21 yaşadək futbolçular arasında Avropa çempionatının seçmə mərhələsi çərçivəsində keçirilən Xorvatiya – Türkiyə oyununda xoşagəlməz hadisə baş verib.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, türklərin baş məşqçisi Egemen Korkmaz meydanın kənarında huşunu itirib və yerə yıxılıb. Hadisə matçın 35-ci dəqiqəsində baş verib.
Hakim bu səbəbdən oyunu dayandırıb. Korkmaz ilkin müdaxilə ilə ayılsa da, xəstəxanaya aparılıb.
Matçın baş tutub-tutmayacağı məlum deyil. Görüş ilk hissədə 0:0 olarkən dayandırılıb.
“Tottenhem”in yeni baş məşqçisi açıqlanıb.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, London təmsilçisinin “sükanı” Roberto De Zerbiyə tapşırılıb. Bu barədə klubun mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb. Mütəxəssislə razılaşmanın detalları açıqlanmayıb.
İtaliyalı mütəxəssis bu postda bir neçə gün əvvəl istefaya göndərilən İqor Tudoru əvəzləyib.
De Zerbi son olaraq “Marsel”i çalışdırıb.
Guglielmo Vicario does not deny the obvious pressure on the Italy national team ahead of tonight’s World Cup play-off final against Bosnia and Herzegovina, but says that his colleagues seem ‘more ready’ after their 2-0 victory against Northern Ireland in Bergamo.
Bosnia will host Italy at the Bilino Polje Stadium in the city of Zenica for tonight’s play-off final, which kicks off at 19.45 BST (20.45 CET).
The winner will be decided after 90 minutes, or through extra time and even a penalty shoot-out if needed. Whoever goes through will be placed in World Cup group B with Canada, Switzerland and Qatar.
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Football Italia Liveblog.
The Azzurri beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in the semi-final with goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean, so despite suggestions Francesco Pio Esposito or Marco Palestra could step in, the coach sticks with the same starting XI that played in Bergamo on Thursday.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, meanwhile, got the better of Wales in the semi-final after a 1-1 draw and penalty shoot-out, with ex-Roma, Inter and Fiorentina striker Edin Dzeko netting the equaliser.
The pressure is all on Italy though, having missed out on the World Cup in both 2018 and 2022 by losing the play-offs.
“The pressure is still there,” Vicario, who is not officially part of the squad, but has travelled with the team regardless, told Vivo Azzurro TV ahead of kick-off.
“But maybe subconsciously we’ve come in a little more ready and I hope a little more relaxed after the first half in Bergamo. I think we can’t afford to lose our concentration today, it’s too important.
“I’ve seen the boys looking well, fired up, we all know about the importance of this game.”
Vicario also praised the spirit and togetherness that CT Gennaro Gattuso has brought to the Nazionale following his appointment last summer.
“Our work with the coach has been going on for months. He’s brought back the enthusiasm and a spirit of belonging. In the end, it’s what happens on the pitch that counts, not the proclamations.”
And what does Vicario expect from Bosnia and Herzegovina this evening?
“The atmosphere will lead to them being aggressive initially, out of possession as well. “There’ll be phases of patience and counter attacking. Demirovic makes these great runs when they’re pressing. It’s a team that has quality, international level players, a lot of legs and running. The duels will be decisive.
Vicario also dismissed any potential concerns about the playing surface in Zenica.
“It doesn’t seem to be in bad condition to me, the ball moves without major problems. I think our best qualities will come out.”
Italy swept Sweden aside 4-0 away from home to consolidate second place in the European Under-21 Championship qualifiers, as Luca Koleosho scored twice and assisted another.
The Azzurrini were coming off a 4-0 victory against North Macedonia, but remained second in the group due to a 2-1 defeat to leaders Poland. The only changes from Thursday’s game were Seydou Fini and Michael Kayode stepping in.
Sweden had the first big chance with Nils Zatterstrom’s header fortunately straight at Lorenzo Palmisani on a corner, but the visitors received a penalty when Luca Lipani was brought down by Zatterstrom. It was converted successfully by Luca Koleosho into the near bottom corner.
The floodgates opened, as Koleosho added a second from open play moments later when pouncing on a loose ball in the final third, forcing the Hampus Skoglund error with his high press.
Cher Ndour nearly made it 3-0 on the half-hour mark, prodding wide from six yards on a ball over the top.
The third goal did arrive after the restart, with Koleosho this time threading through to send Ndour clear to beat the goalkeeper one-on-one.
Pietro Comuzzo’s header from a corner whistled just wide, then Lipani got on the end of Davide Bartesaghi’s free kick at the near post.
Luigi Cherubini scuffed his finish wide on the Ndour pull-back, but this has still boosted their goal difference.
Koleosho pen 19, 22 (I), Ndour 50 (I), Lipani 63 (I)
Sweden U21: Bishesari; Skoglund, Amoran, Zatterstrom, Tolf (Sjostrand 59); Antwi, Karlsson (Kanga 84), Bjorklund, Sonko (Njie 67); Omorowa (Kusi-Asare 67), Rafferty (Thorell 67)
Italy U21: Palmisani; Kayode, Comuzzo (Calvani 82), Chiarodia, Bartesaghi (Ahanor 68); Ndour, Lipani, Dagasso (Venturino 57); Fini (Cherubini 57), Ekhator (Faticanti 82), Koleosho
Goalkeeper Alex Meret assures Italy ‘are ready’ for tonight’s World Cup play-off final with Bosnia and Herzegovina. ‘Every moment could be decisive.’
It kicks off at the Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT, 20.45 CEST).
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.
Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean were on target in the 2-0 semi-final victory over Northern Ireland, and Gennaro Gattuso has decided to stick with the same starting XI here.
“The moment has arrived, we are ready, and we know it won’t be easy against a tough Bosnia team,” Meret told RAI Sport and Sky Sport Italia.
“It’s a difficult match, but we are ready and want to bring home a very important result. Every moment could be decisive, so the attitude and focus on details is essential. We’ve got to start strong and earn this result.”
Bosnia and Herzegovina had to play a full 120 minutes in Cardiff on Thursday, as Edin Dzeko’s late equaliser forced extra time and an eventual penalty shoot-out victory to eliminate Wales.
Their one and only World Cup participation was in 2014.
“We feel the right focus and desire to help each other out. We are all united for this objective, and I think we’ve got the right atmosphere,” added Meret.
“I’ve been in the Nazionale a long time, so I’ve seen a lot here, but we’ve never had such an important match as this. Bosnia have two very dangerous wingers and good strikers, we all know Edin Dzeko, but we feel ready.”
The winner will be decided after 90 minutes, or through extra time and even a penalty shoot-out if needed.
Whoever goes through will be placed in World Cup group B with Canada, Switzerland and Qatar.
Leonardo Bonucci urges Italy to call on ‘quality and heart’ in the World Cup play-off final, as he expects Bosnia and Herzegovina to ‘start strong, then try to go on the counter.’
It kicks off at the Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT, 20.45 CEST).
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.
The tension is palpable for a Nazionale that failed at the play-offs for the last two editions of the World Cup, missing out in both 2018 and 2022.
“The fans will create a warm atmosphere, but the match is played ultimately between the players on the pitch,” Bonucci told RAI Sport.
“We must put quality and heart onto the field tonight, because we deserve this opportunity.”
The winner will be decided after 90 minutes, or through extra time and even a penalty shoot-out if needed.
Whoever goes through will be placed in World Cup group B with Canada, Switzerland and Qatar.
“We are sure Bosnia will start strong, fired up and enthusiastic on home turf, but after that they’ll sit in midfield and try to go on the counter-attack. That is what we expect to see,” added Bonucci, a member of Gennaro Gattuso’s coaching staff.
Coach Gattuso has chosen the same starting XI that beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in the semi-final on Thursday, with Mateo Retegui and Moise Kean upfront.
“They all absolutely deserved to play again. The idea we want to get across is that everyone is participating here, even if they are in the stands.”
The appointment of Italian head coach Roberto De Zerbi as the new head coach of Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur has been met with criticism from various supporters’ groups, who feel that the former Marseille and Brighton tactician will ‘create a divide among supporters at a time when we all need to be pulling together to back the team’.
De Zerbi was officially announced as the new head coach of Tottenham on Tuesday afternoon, succeeding former Juventus head coach Igor Tudor, who lasted just five matches of his short-term contract.
De Zerbi has put pen to paper on a five-year deal that will run until the summer of 2031, and will have seven matches of the 2025-26 Premier League season to steer Spurs clear of relegation. The North Londoners are currently in 17th, one point and one position above West Ham in the drop zone.
The decision to appoint De Zerbi has drawn criticism from some supporters for various reasons.
Some have questioned the decision to hand a five-year contract to a head coach who has never previously lasted more than two full seasons in a managerial position. Others have criticised his previous comments defending Marseille forward Mason Greenwood, who was charged with attempted rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and controlling and coercive behaviour in 2022. Those charges were then dropped in 2023.
The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust have released a statement highlighting the decision to appoint De Zerbi despite the club’s previous commitment to ‘challenging instances of violence against women and girls’, and have also questioned the decision to appoint a ‘divisive’ head coach at a time when the team needs unity from its supporters.
“We note the Club’s announcement of the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi to the Manager role,” a statement from the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust read.
“While we recognise the limited pool of managers with recent Premier League experience, and the need to act with urgency as Spurs face the prospect of relegation, this appointment raises serious and far-reaching concerns, and many fans have been in touch with us to urge us to communicate the strength of feeling. We raised these concerns directly with the Club prior to its announcement.
“The Club has previously committed to challenging instances of violence against women and girls and acting with integrity and upholding its values when faced with any incidents.
“De Zerbi’s comments about Mason Greenwood were unnecessary, ill-judged, and deeply offensive to a significant number of supporters and, without doubt, will have left victims of male violence alarmed. We believe these statements, left unchecked, will create a divide among supporters at a time when we all need to be pulling together to back the team. It is concerning that the Club would put us in this position right when the team needs fans the most. Fans are rallying behind the “All Together, Always” initiative, and this appointment places heavy strain on that unity. If those remarks reflect his genuine views, they cast a troubling shadow over the values of the Club we love.
“The Club must reassert its commitment to the values that fans hold dear—chief among them equality, respect, and integrity. Any perceived sympathy toward alleged perpetrators of physical or sexual violence against women fundamentally undermines trust in the custodianship of this Club.
“With this appointment, communications from the Club and from Mr De Zerbi must clearly and unequivocally reaffirm these values. Furthermore, those words must be backed by meaningful action, including visible and sustained support for women’s charities and organisations working to combat violence against women.
“Our preference would have been for a short-term appointment of an individual or individuals who understand the Club and can lead the players in the seven battles to come. There would then have been an opportunity in the summer to attract a wide range of potential applicants with a track record of success in inspiring fans and players: candidates who could lead and develop sustained success for the team, for seasons to come. The Club has chosen otherwise. We will continue to support efforts to get behind the team and play our part in preserving the Club’s Premier League status but it is understandable that many fans will do so with a heavy heart.
“Our Five Principles for Spurs ownership include Leading with Integrity and Championing Ethical Standards. At present, supporters rate performance in this area at just 2.2 out of 10. This decision risks further eroding confidence unless addressed with clarity, humility, and decisive action.
“We fully understand that the immediate priority is to avoid relegation. However, this situation is the result of prolonged strategic failings. THST have warned for years that the Club was heading in this direction, and the lack of timely, sound decision-making has now left options severely compromised.
“It will take significant effort for many fans to restore their faith in the Club’s leadership. That process must begin with transparency, accountability and a renewed commitment to the principles that define Tottenham Hotspur.”
Women of the Lane, Tottenham’s official supporters’ group for women and non-binary supporters, have also been publicly critical of the decision to appoint De Zerbi.
Prior to his appointment, Women of the Lane released a statement that read: “De Zerbi has publicly defended Mason Greenwood in a way that downplays the seriousness of male violence against women and girls. That raises serious questions about judgement and leadership.
“Clubs signal their values through the decisions they make. Who they appoint matters. The manager sets the tone, every day, for what is expected, what is tolerated, and how people are treated. At a time when Spurs needs to rebuild, that culture matters as much as anything on the pitch.
“For many in our community, this is difficult to reconcile with the club’s stated commitments to respect, safety and inclusion. This is not an appointment Tottenham Hotspur should make. It introduced unnecessary cultural risk without a clear, proven track record to justify it.
“No to De Zerbi.”
Italy stick with Mateo Retegui, Moise Kean and Sandro Tonali for the World Cup play-off final against Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Edin Dzeko and Ermedin Demirovic.
It kicks off at the Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT, 20.45 CEST).
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.
The winner will be decided after 90 minutes, or through extra time and even a penalty shoot-out if needed.
Whoever goes through will be placed in World Cup group B with Canada, Switzerland and Qatar.
Italy beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in the semi-final with goals from Tonali and Kean, so despite the possibility of Francesco Pio Esposito and Marco Palestra coming in, Gennaro Gattuso has decided to stick with the same starting XI.
That means Retegui alongside Kean in a 3-5-2 formation, with Manuel Locatelli pulling the midfield strings, and Matteo Politano out wide on the right.
Bosnia and Herzegovina needed a late Dzeko equaliser in Cardiff to force extra time on Thursday evening, eventually winning a penalty shoot-out.
The player who came off the bench and transformed that match was 18-year-old sensation Kerim Alajbegovic, but despite reports to the contrary, he does not replace Esmir Bajraktarevic.
On the other side of the age spectrum is former Roma, Inter and Fiorentina striker Dzeko, who is still spearheading the attack at age 40, partnered by Ermedin Demirovic.
Familiar faces include Atalanta defender Sead Kolasinac, who shrugged off a knock to play, and Sassuolo’s Tarik Muharemovic.
Bosnia have only ever beaten Italy once, the very first friendly the new nation ever played at home in November 1996, followed by a 1-1 draw and four defeats.
Bosnia: Vasilj; Dedic, Muharemovic, Katic, Kolasinac; Bajraktarevic, Sunjic, Basic, Memic; Demirovic, Dzeko
Bosnia bench: Hadzikic, Zlomislic, Mujakic, Celik, Tahirovic, Gigovic, Bazdar, Hadziahmetovic, Burnic, Alajbegovic, Radeljic, Tabakovic
Italy: Donnarumma; Mancini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Politano, Barella, Locatelli, Tonali, Dimarco; Kean, Retegui
Italy bench: Carnesecchi, Meret, Palestra, Spinazzola, Buongiorno, Raspadori, Pisilli, Pio Esposito, Cristante, Frattesi, Gatti, Cambiaso
Ref: Turpin (FRA)
Some questions were asked when Brentford right-back Michael Kayode was not included in the Italy national team squad for the crucial World Cup play-off campaign, but the Premier League ace was named as a starter for the U21s’ European Championship qualifier against Sweden on Tuesday after receiving a late call-up to Silvio Baldini’s side. Here’s why there has been some confusion over the Fiorentina full-back’s eligibility.
Kayode is having a stellar season on a personal and collective level in the Premier League with Brentford this term, sitting in seventh place and pushing for a spot in Europe despite being tipped for relegation by many at the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign.
Despite his individual form, Kayode was not included in Gennaro Gattuso’s 28-man Italy squad for the World Cup play-offs that have been taking place this week and was not originally named in the U21s squad either.
Kayode was later called up to Baldini’s U21 side and went on to appear as a half-time substitute for Thursday night’s 4-0 victory over North Macedonia in qualification for the U21 European Championship. He was also named as a starter for Tuesday’s qualifier against Sweden’s U21s.
Italy U21s head coach Baldini has recently confirmed that the reason for the delay in Kayode’s call-up was due to the fact that he needed to report for additional medical check-ups in Rome and hinted that those tests might have been on his heart.
Baldini spoke about ‘regulations’ that are ‘stricter’ in Italy compared to England, which is the case for issues relating to the heart, and is the reason why Edoardo Bove is allowed to play for Watford in the EFL Championship, but not in Serie A or Serie B.
“He was called up in September, but he didn’t have eligibility because there are much stricter regulations in Italy compared to England,” Baldini explained in a recent press conference.
“He couldn’t play with us, otherwise, he always would have been there. And now he arrived late because he went to Rome to undergo some examinations on Monday, and yesterday he obtained eligibility.
“I don’t understand why we shouldn’t have called him up, given that he has also been a European U19 champion in the past.”
Kayode has since received the all-clear after his additional medical checks in Rome, but given that his eligibility was not 100% guaranteed, this might explain why Gattuso decided against giving him his first ever call-up to the senior side, particularly ahead of such a crucial run of fixtures.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri recently revealed he would be open to returning to Spain in the near future and playing for Real Madrid, despite previously representing their city rivals Atletico. His words have reportedly sparked Real’s interest and according to Mundo Deportivo, they are expected to try for his services this summer, but in case […]
The post Real Madrid consider Enzo Fernandez and Adam Wharton as Rodri alternatives appeared first on Soccer News.
The post Real Madrid consider Enzo Fernandez and Adam Wharton as Rodri alternatives appeared first on Soccer News.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri recently revealed he would be open to returning to Spain in the near future and playing for Real Madrid, despite previously representing their city rivals Atletico. His words have reportedly sparked Real’s interest and according to Mundo Deportivo, they are expected to try for his services this summer, but in case […]
The post Real Madrid consider Enzo Fernandez and Adam Wharton as Rodri alternatives appeared first on Soccer News.
The post Real Madrid consider Enzo Fernandez and Adam Wharton as Rodri alternatives appeared first on Soccer News.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri recently revealed he would be open to returning to Spain in the near future and playing for Real Madrid, despite previously representing their city rivals Atletico. His words have reportedly sparked Real’s interest and according to Mundo Deportivo, they are expected to try for his services this summer, but in case […]
The post Real Madrid consider Enzo Fernandez and Adam Wharton as Rodri alternatives appeared first on Soccer News.
The post Real Madrid consider Enzo Fernandez and Adam Wharton as Rodri alternatives appeared first on Soccer News.
While the AAA Louisville Bats got their 2026 regular season underway last week just like the big league Cincinnati Reds, the lower minors affiliates will begin their campaigns later this week. With that on the docket, the rosters for the respective Opening Days for the High-A Dayton Dragons (Thursday evening against the Lansing Lugnuts) and AA Chattanooga Lookouts (Friday against the Columbus Clingstones) have been finalized.
The Lookouts will feature top prospects like Cam Collier, Leo Balcazar, and Carlos Jorge among their position player ranks as well as former 1st round picks like Austin Hendrick and Jay Allen II. The pitching staff will be spearheaded by Jose Acuna (who returns after firing 71.2 IP of 3.64 ERA ball there last year) as well as veteran Kevin Abel, while Jose Montero (3.93 ERA in 103.0 IP with High-A Dayton in 2025) will also make the jump up a level into the rotation.
The Lookouts revealed their entire roster this morning, which you can see below.
The wait is over… 2026 Opening Day Roster is here!! 👀 pic.twitter.com/L97vVxZu6a
— Chattanooga Lookouts (@ChattLookouts) March 31, 2026
Meanwhile, top prospect and catcher of the future Alfredo Duno will headline the roster of the Dayton Dragons, as the Reds pointed out on Twitter earlier in the day.
Moving on up!
— Reds On The Rise (@RedsOnTheRise) March 31, 2026
The #Reds today promoted C Alfredo Duno to High-A Dayton‼️ pic.twitter.com/XwuB4NEqKe
Introducing your 2026 Dragons Opening Day Roster 🐲🔥 pic.twitter.com/gK07Hjlx9r
— Dayton Dragons (@DragonsBaseball) March 31, 2026
Dayton’s roster is largely comprised of players who spent considerable time with the club last year, though Duno is clearly the exception to that rule. He destroyed Florida State League pitching as a 19 year old in 2025 (.287/.430/.518 with 18 HR and a 95/91 BB/K ratio) before heading off to the Peoria Javelinas of the Arizona Fall League and showing out there, too.
What’s similarly interesting about Dayton’s roster, though, is who isn’t on it. Top prospect Tyson Lewis will apparently not be making the jump up a level to begin 2026 after he hit .268/.347/.417 there in 144 PA to finish 2025, his strikeout problems (51 in that time) likely something he’ll be asked to work on a bit first. Similarly, former NCAA dinger champ Mason Neville will not begin with Dayton after hitting .247/.333/.442 in 90 PA with Daytona last year, his own K-rate (34.4%) also a pretty glaring issue, while Arnaldo Lantigua will also seemingly stick around Daytona after 129 PA with them in his age-19 season.
The same is apparently true for Sheng-En Lin, who threw 16.2 IP for Daytona last year and is still focusing on pitching only after having been a two-way player prior to 2025.
The Daytona Tortugas have not yet released their roster, so we’ll need to wait for confirmation from them at some point later this week. It’s also worth pointing out that a number of names we otherwise would have seen on these rosters will begin the year on the minor league 60-day IL, with notable pitchers like Luke Holman and Carson Spiers there alongside infielder Ricky Cabrera.
#Reds MiLB Injury News
— Gingersaurus Rex (@HeyGingersaurus) March 20, 2026
The following players have been placed on the minor league 60-day IL:
• RHP Carson Spiers
• RHP Luke Holman
• LHP Hunter Hollan
• RHP Logan Tanner
• SS Ricky Cabrera
• C Connor Burns
• RHP Owen Holt
• LHP Christian Lopez
• LHP Khristian Guevara
•…
Mar. 31—BOX SCORE
At Onalaska HS
RIVERHAWKS 13, LOGGERS 2 (5 inn.)
Toledo160 15 — 13
Onalaska010 10 — 2
TOL Pitching — Carver 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R (0 ER), 2 BB, 6 SO; Holter 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R (0 ER), 1 BB, 1 SO. Highlights — Cooper 4-4, 2B, 2 RBI, R; Hurley 3-4, 3B, 2 RBI, 2 R; Holter 1-2, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, BB
ONY Highlights — Auman 1-2, 2B, RBI; Iverson 1-2, R
Nine of the 10 batters for the Riverhawks that got an at-bat recorded a hit and they did a lot of it on their way to a 13-2, five-inning cruiser over the Loggers on Monday night in Onalaska. Toledo finished the game with 18 hits and just five of them went for extra bases.
Its bottom of the lineup — six-through-nine — combined for 10 of those hits, paced by Audrey Cooper's four. Cooper, Xtyn Norberg, Ellie Seely, Peyton Holter and Camryn Hurley all notched two RBIs.
The Riverhawks (4-1) led wire-to-wire, ignited by a six-run second and a five-run fifth to enact the mercy rule win. For Onalaska (3-2), its three-game winning streak came to a close. Jaelyn Auman roped an RBI double and Peyton Iverson also had a hit.
Up next for the Loggers is another non-league bout on Tuesday versus Mossyrock. Meanwhile Toledo will battle Warden and Kittitas on Saturday.
Mar. 31—BOX SCORE
At Montesano HS
BULLDOGS 19, WARRIORS 0 (5 inn.)
Rochester000 00 — 0
Montesano087 4X — 19
ROC Highlights — Culp 1-2, SB; Morgan 1-2, SB
MON Pitching — Gooding 5 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 SO. Highlights — Galvin 3-4, 2 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 4 R, 2 SB; Stanfield 3-4, 2B, RBI, 2 R, SB; Prince 3-4, 2B, RBI, 2 R, SB
When the two Evergreen League foes met in Richland for the top trophy last spring, it was a competitive seven-inning game. Monday night was the exact opposite in the Bulldogs' 19-0, five-inning rout of the Warriors.
Only Charlie Culp and Addi Morgan reached base for Rochester (1-6, 0-2 Evergreen) on one hit and one stolen base each. Montesano was in complete control from the second inning on, plating eight runs in the second, seven in the third and four in the fourth.
Taylor Galvin roped two doubles and a home run for the Bulldogs, who recorded 17 hits in 32 at-bats. Rochester and Montesano will tangle again on Thursday.
Club Atlético River Plate has launched a strategic search to revamp its football structure. According to information from The Athletic, the club’s leadership has two internationally prominent names as its main targets for the sporting director role: Ramón Planes, currently at Al Ittihad, and Pablo Longoria, former president of Olympique de Marseille.
The Núñez-based club has already held initial talks with both candidates to gauge their availability and learn about their plans. Planes brings extensive experience in European football, notably from his time at FC Barcelona, while Longoria is known for his modern and aggressive approach in the French transfer market.
Although Planes and Longoria are the leading options, there is at least a third candidate on the shortlist whose identity has not yet emerged. River is looking for a profile that combines global experience with the ability to strengthen both its youth academy and first-team squad ahead of the upcoming international challenges.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.
Mar. 31—BOX SCORE
At Mossyrock HS
VIKINGS 7, MOUNTAINEERS 6 (10 inn.)
Rainier220 100 000 1 — 6
Mossyrock131 000 000 2 — 7
RAIN Pitching — Cruse 9 IP, 7 H, 7 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 6 SO. Highlights — Lantz 3-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI; Hill 3-5, 3 R, SB; Cruse 2-4, 2 RBI, BB
MOS Pitching — Zavodsky 10 IP, 8 H, 6 R (4 ER), 4 BB, 17 SO. Highlights — Zavodsky 2-4, 2B, 3 RBI, R; B. Schwartz 4-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R, 3 SB; Ball 1-4, RBI
Behind the arm and the heroics of Zoella Zavodsky, the Vikings won a wild 7-6, 10-inning non-league contest versus the Mountaineers on Monday night at home. The eighth grader threw 170 pitches and struck out 17 in the circle for a complete game win
Down by one in the bottom of the 10th, Brooke Schwartz led off with a double and Kaylee Parker drew a walk to load the bases. Zavodsky needed just two pitches to poke a single to left field that brought home the winning two runs.
Mossyrock (3-3) did the majority of its scoring in the first three innings. Schwartz made it a one-run game with a two-RBI double and Taylor Schwartz tied the game at 4-4 by stealing home. Annika Ball gave the Vikings the lead in the third with a run-scoring single.
Rainier (1-3) took advantage of an error in the fourth to tie the game again and in the 10th, Gracie Green laid down a SAC bunt to take a 6-5 lead. Ryleigh Cruse also went the distance and tossed 106 pitches. Gracie Lantz had two doubles and two RBIs and Layla Hill notched three hits and scored three times.
The Mountaineers will take on Toutle Lake while Mossyrock battles Onalaska; both non-league contests are scheduled for Tuesday.
Mar. 31—BOX SCORE
At Tumwater HS
THUNDERBIRDS 6, HIGHCLIMBERS 4
Shelton000 000 4 — 4
Tumwater211 011 X — 6
SHEL Highlights — R. Rowland 1-4, 3B, 2 RBI; McFarland 1-3, R
TUM Pitching — Stevens 7 IP, 6 H, 4 R (0 ER), 3 BB, 15 SO. Highlights — McCartney 3-3, 2B, R, SB; Foos 1-2, RBI; Barrett 2-3, 2B, R, BB
For six shutout innings, Tumwater High School pitcher Sarah Stevens was in the midst of a standout performance with 12 strikeouts and only three walks given up. The southpaw got into some trouble in the seventh, but was able to keep Shelton at bay and give the T-Birds a 6-4 triumph on Monday night.
Two of Tumwater's three errors came in the seventh, which allowed two runners to score. Riley Rowland laced a two-run triple and cut the margin to two runs. Stevens capped her 15-strikeout performance by sending the tying run at the plate back to the dugout in three pitches.
The T-Birds (3-2, 1-2 EvCo) nickeled and dimed their way to a 6-0 lead behind two runs in the first and a run each over the next four of five frames. Chloe McCartney was 3-for-3 with a double and a stolen base while Stevens and Megan Barrett each registered two hits.
Tumwater will take on Adna on Tuesday in a rescheduled non-league contest on the road.
Mar. 31—BOX SCORES
At Pe Ell HS
TITANS 15, FISHERMEN 0 (3 inn.)
Ilwaco000 — 0
Pe Ell/WV834 — 15
ILW Highlights — Kemmer 1-1; Frame 1-1
PWV Pitching — Barnum 3 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO. Highlights — Channel 3-3, 2B, 4 RBI, 3 R, SB; Hodel 2-3, 2 2B, 2 RBI; Matlock 3-3, 2B, RBI, 3 R, SB
TITANS 16, FISHERMEN 0 (3 inn.)
Pe Ell/WV376 — 16
Ilwaco000 — 0
PWV Pitching — Hodel 3 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO. Highlights — I. Milanowski 3-3, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R, SB; Keeton 2-3, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R; S. Milanowski 1-2, HR, 3 RBI, R
ILW Highlights — Morris 0-1, BB
It took a grand total of six innings and 31 total runs to record a P2BL sweep for the Titans on Monday night, cruising past the Fishermen 15-0 and 16-0 at home. Pitchers Eliza Barnum and Jillian Hodel combined to allow three hits, four walks and struck out nine batters.
Hodel ended up tossing a three-inning no-hitter in Game 2. She also crossed home plate three times and in the opener, had two doubles and two RBIs. PWV (5-1) used eight runs in the bottom of the first, three in the second and four in the third to cap Game 1.
It registered seven doubles in the win and Rilyn Channel was 3-for-3 with four RBIs, three runs scored and a stolen base. Leadoff hitter Lauren Matlock also notched three hits and scored thrice.
Acting as the road team in the nightcap, the Titans took a 3-0 lead after one and tripled it with a seven-spot in the second and six more in the third. Izzy Milanowski roped two doubles and drove in three while Sophia Milanowski launched a three-run home run.
Matlock, Tylar Keeton and CJ Sipp all registered two hits in Game 2. PWV will host Napavine in a non-league contest on Tuesday.
Mar. 31—Thanks to a clean sweep in singles and their No. 3 doubles tandem pulling out a tiebreaker win, the Bearcats continued their stellar season with a 5-1 Evergreen Conference win over the Highclimbers on Monday.
Ellie Mittge didn't drop a game in her 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 1 singles, the same result Isabella Casimiro experienced at No. 2 singles. Maddie Bradley capped the sweep with a 6-1, 6-3 verdict.
"I am excited about the momentum we have," Bearcats head coach Megan Wellander said. "They are very competitive and want to grow. We have a young team, but we have a strong team."
Tinsley Brown and Mia Leslie won a thriller at No. 3 doubles 6-3, 6-7, 10-8. The third set ended up as a first to 10 decider. Kate Mordick and Kloey Sparks triumphed in straight sets at No. 2 doubles.
W.F. West will take on Centralia on Tuesday in the first Swamp Cup contest of the spring.
With the continued rise of artificial intelligence in nearly every aspect of everyday life, it’s no surprise that it’s found its way into the NFL with the Jets having now jumped on board and having discussions of their AI implementation and utilization during coaching meetings.
Head coach Aaron Glenn told reporters that AI has been a topic of conversation “quite a bit” during their meetings, with the organization putting an emphasis on familiarizing itself with the software available and learning what they can from their team of experts from Stanford University.
“These guys are on top of that,” Glenn said. “Those guys are teaching us how to utilize all of that stuff and it’s been outstanding so we’re trying to take that next step, us as coaches.”
Moving away or deviating from the old-school way of thinking isn’t a new concept as teams never want to be left behind in this day and age. And while teams are always looking for a competitive edge, there’s also a balance between technology and the human element that must be found.
For now, in the early stages of merging this new innovation with the coaching staff, New York is excited with the results.
“It’s been good and sometimes it’s shocking to see the information,” Glenn, who admitted he’s still trying to figure it all out, said. “Now, it’s not the only thing that you do, but to be able to see the information that you can get has been—”
Before Glenn could finish his thought, he was jokingly asked if he’s ever using AI to decide which play he should call.
“No, no,” he said with a laugh. “I’m trusting myself on that!”
For a second straight season John Calipari will bring his Arkansas Razorbacks to the Mitten State for a game against Tom Izzo and the Spartans.
While it was originally reported that Michigan State would head to Arkansas this upcoming season to complete a home-and-home series, it now appears the Razorbacks and Spartans will meet in the Motor City on Thanksgiving. On Tuesday, Spartans head coach Tom Izzo said on a local Lansing show that Michigan State will play Arkansas on Thanksgiving from Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. It was previously reported that Michigan State would play on Thanksgiving at Little Caesars Arena following the Detroit Lions' annual turkey day game at Ford Field, but the opponent had not been announced yet.
NEWS: Arkansas will play Michigan State on Thanksgiving Day at Little Caesar's Arena, Tom Izzo told Tim Staudt of WILX.
— JC Hoops (@JacksonCollier) March 31, 2026
Initially the game was set to be in Fayetteville. Now it will follow the Lions' game on Thanksgiving in Detroit.
The official announcement of this matchup has not been made so this could of course change. But I doubt Izzo would make a comment of this nature if it wasn't all but locked up to happen.
Michigan State hosted Arkansas in an early season ranked battle from the Breslin Center this past season, which the Spartans came out victorious. The Spartans were then expected to play at Arkansas this upcoming season as a return trip game as part of a home-and-home series. It'll be interesting to see if this change in plans is just pushing off a possible return trip game at Arkansas to the 2027-28 season or if that simply won't happen now.
We'll need to keep our eyes out for an official announcement over the next few weeks or months, but this should be a great matchup on Thanksgiving this year and now one that many Spartan fans should be able to attend in person.
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: MSU basketball to reportedly play Arkansas on Thanksgiving at LCA in Detroit
For the past two seasons, the Green Bay Packers have relied on the versatility of off-ball linebackers Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper.
However, knowing that Walker’s free agent price tag would be too costly, the Packers decided to trade for Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin. A 2024 second-team All-Pro, Franklin is coming off his worst season as a pro from a Pro Football Focus grade standpoint. Franklin struggled especially in coverage, posting a PFF coverage grade of 29.9, which ranked 32nd out of the 32 linebackers who dropped into coverage at least 500 times last season.
Cooper ranked second on that list, while Walker was 28th.
Even though dropping into coverage has never been much of a strength for Franklin in his eight NFL seasons, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst still expects him to be able to be used interchangeably with Cooper.
“No, they’re both going to be responsible for that,” Gutekunst said when asked if Cooper would assume most of the coverage responsibilities. “Edge is such a unique player. He’s so versatile with his ability to play off the ball in the run game, to cover, to rush the passer; he’s really a complete linebacker, as is Zaire.”
Under former defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, the Packers lined up in either their base or nickel defense on 97.6 percent of their plays in 2025 — almost never coming out in dime, according to data from Cody Alexander of MatchQuarters. Clearly, Hafley liked the idea of deploying both of his athletic linebackers as much as possible.
With Hafley exiting Green Bay after two seasons to become the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, Matt LaFleur hired former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon to lead the defense.
Hafley’s propensity to keep at least two linebackers on the field aligns with what Gannon ran during his three years in Arizona.
So, if you thought you might see less of Franklin on obvious passing downs next season, think again. It won’t be anything new for Franklin, who has logged at least 575 coverage snaps in each of his last four seasons with the Colts. During that stretch, he allowed 249 catches on 312 targets for an allowed reception percentage of 79.8 percent, while also surrendering 2,582 receiving yards for 10.4 yards per reception.
Walker may not have excelled in coverage during his four seasons with the Packers, but he wasn’t quite as bad as Franklin. Together, his and Cooper’s skillsets complemented each other well and helped them anchor the middle of Hafley’s defense. Now, Cooper and Franklin are tasked with building similar chemistry in their first year playing alongside each other and in a new defensive scheme.
“Obviously, Quay and Edge had a nice working relationship,” Gutekunst said. “It’ll be interesting to see how that evolves under Jonathan’s new defense.”
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Despite struggles, don’t expect Packers LB Zaire Franklin to come off the field on passing downs
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is using his offseason to give back — and debut a new look.
Maye and his wife, Anne Michael, took center stage at Granite Telecommunications’ annual “Saving by Shaving” event on Tuesday in Quincy, where she helped shave his head to raise money for charity.
The fundraiser is expected to generate more than $3.5 million to benefit Boston Children’s Hospital, supporting pediatric research and treatments.
The couple said working with young patients has had a profound impact on them both.
“It’s such a cool experience to be able to shine a positive light and to be there for them and help in any way we can,” Drake Maye said. “There are times I’ve been with Boston Children’s Hospital patients, and it’s pretty cool...To do anything I can to try to put a smile on their face.”
Drake and Ann Michael, who were married recently and have made New England their new home, said giving back locally was a priority as they settle into the region.
Ann Michael said, “It’s obviously more than just football. There are so many great people and things here. We wanted to get more plugged in. Being from North Carolina, it’s so different here for us, so we wanted to start by giving back to the community and Boston Children’s.”
The couple also announced the launch of the “MayeDay Family Foundation,” a new nonprofit focused on supporting children and families in need.
For Maye, the message is clear: while football may be the job, making a positive impact off the field matters just as much.
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George Springer has been doing damage at the top of the Toronto Blue Jays lineup, and I’m expecting that trend to continue with Ryan Feltner on the mound for the Colorado Rockies.
I explain why Springer matches up well in my free Toronto Blue Jays vs. Rockies predictions and MLB picks for Tuesday, March 31.
It’s been a bit of a slower start to the year for George Springer, but he’s still finding ways to drive in runs with an RBI in three-straight games.
Springer has also had a lot of career success against the Colorado Rockies, with a 1.012 OPS and eight RBI in 45 at-bats. He can add to that tally against Ryan Feltner, who has a career strikeout rate of 19.5% and struggles to limit damage.
The confidence in his pick is coupled with the belief that the bottom of the order will reach base for Springer to drive them in. The Jays’ 7-9 hitters have been the most productive to start the season, combining for 18 hits and six walks through the first four games this season.
COVERS INTEL: Feltner has a 33% usage rate on his four-seamer, a pitch that Springer handled well with a .307 batting average last season and an xSLG rate of .746.Jesus Sanchez has faced Feltner more than any other Blue Jays batter, going 4-for-11 with two homers against him.
Max Scherzer takes the bump for Toronto, and I’m expecting the Jays’ high strikeout trend to continue with him on the mound. He racked up 10 strikeouts against this lineup last season in 20 at-bats, and he may be asked to work deeper into the game after Cody Ponce was forced to leave Monday's game with an injury.
In addition to owning Feltner with a 1.273 OPS, he has done the bulk of his damage against right-handed pitching. Sixty-five of his 74 career home runs have come against righties.
The Toronto Blue Jays have hit the Game Total Over in 85 of their last 148 games (+23.75 Units / 15% ROI) Find more MLB betting trends for Rockies vs. Blue Jays.
| Location | Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON |
| Date | Tuesday, March 31, 2026 |
| First pitch | 7:07 p.m. ET |
| TV | COLR, Sportsnet |
| Rockies starting pitcher | Ryan Feltner (2025: 0-2, 4.75 ERA) |
| Blue Jays starting pitcher | Max Scherzer (2025: 5-5, 5.19 ERA) |
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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The 2025 Grey Cup saw the Saskatchewan Roughriders capture their first championship in over 10 years, holding on to defeat the Montreal Alouettes 25-17.
Despite the loss, CFL odds remain bullish on Montreal ahead of the upcoming campaign, as Jason Maas’s team has reached the East Final in three consecutive seasons, including winning the Grey Cup in 2023.
The 113th Grey Cup is scheduled for November 15, 2026, at McMahon Stadium in Calgary, Alberta.
| Team | |
|---|---|
| Montreal Alouettes | +300 |
| BC Lions | +400 |
| Saskatchewan Roughriders | +600 |
| Hamilton Tiger-Cats | +700 |
| Calgary Stampeders | +800 |
| Winnipeg Blue Bombers | +850 |
| Toronto Argonauts | +1000 |
| Ottawa Redblacks | +1100 |
| Edmonton Elks | +1800 |
Odds as of 3-31-2026. Odds from BET99, one of our best betting sites. Sign up with our BET99 promo code, or get one of our other sportsbook promos.
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• Edmonton has won the most Grey Cup titles (11) during the league’s post-merger era.
• The CFL’s Most Outstanding Player has been a member of the Grey Cup-winning team just four times since 2010.
• There have been just 10 instances of a Grey Cup-winning team repeating as champions the following season.
As noted above, having such a small league and lots of player movement promotes a lot of parity among the teams. Seven of the nine current CFL clubs have won a Grey Cup over the last 10 seasons.
The Toronto Argonauts have the most Grey Cup titles in league history with 17, while the Winnipeg Blue Bombers lead the CFL with 27 Grey Cup appearances.
| Season | Grey Cup Champion | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Saskatchewan Roughriders | Montreal Alouettes |
| 2024 | Toronto Argonauts | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
| 2023 | Montreal Alouettes | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
| 2022 | Toronto Argonauts | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
| 2021 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | Hamilton Tiger-Cats |
| 2020 | No season: COVID-19 related. | N/A |
| 2019 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | Hamilton Tiger-Cats |
| 2018 | Calgary Stampeders | Ottawa Redblacks |
| 2017 | Toronto Argonauts | Calgary Stampeders |
| 2016 | Ottawa Redblacks | Calgary Stampeders |
Sportsbooks release CFL futures odds shortly after the end of the previous football season. Picking the outright winner of the Grey Cup is one of the only other ways to wager on CFL futures.
During the offseason and preseason, you'll be able to get a nice plus-money price on basically any team in the CFL, as there is so much uncertainty around what will happen next year, particularly in a league with only nine teams.
CFL futures odds will usually look like this:
This means that on a $100 bet, you'll stand to profit $500 should Nathan Rourke & Co. capture their first Grey Cup title since 2011. If it's close to the end of the season or one team is simply that dominant, you might see a minus sign (-) ahead of their odds.
This means that you would need to bet $175 to win $100 if Saskatchewan wins the Grey Cup.
Of course, futures odds are a fluid market. They can change every day based on news, injuries, suspensions, etc. And they will certainly change based on big CFL events, such as free agency or the draft.
All the odds seen above are in American format. If you find decimal format or fractional format easier to read, simply convert the odds using our simple odds converter tool.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.
Scotland step up their preparations for this summer’s World Cup by hosting Ivory Coast - but the international friendly will be staged in England and at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool.
Steve Clarke’s team faced Japan at Hampden on Saturday but the Tartan Army will be heading down the road and away from their traditional home on Tuesday night as Everton’s new ground hosts its first men’s international fixture.
Officially, the fixture is part of marketing agency Pitch International’s ‘Road to 26’ series - which has featured a number of games between teams who have qualified for the World Cup, staged at neutral venues.
The majority of the ‘Road to 26’ series has been played in the United States, such as the friendlies between France and Brazil in Boston, France and Colombia in Maryland, and Brazil and Croatia in Orlando, Florida.
Scotland’s match against Ivory Coast also falls under the series, but with the three-time African champion facing South Korea in Milton Keynes on Saturday and Scotland playing Japan in Glasgow, holding the match in Liverpool suited both parties.
Scotland will play Morocco during the group stages of the World Cup while Ivory Coast will face Germany, so arranging a warm-up test against African and European opposition also suited both nations ahead of the tournament.
The match works for Everton, too, with the £800m, 52,769-capacity venue set to host matches when the home nations stage Euro 2028. England’s Lionesses will also be playing a World Cup qualifier there, against Ukraine in June.
David Moyes, Everton’s manager, said he was looking forward to welcoming the Tartan Army and the Ivory Coast. “No doubt that night will see Liverpool full of lots of kilted men and I hope you make them all welcome,” the Scot said in a message to Everton supporters.
Scotland’s Nathan Patterson plays for Everton, with the right back following a long line of Scots who played for the Toffees - such as Graeme Sharp, Duncan Ferguson, David Weir, Andy Gray, James McFadden, Pat Nevin and Steven Naismith.
Everton have also said that culinary delights from both nations will be served, confirming a slow-cooked “Ivorian beef stew” will be on the menu along with “Stornoway black pudding loaded jacket potatoes”, “haggis and smoked bacon pizza” and “battered Mars bar with whisky custard”.
Scotland last played in Liverpool when Wales decided to hold a key 1978 World Cup qualifier against the Tartan Army at Anfield, but goals from Don Masson and Kenny Dalglish earned the ‘away’ side victory that secured passage to the touranment in Argentina.
The New York Knicks have been up and down with results lately, recently falling back into the loss column with a road defeat at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
One player who has been underwhelming thus far in his New York tenure is forward Jeremy Sochan, who was signed by the team following his release from the San Antonio Spurs.
Sochan signed a one-year, $806,628 contract this offseason with the franchise for the 2025-26 season, according to Spotrac.
The forward has long been known for his colorful hairstyles, which at certain times mirrored the orange and blue colors of the Knicks themselves. However, a newly unearthed photo ahead of New York’s game against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday has revealed a different new look for the forward.
Jeremy Sochan sporting a new look 👀
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 31, 2026
The Knicks forward no longer has colored hair.
(📸: @SbondyNBA) pic.twitter.com/2NgJH5gVFU
Jeremy Sochan hasn’t performed particularly well during his tenure with the Knicks, not having appeared in a game since March 22 despite being fully healthy.
When he’s on his game, Sochan provides the New York Knicks with another versatile defender who can get out in transition and wreak havoc on both ends of the floor.
However, it seems that New York head coach Mike Brown is content with running with the guys who have been there all season, along with trade acquisition Jose Alverado, for the stretch run of the campaign.
The team currently sit in third place in the East, multiple games behind the Celtics despite Boston’s loss against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday.
It would take quite a bit for New York to catch up to Boston at this point in the season; however, homecourt advantage didn’t end up mattering when the Knicks beat the Celtics in last year’s Eastern Conference semifinals.
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Height/Weight: 6-foot-0, 170 pounds
Hometown/High School: Pittsburgh, PA (Central Catholic)
Ranking: ★★★ (87 Rivals — No. 86 cornerback overall)
Notable Offers: Ole Miss, Indiana, Pitt, Stanford, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wisconsin
BREAKING: Class of 2027 CB Zachary Gleason has Committed to Penn State, he tells me for @Rivals
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) March 31, 2026
The 6’0 170 CB from Pittsburgh, PA chose the Nittany Lions over Virginia Tech, West Virginia, and Pitt
“Next step towards our goal pops❤️ #WeAre 🦁”https://t.co/2qHxVF2jK7pic.twitter.com/F6PVvYY7l4
Penn State gets a second commitment in its 2027 recruiting class as Zachary Gleason joins four-star fellow cornerback Semajay Robinson to make the pledge for the Nittany Lions. Gleason seems tailor made for Penn State, being a Pittsburgh kid who plays cornerback. It’s not very often Terry Smith misses on those recruitments, so while it’s not a shocker that Gleason made the call for Penn State, it’s still good to get a quality player like Gleason in the fold.
Gleason is what you’d expect from a prospect playing at one of the premier programs in the state, Pittsburgh Central Catholic. You can already see that he’s well-coached and has a good base for development. He’ll need to get much bulkier, as he currently has a 170-pound frame, but Gleason has the makings of a kid who can play at Penn State, and one that could play early too.
No. 21 Northwestern men’s swim and dive wrapped up a historic season at NCAA Division I Championships on Friday night, placing 26th after breaking four new school records at the McAuley Aquatic Center for its best finish at the meet since 2008.
Down in Atlanta, the Wildcats were led by star swimmers Stuart Seymour and Joshua Staples, who combined for three individual school records and three top-16 finishes in individual events. Staples logged the Northwestern’s best individual finish of the weekend, placing eighth in the 400-yard individual medley to become the first Wildcat since Jordan Wilimovsky in 2017 to make the A-final in an event at NCAAs. Meanwhile, Seymour set school records in the 100-yard backstroke and 100-yard freestyle events, while contributing to the ‘Cats’ school record setting 400-yard freestyle relay.
In the broader scheme of the meet, the Texas Longhorns, led by legendary head coach Bob Bowman, won their second-consecutive national championship, with a scoring total of 445.5. The Longhorns were followed by the Florida Gators, who took second, and the Big Ten champion Indiana Hoosiers, who took third. Florida’s Josh Liendo won high point of the meet, powered by his 42.49 in the 100-yard butterfly which shattered Caeleb Dressel’s legendary NCAA-record in the event. Texas’ Hubert Kos, brother of Northwestern’s very own Oliver Kos, placed second in the high point standings, setting NCAA-records in both the 100- and 200-yard backstroke events. Arizona State’s Ilya Kharun placed third.
Results for the NCAA Division I Championships can be found on the Meet Mobile app or on SwimCloud’s meet page for the event.
After not scoring at NCAAs in 2025, Northwestern placed 26th at the championships this year with a total of 39 points. The ‘Cats’ 26th-place finish was its highest since 2008, when Northwestern finished 12th at NCAAs with a Matt Grevers-led unit.
Northwestern was led by its star sophomore talent Joshua Staples, who became the first ’Cat to reach the A-final in the 400-yard individual medley since 2004. Staples’ school record 3:36.58 in prelims seeded him third-place in the event entering finals. Had he matched his time in finals, he would’ve placed sixth. However, the Aussie ended up adding 6.33 seconds to his prelims swim, finishing eighth in the event.
Seemingly, Staples suffered from an injury of some sort following his prelims swim in the 400-yard individual medley. The Brisbane-native was not the same swimmer in his consequent individual swims, adding significant time not only in his finals swim of the 400-yard individual medley, but also his 2oo-yard individual medley prelims swim on day four of the meet, where he clocked a 1:47.96 — over six seconds off of his personal best. Though, his 50.46-split in the 100-yard breastroke as a part of the ‘Cats’ 400-yard medley relay was a competitive time, so perhaps Staples was just battling fatigue in his other individual swims.
Seymour was the Wildcats’ other standout individual performer. The junior gained All-American honorable mention status with top-16 finishes in both the 100-yard butterfly (15th) and 100-yard backstroke (11th). Furthermore, Seymour set two new school records in Atlanta with a 44.55 in the 100-yard backstroke and 41.76 in the 100-yard freestyle.
Though Staples and Seymour were the ‘Cats’ only individual point scorers, there were other notable individual performances. Adam Cohen had a solid performance in platform diving, placing 17th with a score of 348.30. Additionally, Oliver Kos placed 18th in the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 1:39.50 and David Gerchik placed 28th in the 100-yard backstroke with a personal best 45.37.
Northwestern also scored points in both the 400-yard medley relay and 400-yard freestyle relay. The 400-yard freestyle relay was a highlight event of the meet for the ‘Cats, with Seymour, Cade Duncan, Connor Schuster and Kos teaming up to post a school record time of 2:47.72, placing 12th in the event. Meanwhile, Seymour, Staples, Schuster and Duncan teamed up in the 400-yard medley relay to place 12th with a time of 3:02.18.
It’s hard to truly contextualize how incredible of a breakthrough this season was for Northwestern men’s swim and dive.
After grand successes in the Matt Grevers years at the end of the 2000s, the ‘Cats slowly declined. For almost a decade, they sent small contingents to NCAAs, sometimes stumbling upon a breakout swimmer like Jordan Wilimovsky who would score them some points, but most time failing to score at the NCAAs at all. Northwestern hit rock bottom at the end of the 2010s, sending zero swimmers to NCAAs for two-consecutive years in 2018 and 2019. The program was broken, with no resemblance to the team that placed eighth at NCAAs in 2007.
Just last year, Northwestern was still nowhere close to national relevance. Despite sending a contingent of four individual swimmers to NCAAs, the ‘Cats went scoreless at the competition, with Seymour just missing out on a B-final swim with a 17th-place 45.22 in the 100-yard backstroke. Amazingly, Staples didn’t even swim the 400-yard individual medley event until this season. Staples was purely a distance freestyler and swam the 1650-yard freestyle and 500-yard freestyle at NCAAs.
With core swimmers like Seymour, Staples and Gerchik still young, it seemed clear that Northwestern had the chance to make strides in the 2025-26 season. However, if you had told head coach Rachel Stratton-Mills that Joshua Staples was going to A-final in the 400-yard individual medley — not a distance freestyle event — at NCAAs AND that her squad was going to place 26th, she would have called you crazy.
For the first time in almost two decades, it finally feels fair to say that Northwestern is relevant on the national scene. The ‘Cats 26th place finish is the program’s best since Grevers’ final season in 2008. In a sport driven by star power, Northwestern finally has found national-level talent. The ‘Cats had not one, but two individual point scorers at NCAAs in Staples and Seymour. As mentioned earlier, Staples, who is only a sophomore, became the ‘Cats’ first A-finalist in ANY event since Jordan Wilimovsky in 2017.
The tides are finally changing in Evanston. Stratton-Mills has done an incredible job with this team and the program should only continue to grow. With impact NCAA-qualifiers Staples, Seymour, Kos and Duncan all returning next year to swim alongside a high-level incoming recruiting class, make it be known: the ‘Cats are coming.
With NFL free agency at a near standstill, we will be evaluating the current state of each Indianapolis Colts' position group, specifically, where things stand and whether or not more moves need to be made.
GM Chris Ballard has now made nine outside free agent signings over the last week-plus, along with re-signing a number of the Colts' own free agents.
However, there is still work to be done, as the Colts still have several roster holes to address. The good news is that the Colts have a good amount of salary cap space to work with.
In the draft, the Colts are without a first-round pick and have a modest seven selections in total.
Rounding out our review is the special teams unit. If you missed our other positional reviews, you can find them below.
There is no need here. Grupe and Spencer Shrader will be competing for the Colts' kicking job, but no other additions have to be made to this unit.
One thing to watch is that Rigoberto Sanchez is in the final year of his deal and is a candidate to receive a contract extension prior to next offseason's free agency period beginning.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: NFL free agency: Current state of Colts' special teams unit
As incredible as their season was, the New England Patriots didn’t quite have enough to win Super Bowl LX. Yet, since that 29-13 loss to Seattle, one could argue that the Patriots have only gotten better.
While swapping Stefon Diggs for Romeo Doubs could either backfire or be a sneaky great signing, the Patriots have already strengthened one of their biggest weaknesses by signing left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker and backup left tackle James Hudson III. While the line is undoubtedly improved, has Drake Maye‘s receiving corps gotten worse?
No matter how you feel about the Diggs/Doubs swap, one thing that cannot be denied is that the Patriots could use another playmaking pass-catcher. The solution could be available via trade.
Recently, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was asked about the A.J. Brown trade rumors. To no surprise, New England is open to adding the Pro Bowl receiver to their team, for the right price.
“Anything that we can continue to do to strengthen the roster, we’re going to try to do,” Vrabel said.
Of course, one of the biggest reasons why the Patriots are often the first team linked to a trade for the Eagles receiver is because Vrabel was Brown’s head coach with the Titans from 2019 to 2021. Despite the Titans’ general manager at the time trading Brown to the Eagles, the receiver has always had a strong relationship with coach Vrabel.
With the Patriots reaching the Super Bowl in 2025, New England fits the criteria of the type of team Brown would likely want to play for, and already being familiar with the head coach surely can’t hurt. Yet, if the Eagles’ asking price is just too high, then New England may move on to younger, more inexpensive options in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Related: 2026 NFL Mock Draft: End of March Edition
Related Headlines
With the calendar turning to April, we are officially heading into draft month. The NFL world will descend upon Pittsburgh in just over three weeks, with the draft scheduled for April 23-25.
Mock drafts are going to come fast and furious over these last three weeks of the draft cycle. The latest for the Cincinnati Bengals will come here as we go through a full seven-round mock, using the draft simulator on Stick to the Model. With this mock, we are experimenting with the Bengals moving into the top five to land their target. With that, let's get started.
The Bengals trade their third-round pick this year (No. 72 overall) and a 2027 third-round pick to the New York Giants to get the linebacker they so desperately need. After watching both of their rookie linebackers struggle in 2025, the Bengals need a major boost in the middle of the defense. Styles' athleticism would be a major welcome addition to the Bengals' defense. Styles is a safety in a linebacker's body. Styles might be the best fit for the Bengals in this class and the Bengals should feel more than comfortable trading two thirds, especially when they are projected to receive a third-round compensatory pick next year for Trey Hendrickson.
The Bengals get their new cornerback in the second round and land a versatile corner in Keith Abney of Arizona State. Abney can work inside or outside and recorded 12 passes defended last season and 21 over the last two seasons. He doesn't have ideal size (5'10", 187 pounds) but his instincts help overcome his size. He gives Al Golden some flexibility in the defensive backfield.
Barham can be a hybrid player on the edge. He has flashed ability at both off-ball linebacker and on-ball edge. He can also play inside or outside. He helped his cause quite a bit by posting a 4.64 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine. Barham has plenty of experience, having started 47 games in four seasons between Michigan and Maryland and recording four sacks and ten tackles for a loss in 2025.
A near-300-pound space-eater in the middle of the defense, adding depth behind B.J. Hill and Jonathan Allen. Regis had 49 tackles, three tackles for a loss and two sacks in 2025.
The Bengals roll the dice on an undersized center at just under 300 pounds, but will get the chance to develop for a year behind Ted Karras and potentially compete for a starting job in 2027.
Payne has experience at multiple safety spots and has the run-tackling ability and closing speed to help on special teams.
Canady gives the Bengals another option at the nickel position. He's only 5'10" and 181 pounds, but scouts love his ability to stick with receivers throughout their routes. He will likely get overmatched by bigger bodies, but he has the potential to develop into a starting nickel, giving the Bengals two potential starting defensive backs from this group.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals aggressive with Round 1 trade up in 7-round NFL mock draft
LONDON (AP) — Bayern Munich star Harry Kane was missing for England in its friendly match against Japan on Tuesday after sustaining what the national team described as a “minor issue in training.”
England said its captain was being “rested tonight as a precaution” but was staying with the squad and receiving further assessment.
England coach Thomas Tuchel was already without Arsenal pair Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, saying Monday that they felt “discomfort” during medical assessments.
Kane, Saka and Rice all face busy ends to the season with their clubs, who have both reached the Champions League quarterfinals and lead their respective leagues.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
MIAMI -- The Philadelphia 76ers came up short to the Miami Heat in a critical loss in terms of the playoff standings. The Heat now own the all-important tiebreaker should they find a way to catch the Sixers in the standings. Philadelphia is currently 1.5 games ahead of Miami with seven games to go.
Joel Embiid scored 26 points on the night, but he shot only 10-for-25 and he seemed a step slow on the defensive end, especially when the Heat made the game-changing run to seal it. He got off to solid start as he had nine points in the opening quarter and had 14 by halftime, but he shot only 1-for-5 in the third and was a minus-15 in the quarter as Miami went on a surge after halftime.
After a rest, Embiid returned to score 10 points in the fourth, but missed some critical ones late.
"Keep getting better," Embiid said after the loss. "I thought tonight we had stretches where we were pretty good, but then some were not. I was a big part of that. I gotta be better. So, yeah, I was terrible tonight. Just gotta be better."
"Terrible" might be Embiid just getting down on himself. He is his biggest critic, but there were some moments where he just seemed completely off. He then revealed a key factor for his tough night that slowed him down a bit.
"Well, first, I wish I wasn't sick," he stated. "So, maybe that would have helped to play better. So, physically, I just was not in it, and then secondly, obviously, if the first part was better, then I guess I would have had more energy to do all the things. So yeah, just gotta take off myself and get out of it and play better."
The Sixers have an off day on Tuesday before finishing their 3-game trip on Wednesday against the Washington Wizards.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers star Joel Embiid evaluates his performance in road loss to Heat
The Falcons brought in veteran quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in free agency, a move that evoked strong responses from fans and analysts alike. Kevin Knight discusses why he believes Tua is a perfect fit for the Falcons as an ideal competitive partner for Michael Penix Jr. Fellow Falcoholics, welcome to another episode of the Dirty Birds and Brews podcast!
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Brazil and Croatia meet in a high-profile friendly in Orlando, with both teams using the game to fine-tune their plans for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.
The Selecao come into this match still searching for consistency, and Carlo Ancelotti is clearly using this period to experiment with his squad and tactics.
They have lost three of their last six games, and their latest result was a 2-1 loss to 10-man France at Gillette Stadium, where Gleison Bremer scored but the team failed to make late pressure count.
Brazil’s attack has plenty of options, but defensive organisation remains a concern, especially with several experienced players missing through injury.
Ancelotti has said that Vinícius Júnior and Marquinhos have shaken off recent fitness problems and are ready to play at Camping World Stadium, which is a major boost at both ends of the pitch.
Brazil also lost Raphinha to a thigh problem during the defeat to France, with reports indicating he will be sidelined for around a month. Wesley Franca picked up a muscle injury during the same match.
Neymar’s continued absence from the national team remains a major talking point, but the coach has repeatedly stressed that Neymar, Vinícius and any other star will only go to the World Cup if they are “100 per cent fit”, insisting that current form and fitness matter more than reputation.
This friendly could also give chances to newer faces such as Igor Thiago and Rayan, who are part of the group as Ancelotti puts the finishing touches on what he has described as an already “quite defined” squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Possible Brazil starting XI: Ederson; Ibanez, Bremer, Marquinhos, D. Santos; Henrique, A. Santos, Casemiro, Martinelli; Cunha, Pedro
The match will kick off at 1am BST on Wednesday, 1st April.
For viewers in the UK, Croatia vs Brazil will be broadcast live on ITV4, with the match also available to stream on ITVX.
Read – Chelsea midfielder Fernandez fuels Real Madrid transfer talk
See Also – The five favourites to sign Sandro Tonali from Newcastle
Argentina and Zambia meet in an international friendly in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, one of their last home matches before the 2026 World Cup in North America.
La Albiceleste come into this game in excellent form, with four straight wins behind them. Their most recent outing was a 2-1 victory over Mauritania on 28 March, when Enzo Fernández and Nico Paz found the net in what was described as a tense, hard-fought contest.
Scaloni is using this positive run to sharpen his team’s approach and has chosen to start Lionel Messi in this match to give the attack more fluidity from the beginning.
Gonzalo Montiel and Leonardo Balerdi dropped out before the Mauritania game because of injury problems, and forward Joaquín Panichelli is now sidelined for the long term after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament.
Scaloni has made it clear that Messi, who came off the bench in the last match, will be in the starting XI against Zambia.
He suggested that Argentina will begin with their usual spine of key players, explaining that this fixture serves as their final major test.
He added that later in the game he intends to introduce some younger players, but the plan is to open with his most trusted lineup.
Scaloni has already handed in a 55-man provisional list for the World Cup and will decide on the final squad after assessing how his players perform in this window.
Possible Argentina starting XI: Martinez; Molina, Romero, Senesi, Tagliafico; Simeone, Mac Allister, De Paul, Barco; Messi, Alvarez
The match will kick off at 12:15am BST on Sunday, 1st April.
For supporters in the UK, the best option is to consult local TV and streaming providers’ schedules to see which broadcaster is carrying the match in their region.
Read Also – The five favourites to win the 2026 World Cup
See More – Tuchel says England need ‘top performance’ to beat Japan
Belgium and Mexico meet in a World Cup warm-up friendly at Soldier Field in Chicago, with both teams using the game to fine-tune plans for the 2026 tournament.
The Red Devils head into this fixture on a high after a 5-2 win over the United States in their opening game of the international break. Emerging players such as Zeno Debast, Amadou Onana, Charles De Ketelaere and Dodi Lukebakio stood out in that match, highlighting coach Rudi García’s intention to mix rising stars with the remaining figures from the country’s golden generation.
García is expected to rotate his side, with big names like Kevin De Bruyne, Jérémy Doku and De Ketelaere likely to start on the bench and be used later in the game.
Youri Tielemans, now fully fit, could return to the starting XI and line up alongside his Aston Villa colleague Amadou Onana, taking on the more advanced midfield role while experienced Axel Witsel provides balance behind them.
At the back, Koni De Winter and Arthur Theate are candidates to start in central defence, and Timothy Castagne may come in at right-back in place of Thomas Meunier.
Further forward, Lukebakio is expected to keep his spot on the right after scoring twice on Saturday, with promising Ajax winger Mika Godts likely to start on the left.
Lois Openda, who has had a difficult loan spell at Juventus, could lead the line as he looks to rebuild his confidence.
In goal, Matz Sels is in contention to replace Senne Lammens, with García still weighing up who should act as backup to the injured Thibaut Courtois at the World Cup. Leandro Trossard of Arsenal has pulled out of the squad and will not be involved.
Possible Belgium starting XI: Sels; Castagne, De Winter, Theate, De Cuyper; Onana, Witsel; Lukébakio, Tielemans, Godts; Openda.
The match will kick off at 2am BST on Wednesday, 1st April.
For viewers in the UK, there is no single confirmed national broadcaster.
Read – Chelsea midfielder Fernandez fuels Real Madrid transfer talk
See Also – The five favourites to sign Sandro Tonali from Newcastle
Former US Open champion Michelle Wie West says she is coming out of retirement to play at the major later this year.
West is a five-time winner on the LGPA Tour with her sole major triumph coming at Pinehurst in 2014.
The 36-year-old last competed on the Tour at the US Open three years ago, but aims to play again at the major, which begins on 4 June in Pacific Palisades, California, to make use of her final year of eligibility.
Players who win the US Open are invited back to compete for the following 10 years, but Wie West's stint was extended by two years to 2026 due to maternity leave.
"With one final year of eligibility from my victory in 2014 and the championship headed to an iconic venue that means so much to me, I am excited to announce that I'll be teeing it up at the US.Women's Open at Riviera in June," she wrote on X.
Wie West rose to prominence at an early age and was once tipped to emulate men's 15-time major-winner Tiger Woods' sporting success.
She was the youngest to win an adult USGA championship at 13, and the youngest to make the cut at an LPGA major in the 2003 Kraft Nabisco, aged 14.
After more than 20 years in the spotlight, Wie West, who has two children, left the sport adding that her body was struggling to cope with the rigours of professional golf.
Wie West's return to the Tour follows her announcement in February that she will be competing in the women's version of the TGL at the end of the year.
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani will make his first start of the 2026 season against the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday.
Ohtani is the final starter in the Dodgers’ rotation to make a start, and will look to keep the ball rolling after a strong spring training effort. Ohtani made two appearances on the mound for the Dodgers this spring, allowing three runs through 8.1 innings of work.
He allowed just one hit through four innings in his first appearance while striking out four batters, earning a win against the San Francisco Giants.The right-hander pitched four innings in his second appearance in an exhibition match against the Los Angeles Angels, and struck out 11 batters while allowing three runs.
The reigning MVP made his pitching debut for the Dodgers in 2025, and had a solid campaign in his return to the mound. He made 14 starts for LA last year, posting a 2.87 ERA through 47 innings pitched. He recorded 62 strikeouts in that time, working his way up to six innings pitched by the end of the season.
As a pitcher, Ohtani has an even 3.00 ERA through 528 innings pitched in his career, and has a fourth-place Cy Young finish under his belt. The Dodgers will hope he can settle in early in the season and show how dominant he can be as a pitcher.
Through the first four games of the season, Ohtani has struggled to produce results at the plate. He has just two hits through 12 at-bats in his four games, but has scored two runs and walked twice.
Despite his slow start, manager Dave Roberts believes he—along with struggling teammates Freddie Freeman and Kyle Tucker—will get back on the right track soon.
“I am surprised that they got off to a slow start, but you just never really know,” Roberts said after the Dodgers’ loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday. “Spring training is just not predictive. It’s just not. I think for me, the takeaway is we’re 3-1 and the guys that we expect to swing the bats aren’t swinging the bats right now. So that’s a good thing. They’ll hit.”
Ohtani will look to get off to a good start on the mound and get back on track at the plate Tuesday against the Guardians. First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. PT.
Are you confident ahead of Shohei Ohtani’s first start of the year?
It was surreal what happened during the Turkey-Croatia U21 match. The game had to be suspended for a few minutes.
The match is hugely important for both national teams because they are first and second in their EURO U21 qualifying group. The Turks came into the match as leaders with 11 points and one more game played, while the Croatians had 10 points and one game in hand.
In the 36th minute, Demir Ege Tiknaz, a Turkey player who plays for Braga, committed a foul on Croatia’s Fabijan Krivak, and it earned him a second yellow card and a sending-off.
Then Turkey coach Egemen Korkmaz protested the decision and, while doing so, slipped, hit his head on the ground, and lost consciousness.
According to Turkish media, the coach had to be taken by ambulance to hospital, where he regained consciousness, and in the meantime the match was suspended, with the players waiting in the dressing rooms for news.
A few minutes later, the match was resumed.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.
Greece proved to be a challenging opponent for Germany once again, but the visitors went into the break with a narrow lead. Anton Kade had the first goal-scoring opportunity with a long-range effort before the decisive moment of the game.
Said El Mala scored his first goal for the U21s in the 11th minute with a first-time shot after Greece failed to clear Tom Bischof’s corner-kick. Köln’s winger reached double digits for goals in his debut Bundesliga season before the international break, although that didn’t impress Julian Nagelsmann enough for selection.
Antonio Di Salvo had to make his first substitution in injury-time of the first-half as Linus Gechter was replaced by fellow 2. Bundesliga defender Leandro Morgalla due to an injury. Greece maintained the pressure after the break, but they hardly tested Mio Backhaus in Germany’s goal.
The hosts could’ve remained in top spot had they lost by a single goal, but they failed to properly defend another set-piece by Bischof in the 73rd minute. Kade scored the goal with a brilliant header to put Germany top of the group for the first time since their defeat to the same opponent back in October.
The Augsburg man nearly turned provider a few minutes later, but Nicolò Tresoldi’s effort from close range only hit the sidenetting. The Club Brugge striker demanded a penalty-kick from the challenge that denied him a clear route to the goal, but his appeal was waved away by both the referee and Greece players.
At the other end, Backhaus made one of his best saves of the night from a decent effort by substitute Dimitris Rallis. Germany managed to hold on to their two-goal lead as they secured three massive points in the race to qualify for the 2027 U21 European championship.
The remaining three rounds of the group stage will be played in the first international break of next season. Di Salvo’s side will end their campaign at home against Georgia after facing Latvia and Malta away from home.
The Top 50 earners among athletes all time have brought home a combined $53.2 billion when adjusted for inflation and $37.7 billion on a nominal basis through the end of 2024. They represent eight different sports and 16 countries around the globe. NBA players lead the way with 13 entries, headed by Michael Jordan and his decades of Nike earnings. Serena Williams is the lone female athlete to make the cut. (For a full analysis, click here.)
Our earnings estimates are based on conversations with industry insiders, Sportico research and historical estimates in media outlets, such as Forbes and Sports Illustrated.
Earnings include salaries, bonuses, prize money, purses, endorsements, licensing, royalties, memorabilia, book deals, media, appearance fees and golf course design fees. The salary components do not include deferred compensation until it is paid out.
We included cash earned from equity stakes in sponsor companies when those companies were sold, such as LeBron James’ stake in Beats Electronics and James Harden’s shares of BodyArmor. Also factored in was Lionel Messi’s piece of Inter Miami as part of his agreement to join the MLS club, and the equity payments by Authentic Brands Group to secure marketing rights for David Beckham and Shaquille O’Neal. We did not factor in traditional investment income.
Sportico included earnings during playing careers and in retirement through 2024 and adjusted them for inflation. For Arnold Palmer and Kobe Bryant, earnings are calculated up until the time of death. All earnings are pre-tax and before any fees for agents and lawyers.
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Italy vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina live score: World Cup playoff result, stats as Azzurri face all-or-nothing showdown originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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Sweden 2018… North Macedonia 2022… Bosnia and Herzegovina 2026?
After two consecutive playoff humiliations, Italy travel to Zenica looking to reach their first World Cup since the 2014 tournament in Brazil.
Gennaro Gattuso's side were laboured at times before getting the job done in the semifinals of this UEFA playoff path with a 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland in Bergamo.
Bosnia and Herzegovina secured a home playoff after beating Wales on penalties and also last featured at the finals in 2014. Veteran captain Edin Dzeko was on target in Cardiff, and the former Roma and Inter Milan striker would dearly love to feature on the biggest stage one last time.
MORE:Get a full look at all the World Cup playoff brackets here
Location: Bilino Polje (Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Referee: Clement Turpin (FRA)
Starting lineups:
Bosnia and Herzegovina (4-4-2, right to left): 1. Vasilj — 7. Dedic, 4. Muharemovic, 18. Katic, 32. Kolasinac — 20. Bajraktarevic, 13, Basic, 14. Sunjic, 15. Memic — 10. Demirovic, 11. Dzeko
Italy (3-5-2, right to left): 1. Donnarumma (GK) — 23. Mancini, 21. Bastoni, 13. Calafiori — 7. Politano, 18. Barella, 5. Locatelli, 8. Tonali, 3. Dimarco — 11. Kean, 9. Retegui
2026 WORLD CUP HQ:Live World Cup playoff scores | World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup tickets
40 mins before kickoff: Here's the Italy team bus arriving at Bilino Polje. Home advantage could be key for Bosnia tonight.
The Italians arrive at Stadium Bilino Polje. #BIHITA 🇧🇦🇮🇹 🎥: https://t.co/nlKCqfWp6Dpic.twitter.com/BP99GK8PN6
— Bosnian Football (@BosniaNTBall) March 31, 2026
1 hour before kickoff: And this is how the Bosnia team looks. It'll be the hosts' 4-4-2 against Gattuso's 3-5-2.
🇧🇦🆚🇮🇹 Još sat i 20 minuta do početka utakmice - do velikog finala.
— NFS BIH (@NFSBiH) March 31, 2026
Selektor Sergej Barbarez izabrao je 11 Zmajeva koji će večeras početi utakmicu.
💙💛Sretno Zmajevi! 🐉Nikad sama nisi ti...#NFSBiH#zmajevi#europeanqualifiers#worldcup2026qualifiers#dreambigdreambihpic.twitter.com/QAPi17TTOD
1 hr 15 mins before kickoff: The teams are in. Italy are unchanged from the Northern Ireland game.
Gattuso names his XI for our World Cup play-off final 💪📋#Azzurri#VivoAzzurro#BIHITApic.twitter.com/QfgOWW3hOc
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) March 31, 2026
1 hr 30 mins before kickoff: It's wild to think that the last time either of these sides featured at a World Cup was 2014. Both failed to make it past the group stage as well; Bosnia on their first ever appearance at the tournament and Italy maintaining an unbroken run of featuring at ever World Cup from 1962.
2 hours to kickoff: It wasn't particularly pretty, but Italy got past Northern Ireland to book this final showdown with Bosnia and Herzegovina for a place at the World Cup. Bosnia beat Wales on penalties after a late penalty from their veteran captain Edin Dzeko and have home advantage. It might not take much to set Azzurri nerves jangling after missing out on the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. It can't happen to the four-time winner again... can it?
MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:
This UEFA World Cup playoff final match kicks off at Bilino Polje on Tuesday, March 31 at 8:45 p.m. local time in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories around the globe
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA/Canada | Tue, Mar. 31 | 2:45 p.m. ET |
| USA/Canada | Tue, Mar. 31 | 11:45 p.m. PT |
| UK | Tue, Mar. 31 | 7:45 p.m. BST |
| Australia | Wed, Apr. 1 | 5:45 a.m. AEDT |
| India | Wed, Apr. 1 | 0:15 a.m. IST |
Bosnia boss Sergej Barbarez has the opportunity to stick with a settled line-up.
Edin Dzeko, now 40, was substituted after regulation time against Wales and should be ready to go again up front alongside Ermedin Demirovic.
Ivan Basic gets the nod over Benjamin Tahirovic having replaced his fellow midfielder after the hour in Cardiff
Bosnia and Herzegovina starting lineup (4-4-2): Vasilj — Dedic, Muharemovic, Katic, Kolasinac — Bajraktare, Basic, Sunjic, Memic — Demirovic, Dzeko
Bosnia and Herzegovina subs:Hadzikic (GK), Zlomislic (GK), Celik, Tahirovic, Gigovic, Bazdar, Hadziahmetovic, Burnic, Alajbegovic, Radeljic, Tabakovic
Gennaro Gattuso could stick with the same XI that faced Northern Ireland, although towering Inter Milan youngster Pio Esposito could nudge Mateo Retegui out of the starting XI.
Fellow striker Gianluca Scamacca is still struggling with an adductor problem
Italy starting lineup (3-5-2): Donnarumma (GK) — Mancini, Bastoni, Calafiori — Politano, Barella, Locatelli, Tonali, Dimarco — Kean, Retegui
Italy subs:Carnesecchi (GK), Meret (GK), Palestra, Spinazzola, Buongiorno, Raspadori, Pisilli, Esposito, Cristante, Frattesi, Gatti, Cambiaso
Here is how to watch the match in some of the world's major regions:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| USA | Fox Sports 1 | Fubo, Foxsports.com, Fox Sports App, ViX |
| Canada | Fubo TV Canada | DAZN |
| UK | — | Amazon Prime Video |
| Australia | — | Stan Sport |
| India | — | — |
After a viral exchange in the final moments of UConn's upset win over Duke with Huskies coach Dan Hurley, longtime college basketball referee Roger Ayers was not selected to be a part of the crew for the Final Four.
Ayers has officiated seven Final Fours, including last season's, but he was not among the 11 officials chosen this year. Following Braylon Mullins' game-winning shot with 0.4 seconds left, Hurley got in Ayers' face as the two appeared to bump heads.
There's no evidence that Ayers going unselected had anything to do with that viral moment with Hurley, and he told ESPN's Seth Greenberg after the fact that the exchange was "absolutely nothing."
Hurley was not called for a technical foul after the incident, which prompted quite a bit of discussion online. Basketball analyst Seth Davis noted that Hurley and Ayers have known each other for a long time and suggested the exchange was not meant to taunt or intimidate the referee.
Contact/Follow @College_Wire on X and @College_Wires on Threads. Like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of college sports news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Final Four: Referee from viral Dan Hurley clip not selected
The Tush Push remains legal. The Cleveland Browns' attempt to extend their self-sabotage from three years of draft picks to five was rescinded. But that doesn't mean we aren't getting new NFL rules for 2026.
The NFL's annual spring meeting isn't just about seeing which coaches can and can't pull off shorts with a long-sleeved tee. It's also where the league comes together to tweak the rulebook it's been rewriting for more than a century.
The bulk of this year's changes are tweaks to the still-evolving dynamic kickoff. The new kicking rules have been vital in creating more returns where touchbacks once ruled, but still had some areas that could be exploited. This spring's reforms hope to close a few loopholes while making the game a bit more interesting.
Here are this year's new rules, all proposed by the NFL's Competition Committee, and what they'll mean for 2026.
The 2024 kickoff change had a ripple effect on onside kicks. At first, teams could only declare an onside kick -- necessary thanks to the new formation that separates the kicker from his 10 teammates well behind the landing zone -- if trailing in the fourth quarter. That was amended in 2025 to allow a team that was trailing to attempt an onside kick at any time. In 2026, a team can declare its intention for an onside kick at any time regardless of whether it is winning or losing.
It's a minor change that will have a minimal effect on the game, but could come into play.
League offices in New York will have the power to overrule a blatant mistake with a potential referee strike on the horizon. Essentially, this is to ensure we never again have a Fail Mary (and the subsequent leverage it gave the NFL Referees Association in their previous standoff).
11 years ago tonight: the Fail Mary ends the Replacement Ref era pic.twitter.com/ld8U5TS5vK
— Bad Sports Refs (@BadSportsRefs) September 25, 2023
This will effect kickoffs, but not in an obvious way to the casual viewer. Previously, the receiving team had to place a minimum of six players lined up with their front foot on the restraining line. Now, only five will have to be there.
The players who do not set up on the restraining line have a bit more freedom. Previously, only three of them could be in the setup zone. Now that number is four, working in line with the one fewer blocker up front. You can't cluster those four players in front of the returners behind them, however. At least one player will have to be lined up between the sideline and inbounds line on either side of the field.
This was the most obvious fix. The NFL's new kickoff rules have been a proper improvement when it comes to producing more returns. Evidence suggests it's been safer as well, though there's a need for long-term data there. There was a loophole however; the leftover rule that declared kickoffs out of bounds would be placed 25 yards from the spot of the kick.
That wasn't a problem for traditional kicks from a team's own 35-yard line. But following a personal conduct penalty, the kicking team could be lined up at midfield. Blasting a kick out of bounds would give their opponent the ball at their own 25-yard line -- five yards *behind* where they'd be if a team opted to kick the ball out of the end zone.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: 4 new NFL rules for 2026, including a replacement ref insurance policy
Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has named Lamine Yamal in his starting XI again on Tuesday night for his team’s friendly with Egypt.
Yamal is the only player to start both games for La Roja over the international break, with De la Fuente making 10 changes to his team.
David Raya starts in goal behind a backline of Pedro Porro, Cristhian Mosquera, Dean Huijsen and Alex Grimaldo.
Carlos Soler, Pablo Fornals and Dani Olmo are the midfield three behind a frontline of Yamal, Ferran Torres and Ander Barrenetxea.
De la Fuente did say before the game he planned to make changes but also said he wanted to field a team that could win.
”He might be in contention to start because we want to win. We need to freshen up the team, but obviously to avoid tiring out the players, all of them,” he told reporters at a press conference.
“I understand that the Barça manager is interested, I understand that everyone has their own preferences, but I have to consider everyone’s feelings. I have to field a team that can win.”
Barcelona will be keeping their fingers crossed Yamal comes through unscathed, particularly after losing Raphinha to injury over the international break.
The middle game of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ series against the Cleveland Guardians will be the first pitching start for Shohei Ohtani, who coincidentally is the second in a series of Japanese pitchers.
Roki Sasaki pitched in Monday night’s game, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto will pitch in Wednesday afternoon’s finale.
Because of the World Baseball Classic, Ohtani only pitched in two games in Spring Training. He went 1-1 with a 3.24 ERA, striking out 15 batters across 8.1 innings of work. 11 of those K’s came in his last outing a week ago against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. After that outing, both Ohtani and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts felt good about where Ohtani was in his preparation for the regular season.
This will be the first in what Ohtani and the Dodgers organization hope will be a fully healthy season for Shohei that will see him take the mound 25 times. Ohtani called every Dodger pitcher making 25 starts “ideal” after his first outing in Arizona.
For how long this first outing will last, Roberts said the plan was about six innings.
“Honestly, with Shohei, you’ve got to be willing to adapt,” Roberts said. “Because if he’s really efficient, then you’re still trying to win the game. And if it makes sense, I’m not going to just pull the plug just because of a certain number.”
Ohtani would also like to see the Dodgers offense give him some run support. The team has yet to have the first lead of the game in the four they have played so far. The first three saw them able to mount a comeback, but in Monday night’s game they could only muster two runs in the bottom of the ninth, which were not enough to beat the Guardians.
Miguel Rojas and Andy Pages are the only two Dodgers so far that are hitting with any great consistency. The Dodgers will be facing right hander Tanner Bibee, who pitched the first game of the Guardian’s season against the Seattle Mariners, going 5.0 innings and allowing three earned runs while striking out seven.
Great teams, regardless of sport, find different ways to win. It doesn’t matter if it’s a close win decided by one singular swing of momentum or a blowout, decided long before the end of the game. In the case of the Husky softball team, they got their 4 wins this week in a variety of ways, but at 30-6, with 20 straight wins, it looks like this team is on its way to joining that pantheon of great teams, in large part due to how they win.
Before the big road series against Iowa, the Huskies had a quick road stop against Loyola Chicago. A Giselle Alvarez solo shot in the fifth got the scoring started, but the game really broke open when Kaycie Burdick hit her first career home run, a grand slam:
First career home run and it's a GRAND SLAM for Kaycie Burdick! 💣
— Washington Softball (@UWSoftball) March 24, 2026
📺 @ESPNPluspic.twitter.com/wDIq5nfRFf
Another shot from Alvarez, and another homer from Burdick pushed the score to 7-0, where it would stay, giving the Huskies the win and extra momentum for another tough conference road trip against the Iowa Hawkeyes. The first game would not start well, with the Dawgs falling behind 3-0 by the top of the third inning. Jade Bubke and Jaydn Glab responded with a solo home run, and 3 run home run respectively, pushing the Huskies in front 4-3. After Iowa’s Naiyln Marshall responded with a solo homer to tie the game at 4, the Huskies responded with a fierce 7 run 4th inning rally. It started with Alexis Deboer drawing a walk with the bases loaded to give the Huskies the lead, 5-4. Then Giselle Alvarez scored Jade Bubke on a sac fly, with Kaycie Burdick subsequently scoring on a wild pitch. What broke this one open, though, wasn’t a big, back-breaking homer or hit in the gap, but a throwaway E4, which scored 3. Like I said at the top, great teams find ways to win.
A Hawkeye miscue ushers in three more runs for the Dawgs!
— Washington Softball (@UWSoftball) March 28, 2026
UW 10, Iowa 4
📺 @BigTenPluspic.twitter.com/qmm2Ha1AZ8
After Melody Acevedo’s sac fly scored Ava Carroll to make it 11-4, the Huskies gave up 1 run in the bottom of the fifth, before a pair of homers by Alvarez and Carroll made it 16-5. Though Iowa scored 2 more in the 7th to make it more respectful, it wasn’t enough, as the Huskies ultimately prevailed 16-7.
The Huskies would continue their offensive explosion in game 2, putting up 10 runs on 11 hits. But perhaps more impressive than the run total, was the combined no hitter tossed by Sophia Ramuno and Rylee Rehbein. Ramuno worked 5 and 2/3rds innings, throwing 90 pitches and fanning 6 Hawkeye batters. However, with Ramuno an out away from a no no, she came up wincing, necessitating Rehbein to come in to come up with a final out, which she did:
Chuckling at how Rylee Rehbein will go in the scorebooks for a combined no-no even though all she did was issue a walk after inheriting a 3-0 count, and then throw a pitch in the dirt to the next batter that Iowa tried to advance on but got thrown out, ending the game
— Softball-Addict(Ed) Strong (@ByEdStrong) March 28, 2026
Offensively, Jaydn Glab continued her stellar campaign, scoring 2 runs and driving in a run off a double. Kaycie Burdick also had a great game, going 2-4, scoring 2 runs and driving in another of her own. This kind of at-will offensive firepower will prove troublesome for teams as the Dawgs get deeper in the Big Ten schedule. But don’t think that this series was all combined no hitters and relentless offense! Sometimes you have your back against the wall, sometimes you go to extras, like in the series finale.
This was a back and forth game, with both teams answering each other’s offense. After the game was knotted up at 4 after the third (thanks to a 2 run shot by Jaydn Glab), both teams went back and forth, with one run each until the 6th. Tied at 6 all, it would take until the 10th to break the deadlock:
CLUTCH. AVA CARROLL. HUSKIES TAKE THE LEAD.
— Washington Softball (@UWSoftball) March 29, 2026
📺 @BigTenPluspic.twitter.com/TVdceuv5Bv
With the Hawkeyes on the ropes and clearly shaken, the Huskies loaded the bases, and Giselle Alvarez got hit by a pitch, bringing home Sophi Mazzola. A Jaydn Glab single drove in 2 more runs, and Morgan Reimer shut the door on Iowa, sweeping the series for the Dawgs and earning her 19th win:
Good morning from the only undefeated team in the Big Ten 😄 pic.twitter.com/8JaK08XjJ7
— Washington Softball (@UWSoftball) March 30, 2026
At 30-6, the Huskies are on another road trip this week, as they head to Palo Alto to take on Saint Mary’s and Stanford. I am eager to see if they can extend this remarkable 20 game win streak, and with the way they have been playing and winning, I am hopeful that they will be able to. Because, as I said at the top, great teams find ways to win!
Roberto De Zerbi’s appointment as Tottenham manager “raises serious and far-reaching concerns” following his public support of former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood, the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust (THST) has said.
De Zerbi has signed a five-year contract at Spurs with the club facing a relegation battle, sitting just one point above the relegation zone with seven games remaining. De Zerbi, who previously managed Brighton in the Premier League, replaces the interim manager Igor Tudor, following the Croatian’s disastrous 44-day spell in charge.
But several Tottenham supporters’ groups, including Proud Lilywhites, urged the club to not appoint De Zerbi due to the Italian having backed Greenwood during his time in charge in charge of Marseille. The TST said those concerns were brought to the club directly while Spurs considered De Zerbi’s appointment.
Greenwood was charged in October 2022 with one count of attempted rape, one count of controlling and coercive behaviour and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm over allegations relating to a young women after images and videos were posted online.
The Crown Prosecution Service dropped the charges in February 2023 owing to a “combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses” and due to “no realistic prospect of conviction”.
In November, De Zerbi described Greenwood as a “good guy” that had paid a “heavy price” and added: “It saddens me what happened in his life, because I know a totally different person than the one who was described.”
In a statement, the TST said De Zerbi’s comments on Greenwood were “unnecessary, ill-judged, and deeply offensive to a significant number of supporters and, without doubt, will have left victims of male violence alarmed”.
The group said the appointment of De Zerbi could “create a divide among supporters at a time when we all need to be pulling together to back the team” and it was “concerning that the club would put us in this position right when the team needs fans the most”.
On De Zerbi’s comments, the TST said: “If those remarks reflect his genuine views, they cast a troubling shadow over the values of the club we love.”
The TST also called on Tottenham to “reassert its commitment to the values that fans hold dear - chief among them equality, respect, and integrity” and said any future messages from De Zerbi “must clearly and unequivocally reaffirm these values”.
Tottenham considered and discussed De Zerbi’s backing of Greenwood and his comments about him during negotiations with the Italian, but sporting director Johan Lange confirmed the club had landed their “number one target for the summer” and Spurs were “pleased to be able to bring him in now”.
In a statement accompanying Tottenham’s announcement, De Zerbi insisted he is committed to the club’s “ambition for the future”. The Italian lasted less than two seasons in his previous two spells at Brighton and Marseille, and he has been immediately thrown into a relegation battle.
The THST said: “While we recognise the limited pool of managers with recent Premier League experience, and the need to act with urgency as Spurs face the prospect of relegation, this appointment raises serious and far-reaching concerns, and many fans have been in touch with us to urge us to communicate the strength of feeling.”
In a statement following De Zerbi’s appointment, Proud Lilywhites said: “Whilst we disagree with the managerial choice, in terms of culture and competence, we will continue to support the players without pretending to be comfortable with the appointment.
“Staying silent is not the answer. But choosing when and where to be vocal matters. Managers come and go. Executives come and go. Players come and go. Fans remain. We are the constant in this club. We will continue to represent the views of our members to the club, alongside the other supporter associations. This is not noise or reaction. It is a considered position, and it is not going away.”
Tottenham Hotspur have been contacted for comment
The Minnesota Vikings are keeping their eyes on the 2026 season as they look to capitalize on a small window they have to win now. They made a move to be aggressive at quarterback by signing Kyler Murray to compete with J.J. McCarthy, they brought back some key veterans we thought wouldn't be, and now they are geared up for a productive draft cycle.
After all of that, though, the slow season will mean the team will start to look ahead and see what is in store for them in 2027. In fact, ESPN has already started looking ahead as they have dropped some way-too-early rankings for the class, and two Vikings made the cut in tight end T.J. Hockenson and linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel.
ESPN's Matt Bowen wrote up both players, starting with Hockenson, saying, "At his best, Hockenson should be viewed as a rugged, three-down tight end who can win in the middle of the field or on seams and corner routes." As for Van Ginkel, he explains his inclusion, writing, "After 11.5 sacks in 2024, Van Ginkel recorded 7.5 in 12 games last season. His skill set fits best in a defense that schemes one-on-one matchups and stunts for him off the edges as an outside linebacker."
The team could move on from Hockenson after reworking his contract, but it is hard to imagine they move on from Van Ginkel as long as Brian Flores is around. Lots of time to see how things unfold between now and next offseason, but some things to consider here for the fans and team alike.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: NFL Free Agency: Vikings have some tough decisions to make in 2027
Alabama softball took care of business before its upcoming showdown with the No. 1 ranked team in the nation.
The Crimson Tide (33-2 overall, 7-2 SEC) defeated North Dakota State, 8-1, on Friday night at Rhoads Stadium before run-ruling the Bison in a 13-0 shutout in five innings Saturday. After sweeping the two-game set, Alabama will face the Texas Longhorns (31-2, 8-1) in a three-game series beginning Thursday in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama's two victories over the Bison were part of a 4-0 week that included a doubleheader sweep of Jacksonville State and North Alabama on Wednesday. Brooke Wells clubbed four home runs last week, including two in the Tide's 10-3 win over Jacksonville State.
Alabama hit eight homers in its four games and outscored opponents, 43-4. Vic Moten picked up two wins in the circle while Jocelyn Briski notched her 13th of the season and lowered her ERA to 1.28 in 15 outings. Moten improved to 13-2 in 17 appearances this season and lowered her ERA to 1.47.
Alabama is batting .354 for the season. The Crimson Tide have totaled 63 home runs this season. Coach Patrick Murphy's team has also outscored its opponents, 255-51. In the circle, Alabama has combined for a 1.41 ERA in 223 innings. The Tide have a plus-5:1 strikeout-to-walk radio with 287 strikeouts to 57 walks.
Wells (.467/.578/1.044) and Alexis Pupillo (.450/.517/.910) lead Alabama at the plate, having combined for 27 home runs and 43 extra base hits.
In Tuesday's new Week 8 NFCA/GoRout Division I Top 25 Coaches Poll, Alabama rose two spots to No. 4. The Crimson Tide jumped past two SEC rivals in the rankings: the Florida Gators and Tennessee Lady Vols.
Florida dropped two of three over the weekend in Fayetteville to a top-10 Arkansas Razorbacks team. Tennessee also lost a weekend series, dropping two of three to the unranked Ole Miss Rebels.
Alabama trails Texas, runner-up Texas Tech, and Oklahoma in the Coaches Poll. The Sooners won two of three at LSU. Texas won two of three against Texas A&M, but the Longhorns saw their 29-game winning streak come to an end with Sunday's 9-7 loss.
Texas held on to the top spot for the third week in a row. Oklahoma and Alabama each rose two spots to Nos. 3 and 4, respectively. Florida fell to two spots to No. 5. Tennessee, which had spent five weeks at No. 1 earlier this season, fell for the second straight week. The Lady Vols dropped three spots to No. 7.
The Coaches Poll is still dominated by SEC schools, with six teams in the top 10 and 11 in the top 25 overall.
Here's a look at the full rankings as of March 31.
| Rank | Team | Record | Points | Previous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas (20) | 31-2 | 764 | 1 |
| 2 | Texas Tech (11) | 34-2 | 755 | 2 |
| 3 | Oklahoma | 34-3 | 687 | 5 |
| 4 | Alabama | 33-2 | 656 | 6 |
| 5 | Florida | 33-4 | 642 | 3 |
| 6 | Florida State | 32-4 | 593 | 8 |
| 7 | Tennessee | 30-5 | 591 | 4 |
| 8 | Nebraska | 26-6 | 568 | 9 |
| 9 | Arkansas | 30-5 | 527 | 10 |
| 10 | UCLA | 29-4 | 516 | 7 |
| 11 | Virginia Tech | 31-4 | 485 | 11 |
| 12 | Virginia | 31-3 | 402 | 13 |
| 13 | Mississippi State | 31-7 | 388 | 12 |
| 14 | Arizona | 27-8 | 376 | 14 |
| 15 | Georgia | 27-8 | 360 | 15 |
| 16 | Texas A&M | 24-11 | 291 | 16 |
| 17 | Grand Canyon | 36-2 | 259 | 17 |
| 18 | Oregon | 26-9 | 224 | 18 |
| 19 | Oklahoma State | 25-10 | 189 | 21 |
| 20 | Arizona State | 28-9 | 163 | 22 |
| 21 | Washington | 30-6 | 143 | 25 |
| 22 | LSU | 23-12 | 140 | 20 |
| 23 | Duke | 24-11 | 124 | 24 |
| 24 | Stanford | 20-10 | 114 | 19 |
| 25 | South Carolina | 22-14 | 42 | 23 |
UCF (26), Louisville (18), Southeastern Louisiana (17), Belmont (7), North Carolina (6), Clemson (2).
3 takeaways from Alabama's two-game series sweep vs. NDSU
— Roll Tide Wire (@RollTideWire) March 30, 2026
📸 Gary Cosby Jr., Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images https://t.co/YUmCqar9iapic.twitter.com/OM31JbZy8g
Two of the three games between the top-ranked Longhorns and fourth-ranked Crimson Tide will be televised nationally. While Thursday's series opener in Tuscaloosa is scheduled for SEC Network+ (streaming only), Friday's game will be televised on SEC Network. Saturday's series finale will broadcast on ESPN.
Here's a look at Alabama's full 2026 SEC softball schedule. All tentative start times Central.
Record: 33-2.
Follow us @RollTideWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Alabama Crimson Tide news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama softball's Coaches Poll ranking after latest top 5 reshuffle
WWE is set to honor one of its most unconventional and intimidating figures, as Bad News Brown has been named a legacy inductee in the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026.
The official announcement recognizes the late Allen James Coage, whose path to wrestling notoriety began far outside the ring. Before stepping into sports entertainment, Coage built an elite reputation in judo, capturing a bronze medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics. His achievement marked a historic milestone, making him the first Black man to win an individual Olympic medal in a sport outside boxing or track and field.
That same disciplined, hard-hitting style translated seamlessly into his wrestling persona. After training under Antonio Inoki in Japan, Coage—then competing as Bad News Allen—gained traction in Stampede Wrestling, where he squared off against rising stars like Bret Hart.
By the time he arrived in WWE in 1988 as Bad News Brown, he had developed a reputation as a fierce loner, known for his punishing enzuigiri and refusal to align with other competitors.
Brown’s character stood apart in an era defined by clear-cut heroes and villains. He openly clashed with authority figures like then-WWE President Jack Tunney and targeted top stars, including Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage.
His rivalry with Roddy Piper spilled over from the 1990 Royal Rumble into a heated feud that culminated at WrestleMania VI.
One of his most memorable storylines came later that year against Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts, where Brown’s on-screen fear of snakes became central to their feud.
Despite his attempts to counter Roberts’ psychological tactics, Brown ultimately exited WWE following SummerSlam 1990, later citing frustrations over unfulfilled promises, including the opportunity to become the company’s first Black champion.
Outside the ring, Coage’s life reflected the same resilience that defined his in-ring persona. Raised in Harlem and later Queens, he rose from working in a bakery to becoming a five-time Amateur Athletic Union judo champion and Pan American Games gold medalist.
He also briefly worked as a bodyguard for Aretha Franklin before fully committing to wrestling. After retiring in 1999 due to knee injuries, he remained connected to the sport through training and mentorship.
Coage passed away in 2007 at the age of 63 from a heart attack.
Michigan AG Sues Kalshi, Says Its Sports Prediction Markets Are Illegal Betting
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Utah under Kyle Whittingham has long been a contender. And the Pac-12 and Big 12 (both of which Utah was in) had sent teams to the College Football Playoff even when it was a four-team invitational.
But there's something different about being a part of one of the traditional powerhouses of the Big Ten.
That's not only the case for Whittingham and much of the new coaching staff, who came either from the perceived lesser Power Four conference or from even more humble beginnings. But for a player like John Henry Daley, coming to Ann Arbor is a drastic change, not just because of the tradition that permeates through Michigan football, but because of the extant players who have lived and breathed it for some time.
So, from Daley's perspective, mixing Whittingham's success, his vision, and his mantra with the expectation of winning bigger things? That's where it all comes together.
"I think it's great to an extent to have some guys who already know it, but also coming here and meeting all the guys on the team," Daley said. "I mean, we got a lot of dogs on this team that got a lot of high aspirations and very high expectations for themselves to be able to perform at the highest level. And so I feel like they already have that will that they want to be great. And now the coaches are just coming in and saying, hey, let's build on top of that. Let's go do that. And so all in all, I mean, couldn't ask for more.
"You know, honestly, with this roster, with these players, with these coaches, I feel like we're building something great."
Daley had already shared how he marveled at seeing The Big House with the national championship banner hanging underneath the scoreboards. The Wolverines have that, whereas the Utes (or BYU Cougars, where he started) don't have any recent national championships (Utah has an unclaimed 2008 championship, and BYU won one in 1984).
It will be interesting to see the dynamic of the try-hard staff and players who excelled under their tutelage, mixed with players who either played on a national championship team, or came aboard soon after it had been won.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan football transfer John Henry Daley on new team
Illinois’ Brad Underwood coached for 26 years before landing his first Division I head coaching job.
Now in Year 39, the well-traveled 62-year-old is finally heading to the Final Four, where the Fighting Illini meet UConn on Saturday.
He’s doing it in what he’s long referred to as his dream job. In 2013 while in that first DI head coaching job at Stephen F. Austin, he told his administrative assistant about his ambition to coach the Fighting Illini one day. And she wrote it down.
When he was named Illinois coach in 2017, she presented him with that meaningful piece of paper containing his intention to lead this team.
In the place he always wanted to be, Underwood has the Fighting Illini in the Final Four for the first time since 2005, trying to bring home a first national title.
“I’ve been fortunate to be around great mentors, great coaches,” he said. “I just bided my time, found a group that’s magical. We’re living the dream.”
Though he’s living the dream now, it came only after decades of toiling in relative obscurity.
There were four years at Dodge City Community College starting in 1988 where he was not only the coach but the team’s bus driver for road games. Then came 10 years as an assistant for Jim Kerwin at Western Illinois, where he was “not making very much money and raising three kids and literally being gone five days a week.”
The next stop was Daytona Beach Community College from 2003-06, which also was not the most glamorous job but had a nice perk.
“It was an incredible place to help raise our kids, going to the beach every weekend," he said. "And I loved coaching ball in junior college.”
After that he worked as an assistant, first for Bob Huggins followed by Frank Martin, at Kansas State from 2006-12. He followed Martin to South Carolina, where he spent one season before landing at Stephen F. Austin.
“I’ve been blessed along the way because I’ve worked for nothing but winners for head coaches and people who allowed me to grow,” Underwood said.
At Stephen F. Austin he was named Southland Conference coach of the year in each of his three seasons. The Lumberjacks won the league tournament to advance to the NCAA Tournament every year under him.
He spent one season at Oklahoma State, where he went 20-13 and led the Cowboys to March Madness before landing his coveted job in 2017.
After three seasons building the team, he turned the Fighting Illini into perennial NCAA Tournament contenders. This is their sixth straight season in the tournament and the second time in three years that they have advanced to the Sweet 16.
“It’s been maybe a different path than most, but one that I sure wouldn’t — there’s not one step of it that I would give up,” he said. “Because I’ve been beyond blessed to work for great people who helped prepare me to get to these moments.”
His success this season comes after he began prioritizing recruiting in Eastern Europe. The Illini have a roster that includes four players from Eastern Europe and Andrej Stojakovic, who was born in Greece but whose father is Serbian three-time NBA All-Star Peja Stojakovic.
The squad is led by consensus second-team All-American point guard Keaton Wagler. The freshman scored 25 points in a win over Iowa to earn South Region tournament MVP and punch the Fighting Illini’s ticket to the Final Four.
Wagler said he knew soon after meeting Underwood that Illinois was the school for him.
“He’s super competitive and that’s what I like about him,” Wagler said. “He hates to lose. I hate to lose. So, it just combined really well. Just talking to him just throughout the whole recruiting process, I knew that this was the place I wanted to be.”
Underwood got emotional as he was cutting down the net after the victory over the Hawkeyes. So many years and all those stops brought him right where he was supposed to be.
Now he’s just two wins away from bringing Illinois to heights never seen before.
“You believe in something so much that it drives me every single day to want to make it happen,” he said.
___
AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness
On this week’s Out of the Blue podcast, Jared and Andrew break down Michigan’s historical run of dominance to reach the Final Four for the first time since 2018. Next, the boys dive into Arizona, compare it the 2024 Rose Bowl, and discuss how Michigan can win its toughest game of the season.
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When it comes to professional athletes recovering from injuries, no news is usually good news.
That should bode well for Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who is working his way back from a torn ACL and LCL. When Chiefs head coach Andy Reid spoke to reporters at the annual league meeting on March 31, he gave something of a there-is-no-update update on his star quarterback.
Asked about Mahomes' timeline to return from injury, Reid said he'll leave it to the medical team to determine whether or not the quarterback is "ahead of schedule" in his recovery.
"I'm going to defer to the experts on that," Reid said when asked if Mahomes would be limited for training camp. "So, if he's good to go, he'll go. If he's not, we'll manage that. So, we'll just cross it as we go. Everybody's different. Everybody heals different. Everybody's injuries are a little bit different. We don't have to put him in a category. We'll see, see where it goes."
Reid added that it's been all "positive" for the passer during his rehab.
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According to an article published by Arthroscopy, recovery from an ACL tear "typically spans 9 to 12 months." The "return to sport" phase ranges from 6-12 months, with the 9-12 month range listed as a likely timeline for return to competition.
Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL on Dec. 14 during a Week 15 game against the Los Angeles Chargers. He underwent surgery to repair the ligaments in his knee the following day.
On March 25 – just over three months after his operation – Mahomes posted a video of himself throwing a football with a compression sleeve on his left leg.
#Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes posted a video of himself dropping back and throwing — exactly 100 days since his ACL surgery.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 25, 2026
He’s been attacking his rehab hard. 😤 pic.twitter.com/iuK2jT93VG
In a recent report, journalist Pete O’Rourke claimed that Tottenham Hotspur forward Dominic Solanke is on the radar of Newcastle United ahead of the summer transfer window. It is understood that Spurs are willing to accept a cut-price offer for the English striker as the Magpies look to recruit him this summer.
Solanke has caught the eye at times for the North London club on the offensive end of the field during this campaign. The 28-year-old has found the back of the net on six occasions in 17 appearances for Spurs this season across various competitions.
On his day, the English sensation can be a streaky goal-getter in the Premier League. Thus, it is no wonder that the Magpies are showing interest in signing him this summer.
His current contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will run out in the summer of 2030. Therefore, Spurs are under no immediate pressure to cash in on him this off-season.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 27: Dominic Solanke of England during the international friendly match between England and Uruguay at Wembley Stadium on March 27, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Solanke excels at finding a yard of space for himself to get some strikes in at goal. He has got the eye to play some decisive passes on the offensive end of the field and is a good dribbler with the ball at his feet.
Standing at 1.86m, the English striker can use his strong 1.86m frame to dominate the opposition defenders in the air. However, he has to find a way to be more consistent in front of the opposition goal. Plus, the talented forward needs to find a way to improve his link-up play up top.
Solanke has got a wealth of experience in the Premier League and could grow into a future star for them in the coming years. Therefore, Tottenham would be wise not to cash in on him unless they get relegated from the Premier League.
At 28, Solanke is about to enter his prime, so Spurs should consider keeping hold of him for the time being. He might even help the North London club get back to challenging for a top-four spot in the Premier League over the next few years. With all things considered, Spurs would be wise to retain Solanke’s services beyond the end of this campaign.
It was heartache for the Welsh national side, losing on penalties to Bosnia & Herzegovina in a match that they should have won. Having watched that game, rather than the Ireland one on at the same time, in order to have a closer look at the style of football Bellamy has his side playing, I have to say that I was impressed and the style of football on show would be more than acceptable, should Bellamy get the Celtic job.
Joe Ledley has returned to his subject today and the former Welsh International makes a strong case for Bellamy returning to the club this time as manager.
“Craig Bellamy is a perfect fit for Celtic,” Ledley said as reported by Daily Record. “They’ll almost definitely be looking for a new manager in the summer, unless Martin O’Neill wins the league and considers staying on for another year.”
Even if Martin O’Neill does win the Scottish Premiership and adds a Scottish Cup to the trophy cabinet at Celtic Park to sit alongside, it’s still extremely unlikely that he’d be asked at 74 to take on the responsibility of a huge summer rebuild at the club.
It’s going to be a new manager and a new era at the football club but how that will look has got so many unknowns at the moment, it would be crazy to speculate.
So there will be a new manager, that is a given.
Joe Ledley continued with his Bellamy pitch: “And in Craig, you’ve got someone who studies absolutely everything in detail, he likes to play on the front foot, it’s all about possession and being attack-minded.
“But he also knows what it means for that club, having played there. He knows what the fans want and expect. He’s young, he’s hungry… I just think he’s perfect for that job.
“I know a lot of people up in Scotland like the look of the Motherwell manager(Jens Berthel Askou), so I’d say those two names are the ones who’ll be on the club’s radar… but for me, Craig is perfect.”
“The big question is whether Wales will be able to keep hold of Craig Bellamy, because I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of speculation around him coming up in the near future.
“He’s someone I keep in touch with quite a lot, because we played for the national team together. And I’m sure he’ll have been reflecting a lot over the last few days on what his next move might be.
“There’s no getting around it; he’ll be heartbroken that he hasn’t managed to get Wales to a World Cup, and I’m sure a few people inside the FAW are thinking it’ll be difficult to keep hold of him because of the job he’s done. Hopefully we can keep him – I’m just not sure we’re going to be able to.
“This has been his first position as a manager, and he’s dealt with some huge tests, and under a lot of pressure. He will have learned a lot from all of that. And, you know, the way he studies the game… he’s obsessive.
Craig Bellamy, Head Coach of Wales speaks to the media during a press conference at Wembley Stadium on October 08, 2025. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
“He loves being around the training ground, doing all of the analysis, and that’s why I could see him going into club football pretty soon, to be honest.
“From finishing second ahead of North Macedonia, to last week’s game against Bosnia, that’s such a big period of time where, as a manager, you’re just waiting around and you want to get stuck in.
“We had so much momentum after beating North Macedonia, you just want to carry on playing – and that’s where club football is different, and why I can see Craig getting into it very soon.
“He’s learned a lot from Vincent Kompany, who is doing incredible things with Bayern Munich, and he’s got a great group of coaches around him… time will tell and big decisions are going to have to be made.
“It’s hard because I really do believe Craig will want to take Wales to a major tournament, but at the same time I can just see so many clubs being interested in him.
Craig Bellamy, Head Coach of Wales, reacts during the Group J FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Wales and Belgium at Cardiff City Stadium on October 13, 2025 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
“I was actually in the building when he got the Wales job, so I popped my head in just to congratulate him and ended up spending an hour and a half with him, where he was telling me about his plans, the structure of the team, how he wanted them to play, and I left the room with my mind blown – I was so excited to see what he was going to bring to the job.”
Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2024 Dermot Desmond on the 18th tee during the final round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2024 on the Old Course at St. Andrews Golf CLub, Fife, . 06/10/2024. Picture Fran Caffrey / Golffile.ie
As a sales pitch you have to say it’s fairly convincing. Bellamy, alongside Robbie Keane is a name that’s reportedly on Dermot Desmond’s radar and the Irish billionaire, who controls the club is likely to be the man making the final call on this one.
Having listened to Paul Tisdale and Michael Nicholson on their recommendations for Wilfried Nancy, surely Desmond cannot afford to get this appointment wrong? Time will tell if it’s going to be Craig Bellamy or not. I’ve certainly heard worse suggestions.
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The post Cardano Midnight Fork Launches Privacy Layer as Pepeto Draws Entries While SUI and PEPE Hold appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
Cardano is launching its Midnight privacy sidechain alongside the Van Rossem hard fork before March ends, adding confidential smart contracts to the ecosystem while ADA’s MVRV ratio sits at negative 43%, a historically strong buying zone.
With a live exchange processing trades today, more than $8 million raised, and analysts projecting 100x as the listing opens, Pepeto combines working exchange technology with a presale where massive returns are within reach for the wallets entering now.
Cardano is launching its Midnight privacy sidechain and the Van Rossem hard fork before March ends, adding confidential smart contracts that let users prove compliance without revealing underlying data according to BanklessTimes.
ADA climbed nearly 6% on the news with an MVRV ratio at negative 43%, a zone that historically signals strong buying.
According to CoinDesk, record short positioning on Binance adds fuel to a potential squeeze. Infrastructure upgrades are accelerating, and presale entries with verified exchange tools capture the returns that large caps at multi billion valuations are past producing.
Pepeto: The Platform Where Analysts See 100x as the Cardano Midnight fork Opens the Door for New Capital
The Cardano Midnight fork will bring fresh capital into crypto, but fresh capital without contract protection is fresh capital at risk. The legislation clears the tax path. Pepeto clears the contract path.
PepetoSwap processes every trade without charging a cent so your full allocation remains active, the network bridge lands tokens at identical value on the receiving chain, and the contract inspector reviews code for hidden dangers before any commitment goes through, confirmed by SolidProof.
The founder, whose first meme project hit $11 billion with nothing but community energy assembled this platform alongside an operator who managed Binance listings for years. As the Cardano Midnight fork potentially lowers the barrier to entry for crypto participation, the exchange that protects people once they are inside becomes more valuable.
These are the final weeks of the presale. Analysts project 100x from the current $0.000000186 entry as the Binance listing draws near, with 191% APY staking adding to every position while the final window stays open, and this is the entry that turns presale positioning into the kind of wealth the Cardano Midnight fork is clearing the path to access.
Sui Network (SUI)
SUI trades at $0.84 per CoinMarketCap, building above support as the Move VM ecosystem attracts developer activity.
A recovery to $1.00 delivers 39% over months, while the bitcoin price news confirms the bull cycle forming, and Pepeto at presale targets the returns that SUI at $2.3 billion is past delivering.
Pepe (PEPE)
PEPE trades at $0.000003 per CoinMarketCap, holding key support as the meme sector stabilizes.
The original Pepe token reached $11 billion at its peak with zero products, and the same cofounder built Pepeto with a full exchange, while Pepeto at presale holds the return profile that PEPE at $1.7 billion can no longer structurally produce.
PEPE holders at launch converted $500 into $350,000, and every single one of them says the same thing: they wish they had put in more. That window closed permanently, and it never came back.
Visit the Pepeto official website now, because the presale price you see today is temporary, the listing erases it forever, and the wallets that entered before that moment are the ones who build the wealth that everyone else spends the rest of the cycle wishing they had.
Click To Visit Pepeto Website To Enter The Presale
What is the Cardano Midnight fork?
The Cardano Midnight fork proposes stablecoin tax exemptions and de minimis thresholds that could unlock dormant capital.
What are the SUI and PEPE targets alongside?
SUI targets $1.00 on Move VM growth and PEPE holds meme sector support, while Pepeto at its current presale price carries the 100x projection from the approaching listing, with the Pepeto official website still accepting entries.
Why does Pepeto lead presale entries?
Pepeto has a verified exchange with a SolidProof audit that protects capital at the contract level, more than $8 million raised, and analysts projecting 100x as the Binance listing opens.
The post Is Ripple Moving Away From XRP? The Convera Deal Raises Questions appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
One of the world’s largest commercial payments companies just tied itself to Ripple’s blockchain infrastructure, and the announcement is already dividing opinion before the ink has dried.
Convera, which operates across 140 currencies and 200 countries, confirmed a strategic partnership with Ripple today to offer stablecoin-enabled cross-border payment and treasury solutions for business clients. The deal targets corridors where traditional payment rails are slow, expensive or simply unreliable.
The model at the centre of it is being called the stablecoin sandwich. Payments leave in fiat, settle via regulated stablecoins in the middle, and arrive in fiat on the other end. Convera handles the customer experience. Ripple provides the liquidity, on and off-ramping and settlement infrastructure underneath.
“By partnering with Convera, we’re combining trusted global payment infrastructure with stablecoin-powered settlement to give businesses more control over how and when they move value across borders,” said Aaron Slettehaugh, SVP of Product at Ripple.
Here is where it gets interesting.
The announcement does not mention XRP once. It does not explicitly reference the XRP Ledger either. For a community that has spent years watching Ripple build toward exactly this kind of institutional partnership, the omission landed badly.
“Forget no mention of XRP, they don’t even explicitly state they’re using the XRPL,” one observer posted within minutes of the announcement going live.
Crypto lawyer Bill Morgan, known for his measured takes on Ripple-related developments, noted dryly: “They didn’t call it an XRP sandwich model.”
His earlier observation was more pointed. The partnership specifically uses regulated stablecoins at the settlement layer, not XRP. Whether that changes over time, or whether RLUSD plays a role that was simply not disclosed today, remains an open question.
The post Solana Compressing in a Narrow Range—Is SOL Price Gearing Up for a Massive Move? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
Over the past few days, the Solana price has been trading range-bound, strongly defending the $80 support while failing to reach $95. This has prevented the token from securing the $100 range, which could have attracted significant buying pressure. In times when the broader crypto market remains uncertain and Bitcoin shows signs of structural pressure, SOL price behaviour also displays weakness as traders remain indecisive.
This raises a key question: is SOL price quietly accumulating strength for the next rally, or is this range forming as part of a distribution phase before the next price action?
Solana’s Total Value Locked (TVL) has been trending downward over the past several months, reflecting a steady decline in on-chain liquidity and user participation. Data show TVL falling from above $12 billion in late 2025 to nearly $6 billion by April 2026.
This consistent drop in locked value suggests that capital has been gradually exiting the ecosystem rather than rotating within it, a key signal that underlying demand remains weak despite periods of price consolidation.
Beyond liquidity trends, Solana’s network activity also reflects a cooling phase. Data shows that monthly active addresses have dropped significantly from peak levels above 100 million in mid-2025 to nearly 34 million recently.
This steady decline highlights a reduction in user engagement, suggesting that fewer participants are actively interacting with the network compared to previous months. When this metric declines alongside TVL, it strengthens the case that the ecosystem is experiencing a slowdown rather than expansion.
Another critical on-chain signal comes from Solana’s revenue, which has been steadily declining over recent months. After peaking above $1 million in mid-to-late 2025, weekly revenue has now dropped significantly, with recent figures hovering near the lower end of the range.
This decline in revenue indicates reduced economic activity across the network, as fewer transactions and lower demand translate directly into weaker fee generation.
Solana price continues to trade within a descending channel, with the price hovering near the lower boundary around $82, indicating a critical decision zone. The overall structure remains bearish, marked by consistent lower highs and weak follow-through from buyers. Indicators like RSI and MACD also reflect a lack of strong momentum, suggesting that bulls are yet to regain control.
If SOL fails to hold the $80–$78 support range, a breakdown toward $76 appears likely, especially as on-chain data—including declining TVL, active addresses, and revenue—continues to signal weakening demand.
On the other hand, a potential recovery could emerge if Solana (SOL) price manages to reclaim the $86–$90 resistance zone, which may trigger a short-term rebound and shift sentiment. However, unless this level is decisively breached, the current trend leans slightly bearish, with price likely to remain under pressure. As a result, waiting for confirmation around key levels may be a more prudent approach rather than anticipating an early breakout.
The post WhiteBIT Coin (WBT) Surpasses $15 Billion Market Capitalization Amid Token Momentum and Exchange Expansion appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
WhiteBIT Coin (WBT), the token of the WhiteBIT exchange, has reached a market capitalization of $15 billion, according to CoinDesk. This represents a 50% increase from its previous $10 billion valuation and places WBT among the ten largest tokens by market cap on the platform. The increase follows recent developments in the token’s structure and the exchange’s growth.
At the core of WBT’s growth is its structured tokenomics, designed to balance supply expansion with long-term value support. The token operates under a deflationary model, with regular buyback-and-burn mechanisms funded by a share of trading fees, alongside scheduled unlocks that support ecosystem development.
On March 13, WhiteBIT unlocked more than 39 million WBT tokens—worth approximately $1.19 billion. The newly unlocked tokens are allocated to WhiteBIT Funds, rather than being immediately released into open market circulation. This approach aims to mitigate short-term sell pressure while maintaining flexibility for strategic initiatives and long-term growth.
WBT’s growth has also been supported by increased global accessibility. The token was recently listed on Kraken, one of the industry’s most established trading platforms. The listing introduced WBT/EUR and WBT/USD trading pairs, expanding access to new markets and institutional participants, while strengthening liquidity and price discovery.
In December 2025, WBT was included in the S&P 5 crypto indices by S&P Dow Jones Indices. Inclusion in these indices signals growing recognition of WBT within broader financial markets and increases its visibility among institutional investors tracking benchmark crypto assets.
Beyond token mechanics and listings, WhiteBIT’s broader ecosystem growth continues to reinforce WBT’s value proposition. The company has been actively expanding its international footprint, including its recent entry into Ghana through a regulatory sandbox initiative launched in collaboration with local authorities. This move positions WhiteBIT among a select group of companies contributing to the development of regulated digital asset markets in one of Africa’s fastest-growing crypto adoption regions.
WBT’s utility within the WhiteBIT ecosystem also remains central to its valuation. The token is integrated across core platform services, including trading fee discounts, access to launchpad opportunities, and participation in a range of ecosystem products.
“Reaching a $15 billion market capitalization reflects the consistent development of our ecosystem and the trust of our global community,” said Volodymyr Nosov, Founder and President of W Group, of which WhiteBIT is a part of. “We are focused on building long-term value through compliance, innovation, and global expansion, ensuring that WBT remains a key pillar of the digital financial infrastructure we are developing.”
As WhiteBIT continues to expand across trading, payments, blockchain infrastructure, and institutional services, WBT plays an increasingly central role in connecting these components into a unified financial ecosystem.
The post Missed the Last Bull Run? Crush It This Time — Everlight Shards Deliver 28% APY Real BTC appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
The regret of missing a massive market upswing is a feeling most crypto enthusiasts know all too well. Watching from the sidelines as portfolios multiply can be painful, but the beauty of the digital asset space is that a new opportunity for redemption is always around the corner. This time, the game has changed from pure price speculation to generating consistent, productive value. You no longer have to worry about perfectly timing a market top to see significant gains. Instead, you can position yourself within the actual infrastructure of the Bitcoin network. By activating specialized shards, you can secure a seat at the table where real transaction fees are distributed. This is your chance to crush the next cycle by building a foundation of native Bitcoin rewards that grow regardless of market volatility.
Bitcoin Everlight represents the next logical step in the evolution of the world’s most secure blockchain. It is a lightweight transaction layer designed to handle global payment volume with incredible speed and minimal cost. By functioning as a decentralized routing network, it solves the primary scalability issues that have historically held Bitcoin back from mainstream retail adoption. The heart of this ecosystem is the BTCL token and the innovative shard participation model. This system allows anyone to contribute to the network’s efficiency and receive a share of the routing fees. It is a sophisticated architecture that bridges the gap between the security of the base layer and the usability required for the modern financial world.
The most exciting development for retail participants is the recently launched Jade Shard. This entry level tier allows you to join the ecosystem for just $100 worth of BTCL tokens. During the presale, this shard delivers 6% APY in BTCL, which then transitions seamlessly into 6% real BTC rewards once the mainnet goes live. This is revolutionary because you are earning native Bitcoin from actual network routing fees rather than inflated project tokens.
The tiered system is built to reward growth and long term commitment:
These shards auto-upgrade as your contribution grows, and the rewards transition from BTCL to live BTC automatically. Unlike traditional mining, there are no expensive ASICs, massive energy bills, or technical setups required. You simply buy BTCL and activate your shard through a dashboard that handles everything in real time.
The momentum behind Bitcoin Everlight is undeniable, with the presale already raising over 2 million dollars. Investors are quickly discovering the unique value proposition of the shard based reward model. The presale features a multi-phase structure with built-in price increases, meaning those who join early lock in the lowest entry price before the next jump occurs. This structure is supported by a fixed total supply of 21 billion tokens, which mirrors the scarcity model of Bitcoin itself.
The project follows a community-first design in its tokenomics:
The strength of any protocol is often found in its community, and Bitcoin Everlight has built a powerhouse following. The official Twitter account is a goldmine of real-time updates and shard activation tips. On Telegram, a rapidly growing group of shard holders shares dashboard screenshots and discusses their passive earnings. This social proof is further bolstered by prominent crypto voices. Crypto Sister recently highlighted the accessibility of the Jade Shard, while Bull Run Angel discussed the project as a top-tier infrastructure play for the next cycle. Additionally, Crypto League noted how the leaderboard system creates transparency and healthy competition among global participants.
The timing for Bitcoin Everlight is perfect as traditional mining becomes less profitable and staking yields on other chains continue to shrink. It stands out because its rewards come from real network utility and transaction fees rather than inflationary emissions. This makes it the “Bitcoin infrastructure play” that everyday holders have been waiting for. You can earn more BTC while the network itself grows, providing a sustainable and productive way to participate in the market.
Missing the last bull run does not have to define your crypto journey. With Bitcoin Everlight, you have a clear path to generating 28%+ APY in native Bitcoin through a secure and transparent system. Whether you start small with the $100 Jade Shard or maximize your yield in the Radiant tier, the opportunity to build real wealth is happening right now. Secure your position and join the next evolution of Bitcoin scaling today.
Start your journey and activate your shards at: https://bitcoineverlight.com/btc-digital
The post XRP $150 Price Target, Dollar Collapse and Bank Failures: Inside the Prophecy Going Viral appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
XRP conspiracies are never off the table. In a recent podcast, the analyst revisits statements from Kim Clement and Brandon Biggs, hinting that XRP could play a vital role in a potential financial reset.
Kim described a mysterious asset linked to the letters “X” and “P.” He hinted at its long-term value and importance in a future system.
“Something starting with an X and it has a P in it is a very profound something that’s going to be worth investing in… I had a dream and I saw an X… and then P.”
Today, many interpret this as an early reference to XRP. With the asset trading around $1.33, its price continues to reflect shifting market sentiment, liquidity conditions, and growing institutional interest.
The analysis ties Clement’s vision to current global instability, including rising oil prices and tensions in the Middle East. These factors are seen as potential catalysts for systemic financial change.
Brandon Biggs XRP prophecy update 2026 expands on this with a dramatic reset scenario:
“The dollar’s about to turn into a digital dollar… it will be worth half than what it’s worth right now… the banks all went bankrupt… all the money was seized.”
He describes a rapid transition involving bank failures, debt resets, and supply disruptions, depicting how the market is changing, and utility is coming into focus.
Within this disruption, XRP is positioned as a major beneficiary. Biggs suggests that as financial systems migrate to blockchain infrastructure, digital assets could see rapid price appreciation.
“I saw some of them go to $5 quickly… some go to $10… and this was just the beginning… even targets like 150.”
The logic is simple. A higher price means better liquidity. With trillions moving daily, networks like the XRP Ledger need higher valuations to handle that scale efficiently.
However, at the end, there are also references to Brad Garlinghouse, with claims that major deals and institutional moves toward blockchain infrastructure may already be underway, further strengthening XRP’s long-term narrative. This can be linked to the regulations, particularly the CLARITY Act breakthrough in April.
Stay ahead with breaking news, expert analysis, and real-time updates on the latest trends in Bitcoin, altcoins, DeFi, NFTs, and more.
The CLARITY Act represents a regulatory breakthrough that provides clear rules for digital assets. This legal clarity encourages institutional investment and major infrastructure deals, strengthening XRP’s position for long-term adoption in the financial sector.
Analysts suggest XRP is positioned as a key bridge asset in a financial reset. As traditional systems face instability and transition to blockchain infrastructure, XRP’s utility in cross-border payments and institutional liquidity is expected to drive its value and adoption.
XRP may be a promising investment due to its role in cross-border payments and growing institutional adoption, but price volatility and regulation risks remain.
Hey Sammy Fans, if you are anything like me, a die-hard Samsung fan who has been using One UI since the very first day, you are probably checking your software update notifications every few hours, wondering the same thing: Is April finally the month my phone gets the stable One UI 8.5 update?
I have been writing about the One UI updates for years, discussing with many users in forums, and watching Samsung’s software update patterns, so let me give you my honest answer. No hype, just direct talk.
Let’s start. The One UI 8.5 has been in a beta testing program for the last few months. It is also available in stable form for the Galaxy S26 series. But for the rest of the people with older Samsung phones (like S25, S24, or even older ones), the update is taking longer than we expected.
We have been testing beta versions on the S25 phones and some foldable phones. These beta versions have been very smooth and bug-free for many weeks now. The latest Beta 8 feels so good, more like a stable version. So the big question everyone is asking is: Will the stable One UI 8.5 update start coming to older phones in April?
In my opinion, yes, most likely without any big delays. And here’s why I am feeling confident about that. Samsung knows that the Galaxy community is talking about new features of the One UI 8.5, like smoother animations, better battery improvement, enhanced Galaxy AI tools, and Quick Share improvements.
In addition, Android 17 beta has kicked off smoothly, with no major bugs reported so far. From what I know about how Samsung works, the company is already getting ready to launch the One UI 9 beta program pretty soon, probably in the next couple of months. I just want to add that nothing is officially confirmed yet.
Samsung will not continue the One UI 8.5 beta testing program forever because that would push everything back. By releasing the One UI 8.5 stable version, Samsung can focus on Android 17 features. I have seen this strategy before, and it usually means no unnecessary delay.
Now, let’s talk about the rollout date for your Galaxy device. Samsung follows the phased software update rollout plan for models, regions, and carriers.
If you are using a Galaxy S25 series phone, S25, S25+, or S25 Ultra, you will be first in line to get the stable One UI 8.5 update. These devices were the first to join the beta program.
It looks like mid-April will be a perfect time for the One UI 8.5 rollout. It most likely includes the latest April 2026 security patch. The latest beta is bug-free and also brings great battery life. For the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7, these devices are right behind the S25 series and could see a stable One UI 8.5 update in the same April rollout.
The Galaxy S24 series and Fold6/Flip6 series could also get the stable update in some regions. In any case, the rollout should start by the end of April or by early May.
What about older flagships like the S23 or S22 series, or the mid-range A-series, M-series, and tablets? You should not expect the rollout of these devices in April unless you are one lucky Galaxy user. Most of these devices will probably start getting stable updates in May or June, with the full rollout completing by summer.
With One UI 9 beta on the horizon, Samsung should complete the rollout very soon. Before waiting for the stable update, make sure your phone is eligible. Most devices running One UI 8 should also receive the 8.5, but check the Samsung Members app for any official list.
The rollout also depends on where you live. The Galaxy users living in Korea and Europe often see updates first, while other regions follow. If you are using a Carrier-locked device, there could be a delay of a week or two when compared with unlocked ones.
In my experience, when Samsung has its eyes on the next beta program. If you have a recent flagship or foldable, mark April on your calendar and keep an eye on software update notifications. For everyone else, you should get the update soon after.
The post Will your Samsung Galaxy device get stable One UI 8.5 update in April 2026 appeared first on Sammy Fans.
The Weather Company is bringing its Storm Radar app to Android soon. Until now, it was only available for iPhone users. This app helps people check the weather simply and clearly. Weather is important for daily plans, so a good app can really help.
Storm Radar now has a new AI feature to make things easier. Users can ask simple questions like – Is it a good time to go outside? The AI will explain the weather in easy words. It also has detailed radar maps to show weather changes clearly.
Some features are free, but not all. To use advanced tools like the 72-hour radar, users need to pay. The cost is about $4 per month or $20 per year. There is also another plan with extra benefits at a higher price.
There are already many weather apps available for free. Still, Storm Radar wants to stand out by giving more accurate and detailed information. This can help people avoid problems like rain ruining their plans.
For some users, paying for better weather updates may be useful. Others may prefer free apps with basic features. When Storm Radar comes to Android, it will be interesting to see what users choose.
Storm Radar will reportedly be available soon on Android, including Samsung devices. However, Samsung already offers a weather app, which offers amazing and smart features to provide a better experience. Stay tuned for more information.
The post Android users soon getting iOS-exclusive AI weather app appeared first on Sammy Fans.
Google is now finally letting you change your Gmail address, the part before @gmail.com. This is currently rolling out in the US only, but hopefully will make it to other countries as well in the near future. The company has published the quick video embedded below that tells you exactly what you need to do. Basically, go to your Google Account settings, and tap Personal info, then Email, then Google Account email. Then you should see a big blue button saying "Change Google Account email". Tap it, and pick a new email. The original address, the one you're replacing, will remain...
Bosnia and Herzegovina face Italy in the UEFA 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, with both sides aiming to secure their desired spot. While the Dragons arrive with major doubts regarding their competitiveness, the Azzurri come in as clear favorites, having delivered an impressive performance in their last match. Despite this, they face serious defensive issues that their opponents will look to exploit.
Watch Italy vs Bosnia and Herzegovina live on Fubo
While they do not have a midfield capable of controlling the tempo of the game, Italy have managed to shine, relying on Sandro Tonali as main core of the national team. In addition, Manuel Locatelli remains the central anchor, providing defensive balance to the team. However, they still face serious defensive issues, as their high pressing leaves significant space in behind.
Although they are not the favorites in this match, Bosnia and Herzegovina are proving to be a tough opponent for Italy. Aware of the team’s weaknesses in collective play, coach Sergej Barbarez has decided to focus on aerial play as one of their key strengths, alongside the counterattack. For this reason, Edin Džeko remains a key player, as he is the national team’s leading scorer.
Italy are looking to secure their spot in the 2026 World Cup, relying on the speed of Federico Dimarco and Matteo Politano. However, they aren’t looking to dominate the aerial game; instead, Tonali and Barella serve as key support to find Moise Kean or Pio Esposito. Additionally, they could use their strong long-range shooting to open the scoring. As a result, they have solutions to counter Bosnia and Herzegovina’s solid defense.
A decisive night awaits as Turkiye visits Kosovo in a high-stakes 2026 World Cup Qualifiers play-off final. Both national sides enter the contest with contrasting stories and ambitions, setting the stage for a dramatic encounter in Pristina. The atmosphere is expected to be electric as history hangs in the balance, with one team dreaming of a breakthrough and the other chasing a long-awaited return to the global stage.
Kosovo arrives as one of the most compelling stories in international soccer, standing just one win away from its first-ever World Cup appearance. Under the leadership of Franco Foda, the team has shown remarkable resilience, including a dramatic 4-3 victory over Slovakia in the semi-final.
That performance demonstrated both attacking flair and mental strength, as Kosovo fought back multiple times to secure its place in the final. As the team chases history, its campaign represents a defining moment for a nation that only recently joined FIFA in 2016.
On the other hand, Turkiye enters this final with a clear objective: to return to the World Cup for the first time since its iconic 2002 campaign. Now guided by Vincenzo Montella, the team has combined tactical discipline with individual quality throughout the qualifiers.
A narrow 1-0 win over Romania in the semi-final, sealed by a decisive assist from Arda Guler, showcased the team’s ability to control tight matches. With a strong squad and growing momentum, the Crescent-Stars appear determined to finish the job.
Kosovo will rely heavily on physical presence and direct attacking play, with players like Fisnik Asllani leading the line. The team’s aggressive style and home advantage could prove decisive in a tightly contested match.
Turkiye, meanwhile, leans on technical creativity and midfield control, with Arda Guler acting as the creative heartbeat. Captain Hakan Calhanoglu also plays a crucial role in dictating tempo and maintaining balance in midfield. The clash of styles, Kosovo’s intensity versus Turkiye’s composure, adds another layer of intrigue to an already dramatic fixture.
| WHO | Congo DR vs Jamaica |
| WHAT | World Cup Qualifiers |
| WHEN | 2:45pm ET / 11:45am PT • Tuesday, March 31, 2026 |
| WHERE | Fubo, Peacock Premium, Fox Sports 1, FOX One and Telemundo Deportes Ahora |
| STREAM | WATCH NOW |
History is within touching distance for both sides as DR Congo and collide in a rare, high-stakes showdown with a coveted return to the FIFA World Cup on the line. DR Congo, chasing its first appearance since 1974—when the nation competed as Zaire—has emerged as one of the tournament’s biggest surprises and now looks to finish the job.
Meanwhile, Jamaica enters riding the momentum of a hard-fought victory over New Caledonia, with the Reggae Boyz eyeing their first trip back to the global stage since 1998. With just one prior meeting between these teams and everything at stake, this clash promises drama from kickoff to the final whistle.
Terence Crawford has revealed that he was close to fighting on after his victory over Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. ‘Bud’ Crawford beat Canelo in September 2025, winning the undisputed super-middleweight title to cement his legacy. It marked a title in a fifth weight class and a third undisputed reign for the switch hitter from Omaha, Nebraska. […]
The post Terence Crawford admits he considered one more fight before retiring: “He’s dangerous” appeared first on Boxing News.
Veo 3.1 Lite is now available in paid preview through the Gemini API and for testing in Google AI Studio.Fitbit adds cycle, mental wellbeing & nutrition tools in Public Preview. Now available for those without a Premium membership.Galatasaray yönetimi, Avrupa vizesi için hayati önem taşıyan borçsuzluk belgelerini UEFA'ya göndererek finansal krizi düğümünü çözdü... bu süreçte gerçekleştirilen toplam 45 milyon Euro'luk dev ödeme operasyonuyla geçmişe dönük tüm alacaklar da sıfırlandı. UEFA'dan gelen ödül parasını soğutmadan takıma dağıtan Galatasaray yönetimi primler konusunda ise cömert davranmadı. Juventus ve Beşiktaş primleri ödenmedi. Trabzonspor maçına ise iddia edildiği gibi 2 değil 1 milyon euro'luk prim belirlendi.
Galatasaray yönetimi, Avrupa kupalarına katılım yolunda en kritik aşamalardan biri olan "borçsuzluk" operasyonunu alnının akıyla tamamladı.
31 Mart itibarıyla gerekli tüm evrakları UEFA’ya gönderen sarı-kırmızılılar toplamda yaptığı 45 milyon euro’luk dev ödeme operasyonuyla nefes aldı.
15 MİLYON EURO İLE İŞ BİTİRİLDİ
Bu süreçte bonservis taksitleri ve oyuncu maaşlarını temizlemek için yoğun mesai harcayan yönetim, geçtiğimiz hafta yaptığı 15 milyon euro’luk son ödemeyle rahatladı. Bu ödeme trafiğinde en büyük kolaylığı ise yine UEFA sağladı.
Juventus’u eleyerek Şampiyonlar Ligi’nde son 16 turuna kalan Galatasaray, bu başarıdan hak kazandığı 11,8 milyon euro’luk ödülü geçtiğimiz hafta kasasına koydu. Yönetim, paradan soğumadan bu kaynağı direkt olarak takıma dağıtarak alacakları sıfırladı.
BAŞAKŞEHİR GALİBİYETİNE PRİM YOK
Maaş ve bonservis ödemelerinde doping etkisi yaratan bu gelişmelere rağmen, primler konusunda yönetim daha temkinli bir yol izliyor.
Juventus maçı için belirlenen 2 milyon euro ve Beşiktaş derbisi için vadedilen 1 milyon euro’luk primler henüz ödenmedi. Başakşehir galibiyeti sonrası ortaya atılan 1 milyon euro’luk prim iddiasının asılsız olduğu bildirildi.
Trabzonspor maçı için konuşulan 2 milyon euro’luk prim söylentilerinin aksine, yönetimin Beşiktaş derbisinde olduğu gibi 1 milyon euro seviyesinde bir rakam belirlediği belirtildi.
LIVERPOOL ÖNCESİ SIFIRLANMIŞTI
Liverpool maçı öncesinde oyuncuların motivasyonunu yüksek tutmak için yönetim o dönemde toplamda 7,5 milyon euro’luk bir ödeme daha yapmıştı. O süreçte futbolcuların geçmişe dönük tüm alacakları sıfırlanmıştı. Sarı-kırmızılı ekip hafta sonunda şampiyonluğun belki de kapısını açacak Trabzonspor deplasmanına hem idari hem de finansal olarak "sıfır sorun"la çıkacak.
Fenerbahçe'de yönetim gelecek sezon kalacak mı belli değil... ancak yeni sezonun kadro planlaması için "erken operasyon" düğmesine basıldı. Sol bek mevkisini öncelik haline getiren sarı-lacivertliler, Cruzeiro forması giyen Kaiki'nin ardından rotayı Bayern Münih ile yollarını ayıracağı resmen açıklanan Raphaël Guerreiro'yu listesine ekledi. Tecrübeli oyuncu ve menajeriyle ilk temasları kuruldu. Teknik kapasitesi ve hücum bindirmeleriyle Avrupa'nın en önemli bekleri arasında gösterilen Guerreiro için mali şartları masaya yatırıldı.
Fenerbahçe'de tarihsiz seçim süreci ve yönetimin geleceğine dair belirsizlik sürse de, sportif direktörlük kanadı kadro planlaması için "erken operasyon" düğmesine bastı.
Sol bek mevkisini öncelik haline getiren Fenerbahçe, Bayern Münih’ten ayrılan dünya yıldızı Raphaël Guerreiro için resmi temaslara başladı.
İLK RESMİ TEMASLAR KURULDU BİLE
Gelecek sezonun savunma hattını güçlendirmeyi hedefleyen sarı-lacivertli yönetimi, iki koldan ilerliyor. Bir yanda Cruzeiro’nun potansiyelli sol beki Kaiki için görüşmeler sürerken, diğer yanda masaya oturan isim kariyerinin zirvesinde olan Raphaël Guerreiro.
Portekizli oyuncu ve menajeriyle ilk köprülerin kuruldu. Oyuncunun şartları masaya yatırıldı.
BAYERN KENDİSİNE TEŞEKKÜR ETTİ
32 yaşındaki Portekizli sol bek ile Bayern Münih arasındaki iş birliği resmen sona eriyor. Kulüpten yapılan açıklamada, 2023 yılında Borussia Dortmund’dan transfer edilen tecrübeli oyuncunun sezon sonunda bitecek sözleşmesinin yenilenmeyeceği ve ayrılık kararının karşılıklı olarak alındığı duyuruldu. Bayern Münih Sportif Direktörü Max Eberl, Guerreiro için şu ifadeleri kullandı:
- Rapha’ya bize kattığı her şey için teşekkür ederiz. Sahada her zaman güvenebileceğimiz bir isim olmasının yanı sıra, karakteriyle soyunma odasına gerçek değer katan özel bir profesyoneldi.
KAZANMADIĞI KUPA KALMADI
Teknik kapasitesi ve hücum bindirmeleriyle Avrupa’nın en formda bekleri arasında gösterilen yıldız oyuncu, Münih formasıyla önemli başarılara imza attı.
Maç Sayısı: 89
Skor Katkısı: 12 Gol / 8 Asist
Başarılar: Bundesliga Şampiyonluğu, Almanya Süper Kupası.
1. Lig'de şampiyonluğa koşan ve Süper Lig kapısını aralayan Erzurumspor yönetimi dev bir transfer operasyonu için düğmeye bastı. Taraftara şampiyonluk hediyesi olarak Carlos Vinícius'un verilmesi için harekete geçildi. 2024'te Galatasaray forması giyen şu anda Brezilya'da Grêmio'da 19 maçta 10 gol atarak kariyerinin en formda dönemini geçiren 31 yaşındaki sambacı, Dadaşların Süper Lig'deki yeni vizyonu olacak. Finansal gücünü gövde gösterisine dönüştürmek isteyen Erzurum yönetimi sözleşmesinin sonuna yaklaşan golcü için tüm şartları zorlamaya başladı.
Süper Lig’e dönmek için şafak sayan Erzurumspor FK’da camia şampiyonluk kutlamalarına hazırlanırken, yönetim "Süper Lig hediyesi" için düğmeye bastı.
1. Lig’de 32. hafta itibarıyla 69 puanla liderlik koltuğunda oturan ve en yakın rakibine 6 puan fark atan Dadaşlar, Süper Lig’de kalıcı olmanın anahtarını dünyaca ünlü golcü Carlos Vinícius'ta buldu.
19 MAÇTA 10 GOL ATMAYI BAŞARDI
2024 yılında Galatasaray formasıyla Süper Lig'de kısa bir süre geçiren 31 yaşındaki sambacı, şu sıralar kariyerinin en parlak dönemlerinden birini yaşıyor.
Grêmio formasıyla 2026 sezonunun ilk çeyreğinde çıktığı 19 resmi maçta 10 gol kaydeden Vinícius, Brezilya Liginin en korkulan forvetlerinden biri.
Erzurumspor yönetiminin, transfer yasağı krizini tamamen aşmasının ardından Süper Lig bütçesi için dev bir sponsor desteğiyle bu transferi bitirmeyi hedeflediği öğrenildi.
ORTADOĞU'DAN TALİPLERİ VAR
Mavi-beyazlı taraftarları heyecanlandıran bu "rüya" hamlenin önünde ise iki büyük engel bulunuyor. Güncel piyasa değeri 7 Milyon Euro seviyelerinde olan Vinícius’un maaş beklentisi, Erzurumspor’un Süper Lig bütçesini zorlayabilir.
Brezilya’daki müthiş performansı sonrası oyuncunun Orta Doğu’dan da ciddi talipleri bulunuyor.
Erzurumspor’un bu transferdeki en büyük kozu ise oyuncunun sözleşme süresi. Vinícius’un Grêmio ile olan kontratı 31 Aralık 2026’da sona eriyor. Yaz transfer döneminde sözleşmesinin bitimine 6 ay kalacak olan sambacı için "uygun bonservis" formülü masada.
TFF 1. Lig'de son 6 haftaya girilirken küme düşme hattının 7 puan gerisinde kalan Sakaryaspor'da "seferberlik" ilan edildi. Yönetim, mucizevi bir geri dönüş için kesenin ağzını açtı. Hem kritik maçlara özel hem de ligde kalınması durumunda devreye girecek dev bir prim paketi hazırladı. Yeşil-siyahlılar, İstanbulspor ve Ümraniyespor gibi doğrudan rakiplerine karşı alınacak galibiyetlerle ligde kalma barajını yakalamayı planlıyor. Şehrin kenetlenmesi, taraftarın tribün baskısı ve yönetimsel ekonomik hamlelerin birleştiği bu tarihi operasyon, Sakaryaspor'un kaderini belirleyecek.
TFF 1. Lig’in bitimine 6 hafta kala, 32 puanla 18. sırada yer alan ve düşme hattının 7 puan gerisine düşen Sakaryaspor’da yönetim düğmeye bastı.
Camianın üzerindeki ölü toprağını atmak ve oyuncuları mental olarak ayağa kaldırmak isteyen yöneticiler, futbol tarihinin 1. Lig'de verilen en yüksek prim paketlerinden birini masaya koydu.
İKİ FARKLI PRİM UYGULAMASI
Alınan bilgilere göre Sakaryaspor yönetiminin hazırladığı paket iki aşamadan oluşuyor. İlk aşamada, ligdeki kaderi doğrudan etkileyecek olan İstanbulspor ve Ümraniyespor gibi "6 puanlık" maçlar için özel galibiyet primleri tanımlandı.
İkinci ve asıl büyük hamle ise, sezon sonunda ligde kalınması durumunda tüm takıma dağıtılacak olan dev "kurtuluş primi" oldu.
GOL YEME REKORLARI KIRILIYOR
Sezon genelinde kalesinde gördüğü 56 golle ligin en çok gol yiyen ekiplerinden biri olan Sakaryaspor’da, bu prim hamlesinin özellikle savunma hattındaki konsantrasyon kayıplarını minimize etmesi hedefleniyor. Teknik heyetin de desteğiyle hazırlanan bu motivasyon paketiyle, oyuncuların saha içindeki ikili mücadelelerde ve kritik anlarda reaksiyon süresinin artırılması bekleniyor.
İSTANBUL VE ÜMRANİYE MAÇLARI KRİTİK
Sakaryaspor’un önündeki 18 puanlık maratonun en büyük avantajı, doğrudan rakipleriyle kendi sahasında veya kritik deplasmanlarda karşılaşacak olması. Yönetimin belirlediği prim dopingiyle birlikte Yeşil-Siyahlıların kalan maç senaryosu şu şekilde şekilleniyor.
- İstanbulspor: Mutlak 3 puan ve ikili averaj üstünlüğü hedefi.
- Ümraniyespor (D): Deplasman fobisini kırma ve rakibi ateşe atma maçı.
- Esenler Erokspor, Hatayspor, Çorum FK ve Manisa FK maçlarında maksimum puan.
SAKARYA'DA HERKES ELELE VERDİ
Prim hamlesinin sadece yönetim bazında kalmaması, şehirdeki iş insanları ve mülki amirlerin de sürece dahil olmasıyla Sakarya’da tam bir "seferberlik" havası hakim.
Taraftar gruplarının da önümüzdeki iç saha maçlarında stadı tamamen doldurarak bu ekonomik motivasyonu, tribün baskısıyla birleştirmesi bekleniyor.
Fenerbahçe'de milli arada verilen 3+1+4 günlük ara teknik olarak endişe yarattı... Gaziantep galibiyetinin ardından Tedesco'nun uyguladığı parçalı izin programı, takımı 7 günlük bir kopuş süreciyle karşı karşıya bıraktı. Bilimsel literatürün "kısa süreli idmansızlık" olarak tanımladığı bu kritik eşikte; futbolcuların vücut yağ oranlarındaki artış riski, patlayıcı güç kaybı ve en önemlisi maç ritminin kaybolması riski ortaya çıktı. Şampiyonluk yolunda yakalanan momentumun "tatil modu" nedeniyle sekteye uğramasından korkuluyor.
Süper Lig’de şampiyonluk yarışı tüm hızıyla sürerken, milli maç nedeniyle verilen arada Domenico Tedesco'nun 8 gün içinde verdiği önce 4 sonra da 3 günlük izinler Fenerbahçe’de tartışma yarattı. Geçtiğimiz Salı günü oynanan Gaziantep FK galibiyetinin ardından Samandıra’da uygulanan izin programı, teknik heyet ve camiada "form düşüklüğü" endişesi yarattı.
Spor bilimcilerine göre lig devam ederken bu kadar uzun süreli bir kopuş profesyonel sporcular üzerinde ciddi riskler barındırabilir.
KISA SÜRELİ İDMANSIZLIK
Futbol literatüründe 7 ila 14 gün arasında değişen bu tür aralar "Kısa Süreli İdmansızlık" dönemi olarak tanımlanıyor. Fenerbahçeli oyuncuların sahaya dönüşünde karşı karşıya kalabileceği temel negatif etkiler ise şu şekilde sıralanıyor.
Hareketsiz geçen bir haftanın ardından profesyonel sporcuların vücut kütlesinde ortalama %1 artış yaşanabilir. Bu oyuncuların çevikliğini etkileyebilir.
Maksimum sprint hızı ve sıçrama kapasitesinde küçük ama maç kondisyonunu baltalayan düşüşler beklenebilir. Özellikle maç içindeki tekrarlı sprint yeteneği ağır darbe alabilir.
Sinir sisteminin oyun hızına uyumu olarak bilinen "keskinlik" seviyesinin düşebilir. Sahada karar verme süresi uzar. Kritik pas hatalarına ve kontrol eksikliklerine davetiye çıkarabilir.
SAKATLIK KABUSU YAŞANABİLİR
Sadece fiziksel değil, psikolojik etkiler de Fenerbahçe'nin şampiyonluk yolundaki temposunu tehdit edebilir. Yoğun fikstür stresinden tamamen kopup aileleriyle vakit geçiren oyuncuların, ligin yüksek tansiyonuna tekrar adapte olması zaman alabilir.
Hedef odaklılıktan uzaklaşmak, özellikle kritik virajlarda disiplin kayıplarına neden olabilir.
En büyük korku ise sakatlıklar. 7 gün boyunca pasif dinlenen kas grupları ara dönüşü aniden maç temposundaki yüklenmelere maruz kalırsa özellikle arka adale sakatlığı yaşanabilir.
Performansıyla dev kulüpleri peşine takan Felipe Augusto'nun, 15 milyon Euro bandındaki bir bedelle vedasına hazırlanan Trabzonspor yönetimi, "Sambadan" gelecek kaynağı vakit kaybetmeden "Tangoya" yatırmanın planlarını yapıyor. Arjantin efsanesi Carlos Tévez'in teknik direktörlükteki ilk gururu olan Valentin Davila, bordo-mavililerin gözdesi oldu. Talleres formasıyla çıktığı ilk 11 maçta 4 gol bularak 19 yaşında "umut vadeden forvet" etiketini alan Dávila, bordo-mavililerin bir numaralı hedefi haline geldi.
Trabzonspor bir yandan şampiyonluk maçı için hazırlanırken diğer yandan da sezon sonunda yaşanacak transfer savaşı öncesinde cephaneliğini güçlendirmeye çalışıyor. Ocak ayında Körfez ekiplerinden gelen astronomik tekliflere rağmen takımda kalan Felipe Augusto'nun, yaz transfer döneminde rekor bir ücretle ayrılması bekleniyor.
Bordo-mavili yönetim, Brezilyalı yıldızın boşluğunu Arjantin’in yeni parlayan yıldız adayı Valentín Dávila ile doldurmak için strateji planlarını tamamladı.
FELIPE AUGUSTO KESİN YOLCU GİBİ
Augusto’nun ayrılık ihtimaline karşılık listenin en başında yer alan isim, Talleres formasıyla fırtınalar estiren Dávila. Henüz 19 yaşında olmasına rağmen Arjantin futbolunda "en umut vadeden forvetler" arasında gösterilen genç yetenek, teknik kapasitesi ve bitiriciliğiyle öne çıkıyor.
Talleres formasıyla ilk 11 maçta 4 gol, eski efsane Carlos Tévez’in tedrisatından geçen ve onun güvenini boşa çıkarmayan bir gelişim süreci, dönük oyun becerisi, ceza sahası içindeki soğukkanlılığı ve yüksek patlayıcı gücü ile dikkatleri üzerine çekiyor.
SIDIKI İLE KIYASLANINCA ÖDENEBİLİR
Scout ekibinin radarına takılan Dávila için tek talip Trabzonspor değil. İspanya’nın köklü kulüplerinden Real Betis de genç oyuncuyu yakından takip ediyor. Ancak Trabzonspor cephesi, oyuncunun gelişimi ve süre alma garantisi üzerinden bir proje sunarak elini güçlendirmeyi hedefliyor.
Arjantin kulübünün kapıyı 5-6 milyon Euro bandından açması bekleniyor.
Transfer piyasasının son dönemdeki yüksek seyri, Trabzonspor yönetimini korkutmuyor. Özellikle Fenerbahçe’nin Sidiki transferi için 22 milyon Euro ödediği piyasa ortamında, Dávila için istenen 5-6 milyon Euro’luk bedel "makul ve kesinlikle ödenebilir" bir yatırım olarak değerlendiriliyor.
Tottenham'da Roberto De Zerbi dönemi resmen başladı.
İngiltere Premier Lig ekibi Tottenham'da Igor Tudor'dan boşalan teknik direktörlük görevine Roberto De Zerbi getirildi.
Kulüpten yapılan açıklamada, İtalyan teknik adam De Zerbi ile uzun süreli sözleşme imzalandığı belirtildi.
Palermo, Benevento, Sassuolo, Shakhtar Donetsk ve Brighton gibi takımları çalıştıran De Zerbi, son olarak Olimpik Marsilya'da görev yaptı.
Son yıllarda beklenen performansı gösteremeyen Tottenham, bu sezon Premier Lig'de son 13 haftada galip gelemedi.
Ligde kalma mücadelesi veren Tottenham, 31 haftada topladığı 30 puanla düşme hattının bir puan üzerinde 17. sırada yer aldı.
Teknik direktör Egemen Korkmaz, Hırvatistan-Türkiye U21 maçında fenalaştı.
Ümit Milli Futbol Takımı Teknik Direktörü Egemen Korkmaz, UEFA 21 Yaş Altı Avrupa Şampiyonası Elemeleri H Grubu'ndaki Hırvatistan maçında yaşadığı rahatsızlık nedeniyle hastaneye kaldırıldı.
Hırvatistan'ın Osijek kentinde bulunan Opus Arena'da oynanan maçın 35. dakikasında Demir Ege Tıknaz'ın ikinci sarıdan kırmızı kart görmesi sonrası saha kenarında sert bir şekilde hakeme itirazda bulunan Egemen Korkmaz, ayağının kaymasıyla yere düştü.
Bir süre yerden kalkamayan Korkmaz, sağlık görevlilerinin müdahalesinin ardından ambulansla sahadan ayrıldı.
Maçın hakemi Alessandro Dudic ise bu olayın ardından oyuncuları soyunma odasına gönderdi.
A newly published, unverified report claims Google’s Gemini AI is instructed to mirror user tone and validate emotions in its responses.
Why we care. If accurate, AI-generated search responses may vary based on how a query is phrased — not just the information available.
What’s new. The report centers on a previously undisclosed internal structure referred to as upcast_info, which appears to contain system-level instructions guiding how Gemini responds. The report, published by Elie Berreby, head of SEO and AI search at Adorama, suggested that Gemini is instructed to:
What it means. Instead of acting as a neutral aggregator, AI answers may:
If public perception is negative, AI may amplify it. As the report suggests:
Query framing. The emotional framing of a query affects:
Google’s AI Overviews already show tone shifts, often aligning with query intent beyond keywords. This report offers a possible explanation.
Unverified. Google hasn’t confirmed the leak. As Berreby noted in his report: “I’ve decided to share only a fraction of the leaked internal system information with the general public. I’m not sharing any sensitive data. This isn’t a zero-day exploit. This is a tiny leak.”
The report. This Gemini Leak Means You Can’t Outrank a Feeling
Google is giving retailers more firepower to promote loyalty program benefits directly within product listings — expanding the program internationally and into its newest AI-powered shopping experiences.
What’s new. Merchants can now highlight member pricing and exclusive shipping options directly on listings. Loyalty annotations have also expanded to local inventory ads and regional Shopping ads — making it easier to promote in-store or geography-specific perks.
Why we care. The more you can personalize an offer for a shopper, the better. Embedding member perks into the moment of purchase discovery — rather than requiring a separate loyalty app or webpage — makes programs more visible and more likely to drive sign-ups.
By the numbers. According to Google, some retailers have reported up to a 20% lift in click-through rates when showing tailored offers to existing loyalty members.
The big picture. Loyalty benefits will now appear on Google’s AI-first surfaces, including AI Mode and Gemini, putting member offers in front of shoppers at an entirely new layer of the search experience.
Where it’s available. The expansion covers 14 countries — Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, the UK, and the US.
How to get started. Merchants activate the loyalty add-on in Merchant Center, configure member tiers, and set up pricing and shipping attributes. Connecting Customer Match lists in Google Ads is required to display strikethrough pricing and shipping perks to known members.
Don’t miss. US merchants can apply to join a pilot that uses Customer Match as a relationship data source for free listings — potentially expanding loyalty reach without additional ad spend.
Gary Illyes from Google shared some more details on Googlebot, Google’s crawling ecosystem, fetching and how it processes bytes.
The article is named Inside Googlebot: demystifying crawling, fetching, and the bytes we process.
Googlebot. Google has many more than one singular crawler, it has many crawlers for many purposes. So referencing Googlebot as a singular crawler, might not be super accurate anymore. Google documented many of its crawlers and user agents over here.
Limits. Recently, Google spoke about its crawling limits. Now, Gary Illyes dug into it more. He said:
Then what happens when Google crawls?
How Google renders these bytes. When the crawler accesses these bytes, it then passes it over to WRS, the web rendering service. “The WRS processes JavaScript and executes client-side code similar to a modern browser to understand the final visual and textual state of the page. Rendering pulls in and executes JavaScript and CSS files, and processes XHR requests to better understand the page’s textual content and structure (it doesn’t request images or videos). For each requested resource, the 2MB limit also applies,” Google explained.
Best practices. Google listed these best practices:
Login<title> elements, <link> elements, canonicals, and essential structured data — higher up in the HTML document. This ensures they are unlikely to be found below the cutoff.Podcast. Google also had a podcast on the topic, here it is:
İtaliyalı futbol mütəxəssisi Roberto De Zerbi İngiltərənin “Tottenhem” komandasının baş məşqçisi təyin edilib.
Arena.az bu barədə İngiltərə klubunun rəsmi saytına istinadən məlumat verir.
46 yaşlı mütəxəssislə müqavilənin müddəti və digər detalları açıqlanmır. Amma tərəflərin ən azından cari mövsümün sonunadək – 2026-cı ilin 30 iyununadək anlaşdığı ehtimal edilir.
De Zerbi “Tottenhem”də bir neçə gün öncə istefaya göndərilmiş İqor Tudoru əvəz edib. Xorvatiyalı mütəxəssis fevralın 14-də bu komandaya baş məşqçi təyin edilmişdi. Premyer Liqa təmsilçisi İqor Tudorun rəhbərliyi altında cəmi 7 oyun keçirib, bunların yalnız 1-də qələbə qazanıb, 1-də heç-heçə edib, 5-də isə məğlub olub.
“Tottenhem” hazırda Premyer Liqada 31 oyuna topladığı 30 xalla 17-ci pillədə qərarlaşıb. Londonlular 31 oyunda 7 qələbə qazanıblar, 9 heç-heçə ediblər, 15 məğlubiyyətə üzülüblər.
Roberto De Zerbi isə son olaraq 2024/2025-ci illər mövsümünün əvvəlindən rəhbərlik etdiyi Marsel “Olimpik”ində (Fransa) baş məşqçi olub. İtalyan mütəxəssis daha öncə “Darfo Boario”, “Focca”, “Palermo”, “Benevento”, “Sassuolo”, “Şaxtyor” (Donetsk) və “Brayton” kimi komandalara da rəhbərlik edib.
Gennaro Gattuso and his Italy players will be hoping to avoid any close calls in this evening’s World Cup play-off final away against Bosnia and Herzegovina, as goal-line technology will not be in use at the Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica. Here’s why.
The Azzurri are one game away from sealing a spot at the World Cup for the first time since 2014, but must overcome Bosnia and Herzegovina teammates in tonight’s play-off final in Zenica, kicking off at 19.45 BST.
The Bilino Polje Stadium in the city of Zenica is operating at a reduced capacity of due to crowd troubles during Bosnia’s World Cup qualifier against Romania back in November. Italy have received an allocation of 500 tickets.
There will also be no goal-line technology in use for tonight’s play-off final between Bosnia and Italy. Goal-line technology is not mandatory, and its use depends on the decisions of the organising federation.
Goal-line technology is not typically used at the Bilino Polje Stadium, and that will also be the case when Italy take on Bosnia this evening.
Italy have qualified for the top eight final tournament of the European Under-19 Championship after a 1-1 draw with Turkiye.
Today’s match was a head-to-head at the top of Group 6, as both went in on six points each, ahead of Hungary and Slovakia.
It ended 1-1 thanks to the Samuele Inacio strike, despite a Darvin Soylu equaliser, so the Azzurrini won the group thanks to a superior goal difference of +6 compared to the Turkish tally of +2.
Coach Alberto Bollini’s side won 3-0 against both Hungary and Slovakia in the Elite Round.
The winners of the groups go through to join hosts Wales in the final tournament, and the draw will be held for that in Wrexham on April 16.
This competition will run from June 28 to July 11, and also decide the European qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Azerbaijan.
Italy last won the European Under-19 Championship in 2023, adding to their only other triumph in 2003.
Inacio 33 (I), Soylu 62 (T)
Italy U19: Pessina; Nardin, Reggiani, Natali, Cocchi; Coletta (Comotto 72), Mantini, Liberali; Idele, Mosconi, Inacio
Tottenham Hotspur have officially announced the appointment of Italian head coach Roberto as head coach of the men’s first team ‘on a long-term contract, subject to work permit’.
De Zerbi is called in to replace former Juventus head coach Igor Tudor in North London and will be tasked with steering Tottenham clear of relegation from the Premier League with seven games of the 2025-26 season left to go.
Tottenham currently find themselves in 17th place in the Premier League table, just one point and one position away from the drop zone.
De Zerbi’s first match in charge of his new club will come away against Sunderland at 14.00 BST on April 12.
Reports indicate that De Zerbi has put pen to paper on a five-year contract that will run until the summer of 2031. This has led to questioning from some Tottenham supporters given that the Italian has never stayed in the same managerial position for more than two full seasons.
This will be De Zerbi’s second job in the Premier League following his tenure with Brighton between September 2022 and June 2024, during which time he led the Seagulls to a seventh-place finish in the Premier League, which is the club’s highest-ever finish and also brought their first ever qualification for the Europa League.
Reports in Italy indicate that Italy’s 2006 World Cup winner Alessandro Nesta will be part of De Zerbi’s coaching staff at Tottenham, although this has not yet been officially confirmed by the club.
“I am delighted to be joining this fantastic football club, which is one of the biggest and most prestigious in the world,” De Zerbi said in a statement on the club website.
“In all my discussions with the Club’s leadership, their ambition for the future has been clear – to build a team capable of reaching great achievements, and to do that playing a style of football that excites and inspires our supporters. I am here because I believe in that ambition and have signed a long-term contract to give everything to deliver it.
“Our short-term priority is to climb the Premier League table, which will be the complete focus until the final whistle of the last game of the season. I’m looking forward to getting out on the training pitch and working with these players to achieve that.”
Sporting director Johan Lange added: “Roberto was our number one target for the summer and we are very pleased to be able to bring him in now.
“He is one of the most creative and forward-thinking coaches in world football, and brings with him a wealth of experience at the highest level, including in the Premier League.”
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as our new Men’s Head Coach on a long-term contract, subject to work permit.
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 31, 2026
Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as the club’s new manager.
The 46-year-old Italian manager has signed a long-term contract with the London club and has been entrusted with the responsibility of helping them bounce back strongly and secure safety in the Premier League. Tottenham is fighting the relegation battle this season, and they need a managerial change after the results under Igor Tudor.
De Zerbi is highly rated across Europe, and Tottenham will hope that he can get the team firing once again. However, his appointment has been met with an explosive reaction from the Tottenham Hotspur supporters’ trust. The Italian manager’s prior comments backing Mason Greenwood have not gone down well with Tottenham fans, who believe the appointment is deeply concerning.
They also believe that Tottenham should have made an interim appointment until the end of the season and looked at other options in the summer. Such comments reflect their lack of respect and support towards the newly appointed manager. It remains to be seen how the Italian reacts to the situation.
The THST released a statement claiming: “De Zerbi’s comments about Mason Greenwood were unnecessary, ill-judged, and deeply offensive to a significant number of supporters and, without doubt, will have left victims of male violence alarmed. We believe these statements, left unchecked, will create a divide among supporters at a time when we all need to be pulling together to back the team. It is concerning that the Club would put us in this position right when the team needs fans the most.
“The Club must reassert its commitment to the values that fans hold dear—chief among them equality, respect, and integrity. Any perceived sympathy toward alleged perpetrators of physical or sexual violence against women fundamentally undermines trust in the custodianship of this Club.
“With this appointment, communications from the Club and from Mr De Zerbi must clearly and unequivocally reaffirm these values. Furthermore, those words must be backed by meaningful action, including visible and sustained support for women’s charities and organisations working to combat violence against women.”
Tottenham are in a precarious situation right now, and they need the fans, the players and the manager pulling together in the same direction in order to secure safety and finish the season strongly. A divide between the fans and the club hierarchy because of the new manager is unlikely to end well.
The post Tottenham supporters’ trust share explosive reaction to “concerning” De Zerbi appointment appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Tottenham Hotspur have completed the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as their new manager.
The 46-year-old takes over after Igor Tudor’s departure and will be expected to make an immediate impact. The London club is currently struggling to survive, and they need immediate results to secure safety in the Premier League.
The Italian has signed a long-term contract with the club.
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as our new Men’s Head Coach on a long-term contract, subject to work permit.
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 31, 2026
The Italian manager has proven himself across multiple teams, and he is expected to guide them to safety.
De Zerbi has revealed his delight at joining one of the best clubs around, and he is focused on the short-term goal of guiding Tottenham to safety.
He said (h/t Fabrizio Romano): “I am delighted to be joining this fantastic football club, which is one of the biggest and most prestigious in the world.
“In all my discussions with the Club’s leadership, their ambition for the future has been clear – to build a team capable of reaching great achievements, and to do that playing a style of football that excites and inspires our supporters. I am here because I believe in that ambition and have signed a long-term contract to give everything to deliver it.
“Our short-term priority is to climb the Premier League table, which will be the complete focus until the final whistle of the last game of the season. I’m looking forward to getting out on the training pitch and working with these players to achieve that”.
The Italian is highly rated across Europe, and he could prove to be an inspired appointment for Tottenham. They have quality players at their disposal, and the last two managers failed to get the best out of them. They will hope that the Italian can deliver the results now.
De Zerbi has excelled in the Premier League with Brighton. He helped them secure a place in European football and finish in the top six despite limited resources. He is expected to be handed a lot more money at Tottenham, and it remains to be seen whether he can help them grow into a competitive team.
The post “I am here because…”: De Zerbi makes Tottenham admission after completing move appeared first on CaughtOffside.
This is not a “vibes” appointment. It’s the complete opposite.
Tottenham’s move for Roberto De Zerbi reflects the do-or-die situation they find themselves in, by the fact he could theoretically deliver either the miraculous best or cataclysmic worst case scenario for the club.
De Zerbi, on the surface, is a coup for a team verging on the most humiliating relegation in Premier League history. The Italian was a resounding success story at Brighton, arriving with an unknown quality to English football only to become one of the continent’s most sought-after managers by the end of his two-season stint, apparently earning admirers at Barcelona and Liverpool.
He took charge of the Seagulls early into 2022/23 after Graham Potter was poached by Chelsea, but rather than overseeing a spiral he lifted the club to new heights, sealing European qualification for the first time in the club’s history. This proven ability to achieve the unlikely will surely have appealed to crisis-ridden Spurs.
Tottenham must also be attracted by De Zerbi’s free-flowing style of football. Traumatised by 44 days of Igor Tudor-ball, a footballing ideology bereft of inspiration, such a tactical revolution is needed and desired. Implementing that now, however, is a big risk.
De Zerbi likes to bait the press and build up. From goal kicks, he places the double pivot deep to draw the opposition high up the pitch, which then requires smart and swift play to evade the charging attackers and move the ball into the space created. Tottenham, exemplified in their Champions League quarter-final hammering at Atletico Madrid, are like a child running around with scissors when playing out from the back. It’s heart in mouth.
The Italian then strives for intricate possession-based football in the attacking phases, which again does not fit the bill of a team that only managed 50 per cent or more of the ball twice in Tudor’s reign of error. The jigsaw pieces don’t fit.
Assuming De Zerbi sticks by his tactical bible, his arrival does not promise a smooth transition when Tottenham can’t afford otherwise. The fact he went winless in his first five Brighton games will also not kindle confidence; do that in N17 and Spurs are all but down.
But there’s another problem attached to this choice.
Within three weeks of joining Marseille after his Brighton exit in the summer of 2024, Mason Greenwood followed De Zerbi through the door. Greenwood was charged in October 2022 with one count of attempted rape, one count of controlling and coercive behaviour and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm over allegations relating to a young women after images and videos were posted online.
The Crown Prosecution Service dropped the charges in February 2023 owing to a “combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses” and there being “no realistic prospect of conviction”. But after Manchester United received widespread backlash for toying with his reintegration that summer, Greenwood has been effectively banished from the English game.
De Zerbi was understood to have pushed heavily for Marseille to snap up Greenwood despite his legal worries. He ended the 2024/25 season far and away the club’s top goalscorer with a league tally of 21, and De Zerbi has been outspoken in his unwavering support for the player.
In November, De Zerbi described Greenwood as a “good guy” who had paid a “heavy price” and added: “It saddens me what happened in his life, because I know a totally different person than the one who was described.”
It’s this that has caused multiple Tottenham fan groups to speak out against De Zerbi’s appointment. The club’s LGBTQI+ fan group Proud Lilywhites, along with Spurs Reach, both emphasised that progress should not come at the cost of “the values the club claims to stand for”. Women of the Lane defiantly said: “This is not an appointment Tottenham Hotspur should make.”
No to De Zerbi pic.twitter.com/TxShw3YjwY
— Proud Lilywhites (@SpursLGBT) March 27, 2026
Tottenham’s Tudor gamble catastrophically backfired, but one of the very few silver linings was that at least the fans were united in how bad things were. That was evidenced by the vociferous welcome they gave their team bus before the crucial Nottingham Forest game, which aged comedically poorly as Tottenham’s players curled over in a bruising 3-0 defeat.
De Zerbi, however, risks completely dividing this fanbase at the worst possible time. You only need to look at the social media comments of Proud Lilywhites’ statement to see the number of “anti-woke” supporters who diametrically oppose the group’s viewpoint.
Tottenham have eight cup finals left to save their season. Four of them, including the last game of the season, are at home, where they’re winless in the league since December. Crowd infighting will not change the tide.
And then there’s the fear that unlike maybe a Ryan Mason or Harry Redknapp - the “he knows the club” candidates - De Zerbi will not go down with the ship. The Independent understands he will get a huge bonus for keeping Spurs in the Premier League, but details are scarce on the security of his five-year deal if he fails to deliver survival. Would he have taken this job if he didn’t have an escape route?
Tudor was the short-term solution that combusted on arrival. De Zerbi joins with the long-term at the forefront, claiming to have been enticed by the club’s “ambition for the future”. If Spurs stay up, the ninth richest club in the world will feel well positioned to put this harrowing episode behind them and push back up the table. Sink to the Championship and Spurs may be left managerless, hopeless and with a fractured fanbase, their long-term plans torn to shreds.
If you like post-hype fantasy baseball sleepers, Monday was your kind of day. Especially on the pitcher’s mound.
Can we interest you in Lance McCullers Jr.? Did Mike Soroka catch your eye? Could Kyle Harrison finally be ready for his close up?
Draft your Yahoo Fantasy Baseball team for the 2026 MLB Season
Let’s start with Harrison, who was a top-30 prospect a few years back. He’s still just 24. The Red Sox considered him a key part of the Rafael Devers trade/salary dump last summer, or so it seemed. Harrison spent most of his summer with Triple-A Worcester, muddling through a 3.93 ERA and 1.59 WHIP.
But ears perked up when Harrison was traded to Milwaukee in the offseason. The Brewers have an outstanding track record with player development and identifying under-appreciated assets in other organizations. Harrison earned a rotation spot during a solid spring, where he had 20 strikeouts against four walks over 14 innings.
His Monday debut against Tampa Bay was a success — four hits, one run, one walk, eight strikeouts, 16 swinging strikes. Harrison allowed a leadoff homer to Yandy Diaz but otherwise was not in trouble. His fastball checked in at 95.1 mph, a notable jump from his early career. He also was effective with his retooled change, giving Harrison a logical path to retiring right-handed hitters.
Yahoo Fantasy+ unlocks premium draft tools, player projections and more
Armed with bumped velocity and a new pitch, Harrison looks like a plausible-upside case for mixed leagues. He’s pushed to 28% rostered in Yahoo, so there’s time to climb on board. He pitches at Kansas City on the weekend.
While Harrison’s case needs some imagination, we have proof of concept with McCullers. He was an All-Star back in 2017 and received downballot Cy Young votes five years ago. He’s been a fantasy asset before. It’s just a matter of him staying healthy.
McCullers didn’t pitch at all in 2023 or 2024, and he was hit hard in 16 appearances last year (6.51 ERA, 1.80 WHIP). So it makes sense that he was completely off the radar during draft season. But McCullers answered the bell in his 2026 debut, holding the Red Sox to one run over seven innings. He scattered four hits, walked one, struck out nine.
McCullers doesn’t hold the velocity from his salad days, but his 92.4 mph readout Monday was a notable tick up from last year’s 91.6 mark. Stopping a deep Boston lineup also impresses me. I understand why McCullers still lags at 9% rostered in Yahoo leagues, but I’ll scout his upcoming Athletics start with interest.
While McCullers is looking to rebound from arm injuries in his past, Soroka’s rehab story has a different slant. It was a pair of Achilles tears that cost Soroka two full seasons, 2021 and 2022. His amazing 2019 debut season — when he was second in NL Rookie of the Year voting and sixth in the Cy Young ranks — feels like 20 years ago. Soroka is now with the Diamondbacks, his fifth team. He’s won just eight games since 2019.
But you couldn’t watch Soroka on Monday and not be impressed. He kept the Tigers off the scoreboard over five smooth innings, with 10 strikeouts. He walked just one, allowed four hits. And I don’t know if the guns are hot this month, but he was another pitcher showing increased velocity in his debut turn.
Soroka was such an easy watch in his Atlanta days, using impeccable control to get positive results. He was the hardest starting pitcher to homer off in 2019. You revel at watching a craftsman at work, and he felt like the latest Atlanta pitcher to steal our hearts.
Soroka is still just 28. Arizona has a competitive club and an outstanding defense. The next two turns aren’t easy — Soroka draws the Braves and Phillies — but he’s earned the right to at least be a proactive streamer. He currently is rostered in just 7% of Yahoo leagues.
Keeping comebacks in the theme of the day, I want to give you one hitter to consider. Jake Burger is doing good things in the cleanup spot for Texas. He homered in his first two games of the year, and knocked in two more runs Monday. That’s a tidy .471/.500/.882 start.
Injuries cost Burger about a third of the season last year, but keep in mind the 63-homer guy we saw in 2023 and 2024. This is merely his age-30 season. Given how depressed the first base position appears in 2026, I’m mildly surprised Burger is still available in about 70% of Yahoo leagues. Keep an open mind here.
The Minnesota Vikings have had some misses in recent years in the first rounds of the NFL Draft. However, when it comes to the wide receiver position, the team seemingly found their diamonds. They have locked up Justin Jefferson long-term with a massive deal, and now they have the other half of their duo locked up for at least one extra year.
On Monday night, the Minnesota Vikings announced they plan to pick up the fifth-year option for Jordan Addison on his rookie contract.
Vikings interim general manager Rob Brzezinski told the media at the NFL's Annual League meeting, "He's a really important player for us, an impact player, we're definitely exercising the option. For sure. The deadline for that is after the draft."
During his career with the Vikings, Addison has accumulated 175 receptions for 2,396 yards and 22 touchdowns in two seasons. In his rookie season, he scored ten touchdowns, which tied him with Sammy White from his 1976 season. All of this led to his option being picked up, and now the next step will be for them to figure out a long-term contract.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Vikings plan to pick up Jordan Addison's fifth-year option
Ohio State football has six practices in the books, and multiple newcomers have already shed their black stripes. After Tuesday's practice, head coach Ryan Day confirmed that freshman wide receiver Brock Boyd is the latest to earn that distinction, making him the first member of the 2026 recruiting class to do so.
“I’m excited to see where his career goes, but he’s off to a great start.”
— Tyler Danburg (@TylerDanburg) March 31, 2026
Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day said freshman receiver Brock Boyd lost his black stripe today.
“This is somebody who knows how to run a route,” Day said. “He can play multiple positions, he was productive.” pic.twitter.com/WGF2C8AVoz
That part is what makes this noteworthy. Boyd came in as a 3-star prospect ranked No. 123 at wide receiver according to 247Sports, yet he beat out every other freshman to reach this milestone first. The 2026 class itself is loaded, ranking inside the top five nationally with two five-star recruits and 16 four-stars, and the wide receiver room in particular is stacked with competition. None of that slowed Boyd down.
Most Ohio State fans probably anticipated Chris Henry Jr., the No. 2 wide receiver in the class, or Jerquaden Guilford, ranked No. 12 at the position, to be the first wideouts knocking that stripe off their helmets. Instead, it was Southlake Carroll's all-time receiving leader quietly going about his business and earning it ahead of everyone.
Ohio State wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton also spoke on Boyd over the weekend, offering some insight into what the freshman has shown since arriving in Columbus.
Ohio State WR Coach Cortez Hankton on legend Brock Boyd. pic.twitter.com/vd8fcMGGI9
— Juck (@JuckOnBucks) March 28, 2026
Boyd has clearly made an impression early, and everything points to a young receiver actively working to carve out a real role in this offense sooner rather than later.
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State freshman WR becomes first in '26 Class to shed black stripe
Celtic midfielder Paulo Bernardo has moved agents ahead of the summer transfer window. The Portuguese midfielder has struggled for starts under Brendan Rodgers, Wilfried Nancy and Martin O’Neill but has shown in cameos that he can be relied upon.
However, in an announcement on Tuesday, Bernardo was confirmed by global talent agency The Team as their latest addition.
Screenshot
Bernardo joins The Team sporting agency, which could spark concerns that he is looking for a summer move. The 24-year-old has struggled for consistency since making his move to Celtic a permanent one and it is a confusing one, as there is clearly a player there.
Bernardo moves across from Gestifute agency, who boast clients like Lamine Yamal, Pedro Neto and PSG trio Vitinha, Joao Neves and Barcola.
The agency represent Bernardo’s Celtic teammate Dane Murray but they also represent Rangers duo John Souttar and Nico Raskin. It remains to be seen whether he will make a move but you would fancy the midfielder to relish the chance to make a midfield berth his own, especially with likely upheaval this summer and a new manager to come in.
The Brazil and Croatia national teams reached an agreement and decided to INCREASE the number of substitutions for this Tuesday’s friendly (31).
As a result, EIGHT substitutions will be allowed — the usual number in friendlies is six.
"In today’s match, by mutual agreement between the parties, EIGHT substitutions will be allowed, while keeping three stoppages for the changes," said the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) in a message sent to the press.
This new rule could benefit some players.
Kaiki Bruno, Douglas Luiz, Fabinho, Endrick, and Rayan were the only outfield players not used in the friendly against France.
Goalkeepers Bento and Hugo Souza also did not play.
This new rule — approved by FIFA — will allow coach Carlo Ancelotti to carry out more tests with an eye on the final squad selection for the World Cup.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
Sticking around in the NFL isn’t easy. One minute you’re a draft pick darling, and the next you can find yourself on the outside looking in for a job in the league.
The San Francisco 49ers under Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch have been known to cut bait on players who don’t meet their standards, regardless of draft investments. Think Trey Lance, Tyrion Davis-Price, and Danny Gray. A successful NFL roster should consist of a mixture of cornerstone players, veterans, and youth, who are either contributing or developing.
Free-agent signings tell you where an organization believes it is weak, which uncovers players on the clock who need to contribute to stick around on the roster.
Who are the three 49ers players who need to step up to stick around in 2026?
Jordan Watkins
Injuries are part of Watkins’ 2025 story. After a successful rookie camp, Watkins had considerable buzz, but once the rookie returned to action, he was buried on the depth chart despite the massive need at the receiver position in 2025. Point blank, having Malik Turner and other players off the street run ahead of you isn’t the best sign in the world.
Now, with the additions of Mike Evans, Christian Kirk, and one or two draft picks, Watkins is on the clock. Lynch spoke at the combine about Watkins needing to step up, and that is a public challenge to the rookie to perform. If the 49ers draft a first-round receiver, the bottom of the depth chart awaits for Watkins unless he turns it around.
It comes down to practice habits. No, players should not just figure it out in actual games. Build the trust, and you can earn playing time.
Jacob Cowing
There is a familiar theme in this piece with draft picks at the position. Some optimism for Cowing is Lynch’s comments at the combine, which felt the opposite of his comments on Watkins. Unprovoked, the 49ers GM mentioned Cowing as a player the organization is excited about. The former fourth-round pick has talent, but if he can’t make it to the field due to injuries, then it’s a frustrating situation all around.
Like Watkins, Cowing presents a vertical aspect to the 49ers offense, which they desperately need. The 49ers praised Cowing’s offseason, but a hamstring injury derailed his season, and now the former Arizona receiver needs to put it together in year three.
Ricky Pearsall
I’m as shocked as you are to see Pearsall on this list. The glimpses are there. The talent is clear. However, the former first-round pick has to overcome the injury bug. When Pearsall was drafted, it was assumed he would replace one of Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk in the 49ers offense. Now, Samuel is gone, and Aiyuk is on the way out, but the 49ers aren’t certain Pearsall can step into that number one role for the team.
The same goes for Pearsall as Cowing and Watkins. The 49ers certainly will add one or two more receivers in the draft. Although Evans and Kirk are one-year deals, the 49ers need assurance they can rely on Pearsall for the future to go in tandem with their draft picks.
Portsmouth boss John Mousinho has said that midfielder Ebou Adams will miss a "couple more weeks" with injury.
The 30-year-old played the full 90 minutes in their 6-1 defeat to QPR before the international break but sustained an injury during the game that saw him visibly upset after the final whistle.
That result was Portsmouth's third consecutive loss in the Championship and they have not won since beating Millwall on 21 February.
"Ebou's going to be out for the weekend, he'll be out for a couple more weeks," Mousinho told BBC South Today.
"The overall update in terms of the boys is that we have quite a few players coming back from injury, we've had an extensive injury list over the past six months which hasn't helped.
"We've never quite had a spell this season where we felt like the squads where we want it to be but we have a few coming back, Andre [Dozzell] is likely to miss out but we hope to have Keshi [Anderson] back for Friday."
Midfielder Dozzell has not played since February due to an ankle injury picked up away at Sheffield United while winger Anderson has only placed twice after signing in January have sustained a hamstring injury.
Following his arrival in January from Derby County, Adams has established himself as one of Portsmouth's best midfield players making 14 appearance and scoring twice.
"Since we went to Sheffield Wednesday away and Ebou made his debut there, I thought he was excellent and continued off the back of that," Mousinho added.
"He wrote himself into the club folklore by scoring the equaliser in the south coast derby and he's gone on to put in some very strong performances since.
"There was a reason we went and bought him in January for his experience, for what he gives you on and off the pitch, he'll be a miss."
Portsmouth, who sit 21st in the table, are back in Championship action on Friday when they travel away to Norwich City (15:00 BST) before a game against fellow strugglers Oxford United on Monday.
Ulster head coach Richie Murphy says his squad must feed off the positive experiences of their Ireland players in the recent Six Nations as they prepare to enter the business end of the season.
Ulster players, including player-of-the-tournament candidate Stuart McCloskey and back row Nick Timoney, played significant roles as the Irish team won their final four matches to finish second in the championship.
Murphy has all his Ireland internationals available again for Saturday's European Challenge Cup last-16 game against Ospreys in Belfast (20:00 BST), while the Irish province also have a home quarter-final berth in the United Rugby Championship very much in their sights.
"I think the great thing for us is that we can feed off the back of their [the players involved with Ireland]'s success. The players that were in all acquitted themselves really well," reflected the Ulster coach.
"This is the first week that we've all been back together, some lads were off last week, some were off the week before, so it's exciting to get everyone back in the same building and it's really important that we build towards this game and also looking at the end of the season.
"Confidence is really high and we need to feed off the back of that, grow our team and really attack these last weeks of the season."
Michael Lowry has been ruled out of the Ospreys encounter because of a groin injury sustained in training last week while James Humphreys (hamstring), Jack Murphy (ribs), Jake Flannery (shoulder) and Jude Postlethwaite (hand) are all injury doubts and will have their fitness for selection assessed through training this week.
Lowry was also absent for the weekend win over Zebre in Parma.
Ireland wing Robert Baloucoune had successful elbow surgery last week and will be sidelined for a number of weeks.
Sam Crean (knee), Charlie Irvine (lower leg) and Cormac Izuchukwu (concussion) have all resumed full training and are available for selection.
The Ospreys were 21-10 victors when the sides met in the United Rugby Championship on 28 February and sandwiched between wins over Edinburgh and Zebre, they also tasted defeat at the hands of Connacht at the Affidea Stadium.
"I think there's an excitement about knockout rugby. We are at the stage where we know if we can back up some really good performances we can put ourselves in a really good position," Murphy told BBC Sport NI.
"It's really important that we don't go away from who we are as a team, the way we have played all year. We want to get back towards that, deal with the process and take each day as it comes.
"Not get carried away with it being a knockout game. Just treat it as we have every other game, then we should be ok.
"I think people underestimate how good Ospreys are. We played them a couple of weeks ago and we were beaten. Tight enough game, even though it was an 11-point margin at the end of the game.
"It's important we build a bit of an atmosphere and build on the back of that."
East Lansing — Nick Sheridan got the idea pretty young that he couldn’t play football forever. Probably eighth or ninth grade, if he had to guess. But as the son of a football coach who is his “hero,” Sheridan knew coaching would be his future.
So, at 22 years old, after a walk-on career at Michigan that had him starting games at quarterback, Sheridan wrote letters to coaches all over the college ranks.
Good luck, he’d write. Oh and, keep me in mindif you have any graduate assistant positions open in the future.
“I wrote a lot of notes,” Sheridan said Tuesday. “And I can promise you I didn’t get a ton that wrote back.”
One who did: Pat Fitzgerald at Northwestern. That made an impression.
“I still have the note,” Sheridan said. “... He recognized a young coach that was just eager to learn and try to get better and network, and he was gracious enough to write me back.”
Now, more than a decade later, Fitzgerald and Sheridan are together at Michigan State, where Sheridan is the new offensive coordinator at a school he used to watch his dad Bill coach linebackers under Nick Saban.
“When I was kind of growing up in college, and after college, I looked up to Pat Fitzgerald,” Sheridan said. “You know, that was really just someone that I tried to emulate, someone I wanted to be like. And so this was a very easy decision for me, one I’m extremely grateful and appreciative of, and have a lot of familiarity.”
More: 'Incredible' opportunity: Former Michigan QB Nick Sheridan home again, but at MSU
Sheridan will make an average of $1.5 million over the next three seasons, according to a contract obtained by The Detroit News.
Sheridan was hired this offseason to Fitzgerald’s first staff as he took over the Michigan State program in December, looking to steer a once dominant Big Ten giant back to its former glory. That seems distant coming off a combined 18-30 record over the past four seasons — 9-15 over two seasons that included Mel Tucker’s dramatic firing in 2023, then 9-15 in two seasons under Jonathan Smith.
And yet, Sheridan has seen Michigan State as a contender. He knows what winning football looks like. Bill Burke, Chris Baker and Plaxico Burress were some of his idols growing up watching MSU games. His dad was an assistant coach alongside Mark Dantonio.
Sheridan takes the reins from Brian Lindgren, whose stubborn and often confusing play-calling left the Spartans scoring 24.6 points per game (87th in Division I) off 345.5 yards per game (97th). It struggled to feature its best playmakers, like phenom wideout Nick Marsh, or consistently move the chains once Big Ten play rolled around.
Under Sheridan, expect things to look different.
“We tell a lot of people we are an attacking, answer-based offense that features its playmakers,” Sheridan described.
An understudy of Kalen DeBoer at Alabama and Indiana, Sheridan uses the acronym F.A.S.T. to describe his offensive philosophy: fundamentally sound, attacking, smart and tough.
“I’ve been watching that offense for a while,” Fitzgerald said. “The multiplicity of it, the way that it’s able to use all of its weapons and move them around and get matchups that are advantageous for us. The ability to really put the ball in your playmakers’ hands in a number of different ways is what was attractive to me.”
Right now, Sheridan and his offensive staff are figuring out what playmakers they have, and what they can do, from the quarterbacks to wide receivers, tight ends to running backs. Even the offensive linemen — they’re athletes, too. This is an evaluation period, and an acclimation period as the Spartans install schemes over the limited practices of spring ball.
More: With LeVar Woods at helm, MSU football looks for special teams to flip games
Some of the names returning to this offense will be familiar to fans. Alessio Milivojevic is the incumbent starting quarterback, and slot receiver Chrishon McCray — the top returner from last year’s group with three touchdowns — brings his speed and acceleration to the mix. There are some new players in the mix, too, including the multitool tight end Carson Gulker, who played all over the field at Ferris State before transferring to play his final year with the Spartans.
“He’s like that one kid that could do it all,” tight end Brennan Parachek said. “So it’s fun to watch him play. He’s fun to watch in practice.”
More: Michigan State football takes 'great first step' in Pat Fitzgerald's first practice
If Michigan State has a long way to go, that’s expected midway through spring ball.
“There’s lots of work to be done. They’re learning every single day,” Sheridan said. “There’s new techniques, schematics every day that we go out there, and kids are working really hard.
“So certainly we have a long way to go, but we’re better now than we were when we started spring ball.”
@ConnorEaregood
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: What will Michigan State Spartans offense look like under Nick Sheridan?
SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners have agreed to a $95 million, eight-year contract with top prospect Colt Emerson, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
The contract, which starts this season and includes a team option for 2034, would be the largest ever for a player who has not made his major league debut.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn’t been announced.
The Mariners selected the 20-year-old shortstop with the 22nd overall pick in the 2023 amateur draft. Emerson entered the season as Baseball America's No. 7 prospect.
Emerson batted .357 with one home run and a double and a 1.000 on-base percentage plus slugging in three games for Triple-A Tacoma. He appeared in 18 spring training games for the Mariners and batted .268 with two homers and eight RBIs and an .828 OPS.
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AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum in Atlanta contributed to this report.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Tottenham Hotspur have appointed Italian Roberto De Zerbi as their manager on a long-term contract, the Premier League club said on Tuesday.
Tottenham has turned to former Brighton & Hove Albion manager De Zerbi to salvage a dreadful season which is in danger of ending in relegation from the top flight for the first time since 1977.
"Roberto was our number one target for the summer and we are very pleased to be able to bring him in now," Spurs Sporting Director Johan Lange said in a club statement.
"He is one of the most creative and forward-thinking coaches in world football, and brings with him a wealth of experience at the highest level, including in the Premier League."
The London club, which won the Europa League last season, are one point and one place above the Premier League relegation zone after 31 games, having not won in the league since December.
De Zerbi's first game will be at Sunderland on April 12, by which time Spurs could have slipped into the bottom three.
He succeeds Croatian Igor Tudor, who departed by mutual agreement on Sunday after seven games as interim manager following the sacking of Thomas Frank.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tottenham hires De Zerbi with Spurs battling Premier League relegation
On Monday night, a majority of the talk surrounding the basketball world was not necessarily on March Madness or the NBA, but rather what Alabama Crimson Tide commit Jaxon Richardson was doing.
Richardson was competing in the 2026 Sprite Jam Fest Slam Dunk Contest, doing so as part of the festivities which surround the McDonald's High School All-American Game. A game which Richardson will also play in, the Alabama commit went on to win the dunk contest Monday night, and in the process, sent the basketball world into a frenzy on social media due to some of his impressive dunks.
The talented forward is one-of-three commits in Alabama's 2026 recruiting class, with Richardson ranked as the No. 27 overall player in the nation, per the 247Sports Composite rankings. Richardson is also a highly-rated four-star prospect, and attends Southeastern Prep in Florida.
Here is a look at how social media reacted late Monday night following Richardson's impressive showing at the Sprite Jam Fest Slam Dunk Contest.
JAXON RICHARDSON TO WIN THE 2026 SPRITE JAM FEST DUNK CONTEST 😲 pic.twitter.com/zxotRuiu7T
— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) March 31, 2026
Your 2026 Sprite Jam Fest Dunk Contest Champion is Jaxon Richardson after one of the most amazing dunks you will ever see to cap it off: pic.twitter.com/LoFbcReFIZ
— Sam Holley (@samh0lley) March 31, 2026
Like father like son 🔥
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 31, 2026
Jaxon and Jason Richardson are now both dunk contest winners 🏀 pic.twitter.com/nVnYEZb046
Jaxon Richardson jumps over 5 people (including the 7’0” Ratliff twins) and wins the 2026 Sprite Jam Fest Dunk Contest!
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) March 31, 2026
(Via ahallmedia/IG | @McDAAG)
pic.twitter.com/DzyGy7Dtnh
Jaxon Richardson is a ridiculous vertical athlete. Arguably would’ve won the NBA dunk contest with his dunks from last night pic.twitter.com/f2ynSpGtMJ
— HoopsWill (@HoopsWill) March 31, 2026
This Angle is INSANE 🤯 https://t.co/PkoGhEApAopic.twitter.com/2qUA1UckVK
— NCAA Buzzer Beaters & Game Winners (@NCAABuzzerBters) March 31, 2026
That’s the good stuff
— Waaaay Offsides Cotton (@AlafrigginBama) March 31, 2026
Alabama commit Jaxon Robinson is gonna have Coleman on their feet! pic.twitter.com/nCBkN18UM8
The kid is going to be must watch in Coleman next season. Can’t wait for Alabamas edition of FGCU Dunk Citypic.twitter.com/BDsoG3GIVV
— Owen Barnes (@OwenDBarnes) March 31, 2026
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama basketball commit Jaxon Richardson wins 2026 Slam Dunk Contest
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is making steady progress in his rehab from reconstructive knee surgery, but it's currently unclear when he's going to be ready to fully participate in practice.
At the annual league meeting on Tuesday, Reid said that it's difficult to determine if Mahomes is ahead of schedule. But so far, Mahomes is doing well.
While it seems unlikely that Mahomes would be able to participate in many aspects of the offseason program given that he suffered his torn ACL in December, there's a chance he could be on the field for training camp. Reid was asked if, philosophically, he would rather have Mahomes on the field in a limited capacity or keep him on the physically unable to perform list to effectively protect the QB from himself.
"Yeah, I’m going to defer to the experts at that," Reid said. "If he’s good to go, he’ll go. If he’s not, then we’ll manage that. So, we’ll just cross it as we go. Everybody’s different. Everybody heals different, everybody’s injuries are a little bit different. Put him in a category — but we’ll see. We’ll see where it goes. He’s doing good now, which is a plus. We’ll see."
Mahomes recently posted a video of himself doing some light throwing, which is a positive sign for his recovery.
If Mahomes is not ready for the start of the regular season, the Chiefs now have Justin Fields as their backup quarterback.
Clemson football wrapped up spring with more clarity in the backfield, and it’s clear who set the tone over the past few weeks.
Gideon Davidson made the most of his opportunity, putting together a strong spring that carried over into the Orange and White game. The sophomore was efficient and explosive, averaging 8.9 yards per carry and showing he can handle a larger workload heading into the season.
“He’s had a great spring,” head coach Dabo Swinney said after the spring game. “He is (number) one coming out of it.”
Even with Davidson taking control of the top spot, plenty of attention has been on Chris Johnson Jr., the transfer addition from SMU. He was the only offensive pickup from the portal, and his speed immediately stands out. Although his spring game numbers were modest, he flashed big-play ability with a 10-yard run that highlighted just how quickly he can hit another gear.
Johnson brings a strong track background and proven production from his time at SMU, where he averaged over seven yards per carry and contributed in the passing game. That kind of versatility is part of why Clemson brought him in.
Still, there’s another step the staff wants to see.
“CJ’s had a great spring as well,” Swinney said. “He is going to need a big summer. He’s made some progress, just with his body since he got here. He has made some improvement.”
Swinney knows what Johnson looks like at his best. He pointed back to last season’s matchup, when Johnson totaled 99 all-purpose yards against Clemson, including a long run, a big catch and a touchdown that helped seal the game.
Dabo Swinney on if Clemson freshman Tait Reynolds can push for QB1
— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) March 31, 2026
📸 Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina, Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images https://t.co/XelfgcalLQpic.twitter.com/ZpkLjr3N5Y
Now, the focus is on building him into a more complete option. Clemson wants him ready to handle a bigger role, not just as a situational threat but as someone who can stay on the field consistently.
“I was really proud of him,” Swinney added. “He actually came back from spring a few pounds heavier than where he was. He is working his way physically where we need him to be this fall, so he can be a little bit more of an every-down type back and not just a situational guy. And that is important to him. He wants to be able to do that.”
Clemson’s running back room is looking good heading into the season.
Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions
This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney talks running backs after spring
One of the biggest points of focus for the New Orleans Saints over the past few draft cycles has been in the trenches, specifically at offensive tackle. With the team looking to build through productive offensive line play, especially now with Kellen Moore in charge, it is clear that they will likely continue to try and find quality backups in the event of injury, as well as potentially looking into their right guard spot long-term.
An option that they have recently been linked to is Louisiana offensive lineman Jax Harrington, with whom the team has been in contact, among three others being reported.
Harrington is a very impressive prospect, with his versatility being one of his most impressive traits. In four collegiate seasons, he posted 2,304 reps at right guard, 598 at right tackle, 38 at center, and 24 at left guard. Nearly all of those right tackle snaps came in 2025, his senior year, where he was certainly showing a little bit of a struggle at times, but did a quality job overall.
Louisiana OL Jax Harrington spoke with all the teams at his Pro Day, with the #Chiefs being the standout there. Harrington ran a 5.28u 40. He has been in contact with the #Giants, #Jaguars and #Saints. pic.twitter.com/OSjhtHqqhk
— Easton Butler (@Easton__Butler) March 27, 2026
In 854 snaps, 423 of which were pass blocking, Harrington allowed 21 pressures and 4 sacks, but did not have a single penalty to his name despite the position change. For three straight seasons, he has played 700+ snaps for the Ragin' Cajuns and has continued to show that he is an impressive piece with NFL potential. In his two seasons prior, he played as a primary right guard, and in a combined 1,443 offensive snaps, did not allow a single sack, gave up only 15 pressures, and was penalized 5 total times.
While he is a seventh-year player, he is still only going to be 25 entering this 2026 NFL season, so he has plenty left to give at the next level. With plenty of college reps to show for it, he may enter as competition for a starting job somewhere around the NFL, with the Saints among the interested parties.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Saints in on versatile Louisiana OL Jax Harrington
High school football schedules for the 2026 season are coming out one-by-one out of every state around the country and one that is a breeding ground for college prospects is Florida, with a number of squads finalizing their fall slates.
Up in the rural North Florida region of the the state, Branford (Fla.) will enter a new era of high school football as they have recently released their upcoming 2026 schedule and also who their next lead man of the program will be.
The Buccaneers hired Coffee (Ga.) assistant Will Dettor as the program’s next head football coach recently as they look to turn around their fortunes in the Sunshine State Athletic Association (SSAA). Dettor takes over a Branford program from previous coach Tim Clark that have averaged around seven wins per season since the 2017 campaign. The former Lake Weir (Fla.) head coach now will lead the Buccaneers through a transition, going from the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) to the SSAA this upcoming 2026 season.
The full Branford 2026 football schedule can be seen below, with all official game times included.
Aug. 14 – at Aucilla Christian Academy, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 21 – Eagle’s View Academy, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 28 – at Wewahitchka, 7 p.m.
Sep. 4 – at Bell, 7:30 p.m.
Sep. 11 – Oak Hall School, 7:30 p.m.
Sep. 18 – Port St. Joe, 7:30 p.m.
Sep. 25 – Crescent City, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 – at St Joseph Academy, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 – Trenton, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 23 – at Lafayette, 7:30 p.m.
The Buccaneers finished with a 7-4 record and ranked as the No. 352, according to the final Florida 2025 High School Football Massey Rankings.
For Florida high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the Sunshine State, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the state, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the Florida high school football excitement across the state.
There will be two water breaks during England's friendly against Japan as Thomas Tuchel's side attempt to mirror World Cup conditions.
Every game at this summer's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico will have a three-minute hydration break in each half to "prioritise player welfare" given the extreme heat that is expected in June and July.
As such, Tuesday's game at Wembley will be paused in the 22nd minute and again in the 67th as England try to familiarise themselves with the situation before their opening match against Croatia on 17 June.
"We asked for it to make it like a game in the World Cup, where we will have water breaks," Tuchel said.
"We will have a chance, for two or three minutes after 22 minutes in each half, to connect and give feedback."
The 52-year-old German said that England wanted also the breaks during Friday's game against Uruguay but the South American side refused the request.
"They didn't agree to a lot of stuff and that was not the spirit during the match," Tuchel added.
There are likely to be further breaks in play with an agreement between England and Japan meaning both sides will be able to make 11 substitutions during the match, rather than the usual five.
A recent change brought in by the International Football Association Board (Ifab) means eight substitutions will be permitted during international friendlies from 1 July, but that can be increased to 11 if the two teams agree.
Hydrations breaks at the World Cup have been brought in after complaints from players and managers during last summer's Club World Cup.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez said he felt "dizzy" while playing in "very dangerous" heat at the tournament.
"I was in the United States last summer for the Club World Cup and the heat was very intense," former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"I don't know if water breaks are going to be across the board. There are a number of stadiums that are inside [retractable roof] and are fully air-conditioned like the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
"There is no need for water breaks there. Do you stick with the rule to keep in line with everything else?"
In a statement last June, football's world governing body Fifa said: "Heat conditions are a serious topic that affect football globally.
"At the Club World Cup some significant and progressive measures are being taken to protect the players from the heat."
Heat is one the factors that has led to the World Cup having 13 different kick-off times.
Some holes just have our number. We all can relate to that nemesis hole that kicks us in the teeth on a regular basis. It happens to the best of us, too.
In the latest installment of the Golfweek/USA Today 2026 Masters Survey, we asked the pros to name their nemesis hole at Augusta National Golf Club. The answers may make you feel better about your own game and that hole at your home course that keeps giving you fits.
No. 1. I’m probably 10 or 15 over on the first hole. [Editor's Note: He's close. Bradley is +16 on No. 1 for his career with two birdies, 17 pars, eight bogeys and five doubles.]
The first green is wild and you’re so nervous teeing off there, especially the first day but generally every day, and they just whack you with the most difficult green.
I never thought I had one. Nos. 5 and 11 are the two toughest out there. No. 1 is one of the hardest starting holes in golf. I’ve heard Tiger say give me a four at the first and I’ll go to the next tee.
No. 3. I have devastated my chances at the Master there. I tripled it in the second round after driving it right in front of the green and then played ping pong. I’ve driven it in the fairway bunker and then airmailed the green. I’m not even sure I’ve ever made a birdie there. I’ve tried different tactics and I think I’m just going to send it from now on.
The fifth hole, just the way it looks off the tee. I used to be able to hit 3-wood and get away with hitting 6- or 7-iron in there. Now, if I hit 3-wood I’ll have 4-iron in and the green isn’t built for that. If I play it 1 over for the week, I’m happy. It’s just a hole I haven’t figured out yet.
I don’t love No. 5 anymore. They’ve made it so long and I don’t know if they’ve made it better by making it longer because it’s such a crazy green. That said, I may like the old version better in part because I made a two once there, holing a 7-iron in 2017. It flew straight in the hole. I kind of miss hitting 7-iron there.
Seven always has been tricky for me. I've had plenty of success on it. It can just be a tough little drive; it’s so straight. It suits the draw better with a fairway wood. Back in the day, it was a lot shorter hole and when Tiger won, he was hitting 2-iron off the tee. You don't have that option anymore.
No. 7. For some reason, it's kicked my butt. I've hit good tee shots, but it's the second shot that gives me fits. I think I hit in the front bunker eight times in a row at one point.
No. 11 by far. It’s really hard. If you have the wind into you, you’re hitting 3-iron into that bloody hole and it’s not a 3-iron green.
No. 11. My rookie year I was tied for the lead through 10 and I dumped it in the drink at 11. I haven’t played that hole well historically.
My wife would say five, but of late it has probably been 11. The shot I despise is the front-left hole location on No. 4 from the back tee. It’s 230 yards and you have no landing zone.
I know 12 has given me some bugaboos over the years. That one sticks out as probably one that I've struggled with.
Easy, 15. I’ve played it well off the tee but spun it in the water or one-hopped it over the green and made a lot of bogeys and doubles there.
Easy to say 16. I hit in the water there when I was trying to make a run (in 2021). But I don’t think I have a “nemesis” hole.
No. 18. It was such a beast in my day. We were hitting 4- and 5-irons into the green and then green itself is hard. It was one tough hole.
If there was a nemesis, it wasn’t a hole. I didn’t birdie and eagle the par 5s enough. Length, playing a draw and a higher ball flight was beneficial with some of the hole locations or ability to get extra roll out off the tee. I didn’t have my game predicated on just Augusta.
I never had one. I respected every hole equally.
Whichever one I’m playing now. [Editor’s note: This is the same answer he gave when asked to name his favorite hole!]
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Golfweek Masters Survey: Pros reveal their nemesis holes at Augusta National
We asked for your views on whether Liverpool will win enough points over their final seven games to secure a Champions League spot.
Here are some of your comments:
Stu: I'm rather surprised with my honest opinion but I only think 11 or 12 points - and that's being optimistic. I think we'll beat Fulham,Crystal Palace and Brentford at home but only manage a draw with Chelsea. Then in the away games, I'm extremely hopeful of a point at Old Trafford and Everton but I can't see us beating Aston Villa. A lot depends on which Liverpool turn up. If it's the one that smashed Galatasaray then they're winning five from seven and possibly getting draws in the others. If it's the team from early in the season then we'll do well to get the seven points we got from the reverse fixtures.
Paschal: With the style of football Liverpool are playing and the fans are having to endure, I am sorry to say that I cannot see any way they qualify for a Champions League spot. I hope and pray that I am proved wrong.
Ry: I don't expect Liverpool to finish in the top five. I think they will do well in Europe too and finish on a high. I don't like the idea of sacking management but it's not working and Arne Slot's style of play is slow, boring and sometimes negative - which is everything Liverpool are not. He needs to go even if we win the Champions League.
Stephen: Villa, Manchester United and Chelsea will only need a point when we play them to stay above us. Can't see us getting this one over the line. The 'transition season' continues into next year. No quick fix.
Shane: I'm sorry to say this as a long-time Liverpool supporter, but I don't think Slot is the man for guiding the team into a high-enough spot for Champions League football next season.
Ken: Liverpool, unfortunately, won't win any of the remaining away games and will drop points at home to Chelsea at least. Even the Conference League spot looks beyond them at the moment. A wretched season thanks to the dismantling of a title-winning squad and an insomnia-inducing style of play with little to no intensity in the best part of games. Changes needed everywhere.
A new rumor offers up a surprising yet exciting potential suitor in LeBron James‘ free agent market this summer.
At 41 years old, it is not a guarantee that James returns for a 24th NBA season this fall. It might even be a lock that he retires if the Los Angeles Lakers surprise and win an NBA Championship this spring. Yet despite their recent hot play, most don’t expect that to happen, so the 22-time All-Star has a big decision to make this summer.
After this season, James will become a free agent. It’s very possible that he stays in LA for a retirement tour. And in a new report from ESPN’s Dave McMenamin and Tim Bontemps, the Lakers seem to be the favorites to retain his services for a multitude of reasons. However, the NBA insiders also revealed a dark horse to watch in a potential free agent sweepstakes.
“One intriguing option floated to ESPN by multiple sources was Denver, where teaming up with three-time MVP Nikola Jokic would make for some awfully entertaining hoops,” the insiders claimed. “‘Who is the only guy on his level from a basketball IQ standpoint in the league?’ a West executive asked. ‘Go there and team up with that guy.'”
McMenamin and Bontemps added that James going to the Denver Nuggets might appeal to the Lakers because it would open the door to a sign-and-trade opportunity that could land LA players like Peyton Watson or veteran forward Cameron Johnson. Furthermore, they explained why going to the Mile High City would interest the multi-time MVP.
“Denver pursued James in 2018, when he left Cleveland as a free agent, spearheaded by Nuggets president Josh Kroenke, who is a friend of his. The Nuggets have since added Jared Dudley, another one of James’ friends, to the coaching staff,” they wrote. “After teaming up on the Lakers from 2019 to 2021, their relationship remains so strong that Dudley went into the visitors’ locker room at Ball Arena to see James after L.A. beat Denver on Jan. 20.”
The idea of James and Jokic teaming up, even for one season, could lead to a very entertaining year in Denver. Joining the Nuggets would show he really does want to win one more championship. However, there will surely be doubt that he would pass on a retirement tour Hollywood to play in Denver.
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Former Tennessee women's basketball assistant coach Gabe Lazo was hired at LSU on Tuesday. He resigned with the Lady Vols on March 27.
LSU head coach Kim Mulkey introduced Lazo on Tuesday.
“Gabe will be an outstanding addition to our staff,” Mulkey said. “He has been an invaluable member of two SEC staffs with an unbelievable ability to teach the game and recruit the best players in the country. Gabe will impact our program at the highest level, and his unmatched work ethic will lead to great results on the court and on the recruiting trail.
"It doesn’t matter if Gabe is out recruiting or coaching on the floor because the contributions he will make toward our program will be significant."
Lazo was replaced at Tennessee by Florida State associate head coach Bill Ferrara. Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell announced the hiring of Ferrara on Monday.
More: Kim Caldwell announces Tennessee basketball coaching staff changes
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This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Kim Mulkey introduces former Lady Vols basketball assistant at LSU
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Orioles fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The Orioles have only played four games out of a full 162-game season. They have won as many games as they’ve lost so far. It’s fine, for now. It would be nice if it was better, but it’s fine. Things just don’t feel fine since the losses and to some degree one of the wins are all continuing with stories that were problems for the team over the past season and a half.
Is the offense going to be good enough, with the offseason reinforcements it got, to reverse a trajectory of decline? Is a rebuilt starting rotation going to do the thing? Is a not-built bullpen going to cause continual problems? And then there’s the defense, good grief…
For this week’s survey, you have to pick only one. What’s your biggest concern for the rest of the season?
If you don’t see the survey above, view this article in Incognito Mode.
Results will be posted later in the week. In the meantime, you can head into the comments below to share your concerns.
Marc Cucurella’s criticism of Chelsea’s transfer model could have an instant effect, according to Kaveh Solhekol of Sky Sports.
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In the wake of the rather explosive comments from Marc Cucurella this morning about Chelsea’s transfer strategy, Kaveh Solhekol has gone straight on Sky Sports to speak about the situation.
The full back criticised the youth focused transfer model at Stamford Bridge, and according to Solhekol this could finally bring some changes.
“I don’t think the Chelsea ownership will rethink their strategy [but] I think they may tweak it a little bit, make a few changes,” Solhekol said on Sky Sports news.
“I think they’re gonna be busy this summer, but do I think they’re just gonna go straight out and forget about their strategy of signing young players? No, I don’t, but I would expect them to perhaps sign some more experience players, some ready-made stars.”
We’d love to believe that, but we have our doubts.
Solhekol also pointed out that Chelsea’s hierarchy might say that they have signed some more experienced players since they arrived, with Joao Pedro a prime example. In turn, one could point out that the Brazilian is still just 25, and had 0 Champions League appearances to his name when he signed.
Solhekol also spoke about the players’ reaction to Rosenior, pointing out that they didn’t really look like they backed the move.
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With a draw enough for France to book their place in this summer’s Euros, they preferred a cautious approach in the first-half. Louis Lemke, who scored the late equalizer against Slovenia, had the first chance of the game.
Thâo Mouapa denied the wingback with a smart save before Jannik Veit failed to capitalize on Germany’s next chance. France managed to slow the game for the rest of the half with Edin Biber’s late header the only other decent goalscoring opportunity.
Leonard Prescott had a very different game to the one against Slovenia, but he nearly conceded inside the first five minutes after the restart. Arone Gadou rattled the crossbar with a brilliant curling effort as Les Bleus nearly took the lead out of the blue.
Meanwhile, Bayern’s highly-rated goalkeeper continued to show his composure with the ball. However, he wasn’t able to stop half-time substitute Noah Loufoundou from close range as France all but secured qualification with the opening goal of the match in the 70th minute.
France’s win and qualification were sealed with a well-deserved goal for Gadou in the 84th minute. José Alcocer’s side will be one of the eight teams in this summer’s Euros in Estonia after topping the group with a maximum of nine points.
Germany also missed out on the U17 World Cup as their four points weren’t enough to put them in the top four in the ranking of best second-placed teams.
Through 4 games under new pitching coach Simon Mathews, Nationals pitchers as a group are seeing somewhat of a renaissance in terms of their “stuff”, with many of them finding extra velocity, spin, or movement on their pitches. Chief among them in terms of major changes has been Jake Irvin, who demonstrated perhaps more changes than any pitcher in the big leagues from 2025 to 2026 during his 5-inning, 2-run performance on Sunday at Wrigley Field. Let’s break down these changes and what they mean for Irvin’s 2026 outlook.
Lost in my coverage of Sunday's games was a very encouraging performance by Jake Irvin. Starting with a drastically lower arm slot, Irvin's fastball sustained its ride to push it to a plus offering. He also altered his slider to give it more loft. He is a name to follow! pic.twitter.com/RsOKuVQgmn
— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) March 30, 2026
The first thing of note is that Irvin’s velocity was up a tick in his first start of 2026 from 2025. His fastball was over 1 MPH faster than it was in 2025, and all of his breaking balls and offspeeds were up a few ticks of velo (except for one, but more on that later). Perhaps this was just a result of Irvin feeling fresh in his very first start of the year, and it will be back to 2025 levels in a few weeks, but velocity being down was a problem for Irvin from the start last year, so it’s certainly refreshing to see that not be the case this season.
Another change Irvin made was dropping his arm angle for the 4th consecutive season. Irvin had an average arm angle of 32 degrees when he entered the big leagues in 2023, and has dropped it all the way to 25 degrees now in 2026. The result is a complete overhaul in his pitch’s movement, with none of his arsenal having the same movement profile as when he entered the bigs.
The pitch that saw the most major change from the arm angle tweak, as well as a likely change in grip, was his slider, which lost nearly 2 MPH of velocity, and in exchange, had nearly 9 more inches of vertical break than it had in 2025, making the pitch more of a sweeper than a traditional slider. Pitch models are a big fan of the change to the pitch, with Thomas Nestico’s Stuff+ formula grading the pitch at 111, 9 points up from 2025, and in the top 50 for all sliders in baseball.
Irvin also refined his pitch usage in his first start of 2026, cutting his fastball and curveball usage and distributing it to other pitches. Against righties, Irvin used his sinker primarily, throwing it 30% of the time, and bumped up his cutter and slider/sweeper usage from 6% and 7% to 10% and 14%, respectively. He attacked outside all afternoon with his pitches, looking to miss barrels with his horizontal moving pitches, while occasionally coming inside with his fastball and sinker.
When facing lefties, Irvin drastically cut use of his fastball and curveball, with the heater usage dropping from 38% to 26% and the curveball from 33% to 23%. With that 24% drop in usage of his 2 main pitches in 2025, he filled it with a 16% increase in cutter usage, 4% increase in changeup usage, and 4% increase in slider usage. He kept his sinker below the zone, hammered inside with his curveball and cutter, and kept them guessing with fastballs on the outside corner.
To recap, through a velocity increase, refining of his slider, and optimization of his pitch usage, Irvin saw an overall improvement to his stuff and impressive results against an impressive Cubs lineup, with the only runs he allowed being solo shots in the wind turbine called Wrigley Field. If he can keep his velocity up and continue to attack hitters with a plan that fits his arsenal, we may be seeing a return to 2024 first-half Jake Irvin form.
The brass at La Liga champions Barcelona have made a definitive call on the potential signing of Manchester City star Bernardo Silva.
This comes amid confirmation that the Blaugrana do not intend to pursue a deal for the Portuguese.
Midfielder Silva is for his part set to be available as a free agent in the summer, after deciding against renewing his contract terms at The Etihad.
Barcelona, long-term admirers of the 31-year-old’s talents, have in turn been tipped as a possible landing spot for next season.
Not only that, but Silva is for his part understood to be keen on a Camp Nou switch.
If the latest word stemming from the Spanish media early this week is anything to go by, however, then the one-time Monaco man need not get his hopes up.
As per a report from Mundo Deportivo:
‘FC Barcelona has no plans to sign Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva this summer, despite his contract with Manchester City expiring.’
Conor Laird – GSFN
Tiger Woods was carrying opioids at the time of his DUI arrest.
On Tuesday, March 31, Page Six obtained an arrest affidavit from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, which explained that after the 50-year-old professional golfer’s Friday, March 27, car accident in Florida, an officer searched him and “located two white pills inside [his] left side pant pocket,” which were “revealed to be hydrocodone.”
While the athlete alleged he had not consumed any alcohol — he blew a 0.0 on the breathalyzer — or illegal substances when police asked, he did tell them he took “a few” when questioned about prescription medications per the affidavit.
The affidavit noted officers “observed several signs of impairment” from the three-time U.S. Open winner, who was hiccuping, “sweating profusely,” and physically “lethargic and slow.” However, police alleged Woods was “extremely alert during the investigation.”
After agreeing to perform field sobriety exercises, police claimed in the affidavit that the World Golf Hall of Famer was “limping and stumbling to the right,” shared that he “has a limp,” and “his ankle seizes while walking.”
Additionally, when law enforcement asked Woods to take his sunglasses off at one point, they observed his eyes were “bloodshot and glassy,” and he had “extremely dilated” pupils.
As for Woods’ reasoning for the accident, he reportedly told authorities he “was looking down at his cellphone and changing the radio station and did not notice the vehicle in front of him had slowed down,” according to the affidavit.
The other driver, identified as Jeromy Bullard, reportedly told the cops he was slowing down to make a right turn and had his turn signal on. The affidavit explained that Woods’ car rolled after it collided with Bullard’s vehicle.
Woods was arrested in Jupiter Island, Florida, and charged with driving under the influence with property damage, per Page Six.
An insider told Globeon Monday, March 30, that Woods “needs rehab, or at the very least a long stay at a wellness center, where he can learn new tools and process the reality of his situation.”
This story Tiger Woods Had Opioids on Him During DUI Arrest, Admitted to Taking ‘a Few’ Prescription Medications first appeared on Globe. Add Globe as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The first week of the 2026 MLB season is in the books. The start of the season had many players get off to hot starts. There will be regression as production will not be sustainable. However, it is important for players to kick off the season on a positive note. Heading into Week 2, here are the top 10 third basemen power rankings.
MORE: Stanley Cup power rankings heading into April
Donovan showed the ability to be a productive player in four seasons with St. Louis. As the Cardinals entered a rebuild, they dealt the infielder to Seattle. He’s off to a hot start with his new team, hitting two home runs in week one of the 2026 season.
The Cubs filled their void at third base when they signed Bregman this offseason. His first week with Chicago saw him reach two home runs and two RBI. His first season with the Cubs can produce a National League All-Star nod.
Lewis can hit for power, but health continues to be an issue. Last season was the first year he reached 100 games played. In nine at-bats, Lewis has two home runs and three RBI.
Gorman has every opportunity to surpass his totals from 2023’s breakout campaign. However, injuries have plagued the young player in consecutive seasons. In week one, Gorman hit one home run and drove in four runs.
House saw limited action in his 2025 rookie season. He had mixed results but showed promise. In three games, House has one home run, two RBI, and a .896 OPS.
Bohm has developed into an underrated third baseman. He hits for a high average and gets on base. In week one, Bohm registered one home run, four RBI, and a .385 OBP.
After a successful career in Japan, Okamoto is quickly producing for Toronto. Last week, the third baseman hit his first Major League home run. Okamoto will play a big role for the Blue Jays as they look to repeat as American League pennant winners.
Muncy produced modest results as a rookie last season. He finished with nine home runs and 23 RBI in 63 games. He’s off to a quick start, hitting one home run and driving in two runs.
Caminero became a well-known name last season. In his first full season, he reached 45 home runs and 110 RBI. At 22 years old, Junior Caminero has the potential to reach stardom.
Last season, Chapman resorted to battling injuries during his second year with San Francisco. Still, he reached 20 home runs and 60 RBI for a second consecutive year. If Chapman can reach 150 games played, he can hit 30 home runs and drive in 75 runs.
The 2026 NFL Draft is roughly three weeks away, and the Chicago Bears are finalizing their draft preparations ahead of April's big weekend. Chicago has seven total draft picks, including an additional second-round selection acquired in trading wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills, giving general manager Ryan Poles plenty more ammunition to work with.
After an offseason that has seen plenty of roster turnover and has left several holes on the roster, the Bears will more than likely be very active in using their draft picks to fill out their roster. Chicago's biggest signing this offseason was safety Coby Bryant, who they signed on the first day of free agency, but still have to address needs in the secondary, defensive line, and elsewhere on the roster.
ESPN's Matt Miller released a full seven-round mock draft for all picks in the upcoming draft, where the Bears loaded up on defense at key positions of need.
The Bears have to get better on the defensive line both inside at the defensive tackle spot and on the outside to establish a presence opposite of Montez Sweat. Woods is coming off a year in which he didn't fully meet expectations, but he does present plenty of challenges for opposing offensive linemen.
Miller: "This isn't a great interior defensive line class, but the Bears could check off their biggest roster need while picking a defender in Round 1 for the first time since 2018 (Roquan Smith). Woods didn't live up to his potential at Clemson, but scouts believe that he'll be a better pro than college player. His physical tools are special, with first-step burst and overall strength that look like a high-end 3-technique starter. Woods could serve as Grady Jarrett's understudy before taking a larger role in the future."
Most mock drafts have the Bears taking a safety early in this year's draft, but most have projected them to address the position with their first-round pick. Haulcy plays physical and fits the bill of a ballhawk, which Chicago lost with the departures of both Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker this offseason.
Miller: "The Bears entered the offseason with no safeties under contract. They signed Coby Bryant from the Seahawks, but there's still a need. Haulcy is a big safety (6-foot, 215 pounds) who has been a playmaker, with 10 career interceptions."
While the Bears lost several safeties this offseason, they also lost Pro Bowler Nahshon Wright who had a career year in the 2025 season. Chicago struggled with injuries to Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon, so bringing in a corner like Muhammad would help reinforce the secondary.
Miller: "Losing Nahshon Wright in free agency was a bigger blow than advertised. Muhammad has been a rock-solid starter since his freshman season and has 4.42 speed to go with pro-level technique in man coverage."
Bell is an underrated name in this year's receiver class, with a size-speed combination that would fit well in Ben Johnson's offense. He may be overlooked due to playing at UConn after two years at Wisconsin, and could be a surprise at the NFL level.
Miller: "Building around Caleb Williams should be a priority in every Bears draft. Bell is an impressive athlete with the speed and route-running ability to win consistently from the slot."
The fourth round seems a bit long to wait for an edge rusher for Chicago, but if they are able to get their hands on Reiger, it would be a great value pick. Fitting the exact bill as a pure pass rusher, Reiger has a quick motor, with good hands and energy, all of which he showcased at the Combine in February. Finding players like Bell and Reiger would show deep work by the Bears front office to find good value fits for where they're being taken.
A depth pick here, the Bears continue to add to the interior of their defensive line with the selection of Gusta late in the seventh round. Known for giving plenty of effort, Gusta would have plenty of work to put in which he can improve on handling double teams but he'll face a battle to make the roster unless he can show significant improvements in preseason and camp.
Chicago also needs help at the linebacker position for depth purposes, Kelly has good speed sideline-to-sideline, and as a linebacker he could find a role as a specialist pass rusher at the position. His best chance is making the team with special teams contribution as a rookie, but could be a diamond in the rough find for Chicago if he could develop into a pass rushing asset.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Breaking down Chicago Bears' picks in new ESPN 7-round mock draft
Opposition is growing among official Tottenham fans' groups to Roberto de Zerbi being named manager because of his controversial support of Mason Greenwood.
The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust held an emergency board meeting on Monday night and has now contacted the club to say it cannot support the appointment.
The group told BBC Sport that it had received "a lot of emails from supporters" lodging complaints.
Ali Speechly, the co-founder of Women of the Lane, said her group also opposed the appointment and she will stop attending matches over the issue.
De Zerbi has said Greenwood "paid in a strong way" after leaving Manchester United for Marseille after charges against him, including attempted rape and assault, were dropped.
Spurs have confirmed the former Brighton and Marseille manager as Igor Tudor's replacement on a five-year deal.
But De Zerbi faces a battle to be accepted as the club fights to preserve its Premier League status.
Greenwood was seen as one of United's most promising young players when, at the age of 20, he was arrested in January 2022.
All charges against the former England international were dropped in February 2023.
Greenwood left Old Trafford to continue his career, initially on loan at Getafe before joining Marseille in July 2024 in a deal worth up to £26.6m.
The transfer was agreed 19 days after De Zerbi was appointed as boss of the Ligue 1 club.
But it was controversial in the French city. The mayor, Benoit Payan, said that signing Greenwood was "unacceptable" and he did not want the club "to be covered in shame".
Marseille went ahead with the signing, and the 24-year-old has scored 47 times in 74 appearances across all competitions.
Alongside Paris St-Germain's Ousmane Dembele, Greenwood was Ligue 1's joint top scorer last season with 21 goals.
The comments which have angered many Spurs fans were made in November.
Before a Champions League game against Newcastle, De Zerbi was asked by an English journalist how things had been for the striker off the pitch.
"I don't want to get involved in anyone's private life. I don't even get into the private lives of my children, because I want to give everyone their freedom," De Zerbi told a pre-match news conference.
"All I can see is that Mason seems a good lad, he paid in a strong way for what happened.
"He has probably here found the right environment for him, which gave him affection, and held out its hand to him.
"When I look at him as a person, I feel sad for what happened in his life, without getting into the details.
"Because the person I know here is very different to the one that has been described, especially in England."
De Zerbi is accused of downplaying the allegations and painting Greenwood as a victim.
It is not the first time Tottenham have faced major opposition to a managerial appointment.
In June 2021, following the departure of Jose Mourinho, Spurs were linked with Gennaro Gattuso.
Some fans on social media referenced controversial comments the former Italy midfielder had previously made on subjects such as same sex marriage, and women in football.
A #NoToGattuso hashtag began trending on Twitter, and the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust raised the issue with the club.
Tottenham backed away and said Gattuso was not being considered as a candidate.
There are parallels with De Zerbi.
Trust secretary Tristan Foot told BBC Sport that it had taken on board complaints from supporters about the Italian and had been in touch with the club.
"We had an emergency meeting last night," Foot said. "That resulted in us writing to the chief executive and echoing those concerns and inviting them to reflect on the club's values."
Club sources told BBC Sport that De Zerbi's comments on Greenwood had been considered as part of the process to appoint him and had formed part of discussions.
Women of the Lane is one of a number of official Spurs fans' group to have voiced concerns across social media in recent days.
It was joined by Proud Lillywhites - the LGBTQI+ Supporters' Association, and SpursREACH, which promotes the values of fans from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds.
Speechly, who helped to create Women of the Lane two years ago, said the appointment brought into question the values and integrity of the club.
"The fact is that he hired him [Greenwood] as a player," Speechly said.
"And then continue to publicly back him and support him, sympathise with him.
"For me, that's just unforgivable. I think that speaks to the character of De Zerbi.
"I don't want him anywhere near my football club.
"This is about how we feel, this is about values, this is about integrity and, ultimately, it's about safety.
"It's about women feeling that they are safe around other men."
Speechly added that it undermines the work done by the club to build relationships with minority groups.
"Actions speak louder than words," Speechly added.
"In terms of my relationship with [the club] it's massively impacted it.
"In all honesty I don't have any intention now of going to the stadium if they do appoint De Zerbi."
Ahead of De Zerbi being announced, Foot said that the Trust held the same concerns about the club's integrity.
"We think that our club should reassert values of equality and respect," he added.
"This appointment, out of many that they could have made, seems to be the one that could fly in the face of that.
"We have told the club that if they go ahead with the appointment, that we will issue a formal statement reflecting the serious concerns we have."
Tottenham Hotspur have been approached for comment.
The Los Angeles Rams saw an opportunity to acquire an All-Pro talent and they wasted no time striking. They traded a first-round pick (and three additional picks) to the Kansas City Chiefs for cornerback Trent McDuffie, addressing their most pressing position of need with a big splash.
Though the timing was different, this trade is similar to another one the Rams made in 2019 to land Jalen Ramsey from the Jacksonville Jaguars. A few years later, that trade helped propel the Rams to a Super Bowl, and they hope McDuffie can do the same.
Sean McVay is thrilled to have McDuffie in Los Angeles, speaking about the Rams’ new cornerback during the annual league meeting on Monday. During his media session, he compared McDuffie to Ramsey in the way they’re both versatile and have unique skill sets as complete defensive backs.
“When we were aware that McDuffie was available, and then you have this unique opportunity where you have (DBs coach) Jimmy Lake, who was his college coach, who's going to be coaching the secondary this year, and you hear about number one, you look at the four years of his body of work and the versatility where he can do a lot of things that were similar to what made Jalen Ramsey such a special player for us when our defense was really operating at a high clip,” McVay said, via Stu Jackson of TheRams.com. “He can play into the boundary, can play to the field, he can play in the slot, he can blitz. He's rare, and then he's a rare human. And that was really important."
McDuffie became an All-Pro in 2023 when he primarily played the slot, lining up there on 608 of his 1,243 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. He was a second-team All-Pro in 2024 after playing more outside, only aligning in the slot on 152 of his 1,206 snaps.
That sort of versatility is incredibly valuable to the Rams, especially with Quentin Lake also having the ability to play in the slot or deep as a safety. Jaylen Watson, the Rams’ other new cornerback, almost exclusively plays on the boundary, using his size and length to match up with bigger corners. That allows McDuffie to move around the formation to where he’s needed most.
The Rams plan to utilize McDuffie in several different spots, and he’s more than open to that. He said in his introductory press conference that he’ll play wherever the Rams need him, even if it’s at safety or putting his hand in the dirt as an edge rusher.
It's going to be fun to see how it all comes to life because for the first time since Ramsey, the Rams have an All-Pro cornerback in their secondary.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams CB Trent McDuffie gets compared to Jalen Ramsey by Sean McVay
Arrowhead High School alumnus Mitchell Mesenbrink learned from a Hodge Trophy winner and now has one for himself.
The Penn State national champion was awarded the Dan Hodge Trophy, acknowledging the nation's best wrestler, a little more than a week after winning his second NCAA title.
Mesenbrink became the sixth Penn State wrestler to win the award, and he did so in a landslide with 61 of the possible 65 first-place votes from a committee of retired coaches, media members, past winners and heads of national wrestling organizations. Wrestlers are chosen based on record, dominance (including the accumulation of bonus points), quality of competition and sportsmanship.
A redshirt junior, Mesenbrink went 27-0 with eight pins, 11 tech falls and six major decisions. Two of those tech falls came in the NCAA semifinal win over Columbia's Cesar Alvan and the title win over Iowa's Michael Caliendo. Mesenbrink won 17 times over wrestlers that qualified for the 2026 NCAA Championships, including nine against All-Americans at 165 pounds.
He also joins a growing fraternity of Wisconsinites to win the Hodge, consisting of Port Washington's Alex Dieringer of Oklahoma State in 2016 and Arrowhead's Ben Askren of Missouri in 2007 and 2006.
Askren established the Askren Wrestling Academy in Hartland, joined by brother Max (also a national champion) and Mitchell's father, John, the longtime head wrestling coach at Arrowhead. Naturally, it's a place where Mitchell trained during his days in Wisconsin, when he also won three WIAA state titles at Arrowhead.
The award has been handed out since 1995.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Arrowhead alum Mitchell Mesenbrink named NCAA's best wrestler
Patriots' Mike Vrabel Has This Focus Ahead Of Draft: 'Give Me Nine Of 'Em' originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Hunter Henry. Julian Hill. ________.
The New England Patriots would be wise to start preparing for the future at tight end, and apparently plan on doing so during the 2026 NFL Draft.
"I love 'em. Give me nine of 'em," Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said during his media availability at the NFL's Annual Meetings on Tuesday. "Bring me as many tight ends as we can get."
LIVE: Mike Vrabel Press Conference 3/31 https://t.co/Mk4JkrIW0I
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) March 31, 2026
Vrabel, while clearly joking, does appear willing to add several players at tight end -- noting that it will be about "finding the right guy" based on fit. Vrabel was complimentary of this year's class at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.
"Just looking across the board, I think there's volume at the tight end class," Vrabel said. "When you go and you evaluate other teams and you get ready to play them, there's a bunch of fourth-and-fifth-round tight ends that end up starting, playing, and contributing. So, wherever that value is, I just think that there are some names there."
It'll remain to be seen who exactly ends up being a fit, but we do believe there are a few players in particular who fit what the organization should be looking for. It's just a matter of waiting and seeing.
More NFL: Patriots' Mike Vrabel Addresses TreVeyon Henderson's Attention-Grabbing Comments
The Seattle Mariners are not messing around with No. 7 MLB prospect Colt Emerson.
According to multiple reports, the Mariners have reached agreement with the 20-year-old shortstop on an eight-year, $95 million deal. This comes before Emerson has even made his MLB debut.
The deal, expected to be completed on Tuesday, March 31, would be the largest ever signed by a player who has not played in the majors, MLB reports.
MORE: Diamondbacks celebrate pitcher’s rare feat in first win of 2026
ESPN’s Jeff Passan posted about the deal on X.
The Mariners selected Emerson in the first round with the 22nd overall pick of the 2023 MLB Draft out of John Glenn High School in New Concord, Ohio. He is Seattle’s top prospect.
Seattle sent Emerson to minor-league camp on March 21 after he went 11-for-41 with two homers, one double, one triple, eight RBIs, five walks and 10 strikeouts over 47 plate appearances in spring training. So far for Triple-A Tacoma, Emerson is hitting. 357 with a home run and two RBIs in three games played.
Seattle Mariners shortstop Colt Emerson bats against the Los Angeles Dodgers during a spring training game. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Passan wrote that Emerson’s deal follows a recent trend of MLB teams locking up promising prospects early. On Monday, March 30, the Milwaukee Brewers reportedly neared an eight-year, $50 million agreement with 21-year-old shortstop Cooper Pratt, per MLB.com. Pratt has not made his MLB debut, either.
“Teams more and more are willing to give big money to players with no major league service time but the pedigree to be frontline players. The allure of having a player’s prime locked up makes it worth the risk,” Passan posted on X.
The situation didn’t work out for Seattle in 2019 when it signed first-base prospect Evan White to a six-year deal before he made the majors. Though he won a Gold Glove during his rookie season in 2020, White struggled at the plate. He hasn’t played in the majors since 2021.
Seattle’s starting shortstop, J.P. Crawford, started the regular season on the 10-day injured list with shoulder inflammation.
The Mariners are 3-2 after handing the New York Yankees their first loss of the season on Monday. Seattle hosts New York again at 9:40 p.m. ET Tuesday, March 31.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino told AFP Tuesday that Iran "will be at the World Cup" and will play their group matches in the United States as scheduled, despite the Middle East war.
"Iran will be at the World Cup," Infantino said at half-time as Iran beat Costa Rica 5-0 in a friendly in Turkey.
"That's why we're here. We're delighted because they're a very, very strong team, I'm very happy."
"I've seen the team, I've spoken to the players and the coach, so everything is fine," added Infantino, whose attendance at Tuesday's game was unannounced.
Infantino went on to stress that Iran's "matches will be played where they are supposed to be, according to the draw".
The World Cup, being hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, starts on June 11.
Iran are set to play their first Group G game against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. They are then scheduled to play Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 27.
Iran's participation had been thrown into doubt by the war with the US and Israel that broke out on February 28.
"For us, what matters most are FIFA's rules and regulations. We will comply with whatever FIFA decides. Every host country has made commitments to FIFA and must honour them," Mahdi Mohammadnabi, the vice president of the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI), told AFP at the match.
The FFIRI had said earlier this month it was "negotiating" with FIFA to relocate the country's World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also said that her country is prepared to host Iran's first-round matches at the tournament if needed.
-'Fruitful discussion' -
Infantino initially said that US President Donald Trump had given assurances that the Iranian team would still be welcome.
But Trump then stated that Iran's team should not travel to the tournament "for their own life and safety".
Iran hit back at Trump's comments, saying that "no one can exclude Iran's national team from the World Cup".
On Tuesday, Mohammadnabi said Infantino had been en route from Mexico to Qatar.
"Having learnt that we were organising friendly matches here, he came to see us in person, and we had a fruitful discussion," Mohammadnabi said.
"Given our history in this competition, it is only natural that FIFA should support the Iranian team. Mr Infantino is providing the necessary support to our national team and has given our players a great boost."
Asked before the game if Iran would be at the World Cup, back-up striker Dennis Eckert Ayensa told AFP: "Inshallah" (god willing).
Iran, who also played a friendly against Nigeria in the Turkish town of Belek last Friday, crushed Costa Rica, who have not qualified for the World Cup, 5-0 on Tuesday.
Skipper Mehdi Taremi, with two penalties, Ali Gholizadeh and Mohammad Mohebbi put Iran four goals up by the break. Half-time substitute Mehdi Ghayedi added a fifth in the 51st minute by which time coach Amir Ghalenoei had started to empty his bench.
Before the game, Iran's players wore black armbands and posed with photos of what officials said were young victims of the war, including those killed in an airstrike on a primary school in Iran on the first day of the conflict.
The airstrike on the school in the southern Iranian city of Minab on February 28 killed at least 170 people, including students and teachers.
The New York Times has reported that the preliminary findings of a US military investigation indicate that a US Tomahawk cruise missile hit the school due to a targeting mistake.
rba/pb/nf
With Duke’s loss to UConn in the Elite Eight, every team in the ACC is now in off-season mode, other than Boston College, which is waiting for Huskies assistant Luke Murray to move to Beantown, which he can’t do until UConn’s season ends.
Over the last few years, we’ve argued that the issue with the ACC being down was coaching. A lot of Athletic Directors seem to have realized that, and adjustments have been made.
Everyone other than BC and UNC now has a coach in place, and the ACC roster should be much more imposing.
Carson Beck and Ty Simpson are making some of the same stops as they make the pre-draft rounds of NFL teams.
NFL Media reports that Beck and Simpson are both slatedfor meetings with the Cardinals and Dolphins ahead of next month's draft. Both quarterbacks have also spent time with the Jets already.
Simpson had a brief meeting with the Cardinals at the Combine as well and their head coach Mike LaFleur called him a "good dude and we'll see where it goes."
Beck has also met with the Steelers while Simpson has spent time with the Browns as he works to find a home in the NFL.
A former basketball coach pleaded guilty to statutory sexual offense with a person under 15 Monday, according to the Anson County Criminal Superior Court.
Jamaszio Burch was sentenced to a minimum of 15 years in prison for sexually assaulting a player. Prosecutors say the assault happened in 2022.
ALSO READ >> Former youth basketball coach charged with more child sex crimes
Burch also faces human trafficking charges.
He’s a former coach for Union Academy Charter School, Anson High School and an AAU Team, named the N.C. Jayhawks.
VIDEO: Wadesboro coach charged for human trafficking, indecent liberties with children
Replacement players will be allowed in county cricket in England and Wales this season and, for the first time, will cover illness and significant life events as well as injuries.
The season-long trial means players will be able to be replaced with a fully participating player for the first time, rather than just a substitute fielder as is currently the case.
The significant life events will include circumstances such as players leaving to attend the birth of their child or the illness of a family member.
"Most sports have injury replacements," Rob Andrew, the England and Wales Cricket Board's managing director of the professional game, told BBC Sport.
"We haven't gone whole hog with tactical replacements like rugby.
"We feel it is appropriate that players are not forced to stay on the field or miss significant life events."
The move comes after the International Cricket Council asked members to trial injury replacements in domestic cricket.
Such trials have already been held in first-class cricket in Australia, India and South Africa but the ECB has taken it further by allowing replacements for illness and life events.
"We wanted to do something that was different to other boards and play our part in learning as much as we could," said Alan Fordham, the ECB's head of cricket operations.
The ECB expects injury replacements to be used in 25% of matches, starting with this weekend's opening round of matches in the County Championship.
It would eliminate scenarios such as England bowler James Anderson being ruled out of a 2019 Ashes Test after four overs because of a calf injury, or all-rounder Chris Woakes having to bat with one arm in a sling against India last summer.
Once a player has been replaced they will be unable to return in the same fixture.
As with concussion replacements, the incoming player must be like-for-like. That element will have to be signed off by the match referee.
Replacements for injury and illness will require clearance by county chief medical officers. In the scenario of replacements for life events, the chief executives of each county will have to agree to the move.
One deterrent for teams bending the rules to gain competitive advantage is the inclusion of a "stand down period" of eight days for any player replaced for illness or injury. There is no such period for life events.
Unlike trials held in other countries, there is no cut-off period during the match for the replacements. They will be allowed after the first ball or before the last.
"We are relying on medical ethics and integrity," Fordham said. "This is all about getting the best quality cricket, looking after players and not having players continuing in games they shouldn't be.
"If teams are going to start pushing at the edges of the regulation then it risks the chance we will have to backpedal."
Bayern Munich have discussed Hamburger SV goalkeeper Daniel Heuer-Fernandes as a potential back up to Jonas Urbig next season.
However, this scenario may only come about if current first-choice Manuel Neuer decides to retire at the end of the current campaign.
Meanwhile, Heuer-Fernandes' contract expires this summer, but will automatically extend by one year if HSV avoid relegation.
The club would like to keep the Portuguese goalkeeper, but would not stand in his way if he seeks a new challenge in his career.
Heuer-Fernandes, now 33-years-old, has kept the joint-fifth best clean sheet total this season with 6 in 27 Bundesliga games.
Jay Bilas is one of the foremost analysts in college basketball and has been so for a while. The former Duke star has been a mainstay on ESPN, as both a studio analyst and color commentator, and even was on the call when the Wolverines lost to the Blue Devils in the February nonconference, neutral-site matchup.
On Monday, Bilas linked up with prominent Michigan alum Rich Eisen to break down the Final Four, and naturally, the duo got talking about the Wolverines.
While Bilas sees this game as being a really good matchup, and one that Michigan absolutely could win, he does see one place where the Wildcats could have the advantage, and it's a place that has hurt the Wolverines a few times this season.
"Two teams that match up really well together size-wise and with physicality," Bilas said. "I think they play a little bit differently. Arizona is an inside-oriented team. They're going to pound the ball inside in high-low situations, getting downhill. They want to put pressure on the rim all the time. And so they have great positional size in the interior, but the free-throw line is going to determine the game.
"Obviously, there are other aspects. One team out-rebounds, the other whatever, turnovers. There are a lot of factors. But the biggest factor is going to be, can Michigan play the physical game that they're going to have to play to beat Arizona and keep Arizona off the foul line? Because Arizona makes more free throws on the season and in their tournament games. They make more free throws than their opponents attempt, and the free-throw line is the most efficient place to score in a basketball game. And if you see Arizona getting to the line 25 times, 30 times, that's going to be advantage Arizona."
💻 @JayBilas
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) March 30, 2026
Is the upcoming #Michigan / #Arizona National Semifinal matchup the de facto title game?#marchmadness#finalfourpic.twitter.com/fehN6ED4pv
As it pertains to free throws, Michigan occasionally struggles from the line, but it is actually ranked higher than Arizona on the season, having made 74.2% of its shots from the stripe to 73.5%. However, as Bilas notes, the Wildcats get to the line much more frequently, ranking third in the country, averaging 26.8 free throws per game. Michigan is 68th, averaging 22.9.
Even with that metric, the Wolverines do have other advantages. Bilas notes that the maize and blue shied away from some of them in the game against the Blue Devils, but so long as Michigan plays its game, it will be very difficult to beat.
"Michigan has a different gear than most teams. They can go on these 20-2 runs or something," Bilas said. "I'm not sure that's necessarily possible against Arizona, but they're the one team that can do that in this tournament. And I think you and I talked after the Michigan-Duke game in Washington, D.C., the thing that surprised me about that game was that Michigan didn't get to their second and third actions in possessions against Duke. I thought if those two played again, they wouldn't let that happen, and they can't let that happen against Arizona.
"Michigan runs a great offense. They've got so many weapons. Yaxel Lendeborg, chief among them, he'll be like the queen on a chessboard for Dusty May. But if they get to those second and third actions, kind of like UConn does, they're going to be extraordinarily difficult to beat. That's going to be a great game, and it's worthy of any championship game we'll ever see. And one of the great things is we get in the semifinals, and then you get a great championship game after that."
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Bilas on Michigan vs Arizona Final Four matchup
Trent Sisley, the only one of Indiana men’s basketball’s three true freshmen to see extended playing time during the 2025-26 season, will return to the program for his sophomore season in 2026-27, per reporting from Joe Tipton of On3.
Sisley originally committed to the Hoosiers under Mike Woodson but remained signed during the coaching transition to Darian DeVries last offseason. Originally from Santa Claus, Indiana, Sisley played at Heritage Hills High School in Lincoln City, Indiana before transferring to Montverde Academy for his senior season.
Sisley entered his first season receiving significant minutes off the bench before being phased out of the rotation as the season went on. His bench contributions proved critical in Indiana’s 2OT win over UCLA when he made the game-winning free throws in the closing seconds. He ultimately averaged 4.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.4 assists in 13.1 minutes per game.
With plenty of attrition from outbound seniors, DeVries could use as many returners as he can get. Sisley was probably at the top of the priority list.
Injuries can be viewed as a glass-half-full or glass-half-empty ordeal in the world of fantasy baseball. On one hand, a player is not active and thus, of no use. On the other hand, that player may be lowly owned, and so you can add and stash that player for future value. Today, we angle towards doing just that - stashing players on the IL who are angling have great future upside. Look to these players.
Gurriel is due back to the D-Backs on May 1st, or around that date, due to a knee injury. Gurriel is a consistent .415-.475 slugging percentage hitter, with 20 total home runs. He will start every day once back, so he does have upside every day, especially after batting .275 in 2024 and thus having great baseball in his bag.
Kelly is due back at the diamond in about two weeks. He has been out due to nerve irritation, but when healthy, Kelly is a 3.50 ERA pitcher and is owned in about 44% of fantasy baseball leagues.
Reports confirm that Holliday is struggling in his rehab starts. Expectations cannot be sky-high for his mid-April return, but Holliday still has a scouting report that suggests he will be a star in the MLB. That is worth taking a shot at.
Stowers is available in 50% of leagues, and he should absolutely be added as one of our breakout candidates of 2026. Stowers will remain out roughly 3 more weeks, but when back, you have a 30+ home run player who slugged the ball at a .544 number in 2025.
Adam is not expected to get us any saves, as Mason Miller has that job. However, Adam is still extremely elite and should field innings-per-week similar to a starting pitcher, pitching twice as many games per season. Adam has back-to-back seasons with a sub-2.00 ERA and nearly 11 K/9. Adam is out with a quadriceps injury but is due back in about one week.
Yesavage is available in 46% of leagues, so check your waiver wire. Yesavage is a 2026 rookie of the year candidate, and in 2025, he posted 3 solid starts with 14 IP, 16 K's, and a 3.21 ERA. Yesavage is rehabbing back from a shoulder injury, and I planned to return in about two weeks.
The former Cy Young candidate is not due back until May. However, when healthy, Bieber is a sub-3.50 ERA pitcher, posting a 1.02 WHIP in 2025 and a 0.92 WHIP in 2024. Bieber is among the better pitchers in the MLB, owned in less than 30% of fantasy baseball leagues, and on a Blue Jays team that made the World Series last year.
This article was originally published on www.si.com/onsi/fantasy as 7 Injured Fantasy Baseball Players You Need to Stash Before They Return.
Fact Check: Dan Hurley not suspended for UConn's Final Four game-- fake social media post strikes again originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
One of the storylines from UConn's incredible 74-73 Elite Eight win over Duke was Huskies head coach Dan Hurley's strange behavior in the final moments. He came face-to-face with an official on the court for a stare down, drawing many to believe there should've been a technical foul called for his antics.
While some believe it was a "playful" gesture in the midst of an emotional scene, Hurley clearly violated the rules and nothing was called on the court.
There was one social media post that went viral after the tense exchange from Hurley. It has fans believing Hurley would be out for UConn's Final Four game against Illinois. Parody account Shane Tuttle tweeted out, "BREAKING: The NCAA is suspending UConn HC Dan Hurley for Saturday’s Final Four matchup against Illinois.
BREAKING: The NCAA is suspending UConn HC Dan Hurley for Saturday’s Final Four matchup against Illinois.
— Shane Tuttle (@ShaneTuttleNCAA) March 30, 2026
Hurley strictly violated Rule 10-3.2.h with 0.3 seconds left against Duke which prohibits physical contact with an official with intent to harm. pic.twitter.com/4CBTIPcDds
"Hurley strictly violated Rule 10-3.2.h with 0.3 seconds left against Duke which prohibits physical contact with an official with intent to harm."
In reality, Hurley hasn't been suspended by the NCAA. Despite the post being viewed over 1.3 million times on X, the news is fake.
UConn prepares to face Illinois in Indianapolis on Saturday. The winner moves on to a spot in Monday's National Championship game to face either Arizona or Michigan.
Tottenham appointed Roberto De Zerbi as the club's third manager of the season on Tuesday as they battle to avoid relegation from English football's top-flight for the first time in nearly 50 years.
Former Brighton and Marseille boss De Zerbi has reportedly been handed a lucrative five-year deal to convince him to take the job immediately rather than waiting to see which division Spurs are in next season.
Tottenham sit just one point outside the relegation zone with seven games of the Premier League season remaining.
De Zerbi replaces Igor Tudor, whose interim reign lasted just seven games after Spurs crashed out of the Champions League and fell ever closer to the Premier League drop zone.
"I am delighted to be joining this fantastic football club, which is one of the biggest and most prestigious in the world," said De Zerbi in a club statement.
"I am here because I believe in that ambition and have signed a long-term contract to give everything to deliver it.
"Our short-term priority is to climb the Premier League table, which will be the complete focus until the final whistle of the last game of the season."
De Zerbi established a positive reputation for himself in England during a two-year spell as Brighton boss between 2022 and 2024.
His time at Marseille started positively, finishing second to Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 last season to qualify for the Champions League.
But he left the French club in February after failing to make it out of the Champions League group phase and a humiliating 5-0 defeat by PSG.
Tottenham have not tasted life outside the top flight of English football since the 1977/78 season.
Despite boasting a new 63,000-capacity stadium, state-of-the-art training ground and revenues that make them among the top 10 richest clubs in world football, they are at severe risk of a humiliating relegation to the Championship.
Just a few years ago they were Champions League regulars under former manager Mauricio Pochettino, reaching the final in 2019.
Last season they ended a 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League.
But the warning signs of a battle for survival were there as Ange Postecoglou was dismissed despite victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final after finishing 17th in the Premier League.
Thomas Frank was appointed as the Australian's successor, but the Dane was sacked in February after a run of two wins in 17 league games and replaced by Tudor.
De Zerbi's first match in charge will be away to Sunderland on April 12.
kca-jdg
Jets' ideal draft pick at No. 2 overall is versatile linebacker with pass-rush upside originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Picking No. 2 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, the New York Jets will have their pick of the majority of the rookies in the upcoming class.
And with Fernando Mendoza all but locked into the Las Vegas Raiders pick at No. 1 overall, the Jets have known for a while who their options will be. While they could go offense, defense is the clear best option.
ESPN's Matt Bowen identified the ideal draft pick for the Jets with that second-overall pick. It's an Ohio State linebacker with blazing speed, but it's not Sonny Styles. Instead, versatile LB/Edge Arvell Resse would be the ideal pick for the Jets.
"... But I like Reese because of the positional versatility he would bring to coach Aaron Glenn's defense," Bowen writes. "With the Jets, Reese should be viewed as a playmaker who could boost the second-worst scoring defense from 2025 (29.6 points per game)."
The Jets could decide to take a chance on someone that's a true edge defender, like David Bailey out of Texas Tech or Ruben Bain Jr. out of Miami. But the upside case with Reese is too much to pass on.
Without a quarterback worth taking No. 2 overall, and the defense in dire need of upside, someone like Reese, who can play both off-ball linebacker and also get some run as a pass rusher, would be an ideal draft pick.
More: Jets predicted to draft David Bailey No. 2 overall after offseason spending
At the NFL Combine, he ran a ridiculous 4.46 for someone his size at 6-foot-4, 241 pounds. He's not just athletic, he's productive as well.
He had 6.5 sacks last season for the Ohio State Buckeyes and was consistently a great tackler all season, thanks in part to his great athleticism.
Reese would be a great pick for the Jets, and it's a huge part of the reason why so many mock drafts have the Jets taking the versatile Ohio State linebacker/edge defender at No. 2 overall.
The Miami Dolphins only had one running back hit free agency this offseason, and that was Alexander Mattison, who missed the entire 2025 season due to a neck injury that he suffered the preseason.
With that, the rest of the room is set to return, and it's probably Miami's best position group on the offensive side of the ball entering 2026, but the Dolphins are still looking at ways to add at running back before Week 1.
According to KPRC2's Aaron Wilson, the Dolphins hosted running back prospect Kaelon Black for a meeting ahead of the 2026 NFL draft.
Black, 24, was a two-star recruit out of Salem High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia, before committing to James Madison in 2019. After four years with the Dukes, he spent his final two years in college at Indiana, where he won a national championship in 2025.
In 51 collegiate games, he rushed for 2,261 yards and 16 touchdowns on 5.1 yards per attempt and caught 52 passes for 473 yards and six scores. The 2025 season was by far his best, as he rushed for 1,040 yards and 10 touchdowns on 5.6 yards per carry.
Black is currently projected to be a Day-3 pick in the draft, so the Dolphins could address several other needs before grabbing a depth running back.
More Dolphins: Dolphins rumored to play NFC West team in international game in 2026
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: 2026 NFL draft: Dolphins hosting national champion RB for visit
PDFsam Basic is a free, open-source tool for splitting, merging, and organizing PDFs. Version 6.0 adds three compression modes, better support for PDF 2.0 and UTF-8 text, stronger handling for malformed files, and more quality-of-life improvements.
Manuscript is two things. For publishing houses, it's a tool that streamlines the entire editorial process and makes it 10 times more efficient. It uses AI ethically, handling the tedious parts of editing while keeping the artful, human side of publishing exactly where it belongs: with humans.
For authors, Manuscript is a full workspace that gives you a complete toolbox but leaves the writing entirely to you. Think of it as a Scrivener alternative built for the 21st century—one that will never write for you.
TapHum is a presence app that lets you tell someone you're thinking of them with a single tap. No messages, no emojis, no pressure to reply. Just tap their circle and they instantly feel it through a gentle vibration and a warm glow on their phone. It removes the need for words while keeping connections warm and effortless.
Each person in your circle gets their own glowing orb you can personalize with a custom color and nickname. Build daily streaks by tapping each other, see your shared timeline grow over time, and connect through QR codes or invite links. TapHum is for the people you don't need words with, like partners, parents, and best friends who just need to know you're there.
LOT Polish Airlines launches a new direct route between Rome Fiumicino Airport and Krakow, offering year-round service with flights operating five days a week. The new connection allows travellers to reach the southern Polish city […]The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for February 2026 global passenger demand with the following highlights: Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 6.1% compared to February 2025. Total capacity, […]Munich Airport is expanding its Chinese Shopping Assistant service across all terminals from April 2026, as flight connections between China and Munich continue to grow. The service, designed for Chinese-speaking passengers travelling to cities such […]Noida International Airport’s Groundbreaking Phase 1 Inauguration by PM Modi Elevates India’s Aviation Landscape and Unlocks Economic Opportunities for Uttar...
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Moments Gallery Launch at Dream Downtown Ignites NYC Art Scene with King Saladeen’s Dreams Manifest ShowcaseMoments. Gallery has launched inside...
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Iceland Overtakes Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and France Lead Global Clean Energy Race with Lowest Carbon Power GridsIceland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland...
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The post Jerome Powell’s Parting Words: ‘Stick to Your Knitting’ as Senate Prepares Warsh Hearing appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
Jerome Powell does not do unsolicited advice. He said so himself. But speaking publicly in what amounts to one of his final major appearances before Kevin Warsh takes the chair, Powell offered something close to a farewell address to the institution he has led through a pandemic, an inflation crisis and now a period of deepening geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
“Stick to your knitting,” Powell said. “There is always a temptation to want to move into other areas. We have very powerful tools. They are supposed to be for maximum employment, price stability and financial stability. There is always a time when an administration looks and says it would be good to use that tool for something else.”
He did not name names. He did not need to.
The Senate Banking Committee is preparing to hold a confirmation hearing for Warsh in the week of April 13, a timeline that places his nomination squarely inside one of the most turbulent macroeconomic moments in recent memory.
Inflation is rising again. US-Iran tensions are escalating and clouding the rate cut outlook that markets had been quietly counting on. The FOMC meets April 28 to 29, and whoever sits in the chair by then, or is confirmed to sit there soon after, will inherit a set of decisions with no clean answers.
Powell acknowledged the weight of the role without flinching. “What we do is very challenging and highly uncertain. The Fed is not a perfect institution. Don’t look for perfection.”
What he did ask for was something simpler and more fragile: independence.
“We are not trying to work against any politician or any administration. But we have to be careful to stick to what we are doing.”
Warsh, a former Fed governor known for his market-focused instincts and more hawkish leanings, enters a confirmation process shaped by competing pressures. The White House has made no secret of its preference for lower rates. Markets want clarity. And Powell, in his own careful way, just reminded everyone why the person holding that chair cannot simply deliver what any one side wants.
Meanwhile, the CLARITY Act, which would formally define crypto assets under US law, is advancing toward a markup in April with growing bipartisan support, adding another dimension to the regulatory environment Warsh will need to navigate.
Powell also spoke directly to students navigating a labour market reshaped by AI and immigration policy shifts, offering a perspective that was optimistic in the long run and honest about the near term.
“It is a challenging time to enter the labour market,” he said plainly. “But this economy is going to give you great opportunities. Master these new technologies. That should stand you in good stead.”
On whether AI ultimately complements or replaces human workers over a 40-year horizon, Powell, for once, did not pretend to have the answer.
“It is so hard to say.”
The post SIREN Price Prediction 2026, 2027 – 2030: Can AI Narrative Push Siren Coin Toward $10.00? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
Siren is gaining attention amid the growing interest in AI-themed meme tokens. Right now, its rise seems to be driven more by hype and interest than by clear fundamentals.
The recent price increase shows that more money is flowing into these kinds of tokens, especially ones that mix meme appeal with the idea of future use. The big question is whether this interest will continue. Tokens like this can move quickly when people are paying attention, but they need steady buying to keep going.
With that in focus, let’s break down Siren’s price outlook.
| Cryptocurrency | siren |
| Token | SIREN |
| Price | $0.9414
-43.78%
|
| Market Cap | $ 685,518,201.28 |
| 24h Volume | $ 89,523,482.6404 |
| Circulating Supply | 728,213,818.6612 |
| Total Supply | 728,213,818.6612 |
| All-Time High | $ 3.7106 on 22 March 2026 |
| All-Time Low | $ 0.0000 on 09 February 2025 |
Siren is currently trading in a narrow range between $1.50 and $1.80 after reaching its recent high. The $1.50–$1.60 area is acting as support, where buyers are stepping in and keeping the price steady. On the upside, the price may face resistance between $2.20 and $2.50, where selling pressure could increase.
This kind of movement usually means the market is taking a pause before deciding its next direction.
If the price moves above $2.20, it could rise further toward the $3.80–$5.00 range. On the other hand, if it drops below $1.50, it may fall back to around $1.20–$1.30.
For now, the most likely scenario is that SIREN stays between $1.50 and $2.20 through April, unless there is a strong push in either direction.
Siren enters 2026 after a strong rally, now holding in the $1.50–$1.80 range. At this stage, the focus is less on rapid gains and more on whether the price can stay stable and build a steady trend.
The key level to watch is $1.50. This area has become the first support after the breakout. If the price holds here, it shows that buyers are still active and willing to step in even after some selling. Staying above this level would keep the overall structure healthy and support the chances of a continued upward move.
push toward $6.80–$10.00. Still, because the token is new, any sharp moves are likely to be quick and uneven rather than smooth.
If the price fails to move past this resistance, it may stay in a wider range for some time. In that case, Siren could trade between $1.20 and $2.20 as the market cools down after its earlier surge.
On the downside, a drop below $1.50 would weaken the current setup and could lead to a fall toward $1.20, where the next support level sits. This would suggest that the earlier momentum has slowed and the market is resetting.
Overall, 2026 looks like a year where Siren either builds a more stable trend or continues to move sideways as it settles after its initial rise.
| Year | Potential Low ($) | Potential Average ($) | Potential High ($) |
| 2027 | 6.00 | 11.20 | 15.00 |
| 2028 | 11.00 | 17.20 | 20.00 |
| 2029 | 22.00 | 30.00 | 38.00 |
| 2030 | 25.00 | 38.00 | 50.00 |
As per the siren Price Prediction 2027, siren may see a potential low price of $6.00, The potential high for siren price in 2027 is estimated to reach $15.00
In 2028, siren price is forecasted to potentially reach a low price of $11.00, and a high price of $20.00
Thereafter, the siren (siren) price for the year 2029 could range between $22.00, and $38.00
Finally, in 2030, the price of siren is predicted to maintain a steady positive. It may trade between $25.00 and $50.00
The long-term outlook depends on whether Siren stays useful, especially in real-world blockchain applications. If it does, growth may continue, but at a slower and more steady pace as the project matures.
| Year | Potential Low ($) | Potential Average ($) | Potential High ($) |
| 2031 | 42.00 | 50.00 | 62.00 |
| 2032 | 52.20 | 68.50 | 75.00 |
| 2033 | 63.00 | 74.20 | 88.00 |
| 2040 | 87.00 | 108.50 | 120.00 |
| 2050 | 105.50 | 160.00 | 200.00 |
| Year | 2026 | 2027 | 2030 |
| Changelly | $8.00 | $14 | $20 |
| CoinCodex | $7.40 | $12 | $25 |
| WalletInvestor | $9.00 | $16 | $22 |
Stay ahead with breaking news, expert analysis, and real-time updates on the latest trends in Bitcoin, altcoins, DeFi, NFTs, and more.
SIREN is gaining traction due to the hype around AI-themed meme tokens, attracting capital despite limited fundamentals and early-stage development.
SIREN has potential but remains high-risk. Long-term success depends on sustained demand, real use cases, and whether it evolves beyond meme-driven hype.
SIREN may trade between $1.20 and $10.00 in 2026, depending on demand. Holding above $1.50 keeps the bullish setup intact for further upside.
SIREN could reach between $25 and $50 by 2030 if adoption grows and momentum continues, though price swings may remain volatile due to its early stage.
By 2040, SIREN could trade between $87 and $120 if long-term adoption and real-world use cases expand, though forecasts remain speculative.
The post XRP News: Ripple Partners With Convera for Stablecoin Cross-Border Payments appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
Ripple (XRP) News: Convera has announced a strategic collaboration with Ripple to introduce stablecoin-enabled cross-border payments for businesses. The partnership combines Convera’s global payment network with Ripple’s blockchain infrastructure to deliver faster settlements, improved liquidity, and more flexible treasury solutions using crypto and stablecoins.
According to the announcement, the collaboration focuses on offering crypto-enabled payment and treasury services for enterprises. By integrating Ripple’s infrastructure, Convera aims to simplify international transfers and reduce delays associated with traditional banking systems.
The collaboration also targets payment corridors where legacy financial rails remain slow or costly. Businesses using the platform will be able to move funds more efficiently while maintaining familiar fiat-based workflows.
Patrick Gauthier, CEO of Convera, said Ripple is a clear leader in the crypto space and a natural fit for the company.
“We look forward to continued success and growth as we roll out these capabilities to customers near and far.”
The collaboration uses a stablecoin-based settlement structure often called the “stablecoin sandwich” model. In this setup, payments start in fiat currency, convert into stablecoins for settlement, and then convert back into fiat at the receiving end.
Convera manages the full payment flow, including customer experience and compliance. Meanwhile, Ripple provides the backend infrastructure, including liquidity sourcing, on- and off-ramps, and cross-border settlement.
We’re partnering with Convera to expand enterprise cross-border payments.
— Ripple (@Ripple) March 31, 2026
Together, we’re combining global payment rails with stablecoin-enabled settlement to improve speed, liquidity, and reliability.https://t.co/OTa8apYIZa
This approach allows companies to move funds globally without exposure to crypto volatility. It also reduces reliance on multiple intermediary banks, which typically slow down international transfers.
The move comes as businesses increasingly look for more efficient ways to send funds internationally. Stablecoin settlement offers quicker processing times and more predictable costs compared to traditional cross-border payments.
Aaron Slettehaugh, SVP of Product at Ripple, “Enterprises are increasingly looking for faster, more flexible ways to move money globally without taking on the complexity of digital assets directly.”
By combining Convera’s payment expertise with Ripple’s blockchain-based liquidity, the partnership aims to give businesses more control over how and when funds move across borders.
The collaboration highlights growing adoption of stablecoins in enterprise finance. As demand rises, infrastructure partnerships like this could play a key role in reshaping global payment systems.
Google Pixel 11 Pro has appeared in early leaks, which gives us a simple idea of its design before launch. The phone is expected to arrive in August 2026, and it looks very similar to the previous model. Instead of big changes, Google is making small improvements to the design. It will compete with strong rivals, including the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, which may offer more noticeable upgrades.
The new renders has been shared by Android Headlines. Looking at these renders, the Pixel 11 Pro looks very similar to the Google Pixel 10 Pro. The biggest change is the camera bar on the back. It now appears fully black, which makes the phone look cleaner and more modern.
The rest of the design, including the flat sides and display, stays mostly the same. The bezels are thin, but not as thin as some other flagship phones like the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Image via Android Headlines
Aside from this, the Pixel 11 Pro is expected to come with a 6.3-inch display. It may run on the new Tensor G6 processor for better performance. The phone could have 16GB RAM, but there is also a chance of 12GB. Storage might start at 256GB.
These images are based on CAD files, which are usually given to case makers before a phone launches. Because of this, they give a good idea of the phone’s size and shape. However, small details like colors or exact finishing may still change in the final version. Still, these renders are useful to understand the overall design. Stay tuned for more information.
The post Leaked renders of Google Pixel 11 Pro highlight minor tweaks appeared first on Sammy Fans.
Samsung has quietly announced a new keyboard accessory (EF-DX935) for its Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra Pro tablet. It comes in gray and silver colors and retails for $400/€390 from Samsung.com. Samsung Tab S11 Ultra Pro Keyboard in Gray Samsung Tab S11 Ultra Pro Keyboard in Silver Samsung Tab S11 Ultra Pro Keyboard is made from aluminum just like the Tab S11 Ultra, and it features a chicklet-style QWERTY keyboard, glass trackpad and a stand to help prop up the tablet at different viewing angles. It attaches magnetically via the Pogo Pin connector and is powered by...
Aptoide has just launched AppArena in Japan. This is the first "tailored alternative iOS game store" for the Japanese market, the company says. The launch was made possible by Apple's recent regulatory-induced changes enabling third-party app markets, following the passing of Japan's new Mobile Software Competition Act of 2025, which mandated this move. The Japanese launch is in partnership with BBSS Corporation, a digital services and IT provider owned by the SoftBank group. AppArena is available today in Japan. It "moves away from traditional download-driven rankings, allowing users to...
Italy face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the UEFA World Cup Qualifiers for 2026, looking to secure direct qualification after missing two consecutive editions. With an impressive roster, the Azzurri come in as clear favorites to take the win. However, the Dragons will look to enhance their attacking play, targeting their opponent’s defensive weaknesses.
Watch Italy vs Bosnia and Herzegovina live on Fubo
Bosnia and Herzegovina are not a historically dominant national team, but they have grown significantly in recent years in UEFA competitions. Led by Edin Džeko, they have improved their performances, relying on aerial play as one of their main strengths. In addition, coach Sergej Barbarez has managed to make their defensive structure shine, meaning the Azzurri could face a tough challenge.
Despite not being in their best form, Italy still arrive as clear favorites to secure their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Coach Gennaro Gattuso has implemented a strong attacking setup, led by Federico Dimarco and Matteo Politano on the wings. Additionally, Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Barella support the attack, acting as ideal partners for the forwards. With this, the Azzurri are aiming for a strong return to the tournament.
Unlike Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina do come into the match with one absence: Amar Dedić. Because of this, coach Sergej Barbarez could turn to Armin Gigović. However, he may keep a fairly similar lineup, with Tarik Muharemović and Nikola Katić leading the defensive line. Looking to make the difference in attack, Edin Džeko will serve as the undisputed leader of the national team aiming for a historic victory.
Considering this, Bosnia and Herzegovina could play as follows: Nikola Vasilj; Armin Gigovic, Nikola Katic, Tarik Muharemovic, Sead Kolasinac; Esmir Bajraktarevic, Ivan Šunjić, Benjamin Tahirovic, Amar Memić; Ermedin Demirovic, Edin Džeko.
After recovering Sandro Tonali, Riccardo Calafiori, and Moise Kean, Italy arrive with their full roster available to face Bosnia and Herzegovina. With this, coach Gennaro Gattuso could make slight changes to his starting lineup, such as giving a chance to Pio Esposito, who impressed in the previous match in his limited minutes. In addition, he would keep Manuel Locatelli as a key figure to balance the team’s midfield.
With this, Italy could lineup as follows: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Gianluca Mancini, Alessandro Bastoni, Riccardo Calafiori; Matteo Politano, Nicolò Barella, Manuel Locatelli, Sandro Tonali, Federico Dimarco; Pio Esposito, Moise Kean.
The stakes could not be higher as Poland prepares to face Sweden in a decisive play-off final. The outcome of this clash is far more than just a victory or defeat, as it carries major implications for the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with only one team advancing.
There is a sense of déjà vu surrounding this encounter, as Poland previously overcame Sweden in a similar high-pressure scenario to book a place at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. This time, however, the dynamic feels different, with Sweden enjoying home advantage and stronger recent momentum.
Despite contrasting journeys to the final, both national sides arrive with belief and purpose. Poland has relied on resilience and experience, while Sweden has rediscovered attacking confidence at just the right moment. The margins are expected to be razor-thin, with individual brilliance likely to determine the outcome.
Sweden enters the final in strong form, guided by head coach Graham Potter. The Scandinavian side secured an impressive 3-1 victory over Ukraine in the semi-final, powered by a stunning hat-trick from Viktor Gyokeres. That performance not only showcased attacking quality but also restored confidence after a difficult qualifying campaign.
Poland, on the other hand, had to fight much harder to reach this stage. Under the guidance of Jan Urban, they came from behind to defeat Albania 2-1, with goals from Robert Lewandowski and Piotr Zielinski. The performance highlighted their experience and ability to deliver under pressure.
Statistically, Poland appears more balanced, boasting stronger defensive numbers and greater attacking volume. Sweden, however, brings efficiency and form, making this one of the most evenly matched finals in the European play-offs.
Prague finds itself at the center of European soccer tonight, a city bracing for a match that promises tension, grit, and the kind of drama only a one-game final can deliver. The meeting between the Czech Republic and Denmark is more than just a contest, as it carries the weight of expectation after long, difficult qualifying journeys. Only one national team will leave EPET Arena with its fate secured.
Both national teams arrive from contrasting paths: the Czech Republic through a dramatic comeback against Ireland, and Denmark through a dominant dismantling of Macedonia. One carries resilience, the other arrives with momentum, and both recognize the unforgiving nature of a single-match final. The stakes are unmistakable.
And before the match unfolds, the mysterious consequence looming over tonight finally becomes clear: the outcome determines who claims UEFA’s final remaining World Cup place, and who sees its journey end in Prague.
Czechia enters this final with belief sharpened by survival. Against Ireland, the national team twice trailed, only to force extra time through Ladislav Krejci before winning on penalties thanks to Matej Kovar’s saves and Jan Kliment’s decisive strike. The victory extended a strong run at home, where it remains unbeaten in qualifying.
The national team’s motivation runs deeper than the usual stakes. The Czech Republic has not reached a World Cup since 2006, and tonight presents its clearest path back to the global stage in two decades. That pressure blends with hope, especially with a home crowd amplifying every moment.
On the other hand, Denmark enters this final fueled by sharp form and strategic clarity. Brian Riemer’s national team swept aside Macedonia in a convincing 4-0 win, with goals from Mikkel Damsgaard, Gustav Isaksen, and Christian Norgaard sealing progress. The performance reinforced Denmark’s depth and balance across midfield and attack.
Though Denmark arrives as the favorite on paper, Prague’s atmosphere and the Czech Republic’s home record offer real resistance. This national team has not lost at home during qualifying and carries a determination forged through adversity. The final promises a level contest shaped by tactical precision and emotional intensity.
While they are not in their best form, Italy managed to defeat Northern Ireland, thanks to a brilliant performance by Sandro Tonali. With this win, they secured their spot in the UEFA World Cup Qualifiers playoffs, but they face a tough challenge ahead. The Azzurri will take on Bosnia and Herzegovina, aiming to return to the 2026 World Cup after missing the last two tournaments, with a win, draw, or loss changing the whole picture.
Bosnia and Herzegovina arrive as a well-established and solid UEFA side, going five matches unbeaten. Not only have they impressed defensively, but they also boast an effective attack, relying on quick counterattacks and strong aerial play, with Edin Džeko standing out. With this, they will look to defeat Italy for the first time in 30 years, securing their place at the 2026 World Cup.
Italy have managed to enhance their attacking qualities, with the performances of Federico Dimarco and Matteo Politano being key to this. In addition, coach Gennaro Gattuso is opting for a different midfield setup, as only Manuel Locatelli remains a fixed presence. Because of this, Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Barella become ideal partners for Moise Kean and Pio Esposito in attack, creating numerical superiority.
Despite their attacking quality, the Azzuri face a difficult challenge: Their defense. Coach Gennaro Gattuso has world-class players such as Alessandro Bastoni, Riccardo Calafiori, and Gianluca Mancini. However, they do not excel in aerial play, something that exposes them against Edin Džeko. In addition, their high pressing leaves space in behind, meaning counterattacks from Bosnia and Herzegovina could be key.
In case Italy secure a victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina, they will earn a direct spot in the 2026 World Cup. With this, the Azzurri have ended their two-tournament drought of failing to qualify for the highly anticipated tournament. However, coach Gennaro Gattuso faces a tough challenge: To restore the team to prominence, as they have failed to reach the final stages since their 2006 victory—a stage they have historically dominated.
Unlike the group stage, Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina meet in a single-leg knockout match. Therefore, a draw in today’s game would lead to two 15-minute extra-time periods, aiming to determine a clear winner. In case it remains undecided, they would settle it through a penalty shootout, with the winner securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
If Italy are defeated in today’s game, the Azzurri would become the first FIFA World Cup-winning national team in being absent in three consecutives editions. Moreover, Bosnia and Herzegovina would secure a direct spot in the tournament, attending for their second time as 2014 edition was their last one. Nonetheless, coach Sergej Barbarez holds a key task: Advancing past the group stage for the first time in its history.
| WHO | Czech Republic vs Denmark |
| WHAT | UEFA World Cup Qualifiers |
| WHEN | 2:45pm ET / 11:45am PT • Tuesday, March 31, 2026 |
| WHERE | FS2, ViX, Fubo, DirecTV Stream and Sling |
| STREAM | WATCH NOW |
With a place at the World Cup hanging in the balance, the Czech Republic and Denmark are set to deliver a high-stakes clash fueled by confidence and urgency. The Czechs arrive riding momentum after a thrilling comeback win over the Republic of Ireland that ultimately ended in a penalty shootout triumph.
Denmark enters as one of the most in-form teams in the field following a commanding 4-0 semifinal victory against North Macedonia that solidified its contender status. With both nations just one step away from soccer’s biggest stage, expect a fast-paced, emotionally charged battle from start to finish.
| WHO | Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Italy |
| WHAT | UEFA World Cup Qualifiers |
| WHEN | 2:45pm ET / 11:45am PT • Tuesday, March 31, 2026 |
| WHERE | FS1, ViX, Fubo, DirecTV Stream and Sling |
| STREAM | WATCH NOW |
Italy’s push to reclaim a spot on soccer’s biggest stage continues as it collides with Bosnia and Herzegovina in the marquee matchup of the UEFA qualifiers’ second round. The Italians kept their campaign alive with a composed 2-0 result against Northern Ireland, looking determined to avoid a third straight World Cup absence.
They’ll face Bosnia, who rides the momentum of a dramatic penalty shootout triumph over Wales, aiming to secure only its second appearance in tournament history. With both sides carrying urgency and belief into this high-stakes clash, expect a fiercely contested battle from kickoff to the final whistle—this is one you won’t want to miss.
| WHO | Kosovo vs Turkiye |
| WHAT | UEFA World Cup Qualifiers |
| WHEN | 2:45pm ET / 11:45am PT • Tuesday, March 31, 2026 |
| WHERE | Fubo, FOX Soccer Plus and ViX |
| STREAM | WATCH NOW |
Kosovo’s stunning 4-3 upset over Slovakia flipped the script in this UEFA Qualifiers second-round final, setting the stage for one of the most wide-open and unpredictable matchups in the bracket. Now just a single victory away from securing its first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance, Kosovo enters with momentum and confidence.
Meanwhile, Turkiye arrives as the favored side after taking care of Romania as expected, aiming to punch its ticket back to the global stage for the first time since 2002. With history on the line and no clear outcome in sight, this final has all the ingredients of a must-watch showdown—don’t miss it.
hasn’t come close to losing in his professional career so far but one reigning world champion believes he would defeat the unbeaten star with ease. Stevenson became a four-weight world champion back in January when he put in a stellar performance to defeat Teofimo Lopez for his WBO super-lightweight title at Madison Square Garden in […]
The post World champion vows to make it look easy against Shakur Stevenson: “I’ve beaten better” appeared first on Boxing News.
has offered his thoughts on a showdown between and . Bivol defeated Artur Beterbiev in February 2024 to become undisputed light heavyweight champion, gaining revenge after Beterbiev had come out on top in their first meeting four months earlier. Since then, Bivol has vacated the WBC world title, which was awarded to Benavidez, but he […]
The post Terence Crawford rates David Benavidez’s chances of beating Dmitry Bivol appeared first on Boxing News.
İran A Milli Futbol Takımı, Antalya'da hazırlık maçında Kosta Rika takımıyla karşılaştı. İran mücadeleyi 5-0 kazandı.
İran A Milli Futbol Takımı, Antalya'da hazırlık maçında karşılaştığı Kosta Rika'yı 5-0 yendi.
İran, Titanic Mardan Palace Spor Kompleksi sahasındaki müsabakanın ilk yarısını 12. dakikada Ali Gholizadeh, 20. ve 35. dakikalarda penaltıdan Mehdi Taremi'nin, 32. dakikada Muhammed Mohebi'nin golleriyle 4-0 önde tamamladı.
İkinci yarıda da ataklarını sürdüren İran, 55. dakikada Mehdi Ghayedi'nin golüyle farkı 5'e çıkardı. Karşılaşmanın kalan dakikalarında başka gol olmadı ve İran sahadan 5-0'lık galibiyetle ayrıldı.
Öte yandan, FIFA Başkanı Gianni Infantino, mücadelenin ilk yarısını tribünden takip ettikten sonra devre arasında stattan ayrıldı.
İran'ın Ankara Büyükelçisi Muhammed Hasan Habibullahzade de karşılaşmayı izledi.
Orta Doğu'daki çatışmaların ardından Ürdün'ün başkenti Amman'dan Antalya'ya alınan maçlar kapsamında İran Milli Futbol Takımı, 27 Mart'ta ise Nijerya'ya 2-1 yenilmişti.
Trabzonspor, Trendyol Süper Lig'in 28. haftasında 4 Nisan Cumartesi günü sahasında Galatasaray ile karşılaşacak.
Trabzonspor, Trendyol Süper Lig'in 28. haftasında 4 Nisan Cumartesi günü sahasında Galatasaray ile yapacağı maçın hazırlıklarını sürdürdü.
Mehmet Ali Yılmaz Tesisleri'nde teknik direktör Fatih Tekke yönetimindeki antrenmanın ilk bölümünde bordo-mavili oyuncular, teknik ısınma çalışması gerçekleştirdi.
Antrenman, 5'e 2 ve pas çalışmasının ardından dar alanda çift kale maçla sona erdi.
Trabzonspor, hazırlıklarına yarın yapacağı antrenmanla devam edecek.
A Milli Futbol Takımımız, 24 yıl sonra FIFA Dünya Kupası'na katılmak için Kosova ile kritik bir maça çıkacak. Bu akşam oynanacak karşılaşma öncesinde moraller yerinde. İnancımız tam. Montella ve öğrencileri, Ay-Yıldızlı bayrağımızını ABD, Kanada ve Meksika semalarında dalgalandırma konusunda kararlı. Haydi Bizim Çocuklar! Sokağa dökün bizi...
A Milli Futbol Takımımız, 2026 FIFA Dünya Kupası Avrupa Elemeleri play-off turu finalinde deplasmanda Kosova ile karşı karşıya gelecek.
Kosova Türkiye A Milli Maçı saat kaçta, hangi kanalda?
Kosova'nın Başkenti Priştine'deki Fadil Vokrri Stadı'nda oynanacak karşılaşma, TSİ 21.45'te başlayacak ve TV8'den naklen yayınlanacak.
İlk 11'ler
Kosova: Muric, Dellova, Rexhbecaj, Muslija, Asllani, Hajrizi, Vojvoda, Muriqi, Gallapeni, Hodza, Hajdari
TÜRKİYE: Uğurcan, Zeki, Ozan, Abdülkerim, Ferdi, Hakan, İsmail, Arda, Kenan, Orkun Kökçü, Kerem
Maçın hakemleri
Karşılaşmada İngiltere Futbol Federasyonundan hakem Michael Oliver düdük çalacak. Oliver'ın yardımcılıklarını aynı ülkeden Stuart Burt ve James Mainwaring yapacak. Mücadelenin 4. hakemi Christopher Kavanagh olacak.
Karşılaşmayı kazanan takım ABD, Kanada ve Meksika'nın ev sahipliğini yapacağı 2026 Dünya Kupası'na katılma hakkını elde edecek.
Maçın 90 dakikasının berabere bitmesi halinde uzatma bölümüne geçilecek. 15'e dakikalık iki uzatma bölümünde de kazanan çıkmaması durumunda ise seri penaltı atışlarıyla Dünya Kupası'na gidecek ekip belli olacak.
Ay-yıldızlı ekip play-off yarı finalinde Romanya'yı 1-0, Kosova ise Slovakya'yı 4-3 yenerek finalde mücadele etme hakkını elde etmişti.
Hedef 24 yıl sonra Dünya Kupası
A Milli Futbol Takımı, 2002 yılında 3. olduğu Dünya Kupası'na yeniden katılarak 24 yıllık özleme son vermek için sahada yer alacak.
Türkiye, tarihinde 3 kez Dünya Kupası'na katılma hakkı elde etti. Dünya Kupası vizesini ilk kez 1950'de alan A Milli Futbol Takımı, o dönemin imkansızlıkları sebebiyle turnuvadan çekildi. 1954 Dünya Kupası'nda Macaristan, Batı Almanya ve Güney Kore'yle aynı grupta yer alan ay-yıldızlılar ilk maçında Batı Almanya'ya 4-1 mağlup olurken ikinci maçında Güney Kore'yi 7-0 yendi. Grup formatı gereği Batı Almanya'yla yeniden karşılaşan milliler, rakibine 7-2 kaybederek elendi.
Milli takımın sonraki Dünya Kupası macerası ise 48 yıl sonra gerçekleşti. 2002 yılında play-off turunda Avusturya'yı geçerek organizasyona katılma hakkı kazanan milliler, turnuvayı 3. sırada tamamlayarak tarihi bir başarı elde etti.
Kosova'da tanıdık isimler
A Milli Futbol Takımı'nın play-off finalindeki rakibi Kosova'nın kadrosunda tanıdık isimler bulunuyor.
Takımın en golcü ismi kariyerinde Giresunspor, Gençlerbirliği, Çaykur Rizespor ve Fenerbahçe formalarını giyen İspanya ekibi Mallorca'da kariyerini sürdüren 31 yaşındaki Vedat Muriç. Muriç, milli takım formasıyla çıktığı 67 maçta 32 kez rakip fileleri havalandırdı. Beşiktaşlı Milot Rashica ise 12 golle ikinci sırada yer alıyor.
Kosova'dan kadrosunda Alanyaspor forması giyen Florent Hadergjonaj ve Fidan Aliti de bulunuyor. Kaleci Arijanet Muric de 2021-2022 sezonunda Adana Demirspor formasını giymişti.
Milli takımın aday kadrosu
A Milli Takım'ın Kosova maçı aday kadrosunda şu futbolcular bulunuyor:
Kaleci: Altay Bayındır (Manchester United), Mert Günok (Fenerbahçe), Muhammed Şengezer (RAMS Başakşehir), Uğurcan Çakır (Galatasaray)
Defans: Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Eren Elmalı (Galatasaray), Mert Müldür (Fenerbahçe), Mustafa Eskihellaç (Trabzonspor), Samet Akaydin (Çaykur Rizespor), Ahmetcan Kaplan (NEC Nijmegen), Ferdi Kadıoğlu (Brighton), Ozan Kabak (Hoffenheim), Zeki Çelik (Roma), Merih Demiral (Al Ahli)
Orta saha: Kaan Ayhan (Galatasaray), İsmail Yüksek (Fenerbahçe), Orkun Kökçü (Beşiktaş), Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Inter), Salih Özcan (Borussia Dortmund), Atakan Karazor (Stuttgart)
Forvet: Barış Alper Yılmaz, Yunus Akgün (Galatasaray), Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Oğuz Aydın (Fenerbahçe), İrfan Can Kahveci (Kasımpaşa), Arda Güler (Real Madrid), Deniz Gül (Porto), Kenan Yıldız (Juventus)
Kosova'nın aday kadrosu
Teknik direktör Franco Foda tarafından belirlenen Kosova'nın 23 kişilik aday kadrosunda şu futbolcular yer alıyor:
Kaleci: Arijanet Muric (Sassuolo), Visar Bekaj (KF Tirana), Amir Saipi (Lugano)
Defans: Florent Hadergjonaj (Corendon Alanyaspor), Fidan Aliti (Corendon Alanyaspor), Ilir Krasniqi (Polissya Zhytomyr), Lumbardh Dellova (CSKA Sofya), Kreshnik Hajrizi (Sion), Mërgim Vojvoda (Como 1907), Dion Gallapeni (Wisla Plock), Albian Hajdari (Hoffenheim)
Orta Saha: Elvis Rexhbeçaj (Augsburg), Florent Muslija (Fortuna Düsseldorf), Edon Zhegrova (Juventus), Valon Berisha (Zürich), Veldin Hoxha (Rubin Kazan), Lindon Emerllahu (Polissya Zhytomyr)
Forvet: Milot Rashica (Beşiktaş), Albion Rrahmani (Sparta Prag), Fisnik Asllani (Hoffenheim), Ermal Krasniqi (Legia Varşova), Vedat Muriqi (Mallorca), Baton Zabergja (Metalist 1925 Kharkiv)
İran A Milli Futbol Takımı, Kosta Rika ile Antalya'da oynadıkları ve FIFA Başkanı Gianni Infantino'nun da izlediği maça savaşta öldürülen çocukların fotoğraflarıyla çıktı.
Titanic Mardan Palace Spor Kompleksi'nin sahasındaki müsabaka seremonisinde savaşta öldürülen çocukların yanı sıra zarar gören hastane ve tarihi yapıların fotoğraflarıyla yer alan İran Milli Takımı oyuncuları, ülkelerinin milli marşı okunurken de fotoğrafları ellerinden bırakmadı.
Çatışmaların ardından Ürdün'ün başkenti Amman'dan Antalya'ya alınan maçlar kapsamında İran Milli Futbol Takımı, 27 Mart'ta Nijerya ile oynadığı ve 2-1 yenildiği hazırlık maçında seremoniye siyah kol bandıyla çıkmış ve kız çocuğu okul çantası taşımıştı.
2026 FIFA Dünya Kupası Avrupa Elemeleri play-off turu finalinde Kosova'ya konuk olacak karşılaşma öncesi A Milli Futbol Takımı'nın konakladığı otelin yakınında dün gece havai fişek atan 2 kişi gözaltına alındı.
Kosova Polisi Priştine Bölgesi Sözcüsü Enis Pllana, AA muhabirine yaptığı açıklamada, 2026 FIFA Dünya Kupası Avrupa Elemeleri play-off turu finalinde Kosova'ya konuk olacak karşılaşma öncesi A Milli Futbol Takımı'nın Kosova'nın başkenti Priştine'de konakladığı otelin yakınında havai fişek atan 2 kişinin yakalandığını bildirdi.
Pllana, "genel tehlike yaratma" suçunu işledikleri iddiasıyla 2 şüpheli hakkında 48 saatlik gözaltı kararı verildiğini vurguladı.
2026 FIFA Dünya Kupası Avrupa Elemeleri play-off turu finalinde Kosova'ya konuk olacak karşılaşma öncesi A Milli Futbol Takımı'nın konakladığı otelin yakınında dün gece geç saatlerde havai fişekler atılmıştı.
2026 FIFA Dünya Kupası Avrupa Elemeleri play-off finalinde bu akşam oynanacak Kosova-Türkiye mücadelesi öncesi Priştine'de heyecan artıyor.
Başkent Priştine'de bulunan Qendra Meydanı'nda toplanan Türk ve Kosovalı taraftarlar, forma ve atkılarıyla maç saatini beklemeye başladı.
Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray, Beşiktaş, Bursaspor başta olmak üzere birçok takımın formasıyla A Milli Futbol Takımı'nın konakladığı otel önünde toplanan Türk taraftarlar, yaptıkları tezahüratlarla takıma destek verdi.
Kosovalı bir işletmeci ise açtığı pankartla Türk taraftarların ücretsiz çay ve kahve alabileceğini duyurdu. Kafe sahibi işletmecinin hazırladığı pankartın üzerinde, "Bugün rakibiz ama her zaman dostuz. Tüm Türk taraftarlara kahve ve çay ikramımızdır. 1999'da siz ödediniz, bugün hiçbir borcunuz yok." ifadeleri yer aldı.
Basketbol Avrupa Ligi'nde (EuroLeague) 35. hafta heyecanı yarın oynanacak tek maçla başlayacak.
Avrupa basketbolunun kulüpler düzeyindeki bir numaralı organizasyonunda 35. hafta maçları, yarın, 2 Nisan Perşembe ve 3 Nisan Cuma günü oynanacak.
Türk takımlarından Fenerbahçe Beko, Almanya'nın Bayern Münih ekibiyle deplasmanda karşılaşacak. Anadolu Efes ise İsrail temsilcisi Maccabi Rapyd'e Sırbistan'da konuk olacak.
Avrupa Ligi'nde 35. hafta maçlarının programı (TSİ) şöyle:
Yarın:
20.00 Bayern Münih (Almanya)-Fenerbahçe Beko
2 Nisan Perşembe:
20.00 Zalgiris Kaunas (Litvanya)-Barcelona (İspanya)
20.00 Hapoel Tel Aviv (İsrail)-Panathinaikos AKTOR (Yunanistan)
21.00 Dubai Basketbol (Birleşik Arap Emirlikleri)-AS Monaco (Fransa)
21.00 Kızılyıldız (Sırbistan)-Partizan (Sırbistan)
21.45 Paris Basketbol (Fransa)-EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (İtalya)
22.00 Maccabi Rapyd (İsrail)-Anadolu Efes
3 Nisan Cuma:
21.00 LDLC ASVEL (Fransa)-Olimpiyakos (Yunanistan)
21.30 Virtus Bologna (İtalya)-Valencia Basket (İspanya)
21.30 Kosner Baskonia (İspanya)-Real Madrid (İspanya)
2026 FIFA Dünya Kupası kıtalar arası play-off final karşılaşmaları yarın yapılacak.
2026 FIFA Dünya Kupası'na kıtalar arası play-off etabından iki takım katılma hakkı elde edecek.
Meksika'da yapılacak maçlarda Demokratik Kongo Cumhuriyeti, Jamaika ile karşılaşacak, Irak ise Bolivya karşısında Dünya Kupası biletini almaya çalışacak.
ABD, Meksika ve Kanada'nın organize edeceği 23. Dünya Kupası, 11 Haziran-19 Temmuz tarihlerinde düzenlenecek.
Yarın oynanacak final maçlarının programı şöyle:
00.00 Demokratik Kongo Cumhuriyeti-Jamaika
06.00 Irak-Bolivya
SEO hiring is shifting toward senior, strategy-led roles as AI reshapes search and expands the scope of the job. A new Semrush analysis of 3,900 listings shows companies now prioritize leadership, experimentation, and cross-channel visibility over pure technical execution.
Why we care. SEO hiring, career paths, and required skills are changing. Entry roles focus on execution, while most demand sits at the leadership level — owning strategy across search, AI assistants, and paid channels, with clear revenue impact.
What changed. Senior roles dominated, accounting for 59% of listings. Mid-level roles, such as specialists (15%) and managers (10%), trailed far behind.
The skills shift. In-demand capabilities extend beyond traditional SEO into coordination, testing, and decision-making:
Tools and channels. The SEO tech stack now spans analytics, paid media, and data.
AI expectations: AI literacy is moving from optional to expected:
Pay and positioning: SEO is increasingly treated as a business function.
Remote work is now standard. More than 40% of listings offered remote options, with little difference by seniority.
About the data: Semrush analyzed 3,900 U.S.-based SEO job listings from Indeed as of Nov. 25. Roles were deduplicated, segmented by seniority, and analyzed using semantic keyword extraction.
The study. What 3,900 SEO Job Listings Reveal for 2026: Experiments, AI, and Six-Figure Salaries
Technical SEO extends beyond indexing to how content is discovered and used, especially as AI systems generate answers instead of listing pages.
For generative engine optimization (GEO), the underlying tools and frameworks remain largely the same, but how you implement them determines whether your content gets surfaced — or overlooked.
That means focusing on how AI agents access your site, how content is structured for extraction, and how reliably it can be interpreted and reused in generated responses.
From a technical standpoint, robots.txt is a tool you already use in your SEO arsenal. You need to add the right crawlers within your files to allow specific bots their own rights.
For example, you may want a training model like GPTBot to have access to your /public/ folder, but not your /private/ folder, and would need to do something like this:
User-agent: GPTBot
Allow: /public/
Disallow: /private/You’ll also need to decide between model training and real-time search and citations. You might consider disallowing GPTBot and allowing OAI-SearchBot.
Within your robots.txt, you also need to consider Perplexity and Claude standards, which are tied to these bots:
Claude
Perplexity
Adding to your agentic access is another new protocol — llms.txt, a markdown-based standard that provides a structured way for AI agents to access and understand your content.
While it’s not integrated into every agent’s algorithm or design, it’s a protocol worth paying attention to. For example, Perplexity offers an llms.txt that you can follow here. You’ll come across two flavors of llms.txt:
Even if Google and other AI tools aren’t reading llms.txt, it’s worth adapting for future use. You can read John Mueller’s reply about it below:
GEO focuses more on chunks of information, or fragments, to provide precise answers. Bloat is a problem with extractability, which means AI retrieval has issues with:
You want your core content visible to users, bots, and agents. Achieving this goal is easier when you use semantic HTML, such as:
The goal? Separate core facts from boilerplate content so your site shows up in answer blocks. Keep your context window lean so AI agents can read your pages without truncation. Creating content fragments will feed both search engines and agentic bots.
Dig deeper: How to chunk content and when it’s worth it
Schema.org has been a go-to for rich snippets, but it’s also evolving into a way to connect your entities online. What do I mean by this? In 2026, you can (and should) consider making these schemas a priority:
Connecting information and data for agents makes it easier for your site or business to be presented on these platforms. Once you have the basics down, you can then focus on performance and freshness.
AI is constantly scouring the internet to maintain a fresh dataset. If the information goes stale, the platform becomes less valuable to users, which is why retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) must become a focal point for you.
RAG allows AI models, like ChatGPT, to inject external context into a response through a prompt at runtime. You want your site to be part of an AI’s live search, which means following the recommendations from the previous sections. Additionally, focus on factors such as page speed, server response time, and errors.
In addition to RAG, add “last updated” signals for your content. <time datetime=””> is one way to achieve this, along with schema headers, which are critical components for:
You can now start measuring your success through audits to see how your efforts are translating into real results for your clients.
Dig deeper: How to keep your content fresh in the age of AI
You have everything in place and ready to go, but without audits, there’s no way to benchmark your success. A few audit areas to focus on are:
Measuring success shows you the validity of your efforts and ensures you have KPIs you can share with clients or management.
Preparing your GEO strategy for 2027 requires changes in how you approach technical SEO, but it still builds on your current efforts. You’ll want to automate as much as you can, especially in a world with millions of custom GPTs.
Manual optimization? Ditch it for something that scales without requiring endless man-hours.
Technical SEO was long the core of ranking a site and ensuring you provided search bots and crawlers with an asset that was easy to crawl and index.
Now? It’s shifting.
Your site must become the de facto source of truth for the world’s models, and this is only possible by using the tools at your disposal.
Start with your robots.txt and work your way up to structure, fragmented data, and extractability. Audit your success over time and keep tweaking your efforts until you see positive results. Then, scale with automation.
Google's Gary Illyes published a blog post explaining how Googlebot works as one client of a centralized crawling platform, with new byte-level details.
The post Google Explains Googlebot Byte Limits And Crawling Architecture appeared first on Search Engine Journal.
Türkiyənin “Fənərbağça” futbol klubunun prezidenti Sadettin Saran bu gün İstanbulda yol-nəqliyyat hadisəsinə məruz qalıb.
Arena.az bu barədə Türkiyə mətbuatına istinadən xəbər verir.
İstanbul təmsilçisinin rəhbəri “Chobani” stadionuna yollanarkən Ataşəhər rayonunda avtomobil qəzasına düşüb. Hadisədən sonra Saranın səhhətinin qaydasında olduğu açıqlanıb. Baş verən yol qəzasında klub prezidentinin sürücüsünün yüngül xəsarət aldığı bildirilir.
Xatırladaq ki, Sadettin Saran 2025-ci ilin sentyabr ayından “Fənərbağça” klubunda prezident vəzifəsini icra edir. O, bir müddət öncə narkotik istifadəsi ilə bağlı istintaqa da cəlb edilmişdi. Verdiyi analizlərin nəticəsi pozitiv çıxmış Saran hüquq-mühafizə orqanları tərəfindən saxlanılmış, lakin daha sonra bəraət alaraq azadlığa buraxılmışdı.
İtaliyanın “Napoli” klubu Belçika millisinin də üzvü olan hücumçusu Romelu Lukaku ilə bağlı rəsmi açıqlama yayıb.
Arena.az klubun mətbuat xidmətinə istinadən xəbər verir ki, Lukaku məşqlərə qayıdışı ilə bağlı komanda tərəfindən edilən bugünkü zəngə cavab verməyib.
Bildirilib ki, klub futbolçuya qarşı intizam tədbirləri görməyi nəzərdən keçirir və onun kollektivlə məşq edib-etməyəcəyi barədə qərar sonra veriləcək.
Qeyd edək ki, Lukaku daha əvvəl ABŞ və Meksika ilə keçiriləcək yoxlama oyunları öncəsi Belçika millisinin düşərgəsini tərk edərək fiziki formasını yaxşılaşdırmağa çalışıb. O, ölkəsi Belçikada məşqlər etsə də, bu addım klubla razılaşdırılmayıb.
Neapol təmsilçisi futbolçunun sabaha qədər komandaya qoşulmaması halında onu heyətdən kənarlaşdırmaq ehtimalını da istisna etmir.
Xatırladaq ki, Romelu Lukaku futbola “Lyers”də qədəm qoyub. Romelu karyerası ərzində “Anderlext”, “Çelsi”, “Vest Bromviç”, “Everton”, “Mançester Yunayted”, “İnter” və “Roma”da çıxış edib.
Lukaku “Napoli”yə 2024-cü ilin avqust ayında “Çelsi”dən keçib. Neapol klubu Lukakunun tamhüquqlu əsasda keçidi müqabilində “Çelsi”yə 30 milyon avro məbləğində ödəniş edib və belçlikalı futbolçu ilə müddəti 2027-ci ilin iyun ayının sonuna qədər qüvvədə olacaq müqavilə imzalayıb.
Lukaku cari mövsümdə “Napoli” üçün keçirdiyi 7 oyunda 1 qol vurub və 1 məhsular ötürmə verib. Onun Neapol təmsilçisinin heyətindəki ümumi göstəricisi 45 oyun, 15 qol və 11 assistdən ibarətdir.
Romelu Lukaku 2010-cu ilin mart ayında debüt etdiyi Belçika yığmasının heyətində 124 oyun keçirib, 89 qol vurub, 18 məhsuldar ötürmə verib.
“Transfermarkt” internet-portalı 32 yaşlı belçikalı hücumçunun transfer dəyərini 12 milyon avro məbləğində qiymətləndirir.
Qadınlardan ibarət basketbol üzrə Azərbaycan milli komandasının Avropa çempionatının ilkin seçmə mərhələsindəki rəqibləri bəlli olub.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, yığmamız püşkatma nəticəsində seçmə mərhələnin A qrupunda yer alıb.
Komandamız İsveçrə, İslandiya və İrlandiya yığmaları ilə üz-üzə gələcək.
Xatırladaq ki, AÇ-2029-un ilkin seçmə mərhələsinin qarşılaşmaları 2026-cı ilin noyabr ayının 8-18-i aralığında, həmçinin 2027-ci ilin fevral ayının 7-17 aralığında baş tutacaq.
Qadınlar arasında basketbol üzrə Avropa çempionatının final mərhələsi isə 2029-cu ildə keçiriləcək.
Futbol üzrə Monteneqro millisinin və Serbiyanın “Partizan” klubunun hücumçusu bundan sonra “Milan”ın uğurları üçün çalışacaq.
Arena.az bu barədə İtaliya klubun mətbuat xidmətinə istinadən xəbər verir.
19 yaşlı forvardla müqavilənin müddəti və digər detalları açıqlanmayıb. O, iyulun 1-də “rossoneri”nin gənclərdən ibarət komandasına qoşulacaq. “Milan” bu transfer üçün “Partizan”a 3,5 milyon avro ödəyəcək.
Qeyd edək ki, Andrey Kostiç Monteneqronun “Podqoritsa” klubunun yetirməsidir. “Partizan” gənc hücumçunu 2025-ci ilin yayında 900 min avro qarşılığında məhz “Podqoritsa”dan transfer edib. O, Serbiya klubunun əsas komandasının heyətində 34 oyuna çıxıb, 11 qol və 1 məhsuldar ötürmə müəllifi olub.
Monteneqronun U-15, U-19 və U-21 yığmalarında da oynamış Kostiç 2025-ci ildə debüt etdiyi əsas millinin heyətində 2 oyuna çıxıb.
“Transfermarkt” internet-portalı 19 yaşlı hücumçunun transfer dəyərini 5 milyon avro məbləğində qiymətləndirir.
Son günlərdə dünyanın yaşıl meydanlarında futbol üzrə milli komandalar səviyyəsində bir neçə yoxlama oyunu keçirilib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, maraqlı görüşlərdən biri ABŞ və Belçika yığmaları arasında baş tutub.
Yeddi qolluq oyunda Avropa təmsilçisi darmadağına sevinib.
Meksika – Portuqaliya matçı qolsuz yekunlaşıb. Fransa yığması Kolumbiyaya, Almaniya millisi isə Qanaya qalib gəlib.
UEFA Millətlər Liqasında Azərbaycan millisinin rəqiblərindən olan Litva yığması Gürcüstana 2 cavabsız qolla uduzub. Lixtenşteyn yığması isə “FİFA Series-2026” çərçivəsində Arubaya böyük hesabla məğlub olub.
FİFA Series-2026 turniri çərçivəsində də bir sıra oyunlar baş tutub. Bolqarıstan İndoneziyaya qalib gəlibsə, Estoniya Ruandaya uduzub. Çili yığması Yeni Zelandiyaya böyük hesabla məğlub olub. Özbəkistan yığması da qolsuz bitmiş Venesuela ilə oyunda penaltilərlə qalib gəlib.
Yeri gəlmişkən, Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasında mübarizə aparan bəzi legionerlər də ölkələrinin yığmalarının heyətində növbəti matçlarını keçiriblər. Belə ki, “Zirə”nin legionerləri “FIFA Series”in qalibi olublar. Anje Mutsinzi və Leroy Mikels Ruanda millisi ilə bu uğura imza atıblar. Afrikalılar həlledici görüşdə Estoniyanı 2:0 hesabı ilə məğlub ediblər. Ruandalıların ilk qoluna Leroy Mikels imza atıb. O, həmçinin turnirin ən yaxşı futbolçusu seçilib.
“Şamaxı”nın müdafiəçisi Alfons Msanqa da “FIFA Series-2026” turnirində Tanzaniya yığması ilə növbəti matçına çıxıb. Sözügedən komanda səfərdə Makau millisi ilə qarşılaşıb. Matç Msanqanın komandasının 6:0 hesablı darmadağını ilə yekunlaşıb. 23 yaşlı yarımmüdafiəçi bu matçda 46-cı dəqiqədə meydana daxil olub.
“Sabah”ın futbolçusu Umarali Rahmonaliyevin çıxış etdiyi Özbəkistan millisi “FIFA Series” çərçivəsində Venesuela millisi ilə üz-üzə gəlib. Özbəklər əsas vaxtı qolsuz bərabərliklə yekunlaşan matçda penaltilər seriyasında 5:4 hesablı qələbə qazanıblar. Rahmonaliyev matçı ehtiyat oyunçular skamyasından izləyib.
“Araz-Naxçıvan”ın qapıçısı Kristian Avramın şərəfini qoruduğu Moldova millisi də növbəti yoxlama oyununa çıxıb. Sözügedən komanda Kiprlə qarşılaşıb və 2:3 hesabıyla uduzub. Naxçıvan təmsilçisinin qolkiperi bu matçda sona qədər ehtiyatda qalıb.
Qırğızıstan – Madaqaskar 2:5
San Marino – Farer adaları 1:2
Cənubi Koreya – Kot-d’İvuar 0:4
Botsvana – Zimbabve 0:3
Seneqal – Peru 2:0
Kanada – İslandiya 2:2
Macarıstan – Sloveniya 1:0
Şotlandiya – Yaponiya 0:1
Burkina Faso – Qvineya Bisau 5:0
ABŞ – Belçika 2:5
Haiti – Tunis 0:1
Meksika – Portuqaliya 0:0
Litva – Gürcüstan 0:2
Ermənistan – Belarus 1:2
Kolumbiya – Fransa 1:3
Kipr – Moldova 3:2
Almaniya – Qana 2:1
Puerto Riko – Vircin adaları 4:1
Aruba – Lixtenşteyn 4:1
Amerikan Samoası – Quam 0:6
Makau – Tanzaniya 0:6
İndoneziya – Bolqarıstan 0:1
Ruanda – Estoniya 2:0
Kabo Verde – Finlandiya 1:1 (penaltilər 4:2)
Yeni Zelandiya – Çili 4:1
Trinidad və Tobaqo – Qabon 2:2 (penaltilər 2:3)
Özbəkistan – Venesuela 0:0 (penaltilər 5:4)
Sent – Kitts – Solomon adaları 4:2
Qrenada – Keniya 0:2
Çin – Kamerun 0:2
Avstraliya – Kurasao 5:1
Qazaxıstan – Komor adaları 1:0
Freelander NEV brand debuts in Shanghai: Chery-JLR joint venture unveils new luxury NEV brand with Huawei, CATL, Qualcomm tech.
The post Freelander reborn: Chery and Jaguar Land Rover launch global NEV brand, unveil first concept model appeared first on CarNewsChina.com.
Stablecoin infrastructure delivers velocity but issuers and exchanges capture the rent. Velocity beats market cap as digital dollars become invisible financial plumbing.
A Coinbase Institute survey suggests crypto has become the financial starting point for most 16-25-year-olds in the UK, as digital assets become a powerful credibility test for political parties.
OpenFX raised $94 million in a Series A round to expand its stablecoin-based FX network, as firms explore faster cross-border payment infrastructure.
The Ethereum Economic Zone promises to stitch fragmented rollups back into a single system, but a similar model struggled to gain traction on Cosmos.
CertiK has advised ordinary users “who are not security professionals, developers, or experienced geeks” against installing and using OpenClaw.
Coinbase's Ethereum layer-2 Base said it will be upgrading its chain to allow AI agents to use it the same way developers or traders would.
A Singapore court ordered OneKey founder Wang Lei and an X user to stop threatening or defamatory claims tied to a dispute over the 2025 Resupply exploit.
BTC price will find it difficult to establish a new record high if Bitcoin developers don't take the quantum threats seriously, one analyst says.
Atomic settlement demands instant capital per trade. T+0 eliminates netting efficiency while empowering liquidity coordinators.
Stablecoin turnover has doubled in the past two years as AI payments and traditional finance use cases grow, though Standard Chartered still sees the market reaching $2 trillion.
Security companies flagged axios@1.14.1 and 0.30.4 as compromised, urging credential rotation and rollback of affected packages.
“Milan” heyətini yeni futbolçu ilə gücləndirib.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, “qırmızı-qaralar” Serbiyanın “Partizan” klubundan Andrey Kostiçi transfer edib. Bu barədə klubun mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb. 19 yaşlı hücumçu ilə razılaşmanın detalları açıqlanmayıb.
Kostiç yayda “Milan”a qoşulacaq.
Forvard bu mövsüm 27 oyunda 10 qol vurub.
Sərbəst güləş üzrə Azərbaycanın U20 milli komandası növbəti təlim-məşq toplanışına başlayır.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, milli sabahdan Bursada Türkiyə millisiylə birgə hazırlığa start verəcək. 15 gün davam edəcək toplanışda əsasən taktiki-texniki çalışmalara yer ayrılacaq.
Böyük məşqçi Arif Abdullayev, məşqçilər Rövşən Hacıyev, Nazim Əlicanov və Əşrəf Əliyevin rəhbərliyi altında 11 güləşçi – Muhəmməd İsmayılov (57 kq), Camal Abbasov (61 kq). Bəşir Verdiyev (65 kq), Hacı Kərimov (70 kq), Nurlan Ağazadə (74 kq), Elcan İsmayılzadə, Muradxan Omarov (hər ikisi 79 kq), Məhəmməd Abbaszadə (86 kq), Hüseyn Məmmədtağızadə (92 kq), Fərhad Süleymanlı (97 kq) və Yusif Dursunov (125 kq) hazırlıq prosesinə cəlb edilib.
Millimiz toplanış bitdikdən sonra 17-19 apreldə keçiriləcək “Çempionlar” turnirində iştirak etmək üçün Antalyaya yollanacaq.
Qadın basketbolçulardan ibarət Azərbaycan milli komandasının 2029-cu ildə keçiriləcək Avropa çempionatının ilkin seçmə mərhələsindəki rəqibləri məlum olub.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, Evren Alkayanın rəhbərlik etdiyi kollektiv A qrupunda İsveçrə, İslandiya və İrlandiya ilə üz-üzə gələcək.
AVRO-2029-un ilkin seçmə oyunları noyabrın 8-18-i aralığında, həmçinin 2027-ci ilin fevralın 7-17-də keçiriləcək.
“Fənərbağça” klubunun prezidenti Sadettin Saran avtomobil qəzası keçirib.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə “Anadolu Ajansı” məlumat yayıb. Hadisə İstanbulda, Saran evə gedən zaman baş verib. Qəzada Saran xəsarət almayıb.
Qeyd edək ki, Sadettin Saran ötən ilin sentyabrından “Fənərbağça”nın prezidentidir.
“Çelsi”nin futbolçusu Mark Kukurela açıqlama verib.
Futbolpress.az xarici KİV-ə istinadən xəbər verir ki, ispan müdafiəçi komandanın sabiq baş məşqçisi Enzo Mareska haqda danışıb:
“Mareska ilə 18 ay işlədik və bir-birimizi yaxşı bilirdik. “Arsenal”a baxın, Arteta yeddi ildir, komandadadır. Hələ çox böyük kubok qazanmasalar da, ona inanmaqda davam edirlər. Mareskanın gedişi bizə çox təsir göstərdi. Mən olsaydım, mövsümün sonuna qədər onunla yola davam edərdim”.
“Çelsi” ilin əvvəlində Mareska ilə vidalaşıb və komandanı hazırda Liam Rosenyor çalışdırır.
London klubu Premyer Liqada 31 turdan sonra 48 xalla 6-cı sıradadır.
The sale of San Siro to Inter and Milan has run into yet more controversy after Italian financial police raided the Milan city council’s offices when investigating the €200m deal.
The two clubs had been trying for a decade to purchase the land under the existing Stadio Giuseppe Meazza to build their own arena, but after multiple attempts and failed other projects, they eventually got the go-ahead in November 2025.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t still problems, because many in the local authorities and politics are still trying to block the demolition of the stadium.
This morning, officials from the Italian financial police raided the Milan city council’s offices as part of an investigation on suspicion of bid-rigging and collusion.
Computers and mobile phones were among the items seized, with nine individuals under investigation including ex-Inter CEO Alessandro Antonelli and Giuseppe Bonomi, president of Sport Life City, which is run by AC Milan.
The suggestion is that they passed on secret information and worked behind the scenes to favour the purchase by Inter and Milan, creating unfair competition with other options.
Milan and Inter are not under investigation, but there were searches at M-I, the company jointly owned by the two clubs that was set up to manage the stadium.
Juventus are reportedly ready to listen to offers of at least €60m for their star defender Gleison Bremer.
Tuttosport reports that Juventus will listen to offers of at least €60m for their centre-back Bremer next summer.
The Bianconeri have not put the Brazilian on the market, but such an offer would prompt them to sit down with potential suitors.
Tuttosport highlights that the only player that Juventus are unwilling to sell under any circumstances is Kenan Yildiz, who has recently signed a contract extension until 2030.
Bremer is under contract with Juventus until June 2029.
Bremer had a €60m clause in his previous contract, and Juventus believe the same sum would reflect the player’s value in the summer.
Bremer hasn’t yet received offers from any club and scored his first goal for the Brazil national team during an international friendly against France last week.
Tuttosport adds that Juventus remain on the lookout for a new centre-forward next season, regardless of Dusan Vlahovic’s potential contract extension.
Tuttosport reports that one of Darwin Núñez’s agents visited the Uruguay international during a training session at Juventus’s training ground in Turin, as the Bianconeri continue to monitor several centre-forwards, including Romelu Lukaku.
Juventus are currently in talks to extend Dusan Vlahovic’s contract, but they are determined to sign a centre-forward in the summer regardless of the Serbian’s future in Turin.
The club is open to listening to offers for Lois Openda and Jonathan David and has begun monitoring several forwards across Europe and beyond.
One of them is ex-Liverpool star Nunez, currently at Al-Hilal. The 26-year-old trained with the Uruguay national team in Turin on Monday ahead of tonight’s international friendly against Algeria at the Allianz Stadium in Turin.
According to Tuttosport, Nunez was visited on Monday by Tommaso Inzaghi, son of his coach Simone, and the right-hand man of Federico Pastorello, the striker’s main agent.
Nunez is a potential target for Juventus and had already been in talks with the Bianconeri last summer before a €53m move to Al-Hilal.
According to Tuttosport, Juventus’ favourite option for the attack remains Randal Kolo Muani, but the Serie A giants have also been tracking other strikers such as Mateo Retegui, Joshua Zirkzee and Romelu Lukaku, who is expected to be frozen out at Napoli after failing to return from Belgium during the international break.
Chelsea are interested in signing the highly talented Bayern Munich defender Cassiano Kiala.
The 17-year-old is a tremendous talent with a bright future, and he is highly rated at the German club. He joined the German champions in the summer of 2024, and he has been a key player for their Academy. Manchester City are also keeping tabs on his development, and a report from TEAMtalk claims that the player’s father recently travelled to London for private discussions with the two Premier League clubs.
It will be interesting to see if Chelsea follows up on their interest with an official proposal to sign the talented young defender. The German youth International has the potential to develop into a quality player for Chelsea in the long-term. Bayern Munich will not want to lose a talented player like him, and it remains to be seen how the situation develops.
The 17-year-old will be hoping for first-team opportunities soon, and Chelsea will need to provide him with assurances of game time if they want to convince him. There is no doubt that they are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and the opportunity to play for them can be attractive for most young players.
Similarly, Manchester City will be an attractive destination. Working with Pep Guardiola could bring out the best in the youngster.
Both Chelsea and Manchester City have the financial resources to get the deal done. However, the young defender needs to choose his next destination carefully. He should join a club with a clear pathway to the first team. He will also need a defined role on the team.
The post Chelsea plot Bundesliga raid after private meeting with defender’s father in London appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Luka Vuskovic is currently on loan at Hamburg from Tottenham Hotspur.
The 19-year-old Croatian has been excellent for the German club during his loan, and his impressive displays have attracted the attention of multiple clubs.
According to a report from SportBILD, Liverpool are now seriously considering signing the player at the end of the season. The 19-year-old joined Tottenham for a fee of £12 million in 2023, and the move was completed in the summer of 2025. Tottenham were unable to provide him with regular playing time and decided to send him out on loan. The decision has worked wonders for the player, but Tottenham are now in serious danger of losing one of their best young prospects.
The player has been described as a ‘mega talent’ (h/t TEAMtalk), and clubs like Barcelona and Chelsea are interested in the player as well. He is valued at £52 million, and it will be interesting to see if Liverpool is prepared to break the bank for him.
They might lose Ibrahima Konaté in the summer. The French International will be out of contract soon, and he has not yet signed an extension with the club. Joe Gomez is expected to leave the club as well. Vuskovic would be an exceptional long-term investment for the club.
Liverpool have already signed players like Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni. Signing Vuskovic could sort out their defence for the foreseeable future. The opportunity to join Liverpool could be exciting for the 19-year-old. It would be a step up for him, and he would get to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Liverpool have the financial muscle to pay £52 million for him as well, and it remains to be seen how the situation unfolds.
Chelsea have looked vulnerable at the back this season and need to improve in that area. The 19-year-old defender could be a solid long-term acquisition. Similarly, Barcelona are looking to build a team capable of dominating European football and signing. One of the best young players in the world would be a step in the right direction.
The post Liverpool serious about signing £52m ‘mega talent’ as Chelsea and Barcelona circle appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Manchester United have been linked with a move for the Newcastle United defensive midfielder Sandro Tonali at the end of the season.
According to a report from the Daily Mail, Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes has now added his support to the pursuit of the Italian International. The player could cost around £80 million, and it remains to be seen whether Manchester United can get the deal done.
Tonali has been excellent for Newcastle since moving to the Premier League, and he is currently one of the finest defensive midfielders in the league. Manchester United need to replace Casemiro, and the 25-year-old Italian International would be ideal.
He is entering the peak years of his career, and this is the right time for him to take the next step and join a bigger club. Manchester United is likely to compete in the UEFA Champions League next season, and they will be hoping to fight for major trophies as well. Tonali could be attracted to the idea of joining them. Manchester United have the financial muscle to pay a premium as well.
The fact that they have the approval of one of their best players will only serve as added encouragement for Manchester United, and it remains to be seen whether they can wrap up the move in the coming months. Convincing the Italian to join the club will not be difficult, but they will need to agree to a reasonable deal with Newcastle. The Magpies are looking to build a formidable team, and they will not want to lose a key player, especially to a rival.
The player has also been linked with Arsenal and Manchester City. It remains to be seen where he ends up.
The post Man United eye £80m summer move after Bruno Fernandes seal of approval appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Real Madrid playmaker Arda Guler continues to be linked with a move away from the Spanish club at the end of the season.
According to a report from TeamTalk, Arsenal and Chelsea are now preparing moves for the Turkish International at the end of the season. It remains to be seen whether Real Madrid is open to sanctioning his departure.
The report claims that Liverpool have also held a strong interest in the Turkish playmaker. They have been in regular contact with the player’s representatives for quite some time.
The 20-year-old is a tremendous talent with a bright future, and he could develop into a top-class player with the right guidance. He was thriving under Xabi Alonso before Alonso’s departure. Alonso is now expected to take over at Liverpool, and it is no surprise that Guler is being linked with a move to the Premier League club.
Furthermore, Real Madrid is expected to sign Nico Paz and Victor Munoz in the summer. That could eat into Guler’s playing time.
Meanwhile, Arsenal and Chelsea have also expressed interest in the player. They would be prepared to make an official move for him if Real Madrid indicates a willingness to negotiate.
The midfielder has registered 16 goals and 24 assists in 106 appearances for Real Madrid. The Spanish outfit could demand a premium for him in the summer. It remains to be seen which of the three clubs can get the deal done.
Guler is an attacking midfielder who can also operate on the flanks. He will help create opportunities for his teammates in the final third and score goals. He has all the attributes to develop into a star in future.
The post Liverpool in contact with reps of 40-G/A star as Arsenal and Chelsea join hunt appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Leinster senior coach Jacques Nienaber said it's "devastating" to lose second row RG Snyman for the rest of the season due to a ruptured ACL in his right knee.
The two-time World Cup winner with South Africa suffered the injury in Leinster's recent 38-17 defeat by Glasgow in the United Rugy Championship [URC] and it was confirmed the 31-year-old's season is over.
It's the third time Snyman has suffered an ACL injury with his first occurring as a Munster player in 2020 before a reoccurrence just four games into his return the following year.
Nienaber, who has coached the player for club and country, has backed Snyman to bounce back but admits it's a crushing blow for the player and for Leinster who are preparing for Sunday's Investec Champions Cup last 16 clash game against Edinburgh Rugby at the Aviva Stadium [17:30 BST].
"It's devastating for us and for him," Nienaber said at Tuesday's news conference.
"He had a couple [of ACL injuries] when he was with Munster, but he has shown [he can come back from injury] over and over."
In better news, Leinster head coach will have front row Andrew Porter available who came through their weekend URC win over Scarlets, while James Ryan, Tadhg Furlong, Jimmy O'Brien and Garry Ringrose will continue to be assessed in the build-up to the European clash.
That 36-19 win over Scarlets at the Aviva Stadium on Friday saw Leo Cullen's side put two URC losses behind them to move up to fourth in the standings as the club season hits the business end.
Nienaber was happy with that bonus point win, but knows his side must build on it in a knockout game against an Edinburgh team smarting from their defeat by the Stormers last week despite the return of Scotland trio Grant Gilchrist, Darcy Graham and Pierre Schoeman.
"We are excited to be going into Europe," Nienaber added.
"If you don't deliver a performance and win, you are out so we are working hard to deliver those performances.
"They [Edinburgh] had some big performances when beating Toulon at home and Gloucester.
"If you don't get your detail right on the day, they have brilliant individuals who are well coached and they can put you away."
Following a brief interruption to present to you our annual Tanking Rankings, we return to our regularly scheduled bi-weekly programming: The world’s most accurate NBA power rankings.
But first an update to those Tanking Rankings, which detailed exactly how well the NBA’s 10 lottery teams — now set in stone — have navigated their way to the bottom of the standings:
10. New Orleans Pelicans (25-51)
9. Chicago Bulls (29-46)
8. Dallas Mavericks (24-51)
7. Memphis Grizzlies (25-50)
6. Milwaukee Bucks (29-45)
5. Sacramento Kings (19-57)
4. Utah Jazz (21-55)
3. Brooklyn Nets (18-57)
2. Washington Wizards (17-58)
1. Indiana Pacers (17-58)
No need to include any of those outfits in our power rankings this time around. They are succeeding in their own right, at losing, as the league’s nine tanking teams (the Pelicans, who owe their first-round draft pick to the Atlanta Hawks, have no incentive to lose) have managed just seven wins against non-lottery teams in their last 100 tries. If you can call them “tries.”
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It can be difficult to tell how well some of the postseason-bound teams are playing, since win streaks have been boosted by the tanking. The Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets have all benefited from easy recent schedules. We are here to sort through the noise.
And it is getting noisy. One loss separates the fourth, fifth and sixth seeds in the Western Conference, where there are two losses between the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder and second-seeded San Antonio Spurs. Three losses separate the 10th-seeded Charlotte Hornets from the East’s final guaranteed playoff seed, all with a little over a handful of games to play.
So, without further ado, our penultimate regular-season power rankings.
“I’ve got to be able to do a better job of preparing them for what they were going to see tonight,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said after a franchise-record, 52-point loss that saw the Raptors go on a 31-0 run (a play-by-play era record). I’m surprised he said it. So was Desmond Bane, who responded, “I think we understood how big of a game it was … but I don't have nothing for that.”
The Heat are 2-7 since Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game, owners of a bottom-five defense in that span. “It’s extremely disappointing,” said coach Erik Spoelstra. “We’ve put in the time. The guys have put in blood, sweat and tears to develop a top-four defense two weeks ago. And when we need it the most is when we’ve let it disappear. And that’s just unacceptable at this time.” Damn.
Will Stephen Curry, who has missed 25 straight games to “runner’s knee,” return at all this season? That is The Question in the Bay Area, where the two-time MVP had a “good session” on Sunday. Coach Steve Kerr’s answer: “We’re not bringing him back [just] for the play-in game. He needs to play some games … if this is going to work. And we are running out of games.”
Blazers coach Tiago Splitter told his players of Tuesday’s showdown with the Clippers, “It’s going to be the most important game of the season.” The two teams, separated by two losses, vying for the Western Conference’s eighth seed, meet twice in the season’s final weeks. As Kris Murray said, “It’s going to be a playoff-type game, and a lot of us haven’t been in that position.”
Since November’s nine-game win streak, the Raptors are 28-27, owners of a +1.0 net rating, practically average, but coach Darko Rajaković insists this is only Year 2 of a rebuild that began with the exits of Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby: “Building a team is not such a thing that you can do in one year. In the NBA, it takes time to build a team that’s going to be competitive.”
At month’s start, a disappointed Suns coach Jordan Ott declared, “We shouldn’t be asking for energy. We want to get to March to play meaningful games. We shouldn't be asking for energy.” Since then, his team is 6-6, owners of a middling defense. Sounds like they could use a jolt of Dillon Brooks, who, six weeks removed from a fractured left hand, should soon be available.
Meanwhile, the Hawks are 15-2 since the last week of February, apace with the Thunder and Spurs. “I love where we’re at as a group,” said Jalen Johnson. “We’re not going to be perfect. We’re not going to be on a win streak to end the whole year, but how we’re playing these games and how we’re just sticking to what we do best, that’s something we can continue to build on.”
Sorry, Cleveland, but L.A. is enjoying its Darius Garland experience. The Clippers are 10-3 with the two-time All-Star guard in the lineup, operating at historic levels offensively (126.7 points per 100 possessions) when he’s on the court. “The stuff he’s brought to this team, it’s extraordinary,” said L.A.’s Brook Lopez. “Only he could do it. He’s made a huge, positive change for this group.”
The Sixers, who could end up anywhere from the fifth to the 10th seed in the East, welcomed back Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey, who combined for 81 points in a victory over the Hornets. "We need everybody we can get,” said Embiid. “We got to win every single game. ... We end up 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, it doesn't matter. Still got to win. I don't care where we end up."
The Rockets have bounced back with two wins against lottery teams, but our minds keep going back to a record-setting blown 13-point overtime lead to Minnesota. Felt like a momentous loss. “A lot have this year,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said, “that’s just the worst one of them.” Come to think of it, Houston (8-8 since the end of February) lost to the tanking Bulls the game before!
Back-to-back losses to Boston and Philly were not so encouraging, but the Hornets are still 28-13, owners of the league’s best net rating (+10.8), since the start of January. They are dangerous, if they can earn a playoff berth. They are the No. 10 seed. As Coby White said, “We know these last couple games, we’ve got to fight to improve our odds of making the playoffs.”
“If we’re going to play defense like this, we’re going to have a short playoff stint,” said Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson, and that was after a win — albeit one in which they gave up 130 points to Orlando. (Yikes!) Point is: Cleveland owns one of the NBA’s 10 worst defenses in its past nine games, and, if you will remember, as Spoeltra once said, “That’s just unacceptable at this time.”
The Pistons are 5-1 since Cade Cunningham injury, but Jalen Duren recently said it best (after his latest monstrous effort): “You can’t replace what [Cade] brings to the floor and brings to our team.” Facts. Detroit might be third on these rankings if not for Cunningham’s injury, but how else are we supposed to assess these Pistons when their best player has a collapsed left lung?
“We can’t relax now that [Anthony Edwards] is coming back and say, ‘Hey, give Ant the keys and just go,’” Minnesota's Mike Conley Jr. said. “I think we’ve got to let Ant do his thing. But at the same time, continue to push the ball, continue to involve everybody, and I think that’s when we’re our best self.” And, now, they wait for Jaden McDaniels to get back from a knee injury, too.
In New York fashion, the Knicks have sandwiched four straight losses to winning teams around seven consecutive wins against sub-.500 teams. “We don’t want to turn on a switch,” said Jalen Brunson. “We want to be trending in the right direction as we come down to the end. There are still things we need to work on.” Only seven games remain in the regular season. Time’s ticking.
More from LeBron James, the NBA’s newest (and best) third option, on Luka Doncic’s heater down the stretch of the season: “Obviously he’s the head honcho when it comes to our offensive firepower. He’s just in an unbelievable rhythm right now, shooting the 3-ball exceptionally well, getting to the line as he always does and being super efficient. We’re all just playing off of him.”
No team could use a respite more than the Nuggets, whose injury list is ever-expanding, only they are clinging to home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. By the Tao of Nikola Jokić, though, “It’s really hard to say, ‘Oh yeah, we’re gonna have amazing playoffs,’ because you cannot know what’s gonna happen or how the team’s gonna feel basically in a month.”
Few teams are now healthier than the Celtics, who welcomed Jayson Tatum, the NBA’s reigning Player of the Week(!), back from Achilles surgery just 11 games ago. And as Payton Pritchard said, “We know if we want to win a championship, we need him at a high level. It’s definitely encouraging, but he’s getting better and better each game, looking more and more like himself.”
The Spurs, behind Victor Wembanyama, are 24-2 since the start of February. They have gained only three games in the standings on the Thunder over that span, but the confidence they have built may be just as important as home-court advantage. "I keep saying it, but the league's in trouble," said San Antonio’s Devin Vassell. "We got a lot of young talent that is really good."
The Thunder chase no one but themselves. “If your sense of urgency increases based on the standings, it wasn't high enough to begin with," said OKC coach Mark Daigneault. "We try to have a sense of urgency about improving, building our habits, competing together every single opportunity we get. If you need external forces to increase that, your bar is not high enough."
Tottenham have appointed Roberto de Zerbi as their new head coach after the Italian signed a five-year contract with the club.
The former Brighton boss has seven games to save the club from relegation to the Championship.
If they do go down, he does not have a relegation clause that would allow him to walk away.
In two months' time, Spurs' third boss of the season will have either secured his place as a hero at the club, or be forever connected to one of the worst campaigns in their history.
He said: "I am delighted to be joining this fantastic football club, which is one of the biggest and most prestigious in the world.
"In all my discussions with the club's leadership, their ambition for the future has been clear - to build a team capable of reaching great achievements, and to do that playing a style of football that excites and inspires our supporters. I am here because I believe in that ambition and have signed a long-term contract to give everything to deliver it.
"Our short-term priority is to climb the Premier League table, which will be the complete focus until the final whistle of the last game of the season."
De Zerbi has been the overwhelming first choice to become the club's new permanent head coach.
BBC Sport reported on Sunday that De Zerbi was the man Spurs wanted to replace Igor Tudor, who officially left the club by mutual consent over the weekend.
Talks have been ongoing since Sunday and those discussions have been successful.
De Zerbi was always open to taking the Spurs position, but it is understood he initially showed a reluctance to accept the job before the end of the season.
But the coach, who left Marseille earlier this year, has been persuaded to take the job immediately.
Tottenham are 17th in the Premier League, just one point outside of the relegation zone and without a win in the competition in 2026.
Should they fail to beat the drop, it would go down as one of the league's most remarkable relegations.
Sporting director, Johan Lange, said: "Roberto was our number one target for the summer and we are very pleased to be able to bring him in now.
"He is one of the most creative and forward-thinking coaches in world football, and brings with him a wealth of experience at the highest level, including in the Premier League."
After guiding Brighton to European qualification during his stint in the Premier League between 2022 and 2024, De Zerbi took Marseille to second in Ligue 1 last season before leaving in February.
The Italian's first match as Tottenham boss will be a trip to Sunderland on 12 April, followed six days later by a home game against his former club Brighton. Their remaining fixtures are home matches against Leeds and Everton, and trips to Wolves, Aston Villa and Chelsea.
"He will be having his own way - he's quite a character," former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"He's a very outspoken manger. He's a manager in a similar way to Jose Mourinho or Antonio Conte that Tottenham have had in the past."
It is well documented that De Zerbi's footballing DNA traces back to the Pep Guardiola tradition, but to leave it there would be restrictive. He has taken the principles - positional play, pressing triggers, control through the ball - and built his own beliefs around them
There are a number of reasons why this appointment could work.
First, De Zerbi doesn't care what people think. He has a clear, unshakeable idea of how he wants to play football and at a club as chaotic as Tottenham right now, that kind of certainty is invaluable.
He has also never managed a club with no expectations and has always delivered under pressure. He knows what it means to have concrete targets and he knows how to meet them.
He brings the added benefit of knowing the Premier League and the timing of the likely appointment gives him scope for preparation. Spurs don't play again until 12 April and that gives him precious time to assess his squad.
Arriving during the international break would give De Zerbi precious days to begin assessing his squad.
The big concern here, though, is less about De Zerbi himself and more about whether those around him will have the discipline to align with his vision.
When that alignment has broken down in De Zerbi's career - when ownership or a director of football has pulled in a different direction - the project has quickly unravelled.
That is precisely what happened at Marseille. The football was often compelling, the city was behind him, but at decision-making level the relationship could not be sustained.
Tottenham have had their own well-documented structural difficulties. If De Zerbi is to thrive, the football operations around him must be stable, communicative and genuinely aligned to his way of working.
That is not a small ask for a club in the midst of a relegation battle.
Marseille fans felt both relief and regret when De Zerbi left midway through his second season.
Relief because the final weeks were desperately poor, but regret too because De Zerbi - a former ultra with immense passion - looked at times a perfect fit for the Mediterranean club.
His first year was promising: Marseille finished as runners-up and returned to the Champions League. A raft of new signings raised hopes, especially after a first home win over Paris St-Germain in 14 years and a six-goal rout of Le Havre sent them top.
Yet there was always a sense Marseille were just a couple of defeats from crisis. The squad almost imploded when Jonathan Rowe and Adrien Rabiot clashed in the dressing room, and De Zerbi's uncompromising style alienated certain players.
He infuriated observers by constantly changing systems and selections, leaving players bamboozled.
For the most part, De Zerbi lined up in a 4-2-3-1 and fans occasionally saw glimpses of the front-footed, attacking style he wanted to implement.
Yet Marseille's midfield pairing - usually Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Geoffrey Kondogbia - lacked the technical skills and mobility to perform in that system against stronger opposition. The defence would be left exposed, while the attack relied too heavily on individual exploits from Mason Greenwood and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
When a flagging Marseille crashed out of the Champions League, losing 3-0 in Bruges, reports emerged De Zerbi had lost the dressing room. A pitiful 5-0 defeat at PSG - the heaviest in Classique history - made his exit inevitable.
De Zerbi left with the highest win percentage of any Marseille coach this century (57%). That Igor Tudor (56%) ranks second suggests Spurs fans should treat that statistic with caution.
De Zerbi will only have one priority at Tottenham Hotspur: keeping them in the Premier League.
The peril of Spurs' position was why the highly regarded Italian was initially reluctant to take over so late in the season, with the club's future still uncertain as they contemplate the real possibility of dropping into the Championship.
How would De Zerbi view his future if Spurs do not escape? It would not be down to him, but he certainly does not regard himself as a coach who operates in the second tier.
Given Spurs' status and ambitions, relegation is as unpalatable as it gets. Championship football at the magnificent Tottenham Hotspur Stadium would be nothing short of total humiliation.
De Zerbi's firecracker personality, as well as an ability as a coach that has won him widespread admiration from peers such as Pep Guardiola, must inject life into a squad decimated by injuries and stripped of every vestige of confidence.
He has to turn losers into winners. Instantly.
And he has to start at Sunderland in Spurs' next Premier League game.
De Zerbi is fiercely competitive and must transmit that into his players; easier said than done given the timid, defeatist nature of their performances this season.
He would have preferred to start afresh next season - and maybe somewhere else if Spurs are a Championship club - but he is confident, talented and brimming with self-belief.
Managing director Rob Key and coach Brendon McCullum retain the backing of England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Richard Gould despite criticism from recent England players.
Gould confirmed Key, McCullum and England captain Ben Stokes would all remain in their posts last week despite the 4-1 Ashes defeat this winter.
Since then Jonny Bairstow, Reece Topley, Ben Foakes and David Willey have joined Liam Livingstone in criticising the regime.
"When players come out of the England fold it is difficult for them," Gould said.
"It is difficult for any player when they get dropped in any sport. They will not agree with the decision, I wouldn't want them to.
"There is probably about 300 players who want to play for our England teams.
"We do have to focus our resources on those that are in the teams."
Bairstow, who has not played for England since 2024, said those in charge need to bring "the care back in the game", adding "as soon as you are out of the system, you are out of the system".
Speaking to Cricinfo earlier this month, Livingstone said "no-one cares" about those outside the inner circle and he was told he "cares too much" when asking for help.
He has not played for England since the Champions Trophy last March.
Topley said Livingstone was "kind" about the England management while Foakes outlined how reserve batter Keaton Jennings served as his wicketkeeping coach on one tour with no permanent specialist in place.
The criticism has added to the debate around the England hierarchy but Gould rejected the idea negativity is overshadowing the start to the county season, which begins on Friday.
"I really don't agree with that," Gould said.
"The start of a new season is always an exciting juncture. What you choose to write is up to you but we are looking at this in a positive fashion.
"You look at the numbers in the recreational game, the attendance levels, all of our metrics are up and positive.
"Yes, we have had a difficult winter but that is a road bump we will get over."
Mike Pickett, Northeast Florida's all-time leader in state championships for high school girls soccer, stepped down March 31 after 28 years at the helm of St. Johns Country Day.
Pickett, 61, notified the Times-Union of the decision on Tuesday morning.
The winner of 15 Florida High School Athletic Association championships and three first-place finishes across multiple national rankings, Pickett recorded a 572-72-41 record over 29 seasons.
He said he had been thinking about stepping away from the post since the middle of the recently-completed 2025-26 season. St. Johns finished 15-4-3 against one of the state's strongest schedules before an upset loss to Lakeland Victory Christian in the Class 1A semifinal.
"If you do this long enough, you get to a point where you realize it's time," he said.
Pickett cited the pressure to continue a run of success unlike any other in Northeast Florida soccer history. He said players sometimes felt the weight of that external pressure to keep the championship streak going, making it harder to enjoy the experiences along the way.
"It's too much pressure on the kids," he said.
There are also more opportunities for family time. He said his wife, Treasure, is on course to retire next year from her administrative role with Clay County District Schools, while his daughter, Carson, is now in her 11th year in the National Women's Soccer League and has previously represented the United States women's national team.
Carson Pickett moved in the winter to the NWSL's expansion Denver Summit, which drew a league-record crowd of 63,004 for its inaugural game on March 28, and Mike Pickett left open the possibility of relocating in the future to the booming Colorado soccer scene.
The numbers and the trophies are only part of the story for Pickett at St. Johns, where the school's main field is named in his honor.
A St. Johns Country Day graduate in the class of 1983, Pickett originally signed for college soccer at Northeast Louisiana, now the University of Louisiana at Monroe. But after NLU administrators discontinued the sport amid financial distress at the end of the 1985-86 season, he transferred to USC Spartanburg (now USC Upstate) in South Carolina, a school then among the contenders in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
He started out in education in Spartanburg before returning to St. Johns starting in the 1998-99 season, building a program that has won 23 consecutive district championships and 15 regional titles in a row. No opponent has defeated St. Johns in an FHSAA regional game since early 2011.
Under Pickett, the Spartans won FHSAA titles in 2005, 2007, 2009, then 11 in a row from 2012-22, and the 15th in 2025. He is one of two Florida coaches, along with Carlos Giron of St. Thomas Aquinas, to lift the FHSAA trophy 15 times.
Pickett received the Florida Dairy Farmers girls soccer coach of the year award in 2012, 2017 and 2018, and St. Johns Country Day finished first in the United Soccer Coaches or MaxPreps national rankings in 2017, 2018 and 2021.
The school built winning streaks of 76 games (Jan. 6, 2015 to Dec. 7, 2018) and then 44 games (Nov. 22, 2019 to Dec. 3, 2021) during their championship run, and three players — Payton Crews, Alisa Detlefsen and Abbey Newton — won seven consecutive state trophies while playing every year on varsity from sixth grade to senior year between 2012-18.
Carson Pickett (2012), Chelsea Burns (2015), Newton (2018) and Kamy Loustau (2019) all received either the Florida Dairy Farmers Miss Soccer award or the Gatorade Florida Player of the Year award at St. Johns. Other All-First Coast player of the year winners from the St. Johns program during his tenure are Anna Martorana, Amanda Martorana, Annie Bobbitt, Ellen Crist and Sydney Schmidt.
Pickett is the area's second multiple-time champion girls soccer coach to step away in the past five weeks, after six-time Bolles FHSAA champion Matt Tracy retired from the Bulldogs Feb. 24.
Pickett said that for now, he plans to continue working with the North Florida Soccer Academy, where he is the founder and president. His passion for coaching, he said, hasn't gone away.
He also pointed to memories that didn't show up on the scoreboard, like a charity drive that involved players from St. Johns as well as several other Jacksonville-area programs.
"The discipline, the teamwork, the service that these young women have developed are way more important than the championships," Pickett said.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: St. Johns Country Day girls soccer coach Mike Pickett resigns
Antonio Di Salvo’s side lock horns with Greece in a decisive U21 Euros qualifiers. The hosts lead the group by three points following their surprising win in the reverse fixture in Jena. Germany made two changes from their 3-0 win over Northern Ireland as Augsburg duo Mert Kömür and Anton Kade are in the starting lineup.
Here are the lineups for tonight’s game at the Leoforos Alexandras Stadium.
Greece U21: Botis; Filon, Kalogeropolous ©, Alexiou, Allen; Kontouris, Almyras, Goumas; Kaloskamis, Koutsias, Kostoulas
Germany U21: Backhaus; Gechter, Quarshie, Jeltsch, Ullrich; Kemlein, Kömür, Bischof ©; Kade, Tresoldi, El Mala
The Brooklyn Nets (18-57) recently ended their 10-game losing streak after beating the Sacramento Kings at home that at least gave the players a chance to celebrate after a game for the first time in awhile. Brooklyn is hoping to finish the season on a strong note and they'll hope to continue that with a matchup against the visiting Charlotte Hornets (39-36) and if you're wondering where you can watch all the action live, you've come to the right place!
The Nets come into this matchup following a 116-99 win over the Kings on Sunday in which Brooklyn won the first quarter 31-18 and they never looked back after the great start. Forward Ochai Agbaji led the team in scoring with 18 points in 25 minutes off the bench while rookie guard Nolan Traore had one of his best games of the seasons with 17 points and six assists.
The Hornets come into this game after a 114-99 loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday in which Charlotte fell behind in the first half despite the Celtics missing Jaylen Brown for the matchup. Guard LaMelo Ball had 19 points and four rebounds to lead the Hornets while forward Miles Bridges had 14 points and two rebounds in the losing effort.
Here is what you need to know to get ready for this matchup:
Nets: OUT: Egor Demin (plantar fascia), Day'Ron Sharpe (thumb), Michael Porter Jr. (hamstring), Danny Wolf (ankle), and Terance Mann (Achilles soreness). PROBABLE: Jalen Wilson (illness).
Hornets: OUT: Tosan Evbuomwan (G League), PJ Hall (G League), Liam McNeeley (G League), and Tidjane Salaun (G League).
Charlotte Hornets
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets vs. Hornets game preview: How to watch, injuries, lineups
Former USC safety and Minnesota Vikings star Joey Browner died on Saturday at the age of 65, the Vikings announced on Sunday.
Browner’s cause of death is undisclosed, but a fundraiser organized by former Minnesota quarterback Tommy Kramer in August stated that Browner was “battling through some serious health issues.”
Browner made history as the first defensive back to be selected by the Vikings in the first round when the franchise drafted him with the No. 19 overall pick out of USC in the 1983 NFL Draft. Browner and long-time Vikings safety Harrison Smith are the only two safeties Minnesota has drafted in the first round.
“He helped define what it is to be an NFL safety,” the Vikings wrote in a post honoring the life and legacy of Browner.
Browner was a three-time, first-team All-Pro selection and a six-time Pro Bowler across nine seasons with the Vikings. He was part of the NFL’s 1980s Team of the Decade and inducted into the Vikings’ Ring of Honor in 2013. In 2010, Browner was list as one of the 50 Greatest Vikings in franchise history.
Browner is one of six brothers, who all played football at the collegiate level and four in the NFL. His younger brother, Keith Browner, also played at USC and died in November at age 63.
In addition to Keith, Browner’s older brother Ross died in 2022, then his older brother Jim died in 2024.
Browner played all four seasons of his collegiate career with USC. During his senior season, he was a team captain in 1982 under USC head coach John Robinson.
As a senior, he was named a 1982 First Team All-Conference Selection and earned USC’s Mike McKever Award, which is awarded to the team’s Most Valuable Player. Additionally, Browner won the 1982 Marv Goux Award for making the most contributions to the USC-UCLA rivalry game.
Former USC and Vikings quarterback Sean Salisbury played with Browner at both the collegiate and professional level. Salisbury honored his former teammate on X on Sunday.
“This is a major gut punch,” Salisbury wrote on X. “I was blessed to be his teammate at USC and with the Vikings! Phenomenal player and loved by so many. One of the best players I’ve ever played with in both college and the NFL. Very grateful to have called him a good friend. God Bless him and his family.”
Browner was named to the Pac-12 All-Century Team in 2015 and ranks No. 15 on USC’s all-time punt return leaders.
Photo Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
Florida basketball guard Alex Lloyd will be returning to the Gators for the 2026-27 season, he announced on Monday through social media.
As a freshman this past season, Lloyd appeared in 17 games and totaled 21 points, 13 rebounds and three assists in just over four minutes of playing time per game.
Due to the amount of depth at the guard position and still having room to develop, head coach Todd Golden wasn't able to consistently play Lloyd in the Gators' rotation during his freshman season.
Lloyd, a 6-foot-3-inch guard from Miami, attended Westminster Academy and averaged 27.9 points during his senior year. He had three 40-point games during his senior season, including 44 points with five 3-pointers against Chaminade-Madonna, 41 against La Lumiere and 40 against Columbus.
He came to Florida as a four-star recruit by 247Sports and was ESPN's 37th-ranked prospect in his recruiting class.
YR2🐊! @Fl_Victorious@lexusofWCpic.twitter.com/QuHuHV7TYn
— Alexanderlloyd33 (@AlexLloyd33) March 30, 2026
Lloyd joined CJ Ingram as the two prospects in the 2025 recruiting class to sign with the Florida Gators.
With another year to develop and learn under Golden and the Florida coaching staff, Lloyd will look to carve out a bigger role next season with the Orange and Blue.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida basketball guard announces return for sophomore season
The New York Knicks just clinched a playoff berth while the Houston Rockets are trying to improve their own seeding in the Western Conference. New York is slightly favored with a moneyline of -118.0, compared to Houston's -102.0.
Date: Tuesday, March 31
Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
Where: Toyota Center, Houston
TV Channels: NBC, MSG, Peacock
Live Stream:NBA League Pass | Follow on Yahoo Sports
New York Knicks: 48-27 (No. 2 in Atlantic Division)
Houston Rockets: 45-29 (No. 2 in Southwest Division)
Spread: Houston Rockets 1.5
Moneyline: Houston Rockets -102 / New York Knicks -118
Over/Under: 218.5
Michigan State basketball's 2025-26 season is over, with the Spartans seeing their season conclude with a disappointing, frustrating loss to the UConn Huskies. Now that the dust has settled, Tom Izzo and Michigan State can look back at the season and everything that occurred and look forward to the future. On Tuesday, Izzo spoke to the media to do his post-mortem on the season, and he dropped a very interesting nugget about a former player.
Izzo, in response to a question from Tim Staudt, said that a former player has been texting him for the past three weeks about the 'mistake' he made in transferring out of Michigan State. Izzo declined to share which player this was, obviously, but a lot of people are assuming this is Tre Holloman.
Holloman's decision to transfer to NC State was a major shock to the Spartans and their fans. Holloman was in line for a vital role, starting at shooting guard and playing some point guard when Jeremy Fears Jr. needed a break. Instead, Holloman's departure left a hole at shooting guard.
There was a lot of debate amongst MSU fans when Holloman left about his decision. If this was indeed Holloman expressing regret, it would validate the feelings of a lot of MSU fans who felt this was a poor decision. Holloman was one of three players who transferred out of Michigan State last year, along with Gehrig Normand and Xavier Booker.
Tom Izzo tells @timstaudt10 he’s had a former player texting him for 3 weeks about the mistake he made in leaving MSU basketball for transfer. Wouldn’t say the name, but it’s pretty obvious who he is referring to.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 31, 2026
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.
This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Tom Izzo says former player told him he made a mistake transferring
The Philadelphia Eagles addressed wide receiver depth early in free agency, but that hasn't stopped them from doing their homework on the 2026 NFL Draft class. Even after adding Marquise Brown in a surprise move and A.J. Brown's former teammate at Ole Miss, Elijah Moore, there's still a sense that the room could use another dynamic piece, especially with uncertainty lingering around A.J. Brown's long-term future.
That's where Omar Cooper Jr. enters the conversation.
The former Indiana Hoosiers football standout has quietly become one of the more intriguing receivers in this draft class. He may not always headline discussions, but evaluators continue to point to his versatility and playmaking ability as traits that could translate well at the next level. The Eagles made sure they scheduled him for a predraft visit, and then there's the comparison. In his draft profile about the young star in the making, Lance Zierlein likened Cooper Jr.'s game to Deebo Samuel. That latter name should immediately grab the attention of Eagles fans for all the wrong reasons. Samuel has been a consistent nuisance for Philadelphia over the years.
Samuel was especially good at using his physicality and run-after-catch ability to create big plays in critical moments. It's not a perfect one-to-one comparison, but the stylistic similarities are enough to raise eyebrows.
Cooper Jr. brings a similar toughness with the ball in his hands. He's not just a route runner. He's a playmaker who can turn short gains into explosive moments. That kind of skill set would add a different dimension to Philadelphia's offense, particularly in a system that values versatility and yards after the catch.
Of course, projections are just that. They're just projections. There's still a wide range of outcomes for Cooper Jr., and where he ultimately lands in the draft remains uncertain, but the fact that he's being compared to a player like Samuel speaks volumes about his potential impact.
For the Eagles, the interest makes sense. If they're looking to add another weapon, one capable of creating mismatches and making life difficult for defenses, Cooper Jr. could be worth serious consideration. If he reaches his ceiling at the professional level, or anything close to it, Philadelphia might finally have its own version of a player who has caused it problems for years.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Could Omar Cooper add another elite performer to the Eagles' offense?
Clemson football’s freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds wasn’t expected to be in this position when spring practice began, but by the time Clemson wrapped things up, the freshman had clearly changed the conversation in the quarterback room.
Coming off a high school career that ended early due to a hamstring injury, Reynolds arrived with far less hype than others in the group. That didn’t last long. By the spring game, he had already worked his way into the No. 2 role behind Chris Vizzina, taking snaps ahead of Chris Denson and making the most of the opportunity. Reynolds completed 7 of his 10 passes and added a rushing touchdown, flashing the kind of dual-threat ability that has quickly caught the coaching staff’s attention.
“Absolutely, absolutely,” Dabo Swinney said when asked if Reynolds could push for the starting job. “Ain’t nobody got lifetime contracts around here. Everybody has to prove it. Everybody has to show up. Everybody has to earn it.”
Reynolds’ rise didn’t happen overnight, but it also didn’t take long. Early in the spring, Denson was working with the second team, but once the Tigers returned from break, that pecking order had changed. Reynolds separated himself from a crowded group competing for that backup spot and never really looked back.
“There was a bunch of guys kind of battling for that second spot, and he cleared that. He came out of that smoke first, with that group,” Swinney said. “Now, he’s got a big summer ahead and he is just going to keep getting better.”
It’s important to note this isn’t about Vizzina slipping. The returning quarterback held onto the top spot throughout the spring and continues to show why he’s in that position. Reynolds’ push is more about his own rapid development than anything else.
“CV did not do anything to back up, he has not done anything to back up,” Swinney added. “But Tait has done everything to move forward.”
Evaluating Clemson Football's Newest Recruits: WR Gordan Sellars II
— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) March 31, 2026
📸 Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina, Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images https://t.co/B1mve8uzhxpic.twitter.com/HDwqsW3mPo
Even with the momentum, taking over the starting job won’t come easy. Vizzina remains firmly in control heading into the offseason, and Clemson doesn’t have the benefit of preseason games to sort things out.
“But I don’t think CV is going to go backwards,” Swinney said. “It will be a great, competitive summer and fall camp, and then you go play games. We don’t get three preseason games. All we can do is evaluate based on practice.”
Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney on Tait Reynolds in a QB competition
The Seattle Seahawks will enter the 2026 NFL draft with a need at cornerback. The team re-signed Josh Jobe, pairing him with superstar Devon Witherspoon in base defense. The Seahawks did lose Riq Woolen to NFL free agency however, indicating they'll need to draft a replacement, possibly as early as No. 32 overall.
The Seahawks do have other team needs. Running back and EDGE rusher need further addressing. If John Schneider prioritizes those positions, finding the right mid-round cornerback becomes imperative.
One cornerback prospect from Oregon who possesses inside-outside versatility recently confirmed he's had several pre-draft meetings with the Seahawks. It indicates Schneider is showing interest in Oregon cornerback Jadon Canady.
"I’ve probably met every team in the NFL at least twice, and some teams I've met three or four times," Canady told NFL Draft On SI. "I met with the Seattle Seahawks [again] recently on Zoom."
.@OregonFootball CB Jadon Canady is one of my favorite sleepers in the 2026 NFL Draft.
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) March 30, 2026
Canady is a super competitive CB with inside-outside versatility. Don't sleep ‼️
👉 @JadonC28__ joins NFL Draft On SI for an exclusive pre-draft conversation:https://t.co/MIN3QjZWGT
Canady, like many prospects in NIL-driven college football, played at various programs. He attended Tulane and Ole Miss before eventually transferring to Oregon. Canady registered 39 tackles and six pass breakups throughout a breakout 2025 season. He had a career-high 11 pass breakups at Ole Miss in 2024, and has four career interceptions.
This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Underrated CB has multiple pre-draft meetings with Seahawks
The New York Giants have made a slew of moves to improve this offseason, but still have several key needs that remain unmet.
The recent release of veteran kicker Graham Gano freed up $4.5 million in cap space, giving the Giants approximately $7.45 million to operate with. That may not be enough to reel in a veteran interior offensive lineman, the team's most glaring need at the moment.
General manager Joe Schoen said at the NFL Annual Meeting in Phoenix that the Giants were "a little bit light on money right now" and that they are still "in the mix" for several free agents.
Joe Schoen said the Giants are "a little bit light on money right now" but said they're in constant constant with agents of players they're interested in.
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) March 30, 2026
That led to the question of why the Giants haven't used void years. Schoen said it's a tool they can use, but they try not…
One of those free agents is 35-year-old guard Greg Van Roten, the only player to have played every offensive snap for the Giants over the past two seasons. Van Roten is currently available in free agency, but the Giants would prefer a younger player with whom they can build. That aside, Schoen did not rule out bringing him back.
Schoen discussed the use of "void years" in contracts, a practice teams employ to free up cap space for the present by kicking the can down the road. The downside is that the team carries large dead cap charges on its books long past the player's tenure with the team. Schoen has prided himself on not using void years as he attempts to keep the Giants' books in good order.
"It's kind of like using the credit card as you go if you need it. It would have to be significant to entertain that," he said.
The Giants will also use the draft to fill some needs, but that approach does not always guarantee a solution. They have seven picks in the draft but only two in the top 104 (Nos. 5 and 37). Schoen's philosophy won't change because of needs.
"We're going to take the best player available, regardless of position, that will help the New York Giants," he said.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Joe Schoen: Giants 'light on money' but 'still in mix' for free agents
The Las Vegas Raiders are switching to a 3-4 base defense. That has been confirmed by head coach Klint Kubiak, who appointed Rob Leonard as defensive coordinator to oversee the change. That means the Raiders will be required to roster a run-stopping nose tackle.
Despite that, the Raiders haven't signed one in free agency. The only defensive lineman on the Raiders' roster with the size profile of a nose tackle is JJ Pegues. Pegues played just 137 total defensive snaps in 2025 and earned a Pro Football Focus grade of 37.7 for his run defense. Not exactly ideal.
The Raiders are almost certainly going to select a nose tackle during the 2026 NFL draft. We've identified three potential options.
Ohio State's Kayden McDonald is arguably the best pure nose tackle prospect in the draft. The Buckeyes standout recently confirmed he has a pre-draft visit with the Raiders. McDonald is a fringe first-round pick, so the Raiders would probably have significant interest if he lasts until 36th overall.
Domonique "Big Citrus" Orange is a sturdy nose tackle who has been injured throughout the pre-draft process, limiting his participation. During the college football season, he was considered a potential top-75 pick. The 322-pound Orange has seen his pre-draft stock suffer as a result of injury, meaning the Raiders may manage to steal him on draft weekend.
Alabama's Tim Keenan III measured in at 6-foot-1 and 327 pounds at the NFL Combine. The Crimson Tide standout is your typical girthy and thick nose tackle. Keenan registered significant tackles for loss throughout his career at Alabama, and should be available on late Day 3.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: 3 nose tackles Raiders could target during the 2026 NFL draft
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We kick off the first full week of MLB action with all 30 teams in action today, and prediction markets like Kalshi allow baseball bettors in every state (excluding Nevada) a chance to lock in their favorite MLB best bets.
To help you find some winners among today's games, we've polled our baseball experts for their favorite MLB picks today — as well as offering extra MLB expert picks from the rest of the Covers staff for Tuesday, March 31.
| Pick | Odds |
|---|---|
| Josh Inglis: Rays ML | +123 |
| Jon Metler: Giants ML | -133 |
| Joe Osborne: Dodgers -1.5 | -108 |
Prices courtesy of Kalshi.
Sign up now using our exclusive Kalshi promo code 'COVERS' and get a $10 trading bonus after you trade $10 on any other event contracts — including MLB expert picks!
*Eligible to ALL states + DC, (excluding Nevada)
Price: 45¢ (+123) at Kalshi
There’s value on the Tampa Bay Rays at +123, with most books at +115, and THE BAT making them a slight favorite at -112. Shane McClanahan gets the start, and while there are fair questions about his workload and effectiveness coming off two major surgeries, he looked sharp this spring. He’s also backed by a lineup carrying momentum after a ninth-inning comeback win last night vs. a Milwaukee offense that finally didn't get to pick on White Sox pitching.
Price: 57¢ (-133) at Kalshi
If you’re a fan of backing elite starting pitchers, you’ll love this bet — we’re getting Logan Webb at a much better price than we should at Kalshi on Tuesday. The San Francisco Giants are trading as a 57% favorite, and I see clear value, as I price them closer to 66%. The Giants are 1–3 to start the season, but Rafael Devers and Luis Arraez profile very well at the top of the order against Germán Márquez, who relies heavily on his fastball. The humidity in San Diego is also expected to be high on Tuesday, which should further enhance the effectiveness of Logan Webb’s sinker.
Price: 52¢ (-108) at Kalshi
This looks like a strong bounce-back spot for the Dodgers after taking their first loss of the season last night. Shohei Ohtani posted a 1.71 ERA at home last year, and he looks to be in peak form after punching out 11 in his final spring tune-up. Meanwhile, Tanner Bibee is a different pitcher on the road: He had a 5.17 ERA in away games last season — nearly two runs higher than his mark at home — and he was hit hard in one start vs. LA. Add in the Dodgers’ clear edge with the bats and bullpen to open the season, and this shapes up as a multi-run win.
| Pick | Odds |
|---|---|
| CLE/LAD u8 | -105 |
| Read analysis in our Guardians vs. Dodgers predictions | |
| Soriano 5+ Ks | -108 |
| Read analysis in our Angels vs. Cubs predictions | |
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
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Stetson Bennett was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, he missed his first season, and since then he hasn’t needed to play in meaningful games (he’s had some fun preseason moments) in 2024 or 2025, and it begs the question, what is the Rams’ plan with Bennett for 2026?
Sean McVay was recently talking with ESPN’s Peter Schrager, and they spoke about the possibility of the Rams adding Kirk Cousins to backup Matthew Stafford and in that same exchange, Sean McVay had a fairly lukewarm endorsement of Bennett, but mostly focused on wanting L.A. to add Cousins of Jimmy Garopollo:
“Really happy for what’s Stetson’s done and the evolution he’s had, but I think it is really important to be able to have somebody behind Matthew with the approach that we take in the offseason and into training camp that can operate our system at a high level, you’re never gonna get anybody quite like Matthew Stafford, but guys like Kirk Cousins and Jimmy Garropollo, I have a ton of belief in both of those guys, and I’d be really excited about either one of those guys if we were fortunate enough to have them on our roster.”
Perhaps if McVay was asked the same question again he would’ve spent more time assuring the fan base that Bennett is ready to run L.A.‘s offense, but that’s not what McVay said. Instead, he expressed that Bennett has shown a lot of growth, the Rams are happy with his development, but they want a veteran arm for training camp and in the unfortunate circumstance that Stafford misses time.
McVay did not say that Bennett was integral to the “all-in” approach that the Rams seem to be taking in 2026, and if Bennett cannot help the Rams now, then how can they afford to keep him on the roster in an “all-in” year?
Going into this season, the Rams do not need to draft or add a quarterback for the long-term, or the heir to Stafford, but they may want to grab someone who can help the team win now, and not a QB who is more hope and prayer than a player the Rams have confidence in if their number were to be called upon.
Perhaps the Rams value Bennett more than L.A.’s head coach articulated in this latest interview, but with the NFL Draft coming up, and with the Rams clearly looking for an upgrade at their backup position while Bennett enters the last year of his rookie deal, it wouldn’t be surprising if L.A.‘s quarterback room looks different in 2026 than it did in 2025 when Bennett was on the depth chart.
Ohio State has not lacked elite wide receivers over the past decade by any means. The program has built a reputation as the sport’s premier pipeline at the position, consistently producing first-round talent and record-breaking production.
But even within that standard, Jeremiah Smith is operating on a different trajectory. Through two seasons, Smith has already totaled 156 receptions, 2,401 yards, and 26 touchdowns, putting him within striking distance of Ohio State’s all-time records and firmly on pace to rewrite the program’s history books in 2026. The numbers alone suggest inevitability.
The more interesting question is not about records. It is about awards. Because as Smith enters next season, the expectation is no longer just production. It is whether he can turn that production into a Biletnikoff Award, an honor that still requires more than just dominance.
Smith’s statistical profile is already elite. He is just 49 receptions, 467 yards, and nine touchdowns away from tying Ohio State’s career records in all three major categories. With a full season ahead, those marks are not just attainable, they are expected.
What separates Smith is not just volume, but how he produces it. He is a true No. 1 receiver in every sense. He wins vertically, consistently separating on deep routes with long stride speed and tracking ability. He dominates at the catch point, using his frame and body control to win contested situations. And he operates efficiently underneath, turning short completions into explosive gains.
That combination is rare. Most receivers specialize. Smith does everything. And in Ohio State’s offense, that versatility translates into opportunity. High target share, explosive play potential, and consistent involvement in critical situations all point toward a statistical season that will put him squarely in the national spotlight.
Winning the Biletnikoff is not just about being great. It is about being unmistakable. The award historically favors receivers who combine elite production with national visibility and signature moments. It is not enough to be consistent. You have to be dominant in games people are watching.
Smith checks many of those boxes already. He plays in a high-profile offense, he will have marquee matchups, and he is the clear focal point of the passing game.
But the position itself creates the challenge. Wide receiver is one of the most crowded and volatile award races in college football. Every season produces multiple candidates with elite numbers. The difference often comes down to efficiency, team success, and narrative.
That is where Smith’s path becomes more complicated.
Smith will not be chasing the award alone. Receivers like Malachi Toney, Mario Craver, and Cam Coleman represent the type of competition that makes the Biletnikoff race unpredictable.
Toney has emerged as one of the most dynamic playmakers in the country, capable of impacting games both as a receiver and after the catch. His versatility and explosiveness make him a constant threat to produce highlight-reel moments that voters remember.
Craver brings a different profile. A polished route runner with strong hands and consistency, he fits the mold of past Biletnikoff winners who accumulate high reception totals and dominate in rhythm-based offenses.
Coleman, meanwhile, offers a blend of size and vertical ability that mirrors some of Smith’s strengths. His ability to stretch the field and create explosive plays puts him firmly in the conversation if his production matches his talent.
And beyond those names, there will be others. There always are. That is what makes the race difficult. It is not just about being great, it is about being better than multiple elite players across the country.
Despite the competition, Smith has a unique advantage. He does not need a breakout season, he is already there.
Many Biletnikoff campaigns are built on emergence. A player explodes onto the national stage, posts huge numbers, and rides that momentum to the award. Smith’s case is different. He enters the season as a known commodity, already viewed as one of the best receivers in the country.
That shifts the conversation. Instead of asking whether he can reach that level, the question becomes whether he can sustain it and elevate it. And there are reasons to believe he can.
Ohio State’s offensive structure remains receiver-friendly. The quarterback play is stable. And Smith’s role as the primary target is unlikely to change. If anything, it will most likely expand. That combination creates a high statistical floor and an even higher ceiling.
For Smith to win the Biletnikoff, the formula is relatively clear. First, the numbers need to be overwhelming. Not just good, but clearly among the best in the country. Something in the range of 1,200–1,600 yards and double-digit touchdowns would likely put him firmly in the conversation.
Second, the moments have to match the production. Big games against top opponents, highlight plays in high-leverage situations. Performances that define wins, not just contribute to them.
Third, team success matters. Ohio State does not need to go undefeated, but it needs to be in the national conversation. Awards follow relevance.
If those elements align, Smith’s case becomes difficult to ignore.
The record book feels inevitable. Barring injury, Jeremiah Smith is on track to leave Ohio State as the program’s all-time leader in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. That alone would cement his place among the greatest receivers in school history.
But the Biletnikoff is different. It is not guaranteed. It is earned in a single season, against the best competition in the country, under the brightest spotlight.
Smith has the talent. He has the production. He has the platform. Now the question is whether he can put it all together at the same time. Because if he does, the records will not be the only thing he leaves behind.
He will leave with the award that proves he was the best in the country.
The San Francisco 49ers made a number of moves early in free agency to bolster their roster for the 2026 season, taking advantage of their cap space.
One of the more notable moves? Bringing linebacker Dre Greenlaw back on a one-year, fully guaranteed, $6 million deal. Greenlaw had been a staple of the 49ers defense since being drafted in 2019, forming a strong duo with Fred Warner as a hard-hitting, sideline-to-sideline linebacker.
That prompted the 49ers to extend him back in 2022 on a two-year, $16.4 million deal, keeping him in the Bay Area until 2025. During a stellar 2023 season, Greenlaw suffered an unfortunate Achilles tear in the Super Bowl that year, which kept him out for most of the 2024 season, where he played in only two games.
Still, with his talent, the linebacker got a three-year, $31.5 million deal with the Denver Broncos in free agency last offseason, so he left despite a late effort from the 49ers to bring him back. But after playing in just eight games this season due to a few injuries, the Broncos released him, and Greenlaw hit the open market again.
Why not have a reunion with his old team? So, heading into his age-29 season, Greenlaw will be back in San Francisco and look to re-establish himself on a one-year deal after playing just 10 total games in the last two years.
“[A big part of bringing him back was] just how much we love Dre as a person, how much we love him as a player,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said at the Owner’s meetings this week. “He’s one of the best linebackers I’ve ever coached, and I’ve been around some good ones. What he’s meant to the Niners organization, and we hated being away from him. We’re pumped to get him back.”
The 49ers did see growth at the linebacker position last year, as Dee Winters and Tatum Bethune stepped up in place of Greenlaw, and eventually Fred Warner, to be San Francisco’s top linebackers for much of the year.
Winters played in 17 games, recording 101 tackles, eight tackles for loss, a pick-six, and five pass breakups. Bethune saw action in 14 games, recording 94 tackles, four tackles for loss, and four pass breakups in eight starts.
Both players will be back for the 49ers in 2026 and should compete for snaps alongside Greenlaw, Warner, and returner Luke Gifford. So, is Greenlaw a penciled-in starter, or will there be competition?
“[He’s] most likely [the weakside linebacker],” Shanahan said. “I mean, that’s what he’s always played. We’ll see when we get to OTAs and start to get the guys back together. It’s always different when I haven’t seen the guys since really the day after our Seattle playoff loss, but that would be the expectation.”
The 49ers have had an abundance of riches at linebacker before, and it feels like they’ll have it again in 2026, although the depth could be key with two players coming off injury-riddled 2025 seasons. But, with Winters entering the last year of his rookie contract and Tatum Bethune heading into Year 3, we’ll have to see what their roles will be as well this season.
The Augusta National Women's Amateur begins Wednesday, and the seventh edition of the tournament brings a majority of the best female amateurs looking to add their name to the history books down Magnolia Lane.
On Monday, tee times came out for the first two rounds at Champions Retreat Golf Club in neighboring Evans, Georgia. Players will compete in 36 holes of stroke play before a cut is made to the top-30 and ties, with those making the final round competing Saturday at Augusta National. Every player will get to play a practice round Friday at the site of next week's Masters.
There are plenty of notables to watch during one of the best amateur events in the world, but which groups are the best during the first two rounds? Let's take a look:
All times ET, * denotes 10th tee start
Tee times: 8:12 a.m.*/8:55 a.m.
Anna Davis is a past champion of the ANWA (2022). Maria Jose Marin is the defending NCAA individual champion. Paula Martin Sampedro won the Women's Amateur and European Ladies Amateur last summer in Europe. Three winners of major women's amateur events in the same group? Yes, please.
Tee times: 8:23 a.m.*/8:44 a.m.
Asterisk Talley and Aphrodite Deng are arguably the two best juniors in the world and both USGA champions. Talley finished runner-up at the ANWA in 2025. Meanwhile, Rhodes returns after an injury has kept her out a majority of the spring for Arizona State.
Tee times: 9:44 a.m./ 7:23 a.m.*
Romero is the No. 1 amateur in the world and coming in after a win at Colonial last week. Revuelta and Galitsky tied for fourth last year (Romero T-7). Galitsky is the longest-hitting amateur in the women's game. Revuelta's short-game prowess will be on display. A superstar group.
Tee times: 9:44 a.m.*/7:23 a.m.
Ortengren is another Stanford star who could make a run this week. Garcia-Poggio finished fourth in 2023, her debut, and is looking to bounce back after a MC last week. O'Keefe has won three of her past five collegiate events at Texas and may have the most momentum of any golfer in the field.
Tee times: 9:55 a.m./7:12 a.m.*
Ganne, the U.S. Women's Amateur champion, comes in rested up. She opened in 9-under 63 last year. Malixi is making her debut after having to withdraw last year due to injury, and she's found her groove at Duke. Oh has finished runner-up in three major amateur events in 2026, including the Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Best groupings, players to watch at Augusta National Women's Amateur
The Dolphins' trade of wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos was the team's latest offseason move to elicit questions about their goals for the coming season.
Moving Waddle while parting ways with a slew of other veterans in moves that have left the team with significant dead cap money has led many to suggest that the Dolphins are looking at 2026 as a year to focus on building for the future while passing on doing all they can to compete in the present.
General Manager Jon-Eric Sullivan was asked about that perception during an appearance on PFT Live this week and Sullivan called it a "false" premise. While he acknowledged that he and head coach Jeff Hafley stepped into "a unique situation," Sullivan insisted that the roster maneuvers are being done with an eye on trying to win right away.
"I have incredible faith in Jeff Hafley’s ability to lead," Sullivan said. "I know that he and his staff will have this team ready to play and we’re going to show up and compete. Where it goes, it goes. We’ll build this thing out for the future, but we’re here to win now as well. Make no mistake about it."
Sullivan noted that a lot of players on the Dolphins roster are on one-year deals, which does create a lot of motivation for players to put their best showings on tape. Whether players in that contractual position for a team coming off a poor season are the right ones to create a winner is a question that will be answered in the fall.
Warriors made late push for Kawhi Leonard before trade deadline, per report originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Golden State Warriors landed Kristaps Porzingis before the Feb. 5 trade deadline, but they reportedly made a late push for a different superstar.
According to The Stein Line’s Marc Stein, the franchise attempted to acquire Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard but ultimately came up short.
“The Warriors made what has been described as a determined trade run at the Clippers' Kawhi Leonard in the final hour before the Feb. 5 trade buzzer sounded under the belief that Leonard might be unexpectedly unavailable after LA agreed to ship Ivica Zubac to Indiana,” Stein wrote Sunday.
“The Clippers ultimately balked then, but it is reasonable to presume that Golden State will investigate that possibility once again.”
While Leonard is on the older side, there’s no question he would have been an ideal fit in the Warriors’ high-octane, three-point-heavy offense.
The San Diego State product has always been an above-average long-range shooter, evidenced by his 39.1% career three-point shooting percentage. Whether thriving in catch-and-shoot or off-the-dribble scenarios, Leonard finds a way to positively impact games from beyond the arc.
Combine Leonard’s high-level perimeter shooting with his impeccable defensive instincts and physical tools, and the Warriors would have received a two-way stud who’s won two championships in his career.
It wasn’t meant to be this season, but as Stein mentioned, the Dubs could circle back to Leonard once the summer arrives.
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It’s really difficult to make any concrete assertions about a baseball team after only four games. Sure, these games make the term “lethargic” look positively energetic, but even in the most negative point of view, there isn’t really much we can tell about this team yet. The only thing these games have done is reinforced preconceived notions that clouded judgement in the first place.
Instead, we can try and see if there are any trends beginning to take shape. Ideas maybe we had before the season even began that maybe there is a shred of data that can be looked at to see if something is there. Here are a few to maybe keep an eye on as the season progresses, particularly in these early weeks.
Otto Kemp: left fielder?
Sunday’s game was a demonstration that maybe the team’s belief in Kemp as a viable option as one of the platoon partners for the outfield was a bit ambitious in the first place. 2025 showed several examples of why this idea was misguided in the first place, yet the team continued to assert that Kemp would be fine.
There is the likelihood that the team will continue to put him out in left field in a lefthanded pitcher is on the mound. They want to have the platoon advantage there and they believe their best option is to have Kemp, which is odd considering they have Dylan Moore on the roster, a player that has actually played left field in the past. If he cannot play the position, one has to wonder about Kemp’s place on the roster.
Bryce Harper
There is no reason to belabor the point about elite/not elite that was beaten in the offseason. It’s tiresome and boring. Instead, let’s re-shape the question. What would make Dave Dombrowski even say that?
Pitchers are going to try and see what Harper still has. One might think that they’ll try and get him to chase since that was one of his issues with his season last year. We only have a sample of 71 pitches thrown to him, so as you can imagine, the heat map is all over the place.
This doesn’t really tell us much about anything, so instead, how are pitchers trying to approach him? We’ve seen a steady decline in pitchers throwing him fastballs since that is where he does a lot of damage. The rise in breaking ball usage is continuing, even if it, again, is just 71 pitches in total.
Yet this is worth watching as the season progresses. Harper’s bat speed so far suggests that there hasn’t been a falloff there, but the steady diet of breaking pitches that are going out of the zone are going continue from the looks of it. How he fares will likely determine the next chapter of his career.
Rob Thomson’s decision making
The Opening Day usage of Kyle Backhus was fine in theory. The team was up five runs, they only needed three outs and Backhus’ funk was probably something that the Rangers hadn’t seen much of. He wasn’t good, thus forcing Jhoan Duran into the game to give the Phillies their only win of the season thus far. In game two, Jacob deGrom was scratched from the lineup, a left handed reliever taking his place, yet Thomson left in his usual platoon players in Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh. The team was no-hit through several innings afterwards. Getting Stott and Marsh plate appearances against southpaws is fine, particularly if one hopes for their improvement against them, yet it was another curious decision.
Justin Crawford sitting on Monday evening was interesting as well, giving fodder to something else to watch as the season goes on: what goes behind the decisions Thomson regularly makes? Early in the season, he has shown a willingness to sit players often coming out of spring training as the baseball version of load management. That would help explain some of the lineup decisions made early on, but as the season keeps going, when do the lefties (Stott, Marsh and Crawford) sit? What about the bullpen usage patterns? With a trip to Colorado looming, it made some sense to let Taijuan Walker eat some innings Monday, preserving as many arms as possible, but again, what about the situational usage patterns? What will end up being the bullpen pecking order?
As stated before, it’s still only four games. There is plenty of baseball to go, likely most of it good baseball. These are only a few things to watch as the season goes forward, but they are still rather significant things to track.
Goaltender Nico Daws became the Utica Comets all-time wins leader this past week.
It took a 2-1 shootout victory, but Nico Daws defeated Laval last week to sneak past Thatcher Demko as the Utica Comets all-time leader in wins with 56. The Comets, who at least temporarily have slipped past the Belleville Senators into sixth place in the North Division and out of last place for the first time since the beginning of the season. Here’s the magic moment.
Nico Daws seals it in the Shootout to become the new Franchise Wins Leader among Comets goaltenders 🏆 pic.twitter.com/ZdLFbl8nHN
— Utica Comets (@UticaComets) March 26, 2026
What a record like this symbolizes more than anything is just how long Daws has been in the system. Daws first suited up for the Comets in 2021-22. Over the course of his AHL career, Daws has amassed a 57-60-16 record, five shutouts, a 2.86 GAA and a .898 SV%. Had Daws not been called up so often or suited up for a better team, then he would have undoubtedly broken this record much sooner. A restricted free agent with arbitration rights at the end of the season, it’s uncertain what Daws’s future with this franchise will be, but he has been a steady third goalie these past few years. Congratulations to Daws on the milestone.
After the record-setting game, the Comets would go on to win both of their weekend games. Malek and Daws each earned a win, raising Daws’s franchise lead to 57. Defenseman Topias Vilen pocket three primary assists during Saturday’s 5-3 victory. Prospects Cam Squires and Matyas Melovsky each scored a goal and an assist over the weekend. Veteran Ryan Schmelzer exploded for five points in two contests. Nathan Legare had a pair of goals and an assist. Overall, it was a solid effort by both prospects and veterans.
Much like the Devils, the Comets are chasing probably too late to make the playoffs. As of Sunday, the Comets sit in a tie for sixth place of the North Division with 59 points, six points behind 5th place Rochester for the final playoff spot and Rochester has played two fewer games.
The Comets have eight games remaining on the season, three of which are against the dominant, best-in-the-AHL Providence Bruins. It will be a tough slog, and much like the Devils, it appears to be too little, too late, for this year.
Let us know what you think. Post your hockey-related comments below.
Portugal and the United States of America go head-to-head in an international friendly in Atlanta on Wednesday as both sides prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Americans have a surprisingly good record against the Seleção das Quinas. They share two wins apiece from their six previous meetings, drawing the other three.
USA have not lost to Portugal in 36 years and are unbeaten against them in competitive matches, having beaten them at the 2002 World Cup and drawing with them at Brazil 2014.
Mauricio Pochettino has named a 27-man squad for the March camp. The group includes Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson and Folarin Balogun, while Patrick Schulte was added after Roman Celentano was withdrawn to avoid a potential injury risk.
Following a heavy defeat to Belgium, head coach Mauricio Pochettino must navigate the absence of captain Tyler Adams, who is sidelined with an MCL issue.
The backline is further depleted as Sergiño Dest, Haji Wright, and Miles Robinson are all unavailable due to various muscle strains.
While Chris Richards remains a game-time decision to anchor the defence, Pochettino is expected to rotate his goalkeepers, potentially handing Matt Freese a start over Matt Turner.
The focus remains on defensive cohesion and testing depth players as the squad enters its final preparation phase before the 2026 World Cup.
Roberto Martínez’s side is also dealing with several major absences. Cristiano Ronaldo will miss the game because of a hamstring injury, while Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva have also stayed out to manage discomfort, and Diogo Costa is a doubt because of an adductor problem.
That leaves Bruno Fernandes as one of the main leaders in the squad, with the midfielder close to climbing Portugal’s all-time scoring list.
Martinez is expected to give more minutes to younger technical players such as Vitinha and João Neves, making this a useful test of Portugal’s depth and balance.
The USMNT enters this match reeling from a humbling 5-2 defeat against Belgium on March 28. Despite an early lead provided by Weston McKennie in the 39th minute and a late consolation goal from Patrick Agyemang, the American defence collapsed in the second half. Statistically, the U.S. struggled to maintain control, allowing 21 shots on target. Matt Turner’s return to the lineup was difficult, as he conceded five goals from 10 shots on target.
Portugal heads into tonight’s friendly following a frustrating 0-0 draw against Mexico. While Roberto Martínez’s side dominated the match with a commanding 67% possession, they lacked clinical finishing in the final third without Cristiano Ronaldo. Portugal recorded 10 total shots but managed only two on target, reflecting a struggle to break down a low-block defence.
USA: Freese; Weah, Richards, McKenzie, A. Robinson; Tessmann, Roldan; Pulisic, McKennie, Reyna; Pepi
Portugal: R. Silva; Cancelo, Inacio, Veiga, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha; Neto, B. Fernandes, Felix; Ramos
The match will be broadcast live on TNT, truTV, HBO Max and Peacock in the United States. There will also be Spanish language broadcasts on Telemundo and Universo.
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The John R. Wooden Award will celebrate it’s 50th anniversary this season. Leading up to the award ceremony on April 10, 2026, The Sporting Tribune in partnership with the Wooden Award and the Los Angeles Athletic Club will highlight past winners of the Wooden Award and the Legends of Coaching Award.
When Matt Painter took over his alma mater Purdue in 2005, the Boilermakers were teetering toward an era of obsolescence after NCAA sanctions depleted them for the better part of the early 2000s.
20 years later, few programs in the country are as healthy and flourishing, and Painter is still the man in charge. It took him just a single season to turn the path of Purdue’s proverbial ship from something that resembled the Titanic’s to one more like the Mayflower, and the Boilermakers are currently as much of a mainstay in the college basketball landscape as they’ve ever been.
In recognition for two decades of unparalleled success at Purdue and his success leading up to his time in Lafayette, Painter was named the 2025 Wooden Legends of Coaching Award recipient.
After a 9-19 maiden voyage in 2005-06, Painter and the Boilermakers ripped off a stretch of six consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including back-to-back Sweet 16 trips in 2009 and 2010. After a turbulent stretch midway through the 2010s, Painter again led the Boilermakers back into national contention with back-to-back Sweet 16 trips again in 2017 and 2018 before falling short in a heartbreaker against Virginia in the 2019 Elite 8.
The most prevalent pattern in Painter’s time at Purdue has been his ability to lead the team through those turbulent times. There’s no greater example of that than him leading the 2023 team all the way to the National Championship game just a season after they were on the losing end of the biggest and most noteworthy upset in the history of the sport.
His ability to lead that team to such heights was in large part because of his connection with star center Zach Edey, who he helped guide to back-to-back Wooden National Player of the Year Awards in 2022 and 2023. He’s developed a similar connection to Purdue’s current leader, point guard Braden Smith, and was the same type of pivotal figure in the careers of Robbie Hummel and E’Twaun Moore.
Since Painter has been at Purdue, he’s been named the Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2019, and 2024. Before his time at Purdue, Painter built the Southern Illinois Salukis into a force in the Missouri Valley Conference and even earned an at-large bid to the 2004 NCAA Tournament after racking up a 25-4 record before the tournament, with just two losses in conference play (including the championship).
With the season now at an end, it is time for that all-time fun job of grading the classes. First up is the freshman class.
When it comes to freshmen, sometimes you get nothing, sometimes you get something, and sometimes you get Caleb Wilson. Wilson was a once in a lifetime player for UNC — probably the best freshman and easily the best one-and-done to play for the Tar Heels. We named Wilson UNC’s freshman of the year and team MVP, and it wasn’t really even close (sorry Henri, you did give a valiant effort). Wilson, who was the best dunker in college this past season, led North Carolina in points per game, rebounds per game, steals (both per game and total), blocks per game, and free throws (both made and attempted). He finished second on the team — and may well have wound up first had he played a complete season — in field goals (made, attempted, and percentage), total rebounds (though tied for first on offensive rebounds), total blocks, and assists per game. The only negative to his season was the injury that cost him the end of it. Rare does a player like this come along; thank you for the memories and good luck in the NBA.
Grade: A+. If not for the injury this would’ve been an A+++.
Dixon had a more typical freshman year, starting on the bench before eventually taking over as a starter for the Tar Heels. Dixon led the team in total assists and free throw percentage, while also finishing second in assists per game, made three pointers, and three-point percentage. Dixon earned our most improved and best bench player honors as he became a guiding force that helped stabilize the team as the ACC season started while also hitting clutch shots down the stretch and earning several POGs to end the season. Dixon is at the top of the list of guys any new coach should definitely consider trying to retain for next years team.
Grade: A-. Solid season, lots to grow upon, good foundation for the future.
Denis did not have a great freshman year. The combo guard from Charlotte entered the season coming off an injury and never really got into Hubert Davis’s rotation, playing in just 10 games this season and often when said game was already over. Denis did show promise though, hitting half of his eight three point attempts. The biggest question for Denis is whether he will stick around next season with a new coaching staff coming in, or if he will look to develop somewhere else where he might get some more playing time (maybe his hometown Charlotte, who just hired his position coach Marcus Paige?)
Grade: Incomplete. I really don’t feel like I can fairly grade a kid who hardly got any opportunities this season to do anything.
How do you think the freshmen did this year? Let us know in the comments below.
Roberto Martinez has outlined Cristiano Ronaldo’s true role for Portugal heading into the 2026 World Cup, making it clear the veteran still holds a central place in the squad.
With Portugal entering a new era filled with young attacking talent, questions have continued around how Ronaldo fits into the system. Despite that depth, Martinez sees his role as clearly defined.
The Portugal boss pointed to both experience and output. Ronaldo remains a key figure in decisive moments. That is why his presence is still considered essential.
Speaking in comments shared by Ben Jacobs, Martinez detailed exactly what Ronaldo brings to the team.
“Cristiano is our captain. He has been very influential and important. We won the Nations League with him,” Martinez said.
He added: “His role is important in our team, making the last movements in the box, his goalscoring threat and the way he can finish off moves.”
Martinez highlighted Ronaldo’s ability to deliver in key attacking phases. Even as Portugal evolve tactically, his finishing and positioning remain vital.
That role is now more specialised. Rather than carrying the entire attack, he is used to complete moves and provide a consistent goal threat. It reflects how Portugal are adapting while still relying on their most experienced player.
Martinez also pointed to Ronaldo’s mentality as a major factor behind his continued importance.
“His mindset is quite inspiring. He just lives every day as if it was his last one, and he wants to improve. You don’t know when is going to be the end,” the Portugal boss stated.
The Portugal boss emphasised that Ronaldo’s approach sets the tone within the squad. His daily commitment continues to influence younger players.
That mentality has allowed him to maintain elite standards deep into his career. It also explains why he remains part of the team’s plans.
For Portugal, his role is not just tactical. It is also cultural and psychological within the group. As the World Cup approaches, that combination of experience and mindset keeps Ronaldo firmly in the picture.
Read more:
Season averages:
Minutes per game – 8.2
Points – 3.0
Rebounds – 1.0
Assists 1.0
Steals – 0.6
Field goal percentage – 48.9%
Three-point percentage – 35.7% (5/14)
Free-throw percentage – 80% (16/20)
Season highs:
Points – 12 at Michigan
Rebounds – 3 at Michigan and vs Sacred Heart
Assists – 4 (three times)
Steals – 2 at Michigan and vs Marquette
Overall thoughts:
It is tough to evaluate Chris Jeffrey’s season, as he played inconsistent minutes out of the gate and subsequently injured his knee. His first appearance was a promising one, scoring 11 points against BYU and playing down the stretch (over Acaden Lewis). He was one of only two players to show up at Michigan. But his eventual meniscus injury against Pittsburgh cost him roughly seven weeks of action. Arguably more important than the games missed were the practices missed. But to Jeffrey’s credit, he fought to come back and did not waste the season to preserve a redshirt.
You could see in glimpses how much potential the freshman has. He’s a strong guard who excels in pressuring his opponent the length of the court. To average 0.6 steals in less than nine minutes per game means he would project to lead the conference in steals per game with starters’ minutes.
On offense, most of his shot attempts are quality ones. He will need to improve as a shooter, but his percentages on limited attempts were encouraging. Jeffrey also showed the ability to orchestrate the offense, accruing 22 assists to only five turnovers on the year. It would be interesting to see how those numbers fare in a larger role.
That is where the issue arises: how does he get a larger role next year? If the current backcourt returns, it’s hard to see that happening. Perhaps Jeffrey is content with being the first guard off of the bench, rather than the second one. Setting up to take over as the starter in year three. He has shown that he’s willing to commit to Kevin Willard. But it’s also understandable if he wishes to go somewhere that would afford him a clear starting opportunity. Only playing two minutes in the game against Utah State is unfortunately the final impression that we have from this season.
I think that with his defensive ability, Jeffrey works well with Lindsay as a backcourt mate moving forward. The Lewis and Jeffrey combination is a bit more complicated, as the shooting at the present time would be a genuine concern.
Jeffrey’s commitment to this season and to the program will always be appreciated. As we saw and Kevin Willard explicitly said, that’s not exactly common in today’s game. I also would welcome Jeffrey back to the team with open arms, as I strongly believe in his long-term ability. But that said, it seems that it will be difficult to both get bigger across the frontline and keep all of the remaining backcourt intact.
After former Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker shared his frustrations with how his divorce from the team played out, Lions coach Dan Campbell offered his perspective on the situation.
Decker bemoaned a communication breakdown between him and the team. In short, he believes the Lions failed to properly communicate that his return to the team was dependent on his willingness to take a pay cut. So, when Decker announced his intentions of returning to the team for an 11th season instead of retirement, he was surprised, and disappointed, to hear that the team would only allow him back if it was on a reduced salary. Decker refused, and the team released him earlier this month.
Campbell was obviously disheartened to hear about Decker’s frustration.
“You never want a player to feel like something has happened to them that they don’t feel good about. You don’t want that,” Campbell said.
Adding to Decker’s frustration was the fact that the team offered no contact after the release. No thank you’s or appreciation of his time in Detroit. Campbell indicated he’ll eventually reach out to Decker, but noted that sometimes the business is just callous like that.
“These guys, you’re around all the time, it’s like coaches, (then) they’re just gone, and it’s crazy,” Campbell said. “But that’s the nature of the business. That’s the way that it was when I was a player. Some of these coaches are like—I had a coach that it was like we talked every day, man. He would send me messages, he would talk. And then the minute I go to another team, I never heard from him again. It wasn’t being vindictive, but it’s also a little bit like—well, you’re not part of the team anymore and all my focus is on this. That’s kind of the world we live in, unfortunately, and it’s hard. But that’s the way it goes.”
And while Decker may not get a direct message from Campbell and company for a little while, the Lions head coach made sure to tell the media on hand at the owners meetings how much he appreciated Decker’s time with the team.
“Deck’s a stud, man. He gave a lot for a long time through three regimes, and we’ll be forever grateful, man,” Campbell said. “He’ll always be a Lion, and it’ll always be his home at some point. So, he’ll be missed.”
It’s safe to say we are on the roller coaster ride that is the baseball season. This early season has been filled with ups and downs. It’s fun that no matter how baseball changes, how many ways we can analyze it, it’s still a lot the same game. Oh sure, if this were 50 or 60 years ago, Cubs starter Edward Cabrera would probably have thrown (at least) another inning or two. After all, when your starter has allowed just one hit and one walk over six, you keep running him out there.
Just for kicks, I went all of the way back to 1969 to see what Ferguson Jenkins did on Opening Day. It was a perfect compare and contrast to the modern game. Fergie threw only eight innings on Opening Day that year. Was it great restraint by the famed Leo Durocher? Well, not really. Fergie allowed five runs in eight innings of work (he didn’t walk anyone, though). Also, let’s be clear. Fergie started the ninth, pitching with a three-run lead. He allowed two singles and a three-run homer. That finished Fergie’s day after throwing 109 pitches. The Cubs did score two in the bottom of the 11th (after allowing one in the top) to walk it off.
The game changes. Teams don’t rely on starters anywhere near as much as we used to. They hope that more pitches can be thrown at or near max effort. They hope that more pitchers, when effective, can pitch much longer into their careers. We know that first thing is happening more and more. We think maybe that second thing is happening. Less is being asked of starters. And yet, little is more valuable than a strong start from your starter. The Cubs have had two quality starts in the young season and they’ve won both games. They lost the other two.
Eleven teams came through the first weekend of the season without a quality start. Those teams combined for a record of 12-24. That record is buoyed by the Brewers who, annoyingly, swept their opening series without a single QS. Of course, the White Sox didn’t have one either in that series. So I guess that was a wash, at least for starting pitching. The Nationals didn’t have one over the weekend either, but did beat the Phillies in Philadelphia, 13-2. Clearly, no one has told the Nationals that they are supposed to be God-awful. For that matter, no one has told Joey Wiemer that he’s not going to be the MVP. Who doesn’t love an early season line of .800/.846/1.600? I think that’s maybe some kind of record pace.
I’ll be a broken record here early. Because it’s early. Very little of this matters much. It would definitely matter a lot if Cade Horton and Edward Cabrera were elite. We have reason to believe one is and hope that the other can be. It would definitely matter a lot if Matthew Boyd and Shōta Imanaga were bad. I think we fear that one is and expect the other to be at least decent, coming off of an All-Star season. Drawing conclusions in April is a fool’s errand. Doing so in March is a waste of time.
The Cubs got a good pitching performance and the bats shined. More of both, please. And hey, even when one has an off night, there isn’t any particular rule that says both have to be off. I like to think of baseball having four quadrants. These two wins are in the best quadrant which is good pitching/good hitting. So let’s hope that those other two quadrants (good hitting/poor pitching, and poor hitting/good pitching) eke out some wins too. The best teams can win games in all three of the better quadrants (it’s an unusual scenario to win a game with poor/poor performance). And let’s hope the Cubs spend an awful lot of time in that best quadrant. They’ve got a lot of winning to do and a lot of working out who the best 26 are. And there are only 158 games left to get all of that done.
Three Stars:
Game 4, March 30: Cubs 7, Angels 2 (2-2)
Reminder: Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA scores and are in no way subjective.
THREE HEROES:
THREE GOATS:
WPA Play of the Game: Carson Kelly batted with runners on first and second and two outs in the first, the Cubs up one. He skied one into shallow center. The Angels failed to make a play on the ball and Pete Crow-Armstrong motored around from first to make this into a two-run single. (.155)
*Angels Play of the Game: Ryan Johnson faced Alex Bregman with a runner on first and no outs in the first inning, the game scoreless. He got Bregman to pop out for the first out. (.035)
Cubs Player of the Game:
Yesterday’s Winner: Alex Bregman received 124 of 148 votes.
Up Next: Game two of the three-game set with the Angels. Jameson Taillon makes his season debut. Last year he was 11-7 with a 3.68 ERA in 23 starts. Taillon’s numbers as a Cub do not in any way justify the negative perception of his value. In his age-34 season last year, he dealt with some injuries but was pretty effective when healthy. At this point in his career, it’s hard to imagine he can’t be a fifth starter who produces more good starts than bad and provides value to this team.
The Angels start 27-year-old José Soriano. Soriano started Opening Day this year for the Angels. He threw six scoreless and struck out seven in Houston. He’s pitched in parts of three seasons for the Angels previously, having an 18-21 record and a 3.82 ERA across 92 appearances (52 starts). Could the 27-year-old Dominican product be finding himself? We shall see. He didn’t face the Cubs last year. He threw five unremarkable innings against them in July 2024. Michael Busch took him deep and Miguel Amaya had a pair of hits. Plan to see Miguel back in the lineup to try to continue his hot start at the plate.
How about the first back-to-back wins of the season?
We’re back today to get you caught up on the latest from Syracuse’s Olympic Sports as the spring sports calendar ramps up.
Women’s Rowing:
The #12 Orange opened the season at the Doc Hosea where the V8 boat defeated #8 Rutgers and finished behind #9 Virginia. Syracuse’s 2nd V8 boat swept the two races
Syracuse is back in action this weekend against Yale and Cornell at the Cayuga Cup in Saratoga Springs.
Softball (11-14, 0-7):
It’s been a tough start to the ACC schedule for Syracuse as they lost two home gamesJadyn each to Virginia and NC State.
Jadyn Burney leads the Orange with a .389 batting average and 14 stolen bases on the season, but overall the Syracuse offense has struggled with just a .232 team batting average.
In action🏃♀️💨#cusesbpic.twitter.com/7opn8ZNPEJ
— Syracuse Softball (@CuseSB) March 29, 2026
The Orange head to Pitt this weekend looking to grab their first ACC win of the season.
Track and Field:
It’s early in the outdoor season, but Jamir Brown has taken his indoor momentum to the 110m hurdles as his 13.49 is tops in the ACC and 2nd in the country in the event. Julian Franjeh has the 4th fastest 3000m steeplechase in the ACC in 2026.
Four Syracuse women are in the top 10 in the ACC in their events- Nicea Jones is 4th in the 400m, Peyton Rollins and Tia Outlaw are 8th and 9th in the 100m hurdles, and Indie Wallace-Persaud is 9th in the 100m and 10th in the 200m.
The Orange are back in action at Stanford and Cortland this weekend.
Tennis (6-9, 2-6):
Since our last update, the Orange were swept by Stanford and California, but knocked off #65 Wake Forest before losing to #9 NC State.
Against Wake, Syracuse rallied after losing the doubles point to win four of six singles matches to earn the 4-3 win.
That victory feeling 🥳🥳 pic.twitter.com/FW9S1Lx0kr
— Syracuse Tennis (@Cuse_Tennis) March 28, 2026
The Orange will head to Florida to face Miami and Florida State this weekend.
Check out The Feed for this week’s schedule of Syracuse games. We’ll have more updates next week.
Head coach Sean McVay confirmed that the Los Angeles Rams considered trading veteran wide receiver Davante Adams earlier in the offseason.
There were rumors that the Rams were considering trading Adams for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown. Adams was a strong candidate to be traded because of his expiring two-year, $44 million contract.
“We really talked about some different avenues of onboarding other players and how it might affect Davante. I’ve talked to Davante about that, and if we felt that it was best for our team, we would have done that,” McVay said to reporters at the NFL’s annual meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, per The Athletic. “But we didn’t think it was best for our team, so we’re excited to move forward with him.”
The Rams ultimately decided to keep Adams for what could be the final season of his career.
McVay told reporters that the Rams organization was open with Adams about the possibility of being traded. He explained how Adams is a veteran player who deserves to be aware of the potential changes he could be facing in the future.
“There’s a lot of narratives that are out there. What I do think is important is to address the things that our players could be affected with,” McVay said, per The Athletic. “I believe in dealing with those things directly. He’s a grown man, and he’s a great player. At the end of the day, there’s a lot of things going on. We’re always looking at ways to upgrade our roster and feel like we can be as competitive as possible. There’s discussions and dialogues, but it never got to that.”
The Rams are the fourth organization that Adams has played for throughout his career. There is a good chance he could retire at the end of the 2026 season, and Los Angeles is going all in on helping Adams retire as a Super Bowl champion.
Photo Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NCAA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Wolverines fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The No. 1-seed Michigan Wolverines are in the Final Four and will be facing the No. 1-seed Arizona Wildcats on Saturday. If Michigan beats Arizona, they’ll either play No. 2-seed UConn or No. 3-seed Illinois in the national championship.
In this edition of SB Nation Reacts, we want you to predict whether Michigan beats Arizona or wins the national championship. Vote below.
Per FanDuel Sportsbook, Michigan’s odds of winning the national championship are at +150 — the odds of the three other teams in the Final Four include Arizona at +180, UConn at +650, and Illinois at +450.
How did you vote this week? Let us know in the comments and come back later in the week when we reveal the results.
Argentina and Zambia go head-to-head in an international friendly this week in what will be the first ever meeting between the two nations.
The Albiceleste are busy preparing to defend their World Cup crown after triumphing in Qatar just over three years ago. Zambia, who are 91st in the world rankings, failed to qualify for this summer’s tournament in North America.
Gonzalo Montiel and Leonardo Balerdi were withdrawn from the squad due to injury issues before the game against Mauritania, and now Joaquin Panichelli has been ruled out long-term after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament tear.
Lionel Scaloni confirmed that Lionel Messi, who was only used as a substitute last time out, will start against Zambia.
Argentina is likely to start with its established core team. “Most of the players we know well will be playing. This will be the final test,” Scaloni said.
“Later, we’ll make some changes to take a look at some of the younger guys, but the idea is to field our most familiar lineup,” he said.
Scaloni already submitted the preliminary 55-man squad for the World Cup and will select the final squad based on performances.
The Copper Bullets face a major fitness concern regarding midfielder Prince Mumba, who is a serious doubt for the match after suffering a facial injury during a training collision in Buenos Aires on 30 March.
Despite this setback, the team remains confident under the leadership of Captain Fashion Sakala. The Al Fayha forward is expected to join the attack while Patson Daka will lead the line.
Sakala publicly stated that his side is ready to compete with the world champions. The squad remains largely intact otherwise, focusing on a defensive structure designed to frustrate Argentina’s frontline.
Argentina enter this match on a four-game winning streak. Their latest result was a narrow 2-1 victory over Mauritania on 28 March, where goals from Enzo Fernández and Nico Paz secured the win despite a nervy performance. Coach Scaloni is using this form to fine-tune tactics, notably deciding to start Lionel Messi today to improve offensive rhythm.
Zambia have struggled recently, failing to score in three of its last four internationals. Their most recent outing was a 0-0 draw against Malawi on 28 March in Botswana. This lack of cutting edge, combined with conceding 2+ goals in each of their last four friendlies.
Argentina: Martinez; Molina, Romero, Senesi, Tagliafico; Simeone, Mac Allister, De Paul, Barco; Messi, Alvarez
Zambia: Mwanza; Chiboni, Chilimina, Chanda, Sinkala; Chisala, Chaiwa; Mulambia, Daka, Kangwanda; Sakala
UK fans can check their local operators for broadcasting details for this match.
Read – Chelsea midfielder Fernandez fuels Real Madrid transfer talk
See Also – The five favourites to sign Sandro Tonali from Newcastle
The Countdown City will feature Collin Morikawa this week.
During the TGL Finals last week ESPN reported that Collin was going to be in the field for the Valero Texas Open and what with play beginning two days from now that reality has officially come to pass.
This is notable for a couple of reasons:
It goes without saying that this is a pretty big week for Collin for the last two points specifically. TPC San Antonio offers the last opportunity for him to dial in his game before heading to Augusta.
Let’s remember that Collin has already won on the PGA Tour this season, by the way. He was victorious at Pebble Beach so we know his game is in a solid place where he can win.
It should be interesting to see him this week before the intensity dials up.
Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella admits it would be “hard to turn down” Barcelona if they ever submitted a transfer bid for him.
The 27-year-old played for La Blaugrana’s youth sides after coming through Espanyol’s academy. He made one senior appearance before joining Eibar.
Cucurella then went on to sign for Getafe before joining Brighton in 2021. After one season with the Seagulls, Chelsea bought him for £60 million.
The left-back spoke about the possibility of returning to his home country in an interview with the BBC.
“Spain is always Spain,” he said. “It is where I grew up and you always think about going back.
“But I would [prefer to] leave it for a few years down the line. I am very happy here and it is a great life experience.”
When asked specifically about potentially returning to Barcelona, Cucurella responded: “It is clear if that situation [Barcelona making an offer] did arise, it is hard to turn down, but I would have to consider it in the end.
“It is not just me, I also have to think about my family and together we would have to decide what’s best for us.
“As I have said before, right now I am not thinking about that. If it comes, it will come, and we will see what decision is made.”
Cucurella has made 154 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea, winning the FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Conference League.
Read – Chelsea midfielder Fernandez fuels Real Madrid transfer talk
Read More – The five favourites to sign Sandro Tonali from Newcastle
See Also – Gusto can’t understand criticism of under-fire Chelsea boss Rosenior
After a decade playing in the Emerald City, former Seattle Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright is beginning to build a new legacy by earning his first promotion with the rival San Francisco 49ers.
Wright was hired by the 49ers in 2023 to serve as their assistant linebackers and defensive quality control coach, a title he’s held for the last two years. Now in his third year with the Bay Area-based franchise, Wright will serve as the team’s linebackers coach for the 2026 season.
While there were rumors that former Seahawks assistant Robert Saleh was trying to poach Wright and bring him to Tennessee, it seems he’ll be staying with the 49ers for at least the next year.
#49ers have promoted KJ Wright to linebackers coach, among many other coaching staff moves.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) March 30, 2026
They make Raheem Morris (DC) and Matt Eberflus (assistant head coach/defense) hires official.
A long-time fan favorite during his time with the Seahawks, Wright was a staple of the franchise’s front-7 alongside Bobby Wagner during the Legion of Boom era. He helped Seattle claim their first Super Bowl in 2014, earned his only Pro Bowl honor in 2016 and finished his career with over 900 tackles and 11 forced fumbles in his time with the Seahawks.
Despite Wright playing his last season with the Las Vegas Raiders, the Mississippi State grad would return to Seattle to sign a one-day contract to retire a Seahawk. While Wright’s playing career ended with the team that drafted him in the fourth round of the 2011 draft, his next journey will depend on beating the team wearing the same blue and action green jerseys he once donned.
It was a hectic week for Mountain West teams in postseason play, with coaches on the move and teams looking to extend their seasons. After a first round win over Villanova, Utah State had a second round game against top-seeded Arizona. Meanwhile, UNLV, Nevada, and New Mexico all looked to move past the round of 16 in the NIT. Let’s take a look at how each of these four teams fared in this edition of “The Good, the Bad, the Ugly.”
New Mexico
The Lobos are the last team standing and will continue their quest for an NIT championship, as they take on Tulsa on Thursday night. After a dominating first round win over Sam Houston, New Mexico did not let up in wins over George Washington and Saint Joseph’s. In three NIT wins, the Lobos average margin of victory is 18 points. Freshman standouts Tomislav Buljan and Jake Hall have been phenomenal in this tournament and will likely be highly sought after when the season concludes. Here’s to hoping the Aggies can hold on to their star players.
Nevada
Their season may be over, but the Wolf Pack put up a heck of a fight in the NIT. Nevada followed their opening round victory over Murray State with a comfortable home win over Liberty. The Wolf Pack were led by impressive performances by Vaughn Weems (23 points and 5 rebounds) and Corey Camper Jr. (17 points and 8 rebounds). Unfortunately for Nevada, their season came to an end in a narrow defeat by Auburn. It was a valiant effort, but the Wolf Pack fell just short .
UNLV
The Rebels were impressive in their opening round victory over UC Irvine; in the win, we saw one of their most well-rounded performances of the year. They followed that up with a dud against Tulsa. Like much of the season, the Rebels relied too heavily on Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, who had 29 points to keep the Rebels in the game. Gibbs-Lawhorn and Tyrin Jones combined to score 47 of the Rebels’ points while the rest of the team had only 19 points and shot just 30.7% from the field. This feels like a team on the brink. If Coach Pastner can hold on to his young talent, this team could make a run next season.
Utah State
The Aggies aren’t in the “Ugly” category for their loss to Arizona. They put up a valiant effort against, arguably, the best team in the country. Utah State showed a lot of grit and determination in their 78-66 loss. They gave up the fewest points to Arizona in the tournament and cut the Wildcats’ lead down to four on multiple occasions in the second half. It was the news after the game that head coach Jerrod Calhoun had accepted the head coaching job at Cincinnati after just two years with the Aggies that put them here. It was heartbreaking news for a program that has struggled to hold on to head coaches. Hopefully a move to the PAC 12 will help this team find continued success and give them the financial ability to hold on to a head coach.
How did you feel about Utah State’s performance against Arizona? Are you surprised Calhoun left for a job at Cincinnati? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Is there anything in your golf game that you want more than consistency? You want to hit more fairways and greens, and make more putts—but you’re not talking about getting it together once, for one round, and being satisfied. You want to do it all the time. But how do you unlock your best golf, over and over again? How do you take that one round that felt like a fluke, and make it your standard? In the February 1985 Golf Digest story, 18 Keys to Consistency, pros share tips to help make you a more consistent golfer. Amy Alcott’s is a mental trick that every golfer would benefit from trying.
“Don't think about what your next shot means,” Alcott says in the article. “Too many golfers I see, men and women alike, put extra pressure on themselves by worrying about the significance of every shot.
"If I make this putt, that means I'm a great pressure putter."
"If I can par these last three holes, it will be the best round of my life."
"If I get down in two, we win the $10 nassau."
That translates into, "I've got to make this shot," or "I've got to make this putt." It gets so bad they can't even take the putter back.”
Putting the pressure on is enticing to some, Alcott explains. Because if you do put that pressure on and then come through, you’re a hero. And then you try to ride that high for the rest of the round. It’s dangerous, however, because if you don’t pull off the shot, then you’re left feeling like a failure. Alcott says that these ups and downs aren’t worth it.
“Take it from me, you're better off leaving your ego in your bag. The levelheaded players, who don't let that single bad shot ruin their round or let a good putt make them higher than a kite, are the ones who succeed the most,” Alcott says.
Instead, Alcott recommends a healthy detachment from the outcome of each shot. That putt to halve the hole? It’s just a putt. Hitting the fairway to avoid going OB and losing your chances of breaking 90 for the first time? It’s just another tee shot, no different from the ones you were hitting on the range during your warm-up.
“You've probably listened to interviews where a pro who's broken the course record says something like, "I didn't know how far under par I was." He's not kidding. When you scored your best round, were you thinking about "what it means"? Were you counting up your score on every hole? Were you trying to impress your playing partners?,” Alcott queries. “I'll bet you weren't. I'll bet, in fact, that you were simply letting it happen, playing one shot at a time, and the good round just happened. Your mind was quiet. It wasn't worried about ‘what it means.’”
The advice is intriguing. What if unlocking your best golf is as simple as letting go of the pressure of making this round the best round of your life?
Joining the Utah Royals wasn’t an easy decision for Madison Hammond, the NWSL trailblazer and defensive midfielder. It took bravery and a type of vulnerability she had never experienced before—a difficult choice that is now paying off in spades. At Utah, she’ll continue everything that has always set her apart: growing as a leader, playing more freely, and being a role model to Native American and Black girls who is never afraid to speak out about what she believes in.
Hammond signed with the Royals this past offseason as a free agent after four years at Angel City FC.
“It was an internal struggle for me to leave LA,” said Hammond. “I love LA, my family’s there, my partner’s there, all the things—and I just really established this sense of community there.”
But Hammond knew that in order to keep on growing as a player, she had to make a leap of faith—a big decision that ended up sending her from the beaches of Los Angeles to the mountains of Salt Lake City. “When I reflected on my time at LA, and who I want to be as a player, it turned into an on-field decision. I needed to put myself in an uncomfortable environment and embrace change,” she said.
At the Royals, Hammond, who is now in her seventh NWSL season, is growing into a leader her peers can look up to on and off the field. Her teammates recently voted her into the Royals leadership group after just a few weeks with the team, a result she wasn’t expecting.
“I want to be someone that people can rely on and depend on, both on and off the field, in a way that feels real,” she said. She tries to mentor younger players in a way that would have been helpful to her when she was first starting out.
On the field, Hammond said her goal this season is to play more freely—and to score more goals. Her role on the Royals is as a dynamic defensive midfielder, covering ground and breaking up plays.
“I think that I’ve gotten to a point in my career where I just want to take more risks and be more bold,” said Hammond. “[To] know that I’m confident enough in myself, and my teammates are confident enough in me.”
Throughout her soccer journey, Hammond’s family has always been there to support her. In fact, her mother has attended nearly every single club, college, and professional game she has ever played in. She plans to continue the streak by attending every Royals home game this season.
“Having my family at games has meant the world to me as a pro,” said Hammond. “There are days you don’t start, there’s days you don’t dress—and to know that your family is still there, that gives you so much power and strength.”
Hammond is also close to her grandmother, who she bonds with over Yerba Madre, one of Hammond’s sponsors. Hammond said her favorite flavors of the Yerba Madre energy drink are Enlighten Mint and Original.
Hammond holds a unique position in the NWSL: she is the first and only Native American player in the league. While that fact once caused “a lot of pressure, and a lot of feelings of doubt,” seven years into her career, now something has shifted—while she’s still the only Native American player in the league, it’s “really just an empowerment factor.”
“For so much time to have passed and to still be one of one, it means a lot to me,” said Hammond. “It means a lot to represent my community and to kind of be the person that has a voice to speak up.”
Now that she’s in Utah, Hammond wants to continue being a player that young Native Americans can look up to, something especially important in a community that is under-representated in professional sports.
“I think here in Utah, there’s a really unique opportunity, because there’s such a huge Native population in the state,” Hammond said. “My personal goal is to get more Natives to come to the game, and I think that would just open up a lot of opportunities… for young players that might need somebody that looks like them to just give them a little push.”
Hammond, who is both Black and Native American, is also active in the Black Women’s Players Collective (BWPC). Both identities are important to her. “It’s really easy to attach a headline of the first Native American to play in the NWSL, but there’s this whole other side of me as a Black woman that exists very authentically every day,” she said.
She feels grateful for the community and support that the BWPC provides, and gives back through the organization, like attending a recent event to support young Black girls in Salt Lake City.
Hammond has also been known for her activism, and feels a strong responsibility to use her platform. She has spoken out in the past to call out anti-Indigenous language, and has advocated for gender equity in sports and more diverse coaching staffs.
“I just feel such an innate responsibility to use even the tiny sliver of a platform that I have, because there are so many women underneath that platform that can’t say anything in their workplace, in their regular lives…” she said. “Wouldn’t you take that opportunity to use your voice?”
With her move to Utah, Hammond is only continuing to grow—as a player, as a leader, and as a voice the league needs more than ever.
New information has emerged in Tiger Woods‘ arrest last week following a rollover crash in Jupiter, FL.
Last week, golf fans around the world feared the worst when a report emerged that 15-time major winner Tiger Woods was involved in a serious car crash. Despite his car rolling over in the accident, the 50-year-old avoided major injuries. However, that was far from the end of the story.
It was soon revealed that Woods had been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI), according to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office. It was the fourth time that the golf icon had been in a car accident since 2009.
Since Friday, various details about his arrest have leaked, including passing a field sobriety test, but declining a blood/urine test from arriving officers. On Tuesday, new information came to light after ESPN obtained the probable cause affidavit from the Martin County Sheriff’s office.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Tiger Woods' mug shot taken just after his arrest for DUI in Florida has been released pic.twitter.com/fSSY5ZAyZD
— TMZ (@TMZ) March 28, 2026
According to the document, Woods claimed he was looking down at his phone, as well as changing the radio station, and didn’t realize the car in front of him had slowed down. The golfer swerved, clipped the vehicle, and that led to the rollover crash.
The affidavit notes that Woods had “bloodshot and glassy” eyes, “extremely dilated” pupils, was “sweating profusely,” and was “lethargic and slow,” following the incident. He agreed to perform field sobriety exercises, admitted he took prescription pills, but claimed he had not drunk any alcohol.
Two hydrocodone pills — which are painkillers — were found in Woods’ pants pocket. Although he passed the field sobriety exercise, a CNN report on Tuesday explained that the reason he was arrested was because of a new Florida law passed in 2025 that automatically charges a person with a misdemeanor and license suspension for failing to take any sobriety tests requested by a police officer.
Woods has dealt with back issues for years and has had multiple surgeries on it. However, his 2021 car crash led to serious injuries to his leg. Both are behind the painkiller use ahead of last week’s accident.
Related Headlines
The Philadelphia Eagles have made an under-the-radar free agent signing.
The Eagles are signing former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chandler Martin, according to his agency, JL Sports.
Martin will be signed to a two-year deal.
Martin can be a contributor on special teams and potentially on defense. He was elevated for three games from the Ravens’ practice squad and played 34 snaps on special teams.
Martin might have played a larger role if he didn’t suffer a torn ACL in Week 13.
Martin, 23, was an undrafted free agent out of Memphis in 2025. He was a two-time first-team All-AAC honoree with the Tigers, recording 33 tackles for loss in those two seasons combined.
Prior to transferring to Memphis, Martin was a star at Division I-AA East Tennessee State.
The Eagles could use a little depth at linebacker after losing Nakobe Dean to the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency and successor Jihaad Campbell dealing with a shoulder injury.
The Eagles still have starter Zack Baun and reserves Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Smael Mondon and Chance Campbell on the roster.
Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Tiger Woods was "sweating profusely," his eyes were bloodshot and his pupils were "extremely dilated" following a car collision in Florida Friday that led his vehicle to roll over on its side, according to a newly released arrest report. The golf legend was charged with driving under the influence in the aftermath of the crash.
Woods, 50, was taken into custody at around 2 p.m. Friday, when his Land Rover was involved in the crash in the town of Jupiter, authorities said. The sheriff's deputies who responded to the scene made note of the fact that the athlete appeared to be impaired while responding to questions and attempting to complete a series of sobriety tests.
One observed that while Woods spoke to another responding officer, his "movement was lethargic and slow," despite the fact that he seemed alert during the investigation. Woods wore sunglasses at first, and when asked to remove them, revealed that his eyes were "bloodshot and glassy," according to the arrest affidavit.
The deputy recalled Woods saying that he had not consumed alcohol that day but had taken "a few" prescription medications. Two pills, later determined to be the painkiller hydrocodone, were found in the pocket of Woods' pants, the report said.
According to the affidavit, Woods had been driving behind a pickup truck that was towing a trailer along with it, and suddenly swerved into the middle of the road once the truck began slowing down to turn into a driveway.
No one was injured in the collision. The trailer sustained an estimated $5,000 worth of damages.
The truck driver told a Martin County sheriff's deputy that he and another person helped Woods exit his SUV. Because the driver's side door faced the ground after the car flipped over, Woods had to climb out of the passenger's side instead, according to the affidavit.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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Tiger Woods allegedly had bloodshot eyes and was in possession of two opioid pills in his pocket when he was arrested after crashing his SUV in Florida on Friday, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Deputies with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office allegedly found two hydrocodone pills in Woods’ left pants pocket while at the scene, according to the affidavit obtained by PEOPLE on Tuesday, March 31.
In the moments before crashing his Range Rover into a Ford F-150 pickup truck that was towing a trailer in Jupiter Island, Fla, on Friday, March 27, Woods, 50, allegedly told a deputy that he had looked down at his phone while changing the station on his car radio, and did not realize that the truck ahead of him had slowed down.
Woods entered the oncoming lane of traffic to avoid hitting the truck, but he clipped the trailer and his SUV rolled over onto its driver’s side.
Minutes later, the truck driver, with the assistance of an onlooker, helped pull Woods out of the car through the passenger side, according to the affidavit.
While speaking to Woods, a deputy “observed several signs of impairment,” including "bloodshot and glassy" eyes and "extremely dilated" pupils, the probable cause affidavit said.
In addition, Woods was "extremely alert and talkative" and had "hiccups during the entire investigation," according to the affidavit.
The golfer told authorities that he had not had alcohol that day, but when he was asked if he had taken any prescription medication, Woods said, “I take a few.”
He told officers that he had taken his medicine earlier that morning, according to the document.
As Woods sat in the backseat of a car at the scene with officers, one observed him “sweating profusely” despite A/C running in the vehicle.
At the scene, Woods’ movement was “lethargic and slow,” but he was “extremely alert” during the investigation, authorities said.
Woods performed a sobriety exercise in which a deputy observed him to be “limping and stumbling to the right,” the affidavit said. The athlete had a compression sock over his right knee and “appeared to have a leg injury,” a deputy observed.
“Woods advised he’s had seven back surgeries and over 20 operations on his leg,” the affidavit states.
Based on Woods’ performance during a sobriety exercise, a deputy said he “believed Woods’ normal facilities were impaired, and he was unable to safely operate the motor vehicle.”
Deputies then placed Woods under arrest for DUI with Property Damage. After bonding out, Woods was released from custody at Martin County jail that same day. His mug shot was released shortly after his arrest.
Woods was previously involved in two other car accidents. He sustained serious injuries in a 2021 crash in Los Angeles that required surgery and was also involved in a separate incident in 2009, also near his Florida residence.
Read the original article on People
Few players in Philadelphia Eagles history embody the City of Brotherly Love's spirit quite like Brandon Graham. The funny thing is that he is from Detroit. Then again, that alone says he's blue-collar and battle-tested. His journey has been anything but smooth, an underdog story defined by perseverance, growth, and resilience. Time and again, he's been knocked down, only to rise again stronger. That toughness is part of what has made him a fan favorite and a cornerstone of the organization for more than a decade.
Of course, his legacy is forever cemented by one moment. Graham authored what has to be viewed as the greatest strip-sack in NFL history (seeing as how the 'Tuck-Rule Game' resulted in the greatest called-incomplete pass ever). Anyway, Graham knocked the ball loose from Tom Brady in Super Bowl LII to help secure the Eagles' first championship. It was fitting that it was he, a player who had endured so much, to deliver the defining play. Now a two-time Super Bowl champion and Howie Roseman's first-ever draft pick, Graham finds himself at another crossroads.
Throughout the offseason, he has expressed a desire to continue playing, even hinting at one final run. Still, no deal has been finalized. That leaves several possibilities on the table, and that is expected to be the focus of the conversation once this sit-down begins. This press conference could signal a return for one more season, a formal retirement, or something entirely unexpected. Given Graham's recent comments, a comeback seems plausible, but nothing is certain until he steps to the podium.
Whatever the outcome, one thing is clear. Graham's impact on this franchise is undeniable. If this truly marks the end of his playing days, it will close the book on one of the most remarkable careers in Eagles history. If it doesn't, if there's one more chapter to be written, Philadelphia will gladly welcome it. He has already proven there is plenty of gas left in the tank and plenty of tread left on his tires.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Brandon Graham is expected to announce his playing decision on Tuesday
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Time (IST) |
| March 31 | Gujarat Titans | Mullanpur | 7:30 PM |
| April 11 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Mullanpur | 3:30 PM |
| April 19 | Lucknow Super Giants | Mullanpur | 7:30 PM |
| April 28 | Rajasthan Royals | Mullanpur | 7:30 PM |
| May 11 | Delhi Capitals | Dharamshala | 7:30 PM |
| May 14 | Mumbai Indians | Dharamshala | 7:30 PM |
| May 17 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Dharamshala | 3:30 PM |
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Time (IST) |
| April 3 | Chennai Super Kings | Chennai | 7:30 PM |
| April 6 | Kolkata Knight Riders | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| April 16 | Mumbai Indians | Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
| April 25 | Delhi Capitals | Delhi | 3:30 PM |
| May 3 | Gujarat Titans | Ahmedabad | 7:30 PM |
| May 6 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Hyderabad | 7:30 PM |
| May 23 | Lucknow Super Giants | Lucknow | 7:30 PM |
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Time (IST) |
| March 31 | Gujarat Titans | Mullanpur (Home) | 7:30 PM |
| April 3 | Chennai Super Kings | Chennai (Away) | 7:30 PM |
| April 6 | Kolkata Knight Riders | Kolkata (Away) | 7:30 PM |
| April 11 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Mullanpur (Home) | 3:30 PM |
| April 16 | Mumbai Indians | Mumbai (Away) | 7:30 PM |
| April 19 | Lucknow Super Giants | Mullanpur (Home) | 7:30 PM |
| April 25 | Delhi Capitals | Delhi (Away) | 3:30 PM |
| April 28 | Rajasthan Royals | Mullanpur (Home) | 7:30 PM |
| May 3 | Gujarat Titans | Ahmedabad (Away) | 7:30 PM |
| May 6 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Hyderabad (Away) | 7:30 PM |
| May 11 | Delhi Capitals | Dharamshala (Home) | 7:30 PM |
| May 14 | Mumbai Indians | Dharamshala (Home) | 7:30 PM |
| May 17 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Dharamshala (Home) | 3:30 PM |
| May 23 | Lucknow Super Giants | Lucknow (Away) | 7:30 PM |
Michigan State football is into their third week of spring practice, and new head coach Pat Fitzgerald was made available to provide an update on how things are going so far for the Spartans.
Fitzgerald is in the midst of his first spring as the new Michigan State head coach, and had some positive things to say about what he's seen so far. Fitzgerald called out a few players in particular that have stood out and stated the defense is learning at an accelerated pace.
Here are some of the highlights from Fitzgerald's latest media session following a spring practice session on Tuesday morning:
Watch the entire press conference in the video below -- courtesy of SpartanMag:
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: What Pat Fitzgerald had to say about MSU spring practice, players standing out so far
Who is Andrew Painter? Rising Phillies 'frontline starter' set for debut vs. Nationals originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
With Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler opening the season at Triple-A to rehab, 22-year-old Andrew Painter will make his Major League debut on Tuesday against the Washington Nationals.
The right-hander is the Phillies' No. 2-ranked prospect on MLB Pipeline, stands 6-foot-7, and weighs 215 pounds. Painter was the 13th overall draft pick in 2021 out of Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
He posted a 2.31 ERA with eight strikeouts and two walks in 11.2 innings during spring training, and spent nearly all of last season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
"We don't want to extrapolate too much from his Spring Training -- we learned that lesson post-AFL, right? -- but he did look a lot more like the Painter of old, the one whose combination of stuff and feel for pitching seemed certain to lead to a career as a frontline starter," MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo wrote Monday, adding that Painter underwent Tommy John Surgery in July of 2023.
More: Jacob DeGrom is only 149 strikeouts from 2,000 for his career
Painter's fastball sat 96-98 mph during spring training, and his arsenal includes a sinker, slider, changeup, and a curveball.
"Don't sleep on his upper-80s changeup either," Mayo added. "That's a pitch that missed bats at a 55 percent clip last year and was really good when he threw it this spring."
Philadelphia is hopeful Painter can become a longtime top-of-the-rotation guy. Obviously, there's a lot to like about how he projects on the mound.
The new Nvidia App beta enables DLSS 4.5 Dynamic Frame Generation and 6x Frame Generation With the newest Nvidia App beta, Nvidia has officially released DLSS 4.5 Dynamic Frame Generation and 6x Frame Generation. These options are available as DLSS Overrides on the Nvidia App and should become available to all RTX 50 series GPU […]
The post Nvidia DLSS 6x and Dynamic Frame Generation have arrived appeared first on OC3D.
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Marriott Bonvoy Business Card: How Welcome Offers Have ChangedExplore how Marriott Bonvoy Business Card's evolving welcome offers from 2022 to...
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Lima: A City Of History, Art, And Culinary DelightsExplore Lima beyond the stopover – a city of contrasts, creative energy,...
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Mexico Joins Egypt, Indonesia, France, South Korea, Japan and More Countries Around the World Skyrocket Tourism with New Plans, Policies...
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The Wilson Springs Hotel’s New Album Boosts Richmond’s Cultural TourismRichmond, Virginia's The Wilson Springs Hotel releases their latest album, offering...
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The post Ripple Partners with Convera to Boost Cross-Border Payments appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
Ripple has partnered with Convera, a global leader in commercial payments, to enhance enterprise cross-border transactions using stablecoin-enabled settlements. By combining Convera’s established payment network with Ripple’s blockchain infrastructure, the collaboration improves speed, liquidity, and transparency. The partnership also offers crypto-enabled treasury solutions, helping businesses manage capital flows and currency risks. This move highlights growing blockchain adoption in corporate finance, providing a faster, more secure, and cost-effective alternative to traditional cross-border payment methods.
The post CertiK’s March Report Reveals Biggest Crypto Threats as Kraken User Loses $18.2M appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
CertiK’s March 2026 security report confirms $59,509,931 lost to exploits, phishing, and scams – with just $21,912 returned. That is a recovery rate of 0.04%.
Wallet compromise led all categories at $26,846,293, followed closely by phishing at $21,408,097. Together the two account for over 80% of March’s total losses. By attack type, DeFi protocols suffered the most at $32.8M, followed by social engineering at $18M.
The single largest exploit was Resolv, which lost $26,846,293 to a wallet compromise.
Zooming out, Q1 2026 closed with $501M in confirmed losses across 145 incidents per CertiK. That figure represents a significant drop from Q1 2025’s $1.67B, though the comparison requires context. Last year’s total was heavily distorted by the $1.4B Bybit hack.
Excluding that single incident, the quarter-on-quarter improvement looks considerably less reassuring.
Also Read: Bitcoin Monthly Close: 5 Months In the Red, But Bulls Are Watching THIS Signal
As the report dropped, a live incident was already unfolding. An unknown Kraken user lost $18.2M in a suspected social engineering attack, with the threat actor bridging stolen funds from Ethereum to Bitcoin via THORChain. The incident was flagged by on-chain investigator ZachXBT.
The Kraken victim was not compromised through a technical exploit. According to ZachXBT, the attacker used social engineering to manipulate the user into surrendering access to their funds.
The Kraken attacker is routing stolen funds through THORChain, the decentralised cross-chain protocol that has appeared repeatedly as the laundering route of choice in major 2026 thefts. THORChain is permissionless by design, which means there is no mechanism to freeze or intercept funds once they are in motion.
Social engineering has replaced code exploits as the dominant attack vector in 2026. The Kraken incident is a direct illustration of that shift.
Stay ahead with breaking news, expert analysis, and real-time updates on the latest trends in Bitcoin, altcoins, DeFi, NFTs, and more.
Users should enable hardware wallets, multi-factor authentication, and verify all communications to prevent social engineering and unauthorized access.
As social engineering overtakes technical exploits, investors may face higher personal risk, increasing demand for user education and security-focused services.
Individual users and smaller DeFi participants are most at risk, as attackers exploit human error rather than weaknesses in blockchain code.
The post Cardano-Based Midnight (NIGHT) Token Explodes as Mainnet Goes Live, Shorts Get Crushed appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
The NIGHT price just did what speculative assets do best, rip higher when narrative meets timing. A 20% intraday jump followed the long-awaited mainnet launch, and suddenly, what was a quiet chart turned into a playground for momentum traders. No surprise there. Privacy narratives tend to wake up fast… and move even faster.
But here’s where it gets interesting. This wasn’t just a spot-driven pop. The move had teeth as derivatives activity exploded alongside it.
So, what flipped the switch? The mainnet went live. Simple trigger, outsized reaction.
Markets love a clean story, and a privacy-focused blockchain finally went live is about as clean as it gets. Traders piled in, and the price followed. That 20% spike wasn’t random it was fueled by speculation that the network’s utility could finally translate into real demand.
Well, speculation doesn’t need confirmation. It just needs momentum and today it got that.
Now let’s talk numbers, because this is where things stop being subtle. Derivatives volume jumped 100%, hitting $244.25 million, while open interest climbed 27% to $60.65 million. That’s not casual participation, that’s clearly leveraged conviction stepping in.
And then came the wipeout. Liquidation data shows $129.15K in short positions erased, compared to just $12.4K in longs. Translation? Bears got run over. Hard.
This kind of imbalance usually signals one thing that currently buyers are in control, at least for now. But let’s be real, leverage cuts both ways. What squeezes up can unwind just as fast.
Technically speaking, the setup looks clean. The breakout from a descending triangle pattern is already in play, and price action is holding firm post-breakout.
Momentum indicators aren’t arguing either. MACD has printed a bullish crossover, the Awesome Oscillator histogram is rising, and RSI just pushed above 50 basically saying there’s still room to run. Even CMF is showing improving inflows, which supports the idea that this isn’t just a weak bounce.
So, what’s next? If momentum doesn’t fade, the next logical target sits around $0.06500. That’s the immediate upside zone traders are eyeing.
But let’s not pretend this is risk-free. Breakouts driven by event hype can lose steam just as quickly as they gain it.
That’s the million-dollar question. The NIGHT price has all the ingredients fundamental catalyst, derivatives backing, and technical confirmation. But sustaining that momentum? That’s a different game.
If buying pressure continues and liquidity holds, this could extend higher. If not, well… we’ve all seen how fast these moves unwind.
For now, though, the market’s verdict is clear: buyers showed up, and they didn’t come quietly.
The move combines hype and early positioning. While utility potential exists, current momentum is largely driven by speculative and leveraged trading activity.
The next major upside level traders watch is around $0.06500, where profit-taking or resistance could slow the rally if momentum weakens.
Sustainability depends on continued buying pressure and liquidity. Without them, breakout rallies like this can fade quickly despite strong initial signals.
The post Changpeng Zhao Says Crypto Can Survive Quantum Computing appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
Changpeng Zhao said quantum computing is not a major threat to crypto, stressing blockchain systems can upgrade and adopt post-quantum security. His comments come as Google research warns future quantum machines could crack Bitcoin keys within minutes, enabling mempool attacks. Experts are urging rapid migration to quantum-resistant cryptography, though large-scale quantum risks are still considered years away. Bitcoin developers are already exploring upgrades to address the emerging threat.
The post RIVER Price Surges 20% As Base Integration Fuels Momentum: Is a Bigger Rally Ahead? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
RIVER coin has suddenly stepped into the spotlight with a sharp price move, but the real story may not be the surge itself, it’s what’s building beneath it. At a time when the broader market remains uncertain and selective momentum is driving capital into specific narratives, RIVER’s latest move is starting to stand out for a different reason. The shift is not just about price, but about how structure, positioning, and market interest are beginning to align.
As momentum starts to build and key levels come into play, the question now is whether this move is just an initial reaction or the beginning of a larger trend. Could RIVER coin be setting up for a sustained breakout from here?
RIVER’s recent move is supported by its integration with Base, Coinbase’s Layer-2 ecosystem, which continues to see rising activity and liquidity. This improves accessibility and places RIVER within an active on-chain environment, helping attract steady participation.
River is live on @base
— River (@RiverdotInc) March 30, 2026
Base is the leading Ethereum L2 by onchain activity. $4B+ in DeFi TVL, $4.7B stablecoin market cap and nearly half a million active addresses daily. That is where onchain liquidity concentrates today.
River joining Base means direct access to that… pic.twitter.com/nJJ2Tc8e75
While price remains range-bound, the integration adds a strong fundamental backdrop that could support momentum if a breakout is confirmed.
RIVER continues to trade within a defined range, even after the recent surge, with price now testing the upper boundary rather than confirming a breakout. The structure remains intact, as both buyers and sellers are still active around key levels.
Over the past few weeks, price has moved between a stable support base and resistance near the range high. The latest rally has pushed RIVER back toward this resistance zone, but the level has not yet been cleared, keeping the market in a controlled consolidation phase. Now, RIVER price is forming higher lows while repeatedly testing the upper boundary, which indicates growing buyer strength. Each test weakens supply at that level, gradually increasing the probability of a breakout if momentum continues to build.
The key level remains the $25 zone. A decisive move above this level, followed by sustained acceptance, would signal a shift in structure and open the path toward higher targets near $35 and $40, where the next major supply zones are positioned.
On the downside, the lower boundary of the range continues to act as support. As long as this level holds, the structure remains constructive. Failure to break resistance, however, would keep RIVER within its current range, allowing further buildup before the next directional move.
The derivatives market is starting to reflect the shift seen in price. Open interest has moved higher alongside the recent rally, indicating that new positions are entering rather than the move being driven by short covering alone. When price and open interest rise together, it typically signals fresh capital deployment and growing conviction among traders. This suggests that the current move is being built on participation, not just momentum.
At the same time, liquidation heatmap data highlights a concentration of liquidity sitting above the current price levels. These clusters represent areas where leveraged short positions are likely to be forced out if the market continues higher. In most cases, price tends to gravitate toward such liquidity zones, as they act like magnets during trending conditions.
Compared to the downside, liquidation levels appear relatively lighter below, which reduces immediate pressure on the lower side. This imbalance creates a setup where upside moves can accelerate quickly if key levels are cleared.
Together, rising open interest and liquidity positioning indicate that the market is preparing for a potential expansion phase rather than cooling off after the initial surge.
RIVER remains within its range, but the structure is starting to shift as price continues to press against the $25 resistance level. Repeated tests of this zone suggest that buying pressure is building, increasing the chances of a breakout if momentum holds. A confirmed move above $25 could open the path toward $35 and $40, where the next supply zones are likely to appear. On the downside, holding the current support keeps the setup constructive, while failure to break higher may extend consolidation before the next move develops.
RIVER’s surge is driven by Base integration, rising open interest, and strong buyer positioning, signaling growing market participation beyond short-term hype.
RIVER is still consolidating within a range, but forming higher lows. This signals building momentum that could lead to a breakout if resistance breaks.
If RIVER breaks $25, targets sit near $35–$40, while failure could keep it between $18–$25. Long term, reclaiming $60+ depends on sustained adoption.
Samsung has officially launched its blood pressure monitoring feature for Galaxy Watch users in the United States. Starting March 31, 2026, selected users can now check and track their blood pressure directly from their wrist using a Galaxy Watch and the Samsung Health Monitor app.
The blood pressure monitoring feature is important because high blood pressure is a common health problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of adults in the US suffer from it. If not managed properly, it can lead to serious problems like heart disease and stroke.
The Galaxy Watch allows users to measure both systolic and diastolic blood pressure along with heart rate. However, it is not a complete replacement for medical devices. Users still need a regular upper-arm blood pressure cuff to set up the feature and recalibrate it every 28 days. This helps improve accuracy.
Image via Samsung
Notably, this feature is designed for wellness purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Users should always consult a doctor for proper medical advice.
The blood pressure tool adds to other health features already available on Galaxy Watches. These include ECG readings, irregular heart rhythm alerts, and sleep apnea detection, some of which are cleared by the FDA.
Samsung has also introduced new Galaxy Watch models, which include improved sensors and smart features powered by AI. These watches aim to give users better health insights and a more connected experience.
The rollout of the feature will happen gradually, so not all users will get the feature at once. Stay tuned for more information.
The post Samsung Galaxy Watch gets blood pressure monitoring feature in the US appeared first on Sammy Fans.
Xiaomi India has been teasing a Redmi Note 15 Special Edition for a week now. The company just confirmed a few key details that set it apart from the regular Redmi Note 15 – this is a last minute information drop as the phone is going live on April 2, Thursday. According to the official landing page, the phone will be available in a new vegan leather finish if you pick the red and gold “Crimson Reserve” color (7.82mm). There are also the more standard Carbon Black (7.35mm) and Frosted White (7.4mm). We already knew some of that from last week. Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Special Edition...
Are the Realme C100 and C100i official? Who can say, but someone over in Thailand posted a fairly detailed hands-on with the two phones and the C100 is up on at least one retailer. The Realme C100 is a large and relatively cheap phone – retailer BaNANA has the 4/128GB model at THB 7,000 ($215) and the 6/128GB model at THB 7,500 ($230). Realme C100 The C100 has a 6.8” display, a 720p+ LCD with 144Hz refresh rate and 900 nits of brightness. The phone measures 166.3 x 78.1 x 8.45mm and weighs 210g. It is rated IP64 (dust proof, splash resistant) and has a drop-resistant...
Despite Jamaica struggling to shine in recent years, they managed to secure a spot in the playoffs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification. After defeating New Caledonia, the Reggae Boyz now face Congo DR, aiming to book their place in the tournament. Far from being a simple matchup, both teams have shown defensive solidity and could keep the game very evenly contested.
Congo Democratic Republic come off a solid performance in the Africa Cup of Nations, reaching the Round of 16, where they were defeated by Algeria. Relying on a solid defense and quick counterattacks, they aim to defeat Jamaica and secure their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time in 52 years. For this, the scoring impact of Yoane Wissa could be key.
Unlike Les Léopards, Jamaica come off a disappointing performance in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, being eliminated in the group stage. Despite this, the Reggae Boyz have proven to be a very solid team collectively, with players like Leon Bailey and Demarai Gray capable of making the difference. Moreover, coach Rudolph Speid has imposed a solid defense, complicating Congo Democratic Republic chances.
If Jamaica secure a victory vs Congo DR, they will secure a direct spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as it is a single-leg knockout match. With this, the Reggae Boyz would return to the tournament after 28 years, marking only their second appearance in history, where their only victory came against Japan, while they were defeated by Croatia and Argentina.
Unlike the group stage, Jamaica and Congo Democratic Republic meet in a single-leg knockout match. Therefore, a draw in today’s game would lead to two 15-minute extra-time periods, aiming to determine a clear winner. In case it remains undecided, they would settle it through a penalty shootout. The winner will secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
If Jamaica are defeated in today’s match, Congo DR will secure their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup directly. With this, the Reggae Boyz would go another four years without returning to the tournament, while Les Léopards would make their long-awaited comeback after 52 years. In their last appearance, they even competed under the name Zaire. In this edition, they would aim to progress beyond the group stage, something they have never achieved in their history.
