Azərbaycan Basketbol Liqasında (ABL) 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün pley-in mərhələsinin növbəti oyunları keçirilib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu gün daha iki oyun baş tutub.
“Şəki” pley-in mərhələsinin ikinci oyununda “Quba” ilə üz-üzə gəlib. Qarşılaşma “Şəki”nin qələbəsi ilə bitib – 120:77. İlk görüşdə də qalib gəlmiş kollektiv (101:89) pley-offa yüksəlib.
Günün ikinci matçında “Sərhədçi” “Naxçıvan”la münasibətlərə aydınlıq gətirib. İlk oyunda naxçıvanlılar qalib gəlmişdilər – 98:87. İkinci qarşılaşma da “Naxçıvan”ın qələbəsi ilə bitib – 93:80. Nəticədə bu komanda pley-offa yüksələn tərəf olub.
Qalan oyunlar aprelin 7-də keçiriləcək. Zərurət yaranacağı halda, əlavə oyunlar aprelin 9-10-da təşkil olunacaq. Bu qarşılaşmalar pley-in mərhələsində qaliblərin müəyyənləşməsi üçün həlledici rol oynayacaq.
Sonda onu da xatırladaq ki, ABL-də yarımfinal seriyaları da 2 qələbəyə qədər davam edəcək. Final seriyasında isə ən tez 3 qələbə qazanacaq komanda Azərbaycan Basketbol Liqasının çempionu olacaq.
“Qarabağ”ın baş məşqçisi Qurban Qurbanov Premyer Liqanın 26-cı turu çərçivəsində “Karvan”a qarşı keçirdikləri oyunu şərh edib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sözügedən komandların bu gün Tofiq Bəhramov adına Respublika stadionunda baş tutmuş görüşü Ağdam təmsilçisinin 7:0 hesablı qələbəsi ilə yekunlaşıb.
Qurban Qurbanov oyundan sonra baş tutmuş mətbuat konfransında bunları söyləyib:
“Vacib qələbə qazandıq. Oyunumuzu yaxşılaşdırmaq üçün şans idi. Füzuli Məmmədova və “Karvan”a uğurlar arzu edirəm.
Komandada xatakter olmasa, nəticələr olmazdı. Çünki uğursuz seriyamız olub, sonra geridönüş edə bilmişik. Amma alınmayan vaxtlar da olub. Daxili problemlər olub, futbolçuların çoxu istədiyimiz formada olmayıblar. Futbolçuların potensialı var, təcrübəli komandayıq. Sona kimi çalışırıq ki, qələbə qazanaq. “Sabah” yaxşı balanslaşmış komandadır. “Neftçi”, “Zirə”, “Turan Tovuz” oyunlarını yaxşılaşdırıblar, stabil oyun və nəticə göstərirlər. Hər oyuna hazır olmalıyıq”.
Qurban Qurbanov hazırda ən çox müzakirə olunan məsələlərdən birinə – hakimliyə də toxunub:
“Hakimlər bilmirlər nə qərar versinlər. Bilmirəm tələb çoxdur, yoxsa dünya futbolunda da hansı yeni qaydalar olur. Hakimlər bir az tərəddüd içindədirlər. Məndə də olur, bəzən təcrübəsiz futbolçudan oyunun gedişatında çox şey tələb edirəm. Bəzən görürsən ki, təcrübəsizlik ona mane olur. Birində düz edir, o birində yox. Bir qayda olmalıdır. Futbolun dili birdir, hakimliyin də. Ola bilər tam formalaşmaq lazımdır. Bizim öz hakimlik məktəbimiz olmalıdır. Avropa nə qədər desə də, bizim də öz dəst-xəttimiz, qanunlarımız olmalıdır. Hakimlər sanki bir az təzyiq altındadırlar. Allah köməkləri olsun. Çünki ən çox müzakirə olunan onlardır, basqı onlardadır. Allah işlərini asanlaşdırsın”.
“Karvan”ın baş məşqçisi Füzuli Məmmədov isə matçdan sonra qısa danışıb:
“Oyun haqda çox danışmağa ehtiyac yoxdur. Hər şey bəllidir. Bu gün ağır oyunda acı məğlubiyyət aldıq. “Qarabağ”a qarşıdakı matçlarda uğurlar arzulayıram”.
Human-written content dominates Google’s top rankings, appearing in the No. 1 position 80% of the time versus just 9% for purely AI-generated pages, based on a Semrush analysis of 42,000 blog posts.
The details. Semrush analyzed 20,000 keywords and their top 10 results, classifying content with an AI detector.
Human-written pages outperformed AI and mixed content across all top 10 positions.
The gap was widest at Position 1, where human content was 8x more likely to rank.
AI content appeared more often lower on Page 1, nearly doubling from Positions 1 to 4.
Yes, but. AI detection tools are widely known to be inconsistent and can misclassify human and AI-written content, creating some possible “fuzziness” in these classifications.
Why we care. AI-generated content works, until it doesn’t. Yes, AI can help you rank, but this data suggests human insight still drives the best performance. For competitive queries, originality, expertise, and editorial judgment remain your unfair advantages.
Perception vs. data. 72% of SEOs said AI content performs as well as or better than human content, yet ranking data showed a clear human advantage at the top.
How teams use AI. No surprise, AI is widely adopted and often used in a hybrid approach:
87% of teams keep humans heavily involved in content creation.
64% use a human-led, AI-assisted workflow.
AI is most common in research, drafting, and optimization.
Use drops sharply for multimedia, localization, and higher-judgment tasks.
What’s driving adoption. AI accelerates output, but doesn’t reliably improve it.
70% cite faster production as AI’s top benefit.
Only 19% say it improves content quality.
About the data: The analysis examined 42,000 blog pages from 200,000 URLs tied to 20,000 keywords, using GPTZero to classify content. It also includes a survey of 224 SEO professionals working in content and search.
Erkekler AXA Sigorta Kupa Voley Dörtlü Final'de Galatasaray HDI Sigorta, Fenerbahçe'yi 3-1 mağlup ederek adını finale yazdırdı. Sarı-kırmızılıların finaldeki rakibi Ziraat Bankkart.
Bir efsanenin geri dönüşü her zaman büyük bir hikayedir. Serena Williams için de durum farklı değil: karar henüz netleşmedi, ancak tenis dünyası bu ihtimali dikkatle takip ediyor....
Misli Premyer Liqasının XXVI turunun “Qarabağ” – “Karvan-Yevlax” oyunundan (7:0) sonra meydan sahiblərinin baş məşqçisi Qurban Qurbanov fikirlərini bölüşüb.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, mütəxəssis jurnalistlərin suallarını belə cavablandırıb:
– Adətən “Qarabağ” liqada üstün olur və bu qədər xal fərqi ilə geriyə düşmür. Komanda hazırkı vəziyyətə lazımi reaksiyanı verə bilir?
– Əlbəttə ki, verir. Komandada xarakter olduğu üçün nəticə qazanırıq. Bəzən uğursuz gedişatdan sonra geridönüş edə bilmişik, amma alınmayan zamanlar da olub. Daxili problemlər olub, futbolçuların çoxu istədiyimiz formada olmayıblar. Potensiallı futbolçularımız var, təcrübəli komandayıq. Sona kimi çalışırıq ki, qələbə qazanaq. “Sabah” yaxşı balanslaşmış komandadır. “Neftçi”, “Zirə”, “Turan Tovuz” da oyunlarını inkişaf etdiriblər, stabil oyun göstərir, nəticə qazanırlar. Hər oyuna hazır olmalıyıq. Çalışmalıyıq ki, nəticə vermək üçün düz nədirsə, ondan əl çəkməyək.
– Hakimlik məsələsi çox danışılır. Çempionatın bu vəziyyətinə hakimliyin nə dərəcədə təsiri var?
– Fikir bildirmək bəlkə, düzgün deyil. Amma ümumən kənardan görünür ki, hakimlər bilmirlər nə qərar versinlər. Bilmirəm, tələb çoxdur, yoxsa dünya futbolunda da hansısa yeni qaydalar olur. Hakimlər bir az tərəddüd içindədirlər. Məndə də olur, bəzən təcrübəsi az olan futbolçudan oyunda çox şey tələb edirəm. Bəzən görürsən ki, təcrübəsizlik ona mane olur. Birində düz edir, o birində yox. Konkret qayda olmalıdır, futbolun da, hakimliyin də dili birdir. Ola bilər ki, tam formalaşmaq lazımdır. Bizim öz hakimlik məktəbimiz olmalıdır. Avropa nə qədər desə də, bizim də özümüzə aid dəst-xəttimiz, qanunlarımız olmalıdır. Hakimlər sanki bir az təzyiq altındadır. Allah köməkləri olsun. Çünki ən çox müzakirə olunan onlardır, təzyiq altındadırlar. Allah işlərini asanlaşdırsın.
Misli Premyer Liqasının XXVI turunun “Qarabağ” – “Karvan-Yevlax” oyunundan (7:0) sonra qonaq komandanın baş məşqçisi Füzuli Məmmədov fikirlərini bölüşüb.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, mütəxəssis məğlubiyyəti belə şərh edib:
“Oyun haqqında çox danışmağa ehtiyac yoxdur, hər şey göz önündədir. Komandamız bu gün ağır məğlubiyyət aldı, “Qarabağ”ı təbrik edir, qarşıdakı oyunlarda onlara uğurlar arzulayıram”.
Juventus closed to within a point of Como in fourth place with a 2-0 victory over Genoa, as Gleison Bremer and Weston McKennie scored, substitute Michele Di Gregorio saving a penalty.
The Bianconeri were feeling the pressure after a 1-1 draw with Sassuolo left them in joint fifth place, although Como’s draw in Udine gave them the opportunity to close the gap on fourth. While they finally had a full squad to choose from, Dusan Vlahovic and Arek Milik were only ready for the bench. Genoa missed Brooke Norton-Cuffy, Maxwel Cornet and Benjamin Siegrist after a run of three wins in four games was ended by a home defeat to Udinese. It was a touchline reunion for Luciano Spalletti and his former Roma player Daniele De Rossi.
TURIN, ITALY – APRIL 06: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, reacts during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Genoa CFC at Allianz Stadium on April 06, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
It took just four minutes to break the deadlock, as after the first Gleison Bremer header was charged down, Khephren Thuram and Lloyd Kelly knocked it back into the box for another Bremer header, this one wrong-footing Justin Bijlow with a deflection off Johan Vasquez.
Thuram flashed just wide and Ruslan Malinovskyi’s powerful free kick was deflected for a corner, but Juventus added a second with a well-worked move.
Weston McKennie started it in the centre-circle sending Francisco Conceicao down the right, continued his run and was ready to sweep home the return pass from 12 yards off the inside of the right boot.
However, McKennie was booked soon after for a clumsy sliding tackle on Vasquez and will be suspended for the big match with Atalanta.
TURIN, ITALY – APRIL 06: Junior Messias of Genoa is challenged by Khephren Thuram of Juventus during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Genoa CFC at Allianz Stadium on April 06, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Kenan Yildiz had a couple of weak efforts straight at Bijlow, but McKennie wasted an astonishing chance on the stroke of half-time.
Conceicao’s cross to the far post was acrobatically knocked back at the by-line by Kenan Yildiz, but McKennie somehow turned over from point-blank range.
Moments later, Conceicao went for goal himself, an angled drive flashing across the face of goal to skim the back stick.
Michele Di Gregorio came on for the second half, as Mattia Perin sustained a slight calf issue.
Juve continued to pour forward, as first McKennie was sliding in unable to fully meet the Thuram knockdown in a free kick routine, then moments later Jonathan David’s screamer from the edge of the area thumped the inside of the far post.
TURIN, ITALY – APRIL 06: Lorenzo Colombo of Genoa battles for possession with Bremer of Juventus during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Genoa CFC at Allianz Stadium on April 06, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Tommaso Baldanzi fired straight at Di Gregorio, while the Vasquez strike was charged down, along with a Vitinha volley from a corner.
Vlahovic was getting ready to come on when he felt a calf twinge in the warm-up, so Milik was introduced instead.
Bremer brought down Aaron Martin for a yellow card, but VAR confirmed the contact was on the line, which is part of the penalty area. Martin stepped up, but Di Gregorio marked his unexpected return with a huge double save, first on the Martin spot-kick, then the follow-up volley too. It means Genoa have failed to convert four of their eight Serie A penalties this season, with four different players missing.
Baldanzi made a big difference since coming on for Genoa and was brought down by Thuram this time inches outside the box.
Arkadiusz Milik spotted Bijlow off his line and attempted an audacious lob from the centre-circle, which the Genoa goalkeeper scrambled back to claw away.
It’s a huge Scudetto battle between third and second, as Napoli lose Rasmus Hojlund, so Giovane, Kevin De Bruyne and Scott McTominay start, while Milan revamp with Niclas Fullkrug, Christopher Nkunku and Luka Modric.
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 18: Adrien Rabiot of AC Milan reacts during the Supercoppa Italiana Semi-Final match between SSC Napoli and AC Milan at King Saud University Stadium on December 18, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
This is a decisive crossroads in the campaign, as whoever wins will be in a position to challenge leaders Inter going into the final seven rounds of the season.
Napoli are still missing Romelu Lukaku, David Neres, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Amir Rrahmani and Antonio Vergara, with Lukaku frozen out of the squad as punishment for refusing to return early from international duty, seeking instead to continue treatment in Belgium.
Antonio Conte can finally start De Bruyne, McTominay and Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa together after their injury problems.
They need to provide support for makeshift centre-forward Giovane, who joined from Verona in January.
Miguel Gutierrez is preferred to Matteo Politano, who struggled for Italy in the World Cup play-offs, as Napoli seek a fifth straight Serie A victory.
MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 28: Alexis Saelemaekers of AC Milan is challenged by Kevin De Bruyne of Napoli during the Serie A match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Milan have quite a few problems to deal with after the hard-fought 3-2 win over Torino, because Rafael Leao is still not fully fit after a hip inflammation, while Christian Pulisic returned fatigued from international duty with the USMNT.
With that in mind, Max Allegri launches a brand new front pairing of Fullkrug and Nkunku, neither of them entirely accustomed to starting, let alone together.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is back on the bench for the first time since suffering facial fractures in a collision with the Parma goalkeeper in February, so only Matteo Gabbia remains out of action entirely.
Davide Bartesaghi is chosen ahead of Pervis Estupinan, with Luka Modric and Adrien Rabiot in midfield.
These teams have already met twice this season, as Milan won 2-1 at San Siro in Serie A in September, then Napoli sealed a 2-0 victory in the Supercoppa Italiana semi-final on December 12.
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 18: Christian Pulisic of AC Milan battles for possession with Stanislav Lobotka of SSC Napoli during the Supercoppa Italiana Semi-Final match between SSC Napoli and AC Milan at King Saud University Stadium on December 18, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
Napoli vs. Milan official line-ups
Napoli: Milinkovic-Savic; Juan Jesus, Buongiorno, Olivera; Gutierrez, Lobotka, Anguissa, Spinazzola; De Bruyne, McTominay; Giovane
TURIN, ITALY – MARCH 21: Manuel Locatelli and Mattia Perin of Juventus embrace after the Serie A match between Juventus FC and US Sassuolo Calcio at Allianz Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
The Bianconeri have seemingly changed their hierarchy of goalkeepers due to recent form, as coach Luciano Spalletti had started out picking Di Gregorio, but switched to Perin after a series of errors.
The former Monza man was benched for six games in a row between Serie A and the Champions League, not featuring since the 2-0 home defeat to Como on February 21.
He was also on the touchline for this evening’s Week 31 fixture against Genoa, but surprisingly came on for the second half.
Sky Sport Italia report this is because Perin felt a twinge in his calf muscle and it was decided not to risk further damage, so Di Gregorio came on in his place during the break.
Crysencio Summerville has been linked with a move away from West Ham United at the end of the season.
The London club is currently struggling for safety in the Premier League, and it remains to be seen whether they can survive in the top flight.
According to a report from TuttoAtalanta, multiple Premier League clubs are keeping tabs on his situation, and they could look to make a move for him in the summer. Tottenham, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brentford, and Everton are all keen on securing his signature. The player could cost around €30 million, and it remains to be seen how the situation develops.
Tottenham need more quality on the flank, and the Dutch attacker could be a useful acquisition. He is well settled in English football, and he could make an immediate impact. The opportunity to join Spurs will be exciting for him. Summerville has 11 goal contributions this season.
However, Tottenham are fighting for survival as well. They have had a disastrous season, and it remains to be seen whether they can stay up.
They will need to improve the attacking unit in the summer, and investing in Summerville could be a wise decision. The 24-year-old will want to compete at a high level and fight for trophies. Even though Tottenham are struggling right now, they have quality players at their disposal and have brought in a quality manager like Roberto De Zerbi. There is no reason why they cannot bounce back strongly next season and compete towards the top end of the table.
They have the resources to pay the asking price as well. The Netherlands international could justify the investment and help them improve going forward.
Liverpool and Chelsea continue to be linked with Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig.
The 19-year-old has been excellent in the Bundesliga, and he is on the radar of multiple clubs this summer. Spanish Champions Barcelona are also monitoring his situation. It remains to be seen whether they decide to make an approach for him in the summer.
According to a report from SPORT via SportWitness, the player could cost around €70 million. The two Premier League clubs are prepared to offer over €60 million to get the deal done, and it remains to be seen whether Barcelona can match that. The report claims that Barcelona are facing financial constraints and will only be able to afford the 19-year-old African winger if they sell any of their existing attackers.
Financially, the Premier League clubs are clearly well placed to get the deal done, and it remains to be seen where Diomande ends up. He is a young player with a lot of potential, and he could develop into a star in future.
The move to the Premier League could be the ideal next step in his career. He has shown his quality in the Bundesliga, and he has the technical attributes to make an immediate impact in England as well.
Liverpool and Chelsea need more pace and unpredictability in the final third. The 19-year-old could be the ideal investment for them. He has 19 goal contributions this season, and he will only improve with coaching and experience.
The 19-year-old has previously admitted that he would love to play for Liverpool in future. He is a boyhood Liverpool fan, and his father dreams of watching him play for the Premier League champions. The Reds might have an advantage in the race for his signature.
Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa are looking to strengthen their defensive units in the summer, and they have identified the Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic as a target.
The defender has impressed with his performances in Italy with Sassuolo, and he could prove to be a quality addition for the two English clubs. According to reports via SportWitness, the player could cost around €30 million.
The Italian club signed him for €5 million and is now looking to make a substantial profit. It remains to be seen whether the Premier League club will come forward with an official offer to get the deal done.
Tottenham could use more quality in depth in the defensive unit. Cristian Romero has been linked with a move away from the club, and they need to replace him properly. Muharemovic could be a quality long-term investment for them. The opportunity to join the Premier League club will be exciting for the 23-year-old as well. He is a young player with a lot of promise, and they could groom him into a future star.
On the other hand, Aston Villa need a quality long-term replacement for Tyrone Mings.
They are pushing for Champions League qualification in the upcoming campaign, and they could be an attractive destination for the young defender.
It will be interesting to see which of the two clubs comes forward with an official offer to design the player. They have the resources to pay €30 million for him, and the young defender might be able to justify the investment in future.
Muharemovic has the physicality and technical attributes for English football, and he will look to establish himself as a reliable defender in the Premier League if a transfer goes through.
The University of North Carolina reportedly intends to hire former Denver Nuggets head coach Mike Malone as its next men's basketball coach, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
The Boston Red Sox traded for Caleb Durbin this offseason, and one of the players they traded away is off to a great start.
Durbin was the centerpiece in a six-player deal between the Red Sox and Milwaukee Brewers. The Red Sox gave up left-handed pitchers Kyle Harrison and Shane Drohan and infielder David Hamilton for Durbin, Andruw Monasterio and Anthony Seigler. Harrison was acquired in the Rafael Devers trade, but he only appeared in three games for the Red Sox.
Harrison made 12 minor league starts for the Red Sox as well. He had a 3.75 ERA with Triple-A Worcester and a 3.00 ERA with the Red Sox. He has a great fastball, and on the Brewers, he has looked like a star. Through two starts, he has 14 strikeouts and has allowed just three earned runs in 10 1/3 innings of work.
His strikeout rate is the highest it has been in the big leagues, and part of that is due to the changes the Brewers have made with his delivery. He has issued three walks, but overall looks much different than he did with the San Francisco Giants and Red Sox organizations.
Meanwhile, Durbin has gotten off to a very slow start. He is 2-for-28 to start the season, and right now it looks like the Red Sox are on the wrong end of this trade. However, there is plenty of season to go, and Durbin could start to heat up and look more like the player he was last season.
Harrison is not scheduled to pitch when the Brewers come to town on Monday, but this could be a great opportunity for Durbin to turn things on. What better team to do it against than the team that shipped him off?
WACO, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 29: Sawyer Robertson #13 of the Baylor Bears warms up prior to the game against the Houston Cougars at McLane Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 2026 NFL Draft is less than three weeks away and the New England Patriots continue the process of finishing their board. Things will look quite different for the team this draft picking 31st overall after back-to-back years selecting in the top-five. While Drake Maye is a big reason in that, New England is expected to add a developmental quarterback behind the 23-year-old at some point during the draft weekend.
So, with that said, let’s take a look at some of the prospects that might make sense for the Patriots at the position.
Patriots’ current quarterback situation
The aforementioned Drake Maye has established himself as the team’s franchise quarterback after a season in which he finished as the MVP runner-up while being named a second-team All-Pro. Maye’s development both on and off the field allowed the team to part with veteran backup Joshua Dobbs this offseason, which promotes Tommy DeVito into the primary backup position.
With just Maye and DeVito on the depth chart, the team will add a third quarterback this offseason — likely late on Day 3 or as an undrafted free agent
“We need a third arm. And we’ll try to find a young guy that we can develop,” head coach Mike Vrabel said. “We’ll potentially add to the roster, whether that’s on the 53-man roster or practice squad.”
Patriots NFL Draft fits at quarterback
Sawyer Robertson (Baylor): The fifth-year senior is coming off a season in which he finished fifth in the FBS with 31 passing touchdowns and sixth with 3,681 passing yards. Robertson has good size to succeed in the pocket and is a strong athlete at the position to extend plays and pick up yards as a scrambler. His accuracy will need to improve but he may have the best developmental upside on Day 3 of the draft. | Consensus ranking: 212
Haynes King (Georgia Tech): After starting his career at Texas A&M, King spent the last three seasons at Georgia Tech where he was a three-time captain and earned ACC Offensive Player of the Year last season. The 25-year old rookie will have work to do as a passer but is a threat as a runner due to his speed (4.46-second 40-yard dash) and toughness. He can pick up dirty yards and finished his collegiate career with 37 rushing touchdowns. New England showed some interest in King at his Pro Day. | Consensus ranking: 292
Taylor Green (Arkansas): Speaking of athletes, it’s almost impossible to find a better one than Green at the quarterback position. His game is built around his athleticism as he posted one of the fastest ever 40 times for a quarterback (4.36) while breaking the positional record with a 43.5” vertical. That ability shows as he recorded over 2,000 career rushing yards and 35 touchdowns, but that ability and urge to escape out the back of the pocket often leads to sacks while accuracy and turnover issues will need to be corrected. | Consensus ranking: 153
Carson Beck (Miami): Once viewed as a top overall prospect for the 2025 NFL Draft, Beck had a disappointing 2024 campaign for the Georgia Bulldogs that ended with a UCL injury in his elbow requiring surgery. Beck then transferred to Miami and helped lead the Hurricanes to the National Championship behind a career-high 30 touchdowns, but again struggled with turnovers —throwing 12 interceptions in each of his last two seasons while. He lacks top physical traits but his size and accuracy make him an intriguing depth option. | Consensus ranking: 115
Jack Strand (Minnesota State Moorhead): A largely unknown prospect in this year’s QB class coming from Division II, Strand fits the bill of a developmental quarterback. He stands 6-foot-5, 240 pounds and has a lively arm, good athletic ability, and leaves the NSIC holding career records in pass completions (1,147), passing yards (12,134) and passing touchdowns (115). The jump in competition will be major for the engineering physics major, but Strand has plenty of enticing tools. | Consensus ranking: N/A
In addition to those players, other names to watch include: Luke Altmyer (Illinois), Joe Fagnano (Connecticut), Brady Olson (Central Connecticut State), and Cole Payton (North Dakota State).
Things might end up looking a lot different to the Cowboys offense when they line up twice this year against the defense of one of their divisional rivals.
The New York Giants could find themselves without three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, as the seven-year veteran and former first-round draft pick has reportedly requested a trade, per ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.
"Lawrence and the Giants have been through two offseasons attempting to negotiate a contract reflecting his value to the Giants over the last three years," Schefter wrote in an X post Monday, "but there has not been any progress, per sources."
ESPN sources: Giants All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence has requested a trade and he will not be participating in the team’s off-season workout program that opens Tuesday.
Lawrence and the Giants have been through two off seasons attempting to negotiate a contract… pic.twitter.com/WUSTNxmeGh
Lawrence, 28, will reportedly not participate in the Giants' offseason workout program, which begins Tuesday.
The 2026 season will be the Giants' first under new head coach John Harbaugh and new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson. Now it appears they will kick off their offseason preps without the 102-game starter who has anchored Big Blue's defensive line since coming out of Clemson in 2019.
"He's super, super important," Harbaugh said of Lawrence as recently as February. "He's a cornerstone football player -- not really a cornerstone, more like the middle stone. He's right in the middle. He's a very big stone, and he's a very active, athletic one."
Lawrence's Giants teams have not fared well versus the Cowboys, posting just a 2-14 mark in head-to-head meetings since he joined the roster. But in those 16 games, Lawrence has posted 44 tackles and nine QB hits.
The 6-foot-4-inch 340-pounder should command plenty of attention in the pre-draft trade market, but Dak Prescott and the Cowboys likely wouldn't be all that sorry to see Lawrence leave the division.
During my tenure at Pinstripe Alley—hell, during my entire time as a baseball fan—I’ve never been shy about delving into the team’s history and exploring the lives of its long roll call of players, both incredible and regrettable. We provide plenty of other coverage on the current-day activities of the teams, so I like having one spot per day on the schedule to open the ol’ books and tell a story.
Whether it’s remembering championship teams, Top 100 players, or notable free agent signings, there’s always something out there to explore. For the pastthreeyears, we’ve celebrated the 25th anniversary of the 1998-2000 Yankees dynasty by doing a diary on all their regular season and playoff activity. The final pages were written this past October, so it’s time for a new daily project.
With that in mind, we’ll ring in the new year by beginning the Yankees Birthdays series. Every day in 2026, we’ll have a new Yankees figure to discuss whose birthday happened to fall on that day. Some days will feature far more famous stars than others! But that just adds to the challenge and our interest in the exercise. As a spoiler for today, that’s exactly what you’ll see soon for January 1st.
Happy new year and happy 365 days of Yankees birthdays!
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 28: Dexter Lawrence II #97 of the New York Giants reacts after his team's 34-10 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images) | Getty Images
To say that Dexter Lawrence’s career has been wasted up to this point would be a massive understatement. The three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro has been with the New York Giants since 2019, languishing for seven long years in an organization that has been constantly rebuilding, now on its fourth coach since Lawrence was drafted.
It’s not wholly surprising that Lawrence is demanding a trade, but the timing is bizarre. This is the first time Lawrence has had a competitive team that could actually win — and now with John Harbaugh at coach, the Giants look actually poised to do something. However, this could be attributed to Lawrence routinely being in trade discussions with contenders, only to see them fall apart at the deadline, coupled with the sides not being able to agree on a new contract.
Lawrence is currently on a rookie extension he signed in 2023, which is set to run through 2027. He has a cap hit of $27M this season, though it’s probable he would sign a contract extension with a new team, which could reduce his cap number. Let’s look at the teams who could afford this move, and who needs an All-Pro defensive tackle.
Los Angeles Chargers
From one Harbaugh to another, Dexter Lawrence would be an ideal fit to anchor the Chargers defensive line in their 3-4. Right now the team is hoping that short-term free agent pickup Dalvin Tomlinson can hold the middle, and he was atrocious in 2025, rating as one of the worst tackles in the league at the position.
The Chargers have the cap space and the need to add some superstar talent, which is where Lawrence fits in. He can open up pass rush lanes on the edge for Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu, while adding a much-needed veteran presence.
New England Patriots
The Pats showed how talented they were last season, but we saw in the Super Bowl how a lack of interior pressure hurt them when everything mattered the most. Lawrence would give Mike Vrabel the interior force he needs, and a critical veteran to bring up some of New England’s younger talent.
There’s a very good chance that the Pats could be holding their cap space for a potential A.J. Brown trade to bolster the offense, but they might actually be better suited by trying to get Lawrence to complement the already excellent Patriots pass defense.
Seattle Seahawks
Let’s make 31 other teams groan. There aren’t a lot of weaknesses on the Seahawks, but one of them is nose tackle. Jarran Reed is fine, but there’s nothing really impressive about him and adding a pop in the middle like Lawrence would make an already terrifying Seahawks’ defense into an all-consuming black hole.
They won a Super Bowl, so now it’s time to try and turn this into a dynasty by giving them one of the best 3-4 nose tackles in the NFL.
The UFC is back in sunny South Florida this week, home base for hundreds of fighters.
Here's how to watch UFC 327, where the vacant light heavyweight title is up for grabs in the main event.
Broadcast and streaming info
UFC 327 has a main card that streams at 9 p.m. ET on Paramount+. The prelims stream on Paramount+ at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Stay tuned to MMA Junkie for additional broadcast details later this week.
Main event: Jiri Prochazka
Record: 32-5-1 MMA, 6-2 UFC
Opponent: Carlos Ulberg (13-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Key wins: Khalil Rountree Jr., Jamahal Hill, Aleksandar Rakic, Glover Teixeira, Dominick Reyes, Volkan Oezdemir
Misc.: Prochazka won the light heavyweight title nearly four years ago with a dramatic fifth-round submission of Glover Teixeira, but he had to vacate the belt before he could defend it due to an injury. He lost to Alex Pereira for the vacant title fight in 2023, but bounced back against Rakic. But in a title rematch with Pereira in 2024, he was knocked out again in the second round. Now that Pereira and his kryptonite have gone to heavyweight, Prochazka has a shot at the belt without the tough Brazilian in the way.
Main event: Carlos Ulberg
Record: 13-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC
Opponent: Jiri Prochazka (32-5-1 MMA, 6-2 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Key wins: Dominick Reyes, Jan Blachowicz, Volkan Oezdemir, Alonzo Menifield, Da Woon Jung, Ihor Potieria
Misc.: The 34-year-old New Zealander lost his promotional debut in 2021, but since then has rattled off nine straight wins – including consecutive decisions over former title challenger Oezdemir and ex-champ Blachowicz, as well as a bonus-winning first-round knockout of ex-title challenger Dominick Reyes in his first UFC main event.
Co-main event: Paulo Costa
Record: 15-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC
Opponent: Azamat Murzakanov (16-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Key wins: Roman Kopylov, Luke Rockhold, Yoel Romero, Uriah Hall, Johny Hendricks
Misc.: After a rough stretch of four losses in five fights starting with a middleweight title loss to Israel Adesanya in September 2020, Costa got back on track this past July with a decision over Kopylov. He had to pull out of a fight with Brunno Ferreira set for March, but now is back – and up 20 pounds at light heavyweight.
Co-main event: Azamat Murzakanov
Record: 16-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC
Opponent: Paulo Costa (15-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Key wins: Aleksandar Rakic, Brendson Ribeiro, Alonzo Menifield, Dustin Jacoby, Devin Clark
Misc.: The unbeaten 36-year-old Russian had back-to-back first-round knockout wins in 2025, giving him six finishes in his seven UFC appearances, if his DWCS first-round contract-winning KO is included from 2021.
UFC 327 lineup
MAIN CARD (Paramount+, 9 p.m. ET)
Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg – for vacant light heavyweight title
YPSILANTI, MI - SEPTEMBER 20: Jaden Dugger #3 of the Ragin' Cajuns makes a tackle and throws opponent to the ground during the third quarter of Louisiana v Eastern Michigan Football at Rynearson Stadium on September 20, 2025 in Ypsilanti, Michigan. (Photo by Ragin' Cajuns Athletics/university Images via Getty images)
The news just keeps coming on prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft who will be visiting the Green Bay Packers. Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel is working hard on the beat today, reporting a third visitor of the day to bring the total number of reported visitors up to 10 out of the maximum 30.
The latest name is another likely late-round or undrafted prospect, but one who comes with an impressive array of physical tools as well as big production in a Group of Five conference. The player is linebacker Jaden Dugger out of the University of Louisiana, and his RAS card is practically one giant green flag.
Dugger is an imposing physical figure at the linebacker position. He measured in at 6-foot-5 and 242 pounds at his Pro Day then put up excellent numbers in every movement drill available; his workout reportedly included times of 4.60 seconds in the 40-yard dash and 7.00 seconds in the 3-cone to go with a broad jump of 10-foot-6, all of which are excellent numbers for his position. Dugger also measured in with whopping 35 inch arms, making him one of the longest linebacker prospects in this year’s draft.
Although he was not invited to this year’s Scouting Combine, Dugger participated in the Shrine Bowl where, according to APC’s Tyler Brooke, his impressive size and length stood out more than his on-field performance.
The Pittsburgh native originally enrolled at Georgetown University at the FCS level before he transferred to Louisiana prior to the 2024 season. Dugger started just three games in his first year in Lafayette but moved into the lineup full-time as a senior. The 2025 season was a strong one for Dugger on a statistical perspective, however, as he led the Sun Belt conference in solo tackles with 64. He also added 13 total tackles for loss, four sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception. One of his best games came against Louisiana’s biggest competition as well — he recorded 11 total tackles, including two TFLs and a sack in the Ragin’ Cajuns’ game against SEC foe Missouri in mid-September.
Ranked 311th on the consensus draft board at present, Dugger is likely to be a priority free agent signing after the 2026 NFL Draft concludes. Still, his size and athletic ability may make him an early candidate for special teams snaps while learning the ropes of the linebacker position. His frame could also make him a viable a candidate to bulk up with the intent of to eventually moving to an edge rusher position instead.
Arsenal injury latest: Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and more
Arsenal Injury Update Ahead of Sporting Clash
Arsenal’s FA Cup exit has done more than dent silverware ambitions, it has sharpened focus on a growing injury list that could shape the club’s European hopes. As preparations continue for the Champions League quarter final first leg against Sporting CP, attention centres on key names such as Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice.
Mikel Arteta finds himself balancing recovery timelines with the urgency of a defining week.
Gabriel Concern Offers Mixed Signals
Gabriel’s situation captures the current mood around Arsenal, cautiously optimistic yet far from certain. Having withdrawn from Brazil duty earlier in the international break, the defender returned to start against Southampton. His influence was evident, even if indirectly tied to Viktor Gyokeres’ equaliser.
However, his afternoon ended early with what appeared to be a left knee issue. The sight of him departing after 72 minutes raised immediate concern. Encouragingly, he was back in training on Monday, suggesting the problem may not be severe. Availability for Sporting remains a realistic possibility, though far from guaranteed.
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Bukayo Saka Fitness Question Continues
For Bukayo Saka, the situation feels more measured. The winger stepped away from England duty with workload management in mind, a decision that speaks volumes about his importance to Arsenal’s season.
He was absent against Southampton and did not train ahead of the Sporting fixture. That absence points towards a cautious approach from the club. Arteta hinted before the weekend that Saka was close to involvement, yet not quite ready.
The expectation is that Arsenal will not rush him back, particularly with a demanding schedule ahead. His potential return may be better aligned with the following fixture rather than immediate European action.
Declan Rice Balancing Fitness and Fatigue
Declan Rice finds himself in a similar position. After returning for “medical assessment” following England duty, his condition highlights the physical toll of a relentless campaign.
Arteta offered a revealing insight into Rice’s mindset, saying, “He is just now on the edge, where he thinks, ‘Does this make sense, what I’m doing here, to push through with 70 per cent [fitness] and push myself and push myself?’ And the same with Bukayo.”
That quote underlines a broader theme at Arsenal, managing elite players who are operating close to their physical limits. Rice could feature against Sporting, though it may depend on how much risk Arteta is willing to take.
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Defensive Depth Tested by Timber Absence
Jurrien Timber’s absence continues to test Arsenal’s defensive options. The Dutch defender has not featured since the win over Everton and remains sidelined with an ankle issue.
Despite earlier optimism, his lack of involvement in training suggests Lisbon will come too soon. Arsenal will need to reshuffle accordingly, placing further emphasis on those available.
Elsewhere, Leandro Trossard and others remain uncertain, while longer term concerns such as Mikel Merino add another layer of complexity to squad planning.
Arsenal Facing Defining Selection Decisions
This is where seasons often tilt. Arsenal must weigh short term necessity against long term risk, particularly with players like Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice central to both domestic and European ambitions.
Arteta’s approach so far suggests caution over haste. Whether that proves decisive will become clearer under the lights in Lisbon.
Bernardo Silva open to Barcelona move after Manchester City exit this summer
Manchester City assistant coach Pep Lijnders has confirmed that captain Bernardo Silva will leave the club at the end of the season.
The Portuguese has been a key player for the Cityzens since joining from Monaco in 2017, winning six Premier League and one Champions League titles.
Silva has been linked with a move to the MLS, while Juventus also have interest in him.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano, via his YouTube channel, now claims that Silva will be open to joining Barcelona.
He said: “Barcelona wanted Bernardo Silva a few years ago, but were unable to complete the deal. I understand that the prospect of living in Spain would be very attractive to Silva.
“Bernardo would be open to joining Barcelona, but it depends on the club’s priorities.”
Barcelona are unlikely to sign Silva
Barcelona have sufficient depth in midfield and are unlikely to pursue a move for Silva.
Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez have impressed in attacking midfield— Silva’s preferred position — while Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Marc Bernal, and Marc Casado provide quality options centrally.
Gavi is also expected to strengthen the midfield when he fully recovers.
Silva could also demand a substantial salary which may affect Barcelona’s pursuit of other top targets, such as Alessandro Bastoni and Julian Alvarez.
A move for Juventus is more plausible if the Portugal international wants to keep playing at the highest level of European football.
The Italian giants are preparing for a major squad overhaul, which will allow them to sign Silva.
The Tennessee Titans are in the midst of a full-scale rebuild. With a new coaching staff, plenty of free agency moves, and the 2026 NFL Draft right around the corner, Nashville has been abuzz with everything that Mike Borgonzi and Robert Saleh are doing.
While many analysts try to predict who the Titans will select with the No. 4 overall pick, the remainder of the draft isn't quite as clear. We ultimately won't know what the Titans are going to do until the draft actually happens. The draft is unpredictable, which is why 104.7 The Fan is hosting its fourth-annual installment of The Install with Greg Cosell.
This is a live taping event held at the Hutton Hotel in downtown Nashville, featuring longtime NFL analyst, NFL Films senior producer, and ESPN’s NFL Matchup executive producer Greg Cosell.
Cosell will provide in-depth breakdowns of the Titans' free agency moves and draft class, deep-diving into film and what Mike Borgonzi and Robert Saleh's process was. There will be special guest appearances and detailed conversations on Titans' storylines and broader NFL trends in this unique event you won't find anywhere else.
The live event is scheduled for May 1 at 7:00 p.m. CST, and tickets went on sale on April 1.
One NFL reporter is more confident than ever about the possibility of the Patriots landing A.J. Brown.
Tennessee Titans reporter Easton Freeze, who works for A to Z Sports, left last week's NFL owners meetings convinced New England eventually will trade for Brown. Of course, numerous offseason rumors have identified the Patriots as the clear favorites to trade for the Philadelphia Eagles receiver.
"One thing I'll be leaving the owners meetings way too sure of: A.J. Brown will wear a Patriots jersey this fall," Freeze wrote in an X post.
One thing I’ll be leaving the owners meetings way too sure of: AJ Brown will wear a Patriots jersey this fall.
Freeze didn't elaborate further, but it's fair to assume he made his prediction after speaking with sources at the meetings. Regardless, his post added more fuel to an ever-growing fire.
Whether Brown is traded to the Patriots remains to be seen. However, at this juncture, it's hard to envision him returning to the Eagles for another season, as all signs point toward both sides wanting to move on.
Though undeniably on the decline, Brown remains a true No. 1 receiver. The 28-year-old posted 78 catches for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games last season. Brown is a three-time Pro Bowler and one-time Super Bowl champion.
Former Dallas Mavericks majority owner Mark Cuban revealed the exact details of the Kobe Bryant trade offer they made to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2007.
In a recent appearance on the Club 520 podcast, Cuban revealed that the Mavericks were set to trade for Bryant in exchange for two first-round picks, Josh Howard and Jason Terry.
“It was 2007, Kobe was ready to get out," Cuban said. "And I was on Dancing with the Stars. Google me. I didn’t win. There was a dude named Elvis who was a production assistant, right? And he was just Kobe love everything. I’m between breaks, I’d be like, Elvis, I need a quiet spot. And I would talk to Rob Pelinka, his agent at the time, and he’s like, “Okay, if you can get Dr. Buss to approve. And I talk to Dr. Buss and he was ready to do it. And it was like two first, Josh Howard and Jason Terry for Kobe. And I thought, “Okay, this is done. And I told Elvis, “This is done.” And I went to practice on my jive or whatever. And then we got a call from Rob that Mitch Kupchak, right? Had talked Kobe out of it. That close. And I was telling Dirk the whole time. He goes, “You can trade me. I would trade me for Kobe, too. And I’m like no Dirk the whole point is y’all two.”
Mark Cuban Nearly Landed Kobe Bryant Before Lakers’ Dynasty Took Off
Bryant had expressed frustation withthe Lakers organization at the time and demanded a trade out of Los Angeles. He was adamant on a trade, and no team was closer to trading for the Black Mamba than Cuban and the Mavericks.
However, the late great Dr. Jerry Buss and then Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak ultimately convinced Bryant to give the Lakers another chance.
A season later, Bryant led the Lakers to the NBA Finals appearance and eventually led L.A. to back-to-back titles.
As for the Mavericks, they won their lone championship in 2011. In the playoffs that season, they defeated Bryant and the Lakers in the second round of that Finals run, sweeping them in the process.
PHILADELPHIA -- There is no doubt that the Philadelphia 76ers have one of the more talented rosters in the league. Led by Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, VJ Edgecombe, and Paul George all now healthy and building chemistry down the stretch of the season, there is a sense that the Sixers can make some serious noise in the playoffs.
At the moment, the Sixers are fighting to stay in the top 6 in the East so they can avoid the play-in tournament and have the week off, but wherever Philadelphia ends up, it will have a great chance at pulling off an upset thanks to the talent it possesses.
Not only does Philadelphia have a strong starting 5 on paper, but there is some scoring depth off the bench with Kelly Oubre Jr. and Quentin Grimes providing a spark and Dominick Barlow doing whatever it takes to help a team win.
:I feel like we’re scary," said Grimes. "We’re pretty deep at every position. We have a lot of talented, talented guys. So, I feel like whoever comes in the game, there’s really no drop off where there’s a sub for anybody in the starting unit or whoever comes in. I feel like in the playoffs, I really wouldn’t wanna see us. We’ll try to get that 6 seed and not be in the play-in."
After being acquired from the Dallas Mavericks at the 2025 deadline, Grimes is playing meaningful basketball for the first time since he made the playoffs with the New York Knicks in 2023. The 5-year guard, obviously, joined the Sixers at a tough time when considering all of the injuries that decimated the roster in the previous season so this is a big difference for him.
"It feels great," Grimes stated. "It’s what you kinda work the whole summer for, the whole training camp, and then early on in the season. Just building up that chemistry, that intensity for when you get to these games, that there’s no drop off. There’s nothing new about it, so right now, the intensity is at a super high level the last couple two, three games so it’s been good to see. Gotta keep carrying it over."
When considering all that he and the Sixers went through in 2024-25, it is a satisfying feeling that they have been able to turn things around.
"For sure," he finished. "Just with all the expectations that people have and knowing how loaded we are as a team. We have a lot of guys that can do a lot of things on the court so it’s good to see everybody slowly getting that groove and kinda slowly get in that trying to be peaking come playoff time."
For most of the NHL’s 2025-26 regular season, the coaching carousel was slow, almost too slow. As we approached the end of March, it was looking like we might get through a full season with just the one coaching change.
But in a span of only eight days beginning on March 29, we’ve had two coaches fired, with the Vegas Golden Knights first firing Bruce Cassidy and hiring journeyman coach John Tortorella – then, on Sunday afternoon, the New York Islanders pink-slipped Patrick Roy, replacing him with former Dallas Stars bench boss Peter DeBoer.
Although there is a history of NHL GMs making late-season coaching changes, is there a track record of success that should reassure Golden Knights and Islanders fans that these moves will pay off? From this writer’s perspective, we’re not entirely sold.
To begin, the Columbus Blue Jackets replaced Dean Evason with veteran Rick Bowness this season and received a major bump. While the timing differs from that of the Golden Knights and Islanders, the Blue Jackets went on an outstanding run from January onwards, putting them in a playoff spot recently.
They now sit two points back of a playoff spot while competing with six other teams. The verdict remains undetermined if their move completely pays off, but at the very least, it gave them a chance, something they didn’t have before.
Furthermore, legendary New Jersey Devils GM Lou Lamoriello indeed made the right choice when he fired coach Robbie Ftorek with only eight games left in the 1999-2000 regular season. Under replacement Larry Robinson, the Devils went on to win the Stanley Cup that year, underscoring Lamoriello’s ruthless brilliance – something he would show again in the 2006-07 season when he fired Devils coach Claude Julien with just three games left. But the move did not pay off that time, as the Ottawa Senators eliminated New Jersey in the second round of the playoffs.
So, while the addition of DeBoer and the structure he’s provided to multiple teams over the years will probably help Isles stars Matthew Schaefer and Mathew Barzal, we’re more skeptical of Tortorella’s impact on the Golden Knights.
Vegas did win its first three games under Tortorella, beating the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, and Edmonton Oilers. Still, the Golden Knights are likely to have a much tougher road in the first round when they take on either the Oilers or the Anaheim Ducks. There’s a reason why Tortorella has bounced between five different NHL teams since his debut in 2001 – his coaching style tends to wear thin with players fairly easily.
At the same time, Tortorella has been able to get the best of his players in short instances. When players buy into his play style, immediate results seem to follow.
In any case, the firings of Roy and Cassidy show that no NHL coach is 100 percent secure at any time. You can see why GMs might buy into the idea that changing the person in charge of the players will provide the jolt needed to ensure players perform at their best. Still, if that’s all it took to motivate players into winning a Cup, every team in the league would be doing it every season.
The truth is that firing a coach toward the end of the season is an enormous gamble. You do it out of desperation, or because you think the coach has lost the room. Bringing in someone with experience who can provide a boost to players with a mere handful of days left to turn things around.
The Islanders and Golden Knights took different approaches to their new coaching situations: Vegas hired Tortorella on a shorter-term basis, while the Isles gave DeBoer a multi-year contract. But who’s kidding whom – if DeBoer can’t coax a better performance out of Islanders players, he won’t be around Long Island for very long.
The coaching business is cutthroat. Everywhere you look, there’s a potential pitfall that could get you fired as a coach. As we’re seeing once again this season, you could be fired at virtually any moment. It’s no wonder coaches feel pressure, but that’s the world in which we live.
You are hired in coaching to be fired in coaching, and that’s as true as ever. So the next time someone is fired, maybe in the second round of the playoffs this year, or maybe this summer, don’t act surprised. The coaching carousel continues, and nothing is going to change it.
Hard to believe, but the NFL draft is less than three weeks away in Pittsburgh. Set for April 23-25, the event will have some Illinois flavor. And for the first time in a long time, a quarterback from the school is expected to be drafted.
In his latest rankings, 's Jordan Reid puts Luke Altmyer eighth among the quarterbacks.
First, of course, is Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, who is expected to go to the Las Vegas Raiders. The No. 2 quarterback is Alabama's Ty Simpson, who Reid projects being picked by Arizona.
The next Big Ten quarterback on the list is Penn State's Drew Allar, who Reid expects to go off the board late in Day 2 or early in Day 3. So, the third and fourth rounds.
Altmyer is expected to go early to mid rounds on Day 3. Reid puts San Francisco as the best team fit for Altmyer.
Reid mentioned the chance for Altmyer to have an extended NFL career.
Altmyer was listed four spots ahead of Heisman runner-up Diego Pavia of Vanderbilt.
CHATTANOOGA, TN - JULY 08: Austin Hendrick #12 of the Chattanooga Lookouts stands in the batters box during the game between the Rocket City Trash Pandas and the Chattanooga Lookouts at AT&T Field on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. (Photo by Maddalena LoRae/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
The first week of the year featuring action from all four minor league affiliates of the Cincinnati Reds is in the books, and Farmers Only is here to highlight the best of said action.
We’ll start with the AA Chattanooga Lookouts, seeing as that squad won each of their first three games of the season and sits undefeated at the time of writing this. And helping lead that charge so far is none other than Austin “Fox in the” Hendrick, the 1st round pick of the Reds back in 2020 about whom we’ve almost completely forgotten.
He’s always flashed elite power potential, but the lack of consistent contact and strike zone awareness has dogged him since being selected out of high school in the Pittsburgh area. He’s still somehow just 24 years old, however, and he’s begun the year 6 for 12 with a homer and 5 runs driven in for the Lookouts. Maybe, just maybe, he’s figuring things out a little bit (and we’ll ignore the 4/0 K/BB so far for the time being).
Leo “Shuffle” Balcazar has also been red hot for Chattanooga out of the gates after being added to the team’s 40-man roster this winter. He went 5 for 11 with a homer, a double, and a walk to begin the season.
Chattanooga begins a big six-game road trip in Birmingham on Tuesday.
Alfredo Duno is off to a hot start over in Dayton as the High-A Dragons split their first two games of the year only to have Sunday’s contest rained out. Duno has begun the season 2 for 7 with a pair of doubles and as many walks (2) as Ks (2) so far, while the perennially overlooked Carlos Sanchez has begun the year 3 for 8 with a double, walk, and stolen base.
Dayton opens a big six-game homestand against Lake County on Tuesday evening.
Down in the land of humid air and pitching paradises, Tyson “Super F.” Lewis and the Daytona Tortugas of the Class-a Florida State League dropped two of three against Jupiter to begin the season – and that includes an ugly 14-1 whoopin’ on Saturday. Lewis, though, does have an early homer under his belt after starting 3 for 12, but he’s already struck out an alarming 7 times so far. That’s tied for the most of any player in the FSL so far.
Daytona hits the road to take on Lakeland for the rest of the week with the series opening on Tuesday evening.
Over in Louisville, the 4-5 Bats are chugging along with a mix of potent offense and pitchers who can’t get an out. Each of Chase Petty and Julian “Calendar” Aguiar – two arms with big league experience who are being counted on as depth at the moment – have been shelled, the two combining for 15.1 IP and 16 ER so far. Relievers Zach “Big Sugar” Maxwell and Luis “Gonna Be” Mey have both also been rocked, while Kyle Nicolas has only allowed one run in 3.0 IP.
Offensively, though, this team is a juggernaut. We detailed how Rece Hinds was destroying baseballs already this year, and he paces the International League with 14 ribbies at the moment (with his 4 homers second most). JJ “Slovenia” Bleday has but a lone homer, but he has 4 doubles and an even 7/7 K/BB to date, while Hector “5 Weight” Rodriguez is showing the kind of plate discipline he’s long been dinged for not having by also posting 7 walks so far (along with a pair of homers and a .934 OPS).
Edwin “I’ll Be” Arroyo, meanwhile, has a bit of a power stroke back. He’s already homered, tripled, and doubled while swiping 3 bags to lead the club (and owns a .350 OBP). Keep an eye on him – he’s going to be back back as a prospect this year.
The Bats take their talents to Indianapolis and begin their six-game road series on Tuesday evening.
The New York Jets have signaled interest in USC wide receiver Makai Lemon prior to the 2026 NFL draft.
The Jets hold two selections in Round 1 of the upcoming event at Nos. 2 and 16 overall. More likely a target for the second of the two, Lemon is being looked at more intently as he is reportedly having a top-30 visit in New York:
USC wide receiver Makai Lemon met with the #Chiefs on a Top 30 visit Thursday, per @RapSheet
For the Jets, wide receiver is a need so the team's offense has a complement to Garrett Wilson at the position.
A 5-foot-11 playmaker, Lemon had 79 catches, 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns in 12 games played in 2025. NFL.com's draft profile on Lemon compares his skill set to that of Detroit Lions' All-Pro wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Jets Wire will continue to provide updates throughout the 2026 offseason.
Sometimes, that’s tough in crowded bars and restaurants. But popular spots around metro Detroit are gearing up to provide fans with a game-watching experience with the volume up.
Here are a few spots around metro Detroit that promise fans can watch and hear the game, the ref calls and buzzer beaters.
Don’t see your favorite spot on this list? Send an email to food@freepress.com with the establishment's name and city.
Big League Brews
20428 Ecorse Road, Taylor
A neighborhood sports bar serving up smoked wings or boneless wings along with a big selection of burgers and sandwiches. The wings are served naked (no sauce) or with a choice of nearly a dozen sauces.
Brewligans Public House
2385 Fort St., Trenton
A menu specialty here is Brewligans chicken wings. Its wings, drums and flats are tossed in a choice of sauces or served naked with sauce on the side. There are 10 sauces to choose from, including Brewligans Buffalo and Threat Level Midnight.
This spacious bar is loaded with TVs. Pair game watching with a menu of classic bar food of burgers, wings, plenty of handheld options and entrees. There's also a selection of local brews.
Now celebrating two years, Gilly’s Clubhouse on Woodward Avenue is in memory of Nick Gilbert, who died in 2023 and is the son of Rocket Mortgage founder Dan Gilbert. This multi-level sports bar celebrates its two-year anniversary of serving Detroit sports fans, with a happy hour from 5-8 p.m. on April 4.
Surrounded by TVs, this sports bar has been a mainstay on Haggerty in West Bloomfield since 2006 and is committed to game-watching paired with food. On the menu are classic bar staples like pizza, burgers and nachos. There are also sandwiches, salads and main entrees.
Dedicated to sports fans, Parlay is also known for its elevated bar food and premium drinks. This downtown Detroit spot is owned by Joique Bell, a former Detroit Lions running back who played for other National Football League teams, too.
Tucked off Woodward Avenue, Second Best is across from its sister restaurant, Grey Ghost. There are more than a dozen large TVs and a 9-foot projector with sound.
At the corner of Russell and the Fisher Freeway service drive, Thomas MaGee’s boasts its shows "every sport." For info: thomasmagees.com
Twin Peaks
Multiple locations
Known for draft beer poured at 29 degrees, locations in Auburn Hills, Livonia and Madison Heights have more than 50 TVs plus large 98-inch screens. At eh Madison Heights and Livonia locations, there will be a DJ but only during commercials. On its from-scratch menu are bar bites, burgers, sandwiches, wings, salads and other bar fare. For info: twinpeaksrestaurant.com
Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @SusanMariecooks. Subscribe to the Eat Drink Freep newsletter for insider scoops on food and dining in metro Detroit.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 05: José Ramírez #11 of the Cleveland Guardians is presented the 2025 Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award prior to game one of a doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs at Progressive Field on April 05, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Tonight, Jose Ramirez will become the player who has played in the most baseball games in history while wearing a Cleveland uniform.
Jose Ramirez was born in Bani, Dominican Republic. Is it possible for him to be the most Cleveland of all baseball players? The players he surpasses at the top of this list – Terry Turner and Nap Lajoie – were from Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, respectively. The greatest players in Cleveland baseball history were all not born in Ohio, let alone Cleveland. So, Jose has as much claim to be the epitome of the essence of the city as anyone does.
Let’s examine his credentials:
-Despite being an atypical body type and height, Jose is on a Hall of Fame trajectory as a player. Cleveland is often overlooked as a city and glories in its underdog status. Jose embodies the underdog mindset better than any player ever has.
-Jose gives 100% every time he is on the field. In Cleveland, the weather is pretty nasty six months out of the year. Cloud cover is more common than not. The region isn’t home to some billionaire-minting Silicon Valley-type of industry. If you want to make it here, you work hard and refuse to give up.
-To stay in Cleveland, you really have to love the city unreasonably. You have to display an unhinged loyalty to the shores of Lake Erie and our version of Midwest nice/blue collar grit/down home kindness. Jose has openly proclaimed his appreciation for Cleveland fans and displays our ideals every time he takes the field.
There would be no question that Jose is the greatest Cleveland baseball player of all time if Jose had found a way to be part of a team that won a title. But, the title drought of which he has been a part somehow makes Jose even MORE Cleveland. Our joys are always mixed with grief, our happiness with sorrow, our accomplishments always with a sense that we could be more.
For about 10 years now, Jose Ramirez has been a part of my daily life. My children know him by sight and everyone who knows me knows he is my favorite baseball player of all time. He’s a national and local treasure who adds joy and hope to each day of my life, even if he is in a bit of an early season slump right now. I know if he’s chasing too much, he will stop. If he’s just under the ball, he will adjust. My confidence allows me to watch him in anticipation of him breaking out of it instead of dreading that he has entered some kind of steep decline. He has never let us down and I believe he never will.
Tonight, Jose becomes the most Cleveland player of all time, officially. But, he has embodied our city for a while now. And, most importantly, he has three times chosen to stay here and left no doubt that he loves this city, this team, this fanbase and playing ball in the same cold Northeast Ohio air that my children will be entering to play coach pitch. The day José’s extension was announced in 2022 was the greatest day of my sports fandom.
Will Michigan Wolverines star Yaxel Lendeborg play tonight in the national championship against the UConn Huskies? Almost assuredly yes. Lendeborg is not listed on the availability report, indicating he is available to play.
Will Lendeborg be Limited?
Will Lendeborg be effective is an entirely different wonder. Joint injuries are often at their worst in the days after the initial worry, and that initial worry plagued Lendeborg quite a bit in Saturday’s rout of Arizona in the Final Four.
As Wolverines head coach Dusty May said on Sunday, “[Lendeborg] played the second half like a 38-year-old at the YMCA, and a really good 38-year-old at the YMCA.
“Whatever version of Yaxel we get, it’s going to be somebody that helps us play better basketball.”
After injuring his knee — a “low-grade” MCL sprain and a “small bone bruise,” per Michigan’s trainer — Lendeborg played nearly nine minutes in the second half. He scored six points on 2-of-2 shooting from beyond the arc and grabbed two rebounds.
Lendeborg was clearly limited. No matter the blowout nature of the game, not taking a field goal inside the arc in nine minutes of action stands out as a passive offensive approach.
Injury Impact on His Game
For context, Lendeborg took 5.3 shots inside the arc per Big Ten game, and he averaged 6.8 such shots in the first four games of this NCAA Tournament. If playing his usual game, he would have attempted two or three such shots on Saturday’s second half.
Expect Yaxel Lendeborg to take the court in Indianapolis tonight, but measure any other expectations of the Michigan star.
After an exciting start to the spring high school sports season, it's time to look back on the top team performances.
Read about the teams that stood out last week and let us know which one should be the HSS North Jersey Team of the Week in the poll at the bottom of this page.
Voting closes at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Becton track & field
The Wildcats posted a strong showing at the Pawlowski Relays, winning the 4-x-800 relay and placing second in the 4-x-1,600 relay.
DePaul baseball
The Spartans went 3-0, outscoring opponents 28-5. They started the season with a 9-5 win over defending Passaic County champion Passaic Tech.
The Thunderbirds ran their record to 4-0 with a 3-0 week in which they outscored opponents 36-4.
Midland Park softball
The Panthers started the season by going 3-0 and not allowing a single run, outscoring opponents 35-0.
Park Ridge baseball
After winning just six games last year, the Owls started the season 3-0 with one-run victories over Elmwood Park, Hasbrouck Heights and Wood-Ridge.
Passaic Tech flag football
The Bulldogs had the busiest week of any team in the state and didn't miss a beat. They went 3-0 and outscored opponents 89-12.
Tenafly boys lacrosse
The Tigers went 3-0 with an 11-8 win on the road against defending Passaic County champion Wayne Valley.
Vote!
Note: If you can't see the poll, try refreshing the link or clearing the cache in your browser. If you are viewing the poll in the Twitter app, try viewing it in the Varsity Aces app or at NorthJersey.com.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 03: UFC CEO Dana White reacts after the knockout victory by Yuneisy Duben of Venezuela against Shannon Clark of Canada in a flyweight fight during Dana White's Contender Series season eight, week four at UFC APEX on September 3, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
UFC CEO, Dana White, is no longer involved with fighter contract negotiations.
“We were a small business,” White told SPEED on YouTube. “We started to grow the relationships with [fighters like] Chuck Liddell and Matt Hughes [in] the early days right up to (Conor) McGregor, Ronda Rousey, Cowboy (Cerrone) and the list goes on and on. Obviously it’s grown and I have completely removed myself from the negotiating part of fighter contracts. I got to a point where this isn’t fun anymore. I’m lucky that I’m at a point in my life and my career where I can just deal with the fun stuff that I like to do.”
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Sports fans can catch live games on TBS — but unless you have cable, your viewing options are limited.
On Saturday, Apr. 6, the final game during the NCAA March Madness college basketball tournament airs on TBS. The 2026 National Championship features the No. 2-ranked UConn Huskies facing off against the No. 1-ranked Michigan Wolverines at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN, with tipoff at 8:50 p.m. ET/5:50 p.m. PT.
Cord-cutters don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on a cable package in order to get access to basketball games and other TBS programming — there are affordable streaming options such as live TV streamers that’ll give you instant access and for a fraction of the price.
With current free trials and promos going on, you’ll get access to hundreds of other live TV channels that’ll expand your program options, so you can watch sports, reality TV and the latest dramas live and in real time.
How to Watch TBS Online
You can get access to TBS through live TV streamers, such as DirecTV — which is currently offering a free trial. Below are all the ways to watch TBS online.
A subscription to DirecTV — which comes with TBS for NCAA March Madness — gets you access to live TV, local and cable channels with the streamer’s “MySports” package, starting at $44.99 for the first month of service ($64.99 per month afterwards). The service even offers a five-day free trial to watch for free, if you sign up now.
You can watch local networks such as NBC, CBS and PBS, while you can also watch many cable networks, including FS1, Lifetime, FX, AMC, A&E, Bravo, BET, MTV, Paramount Network, Cartoon Network, VH1, Fuse, CNN, Food Network, CNBC and many others.
Sling TV offers three packages to choose from, such as Orange, Blue and Orange + Blue, with every option including TBS. The Orange Package is the most affordable and comes with nearly 35 channels and can be streamed on just one device at a time. Included in the Blue Package is nearly 50 channels. Can’t choose? You can combine both packages and get all channels and the ability to stream on up to three devices at once.
Please note: Pricing and channel availability varies from market-to-market.
For the most content offerings, you can sign up for Hulu + Live TV and get access to the Hulu library in addition to more then 95 live TV channels (including TBS). The streaming platform starts at $89.99 per month.
And, for even more programming, Hulu + Live TV now comes bundled with Disney+ and ESPN Unlimited, which will give you everything within the Hulu library in addition to exclusive content on ESPN for even more sports coverage.
HBO Max starts at $10.99 per month. It’s streamable on smart TVs, smartphones, tablets and on web browsers. However, you’ll need a subscription to Prime Video (or an Amazon Prime membership) to add HBO Max to your account (no free trial available).
Not a member? Sign up for a 30-day free trial to take advantage of all that Amazon Prime has to offer, including access to Prime Video, Prime Gaming and Amazon Photos; fast free shipping in less than two days with Prime Delivery; in-store discounts at Whole Foods Market; access to exclusive shopping events — such as Prime Day and Black Friday — and much more. Learn more about Amazon Prime here.
HBO Max even gets you live sports access to the NHL, AEW and more. It features hit movies and TV shows, including The Penguin, Superman, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Peacemaker, Sinners, Dune: Part Two and more.
The streaming service is also the home to exclusive Music Box documentaries, such as Yacht Rock: A DOCKumentary, Woodstock ’99: Peace, Love and Rage, Juice WLRD: Into The Abyss, DMX: Don’t Try to Understand and others.
Saturday night, Aday Mara was a 3-cent contract on Kalshi. As of this morning, he's at 38 cents and the MOP favorite heading into tonight's National Championship Game.
That chart doesn't lie. Traders watched Mara drop 26 points on 11-for-16 shooting against Arizona's elite interior defense while Yaxel Lendeborg played 14 minutes and left with a sprained MCL and rolled ankle. The market spent the weekend repricing what Michigan actually looks like tonight, and its conclusion is blunt: Mara is now the most likely player to win this award.
The question worth asking before tip-off isn't whether Mara can win MOP. The market has already decided he's the most likely candidate. The question is whether 38 cents is a fair price or whether the surge has overshot.
What drove the movement
Lendeborg's price tells the story. He came into the Final Four at 27 cents, surged toward 35 as Michigan dominated, then cratered to 23 after the injury news settled in. He says he's still playing "unless he can't walk," but the market has now priced him as a secondary contributor rather than the decisive force. A 4-point drop for a technically active player reflects real uncertainty about his effectiveness, not his presence.
Mara's 35-point surge in 48 hours is one of the sharpest single-player moves you'll see in a tournament MOP market. That kind of repricing usually means the market found a mispricing and corrected it hard. The starting point was absurdly low; Mara at 3 cents was the market essentially ignoring him. Now it's overcorrecting in the other direction, or fairly pricing a new reality. Which one it is depends entirely on how Lendeborg's ankle holds up tonight.
The structural case for Aday Mara
This isn't just an injury narrative. Mara has scored 14+ points in eight of the last 11 games for the Michigan Wolverines. Against UConn, he draws Tarris Reed Jr., who's an excellent player but gave up 26 points to a nearly identical offensive center profile two days ago. UConn ranks 229th nationally in opponent block rate, which means Mara will be operating in space he typically doesn't find against elite competition.
The MOP award is almost always won by the most impactful player on the winning team. Michigan is a 74% favorite to win the title on Kalshi. If the Wolverines win and Lendeborg is at 70% health, Mara is the player most likely to fill that production gap.
The honest tension in the market
Reed at 19 cents is up 10 points from Saturday, a significant move for a player on the 26% side of the title market. Traders are pricing a UConn Huskies upset scenario, and if they win, Reed is almost certainly walking away with MOP. He's averaged 21.8 points and 13.5 rebounds this tournament. The 31-point, 27-rebound performance against Furman in the first round is the kind of thing MOP voters don't forget.
If you think UConn is underpriced at 26 cents to win the title, and there's a reasonable case given their dynasty-level experience under Dan Hurley, then Reed at 19 cents is the most interesting contract on this board. You're essentially getting a leveraged play on a UConn upset.
The bottom line
The market's overnight repricing is rational. Mara at 3 cents was wrong. Whether 38 cents is right depends on one variable: how many minutes Lendeborg plays and how effective he is when he's out there.
If he's limited to 20 minutes of half-speed basketball, Mara at 38 is probably fair or even cheap. If Lendeborg plays through it and looks like himself, Mara just became expensive, and Lendeborg is a clear value trade.
The market has done the heavy lifting of identifying the right question. Your view on Lendeborg's ankle is now the trade.
Prices as of 1:30 PM ET. This market is live and moves continuously until tip-off, check current prices at Kalshi before trading.
“It’s not nice” – Alan Shearer hated seeing one Liverpool player ‘suffer’ in Etihad mauling
Alan Shearer hated seeing one Liverpool player ‘suffer’ in the 4-0 drubbing by Manchester City on Saturday.
It was a result which summed up the Reds’ miserable season, and it was a particularly galling afternoon for Mo Salah, who missed several chances he’d have gobbled up at his peak, in addition to fluffing his lines from the penalty spot.
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The Egyptian’s final campaign with LFC has proven to be by far his least productive, with Steve Nicol among those who’ve called for him to be dropped, and Joe Hart said that it was ‘difficult‘ to watch the 33-year-old endure such a nightmare of a performance.
Shearer hated seeing Salah ‘suffer’ on Saturday
Shearer aired similar sentiments about the Liverpool winger, referencing one first-half opportunity where he hesitated and duly allowed Abdukodir Khusanov to get back and snuff out the chance.
The Newcastle legend said of Salah on The Rest Is Football: “It’s not nice to see and he misses the penalty as well. It was just one of those days. To see a Premier League great suffer like he did is not nice.”
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Saturday was a rough one for Salah and Liverpool
Even if the Egyptian King never scores again for Liverpool, his status as one of the club’s greatest ever players is beyond dispute, but it’s a crying shame that his time with the Reds appears to be petering out to a sobering anti-climax.
Saturday was one of those days where it felt that, no matter how hard he might try, nothing was going to come off for him, with the penalty miss and aforementioned first-half chance summing up an afternoon to forget.
The entire campaign has been difficult for him, with just 10 goals netted by Easter and the fallout from his infamous tirade after the draw at Leeds in December, and the defeat to Man City will go down as another low point in 2025/26 for him and LFC.
Shearer’s sentiments may well be shared by many, but irrespective of what happens between now and 24 May, Salah will be guaranteed a poignant send-off in his final game at Anfield when Brentford visit L4 to round off the Premier League season.
Hopefully he can swiftly put Saturday behind him and round off his legendary Liverpool career with a few more special moments in the next few weeks.
Manchester United legend waxes lyrical over Barcelona superstar – ‘Made me love football again’
Speaking on his podcast, Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has lavished praise on Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal, while also hailing his courage in confronting racism at just 18 years of age.
Not long before that, the 18-year-old wonderkid had to witness anti-Muslim chants at the RCDE Stadium when he was playing for the Spanish national team against Egypt in a friendly encounter.
Rio Ferdinand in awe of Lamine Yamal
Now, Lamine has received support from Ferdinand, who not only praised the quality of the Barcelona forward but also defended him against the racist abuse he received this past weekend.
The former England international also empathises with the disappointment that the 18-year-old wonderkid experienced at the RCDE Stadium.
“He’s made me love football again,” Ferdinand began, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
“You know, before, when there were players like Maradona, Riquelme, Veron… that’s why I love football. People who dared to take on defenders, who did crazy things and simply took risks,” recalled the former Manchester United centre-back.
He continued, stressing that the Barcelona forward is more than just a footballer, having raised his voice against important issues.
Rio Ferdinand has sung praises of Lamine Yamal. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
“Lamine Yamal is in that category: the one who takes risks, who wants to entertain. If we’re talking about the best player in the world right now, he has to be in that conversation,” said Ferdinand.
“And you know what else I love about him? That he’s more than just a footballer.”
Referring to the post Yamal made after the match against Egypt, the English legend noted:
“He’s using his voice right now to draw attention to anti-Muslim chants in stadiums. ‘I’m Muslim. Yesterday in the stadium, the chant ‘whoever doesn’t jump is Muslim’ was heard. I know I was playing against the opposing team and that it wasn’t anything personal against me, but as a Muslim, it’s still disrespectful and intolerable.'”
Ferdinand concluded by highlighting the significance of Yamal speaking out at such a young age, as he remarked:
“This is a kid who’s speaking out, you know? He’s not a veteran who’s been doing this for 10 years.
“He’s an 18-year-old kid who’s decided for himself to say, ‘I’m not going to tolerate that, it’s disrespectful, it’s out of line, it’s racist, and people need to know that.’ And I thought that comment was absolutely perfect in tone.”
The New York Yankees traded for Ryan McMahon in July with the hope of solving their third base woes.
It hasn't worked.
It's still early, but this season, McMahon is just 2-for-23 with two singles, meaning he has an .087 slugging percentage.
McMahon has struck out in 11 of those 23 at bats, as well.
Simply put, the Yankees can only put up with hitting like that for so much longer. If McMahon isn't the third base answer, they've got to find one somewhere else.
So what can they do?
Well, one option is to go after another trade. This time, they'd send away either Jasson Dominguez or Spencer Jones.
Both young outfielders are at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre because they're blocked from playing time at the MLB level. And unless they magically become infielders, the best way to extract present value from them would be to turn one into a third baseman.
Maybe the answer resides with the New York Mets. Would the crosstown rival trade either Brett Baty or Mark Vientos for either Dominguez or Jones?
What about the Minnesota Twins? Royce Lewis could use a change of scenery.
The Phillies' Alec Bohm is often in trade rumors. Could the Yankees pull off a deal for him?
While no noise is out there about a trade, it certainly seems like the Yanks should think about it. Do they want to win a World Series with Aaron Judge? It might have to come with another good infielder on the roster and one less piece of upside-laden outfield depth at Triple-A.
Glamorgan and Yorkshire played out an absorbing draw after an adventurous declaration from home captain Kiran Carlson on their return to the top flight.
Set 295 in 68 overs at 4.34 runs per over, Yorkshire started strongly but finished on 239-7 with Glamorgan pressing for victory in the closing stages.
Adam Lyth's 97 led the White Rose charge but did not have enough support as leg-spinner Mason Crane and paceman Ryan Hadley claimed three wickets apiece.
Glamorgan batted cautiously most of the morning before accelerating, Colin Ingram hitting 75 and Carlson 53 while Dom Bess picked up 4-87.
The declaration came at 12:54 BST to give both sides a chance of forcing a positive result but the spoils were shared in Cardiff.
Resuming overnight three wickets down with a lead of 187, Carlson and Ingram started with the caution the home side had showed with the bat since their shocking start on the first evening.
The pair gradually eased up through the gears as Yorkshire went on the defensive in the field, although Bess bowled Carlson to claim his third wicket after a stand of 76.
Evergreen Ingram and Ben Kellaway (28 not out) added a further 65, but it was a surprise to most observers when Carlson called a close to the innings as soon as Ingram was caught in the deep off Bess.
Lyth and Finlay Bean got Yorkshire off to a flying start, with Bean hitting Mason Crane's first two balls for four and six in a stand of 67 before he fell lbw to the spinner for 23.
Lyth continued to find the gaps as he raced to his half-century off 57 deliveries and Sam Whiteman started securely in another worthwhile partnership, to leave Yorkshire possible favourites at tea on 125-1.
Whiteman (24) chipped a catch off Crane two balls after the resumption, James Wharton (10) was bowled trying to hoist Crane into the pavilion and Will Luxton (5) was leg before trying to smash Ryan Hadley into the grandstand.
The crucial blow for Yorkshire hopes came when the excellent Lyth feathered a catch to Chris Cooke off Kellaway, having struck 14 boundaries in the 150 balls he faced.
With 118 needed off 20, Yorkshire appeared to give up the chase but Glamorgan could not hang on to chances offered early on by Matthew Revis and George Hill.
Carlson tried frequent changes of bowling and packed fielders round the bat.
Hadley answered the call with Revis (27) edging behind in the 60th over while Dom Bess was caught at slip.
That took the game down to the last over but Hill (21 not out) and Logan van Beek held on.
Despite a nightmare first hour of the game, Glamorgan could reflect on a creditable return to Division One cricket after two decades, while Yorkshire can console themselves with a better result than their 2025 opener.
Fantasy expert consensus rankings (“ECR”) are starting to pop up across the Internet, giving managers an early glimpse into how the market might value hundreds of players this summer. As we look ahead to the 2026 season, here are the biggest Ravens bargains based on ECR.
In 2024, five Baltimore players averaged double-digit points, with Lamar Jackson (25.3 per contest) and Derrick Henry (19.8) leading the way. Last season, only one of those five players (Zay Flowers) upped his per-game numbers. The other four fell short of market expectations. Experts now face a dilemma: bet on a return to 2024 form, or view 2025 as a sign of things to come.
The 25-year-old Flowers seems to be still ascending, and the market has responded with a solid WR18 ECR. But that still makes him a likely bargain. Last year’s WR13 in points per game will return as the clear-cut alpha wideout on a team with a 32-year-old bell cow and slightly thinned-out TE corps. Coming off a career-high seven targets per outing, Flowers is primed for top-16 numbers, with a solid shot at cracking the top 12.
Meanwhile, Mark Andrews has been sliding toward fantasy unstartability, and last year, he hit rock bottom. His TE20 ECR assumes he’ll remain unstartable. I think this franchise’s decision to re-sign him late last year while letting Isaiah Likely walk three months later shows that they’re still invested in Andrews. That should translate into (at minimum) a modest statistical uptick and top-14 production.
Will Rashod Bateman ever deliver on his 2021 first-round draft value? Probably not. But that doesn’t mean he deserves a WR82 ECR. He was the WR50 in points per game two seasons ago and the WR59 in 2022. Unless you believe he’ll top out at around 40-400-4, Bateman will be a solid -- albeit low-ceiling–– bargain.
The knockout rounds put Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain together again this season, this year one round later in the quarterfinal stage.
PSG dispatched Liverpool over two legs in the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League Round of 16, coming back from a 1-0 deficit at the Parc des Princes to beat the Reds in penalties at Anfield.
It was a tale of two halves dripping in classic "That's football" as the eventual champion Parisiens lost the first leg despite out-attempting Liverpool 27-2 in Paris and won the second leg despite Liverpool putting seven of their 19 shots on target.
The first leg is again in France and Arne Slot won't necessarily mimic his tactics against Luis Enrique, who would take last season's first leg performance 10 out of 10 times. And he could use many of the same components. Gone are Gianluigi Donnarumma — now with Man City — while Fabian Ruiz is out with a knee injury and Bradley Barcola has been dealing with an ankle injury, but their 4-3-3 remains dangerous from back-to-front.
Liverpool are a much different team without last season's two-legged starters Luis Diaz, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and the late Diogo Jota while Alisson Becker is hurt, Andy Robertson is second-choice this season, and Mohamed Salah looks to have lost a step in what will be his last season at Anfield.
How much magic does Liverpool have left, and can they take advantage of the absence of Ruiz in the middle of the park? Here are some possible lineups for both sides.
Paris Saint-Germain predicted lineup vs Liverpool
——- Safonov ——
—- Hakimi —- Marquinhos —- Pacho —- Mendes —-
—— Neves—- Vitinha —- Zaire-Emery —-
—— Doue —- Dembele —- Kvaratskhelia —-
Bradley Barcola is set to miss this leg and star forward Ousmane Dembele has been playing with a minor calf injury. Enrique could use Desire Doue in the midfield if he wants to move Dembele to wing or start Kang-in Lee, while Goncalo Ramos is also an option up top. Illia Zabarnyi gets plenty of time at center back this season, while Lucas Hernandez and Lucas Beraldo are a valuable backs.
Liverpool predicted lineup at PSG
——- Mamardashvili ——
—- Szoboszlai —- Konate —- Van Dijk —- Kerkez —-
—— Gravenberch —- Mac Allister —-
—— Salah —- Wirtz—- Gakpo —-
——- Ekitike ——-
Alexander Isak could make his long-awaited return for Liverpool but a starting role seems beyond the pale. Alisson Becker will not be fit to play, but Liverpool have everyone else available. The Reds seem to be better when Cody Gakpo is in the fold, and Slot may be tempted to go more attack-minded and return Dominik Szoboszlai to right back rather than re-roll the back four that were ripped apart by Man City.
🚨 Leao, Fullkrug...starting XIs are in for the decisive Napoli-Milan
At the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, one of the biggest matches of the season is taking place: Napoli–Milan, a decisive clash in the race for second place and to stay on Inter’s heels.
The two teams are separated by just one point: Massimiliano Allegri’s Milan are ahead, but Antonio Conte’s Napoli come into the match in great form. After Inter’s 5-2 win over Roma, both sides are under pressure to respond.
The official lineups have now been confirmed:
NAPOLI: Milinkovic-Savic; Juan Jesus, Buongiorno, Olivera; Gutierrez, Anguissa, Lobotka, Spinazzola; De Bruyne, McTominay; Giovane.
The Baltimore Orioles made a lot of moves in the past year, but sneakily, one of their best was a trade-deadline deal with the New York Mets.
Last July, they sent Cedric Mullins to the Mets in exchange for three righty pitchers, and of those pitchers, one has already emerged as a secret weapon for the Orioles.
As Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly notes, righty reliever Anthony Nunez is the Orioles' "best kept secret" after his strong start to 2026. The Mets surely regret this trade, as Mullins didn't last long and didn't even help them make the playoffs.
Orioles Anthony Nunez is 'best-kept secret' on O's roster
"As the Orioles try to build their bullpen around closer Ryan Helsley, Anthony Nunez is going to be a name to watch for Craig Albernaz's club," Kelly writes.
The Orioles acquired Nunez from the Mets thanks to the 2025 trade deadline move, which sent Mullins to the Mets in exchange for Nunez, righty Raimon Gomez, and righty Chandler Marsh.
And now, Nunez is looking like a major steal for the Orioles, and their new secret weapon out of the bullpen with another former Mets pitcher in Ryan Helsley taking over the closer role.
Nunez has a 3.60 ERA in five innings pitched this season. The 24-year-old righty is just starting out in his career, and he's looking good thus far.
In five spring training outings, he didn't allow a single run. He's still progressing as a Major Leaguer, but so far, things have gone very well for the Orioles young righty acquired from the Mets.
The Mets surely could've used Nunez, especially after they lost Edwin Diaz this offseason. Even though he's a work in progress, Nunez has already shown a ton of potential.
He's a great reliever for the Orioles, and someone Baltimore is very fortunate to have on the roster. And with his addition coming at the cost of a few months of Mullins, it's an even better deal for the Orioles.
Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence signed his current contract three years ago. With a 2026 payout of $20 million and a 2027 compensation package of $19.5 million, Lawrence believes it's time for a change.
As we understand it, Lawrence has tried to get one from the Giants. Their reluctance to make an offer he'd accept sparked Monday’s trade request.
The argument from Lawrence's perspective is simple. The market has changed. The salary cap continues to spike. And Lawrence continues to be one of the best interior defensive linemen in the league.
His APY is south of $22 million. The top of the market for interior defensive linemen has reached $31.75 million. The recent contract signed by Eagles defensive tackle Jordan Davis — who is very good but is not Dexter Lawrence — has a new-money APY of $26 million.
So if Lawrence isn't going to get the contract adjustment he believes he deserves from the Giants, he'll try to get one elsewhere. And the trade request operates as an invitation for other teams to make the Giants an offer.
He still draws double teams. He still creates disruption. And the Giants may soon find out that he still will generate significant interest from other teams.
Even if no trade happens, the calls that may soon be coming to G.M. Joe Schoen could be the wakeup call that shakes a little more cash from the Giants' coffers.
Meanwhile, time is of the essence for Lawrence. He's 28. The window on his prime will be closing. Now is the time to get paid for the remaining years of high-end performance that he'll be bringing to his team, whichever team that may be.
The UFL enters Week 2 of its 2026 campaign with a slate that includes a historic primetime debut and a first-ever Tuesday night showdown.
Following an opening weekend that offered a first look at the league's new landscape, the schedule now shifts toward several high-profile matchups across traditional and experimental time slots.
From the first home kickoff in a new market to a midweek experiment that challenges the standard football viewing calendar, this week’s lineup emphasizes the league's push for broader visibility. With every game set for national broadcast, the coming days will provide a clearer picture of which contenders are beginning to separate themselves from the pack.
Here is the full breakdown of kickoff times, television networks, and streaming options for the Week 2 schedule.
UFL Week 2 games will air on Fox, FS1, ESPN and NFL Network. All of them are available to stream live on Fubo.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
Dan Savage: Franz Wagner will not play tonight in the @OrlandoMagic 's home game against the Detroit Pistons as the team exercises immense caution on the second night of a back-to-back during his return.
Florida baseball had a bit of a rough go at it this past week, dropping its first midweek matchup of the season to the Jacksonville Dolphins on Tuesday before dropping two of three at home to the Ole Miss Rebels.
Surprisingly, the USA TODAY Sports Baseball Coaches Poll remained bullish enough on the Gators, keeping them among the top 25 — but just barely — at No. 24. That wedges the Orange and Blue between the No. 23 NC State Wolfpack and No. 25 Boston College Eagles in the first rankings of April.
Next up for Kevin O'Sullivan's squad is the third and final game of the season series against the Florida State Seminoles, which will be played in Tallahassee on Tuesday night. Florida has already clinched the series win and looks to complete the sweep on enemy ground.
The Gators then head to Athens this weekend to take on another fierce rival — the Georgia Bulldogs — in a three-game series starting on Friday night. This will be an important stretch for the team as it faces a pair of top-10 teams over the next seven days.
SEC schools in USA TODAY Baseball Coaches Poll Week 8
The Southeastern Conference lost one of its schools from the top 25 with the Kentucky Wildcats falling out, leaving the SEC with nine teams among the upper echelon of the sport.
The Ole Miss Rebels hold the de facto No. 26 position with 64 votes, immediately followed by the LSU Tigers with 56, and Kentucky two spots behind them with 41. The Vanderbilt Commodores also appeared on the ballot this week with eight votes.
USA TODAY Baseball Coaches Poll top 25 for Week 8
Rk
Team
Rec
PTS
1st
Prev
Chg
H/L
1
UCLA
29-2
750
30
1
-
1/2
2
Texas
26-5
710
0
2
-
2/3
3
GA Tech
26-5
684
0
3
-
3/5
4
Georgia
27-6
668
0
5
1
4/13
5
UNC
27-5
601
0
6
1
5/14
6
FSU
24-7
599
0
7
1
6/17
7
Oregon St
24-6
546
0
9
2
7/18
8
Miss St
25-7
537
0
4
4
3/8
9
Alabama
25-8
485
0
16
7
9/NR
10
USC
27-6
415
0
8
2
8/NR
11
Co Carolina
23-8
382
0
18
7
7/25
12
Auburn
22-9
380
0
11
1
4/12
13
So Miss
23-9
379
0
13
-
7/20
14
Virginia
24-9
318
0
14
-
11/NR
15
Texas A&M
25-6
310
0
20
5
15/NR
16
UCF
20-9
291
0
NR
11
16/NR
17
Nebraska
26-6
266
0
21
4
17/NR
18
Oklahoma
21-10
248
0
15
3
8/NR
19
W Virginia
21-7
211
0
12
7
12/NR
20
Oregon
24-8
184
0
10
10
10/NR
21
Arizona St
23-9
155
0
24
3
21/NR
22
Arkansas
20-13
128
0
16
6
5/22
23
NC State
21-11
88
0
23
-
10/23
24
Florida
24-9
76
0
19
5
8/25
25
Boston Col
22-11
67
0
25
-
25/25
Schools Dropped Out
No. 22 Kentucky
Others Receiving Votes
Ole Miss 64; LSU 56; Jacksonville State 49; Kentucky 41; California Baptist 18; Wake Forest 15; Vanderbilt 8; Kansas 7; Miami (FL) 6; Missouri State 5; UTSA 1; South Florida 1; Oklahoma State 1
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SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 27: Penn State forward JJ Wiebusch #86 skates with the puck during the game between Penn State and Notre Dame at Compton Family Ice Arena on February 27, 2026 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) | ISI Photos via Getty Images
Penn State hockey forward JJ Wiebusch is planning to enter the transfer portal on Monday:
Penn State's J.J. Wiebusch to enter transfer portal, per source
Wiebusch had 69 points (30 goals, 39 assists) in 77 career games with Penn State. All three members of the DiMarsico-Cerrato-Wiebusch line have now departed, leaving Penn State to rebuild most of its top six with a new crop of forwards next year.
This is not a completely unexpected departure, although I would have expected Wiebusch to go pro instead of entering the portal. Wiebusch would likely have been the No. 1 winger on the roster in 2026-27, so this is a bit of a head-scratcher. Hopefully this is an aberration and not a sign of deeper structural issues within the program. For now, I am tempering expectations for next season. They always seem to do better with lower expectations.
The whole thing started on a westbound interstate, in a brown four-door Cadillac sedan. Leonard Garcia and his three of his friends loaded in for a 1,200-mile road trip from Plainview, Texas to Lemoore, California. The car, a mid-1980s model, was the only one in good enough condition to make the journey. Garcia, along with fellow fighters Gabriel Garcia and Isaias Martinez, were heading out to compete at the original WEC event at Tachi Palace.
It had been dubbed, somewhat gallantly, WEC 1: Princes of Pain.
Nobody knew anything about it, other the fact that real fighters — meaning those who actually trained, rather than those who jumped in the cage on a lark — were competing. They also knew that Dan Severn, a veteran of UFC 4, was headlining the event against Travis Fulton. Such a main event spoke to the new promotion’s legitimacy.
“Travis had a billion fights,” Garcia says. “Even then he had like 180 or something like that.”
The cage was outdoors, and the canvas was bright blue. The crowd that assembled at the Tachi Palace was largely made up of bikers, day-drinkers and gamblers who’d come to see some bloodshed. Martinez lost at the end of the first round after eating a ferocious volley of elbows from Cruz Gomez, giving everyone a bang for their buck. Gabriel Garcia didn’t make it a full minute before Phil Ensminger lit him with punches. Of the 10 fights, only the main event went the distance.
And it was Leonard Garcia who stole the show with a head-kick knockout of Victor Estrada. Because this was in 2001, just two months after the unified rules in MMA were put in place, he only knew of Estrada through word of mouth.
“I mean, that was back when you were fighting for the experience,” Garcia, now 46, says. “Chuck Liddell was going to be there, which was a big deal. Victor Estrada was one of … who’s the guy that armbared Matt Hughes? The guy who got Matty early on … ?”
The details begin to drift as it was a full quarter-century ago, back when Garcia was just 21 years old and fighting as much on whim as he was on dreams. He made just $300 for his work that day. Three hundred dollars is what he received for driving nearly 2,500 miles roundtrip.
“Dennis Hallman!” he says. “Dennis Hallman.”
“So, Victor Estrada was one of Dennis Hallman's guys. And I had always heard of Hallman's phenomenal skills and how he had these great students. It was a really good experience to go get, and I needed bigger fights on my résumé. This was so early on that the sport was just starting, and the UFC was where everybody wanted to be.”
Garcia didn’t know it at the time, but he limped out of the Tachi Palace with a souvenir from that head kick he landed on Estrada. He realized it in full when he was trucking back down the interstate with his battered group of friends. His leg was swollen, and the pain was unbearable. By the time they got to Arizona, the air-conditioning went out in the Cadillac. As it was the middle of summer, the temperatures swelled to over 100 degrees. Garcia began running a fever.
Leonard Garcia (left) became a fixture of the WEC, competing at WEC 1 and ending his run at WEC 52, the promotion's penultimate show.
Josh Hedges via Getty Images
“We all thought it was just because it was hot and there's no AC, but it starts getting really bad,” Garcia says. “I started feeling really weird and I told my friend Ramiro, who drove us all the way, ‘Hey man, take me to the emergency room. I don't feel normal.’”
It turned out, Garcia’s leg was fractured.
“It had been a full day since the fight on Saturday,” he says. “On Sunday morning we loaded up and we took off. So now it's Sunday evening and I'm pulling into the emergency room. My leg is broken, and they're like, ‘Do you have any insurance or anything?’ I was like, ‘Well, no, I fought for the WEC.’ And they're like, ‘Oh, well, can you get ahold of them?’”
So he called WEC founder Reed Harris, who’d seen Garcia limping after the event and therefore told him to get his leg checked out once he got back to Texas.
“They called Reed and said, ‘Hey man, we got one of your fighters here, and his leg is broken.’ Reed was like, ‘No way his leg is broken — he was walking!’ And they're like, ‘Yeah, we know, we don't know how the hell he walked in here, but he did.’”
That first WEC didn’t clean up at the box office, in fact it inevitably lost money, yet Harris didn’t hesitate to take care of all the medical expenses for his fighter.
“Everything,” Garcia says. “He took care of it all, man. He kept in contact with me afterward and was like, ‘I never want to have a bad name — this is who I am as a person. I just want you to know that.’ Literally, he could have thrown me to the dogs, but instead he made sure that my leg was fixed, and we became lifelong friends.”
That’s how the WEC got started.
WEC founder Reed Harris went on to have a long career with the UFC.
Josh Hedges via Getty Images
It all ends this Saturday with Cub Swanson, the last of the WEC fighters on the UFC’s roster. He will make the walk a final time against Nate Landwehr at UFC 327 in Miami, bringing an official close to an era. He is the last of a romantic past.
You can trace the WEC’s history to Cub through a series of strikes.
Leonard Garcia kicked Victor Estrada at WEC 1, breaking his leg in the process, and Estrada punched Rich Crunkilton at WEC 5: Halloween Fury. Crunkilton smacked Dave Jansen at WEC 43, who delivered a blow to Ricardo Lamas’ chin at WEC 50, who in turn punched Cub Swanson at the original UFC on FOX show when the whole thing evaporated into the past.
It’s a fraternity of blows that all ends with Swanson.
In between there were a flood of names that have those who remember seeing blue. Jens Pulver. Mike Brown. Miguel Torres and Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber. Cowboy. Peripheral names that filled out cards. George Roop. Cole Escovedo. Poppies Martinez. Eddie Wineland, who had that big knockout of Antonio Banuelos at WEC 20: Cinco de Mayhem.
Swanson was 23 when he debuted at the WEC against Tommy Lee at WEC 26, fresh off a nice run in King of the Cage. It was still a couple of months before the WEC would begin airing on Versus, yet well after Zuffa had purchased the great showcase of smaller bodies. In the time he’s been competing, whole worlds have moved. An industry worth millions now is worth many billions.
Cub Swanson punches John Franchi at WEC 44 at the Pearl Concert Theater on Nov. 18, 2009 in Las Vegas.
Josh Hedges via Getty Images
“I remember I was super nervous,” Swanson says. “Back then I was struggling as a fighter, trying to make ends meet, as I was coming up on the circuit. That meant I really couldn't afford to bring out a whole team. I'd just show up to the fights all alone and just stay to myself. And then when my coaches could get there right before weigh-ins, I’d feel a lot better.
“But that's kind of what gave everybody the impression that I was kind of a mean dude, because I would fight like that, but also just because I was always by myself. I just always had my guard up.”
A lone wolf, who many years later would be inducted into the UFC’s Hall of Fame for his epic crossroads with Doo Ho Choi in Toronto, a fight in which he refused to lose. Swanson made 10 times what Garcia did that night in his WEC debut at the Hard Rock Casino in Vegas, receiving $3,000 to show. There were bigger names from the blue-floor wars, those who became the story when the WEC integrated with the UFC in 2011.
Swanson fought — and lost — to a good many of them.
Pulver got him with an anaconda. Jose Aldo a flying knee. Chad Mendes had to grind, but he proved too much in the end. They all had great careers in the UFC, too, yet Swanson hit the ground running when he arrived to the big show. After a loss to Ricardo Lamas to kick off the UFC’s new partnership with FOX in 2011, he won six in a row.
While names like Cruz, Faber and Aldo got the headlines, it was Swanson who carried a chip on his shoulder.
“I remember talking to [UFC matchmaker] Sean [Shelby] on the phone, and he would give me the same speech like, ‘Hey, so Dennis Siver, he dropped down to 145, he's probably going to fight for a title. We want you to fight him.’” Swanson says. “And then, ‘Ross Pearson, he was doing well at ‘55, now he’s dropping to ‘45, we want you to fight him.’ And then, ‘Charles Olivera, we think him being at ‘45, he’s going to make a run for the title.’ So it was obvious that I was kind of the gatekeeper in a sense, but I was like, ‘Whatever, keep them coming.’”
Swanson is the last to walk. In his time he has seen it all passing by him, camp after camp, 44 pro fights in all. He has seen champions come and go, and the sport morph into what it has become. He has been celebrated as much as he has been overlooked, famous and anonymous.
Cub Swanson's legendary win over Doo Ho Choi is enshrined in the UFC Hall of Fame.
Jeff Bottari via Getty Images
“I remember distinctively, one moment, Michael Johnson was training with us at [Greg] Jackson's right before he went on ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ show, and he was a fan of all of us,” Swanson says. “This was still when the show was at its height, and they’d taped the show we were all in Canada together. He was happy to see us because it had been a while. I remember some fans came by and they walked right past the WEC guys, they had no clue who we were, yet they just bombarded him.
“It was weird. I remember him just looking at me and apologizing, and I'm like, ‘Nah, man, enjoy it. Good for you!’ But just seeing those guys who were in the UFC, getting acknowledged, the casual fans just didn't understand that we were those guys, too.”
Then there was Swanson’s fight with Mackens Semerzier, in what was Swanson’s swan song at WEC 52. It was at the Pearl at the Palms Casino, a small room that was perfect for the trademark blue cage. That card featured the galaxy of contenders and past and present champions, from Faber and Mendes to Joseph Benavidez, to Dustin Poirier and the flyweight GOAT, Demetrious Johnson. Swanson outlasted Semerzier in a classic battle that night. Then he outlasted everyone.
Now he’s the last man standing, closing out a most colorful era of MMA’s past.
Mar 1, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia offensive lineman Monroe Freeling (OL24) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
This year’s rumors are generally about the wide receiver and offensive tackle positions, with many believing that the Browns will actually trade down from the sixth overall pick. Monday, ESPN Cleveland host Tony Rizzo said he heard Cleveland is leaning toward drafting OT Monroe Freeling at the top of the draft, like WR Jordyn Tyson, and WR Carnell Tate is dropping:
Some Browns NFL Draft intel that @TheRealTRizzo has heard:
– OT at 6 and lean is Monroe Freeling – Browns like Jordyn Tyson – Carnell Tate could slip out of top 10 pic.twitter.com/0wwCmVT15K
It had previously been reported, by a number of folks in the media, that Cleveland was high on OT Kadyn Proctor, a very toolsy talent to mold into stardom.
While Rizzo thinks Tate is falling, Todd McShay thinks the opposite:
"Don't be surprised if Sonny Styles and Carnell Tate both go in the top 5." Styles not that surprising, but there seems to be momentum for Tate in the top 5 today pic.twitter.com/W7hO1gwcv9
Zac Jackson believes that the Browns are actually leaning toward selecting Tate, if they do not trade down, as he noted last week:
From last week and the close of the owners meetings: Why I think Carnell Tate might be the pick for the Browns at 6 and why Shedeur Sanders is the favorite to be QB1https://t.co/mWRmTPWF23
In checking with different sources, connected to the team and those connected with the league, offensive tackle has been the consistent theme I’ve heard, besides trade down, at the top of the draft. Many believe it is much easier to find a top wide receiver than an offensive tackle, including in this year’s crop.
There have been rumblings that Tyson’s injury and lack of progress could lead him to falling late in the first, and potentially the second round. Those concerns continue to be noted as the draft approaches:
A lot of people jumped on McGinn's quotes about Jordyn Tyson's toughness, but Jeremiah also seems to question it pic.twitter.com/bz4LrnlQeA
What does it all mean? That we really do not know what Berry and company are up to. This year, unlike last year, there are also more picks before Cleveland is on the clock. The Browns had a deal in place in advance if QB Cam Ward was selected first, and then were able to pull the trigger on the trade. There are significantly more variables when selecting sixth overall, including the possibility that Freeling, Tate, and/or Proctor are off the board already.
Do these kinds of rumors interest you as the NFL draft draws closer? How do you decide which ones to believe and which ones to throw out?
The situation with the Minnesota Vikings and their quarterback position has been fluid over the last two seasons. One of the things that has made it so fluid is the one-year deals they have been signing quarterbacks to as part of a bridge system, while also waiting for rookie J.J. McCarthy to emerge as their future.
Most coaches and playcallers do not like to force quarterbacks into their offenses. Rather, they would more often than not adjust things to fit the player's skillset. As The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue pointed out in a recent piece, Kevin O'Connell has a history of doing this, going back to his time with the Los Angeles Rams.
With his new quarterback, Kyler Murray, it may be the most talented passer he has worked with since his time with Sean McVay.
She explains, "But with a quarterback who has Murray’s mobility, the pistol especially can be incredibly effective. The quarterback can see the defense as if he’s in shotgun, with a full menu of motions at his disposal, while he is able to disguise the run direction and whether he or the running back will keep the ball. . .O’Connell was a key voice in installing a new offense with Rams coach Sean McVay in 2021 for quarterback Matthew Stafford. It featured significantly more shotgun plays than McVay had ever previously utilized. I’d expect O’Connell to revisit that playbook, among others."
While the J.J. McCarthy project remains on its last leg, the Murray experiment is just getting started. And as Rodrigue points out, history sides with Murray being able to pull this off with O'Connell.
The New England Patriots will be on the clock in just over two weeks, as the 2026 NFL Draft will kick off in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
And based on how free agency went, there are still a lot of needs the Patriots need to address.
So, let's get into another New England NFL mock draft.
Round 1, Pick 31: Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
The video of Mike Vrabel at Arizona State Pro Day with offensive tackle Max Iheanachor has gone viral, with many expecting the Patriots to now target him. However, given the limited number of tackles in free agency and the need for them across the league, it's unknown if Iheanachor will still be there at 31.
So if that's the case, and New England makes the decision not to trade up, then the other immediate need is at edge, and it happens to be a good class for that position.
The Patriots signed edge defender Dre’Mont Jones this offseason, having lost K’Lavon Chaisson while also releasing Anfernee Jennings and Jahlani Tavai. They still have Harold Landry, who wasn't playing at 100 percent last season due to a knee injury, as well as some other players who can fill in if needed. But they are in need of more help, and Young is a very good fit for New England's system.
Young finished the 2025 season with 57 pressures, 6.5 sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles.
Round 2, Pick 63: Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern
I had Tiernan projected to be selected by the Patriots in my second mock draft of the offseason, and things have not changed due to the need at edge.
Will Campbell is expected to remain as the team's starting left tackle, while Morgan Moses will remain on the right side. But there's no denying that Moses is closer to the end of his career, and the team needs more depth, with just James Hudson, Marcus Bryant, Sebastian Gutierrez, and Lorenz Metz currently on the roster.
Tiernan provides the Patriots with versatility, being a strong swing tackle prospect.
Round 3, Pick 95: Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma
Speed. That was the biggest takeaway from Oklahoma wide receiver Deion Burks' showing at the NFL Scouting Combine, having showcased elite speed, running at a 4.30-second 40-yard dash.
The Patriots signed Romeo Doubs in free agency, but also released Stefon Diggs. While there is a strong possibility A.J. Brown could be a member of the Patriots after June 1, they still need to plan as if he won't be right now, and adding a receiver in the early rounds is the way to do so.
Round 4, Pick 125: VJ Payne, S, Kansas State
New England fixed their immediate need at safety by signing Kevin Byard to a one-year deal, but what happens after the 2026 season? They need to plan, and VJ Payne helps them do so.
Round 4, Pick 131: Jack Endries, TE, Texas
While the Patriots have Hunter Henry, CJ Dippre, Marshall Lang, and Jack Westover on the roster, as well as recently signed Julian Hill, they need to plan for the future, and Endries is a good option.
He ran a 4.62-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, having finished his three collegiate seasons with 124 receptions for 1,376 yards and seven touchdowns.
Round 5, Pick 171: Landon Robinson, DT, Navy
The Patriots have Milton Williams and Christian Barmore, but they lost Khyiris Tonga to the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency. Landon Robinson is a 5-foot-11, 291-pound defensive tackle who finished last season with 64 total tackles and 6.5 sacks.
Round 6, Pick 191: Justin Jefferson, LB, Alabama
With the Patriots having released linebacker Jahlani Tavai and not re-signing Jack Gibbens, they need another linebacker on the roster. And at 6-foot-0, 223 pounds, Justin Jefferson (not the Vikings wide receiver) could be a good fit for the Patriots. In 2025, he truly showed what he was capable of, finishing with 85 tackles, three sacks, an interception, five passes defended, and a forced fumble. He also ran a 4.57-second 40-yard dash.
Having traded Garrett Bradbury to the Chicago Bears, with Eliot Wolf also planning to move Jared Wilson to center this season, the Patriots' depth at guard is thin. They signed Alijah Vera-Tucker, who will likely become the team's starting left guard, but behind him, they only really have Ben Brown. So adding a guard in the draft is a necessary move for the Patriots.
Round 6, Pick 202: Adam Randall, RB, Clemson
The Patriots released running back Antonio Gibson, with only starters Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson on the roster, along with Terrell Jennings and Lan Larison filling in the depth. But another running back to compete is always a good thing.
Round 6, Pick 212: Luke Altmyer, QB, Illinois
The Patriots released Joshua Dobbs while having signed Tommy DeVito to an extension. So with that, DeVito will move into the No. 2 spot behind Drake Maye, but they need a third quarterback on the roster, and Luke Altmyer is someone who can come into the program and learn behind two talented signal callers, as well as a Super Bowl-winning offensive coordinator.
Round 7, Pick 247: Quintayvious Hutchins, EDGE, Boston College
Mike Vrabel and the Patriots got a close look at Quintayvious Hutchins during Boston College's Pro Day, and given the team's need at the edge position, selecting two in the draft makes a lot of sense. Plus, Vrabel knows what he is getting from Hutchins, given his close relationship with Eagles head coach Bill O'Brien. During his Pro Day, Vrabel and Hutchins had a private chat, where he gave the edge prospect some feedback regarding his hand placement and how to leverage his body weight.
Proctor was named the Southland Conference Player of the Year after producing 9.0 sacks and 13 tackles for loss in 2025. He was also a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, which is given to the FCS Defensive Player of the Year.
A three-year starter and two-time all-conference pick, Proctor followed up a dominant senior season with an impressive showing at the NFL Scouting Combine. At 6-2 and 291 pounds, Proctor ran the 40-yard dash in 4.79 seconds, hit 33" in the vertical leap, covered 9-5 in the broad jump and finished the short shuttle in 4.71 seconds. His Relative Athletic Score is 9.14 out of 10.0. While on the smaller side, Proctor had explosive jumps and elite times in the 40.
Proctor ranks No. 107 on the consensus big board, making him a likely Day 2 or early Day 3 pick. The Packers hold picks No. 52 and No. 84 on Day 2 and No. 120 to start Day 3.
From Lance Zierlein's scouting report on NFL.com: "As an interior defender, Proctor is an elite athlete with rare playmaking range. He’s an elusive rusher with an explosive first step and the ability to unlock openings with varied approaches and angles. He’s also very undersized with limited recourse once linemen have him squared up and put hands on him. He lacks the anchor or contact balance to withstand power. Proctor needs to find a fit in a move-based defensive front where he can try to mismatch interior protection with his quickness and athletic gifts."
The Packers have an obvious need along the defensive interior. Given his size and playstyle, Proctor is almost certainly a 3-technique at the next level. It's possible the Packers see him as a Javon Hargrave type player capable of dominating the FCS level before becoming a valuable interior disruptor in the NFL.
Packers Wire is tracking all of the team's pre-draft visitors here.
TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — Colt Emerson had trouble hiding his smile Saturday.
The 20-year-old shortstop tried to keep a straight face through a pregame chat with reporters, but he couldn't help cracking when twice, Triple-A Tacoma teammates intervened with good-natured ribbing. That has come with the territory after the Seattle Mariners prospect signed a $95 million, eight-year contract last week — the biggest commitment ever for a minor leaguer yet to make his major league debut.
“It’s surreal,” Emerson said before the Rainiers’ doubleheader Saturday. “It’s great knowing that the Mariners have that confidence in me, and they’re willing to even give me an opportunity, and that they see me in such a high light.”
The Mariners have showered Emerson in praise. Whether it was manager Dan Wilson or president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto, multiple folks around the organization raved about Emerson’s character more so than his baseball skills last week.
Of course, nothing speaks as loudly as the contract. It surpassed Milwaukee outfielder Jackson Chourio's $82 million, eight-year deal signed in December 2023 as the biggest for a player before his first major league game. Such deals have become more common in recent seasons. Milwaukee signed a similar one with minor league shortstop Cooper Pratt for $50.75 million last week.
Dipoto said the team first engaged in contract discussions with Emerson’s agent in spring training, and it didn’t take long for the 22nd pick in the 2023 draft to decide he wanted to be in the Pacific Northwest for the long haul.
“We felt that this was the right time to put something in front of Colt that kept him a part of what’s happening with the Mariners through the prime years of his career,” Dipoto said. “He has run up the food chain so quickly because of his performance and his maturity, work habits.”
Emerson had a breakout year in 2025, when he hit .285 with an .842 OPS, 16 homers, 28 doubles and 78 RBIs across three levels and established himself as a big league-caliber defender. His shortstop skills were on full display Saturday afternoon as he took ground balls with teammates, methodically working on his transfer and throws.
When the product of John Glenn High School in New Concord, Ohio, was growing up, his dream was to be a major league player, and make a living doing so. While the former has yet to take place — and could be delayed after fouling a ball off his right foot Saturday — Emerson has secured his family’s financial future with an eight-figure contract, and provided some clarity about his future.
There's a chance Emerson left money on the table by signing now. His deal includes a team option for 2034, meaning his first shot at free agency will likely be delayed two or three seasons, when he'll be into his late 20s.
“Given the security of being in the same city for the next eight years, (it) just allows me to stay the same guy,” Emerson said. “I mean, I’m never planning to change as a person, and just happy to go out there and be a winning ballplayer for the team and do whatever they need me to do.”
As Dipoto noted shortly after the contract became official, there’s risk on both sides of the deal. For Seattle, a team that came one win away from its first World Series appearance last year, it’s committing a considerable amount of payroll to an unproven player.
Pratt and Emerson are the eighth and ninth players to sign long-term deals before their debut since Houston's Jon Singleton became the first in 2014. All of those have been hitters, and Pratt's agent, Scott Boras, doesn't expect that to change.
“If you have a precocious bat that is producing power and extraordinary minor league performance, you’ll see that,” Boras said after negotiating Pratt's deal. “But remember, that type of talent exhibiting at these ages at 20, where they’re major league ready at 20, 21, we’re going to go back and look at the sample size, and of the 4,000 minor leaguers, you’re only going to find a very, very small group that would even be approached.”
From Emerson's perspective, any risks with his new deal don’t come close to outweighing the rewards.
“I just see it as they want me to come up and be a winning player,” Emerson said, “and do anything I can to help the team win.”
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos (27) gets ready to bat during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images | Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
A splash may be in store for the New York Mets baseball team if things keep trending the right way. The Mets need a 1st baseman, as they keep testing a carousel of Mark Vientos, Jorge Polanco, and Brett Baty. The team can very well maintain this, but they would logically look to improve where the opportunity presents itself. Sometimes, those opportunities may not be obvious to the average fan, but they will come up. In this trade scenario, the Mets make a very interesting deal that deals away the red-hot Mark Vientos for phenom, Yandy Diaz.
Fantasy Baseball Impact
If Vientos joined the Rays, he would likely become the team's DH as a utility player. Vientos primarily plays 3rd base and will not leapfrog. Junior Caminero is in that spot. However, Diaz plays DH, and now, Vientos will. He can also slot in to play 1st base when needed. Surely, the Rays will leverage that ability.
Vientos would ultimately maintain much of the same in fantasy baseball. He will become a hopeful day-to-day player with quality power. His opportunity is much of the same as it stands in New York. Vientos plays nearly every day, but relies heavily on his performance. The better the baseball, the more he plays. That makes Vientos a must-own player, but a bench player much of the time. Currently, Vientos is actually a start given his heated start.
As for Diaz, he will remain a must-start item, of course. Diaz is an all-star caliber player. With the Mets, he will shift from being a DH to likely returning to 1st base. The Mets need an everday 1st baseman, and though Diaz is not an all-world fielder, he has vast experience at the position. Slotting into an elite Mets batting lineup, Diaz will bat in the top-5 of it, and that will actually up his fantasy baseball ranking with much more RBI and run-scoring ability.
Mock Trade Details
Mets Get:
1B/DH, Yandy Diaz
Rays Get:
3B/1B/DH, Mark Vientos
RHP, Raimon Gomez
Why the Mets Accept the Trade
The trade is simple on the Mets' end - they need a 1st baseman. While the team is trying to compensate for the loss of Pete Alonso, it may come to bite them when it matters most. Diaz is not an amazing 1st baseman, but he is average and serviceable in the field. The Mets can get Diaz, who is aging and may demand a big deal, in which the Mets might pay where the Rays wont.
Now, the odds that the Mets would sign Diaz to anything lengthy are low. He is 34-years-old. However, the Mets could sign Diaz to a mid-term deal with the money he so desires.
The Mets will part ways with Vientos, sold high. That is classic sales. Vientos is firing on all cylinders, and the Mets can trade him as he falls victim to being an undefined, surplus player.
Why the Rays Accept the Trade
Diaz's departure may make fans scratch their heads. However, it aligns with the team's long-term goals. Diaz is aging, and he may be leaving sooner or later. Diaz plays DH, so the team loses no positional need. They can simply make this deal for a younger player in Vientos, who is cheaper and under team control, with hitting upside that could be among the top 20% of MLB players.
The Rays can be sneaky in this deal and gun for a high-upside prospect. Gomez is a wonder of the minor leagues, said to touch up to 105 MPH on his fastball, and often 97-103. Why not? He could become an elite closer if angled well.
Crypto is moving into regulated portfolios, including U.S. retirement plans. That shift matters less for long-term allocation and more for how digital assets are used: as collateral.
A recent proposal from the U.S. Labor Department would allow 401(k) plans to include cryptocurrencies under a defined legal framework for fiduciaries. This signals that crypto is being placed alongside private equity and private credit—assets typically used not only for growth, but for structured finance.
Once an asset enters that category, its role changes. It stops being purely speculative and starts functioning as part of a broader financial system.
From speculative asset to collateral base
Institutional inclusion brings a different set of requirements. Assets held in retirement accounts are expected to support liquidity, risk management, and capital efficiency. Crypto is beginning to meet those expectations.
Bitcoin and other large-cap assets are increasingly treated as:
Long-term stores of value
Yield-generating balancesc
Collateral for borrowing
This shift aligns with a broader trend already visible in lending markets. Crypto-backed credit lines and loans are no longer limited to short-term leverage trades. They are being used to unlock liquidity while maintaining exposure to underlying assets.
The logic is simple. If an asset is held for the long term, selling it to access cash becomes inefficient.
Why borrowing BTC replaces selling
The case for borrowing against crypto has strengthened in 2026 for two reasons.
First, taxation. In most jurisdictions, selling crypto triggers capital gains. With reporting frameworks expanding globally, including OECD-led initiatives and regional regulations, liquidation is becoming more visible and more costly.
Second, market structure. Crypto remains volatile, but long-term holders tend to treat drawdowns as temporary. Selling during a downturn locks in losses. Borrowing avoids that outcome.
This leads to a different approach:
Keep BTC or ETH as core holdings
Use them as collateral
Access liquidity without exiting positions
In practice, crypto starts to behave like real estate or equities—assets that are rarely sold outright, but frequently used to secure credit.
The evolution of crypto lending
As the role of crypto changes, lending models are adjusting.
Early crypto loans followed a fixed structure. Borrowers locked collateral, received a lump sum, and paid interest on the full amount from day one. Terms were rigid, and costs accumulated even when capital was not actively used.
Newer models focus on flexibility and capital efficiency.
Key changes include:
Interest based on loan-to-value (LTV) rather than flat rates
No fixed repayment schedules
Access to revolving credit instead of one-time loans
The shift mirrors traditional finance, where credit lines are often more efficient than fixed loans for managing liquidity.
Clapp Offers Flexibility with Credit Line Model
This transition is visible in platforms that treat borrowing as an ongoing tool.
Clapp.finance follows a credit-line model instead of a traditional loan structure. Users deposit crypto as collateral and receive a borrowing limit. From there, capital can be drawn when needed, rather than taken all at once.
The mechanics are straightforward:
Interest applies only to the amount actually used
Unused credit carries 0% APR if LTV is kept under 20%
Repaid funds immediately restore available credit
There is no fixed repayment schedule
This structure reduces the cost of holding unused liquidity and gives users more control over timing.
Clapp also supports multi-collateral borrowing, allowing users to combine assets such as BTC, ETH, and stablecoins within a single credit line. This can improve capital efficiency and reduce concentration risk.
Access to funds is continuous. Borrowing, repayment, and collateral management are available at any time, without operational delays.
In the context of institutional adoption, this type of structure aligns with how capital is typically managed: drawn when needed, repaid when convenient, and optimized around cost.
A shift in how crypto is used
The inclusion of crypto in retirement frameworks does not immediately change retail behaviour. What it does change is the underlying assumption about what crypto represents.
If digital assets are treated as part of long-term portfolios, they become less likely to be sold and more likely to be used.
That shift has practical implications:
Liquidity is accessed through borrowing rather than liquidation
Collateral management becomes part of portfolio strategy
Lending products move toward flexibility and cost efficiency
Borrowing against crypto is not a workaround for market volatility. It is becoming a standard way to manage capital.
Conclusion
The expansion of crypto into regulated portfolios signals a broader transition. Digital assets are moving into the financial core, where they support lending, liquidity, and long-term capital planning.
In that environment, the question is how to do it efficiently. Flexible credit models, low-LTV strategies, and on-demand liquidity are likely to define the next phase of crypto lending. For users who want to retain exposure while accessing capital, borrowing against Bitcoin is becoming a practical, structured approach rather than a niche tactic.
In another blow to the decentralized finance giant, Chaos Labs has announced it will step away from its role as a key risk manager for Aave, raising new concerns about the protocol’s operational stability and governance direction.
The decision, shared publicly on Aave’s governance forum, shows growing tensions within the DAO over how risk should be managed as the protocol scales.
A Deepening Rift Over Risk Strategy
Chaos Labs did not frame its exit as abrupt or reactionary. Instead, the firm described a “fundamental misalignment” in how risk management should evolve within Aave’s ecosystem.
After three years of involvement, including navigating volatile market cycles and scaling challenges, the firm argued that discussions around the protocol’s future only made the gap in vision more apparent.
At the heart of the disagreement is not just technical execution, but governance philosophy: who bears responsibility for risk, and how that responsibility should be funded and structured.
Mounting Operational Pressure
The firm outlined three pressures that made its continued involvement untenable:
A shrinking pool of core contributors, increasing workload and operational exposure
The upcoming V4 upgrade, which expands the scope and legal burden of risk management
Persistent financial strain, with risk operations reportedly running at a loss
Chaos Labs revealed that even with a $1 million increase in budget, its work on Aave would still operate with negative margins, a situation it deemed unsustainable.
A Pattern of Departures
The exit does not occur in isolation. Other contributors, including BGD Labs and Aave Companies Initiative (ACI), have also stepped back in recent months.
This pattern could mean a broader structural issue within Aave’s DAO, where increasing complexity and expectations may be outpacing incentives and coordination mechanisms.
What This Means for Aave
Aave remains one of the largest DeFi protocols globally, but the departure of multiple core contributors could test its resilience.
Risk management is not a peripheral function in DeFi. It is central to maintaining liquidity, protecting users, and ensuring protocol solvency during market stress.
Chaos Labs’ exit raises a critical question: can Aave recalibrate its governance and incentive structures quickly enough to retain and attract the expertise it depends on?
Price predictions for 2026 range from $0.70 to $1.20.
ARB could extend toward $6 by 2030, if recovery structure holds.
Arbitrum (ARB), one of the leading Layer-2 scaling solutions on Ethereum, is currently navigating a phase where strong ecosystem relevance contrasts with prolonged price weakness. While the network continues to play a key role in DeFi and Layer-2 infrastructure, its price action has remained under sustained pressure.
Following an extended downtrend, ARB is now stabilizing near lower demand zones, suggesting that selling momentum may be gradually easing. However, the absence of strong upside movement indicates that the market remains in a transitional phase rather than a confirmed recovery.
This creates a critical question: is Arbitrum forming a long-term base after capitulation, or does the structure still reflect weak demand? With 2026 already underway, attention now shifts to whether ARB can reclaim key resistance levels and transition into a recovery phase. Read on as we break down Arbitrum’s April outlook and full-year price trajectory.
As we move through early 2026, Arbitrum’s price action reflects a market transitioning from a prolonged downtrend into a stabilization phase. After consistent downside pressure, ARB found support near the $0.08–$0.10 demand zone, where selling momentum has started to ease. Since then, price has been consolidating, indicating early signs of base formation.
Currently, ARB is trading just below a key resistance zone near $0.10–$0.12, which remains critical for any shift in structure. A sustained move above this level could trigger a recovery toward the $0.15–$0.18 range, with further upside toward $0.20 if momentum strengthens.
In this context, Arbitrum in April may reach the $0.15–$0.18 range, provided resistance is reclaimed. However, failure to break higher may keep ARB range-bound, with downside risk toward $0.06 if the $0.08 support fails.
Coinpedia’s Arbitrum (ARB) Price Prediction 2026
The broader outlook for Arbitrum in 2026 suggests a market transitioning from a prolonged downtrend into a potential recovery phase, with scope for a significant structural shift if key levels are reclaimed. Following its earlier cycle highs, ARB entered a sustained bearish phase throughout 2025, marked by a descending resistance structure and consistent lower highs. This trend extended into early 2026, eventually pushing the price into a deep value zone where it is now attempting to stabilize.
At present, ARB is forming a base near its lower demand region, indicating that downside pressure is gradually weakening. This phase typically reflects early accumulation, where long-term participants begin positioning ahead of a potential trend reversal.
Looking ahead, the primary objective for ARB is to reclaim its immediate resistance near $0.12, followed by stronger structural levels around $0.18 and $0.20. A breakout above these zones would signal a shift in market structure, opening the path for a broader recovery. If this recovery phase gains traction, supported by renewed liquidity, Layer-2 adoption, and ecosystem growth, ARB could gradually move toward the $0.70 to $1.20 range, representing a return toward higher valuation bands seen in previous cycles.
However, such a move would require sustained strength and confirmation across multiple resistance levels. Until then, the asset remains in a rebuilding phase, where failure to hold the $0.08 support could delay recovery and extend consolidation.
Recent Catalysts For Arbitrum (ARB)
Ecosystem development and upgrades continue, reinforcing long-term positioning within Ethereum scaling. Layer-2 competition intensifies, keeping pressure on Arbitrum despite strong ecosystem presence. DeFi liquidity on Arbitrum remains stable, supporting underlying network activity.
Arbitrum Crypto Price Prediction 2026 – 2030
Year
Potential Low ($)
Potential Average ($
Potential High ($)
2026
0.70
1.00
1.20
2027
1.00
2.00
2.80
2028
1.40
2.70
4.00
2029
3.00
4.20
5.20
2030
4.60
5.00
7.00
Arbitrum Price Forecast 2026
The Arbitrum price range in 2026 is expected to be between $0.70 and $1.20.
ARB Crypto Price Prediction 2027
Arbitrum (ARB) price range can be between $1.70 to $2.80 during the year 2027.
Arbitrum Coin Price Prediction 2028
In 2028, the Arbitrum price is forecasted to potentially reach a low price of $1.40. and a high price of $4.00.
ARB Price Prediction 2029
Thereafter, the Arbitrum (ARB) price for the year 2029 could range between $3.00 and $5.20.
Arbitrum(ARB) Price Prediction 2030
Finally, in 2030, the price of Arbitrum is predicted to remain steadily positive. It may trade between $4.60 and $7.00.
Based on the historic data and trend analysis of the cryptocurrency along with the market sentiments, here are the possible Arbitrum price targets for the longer time frames.
Year
Potential Low ($)
Potential Average ($)
Potential High ($)
2031
4.00
5.80
8.00
2032
5.00
7.30
9.80
2033
6.50
8.20
11.00
2040
9.00
13.00
20.00
2050
13.00
22.00
32.00
Arbitrum (ARB) Price Prediction: Market Analysis?
Year
2026
2027
2030
Changelly
$1.20
$2.40
$6.00
DigitalCoinPrice
$1.90
$2.60
$5.70
WalletInvestor
$25.60
$1.00
$5.20
CoinPedia’s Arbitrum Price Prediction
Based on current technical structure and observed market behavior, Coinpedia’s price outlook implies that Arbitrum (ARB) price is expected to trade between $0.70 and $1.20 in 2026, assuming price remains above its long-term support zone. Over the longer term, if market sentiment remains positive and recovery persists, Arbitrum could potentially reach a price range of $3 to $6 by 2030.
Year
Potential Low ($)
Potential Average ($)
Potential High ($)
2026
0.70
1.00
1.20
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FAQs
What is the Arbitrum (ARB) price prediction for 2026?
In 2026, ARB is expected to trade between $0.70 and $1.20 if it holds key support and confirms a long-term recovery trend.
What is the ARB price prediction for 2030?
ARB price prediction for 2030 suggests a potential range between $4.60 and $7.00, assuming sustained adoption and market growth.
What is the Arbitrum price prediction for 2040?
Arbitrum price prediction for 2040 indicates a possible range of $9 to $20 if Ethereum scaling demand remains strong long term.
What is the Arbitrum price prediction for 2050?
Arbitrum price prediction for 2040 indicates a possible range of $9 to $20 if Ethereum scaling demand remains strong long term.
What could impact Arbitrum’s price the most?
ARB price is influenced by Ethereum activity, Layer-2 adoption, overall crypto market trends, and broader investor sentiment.
Is Arbitrum a good long-term investment?
Arbitrum shows long-term potential due to Ethereum adoption, but ARB remains volatile and best suited for investors with risk tolerance.
Microsoft MVP Lance McCarthy highlights how easy it actually is to add AI to an app using Microsoft's Windows AI APIs during development. I want to see more of this type of AI and less of the unecessary bloat that's giving it a bad name.
Intel's upcoming "Nova Lake" CPU generation, part of the Core Ultra 400 series, will be a major refresh of the company's P and E-core hybrid design. While many specifications have been largely leaked, the exact integrated GPU configuration remained a mystery until now. One of the most reliable Intel leakers, Jaykihn, has revealed that Intel plans to use the Xe3 generation of graphics, which is found in the current "Panther Lake" Arc B300 series of integrated GPUs. The display and media engine will come from the Xe3P "Crescent Island." Previously, we reported the source's claim that the "Nova Lake" display and media engine would incorporate some IP elements from the Xe4 "Druid" generation of graphics. However, the actual underlying hardware is not related to Xe4 and instead borrows IP from Xe3P.
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The company, which commands 37% of the global electric vehicle battery market and 22% of the energy storage segment, has already equipped roughly 900 ships with its batteries. Most of these are small, nearshore vessels that operate along China's coastlines, at ports, or on inland waterways.
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Apple plans to ask the Supreme Court to review its App Store fight with Epic Games, as it challenges a ruling limiting its ability to charge fees on external payments.
MetricSign monitors your Power BI datasets every five minutes and tells you when something breaks, such as a failed refresh, a missing column, or a changed schedule. Each alert includes the exact error, what caused it, and a direct link to fix it in Power BI. It works with ADF, Fabric Pipelines, and Databricks too, so you can see the full chain from source to dashboard. Setup takes two minutes: sign in with Microsoft, pick your workspaces, and you're done.
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Carnival Cruise Line is kicking off its second summer Fun-ternship Program, giving more than 100 high school students ages 17 and older hands-on experience in cruise terminal operations at six U.S. homeports. The program returns to Baltimore, Tampa, Jacksonville, Norfolk, New York City and Long Beach following a successful debut in summer 2025, the company...
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The Q01 is a new pair of smart glasses. It is intended to be particularly useful for athletes and also supports video recording. The gadget can even be used with voice assistants, although it is not necessarily an AR headset.
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The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to launch in September this year alongside a couple other new devices, one of them being the iPhone Air 2, at least that’s what it seems for now. The iPhone 18, on the other hand, will come out next year.
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The Arduino UNO Media Carrier is a new expansion board that is relatively affordable and is intended to significantly expand the capabilities of compatible developer boards and single-board computers. As the name suggests, the focus is primarily on media functions.
The Crimson Desert platinum trophy demands an enormous time commitment. Even so, PS5 players are gradually becoming Pywel Legends after devoting hundreds of hours to the game. The size of the maps and the variety of side activities make the 35 achievements more intimidating.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 will be available in the market starting April 22, but it looks like pricing for the CPU has already leaked. The chip touts 13% performance uplift in some tasks compared to the Ryzen 9 9950X3D, but the leaked price tag seems a bit exorbitant.
Former Rockstar Games audio designer Robb Carr says Grand Theft Auto VI is likely to reuse and expand systems from Red Dead Redemption 2, citing how GTA V adapted RDR’s Dead Eye into character abilities. He suggests GTA VI could similarly incorporate RDR2-style realism and reactive world mechanics, such as reputation-driven NPC behavior, while emphasizing he has no insider details and is only speculating.
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Galaxy S26 Ultra update screen
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Neymar Jr. continues to pursue a spot with Brazil for the 2026 World Cup, shining with Santos after his meniscus surgery. However, the veteran has gone a step further, as he has reportedly undergone another procedure, aiming to convince Carlo Ancelotti of his return.
Despite not being called up by Brazil since Carlo Ancelotti’s arrival, Neymar Jr. remains focused on earning his place at the 2026 World Cup. Following his knee surgery, the veteran has been thriving with Santos, playing a key role both as a scorer and a creator. After not being included in the most recent friendlies, Neymar reportedly underwent another procedure on his knee, seeking to reach full physical condition for the anticipated tournament.
According to Estadao Esporte, Neymar Jr. decided to undergo a regenerative procedure on his knee, aiming to convince Carlo Ancelotti that he is in full shape to compete with Brazil in the 2026 World Cup. Using his own blood, this procedure seeks to accelerate the healing of micro-injuries and strengthen joint tissues. With this, the veteran aims to prove his full physical condition ahead of the tournament.
Neymar Jr. has followed a strategy of managing his playing time, not featuring in every Santos match. As a result, the veteran has been able to boost his performances, recording three goals and three assists in six games. Beyond the statistics, he remains the team’s best player, creating space and distributing play to his teammates. For this reason, the 34-year-old star is pushing for a return to Brazil’s national team.
Even though the veteran has been impressing, Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly not convinced about his return to Brazil. Instead, he is looking toward alternatives that can deliver immediate results, with Endrick, Igor Thiago, and Lucas Paquetá emerging as the leading options. However, Neymar could still push for a return to the national team by continuing to deliver solid performances with Santos.
Neymar Junior of Santos runs with the ball in front of Fagner of Cruzeiro with his knee protected.
Neymar Jr. could be a major boost for Brazil at the 2026 World Cup
After his numerous injuries, Neymar Jr. is no longer at the same level he showed during his time at PSG or Barcelona. However, he has managed to adapt his style of play, becoming more of a creative midfielder rather than a dribbling winger. While this could raise some doubts, the veteran could still elevate the performances of players like Vinicius Jr. or João Pedro at the 2026 World Cup.
Neymar’s potential presence would attract the attention of opposing defenders, opening up space for his teammates to shine. Moreover, Brazil still lacks a player capable of dictating play and finding spaces the way the veteran does. In addition, he could be key in the rotation, bringing a different rhythm against more compact defenses—something that could be common in the anticipated tournament.
Neymar Junior of Santos looks on during the Brasileirao 2026 match.
Although Xabi Alonso had emerged as the ideal solution for Real Madrid, he ultimately ended up being dismissed amid reported dressing room issues. In response, Vinicius Jr. revealed that he had problems with the former head coach during his time at the club.
Following Carlo Ancelotti’s departure, Xabi Alonso emerged as the ideal solution for Real Madrid, as he was coming off an impressive spell with Bayer Leverkusen. However, he was dismissed just a few months after his arrival, amid poor results and reported dressing room issues. Far from hiding these differences,Vinicius Jr. has acknowledged having difficulties with Xabi Alonso during his tenure as head coach.
“I played matches, but only a few minutes. But every coach has their own methods, and I didn’t connect the way he (Xabi Alonso) wanted. Still, it was a learning experience, and I hope I can continue with Arbeloa, with whom I have a wonderful connection and who has always given me confidence… With Arbeloa, I’ve had a special connection, like I did with Ancelotti. He has always made clear what he wants from me,” Vinicius Jr. said in the latest press conference.
Under Xabi Alonso, the Brazilian had a less prominent role on the offensive end, taking on multiple defensive responsibilities. As a result, he delivered fairly inconsistent performances, leading to him being frequently substituted—something that did not usually happen. In response, Vinicius Jr. reportedly paused his renewal, making it clear that he did not see a future at the club if the Spanish coach remained in charge.
Despite being dismissed, Xabi maintained solid performances at Real Madrid, recording 5 losses, 20 wins, and 3 draws in 28 matches, outperforming Álvaro Arbeloa. Alongside this, he aimed for a dominant style of play, building his attack around Kylian Mbappé. As the season progressed, the Spaniard was forced to adapt his approach, as the absence of an organizing midfielder defined his short stint at the club.
Xabi Alonso, Head Coach of Real Madrid, consoles Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid.
Xabi Alonso lacked the players to impose his style at Real Madrid
Upon his arrival at Los Blancos, coach Xabi reportedly requested the signing of a playmaking midfielder, which was also turned down. As a result, the front office expected Eduardo Camavinga or Jude Bellingham to step up in that role. However, neither of them managed to truly excel in that aspect, leading to a constant imbalance within the team.
Alongside these issues, the coach failed to properly fit Vinicius as a forward, instead deploying him as a left wing-back, while relying on Bellingham and Guler as attacking midfielders behind Mbappé. Ultimately, Xabi Alonso’s departure can be summed up by his attempt to adapt the players to his system rather than adjusting his system to suit his players. As a result, the Spaniard was dismissed, leaving fans disappointed.
has instructed to take on one man in particular if he manages to claim world honours once again. Neither Crawford or Canelo have fought since their clash back in September, which saw ‘Bud’ earn a unanimous decision victory to become undisputed super-middleweight world champion. Crawford went on to announce his retirement from the sport, while […]
The upcoming battle between and will no longer be happening. Smith last fought in February 2025 when he was involved in a fight of the year contender against Joshua Buatsi, claiming the unanimous decision win in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to secure the WBO interim light heavyweight title. Over 12 months on from that bout, he was […]
İstanbul Gençlikspor: Emre Berat Fırat, Sercan Yüksel Bidak, Padar, Sharifi, Fatih Eren Uğur, Mejias (Abdulsamet Yalçın, Yiğit Savaş Kaplan, Caner Çiçekoğlu, Mert Nevzat Güneş, Hakan Koçal)
Galatasaray Teknik Direktörü Okan Buruk, çarşamba günü Göztepe ile oynayacakları maç öncesi sosyal medya hesabından bir paylaşım yaptı.
Trendyol Süper Lig'in 28. haftasında Trabzonspor'a dış sahada 2-1 mağlup olan Galatasaray'da moraller bozulurken, gözler Göztepe ile oynanacak maça çevrildi.
Alınan bu yenilginin ardından sarı-kırmızılı ekibin takipçileriyle olan puan farkı bire kadar düştü.
Ligdeki kritik derbi sonuçlarının da eklenmesiyle taraftarların teknik heyet ve oyunculara yönelik eleştirileri yoğunlaştı. Şampiyonluk yarışında hata yapma şansının kalmadığını düşünen camia için önümüzdeki deplasman mücadelesi hayati bir önem taşıyor.
'BURAYA KADAR SİZ GETİRDİNİZ...'
Bu zorlu atmosferde takımına ve camiaya olan inancını tazelemek isteyen Galatasaray Teknik Direktörü Okan Buruk, 8 Nisan Çarşamba günü oynanacak zorlu deplasman öncesinde sosyal medya üzerinden dikkat çeken bir harekette bulundu.
Deneyimli teknik direktör, taraftar grubu ultrAslan'ın hazırladığı ve üzerinde "Buraya kadar siz getirdiniz, şampiyonluk kupasını kaldıracak olan yine sizlersiniz" ifadesi yer alan görseli kişisel hesabından takipçileriyle paylaştı.
Buruk, bu hamlesiyle hem oyuncularına olan güvenini aşıladı hem de camiaya kenetlenme çağrısında bulunarak paylaşımına "Konsantrasyon" notunu ekledi.
Almanya Bundesliga ekiplerinden Hoffenheim, savunma hattının bel kemiği Ozan Kabak'ı bırakmıyor. Alman kulübü 2030 yılına kadar sürecek yeni bir kontrat için görüşmelerde son aşamaya geldi.
Hoffenheim’da sergilediği istikrarlı performansla Avrupa devlerinin radarında olan Ozan Kabak için kulübü TSG Hoffenheim karşı atağa geçti.
Sportif direktörler Andreas Schicker ve Frank Pajduch, takımın savunma liderini uzun yıllar kadroda tutmak adına düğmeye bastı.
Sky'daki haberin detaylarına göre yönetim, Ozan Kabak’ı takımın “anahtar oyuncusu” olarak tanımlıyor.
Başarılı stoperin, ligde oynanan son 9 maçın tamamına ilk 11’de başlaması ve sergilediği performans, bu kararın alınmasında en büyük etken oldu.
İMZALAR AN MESELESİ
Taraflar arasındaki görüşmelerin "son düzlükte" olduğu belirtilirken, henüz nihai bir resmi anlaşma imzalanmadı.
Ancak tarafların prensipte anlaştığı ve 2030 yılına kadar sürecek olan bu kontratın kısa süre içinde resmiyet kazanması bekleniyor.
In this case study, we went deep instead of broad. We focused on one question: why wasn’t a brand present in a single ChatGPT prompt across ~70 iterations?
We chose one prompt: “What are the best hotels in New York City?”
We analyzed mentions, citations, fanouts, and SERPs in Google and Bing. We also planned to analyze GPT memory, but it made no discernible difference to mentions, citations, or fanouts.
What we did and what we found
We chose NYC hotels because it’s a crowded, mature market with juggernauts and up-and-comers. We also have no connection to the NYC luxury hotel space — we intentionally picked an area where we could stay objective and learn from scratch.
After running the prompt “what are the best hotels in New York City” 68 times, we identified which hotels appeared most consistently and which were nearly invisible.
We chose the Baccarat Hotel as our “client” because it appeared only once (1.5% of the time), despite strong reviews and clear alignment with the prompt’s intent. We wanted to know why — and whether it could change that.
Key findings:
You can dominate query fanouts on Google SERPs and still underperform in ChatGPT brand mentions.
Bing matters most. Ranking in Bing articles for fanouts aligns more directly with ChatGPT mentions — not just citations.
In verticals dominated by third-party content, you face complex digital PR paths to increase visibility.
Note: A full methodology breakdown appears in the appendix.
Mentions of the Baccarat vs. the Fifth Avenue Hotel show just how wide the disparity in ChatGPT visibility can be
The Baccarat Hotel appeared once in 68 trials (1.5%).
Top performers were large luxury hotels like the Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown.
ChatGPT also identified boutique hotels as a subcategory, generating a secondary list in its answers. Boutique hotels like the Baccarat are typically smaller and not part of large chains.
Within this boutique subcategory, the Baccarat still underperformed. The Fifth Avenue Hotel, the top-performing boutique property, appeared 13 times, cited 20% of the time, versus the Baccarat’s 1.5%.
Reputation can’t explain visibility disparities
We first checked whether anything in the hotel’s history or reputation could explain the gap. As the chart below shows, nothing significant did:
The Baccarat
The Fifth Avenue
Year Founded
2015
2023
Current Price
$930
$563
Number of Google Reviews
1.3k
213
Google Reviews Rating
4.6
4.6
Number of Expedia Reviews
531
201
Expedia Reviews Rating
9.4
9.6
Overall, the Baccarat has been around longer and has more reviews. On quality, the Fifth Avenue Hotel has no edge in Google reviews and only a slight edge in Expedia reviews. The only area where the Baccarat lags is price — but that’s unlikely the issue when The Ritz-Carlton, a consistent non-boutique winner, is listed at $1,100.
Further reinforcing the Fifth Avenue’s underdog status: one of its most prominent Google results (rank 2) was a Wikipedia page for a different Fifth Avenue Hotel that closed in 1908, creating potential entity confusion similar to the two Danny Goodwins.
If the Fifth Avenue Hotel had been the one missing, it would suggest a less established brand with entity confusion. But the opposite happened — it prevailed in ChatGPT.
So what was the problem for the Baccarat Hotel?
Winning Google SERPs for query fanouts doesn’t help, but winning Bing SERPs does
When ChatGPT performs a web search, it sends a series of queries you can extract via Chrome DevTools. In this case study, examples included:
[Best hotels in new york city]
[Top rated luxury hotels in new york city recommendations]
[Best hotels in nyc top luxury and boutique hotels new york]
[Best luxury and boutique hotels in new york city recommendations reviews]
[Best hotels in new york city nyc top hotels]
[Top hotels in nyc luxury boutique best places to stay new york city]
In total, we extracted 25 unique query fanouts.
What we saw in the Google SERPs
If we only looked at the articles dominating fanout SERPs in Google, we’d expect the Baccarat to narrowly outperform the Fifth Avenue in ChatGPT. That didn’t happen.
In the table below, the Baccarat “wins” three of the top 10 most frequently appearing pages, while the Fifth Avenue Hotel “wins” two. The other five feature neither. A “win” means one of the following:
The Baccarat is listed as a “one key” hotel, placing it at the bottom of the list. The Fifth Avenue Hotel is listed as a “two key” hotel, placing it in the middle of the list.
Both mentioned, but the Fifth Avenue much more positively
What we saw in the Bing SERPs
By contrast, looking only at the articles dominating fanout SERPs in Bing, we’d expect the Fifth Avenue to outperform the Baccarat in ChatGPT — and it did.
In the table below, the Fifth Avenue “wins” five of the eight most frequently appearing URLs.
Note: The table includes two fewer URLs because Bing SERPs were slightly less diverse for these fanouts.
Both are listed, but the Fifth Avenue is listed under “Our Top Picks”
https://travel.usnews.com/hotels/new_york_ny/
The Baccarat
The Baccarat is #11 on the list, the Fifth Avenue is #16
The connection between Bing visibility and brand mentions
Bing rank strongly predicts ChatGPT citations — 87% align with Bing’s top results, Seer Interactive found. Our case study supports this and extends it.
We examined the relationship between fanouts (Seer focused on prompts) and brand mentions.
Example mention: “For a luxury boutique feel: listings like The Fifth Avenue Hotel or Crosby Street Hotel consistently make ‘top NYC’ lists from travel editors.”
Mentions are often more valuable than citations. Most people won’t follow citations but will remember the top recommendation.
There’s ongoing debate about whether fanouts shape ChatGPT’s answers and mentions, or simply support answers generated from training data. For example, Leigh McKenzie argued on LinkedIn:
“The citations you see at the bottom? Those are surfaced after the answer is generated, not before. It’s post-hoc rationalization. The model didn’t choose your brand because it found your URL. It generated an answer based on what it already knows, then pointed to sources that support it.”
By contrast, our data aligns with Beehiiv’s research, which suggests citations do shape mentions.
Training data doesn’t appear to be the issue for the Baccarat. Compared to the Fifth Avenue, it’s older, has more reviews, and holds similarly high ratings across major platforms. What it lacks is strong presence in Bing results for fanouts and citations, which appears to lead to fewer mentions.
A simple flow might look like this:
Brand ranks in Bing → ChatGPT fanouts pull in Bing pages → ChatGPT synthesizes training and Bing data to generate mentions
Coda: A tale of two Forbes articles, or why the details matter
In this vertical, third parties like Forbes and Condé Nast control the space. Visibility depends on who mentions you, so you need a strong outreach strategy — not just updates to your own content.
Our data shows that “targeting Forbes” isn’t specific enough.
The top result surfaced in both Bing and ChatGPT was the same Forbes article. In Google, the most frequent fanout result was also a Forbes article — but a different one.
As we’ve seen, getting into Google’s Forbes article likely wouldn’t provide a meaningful boost. The Baccarat “won” in that piece.
Getting into Bing’s Forbes article, where the Baccarat wasn’t mentioned, could make all the difference. This requires a highly surgical approach grounded in Bing data.
Generalities won’t work; detail reigns supreme.
Appendix: Methodology
Model: We prompted GPT-5.2 Instant and manually extracted results. We didn’t use APIs within ChatGPT.
Number of iterations: We ran the same prompt 68 times.
Prompt: “What are the best hotels in New York City?”
Settings: We tested three memory states:
Saved memories off
Saved memories on, using unrelated real user memories
Saved memories on, with one memory about needing gluten-free travel accommodations
For all trials, we turned off “reference chat history” to avoid interference across iterations.
We expected differences based on memory settings but found none, so we treated all trials as a single dataset.
Bu gün futbol üzrə Azərbaycan çempionatında (Premyer Liqa) 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 26-cı turunun növbəti oyunu keçirilib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, ikinci oyun günündə bir qarşılaşma baş tutub.
Günün yeganə oyununda “Qarabağ” “Karvan”ı qəbul edib. Tofiq Bəhramov adına Respublika stadionunda keçirilmiş oyunun baş hakimi Kamranbəy Rəhimov olub. Ağdam təmsilçisi bu oyunda 3 xalı 7 cavabsız qolla qazanıb.
Xatırladaq ki, daha öncə keçirilmiş oyunlarda “Kəpəz” “Qəbələ”yə (0:2), “Sumqayıt” “Neftçi”yə (1:3) uduzub. “İmişli” – “Turan Tovuz”, “Zirə” – “Şamaxı” və “Araz-Naxçıvan” – “Sabah” matçları isə sabah keçiriləcək.
Premyer Liqa 26-cı tur 6 aprel
“Qarabağ” – “Karvan” 7:0 Qollar: Leandro Andrade, 23; 64. Kamilo Duran, 31; 45; 48. Dani Bolt, 40. Abdullah Zubir, 43. Hakimlər: Kamranbəy Rəhimov, Asiman Əzizli, Kərim Zeynalov, Əkbər Əhmədov. VAR: Emin Əliyev. AVAR: Əliyar Ağayev. Hakim-inspektor: Rəhim Həsənov. AFFA nümayəndəsi: İlham Əliyev. Bakı. Tofiq Bəhramov adına Respublika Stadionu, 19:00.
Qarabağ: 99. Mateus Koxalski, 44. Elvin Cəfərquliyev, 10. Abdullah Zubir (k), 81. Kevin Medina, 20. Kadi Borges, 2. Mateus Silva, 9. Xoni Montiel, 18. Dani Bolt, 15. Leandro Andrade, 35. Pedro Bikalyo, 17. Kamilo Duran. Ehtiyat oyunçular: 1. Şahrudin Məhəmmədəliyev, 97. Fabian Buntiç, 55. Bədavi Hüseynov, 30. Abbas Hüseynov, 77. Ramil Şeydayev, 27. Toral Bayramov, 22. Musa Qurbanlı, 32. Hikmət Cəbrayılzadə, 8. Marko Yankoviç, 21. Aleksey Kaşuk, 11. Emmanuel Addai, 24. Jeremi Qnali. Baş məşqçi: Qurban Qurbanov.
Karvan: 99. Pedro Mateus, 32. Elvin Yunuszadə (k), 6. Vadim Abdullayev, 20. Coy Sleyd Mikels, 2. Şakil Sno, 11. Kayl Spens, 37. Mois Nqvisani, 19. Tompson Qavi, 8. Peter Kinqs, 21. İmani Barker, 4. Olavale Doyeni. Ehtiyat oyunçular: 1. Kamran İbrahimov, 25. Əmrah Bulud, 33. Eltun Turabov, 13. Vüsal Məsimov, 14. Uğur Cahangirov, 17. Samir Abdullayev, 16. Rauf Rüstəmli, 10. Samuel Durrant. Baş məşqçi: Füzuli Məmmədov.
“Şirvan” – “Xankəndi” Hakimlər: Əkbər Əhmədov, Aydın Baxşıyev, Elmin Süleymanov, Xalid Quliyev. Hakim-inspektor: Əmrah İbrahimov. AFFA nümayəndəsi: Erkin Hüseynov. Şirvan Olimpiya İdman Kompleksinin stadionu, 16:00.
“Kür-Araz” – “Şəmkir” Hakimlər: Elçin Abdullayev, Ağadur Mahmudov, Elvin Mədətov, Rüfət Əhmədov. Hakim-inspektor: İmanxan Sultani. AFFA nümayəndəsi: Elman Musayev. Heydər Əliyev adına İmişli şəhər stadionu, 16:00.
9 aprel
“Quba” – “Şəki” Hakimlər: Murad Səlimov, Əhməd Əhmədsoy, Ruslan Məmmədov, Hacıağa Həsənov. Hakim-inspektor: Asim Xudiyev. AFFA nümayəndəsi: Namiq Əliyev. Quba Olimpiya İdman Kompleksinin stadionu, 16:00.
“Liverpul”, Dortmund “Borussiya”sı və “Maynts”ın keçmiş baş məşqçisi Yurgen Klopp məşqçiliyə qayıtmaq niyyətində deyil.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə alman mütəxəssis özü məlumat verib:
“Mən daha məşqçi olmaq istəmirəm. Heç nə üçün çalışmıram”, deyə Klopp vurğulayıb.
O, özünün məşqçi karyerasını da qiymətləndirib:
“Məşqçi körpüsündə ikən özümü görkəmli rəhbər saymamışam. Amma əgər adamlar, dünyanın ən yaxşı məşqçisi hesab etdiyim Xosep Qvardiola ilə qarşıdurmamıza diqqət cəmləyirlərsə, demək, mən kifayət qədər yaxşı olmuşam. Bunu sona qədər dərk etmirdim”, deyə Klopp vurğulayıb.
Xatırladaq ki, Yurgen Klopp son iş yeri olan “Liverpul”un sükanı arxasına 2015-ci il oktyabrın 8-də gəlib, 2024-cü ilin yayında isə komandadan ayrılıb. Bu müddət ərzində alman mütəxəssis “qırmızılar”la 8 kubok qazanıb. Klopun rəhbərliyi altında “Liverpul” İngiltərə Premyer Liqasını, İngiltərə Kubokunu, İngiltərə Liqa Kubokunu, UEFA Çempionlar Liqasını, UEFA Super Kubokunu və FIFA Klub Dünya Kubokunu qazanıb. Ən əsası isə alman mütəxəssis “Liverpul”u İngiltərə futbolunda itirdiyi mövqeyinə qaytarmağı bacarıb.
Klopp “Liverpul”u 489 oyuna çıxarıb. “Qırmızılar” bu oyunlarda 304 qələbə qazanıblar, 100 heç-heçə ediblər, 85 oyunda isə məğlubiyyətə üzülüblər. Topların fərqi isə 1088:550 nisbətindədir.
Alman mütəxəssis daha öncə Dortmund “Borussiya”sında və “Maynts”da, həmçinin “Ayntraxt”ın gənclərdən ibarət komandasında da baş məşqçi olub. Hazırda isə o, “Red Bull”da (“Leypsiq”, “Braqantino”, “Nyu York”, “Omiya”, “Lids” və “Paris” klublarına rəhbərlik edən şirkət) futbol əməliyyatları üzrə dünyəvi rəhbər vəzifəsini yerinə yetirir.
Juventus forması giyen milli yıldızımız Kenan Yıldız, Genoa maçı öncesinde ''Mart ayının yükselen yıldızı'' ödülünü aldı. Kenan, aynı ödülü Kasım ayında da almıştı.
Şampiyonluk yarışında puan farkının bire inmesiyle artan tepkilerin ardından Galatasaray Teknik Direktörü Okan Buruk, kritik Göztepe maçı öncesinde sosyal medya hesabından birlik çağrısı yaptı.
Braziliyalı ulduz Vinisius Junior “Real”la yeni müqavilə imzalamağa yaxındır.
Futbolpress.az xarici mətbuata istinadən xəbər verir ki, 25 yaşlı futbolçu komandası ilə müqaviləni uzatmağa müsbət yanaşır.
Qeyd edək ki, cari mövsüm 44 oyunda iştirak edərək 17 qol, 13 məhsuldar ötürmə ilə yadda qalan Vinisiusun İspaniya nəhəngi ilə müqaviləsi gələn il başa çatacaq.
Raffaele Palladino was ‘satisfied’ with Atalanta’s 3-0 victory away to Lecce, which put them back in the race for the top four. ‘It was the first of eight finals, we’ll keep climbing that mountain.’
La Dea put themselves right back in the race for a top four finish and return to the Champions League, as they started the final sprint of eight rounds with a 3-0 victory away to Lecce.
Giorgio Scalvini opened the scoring in the first half at the Stadio Via del Mare, followed by Nikola Krstovic and Giacomo Raspadori, while Marco Carnesecchi never really had a save to make.
Palladino believes in Atalanta comeback
LECCE, ITALY – APRIL 06: Raffaele Palladino Atalanta BC head coach during the Serie A match between US Lecce and Atalanta BC at Stadio Via del Mare on April 06, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
“This was a game with many hidden dangers, as the first after the break for international duty is always complicated to get everyone back together again,” Palladino told DAZN Italia.
“It wasn’t easy to prepare for this, the two teams also struggled with the heat as the temperature is changing, so that made the passing too predictable.
“We adjusted as time went on and did well to attack the space. I’m satisfied with the performance, another clean sheet also gives confidence to the defence.
“It was the first of eight Finals, now we must continue our climb up that mountain.”
LECCE, ITALY – APRIL 06: Giacomo Raspadori of Atalanta BC celebrates after scoring his side third goal during the Serie A match between US Lecce and Atalanta BC at Stadio Via del Mare on April 06, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
If Champions League football and a top four finish seemed improbable when Palladino took over from Ivan Juric in November, the situation is very different now.
Atalanta are within five points of fourth place after Como were held to a 0-0 draw by Udinese today.
“We expected Lecce to be aggressive, as this was a decisive match for them, so I liked the maturity shown by my team in dealing with that early strong approach,” continued Palladino.
“We let them have their runs down the flanks with Banda and Pierotti, but blocked off the channels with quality, technique and dynamism.”
Having been eliminated from the Champions League Round of 16 by Bayern Munich, Atalanta are still in the Coppa Italia semi-final, having drawn the first leg 2-2 with Lazio.
“Now we have two head-to-head clashes coming up, plus the Coppa Italia semi-final, so I asked the team to raise the bar. Everyone is really involved in this fight,” continued the coach.
“Our DNA is to attack and defend together, the players know how much I care about everyone contributing to the two phases. We need altruism in the final third to find the player in the best position to score, I saw some of that today, and we could’ve won by a wider margin.”
It is not just Como’s draw that represented a boost for Atalanta, but Roma losing 5-2 to Inter also means La Dea are within a point of their former boss Gian Piero Gasperini in sixth.
“Obviously, those results were positive for us, I tried to keep the lads concentrated on our own path. I asked them to finish off this journey by giving their all, then we will see where we end up,” concluded Palladino.
This is a huge match for the title race, as the winner will be in a position to keep up the pace with leaders Inter and pressure them to the end.
Napoli must do without Hojlund
NAPLES, ITALY – JANUARY 28: Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between SSC Napoli and Chelsea FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on January 28, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Hojlund was set to start his 30th game in a row for Napoli, but there were reports this afternoon that he was struggling for fitness.
Hojlund started feeling ill last night with a high fever, vomiting and stomach bug, he is still not in any fit condition to play, so is likely to not even be on the bench tonight.
NAPLES, ITALY – DECEMBER 07: Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Juventus FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 07, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
The 23-year-old was their top scorer with 14 goals and four assists in 37 competitive games.
It’s a devastating blow for Antonio Conte, who was already missing Romelu Lukaku, David Neres, Antonio Vergara, Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Amir Rrahmani.
Giovane is the only real striker available, although some are suggesting that Alisson Santos could be used as a False 9 instead.
Juventus director of sport Marco Ottolini faces his old club Genoa, giving updates on contract talks with Dusan Vlahovic and Luciano Spalletti. ‘Italian football needs vision and patience.’
The pressure is on the Bianconeri to secure Champions League qualification, which became more difficult after their 1-1 draw with Sassuolo going into the break for international duty.
However, a win here would put them within a point of fourth place, seeing as Como were held 0-0 by Udinese earlier today and Roma lost 5-2 to Inter.
Ottolini outlines Juventus vision
GENOA, ITALY – DECEMBER 21: Marco Ottolini, sports manager of Genoa, looks on prior to kick-off in the Serie A match between Genoa and Napoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on December 21, 2024 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
“It is a special game for me, I want to salute all of Genoa, as I spent some unforgettable years there,” Ottolini told Sky Sport Italia.
“The team is doing well, including those who returned from international duty, and we are ready to concentrate on this final sprint.”
Vlahovic and Arek Milik made their comebacks two weeks ago, but are still only fit for the bench to begin with after so many months on the treatment table.
The Serbian is only under contract until June 30, but while his exit as a free agent had seemed inevitable, it is increasingly likely that a new agreement will be reached.
TURIN, ITALY – MARCH 21: Dusan Vlahovic and Pierre Kalulu of Juventus interact after the Serie A match between Juventus FC and US Sassuolo Calcio at Allianz Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
“With Dusan we started talking again after his return from Belgrade, showing the mutual desire to sit down and evaluate the situation. Those talks will continue over the next few weeks. There is nothing more to say than that,” explained Ottolini.
Coach Spalletti is also in discussions for a contract extension, as he arrived to replace Igor Tudor and penned a short-term deal without guarantees, even if he qualifies for the Champions League.
“With the coach, as he himself said, there is no rush. We are concentrated on these final games, but talks are at an advanced stage.”
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 22: Juventus FC head coach Luciano Spalletti looks on during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Como 1907 at on February 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Although Jeremie Boga had been expected to start, it is Jonathan David who gets the nod in attack, with Francisco Conceicao, Weston McKennie and Kenan Yildiz in support.
It also remains to be seen how the Italy internationals in the squad will react after the World Cup play-off failure to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The debate over how to get more young players to develop in Italy also involves stronger use of second teams.
“We were the first club in Italy to set up the Next Gen team and are very pleased with how that is progressing, but naturally that also requires investment and infrastructure,” explained Ottolini.
“It also needs patience, but if you have a medium to long-term vision, it does bring results, and we will continue to put our faith in this project.
“When it comes to Italian football as a whole, many expressed their opinions, but I feel we need to sit down, set individual interests aside, and focus on the system in total.”
Daniele De Rossi explains his Genoa choices against Juventus and why he admires Luciano Spalletti. ‘He keeps up to date with changes in football and remains a modern coach.’
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 28: Genoa CFC coach Daniele De Rossi looks on during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Genoa CFC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Genoa went into the break for international duty off a home defeat to Udinese, but are missing Brooke Norton-Cuffy after he suffered an injury with the England Under-21 side.
There were different options on the left flank, but Aaron Martin got the nod ahead of Stefano Sabelli.
“I can’t be using left-footed players on the opposite flank, Martin is suited to the left, so I’ll keep him there. We can solve games like this with set plays and Martin is a maestro, and his fitness levels really improved recently,” De Rossi told Sky Sport Italia.
“With five substitutions, it helps to have a deep squad, but I think Juventus have a great starting XI and play some of the best football currently in Italy along with Como.”
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 22: Juventus FC head coach Luciano Spalletti looks on during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Como 1907 at on February 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
It is a touchline reunion with De Rossi’s former Roma coach Spalletti, and the veteran said that he considered DDR one of his ‘football sons’ who went on to become tacticians.
“He taught me so much, I worked with him when I was very young, he left and came back an even better coach than I remembered,” explained De Rossi.
“That means he is always eager to keep up to date with changes in football, continue to develop, and remain a modern coach, even when the years tick by.”
It was a long rapport, because De Rossi played 251 competitive games under Spalletti, more than with any other coach.
The midfielder scored 30 goals and provided 27 assists in that time.
The defender had been in the starting XI at San Siro on Easter Sunday and scored the equaliser, but then limped off at half-time clutching the top of his right thigh.
Mancini injury confirmed for Roma
MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 05: Gianluca Mancini of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with team mates during the Serie A match between Inter and AS Roma at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 05, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Now tests have identified the source of the problem, namely a lesion to the adductor in the right leg.
It would rule him out of the games against Pisa on April 10, Atalanta on April 18 and possibly also the trip to Bologna on April 25.
This is a further blow for the Giallorossi, who were already missing Wesley, Manu Koné, Paulo Dybala, Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson.
Their chances of making it into the Champions League suffered a blow with that 5-2 defeat to Inter, although they were boosted by the fact Como in fourth were held to a 0-0 draw by Udinese today, keeping them within reach.
Chelsea and Manchester United are interested in signing Kerim Alajbegovic at the end of the season.
The 18 year-old winger has impressed with Red Bull Salzburg, and his performances have attracted the attention of the Premier League club. However, Bayer Leverkusen recently announced that the player will join them in a long-term deal.
He was a youth player for the German club, and they have decided to bring him back following his impressive performances in Austria. According to a report from Reprezentacija, the German outfit could be open to selling him immediately for a profit, and a deal could be worth around €30 million. Chelsea and Manchester United have already made contact to sign him.
Chelsea and Manchester United could use more quality on the flanks, and the 18-year-old could be a solid long-term acquisition. He will add goals, creativity and unpredictability in the final third. The opportunity to move to England could be exciting for him. Chelsea and Manchester United are elite clubs, and they could groom him into a future star.
However, Alajbegovic should look to join a club that will give him regular opportunities. Sitting on the bench at a big club could be detrimental to his growth. If Chelsea or Manchester United fail to provide him with the necessary assurance, it would be ideal for him to return to his former club in Germany.
The 18-year-old should focus on his development for now. He is a promising player with a bright future, and he will have plenty of opportunities to join a bigger club in future.
Alajbegovic is a left-sided winger, but he is versatile enough to operate on either flank. He has 11 goals and three assists to his name in all competitions this season.
Roberto De Zerbi is looking to improve his attacking unit in the summer, and he has identified Moise Kean as a target.
The 26-year-old has 13 goal contributions this season, and he could prove to be an excellent addition for the North London club. He has played in the Premier League with Everton and knows the league well. He might be able to adapt quickly.
According to a report from Calciomercato.It, the player has a €62 million release clause in his contract, but Fiorentina could sanction his departure if an offer of €50 million is presented in the summer. Tottenham have the resources to pay the asking price for him, and it remains to be seen whether they act on their interest with an official proposal.
Kean has managed to rediscover himself since his return to Italy, and it remains to be seen whether he is prepared to return to England. He had an unsuccessful time with Everton. He has the physicality and technical attributes for English football, and he is at the peak of his career. He is certainly better equipped to succeed in the Premier League this time around.
Furthermore, the opportunity to work with a quality manager like De Zerbi could be attractive for him.
Tottenham need to add more cutting-edge in the final third if they want to do well next season. Dominic Solanke has not been able to find the back of the net consistently. He needs more support in the attack, and the Italian International could share the goal-scoring burden with him.
It has been a disappointing season for Tottenham, and they need to improve the team in multiple areas if they want to bounce back strongly next season.
Verdict: Draw Best odds: 27/10 Bookmaker: ZetBet Tuesday’s Champions League quarter‑final first leg brings an intriguing subplot as Arsenal travel to Lisbon to face Sporting, with Viktor Gyökeres lining up against his former club in what has been dubbed an unofficial derby. The Gunners arrive seeking to avoid a third straight defeat after recent cup […]
“And still those voices are calling from far away.” The familiar lyrics of The Eagles’ “Hotel California” echoed around the O2 Arena during one final, stirring Derek Chisora ring walk. “Wake you up in the middle of the night, just to hear them say... “BOOOOOMB SQUAAAAAAD!”
And so, a 42-year-old Chisora will (reluctantly) leave boxing behind, at least the dangerous side of the ropes, while a 40-year-old Wilder battles on. Would these paths have been the same if the result had been reversed?
Deontay Wilder celebrates a narrow win over Derek Chisora (Getty Images)
It’s hard to say. Chisora claimed before the bout that he would retire regardless, which was and is the right call, but you never know with “Delboy”. Wilder seemed more defiant, despite his waning powers and worsening record. With that in mind, perhaps even defeat might not have marked the end for the ex-heavyweight champion.
And he certainly appears intent on channeling this victory – as slight as it was – into more success. Just ask Anthony Joshua.
With that tragic incident still fresh in the mind, there are those who believe “AJ” should call time on his own storied career. Yet the Briton will return to the ring, his promoter has confirmed, with a summer comeback on the cards after he dismantled YouTuber Jake Paul four months ago.
So, here we are, with arguments abounding that Joshua and Wilder should each retire, yet with them linked once more.
“You ain’t ready for that,” Joshua replied after Wilder’s comment, with the American walking off and sniping: “He’s scared as f***.” It was one of Wilder’s tamer comments in a week of stupefying ones.
Joshua vs Wilder has been mooted for the best part of a decade, but it was never closer than in 2023, when they shared a ring. They did not share the ring as opponents, instead boxing one after the other; Joshua took apart Otto Wallin, but only after Wilder faltered against Joseph Parker. If both had won, they would have met in two contracted fights, per Wilder.
He could not uphold his end of the bargain and went on to lose to Zhilei Zhang, while Joshua knocked out ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou. But Joshua and Wilder’s fortunes would reverse yet again, when AJ was brutally beaten by Daniel Dubois in 2024 and Wilder stopped Tyrrell Anthony Herndon last summer. With each man adding another win since then, it feels like a showdown could be sold once more.
Should it be, however?
Wilder vs Chisora brought chaos, with one of the Briton’s coaches entering the ring in round one (Adam Davy/PA Wire)
Firstly, Joshua seems to be on a different path, with his planned summer fight likely serving as a warm-up to a clash with Tyson Fury. Yes, that fight – even more craved and elusive than Joshua vs Wilder – is on the cards again. And even if Joshua vs Wilder could be lined up, would it be the right move?
Joshua would be the favourite at this point, but it shouldn’t be forgotten that his sole win in the last two years came against an influencer-turned-boxer, and that we still don’t know where his head is at (most recently, he’s been training with former opponent Oleksandr Usyk in Ukraine). Meanwhile, there was plenty of criticism of Wilder in the wake of his win over Chisora, including those aforementioned calls for his retirement.
This writer saw it slightly differently. Yes, Wilder’s performance was flawed, but he looked much less gun-shy and much more resilient than in recent outings. When you weigh up every factor on his side and on Joshua’s, it feels like they might just balance out.
That said, one of Wilder’s post-fight comments contradicted the idea that he was more trigger-happy: “I held back a couple of times, because when I cut his eye open, I started thinking about him being with his children, and when I saw veins coming out of his temple...” Still, that’s not what we saw. Furthermore, Wilder and Chisora are friends, and the “Bronze Bomber” would surely show no mercy to AJ.
Chisora was knocked through the ropes in the eighth round (Getty Images)
Again, though, it should be noted that Joshua appears to have other options. Does Wilder?
He has talked up a world-title fight, which will almost certainly not come. Just a few months ago, unified champ Oleksandr Usyk hinted at a voluntary defence against Wilder, but it will instead come against kickboxer Rico Verhoeven, and Usyk will then be forced into a mandatory defence. The only other heavyweight world title is held by Fabio Wardley, who will defend his WBO belt against Daniel Dubois in May, and it would be a farce for Wilder to challenge the winner.
However, a fight between Wilder and the loser of Wardley vs Dubois appeals.
At this point, Wilder will not risk his boxing future against anyone who is not a champion or a top name, which leaves him with very few options. For better of worse, Joshua remains the most interesting option of all.
Ferrari, who’s wrestled for Oklahoma State, Cal State Bakersfield and Nebraska, will search for a new home next season. As of now, Husker Online reported he needs a waiver from the NCAA in order to be granted one more year of eligibility.
Ferrari himself maintained he will one, perhaps two, more seasons to wrestle. There’s been no indication as to where he’ll go yet, but he’s “open” to all opportunities that come his way.
“Grateful for my time at Nebraska and everyone who’s supported me,” Ferrari wrote on Twitter/X. “Giving all glory to Yahuah for guiding my journey. Entering the transfer portal. Focused, hungry, and ready for what’s next. 1–2 years of eligibility left. Open to all opportunities.”
Ferrari is a three-time All-American and 2021 NCAA champion. He won the title at 197 pounds at Oklahoma State and finished third at that weight last year for Cal State Bakersfield. As he’s detailed, injuries slowed him down at the NCAA Tournament this year and he ultimately wrestled his last match of the season against Iowa State’s Yonger Bastida, a loss.
Ferrari holds a 68-7 career record, which began during the shortened 2021 season at Oklahoma State. During that free year, Ferrari arrived onto the scene with a national title but his sophomore season was cut short due to a car accident and subsequent dismissal from the team.
Ferrari did not wrestle for any school in 2023 and ’24, although was linked to Iowa before returning to college wrestling in 2025. When Iowa did not work out, he wrestled for Cal State Bakersfield, finishing 3rd at the NCAA Tournament.
Originally, Ferrari committed to wrestle for North Carolina in 2025-26, but administration reportedly nixed the transfer amid Ferrari’s previous legal issues. He ended up in Lincoln and wrestled heavyweight this season under Mark Manning.
There is speculation Ferrari could return to 197 pounds in 2026-27, should he be granted a year of eligibility. At either weight, he’ll be in the national title conversation, but it remains to be seen which institution will bring him in.
Utah guard Terrence Brown (2) drives past Cincinnati Bearcats guard Jizzle James (2) during the second half of the game during the 2026 Big 12 tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
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Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah’s leading scorer from Alex Jensen’s first season, Terrence Brown, is reportedly entering the transfer portal.
On3’s Joe Tipton reported Monday morning that Brown, who came to Utah last season after two years at Fairleigh Dickinson, plans to enter the transfer portal while also exploring the NBA draft process.
The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 19.9 points per game and earned All-Big 12 honorable mention honors during his junior season in Salt Lake City.
Brown shot 45.3% from the field during the 2025-26 season, as well as 32.7% from 3-point range and 77.5% from the free-throw line.
There are six reported Utah players who will enter the transfer portal, including another starter, Kenau Dawes, as well as Josh Hayes, Alvin Jackson III, Jahki Howard and Elijah “Choppa” Moore.
The Division I men’s basketball transfer portal officially opens Tuesday and will close through April 21.
DAYTON, OHIO - MARCH 17: Matt Able #3 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack drives past Simeon Wilcher #7 of the Texas Longhorns during the First Four round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball tournament held at UD Arena on March 17, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Solomon/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) | NCAA Photos via Getty Images
Rising sophomore guard Matt Able is headed to the transfer portal, per reports on Monday morning. He’s also testing the NBA Draft waters, but in all likelihood will be playing college basketball next season, just not in Raleigh.
All you can really ask after a coaching change is that the players still on the team give time enough to meet with the new head coach, and Able did that. No amount of change is going to surprise me in these situations, and anyway, he may have been out the door regardless.
Obviously there are many more considerations these days beyond the coach, and it’s certainly possible that his asking price is too steep for a program with a bunch of holes to fill. He’ll be expecting an expanded role wherever he goes next, and I won’t be surprised if he has a very good year. We saw the flashes.
Sorry to see him go but wish him the best at his next school.
It was reported in February that the New England Patriotscould be the matchup for the Detroit Lions during the NFL's Munich Games in Germany during the 2026 NFL season.
Patriots reporter Mike Reiss of ESPN wrote on Sunday that New England also has a chance to be the Seattle Seahawks' Week 1 opponent on Sept. 9, in a contest that not only will be the NFL season-opener but could be a Super Bowl LX rematch as well.
"...the Patriots are among a small group of teams who could be their opponent," Reiss said. "Chiefs owner Clark Hunt said at the NFL's annual meeting that his team won't be in that mix because of uncertainty whether quarterback Patrick Mahomes will be back from a torn ACL at that point. And with the Rams and 49ers locked into a Week 1 game in Melbourne, Australia, that leaves only the Patriots, Cardinals, Cowboys, Giants, Chargers and Bears."
The Patriots insider further explained why New England -- who will look to make the playoffs for the second season in a row following a three-year absence -- may be a smart pick to play Seattle to kick off the NFL season.
"Hard to imagine the league would put the rebuilding Cardinals in that spot, which further narrows the field," Reiss wrote. "John Harbaugh's debut as Giants coach, along with the chance to grow quarterback Jaxson Dart's profile as an up-and-coming star, might be an underrated choice if the league wants to save Patriots-Seahawks for another prime-time spot a bit later in the season."
The Seahawks and Patriots were also recently announced as the next two featured teams for the 2026 and 2027 edition of HBO's Hard Knocks, respectively.
Arkansas guard DJ Wagner plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, On3 has learned. Wagner spent two seasons with the Razorbacks after beginning his career at Kentucky.
Wagner played under John Carlipari for his entire college career so far. Now, he’ll be looking elsewhere to play during his senior season.
He averaged 7.4 points, 2.4 assists and 1.6 rebounds for Arkansas this past season. He mostly came off the bench this season, though he still averaged 23.6 minutes per game. He went on to start in 19 of 35 games he appeared in after starting in 64 of the first 65 games of his career. On his career, Wagner has played in 100 total games, logging 83 starts with 9.5 points and 2.4 assists per game.
Arkansas finished its season in the Sweet 16 following a 21-point loss to No. 1 seed Arizona. The Razorbacks ended the year with a 29-8 record, including a 13-5 mark vs. the SEC. Wagner helped Arkansas win to the SEC Tournament championship as well.
It was the second-straight Sweet 16 appearance for Arkansas under John Calipari. During Wagner’s lone season at UK, the Wildcats were eliminated in the round of 64 against Oakland.
As for Wagner, he was a highly-touted recruit coming out of high school. According to the Rivals Industry Rankings, which is a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services, he was a Five-Star Plus+ guard in the 2023 recruiting class. He was the top-ranked combo guard in his class and No. 7 overall.
With that type of pedigree, Wagner will likely have a number of suitors trying to acquire his services in the NCAA transfer portal this offseason. Where the Camden, NJ native ends up, for now remains to be seen. What is for sure is that Wagner is now looking for his third college basketball home in four seasons.
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 11: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs out prior to the AFC Wild Card Playoff game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Buffalo Bills at EverBank Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Five years is plenty of time to evaluate a draft class, and hoo boy is there a lot of room to correct what happened in 2021. It was a year of desperate quarterback reaches, mammoth busts at a variety of positions, and a plethora of teams that simply screwed up the process — but also gave us some of the best talent in all of the NFL.
Now’s our chance to right the wrongs of the past and re-draft the first round from 2021.
Pick
Team
Original Pick
Position
New Pick
Position
1
Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence
QB
Trevor Lawrence
QB
2
New York Jets
Zach Wilson
QB
Micah Parsons
EDGE
3
San Francisco 49ers
Trey Lance
QB
Patrick Surtain II
CB
4
Atlanta Falcons
Kyle Pitts
TE
Ja’Marr Chase
WR
5
Cincinnati Bengals
Ja’Marr Chase
WR
Penei Sewell
OT
6
Miami Dolphins
Jaylen Waddle
WR
Amon-Ra St. Brown
WR
7
Detroit Lions
Penei Sewell
OT
Jaylen Waddle
WR
8
Carolina Panthers
Jaycee Horn
CB
Landon Dickerson
OT
9
Denver Broncos
Patrick Surtain II
CB
Jaelan Phillips
EDGE
10
Philadelphia Eagles
DeVonta Smith
WR
Trey Smith
OL
11
Chicago Bears
Justin Fields
QB
Rashawn Slater
OT
12
Dallas Cowboys
Micah Parsons
EDGE
Travis Etienne
RB
13
Los Angeles Chargers
Rashawn Slater
OT
Creed Humphrey
OL
14
New York Jets
Alijah Vera-Tucker
OL
Spencer Brown
OL
15
New England Patriots
Mac Jones
QB
Gregory Rousseau
EDGE
16
Arizona Cardinals
Zaven Collins
LB
Kwity Paye
EDGE
17
Las Vegas Raiders
Alex Leatherwood
OT
Nico Collins
WR
18
Miami Dolphins
Jaelan Phillips
EDGE
Jonathon Cooper
EDGE
19
Washington Commanders
Jamin Davis
LB
Nick Bolton
LB
20
New York Giants
Kadarius Toney
WR
Kyle Pitts
TE
21
Indianapolis Colts
Kwity Paye
EDGE
Azeez Ojulari
LB
22
Tennessee Titans
Caleb Farley
CB
Jaycee Horn
CB
23
Minnesota Vikings
Christian Darrisaw
OT
Christian Darrisaw
OT
24
Pittsburgh Steelers
Najee Harris
RB
Najee Harris
RB
25
Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Etienne
RB
Chuba Hubbard
RB
26
Cleveland Browns
Greg Newsome II
CB
Pete Werner
LB
27
Baltimore Ravens
Rashod Bateman
WR
Quinn Meinerz
CB
28
New Orleans Saints
Payton Turner
EDGE
Dan Moore
OL
29
Green Bay Packers
Eric Stokes
CB
Rhamondre Stevenson
RB
30
Buffalo Bills
Gregory Rousseau
EDGE
Talanoa Hufanga
S
31
Balitmore Ravens
Odafe Oweh
EDGE
Christian Barmore
DT
32
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
LB
Odafe Oweh
EDGE
We went from four first round quarterbacks to one. Regardless of how great the other players in this class were, I still think the Jaguars go with Lawrence here to find their franchise QB.
In total we had 15 players fall out of the first round who were originally first round picks.
The biggest riser in the 2021 class was OL Trey Smith, who moves from pick No. 226 to No. 10.
The biggest conceivable fall in the redraft would be OL Alex Leatherwood, who was the No. 17 pick, but out of the NFL in two years. He would fall to UDFA.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 03: Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers holds a football after scoring a touchdown during the 2026 NFL Pro Bowl game between the AFC and the NFC at the Moscone Center South on February 03, 2026 in San Francisco, California. The NFC won 66-52. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
When it comes to the San Francisco 49ers’ needs heading into the NFL Draft, wide receiver and another pass rusher are at the top of the list. After you’re done deciding which of those positions are more pressing to address, you’ll probably land on one of the spots in the secondary if you haven’t penciled in left guard or tackle yet on your list.
Instead of arguing about the same talking points, let’s shift gears today and think about some of the positions the Niners might value more than those of us outside of the building. Think of it like a positional group that may not seem like it’s an issue in April, but could easily run out of depth by the time November rolls around.
What’s an underrated 49ers need?
There are no wrong answers. Every team is an injury away. Even after signing two free agents, wide receiver could still be argued as an underrated need.
Osa Odighizuwa is the only interior pass rusher with consistent production as a pro. Keion White is better rushing from the inside, but he was traded for a late Day 3 pick. Mykel Williams is supposed to develop into a threat, but he’s headed into Year 2 off a serious knee injury.
My answer: While you could talk yourself into multiple positions, I’m going with running back. On the surface, the 49ers have one of the most valuable running backs in the sport. Kyle Shanahan spoke about Christian McCaffrey’s ability to dictate what defenses do in coverage and how that affects the passing game. He went as far as saying the Niners were a top-5 passing team because of McCaffrey.
Shanahan also said, “In order to have Christian be as good as he can be throughout the whole year, we got to get some help” and “I don’t want Christian to have to take all that” at the NFL meetings last week.
Rookie Jordan James was banged up and missed his window to pass up Brian Robinson Jr. as RB2 last year. Isaac Guerendo “wasn’t our second best runner,” according to Shanahan, who said Guerendo was set to take over for McCaffrey if he ever went down, but he did not. The fact that Guerendo didn’t carry the ball is a sign of how the team feels about him.
With one of the fourth round picks, the 49ers need to find a player who can complement McCaffrey. That doesn’t mean he has to be a 225-pound brusing back. He needs to be effective. That includes not leaving meat on the bone as a runner—something Robinson Jr. did all too much in 2025. It also means making a defense pay for leaving a linebacker on a runner, something teams regret with McCaffrey on the field.
What do you think? Scroll down below and let us know in the comments.
The vacant light heavyweight title is on the line in the UFC 327 main event on Saturday. Former titleholder Jiri Prochazka face No. 3 ranked Carlos Ulberg in the featured fight at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
Prochazka enters the fight coming off back-to-back wins. Ulberg brings with him a nine-fight winning streak.
Lincoln City have sealed promotion to the Championship with a dramatic stoppage time win over Reading, marking a first return to the English second tier in 65 years.
The Imps needed just a point to confirm their passage into the Championship for the 2026/27 campaign and were on course to get just that, even after Reading midfielder Lewis Wing had cancelled out Ryan One's early opener for Lincoln two minutes into second-half stoppage time.
But Jack Moylan scored a 96th-minute winner to secure a 2-1 win at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, putting the exclamation point on the visitors’ promotion.
The result means Michael Skubala's side now have an unassailable 19-point lead atop League One over third-placed Bradford City, with second-place Cardiff City sit 12 points adrift of Lincoln’s tally of 90.
Lincoln are the first team in the Football League to clinch promotion this season.
Ottolini: ‘Juventus plot new Vlahovic and Spalletti talks’
Juventus director of sport Marco Ottolini faces his old club Genoa, giving updates on contract talks with Dusan Vlahovic and Luciano Spalletti. ‘Italian football needs vision and patience.’
It kicks off at the Allianz Juventus Stadium in Turin at 17.00 UK time (18.00 CEST).
The pressure is on the Bianconeri to secure Champions League qualification, which became more difficult after their 1-1 draw with Sassuolo going into the break for international duty.
However, a win here would put them within a point of fourth place, seeing as Como were held 0-0 by Udinese earlier today and Roma lost 5-2 to Inter.
Ottolini outlines Juventus vision
GENOA, ITALY – DECEMBER 21: Marco Ottolini, sports manager of Genoa, looks on prior to kick-off in the Serie A match between Genoa and Napoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on December 21, 2024 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
“It is a special game for me, I want to salute all of Genoa, as I spent some unforgettable years there,” Ottolini told Sky Sport Italia.
“The team is doing well, including those who returned from international duty, and we are ready to concentrate on this final sprint.”
Vlahovic and Arek Milik made their comebacks two weeks ago, but are still only fit for the bench to begin with after so many months on the treatment table.
The Serbian is only under contract until June 30, but while his exit as a free agent had seemed inevitable, it is increasingly likely that a new agreement will be reached.
TURIN, ITALY – MARCH 21: Dusan Vlahovic and Pierre Kalulu of Juventus interact after the Serie A match between Juventus FC and US Sassuolo Calcio at Allianz Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
“With Dusan we started talking again after his return from Belgrade, showing the mutual desire to sit down and evaluate the situation. Those talks will continue over the next few weeks. There is nothing more to say than that,” explained Ottolini.
Coach Spalletti is also in discussions for a contract extension, as he arrived to replace Igor Tudor and penned a short-term deal without guarantees, even if he qualifies for the Champions League.
“With the coach, as he himself said, there is no rush. We are concentrated on these final games, but talks are at an advanced stage.”
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 22: Juventus FC head coach Luciano Spalletti looks on during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Como 1907 at on February 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Although Jeremie Boga had been expected to start, it is Jonathan David who gets the nod in attack, with Francisco Conceicao, Weston McKennie and Kenan Yildiz in support.
It also remains to be seen how the Italy internationals in the squad will react after the World Cup play-off failure to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The debate over how to get more young players to develop in Italy also involves stronger use of second teams.
“We were the first club in Italy to set up the Next Gen team and are very pleased with how that is progressing, but naturally that also requires investment and infrastructure,” explained Ottolini.
“It also needs patience, but if you have a medium to long-term vision, it does bring results, and we will continue to put our faith in this project.
“When it comes to Italian football as a whole, many expressed their opinions, but I feel we need to sit down, set individual interests aside, and focus on the system in total.”
Hello and welcome to another edition of Free Agent! If you're pregnant and about to give birth, maybe avoid hockey games—or else your child might be known for getting born during a 5–1 drubbing.
We're coming to you a day early this week with reaction to President Donald Trump's executive order that he thinks will fix college sports (it will not). We'll start with that, move on to some sports TV news, and close with thoughts on the Masters ticket lottery. Giddy up.
But first, congratulations to Reason's own Phillip "The Ultimate Fris" Baderon winning our women's bracket challenge, followed by Carl "Milwaukee's Best" Peterson in second. Yours truly came in third—smart enough to pick UCLA to win, not chalky enough to beat Phillip and Carl.
Locker Room Links
After bailing out the government authority that owns Progressive Field and Rocket Arena, Cleveland's Democratic Mayor Justin Bibb is looking at raising fees on fans and businesses to fund stadium repairs.
England's Premier League is "voluntarily" (after a consultation with the government) banning gambling sponsors on jerseys starting next season. Now teams (usually smaller ones) are trying to find tens of millions of lost dollars.
Michigan's best players are a guy Mick Cronin buried, a guy who was a bust at North Carolina, a guy who came off the bench at Illinois and a guy who played at freaking UAB.
This certainly isn't the first time Trump has tried to bring order to a chaotic situation and just ended up making it messier.
The president signed an executive order late on Friday attempting to overhaul how college sports function. The order says college athletes can only play five seasons, and they must happen during a five-year window (even though state judges are already saying otherwise). It also allows only one transfer (even though a 2024 antitrust legal settlement already said the NCAA can't restrict transfers). Any schools that accept an athlete breaking these rules risk losing their federal funding. It also asks the attorney general (whoever that may be) to invalidate state laws that are in conflict with the order. The order takes effect on August 1.
You might think the president would be more focused on the big issues of the day, like inflation or the war he chose to start against Iran, but anyone who's been a dedicated reader of this newsletter knows the president talks about fixing college sports almost every week.
Many people are frustrated with the constantly changing rules governing college sports, especially transfers and eligibility. A more proactive version of the NCAA may have taken the lead on these issues before the courts forced their hand. Instead, the NCAA has basically said there's not much they can do, and asked Congress to figure out their mess. Now we have rules created by lawsuits that are ever changing and different by state.
These rules are, for good reason, not something the president can change with the swipe of a pen. But the Trump executive order has made the chaos even worse. Schools are stuck between a rock and a hard place: follow the president's set of rules, or follow the rules that were set by various court decisions? They have to break someone's rules, and that's going to lead them straight back to court.
Apparently the real goal of Trump's executive order is "to spur legislative action," sources told The Athletic. But even rules passed by Congress are going to end up getting challenged on constitutional grounds. Attorneys' billable hours remain undefeated.
The American college sports system is weird and unique. No other country spends as much time, energy, or money on collegiate sports. But Trump's executive order is a great argument for getting federal government funding out of higher education altogether. "American universities spent $60 billion in federal money in 2023, more than 30 times what they spent in 1953, accounting for inflation," according to calculations in The New York Times.
Schools wouldn't have to worry about the president taking all that federal funding away over sports regulations if they didn't take any federal funding.
Stopping Streaming in its Tracks
Did you know businesses don't like competition, and often try to use the government to protect themselves? Fox Corp. and Sinclair Broadcasting certainly know it, since they're trying to get the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to knock down league broadcasting deals with streamers.
"Fox Corp. and Sinclair Broadcasting last Friday submitted statements to the FCC that effectively characterized the streamers as a clear and present danger to the local TV business, with Fox labeling the digital interlopers as an 'existential threat,'" Anthony Crupi writes for Sportico. Sinclair (which "operates or otherwise provides services to 185 TV stations," as Crupi describes it) seems to feel entitled to the NFL. Their FCC letter said: "Sports programming is also critical to the financial model that supports local broadcast journalism. Without high-value live sports on broadcast television, local broadcast journalism will suffer."
The context here is that CBS is renegotiating its deal with the NFL, and FOX is expected to be up next. The old-school broadcasters are worried the NFL might replace them if they get a better offer from a more cash-rich streamer like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Apple TV. So now Fox and Sinclair are crying foul to the FCC, hoping for regulation or any kind of government pressure to stave off the streamers. The FCC's recent request for comment on sports streaming was, as I wrote, "clearly a shot across the bow of sports leagues—a warning that the FCC may consider regulating games on streaming services in some way, or requiring leagues to broadcast every game on TV or the old-school regional sports networks."
Threats to old business models are how a competitive economy should work. That's what happens when businesses innovate and deliver new benefits for consumers. Fox and Sinclair aren't entitled to NFL media rights any more than the Cowboys are entitled to a Super Bowl: You've got to be competitive and earn it. But instead of competing, Fox and Sinclair are hoping that whining to the FCC will get them some help. Since they're both known for favorable coverage of Trump, they might just get it—and totally upend the landscape for streaming sports in the meantime.
The Masters Ticket Lottery Is Dumb
With apologies to soccer, golf is the real beautiful game—and this is the most beautiful week in golf, as the best golfers in the world head to Augusta, Georgia, for the Masters.
But unless you have some truly incredible luck or truly incredible wealth, you probably won't be there in person. Augusta National distributes Masters tickets via lottery. If you win their lottery, you can get tickets for $140 each. Your odds of winning the Masters lottery in any given year are under 1 percent. If you don't get through in the lottery, you better have $17,000 to spend on a premium hospitality ticket. Heading over to a ticket resale website is not a great option. As I wrote last year, "You can try to pay through the nose for a pass on the secondary market, but Augusta National has a strict ban on resale tickets and might not let you in—so you risk spending $2,500 on a resale ticket, plus hundreds more on flights and lodging, just to get turned away."
Basically, as "Rick Golfs" points out below: "Now if you don't win the lottery, you are screwed. Almost no chance of ever attending. Before you could at least bucket list it and do it once."
What would you pay to attend the Masters?
The Masters has officially surpassed The Super Bowl and World Cup as the most expensive sports ticket.
$2,000 for practice round $16,000 for Thursday $8,000 for Sunday.
Augusta National has every right to ban ticket resale, but their low prices are not ensuring the most dedicated people are getting in. Raising the price of a day pass, or just adding some extra steps to weed out more casual fans, would help.
Replay of the Week
The fact that these all happened in a one-run game is mind-boggling. Although I wasn't actually all that impressed by the first two, which were mostly just well-timed jumps—the last one shows absolutely no regard for his own body.
All THREE of Jo Adell's home run robberies from tonight …
In SEC play, the Vols have lost series at Georgia (2-1), at Vanderbilt (3-0) and versus LSU (2-1), while winning a home series against Missouri (2-1).
Tennessee will next play on Tuesday against Northern Kentucky. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. EDT at Lindsey Nelson Stadium (SEC Network+). The Vols will also play at Mississippi State for a three-game SEC series in Week 9.
“We just need to be better in all facets and we got a chance to do it starting on Tuesday,” first-year Tennessee head coach Josh Elander said after Sunday’s series finale against LSU.
Below are Tennessee’s team statistics in SEC-only baseball games during the 2026 season.
One of the images of the 2026 edition of March Madness involved Duke star freshman Cameron Boozer being treated for a facial injury with a cold soda can against UConn. We now know what Boozer and the Coca-Cola can were up against down the stretch against the Huskies.
Cameron Boozer suffered facial fractures around his left eye, which often forces players to miss time or wear masks while they're out on the floor. Boozer did neither, and seemed to downplay the extent of the unsightly injury he suffered.
"I have a couple of fractures, but I'm all good," Boozer said as he accepted two end-of-season awards recently. "I'm just going through the healing process. It hurt in the game, but I wish the outcome would have been better, but that's not really what I'm here to focus on. "
— Outta Pocket with RGIII (@OuttaPocketRG3) March 29, 2026
All eyes, pun intended, will be on Boozer during the months leading up to the NBA Draft. He's expected to be a top-five pick, but teams will monitor how his orbital area recovers this spring.
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.
Thierry Henry is very clear on what Chelsea should do with Estevao – and we agree with him
Thierry Henry has told Chelsea just what to do with their star attacker Estevao, who is fit to play in the run in.
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Estevao was superb for Chelsea in their 7-0 win at the weekend, and one pundit has told the Blues what to do with him:
“Let Estevao cook, let him play. We need to enjoy this type of players in this type of games. It doesn’t have to be scripted all the time,” Thierry Henry said on CBS Sport at the weekend after the Brazilian shone.
“You wouldn’t like to play against him because he’s coming at you all the time, he’s coming at you the whole game, whether he’s having a good game or not a good game.
“He’s trying to test you all the time and see if you’re going to stop him or not.”
Chelsea’s aim should be to make a platform for Estevao
We couldn’t agree more. The team should be set up to defend well, control the ball, and ultimately to create space and chances for the Brazilian to shine. He’s the most dynamic, game-breaking player we’ve got in the final third, and we need to restrict him as little as possible.
In other news…
Enzo Fernandez continues to be linked with moves away from Chelsea, but there’s a major problem with those stories.
Up front it’s very simple for Chelsea in this run in – it’s Joao Pedro or nothing at the moment, with his alternatives just not delivering.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CHELSEA NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON THE APP STORE
Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
Lincoln City earn historic promotion to the Championship
Lincoln City have ended a 65-year wait to return to the second division of English football after a dramatic win over Reading.
The Imps have been imperious in League One this season and were well on their way to promotion just minutes into the game thanks Ryan Oné.
There was some late nerves when Lewis Wing scored a stunning free-kick in stoppage time but the visitors struck again in the sixth minute of stoppage time thanks to Jack Moylan who guaranteed his side's promotion.
That result means Lincoln City will be in the Championship next season with five games left to spare and it's the first time they have reached that level of the pyramid since 1961.
Just 10 years ago the Imps were playing in the National League and will now be looking forward to a new adventure.
NEW DELHI: Two matches and two defeats - that's the story of Kolkata Knight Riders so far in the IPL 2026. Now, desperate for a win and open their account in the tournament, KKR might face another challenge - rain - in their third match. KKR are set to face Punjab Kings in their third match of the IPL 2026 at the Eden Gardens and will hope rain gods stay away from the crucial clash.
According to the IMD weather bulletin, there is a high likelihood of rain impacting the match at the Eden Gardens.
There has been persistent cloud cover since morning following a "low-pressure trough stretching from Bihar to Manipur, passing over North Bengal, Assam and Bangladesh", as per the IMD.
"The state is likely to witness another round of Kalbaishakhi storms, with the possibility of hail and thunderstorms from Sunday through Thursday. The intensity and spread of rainfall are expected to peak on Tuesday and Wednesday," the IMD said.
"The weather is expected to turn more severe on Tuesday, when Kalbaishakhi storms accompanied by winds of 50-60 kmph, lightning and rain are likely to impact Kolkata and adjoining areas."
KKR, after their match against Punjab Kings on Monday, are scheduled to take on Lucknow Super Giants next at the same venue, and that game too carries a rain forecast. This means after two defeats, weather may add to KKR's early-season worries.
The scheduled practice sessions of both teams were cancelled on the eve of the match following a heavy afternoon downpour, with the Eden Gardens outfield remaining under covers and patches of water visible.
What if KKR vs PBKS IPL 2026 match is washed out?
With rain threatening to play spoilsport, the cut-off timings leave a narrow window for even a shortened contest.
A minimum five-overs-a-side match can only be played if action begins by 10.56 pm, the absolute deadline to ensure a result.
In such a scenario, the toss would need to take place by 10.46 pm.
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A five-over shootout, if it comes to that, turns into a high-intensity contest with little room for consolidation, placing a premium on power-hitting.
However, if no play is possible by the cut-off time, the match will be abandoned, with both teams sharing one point each.
Incidentally, the KKR vs PBKS clash last season on April 26 was also hit by rain, with both teams forced to settle for a point each.
The Shreyas Iyer-led Punjab Kings had posted 201/4 before KKR reached 7/0 when rain dashed hopes of a result.
MADISON, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 28: John Blackwell #25 of the Wisconsin Badgers reacts after scoring against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half of the game at Kohl Center on January 28, 2026 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Wisconsin Badgers got some unfortunate news on Monday morning, as star guard John Blackwell announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal in an interview with ESPN’s Jeff Borzello.
Blackwell averaged 19.1 points and 5.3 rebounds a game this season while being a part of one of the best backcourts in college basketball alongside Nick Boyd. He saw marked improvement with his three-point shooting, hitting 38.3 percent of his shots beyond the arc, and was a vital piece for the Badgers to bring back.
But it wasn’t a surprise when Blackwell made the decision to transfer. He immediately becomes one of the best players available and has received interest from some of the top schools in the country.
Speaking with Borzello, Blackwell said it was a ‘tough decision’ to leave Wisconsin and gave his reasoning for the move.
“It’s a tough decision,” Blackwell said. “I’m looking for a place where I can enhance my skills for the NBA and a place where I can compete for a national championship. A place where that’s the standard and what we’re striving for.”
Looking forward, Blackwell is looking for more opportunities on the ball as a point guard, which was an area where he got feedback from last offseason when testing the NBA Draft waters.
“I improved my mental focus. And off-the-dribble shooting, I think I got better in that aspect,” Blackwell said. “Steps I need to take moving forward, being a better defender, being able to handle the ball more at the point guard position.”
“Blackwell, who said he wants to go to a school where he will be able to show more on-ball responsibility, hopes to take visits and make a decision within the next three to four weeks,” Borzello wrote.
The transfer portal opens on Tuesday, where the decision process will start for the star guard, while the Badgers will be looking for a replacement wing.
Tennessee forward J.P. Estrella (13) signals a close shot during the NCAA Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at the United Center in Chicago on March 29, 2026. | Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
And now for our first real surprise of portal season — Tennessee center J.P. Estrella is set to hit the transfer portal. The sophomore big man had a breakout season with the Volunteers this season, averaging 18 minutes per game and scoring ten points per game.
We heard some chatter about this during the morning hours, and now it’s official. Some rumors suggest Estrella’s dollar figure essentially priced him out of Tennessee’s 2026-27 plans.
J.P. Estrella announces he is entering the transfer portal.
Estrella averaged 10.0 ppg & 5.4 rpg for the #Vols this past season.
“My time as a Vol over the past three years has meant more to me than I can put into words…” pic.twitter.com/w8eutDrlZI
Estrella’s offense really shined in spots this season in the paint, capped with three outings of 20 points or more. The Maine native had some really big moments in Tennessee’s second round win over Virginia late in the game.
The 6-11, 240 pound center is a former 4-star prospect. Estrella has battled injuries throughout his Tennessee career, missing a bit of time in late November this season. This coming after playing in just three games a season ago. It was a foot issue for Estrella, which seemed to linger around a bit early in the season.
When healthy, the ability definitely showed, although the consistency lacked. Estrella shot 59 percent from the field this season while averaging 5.4 rebounds per game. His skill and touch around the rim was impressive when he was locked in this season.
Tennessee has already lost Felix Okpara and Cade Phillips, now add Estrella. The Volunteers are left with Jaylen Carey and DeWayne Brown in the post on the roster as things stand. I would expect two high-level additions there at minimum as Rick Barnes sets his depth for the upcoming season.
The NBA playoffs are just around the corner, starting in less than two weeks, and the Eastern Conference seeding is still up for grabs. It seems likely that the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics will secure the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds, but the race for the No. 3 and No. 4 spots is tight.
As of Monday, the Knicks hold the No. 3 seed with a 50-28 record, just ahead of the Cavaliers, who are at No. 4 with a 49-29 record. There's speculation that Cleveland may be looking to avoid the No. 3 spot to stay clear of facing the Celtics in the second round. Boston is locked into the No. 2 seed at the moment, and according to ESPN’s Cleveland radio host Aaron Goldhammer, the Cavs seem “scared” to take on the Celtics.
"They (Cavs) don't want to play Boston in the second round because they are scared," Goldhammer said Monday on "The Really Big Show".
There's a lot of speculation that the Cavaliers are afraid to face the Celtics, especially after resting five key players in their win over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday.
The Celtics certainly appear to be the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. The last matchup between the two teams took place in Cleveland on March 8, which was Jayson Tatum's second game back, and Boston secured a 109-98 victory.
Cleveland hasn't beaten the Celtics this season, holding an 0-3 record against them. It seems the Cavs face a matchup issue against Boston, and avoiding the Celtics until the Eastern Conference Finals might be the best tactic for Cleveland.
Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell has made a stunning decision. Blackwell plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal while going through the NBA draft process, as he told ESPN’s Jeff Borzello. The Wisconsin star becomes the best guard in the NCAA transfer portal at this point.
During the 2025-26 season, Blackwell averaged 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting 43.0% from the field and 38.9% from the three-point line. In Wisconsin’s Round of 64 loss to the High Point Panthers, Blackwell scored 22 points with 10 rebounds and two assists.
Blackwell is one of the best college basketball players in the NCAA Transfer Portal, so he should be in high demand. Below, we dive into the five best destinations for Blackwell as he searches for his new basketball program.
Kentucky Wildcats
Jeff Le-Imagn Images
The Kentucky Wildcats would be a good destination for John Blackwell. Otege Oweh, who led the Wildcats throughout the 2025-26 season, ran out of eligibility in Kentucky as a senior. It is rare for players of Blackwell’s caliber to hit the transfer portal, so Kentucky should be willing to offer big-time money for the guard.
Michigan State Spartans
Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
The Michigan State Spartans need more consistent scoring, and Blackwell would be the perfect piece to the puzzle. The 21-year-old star is a Bloomfield Hills native, and returning to Michigan could be a desirable outcome. If so, the Spartans could be among the favorites to land Blackwell.
Duke Blue Devils
Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
The Duke Blue Devils are likely losing the Boozer twins to the NBA Draft, and Blackwell could fit right into the rotation. Despite having three of the top-15 players in the 2026 recruiting class, Duke could always use a guard who can score from the three-point line at a near 40% clip. The Blue Devils would have to dish out the money, but Blackwell would be contending for a championship next season.
Illinois Fighting Illini
Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
The Illinois Fighting Illini might have the inside track on Blackwell. The 21-year-old guard’s father, Glynn, played for Illinois from 1984 to 1988. Blackwell could look to follow in his father’s footsteps, and the Fighting Illini are coming off a Final Four appearance. Blackwell could look to take them even further next season.
Michigan Wolverines
Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Michigan Wolverines have become a premier destination under head coach Dusty May. The Wolverines have a surplus of guards and recently landed a commitment from five-star guard Brandon McCoy Jr. on Saturday night. Blackwell joining Michigan could be the first step toward making the National Championship for the second straight season.
Josh Lewenberg: Raptors are using their 15th roster spot to sign guard Tyreke Key, who spent last couple years with the 905. Averaged 14.9 points/shot 40% from 3 this year. Means the 2-ways, Martin & Lawson, won’t have their contracts converted before the end of the season or be playoff eligible
LAS VEGAS, NV - NOVEMBER 30: UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey yells from the stands as Gray Maynard and Nate Diaz fight in their lightweight fight during The Ultimate Fighter season 18 live finale inside the Mandalay Bay Events Center on November 30, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) | Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
“We were mortal enemies,” the former UFC women’s bantamweight champion said of her past relationship with Lundell during her latest YouTube blog. “Started off as mortal enemies. He was coaching against me on ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ and he was so nice I was like, ‘This motherf*cker is so patronizing and fake.’ And I hated his guts. It was like the monkey in the closet from ‘Family Guy.’ That was me to Ricky all the time.”
Sounds like the hate was fairly one-sided.
So what changed? Lundell was training then-UFC heavyweight Travis Browne when “Hapa” traveled to Glendale, Calif., home base for Rousey, prior to Browne’s romantic relationship with “Rowdy” (they would eventually marry). Slowly but surely Rousey started to come around.
“I have to say that I’ve always loved Ronda’s technique,” Lundell explained. “It was an honor to even be a part of the first Ultimate Fighter ever to feature women. I was just so excited. I was getting to see women’s MMA step into a new stage. Just even be a part of that on either side and to be able to support that was just so exciting for me. And then, as time progressed, I was just so excited to be able to even hang with Ronda, because she’s so talented. She’s so good. And so time just kept going by, and I was always excited to learn, to learn things from Ronda, and experience time with Ronda on the mat. I’m very thankful for that.”
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 06: Elijah Sarratt #13 of the Indiana Hoosiers celebrates a touchdown against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the third quarter in the 2025 Big Ten Football Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 06, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
“With the NFL Draft just weeks away, the scramble to replace star talent is in full swing, and sources say the Indianapolis Colts have a specific target in mind to fill the void left by Michael Pittman Jr.,” writes Pauline.
“ . . . Despite signing Alec Pierce to a massive contract last month, the Colts need a replacement for Pittman, whom the team traded. Sources said that not only would (Elijah) Sarratt be a perfect replacement, but it would be a homecoming of sorts, as the wideout has been a terrific receiver for the Indiana Hoosiers the past two years and was a big part of the offense that propelled the program to the national title last season.”
The 6,’2.5”, 210 pound senior wideout for the College Football Playoff Champion Indiana Hoosiers caught 65 receptions for 830 total receiving yards (12.8 ypr. avg.) and a whopping 15 touchdown receptions—leading the entire NCAA, during 14 starts last season. For his standout final collegiate season, the former James Madison transfer earned 2nd-Team All-Big Ten honors for Indiana this past year.
Big receiver whose competitiveness and elite catch-phase execution allow him to overcome his athletic limitations. While he’s nicknamed “Waffle House” because he’s said to be “always open,” Sarratt sees a high number of contested targets versus man coverage. He’s tight-hipped with below-average foot quickness and falls below the line as a separator. Once the throw goes up, however, he consistently beats corners with size, body control and catch-space strength to clean up. He’ll face press matchups that leave his catch column dry, but he’s built and wired for possession targets over the first two levels.
While Colts head coach Shane Steichen has preferred ‘separators’ since his arrival at wideout, it’s not hard to see how Sarratt has some striking similarities to departed Indy starting veteran wideout Michael Pittman Jr. in playing style, with his ability to make contested catches as a big possession target, albeit with a lack of separation.
It’ll be interesting to see what direction the Colts will choose to go at WR2 now opposite lucratively re-signed lead wide receiver Alec Pierce, who’s already a tremendous down the field threat. The team did sign another former Indiana Hooser, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, but he may serve more as veteran depth in 2026 than an ideal starter.
Regardless, it would be surprising if the Colts didn’t address this position again in the upcoming NFL Draft.
He knocked out Anthony Taylor on his debut, outpointed fellow UFC veteran Darren Stewart in May, then stopped ex-UFC champion Luke Rockhold in August.
Now, however, he looks set to begin a new, unknown venture.
Darren Till during his pro boxing debut, a stoppage of Anthony Taylor in January 2025 (Getty Images)
“I’ve got a really big announcement to make,” Till said in an Instagram video on Monday. “I’ve parted ways with Misfits on really good terms.
“I’m thankful for the 12 months I had with them and the three fights I had, [where I] became champion. As I said, on extremely good terms, got nothing but love for Misfits and the owners and promoters and stuff like that, and all the people who work behind the scenes.
“It’s time to try my hand at something else.”
Explaining part of the rationale for his departure, the Liverpudlian said: “Not a lot of people wanted to fight me. It was getting really hard to get fights.
“So, in the next few days I’m going to have a massive announcement, some massive news. I’m sure you are all going to be excited to see what I’m going to announce.
“And I just want to say again, thanks to Misfits. Thanks to everyone involved, and I’ll probably be back there soon as well. This is not the end of it with Misfits. Peace and love.”
Till, 33, made his name in the UFC, going 5-0-1 between 2015 and 2018 to set up a welterweight title shot. At that point, he suffered his first MMA defeat, losing to then-champion Tyron Woodley via submission.
Till was beaten by Dricus Du Plessis in 2022, in his final UFC fight (Getty Images)
That result marked the start of a 1-5 run for Till, who outpointed Kelvin Gastelum but lost to Jorge Masvidal via KO, former champion Robert Whittaker via decision, and Derek Brunson and Dricus Du Plessis via submission. Du Plessis went on to win the middleweight title, with Till having moved up to that division in 2019.
Till rediscovered his form and confidence in the boxing ring, however, knocking out Mohammad Mutie in a 2024 exhibition before joining Misfits.
His Misfits debut was due to come against Tommy Fury – half-brother of ex-heavyweight boxing champ Tyson Fury – but Till’s joke about intending to kick the reality-TV star led Fury to withdraw.
It is unclear what Till’s next move will be, and although he has long expressed a desire to return to the UFC someday, that would not necessarily align with his plan to “try my hand at something else”.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 21: Chop Robinson #44 of the Miami Dolphins plays against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half of the game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 21, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Have you realized that the start of the 2026 NFL Draft is a mere two weeks and three days away from today? With all of the mock drafts swirling around the internet as of late, plus every major sports network discussing options for all teams in the National Football League, it would actually be pretty hard to not realize that, I suppose.
Maybe there’s too many mock drafts out there…
Take Bill Barnwell of ESPN’s latest effort, for example. On Monday, the writer released a mock that included trade options for each pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Of course, we know that a trade at each selection is not going to happen, but why not play with the emotions of every fanbase in the league anyway?
In the mock, Barnwell has the Dolphins acquiring pick #14 from the Baltimore Ravens. Hey, that sounds cool, right? Well, not when you consider what Miami had to give up to acquire that selection in this fictitious scenario. Barnwell had Miami sending third-year pass rusher Chop Robinson andpick #30 to Baltimore for pick #14. Oh, that’s not as fun.
Here’s a snippet of Barnwell’s reasoning:
It was a wildly disappointing sophomore campaign for a player with such promise, and when Jon-Eric Sullivan detailed his pillars for the organization moving forward, the new Miami general manager didn’t include [Chop] Robinson. If the Dolphins don’t see Robinson as a difference-maker in the long term, moving him for meaningful draft capital before that becomes clear would be the logical choice. This trade would value Robinson as the 42nd pick in a typical draft by the Johnson chart, a pick in the upper half of the second round.
Creating another hole in Miami’s roster to move up 16 spots in a first round that doesn’t have many first round grades according to various draft experts doesn’t really strike me as a particularly sound strategy for the Dolphins’ new regime, in my opinion. But, I’ve been wrong before and I’ll be wrong plenty more times, so we’ll just have to see if Miami’s new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan is feeling a bit wacky come April 23rd.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 26: Michael Massey #19 of the Kansas City Royals leaves the field during the game between the Kansas City Royals and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on Thursday, February 26, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Annalee Ramirez/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Royals announced they have activated Michael Massey off the Injured list and have demoted Nick Loftin to Triple-A Omaha. Massey had missed the first nine games with a calf injury. He spent three games on rehab with Omaha and hit 3-for-12 (.333) With a home run.
Massey is facing an important season after missing much of last year with injury. He hit just .244/.268/.313 with three home runs in 77 games, but came on at the end of the season, hitting .375 in his final 21 games after returning from the Injured List. The Royals signed him to a $1.57 million contract in his first year of arbitration, expecting him to fill in at second base and outfield. Massey shows good power potential for a middle infielder, but has struggled to get on base and has battled a myriad of injuries in his career.
Loftin appeared in four games and hit 2-for-9 (.222) with two walks and a double and struggled defensively in left field in Sunday’s loss to Milwaukee.
Florida State baseball won another series, this time over a ranked Virginia, adding to its already impressive resume. With an overall record of 24-7 and a conference record of 9-3, the Seminoles are among the top teams in the ACC and are looking to make another push for the College World Series.
Baseball America's top 25 rankings have smiled upon FSU, as in their rankings, Florida State is now rounding out the top five at No. 5 in the country. This is the first time they have appeared in the top five all season.
Last week, Florida State was ranked No. 6 nationally. Now, they are sandwiched between No. 4 Georgia (27-6, 10-2 SEC) and No. 6 North Carolina (27-5-1, 11-4 ACC). The ACC has six ranked teams in the updated poll, the second most of any conference.
Their upcoming schedule is another gauntlet. The Seminoles are 16-2 when they are at home, and their season continues when they welcome the Florida Gators to Tallahassee. Fans can catch that game on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN 2. Following that, the Seminoles travel to Atlanta to play the No. 3-ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
Contact/Follow us @FSUWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of FSU news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jacob on X @jsmith_sports.
Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Dwayne Aristode (2), Arizona Wildcats guard Anthony Dell'orso (3) and Arizona Wildcats guard Jackson Cook (11) react after losing to the Michigan Wolverines during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
INDIANAPOLIS – Not long after experiencing Michigan’s wrath, Arizona’s Koa Peat reflected on a season while flanked by teammates.
“It means everything to me,” he said. “Being a kid from Arizona, putting on this jersey, having Arizona across my chest. Like I said in the beginning of the season when I put Arizona across my chest, I’m going to go 110 percent every game and leave no regrets.”
For most college basketball teams, the season ends with a loss. Regardless of how well a team’s slate of games plays out, and regardless of conference championship victories, only one team can come out on top in the end.
Despite securing the highest remaining overall seed in the tournament, Arizona won’t be that team. The Wildcats ran into a juggernaut on Saturday in the Final Four of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium, putting an end to their historic season.
Michigan dominated Arizona from wire to wire in a 91-73 win, advancing to the title game on Monday where the Wolverines will face UConn, which beat Illinois in the other national semifinal.
It was a season reminiscent of old times within the Wildcats program, pushing the bar of what’s expected, competing for a national championship year in and year out.
“It was an awesome, awesome journey,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said. “It was as much fun as I’ve ever had coaching basketball.”
This year, although closer than the Wildcats have been in 25 seasons, they still came up short.
A matchup that was deemed a pseudo-national championship game by analysts was never really close, with Michigan taking it to the Wildcats from the jump, outclassing them at their own game.
For almost all of its matchups this season, Arizona has been the enforcer, the one that pushes its style on opponents, overpowering and outmatching just about every team it faced.
The Wildcats more than met their match Saturday.
Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines center Aday Mara (15) celebrates after a play against the Arizona Wildcats in the second half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
“I think a lot of it is simply matchups,” Michigan coach Dusty May said. “When we’ve played this model, this Arizona model this year — and they’re the souped-up version, they’re the steroid version of Gonzaga and these other teams – we just felt like if a team relies on scoring 15 feet and in … because of our size, length, it’s going to be tough to score enough points 15 feet and in — if we’re making some shots and we’re in a decent rhythm offensively.”
Michigan’s Aday Mara was unlike any player the Wildcats have seen this season. The 7-foot-3 big man had a game-high 26 points and looked unstoppable, especially when Arizona’s Motiejus Krivas was on the bench.
Mara stepped up in a big way with Big Ten Player of the Year Yaxel Lendeborg out for a chunk of the first half with a leg injury.
Lendeborg’s absence was hardly felt thanks to incredible shotmaking and defense from the Wolverines, which speaks to their depth and elite talent.
The rain in the Indianapolis area moved east prior to tipoff inside a filled-to-the-brim Lucas Oil Stadium, but that didn’t stop Michigan from pouring it on in the second half. A seemingly never-ending barrage of 3-pointers left both Wolverines and Wildcats fans with hands on their heads — surrender cobra style — one out of pure euphoria and the other out of agony.
A 64% Michigan shooting effort from beyond the arc in the second half helped push the lead to as many as 30.
Despite the innate comeback ability Arizona has shown this season, it was much too difficult a hill to climb against a team of Michigan’s caliber, closing the chapter on a season Lloyd and his bunch will look back on positively.
“I’m just really thankful for the brand and the program for everything they did for me, and these teammates (Jaden Bradley and Brayden Burries) right here,” Peat said. “I’m just super blessed. And it was a special year, and I’m just really thankful for everybody in Tucson.”
The team’s 36 wins are the highest mark in program history. Those 36 wins included a Big 12 regular season championship, a Big 12 Tournament championship and an NCAA Tournament West Regional championship.
Success was an everyday thing for this team, a lot of that stemming from the bond the Wildcats have and the culture Lloyd has built. The camaraderie within the group was evident on the court.
The historic season earned Lloyd a five-year extension, further instilling the belief that he’s the man to lead Arizona back to a national championship it has not won since 1997. While this chapter didn’t end how the Wildcats wanted, Lloyd is ready to return to the Final Four next season.
“Obviously, we’re disappointed we weren’t able to get it over the top for (Tucson),” Lloyd said. “But I think we all saw what’s possible again. So now let’s all roll up our sleeves and support each other and see if we can make this a normal thing.”
This article first appeared on Cronkite News and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
NEW DELHI: Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has made a startling revelation about the abrupt end to his international career, claiming his decision to prioritise the Indian Premier League led to a fallout with the establishment that ultimately cost him his place in the national side.
Speaking in a candid interaction with Ranveer Allahbadia, Pietersen reflected on the sacrifices he made in the late 2000s when the England and Wales Cricket Board was reluctant to allow centrally contracted players to feature in the IPL. His stance, he said, triggered a long-standing conflict that shaped the final phase of his England journey.
‘I made big sacrifices, I lost my career’
On being responsible for English cricketers playing in the IPL today, Pietersen did not hold back while recounting the episode. “I made big sacrifices. I lost my career. That’s the reason why everybody in that establishment went against me,” he said.
The explosive batter believes his international career was cut short prematurely. “I was 33 when my England career finished, 104 Test matches. I should have played 150-160 Tests and got 12,000-13,000 runs. That’s what I should have got,” he added, underlining the scale of what he feels was left unfulfilled.
Pietersen ended his Test career with 8181 runs at 47.28 average, which included 23 hundreds and 35 fifties.
Pietersen’s decision to play in the IPL at a time when it clashed with England’s commitments led to a power struggle with the board, with the issue becoming a highly publicised flashpoint in English cricket.
Opening doors for future generations
Despite the personal cost, Pietersen believes his stance paved the way for modern English players to participate freely in franchise leagues. “I interviewed Jos Buttler a few days ago, and he also said ‘thank you’. Because of all the sacrifices I had made, these guys can have the fruits now,” he revealed.
He also hinted at the intensity of the conflict at the time. “The ECB used The Telegraph to go after me... I don’t want to go too deep into it. It was well publicised, and I live a very happy, peaceful life now,” Pietersen said.
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Having debuted in the IPL with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2009, Pietersen went on to enjoy a successful stint in T20 leagues worldwide after his England exit.
Tennessee forward JP Estrella plans to enter NCAA transfer portal, per On3’s Joe Tipton.
The NCAA Transfer Portal will officially open on April 7 and close on April 21. The new 15-day window was enacted following a recommendation by the men’s basketball oversight committee. Athletes don’t have to commit to a new school by the April 21 deadline.
INDIANAPOLIS — Michigan has been scoring over and swatting down opponents at a record rate during March Madness.
For the Wolverines to go down as one of college basketball’s best ever, they’ll have to do it one more time by taking down a UConn program seeking its third national title in four seasons.
The teams meet in the NCAA championship game, bringing down the curtain on a March Madness full of surprises and fun — and highlighted by two finalists that have been shooting for history in their own distinct ways.
At Michigan, a roster freshly constructed out of last year’s transfer portal, has become the first team to score 90-plus points in five straight tournament games in the same season. On the other end, 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara leads a defense that amassed eight or more blocks in the first four games of the tournament — the first time that’s happened since blocks became an official stat in the 1980s.
The Wolverines (36-3) only had three swats against Arizona, but that was a 91-73 win in a game that was supposed to be the best of the tournament but turned into something else. Michigan is trying to become the fifth team to win six tournament games by a dozen or more. The last two: the UConn title teams in 2023 and ’24.
“We have a team that we think is elite,” coach Dusty May said. “But we also know that means nothing. You still have to do all the things that got you to this point, and you have to weather storms. You have to handle success.”
No program has done that better over the past four years than UConn (34-5) — a feat made more impressive by the landscape it must navigate.
Coach Dan Hurley has used the transfer portal in a more targeted way than Michigan — for instance, he nabbed Tarris Reed Jr. from the Wolverines but also has a UConn lifer in Alex Karaban — to keep the program near the top in an era of quick change.
“We want to have a lot of continuity,” Hurley said. “Our culture is unique. It’s specific. It takes a certain type of player to play for me.”
UConn comes into the game as a 6 1/2-point underdog, according to BetMGM Sportsbook, the third straight game the oddsmakers have picked the Huskies to lose. Bad bet, so far. Braylon Mullins produced the moment of the tournament so far with his 3-pointer to cap UConn’s 19-point comeback against Duke to get the Huskies to the Final Four.
If they defy the odds again, they’ll become the first program to win three titles in four years since the UCLA dynasty of the 1960s and ‘70s.
“The last thing we’re thinking about now, as we prepare for one of these teams, is dynasty,” Hurley said after the Arizona win. “We’re gonna go watch this one and go through the preparation and focus on just ... trying to — whoever we play — try to win the game.”
Emerson Newton-John is out to prove that dreams don’t have an age limit or an expiration date.
“I am out to make a f****** statement,” Newton-John told Motorsport.com.
At 51 years young, the British-born California native’s path in motorsports has been about as treacherous as the roads of Hollywood Hills.
Once a promising upstart in the junior formula categories, his career was sent into a tailspin after real world tragedies abruptly halted financial support. Instead of a potential run at Champ Car (now the IndyCar Series) in 2002, he spent the next decade-plus piecing together occasional opportunities in hopes of finding his way back. There were random one-offs in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series or even ARCA, along with a couple of brief chances in Indy Lights (now Indy NXT).
While this description builds up like real-life Sonny Hayes from “F1: The Movie,” the 2025 blockbuster film that won an Oscar for Best Sound, this is merely the start.
The venture came together through Newton-John’s business partner, who also has a relationship with Austin. After some conversations, he was put to the test, literally, at Motorsport Ranch in Cresson, Texas, some 25 miles southeast of Fort Worth.
“It went beyond perfectly and we became friends and that's how that kind of morphed into running this COTA race together,” Newton-John said.
“As far as the race itself and the significance of it, I'm at a place right now man where if I can run in a reasonably high level championship in a really cool car like that AMG, especially one that's engineered by a team as good as Lone Star, that's a huge thing.”
Emerson Newton-John
Emerson Newton-John
It’s a remarkable situation considering that, although Newton-John tested a Radical SR10 in 2024, he hasn’t competed in a race since 2015. With two significant gaps in his career of 10 years (2003-12) and seven years (2016-2025) are the obvious “what if” when it comes to losing his financial backing, notably after the tragic events on September 11, 2001. At this point, though, it’s part of his story and something he wears on his sleeve.
“I've been asked about the gaps 1,027 times,” said Newton-John, who nearly won in his Formula Holden debut in 2001 and finished fifth in the title race despite missing four races in the fallout of switching teams three times after his initial outfit, NRC Racing, was being sold.
“So it's this most simple and straightforward reply: there's been no money. That's it. I would never have stopped racing for a day at the end of 2001 had I had financial backing.
“I mean, going testing anything over mid-level even with a buddy discount, you're looking at $20,000 for the day. Anything significant like GT3 you're looking at $50,000 or more for the day. Then add insurance and the deductible on top of it, that’s not a thing for me. That’s just not an option.”
For some, a lack of money might seem like an excuse for the nephew of the late Olivia Newton-John, a global icon in her own right as an actress, singer, and songwriter. The reality of it, though, is that she was the beloved aunt that Newton-John regards as “pure as Snow White” and, simply put, not his mother.
“She was like a mom, absolutely, especially the first half of my life when I was young but she wasn’t my mom,” said Newton-John. “Maybe if she was I would have retired five years ago from 20 seasons of IndyCar. I’ll never know that, but it wasn't her responsibility to foot the bill.”
Given the circumstances that led Newton-John down an unconventional journey, it’d be understandable for anyone in that situation to become somewhat bitter or even a little jaded. Being so close to a lifelong dream and having it swept away like sand in a dust storm due to factors beyond control is a challenging thing to comprehend.
“I was extremely emotional about this sport,” he said. “It's so embarrassing but a lot of my youth, probably up until I was maybe 14 or 15, I would get actually teary-eyed at the pre-engine startup for the Indianapolis 500.
“I remember as a kid like when I was 10 or 12 I would put on a helmet, sit on my bed and watch the five minutes when the drivers were getting in the cars and everyone was getting them ready, and then the parade left; that was highly emotional to me and to a degree it still is. I think the emotion is still there, I’m just a lot better at channeling it.”
Emerson Newton-John
Emerson Newton-John
That isn’t to say, though, that if his return at the end of this month leads towards something bigger, such as a chance to compete in the Rolex 24 At Daytona, the crown jewel for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, those suppressed emotions wouldn’t come rushing back.
“Let's say it all works out for me and I get to run the Daytona 24, I’m in a class-winning car and we win it, guarantee I'm going to cry,” Newton-John said.
“I may even get to that point if I just lock in a sponsor. At the first race weekend, I'd probably be like, ‘Holy s*** I pulled this off. This is insane.’ I think that probably will be the case.
“And definitely, if bigger and better things happen it's gonna blow my mind. But right now, I may sound calm, cool and collected because that's where I put myself. I gave so much emotion, brain power and just everything you could give to this sport, and a lot of that was when I wasn't racing. The racing part is easy. Driving a race car is easy, getting to the race car is the challenge.”
For Newton-John, who has been referred to as “a natural” by a respected motorsports veteran that spent several decades in the IndyCar paddock for his ability to be instantly quick regardless of how much time was missed, the tenacity demonstrates how much, even after everything he’s been through, the fire for racing still flickers as wildly as ever.
It begs the question, though, for a guy that was named after the legendary Emerson Fittipaldi and grew up admiring Nigel Mansell’s bravery, what’s the endgame?
“My pipe-dream scenario is to not only go back racing at a high level full time and tell this story of mine, but it's also to do it as a team owner,” Newton-John said.
“I want to be a team owner. It would be a category obviously, that I could race in. I would love to be an IMSA team owner and definitely be driving full time at the same time. To me, that's a legitimate way to spend ‘your money’ because you're actively participating with a way to create a financial stream. If you have a team owner, you can bring in sponsorship, you can bring in other paid drivers and then you have a legitimate business. That I'm all about.”
Chael Sonnen sees UFC Freedom 250 as a must-win for Michael Chandler.
Former Bellator champion Chandler (23-10 MMA, 2-5 UFC) takes on rising lightweight contender Mauricio Ruffy (13-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) on June 14 at The White House. The ex-UFC title challenger will look to snap a three-fight losing skid to Dustin Poirier, Charles Oliveira, and most recently Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314. If Chandler fails to rebound against Ruffy, Sonnen believes it could mark the end of his career.
"Yes, he likely will (retire), and I don't know that it will be necessarily his choice," Sonnen said on his YouTube channel. "Chandler is now 38 years old. Chandler is also gainfully employed by Paramount and is going to be part of the announcing team. Should he lose a fight, that would probably be a point in Chandler's career. Chandler's one of those guys that still wants to be a world champion. So if he gets confronted with, look, that's just not in your future. At 38 years old and coming off this defeat, that is not in your future. I predict he likely would say, 'Fair enough, give my spot to somebody else.'"
Chandler hasn't won a fight since brutally knocking out Tony Ferguson in May 2022, which was the fourth loss of an eight-fight losing streak for "El Cucuy." Chandler's only other UFC win came in his debut against Dan Hooker in January 2021, when he finished him by first-round TKO.
Four Barcelona players at suspension risk heading into Atletico Madrid clash
Barcelona will lock horns with Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League this Wednesday at the Spotify Camp Nou.
This will be the fifth meeting between the two teams across all competitions, with the Blaugrana winning four of those – the latest one coming this past weekend in La Liga.
And their exceptional record since returning to the Spotify Camp Nou earlier in the season only serves to boost their chances as Hansi Flick & co. aim to kill off the tie in the first leg itself.
Barça go into the game without four players as Raphinha, Marc Bernal, and Andreas Christensen are injured, while Frenkie de Jong is still not ready to return.
Four players at suspension risk
Beyond that, there are also four Barcelona players just one yellow card away from suspension heading into Wednesday’s clash against Atletico Madrid.
Martin and Casado are one yellow away from suspension. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Indeed, Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Gerard Martin, and Marc Casado are all one caution away from earning an automatic one-match suspension for accumulation of cards in the Champions League.
It must be remembered that Lamine has already served a suspension in Europe this season. The 18-year-old winger is a certain starter for the Blaugrana against Diego Simeone’s men, along with Fermin and Martin, while Casado is likely to feature off the bench.
A yellow card to any of them would lead to a one-match ban, meaning they would stand to miss the second leg of the quarter-finals at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano next week.
At a time when the team is already without important players like Raphinha, losing someone like Lamine, Fermin, or Martin for the second leg will be a major blow. As such, the players must keep their discipline against the Colchoneros.
It is worth noting that yellow cards in the Champions League are cleared from the semi-finals onward, meaning players must navigate the next couple of matches carefully to avoid missing crucial games.
Bompastor praises Chelsea’s mental resilience and hails youngster Buurman after FA Cup win over Spurs
Sonia Bompastor says she is delighted with the mental strength her side showed in their FA Cup win over rivals Tottenham.
Goals from Sam Kerr and Veerle Buurman booked Chelsea’s place in the semi finals of the competition.
“We came into this game with a lot of fatigue and heavy legs,” Chelsea boss Bompastor said.
“We didn’t have a lot of players to rotate in the seven games we played in the past four weeks. So I think that’s completely normal for the players to feel like that physically.
“But mentally, I’m really proud of them. They put in the effort and they were fighting until the end. The quality was shown on the pitch again.”
Bompastor also heaped praise on youngster Buurman after her stunning winner in the 86th minute.
“I think, when you analyse everything, it’s amazing,’ Bompastor said.
“She is young. I think for her, this last block was a big achievement. She had great performances out of possession, but also with the ball, and today she had a great performance again, and her goal was a rocket.
“So I think for her to be able to score that type of goal, it’s really nice. She helped the team perform, but she’s also helped win a really important game. So for a teenager like her to be able to have this impact in a team like Chelsea, it means a lot.”
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The Atlanta Dream adding forward Angel Reese is a huge boost to the team's 2026 WNBA title chances.
Atlanta already improved dramatically in 2025 under first year head coach Karl Smesko, and adding Reese will only further cement the team's contending status with her ace rebounding and general post abilities.
What will the starting lineup in Atlanta look like with Reese in the fold? Well, it's a bit tricky to project right now with some of the team's key players headed to free agency. However, we bet Atlanta will retain some of its key talents.
Let's do a rough projection of what the starting lineup will look like for the Dream with Reese in the mix. Just know that this could change wildly depending on what Atlanta does in WNBA free agency this week.
Nick Kyrgios is one of the sport’s most divisive characters, but there’s no doubt he’s left his mark on the game in more ways than one.
His style, personality and approach are hard to ignore. While some find it refreshing, others see it as disruptive, but either way, he has drawn plenty of attention to tennis over the past decade.
There has been a noticeable shift towards a more inclusive atmosphere in tennis, and part of that change can be attributed to voices like Kyrgios’, who have never shied away from challenging the status quo.
Speaking exclusively to Tennishead, just after discussing Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s dominance on the ATP Tour, Kyrgios shared his views on a range of issues within the WTA Tour as well.
Nick Kyrgios comments on Serena Williams’ potential return
Photo by Chris Putnam/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Nick Kyrgios started by addressing the ongoing rumours around Serena Williams. Even though she hasn’t confirmed anything herself, there’s been a steady flow of talk that she might be thinking about a comeback.
When asked how the 23-time Grand Slam winner might handle today’s WTA Tour, Kyrgios told Tennishead: “Athletes are getting better every year. It’s hard to say.
“She’s the tennis GOAT, and everyone is chasing her. It’ll be cool to see her back just to watch her again, regardless of the results, to be honest. But don’t underestimate what 23 Slams does for the mental game, she’s been through all the trenches in tennis and knows exactly what it takes to win.”
Serena has reportedly been seen practising with current tour players behind closed doors, though whenever she’s pressed on it, she insists there’s nothing more to it than gossip.
Kyrgios weighs in on women playing best-of-five sets
Kyrgios has never shied away from weighing in on controversial topics. That openness is a big reason why he’s built such a dedicated following, offering perspectives that few others on tour are willing to share.
The idea of women playing best-of-five sets at Grand Slams is one topic that rarely gets much public support from ATP players, but Kyrgios didn’t hesitate to give his take.
While he fully supports the idea that women could handle the format, he actually suggested a change to the men’s side instead: “Yes, women can play best-of-five sets. But honestly, that’s not the main issue.
“Men could play best-of-three sets until the quarterfinals and then best-of-five. That would solve all the scheduling issues at Grand Slams, lead to more upsets, allow fans to watch more matches in a day—the list goes on.”
Kyrgios has spent much of his time recently away from tennis due to injury and hasn’t played professionally since June 2023. Pickleball has filled some of that gap for him lately, where he’s been promoting his partnerships with Picklr and Vulcan.
Nick Kyrgios backs Coco Gauff after post-match incident
Kyrgios ended by weighing in on the coverage surrounding Coco Gauff following her exit from the Australian Open.
Gauff had just lost to Elina Svitolina in straight sets, but she handled herself well, congratulating her opponent before leaving the court.
But away from the cameras, or so she thought, Gauff let out her frustration by smashing her racket against a wall. Video of the moment soon made its way online.
Kyrgios didn’t see an issue with it and was quick to defend her. He told us: “Look, for the sport to grow, it needs access—but not into every inch of our lives. There needs to be spaces where we can get away, relax, and let off some steam without being crucified for it.”
“I stand with Coco; I think she did nothing wrong. She loves the game and showed how much it meant to her—what’s the issue?”
If the Indianapolis Colts are going to trade up in the second-round of the 2026 NFL draft, what might it cost to do so?
The Colts are without a first-round pick in this year's draft, leaving them with only two picks in the top 100 and a modest seven selections in total. Their first selection is scheduled to come at pick No. 47 overall.
As GM Chris Ballard has already strongly hinted at, trading back in this year's draft is very much on his radar. So perhaps it's not likely that the Colts trade up, at least in the early portion of the draft.
But if they were to do so, here is what Ballard may have to part with to make that happen, according to the Rich Hill trade value chart.
Sheffield Wednesday were deducted 12 points in October after filing for administration, and a further six in December for failing to meet payment obligations [Getty Images]
BBC Sport outlines the promotion and relegation issues - and the race for European qualification - in England and Scotland for 2025-26.
The top four teams are guaranteed qualification for the league phase of the Champions League, although England's Uefa coefficient is so strong that it is overwhelmingly likely to be one of the two associations with the highest coefficient for 2025-26, and thus earn a fifth spot in the league phase.
There are also places in the league phase reserved for the winners of this season's Champions League and Europa League, regardless of their domestic league positions.
The fifth-placed Premier League team (or the sixth, see above) will qualify for the league phase of the Europa League, along with the FA Cup winners. If the FA Cup winners have already qualified for the Champions League, that Europa place reverts to the league.
Arsenal cannot finish lower than fifth so at the very worst, will play in the Europa League.
Manchester City were the first Premier League team to qualify for Europe after winning the Carabao Cup final on 22 March, but as they are extremely likely to qualify for the Champions League via their league placing, the Conference League spot reserved for the Carabao Cup winners is likely to revert to the league.
If Crystal Palace win the Conference League but fail to reach the Champions League, they will qualify for the league phase of the Europa League.
The bottom three teams will be relegated to the Championship.
The WSL champions and runners-up will enter the league phase of the Women's Champions League, with the third-placed side entering in the third round.
Manchester City are already assured of a Champions League place.
If an English team wins the Champions League but finishes outside the top three, they will qualify for the league phase.
The bottom-placed WSL team will face a play-off against the third-placed WSL 2 team. With the WSL expanding to 14 teams for 2026-27, the top two teams in WSL 2 will earn automatic promotion.
Championship
The top two teams will be automatically promoted to the Premier League, with the next four entering a play-off. Leaders Coventry are assured of at least a play-off place, and require a maximum of eight points from their last six games to clinch promotion.
The bottom three teams will be relegated to League One. Having suffered two points deductions, Sheffield Wednesday's relegation was confirmed on 22 February when they lost 2-1 at Sheffield United.
League One
Lincoln clinched promotion on Easter Monday with five games to spare [PA Media]
The top two teams will be automatically promoted to the Championship, with the next four entering a play-off.
Lincoln City became the first EFL team to be promoted in 2025-26 when they won 2-1 at Reading on 6 April.
The bottom four teams will be relegated to League Two.
League Two
The top three teams will be automatically promoted to League One, with the next four entering a play-off.
The bottom two teams will be relegated to the National League.
National League
The champions - York or Rochdale - will be automatically promoted to League Two. The runners-up will enter a play-off with Carlisle, Boreham Wood, Scunthorpe and two other teams.
The bottom four teams will be relegated to National League North or South, and will be replaced by the champions and play-off winners of those two divisions.
The Premiership splits in half after 33 games, on the weekend of 11-12 April - with each club playing the others in their 'half' for a fourth and final time.
Hearts, Rangers, Celtic, Motherwell, Hibernian and Falkirk will play in the top half, with Livingston, Kilmarnock, St Mirren, Aberdeen, Dundee and Dundee United in the bottom half.
The champions will enter the Champions League play-off round, with the runners-up entering in the second qualifying round.
The Scottish Cup winners will enter the Europa League in the third qualifying round. If the cup winners finish in the top two, that Europa place reverts to the league.
The third and fourth-placed Premiership teams will enter the Conference League at the second qualifying round.
The Premiership's bottom club will be relegated to the Scottish Championship, while the 11th-placed team will enter a play-off with three Championship sides.
Scottish Championship
The champions will be promoted to the Scottish Premiership.
The next three teams will enter a play-off with the 11th-placed Premiership team.
The bottom club will be relegated to Scottish League One, while the ninth-placed team will enter a play-off with three League One sides.
Scottish League One
The champions will be automatically promoted to the Scottish Championship, with the next three teams entering a play-off with the ninth-placed Championship side.
The ninth-placed team will enter a play-off with three League Two teams.
Scottish League Two
The champions will be automatically promoted to Scottish League One, with the next three teams entering a play-off with the ninth-placed League One side.
The bottom side - likely to be Edinburgh City (unless they win their last four games and Dumbarton take no more than one point from theirs) - will enter a play-off against the winners of a play-off between the Highland League champions and Lowland League winners. The overall winners will take the final place in League Two for 2026-27.
Angel Reese's third WNBA season will not be with the Chicago Sky.
On Monday, April 6, Prime's Taylor Rooks broke the news that the Sky were moving their star forward. The Sky and Dream later confirmed the move with dual announcements.
"This trade is designed to achieve roster balance and represents a great opportunity for all parties," Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca said in a statement. "We are thankful for her many important contributions to this league and this game, and we know she will continue to have a big impact on the court and beyond. We wish Angel all the best in her next chapter."
“Angel is a dynamic talent and a perfect fit for what we are building in Atlanta," said Dream general manager Dan Padover. "She has already proven herself as one of the most impactful players in the league, and her competitiveness, production and drive to win align seamlessly with our vision. This is an exciting moment for our organization and our fans."
Angel Reese trade details
The Dream acquired the two-time WNBA All-Star from the Chicago Sky in exchange for the Dream’s first-round picks in 2027 and 2028. The Dream will also receive the right to swap second-round picks with the Sky in 2028.
A new sweet treat at Augusta National has been the talk of the golf course to start the 90th Masters Tournament week. Simply dubbed the “Candy Bar,” the dark-milk chocolate bar with caramel, rice crisps and hazelnut crunch has gotten rave reviews for its flavor and sweetness. The only person that probably wouldn’t like it, according to one patron, is your dentist.
“Dentist would not approve,” the patron said. “If you got dental work done, don’t.”
Jack Farmer, a patron from Lenexa, Kan., described the candy bar as hard and chewy with a heavy caramel flavor. When asked about if it was comparable to any other candy bar, Farmer said it was a “one of a kind” candy bar. He also, clearly, enjoyed them as he had three more bars in his bag to eat later.
His friend, Walt Jarzemkosia, also from Lenexa, likened it to a heartier version of the Rolo candy bar. He enjoyed the candy bar, but the thickness of it almost caught him by surprise. It has him on the fence if he’ll grab another one during the week.
“I may,” Jarzemkosia said. “Kind of a long eat, so I have to take my time.”
The thickness of the bar was also what Laikyn Boswell of Barnswell, Ga. noticed when she first bit into the bar. She said it was “hard to eat,” but it was really good and she’d get it again despite her not being the biggest fan of candy bars.
Brothers Jack and Jamison Gordon, 10 and 13 respectively, both enjoyed the bars. The Houston natives said it reminded them of a Snickers or Twix bar, just harder to bite into and even a tad crunchy.
The “Candy Bar” is available to purchase at the various concession stands around the golf course for $2.25. The wrapper of the bar has the Masters green color near the ends of the wrapper with a yellow stripe going through it vertically before getting to the center of the bar with a white center where it has “Candy Bar” in the middle. Above it is the Masters logo and below it is a description of the bar.
Towards the bottom of the bar reads “Bitzel’s Chocolate,” the company that produces the bars before it gets wrapped in Masters wrapping and gets shipped off to the course. If you fold back the part of the wrapper that divides the back, it lists that the bar contains the following allergens: tree nuts, wheat, soy and milk. The bar also gets produced in a facility that handles peanuts.
Now down to just two potential trophies to win in the 2025/26 season, Arsenal put their European lives on the line as they travel to Lisbon, Portugal for the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal against Sporting CP on Tuesday.
The Gunners were chasing an unprecedented quadruple this season but could not clear either of the first two hurdles as they were well beaten at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final by Man City before being ejected from the FA Cup at the hands of Southampton in their return from the March international break.
That brought club play to a temporary halt as players break for the March international window. A significant number of Mikel Arteta's players withdrew from their national-team squads due to injury, although it does not seem there are any serious concerns.
Here's the latest injury picture around Arteta's squad, with the fixtures coming thick and fast once they return to club football.
Below is the latest injury picture for Arsenal, and estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.
Bukayo Saka
Injury: Undisclosed
Expected return: TBD
It was a surprise when Bukayo Saka was not involved during the open media portion of Arsenal training on Monday, April 6, the day before the Gunners were slated to take on Sporting CP in the Champions League. There is nothing known about a potential injury beyond that Saka was not seen by members of the media who attended. It's not clear whether he could miss the coming match, or if his absence was of little concern.
Leandro Trossard
Injury: Undisclosed
Expected return: April 7 (vs. Sporting CP)
Leandro Trossard withdrew from the Belgium squad for the March international break due to an undisclosed injury. "This decision will allow them to continue their rehabilitation under optimal conditions," the release said, with Club Brugge's Hans Vanaken also withdrawing.
Trossard was thought to be fine to continue with club fixtures once the window concluded, but he was not involved as they met Southampton in the FA Cup over the weekend. He has returned to training ahead of the Champions League visit to Lisbon.
Jurrien Timber
Injury: Knee
Expected return: April 7 (vs. Sporting CP)
Timber suffered an injury early in the eventual 2-0 victory over Everton on March 14. He went down in the opening 15 minutes but carried on as long as he could. Ultimately, he was forced off in the 37th minute, replaced by Cristhian Mosquera.
In the end, it would appear Arsenal dodged a bullet with this one. Arteta said that Timber's recovery will be "a matter of days," but he missed the Bayer Leverkusen return leg and the ensuing EFL Cup final defeat to Man City, leading to his withdrawal from the Netherlands squad. After not being involved against Southampton, Timber should return for the midweek Champions League match.
Gabriel
Injury: Knee
Expected return: April 7 (vs. Sporting CP)
After playing the full 90 minutes against Man City in the Carabao Cup final, Gabriel withdrew from the Brazil squad due to "knee pain." He returned to club action against Southampton in the FA Cup final defeat, but was withdrawn in the 72nd minute, leading to more questions about his fitness.
He's back in Arsenal training ahead of the Champions League match and will be expected to start that game.
Piero Hincapie
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return: TBD
Enjoying a strong first season with Arsenal, Piero Hincapie may not be available for the Gunners during the stretch run of the campaign. The Ecuadorian hobbled off with an injury during one of their international matches in the March window, and Mikel Arteta was tight-lipped on the extent of his hamstring issue, although the Arsenal boss did seem to suggest it was of the more serious variety.
Until more is known about how severe Hincapie's concern is, it's impossible to speculate on when he could potentially return.
Eberechi Eze
Injury: Calf
Expected return: May 2 (vs. Fulham)
Eze was excluded from the squad for the Carabao Cup final against Man City and subsequently withdrew from the England camp for the March international break. He will undergo a scan, but there is concern that he could miss a run of fixtures, with reports claiming he will miss at least two weeks and possibly more.
It was reported in Spain late on February 1 that Merino could miss much of the rest of the season with a broken foot, and Arsenal confirmed the injury a day later. The club said the midfielder will be out for "an extended period" while he recovers from surgery, but the intention is for him to be back in training before the season ends.
Recruiting never stops in college sports, and Kentucky Wildcats coach Will Stein has been hard at work at it since taking the job in Lexington. With the 2026 class mostly wrapped up, targeting and establishing a relationship with the 2027 class is important.
The Wildcats have already established contact with some of the top players in the 2027 group, and are setting up visits with as many as possible. One player they have now scheduled is defensive end Justin Weeks.
Weeks is a 6'5", 235 lb pass rusher out of Georgia. He is rated four stars by 247Sports and ranks as the number 282 overall player and the number 33 defensive lineman in their composite rankings.
Kentucky has scheduled Weeks for an official visit on Jun. 19, along with some other top prospects. He has already taken an unofficial visit to Lexington. This won't be his only stop, though, with Ohio State also set to have him on campus. In addition, the Georgia Bulldogs, Oklahoma Sooners, and others have made offers. He would be a big win for Coach Stein, and getting him in for a visit is a good start.
The game cameras captured all the action this past weekend during the Women's Final Four and National Championship Game.
South Carolina delivered a defensive masterclass to snap UConn's perfect season; however, the entire game was overshadowed by UConn head coach Geno Auriemma’s strange outburst over what he believed was a snub during the pregame handshake. It made him so mad that he skipped the usual postgame handshake line, instead storming to the locker room.
But whatever he said to Dawn, it landed. Because the three-time national championship coach was caught on camera telling her staff that she would "beat his ass.'' The hot water was there, ready to bubble over, and anyone watching could see it. But then she stopped, and that moment, the stopping, is the whole story.
Not the confrontation from Geno. Not the lame apology that came some 15 hours later. Not the social media firestorm that turned a handshake into a national debate.
The real story is what Dawn Staley did when she had every right to let it burn.
The Setup
By now, the facts are clearly established and presented as they would be as evidence in court. Geno confronted Dawn following the Gamecocks' Final Four Win over UConn, suggesting that he was upset over the lack of a pregame handshake, although the ESPN broadcast noted that Staley had indeed shaken hands with Huskies coaching staff, including Geno Auriemma, prior to tip-off.
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 3, 2026
Later in the game, in a live sideline interview, Geno complained about the officiating and said that Staley "rants and raves on the sideline and calls the referees some names you don't want to hear." So, by the time the clock was winding down, Geno's self-inflicted fuse had been lit from both ends. but when he approached Staley, she didn't shrink. She fired back, and then just as quickly, she pulled herself out of it.
Senior guard Raven Johnson slid through the ongoing chaos and high-fived her coach, a move so perfectly timed that it seemingly broke the ice of what was happening in real time. “It’s just so classic Raven, really classic Raven,” Staley said about the moment. “I mean, she makes me laugh even in the most difficult situations because she’s so innocent. Like she really is a really kind-hearted young lady. Sometimes you need people around you to put things in perspective. It truly was a calming for her to do that. Just to break the ice of what was happening in real time.” What it revealed, without even intending to, is the kind of program that Dawn Staley has built. Her players don't just play for her, they protect her.
The Response
In the hours that followed, amongst the social media frenzy, Staley had several choices on how to respond. She could have gone full scorched earth. After all, the evidence was right there, and it was as long as a CVS receipt. The video evidence was everywhere, contradicting everything Auriemma claimed from handshakes to torn jerseys.
Instead, every press conference Staley sat down for was a redirect. “For me, no distractions at this time. I'm concentrating on winning a national championship, that’s it,” Staley said on Saturday, via Matt Dowell. “That’s a little disheartening. This is sports; sometimes things like this happen. Continue to focus on my team and ability to advance in this tournament and hopefully win another national championship.”
Auriemma eventually issued a statement that was released on social media, apologizing to the South Carolina staff, but without mentioning Staley by name. On Sunday night, during the championship broadcast, Rebecca Lobo mentioned that she knew Auriemma had personally reached out to Staley. Staley was asked about that report during the post-game press conference.
"It really is a Geno question. I haven't heard from Geno, so… I have not. I got 800 text messages. I don't know if he texted or not," Staley said. "This is UCLA's day, right? Let's keep it UCLA, them winning the national championship. Again, I will address all of that at another time, just not this weekend. We're not going to damper UCLA's day with it. We talk about South Carolina, us losing, talk about UCLA winning the national championship, what's great about our game today." Then she moved on.
Dawn Staley says she has not heard from Geno Auriemma directly, and told reporters she wants the focus to be on UCLA winning.
Staley could have easily made this weekend about Geno, and she had every reason to. Instead, she navigated a messy situation with poise and grace. She chose the game instead. She always does. That, too, will be part of the Dawn Staley legacy.
The Weight She Carries
Now here's what gets lost in the handshake debate. Dawn Staley was not just playing for a national championship on Sunday; she was playing for the game itself. South Carolina's Final Four appearance was the program's sixth consecutive, and a fourth national championship game appearance in five tournaments. That is the sustained excellence that truly defines a legacy coach like Staley. But unfortunately, the biggest headline coming out of the best weekend in women's college basketball history was about whether two head coaches properly greeted each other before tip-off.
Staley saying that it was "a little disheartening" is a remarkable act of restraint. But that is the weight she carries. As one of the most visible coaches in women's sports, every reaction is a statement. Even more so when you are a female head coach. Every word at a podium or table or sideline interview is a data point that someone will use to define her, or her program, or the sport as a whole. She has to be an ambassador, a standard-bearer, and a de-escalator, all while trying to win a national title.
Dawn Staley has been the face, the fashion, the voice, and the conscience of women's sports for the better part of a decade now, and she isn't slowing down any time soon. It is a weight that she carries and carries well. She is not perfect, nor does she pretend to be. But when it really matters, she always puts basketball ahead of herself.
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A record partnership between Jamie Smith and Dan Lawrence saw Surrey safely to a draw after Warwickshire had dominated much of their County Championship fixture at Edgbaston.
Smith struck a polished 132 from 261 balls and Lawrence an equally assured unbeaten 161 off 258 in a stand of 217 in 64 overs as Surrey batted through the final day to reach 447-4.
The implacable fourth-wicket pair took full advantage of a pitch that just got better and better for batting.
There was little that Ed Barnard, in his first match as Warwickshire captain, could do but rotate his array of seamers in the hope of inducing errors.
It proved a forlorn hope as Surrey erased their first-innings deficit of 216 and then batted on to secure a draw with which they will be very happy, having been in disarray at 65-6 on the first afternoon.
Surrey resumed on the final morning on 169-3, still 47 behind, way behind in the game but in conditions which offered them a way out of trouble if they batted with the required diligence.
They did so, as Smith and Lawrence knuckled down to add 105 from 31 overs in the morning session.
Warwickshire's seamers persevered nobly, with Ethan Bamber and Beau Webster most threatening, but the fourth-wicket pair batted with solid technique and total concentration.
The session yielded just two half-chances, both offered by Smith. On 60 he edged Chris Woakes high past the shoulder of Sam Hain at slip and on 76, he drove Jordan Thompson to extra cover where Webster got a hand to a difficult chance but couldn't hold on.
The batters advanced relentlessly to their centuries in the afternoon, Smith's arriving from 199 balls and Lawrence's from 152, before becoming the third and fourth members of the team to put their names in the record books during this match.
In the first innings, Ben Foakes and Tom Lawes broke a 120-year-old record for Surrey's seventh wicket against Warwickshire.
Three days later, Smith and Larwence matched the achievement, their 217 partnership surpassing the county's previous fourth-wicket best against the Bears - 213 by Tom Hayward and Edwin Goatley at The Oval in 1906.
The alliance when Smith lifted Rob Yates to long on. His job was done, though, and all that remained was a final session of Lawrence and Ben Foakes (36*) enjoying a gentle outdoor net against the spin of Yates and Dan Mousley.
It was a low-key end to a match which contained some excellent, competitive cricket and from which both sides will take plenty of positive.
Surrey, having copped the worst of the conditions early in the match, showed the fortitude and skill not to lose it. Warwickshire, their top order all showing promising early-season form, were well on top against strong opposition for much of the game.
Report by ECB Reporters' Network, supported by Rothesay.
TAO price showed a sharp 10% intraday surge pushed it cleanly off a key level around $300, flipping what used to be resistance into support. That’s bullish structure. Clean. Convincing.
But is it that simple, and will price keep rising? Let’s find out.
TAO price breakout builds strong bullish momentum
The move from $300 wasn’t random. That level had been acting like a ceiling in march, and now in April it’s holding as a floor. That’s the kind of shift traders watch closely and this demand area is being tested right now.
If momentum sticks, the next logical checkpoints sit at $352 and $396. Those aren’t fantasy targets they’re areas TAO price has already respected before. So revisiting them? Totally on the table.
And of course, the optimism doesn’t stop there. Some market voices are already calling for a much bigger move, with expectations stretching as high as $500 before June. The narrative? TAO isn’t just rallying it’s “ fundamentals are dominating.”
$TAO looks ready to keep dominating through April and into May.
Well, while TAO price action looks solid, derivatives data is starting to look… uncomfortable.
The futures volume bubble map from CryptoQuant platform shows heavy leveraged activity stacking up right between $300 and $350. Not just elevated but red hot overheated state. That’s usually not a sign of stability. It’s a sign of crowding.
And crowded trades don’t end well. We’ve seen this before. Back in Q4 2025, a similar overheating phase didn’t lead to continuation but it triggered a sharp correction. If history rhymes, this current setup could be laying the groundwork for a pullback rather than a breakout.
Bearish liquidation signals add pressure on upside
Now layer in liquidation data, and things get even more interesting. Right now, the structure leans bearish.
That means if TAO price stalls or dips, downside liquidations could accelerate the move lower. Basically, the same leverage that’s fueling upside momentum can flip and become a liability real fast.
So while spot traders see strength, derivatives traders are quietly building a risk scenario underneath.
XRP price has been stuck within a strong descending trend for the past 8 months, which has kept the volume within a restricted range. The rally has been consistently printing lower highs and lows and is currently capped below the resistance for more than a month, which has prevented the bulls from pushing the price to $2.
Another major reason for the price failing to break the resistance at $1.5 and reach $2 is a large chunk of XRP accumulated above this range. That pain is now visible on the chart as every bounce is sold into. But now, the trend is slowing as prices are no longer collapsing but compressing.
Realized Loss Spikes Signal Capitulation Phase
The Glassnode data shows a sharp rise in realized losses across multiple holder cohorts, particularly in the 1d–1w and 1w–1m age bands, indicating that recent buyers are exiting positions at a loss. Historically, such clusters of realized losses tend to occur near local bottoms, as weaker hands exit and stronger hands absorb supply.
At the same time, the presence of losses across older cohorts (3m–12m) suggests that even mid-term holders—those who accumulated during the rally phase—are now capitulating. This aligns with the earlier insight that a large portion of XRP supply is underwater, reinforcing the idea that the market has already gone through a significant pain cycle. The data also suggests that, at the current price range, only 43.4% of the XRP supply is in profit, the lowest since July 2024.
This type of behaviour usually results in a volatility expansion, not the continuation of a choppy phase.
XRP Price Compressing at a Key Support
The XRP weekly chart is now entering a critical phase where price structure, momentum, and positioning are converging. Currently, XRP is consolidating between $1.27 support and the $1.35–$1.40 range, with a deeper support sitting at $1.12. This marks the area where buyers are beginning to step in after months of selling pressure.
The MACD remains in bearish territory, with both lines still below zero, while heading for a bullish crossover. This suggests that the momentum could flip in favour of bulls at any time from now, as the downside momentum is slowly fading. Moreover, the selling volume has also declined, compared to the initial breakdown, while the candles are tightening, indicating a volatility compression. Therefore, the XRP price may be primed for a transition but not an immediate reversal.
Key Levels That Define the Next Move
This entire structure now revolves around a few critical levels:
$1.27 → Immediate support (decision level)
$1.12 → Final support before deeper breakdown
$1.80 → Major resistance/trend invalidation level
As long as XRP trades below $1.80, the broader structure remains bearish. But holding above $1.27 keeps the market in a compression phase, where a breakout in either direction becomes increasingly likely.
The Bottom Line: What’s Next for XRP Price?
XRP price is now trading at a critical turning point after a prolonged downtrend, with price compressing near the $1.27 support zone while bearish momentum continues to fade. Although the broader structure remains weak below $1.80, the current range suggests seller exhaustion and a potential setup for volatility expansion. A sustained hold above support could drive a recovery toward $1.80, but losing $1.27 would likely accelerate downside toward $1.12, making this a decisive zone for the next major move.
Bitcoin investors hoping for a quick recovery may need to be patient. That is the message from Katie Stockton, founder and managing partner of Fairlead Strategies, who appeared on CNBC’s Squawk Box this week.
Bitcoin Is Boring Right Now and That Is the Point
Stockton’s Bitcoin read was measured but clear. She sees the current price action as a prolonged basing phase with support sitting in the $58,000 to $59,000 range, and she expects multiple retests of that level before any sustained move higher becomes possible.
“It’s a cyclical downtrend and that’s the dominant feature on the chart right now,” she said. “I think we can assume there are going to be retests of support, maybe more than one.”
For crypto investors watching for a bottom signal, Stockton said the charts are not there yet. There are no oversold upturns, no breadth extremes and no sentiment readings that would typically confirm a durable low. Her advice was: do not chase brief relief rallies and wait for the weight of evidence before adding exposure aggressively.
At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading near $70,000 and is up by more than 3% in the last 24 hours.
Why the Macro Picture Matters for Crypto
Bitcoin does not move in isolation and Stockton’s broader market outlook adds important context for crypto traders.
The S&P 500 recovery last week, which clawed back roughly 4% from recent lows, does not look sustainable in her view. For risk assets including crypto, a continued equity correction and widening credit spreads create an unfavourable backdrop. Stockton added that even a ceasefire in the Strait of Hormuz may not be enough to fully reverse the damage already building in financial markets.
“I think it needs to be more than just reopening the Strait to fix the market at this point.”
The U.S. Treasury has appointed BNY Mellon as the financial agent and Robinhood as the technology partner for Trump Accounts, a tax-advantaged investment program for children under 18. Eligible children born between 2025 and 2028 receive a $1,000 Treasury seed invested in low-cost U.S. stock index funds, with families allowed to contribute up to $5,000 annually. Scheduled to launch on July 4, 2026, the program already has 4 million accounts and aims to foster long-term wealth creation and expand stock market participation across American households.
The live price of the Polygon coin is $ 0.21819891.
POL price prediction for 2026 suggests potential highs of $0.7548.
Long-term forecasts indicate POL could reach $4.94 by 2030.
Polygon (POL) remains one of the most recognized scaling ecosystems built around Ethereum. Designed to improve transaction speed and reduce fees, the network has grown into a multi-layer infrastructure supporting decentralized finance, gaming platforms, and enterprise blockchain applications.
The transition from MATIC to POL reflects Polygon’s broader ambition to build a multi-chain ecosystem, where the token supports multiple networks within the Polygon architecture. As Ethereum continues expanding its ecosystem, scaling solutions such as Polygon are expected to play a significant role in supporting decentralized applications. At present, POL is trading near $0.1005, reflecting the broader correction seen across Layer-2 tokens.
However, Polygon continues to maintain strong developer activity and partnerships across Web3 sectors, which could support long-term growth. As blockchain adoption expands and demand for scalable networks increases, Polygon’s infrastructure could remain a critical component of the decentralized ecosystem.
As we move through early 2026, Polygon’s price action reflects a market that has been under sustained pressure following its previous cycle highs, gradually forming a prolonged downtrend structure. After repeated rejections near the $0.70–$0.80 region in earlier cycles, MATIC entered a corrective phase, marked by lower highs and weakening momentum throughout 2025. This trend has extended into early 2026, pushing the price toward lower valuation zones.
In recent weeks, however, MATIC has begun to stabilize near the $0.08–$0.10 demand zone, where selling pressure appears to be easing. Price action is now compressing within a narrow range, suggesting that the market is attempting to form a base. Currently, MATIC is trading below a key resistance zone near $0.11–$0.13, which aligns with both horizontal resistance and the broader trend structure. A sustained move above this level would be the first indication of recovery, potentially driving the price toward the $0.15–$0.18 range.
In this context, Polygon in April may reach the $0.15–$0.18 range if resistance is reclaimed, with a possible extension toward $0.20 under stronger momentum. However, if the resistance continues to hold, MATIC may remain range-bound. A breakdown below the $0.08 level could push the price toward the $0.06 zone, delaying recovery.
Coinpedia’s Polygon Price Prediction 2026
The broader outlook for Polygon in 2026 suggests a market attempting to transition from a prolonged correction into a potential recovery phase, but confirmation remains limited. Following its strong performance in previous cycles, MATIC has undergone a significant drawdown, forming a descending structure that has persisted into 2026. This indicates that while the long-term narrative remains intact, price has yet to reflect renewed demand.
At present, the coin is attempting to establish a base near lower demand zones, where downside pressure is gradually stabilizing. This phase is often associated with accumulation, but requires confirmation through breakout above key resistance levels. Looking ahead, the primary resistance lies at $0.50, followed by stronger barriers near $0.7400 and $0.7550. These levels will determine whether MATIC can shift its broader structure.
Polygon’s continued focus on zkEVM scaling solutions, enterprise partnerships, and Layer-2 adoption could act as key catalysts. Any acceleration in ecosystem activity or capital inflows may support a recovery in valuation. If these developments align with technical breakout, MATIC could gradually move toward the $0.75–$0.88 range over time.
However, until resistance levels are reclaimed, the asset remains in a recovery phase rather than a confirmed uptrend. Failure to hold the $0.48 support could extend consolidation and delay upside.
POL On-Chain Analysis
The on-chain landscape for POL is flashing a major recovery signal as the 30-day moving average of Daily Active Addresses (DAA) shows a clear and sustained upward trend in early 2026.
This metric serves as the vital heartbeat of the ecosystem, indicating that organic utility and user engagement are returning to the network at a steady, reliable pace. Unlike temporary spikes that often signal speculative noise, a rising 30-day average suggests a strengthening network effect and a growing demand for blockspace. For investors, this return of on-chain activity is a fundamental precursor to price appreciation, as it confirms that the ecosystem is not only retaining its base but actively expanding its reach.
Complementing this surge in network activity is a powerful development in supply distribution, specifically within the “whale” and institutional cohorts. Addresses holding between 100,000 and 10 million POL have seen significant growth, signaling a phase of high-conviction accumulation by “smart money.”
This specific bracket often represents mid-to-large-scale investors who lead market cycles by absorbing supply during consolidation phases. This strategic positioning by larger entities reduces sell-side pressure and creates a robust fundamental floor for the asset.
When rising active addresses align with such aggressive whale accumulation, it speaks a definitively bullish language for the POL trajectory, suggesting that the most influential market participants are preparing for a major expansion in value.
Polygon Price Prediction 2026 – 2030
Year
Potential Low ($)
Potential Average ($
Potential High ($)
2026
0.18870
0.47179
$0.7548
2027
0.30194
0.75488
1.20782
2028
0.48311
1.20782
1.93252
2029
0.77297
1.93252
3.09205
2030
1.23676
3.09205
4.94729
Polygon (MATIC) Price Prediction 2026
Anticipating further expansion, MATIC’s potential high for 2026 is projected to be $0.75488, while the potential low is estimated at $0.18870, resulting in an average price of $0.47179.
Polygon Price Prediction 2027
POL crypto can make a potential high of $1.20782 in 2027, with a potential low of $0.30194, leading to an average price of $0.75488.
Polygon Crypto Price Forecast 2028
As the POL price progresses, the potential high price for 2028 is projected to be $1.93252, with a potential low of $0.48311, resulting in an average price of $1.20782.
MATIC Coin Price Projection 2029
Polygon coin price potential high for 2029 could be $3.09205, while a potential low of $0.77297, with an average price of $1.93252.
Polygon Price Prediction 2030
With an established position in the market, POL’s potential high for 2030 is projected to be $4.94729. On the flip side, a potential low of $1.23676 will result in an average price of $3.09205.
The long-term projection assumes Polygon sustains relevance in enterprise blockchain use cases, with growth moderating over time as the asset matures.
Year
Potential Low ($)
Potential Average ($)
Potential High ($)
2031
2.50
4.00
6.00
2032
3.00
5.00
7.20
2033
4.20
6.50
8.50
2040
14.20
24.30
35.00
2050
28.20
35.50
50.00
Polygon (POL) Price Prediction: Market Analysis?
Year
2026
2027
2030
Changelly
$ 0.50
$1.50
$2.90
CoinCodex
$0.26
$$1.75
$3.80
WalletInvestor
$0.36
$$1.88
$2.08
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FAQs
Is Polygon (POL) a good long-term investment?
Polygon is considered a strong long-term project due to its Ethereum scaling role, active development, and growing ecosystem, but it still carries market risk.
What is the Polygon (MATIC) price prediction for 2026?
Polygon could reach up to $0.7548 in 2026, depending on market conditions and continued network growth.
How much could Polygon be worth by 2030?
Forecasts suggest POL could reach around $4.94 by 2030 if adoption grows and Polygon strengthens its role in scaling Ethereum.
What could Polygon be worth by 2040?
Long-term projections vary, but sustained adoption and strong ecosystem growth could push POL significantly higher over time.
How high can the Polygon price Go By 2050?
By 2050, POL’s price will depend on global blockchain adoption, but strong infrastructure use could support substantial long-term value.
The moment XRP was classified as a digital commodity, something shifted in the conversation around it. Not just legally, but structurally.
“Hallelujah,” was how one analyst put it on air. “Finally we got some definition. Now that we have the definition, we can move to the next step.”
That next step, according to macro expert Dr. Jim Willie and his co-discussants, is tokenisation at a scale most people are not yet thinking about.
The DTCC Connection
The numbers being cited are not small. The Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation, which sits at the centre of global securities settlement, holds patents referencing XRP for settlement purposes. The DTCC is also said to have a close working relationship with affiliates of Citadel, which made a $500 million investment in Ripple in November.
The DTCC processes what analysts described as a quadrillion dollars in transactions, a number so large it genuinely resists comprehension. The argument is: if Ripple and XRP capture even 1% of that flow, the implications for price are profound.
“The only way it will work with minimum friction is if the XRP price is over $500,” he said. “The higher the price, the more liquid the asset. The easier things move on the rails.”
Dollar Distrust Is the Real Story
The backdrop, according to Dr. Willie, is a global financial system under visible and accelerating strain. The US government is adding roughly a trillion dollars in debt every hundred days. Military spending has crossed $1.5 trillion. Total obligations, when social security, pensions and off-balance-sheet liabilities are included, may exceed $100 trillion.
That level of debt is quietly reshaping behaviour between trading nations.
“They don’t want the dollar in the room when they’re moving money around,” one speaker noted, pointing to the growing preference among BRICS nations and bilateral trade partners for settlement rails that bypass Washington entirely.
Dr. Willie went further, describing the current conflict in Iran as a smokescreen designed to distract from a deeper structural transition already underway. The real story, in his view, is the accelerating shift from a debt-based monetary system toward one anchored in gold, blockchain technology and select digital assets.
XRP in this framing is not simply a crypto token. It is a neutral settlement bridge between counterparties who no longer share a trusted currency.
Regulation as the Starting Gun
Dr. Willie’s core argument is that regulatory clarity around digital commodities is not bureaucratic housekeeping. It is a signal that governments have stopped resisting the transition and started directing it.
“Regulation signals that institutions are about ready to migrate from legacy rails into the future architecture,” he said. “The governments are no longer resisting the transformation. They are shaping it. All of this is being built for institutional deployment at scale.”
Traditional finance, in his view, is not being reformed. It is being replaced. XRP, alongside a handful of other digital commodities, sits at the centre of what replaces it.
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The MSI MAG A1200PLS PCIE5 delivers strong cold efficiency numbers and excellent build presentation, but a thermal weakness at high load, a questionable 80Plus Platinum claim, and a steep asking price temper an otherwise capable unit.
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A multitude of Google Pixel smartphones have been unable to boot into Android after installing the March 2026 update. Google has acknowledged the issue and says it is working on a fix.
The Murena project has just pushed the /e/OS mobile platform to version 3.6. This update is the first one with Android 16 as its base and comes with improved search capabilities, multiple tweaks and fixes, as well as a much better software center.
GameMT's latest gaming handheld relies on a modular gamepad that can be magnetically attached to a display module or smartphone, making the E5 ModX more versatile than most of its competitors.
According to insiders, a new Star Fox game for Switch 2 could launch as early as summer 2026 – and apparently turn out quite differently than expected. Rumors from last year were revisited on the VGC podcast, including hints at a more humorous tone, which could point to a noticeable shift in direction for Star Fox.
Deal | Anyone in the mood for some uncomplicated co-op shooting can currently pick up Killing Floor, one of the best-known survival shooters, at its best price on Steam. The game also includes a single-player mode and still feels almost tailor-made for a quick shooter session on the go.
Artemis II breaks the historic record of Apollo 13: After more than half a century, the NASA crew in the Orion spacecraft is traveling further from Earth than any crewed mission in history.
Former Rockstar Games audio designer Robb Carr says Grand Theft Auto VI is likely to reuse and expand systems from Red Dead Redemption 2, citing how GTA V adapted RDR’s Dead Eye into character abilities. He suggests GTA VI could similarly incorporate RDR2-style realism and reactive world mechanics, such as reputation-driven NPC behavior, while emphasizing he has no insider details and is only speculating.
The Motorola Edge 70 Fusion shows how flexible a mid-range smartphone can be today, as color, battery size, and storage configuration can all be chosen based on individual needs. Our summary of the test results explains which version is worth considering and where the limitations are.
Honor has finally revealed the launch date for its 600 series. The Honor 600 and 600 Pro are set to make their official debut on April 23 at 10 AM in France. Both phones are now listed on the official landing page, and Honor has an early-bird campaign which gives potential buyers a flat €150 discount for signing up, as well as a chance to win accessories for just €0.10.
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Privacy Display feature on the Galaxy S26 Ultra
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With no renewal agreement reached yet, Vinicius Jr.’s future at Real Madrid remains one of the biggest uncertainties, fueling rumors of a possible departure. In response, the Brazilian has come out to dismiss this information, making his intentions clear.
Vinicius Jr. has established as one of Real Madrid’s most important players in recent years, playing a key role in several titles. Despite this, his future at the club has been surrounded by rumors of a possible departure, as his contract runs until 2027 and no new agreement has been reached. In response, the Brazilian decided to address the rumors immediately, providing an important update on his renewal with Los Blancos.
In the latest Champions League press conference, Vinicius decided to shut down any rumors on his departure of the Spanish side: “I hope I can stay here for a long time. I still have one year left on my contract, but I have a lot of confidence in the president. At the right moment, we will complete the renewal. It’s the club of my dreams, and I want to stay here for many years.“
Despite not being in his best season with Los Blancos, the Brazilian remains the team’s second top scorer and second top assist provider, being a key all-around player for the squad. Moreover, the arrival of Álvaro Arbeloa has been crucial in improving Vinicius’ situation, as they not only have a good relationship, but he has also rediscovered his best form on the pitch—something that seemed unthinkable under Xabi Alonso.
Not only has Vinicius improved his impact on the pitch, but he has also improved his physical condition. Following Xabi Alonso’s departure, the Brazilian reportedly admitted to his teammates that he was not in his best shape. In response, the 25-year-old star stated: “I’ve gone through difficult moments, the fans put pressure on me, but I’m at my best version… I do work at the club and at home with my physio.”
Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match.
Vinicius Jr. defends his attacking partnership with Kylian Mbappé
Throughout the 2025–26 season, Kylian Mbappé’s dominant offensive performances have emerged as a main reason behind Vinicius Jr.’s dip in form. In response, several analysts and former players have pointed to a lack of on-field connection between the two stars, raising doubts about their coexistence. However, the Brazilian has come out to defend his attacking partnership with the Frenchman.
“People say many things. When there are many good players, Kylian has always scored goals. We have to stay connected. It’s a complicated match. Mbappé makes the difference. I also have a strong connection with him off the pitch,” Vinicius Jr. said in the latest press conference.
Vinicius and Mbappé have played 81 games together, during which they have been involved in 18 goals between them. With this, the Frenchman stands out as a better teammate statistically than Jude Bellingham and Luka Modric, trailing only Rodrygo Goes and Federico Valverde by a narrow margin despite having played in far fewer matches. For this reason, coach Arbeloa has decided to keep them as his offensive duo.
Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid celebrates victory following the UEFA Champions League.
After their win over Torino, AC Milan now face Napoli, looking to consolidate their second-place position in Serie A while closing the gap on leaders Inter Milan. To do so, fans are closely monitoring Christian Pulisic’s status, as he could once again be a difference-maker.
Despite their loss to Lazio, AC Milan managed to bounce back from their poor run with a victory against Torino. However, they face a much more complex challenge today, as they take on Napoli, who are also chasing second place in the Serie A standings. For this reason, fans are keeping a close eye on Christian Pulisic’s status for the match, as he could remain a key difference-maker in securing the win.
According to Sky Sports, coach Massimiliano Allegri has decided to leave Pulisic on the bench alongside Rafael Leão for today’s game. Far from being due to any physical issues, this decision appears to be a tactical adjustment in response to inconsistent performances in recent matches. In their absence, Christopher Nkunku and Niclas Füllkrug are expected to lead the attack, aiming to provide an offensive boost.
Pulisic has not managed to regain the scoring instinct he showed at the start of the season. With just one assist so far in 2026, the USMNT star is far from his best version with the Rossoneri. While he remains important at a collective level, he has not been making the difference the way he used to. For this reason, coach Allegri has decided to adjust the attack, also leaving Leão on the bench, as he too is far from his best form.
The Rossoneri are aiming for a different offensive approach than usual. Throughout the season, they have rarely relied on the Nkunku–Füllkrug pairing, so they could look to exploit the spaces between Napoli’s defensive lines to create more room and generate scoring chances. However, coach Allegri is making a risky call, as neither player has managed to make a significant impact this season.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan
Napoli predicted lineup vs AC Milan
Coming off four consecutive victories, Napoli face AC Milan in top form, aiming for second place in Serie A. However, coach Antonio Conte continues to be without Antonio Vergara and Romelu Lukaku, while the availability of Giovanni Di Lorenzo, David Neres, and Amir Rrahmani remains uncertain. Despite this, they have Rasmus Højlund and Kevin De Bruyne, who are expected to make the difference.
Considering this, Napoli could lineup as follows: Vanja Milinkovic-Savic; Alessandro Buongiorno, Mathias Olivera, Juan Jésus; Miguel Gutiérrez, Stanislav Lobotka, Frank Anguissa, Leonardo Spinazzola; Kevin De Bruyne, Scott McTominay; Rasmus Hojlund.
AC Milan predicted lineup vs Napoli
AC Milan come into today’s match under full pressure to secure a win against Napoli, as a loss would drop them to third place in the Serie A standings. For this, coach Massimiliano Allegri has almost his entire roster available, with only Matteo Gabbia remaining out due to injury. However, Pulisic and Leão are expected to be on the bench, with Nkunku and Füllkrug favored instead, adjusting the attack compared to previous matches.
With this in mind, the Rossoneri could lineup as follows: Mike Maignan; Fikayo Tomori, Koni De Winter, Strahinja Pavlovic; Alexis Saelemaekers, Youssouf Fofana, Luka Modric, Adrien Rabiot, Davide Bartesaghi; Niclas Fullkrug, Christopher Nkunku.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan warms up before the Serie A match.
Napoli take on AC Milan in Matchday 31 of the 2025/2026 Serie A season. Fans in the USA can catch every moment, with complete kickoff times and broadcast details provided for both TV and streaming options.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Napoli vs AC Milan on US television and via legal streaming:
Second place in Serie A hangs in the balance as AC Milan prepare for a high-stakes clash against Napoli, with both clubs still chasing league leaders Inter Milan. Napolicome in surging, riding a four-match winning streak and sitting on 62 points, just one behind their rivals.
On the other hand, Milanlook to build on a hard-earned 3-2 victory over Torino that lifted them to 63. With minimal separation in the standings and momentum on both sides, this showdown has all the ingredients of a defining moment in the title race’s supporting battle.
More details on how to watch
Paramount+ is now offering a 7-day free trial promotion for new subscribers, giving fans the ability to watch a ton of soccer fans (and other content) for free.
After the 7-day trial, Paramount+ is just $7.99 per month.
Paramount+ features more than 2,000 live matches each year. In addition to Serie A, the extensive portfolio of soccer properties also includes Coppa Italia, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League; English Football League; Carabao Cup; NWSL; Argentina’s Liga Profesional de Fútbol, and more.
Paramount+ includes exclusive original programs such as: Halo, Star Trek: Discovery, Frasier, Lawmen: Bass Reeves, and Evil, as well as movies including Mean Girls, Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning and more. You can also stream CBSN (CBS News), CBS Sports HQ and ET Live, as well as — with the Premium Plan — your local CBS network.
Paramount+ is available on PC or Mac as well as Roku, iPhone and Android phones, Apple TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, PlayStation 4, Samsung smart TV, Vizio and XBOX One.
If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full Paramount+ soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service.
Here are the steps to sign up for your 7-day free trial to Paramount+:
1. After clicking the ‘Try It Free’ button, you’ll see the following page that explains the two choices you’ll find. Click ‘Continue’ to be presented with the options:
2. Choose between the ‘Paramount+ Essential’ or ‘Paramount+ With Showtime’ options. If you want to save over 15% with an annual plan, click the Annual option. Then hit ‘Continue’ to move on.
3. Next, you’ll need to create a free Paramount+ account:
4. Enter your contact details, and click ‘Continue’ to move to the next step.
5. The following page explains the free 7-day trial:
6. Enter your payment details and then click ‘Start Paramount+’ to begin your free trial.
If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out World Soccer Talk’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer.
To find out when soccer games are on, download the free Soccer TV Schedules App which includes listings of all of the live soccer matches available in the United States (available on Apple iOS devices and Android devices).
WBC welterweight world champion has named the man whom he believes to be the most overrated fighter in the sport, saying that the hype is ‘premature’. Despite knocking out Luke Campbell for the WBC Interim lightweight title back in January 2021, it took over five years for Garcia to finally claim world honours, with some […]
Buyers are attempting to push Bitcoin above the $70,000 level, but some analysts believe the upside may be limited and a drop below the $60,000 support is likely.
Strategy resumed Bitcoin purchases, acquiring 4,871 BTC for $329.9 million, while reporting a $14.46 billion unrealized loss and expanding its holdings.
A darknet threat actor is selling new fraud kit to trick KYC identity verification systems on financial platforms via AI-generated deepfakes and real-time voice altering.
Marc Andreessen says AI job loss fears are “all fake” and predicts a “massive jobs boom,” as fresh US data show increasing long-term unemployment and tech companies citing AI while cutting positions.
Beşiktaş'ın Çek oyuncusu Vaclav Cerny, 1-0 kaybettikleri Fenerbahçe maçının ardından sosyal medya hesabından bir paylaşım yaptı.
Fenerbahçe ile Beşiktaş arasında oynanan ve uzatma dakikalarında sarı-lacivertliler lehine verilen penaltı kararıyla ilgili yankılar devam ediyor.
CERNY'DEN TEPKİ
Beşiktaş forması giyen Vaclav Cerny'den de penaltı için yorum geldi. Çek futbolcu, Beşiktaş'ın maç sonunda yaptığı "Emek hırsızları" başlıklı paylaşımı yeniden paylaştı ve paylaşımına, "Mide bulandırıcı..." yazdı.
Beşiktaş forması altında bu sezon 26 maçta süre bulan 28 yaşındaki Cerny, 6 gol attı ve 8 asist yaptı.
Çaykur Rizespor, Samsunspor maçının hazırlıklarına başladı.
Çaykur Rizespor, Trendyol Süper Lig'in 27. haftasından ertelenen Samsunspor maçının hazırlıklarına başladı.
Yeşil-mavili ekip, Mehmet Cengiz Tesisleri'nde, teknik direktör Recep Uçar yönetimindeki idmanda 5'e 2 pas çalışması ve topa sahip olma oyununun ardından dar alanda çift kale maç yaptı.
Karadeniz ekibi, karşılaşmanın hazırlıklarına yarın devam edecek.
Çaykur Rizespor-Samsunspor maçı, 9 Nisan Perşembe günü saat 20.00'de Çaykur Didi Stadı'nda oynanacak.
Beşiktaş, Trendyol Süper Lig'in 29. haftasında 10 Nisan Cuma günü karşılaşacağı Antalyaspor maçının hazırlıklarına başladı.
Trendyol Süper Lig'in 29. haftasında 10 Nisan Cuma günü Hesap.com Antalyaspor'u konuk edecek Beşiktaş, hazırlıklarına başladı.
Siyah-beyazlı kulüpten yapılan açıklamada, BJK Nevzat Demir Tesisleri'nde teknik direktör Sergen Yalçın yönetiminde gerçekleştirilen antrenmanda kondisyon ve taktik çalışma yapıldığı belirtildi.
Fenerbahçe maçında forma giyen oyuncuların yenilenme çalışması yaptığı idmanda diğer oyuncuların top kapma çalışması gerçekleştirdiği aktarıldı.
Dar alanda oynanan çift kale maçların ardından dayanıklılık, kuvvet ve taktik çalışmasıyla antrenmanın tamamlandığı kaydedildi.
Is it possible to get an accurate view of the current state of SEO?
There have been multiple attempts to reach consensus on what works, predict what might be coming, and identify the factors that may play a role in “good” (or “bad”) SEO.
As useful and productive as some of this may be, none of it offers the same grounded data as the Web Almanac, a project I was honored to be a part of. With the publication of the 2025 SEO chapter, we can now review the data and spot the emerging trends from 2025 and what that could mean for SEO in 2026.
SEO standards on the rise
2025 has been another year of increasingly higher SEO standards — which can only be a good thing:
Near-universal adoption of HTTPS (now up to 91%+).
Increased use of title tags at nearly 99% adoption, and even viewport meta tags at over 93% adoption.
Canonical adoption rose from 65% in 2024 to 67%+ in 2025.
HTML validity is slowly improving. For example, invalid <head> elements dropped to 10.1% on desktop and 10.3% on mobile from 10.6% and 10.9%, respectively, in the previous year.
Robots.txt error rates fell404s declined to 13% from 14% the previous year, and 5xx responses fell to ~0.1%.
Meta robots usage has crept up to 46.2% in 2025 from 45.5% the prior year.
Not all of these statistics represent rapid change, but they do show steady and consistent change, at the very least. The 2025 Web Almanac data presents the web as a more secure and easier-to-crawl place, which is certainly a positive.
So, can SEOs take a victory lap right now? No, as there is more to do in 2026, even if the basics do feel like they’re stable or steadily improving.
Content management systems (CMSs) and SEO plugins play a huge role in developing SEO best practices and cementing the “default” or de facto standards.
As the CMS chapter in the 2025 Web Almanac shows, more and more websites are now powered by a CMS:
Of these, the top five most popular systems over the last four years likely aren’t surprising.
Frequently underpinning many SEO defaults are SEO tools typically utilized by WordPress sites:
That’s not to say that using these platforms or tools ensures a perfect website setup. That said, key elements or functions of these tools can become industry standard due to their ubiquity:
Robots.txt.
Sitemap.xml.
Canonical tags.
Semantic HTML.
Structured data.
Not all of these are on by default. Sometimes they require inputting basic details or simple implementation. Regardless, their ease of access increases the likelihood that they will become an SEO best practice.
This is happening, and it’s proving effective. What this means for 2026 and beyond is that:
Working with or lobbying major platform and tool makers is one of the key ways to shape SEO’s future direction.
SEO tools and platforms will continue to enforce best practices on the front end, but they could also benefit from AI and assistive features behind the scenes. While it may be less visible in the data itself, these tools offer the opportunity to move quickly and gain deeper insight.
Structured data usage was previously driven by what Google rewarded in the search engine results pages (SERPs). SEOs and plugin developers alike could be inspired to move beyond what’s beneficial for the SERPs and onto what contributes to a more predictable, structured, and retrievable data set.
Deprecated, but not forgotten
Defaults and best practices help, but they don’t finish the job. While attention often shifts to new features, old or forgotten standards still see widespread use.
There have been many different cases where deprecated settings or standards have prominently appeared in the data.
For example, in meta robots bot declarations, “msnbot” is still in the top 5, even though it was replaced over 16 years ago.
AMP use has plummeted over the years, but it’s still found on over 38,000 homepages. While technically not deprecated, amp.dev has seen no recent activity for nearly four years now.
The most common meta robots attributes are “index” and “follow,” which are implicit and largely ignored.
Web changes — no matter how small — are often neither quick nor easy to get done, and we’ll likely see traces of deprecated features and settings in the data for years to come.
More work is needed
The improvement in SEO standards doesn’t apply to all features and sites. There are some that aren’t moving in the same direction:
The mobile performance gap stubbornly lingers — even as it continues to improve.
Duplicate content management is still lagging, with nearly 33% of pages missing canonical implementation.
Advanced configurations have barely moved from the previous year — nearly 67% of images don’t have loading attributes set, and over 91% of iframes don’t have set loading attributes.
Many deprecated standards refuse to go away.
While CMS default settings or configurations can take credit for some of the larger changes, they also bear some of the responsibility for the issues above. For example, median Lighthouse scores for some of the major CMS platforms are still lagging, especially on mobile (while seeing increases over last year).
The long tail of the web is still messy, and this will probably always be the case. The Web Almanac dataset doesn’t exclude websites that are no longer relevant or abandoned.
Site metrics that meet the “top” standards from an SEO best practices point of view can likely be achieved with an out-of-the-box site built on any major CMS with a modern theme and 30 mins of carefully considered configuration. This is one of the most significant opportunities in technical SEO.
In 2026, we’ll likely:
Continue to see performance gaps converge between desktop and mobile experiences — but slowly.
Still be able to see echoes of past markup and decisions. Even if the collective focus is pulled to the “new world” of AI search, many SEOs won’t abandon proven tactics and approaches from past years. This dataset develops slowly.
Observe something that’s mostly “business as usual.”
One of the more eagerly awaited elements of the Web Almanac data was whether we can chart the increasing presence and impact of AI search and crawlers in the decisions of SEOs and developers.
Within the data, we observed two major developments:
Robots.txt is increasingly used more as a policy document rather than crawler control.
Creation and adoption of llms.txt is one of the few signs of LLM-first decision-making.
Commenting on the state of SEO is challenging because the definition isn’t fixed. What’s good or bad practice is often hotly debated, and in the world of AI search, another (painful) metamorphosis is now taking place.
In the HTTP Archive data we can observe the influences working on SEO from a “nuts and bolts” point of view, report on what we see, and enable people to make up their own minds.
Specifically, one of the elements we added this year was the analysis of the llms.txt file.
This is a highly controversial text file, but our inclusion was not an endorsement. It’s a recognition that changing trends may (or may not) shape the web. Whether it’s effective or accepted, its adoption says something, and we felt it was important to review that.
Robots.txt as a bouncer
It’s clear that robots.txt has a more important job now than ever. Until relatively recently, it was largely used for targeted control of crawlers, particularly Googlebot and Bingbot.
For most SEOs, however, robots.txt was mostly an exercise in both ensuring we weren’t blocking anything by accident and resolving problem areas with Disallow rules. This has changed:
Gptbot: 4.5% on desktop and 4.2% on mobile in 2025 is up from 2.9% on desktop and 2.7% on mobile in 2024, representing a ~55% increase.
Ccbot: 3.5% on desktop and 3.2% on mobile in 2025 is up from 2.7% on desktop and 2.4% on mobile in 2024.
Petalbot: 4.0% on desktop and 4.4% on mobile in 2025 (not separately tracked in 2024).
Claudebot: 3.6% on desktop and 3.4% on mobile in 2025 is up from 1.9% on desktop and 1.6% on mobile in 2024, nearly doubling.
Robots.txt isn’t the only way to manage bots — and arguably isn’t the best — but it introduces a new decision that must be made: How should websites handle LLM crawlbots?
This will be one of the biggest areas we’ll see change in on the technical side of 2026:
Businesses with existing bot strategies will need to evolve them.
Businesses that don’t meaningfully manage crawlers will start feeling the pressure to do so.
Robots.txt will still be the clearest and easiest way to handle crawlers. We will almost certainly see more good and bad bots alike.
In 2026, SEOs will be drawn into bot management conversations spanning marketing, technology, and security. “Which bots should we allow?” is a question with downstream effects on budgets, revenue, and users, and we’ll need to closely monitor what develops.
LLMs.txt
LLMs.txt is an aspiring web standard that aims to guide LLM crawlbot behavior and make it easier for them to retrieve content before generating an answer. It’s a highly controversial .txt file, and there’s a vigorous debate on whether it actually benefits LLMs, will gain widespread use, and is a possible vector for manipulation.
The rationale or efficacy of this file isn’t something we need to cover here. For this article, the true point of interest with llms.txt is the adoption of this file as a statement of intent.
At the start of 2025, I crawled the Majestic Million, a regularly updated list of the top 1 million websites ranked by backlink authority, in search of llms.txt and found that adoption was extremely low (0.015% of sites, or just 15).
While searching one million sites versus 16 million presents some logistical differences, I was expecting a very low level of adoption based on prior experience. I was surprised at how wrong I was.
According to the 2025 data, just over 2% of sites had a valid llms.txt file, and:
39.6% of llms.txt files are related to All in One SEO (AIOSEO)
3.6% of llms.txt files are related to Yoast SEO
This number is still relatively low, but it’s much higher than I thought it would be and potentially represents a huge acceleration.
The primary reason fueling adoption of llms.txt’s SEO plugins that make this easier to enable.
We can see that llms.txt adoption has continued to rise ever since we started collecting data from across the web:
If, however, the implementation of this file is actually a default feature in some scenarios, it could be easy to overvalue its significance.
LLMs.txt will still be a barometer of AI search decision-making in 2026:
More tools and plugins will offer this functionality if they don’t already.
Yoast and Rank Math (which don’t default llms.txt to “on”) represent more growth opportunities for this file. Many SEOs may decide to switch it on even if there isn’t strong evidence of its efficacy.
The rate of adoption will continue to climb, but whether it’ll reach a point where it becomes an accepted best practice is harder to forecast.
FAQ growth
Another interesting trend worth discussing is the increase in the use of the FAQPage schema.
While this isn’t as explicit a trend as robots.txt or llms.txt usage, the increased adoption of this schema type is particularly interesting.
However, you can see from the last three publications of the Web Almanac that this isn’t the case:
The use of FAQPage schema is now an emerging trend as AI search heavily cites FAQ content in its outputs.
This could be correlation rather than causation, but the steady increase in FAQPage schema is a strong sign of AI search strategies changing the shape of the web.
To echo another conclusion from earlier, 2026 may well see continued growth of structured data types even if they don’t result in an obvious improvement. While the growth is unlikely to be explosive, making a case for their implementation is easier when we don’t just optimize for Google.
Will AI search reshape the web in 2026? Unlikely. Will we continue to see signs of its importance? Almost certainly, but let’s not get carried away.
SEO has a reputation for changing quickly. Sometimes that’s true. More often, it’s the conversation that moves quickly, while the web itself changes at a steadier pace.
The 2025 Web Almanac data clearly reflects that tension. Core SEO hygiene continues to improve year over year, but largely through default features and settings, tools, and platform behavior rather than deliberate optimization.
At the same time, long-deprecated standards linger, advanced configurations remain uneven, and the long tail of the web remains untidy. Progress is real, but it’s incremental — and sometimes accidental.
What has shifted meaningfully is intent.
Robots.txt is no longer just crawl housekeeping. It’s becoming a policy surface.
LLMs.txt, regardless of whether it proves useful, represents a new class of decision-making entirely.
FAQ patterns are on the rise again, and not because of SERP features, but because structured, extractable answers have immense value elsewhere.
2026 will not be remembered as the year SEO ended or was reborn. It may, however, be considered the year the AI search layer became more defined. A new patch applied — not a fundamental rewriting.
Most guidance on optimizing for AI still focuses on how content is written. But AI systems don’t read content the way humans do. These systems extract information, break it into parts, and reuse it in new contexts. What matters is whether your content can be pulled into an AI-sourced answer cleanly.
Where traditional SEO has centered on ranking pages, AI systems prioritize retrievable units of meaning. That changes how content needs to be built:
The 5 core principles of AI-preferred content design
When content is retrieved in pieces, used in generated answers, and selectively attributed, structure becomes the lever. These principles show up consistently in content that gets surfaced by AI systems:
1. Modular by design
Content is more useful when it’s built in discrete units. Each section should:
Address a specific question or subtopic.
Be understandable without relying on surrounding text.
Long sections that depend on earlier context are harder to reuse in isolation. Modular structure also makes content easier to update, test, and repurpose across surfaces — without rewriting the entire page.
2. Hierarchically structured
A clear hierarchy helps systems understand what each section contains and how it relates to the rest of the page. H2 → H3 → H4 structure should signal:
Topic: What the section is about.
Intent: What question it answers.
Scope: How narrow or specific it is.
Headings should make each section’s purpose immediately clear. When that signal is weak, it becomes harder to match the right section to the right query.
3. Explicit over implied
AI systems rely on what’s stated directly. Make relationships and conclusions clear by:
Defining terms when they’re introduced.
Stating outcomes or takeaways directly.
Clarify cause-and-effect or comparisons, rather than implying them.
If something is important, it should be written plainly. Copy that requires inference is harder to interpret and more likely to be skipped in favor of clearer alternatives.
4. Answer-first formatting
Place the direct answer to the section’s core question at the top, then expand.
AI systems prioritize passages that resolve a query immediately. When the answer is delayed or embedded within a longer explanation, the relevance of that passage becomes less obvious.
The rest of the section can then add deeper nuance, examples, or other details that further understanding without changing the core response.
5. Designed for passage-level extraction
Passages compete for selection, both within the same article and across the web.
When multiple sections address the same question in similar ways, they dilute each other. Clear, specific, and well-scoped content “chunks” are more likely to be selected.
You can audit a passage’s usefulness by asking:
Is it understandable without additional context?
Does it fully answer a single question?
Can it be quoted as an answer without any editing?
If the passage needs context or cleanup, it’s less competitive.
Common content patterns that improve AI retrieval and use
These patterns show how structured, answer-first content is applied in practice — making it easier for AI systems to match, extract, and use.
The ‘definition + expansion’ block pattern
Start with a clear definition. Then add detail. This works best for:
Concepts.
Terminology.
Processes.
The definition should establish what something is in a way that can be quoted independently. The expansion then adds context, nuance, or examples.
This pattern helps position your content as a reference point for core concepts — especially when AI systems need a clean, authoritative definition.
The ‘question → direct answer → context’ pattern
AI systems are designed to respond to queries. This pattern aligns your content to that structure.
Order your content as:
Question.
Immediate answer.
Supporting detail.
The answer should resolve the query in one to two sentences, using the same language or phrasing as the question where possible.
Remaining content can add depth through nuance and edge cases that extend beyond the core answer.
The ‘framed list’ pattern
Lists work best when they’re introduced by a clear framing sentence that tells the reader — and the retrieval system — what the items represent.
Follow a consistent structure (e.g., all actions, all criteria, all features)
Stay at the same level of detail
Clearly map back to the framing sentence
This pattern works especially well for steps, criteria, features, and takeaways.
Well-structured lists are easier for systems to parse and reuse, especially when each item is clearly defined within the context of the list.
The ‘comparison’ pattern
Structure content to make differences explicit. This works well for alternatives (“X vs Y”), tradeoffs, and decision-making criteria. You can use:
Side-by-side comparisons.
Clear evaluation criteria (price, features, use case, limitations).
Direct statements of when to choose each option.
Content that clearly outlines differences is easier for AI systems to extract and reuse in answers that involve evaluation or recommendations.
Top content design mistakes that limit AI visibility
Most AI surfacing issues come back to content structure. When structure is weak, answers are harder to identify and extract. That tends to show up in the form of:
Overly narrative, under-structured content
Long paragraphs with key points buried inside make it harder to isolate a clear answer. Without strong subheadings to define what each section covers, systems have fewer signals to identify where that answer lives.
Ask:
Does this section answer a clear question, or just explore a topic?
Is the main point easy to identify in the first few lines?
Do the subheadings clearly signal what each section contains?
Vague or non-descriptive headers
Headers like “Overview,” “Introduction,” or “Key Takeaways” don’t provide enough signal about what the section actually contains.
Headings help systems understand what a section covers and how it relates to a query. When they’re vague, the relationship between section and query becomes less explicit.
Ask:
Would this header make sense out of context?
Does it clearly reflect the question or topic being answered?
Could multiple sections on the page use the same header?
Answers buried mid-paragraph
When the answer appears halfway through a paragraph, it’s harder to isolate as a clean, reusable unit.
AI systems look for segments that clearly resolve a query. When the answer is embedded within surrounding context, it becomes less distinct and more likely to be overlooked or reassembled.
Ask:
Is the answer clearly distinguishable from the neighboring text?
Does contextual copy clarify or dilute the answer’s main point?
Redundant or repetitive sections
When sections overlap, they compete for the same query and weaken the overall signal. Instead of reinforcing the topic, similar sections can fragment it across multiple passages, making it less clear which one should be selected.
Ask:
Do multiple sections answer the same question in slightly different ways?
Is each section clearly scoped to a distinct angle or subtopic?
Clear separation improves both retrieval and selection.
How to evolve existing content for AI without starting over
Most teams don’t need to totally rebuild content from scratch. Updating existing content for today’s landscape just requires a few structural changes.
Break content into logical units
Identify where natural sections exist and what question each one answers.
Split broad or mixed sections so each one resolves a single idea or query.
If a section covers multiple points, separate them into distinct sections.
Rewrite for answer-first clarity
Move the clearest version of the answer to the top of each section.
Remove lead-in language, qualifiers, or examples that appear before the answer.
Ensure the opening lines can be understood without relying on the rest of the page.
Strengthen structural signals
Make headings specific enough to reflect both the topic and the question being answered.
Use formatting (lists, short paragraphs, summaries) to make key points easier to scan and isolate.
Check that each section’s purpose is immediately clear from its heading and first sentence.
Introduce distinct framing
Turn generic sections into clearly defined units, like:
Ensure each section covers a distinct angle and does not repeat or overlap with others. This helps consolidate signal and makes it easier for systems to select and attribute the right passage.
The future of content design in AI-mediated search
AI systems are already reshaping how content is surfaced, and that shift will continue as answers become more personalized and draw from multiple sources.
As a result, page-level ranking matters less on its own. Content value is shifting toward contribution — how clearly a piece of content can inform, support, or shape an answer.
The content that performs best will be:
Structurally clear, with sections that are easy to identify and extract.
Modular, so individual passages can be selected and reused independently.
Distinct, with clearly defined ideas that don’t overlap or compete internally.
Designed to be selected and used, not just indexed or ranked.
Content that meets these criteria is more likely to be surfaced, reused, and attributed as AI-mediated search continues to evolve.
Türkiyənin Alanya şəhərində təlim-məşq toplanışında olan çimərlik futbolu üzrə Azarbaycan millisu ilk yoxlama oyununa çıxıb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, millimiz bu gün Alanya Bələdiyəspor çimərlik stadionunda Moldova yığması ilə qarşılaşıb.
Görüş komandamızın 8:5 hesablı qələbəsi ilə yekunlaşıb. Azərbaycan millisinin heyətində Ramil Əliyev, Sabir Allahquliyev və Kamran Qürbətov dubla imza atıblar. Elşad Manafovla Bayram Bayramlı isə hərəyə 1 qol vurublar.
Qeyd edək ki, Azərbaycan və Moldova milli komandaları arasında ikinci yoxlama oyunu aprelin 7-də keçiriləcək.
2024 yılında oynanan Fiorentina - Inter maçında yere yığılan ve bu yılın ocak ayıyla birlikte Watford forması altında sahalara geri dönen Edoardo Bove, yaşadıklarını anlattı.
Son dakika Galatasaray haberleri: Manchester City, 9 sezon takımında önemli görev üstlenen Bernardo Silva ile sezon sonunda yolların ayrılacağını resmen açıkladı. Galatasaray'ın yanı sıra oyuncuyu birçok...Devamı için tıklayınız
Teknik direktör Yılmaz Vural, A Spor canlı yayınına konuk olarak Trendyol Süper Lig'deki şampiyonluk yarışını, ligdeki küme hattını ve Trendyol 1. Lig'in son durumunu değerlendirdi.Devamı için tıklayınız
TFF, Trendyol Süper Lig'de 27. haftanın erteleme maçlarının hakemlerini açıkladı. Süper Lig'de şampiyonluk yarışını yakından ilgilendiren Göztepe-Galatasaray maçının hakemi belli oldu. İşte ayrıntılar...Devamı için tıklayınız
Trendyol Süper Lig'in 28. haftasında Fenerbahçe ile Beşiktaş karşı karşıya geldi. Sarı-lacivertliler zorlu derbi haftasından 3 puanla ayrıldı. Derbi sonrası Beşiktaş'ın oyuncusu Vaclav Cerny'den gündem...Devamı için tıklayınız
Gəncədə yeniyetmə cüdoçular üçün beynəlxalq təlim-məşq toplanışına start verilib.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, Avropa Cüdo Birliyi və Azərbaycan Cüdo Federasiyasının birgə təşkilatçılığı ilə keçirilən hazırlıq prosesinə 8 ölkədən 200-ə yaxın idmançı qatılıb.
Təlim düşərgəsində Azərbaycan millisi ilə yanaşı, Belarus, Bolqarıstan, Qazaxıstan, Portuqaliya, Tacikistan, Türkiyə və ABŞ nümayəndələri də iştirak edir.
Cüdoçularımıza yeniyetmə oğlanlardan ibarət yığmanın baş məşqçisi Emin İskəndərov, məşqçilər Nicat Şıxəlizadə, Orxan Səfərov və Kotaro Sasaki, eləcə də yeniyetmə qızlardan ibarət yığmanın baş məşqçisi Elnur İsmayılov, məşqçilər Əmrah Əhmədov və Tərlan Kərimov rəhbərlik edirlər.
Qeyd edək ki, Gəncə İdman Sarayında keçirilən təlim-məşq toplanışı aprelin 8-də başa çatacaq.
Türkiyənin Alanya şəhərində təlim-məşq toplanışında olan çimərlik futbolu üzrə Azarbaycan milli komandası ilk yoldaşlıq oyununa çıxıb.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, millimiz Alanya Bələdiyəspor çimərlik stadionunda Moldova yığması ilə qarşılaşıb.
Görüş komandamızın 8:5 hesablı qələbəsi ilə yekunlaşıb. Azərbaycan millisinin heyətində Ramil Əliyev, Sabir Allahquliyev və Kamran Qürbətov hərəyə 2, Elşad Manafovla Bayram Bayramlı isə 1 qol vurub.
Qeyd edək ki, komandalar arasında ikinci yoldaşlıq oyunu aprelin 7-də keçiriləcək.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə jurnalist Romen Molina məlumat yayıb.
Afrika Millətlər Kubokunda martın 31-də Eritreyanın Esvatiniyə qarşı keçirdiyi səfər oyunundan (2:1) sonra yığmanın 7 oyunçusu ölkəyə qayıtmayıb. Onların harda olmasıyla bağlı məlumat yoxdur.
“Mançester Siti”nin müdafiəçisi Con Stounz klubunu dəyişə bilər. Msport.az xəbər verir ki, 31 yaşlı futbolçu “şəhərlilər”lə yeni müqavilə imzalamağı planlaşdırmır […]
The race for fourth place and that Champions League qualification could go down to the wire, but with Roma beaten 5-2 by Inter on Sunday, the pressure is on for Juve to keep up with Como.
They slipped behind going into the break for international duty with a 1-1 draw against Sassuolo.
Jonathan David and Lois Openda have been flops this season, but the Canadian is given another chance as the centre-forward, flanked by Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceicao, with Weston McKennie uniting midfield and attack.
Mattia Perin gets to face his old club in goal, preferred to Michele Di Gregorio.
TURIN, ITALY – MARCH 07: Kenan Yildiz (L) of Juventus celebrates with Francisco Conceicao (R) after scoring the his team’s third goal during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Pisa SC at Juventus Stadium on March 07, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Cottini/Getty Images)
Genoa had been on sparkling form with three wins in four rounds, until a surprising 2-0 home defeat to Udinese.
Brooke Norton-Cuffy picked up an injury playing for the England Under-21 side, so he is out along with Maxwel Cornet and Benjamin Siegrist.
Junior Messias gets the nod rather than Tommaso Baldanzi in support of strikers Vitinha and Colombo.
This is a special reunion on the touchline for Luciano Spalletti and his former Roma player De Rossi.
GENOA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 29: Daniele De Rossi, head coach of Genoa (left), celebrates after the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and Hellas Verona FC at Luigi Ferraris Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
Atalanta closed the gap on fourth place to just five points and plunged Lecce closer to relegation trouble with Giorgio Scalvini, Nikola Krstovic and Giacomo Raspadori goals.
La Dea made the trip without Isak Hien and Gianluca Scamacca, so Nikola Krstovic faced his old club. The Salentini were increasingly in danger of the drop after losing four of their last five games, missing Antonino Gallo, Riccardo Sottil, Francesco Camarda, Medon Berisha and Kialonda Gaspar.
There was a mixed atmosphere before kick-off, as while Lecce ultras left the Curva Nord empty for the first 15 minutes in protest at limitations, the players brought out puppies from a local rescue centre as mascots.
LECCE, ITALY – APRIL 06: Charles De Ketelaere of Atalanta BC battles for possession with Ylber Ramadani of US Lecce during the Serie A match between US Lecce and Atalanta BC at Stadio Via del Mare on April 06, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Sadik Fofana should’ve done much better on 11 minutes when shinning the half-volley well over from 14 yards relatively undisturbed, so at the other end Wladimiro Falcone made a great one-handed save to deny Charles De Ketelaere on the Krstovic lay-off.
Lameck Banda had an effort charged down, but Atalanta scored on the counter-attack, as Giorgio Scalvini ran from his own box to meet the De Ketelaere pass, shrug off a defender, and smash into the net from 12 yards.
LECCE, ITALY – APRIL 06: Tiago Gabriel of US Lecce battles for possession with Giorgio Scalvini of Atalanta BC during the Serie A match between US Lecce and Atalanta BC at Stadio Via del Mare on April 06, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
It was nearly 2-0, as De Ketelaere rolled across for Krstovic to sweep first time, forcing a sensational save out of Falcone. On the resulting corner, Danilo Veiga charged down Ederson’s scorcher with his face.
Atalanta had the ball in the net again after the restart with Ederson tapping in the De Ketelaere pass to the back post, but the offside flag went up for a very tight decision.
When Lecce did get into promising situations, they were wasteful with rushed crosses from Walid Cheddira and Lameck Banda, and were made to pay for it with a second goal on the counter-attack.
Ederson started the move and De Ketelaere threaded through for Krstovic to fire in from 12 yards. The former Lecce striker did not celebrate, instead bowing in apology to his former fans.
LECCE, ITALY – APRIL 06: Nikola Krstovic of Atalanta BC celebrates after scoring his side second goal during the Serie A match between US Lecce and Atalanta BC at Stadio Via del Mare on April 06, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Falcone made another strong save to deny Ederson from close range, but the move kept going and he could do nothing as Giacomo Raspadori rifled it into the roof of the net from 12 yards for 3-0.
Banda was the last to give up for Lecce, curling just over the bar, while Krstovic’s acrobatic overhead kick was off target from a Raspadori assist.
Gianluigi Donnarumma was enraged with the Bosnia and Herzegovina team after Italy’s World Cup play-off defeat and it is now revealed why, as a ball boy stole his penalties cheat sheet.
Donnarumma rage explained in Bosnia vs. Italy shoot-out
This was because he accused Vasilj of stealing the cheat sheet that was hidden under his towel before the shoot-out, so in revenge tried to tear up his own list of indications.
It is now revealed that Donnarumma’s list was indeed stole, but not by Vasilj, rather by a 14-year-old ball boy.
ZENICA – MARCH 31: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy reacts after the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia & Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)
“I saw there was something next to the towel and realised immediately what it was. I took it and hid it. This had all the indications on our players, and without that list, Donnarumma would need to go by instinct.”
It might’ve been unsporting behaviour, but some Bosnian fans are urging Cizmic to be rewarded with a trip to the World Cup as the team mascot.
ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – MARCH 31: Haris Tabakovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina celebrates with his teammates after scoring his team’s equalizing goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia & Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica,. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)
Cesc Fabregas admits he ‘expected more’ from Como after their 0-0 draw at Udinese and that Alvaro Morata ‘is disappointed because he wanted to play more.’
The Lariani had won five on the bounce and seemed unstoppable in their march towards an extraordinary Champions League qualification.
However, that could all change after they were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw away to Udinese, a game with very few scoring opportunities.
Fabregas lists Como errors in Udine
UDINE, ITALY – APRIL 06: Como manager Cesc Fabregas looks on during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Como 1907 at Stadio Friuli on April 06, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
“Both teams had difficulties finding spaces, it was a very tactical game and nobody really took the initiative,” Fabregas told DAZN Italia.
“Nonetheless, we had two big chances to score and that is important. In general, I didn’t like the way the team played in possession, there were many players who were below par today. At the same time, Udinese created very little danger and we kept our 15th clean sheet.”
UDINE, ITALY – APRIL 06: Arthur Atta of Udinese goes down in the penalty area after being challenged by Diego Carlos of Como during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Como 1907 at Stadio Friuli on April 06, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
Como are still in fourth on 58 points, now four clear of Roma, but if Juventus beat Genoa this evening, they will move to within a point of the ambitious minnows.
Atalanta can also threaten to get back into the race going into the final seven rounds of the Serie A season.
“Let us not forget that Roma, Napoli, Atalanta and Fiorentina all lost here. Some of my internationals also had long journeys over the last few days, as a coach I have to take that into consideration,” insisted the coach.
“When you are in these situations, it is important not to lose and not to concede, even if I am the first to admit that I expected more.”
UDINE, ITALY – APRIL 06: The Como squad with their manager Cesc Fabregas thank supporters at the end of the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Como 1907 at Stadio Friuli on April 06, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
What was it about the performance that Fabregas did not appreciate from his team?
“The possession, transitions, vertical passes, we didn’t play the ball with pace, we didn’t do the right preventative marking, and we did not win the duels. Against a physical and experienced side like Udinese, you pay for that.”
The struggle to create scoring opportunities made it a surprise that Fabregas at one point took off Tasos Douvikas, leaving them with no centre-forward, until Alvaro Morata was introduced late on.
“Morata is motivated, you saw his attitude when he came on. He is certainly disappointed because he wanted to play more this season, I would be too in his position, but I always say the important thing is the quality of the minutes you get on the field, not the quantity,” replied the coach.
“This is the change of mentality I want all players in the world to adopt, seeing as there are five substitutions now and so many games. Morata is helping the team, he is starting to get back to his level.
“We are a family here, we all have our journey, but they will all be important for me this season.”
Crystal Palace have received a major update on their manager situation as it seems Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has rejected their offer to replace Oliver Glasner.
Glasner will be leaving Selhurst Park at the end of the season after announcing earlier in the campaign that he would not be signing a new contract, with his current deal expiring in the summer.
Iraola is another top Premier League manager who’s about to become available, and he’s been one of the names linked with the vacancy at Palace.
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However, Sky Sports now report that the Spanish tactician has turned the job down, in what is likely to be a boost for clubs such as Liverpool and Manchester United.
Andoni Iraola snubs Crystal Palace for bigger job?
Iraola has become highly regarded during his time at Bournemouth, even if his side have suffered a slight dip in form in more recent games.
It seems likely that the 43-year-old will have plenty of opportunities once he becomes available this summer, having previously been linked with the likes of Liverpool and Man Utd.
LFC, meanwhile, are doing really badly under Arne Slot right now, and that’s put the Dutch tactician under growing pressure ahead of the summer.
For now the word is that the Reds will keep faith in Slot, but if things get any worse between now and May it’s easy to imagine them being tempted to swoop for Iraola instead.
Glasner, meanwhile, has also been linked as an option for the Old Trafford job.
The talented 24-year-old has nine goals and seven assists in all competitions so far this season, and looks like he’s surely going to earn himself a big move sooner or later.
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Akliouche has been with Monaco since joining their academy in 2017, playing for their B team before notching up over 130 appearances for their senior side.
According to TEAMtalk, he’s now being eyed up by both Man United and Liverpool this summer after both clubs had scouts monitoring his performances.
Maghnes Akliouche to Liverpool or Manchester United?
We have also seen Akliouche linked with Liverpool in the last few days, with Fichajes claiming the Reds are looking at him as one of their potential options to replace Mohamed Salah.
Still, it seems the Red Devils are also keen on the France international, who could be a useful addition for either club due to his ability to play a variety of roles.
WhoScored note that Akliouche has played as a central attacking midfielder, on the right flank, and even as a striker so far this season.
That could be useful for MUFC as there could soon be the need to replace the ageing Bruno Fernandes, who is approaching the final year of his contract.
Liverpool will also surely hope to be in the mix for Akliouche, not only because of Salah’s imminent exit, but with Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa both being fairly underwhelming with their recent performances.
In what is a blockbuster Champions League semi-final showdown on Tuesday night, Real Madrid will welcome Bayern Munich to the Bernabeu for their first-leg battle. Watching their La Lia title dreams take a monumental blow over the weekend and facing a public backlash, Los Blancos will be desperately searching for an immediate European boost when […]
As major sporting events go, the Masters rarely disappoints.
Even if the tournament itself doesn't produce high-level drama, fans by the millions will tune in every year to soak in the unique atmosphere of Augusta National. But when the golf lives up to the aesthetics, as with Rory McIlroy's emotional playoff win over Justin Rose last year, this weekend transcends sports.
Though longtime favorites Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, who have eight green jackets between them, will not compete this year, the stars of the game will be out. In addition to McIlroy trying to repeat, Scottie Scheffler will try for his third win in five years and Jon Rahm will look to add a second Masters title, among many others.
The gatekeepers at Augusta National have continued to open up access for viewers, with coverage now starting hours before the traditional 3 p.m. ET broadcast start time of years past.
While additional viewing opportunities are always welcome for fans, the broadcast and streaming platforms are more varied than ever, especially with the introduction of a new outlet this year.
The Sporting News has everything you need to know to soak up all the action and ambiance from Augusta this week, from practice rounds through the green jacket presentation. See below for the full day-by-day broadcast and streaming schedule.
Fans can watch the Masters across multiple TV and streaming platforms, including a new partner for 2026 in Prime Video.
Coverage begins Monday with "On The Range" on CBS Sports Network and continues Tuesday and Wednesday with live practice round coverage on the ESPN app, plus the beloved Par 3 contest Wednesday on ESPN platforms.
The tournament proper tees off Thursday morning with live feeds of featured groups and holes, then the main broadcast begins in the early afternoon. Live broadcasts also will be available via Masters.com and the Masters app. See the full day-by-day television and streaming schedule below.
Tonight at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the league will hope a similarly long drought will come to a merciful end.
Michigan men's basketball's matchup against UConn in the championship game of the 2026 NCAA Tournament is more than just an opportunity for the Wolverines to earn their second championship (and first since 1989) and for coach Dusty May to complete one of the more remarkable turnarounds in the history of the sport.
For all the Big Ten's money, influence and power in the broader world of college athletics, the conference hasn't seen one of its men's basketball programs win an NCAA championship since all the way back in 2000. Since then, UConn, Michigan's opponent on Monday night, has won five national championships by itself.
What’s made the drought so confounding is Big Ten teams haven gotten close to winning a championship. It’s not as if this is the Patriot League or the WAC, where it has a single representative in the tournament that’s fortunate to win a game. Big Ten teams regularly reach the biggest and brightest stages in college basketball; they just haven’t been able to close the deal.
Since Michigan State’s title in 2000, and not including Michigan this year, 15 teams from the conference have made it to the Final Four. Eight of those squads advanced to the national championship game, but in each instance, they lost. A couple of them came agonizingly close, with Illinois losing to North Carolina, 75-70, in 2005 and Wisconsin coming up short against Duke, 68-63, in 2015.
It’s not like its teams haven’t been in advantageous spots entering the tournament in recent years, either. Since the NCAA Tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985, 35 of the 40 national champions (87.5%) have been a No. 1, No. 2 or No. 3 seed. Since 2018, Big Ten teams have accounted for 17 of those 84 spots on the bracket (20.2%).
Even if current Big Ten compatriot Maryland, which won the national championship in 2002 while a member of the ACC, was included as one of the Big Ten’s championships, the conference has still gone nearly a quarter-century without a title.
During that same stretch, other power conferences have repeatedly had its teams hoist a trophy at the end of the Final Four.
Since 2000, the Big East and ACC have each had eight teams win championships. During that same stretch, the SEC has had four champions and the Big 12 three. Even the American, which has disintegrated in recent years into a one- or two-bid league, had a title-winner on its resume, thanks to UConn in 2014.
When did Big 10 last win men's basketball national championship?
A team representing the Big Ten hasn't won an NCAA men's basketball national championship since Michigan State all the way back in 2000.
The Spartans' 89-76 victory against Florida in the NCAA tournament title game capped off a 32-7 season under Tom Izzo, who was then just in his fifth season leading the program.
That year's Michigan State team was built around three players — Morris Peterson, Charlie Bell and Final Four most outstanding player Mateen Cleaves — nicknamed "The Flintstones," as all three members of the trio were from Flint, Michigan, about 50 miles northeast of Michigan State's East Lansing campus.
Interestingly, the Spartans' triumph took place in Indianapolis, where this year's Final Four is being held.
Why has Big Ten basketball gone so long without winning a national championship?
There are a number of factors that have contributed to the Big Ten’s tournament woes.
For one, it’s a single-elimination format that can create unexpected results and doesn't necessarily always reward the best teams. For years, the league's physical style of play was cited as a possible cause for the drought, with referees who don't consistently work Big Ten games getting assigned to the tournament and calling those teams' games with a tighter whistle.
Beyond that, many of the Big Ten teams that lost the national championship game had the misfortune of running up against some of the best teams in modern college basketball history. The North Carolina team Illinois lost to in 2005 was 33-4 and had four of the top 14 picks in that year’s NBA draft. Two years later, a Greg Oden and Mike Conley-led Ohio State team lost to a Florida team that brought back the entire starting five from its national championship team the year before. In 2009, Michigan State was blown out by a North Carolina team that was 34-4. Wisconsin came up short against a 2015 Duke team that won 35 games and had two top-10 NBA draft picks. Michigan was handled by a 2018 Villanova squad that won 36 games and had Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges and Donte DiVincenzo on its roster. Two years ago, Zach Edey and Purdue weren’t able to hang with a buzzsaw of a UConn team that had won 27 of its previous 28 games, including five NCAA Tournament games that were decided by an average of 25 points.
Journalist: Arne Slot is on the brink at Liverpool and his comments after Man City prove it
Liverpool Crisis Deepens as Arne Slot Faces Defining Moment
Liverpool travel to Paris with more than a Champions League quarter final at stake. According to Ian Ladyman in the Daily Mail, Arne Slot is now operating in what can only be described as sacking territory, and the evidence is mounting with uncomfortable clarity.
Photo: IMAGO
Results have deteriorated, performances have slipped, and perhaps most concerning of all, the fundamentals have begun to erode. This is where managerial tenures often unravel, not with a dramatic collapse, but with a slow, unmistakable drift.
Slot knows it. The players feel it. Everyone watching can see it.
Etihad Performance Exposes Liverpool Weaknesses
The 4-0 defeat to Manchester City was not simply a heavy loss, it was a revealing one. The goals conceded told a story of a team losing grip on the basics.
Two of those goals originated from Liverpool throw ins. That detail alone speaks volumes. Possession should offer control, yet here it became vulnerability.
The defensive lapses were glaring. Runners left untracked, crosses allowed, duels lost in front of goal. These are the small margins that define elite football, and Liverpool failed on each count.
In the aftermath, Slot addressed the issue with a mix of resistance and honesty.
“I don’t agree with what you are saying, but in moments you’re completely right,” said Slot.
“If you tell me from the 15 runs Man City is making, 15 times my players don’t run, I disagree with you.
“But if you simply look at the goals, there I see runs that are not being followed, I see crosses that are not being blocked, I see duels in front of goal that are not won, then you are completely right.
“That’s not the story of the whole game, but every single time we forget to block a cross, we forget to defend in front of goal, we forget to follow a runner, every single time it’s a goal.”
That final line carries weight. The word “forgot” lingers. It suggests something deeper than tactical error.
Mental Decline Undermines Liverpool Season
Liverpool’s issues have extended beyond injuries and squad changes. Slot lost key elements of a title winning attack, and Alexander Isak has endured a disrupted debut season. Those factors explain part of the decline, not all of it.
Photo: IMAGO
There is a psychological element that cannot be ignored.
Players do not consciously choose to stop tracking runs or lose duels. It happens when concentration dips, when belief wavers, when the collective edge softens.
“It is never about effort in isolation, it is about intensity at the decisive moment,” is a reflection that fits Liverpool’s current state.
Against Manchester City, those decisive moments repeatedly went against them. Against Paris Saint Germain, the punishment will be even more severe.
Slot Faces Critical Paris Test
The timing could not be more unforgiving. A two legged tie against Paris Saint Germain demands precision, resilience and clarity. Liverpool currently appear short on all three.
Slot’s position is now precarious. Managers can survive poor results, but they rarely survive a team that stops executing the basics.
The Dutchman must find a way to inject belief back into his squad. That means restoring defensive discipline, rediscovering attacking cohesion, and perhaps most importantly, reigniting the mental sharpness that has deserted them.
Photo IMAGO
“Football at this level punishes hesitation, not just mistakes,” is a truth Liverpool are learning the hard way.
A competitive performance in Paris could buy time. A heavy defeat may close the door.
Liverpool Future Hinges on Immediate Response
This is a defining week. Liverpool’s season, and potentially Slot’s tenure, will be shaped by how they respond.
There is still talent within the squad. There is still experience. What appears to be missing is conviction.
Nothing from the Etihad defeat or the subsequent media reaction has reassured supporters. The sense is of a team drifting, waiting for something to change without knowing how.
Slot must change that narrative quickly.
If he cannot, the outcome becomes predictable.
Our View – Anfield Index Analysis
There is frustration amongst Liverpool supporters, not only with results, but with what feels like a loss of identity. Liverpool teams have always been defined by intensity, organisation and collective fight. Those qualities have been inconsistent this season.
The use of the word “forgot” stands out. Fans will find that difficult to accept. Forgetting basics suggests a mental lapse that should not happen at this level, especially not repeatedly.
There is sympathy for Slot. He inherited a squad in transition, lost key attacking pieces, and has had to manage injuries. Those are genuine challenges. Yet supporters expect visible progress, even in adversity.
The concern is that performances have regressed. The City defeat did not feel like a one off. It felt like a pattern.
Paris now becomes a defining moment. Fans will not demand perfection, but they will demand effort, discipline and pride.
If Liverpool show fight, Slot retains backing. If the same issues persist, questions will grow louder.
Supporters understand rebuilding. They do not accept drifting.
NEW DELHI: Two Indian stars have been shortlisted for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for March 2026, underlining the country’s dominance during their triumphant T20 World Cup campaign. Joining them in the three-man shortlist is a rising South African batter who impressed in a bilateral series.
The nominations reflect a month dominated by high-pressure performances, particularly in the knockout stages of the T20 World Cup, where India successfully defended their title on home soil.
World Cup performances dominate shortlist
India’s campaign was defined by match-winning contributions in crunch situations, and the two nominees played pivotal roles in sealing the title. One of the nominees, Sanju Samson scripted a remarkable turnaround, going from the sidelines to becoming the tournament’s standout performer.
Once included during the Super Eights, the wicketkeeper-batter produced a stunning run of scores — 97 in a must-win clash, followed by back-to-back 89s in the semifinal and final. His tally of 275 runs in three crucial matches came at a staggering average of 137.50 and a strike rate nearing 200, earning him the Player of the Tournament award.
Complementing that batting brilliance was India’s pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, who once again proved decisive in knockout cricket. In a high-scoring semifinal, he stood out with tight, pressure-building overs that turned the game. He then delivered a match-winning spell in the final, claiming four wickets while conceding just 15 runs to seal victory and earn the Player of the Match honour.
Across the last three matches of the tournament, Bumrah picked up seven wickets at an exceptional average, reinforcing his reputation as one of the most reliable performers in global events.
South African challenger impresses
The third nominee, Connor Esterhuizen, a young South African batter, made a strong case with a breakthrough T20I series against New Zealand. He amassed 200 runs in five matches, including a maiden fifty and a blistering unbeaten 75 in the decider, helping his side clinch a 3-2 series win.
With two Player of the Match awards and a rapid rise in the ICC rankings, his performances ensured a competitive edge to the shortlist.
The final award now hinges on a contest between proven match-winners and an emerging talent who made a big statement on the international stage.
Juventus have two rivals in the battle for departing Bayern Munich full-back
Juventus are interested in acquiring the services of versatile Bayern Munich man Raphael Guerreiro, but they’re expected to face stern competition.
The 32-year-old is a Portuguese international, but he was born and raised in France, and made a name for himself in Ligue 1.
The left-back has been plying his trade in the Bundesliga since 2016, when he signed for Borussia Dortmund. He became a favourite of Thomas Tuchel, who insisted on reuniting with his pupil at Bayern Munich in 2023.
Juve, Benfica & Fenerbahce vying for Raphael Guerreiro
Guerreiro has been an important squad player for the Bavarian giants thanks to his ability to occupy multiple roles. However, his time at the Allianz Arena is coming to an end.
Bayern announced last week that the French-Portuguese will leave the club once his contract expires at the end of the season.
Therefore, Juventus, who have been following him from afar, have taken the opportunity to rekindle their interestin their longtime target.
The Bianconeri’s desire to recruit the experienced player has been confirmed by Bild, who identified the Serie A giants as one of three clubs chasing the player’s signature.
The German portal reveals that Benfica could give Guerreiro the opportunity to finally play in the Portuguese league, while Fenerbahce are reportedly preparing a financially lucrative proposal.
Even if the 26-year-old extends his time in Turin, Filip Kostic and Juan Cabal could be on their way out, so Marco Ottolini will likely have to sign a new left-back in the summer, and Guerreiro could be the right profile.
In addition to his prowess in his original role at full-back, the Portuguese international can provide depth in the middle of the park, a skill he acquired during his time under Tuchel.
Bayern boss Vincent Kompany has even been deploying Guerreiro as an attacking midfielder at times.
Therefore, one would imagine that Luciano Spalletti would be enticed to test him in various playing roles.
The Miami Dolphins are looking to completely reshape the roster this offseason, as seen by their massive cuts and trades involving key players on both sides of the ball.
Tua Tagovailoa, Bradley Chubb, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle are all gone. And Minkah Fitzpatrick and Jaealan Phillips were also both traded away. But there's still one player who could be moved.
ESPN's Bill Barnwell proposed a trade idea that would have the Dolphins shipping off edge rusher Chop Robinson to the Baltimore Ravens as part of an aggressive 16-pick trade-up in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Dolphins trade idea sends Chop Robinson to Ravens in 2026 draft move
"If the Dolphins don't see Robinson as a difference-maker in the long term, moving him for meaningful draft capital before that comes clear would be a logical choice," Barnwell writes.
In this proposed trade idea from Barnwell, the Dolphins would be sending the 30th overall pick that the Dolphins got in the Waddle trade with the Denver Broncos, alongside Robinson, for the Ravens' 14th overall pick.
Miami doesn't necessarily need to trade up so much in the NFL Draft, but if the Dolphins could get two picks inside the top-14 selections, they should be able to land a top wide receiver and a top defensive player.
One of Jordyn Tyson, Omar Cooper Jr., or Makai Lemon would likely be there for the Dolphins. But getting that extra mid-first would also give the Dolphins the chance to add on defense or offense.
Spencer Fano or Francis Mauigoa along the offensive line could be an option. Defensively, David Bailey, Ruben Bain, Sonny Styles, Caleb Downs, Mansoor Delane, or Jermod McCoy could be had as well.
If the Dolphins did this aggressive trade-up with the Ravens, they would be able to get two of those players. But, if they are stuck at 30th overall, likely only one of those players would be available for Miami with the 11th pick.
While it would hurt the short-term impact of the roster and for Jeff Hafley's defense, the Dolphins are not remotely close to contending, and getting the best players possible would be a worthy move, and that's exactly what Barnwell's idea would do.
While entering the portal, Blackwell is also declaring for the NBA draft process. Borzello notes Blackwell "becomes the best guard in the portal" after his decision shocked Badgers fans on April 6.
Officially, the transfer portal opens on Tuesday, April 7.
Longtime head coach Greg Gard knew he'd have his work cut out for him without Nick Boyd going into next season, but now Blackwell could play his final collegiate season outside of Madison.
The Bloomfield Hills, MI, native has appeared in 105 games for the Badgers since the 2023-24 season. Blackwell's junior campaign came to an end with career highs in points (19.1), assists (2.3), rebounds (5.1), and steals (1.1) per game.
BREAKING: Wisconsin guard John Blackwell plans to enter the transfer portal while going through the NBA draft process, he told ESPN. Blackwell, who averaged 19.1 points and earned All-Big Ten honors this past season, becomes the best guard in the portal. pic.twitter.com/zVaqncygPi
There's a chance Blackwell ends up declaring for the NBA draft and forgoes his senior season entirely. This is an extremely competitive draft class, so Blackwell going elsewhere to continue to flourish at the collegiate level and increase his draft stock is likely as well.
Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.
Longtime NFL cornerback Stephon Gilmore announced his retirement last week, and he's hoping he has a future home in two halls of fame.
Gilmore told Mike Reiss of ESPN that he has a goal of receiving the red jacket that goes to members of the Patriots Hall of Fame, and the gold jacket that goes to members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
"I left it all out on the field. Hopefully, the red jacket, the gold jacket, that’s the goal. My style of play, how I played -- mostly a man corner, covered the best guy each and every week, not too many guys can do that week in and week out," Gilmore said.
Gilmore's case for the Patriots Hall of Fame is strong: He won NFL Defensive Player of the Year playing for them in 2019 and was a first-team All-Pro playing for them in 2018 and 2019, and he won Super Bowl LIII with them.
Gilmore's case for the Pro Football Hall of Fame is not as strong: he was a solid player during his five years with the Bills and one year each with the Panthers, Colts, Cowboys and Vikings, but his overall body of work would seem to make him a long shot for a bust in Canton.
“There is one motherf—-er that I have bad blood with,” Carneiro
said on the post-fight show. “And his name is Brian
Ortega. He run the first time, I was beating him the first
time. He got me. OK, fair enough. It was my first defeat. But now I
want his head. I want to kill this motherf—-r.”
Unfinished Business
Carneiro (21-7) faced Ortega (16-5) early in his UFC career at UFC
214 in 2017. Carneiro put on an impressive performance, going
toe-to-toe against Ortega for the most part. However, as Carniero
started showing signs of fatigue in the final round, Ortega caught
him in a sneaky guillotine and earned a quick tap, handing the
Brazilian his first pro loss.
While Ortega rose to stardom soon after their fight, “Money
Moicano” has gradually built his brand over the years. Ortega is
likely at the tail end of his career now, having dropped four of
his last five outings. Meanwhile, the win over Duncan saw Carneiro
rebound from back-to-back losses.
Teamwork made the dream work for a basketball player at Fort Scott Community College in Kansas.
Taylor Frost had never learned how to ride a bike. So instead of a standard practice, basketball head coach Matt Glover organized a special bonding session to teach the freshman how it’s done. He provided the helmet and the bike, then watched as the entire squad rallied around to help.
Watch the video above to see the players hype up their teammate.
Taylor’s mother, Sherry Jannell Williams, had tried to teach him for years without success. She was moved to see his peers offer cheers instead of jeers.
"Instead of being teased, he was taught by his teammates," Williams said. "I thank his coach for thinking enough of him to teach such a timeless skill."
Footage of the moment shows Frost pedaling confidently as his teammates run alongside him, cheering him on.Humankind is your go-to spot for good news! Click here to submit your uplifting, cute, or inspiring video moments for us to feature. Also, click here to subscribe to our newsletter bringing our top stories of the week straight to your inbox.
Barcelona taking no risks with injured superstar despite his willingess to accelerate return
FC Barcelona have received a significant setback ahead of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg against Atletico Madrid, with Frenkie de Jong set to miss the match.
The Dutch midfielder is still recovering from a muscle injury, sustained in a training session late in February, that has kept him out for over a month.
No risks with De Jong
According to SPORT, De Jong is keen to accelerate his recovery and return to action to help the team, but Barcelona are maintaining a cautious approach.
The Blaugrana began the week with a full training session involving all available players as they prepare for Wednesday’s encounter against Atletico at the Spotify Camp Nou.
However, De Jong continued to train individually, confirming that he will not be fit in time for the opening leg, a development that complicates plans for head coach Hansi Flick.
Despite his willingness to push himself, the priority for Barcelona is to avoid any relapse during a decisive stage of the season, with the team still competing for both the Champions League and La Liga.
No risks with De Jong’s fitness. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
The main objective, however, is for De Jong to be available for the quarter-final second leg against Atletico Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano next week.
Other notable absences
De Jong’s absence is compounded by that of Marc Bernal, who has also been ruled out of the upcoming after sustaining an ankle sprain. His return is likewise expected for the return leg in Madrid.
This leaves Flick with limited options in the holding midfield role, with Eric Garcia emerging as the primary solution. The German coach has not relied heavily on Marc Casado this season, further narrowing his choices.
‘This is about action’ – Liverpool supporters’ group aiming to force FSG to reverse recent action
Liverpool supporters’ group Spirit of Shankly (SoS) are planning a series of matchday protests over the club’s recent decision to increase ticket prices for games at Anfield from the start of next season.
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SoS have also communicated their opposition to the ticket price increase and ther intentions to demonstrate that stance in the form of protests in and around Anfield, starting with next Saturday’s home match against Fulham.
SoS to protest against Liverpool ticket price increase
A statement on their website reads: ‘Liverpool FC has chosen to ignore clear, overwhelming opposition from its own supporters and push ahead with plans to increase ticket prices for the next three seasons.
The open meeting online, the survey, and countless conversations all point to the same thing: fans do not accept this decision. And if the club’s owners won’t listen, then we make them. This is no longer about consultation. That opportunity has been and gone. This is about action.
‘Supporter groups are already organising a coordinated response. We are doing so at speed because time is against us. But the direction is clear: protests will take place. If the club does not value supporter voices, we will make ourselves difficult to ignore.’
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SoS added that the protests ‘will not be limited to one game’ and have implored as many Liverpool fans as possible to join in, whilst also urging supporters not to spend money inside Anfield and instead put it towards local independent businesses.
The statement continued: ‘This decision sits with ownership. Not just at Anfield. Not just at Chapel Street. In Boston. They have made the call. They can reverse it. We will be taking steps to make sure that message reaches them directly. Supporters will be asked to take part. When that happens, get involved.’
They concluded: ‘This isn’t just about price. It’s about direction. It’s about what kind of football club Liverpool chooses to be. One rooted in its people, or one that sees them as a revenue stream to be pushed year after year. Future supporters will live with the consequences of what happens now.’
(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Liverpool have reversed controversial decisions before
There have been previous instances of Liverpool fans playing their part in forcing FSG into reversing ill-conceived decisions (e.g. the European Super League, the plans for £77 ticket prices in 2016), and that could happen again if the response from the fan base is strong enough.
Having announced a club-record revenue of £703m for the 2024/25 season, it’s regrettable that the Anfield hierarchy have raised the cost of tickets from next term, thus gouging even more money out of supporters whose loyalty has been tested but never eliminated.
As SoS pointed out, the decision-makers at LFC had the opportunity to take a commendable stand against the ever-increasing cost of watching football in this country, but instead they failed to read the room when it comes to the reality that fans face every single week.
We can only hope that those at the top at Liverpool will ultimately do the right thing and reverse this controversial decision, something they’ve shown a willingness to do in the past after making similar missteps.
Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell is entering the transfer portal, according to ESPN's Jeff Borzello. He will also go through the NBA draft process.
Blackwell is coming off a career year for the Badgers, making the All-Big Ten Third Team after averaging a career-high 19.1 points, 2.3 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game. He started 34 games for them, making 43.0% of his shots, 38.9% of his 3-pointers, and 85.9% of his free throws.
The 6-foot-4, 203-pounder ended the season extremely well, scoring 20 or more points in four of their final five games, including 34 against Washington in the regular season finale, 31 against Illinois in the Big Ten Tournament, and 22 against High Point in the NCAA Tournament. He scored 20 or more points in 16 of his 34 appearances, failing to finish in double-figures just four times.
He spent the past three seasons at Wisconsin, playing in 107 total games and starting 73 games over the past two seasons. The Bloomfield Hills, Michigan native finished his career with the Badgers averaging 14.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. He shot 44.4% from the floor, 37.5% from 3-point range, and 82.5% from the free-throw line.
Blackwell instantly became one of the top players to announce he would be entering the transfer portal, which is set to open on Tuesday. He has one season of eligibility remaining.
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INDIANAPOLIS — Even though he hails from a state where Peyton Manning ruled the sports world, the Fab Five and Tom Brady turned Indiana native Josh Mullins into a dedicated Michigan fan.
Just how big of a Wolverines fan? He named his oldest son after star Michigan receiver Braylon Edwards.
Now, UConn’s breakout star, Braylon Mullins, will try to take down the family’s favorite program with the national title on the line. But there’s no doubt where the family’s allegiance lies.
“It’s UConn all the way,” Josh Mullins told The Associated Press, who was seated near the front row with his wife and twin sons for open practice. “I tried to get all of them to buy in on (Michigan). When I was growing up, you know, the Fab Five. I was a huge football fan, that’s why I like Brady.”
The eldest member of the Mullins family has been in high demand from both sides of this March Madness finale.
He did a podcast with Edwards, though he’s never met the ex-receiver in person, and was hopeful of meeting Jalen Rose, Chris Webber and the rest while they were in Indianapolis doing some TV work over the weekend.
UConn (34-5) fans are excited to meet him, too, since the Huskies likely wouldn’t be here without the sensational play of his oldest son.
Braylon Mullins made the long 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left to take down Duke, the tourney’s top seed, in the East Region final, then made another crucial 3 with 52 seconds left to beat Illinois 71-62.
It was his only basket of the second half, setting up the clash — and potential family feud — against Michigan.
“In my household, growing up, it was Michigan football, Michigan basketball,” Braylon Mullins said. “That’s what my family and friends were watching. So having people around me who are probably going to be rooting for Michigan means a little more in this game, just to be fun. But at the end of the day, it’s just another game.”
Cadeau and the art of missing on purpose
Michigan guard Elliot Cadeau controlled a lot of the win over Arizona despite only shooting 5 for 17. Coach Dusty May says those shot stats aren’t as bad as they look because, at least once, Cadeau was missing on purpose.
In a twist of coaching genius, May instructed Cadeau to bounce the ball high off the backboard as a way to get it to 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara, who was dealing with Arizona’s 7-4 Motiejus Krivas for much of the evening.
“When you look at the stat sheet it says a missed shot and a put-back,” May said of his guard’s stats line, which also included 10 assists, five rebounds and four steals.
Cadeau confirmed this. On Michigan’s first possession, he drove to the hoop and Krivas came over to try to stop him, so Cadeau threw the ball high off the glass to set up an easy put-back for a then-wide-open Aday. The center finished with a career-high 26 points.
“You’ve got to learn new tricks and stuff to get the ball,” Cadeau said. “It’s pretty hard. Something I’ve never done before, never been taught before, but I think me and Aday got established connections on those type of passes now.”
A Big Ten drought could come to an end
Michigan could end a Big Ten drought without the national title that dates to 2000, when Michigan State’s “Flintstones” team — led by Mateen Cleaves out of Flint — beat Florida to win the championship.
The Wolverines, of course, are more focused on bringing the second title back to campus — the first since 1989.
But May said he’s well aware of what a win would mean to the conference, which has ballooned from 11 to 18 teams since it last cut down the nets at the Final Four — as good a sign as any about the changes that have enveloped college sports over the last quarter century.
“We’re competing against the SEC, the Big 12, the Big East, all these other leagues,” May said. “The better we can do as a group, as a league, and it also helps financially as TV contracts are renegotiated and things like that. So, we have to do well for us and for the Big Ten if we want to continue to be on the cutting edge and hopefully be in the premier basketball league in the country.”
The Big Ten has won the last three national titles in football.
Michigan’s May learned from Bob Knight
This marks the 50th anniversary of the last undefeated team in college basketball — Bob Knight’s 1975-76 team at Indiana.
Some two decades after that Hoosiers team made history, May served as a student manager for Knight in Bloomington.
The Michigan coach said there was a planning-and-preparation aspect to Knight’s work that he has tried to emulate.
“You’re figuring out solutions or contingencies in advance, and if those become a problem you’re ready, as opposed to just always being shocked at what’s in front of you,” he said.
Part of the equation, May said, is related to an emotion commonly associated with Knight.
“Obviously there’s a fear element and a fear of disappointing him, that you wanted to be thinking ahead, you wanted to be on your toes,” May said. “You’re always anticipating what’s next.”
There's nothing fun about blowouts in championship games. It was especially bitter seeing South Carolina get stomped by UCLA yesterday knowing how much Geno Auriemma must've enjoyed it.
Who knew that guy was such a hater?
Well, now we know. The UConn legend exposed himself as such after his team lost to South Carolina in the semifinals Friday, and he threw the biggest tantrum a 72-year-old has ever thrown. Crying over imagined handshake snubs, ripped jerseys and spilled milk.
Actually, he didn't imagine the milk spill. That did happen. In the form of an upset loss by the previously undefeated Huskies. Which sent Auriemma into the tirade aimed at Dawn Staley.
We get it, Geno. You don't lose much. But get a hold of yourself, man.
You know who else doesn't lose much? Dawn Staley. Yet, even after getting destroyed in the title game for a second straight year, she gave UCLA head coach Cori Close a tight embrace and showered her with praise. Take notes, Geno.
"I'm always happy for people who've worked hard in this game, who are really quality people. I want good things to happen for them," Staley said. "And Cori is one of those people who really works at making our game better. Not just UCLA but our entire game. She's always speaking out and uplifting our game in so many areas. It's hard to continue to do that while maintaining the job that you have to do every day, but she finds the time. So, although we didn't win, I can swallow it because we lost to a really good human being and a good team that represents women's basketball well."
That's how it's done.
The Giannis vs. Bucks situation is getting weird
The Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo are engaged in a unique dispute we don't often see in the NBA, and it'll be interesting to see how it plays out.
According to ESPN's Shams Charaina, Antetokounmpo said he wants to play but the team won't medically clear him. The Bucks, however, claimed Antetokounmpo doesn't actually want to play and declined an opportunity to play 3-on-3 scrimmages as part of his return protocol.
Somebody is lying. The NBA is investigating to find out who.
Both Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have told league investigators different stories: Milwaukee informed the NBA that it doesn't believe Giannis is ready and actually wants to play; Giannis informed the NBA he wants to play but the team will not medically clear him, sources said. https://t.co/XAYU72V8Dx
The Bucks have a lot to gain by Antetokounmpo sitting, with lottery odds on the line, but who knows what's actually happening here.
What I do know is this might be too much for the sides to come back from. After previous rumors of Antetokounmpo wanting out of Milwaukee, this offseason might finally be the right time for a split.
Quick hits: Artemis II photo ... ceremonial 1st sip ... and more
The 21-year-old slugger even earned MVP buzz leading up to the campaign.
Despite the slow beginning to the season, ESPN.com MLB reporter David Schoenfield ranked the Red Sox fourth on his list of the league's most "watchable" teams.
Schoenfield placed Boston as the top American League squad too, behind only the Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets.
"The slow start is a little worrisome and makes this feel like an aggressive ranking. Losing teams aren't that watchable no matter how advanced Roman Anthony might be at the plate or how dynamic Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu are on defense," Schoenfield said. "With Anthony, Marcelo Mayer and Connelly Early, the Red Sox score high in young talent. Garrett Crochet leads the list of six Red Sox players in the top 100, with Anthony's potential already placing him at No. 33. Still, don't overreact to a small sample of games: This should be a fun team to watch over the long season."
The longtime ESPN reporter gave Boston 28.5 points on the "watchability index," just ahead of the rival New York Yankees (27.5 points).
Schoenfield gave the Red Sox 10 points for "star power," nine for "young talent," eight for "baseball stuff" and 1.5 bonus points -- 0.5 coming from the Green Monster at Fenway Park, 0.5 for "Garrett Crochet's left arm" and 0.5 for "Jarren Duran's energy.
That upgrade from the 168th pick to the 66th pick for Buffalo would be a strong one, although some fans would look at this and wonder if Coleman has to be involved at all for those other four picks to add up.
The Bills would end up without a first-round pick this season if they made this deal.
"After trading that second-round pick to the Bears for DJ Moore, Bills general manager Brandon Beane should be looking to move down from No. 26 and add a Day 2 pick," Barnwell writes. "He can sweeten the pot by including Coleman. Though Joe Brady has said that he values Coleman and thinks that the third-year wide receiver can continue to grow in a Bills uniform, ownership publicly trashing Coleman in that memorable postseason news conference tells you how the most important person in the building sees the 2024 second-round pick. This trade values Coleman as a fourth-rounder, which feels about right for a player who hasn't consistently impressed so far as a pro."
It's a fair point from Barnwell -- the Bills don't have a second-round pick right now, so 26th versus 35th isn't that different, and adding 66 essentially makes up for the lack of an initial second-rounder.
The Titans would have a chance to pair Coleman with young QB Cam Ward and see if they can grow together. It's likely a risk worth taking for Tennessee, particularly because it also comes with a move back into the first round.
"More importantly, perhaps, Titans GM Mike Borgonzi would jump ahead of the many teams that are evaluating edge rushers at the bottom of Round 1, including his former employers in Kansas City," Barnwell writes. "I also wonder if the Titans could be thinking about adding an offensive lineman here, another position the Chiefs (and others) could be targeting in the final few picks of Day 1."
Could this deal work out for both sides? It surely could. And then it'd just be a question of what Coleman would do with his new surroundings.
The Los Angeles Rams are an organization known for thinking outside the box, and ESPN's Bill Barnwell suggested, perhaps, one of the strangest draft-day trades the team could pull off in 2026.
In his newest all-trades mock draft, Barnwell posited that the Rams could trade the No. 13 to the Minnesota Vikings for 2024 first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the No. 18 pick and the No. 97 pick in the 2026 draft.
The reasons are simple: The Rams don't have a true plan at quarterback in a post-Matthew Stafford era and general manager Les Snead likely would only trade slightly back or completely out of the first round. Meanwhile, the Vikings seem out on McCarthy as a franchise quarterback in their system and may just want to offload him for anything.
At the right price, though, taking a flyer on McCarthy would make sense. The Vikings are unlikely to move forward with the 2024 ninth overall pick as their quarterback of the future, having signed Kyler Murray to take over as their starter in 2026 before deciding on McCarthy's fifth-year option after the season. Getting something for the 23-year-old quarterback would make sense if the organization has decided it is going to be heading in a different direction. This move up would get the Vikes ahead of the Bucs and Jets if they want to look toward secondary help in Round 1.
This trade would value McCarthy as being worth the 112th pick in a typical draft by the Jimmy Johnson chart, a selection in the middle of the fourth round. That feels about right to me. And the Rams would be on the hook for $6.6 million over the next two years, which isn't much for a developmental backup quarterback. Could McCarthy's solid final four games of the 2025 season (admittedly against dismal opposing defenses) portend growth and some future success? The Rams wouldn't be paying much to find out.
Let's dissect the layers of this trade.
Firstly, the Rams would get a look at McCarthy, who in turn would get at least a year of tutelage under Sean McVay and Stafford. That's not nothing, and could be a great risk-reward scenario for L.A. Baker Mayfield looked solid in the McVay offense, another other quarterbacks have revitalized their careers in similar systems.
Secondly, the Rams would pick up an extra third-rounder and only move back five spots. The third-rounder is perfect fodder for what Snead and McVay like to do in the later rounds and could also be used to move around the draft on Day 2. No. 18 is also a quality spot to still land a prospect the Rams want, like offensive line or receiver.
This would be one of the craziest draft trades of the year, but it's one that could have ripple effects for the Rams' franchise if it pans out.
The Atlanta Hawks, ranked fifth in the Eastern Conference, will host the New York Knicks, who are ranked third in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta is favored with a -1.5 spread and a moneyline of -120.
The Patriots made several significant moves to their interior offensive line this offseason, starting with the trade of center Garrett Bradbury to the Chicago Bears. Shortly after the trade, New England signed Alijah Vera-Tucker to take over the left guard position, shifting Jared Wilson to center. However, the question remains: is there still room for improvement on the offensive line?
Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine released his surprising NFL draft needs for every team, and the Patriots need more interior offensive line help.
"The Patriots signed Alijah Vera-Tucker and probably solidified their starting interior trio in the process. Vera-Tucker should man the left guard spot with Jared Wilson at center and Mike Onwenu playing right guard," Ballentine wrote on Monday. "But that's not going to be sufficient if the Patriots are serious about protecting Drake Maye. Onwenu heads to free agency next season, Vera-Tucker has a long injury history and Wilson hasn't quite earned the distinction of long-term starter.
"Ideally, they would be able to add a tough, physical guard who can be versatile enough to be a utility option before becoming a starter in the next year or two."
If New England is aiming to bolster its interior offensive line, focusing on finding talent in the middle rounds of the draft might be a smart approach.
While improving the interior offensive line isn't New England's greatest need, acquiring a center and a guard to develop over the next few years could be a fantastic move for the future.
Palmeiras go 5 points clear at the top of the Brasileirão
Palmeiras are more firmly at the top than ever in Brazil’s Série A and now hold a five-point lead over the runners-up. The 2-1 win over Bahia this Sunday (5) at Arena Fonte Nova was their fifth straight victory in the competition. They now have 25 points, followed by São Paulo and Fluminense, both on 20, in second and third place respectively.
Jhon Arias opened the scoring for Palmeiras with a beautiful goal, set up with a classy backheel touch by Flaco López and finished clinically by the Colombian. David Duarte then equalized for Bahia. In stoppage time, after a corner kick, Ramos Mingo scored an own goal, much to the delight of Palmeiras fans.
The 10th round began on Saturday (4) with three matches: at Morumbis, São Paulo thrashed Cruzeiro 4-1, with three goals from Ferreirinha and one from Calleri, while Christian scored Cruzeiro’s consolation goal. At São Januário, Vasco lost 2-1 to Botafogo after coming from behind. David scored for the home side, while Villalba and Matheus Martins found the net for the visitors. At Couto Pereira, Coritiba and Fluminense drew 1-1: Tiago Cóser scored for Coxa and John Kennedy for Tricolor.
On Sunday, besides Bahia vs. Palmeiras, the Brasileirão featured six more matches: Chapecoense 1-1 Vitória at Arena Condá; Corinthians 0-1 Internacional at Neo Química Arena; Mirassol 0-1 Red Bull Bragantino at Maião; Atlético-MG 2-1 Athletico-PR at Arena MRV; Grêmio 0-0 Remo at Arena do Grêmio; and Flamengo 3-1 Santos at the Maracanã.
Pedro sparked the comeback against SantosCredits: Gilvan de Souza / Flamengo
Chapecoense took the lead at home through Neto Pessoa, but Vitória grabbed an equalizer with a penalty converted by Matheuzinho in second-half stoppage time.
In Itaquera, Bernabei was the man behind Internacional’s celebrations. The defeat left Corinthians in 16th place, just one step above the relegation zone.
In Mirassol, the home side suffered their fifth straight defeat in the competition. After the stumble against Bragantino, Mirassol are now bottom of the table.
Riding high after beating Chapecoense 4-0 away from home, Atlético-MG picked up another three points. This time, they defeated Athletico-PR at home, with goals from Victor Hugo and Gustavo Scarpa. Julimar scored for Furacão.
Grêmio’s match against Remo had plenty of intense moments. The most astonishing was the chance missed by Taliari in the first half, in a play so unusual it will go down in Brasileirão history. The team from Pará also missed a penalty, taken by Alef Manga and saved by Weverton.
And at the Maracanã, Flamengo came from behind to beat Santos in front of 68,615 fans, the biggest crowd of the current Brasileirão season. Lautaro Dias scored for Santos, while Pedro, Jorginho from the penalty spot, and Lucas Paquetá sealed the Rubro-Negro victory.
The Lakers aren't quite in free-fall yet. But they're close, seeing stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves land in the treatment room for injuries to their hamstring and oblique, respectively.
With Doncic and Reaves on the mend, Los Angeles' postseason prospects look uninspiring. The Lakers struggled mightily in Sunday's loss to the Mavericks, falling behind by as many as 22. With higher-level competition on the horizon in the playoffs, Los Angeles is hoping to get its All-Star-caliber talent in time to mount a serious challenge in the Western Conference.
Doncic is creative in his recovery, jet-setting for Europe in search of a more aggressive form of treatment that will see him return to the floor far sooner than a Grade 2 hamstring strain typically accommodates.
With that, here's what you need to know about Doncic's travels.
Why Luka Doncic is going to Europe for hamstring treatment
Doncic is looking to accelerate his recovery timeline. His impending travels to Europe figure to aid in his efforts. ESPN's Dave McMenamin and Shams Charania reported that Doncic consulted Lakers doctors and his own medical team before making the decision.
Grade 2 hamstring strains like Doncic's typically take around a month to heal. Doncic is motivated to return earlier, according to Lakers coach JJ Redick.
Los Angeles implemented new-look lineups in its first game back since Doncic and Reaves went down, falling to the lowly Mavericks, 134-128. The Lakers trailed by as many as 22 in the contest and were unable to blight Cooper Flagg's scoring prowess. Los Angeles' starting lineup -- LeBron James, Luke Kennard, DeAndre Ayton, Rui Hachimura and Jake LaRavia -- had not played together this season prior to Sunday's outing.
"Obviously, we ran some lineups that they haven't seen all year," Kennard told reporters postgame.
Grade 2 hamstring strain recovery timeline
Grade 2 hamstring strains typically involve a 3-6 week recovery process, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Doctors may employ a host of methods to remedy the issue. Some of those tactics are as follows:
The MEAT Method: Movement, Exercise, Analgesia and Therapy
The RICE Method: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation
(Editor's note: This is the third of a three-part centerpiece about Rory McIlroy's 2025 Masters victory. Here was the opening piece and here is the second part. This article originally ran as one in the first 2026 edition of Golfweek magazine.)
The 89th Masters was far from settled when Rory McIlroy steered his drive into the left side of the fairway at Firethorn, the par-5 15th, and had overhanging pine branches interfering with his direct line of attack. Padraig Harrington, who was glued to his TV set in Ireland, observed that playing conservatively was McIlroy’s kryptonite, but the aggressive play was right in his wheelhouse and he conjured up a daring, slinging 7-iron from 207 yards that hooked some 20 yards around limbs and pine needles and rolled 6 feet from the cup.
“That shot was definitely Monte Carlo or bust,” said Nick Faldo, who served as lead analyst for Sky TV’s Masters coverage in Europe. “I think that was right up there in the top half-a-dozen greatest shots we’ve seen over the years, and, more importantly for him, the greatest seven-iron he’s hit in his life.”
To hear McIlroy recount the 15th hole contained some of the best nuggets Faxon hadn’t heard. For the first time all day, McIlroy had outdriven Bryson DeChambeau, which meant he would play second into the green. DeChambeau’s last-ditch effort to mount a charge flew at the flag, but the wind picked up and his ball hit the bank and rolled back into the water. McIlroy took notice and switched from 8-iron to 7-iron, and that made all the difference.
“If I hadn't seen Bryson hit first,” McIlroy said, “I definitely would have hit my second shot in the water.”
Almost forgotten in the aftermath of such brilliance is the fact that McIlroy missed the eagle putt but still regained the lead at 11 under. At Redbud, the par-3 16th, he drilled another beauty to 9 feet but failed to convert his birdie effort. Not Justin Rose – after a bogey at 17, he curled in a 20-footer for his 10th birdie of the round and 66 to claim the clubhouse lead.
Gary Player had been rooting for McIlroy
Gary Player, who had been rooting for McIlroy to join him as the sixth member of the career Grand Slam club, watched the final round from his rental home close to Augusta, surrounded by friends and guests. He called it one of the most unusual Masters he’d ever witnessed.
“It was a true yo-yo of emotions. One moment, I was certain he would win. The next, I thought he had lost it,” Player said. “He had us all on pins and needles.”
Tied again, McIlroy stepped on an 8-iron at Nandina, the par-4 17th, that trickled to 2 feet. “Absolutely stone cold,” said Player. “The 17th green is one of the hardest on the course, and to birdie it under that pressure was extraordinary.”
Brad Faxon, later asking McIlroy questions at his annual summit, an event he hosts with all his partners at Ohoopee Match Club in Georgia, couldn’t resist asking one more: of the three iron shots he’d hit on Nos. 15, 16 and 17, did he think one was better than the other?
“Well, everybody's going to think the one on 15 was the best, but I was proudest of the one on 16 because that was the 50th anniversary of (Jack) Nicklaus's back-right hole location,” McIlroy said of how in 1975 the Golden Bear rolled in a 40-foot uphill, sidewinder that spurred him to his fifth of six Green Jackets. “To hit that hole high, just right of the flag … that was one of the best shots I hit all day.”
Nursing a one-stroke lead and looking as if the elusive Green Jacket finally would be his, McIlroy improbably dumped an easy flip wedge from 125 yards into the right greenside bunker that immediately became a candidate for the worst shot of the day. He missed a 5-foot par putt for the win on the low side and it was off to a playoff.
“I never thought it would break as much as it did,” McIlroy told Faxon.
If McIlroy’s head was spinning, two moments before the playoff reframed his disposition. First, a pep talk from Harry Diamond the caddie, who reminded him that they would have taken a playoff when they arrived at Augusta on Monday morning. Then they hopped into a golf cart to go to the 18th tee and Jason Ballard, the director of golf at Oak Hill in Rochester, N.Y., a friendly face who he knew through his wife being raised there and a member of the club, happened to be behind the wheel.
“I felt something good about that,” McIlroy said.
They drove down a path to the left of 10. The silence was broken only by birds singing, and it relaxed him. Rose remembered feeling rushed when he lost a playoff to Sergio Garcia in 2017 and took his sweet time arriving, showing up four minutes late to the tee. McIlroy ripped his driver 30 yards past Rose, who responded with a beautiful approach.
“Did you know how close it was?” Faxon asked.
“We heard the roar,” McIlroy said. “We knew it was a little past the flag, but we didn’t know how close it was.”
Faxon inquired about his second shot from 125 yards – same yardage, same gap wedge as before but from a perfect lie this time.
“I was so pumped up that it flew farther, and it was a lucky break because it allowed it to climb the hill and come back down all the way to 2 feet,” McIlroy said.
What surprised McIlroy when he arrived at the green was that Rose’s ball had gone 17 feet past the hole. He expected it to be closer. “So, you’re standing, waiting for Justin to putt, how soon after he hit it did you realize he had missed?” Faxon asked.
“That’s funny because I was standing in a spot behind him and as soon as he hit it, I knew he had missed it on the high side,” McIlroy said.
This time, McIlroy wasn’t nervous. “I was in control and then I was screaming guttural at the top of my lungs,” he said.
McIlroy raised his putter to the sky and tossed it in the air, then he buckled, collapsing to his knees and lowering his forehead to the green. He was a Masters champion at last.
“What place is capable of reducing a man to rubble like that but in the best possible way?” ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt said. Before he and McIlroy parted ways during a pre-tournament interview, Van Pelt had told him, “Every man has his time and I think this is yours.”
“When you saw him fall to his knees,” he continued, “I said to somebody, sometimes in life you don't realize how much water you're holding back until you let the dam burst, and that burst of emotion was just astounding.”
Almost as astounding as Faxon figuring he asked at least a dozen open-ended questions and letting McIlroy expound at will to his audience of confidantes. Five minutes became 40 and Faxon wondered if he had overstepped his bounds. That is, until PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan wandered over to him when it was all said and done and washed away any concern:
“I could have listened to that for another hour,” he said.
The FIFA window can be a double-edged sword for international players.
On one hand, the chance to represent their country and in this window, make their final cases for World Cup inclusion, is always a major opportunity.
But for players in form with their clubs, it can also serve as a momentum-halter.
Luckily for two Americans Abroad, the international break did nothing to slow down their positive runs. For Malik Tillman and Folarin Balogun, as well as their U.S. teammates, the next few weeks will be vital at the club level as Mauricio Pochettino closes in on naming his World Cup squad at the end of May.
This week's Five kicks off with two players who impressed on either side of the March window.
Folarin Balogun scores stunner
Folarin Balogun had a fairly quiet international break, but he picked up right where he left off on his return to club action.
The Monaco forward made it eight goals in his last eight games on Sunday, April 5, with a second-half strike in a crucial 2-1 win over Tim Weah and Marseille.
This one was probably Balogun's best of the season. The striker pounced on a loose ball, used his pace to blow past a defender and then, at full speed, produced an audacious chip from the side of the box that perfectly lobbed the goalkeeper.
"I told him that it was one of the most beautiful goals I’ve ever seen in my career," Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara said after the game.
That's now 16 goals on the season for Balogun. It's unlikely he'll score a better one.
Much like Balogun, Malik Tillman has also continued a scoring run from one side of the international break to the other.
Tillman found the net late in Bayer Leverkusen's 6-3 win over Wolfsburg on Saturday, April 4, following on from his goal in a draw against Heidenheim prior to the break.
Much of the credit for Tillman's goal has to go to Ernest Poku, who blew by two defenders before setting the American up for a close-range finish.
Tillman is now up to eight total goals in his debut campaign with Leverkusen. The 23-year-old hasn't always impressed after making a €40 million move from PSV, but he's starting to find some form at the business end of the season.
Brenden Aaronson helps Leeds reach Wembley
Brenden Aaronson wasn't in the lineup for Leeds' FA Cup quarterfinal with West Ham on Sunday but when he came in, the American made a big difference.
Aaronson replaced the injured Anton Stach just before halftime with Leeds up 1-0. The midfielder made a telling contribution in the second half, winning a penalty that Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted to double the lead.
West Ham found two late goals to take the match into extra time and eventually penalties, where Aaronson converted his spot kick to help Leeds win the shootout.
Though he hasn't managed to maintain the blistering form he enjoyed near the turn of the year, Aaronson is still producing for a Leeds side that has now reached the FA Cup semifinal for the first time in 39 years.
PSV crowned champion again
For the third consecutive year, Ricardo Pepi and Sergiño Dest have won the Eredivisie with PSV.
This time around, it wasn't even close. PSV's win over Utrecht combined with Feyenoord's draw with Volendam clinched the title for PSV with five league matches to spare.
Both Pepi and Dest have been key contributors once again for PSV, with Dest a regular starter before going down with a hamstring injury a month ago and Pepi netting 13 goals.
This may have been the last season with PSV for one or both players, who have been linked with moves abroad. Pepi was on the verge of joining Fulham last month before the deal collapsed at the 11th hour. If either of them leaves, their place in club history is already secured.
Auston Trusty regains starting role
After a strong performance in a 2-0 loss to Portugal, Auston Trusty regained some much-needed club momentum upon his return to Celtic.
Trusty was restored to Celtic's lineup after missing three games due to a red-card suspension, starting in a 2-1 win over Dundee on Sunday. The defender put in a strong shift, winning four duels and tallying eight clearances and five defensive recoveries.
The 27-year-old has been a regular starter for Celtic for much of this season, and will need to maintain his spot as he chases a World Cup roster berth.
Bayern director issues update on superstar’s availability for Real Madrid clash – ‘He feels good’
Tomorrow night, the Santiago Bernabeu will provide the setting for a heavyweight UEFA Champions League encounter as Real Madrid take on Bayern Munich in the first leg of the quarter-finals.
Leading up to the blockbuster clash, there have been some doubts about the availability of the Bavarians’ key striker, Harry Kane.
The English goal machine did not play for his national team during the international break due to a minor injury and sat out of Bayern’s most recent fixture this past weekend – a 3-2 win over SC Freiburg.
And, Bayern Munich director Max Eberl has now issued a positive update on Kane’s condition ahead of the game against Bayern Munich.
The Bavarians’ executive confirmed that the England international had done everything necessary to make himself available for tomorrow’s encounter at the Bernabeu.
Fit and raring to go. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
“Harry Kane has done everything he can to be involved vs Real Madrid, he even participated in the final training session,” Eberl confirmed, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.
Regarding the possibility of whether he will be in the starting lineup for Bayern tomorrow night, Eberl added:
“Whether he starts tomorrow or not is Vinnie’s decision. But he’s there and he feels good.”
Nonetheless, Kane’s availability for the match will come as a concern for Real Madrid, for the England international has been in unstoppable form this season.
Indeed, so far in 2025/26, the former Tottenham Hotspur superstar has plundered 48 goals from just 40 matches in all competitions, while also chipping in with five assists.
With him set to be fit and available, the task of stopping Kane will fall onto the shoulders of veteran Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger.
Alvaro Arbeloa ‘not thinking’ about consequences of Bayern Munich defeat for Real Madrid future
Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa has stated that his future is not on his mind as he prepares for their Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich. Following their defeat to RCD Mallorca on Saturday, it has arguably made the Champions League the ‘easier’ of two titles available to Los Blancos.
Now seven points behind Barcelona with eight games to go, many are declaring the title race done in Spain. As such, Arbeloa’s future could hinge on Real Madrid’s performance in the Champions League. He said he was not considering the possibility that a loss to Bayern could decide his fate.
“We’re not thinking about not winning the tie. I understand you have to analyse all the scenarios, but for us there’s only one: beating Bayern. That’s what we want and what we believe in.”
‘I don’t put myself in either camp’ – Arbeloa on style
With Xabi Alonso cast as a tactical mastermind that failed to connect with his players, Arbeloa has been discussed as more of a man manager than a coach wedded to a particular tactical set up. Arbeloa did not feel he fell into either category though.
“I don’t place myself in their camp, wherever you want me. My obsession is preparing my teams for what they’re going to face on the pitch and bringing out the best in each player. You have to be a coach capable of doing everything.”
‘Defeat is not tolerated at Real Madrid’
Asked how the dressing room reacted to their loss against Los Bermellones, Arbeloa said they were hurting.
“A dressing room like any other after a loss. Perhaps more hurting, because if there’s one club where defeat isn’t tolerated, it’s Real Madrid.”
Real Madrid suspension risk
Going into the game, Real Madrid will be without Dani Ceballos, Ferland Mendy and Thibaut Courtois. A number of key players are at risk of suspension for the second leg though, but Arbeloa was not planning on warning his players to act differently.
“It’s not necessary. They know they’re one yellow card away from suspension, but tomorrow’s match is a do-or-die game, and they know that if they have to take a card for the good of the team, they’ll do it. But we’ve already had to put up with players on yellow cards for too many matches.”
A total of seven players could miss the return leg in Munich if they were to be booked. Arguably six of them would be starters, the other being ruled out though injury in Rodrygo Goes; Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Aurelien Tchouameni, Alvaro Carreras and Dean Huijsen.
Clemson softball’s power showed up again on Saturday, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a big night from No. 11 Virginia Tech, as the Tigers dropped the series finale 10-5 in Blacksburg.
Virginia Tech took control early and never really let go. After Clemson missed a chance in the opening frame, the Hokies quickly capitalized in the bottom half, pushing three runs across to grab momentum right away. That set the tone for the rest of the night, with Clemson playing from behind the entire game.
The Tigers did respond with some pop at the plate. Freshman Sarah Breaux delivered a two-run homer in the second inning, continuing her strong weekend, while Taylor Pipkins and Corri Hicks each added solo shots later in the game. Breaux finished with two hits, and Clemson managed six total, but they couldn’t string together enough offense to keep pace.
Virginia Tech’s lineup proved to be the difference. The Hokies piled up 10 hits and got multiple home runs of their own, including key blasts that answered Clemson every time it threatened. Addison Foster led the charge with a three-hit performance, while Annika Rohs and Nora Abromavage each turned in multi-hit efforts as well.
In the circle, Clemson ace Sierra Maness didn’t have her usual command. She allowed seven runs across four innings, putting the Tigers in an early hole. Clemson tried to rally in the middle innings and briefly cut the deficit to two, but Virginia Tech responded again with a big fifth inning to create separation.
Clemson baseball takes down Stanford for first ACC series win of 2026
Clemson added one more run on Hicks’ home run in the sixth, but that was as close as it would get, as the Hokies closed things out to secure the series win.
The Tigers now stay on the road and will head to Pittsburgh Panthers softball next weekend, with Game 1 of the three-game set scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday.
UFC 327 takes place this weekend, with Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg clashing in a title-fight main event.
The vacant light-heavyweight belt will be up for grabs at the Kaseya Center in Miami, where former champion Prochazka aims to kickstart a second title reign. To do so, the Czech must overcome New Zealand’s rising contender Ulberg, who has lost just once as a professional.
UFC 327 takes place on Saturday 11 April at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. The early prelims will begin at 10pm BST (2pm PT / 4pm CT / 5pm ET), with the regular prelims following at 12am BST on Sunday (4pm PT / 6pm CT / 7pm ET on Saturday). The main card then starts at 2am BST on Sunday (6pm PT / 8pm CT / 9pm ET on Saturday).
How can I watch it?
In the UK, the main card will air live on TNT Sports and is also accessible via HBO Max, EE TV, Virgin Media, Amazon Prime Video, and Sky Sports; beforehand, the early and regular prelims will stream live on UFC Fight Pass. In the US, Paramount+ will stream the action.
Odds
Prochazka – 5/6
Ulberg – 20/21
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Fight card in full
Subject to change
New Zealand’s Carlos Ulberg is seeking to usher in a new era at 205lb (Getty Images)
Main card
Jiri Prochazka vs Carlos Ulberg (vacant light-heavyweight title)
Curtis Blaydes vs Josh Hokit (heavyweight)
Dominick Reyes vs Johnny Walker (light-heavyweight)
Azamat Murzakanov vs Paulo Costa (light-heavyweight)
Patricio Pitbull vs Aaron Pico (featherweight)
Prelims
Cub Swanson vs Nate Landwehr (featherweight)
Mateusz Gamrot vs Esteban Ribovics (lightweight)
Kevin Holland vs Randy Brown (welterweight)
Early prelims
Tatiana Suarez vs Loopy Godinez (women’s strawweight)
Former NASCAR driver Carl Edwards used to perform them after taking the checkered flag, as did NFL standouts Khalen Saunders (New York Jets) and Orlando’s own Jeremiah Ledbetter (New York Giants).
So when Duke Watson was asked to demonstrate a talent in front of his new teammates at UCF, the talented running back took it upon himself to showcase what he knows best.
“I flip. I only know how to do a backflip,” Watson said of his hidden talent.
The former Louisville transfer was even willing to demonstrate it to a group of media members on hand following Friday’s practice, but was quickly stopped by a representative from the school’s sports information department, hoping to avoid what could be an unfortunate disaster.
Watson, 20, hopes to turn heads with the Knights after spending two seasons with the Cardinals, following a successful high school career at Forsyth (Ga.) Mary Person High.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Watson rushed for 755 yards on 116 carries with 8 touchdowns in 19 games at Louisville. After a strong freshman campaign, he suffered an ankle injury that limited him to just 158 yards in seven games last season.
Watson entered the transfer portal in the offseason, and a familiar face reached out to him: Trent Mossbrucker. Mossbrucker, now UCF’s general manager of football player personnel, was formerly the recruiting coordinator at Louisville.
“He recruited me [at Louisville], so I obviously knew him,” said Watson. “We kept in touch, but we started talking more when I hit the portal. That’s where our relationship was kind of built.”
“I have a special place in my heart for Duke Watson. I watched every one of his high school games and recruited him at the last place I worked,” Mossbrucker said back in late January. “I know what he can do, talent-wise.”
Watson is one of a pair of transfer running backs joining the program this offseason, along with Landen Chambers, a 5-11, 215-pound standout from Central Arkansas. The duo is expected to step into the starting roles vacated by Myles Montgomery and Jaden Nixon after exhausting their eligibility.
The running backs unit also features returners Taevion Swint, Agyeman Addae and Chance Nixon, along with talented freshmen Kaj Baker and Arthur Lewis IV.
“Working with Landen is great. We’re two different playing styles, but I feel like that’s the thing about the whole room,” said Watson. “I like working with the whole room. Everybody adds something different to the offense. I love that about everybody.”
“I really like where the running back room is right now,” added offensive coordinator Steve Cooper. “Of course, we’re still learning some of these assignments and we’re only three practices in, but I definitely see those guys helping this football team.”
Watson describes himself as fast and physical, a more downhill runner.
“I’m more of a team player, too,” he added. “I love to protect the quarterback. I’m more of an all-around player.”
More importantly, Watson is looking forward to showcasing his potential with his new team.
“I feel like I’m starting all over again, but this time, I know what I’m doing,” said Watson. “The second time is going to be the best time around. So, this year is definitely going to be great.
“I just want to win a lot of games and help my team. If you win a lot of games, the self-accomplishment will come later. Right now, it’s really more about helping the team and it will all come together.”
Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.
Tom Brady blazed the trail. Troy Aikman is now walking the same path.
Brady wears a pair of conflicting hats, covering the entire league as an employee at Fox while owning a piece of the Raiders. Aikman's short-term stint as a consultant for Miami's G.M. and head-coaching hires (both of which they may have nailed) has morphed into an ongoing role that has yet to be fully defined.
The apples-to-apples Brady comparison is unmistakable. An analyst who calls games involving all teams has a financial interest as to one of them.
"I will say I’m pulling for the Dolphins . . . because now I have something at stake, and I think they hired two really talented, wonderful people, and I think that’s gonna prove itself out," Aikman recently told Clarence E. Hill Jr. of DLLS Sports. "But, yeah, I’m pulling for them. I want to see them do well because I feel like my fingerprints are on it as well."
For Brady, the NFL's current cure for his incurable conflict of interest is to ban him from entering team facilities or attending practices. (In 2024, the restrictions included not participating in pregame production meetings.) As to Aikman, the league previously has said it will address the situation "at the appropriate time."
In response to Aikman's latest comments, the NFL has declined comment.
“I think the Dolphins were wise in understanding my relationships around the league,” Aikman told Hill. "And knowing that I have information that they don’t have or can’t get. And I think they were smart in taking advantage of that — whether it was through me or through somebody else."
Aikman is right. If the NFL will allow broadcasters to leverage the things they learn while gaining unique access to teams, players, and coaches (particularly while strolling around the field during pregame warmups), every team should hire a broadcaster.
The question becomes how those situations will be handled. Beyond any limits the league may place on Aikman's access, how will ESPN address this? Will there be a disclaimer before all games? Before the games featuring one or more teams from the AFC East or otherwise on Miami's schedule?
And what will happen the next time Aikman and Joe Buck call a Dolphins game? Will the connection be mentioned once, with a perfunctory box-checking by Buck? Will it be repeated throughout the broadcast?
That hasn't been an issue for Fox, because Brady has yet to get a Raiders game. The Dolphins could end up on Monday Night Football in 2026. (Last year, despite not making the playoffs in 2024, they played on Monday night twice.) Other teams in their division (specifically, the Bills and Patriots) surely will be given one or more MNF games.
It's absolutely an issue, because the NFL has allowed it to become one. There should be a clear rule in situations like this — if a broadcaster has an opportunity to work for a team, the broadcaster must pick one job or the other.
Of course, part of the attraction to Aikman came from the fact that he has "information that [the Dolphins] don’t have or can’t get." The moment he turns in his headset, that information will become less robust.
But if the NFL is going to allow double-dipping, every team should grab a scoop and start targeting folks who can help them find out things they don't know and can't learn. Every game analyst becomes fair game. The play-by-play announcers are in play, too. Ditto for the sideline reporters, who are roaming around the nooks and crannies of the bench area, eyes and ears at all times open.
It never should have gotten to the point that two of the most prominent analysts have direct relationships with specific teams. Now that the cat is out of the bag, it would be foolish for the other teams to not try to hire someone in the broadcasting ecosystem who has "information they don't have or can't get."
With Cal Raleigh at catcher for the foreseeable future with the Seattle Mariners, there was no path to playing time for top prospect Harry Ford at the Major League level.
Ferrer is now in the bullpen mix for Mariners manager Dan Wilson, and he throws a heavy dose of sinkers and adds in a changeup and slider.
Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly labeled the 26-year-old from the Dominican Republic as Seattle's "best-kept secret" for the 2026 season.
Why Ferrer is Mariners' best-kept secret
"The 4.48 FIP that Ferrer posted across 72 games for the Nats in 2025 doesn't stand out, though both his 3.56 expected ERA and 3.03 FIP suggest he was much better than his back-of-the-baseball-card stats might make you think," Kelly wrote Saturday.
In four appearances this season, Ferrer has allowed two earned runs on seven hits, striking out three with no walks. His first three relief outings of the year were scoreless.
Ford began the season at Triple-A for the Nationals, and he is far too talented to keep as a backup catcher behind Raleigh. Seattle made a pivot and managed to acquire a talented southpaw in the process.
With not having a first-round selection, and several roster holes to still address, GM Chris Ballard hitting on these third to fifth round picks will be crucial.
The defensive end position remains a big need for the Colts, so Melo identified Western Michigan's Nadame Tucker as an ideal fit for Indianapolis.
"Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard loves toolsy and traitsy pass rushers," wrote Melo. "Western Michigan's Nadame Tucker exploded for 14.5 sacks this past season after transferring to the program from Houston. Tucker also held his own against better competition at the Senior Bowl, displaying an athletic and speedy arsenal."
Colts' draft prospect to watch: EDGE Nadame Tucker
Tucker put together a huge season at Western Michigan in 2025, recording 61 quarterback pressures and 14 sacks, according to PFF. Those 61 pressures were the ninth-most among defensive ends last season. Tucker also held his own in the run game as well.
Nadame Tucker's NFL draft profile
Here is what NFL.com's Lance Zierlein had to say in his pre-draft scouting report:
"Tucker’s rush ability far exceeds his run defense. He’s an instinctive, skilled rusher with an uncommon feel for a player with so few reps. He uses quickness and bend to buzz the edge, while marrying hands and feet for quick wins. He dominated weaker competition but more polish will be needed for his jump to lining up across from bigger, longer tackles. He gets swallowed and controlled at the point of attack, and that will persist without substantial improvement. Despite limited career production, the rush tape is impressive enough for Day 3 consideration and an opportunity as a designated rusher."
Nadame Tucker's athletic profile
Nadame Tucker is a DE prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored an unofficial 6.82 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 652 out of 2046 DE from 1987 to 2026.
Although the Colts signed Arden Key and Micheal Clemons in free agency, this position does remain a rather large need. Ideally, the Colts could still add a more high-impact presence to play opposite of Laiatu Latu, but that will be difficult without a first-round pick.
The 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship in Indianapolis features a dominant Michigan Wolverines’ (36-3) team against the dynasty-chasing UConn Huskies (34-5).
Not only did the Wolverines manhandle nearly every opponent during the regular season but they have also overwhelmed every school they have faced during the NCAA Tournament winning every game by double digits. Led by Big Ten Player of the Year Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan is seeking its first national championship since 1989.
UConn, appearing in their eighth Final Four since 2004 and their third in the last four years, brings unrivaled postseason experience to the court tonight. The Huskies are led by seniors Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed Jr. and are aiming to leverage their high-pressure, physical style to disrupt the Wolverines' tournament-long rhythm and secure another championship.
Maybe the biggest key to the game is the health of Lendeborg. The senior left the Wolverines’ Final Four game against Arizona with an ankle injury and did not return. If the Big Ten Player of the Year is limited in any way, the Michigan offense changes without question. The size advantage the Wolverines own with Lendeborg, Aday Mara and Morez Johnson is diminished. Regardless of Lendeborg’s availability, though, Michigan will look to push the pace at every opportunity. UConn is more methodical and must control the tempo of the title game and shoot the ball well from deep (36% Saturday against Illinois) if they are to cut down the nets for the third time in the last four years.
Inside the numbers: Do the books believe the Huskies will be able to control the tempo or at least slow down the Wolverines? The Total is set at 144.5. It’s a total that is 13 points lower than Michigan’s game pre-flop against Arizona. It is also well below any final score involving the Wolverines in the NCAA Tournament. The lowest total final score has been 157 through five games of the NCAA Tournament. That does not mean the sports books think UConn prevails. It is just a nod to their ability to work the clock and not turn the ball over.
These schools have not met since November of 2015.
Lets take a closer look at this Final Four matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
Game Details and How to Watch Live: Michigan vs. UConn
Date: Monday, April 6, 2026
Time: 8:50PM EST
Site: Lucas Oil Stadium
City: Indianapolis, IN
Network/Streaming: TBS, truTV, HBO Max
Rotoworld has you covered with all the latest NBA Player News for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Game Odds: Michigan Wolverines vs. UConn Huskies
The latest odds as of Monday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Michigan (-298), UConn (+240)
Spread: Michigan -6.5
Total: 144.5
This game opened Michigan -7.5 with the Total set at 144.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NCAA Basketball schedule!
Expected Starting Lineups: Michigan vs. UConn
Michigan Wolverines
G Nimari Burnett
G Elliott Cadeau
F Yaxel Lendeborg
F Morez Johnson Jr.
F Aday Mara
UConn Huskies
G Solo Ball
G Silas Demary Jr.
G Braylon Mullins
F Alex Karaban
C Tarris Reed Jr.
Important stats, trends and insights: Michigan vs. UConn
Michigan is 19-20 ATS this season
UConn is 17-22 ATS this season
The OVER has cashed in 17 of Michigan’s 39 games this season (17-22)
The OVER has cashed in 18 of UConn’s 39 games this season (18-21)
Tarris Reed Jr. is averaging 13 rebounds through five games of the NCAA Tournament
Alex Karaban passed Tyler Hansbrough to set the record for most NCAA Tournament wins as a starter with the Huskies’ win over Illinois in the Final Four
Elliott Cadeau has averaged 8.6 assists and 3.8 rebounds and just 2.6 turnovers through 5 games in the NCAA Tournament
Aday Mara is averaging 2.6 blocks per game in the NCAA Tournament
Mara picked up the scoring slack with Lendeborg sidelined for much of the game against Arizona scoring 26 points in 30 minutes
Rotoworld Best Bet
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700. Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NCAA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Monday’s National Championship game between Michigan and UConn:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on Michigan -6.5
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total OVER 144.5
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
The Sporting News' latest mock draft makes clear that Acuff is the most dynamic lead guard available. Acuff came alive in the final weeks of the season, leading the Razorbacks to the SEC Tournament crown and a #4 seed in the NCAA Tournament. In the tournament itself, the Detroit native averaged 29.3 points and 5.3 assists per game as Arkansas reached the Sweet 16.
However, Acuff still lands with the Sacramento Kings at fifth overall in Stephen Noh's mock.
"While his defensive effort remains inconsistent, the Kings badly need a long-term option at the position over the 37-year-old free agent Russell Westbrook," Noh writes. "Acuff's elite playmaking and lights-out shooting will be a much-needed addition."
The Sacramento Kings have Darius Acuff Jr. ‘pretty darn high’ on their draft board, per @MattGeorgeSAC
Though Acuff is a touch undersized at 6'3'', it's not expected to inhibit him terribly at the next level given his prodigious scoring ability and NBA-ready playmaking.
If this is how the lottery balls bounce, and Acuff lands in Sacramento to lead the Kings' rebuild, fans of one of the NBA's longest-suffering franchises couldn't ask for a better or more exciting fit.
Somehow, some way, the Cleveland Guardians exceeded everyone’s expectations for their first three series of the season. After seeing the team perform in person this weekend, I could not be more excited for the rest of the season.
Did We Imagine That?
When the Guardians’ schedule was first released, I’ll admit I was scared. They were slated to play one of the most successful American League teams, the reigning World Series champions, and the NL Central’s favorite heading into 2026. After taking two of three from the Seattle Mariners, my expectations were raised a bit. However, I still kept them quite low heading into the series versus the Los Angeles Dodgers. Thankfully, those gritty Guards blew my expectations out of the water by winning the three game series against the reigning champs. While Sunday’s first game of a doubleheader versus the Chicago Cubs was a very sad offensive showing (no runs on just one hit), the team still managed to take two of three including a come back win in the day’s second game.
DeLauter Still Raking
If you take a look at the American League Batting Leaderboard over at Baseball Reference, you’ll see an unexpected name at the top of the Home Runs leaderboard. Rookie Chase Delauter – who has played in nine games this year – tops the stat with five home runs (tied with the Athletics’ Shea Langeliers). After hitting two home runs in his first regular season game, he has continued to hit with power and has helped keep the Guards in the win column. He’s hitting .313/.343/.781 and can be counted on to produce in almost every at bat.
Surprising Names Making Moves
Heading into this weekend’s series versus the Chicago Cubs, there were many question marks surrounding Gabriel Arias and CJ Kayfus. They’ve both had plenty of up-and-down moments this season, with the “downs” making plenty of headlines on social media. However, it’s still early in the season and they still have time to contribute in meaningful ways. They did just that in Sunday’s doubleheader with both Arias and Kayfus contributing an RBI single each and Kayfus giving the Guards the lead in the bottom of the eighth with a home run. While they still have plenty of defensive miscues to make up for, they’re certainly making headway on that.
Social Media Spotlight
Experiencing the home crowd sing along to Chase DeLauter’s walkup song – Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver – was a great moment at Progressive Field on Sunday. Mason Horodyski of News 5 Cleveland captured the moment in Friday’s home opener before DeLauter earned a base hit.
#Guardians fans already catching on to Chase DeLauter's walk up song "Country Roads, Take Me Home."
BOSTON — Red Sox No. 2 hitter Trevor Story is 4 for 37 (.108) to begin the season.
To make matters worse, he has zero walks and 15 strikeouts.
“He’s swinging a lot,” manager Alex Cora said. “He knows it.”
Story has swung and missed 20 times with 18 coming on pitches outside of the strike zone. His 18 swings and misses on pitches out of the strike zone are fifth most in the majors.
He’s tied with Mets’ Bo Bichette for the most out-of-the-zone swings (43). Story and teammate Ceddanne Rafaela are tied for the third worst chase percentage (51.2%) in the big leagues. Only the Athletics’ Jacob Wilson (53.4%) and the Nationals’ Luis García Jr. (51.4%) have higher chase percentages.
“I think the swing is in a good place,” Cora said. “He keeps saying that. And you watch video and yes, it’s same timing mechanism, hands placement. The body looks the same. It’s just, ‘What are we swinging (at)?’
“It starts with seeing the ball,” Cora added. “And this is something Manny (Ramirez) used to talk about. You can talk about mechanics all you want — your hands and your load and all that — but at the end, you have to see the ball. That’s the key. You see the ball, you make sound decisions and then you go.”
BETTING: The over/under for Monday’s Red Sox versus Brewers series opening matchup is set at 8 total runs on FanDuel. Our comprehensive FanDuel Sportsbook review shows you how to register and navigate through their platform.
Story had a chance to tie Saturday’s game in the fifth after Roman Anthony tripled with two outs, but he grounded out to second base to end the inning. He had another chance to tie it in the eighth inning with runners at first and third with no outs. But he struck out swinging, chasing a slider outside of the strike zone.
“Last year, one of the things that he did, especially with men in scoring position, he’d shoot the ball the other way,” Cora said. “Yesterday, hit a ground ball with two strikes, which it was a positive for us. Then he got a pitch to hit in the eighth. Believe it or not, I go to the computer and compare swings and all that. I actually study. And I was looking at a swing he took against a lefty last year and the one yesterday, and he just missed the one yesterday by a click. So that was a good sign. He knows what he’s doing. He knows what he needs to do.”
Chasing pitches outside the zone has been an issue throughout the lineup. The Red Sox have the fifth-highest chase percentage (33.3%).
“I read a quote from him (Story), like, ‘We have to slow it down.’ And yeah, as a unit, we have to do it,” Cora said. “It seems like we get the line moving and then boom, ground ball double play and then one swing and 1, 2, 3, and we’re out. So I think using a big part of the field is very important. They’re not going to pitch to your honey hole. They’re pitching away from your strength. And I think if you take away that — you shoot the ball the other way a few times, and then you’re going to get pitches in your zone and then you can hit the ball in the air to the pull side, hitting homers or extra-base hits. But swing less. It’s not like take pitches right down the middle. Hunt those ones and be disciplined enough to lay off the other ones."
Formula 1 hasn’t even made it four races deep into its most ambitious regulatory overhaul in a decade, and already the sport is in emergency session mode.
This Thursday, April 9th, right in the middle of the five-week gap before Miami, team technical chiefs, power unit manufacturer representatives, FIA leadership, and F1 itself will gather to hash out what went wrong and what needs to change before the next race weekend. According to numerous reports, there are six opportunities for the sport to try and fix what have been early headaches and concerns for F1. Formula 1’s emergency meeting could be a make or break for the sport in 2026.
Three races in. Six fixes needed. That’s either the sign of a sport willing to self-correct quickly, or evidence that the 2026 ruleset was released with more rough edges than anyone publicly admitted.
First, and most urgently, is the safety issue. Haas driver Ollie Bearman walked away from a violent crash at Suzuka, but the circumstances that caused it can’t be hand-waved away. The collision happened because Bearman’s car was in boost mode while Franco Colapinto’s Alpine ahead was harvesting energy, a speed differential of roughly 50 km/h between the two cars on the same straight. That’s not a racing incident. That’s a regulatory problem. McLaren principal Andrea Stella had been warning about exactly this scenario for weeks before Bearman’s car went airborne. Haas boss Ayao Komatsu said flatly afterward: “We just cannot ignore it.”
They won’t.
Second on the agenda is the qualifying mess. Charles Leclerc summed up the feeling across the paddock when he said the days of “crazy,” on-the-edge Q3 laps feel like a memory. The new power management requirements mean drivers aren’t attacking corners and instead they’re running algorithms. There’s also a genuinely bizarre quirk that surfaced after China, where a minor throttle input from Leclerc caused his car’s software to misread its own energy state, burning fuel in the wrong part of the track. His car confused itself. In qualifying.
🚨| Charles Leclerc fumes after bizarre Ferrari issue ruins Sprint qualifying lap:
— Charles Leclerc was left furious after an inexplicable issue with his Ferrari during the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix Sprint qualifying. Despite a strong start to the season, Leclerc could only… pic.twitter.com/H2zMt1tWW4
And the last issue they need to address before Miami is the straight-line speed collapse that’s made F1 2026 look strange on camera. Cars are hitting their top speed mid-straight, then visibly slowing before the braking zone. At Suzuka’s legendary 130R, cars that should be flat-out were backing off. On TV, with the engine note dropping away, it looks broken to casual viewers and looking broken to casual viewers is a problem Formula 1 can’t afford right now, especially with a massive American audience that only recently found the sport.
Six Solutions to F1’s 2026 on the Table Right Now
Here’s what’s reportedly in play for the April 9 discussions.
The most straightforward fix: Increase the energy that can be harvested during super clipping — the technique where drivers harvest battery power while still on full throttle. Right now, the cap is 250kW, whereas during lift-and-coast it is 350kW. Equalizing those limits would make super clipping the preferred option and reduce the frequency of the dangerous lift-and-coast speed gaps that contributed to Bearman’s crash.
The counterintuitive fix: Make the cars slower. Reducing the maximum MGU-K deployment from 350kW forces the car to spread its energy over a longer straight, so it doesn’t run dry before the braking zone. Slower cars, more consistently at the limit. The FIA reportedly tested this concept during pre-season.
Formula 1 has prepared 6 measures for the meeting that will take place next week, in order to solve the issues saw in the first 3 race
– Increse the power of super clipping (frmo 250kW to 350kW) – Reduce energy consumption so that it does not run out so quickly – Reduce the… pic.twitter.com/WY0BcZ85EJ
Stricter recharge limits are also on the table. Qualifying currently allows 9 megajoules of energy recovery per lap (the amount of electrical energy the battery can recover in a single lap during qualifying). Suzuka was dialed back to 8MJ at the last minute. Some discussions have centered on dropping to as low as 6 MJ, which would cost lap time but could eliminate the frantic energy management scramble that’s turning qualifying into a math problem.
The active aero play: Here, they can expand or eliminate the defined zones where straight mode can be activated. If drivers can run reduced drag for longer stretches, or freely throughout the lap like DRS was in its early years, the power demands on the battery drop significantly, reducing the energy cliff.
Rule simplification is also part of the conversation. Strip some of the algorithmic thresholds from the rulebook and hand control back to the drivers. Leclerc’s China lap was a case study in what happens when the car’s own software overrules the driver at the worst possible moment.
The one thing that won’t happen this year: changing the ICE/electric power balance. Right now, it’s roughly 55/45 — 400kW from the combustion engine, 350kW from the battery. Shifting more to the combustion side would help, but the engines weren’t designed for that mid-season, and forcing it risks reliability failures. That conversation gets tabled for 2027.
This week’s meeting isn’t a post-mortem on regulations that didn’t work and cannot be changed. It’s a deadline to save a season that’s already gone out of control. Whatever the parties involved in F1 agree needs to be implemented and tested before May 3 has to happen. At a time when F1 is growing in America and gaining steam, not addressing the issues will only compound the problems.
It’s a very tight window for things to get worked out. It’s roughly three weeks between agreement and race day in South Florida. Any changes need to clear the FIA’s bureaucratic and tedious regulatory process, be distributed to teams, and then be incorporated into the cars’ software and setup programs before Miami.
The good news: most of the fixes under discussion are software and regulatory parameter changes, not hardware overhauls. That makes them feasible on this timeline and means there’s no excuse for not executing them quickly.
The bigger picture is harder to ignore, though. F1 sold the 2026 regulations as the dawn of a new era. Three races in, the sport is holding an emergency meeting to fix what’s already broken. The rules, even with their rough edges, have produced close racing and genuine competition across the field. But the qualifying product and the safety risk on straights are major problems.
Miami is five weeks away. Formula 1’s emergency meeting this week is the moment F1 either shows it can adapt fast, or reveals how deep the problems actually run.
That agenda remains set for 2026-27. Jonathan Givony of Draft Express reported Monday he heard that from Mayer's representatives at CAA.
The Israeli spent his freshman season learning behind — and playing alongside, at times — Division I's all-time assists leader. Now he enters the second phase, one which he sought when deciding to become a Boilermaker in the first place.
"I've said it before — I have two siblings, both younger than me," Mayer said after the season-ending loss to Arizona in the Elite Eight. "Now I have a big brother for life. As simple as that. This guy has done so much for this team, and for me, personally."
Mayer will take what he learned from this freshman experience and apply it to being a big part of running what annually expects to be one of the nation's most efficient offenses.
Smith's command of the offense — both in minutes and method — did not leave a lot of time to evaaluate what a Mayer-led offense might look like. His 14.3 minutes per game ranked eighth on the team. Some portion of those came with Smith on the floor as well, so Mayer's 1.15 assists per game and 1.28 assist-to-turnover ratio must be taken in that context.
Mayer averaged 5.5 points per game and shot 35.5% from 3-point range. His confidence and production as a shooter increased as the season progressed. By the end of the season, his tendency to put his head down and dribble his way to a mid-range jumper became easier and easier to predict.
When those shots were falling — such as in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals against Nebraska, or the NCAA Tournament opener against Queens — it showed the potential upside if those lead guard skills mesh with more predictable and regular playing time.
Purdue will have several other options with some experience bringing the ball up. C.J. Cox and Gicarri Harris did it sparingly in their first two seasons. Antione West Jr. did it a lot in high school and by all accounts spent his redshirt season creating offense for himself in practice. Luke Ertel will arrive this summer with the momentum of a state championship and his own comparisons to Smith.
All of those candidates also make equal or more sense as off-the-ball players. Mayer can do that too, though his international role typically trended more towards facilitator. That showed up more in his various FIBA experiences, where he averaged 4.1 assists per game over four seasons.
Whoever succceeded Smith, by the way, would be following the best to ever do that job in a Purdue uniform. Arguably no one did it better for a full four years in any uniform.
That's not an easy act to follow, by Mayer's belief in his abilities never seemed to waver this past season. That freshman year was more about adapting to a secondary role and trying to maximize minutes off the bench.
Mayer spent a season watching Smith's performance on the court and preparation behind the scenes. The plan all along — that he will apply those lessons to his own skill set and unique traits — remains on schedule.
The Michigan Wolverines and UConn Huskies face off in the National Championship Game tonight.
This should be a terrific game between a dominant Wolverines squad anchored by transfers, and a Huskies program aiming for a third title in four years under Dan Hurley.
See how that factors into my UConn vs. Michigan same-game parlay picks for April 6.
Our best UConn vs Michigan SGP
The UConn Huskies are a well-coached program with championship experience and a strong starting lineup. That said, they had some struggles down the stretch, losing twice to Saint John's while also dropping games against bad Creighton and Marquette teams.
They had razor-close wins against Michigan State and Duke before beating Illinois 71-62 in the Final Four.
Meanwhile, the Michigan Wolverines are the highest-rated team in KenPom history and have looked unstoppable in the tournament, winning every game by more than 12 points. That includes their 91-73 Final Four beatdown of Arizona, which was widely considered the second-best team in the country.
The Wolverines clobbered the Wildcats despite leading scorer Yaxel Lendeborg playing just 14 minutes due to ankle and knee injuries. Lendeborg will play in the Final, and even if he isn't at full strength, the Wolverines have the size, athleticism, and depth to give UConn fits.
Two of the biggest reasons for the Wolverines' recent domination has been their red-hot perimeter shooting, and the offensive improvement of Aday Mara.
Five-star freshman Trey McKenney went 4-for-6 from deep against Arizona, and has drained more than 1.5 threes in eight of the last 12 games.
UConn's best perimeter defender Silas Demary Jr. will likely guard PG Elliot Cadeau, giving McKenney a more favorable matchup against Braylon Mullens or Solo Ball, the latter of which is dealing with a foot sprain.
Meanwhile, Mara has scored 14+ points in eight of the last 11 games, including a 26-point performance against Arizona's elite interior defense. Michigan will need the 7-foot-3 center on the floor as much as possible to battle Tarris Reed Jr, and he could carry more of the offensive load if Lendeborg is limited.
With Mara controlling the paint and McKenney bombing threes, the Wolverines should win their first title since 1989.
UConn vs Michigan SGP
Michigan moneyline
Aday Mara Over 13.5 points
Trey McKenney Over 1.5 threes
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.
Michael Kim has quietly become one of the best stories in golf. Mirroring the rise of Max Homa in some ways, the Seoul-born journeyman has become a PGA Tour cult favorite by way of a popular Golf X account and vastly improved play. On Sunday, he had a chance to claim his second-ever PGA Tour title at the Valero Texas Open before sending his approach on the 18th hole long, landing in the bunker just beyond the green. Kim needed to hole-out to tie J.J. Spaun’s clubhouse lead and force a playoff, and came oh-so-close to doing just that.
It wasn’t all bad news for Kim though, who shortly after boarded his flight to Augusta with nearly $750,000 crisp dollars in his pocket. While on his flight, Kim decided to host one of his now Internet-famous X Q&As, where he was asked what was going through his mind as his approach on 18 sailed over the back of the green. His answer, while very NSFW, was great.
It’s good to know that, regardless of God-given ability or hard-earned talent, golf does it to us all from time to time. In the Q&A, Kim also explained that the wind on 18 was tricky because of the grandstands and that he had just watched Tommy Fleetwood hit pitching wedge in, only for his own PW to soar over. Go figure.
On the bright side, Kim has risen to 56th in the world, is currently inside the top-50 in the FedEx Cup standings and will tee it up at Masters next week. Golf makes us all curse like a sailor from time to time, but as far as consolation prizes go, it’s hard to complain about that.
The MLB is through the first two weeks of the 2026 season. The season has seen hot starts from veterans and players entering the first few seasons of their careers. In the opening month of the season, it’s common for players to work their way into becoming locked in. However, as the months become warmer, players begin to perform at a higher level. Here are the top 10 first basemen rankings heading into week three.
Oct 7, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice (11) hits an RBI single in the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during game three of the ALDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Rice has started quickly following his monster 2025 season. He’s on pace to break last season’s total of 26 home runs. The sky is the limit for the young first baseman.
2. Christian Walker, Houston Astros
Walker struggled early in his first season with Houston. He rebounded and finished with 27 home runs and 88 RBI. If he stays consistent, he can reach 30 home runs in season two with the Astros.
3. Munetaka Murakami, Chicago White Sox
Chicago’s big free agent signing is off to a hot start. He’s quickly established himself as the most feared hitter in the White Sox lineup. Early production points to Murakami leading the team in every statistical category.
4. Sal Stewart, Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart (27) gestures as he runs the bases after hitting a homer in the eighth inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati. Reds lost 8-3.
The rookie is off to a hot start with the Reds. He reached two home runs in his first 30 at-bats. As Cincinnati competes for the division, Stewart will be relied on to continue producing.
5. TJ Rumfield, Colorado Rockies
Rumfield is producing for a Colorado team that lacks offense. He won the first base job out of Spring Training and started quickly. There will be regression, but Rumfield is off to a hot start.
6. Matt Olson, Atlanta Braves
Olson is quickly helping Atlanta get over last season’s letdown. His power has been on display throughout the first two weeks of the season. He will be a top ten first baseman throughout the season.
7. Jake Burger, Texas Rangers
Mar 31, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger (21) hits an RBI single during the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
Burger battled injuries in his first season with Texas. He’s entered this season healthy and is quickly producing. He’s an underrated player to watch as the season progresses.
8. Luis Garcia, Washington Nationals
Garcia is starting fast for the Nationals. The veteran has produced early in the season. The power numbers may take a step back, but he’s locked in through two weeks.
9. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays
Guerrero Jr. is the best hitter in Toronto’s lineup. He’s a lock to finish the season as a top ten first baseman. By midseason, he will be a member of the American League All-Star roster.
10. Mark Vientos, New York Mets
Last season was a letdown for Vientos. He battled injury and couldn’t replicate 2024’s numbers. He’s now healthy and making a case to stick in New York’s lineup.
The Los Angeles Rams are looking to go all-in in 2026, but that doesn't mean that they cannot also plan for the future of the franchise.
One of the main issues the Rams will need to resolve with their roster is their quarterback room, and specifically, their backup to Matthew Stafford, who can develop for a year.
ESPN's Bill Barnwell proposed a trade that would have the Rams moving down from 13th overall with the Minnesota Vikings for 2024 first-round QB J.J. McCarthy and a third-round pick to move back to 18th overall.
Rams trade idea lands McCarthy, 18th, 97th picks
"We know general manager Les Snead doesn't value picks in the bottom quarter of the first round, so the Rams aren't likely to move down very far if they do trade down," Barnwell writes.
With the Rams seemingly limited trade-down range, the Vikings emerge as a viable option for the Rams to move down, thanks to this intriguing package Barnwell proposed.
Minnesota could send the 97th pick along with McCarthy to the Rams to move up from No. 18 to No. 13 in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Los Angeles would get a cheap backup quarterback to develop behind Stafford for at least the next year, while not moving too far back in the first round of the draft, and picking up a late third-rounder as well.
With the Rams eyeing wide receiver help, one of Omar Cooper Jr. or Jordyn Tyson could be available with the 18th pick. If the Rams could turn the 13th pick into one of those WRs, McCarthy, and the 97th pick, it would be a massive win for L.A.
While McCarthy struggled a lot last year, with 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns to 12 interceptions, and a brutal 35.6 QBR, as a backup to Stafford for a year to develop a bit more might not be a bad flyer for the Rams to take.
The Vikings' experiment with McCarthy is seemingly over, and the Rams have experience developing quarterbacks who were busts on their previous team into starting quarterbacks in the NFL.
Who's to say McCarthy can't turn things around after a year with Sean McVay and behind Stafford? It's worth a try, especially if it's part of this quality trade-down proposed by Barnwell.
Instead, he remained with the Las Vegas Raiders earlier this offseason when the Ravens backed out of an agreed-upon trade, citing concerns with Crosby's physical.
It's created an odd situation, one in which no one is quite sure what'll happen next with Crosby.
Crosby and the Raiders are saying all the right things about him staying put, but it's easy to imagine that a trade could still be coming at some point.
He proposes a 3-for-1 setup that includes a couple draft picks:
Eagles get: Edge Maxx Crosby
Raiders get: 1-23, 2027 third-round pick, Edge Nolan Smith Jr.
"While Crosby is saying that he wants to move forward with the only pro organization he has ever known after his trade to the Ravens fell through, the same logic that led the Raiders to initially deal Crosby to Baltimore still holds," Barnwell writes. "Vegas doesn't appear to be close to seriously contending. Crosby turns 29 in August. He wants to win, ideally sooner rather than later. That might happen in Vegas, but by the time it does, Crosby could be well past his peak. With a predilection for trades and an affinity for elite defensive linemen, Howie Roseman's Eagles have always been on the fringes of the Crosby sweepstakes."
Barnwell then explains that if not for finances, this deal might already have happened.
"The issue is money," Barnwell writes. "Philly is spending a whopping $219 million on their offense this season, and though the defense comes in at just over $86 million, those figures will change in the years to come. Jordan Davis just got paid, and D-line partner Jalen Carter should be next. Cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean are about to get much bigger deals after 2026. The Eagles will have to shift some money from offense to the defense, and spending a ton on Crosby won't make that process easier."
Barnwell wonders if A.J. Brown getting sent to Vegas would actually make the most sense, but in the end, he proposes the edge rusher portion of the deal above that sends Smith to the Raiders.
It would certainly be flashy for the Eagles to get Crosby, and it'd be clearly more immediate impact than anyone they could land with the No. 23 pick.
The Boston Bruins have exceeded expectations this season as the team is holding onto the top Wild Card spot entering the final games of the season.
Boston entered the season after failing to make the playoffs last year and being sellers at the trade deadline. Although the oddsmakers expected the Bruins to miss the playoffs, the team has done well under first-year head coach Marco Sturm.
With four games left to go in the season, Boston is holding onto the top Wild Card spot, but has yet to clinch a playoff berth. So, how can the Bruins clinch a playoff berth?
The Bruins control their own destiny, and with four games to go, all Boston needs is four points, and they will clinch a playoff berth, regardless of what the teams do behind them. Meaning, if the Bruins get two wins, or just go to overtime in all four games, regardless of whether they win or lose, Boston will clinch.
To miss the playoffs, two teams would have to pass Boston in the standings. Only five teams that can catch the Bruins, and the Capitals, have the slimmest chance as they would need Boston to lose all of its games in regulation while winning all of theirs.
For now, Boston can just go 2-2-0 in its final four games to clinch a playoff berth and not have to worry about what the teams chasing them do.
The Bruins' final four games come against the Carolina Hurricanes on the road on Thursday, at home against the Tampa Bay Lightning, on the road against the Columbus Blue Jackets, and at home against the New Jersey Devils to close out the season.
If the season ended today, Boston would be the top Wild Card team and would match up against the Lightning in the first round.
Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Arizona State wideout Jordyn Tyson (WO40) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images | Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
For most Cleveland Browns fans, the question going into the 2026 NFL draft is “WR or OT?” Thankfully, the Browns have two picks in the first round and another high in the second round, which should lead to the answer of “Both!” and just depend on the order.
In the lead-up to every NFL draft, people love numbers. That is why the NFL combine has been so popular. Whether it is 40-yard dash times, SPARQ scores, Relative Athletic Scores, or the no longer used Wonderlic test, folks love things that can be distilled down to numbers.
For Cleveland Browns GM Andrew Berry, age has often played a huge role in his draft decisions. Rare is a time when Berry has drafted a player in the first three rounds that wasn’t 21 years old, or close to it.
22: Jordyn Tyson -Makai Lemon -KC Concepcion -Chris Bell -Zachariah Branch -Antonio Williams -Ja’Kobi Lane -Ted Hurst
23: Omar Cooper -Denzel Boston -Chris Brazzell -Germie Bernard -Elijah Sarratt -Deion Burks
24: Skyler Bell -Malachi Fields -Bryce Lance
Does that list mean that Tate rockets ahead of Tyson, Lemon, or Concepcion just based on age? No, of course (or hopefully) not. It does mean that with all other factors being equal, Tate might have the upper hand. It could mean that Cooper and Boston, two receivers that this writer has either placed with Cleveland later in the first round or thought of doing so, might not be as high on Berry’s list.
The Browns are in the midst of another rebuild and should be focused on talent alone, but younger players should have A) a higher upside, B) less injury history, and C) a longer runway for a career in the NFL.
How do you think age should play a role for the Browns in the 2026 NFL draft? A big factor? No factor? Tie breaker?
Share your WR draft thoughts in our comment section below
Joyce names two players Liverpool desperately need right now
It’s a damning assessment of where Liverpool are right now, and according to Paul Joyce, the issues run far deeper than just one bad result at the Etihad.
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Writing for The Times, the respected Liverpool correspondent has pointed directly at a lack of leadership and mentality within the current squad, suggesting we are missing two figures who once defined standards at the club.
Joyce highlights Henderson and Milner absence
Reflecting on the fallout from the 4-0 defeat to Manchester City, Joyce didn’t hold back when analysing what he sees as a worrying shift in attitude.
He wrote: “When the captain, Virgil van Dijk, is admitting the team essentially gave up at one point… and Dominik Szoboszlai… concedes ‘none of us’ were fighting ‘as much as we could’, then there could hardly be a bigger indictment of the present malaise.”
That alone underlines just how serious things have become, because when both the current skipper and a potential future leader are questioning the fight within the group, it points to something fundamentally wrong.
The journalist then delivered the key line that many supporters will agree with: “What they would give to have someone like Jordan Henderson or James Milner back in the fold right now.”
Liverpool mentality concerns grow before PSG
The reference to Jordan Henderson and James Milner isn’t just nostalgia, it’s about the standards those two set on and off the pitch, particularly in moments like this.
Joyce added: “Attitudes have altered and standards have certainly slipped. That reflects terribly on the players and also the man supposed to be inspiring them.”
That inevitably brings Arne Slot into the conversation, because while players must take responsibility, the manager is expected to set the tone.
Joyce’s final warning is perhaps the most important: “Time for a new group to step up when it’s difficult.”
With a huge Champions League tie against PSG looming, that is exactly what we need to see, because right now this team looks like one that is missing not just quality, but the mentality that once defined us.
Buurman stunner books Chelsea's FA Cup semi-final spot
Veerle Buurman was the unlikely match-winner as Chelsea battled to a 2-1 victory against Tottenham Hotspur to book an FA Cup semi-final place.
The hosts went into this game looking to bounce back from their Champions League exit to Arsenal while Spurs were hoping to end a three-game losing streak.
It was Chelsea who took the lead just before the break. There has been plenty of talk about Sam Kerr's future this week but she showed why she is still such a deadly finisher as she headed in from Keira Walsh's ball.
However, Spurs responded well and equalised seven minutes into the second half. Eveliina Summanen whipped in a freekick from the left that evaded everyone and that goalkeeper Hannah Hampton misjudged with the ball eventually finding the net.
While Hampton looked far from her best her opposite number, Lize Kop, needed to react quickly when soon after Amanda Nildén's back pass played Kerr through but Kop managed to keep the scores level.
Spurs had their moments to take the lead but it was Chelsea who struck first. Veerle Buurman hadn't scored since arriving at Chelsea and she may not net a better one. The Dutch defender picked up the ball from outside the area, gave herself space and then rifled an effort past compatriot Kop.
The visitors almost levelled it up to force the game into extra-time late on but Cathinka Tandberg just dragged her shot wide.
That result means that Chelsea are still on for a domestic cup double with one more FA Cup quarter-final still to be played when Birmingham City face league leaders Manchester City.
Veerle Buurman scored her first Chelsea goal to send the Blues into the FA Cup semi-finals [Getty Images]
Veerle Buurman scored a late winner as holders Chelsea beat Tottenham to reach the Women's FA Cup semi-finals.
Sam Kerr put Chelsea ahead in the 40th minute when she headed home via the post from Keira Walsh's cross.
Spurs responded after the break, with Eveliina Summanen's free-kick evading everyone in the box and flying over England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton's head for an equaliser.
Chelsea had a chance to retake the lead in the 82nd minute, but Kerr was unable to add a finishing touch to Wieke Kaptein's superb ball across the six-yard box.
With extra-time on the horizon, Buurman unleashed a fierce strike from the edge of the area to send Chelsea into the last four.
The Blues, who were knocked out of the Champions League by Arsenal last week, had several early opportunities before they took a first-half lead on Monday.
Lauren James' curling effort looked set for goal before a vital interception from Spurs goalkeeper Lize Kop.
Alyssa Thompson was also denied by Kop, who reacted well to the forward's first-time strike at the near post.
But Buurman's first Chelsea goal gave her side a much-needed win going into the international break.
An Italian TV station has claimed ownership of Nvidia’s DLSS 5 trailer, proving that YouTube’s copyright system is absurdly broken Who owns Nvidia’s DLSS 5 trailer: Nvidia, or a bunch of Italians and their TV station? The Italian broadcaster La7 has blocked Nvidia’s DLSS5 reveal trailer, citing copyright grounds. Why? La7 showcased the trailer during […]
Chainlink price is quietly sitting at a pressure point and if you’ve been around crypto long enough, you know that’s usually when things get interesting. Not loud. Not flashy. Just… tense.
Between March 23 and April 5, the network pushed out 18 new integrations across 9 services and 22 different chains. That’s not hype that’s steady infrastructure expansion that its been doing for several months now. And yet, LINK price hasn’t exploded.
Growing integrations signal deeper ecosystem expansion
Beginning from its demand then its been high and its utility isn’t slowing down is clearly evident from several metrics. If anything, it’s accelerating. Those 18 integrations aren’t just numbers they reflect Chainlink embedding itself deeper into the plumbing of crypto.
Chainlink Adoption Update
Recently, there were 18 integrations of the Chainlink standard across 9 services and 22 different chains.
Meanwhile, the Chainlink Reserve is quietly stacking. As of April 2, it has accumulated 2.93 million LINK, funded through a mix of on-chain and off-chain revenue streams. That’s not retail speculation that’s systematic accumulation.
And then there’s the ETF angle. No outflows. None. Only inflows so far. That’s about as clean a signal as you get in a market that loves mixed messages.
But still we look at LINK price that hasn’t broken out, yet. Why? Because markets don’t move on fundamentals alone. They move on positioning.
Chainlink price stuck between leverage heavy zones
Zoom into the liquidation heatmap and things get clearer. There’s heavy leverage stacked at $8 support and $10 resistance. That’s your battlefield.
Break below $8? You’re likely looking at a cascade toward $6 as long positions unwind. Flip $10? That’s where things get violent in a good way with a potential short squeeze pushing price toward $12 and even $14.
And right now? It’s stuck in between. Waiting. This kind of setup isn’t random. It’s engineered by market participants loading up on leverage, creating pockets of liquidity that price eventually hunts.
Bullish bias builds but risks remain real
Similarly, the daily chart also leans slightly bullish. Not overwhelmingly but enough to suggest buyers aren’t done yet. But markets don’t care about “slight.” They care about conviction.
If $8 holds, it reinforces demand and sets the stage for a breakout attempt above $10. If it cracks, the entire structure shifts, and suddenly everyone starts talking about downside targets again. So yeah, the setup matches how derivatives liquidation map showed. At this time it is clean but it’s also fragile.
Algorand just posted its best weekly performance in months. ALGO is up more than 47% over the past seven days, hitting an 11-week high of $0.126 on Monday before settling at $0.1232 at the time of writing – up 6.8% on the day and carrying a market cap nudging $1.09 billion.
Three things happened in the same window.
Google Named Algorand the Solution to the QC Problem
When Google’s Quantum AI team published its now-viral research paper on the threats quantum computing poses to major blockchains, most of the coverage focused on Bitcoin and Ethereum. That framing missed the more important detail.
Algorand was cited 32 times in the paper – more than any blockchain except Bitcoin and Ethereum. The difference: those two were referenced as vulnerabilities. Algorand was referenced as a solution, specifically for its post-quantum security and Falcon signature technology.
What makes that significant is that Algorand has been running Falcon in production since 2022. And the co-inventor of the cryptographic framework Falcon is built on is Algorand’s own Chief Scientific Officer.
Revolut is one of Europe’s largest fintech platforms and one of the few consumer finance apps with genuine mainstream penetration outside the crypto-native audience. Native staking built directly into the app means ALGO is now one of the few assets an ordinary Revolut user can stake without leaving the platform.
That’s distribution at a scale most blockchain projects spend years trying to achieve.
The SEC Cleared a Major Institutional Barrier
The third piece often gets overlooked. The SEC and CFTC jointly classified ALGO as a digital commodity. Algorand Foundation CEO Stacy Warden addressed this directly in a Bloomberg interview, calling it “bedrock regulatory clarity.”
The practical impact is specific: staking is now classified as an administrative act rather than an investment contract. That removes the legal ambiguity that had kept institutional players cautious about engaging with ALGO.
The market has responded. Open interest in ALGO futures jumped from $30 million to $75 million in a single week. The long/short ratio moved above 1, suggesting most derivatives traders are leaning bullish.
Analysts point to $0.20 as the near-term target, aligning with the 50% Fibonacci retracement level. A longer-term analyst target of $0.50 has also circulated, contingent on sustained institutional demand.
The broader market is watching whether this momentum holds.
BlackRock has filed with the SEC to launch the iShares Nasdaq-100 ETF, ticker IQQ, designed to track the 100 largest non-financial companies listed on Nasdaq, dominated by tech leaders. The move directly challenges Invesco’s QQQ and QQQM, which together manage nearly $446 billion in assets. Analysts predict BlackRock could ignite a fee war, with costs potentially dropping to 0.12 percent. The launch aims to enhance liquidity and reduce investor costs in the $13.7 trillion U.S. ETF market while leveraging the Nasdaq-100’s long-term outperformance over the S&P 500.
Crypto lobbyists, banks, and the White House are circling a fragile compromise on stablecoin yields that could finally unstick the Clarity Act and set the rules for “digital dollar” rewards in the U.S. The long‑running clash between U.S. crypto firms…
Resolv Labs burns 36.7m hacked USR after a key compromise let an attacker mint 80m unbacked tokens and dump $24.5m in ETH, leaving a $34m hole in the protocol. Resolv Labs has destroyed 36.73 million USR stablecoins previously controlled by…
Investors eye presales as capital shifts to early-stage projects like DOGEBALL, targeting high-growth potential. Waking up to a sea of green candles is the dream of every trader, but the real “overnight” successes are actually authored months in advance during…
Zcash price has rallied over 20% in the past month, surpassing the $250 mark. Is the token set for higher gains as it has confirmed a bullish setup, while adoption for its shielded transactions continues to expand across the ecosystem?…
Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition and Age of Empires 4 are both being played at the Red Bull Wololo: Londinium tournament, with the finale set for today at the Royal Albert Hall. It's been a crazy weekend of Age gameplay, and I nearly missed the announcement for a new Age 4 DLC.
Your attack surface no longer lives on one operating system, and neither do the campaigns targeting it. In enterprise environments, attackers move across Windows endpoints, executive MacBooks, Linux infrastructure, and mobile devices, taking advantage of the fact that many SOC workflows are still fragmented by platform.
For security leaders, this creates a
This week had real hits. The key software got tampered with. Active bugs showed up in the tools people use every day. Some attacks didn’t even need much effort because the path was already there.
One weak spot now spreads wider than before. What starts small can reach a lot of systems fast. New bugs, faster use, less time to react.
That’s this week. Read&
In a recently published study, the Dutch team describes an unexpected behavior observed in a 3D-printed microstructure. The "robot" consists of a flexible chain of self-propelling elements, each smaller than the width of a human hair. When exposed to an electric field, the structure begins to move on its own,...
The deployment marks a new test of drone-based security technology in US schools. Backed by more than $500,000 in state funding, Florida and Georgia are rolling out Mithril's technology as part of broader school safety initiatives. The goal, company executives say, is speed. Pilots operating from Mithril's Austin headquarters could...
While backups continue to be essential, they no longer determine preparedness when attackers steal sensitive data and use exposure as the primary pressure point.
Here's how to watch I'm A Celebrity 2026 online for free and from anywhere as Ant and Dec head to South Africa. Streaming guide and watch free with this info
Trump's first and second terms have aligned with the release of both The Handmaid's Tale and The Testaments — but for the creators, nothing has changed.
Starting today, you have 5 days to save nearly $500 on your ticket to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. This offer disappears Friday, April 10, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Register here to secure these low rates.
Cliptude helps creators produce documentary-style videos quickly. It researches topics, writes scripts, sources stock footage and relevant A-roll, and assembles a full edit with motion graphics, maps, and timelines. It delivers premium AI voiceovers with natural pacing and exports ready files for YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Start from a prompt or script, then download the final cut or separate stems while keeping full rights.
Ponant Explorations has announced its jazz-themed Baltic cruise setting sail in early 2027. The 11-day, 10-night “Jazz Festival, from the Baltic to the North Sea” aboard Le Commandant Charcot, will sail from Helsinki (Finland) to Bergen (Norway) Jan. 23-Feb. 2, 2027, according to a statement. Developed in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center and the...
Samsung is about to make memory security great again in One UI 9.
Most phone users have no idea how vulnerable their device’s memory actually is. Apps can reach into places they shouldn’t. One subtle coding mistake can open a door to corrupted data or a full security exploit.
Strings surfaced inside the Samsung Auto Blocker app suggest One UI 9 will let users flip on Memory Tagging Extension, which everyone calls MTE, through a simple toggle.
Here’s what actually matters about where Samsung put this feature: Auto Blocker, not Developer Options. Developer Options is where useful things go to die.
Hiding MTE there would have been the safe, forgettable choice. Putting it inside Auto Blocker, a security-focused menu that real people actually open, signals that Samsung wants non-technical users to find it.
Samsung’s own text inside the app warns that MTE “can reduce your phone’s performance.” Background memory checks cost cycles; that said, anyone who wants protection at zero cost is asking for something that doesn’t exist.
You will also need to restart your device. The strings include a message that reads “MTE is not applied yet until reboot,” along with a prompt pushing you to do it immediately. A minor inconvenience, not a dealbreaker.
If it ships the way it looks right now, it puts Samsung directly alongside Google in a category where, honestly, most Android manufacturers aren’t even showing up.
Samsung already had a busy foldable roadmap for 2026. Then a 3C battery listing surfaced, and now the count might be going up.
The certification, filed through China’s 3C database, ties two battery variants, EB-BF977DAY and EB-BF977DAE, to a model number nobody’s seen before: SM-F977. That specific identifier hasn’t appeared in any prior leak.
Samsung’s naming logic isn’t exactly mysterious at this point. The “F9” prefix on a model number almost always signals a Fold device. SM-F977 almost certainly belongs to the Fold family, even if we don’t know which version yet.
A Galaxy Z Fold 8 FE is the obvious guess (via SammyGuru).
Samsung’s SM-F977 device could also be a second Wide Fold configuration, a TriFold sequel, or a test unit that never sees a store shelf. 3C listings don’t distinguish between production-bound hardware and engineering samples.
The listing shows a 2,485 mAh cell; Samsung uses dual-cell battery designs across its foldable lineup. So that 2,485 mAh figure is almost certainly one of two cells, putting total capacity somewhere around 5,000 mAh.
The SM-F977 designation hasn’t appeared anywhere else, which cuts both ways. It might mean Samsung is managing leaks better than usual. Or it means this device barely exists beyond an engineering prototype sitting in a lab.
Sony’s latest PlayStation Store charts for Southeast Asia show Crimson Desert leading Asia’s PS5 downloads in March 2026, with Red Dead Redemption 2 topping PS4.
The maiden flight of China’s Tianlong-3 has ended in failure. The rocket from private space company Space Pioneer lifted off successfully on April 3, 2026, but did not reach its planned orbit. The debut mission therefore marks a technical setback for one of China’s most ambitious private space projects.
Pokémon Champions launches on April 8, and anyone who wants to stay competitive from day one should start preparing now. One useful starting point is an unofficial list of available Pokémon compiled by Bulbagarden.
Not only is Garmin soon to launch a rival product to Whoop 5.0, Polar Loop and the Amazfit Helio Strap, but Google's subsidiary brand Fitbit is also planning a fitness wearable without a display. This can now be seen in advance in several videos.
Google has just added a neat new little feature to the Google Play Store on Android, and it's a search bar. That may not sound very exciting, but the placement matters. This new search bar appears when you go into the reviews section of an app or game, allowing you to quickly search for specific keywords within all of the reviews other people left.
If you aren't sure whether an app has a specific feature or how it behaves in a specific scenario, this is definitely a huge quality of life improvement, saving you the time needed to dig into countless reviews manually in order to find out just...
Fenerbahçe'den ara transfer döneminde ayrılarak Al-Ittihad kulübüne transfer olan Youssef En-Nesyri'de haberler iyi değil. Suudi Arabistan ekibi Faslı golcü ile yollarını ayırmak istiyor.
Fenerbahçe'den ara transfer döneminde ayrılan ve Suudi Arabistan'dan Al-Ittihad'e giden Youssef En-Nesyri için beklenmedik bir gelişme yaşandı. Fenerbahçe'nin Sevilla'dan büyük umutlarla transfer ettiği ancak istenilen sonucu bir türlü alamadığı Faslı golcü için Al-Ittihad kalemi kırdı.
AYIRMAK İSTİYOR
Suudi Arabistan'dan Okaz'da yer alan habere göre, Youssef En-Nesyri, performansıyla Al-Ittihad yönetimini ikna edemedi.
Al-Ittihad, Karim Benzema'nın ayrılığın ardından kadroya katılan ve 2028 yılına kadar sözleşmesi bulunan 28 yaşındaki futbolcu ile yollarını ayırmak istiyor.
Yine aynı habere göre, Youssef En-Nesyri'nin performansı kulüp yetkililerini ikna etmedi. Kulüp, bu nedenle Faslı futbolcunun yerine yetenekli bir forvet transfer etmeyi planlıyor.
Domenico Tedesco yönetimindeki Fenerbahçe, Kayserispor maçının hazırlıklarına başladı.
Trendyol Süper Lig'in 29. haftasında 11 Nisan Cumartesi günü Zecorner Kayserispor'a konuk olacak Fenerbahçe, hazırlıklarına başladı.
Sarı-lacivertli kulübün açıklamasında, Fenerbahçe Can Bartu Tesisleri'nde teknik direktör Domenico Tedesco yönetiminde gerçekleştirilen antrenmanın salonda yapılan core hareketleriyle başladığı belirtildi.
Ardından ısınma, çabukluk ve pas çalışmaları yapan sarı-lacivertlilerin, antrenmanı bireysel çalışmalarla tamamladığı aktarıldı.
Beşiktaş maçında 60 dakika ve üzeri forma giyen oyuncuların ise antrenmanı yenilenme çalışmalarıyla tamamladığı kaydedildi.
For a long time, links were the primary signal of authority in search. If you wanted visibility, you built backlinks. If you wanted credibility, you earned placements. That still matters — but it’s no longer enough.
In AI-driven search, authority is shaped by how often your brand is mentioned, cited, and clearly associated with a topic. Visibility comes from being referenced in AI-generated answers.
With that shift in mind, the goal is to create content that earns consistent brand mentions and citations — the signals that now drive AEO visibility.
The philosophy driving content that fuels AEO growth
In 2026 organic discovery, authority incorporates entity recognition.
On both Google and LLMs like ChatGPT and AI Overviews, authority is reinforced through:
High-quality backlinks.
Brand mentions (linked or unlinked).
Consistent citations across trusted publications.
Clear entity associations (who you are, what you’re known for, and what topics you “own”).
Since LLMs synthesize information instead of ranking pages, you need repeatable, credible mentions across the web to strengthen your brand’s likelihood of being cited or referenced in AI answers. Importantly, you also need to use your owned media to define your brand entity very clearly.
That makes building authority even more critical. Your content will now be battling with even more competition in the form of AI results in the SERP and AI-produced content from other publishers.
The TL;DR is that you need to establish a clear brand and, underneath that brand, create content that’s so valuable that other experts, journalists, creators, and AI systems repeatedly reference your brand when they’re discussing a topic core to your business.
The principles and formatting of AEO-friendly content
You’ll use many of the same SEO principles as a base for AEO-friendly content. Content aligned with Google’s helpful content guidelines — focused on value and user experience — appeals to the people (and LLMs) discussing these concepts and sourcing experts to validate their positions.
That said, to produce truly AEO-friendly content, you need to incorporate formatting that supports LLM extraction.
Key formatting principles include:
Clear definitions: Have short, clean definitions high on the page:
“X is…”
“Y refers to…”
Structured formatting:
Use descriptive H2s and H3s.
Employ bullet points.
Keep paragraphs short.
Include direct answers under question-based headers.
Explicit context:
Avoid vague pronouns and implied references.
Remember that LLMs perform better when context is explicit and self-contained.
The specific objectives for your AEO content to address
If you’re solely focused on AEO, I’d approach your content with these objectives in mind:
Be highly citable: Include original data or perspectives a journalist or influencer would use in media like podcasts, expert roundups, contributor columns, or co-marketing content)
Be highly quotable: Provide at least one clean, quotable insight.
Be specific: Answer specific questions an AI system would try to answer. You can clearly articulate a question your content answers — and answer it verbatim with a section or paragraph in your content.
Be clear: Define a topic in an easily extracted manner.
To address these objectives, it can be helpful to think beyond blog posts to ideate “reference-grade” assets, including:
Practical steps to build AEO authority with content
Here’s how to turn those principles into a repeatable process for building AEO authority:
Research keywords where bloggers and journalists are searching for references (these keywords often include “statistics” or “reports”). Use Reddit, Quora, X, Ahrefs (Matching terms report), and Exploding Topics among your references.
From those keywords, build a list of topics around which your team has the expertise to share valuable insights and perspectives.
Research a list of writers and journalists who cover those topics.
Find expert resources (either internal or closely connected) and interview them to build a cache of content.
Refine and develop that content into contemporary insights using Google Trends and social listening, using timing and a list of audience modifiers to heighten relevance.
Example: Get a list of tips from an expert targeted to help hay fever sufferers (niche audience/modifier) get a better night’s sleep (core topic/target) during a particularly bad high pollen count period (relevance).
Pitch a group of writers and journalists who cover your theme and/or sub-theme on why this matters right now, and how it’s different from other content they might find to reference.
If (or even before) those writers and journalists link to your content, follow them on their social channels to deepen your connection for future opportunities.
Writing for AEO isn’t at odds with writing for humans. Even from its early days, AEO shared many of the SEO fundamentals derived from appeal to actual users.
That said, there are enough differences with the way LLMs extract and digest content (and the way users ask LLMs for information) that you need to keep specific nuances in mind in your content approach.
With a clearly defined brand on your owned media, and an understanding of the tenets of AEO and how to address them, you should have a good idea how to leverage your team’s expertise for greater visibility on the AI search landscape.
“Neftçi”nin hücumçusu Vensan Abubakar Premyer Liqanın 26-cı turunda “Sumqayıt”a qarşı keçirdikləri oyunu şərh edib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sözügedən komandaların ötən gün Sumqayıtda baş tutmuş görüşü paytaxt təmsilçisinin 3:1 hesablı qələbəsi ilə yekunlaşıb.
Vensan Abubakar matçdan sonra klubun mətbuat xidmətinə açıqlamasında bunları söyləyib:
“Komanda çox yaxşı çalışır. Oyundan-oyuna özünəinam daha da artır. Bunu xüsusi vurğulamaq istəyirəm. Düşünürəm ki, eyni ruhda davam etməliyik. Qarşıdakı hər oyuna final kimi yanaşmalıyıq. Oyunda tək hücumçu ilə oynayırdıq, bu, asan deyil. Hər oyunu təhlil edib, yaxşılaşdıra bilərik. Qol epizodları çox yaradırıq, amma bəzən vura bilmirik. Məşqlərdə bunun üzərində çox çalışırıq. Qarşıdakı hər oyun final kimi olacaq. Çalışacağıq ki, oyunumuzu meydanda göstərək”.
MHK'nin Portekizli eğitmenleri Joao Capela ve Vitor Melo Pereira'nın Fenerbahçe-Beşiktaş derbisindeki son dakika penaltı kararını IFAB kurallarına uygun bulduğu öne sürüldü.
UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi çeyrek finalinde Real Madrid ile karşılaşacak Bayern Münih'e Harry Kane'den iyi haber geldi. Son antrenmanda yer alan İngiliz golcü, maç kadrosunda da yer alacak.
Uluslararası Ahmet Cömert Boks Turnuvası'nda Özbekistan birinciliği elde ederken, Ukrayna ikinci sırada yer aldı. Turnuvada 3 altın, 6 gümüş ve 14 bronz madalya kazanarak toplam 23 madalyaya ulaşan Türkiye, genel klasmanda üçüncü oldu.
Manchester City'den ayrılacak Bernardo Silva, 11 Haziran'da başlayacak Dünya Kupası öncesi yeni takımını belirlemek istiyor. Galatasaray, 31 yaşındaki futbolcu için harekete geçmeye hazırlanıyor.
2024 yılında oynanan Fiorentina - Inter maçında yere yığılan ve bu yılın ocak ayıyla birlikte Watford forması altında sahalara geri dönen Edoardo Bove, yaşadıklarını anlattı.
Trendyol Süper Lig'in 28. haftasında Fenerbahçe'ye 1-0 mağlup olan Beşiktaş'ta kara bulutlar devam ediyor. Siyah-beyazlıların transferde istediği oyuncu için dev kulüplerin devrede olduğu ve transfer yarışında...Devamı için tıklayınız
Trendyol Süper Lig'in 29. haftasında cumartesi günü Zecorner Kayserispor deplasmanına konuk olacak Fenerbahçe, mücadelenin hazırlıklarına başladı.Devamı için tıklayınız
Kayserispor, Trendyol Süper Lig'in 29. haftasında 11 Nisan Cumartesi günü sahasında oynayacağı Fenerbahçe maçı hazırlıklarına Kadir Has Tesisleri'nde başladı. İşte detaylar...Devamı için tıklayınız
EuroLeague'de kritik virajda olan Fenerbahçe Beko, 7 Nisan'da Bulgaristan'da Hapoel IBI ile karşılaşacak. Son 6 maçta 5 yenilgi alan sarı-lacivertliler, play-off öncesi çıkış arıyor. İşte detaylar...Devamı için tıklayınız
Trabzonspor'un golcü yıldızı Paul Onuachu, 22 gole ulaşarak kulüp tarihindeki en golcü yabancı futbolcular arasına girmeye hazırlanıyor. Nijeryalı forvet, kalan 6 haftada 3 gol daha atarsa Alexander Sörloth'u...Devamı için tıklayınız
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Basketbol Avrupa Ligi'nde sezonun 9. ve son çift maç haftası başlıyor. Fenerbahçe Beko Hapoel IBI ve Real Madrid ile karşılaşırken, Anadolu Efes Partizan ve Dubai deplasmanında mücadele edecek. Play-off...Devamı için tıklayınız
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2026 FIFA Dünya Kupası, 11 Haziran'da ABD, Kanada ve Meksika'da başlıyor. Tarihte ilk kez 48 takımın mücadele edeceği turnuvada 104 maç oynanacak. Türkiye, D Grubu'nda ABD, Avustralya ve Paraguay ile karşılaşacak....Devamı için tıklayınız
UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi çeyrek final maçları 7-8 Nisan'da başlıyor. Real Madrid-Bayern Münih, Barcelona-Atletico Madrid gibi dev eşleşmeler futbolseverleri bekliyor. İşte detaylar...Devamı için tıklayınız
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Finlandiya millisinin sabiq futbolçusu Yari Litmanen yenidən yaşıl meydanlara qayıdıb.
Futbolpress.az xarici KİV-ə istinadən xəbər verir ki, 55 yaşlı əfsanəvi oyunçu Estoniyanın “Kalev” klubunun üçüncü komandasında oyunlara çıxacaq.
Litmanen karyerası ərzində “Ayaks”, “Barselona” və “Liverpul” kimi klublarda çıxış edib. O, 1995-ci ildə “Ayaks”ın heyətində Çempionlar Liqasının qalibi olub.
Ölkənin qanuni lotereya təşkilatçısı və idman mərc oyunları operatoru “Azərlotereya”nın təşkil etdiyi “1001 Sevinc” lotereyasının növbəti tirajının qalibləri müəyyənləşib.
Futbolpress.azxəbər verir ki, bu dəfə şans 22 yaşlı Şəmkir sakini Eltun Qurbanovun üzünə gülüb.
Ona aldığı 19 biletdən biri lotereyanın super uduşu – “Changan Q05” avtomobilini qazandırıb.
Qalib Eltun Qurbanov bildirib ki, lotereya biletini sadəcə şansını sınamaq üçün alıb və belə böyük uduş qazanacağını gözləməyib. Avtomobili qazanması ailəsində də böyük sevincə səbəb olub. Bunun xoş sürpriz olduğunu deyən Eltun hər kəsə şansını yoxlamağı tövsiyə edib.
Tiraj çərçivəsində digər qaliblərə də bir-birindən dəyərli hədiyyələr təqdim olunub və iştirakçılar sevinc dolu anlar yaşayıblar.
“1001 Sevinc” lotereyasının növbəti tirajı 14 apreldə keçiriləcək. Cəmi 50 qəpiyə “SAMSUNG” markalı paltaryuyan və qabyuyan maşın, 1 manata isə “Apple MacBook 16 M3 Pro” notbuku, eləcə də soyuducu qazanmaq şansı var.
Lotereyada iştirak etmək üçün sadəcəAzerlotereya.comvə yaMisli.azsaytına daxil olub “1001 Sevinc” bölməsindən istədiyiniz əşya üzrə lotereya bileti almağınız kifayətdir.
Əşya lotereyasının qalibləri “Azərlotereya”nın yutub kanalında canlı yayımda müəyyən olunur. Daha ətraflı məlumatı Azerlotereya.com rəsmi saytından əldə edə bilərsiniz.
Hansi Flik Joao Kanselonu komandada saxlamaq istəyir və onun oyunundan çox məmnundur. Msport.az xəbər verir ki, alman mütəxəssis portuqaliyalını mövsümün […]
Fransa çempionu PSJ yay transfer pəncərəsi üçün iddialı hədəflər müəyyənləşdirib. Msport.az xəbər verir ki, parislilər “Arsenal”ın braziliyalı forvardı Qabriel Martinellini […]
“Çelsi”nin yarımmüdafiəçisi Moises Kaysedo gələcək karyerası ilə bağlı maraqlı fikirlər səsləndirib. Msport.az xəbər verir ki, ekvadorlu futbolçu hazırda London klubuna […]
NAPLES, ITALY – JANUARY 28: Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between SSC Napoli and Chelsea FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on January 28, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
It was assumed that the injury crisis was starting to calm down for Antonio Conte, as Kevin De Bruyne, Scott McTominay and Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa are all expected to start tonight.
There are still quite a few absentees, such as Romelu Lukaku, David Neres, Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Amir Rrahmani.
According to Il Mattino, there are concerns that Hojlund could miss the match too, because he is struggling with an injury sustained on international duty.
It is not clear what condition he is suffering from, but only that he is in doubt for this match.
GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Rasmus Hojlund of Napoli (right) celebrates with his teammate Eljif Elmas after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on February 7, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
Reports in the UK and Italy continue to link Juventus with a potential summer transfer for Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte as the Bianconeri look to strengthen their options in the middle of the park.
Could Juventus move for Manchester United’s Ugarte?
According to reports from Corriere dello Sport and various others, Juventus are among the sides interested in a summer transfer for Uruguay international Ugarte, who is currently valued in the region of €40m.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MARCH 15: Manuel Ugarte of Manchester United warms up prior to the Premier League match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford on March 15, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
The 24-year-old has struggled to live up to expectations since joining United from Paris Saint-Germain in a €50m deal in the summer of 2024. The Manchester Evening News suggests that it is time for United to ‘cut their losses’ with Ugarte, whose first-team opportunities have decreased during his second season at Old Trafford.
Juventus could potentially be among the clubs that could offer Ugarte an escape route, but the interest from the Old Lady depends heavily on their qualification for next season’s Champions League.
The Bianconeri will have an opportunity to move back within one point of the Serie A top four when they take on Genoa in Serie A on Easter Monday. Como, who currently occupy fourth place and had a three-point advantage over the Bianconeri at the start of the weekend, were held to a 0-0 draw against Udinese on Monday.
Galatasaray, Newcastle United and Aston Villa have also been mentioned as potential destinations for Ugarte this summer.
Raffaele Palladino explains the Atalanta ‘mantra’ ahead of today’s match with Lecce, as fourth place is within reach, while this club can be ‘a model for Italian football.’
A win here would take Atalanta to within five points of Como and the top four, with seven rounds left after that.
Palladino trusts Atalanta model for success
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Raffaele Palladino , Head Coach of Atalanta BC during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and US Cremonese at Gewiss Stadium on February 09, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“We won many games, were competitive in the Champions League, are still in the Coppa Italia, and now we are going into the last eight games of the Serie A season.
“We must give everything, have no regrets and be ambitious, as is the style of this club.”
BERGAMO, ITALY – JANUARY 14: Giorgio Scalvini of Atalanta BC looks on after the Serie A match between Atalanta and Juventus at Gewiss Stadium on January 14, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
So much has been said about the Italy crisis after failing to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, and the main culprit is the lack of Italian representation in Serie A club football.
In that sense, Atalanta stand out as an example to others, especially as their youth academy has been churning out talent for a long time and their players receive passage to the senior squad.
“Before I arrived here, I looked to Atalanta as a model for Italian football, because this is a club that believes in youth, not just Italian, even though over half the squad is Italian,” noted Palladino.
“We know that even if they make mistakes, we must give these young players belief and the time to grow.
“The tendency is to drop players who make errors and then they get forgotten, whereas we are ready to keep the faith.”
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: Gianluca Scamacca of Atalanta reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Atalanta BC and Borussia Dortmund at Stadio di Bergamo on February 25, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
There are three Italians starting for Atalanta today, two in the Lecce XI, although it would’ve been more if not for Gianluca Scamacca’s injury.
The Lariani had the opportunity to consolidate fourth place after Roma’s defeat to Inter, but Jesus Rodriguez, Jacobo Ramon and long-term absentee Jayden Addai missed the trip. Udinese had top scorer Keinan Davis suspended, plus Adam Buksa, Jordan Zemura and Alessandro Zanoli carrying injuries. Controversially, there was only one Italian in the starting 22 players.
UDINE, ITALY – APRIL 06: Como manager Cesc Fabregas looks on during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Como 1907 at Stadio Friuli on April 06, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
Arthur Atta sprung the offside trap to sting the gloves of Jean Butez, while Diego Carlos made a decisive tackle to stop him going clear on the Nicolò Zaniolo through ball and Lucas Da Cunha tested Maduka Okoye at the near post.
UDINE, ITALY – APRIL 06: Arthur Atta of Udinese goes down in the penalty area after being challenged by Diego Carlos of Como during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Como 1907 at Stadio Friuli on April 06, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
Diego Carlos threw himself in the way of a ferocious Jesper Karlstrom strike from the edge of the area, while Okoye took the sting out of a Tasos Douvikas angled drive.
UDINE, ITALY – APRIL 06: Oumar Solet of Udinese kicks the ball out of defence during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Como 1907 at Stadio Friuli on April 06, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
Weak Christian Kabasele and Douvikas attempts were easy smothers for the two goalkeepers, then Sergi Roberto couldn’t keep his header down from a promising position.
Udinese substitute Idrissa Gueye forced a tougher save out of Butez with a powerful finish at the near post, and Marc-Oliver Kempf made a decisive block to deflect the Zaniolo strike over the bar from 10 yards.
Mergim Vojvoda should’ve done better for Como at the 87th minute when running onto a long Butez ball, but he over-hit the lob and it sailed over the bar.
Alvaro Morata made an impact coming off the bench late on, getting two opponents booked, but unable to test Okoye.
That’s according to a report from Spanish outlet Fichajes, which states that Man Utd now look prepared to make a big offer for Gueye by paying the €45m required to get him out of Villarreal.
The Senegal international looks like he could be a good fit for United to replace Casemiro as he nears the end of his contract, and he’d be a lot cheaper than some of the club’s other targets in that position.
Pape Gueye to return to the Premier League?
Gueye has shone in La Liga and doesn’t have any experience of playing in the Premier League, despite briefly being a Watford player.
In a bizarre saga back in 2020, Gueye agreed to join Watford on a free transfer, though he never actually kicked a ball for the club.
As reported by the Daily Mirror at the time, Gueye was sold to Marseille just 17 hours after becoming a Watford player as he immediately changed his mind about his move to Vicarage Road, claiming he’d been badly advised.
Pape Gueye to Manchester United transfer could accelerate
Fichajes now suggests MUFC are really keen on Gueye, and a deal for the 27-year-old could accelerate in the coming weeks.
Now we know the Gunners’ record from those four matches – two wins, against Everton and Leverkusen, followed by two defeats to City and Southampton.
So, the Carabao Cup and FA Cup are gone now, but Arsenal actually extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table by beating Everton while Manchester City could only draw at West Ham.
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What next for Arsenal?
7th April – Sporting Lisbon vs Arsenal
While it may only be the first or two legs, so unlikely to be decisive, if Arsenal play as badly as they have in their last two games then it will surely be another defeat. Losing by a single goal wouldn’t be the end of the tie, but Arsenal on current form probably wouldn’t have it in them to come back from a two-goal deficit, and this is a quality Sporting side who shouldn’t be taken for granted.
11th April – Arsenal vs Bournemouth
Arsenal’s first league fixture since the win over Everton, and it looks on paper like a fairly generous one. Even if this Bournemouth side have looked very decent at times this season, they’re currently without a win in their last five games and down in 13th in the table. If Arsenal can’t pick up three points at home in this context then that doesn’t bode at all well for them holding on to their current lead at the top of the table.
15th April – Arsenal vs Sporting Lisbon
After this game, Arsenal will either be out of a third competition in the space of just a few weeks and facing a full-blown crisis, or they’ll be heading for the Champions League semi-finals and keeping their double hopes alive. Given the fixture coming up after this one, they’ll want to avoid extra time and avoid feeling like their entire season rests on how they do in the league.
19th April – Manchester City vs Arsenal
The big one. Arsenal were really poor in the Carabao Cup final defeat, and it’s unclear at this stage how that game will affect this one. Before their recent meeting at Wembley, Mikel Arteta boasted a good recent record against Pep Guardiola, albeit not so much at the Etihad Stadium. So, will Arteta learn lessons from that cup final defeat and coax a response from his players, or will that result wreck the team’s confidence and lead to another damaging result?
Arsenal’s season can still be a success
It’s been nervy for Arsenal at times, and the football hasn’t always been pretty, but this is a team that knows how to grind out results, and they could still scrap their way to a successful season.
You’d imagine that once they finally get their hands on a big trophy like the Premier League or the Champions League, there’ll be a new-found confidence flowing at the Emirates Stadium, but for now they just need to do whatever it takes to get points on the board.
And, let’s be clear about this, because there’s been a lot of nonsense of this nature written on social media – even if Arsenal only manage to win the Premier League title this season, that’s still a huge success.
Arsenal were never realistically in the race for a quadruple, which even Pep’s best Man City teams never managed. To measure any success the club has against a fantasy outcome like that is absurd, and the reality will be a first title in 22 years against a City side with far more in the way of resources, and an expensively-assembled Liverpool side everyone was expecting to stroll to the defence of their title.
What do you expect from Arsenal in their next four games and do you still see this as a potentially great season for the club? Let us know in the comments!
Bernardo Silva to decide next club before World Cup as Barcelona, Benfica, MLS and Saudi suitors circle
Bernardo Silva wants to make a decision on his new club before the start of the World Cup.
Silva will leaveManchester City when his contract expires at the end of the current campaign with the club captain having communicated his decision to the club.
Clubs have already expressed interest in signing the 31-year-old.Fabrizio Romano has reported that Silva has offers from top European clubs, alongside approaches from MLS and the Saudi Pro League.
The midfielder intends to make a decision before theWorld Cup this summer, where he is due to be part of Portugal's challenge. Barcelona are long-term admirers, while former club Benfica have also been named as suitors.
Manchester City assistant manager Pep Lijnders seemingly confirmed Silva's exit following the 4-0 win over Liverpool on Saturday.
“I didn’t like him before (when he worked as Liverpool assistant manager). Now I love him. The way he feels the game, what’s needed. There’s not many like him – when to drop, when to make a move 20 metres away from Rodri," he said at a post-match press conference.
“You never replace a player with the same kind of player because they don’t exist. Bernardo Silva is unique. The way he controls games, the way he moves, the way he receives, the way he leads, the way he sees the solutions. All these things.
“He feels the task how to play well, to make the team play well. These are the type of players, when they are not playing, you will feel it. He is so, so good. So you never search for a replacement for one type of player.
“You search for what is needed to grow with the team and somebody who can fit in the first XI. And then you hope, with our academy, with the young players we already brought that they can make that step as well in the midfield positions.”
The New York Jets are in the middle of a rebuild, and with some uncertainty at the quarterback position long-term, there is plenty of flexibility with their 2026 NFL Draft plans.
With plenty of ammo, a trade-up is very possible. But, with the No. 2 overall pick, and with Fernando Mendoza set to go No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders, a trade-down is entirely on the table.
That's why ESPN's Bill Barnwell proposed a trade-down idea for the Jets, which would have Aaron Glenn's Jets sending the No. 2 overall pick to the Tennessee Titans for the No. 4 overall pick, along with two valuable picks, one in 2026 and the other in 2027.
Jets' trade-down idea would be a savvy move to beef up draft capital
"Jets get: 1-4, 3-66, 2027 fourth-round pick. Titans get: 1-2," Barnwell proposed. "... New York might be more agnostic about which of those defensive players it lands, and at No. 4, it could still ensure that it lands a difference-maker in the front seven."
While the Jets would have their choice of whoever they want with the No. 2 overall pick, with their most likely options being on the defensive side of the ball, they could still get one of the best options at the fourth pick.
If the Titans and Arizona Cardinals both go defense, there should be at least one intriguing defensive player available for the Jets with the fourth-overall pick.
Sonny Styles, the off-ball linebacker from Ohio State, could be a realistic option after this trade-down. Arvell Reese, the Ohio State hybrid linebacker and pass rusher, is also an option who could make it to the Jets' pick at No. 4 overall in this scenario.
But the Jets could also go for Miami edge rusher Ruben Bain or Texas A&M pass rusher David Bailey. Either would make sense at No. 2 overall, and could be had with the fourth pick.
While the Jets aren't landing a massive haul for moving out of the second-overall pick, they will pick up a very early third-rounder and a future fourth, while still being guaranteed to come away with one of the top defensive players in this year's class.
This trade idea from Barnwell would be a huge win for the Jets, and if they could pull this off, it would be a move seriously worth considering.
March Madness is the place where college players turn into legends. One big performance can change everything in a single night. Sometimes, one deep run is enough to define a player’s entire career. While many players shine briefly, only a few manage to deliver again and again on the biggest stage.
Scoring in the NCAA Tournament is never easy. The pressure feels intense, and defenses only get tougher with each round. On top of that, every possession matters, which makes putting up big numbers even harder.
Even so, some players found a way to keep scoring no matter the situation. They stepped up in clutch moments and carried their teams deep into the bracket. In some cases, one unforgettable run built their legacy. In others, steady performances over multiple seasons helped them climb the record books.
With that in mind, here’s a look at the top 10 all-time scorers in NCAA Tournament history. (Via Fox Sports)
10. Drew Timme – Gonzaga Bulldogs (301 points)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Drew Timme (17) runs back up the court against the Dallas Mavericks during the game at the American Airlines Center. Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Drew Timme turned into one of the most dependable scorers in recent tournament history. Across 13 March Madness games, he averaged 23.2 points, which shows how steady he was.
During his time, Gonzaga stayed among the top teams and made deep runs almost every season. At the center of it all, Timme handled most of the scoring load. His footwork in the post stood out, and defenders often had no answer.
Unfortunately, the canceled 2020 tournament took away a full opportunity to add more points. Even with that setback, he still crossed the 300 mark.
In 2023, he delivered his best performance by scoring 36 points against UCLA in the Sweet Sixteen. That night, he controlled the offense and stayed aggressive from start to finish.
Minnesota Timberwolves assistant coach Corliss Williamson before a game against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Corliss Williamson anchored Arkansas basketball in the mid-1990s. Over 15 tournament games, he averaged 20.2 points and played a key role in every run.
Back then, the Razorbacks played a fast and physical style, which suited Williamson perfectly. As a result, he became their main scoring option.
The 1994 season stands out the most because Arkansas won the national title. One year later, they nearly repeated but lost to UCLA in the final.
A defining moment came in the Final Four when he scored 29 points against Arizona. That performance helped Arkansas reach the championship game.
8. Bill Bradley – Princeton Tigers (303 points)
U.S. former senator and Basketball hall of fame member Bill Bradley at Madison Square Garden. Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Bill Bradley put up numbers that still feel unreal today. In just nine games, he managed to score 303 points, which is remarkable.
Most of that production came in 1965, when Princeton made a surprise run to the Final Four. Throughout that tournament, Bradley carried the entire offense.
Scoring 177 points in a single run shows how dominant he was. His ability to attack from anywhere made him very hard to defend.
One unforgettable performance came when he dropped 58 points against Wichita State. That remains one of the highest single-game totals in tournament history.
7. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – UCLA Bruins (304 points)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar speaks at unveiling of statue of former Los Angeles Lakers coach Pat Riley at the Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar dominated college basketball long before his NBA fame. At UCLA, he played under the name Lew Alcindor.
Because freshmen were not allowed to play at that time, he had fewer chances to build his total. Still, he scored 304 points in just 12 games.
Meanwhile, UCLA won three straight championships from 1967 to 1969. His presence made a huge difference in those runs.
The skyhook became his signature move, and opponents simply could not stop it. Early in his tournament career, he scored 38 points in one game, setting the tone for what followed.
6. Glen Rice – Michigan Wolverines (308 points)
Washington Wizards guard Glen Rice (14) dribbles down the court against Toronto Raptors in the second period. Toronto won 103-84. Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports
Glen Rice is best known for one incredible tournament run. During 1989, he scored 184 points, which still stands as a record.
Earlier in his career, his tournament numbers were modest. Over time, though, he improved and found his rhythm.
By his senior year, everything clicked into place. Michigan went on to win the national title, with Rice leading the scoring in every game.
Across 13 total games, he averaged 23.6 points. One standout performance included a 39-point game against Florida.
5. Oscar Robertson – Cincinnati Bearcats (324 points)
Oscar Robertson at NBA Cares Legacy Project Dedication at the Weingart YMCA. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Robertson proved he could do everything on the court. Even in the NCAA Tournament, his scoring stood out.
In only 10 games, he scored 324 points, which is incredible. That also gave him an average of 32.4 points per game.
With Robertson leading the way, Cincinnati reached the Final Four twice. His ability to control the game made a big difference.
One unforgettable performance came when he scored 56 points against Arkansas in 1958. Despite the loss, he carried almost the entire scoring load.
4. Tyler Hansbrough – North Carolina Tar Heels (325 points)
Charlotte Hornets forward Tyler Hansbrough (50) argues a call with a referee during the second half against the New York Knicks at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets defeated the Knicks 97-93. Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Tyler Hansbrough built his tournament legacy step by step. His freshman year ended early, but the team improved every season after that.
First came an Elite Eight run, followed by a Final Four appearance. Eventually, North Carolina won the national title in 2009.
Across 17 games, he averaged 24.9 points. His energy and toughness made him hard to stop.
One strong performance came in 2007, when he scored 33 points against Michigan State.
3. Danny Manning – Kansas Jayhawks (328 points)
Maryland’s interim head coach Danny Manning calls out to players during the first half in the game against MSU. Credit: Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Danny Manning delivered consistency throughout his college career. Playing in all four tournaments gave him 16 total games.
Over that span, he averaged 20.5 points and kept improving each season. His senior year, however, stands above the rest.
Kansas won the national title in 1988, with Manning leading every step. During that run, he scored at least 24 points in all six wins.
A year earlier, he showed his scoring ability with a 42-point game in the tournament.
NBA great Elvin Hayes is honored for being selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during halftime in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Elvin Hayes dominated college basketball during his era. Each tournament run added more to his growing total.
He started with 63 points in 1966, then followed it with 128 in 1967. By 1968, he delivered his best performance with 167 points.
That final run pushed him to the top of the scoring list at the time. Overall, he averaged 27.5 points per game.
In one of his best games, he scored 49 points and controlled the paint with ease.
1. Christian Laettner – Duke Blue Devils (407 points)
Former NBA player Christian Laettner walks across the court after a ceremony during the second quarter of the game between the Washington Wizards and the Oklahoma City Thunder at Verizon Center. Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Christian Laettner sits alone at the top of this list. No other player has crossed the 400-point mark in NCAA Tournament history.
Across 23 games, he averaged 17.7 points while playing in deep runs every year. Duke reached the Final Four in 1989 and the title game in 1990.
Then came back-to-back championships in 1991 and 1992. Throughout those runs, Laettner stayed consistent.
His most famous moment came against Kentucky, when he hit a buzzer-beater and scored 31 points. That shot remains one of the most iconic in March Madness history.
Even today, his record still feels out of reach.
Conclusion
In the end, these players made March Madness their own stage. Some had long careers, while others had one incredible run. However, all of them delivered under pressure.
For now, Christian Laettner’s record still looks safe.
Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor enters the 2026 NFL draft as one of the most physically imposing prospects at his position.
Listed at 6-foot-7 and 352 pounds, the former five-star recruit possesses rare size and flashes of athleticism that have drawn attention from evaluators. Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Proctor as the 14th overall prospect on his big board, projecting him as a potential late first-round selection.
Despite the measurable appeal, concerns persist about Proctor's consistency and competitive fire.
One NFL scout offered a pointed assessment, drawing an unflattering parallel to New York Giants tackle Evan Neal, who has been widely regarded as a bust since being selected seventh overall in 2022.
Neal recently re-signed with the Giants on a one-year minimum deal after limited production and a move to guard.
"I didn't like Evan Neal, and this guy is exactly the same," the scout told Go Long TD. "I wanted to like him, too. He has a little bit of movement for being so big. But the game against Auburn, he's just standing around watching. He just teases you and, ultimately, disappoints. Big, good-looking dude but not physical, not a lot of grit. Stands around and watches."
Proctor's blend of power in the run game and occasional mobility offers upside, yet questions about his effort and sustained physicality mirror the issues that have plagued Neal's career.
Teams drafting in the first round will need to weigh Proctor's elite traits against the risk of investing high capital in a player whose tape has left some evaluators disappointed
Auburn held a 21-point first-half lead before allowing Tulsa to make a comeback in the second half. It took a lot of effort from this team to battle back after losing the big lead. Auburn had five players in double figures scoring. The backcourt combination of Tahaad Pettiford and Kevin Overton combined for 50 of the 92 points scored for Auburn. This is a win that can help the Tigers get momentum for next season with the potential for several players to return in 2026-27.
Here are five key stats from Auburn's 92-86 overtime win versus Tulsa for the 2026 NIT Championship.
Kevin Overton
That is all that needs to be said about this win for the Tigers. Kevin Overton saved the day with the three that sent the game to overtime, but he was great for the Tigers throughout the game. He led Auburn in scoring with 26 points, and he was five of eight from three-point land in the game. He had a clutch three-pointer in overtime that put the Tigers up 89-84 that pushed them to victory.
Keyshawn Hall foul trouble
Keyshawn Hall did not have much of an impact in scoring for the Tigers due to foul trouble. Auburn was up by 12 points in the second half when Hall went out with his fourth foul. When he made it back in the game Auburn had given up the lead. He was effective in rebounding though with 12 in the game.
Three-point shooting
One of the concerns for head coach Steven Pearl coming into the NIT Championship was the ability of Tulsa to make three-point shots. Auburn held Tulsa to just 6 of 27 shooting at 23% for the game. Auburn was not great but better than Tulsa making 11 of 27 from long range at 41%.
Auburn shared the basketball
For most of the game Auburn did a good job at sharing the basketball. The Tigers had 19 assists in the game versus 12 for the Golden Hurricane. Tahaad Pettiford led the Tigers with eight in the game, and Filip Jovic was second with four. Pettiford was second on the team in scoring with 24 points.
Rebounding
Auburn won the rebounding battle in the game 39-34. Winning that part of the game became tough late in the game when Hall and Jovic both fouled out. This forced Auburn to play a smaller lineup, but as a team they were able to still control the boards. The Tigers had 13 offensive rebounds, and also had 18 second chance points in the win.
Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow Phillip on Twitter@PJordanSports
Monday night's NCAA men's national championship game in Indianapolis will feature two excellent teams in UConn and Michigan in a fight for a title.
Who will be on the call for CBS Sports, you might wonder. Well, it's the network's top broadcasting team.
The main group of play-by-play announcer Ian Eagle, analysts Bill Raftery and Grant Hill and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson will be on the call for the national title game. Gene Steratore will be on hand as the rules analyst.
That's as good of a crew as you can ask for as we prepare for what's shaping up to be a battle for the bracket.
Four-star wide receiver Khalil Taylor had committed to the Nittany Lions a little more than a year ago, but decommitted just a couple days before James Franklin was relieved of his duties. Thankfully that didn’t stop him from showing interest in the team, and now they are back in his good graces five months later.
Taylor took a trip up to Penn State this weekend and made an exciting announcement following the conclusion of his visit. The blue-chip receiver spoke with Sean Fitz of Blue White Illustrated about where his recruitment stands, telling Fitz, “I would consider them as No. 1, they’re definitely at the top of the board.”
INTEL: Top 100 WR Khail Taylor was back at Penn State on Saturday. 🔥
"I would consider them as No. 1... they're definitely at the top of the board."
— Blue White Illustrated (@PennStateOn3) April 5, 2026
While it sounds like like the school might get their second four-star pass-catcher from the Class of 2027 soon, things are also heating up with one of the top-ranked quarterbacks in the nation from the same recruiting class. It’s truly remarkable how quickly Campbell has shifted the recruiting narrative from a school who could have trouble bringing in even three-star recruits to a program that is attracting some of the top talent in the nation.
They haven’t secured Taylor’s commitment just yet, but his comment alone serves a massive win for this recruiting window.
After winning the AFC West last fall, the Denver Broncos will face a first-place schedule during the 2026 NFL season. The league is expected to announce the finalized schedule in May (perhaps on May 12), but we already know Denver's full list of 2026 opponents.
In addition to playing their AFC West rivals, the Broncos will face the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks and the same-place finisher from the AFC South at home in 2026.
On the road, Denver will face their division rivals plus the Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots, New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers and the same-place finishers from the AFC North and NFC South.
Denver's opponents from the AFC South, AFC North and NFC South will be the Jacksonville Jaguars, Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers, respectively.
After the Broncos were knocked out of the NFL playoffs by the Patriots in the AFC Championship game last season, the 2026 trip to New England appears to be a top candidate for a prime-time spotlight. Denver's home game against Buffalo — a rematch of the divisional round — could also be a strong candidate for a nationally televised window this fall.
Florida State athletics and over 190 other athletic organizations have joined an innovative partnership with FanWord, an AI storytelling company, to enhance their sports reporting.
The platform uses AI technology to boost coverage and provide equal media opportunities for every athlete and sport. This partnership provides students with faster access to recaps and player information through the Seminoles’ existing websites and social media channels.
By streamlining news production, FSU’s athletic communication teams can increase the volume of content for the student body while maintaining full editorial control. FanWord aims to simplify college athletic communication, producing stories five times faster without sacrificing university control.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to staying at the forefront of how college athletics communicates and connects,” FSU Deputy Athletics Director for Strategic Communications Doug Walker said in a press release. “As well as a meaningful step forward as we continue to evolve how we tell our story. FanWord provides a platform that enhances our ability to produce high-quality content at scale, while still relying on the judgment and creativity of our staff.”
How does AI boost player visibility?
The company offers FanWord Assist and FanWord Stories, programs that the Garnet and Gold athletics plans to incorporate to assist with game recaps, player bios, feature stories, online interviews, and built-in transcriptions.
FanWord is designed specifically for athletic communication teams, making their jobs easier without affecting the quality of released media. By combining AI technology and human review, the platform increases content production while staying true to the Florida State brand.
“This partnership with FanWord is another example of our commitment to telling the stories of our student-athletes, coaches, and teams,” Seminoles Assistant Athletics Director for Public Relations Derek Satterfield said in an interview with the FSView. “FanWord’s unique design automates the initial work of developing written content in an easily editable format that provides our public relations staff with ultimate authority over the final product.”
On Apr. 1, according to San Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky, Smith kept trying to prank his teammates.
“Will was trying to get April Fools jokes to all of us. All morning the other day. Trying to get people to go see Mike Grier in his office , thinking there was some trouble brewing. No one, I don’t think bit on it but to get him back that was great…” —Ryan Warsofsky pic.twitter.com/8ufW1rVRRn
As repayment, that night, after the San Jose Sharks’ 4-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs, Adam Gaudette pretended to give the team’s player of the game award, the shark tooth necklace, to Smith, but then…
Is Eric Pohlkamp NHL ready? Prospect guru Chris Peters shares his thoughts on the Hobey Baker finalist! Plus, Keegan, Sheng, and Zubair discuss the San Jose Sharks‘ late season playoff push! Also, what do they think of Macklin Celebrini’s MVP case? Hear about that, and more, on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast:
Former Sharks’ first-round pick Ozzy Wiesblatt talks about his time in San Jose, fresh start with the Nashville Predators.
Porter Martone scores first NHL goal for overtime winner!
A breakdown of ‘Inside Out Classic’
It uses: • Sony’s Beyond Sports visualization technology • NHL EDGE positional data (puck & player tracking) • Sony’s Hawk-Eye Innovations optical tracking data
The Boston Celtics have built their teams in a number of ways over the decades, but few if any methods have born more fruit than through the NBA draft. The best players to suit up for the Celtics have, by and large, come to Boston either through being taken directly in the annual event, or via trades made that night.
And it is not just the top stars who have been picked up by the Celtics via the draft. Countless members of the storied ball club's alumni have been taken by the team, and some schools are better represented than others. We can see blue blood programs and some very small schools both delivering top talent to Boston's rosters over the years, so we decided to take a look at which players came from which schools overall.
So without further ado, let's take a look at every player who has been drafted by the Celtics out of Cooper Union.
Bob Scudellari - guard
Draft year and position: 14th round (first pick, 95th overall), 1955 NBA Draft
Seasons at Cooper Union: unknown
Seasons played with Celtics: did not make the team
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
Man Utd’s rivals join the race for ‘unhappy’ Red who wants to leave Carrington
Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte has attracted the interest of several clubs in Europe, but Newcastle could keep him on the English shores.
The Uruguayan cost the club circa £42 million in addition to bonuses when he made the move from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2024, but he hasn’t been able to justify this figure.
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Ugarte is said to be unhappy with his current status at Man Utd, as despite Michael Carrick’s limited options in midfield, he still finds himself struggling for playing time. The 44-year-old manager considers him a mere backup for Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro.
Newcastle join Juventus & others in the race for Manuel Ugarte
Luckily for the Montevideo native, his poor Man Utd stint hasn’t repelled all suitors, with several clubs around Europe interested in his services.
According to CaughtOffside, Juventus are leading the race for Ugarte, having identified him as one of their main targets ahead of the upcoming summer transfer campaign.
The Bianconeri’s sporting director, Marco Ottolini, attended the international friendly between Uruguay and Algeria, which took place at the Allianz Stadium in Turin last week, with the intention of scouting a few players, especially Ugarte.
Moreover, the report names Man Utd’s historic rivals, Newcastle United, as a potential destination for the former PSG man, perhaps if they end up selling Sandro Tonali or Bruno Guiamaraes. Aston Villa are also part of the chase, while Ajax and Sunderland are considered outsiders.
Man Utd name their price for Ugarte
While Transfermarkt estimates the midfielder’s value at €30 million (£26m), United are reportedly seeking €40 million (£35m) to part ways with him. So it remains to be seen if they’ll find a club willing to meet this price.
Man Utd are already planning to sign two new midfielders in the summer, one to replace the departing Casemiro, and another to fill the vacancy left by Bruno Fernandes, who resumed his duties in the No.10 role.
But if Ugarte ends up leaving Carrington, the arrival of a third new midfielder might become a necessity, especially with the club planning to compete on various fronts next season.
Palladino: ‘Atalanta are a model for Italian football’ with faith in youth
Raffaele Palladino explains the Atalanta ‘mantra’ ahead of today’s match with Lecce, as fourth place is within reach, while this club can be ‘a model for Italian football.’
It kicks off at the Stadio Via del Mare at 14.00 UK time (15.00 CEST).
A win here would take Atalanta to within five points of Como and the top four, with seven rounds left after that.
Palladino trusts Atalanta model for success
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Raffaele Palladino , Head Coach of Atalanta BC during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and US Cremonese at Gewiss Stadium on February 09, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“We won many games, were competitive in the Champions League, are still in the Coppa Italia, and now we are going into the last eight games of the Serie A season.
“We must give everything, have no regrets and be ambitious, as is the style of this club.”
BERGAMO, ITALY – JANUARY 14: Giorgio Scalvini of Atalanta BC looks on after the Serie A match between Atalanta and Juventus at Gewiss Stadium on January 14, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
So much has been said about the Italy crisis after failing to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, and the main culprit is the lack of Italian representation in Serie A club football.
In that sense, Atalanta stand out as an example to others, especially as their youth academy has been churning out talent for a long time and their players receive passage to the senior squad.
“Before I arrived here, I looked to Atalanta as a model for Italian football, because this is a club that believes in youth, not just Italian, even though over half the squad is Italian,” noted Palladino.
“We know that even if they make mistakes, we must give these young players belief and the time to grow.
“The tendency is to drop players who make errors and then they get forgotten, whereas we are ready to keep the faith.”
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: Gianluca Scamacca of Atalanta reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Atalanta BC and Borussia Dortmund at Stadio di Bergamo on February 25, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
There are three Italians starting for Atalanta today, two in the Lecce XI, although it would’ve been more if not for Gianluca Scamacca’s injury.
Colt Emerson is all smiles after signing a $95 million contract with the Seattle Mariners before making his MLB debut. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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Last week the Seattle Mariners signed yet-to-be-a-rookie Colt Emerson to an eight-year, $95 million contract. For a few days, it was the largest deal ever given to a player who has yet to accrue a day of MLB service time (Jackson Chourio signed an eight-year, $82 million deal with the Brewers in 2023; and then Konnor Griffin signed a nine-year, $140 million deal moments before he made his MLB debut). Emerson’s deal also includes a $25 million club option for 2034. And, as these types of contracts often do, there are escalators built in for MVPs and Silver Slugger awards, as well as All-Star appearances. Shockingly, the deal has a full no trade clause.
Emerson was ranked fourth on MLB’s list of Top-50 prospects, and could be Seattle’s shortstop of the future. FanGraphs has him as a 55 future value prospect (on the 20-80 scale), with a 60 hit tool, 50/55 raw power, and 45/50 for fielding. That is the one question for the youngster: can he play shortstop every day at the big league level? Well, the Mariners are going to wait to find out, as they are keeping him in Triple-A Tacoma even after the ink on the new contract is dry.
Last season, playing at three minor league levels, Emerson slashed .285/.383/.458 with 16 home runs. The projection systems show roughly the same for 2026, as he refines his skills waiting for his chance to play in Seattle.
The Mariners currently rank 23rd in FanGraphs positional depth chart at shortstop, with J.P. Crawford getting the majority of the reps, with a -6.4 fielding score by their metrics. Leo Rivas is better defensively, but he cannot hit (career slash line of .235/.355/.306). So, with just a little seasoning, the door is wide open for Emerson to make the jump and prove to the fans in the Pacific Northwest that he is worth the money.
Seattle is taking a nearly nine-figure risk on the 20-year-old, a considerably bigger risk than the Astros did in 2014 when they gave Jon Singleton $10 million over five years, which went up in flames.
The Phillies gave Scott Kingery a six-year, $24 million contract before his rookie season, and he gave them -0.7 fWAR in his first year, and then just 2.1 fWAR the following, which was as good as it would get. The Covid-shortened 2020 season wasn’t productive, and he played in only 16 more games for Philadelphia after that.
Seattle signed Emerson despite being plagued by memories of the Evan White contract. In 2019, they signed the first baseman to the same deal as Kingery, with escalators up to $55 million. He won a Gold Glove as a rookie, but didn’t hit a lick (67 WRC+, with 100 as average). In 2021, that number was 24. Hip surgery ended that season early, and he hasn’t played in the big leagues since.
Now it is up to Emerson to perform on the farm and then perform on the biggest stage. If he does, he will exorcise the demons of previous deals gone bad, and provide the Mariners with a solid bat in the middle of what is already a solid lineup.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
Kerim Alajbegovic: Man United pushing to complete surprise transfer
Manchester United have been strongly linked with Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig in their search for a left winger.
The Red Bull outfit are reluctant to part ways with their electric winger, who is valued at around €100 million. As a result, United might be forced to look for alternatives.
Interestingly, a report suggests that United are considering signing another highly rated Red Bull winger.
Manchester United want to wrap up deal for Kerim Alajbegovic
According to Bosnian outlet Reprezentacija.ba (via Sport Witness), Manchester United are now in contact to sign RB Salzburg sensation Kerim Alajbegovic.
It is claimed that a deal worth around €30 million (£26.1m) is “in the works” and United “want to complete the transfer of Kerim Alajbegovic as soon as possible.”
The two-footed winger has scored 11 goals and provided three assists at club level.
The 18-year-old’s promising performances for Salzburg have also made him a regular for Bosnia and Herzegovina, who recently stunned Italy to qualify for the World Cup.
Chelsea, Manchester City and Aston Villa are also keen on signing the Bosnian. However, it is not specified whether Alajbegovic’s suitors are in contact with the player’s agent or Bayer Leverkusen.
In March, Leverkusen announced that they had activated the buyback clause to bring the youngster back to Germany in the summer. He was part of the Bundesliga side’s youth setup for four years and only moved to Salzburg last year.
Manchester United want Benjamin Sesko to lure Yan Diomande
United dealt with figures at Red Bull last summer, signing Benjamin Sesko in a big-money deal.
Recently, The Peoples Person relayed a report claiming United hope that Sesko “can make the difference in their pursuit” of Diomande, who is also wanted by Liverpool.
It is understood Sesko still has friends in Leipzig and “will ask them to convince the teenager his preferred choice should be a move to the Theatre of Dreams.”
Featured image Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
Inter Milan Captain Becomes Third Most Prolific Argentinian Goalscorer In Serie A History With Roma Brace
Inter Milan talisman Lautaro Martinez continues to break records in Serie A.
According to FCInterNews, last night’s brace against Roma made El Toro the third joint-highest Argentine scorer in Serie A history.
Lautaro Martinez painted his return from injury with flying colors.
Indeed, the 28-year-old opened the scoring in the first minute, setting the tone for Inter’s scintillating 5-2 victory.
Furthermore, the Argentine striker netted his 16th league goal of the season at the start of the second half, effectively ending Roma’s comeback hopes.
In doing so, Lautaro has now scored 15+ goals in five consecutive Serie A seasons.
Inter Milan Star Lautaro Martinez Becomes Third Most Prolific Argentine Star in Serie A History
Lautaro has bagged an eye-catching 173 goals for Inter since joining the club from Racing in the summer of 2018.
Moreover, 131 of those strikes have come in Serie A, where Lautaro has reigned supreme this season. Indeed, he’s the division’s top scorer, having netted five more goals than any other player.
Therefore, Hernan Crespo and Gabriel Batistuta are the only Argentine players to have scored more goals in Italy’s top flight than El Toro.
Meanwhile, Lautaro has drawn level with Roma ace Paulo Dybala.
However, with La Joya struggling with injuries, it’s only a matter of time before the Nerazzurri captain overtakes him in the pecking order.
The 2026 edition of the men’s NCAA Tournament, AKA March Madness, is nearly at an end! If you plan to watch the 2026 National Championship game, below you can get details on Monday’s matchup and other important info on March Madness, including where to watch tonight.
What is the NCAA Tournament schedule for today?
Date
Game
Time (ET)
TV Info
April 6
(2) UConn vs. (1) Michigan
8:50 PM
CBS/truTV
What channel is the March Madness game on?
If you plan to watch the NCAA Tournament championship game tonight, it can be found on CBS and truTV.
All March Madness games are also available on various streaming platforms. You can catch today’s matchups on YouTube TV, Paramount+, MAX, Hulu + Live TV, and DirecTV Stream.
Which teams reached the Final Four?
Amber Searls-Imagn Images
The schools that reached the 2026 Final Four are Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, and UConn.
Who is favored to win the 2026 NCAA Tournament?
The popular picks to win the 2026 NCAA Tournament heading into the event were one seeds Duke, Michigan, and Arizona.
Who are the top NBA prospects in March Madness 2026?
The 2026 NBA Draft is projected to be one of the best in quite some time, and several players who could be taken early in Round 1 will be competing during March Madness. The top prospects that took to the hardwood for this year’s tournament were Duke’s Cam Boozer, BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr., Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, and Houston’s Kingston Flemings.
The Boston Red Sox are 2-7 to start the season, but chief baseball officer Craig Breslow still has a strong belief in the group he put together this offseason.
The Red Sox offense has not lived up to expectations, and the pitching additions have not looked great so far. However, it's still very early in the season, and lucky for the Red Sox, the season does not end after nine games. They still have 153 games to climb their way back to the top of the American League East.
During the Red Sox's Sunday matchup with the San Diego Padres, Breslow appeared on NESN amid what would turn into their seventh loss of the season. He acknowledged that the team needs to be better, but also that they know they have a strong group of players.
"We still believe very, very strongly in this team," Breslow said on Sunday. "Your rational brain says baseball needs to be evaluated over the long-term. Eight games in is not the time you want to draw conclusions, but your heart says, 'How do we help the group? What do we need to do? What are we missing? How do we turn this thing around?' But we have a bunch of good players who are not performing up to their potential right now, and that's going to turn."
The Red Sox do have plenty of good players not living up to expectations. However, the question on every fan's mind is whether this is a poorly timed slump or a sign of what's to come all season. It's likely the former. It's hard to imagine Roman Anthony, Jarren Duran, Willson Contreras, Caleb Durbin, Trevor Story and Ceddanne Rafaela all struggling to hit for a majority of the season.
On the pitching side, Johan Oviedo has gone to the injured list. His drop in velocity was a concern, and hopefully, when he's back, he can be a better contributor. Additionally, Ranger Suarez has struggled in his first two starts, but his track record should give fans belief that he will turn things around.
It's worth noting that Suarez missed a chunk of spring training for the World Baseball Classic and may not be completely built up. Regardless, the Red Sox expected more out of their stars. Breslow knows they are underperforming right now, but that is bound to change soon.
Falkirk have followed back-to-back promotions with a Premiership top-six finish [SNS]
Upstarts, in the nicest possible way, Falkirk have upset the Scottish Premiership applecart this season.
After the Bairns' successive promotions, onlookers may have banked on John McGlynn's brand of football being a breath of fresh air, but few would have expected them to be finish in the top six.
Victory over Motherwell on Saturday sealed that feat and they remain in contention for European qualification on two fronts.
But it has created somewhat of a dilemma for organisers, the Scottish Professional Football League. Here's why...
Fixture discrepancies among top six
For the uninitiated, the Premiership splits after 33 rounds of fixtures, whereafter the top six sides play each other one more time and the bottom six teams do likewise.
The post-split fixtures are expected to be announced soon and all 12 teams have one round of regular season fixtures still to play this coming weekend.
Celtic, Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian, Falkirk, Motherwell and Rangers will be the top half of the table for the season's final five rounds of fixtures.
After 33 league games, leaders Hearts, Rangers, Motherwell and Falkirk will have played 17 home games in the division and 16 away. The quartet would normally therefore have two home games and three away matches after the split.
Defending champions Celtic and Hibs will have played 16 at home and 17 on the road and would expect three home games and two away matches post-split.
Given the need to even out home and away derbies and the stakes in the title race, it is likely two of Hearts' away games will be at Hibs' Easter Road and Celtic Park, while Rangers can expect to be away to Celtic and Hearts.
However, Hearts will have hosted Falkirk and Motherwell twice, which means one of those two latter sides face a potential third league trip to Tynecastle.
As well as visits from Hearts and Rangers, Celtic will have a home meeting with either Hibs, Falkirk or Motherwell - three sides who will have already visited Celtic Park twice this season.
There would also be a discrepancy with Rangers' fixtures. The Ibrox side would have hosted Hibs, Falkirk and Motherwell only once each, but the Ibrox side will only have two home games post-split and face a potential third trip to one of that trio of teams.
The most diplomatic solution may be to give Falkirk an additional home game, to make 20 in total, have them host Hibs, Motherwell and Rangers for a third time and visit Celtic Park and Hearts a third time.
That way, the current top four would end up playing each other home and away twice in the league. Falkirk, meanwhile, will have been compensated for losing home gates against Celtic and Hearts by having Rangers and Hibs with similarly large travelling support and that extra home game against Motherwell.
European permutations
However, if Falkirk were to be in contention for a European place, giving them an extra home game may be perceived as an unfair advantage. Celtic and the Bairns also maintain an interest in the Scottish Cup, with the reward for the winner a Europa League qualifying place and a potential impact on the league.
Should Celtic finish in the Premiership's top two to qualify for the Champions League qualifiers and win the Scottish Cup, it's likely the Europa League place would go to the team finishing third in the Premiership and that one of the Conference League qualifying places on offer to third and fourth in the league would go to the team that finishes fifth.
Should Celtic or Falkirk win the Scottish Cup and also finish either third or fourth in the Premiership, the Scottish Cup winners would enter the Europa League qualifiers and one of those Conference League qualifying places would go to the team that finishes fifth.
Hence, it is possible Falkirk could finish fifth and qualify for Europe with the benefit of having had an extra home game while the team in sixth would have had an even number of home and away games.
Bottom six impacted too
Aberdeen, Dundee, Dundee United, Kilmarnock, Livingston and St Mirren will make up the bottom six.
Aberdeen, Dundee, Livingston and St Mirren will have played 16 home league games and 17 away come the split. United and Killie will have the opposite.
Two of the three Dundee derbies this season have been at Dens Park, so in all likelihood a season's final meeting of the Tayside teams would be at Tannadice.
Assuming this, and Dundee's other away game being at Livingston (having hosted them twice), home games against Aberdeen, Killie and St Mirren would even things up.
Aberdeen, with home games versus Kilmarnock, St Mirren and United and trips to Dundee and Livi would also achieve parity of home and away ties. St Mirren would be due visits from Kilmarnock, Livi and United and be away to Aberdeen and Dundee.
But here come the discrepancies. As well as the Dundee derby, United will have one other home game after the split but all four of Aberdeen, Killie, Livi and St Mirren have been to Tannadice in the league twice already this season. One will have to make a third trip, though it is unlikely to be north-east rivals Aberdeen.
There is a similar dilemma with Kilmarnock. They are due to have two home games, with probably one of those against United.
However, Aberdeen, Dundee and St Mirren have all already been to Rugby Park twice this season. One of those three will need to make a third trip to East Ayrshire.
Bottom side Livi should travel to St Mirren, but they have already visited each of Aberdeen, Dundee, United and Killie twice and will face a third trip to one of those four clubs.
Livi are 11 points adrift and would be a maximum of 14 points adrift with five games to go if they lose their last game before the split - hence, while favourites for automatic relegation, it will not be arithmetically confirmed until after the post-split fixtures are announced and at least one round of them have been played.
No matter which way you cut it, the SPFL faces an unenviable task in scheduling the Premiership's final five rounds of fixtures.
After this weekend's games, the Premiership will take a two-week hiatus to accommodate the Scottish Cup semi-finals.
Then, from the weekend of 25 and 26 April, it is top-six and bottom-six fixtures through until mid-May, with the cup final and relegation play-off taking place thereafter.
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 04: Derek Chisora looks on after the Heavyweight fight between Derek Chisora and Deontay Wilder as part of the Dereck Chisora v Deontay Wilder: 100 fight night at The O2 Arena on April 04, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Following his split decision loss to Deontay Wilder in what turned out to be quite an entertaining battle, even if not a work of art, Derek Chisora appeared at the post-fight press conference to give his immediate reaction to what transpired in the ring, believing that he should’ve received the win. Chisora came up short in front of his home crowd in what was expected to be his 50th and final fight, but still gave everything he had to offer. Here’s some of what he had.
Chisora on his reaction to sharing the ring with Wilder
“Good 12 rounds. He can hit. [The power is good]. He loads it up, though. So he’s got a tell sign: before he chucks, he loads it up. But when he gets you, he can hit.
“I didn’t agree [with the scorecards]. The ropes were very loose. I went on the ropes, he fell in me, pushed me, [ref] said break and it broke, I went through the ropes, they start counting. The second time they took a point [from Wilder] and they still counted me out but I don’t understand why. Listen, it is what it is.”
On if he thinks he should’ve won the fight
“Yeah. The last round, I won the last round. I don’t know how you guys scored it…He likes to hold a lot. I thought he was very good inside but he was not good inside, he likes to hold a lot…I love Deontay but I know I broke two things: his hand and his rib ‘cause right now he can’t talk and stand.”
“Wilder’s got power for the first three rounds and after he fades away but he’s always got that power. I don’t want to take that away from him, he’s got power.”
On the biggest less he’s learned in his career
“That it don’t matter if they’re sitting next to you on your left or right, they’re still scumbags.”
From left, Oregon’s Kaylynn Jones, Stefini Ma'ake and Emma Cox celebrate after getting out of the second inning against Penn State at Jane Sanders Stadium in Eugene March 15, 2026. | Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Jordan Formula 1 team is perhaps best known for its 1990s heyday, when it gave a certain Michael Schumacher his entry into F1 and took the fight to McLaren and Ferrari in 1999. While Jordan Grand Prix’s form fell off at the turn of the millennium, it still managed one final race win in the 21st century, during a chaotic Brazilian GP on this day 23 years ago.
After its highs in the late 1990s, which saw Jordan pick up three race wins and a handful of podium finishes, the team was struggling in 2003. It had arguably the second-worst car on the F1 grid with the EJ13, and was battling issues with its engines and finances - both on- and off-track.
However, all that paled into insignificance on 6 April 2003 when a bold strategy call from the Jordan team helped it to its fourth and final grand prix victory.
Giancarlo Fisichella qualified an impressive eighth for the team’s 200th grand prix start – which was delayed due to heavy rain at the Interlagos circuit. When the race finally did begin, it was behind the safety car, and this threw up an opportunity for Jordan to mix up its strategy. The team called in Fisichella and team-mate Ralph Firman Jr to fuel them as long as possible, which put them at the back of the pack for the restart.
Ralph Firman, Jordan EJ13, suspension fails as he crashes into Cristiano da Matta, Toyota TF103
Ralph Firman, Jordan EJ13, suspension fails as he crashes into Cristiano da Matta, Toyota TF103
Firman then suffered a front suspension failure, while Fisichella stayed out during the next safety car period and ensuing stops. The wet conditions continued causing upsets, with Schumacher succumbing to the rain and Jenson Button crashing shortly after the safety car had gone back in following the German’s off.
After this, home hero Rubens Barrichello took the lead from McLaren’s David Coulthard on lap 45, while Fisichella sat fifth for Jordan. The Brazilian soon ran out of fuel, however, which promoted Fisichella up the order once more.
Coulthard then stopped from the lead to refuel, while third-placed Ralf Schumacher also dove into the pits – promoting Fisichella to second. He jumped further up the order when Kimi Raikkonen made a mistake in his McLaren, which handed the Italian the lead – the first time a Jordan car had led a grand prix in more than two years.
Raikkonen repassed Fisichella shortly before the race was red-flagged following a huge crash from Fernando Alonso, and the Fin was initially crowned winner of the chaotic race.
Podium: Giancarlo Fisichella, Jordan celebrates
Podium: Giancarlo Fisichella, Jordan celebrates
However, Jordan appealed the result and an ensuing FIA investigation determined that the race result should have been declared at the end of lap 54 – the one lap on which Fisichella was ahead.
It marked a return to the podium for Jordan for the first time since the 2000 United States Grand Prix and would be its final of four F1 race wins. The team went on to take a final podium at the infamous 2005 United States GP, before it morphed into MF1 Racing, Spyker, Force India, Racing Point and then Aston Martin.
It would go on to take six podiums as Force India, before its next victory came for Racing Point at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix. In its Aston Martin guise, the side has picked up nine podiums but is still chasing a return to the top step.
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 15: Cashius Howell #9 of the Texas A&M Aggies reacts during the fourth quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Kyle Field on November 15, 2025 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Maria Lysaker/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Last year’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers were quite a sight. The team spent 2025 tackling new milestones— They missed the playoffs for the first time since Jameis Winston’s turnover-palooza in 2019, they featured Todd Bowles— The ever stoic leader of Tampa’s pirates— dropping a profanity-laced tirade in a post-game press conference, they featured Jason Pierre-Paul— which would have been great if not for the context of him being 37 years old and having not registered a sack since Tom Brady was still navigating NFL pockets, and ultimately they featured failure.
2025 was a high high followed by a lower low. The team quickly transitioned into the offseason by keeping their head coach and defensive coordinator positions unaltered, but being sure to shuffle peasants around the manor. With the new staff set, the organization flipped its focus to the players— Mainly losing them. Fans have still barely finished waving goodbye to some of their all-time favorite Buccaneers. Mike Evans departed for what he deemed to be greener pastures at Levi Stadium, Lavonte David opted for retirement, and long-tenured corner Jamel Dean is now a Pittsburgh Steeler.
The Buccaneers organization, under the direction of Jason Licht, has fouled up at times— The last 5 years, however, have been fairly well maneuvered. Tampa has had a plan and they have demonstrated an ability to execute their plan.
If there has been one nagging problem, a single thorn pricking the team’s side that has now become any infected wound it has been edge-rush. Edge pressure in Tampa Bay is not a new problem. Its the problem and has been the problem.
In a statement that feels almost absurd to pontificate, edge-rusher has (debatably) been the single biggest hole on the roster since 2022, maybe even 2021 (Shaq Barrett suffered his Achilles injury on October 10th, 2022). This is now the 2026 season the Buccaneers are gearing up for. 2025 was jellied and jammed with a myriad of problems, but a decent-sized portion of those problems can easily stem back to the systemic failure to address one of the most important positions in the modern NFL.
Since edge rusher has been an over-sized need in Tampa Bay, the Bucs first round picks have been:
2023- Calijah Kancey, IDL
2024- Graham Barton, C
2025- Emeka Egbuka, WR
While Calijah Kancey is a pass-rusher, he is not an edge-rusher. Kancey can play (when healthy), but he is not the dominant presence off the edge Todd Bowles’ defense has died without in recent seasons. Tampa’s other two premium picks— Offensive players. One of which was drafted to a top-5 offense as a projected non-starter due to incumbent positional depth.
The basis of “best player available” has provided Tampa with a backlog of talent at a small log of positions. 2026 simply must be where the trend ends. This year’s draft is ripe with pass-rush and the Buccaneers would prove themselves to be a team that does not need to be taken seriously if they continue to be stubborn and ignore the obviously holes on what is currently a sinking ship.
Cashius Howell: College career
Beginning his collegiate career at Bowling Green, Howell played in just four games his first season. After two years, Howell popped— Tallying 9.5 sacks in 2023, after just two in his first two seasons combined. Following his breakout campaign, Howell took a slight step back. No longer a Falcon, the future star edge defender was now an Aggie. In his first season at Texas A&M, Howell’s production wasn’t poor, but it wasn’t hitting its 2023 marks— 40 tackles, 4 sacks, a forced fumble, and his first career interception.
In a return to form, 2025 was a slam dunk showcase for Howell. He bounced his sack numbers into the double-digits for the first time in his college career, finished with another 31 tackles, and his third career forced fumble. Howell’s 11.5 sacks would be enough to grab any team’s attention, but for a team like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who haven’t had an impact edge-rusher since the heydays of Shaq Barrett, haven’t seen an individual reach double-digit sacks since Barret in 2021 (10), and haven’t seen a player best Howell’s 2025 sack production since 2019 when Barrett shocked the NFL landscape with 19.5, 11.5 sacks and reps like this are enough to make fans salivate.
A potential double-digit sack edge presence is elite return on invest by itself. The hidden bonus portion of the equation is the boost a player like Howell could provide to the rest of Todd Bowles’ group. All of sudden, rather than being the guy, a player like Yaya Diaby becomes the other guy— A role he is far better suited for. Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey draw less attention on the interior because focus must be given outside to seal off the edges or, conversely, let Vita Vea eat up space and assign a double team to him, running the risk of a one-on-one with an edge-rusher who can win.
Edge-rush in Tampa Bay has been water in the desert. Double-digit sacks don’t just look good on the stat sheet they raise the level of the unit exponentially— A unit that needs raising.
Cashius Howell: Pre-draft
At the combine, Howell measured in at 6’ 2 1/2’’ and 253 lbs. He put his athleticism on full display with a 4.59 40-yard dash, a 32.5″ vert, and a 9’7″ broad jump.
His NFL comp., according to Lance Zierlein via NFL.com, is Will McDonald IV of the New York Jets. McDonald IV was drafted with the 15th overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft and has netted fairly impressive production in three seasons as a professional. Save a mild rookie campaign of 3 sacks, McDonald IV has put up 18.5 sacks over the past two seasons (10.5, 8)— He has been one of the few members of New York’s Gotham warriors to shine in recent seasons and looks to be a player they consider to be a building block moving forward.
Averaging roughly nine sacks a season is a consistent level of productivity Tampa Bay fans would line up for and production that Zierlein hinted at anticipating. He went on to say Howell has good bend, burst, and elusiveness.
“Three straight seasons of impressive pressure and sack totals… [Howell] can bend, corner and flatten into pockets… [With] a series of go-to moves in his bag.”
Of course, Howell is certainly not a perfect prospect. Most of his perceived ‘negatives’ relate to his run defending. After heaping praise on his current ability and potential as a pass rusher, Zierlein’s critique of Howell in run defense was far from glowing.
“As a run defender he’s frequently knocked around at the point and struggles to consistently execute tasks asked of an NFL edge-setter.”
The concern for Tampa Bay fans who might be clamoring for Jason Licht to pull the trigger on Howell later this month is that degrading commentary on his run defending— Something that is extremely important to Todd Bowles. Historically, Bowles has been very adamant on having players that are capable of stopping the run and has always placed a significant emphasis on being a top defensive unit against the run— Begging the question of fit.
Cashius Howell: As a fit for the Buccaneers
Yes. Just, yes. This is simple:
Anybody who can line up with an offensive tackle across from them and not imitate lint on a T-shirt is a yes. Any prospect who could challenge Tristan Wirfs in practice is a yes. Yes, to them all.
Howell immediately fits into the Bucs’ defense as a day-one impact player. What Howell may lack as a run defender is so easily offset by the instant impact he provides Tampa Bay’s pass rush. Even if Howell’s role, as a rookie, would simply be in a rotational passing-down capacity, the Buccaneers need someone to remind the team double-digit sack seasons aren’t just a fairytale, they do exist and you’re allowed to have them.
It would be great to hold out for an all around edge defender, one who stops the run, rushes the passer, and can even drop out into coverage. The issue for the Buccaneers is that is not where they are as a team. They are desperate. This is an organization and a defensive play caller/ head coach who is/are backed up against a wall due to years of neglect. Injuries aside, the defining factor in determining the level of success Todd Bowles’ defense will have in 2026 will be the team’s pass rush. Same as it was in 2025— And 2024… Also 2023… 2022 as well.
That is not because Todd Bowles is incapable, overly capable, or because he is anything in between. It’s because in the modern-day NFL, pass rush is the most pivotal part of any defense and the Buccaneers’ failure to acknowledge, realize, or care about that fact is a large portion of the reason the team is where it is— Feels like an obvious point for a franchise that started off the 2020’s by winning a Super Bowl on the back of their pass rush, but that’s where the team sits in 2026. Tampa should collect edge-rushers in this draft like a kid collecting baseball cards and Cashius Howell would be a great place to start.
If you were on the clock…
Bucs’ fans, if the choice were yours: Would you being calling Cashius Howell? Let us know in the comments below.
Liverpool may use Salah in exchange for Brazilian star
Salah decline reshapes Liverpool attack
Liverpool are approaching a defining crossroads. For years, Salah has been the relentless heartbeat of their attack — a winger who rewrote expectations, delivering goals at a rate usually reserved for out-and-out strikers. Yet this season has told a different story.
The numbers are stark. After producing 34 goals and 23 assists in 54 appearances during a title-winning campaign, Salah has managed just 10 goals and nine assists in 35 matches this term. For a player whose consistency bordered on historic, that drop-off is seismic.
More concerning than the statistics, however, has been the rhythm of his performances. Where once there was inevitability — defenders backing off, crowds anticipating — now there is hesitation. Liverpool’s attacking fluency has mirrored that uncertainty.
As originally reported by GiveMeSport, this downturn has accelerated conversations behind the scenes. The club are no longer simply planning for the future; they are actively preparing for life after Salah.
Marcos Leonardo emerges as key target
Into that vacuum steps Marcos Leonardo, a forward whose profile aligns intriguingly with Liverpool’s evolving needs. Still young but already seasoned by experience across continents, he represents both potential and tactical flexibility.
Leonardo is not a like-for-like replacement for Salah — few players on the planet are. Instead, he offers a different dimension. Capable of operating as a traditional number nine or dropping deeper as a false nine, his adaptability could allow Liverpool to reshape their frontline rather than replicate it.
That versatility is central to Liverpool’s thinking. Rather than seeking another wide forward to mimic Salah’s output, the club appear open to recalibrating their attacking structure entirely. Leonardo’s ability to link play, occupy defenders centrally, and create space for others could be vital in that transition.
There is also a narrative of redemption attached to the Brazilian. After a difficult spell in Europe earlier in his career, he has rebuilt his reputation and is now eager to prove himself at the highest level once again.
Swap deal speculation explained
One of the more intriguing suggestions circulating is the possibility of a swap arrangement involving Salah and Leonardo. On paper, it is a compelling concept — Liverpool securing a long-term attacking option while facilitating Salah’s anticipated move to Saudi Arabia.
However, reality is more complex.
Salah is expected to leave on a free transfer at the end of the season, which complicates any direct swap scenario. As one sceptical supporter pointed out in response to the original report: “Liverpool and Mo Salah have reached an agreement whereby at the end of the season, Salah is a free agent… so what are Liverpool going to trade?”
That question cuts to the heart of the issue. Structurally, a traditional swap deal may be unlikely. Yet football negotiations are rarely straightforward. Creative financial arrangements, informal understandings, or parallel deals could still bring both transfers to fruition.
Leonardo’s reported £50 million valuation adds another layer. While Saudi clubs are not under pressure to sell, the player’s desire to return to Europe could influence proceedings.
Strategic outlook for Liverpool rebuild
What is clear is that Liverpool are entering a period of recalibration. Salah’s departure — whether viewed as overdue or premature — signals the end of an era defined by relentless attacking output and individual brilliance.
Replacing that influence will not be about finding a single successor. It will require a systemic shift.
Leonardo, if signed, would represent one piece of that puzzle. His arrival could enable Liverpool to adopt a more centralised attacking approach, redistributing goals across multiple players rather than relying on one talisman.
There is risk in that strategy. Salah’s consistency has masked flaws in the side before. Without him, those margins for error will shrink.
Yet there is also opportunity. A refreshed attacking identity, built around mobility, interchanging positions, and collective output, could make Liverpool less predictable and more sustainable in the long term.
For now, much remains speculative. “Is it likely? Probably not. Is it possible? Everything is in football,” the original report concludes — a line that neatly captures the uncertainty surrounding this potential deal.
What is beyond doubt is the scale of the transition ahead. Liverpool are not merely replacing a player; they are redefining how they score goals.
Friedkins to consider major summer revolution after collapse vs Inter
Roma’s 5-2 defeat at San Siro has sparked a deep reflection within the Giallorossi.
As reported by Filippo Biafora of Il Tempo, the Friedkin ownership is reportedly considering a drastic change to the core of the squad.
The club’s top management is focusing on those players who have been part of the squad for several seasons and whose performances have remained unchanged over the last seven years, regardless of the current manager.
The discontent among fans, which has erupted in recent hours, is focused precisely on players considered protagonists of anonymous championships.
It is in this context of a potential rift that Gian Piero Gasperini’s position emerges.
The coach has explained his position, preferring a strategy of targeted strengthening rather than a complete overhaul.
This strategy, he believes, is aimed not at dismantling the team, but rather improving it with targeted acquisitions.
D-BAT, a new baseball and softball training facility and retail store, is bringing indoor baseball training to the area after opening in Middletown April 6.
The facility, located at 401 N. English Station Road, offers pitching machines, private lessons, camps and clinics, and has a store that sells bats, gloves, apparel and other gear. Customers can also purchase memberships for discounts and to use the pitching machines for free.
“Being a Louisville native myself and growing up in the baseball and softball community, … this is something the city has never seen before,” general manager Justin Lauersdorf said.
Pitching machines on site will throw baseballs at 35-75 miles per hour and softballs up to 65 miles per hour. Staff members will also be trained to help customers find the right bat and glove. Co-owner Alan Hisle said he hopes the facility will offer a sense of community and an opportunity to be active.
Founded in Texas, D-BAT has more than 200 franchises across the U.S. The North English Station Road D-BAT will be the first in Jefferson County after Hisle and his business partner Leon Davis opened the Lexington location in 2021. D-BAT also has locations in Bowling Green and Hebron from other franchise owners.
Hisle and Davis started looking at the Louisville area after seeing a need for non-affiliated training facilities, meaning they do not run any local teams or private club teams out of the site. For him, being open to the public is what differentiates D-BAT from other training facilities.
Lauersdorf said D-BAT “specializes” in there being “no exclusivity to the ball player,” with the facility open to novices and professionals.
“We welcome everyone, from the rec player to the high-level Division I high school recruit and everything in between. Adults that play slow pitch softball — we have pitching machines for that,” Hisle said. “We wanted to bring something to the community [where] everyone is welcome, regardless of skill level, where you play, who you are, what your age is.”
The weather has cooled down across the board, so finding +EV dingers isn't as easy, but fading the worst starter on the slate and betting on indoor four-baggers is the best recipe for success today when looking at the MLB player props board.
German Marquez might not see the fourth inning, and Oneil Cruz has a good chance to hit his fifth long ball of the campaign. Meanwhile, the Dodgers and Andy Pages are ready to hit some nukes indoors vs. the down-and-out Blue Jays.
These are my favorite home run props and MLB picks for Monday, April 6.
Best MLB home run props today
Player to hit a HR
Odds
Oneil Cruz
+380
Andy Pages
+520
Oneil Cruz (+380)
I’m willing to dip below +400 to fade Germán Márquez, who projects as the weakest starter on the slate and is expected to allow the most runs by a wide margin. He lasted just nine outs in his last start, giving up eight hits and two homers, and continues to profile as an extreme fly-ball pitcher with poor Pull Air% metrics over the past couple of seasons.
While conditions are cold in most parks, PNC Park at least has 14 mph winds blowing out to center, boosting the power environment. Oneil Cruz should see plenty of opportunities hitting leadoff, with a strong chance at five plate appearances. He went deep for his fourth home run yesterday and is looking like his best self, batting .314/.368/.657, and three of his long balls have come off right-handers.
Cruz also ranks among the league leaders in barrels per plate appearance and average exit velocity, giving him legitimate Top-10 home run upside if this form continues.
Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Sportsnet Pittsburgh, Padres.TV
Andy Pages (+540)
Rogers Centre is one of the better power environments on today’s slate, ranking among the top HR parks by THE BAT. With the Los Angeles Dodgers in town — a lineup leading MLB in home runs per game (1.78) — this is a strong spot to target the HR market.
Max Scherzer is still generating plenty of fly balls, and the Toronto Blue Jays bullpen has been heavily taxed, ranking near the top of the league in innings pitched. The Dodgers also bring familiarity against both Scherzer and this bullpen.
Andy Pages stands out as a value option, likely hitting seventh and entered Sunday on a five-game multi-hit streak. He’s slugging .794 and just went 7-for-13 with 14 total bases and two home runs in a series in Washington.
While bigger names will draw attention, the price is the difference. Rather than laying a short number on Shohei Ohtani, Pages at +450 or better is the preferred play in this matchup.
Time: 7:07 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Sportsnet, SportsNet LA
Jinglis' 2026 Transparency Record
HR picks: 1-8, -2.8 units
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.
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 15: Makai Lemon #6 of the Southern California Trojans runs with the ball during a game between Iowa Hawkeyes and University of Southern California Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 15, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Melinda Meijer/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) | ISI Photos via Getty Images
The Cleveland Browns had two major problem areas after last year’s disaster of a season. In all, the Browns lost 26 games in the past two seasons. Which all means heads would roll. That became true to form as the head coach and a slew of assistant coaches have now found employment elsewhere.
The offensive line was an issue, especially since four of the Week 1 starters were all on IR and Cleveland had to finish the season with backups and practice squad players.
The receiver room was another quagmire. To say that it was a problem would be an understatement.
So, this offseason, Browns GM Andrew Berry went to work to help solve the issues with these two groups. In all, Berry signed four offensive linemen in free agency and one receiver. However, WR Tylan Wallace was hired more as a return man than to assist the receiver room.
That means this group is still in a bad situation. What is left is to take at least two capable bodies in the upcoming NFL draft, slated for April 23-25. Cleveland owns the #6 and #24 slots in the first round, and then selects towards the top in Rounds 2-4, plus the very first pick in Round 5.
An offensive tackle has been the most predicted position for both first-round selections. But there have been many mock drafts that give Cleveland a stud receiver at either the #6 or the #24 spot.
The most mocked receiver is Carnell Tate (6’-3”, 195 pounds) of Ohio State, who is a terrific player. He has all the tools to be one of the starting outside receivers in 2026 or take the WR1 label with elite efficiency from the perimeter.
Tate has excellent ball tracking with zero drops this past season, with natural hands.
Another receiver tied to the Browns with the #6 pick is Jordyn Tyson (6’-2”, 203 pounds) of Arizona State. Tyson has 4.5 speed and knows how to get open. He will sell his vertical before breaking underneath.
Tyson tracks the ball just like a centerfielder. His alignment flexibility is a plus. He can line up outside or play the slot, creating space.
Either of these two receivers would fill the void in Cleveland’s receiver room and hopefully play for a decade. However, there is another guy who isn’t getting much love regarding the Browns selecting him with the sixth overall spot: WR Makai Lemon of USC.
NFL draft sites ranking average of the projected first-round receivers as follows:
“(Lemon) is my top-ranked wide receiver in the class, who goes to the Browns, who are undergoing a youth movement at the skill positions. Lemon can create space for himself and knows how to vary his routes.”
Cleveland’s Lemon-Aid
The majority of NFL draft sites and Browns podcasts have Tate listed as the highest-ranked receiver on the board. Lemon is ranked second. There are a few sites that have this reversed, but not many.
A comparison is needed.
Total games played:
Tate: 39
Lemon: 33
40 time:
Tate: 4.53
Lemon: 4.5
USC WR Makai Lemon ran his 40-yard dash for NFL scouts this morning.
4.48 to 4.53 range (according to multiple scouts in attendance)
Except for rushing stats and average yards per reception, Lemon has better numbers than Tate across the board. And Tate has played a handful more games.
Lemon isn’t getting any love for his production. The bonus is that he is a return man.
The kicker is the number of yards gained per season for both players. Tate has 264, 733, and 875 this past season. Lemon’s numbers for the same seasons are 88, 764, and 1,156. Lemon has the advantage in the final two years when both players were now starting receivers for their respective teams.
And who won the Biletnikoff Award for the nation’s best receiver? Lemon.
Here is what Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz had to say after his team got shredded by Lemon in the rain last year:
“No. 6 is as good as I’ve seen. Going back 20-plus years, I don’t know if anybody’s impacted the game more. I can think of one guy, maybe. But he’s a really…
While the Lions are set at the #1 RB position with Jahmyr Gibbs, they may be in the market for a high-end #2 in the upcoming NFL draft. Emmett Johnson is a promising candidate who is medically very clean.
(Ages in parentheses are at start of 2026 season and are factored into the concern level. Injury info and ages based on available public information are unverified and subject to update. Games played data courtesy of sports-reference.com.)
Johnson displayed 100% reliability in his final three college seasons. There do not appear to be any reported injuries which makes him very clean and at the right age. He also did every athletic testing at the NFL combine which is a major plus. If the Lions are looking for a young, low-risk player, Johnson could be the choice.
Johnson finished college with 2460 rushing yards at 5.4 Y/A, and added 702 receiving yards.
To stay top, Brazil Under-17s face Peru this Monday
National team debuted with a win in the South American ChampionshipCredits: Nelson Terme / CBF
After opening with a 5-0 win over Bolivia last Saturday (4), the Brazil U-17 National Team already has another commitment. The team led by coach Carlos Eduardo Patetuci faces Peru this Monday (6), at 8 p.m., at Ameliano Villeta Stadium, in Villeta, Paraguay, in the second round of the South American Championship for the category. The match will be broadcast on SporTV.
For the clash, coach Carlos Eduardo Patetuci will have his full squad available. In other words, all 23 called-up players are at his disposal.
The Brazil National Team coach expects a difficult match, but trusts in the ability of his group.
“I believe that against Peru it will be a very difficult game at first. Also because of the context: Peru lost in its opener [a 4-1 defeat to Argentina] and is coming in to play for its chance to stay alive in the competition. So, it will be a tough opponent. We have already studied the opponent. We know their strengths and also some weaker points for us to exploit,” the coach said.
Top scorer on the team with three goals, forward Kauê Furquim stressed the importance of staying focused.
“We have to keep our feet on the ground and stay focused on this next match. God willing, we’ll go in the same way we did in the first game, and everything will work out.”
With three points, the Brazil U-17 National Team sits at the top of Group B.
Phil Parkinson lauded the quality of Josh Windass after the forward's "top-class" goal in Wrexham's 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion.
The 32-year-old netted his 12th goal of the campaign across all competitions as the Red Dragons came from 2-0 down to earn a point against the Baggies at The Hawthorns on Friday.
"He's a player who can produce big moments and he's done that with a brilliant finish," Parkinson said of Windass.
"He backs himself, he really does, and that's 12 for the season.
"It was a really top-class goal, it really was, so I'm delighted with it."
Lewis O'Brien netted Wrexham's equalising goal against West Brom as his side moved back above next opponents Southampton into sixth place in the Championship.
And the midfielder echoed Parkinson's thoughts on Windass - adding that the team as a whole have done well to contribute in front of goal this term.
"His quality is fantastic. He'll give everything on the pitch and he does pop up with the moments that, when you do need them, he seems to always be that person at the moment that gets the goal and gets the assists or whatever it is," said O'Brien.
"We've got a quality side and I think if you look throughout the season, it's not just been one person scoring all the goals, getting all the assists. We're all chipping in here and there.
"I probably could have got a few more than I've got at the moment, but I think we're all just trying our hardest to push Wrexham where we want to be."
Feb 28, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Jose Berrios (17) throws a pitch against the New York Yankees in the second inning during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Players throughout the MLB have flashed their fantasy baseball value through the first week of the season. On the pitcher's mound, Toronto Blue Jays starter Jose Berrios is expected to receive the same opportunity to show out. Berrios is dealing with injury coming into the season, enduring a stress fracture in his elbow.
The Blue Jays' bullpen has undergone significant injury to start the season, but received an encouraging update ahead of the weekend. Berrios is working to rehab his injury without surgery and reportedly faced hitters for the first time over the weekend. Along with Berrios, fellow starters Trey Yesavage and Shane Bieber are dealing with injuries in the early part of the regular season.
Due to the team's injuries within the bullpen, several members have seen their names kicked around the rumor mill, including the likes of Berrios. The team reportedly expressed willingness to move the 31-year-old back in December after inking Dylan Cease to a nine-year deal.
Such rumors have persisted, as teams could use Berrios' added depth within their respective bullpens. He's likely to garner notable trade interest within the market and could command a solid return for Toronto to build on.
The Chicago White Sox, working to snap a four-year playoff drought, could benefit from the addition of Berrios in the trade market. Let's look at a mock trade that sends the star pitcher to Milwaukee:
Toronto Blue Jays-Chicago White Sox Mock Trade & Fantasy Baseball Impact
Feb 23, 2026; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Jose Berrios (17) throws a pitch in the first inning against the New York Mets at TD Ballpark. | Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
Toronto receives Andrew Benintendi
Milwaukee receives Jose Berrios
The proposed deal is a simple veteran swap for both sides. The Blue Jays send Berrios to the White Sox, receiving back veteran lefty hitter Andrew Benintendi. The two players are on similar contracts, with both sides benefiting from a potential trade.
From a fantasy baseball perspective, Berrios' fantasy stock could take a slight hit with a move to Chicago, joining one of the more inconsistent defensive units within the majors. Still, he offers plenty of value, sustaining consistent strikeout production over the last several years. He's coming off a somewhat inconsistent 2025 campaign, posting a lackluster 4.17 ERA, but totaled 138 strikeouts over 166 innings.
Benintendi's stock could elevate slightly, filling a massive need for a lefty bat for the Blue Jays. He joins a stacked offense headlined by the likes of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Andres Jimenez and should carve out a significant role while sustaining his recent trend of production.
Why The Blue Jays Make The Trade
Mar 26, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Chicago White Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi (23) reacts after striking out in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Now is a tough time to move a pitcher in a banged-up bullpen for the Blue Jays, sure, but the return offers plenty of upside. Coming into the 2026 regular season, Toronto featured a glaring need for a left-handed power bat, a billing Benintendi could fill nicely. Benintendi has eclipsed triple-digit hit numbers in each of his last three seasons, while posting back-to-back 20-home run campaigns in 2024 and 2025. Considering the team's injuries within the bullpen, they could greatly benefit from an immediate return on the offensive end.
Why The White Sox Make The Trade
Mar 6, 2026; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Jose Berrios (17) throws a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first inning during spring training at TD Ballpark. | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The White Sox are looking to bounce back after a lackluster 2025 campaign. The team's defensive unit emerged as one of the worst in the MLB last season, revealing a need for depth within the bullpen coming into a crucial 2026 season. Berrios has struggled to limit hits from the mound, but his strikeout production presents a positive foundation for the defense to build on. The team fills a need on the defensive end, and adds a veteran arm to a youthful - and often inconsistent - bullpen.
Tennessee guard Clarence Massamba (4) dribbles the ball during a NCAA basketball game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee State Tigers at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville, Tenn., on Nov. 20, 2025. | Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Tennessee has its second entry into the transfer portal this morning, as freshman Clarence Massamba told VolQuest his intentions. Massamba spent just one year in the program after joining Tennessee late last recruiting cycle.
The 6-5 guard appeared in 12 games for Tennessee this season, logging 39 total minutes. He scored four points on the season, buried on the depth chart out of the rotation. Massamba came over from France as a 3-star prospect. He spent time playing on AS Monaco’s U21 team in France, averaging just under ten points per game before arriving in Knoxville.
“He is a long, athletic, versatile guard who can really attack in the open court,” Rick Barnes said a year ago after signing Massamba. “He is good with the ball in his hands, yet also possesses the ability to excel without it. Clarence has a nice feel for the game and an excellent basketball IQ. He is a hard-working, driven young man who plays with a chip on his shoulder and our fans will love seeing the way he competes.”
Massamba joins Cade Phillips in the transfer portal, making two Volunteers so far. In today’s climate, there are sure to be more.
Tennessee has clear needs to replace Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Felix Okpara. Nate Ament is expected to turn pro, which will create another opening in the starting five. The Volunteers have already picked up a commitment from Belmont shooting guard Tyler Lundblade, starting to fill an immediate need for outside shooting.
IOWA CITY — Teagan Mallegni is entering the transfer portal after two years with Iowa women’s basketball, a source close to the situation confirmed to the Register.
A 6-foot-1 sophomore who offered 3-point potential mostly at the “4” position, Mallegni’s second year with the Hawkeyes never really got off the ground. She appeared in just 15 games after playing in 30 as a freshman, averaging 5.5 minutes, 1.5 points and 1.3 rebounds per game. Mallegni shot just 24% from the field (8-for-33) and 15% from deep (3-for-20) in her final year with the Hawkeyes.
After missing Iowa’s two NCAA Tournament games last season with an ill-timed concussion suffered in practice, Mallegni hoped injuries were behind her entering her sophomore campaign. But an ankle injury suffered in Iowa’s exhibition win over Ashland on Oct. 30 kept the turbulence coming. She didn’t make her season debut until Iowa’s third game of the year against Drake. Mallegni had two points in five minutes against the Bulldogs on Nov. 13 and totaled 11 minutes in Iowa’s next three games versus UNI, Baylor and Miami. She then had to have her tonsils removed the week of Nov. 24 once the Hawkeyes returned from the WBCA Showcase. Mallegni didn’t play again until Dec. 13 against Lindenwood, scoring five points in three minutes.
By that point, freshman Journey Houston had largely passed Mallegni in the main rotation. From there. Mallegni played double-digit minutes in just three games — all blowouts — against Penn State (Dec. 28), Purdue (Feb. 19) and Wisconsin (March 1).
Iowa’s 81-52 win over the Badgers did give Mallegni a chance to shine back in her home state. With numerous friends and family looking on at Kohl Center, which sits just nine miles from her former stomping grounds at McFarland High School, Mallegni put up 10 points, two rebounds, four assists and two steals in a season-high 15 minutes.
For all the new-age reasons why players enter the transfer portal, this one simply feels like an old-school search for more playing time. Mallegni will have two years of eligibility left wherever she lands.
Dargan Southard is a sports trending reporter and covers Iowa athletics for the Des Moines Register and HawkCentral.com. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.
Patrick Mouratoglou caused quite a stir recently when he claimed that tennis could become irrelevant within the next three decades.
According to Mouratoglou, the sport’s unwillingness to evolve is turning younger generations away, and there aren’t enough changes being made to keep them engaged.
The coach, who founded the modern tennis league UTS, believes that it’s the older fans who are keeping tennis popular for now.
But while Mouratoglou sees warning signs ahead for the sport, Mark Petchey has a much more optimistic view of where things are headed.
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Mark Petchey pushes back against Patrick Mouratoglou’s concerns over tennis’s future
Patrick Mouratoglou’s comments have sparked a wider conversation about the current state of tennis, even as the sport has seen steady growth in recent years.
But Petchey, who has coached the likes of Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu, is much more optimistic about where things are heading.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Petchey wrote: “Record crowds [and] record viewing figures for The Tennis Channel last month. [I’ve] never seen so many twenty somethings in the stands and grounds at Indian Wells.”
He followed up with: “The reports of tennis death are greatly exaggerated. Facts are stubborn things,” which appeared to be a direct response to Mouratoglou’s comments, even if he didn’t mention him by name.
Patrick Mouratoglou’s UTS could be just what tennis needs
Mouratoglou’s warning about the future of tennis may be overstated, but his efforts to push the sport forward shouldn’t be overlooked.
The UTS Tour, which offers a faster, more engaging format for younger fans, has gained real momentum, drawing strong crowds and positive attention.
UTS events aren’t struggling to fill seats. Their recent event in Nimes, won by Felix Auger-Aliassime, drew 13,000 fans to Les Arènes de Nîmes.
Mouratoglou explained why he launched the UTS Tour: “I’d been thinking about it for a while. I really wanted to reach a new, younger fanbase for tennis, in addition to the existing one.”
“For me,” he continued. “It’s an essential complement for the future, but we’re not competing with what the ATP, the WTA or the Grand Slams are doing.
“I had a long-term vision; not for a moment did I think it was a one-off or that it would only last one or two years.”
The support from both players and fans is clear and suggests that UTS can thrive alongside traditional tennis rather than in opposition to it.
BENGALURU: For over two decades, Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid stood shoulder-to-shoulder — for India, Karnataka and Royal Challengers Bengaluru — forming the spine of teams built on discipline and excellence. Rarely were they on opposite sides. At the M Chinnaswamy Stadium now, that has changed — symbolically.
The former India captains have bowling ends named after them at their home ground, a decision taken by the Karnataka State Cricket Association in Feb this year to honour two of its most illustrious sons.
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On Sunday, ahead of the southern derby between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings, Kumble and Dravid, accompanied by their families, formally unveiled the ends.
In a brief but emotionally charged pre-match ceremony, the greats were given a rousing reception by a packed stadium. The Chinnaswamy, a venue that shaped their journeys from promising cricketers to legends, echoed with applause as the two walked out together — one more time.
Their former India teammate and current KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad, along with secretary Santosh Menon, presented citations to them.
Kumble began his address in English before switching to Kannada, but his words were largely drowned out by the deafening cheers from the stands. Both Kumble and Dravid thanked the KSCA for the honour and acknowledged the role of the BCCI, their families and fans in their journeys.
The occasion was made more special with their families by their side. Kumble was joined by his wife Chetana and children Aaruni, Mayas and Svasti, while Dravid was accompanied by his mother Pushpa and brother Vijay.
After the ceremony, Kumble quickly returned to his broadcaster duties, while Dravid spent some time greeting players from both the teams.
At the Chinnaswamy Stadium, where they built their legacy together, Kumble and Dravid now stand bound together forever in history.
Coach confirms Manchester City star to leave at end of the season
Bernardo Silva Leaving Man City: End of Era Confirmed
Manchester City are preparing for a significant transition, with Bernardo Silva leaving at the end of the season after nine years at the club. Confirmation has arrived via assistant manager Pep Lijnders, bringing clarity to a situation that had long been anticipated internally.
Photo IMAGO
Silva’s departure signals more than a routine squad change. It marks the exit of one of the most influential figures of the club’s modern era, a player whose consistency and intelligence have underpinned sustained success under Pep Guardiola.
Lijnders Confirms Bernardo Silva Exit
There had been an expectation that Silva would move on when his contract expired, but the timing and certainty have now been formalised. Lijnders made the situation explicit, acknowledging both the inevitability and the emotion surrounding the decision.
Photo IMAGO
“Every good story comes to an end, and I hope he enjoys the last months – there are only six weeks – and has a good farewell. He deserves all that attention as well.”
That message reflects the club’s recognition of Silva’s contribution, as well as a desire to give him an appropriate send off during his final appearances at the Etihad Stadium.
Unique Role Leaves Void at Man City
Replacing Bernardo Silva presents a complex challenge for Manchester City. His profile has never been easily defined, blending technical control, positional intelligence and leadership qualities that have evolved over time.
Lijnders addressed that difficulty directly.
“You never replace a player with the same kind of player because they don’t exist. Bernardo Silva is unique. The way he controls games, the way he moves, the way he receives, the way he leads, the way he sees the solutions. All these things.”
This is not simply about statistics or output. Silva has functioned as a connector within Guardiola’s system, bridging midfield and attack while maintaining tempo and balance.
Career Legacy Highlights His Importance
Since joining from Monaco in 2017, Silva has been central to Manchester City’s domestic and European dominance. His record includes 19 major trophies, among them six Premier League titles and the Champions League triumph in 2023.
Photo IMAGO
He has also been a constant presence. His 450th appearance for the club came in the recent 4-0 win over Liverpool, underlining both durability and trust within the squad.
Appointed captain this season, he added another layer to his legacy by lifting the Carabao Cup as skipper, reinforcing his influence on and off the pitch.
Man City Future Hinges on Evolution
City’s approach to replacing Silva will focus on adaptation rather than replication. Lijnders outlined a strategy built around internal development and targeted recruitment.
“You never search for a replacement of one type of player. You search for what is needed to grow with the team and somebody who can fit in the first 11. And then you hope, with our academy, with the young players we already bought, that they can make that step as well in the midfield positions.
“If you see our young boys in the academy, then they have to make that step and to grow. But the most important is that the seniors who stay for a long time, that they stay, that they stay, that they stay. That they are always there and around that, you can move.
“But it will be hard because, as I said, in the game, when he is not playing, you will see how he is missed, and that’s one game. Imagine a season.”
Bernardo Silva leaving Man City represents a turning point. The challenge now lies in how effectively the club reshapes its midfield while maintaining the standards he helped establish.
Erling Haaland delivered another masterclass in finishing as Manchester City stormed past Liverpool 4-0 at the Etihad, securing a record-extending eighth consecutive FA Cup semi-final appearance
The Norway striker’s treble was historic in multiple ways. It was his 12th hat-trick since joining City in July 2022, the most of any player in Europe’s big five leagues during that period, moving him one clear of Harry Kane
Haaland also became the first Manchester City player in 89 years to score a hat-trick against Liverpool, a feat last achieved by Eric Brook at Anfield in March 1937. This season alone, he has netted six goals in three games against Liverpool, twice as many as in his previous eight encounters with the Reds
It also made him only the ninth player in this century to score a hat-trick against Liverpool across all competitions, joining a very exclusive list.
Since his arrival, the 22-year-old has become synonymous with scoring bursts, turning City’s attacking prowess into something almost unstoppable. His 12 hat-tricks across all competitions are already setting records, and Saturday’s performance reinforced why he is considered one of the most prolific forwards in Europe
Beyond personal milestones, Haaland’s heroics secured City’s first FA Cup victory over Liverpool since 1973, extended their home winning streak in the competition to 18 matches, and underlined their bid for a fourth consecutive FA Cup final.
Cooper Flagg delivered another standout performance as the NBA regular season approaches its conclusion.
The rookie starred in Dallas’ 134-128 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, producing a dominant all-round display that underlined his importance to the team.
Flagg recorded 46 points, eight rebounds and nine assists. Dallas’ second best scorer in the game, P.J. Washington, added just 15 points, highlighting the gap in output. It also marked a second straight game with over 45 points for the Rookie of Year contender.
Cooper Flagg shows class with gesture to fans after Lakers performance
Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images
Despite playing 39 minutes and carrying a heavy workload, Flagg still made time for supporters immediately after the final buzzer.
Footage shared by journalist Abby Jones showed the rookie stopping on his way to the locker room to sign items for fans who were waiting for him after the team tunnel.
The moment reflected his composure off the court, matching the maturity he continues to display during high-pressure performances late in the season, and also reinforced his growing connection with supporters.
Cooper Flagg joins elite teenage company in NBA history
Flagg’s recent performances have also placed him in rare statistical territory among teenage players.
According to StatMuse, he has become just the third teenager to record at least 10 NBA games with 25 points, five rebounds and five assists.
He joins an exclusive list that includes LeBron James and Luka Doncic, underlining the historic start to his professional career.
Who is Central Wisconsin's standout high school track athlete of the week? You be the judge.
The Menke GMC Athlete of the Week poll for March 30- April 6 is now live until noon, Thursday, April 9.
Cast your vote for the best track performance around the area from high school standouts across Central Wisconsin. Refresh the page if the poll does not populate.
Bella Thomas, Assumption girls track and field: Thomas snatched first place in the 60-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter races at the Red Hawk Challenge on Tuesday, March 31.
Elise Christianson, Amherst girls track and field: Christianson took first place in the high jump event at the Wisconsin State Indoor track and field meet on Saturday, April 4.
Raegan Abel, Pacelli girls track and field: Abel finished first in the 200-meter race at the UW-Osh Kosh Girls D2 & D3 invite on Tuesday, March 31.
Evelyn Bablitch, Rosholt girls track and field: Bablitch took first place in the 800-meter race at the UW-Osh Kosh Girls D2 & D3 invite on Tuesday, March 31.
Tessa Bruckhart, Stevens Point girls track and field: Bruckhart finished in first place in the 1,600-meter race at the Point Indoor Distance Carnival on Saturday, April 4.
Lucy Dolan, Assumption girls track and field: Dolan finished first in the 800-meter race at the Red Hawk Challenge on Tuesday, March 31.
Khloe Olson, Merrill girls track and field: Olson snatched first place in the 50-meter race and long jump event at the BlueJay Indoor Track Invitational on Tuesday, March 31.
Harper Rogowski, Wittenberg-Birnamwood girls track and field: Rogowski took first place in the 400-meter race and second place in the 800-meter races at the BlueJay Indoor Track Invitational on Tuesday, March 31.
Mackenzie Keip, Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln girls track and field: Keip took first place in the 800-meter and 1,440-meter races at the BlueJay Indoor Track Invitational on Tuesday, March 31.
Kelsie Davis, Wittenberg-Birnamwood girls track and field: Davis finished first in the shot put event at the BlueJay Indoor Track Invitational on Tuesday, March 31.
Chris Marcell, Marathon boys track and field: Marcell snatched first place in the shot put event at the Wisconsin State Indoor track and field meet on Saturday, April 4.
Luke Eiden, Pacelli boys track and field: Eiden took first place in the 800-meter race at the UW-Osh Kosh boys D2 & D3 invite on Wednesday, April 1.
Xavier Edwards, D.C. Everest boys track and field: Edwards took first place in the triple jump event at the Wisconsin State Indoor track and field meet on Saturday, April 4.
Latrell Rogers, Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln boys track and field: Rogers took first place in the 50-meter race at the BlueJay Indoor Track Invitational on Tuesday, March 31.
Aydrean McGeshick, Wittenberg-Birnamwood boys track and field: McGeshick finished first in the 200-meter race and long jump events at the BlueJay Indoor Track Invitational on Tuesday, March 31.
Tyler Spade, Merrill boys track and field: Spade notched first place in the 400-meter race at the BlueJay Indoor Track Invitational on Tuesday, March 31.
Eli Hoffman, Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln boys track and field: Hoffman took first place in the 1,600-meter race at the BlueJay Indoor Track Invitational on Tuesday, March 31.
Javion Knighten, Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln boys track and field: Knighten took first place in the 50m hurdles at the BlueJay Indoor Track Invitational on Tuesday, March 31.
Julius Knighten, Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln boys track and field: Knighten took first place in the high jump event at the BlueJay Indoor Track Invitational on Tuesday, March 31.
Logan Gibson, Wittenberg-Birnamwood boys track and field: Gibson snatched first place in the triple jump event at the BlueJay Indoor Track Invitational on Tuesday, March 31.
Riley Spindler, Stratford baseball: Spindler finished with one hit, one run, three RBI and a triple in Stratford’s 14-3 win over Regis.
JJ Oswald, Assumption baseball: Oswald notched three hits, three runs and three RBI including a triple in Assumption’s 11-1 win over Owen-Withee.
Kendall Lex, Witteberg-Birnamwood softball: Lex struck out 10, yielding zero hits and zero runs in a 15-0 win over Weyauega-Fremont.
Mayven Schneider, Marathon softball: Schneider finished with two hits, two RBI and a home run in a 15-5 win over Elliott County.
Raegan Wilhorn, Nekoosa softball: Wilhorn, a sophomore, relented only two hits and zero earned runs while striking out 14 in a 10-0 victory over Berlin.
Contact or send game stats/info to Sports Reporter Alfred Smith III at alfred.smith@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @AlfredS_III.
In yet another sign of the growing popularity of women's hockey, the PWHL set a new U.S. attendance record as the Seattle Torrent and New York Sirens played Saturday, April 4, in front of a sellout crowd of 18,006 at Madison Square Garden.
It marked the eighth time a U.S. arena record for a women’s hockey game has been set since the league's inaugural puck drop in January 2024 – and the fourth time this season alone.
Playing their first game at the storied New York City arena, the Sirens won 2-1 in a shootout.
Fittinginly for a game in New York, there were plenty of dignitaries on hand. PWHL Advisory Board member Billie Jean King participated in the ceremonial pregame puck drop, where she was joined by her wife, former tennis star Ilana Koss, and LSU basketball star Flau’jae Johnson.
"It’s hard not to get choked up," Stan Kasten, the Los Angeles Dodgers' CEO and also a PWHL board member, told The Athletic. "We were not forecasting this. Not in year three."
Latest: Chelsea given potential return date from injury which could have major effect on summer plans
Reece James could be back for Chelsea in a month’s time, meaning he can still affect the run-in and build some form ahead of the World Cup.
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Reece James’ hamstring injury came at the worst possible time for Chelsea as the Blues battle for a Champions League place. But from the player’s perspective, it at least came soon enough for him to have recovery time before the World Cup.
A report from Jacob Steinberg in the Guardian today claims that James could be back at the start of May, giving him time to play a few games for Chelsea to get his match fitness back and prove himself ahead of Thomas Tuchel’s final selection.
Tuchel taking James – but Chelsea can use him too
The England coach is such a big fan that James doesn’t really have to worry about his place as long as he’s fit – but he will want to show he’s physically ready and to try to find some form before the tournament too.
From Chelsea’s point of view, while they will miss him for these next crucial games, they would at least have him back for a potential FA Cup final at the end of the season, should they navigate past Leeds in the next round.
In other news…
Estevao was called a “real plus” by Liam Rosenior, who had the Brazilian available on Saturday to start for the first time since mid-February.
In the same interview, Estevao spoke about how the other Brazilians at Chelsea had helped him settle in as quickly as he has.
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Manchester United set Manuel Ugarte asking price with four clubs keen
Manchester United have set an asking price of €40m (£34.8m) for Manuel Ugarte amid interest from clubs in England and Europe.
Ugarte has struggled to make the desired impact since signing for Manchester United from Paris Saint-Germain for a fee in the region of £51m in 2024.
The Uruguay international has fallen out of favour this season, starting just seven games in the Premier League.
United are prepared to cut their losses on the player, but aim to recoup a significant part of their investment. According to Caught Offside, the Red Devils will demand a fee of €40m.
Juventus have been heavily linked with the defensive midfielder and sent scouts to watch Ugarte during the recent international break. Atletico Madrid had been linked, though the Spanish side are prioritising Atalanta midfielder Ederson.
Despite Ugarte’s underwhelming displays at Old Trafford, there is also English interest. Newcastle United and Aston Villa are both long-term admirers of Ugarte, who impressed at Sporting CP before difficult spells with PSG and United. Both are considering offering Ugarte a lifeline for the right fee.
Chelsea set sights on Sunderland shot-stopper for summer deal
Chelsea have shortlisted Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs as a potential upgrade in goal this summer.
Roefs has been a standout in Sunderland’s impressive campaign since promotion, having arrived from NEC Nijmegen for a fee of around £9m last summer.
The Dutchman has recorded eight clean sheets in the Premier League and ranks highly for saves (4th) and save percentage (3rd – 72.2%).
Chelsea are one of several sides now contemplating an approach. Robert Sanchez has struggled to convince as number one, while Filip Jorgensen has also failed to stake his claim.
Roefs is considered a Premier League proven upgrade on the pair, though TEAMtalk say bidding will need to reach around £60m. Liverpool are also monitoring Roefs amid doubts over Alisson’s future.
Chelsea do have Mike Penders out on loan at Strasbourg and a decision will be made on whether to pursue a new goalkeeper or hand the 20-year-old an opportunity in pre-season.
Sunderland are willing to entertain big offers for leading names. The Black Cats are likely to require sales in the summer, after heavy investment upon promotion, and Roefs would offer an instant profit.
It's a small target. In fact, the Tigers have finally decided it's too small of a target.
Astute Comerica Park observers might have noticed that for 2026, the hole in the glove of the Little Caesars mascot atop the bullpens has grown substantially. It's actually now more than twice the size of what it was — which should more than double fans' chances of one day perhaps scoring some free pizza.
The Little Caesars advertisement atop the bullpens beyond the left-center field wall was installed at Comerica Park ahead of the 2021 season, as a fun little promo: Should a Tiger hit a home run through the round hole in the glove, then fans would get free pizza.
Problem is, five seasons in, no Tiger has done it during a game. Not once. There have been occasional close calls, but none have triggered the pizza prize.
So, the Tigers and Little Caesars — both owned by the Ilitch family — decided to improve the odds this season. The hole used to be less than 3 feet across, or 33 inches. It is now 6 feet across, or 72 inches, according to the ballclub. The Tigers say the diameter of the target has doubled, and that the total area has nearly tripled.
If a Tiger one day finally hits a home run through the whole on Caesar's mitt, then all fans — not just those in attendance at that day's game — will receive a promo code for a free large pepperoni or cheese pizza. The pizzas will be redeemable at all participating southeast Michigan Little Caesars locations, which includes most if not all of the Metro Detroit stores. It must be a Tiger to hit the home run; an opponent's home run does not count.
Home runs that will trigger the free pizza:
▶ A direct home run into the mitt.
▶ A home run that hits the top of the bullpens and rolls in.
▶ A home run that hits the top of the bullpens and bounces in.
Home runs that won't trigger the free pizza:
▶ Any ball that is interfered with by a fan.
▶ Any ball that is thrown into the hole by a fan.
▶ Any ball that deflects off an outfielder's glove, head, body, etc., and goes in.
Just to be clear, it must be a home run to trigger the free pizza. It can't be a ground-rule double.
Since the start of the 2021 season, the Tigers have hit exactly 400 home runs at home. That total includes five this season, including four in Saturday's 11-6 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.
It's about 380 to 390 feet to the hole in Caesar's glove, to score the free pizza.
As for the breadsticks, well, you're on your own.
tpaul@detroitnews.com
@tonypaul1984
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Alabama's Ty Simpson (15) celebrates following the College Football Playoff game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Friday Dec. 19, 2025. | SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Jets need a long-term answer quarterback. Fernando Mendoza is not a plausible option. The top quarterback prospect in this year’s NFL Draft is a lock to go number one overall to the Las Vegas Raiders.
To the extent there is a consensus choice for the number two quarterback, it is Alabama’s Ty Simpson.
Simpson is unlikely to be an option for the Jets with the second overall pick, but he could be in play at pick 16 or maybe even 33.
Do Jets fans want the team to pick Simpson? If our latest SB Nation Reacts survey is any sort of indication, the answer is no.
I too would have reservations about the Jets picking Simpson.
While the Jets do need a long-term answer at quarterback, simply picking a quarterback does not necessarily provide that. It’s important to pick the right quarterback.
Simpson lacks experience. He started only 15 games in college. That means he likely will need a fair amount of development and potentially need to sit his first year. While the Jets do have Geno Smith locked in as their Week 1 starter, I think it’s fair to wonder whether Smith will play well enough all season long to keep Simpson on the bench. More to the point, the Jets don’t have an ideal infrastructure in place to bring along a quarterback like Simpson at this point.
The team also has three first round picks in 2027, which will give them a good shot at getting a quarterback,
When Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam spoke to the media recently, he spoke highly of the amount of work that Shedeur Sanders is putting in this offseason. He said that Sanders has been working out early and has been in Cleveland for most of the winter. He praised his dedication and hard work to understand what it takes to be an NFL quarterback.
It appears as though Sanders may have a legitimate case to be the starter going into the season. Although Haslam has expressed the potential for Deshaun Watson to be the starter this season, the team may decide to continue with the young quarterback instead. Watson has now suffered two separate Achilles tears in his career, along with a wide range of other injuries. It has been quite some time since he has taken in-game snaps, so it would be a huge risk to put him out on the field again.
On the other hand, the team has had the opportunity to watch Sanders develop over the past year and will be eager to see whether his offseason work has paid off. A whole new offensive staff will come in with fresh eyes, but a lot of information to use from the organization about Sanders.
If he continues to put in the work during training camp and demonstrates clear progress to the front office and coaching staff, it’s likely the team will lean toward starting him this season.
Let me know what you think in the comments – How likely is it that Shedeur Sanders is the starter this season?
DALLAS, TEXAS - AUGUST 04: Jake Paul and Nate Diaz face off during a weigh-in before their fight at American Airlines Center on August 04, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jake Paul is once again teasing a foray into the world of cage fighting, and he already has his first potential opponent picked out.
Paul has spent years beating up aged UFC legends in the boxing ring, and now he wants to round out his record with an MMA fight as well. He’s in the midst of promoting his first mixed martial arts card on Netflix May 16h, featuring Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano. And on the undercard is Nate Diaz, whom Paul has revealed he still wants to fight.
“I want Nate in MMA,” Paul told Theo Von in a recent video. “It’s high on my list of priorities, to do that.”
Paul and Diaz have already fought before in boxing, with “The Problem Child” beating Diaz convincingly with 98–91, 98-91, and 97–92 scores. Nate would later claim he was badly injured and didn’t bother to train for their fight.
“He probably wants a certain amount of money to take the risk of losing to me,” Paul added. “I think it’s gonna happen though.”
The one thing standing in the way of Paul vs. Diaz, according to Jake? Diaz’s current fight against “Platinum” Mike Perry on the Rousey vs. Carano undercard. Perry has built a name for himself as bare knuckle boxing’s ‘King of Violence,’ and we’d pick him over the inconsistent Diaz in a boxing match any day.
“I think he will [beat Perry],” Paul said. “I think he will take him down and submit him.”
Will Diaz really take down Perry, though? Logically, it makes sense for Nate to do that, but the younger Diaz brother is unpredictable in and out of a fight. He recently turned down a trilogy fight with Conor McGregor because he wants to fight Charles Oliveira. He turned down $15 million to fight Jake Paul in MMA years ago. And yeah, we wouldn’t be surprised if he refuses to take his fight with Perry to the ground.
If he manages to win on May 16th, though, Jake Paul says a Nate Diaz fight is his top priority.
“If he beats Perry, then me versus Nate is probably the number one thing on the list,” Paul said. “Above Tommy Fury, above Francis Ngannou, above KSI.”
Tom Lee’s Bitmine Immersion bought 71,252 Ethereum, increasing total holdings to 4,803,334 ETH, roughly 3.98 percent of the circulating supply. The firm’s combined crypto and cash portfolio is valued at $11.4 billion, including $8.64 billion in ETH, $864 million in cash, and other assets. Of its Ethereum, 3,334,637 ETH worth $7.1 billion is staked, highlighting a strategy that blends long-term accumulation with active network participation to earn yield and strengthen influence in the Ethereum ecosystem.
The OCC’s final rule went live on April 1, expanding what national trust banks can do to include digital asset custody, and Ripple’s conditionally approved charter now has a live framework to operate under. Crypto is not coming. It already sits inside the banking system, and the regulators writing the rules know it.
The XRP price prediction matters for holders who see XRP stuck at $1.29 during this pullback. But look at the bigger picture. The US gave Bitcoin a legal framework, launched crypto ETFs, classified XRP as a commodity, and now lets Ripple run a federally regulated trust bank.
Washington wants crypto woven into the financial system. Pepeto raised $8.68 million with a working exchange, and getting in now means planting your flag before crypto stops being a market and becomes the backbone of global finance.
XRP Price Prediction Gets Context as OCC Rule Activates Ripple’s Federal Trust Bank
The OCC’s final rule took effect on April 1, expanding national trust bank scope to cover digital asset custody alongside traditional fiduciary services, according to Yahoo Finance. Ripple’s conditionally approved charter now has the operational framework it needed to move forward.
The XRP Ledger hit a record 4.49 million daily transactions this week while active addresses topped 200,000 and total wallets crossed 7.7 million, all-time highs for the 13-year-old network, per CoinMarketCap.
The XRP price prediction gains from this federal backing because every ODL transaction uses XRP as the bridge asset, but the exchange still at presale pricing and set to process volume when trillions flow on chain is where the real return sits before listing.
The Final Entry Before Crypto Becomes the Banking System
Pepeto
Markets pay the people who have better data and move on it first. Pepeto closes that gap for good because the working exchange hands every holder the same answers that big players used to keep behind closed doors, and the tools already run live.
The platform tracks whale wallet moves, flags shifts in momentum, and catches risky contracts before your money gets close. The contract scanner spots hidden drains and dangerous permissions, PepetoSwap clears every swap at zero cost, and the cross-chain bridge moves tokens between ETH, BNB, and Solana without fees. You unlock everything by holding the token.
The XRP price prediction shows XRP grinding back over months, but the presale-priced exchange token with a confirmed Binance listing is where the gap between effort and return closes completely. More than $8.68 million raised at $0.0000001862 during extreme fear, with 188% APY staking compounding positions while stages fill. SolidProof reviewed the full codebase, and the person who took the original Pepe token to $11 billion on a 420 trillion supply designed this exchange alongside a former Binance executive.
In every market cycle, the wallets that changed their owners’ lives were the ones that spotted a working project at ground-level pricing and refused to wait, and Pepeto at $0.0000001862 is that decision right now. Once the Binance listing opens, this presale price stops existing, and the open market takes over.
XRP Forecast: Where Does XRP Go From $1.29?
XRP trades at $1.29 on April 5 below its 200-day moving average of $1.88, according to CoinMarketCap.
The XRP price prediction for 2026 targets $2.80 per Standard Chartered under moderate conditions, roughly a 2x from here. Ripple’s RLUSD hit $1.56 billion in market cap, and the CLARITY Act goes to Senate markup after April 13. If it passes, Standard Chartered’s target jumps to $8.
XRP ETFs pulled over $1 billion in inflows since their November launch, but weekly flows have thinned. The XRP price prediction confirms XRP is built for the stablecoin era, but 2x over months is not the 100x the presale delivers from one listing.
Conclusion
The XRP price prediction for 2026 keeps improving, but the honest math shows that XRP’s early days ended long ago. From $1.29, even the best targets offer a fraction of what presale entries deliver. The real opportunity in 2026 belongs to the projects still at ground-level pricing with products already running.
No other project this year puts the Pepe cofounder’s track record, live exchange tools, and meme coin energy together at presale pricing. The Pepeto official website is where this window stays open, and getting in before the listing is how you capture real returns this year instead of sitting on the sideline while the XRP price prediction plays out at a crawl.
Hyperliquid price is gaining traction with the broader crypto market rally, rising nearly 4% today while holding firm after a breakout retest. HYPE price is consolidating just below the $45 resistance zone, with no clear rejection, suggesting buyers are absorbing supply and maintaining control.
But can HYPE price break above $45 and push toward a new higher high toward $60? Read our HYPE price prediction below.
Bullish Positioning Strengthens As On-chain and Derivatives Align
Market positioning around HYPE is strengthening as both derivatives and on-chain metrics begin to align in favor of continuation. The long/short ratio remains elevated near 1.47, indicating that long positions are dominating and traders are increasingly positioning for upside. This shift typically reflects growing directional confidence rather than short-term speculation.
Beyond derivatives, on-chain data reinforces the strength of the setup. Hyperliquid L1 continues to hold $1.65 billion in Total Value Locked (TVL), signaling sustained capital presence within the ecosystem. At the same time, perpetual futures volume has surged to $5.19 billion over the past 24 hours, highlighting strong participation and liquidity depth.
Network activity also remains stable, with DEX volume around $93.7 million and application revenue exceeding $1 million, suggesting that underlying usage is holding steady despite recent consolidation. This convergence between capital inflows, active trading participation, and bullish positioning points toward a structurally supported move, rather than a fragile rally.
HYPE Price Prediction: Is a Rally to $60 Next?
Hyperliquid price continues to maintain a constructive bullish structure following its breakout retest, with no signs of weakness emerging in the current range. The $35–$37 zone is acting as immediate support, where price has consistently found demand. On the upside, the $45 level remains the primary resistance, marking the boundary for the next expansion phase.
HYPE price action is now compressing beneath this resistance, forming a tightening range that reflects building pressure rather than distribution. Importantly, repeated tests of this zone have failed to produce strong downside reactions, indicating that sell-side liquidity is gradually being absorbed. If price manages to secure a decisive breakout above $45, the structure opens the path toward $48–$60, followed by an extended move into the $55–$60 range.
Conversely, a breakdown below $30 would invalidate the immediate bullish setup and expose $25 as the next support level. However, current price behavior continues to favor continuation over rejection.
Final Outlook
HYPE is now entering a phase where both market structure and participation metrics are aligned toward a potential expansion move. The token has successfully held its retest, while liquidity, trading activity, and positioning continue to support the current range. This type of setup typically precedes directional continuation rather than prolonged consolidation. If $45 is reclaimed with confirmation, HYPE token is likely to transition into a higher high structure, reinforcing the current move as a continuation phase within a broader uptrend.
TrueFi (TRU) price is up by more than 157%, reaching $0.01112 from the lows of $0.0042 with a mammoth increase in the volume of nearly 8400%. This explosive move appears primarily driven by a massive, coordinated liquidity surge, as no specific catalyst was visible in the provided data. The token is one of the top performers in the crypto market, with the market cap reaching close to $17 million.
The move comes after months of decline, low liquidity, and weak participation, raising a key question for the traders: Is this the start of a trend reversal or just a short-term liquidity-driven spike?
Why is TrueFi (TRU) Price Rising Today?
TrueFi (TRU) price is rising sharply, driven by a surge in trading activity and a breakout from a prolonged downtrend. The token has gained over 90% in a single session, with trading volume jumping more than 2,000% to over $40 million, highlighting a sudden influx of liquidity. With a relatively small market cap of around $15–20 million, even moderate capital inflows can trigger outsized price movements, especially when combined with technical breakout signals.
Trading volume spiked 2,000%+ to ~$40M–$160M, indicating strong participation
Market cap remains low (~$15M–$20M), amplifying volatility
Breakout above descending channel resistance near $0.005–$0.006 triggered buying
Short-term targets now seen around $0.012–$0.015, driven by momentum expansion
This move is being driven by liquidity and momentum, and its sustainability will depend entirely on whether volume and participation continue to hold.
TRU Price Breaks Out After Prolonged Downtrend
TrueFi (TRU) price has recorded a sharp breakout, surging nearly 90% in a single session after months of sustained downside pressure. The move comes after an extended consolidation phase within a descending channel, where price remained suppressed under key moving averages. This sudden expansion in price and volume signals a potential shift in short-term momentum, attracting trader attention across the market.
The chart shows TRU trading inside a well-defined descending channel for several months, consistently forming lower highs and lower lows. This structure reflects a prolonged bearish trend, reinforced by price staying below major moving averages, including the 100- and 200-day levels, which continue to slope downward.
The recent breakout above the channel resistance marks the first structural change in this trend. Price has moved sharply from the $0.005–$0.006 range to above $0.010, supported by a significant spike in volume. This indicates strong participation rather than a low-liquidity move.
Momentum indicators are also shifting:
MACD turning positive → bearish momentum fading
Volume expansion → confirms strength behind the move
Price reclaiming short-term moving averages → early sign of recovery
However, the broader trend remains cautious, as TRU is still trading below higher timeframe resistance zones and long-term moving averages. This suggests the move is currently a short-term momentum breakout rather than a confirmed trend reversal.
Wrapping it Up- Key Levels to Watch
TRU’s breakout has shifted short-term momentum, but sustainability now depends on holding above the breakout zone. Immediate support lies at $0.008–$0.009, while a loss of this level could drag the price back toward $0.006–$0.0055. On the upside, if momentum sustains, the TrueFi price could target $0.012, followed by a key resistance near $0.014–$0.015, where previous supply is likely to re-enter.
Cronos coin price is expected to go as high as $0.3000 to $0.3500 in 2026.
CRO crypto may cross the $1 mark, with a potential high of $1.3190 by 2029.
Cronos (CRO) serves as the backbone of the Cronos Chain, a high-performance, open-source ecosystem engineered by Crypto.com. Designed to bridge the gap between traditional finance and Web3, CRO acts as a versatile utility token that facilitates instantaneous, low-cost global transactions while powering a vast suite of DeFi applications, perpetuals, and fiat-integrated markets.
Driven by institutional-grade infrastructure and a rapidly expanding global footprint, CRO’s market performance increasingly reflects a surge in investor confidence and real-world utility. As the network matures into 2026, its role in the next generation of digital asset exchange becomes even more pivotal.
In this analysis, we leverage advanced technical indicators and historical performance models to forecast the trajectory of Cronos. Whether you are a long-term holder or a strategic investor, this guide provides essential price projections for 2026 and through to 2035, helping you determine if CRO/USD is the missing piece for your portfolio.
Currently, the Cronos price is experiencing a period of consolidation on the daily chart, hovering around the key horizontal line at approximately $0.0777, which marks an important multi-year demand range (indicated in green). This phase indicates a decrease in momentum, and if this trend continues, we could observe its persistence into March.
On a more optimistic note, should the price successfully break above $0.1000, we can anticipate a robust move towards the 200-day EMA band, potentially reaching around $0.1200 by April. However, if bearish factors come into play, we might see the price retreat to the lower end of the current demand range, possibly down to around $0.0600.
Recent Updates & Network News
On February 5, 2026, Cronos announced the development of a unified trading platform offering tokenized stocks, commodities, and prediction markets. This expansion is supported by a strategic integration with Fireblocks, providing the secure, institutional-grade custody infrastructure necessary for market makers to trade at scale.
Following this, a post on February 28 announced the Cronos v1.7 Network Upgrade is scheduled for March 10 at 07:00 GMT. This technical maintenance will involve approximately 30 minutes of downtime to align with recent SDK updates and implement RPC performance improvements to ensure long-term chain stability.
CRO Price Prediction for 2026
The weekly chart for CRO/USD reveals a persistent long-term structure defined by a well-established accumulation zone. Since late 2023, Cronos has consistently found a floor within the $0.0500 to $0.1000 demand area. This “buy zone” has historically triggered significant rallies, notably in late 2024 and mid-2025, where the price peaked at $0.3900.
As of early 2026, CRO has returned to this familiar base, setting the stage for its next major move.
The current weekly price action suggests a period of base-building. We are seeing a repeat of the historical pattern where CRO enters a deep consolidation phase before a vertical expansion.
Supply Zone: The primary target for a breakout lies between $0.3000 and $0.3500.
The Pivot Point: Simply hitting the supply zone isn’t enough; for a true trend reversal, CRO must flip this resistance into support to reclaim its 2022 highs.
Moreover, While the price remains flat, the underlying “engine” of the market (indicators) is starting to show signs of exhaustion from the bears:
In MACD for instance we are currently approaching a weekly bullish cross. Historically, this cross has served as the starting gun for intensified consolidation that eventually leads to a breakout at later stage.
CMF is the most encouraging sign. The CMF has bounced sharply from a low of -0.32. This move toward the zero line suggests that selling pressure is fading and capital is starting to stabilize within the ecosystem.
RSI & AO, Both indicate that the “cooling off” period is still in effect. This lack of a clear direction in RSI confirms we are in a neutral accumulation phase, which is often known as the quiet before the storm.
What Makes CRO Interesting in 2026?
In 2026, Cronos (CRO) stands out as a unique bridge between high-finance and retail utility. The landscape shifted dramatically in late august 2025 when Trump Media Group announced a $6.42 billion CRO Digital Asset Treasury strategy, signaling a massive institutional endorsement of the token’s scarcity.
Beyond the headlines, Cronos remains a technical powerhouse with zero downtime over four years. It currently supports 150M+ users via the Crypto.com ecosystem and powers payments for 10M+ merchants. While the broader market has cooled in Q1, Cronos maintains a healthy 100,000 daily transactions, proving its resilience. This blend of “battle-tested” infrastructure and “institutional-grade” liquidity makes it a critical pillar of the 2026 digital economy.
Cronos (CRO) Price Prediction for 2027-2035
Year
Minimum Price ($)
Maximum Price ($)
Average Trading Price ($)
2027
0.1690
0.3490
0.2490
2028
0.3570
0.6990
0.5090
2029
0.7100
1.3190
0.9890
2030
1.3490
2.4010
1.8210
2031
2.4200
4.1990
3.2350
2032
4.2210
7.1000
5.5290
2033
7.1090
11.5050
9.1650
2034
11.5910
18.4510
14.7650
2035
18.4290
28.7110
23.1990
Cronos Token Price Prediction for 2027
By 2027 Cronos token price is expected to trade between $0.1690 and $0.3490. The average expected trading cost is $0.2490.
CRO Price Prediction for 2028
In 2028, CRO price is expected to trade between $0.3570 and $0.6990. The average expected trading cost is $0.5090.
Cronos (CRO) Crypto Price Prediction for 2029
Experts expect Cronos crypto to trade between $0.7100 and $1.3190 in 2029. The average expected trading cost is $0.9890.
CRO Price Prediction for 2030
Based on technical CRO price analysis it is expected to trade between $1.3490 and $2.4010 in 2030. The average expected trading cost is $1.8210.
CRO/USD Price Prediction for 2031
Based on technical analysis by experts, in 2031 CRO/USD is expected to trade between $2.4200 and $4.1990. The average expected trading cost is $3.2350.
Cronos Price Prediction for 2032
Following 2031, in 2032, Cronos price is expected to trade between $4.2210 and $7.1000. The average expected trading cost is $5.5290.
CRO Token Price Prediction for 2033
In 2033, CRO token price is expected to trade between $7.1090 and $11.5050, with an average expected trading cost of $9.1650.Price Prediction for 2034
CRO Crypto Price Prediction for 2034
Based on technical analysis by cryptocurrency experts, in 2034 CRO crypto is expected to trade between $11.5910 and $18.4510. The average expected trading cost is $14.7650.
CRO Price Prediction for 2035
According to technical analysis by top specialists, the CRO price is projected to range from $18.4290 to $28.7110 by 2035. The anticipated average trading price is $23.1990.
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FAQs
What is the Cronos (CRO) price prediction for 2026?
CRO is expected to trade within the $0.05–$0.35 range in 2026, with a breakout above $0.30 needed to confirm a bullish reversal.
Can Cronos (CRO) reach $1 by 2030?
Based on long-term projections, CRO could trade between $1.34 and $2.40 by 2030 if adoption and momentum continue.
Is Cronos a good long-term investment through 2035?
Long-term forecasts suggest gradual growth toward higher ranges by 2035, but returns depend on adoption and market cycles.
What could drive CRO price growth in 2026?
Institutional integration, network upgrades, rising utility, and a confirmed bullish MACD cross could support upside momentum.
Michael Saylor’s firm, Strategy, added 4,871 #Bitcoin to its portfolio between April 1 and April 5, spending approximately $329.9 million at an average price of $67,718 per BTC. This brings the company’s total holdings to 766,970 BTC, acquired for about $58.02 billion at an average cost of $75,644 per coin. The move underscores Strategy’s long-term accumulation plan, reflecting continued confidence in Bitcoin as a store of value amid market volatility and institutional adoption trends.
Tomorrow, Tokyo becomes extremely important for Ripple and XRP going forward.
XRP Tokyo 2026 takes place on April 7 at Happo-en – a 400-year-old Japanese garden – bringing together 3,000+ attendees, 20+ speakers, and the senior leadership of Ripple for Asia’s largest conference dedicated exclusively to XRP and the XRP Ledger.
Why Tokyo, Why Now?
Japan is not a peripheral crypto market. It is one of the most regulated and institutionally developed crypto ecosystems on the planet, and XRP sits near the top of it. The JVCEA Green List – Japan’s FSA-recognised framework for institutional-grade crypto assets – currently shows XRP handled by 20 member exchanges, making it the third most widely adopted asset in Japan’s regulated ecosystem behind only BTC and ETH.
Japan’s tokenized real-world asset market is already managing $2.8 billion in institutional platforms, with projections pointing toward $6-7 billion by year end.
XRP Tokyo is where that infrastructure conversation happens at scale.
Ripple is the event’s title sponsor and is sending senior leadership including Christina Chan, Tatsuya Kohrogi, and Markus Infanger. J. Ayo Akinyele, Head of Engineering at RippleX, is also confirmed to speak.
The institutional weight extends beyond Ripple. Takuya Sugiyama, Vice President of SBI Ripple Asia, is on the agenda alongside SungMo Park from a16z Crypto, Tatsuya Yamada from Rakuten Wallet, and representatives from Evernorth, Securitize Japan, and the University of Tokyo.
This is a convergence of builders, capital, and policy.
What XRP Holders Are Watching
On-chain data adds another layer to the timing. XRP whale accumulation just hit a 10-month high, with large holders taking in more than 11 million XRP per day according to CryptoQuant. XRP is currently trading at $1.35, up nearly 4% on the day.
The agenda centres on institutional adoption, RWA tokenization on the XRPL, and DeFi – the three areas where Japan’s regulatory clarity gives XRP a structural advantage over most competing networks.
The CLARITY Act markup is also expected in late April in the US. What gets said in Tokyo tomorrow will land in a market that is actively repricing what institutional XRP adoption actually looks like.
The event runs from 5F to 6F at Happo-en, with an XRP Tokyo Stage, exhibition floor, and VIP after party. It is part of the broader TEAMZ Web3/AI Summit running April 6-8.
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FAQs
What is XRP Tokyo 2026?
XRP Tokyo 2026 is Asia’s largest conference dedicated exclusively to XRP and the XRP Ledger, hosted by XRPL Japan. It brings together institutional players, developers, and builders to discuss XRP’s expanding role in RWA tokenization, DeFi, and global payments.
When and where is XRP Tokyo 2026?
April 7, 2026 at Happo-en, 5th and 6th floors, Tokyo, Japan. The event is part of the broader TEAMZ Web3/AI Summit running April 6-8 at the same venue.
Who are the speakers of XRP Tokyo 2026?
Confirmed speakers include Christina Chan, Tatsuya Kohrogi, and Markus Infanger from Ripple, J. Ayo Akinyele (Head of Engineering, RippleX), Takuya Sugiyama (VP, SBI Ripple Asia), SungMo Park (a16z Crypto), and Tatsuya Yamada (Rakuten Wallet), among 20+ total confirmed speakers.
How can I attend XRP Tokyo 2026?
Tickets are available through the official event website at xrp-tokyo.io. The event is open to the public and expected to draw 3,000+ attendees from across the XRP and broader Web3 ecosystem.
What is the JVCEA Green List?
The JVCEA Green List is Japan’s FSA-recognised framework maintained by the Japan Virtual and Crypto Assets Exchange Association that identifies crypto assets meeting strict criteria for institutional adoption. XRP is currently handled by 20 member exchanges on the list, placing it third in Japan’s regulated ecosystem, behind only BTC and ETH.
Will XRP Tokyo 2026 Boost XRP Adoption?
The groundwork in Japan is already laid – 20 JVCEA member exchanges, $2.8 billion in tokenized assets, and institutional players already in the room. What happens on the conference floor tomorrow could accelerate what is already moving.
Artificial Superintelligence Alliance’s price could hit a maximum trading price of $1 in 2026
With a potential surge, the FET price may record a high of $12.45 by 2030.
As artificial intelligence continues to dominate global headlines, blockchain-based AI infrastructure projects are once again attracting investor attention.
Among them, the Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (ASI) stands out as a strategic merger of major AI-focused blockchain entities.
Founded through the collaboration of Fetch.ai, SingularityNET, and later CUDOS, the alliance aims to create the largest open-source, decentralized ecosystem focused on Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).
The FET token, originally native to Fetch.ai and now central to the ASI ecosystem, serves as the utility, governance, and settlement layer across AI services.
So let’s dive straight into CoinPedia’s Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (FET) price prediction for 2026, 2027, and 2030.
Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (FET) Price Targets For April 2026
The Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (ASI) is expanding its AI agent marketplace, making it easier for users and applications to access various AI services.
If ASI successfully integrates its offerings, it will be able to host AI models on its network, facilitate communication and collaboration among AI agents, and enable users to pay for AI services directly on the blockchain. Additionally, ASI is working to establish partnerships with businesses interested in utilizing AI.
As more people begin to use AI on the network and the demand for computing power increases, this could drive up activity and potentially push the FET price towards $0.32 by April 2026. The price already reached $0.25 in mid-March, now approaching the 200-day EMA band. It has also found support in the green box, which aligns with a multi-year demand zone. If bearish pressure increases, the price could re-enter this support zone; however, if it continues on its upward trajectory, testing $0.32 could be within reach or even higher.
Unlike many AI tokens driven by hype, the Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (FET) is building a foundation in decentralized compute and autonomous agents. This shift from speculation to real-world utility suggests that FET’s value will increasingly mirror actual network usage. As companies adopt these decentralized services, the organic demand for the token could provide a structural floor for long-term growth.
Technically, FET’s 2026 outlook remains tied to key market cycles. A potential low of $0.0582 serves as a deep support zone during “risk-off” periods. However, as the ecosystem matures, an average price of $0.0913 is expected as it maintains a steady trend. In a bullish breakout scenario, FET could surge toward $0.3013, driven by high-volume demand for decentralized AI infrastructure.
FET Price Prediction 2026 – 2030
Year
Potential Low ($)
Potential Average ($)
Potential High ($)
2026
$0.0921
$0.340
$0.950
2027
$0.173
$0.820
$2.14
2028
$0.468
$1.938
$5.53
2029
$1.40
$4.30
$8.05
2030
$2.126
$6.78
$12.45
FET Price Prediction 2027
Growing wider adoption of autonomous AI agents in supply chains, logistics, and digital services could push FET near $2.14
FET Price Forecast 2028
By 2028, if decentralized AGI frameworks mature and institutional AI infrastructure adopts ASI tooling, FET may approach $5.53.
FET Coin Price Prediction 2029
In 2029, AGI research networks integrate token-based compute markets, and valuation expansion could drive FET toward $8.
What will Fetch AI be worth in 2030?
In a strong AI-dominant economy where decentralized compute markets compete with centralized cloud providers, FET could test $12.45
As per CoinPedia’s FET Price Prediction, the exponential growth observable in the field of artificial technologies will boost the value of AI tokens in the crypto world
If the alliance successfully aligns AI compute markets, decentralized agents, and open-source model hosting under one economic framework, FET could gradually reclaim the $0.950 range in 2026.
Year
Potential Low ($)
Potential Average ($)
Potential High ($)
2026
$0.0921
$0.340
$0.950
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FAQs
What is Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (FET)?
Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (FET) is a merged AI-blockchain ecosystem uniting Fetch.ai, SingularityNET, and CUDOS to power decentralized AI services.
What is the Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (FET) price prediction for 2026?
FET could trade between $0.09 and $0.95 in 2026, depending on AI adoption, network growth, and overall crypto market momentum.
What could FET be worth by 2030?
If decentralized AI scales globally, FET may test $12 by 2030, though long-term growth depends on real-world usage and regulation.
What Is the FET Price Prediction for 2040 and How High Can It Go?
By 2040, FET could trade between $25 and $40 if decentralized AI and AGI adoption expand globally with strong ecosystem growth.
What is the price prediction for FET in 2050?
By 2050, FET may exceed $60 in a mature AI economy, assuming sustained adoption, real utility, and stable crypto regulations.
Is FET a good long-term AI crypto investment?
FET offers exposure to decentralized AI infrastructure. Its long-term value relies on adoption, partnerships, and sustainable ecosystem growth.
On-chain perpetual futures trading on decentralized exchanges has seen a steady five-month decline, dropping from $1.36 trillion in October 2025 to $699 billion in March 2026. Daily volumes touched $8.4 billion on April 4, the lowest level since July 2025, signaling reduced market activity. Trading is increasingly concentrated, with Hyperliquid alone contributing about 34% of the past 30-day volume. The trend indicates a slowdown in overall participation, with liquidity and market influence consolidating among a few dominant players.
The mysterious creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto, has not been seen or heard from in over a decade and has now turned 51. Now, the focus is not on his return, but on the rising risk from quantum computers.
And the 1.1 million BTC he left behind, worth nearly $76 billion, may now be at risk. Experts say most Bitcoin holders are safe for now, but Satoshi’s untouched 1.1M BTC is not; here’s why.
Why is your Bitcoin safe?
Quantum computers could break Bitcoin’s current security in just nine minutes, while Bitcoin’s average block time is ten minutes. But this mainly matters when a user sends a transaction. Once a public key is visible, a strong quantum computer could try to find the private key quickly.
However, developers have a solution ready. A new quantum-safe system can be added to Bitcoin so that old addresses can move coins without exposing their keys.
Using methods like zero-knowledge proofs, ownership is proven without revealing the public key. Proposals like BIP 360 would create a new address type, removing the public key from the blockchain and protecting new coins from quantum attacks.
That’s why most Bitcoin is safe, except for Satoshi’s untouched coins.
$76B in Satoshi’s Bitcoin Faces Quantum Threat
Satoshi’s Bitcoin has never been moved in over 15 years, and that is the main problem. The “zero-knowledge migration” fix only works if a wallet makes a transaction, but Satoshi’s wallet hasn’t moved and likely never will.
There is no way to protect coins in a wallet that stays inactive, and no one knows if Satoshi is alive, gone, or just waiting.
Today, his coins are worth about $76 billion, making him stand in the top 25 of the world’s billionaires list.
But Didn’t Satoshi Already Send Bitcoin?
Some users point to the first-ever Bitcoin transaction, when Satoshi sent 10 BTC to Hal Finney in January 2009. If Satoshi moved coins once, why can’t the remaining BTC be secured?
The reason is simple, is that the 10 BTC came from one address, and the rest of the 1.1M BTC is spread across thousands of addresses. Each address has its own private key. Thus, moving one doesn’t give access to the others.
That’s why most of Satoshi’s Bitcoin remains locked and can’t be moved or updated without the owner’s action.
Options Left: Burn It or Leave It?
The community now faces two Options.
Option 1: Freeze or burn the coins
This would prevent a future quantum attacker from claiming them. This would take his coins without permission, showing that anyone’s Bitcoin could be controlled if enough people agree.
“Your keys, your coins” would no longer be fully true.
Option 2: Leave the coins untouched
If quantum computers become powerful enough, whoever derives the private key could claim roughly $70 billion worth of BTC.
Three veteran gemologists have launched a new gemstone testing facility, Swiss International Gemlab, introducing a proprietary artificial intelligence system to support grading accuracy and consistency. Willy Bieri, Lawrence Hahn, and Matthias Alessandri founded the lab, which will operate from Lucerne,…
Investors shift from spot trading to automated income strategies as platforms like NOW DeFi gain attention. Still obsessively checking charts, praying for XRP or BTC to pump? While ordinary retail investors are paralyzed by market volatility and holding idle bags,…
The most active piece of enterprise infrastructure in the company is the developer workstation. That laptop is where credentials are created, tested, cached, copied, and reused across services, bots, build tools, and now local AI agents.
In March 2026, the TeamPCP threat actor proved just how valuable developer machines are. Their supply chain attack on
Intel has quietly added the Core Ultra 7 251HX to its Arrow Lake HX lineup, skipping any formal announcement. The chip simply appeared on the Intel website a few weeks after it surfaced in Lenovo Legion 5i 2026 and MSI Raider 16 HX listings. The 251HX is an 18-core, 18-thread part with 6 Performance cores and 12 Efficient cores, slotting between the Core Ultra 5 245HX and the Core Ultra 7 255HX. Compared to the 255HX, it drops two P-cores and loses two threads, but keeps the same 12 E-cores and 30 MB of Smart Cache. TDP range stays identical at 55 W base and up to 160 W maximum turbo power. Max Turbo comes in at 5.1 GHz, 100 MHz below the 255HX, but the E-core base clock actually jumps 700 MHz to 2.5 GHz, and the P-core base is up 500 MHz as well at 2.9 GHz. Memory support goes up to DDR5-6400.
The integrated graphics drop to three Xe3 cores clocked up to 1.8 GHz, down from four on the 255HX, which also trims AI performance from 33 TOPS to 30. Not a dramatic difference, but worth noting if NPU performance matters for a specific workload. As an endnote, the Core Ultra 7 251HX sits between the Core Ultra 5 245HX with its 14 cores in a 6P+8E layout and 24 MB of cache, and the 20-core Core Ultra 7 255HX and 265HX sitting above.
Steam is reportedly in the process of adding a "Frame Estimator" tool that can estimate your PC's performance before you purchase a game. As you know, Valve's Steam platform is the largest gaming platform in the world, with access to millions of PCs. The Steam Client application offers an option to include your PC in Valve's telemetry system, which processes data such as your PC's specifications and game information, including your library. Using these data points, Steam will estimate how many frames per second your PC can generate in any game, depending on your configuration. For example, for a specific CPU, GPU, and available system memory, the Steam Client will indicate whether a game can reach 60 FPS at 1440p using high settings, or whatever your preference is. We can only speculate at this point about what the feature will look like, as Steam is still refining it before the public beta release.
Additionally, Valve has already started asking users for anonymous FPS data collection about a month ago whenever they run a game. With this data pool, likely involving millions of participants, Valve aims to build a system that estimates your FPS output based on your specific PC configuration, without needing to run a game first. Reportedly, this feature will appear in the Steam Client and show how much performance your PC can deliver before you even purchase a game. This is a classic recommendation system that will indicate what your configuration typically delivers at specific game settings and resolutions.
The confirmation comes from an End-of-Service notice on Samsung's US website, which says the app will be discontinued in July 2026. It advises users to move to Google Messages to maintain a consistent Android messaging experience.
Rapidus' first plant, IIM-1 in Chitose, Hokkaido, has shifted from a construction site to a pilot line. In mid-2025, the company had activated the cleanroom, installed extreme ultraviolet tools, and began running test wafers through a two-nanometer gate-all-around process developed with IBM.
Multical ends double bookings for portfolio careerists, fractionals, multi-hyphenates, and consultants. It syncs your Google, Outlook, and Apple iCloud calendars so every organization sees your real availability across all accounts. It blocks conflicts in real time, lets you set custom rules and filters, and never permanently stores event content.
Use Multical to manage unlimited calendars at one price, create scheduling links for each client or role, and view, create, and edit events in a unified, mobile-friendly calendar. Control what details others can see, revoke access anytime, and keep credentials encrypted.
Port Saint John will kick off its 2026 cruise season over two months ahead of schedule with the arrival of Virgin Voyages’ the Valiant Lady expected on April 8 at the Diamond Jubilee Cruise Terminal. “Our ability to embrace opportunities like this on short notice speaks to the strength of our port and tourism ecosystems,...
MariApps Marine Solutionsannounced it has acquired 100 percent ownership of Hyderabad-based software company EffiaSoft Private Limited. “The acquisition of EffiaSoft is a testament to our vision of building a comprehensive digital maritime ecosystem,” said Sankar Ragavan, chief executive officer of MariApps Marine Solutions. “Their expertise in creating high-performance software aligns perfectly with our goal of...
US Welcomes Cathay Pacific’s New Hong Kong-Seattle Direct Flight: A Game-Changer in Transpacific Travel with Five Times Weekly ServiceCathay Pacific...
Samsung is expected to post a profit money of roughly 50 trillion won or $33 billion in the first quarter of 2026. Boosted by the semiconductor supercycle, the company is on track to earn a full year’s money in just a quarter.
Meritz Securities (via Chosun) pegged Samsung’s Q1 operating profit at 53.9 trillion won, while Citigroup went with 51 trillion. These aren’t rounding errors above the baseline estimate.
Estimates done by firms are for a different zip code. Revenue for the quarter is tracking toward 116.1 trillion won, up nearly 47% year-on-year; operating profit growth is about to be 461.8%.
Samsung is not having a good quarter. It’s having a historically deranged quarter. The machine behind all of this is the semiconductor supercycle, and it’s not slowing down.
Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft have collectively committed $665 billion to AI infrastructure spending this year, a 75% jump from last year.
TrendForce estimates DRAM prices could climb 58 to 63% in Q2 compared to Q1. The pace stalled briefly in March, but the trajectory held, which will show up in Samsung’s inventory numbers.
Users of the Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra are getting the April 2026 security update. This development comes a little after the company expanded the Galaxy S26 lineup’s April update to Europe, India, and the US.
Samsung’s April 2026 security update is available for the Galaxy S25 series in South Korea. The patch details are yet to be released by Samsung. Expansion outside Korea would take some time, just like the Galaxy S26 series.
Users can identify the update through the PDA build version BZCH. The update weighs around 550 megabytes and the content seems familiar. The changelog has nothing specific about the fixes apart from a newer security patch.
Just recently, Samsung confirmed the rollout of Galaxy S26’s features to the Galaxy S25 series. The updates would come as part of One UI 8.5. However, the company hasn’t disclosed when the public rollout will begin.
AI-powered Call Screening is the most important Galaxy S26 feature confirmed to arrive on the Galaxy S25 series. Samsung also confirmed “useful enhancements” for last year’s flagships as part of the One UI 8.5 upgrade.
One UI 8.5 Beta is also underway in six countries. If you’re on Beta, it’s not the firmware update for your device; you will get the 9th Beta. It appears only when your Galaxy phone is running the Android 16-based One UI 8.
If you are not a Beta Program participant, you will get the BZCH build. Check for updates manually through Settings > Software update > Download and install.
Deal | Nova Roma launched in Early Access on Steam on March 26 and is available with a 20% introductory discount until April 9. The city builder takes players to antiquity, where they build a Roman island settlement as the empire falls into decline.
At GTC 2026, Nvidia presented a possible answer to the VRAM crisis in modern games: with Neural Texture Compression, memory usage in a demo drops from 6.5 GB to 970 MB while maintaining nearly identical image quality. The technology is giving the community hope, but it is also fueling criticism of Nvidia’s past VRAM strategy.
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