlay payout to betting legs individually, and prioritize lines you’d play on their own.

And be sure to check out our expert NCAA bracket picks before the action begins!

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Cardinals predicted to cut ties with, put .300 AVG breakout slugger on trade block after MVP-level start to 2026 season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The St. Louis Cardinals have had a rather weird start to 2026, as they were planning on starting their rebuild, yet they find themselves with an above .500 record of 6-5. This success is mostly in part to Jordan Walker, who is finally having his breakout season.

MORE: Proposed Cubs trade sees Chicago land $64.5 million 2.89 ERA star pitcher to act as emergency replacement due to Cade Horton's season-ending injury

However, just because they are seeing short-term success with Walker, doesn’t mean they should try to continue on with it. FanSided’s Christopher Kline believes so as well, and urges the Cards to put Walker on the trade block while his stock is at an all-time high.

“Jordan Walker was 20 years old when he made his debut for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2023. After a strong rookie season, he put together back-to-back negative fWAR campaigns and started to feel like a lost cause. And yet, he's still 23 years old, younger than a lot of top prospects puttering around the Minor Leagues. It would appear that St. Louis' patience — their reluctance to trade or abandon ship — has paid off…Walker always had the tools for stardom. He's a preposterous athlete, with a body builder's physique and a track star's speed. If he's suddenly using those tools to their full capacity, St. Louis might have its franchise cornerstone. And yet, there's so much baked-in distrust with Walker at this point, which means this could be the last time his trade value peaks in a meaningful way. Walker was basically a toxic asset a year ago. If the swing flattens and his home run power vanishes, St. Louis will regret not taking advantage of this brief (if not necessarily sustainable) renaissance,” Kline wrote.

So far this season, Walker is slashing .300/364/.650/1.014 with two doubles, four home runs, and 11 RBI in 11 games. Combine that with the fact he still has multiple years of team control, and he could fetch a pretty penny for the Cardinals.

MORE: Proposed Cubs trade sees Chicago land former Rookie of the Year as replacement starter for injured Cade Horton

If the Cardinals are truly committed to rebuilding, then it might really be time to shop Walker. If they can land multiple top prospects for a guy that has been shaky for years, it would be a major win.

MORE MLB NEWS

Proposed Cubs signing sees Chicago land $61 million All-Star, former Cy Young candidate to replace injured Cade Horton

Diamondbacks predicted to sign $5.2 million World Series champion closer, would be upgrade over Paul Sewald

Braves predicted to finally sign $61 million All-Star, former Cy Young candidate to get Chris Sale some help in the starting rotation

The transfer portal is officially open for college basketball, and the Oregon Ducks have lost another important piece of their rotation. Ducks guard Wei Lin announced his entrance into the transfer portal on Wednesday, according to multiple reports.

A Chinese national, Lin joined the Ducks as a sophomore for the 2025-26 season after playing three seasons with the Nanjing Monkey Kings in the Chinese Basketball Association. Before coming to Eugene, Lin averaged 21 points, five assists and 1.4 steals per game with the Monkey Kings in the 2024-25 season.

Unfortunately, that level of success didn't translate to the college game, where Lin primarily came off the bench. Lin played in 30 games for the Ducks last season and made nine starts, averaging 6.6 points and 1.7 assists per game. He shot 34.4% from the field, but only connected on 29.5% of his shots from 3-point range. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining at the collegiate level.

NEWS: Oregon’s Wei Lin has entered the transfer portal, the portal told @TheFieldOf68.

The 6-4 sophomore guard made nine starts and averaged 6.6 ppg for the Ducks in his first collegiate season. He was a standout for the Nanjing Monkey Kings in the Chinese Basketball… pic.twitter.com/MPNgslupwG

— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) April 8, 2026

Lin is the sixth Duck to enter the portal since Oregon's season came to an end with a 12-20 record, marking the worst campaign under Dana Altman. Jackson Shelstad and Kwame Evans Jr. headline the Ducks' early entrants into the portal, while Dezdrick Lindsay, Devon Pryor and JJ Frakes are also preparing to leave the program.

That leaves just four players under scholarship remaining on the Ducks' current roster: Sean Stewart, Efe Vatan, Ege Demir and Jamari Phillips. The Ducks will add talented freshmen Tajh Ariza and Kendre Harrison before next season, but Altman has his work cut out for him, needing to add plenty of talent in the transfer portal, especially in the backcourt.

Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Wei Lin the latest Duck to enter the transfer portal

Anthony Volpe has quickly emerged as one of the most intriguing young shortstops in MLB, blending elite defensive skills, speed on the bases, and budding power into a package that immediately upgrades any middle infield.

While his batting average and on-base skills leave room for growth, Volpe's controllable years, durability, and multi-category contributions make him a valuable asset for both real-life teams and fantasy managers looking for stolen bases, home runs, and runs from a shortstop.

Whether a team is rebuilding or in contention, Volpe offers a floor of reliable defense with upside that could translate to fantasy production down the line, making him an attractive trade chip.

With interest building, here's what it would take for the Brewers to acquire him.

Milwaukee Brewers- New York Yankees MLB Mock Trade Details & Fantasy Baseball Impact

Brewers Acquire:

SS Anthony Volpe

Yankees Acquire:

LHP Robert Gasser

3B Andrew Fischer

Fantasy Impact

Anthony Volpe to the Brewers

Volpe becomes the Brewers' everyday shortstop, providing immediate MLB-ready production. His 2025 stat line (.212 AVG, 19 HR, 72 RBI, 18 SB, .663 OPS) suggests he will contribute power, speed, and counting stats in fantasy, but his low batting average and OBP cap his overall ceiling.

In fantasy leagues, he is valuable for stolen bases, home runs, and RBI totals, especially in points leagues or AL/NL hybrid formats. The Brewers gain certainty at a thin SS position, making Volpe a moderate-to-high fantasy asset in 2026, though not a top-tier shortstop.

Robert Gasser to the Yankees

Gasser, recovering from Tommy John in 2025, only appeared in 2 MLB games (5.2 IP, 3.18 ERA, 5 K, 1.59 WHIP). His immediate fantasy impact in 2026 is limited, as he is unlikely to be in a full-time rotation role right away.

However, in keeper or dynasty leagues, Gasser is a high-upside arm, offering potential strikeouts and ERA/WHIP stability if he develops into a mid-rotation starter. For redraft leagues, he is more of a sleeper or stash option, but for dynasty managers, he's a long-term fantasy asset with controllable years.

Andrew Fischer to the Yankees

Fischer's 2025 minor-league line (.311 AVG, .402 OBP, .446 SLG, 1 HR, 8 SB in 19 games) demonstrates excellent plate discipline, speed, and contact skills. Once he reaches MLB, he could contribute in runs, OBP, and stolen bases, making him a valuable fantasy asset in dynasty or keeper formats.

In redraft leagues, he is not immediately impactful, but as a prospect, Fischer is one of the Yankees' most intriguing future contributors, especially if he earns playing time in the next 2-3 seasons.

Why The Yankees Make The Trade

The Yankees could realistically move Anthony Volpe to the Brewers because of roster depth and positional flexibility. In 2026, the Yankees will already have Jos Caballero, Amed Rosario, and Ryan McMahon capable of playing shortstop or third base, giving the team multiple internal options to cover Volpe's position.

With the team off to a strong 82 start, they have the luxury of being strategic rather than desperate, meaning they can trade from depth to improve long-term upside rather than reacting to an immediate hole.

By sending Volpe to Milwaukee, the Yankees would acquire Robert Gasser, a promising pitching prospect, and Andrew Fischer, a high-upside infield bat, bolstering both their farm system and future roster flexibility.

Essentially, this trade allows the Yankees to convert a high-floor but capped player into controllable talent with higher ceilings, while confidently relying on their current depth to maintain shortstop and third base production.

Why The Brewers Make The Trade

The Brewers would have a strong motivation to acquire Anthony Volpe because of their need for a long-term, elite defensive shortstop.

Even though Milwaukee is off to a hot 83 start in 2026, the team's infield production, particularly from shortstop and third base, has been inconsistent.

Adding Volpe provides an MLB-ready solution with elite defense, speed, and moderate power, immediately shoring up their middle infield while complementing their already strong rotation and offense.

By sending Robert Gasser and Andrew Fischer to the Yankees, the Brewers trade prospects for certainty at a premium position, prioritizing short-term wins and roster stability while maintaining flexibility to add offensive depth around Volpe.

Essentially, this move allows Milwaukee to upgrade a key position without sacrificing MLB-ready contributors, pairing their strong start with a foundational piece for the future.

More Fantasy Sports On SI News

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This article was originally published on www.si.com/onsi/fantasy as Anthony Volpe Potential Trade to Brewers: Steadier At-Bats, Slight Fantasy Dip.

Looking to end the home portion of their schedule on a high note, the New York Rangers play their final game at Madison Square Garden this season when they host the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday.

The Rangers (33-36-9) seek their third straight win and are 5-1-0 over the first six of this season-long seven-game homestand. They’ll finish up the 2025-26 season with road games at the Dallas Stars (Saturday), Florida Panthers (Monday), and Tampa Bay Lightning (next Wednesday).

It wasn’t pretty much of the season on home ice for the Rangers, who lost their first six contests at MSG (0-5-1), and were shut out a stunning five times in that stretch. The opposite is taking place right now, since the Rangers appear nearly unbeatable at The Garden.

They’re coming off impressive consecutive victories this past weekend over a pair of teams in the thick of the playoff race. The Rangers smoked the Washington Capitals 8-1 on Sunday, after skating past the Detroit Red Wings 4-1 on Saturday. The Rangers outscored the opposition 27-8 on this homestand, so far.

“I think it’s important,” forward Tye Kartye said Tuesday following practice. “Obviously, we want home ice to be an advantage for us. Playing at Madison Square Garden as a road team, I know it can not be very fun. So, to have that energy in there and have a good finish here is important for us.”

The Rangers are 14-19-7 at MSG, and their 14 home wins are fewest in the Eastern Conference and fourth fewest in the entire League.

They’ll face a stiff test Wednesday, when the red-hot Sabres (47-23-8) pay a visit. Buffalo qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs already, ending an NHL-record 14-season drought not making the playoffs. With four games remaining, the Sabres are in a three-way tie with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens for first place in the Atlantic Division, each with 102 points.

Buffalo’s lost two of three after winning two in a row.

The season series is tied at one win apiece. The Rangers blanked the Sabres 4-0 up in Buffalo in their first road contest back on Oct. 9. Three months later, the Sabres skated out of The Garden with a 5-2 win over the Rangers.

3 storylines when Rangers host Sabres

1. Don’t get Buffaloed

Since the Olympic break, the Rangers are playing well. With a victory Wednesday, the Rangers would have three winning streaks of three games or more since returning to action Feb. 26, They are 11-7-3 in 21 games since the break, and 9-6-1 since March 9.

However, that pales in comparison to the Sabres, who shot out of a cannon, so to speak, after a rough first two months of the season. Coinciding with the firing of general manager Kevyn Adams, the Sabres are 36-9-4 since Dec. 9. Winning streaks of 10, 8, 5, and 4 games are included in that run.

“They’ve jumped to the top of the Atlantic this year, and really had a lot of younger players grow into their own,” Rangers forward Conor Sheary explained. “They’re a tough team to play against. They have high skill. They can score tons of goals, and you just have to be aware of them all over the ice. Obviously, it’s a team playing with confidence right now, so we’ve got to be ready for them.”

The Sabres are seventh in the NHL, averaging 3.40 goals scored per game. They have two 30-goal scorers leading the way — U.S. Olympic gold medalist Tage Thompson (38) and pending UFA forward Alex Tuch (30). Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin is sixth among NHL defensemen with 70 points (18 goals, 52 assists) in 71 games.

2. Fan Appreciation Night

The Rangers will give the shirts off their backs — literally — as part of an annual tradition following their final home game of the regular season. Though it’s been a thoroughly disappointing year, and the Blueshirts Faithful aired displeasure repeatedly as the Rangers plummeted to the bottom of the Eastern Conference, there’s an unbreakable bond between this team and its fans.

So, this is a bittersweet night, the end of another season — and another one without winning the Stanley Cup, or even a postseason appearance. Make it 12 years since their latest run to the Stanley Cup Final, 22 since the most recent Stanley Cup championship, one title in 86 years, and four in their 100 years as an Original Six franchise.

“Every game at The Garden, we want to make the fans happy,” Will Cuylle said. “Their passionate and they care a lot about the team, so to give them something to cheer about is good, especially at this point of the season.”

3. Speaking of Cools

Cuylle’s come alive down the stretch, with four goals in his past three games following a season-long 13-game goal scoring drought. That includes his first NHL hat trick Sunday against the Capitals, which brough his season total to 20 goals, equaling his output from 2024-25.

“I’m happy for Will, he hadn’t scored in a while, and to get a trick, it’s hard to score in this league … so a guy scores three goals in a game, that’s something to be celebrated,” coach Mike Sullivan stated after the morning skate. “He should feel good about that. He had a great game for us.”

Along with Gabe Perreault’s first career hatty on Saturday, the Rangers recorded hat tricks in consecutive games for the first time since 2016, and on consecutive days for the first time since 1982.

New York Rangers projected lineup

Alexis Lafreniere — Mika Zibanejad — Gabe Perreault

Will Cuylle —  Vincent Trocheck — Jonny Brodzinski

Tye Kartye — J.T. Miller — Conor Sheary

Jaroslav Chmelar — Noah Laba — Adam Sykota

Vladislav Gavrikov — Adam Fox

Matthew Robertson — Will Borgen

Drew Fortescue — Braden Schneider

Igor Shesterkin

Jonathan Quick

Rangers vs. Sabres: When, where, what time, how to watch

Who: New York Rangers vs. Buffalo Sabres

When: Wednesday April 8 at 7 p.m. ET

Where: Madison Square Garden

How to watch: MSG, TNT, HBO Max, TruTV

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Veteran Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas announced Wednesday on Instagram that his father Miguel Rojas Sr. died.

“With immense sorrow on behalf of the entire Rojas family, I must inform everyone who had the opportunity to know and share time with my father, Miguel Rojas—known as “Micky”—that he passed away suddenly yesterday afternoon, April 7th,“ Rojas said in Spanish, translated roughly here to English. ”I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has reached out to me and my family to offer their love and let us know just how deeply cherished my father was throughout his life. May God welcome him into His glory, and may he rest in peace.“

Rojas was originally slated to start at shortstop on Tuesday night against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, but was a late scratch, replaced in the lineup by Hyeseong Kim. At the time, the Dodgers announced Rojas was scratched “to tend to a family matter.”

After Tuesday’s game, manager Dave Roberts told reporters in Toronto that the Dodgers would play shorthandedfor Wednesday’s series and road trip finale if Rojas was not available. But on Wednesday, Rojas is right back in the lineup, batting ninth and playing shortstop.

Should the Dodgers decide to place Rojas on bereavement leave and call up a replacement on the roster once the team returns home on Friday, the minimum stay on the bereavement list is three days, with a maximum of seven days.

As the 2026 college football season approaches, talking season is starting to pick up, and the most anticipated preseason tradition is set to make its debut in a brand-new location.

The Southeastern Conference has officially announced the full appearance schedule of coaches for its 2026 SEC Football Kickoff Media Days, and Tampa is rolling out the welcome mat. The four-day event runs from July 20-23 at the Tampa Marriott Water Street and JW Marriott, and it is the first time in the event's history that Florida has hosted the SEC's annual summer showcase.

Previous host locations include Nashville, Dallas, and Atlanta. Before the locations rotated, it was the Hyatt Regency Birmingham-Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover that held the event for two full decades, from 2001 to 2021.

🏈 #SECMD26 appearance schedule announced:

🗓️ July 20-23, 2026
📍 Tampa, Fla.

🌴 https://t.co/oh5uy44y3wpic.twitter.com/Yw0JYljJXW

— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) April 8, 2026

Tampa's arrival on the scene signals a new era, and it's just the beginning of what the city has lined up. Tampa is expected to be part of the Georgia–Florida game’s temporary rotation while Jacksonville’s stadium undergoes renovations, and Raymond James Stadium is set to host the 2028 College Football Playoff national championship game on January 22, 2029.

The SEC Network will once again bring full national coverage across all four media days. A more detailed schedule including full television information, rotational breakdowns, and confirmed student-athlete attendees will be released in early July. However, here is the full appearance schedule as announced by the conference on Wednesday Names are listed alphabetically by school and are not indicative of actual order of appearance each day:

Monday, July 20 Will Stein (Kentucky) Eliah Drinkwitz (Missouri) Brent Venables (Oklahoma) Josh Heupel (Tennessee)

Tuesday, July 21 Alex Golesh (Auburn) Kirby Smart (Georgia) Shane Beamer (South Carolina) Clark Lea (Vanderbilt)

Wednesday, July 22 Kalen DeBoer (Alabama)Jon Sumrall (Florida) Pete Golding (Ole Miss) Mike Elko (Texas A&M)

Thursday, July 23 Ryan Silverfield (Arkansas) Lane Kiffin (LSU) Jeff Lebby (Mississippi State) Steve Sarkisian (Texas)

Talkin' Season is almost here. Tampa, get ready!!

Talkin' ball. 🗣️#SECMD26 Appearance Schedule ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/QDnVT8G6DQ

— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) April 8, 2026

Contact/Follow @College_Wire on X and @College_Wires on Threads. Like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of college sports news, notes, and opinions.

This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: SEC Football Media Days 2026: Full coach schedule in Tampa announced

The 2025-26 NBA regular season is winding down, which means that the postseason is right around the corner.

Will the Oklahoma City Thunder win another NBA championship? How far can the surprise Detroit Pistons make it? What about Boston Celtics with superstar Jayson Tatum’s shockingly fast return from an Achilles injury?

We’ll find out the answers to those questions in the coming weeks, but the end of the regular season also means we get to see how those preseason over/unders ended up.

Which teams outperformed expectations and which underperformed?

Here’s a list of the NBA teams have clinched their preseason over or under at BetMGM sportsbooks, along with the six teams still undecided with a few games remaining.

Still undetermined

Denver Nuggets: 53.5

New York Knicks: 53.5

Houston Rockets: 52.5

Minnesota Timberwolves: 49.5

Atlanta Hawks: 47.5

Philadelphia 76ers: 43.5

Teams that have clinched their over

Oklahoma City Thunder: 62.5

Detroit Pistons: 46.5

Los Angeles Lakers: 46.5

San Antonio Spurs: 44.5

Boston Celtics: 41.5

Toronto Raptors: 39.5

Miami Heat: 37.5

Portland Trail Blazers: 35.5

Phoenix Suns: 30.5

Charlotte Hornets: 27.5

Brooklyn Nets: 19.5

Utah Jazz: 18.5

Teams that have clinched their under

Cleveland Cavaliers: 56.5

Orlando Magic: 51.5

Los Angeles Clippers: 49.5

Golden State Warriors: 47.5

Milwaukee Bucks 43.5

Dallas Mavericks: 41.5

Memphis Grizzlies: 39.5

Indiana Pacers: 39.5

Chicago Bulls: 33.5

Sacramento Kings: 32.5

New Orleans Pelicans: 30.5

Washington Wizards: 20.5

Chris Coleman has cast doubt over whether Craig Bellamy is prepared to step into a role as demanding as the Celtic job…

The current Wales boss has been heavily linked with a potential move to Celtic this summer as a successor to Martin O’Neill, with a number of pundits such as Joe Ledley voicing their support for his appointment.

Despite that backing, the position would mark Bellamy’s first experience as a club manager, having previously served as an assistant to Vincent Kompany at Burnley before taking charge of the national side.

Chris Coleman – who worked with Bellamy during his time in the Wales setup, has expressed reservations – suggesting that a role of such magnitude may not be the right starting point for his managerial career.

Speaking via Glasgow Times, Coleman said: “I don’t know what’s next for Craig. His first job away from being Vincent Kompany’s assistant at Burnley was the Welsh national job… international football management and club football management are completely different things.

Craig Bellamy of Celtic rides a tackle from Neil McFarlane of Hearts during the Tennents Scottish Cup Semi Final between Hearts and Celtic at Hampden Park on April 10 2005. (Photo by Tom Shaw/Getty Images)

“I know there are rumours around Celtic, but managing Wales and managing Celtic are two completely different jobs. Completely different. Managing Celtic is not like managing any other club out there, because that is an institution up there. If that was your first club job… I’m not sure.”

Coleman has indicated he would prefer the 46-year-old to remain in charge of Wales and focus on guiding the national team to a major tournament, following their recent World Cup play-off disappointment after a penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia.

Craig Bellamy, Head Coach of Wales speaks to the media during a press conference at Wembley Stadium on October 08, 2025. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

He added: “For Craig, I’d like to see him stay with Wales and qualify for a tournament. That should be his ambition… I hope he stays on in that role, and if he does qualify for a tournament with Wales, that’s another two years under his belt as a manager.”

“Maybe then you can talk about clubs like Celtic. But it’s not an easy job up there, I promise you that… certainly for someone who hasn’t experienced managing at club level.”

“To put him in the conversation for a club like Celtic, I’d first like to see him qualify with Wales and have a good campaign.”

Craig Bellamy of Celtic during the Tennents Scottish Cup Semi Final between Hearts and Celtic at Hampden Park on April 10 2005. (Photo by Tom Shaw/Getty Images)

“Then he might be ready… right now he’s 18 months to two years in – for Wales’ sake, and also for Craig’s sake, I’d like to see him stay for just one more campaign.”

Conor Spence

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Mississippi State power forward Brandon Walker plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, per On3’s Jamie Shaw. He spent one year with the program.

In 19 games last year, Walker averaged 4.7 points per game, 2.1 rebounds per game and 0.5 assists per game. He shot 50.7% from the floor and 28.6% from three-point range.

Walker also played college basketball at the University of Texas-Arlington in 2022-23 and then transferred. He played two seasons at Montana State before going to Mississippi State.

As a member of the Class of 2022, Walker was not ranked, according the Rivals Industry Ranking. He played his HS basketball at Waxahachie Faith Family Academy and is from Cedar Hill (Texas).

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves. Check it out!

Forward Sergej Macura plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal as well. Without Macura and Walker, the Bulldogs lost some depth.

The portal window opens April 7 and runs through April 21 as part of the NCAA’s new 15-day transfer period. As is standard, Macura will not be required to commit to a new school within that timeframe, allowing him to explore his options fully.

Macura appeared in a rotational role during the 2025-26 season, averaging 5.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. The forward provided size and effort in the frontcourt, contributing on the glass and offering interior presence, but like several players on the roster, he struggled to find any consistent footing in a challenging season.

Why Pirates have orange traffic cone to celebrate in dugout originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have a dugout filled with possible celebrations.

When a hitter launches a home run, they get to wear a steel mill welder's mask. But that's not all. There's also an orange traffic cone.

The traffic cone is new, but it's working so far.

Goodnight Bucco fans! pic.twitter.com/VK3SeMozvH

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 1, 2026

MORE: Terrance Gore's son honors dad with perfect first pitch

Why do the Pirates have an orange traffic cone?

The Pirates entered play on March 31 just 6-for-45 with runners in scoring position.

In other words, Jake Magnum explained it like this:

“We’ve had a lot of traffic on the bases recently,” Mangum said. “We just haven’t directed ‘em home. We needed a traffic cone to make sure they got home... You have to direct traffic home sometimes, man."

The Pirates also have T-shirts on sale on Fanatics that say Hoist The Cone, and no one is quite sure why.

Well, at least now there's some cross-promotion happening.

The Pirates kept the traffic cone going on Wednesday, and they kept scoring runs.

Given the superstitions of baseball players, the traffic cone isn't going anywhere as long as the Pirates keep hitting and getting runners home.

And now, people are stealing traffic cones in Pittsburgh:

Companies in Pittsburgh are reportedly chasing down Pirates fans who are stealing traffic cones. Pirates players are "Hoisting the Cone" to celebrate home runs this season

(via @KDKA) pic.twitter.com/EGjG0GfXSx

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 8, 2026

More MLB news:

• Wrigley Field wind impacted potential HR by more than 100 feet
• Red Sox should've had a 3-pitch swinging strikeout, but it ended as a walk instead
• Shohei Ohtani has most unstoppable hitting, pitching streaks at the same time
• Reds make umpire CB Bucknor look bad with ABS challenges
• This New York Times crossword clue is bizarre for baseball fans
• The rulebook strike zone doesn't actually match the ABS strike zone

The Seattle Mariners announced today that they have placed OF Victor Robles on the 10-day IL with a right pectoral strain. To take Robles’s place on the roster, the Mariners have selected INF/OF Connor Joe. Joe will wear #9, last worn by INF Ben Williamson.

Joe, 33, is a journeyman player who’s been with several organizations, most known as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team that drafted him, and the Rockies, where he played two seasons. The Mariners brought him in this spring on a minor-league deal and invited him to camp as an NRI, where he saw significant playing time while many Mariners regulars were away at the WBC.

Joe impressed in camp, knocking in six doubles, a triple and a homer over 20 games, showing some surprising thump and recording consistently loud exit velocities for a player who’s never been known as a power threat. Joe credited that this spring to the Mariners’ up-the-middle philosophy, saying it suits him well as a hitter. He told me this spring how quickly he took to the Mariners’ offensive philosophy, and coaching specifically:

“From [Kevin] Seitzer to Mags [Bobby Magallanes] to Pap [Ed Papprella], we had such productive talks, and Mags even pulled up some video from when I was going really well with the Pirates and compared it to some of the moves I was making when I first got to camp, and talked about how I could add some more rhythm in there, get a little bit more separation, just be more athletic in the box, and it’s really helped me. The work with them and the communication with them has been very, very consistent.”

What the Mariners were really excited about when acquiring Joe, however, is his plus makeup and leadership abilities. Joe, whose father ran Chinese restaurants in the San Diego area and often worked 15-hour days, is a testicular cancer survivor who speaks often about the importance of early detection and his difficult journey to fatherhood. (I strongly recommend you read the linked article, written by now-Mariners AP beat reporter Andrew Destin, who covered Joe back when he was in Pittsburgh.)

In addition to these moves, the Mariners also moved RHP Carlos Vargas to the 60-day IL with a lat strain. Vargas was placed on the 15-day IL on March 27th after feeling discomfort during his regular throwing routine. RHP Cole Wilcox was selected from Tacoma to replace Vargas and has since appeared in three games, punching out six of the sixteen hitters he’s faced so far.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Guardians shortstop Gabriel Arias is expected to miss four to eight weeks with a moderate left hamstring strain that occurred during Monday night's game against Kansas City.

The 26-year-old was hurt while running out a double in the fifth inning and left the game. He was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday after undergoing medical tests, the results of which were announced Wednesday.

“He’s in some pain,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said before the three-game series finale against the Royals.

Arias, who is batting .200 with two homers and four RBIs in 10 games, will be re-examined weekly throughout his rehabilitation. This is his third full season as a starter for Cleveland.

The Guardians recalled second baseman Juan Brito from Triple-A Columbus to take his place in the lineup, while moving Brayan Rocchio from second to shortstop. They started the final two contests against Kansas City.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb

Louisville Cardinals Basketball transfer portal tracker live updates, news on commits, departures from the program originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Louisville Cardinals took a second-round exit in the 2026 NCAA Tournament to the Michigan State Spartans. What's clear for Pat Kelsey's team is there will be some newcomers to the program next season.   

Louisville finished the season at 24-11 with seven losses in ACC play. One of the biggest unknowns at this point is who will replace Mikel Brown Jr., who is projected as a top-ten NBA prospect. He was the biggest contributor to Louisville's success, but missed the postseason due to injury. 

Here's where things stand with the Cardinals in the transfer portal. 

According to On3, Louisville was one of the most active teams with several outbound players in the first day of the transfer portal. 

Louisville Cardinals transfer portal live updates

Louisville transfers

Louisville Transfer news: 

April 6, 2025

• Mouhamed Camara has entered the transfer portal
• Khani Rooths expected to enter the transfer portal

March 31, 2025

• Sananda Fru expected to enter the transfer portal

Louisville transfer portal rumors:

April 7: Kansas center Flory Bidunga is one of the top players in the transfer portal. The Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year will be visiting Louisville with Oregon's Jackson Shelstad, according to On3. 

More college basketball news:

• Two fans ejected from NCAA Tournament after bringing FAFO energy, lose $6
• NCAA basketball tournament reportedly expanding to 76 teams: What to know
• Dawn Staley says 'I will beat Geno's ass' in new video after heated exchange
• What UConn's Geno Auriemma said after ripping Dawn Staley
• Nate Burleson's wardrobe gets roasted during March Madness coverage

Two Players Red Sox Got In Rafael Devers Trade Now Thriving In New Organizations originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Boston Red Sox surprised everyone by trading Rafael Devers last season, but most of the return is no longer with the Red Sox.

The Red Sox received left-handed pitcher Kyle Harrison, right-handed pitcher Jordan Hicks, right-handed pitcher Jose Bello and right fielder James Tibbs III. Hicks, Harrison and Tibbs are no longer with the Red Sox, and Bello is in Single-A. Harrison was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in the Caleb Durbin deal and Tibbs was shipped to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Dustin May deal.

Hicks was traded to the Chicago White Sox and continues to struggle at times. However, Harrison and Tibbs are thriving in their new organizations. Meanwhile, Durbin is off to a slow start, and May is no longer even with the team.

Harrison earned a job in the Brewers' rotation and has looked great so far. He has 14 strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings of work through two starts. His walk numbers are down, and his strikeout rate is as high as it has ever been at the big league level. The Red Sox brought in three new starting pitchers this offseason, when they could have just held on to Harrison.

Harrison turning into a better pitcher with the Brewers may have been expected. The organization has a track record of getting the best out of pitchers. However, what Tibbs is doing for the Doegers has to sting the Red Sox.

In 30 games with the Red Sox in Double-A, Tibbs hit .207 with a .586 OPS. He has started this season in Triple-A for the Dodgers and has been dominating at the plate. He has seven home runs in 10 games and is slashing .439/.511/1.098. He has been playing some first base with the Dodgers as well, and is their No. 10 prospect.

Tibbs started producing as soon as he was traded. In 36 Double-A games with the Dodgers last season, he hit .269 with a .900 OPS. He has played better for the Dodgers than he did for both the Red Sox and the San Francisco Giants. The Dodgers were clearly able to unlock something in his swing that the Red Sox could not.

The true winner of the Rafael Devers trade won't be known for a few more years. However, right now, it looks like the Red Sox could have had two very good players that they traded away for little return. If Durbin turns into a star at third base, that could change.

The Philadelphia Eagles have built a reputation for identifying and developing offensive line talent better than almost anyone in the NFL. Their business model is about building an offensive unit from the inside out. That's why their latest reported draft visit feels worth a closer look. Jude Bowry may not be a household name, but the former Boston College standout brings the kind of profile that has quietly worked in Philadelphia's favor for years. At 6-foot-5 and 314 pounds, he has the size and physical traits teams covet, along with positional flexibility that could make him even more valuable at the next level.

According to Mike Reiss, Bowry has a predraft visit scheduled with the Eagles this week.

Local pro day: The Patriots host prospects from New England schools today, and those who grew up locally. Often a meaningful day for those attending, many of whom grew up as Patriots fans.

In a related note, BC OL Jude Bowry is on top-30 visits with Bengals, Eagles this week.

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) April 7, 2026

He may be a hidden gem of sorts. In Lance Zierlein's draft profile written for NFL.com, Bowryearns a predraft grade of 6.14, labeling him as a "good backup with the potential to develop into a starter.”

A lesser-known name could address a growing concern along the Eagles’ offensive front.

For some teams, predraft profiles and Top 30 visits might not move the needle. For the Eagles, it's exactly the type of evaluation that conveys interest and can often turn into a long-term success story.

Philadelphia's situation along the interior offensive line adds another layer of intrigue. There are lingering questions about long-term durability and depth, particularly when considering the physical toll the position takes over a full season. With veteran departures reshaping the depth chart, adding a developmental piece now could prove a forward-thinking move. Bowry primarily played tackle in college, but his future may lie inside. A transition to guard could maximize his skill set, allowing him to utilize his strength and size in tighter spaces while refining his technique against interior defenders. That kind of versatility is something the Eagles have consistently valued.

He may not generate the buzz of a first-round pick, but that doesn't mean the opportunity isn't there. If history is any indication, Philadelphia can find good linemen in later rounds. They also don't need headlines to find impact players up front. Sometimes, the prospects no one is talking about end up becoming the ones everyone remembers.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Jude Bowry to meet with Eagles on a Top 30 predraft visit

Dodgers predicted to break baseball by trading for $56M Cy Young winner with a 0.74 ERA originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Miami Marlins may have the best pitcher in baseball right now in Sandy Alcantara. Many wrote him off after a disappointing 2025 season, but that came on the heels of an injury. So far in 2026, he has already become the first starter to throw a complete game.

“Sandy Alcantara threw the first complete game of the MLB season in a 93-pitch shutout to lead the Miami Marlins over the Chicago White Sox 10-0 on Wednesday,” ESPN wrote.

On Tuesday night, Alcantara nearly accomplished the same feat against the Cincinnati Reds but was pulled by his manager with two outs remaining.

“Sandy Alcantara took the mound in the top of the ninth inning with a 2–0 lead, aiming to become the fourth pitcher in Marlins franchise history to record back-to-back complete-game shutouts. After surrendering a double and a walk, manager Clayton McCullough made his most controversial move of the young season, removing his ace in favor of Anthony Bender,” Fish on First’s Kevin Barral wrote.

Alcantara’s dominance early in the season has also caused his trade value to skyrocket. One team to watch as a potential suitor is the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“Alcántara has been at the subject of trade rumors for years. Miami held onto him rather than flipping him for pennies on the dollar. It looks like the right call. Alcántara missed the 2024 season and then was a bit rusty in 2025. Now, he's fully back. Alcántara has made three starts and has a 0.74 ERA in a league-leading 24 1/3 innings pitched to go along with an 18-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio. In three starts this season, he has pitched seven innings, nine innings and 8 1/3 innings. He's on a bit of an insane run and looks like the guy who won the Cy Young Award in 2022,” SI’s Patrick McAvoy wrote.

The Dodgers already boast one of the best rotations in baseball, but there have still been some inconsistencies. Alcantara, who is on a $56 million deal, would give Los Angeles another elite arm and potentially elevate an already dangerous pitching staff.

Alcantara won the Cy Young Award in 2022 and appears to be returning to that form early this season. While there is still a long way to go, he is exactly the type of frontline starter the Dodgers could target.

More MLB news:

• Cubs predicted to sign $38.5M Cy Young-caliber arm to salvage rotation after Cade Horton injury

• Braves' Austin Riley's career-long struggles flaring back up amid deafening start to 2026 season

• Tigers predicted to trade for $64.5M veteran arm to bolster rotation with Tarik Skubal, Framber Valdez

• Braves urged to trade $73M injury-prone Gold Glove winner after $1.25M surprising resurgence

• Mets predicted to sign $90M 4-time Gold Glove winner, 2-time Silver Slugger to backup Bo Bichette

• Dodgers' $6.5M World Series hero facing nightmare repeat that cost him nearly entire 2025 season

• Red Sox's Willson Contreras sends threat to entire Brewers organization after heated altercation

• Phillies' $126M Cy Young finalist facing major red flags in rehab from season-ending injury

• Braves' $212M former MVP candidate, 2-time All-Star sets off alarms with ice-cold start to season

• Braves predicted to trade 3-top prospects for Angels' $5M Gold Glove finalist with elite bat speed

• Braves' $2.9M Opening Day roster miracle turning heads after sensational outings vs. D-Backs, A's

• Dodgers' Dave Roberts hints at calling up $12.5M versatile defender after Mookie Betts injury

“We’re Dude Perfect. I’m Bryson DeChambeau. And believe it or not, welcome to All Sports Golf Battle at Augusta National.” [And then a lot of yelling for some reason.]

That’s how the 11-minute Dude Perfect's Masters video from 2022 begins, and to be honest, many couldn’t believe it. Augusta National, the home of secrecy, phone bans and a constantly expanding list of rules and restrictions, had just allowed several YouTubers to use croquet mallets as putters and toss frisbees around its sacred course. And now, four years later, Masters Chairman Fred Ridley is also a bit bewildered by the decision.

MORE: Masters concessions prices are actually cheaper in 2026 than they were at the first Masters

“I've referred to the tension in the past between respecting tradition and innovating, or in our nomenclature, continuous improvement,” Ridley explained in a Masters presser on Wednesday. “So I do think we need to be looking at nontraditional ways of promoting the tournament, but more so promoting golf.

“A few years ago, we had Dude Perfect playing frisbee at Amen Corner. In retrospect, I like those guys, but that may not have been the best idea. But it does point out that we try things every once in a while that are a little bit nontraditional.”

To be fair, the video has racked up nearly 20 million views and went viral the second it dropped. Is that what Augusta National and its intelligentsia want? It sounds like they’re still figuring that out. Perhaps that is why Pat McAfee was shut out from hosting his show at the Masters ... and also why Jason Kelce is romping around the Par-3 Contest this year. Clearly, things are still up in the air.

MORE: Golf Debate Answered: What is the most overrated Masters tradition?

“My first reaction was, who are these guys?” Ridley said back in 2022 regarding Dude Perfect. “I’ve never heard of them.

“It was something that I got comfortable with very quickly. No. 1, these are very upstanding young men who, it was obvious to me in some discussions, some third-party discussions of people who had been dealing with them and things they actually said on video. They had the utmost respect and reverence for Augusta National.”

We get it. Things change. Since that Dude Perfect video, Rory McIlroy cemented a career Grand Slam and Scottie Scheffler won all of his majors, but we can say with relative confidence that Dude Perfect won’t be back to flip water bottles in Butler Cabin anytime soon.

Golf Digest Logo The Bryson DeChambeau dilemma at Augusta National

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First team

100: Aislynn Weller, Selinsgrove … Sophomore finished second in District 4 and sixth at regionals in first season with the program … Won 28 matches.

106: Juliet Steckley, Danville … Sophomore took third at districts and qualified for regionals … Recorded 33 wins.

112: Kyleigh Ficks, Milton … Freshman became first girl in program history to medal at a PIAA state meet after finishing eighth … District 4 champion and regional runner-up … Ended the year with a 39-10 record.

118: Skyler Wiest, Shikellamy … Junior finished fifth at districts and qualified for regionals … Posted 28 wins.

124: Rylee Campbell, Shikellamy … Junior is a repeat selection … Took second at districts and fifth at regionals … Won 29 matches.

130: Aubrey Rebuck, Shikellamy … Sophomore is a repeat pick … Qualified for state meet for second time … Finished fourth at districts and regionals … 32-10 record.

136: Ryleigh Ziants, Shikellamy … Sophomore is a repeat selection … Finished third at districts and qualified for regionals … Won 25 matches.

142: Shu Hyra Ali, Milton … Junior made first trip to states … Runner-up at districts and regionals … Compiled a 28-10 record.

148: Roslyn Snyder, Shikellamy … Junior is a repeat selection … Ended the season as a first-time state qualifier … Finished as a district champion and took third at regionals … Collected 31 wins.

155: Tatianna Myers, Selinsgrove … Junior took third at districts and qualified for regionals … Won 17 matches.

170: Daphney Bingaman, Southern Columbia … Sophomore finished fifth at districts and competed at regionals … 17-9 record.

190: Taylor Stewart, Mifflinburg … Senior is a repeat pick … Qualified for states for first time … Posted 25 wins in second season with varsity.

235: Aryonna McGinley, Mount Carmel … Senior took fourth at districts and qualified for regionals … Won 13 matches.

Honorable mention

Danville: Kiera Johns (124), Jadelyn Sarviss (148), Brightness Che (170)

Line Mountain: Reese Kieffer (112), Alessia Horning (124), Paiton Burgess (130), Anastasia Phillips (136), Layla Dunn (148), Kayleann Gonzalez (170)

Mifflinburg: Autumn Dersham (106), Camryn Roman (118), Avery Edison (148), Skyanne Little (155), Lydia Miller (170)

Milton: Cage Farr (118), Adelyn Bush (136)

Selinsgrove: Abbey Carr (106), Mikayla Martin (118), Elizabeth Varner (142)

Shamokin: Marion Ulrich (155)

Shikellamy: Isabella Marlow (142), Danielle Bottiger (155), Kirsten Grubbs (190)

Southern Columbia: Aryanna Vezo (136)

There was plenty of young talent across the Valley girls wrestling scene during the 2025-26 season. However, one newcomer stood out among the crowd.

Shikellamy freshman Finley Boetsch had high expectations even before she competed in a high school varsity match. She put on a dominant first season that culminated with a fifth-place finish at the PIAA tournament.

After becoming the first girl in program history to win a state medal, Boetsch is this season’s Daily Item Girls Wrestler of the Year.

Wrestling at 170 pounds, Boetsch opened the state tournament with an 11-0 major decision loss. She then pinned four of her next five opponents to ascend to fifth place on the podium.

Boetsch ended the season 38-5 with 36 of her wins coming by fall. Three of her losses came to Brockway’s Elysabeth Myers, who took third in the state.

“It really shows me what my competition will be,” Boetsch said in March. “A lot of them are actually graduating, so I probably won’t see a lot of them, but next year I’ll be able to know their tactics and know what they are best at, and I can work off that.”

Boetsch started the season 17-0 before she was pinned by Myers for her first loss of the season on Jan. 17. Boetsch also won a District 4 title and finished fourth at the Central Regional tournament.

Even before her varsity career started, Boetsch had been in the spotlight. She took second at 150 in the U14 girls tournament at the Keystone State Championships last year. Boetsch, who has been wrestling for five years, also made the U14 Junior All-Tournament team during the Women’s National Duals in June.

In order to achieve more success at the state level, Boetsch wants to focus on her shots ahead of next season, especially against girls who are bigger than her.

“I used to wrestle with the boys, and so it kind of just shows all my hard work paid off,” Boetsch said. “I’m gonna keep working and try to get first place. And it just shows to our school that there is a great program, and that if you even think about it, you should come and try it. It’s just amazing.

“I just think next year I’ll come in much stronger. I’m gonna try to get bigger in the weight room, and come back and actually try to be a solid 170.”

'We’ll see what happens,' Nico Hischier creates uncertainty around his future with the Devils originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

It's been a rough week for the New Jersey Devils. On Sunday, the organization parted ways with GM Tom Fitzgerald, and on Tuesday, they were officially eliminated from playoff contention.

The Devils' post-season hopes were shattered when they lost 5-1 against the Philadelphia Flyers, and the Ottawa Senators earned at least one point in their 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Before New Jersey's game against the Flyers, Devils captain Nico Hischier spoke to the media, and his reaction to the Fitzgerald news has caught the attention of the fans.

Hischier was asked about his future with the Devils following the team's direction and the aftermath of letting go of Fitzgerald. His answer raised questions and concerns.

"I’m focusing on playing hockey here," Hischier told reporters. "I still have one more year. So I’m with the Devils right now, and then we’ll see what happens."

MORE: Post-Mortem: New Jersey Devils' Next GM Must Get Bold

The 27-year-old is in the sixth year of a seven-year contract that he signed in October 2019. He earns $7.25 million per season and is eligible to sign a contract extension with New Jersey as early as July 1.

His contract also includes a modified no-trade clause, rather than the full no-move clause that several stars in the NHL have attached to their deals. For this season and next season, the Swiss center has a 10-team no-trade list.

This is Hischier's ninth NHL season since being selected first overall in the 2017 draft. However, if the Devils put up another disappointing campaign and hang around the bottom of the Eastern Conference once again, there could be some more changes coming to the organization.

MORE: Devils Need Jack Hughes' Hot Streak To Stretch Over An 82-Game Season

Hischier's comments provide flexibility for his future, as he didn't take a firm stance on whether he would be part of the Devils in the long run. Should New Jersey be another selling team, whoever their new GM is, may consider moving the captain in exchange for a healthy return of assets.

However, with the talent up front, including Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Timo Meier, and others, there's a world in which this season is just a one-off for the Devils, and they return to the competitive playoff team everyone expected them to be this year.

More NHL News

• Capitals' Alex Ovechkin won’t make decision on NHL future until the off-season
• 3 candidates for Hockey Canada's next GM
• Projecting what Team North America would look like at the 2028 World Cup of Hockey
• Devils decide it's 'time to move in a new direction,' fire GM Tom Fitzgerald
• 5 NHL coaches most likely to be fired at the end of the 2025-26 season

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The Final Four marks the final step before a national champion is crowned, drawing massive betting interest every April.

With 2027 March Madness odds not yet available, this page will be updated as sportsbooks release lines and the market begins to take shape.

NCAA men's Final Four odds

NCAA men’s Final Four odds for 2027 are not yet available, but will be added here as sportsbooks release their markets.

Check back for updates as the tournament field takes shape and betting action begins.

What impacts NCAA Final Four odds?

Final Four odds are shaped by a mix of team strength, matchup paths, and late-tournament performance, all of which become more defined as March Madness unfolds.

• Team quality and seeding: Higher seeds and top-ranked teams typically enter the tournament with shorter odds, but those numbers can shift quickly based on performance.
• Path to the Final Four: A favorable bracket or key upsets can dramatically improve a team’s outlook, while difficult matchups can lengthen odds.
• Star power and form: Teams led by elite players — especially those producing in high-pressure moments — often see their odds shorten as betting action increases.

Popular March Madness markets

• Men's March Madness odds
• March Madness picks
• Women's March Madness odds
• March Madness MVP odds

Programs with the most Final Four appearances

Program	Appearances
North Carolina Tar Heels	21
UCLA Bruins	19
Duke Blue Devils	18
Kentucky Wildcats	17
Kansas Jayhawks	16
Ohio State Buckeyes	11
Michigan State Spartans	10
Louisville Cardinals	10
Michigan Wolverines	8
Indiana Hoosiers	8

March Madness by the numbers

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Seattle Mariners placed outfielder Victor Robles on the 10-day injured list with a right pec strain on Wednesday and recalled Connor Joe from Triple-A Tacoma.

The move with Robles was made retroactive to Tuesday and announced before Wednesday's game at Texas.

The Mariners also transferred right-hander Carlos Vargas from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list with a right lat strain.

Robles is batting .231 in five games with Seattle.

Joe has played first base, right field and left field for Tacoma. He played in a combined 42 games for Cincinnati and San Diego in 2025 and hit .186.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb

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Air Premia Joins JetBlue, Fiji Airways, Icelandair, EVA Air, Qantas, ANA and More Airlines Around the World Offers Frequent Passengers...

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Euro 2028 Ticket Prices Spark Global Buzz as UK and Ireland Prepare for a Massive Surge in Budget Football TourismEuro...

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Ghana Rolls Out Free Visas For All African Passport Holders: A Game-Changer For The Nation’s Tourism Sector!Ghana grants visa-free entry...

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Last month, the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold went out of stock in the U.S., and the company indicated that the phone wouldn’t be restocked. However, it’s now announced that Galaxy Z TriFold will be returning to sale once again this Friday.

Samsung has listed this phone on its official online store with a tagline, “Coming soon – the return of our popular trifold screen.” The company also announced that this sale will be available until supplies last.

It has an official countdown timer running on the Samsung Store, which could help you to stay ready to place an order. Besides the online store, you can also find the phone at Samsung’s official experience stores.

Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold is returning in the U.S.

Launched in December, the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold brings a new generation of foldable form factor. It folds twice to create a massive 10-inch tabelt size screen space that helps users to see content bigger and multitask better than ever.

Once closed, the TriFold becomes an ordinary phone with its 6.5-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x display offering you all functions without requiring you to unfold the device. Its dimensions make the phone as hand-frinedly and its weight makes it easy to carry.

It equips three rear cameras: a 12MP ultra-wide, a 200MP high-quality main camera, and a 10MP 3x telephoto optical zoom camera. There’s one 10MP selfie camera on the foldable display and the other on the cover.

The phone uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, coupled with the One UI 8.0 operating system with Galaxy AI features. It comes with Samsung’s 7 OS upgrades and seven years of security patch support.

Unlike Fold 7, Z TriFold ships a 5,600mAh battery, the largest Samsung has ever packed inside a foldable phone. And, it supports 45W fast super charging. Now comes the price, the phone was launched at $2,899 in crafted black color and 512GB of storage.

The post Galaxy Z TriFold returning on sale after shocking ending appeared first on Sammy Fans.

Samsung’s Exynos 2700, which is expected to power the next-generation Galaxy S27 and S27 Plus, has just appeared in a pair of Geekbench listings. The SoC bears the S5E9975 model number, with the listing also containing the ERD identifier, which implies it is likely tested on an engineering board. Exynos 2700 features a 10-core CPU with ARMv8 cores. The speediest cores clock in at 2.88GHz while the efficiency ones are capped between 2.3GHz and 2.4GHz. The listing reveals that Exynos 2700 earned 2,603 single-core and 10,350 multi-core scores. Nothing impressive at first glance, but we...

A recent report claimed that Apple’s foldable iPhone ran into issues during its engineering test phase, potentially delaying its launch beyond the September window by several months. However, a new report contradicts that claim, suggesting that Apple remains on track to unveil the iPhone Fold in September. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has dismissed recent claims of a delay, stating that development remains on track. Citing people with knowledge of the matter, Gurman reports the foldable iPhone will be unveiled alongside the iPhone 18 Pro. pic.twitter.com/ESgl3uiUWF— Majin (@MajinBuofficia)...

Despite his unpromising start to the season, Rafael Leão has managed to earn a spot in coach Massimiliano Allegri’s rotation. Nevertheless, the Portuguese’s future at AC Milan is not entirely certain, as his inconsistent performances open the door to a possible departure. In light of this, the 26-year-old winger has reportedly been offered to Hansi Flick’s Barcelona in a €50 million move in the summer of 2026.

According to Corriere dello Sport, the Rossoneri are open to listening to offers for Rafael Leao. However, the Portuguese would only leave for an offer exceeding €50 million. Although he has a €180 million release clause, they believe the 26-year-old star has already completed a cycle with the team, making this one of the last opportunities to secure a good transfer fee for his rights, as his contract expires in 2028.

Throughout his career, Leao has been linked with Barcelona, as his agent Jorge Mendes already attempted this move in previous seasons. Given his potential departure from AC Milan, the Blaugrana are closely monitoring a possible move for Rafael, staying in contact with his agent. However, they have not decided to make a move for his signing, waiting until the summer of 2026, reports Diario Sport.

Despite Rafael Leao being a target for the Blaugrana for several seasons, they are not entirely convinced about his signing. The Portuguese has not managed to deliver consistent performances at AC Milan, alternating strong displays with notable dips in form. Additionally, Hansi Flick demands defensive commitment from his wingers, something the 26-year-old winger does not particularly excel at, raising serious doubts.

Report: Barcelona have three top priorities at left wing ahead of Leao

Ahead of the 2026–27 season, Barcelona remain attentive to strengthening the left wing, as Raphinha has been dealing with quite a few physical issues. Given this, the possible departure of Rafael Leão from AC Milan emerges as a strong possibility. Nevertheless, the Blaugrana reportedly maintain three priorities to reinforce this position ahead of the Portuguese.

According to Diario Sport, the Blaugranas are keeping a close eye on the possible continuity of Marcus Rashford. After already fitting in with Hansi Flick, they are evaluating his performances in the final stretch of the season to decide whether to pay the €30 million buy clause. In addition, he is willing to take a salary reduction, opening the door to his permanent stay.

In case that he fails to convince at Barcelona, they have decided to bet on young talent. In this context, the development of Abde Ezzalzouli and Jan Virgili is reportedly being monitored. As academy players, they would have a smooth adaptation to Flick, which is seen as a differential factor. Additionally, the Blaugranas hold 20% of Abde’s future sale and 40% of Virgili’s future sale.

Barcelona host Atletico Madrid in a high-stakes first leg of their 2025-26 UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie at Spotify Camp Nou. While fans will be hoping to see every available star on the pitch, Raphinha‘s absence from the squad has raised questions ahead of the match.

Raphinha will not feature against Atletico Madrid due to injury. The winger suffered a tear in the biceps femoris of his right leg while representing Brazil in their friendly against France during the March international break on the 26th, and has been sidelined ever since.

The timing could hardly be worse for both the player and the club, with Raphinha expected to be out for a minimum of five weeks. Under that recovery timeline, the Brazilian will miss both legs of the Atletico Madrid tie as well as Barcelona’s next four La Liga fixtures.

According to Mundo Deportivo, head coach Hansi Flick is targeting El Clásico on Sunday, May 10, as the date Raphinha could return to action. Should Barcelona maintain their winning form up to that point, a victory over Real Madrid could clinch the 2025-26 La Liga title with three games to spare, making it a significant moment for the winger to make his comeback.

FIFA to reimburse Barcelona

Currently sitting atop the La Liga table with 76 points and still alive in the Champions League, Raphinha’s injury has prompted Barcelona to direct their frustration toward FIFA. As reported by Diario Sport, the governing body will be compensating the club for the duration of his absence.

Re-elected president Joan Laporta aired his grievances with Món Esport over the situation: “In some way, we should demand that FIFA create an international calendar that takes into account the competitions of the most important clubs. It’s true that when one of your best players gets injured in a friendly match between France and Brazil in the United States, it is very frustrating. The problem is the congested fixture list, especially at this point in the season when we are playing for everything. It is exasperating!”

Under FIFA’s established compensation framework, clubs receive a daily payment of 20,548 euros, applicable for a maximum of 365 days and capped at 7.5 million euros per player. With Raphinha projected to miss approximately five weeks, reports indicate Barcelona stand to receive around 143,836 euros in reimbursement.

Bayern Munich’s 2-1 win over Real Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals was built, in part, on Manuel Neuer’s performance. That put the veteran goalkeeper back in the spotlight, fueling debate over whether he should return to the Germany national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“This version of Neuer is world-class; he belongs in the national team,” said legend Lothar Matthaus after the match, according to Marca. He also sent a message to the Germany head coach: “I hope Nagelsmann watched the match. I would love to see Neuer in this kind of form at the World Cup… but I also know that won’t happen. Nagelsmann won’t open that door.”

That push comes nearly two years after Neuer’s retirement from international soccer. He chose to close that chapter of his career following Germany’s elimination from UEFA Euro 2024 in the quarterfinals against Spain.

In that way, the goalkeeper said goodbye to Germany after 15 years, having first been called up in 2009. During that span, he played in four World Cups and four European Championships, and won the sport’s biggest prize at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final. In total, he made 124 international appearances and recorded 54 clean sheets.

“The best players have to go to the World Cup, and Manu is by far the best goalkeeper in the world,” said former star Benedikt Howedes, who was Neuer’s teammate at the 2014 World Cup. Even a current Germany and Bayern Munich player, Aleksandar Pavlovic, shared his view: “I would never say no to Manu, no matter his age. He is still an exceptional goalkeeper.”

What did Neuer say about a possible return to Germany?

Those calls for Manuel Neuer’s return to the Germany national team generated enough speculation that the 40-year-old goalkeeper addressed the topic himself after the match against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

“Everything has already been said about it,” Neuer replied when asked about a potential appearance at the 2026 World Cup. Instead, he chose to focus on his club objectives: “What matters now is finishing the rest of the season with Bayern. I’m enjoying my time with the team, at the club, with the coaching staff. It’s true that I’m 40 years old, but I’m still here.”

How have Germany replaced Neuer?

Since Manuel Neuer’s international retirement, Julian Nagelsmann has been forced to test different options in goal for Germany. Over the past two years, the coach has used three different goalkeepers in official matches and friendlies.

The most-used has been Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann, with a total of 11 appearances. Behind him is Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who has managed just four matches due to injury issues during his time with Barcelona, which have also kept him sidelined at Girona. The third goalkeeper selected by Nagelsmann is Stuttgart’s Alexander Nubel, who has featured in three matches.

The post Crypto Trading Volume Drops 48% — Is the Market Running on Leverage Alone? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The crypto market may appear stable on the surface, but underlying activity is cooling rapidly. Data shows that total centralized exchange (CEX) trading volume has dropped to around $4.3 trillion, marking a sharp 48% decline from the October 2025 peak. This slowdown points to weakening participation, even as prices attempt to hold higher levels.

More importantly, the structure of the market is shifting. Perpetual futures now dominate with nearly $3.5T in volume, while spot trading has shrunk to just $0.8T. This cryptoquant data highlights the imbalance, suggesting the market is increasingly driven by leverage rather than real demand, a setup that often leads to fragile rallies and higher volatility.

Futures Dominate as Spot Demand Weakens

The latest CEX volume breakdown highlights a clear imbalance in market participation, with derivatives now driving the majority of activity. Total trading volume has cooled significantly, but more importantly, the composition has shifted—perpetual futures account for nearly $3.5T, while spot volumes lag far behind at around $0.8T.  

The chart shows that spot volume has been steadily declining since early 2025, indicating reduced long-term investor participation. At the same time, futures volume, after peaking near $10T, is also beginning to trend lower, pointing to a broader slowdown. However, the dominance of derivatives remains intact. This suggests that current market moves are largely fueled by short-term positioning and leverage.

Spot Activity Is Fading Across Exchanges

Spot trading volume is clearly trending lower across major exchanges, pointing to a steady decline in real market participation. After strong peaks in late 2024 and 2025, recent data shows a sharp cooldown into 2026, with volumes dropping across the board—even as leading platforms like Binance continue to hold dominance.

Spot volume represents real buying interest, and its decline signals that fresh capital is not entering the market at the same pace. Since the drop is broad-based and not limited to specific exchanges, it indicates an overall pullback in participation rather than a shift in liquidity. As a result, the market becomes more dependent on derivatives, making price action less stable and more prone to sharp reversals.

Futures Activity Is Cooling — But Still Dominant

Futures trading volume is starting to cool after months of elevated activity, reflecting a slowdown in leveraged participation. While volumes remain relatively high compared to historical levels, recent data shows a clear decline across exchanges into 2026, following peaks seen in late 2024 and 2025.

Futures still dominate overall activity, but the drop suggests that leveraged traders are becoming less aggressive. Since derivatives have been driving most of the market movement, this cooling phase indicates reduced speculative pressure. However, with spot demand already weak, the decline in futures activity adds another layer of caution, signaling that both real demand and leveraged momentum are fading together, which can lead to slower trends or sudden volatility.

Exchange Share Is Shifting as Volume Declines

Even as overall spot volume contracts, the distribution of activity across exchanges is gradually changing. Binance continues to dominate, but its share has been trending lower, with other platforms steadily gaining ground. This shift is subtle but consistent over time.

The market isn’t attracting new capital; it’s redistributing existing liquidity across more venues. As dominance spreads out, liquidity becomes less concentrated, which can reduce efficiency in price discovery. In a low-volume environment, this kind of fragmentation often leads to choppier moves and less reliable trends, as no single venue drives clear direction.

Wrapping it Up- Cooling Activity Signals a Fragile Market

The data points to a clear shift: trading activity across CEXs is cooling, and participation is weakening across both spot and derivatives markets. Total volumes have dropped sharply from their late-2025 peaks, while spot demand has shrunk to a fraction of overall activity. At the same time, liquidity is spreading across more exchanges instead of expanding.

This doesn’t necessarily mean the market is about to collapse, but it does signal a less stable environment. With lower spot participation and declining leverage momentum, rallies are likely to face slower follow-through and higher volatility. For sustained upside, the market will need to see spot demand and overall trading activity recover—otherwise, price movements may remain fragile and prone to sharp reversals.

has provided some clarity on his inactivity. Once known as the heavyweight division’s bogeyman, Bakole was last in action nearly a year ago in May 2025 when he was held to a majority decision draw against Efe Ajagba in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. That clash came three months after Bakole had stepped in on short notice […]

The post Martin Bakole finally speaks out: “One man is trying to ruin my career” appeared first on Boxing News.

Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing have continued to bolster their stable with the acquisition of Richardson Hitchins and Edgar Berlanga. After conquering the world of MMA, UFC chief White has entered the world of boxing with his new promotional outfit Zuffa, staging several events since the start of the year. So far their biggest signings have […]

The post Dana White signs another world champion to Zuffa Boxing as Hitchins and Berlanga complete deals appeared first on Boxing News.

Vodadone Sultanlar Ligi play-off 3-4 serisi ilk maçında Eczacıbaşı Dynavit, sahasında Zerenspor'u 3-1 yendi.

Vodadone Sultanlar Ligi play-off 3-4 serisi ilk maçında Eczacıbaşı Dynavit, sahasında Zerenspor'u 3-1 yendi.

Bu sonuçla ev sahibi takım, seride 1-0 öne geçti.

Seride iki galibiyete ulaşan ekibin sezonu 3'üncü tamamlayacağı etapta ikinci karşılaşma, 11 Nisan Cumartesi günü Zerenspor'un ev sahipliğinde TVF Ziraat Bankkart Voleybol Salonu'nda oynanacak.

Salon: Eczacıbaşı

Hakemler: Ramazan Çevik, İbrahim Acar

Eczacıbaşı Dynavit: Rettke, Stysiak, Yaprak Erkek, Jack-Kisal, Dilay Özdemir, Ebrar Karakurt (Simge Aköz, Plummer, Meliha Diken, Elif Şahin, Smrek, Maglio)

Zerenspor: Malinov, Uzelac, Janset Cemre Erkul, Lazareva, Saliha Şahin, Beyza Arıcı (Ceren Önal, Özlem Güven, Gatina, Eylül Karadaş, Kübra Akman, Şeyma Ercan Küçükaslan)

Setler: 25-10, 27-29, 25-21, 25-19

Süre: 112 dakika (19, 35, 31, 27)

Hayatını kaybeden ünlü teknik direktör Mircea Lucescu için, Bükreş'teki Ulusal Arena stadyumunda tören düzenlendi

Geçtiğimiz gün hayatını kaybeden ünlü teknik direktör Mircea Lucescu için cenaze töreni düzenlendi. Anma töreni Bükreş'teki Ulusal Arena stadyumunda yapıldı. Lucescu'nun cenazesi Cuma günü askeri törenle başkentteki Bellu Mezarlığı'na defnedilecek.

Trendyol 1. Lig'in 34. haftasında Emre Gökdemir İnşaat Ankara Keçiörengücü, deplasmanda Alagöz Holding Iğdır FK'yi 1-0 yendi.

Stat: Iğdır Şehir

Hakemler: Muhammet Ali Metoğlu, Emre Doğu, Burak Sami Şad

Alagöz Holding Iğdır FK: Sinan Bolat, Robin Yalçın, Alim Öztürk (Dk. 38 Gökcan Kaya), Fofana (Dk. 76 Tunahan Ergül), Bruno, Loshaj (Dk. 59 Doğan Erdoğan), Mendes, Ali Kaan Güneren (Dk. 76 Oğuz Kağan Güçtekin), Atakan Çankaya, Koita (Dk. 59 Ahmet Emin Engin), Güray Vural

Emre Gökdemir İnşaat Ankara Keçiörengücü: Emre Satılmış, Oğuzcan Çalışkan, Roshi (Dk. 90+4 Hakan Bilgiç), Rroca (Dk. 67 Halil Can Ayan), Hüseyin Bulut, İbrahim Akdağ, Wellington, Ezeh (Dk. 82 Diaby), İshak Karaoğul (Dk. 82 Erkam Develi), Süleyman Luş (Dk. 67 Ali Dere), Fernandes

Gol: Dk. 47 İshak Karaoğul (Emre Gökdemir İnşaat Ankara Keçiörengücü)

Sarı kartlar: Dk. 25 Rroca, Dk. 31 Wellington, Dk. 52 Oğuzcan Çalışkan (Emre Gökdemir İnşaat Ankara Keçiörengücü), Dk. 33 Alim Öztürk, Dk. 52 Loshaj, Dk. 65 Sinan Bolat (Alagöz Holding Iğdır FK)

Trabzonspor, Trendyol Süper Lig'in 29. haftasında 11 Nisan Cumartesi günü deplasmanda Corendon Alanyaspor ile yapacağı maçın hazırlıklarına devam etti.

Mehmet Ali Yılmaz Tesisleri'nde teknik direktör Fatih Tekke yönetiminde gerçekleştirilen antrenman, dinamik ısınma ile başladı. 5'e 2 pas çalışmasıyla devam eden antrenmanın son bölümünde ise taktik çalışması yapıldı.

Tedavileri tamamlanan Arseniy Batagov ve Edin Visca da antrenmanda yer aldı.

Bordo-mavililer, Corendon Alanyaspor maçının hazırlıklarını yarın sürdürecek.

Fatih Terim, Mircea Lucescu'ya sosyal medya hesabı üzerinden veda etti. İşte o duygusal paylaşım.

Fatih Terim, ülkemizde uzun yıllar görev yapan ve 7 Nisan tarihinde hayata gözlerini yuman teknik direktör Mircea Lucescu'ya veda etti. Terim, 80 yaşında hayatını kaybeden ve son maçına Tüpraş Stadyumu'nda A Milli Futbol Takımımız karşısında çıkan Lucescu için, "Kader, seni son kez çok sevdiğin İstanbul'a belki de bu yüzden getirdi." dedi. İşte Fatih Terim'in sosyal medya hesabı üzerinden paylaştığı o duygusal yazı...

"Sevgili Mircea,

Bu satırları yazmak hiç kolay değil. Ama ömrünün neredeyse tamamını o eşsiz çim kokusuyla, yeşil zemin üzerindeki çizgiler arasında veya ötesinde, herkese nasip olmayacak büyük sorumluluklar altında geçirmiş iki futbol insanı olarak bu hikâyenin sessiz kalmadan tamamlanması gerekiyor.

Geride kalan yarım asırda insanlar değişti, devir değişti, futbol değişti, dünya değişti. Ama senin futbola olan tutkunda hiç eksilme olmadı. Biz aynı öykünün farklı cümleleri olduk. Aynı sevinçler, hüzünler, fırtınalar, hayal kırıklıkları... Kazandık, kaybettik, eleştirildik, tebrik edildik, anlaşıldık, bazen hiç anlaşılmadık. Bizi birbirimize en çok yaklaştıran şey bence oyuna duyduğumuz sadakat oldu.

Kader, seni son kez çok sevdiğin İstanbul'a belki de bu yüzden getirdi.

Bu, temeline saygı ekilen bir veda mektubu. Sen, futbolun hakkını sonuna kadar verdin.

Sadece Romanya'ya veya Türkiye'ye değil, bu oyuna çok şey verdin. Ve biliyorum; nerede olursan ol, gözünün futbolun üzerinden ayırmayacaksın.

Huzur içinde uyu dostum."