İngiliz efsane Gary Lineker, Galatasaray - Liverpool maçını değerlendirdi ve sarı-kırmızılıların Victor Osimhen ile bulduğu golün iptal kararının yanlış olduğunu söyledi.
Misli Premyer Liqasının XXIV turunun “Sumqayıt” – “Şamaxı” oyunundan (0:1) sonra qonaq komandanın baş məşqçisi Ayxan Abbasov jurnalistlərin suallarını cavablandırdı.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, mütəxəssis əvvəlcə görüşlə bağlı fikirlərini bölüşdü…
– Maraqlı oyun alındı. Yuxarı sıralarda yerləşən komandalara çatmaq istəyirdik. Mübarizəli matç keçdi. Yaxşı atmosfer var idi. Vacib qələbə qazandıq. Futbolçulara mübarizələrinə görə təşəkkür edirəm. Acı məğlubiyyətlər də yaşamışıq, amma indi möhkəm komanda ola bilmişik. Bəlkə, mövsümün gedişində bəzi oyunlarda xal itirməsəydik, indi daha yuxarılarda ola bilərdik. Fasiləyə qədər bir oyun qalıb. Qarşıdan millinin də oyunu gəlir. Həqiqətən, yorulmuşuq. Amma istəməzdim fasilə olsun. Komanda son oyunlarda yaxşı çıxış edir. Tək “Qarabağ”a uduzmuşuq.
– Mövsümün sonunda gedəcəyiniz demək olar, dəqiqləşib. Qalmağınız üçün büdcə artmalıdır? Hansısa hərəkət var rəhbərlikdən?
– Klubun inkişafı üçün addım-addım işlər lazımdır. Ötən mövsüm aparıcı oyunçularımız getdi. Bu il də gələn oyunçular yaxşı çıxış edir. Bilirik ki, onları saxlamaq çətin olacaq. Nəsə qazanmaq istəyirsənsə, heyət qalmalı, güclənməlisən. Bunlar da büdcəylə bağlıdır. Klub olaraq da inkişaf etməliyik.
– Yaxşı nəticələr qazanırsınız, amma “kasıb” komandalarda iş tapırsınız.
– Bu sualın cavabı özümüzdədir. Nə zamana kimi özümüz özümüzə dəstək verməyəcəyiksə, düzəlməyəcək. Baxıram, adlı-sanlı məşqçilər yerliləri qınayır, onların yerinə göz dikir. Nə vaxt özümüzə qiymət verəcəyik, klub rəhbərləri yerli məşqçilərin arxasında duracaq, onda işləmək olar. Ancaq indi klub rəhbərlərinin 90 faizi yerli məşqçilərin arxasında durmur. Uzun məsələdir.
– Bəlkə, klub rəhbərlərinin dəyişməsinə ehtiyac var?
– Bir çox klub rəhbəri artıq getməlidir. Nəticə qazanmırlar. Onları da sorğu-sual etmək lazımdır. Nə qədər məşqçi dəyişəcək? Tək məsələ məşqçi deyil. Bir çox mütəxəssislər var, komandanı saxlayır, amma rəhbərliyin etdiyi yanlış transferlər problem yaradır. Bizim problemimiz tək məşqçi deyil. Gərək yerli məşqçilər də özlərinə dəstək olsun, bir-birinin arxasıyca danışmasın.
– Kərim Rossiyə yaxşı təklif var…
– Harda çalışmışam, hücumçularım yaxşı çıxıb. Əli Qurbani, Peyman Babayi, Riçard Qadze… Rossi iki il bundan öncə izlədiyim futbolçudur. Amma gələndə belə deyildi. Çox çalışdı. İndi onu “Şamaxı”da saxlamaq çətin olacaq. 9 qol vurub. İndi hücumçular var, 400-500 min alır, amma iki qol vura bilmirlər.
– O da gedəcək?
– Müqaviləsi bitir.
– İliçlə mübahisəniz olmuşdu. Bu qələbədən sonra sizi təbrik etdi?
– Peşəkar məşqçidir. Oyundan sonra da salamlaşdıq, təbrik etdi. Bizdə bir çox məşqçilər var ki, udanda yaxınlaşır, uduzanda yox.
– Yerli məşqçilər var ki, deyirlər, Ayxan niyə iki yerdə işləyir…
– Bilirəm, tələsməsinlər, yaydan bir yerdə işləyəcəm.
“Sumqayıt” Misli Premyer Liqasının XXIV turunda “Şamaxı”ya uduzub – 0:1.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, matçdan sonra meydan sahiblərinin azarkeşləri komanda əleyhinə şüarlar səsləndirib. Əvvəlcə rəhbərliyi istefaya çağıran fanatlar daha sonra futbolçulara narazılıqlarını bildirib.
Oyunçuların tribunadan tez ayrılmasından daha qəzəblənən azarkeşlər xüsusi qapıçı Xəyal Fərzullayev əleyhinə şüarlar səsləndirib.
Misli Premyer Liqasının XXI turundan təxirə salınmış “Neftçi” – “Qarabağ” görüşünün keçiriləcəyi tarix və saat müəyyənləşib.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, “Palms Sports Arena”da baş tutacaq qarşılaşma 30 aprel saat 20:00-da start götürəcək və “CBC Sport” telekanalı vasitəsilə canlı yayımlanacaq.
Misli Premyer Liqasının XXIV turunun “Araz-Naxçıvan” – “Karvan-Yevlax” oyunundan (2:1) sonra meydan sahibi komandanın baş məşqçisi Andrey Demçenko jurnalistlərin suallarını cavablandırdı.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, mütəxəssis əvvəlcə görüşlə bağlı fikirlərini bölüşdü…
– Vacib qələbə qazandıq. Birinci hissə bizim üçün yaxşı oldu. Yaxşı qollar vurduq. İkinci hissədə buraxdığımız qol öz səhvimizdən idi. Oyunun sonları bir az gərgin keçdi. “Qarabağ”la oyunla müqayisədə futbolçuların gözündə alov var idi.
– Simakala çox epizod qaçırdı. Əvəzlənəndə də aranızda mübahisə oldu. Ötən oyundan sonra oynamaq istəməyən futbolçular olduğunu dediz. Simakala da onlardandır? – Ad çəkməyəcəm. Yaxşı oynamayan oyunçular özləri bilirlər. Simakala hücumçudu, qol vurmalıdı.
– Nuno Rodrigesin oyunundan razı qaldız? – Bəli, onun yerini dəyişdik. Yaxşı oynadı.
– Avrokuboklar mübarizəsində olduğunuzu hiss edirsiz? – Təbii ki. Günbəgün daha irəliləyirik. Materialları daha yaxşı qəbul etməyə başlayırlar. Böyük komandalara qarşı xallar itirdik, amma hədəfimiz avrokuboklardı. Hər qələbə komandaya inam verir.
Misli Premyer Liqasının XXIV turunun “Araz-Naxçıvan” – “Karvan-Yevlax” oyunundan (2:1) sonra qonaq komandanın baş məşqçisi Füzuli Məmmədov jurnalistlərin suallarını cavablandırıb.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, mütəxəssis əvvəlcə görüşlə bağlı fikirlərini bölüşüb…
– Düşünürdük ki, azından məğlub olmarıq. Qələbə qazanmaq istəyirdik. Oyuna ciddi hazırlaşmışdıq. Birinci hissədə iki səhv etdik. Bundan sonra geridönüş etmək çətin oldu. İkinci yarıda daha aqressiv oynadıq. Bir qol vurduq. İkinci qolu vurmaq üçün epizodlarımız olsa da, dəyərləndirə bilmədik.
–İkinciqoluvurmaqüçünnəçatmadı? – “Araz-Naxçıvan” kimi komandaya 2-3 qol vurmaq çətindir. İkinci hissədə irəlidə oynadıq. Bir qol vurduq. Bundan başqa da epizodlarımız oldu. Bəzi epizodlarda səhv qərarlar ikinci qolu vurmağa mane oldu.
–KaylSpensinəvəzlənməsi nə ilə bağlı idi? – Onda bir az yorğunluq hiss elədim.
A suspected China-based cyber espionage operation has targeted Southeast Asian military organizations as part of a state-sponsored campaign that dates back to at least 2020.
Palo Alto Networks Unit 42 is tracking the threat activity under the moniker CL-STA-1087, where CL refers to cluster, and STA stands for state-backed motivation.
"The activity demonstrated strategic operational patience and
Meta has announced plans to discontinue support for end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for chats on Instagram after May 8, 2026.
"If you have chats that are impacted by this change, you will see instructions on how you can download any media or messages you may want to keep," the social media giant said in a help document. "If you're on an older version of Instagram, you may also need to update the
Torino host Parma at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino this evening, as both sides look for valuable point in their race to guarantee Serie A survival.
Torino head into the game with one win and one defeat so far under Roberto D’Aversa, with an impressive 2-0 win over Lazio followed last weekend by a 2-1 defeat to champions Napoli.
The Turin side sit in 15th place, six points above 18th placed Cremonese, who have been in diabolical form as of late and slipped into the relegation zone following Fiorentina’s upturn in form.
Parma, meanwhile, are in a really good spot of form under Carlos Cuesta, who has earned plaudits for recent results that sees the Gialloblu five games unbeaten – including impressive wins against division heavyweights Milan and Bologna.
As a result, Cuesta’s side have climbed the table and sit in 12th place – yet just four points above tonight’s opposition – making it a really vital game to not lose for the visitors.
PARMA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 08: Carlos Cuesta, Head Coach of Parma, looks on prior to the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and AC Milan at Stadio Ennio Tardini on November 08, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Cesc Fabregas held his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s crucial Serie A clash with Roma, and the Como head coach was in characteristically thoughtful and candid mood, touching on tactical philosophy, squad selection and the remarkable position his side find themselves in with ten games remaining.
Como head into the weekend sitting fourth in Serie A, and the significance of that is not lost on anyone, except, apparently, Fabregas himself.
When asked whether he thinks about his side’s Champions League position, his response was characteristically grounded, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb.
“If we get there, great, if we don’t, we continue to build. I would get angry if my players talked about Champions League right now. Not because of the subject itself, but because it’s not the moment. If it doesn’t happen, what are we, failures?”
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 18: Cesc Fabregas, Head Coach of Como 1907, looks on prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and Como 1907 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 18, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Fabregas: ‘Roma improved more than anyone in January’
On Roma, Fabregas was respectful but confident.
“They had an extraordinary transfer window, they have raised their level more than anyone. We need the perfect game,” he said.
“Like when we won at Napoli or against Juventus. We must play our way, and then the pitch will speak.”
He dismissed the suggestion that the match was a must-win, describing it simply as “one more important game” rather than a defining moment.
Tactically, Fabregas offered an interesting insight into how he views Nico Paz‘s development.
Asked about potentially deploying the Argentine in a deeper midfield role, the Como coach was firm.
“Not yet. He is a trequartista, instinctive. In a deep role you need a specific way of reading the game, of analysing situations. That is not Nico yet. He is not Perrone or Baturina.”
He was equally direct when asked about Sergi Roberto potentially replacing the injured Perrone, using an unexpected reference point to make his point.
“You think Guardiola’s Manchester City always build from the back? They don’t. Sometimes the opponent presses you, sometimes you don’t have a Busquets or a Piqué. When a coach doesn’t trust his first phase, you must work hard and build that trust instead.”
Perrone himself trained individually and is expected to rejoin the group on Saturday, with his availability for Sunday still to be confirmed.
Gennaro Gattuso has less than a week to go before he is expected to announce his Italy national team squad for the crucial World Cup play-offs at the end of March. Here is a look at five young hopefuls who could be included in the Azzurri side for the Northern Ireland match on the 26th of this month.
Italy are due to take on Northern Ireland in a one-legged World Cup play-off semi-final in Bergamo on March 26, and the winner of that tie will go on to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away from home in a one-off decider for a spot at the final World Cup tournament on March 31.
Should Italy fail to win both matches, they will miss out on the World Cup for the third tournament cycle in a row. The Azzurri have not qualified for the group stages since 2014 and have not won a knock-out game at the World Cup since lifting the trophy in 2006.
BERGAMO – SEPTEMBER 05: Coach Gennaro Gattuso looks on prior to the National anthems prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
Here are five youngsters who could be involved with the Italy side come the end of March.
Which Italy players could be involved for World Cup play-offs?
Marco Palestra
The 21-year-old Cagliari right-back, on loan from Atalanta, is not only an option for the future, but very much a valuable addition for the present as well.
Marco Palestra is enjoying a fantastic breakthrough season in Serie A and has been a mainstay in the Cagliari side, appearing in all 27 of his side’s league matches following his signing. In fact, he has only been taken off twice before full-time across his last 18 league outings.
The 21-year-old plays week in, week out at right wing-back, an area where Italy are fairly light, and is also capable of playing in a back four should Gattuso stick with the 4-4-2 that he utilised in November.
Michael Kayode
Italy’s shortage at right-back could be solved with the inclusion of another 21-year-old in Michael Kayode, who is having a brilliant season on an individual and collective level in the Premier League with Brentford.
Tipped for relegation by many at the beginning of the season, Kayode has been a crucial part of the Brentford side that currently sits in seventh place in the Premier League table and are pushing for an historic spot in Europe for next season.
Kayode’s long throw has also been causing chaos for various Premier League sides over the course of the 2025-26 campaign, and could offer Gattuso that direct option, particularly if he has a strong headerer of the ball, like a Pio Esposito, on the pitch.
Davide Bartesaghi
MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 28: Davide Bartesaghi of AC Milan gestures during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Hellas Verona FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Though Italy have been somewhat short on options on the right flank, Federico Dimarco and Destiny Udogie have provided decent options on the left for the last few seasons, and now, Milan’s Davide Bartesaghi is looking like an enticing option for Gattuso as well.
Dimarco, tipped by some for the Serie A MVP award this season, is the expected starter at left back or left wing-back approaching Italy’s World Cup play-off campaign at the end of the month, but with Udogie still recovering from his latest hamstring injury, a spot in the squad for Bartesaghi is looking like an increasingly likely and deserved possibility.
Bartesaghi has carved out a place for himself as Milan’s go-to left wing-back, despite their signing of the experienced Pervis Estupinan, who had been expected to be the guaranteed starter for the Rossoneri at the beginning of the campaign.
And, should the unthinkable happen and Dimarco becomes available for whatever reason, Bartesaghi has more than proved himself a worthy understudy in 2025-26.
Niccolo Pisilli
ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 22: Niccolo Pisilli of AS Roma celebrates after scoring the team’s third goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and US Cremonese at Stadio Olimpico on February 22, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Roma’s Niccolo Pisilli is now an expected call-up for the Italy squad heading into the World Cup play-offs at the end of March. 33-year-old Marco Verratti was rumoured to be in line for a return to the Azzurri set-up after a three-year absence, but he has not recovered from a knee injury and is now not expected to be involved this month.
That means that there is a high chance that Pisilli is called up to the midfield department instead.
The 21-year-old is unlikely to start ahead of the likes of Sandro Tonali, Nicolo Barella and Manuel Locatelli, but his increasingly prominent role under Gian Piero Gasperini at Roma should not go unnoticed.
Pio Esposito
Inter came back from two goals down in a home Serie A clash against Pisa, completing a comeback with Piotr Zielinski, Lautaro Martinez and Francesco Pio Esposito in the opening Round 22 match.
The Inter ‘starboy’ is also expected to be included in Gattuso’s squad after earning a series of call-ups to the Italy side during the first half of the 2025-26 season.
The 20-year-old already has three goals for the Italy senior side from his first five caps, and despite the expected call-ups of Moise Kean and Mateo Retegui, there are arguments that the youngster should be starting for the national team, particularly if Gattuso plays two up front.
Esposito has also been handed an even more involved role with Inter in recent weeks, following the injury to Lautaro Martinez, and was trusted to lead the line in the recent Derby della Madonnina against rivals Milan. He has three goals and two assists to his name in Serie A since the start of the calendar year.
Italian football’s hopes of securing a fifth Champions League place next season remain alive, just, but the path to achieving it is narrow and dependent on a sequence of results that is far from straightforward.
The basis for qualification is UEFA’s in-season coefficient ranking, which determines whether a fifth club from a given nation earns an additional Champions League spot, as noted by the Gazzetta dello Sport.
ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 22: AS Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini looks on during the Serie A match between AS Roma and US Cremonese at Stadio Olimpico on February 22, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Italy currently sit fourth in that table, behind England, Spain and Germany, with Portugal close behind.
The encouraging news is that this week’s European results, despite Atalanta’s heavy defeat to Bayern Munich, actually allowed Italy to close the gap slightly on those above them and extend their lead over Portugal.
The updated standings make for slightly more optimistic reading than they did 24 hours ago.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Lorenzo Pellegrini of Serie A club AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on March 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Serie A clubs face uphill battle for 5th Champions League spot
The bad news, however, is more structural.
Of the four Serie A clubs still active in European competition, realistically only two are likely to progress to the next round.
Atalanta face a near-impossible task overturning a 6-1 deficit against Bayern, while the Bologna-Roma Europa League tie guarantees that one Italian club will be eliminated regardless of the result. Fiorentina’s Conference League progression looks the most straightforward following their 2-1 win over Rakow.
The real battle is with Spain, whose clubs, including Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, are in strong positions across the Champions League and Europa League.
Germany’s picture is more complicated, offering Italy a slightly more realistic target to chase.
The true picture will become clear in seven days’ time, when the round of sixteen concludes. For now, the fifth spot remains a long shot, but not yet an impossibility.
Manchester United are looking to sign Nico Williams from Athletic Club Bilbao at the end of the season.
The club hierarchy is discussing offers in the region of €80 million for the Spanish international, as per reports from Spain. He is one of the finest attacking players in La Liga, and he has proven himself for club and country. He could add a new dimension to the Manchester United attack if he joins the club. Williams helped Spain win the UEFA Euro 2024.
They could use more cutting-edge in the final third. The 23-year-old will add explosive pace and flair to the team. Manchester United need more unpredictability going forward, and it will be interesting to see if they can sign Williams.
The Spanish club could be tempted to sell him if an offer of around €80 million is presented. It would help them improve multiple areas of the squad.
Meanwhile, Williams could be attracted to the idea of moving to the Premier League as well. It would be a huge opportunity for him to prove himself at the highest level. He has the physicality and technical attributes for English football, and he could make an immediate impact. His directness and flair make him a good fit for English football, and he could be a star for Manchester United.
Meanwhile, the attacker earns around €320,000 per week at the Spanish club. It will be interesting to see if Manchester United is willing to offer him such a contract.
The 23-year-old attacker has 10 goal contributions this season, and he has a long-term contract with the Spanish club until 2035. Manchester United will have to break the Bank if they want to get the deal done. It remains to be seen how the situation unfolds over the next few months.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez is now considering leaving the club at the end of the season.
The Blues recently crashed to a disappointing defeat against PSG in the UEFA Champions League, and the midfielder is now considering a potential exit to fight for trophies more regularly.
Chelsea are still going through a period of transition, and Fernandez wants immediate glory, according to reports from Spain. He is on the radar of clubs like Real Madrid. It will be interesting to see if any club is willing to come forward with an official offer to sign him in the summer.
There is no doubt that the 25-year-old is a top-class player and he’s one of the best in his position in the Premier League. He has the quality to succeed in La Liga, and Real Madrid will be able to provide him with the platform he needs. He has already won major trophies with his country, and he will now look to win league titles and the UEFA Champions League at the club level.
It remains to be seen whether Chelsea can convince the player to continue at the club. They will need to present him with an ambitious project in order to keep him at the club. Losing the midfielder would be a huge blow for the club. Fernandez is one of Chelsea’s best players, and his departure would weaken them immensely.
Chelsea will be hoping to fight for trophies next season, and they need to keep players like Fernandez at the club. The 25-year-old is one of the first names on the team sheet, and they simply cannot afford to lose him. It will be interesting to see if they can keep him at the club beyond this season.
The EU Parliament's stance on untargeted scanning and encryption is clear. With the trialogue negotiations for the permanent law ongoing, will the Council and Commission be ready to follow suit?
Watch AEW Revolution this weekend on PPV, here's how. (AEW)
AEW
All Elite Wrestling will be in Los Angeles this weekend when AEW Revolution 2026 takes over the Crypto.com Arena this Sunday. The event will be headlined by a Last Chance Texas Death Match between reigning men's world champion MJF and "Hangman" Adam Page, and you can also expect to see women's world champion Thekla coming to blows with Kris Statlander to defend her title, a Continental Championship bout between Jon Moxley and Konosuke Takeshita, the men's world tag team championship, and more on this very stacked fight card.
The event will be available as a pay-per-view fight via HBO Max, Prime Video, PPV.com and YouTube. Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch AEW Revolution, including the full fight card and how you can stream every match.
How to watch AEW Revolution 2026 this weekend:
Date: Sunday, March 15, 2026
Start time: Pre-show at 7 p.m. ET, main card at 8 p.m. ET
Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
TV channel/streaming: PPV via HBO Max, PPV.com, Prime Video, and YouTube
When is AEW Revolution 2026?
AEW Revolution is on Sunday, March 15. Coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET, with matches starting at 8 p.m.
What channel is AEW Revolution on?
AEW Revolution 2026 will be available through pay-per-view in the U.S.. You can order it through HBO Max, Prime Video, PPV.com, and YouTube. And if you have a live TV plan through DirecTV, Sling, Fubo or Dish Network, you'll also be able to access the PPV event through those platforms, here's how.
You can access AEW Revolution 2026 on these pay-per-view platforms for $49.99. (Note that the listed price on HBO Max is $39.99, but an HBO Max subscription, which starts at $10.99/month, is required for PPV purchase.)
Where to watch AEW Revolution:
AEW Revolution 2026 Match Card:
Last Chance Texas Death Match: MJF (c) vs. "Hangman" Adam Page for the AEW Men's World Championship
Two-out-of-Three Falls Match: Thekla (c) vs. Kris Statlander for the AEW Women’s World Championship
No Time Limit: Jon Moxley (c) vs. Konosuke Takeshita for the Continental Championship
FTR (c) vs. The Young Bucks for the AEW Men's World Tag Team Championship
Kazuchika Okada, Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis (c) vs. Kevin Knight, Mike Bailey & Mistico for the AEW World Trios Championship
Birmingham City currently have 52 points and lie in 10th position. In their last fixture, Chris Davies's team won 1-0 against QPR (EFL Championship 2025/26).
Sheffield United have won 49 points to date and are placed in 13th position. Last time out, Chris Wilder's team slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Norwich City (EFL Championship 2025/26).
The last meeting between the two teams ended with Sheffield United winning 3-0.
Formula 1 heads to the Shanghai International Circuit this weekend for the second race of the season. The 2026 Chinese Grand Prix will also host the first sprint race of the 2026 season.
Formula 1 barely had time to catch its breath after the season opener in Australia before heading straight to Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix, the second round of the 2026 championship. With teams still learning the sport's new regulations and power units, the weekend promises plenty of intrigue as the paddock arrives at a very different circuit.
The sprint weekend format means teams will only have one practice session to dial in their setups before qualifying begins. Friday's running concludes with Sprint Qualifying, which sets the grid for Saturday's sprint race. The sprint itself offers drivers a chance to score points while also providing an indication of race pace ahead of Sunday's main event.
The 2026 F1 Chinese Sprint Race is scheduled for Friday, March 13, with lights out set for 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time for viewers in North America. The 2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix will go green on Sunday, March 15, at 3:00 a.m. Eastern Time.
Image: Red Bull
How to Watch the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix
Broadcast coverage varies by region. In the United States, Formula 1's primary broadcast partner for the 2026 season is Apple TV, which streams every session live.
Apple TV+ carries live coverage of the championship, including practice sessions, qualifying, and the race itself. The event is also available through the sport's official streaming services, F1 TV Pro and F1 TV Premium.
For viewers catching up after the fact, Apple TV will also offer full session replays, highlight packages, and a condensed "Race in 30" format designed to recap the event without spoilers.
The service is available through the Apple TV app on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV devices, smart televisions from brands including Samsung and LG, as well as streaming devices such as Roku and Amazon Fire TV. Gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox also support the app.
A subscription costs $12.99 per month in the U.S., with a seven-day free trial available for new users.
In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports continues to carry full live coverage of all F1 sessions. Highlights of the race will also be available on Channel 4. In Canada, viewers can access the broadcast via TSN.
Fans worldwide can also watch F1 TV, the series' official streaming platform.
Image: McLaren F1
2026 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix Storylines
The Shanghai International Circuit presents a very different test for teams compared with Melbourne. Its layout includes several heavy braking zones and one of the longest straights in Formula 1, placing unique demands on energy deployment and power unit management.
The most critical braking zone comes at Turn 14, at the end of the long back straight, where drivers brake sharply before entering a tight hairpin. The area will likely become a key overtaking point-and a prime location for drivers to deploy energy from the hybrid system. Other important braking areas include Turn 6 and Turn 11, while the unusual Turn 1–2 complex forces drivers through a tightening 270-degree curve that gradually slows the car.
Mercedes left Melbourne looking like the early team to beat. George Russell led home teammate Kimi Antonelli for a dominant 1-2 finish, leading to predictions that the Silver Arrows could be title favorites this season.
Image: Alpine F1
However, the opening race also indicated the competition might be closer than the result implied. Ferrari ran strongly throughout the weekend, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finishing third and fourth, and at times challenging Mercedes' race pace. Ferrari knows their car is closer in race trim than in qualifying spec.
McLaren and Red Bull both showed flashes of speed in Australia but struggled to maximize performance from their new cars. Drivers and engineers across the grid know there is still plenty to learn about the new generation of machines. One team hoping for a stronger showing this weekend is Aston Martin. The opening race proved difficult for the squad, with reliability concerns affecting running early in the weekend.
McLaren's Lando Norris suggested the Mercedes power unit may currently be the strongest, while Ferrari appears to have one of the most competitive chassis packages.
The big question heading to Shanghai: will Mercedes maintain its advantage, or can Ferrari-or even McLaren and Red Bull-close the gap on a track with very different characteristics than Albert Park? With teams still learning how to manage the new power units and energy systems introduced this season, Shanghai could produce very different racing dynamics compared with the opener.
Image: Aston Martin F1
2026 Formula 1 Calendar
March 5-7: Qatar Airways Australian Grand Prix
March 12-15: Heineken Chinese Grand Prix
March 26-29: Aramco Japanese Grand Prix
April 10-12: Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix
April 17-19: STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
May 1-3: Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix
May 22-24: Lenovo Canadian Grand Prix
June 5-7: Monaco Grand Prix
June 12-14: MSC Cruises Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix
June 26-28: Lenovo Austrian Grand Prix
July 3-5: Pirelli British Grand Prix
July 17-19: Belgian Grand Prix
July 24-26: AWS Hungarian Grand Prix
Aug. 21-23: Heineken Dutch Grand Prix
Sep. 4-6: Pirelli Italian Grand Prix
Sep. 11-13: Tag Heuer Spanish Grand Prix
Sep. 24-26: Qatar Airways Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Oct. 9-11: Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix
Oct. 23-25: MSC Cruises United States Grand Prix
Oct. 30-Nov. 1: Mexico City Grand Prix
Nov. 6-8: MSC Cruises São Paulo Grand Prix
Nov. 19-21: Heineken Las Vegas Grand Prix
Nov. 27-29: Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix
Dec. 4-6: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
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Where to watch UFC Vegas 114 TONIGHT (March 14) in the United
States
The broadcast for UFC Fight Night 269 “Emmett vs. Vallejos” streams
live on Paramount+ at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. You can view it here:
UFC Fight
Night 269 on Paramount
Emmett, 41, enters the cage in a bit of a tailspin, with losses in
four of his past five bouts. The former West Coast Fighting
Championship titleholder last saw action at UFC 320, where he
submitted to an armbar from Youssef
Zalal just 98 seconds into their Oct. 4 encounter. Wins over
Ricardo
Lamas, Mirsad
Bektic, Calvin
Kattar and Bryce
Mitchell anchor Emmett’s extensive resume. Vallejos, meanwhile,
steps into the spotlight with the wind of a six-fight winning
streak at his back. The 24-year-old Argentinian last suited up on
Dec. 13, when he bushwhacked Giga
Chikadze with a spinning backfist and follow-up elbow strikes
in the second round of their UFC on ESPN 73 clash. Vallejos has
secured 14 of his 17 career victories by knockout, technical
knockout or submission.
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Bayern Munich preview: Hosts hoping to snap Kompany's win streak
Bayer Leverkusen
Kasper Hjulmand has managed to steady the ship for Bayer Leverkusen, but Die Werkself still have struggled to pick up wins. Leverkusen have lost only one of their last thirteen games in all competitions, but have won only one of their last six, as draws have started to pile up.
They won't be too displeased with their most recent draw. Robert Andrich stunned Arsenal by putting Leverkusen ahead on a corner just a minute after the second half started in an eventual 1-1 draw. While Leverkusen could have won if not for a debated penalty kick in the 89th minute, it was a good result against a heavily-favored side.
Leverkusen will need more of the same to pull off an upset on Saturday. Bayern scored three goals when they faced off in November, and have scored three or more goals in five consecutive games.
Team News:
Arthur, Loic Badé, Eliesse Ben Seghir, and Lucas Vázquez are all sidelined with injuries. Mark Flekken is not expected to be ready as he continues to recover from a knee injury he picked up in January. Nathan Tella, who picked up an injury that same game, will return to the squad.
Alex Grimaldo will miss the game due to suspension after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Hamburger SV.
Bayern keep picking up wins, and big ones. A blip in form towards the end of January had some questioning the Bavarians, but Kompany's side have stormed back to win seven consecutive games in all competitions. They are now eleven points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.
Atalanta were the latest team to feel Bayern's wrath. Neither home-field advantage nor the highs of a comeback against Borussia Dortmund mattered as the Serie A club were thrashed in a dominant 6-1 win on Tuesday. That result essentially guarantees Bayern a spot in the Champions League Quarter-finals, barring a historic collapse.
Leverkusen had been Bayern's kryptonite in recent years, with Die Werkself going nearly two years and six games between losses to the Bavarians. However, under Kompany, Bayern have won their last three matches against Leverkusen.
Team News:
The notable absences come in goal, as both Manuel Neuer and Jonas Urbig picked up injuries over the past week. As a result, Sven Ulreich will start against Leverkusen. His last appearance came in September 2024.
Alphonso Davies returns to the sideline after suffering yet another injury against Atalanta, as do Jamal Musiala and David Santos Daiber. Hiroki Ito and Cassiano Kiala remain absent with long-term injuries.
Weston McKennie is having his best season yet at Juventus and he says it is his mental toughness that has allowed him to play through tough stretches during his time in Italy.
"My time at Juve has been an emotional rollercoaster," McKennie told The Cooligans this week. "I've always felt at home here. I've always felt like I've belonged here. I always stand by what I believe in and I ultimately believe in myself more than other people. I think that's what's gotten me through my career a lot.
"Being here, it's taught me a lot. Mentally, it's taught me a lot, backs against the wall, go forward, put your head down and work. Also, just maturity, in general. It's Italian culture — classy, mature, speak well. I think I've grown [in that aspect] as well."
The 27-year-old midfielder is second on the Serie A side with eight goals in all competitions this season. His manager, Luciano Spalletti, has played him in a more offensive role and it's paid off. McKennie's four goals in the Champions League came over the club's final six games in the competition.
Weston McKennie passes the ball during the second half against Ecuador during an international friendly at Q2 Stadium. (Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)
John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF via Getty Images
Success in Europe is something that McKennie has brought with him during international windows while representing the United States. He has 62 appearances for his country and will be part of Mauricio Pochettino's World Cup team this summer when the final roster is announced at the end of May.
The men's team has only advanced beyond the Round of 16 once since 1990 when they reached the quarterfinals in 2002. While there is talk of lofty expectations for the USMNT this summer, McKennie is keeping all that noise to the outside.
"I'm not someone that thinks so much ahead, I'm someone that takes it day by day and game by game," McKennie said. "I wouldn't say that I have an expectation of where we should finish because ultimately our goal at the end of the day, just like any team playing in that tournament, is to go out there and try and win it. As athletes and as competitors that's what we're going there to try and do.
"I think our expectations as a team is probably higher than what other people have for us. Because we've been together for so long, there's been new faces, new additions, but as a team we know what we're capable of and we understand the game and what's happening when we're on the field better than anyone. So I think our expectations for ourselves is high and we don't really try to let the outside criticism or outside talk try and affect us as much because at the end of the day it's going to be that 26-man roster and the staff that are going to be there and ultimately the 11 players on the field are going to have to make the difference and it's not words on the outside that's going to be able to do it.
"So, you can talk all you can talk, but it depends on how you walk the walk."
The Oklahoma City Thunder won their seventh straight game Thursday night, defeating the Boston Celtics in a tight game, winning by a score of 104-102.
With Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein sidelined, it was all Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Last year's MVP scored 35 points to go along with nine assists, six rebounds, three blocks and two steals.
On the season, Gilgeous-Alexander is putting up another MVP-caliber campaign, averaging 31.8 points, 6.6 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals.
If the number holds, this would be Gilgeous-Alexander's fourth consecutive season averaging 30 points or more.
During the win, Gilgeous-Alexander also broke Wilt Chamberlain's record for the most consecutive games scoring 20 points or more (127).
Following the game, the four-time All-Star spoke on the team's current win streak and the new record.
“The streak is a streak, the awards are the awards. But the thing I’m most proud of is winning.”
This season alone, Gilgeous-Alexander ranks third in Player Efficiency Rating (PER), trailing only Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks and Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets.
Oklahoma City now sits at 52 wins, the highest total in the NBA, leading the next closest team by four victories.
This comes after an incredible season last year, where the Thunder went 68-14 and won an NBA Championship against the Indiana Pacers.
The Thunder are just 15 games away from another No. 1 seed this season.
They'll return to action Sunday after two days of rest, hosting Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Michael Pittman spoke to the media for the first time since becoming a Pittsburgh Steeler, and he shares one thing in common with potential 2026 starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers — he trains at the same facility in California.
When speaking with reporters, Pittman admitted that while he hasn't caught passes from Rodgers, they've talked a little bit in the past, and he plans to text him when he gets back to California.
Pittman also added that he knows Rodgers loves football and knows that he'll certainly consider playing for the Steelers in 2026.
Michael Pittman Jr. said he doesn't know what Aaron Rodgers is going to do, but: "Just knowing him, I know that he loves football and that he's going to consider it." https://t.co/De8OEibkeH
On Wednesday, the Steelers officially completed a trade with the Indianapolis Colts to acquire Pittman and a 2026 seventh-round draft pick in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round selection.
Rodgers hasn't given the Steelers a definitive decision as to whether or not he'll return in 2026, but there are rumors that Pittsburgh has a few different options in mind if the plan falls apart. Hopefully, a new receiving corps featuring Pittman and DK Metcalf could entice Rodgers to give it one more season.
For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including any offseason moves, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
The San Francisco 49ers finished the 2025 regular season with a 12-5 record. They were one of three NFC West teams to make the postseason, but watched as their rival Seattle Seahawks not only made it to the Super Bowl, but won it, beating the New England Patriots.
The 49ers have questions to answer for wide receivers after the relationship with Brandon Aiyuk has deteriorated. He missed the 2025 season due to injury and is not expected to be back with San Francisco. Similarly, without a long-term extension, offensive tackle Trent Williams could be on the outs with the franchise, too.
The 49ers are expected to be a top contender in the NFC in 2026, but still have plenty of needs to address through free agency to make sure they can compete alongside the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams in their division.
The Sporting News is tracking all of the live rumors, news and updates for the 49ers' 2026 free agency.
12:25 p.m. -- ESPN's Nick Wagoner reported that the 49ers plan to release WR Brandon Aiyuk after the new league year begins at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday. The release could come on Wednesday, but Wagoner said regardless it will happen soon. Aiyuk will come with a post-June 1 designation and will cost the 49ers $13.325 million in dead cap this year and $21.247 million in dead cap next year.
March 9
2:30 p.m. -- Free agent wide receiver Mike Evans is joining the 49ers on a three-year deal worth $60.4 million, per Adam Schefter.
12:16 p.m. -- Adam Schefter said on the Pat McAfee Show that San Francisco is expected to lose Jauan Jennings as he is predicted to sign elsewhere. Jennings had the most receiving yards for a wide receiver for the 49ers with 643 in the 2025 season, and led the entire team with nine receiving touchdowns.
12:06 p.m. -- The 49ers were interested in signing free agent WR Alec Pierce. He wasn't tagged by the Indianapolis Colts and was allowed to pursue free agency. Pierce returned to the Colts on a massive four-year, $116 million deal.
11:54 a.m. -- The 49ers are open to trading Williams, per Ian Rapoport. The offensive tackle is entering the final year of his current contract and has been seeking an extension. From the reporting, Williams has been frustrated with the process, and both sides could decide to just move on.
March 7
5:58 p.m. -- The 49ers are signing veteran kicker Eddy Pineiro to a four-year, $17 million extension, per Eric Branch.
Chicago — It’s often said that it’s hard to beat the same team three times in one season, let alone a rival.
The Wolverines didn’t get the memo and had no issue.
After sweeping the home-and-home series, top-seeded Michigan sent No. 8 seed Ohio State packing with a 71-67 win in Friday’s Big Ten tournament quarterfinal at United Center.
Aday Mara had 17 points and seven rebounds, Elliot Cadeau had 15 points and seven assists and Trey McKenney scored 12 for Michigan (30-2), which scored 19 points off 10 Ohio State turnovers.
Michigan advances to face the winner of No. 4 seed Illinois and No. 5 seed Wisconsin in a semifinal at 1 p.m. Saturday, with a spot in Sunday’s championship game on the line.
Michigan beat Ohio State by 12 at home and by 21 on the road in the first two matchups this season. Round 3 was a much tighter affair.
The Wolverines led by as much as 11 in the first half before the Buckeyes chopped it down to four at halftime and erased the deficit. Michigan sputtered on offense and turned it over a couple times out of the break. Ohio State made its first four shots of the second half and knotted it at 44.
Michigan responded with a 7-0 spurt during a stretch where Ohio State missed seven consecutive shots and went scoreless for five minutes. Cadeau scored on a driving layup before he lobbed a pass to Mara, who had an and-1 finish at the rim, and made two free throws to make it 51-44 with 12:45 to play.
The Buckeyes cut the deficit to one before Mara made a string of plays. Mara threw down an alley-oop slam and knocked down a deep jumper. Then after he blocked a shot on one end, he drew and foul and made two free throws for a 59-52 lead.
Michigan couldn’t stave off the Buckeyes as they kept hanging around and broke through with a 10-1 spurt. The Wolverines went six minutes without a made basket. Roddy Gayle Jr. missed the front end at the foul line. A foul by Yaxel Lendeborg on a defensive rebound put Ohio State in the bonus and led to a free throw. Ohio State took its first lead, 62-60, with 5:08 remaining.
The Wolverines countered with their own string of points to pull back in front. Cadeau drew a foul on a driving layup and made two free throws. Mara blocked a putback attempt that led to Morez Johnson Jr. (11 points) snapping the field-goal drought on a fast-break layup that was goaltended. A steal by Gayle turned into another fast-break opportunity that ended with a Cadeau free throw for a 65-62 advantage with 3:35 to go.
Michigan hung on from there. Mara made a key basket at the rim. Lendeborg was fouled battling for an offensive board and split two free throws. The Wolverines strung together stops on defense before, held the Buckeyes to one made shot over the final five minutes and made enough free throws down the stretch to seal it.
Bruce Thornton had 22 points, Devin Royal had 13 points and 11 rebounds, and John Mobley Jr. scored 12 for Ohio State (21-12), which trailed most of the way and led for less than a minute.
Michigan got off to a fast start in the third installment between the rivals, scoring the first seven points, scoring on seven of its first nine possessions and jumping out a double-digit lead.
Johnson took advantage of a mismatch in the post and scored at the rim. A steal by Mara led to another bucket in the paint by Johnson. Nimari Burnett hit a 3-pointer in transition. Lendeborg deflected a post entry pass for another turnover that led to a deep ball by McKenney. The Wolverines took a 15-5 lead with 14:47 left in the first half.
The Buckeyes put together a string of six unanswered points before McKenney stuffed their run. He buried a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer. He finished through contact on a tough drive and finish over Thornton.
The Wolverines got out in transition to push the lead back to double figures. McKenney broke up a pass that led to a fast-break dunk by Burnett. After another stop, Cadeau drained a pull-up 3-pointer. Michigan went up, 25-14, at the 8:36 mark.
Even after Johnson picked up his second foul at the 8:06 mark and sat for a stretch, Michigan kept turning defense into offense. A steal by Cadeau led to a thunderous fast-break dunk by Lendeborg. After McKenney blocked a shot from Royal from behind, Mara scored on a hook shot to make it 31-21.
Ohio State punched back with a 12-4 spurt to make it a one-possession game, as Thorton started to heat up. He fueled the run with seven points and ended it with a 3-pointer late in the shot clock to cut the deficit to two.
The Buckeyes had a chance to pull even when they blocked a layup by Gayle to spark a fast-break opportunity. But the Wolverines broke up an alley-oop attempt and scored the other way on a Mara alley-oop slam en route to taking a 39-35 advantage into the break.
If there’s one division among NBA players these days, it’s about foul baiting.
The tactic, which essentially is when players seek unnecessary contact or exaggerate existing contact with flops, can be an effective tool to draw whistles and get to the free throw line.
And on the night when the Boston Celtics lost a close game to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, Celtics star Jaylen Brown called out players who foul baited and expressed frustration over the way officials reward that behavior.
“I just don’t foul bait,” Brown told reporters after Boston’s 104-102 loss. “I’m not looking to flop or anything like that, but it’s almost like you got to. Cause there’s a couple of plays in the fourth quarter where I felt like I drove strong, went up strong, and I didn’t get the benefit of the doubt. But maybe if I would have flopped, maybe I would have been able to sell those calls. And those decide games.
“So it’s like, we commend players for playing the game the right way, but we give the benefit to those who necessarily are trying to manipulate the game into their advantage. I just don’t think it's basketball. Let’s just play basketball. All the foul baiting, I think it’s whatever for me.”
Brown didn’t mention any player by name, but Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the players most effective at drawing contact and getting to the line. He ranks first in the NBA in free throws made per game (8.2) and third in attempts (9.2).
During one sequence midway through the third quarter Thursday night, Gilgeous-Alexander was driving down the left side of the paint when he crashed into Celtics center Luke Garza, drawing the foul.
On-court microphones from the Amazon Prime broadcast clearly picked up Brown shouting at officials in response to the whistle: “That’s not basketball.”
Gilgeous-Alexander would convert both free throws.
“Just accentuating contact,” Brown said when asked to characterize foul baiting. “It’s one thing to get fouled, but it’s like when you’re not even trying to score when you’re driving and flailing your body just to make it look like you’re getting fouled. I think that’s the part where it’s like, all right, come on. But I mean, that’s where our league is at. That’s where the NBA is at. So it’s like, get down or lay down. So maybe I need to flop a little bit more.”
Part of Brown’s frustrations stem from his ejection in a game against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, March 10. Brown played just 14:42 and was ejected for arguing an apparent no-call when Spurs guard Stephon Castle made contact with Brown as he dribbled the ball near the sideline, eventually losing it in a turnover. Brown was assessed two technical fouls. The Celtics would go on to lose 125-116.
Brown said he was especially “pissed” about the ejection because he had circled this game on his calendar, given San Antonio’s positioning in the standings.
“I felt great,” Brown said of his ejection against the Spurs. “I felt like I was ready to have a big-time performance, and my night got ended short. In certain spots, maybe I could have been a little bit better, but you’re passionate. It’s a big game. You want to see emotion. You want to see your star players showing that emotion. I don’t think I deserved to get tossed. And I think the NBA agreed, because I didn’t get fined or anything like that. So it is what it is. It happens. People make mistakes, but I’m just looking forward now.”
What's better than beating Ohio State two times in a season? Beating the Buckeyes three times. And Michigan basketball had that chance on Friday afternoon in Chicago.
After having a double bye as the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten Tournament, the Wolverines drew 8-seed OSU in the quarterfinals. The maize and blue jumped out to a 10-point lead at 15-5, but the Buckeyes weren't content to let Michigan blow it out, either. Even so, the Wolverines opened up by shooting the lights out, hitting on the first three 3-point attempts (with reserve guard Trey McKenney hitting two of them), with a 70% overall shooting percentage in the first half of the first half.
The maize and blue had some miscues, allowing OSU to get back within six, but a Nimari Burnett breakaway dunk and an Elliot Cadeau 3 (the Wolverines were 4-for-4 at this point) pushed Michigan to being up 11 with 8:36 remaining in the first half.
Michigan kept extending the lead to 11 while Ohio State continued to keep the game within distance. The Wolverines finally missed from beyond the arc when Cadeau couldn't hit, nursing an eight-point lead, 29-21, with 5:30 remaining in the first half. But the defense continued to hold the Buckeyes to just 33% from the floor; the only saving grace for OSU was that it was getting to the foul line and was dominating the offensive boards and getting second-chance points.
Even still, Michigan couldn't pull away, and moments later, that 11-point lead was down to just six at the under-four media timeout, with Bruce Thornton heading to the foul line. He hit both, making it a four-point Wolverines lead, and with Michigan missing on the other end, the defense was going to have to hold. It did, as McKenney's hot hand continued, pushing the lead back to six. But Amare Bynum hit a 3 after a missed jumper on the other end, and what was 11 was now just three.
McKenney had his first miss, but former Buckeyes guard Roddy Gayle stemmed the bleeding after collecting the miss and putting it back. However, Bruce Thornton responded with a 3, narrowly beating the shot clock, and it was a two-point game. After OSU missed an opportunity with a three-on-two, Yaxel Lendeborg threw it ahead to Gayle, who hit Aday Mara on the alley oop.
The press on the inbound led to Cadeau getting a steal and ultimately getting to the line, where he hit both shots. Thornton added two at the end of the half, so Michigan went into the locker room up 39-35 at halftime.
The second half started with a miss from Cadeau and a make for Ohio State guard John Mobley Jr., making it a two-point game. Mara and Mobley traded baskets before Morez Johnson Jr. hit a 3 to put the Wolverines back up by five. But Mobley answered with a 3 of his own, so the maize and blue still had some work to do. After Cadeau lost the handle, the turnover resulted in a Christoph Tilley layup, and the game was tied for the first time since the game was 0-0.
After a couple of errant 3-point attempts, not only were the field goal percentages growing close to even, but Michigan gave the ball back to the Buckeyes, giving Ohio State a chance to take their first lead of the game. Both teams missed 3-point attempts, and the game was tied 44-all at the under-16 media timeout. The Wolverines were shooting 33% in the second half while Ohio State was shooting 57%.
Michigan turned the ball over coming off the media timeout, but a Johnson block kept OSU from taking the lead. However, another missed 3 kept the game tied, though the Wolverines turned the Buckeyes back over with a Mobley travel. Finally, Cadeau broke the three-plus-minute scoring drought to put Michigan back up by two.
At this point, OSU had gone nearly four minutes without scoring, but Michigan only really had one score in that same period. Mara got a layup with the and-one to put the Wolverines back up five. A Thornton 3 rattled in and out, and Cadeau was fouled on the other end, drilling two free throws to put the maize and blue up seven. But Gabe Cupps hit a 3 to pull back within four. Moments later, Thornton hit a 3, and it was back to a one-point game. An alley oop from Cadeau to Mara pushed the lead back to three at the under-12 media timeout.
An Ohio State turnover led to a Mara jumper from just inside the arc to stretch the lead back to five. After a block by Mara, he went back to the line and drained both, and it was a seven-point lead with 9:20 remaining. Christoph Tilly broke the Buckeye drought, and when Trey McKenney missed another 3 attempt, Nimari Burnett got a foul on the rebound.
After having just two fouls for the first 11 minutes, the Wolverines picked up four in a one-minute span. Thornton hit two free throws to get the Buckeyes back within three coming out of the under-eight media timeout. On a three-minute scoring drought, Michigan turned it over, but the Wolverines kept OSU from scoring, leading to Thornton fouling Burnett, picking up his third of the game. Burnett missed the front end, but hit the back, four-point Wolverines lead, 6:30 remaining.
Gayle picked up his third foul, putting OSU in the bonus, and Bynum hit both to make it a two-point game. It had been over four minutes since Michigan had scored from the floor, and Gayle missed a 3-pointer to continue the drought. Ohio State hit a 3 on the other end to give the Buckeyes their first lead of the game, 61-60, with 5:40 remaining. Gayle was fouled on the other end, but missed the front end of the one-and-one, and Lendeborg picked up his first foul on the other end, allowing Tilly to score one and take a two-point lead.
It had now been over five minutes without a Michigan field goal, a streak that would continue as Tilly picked up his third foul, sending Cadeau to the line. He tied the game up at 62-all, and Mara got his second block of the game. Michigan broke its six-plus-minute field goal drought with Johnson managing to get a goaltended layup on a fast break. Gayle got a block on the Devin Royal 3 attempt, and Cadeau was fouled by Thornton on the fast break, his fourth. He missed his first but hit the second to make it a three-point game.
Johnson put Thornton on the line, and he hit both, closing the gap to one point. Mara answered with a layup after Cadeau was blocked, so with under three minutes left in the game, Michigan would just need to hang on and go basket for basket. OSU hadn't scored from the floor in nearly four minutes, but the Wolverines were still struggling to get much going on offense.
Michigan held serve on defense, and Lendeborg was fouled on the other end, but missed the front end. He hit the back, and it was a four-point lead for the Wolverines with 84 seconds left.
The maize and blue had a chance to go up six, but Mara missed from underneath the basket, and with a foul on the other end, Royal hit one of two free throws to cut it to three points. Mobley fouled Cadeau to put him on the line with 20 seconds left, and he hit one to make the lead four. Royal scored with six seconds left to cut it to a one-possession game. Royal managed to foul Lendeborg, and he struck both to put the game out of reach. The Wolverines beat the Buckeyes for the third time this year, 71-67.
Mara led the Wolverines with 17 points, Cadeau added 15, McKenney had 12, and Johnson had 11.
Michigan will now face the winner of Illinois and Wisconsin on Saturday at 1 p.m. EDT for a chance to play in the Big Ten Tournament championship game, with the game to be broadcast on CBS.
Stephen Robinson wants backing rather than booing from Aberdeen fans on Saturday as he looks to make a winning start to his tenure.
The Dons were barracked by their own support for much of the dismal 3-0 defeat at Dunfermline last weekend as their Scottish Cup defence ended with a whimper.
But Robinson is hoping for a more positive mood at Pittodrie on Saturday as he attempts to lead his new side to victory over Falkirk.
"Everyone's got an opinion. Everyone's entitled to that opinion," said the former St Mirren boss.
"Some are more educated than others of course. But look, we want to hit the ground running. We want to win the game on Saturday.
"Players don't respond to criticism. Nobody in life goes to work and responds when you're told you're not very good or you get booed.
"So we ask the fans to get behind the players. We can all have an opinion after the game. Any time that I've been to Aberdeen and any time Aberdeen have come to any team I've been involved with, it's been an incredible support."
Robinson has given the underperforming squad a clean slate.
"There's a lot of injuries, a lot of injuries at the back which will dictate certain things in the system we have to play, but everyone's got a chance," he said.
"Everyone's coming in fresh. When you look at people from afar you don't get a full picture, you don't know the circumstances. We've had a meeting and we said that everybody will start from scratch.
"I demand total respect and I demand that everybody respects each other and works as hard as they possibly can and shows their talent, and we'll pick the team accordingly. Every player will get an opportunity to be the best version of themselves."
Mar 13, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes center Christoph Tilly (13) defends against Michigan Wolverines forward Morez Johnson Jr. (21) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Ohio State (21-12, 12-8) made it tough on them, but ultimately the Michigan Wolverines (29-2, 19-1) held on to win 71-67 in the Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals matchup at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. Michigan will advance to play the winner of Wisconsin and Illinois and Ohio State will now wait to see where they are heading for the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
No. 8 seed Ohio State defeated No. 9 seed Iowa 72-69 on Thursday afternoon behind 24 points from all-time leading scorer Bruce Thornton to earn a spot in the quarterfinals, while No. 1 seed Michigan had a triple bye.
Michigan came into the contest with the upper hand on Ohio State, as they were 2-0 against the Buckeyes in the regular season.
The Wolverines started off shooting the ball well, scoring the first seven points and ultimately taking a 13-5 lead on 5-for-8 shooting from the field at the under 16 media timeout. Ohio State Freshman forward Amare Bynum, who had a strong game against Iowa in the Buckeyes first game, picked up two fouls in the first five minutes.
However, every Michigan run was answered by Ohio State and the Buckeyes fought back from multiple runs by Michigan to only by down 39-35 heading into the halftime break after a Bruce Thornton jumper.
Brandon Noel entered the game for Bynum, his first game action since Jan. 5. He played nine minutes in the first half.
In the opening half, Thornton led all scorers with 13 points on 5-for-7 shooting rom the field. He added three rebounds and an assist. John Mobley Jr. and Devin Royal added seven points each and Royal added four rebounds.
Trey McKenney led Michigan with ten points off the bench. Elliot Cadeau and Morez Johnson Jr. added seven and six points, respectively.
Ohio State actually outrebounded Michigan 19 to 14 in the first half, but the Buckeyes had eight turnovers, including three from Thornton. The Wolverines had 15 points off the Buckeye turnovers. Big Ten Player of the Year Yaxel Lendeborg was held to three first half points on 1-for-3 shooting.
Michigan finished the half 0-for-4 from three-point range after starting 4-for-4.
To open the second half, Mobley rattled off seven straight points and had an nice assist to Christoph Tilly to tie the game at 44 with 16 minutes remaining in the game. However, the Buckeyes went scoreless for four minutes and the Wolverines went on a 7-0 run to take a 51-44 lead.
Gabe Cupps went on a solo 5-0 run for Ohio State to cut into the lead. A Thornton three-pointer cut the Michigan lead to just three points at 55-52. Four quick Michigan points made the score 59-52.
The two teams went back and forth for the final six minutes of the game and Michigan led 68-64 with 30 seconds left. Devin Royal split a pair of free throws and Ohio State fouled Cadeau, who also split the free throws. Royal made a jumper with seven seconds left to cut the Michigan lead to two points.
Lendeborg was fouled and he hit both free throws and Michigan held on to win 71-67.
I know it is March and there are no moral victories in March, but here are some positive takeaways as we head into the Big Dance.
Brandon Noel returns
The Buckeyes have had some health issues over the past month, with multiple important guys missing extended time. No one has missed more time than Brandon Noel, who returned today and played his first game action since Jan. 5 and is a solid depth piece and a physical frontcourt player.
Bruce Thornton’s big first half
Thornton has struggled against Michigan this season due to the matchup problems they present with Yaxel Lendeborg being able to guard him in man defense, but he was 5-for-7 from the field with 13 points and kept the Buckeyes in the game in the first half, feeding off the momentum from his big second half against Iowa the day before.
John Mobley Jr. starts second half strong
Mobley came out of the locker room from halftime and scored the first seven points and had a nice assist to account for the Buckeyes first nine points. Bruce Thornton is the main scorer for the Buckeyes, but they level up as a team when Mobley is a consistent second scorer at the guard position.
Gabe Cupps makes his presence known
Cupps has not been known for his offensive output this season, but he had five straight points for Ohio State to end a five minute scoring drought. If he can provide some scoring off the bench, that will be huge for Ohio State to add to his solid defense.
The Buckeyes are off the bubble
This is more of a positive takeaway in general, but Ohio State will not have to sweat on Selection Sunday. They will hear their name called for the first time in four years and will be participating in the NCAA tournament. It is an expectation, but nice to see regardless.
It wasn't easy, but No. 1 seed Michigan basketball opened its Big Ten Tournament with a 71-67 victory over rival No. 9 Ohio State, completing a three-game sweep of the Buckeyes for the first time ever to move on to the tournament semifinals.
Michigan will play the winner of 4-seed Illinois and 5-seed Wisconsin on Saturday, March 14 (1 p.m., CBS).
The game was significantly closer than many expected it to be. Michigan came out red-hot early, scoring the first seven points of the game and led by as many as 11 in the first half, but the Buckeyes quietly chipped away, trailing by only four at the break.
Bruce Thornton, OSU's all-time leading scorer, was able to score nearly at-will at times, finishing with 22 points on 7-for-15 shooting, but Michigan found a way to slow him down late.
After scoring 27 points against MSU in the regular season finale, Big Ten Player of the Year Yaxel Lendeborg finished with just six points, while Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Aday Mara dominated the Buckeyes on both ends, leading the team with 17 points and thwarting many of OSU's attempts at the rim.
In the end, Michigan wore the Buckeyes down and found a way to win with some clutch free throws.
This time of the year, survive and advance will work.
Allen Park — Christian Izien knows, at 5-foot-10 and 197 pounds, he's undersized on an NFL field.
He also knows he's from New York — a state and city not exactly known for pumping out football talent — and that he didn't receive his offer from Rutgers until there were only a couple games left in his senior season at Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn.
Izien was a four-year starter for the Scarlet Knights but didn't receive an invite to the combine, or hear his name called in any of the 2023 NFL Draft's seven rounds. He carved out a role for himself in his first couple of years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but lost a training camp battle last August, resulting in his defensive snaps in 2025 falling to 167, down from what he received in 2024 (697) and 2023 (780).
"I've been told, 'No,' a lot of times," Izien said Friday. "And I've worked through it."
Izien, a versatile defensive back with nickel and safety flexibility who joined the Detroit Lions this week on a one-year deal, is confident he'll again be able to prove wrong those who've doubted him. He'll certainly have opportunity with the Lions, who lost Amik Robertson to the Washington Commanders in free agency and have injury concerns related to both of their starting safeties.
"Having the ability to play multiple positions, I'm pretty sure I'll find a role," Izien said.
Most of Izien's reps as a rookie came in the slot, and he was productive with two interceptions and a forced fumble. He played more safety in 2024. His lone interception that season came at Ford Field, where Jared Goff was hit while throwing deep against Bucs in Week 2. Izien, who still has the ball as a souvenir, hauled in the errant throw, helping Tampa Bay win what he described as "probably the most intense game that I've played in my career."
Aside from his versatility, Izien pointed to his ability as a communicator as one of his top skills. "That's something I pride myself on," he said. "Football is hard. It's an 11-man sport. You're not always going to be in the best call that you want to be in or to go against the offense you're going against. ... Having guys to be able to communicate with you and have somebody out there that you trust being out there with, that's something I want to be for this team."
Izien, 25, has appeared in 45 games and has made 15 starts since signing with the Buccaneers, a solid start for someone who NFL decision-makers believed wasn't worth drafting. But ideally, that's all Izien's time in Tampa Bay was — a start to a career that's still ascending.
"Last year, things didn't go the way I thought it would or the way I wanted it to," Izien said. "I kind of put that in the past (and) use it as fuel for motivation for this year coming up. I do see myself as a starter in this league. I said that last year, and I'll say it again."
Over the past two weeks, "WWE NXT's" ratings have declined after posting numbers above the 600,000 viewer mark for 11 weeks straight. Although it was expected the program would bounce back on Tuesday following Vengeance Day this past weekend, total viewership surprisingly hit a new low instead.
According to Wrestlenomics and Programming Insider, "NXT" averaged 541,000 viewers and posted a 0.08 in the key 18-49 demographic, which is the show's lowest totals of the year. When comparing both categories to the previous week, total viewership was down by 10%, while the 18-49 demo decreased by 11%. Despite the poor rating, "NXT" also went head-to-head with the NBA matchup between the Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs on NBC, which brought in 2.5 million viewers. Additionally, the developmental brand faced stiff competition from the NHL, which broadcasted 13 games on the night.
Along with posting its worst figures of the year, "NXT" has also struggled to grow its audience over the last 12 months, with total viewership dropping by 17% since March 2025. Perhaps more concerning is "NXT's" lack of improvement in the 18-49 demo, with the category plummeting by 47% since this time last year. With Stand & Deliver under a month away, "NXT" could see an increase in viewership as fans look forward to the brand's biggest PLE of the year, but it remains to be seen if this past Tuesday was an outlier, or if the decline in ratings will continue.
Veteran defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson has found a new home.
Tomlinson's agents announced that their client has agreed to terms with the Chargers. Tomlinson was released by the Cardinals earlier this week.
Tomlinson signed with the Cardinals after being released by the Browns last year and he started all 17 games in Arizona. Tomlinson had 26 tackles and a sack in those apperances.
Tomlinson spent two years with the Browns and two years with the Vikings after playing his first four NFL seasons with the Giants.
The Chargers also have Teair Tart, Jamaree Caldwell, Justin Eboigbe, TeRah Edwards, and Josh Fuga under contract on their defensive line.
Most were expecting the nightcap of Friday night’s ACC Tournament semifinals to be a rubber match between rivals Duke and North Carolina, but the Clemson Tigers had something to say about that, taking down the Tar Heels, 80-79, on Thursday night to set up a rematch of the Blue Devils’ 13-point win in Cameron Indoor Stadium in February.
Jon Scheyer’s team didn’t make it to the game easy, either, surviving a last-second three-point attempt by Florida State to beat the Seminoles, 80-79, on Thursday night.
It was a two-man show for top-ranked Duke against FSU as Isaiah Evans (32 points) and Cameron Boozer (23 points) combined for 55 of the Blue Devils’ 80 points, with no other Duke player reaching double digits in the victory. The Devils might need more of that as they are missing starting guard Caleb Foster and center Patrick Ngongba, limiting the depth to just seven regular players.
Brad Brownell’s team used a complete team effort to hold off the Tar Heels’ furious rally at the end of Thursday’s game, with six players scoring at least 10 points, led by Nick Davidson’s 17 points coming off the bench.
In the first matchup, Boozer, Evans and Cayden Boozer combined for 47 points, and the Blue Devils held the Tigers to 35 percent from the field in the 67-54 victory.
Duke and Clemson are set to tip off at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Game Prediction
Thursday’s game showed how important Foster and Ngongba are to Scheyer’s squad, and the limited depth the Blue Devils have might catch up to them once and for all. Expect Clemson to come out and force Duke to get points from anyone but Cameron Boozer and Evans. If that works, it will be the Tigers’ night.
Two times this season, Northwestern lacrosse lost a game. Two times this season, opposing teams rushed the Ryan Fieldhouse turf after the final buzzer sounded, hugging each other as their cheers echoed through the indoor facility.
First, it was Northwestern’s 10-9 loss Feb. 9 against an unranked Colorado team, which celebrated by taking group photos with a giant Buffaloes flag in front of the scoreboard. Then it was No. 14 Syracuse’s 9-6 win over the ‘Cats Thursday night, accompanied by “Let’s Go Cuse” chants from the Orange faithful in the game’s waning minutes.
That’s what it means to beat a 2020s-era Northwestern lacrosse squad that doesn’t usually let up in this manner.
Of course, that’s not to discredit Colorado and Syracuse. The Buffaloes are 4-2 to start the season, while the Orange are better than their record shows, with competitive losses against No. 1 North Carolina, No. 2 Stanford and No. 3 Maryland.
But Northwestern hadn’t lost multiple home games in a season since 2020. To break that streak in the way it did Thursday night was nothing short of disappointing.
“We struggled to be aggressive in what we wanted to do,” Northwestern head coach Kelly Amonte Hiller said. “We have to learn from that. They’re a great team, they have a lot of athletic kids and we just got to regroup.”
The statistics tell a lot already. Northwestern committed 21 turnovers — even more than in the Colorado game, where protecting the ball was already a problem. The Wildcats’ top four scorers in Madison Taylor, Aditi Foster, Taylor Lapointe and Olivia Adamson combined for 11 of those.
Meanwhile, Taylor (who averages nearly five goals a game) was held to just one goal on four shots while Foster and Adamson were scoreless. To put Northwestern’s attacking struggles in perspective, its leading scorer with two goals was Annabel Child, a midfielder.
Beyond the numbers, Northwestern was playing catch-up from start to finish. The minute and eight seconds after Child’s opening goal with 13:25 left in the opening quarter was the first and only time the Wildcats led on Thursday — and one of the few times they even had a player cutting into the crease area.
Then, the struggle bus hit. Syracuse got going between the thirds as a result of its own transition play speed and Northwestern’s inability to recover loose ground balls on the attack. Molly Guzik scored three goals in under four minutes, giving the Orange an early 3-1 lead. That lead would have been even larger had the goalpost beside NU keeper Jenika Cuocco not robbed Syracuse of multiple scoring chances in the first frame when it outshot the Wildcats 12-4.
Amonte Hiller said Northwestern switched its defensive coverage after Guzik’s early hat trick, and to her credit, it worked. The Wildcat defense performed much better from then on, not allowing a Syracuse goal in the final eight minutes of the first quarter. However, the offense couldn’t replicate the same success to end the initial quarter, and then into the second.
Sure, Lapointe found the net at the end of the first. In the second quarter, a Maddie Epke free position and an acrobatic Child shot (made while a Syrcause defender rammed into her) helped negate goals from Guzik and Bri Peters that opened the frame. But even as Northwestern headed into halftime down just 5-4, the offensive problems that plagued it to start the game weren’t going away.
Taylor, the player who usually leads Northwestern’s offense in both scoring and playmaking, barely got the ball and finished the first half without taking a single shot. In fact, none of the Wildcats’ primary attackers were receiving the ball all that much, with players like first-year Kyle Finnell and Jenna Soto recording more touches than they typically get. The ‘Cats constantly passed to each other on the outskirts of the attacking third or behind the net, but rarely within the fan.
“They played great zone defense. They were pressuring us out, pinching in areas, containing our players,” Amonte Hiller said of the Orange.
If the halftime score gave Wildcats fans hope of a comeback, the second half extinguished it. Syracuse scored four goals unanswered in the opening 25 minutes of the second half, going up to a 9-4 lead with 4:54 left in the fourth. While Guzik, who led all players with six goals, nearly outscored the Wildcats herself, the problem again wasn’t the defense (the Orange scored just one more goal than it did last season, when Northwestern beat them 12-8). Instead, the issue was the turnovers continuing to pile up, while the Wildcats struggled to capitalize on their opportunities — passing off free position shots or firing way wide.
Northwestern attempted to make one final push at the end of the fourth quarter after Noel Cumberland broke her team’s scoring drought with 3:57 remaining. A quick Syracuse turnover then helped Taylor avoid going scoreless for the first time since the 2025 NCAA Tournament, as she made the score 9-6 Syracuse with a gritty goal through contact. It was too little, too late for the Wildcats, though, as the Orange defense did just enough to run out the clock and secure their upset.
The adage for perennially winning teams is that occasional losses are supposed to be turning points, the pivotal moment that motivates them toward a long winning streak. But between Thursday, the Colorado loss and the match against No. 13 Stony Brook that was decided by one goal, it’s clear that Northwestern is struggling against top opponents in a way that it didn’t in years past.
The road isn’t going to get any easier, either — in the coming weeks, the ‘Cats still have Maryland, North Carolina and No. 8 Johns Hopkins on their docket. If the Wildcats are struggling to produce against top-ranked teams right now, Big Ten play is going to get a lot more complicated.
Amonte Hiller wants her squad to move on, win or lose, to Sunday’s matchup against Ohio State, and that’s the mentality it needs to avoid spiraling. But Northwestern’s struggles, especially its stagnancy on offense, are consistent issues that need to be addressed.
“The season brings you what you need,” Amonte Hiller said. “Obviously, we needed to be tested today, and hopefully, we get some growth from it.”
On Thursday night, and against Colorado before that, Northwestern lacrosse put up an uncharacteristic performance. The goal now is to ensure that said performances don’t become the new norm.
Jelly Roll sitting on a throne - Taylor Hill/Getty Images
Grammy Award winner Jelly Roll has so far competed in one pro wrestling match, when he teamed up with Randy Orton to take on Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul on the first night of last year's WWE SummerSlam. Jelly Roll impressed Paul "Triple H" Levesque, and it may only be a matter of time until he returns to the ring.
As advertised by WWE themselves, Jelly Roll is set to appear during tonight's "SmackDown." However, a report from Wrestlevotes Radio on Fightful Select states that there have been talks between Jelly Roll and WWE for a WrestleMania appearance. That means his presence on "SmackDown" could be setting up further involvement on the "Grandest Stage of Them All."
In the past, Jelly Roll has expressed the desire to not only wrestle again but even stick around for an extended run with the promotion. He noted that he understands why Bad Bunny felt the need to return to wrestling after his first match, insisting that he'd be up to perform every Friday for his proposed run with WWE.
Jelly Roll's foray into pro wrestling was a catalyst for his extreme weight loss journey over the last several years. During a clip on "WWE Unreal," the artist revealed that his nickname came from his size, and that his mother used to call him Jelly Roll in an endearing way. However, seeing his SummerSlam 2024 segment on television gave him a jolt of reality regarding his physique, kickstarting a 160 lb. weight loss journey.
“Celtic is a much bigger club than many people imagine,” Daizen Maeda
Daizen Maeda has reflected on reaching 200 appearances for Celtic, in an interview with a Japanese reported which has been posted on Celtic TV…
Daizen Maeda celebrates as Benjamin chases. Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday 8 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
Amid the intense recent schedule for Celtic, Daizen Maeda reached the 200th appearance mark for the Hoops and his teammate Yang made it to 100 games for the club, in the crucial 2-1 win against Aberdeen at Pittodrie last Wednesday night.
You can watch the interview, which is in Japanese with English subtitles below. Daizen’s answers are short and to the point and he talks fondly about the brilliant support he has had from the Celtic fans.
Daizen Maeda has scored 70 goals for Celtic with 36 assists, giving the 28 year-old forward a grand total of 106 goal contributions. With Celtic having 10, or maybe 11 matches remaining this season, depending on how the Scottish Cup semi-final goes against St Mirren, it very much looks like it’s a countdown to the Daizen’s inevitable departure.
Last year he had cleared his dressing room locker and said his goodbyes to his teammates only for Celtic to cancel his £10m transfer to Bundesliga side Wolfsburg due to the Board’s failings in the transfer market. To his credit Daizen simply got on with things and even expressed his willingness in January to remain until the end of the season.
With Japan heading to the World Cup this summer, Daizen’s pressing and all-action approach will be there for all the world to see and a big money move seems inevitable.
“To be honest, I never imagined that I would play this long overseas and make so many appearances for one club,” Daizen said. “So, I feel very proud of myself.”
Danny Finlayson of Livingston battling with Daizen Maeda of Celtic during the Scottish Premiership match between Livingston and Celtic at Set Fare Arena on December 27, 2025. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
Daizen admitted that he had no idea that he’d reached 200 appearances for the club, explains that he was celebrating Yang Hyun-jun’s 100th appearance when he was itoild he had reached 200. “I actually had no idea,”Daizen admitted. “Somebody told me, ‘You’re actually at 200.’ That’s when I found out for the first time.”
Asked for a favourite moment at home, away and in Europe he chose his debit goal at Celtic Park against Hibs, an away goal at Ibrox and a Champions League goal against Club Brugge at Paradise.
Daizen Maeda. Celtic v theRangers. Premier Sports Cup, semi final at Hampden. 2 November 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Daizen acknowledged the role of his family for their brilliant support during his time at Celtic. He said: “My family has supported me throughout this journey, and without their support, I don’t think I would have been able to perform well here, score goals, and play so many matches. I am really grateful for them.”
The Celtic forward also spoke about the magnitude of Celtic as a football club and acknowledges the attention and pressure that comes with it.
“Celtic is a much bigger club than many people imagine,” he pointed out.
Daizen Maeda modelling the brand new Celtic FC x adidas Terrace Icons collection
“There is a lot of attention and pressure around the club, and it is very difficult to keep playing regularly, so you need to come with strong determination, not just for Celtic, but to compete in world football.
“I hope young players will take on that challenge with the right mindset.”
Quick Tip – Add thecelticstar.com as your ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for quick access to the Celtic content you value the most. It takes just a few seconds and you’ll notice the difference straight away – Click HERE….Hail Hail!
Barcelona top target ‘fascinated’ by the possibility of summer Camp Nou switch
As is becoming apparent with each passing day, FC Barcelona intend to sign a new centre-back in the summer transfer window.
And, everything indicates that Alessandro Bastoni of Inter Milan is seen as the top target for the position.
The 26-year-old Italian international is a left-footed centre-back, adept at playing the ball out from the back, possessing good ground speed as well as physicality, checking a lot of boxes for Barça.
Now, according to Matteo Moretto on Radio MARCA, Bastoni himself is aware of Barcelona’s interest in signing him and is not closing the door on a move.
Bastoni is a top target for Barcelona. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The report states that the Blaugrana sporting director, Deco, is intent on signing the Inter Milan defender and sees him as the ‘main’ target for the summer.
Bastoni, for his part, has not said ‘yes’ to Barcelona so far but is ‘fascinated’ by the possibility of joining the club.
This bodes well for the La Liga champions as the player’s willingness to join could help them in negotiations with Inter Milan when things start to heat up.
A transfer fee of €70 million could be seen as steep, considering that Barça are also planning to sign a top centre-forward in the summer, while a permanent move for Marcus Rashford is also in the works.
So, it will be interesting to see how Barcelona opt to move forward with their interest in Bastoni, who appears to be open to the idea of a summer move to Camp Nou.
We all knew it was coming. The writing has been on the wall almost since he joined the Tennessee Titans in 2024. The Titans have officially cut cornerback L'Jarius Sneed.
Titans are releasing CB L'Jarius Sneed, which will save Tennessee $11.4 million against the cap, per sources. Titans informed Snead’s agents, the Katz Brothers, of their decision today; Sneed now will become a free agent. pic.twitter.com/fj4JPvZiSf
In his two seasons with the Titans, Sneed has played in just 12 games. He's recorded 49 tackles (35 solo), three passes defensed, and 3.5 stuffs. That's it. He hasn't had much of an impact on this team whatsoever, and he's more of a liability than an asset. With the way the last two seasons have gone, it's not a surprise that the Titans want to part ways with the veteran cornerback.
During free agency, the Titans brought in cornerbacks Cor'Dale Flott and Alontae Taylor, and this year's draft class is saturated with young cornerbacks looking for a role. Mike Borgonzi is a fan of building through the draft, so look for them to add youth to the secondary in April.
Sneed has played six seasons in the NFL, but only once has he made it through the season without missing a game. He is often injured, and at 29 years old, his upside is dwindling. He will find a spot somewhere, but the Titans are moving on.
With his release, Tennessee frees up $11.4 million in cap space for the 2026 season.
The New York Jets came into the 2026 offseason with a lot of question marks about their future. Aaron Glenn is seemingly on the hot seat, and the team needed to revamp the defense and find a new starting quarterback.
So far this offseason, they've done just that. Darren Mougey and the Jets have added a ton of talent to this roster, including Geno Smith at quarterback and a few big additions on the defensive side of the ball.
After all of those offseason additions through the first week of the new league year, Mason Cameron of PFF.com shared that, according to PFF WAR, the Jets' offseason has been the most valuable in the entire NFL so far.
Jets have had NFL's most valuable free agency
"Geno Smith pushes the Jets into the top spot: Quarterbacks surpass all other positions in PFF WAR, hence why Smith's 0.82 mark - plus the additions of several other players - gives New York the edge over the other 31 teams this offseason," Cameron writes.
The Jets' "PFF WAR Added" this offseason is the most in the NFL at 1.99. The Indianapolis Colts at 1.85 are second, while the Tennessee Titans at third are at 1.75, and the Atlanta Falcons in fourth are 1.58 PFF WAR Added.
Smith's addition to the offense was a big one, and it's made even better with how cheap he was to acquire. But he's not the only reason why this offseason has been great for the Jets.
This offseason, the Jets have added Joseph Ossai, Demario Davis, Kingsley Enagbare, Nahshon Wright, Dylan Parham, David Onyemata, Dane Belton, Andrew Beck, Max Mitchell, Cade York, and Xavier Newman-Johnson in free agency.
But that's not all. Along with Smith, the Jets have traded for two key defenders: All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick for a late-round pick, and nose tackle T'Vondre Sweat for Jermaine Johnson.
All of these massive additions have led to a completely overhauled defense, a bolstered offense, and, at the end of the first week of free agency and the new league year, the most valuable offseason class of any team by PFF WAR.
It's been a great offseason for the Jets so far, and with four picks inside the top-45 and plenty more cap space, there could be a lot more value added to this roster in the coming weeks and months before the 2026 season gets underway.
Rounds four and five of the 2026 season, scheduled for 12 April (Sakhir) and 19 April (Jeddah), will no longer take place, with F1 set to cancel the grand prix events in the next 48 hours, a source has told The Independent.
Iranian missiles have attacked locations in the Middle East, including the Bahraini capital of Manama as recently as Monday after a drone attack resulted in 32 injuries. Locations in Saudi Arabia have also been targeted since the war began two weeks ago.
The Bahrain Grand Prix, scheduled for 12 April, has been cancelled (Getty Images)
Replacing both F1 events with European circuits was considered , but given the logistical challenges presented with such a last-minute alteration, F1 has decided to simply wipe the events from this year’s calendar, which is now set to be 22 races long. It is highly unlikely they will be rescheduled for later in the year.
With no race in April, it means there will now be a five-week gap between the Japanese Grand Prix (29 March) and the Miami Grand Prix (3 May).
A double cancellation has looked inevitable since the US-Iran war broke out on 28 February, with retaliatory Iranian airstrikes hitting major hotels in Manama, which often house F1 personnel.
Major international travel hubs in the region, such as Doha and Dubai, also remain impacted – though some have at least partially reopened.
F1 has already overcome obstacles presented by airport closures in the Middle East in the transfer of personnel to the season-opener in Melbourne, using chartered planes via Singapore and Tanzania.
However, with freight due to be moved to the Middle East after this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix, a decision will be confirmed in the coming days that the sport will not race in Bahrain and Saudi next month. It is estimated to cost F1 at least £100m in hosting fees.
It is understood Saudi pays the joint-most of any race, alongside Qatar, at approximately £55m ($72m). Bahrain, which hosted the first-ever race in the Middle East in 2004, pays F1 an estimated £45m ($60m) for the right to host a grand prix.
Not only are the Middle Eastern races significant financial contributors to F1, but both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have deep ties to the sport; Bahrain owns McLaren, while Saudi Arabia is a prominent sponsor and investor via state-owned oil company Aramco.
Speaking in Shanghai on Thursday, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton backed F1 to make the right decision.
The race in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, set to take place on 19 April, has also been cancelled (Getty Images)
He said: “I know that (F1 CEO) Stefano (Domenicali) will do what is right for all of us and the sport. That is the great thing with having a great leader like him.”
Various F1 team bosses have emphasised that safety is paramount and have placed trust in F1’s executive team to make the appropriate call.
When asked by The Independent about the situation at the season-opener in Australia, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said: “Formula 1 in a way becomes the second priority. It’s such an important topic in the region that it’s even quite difficult, I guess, to talk to the local leaders and say: ‘What about the grand prix?’
“I think this is up to Stefano [Domenicali, CEO] as a promoter and the FIA to manage that situation while respecting the current challenges that they have. My hunch is: I would very much hope we race. Is it realistic that we race there at the moment? I’m not quite sure.
“But again, I leave it to Stefano to manage that situation. I hope generally it gets better there so we are able to come back as soon as possible.”
Other motorsport series’ have already been impacted. The World Endurance Championship (WEC) event in Doha, originally set for 26-28 March, has already been postponed and rescheduled for October.
MotoGP’s Qatar round at Lusail, near Doha, on 12 April is facing significant difficulties and is unlikely to be rescheduled.
Formula Two, F1’s key support series, has its freight still in Melbourne after the season-opener. Should the Bahrain and Saudi F2 rounds be cancelled without replacement, the championship’s second race would not occur until Monaco in June.
STEPHENVILLE, Texas (AP) — Tarleton State has named Utah State associate coach Eric Haut to replace Billy Gillispie, who resigned last month because of medical issues.
Haut, whose hiring was announced Thursday, was on Utah State's staff for two seasons after five as an assistant at Northern Kentucky.
Utah State won the Mountain West regular-season championship and is bidding for a fourth straight NCAA Tournament bid and second in a row under Jerrod Calhoun and Haut, who also has made coaching stops at Kent State and TCU.
Tarleton State was 15-18 and tied for last in the Western Athletic Conference with Glenn Cyprien serving as acting head coach after Gillispie stepped away Jan. 30.
The 66-year-old Gillispie told The Dallas Morning News he was dealing with heart and blood-pressure issues that have plagued him for years. The former Kentucky coach had a kidney transplant in 2018, but told the newspaper his kidney was fine.
After a rookie year to remember, Kevin Knight is fast proving he belongs among AEW's best. (Lee South, AEW)
Stack Kevin Knight’s first year in AEW against almost anyone in the world, and he’s right near the top. As one of a select few stars to register a pinfall victory over the legendary Kazuchika Okada, Knight’s stock has never been higher.
He’s stood toe to toe against the likes of Darby Allin and Swerve Strickland, and pushed AEW World Champion MJF to the brink. He’s also tasted AEW gold alongside “Hangman” Adam Page and “Speedball” Mike Bailey as part of a championship trio.
Knight’s mentality centers on trusting the process, understanding his moments are coming and that no two journeys to the top look the same.
“I practice manifestation, just a different mindset," Knight tells Uncrowned ahead of Sunday's AEW Revolution pay-per-view. "I practically already live as if I am a world champion or a tag-team champion, already having that feeling. So by the time we do win those golds, I already know how to act. I’m already in that mental headspace. I’m already working like I’m a champion.
“That’s how I stay ready. When it comes, it’s not overwhelming, and that keeps the journey going. When things happen for you, you take that opportunity as best you can and make the most out of it. That’s how I stay patient.”
Just a week after dropping the trios titles to the Don Callis Family — a villainous group comprised of Okada, Kyle Fletcher and Mark Davis — Knight, Bailey and their new trios partner Mistico will attempt to reclaim their gold at AEW Revolution this weekend inside Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena.
Knight says he and Bailey are privileged to partner with CMLL superstar Mistico, who is “one of the best luchadors” of all-time. But as a team and as individuals, the opportunities are coming fast and furious for Knight and Bailey. Knight wrestled MJF for the world title just last week, and Bailey was unsuccessful in his TNT championship tilt against Kyle Fletcher this past Wednesday.
“It’s a lot being thrown at you, but when a lot of things are thrown at you, that happens because they know that you can handle it," Knight says. "The fact that as soon as we won the trios titles, we all went in our singles direction aspirations shows that the company has a lot of confidence in all three of us [Knight, Bailey and Page] as performers.
“I take it as a challenge and as a positive thing. Even when we have gold, we’re still looking for more. It’s not impossible to be a double, even triple champion in this company. The possibilities are endless, and me and 'Speedball' are hungry. When we see one opportunity, we want to go for the next as well, while still staying focused on our trios aspirations.”
Opportunities on increasingly larger stages, against main-event caliber opponents, have given Knight an ultimate confidence over the past year. And by the time he wrapped his first world championship match, there wasn’t any self-doubt left. Instead, it was replaced by a sense of belonging.
It’s no longer a question of when Knight will be ready for the main-event scene. He’s already arrived.
Kevin Knight and "Speedball" Mike Bailey have proven to be an electric tandem. (Lee South, AEW)
“It was definitely a good test because when I was out there, I didn’t feel out of place. I didn’t feel like I had to prove myself to be there," he says. "I already felt like I was in the right place and ready for that spotlight. And as we saw in the match, I had the championship for what, 10, 12, 13 seconds. So if it wasn’t for some short way out, I’d be a world champion right now.
“I’m eager to get back in there, whether it’s MJF or 'Hangman' in the next world title match, because I didn’t feel out of place, I didn’t look out of place, and each and every week I’m getting better and better. So when the opportunity comes again, I want to be looking out for those short-handed tactics. Whether it’s MJF or 'Hangman,' whoever the champ, I want that title shot again.”
Days after his championship match, an intentional interaction between former world champion Swerve Strickland and Knight on "AEW Collision" planted the seeds for where the rising star goes next. Strickland used cutting words, implying the Knight lacked a killer mentality in his approach. Knight, however, pushes back on that notion and is determined to find his own path to the top.
“You can learn a lot from everybody, but from Swerve specifically, he transforms himself right in front of our eyes. Was he world champion material when he first got to AEW? I don’t know, but he worked himself into being undeniable,” Knight says.
“It was cool to see his journey going from a former ex-WWE guy to tag champion to becoming a world champion. You can see the transformation. So I can see the things that I need to work on to transform myself."
Strickland's journey, Knight says, is something he can learn from.
“Maybe not the way he went about it,” Knight continues.
“Him and 'Hangman' went to crazy standards, he got his house burned down in the process, a lot of staple guns involved, a lot of blood. So maybe I could find a little bit safer way to get to that world championship. But it was cool to see his journey from just entering to getting there. So it’s a lot to learn, doing it in my own way.”
"You can learn a lot from everybody, but from Swerve specifically. Was he world champion material when he first got to AEW? I don’t know, but he worked himself into being undeniable." (Lee South, AEW)
As good as Knight is, he doesn’t claim to be a ready-to-ship world champion. He says he takes every match or segment as a learning opportunity to get incrementally better. The work never stops.
“I feel like there’s a moment where one thing clicks, but then there’s five other things that you've got to work on," Knight says. "You may have mastered one thing in this match, but now it’s like you make it to a new level of a video game. You made it to this new level, now it is five harder opponents or new things you've got to consider on this new level.
“With each and every match, each and every situation — whether it’s a promo segment, backstage, or a match — that’s an accomplishment. But then there’s something you can learn from that segment and take to the next. So it’s a constant learning process.”
Knight credits strong locker room leadership from the Hurt Syndicate, Dustin Rhodes, Jerry Lynn and Katsuyori Shibata as crucial to his development.
As he continues to rise up the roster, the more opportunities he’s afforded, the more the pressure rises to perform. But these are the moments Knight was made for. Pressure, he says, is a privilege.
“If you’re mediocre, if you’re kind of eh, there’s not much pressure to be OK," Knight says. "When people say there’s a lot of pressure, that means they have high expectations. They have high standards. They expect a lot of you. I honestly work out with that pressure when I train, preparing for those moments so that when those moments come, I’m not overwhelmed. The nerves are always going to be there. If they’re not, you should probably get out of the business.
“I just take those nerves, take that feeling, and put it into my work. Because of course there’s pressure to perform, but that just means a lot is expected out of you. That’s a good thing. If people didn’t expect much out of you, there would be no pressure. That means you’re an afterthought. The fact that there is pressure, that there are people watching, it only helps me perform better.”
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 23: Michael Pittman Jr. #11 of the Indianapolis Colts stands on the field before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After two years, the Pittsburgh Steelers finally solved their WR2 dilemma by trading for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. The two-time 1,000-yard receiver was introduced today and held his first press conference with Steelers media that featured an unexpected moment of vulnerability.
Pittman struggled to get Mike McCarthy’s name out after a question was asked, and he was quick to explain why.
“For those of you who don’t know, I stutter a lot,” Pittman said. “So it’s not because I’m nervous, it’s just. thing that I’ve done since I was a kid. I’ve actually worked with the NSA on it, National Stuttering Association, so there’s my plug for them.”
Chris Carter of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette asked Pittman to follow up on his journey to work on his stutter and how it felt to see prospect KC Concepcion also open up about his own stutter.
“It was definitely tough,” Pittman said. “Especially as a young kid where there were moments that I wouldn’t even talk. I would just point at stuff because I just couldn’t get words out. And through speed therapy and lots of other things, football has forced me to speak and do things I used to try to avoid. Like I would never be able to speak in front of people like this if it wasn’t for football forcing me into those situations.”
Pittman then noted that those with stutters struggle with how people perceive them.
“You think that people think that you’re dumb or unintelligent or something like that, and it makes you afraid of situations like [speaking publicly].”
Pittman adds that he thought it was “awesome” that Concepcion would share his own struggles with stuttering.
“I didn’t know that he also stuttered. It’s just good to show kids because when I was a young kid… I would be deathly afraid of popcorn reading [in school] and stuff like that. Just showing kids you can get through that, you’re gonna go through it, everything is going to get better. Just keep on working on it.”
It became very evident very quickly to everyone in Pittsburgh why Pittman won the Good Guy award in Indianapolis, which goes to the player who is most cooperative and well-spoken with the media.
Let us know what you think in the comments. Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest news, breakdowns, and more!
The flurry of NFL free agency moves is nearly over, with some cash-poor teams doing what they could with limited cap space and other teams with plenty of cap room spending extravagantly on players that might — or might not — improve their 2026 prospects.
Below are my free agency grades for every AFC team. I based these grades on individual team needs and whether the teams reached on signings or secured good value in their various free agency moves. Please remember at all times that I do not hate your favorite team. I am and have always been NFL agnostic.
RELATED: Check out Kyle Dvorchak's NFC Free Agent Grades here.
Getting tricky with the Maxx Crosby business, the Ravens landed Hendrickson to bolster a defensive line that last year had a middle-of-the-road 22 percent pressure rate. Hendrickson had 35 sacks and 29 tackles for a loss from 2023 to 2024, before his injury-marred 2025 campaign.
The Ravens appear to have replaced Isaiah Likely with Durham Smythe, who has precisely 13 receptions over his past two seasons. That seems like a downgrade unless the team plans on deploying Smythe strictly as a blocking tight end and leaning on Mark Andrews for pass-catching purposes.
Simpson was middling both as a run blocker and as a pass blocker in 2025. He’ll return to a Baltimore offensive line that sported the NFL’s seventh best pass blocking win rate and the 17th ranked run blocking win rate.
Though it wasn’t technically a free agency signing, acquiring Moore from Chicago should be a marked boost for Josh Allen and the team’s passing attack. Khalil Shakir is no one’s idea of a No. 1 wideout and the Keon Coleman experiment is all but over after Coleman predictably flamed out as a pro. Moore in 2025 was not fantasy relevant in the run-heavy Bears offense, in part because of his quality of targets. Almost no one saw a lower rate of catchable balls thrown his way. He now gets to play alongside Allen, who over the past two seasons ranks third in catchable ball rate. That, along with his place atop the pass-catching hierarchy, should make Moore a significant upgrade for Buffalo’s offense.
The Fantasy In Bio folks — myself included — are disappointed to see Knox back in the fold. His return all but guarantees Dalton Kincaid, one of the most efficient tight ends of the past two seasons, will remain a part-time player at best. Knox in 2025 was PFF’s sixth best pass-blocking tight end, however. It’s a good move for real football purposes.
The Bengals signed Mafe from Seattle a year after Mafe was graded by PFF as the league’s 18th best pass rushing EDGE out of 60 qualifying players. Mafe will be a replacement for Trey Hendrickson, who left for the Ravens, and should provide a needed boost for a Bengals defensive line that in 2025 ranked dead last in pass rush win rate.
The Browns, under new head coach Todd Monken, were intent on improving an offensive line that last season ranked 25th in run blocking win rate and 20th in pass blocking win rate. The results were a bit uneven. PFF last year ranked Zion Johnson as a bottom-half run blocker and pass blocker, while Tytus Howard received the 11th lowest pass blocking PFF grade in the NFL last season as a member of the Texans. Howard allowed 14 quarterback hurries and 18 pressures over seven games. It’s not the best profile.
Elgton Jenkins, meanwhile, was graded as a top-25 pass blocker among 200 qualifying offensive linemen. Entering his eighth NFL season, Jenkins, 31, should have some positional flexibility for a Cleveland offensive line that might need it.
The Broncos, under new offensive coordinator Davis Webb, will continue with a relatively low-octane rushing attack with the re-signing of Dobbins, who last season functioned as the Broncos’ clear lead back before a foot injury ended his season in Week 10.
Dobbins before the injury had logged 153 rushes to just 50 carries for rookie RJ Harvey. Dobbins had a far higher explosive run rate than Harvey and functioned as Denver’s primary inside-the-ten back. Dobbins was, in short, the more effective rushing option for Sean Payton’s offense in 2025. His 54 percent rushing success rate was miles ahead of Harvey’s 34 percent success rate through ten games. He was not exactly a difference maker, however. It would have made sense for the Broncos to pursue a more explosive back in free agency, someone like Ken Walker or Keaton Mitchell.
Acquiring David Montgomery from Detroit made a lot of sense for a Houston offense that managed to get along in 2025 without a true lead back. Nick Chubb was a shadow of his formerly elite self and Woody Marks appears to be — at best — a change of pace option. Montgomery, who checks a lot of key efficiency metrics boxes, should allow the Texans to be more balanced on offense a year after they ranked tenth in pass rate over expected. A solid rushing attack should allow the Texans to hide CJ Stroud and his deficiencies exposed in Houston’s playoff drubbing at the hands of the Patriots.
Securing Schultz for another season should give Stroud a reliable check down option. Not only was Schultz second on the team in target rate last season (18 percent); he was also second in first read target share (19 percent) with a bottom-barrel average depth of target (6.3).
Making Fairbairn the league’s highest-paid kicker after he connected on 44 of his 48 field goal tries in 2025. He remains an elite kicker for a Texans team keen on taking the points in the red zone.
The Colts get this offseason’s Fell For It Again Award by bringing back Daniel Jones after Jones went down late last season with an Achilles tear. While I doubt Colts fans and football enjoyers will look back fondly on the re-signing of Jones, I’m happy for Jones and endless generations of Jones’ family who will enjoy generational wealth because Danny was exactly the right kind of bad quarterback.
Perhaps, like Kirk Cousins and Aaron Rodgers before him, Jones will be rushed back in time to start Week 1, play miserably, and force Riley Leonard into action (after Leonard was not half bad in the final couple games of Indy’s lost 2025 season). His best case scenario is being fully ready at the end of 2026 or the start of 2027. We have to stop pretending players come back from Achilles explosions good as new. I like Colts head coach Shane Steichen and trust him as a schemer and play caller, but even Steichen can only scam Jones to viability for so long.
Alec Pierce is a fun, productive downfield threat with a knack for high pointing the football and fighting for possession in crowded spaces. That’s good. We like that. The Colts appear ready to shoehorn Pierce into a WR1 role, and I don’t think that’s what he is, or ever will be. Last year’s 17 percent targets per route run and his bottom-10 ESPN open score - measuring a wideout’s ability to create separation - make me skeptical of Pierce as anything more than a WR2 for real football purposes. For fantasy, a bunch of intermediate targets to go along with the deep shots should make Pierce a little less high variance in 2026.
Jacksonville’s free agency haul was good enough for a team without any glaring holes. Signing Rodriguez, sneakily one of the NFL’s most efficient backs last season, is a smart backfield booster after losing Travis Etienne, as expected.
Montaric Brown was PFF’s 14th best cover corner in 2025. He allowed a reception on just 53 percent of targets that went his way. With Brown as a starter, the Jaguars secondary — which gave up the league’s fourth lowest drop back EPA in 2025 — could be frightening in 2026.
Kansas City did what they had to do and added a running back who can create yardage — sometimes a lot of yardage — on his own. It’s something last year’s Chiefs backs could not do, as Patrick Mahomes was somehow the team’s most effective rusher. Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco in 2025 combined for the lowest rate of missed tackles of any backfield in the NFL last season and the fifth lowest rate of yards after contact per carry. It was bad.
The lack of a legit run game hamstrung the entire KC offense, which ended the 2025 season with an EPA per play outside the top ten (in case you’re mad at me and demanding to know where the Chiefs stood before Mahomes’ knee injury, the answer is ninth, just below the Colts). Walker’s explosiveness should add a much-needed element to a stale KC offense in 2026. Eight percent of Walker’s rushing yards in 2025 came on runs of at least 15 yards; that was the fourth highest rate in the NFL behind De’Von Achane, Keaton Mitchell, and Emario Demercado. Defenses respecting Mahomes and unable to use stacked boxes should create plenty of running lanes for Walker.
Travis Kelce apparently was never considering calling it quits after the Chiefs’ dismal 2025 campaign. And who can blame him? No great pass catcher should go out with XFL quarterbacks throwing him the football. It would have been cosmically unfair. Or maybe totally fair, considering the other aspects of Kelce’s life.
Anyway, he’s very much a reliable check down option for the check down-enjoying Mahomes. Kelce, 36, maintained a healthy 21 percent target per route rate in 2025 and had the sixth most receptions among tight ends, suggesting he’s not totally washed. Only three tight ends had more receiving yards than the wily veteran in 2025.
By nearly every metric Thornton was a far better downfield option than Xavier Worthy in 2025. The Chiefs did well to retain Thornton and should consider playing him over Worthy, who stinks.
The Raiders pulling Linderbaum out of the Harbaugh universe was one of the bigger surprises of free agency. The addition of Linderbaum is an outsized development for a Vegas offense line that last year ranked 22nd in both run blocking and pass blocking win rate, often leaving Geno Smith (and other Raiders quarterbacks) with no time to let a play develop. Out of 199 qualifying offensive linemen, Linderbaum in 2025 was graded by Pro Football Focus as the league 121st best pass blocker. He was ranked 19th in run blocking. After being regularly hit behind the line of scrimmage in a miserable rookie season, Ashton Jeanty could have room to run behind a Linderbaum-led Raiders line in 2026. It’ll be a nice little change for the Silver and Black.
Jalen Nailor, meanwhile, turned 444 yards and four touchdowns into $35 million over three years as a starter for the new-look Vegas offense. Nailor made the most of his limited opportunities last season in a Minnesota passing offense dominated by Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. His 14 percent broken tackle rate ranked 11th among receivers who saw at least 40 targets. Nailor profiles as a potential big play guy in a Raiders offense in desperate need of such guys.
Walker and Dean could make for a downright respectable Raiders linebacker group, a marked shift from 2025, when Vegas linebackers were regularly burned in coverage and on the ground. Last year no Raiders linebacker had a PFF tackling grade in the top half of the league.
Khalil Mack will return for his age-35 season after signing a one-year deal with LA. Mack in 2025 managed 5.5 sacks and six tackles for a loss over 12 games with the Chargers, a far cry from his prime-years production. Mack’s veteran presence and on-field leadership is likely what kept him around for one more season.
The signing of Ingold tells us the Bolts are ready to go all in on a Shanny-style offense under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. Look for the Chargers to be a run-first offense in 2026 after regularly leaning hard on the pass in 2025. That could be good for Keaton Mitchell, a member of the Harbaugh Universe who landed with Jim after four years with John in Baltimore.
The insanely fast and shifty Mitchell was 11th last season in yards after contact per carry. In 2023, before a catastrophic knee injury, he led the NFL in yards after contact per carry. This is nothing new for Mitchell, who, according to Rotoworld’s Zach Krueger, has the ninth highest yards per touch in league history. His production profile coming out of East Carolina largely went under-discussed. In Mitchell’s final college campaign he totaled 179 carries and averaged a hefty 7.8 yards per rush. PFF graded him as the nation’s third best rusher behind Blake Corum and Bijan Robinson. What I’m saying is he might be good. And McDaniel, if his work in Miami is any indication, knows exactly what to do with the fastest guy on the field.
I may have gotten a little worked up on Thursday’s Rotoworld Football Show while bandying about Mitchell’s prospects in LA with RotoPat and Kyle Dvorchak. While I concede his weekly touch total has a hard cap — maybe something around eight or ten — a back as explosive as Mitchell can do a lot with a little. That’s assuming, of course, his oft-injured knees hold up in 2026. Consider me fully intrigued by what McDaniel can do with a player of Mitchell’s skill set.
Dolphins head coach Jeff Healy and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, pried from the frozen tundra of Green Bay, are going all in on remaking the Dolphins a tough-nosed, cold-weather team in 2026. So I guess it’s no surprise they outbid everyone else on Malik Willis, who made the spreadsheets hum with Matt LaFleur calling plays for him over the past two seasons.
The South Florida Packers will be led by Willis in 2026 after he led all quarterbacks in EPA per drop back last season over just 58 plays last season. Willis was extraordinarily accurate in 2025, completing 86 percent of his pass attempts, 22 percent over expected. Can the Dolphins recreate this hyper-efficiency? I doubt it. They don’t have any close to the play designing and play calling caliber of LaFleur. Can Willis still be fun for fantasy? Of course. Any mobile QB can be interesting for fantasy purposes.
The Dolphins, like one Rotoworld analyst, liked what they saw from Greg Dulcich near the end of 2025. He's a big slot receiver who could be interesting if he gets a decent route rate in 2026.
Recovering from the Tua Apocalypse — a salary cap catastrophe as predictable as any in recent memory — might take years for the Dolphins. This year’s free agency signings were fine. There wasn’t much else they could do after blowing up the Tua-Tyreek offense that brought them absolutely nowhere over the past few years.
The Patriots have operated as a Smart Team since booting washed Bill Belichick a few years ago and moving on into the modern age of football. The Super Bowl runners up continued being quite smart with this year’s free agency signings and have positioned themselves as a perennial contender under head coach Mike Vrabel.
Bringing in Vera-Tucker could be important for an offensive line that struggled mightily down the stretch to protect Drake Maye in the pocket. The former No. 14 overall pick played at every offensive line position other than center while on his rookie contract with the Jets, though most of his reps have come at the two guard spots. He most recently started all 15 games of his 2024 campaign at right guard. Vera-Tucker missed the entire 2025 season with a torn tricep. He allowed four quarterback hits and four sacks over 15 games with the Jets in 2025.
Romeo Doubs for now looks to be the Stefon Diggs replacement for Maye. Doubs, who can play from the slot or the boundary, is a reliable receiver who was targeted relentlessly in the red zone during his time with the Packers. I wouldn’t be surprised if that continues in New England. Doubs is not a WR1, but he’s closer than you might think. He’s certainly an upgrade over the fading Diggs. I like the Patriots’ chances of repeating as EPA kings in 2026.
Geno Smith entered the league tainted by the stench of the Jets and he’ll go out the same way. Poor guy. Every spreadsheet nerd’s favorite quarterback deserved better.
I will say this about Geno playing for the Carrol family’s make-work program in Vegas: He was deeply unlucky. He ranked 21st out of 41 QBs in completion rate over expected (better than Mahomes) and was seventh among all quarterbacks in on-target rate (71 percent). Geno constitutes a massive quarterback upgrade for the Jets, but to what end? The move makes precious little sense for the team and the player.
The Jets kept Breece Hall in Jets Jail for another year — unless, of course, they work out a trade in the coming weeks or months. Hall was relatively efficient as a pass catcher and a rusher in 2025 considering the state of the New York offensive line and the bleakest QB situation since Ian Book started for the Saints during the COVID season. They should have gotten what they could for Hall and moved on to yet another total rebuild.
The most brutally mismanaged team in the NFL spent a bunch of free agency cash on aged veterans who used to be good and were seeking one last solid payday from the big, dumb ATM Woody Johnson runs as a hobby. The Jets defense, after allowing the NFL’s third highest EPA per play and sixth highest success rate in 2025, could be even worse in 2026, which will surely be Aaron Glenn’s final season as an NFL head coach.
The Steelers are mostly getting the band back together for 2026. That could include Aaron Rodgers if and when the mercurial elder millennial decides to come back for one more mediocre season before living out the rest of his days in the woods.
Steelers beat writers expect Dowdle, who played for head coach Mike McCarthy in Dallas, to function as the lead back this season. That would mean Jaylen Warren would be a change of pace option, and a good one at that. Hardly any back in 2025 was more efficient than Warren as a pass catcher. For real football, a Dowdle-Warren backfield could be one of the league’s best. For fantasy it might stink. So it goes.
Pittman is a willing blocker and a tough guy overall, perfect for Steelers culture, which values tradition over winning. It’s whatever. Pittman will probably be a solid target for Rodgers if Rodgers is under center again for the Steelers. Rodgers in 2025 had the second lowest air yards per attempt, intent on getting the ball out quickly and saving his aged body.
McCarthy’s Steelers should have every chance to have a top half offense and defense in 2026, barring injury.
The Titans went out and got Wan’Dale Robinson, a proven target commander, for Cam Ward in what will hopefully be a much improved sophomore season. Robinson in New York last season saw a target on nearly 30 percent of his pass routes over the final seven weeks of the season. His ability to win in the short areas and downfield make Robinson a weapon who can be targeted anywhere on the field. While he doesn’t look like a typical WR1, I think he can suffice as one for Tennessee in 2026.
Taylor, Flott, and Franklin-Myers should be big-time upgrades for a Titans defense that last season allowed the league’s fifth highest EPA per play and was regularly picked apart by opposing passing attacks. Incoming head coach Robert Saleh showed in San Francisco last season that he can turn an undermanned defense into a formidable unit.
Highlights from Thursday, March 12, in high school spring sports:
BASEBALL
Zachary Partee struck out three in four scoreless innings and Tyler Starling struck out two in one inning as the two combined for a five-inning no-hitter to lead Agoura to a 16-0 win over Canyon in a nonleague game. Starling and Kendall Graves each had a home run, triple and three RBIs, Christian Maher had two hits and three RBIs, Cooper Stutler had a hit and two RBIs, Jordan Tagawa had a hit and two RBIs, and Dylan Cittadino had a double and an RBI for the Chargers (6-2).
Jakob Zarate and Rob Rodriguez each went 2 for 3 with an RBI and Daniel Puebla had a triple and two RBIs to lead Rio Mesa (4-6) to a 9-3 win over Skyline of Idaho in a nonleague game.
Evan Barak was 3 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs, Nathan Rosenfeld went 2 for 5 with a homer and two RBIs, Josh Feder was 3 for 5 with a double and an RBI, Harrison Beck went 3 for 6 with a double and an RBI, and Julian Bray had a hit and two RBIs to lead Calabasas (6-1) to a 19-1 win over Foothill Tech in a nonleague game. Cooper Casey had a hit and an RBI for the Dragons (3-4).
Dylan Sezzi struck out 15 while pitching a one-hit shutout and Ija Burton drove in the game's only run to lead Villanova Prep to a 1-0 win over Ojai Valley in a nonleague game. Sophomore Archer Moller allowed just one hit while striking out 10 in four scoreless innings for the Spuds.
SOFTBALL
Cali Howe went 2 for 3 with a double and two RBIs, Khloie Hartman had a double and an RBI, Sam Lambert was 2 for 3, Sophia Torres was 1 for 2 with an RBI, Jadyn Claycamp allowed two runs in five innings, and Janelle Rillo-Figueroa allowed one run in two innings to lead Camarillo (7-2) to a 4-3 win over Thousand Oaks in a nonleague game. Shelby Kaiser, Kaylynn Dawson and Olivia LePage each hit solo homers and Madison Jauregui went 2 for 4 for the Lancers (3-3).
Rylie Cregut went 2 for 3 with a home run and three RBIs, Payton Holliday was 3 for 4 with two RBIs, Allie Pugliese was 2 for 3 with three runs scored, Emma Greenlinger went 2 for 4 with two runs scored, and Kiley Finnerty struck out six in a complete-game effort in the circle and had a double and two RBIs at the plate to lead Moorpark (4-1) to a 13-3 win over Rio Mesa in a nonleague game. Jaslene Rios was 3 for 3 with a double and an RBI and Keira Barry had a double and an RBI for the Spartans (4-3-1).
Aaliyah De Alba went 3 for 4 with two home runs and four RBIs, Aubreona Hernandez finished 3 for 4 with two doubles and four RBIs, Sophia Pimentel was 2 for 4 with an RBI, Riley Hotzler had a double and two RBIs, Jessie Sebek pitched three scoreless innings and went 2 for 4 with two doubles and two RBIs, Annie Wargo went 2 for 3 with three runs scored, and Khloe Flores pitched two scoreless innings to lead Ventura (5-4) to a 13-0, five-inning win over Fillmore in a nonleague game.
Elle Samuels allowed just one hit in five scoreless innings, Arika Innis allowed three hits and no earned runs in two innings, Sophia Casella went 2 for 3, and Isabella Jauregui and Julia Katz had RBIs to lead Oak Park (4-5) to a 2-1 win over Sierra Canyon in a nonleague game.
Brooke Burns went 2 for 3 with a two-run homer, Lucy Salazar hit a solo homer and pitched a scoreless inning, Grace Maguire had a double and two RBIs, and Rosy Salazar didn't allow a hit while striking out eight in four scoreless innings to lead Grace (2-4) to an 8-0, five-inning win over Arrowhead Christian in a nonleague game.
Sydney Katz went 3 for 3 with a solo home run, Liv Tirsch was 2 for 4 with a homer and two RBIs, Ava Ackourey went 2 for 4 with an RBI, and Kaitlyn McDuffee was 2 for 4 for Westlake (6-2) in its 12-7 loss to Notre Dame-Sherman Oaks in a nonleague game.
Sydney Cardino struck out eight in four innings and Jordy Charash went 2 for 4 for Agoura (8-6) in its 5-1 loss to Granada Hills Charter in a nonleague game.
Quinn Reynolds had a hit and an RBI and Nikki Kennedy had a double for Newbury Park (8-2) in its 3-2 loss to Louisville in a nonleague game.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Fletcher Duffey finished with 13 kills, 12 digs and five aces, Aidan McMeekin had 13 kills, four digs and two aces, Theo Souther-Pasquarella contributed 29 assists, five digs and four kills, Osvaldo Robles had 15 digs, and Louie Nacu added five kills and three aces to lead Ventura to a 25-10, 25-10, 20-25, 25-15 victory over rival Buena in a Channel League match.
Levi Martinez had 35 assists and eight digs, Caiden Aguilar had nine kills, and Gavin Liston added eight kills to lead Oxnard (8-7, 2-1) to a 25-18, 25-16, 25-19 sweep of Pacifica in a Channel League match.
BOYS GOLF
Grant Golden, Issac Garcia and Haeden Weber each shot a 73 to lead Ventura to a 381-426 win over rival Buena in a Channel League match at Buenaventura Golf Course.
Darsh Patel shot a 1-over 72 and Tajo Gomez and Rishabh Sharma each finished with an 80 to lead Royal to a 418-469 win over Pacifica in a nonleague match at Simi Hills Golf Course. Jacob Ayala shot a 79 for the Tritons. On Tuesday, Gavin Hill shot a 72, Sharma had a 76 and Chaley Mols had a 77 to lead the Highlanders (4-1, 1-1) to a 383-420 win over Oak Park in a Coastal Canyon League match at Simi Hills. Alexander Cheng shot a 76 to lead the Eagles (2-1, 0-1).
Raj Hundal fired a 3-under 68 and Ashton Yamamoto shot a 75 to lead Camarillo to a 382-402 win over Simi Valley in a Coastal Canyon League match at Spanish Hills Country Club. Evan Flores, Gunner Schmidt and Nathan Ide each shot a 78 for the Pioneers.
BOYS TENNIS
Oaks Christian defeated Thousand Oaks 14-4 to improve to 4-0 in the Marmonte League and 5-2 overall.
Newbury Park defeated Agoura 13-5 in a Marmonte League match.
GIRLS BEACH VOLLEYBALL
The pairs of Grace Canavan and Fiona Holt, Lilac Reyes and Sam Jacobson, Emily Turner and Peyton Fox, Makayla Harris and Jaelisa Lozano-Rivera, and Kaylee Harrell and Lily Farber won their matches to lead Foothill Tech to a 5-0 victory over Santa Clara in a league match.
Via Dan Graziano of ESPN, Miami is signing Tucker Addington.
Addington, 28, previously played for Miami in 2024, appearing in three games. He’s appeared in regular season games for New England, Washington, and Miami since 2022.
After going undrafted out of Sam Houston State, Addington has spent time with Dallas, New England, Jacksonville, Washington, Miami, Houston, and Pittsburgh in the league.
NFL free agency can often offers fools gold, but the best organizations know how to read the market to acquire great values.
Just because a contract is large doesn't necessarily mean that deal can't be a value contract. Last year, the most notable free agent signing was Sam Darnold to the Seattle Seahawks, who proved to be a bargain despite making over $33 million a year.
It'll be a while until it's clear which free agent contracts were smart, and which ones were silly. Still, there are some contracts that could have head starts based on their comparable markets.
Here's a breakdown of the six best deals in NFL free agency thus far.
Evans' age and desire to win likely helped him give the San Francisco 49ers a reasonable three-year, $60 million deal. Evans' contract is less than that of Alec Pierce, in both total and AAV, and not that different than contracts for Rashid Shaheed, Romeo Doubs and Wan'Dale Robinson.
Of course, Evans' issue will be health, since he played just eight games in 2025 and will be 33 in 2026. But as long as Evans can stay healthy, he is an impact player with proven experience in the biggest games.
Tyler Biadasz, OL, Chargers
With Tyler Linderbaum re-setting the center market for the Las Vegas Raiders, the Chargers did well in adding Tyler Biadasz to the offensive line. Biadasz isn't the player that Linderbaum has been, but the Chargers got the former Washington Commanders center for $51 million less overall.
The Chargers need stability along their offensive line, something that Biadasz should be able to bring in 2026. Los Angeles should be able to get that without wading into the waters of the top center on the market.
Tyler Allgeier, RB, Cardinals
There were a handful of quality running backs available, and the Arizona Cardinals got perhaps the best deal with Tyler Allgeier. Arizona signed the former Atlanta Falcon on a two-year deal worth just over $6 million per season.
Meanwhile, Kenneth Walker and Travis Etienne both signed contracts with the Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints, respectively, for $14 million and $13 million per season. Even including Breece Hal, who was given the franchise tag by the New York Jets for over $14 million in 2026, and Allgeier's price could prove to be the best value.
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Falcons
Tagovailoa is not the player he once was with the Miami Dolphins, but he is certainly worth the salary minimum that the Falcons are paying him in 2026. Tagovailoa is a solid veteran to pair with Michael Penix, and Atlanta doesn't have to dive deep into the cap to do so.
Tagovailoa's $1.3 million contract should provide more value than other deals of similar ilk, including Kenny Pickett's $7.5 million deal and Gardner Minshew's $8 million deal. Even if Tagovailoa ends up as a backup, the Falcons are unlikely to regret this deal.
Devin Bush, LB, Bears
The Chicago Bears released Tremaine Edmunds and replaced him with Devin Bush on a three-year, $30 million deal. Meanwhile, Edmunds went to the New York Giants for three-year, $36 million, despite Bush having the better season in 2025.
In fact, Bush's deal is less than those of Devin Lloyd an Nakobe Dean, and less AAV than that of DeMario Davis. If Bush can build off a career-best season from 2025, the Bears will prove to have gotten a steal.
Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, Patriots
Alijah Vera-Tucker is a proven quality starter on the offensive line, but injuries limited his play for the New York Jets. Vera-Tucker had three separate season-ending injuries, which prevented him from being a stalwart along the Jets offensive line.
The New England Patriots took advantage of a player seeking a fresh start, giving Vera-Tucker a three-year, $42 million deal. If Vera-Tucker's injury history can subside, he will become one of the best values in the league.
Kyler Murray, QB, Vikings
Like with Tagovailoa, Kyler Murray's value comes largely from the ability to play on the league minimum for the Vikings. As Murray is still making a significant amount of money from the Cardinals, Minnesota got the quarterback for just $1.3 million.
Murray is a quality starting quarterback when he's going well, and he should steady a Vikings quarterback room that had issues last year. Despite Murray's limitations, Kevin O'Connell should be able to get the most out of a talented quarterback still in his prime.
Riq Woolen, CB, Eagles
While Riq Woolen was a key member to the Seahawks' Super Bowl defense, the Eagles got the cornerback on a one-year deal worth up to $15 million. Woolen has certainly had his ups and downs in the NFL, and his inconsistencies on the field is why he signed for just one year.
Still, Woolen's career includes a stellar rookie season with one Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro appearance, and just 26, he still has a chance to play at a high level. This is a classic move that Philadelphia should maximize in its top-tier defense.
Rachaad White, RB, Commanders
The Commanders add an experienced running back for a reasonable one-year, $2 million to add depth to the running-back room. Washington lost Chris Rodriguez to the Jaguars in free agency, but gave White a deal worth $3 million less-than what Rodriguez got.
White has played on winning teams and is a reliable running back option for QB Jayden Daniels and a Commanders offense that needs stability. Not only is White a quality back, it's not hard to envision White being one of the best fantasy football values in the 2026 season as well.
ALLENTOWN, PA - MARCH 30: Penn State Nittany Lion students show their support for their hockey team during the second period of the NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Regional Final game between the UConn Huskies and the Penn State Nittany Lions on March 30, 2025, at PPL Center in Allentown, PA. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Women’s Hockey (32-5)
The women’s hockey team defeated Mercyhurst 3-2 to win their 4th straight AHA tournament title. The Nittany Lions withstood a furious rally from Mercyhurst in the conference title game after leading 3-0 going into the third period. Mya Vaslet, Nicole Hall, and Katelyn Roberts scored Penn State’s three goals, and Katie DeSa made 29 saves to secure the win.
Penn State is looking for its first ever Frozen Four against UConn tomorrow (2pm on ESPN+). Where have we seen that before…
Women’s Lacrosse (9-0)
The women’s lacrosse team rolled their unbeaten start to nine games with an 18-6 win over San Diego State and a 19-8 win over USC. The offense was dominant on the West Coast road trip. Penn State’s depth shone through against San Diego State, with 13 different players tallying a goal. Payton Wainman and Kelly Mackinney each scored four goals against USC, and Delaney Radin added a hat trick of her own.
Penn State returns home for a matchup with Princeton on Sunday (noon on Big Ten Plus) before a well-earned week of rest.
Men’s Lacrosse (4-2)
The men’s lacrosse team destroyed Cornell 19-7 on Saturday for their second straight win. The Nittany Lions led 7-0 after the first quarter and 17-4 at the end of the third in the blowout. Kyle Lehman scored six goals in his most dominant performance of the season to lead the offense. Preston Hawkins made nine saves in net for Penn State.
Penn State will face North Carolina tomorrow (6:30pm) in another tough non-conference game.
Softball (19-6)
The softball team defeated Radford and Boston College before losing to Virginia Tech and James Madison at the Hokie Invite. The offense was instrumental to the two wins, combining for 23 runs. Breanna Hanik went 4 for 6 with a double, triple, and home run in the two games. Penn State led Virginia Tech entering the fifth inning but could not hang on for the win. The Nittany Lions have been competitive in their games against nationally ranked teams but have not found a way to close just yet.
Penn State begins conference play with a three-game set against Oregon (Friday at 9pm, Saturday at 7pm, Sunday at 3pm). All games will be broadcast on Big Ten Plus.
Men’s Volleyball (11-6)
The men’s volleyball team dropped both matches last week, a sweep at Long Beach State and a 3-1 loss to Pepperdine. The offense struggled mightily against the two Top 10 opponents, including just a 0.174 hitting percentage against Pepperdine and .113 against Long Beach State. Sean Harvey had 12 kills against Pepperdine, and the Nittany Lions took the third set after falling behind 0-2, but the Waves were too much for Penn State to handle.
Penn State will face USC tomorrow (8pm on Big Ten Plus).
Baseball (4-11)
It’s getting late early for the baseball team, who went 0-5 against Texas Tech and Georgetown this week. Penn State allowed at least eight runs in four of the five games and gave up double digits in all three games against Texas Tech. After a couple of seasons of positive momentum for a program that has not made the NCAA Tournament in 26 years, the ugly start to this season has been worrisome.
Penn State hosts Iowa in its first conference series (Friday at 3:30pm, Saturday at 2pm, Sunday at 1pm). All three games will be broadcast on Big Ten Plus. The Nittany Lions will then travel to West Virginia on Tuesday (6:30pm on ESPN+).
Usually, when a top-rated recruit commits to a team, it's met with a ton of fanfare and excitement leading up to national signing day. However, one incoming Wolverine had a bit of a different path to Ann Arbor, and thus doesn't have nearly as much hype as he might have had otherwise.
Though considered a player who could play on either side of the ball, athlete Salesi Moa is thought to be likely to start his career at wide receiver. The athlete was highly sought after, with Michigan working after him in the previous regime. However, he committed to Kyle Whittingham and Utah, before enrolling in Salt Lake City, and ultimately transferring to Michigan during the portal window.
New offensive coordinator Jason Beck is very multiple with formations, shifts and motions, and Moa needs to carve out a role as a movable player in that West Coast/spread blend. He has good size but isn't a pure speedster, so he must keep growing his feel for zone coverage, timing on option routes and how to work underneath and intermediate areas on play-action concepts.
He has reliable hands, likes to compete and has also played defense, which shows up in his toughness as a blocker and willingness to mix it up on the perimeter -- a necessity given Michigan's physical identity. With solid returning depth and Texas transfer Jaime Ffrench arriving, Moa will have to battle to see the field early, but his versatility and toughness give him a path on special teams and multiple receiver groupings.
Moa could be deployed as a bit of a weapon, capable of handling all kinds of offensive roles. Given that he is a reliable blocker, he's the type of player who can remain on the field on both running and passing plays.
While it's good news that the Wolverines have one signee on the list, there is some insult to injury. Zion Robinson was a former commit who flipped to Stanford, and Brady Marchese was a signing day flip who ended up at Auburn during the coaching change. Calvin Russell was considered a Michigan lean before he ultimately committed to and signed with Syracuse.
Less than five years after he was hired, the University of Cincinnati has less Miller.
Warren Weston Miller, hired on Pete Rose's birthday, April 14, back in 2021, has been relieved of his coaching duties with the Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball program. The decision was made on Friday, March 13, after Miller met with UC Athletic Director John Cunningham and Senior Deputy AD John Daniel in the Lindner Center.
Contractually, before March 31, Wes Miller's buyout is $9.9 million. Assumably there could be a negotiation of those terms.
Miller had no comment for The Enquirer as he departed Cunningham's office. Minutes later, Cunningham left with Executive Senior AD Brad Pike and likewise had nothing official to say.
By waiting for April Fools Day, the Miller buyout would drop to $4.69 million. But, after going 0-for-5 in NCAA tournament appearances, most experts agreed waiting would be foolish.
The final nail in the coffin came in familiar style for those who have followed UC basketball in March. Defeat was snatched from the jaws of victory as the Bearcats became unhinged against UCF in the Big 12 tournament. They led by a dozen with under 10 minutes to go and by eight at 2:17.
The Bearcats finished 18-15 with 12 of those losses coming against Quadrant 1 teams. Their three Quad 1 wins were vs. then-No. 2 Iowa State, then-No. 8 Kansas and vs. BYU.
The March 11 loss to UCF was just UC's fourth loss when leading at halftime; they also fell short against then-No. 6 Louisville, then-No. 2 Houston and West Virginia. They only won a single game when trailing at halftime: a Nov. 16 buy game with Mount St. Mary's.
The Feb. 8 home loss to West Virginia featured a 14-point halftime lead that disintegrated, causing Miller to apologize on the radio, in his press conference and to those waiting for a phone response by the locker rooms.
@GoBearcatsMBB Coach, Wes Miller after the 65-59 loss to West Virginia.
The Bearcats were 11-12 on Feb. 5, then won seven of their next 10, but late losses at TCU and in the March 11 meltdown vs. UC featured 19 turnovers, an excessive amount for an alleged tournament team this late in the season.
"If it's about the best teams at this point, we're one of the best teams in the country," Miller said post-UCF collapse. "We're an NCAA tournament team. I think we've won seven of our last 10 Big 12 teams. When's the last time someone won seven out of 10 in the Big 12 and didn't play in the NCAA tournament? I certainly feel we belong. I know tonight (vs. UCF) would have helped. It wasn't like we got run out of the gym. We had a three or four-possession lead late in the game."
That the lead fizzled in the final moments left a sour taste in UC fans who haven't had a sniff at the NCAA tournament on a floor, glass or wood.
After his initial season in 2021-22, Miller's contract was extended through 2028-29 by UC AD John Cunningham, who saw him as the man to lead them into the Big 12.
In the American Athletic Conference, Miller was 18-18 in two seasons and 41-28 overall. In his first two Big 12 seasons, UC was 14-24 and 41-31 overall. In his fifth and final season, UC went 9-9.
Miller math
Wes Miller was 100-74 at UC, a winning percentage of 57.5%. He was 185-135 at UNC-Greensboro for 57.7% and 285-209 overall for 57.8%. That's who was hired and that's what was delivered. Two NIT appearances, one in the Crown and presumably a Crown invite this season.
By comparison, in two seasons, John Brannen won 60.4%, Mick Cronin won 66.8%, Andy Kennedy (one season) 61.8%, Bob Huggins 75.9%, Gale Catlett 74.1%, Tay Baker 67.6%, Ed Jucker 80.1% and, George Smith 73.3% and John Wiethe 69.3%.
Since the 1950s, the only two coaches who won less than Miller were Ed Badger 48.9% and Tony Yates 41.2% in a disappointing stretch between 1978-1989.
In 2021, Miller was viewed as 'good hire'
In 10 years at UNC-Greensboro, Miller won over 20 games in his last five seasons in a row and made two NCAA tournaments. Upon hiring Miller, John Cunningham talked of his program-building skills.
"He's a proven winner as a head coach and was able to rebuild a program and lead a remarkable turnaround at UNCG over the last decade," Cunningham said in April 2021. "We cast a very wide net in this search, and Wes emerged as the right coach to lead the Bearcats into the future."
He came with the hearty endorsement of his former coach, Roy Williams. Miller helped the Tar Heels win a national championship and went from a walk-on transfer to a starting position during his playing career.
"Wes Miller is one of the most outstanding young coaches in our game and what he did at UNC- Greensboro makes me believe he is the most outstanding," Williams said.
Even Mick Cronin, who departed for UCLA after UC's last NCAA tournament appearance in 2019, endorsed Miller.
“Wes Miller is a good guy and a great young coach," Cronin told The Enquirer.
Winning numbers crucial in Power Four conferences
At UC, Miller reached 20 wins twice in five seasons and was shut out of the NCAA tournament. The Bearcats had one winning conference record, an 11-7 finish in 2022-23 in the ACC for fourth-place.
Miller did rack up more wins before his 40th birthday than many successful coaches with 217. Phog Allen and Bob Knight had more, but Miller's total was more than what Rick Pitino, Bob Huggins, Shake Smart, Bill Self, John Calipari and Jim Boeheim had at that age.
Other factors leading to change
Miller's teams had winning records in Quad 2, 3, and 4 games, but couldn't secure an impressive number of Top 25 wins. They were 2-6 this season and 8-26 overall. In five years, when trailing the game with five minutes left, they were 4-61 and when down with two minutes to go they were 2-62. One of those wins was against the last-place Big 12 team, Utah at Fifth Third Arena.
Season-by-season highs, lows
2021-22 (18-15, 7-11 AAC)
Biggest win: In the Hall of Fame Classic Nov. 22 in Kansas City, UC took down No. 14 Illinois 71-51
Bad losses: After the trip to Kansas City, UC came home and lost to Monmouth 61-59. On Dec. 11, Xavier won the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout at Cintas Center 83-63. The regular season ended with five straight losses, including a Senior Day 56-54 defeat to USF who was 8-20.
2022-23 (23-13, 11-7 AAC)
Best win: On Feb. 19, 2023, David DeJulius hit a buzzer-beater at UCF for a 73-71 victory that was a Quad 1 win. The Bearcats played the game without an injured Viktor Lakhin.
Bad losses: Before going to the Maui Invitational, UC lost its first-ever game to NKU in their arena, 64-51. The Bearcats scored just 11 second-half points. They made a valiant comeback but lost the Crosstown Shootout at Fifth Third Arena 80-77 to Xavier. On Feb. 16, 2023, with Roy Williams in attendance, UC lost to East Carolina, blowing a 16-point lead with 10:06 to play. Unfortunately, Miller never won a UC game that Williams attended.
2023-24 (22-16, 7-11 Big 12)
Best wins: UC won at No. 15 Texas Tech Feb. 3, 2024, 75-72 and defeated No. 16 Kansas in the Big 12 tournament in Kansas City, 72-52, sending the Jayhawks home after one game.
Bad losses: Another loss at Xavier, 84-79 on Dec. 9, plus a loss to the Dayton Flyers whose fans outnumbered UC's at Heritage Bank Center, 82-68.
The Bearcats had a run of ranked teams, losing to No. 25 Texas 74-73, No. 14 Baylor 62-59, winning against No. 19 TCU 81-77, losing at No. 15 Oklahoma 69-65, and at No. 7 Kansas 74-69.
2024-25 (19-16, 7-13 Big 12)
Best wins: Miller finally beat Xavier 68-65 at Fifth Third Arena, then downed No. 22 Dayton 66-59 at Heritage Bank Center. Up until their Jan. 17 takedown of No. 2 Iowa State this year, the 2024 Flyer win was UC's last win over a ranked team.
Bad losses: The Big 12 season started with a lethargic loss at Kansas State 70-67, which led into a rough January. UC had a halftime lead on Kansas, then couldn't score (15 points) in the second half and lost 54-40 to the Jayhawks. In a rematch with 15-15 Kansas State, they lost 54-49 when leading at halftime, then lost on the road to a 15-16 Oklahoma State team, 78-67. In the Crown tournament, after beating DePaul, they faced a UCF team that had lost eight players in the portal, but the Knights prevailed 88-80.
2025-26
Best win: Easily the Jan. 17 win over No. 2 Iowa State, 79-70 that featured a court storm. It was the highest-ranked win of Miller's time. It was the highest-ranked win since UC beat No. 2 Syracuse in the Big East tournament in 2012.
Bad losses: None were worse than the Nov. 26 Quad 4 loss to Eastern Michigan 64-56. Baba Miller and Jalen Celestine didn't play and Jizzle James wasn't yet on the roster, but it should never have mattered.
Wes Miller brought players, but not results
Wes Miller had entertaining players like Landers Nolley II, Dan Skillings Jr., Simas Lukošius, John Newman, Day Day Thomas and Jizzle James.
From the portal, he lost to Utah Valley State, then brought in 7-footer Aziz Bandaogo. He lost to UCF in the crown, but convinced 7-foot-2 Moustapha Thiam to be a Bearcat.
The 2024-25 team was preseason No. 20 and as high as No. 16, but diminished despite having Dillon Mitchell and several key returners. Adding Thiam this season, along with Baba Miller, Kerr Kriisa, Jalen Celestine and Sencire Harris, seemed to be a step up. But, Jalen Haynes from George Mason was injured all year and Shon Abaev and Keyshuan Tillery had freshmen moments.
Saddest of all is that Day Day Thomas finishes his career never having played in an NCAA tournament.
After a fast and furious week of comings and goings for the Dallas Cowboys, we have yet another player heading out of Dallas. Today, we learned that wide receiver Jalen Tolbert will be joining the Miami Dolphins.
Former Cowboys WR Jalen Tolbert is headed to the Miami Dolphins, according to @Schultz_Report. Tolbert was in the No. 3 WR mix for Dallas entering last season, but Ryan Flournoy made the most of his opportunities
Tolbert’s career never panned out the way some hoped when he was drafted in the third round in 2022. Upon being selected, quarterback Dak Prescott heaped effusive praise on the small-school receiver. However, Tolbert could never put everything together. In his rookie season, Tolbert committed some costly penalties, which were expected for a first player making the leap from Southern Alabama to the NFL. At times, Tolbert showed flashes.
In 2024, he had his best season as a professional, recording 49 receptions for 610 yards and seven touchdowns. However, that wasn’t enough to entrench him as the number two receiver behind CeeDee Lamb. After the team traded for George Pickens last season, the writing was on the wall. Tolbert was now competing for snaps with Ryan Flournoy, Jonathan Mingo, and KaVontae Turpin, sometimes not dressing for games.
Now with Miami and signed to a one-year contract, Tolbert looks forward to a fresh start with a Dolphins team that has shaken up their front office and their roster. The team dismissed their general manager and head coach, and also released Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill. Tolbert does have a pre-existing relationship with new Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis, so maybe he can carve out a role for himself before being back on the open market a year from now.
The death of a Manx Grand Prix rider who crashed after lost control of his bike due to water seepage on the road during a qualifying session was an accident, a coroner has ruled.
Louis O'Regan, 43, from Waterford in Ireland, crashed during the opening session of the event at about 16:50 BST on 18 August 2024 in the area of Kate's Cottage.
The inquest had heard that rider Jamie Williams had lost control in the same spot and suffered a significant crash just two hours earlier.
Evidence from marshals based on that stretch of road, stated that there had been an unusual number of riders "wobbling on their bikes" that day.
Coroner Rebecca Cubbon found the crash was not caused by any mechanical defects or rider error.
Instead, she said that as the 43-year-old crossed the double white line in the road there was a lack of grip caused by water seepage, which resulted in him losing control and crashing into the hedgerow.
O'Regan, an electrical engineer based in Oxfordshire, was pronounced dead at about 17:05. A post mortem examination found he would have died of multiple injuries "pretty quickly after impact".
The coroner said that while there had been concerns amongst marshals about a water patch on the margin of the racing line, and that it had been discussed, it was "unclear how far up the chain" that information was relayed.
The inquest had previously heard that water patch was believed to be contaminated with peat, which meant that it was "very slippery underfoot".
The inquest had heard that O'Regan's bike was found in second gear, which was unusual for the area as riders tended to travel at between 120mph and 130mph (193km/h to 209km/h) in third or fourth gear.
However, the coroner said she considered that "loss of control was at the point of the wet patch" and it was "more likely than not that to assist himself he changed to second gear".
She also found that a lack-of-adhesion flag had likely had been put up at Keppel Gate following Williams' crash to warn riders.
Ruling that O'Regan's death was accidental, she said that although taking part in the Manx Grand Prix was an inherently risky act, losing control over a water patch was an "unintended consequence".
She said she would now consider whether to make any recommendations in relation to the incident.
'Experienced rider'
In a statement, race organisers the Auto Cycle Union (ACU) said: "Our thoughts remain with Louis's family, friends, team, and all those closest to him. Every loss on the Mountain Course is deeply felt.
It said the course was "a unique and demanding environment, and road racing carries an inherent degree of risk", which needed to be met with "responsibility, thorough preparation, and the careful management of all risks".
"We remain committed to a robust safety framework and to continually strengthening our risk management systems, procedures and operational practices that support the safe delivery of all events that take place on the Mountain Course," it added.
The Department of Infrastructure has declined to comment at this time.
In a statement, O'Regan's family said he was "an experienced rider who loved Isle of Man road racing and fully respected the course".
"Louis left his Oxfordshire home in August, telling his family that he knew his limitations and would be back. Tragically he did not return," they said.
"Since losing Louis on 18 August 2024, there have been so many questions, at least some of these have been answered."
Como coach Fabregas insists ‘Man City don’t build up from the back’ & provides selection update
Cesc Fabregas held his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s crucial Serie A clash with Roma, and the Como head coach was in characteristically thoughtful and candid mood, touching on tactical philosophy, squad selection and the remarkable position his side find themselves in with ten games remaining.
Como head into the weekend sitting fourth in Serie A, and the significance of that is not lost on anyone, except, apparently, Fabregas himself.
When asked whether he thinks about his side’s Champions League position, his response was characteristically grounded, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb.
“If we get there, great, if we don’t, we continue to build. I would get angry if my players talked about Champions League right now. Not because of the subject itself, but because it’s not the moment. If it doesn’t happen, what are we, failures?”
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 18: Cesc Fabregas, Head Coach of Como 1907, looks on prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and Como 1907 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 18, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Fabregas: ‘Roma improved more than anyone in January’
On Roma, Fabregas was respectful but confident.
“They had an extraordinary transfer window, they have raised their level more than anyone. We need the perfect game,” he said.
“Like when we won at Napoli or against Juventus. We must play our way, and then the pitch will speak.”
He dismissed the suggestion that the match was a must-win, describing it simply as “one more important game” rather than a defining moment.
Tactically, Fabregas offered an interesting insight into how he views Nico Paz‘s development.
Asked about potentially deploying the Argentine in a deeper midfield role, the Como coach was firm.
“Not yet. He is a trequartista, instinctive. In a deep role you need a specific way of reading the game, of analysing situations. That is not Nico yet. He is not Perrone or Baturina.”
He was equally direct when asked about Sergi Roberto potentially replacing the injured Perrone, using an unexpected reference point to make his point.
“You think Guardiola’s Manchester City always build from the back? They don’t. Sometimes the opponent presses you, sometimes you don’t have a Busquets or a Piqué. When a coach doesn’t trust his first phase, you must work hard and build that trust instead.”
Perrone himself trained individually and is expected to rejoin the group on Saturday, with his availability for Sunday still to be confirmed.
Exclusive: Jodie Hutton on ‘confidence’ at Charlton Athletic with WSL2 title in sight
Charlton Athletic star Jodie Hutton personifies her working class background. Determination by the bucket loads, humble and no hurdle being able to stop her achieving her goals.
The two-time WSL2 winner is flying high, top of the league with Charlton, and in the quarter-final of the FA Cup. The former England youth international has also previously represented Aston Villa, Bristol City and Sheffield United.
Hutton and Charlton currently sit comfortably at the top of the WSL2 table, nine points ahead of closest rivals Birmingham City. She joined the South East London club in 2024 and has since found excellent form, scoring more goals for Charlton than any other team in her career — 13 to date as a defender no less.
The Midlands-born defender took some time away from training to speak exclusively to Her Football Hub about her career goals, Charlton manager Karen Hills and her childhood.
Proving herself wrong
Hutton was always destined to make it as a professional footballer. That being said, as a ‘realist’ even after representing England at youth level, she knew not to take anything for granted and to keep working hard.
“People kept telling me, ‘you’ll make it far, you’ll go all the way’, but you have to keep yourself grounded,” Hutton said. “I just took it all with a pinch of salt and kept trying to grow as a player and develop in my own space.”
The Charlton star represented England at both U18 and U19 level. It wasn’t until playing regularly for Aston Villa in the WSL2 and eventually the WSL that she began to believe what her coaches had been telling her for years.
Football is a religion for working class families
The midlands of England is home to 71 different football clubs. This is a pattern that follows all working class cities, where the people look to collective sport as a point of celebration and community. Hutton shares this sentiment.
“My family is very football oriented. All my cousins and my sisters played football. We’re a working class family, so yeah, my family really back me. They come to my games and watch me every week, it’s nice to have that.
“If it wasn’t for my two older sisters though, I never would’ve played football I think. They both started playing football first and I just wanted to play with them all the time, so it’s all down to them.”
There is no doubt about Charlton Athletic’s successes this season. Top of the league, nine points ahead of their closest rivals, FA Cup quarter-finalists and a squad whose team sheet would look at home in the WSL.
That being said, it’s still miles away from the stellar history Charlton have in women’s football. There was a time when they were one of the biggest clubs in the country — winning FA Cups and pushing for national titles against the likes of Arsenal and Doncaster.
In 2004/05, Charlton won the FA Cup against Everton and finished second in the top division, behind only Arsenal. Current Charlton manager Karen Hills was a key part of that squad and it’s clear the passion she has for the club even from the outside looking in.
CHESHUNT, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 17: Karen Hills in Cheshunt, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)
“She knows when a player needs picking up, or who needs an arm around them and when someone needs shouting at,” Hutton shared. “I think she’s the best manager I’ve ever played for. I think from the outside, people think she looks very strict, maybe even standoffish, but she’s not like that. She is so, so passionate.
“Charlton have been so close to promotion now for several years, so now we’re working hard to maintain our lead. Karen keeps telling us not to look at social media, just focus on each game.
“Maybe it’s cliché to say but we all feel like a family here, and that’s Karen who has built that environment. We’re such a tight-knit group, it’ll be special if we can achieve this [winning the league] together as a group.”
Finding form at Charlton
As a defender, goals are rarely something expected of a player but like her teenage idol Lucy Bronze, it’s a huge aspect of Hutton’s’ play.
Contributing a stellar 13 league goals in just over 40 games at Charlton, Hutton has already surpassed her career total of 12 league goals at all her previous clubs combined.
“I honestly think it’s down to the current system that we play. I think it suits me and my ability much more than any other from the past. I’m confident too at the moment and that is a huge thing to feel,” Hutton clarified.
Liverpool forward set for showdown talks over future
Keyrol Figueroa: Situation summary
Keyrol Figueroa is regarded as one of the most natural finishers in Liverpool’s academy, leading the U21 attack and scoring consistently in Premier League 2 and youth competitions.
He profiles as a penalty‑box striker with sharp movement and instinctive one‑touch finishing, while staff still see room for growth in his all‑round link play and physical duel work before he can realistically push for senior minutes under Arne Slot.
Figueroa has been involved around the first‑team group and made at least one senior matchday squad, which underlines that he is firmly on the club’s long‑term radar.
He signed his first professional contract in May 2024, with his current deal running to June 2026.
Liverpool opened talks over an extension in early 2026, with multiple reports suggesting an offer on the table and the club keen to secure him before considering a first senior loan for 2026–27.
Porto and PSV Eindhoven have both shown strong interest, exploring loan‑with‑option and longer‑term scenarios.
From Liverpool’s perspective the plan is clear: agree a new contract, then send him out to play regular senior football and reassess his pathway; if no agreement is reached, there is a real risk he departs as a free agent in 2026.
Honduras want Figueroa to switch allegiance
In the meantime there is his international future to sort out. Figueroa was born in Honduras and spent time in the UK and the USA as a youth owing to his father’s Premier League and MLS stints.
But Honduras have got big plans for Figueroa to switch allegiance. Talks are planned with the youngster during the next international window - when a delegation from Honduras will be in Europe for an international friendly versus Peru.
“Francis Hernández, sporting director of the Honduran Football Federation (FFH), will take advantage of his trip to Spain for the friendly match against Peru on March 31 to meet with several young players with dual nationality, eligible to play for Honduras, including Keyrol Figueroa,” a report reads on Futbol Centro America.
“Hernández will present the project to them in person and speak with their parents. Several of these players are currently in Spain, representing Spain at the youth level.”
The Chargers signed defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson on a one-year, $7.5 million deal on Friday.
This move comes immediately following his release from the Cardinals, where he spent the 2025 season.
Tomlinson, 32, started all 17 games for Arizona, where he recorded 26 tackles, three tackles for loss, and one sack.
The nine-year NFL veteran has previously played for the Giants, Vikings, and Browns before his stint with the Cardinals.
Tomlinson, who is known for his ability to defend the run, provides an immediate boost to the team's interior defensive line rotation that will consist of Teair Tart, Jamaree Caldwell, and Justin Eboigbe.
The New York Knicks will look to finish up their five-game road trip with a winning record as they visit the Indiana Pacers on Friday night.
Indiana is in a tailspin right now, which is why I’m backing the New York to cover the hefty spread in my Knicks vs. Pacers prediction.
Let’s take a closer look at how to bet tonight’s matchup in my free NBA picks for Friday, March 13.
Knicks vs Pacers prediction
Knicks vs Pacers best bet: Knicks -13.5 (-110)
“Just bet against the Indiana Pacers” may seem like a simplistic betting strategy, but it’s been an effective one.
Indiana has now lost 11 straight, and hasn’t covered in any of those games. In six of their last eight games, the Pacers have lost by 15+ points.
The New York Knicks have been one of the best offensive teams in the NBA this season. With an offensive efficiency of 116.4, they rank second only to the Denver Nuggets.
That will place especially well against a Pacers team allowing 120.0 ppg on the year. I’m taking New York to cover tonight.
Knicks vs Pacers same-game parlay
Both teams have played towards the Over in recent games, and the Knicks offense should be able to push the score up against this Indiana defense.
I’ll also take Jalen Brunson to hit his scoring total after coming off two straight 28-point performances.
Knicks vs Pacers SGP
Knicks -13.5
Over 227.5
Jalen Brunson Over 26.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: All Knicks, all night
Even for my lottery SGP, I’m sticking with the Knicks to cover, as that’s my lynchpin for all the prop bets I’m backing here.
I’ll once again take Brunson to hit his points total, while also picking Karl-Anthony Towns to make Over 1.5 threes, as he’s hit three shots from deep in each of his last two games.
I’m also backing Mikal Bridges to pick up a block on the defensive end, since he’s gotten at least one in three of his last four games.
Knicks vs Pacers SGP
Knicks -13.5
Jalen Brunson Over 26.5 points
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 1.5 threes made
Mikal Bridges Over 0.5 blocks
Knicks vs Pacers odds
Spread: New York -13 (-110) | Indiana +13 (-110)
Moneyline: New York -800 | Indiana +550
Over/Under: Over 227 (-110) | Under 227 (-110)
Knicks vs Pacers betting trend to know
The Pacers are 0-11 ATS in their last 11 games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Pacers.
How to watch Knicks vs Pacers
Location
Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Date
Friday, March 13, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
MSG, FDSN-IN
Knicks vs Pacers latest injuries
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Two starters have been added to the Detroit Pistons' injury report ahead of their 313 Day home game on Friday, March 13.
Jalen Duren (right knee soreness) and Tobias Harris (left hip soreness) are both listed as questionable for the 7:30 p.m. start against the Memphis Grizzlies at Little Caesars Arena. They join Ausar Thompson (right ankle sprain), who has been upgraded to doubtful after missing four games in a row.
Caris LeVert (left wrist sprain) has been upgraded to probable after missing three games.
The Grizzlies' injury report is lengthier. They will be without Ja Morant (left elbow UCL sprain), Scotty Pippen Jr. (great right toe sesamoiditis), Zach Edey (left ankle surgery recovery), Brandon Clarke (right calf sprain), Santi Aldama (right knee injury management) and former Piston Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (right fifth finger surgery recovery).
They also could be without Jaylen Wells (right shoulder contusion), GG Jackson (right foot soreness) and Taj Gibson (return to competition conditioning), who are all listed as questionable.
Both Duren and Harris appeared in the Pistons' 131-109 home win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, March 12. They've won two games in a row by blowout margins following a four-game losing streak, their longest of the season.
TUCSON, AZ - FEBRUARY 17: Arizona Wildcats guard Tanyuel Welch (11) during a women's basketball game between the Colorado Buffaloes and the Arizona Wildcats on February 17, 2026, at McKale Center at ALKEME Arena in Tucson, AZ. (Photo by Christopher Hook/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Arizona head coach Becky Burke said players would be leaving. One has already told Talia Goodman at On3 that she’s headed to the portal as soon as it opens. Goodman reports that Tanyuel Welch will be on the move after one season in Tucson.
NEWS: Arizona’s Tanyuel Welch plans to enter the transfer portal, she told @On3.
The 5-10 junior averaged 8.7 ppg and 5.2 rpg this season.
The senior-to-be was once praised by Burke as the most Power 4 ready player that Arizona had on the perimeter, but Welch’s playing time was erratic.
She did not play in the season opener against UC Riverside and saw just three minutes against UC Irvine in the second game. She scored in double digits her next two games, then saw her minutes go down until she played just two minutes against CSU Bakersfield and 13 in the loss to Southern. From that point, her minutes went up and stayed that way for the next two months.
That stretch of increased, steady minutes spread into the first month of Big 12 play. She was on the court at least 35 minutes in six straight games to start conference play. After that, her minutes steadily declined until she played just nine minutes against Oklahoma State on Feb. 1.
Welch’s minutes then crept up until she played 40 against Cincinnati in a game that had Lani Cornfield and Nora Francois out due to “coach’s decision.” They once again went down over the final three games when she averaged just over 13 minutes on the court against Houston, Utah, and Arizona State to wind up the season and her Arizona career.
Welch came to Arizona after playing two seasons and sitting out one with a medical redshirt at Memphis. The redshirt junior will have another season to play at her third stop.
She made 28 appearances and 19 starts in her time in Tucson. She started in 19 of her final 20 games as a Wildcat.
Welch averaged 8.7 points on 46.5 percent shooting, coming in fourth on the team in scoring and third among players that played all season. Her 5.2 rebounds per game led the team.
The portal window changes this year. It will not officially open until after the Final Four in early April, but players are already charting their paths.
Pittman was a long way from home when the deal went down, though -- and he cut his vacation six days short to get to Pittsburgh and meet his new organization.
That's because Pittman was in Uganda, the African country.
He detailed his travel back when he spoke with reporters on Friday, and he said it was a 28-hour trip.
Pittman started in Uganda, then flew to Ethiopia, then Azerbaijan, then New York City and finally into Pittsburgh.
The timing may not have worked out great, but Pittman now has a fresh start in the NFL to show how good he can be.
Pittman had been a quality wideout for the Colts, but they chose to sign Alec Pierce to a four-year, $116 million contract to prevent him from reaching free agency. With that much money devoted to Pierce, Indy opted to trade Pittman away rather than pay him, too.
The Steelers did give Pittman a new contract after the trade -- which itself was cheap, involving just a sixth/seventh-round pick swap.
Clearly, Pittman wasn't expecting a move like this. He wouldn't have been so far away if he was.
But he'll get a chance to play for a storied organization in Pittsburgh, and with his skillset, he can make life better for whoever the Steelers' new QB is in 2026 -- and for DK Metcalf, lined up on the opposite side of the field in a newly improved WR tandem for the Steelers.
Pittman will have to find a trip back at some point so he can finish his vacation. In the meantime, he's ready to get to work in Pittsburgh.
The noise built steadily all week. By the time the 2026 championship trophies were handed out at the 3A and 4A basketball tournaments at the Tacoma Dome last Saturday night, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) had drawn its biggest crowds in nearly a decade — fueled by a superstar prospect, a hometown title run and diehard fans willing to drive over the mountains.
The News Tribune requested and received attendance totals from the WIAA this week. They paint a pretty picture: 34,540 fans attended the state tournaments at the Tacoma Dome, one of three state basketball sites across the state. The 2A and 1A tournaments are played in Yakima, while the 2B and 1B tournaments are played in Spokane.
In Tacoma, that’s an increase of 7,130 tickets sold this year after 27,410 tickets were sold in 2025. It’s the best attendance in Tacoma in nearly a decade; the WIAA sold 35,743 tickets in 2017, when the Michael Porter Jr.-led, Brandon Roy-coached Nathan Hale squad was the talk of the town.
There were three factors that likely contributed to the 26 percent jump in ticket sales this year:
All eyes were on Rainier Beach senior Tyran Stokes, the nation’s No. 1 rated recruit. Stokes moved from California and transferred to Rainier Beach for his senior year. He led the Vikings to back-to-back 3A titles last weekend, giving longtime Beach coach Mike Bethea his 10th ring.
Hometown Lincoln High School, just up the road from the Tacoma Dome, advanced to the 3A state championship game. The hometown crowd packed the Dome to see the Abes, also buoyed by the “Tacoma vs. Seattle, 253 vs. 206” narrative with the matchup against Rainier Beach.
Richland played in the 4A state championship game, beating defending champion Gonzaga Prep. Logic would dictate a matchup of two eastside schools in the championship game would equal fewer tickets sold, but Richland’s student section was the biggest and loudest in the tournament by far. Don’t count out Bombers support.
Richland won the 4A boys title, Rainier Beach won 3A boys, Davis (Yakima) won 4A girls and Eastside Catholic won the 3A girls crown.
Nvidia improves its G-Sync Pulsar tech with optimised sub-90 FPS performance and a dedicated 60 Hz mode Nvidia has officially released firmware version 1.1.4 for its G-Sync Pulsar displays, supporting models from Acer, AOC, ASUS, and MSI. According to this firmware’s release notes, this update improves the performance of Nvidia’s monitors when operating at a […]
The latest Windows 11 preview build introduces the ability to specify a custom user directory for your account, something both macOS and Linux have supported for decades.
Microsoft has released its latest Windows 11 builds, 26100.8106 and 26200.8106 (KB5079387), to Insiders in the Release Preview Channel. This update notably introduces support for monitor refresh rates exceeding 1,000 Hz, marking the first time Windows 11 officially supports four-digit refresh rates. Over the years, gaming monitors have rapidly progressed from double-digit to triple-digit refresh rates. However, reaching four-digit levels so quickly was unexpected, as the general gaming audience has been limited by current technology's ability to output such high frame rates. With modern GPUs capable of running hundreds of frames per second in FPS titles, it's logical for Windows to prepare for future advancements.
For instance, Philips and AOC have introduced the first gaming monitors capable of supporting 500 Hz at 1440p and 1,000 Hz at 720p. The Philips Evnia 27M2N5500XD and AOC AGON Pro AGP277QK monitors were showcased in China on December 6 and appear to be built around the same 27-inch panel. Both models are QHD 500 Hz displays that can switch to a lower-resolution 720p mode, doubling the refresh rate to 1,000 Hz. Generally, this resolution is required to achieve frame rates above 500 FPS, but modern GPUs like the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 can easily reach these numbers in games like Counter-Strike 2. At 1080p, we observed about 726 FPS, indicating that 720p gaming can fully utilize the 1,000 Hz display.
The popular CPU-Z utility for monitoring and hardware diagnostics has received an update in the latest version 2.19 release, bringing preliminary support for Intel's upcoming "Wildcat Lake" Core 300 series processors. This indicates that Intel's Core 300 series is on the horizon, and Intel might bring the same technology powering the Core Ultra 300 series "Panther Lake" processors to the embedded/edge sector. This lineup serves 12-25 W TDP applications with six processor cores, consisting of two "Cougar Cove" P-cores, zero "Darkmont" E-cores, and four low-power efficiency cores (2P + 0E + 4LPE). This CPU configuration is paired with two Xe3 GPU cores, which clearly shows that the product is aimed at lower-tier configurations. Additionally, the tool now includes support for AMD's Ryzen AI 7/PRO 450G/E, AI 5/PRO 440G/E & 435G/E, and AI 9 HX 470 processors. Finally, the tool now reads four-ranked CUDIMM memory in CQDIMM version.
In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman claimed that Apple will price its first foldable iPhone at "roughly $2,000," much lower than previously rumored. If Gurman's prediction holds, the iPhone Fold would match the pricing of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, which starts at $1,999 for the...
When Google introduced Project Genie a few months ago, many described the AI tool as a potential game-changer for game development and other world-building tasks. According to a recent Google presentation, however, the Genie 3 AI model – the generative engine behind Project Genie – is still far from disrupting,...
AMD, Nvidia, Microsoft, Broadcom, and Meta have formed an Optical Compute Interconnect Multi-Source Agreement (OCI MSA) to develop a standardized optical interconnect for AI data centers, with the aspiration to build a PHY capable of handling speeds of up to 3.2 Tb/s.
At GDC 2026, Nvidia held a presentation somehow aimed at gamers and not data center clients. Still, it was sprinkled with AI pat-on-the-backs, with the company touting that its future gaming GPUs will offer 1,000,000 better path tracing performance. And the current-gen Blackwell family is apparently already 100,000x better due to dedicated Tensor and RT cores.
As global oil prices spike due to the ongoing pseudo-blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, other shortages are looming, and they could hit the chip and AI industries dramatically. Aluminum and helium for chip production have been impacted, but shortages of LNG could also cause problems for gas turbines powering many AI data centers.
Langulife is the language practice app for "post-beginners+" (A2–C1) who have the basics but struggle to bridge the gap to actual usage. We scrap the gamification trap of streaks and badges to focus on the absolute priority: your ability to express yourself. This is for the learner who is tired of playing games and ready to start communicating.
Instead of translating generic scripts, you engage with prompts that demand original thought—the discussions you actually have in a boardroom or a bar. Express your perspective via voice and text, compare your answers with the community, and connect with language partners. Stop memorizing scripts. Start articulating what you think.
SerpApi is asking a federal court to dismiss Reddit’s lawsuit over alleged scraping of Reddit content from Google Search, saying Reddit is trying to use copyright law to control user posts and public search results.
The motion follows Reddit’s amended complaint filed in February.
SerpApi says the filing still fails to show copyright ownership, circumvention of technical protections, or concrete harm.
SerpApi’s argument. SerpApi CEO Julien Khaleghy, in a blog post today, argued the lawsuit fails for several reasons:
Reddit doesn’t own most of the content at issue. Its user agreement states that users retain ownership.
Reddit holds only a non-exclusive license to user posts.
The snippets cited in the complaint (e.g., dates, addresses, short fragments) aren’t copyrightable.
SerpApi accessed Google Search pages, not Reddit itself.
DMCA. Khaleghy said Reddit claims SerpApi violated the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) by circumventing technical protections. SerpApi disputes that claim, saying it retrieves the same search results visible to anyone who enters a query in Google. Khaleghy argued that:
SerpApi doesn’t break encryption or bypass authentication.
Accessing public webpages isn’t “circumvention” under the DMCA.
Reddit is trying to enforce copyright protections it doesn’t own.
Reddit’s privacy policy states that public posts may appear in search results.
Catch up quick. Legal fights over search scraping and AI data have intensified in recent months:
Oct. 22:Reddit sued SerpApi, Perplexity, Oxylabs, and AWMProxy, alleging they scraped Reddit content through Google Search and reused it at scale. Reddit said it planted a “trap” post visible only to Google’s crawler that later appeared in Perplexity responses.
Why we care. The case tests whether companies can extract information from Google’s search results without violating copyright or the DMCA. The outcome could affect SEO tools and AI training data.
What’s next. The court must decide whether Reddit’s amended complaint can proceed. If the judge dismisses the case with prejudice, Reddit’s claims against SerpApi in this lawsuit would end.
Krakow’s €750M rail revolution makes travel faster, greener, and easier for tourists, connecting historic streets and regional escapes for a smoother journey.
Travelers were stranded in Jordan today as 82 flight cancellations and delays hit Queen Alia Airport, disrupting routes to Cairo, Dubai, Doha, London and more.
A dedicated Delhi Metro enthusiast, Anil Marwah, was honored by Union Minister Tokhan Sahu for riding the first train on every new corridor for 24 years.
Tampere launches its European Capital of Smart Tourism 2026 celebrations, showcasing sustainable travel, digital innovation and nature experiences in Finland.
In a bold demonstration of ongoing recovery and expanding global influence, Etihad Airways carried an astounding 1.9 million passengers in February 2026,
Europe luggage fines are rising! Learn how tourists can pack smart, follow baggage rules, and avoid penalties on trains, flights, and high-speed travel.
Alaska Airlines to launch its first nonstop flight to Europe, connecting Seattle to Rome from April 28, 2026. Book tickets now for this historic route.
Samsung has quietly revealed a list of apps that can run over satellite on certain Galaxy phones, and the lineup’s more comprehensive than you’d expect.
We’re not just talking SOS messages here, but WhatsApp, X, Facebook Messenger, Google Maps, Samsung’s own Health app as well as Grok.
Worth knowing before you assume your phone’s on that list: this feature only works if your carrier actually flipped the switch. Samsung apps satellite features are carrier-dependent, which is a very Samsung way to roll this out.
You find the compatible apps list buried in Settings > Connections > Satellite, assuming that menu option even shows up on your device. If it’s missing, your phone doesn’t support it, or your market hasn’t been blessed yet.
Hardware compatibility means nothing if T-Mobile or Verizon or whoever hasn’t inked the right deal yet.
Apps currently flagged as satellite-ready
Find My Mobile
Google Maps
Google Play Services
Grok
Messenger (Facebook)
Messages
Samsung Account
Samsung Find
Samsung Health
Weather
WhatsApp
X
Most of these are communication or location tools.
Makes sense when you’re relying on satellites orbiting overhead instead of a cell tower three blocks away. Inclusion of Samsung Health feels borderline random unless the company is picturing hikers tracking their heart rate mid-rescue.
Apple partnered directly with Globalstar and keeps the entire experience locked down to emergency messaging. Samsung went the other direction, partnering with carriers who work with satellite providers like Skylo and SpaceX’s Starlink network.
Who gets what and where
In the US, T-Mobile users with select Galaxy devices after the S21 series got T911, text, and data services starting in 2025. Verizon only offers emergency SOS and texting on Galaxy S25 series and newer, while AT&T is still working on it.
Virgin Media O2 in the UK has satellite features live on certain Galaxy phones now. Spain’s MasOrange is kicking off trials in March 2026. Vodafone’s in discussion mode for future devices.
Japan’s actually the furthest along. KDDI has supported satellite text, data, and even earthquake and tsunami warnings on Galaxy S22 and later devices since 2025. Docomo and SoftBank are joining this year with expanded device support.
Apple is planning to jack up production of its first iPhone Fold and maybe even drop the price below what everyone expected, around $2000.
Korea’s Dealsite reports that Apple is boosting initial iPhone Fold production volumes by around 20 percent compared to original plans and considering slashing the price to around $2000.
That’s not great news for Samsung, which has spent six years basically owning this smartphone category and now has to figure out whether to keep prices steady or follow the rest of the industry into chipflation hell.
We’re talking about potential volumes climbing past 8 million units, maybe hitting 15 million. Originally pegged at $2,400, the foldable iPhone might actually land closer to $2,000, the same as the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
Samsung is in a weird spot now
Samsung hasn’t locked in its pricing strategy yet. During Galaxy S26 Unpacked, Mobile Business head TM Roh mentioned long-term contracts with partners and hardware efficiency improvements to ease cost pressures.
One industry source said Samsung’s now sourcing specialized foldable components from China that used to come exclusively from Korea. If those parts get cheaper, memory shortages might not push foldable prices up after all.
If Apple actually nails the execution while undercutting or matching Samsung on price, the company that invented this category might have to defend it harder than expected.
Galaxy Wide Fold
Apple’s first foldable iPhone may bring a form factor similar to the OG Pixel Fold. Samsung is also experimenting with this form factor as Galaxy Wide Fold. This model could launch alongside the Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8 this year.
Samsung is reportedly developing three foldable phones and two smartwatches. The Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2 would arrive alongside the Fold and Flip. Samsung is also considering 5G support for the Watch Ultra 2.
ViewSonic has introduced a new gaming monitor with a 27-inch IPS panel that can hit a refresh rate of 340 Hz refresh rate. The QHD gamer also sports 99% coverage of the P3 color gamut, as well as peak brightness of 500 nits.
Following a plethora of teasers, we now have concrete details regarding the specifications of the upcoming iPlay Mini 4 Ultra compact gaming tablet with a speedy 144 Hz 8.8-inch high-res display.
A new leak has hinted at a network connectivity upgrade for the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. The smartwatch is said to arrive in July alongside the new foldables, as well as the Galaxy Watch 9 series.
Xiaomi is gearing up to launch the Panther Lake-powered Book Pro 14. Through a new teaser, the company has confirmed some battery details of the laptop and claims it can beat the Apple MacBook Pro M5 in terms of on-battery runtime.
TCL has launched a new mini LED gaming monitor with an extremely attractive price-to-performance ratio. With 2,304 dimming zones, the 27-inch 4K 160 Hz monitor sports impressive contrast ratios and a peak brightness of a whopping 2,000 nits.
Garmin announces a surprise collaboration with the Pokémon Company, releasing two free Pokémon watch faces for the Fenix 8, Venu 4, Forerunner 970 and many other models. This collaboration is to celebrate today's World Sleep Day.
A new leak has suggested that the battery capacity for the Galaxy Z Flip 8 will remain the same as the predecessor. This is still early information so things may change down the line.
Researchers have successfully powered a revolutionary gas turbine using hydrogen and internal shockwaves, setting a new runtime record and paving the way for highly efficient, carbon-free energy.
Minisforum has confirmed initial details about a high-end new mini-PC. Launching as the MS-03, the mini-PC packs a powerful 16-core processor within a tiny housing that spans just 195 x 195 x 42.5 mm.
The Xiaomi Mi Home Robot Vacuum 6 Max has been launched in China. This model features advanced cleaning capabilities, including a triple brush system and a roller mop. Plus, it can climb over obstacles and has a relatively slim body.
Citizen appears to be about to release a new Marvel collaboration watch: the X-Men AW5007-17W. This analog timepiece has a black and silver design with colorful accents. Plus, its Eco-Drive movement allows it to be powered by any light source.
The FBI is seeking the public’s help to limit the number of Steam games with hidden malware. Infected titles downloaded from the marketplace stole money and confidential information. Valve is assisting the FBI with the investigation, but some gamers blame the company for lax moderation.
The Watch S5 is Xiaomi's latest smartwatch after launching the Watch 5 earlier this month with Wear OS. Showcased in multiple styles, the Watch S5 also boasts up to three weeks of battery life with a stainless steel design and upgraded health monitoring sensors, too. Xiaomi has teased when the Watch S5 will be available, too.
GMKtec has finally launched the Evo-T2 mini PC, powered by the impressive Intel Core Ultra X7 and Core Ultra X9 "Panther Lake" CPUs. The chips boast powerful Arc B390 iGPUs, allowing for admirable graphics performance in a tiny system.
Minisforum has teased the upcoming M2 Pro mini PC once again, revealing that the Intel Core Ultra X9-powered mini PC is set to be launched soon. The Core X7 and Core X9 "Panther Lake" CPUs boast the powerful Arc B390 iGPU, allowing for impressive gaming performance without discrete GPUs.
According to the Bloomberg Intelligence strategist, the oil shock and rising volatility across commodities and crypto may foreshadow a broader correction in equities.
Ether’s road to recovery looked clearer, especially if the balance in Ethereum accumulation wallets and the staked supply continue rising at their current pace.
The USDt-settled contracts allow traders to speculate on the price movements of the two companies’ shares around the clock without owning the underlying stocks.
AI-driven data center demand is reviving nuclear power across the US, and Bitcoin miners were among the first to tap nuclear energy to run high-performance computing operations.
Olivier Janssens’ Destiny project offered Nevis residents $100 a month if the government approves the development, triggering sharp local criticism, the Financial Times reported.
Law enforcement agencies seized 34 domains, 23 servers and froze $3.5 million in crypto linked to SocksEscort, a proxy service that hijacked 369,000 devices.
Apple announced it is lowering the commission fees on the Chinese App Store effective March 15. The fees for standard Apple In-App purchases will drop to 25% from the current 30% figure. Rates for the qualifying Apple In-App Purchase transactions under the App Store Small Business Program and Mini Apps Partner Program will also be lowered from 15% to 12%.
Cupertino confirmed that the move was done following “discussions with the Chinese regulator”, which we assume is the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), which had previously considered a full-scale antitrust...
Two days before Barcelona’s elections, Joan Laporta and Victor Font are showing completely different positions regarding Lionel Messi.
Barcelona’s elections will take place this Sunday. There, Joan Laporta and Victor Font will compete to win the trust of the club’s members and take charge of the club for the next five years. The figure of Lionel Messi has sparked opposing strategies between the two candidates.
Over the past week, Laporta addressed the controversies that emerged about his alleged refusal to move forward with efforts to bring Messi back in 2023 after his departure from Paris Saint-Germain and before his agreement with Inter Miami.
The presidential candidate denied acting with that objective and lamented the missed opportunity. “It was a disappointment because we thought that having Leo for one or two years at Barça could help rebuild the situation, and we were excited about it. We accepted it with good sportsmanship. That’s what happened,” he said, according to ESPN.
However, Laporta later made it clear that Messi cannot be a priority in discussions about Barcelona’s future: “He is part of the past,” the candidate said. “Today Barcelona fans are excited about Lamine (Yamal), Pedri, Cubarsi… Flick on the bench and Deco in the offices.”
Joan Laporta was Barcelona’s president when Messi left the club in 2021.
Regarding plans for the Argentine forward, Laporta acknowledged that his idea is to honor him as a former player of the club. “The issue with Messi is that we want to build him a statue and organize a tribute match when the stadium is finished,” Joan said.
Font considers Messi key to Barcelona’s future
While Joan Laporta considers the Lionel Messi chapter closed regarding Barcelona’s future and limits himself to the idea of a tribute for his history with the club, the other presidential candidate has a completely different vision of what to do with Leo.
During an interview with Sport this week, Victor Font was asked how the wound left by Messi’s departure in 2021 could be healed. “By reconciling with him. By apologizing on behalf of Barcelona fans,” the candidate replied. “It’s extremely important emotionally, but it’s also important economically and could even be important from a sporting perspective.”
Expanding on that idea, Font detailed his plans. “The Messi project we have developed has three pillars. The first is institutional: we would love to propose that he become the club’s honorary president,” Victor began. “The second is economic, where hundreds of millions are at stake if we are able to link the Messi and Barça brands, like Jordan with Nike or Federer with ‘On.’”
Finally, Font spoke about the aspect that may interest soccer fans the most. “The third is sporting: depending on how he sees himself, what the sporting department thinks and what Hansi Flick believes is best for the team, we would decide the most beautiful and exciting way to close this chapter,” the opposition candidate said. “A couple of months ago Flick was asked if he could see himself putting Leo in the team and he replied, ‘Why not.’ Well, ‘why not.’”
After the star forward was absent from Santos’ recent match against Mirassol, speculation quickly spread about whether the Brazilian icon had suffered another injury at a crucial moment in his battle for a 2026 FIFA World Cup spot in Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil squad.
Neymar‘s physical condition has once again become a major talking point in Brazilian soccer. After the star forward was absent from Santos’ recent match against Mirassol, speculation quickly spread about whether the Brazilian icon had suffered another injury at a crucial moment in his battle for a 2026 FIFA World Cupspot in Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad.
The situation drew widespread attention not only because of Neymar’s importance to Santos, but also because Carlo Ancelotti, head coach of Brazil, was present at the stadium hoping to evaluate the forward ahead of upcoming international fixtures. As rumors intensified, both the club’s coaching staff and Neymar himself moved quickly to address the growing debate surrounding his fitness and absence.
Concerns about Neymar’s health emerged after Santos drew 2-2 against Mirassol in a league match in which the Brazilian star was notably missing from the squad. Given his recent injury history and a lengthy rehabilitation period over the past two years, many fans and analysts immediately feared the worst.
The timing of the absence added to the intrigue. The Brazilian national team was preparing for a crucial international window, with Ancelotti closely monitoring players who could feature in upcoming friendlies.
Neymar of Santos reacts during the Brasileirao 2025.
What did Neymar say?
As speculation continued to swirl online, the 34-year-old decided to address the rumors directly on social media. His message was both candid and emotional, reflecting the frustration he feels with constant scrutiny about his physical condition. “Since many people are creating theories about what is happening to me: nothing is happening,” Neymar wrote.
The veteran forward explained that no matter what decision he makes regarding his health or playing time, criticism seems inevitable. “If I play injured, as they said last year, I am wrong. If I only think about myself, I am wrong. If I take it easy, I am wrong. If I play with pain or something that could aggravate it, I am wrong.”
⚠️ Agora! Neymar desabafa nas redes sociais:
“Se eu jogo machucado, tô errado. Se penso em mim, tô errado. Se me poupo, tô errado. Se jogo com dor, tô errado. É muito difícil agradar todo mundo. É muito complicado ser eu. Tenho que ter saco para aturar!”
The message highlighted the difficult balance elite athletes face when dealing with injuries while still meeting the expectations of fans and media. “It’s complicated, huh? It’s very difficult to get it right, man. Very difficult, very difficult to please everyone,” he added.
Neymar also criticized those who claim to know his situation without being directly involved. “These people who seem to be by my side every day start making up stories… as if it were the greatest truth in the world,” he wrote. “It’s very complicated to be me, my goodness.”
Careful management after recent surgery
Neymar’s physical condition has been under the microscope for good reason. The 34-year-old only recently returned to action for Santos after undergoing minor surgery on his left knee in December. That procedure was part of a broader effort to help him regain peak fitness following a long period plagued by injuries. Santos has since adopted a careful approach to managing his minutes and training load.
According to club officials, the decision to rest Neymar against Mirassol had already been planned days earlier. The goal was to protect the forward from unnecessary risk while allowing him to continue building physical strength ahead of more demanding matches.
Neymar Jr of Santos smiles prior to a match.
What’s more, the Peixe boss, Juan Pablo Vojvoda, also attempted to calm speculation. “He has no injury or anything,” Vojvoda said when asked about Neymar’s absence. “He feels no pain. It’s true, he’s a player who has been inactive in previous years, so we have to take care of the load.”
According to the coach, the decision to leave Neymar out of the match was purely a precaution designed to manage his workload, especially after a demanding period of physical preparation. “He will arrive well for the game against Corinthians,” the manager added.
Neymar Junior of Santos and Head coach Carlo Ancelotti of Brazil.
A unification fight between and appears to be on the verge of confirmation. ‘Rolly’ Romero is the reigning WBA welterweight champion, having won the Regular belt with a unanimous decision victory over Ryan Garcia at Times Square in New York last May before he was later upgraded to full champion. He began his career at […]
XRP is trading at $1.43, up 3.31% today. Bitcoin is at $72,535 and Ethereum sits at $2,131. The market is having a good Friday. But the price action today is almost a distraction from something much bigger that has been quietly building in the background, and almost nobody in retail is paying attention to it.
The Swift Story Was Too Small
One expert said that for years the entire XRP thesis rested on one idea: Ripple replaces Swift, banks adopt XRP, cross-border payments explode and holders get rich. It was a clean narrative. It was also the wrong one.
Not because XRP failed. But because the world moved on to much larger problems. While retail investors were still debating Swift, the global financial system began rebuilding itself from the inside. Corporate treasury operations, institutional settlement infrastructure, and tokenised capital markets emerged as the real battleground. And the demand for instant liquidity networks exploded, not from remittances, but from boardrooms.
CFOs at major corporations are now asking a question that would have sounded absurd five years ago: why are we still moving money like it is 1995? The answer is driving them toward digital asset rails that offer instant settlement, 24/7 liquidity, programmable payments, and global interoperability. Networks like the XRP Ledger.
The Numbers That Change Everything
Here is the number that reframes the entire XRP story.
CLS, the Continuous Linked Settlement system used daily by JP Morgan, HSBC, Deutsche Bank, and virtually every major global bank, processes $1.5 quadrillion in foreign exchange settlement annually. That is $1,500 trillion moving through a single system every year.
Ripple Prime, its institutional settlement platform, currently processes roughly $3 trillion annually. CLS handles 500 times more volume. But CLS did not start as a quadrillion-dollar system either. It started as infrastructure solving one problem: settlement risk in foreign exchange markets. Over time, every major bank connected to it.
The question is whether digital assets are about to follow the same path.
Three Institutions That Signal What Is Coming
DBS Bank, one of Asia’s largest and repeatedly named the world’s best bank, has been working with Ripple to build blockchain infrastructure for cross-border settlement. The goal is not just faster payments. It is interconnected financial networks, different ledgers, different assets, different rails, all linked through interoperable infrastructure.
Mastercard just launched its Crypto Partner Program and added Mountain and Treasury to its ecosystem. Mountain and Treasury builds the backend systems companies use to move money: vendor payments, treasury automation, liquidity management. Combined with Mastercard’s three billion cards and 95% global merchant reach, that is a direct bridge between traditional finance and digital asset rails, built into existing global payment infrastructure.
The DTCC, the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation, which processes the majority of US stock, bond, and derivative transactions, has announced plans to tokenise its platform in the second half of 2026. That is less than four months away. And a DTCC patent describing cross-ledger liquidity frameworks specifically references XRP and XLM as liquidity tokens. If tokenised asset networks require liquidity bridges between them, that is precisely the role XRP was designed to fill.
Bitcoin is pushing higher after clearing a resistance level, but one analyst is pumping the brakes before calling it a confirmed rally.
The analyst’s core position has not shifted in weeks. Bitcoin is currently in a counter-trend bounce, meaning it is moving against the dominant direction of the market rather than with it.
Counter-trend moves can look and feel like real bull runs. They can be sharp, convincing, and even reach new all-time highs in extreme cases. But they do not signal the larger correction is over.
The One Level That Decides Everything
The number every Bitcoin trader needs to know right now is $74,460.
Bitcoin has not broken above it yet. Until it does, the range trade remains intact and the rally remains unconfirmed. A clean break and hold above $74,460 would shift the probability meaningfully toward higher targets. Below it, the sideways grind that has frustrated the market for weeks simply continues.
Three Scenarios on the Table
Path 1: Bitcoin stalls near $74,400, shows weakness, and revisits lower range support before attempting another push higher. The counter-trend move extends and drags on further.
Path 2 (Faster): The bottom was already set on February 24. Bitcoin pushes directly toward $78,500, provided the swing low at $69,360 holds. Losing that level invalidates this path immediately.
Path 3 (Bear case): Range support breaks and Bitcoin drops toward $55,000 to $56,000. The analyst considers this unlikely right now but refuses to dismiss it entirely.
If bulls clear $74,460 decisively, the broader target zone opens up between $86,600 and $94,436, with a new all-time high possible in an extreme scenario.
The Signal Nobody Is Watching
The most telling observation has nothing to do with price. Crypto influencers, community leaders, and prominent traders have quietly stopped talking about Bitcoin. Attention has shifted to gold, silver, and oil. The noise has gone silent.
That kind of mass disengagement historically happens near turning points, not midway through trends. Markets tend to move when the fewest people are watching.
Everything comes back to $74,460. That is the line. Until it breaks, nothing is confirmed.
The Ethereum Foundation released its official mandate today – a document originally written for internal EF members that sets out what the Foundation is for, what it will focus on, and what falls outside its scope.
The core of the document is a single, unusually direct idea: Ethereum exists to be an escape hatch.
“Sanctuary Technology”
Vitalik Buterin posted the mandate himself, calling it a clarification of where EF has been heading for months.
The document describes Ethereum’s role as being “a sanctuary technology, to preserve technological self-sovereignty, to enable cooperation without coercion, domination or rugpulling” – and to ensure that “no single person, organization or ideology’s victory in cyberspace can be total.”
That framing moved fast on X, with Ethereum described as a “sanctuary technology” becoming what most people were reacting to.
The CROPS Filter
The mandate introduces a priority stack the EF calls CROPS – censorship resistance, open source, privacy, and security – applied at both the protocol layer and the application layer. Projects that depend on centralized infrastructure, opaque code, or compliance baked into the chain should not expect EF backing under this framework.
1/ The Mandate clearly states what must be protected: EF will, above all else, remain focused on an Ethereum that is censorship resistant, open source, private, and secure (CROPS), in the service of user self-sovereignty, resistant to extraction and with seamless UX.
The document also reaffirms the “walkaway test”: Ethereum must continue functioning even if the Foundation disappears entirely. Anything that fails that test doesn’t meet EF’s standard.
One Steward, Not the Only One
One of the more significant lines in the document was: “The Ethereum Foundation is a specific organization within Ethereum – one steward, not the sole one.”
That is a deliberate narrowing of scope. EF is not claiming ownership of Ethereum’s direction. It is claiming responsibility for a specific set of properties and stepping back from everything else.
What This Means for ETH Price
Ethereum is trading at $2,127 today, up 2.55% on the day as broader crypto markets climb. The mandate does not mention price once.
The EF is explicitly not optimizing for adoption metrics or market performance – it is building infrastructure designed to hold up regardless of where ETH trades. Whether that reads as principled or frustrating depends entirely on why you hold the asset.
The XLM price has quietly staged a recovery this week, climbing toward the $0.163 level after printing a string of bullish daily candles. It’s not exactly a moonshot but it’s a clear shift in tone compared to the sluggish price action seen earlier.
Momentum has been building since the start of the week, and the latest move on the XLM/USD pair suggests buyers are beginning to reclaim some control.
Still, crypto markets rarely move in straight lines. And beneath the surface, there are a few signals that make the rally look… a bit complicated.
XLM Price Chart Shows Buyers Regaining Control Above Neutral RSI
Starting with the technicals, we can witness indicators on the daily XLM price chart, like the RSI has pushed above the key neutral threshold, currently sitting at 53.44. That move might not sound dramatic, but it matters. Crossing the 50 line typically signals that momentum has shifted back toward buyers.
In other words, bullish traders are finally showing up again. Meanwhile, the CMF indicator remains slightly negative at -0.09. But, it’s trending upward from previous lows. That suggests capital outflows are slowing down, even if inflows haven’t fully taken over yet.
Put those signals together and the picture becomes clearer: selling pressure is fading while demand is gradually returning. Not explosive, but constructive.
Social Metrics Spike As Community Interest Returns To Stellar
Well, here’s where things start getting noisy. On-chain data from Santiment shows a sharp increase in Social Volume and Social Dominance for Stellar crypto. Both metrics have surged alongside the price rally, hitting their highest levels since mid-February.
And that’s rarely a coincidence. When social engagement spikes at the same time as price momentum, it often means the market narrative is shifting. Retail traders are paying attention again, discussions are heating up, and sentiment starts turning.
That doesn’t guarantee sustained gains but it definitely fuels short-term momentum. In this case, the rising chatter appears to be amplifying the ongoing recovery.
But let’s not pretend everything is perfectly bullish. Because while retail participation seems to be rising, whale behavior tells a different story. The Whale vs. Retail Delta currently shows a negative reading of -14.840, indicating that large holders may be distributing into the strength created by smaller traders.
That kind of divergence tends to complicate rallies. It suggests the current move may be more of a retail-led relief bounce rather than the start of a full-scale trend reversal. For the momentum to evolve into something more durable, whale activity would likely need to stabilize rather than lean toward selling.
Now for the fundamental catalyst behind the excitement. A recent announcement from Stellar leadership highlighted a new development involving Akuna Wallet, a payments platform designed to serve African creators. The wallet has been admitted into the Bank of Ghana’s VASP regulatory sandbox, marking a step toward regulated experimentation within the region.
The payments system hasn't kept pace with African creators. @AkunaWallet is. Proud to be building this alongside Idris Elba and the whole team. https://t.co/ZVzcLuD9u9
And there’s a direct link to the network itself. Akuna Wallet is built on the Stellar blockchain, meaning any growth in the platform could translate into increased usage of the ecosystem.
That’s the narrative currently feeding optimism in the market. Adoption potential, rising social interest, and improving technical momentum are all colliding at once. Whether that’s enough to sustain the rally remains to be seen but for now, the XLM price appears to be enjoying the spotlight again.
The SUI price is back at a level traders have been staring at for weeks. After grinding through a long stretch of consolidation since February, the token has climbed to around $1.05, a range that now acts as a decisive resistance on the daily chart.
And markets love moments like this. Because when price reaches the upper boundary of consolidation, something usually gives either momentum explodes higher, or the rally runs out of steam.
Right now, the SUI/USD pair appears to be leaning toward the former. Since Monday, the asset has shown steady bullish momentum, with today’s move pushing price up nearly 10% intraday.
So naturally, attention is turning to what happens next.
SUI Price Breakout Attempt From Months of Consolidation
The current level isn’t random. On the SUI price chart, the $1.05 zone represents the upper border of a consolidation range that has held the market in check for months.
Break that barrier convincingly and things could escalate quickly. From a purely technical standpoint, two immediate levels stand out on the radar: $1.60 and $2.00. These are the nearest targets traders are watching if the resistance flips into support.
But let’s be clear, resistance zones don’t surrender easily. Markets often test them multiple times before committing to a breakout. Still, momentum building throughout the week has given bulls a reason to stay optimistic.
Weekly Falling Wedge Support Adds Technical Strength
The current setup gets more interesting. As the recent upward move didn’t appear out of nowhere. It actually started from a weekly chart dynamic support, specifically the lower boundary of a falling wedge pattern.
When price rebounds from the lower border of such a formation, it tends to signal growing demand at discounted levels. That seems to be exactly what happened here.
The bounce from that support zone helped push price back toward the top of the consolidation range, placing the market in a crucial decision phase. Demand continues to build or it doesn’t.
Of course, price charts alone rarely tell the entire story. On-chain data is starting to echo the same bullish tone. Daily transaction activity has risen over the past seven days, signaling that network participation is gradually picking up again.
That type of activity matters because sustainable rallies typically require more than just speculative trading. They need real usage, or at least the perception of it.
And the timing of today’s move adds another layer. The nearly 10% intraday surge coincided with the launch of OpenZeppelin Move Contracts on Sui Network. The same security library that has protected over $35 trillion in on-chain value across the broader crypto ecosystem is now available for Sui developers.
OpenZeppelin Move Contracts are now live on @SuiNetwork
The same library securing over $35 trillion in onchain value and trusted by the industry's most critical protocols is now purpose-built for Sui.
That’s not exactly a small headline. So now the SUI price analysis highlights that the market sits at a familiar crossroads. If demand continues to rise and resistance breaks with conviction, the next chapter for the SUI price could involve a much faster climb than the slow grind traders endured since February.
After six years of mobile mining, a bruising 95% crash from its all-time high, and weeks of speculation, Pi Network is officially trading on Kraken today. For a community that has waited longer than almost any other in crypto, the day has arrived.
Kraken wrote, “@PiCoreTeam is a Layer-1 ecosystem of Pi apps and utilities where users mine PI from their phones, with developer tools for building useful Web3 applications and deploying them to tens of millions of Pi users globally.”
Now live: $PI@PiCoreTeam is a Layer-1 ecosystem of Pi apps and utilities where users mine PI from their phones, with developer tools for building useful Web3 applications and deploying them to tens of millions of Pi users globally.
PI is changing hands at around $0.27 at the time of writing, up over 8% in the past 24 hours. The market cap sits at $2.6 billion, with just over 9 billion tokens currently in circulation out of a hard-capped maximum supply of 100 billion. Daily volume is running high and climbing as Kraken’s order books open to US traders for the first time.
Why Kraken Changes Things
Every exchange that listed PI before today operated outside the United States. Kraken is different. It is one of the most trusted regulated crypto platforms in the country, connected to the US banking system, and used by millions of American investors who simply had no compliant way to access PI before now.
That is the real significance of today. It is not just another listing. It is the first time PI becomes genuinely accessible to the world’s largest retail investment market, with the regulatory credibility to back it up.
What to Watch Today
The level to hold is $0.20. A clean break and hold above it opens the path toward $0.25 to $0.35 in the near term. Analysts have flagged $0.50 to $0.75 as possible targets if Pi Day announcements on March 14 deliver meaningful ecosystem news around the DEX and AMM launch.
On the downside, $0.175, the 24-hour low, is the immediate support to watch. A drop back below it would signal that selling pressure from long-term miners is outweighing new Kraken demand.
“Mançester Siti”yə rəhbərlik edən ispan mütəxəssis Xosep Qvardiola İngiltərə Premyer Liqasında fevral ayının ən yaxşı məşqçisi seçilib.
Arena.az bu barədə İngiltərə Premyer Liqasının rəsmi saytına istinadən məlumat verir.
“Şəhərlilər” fevralda Premyer Liqada keçirdiyi 5 oyunda 4 qələbə qazanıb, 1 heç-heçə edib.
Qvardiola bu mükafatı 12-ci dəfə qazanıb. O, hazırda “Everton”u çalışdıran Devid Moyesi (11 dəfə) üstələyib. “Mançester Yunayted”in keçmiş baş məşqçisi Aleks Ferqyuson (27 dəfə) bu göstəricidə birinci yerdə qərarlaşıb. “Arsenal”da işləmiş Arsen Venger (15 dəfə) ikincidir.
Cari mövsümdə ilk belə mükafat “Liverpul”un sabiq çalışdırıcısı Arne Slota verilmişdi. Niderlandlı mütəxəssis avqust ayının ən yaxşısı elan edilmişdi. Sentyabrda “Kristal Pelas”ı çalışdıran Oliver Qlasner, oktyabrda “Mançester Yunayted”ə rəhbərlik etmiş Ruben Amorim, noyabrda “Çelsi”ni çalışdırmış Entso Mareska, dekabrda “Aston Villa”nın çalışdırıcısı Unai Emeri, yanvarda isə “Mançester Yunayted”in müvəqqəti baş məşqçisi Maykl Karrik ən yaxşı seçilmişdi.
55 yaşlı Xosep Qvardiola “Mançester Siti”yə 2016-cı ilin yayından rəhbərlik edir. O, “şəhərlilər”i indiyə qədər 579 oyuna çıxarıb, 414 qələbə, 74 heç-heçə və 91 məğlubiyyət görüb.
Qvardiola “Mançester Siti” ilə bütün mümkün titulları qazanıb. O, daha öncə “Barselona” və “Bayern”ə də rəhbərlik edib.
Fatih Karagümrük forması giyen Bartuğ Elmaz, kiralık geldiği eski takımı Fenerbahçe'ye karşı attığı golle Süper Lig'deki ilk golünü kaydetti ve sevinmedi.
Chelsea Teknik Direktörü Liam Rosenior, Şampiyonlar Ligi son 16 turu rövanş maçında Paris Saint-Germain ile oynayacakları maç ve tur şansları için konuştu.
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CD Projekt Red has declared there are no plans for more Cyberpunk 2077 content amid ongoing rumors that a new expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is on the horizon.
A simple setting tweak and custom instruction can stop ChatGPT from ending every answer with follow-up prompts designed to keep the conversation going.
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Both Inter and Juventus have been linked with moves for Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker over the last few weeks, but the Bianconeri feel that they are able to match the Brazilian’s salary demands and are hoping that Luciano Spalletti is a major convincing factor as well.
Why Juventus seem confident over Alisson Becker deal
Both Inter and Juventus could be on the lookout for new goalkeepers heading into the summer transfer window.
The Nerazzurri are expected to part ways with 37-year-old stopper Yann Sommer once his contract expires at the end of the season, and Juventus are unconvinced by the performances of Michele Di Gregorio, who has lost his no.1 status in recent weeks.
However, reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport on Friday claim that Alisson is the most ‘reliable’ option for Juventus.
The Brazilian is still under contract with Liverpool until the end of the 2026-27 season, but Juventus hold out hope that the Premier League side may sanction a sale given that Alisson will be into the final year of his deal in the summer, and they already have his replacement lined up in Giorgi Mamardashvili.
BURNLEY, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 14: Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker reacts during the Premier League match between Burnley and Liverpool at Turf Moor on September 14, 2025 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Juventus are not put off by Alisson’s salary demands either. According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, he currently earns a net salary in the region of €6m per season at Anfield, which would not go beyond Juve’s current wage structure.
Aside from Dusan Vlahovic, whose hefty contract will expire this summer, Juventus aim to keep all of their players on salaries below €7m per season according to Friday’s report.
There is also the Spalletti factor for Alisson, who worked under the current Bianconeri head coach at Roma. La Gazzetta dello Sport writes that if Spalletti is able to convince the Brazilian to join this summer, negotiations with Liverpool will become a ‘downhill slope’.
With both sides currently locked on 51 points, this fixture is effectively a “six-pointer” that could determine who secures the final automatic qualification spot.
Michael Carrick’s United are looking to bounce back from their first defeat of his tenure, a narrow 2-1 loss at Newcastle.
Meanwhile, Unai Emery’s Villa are desperate to stop a worrying slump in form, having won just once in their last five league outings, including a heavy 4-1 defeat to Chelsea.
How Manchester United could line up against Aston Villa
Michael Carrick has been handed a major boost with Noussair Mazraoui returning to full training following a scare at St. James’ Park.
However, the Red Devils are likely to be without Lisandro Martinez, whose recovery from a calf strain has taken longer than expected.
With Matthijs de Ligt also sidelined, the experienced Harry Maguire is expected to partner young Leny Yoro in the heart of the defence.
In midfield, the resurgence of Casemiro has made him a certain starter alongside Kobbie Mainoo, providing the platform for Bruno Fernandes to pull the strings behind a fluid front three featuring the prolific Benjamin Sesko.
Predicted Man United XI vs Aston Villa (4-2-3-1):Senne Lammens; Noussair Mazraoui, Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw; Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo; Bryan Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha; Benjamin Sesko.
Unai Emery faces a tactical headache with several key leaders missing.
Captain John McGinn remains a major doubt with a knee injury, while Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans are also out.
Out-of-form Jadon Sancho is ineligible to face his parent club due to loan restrictions, which could see Leon Bailey start.
Villa will lean heavily on the creative spark of Morgan Rogers and the clinical finishing of Ollie Watkins.
Expect a compact setup designed to hit United on the break, utilising the pace of Bailey to exploit any gaps left by United’s attacking full-backs.
Predicted Aston Villa XI vs Man United (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martínez; Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Ian Maatsen; Amadou Onana, Douglas Luiz; Leon Bailey, Emiliano Buendia, Morgan Rogers; Ollie Watkins
How to buy Manchester United tickets
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 30: Ladislav Krejci of Wolverhampton Wanderers passes the ball whilst under pressure from Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford on December 30, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Supporters can buy tickets through the club’s official ticketing page, accessible via the linkhere.
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Manchester United vs Aston Villa: Head-to-Head
History heavily favours the hosts at Old Trafford. Out of 196 meetings across all competitions, Manchester United have claimed 104 wins compared to Villa’s 50.
However, recent encounters have been much tighter.
Unai Emery’s side beat Manchester United 2-1 earlier this season at Villa Park. While United have dominated this fixture historically, Emery’s Villa have proven they can go toe-to-toe with the elite, though they haven’t tasted victory at the Theatre of Dreams in their last three attempts.
The council in Rome has voted in favour of approving the plans submitted by AS Roma for a new 60,000-seater stadium, reports on Thursday confirm: “Today is an historic day, not just for the fans, but for all Romans,” said the mayor.
New Roma stadium formally approved by council
Roma are one of several Serie A sides hoping to build a new stadium with the aim of hosting matches at EURO 2032. Milan and Inter are also progressing with their plans for a new ground to replace the iconic Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in San Siro.
As of Friday afternoon, the city council in Rome has voted in favour of approving the plans that Roma submitted just before Christmas.
Roma project for the new stadium in the Pietralata area
There are still several bureaucratic and administrative procedures before work on the new stadium can begin, but as Corriere dello Sport writes, Friday’s vote was a ‘very important step forwards’, and now a new stadium in Pertralata is ‘increasingly less of a dream, and becoming more and more of a reality’.
“Today is an historic day, not just for the fans, but for all Romans,” said mayor Roberto Gualtieri ahead of the vote on Friday (via Corriere dello Sport).
“We can’t wait for the stadium project to be realised. Rome will have a modern stadium integrated into the urban fabric of the city, and will also bring new green spaces to the city.”
ROME, ITALY – DECEMBER 22: General view outside the stadium prior to the Serie A match between against Parma at Stadio Olimpico on December 22, 2024 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Guualtieri also stressed that it is Roma, not the city, who will be providing the vast majority of the funds for the project.
He expressed his thanks to Roma President Dan Friedkin “for the investment that brings a new sporting institution to our city without burdening public finances.”
Real Madrid are looking to strengthen the defensive unit by signing Murillo from Nottingham Forest.
The 23-year-old has been outstanding in the Premier League, and he’s one of the best young defenders in the country right now. Real Madrid need to find a quality long-term replacement for David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger. The South American could be a solid long-term investment for them.
It will be interesting to see which of the four clubs decides to act on their interest and come forward with an official proposal to sign him. The 23-year-old will want to compete at a high level, and all four clubs will be attractive destinations for him.
Liverpool need a replacement for Ibrahima Konate, who will be a free agent at the end of the season. Chelsea will need to replace unwanted defenders like Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile. Meanwhile, Manchester United need a long-term replacement for Harry Maguire.
The Brazilian could prove to be an exceptional acquisition, and it remains to be seen where he ends up. He will want to join an ambitious project where he can compete regularly in the UEFA Champions League and fight for major trophies.
The opportunity to move to Real Madrid could be quite exciting for him. They have a strong Brazilian contingent at the club, and that could give them an edge in the transfer race.
Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with multiple managers in recent weeks, and former player Gus Poyet is keen on the job.
The 58-year-old is currently without a job, and he believes he knows the club well and could help things around for them. They have been linked with multiple former players and managers in recent weeks. It will be interesting to see if they are prepared to sack Igor Tudor.
Poyet said (h/t Sun): “I remember before Igor Tudor got the job, people were talking about Robbie Keane – rightly so. They were talking about Tim Sherwood – rightly so. Even Harry Redknapp, they were asking him.
“And I was sitting at home and I’m thinking, ‘Why not me?’ I’ve been there. I know the place, I know the relegation battle.
“I know what needs to be done. Well, at least I have the experience. I know the Premier League. It’s sometimes funny that your name is not related there, but that’s the way it is now.”
Tudor was brought in as interim manager, expected to help Tottenham improve. Things have not gone according to plan, and they are still fighting for survival. Tottenham will not want to go down, and they should look to make changes quickly if they want to survive in the top flight. Appointing another new manager could prove to be a wise decision.
Poyet has managed in English football, and it will be interesting to see if Tottenham is willing to take a chance on him. It could prove to be an underwhelming appointment for the fans. They should aim for a top-class manager who has proven himself at the highest level.
There is no doubt that Poyet knows the club well, and he has managed clubs fighting for survival in the past. However, Tottenham need to aim higher. They have quality players at their disposal, and the manager will be able to bring out the best in them.
Manchester United are interested in signing Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United at the end of the season, and they have received a major boost in their pursuit.
According to a report from talkSPORT, the £42 million Portuguese midfielder does not want to compete in the second division of English football next season, and he is prepared to force an exit from West Ham if they are relegated in the summer.
The development will come as a huge boost for Manchester United, and they will certainly hope that the London club fails to secure safety. It could allow them to sign the 21-year-old midfielder for a reasonable fee. They need more control and creativity in the middle of the park, and Fernandez could be a long-term acquisition for them.
He has three goals and three assists to his name this season, and he will add control and technical ability to the midfield. He is capable of operating as a central midfielder and an attacking midfielder. His versatility will be a huge bonus for Manchester United if they can sign him.
The opportunity to play for them will be exciting for the young midfielder, and he will look to take the next step in his career. Manchester United could compete in the UEFA Champions League next season, and they will be an attractive destination for the West Ham star.
Meanwhile, the Hammers paid £42 million for him, and they are likely to demand a premium if they are forced to sanction his departure. It will be interesting to see if the two clubs can agree on a deal.
For now, West Ham will be desperate to secure Premier League safety so they can keep their best players.
According to Index Ventures Partner Shardul Shah, cybersecurity startup Wiz sits “at the center of three tailwinds: AI, cloud, and security spend.” Those tailwinds powered what just became the largest venture-backed acquisition in history — Google’s $32 billion deal, finalized after a declined 2024 offer, antitrust review on both sides of the Atlantic, and an […]
One of the most alarming, and off-putting feelings is the realization you’ve been pronouncing someone’s name wrong — and it turns out we’ve all been doing it for years with Travis Etienne Jr. The former Jaguars running back signed with the New Orleans Saints this week, and the Jennings, Louisiana native used part of his introductory press conference to clear the air with his name.
Rather than “E-tee-ENN” as everyone has been pronouncing since, well, forever — the actual pronunciation is “AY-teean.” This makes a ton more sense considering Etienne comes from Creole ancestry, which would have made the original pronunciation much more French-sounding, likely originating from something like “AY-tu-onn.” One thing is certain: It’s going to take a lot of work to get used to pronouncing his name the correct way after all these years.
It’s painfully on-brand to imagine that Dabo Swinney was so confused with how to say “Etienne” at Clemson that Etienne just changed his name to make it easier on him. I feel this pain as a Dator. Everyone assumed it’s pronounced “DAY-ter” like “Gator” with a D, when in reality it’s “Dah-tore,” mutilated from Italian when my great, great grandfather came through Ellis Island.
I know what it’s like Travis. Hopefully everyone starts saying your name right.
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Second-year Saint Louis coach Josh Schertz has agreed in principle to a long-term contract extension, athletic director Chris May announced Friday before the Billikens' game in the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament.
The Billikens (27-4) tied with Virginia Commonwealth for the A-10 regular-season championship and were the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament.
May locked up Schertz as the coach's name was bandied for a number of jobs in power conferences.
Saint Louis entered Friday one win away from tying its season record, and in January the Billikens made their first appearance in The Associated Press Top 25 since 2020-21. They were ranked as high as No. 18 and appeared in seven straight polls before dropping out Monday.
Saint Louis hired Schertz away from Indiana State in 2024 after he led the Sycamores to their first Missouri Valley regular-season championship since 2000.
The Billikens were 19-15 with an appearance in the National Invitation Tournament last season.
Two-time Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion Kongsuk Sitsarawatsuer was at his ferocious best in his bantamweight Muay Thai co-main event clash against Iranian promotional newcomer Babak Solouki.
The Thai earned a third-round finish at ONE Friday Fights 146 on Friday, March 13, live in Asia primetime from Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium, but he had to dig deep to get this one done inside the distance.
Kongsuk and Solouki began by trading body shots, testing each other’s guard early. The opening frame ended with a short elbow from the Thai after a close-range exchange.
In the second round, the 25-year-old ramped up the pressure and backed his foe toward the ropes. A solid left hook staggered Solouki, and shortly after, the Sitsarawatseur man fired a left middle kick that sent the newcomer reeling into the ropes.
Realizing he was falling behind on the scorecards, Solouki increased his aggression and launched punching combinations to the body in the third canto. Kongsuk, meanwhile, responded with successive knees to the midsection.
Solouki, however, showed no fear and retaliated with an uppercut. But the Thai slipped and countered with a left kick to the back that sent the Iranian to the canvas for the first knockdown.
The Iranian beat the count, but moments later, his 25-year-old foe sealed the finish with a right punch-left hook combo.
The knockdown forced the referee to wave off the contest at 2:27 of the third round, which improved Kongsuk’s record to 69-21.
ONE Friday Fights 146 Second Half Quick Results:
Kongsuk Sitsarawatsuer defeats Babak Solouki via KO at 2:27 of round three (Muay Thai – Bantamweight)
Singharat SitKhuntab defeats Kajornklai Sor Sor Toipadriew via KO at 1:19 of round two (Muay Thai – Bantamweight)
Hearts midfielder Blair Spittal says the players are "thriving" on the pressure of chasing down the club's first top-flight title in 66 years.
The Tynecastle club, who visit Kilmarnock on Saturday night, sit five points clear at the top having finished in the bottom six last season.
And Spittal, who joined the club in June 2024, has been blown away by the turnaround at Tynecastle.
"I think you could see the strength of the squad that we've built over the summer," the 30-year-old said.
"I think it helped going into the League Cup, having that chance to build that bit of momentum as well, going into the season and things have gone really well so far. There's still plenty of football to be played, we know that.
"It's mental, considering where we were at this point last year. It's probably a different kind of pressure to what we were under last year, but it's one that the boys are thriving on.
"I've never been in this position before, but it's one that all the boys in the changing room are enjoying at the minute. Like I said, there's plenty of football still to be played, so we just need to do our job, so we can do it."
Hearts won 3-0 win at Rugby Park earlier this season but Killie have been strong at home in the league since Neil McCann and Billy Dodds took charge, beating Aberdeen and St Mirren before a last-gasp defeat to Celtic.
"I think regardless of how Kilmarnock are doing, it's always a tough place to go," Spittal added.
"We're under no illusions of how hard it's going to be. Obviously people will be looking at the last result [5-1 loss at Falkirk], but the form before that was really good.
"We're expecting the best Kilmarnock to turn up on Saturday so we need to give the best version of ourselves."
Man Utd predicted XI vs Aston Villa: ‘Frightening’ star to be dropped for first time this season
Manchester United are preparing to host Aston Villa in a vital showdown in the race for the Champions League, and Michael Carrick’s lineup might feature one or two surprises. The Premier contest will take place at the Old Trafford. It kicks off on Sunday, 14:00 UK time.
The two clubs are are tied on 51 points in third place, but Chelsea and Liverpool are breathing down theirs necks, so the loser could be thumped out of the Top 5 by the end of the weekend.
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In his pre-match press conference on Friday, Carrick confirmed Mason Mount’s return to training, but he’s still not fit enough to take part in the action. On the other hand, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, and Patrick Dorgu have yet to recover.
Diogo Dalot back in Man Utd starting lineup
With Lisandro and De Ligt ruled out of action, Leny Yoro should partner Harry Maguire at the heart of the backline. Ayden Heaven represents the first option off the bench.
Luke Shaw and Noussair Mazraoui have both recovered from the knocks they suffered against Newcastle, but starting them both would be risky. Therefore, the Englishman would like get the nod on the left side of the defence, with Diogo Dalot regaining his place on the right.
Since Carrick’s arrival, there has never been any doubts iin the double pivot, with Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro emerging as the ultimate first choice, while Bruno Fernandes returned to operate as an attacking midfielder.
Should Carrick drop Bryan Mbeumo from his lineup against Aston Villa?
The biggest dilemma facing the Man Utd manager concerns the attacking slots. Amad Diallo has recently been reduced to a bench role to make room for the in-form Benjamin Sesko. However, the Ivorian arguably produced more in his cameos than Bryan Mbeumo, who looked out of sorts in his last two outings.
The Cameroonian has arguably been standout player for United this season alongside Bruno. Ian Wright described Mbeumo as a ‘frightening’ player ahead of the Arsenal clash. However, his recent displays, coupled with Amad’s encouraging signs off the bench, could prompt Carrick to do the switch.
When available, the former Brentford star has never been dropped from the starting XI in a Premier League contest since joining Man Utd. The only matches he didn’t start were those that occurred while he away at AFCON.
Starting with the 26-year-old on the bench wouldn’t deminish his value, as almost every Man Utd outfielder, except for Bruno and Casemiro has been dropped at one point.
Moreover, it would be interesting to see how a fresh Mbeumo would perform against tired opponents when coming off the bench.
Man Utd Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko
Why Juventus have an advantage over Inter in pursuit of Liverpool’s Alisson
Both Inter and Juventus have been linked with moves for Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker over the last few weeks, but the Bianconeri feel that they are able to match the Brazilian’s salary demands and are hoping that Luciano Spalletti is a major convincing factor as well.
Why Juventus seem confident over Alisson Becker deal
Both Inter and Juventus could be on the lookout for new goalkeepers heading into the summer transfer window.
The Nerazzurri are expected to part ways with 37-year-old stopper Yann Sommer once his contract expires at the end of the season, and Juventus are unconvinced by the performances of Michele Di Gregorio, who has lost his no.1 status in recent weeks.
However, reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport on Friday claim that Alisson is the most ‘reliable’ option for Juventus.
The Brazilian is still under contract with Liverpool until the end of the 2026-27 season, but Juventus hold out hope that the Premier League side may sanction a sale given that Alisson will be into the final year of his deal in the summer, and they already have his replacement lined up in Giorgi Mamardashvili.
BURNLEY, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 14: Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker reacts during the Premier League match between Burnley and Liverpool at Turf Moor on September 14, 2025 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Juventus are not put off by Alisson’s salary demands either. According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, he currently earns a net salary in the region of €6m per season at Anfield, which would not go beyond Juve’s current wage structure.
Aside from Dusan Vlahovic, whose hefty contract will expire this summer, Juventus aim to keep all of their players on salaries below €7m per season according to Friday’s report.
There is also the Spalletti factor for Alisson, who worked under the current Bianconeri head coach at Roma. La Gazzetta dello Sport writes that if Spalletti is able to convince the Brazilian to join this summer, negotiations with Liverpool will become a ‘downhill slope’.
With the first big waves of free agency receding, there are still a bevy of players on the open market for teams to pick up for the 2026 season.
The San Francisco 49ers have added some big pieces on both sides of the ball, but could very easily swoop in for some of those veteran playmakers still looking for a new team. One of those players could be veteran edge rusher Joey Bosa, whom ESPN's Bill Barnwell wrote would be a great fit on the 49ers defense alongside his brother, Nick Bosa.
It's the obvious call, right? The 49ers are a team that's very comfortable taking aggressive swings on talented players with upside, even if that upside comes with injury concerns. They have an opening for a situational pass rusher after Bryce Huff retired Thursday, and Clelin Ferrell and Yetur Gross-Matos are free agents. Bosa would join up with his brother, Nick, who is recovering from the second torn ACL of his pro career. Joey Bosa would be in a part-time role on a 49ers team that should be heavily rotating its edge rushers throughout the season.
The two things to consider here are need and situation. San Francisco does need defensive line help in 2026. As of this writing, the only healthy edge rusher on the roster is Sam Okuayinonu. The younger Bosa, as well as 2025 first-round pick Mykell Wiliams, are both recovering from ACL injuries, and Keion White is recovering from a shooting this winter.
While the elder Bosa is not a pillar of health, he would at least provide a solid floor at the position for the 49ers in 2026. Bosa had five forced fumbles, five sacks, 29 combined tackles, 16 quarterback hits and six tackles for a loss in 15 games for the Buffalo Bills this past season. He previously played nine years with the Los Angeles Chargers.
If the price is right, this is a low-risk, high-reward move for the 49ers.
There's a lot of reasons for Travis Etienne Jr. to be excited about his Louisiana homecoming. Being so much closer to family and friends in Jennings, about three hours away, is one of them. Another is knowing that he'll get to hear his name pronounced correctly. Etienne shared that story during his New Orleans Saintsintroductory press conference.
"So growing up, it's Travis Etienne. So it's like A-C-H-A-N-E, and that's how you always said Travis Etienne," Etienne began. If it helps, Etienne is pronounced the same way as Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (AY-chan). He continued, "But when I went to college I kept telling them my name like every, every day, every day. And after like four weeks they just couldn't get it. So I'm like, man, E-T-N. Like how you see it is how you say it. And that's how that became. And I guess it took off because it was easy for the announcers to say it."
Many athletes -- and many people outside of sports -- have had to go from one name to another for convenience. It's refreshing to see Etienne joining such a comfortable environment that, to some extent, he's feeling like himself again.
"I'm very much open to being Travis Etienne again," he grinned. "Just, uh, being myself. I don't have to correct people here on how to say my name each and every day. And I kind of love that. And that, just, get back to me."
Etienne was a college football star for the Clemson Tigers before turning pro, where he got to join his teammate Trevor Lawrence on the Jaguars. After rushing for 1,000 or more yards in three of his last four years, he's set to take over for Alvin Kamara on top of the Saints depth chart. Signing a top-dollar four-year contract certainly helped, but there's a lot to say for the attraction of coming home, too.
Arsenal are still in the hunt to become the first English team to win the Quadruple [Getty Images]
After Arsenal beat Chelsea with two goals from corners a couple of weeks ago, Premier League winner Chris Sutton said on BBC Radio 5 Live: "Set-piece Arsenal, again. If they get over the line, will they be the ugliest Premier League-winning team in history?"
Eleven-time winner Paul Scholes has also recently claimed that the Gunners could be "the most boring team" to win the title.
Mikel Arteta's men are seven points clear in the league, in the League Cup final, into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and still in the Champions League, with a favourable side of the draw.
So is the criticism they receive fair? And if Arsenal do go on to win the Premier League, how would their numbers compare to previous winners?
We asked Opta to dig back through the archives to find out.
Arsenal have so far scored 59 goals in 30 Premier League games this season - an average of 1.97 per game.
While that puts them on course to be the lowest-scoring champions since Leicester City a decade ago (1.79), it's a higher scoring rate than 12 previous title winners, including five Manchester United sides, all three of Jose Mourinho's Chelsea champions - and the Arsenal 'Invincibles' (1.92).
But when we look at how the goals were scored - from open play or set pieces - it seems that Arsenal's critics have more of a point.
Of the 59 goals that the Gunners have scored so far, 24 of them have come from set pieces (41%) - a far higher percentage than any Premier League champion.
It is perhaps ironic that Sutton and Scholes have criticised Arsenal's style of play given they played for the two title-winning sides that previously relied most on set pieces to score.
Sutton's Blackburn of 1994-95 and Scholes' Man Utd of 2007-08 both scored 80 goals on their way to winning the title, with 35% - the record high - of them coming from dead-ball situations (28).
Arsenal fans might say that such a high percentage simply shows how excellent their team is from set-pieces rather than how blunt they have been in open play.
But the Gunners have so far scored just 1.17 goals per game from open play and the only title winner to score as few in that manner was the Manchester United side that won the first Premier League back in 1992-93.
Having said all that, is scoring from set-pieces inherently ugly? Wayne Rooney doesn't think so.
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show this week, the five-time champion said: "I've heard a lot of people talking about Arsenal and how they're playing. I think Arsenal have been brilliant.
"I actually enjoy watching them play. Set-pieces are part of football - why would you not use it?"
Even if people disagree, there are other ways of 'winning ugly' that Premier League champions have used in the past.
As miraculous as their title win was, Leicester's football in 2015-16 was not always pretty.
Ten of their 68 goals came from the penalty spot, they had the fewest shots and touches in the opposition box on record and 14 of their 23 wins were by a single goal (61%).
And while '1-0 to the Arsenal' is a well-known chant, only five of their 20 wins this season have been by that scoreline - far fewer than the 11 Chelsea eked out in 2004-05 or the 10 that Manchester United achieved in 2008-09.
And for all the talk of the dark arts, the Gunners are not playing dirty in the traditional sense.
Their 40 yellow cards in 30 games so far puts them well below the record 73 bookings that Chelsea picked up in total in 2014-15, while the Gunners are in with a chance of becoming just the fourth side to win the Premier League without having a man sent off.
So, while Arsenal are hardly Barcelona 2008-09, the football they are playing and the way their goals are being scored are not huge departures from some previous title-winning sides.
Even those that some of the fiercest critics played in.
USA Basketball is dominating to begin FIBA Women's World Cup qualifying in Puerto Rico.
But even after winning their first two group games by a combined 107 points, discontent is simmering beneath the surface for expectant Caitlin Clark fans.
After Clark marked her national team debut with a 17-point, 12-assist double-double against Senegal on Wednesday, the Indiana Fever superstar comparatively struggled in the 91-48 win over Puerto Rico on Thursday, scoring eight points on 2-of-6 shooting.
And fans on social media believe they have pinpointed the reason for Clark's "awkward" sophomore outing: Angel Reese and US teammates are "freezing out" the All-Star guard.
"Angel fights CC for the rebound, refuses to pass her the ball on the break, then immediately turns the ball over," wrote @CCMVPLoading on X. "Yikes."
A selection of four plays from the win over Puerto Rico -- in which Reese logged 10 points, 13 rebounds and two assists -- show Reese handling the ball in transition and appearing to "look off" Clark.
"It feels like the ball movement hasn’t been equal. Caitlin Clark is constantly looking to create for her teammates and keep the offense flowing, but she doesn’t always seem to get that same trust or opportunity in return," wrote @22CCNews. "At times, Angel Reese and others appear focused on handling the ball or initiating the offense themselves, which has even led to stretches where Reese is essentially bringing the ball up like a point guard."
Fans who didn't watch Reese in Chicago last season will not have noted that the two-time All-Star was tasked with "point forward" duties amid an injury crisis that ravaged the Sky's backcourt.
It stands to reason that the USA Basketball coaching staff -- which includes Fever head coach Stephanie White as an assistant -- want to see Reese handle the ball a bit more and run more sets off the ball for Clark, where she can weaponize her one-of-a-kind shooting range.
There's no controversy here. Team USA is the most talented side in their group. Experimentation is going to happen.
The Atlantic 10 Tournament is back in Pittsburgh after a year at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. preceded by two years at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Participants
All 14 teams will play in this season’s event. UMass moved to the MAC, so there’s one fewer first-round game.
Gm. 1:(13) St. Bonaventure 99, (12) La Salle (9-23, 5-13) 80 Gm. 2: (14) Loyola Chicago 75, (11) Richmond (15-17, 5-13) 65
Second Round (Thurs. 3/12)
Gm. 3:(9) George Washington 66, (8) Fordham (17-15, 8-10) 62 Gm. 4: (13) St. Bonaventure 63, (5) George Mason (23-9, 11-7) 57 Gm. 5: (10) Rhode Island (16-16, 7-11) 61, (7) Duquesne 67 Gm. 6: (14) Loyola Chicago (9-24, 4-14) 59, (6) Davidson 64 (OT)
Quarterfinals (Fri. 3/13)
Gm. 7: (9) George Washington (18-14, 8-10) vs. (1) Saint Louis (27-4, 15-3), 11:30 (USA) The Billikens won 79-76 in St. Louis on 1/27. Gm. 8: (13) St. Bonaventure (17-16, 4-14) vs. (4) Dayton (21-10, 12-6), 2* (USA) The Flyers won 72-70 in Dayton on 2/3. Gm. 9: (7) Duquesne (18-14, 9-9) vs. (2) VCU (24-7, 15-3), 5 (USA) The Rams won 93-80 in Pittsburgh on 1/3. Gm. 10: (6) Davidson (20-12, 10-8) vs. (3) Saint Joseph’s (21-10, 13-5), 7:30* (CNBC) Road split: Wildcats 62-56 on 1/3 and Hawks 70-67 on 3/4.
Semifinals (Sat. 3/14)
CBSSN will air both games.
Gm. 11: Gm. 7 winner vs. Gm. 8 winner, 1 Gm. 12: Gm. 9 winner vs. Gm. 10 winner, 3:30*
Championship (Sun. 3/15)
Gm. 13: Semifinal winners, 1 (CBS)
Mayhem Potential
Data originally posted by Bob Vetrone Jr. on Twitterin 2020 with my own additions for the seasons beyond.
The Atlantic 10 Tournament has a reputation for being one of the most unpredictable ones out there. However, the 2 seed has been shut out since the NCAA field expanded to 68 in 2011. In 2025, George Mason was unable to break the streak, but VCU—the very team that topped the Patriots in OT last March gets its own chance in 2026. Note that the 2024 final featured the 5 and 6 seeds.
The Atlantic 10 has only placed a pair of teams in three of the last five NCAA Tournaments that have been played. Making matters worse, VCU was unable to play its game against Oregon in 2021 due to COVID issues. With the quality of the bubble in 2026, the Rams should join Saint Louis in the field, with a third bid possible with some upsets.
Last Conference Tournament Titles
VCU: 2025 (1 seed) Duquesne: 2024 (6 seed) Loyola Chicago: 2022 (4 seed, MVC) Richmond: 2022 (6 seed) St. Bonaventure: 2021 (1 seed) Saint Louis: 2019 (6 seed) Davidson: 2018 (3 seed) Rhode Island: 2017 (4 seed) Saint Joseph’s: 2016 (4 seed) George Mason: 2008 (3 seed, CAA) George Washington: 2005 (West 1 seed) Dayton: 2003 (West 2 seed) Fordham: 1992 (1 seed, Patriot League) La Salle: 1992 (2 seed, MAAC)
Fordham, George Mason, La Salle, and Loyola Chicago are the only current Atlantic 10 members that have not won the conference tournament. Dayton last won in 2003, though the Flyers would have been favored had the 2020 event taken place, since they were a likely No. 1 NCAA seed.
Where can you find the best private golf courses in each state? Welcome to Golfweek’s Best 2025 list of the top private layouts, as judged by our hundreds of raters.
The members of the ratings panel continually evaluate courses and rate them based on 10 criteria on a points basis of 1 through 10. They also file a single, overall rating on each course. Those overall ratings are averaged to produce these rankings.
All the courses on this 2025 list are private and don’t accept daily-fee or resort play. We also publish a list of each state’s top public-access layouts. Keen eyes might notice there are only 49 states included on this list. That's because Alaska doesn’t have any rated private clubs to include among the rankings.
KEY: (m) modern, built in 1960 or after; (c) classic, built before 1960. For courses with a number preceding the (m) or (c), that is where the course ranks on Golfweek’s Best lists for top 200 modern and classic courses in the U.S.
Mar 12, 2026; New York, NY, USA; St. John's Red Storm forward Zuby Ejiofor (24) is introduced before a game against the Providence Friars during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Welcome to the thread for Friday’s Big East Tournament semifinal game between St. John’s men’s basketball and Seton Hall. Please be respectful in the comment section and do not share any illegal streams of the game.
You can follow updates of this game on Rumble in the Garden’s official X account (formerly Twitter) at @rumbleSBN or on Rumble in the Garden’s new Bluesky account at rumbleinthegarden.bsky.social. Make sure to check out our game recap and analysis after the game.
If you want to participate in the comment section but are not familiar with the new SB Nation log-in system, you can check out the link here.
Game information
Who: 1-seed St. John’s Red Storm (26-6) vs. 4-seed Seton Hall Pirates (21-11)
Series History: St. John’s leads all-time series, 67-50. The Red Storm have won the last five meetings with the Pirates, including their last Big East Tournament matchup in 2024.
KenPom Predicted Score: St. John’s to win, 71-64 (75% chance of St. John’s win)
Injury news
There is no injury news for Friday’s Big East Tournament game.
What to watch for
Cold as Bryce: Bryce Hopkins put on the performance he needed in St. John’s’ dominant 85-72 win over his former team, Providence. Hopkins had a 14-point, 13-rebound double-double, his third of the season. Rick Pitino said after the game that Hopkins is improving in his quickness and verticality. If he can maintain this aggressiveness, it would be a boon for St. John’s this March.
TheCutting Ej’: Rinse and repeat, Zuby Ejiofor continues to dominate. The Big East Player of the Year had 21 points, ten rebounds, five assists, and three blocks versus Providence, becoming the first player to post that stat line in the 46-year history of the Big East Tournament. Ejiofor is playing like an All-American in his last four games, averaging 20.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.8 blocks, and 1.0 steals on 64.7% shooting.
Stepping Up: Dylan Darling had a performance he would like to forget, missing all eight of his shots and finishing with a donut hole in the scoring column in Thursday’s game against Providence, yet his backcourt mates covered for his off-day. Oziyah Sellers scored 14 points (6-of-12 shooting, 2-of-6 from three) and played strong defense in 32 minutes of action. Ian Jackson’s playing time was cut down due to foul trouble, but that didn’t stop him from also scoring 14 points (4-of-11 shooting, 2-of-4 from three).
Super-Dar: Seton Hall senior forward Jacob Dar went from seldom-used bench player to the reason the Pirates are playing on Friday night. Dar entered the Big East Tournament averaging 2.8 points, but scored all of his season-high 16 points in the second half to propel the Hall to a 72-61 win over Creighton. For a team that ranks dead-last in the conference in two-point and three-point shooting, the Pirates will need all of the offensive help they can get to keep their season alive.
Second-Half Swing: St. John’s closed out Seton Hall in their regular season meetings by either hitting the glass harder or out-shooting them. In their first meeting back in January, the Red Storm won the board battle by 27-19 to spark a 15-point second-half comeback. Last week in their regular season finale, the Red Storm were outplayed on the glass, but shot 65.2% in the second half to pull away. The Johnnies are capable of defeating the Hall by playing the game in their terms or the Pirates’.
Pregame links
The Old Big East is alive and well: For the first time since 1994, the Big East Tournament semifinals will feature St. John’s, Seton Hall, UConn, and Georgetown
Reigning National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) MVP Temwa Chawinga is set to miss the beginning of the 2026 season, Kansas City Current head coach Chris Armas has confirmed.
“She’s not available yet, but she’s getting closer,” Armas told a press conference on Friday.
Chawinga has been recovering from an adductor injury that she suffered in the first half of a 1-0 defeat away to the Houston Dash on Oct. 18; it was the Current’s penultimate match of the 2025 NWSL regular season.
The Malawi international missed the final match of the 2025 regular season and the top-seed Current’s 2-1 loss to No. 8 seed NJ/NY Gotham FC in the quarterfinals of the playoffs. Chawinga finished the season as the league’s Golden Boot winner with 15 goals, was crowned MVP and named in the Best XI.
On Friday, Armas said the Current were keen to give Chawinga as much time as possible to recover, and that the team had to be “intelligent” about how they managed her return to play.
“We’re seeing her out on the training pitch these days, but it’s such a demanding season for these athletes, especially the demands that she puts into games. She’s getting close. We still are managing it the right way,” said Armas.
Chawinga only recently returned to training with the Current. Armas hoped she would be unavailable on a “short-term” basis but was reluctant to give too much clarity on when she would be back playing in the NWSL.
“I’d love to be able to know myself,” he said. “Is it next month you see some action? Who knows? But that’s me trying to give you that (a timeline). It’s getting closer.”
The Current reported for preseason eight weeks ago with the two-time NWSL MVP listed on the Season-Ending Injury list. Also on that list was U.S. women’s national team forward Michelle Cooper.
Armas was more hopeful of Cooper’s imminent return, commenting that his group was boosted by her “coming back into the team.”
Despite the high-profile absences, Armas spoke highly of his attacking options. This week, the Current signed forward Penelope Hocking from Bay FC for a $350,000 transfer fee. She joins Ally Sentnor, rookie Gianna Paul, Haley Hopkins, and, recently loaned in fromHB Køge, Kyra Carusa in the forward group. Danish side Køge is also owned by Current owners Angie and Chris Long.
“We’ve had to figure out some life without Temwa for a bit,” said Armas. “It’s allowed us to try some different things and different combinations up there, we have real intelligence, real fluidity and real versatility.”
Armas, who joined the Current in January, will coach his first game in the NWSL when Kansas City opens its 2026 regular season at home to the Utah Royals on Saturday, March 14.
The Current went undefeated at home in the 2025 regular season, won the Shield, and set league records for total number points (65), wins (21) and fewest goals conceded (13).
Free agency is in full swing as many of the top available players have already found new homes. The Los Angeles Rams made their biggest splash before free agency began when they acquired Trent McDuffie from the Chiefs, but they followed that up by adding his former teammate in Kansas City, Jaylen Watson, at the start of free agency.
Since then, the Rams have been relatively quiet, focusing more on their own free agents than outside ones. But they've still made some notable additions, namely on special teams.
We're tracking all of Los Angeles' moves in free agency, from the team's signings and departures to rumors surrounding the Rams.
A.J. Brown remains a possible trade target: The Rams discussed trading for Brown before acquiring Trent McDuffie, and though talks have cooled, they remain interested in the Eagles receiver, per The Athletic.
Will the Miami RedHawks be celebrating on Sunday night? That’s up to the Selection Committee now. | Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
Finally, time for a full scrub and some changes from Thursday’s projection. Yesterday was just as impactful for the bubble, as expected:
The Miami (Ohio) RedHawks remain in—among the Last Four Byes—despite falling to UMass 87-83. While Miami’s metrics remain all over the place, Miami only dropped from a 7 to a 10 seed in wins above bubble (WAB), which finally seems to be getting real traction among the Selection Committee.
Auburn’s loss to Tennessee dropped them to 17-16. The Tigers would still be a 10 seed based on averaging all their metrics, but they’re the last team in according to WAB. I really don’t think the Committee is going to take a team that’s just one game over .500 despite the “WON’T SOMEBODY THINK OF AUBURN’S SCHEDULE?!” protests I heard on one game broadcast last night. It’s probably moot anyway, as three of the Tigers closest rivals still have games to play.
One of those is Oklahoma (19-14, 7-11 SEC), who is the last team in right now. The Sooners have won eight of 10 after dropping NINE in a row. With two SEC Tournament wins, they’re now 9-11 against conference opposition, with a game against Arkansas tonight. (Auburn finished at 8-12.)
Oklahoma replaces SMU in the field.
Friday’s TV preview and a look at what’s at stake follows today’s full bracket and rundown. Remember to check the Blogging the Bracket feed for my insights and observations over the next three days.
NOTES:
Changes since Thursday’s bracket are noted with (★) for new entrants, (▲) for teams moving up one or more seed lines, and (▼) for teams moving down one or more seed lines.
Teams that have clinched auto bids are in ALL CAPS BOLD.
The highest-remaining seed in an active conference tournament holds its auto bid.
(1) East (Washington, D.C., Fri./Sun.)
Greenville (Thurs./Sat.)
(1) Duke (ACC) (16) Florida A&M (SWAC)/LEHIGH (Patriot)
(8) Saint Louis (A 10) (9) Iowa
San Diego (Fri./Sun.)
(5) Texas Tech (12) HIGH POINT (Big South)
(4) Vanderbilt (13) Sam Houston (CUSA)
Buffalo (Thurs./Sat.)
▼(6) North Carolina ▼/— (11) UCF/Texas
▼(3) Michigan State (14) WRIGHT STATE (Horizon)
St. Louis (Fri./Sun.)
(7) Saint Mary’s ▼(10) Texas A&M
▲(2) Iowa State (15) TENNESSEE STATE (OVC)
(4) South (Houston, Thurs./Sat.)
Tampa (Fri./Sun.)
(1) Florida (SEC) (16) LIU (NEC)/Howard (MEAC)
▼(8) Villanova (9) TCU
Greenville (Thurs./Sat.)
▲(5) Tennessee ★(12) Akron (MAC)
(4) Virginia (13) HOFSTRA (CAA)
Philadelphia (Fri./Sun.)
(6) Louisville —/★(11) VCU/Oklahoma
(3) Purdue (14) TROY (Sun Belt)
Oklahoma City (Thurs./Sat.)
▼(7) BYU (10) Santa Clara
(2) Houston (15) SIENA (MAAC)
(2) Midwest (Chicago, Fri./Sun.)
Buffalo (Thurs./Sat.)
(1) Michigan (Big Ten) (16) UMBC (AE)
(8) Clemson ▲(9) Ohio State
Portland (Thurs./Sat.)
(5) Arkansas (12) Yale (Ivy)
(4) Kansas (13) Utah Valley (WAC)
Oklahoma City (Thurs./Sat.)
▲(6) Miami (Fla.) (11) Missouri
(3) Nebraska (14) NORTH DAKOTA STATE (Summit)
Philadelphia (Fri./Sun.)
(7) Utah State (MW) ▲(10) Miami (Ohio)
(2) UConn (15) FURMAN (SoCon)
(3) West (San José, Thurs./Sat.)
San Diego (Fri./Sun.)
(1) Arizona (Big 12) (16) QUEENS (ASUN)
(8) Georgia (9) UCLA
Tampa (Fri./Sun.)
(5) St. John’s (Big East) (12) MCNEESE (Southland)
(4) Alabama (13) NORTHERN IOWA (MVC)
Portland (Thurs./Sat.)
(6) Wisconsin ▲(11) South Florida (American)
(3) GONZAGA (WCC) (14) UC Irvine (Big West)
St. Louis (Fri./Sun.)
▲(7) Kentucky (10) NC State
(2) Illinois (15) IDAHO (Big Sky)
Rundown
Last Four Byes: NC State, Miami (Ohio), Texas A&M, Missouri Last Four IN: UCF, Texas, VCU, Oklahoma First Four OUT: Indiana, SMU, New Mexico, San Diego State Next Four Out: Auburn, Seton Hall, Florida State, Virginia Tech On Deck: Cincinnati, Stanford, California, West Virginia
(3) Miami (Fla.) (25-7, 13-5) vs. (2) Virginia (28-4, 15-3), 7 (ESPN2) (5) Clemson (24-9, 12-6) vs. (1) Duke (30-2, 17-1), 9:30* (ESPN2)
With no Duke-UNC semifinal, these games got kicked to ESPN2. Everyone here is playing for seeding, with the Blue Devils trying to stay No. 1 overall, the Cavaliers looking to move up to a 3 seed, and Hurricanes and Tigers trying to get or stay out of an 8/9 game.
(5) Iowa State (27-6, 12-6) vs. (1) Arizona (30-2, 16-2), 7 (ESPN) (3) Kansas (23-9, 12-6) vs. (2) Houston (27-5, 14-4), 9:30* (ESPN)
And I think you can see why these games were slotted on ESPN. The Wildcats still have a shot at the No. 1 overall seed, but they’ll need help in the form of Duke and Michigan losses. The Cyclones will look to stick on the 2 line with a win over a team they lost to in Tucson to wrap up the final Big Monday of the regular season.
The Cougars are very much alive for the No. 1 seed in the South, and the potential of two games at the Toyota Center downtown. They can’t lose to a Jayhawk team that’s trying to hang on to a 4 seed.
(4) Seton Hall (21-11, 10-10) vs. (1) St. John’s (26-6, 18-2), 5:30 (Fox) (11) Georgetown (16-17, 6-14) vs. (2) UConn (28-4, 17-3), 8* (FS1)
Fans of bubble teams will be pulling hard for the Red Storm and Huskies. Even though the Pirates are near the Cut Line, they really need the auto bid, and of course, the Hoyas aren’t getting in without it. St. John’s can get closer to the 4 line with a win, while the Huskies are aiming to stay in the hunt for the final No. 1 seed.
Note that the second game was moved from “Bart Simpson Fox” (h/t Rob Stone) to FS1 because “Bob’s Burgers Fox” will have the U.S.-Canada World Baseball Classic quarterfinal.
(5) Nevada (22-11, 12-8) vs. (1) Utah State (26-6, 15-5), 9:30 (CBSSN) (3) New Mexico (23-9, 13-7) vs. (2) San Diego State (21-10, 14-6), 12 a.m.* (CBSSN)
The Wolf Pack meet the Aggies and will guarantee a two-bid Mountain West with a win. The winner of the second semifinal, a rubber match between the Lobos and Aztecs, would be the favorite to take that from Nevada.
(9) George Washington (18-14, 8-10) vs. (1) Saint Louis (27-4, 15-3), 11:30 (USA) (13) St. Bonaventure (17-16, 4-14) vs. (4) Dayton (21-10, 12-6), 2* (USA) (7) Duquesne (18-14, 9-9) vs. (2) VCU (24-7, 15-3), 5 (USA) (6) Davidson (20-12, 10-8) vs. (3) Saint Joseph’s (21-10, 13-5), 7:30* (CNBC)
In the opener, the Billikens really need to not give the Committee reason to leave them out, as they’re heading into the postseason having gone 3-3 in their last six games. The Rams (the only ones left in Pittsburgh) also need to take care of business against the hometown Dukes to not find themselves on the wrong side of the Cut Line.
(8) Ohio State (21-11, 12-8) vs. (1) Michigan (29-2, 19-1), 12 (BTN) (5) Wisconsin (23-9, 14-6) vs. (4) Illinois (24-7, 15-5), 2:30* (BTN) (7) Purdue (24-8, 13-7) vs. (2) Nebraska (26-5, 15-5), 6:30 (BTN) (6) UCLA (22-10, 13-7) vs. (3) Michigan State (25-6, 15-5), 9* (BTN)
All four higher seeds advanced yesterday, so there will be no bid thief in the Big Ten. In fact, the Buckeyes shored up their position by knocking out Iowa. No fewer than five of these teams rank among the top 12 in the bracket, though the Spartans dropped from a 2 to a 3 after Iowa State’s two Big 12 Tournament wins.
Keep an eye on the Badgers, who could make a late charge for the 5 or even 4 lines if they continue to win.
(9) Kentucky (21-12, 10-8) vs. (1) Florida (25-6, 16-2), 12:30 (ESPN) (5) Tennessee (22-10, 11-7) vs. (4) Vanderbilt (24-7, 11-7), 3* (ESPN) (15) Ole Miss (14-19, 4-14) vs. (2) Alabama (23-8, 13-5), 7 (SECN) (11) Oklahoma (19-14, 7-11) vs. (3) Arkansas (23-8, 13-5), 9:30* (SECN)
Thursday’s results in Nashville were a mixed bag for bubble teams. Auburn lost, but Oklahoma won. Ole Miss continued a surprising run by holding off Georgia’s late push, meaning the Rebels lurk as a potential bid thief. The Sooners really need to beat the Razorbacks to feel safer—but the job wouldn’t necessarily be done.
The top five seeds are all fighting for positioning in or near the top four seed lines. The Gators cannot lose to the Wildcats if they want to remain a No. 1 seed, particularly with UConn and Houston also in action. Vandy is trying to hang on to the final spot on the 4 line—Bama is the top 4 seed, but a loss to the Rebels would change that. The Hogs and Vols will also try to make a late push to jump from 5s to 4s.
Single-Bid Conference Tournament Action
Ivy Madness will be the final tournament to start, tomorrow.
(4) CSUN (20-12, 12-8) vs. (1) UC Irvine (22-10, 15-5), 9 (ESPN+ ($)) (3) Cal State Fullerton (18-15, 12-8) vs. (2) Hawai’i (22-8, 14-6), 11:30* (ESPN2)
The Matadors knocked out last year’s champ, UC San Diego, last night. Their reward? A game against last season’s runner-up in the Anteaters. In the nightcap, the Rainbow Warriors will look to get one step closer to claiming one last Big West title on their way to the Mountain West.
(9) Missouri State (16-17, 8-12) vs. (4) Louisiana Tech (19-13, 11-9), 12:30 (CBSSN) (6) Kennesaw State (19-13, 10-10) vs. (2) Sam Houston (22-10, 13-7), 3* (CBSSN)
This has been one of the most entertaining tournaments this week, with some significant upsets and hard fought contests. However, TV means both of last night’s winners—the Bulldogs and Owls—didn’t get much rest heading into this afternoon’s games.
(8) UMass (17-15, 7-11) vs. (4) Toledo (18-14, 11-7), 5 (CBSSN) (3) Kent State (24-8, 14-4) vs. (2) Akron (27-5, 11-1), 7:30* (CBSSN)
The Zips are the favorites now, but they’ll need to defeat their neighbors to advance. In the earlier game, the Rockets will look to get one win closer to breaking their long NCAA drought (1980), while the Minutemen want to show that yesterday’s win over Miami was no fluke.
(5) South Carolina State (10-21, 7-7) vs. (1) Howard (21-10, 11-3), 6 (ESPN+ ($)) (7) Delaware State (8-22, 2-12) vs. (3) North Carolina Central (13-17, 8-6), 8:30* (ESPN+ ($))
The three games so far have been decided by a total 18 points with two overtimes. If you want entertaining basketball, take a look at what’s going on at the Norfolk Scope.
The two HBCU conferences have been giving us absolute bangers that few people are paying attention to. While the first round in Atlanta featured a couple of blowouts, the only game decided by double digits since was FAMU’s win over Jackson State on Wednesday. Yesterday’s quarterfinal doubleheader saw the Bulldogs beat Texas Southern by 11—after OT—and the Jaguars top Arkansas-Pine Bluff by just three.
(4) UT Arlington (18-13, 9-9) vs. (1) Utah Valley (24-7, 14-4), 9 (ESPN+ ($)) (3) Utah Tech (19-14, 11-7) vs. (2) California Baptist (23-8, 13-5), 11:30* (ESPN+ ($))
Both of Thursday night’s quarterfinals were decided by six points. Of the four teams remaining, only the fourth-seeded Mavericks have ever made the NCAA Tournament at the D1 level.
Real Madrid Ready To Trigger Buy-Back Clause As Inter Milan Set To Miss Out On Serie A Sensation
Real Madrid are set to exercise their buy-back clause for Nico Paz this summer, dealing a significant blow to Inter Milan’s hopes of landing the Como sensation who has been one of Serie A’s standout performers this season.
According to Corriere della Sera, via FCInterNews, the Spanish giants intend to trigger the €9 million repurchase option before the June 30th deadline.
Indeed, a remarkably low fee for a player whose market value has rocketed to €74 million.
Especially following a highly impressive campaign by the Lake.
However, Como have not entirely abandoned hope of keeping their star.
Como & Real Madrid The Focus As Inter Bystanders In Nico Paz Pursuit
They could yet attempt to persuade him with the promise of European football next season.
Although, their leverage is limited given the clause’s terms.
A recent photograph of Paz dining with Inter icons Javier Zanetti and Diego Milito sparked speculation about a potential Nerazzurri move.
However, the Corriere are clear, any such reading would be premature.
The Argentine himself is in no rush to decide his future.
He wants to know who will be Real Madrid’s next manager before committing to any path forward.
And, indeed, what role he would be offered at the Bernabeu.
Until those answers emerge, the situation remains open.
The ball is firmly in the court with Paz, Real Madrid and Como.
Juve’s Conceicao: “We’ve shown we’re better than Roma.”
Roma, Como, and Juventus will be battling for fourth place until the end of the season.
On Sunday, the Giallorossi and Como will face each other head-to-head, while Luciano Spalletti’s men will face Udinese away.
On the eve of the match against the Friulians, Francisco Conceicao spoke about the match at a press conference.
The Portuguese player spoke about the match, praising the qualities of his opponents: “Udinese are a very strong and physical team. We know how strong they are up front, but the rest of the team is also very strong. We want to continue on our path.”
Conceicao has no doubts about the Champions League race: “We know we have the quality to be there. Tomorrow we have to win the match and stay there. We’re stronger than Como and Roma, we’ve shown that. We need to find consistency.”
How Liverpool Can Win the 2026/27 Premier League Title
The current Premier League season has been one of frustration for Liverpool. The team was once again expected to challenge for the title but it quickly went wrong. What needs to be put right for next term?
The first season of Arne Slot’s reign as LFC manager was expected to be a rebuilding year after Jurgen Klopp. A Premier League title triumph then changed expectations that, fairly nor not, Slot has struggled to live up to.
Rather than mounting a title challenge, Liverpool are desperately trying to qualify for the Champions League. However, with the right moves, the club should quickly be able to get back to the top.
Nail the Summer 2026 Transfer Window
Liverpool spent heavily in the summer of 2025. It was a roll of the dice which excited the fans. For those scouringUK betting exchangesbefore a ball was kicked, they would have seen that these arrivals – combined with past performances – made the Reds clear title favourites, but it soon became clear that any bets on a title win wouldn’t pay off.
The most notable arrivals were Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. Those players have been hit and miss for various reasons. However, the biggest elephant in the room is an existing player.
After Mo Salah’s 2024/25 heroics, it would have seemed crazy to predict how this season would go for him. The drop-off in form has been drastic and the fallout with Slot in December didn’t help. He still has a contractuntil 2027, but he’ll be 34 this summer and this summer might be the right time to move on.
Without him, Liverpool will need to work out how to move forward. In terms of last summer’s transfers, Ekitike has arguably been the shrewdest purchase, but how will he and Isak fit together when the latter is fit and firing?
Will Slot look to play two strikers, or will the Reds need a direct replacement for Salah? At the moment, it feels as though the Isak money could have been better spent elsewhere, although the Swede still has a chance to prove any doubters wrong.
Defensive moves have already been made in the form of Jérémy Jacquet and Ifeanyi Ndukwe. The club hope that these young centre-backs can adapt quickly to eventually replace the ageing Virgil Van Dijk, although FSG may be tempted to bring in an experienced centre back to bridge the gap. Full-back depth is also badly required.
Evolve Arne Slot’s Tactics for a More Ruthless League
Slot’s style of patient and possession-based football worked well in its first year. This season, it feels as though opponents have adapted to it. Liverpool have been too predictable to play against, which has been exacerbated by weaknesses in defence.
There have been some questions about the Dutchman’sjob security. Whether it’s him or someone else in charge, LFC must adapt to the Premier League trend of being more direct and physical. Quicker transitions and vertical passes are required. They also need to get on board with the set-piece mastery which has now become widespread.
Pep Guardiola has spoken about this need to adapt and his own Manchester City team is struggling to do so. It feels as though Slot’s control needs a little sprinking of Klopp’s chaos. Even if he doesn’t lose his job soon, it seems unlikely that the 47-year-old will see out next season if he doesn’t make changes to his philosophy.
Fix the Mentality and Squad Harmony
Title defences are always tough, but this season has exposed cracks that fans may not have thought were present. Klopp labelled his team “mentality monsters” when he was in charge at Anfield. That type of mindset seems to be seriously lacking at the moment.
Leadership is the key. Salah could depart in the summer and Van Dijk and Alisson don’t have too many years left at the top. It feels that Liverpool need a new breed of leader to come to the fore, one who can unite the dressing room and prevent the Reds from dropping points as often as they have this season.
Even with plenty of experience in the squad, the dressing room doesn’t seem too strong at the moment in terms of future leaders. LFC has always seemed to enjoy an excellent team spirit – perhaps some new blood and the exits of any disgruntled players will help.
The Payoff: A New Dynasty
Liverpool can win the 2026/27 Premier League. Sadly, the timing of Klopp’s reign coincided with Man City as their most imperious, but nobody looks quite as dominant at the moment. If the Reds can get back to their Klopp-era levels of performance, the trophies may begin to flow.
The Slot honeymoon is over, and he now needs to work with the club to get the right players in and adapt his tactics to fit a new era of Premier League football. If he can’t, the hierarchy may decide that he’s no longer the best man for the job.
Before this season, it seemed as though the two managerial eras had transitioned perfectly. Klopp had bad seasons and came back strong. Liverpool fans will be hoping that, with a few key changes, Slot will be able to do the same.
The Denver Broncos have agreed to re-sign yet another in-house free agent, bringing back running back Jaleel McLaughlin on a one-year contract, according to a report from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Leeds United at Selhurst Park (kick-off 14:00).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Glasner is "hopeful" Daniel Munoz will be in the squad on Sunday. Munoz will be assessed but "if he can train fully with us on Saturday" then he will be involved in the matchday squad.
On Jean-Philippe Mateta's return from injury: "We have just one league game and one Conference League game [this month]. It was the plan now to get him back and also have him available and give him a few minutes to get him back in. Then, we have three weeks. Of course, I wish for him to be called up by France, but I can't see it right now because he was injured for a long time."
On if Mateta and Jorgen Strand Larsen could play together: "Yes, we were talking about it on the bench with my assistants and discussing it. Having this opportunity, having two tall strikers, their biggest strength is in the box. It's good to have this option."
On hopes for the rest of the season: "We will try to get as many points as possible. I always want more than the season before. If we can achieve it, I don't know right now, but we will definitely go into every single game to get the win."
Earlier in the week, The Athletic's Mike DeFabo reported that the Steelers were set to bring in Washington cornerback Ephesians Prysock for a top 30 visit.
The Pittsburgh Steelers hosted Washington CB Ephesians Prysock last week for a Top 30 visit, per source.
At 6-3, 196 and with 33 1/8” arms, he’s a super long corner. He played more than 2,600 defensive snaps over 49 college games and had a strong showing at the Senior Bowl.
Prysock played two seasons with the Arizona Wildcats (2022-2023) and the Washington Huskies (2024-2025), recording two interceptions, 20 passes defended, and 170 combined tackles in the 49 games of his collegiate career.
A projected sixth-round pick per Draft Buzz, Prysock could be a valuable Day 3 steal for Pittsburgh's new-look secondary and 2026 draft class.
Fans who are interested in Pittsburgh's pre-draft top 30 visits can take a look at our Steelers Wire tracker, which was updated following reports on the team's meeting with a tight end prospect.
For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including any offseason moves, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
Eddie Howe and assistant Jason Tindall have spent more time with each other than with their own wives.
So it was rather fitting that the Newcastle United head coach likened the pair to a "married couple".
"I won't tell you who does what," he smiled on Friday. "But that's probably the best way of describing us."
From tasting defeat at Darlington in their first game, in 2009, to taking on Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League, Howe and Tindall have been together on the touchline for the best part of two decades.
There have been plenty of heated discussions in the pair's shared office over the years.
"JT is not the type of assistant manager who is just going to nod his head and agree with everything Ed says," says friend, ex-coaching colleague and former team-mate Steve Fletcher.
"It's not so much that he disagrees, but he gives him a different opinion."
Aside from a brief break, when Tindall stepped up to manage Bournemouth, following Howe's departure in 2020, they have been side by side on the touchline for a staggering 766 competitive games.
Such is the trust Howe has in Tindall and his staff that when the Newcastle head coach was hospitalised with pneumonia less than a year ago he made the conscious decision to give them full responsibility.
"It's over to you," he told Tindall.
Tindall did not just have to step up on the training ground alongside fellow assistant Graeme Jones – he suddenly found himself thrust in front of journalists at news conferences.
Some outsiders may have expected Tindall to make outlandish headline-grabbing statements but again, contrary to the persona, the softly-spoken Londoner was anything but box office.
Tindall, Jones and the rest of Howe's staff were instead focused on maintaining standards behind the scenes, imploring the players to put in performances that would make the head coach proud.
Newcastle won their next two games impressively, hammering Manchester United and Crystal Palace by a combined scoreline of 9-1.
They were well-beaten in Tindall's final match in interim charge, against Aston Villa, but Howe's side were still on track to qualify for the Champions League by the time the head coach returned to the dugout for the run-in.
It showcased the value of Tindall, Jones, first-team coaches Stephen Purches and Simon Weatherstone, and Howe's wider staff.
This has been a more challenging domestic season for Newcastle, who are languishing in 12th place in the table, after fighting on multiple fronts.
But Tindall was among those namechecked by Lewis Hall as the left-back discussed the defensive strides he had made on the eve of keeping Barcelona talisman Lamine Yamal quiet from open play earlier this week.
Steven Borden Jr. wearing red and black face paint - AEW
Following in the footsteps of his father Sting, Steven Borden Jr. is now a professional wrestler making rounds across the industry. As announced on Instagram, his next stop will take him to Carson, California.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling has revealed Borden as part of its talent lineup for the NJPW Academy third anniversary showcase, which will emanate from the LA Dojo on Saturday, March 21. For Borden, this will mark his NJPW debut. For all, it marks an opportunity to put their skills to the test.
As of this writing, Borden's opponent for the NJPW Academy showcase is unknown. CJ Tino is confirmed to be taking on Raymond Bright in a STRONG Survivor Match, while Casey Ferreira will face Onyx Amagi in singles competition. Other notable talents announced include Johnnie Robbie, PJ Laurier, and Danger Ross.
According to Khan, much of Borden's early training has centered in Texas. As of last month, though, he was set to further it at the Nightmare Factory in Georgia with the help of QT Marshall.
DETROIT -- As the Philadelphia 76ers paid a visit to the Detroit Pistons on Thursday, they received more unfortunate injury news regarding a key piece to their success.
Kelly Oubre Jr., a reliable veteran who can do a number of different things on the floor, underwent an MRI that revealed an LCL sprain in his left elbow and he will be re-evaluated in two weeks. As the Sixers move forward, they have to find a way to replace what Oubre brings to the table.
It's unfortunate for Oubre as he is in the midst of one of the best seasons of his career. He's shooting a career-high 36.1% from deep and just had 30 points and 12 rebounds in a win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday. The Sixers certainly missed him in Thursday's loss to the Pistons.
"Always disappointing," coach Nick Nurse said before the loss in Detroit. "I know he’s super disappointed as well. He’s had some really good games here of late. Like, really good ones. So, he’s again, kind filled in when we needed him to just about all of them. I know one of them was not so good, but the rest of them were excellent. Yeah. Disappointing and I hope it’s not too long and hope it gets better so it doesn’t affect him and all those kinds of things."
The Sixers will have to try and stay afloat without the 11-year veteran who joins Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, and Joel Embiid on the sidelines for now. As they move forward, guys like Justin Edwards will have to continue to produce in place of Oubre in an effort to help the Sixers try and pick off wins.
Trainer Willie Mullins has now won five Cheltenham Gold Cups [Getty Images]
Gaelic Warrior won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in supreme fashion as Harry Redknapp-owned Jukebox Man finished eighth.
Gaelic Warrior, trained by Willie Mullins, went off as the 11-4 joint favourite alongside Jango Baie, but outclassed the field after making the turn for home.
Jockey Paul Townend barely had to move on the impressive winner, who crossed the finish line eight lengths clear of Jango Baie.
The 2025 Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin finished strongly to come third in this year's edition, having been priced at 8-1.
Mullins was full of praise for owner Rich Ricci, who became the first owner to win the Champion Hurdle - with Lossiemouth on Tuesday - and Gold Cup in the same year.
The trainer told ITV: "What a performance and what a performance from the owner.
"The first time an owner has won the Champion Hurdle and the Gold Cup in the same season.
"Paul Townend, how cool was he over the last two fences?
"I don't know how he was so cool over those last two fences. The dominance of Gaelic Warrior against a good field on paper - fantastic for them all."
Winning jockey Townend said after the race he was "fortunate" to be riding Gaelic Warrior, having been due to ride two-time Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs before his withdrawal.
"It's the Gold Cup. They just get better and better. I am speechless," Townend said.
"Patrick [Mullins] was convinced [Gaelic Warrior] was the horse for the race.
"Hard luck on him, but he did a lot of work with this horse. It's a big team effort. I was just fortunate to be on the back of him today.
"I got the position I wanted. I didn't ever envision going so far ahead, but I wasn't going to slow him down third from the last."
Ricci said he had "reached the mountain" having wanted to win the Gold Cup for 21 years.
Meanwhile, Envoi Allen - a three-time Cheltenham Festival winner - died after falling ill following Friday's feature race.
What else happened on day four?
Big-price winners continued on the fourth and final day of the Festival as 50-1 shot Apolon De Charnie finished in front of 6-1 Maestro Conti in the Triumph Hurdle.
Champion trainer Mullins was without a winner on day three, but started day four in fine fashion.
Mullins told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Only 50-1? Last year was 100-1 [with Poniros] - so disappointing.
"That was the biggest thrill of it, Patrick [Mullins, his son] riding it. I was trying to watch all the others. Every time I was watching for Patrick, one way or the other.
"Every time I was happy when I looked at him, then he came through. What I loved was the horse's attitude when he hit the front and the Cheltenham roar.
"He galloped on up through the roar. He is very brave and he is very good."
The Jonjo O'Neill-trained 14-1 chance Wilful stormed over the line in the County Hurdle, ridden by his son Jonjo Jr.
The younger O'Neill told ITV: "I've had quite a troubled year on and off the track.
"I've had a lot of support from my mum and dad and brother and to repay them with a win like this means everything."
Mullins claimed his second winner on Friday when 11-8 favourite Dinoblue eased to her second consecutive victory in the Mares' Chase.
Jockey Mark Walsh said the "good ground" suited his horse, telling ITV: "That's proper good ground. She loves fast ground and that was ideal for her."
In the Novices' Hurdle, Johnny's Jury (20-1) was guided to the win by jockey Gavin Sheehan.
The flashes have been there, but consistency remains the goal as the final stretch of camp begins. What happens next will determine if he opens the season with the Tigers.
If not, Meadows will be sent to Triple-A Toledo.
"It's all adversity," Meadows said. "That's what we sign up for playing this game. With me, it's coming every day like a new day and continuing to grind. I'm excited for the rest of spring, and I'm looking forward to playing hard."
Manager A.J. Hinch explained what Meadows needs to do to make the Opening Day roster – and it's all about his offense. The focus isn't on results in spring training but on finding consistency in timing and approach in every plate appearance.
Meadows is still searching with less than two weeks left.
"I'm getting into my back hip a little more because I'm spinning off balls early, and that's mainly timing," said Meadows, working closely with hitting coach Michael Brdar. "I'm reminding myself to stay in the back hip and rotate from there."
[ MUST LISTEN: Make "Days of Roar" your go-to Tigers podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) ]
This spring, Meadows is hitting .111 (3-for-27) with three walks and nine strikeouts in 11 games.
The 26-year-old is making above-average contact – the product of a consistent approach – but delivering below-average exit velocity, a sign that his timing hasn't been consistent. (Another example of that approach: He has swung just nine times on 48 pitches outside of the strike zone, with four coming in two-strike counts.)
Meadows still needs to figure out the timing of his swing.
"The numbers don't matter," Hinch said. "The intent and the execution is key. He's fouled off some pitches he knows he can hit. His hands have been wandering a little bit. His timing has been a little bit off. All of that, it's hard to get those results."
He hit .215 with four home runs and a .621 OPS in 213 plate appearances and posted minus-1 defensive runs saved in 468 innings in center field.
"Health is the No. 1 goal right now for me, and I feel really good," said Meadows, who showcased elite offense and defense in the second half of the 2024 season, "so as far as that aspect goes, you can't ask for much more than that. I feel good, so I can't complain too much."
If top prospect Kevin McGonigle – a 21-year-old shortstop who hasn't played above Double-A Erie – makes the Opening Day roster, the Tigers could option Meadows to Triple-A, keeping fellow outfielders Matt Vierling, Jahmai Jones and Wenceel Pérez on the roster and making Javier Báez the primary center fielder.
But Meadows still has time to solidify his spot with Opening Day approaching, as long as he finds consistency in his approach and timing at the plate.
"Just continuing to get himself in a good hitting position and getting on time," Hinch said. "Results are going to take care of themselves."
The flashes have been there, but consistency remains the goal as the final stretch of camp begins. What happens next will determine if he opens the season with the Tigers.
If not, Meadows will be sent to Triple-A Toledo.
"It's all adversity," Meadows said. "That's what we sign up for playing this game. With me, it's coming every day like a new day and continuing to grind. I'm excited for the rest of spring, and I'm looking forward to playing hard."
Manager A.J. Hinch explained what Meadows needs to do to make the Opening Day roster – and it's all about his offense. The focus isn't on results in spring training but on finding consistency in timing and approach in every plate appearance.
Meadows is still searching with less than two weeks left.
"I'm getting into my back hip a little more because I'm spinning off balls early, and that's mainly timing," said Meadows, working closely with hitting coach Michael Brdar. "I'm reminding myself to stay in the back hip and rotate from there."
[ MUST LISTEN: Make "Days of Roar" your go-to Tigers podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) ]
This spring, Meadows is hitting .111 (3-for-27) with three walks and nine strikeouts in 11 games.
The 26-year-old is making above-average contact – the product of a consistent approach – but delivering below-average exit velocity, a sign that his timing hasn't been consistent. (Another example of that approach: He has swung just nine times on 48 pitches outside of the strike zone, with four coming in two-strike counts.)
Meadows still needs to figure out the timing of his swing.
"The numbers don't matter," Hinch said. "The intent and the execution is key. He's fouled off some pitches he knows he can hit. His hands have been wandering a little bit. His timing has been a little bit off. All of that, it's hard to get those results."
He hit .215 with four home runs and a .621 OPS in 213 plate appearances and posted minus-1 defensive runs saved in 468 innings in center field.
"Health is the No. 1 goal right now for me, and I feel really good," said Meadows, who showcased elite offense and defense in the second half of the 2024 season, "so as far as that aspect goes, you can't ask for much more than that. I feel good, so I can't complain too much."
If top prospect Kevin McGonigle – a 21-year-old shortstop who hasn't played above Double-A Erie – makes the Opening Day roster, the Tigers could option Meadows to Triple-A, keeping fellow outfielders Matt Vierling, Jahmai Jones and Wenceel Pérez on the roster and making Javier Báez the primary center fielder.
But Meadows still has time to solidify his spot with Opening Day approaching, as long as he finds consistency in his approach and timing at the plate.
"Just continuing to get himself in a good hitting position and getting on time," Hinch said. "Results are going to take care of themselves."
"We’re pretty far down the road relative to what our plans are," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told the Associated Press’ Schuyler Dixon on Thursday regarding a potential trade for Maxx Crosby. "So while I don’t anticipate it, I don’t want to rule anything out."
Again, it might be unlikely, but there’s no guarantee the Cowboys will avoid Crosby on the trade market.
The five-time Pro Bowl edge rusher appeared destined to join the Baltimore Ravens this offseason before a failed physical/health concerns motivated the franchise to back out of the deal on Tuesday night (the trade would have sent two first-round picks to the Raiders for Crosby).
It’s possible that the Cowboys could have similar concerns, considering that a torn meniscus isn’t an injury to treat lightly.
That said, a relentless pass rusher like Crosby (he recorded 10 sacks and two forced fumbles last season) would instantly elevate Dallas’ pass rush in 2026-27, which could motivate them to enter their name into the Crosby sweepstakes.
At the end of the day, it’ll all depend on whether Jones and the Cowboys will be willing to meet the Raiders’ hefty asking price for Crosby (two first-round picks).
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone and his New York Mets counterpart Carlos Mendoza are on the hot seat heading into the 2026 MLB season, and a big-name manager for one of the remaining World Baseball Classic teams continues to emerge as a potential replacement for either man next year.
Boone and Mendoza have a lot of pressure on them ahead of the new MLB season. It is a natural hazard of being the skipper for one of the New York baseball teams. However, there are reasons for both men to be worried about their positions.
Although Boone is 200 games over .500 during his eight seasons as the manager of the NY Yankees, the standard is always sky high in the Bronx. They are aiming for championships every year, and while Boone has been to the playoffs in all but one season for the pinstripes, he has yet to bring the club its 28th title.
When it comes to Mendoza, he looked like the long-term answer on the bench when he guided the NY Mets to a magical run to the NLCS in 2024. However, last season, despite adding Juan Soto to the roster, he oversaw an epic late-season collapse. After his entire staff was changed in the offseason, the 46-year-old must make the playoffs, or he will be looking for a new job in the fall.
Well, an intriguing option continues to gather a lot of steam, and his name is Albert Pujols. Over the last couple of years, the three-time NL MVP’s profile as a coach has grown after serving as a special assistant with the Los Angeles Angels. It is why he was linked to the managerial openings for the San Diego Padres, Baltimore Orioles, and in LA this offseason.
While he did not get a managerial job, he is getting his feet wet in the role this month as the manager of the Dominican Republic’s World Baseball Classic team. Heading into their quarterfinal game on Friday, they are 4-0 in the tournament and have looked impressive. The St. Louis Cardinals legend’s handling of a roster filled with a bunch of stars and big personalities has impressed many.
Albert Pujols impressing as manager of star-studded Dominican Republic team
Does Albert Pujols have what it takes to be an MLB manager?
Team DR first base coach Julio Borbón says Pujols "absolutely has it."
"The way he commands a room, the way he interacts with players, as a group and individually, has been very eye-opening." pic.twitter.com/txFn4q1roC
One of them is Team DR first base coach Julio Borbón, who raved about Pujols’ managerial skills during a conversation with the Foul Territory Show this week.
“His resume speaks for itself. The way he commands a room, the way he interacts with players, as a group and individually, has been very eye-opening,” Borbon said. “… As far as things he needs to work on, it’s to continue to get experience. It’s one thing to have played [and then managing]. With things he’s done, having won in DR, being able to understand the things going on in the game, he’s getting everything checked off as far as those things.
“… I think he’s as prepared as anybody. One thing that surprised me is that he wants a back-and-forth. It’s not just a one-way highway. He wants input and to make sure any ideas are brought forth and that we are open,” he added. “I think he’s as ready as anyone can be based on what he’s accomplished so far.”
The 11-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion is one of the greatest players of his era, and most experts pick him as the greatest first baseman to ever play the game. He has a deep knowledge of the game, but also gained a new understanding of how things work in the front office during his time with the Angels.
However, his stint as the skipper of the Dominican Republic is especially helpful if he were a candidate for the NY Yankees or NY Mets jobs in the fall. The team is jam-packed with elite and colorful stars. Being able to manage that group successfully says a lot about how he could handle star-studded rosters in New York. Plus, he has a serious knowledge about winning under the pressurized spotlight of October baseball.
If the NY Yankees or NY Mets are looking for a new manager in November, don’t be surprised if Albert Pujols is a top candidate.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 12: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks to pass against the Houston Texans in the first quarter of an NFL wild card playoff game at Acrisure Stadium on January 12, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Steelers are introducing their newest acquisitions on Friday, which includes brief press conferences with the media. First up was former Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean. The lockdown cornerback will play opposite Joey Porter Jr and create one of the league’s top defensive back duos, at least on paper.
Dean mentioned that he came to Pittsburgh with the intentions of winning another Super Bowl. Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette asked Dean how much of those expectations come with the belief that Aaron Rodgers will be back in Pittsburgh, and if Dean was looking forward to Rodgers coming back to the Steelers.
“I am looking forward to him signing back,” Dean said.
He adds that he has a ball from an interception he had off Rodgers and that he still needs the four-time MVP to sign it.
“I have that same football, I need him to sign it,” Dean said. “I’ve been waiting like five years just to be able to ask him like, ‘Hey, you remember this ball? I’ve been meaning for you to sign this ball for so many years.‘”
While Rodgers has not committed to a return to Pittsburgh, both he and the Steelers have very limited options. As it stands, the only two viable landing spots for Rodgers to start would be the Steelers and Arizona Cardinals. Considering the state that Arizona is in, it certainly looks like Pittsburgh or bust for Rodgers, and vice versa for the Steelers.
Let us know what you think in the comments. Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest news, breakdowns, and more!
SC Freiburg have won 34 points to date and are placed in 8th position. Last time out, Julian Schuster's team slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Genk (UEFA Europa League 2025/26).
1. FC Union Berlin have 28 points to their name this season and occupy 11th position in the table. In their last fixture, Steffen Baumgart's team suffered a 1-4 reverse against Werder Bremen (1. Bundesliga 2025/26).
The last meeting between the two teams ended in a 0-0 draw.
Julian Schuster faced Steffen Baumgart on three occasions, recording one victory, one draw, and one loss
Steffen Baumgart faced SC Freiburg on ten occasions, recording three victories, two draws, and five losses
Julian Schuster faced 1. FC Union Berlin on three occasions, recording two draws and one loss
TEAMS
Away from home, 1. FC Union Berlin currently has one win in the last seven games.
Away from home, 1. FC Union Berlin has gone five consecutive games conceding goals.
Away from home, 1. FC Union Berlin has gone five consecutive games without a win.
Away from home, 1. FC Union Berlin has lost three consecutive games.
1. FC Union Berlin currently has one win in the last ten games.
1. FC Union Berlin has gone two consecutive games without a win.
1. FC Union Berlin has lost two consecutive games.
At home, SC Freiburg currently has one loss in the last 17 games.
At home, SC Freiburg has gone 17 consecutive games scoring goals.
At home, SC Freiburg has gone 16 consecutive games without losing.
SC Freiburg currently has one win in the last six games.
SC Freiburg has gone six consecutive games conceding goals.
SC Freiburg has gone three consecutive games without a win.
HEAD TO HEAD
SC Freiburg and 1. FC Union Berlin have faced each other 19 times, with 1. FC Union Berlin having the advantage: eight victories, against five wins for SC Freiburg.
At the Europa Park Stadium, there is no advantage between SC Freiburg and 1. FC Union Berlin: four victories for each team in nine games.
In the German League, 13 matches were held between the two teams, with two victories for SC Freiburg, five draws, and six wins for 1. FC Union Berlin.
Gualtieri confirms Roma’s new stadium construction in 2027: “It’s a historic day.”
Today, the Capitoline Assembly gave final approval to the feasibility study for the new AS Roma stadium, which will be built in the Pietralata neighborhood.
Immediately following the overwhelmingly positive vote, Roberto Gualtieri released several statements.
In a post shared on his X profile, the Mayor emphasized the importance of this moment: “A historic day for the city: the Capitoline Assembly has approved the technical and economic feasibility study for the new AS Roma stadium in the Pietralata area, confirming its public interest.”
Gualtieri then explained the project’s objectives: “An area that has been neglected for too many years will finally be redeveloped. This will create a new urban hub and a multifunctional infrastructure designed to be used for non-sporting events. The stadium will have a capacity of 60,605, with a 23,000-seat stand, among the largest in Europe.”
Finally, the Mayor of Rome concluded by thanking the Administration: “The entire Administration has done its utmost to ensure that the city can have a modern stadium, integrated into the urban fabric and capable of regenerating the area with new green spaces and services that can be used every day by citizens.”
Speaking to Sky, Gualtieri also speculated on a possible start date for construction: “We imagine the first stone being laid in early 2027; it’s absolutely possible. The PAO can begin quickly, and the more technical stages will be completed more quickly. The project’s timeline isn’t particularly long, and hopefully it will be well before the European Championships.”
The Mayor also thanked the Friedkins: “I thank them for their commitment; they’ve worked incredibly hard and wanted the best possible quality. They’ve decided to make a huge investment; they’ll invest a billion euros to make it all happen. The parks will be open to everyone. We’ll continue to work diligently and with commitment.”
Sevilla manager hails Barcelona rising superstar as ‘one of the best in the world’
Following a disappointing result against Newcastle United in midweek, Barcelona will eagerly look to return to winning ways as they take on Sevilla this weekend.
While the Catalans must win to retain their four-point lead at the top, Sevilla are fighting to remain out of the relegation scrap and move closer towards a more respectable mid-table spot.
Speaking ahead of the match, Sevilla coach Matias Almeyda shed light on how his team plans to prepare for the Barcelona clash.
What Almeyda said ahead of Barcelona clash
Physical preparation is going to be a key aspect of this clash, especially with Barcelona coming on the back of a gruelling schedule that might force Hansi Flick to ring in the changes.
Almeyda, though, praised Barça’s physical preparation and warned that Sevilla may still find it difficult.
“Barcelona, even when tired, always play at an excellent level from any perspective. It will be different from the home game. We’ll try to do similar things, but we’re also aware that it’s been 23 and a half years since we last won there. That’s a long time.
“Some of the guys haven’t seen it. We’re going to play against the best team in La Liga and one of the best in Europe,” he said.
Speaking of finding it difficult, Sevilla, as mentioned rightly by Almeyda, haven’t won a game at Camp Nou in the last 23 and a half years.
Matias Almeyda gunning for a double vs Barcelona. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
When asked about potentially ending the rut this weekend, Almeyda said, “There’s always enthusiasm. We’ll try to be the ones who win after so long, but it’s very difficult.
“They’re an opponent that keeps improving as the matches go by. I think they’ve further refined all their strengths.”
Almeyda went on to talk about Lamine Yamal, who is by far Barcelona’s most in-form players right now, having found himself in a great scoring run lately.
“Today, he is one of the best in the world; he is young and improves every day. He is the best player in the world today for me. It’s a pleasure to watch him play, but he’s not the only one they have. In midfield, they have another one. And on the bench, too,” he said.
As far as the idea of Sevilla’s perfect night against Barcelona is concerned, the coach said everything needs to fall in place.
“We have to be perfect with what we have and see if it’s enough. Barcelona won every match there.
“If two weeks ago people were saying they drew a derby against the worst team in history, how did everything change so quickly to send the message that we’re going to win in Barcelona? The reality is that Sevilla is fighting to stay in the league,” he concluded.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. has learned the charges filed against him for a domestic dispute with his ex-girlfriend and WNBA player Rickea Jackson.
Pearce is accused of repeatedly ramming his car into Jackson’s car as she drove to a police station in Miami area on Feb. 7.
Court records show the Miami-Dade State Attorney filed the following charges against Pearce on Thursday: aggravated battery with a deadly weapon (felony); fleeing and eluding police (felony); resisting an officer with violence (felony); and stalking (misdemeanor). An additional charge of aggravated battery of an officer was dropped.
Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham briefly addressed Pearce’s arrest as part of his opening statement during a media Zoom call on Friday.
“Obviously we’re aware of the most recent articles and things that have come out regarding James Pierce,” Cunningham said. “You know, those are those are concerning, right? To say the least. But outside of that, um, I’ll just keep it just very similar to what we said at the combine. You know, we’re not going to comment on an open legal matter here moving forward”
In addition to the charges, ESPN and the Associated Press reports that a court granted Jackson a protection order against Pearce. In her petition, Jackson said that she feared for her life.
“Due to his obsessive, insecure, violent and aggressive behavior, ending the relationship has been difficult and I am afraid for my life,” Jackson said in the petition. “James has threatened to kill me, James has threatened to harm me, James has threatened to injure me, James has threatened to place a bag over my head, and James has verbally and physically abused.”
The temporary protection order states Pearce can’t contact Jackson or come within 500 feet of her home or place of employment or 100 feet of her car. A hearing is scheduled for April 21.
Pearce’s attorneys have not commented on Thursday’s charges, but have previously maintained his innocence.
ESPN and Associated Press contributed to this report.
CHELTENHAM, England (AP) — Harry Redknapp pushed his credentials as the man to save Tottenham from Premier League relegation — then saw his horse, The Jukebox Man, fail to live up to its big billing in one of Britain’s most prestigious jumps races.
The 79-year-old Redknapp, a charismatic former soccer coach, took center stage at the Cheltenham Festival on Friday as the owner of one of the favorites for the Gold Cup.
However, The Jukebox Man slipped down the field in the final section of a race won by 11-4 joint favorite Gaelic Warrior by an estimated eight lengths.
Before the Gold Cup, Redknapp was in demand as much because of his past links to Tottenham as his horse-racing connections.
The team is fighting relegation from England’s lucrative top soccer league and Redknapp was asked on British broadcaster ITV if he could return to the club where he was manager from 2008-12 and save it from the drop.
“I’d go in and have a crack at it,” Redknapp said.
“If they ask me,” he added, “I could go and do a job, for sure.”
Redknapp’s last managerial post was at Birmingham in the second-tier Championship in 2017.
Tottenham’s current manager is Igor Tudor and he is under pressure having lost all four of his matches in charge since taking over on an interim basis.
Redknapp said he doubted he would be asked to replace Tudor, should Tottenham wish to make another change.
“They know where I am if they need me,” said Redknapp, who described being center of attention at Cheltenham this week as “great fun.”
“It’s been a great week. I’ve loved every minute of it,” he said. “It would have been the icing on the cake to have won, obviously.”
The San Francisco 49ers have added some crucial pieces to the team for 2026, but there are a few big free agents from the 2025 roster that remain on the open market.
With the first week of free agency winding down, ESPN's Bill Barnwell laid out his best fits for the best names left on the open market, including 49ers receiver Jauan Jennings and running back Brian Robinson. Barnwell wrote that the Las Vegas Raiders would be the best fit for Jennings, while Robinson would play well for the NFC West rival Seattle Seahawks.
Vegas can't afford to scrimp on help for likely first overall pick Fernando Mendoza. The Raiders added receiver Jalen Nailor in free agency and have young wideouts such as Jack Bech, Dont'e Thornton Jr. and Tre Tucker in the mix. But Jennings would step in as a reliable, valuable target for Mendoza in the short term, with the Raiders likely to find their eventual WR1 in the years to come.
The Seahawks need a replacement for Kenneth Walker III who can shoulder a meaningful workload, given that Zach Charbonnet is expected to miss the start of the 2026 season after tearing an ACL in the playoffs. The Seahawks signed Emanuel Wilson to a one-year deal this week, but Robinson would offer a more consistent rushing performance and ably serve as the lead back in the rotation while Charbonnet recuperates.
This makes sense for the 49ers and both players. Many reports indicate Jennings won't return to San Francisco, especially after the 49ers signed Mike Evans. The Raiders need veteran offensive help if they take Mendoza, and Jennings can provide that. As for Robinson, he has a clear role as Christian McCaffrey's backup, but could contend for the starting running back role in Seattle with Charbonnet recovering from a torn ACL.
Both would be big blows for the 49ers' offense, but they can weather the storm. Evans is the clear No. 1 pass-catcher on the team now, with Ricky Pearsall as the WR2. Robinson was a great backup, but the team still has Isaac Guerendo, Jordan James and Patrick Taylor.
Former Michigan football head coach Sherrone Moore wasn't exactly rated high on any head coach power rankings that came out. While he had some of the best wins in the country in 2024, his 2025 season had exactly zero signature wins. And soon after, Moore was out, his career lost to disgrace after a series of off-field miscues.
And then, Michigan football lucked into an upgrade.
The Wolverines managed to secure former Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham, who had appeared to be retiring after two decades as the Utes head coach. However, when Michigan came calling, Whittingham answered.
The Wolverines seemed to have lucked into a massive upgrade, getting a proven winner whose rugged style should be an ideal fit in Ann Arbor. The Utes have finished ranked in the AP poll 12 times, and Whittingham was responsible for nine of those teams. Utah did sputter some late in his tenure, going 13-12 and just 7-11 in conference play in 2023-24, but Whittingham made some smart staffing moves last offseason and the Utes bounced back to 10-2 and finished No. 14.
It will be interesting to see if Whittingham does prove to be a massive upgrade, but as noted, it is an ideal fit for the Wolverines. With a significantly more talented roster, but a bear of a schedule, it will be difficult for Whittingham to improve upon Michigan's 9-3 regular season record from a year ago. But if anyone can get the most out of the team he's inherited, it's a coach who has consistently done more with less.
Whittingham will have his work cut out for him, as three coaches (No. 1 Curt Cignetti, No. 3 Ryan Day, and No. 6 Dan Lanning) are ahead of him on the list.
BBC Radio 5 Live's senior football reporter Ian Dennis says he is surprised Igor Tudor hasn't been replaced by Tottenham on the latest episode of The Commentators' View: "They are imploding. And I'll be honest with you, I'm surprised he's still in the job. I know a number of Tottenham supporters, and for a long time they've been saying, 'oh, we're in a relegation dogfight'. And I thought, 'oh, no, they'll be all right. They'll be all right'.
"I think the alarm bells now are ringing for everybody for what's going on there."
"I would question their decision-making as to now, can they get the next appointment right? Because it was such a gamble for Tudor to come in. And I actually thought, 'ooh, that's very, very bold'.
"It hasn't clearly worked. And the longer they leave it, they place Tottenham's place in the top flight more at risk, more jeopardy."
Kansas State's athletic director Gene Taylor said the school signed Alexander to a five-year contract, with his pay to be $3.3 million initially, then increase to $3.5 million by 2030-31.
Alexander, 53, coached Belmont for the past seven seasons (2019-2026), leading them to 166 wins and four conference titles. Prior to that, he coached at Stetson (2011-2013) and Lipscomb (2013-2019). He has a 303-180 record in 15 years as a men's basketball coach.
New leader at the helm
Casey Alexander hired as 27th head coach of K-State Men's Basketball
The Bruins' 2025-26 season ended on March 6 with a 100-79 upset loss to Drake in the quarterfinals of the Missouri Valley Conference tournament. Following the loss, news broke of Kansas State's bid to hire Alexander to replace interim coach Matt Driscoll. Driscoll took over for Jerome Tang, who was fired midseason.
Kansas State's athletic director Gene Taylor said the school signed Alexander to a five-year contract, with his pay to be $3.3 million initially, then increase to $3.5 million by 2030-31.
Alexander, 53, coached Belmont for the past seven seasons (2019-2026), leading them to 166 wins and four conference titles. Prior to that, he coached at Stetson (2011-2013) and Lipscomb (2013-2019). He has a 303-180 record in 15 years as a men's basketball coach.
New leader at the helm
Casey Alexander hired as 27th head coach of K-State Men's Basketball
The Bruins' 2025-26 season ended on March 6 with a 100-79 upset loss to Drake in the quarterfinals of the Missouri Valley Conference tournament. Following the loss, news broke of Kansas State's bid to hire Alexander to replace interim coach Matt Driscoll. Driscoll took over for Jerome Tang, who was fired midseason.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 16: Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals looks on during the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s exceptionally rare for an NFL team to get a do-over. Damaging mistakes typically last years, and can result in an entire front office shift as a result. The Vikings critically made that mistake a year ago at their quarterback position by putting faith in J.J. McCarthy to be their heir apparent, allowing Sam Darnold to walk in free agency. McCarthy turned into an oft-injured pumpkin, well en route to being a major draft bust, and Darnold, well, he went on to win the Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks.
The decision to let Darnold walk was a critical error, but understandable at the time. Minnesota wasn’t wholly sold that his staggering one-year performance was worth a long-term contract, and they had already invested a trade up, and a first round pick into McCarthy — not wanting to let that go by the wayside. Now they have an almost identical situation with Kyler Murray, and an opportunity to avoid the mistakes of the past.
Murray signed with the Vikings on Thursday evening — a one-year, $1.3M veteran minimum deal that is the best bargain in all of the NFL. With the Cardinals still on the hook to pay Murray $36.8M this season from their prior deal, it’s a move that ensures Murray gets paid, keeps the dire Vikings’ books in order, and most-importantly gives them the starting quarterback they have been lacking. It’s a chance to not only make good on their Darnold error, but perhaps get an even better quarterback out the other side of this deal.
What happened to Kyler Murray?
It doesn’t seem that long ago that Murray seemed destined to take a step up into the NFL’s top tier of quarterbacks. In 2021 he had a spectacular season, finishing with 3,787 passing yards in 14 games, as well as 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with a 69.2% completion percentage, en route to his second straight Pro Bowl. Then it all fell apart. The following year saw Murray miss six games to injury, the Cardinals didn’t have a solid offensive line, and severely lacked receivers in the wake of losing Christian Kirk, and A.J. Green hitting his age wall. Kliff Kingsbury was fired, and it’s here everything went off the rails.
Arizona hired former Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon to be their head coach, who then hired Drew Petzing as his offensive coordinator. Petzing was fine, but it was very much a case of not having a cohesive offensive vision. It was his first job as an NFL offensive coordinator after years in position coaching, and from the jump he seemed to no have a cogent plan for Murray, or the Cardinals. It led to three years of push-and-pull, with Murray lost in the shuffle inside a system that didn’t play to his strengths.
It all reached its nadir in 2025. Murray was effectively benched after five games for Jacoby Brissett due to ineffective play, as well as Gannon’s seat getting too hot. The coach was eventually fired at the conclusion of the season, and Murray was designated as a June 1 cut. The Cardinals are in apparent tank mode, looking to play through 2026 with Brissett once more, seemingly with an eye on the 2027 NFL Draft and its bumper crop of quarterbacks.
What is Murray in 2026?
The bizarre part of all this is that Murray is more or less the same quarterback he’s been his entire career, for better and worse. He remains an excellent deep-ball quarterback with ample athleticism to escape the pass rush and create, particularly when it comes to finding short outlet routes or taking advantage of busted coverage.
Where he struggles is as a pure pocket passer, which has been the M.O. for his entire career. When Murray is taking snaps from under center and asked to stand tall in the pocket, he struggles. Not only does pressure overwhelm him when he’s not taking snaps out of shotgun, but his decision-making is markedly worse both on real, and imagined pressure. In addition, he’s never been a great quarterback when it comes to intermediate timing routes, and it’s unclear whether this stems from a lack of feel for the game, or if it’s a product of not being the best student in the film room.
This all worked well with Kingsbury leading the offense, because his spread allowed Murray to operate almost entirely out of the gun, and give him ample targets to throw deep to. It struggled inside Petzing’s timing-based system.
Can this work in Minnesota?
Absolutely. In fact, it’s the best possible fit for him in the NFL right now among teams with shaky quarterback situations. Not only is head coach Kevin O’Connell known for his ability to tutor quarterbacks, but he runs a system that loves airing out the ball to Justin Jefferson, and Jordan Addison — with 2025 draft pick Ty Felton also having serious deep threat potential.
It’s no coincidence that Darnold broke out when the Vikings asked him to have the highest average depth of target of his career, boasting an 8.4 in 2025. This plays right into Murray’s wheelhouse as a passer, and while Darnold had a better grasp of intermediate routes, Murray brings dual-threat potential and improvization to the table as well.
This is a hand-meet-glove fit that can have major dividends.
Are there any drawback to this signing?
The one thing to watch for is the clauses that Murray’s camp put in this deal. In exchange for accepting the vet-minimum, prove-it deal, there’s a clause that the Vikings can’t put either the franchise or transition tag on him when the season is over.
That means that Murray will either be a free agent in 2027, or the Vikings will need to give him a massive extension if he lives up to the billing. There is no in between. Still, this is a small drawback considering the Vikings are essentially getting a starting QB for nothing, and critically the chance to right the wrong of 2025 when they let Sam Darnold walk.
It’s now in Kyler Murray’s hands, and this season will define if he can return to being a top quarterback, or whether he drifts out of football all together.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 12: Fletcher Loyer #2 of the Purdue Boilermakers attempts a shot during the second half of a Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament Third Round game against the Northwestern Wildcats at the United Center on March 12, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. The Purdue Boilermakers won the game 81-68. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With just 8 teams left in the Big Ten tournament it’s time to see who you all picked to be the winner. For me? It made sense to choose Michigan and let someone else take the field. The staff roundtable got into all of this earlier in the week so feel free to take a look at that before diving into what you the readers thing will happen over the next three days in Chicago. As you prepare to watch tonight’s games don’t forget our friends at FanDuel can show you the latest odds.
Let’s hold the championship talk for a moment. First, let’s focus on Purdue. How many games did you the reader think Purdue would play in the BTT and if you said just one you’ve already lost so please go in the corner and think about what you’ve done.
15% of you were already wrong. Maybe it’s a sort of reverse jinx and if it is please continue to pick against the Boilermakers. 44% of readers, the plurality, believe that Purdue will play two games in the BTT meaning that tonight’s game will be their last.
Next, it’s time to talk champions!
It’s the obvious choice. A full 77% predict that regular season winner Michigan will walk out the BTT champion as well. Purdue comes in second with 11%.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 28: Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton celebrates scoring the first goal with Dwight McNeil and James Garner during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton at St James' Park on February 28, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) | Visionhaus/Getty Images
Jarrad Branthwaite had not traveled with the Everton squad for their warm weather mini-break, but it looks like he might be fit after all for tomorrow’s trip to London to take on Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference, David Moyes said he thought the big centrehalf would be good to go. He added that Charly Alcaraz and Seamus Coleman are both out, as is Jack Grealish.
Everton finally ended their home hoodoo last time out, but they have a whole other streak of futility they have to deal with at the Emirates as the Gunners look to hold their nerve in the run-in to the title.
For Arsenal, Mikel Arteta will be missing Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard, with Leandro Trossard facing a late fitness test. Don’t rule out a rotated lineup with this game coming in between two Champions league fixtures against Bayer Leverkusen last Wednesday and then again on Tuesday.
Who’s Out?
Jack Grealish (foot) is unavailable for the rest of the season, with Carlos Alcaraz and Seamus Coleman out for a couple of weeks at least.
Confirmed 2. Bundesliga Lineups: Magdeburg vs. Darmstadt
Bottom-placed Magdeburg entertain promotion hopefuls Darmstadt on Friday night in the 2. Bundesliga. Despite contrasting form between the two sides, Florian Kohfeldt's team last won away from home in November.
Here are the lineups for Friday night football in Magdeburg.
Formula One is set to cancel grand prix events in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia next month amid heightened tension in the Middle East region.
Bahrain’s capital, Manama, has been attacked by Iranian missiles, while locations in Saudi Arabia have also been targeted. Just on Monday, according to the state-owned Bahrain News Agency, 32 people were injured near Manama after an Iranian drone attack.
With less than a month until F1 was set to return to the Sakhir circuit, 30km south of Manama, on 12 April and with the Saudi race in Jeddah a week later on 19 April, a cancellation of both events now looks a formality. The Independent understands the cancellations will be officially confirmed over the next 48 hours, while the Chinese Grand Prix takes place in Shanghai this weekend.
There has also been speculation as to whether F1 could replace the races, with tracks in Italy, Turkey and Portugal suggested for a mid-April date. Yet, inevitably, the last-minute nature makes the logistics difficult and it is understood the sport will now have a five-week gap between the Japanese Grand Prix (29 March) and the Miami Grand Prix (3 May).
With rounds four and five of the 2026 season set to be cancelled, we address the key topics.
Will F1 cancel the Bahrain and Saudi races?
At this stage, with no end in sight to the US-Iran conflict and the knock-on impact on the Middle East, it looks highly likely and we expect confirmation in the coming days.
Major hotels in Manama, which often house F1 personnel, have been hit in the last week and international travel hubs in the region, such as Doha and Dubai, remain impacted – though have at least partially reopened.
Even if, in the best-case scenario, the conflict ended soon, there would be a lingering question as to whether F1 should race in a country so recently impacted by airstrikes.
A loose deadline of 20 March, a week before round three in Japan, was set by F1 and the FIA, who have said they are “closely monitoring” the situation. Both declined to officially comment on Friday, but we expect an announcement over the weekend.
Speaking in Shanghai on Thursday, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton backed F1 to make the right decision. He said: “I know that (F1 CEO) Stefano (Domenicali) will do what is right for all of us and the sport.
“That is the great thing with having a great leader like him.”
A suspected Iranian drone strike hit a high-rise building in Bahrain last week (AP)
Will the races be rescheduled or replaced?
Rescheduling the Formula One races at their original venues later in the year presents considerable challenges. Temperatures in the Middle East region soar during the European summer and autumn, making racing impractical.
Furthermore, the existing F1 calendar offers no obvious alternative slots, as the sport is keen to preserve its August break and alleviate the demanding schedule for teams.
While alternative circuits such as Italy’s Imola, France’s Le Castellet, Portugal’s Portimao, and Turkey’s Istanbul Park have been suggested, the logistical complexities of relocating the entire F1 operation at short notice are immense.
Promoters would also have little incentive, facing a limited window to sell tickets to cover hosting fees, alongside the time-consuming organisation of marshals, security, and transport.
Round four of the F1 season is scheduled for Bahrain (Getty Images)
An option to host a second race at Japan’s Suzuka after round three has also been mooted, but this would introduce its own set of problems, not least for track owners Honda, who would likely be reluctant to draw further attention to their engine partnership issues with Aston Martin.
Although races were held behind closed doors at stand-in venues during the Covid-19 pandemic, sometimes with two events in succession, there was a pressing need then to complete a season.
A reduced 22-race calendar, while still extensive by historical standards, would nonetheless fulfil commercial obligations, albeit with a likely reduction in Formula One’s overall revenues.
It is understood Saudi pays the joint-most of any race, alongside Qatar, at approximately £30m ($55m). Bahrain, which hosted the first-ever race in the Middle East in 2004, pays F1 an estimated £24m ($45m) for the right to host a grand prix.
Not only are the Middle Eastern races significant financial contributors to F1, but both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have deep ties to the sport; Bahrain owns McLaren, while Saudi Arabia is a prominent sponsor and investor via state-owned oil company Aramco.
Saudi Arabia pays F1 an estimated £30m to host a race (Getty Images)
A precedent for cancellation without replacement exists: the 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix was called off due to unrest in the kingdom and was not rescheduled after teams objected to a late October date.
Formula One’s then-commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone later confirmed that Bahrain had paid its hosting fee regardless. Whether the Bahrain (Sakhir) and Saudi (Jeddah) races would do the same remains to be seen.
What have F1 bosses said?
Various F1 team bosses have emphasised that safety is paramount and have placed trust in F1’s executive team to make the appropriate call.
When asked by The Independent about the situation at the season-opener in Australia, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said: “Formula 1 in a way becomes the second priority. It’s such an important topic in the region that it’s even quite difficult, I guess, to talk to the local leaders and say: ‘What about the grand prix?’
“I think this is up to Stefano [Domenicali, CEO] as a promoter and the FIA to manage that situation while respecting the current challenges that they have. My hunch is: I would very much hope we race. Is it realistic that we race there at the moment? I’m not quite sure.
Toto Wolff says he’s ‘not quite sure’ whether F1 will race in Bahrain and Saudi (Getty Images)
“But again, I leave it to Stefano to manage that situation. I hope generally it gets better there so we are able to come back as soon as possible.”
McLaren F1 CEO Zak Brown commented: "It's the first get-together of all the teams. There's been very little communication about it (the situation) yet because of the effort that it took just to get here to Australia."
Domenicali told Sky Sports in Melbourne: "We don't want to do any statement today because things are evolving and we still have time to make the right decision. This decision will be taken together.”
How else has motorsport been impacted?
The World Endurance Championship (WEC) event in Doha, originally set for 26-28 March, has already been postponed and rescheduled for October.
MotoGP’s Qatar round at Lusail, near Doha, on 12 April is facing significant difficulties and is unlikely to be rescheduled.
Formula Two, F1’s key support series, has its freight still in Melbourne after the season-opener. Should the Bahrain and Saudi F2 rounds be cancelled without replacement, the championship’s second race would not occur until Monaco in June.
Canadian MMA fighter Aiemann Zahabi said he is eager to “spoil” the upcoming UFC fight at the White House, which is being held on President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.
Set for June 14 on the South Lawn, the event is part of the Trump administration's celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It will feature six fights, including one between Zahabi and American Sean O'Malley, who bookmakers place as the favorite.
“It's nice to have someone to sharpen your blade against. I think it's going to be great if I spoil the party,” Zahabi told Newsmax Thursday.
"I have the ninth largest upset in UFC history, and I'm looking to top that with this fight," he said. "I've spoiled parlays before, and I'm willing to do it again. Every time I'm an underdog, it looks like I win.”
The UFC fighter’s tough talk comes at a time of heightened tension between the U.S. and Canada, longtime allies and major trading partners. In his second term, Trump has imposed steep tariffs on Canada while repeatedly expressing his desire to make it America's "51st state."
Canadian UFC fighter Aiemann Zahabi said he wants to 'spoil' the upcoming fight at the White House, which will coincide with Trump's 80th birthday (Getty Images)
In his interview with Newsmax, Zahabi touched on the souring relationship between the two neighbors.
“Everyone watches the Canadians play when they play against the United States,” he said. “It’s huge stakes especially with all this tension going on between us politically.”
“I like to think that you know sports unites us in a way,” he added. “But it’s nice to have that rivalry right. It’s like having a brother that pushes you to your next level.”
Unlike most Canadians, Zahabi seems unfazed by Trump — in fact, he telegraphed quite the opposite feeling. He said that, if the 79-year-old president were running in Canada, he likely would have voted for him.
'It's nice to have someone to sharpen your blade against. I think it's going to be great if I spoil the party,' the Canadian fighter told Newsmax on Thursday (Newsmax)Trump said he plans to build a 100,000-seat stadium in DC for the June 14 fight. Here he is pictured with UFC CEO Dana White (Getty)
“I would like capitalism to rein in socialism,” Zahabi said. “In terms of no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, these are the kind of things I want to see in Canada, so that people can really make it here instead of hitting that ceiling.”
O'Malley has also spoken about the upcoming fight in Washington, D.C. “I’m very, very excited,” he said in a podcast interview last week. “We’re dialed in.”
Trump, an MMA fan and close friends with UFC CEO Dana White, said he plans to build a 100,000-seat stadium near the White House for the June 14 spectacle.
“They are going to put up something that’s really amazing,” Trump told reporters on March 6. “It's really having to do with our great 250th birthday, where we’re having so many wonderful things.”
The series of UFC fights are set to be held on the South Lawn of the White House, pictured here on February 27 (Getty Images)
Some UFC aficionados have expressed reservations. Joe Rogan, the hit podcaster and UFC color commentator, said he’s looking forward to the event, but finds it “weird” given the U.S. war against Iran.
“I’m excited. It sounds crazy. I know it’s going to be very high security and high stress and weird to have a fight at the White House in the middle of a f***ing war,” Rogan, who endorsed Trump in 2024, said during an episode of his show Wednesday.
“I would hope the war will be sorted out by June, but quite honestly, I’m not confident that’s going to be the case. So that’ll be weird — having this very high profile event where everyone’s in one place at one time right there,” Rogan added.
Canadian MMA fighter Aiemann Zahabi said he is eager to “spoil” the upcoming UFC fight at the White House, which is being held on President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.
Set for June 14 on the South Lawn, the event is part of the Trump administration's celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It will feature six fights, including one between Zahabi and American Sean O'Malley, who bookmakers place as the favorite.
“It's nice to have someone to sharpen your blade against. I think it's going to be great if I spoil the party,” Zahabi told Newsmax Thursday.
"I have the ninth largest upset in UFC history, and I'm looking to top that with this fight," he said. "I've spoiled parlays before, and I'm willing to do it again. Every time I'm an underdog, it looks like I win.”
The UFC fighter’s tough talk comes at a time of heightened tension between the U.S. and Canada, longtime allies and major trading partners. In his second term, Trump has imposed steep tariffs on Canada while repeatedly expressing his desire to make it America's "51st state."
Canadian UFC fighter Aiemann Zahabi said he wants to 'spoil' the upcoming fight at the White House, which will coincide with Trump's 80th birthday (Getty Images)
In his interview with Newsmax, Zahabi touched on the souring relationship between the two neighbors.
“Everyone watches the Canadians play when they play against the United States,” he said. “It’s huge stakes especially with all this tension going on between us politically.”
“I like to think that you know sports unites us in a way,” he added. “But it’s nice to have that rivalry right. It’s like having a brother that pushes you to your next level.”
Unlike most Canadians, Zahabi seems unfazed by Trump — in fact, he telegraphed quite the opposite feeling. He said that, if the 79-year-old president were running in Canada, he likely would have voted for him.
'It's nice to have someone to sharpen your blade against. I think it's going to be great if I spoil the party,' the Canadian fighter told Newsmax on Thursday (Newsmax)Trump said he plans to build a 100,000-seat stadium in DC for the June 14 fight. Here he is pictured with UFC CEO Dana White (Getty)
“I would like capitalism to rein in socialism,” Zahabi said. “In terms of no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, these are the kind of things I want to see in Canada, so that people can really make it here instead of hitting that ceiling.”
O'Malley has also spoken about the upcoming fight in Washington, D.C. “I’m very, very excited,” he said in a podcast interview last week. “We’re dialed in.”
Trump, an MMA fan and close friends with UFC CEO Dana White, said he plans to build a 100,000-seat stadium near the White House for the June 14 spectacle.
“They are going to put up something that’s really amazing,” Trump told reporters on March 6. “It's really having to do with our great 250th birthday, where we’re having so many wonderful things.”
The series of UFC fights are set to be held on the South Lawn of the White House, pictured here on February 27 (Getty Images)
Some UFC aficionados have expressed reservations. Joe Rogan, the hit podcaster and UFC color commentator, said he’s looking forward to the event, but finds it “weird” given the U.S. war against Iran.
“I’m excited. It sounds crazy. I know it’s going to be very high security and high stress and weird to have a fight at the White House in the middle of a f***ing war,” Rogan, who endorsed Trump in 2024, said during an episode of his show Wednesday.
“I would hope the war will be sorted out by June, but quite honestly, I’m not confident that’s going to be the case. So that’ll be weird — having this very high profile event where everyone’s in one place at one time right there,” Rogan added.
Darryn Peterson has been the most watched prospect in college basketball this year. With the NCAA Tournament right around the corner, don't expect the heat to go away.
This will be a make-or-break period for the freshman star. NBA executives are increasingly interested in knowing if he can hold up. A few of them weighed both his elite talent and questions as the 2026 draft is months away.
According to ESPN draft intel, Peterson is in the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick. But there are some concerns about whether he's ready for the day-to-day grind. While many league decision makers are impressed by his overall skill set and upside as a modern guard, a double-digit total for missed games is his Achilles heel.
At 6-foot-6 with strong athleticism and versatility, Peterson has drawn attention for his ability to score at all three levels while also contributing defensively.
Several NBA executives view Peterson as one of the most complete freshman guards in recent memory. His size, range and defensive competitiveness give him the profile of a potential franchise player. Some evaluators believe he could immediately step into the NBA as a primary offensive option because of his advanced instincts and ability to generate shots off the dribble.
One college GM told ESPN that Peterson stands out among his peers because of his overall polish and physical tools, saying he would take Peterson over other top prospects in the class. "As gifted a scorer as it comes," they said of Peterson's game. "The wiggle, the aggressiveness, he comes in and takes over games. The NBA guys are working to get the insight on the injuries, but he's worth a headache or two."
At the same time, league executives are still evaluating concerns tied to Peterson’s availability during his freshman season at Kansas. Injuries have limited his playing time at various points, and some teams are monitoring how durable he will be over a full NBA season. None of that seems to matter right now.
"Talent-wise, he's clearly [No. 1]," an Eastern conference scout said. "He's got the full package. When he's played, he's shown that he has the 'it' factor."
Despite those questions, most executives still view Peterson as a likely top-two pick in the 2026 draft class. His ability to carry an offense, combined with his size and defensive upside, keeps him at the center of the debate for the top spot alongside BYU's AJ Dybantsa.
For now, NBA front offices will continue evaluating Peterson through the postseason, where his performance against elite competition could ultimately determine whether he solidifies himself as the consensus No. 1 pick.
The Iran war isn’t just affecting oil prices; it could harshly impact the semiconductor industry long-term When Israel and the United States of America attacked Iran, the first thing that analysts focused on was how this would impact the price of oil and natural gas. Iran has the power to effectively close the Strait of […]
The journey begins today as Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is now available on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Players can dive into the latest installment in the beloved RPG series, featuring the vibrant world of Monster Hunter shaped by the bonds between Riders and monsters.
A Tale of Two Kingdoms and Twisted Fates
Set two centuries after the Rift War, the kingdoms of Azuria and Vermeil stand divided. Twin Rathalos unexpectedly hatch from a single egg, igniting a story of forbidden lands and twisted destinies. A mysterious Crystal Encroachment emerges, threatening ecosystems and habitats across the land and causing conflicts between monsters. Along the journey, players will meet companions including vice-captain Gaul, monster expert Ogden, Ranger Squad co-founder Kora, the protagonist's best friend and confidante Simon, the brand-new member of the Rangers Thea, and Eleanor the Princess of Vermeil. As the protagonist, players take on the role of Prince/Princess of Azuria, and captain of the Ranger Squad to protect endangered eggs, restore ecosystems, and confront powerful monsters. Players can also customize their protagonist's appearance to fully step into the roles.
GMKtec unveiled its next-generation EVO-T2 Desktop AI Supercomputer Series during Intel's 3rd-Generation Core Ultra processor launch event in Shanghai. Powered by Intel Core Ultra X9 388H and X7 358H processors based on the Panther Lake architecture, the EVO-T2 delivers up to 180 TOPS of AI computing power, positioning it as one of the most powerful desktop AI mini PCs available.
The system integrates Intel's latest 18A (1.8nm-class) manufacturing technology, featuring RibbonFET gate-all-around transistors and PowerVia backside power delivery, marking a major milestone in Intel's semiconductor roadmap.
8BitDo is adding another variant to its Retro R8 mouse lineup, this time drawing inspiration from the Commodore 64. Like the previous R8 models, the C64 Edition keeps the same internals: a PAW 3395 optical sensor with six DPI levels between 50 and 26,000 DPI, and polling rates up to 8,000 Hz over wired and 4,000 Hz over 2.4G (Bluetooth is capped at 125 Hz). The symmetrical design supports both left and right-hand use, and four programmable side buttons can be configured through the 8BitDo Ultimate Software. The switches haven't been specified for this variant. The NES-inspired N Edition uses Kailh Sword GM X micro switches, but 8BitDo hasn't confirmed whether the C64 Edition carries the same.
The mouse ships with a charging dock that doubles as a wireless signal extender, which is a nice touch. Battery life is rated at 100 hours over Bluetooth or between 26 and 105 hours on 2.4G depending on polling rate, with a full charge taking around 2.5 hours. All three connection modes are supported: Bluetooth LE 5.3, 2.4G wireless, and wired USB. The 8BitDo Retro R8 C64 Edition mouse is priced at $49.99, in line with the existing NES-inspired N Edition.
Meta's 2Africa undersea cable project has hit another geopolitical snag, this time in the Persian Gulf. According to Bloomberg, Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN), the company responsible for laying parts of the system, has declared force majeure (a contractual clause that excuses a party from liability if an extraordinary, unforeseeable event...
Auto Super Resolution, an OS-level AI upscaling feature for Windows 11, is heading to the ROG Xbox Ally X and could deliver noticeable frame-rate improvements.
Elegoo's Spring sale has just started, slashing prices on its FDM and resin printers by up to 31% until March 26, with bulk-buy deals on filament, too.
PortfolioTrackr is a clean, fast portfolio tracker built for serious investors. Track stocks across major global exchanges, crypto (BTC, ETH, and thousands of coins), and commodities like gold, silver, and oil, all with live prices in one dashboard. Set price targets (T1, T2) and stop losses on every position. Monitor your total P&L, per-position performance, and dividend income. Get price alerts delivered via email, Telegram, or WhatsApp the moment your targets are hit. No app to install. Works on any device. Free 3-day trial, then Starter at $9/month or Pro at $19/month with a Lifetime plan available.
Adverse lets you own and control digital ad spaces. Buy an Ad Space once, embed it anywhere, decide who can advertise, what appears, and what to charge while keeping 90% of the revenue. Approvals happen with a click, and smart contracts automate display and payouts. Scale layouts to fit your design, combine spaces, and choose ads that match your audience. Adverse runs privacy-first with no cookies or trackers, giving publishers creative freedom, transparency, and fair monetization.
Thailand-based lifestyle-led developer Capstone Asset has announced the launch of PEYLAA Phuket, Autograph Collection Residences, a branded residential development scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2027. The project will introduce 408 residences in Phuket and […]
A new family holiday index has revealed Europe’s best destinations for travelling with children, with Spain dominating the list and Mallorca taking the top spot. The ranking, released by easyJet and easyJet Holidays ahead of […]
Orlando International Airport expects more than 7.4 million passengers during the 2026 Spring Break travel period, marking one of the busiest stretches of the year for the Florida gateway. The airport is currently in the […]
Bingo has been around for a very long time. The game goes all the way back to 16th-century Italy, where it started out as a lottery-style activity. Over time it spread across Europe and became […]
The days of building campaigns around long lists of keywords are fading. Today, AI-powered Google campaigns and features like Performance Max (PMax) and AI Max are changing the rules.
These keywordless campaigns lean on automation, audience signals, and machine learning to find new opportunities, often faster and at greater scale than humans can.
At SMX Next, three PPC pros — Nikki Kuhlman, VP of search at Jumpfly; Brad Geddes, founder of Adalysis; and Christine Zirnheld, director of lead gen at Cypress North — explained where PMax and AI Max fit into your broader campaign strategy, where humans still make the difference, and how to strike the right balance between automation and control.
AI Max for Search: Best practices and what not to do
AI Max for Search is not a new campaign type. It’s a one-click opt-in setting within existing Search campaigns.
Without requiring you to switch to broad match, it expands your keywords — similar to broad match or Dynamic Search Ads — using your landing pages and other site assets. It then personalizes the ad copy and landing page the searcher sees.
The evolution from traditional setup
In the old setup, you might have used a keyword like “skincare for dry sensitive skin” that sent users to a moisturizer page with generic ad copy because you couldn’t capture every variation. With Google’s current matching, a specific ad group no longer guarantees that keyword will trigger that ad group.
AI Max for Search addresses this by generating ad copy based on the search query, making it more relevant and directing users to a landing page that better matches their needs.
Success with blog content
One area where AI Max for Search is seeing success beyond the norm is blog content. While DSA campaigns traditionally excluded blogs, AI Max for Search can now serve blogs as landing pages—and they’re converting. The key is that these blogs guide readers to specific products, not just general content.
The generated headlines are compelling and longer than what traditional RSAs allow, creating a more engaging user experience.
Best Practices for AI Max for Search
Do:
Use it on existing campaigns with history and data, not brand new campaigns
Test it as a 50/50 experiment instead of an outright change
Use it on brand campaigns with brand inclusion capabilities
Apply it to campaigns not hitting budget that could use more volume
Review landing pages and utilize URL exclusions (individual or rule-based)
Use landing page inclusions at the ad group level
Review search queries regularly and add negative search terms
Enable both text customization and final URL expansion for maximum value
Turn off AI Max at the ad group level when specific ad groups drive poor traffic
Don’t:
Use it on brand new campaigns without data
Change all campaigns at once without testing
Use it on brand campaigns without name recognition or brand inclusion ability
Apply it to budget-constrained campaigns
Turn off both URL expansion and text customization — if you’re not using both features, stick with broad match and smart bidding
Assume it works universally — test on individual campaigns
Your action plan
Week 1: Pick a search campaign to test (brand with brand inclusion, with budget capability, needing more volume). Review landing page URLs and add inclusions or exclusions.
Week 2: Review search queries and add negatives.
Week 3: Continue optimization and turn off AI Max at the ad group level as needed.
Experiment checklist:
Ensure enough volume for a 50/50 experiment
Give the experiment 6 weeks to 2 months
Set up a custom experiment if you need to enable brand inclusion or update settings
For one-click experiments, change confidence level to medium and turn off auto-apply
Match type performance: What the data shows
A comprehensive study analyzing over 16,000 campaigns revealed surprising insights about match type performance across different bidding strategies.
Match type basics
Exact match: Should match only when the search term has the same intent as your keyword. Misspellings and word order haven’t mattered for years — focus on user intent.
Phrase match: The search intent should match your keyword, but could have additional information around it, whether modifiers, phone numbers, or websites.
Broad match: Shows for anything related to the search intent. The key difference is that broad match uses additional signals that exact and phrase don’t, such as content on the landing page, other keywords in the ad group, and, most powerfully, previous search history for that user.
Performance by bidding strategy
Max Conversion strategies (Max Conversions, Max Conversion Value):
Most campaigns using max bid strategies have under 30 conversions per month, giving machines limited data to work with. The findings:
Exact match has the best click-through rates and conversion rates
Broad match had the worst conversion rates but the best return on ad spend
Broad match also had lower CPA than phrase match
Phrase match performed worst overall
Recommendation: Start with exact match, then skip phrase match entirely and layer in broad match if you have more budget to spend.
Target Bid Strategies (Target CPA, Target ROAS):
Most campaigns using these strategies have over 30 conversions per month, with many at 50 or 100+, giving machines substantially more data. The findings:
Exact match is again the best match type
Phrase match comes second
Broad match is third
Phrase match performs better with more data
Recommendation: Start with exact match, layer in phrase match with more budget, then add broad match if additional budget is available.
The phrase match puzzle
Why does phrase match perform poorly with limited data but better with more data?
Broad match uses additional signals, particularly previous search queries, to determine bids. When conversion data is limited (under 30 conversions monthly), broad match’s ability to leverage previous search history makes it much stronger than phrase match.
However, with sufficient data (50–100+ conversions), Google can properly match phrase match keywords using machine-learning pattern matching.
Brand vs. non-brand considerations
When you combine brand and non-brand data, exact match becomes even more powerful, delivering significantly higher click-through rates, higher conversion rates, lower CPAs, and much higher return on ad spend. That’s why segmenting keywords by brand and non-brand is crucial when determining your match type strategy.
Ecommerce exception
For ecommerce companies, broad match (and sometimes phrase match) can produce higher average order values than exact match. When someone searches for a specific product, and you carry that exact item, conversion rates are high, but they’re usually buying a single product with a lower checkout value.
When shoppers haven’t decided on a product, they tend to match broader keywords and build larger carts — resulting in lower conversion rates but higher order values.
Performance Max for lead generation
There’s a common misconception that Performance Max only works for ecommerce and is too difficult for lead generation. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
The critical success factor
The biggest mistake you can make—one you should avoid entirely—is optimizing campaigns for form submissions alone. If you treat every form submission as your campaign goal, you’ll end up with spammy submissions and frustrated sales teams.
The solution: integrate your Google Ads account with your CRM and import bottom-of-funnel leads—sales-qualified leads (SQLs), marketing-qualified leads (MQLs), opportunities, or even customers if the sales cycle is short.
When you tell Google Ads what you actually want and set it as your campaign goal, Performance Max can cast a wide net while still bringing in qualified prospects.
Available controls for regulated industries
Performance Max has significantly more controls now than at launch, making it viable for highly regulated industries:
Brand exclusions: Exclude all brand traffic from Performance Max campaigns
Search term reports: See what’s triggering your ads and exclude accordingly
Channel reporting: View spending and performance across different networks
Page feeds: Control where you send traffic on your site
Final URL expansion toggle: Turn it off completely if needed
Text enhancement controls: Optional feature that can be disabled entirely
Text guidelines: Specify words to avoid (e.g., “discount” or “directory”)
Device control: The secret weapon for B2B
One of the most underutilized levers for B2B and regulated industries is device control, introduced at the beginning of 2025. You can turn off any device from your Performance Max campaign.
A B2B SaaS example demonstrates the impact: Before device segmentation in January, the account had 224 SQLs from desktop at an acceptable CPA, but 33 from mobile at $319 CPA (above goal). After creating separate mobile campaigns with more aggressive target CPAs, they achieved 190 desktop SQLs and 37 mobile SQLs in a shorter month, with mobile CPA dropping to $204 and overall Performance Max CPA declining from $238 to $204.
Real Performance Max results for B2B SaaS
Despite lower conversion rates from Performance Max compared to search campaigns (due to broader reach), the results speak for themselves. In September 2025, one B2B SaaS account achieved:
Search Campaigns: 150 SQLs at $237 CPA
Performance Max: 204 SQLs at $220 CPA
Performance Max cast a wider net with cheaper CPCs, bringing in not just more leads but more sales-qualified leads at a lower cost.
How they did it:
Optimized for SQLs, not form submissions
Set lower target CPAs in Performance Max than search (to control spend while casting wider net)
Created separate campaigns for off-hours to control weekend spending
Turned off final URL expansion and text enhancements (client preference)
Implemented separate mobile and tablet campaigns with aggressive target CPAs
AI Max for Search in lead generation
AI Max for Search brings the power of Performance Max to the search network, where bottom-of-funnel intent is strongest. This is especially valuable for lead generation accounts that spend on other networks in Performance Max but don’t generate leads from them.
Early results: Higher ed financial services
A higher education financial client (loan products) showed promising early results:
Approved applications (primary KPI):
Standard Search: 86 approved applications at $660 CPA
AI Max: 70 approved applications at $579 CPA
AI Max brought in qualified leads cheaper despite the highly competitive keyword environment.
Down-funnel performance
Beyond the initial conversion action (soft credit check), AI Max showed superior performance throughout the funnel:
42% of AI Max form submissions resulted in soft pulls vs. 36% for standard search
9.9% of AI Max form submissions resulted in bookings vs. 5.58% for standard search
AI Max isn’t just bringing more qualified prospects at the top—lead quality remains higher throughout the entire funnel.
How they did it:
Optimized for approved applications, not form submissions
Set lower target CPAs in AI Max than standard search
Used high-performing bottom-of-funnel keywords with broad match types
Kept final URL expansion and text enhancements disabled (still worked well without them)
Win with AI without losing control
PPC success requires embracing AI-driven campaigns while maintaining strategic human oversight. Whether you use AI Max for Search, Performance Max for lead generation, or adjust match types based on bidding methods and data volume, the key is understanding how these tools work and applying best practices aligned with your business goals.
The data is clear: exact match remains powerful across scenarios, but phrase and broad match perform differently depending on bidding strategy and data volume. For lead generation, the game changer is optimizing for true bottom-of-funnel conversions rather than form submissions, combined with strategic device controls and proper campaign segmentation.
The future of PPC depends on knowing when — and how — to apply automation and control for maximum impact.
Celebrity River Cruises Europe will launch in 2027 with luxury ships sailing the Rhine and Danube, offering immersive cultural journeys for global travelers.
An analytical report on recent flight cancellations affecting major Colombian airports including Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and Barranquilla. The report details affected airlines, routes, and departure schedules, highlighting operational disruptions impacting domestic and international travel, including flights to Orlando.
An analytical report examining multiple flight cancellations across major Brazilian airports including São Paulo–Guarulhos, Congonhas, Brasília, Rio de Janeiro–Galeão, Viracopos and Santos Dumont. The report outlines affected airlines, routes, and departure schedules, highlighting disruptions to domestic and international travel networks linking Brazil with cities such as Doha, Frankfurt, Dubai, Washington, and major Brazilian hubs.
Starting March 13, 2026, the Patras–Pyrgos motorway adopts a new distance-based toll system using OLYMPIA PASS, providing cost-efficient tolls for private and commercial vehicles.
Virgin Limited Edition unveils the redesign of Ulusaba Private Game Reserve, reopening Rock Lodge and Safari Lodge in April 2027, offering luxury, wellness and immersive safaris.
Carnival Cruise Line has removed key Platinum loyalty perks from three upcoming sailings due to an unusually high number of elite VIFP members onboard.
Are Galaxy S26 Ultra eye strain and headache reports real or just noise? Privacy Display is the headline feature of the new Ultra phone; it’s a great invention, but hit with a slew of complaints that almost every Samsung flagship does.
The new Privacy Display is supposed to be the hero feature on the S26 Ultra this year. It’s a combination of hardware and software that will turn your screen black when viewed from an angle.
Samsung enthusiast TarunVats, also an early adopter of the Galaxy S26 Ultra, posted side-by-side photos of both the S26 Ultra and the S25 Ultra, noting his eyes felt tired and slightly uncomfortable after using the newer model.
Tipster Ice Universe highlighted that the company needs to fix an issue with the Galaxy S26 Ultra display immediately. When someone like that starts calling it a serious problem, Samsung fans should pay attention.
As the Galaxy S26 Ultra reached even more shoppers, complaints of eye strain and headaches have started to grow across the Internet. Users are seeking solutions, with some returning their phones in fear of potential issues.
The pixels used for the Galaxy S26 Ultra display have two different types of light emission, one emits light at a wider angle, while the other pushes the light out straight ahead.
When Privacy Display is turned off, the brightness of the straight-ahead directional pixels still depends on viewing angle, and tilting the phone causes the brightness of those pixels to weaken.
So you’re fighting the screen tech even when the feature isn’t active.
Plenty of people will buy this phone and feel nothing. But when credible voices in the Samsung ecosystem start flagging fatigue, graininess, and reduced text sharpness with a feature turned off, that’s not user error.
Meanwhile, Samsung appears to have started investigating the case on a case-by-case basis. Responding to a thread, a Samsung Moderator sought basic details from a buyer over DM to proceed with their examination.
Most users, including many professional reviewers, report zero eye strain after normal use such as scrolling, watching videos, gaming, or reading for hours.
The bigger issue is whether Samsung can fix this supposed flaw with a firmware update or if it is, in fact, a fundamental part of the new hardware and therefore can’t be changed.
If it’s baked into the hardware because of those dual-pixel types, no software patch will save it.
Samsung is working on a new smartwatch – the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. This watch is expected to be the first Samsung smartwatch with 5G connectivity. This means the watch will be able to connect to the internet using a 5G network on its own, without needing a phone nearby.
The first Galaxy Watch Ultra was released with only 4G/LTE support. It did not have a Bluetooth-only version. Now, the new Galaxy Watch Ultra model is expected to take things further by adding 5G support. This is an important step for Samsung’s smartwatch line.
Having 5G on a watch may not be useful for watching videos like Netflix. However, it can help with faster data transfer. This means apps can work more quickly, messages can send faster, and online features can respond better. In some cases, it may also help save battery life, depending on how the watch is used.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is expected to launch in the summer of 2026. It may be announced in July, along with the Galaxy Watch 9 series. Samsung usually releases new watches during the summer. The company is also expected to launch new foldable phones around the same time.
The new Ultra model is being developed with a name connected to the Watch 9. This suggests that it may share some design and hardware features with the Galaxy Watch 9. However, the final name is not confirmed yet. It could be called Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 when it is officially released.
If this happens, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 will be an important upgrade.
Deal | Four more games are now available to claim from the March 2026 PC game giveaway lineup on Amazon Luna. Among them, Total War: Rome II - Emperor Edition is the main highlight, but the other three also have strong player receptions.
The MegaBook 2 is a new Surface Pro competitor. One of the first 2-in-1 tablets with an Intel Panther Lake processor, the MegaBook 2 also leverages a 1,000 nit OLED display and up to 32 GB of RAM within a package that weighs less than 1 kg.
Samsung now confirms that apps like WhatsApp and X can keep working over satellite on supported Galaxy phones. Even without mobile coverage, these devices can still access key communication tools.
Rivian unveiled the R2 SUV with pricing aimed squarely at the Tesla Model Y and a free Autonomy+ self-driving suite backed by 200 TOPS of onboard compute. The R2 is also the first vehicle to use LG's 4695 cells, which are superior to Tesla's 4680 battery in the Cybertruck and Model Y.
Astronomers have recently discovered a collision between two exoplanets in a star system located about 11,000 light-years from Earth. While this is a major breakthrough, it could help to better understand the formation of these structures in the universe.
The Garmin ecosystem now supports two-way synchronisation with another third-party service. This new feature streamlines workout management for consumers who use both Garmin and Peloton.
With the Galaxy S26 series launch behind its back, Samsung is turning its attention to the next generation of foldables. While work on those proceeds, details on the two battery cells for the Galaxy Z Flip8 have surfaced and they bring bad news for anyone hoping for an upgrade.
The two cells, EB-BF776 and EB-BF777, have rated capacities of 1,150mAh and 3,024mAh, respectively. This adds up to 4,174mAh. Last year’s Galaxy Z Flip7 had exactly the same rated capacity, though the split was slightly different – 1,189mAh and 2,985mAh.
Galaxy Z Flip7, disassembled (source)
Either way, we...
Samsung is widely expected to launch the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 this year, to mark its predecessor's two-year anniversary. The most likely scenario is it being unveiled alongside the Galaxy Z Flip8 and Galaxy Z Fold8. The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 was recently rumored to employ the just-announced Snapdragon Wear Elite SoC, which would differentiate the Ultra further from the Galaxy Watch9 it's supposedly launching with (as that model would keep using the Exynos W1000 also seen in the Galaxy Watch8 and Watch7).
Now a new rumor tells us about another upgrade that Samsung has allegedly baked into...
Wrexham receive Swansea City in a Matchday 38 showdown of the EFL Championship 2025/26 season. Here’s everything you need to know about this matchup, including the date, venue, kickoff time, and how fans in the USA can watch or live stream the action.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Wrexham vs Swansea City on US television and via legal streaming:
WHO
Wrexham vs Swansea City
WHAT
EFL Championship
WHEN
4:00pm ET / 1:00pm PT • Friday, March 13, 2026
WHERE
Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network and Amazon Prime Video
With the 2025–26 campaign entering its decisive stretch, Wrexhamremain firmly in the hunt for a playoff berth in the EFL Championship. The Welsh club currently sits sixth with 57 points, holding the final postseason spot but feeling pressure from several challengers close behind in the standings.
That tight margin leaves little room for complacency as they prepare for a matchup with Swansea City, who, based on their points tally, are close to securing a top-six finish, making a victory in this match crucial to keeping their playoff hopes alive until the end.
How to watch the game
Paramount+ is now offering a 7-day free trial promotion for new subscribers, giving fans the ability to watch a ton of soccer fans (and other content) for free.
After the 7-day trial, Paramount+ is just $7.99 per month.
Paramount+ features more than 2,000 live matches each year. In addition to English League Cup, the extensive portfolio of soccer properties also includes EFL Championship, EFL League One, EFL League Two, Serie A, Coppa Italia, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League; The Women’s Cup; NWSL; Argentina’s Liga Profesional de Fútbol; and other competitions.
Paramount+ includes exclusive original programs such as: Halo, Star Trek: Discovery, Frasier, Lawmen: Bass Reeves, and Evil, as well as movies including Mean Girls, Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning and more. You can also stream CBSN (CBS News), CBS Sports HQ and ET Live, as well as — with the Premium Plan — your local CBS network.
Paramount+ is available on PC or Mac as well as Roku, iPhone and Android phones, Apple TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, PlayStation 4, Samsung smart TV, Vizio and XBOX One.
If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full Paramount+ soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service.
Free resources available to you
World Soccer Talk is the number one destination in the United States for soccer television and streaming information. We recommend that you bookmark our soccer games on TV today page as well as subscribing to our free daily email newsletter that includes TV schedules and the latest soccer news and opinion from around the world.
Here are the steps to sign up for your 7-day free trial to Paramount+:
1. After clicking the ‘Try It Free’ button, you’ll see the following page that explains the two choices you’ll find. Click ‘Continue’ to be presented with the options:
2. Choose between the ‘Paramount+ Essential’ or ‘Paramount+ With Showtime’ options. If you want to save over 15% with an annual plan, click the Annual option. Then hit ‘Continue’ to move on.
3. Next, you’ll need to create a free Paramount+ account:
4. Enter your contact details, and click ‘Continue’ to move to the next step.
5. The following page explains the free 7-day trial:
6. Enter your payment details and then click ‘Start Paramount+’ to begin your free trial.
If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out World Soccer Talk’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer.
To find out when soccer games are on, download the free Soccer TV Schedules App which includes listings of all of the live soccer matches available in the United States (available on Apple iOS devices and Android devices).
The staging of the Finalissima against Argentina appears increasingly complicated and, in that context, Spain are considering other options.
Over the past few weeks, serious doubts have emerged about the Finalissima taking place due to the need to find a venue to replace Qatar. UEFA and CONMEBOL have not yet reached an agreement and, in that context, Spain are beginning to consider alternatives in case the match against Argentina is canceled.
“With the cancellation getting closer, the Royal Spanish Football Federation is working to ensure De la Fuente has matches in the March window, the last ones before the World Cup roster,”Marca reported. “And that path leads to Serbia, with whom contact has already been made and progress achieved.”
Serbia are one of the strongest European national teams that have definitively missed out on the World Cup. They finished third in Group K of the qualifiers behind England and Albania, which left them without any chance of even competing in the playoffs.
In addition, the suspension of the matches that were scheduled to take place during the March international break in Qatar has also affected them. Serbia were scheduled to face the hosts on March 26 and Saudi Arabia four days later. But the uncertainty surrounding those games has left them available to arrange other commitments on those dates.
Spain coach Luis De La Fuente.
Talks about a potential match between Spain and Serbia have been ongoing for some time, including discussions between the managers of both national teams. “On February 12 in Brussels, during the Nations League draw, Paunovic and De la Fuente spoke about a possible friendly in the future,”Marca revealed.
Spain and Serbia could face each other regardless of what happens with the Finalissima
The cancellation of the matches that were supposed to be played later this month in Qatar has put into question all the fixtures national teams had planned for the March FIFA break. In addition to the match against Argentina, Spain were also scheduled to play a friendly against Egypt, also in Qatar, three days later.
That now seems less likely. “Even if the Finalissima ends up being played in Europe, Spain would face Serbia instead of the friendly against Egypt scheduled for March 30,” the Marca report added. “As for the possible venue, the RFEF is considering taking the match to southern Spain.”
Finalissima at serious risk due to venue disagreements
All these developments are mainly related to the possibility that the Finalissima could be canceled. The inability to stage the match in Qatar would affect commercial commitments that make the game less attractive for the associations involved, particularly Argentina, while disputes over the choice of a new venue have also contributed to rising tensions.
While Spain and UEFA proposed the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid as the ideal venue, Argentina made an unexpected counterproposal by insisting on bringing the match to Buenos Aires, at Monumental Stadium. With this tug-of-war, the chances of reaching an agreement satisfactory to all parties appear increasingly remote.
Lamine Yamal of Spain looks on during the UEFA Nations League 2025.
With the Spanish club entering a crucial phase of the season, head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has provided a fresh update on the French star’s condition after he was ruled out of the upcoming La Liga match against Elche.
Kylian Mbappe‘s injury status has become one of the most closely watched stories surrounding Real Madrid in recent weeks. With the Spanish club entering a crucial phase of the season, head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has provided a fresh update on the French star’s condition after he was ruled out of the upcoming La Liga match against Elche.
While the forward will miss the domestic clash as he continues to recover from a knee injury, the manager hinted that the club is carefully managing his return for an even bigger fixture: the decisive UEFA Champions League showdown against Manchester City. For now, Real Madrid has chosen caution over urgency, prioritizing Mbappe’s long-term fitness rather than rushing him back into action too soon.
Mbappe out of Elche fixture as recovery continues
Thus, Real Madrid confirmed that Kylian Mbappe will not feature in their upcoming La Liga fixture against Elche as he continues recovering from a knee problem that has troubled him for months. The French forward has been sidelined recently due to a sprain in his left knee, an issue that dates back to December. Although he initially attempted to play through the discomfort, the club eventually decided to give him time away from competitive matches to avoid aggravating the injury.
Despite positive progress in training, the coaching staff believes the match against Elche comes too soon. Protecting their star forward ahead of more decisive fixtures has become the priority. “The situation is not complicated. He’s getting better every day. His recovery is progressing as it should,”Arbeloa explained during a press conference. “We’ve made a plan, and it depends on his progress, but I think he’ll be fine.”
The update offered reassurance to Madrid supporters, many of whom had been concerned about the forward’s long-term availability. With Mbappe having already scored 38 goals in 33 appearances this season, his absence is felt whenever he is unavailable. Still, the club appears determined to avoid unnecessary risks.
When is Mbappe expected to return?
The biggest question surrounding the situation has been when Mbappe will actually return to the pitch. Arbeloa’s comments offered the clearest indication yet. “He won’t be available tomorrow, but I’m confident he’ll travel to Manchester,” the coach said.
This suggests Mbappe is expected to return for Real Madrid’s Champions League round-of-16 second leg against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. The timing is significant. Los Blancos already hold a 3-0 advantage from the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, where Federico Valverde delivered a sensational hat-trick.
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid celebrates scoring against Valencia.
Despite that comfortable lead, the club still views the return leg as a crucial test against the reigning English champions. Reports from the French press also suggest that Mbappe has resumed intensive training sessions, raising optimism that he will be fit enough to join the matchday squad at least.
For now, Real Madrid’s strategy is clear: protect their most important attacking weapon today so he can make the biggest possible impact when it matters most.
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe and interim coach Alvaro Arbeloa.
Beşiktaş Kulübü Başkanı Serdal Adalı, Hazine ve Maliye Bakanı Mehmet Şimşek'i makamında ziyaret etti.
Siyah-beyazlı kulübün açıklamasına göre, ziyarette Beşiktaş Kulübü Genel Sekreteri Uğur Fora ile Basın Sözcüsü ve İletişimden Sorumlu Yönetim Kurulu Üyesi Orhan Özalp da yer aldı.
Serdal Adalı, ziyaretin sonunda Şimşek'e isminin yazılı olduğu Beşiktaş forması takdim etti.
Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu (TFF), fıtık operasyonu geçiren milli futbolcu Yusuf Akçiçek için "geçmiş olsun" mesajı yayımladı.-
Federasyondan yayımlanan mesajda, "A Milli Takım futbolcumuz Yusuf Akçiçek, Fransa'nın başkenti Paris'te başarılı bir fıtık operasyonu geçirdi. Suudi Arabistan'ın Al Hilal kulübünde forma giyen milli futbolcumuzun, tedavi ve rehabilitasyon sürecini takiben en kısa sürede sağlığına kavuşmasını diliyoruz." denildi.
If 2024 was about “trying to figure it out,” 2026 is the year staking officially became a cornerstone of the modern digital wallet. At its simplest, staking is the crypto-native version of putting your money to work. Instead of your assets sitting idle, you’re essentially “hiring” them out to help secure and run a blockchain network.
How It Works (The “Low-Down”)
When you “lock up” a portion of your holdings, you become part of the network’s infrastructure, not just a holder of a digital asset. You assist in the validation of transactions and maintain the integrity of the system. It can be thought of as a high-yield savings account, but instead of your money being used by a bank for loans, your coins are used by a blockchain to ensure global security. In exchange for your assistance, the network pays you back in brand-new coins.
The 2026 Landscape: What is different?
The “wild west” days are behind us. Here is what staking looks like today:
The Gold Standard of PoS: Major networks like Ethereum have long since matured. Staking rewards are no longer erratic; they’ve become stable, predictable benchmarks for the broader crypto economy.
The “Liquid” Revolution: Gone are the days when staking meant your funds were stuck in a digital vault. With Liquid Staking, you get the best of both worlds. You stake your ETH, get a derivative token back, and can still use that token in DeFi to earn extra yield elsewhere. It’s like earning interest on your house while still being able to use it as collateral for a new car.
Intuitive Security: You no longer need to be a coder to participate. Platforms have streamlined the “human” side of the tech—one-click staking is now the norm, backed by institutional-grade security that makes the process feel as safe as traditional banking.
ChangeNOW: The Non-Custodial Powerhouse
If you’re the type of holder who values privacy and believes in the “not your keys, not your coins” mantra, ChangeNOW is likely your number 1 choice in 2026. While many platforms act like traditional banks, ChangeNOW is a non-custodial service.
This is a game-changer for security: the platform never touches your private keys. Your assets stay exactly where they belong (in your own wallet) giving you total control while you earn.
Why Choose ChangeNOW for Staking?
Safety Without the Hassle: By staying non-custodial, ChangeNOW removes the “platform risk” seen with centralized exchanges. You aren’t just trusting a company; you’re trusting the math and your own security habits.
The “Swap-to-Stake” Magic: This is the ultimate shortcut. You don’t need to already own the specific staking asset you’re eyeing. If you have Bitcoin, Dogecoin, or even stablecoins, ChangeNOW can instantly swap them for high-yield assets like Solana or Ethereum and send them straight to your staking destination in one smooth motion.
A Massive Digital Playground: Diversity is the best defense in crypto. With support for over 1,500+ assets, you can jump from staking Solana (SOL) to Cosmos (ATOM) or Cardano (ADA) without jumping between five different apps.
The NOW Token Advantage: For those who like to keep it local, staking the native NOW Token is a standout move. In 2026, it still offers a competitive 6.25% APY with the added perk of weekly payouts—perfect for those who like to see their progress in real-time.
The Verdict: ChangeNOW is the best “All-in-One” tool for users who want to move their stagnant assets into high-interest staking coins without the headache of professional trading desks.
Binance: The “All-You-Can-Earn” Buffet
As the world’s largest exchange in 2026, Binance is the go-to platform for those who want the widest variety of options. If a coin can be staked, it’s probably on Binance.
Massive Selection: They support hundreds of assets with a mix of “Flexible” (withdraw anytime) and “Locked” (higher yield for 30, 60, or 90 days) terms.
Simple Earn: Their “Simple Earn” interface acts like a one-click shop. You just pick your coin, choose the duration, and start earning.
High Yields: Binance often offers promotional APYs for certain new or “hot” tokens. These APYs can reach 15-20% or higher.
ETH 2.0 Staking: Binance offers an easy way to stake Ethereum. You will receive WBETH (Wrapped Beacon ETH) in return. You can use WBETH for trading or as collateral while earning rewards.
Keep in Mind: Binance is a custodial exchange. This means they hold your keys. Another key for consideration is the vast amount of tools provided by the platform, so beginners might be overwhelmed by the navigation.
Kraken: The King of Security & Transparency
If the crypto market is a bustling city, Kraken is its most fortified vault. They don’t try to be the platform that lists every meme coin under the sun; instead, they focus on being the most reliable place to grow the assets you truly care about. In 2026, Kraken remains the go-to for investors who sleep better knowing exactly where their money is.
Proof of Reserves (The Transparency Standard): Kraken doesn’t just ask you to trust them—they prove they’re solvent. They pioneered regular, cryptographically verifiable audits to show they hold customer funds 1:1. In an era where “trust” is a buzzword, Kraken treats it as a technical requirement.
Bonded vs. Flexible (Your Terms, Your Choice): Kraken respects that life happens.
Bonded Staking: Lock your assets for a set period to secure the highest possible rewards.
Flexible Staking: Keep your coins available. You can sell or move them instantly, though you’ll typically earn a lower rate for that freedom.
Heavyweight Rewards on Blue Chips: While their selection is curated, their rates for major assets are highly competitive. For example, in early 2026, staking Cosmos (ATOM) can yield up to 18-22%, and Polkadot (DOT) remains strong at 10-13%.
The Verdict
Kraken is for the “set it and forget it” investor. It’s for those who want professional-grade tools and top-tier security without having to navigate a maze of complex features just to earn a yield.
KuCoin: The Altcoin Treasure Chest
If Binance is the modern-day supermarket and Kraken is the exclusive boutique, KuCoin is the storied local market where one can find items that even the most prominent chains have yet to discover. It is the go-to platform for those who want to get in on the ground floor of new projects before they go mainstream.
Promotional Staking: KuCoin frequently launches “BurningDrop” or special staking events for brand-new tokens. These can offer massive temporary APYs (sometimes over 50-100%) as a way to launch new projects.
KCS Bonus: By holding and staking the native KuCoin Token (KCS), you don’t just get staking rewards, you also get a daily share of the exchange’s trading fee revenue. It’s like owning a tiny piece of the business.
Soft Staking: They offer a “flexible” version where you earn rewards just by keeping the coins in your account, with no strict lock-up period.
The Verdict: Best for “Altcoin hunters” who want to put small, speculative coins to work before they become mainstream.
Crypto.com: The Lifestyle & Rewards Hub
In 2026, Crypto.com is less about “trading charts” and more about how crypto fits into your daily life. Their staking is heavily tied to their famous metal Visa cards.
Tiered Rewards: Your staking “power” depends on how much Cronos (CRO) you lock up. The more you stake, the higher the interest rates you get on other coins like Bitcoin or stablecoins.
Card Perks: Staking here isn’t just about getting more coins; it’s about unlocking “lifestyle” benefits like 100% rebates on Spotify/Netflix and access to airport lounges.
On-Chain Staking: For those who want more transparency, Crypto.com now offers a dedicated “On-Chain Staking” section where you can see exactly which validator your coins are helping, with competitive rates on Solana (SOL) and Ethereum (ETH).
The Verdict: Best for “The Modern Minimalist” who wants their crypto to pay for their subscriptions and daily coffee.
Conclusion: Choosing Your Path in 2026
Crypto staking in 2026 is no longer a “one-size-fits-all” activity, as we have seen. The landscape has changed a lot, with different paths to choose from. You can pick the path that’s best for you. You can go for control, excitement, or something that’s useful every day. For the Privacy-Conscious ChangeNOW is the clear winner. Its non-custodial nature keeps you in control of your keys, while the “Swap-to-Stake” feature eliminates the technical barriers of entry. It is the fastest way to turn stagnant assets into productive ones.
Before you lock up your assets, always remember the golden rule of 2026: Diversification is your best defense. Don’t put all your eggs in one validator or one exchange. By spreading your assets across different platforms, perhaps combining the ease of ChangeNOW with the specialized rewards of KuCoin, you can build a resilient portfolio that grows steadily, regardless of market swings.
The era of “lazy” crypto is over. In 2026, the best investors are those who put their assets to work. Happy staking!
Crypto is having one of its best days in weeks. Bitcoin has pushed above $73,000, Ethereum has cleared $2,180, and the total crypto market has added $90 billion in value in the past 15 hours alone. Here is what is actually driving it.
The Numbers First
Bitcoin: Up 4.80% to $72,867, adding $60 billion to its market cap in 15 hours
Ethereum: Up 6.11% to $2,170, adding $15.2 billion to its market cap
XRP: Up 4.66% to $1.43, with $3.3 billion in daily volume
Solana: Up 6.94% to $91.61
Dogecoin: Up 5.20% to $0.098
Total market cap: $2.49 trillion, up 4.82%
Short liquidations: Nearly $200 million wiped out in 15 hours
The Fear and Greed Index sits at 37, still in fear territory, which tells you this rally is happening while most of the market remains cautious. That is often when the sharpest moves occur.
What Actually Triggered the Move
Three macro data prints dropped today and the market liked what it saw, at least partially.
Inflation cooling. The PCE Price Index, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge, came in at 2.8% against expectations of 2.9%. Lower than expected inflation reduces pressure on the Fed to keep interest rates elevated, which is historically good for risk assets including crypto.
Jobs market holding up. JOLTS Job Openings came in at 6,946,000 against expectations of 6,700,000. A stronger jobs market signals economic resilience, which reduces fears of a hard recession that would drag crypto down alongside everything else.
GDP slowing but not crashing. US Q4 GDP came in at 0.7% against expectations of 1.4%. Growth is slowing, which adds to the case for the Fed to ease monetary conditions sooner rather than later.
Put those three together and the market read a clear message: inflation is easing, the economy is not collapsing, and rate cuts may be back on the table. That combination is fuel for crypto.
The Short Squeeze Effect
Nearly $200 million in short positions were liquidated as prices moved higher. When traders who bet against the market are forced to close their positions, they have to buy back the assets they shorted, which adds upward pressure on top of the organic buying already happening. This is called a short squeeze and it accelerates moves that are already in motion.
The result was a fast, clean run higher across the entire market rather than a slow grind, which is exactly what short liquidation events look like in practice.
Where Things Stand Now
The Altcoin Season Index sits at 40 out of 100, leaning toward Bitcoin dominance but showing altcoins beginning to participate more actively. The average crypto RSI is at 61.17, approaching overbought territory but not there yet, which shows there is still room to move before the market needs to cool off.
The important level for Bitcoin is holding above $72,000. If it can close the day above that, the path toward $75,000 and beyond opens up.
The US economy grew just 0.7% in Q4 2025. That number, revised down from 1.4% by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, is already trending on X and CNN is calling it“far weaker than previously reported.” With the FOMC meeting four days away on March 17-18, crypto traders have one question: does this change anything for Bitcoin?
The short answer is not yet. But the longer answer is more interesting.
The Economy Is Slowing. The Fed Can’t React.
The GDP collapse from Q3’s 4.4% pace to 0.7% in Q4 was driven by weaker exports, consumer services, government spending, and investment. A government shutdown in October and November alone knocked roughly one percentage point off growth.
Annual 2025 GDP came in at a revised 2.1%.
Yet inflation isn’t cooperating. February CPI landed at 2.4%, exactly in line with expectations. This morning, the BEA confirmed core PCE held at 3.1% in January, still well above the Fed’s 2% target. The Fed has no clean path to cut rates with prices still sticky, even as growth slows sharply.
That combination – slowing growth, stubborn inflation – is exactly what’s driving the interest in the term “stagflation 2026” this week.
What Markets Are Pricing In
With few days until the FOMC meeting, FedWatch data shows a 99.2% probability the Fed holds rates unchanged at 350-375 bps. That part seems settled.
What isn’t settled is what comes next. The GDP revision is shifting the timeline for when rate cuts might actually arrive, and traders everywhere are recalculating.
Historically, Fed rate cuts are bullish for Bitcoin. Lower rates push investors toward risk assets, weaken the dollar, and increase appetite for alternatives to traditional finance. The longer the Fed holds while growth weakens, the stronger the eventual case for cuts becomes.
Bitcoin is currently trading at $73,537, up 4.42% on the day, holding its ground even as equity markets are dipping. That resilience, against a backdrop of weak growth and the US-Israel-Iran war, is what crypto traders are paying attention to right now.
The March 17-18 meeting is unlikely to deliver a cut. But with Q4 GDP at 0.7% and the economy slowing faster than expected, the question is not exactly whether the Fed cuts in 2026 – it is when.
And when that cut comes, Bitcoin will be watching.
“Mançester Siti”nin cinah hücumçusu Antuan Semenyo İngiltərə Premyer Liqasında fevral ayının ən yaxşı oyunçusu seçilib.
Arena.az bu barədə İngiltərə Premyer Liqasının rəsmi saytına istinadən məlumat verir.
26 yaşlı futbolçu ötən ay İngiltərə çempionatında 5 oyuna çıxıb. O, bu matçlarda 3 qol vurub, 1 məhsuldar ötürmə verib.
Mükafata Semenyonun komanda yoldaşı Niko ORayli, həmçinin Benyamin Şeşko (“Mançester Yunayted”), Viktor Dyökereş (“Arsenal”), Danqo Uattara (“Brentford”) və Vircil van Deyk (“Liverpul”) də namizəd idilər.
Semenyo karyerasında ilk dəfə Premyer Liqada ayın ən yaxşı oyunçusu mükafatını qazanıb.
Xatırladaq ki, Premyer Liqada cari mövsümün ilk mükafatçısı Cek Qriliş olub. Hazırda “Everton”da çıxış edən futbolçu avqustun ən yaxşısı elan edilmişdi. Sentyabrda “Mançester Siti”nin hücumçusu Erlinq Haland, oktyabrda “Mançester Yunayted”in forvardı Brayan Mbömo, dekabrda “Lids”də çıxış edən Dominik Kalvert-Lyuin, yanvarda isə İqor Tyaqo (“Brentford”) bu ada layiq görülmüşdü.
Qana millisinin də üzvü olan Antuan Semenyo “Mançester Siti”yə bu ilin qışında “Bornmut”dan 72 milyon avro müqavilində keçib. Onun Mançester klubu ilə 2031-ci ilin 30 iyununadək müqaviləsi var.
Semenyo “şəhərlilər”in heyətində 14 oyuna çıxıb, 7 qol və 2 məhsuldar ötürmə müəllifi olub.
Xatırladaq ki, Antuan Semenyo İngiltərədə dünyaya göz açıb. O, peşəkar karyerasına yetirməsi olduğu “Bristol Siti”də başlayıb. Semenyo “Bat Siti”, “Nyuport Kaunti” və “Sanderlend” klublarında icarədə də oynayıb. “Bornmut” onu 2023-cü ilin yanvarında 10,25 milyon avro müqabilində heyətinə qatmışdı.
Semenyo 2022-ci ilin iyun ayında Qana milli komandasında debüt matçına çıxıb. İndiyə qədər yığmada 32 matç keçirmiş futbolçu 3 qol vurub, 1 assist müəllifi olub.
“Transfermarkt” internet-portalı 26 yaşlı vingerin transfer dəyərini 75 milyon avro məbləğində qiymətləndirir.
Benfica, Porto maçında kırmızı kart görmesinin ardından 1 maç men, 5 bin 300 euro para ve 11 gün hak mahrumiyeti cezası alan teknik direktör Jose Mourinho'nun cezasına itirazda bulunacak.
Napoli Sportif Direktörü Giovanni Manna, takımın önemli isimlerinden Scott McTominay ile yeni sözleşmenin gündemde olmadığını ve İskoç futbolcu için hiç teklif almadıklarını söyledi.
Galatasaray’ın Liverpool’u 1-0 mağlup ettiği maçın ardından Mario Lemina ile Sacha Boey arasında yaşanan kısa an sosyal medyada gündem oldu. Taraftarların tepkisi sonrası iki futbolcu da açıklama yaparak...Devamı için tıklayınız
Profesyonel Futbol Disiplin Kurulu (PFDK), 12.03.2026 tarih ve 62 sayılı toplantısında almış olduğu kararları açıkladı. Bu doğrultuda Galatasaray'da Leroy Sane 2 maç men cezası, Fenerbahçe'de Umberto Tedesco...Devamı için tıklayınız
Trendyol Süper Lig'in 26. haftası İstanbul derbisiyle başlıyor. Şampiyonluk yarışında hata yapmak istemeyen Fenerbahçe, Mısırlı.com.tr Fatih Karagümrük’e konuk oluyor. Liderlik takibini sürdüren sarı-lacivertliler...Devamı için tıklayınız
Synthetix price moved slightly higher as the project published its roadmap for 2026, which includes token buybacks and new trading products. At press time, Synthetix (SNX) token traded at $0.3251, up about 2.9% in the last 24 hours. The token…
The Ethereum Foundation’s new “EF Mandate” formalizes its role as steward of a censorship‑resistant, privacy‑first, open‑source base layer, signaling zero appetite for surveillance‑chain compromises. The Ethereum Foundation has moved from vibes to written doctrine, publishing an “EF Mandate” that spells…
US equities keep climbing, but JPMorgan data show retail equity buying down about 30%, shifting crypto’s driver mix toward macro funds just as Iran, oil and inflation risks linger. US equities are grinding higher on the surface, but retail is…
Trend Research is again moving size through Binance, pulling 27,000 ETH off‑exchange while wiring in about $150m USDC, signaling fresh positioning after its brutal ETH unwind. Trend Research is back moving size through Binance, this time cycling Ethereum (ETH) out…
A Matrixport‑linked whale holds about $300m in leveraged Ethereum and Bitcoin longs with roughly $26m in unrealized profit, concentrating risk and raising liquidation shock potential. A highly leveraged whale is sitting on eight figures of paper profit after loading up…
The Official Trump token surged on heavy trading after news spread that large holders could receive invitations to a private event at Mar-a-Lago. At press time, The Official Trump (TRUMP) traded at $4.28, up about 52% in the past 24…
INTERPOL on Friday announced the takedown of 45,000 malicious IP addresses and servers used in connection with phishing, malware, and ransomware campaigns, as part of the agency's ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks, disrupt emerging threats, and safeguard victims from scams.
The effort is part of an international law enforcement operation that involved 72 countries and territories.
Microsoft has disclosed details of a credential theft campaign that employs fake virtual private network (VPN) clients distributed through search engine optimization (SEO) poisoning techniques.
"The campaign redirects users searching for legitimate enterprise software to malicious ZIP files on attacker-controlled websites to deploy digitally signed trojans that masquerade as trusted VPN clients
Sərbəst və yunan-Roma güləşi üzrə U15 Azərbaycan çempionatı sona yaxınlaşır.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, Qazax Olimpiya İdman Kompleksində keçirilən yarışın 3-cü günündə yunan-Roma güləşi üzrə isə 48, 52, 57, 62, 68, 75 və 85 kq-da finalçılar müəyyənləşib.
Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso is making his final assessments ahead of the World Cup play-off, and next weekend’s Serie A clash between Inter and Atalanta will give the Azzurri boss the chance to closely monitor 12 players who could be part of his squad.
Serie A table leaders Inter host Atalanta tomorrow, Saturday, March 14, at San Siro.
Both Nerazzurri sides have several players expected to be part of the Italy squad later this month, when the Azzurri will be involved in the World Cup play-offs. Others are in contention to get a spot in the squad that Gattuso will confirm next week.
As reported by Il Giorno (via FCInternews), the Inter players whom Gattuso will closely watch are Alessandro Bastoni, Francesco Pio Esposito, Nicolò Barella, Davide Frattesi, and Federico Dimarco.
Dimarco, Bastoni and Esposito seem to have a guaranteed spot. Barella is also a regular in the Azzurri squad, but recent reports have suggested that his drop in form has caused concern for the Azzurri CT. The same goes for Frattesi, who is nowhere near the Inter starting XI.
Matteo Darmian and Francesco Acerbi are unlikely to be called up.
Several Atalanta players also hope to be part of the Azzurri squad for the World Cup play-offs.
UDINE, ITALY – OCTOBER 14: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Italy, looks on prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Israel at Stadio Friuli on October 14, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Giorgio Scalvini is surely among the candidates in defence, and so are Marco Carnesecchi, Gianluca Scamacca and Giacomo Raspadori, even if the latter is currently injured and might not recover in time.
Other Italian Atalanta players who received regular playing time this season are Davide Zappacosta, Lorenzo Bernasconi and Raoul Bellanova.
BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Alessandro Bastoni of Italy celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s fifth goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
Italy will face Northern Ireland in the semi-final play-off in Bergamo on March 26, and if they progress to the final, they’ll visit Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Despite being close to a return to competitive action, this weekend will be one too soon for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, who will not be part of the Juventus squad to take on Udinese in Serie A on Saturday evening according to the latest reports.
Vlahovic’s Juventus return postponed
Vlahovic has been out of action since the end of November after suffering an injury to his adductor in a 2-1 Serie A win against Cagliari. He has since had surgery and has spent the last three months rehabilitating, missing out on the last 15 league matches, plus two in the Coppa Italia and five in the Champions League in the process.
In positive news for the Old Lady, Vlahovic was spotted back in training at the beginning of the week, and on Wednesday, it was confirmed that he had completed his first full session with the team in months, which had put him in contention to feature in Serie A this weekend.
VILLARREAL, SPAIN – OCTOBER 01: Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Villarreal CF and Juventus at Estadio de la Ceramica on October 01, 2025 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
However, according to the latest updates from La Gazzetta dello Sport, the centre-forward is still not quite at 100% and will therefore not be rushed back into action.
Friday’s report indicates that he will not be part of the Juventus squad to face Udinese at 19.45 on Saturday evening.
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has made an intriguing claim about Reece James’ other transfer options as he’s today signed a new contract at Stamford Bridge.
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It’s clear that Rosenior rates James very highly, as he said he couldn’t stop smiling about the news because it represented Chelsea securing the future of the best player in the world in his position.
Watch below as the CFC manager also hinted that James turned down other clubs in order to stay with his current employers…
? Liam Rosenior says Reece James had "many opportunities" to leave Chelsea! Which clubs could he be talking about? ?? pic.twitter.com/0ttHr2LgYI
Liam Rosenior on Reece James rejecting transfer opportunities elsewhere
“Yeah I can’t stop smiling because we’ve secured the best player in world football in his position,” Rosenior said to reporters.
“He had many, many opportunities to leave this magnificent club, and the good thing, it’s not just the size and the stature of the club that he’s come through from a very young age, but it’s his belief and confidence in what we’re doing here and where we want to go.
“We’ve had many conversations about it. For him to sign a deal and put his faith in us is a massive statement.”
Reece James has bounced back after Enzo Maresca difficulties
Rosenior only recently replaced Enzo Maresca as Chelsea manager, and that looks like it’s been a big boost for James.
The England international now looks back to his best, but this time last year, Maresca was critical of him and questioned his capabilities as club captain.
“For me, because you are the captain, you have to give more. You have to give more than the rest. I expect it from Reece and his team-mates expect if from him to always give more in terms of leadership,” Maresca said of James.
Rosenior’s praise for James speaks volumes, and perhaps shows just how much Maresca wasn’t really the right fit for this squad in so many ways.
Manchester United’s season has quietly rehabilitated the reputation of one of English football’s most scrutinized defenders. Harry Maguire, 32, has moved from the fringes back to the centre of United’s defence under interim head coach Michael Carrick, starting every league match of Carrick’s initial unbeaten run and drawing explicit public backing from the caretaker. Carrick […]
Reece James has signed a new six-year contract with Chelsea to keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2032. The Chelsea captain’s previous deal was set to expire in 2028, but James has put pen to paper on his next deal early. James came through Chelsea’s academy, originally signing at the age of six, before briefly […]
In the 27 years since Scotland were last relevant in the shake-up for the Six Nations on the final weekend, there have been plenty scars accrued along the way.
Sione Tuipulotu has only had to endure them in the past five years since he first donned the dark blue, but he has been around long enough to appreciate the opportunity he and his men have carved out for themselves as they prepare to take on Ireland in Dublin with a title and a Triple Crown still in play on the final weekend.
"We want to be the first of our kind and that's a big motivating factor," said the Scotland captain. "But it's not the be all and end all.
"Over the past five years, in certain aspects, we've been to hell and back together. So that's where my strength comes from, and our strength as a team: the hard stuff we've been through.
"The ability to be resilient in those times is what gives me the most confidence that we'll be the best version of ourselves."
Following the capitulation from 21-0 up to lose against Argentina in November, and again when they went down to Italy in round one of the Six Nations, it was hard to escape the conclusion that this team had reached the end of the line under Gregor Townsend.
It was not a conclusion based off just those two results, rather than those two defeats providing confirmation this was a team always destined to provide thrilling highs and crushing lows, never ridding itself of its maddening inconsistency.
Instead, those tough losses seem to have been a line-in-the-sand moment for this team, necessary fuel for this group of players to finally make the kind of step up that had been so frustratingly elusive.
After three consecutive victories in the Six Nations - against England, Wales and France - things look like they have fallen into place for a team long believed to be the most talented in the country's history.
"I think we've made adjustments," Tuipulotu said. "You go through things with a team, like the Argentina game, the Italy game, that moulds you as a team, and the last three games has clicked for us a little bit.
"But to be honest we've been speaking about these things for a long time, I think we've just finally put a lot of those things into practice."
Scotland ready for 'toughest challenge'
Scotland's greatest challenge also happens to be their last. Putting a seemingly unstoppable France to the sword last weekend in such ruthless fashion was as brilliant as it was unexpected, but Ireland are the bogey team to end all bogey teams.
Ireland have won the past eleven meetings between the sides. Scotland have rarely looked like winning any of them.
Only three of Scotland's matchday 23 for Saturday – Zander Fagerson, Finn Russell and Huw Jones - know what it feels like to beat Ireland. None of them have experienced a victory in Dublin. No Scottish team, club or country, has ever won at the Aviva Stadium.
"There is belief definitely," said Tuipulotu, who played for Ireland coach Andy Farrell on last summer's Lions tour of Australia.
"Maybe coming to the Aviva to play Ireland in the past it's seemed a little bit more like hope and that's a credit to them as well as what type of team they are. But we have been building this belief. You've got to act on your belief as well. There's no point in you just believing and then get out there and don't act on it.
"Being coached by Faz in the summer gave me a lot of perspective on how his teams are run and why they've been so successful over the last 10 years.
"It's a massive challenge for us, but I'm a believer that all things happen for a reason. There's a reason Ireland are the last game for us because it's probably the toughest challenge and has been the toughest challenge for us for the last 10 years.
"It's one we're ready for and we're really excited for and I just can't wait to get out there and have fun with my friends on Saturday."
The 'golden generation' stuff thrown around in relation to this Scotland team in recent years has tended to centred on what is undoubtedly the greatest collection of Scottish backs ever assembled.
Seeing the way the forward pack outplayed and, surprisingly, outmuscled their French counterparts last weekend, it was clear Scotland's recent upturn is not solely down to the magic occurring behind the scrum.
"I think the big change I felt, being in the room, is that I felt like our pack dominated the French pack last week and that hasn't happened to the French pack this championship," Tuipulotu said.
"I think a lot of those forwards have matured. I know [Rory] Darge has been playing since he was 21 years old, so he's matured now into the player that he is and he's ready for this challenge. He's going to be playing against a British and Irish Lion [Josh van der Flier], same with Jack Dempsey. He's matured into that role now that he's pretty well renowned as an enforcer so he's ready for that.
"I feel like there's no co-existing out there between you and your opposite number - it's either you or him. That's got to be the mentality from the jump."
More injury woes for Tottenham with trio ruled out of Liverpool game
Tottenham will be without Joao Palhinha, Cristian Romero and Yves Bissouma for their clash with Liverpool on Sunday, boss Igor Tudor has confirmed.
Romero and Palhinha collided heads in their Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday and will miss out this weekend.
Bissouma is also sidelined, while Micky van de Ven is suspended and Conor Gallagher is a doubt.
“They are out,” Spurs boss Tudor said.
“Micky is also out. Bissouma is out for the problem of muscles. Conor has some fever but probably he will be in.
“So we have, again, a lot of problems to make the first eleven. This is how it is in this club.
“This happens all the time. We start to build something, and something happens. Or a red card, or the last game, or three or four injuries. This is very rare.
“I’ve never seen these situations. Every game, missing two players, and the next game, and a red card. It’s very rare, very unusual, but we need to accept this and try to change the things.”
“It’s that simple” – Rosenior’s defence of his head-scratching substitution decisions makes little sense
Liam Rosenior has defended his use (or lack thereof) of substitutes in Chelsea’s game against PSG in midweek.
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Chelsea fans have taken issue with manager Liam Rosenior on a number of issues following their defeat against PSG in midweek, and one of the key ones was his use of subs.
In one of the most intense, high energy games we’ve seen for years, the Chelsea boss didn’t make a change until the 83rd minute – by which time it was too late. He was asked to explain his rationale in today’s presser.
Rosenior claims he didn’t want to mess up team chemistry
“Sometimes it’s that simple. We were in a really good place. We were in a really good place in the game. The last thing you want to do is disrupt the flow of the team in terms of making changes for the sake of making changes.
“At 2-2, I’ve watched the game back, even at the time I felt that we were in the ascendancy in that moment and then we make a mistake and it gets to 3-2 and the rest is history. I’ll make changes when I feel it’s the right time to make changes for the team.”
But from our perspective, it wouldn’t have been “making changes for the sake of making changes,” it would have been making changes to keep his team in the game. Players like Reece James and Cole Palmer were visibly flagging from so much earlier, to keep them on so long was crazy.
In other news…
The manager also defended Enzo Fernandez’s reaction to Filip Jorgensen making a second mistake later in the game.
Rosenior also spoke about the goalkeeper situation which is hanging over the club right now, and insisted he would continue to pick game by game.
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Juventus Champions League winner believes in Spalletti
Former Juventus star Moreno Torricelli believes the Bianconeri have improved significantly since Luciano Spalletti became their manager and has urged the club to keep him in charge.
Juventus appointed Spalletti during the first half of the season to replace Igor Tudor. Since his arrival, the team has shown greater confidence and cohesion, with many observers noting a clear change in mentality compared to the previous period.
Although Juventus have been eliminated from both the Champions League and the Italian Cup, the overall impression is that the squad has become a more organised and competitive unit under the Italian coach.
Torricelli backs Spalletti’s impact
Despite recent setbacks in cup competitions, there are signs that the team’s performances have improved since the managerial change.
The club are reportedly moving closer to offering Spalletti a new contract that would keep him in charge through the remainder of next season. However, some uncertainty remains due to inconsistent results in recent weeks.
Those fluctuations have led to doubts among sections of the fan base, but Torricelli believes the progress made under the current manager is clear.
Speaking about the situation, the former defender expressed strong support for Spalletti and the direction the team is taking.
“In fact, since Coach Spalletti arrived, Juve have changed gears. They may have only messed up a couple of games. But they’ve returned to making the fans dream, which is the most important thing. The uniqueness and unity of the group is what makes the difference. When you need to help each other, the group comes together. This gives me hope for the Champions League.”
Stability seen as key for Juventus
Torricelli’s comments underline his belief that the team’s collective spirit has strengthened since Spalletti took charge.
The sense of unity within the squad is viewed as an important factor in Juventus’ recent progress, even if results have not always been consistent.
Spalletti is also regarded as one of the most experienced managers the club has appointed since Max Allegri. His experience at the highest level of the game is considered valuable as Juventus attempts to rebuild and remain competitive both domestically and in Europe.
For that reason, maintaining stability on the bench could prove crucial for the club’s long-term plans, particularly if they aim to return to competing for major honours in the coming seasons.
The arrival of spring was enough to make even a curmudgeonly character like Philip Larkin raise a smile. “It will be spring soon,” the famously glum old English poet wrote in Coming. “And I, whose childhood is a forgotten boredom, feel like a child who comes on a scene of adult reconciling, and can understand nothing but the unusual laughter, and starts to be happy.”
It was to the sweet sounds of the thrush in the lengthening evenings that Larkin was responding, but fans of rugby – and Larkin, it would seem, was one – may just recognise the same sense of unexpected glee. It is easy to be a cynic about the state of elite sport, to be melancholic about the great game of yesteryear or fearful for the future, but this Six Nations has proved again what a beguilingly beautiful thing rugby’s grand old championship can be.
Sione Tuipulotu has led Scotland to a remarkable turnaround in this year’s championship (Reuters)
Consider the preconceived notions strengthened in the opening round of this edition, and those which have been demonstrably disproved. After that first weekend, one could feel surer in stating that Ireland were a side in decline with their glory years beyond them, and paint England as an upwardly mobile side talking in triumphant tones of a final-day deluge into Paris. Scotland appeared on the brink of regime change after an era had run its course; Wales were confronting more existential questions. If France still control their own destiny entering that which is appropriately termed “Super Saturday”, there will be no grand slam to gild back-to-back triumphs – and it is not inconceivable that Fabien Galthie’s side could fall short of even that if Steve Borthwick’s side stir as they hope.
Only Italy’s history-makers were perhaps correctly pegged – forgive us if mentions of the Azzurri are scarce hereafter, with the top of the table more squarely our focus. The confounding of expectations has left us a three-way title tussle that will mean the victor is known only after 11pm local time in the depths of a Parisian night. While the drama is spoilt somewhat by the fact that France will know what they have to do in relation to the result between Ireland and Scotland earlier, the sprawl of the fixtures across a Saturday afternoon and evening will provide a spectacular end to a tournament of twists and turns.
Another Super Saturday beckons in the Six Nations (PA)
For that, we do have Scotland to thank. From apparent ruination in Rome, Gregor Townsend’s side now stand on the brink of a first title of the Six Nations era after a mid-tournament transformation that felt unlikely ahead of the Calcutta Cup. After defeat to Italy, even Townsend himself appeared subdued as he dealt with probing questions both about his future and his approach. Was this still a squad united around their head coach? Could Townsend take the team to another level? Since an England win that turned the tide, those questions have been answered.
The day before that success against the Auld Enemy, Sione Tuipulotu had spoken with real fervour about how his team owed both themselves and their coach a performance, and that spirit has remained through the fixtures since. Along the way, they have played with an ambition, accuracy and invention befitting title contenders – the speed of thought and foot shown by Finn Russell’s quickly taken restart against Wales summed up Scotland, as did the three variations of similar strike moves pivoting around Tuipulotu that they used to cut France apart. It has put them in exalted, unexplored air; a success would be of huge significance.
Scotland are bidding to secure their first Six Nations trophy (Getty)
“I’ve won a few titles, but winning something with Scotland, especially the Six Nations, would definitely be the peak of my career,” said Russell after the 50-40 win over France.
“When you start playing for Scotland, you always want to win it. We’ve never put ourselves in a position where we can win it. Now we’re in that position, it’s all to play for this weekend. It’s new territory for us going into the last game with a chance to win it.”
The problem for Scotland’s title hopes is that they must now find a solution to the big question they have failed to answer under Townsend. Eleven times since the head coach’s arrival in 2017 they have tried to beat Ireland; 11 times they have failed, often in ignominy. It is a run that stands in contrast to the strides made against England and France during Townsend’s tenure; swap, say, a couple of Calcutta Cups for a Centenary Quaich or two and Scotland might have been more regular Six Nations contenders.
Ireland have dominated Scotland during the Gregor Townsend era (PA)
Ireland have been a high-class operation in that period but it is hard to assess why they have been quite so dominant. While there is a genuine rancour to the rivalry, and slightly strange suggestions of Scottish arrogance from some across the Irish Sea, that should work both ways, but too often Townsend’s team has failed to find the intensity required of them in this fixture.
Given all that is on the line, with a triple crown a consolation prize if France take care of business against England, it would be a surprise if that is the case again. “The record becomes irrelevant when next week comes around,” said Ireland boss Andy Farrell of the winning run.
Andy Farrell guided Ireland to back-to-back Six Nations titles in 2023 and 2024 (PA)
“I say it every year, I think they’re a great side. I think they’re a talented side. They’re well-coached. They’ve had some big wins. They’ve put it to France time and time again, which shows the character that’s in them. We’re expecting a massive game and the record doesn’t come into it because it’s a proper Test match.”
Ireland have undergone their own metamorphosis from the cocooned state in which they embarked upon this campaign. Given a dressing-room dressing-down by a frustrated Farrell after defeat to France, the last couple of weeks has felt more like the Ireland of old, even if Wales proved plucky prey. The return of Dan Sheehan, Joe McCarthy and Josh van der Flier adds yet more clout to the pack; of the Irish matchday 23, only Van der Flier, Tadhg Furlong and Garry Ringrose have experienced defeat to Scotland. That knowhow may prove significant.
There will be a few anxious hours for the Six Nations organisers with trophy presentations to arrange in Dublin and Paris but only one required, a task made tougher by the loss of one of two identical prizes in a van fire last month.
Ireland and Scotland will both hope to get over the line (Getty)
While one of Ireland and Scotland will similarly see their silverware go up in smoke with defeat, the victor will go top of the table and turn eager eyes to the Stade de France ready to roar England on – a strange situation for either nation that nonetheless befits this championship of capricious charm.
Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh was recognized this week as one of the most productive players in the country. Named a Second-Team All-American by The Sporting News, Haugh joins a list featuring college basketball's most elite.
The 6-foot-9-inch, 215-pound junior has burst onto the national scene as a centerpiece for Todd Golden's team this season after playing a reserve role in Florida's NCAA tournament run last year. This season, Haugh has shown versatility on both ends of the floor, leading the team in scoring with roughly 17 points per game and contributing to the fifth-most-efficient defense in Division I.
Haugh's ascension parallels the Gators' rise to national contention since Golden's hiring four years ago. The forward has been key in helping Florida recapture the championship lure of the early 2000's. As the team's primary offensive options, he nearly doubled his scoring average — the NBA draft hopeful is also the team's emotional leader, regularly amping the crowd at Exactech Arena with his passionate play.
A panel of journalists and analysts selects the Sporting News All-American teams — the honor represents one of the most respected designations in college athletics.
The selection adds another milestone to Haugh's growing reputation as a national star. His rapid development from role player to primetime player solidifies the Gators resume as one of the most dynamic and capable title contenders heading into March.
2025 Sporting News All-American team
First team
G − Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas
F - Yaxel Lendenborg, Michigan
F − Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State
F − AJ Dybantsa, BYU
F − Cameron Boozer, Duke
Second team
G − Kingston Flemings, Houston
G − Braden Smith, Purdue
G − Keaton Wagler, Illinois
F − Thomas Haugh, Florida
F − JT Toppin, Texas Tech
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Trey Hendrickson joined the Baltimore Ravens on a four-year, $112 million deal at the start of the 2026 NFL free agency. The star defensive end joined from division rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals, following a five-year tenure at Paycor Stadium.
Hendrickson will face his old team twice a year. Speaking on the opportunity of going against star quarterback Joe Burrow, Hendrickson said it wouldn’t change his approach. He gave his flowers to Burrow, but added that winning is the ultimate goal.
“Joe is one of the best in the National Football League,” Hendrickson said, via Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. “I like to affect games. It’s continuing to play the same brand of football. IT’s the standard that I’ve carried since Day 1. It doesn’t matter who we’re playing. The wins are important.”
Asked about facing Joe Burrow, "Joe is one of the best in the National Football League. I like to affect games. It's continuing to play the same brand of football. IT's the standard that I've carried since Day 1. It doesn't matter who we're playing. The wins are important."
Five years after being the best player on the Bengals’ defense, Hendrickson will try to beat their quarterback now. On the other hand, he will try to give the ball back to Lamar Jackson, another top talent in the league.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) watches a replay as the Detroit Lions celebrate a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Detroit Lions at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. The Bengals continued a losing streak, falling 37-24 to the Lions.
During his introductory press conference, Hendrickson discussed the opportunity to play with Lamar Jackson. Again, he focused on winning games before anything else.
“It excites me to try to get the ball back to our offense, put it in his hands, and we will win games,” he said, per Sarah Ellison of “The Vault.”
Trey Hendrickson on playing the opportunity to play with Lamar Jackson:
"It excites me to try to get the ball back to our offense, put it in his hands, and we will win games." pic.twitter.com/Gjemg3d9TE
The Ravens added a strong player to their defense. If Hendrickson’s body respects him, the Ravens will likely have a strong season on both ends of the ball.
Richard O'Donnell joined Derby County last summer after leaving Blackpool [Getty Images]
Richard O'Donnell has been backed by Derby County boss John Eustace to see out the season as the Rams' go-to goalkeeper after Josh Vickers become that latest shot-stopping casualty at the club.
Vickers was forced off late in Derby's 1-0 defeat at Millwall with a groin injury that is now expected to keep him out for up to eight weeks.
Zetterstrom is still struggling to return to training, with Eustace saying "he is in a bad old way at the moment" when giving his latest update.
On Vickers, Eustace told BBC Radio Derby: "It's a big blow. Initially we thought it would be a real long one, but it will still be a majority of the season."
It leaves 37-year-old O'Donnell, a player who went almost nine years between Championship appearances before he made his Derby debut in January, as the club's most senior available goalkeeper as they attempt to reach the play-offs.
In between those Championship appearances, however, he featured 240 times at League One and League Two level with Rotherham, Northampton Town, Bradford City, Rochdale, Blackpool and Grimsby.
"We have full confidence in Rich, he has stepped up twice already this season and been outstanding," Eustace said.
"The way he trains and he applies himself every day in training means he will be ready for the remaining amount of games."
With Derby's top two keepers out, 19-year-old Jack Thompson will be promoted to the senior squad from the academy.
And while Thompson has yet to make a first-team appearance for Derby, he got experience playing for Braintree Town on loan in the National League earlier this season.
Eustace also said that there would be no option to bring in an emergency loan cover for as long as O'Donnell remains fit.
Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has defended vice-captain Enzo Fernandez for his 'Roy Keane-like' reaction to goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen's mistake at Paris St-Germain.
Fernandez, who scored Chelsea's second goal at PSG, was seen berating Jorgensen and throwing the ball towards him after the goalkeeper's misplaced pass led to Vitinha's third goal.
Chelsea went on to lose 5-2 at the Parc des Princes and face a difficult task in the second leg of the Champions League last-16 tie.
Asked about the incident after reviewing the footage, Rosenior said: "As a player with passion, he wants to win. Roy Keane did that, probably.
"Roy Keane was my manager, but Roy Keane as a player probably did that 20 times a game. I want a team with a culture of accountability where we can demand from each other in the moment.
"Enzo loves Filip, Enzo wants the best for him, Enzo believes in him. In that moment he was frustrated with something that happened, and that's normal, isn't it?"
He added: "In the social media climate now, any small thing can become the biggest thing based on the number of clicks it gets. The reality is nowhere near as big as it's made out to be. They're best mates, and they spoke as soon as they got back into the dressing room."
Chelsea next welcome Newcastle to Stamford Bridge on Saturday in the Premier League.
According to Over the Cap, Taylor's new contract is just for one year and is pretty simple. His base salary is $1.22 million. None of it is guaranteed, and he has no signing bonuses or other bonuses of any kind. They have his cap hit listed at $1.08 million.
With no guarantees or bonuses, the 49ers could release Taylor at any time before Week 1 and save the full cap hit without getting hit with any dead cap.
The 27-year-old entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Green Bay Packers in 2020, and after a stint with the New England Patriots and another with the Packers, he signed with San Francisco in 2024.
In his career, Taylor has appeared in 47 games. He's rushed for 444 yards and two touchdowns on 4.3 yards per attempt and caught 17 passes for an additional 94 yards.
Since signing with the 49ers, Taylor has rushed for 183 yards and a touchdown on 4.76 yards per attempt. However, he missed the entire 2025 season due to injury. Now, he'll have a chance to compete for a spot behind Christian McCaffrey on the depth chart.
The Seattle Seahawks have gotten worse at running back this offseason. That is undeniable. General manager John Schneider wisely decided against retaining Super Bowl 60 MVP Kenneth Walker III, as the Seahawks were in no position to match the lucrative contract offered to him by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Nonetheless, Walker's departure delivers a big blow to the offense. That's especially true given that Zach Charbonnet tore his ACL during the playoffs. The Seahawks added former Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson via free agency, but he's a rotational back at best.
Washington was outstanding at the NFL Combine. The Razorbacks standout ran the fastest 40-yard dash among participating running backs at 4.33, and he placed second-best in both the vertical (39 inches) and broad jump (10-foot-8) drills. It was an excellent performance.
It's been a promising pre-draft process for Washington, who was also excellent at the Senior Bowl. The ex Buffalo and New Mexico State transfer rushed for 1,070 yards this past campaign. Washington runs the football with breakaway speed, good size, developed vision, and rushing instincts.
Mike Washington Jr. would be the perfect like-for-like replacement for Kenneth Walker III.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 01: Michael Carrick, Manager of Manchester United, applauds the fans after the team's victory in the Premier League match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on March 01, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) | Getty Images
All across the Premier League, you’ll find a number of teams juggling multiple competitions at the same time. League leaders Arsenal are chasing a quadruple under Mikel Arteta, with the Gunners set to take on Manchester City in the EFL Cup Final before traveling to Southampton in the FA Cup quarterfinal. Before that, though, they’ll be seeking to improve on a disappointing 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen with a strong display in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie. With a game in hand on every single team in the league, Arsenal sit seven points above City, who are praying for a miracle after their 3-0 defeat at Real Madrid, and who will host Liverpool in next month’s FA Cup tie.
City, meanwhile, sit nine points above Aston Villa, who defeated Lille 1-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League fixture, and 12 points above Chelsea, who fell to a 5-2 defeat in Paris Saint-Germain, and who will be taking on League One side Port Vale in the FA Cup. Chelsea are level on 48 points with defending champions Liverpool, who lost 1-0 at Galatasaray in the Champions League. There’s also Tottenham Hotspur, who suffered a humiliating 5-2 defeat at Atlético Madrid midweek, and Newcastle, who relinquished their lead at the final second and drew 1-1 to Barcelona, and Nottingham Forest, who lost 1-0 to Midtjylland in the UEFA Europa League. Reigning FA Cup winners Crystal Palace drew 0-0 to AEK Larnaca in the UEFA Conference League, whilst Leeds will travel to West Ham in the FA Cup.
Indeed, the only team in the Premier League’s top six that is playing only one competition is Manchester United.
After a dismal 2024/25 season that saw them finish 15th and go trophyless after losing to Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Europa League Final, United stumbled out of the gates, losing to Grimsby Town in the EFL Cup and suffering a run of humiliating defeats. It wasn’t long before the likes of Stevie Grieve were casting doubt on Rúben Amorim’s ability to lead United into a new chapter, with the Portuguese manager eventually being axed at the start of the year and replaced by interim manager Darren Fletcher, who did somewhat well but nevertheless suffered elimination at the hands of Brighton in the FA Cup. Nevertheless, United have been able to turn a new leaf under Michael Carrick, beating Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham in his first four matches, before narrowly escaping with a 1-1 draw at West Ham.
The Red Devils responded with a 1-0 win at Everton and a 2-1 win vs. Crystal Palace before succumbing to a 2-1 loss at Newcastle, but they nevertheless find themselves in prime position to return to the Champions League. United sit level on 51 points with fourth-placed Villa, and they can go three points clear with a home win against Villa on Sunday. Unlike Villa, who will have just three days to recover from their trip to France, United will have had 11 days of rest going into this match. But just how have United and Villa fared in their past few meetings? Let’s take a look.
It wasn’t long ago that United were a constant thorn in Villa’s side, winning 10 out of 11 meetings and drawing once between 2011 and 2016. Three years passed before Villa returned to the top-flight and faced off against United again, taking an early lead via Jack Grealish only to concede an own goal to Tom Heaton (now at United) and a goal to Victor Lindelöf (now at Villa), but Tyrone Mings would immediately equalize to snatch a point at Old Trafford. United would prevail 3-0 in the return fixture before winning 2-1 and 3-1. After three straight matches of scoring against Villa, Bruno Fernandes was kept quiet as Kortney Hause’s late winner saw Villa grab a victory at the Theatre of Dreams. Nevertheless, United would bounce back and kick off 2022 on the right foot, with Scott McTominay’s early goal seeing United win 1-0 in the FA Cup. Five days later, Fernandes put United two goals to the good with a brace, but Jacob Ramsey and Philippe Coutinho would score twice in quick succession in the West Midlands.
After winning 3-1 in league play, Villa looked set to make it two wins in a week against United, only for Erik ten Hag’s side to erase two deficits and win 4-2 in the EFL Cup via goals from Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Fernandes and McTominay. Fernandes was back at it again in the following encounter, scoring the game’s sole goal and proving why he is a role model for countless young Portuguese talents like Rodrigo Mora and Ricardo Neto. United then brushed off an early two-goal deficit and prevailed 3-2 via Alejandro Garnacho’s brace and Rasmus Højlund’s late winner, before winning 2-1 at Villa Park courtesy of McTominay’s late winner, followed by a goalless draw. The final match of the 2024/25 Premier League season, meanwhile, would see Fernandes set up Amad Diallo’s opener in the 76th minute, while Christian Eriksen sealed the 2-0 win from the penalty spot.
United and Villa last faced off against each other on December 21, with Morgan Rogers’ opener being immediately cancelled out by Matheus Cunha’s equalizer before the break, but Rogers would nevertheless respond by restoring Villa’s lead in the 57th minute to snatch a 2-1 win and mount pressure on Amorim even further. Now, Carrick will be seeking to further United’s Champions League hopes with a victory against a Villa side that has lost three of its last four matches vs. English teams, drawing the other to Leeds at home.
Can United make it six home wins on the bounce vs. Villa? Stay tuned for what promises to be an epic showdown in Manchester.
Kubiak was the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks last season. They signed a rookie undrafted tight end in Robbie Ouzts and converted him to fullback last offseason. Ouzts ended up playing 203 snaps on offense for the Seahawks. That accounted for nearly 20 percent of their total offensive plays.
Fullback news: Connor Heyward has agreed to terms with the #Raiders on a 2-year, $5.5M max value deal with $2M fully guaranteed, per agent @PerrettM of @PrioritySports.
You can probably expect a similar workload for Heyward. Kubiak was the offensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints in 2024. They had fullback Adam Prentice play 272 snaps, which accounted for 25 percent of Kubiak's offensive snaps that year.
Obviously Kubiak coached alongside Kyle Shanahan with the San Francisco 49ers. They've had one of the best fullbacks in recent memory in Kyle Juszczyk. Kubiak adopted that system and has used a fullback in his own playbook ever since.
Hopefully Heyward has a positive impact on Ashton Jeanty and the Raiders' rushing attack. Implementing a fullback definitely improved the Seahawks' ground game last year. Heyward will play a selfless role that helps Jeanty.
Since then, further details about potential rider movements have emerged, although teams and manufacturers have so far avoided publicly confirming any developments. With the Motorcycle Sports Manufacturers Association (MSMA) still negotiating a commercial agreement with MotoGP Sports Entertainment (previously known as Dorna) for 2027-31, teams have agreed not to announce their rider line-ups for next year.
Technically, the manufacturers haven’t formally signed up for the 2027 season and, as such, have no riders to announce for the next cycle. Even so, much of the grid already appears to be falling into place behind the scenes, particularly at the factory teams, leaving satellite outfits to fill the remaining gaps.
Here’s a look at how the 2027 MotoGP grid could look.
Ducati
The official Ducati team looks set for a major change, with Pedro Acosta widely expected to join reigning world champion Marc Marquez. This would mark the end of Ducati’s long-running association with Francesco Bagnaia, who helped the factory clinch its first world titles since Casey Stoner’s success in 2007.
Ducati’s first priority was to lock in Marquez for another two seasons, which it has seemingly done despite the lack of an official word from either side. The Spaniard exceeded even the loftiest expectations after joining the team last year, winning 11 grands prix en route to a seventh premier class title.
Acosta’s anticipated arrival would inject fresh energy into the squad, while offering the young Spaniard the opportunity to fully realise his potential after two winless seasons on KTM machinery.
Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, Marc Marquez, Ducati Team
Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, Marc Marquez, Ducati Team
Gresini
Gresini’s 2027 line-up appears far from settled, but it’s almost certain to lose its star rider Alex Marquez. As for Fermin Aldeguer, he signed a two-plus-two deal directly with Ducati prior to his MotoGP debut in 2025, but the Borgo Panigale marque has yet to decide where he will be placed within its satellite roster.
With no seats available in the factory team, it is believed that Aldeguer wants to remain at Gresini, although VR46 has also shown interest in his services.
Even if he stays put next year, Nadia Padovani’s team will have to decide who will partner him at the start of the new regulations cycle.
VR46
VR46’s rider line-up is also a major question mark, but team boss Uccio Salucci offered the clearest indication at the Thailand Grand Prix, where he revealed that the squad is considering pairing a youngster with an experienced campaigner. Such a strategy places pressure on current riders Franco Morbidelli and Fabio di Giannantonio, with at least one of them likely to lose their seat unless they can meet the team’s expectations.
VR46 is believed to be targeting Aldeguer for 2027 after he finished as the top rookie last year, but it remains to be seen whether he will join the Italian outfit.
Aprilia
After enjoying its most successful season in MotoGP history, Aprilia wasted little time signing a new deal with the rider who scored three of its four wins last year: Marco Bezzecchi.
While not officially confirmed, it is expected that Bagnaia will team up with Bezzecchi next year. Aprilia will hope a change of environment helps Bagnaia rediscover his form, much as Bezzecchi rebounded from a difficult 2024 season after leaving VR46.
Bagnaia’s arrival would also give Aprilia an all-Italian rider line-up.
Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing
Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing
Trackhouse
Little is known about Trackhouse’s plans for next year. While 2025 Australian GP winner Raul Fernandez is enjoying the form of his life, it is understood that he still doesn’t have any offers on the table for 2027. Ai Ogura’s future is also uncertain, despite the Japanese rider making an encouraging start to the current season.
The uncertainty about Trackhouse’s rider line-up comes amid Motorsport.com’s report that team owner Justin Marks is looking to sell a stake in the outfit - a move that could ultimately influence its rider decisions.
KTM
KTM is set to start the 2027 MotoGP season with a completely new rider pairing. With Acosta all but confirmed to be joining Ducati, the Austrian marque is believed to have lured Alex Marquez to lead the outfit next year. Maverick Vinales is expected to step up from Tech3 next year to partner the younger Marquez, effectively replacing Brad Binder in the factory team.
This means that KTM will have two race winners in its line-up next year.
Tech3
Tech3 entered a new chapter this year following a takeover led by ex-Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner. How that influences its rider line-up next year remains unclear, but it is likely that Binder will join the team for 2027 after stepping down from the factory KTM squad.
It remains to be seen whether Enea Bastianini will be retained alongside him.
Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Honda
Honda set the rider market in motion by securing the services of 2021 world champion Quartararo, although neither party has formally announced the agreement.
The Japanese manufacturer is yet to decide who will partner Quartararo next season. Current rider Luca Marini might be off to new pastures after holding talks with Yamaha in Thailand, but that does not automatically guarantee that Joan Mir will retain the second seat. While Mir is certainly under consideration, the factory could also promote a youngster from Moto2, with David Alonso among the names that have been mentioned.
LCR
In September last year, Johann Zarcosigned a two-year deal with LCR Honda, becoming the first rider to publicly confirm his future for MotoGP’s next rule cycle. Zarco will still have to improve his level, though, after his form noticeably dipped in the second half of 2025 following the highs of Le Mans and Silverstone.
Rookie Diogo Moreira has shown promising signs so far and he appears well placed to retain his seat for 2027.
Yamaha
Jorge Martin is likely to end his two-year association with Aprilia and join Yamaha’s factory squad in 2027. In that manner, the Iwata-based brand will replace one world champion (Quartararo) with another.
No decision has been made regarding Yamaha’s second rider, but Alex Rins will have to up his game to earn another season with the factory.
Marini, who is known for his technical prowess, could partner Martin after holding talks with the management at Buriram.
Pramac
Pramac’s rider line-up is far from finalised, but it is very likely that three-time World Superbike champion Toprak Razgatlioglu will remain with the team in 2027, when Pirelli becomes MotoGP’s official tyre supplier.
Jack Miller’s future is less clear, but amid broader changes in Yamaha’s structure, the Australian’s experience could help him land another contract with Pramac.
Jack Miller, Pramac Racing, Toprak Razgatlioglu, Pramac Racing
Jack Miller, Pramac Racing, Toprak Razgatlioglu, Pramac Racing
WICHITA, KANSAS - DECEMBER 9: The Final Testament celebrate their win during Monday Night RAW at Intrust Bank Arena on December 9, 2024 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by WWE/Getty Images) | WWE via Getty Images
Gzim Selmani, a former WWE and NXT tag team champion, is ready to make his mark on the BKFC world, and is ready for everybody — including the new BKFC heavyweight champ.
Selmani makes his long-awaited promotional debut this Saturday at BKFC Newcastle against Daniel Curtin. Prior to his WWE run as one-half of the Authors of Pain tag team, Selmani was an up-and-coming talent competing for the likes of Bellator and BAMMA, doing so before the age of 20, where he compiled a 4-2 pro MMA record.
It was assumed Selmani would compete at KnuckleMania 6 earlier this year, but the promotion held off on his debut – which Selmani understood. In the main event, former UFC heavyweight champ Andrei Arlovski stopped Ben Rothwell to capture the BKFC title. Selmani watched the fight and wasn’t surprised by how it went down.
“Yeah, it was a good fight,” Selmani told MMA Fighting. “It went like I thought it was going to go. I know Ben Rothwell was dangerous with his right hand, but that’s kind of what he counts on every fight, and Arlovski’s more in and out, throwing the combinations. And yeah, if you just wait for one punch, that’s what’s going to happen.
“It’s fighting. It’s kind of easy, so it went like I thought it was going to go and yeah, kudos to Andrei Arlovski. After what he’s been going through with his medical battles, his personal life, it’s amazing seeing a legend in the fight game conquer a sport like this
“All due respect, but if we face in the future, it won’t go like that.”
Without a BKFC bout under his belt just yet, and with Arlovski carrying a massive experience advantage, Selmani was asked why things would be different if he shared the BKFC squared circle with “The Pitbull.”
“You know, I don’t fight like Ben Rothwell waiting for one punch,” Selmani explained. “I’m a fighter that goes in there and in and out, throws combinations, hard, hard hitting, and, yeah, I’m a completely different fighter than Ben Rothwell, so wouldn’t go like this [other] fighter.”
Since BKFC signed Selmani, no one has put it over more than the biggest start in UFC history, and current BKFC co-owner Conor McGregor.
McGregor has made it a point to promote Selmani joining the promotion, and his upcoming fight with a series of social media posts and comments to make sure fans are ready for what they are about to see.
“The Albanian Psycho” can’t help but be thrilled with the type of hype he’s getting from McGregor, and he hopes to make sure that it’s not wasted when he faces Curtin this Saturday, who also makes his BKFC debut.
“It’s always good seeing the boss support you like this, and he knows what I’m capable of,” Selmani said. “He knows my fight career before WWE and he knows how I’m training right now. He keeps an eye out and he keeps in check, so he knows what I’m capable of and what I’m doing in training camp, what I’m doing to sparring partners, and he’s very excited.
“He’s very excited and he’s, at the end of the day, he’s a businessman and he knows what he’s got in his hands with me. So, yeah, it’s normal that he’s going to push it a little bit more than a different fighter.”
Location: Hawks Field at Haymarket Park, Lincoln, NE
Dates: March 13th-14th
Times (all CDT): Friday @ 6pm, Saturday **Double Header** @ 1pm and 4pm
Head Coaches: Nick Derba(9th season, 176-255) & Will Bolt (7th season, 181-131-1)
TV/Stream: B1G+
Radio: All Nebraska games on Huskers Radio Network, Huskers.com, Huskers App
Update for our series VS Maine. 🔔
A ticket to Saturday's game is good for both games of the doubleheader, ticket holders for Sunday's game can exchange their tickets for GA seating to one of the remaining regular-season home games while supplies last.
It’s the one weekend a year we get to curse Wisconsin for not having a baseball team. Well, who am I kidding… we should do that every week. Them not having a team makes for an odd number of conference teams and gives a random break in conference play for teams to play a non conference foe. It’s hard to get a good team to come to town with conference play going in most other leagues. Oregon State last year was a a rare get with the collapse of the PAC-12 empire. This year the Maine Bears come to town.
Nebraska and Maine are going in two opposite directions. Nebraska hasn’t lost since returning home, going 6-0 against admittedly teams they should have gone 6-0 against. The pitching staff has been great, not allowing more than 4 earned runs in any of those games. The bats seem to be getting warm too. Different guys have been stepping up to either win games, or blow games open early, for back to back run rule victories for the Big Red. Its hard to see any of these trends reversing this weekend.
The Maine baseball program has had a pretty good baseball history. They had a run of 5 CWS appearances out of 6 years in the early 80s (7 CWS in total). They last made a regional in 2023 at Miami as a 4 seed and went 0-2. Their most famous baseball alum is Jeremy Pena, Houston Astros Gold Glove short stop and 2022 World Series MVP as a rookie taking over for Carlos Correa.
It’s been a rough start to 2026 for Maine. Things looked ok after the first day at the ballpark. They split a doubleheader with a good Duke team, losing 8-3 then winning 4-3. Since then, they have only a lone win against High Point (who was 1 run away from sweeping #9 Florida last weekend). They come into Lincoln on a 10 game losing streak. They haven’t played a game at home yet, and won’t until March 27th. They often take up residence in a state for a week and play multiple teams. They will do that again this week, playing Omaha on Monday before flying back to the northeast.
Game 1: RHP Ty Horn (0-0, 3.10 ERA) vs. RHP Jason Krieger (0-3, 8.85 ERA)
Game 2: RHP Carson Jasa (2-1, 5.40 ERA) vs. RHP Vaun Larisa (0-1, 5.23 ERA)
Game 3: RHP Gavin Blachowicz (2-1, 2.41 ERA) vs. RHP Gianni Gambardella (1-3, 9.16 ERA)
For the first time all season, a weekend starter turned in a quality start, and it was contagious. Ty Horn did what the coaches have been preaching for a while, and stopped hunting for strikeouts to get deeper into games. He used his defense well, inducing by far a season high 9 groundouts. Horn had only 2 strikeouts on the day, but went for 101 pitches over 7 innings, and gave up only 1 run. That sounds like a good start to any weekend to me.
Carson Jasa had quite the Saturday afternoon. He faced 24 batters and only 8 were able to get the ball in play. He gave up 3 hits and had 3 groundouts and 2 fly outs. 9 strikeouts were something to behold, but the 6 walks were a disaster waiting to happen. In one inning he loaded the bases on walks with a wild pitch thrown in there, then struck out the final 3 batters. Somehow in all that, he gave up no earned runs, so not a bad day at the office for someone still learning his craft.
Championship Sunday saw quite the bounce back performance by Gavin Blachowicz. After a rough day in Auburn, Alabama last week, he exploded for a career high 11 strikeouts and gave up only 1 walk. He pitched a complete game in the 7 inning run rule matchup against Michigan State. He filled up the zone more than ever before, throwing 66 out of a career high 95 pitches for strikes. He keeps going like that and there will be a lot of happy faces on Championship Sundays.
The Bears lost their two workhorse starters from a year ago. One, the conference pitcher of the year ended up being a 4th round draft pick and the other transferred to Penn State. This has led to huge problems on the mound for the Bears. Jason Krieger didn’t pitch in 2025 due to injury. But was a member of the All-Freshman team in 2024 as a starting pitcher leading Maine in ERA (5.26) and strikeouts (54) in 13 starts and 65 innings. He got rocked by High Point, but otherwise pitches about 5 innings and giving up 3-5 runs.
Senior Vaun Larisa has had the best outings of any Maine pitcher in his last 2 outings out of the bullpen, so the coaches are giving him a shot at starting again. He had been taken out of the rotation after giving up 6 runs in 5.1 innings to High Point. Sunday starter Gianni Gambardella was an all conference pitcher each of his first 3 season at Maine. This season started ok as he held Duke and High Point to 6 runs over 10+ innings. Lately however has been rough. 13 combined runs in 8.1 innings against Dayton and Winthrop. If anyone can right the ship and have a surprise game in Lincoln, its probably him.
Scouting Report
Despite having to replace upwards of 7 starters in the lineup, offense has not been a big issue for the Black Bears. In fact, their reliance on newcomers has been rewarded with conference freshman of the week honors in each of the first 4 weeks.
Freshman Troy Carpenter was a huge get for the Bears. The man D1Baseball picked as America East Freshman of the Year followed his high school coach from IMG Academy up to Maine where his is now pitching coach. Carpenter started hot, piling up hits and RBIs against Duke and High Point on his way to back to back America East Rookie of the Week honors. He’s come back to earth a bit, batting .259 now with 2 doubles, 5 home runs and a team leading 15 RBIs.
Two other freshman are making some waves in the past week. The Vermont Player of the Year in 2025, 6’6” Rex Hauser has finally broken out in the batter box, he has 6 hits in his last 4 games after going hitless in his first 5 games. Oh by the way, 3 of those 6 hits were home runs. Look out for him in Lincoln if he gets ahold of one. Joining him on a hot streak is first baseman Hunter St. Denis. In 3 games at Dayton, he had 4 hits, including a double and 2 home runs to go with 5 RBIs. Add 2 walks and 2 hit by pitches and he was a menace in the batters box. That was good enough for his turn as Rookie of the Week.
Four-straight Rookie of the Week honors for your Black Bears 🤩
Even with the youth movement, the main threat for Maine is former Georgia Southern and Missouri grad transfer outfielder Juju Stevens. He leads the team in nearly every offensive category except RBIs, not surprising as he is the leadoff batter. He is batting .358 with 5 doubles and 6 home runs, but only 8 RBIs to show for all those extra base hits. He does not strike out often, matching his home runs total with only 6 so far.
Closer Jack Donlin has been one of the lone bright spots in the really struggling bullpen. He won conference pitcher of the week honors in week 1, striking out 4 of the 9 batters he faced in 2 appearances at Duke and picking up a save. They don’t always save him for the end of the game though. Expect to see him twice this weekend, in especially crucial points.
Starting the season off with a pair of conference honors 💯
Pierce Friedman is another pitcher that they like to turn to once a series to try and calm things down. He can be rather hit or miss, and its usually apparent right away if hes going to be wild or on-point. He fills up the stat sheet. In 11 innings pitched, he has 11 strikeouts, 10 walks, 10 hits and 11 earned runs.
The Maine defense is average, sporting a .973 fielding percentage on the year, good for 116 in the country.
Series History
The two teams have never met on the diamond.
On Deck
Dylan Carey led the nation in hits prior to the NDSU game, and now sits 2nd with 31 on the season.
Mac Moyer is 33rd in the country in batting avg at .444 and 31st in OBP at .565. He currently had a15 game on-base streak.
Nebraskas best start at home is 8-0 in 2019. They are currently 6-0 heading into the weekend.
Husker pitchers have combined for 14 strikeouts in 4 games out of 16 to start 2026. They only did that 6 times in 2024 and 2025 combined.
Jordan Spieth has been working incredibly hard on making changes to his golf swing during the off-season.
Incredibly, the 32-year-old from Dallas is without a win on the PGA Tour since April 2022.
He has endured terrible problems with his long game over the past few years and the same can be said of his putting.
During Jordan Spieth‘s struggles on the PGA Tour, current world number one Scottie Scheffler has gone from strength to strength, with 20 wins including four major championships to his name since February 2022.
However, it has been claimed that his recent swing changes are pointless…
Jordan Spieth told he has made a ‘pointless’ swing change
Spieth recently predicted that he’s only a couple of months away from playing his very best golf once again, as quoted by The Golfing Gazette.
“I think my consistency is going to continue to be really good and then, you know, having my best be better and better, you know, hopefully it’s a matter of months and not longer, maybe weeks,“ Spieth said.
However, in order to rediscover his best form, Sky Sports commentator Ewen Murray has claimed that the man from Dallas, Texas, needs to change his grip.
“I wish he would change his grip,“ Murray suggested.
“Jordan Spieth…look at Scottie Scheffler, the way he grips the club, and the way Spieth does, and Spieth has made changes with a poor grip.
“I don’t see the point in that, but it’s hard to criticise someone with such a good record.“
However, Rich Beem didn’t agree with Murray’s suggestion at all.
Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images
“Yeah, it’s almost, I think it’d almost be impossible, at his age, to really go through it,“ the 2002 PGA Championship winner said.
“That would take quite some time. I think the grip size might have to change too, if he’s going to change his grip on the golf club.“
Jordan Spieth advised to copy Scottie Scheffler
Murray interjected again, suggesting that Spieth should try a training aid that Scheffler uses.
“You know what? One thing a Scheffler’s got is that moulded grip that he uses every day,” the Sky Sports commentator said.
“And I think he should get a hold of that.
“He could do it a lot quicker than we imagine.“
The Beem weighed in on the matter for a second time.
“Well, that is one of those foreign things, though,“ the American said.
“I think since we were kids, we learned, you know, if you start off with a poor grip, all of a sudden, you’re hard working at it, and it never quite feels like you want it to.“
I have to say, Beem has got this one spot on. Every golfer knows just how difficult it is to change your grip.
Even a slight change to the way that you hold the club can make it feel completely alien in your hands.
If Spieth is to improve, he should work on the path of his clubface, rather than changing his grip, in my opinion.
12 Italy players to watch in Inter vs. Atalanta ahead of World Cup play-off
Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso is making his final assessments ahead of the World Cup play-off, and next weekend’s Serie A clash between Inter and Atalanta will give the Azzurri boss the chance to closely monitor 12 players who could be part of his squad.
Serie A table leaders Inter host Atalanta tomorrow, Saturday, March 14, at San Siro.
Both Nerazzurri sides have several players expected to be part of the Italy squad later this month, when the Azzurri will be involved in the World Cup play-offs. Others are in contention to get a spot in the squad that Gattuso will confirm next week.
As reported by Il Giorno (via FCInternews), the Inter players whom Gattuso will closely watch are Alessandro Bastoni, Francesco Pio Esposito, Nicolò Barella, Davide Frattesi, and Federico Dimarco.
Dimarco, Bastoni and Esposito seem to have a guaranteed spot. Barella is also a regular in the Azzurri squad, but recent reports have suggested that his drop in form has caused concern for the Azzurri CT. The same goes for Frattesi, who is nowhere near the Inter starting XI.
Matteo Darmian and Francesco Acerbi are unlikely to be called up.
Several Atalanta players also hope to be part of the Azzurri squad for the World Cup play-offs.
UDINE, ITALY – OCTOBER 14: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Italy, looks on prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Israel at Stadio Friuli on October 14, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Giorgio Scalvini is surely among the candidates in defence, and so are Marco Carnesecchi, Gianluca Scamacca and Giacomo Raspadori, even if the latter is currently injured and might not recover in time.
Other Italian Atalanta players who received regular playing time this season are Davide Zappacosta, Lorenzo Bernasconi and Raoul Bellanova.
BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Alessandro Bastoni of Italy celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s fifth goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
Italy will face Northern Ireland in the semi-final play-off in Bergamo on March 26, and if they progress to the final, they’ll visit Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
(Original Caption) Frank "Home Run" Baker (left), who was once as bright a star with a bat as Mickey Mantle is today, poses with Mantle at the Yankee Stadium as the old-timers had their inning today. Former stars of the Yankees and the Chicago White Sox donned their uniforms and enjoyed the roar of the crowd once again before the game between the Yankees and the Chisox. The Mantle bat is a special job.
When you see someone dubbed with the nickname “Home Run” and then compare that to their career total of 96 homers, you might think that was an ironic title. Maybe it was a joke like when a big guy gets nicknamed “Tiny.” However for his time Frank “Home Run Baker” was a prolific slugger, leading the league in homers on four occasions. It’s just that his era was directly before and then overlapping a certain Babe Ruth, who proceeded to blow Baker and everyone else’s tallies out of the water.
However, Baker was very rightly a star of his era and was eventually inducted into the Hall of Fame, for his work with the Yankees and the then-Philadelphia Athletics. Today is also his birthday, so let’s look back on the man dubbed “Home Run.”
John Franklin “Home Run” Baker Born: March 13, 1886 (Trappe, MD) Died: June 28, 1963 (Easton, MD) Yankees Tenure: 1916-19, 1921-22
Baker was born in 1886 in a town on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, not far from the Chesapeake Bay. He was born into a farming family, and spent many years of his youth working the farm. Doing all that hard work on the farm helped Baker develop into a muscular young man, who first started to make waves on the baseball field while playing for his high school.
In high school, Baker was a pitcher and an outfielder, and caught some scouts’ eyes. He was signed by a local semipro team, where he was moved to third base, which would become the only defensive position he would ever play in the major leagues.
After a couple seasons playing semipro ball, Baker received a tryout with the then-minor league Baltimore Orioles of the Eastern League in 1907. While a run with Baltimore wasn’t on the card, Baker did sign professionally for 1908, joining the Reading Pretzels of the Tri-State League. Putting up a .299 batting average and a .417 slugging percentage, Baker was noticed by Philadelphia Athletics legendary manager Connie Mack. With Hall of Famer Jimmy Collins nearing the end of his career, Mack was looking for a young third baseman to take his place, and gave Baker a try, purchasing his contract from Reading in September. In eight games at the end of 1908, Baker hit just well enough for Mack to not only keep him around, but to install him as the regular third baseman for the A’s in 1909.
In Philadelphia, Baker would become a star and one of the key cogs in the A’s dynasty of the early years of the World Series. In seven seasons from 1908-14, he put up 40.9 fWAR and 42.2 rWAR, including a 1912 season that was worth 9.1 and 9.3 respectively. He led the league in home runs every year from 1911-14. It’s just that, again, the highest of those totals was 12 as it was the Deadball Era. The A’s won four AL pennants in that time and won the World Series title in 1910, 1911, and 1913. In all three of those victories, Baker OPSed over 1.000 for the series. Had the World Series MVP Award existed then, he would’ve had an especially good argument in ’11, as he hit a couple crucial home runs (the real spark for his amusing-in-hindsight nickname), including one in their clinching Game 6 win that ended up providing the series-winning runs.
After a World Series loss in 1914, Mack began to sell off several of the pieces from the previous championship teams. While he attempted to keep hold of Baker, the slugger was looking for a pay raise, having been one of the heroes of the A’s recent successes. However on the other side of the negotiating table was the notoriously stringy Mack. Both sides were also quite stubborn and stuck to their guns. In the end neither side budged, and Baker ended up sitting out the entire 1915 season. Eventually, AL president Ban Johnson put some pressure on Mack to try and resolve the situation of one of the league’s stars, which ended with Baker being sold to the Yankees ahead of the 1916 season.
In New York, Baker hit the ground running, putting up a 130 wRC+ in 1916, even with having sat out the entire previous season. He continued to be a very steady bat for them over the next several seasons, as the Yankees turned from a cellar dweller in the early 1910s to a contender by the end of the decade.
Tragedy struck in 1920, as during that offseason, Baker’s wife passed away after a scarlet fever outbreak. Devastated, Baker sat out the entire season, which was also Babe Ruth’s first in the Bronx. Towards the end of that year, he eventually began to get the itch again, and eventually rejoined the team for the 1921 season.
However this time, taking an entire season off led to some rust. The now 35-year old Baker was a below average hitter for the first time in his career, although he did help the team to their first ever AL pennant in 1921. Despite his previous postseason heroics, Baker struggled this time around, recording just two hits as they lost to the Giants. He returned to the Yankees the following year, but in more of a bench role. He again helped the Yankees to the World Series, but got just one at-bat in another series loss.
After that season, Baker decided to hang it up, just narrowly missing the Yankees finally getting over the hump in 1923. Still, he had been a major part of the team building up to get in position to win the championship. Over his six seasons in New York, he put up 19.2 fWAR and 20.6 rWAR. Following his playing career, he returned to his native Maryland and spent some time as a minor-league manager, including giving a pro debut to future Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx and helping connect him with Mack, his old A’s skipper. He was later voted into the Hall himself, by the Veterans Committee in 1955. He eventually passed away in 1963.
It’s somewhat funny that someone got the nickname “Home Run” immediately before there was a huge jump in homers, making his record look paltry. Make no mistake though, for his era, Home Run Baker was absolutely a feared slugger.
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen speaks with General Manager Chris Ballard before the first day of training camp practice Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at Grand Park Sports Complex in Westfield, Indiana.
This offseason has felt a little different for the Colts. Not necessarily because of the individual moves themselves, but because of what those moves suggest about the direction of the team.
Normally when a team signs players or restructures contracts, it feels like normal roster building. A couple depth signings here, an extension there, maybe a splash move if the opportunity presents itself. The Colts have operated that way for most of Chris Ballard’s tenure. They’ve typically preferred patience, building through the draft, and avoiding the kind of contracts that can cripple a roster years down the road.
But this offseason doesn’t feel like a patient, long-term build. It feels like a team that is clearly building for one specific season.
2026.
Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen are not entering this year with unlimited runway. Another season hovering around .500 and missing the playoffs certainly ends their time in Indianapolis. Even making the playoffs might not be enough if the Colts sneak in and then get bounced immediately in a non-competitive game.
At some point the “we’re building something” phase has to turn into actual results.
So when you step back and look at the decisions the Colts have made so far this offseason, they start to make a lot more sense through that lens. The front office isn’t operating with a five-year horizon right now. They’re trying to assemble the best possible roster for this coming season, even if that means pushing financial consequences into future years.
Of course, this is obvious. Ballard is building a team to save his job, but what he’s forgetting will hurt him if he somehow manages to keep it past 2026.
Contracts are being structured to keep the cap manageable today. Money is being pushed into 2027 and 2028. Depth is being added quickly to plug obvious holes. This isn’t the careful, methodical team-building approach Ballard has talked about for years.
And once you look at the offseason through that lens, the biggest move of all makes a lot more sense.
Daniel Jones.
Once the Colts decided they were bringing Jones back, the rest of the offseason essentially flowed from that decision. And while the contract structure they used helps keep the cap hit manageable for 2026, the deal still leaves a bit of a strange feeling.
In theory, the Colts had other options at quarterback.
Tua Tagovailoa could have been acquired for around $1.5 million. Kyler Murray might be available for under $7 million. Geno Smith was another potential option at roughly $3.3 million. The Colts even could have traded for Mac Jones and paid roughly $4 million for the season.
None of those options would have been perfect solutions. But they all likely would have been cheaper than committing roughly $44 million per year to Daniel Jones.
Instead, the Colts doubled down on the quarterback who played well for roughly two months in Shane Steichen’s system last season.
To be fair, that stretch clearly meant a lot inside the building. For the first time in a while, the Colts’ offense actually looked comfortable. The ball came out accurately on time, the system flowed the way it was supposed to, and Jones seemed to understand exactly what Steichen was asking him to do.
For a franchise that has spent years searching for stability at quarterback since Andrew Luck retired, that kind of stretch probably felt meaningful.
But it’s also hard to ignore the context.
Jones was coming off an Achilles injury, which should naturally limit his market to some degree. Yet the Colts moved quickly and paid him like a team that believed multiple suitors were waiting behind them.
That’s where the whole situation starts to feel like the Colts were negotiating against themselves.
The contract was structured creatively to reduce the immediate cap hit for 2026, which allows the team to build the roster around him this year. But that flexibility comes with consequences down the road. Jones is scheduled to carry a massive cap hit of roughly $46 million in 2027 and around $26 million in 2028, which is technically a void year.
If the Colts want to keep him beyond that point, they would need to renegotiate the deal or extend him again.
In other words, the Colts created cap space for today by pushing a lot of the financial weight into tomorrow. They’ve also been doing that with a lot of other players, so those 2027 and 2028 cap hits are getting pretty big already.
The best way to describe it is like high cholesterol. It’s manageable for now, but if it’s ignored for too long, it eventually becomes a real problem.
That fits perfectly with the overall theme of this offseason. The Colts are not really building for 2027 or 2028 right now.
They’re building for December and January of 2027.
Of course, the entire gamble only works if Jones is actually healthy.
Jones has said he expects to be ready by training camp. If he returns by August 1st, that would put his recovery timeline at roughly 235 days after surgery, just over eight months. That’s ambitious!
It’s not impossible, but Achilles recoveries are notoriously unpredictable. If Jones comes back on schedule and looks like the same quarterback he was during that stretch last season, the deal becomes much easier to justify. But if the recovery drags on or his mobility never quite returns, the contract could become uncomfortable very quickly.
The other major piece of the offseason was keeping Alec Pierce.
We don’t have the full details of Pierce’s contract yet, but it’s safe to assume the Colts also backloaded his contract significantly. Pierce strikes me as a receiver who probably should command somewhere in the $23–25 million per year range, but got 28M.
Still, keeping him was extremely important for this team, so the overpay was justifiable.
Pierce was the Colts’ best receiver last season. His ability to stretch the field vertically forces defenses to play differently. With Pierce on the outside, Josh Downs working underneath, and Tyler Warren emerging as another legitimate weapon, the Colts have three receiving options that can stress defenses in different ways.
That kind of continuity matters, especially when you’re committing to the same quarterback and offensive system.
The path to keeping Pierce, however, was unnecessarily complicated.
Earlier in the month, Ballard used the transition tag on Daniel Jones instead of Alec Pierce. That decision briefly reduced the chances of keeping both players and created a window where Pierce could have realistically tested the open market.
In the end, the Colts got the outcome they wanted. Pierce is back, and the offense retains the core group of weapons that made it functional last season.
But the process leading up to that result was far messier than it needed to be.
And like several other decisions this offseason, it felt like a move driven more by urgency than long-term planning.
Beyond those two headline moves, the Colts quietly made a series of depth additions along the defensive line.
Michael Clemons, Colby Wooden, Derrick Nnadi, and Arden Key might not be headline-grabbing names, but collectively they address what was arguably the team’s thinnest position group.
The idea seems fairly clear. Instead of relying on one superstar pass rusher, the Colts appear to be building a deeper rotation of capable defensive linemen.
Seattle won a Super Bowl with that type of formula. New England built a team last year with no names in the front 7 and went to a Super Bowl on the backs of those players. Constant waves of fresh defensive linemen can wear down offensive lines over the course of a game.
Right now, the Colts potentially have six or seven playable defensive linemen between Buckner, Stewart, Latu, Clemons, Wooden, Nnadi, and Key.
The goal from here is probably to find one more legitimate pass rusher to complement Latu and add another rotational piece if needed.
Not every move this offseason made perfect sense though.
Letting Nick Cross walk was puzzling.
If Cross simply didn’t want to return, that ends the discussion. But if there was any interest in keeping him, the contract he signed with Washington — two years for up to $14 million — feels extremely reasonable.
Now the Colts have another hole at safety that they’ll need to fill.
Braden Smith’s deal with Houston was another situation where the price simply became too high. I had him pegged as a player who should command roughly $7–9 million per year, so seeing him land closer to $12 million annually was a bit surprising.
Even so, the Colts still need a legitimate option to compete with Jalen Travis at right tackle.
The offensive line depth overall is not particularly strong right now, which becomes concerning if injuries start piling up during the season.
Normally, a team could address a lot of roster holes through the draft.
But the Colts don’t have the luxury of a full slate of picks this year. Their first selection doesn’t come until pick 47, which makes it significantly harder to find immediate-impact starters.
And Ballard’s recent draft track record doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.
The last three second-round picks were JT Tuimoloau, Adonai Mitchell, and JuJu Brents. Two of those players are already off the roster, and Tuimoloau has struggled to become a meaningful contributor.
That doesn’t mean the Colts can’t find good players this year.
But expecting the draft class to immediately solve several roster holes might be optimistic.
Right now, the Colts still have some clear needs.
Defensively, they could use another starting-caliber edge rusher, both off-ball linebacker spots need attention, and there’s a hole at safety.
Offensively, the team still needs another wide receiver to replace Michael Pittman Jr., better depth along the offensive line, and ideally a reliable backup running back.
That’s roughly six positions that still need to be addressed if the Colts want to realistically look like a playoff-caliber roster.
So where does that leave the team overall?
Honestly, somewhere in the middle.
If Daniel Jones comes back healthy and plays the way he did during that stretch last season, the offense should be functional. With Pierce, Downs, Warren, and Jonathan Taylor, there are enough weapons for the system to work.
If the offensive line holds up and the defensive line rotation produces consistent pressure, the Colts could absolutely win the division and position themselves for a favorable playoff matchup.
But the margin for error is extremely thin.
If Jones isn’t healthy, or if his play regresses, everything else becomes irrelevant very quickly.
The Colts are not a roster that can overcome poor quarterback play.
And that’s ultimately what makes this entire offseason feel so interesting.
Chris Ballard is building this roster with urgency. Contracts are backloaded. Cap space is being borrowed from the future.
It feels like a front office trying to assemble one good roster before the clock runs out.
Whether that gamble pays off will depend almost entirely on one thing:
The Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes meet in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament on Friday at the United Center in Chicago. Tip-off is scheduled for noon ET and will be streaming on The Big Ten Network.
Mar 8, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) shoots on Michigan State Spartans forward Jordan Scott (6) in the first half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Michigan enters the Big Ten quarterfinals with a 29-2 record and a 19-1 conference mark, the best record in the league this season. The Wolverines secured the No. 1 seed in the tournament after cruising through the regular season, sweeping their conference schedule and capturing the outright Big Ten title. Their consistency on both ends of the floor has made Michigan one of the most complete teams in the nation, and they enter the postseason as a major contender with championship aspirations.
Ohio State arrives with momentum after making a strong push through the tournament bracket. The Buckeyes hold a 21-11 overall record and have won three straight games in the Big Ten Tournament to reach this stage. Their most recent victory came in a tight quarterfinal-round win over Iowa, showcasing the resilience and confidence the team has built during this postseason run.
Although Ohio State struggled to match Michigan during the regular season, the Buckeyes are playing some of their best basketball at the right time. Their recent stretch of wins has strengthened their NCAA Tournament résumé, and knocking off the conference’s top seed would provide a significant statement heading into Selection Sunday.
This will be a great rivalry matchup to kick off Friday’s NCAA college basketball slate.
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Mar 12, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) is pressured by Clemson Tigers forward RJ Godfrey (0) and guard Jestin Porter (1) during the first half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
The easy thing to do here is to take the negative. It’s a loss, and a loss in this tournament always hurts because the next loss will be their last. There are plenty of negatives to look at, starting with an 18 point deficit in the second half that was just too much to overcome.
Yet if you want to take a hit of copium, you can for this reason: they only lost by one, and in multiple situations when it looked like it was easy for them to give up, they fought back. So how much do we read into this game, as the next time we see the team it’ll be the first round of the NCAA Tournament? Let’s attempt three takeaways:
The bench is going to have to contribute
Jonathan Powell, Zayden High, Jayden Young, and Kyan Evans played a total of 35 minutes and scored all of five points. Now, the number is going to look pretty skewed when compared to the first game just nine days ago because it was Senior Night and Elijah Davis started instead of Luka Bogavac, so his 20 points off the bench made it look like a much bigger portion of the offense. Ultimately though, when you are missing the likes of a Caleb Wilson you can’t just get contributions from the five staters. It’s a recipe for them to get worn out.
The irony here is that one of the biggest gripes of Hubert Davis coming into the year was that he tended to rely on his starters too much and not utilize his bench. Now to some extent the circumstances this year have forced these changes, but of the many complaints you can make about this year that isn’t one of them. The only starter who played over 35 minutes was Henri Veesaar, and as Clemson had all the size in the world to go up against the Tar Heels, it made complete sense why.
Perhaps the most alarming player from the bench is the third big, Zayden High. Against Clemson the first time he played fourteen minutes, got five boards and four points. On Thursday, though, High only had one basket, two boards, two fouls, and looked lost enough to earn time on the bench instead of in the action. He finished with a plus/minus of -8 in the game, second worst to Jayden Young’s -13.
It wouldn’t be shocking at this rate to see Davis revert back to leaning heavily on his starters, as the comeback in the second half really started in earnest when Veesaar came back into the game and didn’t leave at the under ten minute mark. Honestly, can someone on the bench step up?
Keep Derek Dixon
One of the biggest things that Davis deserves credit for: when it became clear that Derek Dixon was going to be the better playmaker for this team, he handed him the reins — even though you could argue it took a little too long for him to turn the team over. The signs were there, as Dixon would come off the bench but stick around for more minutes and play in crunch time — see the Ohio State win in the CBS Sports Classic. He showed his uncanny ability to turn it on late again on Thursday, hitting impossible three after impossible three, and was the biggest spark to get Carolina back into the game. On the intentional miss, Clemson made sure that the ball couldn’t end up in his hands.
In the old days of college basketball you’d look at Dixon as someone who could grow in your program and become the next in the line of the Marcus Paige, Joel Berry II, and RJ Davis group. Of course college basketball is different now, and he’s shown enough to command attention in the market. This is where having a GM is a positive, because Jim Tanner and Dixon’s representatives can talk immediately after the season, away from the emotions of the game, and you hope the chances of him staying — knowing what’s coming in — are good.
Dixon is a huge piece of the puzzle next year, and he showed it again last night. Going into a season knowing he’s starting and might be able to slide over to the Seth Trimble role could be massive, and his spirit in helping the comeback Thursday could give you room for hope.
You maybe don’t want to read TOO much from the ACC Tournament
We were all wanting Carolina to get the double bye. Getting another day of rest seemed huge, because of course to win the whole thing you want to only have to play three games instead of four.
The problem is — including Carolina’s loss Thursday — the four seed is only 10-10 overall in the ACC Tournament since the format went to 12 (or more) teams in 2006, after which point the four seed has necessarily faced a team that had at least one game under their belt. Of those ten wins, four of them came against a twelve or thirteen seed.
You saw it in each of the other three games on Thursday; each of the teams that played on Wednesday started strong. You could have legitimately seen all lower seeds advance, but in most cases the higher seed eventually got their legs under them and were able to pull it out. It’s also worth noting that Louisville beat Miami last weekend, and Miami was able to get their revenge. It’s different when you play a team that has momentum and also just played you in your current form and know how to adjust. It takes away the advantage of the short turnaround.
While a lot of the same issues for Carolina cropped up — guard play, long and inexplicable dry spells, lack of motivation for stretches — you also have to wonder about what the mindset is for this team that had to wait to be the last one to play. Do we get upset about the way they played when we saw all the higher seeds struggle — including Duke — or do we find a silver lining in seeing that Carolina was able to establish some momentum at the end of a game they were losing badly, and hope it might carry into next week? Would it have really helped to win and face a Duke squad that was going to be heavily favored, or have a game that felt like they could have won despite playing poorly for long stretches, and now have at least a week to chew on it as well as rest, practice, and hone in before the Big Dance?
In the end, you may not be able to fully judge this performance until we see how the season ultimately ends. If they make it to the Sweet 16? Maybe this is just what they needed. If they lose in the first round? More likely it was a sign of things to come.
Until then, all we can do is wait and see what seed they have and where they’ll end up.
After winning back-to-back World Series championships with the franchise, Anthony Banda said he was shocked when the Los Angeles Dodgers designated him for assignment in February.
The Dodgers designated Banda for assignment on Feb. 6 to make room on the 40-man roster for catcher Ben Rortvedt. Five days later, Los Angeles designated Rortvedt for assignment to open a roster spot for reliever Evan Phillips, who signed a one-year, $6.5 million contract with the Dodgers.
“Don’t get me wrong I love that organization and everyone involved in it. They’ve done right by me, loved me. Everything about it was great,” Banda said on Foul Territory. “When I got the phone call, it was more like shock. I couldn’t get any words out. I was so shocked.”
"I couldn't get any words out. I was so shocked."
Anthony Banda recalls the moment he got the call from the Dodgers after being designated for assignment. pic.twitter.com/2uFxev9vAs
The Minnesota Twins acquired Banda from the Dodgers on Feb. 12 in exchange for international bonus pool money and future considerations.
Banda Was Involved in Dodgers Trade Rumors
The Dodgers had multiple left-handed relievers in the bullpen, which made Banda a frequent name involved in trade rumors. Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia, Jack Dreyer and Justin Wrobleski are all southpaws still in the Dodgers’ bullpen.
Wrobleski has performed well in spring training and could join the starting rotation in 2026.
Banda said even though he was not expecting to be designated for assignment, he knew there was a possibility he would be traded.
“I wasn’t shocked in the sense of maybe a potential trade at some point. I’m not oblivious there’s a lot of lefties, and they’re really talented,” Banda said on Foul Territory.
The Twins mark the 13th MLB franchise Banda has been a part of throughout his career. Banda spent two seasons with the Dodgers in 2024 and 2025, which was his second-longest stint with an organization. He played three seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays from 2018-20.
With the Dodgers, Banda won two World Series championships. He posted a 1.13 ERA and 11 strikeouts through eight innings in the 2024 postseason run. In the 2025 postseason, Banda did not give up a run until he gave up six across 1.6 innings in the World Series.
Oct 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Anthony Banda (43) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays in the fifth inning during game three of the 2025 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
International baseball drama, rising Royals stars, and spring training momentum — this episode has it all.
In the latest episode of the Royals Rundown Podcast, hosts Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco break down the Kansas City Royals’ strong presence in the World Baseball Classic, highlighting standout performances and unforgettable moments from the tournament. From Vinnie Pasquantino’s leadership and celebratory espresso shots to Jac Caglianone’s eye-catching performances, the hosts explore how Royals players are making an impact on the global stage.
The conversation also dives into the evolving dynamics within Team USA, including player camaraderie, competitive tensions, and the high-energy environment surrounding the tournament. Jacob and Jeremy analyze key matchups, tournament rules like pitch limits and scheduling constraints, and offer predictions for upcoming quarterfinal games.
Back on the Royals front, the episode covers recent roster updates, including Michael Wacha’s return, bullpen outlooks, and injury news affecting both major league contributors and emerging prospects. The hosts also discuss the growing culture of international baseball, the significance of WBC collectibles and memorabilia, and how weather and logistics could impact the lead-up to Opening Day.
Whether you’re following the Royals’ players on the global stage or preparing for the upcoming MLB season, this episode provides insightful analysis, entertaining moments, and a passionate discussion of baseball’s international spotlight.
Yan Diomande: Bayern’s stance on Man United target emerges
Manchester United head into the clash against Aston Villa aiming to solidify their position in third place in the Premier League.
A win at Old Trafford on Sunday would open up a three-point gap between United and the fourth-placed visitors from Birmingham.
The Red Devils intend to overhaul their midfield in the summer, as well as bring in a new left-sided winger ahead of next season. As such, Champions League qualification would have a transformative impact on their transfer budget.
However, even without guaranteed European football, United are considered to be in a strong position to sign Bundesliga’s latest superstar.
Bayern Munich decide against making move for Yan Diomande
According to journalist Christian Falk (via Bayern Insider), Bayern Munich are “very much appreciative” of RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, who is also wanted by Manchester United and Liverpool.
However, Diomande “no longer occupies a priority spot on Bayern’s transfer shortlist” ahead of the summer window.
It is claimed United have been “told they can sign ridiculous talent” as Bayern cannot afford to meet Leipzig’s demands. The Red Bull outfit want north of £86.2 million for the Ivorian.
Falk said: “He’s not off the list because he’s a poor player, but rather because he’s too good and too expensive!
“Bayern know how much RB Leipzig are looking for in a transfer fee (negotiations will start at €100m [£86.2m]) and it’s a lot! Certainly more than what Bayern are prepared to pay at the moment.”
Premier League clubs in lead for Yan Diomande
This development has been presented as “excellent news” for the Premier League giants, who are considered firm leaders in the race for Diomande.
The 19-year-old’s price tag is outrageous, to say the least. However, a player of his profile is exactly what United should be looking for.
Diomande, who is capable of playing on either wing, tends to hold the width and possesses explosive pace and dribbling ability to beat his man. He has scored 11 goals and registered seven assists in 27 appearances for Leipzig across all competitions.
Illinois Fighting Illini outside linebacker Gabe Jacas (17) sacks Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Carter Smith (5) at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, on November 22, 2025. (Photo by Ross Harried/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
Looking at the Steelers roster, it’d be reasonable to call the edge defender group one of the strengths of the team. With a top three of TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig — plus second-year player, Jack Sawyer, who managed 16 pressures and two sacks in 159 pass rush reps in 2025 — and you’d understand if the Steelers feel like they have other pressing needs in this year’s draft.
That would, however, be a short-sighted view. The best-run organizations take the long view with their roster building and prepare for all situations. For these Steelers, there are several factors at play that would make investing one or more of their 12 picks into the position a worthwhile endeavor:
Keeping everyone fresh. TJ Watt is showing signs of decline, and his 863 snaps in 2025 were ninth among edges, despite missing four games. Over the past two seasons, both Alex Highsmith (10 games) and Nick Herbig (6 games) have missed games with injuries, too. Adding to their edge depth could allow the Steelers to reduce wear-and-tear on their top guys and insure them better protection against injuries.
Speaking of Herbig, unless the Steelers reach an agreement on an extension, Herbig will be a free agent after this season. Early speculation projects Herbig could blow past Alex Highsmith’s current average annual value of $17 million on the open market.
Add that all together, and it’s unlikely the Steelers will have all three of Watt, Highsmith, and Herbig in 2027. The Steelers could save $16 million by cutting a 30-year-old Alex Highsmith ahead of 2027, or they could let Herbig walk. Watt is unlikely to be moved, as he would cost $52 million in dead cap in 2027, though that changes in 2028 when the Steelers could save $36 million by moving on. Regardless of what they do, having another promising edge already on the roster on a rookie contract would save Pittsburgh some headaches in an offseason where they are likely to need their top pick for a quarterback.
And beyond all that, when there is a draft class that is deep at a premium position, it’s good business to partake. We’ve all heard the adage “just take the best player available,” and there will likely be multiple times when that player is an edge while the Steelers are on the clock.
Should the Steelers agree, that makes edge a perfect fit for what this series is for. As always:
Any player selected for this list cannot be commonly mocked as a 1st round pick
I also avoid players who will have a profile written on BTSC. Paired with the previous rule, this year that disqualifies: Reuben Bain Jr., David Bailey, Keldric Faulk, Akheem Mesidor, Cashius Howell, TJ Parker, Zion Young, and R Mason Thomas.
Because this list is meant to dig deep into the draft, I will try my best not to give you a majority of second-rounders, though I’m not excluding that tier of prospect entirely.
*IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGY* True pass sets:I will refer to them several times in this article. True pass sets are a subset of passing plays that exclude screens, throws under 2.5 seconds, play action, rollouts, as well as plays where the defense sends three or fewer rushers. These plays are considered to be poor representations of a player’s true pass-rushing skill because they are designed specifically to scheme easier looks and matchups for the offensive line. True pass sets will include all other plays, and all data is taken from PFF’s charting.
Gabe Jacas, Illinois
Age: 21 (05-27-2004)
Height/weight: 6’4, 260 pounds
Arm Length: 33” and 78 7/8” wingspan
RAS: N/A
I’m a simple man. I root for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sundays. I like defense, and I like sacks. I like guys who hit hard and terrorize the quarterback. That’s why Jacas (pronounced Yak-us) is possibly my favorite player in the entire draft, regardless of position.
From a frame standpoint, Jacas is exactly what a prototypical Pittsburgh edge looks like. Tall, long limbs, and dense without appearing bulky. Comfortable putting his hand in the dirt or standing up, Jacas isn’t the twitchiest athlete, but he’s got enough speed to line up in the Wide-9 alignment the Steelers like to deploy. But what’s really intriguing about his game is the power. The more drafts I prepare for, the more I’m drawn to these power-rushing archetypes. I find they more reliably translate to the next level, and they tend to have longer careers, as this skillset rarely ages out as quickly as the speed guys do once they lose a step.
Gabe Jacas is an extremely strong DE from Illinois who offers some rush versatility along with the ability to redirect if an initial move fails. Jacas posted 27 Sacks over 50 career games in Champaign.#Illinois#NFLDraft#NFLCombinepic.twitter.com/EzE8Sr1bf9
If I had just two words to describe Jacas’ game, I’d choose “violent” and “relentless.” The former Illini’s feet never stop moving, and when he gets to the quarterback, he makes it count. His draft profile on the NFL’s website suggests his pro comparison is former Raven Matthew Judon.
Jacas doesn’t have the most elaborate toolbag of pass rush moves, but he’s got the power and short area burst that suits any pass rusher well. In the reel above, Jacas shows some signs of having a rip move, a euro-step, a bull rush, and most importantly, violent hand fighting that keeps him in most plays when paired with his leg drive and ability to push the pocket. Get him in a room with Watt, Highsmith, and Herbig, and I’m confident he’ll pick up some more tricks, just as Herbig did during his first two seasons. My favorite rush in the reel above comes at the 1:15 mark. Jacas flashes his inside hand like he’s going to get it into the tackle’s chest. This causes the tackle to throw a punch with no one home, and by then, Jacas has gotten enough depth that the tackle panics and pivots his back foot, ending up with his hips pointing upfield. That’s a death sentence for a tackle in pass protection, and Jacas is able to dip his shoulder and quickly corner to the quarterback.
Jacas has been incredibly productive as well. He had 12 sacks on the season, recording at least one sack in eight out of 12 games. A four-year starter, Jacas produced 142 pressures, 28 sacks, 31 QB hits, and forced six forced fumbles. In 2025, Jacas had a 24.1% pass rush win rate per PFF against true pass sets. And each season, Jacas has forced more fumbles than the previous year, and he even showed off this skill at Senior Bowl practices in Mobile.
Illinois EDGE Gabe Jacas beats Florida's Austin Barber to knock the ball out of Nussmeier's hand while trying to throw #SeniorBowlpic.twitter.com/p54zePOqvn
Lawrence has my vote for the most explosive pass rusher in this class. His get-off and motor are evident on tape, and the former UCF Knight demonstrated this further at the Combine, where he had 95-percentile or better results in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, and broad jump, all indicators of an explosive lower body. His 1.59-second 10-yard split was also an 87-percentile mark.
Lawrence is also one of the better hand-fighters in the class, with a deep bag of counter moves. His speed-to-power ability could stand to improve some, but he was still highly productive in college, with 96 career pressures and 21 sacks. That included 40 pressures and seven sacks in 2025.
Lawrence broke out as a rotational runner in 2023, when he registered eight sacks on just 179 pass rush snaps. (4.5% sack rate). He took over as a starter in 2024, and while that rate, his raw sack totals were never quite as high, Lawrence produced more total pressures each season. His 34.7% pass rush win rate against true pass sets was also one of the top marks in this draft class, with only six notable 2026 prospects posting a higher mark: Nadame Tucker, David Bailey, Akeem Mesidor, Derrick Moore, R Mason Thomas, and Joshua Josephs.
When you size up Lawrence’s production and pair it with his athletic testing, he lands in some pretty decent company.
The only EDGE prospects since 2015 with an RAS > 9.89 and a sack rate > 4.0% in at least one college season..
We head back to power rusher mode as we look at one of the few prospects that finished with a higher win rate than Lawrence in 2025 against true pass sets, Derrick Moore (36.0%).
Moore made a big impression at the Senior Bowl where he was one of the more dominant players during the week. He showed off his plus-power early with this rep against the 6’9 and 346-pound Markel Bell on the first day of practice.
That rep is a good demonstration of the pass rusher you’re getting in Moore. He doesn’t have a very deep bag of pass rush moves, relying mostly on his power with bull rushes and single arm stabs. He’ll likely need to diversify his plan at the NFL level, but when it comes to pass rushers, sometimes it’s better to have one or two elite moves than having several moves but none that you’ve mastered.
#Michigan EDGE Derrick Moore is one of the most intriguing day 2 edge rusher prospects this year.
10 sacks and 41 pressures this past season, good size and overall power profile, limited pass rush moves but very strong bull rusher. pic.twitter.com/yHjY43Vwo8
And it’s hard to argue with the results for Moore. He generated 37 pressures as a first-year starter in 2024, which is certainly disruptive, but only three sacks left you wanting more. He leveled up in that regard in 2025, generating 41 pressures and collecting 11 sacks. In four years, he has 118 pressures, 21 sacks, 23 QB hits, and two forced fumbles.
The only P4 EDGE rushers since 2015 to win > 1/3 of their pass rush reps in true pass sets in a single season and at least one college season with a sack rate > 4.0%. Michigan EDGE Derrick Moore currently producing at a Tier 1/Tier 2 level..
Moore could also improve as a run defender. He has the skill and strength to do it at the NFL level, but he doesn’t always play with the same urgency against the run and at times can struggle to shed blocks. Still, when you see reps like the one below, you come away thinking he could develop into a plus-run defender in time.
Tim Keenan is able to absord the double and drive the OL back while Derrick Moore easily takes on the TE. American DL has been dominating the LOS in the run game pic.twitter.com/33ZKmXqr7D
Get-off and length are the traits that jump off the screen while watching Josephs. Right now, he’s mostly a traitsy projection with a lot of pressures, but room to improve as a finisher. His underlying pass-rush metrics look tantalizing, but the Volunteers heavily rotate their defensive line, meaning that despite being a two-year starter, Josephs checks in with fewer career pass-rush snaps (617) than all but one of the prospects on my list. In 2025, he generated 32 pressures on just 184 rush snaps, posted a 34.8% win rate against true pass sets, but had only five sacks. For his career, Josephs has 81 pressures, 11 sacks, 14 QB hits, and six forced fumbles.
#Tennessee EDGE Joshua Josephs has some of the most fun edge tape in the 2026 class.
Such an explosive get-off with a 34.3% pass rush win rate and 81 career pressures at Tennessee. His long-arms also created a lot of big-time forced fumbles. pic.twitter.com/bCjeRbyPnd
Josephs is a frenetic player, which can play to his favor at times, but he’s still fairly raw at this point in his development. At times, his hands and feet fail to work together. He also could stand to add some weight to his frame, as he lacks the power to hang in the run game consistently, despite showing flashes. These still-developing qualities are likely why Josephs is projected as a fringe top-100 player while having comparable highs to the other edges I’ve shared thus far. That could play into Pittsburgh’s favor if they’re unwilling to pick an edge defender with one of their first two or three picks.
The only P4 EDGE rushers since 2015 with a run defense grade > 90.0 and a pressure rate > 17.0% in at least one college season. Sorted by relative athletic score. Tennessee EDGE Joshua Josephs is trending towards a 'Tier 2' projection with a solid testing output..
I don’t know if I’ve unwittingly become an Iowa guy over the years, but I’ve had a “my guy” from Iowa each draft cycle dating back to Desmond King in the 2017 class — George Kittle was also in that class, but he wasn’t on my radar until the preseason that year. This year, that prospect is Max Llewellyn.
Llewellyn is a bit of an afterthought in a stacked class. He’s got the typical height and weight of an NFL edge, but he has slightly shorter arms. He’s athletic enough to hang at the NFL level, but he isn’t a freak athlete. He’s also a bit stiffer and upright compared to those I’ve presented to you previously. But as a projected fifth-round pick, that’s baked into his draft cost. While he might only be a part of a rotation as a pro, Llewellyn is effective enough against the run and the pass to find a spot on an NFL roster.
His pass-rush numbers are respectable, with 45 pressures, 6.5 sacks, 11 QB hits, and two forced fumbles in 2025 with a 24.5% win rate against true pass sets. For his career — which mostly consists of the past two seasons — Llewellyn produced 92 pressures, 14 sacks, and 20 QB hits.
Max Llewellyn (6’5 263) Iowa
+ Career highs with 45 pressures and 6.5 sacks during the 2025 season + 86.1 pass rush grade + Impressive spin move + 24.5% win rate on true pass sets + High effort player + Consistently gets his hands in passing lanes and looks to knock the ball… pic.twitter.com/NlEqcqBVba
Llewellyn also has a signature move, a fun spin move that he consistently finds success with.
Max Llewellyn leads this draft class with 27 spin move wins over the last 2 years. Gonna put the Shrine Bowl tackles in a blender pic.twitter.com/RoaIv5tpTm
Crawford is a fun developmental prospect who didn’t start playing football until his senior year of high school. As a result, he started off his college career at Arkansas State. He earned the starting job in his second year, which facilitated a transfer to Auburn and the SEC, where he also spent his first year in a smaller role before becoming the full-time starter in 2025. He created 43 pressures this season and had a 27.0% win rate against true pass sets, but managed just five sacks.
Auburn edge rusher Keyron Crawford is one of my favorite later-round edge otions in this draft class so far
– lethal 2 hand swipe – impressive run defender for his size, holds his ground against double teams at 255 lbs – twitchy athlete – pop in his hands pic.twitter.com/8095nAgfOZ
Crawford’s instincts are still developing, and he’s much better as a high-energy pass rusher than he is setting an edge against the run at this point in his development. A year or two in an NFL weight program and learning from a good staff could unlock his potential, but he’ll be a project. That could make the Steelers a fit late in the draft, as Crawford wouldn’t be expected to start in Pittsburgh.
Jaishawn Barham, Michigan
Age: 22 (02-02-2004)
Height/weight: 6’3, 240 pounds
Arm Length: 301/4”, 801/8” wingspan
RAS: 8.72
Speaking of projection, Barham might be the biggest one in the 2025 draft with just 162 pass-rush snaps this past season, and only 424 in his college career. Our second Michigan edge on this list, Barham played primarily off-ball linebacker for the Wolverines the past two seasons — and for Maryland in 2022 and 2023 — but they began experimenting with him coming off the edge in 2025. He showed promise with a 20.0% win rate against true pass sets. However, Barham doubled his season pass rush snap total this year but still produced roughly the same amount of pressures (21) that he did on nearly half the reps he had in the three years prior. Barham had 82 pressures, 11 sacks, and 19 QB hits for his career.
Michigan LB/EDGE Jaishawn Barham 6-foot-3, 240
Twitchy, versatile chess piece with experience as an off-ball LB and Edge defender. Fluid athlete in space; drops into coverage with relative ease and physically reroutes receivers. Brings the fight to the run game with violence on… pic.twitter.com/fEivSq4iZR
Barham could be a versatile player for the Steelers should they select him. Pittsburgh has needs at off-ball linebacker, and if he could provide depth as a pass rusher, even better. PFF gave Barham a 90.4 run defense grade in 2025 and a grade of 87.2 in 2024. While I don’t think those grades are the best barometer for a players skill, it doesn quickly communicate what Barham’s role could be as an early down linebacker and passing down rusher for the Steelers.
We’ll wrap up with a player that isn’t expected to be selected until late on Day 3, but hell, the Steelers have had luck drafting athletic edges from Wisconsin before (Watt, Herbig).
Reiger started his career at Louisville, redshirting in 2020. Between 2021-2023, Reiger was a rotational player for the Cardinals, generating 10 sacks and 42 pressures. A knee injury caused him to miss the entire 2024 season, and a transfer to Wisconsin followed. He would rise to a starter with the Badgers and created 45 pressures, six sacks, and seven QB hits in 2025, with a 23.0% win rate against true pass sets.
Est ce que j'ai un petit coup de cœur pour EDGE Mason Reiger ? Peut-être bien ! Sur le Day 3 il y a quelque chose à faire, certes il à 24 ans en Août mais le potentiel est bien présent et il y a de la place pour le développer. pic.twitter.com/xKOH0SePti
Not t0o dissimilarly from Herbig coming out of college, Reiger is more suited to be a situational pass rusher as a rookie. Reiger has a slender frame for an NFL edge, and he needs to add play strength to be able to set the edge against the run consistently. Still, he’s a twitchy athlete, demonstrated by his 1.61-second 10-yard split, 40” vertical, and 10’5 broad jump.
Plenty of attention will be paid to #Louisville EDGE Ashton Gillotte along their D-line, but I'd keep an eye on Mason Reiger as well, who had 5 sacks in a 6 game stretch late in the season for the Cardinals.
Time in an NFL weight training program, and a collection of great passing minds like the Steelers have, could turn Reiger into a disruptive force in a couple of seasons. He’s projected as a seventh-round pick, which would be an enticing use of one of the Steelers’ three picks in the final round.
What do you think of these Edge prospects? Would you like the Steelers to draft any of them? Who was your favorite? Did I leave one of your favorites out? Let us know in the comments!
North Dakota State Bison wide receiver Jackson Williams (81) rushes the ball through South Dakota State defense on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, at Fargodome in Fargo, Nouth Dakota. | Samantha Laurey / Argus Leader / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
As new teams enter the fold for 2026, it’s important for us to learn more about them before next football season. Over the next few Fridays, we will have the chance to learn from each team’s fans as they share what’s important to know about their favorite teams. The first up is the North Dakota State Bison.
Humble beginnings for the Head Coach
NDSU's current head coach used to get paid only $6,000 per year to coach at NDSU. So he had to sleep in the basement of the Fargodome just to get by…Until the Fire Marshall found out and had to kick him out.
Now he makes around $1,000,000 per year with incentives give or take
This is what people mean when they say “keep grinding” in the world of college sports. Starting as a grad assistant making practically nothing, Tim Polasek embodies the idea of working your way up and not giving up on his dreams.
Pronunciation Guide
It’s pronounced with a Z ( Bizon) and the plural of bison is bison.
On the other hand, the interior of the defensive line and the safeties could be strengths.
Depth being a potential issue will loom large if accurate, as it will be needed in the move to FBS football
The offense might carry them early on
Graduated stud QB and receiver (likely drafted) and this was the biggest offseason for P4 transfers…….so I’m hesitant to say NDSU will explode on the scene in 26 but they’ll be a tough out for anyone. They’ll play to their identity
The offense will look a bit different, though, losing its two best players on that side of the ball (who both competed in the NFL Combine) and bringing in some new transfer players.
NDSU's QB threw a 96mph fastball in high school and apparently had a bigger arm that Cole Payton who has a damn solid arm
The opposition should be prepared for 60 tough mins every night
History Lesson
Ed Cochems (The Father of the Forward Pass) was NDSU's head coach (9-1 record) 3 years before his St Louis team completed the 1st Forward Pass in football history
And the 1st player/coach to catch a forward pass in college football history was an NDSU head coach/player
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 12: Christian Jeffrey #0 and Braden Pierce #17 of the Villanova Wildcats walk off the court after the game in the 2026 Big East Men's Tournament - Quarterfinal game against the Georgetown Hoyas at Madison Square Garden on March 12, 2026 in New York City. The Georgetown Hoyas won 78-64. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I know how easy it is to get caught up in the moment and to have a short-term memory. I am a fan, after all. But in this situation, it would be best to have the memory of both a goldfish and a dolphin.
Why a goldfish? Well, goldfish have no memory. Let’s move on to the day that we have all been deprived of as Villanova fans since 2022: Selection Sunday. As a reminder, most of us would have been ecstatic if we were told that an eight seed was in the Wildcats’ 2026 future.
And why a dolphin? Well, dolphins have amazing memories. Solet’s remember where this team was the past three seasons, and where the expectations were coming into this one. The team was selected to finish seventh in the Big East, after all.
When Kevin Willard was hired on March 30, 2025, the transfer portal had been open for nearly a week (and as we all know, teams were talking to players well before then). Coming in at that late stage, combined with the school suffering some damage to its image the prior three years, set Willard behind the eightball from the jump.
After a few weeks, it became apparent that Willard was not going to just try to get a roster full of seniors to be a contender right away. He had a plan, and that plan involved mostly younger players to try to build with down the road (while still winning this season). Willard has passed that test with flying colors.
We can pick apart the roster, of course. None of the theoretically-returning players are immune to criticism, and none of them aren’t in need of improvement. We all see the warts. The frontcourt, even with the injury to Matt Hodge and the two departures from the program, was in need of an upgrade going into 2026-27. We all love Duke Brennan, but having a more athletic and rim-protecting big would do wonders (especially if the backcourt remains largely/fully intact).
The aforementioned backcourt is undersized (and losing its biggest player in Devin Askew). Acaden Lewis, while he is having an incredible freshman season, needs to improve his strength and his shooting. Tyler Perkins wholeheartedly deserved to be named the Big East’s Most Improved Player, butasking him to battle in the paint as he much as Villanova does isn’t a recipe for more success down the road.
Willard has acknowledged that he got a late start to the transfer portal, and that he was trying to establish a foundation to build upon. I believe that foundation has been laid. And all the while, the fans got to watch a team that played good basketball for the majority of the season. They played “Villanova Basketball.” Sharing the ball, hustle, grit. “Attitude.”
It feels preemptive to publish this article today, but I think it’s important to keep that perspective. Villanova won 24 games this year. Villanova has eight players on the roster with eligibility remaining (along with Adam Oumiddoch committed). Villanova will have its named called on Sunday (and in all likelihood, will be wearing home whites on Thursday/Friday).
Was last night a tough watch? Of course it was. Did last night put a spotlight on the issues that have plagued this team all season. Of course! But this team hadn’t laid an egg against a subpar opponent all year. This team lost one game below Quad-2 (Creighton). We as fans had become numb to losses like last night over the past three seasons, and we had to wait until March 12 to have one of those this year.
My last plea: take the next 48 hours to recharge your batteries. Take a break if you need to (I probably will). But be excited about Sunday when it comes. Be excited about the future that this program has. Be excited that Villanova is back enough to leave us feeling this way in March.
It’s one of the most closely contested Premierships in years and the title race looks like it might go right down to the wire this season. The Hoops are back at home for the first time since the end of February, as they take on fourth-placed Motherwell in what’s shaping up to be an interesting match! The game kicks off at 3pm tomorrow (Saturday, March 14).
The match is available exclusively on Celtic TV, and Celtic TV is the ONLY place where you can see EVERY Hoops match live until the end of the season. With all the last-minute drama in the league so far this season, it’s sure to be a rollercoaster of emotions!
You can watch all the action LIVE on Celtic TV with a subscription! *
The build-up to the match begins at 2:30pm. Gerry McCulloch and Simon Donnelly are in the studio for all the build-up to kick off, and they’ll look back at last weekend’s derby win at Ibrox.
Martin O’Neill will be speaking to John Ledwith pre-match about his team selection, and we have Liam Scales’ sit down with Daylin Docherty earlier in the week at Lennoxtown.
As the game kicks off at 3pm join Gerry McDade and Peter Grant on commentary as they describe all the action from Paradise.
It’s a packed matchday schedule with additional features to enjoy throughout the show!
More than matchday
Your subscription also unlocks a wide range of exclusive on-demand shows, including:
Full Match Flashback – Relive classic Celtic games in full, on demand.
Paradise: In Their Words – A brand-new docuseries on Celtic TV with Aiden McGeady as the first guest.
If You Know Your History – A nostalgic look back at iconic Celtic moments, featuring rare archive footage and legendary names.
* Live match coverage for subscriptions purchased inside the UK & Ireland is audio only and does not include live pictures. All subscriptions offer full-match replays available later the same day. The game is also available on PPV for those in the UK and Ireland.
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 13: Mark Vientos #27 of the New York Mets looks on during spring training workouts at Clover Park on February 13, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Mets need to know who Mark Vientos is, and 2026 is likely the last opportunity they will have to find out.
Is he the 27 home run impact bat who lit up the 2024 playoffs? Or is he the guy who in ten more plate appearances in 2025 hit ten fewer home runs and saw every offensive rate stat drop precipitously?
If he’s the former, Vientos would be an incredibly useful right-handed designated hitter and sometimes corner infielder who would bolster and deepen the Mets’ lineup. If he’s the latter, he’s at best a part time player and might be a square peg for the club even in that instance.
Vientos was drafted by the Mets in 2017 out of high school and tore up the lower levels of the Mets’ system. As he reached higher levels, Vientos would often start the years cold, but never stopped hitting. This paved the way for call-up in 2022 and 2023, but neither showed much of the prospect that we had raved about year after year.
Never a defensive specialist, this is what our Steve Sypa wrote about him ahead of his MLB call up:
Though initially drafted as a shortstop, Vientos does not have the ability to play up the middle. He was moved to third base in 2018, and at the present is stretched even there. While not unathletic, Vientos is a low-energy guy that lacks explosive quick twitch muscle, resulting in a slow first step and below-average lateral quickness. His average-to-above-average arm and solid instincts allowed him to handle the routine plays fine at third fine initially, but the pace of the game increased as he worked his way up the minor league ladder, and Vientos is a well-below-average defender at third base as a professional at the highest level. He played limited innings in the outfield in 2021 as the Mets explored the best way to give both him and Brett Baty playing time, but the experiment ended and was not resumed in 2022; while there is enough data to make any conclusive, definitive remarks about his ability there, based on how he looked visually along with the fact that he has not played in the outfield at all in 2022, it is safe to conclude that the experiment will not be resumed again. Instead, the Mets actually have shifted Vientos down the defensive spectrum, giving him more play at first base and DH this season than ever before.
Steve was fairly prescient in his write up, as Vientos has struggled mightily in his time in the big leagues. Not only has third base looked downright rough, but the Mets seemingly don’t believe that he’d be much better at first or in a corner outfield spot. His left-handed counterpart, Brett Baty, has proven to be a better defender all over the diamond, and so has more of a roster fit for himself with the Mets.
But that bat! When Vientos is hot, like in late 2024, he’s someone who drives the ball with authority and has impressive natural power. Sure, he strikes out more than you’d like and doesn’t quite walk enough, but those are workable issues if he’s really projecting to hit 30+ home runs over the course of a season.
But we’ve seen more of the cold Vientos than the hot, and there is a limited amount of time that the Mets, or any team, will wait to see if Vientos can consistently produce. If he’s his 2025 self, a slightly below league average hitter with some pop (.233/.289/.413 with an OPS+ of 97), it’ll be hard to justify giving him too much playing time. This is a year where Vientos will likely get some opportunities to show that he can play some first base as well as extended opportunities as a designated hitter. He’s going to get one last shot to show that he can handle big league pitching with any consistency.
If he can do so? The Mets’ lineup gets a right-handed power boost, the Mets have a backup plan if Jorge Polanco can’t make the transition to first, and the fans will get another taste of Swaggy V. That would be a really nice outcome.
If he can’t, and loses at bats to the Mike Tauchmans, the MJ Melendezes, and the Jose Rojases of the world? Then this will likely be his last season as a Met.
The Syracuse Orange picked up a massive non-conference win on Thursday when they defeated the No. 4 Northwestern Wildcats, 9-6, inside Ryan Fieldhouse for their fifth consecutive win to improve to 5-3 on the season. It was just their second win all-time in Evanston.
The driving force behind this win was the same as its been all season: the defense, which submitted their latest in a series of mind-blowing shutdown performances, this time against one of the best offenses in the country.
Let’s just start with a quick overview of the numbers, because they’re that crazy. Northwestern came into this game:
2nd in the country in scoring offense, averaging 18.33 goals per game. They scored six.
1st in the country in shots per game, averaging 38.67. They had 20.
3rd in the country in shots on goal per game, averaging 26.67. They had 14.
2nd in the country in points per game, averaging 28.33. They had nine.
1st in the country in assists per game, averaging 10.0. They had three.
Averaging 12.17 turnovers per game. They had 21.
Madison Taylor: 5.0 goals, 7.0 points per game. She had one goal and one point.
‘Cuse’s defense is relentless. They play an aggressive, in-your-face brand of defense. They make playing offense a chore because it requires a lot of well-executed work just to get a shot off against them. They move, rotate and recover as one. Their stick-checks are a constant threat. They knockdown and intercept passes with regularity. They did all of that and more against Northwestern.
In recent years, the Orange have often employed a face-guard against NW’s best player, either Izzy Scane or Madison Taylor. Two years ago, on this very field, Kaci Benoit was tasked with face-guarding Scane in the first game of her collegiate career.
But last night, they went straight up with their normal backer zone. They didn’t particularly pay any special attention to Taylor, for the most part, instead just doing their thing and letting it take its course.
It worked spectacularly, as the Orange almost entirely shut the Wildcats out of the eight-meter arc, rendering their interior cuts ineffective and their interior passing almost non-existent. They ended up relying on finding space through dodges, which was infrequently successful at best.
The active nature of ‘Cuse’s sticks and movement flustered Northwestern, spooked them almost. They were afraid to attack.
At one point late in the second quarter, Madison Taylor got fouled and went to the hash mark for a free position. She had yet to take a shot in the game, which the announcers had been commenting on. And when she drew that foul, they remarked how she would finally get a shot off before the end of the half. When the whistle blew for the restart, she wasn’t ready. She ended up trying to force a pass to a nearby teammate inside the eight-meter, which was knocked down for a turnover.
It was a weird moment for one of the most prolific offense players of the decade in the sport, someone who is normally so sure of herself and exactly how she wants to attack. But that wasn’t the case last night. Northwestern struggled to even get her the ball, let alone having her do something dangerous with it once she did. She finished the game with one goal on four shots and had four turnovers, being held four goals and six points below her season average.
Once again, the defense was a caused turnover machine, finishing with 14 for the game from a combined eight players. Northwestern had 21 turnovers total, and even some of the ones that weren’t “caused” were products of the cumulative pressure they were under for the duration of the game. In the second half, they threw the ball away on simple passes a few times, but it felt like more of them being spooked by ‘Cuse’s aggressiveness than your run-of-the-mill sloppy play.
The woman-down defense was equally as nightmare-inducing. The Wildcats went 0-4 on the woman-up, for a team that was averaging 4.5 EWO goals per game entering last night.
Coco Vandiver led the way with four CTs, followed by Mileena Cotter with three and Izzy Lahah with two. Mackenzie Salentre was one of five players with one and also added four ground balls.
In net, Dan Guyette was fantastic, turning away a majority of the shots that actually got to her. She finished with eight saves and a .571 save percentage, and came up big late as six of her eight saves came in the second half as the Orange were holding Northwestern scoreless for exactly 30 minutes and 30 seconds from the late second quarter to the late fourth quarter.
It was the defining moment of the game, and it lasted half the contest. The complete lockdown by the Orange defense gave the offense all the breathing room they could ever hope for, helping transform what was a 5-4 ‘Cuse lead at the start to a 9-4 lead by the time the Wildcats ended the drought with just under four minutes remaining in the game. But by then it was far too late. The SU defense had already squeezed the life out of the game, and their final two tallies were just window dressing.
What the defense did was even more impressive given that Northwestern dominated on draw controls (11-6), winning 65 percent of them. They were routinely giving themselves chances on offense after the majority of goals, but the SU defense turned them away time and again throughout the night.
On the other end of the field, the ‘Cuse offense was able to do just enough to take advantage of what the defense was providing them.
It wasn’t the cleanest game by SU when they had the ball. They committed 17 turnovers of their own and only shot marginally better than NW did, shooting 32 percent (9-of-28) to the Wildcats’ 30 (6-of-20). They had a handful of misses opportunities on solid looks at cage that would have extended their lead even further.
But what they were able to do was get the ball to Molly Guzik, who was the difference in this game. While Taylor failed to make an impact on the other end, Guzik was a force that Northwestern couldn’t contain. She had six goals and five draw controls, a star-making performance for someone whose been on the rise all season long. But a sock trick on the road against Northwestern hits differently.
Her first impression was a good impression, too. She scored a natural hat trick in the first quarter after NW took a quick, 1-0 lead. She showed off her patented, low-to-high laser beam shot to open the scoring for ‘Cuse on a shot from the right wing, and followed that up less than a minute later with some exceptional movement against the Wildcats’ zone. She ran straight down the middle of the eight-meter looking for a pass, and when she didn’t get it, she kept moving all the way around the back of the crease, emerging around the other GLE with no one around her for an easy catch-and-finish.
Molly. Guzik.
An unreal shot from Molly Guzik gets the Orange on the board to tie things up at 1-1 early in the first.
To cap the natural hatty, she made a beautifully-timed backside cut through the arc and received a pass from Caroline Trinkaus at X for an easy finish before the NW defense knew what hit them.
After the Wildcats got another one to make it 3-2 after the first quarter, Guzik fired back again after the Orange secured possession to start the second. It took her all of 19 seconds to juke her defender and score over top of the on-rushing secondary defender for her fourth goal of the game just 15:19 into the action.
Less than a minute after that, Bri Peters got on the board with a lethal shot on-the-run that she bounced in from a difficult angle at the end of a nice alley dodge that gave SU a 5-2 lead just over a minute into the second. It would be their last score of the half, however, as Northwestern was able to scrounge a couple goals back and make it a 5-4 score at the 4:27 mark of the second quarter.
Ashlee Volpe thought she pulled one back for SU, but her effort was overturned from an initial goal call when review revealed she had stepped on the crease with just 10 seconds left in the half, sending the Orange to the break with just a one-goal advantage.
But the third quarter belonged to SU, as Guyette made four saves and the defense shut out the Wildcats. Meanwhile, Mackenzie Rich got a goal by juking her defender and curling around from GLE in front of the cage for a nice finish about halfway through the third. Trinkaus followed two minutes later by beating her defender one-on-one from up top and, like Guzik had done earlier, shooting over the sliding secondary defender.
Those two goals gave the Orange all the separation they would need, taking a 7-4 lead into the fourth.
Less than two minutes into the final frame, Guzik got her fifth of the game on a dodge that started on the right wing well outside the 12-meter. She beat her defender and again scored before the slide could come, making it 8-4 with 13:10 left to play.
About a minute later, Northwestern did something they struggled to do all game. They made an attacking pass into the middle of the eight-meter. It was an incisive look that should have hit the back of the net, but Guyette had other ideas. She went into a split to make a phenomenal stretch and kick save, taking away what would have been a juice goal for the Wildcats and keeping them at a four-goal distance with still roughly 12 minutes left in the game.
It was huge to keep NW from getting any momentum with plenty of time still left, made even bigger by the fact that no one would score again for over seven minutes.
That person was Molly Guzik (duh), who got her sock trick on a woman-up pass from Mackenzie Rich, who assisted her for the third time on the night with a nice connection from X to right in front of the goal, giving the Orange a 9-4 lead with 4:54 remaining.
Less than a minute later, Northwestern would score with 3:57 left at the end of a loose ball scramble, ending a 30:30 scoreless drought that effectively lost them the game. 44 seconds later, Madison Taylor scored her only goal of the game with 3:13 remaining, making it 9-6 and providing just a sliver of hope that the Wildcats could pull the miracle comeback.
As they had all night, the Orange defense had other ideas. On a restart after a foul with 1:19 left in the game, Joely Caramelli intercepted a pass clean out of mid-air and ‘Cuse ran out the clock. It was fitting for one more nice defensive play to officially bring an end to any comeback hope and help SU pick up a massive win.
This is the kind of win that can help build momentum and confidence in leaps and bounds for the rest of the season. Of course, that will immediately be put to the test when the Orange return home for Tuesday’s showdown with No. 6 ranked Yale at 4:30 PM on ESPNU.
Michael Chandler says there is one scenario he absolutely wants to avoid as he prepares to train with FBI agents through the UFC’s new collaboration with the agency.
The UFC lightweight is expected to take part in joint sessions with federal agents as part of a cross-training initiative.
But Chandler joked that he has one very clear rule heading into the experience.
Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Michael Chandler jokes about avoiding injury to Kash Patel during FBI training
Chandler discussed the upcoming sessions during an interview with TMZ Sports, where he was asked about training alongside FBI personnel as part of the UFC’s collaboration with the agency.
“I definitely don’t want to be the guy who breaks Kash Patel’s leg or orbital bone. I’m going out there to increase the stock and be of service, not put Kash Patel on the sideline; the injured reserve list,” Chandler said.
The UFC has been working with the FBI on a series of cross-training opportunities where fighters and federal agents exchange hand-to-hand combat knowledge and defensive tactics.
The program is designed to allow agents to learn from elite mixed martial artists while fighters observe how law enforcement prepares for real-world tactical scenarios.
Chandler said his goal is to contribute to that exchange without turning the session into a dangerous sparring situation.
Michael Chandler says hurting Kash Patel during session would be a nightmare
Chandler also made it clear that safety will be the top priority during the sessions with the federal agents.
“That would be an absolute nightmare. We’re gonna pull some punches. We’re going to get better, in a very responsible sort of way,” Chandler added.
The sessions are expected to focus on technique sharing rather than full-intensity sparring, allowing both fighters and agents to learn from each other in a controlled environment.
For the UFC, the partnership highlights the growing crossover between elite sports training and real-world defensive tactics used by law enforcement.
For Chandler, however, the goal remains simple: learn something new while making sure everyone walks away from the training healthy.
Feb 25, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Free agency technically never ends, but it generally seems like about 90% of the most consequential acquisitions are made in the first few days. We’ve past that point, and the pace of deals has decreased from pouring in to a slight trickle. The Carolina Panthers have been busy, re-signing a slew of special teams and bench players while adding some big hitters on the defensive side of the ball. Adding edge Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd checked two of the most obvious boxes on the defensive side of the ball. Those moves alone have vastly improved the team’s situation and opened up more doors for them in the draft. But the team is still not a finished product. Let’s take a look at what else the Panthers would do well to add.
Defensive line depth
The Panthers released A’Shawn Robinson to save about $10.5 million and make room for those aforementioned deals. Robinson is still a good player and landed on his feet with the division rival Bucs. He was productive during his two seasons in Carolina, and I’m sure Dan Morgan and company want to find a way to recreate his production. On the surface, the starting front line of Derrick Brown, Bobby Brown III, and Tershawn Wharton looks pretty stout, but there’s virtually no depth behind them. The Panthers need bodies so this group doesn’t crumble whenever the starters rotate out of the game.
Moar offensive linemen
The Panthers added Stone Forsythe and Luke Fortner, but they aren’t exactly perfect replacements for the departing Cade Mays and the injured Ikem Ekownu. Both have been ranked among the worst players at their position at different points in the last couple of years. Yosh Nijman retiring added even more turmoil. The thought of both of the new free agents being potential starters in a few months is pretty concerning. There are some players still out on the market. Most are on the older side, but the Panthers are at a point where they might need to turn to guys like that to hold them over until they can get some more young talent along the trenches.
Safety
Tre’von Moehrig was a revelation after the Panthers spent more money than people expected to bring him in last offseason. He improved as the season went on and really became a versatile weapon on the defensive side of the ball. His running mates on the back end weren’t quite up to snuff though. Nick Scott probably wasn’t as bad as his reputation would suggest, but he’s definitely upgradeable. Lathan Ransom has some promise going into his second year, but he doesn’t preclude the Panthers from adding more help, especially considering that Ejiro Evero showed a willingness to play three safeties on the field together at times last season.
An explosive threat at wide receiver
The Panthers added Bryce Young’s former Alabama teammate John Metchie III. While Metchie was once highly regarded, I don’t think anyone has any illusions of stardom for him at this point. Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker are big bodies and have a lot of overlapping skills. Xavier Legette is there. The wide receiver room could use some diversity of talent still.
Developmental quarterback
The Panthers have talked about adding some talent to the quarterback room as Andy Dalton starts to age out of the league. They signed Kenny Pickett, which is fine, but also not likely to move the needle. Bryce Young, while improving, still isn’t a sure bet to be a long term answer at quarterback. There’s no feasible way to make an upgrade right now, but it would be wise for the Panthers to take a swing on someone like Drew Allar or Taylen Green as a developmental prospect that could serve as a long term backup or potential plan B if Young falters.
Survive and advance is something you hear this time of year as NCAA hoops and March Madness get ready to take center stage. But it’s the mantra many will be repeating on Friday at the Players Championship as competitors look to do whatever they can to survive the 36-hole cut at TPC Sawgrass, and advance to the weekend.
With the Players being the flagship event on the PGA Tour, it’s only natural that the 36-hole cutline is determined in the same fashion as the majority of tour events. The low 65 players and ties after the conclusion of the second round get two more tee times at Sawgrass.
Exactly what the cutline might be this year is starting to come into focus as Friday’s second round is underway. At 10:30 a.m. EST, DataGolf.com was calculating that one-over 145 had a 49.9 percent probability of being the cutline number, with two-over 146 coming in at a 33.8 percent probability.
This creates an interesting dilemma for one notable player in particular: defending champion Rory McIlroy. Nursing a muscle issues in his back, McIlroy hit just 30 balls at TPC Sawgrass in the three days leading up to the event. After shooting an opening-round two-over 74, McIlroy will be sweating things out during his second round and the remainder of Friday afternoon. Interestingly, he is the last defending champ at the Players to miss the cut the following year, winning in 2019 but then failing to reach the weekend in 2021 (COVID cancelled the event in 2020).
The cut rule at the Players is different from the four men’s majors. The Masters uses the top 50 players and ties (it has a smaller field); the U.S. Open goes with low 60 and ties, the PGA Championship and Open Championship use low 70.
For purposes of comparison, here’s what the cut line has been for the last 10 Players:
The average cut at the Players is 145.8 (1.8 over par). The highest cut since the move in 1982 to TPC Sawgrass is 150 (six over par), which happened twice: 1983 and 2000.
For history buffs, here are some stats related to the cut at the Players:
Most cuts made
23, Tom Kite21, Tom Watson, Bernhard Langer20, Sergio Garcia19, Nick Price, Davis Love III18, Kenny Perry, Jim Furyk, Tiger Woods, Adam Scott17, Jay Haas, Hale Irwin, Phil Mickelson, Gil Morgan, Brad Faxon,Joey Sindelar, Fred Couples, Corey Pavin, Vijay Singh, ErnieEls16, Ben Crenshaw, Bruce Lietzke, John Mahaffey, Fred Funk,Rocco Mediate
Longest consecutive cuts-made streaks
18, Sergio Garcia (2004-2022)14, Brad Faxon (1992-95; didn’t play 1996; 1997-06)13, Tiger Woods (1997-2010; didn’t play 2008)
Longest active consecutive cuts streak of players in the field
7, Tom Hoge (2018-2025)
1 / 8
Dom Furore / Golf Digest
2 / 8
Dom Furore / Golf Digest
3 / 8 4 / 8 5 / 8
Courtesy of TPC Sawgrass
6 / 8
Courtesy of TPC Sawgrass
7 / 8
Courtesy of TPC Sawgrass
8 / 8 PreviousNextPausePlayfalse Public TPC Sawgrass: Stadium Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 4.6 26Panelists
TPC’s stadium concept was the idea of then-PGA Tour commissioner Deane Beman. The 1980 design was pure Pete Dye, who set out to test the world’s best golfers by mixing the demands of distance with target golf. Most greens are ringed by random lumps, bumps and hollows, what Dye called his "grenade attack architecture." His ultimate target hole is the heart-pounding sink-or-swim island green 17th, which offers no bailout, perhaps unfairly in windy Atlantic coast conditions. The 17th has spawned over a hundred imitation island greens in the past 40 years. To make the layout even more exciting during tournament play, Steve Wenzloff of PGA Tour Design Services later remodeled several holes, most significantly the 12th, which he turned into a drivable par-4, something Dye was never a fan of. View Course
The 2026 MLB season is almost here and that means you’re likely prepping for your fantasy baseball draft. One of the best ways to prepare is to do as many mock drafts as possible. Of course, sometimes it’s tough to find an accurate representation of your league settings by using the public mock draft lobby.
Not to fear! If you’re a Yahoo Fantasy+ subscriber, you have access to the Instant Mock Draft tool, allowing you to practice your draft in seconds. You can test different strategies, pick from various draft slots and experiment with roster construction as many times as you want, anytime, instantly. Now is a great time to subscribe to Yahoo Fantasy+, so you can use the wealth of tools for your draft prep.
In this series, we’re going to be using the Instant Mock Draft tool to pick from each of the 12 slots in a 12-team fantasy baseball league. In this piece, we’ll be drafting from the No. 9 overall pick. We went with a balanced approach in this draft, alternating between selecting two batters and two pitchers.
Note: We’re using Yahoo’s default points league settings for these mock drafts.
Full Roster
C: Ben Rice, Yankees 1B: Salvador Pérez, Royals 2B: Brice Turang, Brewers SS: Jacob Wilson, Athletics 3B: Matt Chapman, Giants OF: Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves OF: Kyle Schwarber, Phillies OF: Dylan Crews, Nationals UTIL: Brendan Donovan, Mariners UTIL: Luis Arráez, Giants SP: Bryan Woo, Mariners SP: Logan Webb, Giants RP: David Bednar, Yankees RP: Aroldis Chapman, Red Sox P: Emmet Sheehan, Dodgers P: MacKenzie Gore, Rangers P: Matthew Boyd, Cubs P: Aaron Nola, Phillies Bench: Shane Smith, White Sox Bench: Noah Cameron, Royals Bench: Willi Castro, Rockies Bench: Andrés Giménez, Blue Jays Bench: Reid Detmers, Angels
Strategy overview: The idea here was balance and I like how things turned out. We also prioritized utility with how the roster is constructed. Four players have dual-position eligibility and two players have tri-eligibility. This isn’t something you should worry too much about while you’re drafting, but if the opportunity presents itself, it’ll make some roster decisions easier and serves as a nice tiebreaker when you’re debating who to take. It also helps if injuries pop up (which they will) and if players struggle at a certain position (which they also will).
Bats are best: Unless I can corner the market on elite starting pitchers and snag both Paul Skenes and Garrett Crochet at the back-end of the first and early-second, I’m going to almost always prioritize a bat in the first round. Acuña possesses the highest ceiling of players who are falling to the back-half of the first, so we opted to go that route (even though one of my other mocks has me reaching on him a bit). The Acuña-Schwarber stack gives me two NL MVP candidates who solidify the outfield position.
World Woo Webb: I was able to grab two top-10 starters, according to Yahoo’s expert rankings from Scott Pianowski and Fred Zinkie. Woo and Webb are both starters in their primes in good situations, players you can “set and forget” in your lineup if they stay healthy. We didn’t take too many risks in this draft, at least not initially.
Webb has finished top-10 in NL Cy Young voting in three straight seasons. Woo had great numbers in 2025 (2.94 ERA, 198 Ks over 186.2 IP) but gave up a lot of longballs. If he can keep more pitches in the park, he could be an AL Cy Young finalist.
Not just for points: If you’re in a category league and not a points league — like the Yahoo default — this roster also appears to be very balanced. I snagged guys like Turang, Wilson, Arráez and Giménez to counter likely low averages for players like Schwarber, Chapman and possibly Pérez. You could also group Crews in there but he’s young enough that we should see some improvement.
Heated rivalry: Taking the Yankees and Red Sox closers wasn’t some weird narrative type of play. Like I said, we alternated between batters and pitchers, and it just made sense to grab two reliable closers in the seventh and eighth rounds. Similar to my two SPs, we shouldn’t have to worry too much about job security when it comes to Bednar and Chapman. Both are ranked in the top-10 RPs in our rankings.
Takeaways from the 9th pick: This felt a bit cookie-cutter in terms of strategy but was effective. I wasn’t scrambling to fill one of my starter spots late in the draft because I ignored a position or had a massive run on batters/pitchers. You do have to force a few picks, so it’s not the perfect approach if you really like a batter or pitcher who happens to fall to you. You can’t just blindly go 2-2 the entire draft. Stray from the path if you need to. But if you make a priority list of players you really like going into your draft, you can easily execute this strategy and feel like you came away with a win.
Dec 19, 2021; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver D.J. Moore (2) runs with the ball as Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson (24) defends during the second half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images
The Buffalo Bills dealt away a second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to acquire veteran wide receiver DJ Moore, hoping Moore will rediscover the form that saw him eclipse 1,000 receiving yards four times in a five-year span from 2019-2023 and provide another valuable receiving option for Josh Allen.
Moore is reuniting with new Bills head coach Joe Brady, who was the Carolina Panthers’ offensive coordinator when Moore posted two of the best statistical seasons of his NFL career during the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
On Thursday, Moore met with the media for his introductory press conference, and today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by recapping what Moore had to say about joining the Bills, including why teaming up with Allen will lead to some magical, explosive moments — especially when plays break down — as the Bills search for that first Super Bowl title.
Recapping DJ Moore’s introductory press conference
On a Zoom call with reporters, DJ Moore said he is looking forward to catching passes from Josh Allen, who “has been playing at a high level, so, just to join him is something great.”
After experiencing the first winning season of his eight-year career last year with the Chicago Bears, Moore said that one of the biggest reasons he is excited about coming to Buffalo is the chance to play for a perennial Super Bowl contender.
“It’s a great deal because last year was my first winning season, so I got a taste of what everybody has been getting a taste of here in Buffalo,” Moore said.
As for the reunion with Brady, Moore relayed the message his former offensive coordinator turned head coach delivered after the Bills had officially acquired Moore to shore up their wide receiver room.
“(Joe) was just like, get ready,” Moore said with a smile. “Get ready to run. That’s what he told me when I was in Carolina, so he told the same thing now. So I’m just ready for it.”
Behind Cole Bishop and Jordan Hancock, the Bills have a dire need at safety after releasing Taylor Rapp and allowing Damar Hamlin, Cam Lewis, and Damar Hamlin to test out free agency. The team took a step to shore up the safety position on Thursday, reportedly bringing in veteran C.J. Gardner-Johnson on a one-year deal worth up to $6 million.
Gardner-Johnson has played for five different NFL teams during his career, most recently with the Chicago Bears. He has started 71 of 87 regular-season games and 11 of 14 playoff games, amassing 370 tackles (280 solo) with 20 interceptions, 55 pass breakups, seven sacks, and three forced fumbles (with one fumble recovery).
Igor Tudor has come out fighting at Tottenham's training ground.
The Croat is facing the sack after four defeats from his four matches in charge but he isn't feeling sorry for himself and has urged his players to follow suit.
He has told his players not to think the world is against them - nor to believe that they are somehow cursed by "black magic".
"Don't act like the victim" was the overriding message.
But that is easier said than done, of course, particularly considering their extensive injury list that has worsened now with Cristian Romero and Joao Palhinha to miss the game with concussion.
That, coupled with the absence of Micky van de Ven through suspension, means Tottenham are likely to have Kevin Danso and Radu Dragusin at the heart of their defence at Liverpool on Sunday.
So if the Tottenham players are feeling down in the dumps, then it is understandable.
Regardless, Tudor isn't standing for it and has challenged his players to stand up and be counted in their fight against relegation.
"I've seen a lot of purple at the Pro Bowls." Those were the words of one Trey Hendrickson at his introductory press conference. Fireworks began for the Baltimore Ravens well before the start of the new league year, but things are settling. A former rival has joined the flock and is ready to create havoc.
His mention of the Ravens' all-stars was expressed to show how excited he is to play with elite talent on a new roster. Head coach Jesse Minter and Eric DeCosta were present. They described the new guy as a "game-wrecker" and a "closer."
The four-time Pro Bowler said he's happy that he can now play with Lamar Jackson as a teammate instead of spending two games per season trying to chase him. Still, it's one statement that rings more loudly than many of the others he made.
"I'm in a win-now window. This opportunity to hoist the Lombardi Trophy and build something from the ground up is an amazing opportunity. A lot of things have transpired. This is a great fit for me."
And just like that, we can expect Hendrickson to officially go from adversary to ally. He's an asset, no longer an enemy. Those words have been expressed by every member of the Ravens family, its leadership, every player, and, of course, the Baltimore faithful.
This team went from hosting the AFC Championship Game to losing in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Last January, they failed to even qualify for the postseason. Championship windows close quickly in the NFL. Hendrickson adds to an attitude already present in this organization. Everyone wants a third Lombardi Trophy. Perhaps the new "closer" says it best
"If you can't get excited to play here, you need to check your pulse"
He didn't need long to understand the assignment. In Baltimore, urgency isn't optional. It's expected. Now comes the important and expected part: backing it up on Sundays.
The Detroit Lionsmay have missed out on a very intriguing pass-rushing option who could have lined up opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
According to Adam Schefter, former Atlanta Falcons edge defender Arnold Ebiketie is signing with the Philadelphia Eagles on a one-year deal worth up to $7.3 million, including $4.3 million guaranteed.
Ebiketie recorded 14 sacks over the past three seasons, and Philadelphia is hoping the talented edge rusher can bring more pressure to their defensive front.
For Lions fans hoping Detroit would add another pass-rushing threat this offseason, the move might sting a little.
Why Arnold Ebiketie Made Sense for Detroit
In my opinion, Ebiketie would have been a great fit in Detroit at a very reasonable price.
The former second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft is an outstanding athlete with burst off the edge and the type of speed that can stress opposing tackles.
At 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds, Ebiketie brings the ideal frame for a rotational edge defender who can pin his ears back and attack the quarterback.
Over four seasons with Atlanta, he recorded:
16.5 career sacks
41 quarterback hits
129 total tackles
17 tackles for loss
Those numbers suggest a player who has flashed real pass-rush ability, even if he hasn’t yet become a full-time star.
A Potential Wingman for Hutchinson
Detroit’s pass rush has often relied heavily on Hutchinson to create pressure.
Adding a player like Ebiketie could have provided another athletic edge threat to help balance the Lions’ defensive front.
While the Lions have added depth in recent seasons, finding a consistent secondary pass rusher remains one of the few remaining needs on the roster.
A short-term deal like the one Ebiketie received in Philadelphia would have been a low-risk move with potentially high upside.
Don’t Be Surprised if He Breaks Out
Sometimes players simply need a change of scenery to unlock their full potential.
Ebiketie has always had the physical tools to become a productive edge rusher, and joining a talented Eagles defensive front could give him the opportunity to thrive.
If that happens, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him emerge as a much bigger contributor in Philadelphia than he was in Atlanta.
And if that happens, some Lions fans may wonder what could have been.
Paladin, shown winning the 2025 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct, tops the Kentucky Derby leaderboard as hopefuls gear up for three weeks of intense competition to make the 20-horse field. Photo courtesy of NYRA
March 13 (UPI) -- Saturday's Virginia Derby gives 10 contenders a chance to run their way into Kentucky Derby contention on a weekend otherwise largely devoted to sprints.
The big push of final Derby preps starts the following weekend with the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds and the Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park. March 28 brings the Florida Derby, Arkansas Derby and the deciding races in the Japanese and Middle Eastern series, each of which carries at free pass to the Run for the Roses.
By the time the Santa Anita Derby, Wood Memorial at Aqueduct and Blue Grass at Keeneland go into the books April 4, the day before Easter, just about all the eggs should be in the Kentucky Derby basket.
Things are quiet on the international front. But who's the top-rated horse in the year's first global rankings? Hint: It's not Forever Young. See "News and Notes" below.
The Road to the Roses
Hong Kong-based Ka Ying Rising, shown winning the Centenary Sprint Cup January 25 at Sha Tin Racecourse, was ranked this week atop the Longines Word's Best Racehorse rankings. Photo courtesy of Hong Kong Jockey Club
Saturday's $500,000 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs is the only stop on the weekend's "Road to the Kentucky Derby and, once again, provides a golden opportunity for a breakout performance.
Best poised to move forward at Colonial? To all appearances, that's California shipper Buetane. The Tiz the Law colt finished second in the Grade I Hopeful at Saratoga last summer and second in the Grade II San Vicente in his 3-year-old debut.
He missed a chance to shine while finishing third in the Grade II Southwest at Oaklawn. He was a $1.15 million yearling item for owner Amr Zedan and the 92 Beyer Speed Figure he was awarded for the San Vicente effort is the highest in the Virginia Derby field.
Buetane has only six points on the "Road to the Kentucky Derby" leaderboard, tied for the 40th spot. He would need a victory Saturday, worth 50 points, to be fairly sure of a spot in the Churchill Downs starting gate.
A victory also could, pending the final round of Derby preps, make him trainer Bob Baffert's best hope for a seventh Kentucky Derby trophy.
Three of the other nine Virginia Derby contenders exit disappointing efforts in the Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs. Two others come off maiden wins and neither is nominated to the Triple Crown.
Incredibolt won the Grade III Street Sense in the fall at Churchill Downs, but finished last of six in the Grade III Holy Bull in his only previous start this year.
Paladin, a Gun Runner colt, is atop the "Road" leaderboard with 60 points after winning the Grade II Remsen at Aqueduct and the Grade II Risen Star at Fair Grounds.
The fifth pool of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager will open Friday with Paladin as the 5-1 favorite, and a good showing in the April 4 Blue Grass at Keeneland could cement his stock as a favorite for the Run for the Roses.
He's followed on the Future Wager morning line by Commandment at 6-1 and Nearly at 8-1. Commandment has won the Mucho Macho Man and Grade II Fountain of Youth in his last two starts. Nearly has won his last three starts, including the Grade III Holy Bull.
The path to the Oaks
Baffert sends out the favorite in the Oaks, too -- Bottle of Rouge, a Vino Rosso filly owned by his wife, Jill. The filly won the Grade I Del Mar Debutante before finishing sixth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. She won her first start this year, the Sunland Park Oaks on Feb. 15.
The field also includes Hit Parade, winner of three straight in 2025 but fifth in her 3-year-old debut, and Dazzling Dame, winner of four of her five career starts.
Sprint
Saturday's $250,000 Grade III Whitmore at Oaklawn Park drew a field of seven, and a case can be made for just about any one of them.
Also on tap are Saturday's $125,000 Hutcheson at Gulfstream Park and Saturday's $135,000 Jimmy Winkfield for 3-year-olds at Aqueduct.
Filly & mare sprint
Saturday's $150,000 Purple Martin for 3-year-old fillies at Oaklawn Park got seven takers and, like the Whitmore, looks like a wide-open affair.
The schedule also includes Saturday's $125,000 Any Limit for 3-year-old fillies at Gulfstream Park and Saturday's $125,000 Queen Stakes on the Turfway Park all-weather course.
Turf sprint
From one coast to the other, the slate has Saturday's $150,000 Captiva Island for fillies and mares at Gulfstream Park and Saturday's $100,000 Grade III San Simeon at Santa Anita.
Dirt mile
The supporting program for the Virginia Derby and Oaks consists of Saturday's $100,000 Royal New Kent and $100,000 Sandy Bottom for fillies and mares, both at Colonial Downs
Filly & mare turf
Sunday's $100,000 Grade III Santa Ana at Santa Anita has a full field of 10 plus an also-eligible to tackle 1 1/4 miles.
News and notes
Hong Kong horses hold the top two spots in the first 2026 edition of the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings. Super sprinter Ka Ying Rising is No. 1 with a 128 rating, followed by Romantic Warrior at 124.
Despite his second consecutive victory in the Saudi Cup, Japan's Forever Young is stuck at No. 3 with a 123 rating. Ireland's Royal Champion at 122 and American standard-bearer Nysos at 121 round out the top five.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 12: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers stands for the national anthem prior to the AFC Wild Card playoff game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium on January 12, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The first week of NFL free agency is nearly complete, and most of the top players have put pen to paper on new contracts for 2026 and beyond.
But some incredibly talented players are still waiting to sign new contracts.
Rasheed Walker likely thought a big payday was coming his way as free agency began.
But the NFL has a funny way of changing the narrative.
Despite some big contracts signed by young left tackles last offseason — Jaylon Moore signed a two-year, $30 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs while Dan Moore Jr. signed a four-year, $82 million deal with the Tennessee Titans — Walker is still waiting on a contract as the league speeds towards the second week of free agency.
A return to the Green Bay Packers is certainly not off the table, but Walker might be looking at a one-year, “prove it” contract if reporting from ESPN’s Adam Schefter is to be believed. Teams that many thought would be looking for offensive line help, such as the Cleveland Browns and the Chicago Bears, pivoted to other options already.
As far as where Walker could land if he does not return to Green Bay? Perhaps a move to a division rival is in order. The Detroit Lions have a need at left tackle, following the release of Taylor Decker, and while there have been rumblings of moving Penei Sewell to the left side, Detroit could keep him at right tackle (where he has earned All Pro honors three times) and slot Walker in at LT.
Jauan Jennings, WR
Jauan Jennings is still looking for a new home, even after playing through significant injuries last year that included multiple broken ribs.
Those injuries might be a reason he is still available. He has yet to complete a full 17-game season since he entered the league — as a 23-year-old rookie in 2023 — has one year with more than 700 receiving yards, and is on the cusp of his 29th birthday.
Yet, there is perhaps a perfect landing spot for him, and that comes via the Las Vegas Raiders. Just a few days ago it looked like the Raiders would have a pair of picks inside the top 15 in the 2026 NFL Draft, one to use on Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza to start the first round, and now at No. 14 to add a new wide receiver for him thanks to the trade with the Baltimore Ravens involving Maxx Crosby.
But with that trade now on the shelf, and the Raiders not picking again until No. 36, Las Vegas would be wide to dip into free agency to add more help for Mendoza. They already added Jalen Nailor, but Jennings would be a ball-winner on the outside for Mendoza, something that he certainly had at Indiana with Charlie Becker and Elijah Sarratt.
Wyatt Teller, OG
Three more players were released this week by the Cleveland Browns as the organization looks to get their financial house in order: Tight end David Njoku, offensive tackle Jack Conklin, and offensive guard Wyatt Teller.
All three are expected to find new homes in short order, but we will focus here on Teller, the veteran offensive guard. With several teams needing help along the offensive line, there should be multiple suitors for his services. The Houston Texans and the New York Giants could be options.
But another team that could make a strong pitch? The Los Angeles Chargers. While getting tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt back healthy will improve things in front of Justin Herbert, bolstering the interior offensive line is another priority for the team. Many draft analysts have linked the Chargers to guards Olaivavega Ioane from Penn State or Emmanuel Pregnon from Oregon, or even tackles that could kick inside, such as Spencer Fano or Kadyn Proctor, but Teller would give new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel an imposing presence in the run game on the inside.
Joey Bosa, DE
The landing spot here feels rather obvious, right?
Joey Bosa spent the past season with the BUffalo Bills, but with Bradley Chubb now on his way to upstate New York, Bosa is likely looking for a new home.
The San Francisco 49ers feel like the obvious landing spot.
San Francisco just lost Bryce Huff to retirement, Clelin Ferrell and Yetur Gross-Matos are free agents, and Bosa’s younger brother Nick is recovering from a knee injury, the second torn ACL of his career. The older Bosa could slide in as a rotational option and be paired with his brother when Nick returns from his rehabilitation.
Tyreek Hill, WR
From almost the moment the Miami Dolphins released Tyreek Hill, it felt like a reunion with Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid, and Travis Kelce was in the cards.
That feeling still remains.
The Chiefs added running back Kenneth Walker III in free agency, something that will help take the load off Mahomes when he returns from his knee injury, and Kelce is back for another ride with Kansas City after retirement rumors followed him the past few offseasons. And while Hill is working his way back from a significant knee injury, the Chiefs could use a player with his skillset once he returns.
And an offense that is looking to create more explosive plays in 2026, Hill can certainly help.
A.J. Epenesa, DE
Joey Bosa might not be the only defender on their way out of Buffalo, as fellow defensive end A.J. Epenesa could join him on the way out of town.
Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman is looking for help on the edge, particularly after the team lost Jaelan Phillips to the Carolina Panthers in free agency. The Eagles were linked to a potential move for Trey Hendrickson, and are often listed as a landing spot for Maxx Crosby if the Las Vegas Raiders were to try and trade him again after their deal with the Baltimore Ravens fell through, but signing Epenesa is the kind of move that just screams Roseman.
D.J. Reader, DT
As recently as yesterday, it looked like D.J. Reader might be steaming towards a reunion with the Cincinnati Bengals. But with Cincinnati agreeing to a deal with veteran defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, it looks like that reunion might be off.
Enter the Atlanta Falcons.
That defensive front is another unit that needs help along the interior, similar to Cincinnati, and Reader would give the Falcons a veteran presence on the inside that is badly needed. While the 2026 NFL Draft has some intriguing options on the inside, including players like Peter Woods and Kayden McDonald that could come off the board in the first round, with Atlanta lacking a pick on opening night a veteran is their likely path.
And Reader is the best available option right now.
Deebo Samuel, WR
New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel has several items on his to-do list.
But the item at the top of the list? Get the most out of Justin Herbert.
Adding Deebo Samuel would help. Not only would Samuel fit into McDaniel’s pass-game concepts, and perhaps flourish on the crossers and shallows that the new OC is expected to dial up in the Chargers offense, but McDaniel’s running concepts would be boosted by what Samuel offers. Plus, McDaniel has experience coaching Samuel, given their time together in San Francisco, so he would know exactly how best to use him this season.
Aaron Rodgers, QB
Sure, the low-hanging fruit here is to crack a joke about Aaron Rodgers joining The Pat McAfee show full-time, or taking a position with the Department of Health and Human Services alongside Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., whom Rodgers has praised before (and was at one time rumored to be a VP candidate alongside).
But all signs point to Rodgers, if he comes back to the NFL, riding with the Pittsburgh Steelers for one more season under new head coach Mike McCarthy.
Neto pushed the ball boy off his chair in the closing stages of Chelsea’s 5-2 defeat in the first leg of their last-16 tie at Parc des Princes, as he tried to retrieve the ball, sparking a melee between players from both sides.
The Portuguese apologised both on and off camera and gave the ball boy his shirt, but Uefa has nevertheless confirmed it is investigating Neto for “unsporting behaviour” and that its “disciplinary bodies will take a decision on this case in due course”.
Rosenior hailed how the player took responsibility for his action but couldn’t deny that the optics were bad.
Pedro Neto sparked a brawl after shoving a ball boy at PSG (AP)
“I've watched it back and it doesn't look good,” he said ahead of Saturday’s visit of Newcastle. “I understand Pedro's perspective and his want to win, but there are ways you go about it.
"I was so impressed that he wanted to apologise straight away. We all make mistakes, it's about learning from them and making sure they don't happen again."
Neto could receive a suspension by Uefa for the return leg at Stamford Bridge but has already been hit with a further one-match ban by the FA, as well as a £70,000 fine, regarding his conduct after his sending off against Arsenal on 1 March.
Neto accepted a charge after it was alleged he had acted in an “improper manner by failing to leave the pitch promptly and/or using abusive words towards the match officials”.
Rosenior will thus be grateful to welcome back Jamie Gittens to the fold, who bolsters his winger options following injury.
Neto checks on ball boy after pushing him (Action Images/Reuters)
"Jamie is back, which is great,” said Rosenior, before revealing Estevao’s situation will be more touch and go.
“Estevao is still further away; we want to be careful because of the nature of his hamstring injury, we don't want it re-occurring at a crucial stage of the season. We'll see what he's like for Tuesday's Champions League second leg."
Rosenior also threw his support behind Filip Jorgensen despite the goalkeeper’s costly errors in midweek, insisting that there is “no question of the quality” of both the Swede and Robert Sanchez.
"I made a decision to play Filip [Jorgensen] agaisnt Aston Villa and he was outstanding,” said Rosenior on the 23-year-old, who has leapt above Sanchez in the pecking order in recent weeks.
Filip Jorgensen’s blunder sparked Chelsea’s late collapse in Paris (AFP/Getty)
“I think his performance for 75 minutes [against PSG] was magnificent; he makes one mistake, we get punished and we lost the game in a manner we definitely shouldn't have lost.
"Robert Sanchez is one of the best goalkeepers in the league. There is no question of the quality of these two players at this level. It's more about my decision for each game."
Asked if Jorgensen is in a position mentally to start against Newcastle, Rosenior said: “For sure. Everybody makes mistakes, it's about how you respond to the setbacks. I have no lack of trust in either of them, or the team."
Neil 'Nello' Baldwin, whose life was showcased in the film Marvellous, turn 80 on Sunday [BBC]
A weekend of celebrations is planned for legendary former Stoke City FC kit man and circus clown Neil "Nello" Baldwin as he prepares to mark his 80th birthday.
As part of the celebrations, he will walk out onto the pitch at the Bet365 Stadium at half-time during the Potters' game with Watford on Saturday.
He told BBC Radio Stoke he was looking forward to the weekend and spoke of how "wonderful" it was to be a fan of his beloved Stoke City.
"I'm proud and happy to have done what I have in my life," he said. "It means a great deal to be happy, to make people happy and to love Stoke City as my team."
Baldwin, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, grew up with learning difficulties and joined the circus after leaving school.
After he left the circus, he became Stoke City's kit man, often being the source of joy and laughter at the club.
During a special screening of Marvellous in Hartshill on Thursday, former Stoke City manager Lou Macari, who gave Baldwin the job, spoke of how much he admired him.
"From the moment I met him, I knew there was something about Neil," he said.
If anyone needed a lift, Baldwin was "your man", Macari added, and it was always "a laugh a minute".
"It was brilliant. All the lads loved him and they all bought into what it was all about," he said.
Lou Macari, former Stoke City manager, said Baldwin would always be a source of laughter at the club [BBC]
Baldwin also has close ties to Keele University, where his mum worked as a cleaner, and in 2013, the university awarded him an honorary degree.
Following the success of Marvellous, in which Baldwin was portrayed by Toby Jones, he was presented with the Freedom of Stoke-on-Trent.
He received a British Empire Medal in the 2019 New Year Honours for services to the community in his home city.
Malcolm Clarke (right) described Baldwin as a lifelong friend [BBC]
Malcolm Clarke, who helped to write Baldwin's autobiography, described him as a "lifelong friend" who was "always positive".
"He's completely lacking in any self-consciousness," he added, "which means he'll go and talk to people whether they're famous or not in a way the rest of us wouldn't dare.
"There's a wonderful line in the film that says 'you can't get things by just asking' – I say that in the film - and Neil says 'I can' - and of course, he can."
Asked about his experiences, Baldwin spoke fondly of his parents, how their deaths affected him and how the community of the city helped to fill the hole they left behind.
He also mentioned the importance of his faith, having become a Christian in 1957.
Of his achievements, he said: "It's been a great privilege doing what I wanted to do. When I was at school, everybody asked what I wanted to do as a job and I said 'a circus clown'.
"What have I done since? Had a medal off the Queen, gone to Buckingham Palace twice - and everybody at school said I wouldn't make it."
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: Ismaila Sarr of Crystal Palace during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between Crystal Palace FC and AEK Larnaca FC at Selhurst Park on March 12, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the Fantasy Premier League season entering a decisive stretch, identifying the right differential can make all the difference between a green arrow and another frustrating week of average returns.
Here are four standout FPL differential picks who could deliver big in Gameweek 30 and beyond.
Ismaïla Sarr is quickly becoming one of the most exciting under-the-radar assets in FPL. The Crystal Palace winger heads into Gameweek 30 full of confidence after delivering a 15-point haul in Gameweek 29, scoring twice in an impressive performance.
That brace pushed his season tally to seven goals, highlighting his growing importance in Palace’s attack.
The upcoming fixture against Leeds also looks promising. Leeds have been vulnerable defensively at times this season, especially when facing quick wide attackers – exactly the type of profile Sarr brings.
At just 3.7% ownership, he offers the perfect combination of form, price, and differential potential for managers looking to gain ground in their mini-leagues.
Kevin Schade (£6.9m, 1.8% owned) – Brentford vs Wolves (H)
Kevin Schade could be a sneaky route into Brentford’s attack as their fixtures turn favorable. The German winger already has 7 league goals this season and continues to generate strong underlying numbers in front of goal.
Schade is particularly dangerous when Brentford play on the counter, making him a strong candidate for returns against teams that leave space behind their defense.
Brentford’s attacking fixtures are improving as well, with several favorable matchups in the coming weeks. That gives Schade both short-term upside for GW30 and longer-term potential for managers planning ahead.
With ownership barely above 1%, he represents a genuine differential capable of delivering a surprise double-digit haul.
Crysencio Summerville (£5.7m, 3.0% owned) – West Ham vs Manchester City (H)
Budget midfielders with attacking upside are gold in FPL, and Crysencio Summerville fits that description perfectly.
The West Ham midfielder is coming off an 11-point Gameweek 29, scoring the winner in a narrow victory.
Despite a difficult fixture against Manchester City on paper, Summerville’s direct style and ability to exploit space make him dangerous on the counterattack.
His 5 goals and 3 assists this season also show that he’s capable of delivering returns even in tougher matchups.
At just £5.7m, he’s an ideal enabler who still carries meaningful attacking potential — exactly the type of differential many FPL managers overlook.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is quietly enjoying a strong campaign and could be a powerful differential heading into Gameweek 30.
The Leeds striker has already scored 10 goals this season, ranking among the more productive forwards in the league.
More importantly, his underlying numbers suggest there may still be more returns to come. He has registered 22 big chances this season, indicating he’s consistently getting into dangerous scoring positions.
Leeds’ away fixture against Crystal Palace looks particularly appealing, making Calvert-Lewin a tempting pick for managers seeking a mid-priced forward with penalty potential and strong goal involvement.
Differentials can be risky, but they’re often the key to big rank jumps late in the season.
With strong fixtures and encouraging form, these four players could be exactly the type of low-owned assets that separate successful managers from the pack in Gameweek 30.
Are you backing any of these picks, or do you have a hidden gem of your own lined up for Gameweek 30? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments.
Barcelona winger hoping for bigger role in team amid several offers on the table
Roony Bardghji was a strategic signing made by FC Barcelona in the summer, roping him in for a minimal fee of only €2.5 million with an eye on the future.
The Swedish international’s positive impression during pre-season ensured that he immediately became a part of the first-team dynamics.
However, with Lamine Yamal being the permanent starter on the right flank, regular minutes were always going to be difficult.
Despite that, Bardghji made a good impression on the rare chances that he got in the team, but his situation has gotten a lot direr in recent weeks.
Bardghji wants more prominence
Now, according to SPORT, Bardghji approaches the final stretch of the season with a clear objective: to establish himself at Barcelona.
After a promising start, the Swedish international has gradually lost prominence in Flick’s rotations. Nevertheless, he hopes to receive more opportunities during the decisive weeks of the campaign, particularly as fatigue begins to affect some of the players.
Barcelona’s plan for Bardghji’s first season was essentially developmental: to adapt to the team and gradually grow in importance. That process progressed as expected until January, although his participation has declined since then.
What does the future hold for Bardghji? (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
His most recent start came in January in a UEFA Champions League match against Slavia Prague. He has not played since February 28, when Flick gave him the final 18 minutes against Villarreal.
Plenty of interest, no shortage of commitment
Despite the lack of playing time, Bardghji has never wavered in his commitment to Barcelona. He rejected other offers in order to wear the Blaugrana shirt and made it clear when he signed that his intention was to remain with the first team rather than leave on loan.
Now, as per the report, several notable European clubs have already contacted Barcelona to inquire about him.
Two teams from the Portuguese top flight and at least one club from the Bundesliga have explored the possibility of a loan move that would give him a much larger role.
For the moment, Bardghji himself is not interested in that path. Everything may depend on how the remainder of the season unfolds, as he hopes to obtain more minutes during the closing phase.
Report: Liverpool set to battle Man United in the race to sign Premier League defender
Liverpool Join Race for Fulham Defender as Summer Plans Gather Pace
Liverpool’s season has carried a strange rhythm. Moments of quality, flashes of authority, yet a nagging sense that something is missing. As reported by Sports Boom, the club have already begun looking towards the next stage of their rebuild, and Fulham’s Antonee Robinson has emerged as a serious target.
The interest signals a wider shift at Anfield. Recruitment is rarely isolated from the broader narrative surrounding a club. Liverpool are navigating a moment that feels transitional, a time when familiar pillars may depart and new ones must be built.
Robinson sits squarely within that conversation.
Photo IMAGO
Liverpool Tracking Fulham Standout
Fulham’s left back has developed into one of the most reliable defenders in the Premier League. His pace, stamina and willingness to surge forward have made him central to Marco Silva’s system.
Sports Boom report that Robinson has been described as “one of the best left-backs in the Premier League”, a reputation built through consistent performances across several seasons.
Interest from Liverpool and Manchester United therefore comes as little surprise.
Yet the most intriguing detail in the report concerns the player’s preference. According to Sports Boom, the American international “would prioritise a move to Anfield over Old Trafford.”
Photo IMAGO
That stance could prove decisive if both clubs pursue the deal seriously. In the modern transfer market, personal preference often shapes negotiations as much as finances.
Robinson’s style appears compatible with Liverpool’s approach. He covers ground rapidly, delivers from wide areas and defends aggressively when required.
One figure familiar with the situation suggested the attraction is obvious.
“He plays with the sort of energy that supporters immediately connect with. Liverpool value that intensity.”
Defensive Restructure Taking Shape
Liverpool’s interest in Robinson also reflects uncertainty surrounding the current defensive unit.
Andy Robertson’s contract situation is approaching its natural conclusion. The veteran has served the club magnificently, yet the reality of football is relentless. Contracts expire and cycles evolve.
Photo IMAGO
Sports Boom note that Robertson is expected to leave when his contract expires at the end of the season, which would open a significant vacancy on the left side of defence.
Liverpool already moved decisively last summer by signing Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth. Yet the possibility of another left back suggests the club want depth and competition in that area.
Robinson would provide experience and reliability, traits that are often undervalued until they disappear.
Wider Changes Expected at Anfield
The potential arrival of Robinson would sit within a broader defensive rebuild.
Liverpool have already secured the signing of Rennes centre back Jeremy Jacquet in a deal worth £60m. That move points towards a clear intention to refresh the defensive line.
Photo IMAGO
There are also uncertainties around other members of the squad. Both Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez have been linked with possible departures, developments that would force Liverpool to consider further additions.
The managerial situation could also influence recruitment decisions. Arne Slot’s future remains uncertain, and a change on the touchline would inevitably shape squad planning.
Photo IMAGO
Even without managerial upheaval, Liverpool’s direction feels clear. Recruitment is shifting towards players who combine Premier League experience with physical intensity.
Robinson fits that description neatly.
For Liverpool supporters, the coming summer promises movement. The club’s history shows that moments of transition can produce the next era of success.
Whether Robinson becomes part of that story may soon become clear.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
Antonee Robinson has been quietly excellent for Fulham for years. Fans who watch the Premier League closely know exactly what he offers.
Liverpool’s left flank has been defined by Andy Robertson’s relentless running and aggression. Replacing that influence will never be simple. Robertson set a standard that few full backs can match.
Robinson, however, carries similar energy. His ability to cover the entire flank feels tailor made for the intensity Liverpool demand.
Supporters would also welcome the idea of healthy competition at left back. Kerkez is talented but still developing. Adding Robinson would create depth and ensure the team never becomes predictable down that side.
There is also a sense that Liverpool need fresh energy in defence generally. The squad has achieved extraordinary things over recent years but renewal is part of elite football.
If Robinson genuinely prefers Anfield, many fans would see that as a positive sign. Players who want to play for Liverpool tend to connect quickly with the club’s culture.
Supporters will ultimately judge the move on performances. Yet as a potential piece of Liverpool’s next defensive evolution, Robinson appears to tick many boxes.
Arne Slot provides Alexander Isak injury update ahead of Spurs clash
Liverpool Injury Update, Arne Slot Addresses Alexander Isak Recovery
Liverpool continue preparations for their Premier League clash with Tottenham at Anfield, yet much of the conversation around the club remains focused on the fitness of Alexander Isak. The Swedish striker has not featured for Liverpool since December, and supporters remain eager to see their record signing return to action.
Manager Arne Slot addressed the situation during his latest media briefing, offering clarity on the current stage of Isak’s recovery.
Isak Recovery Timeline Continues
Liverpool have had to adjust their attacking structure in recent months while waiting for Isak to regain fitness. The forward underwent surgery in December and has not yet returned to full training with the squad.
Slot confirmed that progress is ongoing, although the striker is still working separately from the main group at the AXA Training Centre.
The Liverpool manager said: “With the rehab team still and not with the team yet.”
That brief update signals that the Sweden international remains some distance from match readiness. While Liverpool’s attacking depth has helped soften the impact, the absence of Isak continues to shape discussion around the team’s forward line.
Isak arrived at Anfield with significant expectations. His pace, movement and finishing ability were widely viewed as qualities that could elevate Liverpool’s attack. Until his return, however, those qualities remain unavailable to Slot as the season moves toward its decisive stages.
Chiesa Fitness Boost Before Tottenham
Liverpool did receive a more encouraging update regarding Federico Chiesa. The Italian winger missed the recent Champions League trip to Istanbul because of illness, leaving the squad short of another attacking option.
Photo: IMAGO
Slot indicated that Chiesa’s recovery appears to be progressing well.
He said: “I expect he feels better now because he felt unwell the day before the game and I think we’re now three or four further ahead.”
The Liverpool head coach also suggested the winger could rejoin training immediately.
He added: “So, I think he’s able to train with us today again.”
Even if Chiesa does not start against Tottenham, his presence offers Liverpool additional flexibility in attack. The timing could prove helpful as Slot looks to maintain momentum in the Premier League after disappointment in Europe.
Liverpool Attack Adjusts Without Isak
Isak’s continued absence remains one of the defining injury stories of Liverpool’s season. Early projections suggested the striker might not return until the closing months of the campaign.
Sweden manager Graham Potter recently spoke about the situation while discussing international availability.
Potter said: “Right now we’re just keeping our fingers crossed and hopefully we can get some of those guys back.”
That timeframe hints at a potential return for Isak around early April, which would place him back into contention as Liverpool approach the final stretch of the season.
Until then, Liverpool must rely on the attacking contributions of players such as Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz. Their ability to provide goals and creativity may prove vital while the club waits for Isak to complete his recovery and rejoin the Liverpool squad.
Shotzi during an interview while still signed to WWE. - WWE
This past Tuesday, March 10, former WWE talent Shotzi Blackheart took to social media to share information about her brother, Dean Urbanski, being missing. In a now-deleted post, Shotzi explained that Urbanski had crashed his car near Fort Mason, California, and according to CCTV footage was seen leaving the scene of the crash on foot and might be confused or disoriented.
In a follow up post since then, Shotzi revealed that her brother has since been found and was taken to a hospital. "We are incredibly grateful to everyone who shared the post, reached out, and helped spread the word. The support and kindness from so many people truly means the world to our family. Thank you all so much," Shotzi posted.
In the past, Shotzi spoke about her brother's involvement in her pro wrestling career, recalling how she was never a huge fan of wrestling but her brother was, and she'd often watch it with him or play the video games with him. Years later, she began watching WWE with her sister, who would joke about going into pro wrestling to be a valet, while Shotzi was the one who later seriously pursued it instead.
Back in 2021, Shotzi unfortunately lost her father, and penned an emotional post detailing her relationship with him. She expressed how lucky she was to have a great relationship with not just her biological father but her step-father. She also recalled how her father was the life of the party and often the organizer for holidays and getaways. Shotzi went on to recall how her father taught her many things across her life and expressed how she'll miss many moments with him.
France will wear a special edition pale blue shirt in Saturday's Six Nations game in Paris to mark 120 years of rivalry against England.
Given England play in white, the change has raised concerns over a possible kit clash.
A bonus-point win against Steve Borthwick's side will secure Les Bleus a record eighth Six Nations crown.
"Drawing directly from the history of the rivalry, the design of the match jersey - and its replica version - references the original light blue jersey worn by the French team in 1906 for their first fixture against England," said a French federation statement.
"The 1927 FFR logo adorned on the collection denotes the year of the French team's first victory against England, while the 'Tricolore' stripes are a nod to the French rugby kits of the late 80s and 90s, when adidas was the kit supplier of the federation."
Reports suggest England, who are aware of the possible kit clash, will stick to wearing their traditional white shirt.
France usually play in darker blue so wore their white away shirt in the 50-40 defeat in Edinburgh against Scotland last weekend.
The Six Nations no longer allows red and green shirts in the Wales v Ireland fixture because of the difficulty spectators who are colour blind would have telling the teams apart.
Wales wore a white shirt last weekend in Dublin, so that it looked light compared to the dark shirt of Ireland's green.
England defeated France in last year's Six Nations [Getty Images]
Automatic Super Resolution to come to the ROG Xbox Ally X next month At GDC 2026, Microsoft has confirmed that Automatic Super Resolution (Auto SR) is coming to the ROG Xbox Ally X in April. This is a Windows-level upscaling solution designed to improve the image quality of games when rendering at a sub-native resolution. […]
Microsoft has significantly streamlined Xbox development, cutting onboarding time to about 30 minutes and introducing Foundation Mode, which gives developers free access to PlayFab cross platform backend services when shipping games on Xbox.
One of the nine Operator Orders in Black Ops Royale is Memories, rewarding an Operator skin for Mason. Here's how to complete it and unlock the reward.
Out of nowhere, Square Enix has announced that it's releasing another classic JRPG from its backlog onto Xbox and PC, the turn-based throwback to early Final Fantasy games called Bravely Default.
Microsoft has revealed the first hardware details for Project Helix, the next generation Xbox console. The system will use a custom AMD system on chip and feature new technologies such as FSR Diamond, DirectStorage, and improved ray tracing performance.
Red Thread Games and Megabit Publishing today shared some fresh details about their highly anticipated survival mystery Hello Sunshine at the Future Games Show Spring Showcase. This latest look at Hello Sunshine focuses on the systems that drive the players' journey through a scorched, war-torn world and the relationship that they'll build with their giant robot companion along the way.
In Hello Sunshine, there is one simple rule: stay out of the sun. Step outside the robot's shade during the day and players will find that the punishing heat will eventually kill them; remain close, and they might last until nightfall.
EPEAT 2.0, launched in December 2025, expands the criteria for certifying environmentally responsible electronics. It covers five product types – imaging equipment, computers and displays, phones, servers, and TVs – and introduces stricter rules on recyclability, responsible supply chains, and sustainable design. A key provision applies directly to printer makers:...
Starting in June, the Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) age rating system, Europe's equivalent to the ESRB, will begin assigning PEGI-16 ratings to all games that sell random items. Furthermore, microtransactions will earn an automatic PEGI-12 rating, and NFTs or other blockchain-related items will be rated PEGI-18.
The Creality Sermoon P1 is a standalone 3D scanner that allows users to go through the entire scanning workflow without having to touch a computer. The 22 crossed laser line mode is surprisingly fast, and the single laser line mode was able to scan deep holes during testing. The NIR (near-infrared) mode is capable of scanning without requiring any markers, and the on-device editing allows users to make on-location edits without needing to stop. The Sermoon P1 handled everything we threw at it, but the color texture was the only disappointing part of the testing.
Inbound tourists to Greece are spending more per day but staying fewer nights, according to new research published by the Institute of the Greek Tourism Confederation (INSETE). The data shows daily spending by visitors has […]
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is starting to cause major disruptions to global energy markets, affecting many countries and businesses around the world. Over the past few days, several countries have enforced austerity […]
A recent Harvard Business Review piece echoes the shift we’re sseeing in the SEO industry: at a macro level, LLMs and Google’s AI-powered SERP features, such as AI Overviews, aren’t just creating a zero-click environment, but also changing user journeys and behavior.
They’re collapsing what used to be multi-touch customer journeys into a single synthesized answer.
For a more visual and emphatic metaphor, the monolith of “Search” is crumbling.
When that happens, brands lose many of the touchpoints they once owned, and your marketing strategy must change accordingly. HBR captures this moment well, arguing that marketing now has a new audience and that algorithms increasingly shape first impressions.
That said, while the article points in the right direction on the broader trend, its tactical advice is generic and falls back on shallow tactics.
Much of the guidance returns to familiar marketing playbook ideas that sound strategic and innovative but lack real operational depth. That gap matters for the longevity and sustainability of visibility.
The narrative may be easy for you to understand and repeat at the executive level, but it glosses over the deeper structural changes you must actually make to adapt to the new search ecosystem.
The problem with flock tactics
The HBR article centers on schema, authorship signals, and branded concepts. These recommendations risk becoming what I call “flock tactics.”
These ideas spread quickly because they’re easy to explain, but they offer little lasting competitive advantage once everyone adopts them.
Schema
Schema has been one of the most debated topics in LLM and AI optimization. Microsoft Bing confirmed it uses schema for its LLMs, but the relationship between Google’s models and third-party LLMs isn’t as straightforward.
While it isn’t necessarily wrong to recommend schema as part of your overall search optimization activities (SEO and AI), positioning it as a table-stakes tactic ignores diminishing returns once competitors implement similar markup and it becomes standard.
Another gap is the role of external knowledge systems, such as Wikidata or authoritative publishers. Much of the information LLMs rely on comes from those sources rather than a single company’s website.
This is less linear to understand, explain, and demonstrate as a single line item on an activity tracker, but these are nuances you now have to deal with, whether you like it or not.
What’s also missing is any exploration — or even a nod — to how models ingest and prioritize structured data compared with the many unstructured signals they rely on.
Attaching the names, credentials, and biographies of real experts follows familiar E-E-A-T logic and represents reasonable hygiene.
The problem is that the treatment remains superficial. It risks pushing you to focus on cosmetic signals such as bios, headshots, and credential lists without strengthening the underlying expertise pipeline.
There is a meaningful difference between placing an author bio on a page and cultivating a genuine expert entity whose work appears in conferences, third-party publications, standards committees, or academic collaborations.
Only the latter produces signals that models are more likely to recognize and trust.
Vanity concepts
The article also suggests creating branded frameworks or concepts — for example, something like “The Acme Index” — to help models associate ideas with your company. In theory this sounds appealing, but in practice it’s extremely difficult to execute.
Unless those ideas spread into the trusted datasets LLMs tend to prioritize, they rarely gain traction.
You need those concepts and frameworks adopted and discussed by entities other than yourself, including academic journals, technical standards, widely used software ecosystems, and other prominent entities in your category.
What often results instead is a proliferation of branded labels that remain largely invisible to the models they were meant to influence.
The structural blind spots
Beyond these tactical issues, the analysis overlooks deeper structural challenges. It treats AI primarily as an external platform shift.
The implication is that you must simply adapt to it rather than actively shaping your own environment.
Internalizing AI infrastructure
HBR never seriously considers the possibility of building AI into your own infrastructure. You can deploy assistants, RAG systems, and domain-specific agents within your own products and customer experiences.
These systems operate in logged-in, transactional contexts where first-party data and controlled interfaces still matter enormously.
In those environments, traditional concerns such as site architecture, structured data, and product design remain deeply relevant, though they operate differently from public search optimization.
It’s not just SEO
The discussion also frames SEO primarily as a page-ranking problem tied to discovery.
Visibility within LLMs increasingly depends on how well you structure entities, taxonomies, and knowledge graphs, and on how those systems connect with external data sources.
Most LLMs don’t process data at the petabyte scale Google uses to understand entity relationships. There is a strong correlation that when something ranks well on Google, third-party LLMs often correlate and “trust” Google’s guidance on which brands to show, for what, and when.
HBR’s phrase “engineering recall” points directly to this deeper data engineering work, yet the implications aren’t expanded.
LLM model heterogeneity
Another major omission is the diversity of AI systems themselves.
Different AI assistants and models rely on different training datasets, refresh cycles, retrieval mechanisms, and safety layers.
That heterogeneity means you can’t assume a single optimization strategy will work across all AI surfaces.
It also doesn’t explore the risk of broad-stroke approaches. If you try to increase visibility within AI models without accounting for safety filters, attribution errors, or hallucinations, you may gain visibility in ways that are inaccurate or reputationally damaging.
HBR’s article works well as a high-level explanation of how AI is changing marketing. It helps you understand that traditional SEO alone is no longer enough and that you must consider how AI systems see and describe your brand.
As a practical guide, however, the advice is thin. Most recommendations focus on surface-level tactics that many companies will quickly copy, reinforcing the echo chamber of flock tactics that are easy to sell and quantify, but risk narrowing your focus to short-term wins at the expense of longer-term strategy.
The real challenge is deeper. You need clear entity definitions, structured knowledge systems, reliable data in trusted sources AI models use, testing across how different models represent you, and AI-powered experiences within your own products.
“Winning” in the AI era will depend less on cosmetic SEO improvements and more on the harder structural work behind the scenes.
ChatGPT retrieves far more webpages than it cites. A new AirOps analysis found that 85% of discovered sources never appear in the final answer.
Why we care. If you want your content cited in AI-generated answers, discovery isn’t enough. Most retrieved pages never become visible to users.
Key finding. In AI answers, retrieval doesn’t equal citation. Your page can rank and be retrieved yet still lose the citation to a source that better matches the prompt or supporting context.
This shifts optimization toward earning selection inside the AI synthesis process—not just appearing in search results, per the report.
By the numbers:
82,108 citations appeared in final responses.
Only 15% of retrieved pages were cited.
85% of pages surfaced during research never appeared in answers.
Citation rates also varied by query type:
18.3% for product discovery queries
16.9% for how-to queries
11.3% for validation searches
Fan-out queries. ChatGPT often expands prompts with additional internal searches while generating an answer, creating what the report calls a “second citation surface.” Across the dataset:
89.6% of prompts triggered two or more follow-up searches.
Fan-out searches expanded 15,000 prompts into 43,233 queries.
32.9% of cited pages appeared only in fan-out results—not the original prompt.
95% of fan-out queries had zero traditional search volume.
Google ranking correlation. High Google rankings strongly correlated with citations:
55.8% of cited pages ranked in Google’s top 20.
Pages ranking in Position 1 were cited 3.5 times more often than pages outside the top 20.
About the data. AirOps analyzed 548,534 pages retrieved across 15,000 prompts to examine how ChatGPT expands queries and selects citations.
Laros brings Greek street food to Greater Manchester with a permanent kitchen takeover at The Little B in Sale, offering fresh dishes and burger options.
Brazil’s most punctual airline, GOL Linhas Aéreas, has officially launched an ambitious new chapter in international connectivity with the announcement of direct,
Wavertree Town Hall in Liverpool reopens this spring with a mix of traditional pub, sports bar, private event space, offering a unique experience for tourists.
BaxterStorey partners with Simon Attridge to bring culinary innovation and mentorship to UK hospitality sector, elevating dining experiences across the country.
Middle East aviation crisis: 600+ flights cancelled & 500+ delayed. Get vital travel advice for Emirates, FlyDubai, and Gulf Air passengers stranded in the region.
Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy A37 and Galaxy A57 smartphones have been revealed in new official renders. These renders give a clear look at the design, colors, and features of both phones. The images show the devices from different angles and confirm design details before launch.
Android Headlines has shared 64 renders of the Galaxy A57 and Galaxy A37 phones, showing both phones in all their color options. The renders highlight the full design of the phones, including the front, back, and side views.
These smartphones also confirm the new Key Island design, where the power and volume buttons are slightly raised on the right side. This design makes the buttons easier to see and use.
The Galaxy A37 is the cheaper phone. It will come in colors like Awesome Charcoal, Awesome Graygreen, Awesome Lavender, and Awesome White. Some countries may also get an Awesome Navy color. The phone has a flat screen with a small hole in the center for the front camera.
Image via Android Headlines
The Galaxy A57 looks almost the same as the A37.It also has a flat screen and three rear cameras. It will come in colors like Awesome Gray, Awesome Icyblue, Awesome Lilac, and Awesome Navy. Some regions may also get an Awesome Charcoal version.
Image via Android Headlines
Both phones have a flat frame and a flat back. On the back, there are three cameras placed one below the other in the top-left corner. The Samsung logo is near the bottom of the back.
Samsung is going to launch these Galaxy A series smartphones later this month. Stay tuned for more information.
Casio’s latest G-Shock collaboration makes its iconic watches look like they’ve stepped out of a comic book. Designed by artist Joshua Vides, the limited-edition models use bold black-and-white graphics to create the illusion of a hand-drawn sketch brought to life.
Deal | This slim and light model from HP also features a 1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD and weighs only 1.7 kg (3.75 lbs). The 15.6-inch IPS panel is limited to 1080p resolution and 62.5% sRGB color gamut, but its maximum brightness hits 300 nits. Port selection is minimal with no ultra fast connectors.
After the full-size Gravity SUV, Lucid has announced three affordable models designed to take on Tesla and a "distracted" Elon Musk. One of them is the Cosmos SUV, priced as a direct Tesla Model Y competitor but with better specs.
According to a tipster over on X, who shared the screenshot you can see below, Samsung phones now have a list of "satellite-ready" apps. This can allegedly be accessed by going to Settings > Connections > Satellite networks.
This will then show a list of apps that are "satellite-ready" among those you have installed. So it's not an exhaustive list of every app out there that can use satellite connectivity, just a subset of those you have installed at any given moment.
Before you go ahead and celebrate the fact that you can use Google Maps when you only have satellite connectivity,...
Honor's Robot Phone is still more of a concept device than an actual product, but the company has promised it's going to be launching by the end of this year. It's not a robot, it's a phone with a three-axis gimbal for (we assume) the main camera. There are still no specs of any kind, Honor has only done a few demos here and there with very limited functionality.
According to a new rumor out of China, the Robot Phone will be launching in the third quarter of the year, so between July and September. Given the state of the prototypes shown at MWC earlier this month, we'd wager it will be...
has welcomed a fight against a former rival of . Stevenson is currently planning his next move after defeating Teofimo Lopez at Madison Square Garden in January to win the WBO super-lightweight title. That victory saw the American become a four-weight world champion, having also previously reigned at featherweight, super featherweight and lightweight in his […]
A fresh issue may have arose for the planned vs. fight. It was announced back in September that Tyson and Mayweather were set to meet in an exhibition bout, before it was reported earlier this year that it was planned for April 25 in the Congo. Tyson was last in action in November 2024 when […]
Across the United States, businesses are exploring new payment methods that can improve global reach, reduce settlement friction, and offer more flexibility to customers. Among the options gaining attention are blockchain payments for ecommerce and digital services.
However, accepting cryptocurrency is still unfamiliar territory for many companies. Questions about compliance, technical integration, volatility, and operational processes often slow adoption.
One way companies are addressing the education gap is through crypto webinars for businesses designed specifically for decision-makers responsible for payments, finance, and compliance.
One example is the series of free crypto webinars hosted by Coinspaid, a global crypto infrastructure provider focused on business payment solutions.
Why Are Businesses Exploring Crypto Payments?
Crypto payments are gradually becoming part of the broader digital payments landscape. For companies operating internationally or selling digital services, blockchain-based payments offer several operational advantages.
First, settlement speed can be significantly faster than traditional banking, especially for cross-border transactions. Payments can be processed in minutes rather than days.
Second, transaction costs can be lower compared to some international payment networks, particularly for businesses that frequently receive payments from customers overseas.
Third, cryptocurrencies enable access to a global user base that already holds digital assets and prefers spending them directly.
These trends are driving interest in crypto payments for business, especially among ecommerce platforms, SaaS providers, digital service companies, and marketing agencies.
Still, before integrating crypto payments, companies often want clear answers to practical questions:
How to accept crypto payments securely
What compliance requirements apply in the United States
How crypto transactions are settled and converted
What infrastructure is required for integration
This is where educational initiatives such as crypto webinars for businesses come in.
What Can Businesses Learn in CoinsPaid’s Free Crypto Webinars?
CoinsPaid hosts a series of free crypto webinars designed specifically for business audiences rather than retail investors.
The sessions typically focus on practical operational topics relevant to finance and payments teams, including:
How companies integrate crypto payments into existing checkout systems
Key compliance considerations when working with digital assets
Risk management and volatility handling for merchants
Differences between custodial and non-custodial infrastructure
Real-world examples of businesses already accepting crypto
Rather than presenting theoretical blockchain concepts, these webinars focus on how payment infrastructure works in real business environments.
Participants also gain insight into the wider crypto payments ecosystem and how companies structure workflows when accepting digital assets.
Businesses interested in attending upcoming sessions can explore the full schedule of Free Crypto Webinars here: https://webinars.coinspaid.com/
From Education to Implementation: Coinspaid’s Infrastructure
While webinars are primarily educational, they also introduce participants to the infrastructure that enables businesses to accept crypto payments.
Coinspaid is a crypto infrastructure provider, offering solutions designed to help businesses integrate blockchain payments without needing deep technical expertise.
The infrastructure supports merchant payment processing, asset conversion, and operational tools designed to simplify crypto transaction management.
For many companies, one of the key challenges is understanding how crypto payments fit into existing accounting and payment systems. Infrastructure providers help bridge this gap by offering APIs, dashboards, and reporting tools designed for business use.
More information about the infrastructure and services can be found on Coinspaid’s website: https://coinspaid.com/
Who Should Attend These Webinars?
CoinsPaid’s educational webinars are designed primarily for decision-makers responsible for payments strategy or financial operations.
Typical attendees include:
CFOs and finance directors evaluating alternative payment methods
Companies operating in ecommerce, SaaS, digital services, and professional services often find these sessions particularly relevant, since their customers are already active in online payment ecosystems.
For businesses considering crypto payments but unsure where to begin, webinars offer a practical entry point.
How to Join the Next Free Crypto Webinar
Businesses interested in learning more about crypto payments can explore the upcoming schedule of crypto webinars for businesses hosted by Coinspaid.
The sessions are free to attend and typically focus on practical topics such as integration strategies, compliance considerations, and operational best practices.
XRP price edged higher today, gaining around 2%,as analyst points to a massive breakout structure forming on the monthly chart. After weeks of downward pressure, the modest rebound has caught traders’ attention as new derivatives data suggests demand may slowly be returning to the XRP market.
At press time, XRP price was trading near $1.42, holding above an important support zone that has recently prevented further downside. While the broader crypto market remains cautious, analysts believe the current structure could represent an early accumulation phase before the next major move.
Analyst Highlights Major XRP Price Breakout Structure
Adding to the bullish narrative, crypto analyst Ali Martinez recently pointed to a multi-year symmetrical triangle pattern forming on XRP’s monthly chart. According to the price analysis, XRP has spent several years consolidating within this large structure, with price repeatedly compressing between rising support and descending resistance lines. Such formations often precede large breakout moves once resistance is cleared, particularly when they occur over multi-year timeframes.
The analyst suggests that if XRP eventually breaks above this long-term structure during the next major market cycle, it could open the door to significantly higher price levels during the next bull run. While long-term projections remain speculative, the setup highlights how XRP’s current consolidation phase could be building momentum for a larger market expansion.
Futures Market Data Shows Buyers Slowly Returning
Recent derivatives data also supports the possibility that market sentiment toward XRP may be improving. According to Binance futures data, the 90-day Futures Taker Cumulative Volume Delta (CVD) has climbed to its highest level since November 2024, suggesting that buying activity is beginning to strengthen again. Recent trading activity shows:
Buy orders totaling roughly 516.4 million XRP
Sell orders near 513.1 million XRP
This resulted in a positive taker delta of approximately 3.36 million XRP, meaning aggressive buyers slightly outpaced sellers in the latest session.
Although cumulative CVD over the past three months remains negative, the recent improvement suggests selling pressure that dominated the market earlier may be gradually fading. Market analysts often view such shifts in derivatives positioning as early signs of accumulation, particularly when they occur near major technical support zones.
XRP Price Chart Shows Breakout Setup Forming
On the daily charts, XRP price remains inside a descending channel, a structure that has defined its price action since late 2025. However, the recent bounce near the $1.35–$1.40 support zone suggests that buyers are defending this level aggressively. Holding this area could allow XRP to begin testing the upper boundary of the channel, where a potential breakout attempt may occur.
A decisive move above the channel resistance would break the pattern of lower highs that has dominated recent months, potentially opening the door for a broader recovery rally. Momentum indicators are also beginning to stabilize, reinforcing the idea that downside pressure may be weakening.
Key XRP Price Levels to Watch
Support
$1.36 — Immediate support
$1.25 — Major demand zone
Resistance
$1.75 — First breakout level
$2.20 — Major resistance
$2.80 — Strong supply zone
If XRP successfully pushes above $1.75, it could confirm a short-term breakout and potentially trigger stronger upside momentum and if buyers continue defending the current support zone and the price manages to break above key resistance levels, XRP could soon transition from consolidation into a stronger recovery phase in the weeks ahead.
Tether, the company behind the world’s largest stablecoin, is now expanding its focus on the U.S. market. Recently, the firm has launched a new stablecoin called USAT and is now seeking funding that could value the company at $500 billion.
Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said digital dollars like Tether may play a bigger role if traditional systems struggle.
Tether CEO Says Tether To Plays a Big Role in Weak Traditional Systems
Speaking at a conference in San Salvador, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said the company is preparing to play a larger role if traditional financial systems face pressure. He pointed to Tether’s growing financial strength, noting the firm generated over $10 billion in profit in 2025 and now holds about $122 billion in U.S. Treasuries.
Ardoino said these resources allow Tether to expand beyond stablecoins into sectors such as crypto infrastructure, artificial intelligence, energy, and media.
With discussions around a potential $500 billion valuation, he said Tether is building financial infrastructure designed to operate even during periods of global economic instability.
Bloomberg: Tether is expanding its focus on the U.S. market and has launched a new stablecoin, USAT, while seeking fundraising that could value the company at around $500 billion, according to CEO Paolo Ardoino. Tether reported over $10 billion in profit in 2025 and holds about… pic.twitter.com/zSsMS7ZEE7
With roughly 300 employees, Tether has become one of the most profitable companies in the crypto sector. Its stablecoin is widely used for trading digital assets and transferring funds globally.
Tether Expands Investments Across Multiple Sectors
With billions in profit, Tether has started investing heavily across the crypto and fintech sectors. Reports suggest the company now holds stakes in more than 140 companies around the world.
Tether has been investing in companies across sectors such as cryptocurrency infrastructure, artificial intelligence, energy, and media.
Ardoino said the firm’s financial resources allow it to pursue broader investments while continuing to develop digital payment infrastructure.
U.S. Market Could Become a Key Focus
Another major shift is the company’s growing focus on the United States. With Donald Trump returning to the White House, the regulatory environment for crypto companies could become more supportive.
As stablecoin adoption grows globally, Tether is positioning itself to play a larger role in both crypto markets and traditional financial systems.
Most traders are still waiting for Bitcoin to drop further. But the on-chain data is telling a very different story from what most people read during the crash.
According to CryptoQuant analyst Darkfost, Bitcoin’s long-term holders did not sell as aggressively as the charts suggested. In the 2025 cycle, LTHs spent 15.1M BTC in total, just below the 15.3M BTC spent during the 2021 bull run. Prior cycles saw 7.3M and 13.6M BTC spent respectively.
This comes as Bitcoin trades at $72,419, up 2.95% on the day, even as Brent crude hit $100 per barrel for the first time since 2022 and equity markets sold off on escalating Middle East tensions – a macro backdrop that would historically have dragged crypto lower with it.
The Charts Were Misleading
Part of the confusion came from Coinbase. The exchange moved approximately 800,000 BTC internally, and most of it was miscategorised as LTH supply in on-chain data. Darkfost notes that once those internal transfers are stripped out, actual long-term holder selling was likely even lower than the headline number suggests.
In other words, the panic may have been based on distorted data.
There’s a deeper shift happening that most retail traders aren’t factoring in. Spot Bitcoin ETFs, launched in January 2024, now hold around 1.3M BTC – roughly 6.7% of total supply. Digital asset treasury companies, including Strategy, collectively hold another 1.1M BTC, nearly 5% of supply.
These are not holders who sell on red days.
Darkfost points out that these new institutional participants are fundamentally changing what it means to be a long-term holder, and over time their growing presence could structurally reduce selling pressure across cycles.
Do You Wait for the Bottom or Do You Buy Now?
Crypto analyst Jelle has a clear view on this. During the last bull run, he began scaling out early and accelerated selling between $100K and $120K without ever calling the top.
He applies the same logic on the way down.
“I don’t care to be a hero, or to look cool by calling the bottom – I’m just here to make money,” he said, adding that his approach is to slowly build long-term exposure after a certain threshold, then ramp up buying once the bottom confirms.
The data and the strategy are pointing in the same direction.
If the data holds, the bigger risk may not be buying too early – it may be waiting for a bottom that the charts already confirmed.
Tether is stepping up its focus on the U.S. market by launching a new dollar-backed stablecoin called USAT, designed to comply with U.S. regulations and serve American users and institutions. The company is also exploring a major fundraising round that could value it at around $500 billion, putting it among the most valuable private fintech firms. In 2025, Tether reported more than $10 billion in profit and holds roughly $122 billion in U.S. Treasuries, while expanding investments across crypto, energy, AI, and media.
While equity markets took a beating and Brent crude surged above $100 per barrel for the first time since 2022, crypto is doing the opposite. Escalating Middle East tensions and a blockage in the Strait of Hormuz sent traditional risk assets into freefall, yet the total crypto market cap climbed 2.57% to $2.46 trillion on March 13.
Bitcoin is sitting at $72,479, up 2.91% in 24 hours. Ethereum at $2,127, up 2.72%. On a day when almost nothing else was green, this is interesting.
The Correlation Data Is the Real Story
Crypto’s correlation with the S&P 500 currently sits at -14%, and against Gold it’s -34%. That is evidence that this rally wasn’t carried by broad market optimism.
Intergovernmental Blockchain advisor Anndy Lian noted that “digital assets are beginning to trade on their own fundamental narratives,” arguing this kind of independence signals a maturation that the asset class has long needed to evolve beyond its speculative ties to traditional finance.
The most significant catalyst was BlackRock’s iShares Staked Ethereum Trust (ETHB), which debuted on Nasdaq on March 12 with $15.5 million in first-day volume.
Unlike previous crypto ETFs, ETHB gives investors both price exposure and staking rewards – repositioning Ethereum as a yield-bearing asset rather than a speculative play. Staking also locks up supply, which mechanically reduces sell-side pressure over time.
Altcoins Are Moving Too
Render is up 13.37% to $1.81, Layer 1 tokens advanced 1.58%, and Bitcoin dominance held steady at 58.78%, suggesting fresh capital is flowing into the broader market rather than concentrating in Bitcoin alone.
Analyst Michaël van de Poppe remains bullish, saying he expects Bitcoin to “test the highs and continue to rally towards $75,000 during this month.”
On the regulatory front, the US Senate passed a bill on March 12 blocking the Federal Reserve from issuing a retail CBDC – a clear signal of Washington’s direction on digital assets. Separately, unconfirmed reports of a zero percent crypto tax are circulating on social media, and markets appear to be pricing that in too.
The total crypto market cap is currently at $2.43T, up 2.35% on the day. With RSI sitting at a neutral 56 on the daily chart, there’s no immediate technical ceiling – the question now is whether sustained ETF inflows and policy clarity can keep the momentum going against a backdrop of rising oil and macro uncertainty.
Never Miss a Beat in the Crypto World!
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FAQs
Why is the crypto market rising while stocks are falling?
Crypto rose as geopolitical tensions hit stocks and oil surged. Lower correlation with equities suggests digital assets are moving on their own market drivers.
What factors are currently driving the crypto market higher?
Key drivers include ETF inflows, institutional adoption, staking demand, improving regulation signals, and growing use cases across the crypto and blockchain ecosystem.
Why are altcoins gaining along with Bitcoin?
Altcoins are rising because fresh capital is entering crypto markets, not just Bitcoin. This broad inflow supports growth across multiple blockchain projects.
Price prediction for 2026 targets $0.85, with potential highs of $3.50.
The Pi coin price forecast for 2030 highlights a price target as high as of $22.00
Pi Network’s vision of mobile-based crypto mining attracted millions worldwide, making it a standout community-driven project. However, its lack of exchange listings, limited liquidity, and minimal real-world integration now challenge its sustainability.
As the broader crypto landscape shifts toward utility-based projects and DeFi innovation, Pi Coin struggles to maintain relevance. As a reason, the PI price faced a seamless fall. While social and Google search curiosity still remains high, especially with growing searches like “1 Pi to INR” and “1 Pi to PKR,” the absence of strong fundamentals keeps Pi price recovery uncertain.
This is leaving investors questioning whether this once-hyped token can ever reclaim its lost glory. As a result, the current period aligns perfectly with the current year’s calendar to change soon, making people intrigued towards the PI price prediction for 2026-2030.
Pi’s price declined from $0.19 to $0.28 in Q4 2025, then to $0.1297 in January, indicating strong bearish sentiment. But this low was followed by short-term demand driven by ecosystem-level demand and the Kraken exchange listing, leading to an increase above $0.28 in March.
However, the overall recovery prospects for PI/USD in 2026 remain bleak due to low liquidity in the crypto market. Still, if the broader market improves, there may be an opportunity for Pi to rally more in March and recover some of its lost value, but $0.28 needs to be sustained.
PI Price Prediction 2026: Potential Scenarios for a Reversal
Pi’s price was firmly within its current consolidation range of $0.19-$0.28 in Q4 2025, but in January, it failed to trade within this range, hitting a new low of $0.1297.
This means momentum was completely on the bearish side, and PI investors were dumping like they had no chance of ever recovering. Investors and traders assumed it had become a dead asset for now, considering it worse than memecoins.
Since the PI price prediction for 2026 still shows no significant improvement in the long term, after a devastating decline, a short-term momentum in February and march was observed that saw PI price beyond $0.28.
Now, at this stage, when PI price is at its weakest long-term levels, but the short-term rally suggests a recovery chance, as few ecosystem updates were announced on X in early March along with an exchange listing from Kraken, which boosted this surge. Since it came with a new plan to revive its ecosystem, this strong possibility could turn around the dying momentum it’s was seeing till now.
Despite the challenges faced in December 2025 and since then, when the bear market suppressed momentum across the entire crypto sector, we’ve observed that no altcoin has managed to stage the anticipated rally. This was largely due to a lack of liquidity, with new investors still cautious, leaving many feeling apprehensive about the power of the bears.
However, the outlook for 2026 is optimistic for the sector, and if it flourishes, maybe PI could get a few more drops of liquidity, too. but if the broader market improves, the odds of a substantial rally may increase but key here is flipping $0.28 with confidence.
Pi Coin Price Targets 2026 – 2030
Year
Potential Low ($)
Potential Average ($)
Potential High ($)
2026
$0.85
$2.25
$3.50
2027
$1.25
$3.25
$5.25
2028
$2.00
$5.50
$8.50
2029
$3.50
$8.50
$13.75
2030
$5.50
$13.75
$22.00
Pi Crypto Price Forecast 2026
The Pi crypto prediction for the year 2026 could range between $0.85 to $3.50. Considering the buying and selling pressure, the average price could be around $2.25 for that year.
Pi Coin Price Prediction 2027
During 2027, the Pi network value could reach a maximum trading value of $5.25 with a potential low of $1.25. Evaluating the market sentiments, the average price of this altcoin could settle at around $3.25.
Pi Token Price Projection 2028
By 2028, the value of a single Pi coin price could reach a maximum of $8.50 with a potential low of $2.00. With this, the average price could land at around the $5.50 mark.
Pi Network Price Analysis 2029
Looking forward to 2029, the Pi coin Price may range between $3.50 and $13.75, and a potential average value of around $8.50.
Pi Network Price Prediction 2030
As per our Pi Coin Price Prediction 2030, the Pi coin value in 2030 could reach a high of $22.00. However, the viral altcoin could record a low of $5.50 and an average price of $13.75, if the crypto market turns bearish.
Market Analysis
Firm Name
2025
2026
2030
CoinCodex
$ 2.08
$ 1.48
$ 2.63
priceprediction.net
$1.08
$1.61
$6.74
DigitalCoinPrice
$107.98
$125.57
$265.95
*The aforementioned targets are the average targets set by the respective firms.
Conclusion
The Pi Network’s recent developments—from major token accumulation and Banxa integration to Binance listing rumors—are clear indicators that Pi is no longer just a test project. As market conditions turn favorable and institutional interest grows, Pi Coin is entering a new phase of maturity.
Never Miss a Beat in the Crypto World!
Stay ahead with breaking news, expert analysis, and real-time updates on the latest trends in Bitcoin, altcoins, DeFi, NFTs, and more.
FAQs
Will Pi Network price recover in 2026?
Pi may recover in 2026 if liquidity improves, exchange listings expand, and overall crypto market sentiment turns bullish.
What is the Pi price prediction for 2026?
Pi price prediction for 2026 suggests a range between $0.85 and $3.50, depending on adoption progress and market momentum.
Can Pi Coin reach $1 again?
Yes, Pi can reach $1 if buying demand strengthens and the token breaks out of its long-term consolidation range.
What is the Pi Network price prediction for 2030?
Pi Network price prediction for 2030 targets a potential high near $22.00 if ecosystem growth and real-world utility improve.
Is Pi Coin a good long-term investment?
Pi carries high risk due to limited utility and listings, but long-term upside depends on successful integration and network adoption.
Binance said it will add Monitoring Tags to eight tokens, ATA, A2Z, FIO, GTC, NTRN, PHB, QI, and RDNT, starting March 13, 2026. Tokens with these tags have shown higher volatility and risk than regular listings, so Binance will watch them more closely and may remove them if they don’t meet standards. To keep trading these assets, users must complete a risk‑awareness quiz every 90 days. The move aims to help protect traders and improve risk awareness on the platform.
The update comes as tokenization activity on the XRP Ledger surges, with tokenized assets on the network growing to $1.14 billion in 2026.
Ripple’s XRPL Rolls Out Security Update
According to the XRPL announcement, the new 3.1.2 Rippled version fixes several vulnerabilities that could have disrupted server operations. These fixes are designed to improve node stability and ensure smoother network performance.
The update follows earlier XRPL upgrades that introduced a lending protocol and single-asset vault features. As new financial tools are added to the ecosystem, strengthening the network’s security has become increasingly important.
Meanwhile, developers are urging validators and node operators to upgrade servers to maintain security and future network compatibility.
XRPL’s Rapid Growth in Tokenization
At the same time, activity on the XRP Ledger has been rising sharply this year. Data shows that tokenized assets on the network have grown from about $111 million to $1.1 billion in 2026.
XRPL now holds over 15% of global tokenized commodities, making it a major blockchain in this sector. The expansion shows the growing use of the network for tokenizing real-world assets and financial products.
Meanwhile, crypto validator Vet recently pointed out that the XRP Ledger was one of the earliest blockchain platforms to offer tokenization and decentralized exchange capabilities.
He also noted that the XLS-66 Lending Protocol could unlock liquidity for tokenized assets that currently sit idle on the network. By allowing lending and borrowing, the feature could help capital move more efficiently within the ecosystem.
In addition, the recent Permissioned DEX upgrade could attract institutions seeking a regulated environment for trading tokenized assets. With stronger security and new DeFi tools, XRP Ledger is expanding its role in digital finance infrastructure.
Never Miss a Beat in the Crypto World!
Stay ahead with breaking news, expert analysis, and real-time updates on the latest trends in Bitcoin, altcoins, DeFi, NFTs, and more.
FAQs
How could XRPL tokenization growth impact the wider market?
More tokenized assets can improve liquidity, enable fractional ownership, and make global investment in commodities and financial assets easier.
What role could institutions play in XRPL’s ecosystem?
Institutions could bring large capital, liquidity, and regulated trading activity, helping expand blockchain use in traditional finance markets.
What developments could come next for XRPL?
Future updates may add new DeFi tools, improve scalability, and support more tokenized assets and financial applications on the network.
XRP is trading around $1.42, with over 61 billion tokens in circulation and daily trading volume holding above $2.3 billion. After months of turbulence, the price has finally settled into a relatively calm range.
Analysts at CryptoQuant say the real story right now is in the derivatives market. The extreme leverage that fuelled XRP’s 2025 rally has been largely wiped out, and the market is now going through a quiet but meaningful reset. Overleveraged positions have been flushed, speculative excess has cooled, and what remains is a cleaner market structure.
Buyers Slowly Setting Foot
A March 12 report reveals a subtle shift in XRP futures activity. Data from Binance shows that aggressive buy orders totaled around 516.4 million XRP over the past 90 days.
During the same period, sell orders reached roughly 513.1 million XRP, creating a net taker delta of about 3.36 million XRP.
While the difference is relatively small, analysts interpret it as a meaningful indicator that buyers are beginning to regain control of market orders. For months, selling pressure dominated XRP’s derivatives market, but the latest data suggests that bear scenarios may be gradually fading.
XRP Open Interest Gives a Cleaner Market Structure
Another development involves XRP futures open interest, a metric that tracks the total value of active derivative contracts.
According to derivatives data, open interest previously peaked near $660 million in October 2025, but has since dropped to around $203 million by early March 2026.
This sharp decline indicates that a large portion of speculative leverage has already been flushed from the market. Historically, such resets are seen as a healthy development because it removes excessive risk and reduce the chances of sudden liquidation-driven price swings.
In simple terms, the market now appears “cleaner,” with fewer highly leveraged traders influencing price movements.
XRP Current Market Snapshot
Technically, XRP continues to trade within a broader correction that started after its previous peak near $3.50.
Support: around $1.30–$1.33
Immediate resistance: near $1.45
Breakout confirmation: above $1.50
If XRP manages to reclaim the $1.50 level, it could be the start of a broader recovery phase. For now, however, the focus remains on whether the improved derivatives data can translate into sustained buying pressure in the spot market.
Never Miss a Beat in the Crypto World!
Stay ahead with breaking news, expert analysis, and real-time updates on the latest trends in Bitcoin, altcoins, DeFi, NFTs, and more.
FAQs
Why does reduced leverage matter for XRP’s future price movement?
Lower leverage typically means fewer forced liquidations during volatility. This can lead to more stable price movements and healthier long-term market growth.
How could derivatives market changes affect regular XRP investors?
A cleaner derivatives market can reduce sudden price swings, giving spot investors a more stable environment and potentially improving confidence in long-term positions.
Could macro crypto market conditions influence XRP’s recovery?
Yes, broader crypto sentiment, Bitcoin price movements, and regulatory developments can significantly impact XRP’s momentum and overall market demand.
Galatasaray'ın UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi son 16 turundaki rakibi Liverpool'da teknik direktör Arne Slot'tan takımdaki sakatlık durumuna ilişkin açıklama geldi.
İngiltere Premier Lig'de hafta sonu Tottenham'ı ağırlayacak Liverpool'da teknik direktör Arne Slot, karşılaşma öncesinde Galatasaray maçında forma giyemeyen sakat oyuncular için açıklamada bulundu.
UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi son 16 turunda Galatasaray'la oynadıkları maçta Alisson sakatlığı, Federico Chiesa ise hastalığı nedeniyle forma giyememişti.
Arne Slot'un açıklamaları şöyle:
ALİSSON'UN DURUMU
-Şu ana kadar fizyoterapistlerle ve rehabilitasyon ekibiyle birlikteydi. Bugün antrenmana katılıp katılamayacağına bakacağız. Umutluyum ama henüz yüzde 100 emin değilim çünkü bu sabah kendisiyle veya sağlık ekibiyle konuşmadım.
-Pas verirken kaslarından bir şey hissetti ancak kontrol ettikten sonra sakatlığın çok hafif olduğunu ve uzun sürmeyeceğini gördük. Ancak maçlar arka arkaya geliyor ve bu yüzden Galatasaray maçını kaçırmak zorunda kaldı. Umarım pazar günü için hazır olur. Olmazsa ve işler planlandığı gibi giderse çarşamba günü Galatasaray maçında oynamasını bekliyorum.
CHIESA İÇİN AÇIKLAMA
-Maçtan önce iyi durumda değildi ancak şu anda daha iyi olduğunu hissediyorum. Tekrar aramıza döneceğini düşünüyorum.
ISAK'TA SON DURUM
-Hala rehabilitasyon ekibiyle çalışıyor ve henüz takımla birlikte değil.
Beşiktaş, 15 Mart Pazar günü karşılaşacağı Gençlerbirliği maçının hazırlıklarına devam etti.
Beşiktaş, Trendyol Süper Lig'in 26. haftasında 15 Mart Pazar günü deplasmanda Natura Dünyası Gençlerbirliği ile oynayacağı maçın hazırlıklarını sürdürdü.
Kulüpten yapılan açıklamaya göre, BJK Nevzat Demir Tesisleri'nde teknik direktör Sergen Yalçın yönetiminde gerçekleştirilen antrenman, yaklaşık 1 saat 10 dakika sürdü.
Siyah-beyazlı oyuncuların kondisyon ve taktik çalıştıkları belirtilirken, antrenmanın ısınma koşuları ve pas çalışmalarının ardından taktiksel uygulamalarla tamamlandığı kaydedildi.
Beşiktaş, yarın saat 13.00'te yapacağı antrenmanın ardından hazırlıklarını tamamlayacak ve saat 16.00'da kalkacak özel uçakla Ankara'ya hareket edecek.
Galatasaray'da 2026-2027 sezonu kombine bilet yenileme dönemi başladı.
Galatasaray Kulübünde 2026-2027 futbol sezonu kombine bilet yenileme dönemi başladı.
Sarı-kırmızılı kulüpten yapılan açıklamaya göre yenileme işlemleri, passo uygulamasının yanı sıra www.passo.com.tr ve RAMS Park Kombine Ofisi'nde gerçekleştirilebilecek.
Bugün başlayan kombine bilet yenileme döneminden 2025-2026 sezonu kombine bilet sahibi taraftarlar yararlanabilecek.
Gençlerbirliği Kulübü, Ziraat Türkiye Kupası çeyrek final eşleşmeleri hakkında yorum yapan Samsunspor Başkanı Yüksel Yıldırım'ı hedef alan bir açıklamada bulundu.
Gençlerbirliği Kulübü, Ziraat Türkiye Kupası çeyrek final eşleşmelerine dair "Trabzonspor zorlu bir rakip oldu. Onu geçersek Galatasaray'a konuk olacağız." yorumunu yapan Samsunspor Başkanı Yüksel Yıldırım’a tepki gösterdi.
Kulübün açıklamasında, Yıldırım’ın çeyrek final kura çekiminin ardından yaptığı açıklamaların dikkatle takip edildiği belirtilerek "Sayın Yıldırım’ın, Trabzonspor ile oynayacakları çeyrek final mücadelesine ilişkin iddiasını dile getirirken yarı finalde Galatasaray ile karşılaşacaklarını ifade etmesi, henüz oynanmamış bir maçta Gençlerbirliği’ni yok sayan talihsiz bir değerlendirmedir." denildi.
Kulüplerin kendine güven duymasının doğal olduğu hatırlatılan açıklamada şu ifadelere yer verildi:
"Maçlar, kulüplerin bütçeleri, geçmiş başarıları veya puan tablosundaki mevcut konumlarıyla değil o gün sahada verilen mücadelenin ruhuyla sonuçlanır. Türkiye Kupası’nı daha önce iki kez kazanan Gençlerbirliği, çeyrek finale kalan diğer tüm kulüpler kadar kupaya taliptir. Bu vesileyle Anadolu kulüplerine ve Samsunspor camiasına verdiği benzersiz destekle futbol kamuoyunun sevgisini kazanmış Sayın Yıldırım’a sitemlerimizi iletir, kendisine ve kulübüne ülkemizi gururla temsil ettikleri Avrupa yolunda başarılar dileriz."
Beşiktaş'ta Galatasaray derbisinin ardından başlayan hakem tepkisi bitmiyor...Siyah-beyazlılar TFF ve MHK'yı eleştirmeye devam ederken bir açıklama da Beşiktaş Genel Sekreteri Uğur Fora'dan geldi.
Beşiktaş Genel Sekreteri Uğur Fora, derbideki hakem yönetimi sonrası Merkez Hakem Kurulu ve başkanı Ferhat Gündoğdu’yu sert sözlerle eleştirdi. Uğur Fora, Merkez Hakem Kurulu Başkanı Ferhat Gündoğdu’nun göreve geldiğinden bu yana birçok vaatte bulunduğunu ancak bunların gelinen noktada gerçekleşmediğini ifade etti.
Uğur Fora'nın açıklamaları şöyle:
- Sayın MHK Başkanı, Türk futbolunun daha iyi yetişmiş hakemlere, daha adil ve daha şeffaf kararlara kavuşacağını vaat etmiştir.
-Ancak aradan bir yılı aşkın süre geçmesine rağmen bu projelerin hiçbirinin hayata geçirilmemiş olması, kamuoyunda ciddi bir güven kaybına ve inandırıcılık sorununa yol açmıştır.
-Türk futbolunun bu ve benzeri beceriksizliklerle vakit kaybetmeye tahammülü yoktur.
Chelsea, Reece James'ın sözleşmesini 2032'ye kadar uzattığını açıkladı.
İngiltere Premier Ligi ekibi Chelsea, takım kaptanı Reece James'in sözleşmesini 2032'ye kadar uzattı.
İmza sonrası kulübün resmi internet sitesine açıklamalarda bulunan 26 yaşındaki sağ bek, "Sözleşmemin uzatılmasından dolayı çok mutluyum. Chelsea benim için çok şey ifade ediyor. Her zaman en iyi yıllarımı burada geçirmek istediğimi belirttim ve önceki başarılarımızın üzerine yeni başarılar eklemek için gereken her şeye sahip olduğumuza inanıyorum." ifadelerini kullandı.
Chelsea altyapısından yetişen James, İngiliz ekibiyle 2021 yılında UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi, 2022'de UEFA Süper Kupası ve 2025 yılında da UEFA Konferans Ligi Kupası'nı kazandı.
Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu (TFF) Trendyol 1. Lig'den 2 kulüp PFDK'ye sevk edildiğini duyurdu.
Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu (TFF) Hukuk Müşavirliği, Trendyol 1. Lig'den İmaj Altyapı Vanspor FK ve Serikspor'u Profesyonel Futbol Disiplin Kuruluna (PFDK) sevk etti.
TFF'nin açıklamasına göre İmaj Altyapı Vanspor FK ve Serikspor, "talimatlara aykırı hareket" nedeniyle PFDK'ye sevk edildi.
Atko Grup Pendikspor oyuncusu Hamza Akman'ın ise Serikspor maçındaki "kural dışı hareketi"nden dolayı kurula sevki gerçekleşti.
Öte yandan Nesine 2. Lig Beyaz Grup ekipleri İskenderunspor ile Seza Çimento Elazığspor da farklı nedenlerle kurula gönderildi.
Bu gün futbol üzrə Azərbaycan Birinci Liqasında 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 18-ci turunun oyunlarına yekun vurulub.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sonuncu oyun günündə bir qarşılaşma baş tutub.
Turun qapanış matçında “Cəbrayıl” “Zaqatala” ilə üz-üzə gəlib. Görüş meydan sahiblərinin qələbəsiylə yekunlaşıb.
Birinci Liqa 18-ci tur 11 mart
“Şimal” – “Şəfa” 0:2 Qollar: Emin Zamanov, 57. İbrahim Əliyev, 89. Hakimlər: Elvin Bayramov, Samir Qaracayev, Rəşad Quliyev, Rövşən Rəcəbov. Hakim-inspektor: Əmrah İbrahimov. AFFA nümayəndəsi: Anar Şıxəliyev. Şamaxı Olimpiya İdman Kompleksinin stadionu, 15:00.
12 mart
“Şahdağ Qusar” – MOİK 1:1 Qollar: Elşən Veysov, 40 – Seyxan Fərəcov, 90+4-pen. Hakimlər: Ruslan Quliyev, Səbuhi Əmrahov, Səbuhi Soltanov, Elçin Abdullayev. Hakim-inspektor: Asim Xudiyev. AFFA nümayəndəsi: Seymur Səlimli. Şamaxı Olimpiya İdman Kompleksinin stadionu, 15:00.
“Difai” – “Baku Sportinq” 1:3 Qollar: Kristian Kamta, 43-pen – Xəyyam Məmmədli, 15. Elşad Tağıyev, 50. Pablo Enrike Alveş, 62-pen. Hakimlər: Nicat İsmayıllı, Orxan İbişov, Sənan Atayev, Niyaz Əhmədov. Hakim-inspektor: Rövşən Əhmədov. AFFA nümayəndəsi: Elman Musayev. Ağsu şəhər stadionu, 15:00.
“Mingəçevir” – “Səbail” 0:1 Qol: Qurban Səfərov, 45. Hakimlər: Əli Əliyev, Vüqar Bayramov, Ruslan Babayev, Şamil İmanzadə. Hakim-inspektor: Orxan Məmmədov. AFFA nümayəndəsi: Erkin Hüseynov. Yaşar Məmmədzadə adına Mingəçevir şəhər stadionu (ehtiyat meydança), 15:00.
13 mart
“Cəbrayıl” – “Zaqatala” 1:0 Qol: Dileyn Açimi, 80. Hakimlər: Alik Yunusov, Qəzənfər Məmmədov, Taleh Məmmədov, Nazim Abdullayev. Hakim-inspektor: Ramil Diniyev. AFFA nümayəndəsi: İlham Əliyev. Şamaxı Olimpiya İdman Kompleksinin stadionu, 15:00.
Bu gün Azərbaycan Basketbol Liqasında (ABL) 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 19-cu turunun növbəti oyunu keçirilib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, ikinci oyun günündə bir qarşılaşma baş tutub.
B qrupunda yer almış “Quba” komandası səfərdə “Lənkəran”la üz-üzə gəlib. Lənkəran Olimpiya İdman Kompleksində gerçəkləşmiş qarşılaşma qonaqların qələbəsi ilə yekunlaşıb – 94:88.
Tura martın 15-də yekun vurulacaq. Daha əvvəl “Ordu” “Sumqayıt”ı (121:98), “Naxçıvan” “Sərhədçi”ni (83:67) məğlub edib.
A qrupu: Sabah – 35. Abşeron Lions – 34. Neftçi – 27. Gəncə – 26. NTD – 20. Şəki – 20.
B qrupu: Ordu – 36. Naxçıvan – 34. Sərhədçi – 26. Sumqayıt – 26. Quba – 26. Lənkəran – 23.
Xatırladaq ki, ABL oyunları dörd dövrədən və 20 turdan ibarət olacaq. Müntəzəm mövsümün oyunları A və B qruplarına bölünməklə keçirilir. Müntəzəm mövsümdə A qrupunu ilk 3 sırada tamamlamış klublarla yanaşı, B qrupunu lider bitirmiş komanda pley-offun 1/4 final mərhələsinə vəsiqə qazanacaq. A və B qruplarında digər yerləri tutmuş komandalar isə pley-offun 1/8 final mərhələsində üz-üzə gələcəklər. Bu mərhələdə ən tez iki qələbə qazanacaq klublar 1/4 finala yüksələcəklər. Həm 1/4 final, həm də yarımfinal seriyaları 2 qələbəyə qədər davam edəcək.
Final seriyasında isə ən tez 3 qələbə qazanacaq klub Azərbaycan Basketbol Liqasının çempionu olacaq.
Madrid “Atletiko”sunun ispaniyalı mərkəz yarımmüdafiəçisi Pablo Barrios komandasının son məşqlərinin birində zədələnib.
Arena.az AS nəşrinə istinadən xəbər verir ki, 22 yaşlı yarımmüdafiəçi məşq zamanı əzələ ağrısı hiss etdiyi üçün xəstəxanaya yerləşdirilib.
O, ötən ay, İspaniya Kubokunda “Betis”lə matçda da zədə almışdı. Futbolçunun bərpa müddəti və sıraya dönmə tarixi açıqlanmır.
Pablo Barrios karyerasının ilk illərində “Moratalaz” və Madrid “Real”ının futbol akademiyalarında da çıxış edib. 2017-ci ildən Madrid “Atletiko”sunun sıralarında olan yarımmüdafiəçi 2022-ci ildə əsas komandaya cəlb olunub. O, cari mövsümdə meydana çıxdığı 33 matçda 1 qol vurub və 3 məhsuldar ötürmə verib. Barrios “Atletiko”nun heyətində bütövlükdə 138 oyun keçirib, 7 qol və 10 məhsuldar ötürmə ilə yadda qalıb.
İspaniyanın U-19, U-21 və Olimpiya yığmalarında da oynamış Barrios, 2024-cü ilin noyabrında əsas millidə debüt edib. O, yığmanın heyətində 4 oyun keçirib.
“Transfermarkt” internet-portalı 22 yaşlı yarımmüdafiəçinin transfer dəyərini 60 milyon avro məbləğində qiymətləndirir.
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Liverpool Teknik Direktörü Arne Slot, Şampiyonlar Ligi'nda Galatasaray'la oynadıkları maçta forma giyemeyen Alisson ve Federico Chiesa'nın son durumları hakkında konuştu.
Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe ve Galatasaray'ın transfer listesinde olan A Milli Takımımızın yıldızlarından olan Salih Özcan için resmi açıklama geldi. İşte detaylar...Devamı için tıklayınız
Galatasaray'ın sezon başında Serie A ekiplerinden Udinese'ye kiralık olarak transferini gerçekleştirdiği İtalyan 10 numara Nicolo Zaniolo ile ilgili dikkat çeken bir gelişme yaşandı. Çizme temsilcisinin...Devamı için tıklayınız
Galatasaray'ın yıldız golcüsü Victor Osimhen için Avrupa devlerinin transfer düellosu sürüyor. Nijeryalı santrforun peşinde olan takımlardan Chelsea ve Real Madrid'in transferde izleyeceği yöntem ortaya...Devamı için tıklayınız
Natura Dünyası Gençlerbirliği, Ziraat Türkiye Kupası çeyrek final eşleşmelerine dair "Trabzonspor zorlu bir rakip oldu. Onu geçersek Galatasaray'a konuk olacağız." yorumunu yapan Samsunspor Başkanı Yüksel...Devamı için tıklayınız
A Milli Futbol Takımımızın resmi sosyal medya hesabından yapılan paylaşımda Yusuf Akçiçek'in ameliyat olduğu açıklandı. İşte detaylar...Devamı için tıklayınız
Göztepe, Trendyol Süper Lig'in 26. haftasında sahasında Corendon Alanyaspor ile karşılaşacak. Heyecanlı maçta 22 yıl sonra ibir ilk yaşanacak. İşte ayrıntılar...Devamı için tıklayınız
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Dortmund “Borussiya”sının futbolçusu Salih Özcan mövsümün sonunda klubdan ayrılacaq.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə Bundesliqa təmsilçisinin mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb. 28 yaşlı futbolçunun müddəti mövsümün sonunda bitən müqaviləsi uzadılmayacaq.
The launch comes just two years after a major reboot at Hyundai-owned Motional. The service will start with a safety monitor, which Motional hopes to remove by year's end.
Napoli director Giovanni Manna says the club have received ‘no offer’ for Scott McTominay, and even if talks with the player’s camp are ongoing, a new contract is not a ‘current issue.’
Napoli director Manna provided the latest updates on the Partenopei’s transfers in an interview with SportMediaset (via TMW).
Napoli provide McTominay transfer update
Several sources in Italy have reported that the defending Serie A champions are working on a contract extension for McTominay, but Manna admitted that negotiations are still not at an advanced stage.
“Scott is an important player for us. He’s happy to stay at Napoli, and he proves so when he plays, and in the way he lives in the city,” said the Napoli director.
“He has two years left in his contract, and we have a very honest relationship. We are talking, but it’s not a current issue. We are aware of Scott’s importance. We have received no offers, as the player has never expressed a desire to leave.”
Napoli sit third in the Serie A table, and one of their January signings, Alisson Santos, has had a fantastic impact with two goals in four Serie A appearances.
“He has had a positive impact because he has great humility and energy, and he is available to work,” Manna said.
“There is already an option to buy; there’s nothing we need to do.”
Alisson Santos joined Napoli on loan from Sporting CP during the winter transfer window. The Serie A giants’ option to buy is set at €16.5m.
Manna concluded the interview by praising coach Antonio Conte and confirming that the club are already making plans for the future with the Italian tactician.
GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Scott McTominay of Napoli celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on February 7, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
“It’s normal, one always plans ahead. We’ve known each other for two years, and the work we’ve done has been incredible, said the Napoli director.
“In other circumstances, we wouldn’t have been third or would have won the Supercoppa. We look to the future with serenity and tranquillity.”
Francisco Conceicao believes that Juventus are ‘stronger’ than Roma and Como as the three sides look set to do battle over one spot in the Serie A top four, and says that ‘every team’ would want to have his compatriot Bernardo Silva in their side: ‘He’s a great player’.
Conceicao sat down in front of the media for the pre-match press conference ahead of Juventus’s upcoming Serie A match away against Udinese.
Head coach Luciano Spalletti has made a habit of sending one of his senior players in to do the Serie A pre-match press conferences in recent weeks: Manuel Locatelli went first, Pierre Kalulu has also had a go, and this week was the turn of the Portugal international, Conceicao.
Conceicao on Juventus’s top four battle and Bernardo Silva links
The month of February was one to forget for Juventus, who slipped to defeats against Atalanta, Inter, Galatasaray and Como across the Coppa Italia, Serie A and Champions League.
The defeats against Como and Galatasaray in the cups have ended any hopes of silverware for the Old Lady this season, and those against Inter and Como have made a top-four finish considerably more of a challenge.
“I think that the strength of the group is the basis for everything we do. We’ve shown that many times in the past,” Conceicao told the media during his pre-match press conference on Friday.
“During the week, we work on becoming stronger and we all have to improve individually, and that’s what we’ve done. We work on all the details that the coach wants to improve.
“We’re playing very well at the moment, but we have even more potential to show. Now we have to win to achieve our goals.”
On the upcoming opposition, Conceicao added: “Udinese are a strong team and even more so at home. We know that they’re particularly strong up front and strong in general, but we go to Udine wanting to win.”
Juventus have also been linked with a potential move for Conceicao’s international colleague Bernardo Silva, whose contract with Manchester City is due to expire at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 16: Bernardo Silva of Manchester City in action during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester City at Molineux on August 16, 2025 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
“I know Bernardo very well and he’s a great player,” said Conceicao. “Every team would like to have Bernardo in their side.”
Conceicao was also asked how excited he is to have Dusan Vlahovic nearing a return to the team after a long spell on the treatment table and a lack of suitable replacements in his absence.
“All teams are stronger when all the players are fit,” said Conceica. “Dusan is very strong and is missing from our team at the moment. He’s getting better and better and we hope that he comes back well from his injury.”
And on Spalletti, he said: “The coach has brought us a lot of things. We play well, we have the quality to do even better and prove it. You can see that the team plays with happiness, and plays well. We try to dominate the game and all the players like that, particularly those up front. We create a lot of chances but we have to do more and continue working hard to try and win in every game.”
Conceicao was also asked which of Juventus, Roma or Como he feels are the most likely to finish the 2025-26 season in the Serie A top four.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 01: Francisco Conceicao of Juventus celebrates their first goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Juventus FC at Stadio Olimpico on March 01, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
He replied: “I’d say Juve, I don’t care about which of the others make it. I care that we are there and that’s what we’re working for.
“We know we have the quality to stay (in the Champions League). We have to work hard and win the game tomorrow. We have to stay in the Champions League, we have the quality to do it.
“For me, we’re stronger, but we have to show it. We have to win to stay up there and we have to prove ourselves.”
Parma striker Mateo Pellegrino has reportedly attracted interest from mid-low table Premier League teams, while Juventus are looking for a more experienced striker for next season.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that Parma striker Pellegrino has been targeted by Premier League clubs.
Premier League interest for Pellegrino
“A few teams, not top sides, we are talking about mid-low table Premier League teams, have shown interest in Pellegrino,” Romano said on YouTube.
The clubs interested in the Argentine forward remain unnamed, but Pellegrino has surely attracted suitors thanks to his goal contributions and his attitude in helping the team.
The 24-year-old has scored seven goals and provided one assist in 28 Serie A appearances this season, contributing to 40% of Parma’s league goals.
The Ducali look pretty safe, ten points above the drop zone, but have only netted 20 times in 28 matches, resulting in the weakest attack alongside Lecce and last-placed Pisa.
PARMA, ITALY – AUGUST 30: Mateo Pellegrino of Parma Calcio reacts during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and Atalanta BC at Stadio Ennio Tardini on August 30, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
There were reports from other Italian media outlets that Juventus had set their sights on the Argentine forward, but according to Romano, the Bianconeri are currently focused on other targets and objectives, including Dusan Vlahovic’s contract extension.
Inter are still tracking Roma midfielder Manu Koné, but the Giallorossi place significant value on the France international, especially because some of the top clubs in England, including Chelsea and Arsenal, will be looking for a new central midfielder in the summer.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports the latest updates on Roma midfielder Koné.
Romano reports that Inter are still following the Roma midfielder, but haven’t yet resumed talks over a possible summer deal.
ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 10: Manu Koné of AS Roma in action against US Sassuolo Calcio players during the Serie A match between AS Roma and US Sassuolo Calcio at Stadio Olimpico on January 10, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Roma consider Koné one of the most talented midfielders in Europe and won’t let the player leave for a low fee.
Romano stresses that Koné remains on Inter’s radar, but Roma won’t be involved in transfer talks in the coming months, as they are still running for the Europa League and a top-four finish in Serie A, so their main focus is currently on the field.
LECCE, ITALY – JANUARY 06: Manu Koné of AS Roma warms up prio the Serie A match between US Lecce and AS Roma at Stadio Via del Mare on January 06, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
One more reason for Roma to keep Koné’s transfer demands high is that Manchester City, United, Arsenal and Chelsea, some of the wealthiest clubs in the world, will be looking for a new central midfielder in the summer.
While no rumours have emerged about their interest in Koné, the fact that all four clubs will be seeking midfield reinforcements allows Roma to maintain a hefty price tag for one of Serie A’s top midfielders.
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Even if Camavinga hasn’t quite nailed down a regular starting place for Los Blancos, he’s proven a useful member of their squad in recent years, and is still young enough that he could improve in the near future.
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Liverpool are stepping up their interest in Camavinga, with Real ready to let him go, but not for less than €50m.
This is similar to what has been reported by Radio Marca, as cited and translated by Football Espana, though those initial reports did not mention Liverpool’s interest.
The Netherlands international was struggling to establish himself at Bayern but ended up getting his career back on track with LFC.
Camavinga could also benefit from a change of scene at this stage of his career, with the 23-year-old France international now looking like he needs to play more regularly and nail down one position.
Camavinga is mostly a central midfielder, but has also filled in out wide or at left-back during his time in Madrid, which probably hasn’t helped his progress.
If he can be trusted in his most natural role at Anfield then he could surely form a fine partnership with Gravenberch and have a successful Premier League career.
Liverpool are reportedly eyeing up a surprise transfer move for Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh despite his dire recent form.
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The 21-year-old has at points looked like an exciting young prospect, but he’s gone horribly off the boil in recent times, with no goals or assists in any of his last 14 appearances for Brighton.
In total, Minteh has just one goal and four assists in the Premier League so far this season, but Fichajes claim Liverpool are eyeing him up to replace Mohamed Salah.
While the report mentions Arne Slot knowing the player well during his time when he had him on loan at Feyenoord, it’s hard to see there being any truth to this particular story.
Yankuba Minteh would be a hugely risky signing for Liverpool
While a lot of players go through a bad patch every now and then, Minteh currently looks like too risky a signing for a big club like Liverpool.
If the Reds really are set to lose the ageing Salah this summer, then they need to ensure whoever replaces him is ready to hit the ground running.
There might not be that many players in world football who can do that, but there are many who’d be a safer bet than Minteh.
The Gambia international is young enough that he could still turn things around and have a good career, but for now he gets an unsurprisingly low score with our Transfer Fit rating system…
Yankuba Minteh
TOTAL SCORE: 8/25
Transfer fee
–
Performance
–
Achievements
*
Career phase
****
Squad need
***
8/25 represents a weak score, as he only really gains any points from the fact that he’s previously shown some potential, is young enough to still improve, and plays in a position LFC need to strengthen in.
Otherwise, this is surely one for the Merseyside giants to stay well away from.
Other wingers on Liverpool’s radar
As recently reported by Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Liverpool have made Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise a dream target, while RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande is seen as a more realistic option…
?? Michael #Olise remains a dream target for Liverpool ahead of the upcoming summer window, and further background checks have been made. However, #LFC now consider a transfer to be completely unrealistic.
Olise is probably the closest thing to Salah out there in this current market, though in many ways it looks like they’ve missed the boat for this profile of player.
Last summer a lot of left-footed right-wingers changed clubs, with Bryan Mbeumo moving from Brentford to Manchester United, Noni Madueke swapping Chelsea for Arsenal, and Newcastle signing Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest.
Antoine Semenyo might also have been another decent option, but he moved from Bournemouth to Manchester City in January, so Liverpool could have a tricky task trying to replace Salah this year.
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