Texas A&M reliever Josh Stewart remains out for Game 2 of the Aggies’ SEC opening series against Oklahoma after suffering an injury in Friday’s loss.
The Aggies led 7-4 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, when Stewart was set to take the mound. Stewart, however, immediately suffered an injury to his throwing arm after four warm-up pitches.
A transfer from Texas, Stewart was a key part of an elite 2024 Aggie bullpen that led the team to the College World Series Finals against Tennessee. He made just one appearance the following season, suffering a season-ending injury on his sixth pitch of the season.
Stewart has impressed in limited action this season, striking out 10 batters in his 6.1 innings with only one earned run and five hits allowed.
The Aggies are also without lefty pitcher Caden McCoy, who suffered a season-ending injury in January. The Sooners are missing utility player Cayden Brumbaugh and pitcher Brisco Smith; both players also missed the series opener. Texas A&M will look to rebound against Oklahoma on Saturday.
Saturday’s game day update of the SEC Student-Athlete Availability Report before the second of three between No. 22 Texas A&M and No. 9 Oklahoma: pic.twitter.com/2zy5YACDa2
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Sam on X:@Smallred25
PHILADELHPIA (AP) — Quentin Grimes scored a season-high 28 points and the Philadelphia 76ers held on for a 104-97 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday.
Grimes had eight rebounds for the short-handed 76ers, who were missing Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr., among other players. Justin Edwards scored 19 points while adding three steals.
Danny Wolf had 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Nets, who lost their third straight game. Josh Minott added 14 points.
The 76ers entered halftime up 53-31. Adem Bona’s free throw with 3:02 left in the fourth quarter gave Philadelphia the lead for good at 88-87.
The Sixers shot 10.3 percentage points better from the field (46.3%) than the Nets (36.0%).
Up next
Sixers: Host the Trail Blazers on Sunday.
Nets: Host the Trail Blazers on Monday to begin a three-game homestand.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Linus Ullmark made 23 saves for his second shutout of the season and the Ottawa Senators blanked the Anaheim Ducks 2-0 on Saturday.
Michael Amadio and Thomas Chabot scored for Ottawa. Shane Pinto had two assists. It was the 14th shutout of Ullmark's career. The Senators have won four of five.
Ville Husso stopped 27 shots for Anaheim.
Nick Cousins won a battle along the boards at center which sprung Pinto down the ice. Pinto fed Amadio on a 2-on-1 and he made no mistake, beating Husso short-side 3:54 into the second period.
At the 9:21 mark of the second, the Senators capitalized on a turnover. Pinto intercepted a pass and found Chabot in the high slot for his seventh of the season and second career short-handed goal.
Anaheim challenged for goaltender interference but was unsuccessful.
Warren Foegele had a couple of chances from in close in the opening period, but just couldn’t settle a bouncing puck.
Husso then stopped Amadio on a short-handed 2-on-1.
Amadio later drew a penalty, but Husso made a big glove save on Tim Stutzle on the Senators’ power play.
Freiburg vs. Union Berlin preview: Hosts aiming to continue impressive home form
Freiburg
Freiburg extended their impressive unbeaten streak to 11 home league matches with a dramatic 3-3 draw in last Saturday’s home clash with Bayer Leverkusen. The hosts were pegged back on two occasions, before Martin Terrier found the net in the early stages of the second half to turn the game in Leverkusen’s favour. Freiburg appeared to be heading towards their first home defeat since August until Mattias Ginter scored an 86th-minute equaliser to rescue a point.
Unfortunately for Freiburg, they were unable to salvage anything from Thursday’s Europa League clash against Genk. Zakaria El Ouahdi’s first-half effort condemned Freiburg to a 1-0 defeat in Belgium, leaving Julian Schuster’s side with work to do in Thursday’s second leg if they are to reach the quarter-final stage.
Before they focus on that quarter-final tie, Freiburg will turn their focus back to their Bundesliga campaign, with the Breisgau-Brasilianer sitting in eighth place and 10 points adrift of the top six.
Team News
Freiburg defender Max Rosenfelder remains sidelined with the thigh injury that has kept him out of the last four competitive matches. Meanwhile, Jan-Niklas Beste should be fit to feature despite being forced off in the second half of Thursday’s defeat to Genk.
Steffen Baumgart’s side took the lead in their most recent outing against Bremen, but the complexion of the contest drastically changed when András Schäfer was dismissed in the 19th minute, just moments after Derrick Köhn had dispatched his penalty. Bremen ultimately made full use of their numerical advantage to net four goals to condemn Union to a 4-1 loss, leaving them just four points clear of the bottom three.
Union’s hopes of returning to winning ways on Sunday will be tempered by a run of three consecutive away defeats. Those losses make up part of a five-game winless run on the road, making it nearly three months without an away league win since beating Baumgart’s former side, Köln, in December.
The visitors can at least take confidence from the fact they have avoided defeat in each of their last six meetings with Freiburg, including a 2-1 success in their most recent visit to Europa-Park Stadion in March 2025.
Team News
Union are unable to call upon the injured duo of Diogo Leite and Robert Skov, while Leopold Querfeld and Schäfer are both suspended for Sunday’s fixture.
Following its first No. 1 overall recruiting class in two decades, USC is looking for a repeat.
The Trojans nearly led wire-to-wire in the 2026 cycle and ultimately signed seven prospects who ranked among the top 60 recruits nationally. With that in the rearview, they’ve turned up the heat on their top 2027 prospects and again have one of the country’s premier recruiting classes.
That class got even better Saturday afternoon with the commitment of five-star San Diego (Calif.) Mater Dei Catholic athlete Honor Fa’alave-Johnson. The 6-foot, 180-pounder chose the Trojans over Oregon, Texas, Notre Dame, Miami and LSU, among more than 30 other offers.
“It’s something that I was born with — staying loyal to where I’m from,” Fa’alave-Johnson recently told Rivals. “There’s no reason to change anything. All the stuff is still coming my way so why change? I could go to LA and put on from where I’m from and put on for the city.”
His addition is major on multiple fronts, but it’s a huge early boost to the Trojans’ overall 2027 class, which came into the day ranked No. 14 in the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. With Fa’alave-Johnson in the fold, they move all the way up to No. 7 — past Miami, Oregon, Nebraska, Texas, Ole Miss, South Carolina and Nebraska.
Lincoln Riley and Co. have two top-100 players committed in the secondary, as well as two of the country’s premier receivers. With only five commitments in total, they’re also tied for the lowest number of pledges among top-10 teams, signaling the quality of their start to this cycle.
Gordon fires Newcastle past Chelsea to leave top-four hopes in jeopardy
Chelsea suffered a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The hosts started the game brightly and were rewarded with the first chance in the 10th minute when Wesley Fofana got onto Reece James’ cross from a corner, but the Frenchman headed wide.
Moments later, Malo Gusto found Cole Palmer inside the area, but his curling strike went just wide before James riffled his effort well over.
In the 17th minute, Enzo Fernandez thought he had given Chelsea the lead with a powerful strike, but his goal-bound effort was blocked by Palmer.
However, two minutes later, Anthony Gordon gave the Magpies the lead after he tucked home Joe Willock’s pass.
Minutes later, Malick Thiaw could’ve doubled the visitors’ advantage after he got onto a free kick, but he sent his header wide.
At the other end, Palmer could’ve restored parity for the Blues, but his curling effort was parried away by Aaron Ramsdale before James sent his free kick just wide.
Just before the break, Jacob Ramsey almost got Newcastle’s second, but his deflected strike was clawed away by Robert Sanchez.
Four minutes after the break, Liam Delap almost made an instant impact off the bench as he tried his luck from range, but his effort was parried away by Ramsdale.
Both sides failed to create any other chances until the 70th minute when Gordon was found at the edge of the area, but Sanchez denied him.
At the other end, the hosts could’ve drawn level after James sent in an inviting cross to the back post and Marc Cucurella squared it across to Delap, but he sent his effort well over the bar from 10 yards out before Trevoh Chalobah sent his glancing header wide.
Moments later, James almost picked out the bottom corner from a free kick, but he was denied by the base of the post.
Deep into stoppage time, Joao Pedro could’ve restored parity for Chelsea at the death after he met Palmer’s cross, but his header looped over the bar.
Chelsea have endured another setback in their fight for a Champions League spot with eight games still to come.
JACKSONVILLE, Florida, March 11 — It's been five years since Dr. Phillips [Orlando, FL] boys basketball team walked off the court as Florida's FHSAA Class 7A champions after defeating Dwyer [Palm Beach Gardens, FL] in hard-fought 54-46 battle between two teams nicknamed the Panthers.
And that's also the last time any team other than the Columbus [Miami, FL] Explorers added an FHSAA Class 7A state championship trophy to its display case.
The Explorers enter Saturday evening's contest at CSI Companies Court at UNF Arena in Jacksonville in pursuit of their fifth consecutive state championship against a Sarasota [FL] Sailors' squad that sports an identical 25-6 record. Records aside, Columbus is the heavy favorite to prevail before heading to East Rutherford, New Jersey next week as one of the eight teams selected to compete in the The Throne tournament.
Win or lose, Sarasota's season will be over, and the Sailors would love nothing more than to humble the Explorers as they prepare to take the national stage in the Garden State showcase.
Game time for Florida's FHSAA Class 7A state championship game is set for 5 p.m. EST local.
After an almost four-week hiatus from WSL2 football, United pushed from the first minute, registering 22 shots throughout the game, but were unable to add to Murphy’s equaliser on the stroke of half-time.
There was a boost for the Lasses before kick-off with Emma Kelly returning to the starting lineup for the first time since the Tyne-Wear derby win at St. James’ Park.
Newcastle positively started the first half with Charlotte Wardlaw, looking to score her first goal for the club, saw the ball fall to her feet in the box following a Sian Rogers punch, but her goalbound effort was blocked into the goalkeeper's hands.
After United’s bright start, it was former Magpie, Amy Andrews, who almost put the hosts ahead when she was played through on the counter-attack but was thwarted by Anna Tamminen’s leg with just the Finnish shot-stopper to beat.
Following that chance, the game began to open up, with Emma Kelly winning the ball high up and immediately playing through Murphy, but despite shrugging off the defender, her shot lacked power and was gathered by Rogers.
Oxtoby’s side thought they’d taken the lead five minutes before the break when Emilia Larsson fired into the roof of the net from close range; however, the referee adjudged Murphy to have committed a foul seconds before the strike.
Despite soaking up a lot of pressure as the half wore on, the Blades took the lead when Sherwood flicked home a volley at the near post as the game ticked over into added time.
However, the Lasses bounced back just minutes later when a long ball down the right released Jordan Nobbs, and her cross picked out an unmarked Murphy at the back post.
Newcastle’s number 35 took the ball down on her chest before composing herself and firing past Rogers from inside the area.
There was almost a goal of the season contender at Bramall Lane when, after some scrappy passes on the edge of the area, the ball fell to Molly Pike 30 yards out, before Rogers pulled off a flying save to tip her curling effort over the bar.
Andrews caused Newcastle problems throughout the game with her pace, and it almost reaped a reward when she cut inside Wardlaw after latching onto a long ball and forced Tamminen into a stunning fingertip save.
Both sides made changes throughout the second half, which disrupted a bit of the flow, but a moment of magic from Connie Scofield as she cut across a half volley, only to see her arrowed strike cannon back out off the post to safety.
Newcastle United Women: Anna Tamminen, Charlotte Wardlaw, Demi Stokes (c) (Deanna Cooper 64), Jordan Nobbs, Jemma Purfield, Emma Kelly (Jasmine McQuade 64), Molly Pike, Emilia Larsson (Oona Sevenius 87), Aoife Mannion, Beth Lumsden (Freya Gregory 64), Emily Murphy (Shania Hayles 75)
Subs not used: Claudia Moan, Morgan Gautrat, Malgorzata Grec, Jorja Fox
Mar 14, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Marco Luciano (60) breaks his bat on an rbi single against the Philadelphia Phillies in the eighth inning during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
I think it may be possible there’s some risk in trading for Rockies relievers. The org isn’t exactly known for churning out well-developed arms, and Angel Chivilli is having a nightmare of a spring training. The Yankees got a good start from Max Fried — save one bad frame — and clawed their way out of a couple deficits, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a late home run in Saturday’s 6-4 loss to Philadelphia.
Max Fried was perfect through his first two innings until being clipped a few times in the third. René Pinto got around on a ball that ended up being an automatic double, before a pair of singles brought him around to score. The second single was partially Fried’s fault, as he didn’t do enough to get over to first and turn the hit into a run-scoring out. For a guy as good defensively as Max is, you’ll chalk that up to bad play, so let’s get those bad plays out in March, not September.
Another flub came after a double steal, where Fried lost the handle on a pickoff attempt at third, and a final single from Dylan Moore put the Phillies up 3-0. Max wasn’t exactly hit hard at all, but struggled with command in the zone and certainly did himself no favors on the defensive side of things. I have full confidence in him putting together another excellent season if he stays healthy, but that third inning wasn’t much fun for anyone in pinstripes. If nothing else, he was able to finish two more innings cleanly, leaving the game with one out in the sixth.
Offensively, it seemed the Yankees were getting some baserunning work in, with both Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Jasson Domínguez swiping a bag and making an out on the basepaths. Jasson was caught by the catcher while Jazz was picked off at second, but between those two and José Caballero, it feels like the club is going to be more dynamic once on base than most recent Yankee squads. The Martian also chipped in with an RBI single, his 10th run driven in of Grapefruit League play.
Jake Bird had himself a decent enough outing. He did walk the first man he faced but ended up recording four outs, two via the strikeout, in something of a cauterizing effort. Bird has not been a representative MLB player since leaving Colorado — honestly maybe even before that — but putting up zeros in spring is the first step to getting back to being a valuable member of an MLB roster.
The Yankees got their runs back in the bottom of the seventh, with Domínguez once again in the thick of it. A hustle single got him on base, moving to third on Paul DeJong’s autodouble, and coming in to score on a groundout. Marco Luciano grounded a ball to left field to bring in DeJong, and we were all tied up. Both teams also pushed across a run in their eighth innings, with the Yankees’ courtesy of Braden Shewmake:
Unfortunately I don’t think Angel Chivilli will be breaking camp with the MLB team. The winter acquisition has struggled in camp, and while pitching the ninth gave up a bomb to center field that put the Phillies up 6-4. He did get a pair of strikeouts, but the righty has an unsightly 14.85 ERA in exhibition play. I think he needs to work on some things down in Triple-A.
The club went down quietly in the ninth, making the home run by Phillies minor leaguer Felix Reyes the eventual game-winner. We’ll be back tomorrow afternoon with another spring showdown, with the Yankees welcoming the Tigers to Tampa. Luis Gil gets the ball for that outing, with first pitch at 1:05pm ET.
The monoculture as we know it is gone, save for the occasional streaming hit like Ted Lasso and Stranger Things.
Friends, though, captured the national attention like few other shows. The 1990s sitcom was a frequent water cooler topic back in the day, and now it's back in the spotlight thanks to ... a Vanderbilt basketball player?
Vanderbilt has a forward named Chandler Bing. Yes, it's the same name as Matthew Perry's Friends character. But no, Vandy's Bing has never seen the show.
During an SEC Tournament game against Florida on Saturday, Bing put on a show of his own. Bing caught a pass on the wing, drove to the paint and threw down a monstrous slam dunk, breaking the rim in the process.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, speaking to Sky Sports, on Max Dowman: "It was a great moment. Especially the way the goal built up and we had 10-15 seconds to really enjoy what was about to happen!
"It was magical. On the bench and all the players together, jumping with the crowd. It was a beautiful day.
"It is not only the goal that he scored, he changed the game. Every time he got the ball, he makes things happen and we are more of a threat. To do that at that age, in this context with the pressure, the expectations to win the game, it's just not normal.
"It's so organic for him, he doesn't feel the pressure. He goes, gets the ball, stops on the ball. It's natural for him, that's the best thing, so just make sure he does what he feels.
"When you have such a talent then I'm sure good things are going to happen."
On instructions to Dowman and Gyokeres: "The impact that the finishers are having this season is remarkable.
"Everybody is important, everybody is adding to the team and there are moments that we have to be patient because with all the dominance and the shots when you don't score, the anxiety is building.
"You have to stay composed and be relentless in your desire to make something happen and the team really had that spirit today."
On Gyokeres' impact: "He does so many good things for the team and today he scored a massive goal. You have to be in the right spot at the right moment."
On the title race: "Job done from our side. The performance in many situations was very, very good. What we are doing every three days, the players deserve a lot of credit.
"What we do is create memories and create moments. For many years, I think people who were in the stadium today will say 'I was in the Emirates that day when that kid at 16 scored a goal at such an important stage of the season'."
Did you know?
At 16 years and 73 days, Arsenal's Max Dowman became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history.
A deflected goal from Bukayo Saka settled a combative but largely uninspiring contest on the south coast. The travelling Arsenal fans celebrated the win, and City's draw, as though they had won the league already.
Result last season: Brighton 1-1 Arsenal Prediction this season: Brighton 1-1 Arsenal Final score: Brighton 0-1 Arsenal
Everton (H): March 14
Everton remain in the hunt for the European positions and have been a tough nut to crack under David Moyes. Nevertheless, it was hard to imagine how they hurt Arsenal in an attacking sense and this game might quickly turn into an attack vs. defence exercise.
Arsenal toiled for 89 minutes before Viktor Gyokeres came off the bench and snatched a lead, and Max Dowman's dramatic late goal sealed the three points in historic fashion. The victory opened up a 10-point lead with Man City yet to kick off in their match against West Ham.
Result last season: Arsenal 0-0 Everton Prediction this season: Arsenal 2-0 Everton Final score: Arsenal 2-0 Everton
Bournemouth (H): April 11
Bournemouth beat Arsenal home and away last season but the Cherries have blown hot and cold this term, the loss of key personnel understandably seeming to have caught up with them. On home turf, this should be an assured win.
Result last season: Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth Prediction this season: Arsenal 3-1 Bournemouth Final score: _
Man City (A): April 18
The big one. Arsenal have not won at the Etihad Stadium since 2015 but they are unbeaten in six matches against City since their damaging April 2023 reverse during the run-in. Avoid defeat three years on and they'll have taken a notable step towards glory. If they are bold enough to chase victory, they could all but take City out of the race.
Result last season: Man City 2-2 Arsenal Prediction this season: Man City 1-1 Arsenal Final score: _
Newcastle (H): April 25
Newcastle were unfortunate to lose 2-1 after a late Arsenal comeback at St James' Park last September and beat Arteta's side home and way in last season's Carabao Cup semifinals. Eddie Howe's men have a favourable run of fixtures coming into this one and will be dangerous if the Gunners have any sort of mental or physical hangover from the City game.
Result last season: Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle Prediction this season: Arsenal 2-2 Newcastle Final score: _
Fulham (H): May 2
Marco Silva's Fulham have been a pest for the Premier League's leading lights this season. Nevertheless, it will go down as a huge waste if Arsenal do not make their back-to-back home games count directly after facing City.
Result last season: Arsenal 2-1 Fulham Prediction this season: Arsenal 1-0 Fulham Final score: _
West Ham (A): May 9
Another London derby and opposition who have enjoyed success against Arsenal in the past. West Ham's 2-0 mid-season win in 2023/24 loomed large in the final analysis. Factor in a fired-up Hammers crowd as they battle relegation, and this one could be tricky.
Result last season: West Ham 2-5 Arsenal Prediction this season: West Ham 2-2 Arsenal Final score: _
Burnley (H): May 17
West Ham are fighting relegation but the reality is an overmatched Burnley will probably be mathematically doomed by this point. Arsenal can take the opportunity to tee off in a race where goal difference could prove to be key.
Result last season: N/A Prediction this season: Arsenal 5-0 Burnley Final score: _
Crystal Palace (A): May 24
An all-capital clash closes Arsenal's campaign. If this was the Palace from the start of 2025/26, bathed in the glow of FA Cup and Community Shield success, this might look like an awful season-closer. As it is, Oliver Glasner will be one game from the exit door and his team have nothing to play for.
Result last season:Crystal Palace 1-5 Arsenal Prediction this season: Crystal Palace 1-3 Arsenal Final score: _
Arsenal predicted final points tally in 2025/26: 83
Predicted final Premier League table 2025/26
The table below is based on our predicted results for Arsenal and Manchester City. If we're anywhere close to being right, it promises to be one of the closest title races in Premier League history.
Pos
Team
Points
Matches Played
Goals Scored
Goals Conceded
Goal Difference
1.
Arsenal
83
38
78
30
+48
2.
Man City
83
38
81
34
+47
And here is the real league table as it stands. Let's see how wrong we end up being...
New Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel will be working with a backup quarterback who was already in L.A.
Via Adam Schefter of ESPN, Trey Lance has signed a one-year deal to return to the Chargers. It's reportedly worth "up to" $6.75 million (which means the base value will be lower, perhaps significantly).
Lance signed with the Chargers as a free agent in 2025. He appeared in four games with one start, completing 27 of 57 passes for 226 yards, no touchdowns, one interception, and a passer rating of 50.8.
The third overall pick of the 49ers in 2021, Lance's days as a starter have seemingly ended. He entered 2022 as the Week 1 starting quarterback in San Francisco, but he suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 2. By 2023, Brock Purdy had moved from last player drafted to the top of the depth chart.
Lance was traded to the Cowboys that same year. He spent the final two seasons of his rookie contract in Dallas.
For his career, Lance has 16 regular-season appearances and six starts.
West Virginia, Minnesota and North Carolina were the big winners of Saturday’s top 16 reveal for the 2026 NCAA Tournament, as the selection committee prioritized conference tournament results in its final pre-Selection Sunday reveal.
The top 16 teams host the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament, a format that has existed since 2015, except for the bubble tournament in 2021. The reveal did not list the order of the top 16 seeds.
The Mountaineers and Tar Heels had not been in either of the prior two top-16s but entered the field when it counted. West Virginia won the Big 12 tournament to earn its spot, upsetting fellow top-16 team TCU in the process, to enter the NCAA Tournament on a six-game winning streak. North Carolina lost to Louisville in the ACC tournament semifinals but picked up a victory over Duke in the final game of the regular season to bring its Quad 1 win total to four and earn a hosting spot.
With two new teams crashing the party, the Big Ten — which had all four No. 4 seeds in the previous reveal — seemingly had three teams fighting for one spot. Minnesota was the victor as Maryland and Michigan State fell out of the top 16. All three teams lost in the first round of the conference tournament, but the Golden Gophers have the highest NET ranking at No. 9, compared to 14th and 17th for the Terrapins and Spartans, respectively.
The seedings will be announced at 8 p.m. ET Sunday on ESPN. Here is the full list of the top 16 in alphabetical order:
This is the first year that the committee has released the top 16 seeds the day before Selection Sunday, a change that gives host sites an additional day to prepare (secure hotels, staffers, etc.). However, without knowing the seed line, schools still don’t know if they will have to host a First Four, which requires additional logistical support — and starts two days earlier.
The First Four games are Wednesday and Thursday, and the first round of the NCAA Tournament begins Friday.
Minnesota Golden Gophers, Duke Blue Devils, Ohio State Buckeyes, UCLA Bruins, South Carolina Gamecocks, North Carolina Tar Heels, Louisville Cardinals, Iowa Hawkeyes, TCU Horned Frogs, West Virginia Mountaineers, Connecticut Huskies, LSU Lady Tigers, Michigan Wolverines, Texas Longhorns, Women's College Basketball
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 21: Anthony Richardson #5 of the Indianapolis Colts warms up against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
According to ESPN’s Stephen Holder, who covers the Indianapolis Colts, 2023 fourth overall pick quarterback Anthony Richardson, who lost the starting job to Daniel Jones in 2025, is available to trade. Per Holder, “one particular team to monitor” is the Green Bay Packers, who need a new backup quarterback in 2026 after Malik Willis signed a $67.5 million contract with the Miami Dolphins to be their starter.
Holder stated that the Colts have permitted Richardson to find a trade suitor, so he’ll have some say in where he lands. He “would be attracted to a situation that pairs him with a proven QB developer,” and Holder said that Matt LaFleur checks the box.
Richardson, 24, only has one year left on his rookie contract, and he’ll be due $5.39 million in cash in 2026, which will be his cap hit for the Packers this year, if the team trades for him and doesn’t touch his contract. $5 million is about the cost for a veteran backup quarterback in today’s NFL already.
Whichever team trades for Richardson has the option to pick up his fifth-year option before May 1st, but I don’t think there’s a club out there that would pick up the $22.5 million figure at this point in his career.
The big question is what Richardson is worth, on top of the backup salary he’s already commanding, for just a one-year deal. Maybe the hope, on the Packers’ end, is that Richardson earns them more in a compensatory draft pick in 2028 (after Richardson hits free agency in 2027) than they’ll have to pay to get him in 2026, so the only real cost will be his 2026 salary.
That would be a pretty big risk, though, because 1) Richardson would need to see the field to improve his standing and Jordan Love will be the clear starter next year and 2) next year’s crop of quarterbacks in the draft is much stronger than the 2026 class, where maybe only the first overall pick — Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza — will be a first-round quarterback.
On top of that, the Packers would need to be net losers in compensatory free agency next year, like they were in 2026, to collect the comp pick. As of now, Green Bay has $84.6 million in cap space for the 2027 season, so they should be in a good position to actually be spenders unless they extend nearly all their contract year players (or make splash additions via a trade).
Right now, the 2026 Packers already have the third-worst purchasing power in the 2026 draft, since they’re down their first-round pick from the Micah Parsons trade. They also need to continue to add competition to the defensive line and cornerback rooms. If they make a trade for Richardson, it might have to be something like a sixth-round pick for the quarterback, which I’m not sure the Colts want as a return for a former top-five selection. It’ll be interesting to see what teams are ultimately willing to give up for him.
Richardson went 8-7 as a starter with 11 passing touchdowns and 13 interceptions over his first two years in Indianapolis. He also ran for 635 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. He battled with Jones for a starting job in the summer of 2025, and Jones was ultimately named the starter in mid-August. While in the backup role, he broke his orbital bone on October 12th, after being injured in a freak accident involving a resistance band during pregame warmups. That ended up landing him on the injured reserve for the remainder of the season.
Currently, the backups behind Love in Green Bay are Desmond Ridder, a former third-round pick with an 8-10 record, who the Packers picked up in December, and Kyle McCord, a 2025 sixth-round pick who signed a reserve/futures contract with Green Bay after the season, following a year on the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad.
In Richardson’s one game against the Packers in the regular season, he went 17/34 for 204 yards, one touchdown, three interceptions and a 41.8 passer rating back in 2024, which was actually the Willis breakout game. The Packers and Colts also had joint practices together in the summer of 2025, leading up to their preseason game. In that preseason game, Richardson went 6/11 for 73 yards and a 75.2 passer rating.
PREVIEW | Rayo Vallecano vs Levante - team news, lineups, predictions
Rayo Vallecano and Levante face off this Monday at the Estadio de Vallecas in La Liga. The match will be broadcast live at 20:00 on Premier Sports.
Rayo Vallecano currently have 31 points and lie in 14th position. Last time out, Iñigo Pérez's team triumphed 1-3 against Samsunspor (UEFA Conference League 2025/26).
Levante have won 22 points to date and are placed in 19th position. In their last outing, Luís Castro's team drew 1-1 against Girona (La Liga 2025/26).
The last meeting between the two teams ended with Rayo Vallecano winning 3-0.
Dortmund boss on 18-year-old Luca Reggiani's first senior goal: "Everyone shared his happiness"
18-year-old Luca Reggiani will likely remember Borussia Dortmund's 2-0 win over Augsburg on Saturday forever, as he scored his first senior goal to cement the victory.
The significance of the moment was clear, as Reggiani couldn't contain his excitement after seeing the ball hit the back of the net.
Speaking in the mixed zone after the match, BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl said that “everyone shared his happiness.”
“First goal, brilliantly played! When you score a goal, it naturally stands out even more. The way he celebrated – that was pure joy, coming from deep within – and the reward for many, many years of hard work. Everyone shared in his happiness, and that’s why he’ll sleep well tonight,” Kehl said.
While Kehl noted that Dortmund could have been more clinical in front of goal, he praised the team’s defensive performance.
“We created plenty of goalscoring opportunities and could have won by a much larger margin. Overall, we allowed very little in defense, which made it easier for him (Luca Reggiani, editor's note) than in other games,” he said.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers women’s basketball team and their fans got great news on Saturday afternoon. Inbetween games of the SEC men’s Semifinals, ESPN and the The Division I Women’s Basketball Committee announced the NCAA top 16 teams who will host First and Second Round games in the NCAA Tournament next weekend. The Gophers were named one of those 16 and will get to play on their home court in front of their home fans for the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament! Minnesota finished the season with a 22-8 record and was 13-3 at Williams Arena.
The Golden Gophers are headed to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018. The 2026 NCAA Tournament will mark the return of NCAA action to Williams Arena for the first time in 21 seasons. Minnesota last hosted a NCAA Tournament game in 2005, when the Gophers hosted the First and Second rounds before advancing to the Sweet 16.
The full Field of 68 teams will be announced at 7 PM Sunday night on ESPN. The Gophers will find out their first round opponent—likely a #13 seed and what #5/#12 matchup will also be taking place in Minneapolis. Games will take place either Friday/Sunday or Saturday/ Monday. After the first two rounds, NCAA Regionals will be played in Fort Worth, Texas and Sacramento, Calif. March 27-30. The Final Four is April 3-5 in Phoenix, Ariz.
The Top 16 teams who will host listed in alphabetical order are:
Duke Iowa Louisville LSU Michigan Minnesota North Carolina Ohio State Oklahoma South Carolina TCU Texas UCLA UConn Vanderbilt West Virginia
NCAA Tickets are available to Gopher Women’s basketball season ticket holders right now. Gopher Score members will be able to buy tickets once Minnesota’s bracket is announced Sunday night with a public on-sale time set for 10 AM Monday morning HERE. All games will air on the ESPN family of networks.
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli approached Red Bull's Isack Hadjar after the Chinese sprint race to apologise for causing a collision between the two, but footage shared by Formula 1 showed that it fell on deaf ears.
As the Mercedes driver approached Hadjar, the French-Algerian driver signalled for him to move on and brushed off the apology before getting out of the car.
At the time of writing, the video had accumulated 1.1 million views and was met with mixed reactions from fans.
"It’s racing Isack, you are bound to turn into someone one day too. Just accept the apology and move on," one fan commented, while another added: "Valid from Isack btw, he has to prove himself every single second in that second RB seat while Kimi gets all the love from Toto and gets away with the rookie card easily, forgetting both of them are, but in different circumstances."
"Yeah, Isack was pissed at Kimi. Kimi just needs to be more careful. He has cost Red Bull too much already," another fan wrote, and someone else said: "Acting like he’s in a place above Kimi and has 10 race wins under his belt. Racing etiquette is racing etiquette, but calm it fella."
Former F1 driver and Sky Sports Germany pundit Ralf Schumacher also commented on the situation, explaining that Hadjar will learn to accept an apology.
"You normally don’t do that, because he’s a hothead and of course he gets frustrated," the former driver told Sky Sports Germany.
"I think you shouldn’t judge straight away. After 20 laps you can already switch off a little bit. But I mean, well, it’s also his character. You see him walking through the paddock like that.
"He’s a high-performance athlete, someone who is absolutely focused and gives everything for the sport. Therefore, yes, you can say that such a reaction can happen sometimes. But of course he will also learn. And maybe in five years he would have done it differently."
After a weekend win that required nearly the full 90 minutes of effort, picking up a late 2-0 victory over Everton, Arsenal turn back to European competition as they host Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League Round of 16.
Mikel Arteta's side are level on aggregate after a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Germany, and will need a better performance after being rescued late by a soft penalty to secure the level scoreline.
With a spot in the quarterfinal on the line, and the winner set to face either Bodo/Glimt or Sporting CP in the next round, Arsenal will hope their injury list subsides as soon as possible for them to crack on both domestically and abroad.
Here's the latest injury picture around Arteta's squad, with the fixtures coming thick and fast.
Below is the latest injury picture for Arsenal, and estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.
Jurrien Timber
Injury: Ankle
Expected return: TBD
Jurrien Timber picked up 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.
It's not yet clear what his injury is, or what the extent of it may be, as more tests will be needed.
Leandro Trossard
Injury: Knock
Expected return: March 14 (vs. Everton)
The Belgium winger was substituted in the 38th minute at Mansfield due to what Arteta referred to as "a little niggle". Trossard sat out the Leverkusen game and remains a doubt for this weekend.
Martin Odegaard
Injury: Knee
Expected return: March 22 (vs. Manchester City)
Odegaard has not felt right for much of the season, battling through a knee injury, and he has been held out of recent Premier League matches against Chelsea and Brighton as a result. "We have to wait and see how comfortable he is to do certain actions,” Mikel Arteta said before the Brighton match in early March.
The Carabao Cup final against Manchester City might be the most realistic target as games come thick and fast across multiple competitions. Odegaard missed the first leg of the Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen and remains a doubt to face Everton.
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.
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior, speaking to BBC Match of the Day after their defeat by Newcastle: "The result isn't the one we wanted. We just lacked the cutting edge today. At the moment, the lads aren't getting what they deserve. We need to find ways to have more quality in the final third.
"In the first 15 minutes we found Cole [Palmer] and Joao [Pedro] in really good positions. The goal knocked the wind out of our sails. Football's about momentum and that goal gave them momentum.
"We tried to find a tactical solution rather than a personnel solution, and we didn't do that this evening.
"Things aren't always as great as you think they are when they're going well, and things aren't always as bad as they are when you're going through a difficult spell. I can't remember Rob [Sanchez] having much to do.
"We need to make sure the players recover. We need to monitor them and see who's fresh [for PSG]."
On Chelsea players' huddles: "A lot of things are being made of it. To me, it's a show of respect. It was disappointing to see the referee stood in the middle. I don't know. It's not in the rules. I don't understand."
On Chelsea wanting a penalty for Nick Woltemade's foul on Palmer: "I don't understand how it's not overturned."
Did you know?
Chelsea's 22 shots was their most attempts without scoring in a Premier League home game since April 2023 against Aston Villa (27).
Ten weeks ago, when Glenavon were bottom of the table and 12 points adrift of Crusaders, not many would have believed that they would move out of the automatic relegation spot before the split, but manager Michael O'Connor did.
It was a challenging start to the season for the Lurgan Blues who failed to register a point in their opening 11 games.
However, since O'Connor took over at the helm in October, the side have started to improve and now do not occupy the automatic relegation position thanks to a 3-0 victory at Seaview.
Goals from Paddy Burns, Luke McGerrigan and Conor Falls secured the crucial three points in the penultimate Saturday before the split.
"I have gotten a few grey hairs since I have come in," O'Connor told BBC Sport NI.
"I always believed. People said I was mad to take the job and that they were down. I think everyone was saying that Glenavon were going down to the Championship next year.
"Listen, I had the belief that we could keep them up and I was trying to get the players to believe as well and you can see now on the pitch. If we all stick together, I think we will be OK."
'It has taken us time' - O'Connor
The Lurgan Blues are now unbeaten in four matches and haven't conceded in their last two fixtures.
Glenavon signed Gavin Gilmore and John Mountney in January with Nathaniel Ferris, Charlie Lindsay, Mikey Harkin and Conor Falls joining the club on loan.
O'Connor praised the January recruits' contribution and added that his side are a "good squad".
"We are going to look at the table tomorrow and see that we are not bottom and it is going to be good," he continued.
"It has taken us time. I think we recruited really well in January and I think you can see out on the pitch now they are a good squad.
"Listen, we are off the bottom but still loads of points to play for, it doesn't mean we are going to stay up."
O'Connor's side face Larne in their last pre-split match with the Inver Reds five points clear at the top of the Irish Premiership.
"We fancy ourselves at the minute to beat any team," he continued.
"Listen, they deserve respect because they are top of the league, but I will be setting up to go and win that game."
Conceded goals 'embarrassing' - Caddell
It was a far less enjoyable afternoon for Crusaders manager Declan Caddell, whose side continue to search for their first win since early January.
Now, as pressure mounts on the 37-year-old, his side sit bottom of the table and have failed to score in their last two games.
"I thought in the second half we took control for 15 minutes and had a one-on-one chance with Fraser [Bryden] that he has missed and that is a big, big chance," Caddell told BBC Sport NI.
"We concede straight away after that with a ball into the box, which has been the story of the season and it isn't good enough defensively."
"All three goals were embarrassing in terms of how we set up and how we defended the ball and it's probably a bit of weak mentality. We concede again within five minutes which is a mentality issue."
Despite the challenging result, Caddell was pleased that experienced midfielder Robbie Weir returned and played the majority of the match.
Weir, who has made 142 appearances for the Crues, has made just one league appearance this season.
"Positive from today is we had Robbie Weir back, who I thought was exceptional for the 60/70 minutes he was on," he continued.
"Jordan Forsythe is back in two weeks from suspension, we are looking to get those experienced players back as quickly as we can.
"Six games to go and we still have to play Glenavon again, but all we can do is look forward to Portadown."
The final day of the NCAA DI Indoor Track and Field Championships begins at noon ET with the continuation and completion of the heptathlon. Oregon junior Peyton Bair had the second-most points ever on Day 1 in the event with 3,675 as he chases Kyle Garland’s 2023 record of 6,639. The remaining events are the 60m hurdles, pole vault and 1000m run.
At 5:10 p.m. ET, the track action heats up with the men’s and women’s mile runs, with the meet closing with the 4x400m relay at 7:55 p.m. ET.
Follow the action starting at noon with the heptathlon below.
Women's High Jump Results
Temitope Adeshina of Texas Tech wins the title!
Temitope Adeshina, Texas Tech, 1.97m
Rose Yeboah, Illinois, 1.94m
Alyssa Jones, Stanford, 1.91m
Emma Gates, Arizona, 1.85m
Sharie Enoe, Kansas State, 1.85m
JaiCieonna Gero-Holt, Illinois, 1.85m
Karsyn Leeling, Nebraska, 1.85m
Ela Velepec, Nebraska, 1.85m
Maria Arboleda Angulo, Arkansas, 1.85m
Evelyn Lavielle, Texas Tech, 1.85m
Valentina Fakrogha, UCLA, 1.80m
Hannah Pfiffner, Oklahoma, 1.80m
Kemarah Howard, Kentucky, 1.80m
Miracle Ailes, Alabama, 1.80m
Heidi Hudson, Arkansas, 1.80m
Jenneil Jacobie, East Texas A&M, 1.75m
Heptathlon Standings Heading Into The Final Event
Peyton Bair looks poised to win it, but the 1000M could challenge him.
Peyton Bair, Oregon, 5624
Kenneth Byrd, Louisville, 5296
Jip Degreef, Illinois, 5284
Zach McGlynn, North Dakota State, 5171
Carter Morton, Northern Iowa, 5159
Ben Barton, BYU, 5157
Luuk Pelkmans, Illinois, 5140
Nathaniel Paris, Virginia Tech, 5107
Aiden Carter, Oregon, 5095
Blake Harris, Texas A&M, 5067
Tayton Klein, Kansas, 4972
Ryan Gregory, Long Beach St., 4903
Yannik Knobloch, TCU, 4873
John Swabik, Kansas, 4674
Landon Helms, Boise State, 4179
Edgar Campre, Miami (Fla.), DNF
Heptathlon Pole Vault Results: One Event To Go!
Kenneth Byrd of Louisville wins the pole vault! On to the 1000M!
Kenneth Byrd, Louisville, 5.57m
Zach McGlynn, North Dakota State, 5.27m
Jip Degreef, Illinois, 5.17m
Peyton Bair, Oregon, 5.07m
Carter Morton, Northern Iowa, 4.97m
Aiden Carter, Oregon, 4.87m
Blake Harris, Texas A&M, 4.77m
Tayton Klein, Kansas, 4.67m
Luuk Pelkmans, Illinois, 4.67m
John Swabik, Kansas, 4.67m
Yannik Knobloch, TCU, 4.57m
Ryan Gregory, Long Beach St., 4.57m
Ben Barton, BYU, 4.47m
Nathaniel Paris, Virginia Tech, 4.37m
Edgar Campre, Miami (Fla.), DNS
Landon Helms, Boise State, NH
Men's Shot Put Results
Tarik Robinson-O'Hagan of Ole Miss is the indoor shot put champion!
THREE-PEAT 🏆🏆🏆
🔴Tarik Robinson-O'Hagan wins a THIRD-straight NCAA Indoor Shot Put Title. Today, on his fifth attempt he launched one 20.65m (67-9).
🦆Kobe Lawrence finished second with a 20.50m throw, securing eight valuable points for Oregon. Ben Smith also scored for… pic.twitter.com/5dk1MoHsvU
𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘁 𝗣𝘂𝘁 | Top five spots currently all over 66 feet, but Tarik Robinson-O'Hagan gives himself a bit of space with this 5th round improvement to 20.65m/67' 9"#HottyToddy x #NCAATFpic.twitter.com/sYxqgMAq0D
PREVIEW | Brentford vs Wolverhampton - team news, lineups, predictions
Brentford and Wolverhampton go head-to-head at Brentford Community Stadium this Monday in the Premier League. The match will be broadcast live at 20:00 on Sky Sports Main Event.
Brentford currently have 44 points and lie in 7th position. In their last outing, Keith Andrews's team drew 2-2 against West Ham (The Emirates FA Cup 2025/26).
Wolverhampton have won 15 points to date and are placed in 20th position. In their last encounter, Rob Edwards's team were beaten 1-3 by Liverpool (The Emirates FA Cup 2025/26).
The last meeting between the two teams ended with Brentford winning 2-0.
Keith Andrews faced Rob Edwards on one occasion, registering a victory.
Rob Edwards faced Brentford on four occasions, registering only losses.
Keith Andrews faced Wolverhampton on one occasion, registering a victory.
TEAMS
Away from home, Wolverhampton currently has one victory in the last 15 games.
Wolverhampton currently has five victories in the last 29 games.
Wolverhampton comes from three consecutive games scoring goals.
At home, Brentford currently has three losses in the last 15 games.
At home, Brentford comes from three consecutive games conceding goals.
At home, Brentford comes from three consecutive games without winning.
Brentford currently has one loss in the last eight games.
Brentford comes from two consecutive games without winning.
Brentford comes from three consecutive games without losing.
HEAD TO HEAD
Brentford and Wolverhampton have faced each other 38 times, with Wolverhampton having the advantage: 17 wins, compared to 15 victories for Brentford.
At the Brentford Community Stadium, Brentford has the advantage in clashes against Wolverhampton: eight wins in 18 games. Wolverhampton has six victories.
In the English League, 19 matches have been played between the two teams, with Brentford winning nine, two draws, and eight victories for Wolverhampton.
Johan Cruyff Arena falls silent as Ajax Ultras banned for Sparta Rotterdam clash
It is often said that football is nothing without fans. Tonight, this was put to the test as Ajax welcomed Sparta Rotterdam to the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Ajax Ultras, the F-side were banned for one home match in the Eredivisie.
The club agreed to the punishment after the fireworks display by the supporters’ group during the home match against FC Groningen last November.
That match was abandoned after just six minutes and played out a few days later behind closed doors where Ajax eventually ran out 2-0 winners.
However, Ajax attempted to pre-empt the punishment to avoid a ban and subsequently kept the F-side empty during the 2-0 home win against Feyenoord in December.
To some extent, this self-punishment worked.
The prosecutor for professional football took this into account when determining the penalty and Ajax avoided harsher ramifications.
That has led to the strange spectacle tonight, where the lower tier of the F-side is empty in a sold-out stadium as Ajax look to lift themselves to within two points of Feyenoord in second with a win.
However, they have to overcome a Sparta Rotterdam sitting eighth and looking for their first win in six games, cheered on by a raucous away following.
Amorim’s biggest Man United call has left Carrick in big trouble
Ten games and nearly nine weeks on from his ignominious departure, Ruben Amorim’s influence is still being felt at Manchester United.
The problems left behind by the Portuguese are many and varied but dotted amongst them are indisputable positives, often delivered as hard truths. Nowhere is this dichotomy clearer than in the wide areas, those most contentious parts of the pitch where wingers were ditched wholesale in favour of marauding wing backs.
Rude awakening
Amorim’s determination to mould the squad to his exacting needs, and his intolerance towards poor attitudes, made for a rude awakening for United’s established wingers.
Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Jadon Sancho made up four fifths of the uncompromising coach’s bomb squad. Four players who didn’t suit the system, but also four players who increasingly looked at odds with the club’s entire philosophy – it’s hard to make a case for any one of them deserving a seat back in a dressing room mysteriously much less toxic than it was when they departed.
Meanwhile Patrick Dorgu was brought in as a dedicated wing-back, Amad was repurposed to play that role and Diogo Dalot was given an unsettling level of responsibility.
Carrick left to wing it
Fast-forward to Michael Carrick’s interim reign and its more familiar 4-2-3-1 shape, and while the Englishman will be grateful for the removal of difficult personalities, he will also doubtless be frustrated by his options on the wings.
Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo were signed for big money to complete the summer’s comprehensive changing of United’s attacking guard – both are excellent, but both are at their best as 10s.
For Carrick, rightly rotating an off-colour Amad sacrifices the only out-and-out winger in the squad, and just as Dorgu was surging into form in a more attacking position he was sidelined through injury, leaving the pickings worryingly slim.
With Cunha and Mbeumo on the wings there is no lack of effort but a desperate shortage in natural width, and the team’s creativity suffers hugely as a result.
A serious issue
The issue is made all the starker when the form of Dalot and Luke Shaw hits the buffers, as it has in recent weeks, compounding the gaping lack of quality to either side of a resilient core.
United’s narrowness and resulting predictability has been one of the key causes of their faltering form as the Carrick revolution has collided headlong with the immovable object of reality.
The Red Devils are incredibly likely to reinforce in wide areas over the summer, so this lack of personnel should be a comparatively short-term problem.
Having been so comprehensively burnt by appointing a three-at-the-back zealot, United will surely hand a full-time deal to a coach playing a regulation back four. Whether Carrick or someone else, this coach will demand wingers and quite possibly improved full backs; if INEOS don’t heed these requests, they are once more setting a new man up to fail.
Gordon Gets 8, Willock With 7.5 | Newcastle United Players Rated In Hard-Fought Win Vs Chelsea
Newcastle United faced off against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge earlier this evening as they looked to secure a win on the road in the Premier League. The Magpies made a bright start to the game and scored the opening goal in the 18th minute thanks to Anthony Gordon’s effort. Eddie Howe’s men went into the half-time break 1-0 to the good.
The Tyneside club defended their slender advantage well in the second 45 minutes and secured a hard-fought 1-0 win away from home.
Let’s take a look at how each Newcastle United player fared during the match against the Blues.
He made a few top saves at the back and secured an important clean sheet this evening.
RB: Tino Livramento – 6.5/10
Livramento caught the eye at times but failed to make a difference going forward.
CB: Malick Thiaw – 7.5/10
He made a lot of crucial clearances inside his half and was a strong presence in the air.
CB: Sven Botman – 7.5/10
Botman dealt with the danger when he could and won his fair share of aerial duels.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 14: Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, reacts during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on March 14, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
LB: Lewis Hall – 7/10
He performed his defensive duties well and was decent on the ball.
CM: Joe Willock – 7.5/10
Willock was a positive influence at both ends of the pitch and has got an assist to show for his efforts.
CM: Jacob Ramsey – 7/10
He earned possession back once and made some inviting chances for his teammates to score.
RW: Jacob Murphy – 7/10
Murphy got stuck in with some solid tackles but failed to make a difference in the final third.
CAM: Nick Woltemade – 7/10
He made two positive runs with the ball, but there was no goal for him.
LW: Harvey Barnes – 6.5/10
Barnes engineered one good chance in the final third, but was a bit careless with his passing.
ST: Anthony Gordon – 8/10
He was a constant menace on the offensive end of the field and managed to score the only goal of the contest in the 18th minute.
Everton boss David Moyes, speaking to Sky Sports after their 2-0 defeat by Arsenal: "Really, really disappointed that we didn't get something from the game.
"We definitely worked hard enough and earned it. Jordan [Pickford] could maybe do a bit better with the goal, but Jordan has made unbelievable saves for us that have won us games. Today we just needed it at the last minute when we needed him. Other than that, there are no problems at all. Lots of praise for the players.
"I thought Raya had more saves than Jordan tonight, and he kept a couple of great saves. The bigger thing for me was the block [Riccardo Calafiori]. It tells you a bit about how good they are defensively. They are wholly defending that goal. So you have to praise them for that.
"I thought both boys [Jake O'Brien and Michael Keane] done brilliantly well. Arsenal started the game brilliantly well, and they were right on it. But we did enough to keep them out and sort of got into the game a little bit."
On aiming for Europe: "It was a challenge for us to see if we could step into it and really test Arsenal. We have pushed Arsenal close in the two games. We are close enough to be thinking about it, but I am right up for the fight and the players are as well. We are going to have to win some big games in order to achieve it."
Did you know?
This was Everton's 94th Premier League defeat in London, with no side losing more away games in the capital than the Toffees (Newcastle also 94).
Reports that the Philadelphia Eagles are keeping A.J. Brown have not deterred some in the NFL from expecting an offseason trade.
The Athletic's Dianna Russini said Friday that the Eagles decided not to move Brown at this time. However, the league isn't convinced they're done shopping the Pro Bowl wide receiver.
According to Russini, the Eagles had "serious conversations" with the Patriots and Los Angeles Rams. The two teams remain interested, but any trade would likely wait until around June 1.
Florio noted that the Eagles would assume a "dramatically smaller" dead cap hit if they trade Brown before June 1. But they may be more willing or able to accept the full $23.4 million hit if reaching a trade after that date, given the quiet start to free agency.
"Another source explained that the Eagles will be careening toward a potential cap mess in 2027, if they keep Brown through 2026," Florio wrote. "Regardless, the fact that a trade hasn’t occurred doesn’t mean it won’t. The signs continue to point toward it happening. The only question is whether the Eagles decide to wait to make the deal official after June 1."
In line with other recent reports, The Athletic said Eagles general manager Howie Roseman was seeking a first- and second-round pick for Brown. The odds seem against the Eagles trading Brown before next month's draft, but perhaps the Patriots still have a chance to acquire the star wide receiver before the 2026 campaign.
Emmanuel Dieseruvwe's 23rd league goal of the season paved the way for Rochdale to regain top spot in the National League with a win at Eastleigh.
The striker, who has now scored 11 in 11, slid in to convert Aidan Barlow's 16th-minute low cross after a flowing move down the right after Dale had briefly been overtaken by York's win earlier in the day.
At the other end of the scale Casey Pettit fired home his first for the club in the 61st minute off the underside of the crossbar.
Captain Ethan Ebanks-Landell headed home Pettit's free-kick, also off the crossbar, to render Jake Tabor's late goal from Josh Lundstram's low cross a consolation as Eastleigh slipped to their ninth defeat in 14 matches.
RENATO DALL'ARA STADIUM, BOLOGNA, ITALY - 2026/03/12: Bryan Cristante of AS Roma gestures during the UEFA Europa League 2025/2026 football match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma. Bologna and Roma drew 1-1. (Photo by Andrea Staccioli/Insidefoto/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Gian Piero didn’t hold a pre-match press conference on Saturday, so we have fewer updates than usual regarding injuries. However, upon release of the squad list, we can confirm that neither Paulo Dybala nor Matías Soulé will return for this crucial tilt. Meanwhile, Evan Ferguson and Artem Dovbyk remain out for the foreseeable future. In addition, Roma will be without Evan Ndicka, who is serving a yellow-card suspension.
Ndicka’s absence means that Mario Hermoso’s midweek return couldn’t have come at a better time. Hermoso and Daniele Ghilardi will join Gianluca Mancini to complete the back three in front of Mile Svilar during Nicka’s absence. With three natural central defenders in the back line, Zeki Çelik will be used as a right wing-back in this match after playing further back against Bologna. Wesley will operate on the opposite flank.
While Bryan Zaragoza and Lorenzo Venturino have had opportunities in the attacking midfield over the last few matches with Dybala and Soulé out, it seems Gasperini will choose a more veteran presence for this game. Reports suggest that Bryan Cristante will move further up the pitch, supporting Lorenzo Pellegrini and Donyell Malen.
Cristante playing further up the pitch will allow another opportunity for Niccoló Pisilli to start with Manu Koné in the central midfield.
Two weeks ago, left-hander Tarik Skubal – the reigning two-time American League Cy Young winner – said he wouldn't use the new automated ball-strike (ABS) challenge system. He planned to leave the challenges regarding the strike zone to catchers Dillon Dingler and Jake Rogers.
In Saturday's game, Skubal challenged a two-strike fastball with one out to Davis Schneider in the first inning. He painted the 96.2 mph fastball on the down-and-in corner of the zone to the right-handed hitter, only for home-plate umpire Vic Carapazza to call it a ball.
Skubal initiated a challenge by tapping his hat.
Dingler shook his head in disapproval.
Turns out, Skubal was correct – and everyone else was wrong. He won the challenge to overturn the call for a strikeout, resulting in the second out of the first inning.
Skubal made his first start in return from the World Baseball Classic.
The 29-year-old started Feb. 23 and March 1 for the Tigers in Grapefruit League play, then March 7 for Team USA in the WBC, then came back to the Tigers again for a start against the Blue Jays.
Skubal is scheduled for one more start – Friday against the Philadelphia Phillies – in spring training before Opening Day on March 26 against the San Diego Padres.
Facing the Blue Jays, Skubal allowed one run on three hits and zero walks with seven strikeouts across 4⅔ innings, throwing 44 of 61 pitches for strikes. He surrendered a solo home run to Daulton Varsho in the fifth inning.
Varsho clobbered Skubal's middle-middle sinker for a 423-foot home run to right-center field, marking his third homer in the past two games. The 29-year-old is hitting .455 with a 1.486 OPS in 13 games this spring, spanning 35 plate appearances.
His homer off Skubal trimmed the Tigers' lead to 2-1.
Aside from Varsho, Skubal dominated against the Blue Jays.
The only other hits: Riley Tirotta in the third inning and Myles Straw in the fifth inning.
Skubal generated 10 whiffs on 33 swings for a 30.3% whiff rate with three fastballs, three sliders, two changeups and two curveballs. His fastball averaged 97.3 mph, maxing out at 99.1 mph.
The Tigers matched up against right-hander Max Scherzer.
Scherzer tossed 4⅔ scoreless innings on two hits and two walks with five strikeouts, throwing 65 pitches. The 41-year-old signed an incentive-laden one-year, $3 million contract with the Blue Jays in early March, with an additional $10 million available in performance bonuses.
In the first inning, Scherzer struck out top prospect Kevin McGonigle on three pitches: 91.8 mph fastball (foul), 75.6 mph curveball (called strike) and 75.2 mph curveball (swinging strike).
After Scherzer, the Tigers took advantage of right-handed reliever Tommy Nance with two outs in the fifth inning – sparked by back-to-back walks from Parker Meadows and McGonigle at the top of the lineup.
Matt Vierling and Wenceel Pérez cashed in.
Vierling ripped Nance's down-and-in slider into the left-field corner for an RBI double, then Pérez slapped a middle-away sinker bobbled by the shortstop for an RBI single.
The Tigers took a 3-1 lead in the seventh inning, when McGonigle walked on four pitchers and Vierling tagged an elevated fastball to drive in the runner with an RBI double. Both players produced against right-handed reliever Louis Varland.
Vierling had two hits over a 104 mph exit velocity.
A pair of RBI singles from John Peck and Andrew Jenkins increased the Tigers' lead to 5-1 in the eighth inning.
On the mound
The Tigers unloaded four relievers in the final four-plus innings: right-hander Jack Little for the final out of the fifth and the sixth, right-hander Burch Smith for the seventh, right-hander Tanner Rainey for the eighth and left-hander Sean Guenther for the ninth.
Of the four, Smith and Guenther have the best chances to make the Opening Day roster.
In the seventh, Smith struck out RJ Schreck with an up-and-away 95.2 mph fastball, then walked Arjun Nimmala on five pitches, but he responded by getting Jonatan Clase to ground into an inning-ending double play.
Guenther tossed a scoreless ninth.
Three stars
1. Tarik Skubal, 2. Matt Vierling, 3. Kevin McGonigle.
Lewis Walker snatched a last-gasp equaliser for Braintree as they held fellow National League relegation battlers Morecambe to a draw.
The resurgent Shrimpers looked to be on course for a third straight win under Jim Bentley, who returned on a rescue mission last month, with Jack Nolan converting an 87th-minute penalty.
Three points would have lifted the hosts above Brackley and out of the bottom four but they were unable to hang on after seven minutes of stoppage time were added.
Braintree goalkeeper Mason Terry, who had earlier made an outstanding save from Chris Popov, was sent up for a late corner and provided the assist for Walker to salvage a vital point for Steve Pitt's side.
Mikel Arteta was very pleased with Arsenal after the Gunners took another step toward the Premier League title with a dramatic 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday.
Viktor Gyokeres was again on the scoresheet and Max Dowman became the youngest scorer in Arsenal history when he danced 50 yards to score his first Premier League goal and salt away the win.
The Gunners took a 10-point lead over Manchester City before the latter kicked off later Saturday at West Ham with two matches-in-hand.
Mikel Arteta reaction — What did Arsenal boss say after late breakthrough over Everton?
"It was unbelievable. With all the time we invested and the effort, all of the commitment we put to the passion to this incredible game called football. To experience those moments with the crowd, the staff, the players. The joy in their eyes is special. I think this is one of our best wins. I think people will remember the time the 16-year-old kid took the ball at the end line and went all the way."
"How much we wanted it. The desire that we all have to go and achieve what we have to achieve. We want to put everything that we have into making it happen. Hopefully day by day we can earn it."
"You have to. That's the condition. We have so much ability and especially so much desire to do it. The crowd kept believing in the players as well and we just had to do it."
"That's what I see every day — a player that is not phased by the occasion or the opponent. He's 16. He was incredible for the team, for his teammates, for his family, for all of us related to football."
"One more game and that's what we had to do. That was our duty. It was our dream to do it and that's what we managed to do."
😮 In stoppage time: Arsenal youngster breaks Premier League record
With their home victory against FC Everton, Arsenal took the lead in the Premier League title race. Deep into stoppage time, the match made history with an unprecedented event.
Specifically, it was youngster Max Dowman who, in the seventh minute of extra time, increased the lead for the PL frontrunners to 2-0, scored his first PL goal, and thus entered the league’s history books.
At just 16 years and 73 days old, he is now the youngest goalscorer ever in England’s top division.
Dowman also played a key role earlier in the match. The lead in the 89th minute was preceded by a cross from the 16-year-old.
After the match, the youngster received plenty of praise, including from teammate Viktor Gyokeres, according to the ‘Daily Mail’: “It’s incredible. You can see how he plays. Every time he gets the ball, he stays so calm and fearless. Most of the time, he makes the right decision, and with the goal, he definitely made the right choice. He’s a great player, it was a fantastic goal for him, and I’m really happy for him.”
So today, once again, we can all ask ourselves what we were doing at 16—certainly not scoring our first goal in what is considered the best league in the world.
ASHWAUBENON − Two critical defensive plays by Neillsville helped preserve the school's second state title in the WIAA Division 4 girls basketball championship game March 14.
Madi Davel's steal with a few seconds left thwarted a potential winning shot from Albany/Monticello. Her two bonus free throws with 0.8 seconds remaining left the Space Stallions with one final attempt. Another steal by Laylah Walk on the inbound pass secured the 43-40 win for the Warriors as time expired at the Resch Center.
Eden Marg, a 5-foot-10 freshman forward, had 16 points on 7-for-9 shooting with 10 rebounds to lead Neillsville (29-1). Braelyn Anding added 10 points and Tessa Warren had 14 rebounds for the Warriors.
Annie Olson had nine points and Emersen Butts had eight to lead Albany/Monticello (27-3).
"That's the internal strength of our kids," Neillsville coach John Gaier said. "They have been battlers all year long. We told them, in games like this, you're not gonna hold the other team scoreless ... you got to find ways to answer.
"Our kids have had resilience all year long. I think the harder your work, the harder it is to give up. And these kids weren't willing to do that, and all the credit goes to them. It is surreal, but if there's ever been a team that's earned it, this group together has certainly done that."
Neillsville (29-1) held a 20-10 lead at the half as Albany/Monticello struggled to get its offense in gear.
The Space Stallions rallied to start the second half, outscoring Neillsville 13-0, to take a 23-20 lead with just under 13 minutes left. Neillsville started the second half 0-for-8.
The game was close the rest of the way with Neillsville taking a 41-34 lead a pair of free throws from Anding. Albany/Monticello countered with back-to-back 3-pointers from Heidi Olson and Annie Olson. That pulled the Space Stallions to within 41-40 with 31 seconds remaining, setting up the final sequence.
HOUSTON: Sam Antonacci of Team Italy scores in Pete Rose style" against Alejandro Kirk of Team Mexico during the 2026 World Baseball Classic at Daikin Park on March 11, 2026. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Sam Antonacci’s international baseball legacy is on center stage in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The Chicago White Sox infielder’s MLB career is not too far away.
Antonacci is playing the biggest game of his young career today. A win over favored Puerto Rico will put him and Team Italy into a truly bigger game in the semifinals.
“Just to go out here with these guys, it means more than you can think,” Antonacci told reporters after hitting a home run in Italy’s shocking 8-6 upset of Team USA in Pool B play earlier this week.
"We all have the same mindset. We don’t need all the bells and whistles. We’re a gritty group, I would say and we just love playing baseball.
“I think that showed tonight, just doing the little things right. We’re looking to win, we’re here to play and we’re just here for the love of the game.”
HOUSTON: Sam Antonacci of Team Italy gets down and dirty to score a run against Team Great Britain during a 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool B game at Daikin Park on March 8, 2026. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Mexico’s Jarren Duran of the Boston Red Sox hit a fly ball to left-center field with Joey Ortiz of the Milwaukee Brewers on first base. Ortiz was running with the pitch. As he approached second base, shortstop Antonacci took a fake dive toward the bag to trick Ortiz into thinking the ball was on the ground and headed to center field. Ortiz scrambled towards third base. Jakob Marsee caught the pop-up and Ortiz was easily doubled off first.
Spring Forward In Fall
Hit rewind to last November when Antonacci hit .378 in the Arizona Fall League. In a brief conversation then, he said essentially the same things about his game.
“I’m just trying to take advantage of everything out here because I just love baseball,” he said. “I’ve got so much to learn and what a great atmosphere this is to do it. I’m getting to play and when I don’t, I get to watch other players from other organizations and learn. I get to pick the brains of coaches, teammates, sometimes opponents. I love it.”
GLENDALE, AZ: Sam Antonacci of the Glendale Desert Dogs hits a single during an Arizona Fall League game against the Peoria Javelinas at Camelback Ranch on Oct. 25, 2025. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)
Getty Images
If it sounds like he has a memorized speech, it isn’t. He’s genuine despite seeming at times to be two different people. On the field, the 5-11, 185-pounder plays with passion and fire. Of the field, he is thoughtful, introspective and calm.
He went 28-for-74 with 3 homers, 14 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 19 AFL games, helping the Glendale Desert Dogs win the championship. He also drew 15 walks to 11 strikeouts. When added to his minor-league totals, he has 101 walks t0 97 strikeouts since signing with Chicago.
“Ah, the ball just flies better out in the desert,” he said of his power surge after totaling five in 116 games during the 2025 minor-league season.
Not only does Antonacci pile up hits (.298 average in 139 MiLB games), he got hit by pitches a whopping 39 times in 2025.
That’s a throwback to when other scrappy infielders took their lumps to get on base. Combined with his bat-to-ball skills and all-out hustle, he has the “Pete Rose Mindset” that scouts, managers and fans love.
Hall of Fame infielder Hughie Jennings, a pugnacious 5-foot-8 infielder in the late 1800s, holds the record for most times being drilled in a season (51 in 1896) and career (287). Jennings later managed the Detroit Tigers to three consecutive AL pennants (1907-09).
HOUSTON: Astros second baseman Craig Biggio winces in pain after being hit by a pitch during a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Minute Maid Park, July 30, 2006. (Photo by Bob Levey/WireImage)
WireImage
Second on the career list is Craig Biggio, the Houston Astros’ second baseman/catcher/outfielder who got plunked 285 times on the way to the Hall of Fame.
Second on the single-season list is Ron Hunt. The Montreal Expos’ second baseman was hit 50 times in 1971. He’s sixth on the career list with 243 over 12 seasons with five teams.
Guys don’t seem to take one for the team as much anymore. Outfielder Starling Marte, who recently signed as a free agent at age 37 with the Kansas City Royals, is the active leader with 166 hit-by-pitches over 14 seasons.
Antonacci’s Resume
Scouts love the lefty’s ability to put the ball in play. Fans fawning over the long ball say who cares. MLB execs counter with, “we do.”
CLEMSON, SC: Coastal Carolina Chanticleer infielder Sam Antonacci is about to connect for a hit during the NCAA Division 1 Regional game against the Vanderbilt Commodores on May 31, 2024, at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Antonacci led Division I with a .367 average at Coastal Carolina in 2024 when he typically had more walks than Ks (50-to-40) with only 6 homers but 47 RBI in 61 games.
Chicago selected him in the fifth round that summer with pick No. 140 overall. Nineteen players chosen at No. 140 have played in the majors, including sluggers Ryan Howard (382 homers, Philadelphia Phillies’ pick in 2001) and Eric Karros (284 homers, Los Angeles Dodgers’ choice in 1988).
Antonacci got $500,000 to sign. He’s proven to be a solid defender at short, second and third with an average arm. He’s got average speed, though his high IQ for the game has enabled him to swipe 66 bases in 81 attempts since signing.
Antonacci’s Future With Chicago White Sox
General Manager Chris Getz recently said the 23-year-old “likely” will begin the 2026 season in the minors. It likely will be at Triple-A Charlotte.
Manager Will Venable loves Antonacci’s high energy. When asked by James Fegan of Soxonline.com about players who are constantly on the move, Venable said: “We love to see it. When we think about the identity we’re trying to create, he does those things naturally.”
Antonacci hit the weight room this winter like he hits everything else – hard. Early in spring training he got his career-high exit velocity of 109.5 mph on a home run.
He’s among a good group of prospects the organization believes will lead the team out of three consecutive 100-loss seasons. There’s a lot of competition for jobs and right now Antonacci is just another guy in the jumbled mix.
NEW YORK: Luis Aparicio (left) and Nellie Fox of the Chicago White Sox before a 1959 game at Yankee Stadium
Bettmann Archive
Three of the most beloved infielders in team history had Antonacci’s A-plus attribute of hustle. Luke Appling, Luis Aparicio and Nellie Fox all had the uniform numbers retired. All are in the Baseball Hall of Fame. In a combined 57 MLB seasons, that trio reached double-digits in homers once – when Aparicio hit 10 in 1964.
Sam Antonnaci may never make a big impact in MLB, let alone approach those three Chicago White Sox mighty mites. That doesn’t mean he won’t give it his best shot.
Birmingham City manager Chris Davies revealed of his "frustration" after his side's 1-1 draw at home to 10-man Sheffield United on Saturday.
Blues' Marvin Ducksch broke the deadlock shortly after Femi Siriki was dismissed for a clumsy challenge on Ibrahim Osman in the 23rd minute but the visitors equalised in first half stoppage time through Patrick Bamford.
Despite waves of attacks in the second half and a one man advantage Birmingham were unable to break through United's stern defence.
"Obviously there's a frustration there because in a game we felt we should win," Davies told BBC Radio WM after the game.
"I think we started pretty well, even up until they had the red card and obviously get a goal straight from it and you think right, now we just need to keep pushing and try and get that second goal.
"So we concede a really sloppy goal just on the stroke of half-time. It gives them something to hang on to, gives them a certain belief.
"Then it was just a case in the second half, could we score a goal? It was one-way traffic, obviously.
"We hit the bar and post a few times in the match, but fine margins, a few inches either way, and it goes in and we win that game comfortably but we just didn't do enough to score."
Walking the streets of downtown OKC in sizzling weather, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander cemented his spot as the greatest player in Oklahoma City Thunder history — or so most would think so. At least one NBA legend thinks otherwise still.
Dwyane Wade recently vouched for Russell Westbrook as the greatest player in Thunder history. On a clip that went viral on social media, the NBA Hall-of-Famer argues that his former foe is still the best guy — but extremely rich — franchise history.
"I still think that Russell Westbrook is the greatest player in Oklahoma City history right now. Doesn't mean he's going to end up that. To me, I still believe that," Wade said. "You can't tell me that a player can come through Miami right now, win a regular-season MVP and win a Finals MVP and he just becomes the greatest player in Miami history."
Eh, I don't know. As beloved as Westbrook is, Gilgeous-Alexander's resume has already surpassed his — both as an individual and team accomplishments. The latter will soon have more MVP awards on top of being the first guy to bring a Larry O'Brien trophy to OKC.
At this point, we're seeing Gilgeous-Alexander have one of the greatest careers ever. He's hoping to be penciled into the same sentences as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Stephen Curry. All three a few notches above Westbrook in the all-time rankings.
But Wade doesn't care about any of that. He mentioned Westbrook becoming a triple-double machine. His sole MVP season saw him average a 30-point triple-double — something that hadn't been accomplishment in nearly a century with Oscar Robertson.
Wade also leaned on longevity over peak. He said Gilgeous-Alexander needs to do more for longer. While that's one way to judge careers, it's not like Westbrook had a lengthy run of individual brilliance. He dominated the 2010s, but quickly declined in the 2020s.
"Russ averaged a four triple-doubles," Wade said. "He went and did something that people said will never ever be done again. He did it four times."
Think most folks have Westbrook in OKC's Mt. Rushmore — alongside Kevin Durant, begrudgingly. But what Gilgeous-Alexander has accomplished over the last two seasons has put him ahead of both NBA superstars. Feels like folks are still catching up to the conventional wisdom of how unreal the efficient 30-point scorer is.
"I'm not saying he needs to do more," Wade said. "He's just only done it for two years."
Dwyane Wade: “I still think that Russell Westbrook is the greatest player in Oklahoma City history right now… Russ averaged a triple double 4 times. He went and did something that will never ever be done again.” pic.twitter.com/wq4LLpXfCP
One Liverpool star is close to agreeing a mega deal as negotiations come to their final stage.
Richard Hughes has built a reputation as a master negotiator at Liverpool, not only helping the Reds make big money moves but also secure long-term commitments from some of their biggest stars.
Hughes has played a pivotal role in persuading players like Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and Ryan Gravenberch to commit their futures to Liverpool over the last 12 months or so.
His approach has come with some degree of caution, negotiations for all of those contracts took their time, but ultimately Hughes was able to get the parties to agree terms that are favourable for everyone.
Convincing world-class talents to stay amid interest from the top clubs in Europe is no easy task, but Hughes has consistently demonstrated an uncanny ability to align individual ambitions with Liverpool’s vision.
That said, even Hughes’ considerable influence has its limits. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure was ultimately beyond his reach. Despite Hughes’ best efforts, Alexander-Arnold's personal ambition to join Real Madrid got in the way and there was nothing the club's sporting director could do.
Still, the successes of Hughes’ work cannot be overstated. By securing extensions for Van Dijk, Salah, and Gravenberch, he has ensured Liverpool maintains continuity at the highest level and sent a strong message about the club’s ambition and stability.
While not every battle can be won, Hughes’ contributions have quietly shaped the backbone of Arne Slot's squad.
Now he's approaching probably his most difficult task to date. He knows that even though Van Dijk is contracted to Liverpool until 2027, he's not going to stay at Anfield forever.
Ultimately, the Dutchman is getting on in years and Hughes has to rebuild Liverpool's defence.
The question is, who can possibly spearhead it? Is there anyone capable of replacing Van Dijk's influence and quality at the back?
A lot of names have been mentioned but the truth is that the best candidate for the role is someone who has been learning from the Dutchman and partnering him for many years now.
Ibrahima Konate has his critics, but he remains one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League, and with his experience but also relative youth at 26-years-old, he is absolutely the man to take on the role from Van Dijk as the club's defensive leader as Liverpool guide their transition trying to bring through Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet.
Bundesliga match official Christian Dingert admits mistake when reviewing Luis Diaz dive call
Bundesliga match official Christian Dingert has commented on the refereeing chaos in this afternoon’s Bayern Munich versus Bayer Leverkusen match. Speaking to Sky Germany, Dingert admitted that Bayern’s Luis Diaz shouldn’t have been sent off on double yellows in the 84th minute. Bayern chief personnel executive Max Eberl also commented on Dingert’s admission in the mixed zone.
The scene in question
Bayern – already without starting striker Nicolas Jackson after Dingert opted to send the Chelsea loanee off on double yellows in the 42nd-minute – also lost Diaz when the Colombian went down in the box after a duel with Leverkusen keeper Janis Blaswich. Replays confirmed there was contact. Dingert nevertheless didn’t care for the way in which Diaz went to ground easily.
Diaz certainly embellished the fall somewhat, but a yellow card seemed a harsh decision. Dingert admitted as much when he reviewed the scene again after the match. The 45-year-old affirmed that the scene didn’t merit a penalty, yet conceded that Diaz didn’t actively dive either. FCB head coach Vincent Kompany publicly expressed extreme dissatisfaction with Dingert’s decision.
Dingert’s statement on Luis Diaz’s sending off
“The way I perceived it, he went down [in the opposite direction],” Dingert said. “When I see the footage now, it’s clear that it’s not a penalty. A yellow-red card is very harsh. I wouldn’t give it that way now.”
Max Eberl speaks on Dingert
“That was honorable of him [to admit that he made a mistake],” Eberl added in the mixed zone. “He [Diaz] didn’t complain or ask the ref for a penalty. He got back up immediately.”
Conte: ‘Napoli common good is what matters, Banda frightened me’
Antonio Conte warns Napoli that he will be ruthless for the ‘common good, which is Champions League qualification,’ and reveals what he saw with Lameck Banda’s collapse.
It was the worst possible start to the game at the Stadio Maradona when Lecce took the lead in the third minute, as Jamil Siebert was allowed a free header on a corner.
NAPLES, ITALY – MARCH 14: Matteo Politano of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring his side second goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and US Lecce at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on March 14, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
The Partenopei struggled to get back into it, but were transformed at half-time when introducing Kevin De Bruyne and Scott McTominay off the bench.
They equalised within 60 seconds thanks to Rasmus Hojlund meeting a Matteo Politano pull-back, then Politano ended his 43-match drought to turn it around completely for a third consecutive victory.
Conte keeps eye on big picture for Napoli
NAPLES, ITALY – MARCH 14: Antonio Conte SSC Napoli head coach during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and US Lecce at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on March 14, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
“I am not someone who tends to pay attention to statistics, but I can only be satisfied when hearing I have such a good record,” Conte told DAZN Italia when informed he has an average of 2.21 points per game in Serie A.
Although De Bruyne had made his comeback last week against Torino, this was his first appearance at the Stadio Maradona since he suffered that serious thigh tear on October 25, converting a penalty against Inter.
With everyone available again, how could this change the Napoli line-up?
“These are all hypotheticals, because we are talking about players who have been out for four or five months, so we cannot expect them to immediately be in good shape,” replied Conte.
“We started out using Elmas against Torino with Gilmour, then in the second half I brought on Anguissa and pushed Elmas further forward. Today we started with Anguissa and Gilmour, then Elmas as a Number 10.
“As we were losing the match, I changed again. These are great players, but we must give them time to regain the match tempo.
“It’s true that the lads need to regain confidence, but the most important thing is the common good, which is what is good for Napoli.
“I made choices today and made changes at half-time. Everyone wants to play, but we’ve got to be smart and they must trust what I see and feel.
“The most important thing is that we qualify for the Champions League.”
NAPLES, ITALY – MARCH 14: Lameck Banda of US Lecce collapsed during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and US Lecce at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on March 14, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
There was also tension in the final minutes when Lecce player Lameck Banda collapsed near to Conte on the touchline, so the coach alerted the medical staff to get him treatment.
According to the latest reports, Banda received a knock to the chest moments earlier and was struggling to breathe, but did not appear to lose consciousness.
“I was right there preparing the wall for a free kick and I saw him looking a bit shaky, he started to go down, then he had his hand on his chest, which really frightened me,” revealed Conte.
“I rushed onto the field and called for help, I hope he is doing well and has a quick recovery. Banda is a good lad, he’s expecting a baby too, so I wish him and his family well.”
The Edmonton Oilers remain in the playoff race, but questions around defense and goaltending continue to grow. Edmonton holds a 32-26-9 record with 73 points and sits third in the Pacific, despite making it to two straight Stanley Cup finals in the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
The team scores at an elite rate but still struggles to protect its own net.
Former NHL executive Doug MacLean recently shared blunt criticism about the Oilers’ defensive problems. He spoke on Sportsnet with Nick Kypreos and Gord Stellick after Edmonton’s heavy loss to the Dallas Stars.
Dallas defeated Edmonton 7-2 in a dominant performance. The defeat highlighted the Oilers’ ongoing defensive issues.
MacLean said the same concerns have followed Edmonton for years. He noted that players like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl often discuss the need for stronger team defense. However, he believes the team still has not solved the problem.
“You can’t score your way to a championship, unfortunately,” MacLean said. “Scoring is great, but you don’t score your way to a championship. You’ve got to be able to defend, and when [Kris] Knoblauch comes in there, I thought they would straighten it out when he came in, and it hasn’t happened.”
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) keeps the puck away from Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson (21) during the first period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Edmonton continues to produce goals at a high rate. The club averages 3.51 goals per game, one of the best marks in the NHL. McDavid leads the offense with 111 points, including 37 goals and 74 assists. Draisaitl follows closely behind with 96 points.
However, the Oilers allow 3.40 goals per game. Their penalty kill also ranks among the league’s weakest units this season. MacLean believes the goaltending situation adds to the problem and questioned the impact of Edmonton’s move to acquire Tristan Jarry.
“Goaltending there is still a problem,” MacLean said. “It’s still a major problem. Stan [Bowman] makes a big move on Skinner for Jarry. We said on this show at the time that it was a non-impactful trade. Because it was basically two guys that are the same, that you don’t see as Stanley Cup winners.
“… Team defense starts with great goaltending, that’s where it starts. And they don’t have that, and they don’t have a dedication to playing team defense. A”
"You hear Draisaitl and McDavid talk about [team defence]… Team defence starts with great goaltending. And they don't have that."@DougMaclean joins @RealKyper and @GordStellick to weigh in on the Oilers' defensive woes after a 7-2 loss to Dallas.
So, according to MacLean, without that foundation, Edmonton will struggle to contend for a championship.
The Oilers showed similar problems in their next game as well. The St. Louis Blues erased a two-goal deficit and won 3-2 in overtime. Robert Thomas scored the game-winning goal with nine seconds left.
Edmonton still holds a playoff position. But unless the defense improves fast, the team’s Stanley Cup hopes could remain uncertain.
Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom believes his players "made it hard" for themselves following their 2-0 loss at Norwich City on Saturday.
Ali Ahmed and Kenny McLean's first half goals succumbed the Rams to their 13th loss of the season and they are now on a four match losing streak in the Championship.
They currently sit in 17th place in the table on 49 points.
"Another tough one. We had a bright start and had the best chance of the game, and then a moment, a lapse in concentration," Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire after the match.
"Odel[uga Offiah] was the correct side, they take the shot, Odel is the wrong side and we're one down, which gets compounded by a referee decision.
"Those are the things that are costing us. But after a bright start, we knew that we were still in the game and we knew we'd made it hard for ourselves, but we responded in the right way.
"The big frustration is that we didn't score. If we'd have taken any one of those chances, we'd have made it much more difficult for Norwich because we were the team in the ascendancy in terms of territory and chances in the second half, but we never made them feel that tension and anxiety that can come if we'd have got a goal."
The women's NCAA Tournament selection committee released the top 16 seeds on Saturday, March 14. Iowa women's basketball, as expected, is among the top 16.
The significance of that announcement — those teams will host first- and second-round games in March Madness on March 20-23.
The Hawkeyes are expected to be a 2-seed in one of the four regionals when the bracket is announced Sunday. Games will be held at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on March 20/22 or March 21/23.
Top 16 seeds in 2026 women's NCAA Tournament, in alphabetical order:
It was tough to know quite where to start once the full-time whistle went. Bayern had two players sent off and two goals ruled out by VAR as they were held to a 1-1 draw away at Bayer Leverkusen. A draw, yes, but the level of drama, battling spirit and morale meant it almost felt like a win for the Bundesliga leaders. And then there was also Sven Ulreich, making his first appearance in well over a year and producing a big save in added time. “The guys have known me a long time and know I’m there when needed,” the 37-year-old said.
Leverkusen strike early
The goalkeeper had little time to get reaccustomed to being out on the pitch. Nobody had time to settle as Leverkusen struck with their first shot of the game. Ulreich, though, was powerless to help after a deflection off Jonathan Tah. The hosts could use their lead to sit back and look to break, especially down the right where 18-year-old Montrell Culbreath was a lively outlet, having also created the opening goal.
Although Bayern’s defence generally had striker Patrik Schick under control, they didn’t always manage to deal with the Czech man’s ability to lay the ball off to teammates. Vincent Kompany’s men dominated possession at 69 percent and won 83 percent of duels, but Leverkusen had their early lead – a division-leading ninth goal in the opening 15 minutes of games this season.
Bayern struggled at first and were unable to replicate the creativity and attacking threat they showed during the week in their 6-1 win at Atalanta in the Champions League. But they did soon have the ball in the net when a Joshua Kimmich free-kick went in off ex-Leverkusen man Tah. However, referee Christian Dingert ruled it out on review because the ball had struck the Bayern defender on the arm before going in. A correct decision but tough to take.
Intensity, red cards, more VAR
Leverkusen stuck to their approach even after they thought they’d conceded. They remained a danger on the counter and created a number of chances as the intensity of the game increased. Tah was one of several names to end up in the referee’s book, picking up his fifth yellow card of the season and therefore a suspension for next weekend’s fixture against Union Berlin. Nicolas Jackson, who again showed plenty of commitment and effort in place of Harry Kane, will also miss that game after he had a yellow card upgraded to a red for a foul on Martin Terrier just before half-time. “We can debate other things after that, but not there,” Kompany admitted afterwards. It was only Bayern’s second sending-off in the Bundesliga under the Belgian after João Palhinha’s dismissal in the 3-2 loss at home to Bochum on 8 March 2025. Ulreich denied Malik Tillman as Bayern went into half-time trailing for the second time in the last three Bundesliga games – as often as in the previous 43 matches combined.
After the restart, there was little sign that Bayern were actually a man down. They ran, tackled, passed and pressed as if nothing had happened, with the front three of Michael Olise, Luis Díaz and Lennart Karl interchanging in attack.
One of the best moves of the game saw Dayot Upamecano and Karl work through the Leverkusen press on the edge of their own box before setting Olise away, who fed Díaz, but the Colombian slipped as he tried to get his shot away. Kompany introduced Kane after an hour and very nearly brought about the equaliser after blocking a clearance from goalkeeper Janis Blaswich, before tapping in Díaz’s ball back into the centre. But again VAR intervened and ruled Kane had handled the ball when he blocked it. So instead of 1-1 or even 2-1 to 10-man Bayern, it was still 1-0 in Leverkusen’s favour.
Goal and red for Díaz
Since Bayern kept pushing just as hard as if they still had a full complement of players, they finally got themselves on parity with a goal that did stand. Olise was quickest to a loose pass from Leverkusen captain Robert Andrich, again playing in Díaz to slot home. The France international now has 17 assists this Bundesliga campaign, which is a new record after 26 matchdays since data collection began in 2003/04. The Colombian, meanwhile, moved up to 15 goals, level with Deniz Undav of VfB Stuttgart in second place in the division behind Kane (30).
Leverkusen reacted to the goal with renewed energy and it developed into a breathless encounter between the Bundesliga’s two remaining Champions League teams, which Bayern absolutely wanted to win. But their task was made even harder in the 84th minute when Díaz went down in the box after a slight touch from Blaswich and referee Dingert produced a second yellow card for simulation. There was no ability to review this incident, though, forcing Bayern to see out the game with nine men. Díaz is now the first Bayern player for 22 years to both score and be sent off in a Bundesliga game since Michael Ballack against Hannover on 8 February 2004. It was also the first time since April 2001 away at Borussia Dortmund that the Bavarians had two players dismissed in a single league game. “Today we had to deal with lots of difficult situations and decisions. But the decisive thing is how you deal with it as a team. I think we did an amazing job today,” said Tah afterwards.
Ulreich ensures a point
Leverkusen sensed an opportunity after that, no longer having to deal with Bayern’s seemingly tireless front line. Even then, Bayern retained superiority in terms of possession with 58 percent, but it was the hosts who came closest to winning it when substitute Jonas Hofmann finished off a spell of pressure, only for VAR to intervene one final time with a tight offside call.
“I’m so incredibly proud of the guys’ mental effort. There was so much going on today, so many important phases that we’ll have lots of different opinions about,” Kompany added after the final whistle. Another key moment was a big late save by Ulreich, repaying all the faith placed him well over a year since his last competitive appearance. “We have a great team of goalkeepers. Both guys [Manuel Neuer and Jonas Urbig] messaged me before the game to wish me luck and were happy I got to play today. There’s real harmony in our goalkeeping group. I’m pleased to be a part of that and this team,” Bayern’s third choice revealed. And they were right to be. He and the efforts of the entire team ensured that the Bavarians picked up their 19th point from a losing position this season.
“We didn’t want to accept difficult situations bringing us down. That shows the strength of this team. That’s exactly what we need in the coming games,” Tah stated. We’ll get to see it again at the Allianz Arena this Wednesday for the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie against Atalanta.
🤣 Part of the squad? Referee pulls off bizarre moment with Chelsea team 🎥
The match between Chelsea and Newcastle this Saturday (12) in the Premier League produced an unusual scene even before the ball started rolling at Stamford Bridge.
As referee Paul Tierney was preparing to blow the whistle for kickoff at the center of the field, he found himself surrounded by players from the home team and suddenly in the middle of the team's final pep talk before the game.
Some of the Blues players found the situation amusing and laughed, with Cole Palmer even giving the referee a hug.
Check out the moment below:
Chelsea and Newcastle took to the field amidst their Champions League round of 16 clashes.
The Bianconeri are looking for their second consecutive victory after their win against Pisa, aiming to stay in the Champions League race and take advantage of the direct clash between Como and Roma.
Runjaic’s Udinese, on the other hand, is coming off a good run, after a 3-0 win over Fiorentina and a draw against Atalanta, and aims to keep the momentum going in front of their home fans.
🔴 Article constantly updated, for live text coverage click on the match card above.
KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 25: Isiah Pacheco #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on from the field during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on December 25, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images
NFL free agency has started, and three former Scarlet Knights have signed deals with new teams. The Detroit Lions, in particular, have become a landing spot for former Scarlet Knights, as two of the three former Knights with new players have decided to sign with the Lions.
Former Rutgers Players, RB Isiah Pacheco and S Christian Izien, Sign With the Detroit Lions
Pacheco joins Detroit, likely as a replacement option for David Montgomery, who left the team in a trade to Houston this offseason. The Lions already have a star rusher in Jahmyr Gibbs, meaning that Pacheco likely won’t get the bulk of the carries. However, he could be used as a reserve running back, depending on how Detroit changes its offense this offseason. Last year, Detroit came in 21st in the league in rush attempts per game. Hopefully, they make some changes and spread the carries around between Gibbs and Pacheco.
During his time in Tampa Bay, Izien proved himself to be a solid NFL-caliber Safety. Izien appeared in 45 games over three seasons for the Buccaneers, where he made 165 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, five pass break-ups, and three interceptions. The Lions were one of the weaker pass defenses last season, meaning that Izien will have an opportunity to compete for playing time as Detroit hopes to find the best players to fix their weakened secondary.
Both signed one-year deals with the Lions
Former Rutgers DT Sebastian Joseph-Day Signs With the Steelers
The Steelers and former Rutgers defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day have reached an agreement, with the seven-year NFL veteran taking his experience up to Pittsburgh to help them shore up their run defense in a very run-heavy division. In his seven years in the NFL, he’s racked up 314 total tackles, 15.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, six pass break-ups, and even an interception, while being part of a Super Bowl-winning Rams team in 2021. During his time in the NFL, Joseph-Day has proven himself to be a solid run stuffer. Now he will be taking part in a defense tasked with stopping Derrick Henry twice a year.
LONDON - JULY 20: A general view of the new Arsenal Emirates Stadium during an Arsenal Training and Emirates Stadium Open Day at the Emirates Stadium on July 20, 2006, in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Live Blog
46’ – Underway again at the Emirates.
Halftime Thoughts – Everton have defended decently enough minus their two best centrehalves, and actually have had the two better chances to score here at the Emirates. As long as the Blues can continue to keep them out, Arsenal’s frustration will mount, there will be bigger spaces to catch them on the break.
45+5’ – Gana keeps pushing forward and now Garner and McNeil combine, the latter’s cross is overhit, Ndiaye dribbles and sets up Gana for a tame shot that Raya catches. There’s the halftime whistle, 0-0 at the Emirates.
45+2’ – Havertz runs at the Blues defence, but is foiled and the ball cleared. Saliba tries to play in Saka but it’s overhit, goalkick.
44’ – Corner to Arsenal. Rice, O’Brien heads it away from danger, Ndiaye charges down Madueke’s shot and the resultant shot from distance is well over. Five minutes to be added on here.
41’ – McNeil plays a give and go, and races down the touchline, cuts in and is barged over by Rice. Freekick to the Blues on the right, about thirty yards out. Puts it into the box, and Raya fluffs his punch and hits his own man Saliba, ball bounces harmlessly away.
40’ – Myko nicks the ball off Saka and Ndiaye bursts free and races into the Arsenal half but then Beto fouls Saliba.
37’ – Saka goes through Myko and is in space to cross, Gana cuts it out for a corner. Timber is going off injured, with Mosquera coming on for him. Saka takes the corner, a couple of Arsenal players trying to box in Pickford but he does well to palm it away and Everton can clear.
35’ – Gana pulls down Saka about 25 yards out, and it’s a freekick. Rice into the wall, ball bounces around and McNeil hooks it clear.
31’ – Oooh! Lovely move from KDH and he makes enough room to hammer a shot from the edge of the box, too close to Raya though and he saves!
29’ – Takes three tackles from Gana, O’Brien and Garner to stop Rice. Eze fires off a shot that goes off Zubimendi’s back.
26’ – Myko blocks a Havertz cross, corner from the Everton left this time. Hit deep and a foul in the box as Saliba shoves Dewsbury-Hall down to the ground. Freekick to the Blues.
23’ – Eze plays in Havertz behind Keane with the Arsenal forward throwing himself to the floor after coming across the defender.. no penalty, and VAR concurs.
19’ – Oh goodness two incredible chances for McNeil! Ndiaye’s cross is palmed on by Raya, falls to McNeil who pulls the ball down and fires.. and Calafiori with a diving stop with his flailing foot! Then McNeil gets the ball in the right channel, dekes and makes some space, and curls one at the far post beating Raya all ends up but it clatters off the upright! Ndiaye first on the rebound and it goes wide off his ankles, but he was offside.
16’ – Madueke runs onto a ball and is shoulder-barged off it by Keane running at the highest speed we’ve seen him at.
13’ – Stunning save by Pickford! It won’t count anyway since Saka was offside, but Rice headed a cross on into the box and Saka was open at the far post to head across Pickford, and he stuck out a paw and turned the ball around the post.
Jordan Pickford was frustrated to find out his MASSIVE save against Bukayo Saka didn't matter due to offside 😅 pic.twitter.com/0RDP1inxYE
8’ – Calafiori tries a shot from distance but Iroegbunam closes him down and it’s another corner. Rice’s corner cleared by Beto, ball back into the box, Zubimendi sets up Calafiori for the shot, over.
6’ – Deep throw is poorly cleared by the Blues and Arsenal have their first corner of the game. They catch everyone by surprise going short and Madueke has a shot from inside the box but well saved and cleared.
4’ – Blues sitting deep as expected with Keane and O’Brien as the centrehalves, Keane on the left.
1’ – Everton kick off with their rugby-style up-and-under which Arsenal handle. Rice has gotten trod on by Iroegbunam early on and is hobbling.
Starting Lineups
Everton – No Tarkowski or Branthwaite for the Blues!
Everton are back on the road again this weekend, but face a quandary. They have been much better away, but they have also been absymal at the Emirates. The Toffees have won just one of their last 29 away league games against Arsenal (drawn 5, lost 23) too, picking up a 1-0 win in April 2021, and their hosts today have lost only once at home throughout this season, with eleven wins and two draws.
Arsenal are desperately trying to shed their ‘bottlers’ label as they lead the Premier League, finding ways to win ugly at times which is something they have often failed to do in past title chases. While dangerous from open play, their success this season has been predicated on setpieces where they’ve scored 19 times, higher than anyone else in the league by at least five. The Blues have conceded six times from setpieces while the Gunners have given up seven.
Jarrad Branthwaite appears to be fit, with Jack Grealish, Seamus Coleman and Charly Alcaraz out. For the hosts, Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard are out with Leandro Trossard a late decision.
Match Details
Competition: Premier League Matchweek 30
Date and start time: Saturday, March 14th at 10:30 a.m. PT / 1:30 p.m ET / 5:30 p.m. BST
Stadium: The Emirates Stadium, London, England, United Kingdom
Capacity: 60,704
Weather: 46°F/8°C, sunny, 0% chance of precipitation, 4 mph winds
How to Watch/Listen
TV: USA Network, Telemundo – United States; Sky Go UK, NOW, SKY GO Extra, Sky Ultra HD, Sky Sports Main Event – United Kingdom; Fubo– Canada, beIN Sports HD 1, SuperSport Premier League ROA, SuperSport MaXimo 2, Star Sports Select HD1
Radio: evertontv, BBC Radio 5 Live, SiriusXM FC
Live stream: Fubo, nbcsports.com, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, discovery+, discovery+ App, ESPN Play Sur, beIN SPORTS CONNECT, DStv Now, RUSH, Jio Hotstar
Gamethread: There will be a live blog for this game, with our coverage continuing after the final whistle with the match recap and reaction.
*Royal Blue Mersey has affiliate partnerships and may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links provided.
Everton had lost at home 1-0 to the Gunners a few days before Christmas in a hard fought game. The Blues had managed a pair of draws against Arsenal last season, including a nil-nil stalemate at the Emirates.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 12: Head coach Rick Barnes of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts against the Auburn Tigers during the second half in the second round of the 2026 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 12, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Carly Mackler/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The game was tight in the first half, and the teams went to the break tied at 31. However, the Commodores went on a 15-3 run early in the second half and were also more efficient from the free throw line. As a result, the Commodores did enough to stay in front of the Vols and escape with a 75-68 victory.
This is now the second time the Vols have lost to the Commodores this season. Vanderbilt now advances to the semifinal round to take on the #1 Florida Gators, while the Vols wait until Sunday to see what their seed will be in the NCAA Tournament.
Now, let’s identify the three takeaways from this defeat.
Free throw shooting dooms Vols again
Stop me if you’ve heard this before- the Vols did not shoot well from the line.
As a team, the Vols shot just 16 of 26 from the free-throw line. Meanwhile, the Commodores shot 22 of 26 from the charity stripe. In a game that you only lost by seven, it’s hard not to look at 10 missed free throws as a huge culprit.
Nate Ament made 10 of his 12 free throws, and J.P. Estrella made all four of his. However, Felix Okpara, Ja’Kobi Gillespie, and Jaylen Carey both had bad days from the line. It’s slightly more understandable for the big men, but there’s no reason a scoring guard like Gillespie should be this inconsistent from the charity stripe.
Three-point shooting was ice cold
You can survive a bad night from the free throw line if you’re hitting shots from deep. If you’re doing neither, though, it’s going to be hard to beat anybody.
The Vols shot just 4 of 17 from behind the arc on Friday. Ament missed all five of his tries, and this team just doesn’t have enough scoring to survive an off night from Ament against good teams. Luckily, the Commodores didn’t have a great night from deep either, so this one never got out of hand.
It’s concerning that this late in the season, you still never know what you’re going to get from this offense. If Ament and Gillespie are hitting their shots, the Vols can hang with anybody. You just never know when that’s going to happen.
Unable to stop Duke Miles
Props to Duke Miles, because he had a fantastic game. The senior guard had a game-high 30 points to go along with six rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
In the first 27 minutes of the game, Miles had 25 points. At one point, Miles was 9 of 9 from the floor while the rest of his team was just 6 of 25. The Vols did a fantastic job of controlling the paint, but they were unable to keep Miles in check.
Clearest sign yet that new midfielder is coming to Liverpool
Liverpool are set for a major midfield reconstruction this coming summer.
The Reds have been relying on the same core of senior midfield players for the last couple of campaigns.
But the strain is beginning to tell on certain members of the group - with Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister in particular not reaching the same consistent heights since winning the 2024/25 Premier League.
Factor in the ongoing uncertainty over Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo and you can see why Richard Hughes may be tempted to test the market for a new arrival.
Jones, 25, is entering the final year of his contract and would bank the club plenty of “pure profit” if he is offloaded in summer 2026.
Endo meanwhile is working on getting back to full fitness for the FIFA World Cup but he too could be sacrificed in summer in order to register a transfer fee.
Nyoni to be loaned out
And we have been given the clearest indication yet that a new midfielder could be coming into the club in a report in the Athletic.
Because it suggests that Trey Nyoni is the most likely young player to be loaned out by Richard Hughes and Arne Slot for next season.
“Nyoni is seen as the most likely to be loaned out,” the report reads.
With Jones and Endo potentially leaving - it would leave Slot with just THREE senior midfielders including Gravenberch, Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Teams have been officially allowed to sign free agents for almost a week now. The Washington Commanders have added several players already, making improvements on both sides of the ball.
Some of the team's notable additions are edge-rusher Odafe Oweh, linebacker Leo Chenal, and running back Rachaad White. On Saturday, the team made another addition to the offense, adding veteran running back Jerome Ford, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
Ford spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns after being selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The running back didn't factor in much as a rookie or in 2025, but he was a productive rotational back in 2023 and 2024.
In 2023, Ford rushed for a career-high 813 yards and four scores. The running back had 565 yards and three scores in 2024, but was reduced to just 73 yards in 2025.
In Washington, Ford should just be a solid insurance policy behind Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Rachaad White. Croskey-Merritt had some flashes as a rookie, but the team clearly wants more consistency out of the ground game in 2026.
White, who was a college teammate of Jayden Daniels, should receive plenty of carries and also contribute in the passing game. Ford will likely get some third-down reps and help out around the goal line.
Abdel Abqar denies intentionally touching Alexander Sorloth's genitals [Getty Images]
Atletico Madrid's 1-0 La Liga victory was overshadowed by Getafe defender Abdel Abqar's dismissal for touching the genitals of their striker Alexander Sorloth.
With the hosts leading through Nahuel Molina's long-range strike into the top corner in the eighth minute, Saturday's match descended into chaos seven minutes after the second-half restart.
Referee Miguel Angel Ortiz halted play and indicated a video assistant referee (VAR) check for a possible red-card offence.
Replays on the big screens at Estadio Metropolitano showed Abqar touched Sorloth's groin during an off-the-ball altercation, with the Norwegian forward then pulling his opponent to the ground in retaliation.
After consulting the pitchside monitor, Moroccan Abqar was sent off and Sorloth booked for his reaction.
"It was not my intention to touch the player in this area," Abqar told Movistar afterwards.
"You see it in every game, and in football, we're touching, clashing and everything, but I never thought about touching him in that area.
"I don't know what the referee saw but you can see it clearly and I swear that I never thought about touching him there."
But Atleti goalkeeper Juan Musso added: "These are things that happened 30 years ago, the referee was right to sent him off.
"Before you could do this [in football], now there is no place for these things."
Sorloth had hit the post before the break, but it was Getafe who spurned several late opportunities to level despite their numerical disadvantage.
A fourth straight win moved Diego Simeone's side up to third place in La Liga with 57 points, six behind second-placed Real Madrid and 10 adrift of leaders Barcelona having played a game more.
The Oklahoma City Thunder held practice on Saturday. They're amid another two-day break. They will host the Minnesota Timberwolves in a Sunday afternoon primetime matchup.
Last time out, the Thunder picked up a 104-102 win over the Boston Celtics. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander surpassed Wilt Chamberlain for the longest 20-point streak in NBA history at 127. Now it's about how much he can pad his place at the top of the record books.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault and Aaron Wiggins talked to the media afterward. Daigneault talked about the value of their recent string of close games. Wiggins talked about what Ajay Mitchell brings to the table and his bad luck with freak injuries.
Here's what else happened at OKC's Saturday, Mar. 14 practice:
Mark Daigneault said Jalen Williams is ‘progressing’ with his hamstring strain recovery
Mark Daigneault on the Mitchell-McCain lineups: “Ajay has got the ability to play with anybody. He's really versatile. He plays both ends of the floor. He guard bigger guys. He can play on or off the ball. So he can create, obviously, but he can also play off of other creators.” pic.twitter.com/LmakdipKoR
Mark Daigneault on playing close games recently: “These have been quality opponents that tested us in a lot of different ways. Certainly tactically, we've seen a lot of different things here in the last just two weeks and had to problem solve.” pic.twitter.com/HokkzvvgjO
Mark Daigneault on Jalen Williams rooting for the team during his absence: “He's the man. You got a great group of guys that root for each other's success. I think it certainly he’s giving himself to the team by being like that. I also think it helps them work through their own… pic.twitter.com/zAX2jEn0UM
Aaron Wiggins on Ajay Mitchell: “Obviously a good player. Well rounded. He's got that aggressive mindset. He's got that hungry mindset. You can see it in the way he plays on both ends of the court. We're glad to have him back. He's obviously made a difference already.” pic.twitter.com/1dyb7E2sIK
Aaron Wiggins on Ajay Mitchell’s return: “He had some weird injuries in his first two years. You wouldn't think are normal and see that often. For him to come back, especially this year, the way he has. It’s only been two games. But that first game, the way he started off, it was… pic.twitter.com/zzPEIPtKQS
The 2026 NCAA tournament is set to be a massive NBA Draft showcase.
The upcoming draft is considered to be exceptionally deep and littered with college basketball talent. However, not every top draft prospect will be playing in March Madness. Here are five players who could be picked in the first round this summer who will not be on the floor during the NCAA tournament.
North Carolina F Caleb Wilson
The possible top-five pick had the bad luck of suffering an injury while rehabbing from an injury.
Wilson had been sidelined for most of February after fracturing his left hand in the Tar Heels’ Feb. 10 loss to Miami. As he was working his way back from that hand injury, Wilson broke his right thumb while dunking during a non-contact drill in practice on March 5.
Wilson had been on track to potentially return for the NCAA tournament and maybe even part of all of the ACC tournament. Instead, the Tar Heels are playing the entire postseason without their best player.
Before he was injured the first time, Wilson was averaging nearly 20 points and over nine rebounds a game while shooting almost 58% from the field. He had been a star since putting on a Tar Heels jersey, too. The top recruit scored 22 on 8-of-10 shooting against Central Arkansas before going 9-of-11 from the floor and scoring 24 points in a 13-point win over Kansas.
But his offensive game isn’t the only reason he could be picked highly in the draft. Wilson has the potential to be a plus defender at the next level too.
Star Texas Tech forward JT Toppin suffered a torn ACL against Arizona State on Feb. 17. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
John E. Moore III via Getty Images
Texas Tech F JT Toppin
Toppin could be the type of player whose game doesn’t translate perfectly to the NBA level. But he’s still a possible first-round pick and his torn ACL is a massive injury for a Texas Tech team that was very capable of getting to the Final Four with him on the floor.
After he was a consensus All-American and the Big 12 player of the year in 2024-25, Toppin took on an even greater offensive workload this season. Before going down against Arizona State on Feb. 17, Toppin was averaging 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds a game while shooting just under 55% from the field. A year ago, Toppin shot just over 55% from the floor on 3.6 fewer shots per game.
He scored at least 10 points in all but one game this season and had 31 points and 13 rebounds in the Red Raiders’ overtime win at Arizona on Feb. 14.
Without Toppin on the floor, guard Christian Anderson became even more important for Texas Tech. But he slipped and appeared to injure his groin in a Thursday loss to Iowa State in the Big 12 tournament. Anderson suffered a muscle strain, but said after the game that he was “feeling good.” Tech needs him at 100% to make a run to the second week of the tournament.
USC G Alijah Arenas
The 18-year-old son of Gilbert Arenas appeared in 14 games this season for the Trojans after suffering a torn meniscus in July. And the knee injury came three months after he had been placed in an induced coma after he was trapped in his Tesla Cybertruck after a car crash.
Given his tumultuous 2025, it was an impressive accomplishment for Arenas to even see the court this season. And he showed flashes of why he can be a top-10 pick, though his season — like USC’s — was uneven at best.
Arenas shot just 34% from the field this season and had six games with multiple 3-point attempts without a make. He was just 13-of-61 from behind the arc and had only two games where he shot 50% from the field.
But Arenas still has major potential and was a top-30 recruit in the high school class of 2025. It would not be surprising at all if he declared for the 2026 draft and was a lottery pick in June.
Hannes Steinbach averaged a double-double in 2025-26. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Washington F Hannes Steinbach
The freshman big man has been a double-double machine for the Huskies. Steinbach averaged 18.5 points and 11.8 rebounds a game this season. He never scored fewer than 10 points in a single game and had just seven games with fewer than 10 rebounds.
He was especially dominant against USC on March 4. Steinbach had 22 points and 24 rebounds in the Huskies’ 91-72 win. Twelve of those rebounds were on the offensive end, too, and he was 9-of-12 from the field.
Steinbeck didn’t shoot much from behind the arc — just 53 attempts — but was a passable 34% and could show enough promise to force NBA teams to not leave him alone outside at the next level. The Germany native may not be a lottery pick, but he could be a top-20 selection for a team looking for some help on the inside.
Baylor G Cameron Carr
After playing just 18 games across two seasons at Tennessee, Carr emerged as Baylor’s best player this season.
The junior averaged 19.2 points and 5.5 rebounds a game while shooting 51% from the field and almost 40% from behind the 3-point line. He dropped over 20 points in four of Baylor’s last five games and dropped 27 against St. John’s in November.
Carr did have two games during Big 12 play where he was just 1-of-11 from the field, however. He missed 10 shots and made one in a 10-point loss at Cincinnati in January, and had the same line while going 1-of-7 from behind the arc in an 82-71 loss at Louisville on Feb. 14
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – The world No. 1 is back to being more like the world No. 1.
After shooting over par in 36 holes for the first time at a non-major since the 2023 Memorial, Scottie Scheffler turned in a bogey-free 67 at the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on Saturday.
“The first two days were a bit of a battle,” Scheffler said. “I was a little sharper today than I was the first two days. I felt like I was swinging it better each day of the tournament. Today hit a few more fairways and was able to give myself a few more looks for birdie.”
Scheffler noted that he was “hacking it from some new places” off the tee the first two days.
He attempted to use TaylorMade’s new Qi4D driver at the Arnold Palmer Invitational last week but returned to the Qi10 that he has used to great effect since 2024. Scheffler ranked T-98 in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee the first two rounds. Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee broke down Scheffler’s swing Friday night on "Live From."
“I don't even recognize this golf swing from Scottie Scheffler. It's a foot-and-a-half shorter than last year and the face is wide open," Chamblee said. "This is not a crisis, this is a bump in the road."
"I don't even recognize this golf swing from Scottie Scheffler. It's a foot-and-a-half shorter than last year and the face is wide open."
"This is not a crisis, this is a bump in the road."
An interesting deep dive on Scottie's driver swing from tonight's Live From The Players… pic.twitter.com/HX2zky7DH4
Asked if he had found anything during his rainy range session on Thursday, Scheffler didn’t offer much.
“Did I find anything? I think that would imply that I was lost, which is not the case,” he said.
Pressed whether longtime swing coach Randy Smith had identified anything that had made a difference, he said, “I'm always just trying to get a feel for I think where my swing's at. Whenever I can feel the clubhead, I'm in a pretty good spot. If you ever see us practicing, that's typically what I'm trying to — if I'm searching for something, that would be kind of what I'm searching for, the feel for the clubhead, and so that way I'm kind of able to see and create shots.”
On Saturday, Scheffler hit 11-of-14 fairways and was a perfect 9-for-9 in scrambling. He birdied the par-5 second hole but made par on the other three par 5s. For the week, he’s just 3 under on the par 5s, which that alone could be the reason he’s not in the hunt for a third Players title.
Scheffler capped off the day by canning a 12-foot birdie putt at the par-3 17th, which has the Tiger hole location from his iconic 60-foot putt he sank in 2001 on the way to victory. Scheffler improved to 4-under 212 and sits eight shots back of Ludvig Aberg, the 36-hole leader, who hadn’t teed off yet.
Asked if he was holding out hope to make an improbable comeback, Scheffler laughed and said, “Not unless it starts blowing like 30 miles an hour.”
Nebraska softball (19-5, 1-0) faced off against Michigan (19-7, 0-1) on Friday night for its first conference series of the season. The Huskers took the opening game, holding off the Wolverines in a 5-2 victory.
Nebraska jumped out to a 4-0 lead by scoring two runs in each of the first couple of innings. Michigan cut the lead in half in the sixth, but the Huskers added one more run in the bottom of the inning before ending it in the seventh.
Nebraska totaled eight hits on the night, with Alexis Jensen leading the team in both the circle and the batter's box. She finished 2-for-2 with one walk and three RBIs. Jensen also hit a two-run home run in the win, her first career home run.
In the circle, Jensen (9-2) pitched 6.0 innings in her win, striking out eight batters and allowing four hits, two runs and one walk. Jordy Frahm picked up her sixth save after pitching the seventh. She is now one away from tying the record that was set back in 1983 by head coach Rhonda Revelle. Frahm also batted 2-for-4.
The Huskers concluded the series with Michigan on Saturday in a doubleheader. The first game is set to start at 1 p.m. CT on B1G+.
Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.
In the first matchup of a three-game series against the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Washington Huskies hit four home runs, but that wasn't enough as coach Eddie Smith's team fell 10-9 in ten innings.
The Huskies battled back from a 6-2 deficit behind solo blasts from shortstop Sam DeCarlo, designated hitter Jackson Hotchkiss, and right fielder Daniel Porras to close the gap, while the Reigning Big Ten Player of the Week, catcher Colton Bower, added a two-run blast as part of a 2-for-3 day with a pair of walks.
However, despite committing 5 errors in the contest, including a pair to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Buckeyes hung with the Huskies every step of the way as they racked up 13 hits on the night. The second-to-last one twisted the knife for the Huskies when shortstop Lee Ellis launched a solo homer in the tenth inning to give Ohio State the lead for good.
The Huskies went quietly in the bottom of the frame. DeCarlo drew a two-out walk, but Porras grounded a ball right back to Jake Michalek, who earned the win for the Buckeyes. He worked the final 3 innings and allowed a pair of unearned runs on 4 hits with a walk and 3 strikeouts.
Bryce Johnson took his first loss of the season after pitching the final three frames. He allowed 3 runs on 5 hits and a walk as Washington's pitching staff surrendered 7 free passes on the day and hit a batter.
With the loss, the Huskies fell to 6-11 on the year and 2-2 in Big Ten play. The two teams will return to the field on March 14 at 7:00 p.m. PT.
The upstart team representing Italy, mostly consisting of Italian-Americans (though there are actually four on the team born in Italy), will try to take down a Puerto Rico team that’s missing a number of its stars, but still has a pretty good club. Italy does have one small advantage: They’ll be the “home” team and bat last. The winner moves on to the semi-finals.
Here’s all the information you’ll need for this afternoon’s game, which is at Daikin Park in Houston. There will be a separate game thread for tonight’s other quarterfinal game. Tonight’s game is at 8 p.m. CT and so that game thread will post at 7 p.m. CT.
2 p.m. CT: Puerto Rico vs. Italy. Pitchers: Seth Lugo (RHP) vs. Sam Aldegheri (LHP). TV: FS1, Fox Deportes. There will be audio on Sirius XM (Channel 89) and MLB Audio. MLB.com Gameday
That’s all you should need for this afternoon’s WBC contest. Enjoy, and discuss amongst yourselves.
TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 10: Ukyo Shuto #20 of Team Japan celebrates with Kaito Kozono #3 at home plate after hitting a three-run home run in the eighth inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game presented by dip between Team Czech Republic and Team Japan at Tokyo Dome on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Confirmed 2. Bundesliga Lineups: Hertha BSC vs. VfL Bochum
Hertha BSC will hope to improve their slight chance of promotion to Bundesliga with a home win against midtable side Bochum. With Darmstadt, Elversberg, and Paderborn dropping points on matchday 26, Stefan Leitl’s side have a chance to close the gap with the top three.
Fabian Resse and Mats Pannewig are absent due to accumulated yellow cards. Here are the lineups for the game at the iconic Olympiastadion.
Russell Westbrook is often portrayed as one of the NBA’s fiercest competitors, but many players who have shared a locker room with him tell a very different story.
Across several teams, teammates have repeatedly described the veteran guard as one of the most supportive and generous figures in the league.
Those who know him best say the perception around Westbrook rarely matches the reality inside the locker room.
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
Russell Westbrook’s reputation among teammates explained
Steph Noh of The Sporting News highlighted Westbrook’s relationships with teammates and detailed several stories about the guard’s generosity and personality behind the scenes.
One example came from Clint Capela, who spent only part of a season alongside Westbrook but still described him as the most genuine superstar he had ever played with.
Capela explained that Westbrook was constantly smiling and joking around with teammates, something that surprised him given the guard’s intense on-court persona.
During one moment, Capela mentioned that he admired an expensive bracelet Westbrook was wearing. Westbrook immediately took the bracelet off his wrist and handed it to him as a gift.
Other former teammates have shared similar experiences, saying the former MVP often goes out of his way to make younger or struggling players feel supported.
Former teammates share stories of Russell Westbrook’s generosity
Alex Abrines once described how Westbrook helped him during a difficult stretch of his career when he was dealing with loneliness while playing in Oklahoma City.
Abrines said Westbrook took him out for dinner when he was thinking about leaving basketball, an act he remembered as a moment of genuine kindness from a teammate.
Jerami Grant, who also played alongside Westbrook with the Thunder, echoed that sentiment by saying the guard always tried to understand teammates as people rather than just players.
Veteran center DeAndre Jordan, who has known Westbrook for two decades, also praised his character and even helped recruit him to the Nuggets last season.
Jordan recalled Westbrook mentoring younger players and paying for dinners or clothes for teammates who looked up to him.
Despite his generosity toward others, Westbrook is also known for being extremely disciplined with his own finances, with former teammates recalling how he would even balance his own checkbook during breakfast.
DERBY, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 13: Ashley Cole, Assistant Head Coach of England, and Lee Carsley, Head Coach of England, looks on prior to the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifier match between England and Andorra at Pride Park on October 13, 2025 in Derby, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
The 45-year-old had some experience in Italian football as a player for Roma from 2014 to 2016, when he went on to the LA Galaxy and ended his playing career at Derby in 2019.
Before that, he had made his mark as a full-back for Arsenal, Crystal Palace and Chelsea.
When it came to management, Cole has worked at the Chelsea youth academy, plus as an assistant manager to the likes of Lee Carsley, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and more.
Above all, he worked with Carsley, and is currently the assistant to the England Under-21 team coach.
Cesena were held to a 2-2 home draw by Frosinone today and the decision was made to sack coach Michele Mignani.
It left them in eighth place, the final slot available for the promotion play-offs.
Gleison Bremer of Juventus FC reacts during the Serie A 2025/2026 football match between AS Roma and Juventus FC at Stadio Olimpico. Rome (Italy), March 1st, 2026 (Photo by Elianton/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)
MATCH INFO
When: Saturday, March 14, 2026.
Where: Bluenergy Stadium, Udine, Italy.
Official kickoff time: 8:45 p.m. local time in Italy and across Europe, 7:45 p.m. in the United Kingdom, 3:45 p.m. Eastern time, 2:45 p.m. Central time, 12:45 p.m. Pacific time.
(Please note that the kickoff time might be an hour later than usual like it will be in the United States due to Daylight Saving Time taking place last weekend. The time change will happen in Italy on March 29.)
STARTING LINEUPS
Juventus starting XI: TBA
Juventus bench: TBA
Juventus manager: Luciano Spalletti
Udinese starting XI: TBA
Udinese bench: TBA
Udinese manager: Kosta Runjaić
Match referee: Maurizio Mariani
HOW TO WATCH
Television: TLN (Canada), Sky Sport Uno, Sky Sport Calcio, Sky Sport 251 (Italy).
Online/Streaming:Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network, Amazon Prime USA, DAZN USA, fuboTV (United States); DAZN Canada; fuboTV Canada (Canada); DAZN UK (United Kingdom); DAZN Italy (Italy).
Other live viewing options can be found here, and as always, you can also follow along with us live and all the stupid things we say on Bluesky. If you haven’t already, join the community on Black & White & Read All Over, and join in the discussion below.
"The match with Shinsuke was really good, and it was the match we probably should have had at WrestleMania, but everybody, their expectations at WrestleMania were way too high. And we thought we had to find a way to get to that expectations rather than doing what we knew would work and that's what we did at Saturday Night's Main Event."
Styles continued by reflecting on his time competing in Japan, stating that the country's fans are unlike anywhere else because of their appreciation for the sport and its wrestlers.
"I'm convinced too that Japanese fans will make every match great. They're just so amazing as far as being fans and so respectful ... they inspire you to be better because they appreciate what you're doing in that ring. They appreciate the athletes."
If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit "The Phenomenally Retro" with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
Oregon’s Stefini Ma'ake, celebrates a run during the first inning of the Jane Sanders Classic March 6, 2026. | Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Farrell added he was "proud as punch" about Ireland's performance, and said there was a bigger picture to this year's tournament.
Ireland started the Six Nations by losing to favourites France, but responded with a gritty win over Italy.
They impressed in a victory over England, but were then pushed all the way by Wales in their penultimate game in Dublin.
"Winning matters but what's happened over the eight weeks matters more to us in the sense that there is a lot of firsts, with first caps, first Six Nations and first taking it to the final week when it matters for quite a few people in our group," Farrell added.
"How our group have come together and navigated their way through that is pretty special so we grow massively because of it, and the group has become more resilient because of that."
While the destination of the Six Nations trophy is out of their hands, Farrell reiterated he was delighted with another piece of silverware.
"That's five trophies in five years for us," he added on ITV.
"I know it's a Triple Crown but it's hard to win over the years for Ireland and we're proud of that."
After a near-decade of dominance through the mid-2010s to the early 2020s, the Golden State Warriors are finally slowing down, sitting in ninth place in the Western Conference with a record of 32-34. However, there may be a familiar face that can give Steph Curry one last chance at a Finals run.
The Golden State dynasty’s first four Finals runs all had one thing in common: the opponent was the Cleveland Cavaliers, which pitted Curry against the other face of the NBA, LeBron James. FanSided’s Christopher Kline believes that this former rival-turned-Olympic-teammate could be the answer the Dubs are looking for.
“This is not the first time we've heard rumblings of LeBron James and Stephen Curry teaming up in Golden State. Rich Paul famously put a stop to trade talks between the Lakers and Warriors in 2024. LeBron and Steph are longtime rivals and clear off-court friends. Draymond and LeBron are marquee Klutch Sports clients and also longtime friends. If James is ready to depart L.A., which it feels like he is, the Warriors make a ton of sense for business and basketball reasons alike…LeBron's playmaking feel, combined with Steph's constant motion and gravity, could render Golden State extremely difficult to contain. James isn't quite the player he was in his prime, but even as he approaches his 42nd birthday, LeBron can score at all three levels and he probably looks better in Golden State, with a chance to really run the offense, than he does as Luka Dončić's sidekick in L.A.,” Kline wrote.
So far this season, LeBron is averaging 21.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 1.1 steals in 33.1 minutes per game. Add him with Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green, and the Dubs have a veteran core that is pretty intimidating.
However, the only snag with this idea is the fact that the most likely move for LeBron is to sign with Cleveland once again. As Kline noted, he’s almost 42, so his time in the NBA is almost done. Finishing where he was born, raised, and started his NBA career is the poetic end needed for a player as legendary as he is.
However, if the Warriors can appeal to LeBron’s competitive spirit, there might be a way to get him to Golden State. Hopefully they can, to give Curry a proper send out as well.
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany watches as Nicolas Jackson leaves the pitch after his red card during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern Munich at the BayArena. Federico Gambarini/dpa
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany was adamant Luis Díaz should not have been sent off for a dive in the 1-1 Bundesliga draw at Leverkusen, but praised his players for battling to a point with nine men.
The Colombia winger scored the leveller in the second half of a dramatic game before later being shown a second yellow card.
There was contact with Leverkusen's Janis Blaswich in the box but Díaz had begun to go down beforehand and tangled with the keeper in the action.
"I am not happy that Lucho is banned," Kompany told Sky.
"See how quickly he gets up and there was contact. You can have the conversation if it is a penalty. But it is not a yellow card."
The referee agreed he had made a mistake after the match. But Christian Dingert pointed out that the video assistant could not intervene over the booking under current rules limiting reviews to goals and direct sendings off.
"It is not a penalty. But now I have seen the video I would not have given the yellow card. That is how it goes in our job," he said.
Kompany's side still lead the Bundesliga by nine points with eight games left. They rallied having gone behind to Aleix Garcia's goal and also had to deal with Nicolas Jackson's red for a stud-up tackle in the first half.
"I’m incredibly proud of the lads’ mental resilience," the Bayern boss added.
"There was an awful lot going on today, with many crucial moments where we’ll inevitably have differing views."
Leverkusen's Jarell Quansah (L) and Bayern Munich's Luis Diaz battle for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern Munich at the BayArena. Federico Gambarini/dpaLeverkusen's Ezequiel Fernandez (L) and Munich's Harry Kane battle for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern Munich at the BayArena. Federico Gambarini/dpaLeverkusen's Ezequiel Fernandez (L) and Munich's Harry Kane battle for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern Munich at the BayArena. Federico Gambarini/dpaReferee Christian Dingert (2nd R) walks after showing Munich's Luis Diaz (R) a yellow-red card during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern Munich at the BayArena. Federico Gambarini/dpa
Asked Mark Daigneault about the energy Jalen Williams has provided from the sideline while dealing with numerous injuries this season:
“He’s the man. We have a great group of guys where they root for each other’s success. I think he’s certainly giving himself to the team by… pic.twitter.com/pgbtuwtKWA
Mar 12, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Miami (FL) Hurricanes forward Shelton Henderson (7) scores the last two points of the game at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Build Your Winning Bracket!
SB Nation’s CBB expert Mike Rutherford and resident bracketologist Chris Dobbertean will answer all your questions this week and help guide you to bracket glory!
Thursday 9am-12pm: Chris Dobbertean and Mike Rutherford
After a strong regular season and ACC tournament, the Miami Hurricanes are in prime position for a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Under first-year coach Jai Lucas, the Canes have undergone a stunning turnaround from last season. 13-5 in the ACC regular season and a win in the ACC tourney to reach the semifinals, the Canes stand at 25-8 heading into Selection Sunday.
What seed will Miami get? Who will their opponent and path forward be? We’ll find all of that out tomorrow during Selection Sunday. Here’s how to watch:
As we’ve written here at SOTU, Miami has been circling a 7 seed over the last 2 weeks. There’s a chance, however, after the blowout loss to Virginia in the ACC tournament Semifinals that the Canes could slide down to the 8 seed line in the end.
The difference between the 7 seed and 8 seed really comes down to this: with a win, the 7 seed would face the 2 seed in the 2nd round, while the 8 seed would face the 1 seed. Small difference, but that’s basically it. The National Champions have to win 6 games in a row in the tournament, so you’re going to have to play good teams to win. That’s fine. Line it up.
You’ve watched and supported the Canes all season, now enjoy Selection Sunday and see where the journey will continue next week!
QPR head coach Julien Stephan spoke to BBC Radio London following their 3-1 win at Leicester City.
"We deserved this win because we showed great character, great personality, and very good collective connection," he said.
"Even though we conceded the first goal we stayed very focused on what we needed to do on the pitch. It was very important for me mentally that we stayed focused.
"We needed to manage cleverly at the end of the game and we did that very well."
The stage didn’t matter. Nor did the moment. In the Division 5 state championship game against Eleva-Strum, who entered the game unbeaten, Pacelli did what they did all season, and that’s plow through whatever obstacles stood in their way.
It didn’t take long for the Cardinals to take control after tip off at the Resch Center – the Cardinals jumped out to an early lead they refused to relent.
The bell-to-bell effort – and junior Jaedyn Zdroik historic performance – helped the Cardinals capture the program’s first-ever Division 5 WIAA girls basketball state championship in a 70-40 win over Eleva-Strum.
“I couldn’t do it without my team,” Zdroik said on the live broadcast. “I’ve been playing with these girls since I was little, so it’s just really good to end our season out on a win.”
Zdroik led Pacelli’s historic day with what will go down as one of the strongest WIAA tournament performances in history.
Zdroik, the Central Wisconsin-South co-player of the year, finished with a game-high of 20 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists, becoming the second player in WIAA history to finish a tournament game with a triple-double.
19 rebounds forced a two-way tie with Eva Brooks of Lena for the most boards in a tournament game – while 10 assists broke the Division 5 state tournament record.
Ella Van Order finished the entirety of the state tournament with a total 44 points across the state semifinal and state championship game.
“It’s what we've been wanting ever since we were little, to win a gold ball,” Van Order said. “ To end my senior season on a (championship) win is probably the most exhilarating feeling in my life.”
“I'm so proud of everyone, obviously I'm sad my (high school) career is over, but that’s not it and I’m so excited for Jaedyn and everyone at Pacelli to continue on the legacy.”
Defense front and center
The Cardinals defense made its presence felt early, snatching a 11-3 lead in the first few minutes. The defensive pressure set the pace and foundation for Pacelli’s offense – a trait that’s carried over all season for the Cardinals.
Forcing 14 turnovers in the state championship game, the Cardinals pushed Eleva-Strum out of their comfort zone and into the uncharted territory of playing from behind early on.
Eleva-Strum entered the state tournament averaging 11 turnovers a game.
Eleva-Strum’s offensive engine, sharp-shooting junior Avery Glenz held a team-high of 12 points at the halftime break, but she was held scoreless for the remainder of the game.
Overall, Pacelli held Eleva-Strum to 24 percent shooting from the field, while producing three double-digit scorers in Van Order, Zdroik and junior Haylee Ciesewski who finished with 14 points and seven rebounds.
For Smaglik, that tenacious effort on both sides of the floor reflects the resilience the girls have faced and conquered all season.
“Theres been practices where we've had 7-8 girls,” Smaglik said. “ We could have used that as an excuse of why we weren't winning games, but we did it.”
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.
The Islanders really need to not mess this up. The second-worst team in the league (even worse than the Rangers) is in town and the Isles need the points in the very tight Eastern Conference playoff race. David Rittich will get the start, so hopefully he and the skaters in front of him recapture their better forms.
The Flames are two games from finishing a long trip, having lost 4-0 at MSG but then winning 5-4 in Newark. Both teams have equally putrid power plays, clicking at 16% for a tie for 29th in the league.
With the Isles having played (and lost to) the Kings last night, lineup updates and injury statuses will come closer to game time.l
Takeaways: The Isles lament their pattern of slow starts. Flipping the top two lines back was a bid for a “spark” after they fell behind 3-0. [Isles]
The Skinny: Matthew Schaefer breaking more ice-time-at-18 records, and Anders Lee’s next goal will have him pass Clark Gillies and his next point will pass Bob Bourne. (At the other end, Brayden Schenn is in a 58-way tie for 444th on the Isles’ all-time points list. But he’s gunning for Carson Soucy, Travis Zajac and Aatu Raty, I just know it.) [Isles]
Gross: The Isles could use some more raucous nights and electricity at Belmont. [Newsday]
Max Shabanov spoke a bit (through a translator) about the adjustment from the KHL and getting, maybe, a little bit, more of a chance the last two games. [Post]
Part of the reason Roy is tinkering with lines is to learn what (re)combos he can turn to when playoff matchups cause problems. [THN]
Elsewhere
Only two games last night. In the other, the Blues rallied to top the Oilers in overtime.
Radko Gudas got five games for taking out Auston Matthews’ knee. [NHL] Matthews will miss the rest of the season with a Grade 3 MCL tear.
The next Global Series matchup will have the Senators and Blackhawks meet for two games that count in Dusseldorf, Germany. [NHL]
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — IndyCar officials had to throw a red flag to freeze the cars as they were pulling out of the pit area for a second practice session Saturday when three workers were spotted on the hot track. No one was injured.
The television broadcast showed the trio of workers who appeared to be part of a catering crew. One of them was pushing a catering cart in a spot between AT&T Stadium, the Cowboys' home, and a nearby hospitality area.
Cars practicing for Sunday's race hadn't yet gotten up to speed when the track breach was spotted.
After moving on from Tyreek Hill and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, the Miami Dolphins have added a pair of veteran wide receivers, Tutu Atwell and Jalen Tolbert, to their roster in the first week of the new league year.
While Miami certainly has some talent in the room, they should be looking to bring in more. That's why they're doing their due diligence on one of the top receiver prospects in the draft, as Simon Clancy reported that the Dolphins will host Makai Lemon on a pre-draft top-30 visit.
Lemon, 21, was a five-star recruit out of Los Alamitos High School in Los Alamitos, California, before committing to USC for the 2023 season.
Over the last three years, Lemon appeared in 33 games for the Trojans and caught 137 passes for 2,008 yards and 14 touchdowns. He earned All-Big Ten honors twice and All-American honors once. He also won the Fred Biletnikoff Award this past year.
At 5-foot-11 and 192 pounds, Lemon isn't a dominant physical presence, but he could absolutely help this roster in 2026 and beyond.
Tom Brady will be returning to the gridiron soon – sort of – and he looks more than ready for his comeback moment.
You won't see Brady in the NFL anytime soon, but he is set to play competitive flag football this month as he takes the Flag Football Classic, an event which he founded, to Los Angeles. The event will feature Team USA Football ahead of the 2028 Olympic flag football competition, and is scheduled for March 21 at the 22,000-seat open-air stadium in Exposition Park in Los Angeles.
And as Brady prepares to take the field, he shared a shirtless photo on social media that quickly went viral, showing he is in peak shape for the event.
Tom Brady should NOT be able to look like this at 48 years old 🥵
Last season, when asked about a potential NFL return amid Philip Rivers's comeback, the multi-time Super Bowl champion indicated he would be able to handle it easily. However, his current ownership position with the Raiders would make it logistically impossible at the moment.
"Yes, I certainly could," Brady said. "I think the answer for me would be yes. I'm not allowed to anymore because I'm a minority owner of the Raiders, so I can't unretire."
Mohamed Salah Eyes Record Moment as Liverpool Host Tottenham
Mohamed Salah has built a reputation at Liverpool through decisive moments, relentless consistency and a remarkable instinct for goals. As Tottenham Hotspur arrive at Anfield for the latest Premier League contest, the Egyptian forward stands on the brink of another personal milestone.
Liverpool’s right sided talisman will enter the match knowing a goal could secure a new record in his career. Salah has already enjoyed extraordinary success against Tottenham, and Sunday’s fixture offers another opportunity to underline his enduring influence at Anfield.
Even during a season that has carried occasional turbulence, Salah remains central to Liverpool’s attacking plans. Under Arne Slot, the 33 year old continues to occupy his familiar position on the right flank, contributing 17 goals across 32 appearances in all competitions this season.
Liverpool Forward Closing in on Personal Record
Few opponents have felt Salah’s impact more sharply than Tottenham. Across his career he has scored 16 goals against Spurs, a total that matches his tally against Manchester United as his most prolific return against a single opponent.
Photo: IMAGO
A goal on Sunday would change that statistic forever. A seventeenth strike against Tottenham would represent the highest number of goals Salah has scored against any one club in his career.
The prospect adds another narrative layer to a meeting that already carries Premier League significance. Salah’s history against Spurs also suggests he thrives in this fixture. In his last six league appearances against Tottenham he has found the net five times, scoring seven goals in total.
Those numbers illustrate why Tottenham supporters often approach meetings with Liverpool with a degree of caution whenever Salah is in the starting line up.
Tottenham Fixture Brings Familiar Opportunity
Salah’s connection with Tottenham fixtures stretches beyond recent seasons. Across all competitions he has scored 12 Premier League goals against Spurs, placing him among the most effective attackers the North London side have faced in the modern era.
His pursuit of another record does not end there. A hat trick on Sunday would elevate Salah even further into Premier League history. Only Alan Shearer has scored more goals against Tottenham in the competition, with the Newcastle United legend registering 14.
Should Salah produce a treble at Anfield, he would surpass that mark and claim another notable record in English football’s top flight.
Liverpool supporters have witnessed countless examples of Salah delivering when records approach. The Egyptian forward often seems inspired by the prospect of another milestone.
Photo: IMAGO
Selection Debate Ahead of Anfield Encounter
Despite his historic productivity, conversation surrounding Salah’s role has surfaced again following Liverpool’s recent Champions League defeat to Galatasaray. The winger was substituted shortly after the hour mark during the narrow loss, prompting discussion about whether competition for places might intensify.
Federico Chiesa is expected to return from illness ahead of the Tottenham clash, offering Arne Slot another attacking option. Tactical adjustments could also see Dominik Szoboszlai deployed on the right flank, with Florian Wirtz operating centrally and Cody Gakpo or Rio Ngumoha competing for the left sided role behind Hugo Ekitike.
Yet experience often carries weight at moments like these. Neither Chiesa nor Ngumoha have consistently secured the manager’s trust, while Gakpo’s form has drawn scrutiny in recent weeks.
Salah therefore remains the most likely starter against Tottenham, and if history offers any guidance, Anfield may once again witness a familiar sight. Mohamed Salah, Liverpool’s relentless record chaser, stepping forward when another milestone awaits.
Morocco set to call up Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi and Fulham’s Issa Diop
As per a report from Foot Mercato, the Morocco national team are set to call up Lille OSC’s Ayyoub Bouaddi (18) and Fulham’s Issa Diop (29) for the upcoming international break.
The latter has played 15 games for Fulham this season. Diop has never represented France’s senior side, however, he featured prominently at youth level and made six appearances for the U21 side. Morocco have been engaged in an attempt to convince Diop to join their national set-up for several years and the defender has now decided to respond to the call, Foot Mercatounderstands.
Will Bouaddi respond to the call?
Bouaddi, meanwhile, has recently broken through at Lille and he is being sold a bright future, a future that many thought would happen within the France set-up. At just 18, he has already played eight games for France’s U21 side.
However, the Morocco national team are now set to call him up for the March international break. Whether he responds favourably to the call up is something else entirely. Sources close to the federation have revealed that Bouaddi has given a verbal agreement to play for the Atlas Lions. That came after a positive meeting between the federation, Bouaddi, and his family this week.
The postseason is in full swing in college basketball, with various programs already winning their respective conference tournaments.
The action will continue on Saturday and Sunday with more teams hoping to be the last ones standing. Once Sunday’s Big Ten Tournament championship game concludes, teams will look ahead to the next leg of the postseason, where they’ll receive another chance to compete for titles in tournaments featuring squads from different conferences.
“Due to circumstances beyond our control, the CBI (College Basketball Invitational) will not be held this year,” the CBI’s official X/Twitter account announced Thursday. “We will see you next year!”
With the CBI non-existent in 2026, the NCAA Tournament, the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), and the College Basketball Crown (in its second season) will be the premier post-conference tournament events.
The CBI was created in 2007 and held its first-ever tournament in 2008. Of course, the CBI was canceled in 2020, like every other postseason event, due to the unfortunate pandemic.
For the most part, though, the tournament has been run smoothly since its initial launch, with Illinois State defeating Cleveland State in the latest installment of the CBI.
While high-major programs have competed in the tournament before, it’s always been designed to help low and mid-major schools that missed the Big Dance and NIT get another crack at a late-season championship. Unfortunately, it won’t happen this year.
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews will be out for the remainder of the 2025-26 NHL season after being a recipient of a hit from Anaheim Ducks captain and defenseman Radko Gudas on Thursday night. As a result, Gudas was suspended five games.
The hit took place with four minutes and 13 seconds left in the second period. Gudas received a five minute major for kneeing and a 10 minute misconduct for the infraction in a 6-4 Toronto win.
What is Matthews’s injury?
Matthews has a grade three medial collateral ligament tear. He also has a quad contusion.
Reaction from the incident
Mar 12, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube during a media conference after a win over the Anaheim Ducks at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Mar 12, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) looks up at the scoreboard after scoring against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
In 60 games, Matthews has 27 goals and 26 assists for 53 points. He is a -4 with 18 penalty minutes, 12 power-play points, 227 shots on goal, 580 faceoff wins, 81 blocked shots, 42 hits, 30 takeaways, and 51 giveaways.
Tough season for the Maple Leafs
Anyway you look at it, it has been a very disappointing season for Toronto. The fact that the Maple Leafs are last in the Atlantic Division is bitterly disappointing to a Eastern Canadian fan base that watches the Maple Leafs in high numbers.
It is unlikely the Maple Leafs will make the postseason now. Toronto is nine points back of the Boston Bruins for a playoff spot.
As a result, do not be surprised at all if Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving and Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube will be fired when the regular season ends next month.
Tyler Adams missed Bournemouth's match against Burnley on Saturday, putting his availability for upcoming U.S. men's national team friendlies in doubt.
Adams was not included in Bournemouth's matchday squad as the Cherries drew 0-0 at Turf Moor.
According to the Bournemouth Daily Echo, Adams "felt something in training [Friday] and they decided not to risk him today — sounds purely precautionary and nothing major."
The 27-year-old started three consecutive games for the Cherries until missing Saturday's match.
Though the injury doesn't appear serious, it still could put Adams at risk for missing the USMNT squad for matches against Belgium (March 28) and Portugal (March 31) in Atlanta.
Mauricio Pochettino is expected to name his roster for the two matches next week.
🤩 HSV star scores world-class goal, El Mala replies with a header
It’s a goal that, up until that point, didn’t fit the flow of the game at all, because unlike the first 38 minutes, this one truly deserves the title “world-class.”
After a high ball from teammate Mikelbrencis into the path of Fabio Vieira, he scored with his very first touch—a delicate outside-foot chip from about fourteen meters out, sending the ball into the top left corner (39’).
Pulling off a first touch like that doesn’t happen often—but it once again highlights what a classy player the Arsenal loanee is, and what an important role he plays for HSV, who would move up to 9th place with a win today.
📸 Stuart Franklin - 2026 Getty Images
But before halftime, Said El Mala responded to Vieira’s world-class moment with his first career headed goal, so the teams went into the break level once again.
What do you think? Who will come out on top in the second half? Let us know in the comments!
FC Red Bull Salzburg Women 0-1 FK Austria Vienna; (H/T:0-1). Goal: Triendl (39')
Our FC Red Bull Salzburg women pushed league leaders FK Austria Vienna all the way, but an avoidable goal conceded just before half-time proved to be the difference as they lost their 2026 home opener.
Match summary
The league leaders, who are comfortably in first place, visited our fifth-placed team but there was no noticing the gap in the table at the start. While the visitors dominated possession – creating half-chances through Cordes and Wenninger – our attacks, though less frequent, were more incisive. First, Julia Grünwald headed the ball over from a promising position after a corner, then Sara Grabovac narrowly missed the target during a solo run.
That the ADMIRAL Women's Bundesliga leaders from Vienna still went into the break with a lead was entirely our fault. As we tried to build-up from the back, a Hamzic ball across to goalkeeper Lara Ritter was too weak, Triendl capitalised, intercepted the pass, and finished (39th minute) – to make it 0-1 at half-time.
Our team continued to play with energy after the restart, but only sporadically found ways to break down the strong Violet defence – Julia Grünwald and Sophia Schirmbrand, with a double chance after a clever corner, were the exceptions. Instead, the visitors dictated the play, with Cordes firing over the crossbar from distance, for Austria's best opportunity in an otherwise uneventful second half.
Since our team couldn't mount a late attacking salvo, we had to accept defeat in our 2026 home opener.
Views
I am so proud as that was a truly even match! We showed against the best team in Austria that we are competitive. What pleases me most is that we held our own physically, even in aerial duels, and conceded absolutely nothing from set pieces. The performance was spot on. Against such top opponents, small details make the difference, and one such detail decided the game today. I'm happy that we've definitely made our mark. We'll take this positive momentum into the next few matches!
NEW DELHI: Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has stepped down as mentor of Delhi Capitals ahead of the 19th season of the Indian Premier League.
The 45-year-old said he would not be able to give the role the time it demands, though fans will still see him during the tournament as a commentator.
129576406
Pietersen had joined the franchise as a mentor in February last year for the 2025 season.
In that role, he worked closely with the coaching staff that included Director of Cricket Venugopal Rao, head coach Hemang Badani, assistant coach Matthew Mott and bowling coach Munaf Patel.
Confirming his decision on social media, Pietersen explained that his schedule would not allow him to continue in the position.
"I cannot be a mentor for Delhi Capitals in this IPL season," he wrote on X. "I can't commit to the time that the job requires. Best wishes to all the players for this season! However, I'll see you back in the commentary box! IPL is the world's best league, and I can't wait to see all of you soon!”
— KP24 (@KP24)
Pietersen remains one of England’s most recognised cricketers.
During his international career with the England national cricket team, he scored more than 8,000 runs in Tests and over 4,000 runs in ODIs.
He also played 36 IPL matches for teams including Delhi Daredevils, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (then Royal Challengers Bangalore), Sunrisers Hyderabad and Pune Warriors India, scoring 1,001 runs in the league.
Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the first phase of the IPL 2026 schedule, which will run from March 28 to April 12.
The season will begin with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru facing Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MARCH 20: A general view of a 'March Madness' logo is seen during practice before the First Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 20, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
What do Duke, Arizona and Michigan all have in common when it comes to March Madness? They’re all contenders to be the No. 1 overall seed in this year’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
In addition to the bragging rights of being declared the top-ranked team in the country, the No. 1 overall seed has the ability to choose its preferred region and first-/second-round site.
Of course, being the No. 1 overall seed doesn’t guarantee ultimate victory in the tournament. The last three No. 1 overall seeds to win the championship were UConn in 2024, Louisville in 2013 and Kentucky in 2012. Last year’s winner, the Florida Gators, were the No. 4 national seed.
Every round a team survives through, however, does earn more than $2 million for its conference paid out in annual increments over the next six years. The NCAA hasn’t released the value for this year’s unit, but it will be at or above last year’s $347,275 value. Presumably, the higher your seeding, the better your chance at earning those units for your conference.
Prior to this year’s tournament, teams received a unit for every game played through the Final Four, with no additional units for appearing in the championship game. However, in January, NCAA members voted to add an additional three units each to the men’s and women’s basketball distribution funds. That allows the championship contenders to each earn a unit, plus an additional unit with be awarded to the national champion team.
As is the case with the College Football Playoff, some schools will take home more than others thanks to conference revenue distribution policies. For example, the Big 12 and Big Ten didn’t give teams participating in the CFP any kind of bonus, instead dividing all revenue from the playoffs equally between members.
The SEC, however, gave a bonus for each round of the CFP and do the same for the men’s basketball tournament. Each SEC team receives one payment of $100,000 for appearing in the Preliminary, First, and/or Second Round, an additional one payment of $125,000 for appearing in the Regional Semifinals and/or Regional Finals, and an additional one payment of $300,000 for appearing in the Final Four.
Last year, the SEC had a record number of teams in the tournament, with 14 of its 16 teams in the bracket. Those teams went on to play 35 games leading up to the championship, earning 35 units worth approximately $70 million for the conference, the highest total in history.
Who will win both on and off the court this season? It won’t be long before it’s time to fill out those brackets and see how it all unfolds.
Rémi Himbert (18) sustained an ankle injury during Olympique Lyonnais’ draw against Celta Vigo in midweek. Paulo Fonseca has now revealed the severity of the injury.
The Frenchman has featured increasingly often in recent weeks, due to a lack of depth in the forward positions, but also because, when he has come on, he has impressed. Prior to Thursday night’s UEFA Europa League draw against Celta Vigo (1-1), Himbert had made 10 first-team appearances this season, scoring three goals (one in Ligue 1, one in the UEFA Europa League, and one in the Coupe de France).
He once again came off the bench in Spain, but lasted just seconds before he was on the floor clutching his ankle. Pablo Duran had fallen on the striker’s right ankle and, unable to walk, he was aided off by OL’s medical staff. Brought on in the 67th minute, he was replaced by Adam Karabec in the 70th.
Post-match, Fonseca said that he thought Himbert’s injury was “not good”, and so it has transpired. Speaking on Saturday, the Lyon manager said that the forward would be absent for between six and eight weeks with a “severe sprain”, ruling him out for much of the remainder of the Ligue 1 season.
“It is sad for him. He is disappointed. It is difficult. I told him that he now just has to focus on his recovery,” added Fonseca.
ATLANTA (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo wasn't available for the Milwaukee Bucks' matchup with the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, marking the 31st game the two-time MVP has missed this season.
Although Milwaukee's injury report initially had listed Antetokounmpo as questionable due to injury management of his right calf, the team later ruled him out because of a left ankle sprain.
Bucks coach Doc Rivers said at his pregame availability that the issue stemmed from the Bucks’ 112-105 loss to Miami on Thursday night.
The Bucks are playing on back-to-back days; they return home to face the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. Antetokounmpo hasn’t played on consecutive days since returning on March 2 from a right calf strain.
This represents the highest total of games Antetokounmpo has missed in any season during his 13-year career.
Sheffield Wednesday boss Henrik Pedersen [Shutterstock]
Sheffield Wednesday manager Henrik Pedersen was proud of his side's efforts against promotion-chasing Ipswich in their 2-0 defeat.
Wednesday threatened to back up their midweek draw with their first point at Hillsborough since December 29 before Ipswich scored two late goals.
The Owls also showed more in attack and Pedersen felt his side did well against such a difficult opponent.
He told BBC Radio Sheffield: "It was a tough, tough game against a very, very strong opponent. They are a strong, strong team with a fantastic manager. With this cocktail, we all knew it would be a big challenge today.
"But I think from the first moment we showed that the boys really tried. We also saw in the first 10 minutes, there was some tiredness in their bodies and then we worked into the game. I think we played a really, really strong first half.
"Then second half, we really had some challenges to make the correction for their tactical changes. We did this and we had a really good period again.
"Then we had a difficult period up to the goal where we won the ball, we lost the ball and then you could feel it was difficult for us to come back."
What unfolded over the course of the 90 minutes was a thoroughly entertaining match which saw four goals scored, three of which went the way of Martin O’Neill’s men.
Yang continued with his good run of form, grabbing a brace, whilst Tomas Cvancara buried an effort from the penalty spot for the second week in a row, giving Celtic a 3-1 victory.
Speaking to Celtic TV after the match, Celtic manager Martin O’Neill reflected on a good game of football and a brilliant win for his side.
He said: “The match lived up to its billing. It was a great performance from both teams, a great game of football.
“We knew it was going to be tough for us and that was the case. Motherwell are a fine side.
“We showed a lot of determination after giving them a goal to go one behind and it was a terrific performance.
“Yang was absolutely outstanding, he got the goals that he deserved and I thought Daizen was also brilliant.”
Martin O’Neill’s full post-match interview is available to watch below.
Fixtures
Celtic Vs. Motherwell - Sat, Mar 14th 2026, 15:00 Match Report
LeBron James #23 high fives Luka Dončić #77 and Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers during an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Thursday March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Lakers (41-25) vs. Nuggets (41-26) | Game 67 of 82
WHERE TO WATCH AND WHAT TIME
Date: Saturday, March 14
Tip-off: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Crypto.com Arena — Los Angeles, Calif.
TV: ABC
Radio: ESPN LA 710 / 1330 KWKW
GAME PREVIEW
The Lakers enter tonight’s matchup against the Nuggets looking to push their win streak to five games.
Los Angeles is coming off a 142-130 win over the Bulls on Thursday, where Luka Dončić exploded for a 51-point triple-double.
It was his first 50-point game as a Laker and eighth triple-double of the season as the Slovenian continues to push the MVP conversation narrative, a topic coach JJ Redick said he should more involved in.
"He's playing as well as anyone right now, and that's not getting talked about enough, but I'm going to talk about it," Redick said after their win over Chicago.
Over their last eight games, the Lakers have arguably played their best basketball of the season, finding their rhythm on both ends of the floor.
In that eight-game span, they have had the 2nd-rated offense (123.3) and 7th-rated defense (109.8) while allowing the lowest 3-pointers (10) and 3-point percentage (29%) to opponents.
LeBron James returned from a three-game absence against the Bulls, scoring 18 points in 33 minutes.
This matchup marks the third meeting between the teams this season.
WHY THIS GAME HAS MORE IMPORTANCE
With the regular season entering its final stretch, the Lakers (41-25) are currently No. 4 in the Western Conference standings.
A win tonight would push them to No. 3 in the West ahead of the Houston Rockets, who the Lakers play back-to-back times next on the road.
KEY MATCHUP
The Lakers will have a tough task against Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray.
The Lakers' bigs are in for a long game against Jokic, who slices through every part of teams' defenses in different ways, and Murray just hates that Lakers logo.
Jokic is averaging a triple-double this season in another MVP-like season at 28.7 points, 12.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists, while you should anticipate an A game night from Murray, as he always does against the Lakers.
Murray is averaging 25.7 points and 7.1 assists per game.
If the Lakers can limit the players around those two, it could swing the momentum.
WHAT TO AVOID
The Lakers need to avoid a slow start.
In their previous matchup against Denver, the Lakers started 11-0 after a brutal, low-energy first quarter. Something they need to avoid in L.A. with teams eager to play their best with the brighter lights.
OPPONENT OUTLOOK
The Nuggets enter tonight’s game with a 41-26 record, 23-12 on the road, and currently sit at No. 5 in the Western Conference.
They are coming off a five-point win over the Spurs in San Antonio on Thursday behind a 39-point outing from Murray.
NOTABLE OPPONENT RANKS AMONG THE NBA
The Nuggets currently rank:
No. 1 in offensive rating (120.4)
No. 21 in defensive rating (116.2)
Other rankings:
Points — No. 1 (120.6)
FG% — No. 2 (49.3%)
Assists — No. 9 (28.1)
3PM — No. 12 (13.7)
3P% — No. 1 (39.1%)
SEASON SERIES
Game 1 — Lakers 115-107 win in Denver on Jan 20
Game 2 — Lakers 120-113 loss in Denver on March 5
STATS TO WATCH
LeBron James is 14 rebounds away from reaching 12k rebounds all-time. He sits at 11,986, which ranks him 23rd all-time.
Nikola Jokic has had a triple-double in his past three games as he leads the NBA in total triple-doubles this season with 26.
INJURY REPORT
Lakers:
Jaxson Hayes (back soreness): PROBABLE
Maxi Kleber (back strain): OUT
Nuggets:
Jamal Murray (ankle sprain): Probable (Don’t see him not playing)
Aaron Gordon (hamstring): Probable
Peyton Watson: Out
THREADS FOR THE GAME
The Lakers will wear their iconic gold uniforms, while the Nuggets will wear their white association edition uniforms.
NEXT MATCHUP
The Lakers now head to a six-game road trip, facing the Houston Rockets in their next two games. They will play their next home game on March 27 against the Brooklyn Nets.
Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic spoke to BBC Radio Humberside after his side's 3-0 defeat at West Brom.
"I knew that they had quality and they are fighting relegation. They brought a lot of energy to the pitch and this is the reason we lost today," he said.
"I think it's about energy and courage when you have the ball. They were better today.
"Also we had a lack of concentration. On the first goal Ivor must kick the ball longer and the red card came from nothing, it was bad from Charlie. It's football, it can happen.
(On Lewie Coyle injury) "I'm not optimistic because he has a protective boot on. We'll see after an examination what the damage is. He got kicked on the same ankle he already had a problem on."
LORIENT, France (AP) — Substitute striker Aiyegun Tosin scored the winner as second-placed Lens lost 2-1 at Lorient in the French league on Saturday, missing the chance to move back to the top of the standings.
With Paris Saint-Germain not playing this weekend, Lens had the chance to move two points clear with a win at mid-table Lorient.
But coach Pierre Sage's players struggled to get things going and were punished in the 18th minute when Bamba Dieng was left unmarked and scored from close range with a right-footed effort.
Following Odsonne Édouard's second-half equalizer, Tosin snatched three points for Lorient in the 65th minute, fluffing his initial attempt before rounding the Lens goalkeeper to score. Lorient goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo made five saves for the hosts.
PSG is off duty because Nantes agreed to postpone their scheduled game on Sunday in order to give PSG better preparation for the Champions League second leg against Chelsea next week. PSG is leading 5-2 from the last-16 first leg on Wednesday.
Angers hosts Nice and Monaco is at home to Brest later Saturday.
Third-placed Marseille won 1-0 against struggler Auxerre on Friday. The result left Marseille in third place, three points clear of Lyon, which plays at Le Havre on Sunday. Marseille was seven points behind Lens and eight adrift of PSG.
Celtic 3-1 Motherwell: The Hoops’ title challenge continues with crucial home win.
Celtic picked up a crucial three points at home to Motherwell this afternoon, continuing their Premiership title challenge.
Elijah Just gave the visitors the lead early on, only to be pegged back by Hyun-Jun Yang who levelled the scores just a few minutes later.
Celtic took the lead in the second-half when Emmanuel Longelo saw red and Tomâš Čvančara converted the penalty before Yang scored again to seal the win.
As It Happened
You could tell this game was a big one, with a bit of bite in it as well, when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was shown the first yellow card of the game after just seven minutes following a foul on Just. The former Arsenal midfielder also registered the first shot on target of the afternoon when his right footed effort was saved by Calum Ward in the Motherwell goal.
However, it was the visitors who found the opener on the half hour mark through Just who fired into the bottom corner from inside the penalty area.
The lead didn’t last long though as Celtic drew themselves level just six minutes later with Yang tucking home the equaliser for his side, bringing the first half to a close.
The hosts made one change at the break with Cvancara replacing Sebastian Tounekti. As Motherwell looked to regain their lead, Ibrahim Said forced a strong save out of Viljami Sinisalo.
Just forced the second Celtic booking of the day before the hour mark, when he was fouled by Colby Donovan. A few minutes later, the home side made another change with Luke McCowan introduced from the bench in place of Benjamin Nygren.
Reo Hatate joined his teammates in the referee’s notebook shortly after. Having forced two yellows already in the match, Just received one himself with 25 minutes left on the clock.
The visitors went down to ten men in the 71st minute when Longelo was sent off after conceding a penalty, which was converted by Cvancara. Calum Ward also made his way into John Beaton’s notebook.
Celtic then made a triple change Marcelo Saracchi, Anthony Ralston and Paulo Bernardo replacing Oxlade-Chamberlain, Donovan and Kieran Tierney. The away side made two substitutions of their own at the same time with Oscar Priestman and Eythor Martin Bjøgolfsson bringing Said and Lukas Fadinger’s afternoons to an end.
Moments later, Yang netted his second of the afternoon to put Celtic 3-1 up and complete the comeback for an important three points.
Ralston saw yellow in the 82nd minute due to a foul on Just in his own half. Motherwell made a further three changes before the game was over with Just, Tom Sparrow and Tawanda Maswanhise withdrawn for Luca Ross, Jordan McGhee and Sam Nicholson.
That win takes Celtic within two points of league leaders Hearts, who are in action at Kilmarnock this evening.
Inter Milan 1-1 Atalanta – Former Serie A Referee Claims ‘No Foul On Dumfries, No Penalty For Frattesi’
Two flashpoint moments in the closing stages of Inter Milan’s 1-1 draw with Atalanta sparked fierce protests from the Nerazzurri, but referee analyst Luca Marelli has backed both of Manganiello’s key decisions, insisting neither incident warranted a penalty.
The first controversy surrounded Atalanta’s equaliser. Inter protested that a foul on Dumfries should have been called before Krstovic’s leveller stood.
“The goal came from a contact that was not whistled. For me, Manganiello was very good to let it run. There is no low contact, just a hand rested on the back. There is no push, no extension of the arm. It seems more like Dumfries losing his balance and falling. Manganiello was right.”
Inter 1-1 Atalanta – Marelli: ‘No penalty on Frattesi’
The second incident drew more debate.
Frattesi went down in the Atalanta area under a challenge from Scalvini in what could have been a match-winning penalty for Inter.
Marelli conceded there was contact but stopped well short of calling it a foul.
“There is contact between Frattesi and Scalvini, Frattesi gets there first. There is no real kick, I do not see contact worthy of a penalty. Penalties are a serious matter.”
He also defended the VAR’s decision not to intervene. “Certain contacts on the pitch are not easily visible, especially among many players. It is a subjective evaluation not objective, and therefore correct not to have the VAR step in.”
Inter’s frustration is understandable, but Marelli’s verdict offers little comfort for their case.
😱What was Abqar thinking? Sent off for a forbidden pinch
The match between Atlético de Madrid and Getafe on matchday 28 of LALIGA left one of the most surreal sequences of the season. At the start of the second half, the visiting defender Abdel Abqar was sent off after a peculiar assault on the local forward Alexander Sorloth, in an action that went unnoticed by the human eye but not by technology.
The VAR detected the forbidden "pinch"
While attention was focused on another part of the field, the VAR alerted referee Ortiz Arias about an incident on the halfway line. After reviewing the footage, it was confirmed that Abqar gave a pinch to the Norwegian attacker's private parts without the ball in play. Sorloth reacted by knocking down the defender, which earned him a yellow card for protesting, but the greater punishment was for the Moroccan.
Consequences for Getafe
Ortiz Arias's decision to show a straight red left the "azulón" team with ten men at a critical moment in the match. This unusual aggression, finally captured by television cameras, adds to the controversies of a matchday marked by tension and rough play.
Home runs have become a popular conversation point around the Boston Red Sox before the 2026 season.
The ZiPS projection system set tepid expectations for Boston's lineups, forecasting no Red Sox hitter to reach 20 home runs. Not everyone shares that pessimism.
Lucy Burdge predicted that several Red Sox players will accomplish that benchmark on NESN's "Boston Has Entered The Chat."
"And I thought, that's stupid already," Burdge said of the ZiPS projection. "But now I'm thinking this team could have five guys hit 20 home runs."
The Red Sox will have at least five guys hit 20+ home runs and win the World Series. pic.twitter.com/fUW9yLLVku
Jarren Duran went from 21 home runs in 2024 to 16 last year, but the outfielder is currently on a power heater. The 29-year-old has hit three home runs in spring training -- including a blast off left-handed ace Chris Sale -- and three more for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.
Burdge can see Duran carrying that momentum into the regular season and delivering 20-plus dingers.
"You see what Jarren Duran is doing?" Burdge said. "You watch what he has done so far in the WBC and in spring training. I was at one game where he hit two home runs, another game where he hit one home run, and that's just the two games I was there."
Five Red Sox hitters hitting 20 homers wouldn't be all that far-fetched.
Willson Contreras has reached that mark in five of the last six full seasons. Wilyer Abreu delivered 22 homers in 115 games last season, and Alex Cora said he wants the Gold Glove right fielder to also play against left-handed pitching this year.
It's a matter of health for Trevor Story, who socked 25 long balls in a bounce-back 2025. Ceddanne Rafaela could untap some more pop after touching them all 16 times last season, and Roman Anthony may surge far beyond 20 if he elevates the ball more.
Burdge went one step further, predicting a Red Sox championship when posting the show clip on social media.
"The Red Sox will have at least five guys hit 20+ home runs and win the World Series."
Oct 13, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Chicago Bears defensive tackle Andrew Billings (97) reacts after a play against the Washington Commanders during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images | Peter Casey-Imagn Images
The Las Vegas Raiders have made massive improvements in the 2026 NFL off-season inking receiver Jalen Nailor, center Tyler Linderbaum, linebackers Quay Walker, Nakobe Dean, and defensive lineman Kwity Paye to three year deals while also re-signing veteran cornerback Eric Stokes, EDGE Malcolm Koonce, and defensive tackle Thomas Booker. The Raiders have made two additional moves with fullback Connor Hayward and receiver/special teams ace Dareke Young as well to lower value contracts. Las Vegas currently sits with roughly 35 million in cap space, not including Quay Walker, Connor Hayward, Dareke Young, and Matt Gay’s contracts though Las Vegas should have around 24 million after these signings accounted and additional room to make moves if they restructure Maxx Crosby or Kolton Miller. Las Vegas’ roster sits at 63 of 90, and they have plenty of room to add additional players to lower value deals as veterans look to sign before the draft.
I recently made the same article for offensive skill positions, which can be found on Silver And Black as well:
NT DJ Reader
Reader, 31 years old, is not the same player he was with the Bengals from 2021-2023 but he’s remained a strong nose tackle and coming off a 2025 season with 17 starts, 28 tackles, six QB hits, 20 pressures, and 15 stops while also posting a 10.5% pass rush win rate and finishing 19th in run stop win rate. Reader has struggled with injuries in his career, playing a full season in just three of his 10 seasons. He’s shown to be a productive pass rusher, while also showing strong run defense traits. Las Vegas is needing a true nose tackle, and Reader at 6’3, 335-pounds has a career 1641 snaps as a true 0 or 1 technique in his 5654 snaps, while traditionally being a run focused defensive tackle.
NT Andrew Billings
Similar to Reader, the Raiders need a nose tackle and Billings would fit that mold well. The former Bengals 4th rounder, has experience working with DL Coach Travis Smith who worked with him in Oakland, and in Chicago. The 31 year old, saw a breakout 2022 season with 39 tackles, a sack, and finished top 10 in run stop win rate and run stops. After missing half the season in 2024, Billings bounced back in 2025 with 31 tackles, 7 TFL, eight quarterback hits, a sack, 14 pressures, and 20 stops. Billings did decline at times with his run stop win rate, and he struggled to find consistency, but the former Raiders and Bears nose tackle has a strong track record which is something to note for a veteran nose tackle. Las Vegas needs a proven nose tackle, and Billings experience with both the Raiders and Smith could be a smart veteran addition. It’s also worth noting that Billings four best seasons have all come under Smith, and his worst came with Smith in Tennessee.
I promise this whole list isn’t former Raiders, but the 6’5/290 pound Ward is coming off a 2025 season with 47 pressures, 31 tackles, five TFL, 22 QB hits, 5 sacks, and 4 PBU. Additionally, Ward finished with a 9% pass rush win rate, and 24% run stop win rate. He logged majority of his time at EDGE, but also has spent a strong portion of his career as a 2, 3, and 4 technique splitting time nearly 50/50 at EDGE and inside the tackle. Coming off his best career season, Ward has experience with DL coach Travis Smith working with him in Oakland during the 2017 season, and working with him in Tennessee for the 2025 seasons where he had a career best year. Ward has proven to be a versatile defender, working well in a 3-4 system and also showing the ability to play as a 4-3 option also. The Raiders are deep at EDGE with Maxx Crosby, Kwity Paye, and Malcolm Koonce but could use more versatility on their defensive line where Ward plays in.
Veteran edge rusher Jihad Ward has been an outstanding addition for the #Titans through the first six weeks of the season. Contenders should be flocking to Tennessee trying to buy him at the trade deadline pic.twitter.com/Ajki8iFTmP
For all these linebackers, the same statement will remain true. Las Vegas did sign Quay Walker & Nakobe Dean, with the two of them clearing being the top two options for Las Vegas on their second level. Despite that, Dean has struggled with injures missing nearly one third of his career games, and the team is also likely to rotate linebackers regardless in order to keep the defense fresh. Milano, 31 years old, is not the same player he was during the peak of his career, but he’s coming off a 2025 with 67 tackles, seven for loss, 3.5 sacks, and a forced fumble in 12 starts. Additionally, Milano has dipped in coverage allowing 299 yards, two touchdowns, and 39 receptions on 50 targets with a 104.9 QBR. He’s struggled with injuries, but does play a key weakside role, which would allow Las Vegas to keep Dean at MIKE and Walker at SAM where both will succeed. Milano has experience with Raiders senior assistant Al Holcomb, and he’ll likely be a cheap veteran signing to help Las Vegas provide depth and a quality third linebacker to their unit.
ILB Jack Gibbens
Gibbens, 27, was non-tendered by the Patriots making him a free agent, and he should be a quality option to serve as a depth role. In 2025 he started 8 games for New England logging 81 tackles, eight TFL, a sack, four breakups, and a forced fumble with another 2 starts, 19 tackles, 2 TFL, and PBU in the playoffs. Gibbens added 36 stops though he struggled in coverage allowing 32 of 39 targets for 247 yards, three touchdowns, and a 110.1 QBR. Gibbens is a solidified linebacker who has a track record as a rotational weakside linebacker, and is a quality defender vs the run while providing special teams value also.
According to Next Gen Stats, Jack Gibbens played 14 snaps vs the Chargers and finished with a game-high 5 Defensive Stops! The third play in the video below was a tackle for no gain on 3rd & 2 from NE's 3! Held the Chargers to a FG.
Thompson, who turns 32 in April, has followed Al Holcomb everywhere in his career, and a trip to Las Vegas would be a fit for both sides. The weakside linebacker is coming off a strong 2025 season where he was able to stay healthy, and posted 56 tackles, seven tackles for loss, a sack, and two breakups through 14 games with 8 starts. While Thompson isn’t the same player he was with Carolina from 2019 to 2022 and he’s struggled with injures in 2023 and 2024 playing just six games. The Raiders need to add more veteran depth options, and Thompson experience with Holcomb becomes a top fit for the room, also allowing Thompson to work at weakside and mike.
CB Cam Taylor-Britt
The Bengals switched systems in 2025, going from a zone heavy to man focused system, and Britt struggled allowing 14 receptions, 183 yards, and three touchdowns along with a 133.5 QBR. Additionally, Britt struggled in 2024 as well with 54 receptions, 751 yards, and 10 touchdowns allowed though he added three interceptions and 16 breakups. The former second rounder has seen success, and is also an athletic upside player who Las Vegas can bank on as a developmental depth cornerback. Britt had strong success in 2023 with 31 receptions allowed for 532 yards, and two touchdowns but also added four interceptions and 12 breakups. Additionally, the 26 year old, has struggled with injuries missing time in 2025 (8 games played) and missing 13 games between 2022 & 2023. Britt is young, has shown high end ball production with seven interceptions and 41 breakups, while also being a proven run defender. Joe Woods was able to capitalize on Eric Stokes rebound in 2026, and the Raiders could be searching for young high upside depth in 2026 with Britt.
CB Martin Emerson Jr
Emerson, like Britt was a high pick in the 2022 draft, and he’s coming off a 2025 season where he missed the entire year off an Achilles injury. Emerson has a track record of success with four interceptions and 34 breakups in 50 games including back to back seasons with 14+ breakups to start his career. Emerson struggled in 2024 under DC Joe Woods, but the connection remains, which could help entice Emerson to Las Vegas where he’ll play in a zone system that allows Emerson to work in space and make a play on the ball in coverage. In his career he’s allowed just 136 receptions, 1605 yards, and 11 touchdowns along with an 83.8 QBR on 255 targets with the proven ball production. Emerson has been an average run defender, though his tackle issues have shown up at times, and will be a limitation to him going forward. Emerson is extremely young at just 25 years old, and has good size at 6’2, 205-pounds to pair with the track record of success which Las Vegas can bank on developing into a rebound season similar to Eric Stokes.
SAF Chuck Clark
Clark, soon to be 31, has experience working with Raiders coaches Rob Leonard and Matt Robinson from his time with the Baltimore Ravens and is coming off a 2025 season where in 470 snaps he logged 51 tackles, 3 for loss, three breakups, and a forced fumble in 15 games (5 starts). Additionally, Clark has maintained his success as a run defender missing just 9% of his tackles in his career including 10% over the last two seasons where he’s played near 1200 career snaps. Clark did struggle with consistency in 2025 during his coverage allowing 18 receptions, 235 yards, and a touchdown along with a 108.2 QBR on 23 targets. The Raiders need to upgrade their free safety role, with Isaiah Pola-Mao struggling in 2025 where Clark would slot in as a cheap veteran option.
SAF Donovan Wilson
Wilson, 31, posted two interceptions, seven breakups, 71 tackles, and four for loss in 2025 while missing 20% of his tackles, and allowing 29 receptions, 315 yards, seven touchdowns, and a 119.2 QBR. While, Wilson struggled he has a track record of success in a role that plays him more as a traditional two high safety instead of the nickel linebacker role that Wilson was forced into for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Wilson has seen career success allowing a sub 90 QBR in four of his seven NFL seasons and has a career eight interceptions, 21 breakups, and has been a proven run defender as well despite his struggles recently. At worse, Wilson provides depth at both safety spots, but also could show the ability to be a starting free safety for at least 2026.
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Probably the least known member of the Red Sox organization in the World Baseball Classic might get a late-game opportunity to try to help Puerto Rico advance to the semifinals Saturday.
Eduardo Rivera, a 22-year-old left-handed pitching prospect, dominated in his start against Panama in pool play last Saturday. He allowed just one run, one hit and one walk while striking out five in 4 ⅓ innings.
Puerto Rico will play Italy in the quarterfinals at 3 p.m.
Seth Lugo, a 2024 AL All-Star, will start for Puerto Rico but Rivera might play a factor late in the game.
“I think he’s coming out of bullpen (Saturday), which is interesting with all those lefties, and see how he can perform,” manager Alex Cora said Friday at JetBlue Park.
Boston signed the 6-foot-7 lefty in June 2024 after the Athletics surprisingly released him. The Red Sox targeted him quickly.
“Age, physicality, velo, left-handed,” director of professional scouting Harrison Slutsky said last season. “Let’s not overthink this one. We wanted to get him in our program.”
He also mixed in eight changeups, seven sinkers and three sliders. He recorded nine swings-and-misses.
“Threw the ball well,” Cora said. “Controlled his emotions. He’s a big dude that throws hard. Throughout his career, he’s been able to beat the projections. So he’s an interesting guy. Interesting.
The Red Sox plan to pitch him, who’s in minor league camp, in some Grapefruit League games when he returns.
“Hopefully after the tournament, we can bring him here, face a few lefties and pitch here for us so people can see him,” Cora said.
2026 has provided the New Orleans Saints with plenty of opportunities to improve their team during the offseason. During this period of time, however, the Caesars Superdome and the city of New Orleans are trying to find big events to host in their 83,000-seat stadium. It was announced only a little more than a week ago that the Summer X Games League Championship would be hosted in New Orleans, and now, another big sports event is set to take place later today.
The Superdome has been revamped for another sport, this time turning into a baseball stadium set to host the Savannah Bananas entertainment baseball team.
It is a bit of a wonky fit, given the dimensions of the standard field make right field ridiculously deep, but it looks about as normal as one would expect with those circumstances. This will be a great opportunity to see just how many people this team can draw in, previously selling out Tiger Stadium, home of LSU. They have done a great job promoting this product over the years, and now have the opportunity to sell out some of the largest stadiums in the nation.
Yang at the double as Celtic take all three points against Motherwell
Scottish PremiershipSaturday, March 14, 2026Celtic Park
CELTIC…3(Yang 38 & 79, Cvancara 72)
MOTHERWELL…1(Just 32)
Celtic have taken all three points from a thoroughly entertaining match against Motherwell at Celtic Park, with a brace from Yang and a converted penalty from Tomas Cvancara giving Martin O’Neill’s men a 3-1 victory over the Fir Park side.
The visitors started quickly, moving the ball around at pace and with purpose as has become their style this season, and with less than five minutes played, Benjamin Arthur, making his first home start today, produced a good block to prevent a Tawanda Maswanhise shot from troubling Viljami Sinisalo.
Celtic’s first big chance of the match fell to Benjamin Nygren who was presented a golden opportunity just yards out from goal after a failed clearance from the Motherwell defence, but the Swede could not convert the chance.
Sebastian Tounekti then saw a curling effort from the edge of the box go wide of the target after Nygren had picked him out with a nice ball out towards the left wing.
Alex Oxlade- Chamberlain looked like he had put Celtic ahead with just shy of 20 minutes gone when he unleashed a powerful effort towards the bottom corner from outside the box. Motherwell keeper Calum Ward threw himself down towards the shot and pushed it on to the post before the ball trundled along the goal line, Celtic coming agonisingly close to taking the lead.
Benjamin Arthur was the next Celtic man to go close with his headed effort from a Benjamin Nygren corner creeping just over the bar.
Motherwell took the lead just after the half-hour mark when Reo Hatate was caught in possession at the edge of the Celtic box, giving Elijah Just a chance to take a shot on goal. His effort flew in to the bottom corner of the net, giving Motherwell a 1-0 lead.
The Hoops were level five minutes later when a Benjamin Nygren cut back in to the box was cleared only as far as Yang, who swept in to the box and slammed a shot in to the bottom corner to make it 1-1.
Just before half time, Motherwell had a big chance to take the lead again, but Callum Slattery’s effort from just inside the area drifted well wide of the target and the sides went in level at the break.
Martin O’Neill made one change at half time, bringing Tomas Cvancara on for Sebastian Tounekti, with Daizen Maeda moving out to the left.
Celtic worked themselves in to good shooting positions early in the second half, but both Benjamin Nygren and Tomas Cvancara seemed to hesitate in taking their shots. When Nygren did fire a shot towards goal early in the second period, it took a deflection on its way and rattled the base of the post, the woodwork once again coming to Motherwell’s rescue.
Vil Sinisalo was called in to action in the opening exchanges of the second half, producing a strong stop to deny Ibrahim Said, who got a shot on target from outside the penalty area.
With an hour gone, Martin O’Neill made another change, bringing Luke McCowan on for Benjamin Nygren, and shortly after coming on, a corner from McCowan resulted in a penalty for the Hoops, as Daizen Maeda was hauled to the ground at the back post.
After being sent to the VAR monitor, John Beaton pointed to the spot and showed a red card to Emmanuel Longelo before Tomas Cvancara, the penalty hero at Ibrox last week, stepped up and smashed his spot-kick in to the back of the net to make it 2-1 to Celtic.
With 15 minutes of the match left, there were three further changes for the Hoops as Marcelo Saracchi, Anthony Ralston and Paulo Bernardo were brought on for Kieran Tierney, Colby Donovan and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Celtic gave themselves some vital breathing space with just over 10 minutes to go, with Viljami Sinisalo proving that route one football isn’t a forgotten art. The Finnish keeper launched the ball forward towards Yang, who took it in his stride before producing a brilliant finish to make it 3-1 to Celtic and claim his second goal of the afternoon.
In stoppage time, Anthony Ralston fired a shot towards goal from distance, but his effort drifted wide, however the Hoops knew that, with an unassailable lead, the three points were safe.
In recent years, the Golden State Warriors have sought to straddle two developmental timelines. On the one hand, they're continuing to build around a veteran core, anchored by Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. On the other hand, they're preparing for the future with young stars such as Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody.
At times, finding the right balance between youth and experience has been a difficult balancing act for Steve Kerr. Yet, at times this season, that balance has proven to be key, especially as Golden State has navigated a difficult run of injuries and multiple tough stretches of games.
However, according to Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz, the Warriors' aging roster is actually its biggest weakness. After all, this is a team that boasts Curry (38), Green (36), Al Horford (39), Jimmy Butler (36), Gary Payton II (33)and Seth Curry (35) as key members of the rotation.
"The Warriors are now the oldest team in the NBA (29.0)," Swartz wrote on March 12. "Stephen Curry is days away from turning 38, hasn't played since January and is projected to miss at least another 10 days with a knee issue. Draymond Green, 36, has a minus-5.2 swing rating and Jimmy Butler, 36, is out for the year with a torn ACL. Trading away 23-year-old Jonathan Kuminga for 30-year-old Kristaps Porziņģis only made this team older and more injury-prone. We're nearing the final act of Old Yeller, Bay Area edition."
Sooner or later, Golden State will need to pivot towards its younger generation, while also finding ways of bringing in some fresh talent that fits the new-look timeline. Podziemski and Moody could become two future pillars of the franchise's next generation.
Yet, for now at least, the focus on getting Curry and Green another championship ring remains.
Jose Delgado and Andre Fili meet on the UFC Fight Night 269 main card Saturday at Meta APEX in Las Vegas. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.
Last event's results: 3-2
UFC main cards, 2026: 20-13
Jose Delgado vs. Andre Fili UFC Fight Night 269 preview
Delgado (10-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) will look to get back on track following his first UFC loss, which came by unanimous decision against Nathaniel Wood at UFC 321. The Dana White's Contender Series veteran won his first two UFC bouts, stopping both Connor Matthews and Hyder Amil in the first round.
Fili (25-12 MMA, 13-11 UFC) has more wins in the UFC than Delgado has total fights. The experienced veteran will look to make it back-to-back wins following a split decision over Christian Rodriguez in August. Fili has struggled to keep winning momentum, though, as he's traded wins and losses in recent years, with his last pair of wins coming in 2019.
Jose Delgado vs. Andre Fili UFC Fight Night 269 expert pick, prediction
Serving as one of the best matchups on the card is a featherweight fight between Andre Fili and Jose Delgado.
Fili, whom I'm a big fan of, looks in fantastic shape coming into this fight and is not a fighter you should take lightly. That said, there's no denying Fili's consistently inconsistent win-loss trends during his tenure with the promotion.
Fili also has a .500 record in the UFC Apex, winning three fights by split decision and losing two of three fights by vicious knockout. For that reason, I find myself leaning toward the up-and-coming prospect in Delgado.
Aside from his clinch game resembling a wood chipper, Delgado is an offensively potent fighter who can fluidly change phases to find openings for finishes.
This battle should be a barnburner for as long as it lasts, but I'll officially pick Delgado to find a finish by the end of Round 1.
Jose Delgado vs. Andre Fili UFC Fight Night 269 odds
The oddsmakers and the public favor the younger fighter, listing Delgado -420 and Fili +310 via FanDuel.
Jose Delgado vs. Andre Fili UFC Fight Night 269 start time, how to watch
Hardwick and Rahiki are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 9:40 p.m. ET. The fight streams live on Paramount+.
JACKSON TWP., Ohio − You don't tug on Superman's cape. You don't spit into the wind. And for heaven's sake, you don't renovate a golf course designed by famed architect Donald Ross.
Just as you wouldn't splash more red on a Rembrandt.
Or fiddle with a Picasso.
Brookside Country Club's nine-member board of governors and club members know their iconic century-old golf course is a historic gem.
The private club is situated on 240 acres, between Hills & Dales Road NW and Perry Drive NW, east of Brunnerdale Avenue NW. On land that was once portions of three separate farms.
The property provided a blank canvas of sorts, which Ross transformed into an 18-hole, par-71 layout.
"A really special property," said Phil Eckinger, Brookside's immediate past chairman of the board.
Brookside consistently ranks high on many "Best course" lists. And it's aged well. But there's room for planned changes and improvements. They're part of a multimillion-dollar project — the club declined to release specific financial details — to begin in August 2027. The course will close through May 2028 to accommodate the work.
"That's a huge commitment," Eckinger said.
When done right — in the eyes of golf historians and design aficionados — such projects on Ross-designed courses are called restorations. Not simply pedestrian renovations.
The goal is to make Brookside more closely resemble its appearance when it opened in 1922, while at the same time adapting to changes in the game and improvements in technology.
Ross is widely regarded as an all-time great in course design. He was Rembrandt and Picasso rolled into one. Not only did he produce masterpieces, such as Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina, Ross was quite prolific, with an estimated 400-plus courses to his name.
It's the first Brookside restoration of any kind since 2005. This one is huge. It's been in the works since a committee was formed in 2023. A master plan was created the following year.
Most recently, the club hired Tod Pierce as its new general manager to help oversee the restoration. He held the same job for the past 19 years at Longue Vue Club, near Pittsburgh.
"He had really deep experience," said Brookside board President Ryan Fulmer, who explained that Pierce was selected from a group of nine semifinalists who wanted the post.
Earlier in his career, Pierce spent five years in management at Pennsylvania's Oakmont Country Club, which has hosted 10 U.S. Opens, three PGA Championships and six U.S. Amateurs.
Coming back to Northeast Ohio, where he started at Youngstown Country Club 30 years ago, was enticing for Pierce. The destination in Stark County was certainly the clincher.
"It's Brookside," Pierce noted.
Enough said.
Pierce had heard all about the course from Andrew Grove (now the mayor of Alliance), who'd left Youngstown years ago for the general manager position at Brookside.
Keeping up with the times at Brookside
Through the decades, the Brookside course and golf itself have evolved — creating the need for the restoration.
Trees added post-Ross have grown. Twenty years ago, about 1,200 were removed, but more are on the chopping block. Rain and time eroded some original features. Sand-filled bunkers gradually shrunk. Greens constricted. Sometimes, Mother Nature did the damage. Other times, course managers probably made conscious decisions to save money on maintenance.
"You lose a lot of the edges ... definition," explained Superintendent J.R. Lynn.
Sprawling tree branches have encroached on corridors that Ross had laid out for players to get from tee to green.
"There should be no aerial hazards," said Cory Kumpf, the 36-year-old director of golf at Brookside, who began as a 12-year-old caddie at the club, then climbed up the ranks.
Golf today is much different, too.
In the 1920s, players swung clubs made with hickory wood shafts and forged iron clubfaces. Balls weren't as lively either. Players couldn't hit the ball as far as they can today with modern equipment.
Brookside's already lengthy 6,900 yards from the back tees will grow by a couple hundred yards.
Even casual golfers generally know about the Stimpmeter. The device is used universally to measure the speed of greens. The higher the number, the faster the green. What some golfers may not realize, though, is that grass on putting greens wasn't, and couldn't be, cut as short as it is now.
When Ross laid out Brookside, longer grass on the greens likely would have recorded a Stimpmeter reading of about five. Ross created severe slopes on greens with no fear a well-struck putt could inexplicably roll off the green, for example, if it missed the hole.
But today's PGA Tour courses check in around 12 on the Stimpmeter; private clubs often want to get close to that.
The effect of all that on Brookside: The pin must be placed in almost the same location throughout the season on four of the harshest sloped greens. That's not good for the health of the grass on them, or for players who expect varied pin placements.
"We're going to soften those greens," said Lynn, in explaining how the slopes will be modified.
Seventy-four-year-old Joseph Halter knows a thing or two about Brookside's history. Not only are he and his son, Matt, longtime members, his grandfather owned one of the original farms upon which the course was built.
"That land has been in my family since the 1850s," Joseph Halter said.
The course doesn't look like the one he played as a younger man.
"It's changed dramatically," he said.
Halter called the restoration project bold, adding that he hopes it helps the club prosper for years to come.
A salute to the past, with an eye on the future
Vaughn Halyard, president of the Donald Ross Society, said members of that group will visit and play Brookside on May 13.
"We like seeing the course before, then coming back a few years later for the after," he said.
The Society boasts about 500 members from the U.S. and abroad. The nonprofit group was formed in 1989. Halyard said they used to be viewed as a band of almost militant rebels, because their mission was to save Ross courses from being bastardized or even worse, sold and developed.
"Many courses didn't understand the value of classic golf architecture," Halyard said.
He compared a Ross course to a Frank Lloyd Wright house — both worthy of being kept intact.
These days, the Society's broadened mission includes public golf course advocacy and education. Its members also get an opportunity to play many public and private Ross courses each year in a variety of scheduled outings.
Typically, they play a round, eat dinner and meet with the owner or operator to talk course history.
"We're really kind of a nerdy group," Halyard said.
Their three-day visit this year to Stark County is part of an event dubbed "Hall of Fame Fairways." Prior to Brookside, they'll play Clearview, the first course in the country built and owned by a Black man (the late William Powell), and Congress Lake Club.
Halyard said Brookside landed a superb architect when it hired Tyler Rae to devise the restoration blueprint. Rae's work includes the renovation of Lookout Mountain Club in Georgia — not a Ross course — which earned Golf Digest’s 2023 Renovation of the Year.
He said Rae sharpened his craft under the tutelage of some of the best, including the likes of Coore & Crenshaw and Tom Doak. Rae also worked under Ron Prichard for many years.
"And Ron Prichard is the father of restoration .... Prichard defined the process," Halyard said.
In preparing a master plan for the work at Brookside, Rae examined old photos, along with original Ross sketches and drawings, including a 1920 layout of the 18 holes.
"The process is like dissecting a layer cake," Halyard said.
Ross' work on Brookside was during a period that golf historians consider to be his prime years.
"This was the period when Ross moved past the geometric, functionality-driven hazards of his early work and began introducing the bold internal green contouring, diagonal bunkering, and naturalistic hazard shapes that defined his greatest designs," the master plan states. "Brookside’s heavily contoured green complexes and muscular bunkering place it firmly in this lineage, alongside Pinehurst No. 2, Seminole, and Oakland Hills."
The plan notes how Ross chose the Brookside property for "its rolling terrain and tumbling brook that winds through the property."
"This was a course built to reward the strategic golfer who could read the ground and work the ball," the plan states.
NMP Golf Construction of Massachusetts was awarded the bid for the work at Brookside.
Key elements of the restoration include enlarging greens and many of the 99 sand bunkers, while recovering others, widening of some fairways and replacing all fairway and green grass with a newer hardy, tolerant Bentgrass variety, which will require less maintenance in the future.
From Lakeside to Brookside, golf and more
Brookside wasn't always Brookside. The club was formerly known as Lakeside Country Club. In 1903, its members bought a casino on Meyers Lake and built a nine-hole course.
In 1917, a who's who of Stark County business and civic leaders, including T.K. Harris and members of the Timken, Belden, Herbruck and McLain families, led a charge to buy more land for the club.
The three farms were perfect.
The Halters, whose family owned one of them, also has McLain blood on the other side of their family tree.
"A little Brookside in the DNA," said Matt Halter.
In the past, Brookside has been included in the country’s Top 100 golf courses by Golf Magazine. And this year, it was rated the ninth best course in Ohio by Golf Digest.
Fulmer, the board chair, said Brookside is a "family-oriented" member-owned club with a top-notch chef in Ken Bucholtz, premier swimming pool, four indoor and four outdoor tennis courts and a host of other amenities.
"It's not just about golf," he said, noting other recent upgrades to areas inside the facility.
The course hosts 17,000 rounds of golf each year. The club has about 400 members, whose average age is 55 years old.
"Most of our members are philanthropic," said Eckinger, the former board chair.
Fulmer said some of the club's 200 employees, and their families, benefit from an ongoing scholarship fund. In the past five years, they've been awarded a combined $250,000.
Along with the restoration project and addition of Pierce, Brookside will introduce a national membership program this year.
Reach Tim at 330-580-8333 or tim.botos@cantonrep.com.On X: @tbotosREP
Defending gold medalists Team USA will face Canada in the gold medal game for Paralympic sled hockey this Sunday. (Timothy Hurst/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Timothy Hurst via Getty Images
Team USA are the reigning sled hockey champs at the 2026 Paralympic Games — this Sunday, they'll have the chance to defend their gold against Canada in the final game. Yes, you read that right, it's another USA vs. Canada showdown on ice. The USA vs. Canada game will be broadcast on the NBC and CNBC and stream on Peacock starting at 11 a.m. ET. Here's everything else you need to know about watching the U.S. vs. Canada sled hockey game, plus a complete schedule of the rest of this year's events.
How to watch the Team USA vs. Canada sled hockey game
The Oklahoma Sooners fell short in their bid to advance to the semifinals of the SEC tournament on Friday night in their 82-79 loss to the No. 17 Arkansas Razorbacks. The Sooners needed that win to secure a berth in the NCAA tournament, but now will await the decision of the selection committee on Sunday.
However, before Oklahoma learns its postseason fate, the Sooners know that head coach Porter Moser will be back for the Sooners in 2026-2027. According to a report from Colton Sulley of The Oklahoman and from ESPN's Pete Thamel, Oklahoma athletic director Roger Denny confirmed that Moser will return for a sixth season in Norman.
According to Sulley, Denny made the decision on Wednesday before the SEC tournament began and informed Moser of the decision on Saturday morning. In the story from The Oklahoman, Denny said Oklahoma needed to invest more in men's basketball to meet his expectations for the program.
Denny told The Oklahoman, “What I found was a real need to realign our program to match the expectations that I have for men's basketball at Oklahoma and the expectations our fans have for men's basketball at Oklahoma.”
The Sooners made the NCAA tournament for the first time in 2024-2025 and looked like a team that could make an appearance again this season. However, a nine-game losing streak in the middle of SEC play put those hopes and Moser's future in doubt. But the Sooners rallied to go 8-3 over their final 11 games, including a win over No. 15 Vanderbilt and wins over South Carolina and Texas A&M in the SEC tournament.
In five seasons in Norman, Moser has accumulated a record of 93-74. In two seasons in the SEC, Oklahoma's gone 13-23 in SEC play.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
On Saturday morning, the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series cars were set to go out on track for practice at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. However, it was a safety truck driver that ended up stealing the show with quite the save.
Exiting the infield access road to the frontstretch, the safety truck started to spin sideways, with the driver quickly trying to recover it. However, it overcorrected itself and started shooting up the track towards the outside wall. The driver brought the sideways Ram truck back under control, turning it back to the left as they crossed the finish line, ultimately straightening it out after a very impressive drift.
You can watch the wild save in the video below, and here the reaction from the CW booth:
NASCAR has seen plenty of bizarre incidents with safety vehicles over the years, but thankfully, this one ended without any damage. In the 2024 championship race for the Cup Series at Phoenix, the pace car actually spun into the sand barrels at the entrance of pit road, and race cars have struck safety vehicles several times in the past. However, the most infamous incident came during the 2012 Daytona 500 when Juan Pablo Montoya lost control under caution due to a mechanical issue. He slammed into the back of a jet dryer, which burst into flames, leaking fuel across the track, creating a wall of fire across the superspeedway.
Barcelona 20-year-old starlet one step away from signing new contract
Over the past week, FC Barcelona starlet Alvaro Cortes has found himself in the first-team dynamics under manager Hansi Flick.
The 20-year-old centre-back, who happens to the current captain of Barça Atletic, has been training with the senior team following the injuries to Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde.
He was also called up to the matchday squad for two games – against Athletic Club and Newcastle United.
New contract for Alvaro Cortes
Now, according to journalist Matteo Moretto, Alvaro Cortes is just ‘one step away’ from signing a new contract with Barcelona.
Cortes’ current contract with the Blaugrana expires in 2027, meaning he would be entering the final year of his deal at the end of the season.
Alvaro Cortes (L) closing in on a renewal at Barcelona. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Considering his performances with the reserve team and the fact that he has now entered the first-team dynamics, Barça are making moves to tie him down to a new contract.
As previously reported, Cortes, who was attracting significant interest during the January transfer window, had been seeking guarantees over first-team opportunities at Barcelona before committing to a new deal.
The Catalans, for their part, have always had maximum confidence in his potential and have been working on an extension for a while now.
And, as per Moretto, an agreement seems to be on the horizon, which will see Cortes commit to Barcelona beyond 2027.
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 11: Nolan Gorman #16 of the St. Louis Cardinals at bat during a spring training game against the Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 11, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The St. Louis Cardinals are now less than two weeks from the regular season. They’ll get one game closer as they take on the Miami Marlins in Roger Dean Stadium on Saturday, March 14, 2026. According to MLB.com, Andre Pallante will start the game for the Cardinals. The starter for the Miami Marlins is to be determined. Here’s the Cardinals lineup for today.
Minteh earns Seagulls all three points at Sunderland
Yankuba Minteh's unorthodox goal proved to be decisive as Brighton & Hove Albion defeated Sunderland on the road.
There was a bright start to the game at the Stadium of Light with Brighton having two chances early. Melker Ellborg needed to be alert to deny Jack Hinshelwood before Pascal Gross fizzed an effort just wide.
Minutes later at the other end of the pitch, Lewis Dunk made a goalline clearance to deny Chemsdine Talbi from what would likely have been the opening goal.
From that point on the pace of the game dipped and only an attempted Chris Rigg overhead kick towards the end of the half was worth noting.
There was much more going on in the second half though with Rigg thinking he had put his side in the lead three minutes after the restart. A long freekick had been headed down by Omar Alderete which somehow found its way to Rigg at the far post to finish.
However, the goal was ruled out with the Paraguayan offside as he headed down – a let off for the Brighton defence who somehow were unable to stop a trickling header finding Rigg.
Instead it was the visitors who took the lead in the 58th minute following a corner with the ball finding Yankuba Minteh on the right. The Brighton man drove into the area and sliced a shot that deceived Ellborg at the near post – not the prettiest goal of the season, but they all count.
After having scored, Minteh was lucky not to get sent off shortly afterwards. First he was given a yellow card after an off-the-ball scuffle with Luke O'Nien. Then just seconds later he committed a foul that, more often than not resulted in a yellow card.
Minteh was lucky to get away with it and Fabian Hürzeler immediately replaced him with Maxim De Cuyper to avoid any further incident.
Sunderland pushed for an equaliser but couldn't find a way through the Brighton defence and suffered a third home defeat in a row in the Premier League. Meanwhile the Seagulls move ahead of the Black Cats and up to 10th.
Incidents: The story of the match
1':
The match begins
12':
Opportunity wasted. Pascal Groß from Brighton and Hove Albion attempted a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area following a corner, but it went off target.
38':
Opportunity wasted. Chris Rigg from Sunderland took a left-footed shot from the center of the box, but it went wide to the left.
50':
Missed opportunity. Danny Welbeck of Brighton and Hove Albion attempted a header from a challenging angle on the right but failed to convert. The assist came from Pascal Groß, who delivered a cross.
53':
Missed opportunity! Brian Brobbey from Sunderland took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area.
Brighton and Hove Albion takes the lead against Sunderland, making it 1-0. Yankuba Minteh scores with a right-footed shot from a challenging angle on the right, finding the bottom left corner after a corner kick.Brighton and Hove Albion takes the lead against Sunderland, making it 1-0. Yankuba Minteh scores with a right-footed shot from a challenging angle on the right, finding the left corner of the net following a corner kick.
Yankuba Minteh scores goal number 2 in the competition (26 matches)
63':
Missed opportunity. Habib Diarra from Sunderland attempted a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area.
66':
Missed opportunity. Trai Hume from Sunderland attempted a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it went just wide to the left. The assist came from Chris Rigg.
68':
Missed opportunity! Diego Gómez from Brighton and Hove Albion attempted a right-footed shot from the center of the box, but it sailed high and wide to the right. The chance was set up by Mats Wieffer after a quick counter-attack.
Burnley x Bournemouth - Highlights, Summary and Match Report
In a tightly contested Premier League fixture, Burnley and Bournemouth were unable to break the deadlock, resulting in a 0-0 draw at Turf Moor. Despite numerous attempts from both sides, the match ended without any goals, leaving fans waiting for more action.
Bournemouth dominated possession, controlling the game with 61% compared to Burnley's 39%. However, their advantage in ball control did not translate into scoring, as both teams struggled to find the back of the net. Bournemouth managed to get 22 shots, with 3 on target, while Burnley had 15 attempts, only 2 of which were on target.
The match saw Bournemouth creating more chances, evidenced by their 8 corners and slightly higher expected goals of 1.59, against Burnley's 1.56. Despite this, neither side could capitalize on their opportunities, with both sets of defenders and goalkeepers standing firm to keep the scoreline level.
As the Premier League season progresses, this draw adds a valuable point to both teams' campaigns but leaves them wanting more to secure their positions. The lack of goals today at Turf Moor speaks to the intense competition and defensive strategies employed by both Burnley and Bournemouth.
Incidents: The story of the match
1':
The match begins
2':
Opportunity wasted. Jaidon Anthony from Burnley attempted a right-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area.
7':
Opportunity wasted. James Hill from Bournemouth attempted a header from within the six-yard box, aiming for the left side, but it narrowly missed the top left corner. The assist came from Marcus Tavernier, who delivered a cross following a corner kick.
38':
Missed opportunity! Alex Scott from Bournemouth took a left-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, narrowly missing the target. The assist came from Marcos Senesi.
50':
Opportunity wasted! Marcos Senesi from Bournemouth had a header from within the six-yard box, aiming for the left side, but it went just wide of the target. The assist came from James Hill.
63':
Opportunity wasted! Evanilson from Bournemouth attempted a header from the middle of the penalty area, but it went wide. The cross was provided by Adrien Truffert.
67':
Opportunity wasted! Evanilson from Bournemouth took a right-footed shot from the center of the box, but it went wide to the left. The assist came from Álex Jiménez, who delivered a cross.
82':
Opportunity wasted. Hannibal Mejbri from Burnley attempted a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area.
90 +3':
Missed opportunity. Enes Ünal from Bournemouth attempted a header from the middle of the penalty area.
Manchester City insider outlines club stance on signing new right-back this summer
A new report has outlined Manchester City’s stance on the acquisition a new right-back in the upcoming transfer window to progress a squad rebuild.
Hugo Viana has orchestrated a sweeping remake of Pep Guardiola‘s first-team ranks since he replaced Txiki Begiristain as City’s sporting director in 2025, making seven new signings last summer before adding Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi to Guardiola’s squad in January.
City remain in the running for an unprecedented quadruple in the final months of a transitional season but are very likely to bid farewell to club captain Bernardo Silva and John Stones at the end of their respective contracts at the end of the season.
Nathan Ake, Mateo Kovacic and Rico Lewis also face uncertain futures at the Etihad Stadium as Viana and co put plans in motion for the summer transfer window, when club insiders will prioritise the signing of a world-class midfielder, with Nottingham Forest and England star Elliot Anderson a dream signing for Manchester City and Guardiola.
Manchester City poised to step up summer transfer interest in Nottingham Forest star
Are Manchester City looking to sign a right-back this summer?
City are exploring the market for a new right-back ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, having monitored the market last summer and again in January to ultimately decide against signing an out-and-out specialist in the position.
Matheus Nunes has exceeded expectations with his consistent displays as a makeshift right-back this term, enjoying his best season in a Manchester City shirt since joining from Wolves for £53 million in 2023.
Guardiola also retains the option of deploying Lewis at right-back, with Abdukodir Khusanov called in for Nunes in the position in Manchester City’s recent 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.
Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News has detailed that it remains unclear at present when City will add a fresh right-back to their ranks this summer, having recently distanced themselves from reports indicating an interest in Newcastle United’s Valentino Livramento.
Have Manchester City strongly considered a new right-back since Kyle Walker’s departure?
Kyle Walker left Manchester City for Burnley on a permanent deal last summer following his return from a six-month loan stint at AC Milan, having lost his starting spot at Manchester City midway through the disastrous 2024-25 season.
The report has noted that City officials have explored a series of young options at right-back, indicating that a new addition would likely not be coming in as first-choice and would be gradually integrated into the starting XI.
Furthermore, Vitor Reis is excelling on loan at Girona and is making a strong case for a recall to Manchester ahead of next season – which could bolster Guardiola’s centre-half options and even allow him to test Khusanov more regularly at right-back, alongside Nunes.
Which team will win the 41st edition of the Hockey East Men's Tournament?
This year's bracket will feature all of the conference's 11 programs battling for the championship under a single-elimination format. The top five teams earned first-round byes, while the bottom six seeds must fight for the remaining spots in the quarterfinal round.
Providence will enter the tournament as the No. 1 seed after capturing its first-ever outright Hockey East regular season title. Massachusetts, UConn, Maine and Boston College are a few of the other contenders hoping to secure an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Here is everything you need to know about the 2026 Hockey East Men's Tournament, including TV and streaming options for games.
How to watch Hockey East Men's Tournament: TV channels, live streams
Hockey East Men's Tournament games will air locally on NESN and NESN+. Those games will also be available to stream on Fubo and NESN 360.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100-plus top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
Viewers outside of the local market can stream games on ESPN+.
SARASOTA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 16: Trevor Rogers #28 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches live during practice at Ed Smith Stadium on February 16, 2026 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Baltimore Orioles/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Orioles are headed a half hour down the road to Bradenton, and they’re bringing a lot of their regulars with them. Six of the players in today’s lineup are guys who will be on the Opening Day roster, and possibly seven, depending how you feel about Jeremiah Jackson’s chances. Pete Alonso, Adley Rutschman, and Taylor Ward are among the crew making the trip.
So too is Trevor Rogers, the newly anointed Opening Day starter. Rogers has pitched very well in his two Grapefruit League starts, working five scoreless innings, but he got knocked around by Team Netherlands in a WBC exhibition on March 3, giving up six runs in 2.1 innings. For whatever reason, he hasn’t pitched in a game since then.
This will be Rogers’ second-to-last exhibition start before his Opening Day assignment, though the schedule doesn’t quite line up for him to pitch on regular rest. The opener is in 12 days, so if he pitches again five days from now, he’ll have a week of rest before Opening Day. Or he’ll need extra rest after this start if he wants to be on four days’ rest for the opener. It’s probably not a big deal, just something worth keeping an eye on.
Orioles lineup:
LF Taylor Ward C Adley Rutschman 1B Pete Alonso CF Colton Cowser SS Blaze Alexander 2B Jeremiah Jackson RF Dylan Beavers DH Bryan Ramos 3B Weston Wilson
BARCELONA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 07: Alejandro Balde of FC Barcelona looks on during warms up prior to the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and RCD Mallorca at Spotify Camp Nou on February 07, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Pablo Rodriguez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As we approach the summer transfer window, it appears that Barcelona have big plans to add a big-name striker and possibly even a center-back, with Julián Alvarez and Alessandro Bastoni currently the hottest names in the rumor mill.
The infamous 1:1 rule will be crucial to achieve those plans, but Barça might also have to sell and important player in order to help fund the big signings. And one player currently linked with a sale is Alejandro Balde, who is reportedly “not untouchable” and could be sold if the right offer arrives.
Balde is quite the hot topic among Barça fans. He has certainly developed into a very good left-back and is still young with room to reach his full potential, but some argue he’s not quite consistent enough to be a truly world-class player, and has already dealt with a number of injuries in his young Barça career.
So today’s Barca Blaugranes Question of the Day is:
Should Barcelona sell Alejandro Balde if the price is right?
Now it’s over to you! Feel free to share your thoughts, predictions, upsets, and opinions and answers in the comments section below!
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 03: Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones looks on from the broadcast set prior to an NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 3, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images) | Getty Images
“I would bet that we will spend more money in free agency than we have,” Jones said. “I want to do everything we possibly can to stop somebody and to basically win some third downs more than we did last year. And so I think that would be the area that you would see me bust the budget,” Jones said.
The first thing to note, and the thing that almost everybody ignored, is that Jones was speaking specifically about busting the budget to win on third down. On defense, that would likely be about investing mostly in the defensive line, and that certainly has happened.
However, the general assumption was that “busting the budget” meant significantly exceeding this year’s salary cap. But the way things are going, the Cowboys aren’t even spending at last year’s level on player acquisition.
This post was written on Saturday, March 14, which is the sixth day of free agency – the legal tampering period began on Monday, March 9, with free agency “officially” opening on Wednesday – and so far the Cowboys have spent a little over $145 million in total contract value on internal and external free agents (some contract data is still missing). By the sixth day of free agency last year, they had already spent $156 million.
Nobody is busting anything right now.
The table below summarizes the team’s activity in 2025 and 2026. The timeline indicates on which day a deal was reported, which is not necessarily the date of the official signing. In addition to the total contract value for each player, the table also shows the Year 1 cash spend for each player as best as I could find it. This is usually the sum of the signing bonus and year one salary at the time the contract was signed.
body .sbnu-legacy-content-table td,
body .sbnu-legacy-content-table th,
body .sbnu-legacy-content-table {
border: 1px solid #000 !important;
border-collapse: collapse !important;
}
Timeline
2025
2026
Date
Pos
Player
Contract Value
Cash (Year 1)
Date
POS
Player
Contract Value
Cash (Year 1)
Pre-Free Agency
March 4
CB
C.J. Goodwin (re-signed)
1,255,000
1,255,000
February 14
RB
Javonte Williams (re-signed)
24,000,000
8,750,000
March 4
DT
Osa Odighizuwa (resigned)
80,000,000
21,750,000
February 27
WR
George Pickens (tagged)
27,298,000
27,298,000
March 5
OL
Brock Hoffman (re-signed)
1,100,000
1,100,000
March 7
K
Brandon Aubrey (tendered)
5,760,000
5,760,000
March 5
S
Juanyeh Thomas (resigned)
1,030,000
1,030,000
March 7
OL
T,J, Bass (tendered)
5,760,000
5,760,000
March 5
DE
Tyrus Wheat (re-signed)
1,030,000
1,030,000
March 9
S
Markquese Bell (re-signed)
9,000,000
3,700,000
Free Agency Day 1
March 10
RB
Javonte Williams
3,000,000
3,000,000
March 9
DE
Rashan Gary (via trade)
32,000,000
15,000,000
March 10
LS
Trent Sieg (re-signed)
4,450,000
1,805,000
March 9
S
Jalen Thompson
33,000,000
12,500,000
Day 2
March 11
DT
Solomon Thomas
6,000,000
3,000,000
March 10
S
P.J. Locke
5,000,000
5,000,000
March 11
DE
Payton Turner
2,500,000
2,500,000
March 10
DT
Otito Ogbonnia
3,000,000
3,000,000
March 11
OL
Robert Jones
3,750,000
3,750,000
March 10
DE
Sam Williams (re-signed)
2,500,000
2,500,000
March 11
KR
Kavontae Turpin (re-signed)
13,500,000
5,000,000
March 11
P
Bryan Anger (re-signed)
6,400,000
3,300,000
Day 3
March 12
LB
Kenneth Murray (via trade)
7,500,000
7,500,000
March 11
DE
Tyrus Wheat
1,755,000
1,755,000
March 12
CB
Kaiir Elam (via trade)
1,100,000
1,100,000
March 11
QB
Sam Howell
tbd
tbd
March 12
LB
Jack Sanborn
1,500,000
1,500,000
Day 4
March 13
OL
Dakoda Shepley
2,315,000
1,157,500
March 12
CB
Cobie Durant
5,500,000
5,500,000
March 13
S
Israel Mukuamu (re-signed)
1,750,000
1,750,000
Day 5
March 14
DE
Dante Fowler
6,000,000
6,000,000
March 13
OL
Matt Hennessy
tbd
tbd
March 14
RB
Miles Sanders
1,337,500
1,337,500
March 13
TE
Princeton Fant (re-signed)
tbd
tbd
Day 6
March 15
WR
Parris Campbell
1,337,500
1,337,500
Total
155,855,000
73,902,500
145,573,000
91,068,000
You’ll have quickly noticed that the table contains both internal and external free agents, and some have argued that we should only be looking at external signings. But both are signed from the same budget, so for cap purposes they are the same.
As it stands today, the Cowboys have spent less in total contract value this year than they did last year. And the contract value numbers aren’t going to change much once the contracts for Howell, Hennessy, and Fant come in.
This doesn’t mean the Cowboys didn’t get better this year. There is a significant difference in the quality of free agents they’ve signed versus last year, when they signed a bunch of bargain guys instead of actual NFL players. And yes, the numbers would look different had they signed Maxx Crosby or one of the premier linebackers they were after, but close doesn’t count. And yes, they still have two first-round picks and a third that can be used in a trade or to draft more quality defensive players. And yes, you could argue the 2025 numbers are inflated by Odighuzuwa’s contract, but that’s pretty much the going price for a defensive tackle, internal or external.
But the Cowboys didn’t bust anything so far.
And if you think they’ll catch up to last year’s spend in the coming days, weeks, or months, h0ld your horses. Because the Cowboys didn’t stop signing players after the sixth day of free agency last year. These are the additions they made through May last year:
body .sbnu-legacy-content-table td,
body .sbnu-legacy-content-table th,
body .sbnu-legacy-content-table {
border: 1px solid #000 !important;
border-collapse: collapse !important;
}
Timeline
2025
Date
Pos
Player
Contract Value
Cash (Year 1)
Post-Free Agency
March 4
CB
C.J. Goodwin (re-signed)
1,255,000
1,255,000
April 3
QB
Joe Milton (via trade)
3,225,000
960,000
April 09
OL
Saahdiq Charles
1,170,000
1,170,000
April 17
OL
Hakeem Adeneji
1,170,000
1,170,000
April 25
OG
Tyler Smith (fifth-year option)
23,400,000
23,400,000
May 7
WR
George Pickens (via trade)
3,656,000
3,656,000
Total
32,621,000
30,356,000
Tyler Smith would end up signing a new four-year, $96 million contract later in the year which lowered his Year 1 cash value to $17.6 million, but these are the numbers through May last year.
The good news, if you will, is that the Cowboys could still hand out contracts worth about $43 million just to catch up to last year’s spending, never mind busting anything.
But how did we end up in a place where one side talks about busting the budget and the other side is disappointed about the amount of money spent in free agency?
The first follow-up question to Jerry’s “bust the budget” quote should have been “What budget?”
Allow me to explain.
Remember when Jerry Jones said in July 2024 that Lamb, Prescott, and Parsons (who were all waiting for contract extensions at the time) could account for up to 70% of the Cowboys payroll?
“Those three players you mean could be 70 percent of all the money you got — 70 percent of your payroll,”
Social media reaction was swift and merciless.
Jerry Jones said that Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons could take up 70% of their payroll.
Even with their eventual cap hits (Prescott: $60 million AAV, Lamb: $34 million, Parsons via GB: $46.5), the trio would not count more than 55% against the $255 million salary cap in 2024 – and there was always the possibility of restructuring those contracts to lower the cap hit.
So, was Jerry Jones exaggerating for effect or maybe even outright lying?
Not at all.
What most people fail to understand is that the Cowboys are a Cash-To-Cap team. Cash-To-Cap is the idea that your cash spend equals your salary cap every year. A cash-to-cap approach does not mean that you never prorate any part of a player’s salary, that just isn’t feasible in today’s NFL with some of the megabucks contracts in play today. But you try to limit the use of contract devices aimed at pushing costs into future years.
The benefit of a cash-to-cap approach is that, in principle, because you’re only spending what you have available under the cap, you won’t run into cap difficulties where you have to cut player contracts, reduce your spend on players salaries, or field a team full of players on rookie or league minimum contracts just to get under the cap. Cash-to-cap works to preserve cap flexibility in the future if, inevitably, contracts do not work out, and helps avoid future dead money.
The other benefit, especially for the Jones family, is that you get to whine and moan publicly about the salary cap, you can liberally throw around the term “cap hell” in your off-the-record talks with local media, you can pontificate about the size of the salary cap pie, and much more – all because you are unwilling to spend more than your self-imposed limit.
“We spend max, max money year in and year out. All 32 can only spend the same amount of money over a five-year stretch,” Stephen Jones said (via 105.3 The Fan in Dallas). “When we’re all said and done, we max out our salary cap every year.”
All of which means the Cowboys are primarily focused on the actual cash they spend every year, not some annual contract averages.
Cash-Over-Cap teams operate differently. Cash-Over-Cap is the idea that your cash spend frequently or consistently exceeds your salary cap. You’re essentially borrowing from future years to increase your cash spend in the current year, allowing you to consistently spend more on your team than Cash-To-Cap teams, hoping that a higher spend will lead to better results. And this works as long as the salary cap keeps increasing, which it has over the last decades.
“Busting the budget” would require the Cowboys to act like a Cash-Over-Cap team, something they’ve abhorred in the past, and would likely require them to exceed the salary cap with their cash spend.
And now back to Jerry’s 70% comment.
In Year 1 cash, Prescott ended up costing the Cowboys $86.3 million, Lamb cost $39.2 million, and Parsons signed in Green Bay for $45.2 million in Year 1 cash. Combined, that’s $170.7 million and would have been 67% of the 2024 cap, which is very close to the 70% Jones mentioned.
Jerry wasn’t lying. He was just talking about a different budget than everybody assumed.
You’ll notice that the tables above also contain the Year 1 cash spend, which I conveniently glossed over in my initial comments. At $91.1 million this year versus $73.9 million, the Cowboys are already spending 23% more than they did last year. And that percentage could climb to ~27-30% once we add the numbers for Howell, Hennessy, and Fant. And they will climb even higher if the Cowboys find a linebacker and perhaps another OLB on the free agency market, or execute another trade or two.
And if they find a way to sign George Pickens and Brandon Aubrey to long-term contracts this year, that Year 1 cash number will balloon even further this year.
Is that “busting the budget”? In the Cowboys’ minds, it certainly is. For many non-accountants discussing NFL accounting numbers, it probably isn’t.
In the end, both can be true:
The Cowboys are not (yet) spending as much in free agency as many expected.
Free agency made the Cowboys much better this year, especially on defense, than it did last year.
LA Knight hanging onto the chains at WWE Elimination Chamber - WWE
Since joining WWE in 2021, LA Knight has been on a slow but steady rise through the company, but his journey through the industry stretches back more than 20 years. According to Knight, he had to figure out his own way, as he said during an interview with "The Coach's Corner" that he's never had any specific person around to guide him through the business.
"What's that?" Knight said with a laugh after being asked to identify his mentor. "I don't know. I never had one. I had trainers, if that's what we're asking, but I think that's different than what I've come to understand as a mentor."
After getting his start on the independents, Knight had a brief WWE run that ended with his release in 2014. He headed to TNA after that, eventually capturing the top title there before moving on to NWA and eventually his WWE return.
Knight reiterated that he's never had anyone take him under their wing, so instead, pro wrestling has been a "very independent venture" for the WWE star. In some ways, Knight believes that may have set him back.
"Maybe that's why it took me as long as it did, possibly. I don't know," Knight mused.
With WWE WrestleMania 42 approaching in a matter of weeks, it remains unclear what (if anything) Knight will be doing on the show. The wrestler said as much in the same interview, with Knight claiming that he wasn't made aware of any specific plans WWE might have for him at the big event. Knight continues appearing on TV, however, including his participation in the 2026 Men's Elimination Chamber match and his involvement in The Vision's storyline following the last PLE.
If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit "The Coach's Corner" and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
New injury in Chelsea squad as starter from PSG game has “groin issue” which already has conspiracies fired up
Filip Jorgensen is not in Chelsea’s squad today, with Robert Sanchez returning as first choice, and the news is out why…
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CHELSEA NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON THE APP STORE
All eyes were on Chelsea’s team sheet today to see who Liam Rosenior picked in goal.
The Blues boss had made quite the mess for himself by dropping Robert Sanchez, then seeing his replacement Filip Jorgensen make a horrible error against PSG.
As we suspected, Rosenior swallowed his pride today and went back to Sanchez in goal. But more surprisingly, Jorgensen isn’t even on the bench.
Kieran Gill of the Daily Mail is the first to get the scoop that this is due to a “groin injury.”
Ok, it’s tempting to get all conspiracy theory about this, and certainly it’s a very convenient time to have a “slight” groin injury. But actually it doesn’t really make much sense for anyone to lie in this case. The best thing for everyone would just be just for Jorgensen to be right back on the bench so that the story can move on.
Having him out of the squad only lengthens the lifespan of this story. It’s not in his interest to fake an issue either – he’s been the backup goalkeeper for most of the year, it’s hardly a humiliating situation to return to.
In other news…
You can see the full lineup for today’s game – featuring the notable lack of Jorgensen, in the post here.
If you enjoy Chelsea News coverage and want to see more of it, add us as a preferred source on Google to make us a favourite and see more of our content.
Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 13: Oscar Cluff #45 of the Purdue Boilermakers dunks the ball against Berke Buyuktuncel #9 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 13, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
A dominating victory over Nebraska sent the Boilers to the semi-finals of the B1G Tourney as they beat the Cornhuskers 74-58. A quick turnaround means a shortened intro here. Let’s get into the numbers!
1,055
Braden Smith is now fully within reach of the all time NCAA record. The senior point guard has the chance to cement himself as one of the very best of all time as he is just 21 assists away from Bobby Hurley’s record of 1,076 with 1,055 of his own. He has been incredible in the first two games as he has 26 assists but the scoring hasn’t quite been there. He is due for a big scoring game and when that happens, it’ll likely mean a huge double-double in a big game for the Boilers.
Purdue took advantage on a lot of the mistakes that Nebraska made but none more than their 17 points off turnovers. They didn’t get any in the second half but their ability to turn 7 first half turnovers into 17 points while not allowing any points for Nebraska in the same regard was the driving factor in their 13 points first half lead. Overall, the Boilers ended up +12 leading 17-5 in points off turnovers.
9
Purdue now holds 9 Quad-1 wins in 17 total opportunities. That’s good for the 5th most in the country behind Duke (15), Arizona (14), Michigan (13), and Florida (11), as of games entering 3/13/26. Purdue’s resume stacks up with anyone outside of that top 4 who clearly have separated themselves as the 1 seeds but Purdue likely solidified themselves as a three seed and could very well play themselves onto the 2 line if they win the B1G Tourney.
5
With their victory over Nebraska, Purdue has now won 5 straight B1G Tournament gams inside the United Center in Chicago. Purdue has played well there and won by an average of 10 points per game in those victories that have come against four teams that were top 40 Kenpom teams. The second city has been kind to the Boilers but will it continue against a very hot UCLA team that has Donovan Dent?
8-1
CJ Cox has become a sort of catalyst for the Purdue offense as the sophomore guard is shooting 37.2% on the season from behind the arc. It seems though that when CJ is hitting those threes at a rate of at least 3 per game, Purdue is 8-1 on the season. That includes wins over Memphis, Auburn, Wisconsin, Penn State, Nebraska (x2), Iowa, and Northwestern.
The lone loss? The loss at Ohio State.
CJ Cox with his second three of the game already. We aren’t even 4 minutes in.
Purdue, even with the excellence of Braden Smith and the smooth shooting of Fletcher Loyer, is still heavily reliant on their big men inside. The combination of Oscar Cluff and TKR is as physically imposing of a pair as you’ll see in college basketball this season. The Boilers benefit from that when the two of them are playing at their best.
When the big men from Purdue combine for 25 points and 12 rebounds, Purdue is 12-1 with the only loss coming to Michigan. Some of those are Purdue’s best victories of the season like at Alabama, Auburn, Texas Tech, and at Nebraska.
Trey Kaufman-Renn is making some really good decisions in this tournament. So much of the offense has been getting the ball to him in the lane and letting him go to work.
When that gets bumped to 30 and 20, Purdue is an unbeaten 6-0 and dominant in doing so with victories like the 28 points victory over Minnesota and 20 point victory over Marquette. When those two struggle and don’t get to 25 or more points combined, Purdue is 13-7 overall.
Referee Christian Dingert (2nd R) walks after showing Munich's Luis Diaz (R) a yellow-red card during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern Munich at the BayArena. Federico Gambarini/dpa
Luis Díaz equalized and was later sent off in Bayern Munich's eventful 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday as the nine-man champions saw their Bundesliga lead trimmed to nine points.
Aleix García struck for the hosts after Díaz had given the ball away and an injury-hit Bayern then had Nicolas Jackson dismissed for a bad foul before half-time.
Harry Kane thought he had levelled on the hour moments after coming on, but he was controversially adjudged to have handled the ball during the build-up following a video review.
Colombia's Díaz then did make it 1-1 on 69 minutes from Micheal Olise's assist following Robert Andrich's wayward pass.
He received a second booking on 84 for diving, which he vehemently protested, and Leverkusen had a goal ruled out for a very tight offside late on.
Leverkusen stay sixth in the race for the Champions League spots, two points behind fourth-placed VfB Stuttgart and RB Leipzig in fifth, who meet on Sunday.
Borussia Dortmund cut the gap at the top with eight games left following a 2-0 home win over Augsburg.
The goals came courtesy of Karim Adeyemi and teeneger Luca Reggiani - his first in the Bundesliga - in a game captained by rival brothers Nico and Kevin Schlotterbeck.
Third-placed Hoffenheim drew 1-1 with second-bottom Wolfsburg as coach Dieter Hecking made his return to the Wolves dug-out after 10 years.
The 2009 champions are three points adrift and in danger of a first Bundesliga relegation after years of near misses and backer Volkswagen cutting some funding.
European hopefuls Eintracht Frankfurt - in seventh - won 1-0 at home to bottom side Heidenheim, who lie 10 points away from safety and are quickly heading for the second tier.
Leverkusen's Robert Andrich and Munich's Harry Kane battle for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern Munich at the BayArena. Federico Gambarini/dpaBayern players celebrate a goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern Munich at the BayArena. Federico Gambarini/dpaLeverkusen's Christian Kofane and Munich's Dayot Upamecano battle for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern Munich at the BayArena. Federico Gambarini/dpa
Tiger Woods celebrates his iconic birdie putt at TPC Sawgrass' island-green 17th hole during the 2001 Players Championship.Stan Badz/PGA TOUR via Getty Images; Golf Channel
The tribute has two parts and is designed to commemorate Tiger’s greatest moment at the Players Championship, and, perhaps, the most indelible Players shot in history. And it’s hidden underground at the Stadium Course’s most iconic hole: the island-green 17th.
Here’s what you need to know.
Saturday marks 25th anniversary of Tiger’s ‘Better than most’ putt
Saturday at this year’s Players is the 25th anniversary of one of Tiger’s most-watched moments. It happened at the 2001 Players Championship.
That week, Woods was in the middle of arguably the most dominant stretch of golf ever played. He’d won the last three majors in 2000 (by wide margins at Pebble Beach and St. Andrews, no less), and one month later he’d complete the “Tiger Slam” with his 2001 Masters win.
At that point, the 25-year-old Tiger was the youngest career Grand Slam winner in history, but he hadn’t won a Players Championship. That was about to change.
Woods overcame a two-shot deficit with a final-round 67 to claim his first Players title by one shot.
But that win may never have come to be if it wasn’t for some heroics toward the end of Woods’ third round that year.
At the island-green, par-3 17th hole on Saturday, Woods’ tee shot sailed too long, ending up on the back collar. Fortunately, it was dry. Unfortunately, his ball sat some 60 feet from the hole, with multiple downhill breaks between it and the cup.
Before Woods attempted his putt, NBC’s Gary Koch told fellow TV analyst Johnny Miller, “Johnny, I’ve seen a number of players putt from the back part of this green, and the results have not been good.”
Players Championship 2-part Tiger Woods tribute on Saturday
It’s that moment organizers for this year’s Players Championship are planning to commemorate, as repored by Golf Channel on their social media accounts. And there are two aspects to that commemoration.
First, the pin on the 17th green will be the same pin position that Woods putted to back in the third round of the 2001 Players. It’s a difficult one that should draw a lot of water balls out of competitors: five paces from the front and five paces from the left.
But that’s not all. Hidden underground at the 17th green will be a second Tiger tribute.
The bottom of the cup on the island green will read “TIGER WOODS 2001” with a second quote pulled from Koch’s call also engraved: “BETTER THAN MOST”
You can see a sneak peek at the 17th hole Tiger tribute below, via Golf Channel.
The Tiger Woods tribute at the bottom of the 17th hole at the 2026 Players Championship.Golf Channel
Burnley and Bournemouth both needed all three points for their season's goals and walked away with one each from a frustrating 0-0 at Turf Moor on Saturday.
A game with 37 shot attempts and almost 3.5 expected goals — 22 and 2.88 for the visitors — would not yield a goal and leaves the Clarets and Cherries looking ruefully at the table.
Bournemouth's 41st point inches them into ninth place, three back of seventh-place Brentford who have a match-in-hand. Europe is still a possibility, but another low-scoring draw despite decent production will leave manager Andoni Iraola in a bad frame of mind.
Burnley's 20th point moves them eight back of safety with eight matches to go, and Scott Parker will know his team could've easily found all of the points especially during a purple — claret? — patch to finish the first half.
More to come...
Burnley vs Bournemouth final score: 0-0
Full time
Either could've won it. Neither did, and Bournemouth will be especially upset to see 2.88 xG turn into just one point.
Final moves
Armando Broja and Lesley Ugochukwu will help Burnley chase the three points in place of Flemming and Josh Laurent.
It comes a minute after Iraola removed Rayan for Enes Unal.
Cherries make switch
Eli Junior Kroupi's day ends and David Brooks is into the fold for the final 10 minutes.
Burnley subs
Maxime Esteve is struggling with an injury and he'll come off for Joe Worrall, while Lucas Pires replaces Quilindschy Hartman for the final 16 minutes plus stoppage.
Subs
Bournemouth introduced Amine Adli and Alex Jimenex around the hour mark for Ryan Christie and Adam Smith.
Burnley answered a few minutes later with Marcus Edwards for Lyle Foster.
Halftime — Burnley 0-0 Bournemouth
Shots finished 9-9 as the Clarets not only found their footing but kept it.
This game's absolutely up for grabs.
Anthony clobbers the bar
Oh he's been bright against his old mates, and Jaidon Anthony sneaks away from his mark to meet a back post corner and absolutely smashes the front underside of the cross bar with a vicious volley.
It bounds out and this game stays 0-0 into the 43rd minute.
And there’s Burnley
Jaidon Anthony, the ex-Bournemouth man and one of Burnley's true bright lights in attack, cuts in from the left side and puts his right foot into a shot across goal.
It requires a two-handed parry from Djordje Petrovic to keep the Clarets from a smash-and-grab lead.
Cherries testing Clarets
Bournemouth continue to keep the ball and seek openings.
They find one and Marcus Tavernier rips a shot from distance that is saved by a stooping Martin Dubravka.
0-0, 22'.
Bournemouth immediately find front foot
Four minutes in and the Cherries have already won multiple corners and kept possession in the Burnley third.
Burnley have nine matches to make up nine points on 17th place, and the Turf Moor will be hoping that Saturday is a day their heroes take three of them. Scott Parker and his Clarets have dropped back-to-back games in very different ways following a pair of positive results spurred hope of a great escape. A 4-3 loss at home to Brentford in Week 28 including heart-breaking razor-thin decisions while a 2-0 loss at Everton a few days later included far fewer thrills.
Bournemouth are well out of their brutal two months slump to end 2025 but Andoni Iraola is now lamenting a trio of draws to West Ham, Sunderland, and Brentford that has cost them firm footing in the race to qualify for Europe. The Cherries have four wins and five draws since beating Spurs on January 7 and are just four points off seventh-place Brentford, three back of Everton. Fifth and sixth have 48 points, so it looks like Bournemouth are in the middle of anywhere between 6-8 teams harboring hopes of seventh and a place (probably) in the Conference League.
Burnley team news, focus
OUT: Axel Tuanzebe (calf), Josh Cullen (knee), Zeki Amdouni (knee), Jordan Beyer (knee), Connor Roberts (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Zian Flemming (calf), Armando Broja (ankle), Marcus Edwards (unspecified), Mike Tresor (ankle)
Bournemouth team news, focus
OUT: Lewis Cook (thigh), Justin Kluivert (knee), Matai Akinmboni (muscular), Julio Soler (unspecified) | QUESTIONABLE: Ben Gannon-Doak (hamstring)
Burnley vs Bournemouth prediction
The Clarets are capable of magic moments. Jaidon Anthony and Zian Flemming both have shots at a double-digit goal season and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has stolen some points for them this season (though not of late). Bournemouth will be favored to find the goal between Eli Junior Kroupi, Rayan, and Evanilson. And they'll likely do it more often than their hosts. Burnley 1-2 Bournemouth.
How to watch Burnley vs Bournemouth live, stream link and start time
Ireland pulled away from Scotland in a pulsating Six Nations Triple Crown decider to keep their championship hopes alive and end the Scots' trophy dreams.
In a breathless and full-blooded Dublin encounter, Ireland held off a spirited second-half surge from Scotland to deny Gregor Townsend's side a first Triple Crown since 1990 and a possible first championship since 1999.
While a 12th successive loss against Ireland ended Scotland's ambitions, the bonus-point victory moves the Irish three points clear of holders France, who face England in Paris in Saturday's Six Nations finale (20:10 GMT).
In a raucous Aviva Stadium atmosphere, Ireland full-back Jamie Osborne and Scotland wing Darcy Graham traded early tries before Dan Sheehan and Robert Baloucoune crossed to give the Irish a 19-7 half-time lead.
Scotland, who came into the game on the back of a stunning 50-40 victory over France, raised hopes of a first win in Dublin since 2010 when Finn Russell and Rory Darge scored either side of Darragh Murray's bonus-point score for the hosts.
But Scotland were left shattered following a rousing finish from Ireland as Tommy O'Brien scored twice to spark ecstatic celebrations among the home support.
The win seals Ireland's fourth Triple Crown in five years and leaves Andy Farrell's side with an anxious wait to see if England can do them a favour at the Stade de France.
The starting back three of Jamie Osborne, Tommy O'Brien and Rob Baloucoune scored four of Ireland's six tries [Getty Images]
Given the stakes, a cagey start would have been excused, but these old rivals had other ideas during a thunderously captivating first half.
As has often been the case in this fixture recently, Ireland struck first when in-form full-back Osborne ran in under the posts in the third minute. A scrum penalty against Zander Fagerson had given the hosts their platform to attack.
But Scotland scored 40 unanswered points after falling behind against France last week and they were unmoved by Ireland's early salvo as they expertly navigated 19 phases before Graham scampered clear in the corner.
Graham was caught offside following the restart, however, and Jack Crowley kicked to the corner, with Sheehan peeling off the resultant maul to score.
Scotland again pushed for immediate retaliation, but their momentum was killed when Stuart McCloskey's crunching tackle on Russell turned the ball over in Ireland's favour.
Then, in Ireland's next meaningful attack, McCloskey swung a killer pass out to Baloucoune, who shrugged off Graham to score in the corner.
Scotland were unable to narrow the deficit in the second quarter, leaving head coach Gregor Townsend with an enormous half-time team talk.
Sione Tuipulotu could not prevent Dan Sheehan going over for Ireland's second try [Getty Images]
Going into Saturday's game, Ireland were unbeaten in 30 Six Nations home matches when leading at the break, illustrating the scale of Scotland's second-half task.
But the men in blue gave it a good crack at the start of the half with Russell shrugging off a frustrating start to the match to cross at the end of a sustained spell of Scottish pressure.
Six Nations debutant Murray then sniped over for Ireland's bonus score, but the home side's mettle was tested again when Darge capped an excellent Scotland attack to bring the visitors back to within five points.
At that point it was anyone's game, but Farrell responded by unloading his bench - including a first appearance for Bundee Aki after suspension - and it breathed new life into the Irish challenge.
O'Brien collected Ciaran Frawley's pass and extended the hosts' advantage, meaning the Scots required a big final push. It was beyond them.
After Crowley's penalty gave Ireland breathing space, O'Brien raced away for his second score in the dying minutes as the Fields of Athenry rang out to complete a superb win and leave Scotland's bid for silverware in tatters for at least another year.
While Ireland celebrated a 15th Triple Crown - and ninth of the Six Nations era - captain Caelan Doris admitted they will be cheering on England when they take on holders France in Paris in the conclusion to an enormously entertaining championship.
Line-ups
Ireland: Osborne; Baloucoune, Ringrose, McCloskey, O'Brien; Crowley, Gibson-Park; O'Toole, Sheehan, Furlong, McCarthy, Beirne, Conan, Van der Flier, Doris (capt).
"It was a beautiful moment!" - Schlotterbeck brothers share special pre-match moment
Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck described the pre-match meeting with his brother Keven Schlotterbeck as a “very special moment” after Dortmund’s 2–0 victory over FC Augsburg.
Both brothers captained their respective teams and shared a brief moment together before kickoff - something Nico said meant a lot to both of them and their family.
“It was a super important and beautiful moment for Keven and me,” he said after the match. “We were really looking forward to it. It’s something very special for us and for our family.”
The Dortmund centre-back highlighted how remarkable it was that the two siblings were able to share such a moment while leading two major German clubs onto the pitch.
“The fact that we were both captains of two big German clubs like Dortmund and Augsburg today and could share that moment before kickoff - that was really beautiful,” Schlotterbeck added.
Nico also revealed that he hopes to spend a bit more time with his brother after the game.
“Now I just hope Keven can stay with me in Dortmund for a couple of days. We haven’t seen each other for a while.”
Texas A&M has long been synonymous with producing NFL‑caliber defensive linemen. Different coaches, different eras—same result. Under Mike Elko, that tradition didn’t just continue; it surged. And in 2025, the Aggies fielded one of their most disruptive edge defenders since future Hall of Famer Myles Garrett.
Last season marked the true breakout for Cashius Howell, but anyone who followed his path knew it wasn’t some overnight emergence. Before arriving in Bryan‑College Station, Howell flashed big‑time potential in the MAC, recording 9.5 sacks as a sophomore at Bowling Green. After transferring to A&M, he spent 2024 in a rotational role behind Nic Scourton and Shemar Stewart, still managing 40 tackles and four sacks while proving he could produce in limited snaps.
So the question entering 2025 wasn’t whether Howell could play—it was whether he could sustain that impact as a full‑time starter. The answer was a resounding yes. Howell delivered double‑digit sacks, led the SEC in the category for most of the season, and added 14 tackles for loss. His dominance earned him SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors, unanimous All‑America recognition, and finalist nods for nearly every major defensive award he was eligible for.
He capped it off with a strong showing at the NFL combine, posting some of the best athletic numbers at his position. The testing only confirmed what the tape already showed: Howell is a dynamic, explosive athlete with real NFL traits. And the advanced metrics back it up. His 92.3 pass‑rush grade sits just behind Myles Garrett’s 94.4, and his 19.9% win rate narrowly edges Garrett’s 19.4% from his final season in Aggieland.
Does that mean Howell is destined to become one of the all‑time greats? Not necessarily. But it does mean he has every tool to be a productive NFL pass rusher. Once he lands with a franchise and refines what works best for him, they’ll be getting a relentless, high‑motor defender who prides himself on being the best player on the field.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.
The Senior Bowl and NFL Combine have come and gone, and we are full steam ahead to the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft set to begin on Thursday, April 23rd in Pittsburgh. Who could the Steelers potentially draft? Top-30 visits are usually a good indicator of who the Steelers are more intrigued with than others. BTSC has you covered with the complete list of prospects who complete pre-draft visits with the Steelers.
This list will be updated as more visits take place. Be sure to bookmark this article and check back throughout the draft process!
Confirmed top 30 visits
Linked to each prospect will be an in-depth article to give you a little more background on the prospect.
BERLIN (AP) — Bayern Munich came from behind and finished the match with nine players in a 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, allowing Borussia Dortmund to close to within nine points of the Bundesliga leader.
Luis Díaz, who scored the equalizer following Aleix García's opener, was sent off in the 84th minute for a second yellow card. Nicolas Jackson had received a red card in the 42nd minute.
Leverkusen took the lead in the sixth minute after Montrell Culbreath stole the ball off Díaz and fed it to Patrik Schick, who set up García on the edge of the box. The midfielder slotted home with a deflected shot.
The hosts defended well to contain Bayern's attempts to come back, and frustration showed when Jackson was sent off before halftime for a late challenge on Martin Terrier.
Bayern played with third-choice goalkeeper Sven Ulreich because Manuel Neuer has a calf issue and backup Jonas Urbig was concussed in the 6-1 win over Atalanta midweek in the Champions League. Ulreich denied an effort from Schick in a one-on-one situation at the hour mark just before Harry Kane came on.
Back from a calf injury, Kane played for the first time since Feb. 28 after scoring eight goals in his past four Bundesliga games. He fired the ball into an empty net in the 62nd minute but it was disallowed for blocking the goalkeeper's clearance with a hand in the buildup.
Diaz leveled in the 69th with a low shot from Michael Olise's precise setup. The Colombia winger later received a second yellow card for diving and Bayern was down to nine men with six minutes left to play. The hosts could not snatch the win despite pushing hard until the end as Jonas Hofmann had a goal ruled out deep in stoppage time.
Bayern hasn’t won at Leverkusen in the league since October 2021.
Dortmund beats Augsburg
Dortmund was in total control throughout the first half and Augsburg was lucky to trail by just one goal at halftime. Karim Adeyemi broke the deadlock in the 13th and had several other chances, hitting the woodwork twice. Luca Reggiani made it 2-0 in the 59th.
Hoffenheim, aiming to qualify for Champions League for first time since the 2018-19 season, stayed third — 17 points behind Bayern — after a 1-1 draw with relegation-threatened Wolfsburg. Eintracht Frankfurt beat Heidenheim 1-0 with a goal from Arnaud Kalimuendo.
Team USA edged past Canada 5-3 in a tense quarterfinal at Daikin Park in Houston, advancing to the semifinals and drawing a big crowd. The win featured small-ball plays that cracked Canada’s pitching and kept fans on their feet. The night also produced a side story.
In the first inning, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh declined a fist bump from Canada captain and Seattle first baseman Josh Naylor at the plate. The brief snub was caught on camera and quickly became a talking point.
Naylor shrugged and laughed about it after the game.
“We were all joking. Trying to make light of the situation,” he told reporters. “I texted him before that I was going to do it. He said, ‘Please don’t.’” Naylor replayed the moment with a grin. “He’s like, ‘Good to see you, brother.’ And I was like, ‘Good to see you, too.’…He’s such a leader too. I was really, really happy to get traded to the Mariners last year and kind of experience being in the locker room with him and just being his teammate and going to dinners with him off the field and stuff. So yeah, I love him. And I was just honestly, just super joking.”
He called Raleigh an “awesome teammate” and was clear there was no hard feeling.
Josh Naylor said he texted Cal Raleigh before the game and told him he was gonna offer him a fist bump
This isn’t Cal Raleigh’s first on-field refusal during the World Baseball Classic. He left Mariners teammate Randy Arozarena hanging in an earlier game, and reports say Team USA agreed before the tournament not to fraternize with opponents. Raleigh defended the approach after that incident.
“They’re not just exhibition games. I have a responsibility to my teammates and my country to be locked in and focused each game,” he said.
Naylor kept the tone light and friendly. “It’s not that big of a deal.” For now, the focus stays on the field and on the semifinals.
Jun 2, 2025; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels relief pitcher Hunter Elliott (26) pitches during the ninth inning against the Murray State Racers. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
In one swing, Tristan Bissetta breathed life back into Ole Miss baseball with a towering grand slam in the ninth to help the Rebels come back in extra innings and defeat No. 2 Texas.
Watching the video of this home run is according to the kids these days “peak cinema” as the number of Longhorn surrender cobras in the stands ran deep and wide. Down to its last out, Ole Miss needed runs badly, and Bissetta delivered a magic moment in Austin.
Moments like this are what college baseball is all about 😍
Ole Miss was one of the big winners of Friday, ending Texas’ 16-game winning streak.
Chef’s kiss, insane bat flip, no notes for the young man who transferred in to make his name known in the SEC. Job well done and its only game one of conference play. The 464-foot blast was a no doubter, and while you’d think would have been a gut punch to end the game, credit to Texas to come back and score a run in the ninth to extend the game.
Landon Waters earned the save with a shutout 11th inning against the Longhorns (16-1, 0-1 SEC). The Rebels used five arms in the game with Taylor Rabe (3-0) officially earning the win. Starter Hunter Elliott went 5 IP, 4 ER and 8 strikeouts on 92 pitches. Texas used seven pitchers in the extra innings loss.
The Rebels (16-3, 1-0 SEC) now have a chance to take the series when first pitch is thrown at 2:30 p.m. CT in Austin. Cade Townsend (2-0, 0.48 ERA) will take the mound for Ole Miss against LHP Luke Harrison (1-0, 3.06 ERA) for Texas.
CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy — Four years ago, Noah Elliott’s femur was sticking out of his amputated leg. He had pushed off surgery on a painful injury so he could compete in the Beijing Paralympics, but finished just off the podium and shy of a much-desired gold medal.
Following a successful surgery, Elliott began focusing on the 2026 Paralympics in Milano Cortina. And he only needed one run in the banked slalom to find redemption.
Already with a silver earlier in the week during the snowboard cross, the 28-year-old earned a victory lap after a first run of 58:96, one of only three runs under the one-minute mark.
“Oh my God, I'm feeling so good. This is exactly what we worked so hard for,” Elliot said in between smiles. “I've been working this whole time just to try to get up on that first podium spot and to be here coming into the banked slalom.”
The other sub-1-minute time came from Japan's Daichi Oguri, who, in the penultimate run of the event, brought Elliott to the brink. A 59.02, just .06 seconds behind the now redeemed American.
The U.S. crowd celebrated, but there were no smiles yet from Elliott. In his mind, there was still work to be done.
The final sub-1-minute time came in the victory lap from the American, a 58.94 to beat his own time and make a statement to the entire field.
“He's one of the guys that you spend 5 minutes around him, and you can just tell he is full of passion for snowboarding. He's got a great attitude,” teammate Zach Miller said. “He's always super positive up at the top of the course, but when it gets down to it — he's a lethal competitor.”
Reaching the finish line with a smile on his face, teammate and bronze medalist Mike Schultz was the first to embrace Elliott. Right behind him was Oguri. Snowboard culture is competitive, but appreciating other racers allows the sport to continue to grow in a welcoming environment.
Out of anyone to join Elliot on the podium, Schultz, in the final event of his Paralympic career, seemed poetic.
“Me and Mike met at my first World Cup, and immediately hit it off. Just over the years, being able to pick his brain and question him,” Elliot said. “He was actually my first sponsor.”
The medal ceremony was emotional, and Team USA members were as close as the Paralympic organizers allowed. Tears flowed as a legend of the sport Schultz enjoyed his final moments, and Elliott earned gold.
“If I wasn't in the front or if I wasn't on the top of the box, it better be Noah,” Schultz said. “He's on a different level. That dude is crushing it, and he will be for a while.”
Alex Carpenter is a reporter for the Paralympics Project, a partnership between USA TODAY Network and the College of Communication and Information at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
The New England Patriots' Super Bowl run was unfortunately marred by late-season controversy, as former Patriots player Stefon Diggs and starting defensive tackle Christian Barmore became embroiled in legal battles.
Diggs’ case is still ongoing, with his next court appearance scheduled for April 1. Barmore’s chargers, however, were dropped last week, nearly nine months after the alleged assault on the mother of his child took place.
Many thought this incident, along with contract nuances, could play into the 2021 second-round draft pick’s time wth the Patriots coming to an end.
Going into year two of a four-year contract extension signed under ex-head coach Jerod Mayo, Barmore is set to make $64.3 million over the course of the next three seasons.
Executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and head coach Mike Vrabel had until 4 p.m. ET on Friday to decide whether they wanted to save more than $30 million by cutting Barmore.
After the 4 p.m. deadline, $12 million of Barmore’s $17.1 million 2026 cap hit became fully guaranteed, solidifying Barmore’s place on the 2026 roster, barring a trade.
The 26-year-old defensive tackle did not miss a week during last season’s 21-game gauntlet, just one year removed from his frightening year-long battle with blood clots that caused him to miss much of the 2024 season.
Rutgers gymnastics delivered its strongest performances of the season on Friday night, setting a program record on floor exercise during the Rutgers Quad at Jersey Mike’s Arena.
The Scarlet Knights posted a 49.475 on floor, breaking the previous school record of 49.425 set in 2023. The historic rotation helped Rutgers finish with a season-high team score of 196.550, the third-highest overall score in program history.
Graduate student Gabrielle Dildy led the Scarlet Knights with an outstanding all-around performance, posting a career-best 39.525. Dildy matched her career high on vault with a 9.900 and delivered a standout 9.950 on floor, one of the top scores of the night and a key routine in the record-breaking rotation.
Rutgers’ floor lineup was dominant throughout the rotation, posting a string of high scores that pushed the team past the program record. Alongside Dildy’s 9.950, the Scarlet Knights received a 9.925 from Elliot Goldsmith, helping anchor the historic performance. The team finished the rotation with five scores of 9.9 or higher, demonstrating the depth and consistency of the lineup.
The record-setting floor rotation highlighted what has been a steady upward trajectory for Rutgers as the regular season nears its conclusion.
Beyond the floor exercise, Rutgers posted strong routines across multiple events to secure its season-high score. The Scarlet Knights posted a 49.125 on bars, a 48.900 on beam, and opened with a 49.050 on vault, each anchored by multiple gymnasts.
Rutgers continued to build momentum as the meet progressed, showing improved consistency and confidence across the lineup. The strong team performance culminated in the historic floor rotation, in which the Scarlet Knights delivered one of the best event scores in program history.
The result marks another milestone for a Rutgers gymnastics program that has steadily improved in recent seasons. The Scarlet Knights have continued to raise the program standard with higher team scores and record-breaking individual performances, reflecting the growth of the program within the competitive Big Ten conference.
With the postseason approaching, the timing of Friday’s performance could not be better.
The Scarlet Knights now head toward the Big Ten Championships with momentum after producing one of their best meets of the year. If Rutgers can carry the same energy and execution into the postseason, the program could be poised for another strong finish to the season.
The performance capped a strong night in Piscataway as Rutgers continues to build momentum late in the season. The program is in position to make NCAA Regionals for the second straight season, the first time since RU went three consecutive years from 2005 to 2007. Head coach Anastasia Candia has had this program rolling since serving as the acting head coach last season following the firing of Umme Salim-Beasley.
Friday night’s record-setting performance at Jersey Mike’s Arena served as both a celebration of a historic achievement and a sign that Rutgers gymnastics is peaking at the right time.
To support me and my work, please follow @arnavsarkar100 on X!
Running back Alvin Kamara's future with the New Orleans Saints has never been more uncertain.
Kamara is coming off the worst season of his career in 2025 and has been on the decline over the last few years. As a result, the Saints signed Travis Etienne to a four-year deal in free agency, and could also have their eye on a running back in April's draft.
Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports reports that people he spoke to at Arkansas' Pro Day believe New Orleans could select running back Mike Washington Jr. in the second round of the draft and cut ties with Kamara.
"The Buffalo Bills, New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, and New York Giants sent scouts specifically to watch [Mike] Washington. The Saints are a team to watch, as people at the workout tell me they could draft Washington in the second round, then trade or cut Alvin Kamara," Pauline said.
If New Orleans takes a running back on Day 1 or 2 in April, that would certainly put the nail in the coffin of the Kamara era.
Before potentially cutting him, the Saints would be wise to assess Kamara's value on the trade market, and the Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants, and Minnesota Vikings could be among the teams interested.
Seattle lost Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker to the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency, and though Kamara wouldn't be able to fill the void left by Walker, he would certainly be an upgrade over Emmanuel Wilson.
As for New York and Minnesota, running back isn't a pressing need, but both franchises could look to take a flyer on Kamara and add another potential impact piece to their backfields.
Kamara's best days are behind him, but the five-time Pro Bowler can still be a solid starter in the right situation. We'll see where the 30-year-old ends up playing in 2026, as his departure from New Orleans seems more likely than ever.
The Duke Blue Devils are without starting center Patrick Ngongba II and point guard Caleb Foster in the ACC Tournament, which has not stopped them from advancing to the championship game, where they will play the Virginia Cavaliers on Saturday.
Head coach Jon Scheyer provided an injury update on Ngongba Friday after they beat the Clemson Tigers, sharing that his recovery is going well and he is on track to return for the NCAA Tournament.
"Pat is working his butt off every day," he told Brendan Marks of The Athletic. "He took another really good step with our medical team today, so he's trending in a great direction from where he's going, which is exciting. For me, very exciting."
Ngongba has not played since March 2 and is averaging 10.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. He is third on the team in scoring, second in rebounding, and first in blocks. The sophomore earned All-ACC Honorable Mention recognition and received votes to be the ACC Defensive and Most Improved Player of the Year.
The Blue Devils earned the No. 1 seed in the ACC Tournament and are a strong contender to be the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament when the field is announced on Selection Sunday. They are looking to win their first national championship since 2015, and getting a healthy Ngongba back will be key for them.
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.
For those remaining hopeful in the Las Vegas area that they'll find a way to watch this year's WrestleMania 42 without having to pay the ticket price, well, you're in luck. According to new reports from Fightful Select,WWE has lifted the blackout, which in the recent past, outlawed local venues from airing premium live events (PLE) within 50 miles of the venue, like at last month's Elimination Chamber in Chicago.
In this week's reports, it appears Circa Las Vegas' Stadium Swim was the first to break the news that the ban had been lifted. Now, this allows venues that obtain its licenses to broadcast the event through Joe Hand Promotions to invite fans across the area to attend the live showings. Most of those who run the current venues carrying this year's "Showcase of Immortals" supershow told Fightful they were certain WWE wouldn't change its mind after previous reports.
Following practice protocols that most common sports guide themselves by today, WWE's original decision to blackout watch parties near the Allegiant Stadium was to help boost ticket sales. When original reports came out of this blackout, several casinos, hotels, and general tourist areas expressed great frustration over this decision. One anonymous source told Fightful that when the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority Board of Directors committed to a site fee for WrestleMania, it was to create an economic impact for the city, as opposed to just WWE and the stadium hosting the festivities for the second consecutive year.
As reports have indicated for weeks now, WWE is having a hard time selling tickets to this year's "Super Bowl of Pro Wrestling." Between the economic hardships most are feeling in the United States to political disparity and a lack of a solid buildup, fans are still contributing to the mega machine that is WWE; however, cost, travel, and absence of excitement are making prospective attendees think twice.
The Bruins won the regular-season Missouri Valley Conference title this season before losing to Drake in the conference tournament.
Alexander, who led the Bruins to 166 wins and four conference titles in seven seasons, on Friday agreed to a five-year deal with Kansas State that will pay him $3.3 million for the upcoming season.
“In light of recent developments, Belmont University men’s basketball has elected not to participate in the Postseason NIT,” Belmont said Saturday in a statement. “We appreciate the meaningful dialogue and consideration postseason tournament committees have extended Belmont throughout the year.”
The 53-year-old Alexander is 303-180 in 15 years as a head coach, including stops at Stetson and Lipscomb before Belmont. He won at least 20 games in each of his seven seasons with Belmont.
Bayern Munich winger Luis Diaz scored and was sent off in a 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen (INA FASSBENDER)
Leaders Bayern Munich held on for a 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen despite finishing with nine men in an eventful Bundesliga clash on Saturday.
Second-placed Borussia Dortmund's comfortable home win at Augsburg drew them nine points behind reigning champions Bayern with eight games to play.
Aleix Garcia's goal gave Leverkusen the lead and Bayern striker Nicolas Jackson saw red before half-time.
Luis Diaz levelled things up but picked up a second yellow card for diving in the box.
Bayern held firm to grab a point, even as Leverkusen had two efforts chalked off in stoppage time.
Bayern also had strikes from Jonathan Tah and substitute Harry Kane ruled out by VAR for handball in a sometimes manic match at the BayArena.
Garcia finished off a fluid team move to put Leverkusen ahead six minutes in, the Spain midfielder collecting a Patrik Schick pass and chipping the ball over Bayern goalkeeper Sven Ulreich.
Former Leverkusen centre-back Tah looked to have levelled things up midway through the first half when he found the net from a corner, but VAR intervened.
Bayern's hopes took a further hit when Jackson saw red for sinking his studs into Martin Terrier's ankle just before the break.
With 30 minutes left, Bayern brought Kane on as a substitute after his recent absence with a calf knock and the England captain thought he had scored just 47 seconds later, but again VAR spotted a handball.
Diaz finally grabbed Bayern a leveller when he guided a pin-point Michael Olise pass in with 69 minutes gone.
With six minutes to play, the Colombian went down in the box under light contact from Leverkusen 'keeper Janis Blaswich and was shown a second yellow for diving.
Bayern dug deep despite their numerical disadvantage in the dying stages to cling on for a point.
Dortmund inched closer to Bayern with Karim Adeyemi and Luca Reggiani both getting on the scoresheet in a 2-0 home win over Augsburg.
Adeyemi gave Dortmund the lead in the 13th minute, turning in a Maximilian Beier pass from close range.
Stodgy and uninspired in beating a 10-man Cologne last week, Dortmund showed fluency in attack, but Adeyemi and Beier took turns in hitting the crossbar before the break.
Just before the hour mark, 18-year-old centre-back Reggiani headed in a Julian Ryerson corner for his first Bundesliga goal.
NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. – From Thursday to Sunday, Nike’s EYBL Scholastic League will have 12 teams compete at Riverview Park in North August, South Carolina, for the league’s championship. The league expanded this year to 20 teams, and only 12 qualified for this tournament. The event will run from March 12-15
The semifinals and final games, on Saturday and Sunday, will be shown on FS1 as countless Rivals150 players from the sophomore, junior, and senior classes will be playing in the event.
The Green Bay Packers lost their reliable backup quarterback in free agency.
Malik Willis signed with the Miami Dolphins to become their starting QB, a big step for him, but one that leaves the Packers scouring the trade and free agent markets for a replacement. A new rumor might be the best possible outcome.
"Update on Colts QB Anthony Richardson, who is available via trade. No deal is imminent, per multiple sources. There are interested teams, but the dust is still settling from free agency. One particular team to monitor: the Green Bay Packers."
"Situation will be important for Richardson. Green Bay would be a good one."
The Packers are an established organization with a legitimate offense and a high-end starter at the most important position in sports.
Willis got a lot better from the time he arrived in Green Bay to the time he left. The hope for Richardson would be that he could do the same thing.
He hasn't panned out in his first three seasons with the Colts after being the No. 4 overall pick. Injuries have hurt his cause, and even when on the field, his inaccuracy has made it tough to find consistent success.
Richardson won't be the starter in Indy going forward. Daniel Jones has made sure that's him.
That means that Richardson's talent will likely wind up somewhere else. And apparently the Packers are viewed as an intriguing fit.
Report: Man United are leading the race to sign Premier League midfielder
Manchester United Monitoring Tyler Adams as Premier League Interest Grows
Manchester United’s search for midfield reinforcements has quietly widened to include Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams, a player whose return from injury has reintroduced him to the Premier League conversation. A recent report by TeamTalk highlights how the American international has become an increasingly intriguing option for several elite clubs.
According to the report, “Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea are all actively monitoring Adams’ situation at the Vitality Stadium.” In a league that prizes energy, tactical discipline, and ball recovery, Adams fits the mould of the modern defensive midfielder, industrious, combative, and tactically intelligent.
Adams Rebuilding Reputation at Bournemouth
Tyler Adams’ journey over the past year has been defined by patience and resilience. The Bournemouth midfielder suffered a serious knee injury in a match against Manchester United last December, a setback that threatened to stall his momentum in England.
Yet his recovery has been notable. Since returning to action, Adams has made three appearances that have offered a reminder of his qualities, particularly in what TeamTalk described as “a solid display against West Ham”.
Photo: IMAGO
His influence under Andoni Iraola remains clear. Adams brings defensive structure and relentless pressing, traits that allow more creative players around him to operate with freedom. In a Bournemouth side that thrives on intensity, his profile has once again become visible to clubs with far greater resources.
Transfer Interest from Premier League Rivals
Interest in Adams has not emerged in isolation. The TeamTalk report states that “information from reliable sources, indicate that Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea are all actively monitoring Adams’ situation”.
Each of those clubs has slightly different motivations. Manchester United appear to be planning for midfield evolution. The report notes that Adams could become a “cost effective option” as the club prepares for potential departures such as Casemiro.
Liverpool and Chelsea are also assessing the player’s suitability. His ball winning ability, relentless running, and Premier League experience make him a plug in solution rather than a speculative gamble.
With Bournemouth reportedly willing to consider offers around £45 million, Adams represents a rare blend of reliability and relative affordability in a market that often inflates the price of midfield stability.
World Cup Timing May Shape Decision
Despite growing attention, the situation remains calm for now. TeamTalk states that “at present, the interest remains at the scouting and monitoring stage, with no formal bids or approaches”.
That restraint may prove strategic. Adams is expected to play a central role for the United States at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the nation will co host alongside Canada and Mexico.
For interested clubs, waiting provides a chance to evaluate his fitness and performance over the coming months. For Bournemouth, it ensures they continue to benefit from one of their most important players.
As the transfer window approaches, Adams’ name may not dominate headlines yet, but the quiet accumulation of interest suggests his future could quickly become a significant subplot in the Premier League market.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
From a Manchester United supporter’s perspective, the potential pursuit of Tyler Adams raises interesting questions about the club’s midfield direction. United’s engine room has lacked mobility and defensive coverage for several seasons, particularly when Casemiro has struggled with form and fitness.
Adams would represent a different type of signing compared with the club’s recent recruitment. Rather than chasing a headline name, United would be targeting a player who excels in the unseen work of midfield, pressing, covering ground, and protecting the defence.
There is also a practical element to the reported £45 million valuation. In the current market, that figure sits comfortably below the inflated fees often demanded for Premier League midfielders. If United want a player capable of stabilising the centre of the pitch, Adams offers a relatively low risk solution.
Supporters might wonder whether this reflects a smarter recruitment strategy under the new structure at Old Trafford. The idea of identifying functional players who complement the team rather than simply adding star power feels overdue.
Adams may not be the name that electrifies a fanbase, yet many United supporters recognise that balance often matters more than glamour in midfield construction. If the club genuinely want to rebuild their spine, this type of signing could prove quietly effective.
Former India captain Anil Kumble believes Kolkata Knight Riders made a significant mistake by releasing key players Shreyas Iyer and Phil Salt after their title-winning campaign in the Indian Premier League 2024 season. Kumble warned that unless KKR learn the importance of retaining their core players, the three-time champions may struggle to remain serious contenders for the IPL title.
KKR lost key pillars of their title-winning side
KKR lifted their third IPL trophy in 2024 with Iyer leading the side and Salt playing a crucial role at the top of the order. However, both players moved to new franchises soon after. Iyer joined Punjab Kings and guided them to their first IPL final in nearly a decade in his very first season. Meanwhile, Salt moved to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he played a key role in their maiden IPL title win.
Speaking on JioHotstar, Kumble questioned KKR’s decision to release both players.
"Two years ago, KKR won the IPL and lifted their third trophy. Two important cogs in that wheel were Shreyas Iyer and Phil Salt. Both played crucial roles in helping them win but KKR let both of them go," Kumble noted in a JioHotstar release.
129576549
"There is no consistency from them in terms of player retention. KKR took the wrong decision by letting Shreyas Iyer and Phil Salt leave (and) that has left them without an IPL-winning captain."
KKR have since appointed Ajinkya Rahane as their captain. While Kumble acknowledged Rahane’s experience, he noted that the veteran batter has yet to win the IPL as a captain.
"Yes, Ajinkya Rahane is an experienced campaigner. He has led Mumbai in domestic cricket and Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. But he has not lifted the IPL title as (a) captain (yet)," Kumble said.
"Having a skipper who has won the trophy gives you an advantage. KKR let go of that advantage. They need to learn how to keep hold of their key players. Otherwise, they will keep struggling and cannot be considered favourites to win the trophy," the legendary spinner added.
Kumble praises Iyer’s leadership
The legendary spinner also praised Iyer’s leadership, calling him an underrated captain.
"Shreyas Iyer is certainly an underrated skipper. It is not easy to win a trophy with one franchise and then go to another. There is a different management, atmosphere and a team. The pressure is also different," he noted.
"...the new franchise he joined had not played in the final in the last 10 years and in just his first season with the Punjab Kings, he took them to the final. I was not just impressed by his captaincy, but (also with) the way he led the team from the front."
"There are some players who have to prove themselves every time. Shreyas is like that. Even after performing, questions still come up. I think he is underrated, but is an exceptional leader."
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 12: Darrell Baker Jr. #39 of the Tennessee Titans warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on October 12, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Miami Dolphins are busy in the first hour of the 2026 NFL league year. As free agency has begun, the team announced their trade of safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, the release of linebacker Bradley Chubb, and the re-signing of cornerback A.J. Green III. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero added another move for the Dolphins as the team agreed to terms with cornerback Darrell Baker.
Who is Darrell Baker?
Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Arizona Cardinals in 2022, Baker was cut at the end of the preseason in his first year. After a tryout with the Green Bay Packers, Baker would land with the Indianapolis Colts on their practice squad. He spent two seasons in Indianapolis before being claimed off waivers by the Tennessee Titans at the end of the 2024 preseason. He then spent the last two years with the Titans.
He has appeared in 51 games, starting 25 of them, over his career, recording 130 tackles, one fumble recovery, and 19 passes defensed.
What are the contract details?
According to Pelissero, Baker agreed to a one-year contract with Miami.
Update: According to NBC Houston’s Aaron Wilson, Baker’s contract is $1.26 M with a $187,500 signing bonus.
🚨 What was he thinking? Bayern star sent off after nasty foul
After the spectacle against Atalanta Bergamo earlier in the week, many Bayern fans probably expected a straightforward game in Leverkusen as well. However, the Munich team is currently experiencing a truly bitter afternoon.
First, Aleix Garcia scored to take the lead, then a goal by Jonathan Tah was disallowed and as if that wasn't bad enough, Nicolas Jackson was sent off after this foul against Martin Terrier.
Fortunately, the Leverkusen player was not injured in this incident and was able to continue playing.
From Bayern's perspective, it remains to be seen how they will approach the second half with one man down.
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Left-handed reliever Jalen Beeks has joined the Texas Rangers on a one-year deal worth $1.6 million.
The 32-year-old Beeks went 5-3 with one save and a 3.77 ERA in 61 appearances for the Arizona Diamondbacks last season. He struck out 47 over 57 1/3 innings.
He also was equally effective against left-handed and right-handed hitters. He allowed a .624 OPS against right-handers and a .611 OPS to lefties.
Beeks can earn $1 million in performance bonuses for games pitched: $75,000 each for 10 and 15, $100,000 for 20, and $125,000 apiece for 25, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 65.
Beeks owns a 28-18 record, 4.31 ERA and 16 saves in 263 career appearances with the Boston Red Sox (2018), Tampa Bay Rays (2019-20, 2022-23), Colorado Rockies (2024), Pittsburgh Pirates (2024) and Arizona (2025).
The Rangers made room for Beeks on their 40-man roster by designating right-handed pitcher Alexis Díaz for assignment.
Díaz, 29, was 1-0 with an 8.15 ERA in 18 combined appearances with the Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves last season. He made an All-Star team with Cincinnati in 2023.
In three Cactus League appearances with the Rangers, Díaz allowed eight earned runs over 1 2/3 innings.
Danny Coulombe jumped at the opportunity to join the Boston Red Sox.
Boston made a late roster addition by signing Coulombe to a one-year deal on Thursday. The relief pitcher gives the Red Sox another much-needed left-handed option out of the bullpen.
Coulombe reflected on an easy decision to align with Boston upon arriving at spring training on Friday, as shared by NESN on X.
"I'm really excited," Coulombe said. "I've always loved to pitch at Fenway. There's so much history there. I mean, it's Fenway Park. When this was an option, it was a no-brainer."
The Red Sox would mark the sixth team Coulombe has played for since reaching the majors with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2014. He's eager to get acquainted with Alex Cora and a locker room featuring former Minnesota Twins teammate Sonny Gray.
"I've heard great things about this clubhouse and AC as a manager, so I'm just excited to get going," Coulombe said.
Coulombe makes an intriguing late acquisition for a Red Sox bullpen that posted an American League-best 3.41 ERA last season. The 36-year-old boasts a 3.35 ERA in 316 2/3 innings, limiting fellow lefties to a .596 OPS.
He struggled at the end of the 2025 season, allowing 11 hits, nine walks and seven runs in 12 innings with the Texas Rangers. Yet Coulombe previously allowed nine walks and four runs in 31 superb innings for the Twins, so the Red Sox may have landed a high-impact southpaw for 2026.
The Lions re-signed one of their own free agents in Trevor Nowaske. This is a good, solid depth signing given his young age and favorable medical report.
Nowaske missed 2 games last season due to an unspecified elbow injury. A concussion in 2024 is the other minor concern. His young age is a big plus.
Nowaske has played in 30 games in the past 2 seasons with the Lions. While he may not be starter material, it’s good to have this experienced, young LB back with the team.
The Pittsburgh Steelers still have a long way to go before the 2026 NFL season kicks off, but one game we know will be on their schedule is against the Carolina Panthers – and recent Steelers free agent running back signee Rico Dowdle is highly anticipating that contest in particular.
Dowdle spent the 2025 season in Carolina before becoming a free agent and inking a deal with the Steelers this past week, where he had one the best seasons of his career, recording 1,076 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns and 297 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. And while business is business, Dowdle also has some revenge on his mind after the Panthers let him walk this offseason.
"Yeah, it's definitely circled," Dowdle said about the game. "It's definitely circled, for sure."
New #Steelers RB Rico Dowdle says he already has this season’s Panthers–Steelers game circled on his calendar.
If Dowdle does have a big performance against the Panthers, it wouldn't be the first time he's shown up massively against a former team. Dowdle spent his first five seasons in the league with the Dallas Cowboys, and last season, in a clash between Carolina and Dallas, Dowdle racked up 239 scrimmage yards and one receiving touchdown in a 30-27 win for the Panthers.
With that game not far from the minds of Panthers fans, they understand that Dowdle can deliver on a revenge game at this level – and they're likely already dreading next year's match-up with Pittsburgh.
PHOENIX — Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Quinn Priester expects to miss at least the first month of the season as he recovers from a nerve issue.
Priester had been dealing with an apparent wrist problem for much of the spring. Brewers manager Pat Murphy told reporters that Priester received a diagnosis indicating it was at least partially related to thoracic outlet syndrome.
The right-hander discussed with MLB.com and other reporters on Friday a potential timeline for his return.
“I think in my head late April or May, but I certainly think I’m on the optimistic side — as a player, I want to be back as quick as possible,” Priester said. “Ultimately I’ll trust whatever the scheduling is there to make sure we do it right, so then we don’t run into anything else trying to rush it back.”
Priester, 25, said he was relieved that he finally knew exactly what was bothering him.
“I feel like we’ve kind of been dancing around what some of these issues were,” he said. “Just to have a clear path forward I think is really good.”
Priester had a breakthrough season last year after the Brewers acquired him from the Boston Red Sox in early April. He went 13-3 with a 3.32 ERA in 29 appearances, including 24 starts. Priester won 12 straight decisions at one point, and the Brewers won 19 straight games (16 starts and three appearances following an opener) in which he pitched.
He couldn’t get out of the first inning of a Game 3 NL Division Series loss to the Chicago Cubs but pitched four scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Championship Series.
Now he will have to wait a while before getting back in a game again.
“It’s a long season,” Priester said. “It’s a marathon. So get back as fast as possible –- but as smart as possible.”
Cornerback Jaylon Jones will be sticking around Chicago for the 2026 season.
Jones signed with the Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that he has agreed to a new deal with the team. It is a one-year pact for the cornerback.
Jones left the Bears as a free agent last offseason, but returned to Chicago after being waived by the Cardinals. He has been a core special teams player throughout his time in Chicago, but has not seen much time on defense since his rookie season.
Jones had 16 tackles last season and he has 101 tackles and two forced fumbles for his career.
Olivia Moultrie made scoring the first goal of the 2026 NWSL season look easy.
With a slight tap of her right foot, the 20-year-old Portland Thorns midfielder barreled through the Washington Spirit’s backline. This created a perfect opening for Moultrie to slice the ball past Spirit goalkeeper Sandy MacIver, who is starting her first season as the No. 1 in net, and score.
The sellout crowd of 19,215 at Audi Field fell silent. Moultrie and the Thorns rejoiced.
“There has been a lot of uncertainty” heading into the new season, Moultrie said after the game. But that didn’t keep the team from thriving. “There will be things that we will sharpen up, but we really just showed up for each other, and that’s what got us through this game.”
The Thorns started the 2026 season where their 2025 season ended, at the Spirit’s stadium in front of a sellout crowd known as “Rowdy Audi.” Last fall, Portland fell to D.C. 2-0 in the NWSL semifinals, as Washington progressed to its second NWSL final in two years.
However, the Thorns’ gritty win on Friday night set the pace for what could be a promising season after a year of transition. It showed that, at least for now, the pieces that had seemed just out of reach last year are slotting nicely into the club’s 2026 puzzle.
Nine days before the start of the season, the Thorns announced the hiring of former Tottenham Hotspur Women manager Robert Vilahamn on March 4 after running all of preseason under interim coach Sarah Lowdon and assistant coach Vytautas Andriuskevicius. While the Thorns have the most NWSL Championships in the league, they have not won the trophy since 2022.
“They have handled it in a way where they didn’t know who was coming in from the beginning, to actually train (the players) quite neutrally to make sure they can be ready for this. I’m so impressed by that,” Vilahamn said after the win.
The 43-year-old Swede had not even been to Portland to meet the team in person ahead of Friday’s game. He traveled with “three big suitcases” to D.C. by way of Sweden, Amsterdam and Paris, battling flight delays to get to his team 48 hours before kicking off the season. He said he was “mainly just watching” as his assistant coaches put their plan in place.
Once Vilahamn began communicating with the coaching staff, he gave them his game model and they began comparing notes, the coach said. They found a way to integrate their philosophies and spent the last few days focusing on their game plan for the season opener against the Spirit. Their plan worked.
The coaching journey was not the Thorns’ only obstacle going into the game. Portland was also without its usual starter in goal, with Mackenzie Arnold on international duty with Australia and Bella Bixby on the Season-Ending Injury list due to a left knee injury sustained during pre-season. Goalkeeper Morgan Messner secured a clean sheet on Friday in her NWSL regular-season debut.
One piece that has gone to plan, so far, was the long-awaited return of U.S. women’s national team standout Sophia Wilson. After not featuring for the Thorns at all last year because she was growing her family, Wilson made her triumphant return to the pitch in the 78th minute. It was her first regular-season game since becoming a mother.
“That was a wild game to come into,” Wilson said, “but it was a very big win for us.”
Though she was only on the field for 15 minutes, Wilson showed glimpses of the “old Soph” with flashes of the new. Her interplay with Moultrie did the same.
“Honestly, once she stepped on the field, I’m like, ‘Oh, we’re back,'” Moultrie said. “It didn’t feel like we had lost all this time.”
While Moultrie and Wilson have played together as teammates on the Thorns since 2021 and the USWNT, Wilson has never played with this version of Moultrie, and vice versa.
“I’m a different player than the last time she got to play with me,” Moultrie said. “That’s really exciting because I feel like we’ll just both be able to offer each other more than we were able to before – and hopefully that yields a lot of goals back and forth.”
Although only 20 years old, Moultrie has been in the league since she was 13. She has since forged her way in the NWSL, and more recently into U.S. head coach Emma Hayes’ regular rotation. She is also a serious contender for the 2027 World Cup roster.
“Liv has just taken off. She’s been so fun to watch and the goal that she got in this game was so big and we needed it and she stepped up,” Wilson said. “She’s a great player, so I’m excited to keep that relationship going.”
The start of free agency every NFL offseason is always about the excitement of new players arriving. In 2026, it's no different.
However, it's a two-way street. While the New York Jets have both signed and traded for players to add to their roster, the same has happened in the opposite direction.
Pass rusher Jermaine Johnson was traded to the Tennessee instead of being released.
In terms of pending free agents to leave the Jets, here are the seven that have signed elsewhere:
Often overshadowed by his brother during the season, Cayden Boozer played a pivotal role in Duke's ACC Tournament victory over Clemson, as the Blue Devils advanced to their second straight ACC Championship game.
Although Cam Boozer led the team in scoring with 24 points to go along with 14 rebounds and five assists, his twin brother Cayden wasn't far behind.
Cayden Boozer's career night
After just nine points against Florida State on Thursday, Cayden scored a career-high 16 Friday night against Clemson.
He did so on 50 percent shooting from the field (6-for-12) and 50 percent shooting from three-point range (1-for-2).
Cayden also set a new career-high in minutes played, playing 37 of a total 40 minutes. He led all players in plus-minus as well, finishing the night at +18.
Following the game, head coach Jon Scheyer had high praise for Cayden, complementing his resilience throughout the season.
"I just want to tell him just how much I believe in him. And to handle different things that are thrown your way as a freshman, you haven't seen everything. I just want to help prepare him for what other teams can do. But his toughness, his mental toughness is not something you can teach. He had that on his own."
Scheyer and Duke will need to rely on their toughness to defeat Virginia in Saturday's ACC Championship as the shorthanded Blue Devils are set to play a seven-man rotation for their third game in as many days.
Borussia Dortmund’s management spokesperson, Carsten Cramer, says: “Alexandra Popp is one of the most influential figures in women’s football, both nationally and internationally. The success she has had with a top club like VfL Wolfsburg and the German national team is truly impressive. We are delighted that we have managed to inspire Alex to join us on our ambitious journey.”
“Signing Alex is a major statement of our ambitions. The fact that a player of her calibre has consciously chosen BVB makes us incredibly proud and sends a strong signal about the importance and future of women’s football at Dortmund,” emphasises Managing Director Svenja Schlenker.
Popp arrives at Dortmund with experience, having notched up 145 international caps (67 goals), 332 Bundesliga appearances (158 goals) and 89 Champions League matches (36 goals) to date. The trophies she has won in her career include the Champions League three times, seven German league titles, the DFB Pokal 13 times and Olympic gold in Rio in 2016. After 14 years at VfL Wolfsburg, the Witten-born player is now returning to the Ruhr region.
Alex Popp says: “My heart beats for this club. I’m slowly approaching the end of my career and need to listen to my body. I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to play in a BVB shirt. BVB’s interest made me proud from the very first moment; I had a huge grin on my face straight away. It’s very exciting for me to be able to help shape the club’s future, building on the success it has enjoyed so far.”
The USC men’s basketball team clearly fell short of expectations this season, but a lot of that can be credited to the misfortune that they had with injuries. At the beginning of the season, Rodney Rice was the star for the Trojans. After he suffered a season-ending injury, it was Chad Baker-Mazara who was consistently the guy that USC needed. Alijah Arenas looked like a star in February, but USC just could not get all three players on the court at the same time.
Even after this year's disappointment, head coach Eric Musselman still remains excited for what is to come. A recent tweet from Shotgun Spratling of 247Sports highlighted Musselman's mindset after the went Trojans one-and-done in the Big Ten Tournament.
"#USC HC Eric Musselman said he can't wait to get started on next year's team, starting when he gets back home tonight,” Spratling wrote.
It was a sad end to the season for the Trojans, as they lost seven straight games to close the regular season and were a one-and-done team in the Big Ten Tournament. This team had talent, but there was not enough time that the team's talent got to all play together on the court at the same time. While Baker-Mazara is obviously gone, if Trojans can retain Arenas and Rice, that is a duo that should create excitement for next season.
💪 Why Esposito's latest goal hints at Inter's hidden strength
Inter's race toward another Scudetto appears to be right on track as the Nerazzurri entertains visiting Atalanta in Italy's fashion capital.
Cristian Chivu looked on as Italian starlet Francesco Pio Esposito gave the home side a 1-0 lead in the 26th minute, with the academy product continuing to turn heads at home and abroad.
That hit, his 5th across the 2025/26 Serie A campaign, may well have dropped an easter egg as to why the club is sitting high on their league perch this season.
Esposito became the seventh Inter player to reach that goal tally on the domestic front this term, with no other club across Europe's top five leagues able to boast the same tally.
Boasting goalscoring variety and multiple threats in the final third, this could be the ace up Chivu's sleeve that pushes Inter back to the domestic summit.
Houston Astros relief pitcher Josh Hader (71) delivers a pitch during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Daikin Park. | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
With fantasy baseball draft season nearing Opening Day, identifying the right closers-and the potential handcuffs behind them-can be the difference between dominating the saves category or scrambling on the waiver wire. The American League West features several unsettled bullpens, where arms like Andrs Muoz, Josh Hader, and emerging relievers such as Bryan Abreu could shape the fantasy landscape in 2026.
Athletics
Hogan Harris has been the A's best reliever this spring (one run, five baserunners, and 10 strikeouts over six innings). Over the past two seasons, he posted a winning ERA (3.02), but his high walk rate (4.3) created too many drama innings and a high WHIP (1.350). Harris may get the first chance at saves in this bullpen, but he must throw more strikes to hold onto the job. His average fastball (95.2 mph) is up more than 1.5 mph in March, which is another plus to take a flier on him.
Most fantasy sites have Justin Sterner as the top closing option for the A's after handling himself well in his first full season in the majors at age 28 (3.18 ERA, 1.046 WHIP, and 70 strikeouts over 65.0 innings). Unfortunately, he served up 10 home runs while never picking up a save in the majors. Over five seasons in the minors, his arm had less value (4.08 ERA and 1.254 WHIP) while recording only 15 saves over 209.2 innings. Sterner had a high strikeout rate (11.8). I don't trust him as a closing option due to a lack of experience and home run issues. He's also struggled this spring (four runs, seven baserunners, and seven strikeouts over five innings).
Athletics starting pitcher Jack Perkins (50) delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning at Target Field. | Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Top Handcuff:Jack Perkins is my dark horse close games for the A's, but it may take some time to land the job. His arm has been off in spring training (four runs, six hits, one home run, and five walks over 5.1 innings with four strikeouts) over three starts. He pitched well over his last 122.0 innings at AA and AAA (2.88 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 171 strikeouts), showcasing a higher ceiling arm that may be much improved in the bullpen. His command (4.2 walks per nine with the A's and 3.9 in his minor league career) may improve with a shorter pitch rotation.
Los Angeles Angels
Kirby Yates had a comeback save season (33-for-34) in 2024, but he lost his direction last season (5.23 ERA, 1.331 WHIP, and 52 strikeouts over 41.1 innings) due to allowing nine home runs and battling an injury. He should have the inside track for saves this season. On the downside, his fastball (92.0 mph) sits in a career low area in March. The Angels gave him three innings of work this spring (one run, five baserunners, and three strikeouts).
Top Handcuff: Matt Joyce will open this year on the injured list, while Robert Stephenson is also coming off a shoulder injury with no games pitched this spring. Jordan Romano had looked sharp so far in spring training (three shutout innings with one hit and three strikeouts). He has 113 career saves, but comes off two disaster seasons (7.83 ERA, 1.456 WHIP, and 60 strikeouts over 56.1 innings).
Houston Astros
Josh Hader will open the year on the injured list with his slow recovery from a biceps issue, coming after a lost offseason with a left shoulder strain. His last pitch in a game came on August 8th. Last year, Hader pitched well (6-2 with a 2.05 ERA, 0.854 WHIP, 76 strikeouts, and 28 saves over 52.2 innings). Tempting closer, but his timetable to return looks cloudy with no guarantee of success, making him challenging to gauge in drafts.
Top Handcuff: Bryan Abreu is a rising player in drafts this March, with an opportunity to get fantasy teams out of the game for saves and offer a high skill set in ERA, WHIP, and strikeouts. If Josh Hader has a setback or struggles, he could be a home run swing for saves at a reasonable price. Over three innings in March, Abreu gave up a run and three baserunners with no strikeouts. He has 308 strikeouts over his last 221.1 innings with a 2.40 ERA and 1.120 WHIP.
Seattle Mariners
Andres Munoz comes off his best season (1.73 ERA, 1.027 WHIP, and 83 strikeouts over 62.1 innings with 38 saves). His walk rate (4.0) remains a liability, and his innings have been short over the past three years (49.0, 59.1, and 62.1). He is the third closing option drafted in March (ADP - 43 in 12-team formats in the NFBC). Over his two appearances in March, Munoz gave up a run and two hits over two innings with three strikeouts.
Seattle Mariners pitcher Andres Munoz (75) pitches in the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during game one of the ALCS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Rogers Centre. | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Top Handcuff: Matt Brash handled himself well over 53 games (2.47 ERA, 1.246 WHIP, and 58 strikeouts over 47.1 innings), considering his quick return from TJ surgery. His arm should be even better this year. He's made only one appearance in March (one run and one hit over two-thirds of an inning).
Texas Rangers
I expect the Rangers' closing job to be in flux for much of the first half of 2026, unless they make a deal for a closing arm. Robert Garcia pitched well last year (2.95 ERA, 1.250 WHIP, and 68 strikeouts over 64.0 innings), but he only secured nine saves, with none on his major league resume coming into last season. I don't believe he is a long-term solution for saves for Texas, but he could be the best-looking option in April. Garcia allowed two runs and three hits over his first 2.1 innings this spring with three strikeouts.
Top Handcuff: Chris Martin will draw closing fliers in fantasy leagues due to the Rangers' lacking viable closing arms in their bullpen. Over his last three seasons, he has a 2.41 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 139 strikeouts over 138.0 innings with seven saves and eight blown saves.
Luis Curvelo struggled in his first year with Texas (5.68 ERA, 1.421 WHIP, and 20 strikeouts over 19.0 innings) due to home runs (1.4 per nine) and command issues (4.7 per nine). Over seven seasons in the minors, he went 24-11 with a 3.54 ERA, 1.148 WHIP, 375 strikeouts, and 12 saves over 335.1 innings. Curvelo brings a plus fastball (95.6 mph) with a trending spring training resume (two runs, four hits, and seven strikeouts over five innings). Player to follow early in the year.
The Miami Dolphins added depth and a possible No. 2 wide receiver to their roster on Friday with the signing of Jalen Tolbert to another one-year deal in this year’s free agent market, orchestrated by new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan.
Miami’s new head executive adds the 6-foot-1 Tolbert, who has 4.49 speed and spent his first four years in the league with the Dallas Cowboys, who selected him in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft
Let’s meet Miami’s newest target, who is also very familiar with their new quarterback.
Closeness with Malik Willis
Tolbert has ties to Miami’s new potential franchise quarterback, Malik Willis. Tolbert and Willis were in the same 2022 draft class and developed a connection during their Senior Bowl process. The two already have a rapport, and Miami made their new quarterback happy just days after joining the Dolphins.
Versatility at WR
Tolbert can play both outside and the slot, and spent 196 snaps on the inside for the Cowboys last season, which accounted for 42.9% of his work. He runs crisp routes and can be a vertical threat while having contested catch ability, making him a well-rounded target for Willis.
Nose for the end zone
While lost a bit in the shuffle in 2025 with incumbent number one target CeeDee Lamb and the addition of George Pickens, Tolbert had his best season in 2024, as he led Dallas in touchdowns with seven. He was also second behind Lamb at the receiver position in receptions with 49 that season, and second on the team overall with 610 receiving yards.
South Alabama Star
Spending four seasons in South Alabama of the Sun Belt Conference, his senior season was special. He led the conference in receiving yards and finished sixth in the nation with 1,474 in 2021. He also led the conference that season with 82 catches and yards per reception at 18.0.
Former Florida Gator standout linebacker Brandon Spikes is receiving another honor, but this time from his career playing high school football at CrestHigh School (NC).
Spikes announced on Friday that he has been selected for the Cleveland County Sports Hall of Fame, with the ceremony taking place on May 18 at Shelby City Park in North Carolina. Before ever becoming a Florida Gator great, Spikes was at Crest where he won multiple state championships in football and was a three-time all-state boys basketball player.
I’m proud to announce I have been selected for the Cleveland County Sports Hall of Fame, sponsored by Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). Come join me at Shelby City Park on May 18, 2026. Tickets are sold on a first come first serve basis. See you there!
I’m proud to announce I have been selected for the Cleveland County Sports Hall of Fame, sponsored by Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). Come join me at Shelby City Park on May 18, 2026. Tickets are sold on a first come first serve basis. See you there! pic.twitter.com/jR2EvzEf7X
During his time as a Gator, Spikes was a three-time first-team All-American and All-SEC selection, appearing in nearly 50 games with 39 starts, totaling 307 tackles, including 178 solo, with 31.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. The linebacker also had six interceptions, returning four for a touchdown, which is a Florida program record.
Between his junior and senior seasons at Crest, Spikes record 172 tackles as he helped lead the program deep into the NCHSAA playoffs.
The Chargers ended this past season finishing ranked No. 17 in the state, according to the final 2025 North Carolina High School Football Massey Rankings.
More about Crest High School
Crest High School, located in Shelby, NC, is a public secondary school within the Cleveland County Schools district. It serves grades 9-12 and has a student enrollment of approximately 1,100. Crest is known for its strong academic and athletic programs, including its teams that compete in the Big South Conference. The school’s colors are green and Vegas gold. The Chargers have a notable rivalry with schools like Shelby High and Kings Mountain High. The school is also recognized for producing several professional athletes.
How to Follow North Carolina High School Football
For North Carolina high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Tar Heel State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across the state of North Carolina.
Today, for our home fixture against Atalanta, we have, once again, opened up a quiet room at San Siro to welcome children on the autism spectrum so that they can enjoy the game to the fullest.
The initiative, carried out by Inter and with the support of BPER the Club's Official Banking Partner, saw the participation of ten fans from all across northern Italy and was run in collaboration with Fondazione Italiana Autismo and Associazione Giuco97.
Before the game, the children were welcomed to the BPER skybox by Inter Chairman and CEO Giuseppe Marotta. They then received a special message from Vice Chairman Javier Zanetti, Chief of Staff Max Catanese and Chief Revenue Officer Giorgio Ricci. Making the day even more special was a meeting with Club legend Francesco Toldo.
Last season, the Club launched this initiative for the first time, with the commitment to make it a recurring annual event in order to support and raise awareness around this important topic on the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day on 2 April.
Alongside the Nerazzurri's Special Teams, who will take part on 28 March in the We Are Sport football tournament for athletes of all abilities, these initiatives show Inter’s continued commitment to promoting inclusion for everyone in the experience of football, both on the pitch and in the stands.
There's no shortage of college football standouts hoping to make a career in the NFL, and the first step begins for many of them in April with the NFL Draft. And each year, there are always names that fly under the radar but end up forging opportunities in the league. Here are a few such players who weren't invited to the NFL Combine but are boosting their draft stock late with big performances at their campus Pro Days.
Josh Gesky, C - Illinois
Gesky has helped anchor an offensive line for an Illinois program that has over-exceeded expectations over the past two seasons. Trained by 10-year NFL veteran Tony Pashos, Gesky impressed scouts from all 32 NFL teams at the recent Illinois Pro Day.
Gesky's 4.94-second 40-yard dash would have ranked sixth at the NFL Combine, and his 33-inch vertical jump would have done the same. And he also put up 30 reps on the 225-pound bench press, which would have been fourth among Combine invites.
Scouts reportedly like his "ability to bend and be under control," and Illinois head coach Brett Bielema called him the "most pro-ready guy I've had in a few years." He has met with the Texans and drawn interest from the Ravens.
Coats Jr. was one of the most highly-touted defensive back transfers in college football last offseason, coming off a season with 41 tackles, 10 pass deflections, and four interceptions. Last season at WVU, his production was a bit lighter, with no interceptions, just 30 tackles, and seven pass deflections.
But those overlooking Coats Jr. might not be doing so after his WVU Pro Day effort. In the front 3-cone drill, which beats the best time recorded among all corners at the Combine. He also recorded a 36-inch vertical and a 10-foot, 8-inch broad jump.
Michael Coats Jr. runs the 40-yard dash at WVU's Pro Day on Tuesday. He clocked the fastest time among all participants at 4.39 seconds.
He finished last season with 30 tackles and seven pass deflections for the Mountaineers. pic.twitter.com/jnudi5v208
We're sticking in the Mountain State for our last player on this list, but shifting to the Sun Belt and the Marshall Thundering Herd.
Martin didn't pop off the stat sheet last season, recording just 20 tackles and 1.5 sacks. And while no marks for specific tests have been released, reports indicate Martin impressed scouts in both positional drills and standard testing, and the 6-foot-4, 330-pound mammoth of a man met with multiple teams after his performance at Marshall's Pro Day.
MIAMI, FL - MARCH 13: Junior Caminero #13 of Team Dominican Republic gets ready in the dugout prior to the 2026 World Baseball Classic Quarterfinals game presented by Capital One between Team Korea and Team Dominican Republic at loanDepot park on Friday, March 13, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Kelly Gavin/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
This week we asked two Rays specific questions related to the WBC.
First up, I was curious to see how much of our readership was invested in watching the WBC, even in the early rounds. The answer was a resounding yes!
12% of y’all were ready to watch the knock out stage, and I hope you did, with the US setting up a potential thriller against the DR later this weekend.
Next up might have been a softball… which Rays player was showing up in the biggest way this WBC? I thought it might be a two-man race with Aranda’s performance for Mexico in the first round, but there is no doubt who the star of the show has been:
As always, Rays Reacts posts are brought to you by FanDuel. If prop bets or wagers sweeten the pot for your interest in following the WBC, check them out!
With the NFL offseason now in full swing, the Tennessee Titans have been busy reshaping their roster. That includes the tight end room, which has seen the departure of a fixture in the offense, Chig Okonkwo, who signed with the Washington Commanders. With Okonkwo now in the nation's capital, former Longhorn star Gunnar Helm is in line to have a bigger role in the offense.
During his rookie campaign, Helm showed signs of promise, hauling in 44 receptions for 357 yards. He also found the end zone twice while averaging 8.1 yards per catch. The former fourth-round pick had at least one catch in every game and five or more targets four times.
Nice TD from Gunnar Helm.
Helm also broke the Titans rookie reception record for a TE earlier today as well. pic.twitter.com/wseMylLUyb
While Helm is not a finished product, he showed encouraging signs while learning a new offense. He was also adjusting to the NFL and playing with a rookie quarterback, Cam Ward. With more experience under his belt, Helm should make more of an impact in the passing game.
At the moment, Helms' main competition for playing time includes Daniel Bellinger, whom Tennessee signed at the beginning of free agency. He is known for his blocking skills and should provide the Titans with veteran depth. That has been a theme over the last few weeks for the Titans as they start a new era under Robert Saleh.
After the way Helm played as a rookie, the Titans are confident he can take his game to another level in year two. When he was a Longhorn, Helm improved every year, becoming a fixture in the offense by the time his college career came to a close. If he can replicate that arch in the NFL, then the Titans offense will be in good hands.
With the regular season still months away, excitement is building over what numbers Helm will put together now that he is more comfortable in the NFL.
Team USA advanced to the 2026 World Baseball Classic semifinal after holding off Canada in the quarterfinal on Friday night. The United States is set for a high-profile showdown against the loaded lineup of the Dominican Republic, which punched its ticket to the semis with a 10-0 shellacking of Korea.
Now, the two squads will face off on Sunday night in primetime, under the bright Miami lights.
As we count down the hours to the first pitch, the pitching matchup has been confirmed, and fans are immediately buzzing.
Team USA and Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes will face off against the powerful lineup of the Dominican Republic, while Luis Severino of the Athletics gets the call for Plátano Power.
Mar 13, 2026; Houston, TX, United States; United States center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) reacts with first base coach George Lombard (23) after hitting an RBI single during the sixth inning against Canada during a quarterfinal game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Date: Sunday, March 15, 2026 Start Time: 8:00 p.m. ET Location: Miami, Florida Venue: loanDepot park TV Info: FOX Sports 1 Live Stream: Fubo (try for free)
Jeff Capel will return for a ninth season as the Pitt men’s basketball head coach.
Pitt athletic director Allen Greene and the university announced Friday that after much deliberation, Capel will return for the 2026-27 season despite swirling speculation that Pitt might go in a different direction.
“Over the past several months, I have spent a great deal of time evaluating every aspect of our men’s basketball program,” Greene began in a release. “That process included conversations with Coach Capel, a review of our staff and our roster, our program structure and the transfer portal landscape as well as our investment in the program. I consulted with University leadership to ensure we continue to be aligned with our expectations for the program.
“After that comprehensive evaluation, I have made the decision that Jeff Capel will continue to lead our men’s basketball program. I believe our best path forward is leadership continuity paired with clear expectations and a willingness to evolve.”
The move to retain Capel comes after a 13-20 season — the second 20-loss season of Capel’s tenure. It was reported that money was being raised by donors for a buyout that is expected to be north of $10 million, but Capel will instead remain.
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 13: Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Chase Utley (26) looks on during a MLB game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 13, 2018 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Philadelphia Phillies have a long list of superstar players returning for next season, from Bryce Harper to Zack Wheeler, but fans of the franchise hold a special place for some of their predecessors.
As the team’s incumbent stars prepare to take at least one more shot at a World Series title, the leading members of the team’s 2008 championship roster continue to celebrate their lasting legacies.
Most recently, that meant a “Wall of Fame” announcement for former Phillies infielder Chase Utley.
“The Phillies are inducting Chase Utley, considered the greatest second baseman in the franchise’s history, into their Wall of Fame this summer — a potential precursor to a greater honor for Utley, the National Baseball Hall of Fame,” Matt Gelb reported for The Athletic. “One of the most popular players in Philadelphia history, Utley spent 13 seasons with the Phillies.”
Philadelphia Phillies Legend Chase Utley Rejects Offer To Return To Team
Utley enjoyed six All-Star appearances and four Silver Slugger Awards in his time with the Phillies, which included the franchise’s most recent championship title as well. But after his time with the Phillies was done, Utley joined the Los Angeles Dodgers for four seasons to end his career.
And now, Utley, who is a native of Southern California, has returned to the Dodgers despite a job offer from the Phillies.
Following his playing career, Utley moved to England to serve in an ambassadorial role for Major League Baseball. Returning from Europe, he has taken a front office position with the Dodgers even though the Phillies wanted him back.
“The Utleys are back from England, back to living in the Los Angeles area, where Chase grew up and went to college,” Scott Lauber reported for The Philadelphia Inquirer. “The Phillies wanted to find a role for him. Instead, he took a job with the Dodgers: special assistant to president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman.”
Philadelphia Phillies Wall Of Fame Player Chase Utley Describes Role With Los Angeles Dodgers
The exact nature of Utley’s role with the reigning World Series champion wasn’t clear, but he did emphasize that it gives him a chance to balance work and family.
“It’s giving back to the game a little bit, trying to help them in whatever aspect is possible,” Utley said of his job with the Dodgers, per Lauber. “I get to sleep in my own bed every night, so that’s nice.”
And it seems that, ultimately, he wants to make his home in the region where he grew up rather than in the Philadelphia area where he enjoyed the best seasons of his playing career.
Agent: Tonali is the ‘most valuable’ Italian player, Man City and Arsenal links ‘the goal’
Sandro Tonali’s agent Beppe Riso says that attracting interest from the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City has always been ‘the goal’ after moving to the Premier League, and says that the Newcastle midfielder is currently the most valuable Italian player in the world.
Tonali has excelled on an individual level with Newcastle in 2025-26, despite his side currently sitting in 12th place in the Premier League table.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 28: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton at St James’ Park on February 28, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Shortly after he joined Newcastle, Tonali was hit with a 10-match suspension from the FIGC for his involvement in prohibited gambling activity.
Riso, speaking in an interview with Calcio e Finanza, insists that he never had any knowledge of Tonali’s struggles, otherwise he would have done his best to help earlier.
“Absolutely not, otherwise I would have intervened,” he replied when asked if he knew beforehand that there was a possibility Tonali would be suspended.
“I have to say that I think the transfer (away from Milan) proved to be a winning choice in that respect. Newcastle fans were incredible with Sandro, they always supported him. He received different treatment in Italy, but not by the Milan fans, who have always protected him.
MILAN, ITALY – MAY 03: Sandro Tonali and Rafael Leao of AC Milan look dejected following the team’s defeat during the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Cremonese at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 03, 2023 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“The mentality is different in England, and there was always a standing ovation from the crowd whenever Sandro came into the stadium, despite his disqualification. We’re talking about a young guy who made a mistake. The fans realised that and he was forgiven. Now, Sandro has changed completely.”
Tonali agent comments on Arsenal and Manchester City rumours
Now, Tonali is excelling in the Premier League and Champions League with Newcastle and is beginning to attract interest from some of the biggest clubs in the world.
“This was the goal from the moment he went to England, to try and make him a star footballer,” said Riso. “I think he’s the most valuable Italian footballer in the world right now.”
Sandro Tonali celebrates on the Wembley pitch after winning the EFL Cup final with Newcastle in a 2-1 victory over Liverpool. (Picture @NUFC via X)
Riso was asked why there doesn’t seem to be too many Italian players who excel in leagues outside of Serie A, aside from a handful of exceptions.
“Not many Italians have a market abroad today. But that blame also falls on us,” he said.
“It’s always fine in Italy, but elsewhere, difficulties with settling in can crop up. I think Sandro is the only one who has done that well in the Premier League, many have failed. And in Italy, we’re left looking at high prices, especially when it comes to a strong Italian player.”
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 13: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United arrives at the ground prior to kick off wearing the new Adidas terrace icons track top and glasses during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at St James’ Park on September 13, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Riso also believes that this is part of the reason why Serie A sides seem to field increasingly fewer young Italian players, instead focussing on foreign imports.
“Yes, but also because a lot of owners often make profits from trading players, and from here they’ve understood that a young, foreign player has more of a market abroad when looking at a future resale. It’s their ability to speak foreign languages, the mentality, the ability to adapt quicker.
“Often today, when it’s a choice between an 18-year-old Italian and an 18-year-old from abroad, we’ll go with the foreigner, which is why it’s difficult to develop big players in Italy.
“You have to sell to make money in football, and you have to take on these foreign profiles, which have a wider range on the market, in order to do so. So, it’s very complicated. Italian kids are often punished as a result.”
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick confirms Gavi plan after medical green light
Barcelona are back in La Liga action on Sunday afternoon, when they play host Sevilla at the Spotify Camp Nou. The Catalans have won their last three in the league, and their plans will be to make it four in a row come the end of the weekend.
That’s the goal set out by head coach Hansi Flick, although during his pre-match press conference (via Diario AS), he recognised that it will not be easy against a Sevilla side that ran out 4-1 winners in the reverse fixture.
“This week we have three more games, and our goal is to play these three games at home and win each of them. Sevilla have strengths, they beat us last time, they press high. But tomorrow we want to win with conviction.”
Flick: Delighted to welcome back Gavi
The big news for Barcelona leading up to the Sevilla match is the return of Gavi, who has received the medical green light from the coaching staff. Flick is pleased to welcome back the 21-year-old midfielder, although he stressed that management of minutes will be key over the coming weeks.
“It’s good to have him back. We saw him in training, and I like what I saw – but we have to manage him. We have to go step by step; We also know that he will have to play and that he has years ahead of him. I’m very happy to have him back.
“He has the right attitude, he trusts his body, how he can play… We all know Gavi, I love his intensity and what he gives for the team.”
Flick pleased with response to Atletico Madrid thrashing
Barcelona’s season threatened to derail after a 4-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey, but they have followed that up with wins in four of their last five matches in all competitions. Flick has been happy with how his side bounced back from that difficult evening at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
“Sometimes a defeat against Atletico is a hard lesson, but we learned. We played four games in the last eleven days, and we have to take into account that there are players who come back from injury and need time. Pedri, Raphinha and Marcus (Rashford) are doing well. None of the matches have been easy, they have been very intense games. We have done things well and we have very young players who have to improve.”
The Commanders have made another addition at running back.
NFL Media reports that they have agreed to terms with Jerome Ford. It will be a one-year deal for Ford in Washington.
Ford was a Browns fifth-round pick in 2022 and he's spent his entire NFL career in Cleveland. He started 18 games for the Browns over the 2023 and 2024 seasons, but only carried the ball 24 times for 73 yards in his final season with the team.
Ford had 340 carries for 1,463 yards and seven touchdowns over his entire time with the team.
The Commanders also signed Rachaad White as a free agent this week and 2025 seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt is also due to return for the 2026 season.
ARLINGTON, TX -- There was a red flag on the track before IndyCar's second practice of the day for the Grand Prix of Arlington even began.
As the first group of drivers exited pit lane, the red flag came out due to a catering crew being on the track. The practice was halted before any drivers got up to speed, and no one was harmed.
"Okay everybody, this was a serious breach of security to have people crossing the track while we were in session," IndyCar race control was heard saying on radio. "So we're going to send safety around the course to check everything we have here. That's how serious this was. Once we have a secure course that we're comfortable with, we'll give you a count in."
The first Grand Prix of Arlington is taking place this weekend, with the race set for 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. Street races tend to lead to unforeseen issues in their first year, such as a catering crew ending up on the track between practice sessions. The red flag remained out for several minutes after the catering crew exited the track, as race control made sure the track was clear and there were no available entries.
Arlington's 2.73-mile circuit loops around the Dallas Cowboys' AT&T Stadium and Texas Rangers' Globe Life Field. It is the longest of IndyCar's six street circuits in 2025, meaning there's more track for security and safety crews to ensure is cleared before a green flag.
ARLINGTON, TX -- There was a red flag on the track before IndyCar's second practice of the day for the Grand Prix of Arlington even began.
As the first group of drivers exited pit lane, the red flag came out due to a catering crew being on the track. The practice was halted before any drivers got up to speed, and no one was harmed.
"Okay everybody, this was a serious breach of security to have people crossing the track while we were in session," IndyCar race control was heard saying on radio. "So we're going to send safety around the course to check everything we have here. That's how serious this was. Once we have a secure course that we're comfortable with, we'll give you a count in."
The first Grand Prix of Arlington is taking place this weekend, with the race set for 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. Street races tend to lead to unforeseen issues in their first year, such as a catering crew ending up on the track between practice sessions. The red flag remained out for several minutes after the catering crew exited the track, as race control made sure the track was clear and there were no available entries.
Arlington's 2.73-mile circuit loops around the Dallas Cowboys' AT&T Stadium and Texas Rangers' Globe Life Field. It is the longest of IndyCar's six street circuits in 2025, meaning there's more track for security and safety crews to ensure is cleared before a green flag.
As many outside the organization expected, the Tennessee Titans are watching many of their own free agents find homes across the NFL, and two more moved on Friday.
As Titans Wire covered earlier, the team lost Sebastian Joseph-Day to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but lost in the shuffle of that news, wide receiver Van Jefferson left, following teammate Chig Okonkwo to the Washington Commanders on a one-year deal.
Jefferson was never able to emerge for the Titans, although he was a reliable target. In his lone season in Tennessee, he started seven games and recorded 29 receptions for 350 yards and one touchdown
Sources: The #Commanders are signing WR Van Jefferson to a 1-year deal.
The former second-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams in the 2020 NFL Draft has bounced around the NFL in recent years, spending time with the Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Atlanta Falcons since being traded by the Rams in 2023. For his career, he has recorded 166 receptions for 2,226 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Jefferson joins Okonkwo, Joseph-Day, Mike Brown, Corey Levin, Arden Key, L’Jarius Sneed, Lloyd Cushenberry, Xavier Woods, and others who will be moving on in 2026.
With $4.9 million of the $5 million deal guaranteed, Detroit has made a significant financial commitment to Borom for a player who many initially expected to serve as depth along the offensive line.
Could Borom Be Competing for a Starting Role?
The contract structure naturally raises an interesting question.
Are the Lions viewing Borom as more than just a depth piece?
Guaranteeing nearly the entire contract could suggest Detroit believes Borom will play a significant role in 2026, possibly even competing for one of the starting offensive tackle spots.
That possibility may make some Lions fans uneasy.
Borom has experience starting games during his time with the Chicago Bears, but his overall performance has been inconsistent.
The Ideal Role Might Be Swing Tackle
Personally, Borom appears to fit best as a No. 3 swing tackle rather than a full-time starter.
A swing tackle provides extremely valuable depth, stepping in when injuries occur while also being able to play either side of the offensive line.
For a team with championship aspirations like Detroit, having a reliable swing tackle can be incredibly important.
But paying nearly the entire contract in guaranteed money for that role does feel somewhat aggressive.
The Draft Still Looms Large
Despite the financial commitment, it’s still very possible the Lions have another plan in mind.
Many analysts believe Detroit could target an offensive tackle early in the 2026 NFL Draft, particularly in the first round.
If that happens, Borom could slide naturally into the swing tackle role while a rookie develops into the long-term starter.
In that scenario, the Lions would have both a young future tackle and a veteran backup capable of stepping in when needed.
The Bottom Line
Borom’s contract details certainly make the situation intriguing.
While the large guarantee might hint at a bigger role, it doesn’t necessarily mean Detroit has finalized its offensive line plans.
With the 2026 NFL Draft approaching, the Lions could still add a long-term solution at tackle.
Until then, Borom’s contract will continue to spark discussion about exactly what Detroit has planned for its offensive line.
WACO, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 15: Caleb Lomu #71 of the Utah Utes defends during the first half against the Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium on November 15, 2025 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Andrew Berry and Co. have been killing it in free agency so far, adding four potential starters along the offensive line heading into 2026. Though the offensive line is almost complete, they still need to find their starting left tackle within the next month or so.
Despite there being some stopgap-type players who could potentially start at left tackle in free agency, like Trey Pipkins III or Braxton Jones, it’s probably best to find their starter in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Though they could definitely take Georgia’s Monroe Freeling at No.6 overall, the Browns could choose to take a wide receiver like Carnell Tate at that spot. If this ends up being the case, then Utah’s Caleb Lomu could be the next best option as a true left tackle candidate for Cleveland.
No doubt who the Falcons are seeing today at Texas Tech-Utah.
My OT2 (I’m higher), Utah LT Caleb Lomu
♦️Signed w/Utah @ 260lbs & still moves like it at 305 ♦️Been that at pass blocking, steadily improving the run ♦️It’s ok to get overshadowed by OT1 (Fano)
His ability to effortlessly glide through his pass sets while having enough core strength to negate inside counters with a “high hand” is beautiful to watch.
Though he has hiccups now and then when it comes to opening his hips and turning his shoulders too early in the rep, he has more than enough consistency on tape to solidify his draft stock as a potential 1st-round offensive tackle.
It’s going to be incredibly interesting to see what route Cleveland decides to take in round one next month. The good thing is that there’s probably no incorrect way to go about doing it as long as it’s some sort of WR/OL combination on day one.
They could take Monroe Freeling at No.6 and then Omar Cooper Jr./K.C. Concepcion at No.24, or take Carnell Tate at No.6 and go after Caleb Lomu at No.24. Either of those combos would upgrade both positions for Todd Monken’s offense heading into 2026.
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - OCTOBER 30: David Ojabo #90 of the Baltimore Ravens exits the field after an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on October 30, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Miami Dolphins added three more free agents on Friday. The team announced the signing of long snapper Tucker Addington and punter Seth Vernon while ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported the addition of edge rusher David Ojabo. The addition of Addington and Vernon fills out Miami’s special teams depth chart, joining kickers Riley Patterson and Zane Gonzalez. Patterson re-signed with Miami after serving as the team’s injury replacement for Jason Sanders last year; Patterson and Gonzalez are expected to compete for the one kicking spot on the roster.
This marks Addington’s second stint with the Dolphins, having previously spent a 20-day period of Miami’s practice squad during the 2024 season as the team looked to fill-ins for Blake Ferguson, who missed most of the season on the non-football illness list.
After not being selected during the 2020 NFL Draft out of Sam Houston State, Addington joined the Houston Gamblers in the USFL in 2022. He joined the Dallas Cowboys practice squad during the NFL’s 2022 season as a potential injury replacement for Jake McQuiade, but was released a week later. He joined the New England Patriots’ practice squad late in 2022, serving as an injury replacement for Joe Cardona for three games.
After being waived by the Patriots during the 2023 preseason, Addington was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars but was released at the end of the preseason. He signed late in 2023 with the Washington Commanders before being released during the 2024 offseason. Addington returned to the Patriots during the 2024 preseason before being among the final roster cuts. He returned to the Patriots midseason as a practice squad addition, again filling in when Cardona was injured. He was released 11 days later, with the Dolphins then signing him.
After Miami released him, he joined the Jaguars again, signing to their practice squad for a week stint. After the end of the 2024 season, Addington signed a futures contract with the Houston Texans, but was released before training camp began. He then joined the Pittsburgh Steelers but was cut during the preseason.
Addington will turn 29 as training camps begin this year. He seems to be a fringe NFL player, able to be an emergency fill-in for injuries, but never sticking with a team for long. He has appeared in 10 games in his career, four of them as an injury replacement for Cardona – who he will now look to replace as the Dolphins’ long snapper after the veteran joined the Los Angeles Rams as a free agent this offseason.
What are the contract details?
No details were reported for Addington’s contract.
Who is Seth Vernon?
Vernon went undrafted in 2022 out of Portland State, signing with the Atlanta Falcons. In 2024, he spent training camp with the Minnesota Vikings before joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ practice squad that season. In 2025, he punted for the Michigan Panthers in the UFL.
What are the contract details?
No details were reported for Vernon’s contract.
Who is David Ojabo?
A second-round pick out of Michigan in the 2022 NFL Draft, Ojabo has spent the first five years of his career with the Baltimore Ravens. He tore his Achilles tendon during his Pro Day before the draft, with the Ravens placing him on injured reserve to start his rookie season. He was activated late in the season and played two games. In 2023, he again landed on injured reserve after injuring his knee during the team’s Week 3 game. He played in 13 and 14 games, respectively, in 2024 and 2025.
He has 32 tackles, two forced fumbles, and 4.5 sacks for his career, appearing in 32 games with one start. He played a career-high 69 snaps on special teams last year, a role the Dolphins could consider for him in 2026.
Considered a steal as a second-round pick by the Ravens, Ojabo has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career, and his play seems to have suffered from the repeated injuries. A fresh start could be what he needs, but he could also be a camp body as the Dolphins fill out their roster ahead of training camp.
Ojabo, 6-foot-4, 252 pounds, turns 26 in May. He was born in Nigeria and moved to Scotland as a child. He came to the United States at 17.
The Minnesota Vikings have one of the more talented rosters in the NFL at key positions. However, the most important one, quarterback, was a major letdown in 2025. As a result, the team underperformed and saw others in the division rise as a result.
However, in 2026, the team is already making sure they can do something to bring life to the position. They brought in Kyler Murray, who was released by the Arizona Cardinals, but that won't be enough. According to ESPN's Benjamin Solak, the season is going to be on the shoulders of Brian Flores and his defense, rising to the occasion once again.
Solak explained, "You see a team that right now is shedding a lot of veteran contracts. They are trying to get more cap compliant. . .Brian Flores, who has done tremendous work, must continue to do so again with even fewer pieces, but offensively, I expect them to really bounce right back. That offensive line is ready to be the driving force line. . .you're gonna have a very motivated Justin Jefferson and Addison. . .It doesn't matter what happened in 2025. And so offensively, I think they can score a lot of points. If Flores is the guy we think he is, and trust me, he is. He's the man. And yeah, Minnesota back in the playoff one, for sure."
From @SportsCenter: I think the Vikings are a playoff team again with Kyler Murray under center *IF* Brian Flores can work some magic again pic.twitter.com/ZO05Q4LIKB
Flores and his defense were a major reason that the Vikings finished with a record of 9-8 instead of 4-13, like they were on pace for. While Solak lays the groundwork for him needing another big performance, that is going to be expected for as long as he is with the Vikings and they are sorting out their quarterback situation.
As the 2025/26 Bundesliga relegation race heats up, Get German Football News is pleased to release “relegation check” features checking in on German clubs fighting the drop. After looking at Borussia Mönchengladbach last weekend, we’ll take a deep dive into what’s going on with the team Gladbach defeated in Friday night’s Bundesliga match-day 26 curtain raiser. How are things over in Hamburg’s St. Pauli district?
Rather tight. Prior to the away loss against Gladbach, Alexander Blessin’s “Kiezkicker” were actually on an excellent run-of-form. Two league wins and a draw enabled the “Boys in Brown” to pick up seven points in three consecutive league fixtures. All three results were of massive importance. Blessin’s boys snatched all three points against relegation rivals Werder Bremen, then surprisingly plucked four more from heavily favored Hoffenheim and Frankfurt.
It seemed inevitable that St. Pauli would break away from the relegation pack soon enough. That might still prove the case. For the time being, however, the team struggling to attain its third consecutive season of Bundesliga football will not rise above the relegation playoff place before the weekend is out. Shall alarm bells be ringing alongside AC/DC’s “Hells Bells” over at the Millerntor?
We’ll endeavor to find out.
St. Pauli
It literally seems like an eternity ago that St. Pauli defeated city rivals Hamburger SV at the Volksparkstadion in the Friday night fixture that kicked off match-day two. In fairness, few thought that the magnificent start to the campaign was truly built to last. This very GGFN author – in a feature article published after match-day three – correctly augured that St. Pauli’s overachieving would be followed by a sustained slowdown.
Erm. It should also be noted that a ridiculous nine-match losing streak wasn’t exactly what the author had in mind. The fact that, after St. Pauli snapped a ten-match winless run against Heidenheim on match-day 14, another six-match winless run ensued wasn’t really something foreseeable either. Plenty of voices have called for trainer Alexander Blessin’s head over the course of these painful stretches.
Some may wonder why Blessin is still in the job. The author doesn’t purport to know exactly, but will offer up some defense of the Stuttgart native he once watched play live with his hometown Kickers in Degerloch. As both a player and trainer, Blessin gave one the impression that he was capable of doing quite a bit with very little. He’s certainly managed to squeeze just enough blood out of this particular St. Pauli stone.
Blessin’s personnel rotations, oftentimes rather unnecessary on the top two axes, are worthy of some criticism. The FCSP front office also could have done a much better job acquiring reinforcements during the January transfer window.Somehow, someway, Andreas Bornemann should have been able to get that Morgan Guilavogui deal over the line. In Guilavogui’s absence, Blessin has actually done well to get goals out of non-strikers.
Sands, Saliakas, Joel Chima Fujita, Danel Sinani, Eric Smith, and Hauke Wahl have all contributed goals since the turn of the 2026 calendar year. Mathias Pereira Lage is up and running and Martjin Kaars (albeit via a penalty) has at least opened up his 2026 account. Though it may seem like nothing more than a superstitious hunch, there was just something about the way Blessin handled the match-day 21 encounter against his hometown club that clicked.
Heading into the encounter with Stuttgart, one sensed that Blessin had a plan to pull off the upset. Rotating in four new players, Blessin’s team totally dominated the visiting Swabians during the first half. They were energetic, crushed their opponents in the duels, outshot them 9-2 in the first half. Plenty of luck helped St. Pauli stave off the guests 2-1, but most everything about the game infused Bundesliga watchers with confidence.
Something stuck with observers from early February on.
This team seems to possess enough spark to survive.
Key Performer Check, St. Pauli
Andreas Hountondji, Striker
The Benin international made his first appearance of the 2026 calendar year on Friday night, coming on for a 23-minute relief appearance against Eugen Polanski’s foals. Hountondji’s return didn’t produce all that much to fete. The Burnley loanee remained hesitant with his touches, didn’t exactly present the pace to adequately complete long dribbles and lost all but one of his ground challenges. The highly intriguing player all Bundesliga enthusiasts have missed so dearly (both in the German top flight and at AFCON) isn’t back yet. Not even close.
Hountondji requires plenty more match practice. Even after that, it’s doubtful that the leader of the early season over-achieving pack will ever come close to replicating his early season form. The fact is that – at his best – Hountondji gave us all a taste of what a dynamic and diverse finisher he can be. The very old and now very rarely utilized “multi-tool striker” cliché pops into mind when thinking about what he’s capable of when fully fit and confident. If Hountondji can get back to “Huge-Tondji” form soon, he can play a huge role in keeping both his club and himself in the Bundesliga.
Danel Sinani, Attacker
Blessin’s “bridge ten” needs to get back to working behind the forward line as soon as possible. Forced to fill in as a makeshift lead striker in recent weeks, Sinani simply isn’t built to lead the line. The 28-year-old former EFL Championship mainstay remains a player built to facilitate link-up play. Watching him totally screw up his timing on promising counterattacks is a seriously painful exercise. For that matter, so too does observing him stumble as a second axis wide rail support player. It just isn’t him. Sinani works best with two forwards ahead of him to feed.
Arkadiusz Pyrka, Right Wingback
Pyrka leads what amounts to a composite section for all the FCSP wingbacks. From the very beginning of the season, one could tell that this position (on both sides) would play a hugely significant role when it came to the team’s fortunes this season. Pyrka and his fellow new summer addition Louis Oppie helped perhaps more than any other players during the squad’s surprisingly strong start to the campaign. Both have largely disappointed since, only really serving as the motivating forces behind Manolis Saliakas’ revival. With Saliakas now out, Pyrka and Oppie must step into the breech big time.
As he proved last night, Lars Ritzka isn’t up to the task.
Smith’s supposed long term replacement has actually done extremely well since arriving in the “Kiez”. Like several of his fellow defensive colleagues last night, he had his blackout moments in defensive and often lacked clear conviction when it came to moving the ball forward. The 27-year-old still impresses. Three “off matches” from Ando (the other two coming against Bayer Leverkusen in both the Bundesliga and Pokal) can be forgiven. One generally likes the work of the thrice-capped Samurai international. Ideally, he can keep it up.
Nikola Vasilj, Keeper
The Bosnian national team keeper (who came close to joining the likes of Augsburg’s Finn Dahmen and Freiburg’s Noah Atubolu when it came to the club record discussions last year) hasn’t spent quite as much time in the spotlight this season. At least, not since his well-earned reputation as a “penalty killer” faded after match-day one. No matter. Vasilj doesn’t need the limelight. He remains a solid gem who continues to bail his anemically offensive team out of plenty of matches. The 30-year-old will have more “hero moments” down the stretch.
Tactics Check, St. Pauli
Blessin’s “possession bossers” hung back and allowed Albert Riera’s Eintracht Frankfurt to have more of the ball last weekend at the Millerntor. The FCSP trainer actually did well to exploit the core aspect of Riera’s (oftentimes deliberately boring) match-plan. It worked. Riera’s Hessians tired themselves out. Blessin’s boys got their chances in on the counter. A disciplined low block kept Riera’s 4-1-4-1 at bay.
Lineup—FCSP, Round 25 (3-4-3)
The back-five transitioned well to a higher pressing engine on the ball. This opened up a bit of space for the SGE fullbacks, but Vasilj remained on his game. St. Pauli were a tad unlucky to see a couple of efforts strike the goal frame. Unfortunately, the Kiezkicker also couldn’t reward their robust start to the second half with a goal. Saliakas’ injury didn’t help. Neither did Blessin’s later tactical substitution of Adam Dwingala on for Ando.
Two enforced chances saw Ritzka and Adam Dwingala replace the injured Sands and Saliakas. One can easily discern the sources of Blessin’s annoyance. Smith worked a safe split-stagger behind Irvine in midfield. The back-three tightened up significantly in order to minimize potential defensive errors. Smith and Ando simply didn’t do their jobs in the two instances that allowed Gladbach to score.
Lineup—FCSP, Round 26 (3-4-3)
Apart from the two mistakes, there isn’t all that much negative to say about the performance of the individual players. Sinani – as noted above – was (as usual) lost in his unnatural position. Pyrka, Joel Chima Fujta and Mathias Pereira Lage labored hard to work the ball forward. The creative spark may have been lacking in all three cases, but they were by no means lethargic.
The two tactical tweaks from Blessin had the effect of confusing the XI. No one really seemed on the same page when it came to flow on the charge. Substitutes Oppie, Hountondji, and Kaars couldn’t really pick up momentum thanks to the fact that everyone else was frustrated. Overall, St. Pauli nevertheless had their moments and looked like a serviceable enough Bundesliga team.
Remaining Schedule, St. Pauli
The Piraten presently work through the very same difficult stretch of games that constituted the tail end of their autumn slump. One has to flash forward five match-days before one gets to a Bundesliga club they beat in the Hin-runde. The sense that Blessin’s boys can do much better than zero points against Freiburg, Union Berlin, Bayern, and Köln prevails. St. Pauli can easily pick up seven points from the next four fixtures.
Round 27
SC Freiburg (H)
Round 28
FC Union Berlin (A)
Round 29
Bayern München (H)
Round 30
FC Köln (H)
Round 31
FC Heidenheim (A)
Round 32
Mainz 05 (A)
Round 33
RB Leipzig (A)
Round 34
Wolfsburg (H)
Seven points heading into Heidenheim won’t come close to guaranteeing safety. Four more points from the final four matches will be needed in order to ensure that Bundesliga football returns to the Millerntor next year. One fully expects more ugly and physical matches ahead as the team slowly, yet steadily, inches its way out of the relegation fray. In the final analysis, there’s plenty to inspire confidence that they can get the job done,
James Scott and the Ole Miss Rebels get the lead photo here, since they’re the most important team when it comes to the bubble on Selection Eve. | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
There’s one new at-large team after Friday’s projection, as San Diego State jumped Oklahoma, thanks to the Aztecs’ win over New Mexico in the second Mountain West semifinal and the Sooners’ heartbreaking loss to Arkansas in the final SEC quarterfinal of the night.
Your Selection Eve TV preview and a look at what’s at stake follows today’s full bracket and rundown.
NOTES:
Changes since Friday’s bracket are noted with (★) for new entrants, (▲) for teams moving up one or more seed lines, and (▼) for teams moving down one or more seed lines.
Teams that have clinched auto bids are in ALL CAPS BOLD.
The highest-remaining seed in an active conference tournament holds its auto bid.
Last Four Byes: Miami (Ohio), Santa Clara, UCF, Texas A&M Last Four IN: Missouri, Texas, VCU, San Diego State First Four OUT: Oklahoma, SMU, Auburn, Indiana Next Four Out: New Mexico, Seton Hall, Virginia Tech, Stanford Also Considered: Cincinnati, West Virginia, California, Florida State, Dayton, USC, Tulsa, Nevada
ARRIVALS (3): Louisiana Tech (CUSA), San Diego State, Southern (SWAC)
DEPARTURES: Florida A&M (SWAC), Oklahoma, Sam Houston (CUSA)
It’s yet another rubber match for a single place in the field of 68. The Catamounts are looking for their first NCAA trip since 2024, while the Retrievers last qualified in 2018, when they pulled off the unthinkable, a 16-over-1 upset. This morning’s winner is more likely to receive a 16 than the 13 Vermont got two years ago.
(3) North Carolina Central (14-17, 8-6) vs. (1) Howard (22-10, 11-3), 1 p.m. (ESPN2)
The Bison would reach their third NCAA Tournament in four seasons with a victory, as for the Eagles, they last made it in 2019. Today’s winner is almost assuredly heading to Dayton.
While the Wildcats are all but guaranteed the West Region No. 1 seed, the Cougars still have hopes of sneaking onto the 1 line, which would see them in a hometown South regional. Of course, Houston has a good shot of getting assigned there as a 2 seed.
(2) San Diego State (22-10, 14-6) vs. (1) Utah State (27-6, 15-5), 6 (CBS)
The Aztecs took out New Mexico late last night/early this morning in a virtual elimination game. This one will probably decide whether the Mountain West will be a one- or two-bid league. Both of these teams are off to the Pac-? after this year.
(2) UConn (29-4, 17-3) vs. (1) St. John’s (27-6, 18-2), 6:30 (Fox)
Both the Huskies and Red Storm pulled away late against potential bid thieves. UConn would be in position to claim the final No. 1 seed with a win and some help. The Red Storm, meanwhile, probably need to win the rubber match to get to the 4 line—especially after getting blown out in Hartford the last time these two met.
Who will join Miami in the field? The Zips are looking for a third straight trip, but it’s the opposite for the Rockets, who last reached the field in 1980.
(2) Virginia (29-4, 15-3) vs. (1) Duke (31-2, 17-1), 8:30 (ESPN)
With neither semifinal being competitive, hopefully tonight’s game will be more entertaining. But considering the Blue Devils handled the Cavaliers easily during the regular season, I wouldn’t bet on it. Duke is trying to hold on to the No. 1 overall seed with both Michigan and Arizona breathing down the Blue Devils’ necks. Virginia, meanwhile, wants to get onto the 3 line if possible.
(6) Kennesaw State (20-13, 10-10) vs. (4) Louisiana Tech (20-13, 11-9), 8:30 (CBSSN)
The Owls last reached the field 2023, as an ASUN member coached by the late, great Amir Abdur-Rahim. The Bulldogs, however, are trying to end a doubt that started in 1991—when they were in the long-defunct American South Conference.
It’s been seven seasons since the Anteaters qualified and 10 for the Rainbow Warriors. Curiously, both teams pulled off 13-over-4 upsets in those tournaments. Both regular-season meetings were close—the Bows won by 1 at home, and the Anteaters needed OT to defend their home floor.
(2) California Baptist (24-8, 13-5) vs. (1) Utah Valley (25-7, 14-4), 12 a.m. (ESPN2)
Tonight’s winner will make its first-ever trip to the NCAAs at the Division I level. Both the Lancers and Wolverines are heading for the Big West, where they’ll renew their rivalry next season.
(1) Yale (23-5, 11-3) at (4) Cornell (15-12, 8-6), 11 a.m. (ESPNU) (3) Penn (16-11, 9-5) vs. (2) Harvard (17-11, 10-4), 1:30* (ESPN News)
While the Bulldogs should be a heavy favorite, they’ll be playing a virtual road game in Ithaca this morning. The Crimson split their season series with Yale, but they might have trouble getting to a potential rubber match, as they also split with the Quakers.
The Wolverines still have a shot at getting the No. 1 overall seed with a win and a Duke loss. The Badgers, however, are trying to get up to the 4 line by following up Friday’s win over Illinois (their second) with another win over Michigan. In the second game of the afternoon, the Boilermakers need a win to have any hope of getting back on the 2 line, while the Bruins are trying to avoid an 8/9 game.
(4) Vanderbilt (25-7, 11-7) vs. (1) Florida (26-6, 16-2), 1 (ESPN) (15) Ole Miss (15-19, 4-14) vs. (3) Arkansas (24-8, 13-5) , 3:30* (ESPN)
The Gators have probably done enough to hold on to the final No. 1 seed, but a win today would likely seal it. As for the Commodores, they’re aiming to stay on the 4 line. That’s where the Hogs hope to end up with a win.
Bubble teams need to root hard for the Razorbacks, since the Rebels aren’t getting in without the auto bid.
(5) Charlotte (17-16, 9-9) vs. (1) South Florida (23-8, 15-3), 3 (ESPN2) (3) Tulsa (26-6, 13-5) vs. (2) Wichita State (21-10, 13-5), 5:30* (ESPN2)
The top half of the bracket is an old Sun Belt matchup, while the bottom is an old Missouri Valley showdown. It will be interesting to see what the Golden Hurricane has left after yesterday’s triple OT classic against North Texas.
The New York Giants are under new management this year, with John Harbaugh taking over as the head coach. That means the "Harbaugh Way" will be in effect throughout the building and out on the practice and playing field.
Harbaugh, in his 18 seasons as the head coach, was known for his team's physical style of play. He is bringing that style to New Jersey, and the teams' offseason moves have already reflected the type of football players he favors -- big, smart, and aggressive.
Carl Banks, who has been around the team for four decades, first as an All-Pro linebacker on the Giants' legendary defenses in the 1980s and then as the primary analyst on the team's radio broadcasts, is liking what he's seen thus far under Harbaugh.
“He’s a no-nonsense guy. (He) likes physical play,” Banks said on WFAN, via NJ Advance Media. “He’ll make sure that the best players are in position to have success, right?”
Yes, that is what he does best. Harbaugh knows what a winning team looks like and will ensure he continues his winning ways with the Giants.
Banks also likes the attitude and players being brought in. No longer will the Giants be pushed around.
“I like the fact that they have a linebacker who’s tall and rangy,” Banks said. “That tells me that they’re not playing flag football as a Giants defense now. They’re going to be stout. They’re going to be athletic and they’re going to be physical, and that’s what I like about it.”
Training camp will be a wake-up call for all who've never been around Harbaugh. Some of the returning veterans might be in for a shock—no more flag football. The Giants will be tough guys again.
Stephen Curry's knee injury continues to linger. The Golden State Warriors' superstar has already missed 16 consecutive games, and won't be re-evaluated until after the team's East Coast road trip that will see them face the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards.
According to ESPN's Anthony Slater, speaking via "The Hoop Collective" podcast, Golden State is reluctant to put Curry back on the court this season, as concerns remain over the risk of re-injury or re-aggravation of his knee, once he's back to playing competitive-level basketball.
"Runner's knee is what they're calling it," Slater said, "There's no structural damage. They've MRI'd a few times. But when he works out, including during All-Star weekend, it just hasn't responded well. It's swelling, it's dull pain, it's really kind of an overuse injury...I think that if Jimmy Butler were around, and they were trying to, like, muscle their way into a top-four type seed, if it were a different type of situation with different realistic goals ahead of them this season, I think that they'd be throttling down a bit more."
"But next season has become the season in this final Steph era. I don't think they want to jeopardize that at all. And this is, from what I gather, an injury that they fear. If you do put him back on the court and he's not quite ready, he could re-injure it, re-aggravate, whatever you want to say."
Curry, 38, is firmly in the final stages of his career. It the Warriors believe shutting him down for the remainder of the season makes the most sense, and gives the team a better shot at contending next season, then it's unlikely we will see him back on the court this season. After all, the aim is to maximize Curry's impact, not risk his overall longevity.
Shutting Curry down is undoubtedly the last option. However, it would allow some of Golden State's younger talents to continue stacking minutes and developing on the fly. Long-term, that could put the Warriors in a stronger position, especially if someone like Brandin Podziemski or Moses Moody takes a developmental leap.
Golden State will undoubtedly re-evaluate Curry in the near future. If he's still not ready to go, it might be time to make a tough decision that will alter the team's expectations for the remainder of this season.
Usman (21-4 MMA, 16-3 UFC) has fought both Strickland and Chimaev. He defeated Strickland by dominant decision at welterweight, and pushed Chimaev to the brink on short notice in a middleweight bout.
"Strickland is extremely tricky to hit," Usman said on his "Pound 4 Pound" podcast with Henry Cejudo. "Everyone gets into this sport and everyone swings at people's heads and try to take off their head. Strickland has this weird style of kind of relax here, and throws his hands up to block, and leans away to where it's very difficult for people to get to his face, to hit him."
Usman explains that when Chimaev is dead set on taking his opponents down, failing to against Strickland could rattle him.
"Khamzat has that one tool that he uses and he could just dominate everybody, but when he's focused on just using that tool, and it doesn't work, then he looks bad in other places," Usman said. "Khamzat has really good striking – like really good. Let's not forget, it was one shot, put someone away at one point. Or he stood with Gilbert Burns, and he dropped him a few times. ... Now we're seeing videos of him going with light heavyweights, and he's kind of outstriking them.
"So I think it's a mentality thing. If he can switch the mentality to be a free mixed martial artist to where it's not, 'I have to get this guy down, I have to hold him down or else I might lose this,' I think we really start to see that arsenal. I think this could be that fight to make it happen because we know if you can't get Strickland down, and he starts marching downhill, it's a problem. We saw that with Israel Adesanya. So I think it's a very intriguing fight. I love it."
The Seattle Mariners are still looking to sort through the final spots on the roster with just under two weeks remaining until Opening Day against the Cleveland Guardians on March 26.
One Mariners infielder is making a strong case that he should be on the 26-man roster when the team begins its season at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.
Leo Rivas was one of the feel-good seasons of the 2024 season for Seattle. After more than a decade in the minor leagues, the 28-year-old switch-hitter made his major league debut with that year's team.
Rivas entered 2025 with an opportunity to break camp for the first time in his professional career but was one of the final cuts of the spring and began the year with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.
Rivas still ended up making an impact in '25 and slashed .244/.387/.333 with a .720 OPS, hitting two doubles and two home runs with nine RBIs in 48 games.
Rivas also had the game-tying RBI single in the seventh inning of Game 5 of the American League Divisional Series against the Detroit Tigers on Oct. 10. The Mariners won the game 3-2 in the 15th-inning after a walk-off single from Jorge Polanco.
Leo Rivas pinch-hits for pinch-hitter Dominic Canzone with two outs here in the 7th, after A.J. Hinch turned to lefty reliever Tyler Holton.
Rivas has earned the praise of teammates and coaches due to his do-it-all mentality and ability to come up in big moments for the team. He's also able to play multiple infield positions, which helps his roster candidacy. His newfound power has also been a welcome site.
Rivas' two homers last season were his first in the majors. From last season to now across his stints in the minor leagues, major leagues and spring, he's hit 14 homers. That's twice more than he had in a single-season prior. His first right-handed home run in a Mariners uniform came in a spring training game against the Milwaukee Brewers on March 8.
Those factors alone could get Rivas a spot on an Opening Day major league roster for the first time in his professional career, but his elite understanding of the strike zone could be what solidifies his spot.
According to a post on "X" from FanGraphs writer Dan Szymborski, Rivas had an 11.2% out-of-zone swing percentage last season, which was the seventh-lowest among hitters with at least 100 plate appearances in the Statcast era (c. 2015). He has an 8.5% out-of-zone swing percentage this spring (entering play on Friday).
Leo Rivas had the seventh-lowest out-of-zone swing percentage in Statcast history last year (min. 100 PAs) at 11.2%. He's at 8.5% in the spring this year. He basically IS the ABS.
Rivas is currently projected to make the major league roster as a bench player, according to FanGraphs. If he is able to maintain his plate discipline, then he'll continue to be a valuable contributor for Seattle.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
Remember to join our MARINERS on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Mariners fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Andrew Painter is known for having a deep pitch mix and the ability to switch up his game plan on a moment's notice because of it, and his Grapefruit League outing has been no exception to that.
However, there is one pitch that specifically sets everything up and, in Painter’s words, elevates his entire game: the changeup.
In Painter’s latest start against the Baltimore Orioles, he pitched 2.2 innings, giving up three runs on five hits, but didn’t issue any walks and struck out four batters. Several of those strikeouts came on the changup.
In this outing alone, Painter threw the offspeed pitch only four times, but it generated two whiffs on three swings. It’s not about the quantity of how often Painter throws the changeup; it’s about the efficiency.
Painter said he was glad to establish the changeup early in his start because of what it can do for the rest of his mic.
“I haven't really established [the changeup] early in the first two outings, but through a couple to righties too, and it feels good,” said Painter after the outing.
“I feel comfortable throwing it to both sides. I feel good going right and right and that just kind of elevates a heater, too. Everything; it elevates a whole arsenal when I have that working.”
Mar 7, 2026; Clearwater, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Andrew Painter (76) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at BayCare Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
With how often Painter throws his fastball, he needs a pitch that can counter its velocity, which was topped out at nearly 98 mph on Friday.
While the changeup is turning into the prominent pitch in Painter’s mix, he also said that the rest of his arsenal still felt good when he was on the mound.
Threw a couple of changes, a couple of sliders. I thought the sweeper was really good. Fastball was really good early,” explained Painter.
“Like I said, that third inning below went down a little bit. Spraying in a little bit, but overall, I thought the stuff was good. I thought early on I was commanding it well. I was getting the head, uh, and counts, and, uh, things I went.”
Assuming that Painter is in Philadelphia’s rotation to start the year, it’ll be interesting to see how much he uses the changeup to set up the rest of his pitches. If the right-hander succeeds at that, Painter could be in for an impactful rookie season.
Phillies Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Phillies. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.
The Lady Bulldogs currently sit as a No. 7 seed in NCAA Tournament projections following a 76-61 loss to the Kentucky Wildcats in the second round of the SEC Tournament. Georgia holds an overall record of 22-9 following the conclusion of conference tournaments, as the Lady Bulldogs went 8-8 throughout SEC play.
The Lady Bulldogs find themselves in prime position to make a serious run when March Madness begins on March 18th, as Georgia would likely have a favorable first round matchup should they officially be announced as a seven seed on selection Sunday.
Georgia ended the 2025-26 campaign ranked as the No. 22 team in the nation according to the AP Poll. Star playmakers such as Dani Carnegie and Mia Woolfolk played a massive role in Georgia’s success this year, as Carnegie’s team high 18.1 points per game this season proved to be the perfect compliment to Woolfolk’s constant domination in the paint. Both players will look to stay red hot during the NCAA Tournament, as the Lady Bulldogs are projected to enter the big dance as a No. 7 seed prior to Selection Sunday.
Georgia will undoubtedly hear their names called on Sunday, March 15, as the Lady Bulldogs are not expected to drop below their current projection despite the loss to Kentucky in the SEC Tournament. The Georgia women's team will find out its NCAA Tournament fate at 8 p.m. ET on Selection Sunday (televised on ESPN).
Potential Georgia women's March Madness opponents
Projected No. 10 seed Princeton (ESPN projects UGA will play Princeton)
The 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland is still 18 months away, but the build-up has already started, and Luke Donald’s reappointment as European skipper last week got the ball rolling.
For the USA, meanwhile, it’s something of a waiting game as Tiger Woods hums and haws over the job offer. Procrastination is the thief of time, Tiger m’lad.
A decade ago, Tiger became vice captain
It’s been 10 years since Woods first played a very different role in the Ryder Cup. Having made his debut as a competitor in 1997, Tiger was a non-playing vice-captain at Hazeltine in 2016.
This most individual of individuals relished a more subservient position, too. Greats like Hogan, Palmer and Nicklaus never performed the assisting job, but this other golfing great embraced it with gusto.
“Tiger, can you take those turkey sandwiches out to the boys on the 10th, please?” It was certainly not a chore you would’ve envisaged him doing in his pomp.
But those were the kind of myriad tasks that were part and parcel of being a vice-captain. From informant to confidant, cheerleader to deliverer of packed lunches, Woods was doing everything that week apart from hitting shots as he reinvented himself as a mentor to many of the younger American players.
Woods was always going to be the U.S. captain at some point. He would certainly savor the position too but, a decade on, we are still waiting to see if he’ll finally take it on.
He mulled over an offer to be skipper in 2025 before finally saying no. Should he respond with another no to the 2027 job, then goodness knows where the PGA of America turns. Donald Trump?
Unlike the Europeans, who move along with cohesion and clarity, the USA’s approach to succession planning remains pretty slapdash.
In 2014, when Tom Watson’s nostalgia-driven appointment and old-school tactics at Gleneagles ultimately ended in dismal defeat and bitter recriminations, the PGA of America set up an instantly mockable Task Force to sort things out.
Calling on just about everything from past players, past captains, past Presidents, songs from the Old West and the ghost of John Wayne, this new all-embracing approach was going to transform U.S. fortunes in the biennial bout.
Instead of disarray, there was grinning talk of harmony and unity. They won the cup back in 2016, but the egos landed again in 2018 during another lamentable defeat in Paris.
For the 2025 match, the PGA of America phoned Keegan Bradley out of the blue and asked him to do it after Woods had declined.
The latest ‘will he, won’t he’ situation surrounding Woods is hardly ideal and the stumbling block, of course, is time. The 50-year-old is currently embroiled in seemingly endless discussions as chairman of the PGA Tour’s future competition committee as the circuit plans for a major overhaul of its schedule.
“I thought I spent a lot of hours practicing in my prime, but it doesn’t even compare to what we’ve done in the boardroom,” Woods recently said of these all-consuming commitments.
It seems almost ridiculous that this administrative work should get in the way of the Ryder Cup captaincy. Yes, he has vast experience and influence, which can help shape the tour moving forward. But Woods is still a golfer, not a chief executive.
Luke Donald set to make history in third captaincy
Woods, meanwhile, has never been one to shy away from a challenge – and my goodness, there have been plenty of those down the years – and the chance to thwart Donald’s historic quest, while plotting a first USA away win since 1993, must surely rouse his senses.
In its 100th year, the Ryder Cup would no doubt be roused too by Woods’ presence. We await the next twist in Tiger’s tale.
(Nick Rodger is a longtime golf contributor to the Scotland Herald, part of USA Today Co.)
Baumgardner's mock draft has Denver selecting Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald with the 30th overall pick in the first round.
"McDonald’s evaluation right now is a bit like that of former Buckeye Tyleik Williams’ last year at this time," Baumgardner wrote for The Athletic. "McDonald’s run-block destruction was outstanding last season, as was his effort out of his area. He may never be an elite pass rusher, but his value against the run will make up for it."
McDonald (6-2, 326 pounds) totaled 65 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 14 games with the Buckeyes last fall, earning unanimous All-American recognition following the season. It wouldn't be surprising to see the Broncos add more depth and competition on the line after losing JFM.
After receiving two compensatory picks earlier this week, Denver now holds nine selections in the 2026 NFL draft, which will be held in Pittsburgh from April 23-25.
The Commanders have agreed to a one-year contract with veteran Jerome Ford, according to multiple reports.
Ford spent his first four seasons with the Cleveland Browns after being selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The Cincinnati product's best season came in 2023 – when he started a career-best 12 games and posted 1,132 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns – but aside from that, he was mostly a backup.
Ford was used sparingly as a runner in 2025, getting just 24 carries while playing behind Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson. He generated just 73 rushing yards, his lowest since his rookie season, when he tallied just eight carries.
That said, Ford posted at least 26 receptions for a third consecutive season. His pass-catching skills could give him a path toward playing time in Washington, which also signed veteran running back Rachaad White to a one-year free agent deal.
Here's what to know about Ford's fit with the Commanders.
Jerome Ford contract details
The terms of Ford's deal with the Commanders have not yet been disclosed. All that is presently known is that the running back will play on a one-year deal in Washington.
Jerome Ford stats
Ford has posted well-rounded numbers during his career while averaging a respectable 4.3 yards per carry. Below is a look at his stats from his four seasons in Cleveland:
Carries: 340
Rushing yards: 1,463
Rushing TDs: 7
Yards per carry: 4.3
Targets: 138
Receptions: 107
Receiving yards: 647
Receiving TDs: 5
Yards per reception: 6
How does Jerome Ford fit with the Commanders?
Ford will provide the Commanders with much-needed depth at the running back position.
Washington entered the 2026 NFL offseason with just one running back under contract for 2026: Jacory "Bill" Croskey-Merritt. The team now has three under contract after inking one-year deals with Ford and White.
The Commanders used a committee approach at running back in 2025, with Croskey-Merritt and Chris Rodriguez Jr. leading the charge after Austin Ekeler suffered a season-ending Achilles tear. Should Dan Quinn and new offensive coordinator David Blough take a similar approach in 2026, Ford will have a chance to battle for playing time.
That said, Ford seems likely to find himself at No. 3 overall on Washington's depth chart. Croskey-Merritt figures to get plenty of chances as the between-the-tackles after totaling 805 yards and eight touchdowns on 175 carries as a rookie. Meanwhile, White has averaged 51.25 receptions per season during his four-year career and was Pro Football Focus' 16th-graded pass blocker at running back last season.
While Ford may not see ample playing time to start his stint with the Commanders, his well-rounded skill set makes him ideal depth for the team. If either Croskey-Merritt or White is injured, Ford could step into the role and provide a proven, experienced veteran on whom Blough can lean.
That makes Ford an ideal addition for Washington, especially on what figures to be a cheap, one-year contract.
The Arizona Cardinals appeared in the headlines on Thursday for a surprising reason.
According to a report from Packers Report’s Easton Butler, the franchise’s standout edge rusher, Josh Sweat, has requested a trade from the Cardinals.
“Cardinals EDGE Josh Sweat has requested a trade this week,” Butler stated on X/Twitter. “The Packers and Eagles are both reportedly interested in him. Philly is trying to find another star on the DL, after losing (Jaelan) Phillips to Carolina (Panthers)."
Sweat is no stranger to the Eagles, as the 28-year-old spent the first seven seasons of his career in Philadelphia. During Sweat’s 2024-25 Super Bowl campaign with the Eagles, the elusive 6-foot-5 pass rusher recorded 27 solo tackles, 14 assisted tackles, and eight sacks.
The Eagles let Sweat walk in free agency, though, prompting him to sign a four-year contract with the Cardinals before the start of the 2025-26 campaign.
The Florida State product was electric in his first year with the Cardinals, finishing with a career-high 12 sacks to go with 30 solo tackles, 10 assisted tackles, and four forced fumbles in 17 outings. Still, Sweat appears unhappy in his current situation in Arizona, which could open the door for a reunion with the Eagles.
How aggressively will Philadelphia pursue Sweat on the trade market this offseason? That remains unclear, but according to Butler’s report, the interest is certainly there.
After a restful offseason, Formula 1 racing is back and better than ever. Even if fans don't have cable, there's plenty of ways to watch this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix for free.
After wrapping up the season opener in Melbourne last week, drivers are quickly turning their sights to China. A slew of new driving and car regulations make this year's campaign different than ever before, and that means the leaderboard has been flipped on its head.
Mercedes topped the Australian Grand Prix, recording a one-two finish with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. Ferrari followed up in third and fourth place, but usual powerhouses fell short, like defending champion Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri.
You won't want to miss this highly-anticipated race.
Here's how to watch the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix for free, including TV channel and streaming options for the Formula 1 race in Shanghai.
How to watch Chinese Grand Prix 2026 without cable
In the United States, Apple has the exclusive rights to F1 for the 2026 season.
New subscribers to Apple TV can sign up for a 7-day FREE trial. If you've bought an eligible Apple device recently, you can also get up to three months of the streaming service totally free. After that, the subscription will cost $12.99/month.
For the 2026 season, Apple TV will host all Free Practice, Qualifying, Sprint sessions, and Grands Prix with select races and all Free Practice sessions throughout the season available to watch for free in the Apple TV app.
F1 TV Premium, F1’s own premier content offering, will continue to be available in the US via an Apple TV subscription only and will be free for those who subscribe.
Apple
Chinese Grand Prix 2026 start time
The 2026 Chinese Grand Prix will take place at the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China on Sunday, March 15 and will begin at 3:00 p.m. local time.
Here's how that start time translates across North America:
Balikwisha, Adamu and Mvuka latest after Celtic squad snub
Celtic attacking trio Mikel-Ange Balikwisha, Junior Adamu and Joel Mvuka were not included in the Celtic team for this afternoon’s game against Motherwell. The forward three have struggled for game time recently but they were pictured putting in additional work on Matchday.
All three will be hoping to force their way into the team but chances are thin on the ground given how hectic this season has panned out. Balikwisha has failed to impress after arriving from Royal Antwerp for in excess of £5m last summer while January loan signings Adamu and Mvuka are yet to stake a claim to have their option exercised to make the move permanent.
Working with a Celtic fitness coach, the trio were put through their paces doing additional fitness work before the 3pm kickoff.
It remains to be seen whether the players return to the squad, especially given how tight the league situation is. Kelechi Iheanacho has returned to the bench as he looks to make an impact for the Champions signifying that there is a route back into the squad, but previous displays from the trio have left a lot to be desired – even if Adamu clearly looks like there might be a player there.
Elsewhere, MON’s Celtic team will be looking to beat the visitors from Fir Park and take revenge after the humiliating defeat at the end of 2025.
Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images
A $25 million Chicago Bulls star has moved past Michael Jordan on one of the NBA’s most exclusive all-time lists after another triple-double added to his growing reputation.
The milestone is a notable one in Chicago, given how rarely any Bull has been mentioned ahead of Jordan in a major statistical category.
This time, though, the latest all-around display pushed one current Bulls player beyond the franchise icon on the league’s career triple-double leaderboard.
Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images
Josh Giddey passes Michael Jordan on the NBA triple-double list
That is an impressive mark for the Bulls guard given he is still only in the early stages of his NBA career.
Jordan remains the most iconic player in franchise history, so any statistical category where a Chicago player moves beyond him is always going to draw attention.
Giddey’s rise on the triple-double list has been driven by the all-around style that has defined his game since entering the league, with his size, rebounding and passing regularly allowing him to stuff the box score.
The fact he has already reached 29 career triple-doubles also underlines why Chicago committed major money to him.
Josh Giddey’s triple-double in Bulls’ loss to the Clippers adds to record push
Giddey’s latest triple-double came in the Bulls’ 119-108 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, when he finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in 39 minutes at Intuit Dome.
Even in defeat, it was another reminder of how much responsibility he now carries for Chicago as both a creator and rebounder from the backcourt.
Chicago did not get the result it wanted against the Clippers, but Giddey still gave the team another high-level all-around game while continuing to climb one of the NBA’s most respected statistical ladders.
For a franchise so closely tied to Jordan’s legacy, that is not a small achievement.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 13: Austin Wells #28 of Team Dominican Republic celebrates his three-run home run with teammates in the seventh inning of the quarterfinal game against Team Korea in the 2026 World Baseball Classic at loanDepot park on March 13, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Things are narrowing down in the WBC. Already Michael Arroyo (Colombia) and Andrés Muñoz (Mexico) have returned to Mariners camp, and they’ll soon be joined by Josh Naylor, whose Team Canada was knocked out in the quarterfinals yesterday.
Yesterday’s matchups and how the Mariners performed:
Dominican Republic 10, Korea 0
To no one’s great suriprise, Team DR run-ruled Korea after seven innings. The Korean team just could not keep up with the offensive onslaught of Team DR. Julio Rodríguez collected a hit, and RBI groundout, and took a walk as part of his contribution. Austin Wells, who has gotten a lot of flak for being “not Dominican enough” to play on Team DR, had the last laugh with a three-run home run that catapulted this game into mercy-rule territory.
USA 5, Canada 3
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: Team USA jumped out to a commanding lead, thought it was job completed, and then almost let Canada squeak back into this one. Bo Naylor cranked a two-run homer off our own Gabe Speier (ouch) in the sixth and Canada was able to add another run on an Otto Lopez single, but that’s as close as they got. This wasn’t exactly a contest where the Mariners involved covered themselves in glory: Speier gave up the aforementioned two-run shot, Josh Naylor went 0-for-4, and Cal Raleigh walked and eventually came around to score but also was hitless with two strikeouts.
These two results set up a barn-burner of a semifinal matchup between the all-business US team and the exuberant joy of Team Dominican Republic. That game will be played on March 15 at 5 PM PT and I assure you I am already fully seated.
Today’s quarterfinal matchups:
Puerto Rico vs. Italy: 12 PM PT, FS1
Venezuela vs. Japan: 6 PM PT, FOX
The winners of each of these matchups will face off against each other in the semifinals on March 16 at 5 PM PT on FS1. The Championship Game will be held on March 17 at 5 PM PT on Fox. I’d suggest a watch party but I feel like bars might have other things going on that day…
NEW DELHI: Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League could be the "last time" fans see MS Dhoni playing for Chennai Super Kings.
As the IPL 2026 season approaches, discussions around Dhoni’s retirement have once again gathered momentum.
Speculation intensified after CSK traded Sanju Samson from Rajasthan Royals, a move that many believe could allow the veteran to further reduce his on-field role while continuing to mentor the team.
129572357
"CSK is incomplete without MS Dhoni. This season might be the last time we see him in the yellow jersey and it’s tough to imagine CSK and the IPL without him," Irfan said on JioHotstar’s ‘Game Plan’.
"As soon as the IPL comes around, we start seeing Mahendra Singh Dhoni again, which means he is fully prepared for it, and he is looking very fit as well," he added.
The 44-year-old joined the CSK camp in Chennai earlier this month and has been training with the squad led by captain Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Pathan said Dhoni’s role could increasingly focus on guiding the team and helping develop the next generation of leaders within the side.
"This season, Dhoni will play an important role in bringing everyone together. I’m not sure how many games he will play. But his presence in the dressing room will help a lot.
"Sanju will benefit because he will be part of the leadership group as well. Ruturaj Gaikwad is the leader. But as a group, two or three guys are being groomed for the future. That is where MS Dhoni comes in. I hope he makes a difference.
"Questions about his fitness, batting position, and whether he will play all games will still come up. The CSK team management will take it step by step. They will definitely look to give him a perfect farewell by lifting their sixth IPL trophy.”
Dhoni has featured in 278 IPL matches across two franchises — CSK and Rising Pune Supergiant during the 2016 and 2017 seasons when CSK were suspended — scoring 5,439 runs in the tournament.
Last season, he was mostly seen in brief cameo roles during the death overs, scoring 196 runs from 13 innings.
CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan, however, has stated that the veteran will be available for the full season and is expected to play “all matches” in the 2026 campaign.
Pathan also feels the time has come for younger players to gradually take on more responsibility within the franchise.
"We have seen him take responsibility for a number of years now, but I think this is the time for the baton to pass on to the likes of Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is a young captain as well.
"CSK's ideology has changed. It will be key for the youngsters to learn from MS Dhoni's experience, and for him to take the players ahead alongside him. It is a very exciting team on paper. In terms of six-hitting ability and intent, I am really looking forward to seeing the fearlessness from this young CSK side."
The trade between CSK and Rajasthan Royals means Ravindra Jadeja has returned to his former franchise, while Rajasthan have also parted ways with Jos Buttler.
Former India cricketer and coach Sanjay Bangar believes Rajasthan’s younger players must now step up following the departure of two experienced batters.
"First they let go of Jos Buttler, and now there is no Sanju Samson as well. The young batsmen in the team will have to take the lead," Bangar said.
"It will be a good start for Riyan Parag, playing three games at home. He will get home support in Guwahati as a local boy, coming here for the first time as a full-time captain. He will definitely want to perform well in front of his home fans, but it won't be easy for the Rajasthan Royals."
Former India opener Abhinav Mukund also raised concerns about Sunrisers Hyderabad’s early fixtures and the availability of their captain Pat Cummins.
"SRH have some difficult games coming up at the start, and you don't know whether Pat Cummins is fully available or not. They haven't made any statement yet, so we'll have to wait for that because he has been a lynchpin for them," he said.
SRH will begin their campaign against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 28 before travelling to face Kolkata Knight Riders on April 2 and returning home to take on Lucknow Super Giants on April 5.
March 8, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Penn State forward Charlie Cerrato (15) scores a penalty goal against Michigan Wolverines goalie Logan Stein (1) during the third period at Yost Ice Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images | Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images
After easily dispatching Minnesota 6-2 on Wednesday, Penn State will hit the road to Ann Arbor to take on Michigan in the Big Ten semifinal today. The Wolverines are No. 1 in the NPI and won the regular season series 2-1-1. Penn State beat Michigan on the road twice last March in the first round of the Big Ten tournament to secure their spot in the NCAA Tournament and eliminate Michigan. Do the Nittany Lions have more of that road magic in them?
How to Watch
Who: Michigan Wolverines NPI Ranking (PSU): 1 (10) When: Saturday, March 14 Where: Yost Ice Arena, Ann Arbor, MI Time: 5pm TV: Big Ten Network Radio: Penn State Sports Network
Projected Lineup
Matt DiMarsico-Charlie Cerrato-JJ Wiebusch Gavin McKenna-Reese Laubach-Aiden Fink Shea Van Olm-Luke Misa-Ben Schoen Lev Katzin-Nic Chin-DeGraves-Braedon Ford
Jackson Smith-Jarod Crespo Cade Christenson-Nolan Collins Carter Schade-Mac Gadowsky
Josh Fleming Kevin Reidler
Opponent Preview
Michigan comes in with a record of 27-7-1 and finished just two points behind Michigan State for the Big Ten regular season title. The Wolverines easily beat Notre Dame 6-1 in the first round of the conference tournament on Wednesday night.
The Wolverines boast eight double-digit goal scorers, the most in the NCAA. Will Horcoff’s 23 goals is tied for the most among Big Ten skaters with Michigan State’s Porter Martone and Minnesota’s Brodie Ziemer. The high-flying offense averages 4.5 goals per game and scored at least six goals twice in the four regular season meetings against Penn State. Michigan is deep, talented, and loaded with speed at forward, and the Nittany Lions had a tough time slowing down their breakout and transition game in the regular season.
Michigan is not a shutdown defensive team, but freshman goalie Jack Ivankovic has been sensational this season, posting a .923 save percentage and 2.11 GAA. Penn State cracked him a bit without Charlie Cerrato back in mid-February. Michigan is 0-3-1 in their last four games where they gave up at least 4 goals. It’s going to take Penn State’s best effort offensively to win this one.
Michigan has the top-ranked power play in the NCAA (30.2%) and ranks 40th on the penalty kill (79.3%). With Cerrato back and healthy, the Penn State power play should get a boost in tonight’s game.
Penn State is 4-1 all-time against Michigan in Big Ten Tournament games.
Guy Gadowsky passed former Brown and Dartmouth coach Bob Gaudet for 27th on the all-time NCAA wins list (425) with Wednesday night’s win.
After Friday night’s games, Penn State remains No. 10 in the NPI.
Prediction
Penn State looked like a different team with Charlie Cerrato back and acclimated on Wednesday night. The lack of center depth burned Penn State in Ann Arbor in February, but that should not be an issue tonight. Michigan has shown that their defense has holes and that a good goaltender can slow down their attack. This one will be close, but I will give the edge to Michigan at home.
Serie A Preview: Udinese vs Juventus – Team News, Lineups & Prediction
Saturday’s Serie A program closes out at the Bluenergy Stadium as perennial mid-table strugglers Udinese entertain top-four hopefuls Juventus. While the outcome of this fixture won’t change much for the home side, it could prove decisive for the visitors.
Udinese spurned a two-goal lead in a gut-wrenching 2-2 draw at Atalanta last weekend, wasting a golden opportunity to register back-to-back league wins for only the third time this season. Despite that heartbreaking stalemate in Bergamo, Kosta Runjaic’s men trail 10th-placed Lazio by a single point, as they bid to secure a top-half finish for the first time in over a decade.
Indeed, Udinese last finished in the upper half of the Serie A table in the 2012/13 season, with their best league finish since then being 11th. With eighth-placed Bologna only three points away, this feels like the best chance for the Friulians to finally break into the top half and end a decade-long wait for a stronger league finish.
Juventus’ upcoming visit to Udine is likely to put Udinese’s top-half credentials to the test, with the Bianconeri fighting tooth and nail to avoid the ignominy of finishing outside the top four for only the second time since the 2011/12 campaign. Sitting a point adrift of fourth-placed Como, Luciano Spalletti can ill-afford a slip-up at the Bluenergy Stadium, especially considering the Lariani will face fifth-placed Roma tomorrow.
The record-time Italian champions should take this trip in high spirits after battering relegation-threatened Pisa at home last weekend. Despite a scoreless halftime score, the Turin giants hammered the Nerazzurri 4-0 at the Allianz Stadium, snapping an underwhelming four-game winless league streak (D2, L2).
Match Preview
Udinese
Udinese may have dropped two valuable points at the Gewiss Stadium last Saturday, but they can still go three consecutive Serie A games without losing for the first time since October. However, that could prove easier said than done, given that they’ve suffered nine defeats in 15 league clashes against sides starting this round in the top half (W4, D2).
On a more positive note, the Friulians have emerged victorious from three of their five home matches against the current top seven this term (L2), keeping a clean sheet in each victory. Another standout result will require Udinese to maintain their focus after the break, as 13 of their 18 home league goals conceded this season came in the second half.
Nevertheless, they’ve recently been fun to watch, with four of their last five Serie A outings producing over 2.5 goals. Topically, October’s reverse fixture in Turin yielded a 3-1 win for Juventus, who subsequently beat Udinese 2-0 in the Coppa Italia in December, highlighting just how challenging this match-up could be for Runjaic’s top-half-bidding side.
Juventus
This fixture has been highly favorable for Juventus in recent years, with the Bianconeri besting Udinese in eight of their last nine meetings (L1). Furthermore, each of their five most recent head-to-head victories has come by multi-goal margins, while it’s also worth noting that they’ve won their last three visits to the Bluenergy Stadium without conceding.
Against this backdrop, Spalletti’s men have conceded 3+ goals in their last four away games across all competitions (D1, L3), so another shutout here is far from a foregone conclusion. At least Juventus have fared better on the road against lower-ranked opposition, with each of their six away league wins this season coming against teams currently below them in the table (D2, L2).
Spalletti might appreciate a bit more urgency from his players in the early stages of the game, knowing that 25 of Juve’s 50 Serie A goals this season came beyond the hour mark. However, the visitors have netted only 33% of their away league goals so far in the first half of play (7/21).
Team News
Nicolo Bertola, Jordan Zemura, and long-term absentee Alessandro Zanoli are all unavailable for Udinese. Still, key first-team stars Arthur Atta and Oumar Solet will be in contention for the starting XI, with free-scoring Keinan Davies expected to join Nicolo Zaniolo in attack, seeking his tenth Serie A goal of the season.
On the other hand, Juventus are still without star striker Dusan Vlahovic and winter signing Emil Holm. Despite his disappointing first season in Italy’s top flight, Jonathan David is likely to lead the line again, with Lois Openda largely failing to live up to expectations.
Juventus must avoid another embarrassment if they’re to stay relevant in the top-four race, and we back them to do just that. With little to play for, Udinese may struggle to match the visitors’ urgency and motivation in this contest. Therefore, we expect the Turin heavyweights to extend their dominance in this fixture.
Photo by Clive Rose - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images
Adrian Newey hasn’t turned up at the Chinese Grand Prix, and Aston Martin’s tough start to 2026 isn’t getting any easier.
This time, both cars at least made it out for Sprint qualifying, unlike in Melbourne. But Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll ended up 19th and 20th.
Only Valtteri Bottas was behind them, with his Cadillac teammate Sergio Perez missing the session entirely. Alonso was a second off the SQ2 cut-off and 2.5 seconds back from George Russell’s best time.
Adrian Newey misses the Chinese Grand Prix as Aston Martin’s struggles continue
Adrian Newey is absent from the Chinese Grand Prix, with The Times reporting he’s working remotely from back home, following his pre-season plan.
Once again, his absence highlights his unique way of working. Most F1 team bosses are fixtures in the paddock. It’s a contrast to how others operate, Christian Horner never missed a race during his two decades at Red Bull.
Mike Krack, Aston Martin’s trackside engineering director, has stepped in as the main voice for the team. He already handled media duties back in Australia, while Newey tends to keep a lower profile.
Towards the end of his time at Red Bull, Newey was already cutting back on race appearances. Aston Martin are relying on Honda to help turn things around this season, but he’ll still be involved in refining their chassis design throughout the year.
Newey skips China after ‘decisive’ vote vs Cowell at Aston Martin
The Times reported earlier this week that Newey had voted against Cowell’s promotion to team principal during an internal power struggle last year.
A source explained: “There was a decisive meeting between a few influential people at Aston Martin over whether to keep Cowell or not. It led to Cowell leaving his position.”
If there are more poor results then Aston may look elsewhere, and Christian Horner continues to be linked with a role at the club.
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 09: Kalia Davis #93 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a play against the Los Angeles Rams in the second quarter of a game at Levi's Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Browns officially signed former San Francisco 49ers DT Kalia Davis to a 1-year, $3M deal yesterday in an effort to effectively replace Shelby Harris on the interior of new DC Mike Rutenberg’s defense in 2026.
Davis, a 6th-round draft pick in 2022, has been an important piece to the 49ers’ run defense over the past two seasons. His ability to be a brick wall at the point of contact, while at the same time using excellent pad level and core strength to throw blockers off of him, has been his most attractive trait as of late.
Very few interior offensive linemen in the league have the athleticism and upper-body strength to successfully negate the things that Davis is trying to do against the run. He has a top-notch motor, and his incredibly active hands make it hard for blockers to get their hands on him in an effective manner as well.
Browns add some depth on the defensive line with the signing of Kalia Davis. 27 years old. Sixth-round pick in 2022. Started all 17 games last season
Only 1.5 career sacks but he’s played the run well. He had a run stop win rate in 2025 that was 19th among all defensive linemen,… https://t.co/8Utwf5t5pr
At 6’2”, 310 lbs., he’s “small” enough to maintain a consistent wiggle and block-shedding ability at the point of attack. On the other hand, he appears to play much bigger than that, as he’s consistently able to stack offensive linemen and effectively take on double teams inside the “A” gaps.
He should be able to effectively replace Shelby Harris in 2026, and he could end up seeing the field quite a bit on early downs depending on the offensive tendencies of Cleveland’s opponents each week.
Being able to slip underneath the gapper while still making the stop on the strong side is blasphemy. (The RB hugged the interior a bit too much here, though)
Seattle's RG probably got DESTROYED in the film room because of this play.… https://t.co/Xn8xvnUqPm
He’s not going to provide as many splash plays when rushing the passer, but he’s more than capable of being an effective rotational piece alongside Mason Graham, Maliek Collins, Mike Hall Jr., and Adin Huntington in 2026.
One of the biggest topics on social media yesterday, following his signing with Cleveland, was how his performance grades are so vastly different on various evaluation platforms such as TruMedia and PFF. Some sites have him as a bad run defender, and some places have him as a top 20 run defender in the league amongst all defensive linemen.
One thing’s for sure: the tape will give you the correct answer, and he looks pretty darn good there.
While the rest of the team had already found themselves back in the locker room, Nick Martinelli stayed behind just a moment longer.
The senior from Glenview, Illinois, who had spent all four years with Northwestern, had just played his final game for the Wildcats. He was caught up with emotion as he stood in the tunnel of United Center on Thursday night. Northwestern head coach Chris Collins was emotional himself in the loss, comforting Martinelli as he rested his head on Collins’ shoulder with tears streaming down his face.
After four months of highs and a lot of lows, Northwestern men’s basketball’s season has come to a close as the exhausted Wildcats — playing their third game in as many days — fell to Purdue, 81-68 in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals. Northwestern finished its year better than how it started with a final record of 15-19 overall, 5-15 in Big Ten play.
On paper, it looked like a step backwards for the program after missing the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive year after making it in 2023 and 2024. And in many ways it was. The Wildcats started off conference play with seven straight losses, started 13 different lineups and excruciating loss after excruciating loss, including a 40-point loss to Illinois in January.
But numbers alone don’t tell the entire story for what this team showed us.
Coming off those back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, Northwestern entered 2025-26 with an almost completely new roster with only 32.7% of the Wildcats’ minutes returning from the year prior, a product of the transfer portal era. With three-point shooting and rebounding hard to come by, Collins was forced to try to rebuild the program mid-flight, with younger, less proven pieces being given crucial minutes in a conference that is often unforgiving to young prospects.
But through all the change and noise, Martinelli showed up every night.
The forward had 26 games with at least 20+ points, averaging 23.0 points on the year shooting 51.0% from the field and 41.7% from deep as he reset his own single-season record for most points by a Northwestern player. It’s worth recalling the player he was when he arrived on campus in 2022: a freshman averaging just 2.6 points per game and “probably wasn’t even going to play if it weren’t for injuries.” But he stuck with it, staying with the Wildcats for four years and becoming one of the best players to suit up for the program — a player that Collins had watched grow from a young age.
“Nick went to my basketball camp when he was in fifth, sixth grade,” Collins said. “And just to see his progression, how he’s just gotten better — and not only that, how he’s been able to become a young man.”
In an era that’s increasingly been defined by players looking for a way out via the transfer portal, Martinelli is a part of a rare breed of player that stuck it out. When asked after Thursday’s game what advice he’d give to his younger teammates now facing that same decision, Martinelli was honest about what spending four years in Evanston had given him.
“I don’t condemn anyone for looking at other schools,” Martinelli said. “But for me, I found my place. This is my home. I’ve got so much love reciprocated because I stayed. It’s been such a blessing and an honor.”
Beyond Martinelli’s production, Collins credits the senior’s presence in the locker room — acting as a big brother for a young team going through a tough season.
“I kept thinking back to the guys that were big brothers to him when he was struggling as a freshman,” Collins said. “For him to be that senior leader, especially when it got to a point in our season where we knew the goals we had as a team were probably not going to happen — for him to continue to show up every day, to set the example for our younger players about what it means to be a Northwestern player.”
His example carried the Wildcats into the postseason. Closing the regular season on a 3-2 record and earning the tournament’s No. 15 seed, the team came in ready to make their mark, regardless of seeding. They kicked it off by knocking off Penn State, then upset Indiana — the first time Northwestern has won two Big Ten Tournament games since 2017 — as Martinelli became the program’s all-time leading scorer in tournament play.
On Thursday, the margin ran out. Without big man Arrinten Page, who missed his fourth straight game due to illness, and Tre Singleton, who was dealing with a wrist injury, the Wildcats were outrebounded 35-23 and dug a 24-point halftime hole that proved too much to overcome despite a strong second half with 47 points on 62.1% shooting. It was one of the most complete stretches of basketball the team had played all season long, but much like the season, the effort came too late.
Despite the year not turning out how fans would’ve liked, the No. 1 thing that should be remembered — is that this team never stopped competing.
“We’re not going to tap out,” Collins told them at halftime. “We’re not throwing in the towel. That’s not who we are as a program.”
They weren’t. When it was finally over, Collins said everything that needed to be said about his star in Martinelli.
“I’ll be his biggest fan forever,” Collins said. “I’m just sad I won’t have a chance to coach him anymore.”
The season is over. The tears were honest. And so was everything that came before them.
Vanderbilt guard Duke Miles (2) looks to shoot between Tennessee guard Ja'kobi Gillespie (0) and guard Ethan Burg (35) during the second half of a SEC tournament quarterfinal game at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 13, 2026. | ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Good morning.
Optional Musical Accompaniment
Yesterday, Vanderbilt basketball finished off Tennessee 75-68 to beat them for the second time in a row, behind 30 points from Duke Miles. They’ll play Florida today at noon CT on ESPN.
Joe Lunardi’s latest bracket, though, still has Vanderbilt as a 5-seed.
Baseball beat LSU 13-12 on Logan Johnstone’s two-run homer in the ninth inning, opening SEC play with a win. They’ll play again tonight at 7 PM CT on the SEC Network.
Woliczko's Archbishop Mitty team will play Ontario Christian for the California Open Division state title in Sacramento (6 p.m. PT, 8 p.m. CT). Archbishop Mitty is ranked No. 2 in the MaxPreps national rankings, and Ontario Christian is No. 1, so the game will determine the MaxPreps national champion for 2026.
Woliczko, a 6-foot-2 forward, is ESPN's No. 6 overall prospect in the 2026 class. The 5-star recruit's Oct. 1 decision to commit to Iowa completed an intense months-long battle that spanned coast to coast, as the Hawkeyes held off giants like South Carolina, USC and Ohio State to land Woliczko as Jan Jensen’s first major recruiting win since taking over the program in May 2024.
Ontario Christian is led by 5-star 2027 guard Kaleena Smith. Iowa is among the 11 schools listed as "interests" on Smith's 247Sports profile page.
Offensive consistency with both hands, defensive reliability across all positions, a relentless motor that never stops — all of it has put Woliczko in this position. Dominance, both with AAU’s Team Kidd and at Archbishop Mitty in San Jose, California, sent Woliczko soaring up the recruiting rankings. Gold medals at the 2023 FIBA Americas U16 championship and 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup further cement the kind of talent Iowa just acquired.
“I believe Iowa is a perfect fit for me as I balance basketball, academics and an overall college experience," Woliczko said when she committed. "The style of play is perfect for me as my versatility will be utilized at a high level, and I can grow into the all-around player I envision for myself at the next level. Meeting my future professor in elementary education has inspired me for my future studies and I cannot say enough about Iowa City, I just fell in love!”
Woliczko is the Hawkeyes’ highest-ranked commitment since Caitlin Clark, who was No. 4 overall in the 2020 class. It was big for Jensen to hold on to Addie Deal (No. 14 overall in the 2025 class) after Lisa Bluder retired; the same goes for landing Layla Hays (No. 64 overall in the 2025 class) as Jensen’s first official commit in October 2024. But the Woliczko win sent an even louder message that Iowa will remain in the elite women’s basketball discussions for the foreseeable future.
“She’s just a tremendous player,” Jensen said in November after Woliczko signed with Iowa. “Obviously, one of the best in the country. The thing that I think is really special about her is she held even with an unfortunate injury last year. When you hold with sitting out, you know the reputation and the skill level is really, really high.
“She’s versatile. Boy, she can hit a three but handles the ball with ease. She can get to the rim. She can rebound. She’s smart. She’s a leader. Just a great, great kid. Great family. Getting that type of person, first and foremost, and then the type of player she is on top of it — that was just a really huge moment for us. Hawk fans are really going to enjoy watching her because she has a versatile game. It’s smooth. It’s pretty, and it’s very impactful.”
Relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest take on a Fulham side seeking to avoid a third straight defeat. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Sunday's match (14:00 GMT).
Anderson key to Forest's survival hopes
Nottingham Forest remain winless under Vitor Pereira following Thursday's 1-0 defeat by Midtjylland. The Reds spurned a host of chances against the Danes, failing to build on the momentum from last week's 2-2 draw at Manchester City, which gave them their first league point under the new head coach.
Pereira said his team showed "lots of personality" in twice hitting back from a goal down against City and praised his players for keeping their shape and "waiting for the right moments to hurt" Pep Guardiola's men.
Forest have lacked cutting edge this season, with their tally of 28 goals the second lowest in the top flight. Last year's top scorer, Chris Wood, has missed most of the campaign with a knee injury and while his replacement, Igor Jesus, has shown promise in the cups, he has scored just twice in the league.
Goals will, therefore, need to come from elsewhere, and it was Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson who stepped up at Etihad Stadium.
Anderson has not been a regular goalscorer for Forest, netting four times in 66 Premier League appearances for the club, but he has earned plaudits for his all-round game, particularly his crisp passing. He has made 303 line-breaking passes – forward balls that bypass the opposition's midfield or defensive line to find a team-mate in space. That is more than any other midfielder in the Premier League this season.
[BBC]
Fulham look to rebound against favourite opposition
After back-to-back home defeats by West Ham and Southampton, Fulham need a swift response to stop their season petering out. That was their fate last year, when a disappointing FA Cup loss to Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage was followed by six losses in their final nine league games, scuppering any hopes of challenging for Europe.
Head coach Marco Silva admitted his side simply were not good enough in Sunday's cup exit to Championship side Southampton and had to defend his decision to make nine changes to the starting line-up.
The good news for Fulham is key man Harry Wilson could return after missing the previous two games, while the Whites can also take heart from their excellent record in this fixture. The Cottagers have won six of the seven Premier League meetings between the sides, including a 1-0 victory when they met on 22 December.
Raul Jimenez scored the winner from the penalty spot on that occasion and has regularly been a thorn in Forest's side. The Mexican has registered four goals and an assist in four previous appearances against Sunday's opponents.
Manchester United go in search of a fifth consecutive home win against an Aston Villa side also targeting Champions League qualification. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Sunday's match (14:00 GMT).
Fernandes on cusp of assist record
Manchester United's 2-1 defeat at Newcastle last week was their first in the Premier League since losing to Villa before Christmas, and ended Michael Carrick's unbeaten record as boss. But while Villa face a quick turnaround following their Europa League win on Thursday, United have had 10 days to digest the lessons from St James' Park and prepare for this fixture.
Carrick has won all five of his top-flight games as a manager at Old Trafford, including one as caretaker in 2021. Victory on Sunday would mean he joins an elite list of men to win each of their opening six matches as a Premier League boss, following in the footsteps of Sven-Goran Eriksson, Carlo Ancelotti and Manuel Pellegrini.
If Carrick is to add his name to that list then captain Bruno Fernandes will, as usual, have to play a key role. His goals and assists have already been worth a combined 23 points this season.
The 31-year-old, who created Casemiro's goal against Newcastle last time out, has 14 Premier League assists this term. That is one short of the record by a United player in a campaign, set by David Beckham 26 years ago.
[BBC]
Villa return to scene of painful defeat
Aston Villa's hopes of Champions League qualification ended at Old Trafford on the final day of last season, with Unai Emery's side controversially beaten 2-0.
Villa complained to referees' body PGMOL after Morgan Rogers had an opening goal disallowed for kicking the ball out of Altay Bayindir's hands. TV replays suggested the goalkeeper may not have been in control, but because referee Thomas Bramall blew his whistle before Rogers scored, VAR was unable to review the decision.
Villa's chances of returning to the Champions League next season have been dented by inconsistent form since the turn of the year, with just two victories from their past nine top-flight matches. They have also lost back-to-back league games against Wolves and Chelsea, although they did beat Lille on Thursday – making them the only one of the Premier League's nine European representatives to win this week. The result also brought up Emery's 100th victory in charge.
John McGinn returned at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy after two months out injured but Villa remain without Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans. The Villans have not won a league game this season without at least one of those three key midfielders in their starting line-up.
After a shambolic defeat by Atletico Madrid, under-pressure Tottenham boss Igor Tudor must steady the ship against inconsistent Liverpool. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Sunday's match (16:30 GMT).
Familiar failings for Reds
Liverpool boss Arne Slot complained that his side's league loss to Wolves on 3 March was the "same old story", with his side dominating possession but struggling to create clear-cut chances from open play.
Tuesday's Champions League defeat at Galatasaray was more end-to-end but also had a distinct air of deja vu. Just like in October's 1-0 loss to the Turkish club, the Merseysiders were unconvincing at the back and wasteful in attack, losing by the same score in Slot's 100th match in charge.
While the Reds may fancy their chances of overturning a one-goal deficit in next week's second leg, they have struggled when forced on to the back foot this season, losing 12 times after conceding the opening goal.
On league duty, they have been beaten in eight of 11 games when their opponents scored first and have lost nine times in total – more top-flight defeats than in their previous two seasons combined.
A visit from 'Doctor Tottenham' could be just the tonic they need, though. Spurs have won just one Premier League game at Anfield in 33 years and have conceded 17 goals in their past four games there.
[BBC]
Pressure mounts on Tudor
Time is running out for relegation-threatened Tottenham and their beleaguered head coach Igor Tudor. Spurs have lurched from one disaster to another since his appointment a month ago and have looked ill-suited to the Croat's 3-4-2-1 system, losing all four games and conceding 14 goals.
Tuesday's mauling in Madrid, in which they were four goals down inside 22 minutes, has left Tudor's man-management under increased scrutiny.
The decision to hand Antonin Kinsky his debut in the Champions League proper backfired horribly, with the goalkeeper gifting the opposition two goals before being humiliatingly substituted after 17 minutes. Tudor failed to acknowledge the Czech as he came off but insisted he was protecting the youngster.
The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust has called for "emergency" action in the wake of the midweek debacle, warning the club "are sleepwalking off the edge of a cliff".
Spurs' problems clearly run deeper than Tudor. They have the worst points-per-game average over any 38-game period in their Premier League history, taking just 0.87 points per match during this period.
If they extend their dismal record at Anfield it will mean they have failed to win any of their 12 top-flight games in 2026. Only three teams have waited longer for their first Premier League victory in a calendar year - Derby County (2008), Sunderland (2003) and Middlesbrough (2017) - and all three were relegated.
TAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 28: AJ. Brown #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Logan Bowles/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Even with Romeo Doubs arriving on a four-year, $68 million free agency deal, the New England Patriots are not done looking to improve their wide receiver position. One name that keeps getting mentioned is A.J. Brown, the Philadelphia Eagles star reportedly on the trade block.
The Patriots remain interested in Brown, but the two sides have not been able to work out a deal so far. With free agency starting to wind down, little seems to be changing: as reported by Dianna Russini of The Athletic, “no move is imminent.”
There are several factors complicating a trade, starting with the asking price. Philadelphia is rumored to be looking for a value equivalent of first- and second-round draft picks to move the 28-year-old, a compensation New England has not shown any willingness to meet.
In addition, the Eagles would have to absorb a $43.5 million dead cap hit were they to move on from Brown before June 1. The financial parameters of a trade would change after that deadline, and make it more financially viable from a Philadelphia perspective.
Further complicating matters for the Eagles is the status of tight end Dallas Goedert, whose contract is set to void soon to add another $20.5 million to the team’s cap. But while that deadline could have led to some action on the trade front, it appears nothing is expected to transpire in the immediate future. Obviously, though, the June 1 deadline looms large and could change teams’ efforts to pursue Brown.
The Patriots are still expected to be on the forefront of that movement, with the Rams also having been mentioned as a potential landing spot. The only thing we know for sure at this point is that the Brown trade rumors will not be going away anytime soon.
Sandro Tonali’s agent hints at Arsenal & Manchester City switch
Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali has been linked with a summer exit, with Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United mentioned as potential suitors.
The Italian has been one of the Magpies’ stand-out players since his arrival from Milan. Even after his betting ban, the midfielder has reached new heights and is now attracting deserved attention from the bigger sides in England.
Tonali’s agent Beppe Riso spoke to Calcio E Finanza about his situation at Newcastle United, the deal and a possible exit.
When asked about the move to St James’ Park came about, he responded: “The deal came about because a club like Newcastlewith unlimited financial resources had decided to invest in Sandro. We considered the idea of having the player play in a higher-level league.”
When asked about a possible exit from Tyneside to potentially Arsenal or Manchester City, Riso said: “Exactly, that was the goal from the moment he went to England – to try to make him a star player. I think he’s the Italian footballer with one of the highest values in the world.”
Riso also spoke of how the English football fans reacted to Tonali’s betting problem in a very supportive way and this helped the midfielder.
“In England, the mentality is different, and every time Sandro entered the stadium, despite his suspension, he received a standing ovation from the crowd. We’re talking about a guy who made a mistake, the fans noticed, and he was forgiven. Now, Sandro has completely changed.”
Tonali is likely to have a massive valuation in the summer transfer window. Juventus have constantly been mentioned as a destination too but his valuation is likely to blow the Italian side out of the water for a possible transfer.
The family of former Arsenal academy graduate Billy Vigar will attend the Gunners' Premier League match against Everton at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Vigar died at the age of 21 when he suffered a "significant brain injury" in September, when it is thought he collided with a wall while playing for Chichester City at Wingate and Finchley.
The Football Association announced a review of perimeter walls at football grounds in the National League system after his death.
Vigar was a graduate of the Arsenal academy, leaving the club in 2024, and also had spells at Derby County, Eastbourne Borough and Hastings United.
Vigar's family will be in attendance of the match as guests of Arsenal academy manager Per Mertesacker.
And Friday's nightcap gave us the first real big surprise of this year's event as UCLA knocked off Michigan State, 88-84. The Bruins get Purdue next.
Purdue may be the No. 7 seed, but the Boilers were ranked preseason No. 1 and seem to have found something in the Big Ten tournament with back-to-back impressive performances against Northwestern and Nebraska.
No. 1 Michigan gets No. 5 seed Wisconsin in the other semifinal. The Wolverines have all but locked up a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
There’s no doubting the Big Ten’s depth of possible tournament teams. But we’ll see this helps snap the league’s long run without a national title. The last Big Ten team to win it all was Michigan State in 2000.
The first round and the first two games of the second round will be streaming on Peacock.
The second half of the second round, the third round and the quarterfinals will air on the Big Ten Network. CBS will carry the two semifinals and Sunday’s championship game.
Big Ten basketball tournament favorite
Michigan is the favorite after dropping just one Big Ten game and winning the regular-season title by four games over Nebraska, Michigan State and Illinois.
The Wolverines head into the quarterfinals having taken 14 of their past 15 games, with the loss coming in non-conference play against Duke on Feb. 21.
UM also went 4-0 against the Cornhuskers, Spartans and Illini, winning all but one matchup by a double-digit margin. It leads the Big Ten in scoring (88.4 ppg), field-goal percentage (51%) and field-goal defense (38%), ranking second nationally in the final category.
Big Ten basketball tournament top players
Lamar Wilkerson, G, Indiana — IU will need Wilkerson to get hot to make a run in Chicago. He’s topped 20 points 16 times, 12 times in Big Ten play.
Jaxon Kohler, F, Michigan State — The second-year starter has evolved into a 3-point threat (39.5% from deep) and become a more capable scorer (12.8 points per game). Kohler posted 12 double-doubles during the regular season.
Braden Smith, G, Purdue — One of this week’s subplots involves Smith’s push to set the NCAA career assist record. He’s currently averaging 8.7 per game, tying his career high, and is 48 away from breaking former Duke guard Bobby Hurley’s record.
Sam Hoiberg, G, Nebraska — Hoiberg is the glue behind the Cornhuskers’ record-setting regular season after setting new career bests in scoring (9.4 points per game), rebounding (5.2), assists (4.4) and steals (2.1).
Yaxel Lendenborg, F, Michigan — The Alabama-Birmingham transfer has met lofty expectations by stuffing the box score: Lendenborg leads Michigan in scoring (14.7 points) while adding 7.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.2 steals per game.
March Madness bubble storylines for Big Ten
The Big Ten has six locked-in tournament teams in Michigan, Nebraska, Michigan State, Illinois, Wisconsin and Purdue. Another three teams are in very good shape in UCLA, Iowa and Ohio State, though the Buckeyes could stand to add a win against the Hawkeyes in the second round to officially secure their place in the field.
For nearly every team outside the top nine of the standings, the only possible ticket to March Madness will come via a conference title. The one exception is Indiana, which has spent most of the season on the tournament bubble.
What’s holding the Hoosiers back is a 3-11 mark in Quad 1 games. They’ll have chances to improve that record by advancing to the third round to face UCLA. With a win there, the Hoosiers will take on Michigan State in the quarterfinals. IU needs at least three wins this week to get back into at-large consideration.
Then there’s the unexpected Joe Burrow contract stuff.
The Bengals apparently received a $7 million cap adjustment this week, stemming from a probable Burrow contract insurance payout (which happened for several teams with big quarterback contracts), plus some other small housekeeping items around incentives and others.
All told, Over The Cap has the Bengals at roughly $33.9 million in free cap space. One big caveat, though, is the cap hit for new signing Jonathan Allen remains an unknown, so the number could dip by around $8 million. Tack on needing to pay a draft class ($8-10 million) and the number isn’t as high as it seems.
As always, though, another disclaimer: The Bengals can always create even more cap space by doing similar contract extensions or even restructuring deals. It seems like we’re too late in the process to actually see them do that with Burrow’s massive deal, but the option remains.
With big needs still at spots like linebacker, the Bengals have enough wiggle room to sign more players before needing to get creative with the cap. This week’s unexpected contract news certainly helps.
Crystal Palace have found some much-needed form since the transfer window shut but Sunday's opponents Leeds United are still very much looking over their shoulders at the teams below them.
Three wins in their past five league games – as many as they registered in their previous 14 – have moved Palace into 13th place. It's given them a 10-point cushion over the drop zone and afforded head coach Oliver Glasner some welcome breathing space after a tumultuous January.
The Eagles' victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on 22 February was their first in the league at Selhurst Park for nearly four months and they have won just three of their 14 top flight home games so far this season.
Strand by me
Although he didn't score in that win against his previous club, Palace's record signing Jorgen Strand Larsen has notched three goals in five league games since his deadline day arrival, offering Glasner a welcome alternative to Jean-Philippe Mateta at centre-forward.
Indeed, the £48m move seems to have reinvigorated the Norwegian striker, who was struggling to repeat his form from last season in the first half of this campaign.
[BBC]
For all their home woes this season, Palace have an impressive recent record in this exact fixture. Since a 2-1 defeat in the Championship in 2006, they are unbeaten in seven at home to Leeds, winning four of those.
Whites in for a fright?
It would take an unlikely quartet of scorelines over the weekend but Leeds could find themselves in the bottom three come Sunday evening.
Just two wins in 12 league games since Christmas has left Daniel Farke's side in 15th position, a mere three points above both West Ham United and Nottingham Forest.
The Whites have taken all three points on the road just once in this campaign, way back in September against Wolves, and a plethora of draws is arguably what has dragged them into the relegation battle.
Only Burnley and Wolves have shown worse form on the road this season.
[BBC]
Dominic Calvert-Lewin's glut of goals over the festive period has dried up and Leeds have suffered for it. This might be the perfect game for him to rekindle his form because against no side has he scored more Premier League goals than his seven against Palace.
The Eagles' defence struggled to contain Calvert-Lewin as he scored twice in the reverse fixture in December, a 4-1 win for the Whites, who are looking to complete the league double over the south London side for the first time since 1994-95.
To do so, though, Farke's outfit will have to overcome a growing problem when visiting the capital. Leeds are winless in their past 11 top-flight away games against London sides (drawn two, lost nine).
The Cougars are playing in their third straight Big 12 title game since joining the league in 2023. Kelvin Sampson's squad solidified their case for a 2-seed in the NCAA Tournament with a 69-47 win over Kansas in Friday's semifinal, led by 30 points combined from Kingston Flemings and Emanuel Sharp.
The Big 12's semifinals feature four of the nation's top 16 teams in what is probably the country's toughest conference.
The Bobby Hurley Era at Arizona State will last at least one more day, as the Sun Devils pick up a first-round win over Baylor behind 19 points from Anthony "Pig" Johnson. A nine-point halftime lead served to be a difference maker for the Sun Devils, as the Bears outscored them 44-39 in the second half.
Baylor will now miss out on the NCAA Tournament for the first time in seven years under Scott Drew, while Arizona State now faces Iowa State on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. ET. — John Leuzzi
The Big 12 tournament first round will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+. The succeeding rounds will be shown on ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU. The championship game will be aired on ESPN.
Big 12 basketball tournament favorite
There's not much doubt the rest of the conference is chasing Arizona as the Wildcats have dominated throughout out the campaign. Their strength is in their balance. Seven scorers average nine points or more. Their perimeter game is back by a strong interior group, led by Motiejus Krivas and Tobe Awaka. The biggest threat looks to be Houston, which has the type of defense that can be counted on in a tournament that forces teams to win three times in three games.
Big 12 tournament top players
AJ Dybantsa, G, Brigham Young: The freshman has more than lived up to his billing as one of the nation's top recruits, averaging ppg. Even without running mate Richie Saunders, Dybantsa has the ability to carry them in the short run of tournament play.
Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas: The kerfuffle about Peterson's status in games has distracted from the fact he's been one of the top players in the country. The freshman, if motivated, can be the key piece to leading the Jayhawks on a deep run.
Christian Anderson, G, Texas Tech: The Red Raiders lost star JT Toppin to a season-ending injury in February but remained one of the best teams in the league with Anderson becoming the lead option. He will be tasked with continuing his scoring run in Kansas City.
Koa Peat, F, Arizona: The freshman standout is one of several key pieces for the Wildcats, who dominated the league this season. He is joined by fellow freshman Brayden Burries as the team's two top scorers.
Joshua Jefferson, F, Iowa State: Part of a three-pronged attack with Milan Momcilovic and Tamin Lipsey, the senior provides important scoring and rebounding from the interior that makes the Cyclones capable of being one of the favorites.
March Madness bubble storylines for Big 12
The Big 12 seems certain of getting eight spots in the tournament field with Central Florida still in good position after three consecutive losses. The Knights, however, will want to avoid a loss in the second round to make things certain. Among the teams on the outside of the field, Cincinnati may ahve the best hope with its recent run of six wins in eight games. West Virginia has stacked up five Quad 1 but overall inconsistency has hampered its hopes. Both the Bearcats and Mountaineers will need multiple victories to get into the conversation.
SHANGHAI, CHINA - MARCH 14: Pole position qualifier Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team with his Pirelli Pole Position award during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit on March 14, 2026 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Sam Bloxham/LAT Images)
Young Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli has made Formula 1 history at the Chinese Grand Prix.
Antonelli stormed to pole position during Saturday’s qualifying session for the Chinese Grand Prix, becoming the youngest pole sitter in the history of the sport. The Italian driver, aged 19 years, six months, and 18 days, eclipsed a record set by Sebastian Vettel, when the legendary driver took his maiden pole position at the 2008 Italian Grand Prix.
He is also the first Italian driver to take an F1 pole position since Giancarlo Fisichella at the 2009 Belgian Grand Prix.
The young driver was left almost without words after the session.
“I don’t know,“ said Antonelli when asked about breaking Vettel’s mark. ”I feel, yeah, I mean, I’m very happy, I’m very happy because at the end, you know, it’s just the beginning, so obviously there’s a lot more to come. And yeah, really looking forward to tomorrow and, you know, the car is feeling really good, the car is strong, so yeah, a lot to play for tomorrow, but yeah, just super happy with today.“
On the other side of the garage George Russell, who took the win in the F1 Sprint race earlier in the day, recovered from a mechanical issue to secure P2, locking out the front row for Mercedes for the third time this season. Russell called the qualifying hour a matter of “damage limitation” for him.
“Yeah, definitely damage limitation. I mean, in Q2 the front wing broke. We were wrapping our heads around that. Then obviously went out in Q3, stopped on track, car wasn’t restarting, couldn’t change gear. And then, just really happy to be standing here because, you know, starting the last lap I had no battery, no tyre temp, no nothing. So, the team have done a really great job to get us into this position. It could have been much worse, so very glad. And well done to this guy [Antonelli], first pole as well,“ said Russell.
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc locked out the second row for Ferrari, while Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris locked out the third row for McLaren.
Here are the full provisional qualifying results for the Chinese Grand Prix:
The Chicago Bears were dealt a massive blow before free agency when it was announced that center Drew Dalman was retiring after just five NFL seasons.
Dalman was fresh off his first Pro Bowl season after signing a three-year, $42 million contract with the Bears last offseason, where he served as part of an overhaul of the interior offensive line alongside All-Pro Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson. The Bears quickly pivoted by trading for Garrett Bradbury, sending a 2027 fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots. It's a move that proved to be a smart one ahead of a competitive and expensive free agent market at center.
Now that the dust has settled after the first week of free agency, general manager Ryan Poles sounded off on Dalman's surprising retirement and how the team was able to adjust on the fly ahead of free agency.
"Obviously, there's a lot of things that are unexpected that happened in this job. Drew being one of them, that retirement was a pop-up on us. I want to respect him and his decision. The why, the reasons why and all that, I'll let him answer those things at his time. But I'm proud of our organization for adapting and adjusting, which allowed us to bring in Bradbury here to help us solidify our offensive line to continue to play."
While Dalman's loss is certainly a big one, especially after head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams talked about his importance in the offense, the Bears feel confident that Bradbury can step up and have a similar impact. It also wouldn't be a surprise to see Chicago look to the 2026 NFL Draft to develop their center of the future.
CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — There was no bow this time at the Milan Cortina Games for Jake Adicoff, the first out gay American male Winter Paralympic champion.
Instead, he was tackled to the ground by teammate Oksana Masters after they helped the United States win the Para cross-country mixed relay on Saturday.
“It was initially a hug, and then she kind of put all her weight into it, and then all of a sudden I was on the ground," Adicoff said. "She goes crazy, she’s got a lot of passion. She takes that to the race course and to the celebrations afterwards.”
It was a record-extending 23rd Paralympic medal for Masters, the most decorated American Winter Paralympian. Also on the U.S. team were Joshua Sweeney and Sydney Peterson.
“I’m a very passionate, aggressive person, and I was just so excited. I was so happy for Jake, because I know he’s chasing that clean sweep in cross-country skiing," she said. “To be able to do my part for him, it just felt so good that he is on his way to achieving his dreams.”
Adicoff, who is vision impaired, had won his first individual Paralympic gold medal in the sprint classic race on Tuesday, becoming the first out gay American male athlete to win gold in the Winter Paralympics, according to Team USA. His second victory came in the interval start classic on Wednesday.
“The relay is really fun because you actually get to watch your teammates," he said. "That’s my favorite part of the day. And getting tackled by Oksana at the finish.”
Adicoff had been celebrating his victories by taking a bow to his fans, families and friends. He took a bow while crossing the finish line after his second victory, and again at the podium ceremony. Fans have been wearing hats with Adicoff’s name.
“I’m trying to think of something new every time," he said. "You’ve got to keep it fresh. You got to keep new ones coming. If anyone has any ideas, let me know.”
Adicoff will have a chance to celebrate again when he will compete Sunday in the 20-kilometer interval start free race, his final race at Milan Cortina.
Adicoff is believed to be one of five openly gay athletes representing the United States at Milan Cortina. He had not been openly gay when he competed in the previous Paralympics.
Adicoff had also helped the U.S. win the mixed relay in the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympic Games after coming back from retirement following the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Paralympic Games, where he won a silver medal in the 10km classic. He also won two silver medals four years ago in Beijing.
Adicoff has no vision in his right eye and limited vision in his left eye after contracting chicken pox in utero. He grew up in Sun Valley, Idaho, and started doing Alpine skiing when he was 5 years old. Adicoff said his parents transitioned him to cross-country skiing after realizing he wasn't going to be able to do well on Alpine.
Masters' 23rd medal
Masters won her fourth gold medal at Milan Cortina, the most of any athletes so far, to take her total count between Winter and Summer Paralympic Games to 23 medals. She also competes in Para rowing and Para cycling in the Summer Games.
“It feels so unreal. Four times just feels like a fake number right now. For it to be gold is just a dream," she said. "I’m just so lucky because I never even think about these stats at all when I race. I did not expect that at this Games at all, but there’s something in Italy and the air and the coffee, the pizza, that is treating me well.”
The 36-year-old Masters has competed in every Paralympic Games since 2012. She now has won 18 medals in the Winter Games and five in the Summer Games.
Team USA and the Dominican Republic are headed for a semifinal showdown in the World Baseball Classic Sunday night at loanDepot Park in Miami (8 p.m., FS1).
And Team USA manager Mark DeRosa is expecting a doozy.
“I expect it to be one of the best games of all time,” DeRosa said, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan, following Team USA’s 5-3 quarterfinal victory over Canada.
Reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates takes the hill for Team USA, while former Yankees and Mets hurler Luis Severino pitches for the Dominican Republic, which mercy-ruled South Korea, 10-0, in seven innings on Friday.
After the game, Dominican fans chanted in Spanish, “We want the USA.”
The Dominican team features a loaded lineup with Juan Soto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis and Austin Wells.
This will be a showdown of star power and powerful lineups.
Team USA is 4-1 in the tournament and has hit seven home runs and scored 40 runs. The Dominican Republic is a perfect 5-0 with 14 homers and 50 runs.
The Dominicans also have a better ERA (1.98) than Team USA (3.40).
The winner advances to the final on Tuesday at 8 p.m.
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 27: Malik Willis #2 of the Green Bay Packers looks on before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lambeau Field on December 27, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Miami Dolphins and free agent quarterback Malik Willis agreed to a three-year, $67.5 million contract on Monday as the NFL opened the 2026 free agency negotiating period. The news of the addition came shortly after news that Miami will release incumbent quarterback Tua Tagovailoa when the new league year officially begins on Wednesday. The Dolphins immediately added their presumed starter to replace Tagovailoa, but what will be the salary cap impact to Willis’ new deal?
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the deal will be kind to the Dolphins in 2026 as the team looks to reset its salary cap this year. The deal will ramp up in 2027, but the Dolphins now have a year to work out the salary cap impacts for that season.
Malik Willis contract details
According to Pelissero, the deal includes $45 million guaranteed over the first two years. The contract includes a $22.5 million signing bonus, while Willis will have a $1.25 million salary in 2026, a $21.5 million salary in 2027, and a $20.5 million salary in 2028. The 2026 and 2027 salaries are fully guaranteed, while there is a $2 million roster bonus if Willis is still on the Dolphins’ roster in March 2028.
UPDATE (3/14): The Dolphins included two void years on the contract, which allows them to spread the accounting for the signing bonus over the maximum five years. The chart below has been updated to include those void years.
Salary cap breakdown
Based on those numbers, Willis’ salary cap impacts should be:
Year
Signing Bonus
Guaranteed salary
Non-Guaranteed salary
Bonus
Cap Number
Dead Money (If cut)
2026
$4.5M
$1.25M
—
—
$5.7M
$45M
2027
$4.5M
$21.5M
—
—
$26.0M
$39.3
2028
$4.5M
—
$20.5M
$2M
$27.0M
$13.4M
2029
$4.5M
VOID
—
—
$8.9M
$8.9M
2030
$4.5M
VOID
—
—
—
$4.5M
Note: The total value of the contract is reported to be $67.5 million, but the above math adds up to $67.75 million. Where that $250,000 is aligned is unclear at the time of publication (likely wording between salary and bonus).
Update: The MMQB’s Albert Breer updated the numbers on Willis’ contract, with a $22.25 million signing bonus listed – which corrected the additional $250,000 in the original breakdown above.
Note 2: Numbers subject to change should numbers be updated when contract is finalized/signed.
Update (3/14 continued): The void years allow Miami to push nearly $9 million in signing bonus beyond the end of the contract. They have essentially agreed to have that $9 million turn into dead money in 2029, when the final two years of the contract are voided. The dead money hit in 2030 will not exist after the void in 2029.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Sunderland v Brighton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v Everton", for instance.
Slot’s biggest boost is the likely return of Alisson Becker. The Brazilian missed the trip to Turkey due to a minor muscle issue, but Slot is optimistic his No. 1 will be ready to reclaim his spot from Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Similarly, Federico Chiesa has recovered from the illness that kept him out of action on Tuesday and should return to the matchday squad, likely as an impact option from the bench.
In defence, the established pairing of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate should continue, though the full-back positions may see rotation. Milos Kerkez struggled in Istanbul, so Slot could restore Andy Robertson to the starting XI, while Jeremie Frimpong remains the preferred option on the right in Conor Bradley’s continued absence.
The midfield trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai are expected to remain unchanged.
Up front, Hugo Ekitike is set to continue leading the line in Alexander Isak’s continued absence through injury. Ekitike will likely be flanked by Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo, although Rio Ngumoha is in contention for a start after Slot hinted at the teenager’s readiness for a more prominent role.
Richard Hughes has seen enough: Eight players will go in summer clear-out
It looks like Liverpool will be conducting another major transfer overhaul in summer.
Several title-winning players left last summer to make way for £450m worth of new signings. Those changes have of course affected continuity at Anfield - with Arne Slot struggling for the right solutions.
But the formula could be repeated again under sporting director Richard Hughes.
Because a report from the Athletic suggests as many as eight players in and around the first team are at risk of leaving in summer 2026.
Five defenders to leave - including Konate
“Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson are both set to be out of contract at the end of this season and have yet to decide on their next steps, while Calvin Ramsay is expected to look for a move,” the report reads.
“Academy graduate [Rhys] Williams is also expected to end his long stay with the club when his contract expires in June.
Time up for Jones and Salah too
“There’s also the uncertainty around [Joe] Gomez and [Curtis] Jones, who have just over a year left on their contracts, as well as potential changes ahead for Mohamed Salah, who will be in the same situation at season’s end and turns 34 in June.
“A parting of ways with Federico Chiesa could also suit all parties, given his continued status on the periphery of Arne Slot’s squad.”
Liverpool making space for new faces
Konate is under contract until 2026 and although there are hopes for a new deal to be agreed it looks more likely that the 26-year-old will be leaving.
Robertson meanwhile makes £160k per week and it would be a surprising move if Hughes signed off a renewal for a reserve left-back on those wages.
It’s been made clear to Ramsay meanwhile that he does not figure in Arne Slot’s plans - with the Dutchman usually practically anyone else who is fit and available at right-back over the Scot.
Williams meanwhile is very much a reserve - featuring for the club’s under-21s this season and frozen out of the first-team picture completely.
Gomez - under contract until 2027 - may well be sold to raise money for new arrivals with Richard Hughes having listened to offers for the 28-year-old over the last few windows.
Then there’s the big one - Mo Salah. With another year and a bit left to go on his £400k per week wages Liverpool have been suggested as willing to cash in so long as the right bid from Saudi Arabia or MLS materialises.
Chiesa was tipped for a winter return to Italy where Juventus and Napoli were interested but neither side could make the deal work owing to the 28-year-old’s wages. That could all change in summer as it looks inevitable the Italian forward will be sold.
Ederson: Atalanta’s new demands attract Man United’s interest
Manchester United are reportedly tempted to sign a Brazilian midfielder as a replacement for Casemiro.
The veteran Brazilian, who remains United’s best defensive midfielder, will be departing Old Trafford at the end of the season after the club decided against offering the ageing star a new contract.
In recent weeks, United have been strongly linked with Brazil internationals Bruno Guimaraes and Joao Gomes. Now, a report in Italy suggests the Red Devils have reignited their interest in another Samba midfielder.
Manchester United keen on signing Ederson
According to Tuttomercatoweb, Manchester United have entered the race to sign Ederson from Atalanta.
United’s interest in Ederson began even before they signed Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2024. However, Atalanta’s high asking price proved to be a stumbling block for the 26-year-old’s suitors in previous transfer windows.
It is understood that the Serie A side’s asking price for the combative South American was between €60m and €70m last summer.
Now, they are willing to open negotiations at around €30m, a massive 50 percent discount.
Ederson, who is known for his strong tackles, ball retention, and relentless work rate, will enter the final year of his contract in Bergamo ahead of next season. With a renewal not in sight, Atalanta have little option but to cash in on their star performer.
It is claimed United have emerged as a “significant contender” to sign the Brazil international as they are “forced” to find Casemiro’s replacement.
Casemiro advocates signing of fellow countryman
Recently, The Peoples Person relayed a report claiming Casemiro has recommended United to sign Guimaraes.
The Newcastle United captain is highly admired at Old Trafford for his leadership qualities and athleticism. United have reportedly already made “informal contacts” with his representatives.
However, Newcastle are likely going to make it very difficult for United or any other suitor to sign the 28-year-old Brazilian.
Featured image Francesco Scaccianoce via Getty Images
The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Percassi: ‘Atalanta proud to play Bayern Munich, now Inter difficult too’
Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi insists the club and fans are ‘proud’ to have played Bayern Munich in the Champions League Round of 16, and today have another tough test with Inter.
It kicks off at San Siro at 14.00 GMT (15.00 CET).
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 10: Serge Gnabry of FC Bayern Munich scores his team’s third goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Atalanta BC and FC Bayern München at Stadio di Bergamo on March 10, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Raffaele Palladino and Atalanta director Luca Percassi (@atalanta_bc)
Despite that result, even the Germans were impressed with the way the Atalanta supporters continued to cheer on their players and applaud them in Bergamo.
“Atalanta deserved on the field to achieve a fantastic objective, which is reaching the Champions League Round of 16,” Percassi told DAZN Italia.
“When facing one of the best teams in the whole world, we were unable to give our best for a set of different reasons. Despite that, the response of the fans shows how much getting here was something the crowd appreciated, and we are very proud of that.”
Atalanta were after all the only Italian side to make it to the Champions League last 16, despite having a significantly smaller budget than most of the other contenders.
Now they are in the Coppa Italia semi-final and still hoping to finish in the top four to get back into the Champions League.
“We would be happy every year to achieve targets like this. We know what our DNA is, we are working to keep doing well,” noted the chief.
Giorgio Scalvini is back in defence after injury, while Ederson and Charles De Ketelaere return to the bench for the first time in March, but Giacomo Raspadori is still out of action.
“Bayern Munich represented a slip-up that we must reflect on, today we are facing the Serie A leaders in a huge stadium, and it will be another very difficult match. We’ve seen in recent years how hard it is to pick up points in this stadium.
“It will require the best Atalanta, so whatever happens we want to leave here without regrets, aware that Inter are a very strong side.”
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 04: Mario Pasalic of Atalanta celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Coppa Italia match between SS Lazio and Atalanta BC at Olimpico Stadium on March 04, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Inter are something of a taboo for La Dea, unbeaten on home turf against their Lombardy rivals since 2014.
Inter Milan Captain Excited As San Siro Lined Up As Alternative Location For Spain Vs Argentina Finalissima
San Siro is emerging as the frontrunner to host the Finalissima between world champions Argentina and European champions Spain on March 27th and Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez is racing to be fit in time to take centre stage at his own ground.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, the idea of staging the showpiece in Milan is serious and concrete, even if not yet finalised.
Inter and Milan, who became co-owners of San Siro several months ago, have both been involved in discussions at the highest level.
Lisbon has also been contacted as an alternative.
Meanwhile Madrid has been largely ruled out given Spain’s status as reigning European champions.
San Siro Frontrunner For Spain Vs Argentina Finalissima As Inter Captain Lautaro Hopes To Star
Milan holds a clear advantage.
The city left an outstanding impression with its recent organisation of the Winter Olympics.
And, furthermore, San Siro, despite not being the most modern of venues, retains a prestige and emotional pull that makes it a compelling candidate.
The news has delighted Lautaro.
The Argentina captain has been pushing hard to recover from the calf injury sustained in Norway.
And, indeed, Gazzetta report he has been back running on the Appiano Gentile pitches for two days.
His target is to return for Inter’s trip to Fiorentina on March 22nd.
Before answering coach Lionel Scaloni’s call-up for the Finalissima.
Scaloni himself exchanged messages with Walter Samuel, who visited Inter’s headquarters alongside Diego Milito.
Indeed, underlining the close connection between the national team setup and the Nerazzurri’s inner circle.
Should San Siro be confirmed as the venue, Lautaro will be desperate to play on home soil.
Especially in what would be one of the most glamorous international fixtures of the year.
Lewandowski reveals the ‘only’ Serie A side that has ever contacted him
Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski, who has recently been linked with potential moves to Juventus and Milan, has revealed that Genoa are the only Serie A side that has ever been close to striking a deal with him, and insists that he has not yet decided on his next steps after the 2025-26 season.
Lewandowski is out of contract at the end of the season and according to recent reports in Italy, he is of interest to both Milan and Juventus following the success that veteran Luka Modric has brought to San Siro after his free transfer from Real Madrid last summer.
The former Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund star sat down for an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport’s Sportweek, published on Saturday, during which he discussed his previous links with Serie A and his current views on the Italian championship.
Lewandowski on Genoa interest and next career steps: ‘The goal is …’
Lewandowski insists that he has not made any decisions either way regarding his future after the 2025-26 season, despite the recent links to Milan and Juventus.
“Honestly, today, there’s nothing to say. And I’m being honest,” he said.
“The goal is to get to the end of the season with as many wins, goals and titles as possible, then we’ll see. I’m not thinking about it and I haven’t decided. It’s not a priority at the moment.”
Lewandowski revealed that he has only once been close to joining a Serie A side, and that was all the way back in 2010 before he ended up joining Borussia Dortmund.
“In 2010, I was still in Poland and I was about to move to Borussia Dortmund. Genoa wanted to sign me, so they invited me to watch a match against Sampdoria.
“I was curious to see what the club was like, the stadium, the atmosphere, and also to be fair to those who had shown an interest in me. I came to watch the derby at Marassi. It was the only time I’ve dealt with an Italian team.”
BARCELONA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 28: Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Villarreal CF at Spotify Camp Nou on February 28, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Lewandowski was also asked about his views on the state of Italian football in 2026.
“I think the Italian league is very competitive,” he said. “It’s usually a fight and the same team doesn’t always win. Teams like Juventus and Inter have reached Champions League finals (in recent years), it doesn’t seem to be in a crisis if you’re asking me.”
🚨 Line-ups for Borussia Dortmund v Augsburg: Reggiani starts, no Guirassy
Borussia Dortmund and Augsburg face off this Saturday in the Bundesliga, with the home team hoping to win and for Leverkusen to help them against Bayern.
Inter Milan Vs Atalanta – Brazil Defender Ready To Rise To The Challenge After Replacing Italy Star: ‘We Want To Bounce Back’
Carlos Augusto is ready to step up for Inter Milan in the absence of Alessandro Bastoni, and the Brazil defender has delivered a determined message ahead of Saturday’s Serie A clash with Atalanta, insisting the Nerazzurri are fully focused on an immediate response to the derby defeat.
It is a role Carlos Augusto has filled before under Cristian Chivu.
And, indeed, his versatility and reliability make him a trusted option in the position.
Inter Vs Atalanta – Carlos Augusto: ‘We Want To Bounce Back’
Speaking to Inter TV before kick-off, via FCInterNews, he was clear about the mood inside the dressing room.
“It will be a very important match, there are ten games left in the league but we must stay focused on today and try to win it,” he said.
“We want to bounce back immediately. We have done it before and we want to do it again.”
He was careful not to be distracted by Atalanta’s midweek result.
“Beyond their performance against Bayern Munich, they are a great team with great quality. We must do what we have worked on during the week with great enthusiasm and try to win.”
Confirmed lineups: Eintracht Frankfurt vs. 1. FC Heidenheim
Heidenheim travel to Frankfurt this weekend for another round of Bundesliga action.
The hosts sit nine points behind sixth-placed Leverkusen and are aiming to keep their hopes of reaching the Champions League spots alive. At the other end of the table, Heidenheim are in desperate need of three points as they look to make a statement in the battle for Bundesliga survival. Their first meeting earlier this season ended in a 1-1 draw - a result that will give the visitors reason for optimism and hope.
With just under an hour to go until kick-off, here are the confirmedlineups for both teams:
Confirmed lineups: Eintracht Frankfurt vs. 1. FC Heidenheim
Eintracht Frankfurt (4-3-3):
Zetterer - Collins, Amenda, Koch, Brown - Chaïbi, Larsson, Doan - Amaimouni, Kalimuendo, Bahoya
Washington [brought] back Dyami Brown, a 2021 third-round pick by the franchise, and agree[d] to terms with veteran wideout Van Jefferson, a 2020 second-round pick who won Super Bowl LVI with the L.A. Rams.
Neither receiver has proven they can consistently carry the load of a true No. 2 wideout behind Terry McLaurin. But both provide traits that Washington sorely needs.
Brown, who is only 26, spent his first four seasons in Washington before leaving in 2025 to take a one-year, $10 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Brown was Washington’s leader in playoff receiving yards (229) two seasons ago, including a 21-yard catch that helped set up the Commanders’ game-winning field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round.
Jefferson, drafted 57th out of Florida in 2020, had a breakout season in 2021, when he filled in for an injured Robert Woods in L.A. Jefferson finished the regular season with 50 catches, 806 receiving yards and six touchdowns before making four catches in that season’s Super Bowl, when the Rams beat the Cincinnati Bengals. He’s yet to discover similar production elsewhere.
He was traded during the 2023 season to Atlanta, where he totaled 101 receiving yards in 12 games (five starts). A season in Pittsburgh ended with 276 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and last year he played in Tennessee. Although he began the preseason as a projected starter, he opened the regular season fourth on the depth chart.
Neither deal precludes the Commanders from adding at the position; they likely will and need to acquire more receiving help, and this year’s draft class is especially deep on receiving talent.
Chris Paul has agreed to a one year deal to return to the Commanders, getting another experienced piece back in the trenches.
Paul appeared in every game at left guard in 2025 and drew 15 starts after eight starts and 17 total appearances through his first three seasons with the organization. His re-signing also locks down the left side of the offensive line for the Commanders after left tackle Laremy Tunsil signed a two-year contract extension this offseason, bolstering the protection for quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Per Pro Football Reference, Paul has committed just four penalties across his four seasons with two being false starts.
The 10 longest-tenured Commanders on the roster:
2014: Tress Way 2018: Daron Payne and Jeremy Reaves 2019: Terry McLaurin 2021: Sam Cosmi and John Bates 2022: Brian Robinson, Percy Butler, Cole Turner, Chris Paul. pic.twitter.com/hxv5kFMr4b
General manager Adam Peters has so far done what he said he would this offseason: build up the defense, prioritize the pass rush, make the roster younger and add some speed. Washington’s 11 new acquisitions through Friday are all in their 20s, with many coming off their first NFL contracts. They have experience, but still plenty of potential, and they all help to fill significant voids on the roster. Washington still has plenty of work to fill out its roster (it’s still unknown what they plan to do at center) and add depth. But what the team still needs the most is an elite offensive playmaker to complement Terry McLaurin. The team agreed to short-term deals with receivers Dyami Brown and Van Jefferson, but neither have consistently been true No. 2s. Only two running backs are under contract, and neither have consistently been offensive threats. And only one of their tight ends (newly acquired Chigoziem Okonkwo) has scored multiple times in a season. — Nicki Jhabvala
That second-round dip does not look good, but before we rush to judgement, let’s look at how the Top 5 teams by total wAV rank across draft.
The first thing that catches the eye is that four out of the Top 5 teams have one round in which they rank in the bottom third of the league. So the Cowboys’ second-round dip is not unique, very few teams are consistent from round to round. And Baltimore, kings of the first round, are beggars in the second round.
1. Consensus Board: The Round Correlation
If we look separately at each round, the correlation between Consensus Rank and wAV Surplus is quite dramatic:
Round 1 Correlation: r=−0.37
Round 2 Correlation: r=−0.70
Round 3 Correlation: r=-0.28
What this means, at least for the Cowboys, is that in Round 1, adhering to the consensus board is important (r=−0.37). In Round 2, adhering to the board is mandatory (r=−0.70), and in Round 3 it’s best ignored
(r=-0.28). Importantly, these correlations are for the Consensus Bord only. If we look at where each player was actually picked (as a proxy for the Cowboys’ Big Board), the numbers change quite considerably:
Cowboys Round 1 Correlation: r=−0.46
Cowboys Round 2 Correlation: r=+0.03
Cowboys Round 3 Correlation: r=-0.43
The Cowboys are actually outperforming the Consensus Board in rounds 1 & 3, but in round 2, their picks have close to zero correlation with surplus wAV. For the most part, they would have done much better in the second round by following the consensus draft board than by following whatever decision-making process they use in the second round.
RAS is not a “Reach License”
We saw above that RAS can be a driver of surplus wAV – in the right circumstances.
But there is a very specific subset of picks, Elite Athletes (RAS >9.5) picked between 25 and 64, that – depending on your view – show a fascinating and/or worrying “Jekyll and Hyde” dynamic in the Cowboys’ drafting strategy: There is a near-perfect correlation (+0.98) between Reach/Steal and wAV Surplus within this group.
When the Cowboys wait for an athlete to fall to them (e.g., Connor Williams, Chidobe Awuzie), they generate massive surplus value.
When the Cowboys chase an athlete by “reaching” ahead of the consensus board (e.g., Trysten Hill, Luke Schoonmaker), the elite athleticism almost never overcomes the technical or developmental deficiencies that caused the consensus board to rank them lower.
The data suggests the Cowboys often fall in love with athletic traits in the late first and second round and ignore the consensus warning. Specifically in the second round for the Cowboys, elite athleticism is a multiplier, not a substitute. It multiplies the value of a good football player (consensus high rank) into a potential star, but it cannot turn a project (consensus low rank/reach) into a surplus producer quickly enough to justify the draft capital.
At the news conference explaining McDermott’s ouster, Pegula eventually said it was because Buffalo had been incapable of breaching the “proverbial playoff wall.” Still, the owner didn’t mention that in the prepared statement to deliver his tone-setting, opening remarks.
Nobody makes Josh Allen cry and gets away with it, apparently.
Pegula vowed a new day and a new way, promoting Brandon Beane to president of football operations, in addition to general manager (because he drafted Allen), and promoting Joe Brady from offensive coordinator to head coach (because he knows Allen best).
Yet here we are after the most significant few days of meaningful, roster-changing NFL transactions, and the Bills don’t look much different in terms of personnel or identity.
Allen remains the answer to every question regarding the Bills.
Brady is 6 1/2 years older than Allen. At his introductory news conference, he gushed over his quarterback and proclaimed that every decision will be made to get Allen that long-overdue Lombardi Trophy.
Sometimes, it feels like “The Twilight Zone” episode about Anthony Fremont, the 6-year-old boy whom his family and townsfolk must constantly praise and reassure, lest they be banished to a cornfield purgatory.
Allen — and I say his name instead of “the Bills,” because he essentially is viewed as the entire team — needs help on defense even more if he’s going to reach another level of success.
Buffalo fans have been riled for months, but their frustrations grew as early free-agency negotiations commenced Monday and nothing juicy transpired.
Other teams with expensive quarterbacks made headliner moves. New England added to the FOMO by adding several players, including receiver Romeo Doubs, safety Kevin Byard and Buffalo fullback Reggie Gilliam. The hated Patriots have also been sniffing around receiver A.J. Brown.
Forty minutes before the new league year dawned at 4 p.m. Wednesday, I searched recent tweets mentioning “Brandon Beane,” and folks were enraged. Bills fans just don’t like the guy anymore. Big Baller Beane’s popularity has been in quicksand since the end of the 2024 season, and offseason developments have accelerated the descent. The “Bargain Bin Beane” nickname is taking over.
.@NickiJhabvala asked Rachaad White if Wash was his 1st choice (b/c of Jayden Daniels). He said: "Obviously one of my top choices. I thought it would be great to play with my best friend. 1st choice? Probably not, but I'm happy with the decision I made. I'm grateful to be here."
He posted a video hinting at this earlier in the offseason. Talked about wanting to play with Jayden so the question was rather easy and more to address the video. Everyone assumed this was where he wanted to be first.
Probably only interesting to me at this point, but the Commanders officially announced the signings of Charles Omenihu and K’Lavon Chaisson today. Both have been edge defenders, but they announced Omenihu as a DE, Chaisson as an OLB. Fun to see how this front shapes up pic.twitter.com/CeDsa6FHEt
2026 Salary Cap Adjustments for each NFL team have been announced, providing significant cap space for the Titans, 49ers, Browns, and Cardinals, while Buffalo, Seattle, Carolina, and the Giants took small steps backwards. pic.twitter.com/PPvsItgDeQ
Ive never seen paybacks like this. Teams so rarely did insurance and it used to mainly be just on the signing bonus. Wonder if the insurance companies start to change some of their premiums here.
Each of the 31 conference tournament champions earns an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament, with the other 37 spots awarded to at-large teams by the tournament’s selection committee.
Gonzaga didn't see arch-foe Saint Mary's in the final, but wasn't phased by Santa Clara in the West Coast Conference final. The Bulldogs, led by Mario Saint-Suprey's 21 points, unseated the Broncos to make their 27th straight Men's NCAA Tournament. It's their 23rd WCC title.
The Trojans defeated No. 10 seed Georgia Southern 77-61 at the Pensacola Bay Center in Pensacola, Florida on Monday behind a game-high 23 points from Thomas Dowd.
It's back-to-back Sun Belt Conference titles for Scott Cross' program, marking the sixth time in conference history a team has repeated as champions.
High Point is headed back to March Madness after repeating as Big South Tournament champions.
High Point earned the No. 1 seed in the nine-team field under first-year coach Flynn Clayman with a program-best 15-1 regular season record in conference play.
High Point defeated No. 2 seed Winthrop 91-76 in Sunday's championship game.
For the first time in Missouri Valley Conference history, a team won four games in four days to win the conference tournament and the NCAA Tournament automatic bid that goes with it.
The Tigers are in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1994 after defeating Morehead State 93-67 in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament championship on March 7 at Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana.
The top-seeded Tigers, under former Duke standout Nolan Smith (in his first season as head coach), dominated No. 2 seed Morehead State (20-13) from the tip-off. It was the most points scored by a team in an OVC Tournament final.
Because Mercyhurst reached the NEC Tournament final and isn't eligible for NCAA tournament play because of its transition from Division II, Long Island gets the automatic bid regardless of the result in Tuesday's championship game.
Former NBA standout Rod Strickland is LIU's head coach and has engineered an impressive turnaround from one of the country's worst teams two seasons ago.
What day does March Madness start?
The NCAA tournament First Four on the men’s side begins on Tuesday, March 17 and continues on Wednesday, March 18.
The four men’s games, which are held in Dayton, Ohio, feature the final four at-large selections to the field, as well as the four lowest-rated No. 16 seeds. The winner of each matchup advances to the first round. First-round games will take place on March 19 and March 20.
When is Selection Sunday?
Date: Sunday, March 15
Selection Sunday for the 2025-26 college basketball season will take place on Sunday, March 15, with both the men's and women's NCAA Tournament brackets being revealed.
U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey is among dozens of lawmakers calling on FIFA to lower ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup, citing a "financially exclusionary," dynamic pricing model that has placed matches out of reach for many fans.
The World Cup will be hosted jointly by the U.S., Mexico and Canada in 2026, beginning in June. Forty-eight teams will compete in more than 100 matches. Host cities nearest to Louisville include Atlanta and Kansas City.
"Current pricing indicates that the least expensive group-stage tickets average over $200, while the lowest-priced tickets for the final match exceed $4,000," according to the letter, which was addressed to FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Dynamic pricing allows ticket prices to fluctuate based on real-time demand. Earlier this year, FIFA reported record-breaking demand, with more than 500 million ticket applications entered during the random selection draw phase.
"The extreme high demand for World Cup tickets," members of Congress wrote, "should not be a green light for price gouging at the expense of the people who make the World Cup the most-watched sporting event in the world."
Some cities have scaled back or privatized fan festivals amid steep costs of hosting matches, according to the letter. Congress appropriated $625 million to reimburse local governments for law enforcement expenses. Host cities are also facing hundreds of millions of dollars in costs for infrastructure upgrades, transportation and other needs.
"FIFA maintains control over the tournament's most lucrative revenue streams," the letter states, "while host cities and their residents are left to shoulder the substantial costs of accommodating millions of visitors, often without meaningful access to the matches themselves."
Lawmakers posed several questions to FIFA:
"Will FIFA redistribute the unallocated bands of tickets to be dedicated to affordable tickets for fans?
"What measures will FIFA take to ensure that tickets remain affordable as teams advance in the tournament, particularly given that many later-round tickets have already been sold at dynamically inflated prices?
"Will FIFA commit to returning to a static pricing model in future tournaments in light of the accessibility concerns raised by the 2026 World Cup?
"Will FIFA implement changes to support host cities with fan festivals, or adjust sponsorship limitations so host city committees can fundraise and host public tournament events for fans unable to attend the actual games?"
Newcastle United Starting XI vs Chelsea: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup
Newcastle Face Key Test at Chelsea as Howe Considers Changes
Newcastle United travel to Stamford Bridge this weekend with a sense of unfinished business after a draining European night on Tyneside. Eddie Howe’s side were moments away from a memorable result against Barcelona before a late penalty from Lamine Yamal sealed a 1-1 draw. Harvey Barnes had nudged Newcastle ahead in the 86th minute, only for that momentum to slip away in the closing stages.
For Newcastle, attention now turns back to domestic competition. The visit to Chelsea represents a significant moment in their push for European qualification. Howe must balance the emotional toll of that Champions League contest with the practical demands of the Premier League schedule, all while keeping one eye on the looming return leg in Barcelona.
Newcastle Team Selection Questions
Selection decisions appear inevitable. Newcastle have been stretched by recent fixtures and Howe is expected to rotate parts of his side for the clash at Stamford Bridge. One of the headline calls could involve Anthony Elanga, who may find himself on the bench after a run of quiet performances.
Aaron Ramsdale looks set to continue in goal after starting Newcastle’s last three matches across all competitions. His recent run ahead of Nick Pope suggests Howe has settled, at least for now, on his preferred option between the posts.
At full back, Tino Livramento’s return from injury offers Newcastle a timely boost. Kieran Trippier has carried a heavy workload in recent weeks, and Livramento could step straight back into the right back position against his former club.
Photo IMAGO
Defensive Stability for Newcastle
Further changes may arrive in central defence. Lewis Hall and Dan Burn are expected to keep their places in Newcastle’s back line, though Sven Botman could return to the starting eleven. Malick Thiaw’s late mistake against Barcelona provided the opening for Yamal’s equaliser, and Howe may look for reassurance in Botman’s presence.
Midfield appears more settled. Joelinton and Sandro Tonali remain central to Newcastle’s structure and are likely to start again. Joe Willock could be introduced for Jacob Ramsey, partly to maintain energy levels ahead of the European second leg.
Attacking Options for Newcastle
Out wide, Jacob Murphy strengthened his case for inclusion after delivering the assist for Barnes’ goal against Barcelona. That contribution may see him start on the flank opposite Barnes, with Elanga dropping out of the line up.
Up front, Yoane Wissa could be given another opportunity to lead the Newcastle attack.
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
Formula 1 teams are in Shanghai this weekend for the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix. The second race of the season comes on the heels of the Australian Grand Prix, which ended in a victory for Mercedes’ George Russell. His teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli took second, followed by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in third.
The Chinese Grand Prix race is slated for Sunday, March 15 at 3 a.m. ET, following practice and qualifying sessions. This will be the second F1 race broadcast in the U.S. by Apple TV, which is the new home of all things F1. Apple TV offers a seven-day free trial and costs $12.99 a month once the trial ends. Streamers can also save 30% with the Peacock + Apple TV bundle, which starts at $14.99 a month.
Where to Watch F1 China 2026: Chinese Grand Prix Livestream, Free Trial
In the U.S., the 2026 Heineken Chinese Grand Prix will be available to stream exclusively on Apple TV. Get a seven-day free trial to watch the race for free, and pay $12.99 a month after the trial to keep the service for more F1 race livestreams this season.
Another way to get Apple TV and watch F1 China is with the Peacock + Apple TV bundle. This bundle costs $14.99 a month for Apple TV and Peacock Premium, or $19.99 a month for Apple TV and Peacock Premium Plus. This bundle saves subscribers about 30% compared to paying for each service separately.
Apple TV is now the exclusive home of all Formula 1 content, after Apple signed a five-year deal with the racing group. That means you’ll need Apple TV to watch all practice and qualifying sessions, as well as the races. The deal also made Formula 1: Drive to Survive available to Apple TV subscribers, plus highlights and additional content in the Apple TV Formula 1 hub.
2026 Chinese Grand Prix Air Date, Time
The 2026 Chinese Grand Prix race will take place on Sunday, March 15 at 3 a.m. ET/midnight PT.
Confirmed lineups: Borussia Dortmund vs. FC Augsburg
Borussia Dortmund host FC Augsburg in a Bundesliga clash that promises both excitement and plenty of intensity.
BVB are looking to keep their faint hopes of catching Bayern Munich alive and therefore have little margin for error, making a win crucial. Augsburg, meanwhile, find themselves in an impressive position in ninth place and could even begin to dream of a push for the European spots. Three points in Dortmund would be a significant step toward that goal.
With just under an hour to go until kick-off, here are the confirmed lineups for both teams:
Confirmed lineups: Borussia Dortmund vs. FC Augsburg
Menna Fitzpatrick suffered a broken leg in 2024 [Getty Images]
British Para-skier Menna Fitzpatrick says she is already looking to the future after missing out on a medal at the Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics.
The 27-year-old, who is Britain's most successful Winter Paralympian, suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury late last year and postponed surgery to compete at her third Games.
But after finishing fifth in her final event in Italy, the women's visually impaired slalom, she told BBC Sport she wants to make it to another Games.
"Every end of a cycle marks a new challenge and my plan is to hopefully make it to France in 2030," she said.
"I first learned how to ski in France so it's almost like going home. That will be a really cool one for me to aim for."
Fitzpatrick and guide Katie Guest saved their best finish for last after two sixth places in the super-G and giant slalom and ninth in the Alpine combined.
Austrian Veronika Aigner maintained her dominance with her fourth gold of the Games, finishing four seconds clear of compatriot Elina Stary.
Despite not coming away with another medal for her collection, Fitzpatrick was keen to focus on the positives.
"I think it's been a really successful Games for us, considering where I was before, so I'm really happy, especially with the performance today," she added.
"We really went out there and pushed it, and are really happy with the result.
"As an athlete you always hope for your absolute best skiing in a race. It often doesn't happen like that and as athletes we're really hard on ourselves when things are tough.
"It's been a challenging two weeks, but just knowing that I've got these performances within me, even if the preparation didn't go quite to plan, gives me confidence."
Fitzpatrick's team-mate Hester Poole was left devastated after being disqualified in the first run for straddling a gate after she had crashed out in Thursday's giant slalom on her Paralympic debut.
"Straddles happen to everyone but it is so annoying for it to happen here," the 18-year-old told Channel 4.
"It's a massive shame, but it makes me more hungry. It has been the worst-case scenario for me at my first Paralympics but it has given me more inner fire."
Confirmed lineups: TSG Hoffenheim vs. VfL Wolfsburg
In a clash of contrasting fortunes, Hoffenheim host Wolfsburg for another round of Bundesliga action.
Hoffenheim find themselves in an excellent position in third place, firmly in the race for Champions League qualification. Wolfsburg, by contrast, sit in 17th and are battling to avoid relegation. However, the Wolves remain hopeful of a turnaround, especially with the return of experienced coach Dieter Hecking to the touchline.
With just under an hour to go until kick-off, here are the confirmed lineups for both teams:
Confirmed lineups: TSG Hoffenheim vs. VfL Wolfsburg
The Montreal Canadiens may just have a last-minute addition waiting for them as they approach the NHL playoffs.
Michael Hage, the No. 21 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, is looming.
Hage is currently finishing up his college career as a star at the University of Michigan. Since his draft selection, his stock has only risen.
And when his NCAA action is done, Hage could position himself to jump straight to the NHL.
It's something Montreal has likely been aware of all season, and now the Canadiens just have to put themselves in a spot where they can benefit from his potential insertion into the lineup.
"Michael Hage is the guy that everyone is looking at," Daily Faceoff's Steven Ellis said in a podcast appearance this week. "He’s put up outstanding numbers, and I think we also just know that he can play with truly elite players. We saw him at the World Juniors and the way that he was able to work with Gavin McKenna out there, it was pure magic. With 15 points, he was definitely in the conversation to win tournament MVP. I really like what he’s able to do. Could he be the number-two center for Montreal immediately next year? Yeah, I think so. I think there’s definitely an argument there."
There are only a handful of college players each year that position themselves for such a move right up the ladder.
Hage is certainly one of them, and for Montreal, he could be exactly the kind of jolt they need.
His timing will depend in part on how long Michigan's postseason goes, but any amount of Hage for the Canadiens would be better than none. It'll certainly be a highly anticipated debut whenever it arrives.
Sunderland had the better chances in the first half and early in the second half but Minteh's bizarre shank somehow went in and Brighton held on to a vital three points easily.
Fabian Hurzeler's side have moved on to 40 points and surged up the table and towards the European spots once again. They jump above Sunderland who sit on 40 points but their poor second half of the season continues.
Seagulls win ugly
Fabian Hurzeler was upset with Arsenal's tactics in their narrow win at Brighton last week but his side took a leaf out of Arsenal's book to win ugly at Sunderland. The Seagulls' season has been meandering along for some time but they're now right back in the hunt for European qualification. They didn't create much and weren't great at the back but they did what that had to do to get over the line at Sunderland, a very tough place to go. Brighton have been swashbuckling during many games this season but haven't got the results they deserved. The opposite was true at Sunderland and perhaps Hurzeler will instruct his side to channel their inner Arsenal a little more in the months ahead.
What’s next?
Sunderland head to Newcastle for a massive derby at St James' Park next Sunday, while Brighton host Liverpool next Saturday.
Sunderland vs Brighton score: 0-1
Minteh 58'
Sunderland vs Brighton live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Minteh scuffs in a bizarre goal!
A corner works it way back out to Minteh and he scuffs a shot with his right foot that somehow sneaks in. Van Hecke was in the way of Ellborg and Diarra wanted a foul in the box after a push by Dunk, but the goal stands.
Brobbey smashes over
More of the same in the second half as Brian Brobbey smashes over the bar from a good position with several teammates nearby. Brighton got lucky as they overplayed at the back.
Good stop from Verbruggen
Geertruida with a smart effort but Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen does well to push it away. Sunderland are well on top now.
Xhaka is not happy at all...
Granit Xhaka is kicking off at Van Hecke. He really isn't happy at something that has happened.
Great block to deny Rigg!
Talbi dances into the box and crosses for Rigg, but his shot from close range is blocked superbly.
Talbi’s effort cleared off the line!
Sunderland so close to taking the lead. Talbi’s effort is going in but Dunk clears off the line.
Fabian Hurzeler's Brighton are on an uptick in form despite a Week 29 loss to Arsenal stopping their run of wins at two. The Seagulls have 37 points and can still do the math that finds them a path into European soccer next season, but their path to points has often leaned hard on goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
That math almost has to include beating 11th place Sunderland and passing them via goal differential. Regis Le Bris' Black Cats ended a month-long wait for a win when they took down Leeds United at Elland Road in Week 29, and now hope that their home digs can help them make it four of six points against Brighton this season. This is Sunderland's last match before they bid to sweep rivals Newcastle with a Tyne-Wear derby win at St. James' Park.
Sunderland vs Brighton prediction
Brighton are slight favorites, especially as Sunderland's early season power at the Stadium of Light dwindled last month with losses to Liverpool and Fulhma. With Brighton, it's a become a question of goals. They've scored two goals three times in 2026 and are 3-0. In their other seven games they've scored one or fewer and are 3D-4L. Sunderland 1-1 Brighton.
How to watch Sunderland vs Brighton live, stream link and start time Kick off time:11am ET Saturday
Venue:Stadium of Light — Monkwearmouth, Sunderland
Greg Newsome (6) celebrates after a pass breakup. | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The New York Giants may not have been splashy in the opening of the 2026 free agency period. The Giants stayed true to the reports that John Harbaugh believes there’s more talent on the roster than the 4-13 record would indicate and that they were planning tinkering, rather than overhauling the roster completely.
But that doesn’t mean that they weren’t active, either.
The Giants were thin at a number of positions prior to free agency, including cornerback. The Giants turned to former Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Greg Newsome II to help shore up their secondary after Cor’Dale Flott left for Tennessee.
Newsome made it clear, the Giants were already high on his list of destinations and he wanted to be a New York Football Giant. He wants to play with Jaxson Dart and behind the Giants’ defensive front.
“I just feel like this is an up-and-coming team,” Newsome said. “Just watching them last year, starting with the quarterback position, having a young quarterback, he’s got energy. He was growing tremendously last year, so that was something that I wanted to be a part of. Then obviously the D-line. Like, we’ve got a lot of guys on that front that can rush the passer, can do a lot of great things. The secondary, we’re all pretty young, and got a lot of potential.”
And of course, Newsome was familiar with new Giants’ head coach John Harbaugh. He played against Harbaugh’s Ravens teams for three years with the Cleveland Browns, and also made it clear that he’s looking for the opportunity to play for his old foe.
“That [the Giants’ young talent] was something that really intrigued me,” he added. “Then obviously I had a lot of battles with Coach Harbaugh in the AFC North, so when I (saw) him having this opportunity to come here, this was one of my first places I wanted to be.
“We were talking about it yesterday,” Newsome said. “It was a lot of close battles. It was always a hard-nosed game. That’s the type of person he [Harbaugh] is, that’s the type of team that we’re going to be a part of this year. That was something I was definitely super excited about.”
He’s not a stranger
Newsome also mentioned that he has prior relationships with quite a few of the Giants new — and existing — players, including some of his new teammates in the secondary.
“I know a lot of the guys from the Ravens, (fullback Patrick) Ricard and (tight end) Isaiah Likely, a lot of those guys,” he said. “Tyler Nubin (safety, Giants 2024 second-round pick), he’s another Illinois guy, so I grew up with him. Me, (cornerback) Paulson (Adebo), (safety) Jevon (Holland), we all came in together. I know them as well. I’ve kind of got a good mix of guys that I know already.”
‘We’re going to be aggressive’
One of the big questions Giants fans have for the new team is what the defense will look like. Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson called a similar defense at Tennessee to what Shane Bowen employed when he held that job. However, Wilson often expressed a desire to be more aggressive with the Titans’ defense. It’s also notable that the Giants wanted Wilson to replace Wink Martindale in 2024, and the Giants hired secondary coaches from the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs.
So it seems aggressive defense is back on the menu in New York. Newsome certainly seems to back up that hypothesis with what he expects from the Giants’ defense.
“I like it,” Newsome said. “Talked to him [DC Dennard Wilson] a little bit, and that’s how he’s going to play. We’re going to be aggressive, and that’s how I like playing. We talked a little about it, not too much, (I) just got in the door, but I’m super excited to be a part of his defense.”
“With my game, my strong suit I think is playing press man coverage,” he added. “That was something that we did in Cleveland all the time was playing man-to-man, getting in people’s face and challenging guys. So that’s where I feel like my strong suit is. Improvement, I feel like all of my game can improve. If you’re not trying to improve on everything, then you’re not trying to be a great player. I think just improving on all – press, everything, I feel like there’s always something that I can get better at.”
‘Excited to start fresh’
But beyond scheme fit, it all comes back to the team dynamic for Newsome.
Harbaugh has a reputation as a culture builder, first and foremost. That might have been what attracted Newsome to the Giants over other free agent cornerbacks. Rather than talk about goals on the field, Newsome’s first goal is to help build the Giants’ locker room.
“I’m the ultimate team guy,” he said. “Obviously, everyone wants to be a starter, and that’s my expectation is to try to work as hard as I can to become the starter. But it’s early right now, it’s March. We’ve got to, my goal right now is to get all the guys together, build this team, build this locker room. And then when training camp and all that stuff happens, that’s when depth chart things will be made. But right now, it’s just to integrate myself with this team now and just trying to continue to build this culture.
“This was one of the most important teams for me to go to. I just felt like from leaving Cleveland to going to Jacksonville, I didn’t finish the way that I wanted to, so I assumed that this could be a possibility to sign a one- year. I’m excited to be here. I feel like this is an opportunity for me to be here long-term. There (were) other places that could have had a little bit (of a) longer term deal, but I wanted to be here, and I wanted to showcase myself in front of the New York fan base and my coaches and players. I’m excited to start fresh here now and hopefully we get something done where I can retire a Giant, because that’s what I want to do.”
SAINT PAUL, MN - MARCH 07: Ohio State Buckeyes forward Joy Dunne (16), Ohio State Buckeyes defender Emma Peschel (7), Ohio State Buckeyes forward Sloane Matthews (22), and Ohio State Buckeyes forward Jocelyn Amos (17) accept the championship trophy after the WCHA Final Faceoff between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Wisconsin Badgers on March 7, 2026, at Lee & Penny Anderson Arena in Saint Paul, MN.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
For the fifth straight year, Ohio State’s women’s hockey team is hosting a regional round in the NCAA Tournament.
The Buckeyes are hoping this postseason run progresses like the last four, with Nadine Muzerall’s team playing in the national title game. Ohio State has alternated wins and losses in the final game of the college hockey season, winning it all in 2022 and 2024.
To kick off their quest for a third national championship in program history, the Buckeyes host Yale this even at OSU Ice Rink.
Following their shutout of Minnesota last Thursday in the WCHA Final Faceoff semifinal, Ohio State and Wisconsin battled on Saturday in St. Paul to be the top-seed in the NCAA Tournament, with the Buckeyes looking for their third WCHA Final Faceoff title in their sixth appearance in the championship game.
After two scoreless periods of hockey, Lacey Eden gave Wisconsin a 1-0 lead halfway through the third period.
Hilda Svensson would tie the game five minutes later with her 18th goal of the season. Jordan Baxter’s goal two minutes later would end up being the game-winner, clinching the conference tournament crown for the Buckeyes.
Emma Peschel assisted on both Ohio State goals in the victory, giving her 27 helpers on the season, which is second-most on the team. With the victory over the Badgers, Ohio State is ranked number one in the country for the first time since the final poll of the 2023-24 season.
Svensson now has 50 points on the season, which is the most on the team entering the NCAA Tournament, three points ahead of Joy Dunne. The freshman from Sweden is just the second Ohio State rookie with 50 points in the season, and is three points away from tying the program record for most points in a freshman season.
Svensson is one of four Buckeyes with at least 40 points this season. Along with Svensson and Dunne, Jocelyn Amos and Sloane Matthews have accumulated at least 40 points during the 2025-26 campaign.
There’s no question who will be starting in goal for Ohio State the rest of the season. After backing up Amanda Thiele last season, Hailey MacLeod has been outstanding in net for the Buckeyes this year.
The Minnesota Duluth transfer is 24-3 this season, ranking third in the country with a .889 win percentage, and her 1.50 goals against average ranks fourth in women’s college hockey. MacLeod only allowed three goals across Ohio State’s four games in the WCHA Tournament.
To book a spot in the Frozen Four, the Buckeyes will have to defeat Yale tonight at OSU Ice Rink. This marks Ohio State’s fifth meeting all-time with the Bulldogs.
The programs squared off in the 2022 Frozen Four semifinals, with the Buckeyes winning 2-1. Following the victory over Yale, Ohio State beat Minnesota Duluth in the title game to win the first national championship.
Oddly enough, Yale beat Minnesota Duluth on Thursday in Columbus to advance to Saturday’s game against the Buckeyes. The only goal of the game came at 16:15 of the second quarter off the stick of Molly Boyle, which was her 12th goal of the season.
Samson Frey stopped a career-high 37 shots from the Bulldogs to earn her sixth shutout of the season. The win was Yale’s second NCAA Tournament victory in program history.
Leading the Bulldogs in points this year is Jordan Ray, who has 33 assists and 50 points. Carina DiAntonio’s 26 goals are the high mark on the team, and her 48 points are just two behind Ray.
Molly Boyle, Stephanie Stainton, Gracie Gilkyson, Naomi Boucher, and Hannah Meyerhaeuser round out the Yale skaters with at least 20 points this season. As a team, Yale has outscored their opponents 125-70.
The winner of tonight’s game will book their spot in next weekend’s Frozen Four in University Park, PA at Pegula Ice Arena, where they’ll battle the winner of today’s regional final between Minnesota and Northeastern on Friday March 20th. A win by the Buckeyes would give them their fifth consecutive Frozen Four appearance.
Tonight’s game between Ohio State and Yale is scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m. ET at OSU Ice Rink and can be seen on ESPN+.
The direction the Cowboys will take with their early first-round pick, No. 12 overall, has been a subject of much debate and will likely continue to be up until late April. At the very least though, Dallas will have plenty of information prior to sending in their draft card.
Delane is considered one of the premiere cornerbacks in the 2026 Draft class, after posting a 90.7 coverage grade allowing just 14 receptions all seasons with Tigers. His 90.5 overall PFF grade ranked third out of 897 college corners.
In three seasons with the Hokies, Delane played in 33 games, recording 146 tackles and intercepted six passes. After his first season, Delane was named as 247 Sports True Freshman All-American, College Football News Freshman All-American Honorable Mention, All-ACC Honorable Mention, and All-ACC Third Team.
In his lone season with the Tigers, Delane was voted as a Unanimous All-American and made First-Team All SEC. He was also a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nations top defensive back, which went to Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix refuses to say his ankles are prone to injury. Perhaps he's right — it's possible that his various ankle injuries were fluky and unrelated to previous injuries, but Denver's staff should still proceed with caution.
After rushing 92 times for 430 yards and four scores on the ground as a rookie, Nix's rushing workload was slightly scaled back to 83 carries for 356 yards and five touchdowns in 2025. That nine-carry difference is likely negligible, as most of Nix's runs seemingly came on opportunistic scrambles, not designed runs.
Sean Payton's playbook does include designed QB runs, though, and Nix broke his ankle in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs on a designed run against the Buffalo Bills. So, will the Broncos instruct Nix to protect himself more in 2026?
"[H]e'll rehab his tail off and get ready and get back to being healthy," Payton said in January. "I think for someone who runs with the ball, I think he's done a pretty good job of protecting himself, not all the time, but for the most part, he's done a pretty good job of sliding and understanding playing for another day.”
Admittedly, the incident that broke Nix's ankle seemed to be pretty fluky, and the injury did not appear to be the direct result of taking a hard hit on a designed run. Still, the more carries a player has, the more chances there are for injury. Nix has averaged just over 87 runs per season through his first two years in the NFL. We'll see if that trend continues in Year 3.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 13: Luke Haupt #3 of the New Mexico Lobos and Tae Simmons #8 of the San Diego State Aztecs battle for the ball during the second half of a semifinal game of the Mountain West Conference men's basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 13, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aztecs defeated the Lobos 64-42. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
The Aztecs take down New Mexico 64-62 to advance to the finals where they will face Utah State.
BJ Davis makes a driving layup with three seconds remaining that brings back memories of Lamar Butler’s game winning shot in the NCAA Semi-Finals in 2023.
Magoon Gwath resurgence leads to 17 points and six rebounds carrying the Aztecs into the conference finals against the Aggies.
Aztec basketball was on full display Friday night at the Thomas & Mack Center where over 9,000 fans were treated to a thriller that went down to the wire. The Aztecs and Lobos fought evenly throughout the evening, trading leads. The largest Aztec lead was six while the Lobos held onto a brief five point lead. Perimeter defense played key in the Aztecs victory. Despite giving up 20 points to Deyton Albury, the Aztecs were able to effectively challenge shots and force the Lobos into their second lowest shooting percentage at 33%. The Aztecs were also effective in keeping the Lobos from scoring in the paint, where they only managed 22 points. The Lobos were also cold from the charity stripe, hitting only 15 of 28. The Lobos had missed opportunities, but the Aztecs managed to swarm with aggressive defense as well as opportunistic scoring. In addition to Gwath and his 17 points, BJ Davis, in his role as hero, managed 12 points and six rebounds. No other player managed double digits. The Aztecs had offensive challenges themselves, managing 41% shooting from the field and a paltry 24% from beyond the arc. They again had challenges from the free throw line hitting only 13 of 21 shots. Both teams had missed opportunities, but in the end it was BJ Davis, taking control as he has throughout the season with the ball and the clock winding down. His forte has been to hold the ball while the clock winds down and then drive the lane. This time he took the ball, dribbled by Lobos guard Deyton Albury, cutting down the right side of the key to bank the ball off the glass to break the 62-62 tie. Davis makes this a habit as he also made a layup to end the first half. He also broke a tie with 10 seconds remaining in the teams first meeting in San Diego, leading to an 83-79 Aztec win.
Coach Brian Dutcher said this of Davis, “We just give him space, and he creates his own shot. He’s very good at it. He had a 3 at the end of the last New Mexico game that didn’t go in but it doesn’t change our mind. We want it in his hands at the end of the game with the game on the line.”
Davis added, “I saw a little opening, so I just wanted to attack the space. I saw an empty space. I think it’s just growing up, you always envision those type of scenarios when you’re just ot there by yourself. You know, just 3,2,1…”
New Mexico felt like they had the situation in hand. Head Coach Eric Olen said, “When we got Albury switched back on to him, I actually felt pretty good about potentially limiting the depth of his drive and it being more of a jump shot, but he was able to get pretty deep and make a good play.”
New Mexico had two seconds to even things. A tipped ball went out off San Diego State, giving the Lobos six-tenths of a second for a last second desperation shot which fell well short. An exciting finish to a very tight and strategic game. Neither team managed large scoring streaks and the lead was never more than six. Magoon Gwath kept the Aztecs on top with his outside shooting, impressive for a 7-footer. Rebounding from early injuries, Gwath returned to the starting lineup, helping to pace the Aztecs.
“I played hard,” Gwath said. “I didn’t press my game too much.”
Added Dutcher, “He’s getting a rhythm about him again. I mean, he’s been hurt and he finally seems like he’s in good health. He’s in a good place physically and mentally. Having him this time of the year playing this way gives us a lot better chance to be successful.”
The Lobos never gave up, with Albury contributing with timely shooting to help the Lobos keep pace. Lobos freshman sensation Jake Hall, was hounded all evening by Reese Dixon-Waters and only managed three points on 1-10 shooting. The freshman from Carlsbad High was averaging 16.4 points a game, struggled to get open against the smothering defense of Dixon-Waters. Of concern for the Aztecs was the departure of 6’9” forward Miles Heide due to an injury on his shooting hand.
The Aztecs were also able to put shackles on Lobos big man Tomislav Buljan, the 23-year old freshman pro from Croatia. He was held to 8 points, but did manage to grab 10 rebounds. The Aztecs surrounded him with multiple players in an effort to curtail his interior dominance.
This means the Aztecs will face Utah State tonight in the finals of the Mountain West Conference. The winner is assured an automatic bid in the NCAA tournament, while the loser will need to wait for the selection committee to make their decisions. The Aggies took care of Nevada, winning easily, 79-66. Both teams will be tired having played three games in the span of 48 hours. The teams exchanged home victories during the season. Utah State on 71-66 in Logan back in January, while the Aztecs returned the favor, winning 89-72 in San Diego back in February. The Aztecs will be in a conference final for the 12th time in the last 15 years, but they have struggled, winning only three of the finals. The Aggies are an early 1.5 point favorite to win the tournament championship and punch their ticket to March Madness. If the Aztecs win, Utah State, who would have an impressive 27-7 record, should be considered as an at-large team. Will any other Mountain West teams qualify? New Mexico is certainly worthy as is Grand Canyon, but those schools find themselves on the outside, looking in, their smudgy fingers leaving marks on the windows.
San Diego State and Utah State will be playing in their last Mountain West game, as both teams will depart to join the newly reformed Pac-12 conference next season. Both teams will leave a legacy of success and dominance, writing their names on the annals of conference record books. Until then, one final game, this evening on CBS, for all the marbles. Can the Aztecs continue to have one more dominating defensive performance? They lost by five, they won by 17. It certainly is in the cards for the Aztecs to move into the post season as tournament champions.
Arteta defends Saka after Bayer Leverkusen criticism
Mikel Arteta has defended Bukayo Saka as “incredible”, insisting any player can have a bad game from time to time, especially if they’re playing as often as the 24-year-old winger is.
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
It’s fair to say Bukayo Saka didn’t have his best game for Arsenal away to Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, leading to some criticism of his performance. But Mikel Arteta has spoken out to insist that the club have full trust in one of their star players.
“We fully trust him and love him,” Arteta said. “What he’s doing for us, for this club, is just incredible at his age and he’s continued to have that massive impact for us.
“He can have an individual performance that is not probably a reflection of his level, like every human, every player in the world. But overall when you look at his strength and the impulse he has in the team, it’s just incredible.”
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Arteta also pointed out in the same press conference that Saka’s minutes this season are already very similar to the number he managed in 2024/25. If the winger plays any significant part in Arsenal’s game against Everton on Saturday afternoon, he’ll overtake last season’s total.
Saka obviously spent part of last season out with a serious hamstring injury, so the primary difference this season is that he’s only missed six games through injury.
But regardless of the reasoning behind his minutes, it’s true that Saka has taken on a heavy workload this campaign. Particularly for a player recovering from hamstring surgery.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Saka has still had plenty of great games this season, and there should be many more between now and June. The occasional blip is normal in the circumstances.
The problem is that the follow-up post writes that the sources for this information are "my hopes and dreams."
Jennings could end up in Indy, but there's nothing definitive out there on that.
He'd make some sense for the Colts if they could get him at a good enough value. They signed Alec Pierce to a four-year, $116 million contract to stay put, and then they traded Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Without Pittman, Josh Downs should see more targets, but the Colts could really use another receiver to replenish their ranks.
Jennings is likely the top WR remaining in the free agent market, capable of filling multiple roles and usually grading out very well in the advanced metrics.
It's not clear what exactly is holding up his market, but the most likely case is that he's seeking more money than teams are offering.
At some point, he'll have to find a compromise somewhere. Until then, the rumors and fan wishes for Jennings will continue.
The NBA community is still buzzing about Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo's 83-point game on Tuesday. It was the second-highest individual scoring effort in league history, putting him past Kobe Bryant in that department, and plenty of people are still outraged about the allegedly farcical nature of how it happened.
That game has seemingly resulted in a reevaluation of how certain statistical feats or records are attained and how legitimate they are. Veteran NBA reporter Ric Bucher discussed this on a recent episode of his "On the Ball" podcast, and he used it as an opportunity to take a shot at LeBron James.
Bucher said that when James recently became the oldest player to record a triple-double, he was "stat chasing."
"LeBron James has stayed in games to achieve some sort of statistical mark so routinely now that we're almost numb to it. The latest being the oldest player to ever achieve a triple-double... the game was out of hand, there was no reason for him to be on the floor. ... The guy is staying around at age 41 just to get an extra rebound, just to say in the history books, when everybody forgets how it was done, that he was the oldest guy to get a triple-double. That is stat chasing. That is undermining the statistical achievement.
"And with LeBron, he loves to say that he's never cheated the game. And it seems like, not only with LeBron, but a lot of people these days, every declaration is actually a confession."
This lines up with how many people these days accuse James of padding his stats at the expense of his own team. That game in question took place on Feb. 12 against the Dallas Mavericks, who are among the worst teams in the Western Conference. The Los Angeles Lakers won that game by 20 points, and James didn't achieve his triple-double until the 2:05 mark of the fourth quarter, when he grabbed his 10th rebound. He exited the game shortly afterward with 28 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists.
As Bucher alluded to, that game was lopsided throughout the fourth quarter. Los Angeles started the period up 96-82, and its lead didn't drop below 12 points the rest of the way. After the Mavericks came to within 107-94 with just under eight minutes to go, L.A. boosted its lead a bit, and the outcome was never in doubt for the last six minutes or so of the game.
It's the type of thing that only gives James' haters more ammunition.
Rowe, the No. 93 player in the nation and No. 9 DL in the 2027 class, chose the Ducks over the likes of the Washington Huskies, Oklahoma Sooners, and North Carolina Tar Heels. For much of his recruitment, he has been considered a lean towards the Huskies, but after taking a visit to Eugene this past week, he decided to shut things down and commit to the Ducks.
Rowe is the second player out of Texas to join Oregon during this cycle, alongside 4-star running back CaDarius McMiller.
Now, with the addition of Rowe, Oregon has jumped into the top 10 of the 2027 recruiting rankings, sitting at No. 8. They are closely behind the Huskies and the Louisville Cardinals. The next months should be pretty busy on the recruiting front, with several visits taking place, and a handful of commitments expected to fall, many potentially in favor of the Ducks.
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
NFL free agency has moved at a furious pace in 2026, as many of the top talents on the market agreed to lucrative contracts during the league's "legal tampering" window.
With a good chunk of free agency now in the books, NFL fans can start turning their attention more toward the 2026 NFL Draft.
The moves that unfolded in free agency will surely have an impact on the draft. For example, two of the top projected teams for Jeremiyah Love – the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs – signed veteran running backs to big contracts during the offseason.
That, coupled with numerous players rising in the weeks after the NFL Scouting Combine, will certainly shake up the projected order of the draft's first 32 selections.
USA TODAY Sports:"Mendoza, a rhythmic and clean distributor, sizes up as a nearly ideal trigger man for new coach Klint Kubiak's system. The fallout from the Crosby trade's dissolution could be far-reaching, but Las Vegas still has ample resources with which to enact its offseason transformation."
Pro Football Focus: "You can just about write this one in pen. Mendoza enjoyed a dream season at Indiana, posting a perfect 16-0 record, helping the program claim its first national championship and becoming the school’s first Heisman Trophy winner."
USA TODAY Sports: LB/Edge Arvell Reese, Ohio State
CBS Sports: LB/Edge Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Pro Football Focus: LB/Edge Arvell Reese, Ohio State
USA TODAY Sports:"David Bailey and Rueben Bain Jr. each have solid cases for this spot, but Reese looks like the most explosive of the group. While it might take some time to put things together as a full-time edge rusher, the Ohio State standout could give Aaron Glenn the cornerstone talent the defense has lacked since sending off Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner at midseason."
CBS Sports:"Some of the signings in free agency take the pressure off Reese contributing immediately, which makes the upside play easier to justify."
Pro Football Focus: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL)
USA TODAY Sports:"A blur off the edge, Bailey would pair with Josh Sweat to give the Cardinals a fearsome tandem with which to throw off the NFC West's high-powered offenses."
Pro Football Focus:"Paris Johnson Jr. is entrenched as Arizona’s long-term answer at left tackle, but the Cardinals need to find a new right tackle."
USA TODAY Sports:"Perhaps some might see taking a running back this high as a dessert-first move for a franchise that still has plenty of work to do in other areas to enact a proper support system for 2025 No. 1 pick Cam Ward, but Love's explosiveness and aptitude for slipping would-be tacklers could change the complexion of the Titans' attack."
CBS Sports:"It's easy to envision Styles as Robert Saleh's Fred Warner."
USA TODAY Sports:"Styles' knack for getting in the right place to make plays against the run should be of immense interest to a defense that ranked last in yards allowed per carry (5.3)."
Pro Football Focus:"Styles just put together a historic combine performance, and he earned an 88.6 PFF overall grade in 2025, ranking third in the Power Four."
USA TODAY Sports:"Surprised? Don't be. While Freeling hasn't been the same top-10 fixture of mock drafts that fellow offensive linemen Francis Mauigoa and Spencer Fano have, the towering tackle sets himself apart from his peers with the build and athleticism of a true blindside protector."
CBS Sports:"No. 6 overall is a little too rich for any offensive lineman in this class, but the Browns have an opportunity to add a young prospect with a supreme athletic skill set at a premium position."
USA TODAY Sports: Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL)
CBS Sports: Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL)
Pro Football Focus: Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL)
USA TODAY Sports:"Dan Quinn might not have the kind of qualms with Bain's arm length that others possess, as he'll take a difference-maker off the edge in whatever form one might come in."
Pro Football Focus:"Bain has short arms (30 7/8 inches), but he led the nation with 83 pressures this year and his 92.8 PFF overall grade ranked third."
USA TODAY Sports:"Some had pegged the Saints as a leading candidate for Love, but his expected ascension into the top five – as well as the team's pivot to Travis Etienne in free agency – could have New Orleans instead considering a fitting complement for Chris Olave. Tate, a fellow former Buckeyes wideout, should slide in nicely to Moore's scheme thanks to his precision and penchant for working back to the ball.."
CBS Sports:"New Orleans is the latest team to use premium resources to support a young quarterback."
USA TODAY Sports:"Already an advanced and accomplished entity out of the slot, Lemon can immediately differentiate himself from the Chiefs' other receivers with his easy sense for separation and competitiveness at the catch point."
Pro Football Focus:"Lemon would help reset the room after winning the Biletnikoff Award — given to college football's most outstanding receiver — and leading the FBS with a 90.8 PFF overall grade in 2025."
USA TODAY Sports:"No defense was scorched by running games and tight ends alike as badly as the Bengals were, so there's plenty of incentive to import a player who was college football's pre-eminent force in the former category and has plenty of room for growth in the latter."
CBS Sports:"The Bengals signed Bryan Cook but still have a void at safety. They take the best player available as they continue to fill out their secondary."
USA TODAY Sports:" Whether at guard or as an eventual right tackle replacement for Austin Jackson, the punishing blocker could help first-year coach Jeff Hafley establish his vision of a forceful run game."
Pro Football Focus:"Delane would inject some much-needed youth and talent to Miami's secondary. He surrendered just a 31.3 passer rating in coverage in 2025 (first among Power Four cornerbacks)."
USA TODAY Sports:"If Delane is still available when Dallas first comes on the clock, there shouldn't be too much of a debate within the Cowboys' draft room. The consensus All-American has developed a mastery of man coverage, which would open up plenty of possibilities for new defensive coordinator Christian Parker to mix and match his scheme to his available talent."
CBS Sports:"Jermod McCoy has the potential to be one of the best players to emerge from this draft class and certainly the top cornerback, but he was injured all season."
USA TODAY Sports:"Sean McVay and Les Snead were previously enamored a hybrid tight end in Brock Bowers, and Sadiq could feast in an offense that came to embrace using three tight ends."
Pro Football Talk:"His 92.0 PFF overall grade since 2024 led college football, and he can immediately compete with Warren McClendon Jr. for the starting right tackle spot, though his lack of length may push him inside long term."
USA TODAY Sports:"The Ravens can now continue to fortify a front that has seen substantial shifts in free agency. Ioane would team with fellow guard John Simpson to provide outstanding protection for Lamar Jackson and a massive push in the run game."
CBS Sports:"The Ravens could move forward with recently signed John Simpson at right guard and returnee Andrew Vorhees at left guard, but Vega Ioane is a Raven if I've ever seen one. He brings stability for a head coach who wants to instill a physical brand of football."
USA TODAY Sports: "Jason Licht sure has a type, gravitating toward young prospects known for their character and work ethic. Though he's hardly a finished product as a pass rusher, the 20-year-old Faulk shouldn't have any trouble winning over the Buccaneers after drawing rave reviews for his leadership and persistence in college."
Pro Football Focus:"While Faulk has room to improve as a pass rusher, he produced an outstanding 89.2 PFF run-defense grade over the past two years."
USA TODAY Sports:"Though Tyson's extensive injury history could loom over him come April, the 6-2, 203-pounder clears the bar in a variety of categories for a top-flight wide receiver."
CBS Sports:"Fano is a high-quality offensive lineman, even if there are concerns about his length to play offensive tackle."
USA TODAY Sports:"Taylor Decker's surprising split with Detroit heightens the urgency of turning the page along the offensive line. Seen by some as a top-10 prospect, Fano slides a bit here but finds a team that should covet his smooth and polished approach."
Pro Football Focus:"Taylor Decker requested to be released following a decade as the Lions' left tackle. Detroit finds Penei Sewell’s next running-mate here in Freeling."
USA TODAY Sports:"As an eventual successor to Harrison Smith, Thieneman would provide plenty of flexibility and versatility on the back end of Brian Flores' defense."
CBS Sports:"Dillon Thieneman tested off the charts from an athletic perspective and has also been incredibly productive."
USA TODAY Sports:"With Bryce Young entering a critical year and left tackle Ikem Ekwonu's outlook uncertain after suffering a torn patellar tendon in the playoffs, Carolina is in a difficult spot. Enter Proctor, a massive protector who could step in on the blind side, replace Taylor Moton later on at right tackle or even kick to guard."
Pro Football Focus:"Woods would shore up a Panthers defense that placed in the bottom 10 in both team PFF run-defense grade and team PFF pass-rush grade in 2025."
Pro Football Focus: Edge Akheem Mesidor, Miami (FL)
USA TODAY Sports:"Already armed with a deep bag of tricks as a pass rusher and self-labeled "seasoned rookie" – he'll be 25 next month – Mesidor should be an attractive instant-impact option thanks to his hustle and know-how."
CBS Sports:"Makai Lemon gives them another slot element and allows them to move some of the chess pieces around the board, but he also provides insurance and creates a potential off-ramp if CeeDee Lamb or George Pickens becomes too expensive."
USA TODAY Sports:"Banks isn't a finished product yet, but Heyward could mentor the 6-6, 327-pounder and help him make the most of his disruptiveness off the line of scrimmage."
Pro Football Focus:"Proctor's 86.1 PFF overall grade in 2025 ranked fourth in the country."
USA TODAY Sports:"The arm length debate didn't quite engulf Howell the same way it did Bain, but it could prove even more consequential to his draft slot. Still, the Eagles might be willing to look past that shortcoming and instead prize what the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year can do with his considerable burst and bend."
Pro Football Focus:"Dallas Goedert is coming off the lowest-graded season of his career (66.7) and is a free agent at 31 years old. The Eagles find his replacement here in Sadiq."
USA TODAY Sports:"With his go-get-it mindset frequently paying off on tight-window throws and even errant passes, Boston would make life a degree or two easier for the Browns' future quarterback."
CBS Sports:"Tyson wouldn't be available this late in the first round if not for his injury history, and that could present an opportunity for the Browns, depending on how one looks at it."
USA TODAY Sports:"Woods' high-end flashes separate him from all other interior defenders other than Banks, though his inconsistency could cost him a spot on Day 1."
Pro Football Focus:"Banks played in only three games in 2025 at Florida due to a foot injury, but his 12% pressure rate since 2023 still ranked sixth among Power Four interior defenders over that stretch."
USA TODAY Sports:"The undersized Allen might not be a perfect fit for new coordinator Jim Leonhard's scheme, but the Bills likely would be quite fond of Allen's reliability against the run."
CBS Sports:"T.J. Parker has the profile they've been drawn to in the past. Perhaps he'll allow them to get off the carousel of acquiring a new 30-year-old every offseason."
USA TODAY Sports:"Lomu could be in for a bit of a rough initial acclimation period when taking on pro defensive ends, but his upside as a pass protector is unmatched at this point in the draft."
Pro Football Focus:"Concepcion paced the SEC with 48 receptions that went for either a first down or a touchdown in 2025 and is a dangerous player with the ball in his hands."
USA TODAY Sports: OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
CBS Sports: OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
Pro Football Focus: OT Blake Miller, Clemson
USA TODAY Sports:"A late bloomer who never played football until reaching junior college, Iheanachor is the kind of project the Texans' staff needs to demonstrate it can cultivate. The 6-6, 321-pounder could sit and learn behind Braden Smith before taking over for him at right tackle."
CBS Sports:"Even if he holds off Max Iheanachor for a year, the time will eventually come when [Trent] Brown retires, and the Texans would have a replacement in the building."
29. Kansas City Chiefs
USA TODAY Sports: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
CBS Sports: CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
Pro Football Focus: Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
USA TODAY Sports:"McCoy has legitimate top-10 talent, but his draft stock could be somewhat volatile after he missed all of last season following a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in January 2025."
Pro Football Focus:"Howell has the second-shortest arms ever recorded for an edge defender (30 1/4 inches), but he logged 90.0-plus PFF pass-rush grades in three consecutive seasons."
USA TODAY Sports:"Cooper is one of college football's premier threats at racking up yards after the catch and making things happen with the ball in his hands. That sure sounds like the kind of threat that Sean Payton would relish being able to deploy."
CBS Sports:"Denver had been searching for help at wide receiver prior to last year's trade deadline. The Broncos fell short in their pursuit of Jaylen Waddle and others but now take matters into their own hands with the selection of KC Concepcion."
Greg Newsome II has no intention of leaving New York anytime soon.
Newsome told reporters on Friday that he looks forward to spending the rest of his career with the New York Giants after signing with the team in free agency.
"This was one of the most important teams for me to go to. I just felt like from leaving Cleveland to going to Jacksonville, I didn't finish the way that I wanted to, so I assumed that this could be a possibility to sign a one year," he said. "I'm excited to be here. I feel like this is an opportunity for me to be here long-term.
"There (were) other places that could have had a little bit (of a) longer-term deal, but I wanted to be here, and I wanted to showcase myself in front of the New York fan base and my coaches and players. I'm excited to start fresh here now and hopefully, we get something done where I can retire a Giant, because that's what I want to do."
Newsome agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $10 million with the Giants earlier this week. The team announced the official signing on Friday.
The 25-year-old cornerback recorded one interception, nine passes defensed, and two tackles for loss in 2025 while playing for the Cleveland Browns and the Jacksonville Jaguars. He spent his first four NFL seasons with the Browns, the team that drafted him with the No. 26 overall pick in 2021.
Now joining his third team in two years, the Illinois native hopes to make his stay in New York a lasting one and remain with the Giants for the duration of his NFL career.
It’s time to pick the Hometown Life Prep Athlete of the Week!
Check out this week’s nominees and cast your vote — polls are open until Friday, and you can vote as often as you like. (Votes may take a moment to show up.)
Got a standout athlete to nominate? Email bfolsom@gannett.com with their stats and a brief note on their impact.
Reminder: HTL covers teams in Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Canton, Commerce Twp., Farmington, Farmington Hills, Garden City, Livonia, Milford, Northville, Novi, Plymouth, Redford, South Lyon, Wayne, Walled Lake, Westland, White Lake and Wixom.
Zoe Repotski, Northville: Scored three goals in a 9-1 win over St. Clair Shores in the Division 3 girls hockey state championship.
Isabella Sapia, Livonia Stevenson: Scored 12 points in a 58-42 loss to Detroit Renaissance in the Division 1 girls basketball regional semifinal.
Micah Darling, Wayne Memorial: Contributed 12 points in an 80-65 win over Birmingham Groves in the Division 1 girls basketball regional semifinal.
Julia Audebeau, Birmingham Groves: Made a trio of 3-pointers and finished with nine points in an 80-65 loss to Wayne Memorial in the Division 1 girls basketball regional semifinal.
Mack Reid, South Lyon East: Led with 29 points in a 65-61 double overtime win over Saline in the Division 1 girls basketball regional semifinal.
Lauren Scott, Plymouth Christian Academy: Totaled 20 points, four rebounds, three steals in a 60-55 win over Rochester Hill Lutheran Northwest in the Division 3 girls basketball regional semifinal. Also had 20 points, six rebounds and four steals in a 58-52 win over Dearborn Heights Robichaud in the regional final.
Trevor Smith, Brother Rice: Pitched in 10 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three rebounds in an 88-59 win over Wayne Memorial in the Division 1 boys basketball quarterfinal.
Cyrus Goins, Wayne Memorial: Helped with 20 points in an 88-59 loss to Brother Rice in the Division 1 boys basketball quarterfinal.
Naiya Krispin, Detroit Country Day: Led all scorers with 16 points in a 68-32 win over Harper Woods Chandler Park in the Division 2 girls basketball regional final.
Jordan McDaniel, Brother Rice: Scored a game-high 31 points in a 55-52 loss to East Lansing in the Division 1 boys basketball state semifinal.
Brandon Folsom covers high school sports in metro Detroit for Hometown Life. Follow him on his new X.com account at @folsomwrites.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida — Rory McIlroy completely dismisses the theory that players who participate in TGL are more susceptible to back injuries.
McIlroy, who lives in Jupiter, is one of a handful of marquee TGL players who have had back issues, including Collin Morikawa, who withdrew from The Players Championship after just one hole.
"It's a little more travel for the guys, a little more," said McIlroy, a co-founder along with Tiger Woods of the indoor, high-tech league played in Palm Beach Gardens.
"To put it solely on that is preposterous. No,"
McIlroy, the No. 2 player in the world, withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational before the third round and decided the morning of the first round of The Players Championship that he would play.
McIlroy shot a 1-under 71 in the second round of The Players on March 13, which should allow him to make the cut at 1-over. He said TGL players are not overswinging because their shot metrics are displayed on the scoreboard.
"My ball speed on Tour is way faster than it is in TGL," he said.
McIlroy, Morikawa, Sahith Theegala, Billy Horschel and Justin Thomas are among TGL players who have had back issues since the league's debut season in 2025.
Rory McIlroy plans to compete in next week's TGL playoffs
Barring a setback during the weekend at The Players, McIlroy plans to play in the TGL playoffs, which begin March 17.
But he does not believe we will see a showdown between the two co-founders.
McIlroy's Boston Common and Woods' Jupiter Links meet in the semifinals at the SoFi Center, one year after they were the only two teams not to make the playoffs.
"The plan is hopefully to play," McIlroy said. "I'll see how I'm feeling. But yes."
McIlroy was asked if he believes we'll see Woods play for the first time this season.
"No. Absolutely, no," he said. Before adding, "I don't think so."
Woods had disc replacement surgery Oct. 10 and was hoping to join his team for at least one match at the end of the season.
The winner of the Jupiter-Boston TGL semifinal faces the winner of the Atlanta Drive-Los Angeles Golf Club semifinal in the best-of-3 finals that start March 23.
Although Tiger has yet to play, he has attended every Jupiter match this season.
Tom D'Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at tdangelo@pbpost.com.
Strickland (30-7 MMA, 17-7 UFC) needed just one win to re-enter the title picture after his second championship loss to Du Plessis at UFC 312. He rebounded with a TKO finish of Anthony Hernandez in the UFC Fight Night 267 headliner.
Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland odds
According to Ceasars, Chimaev is a big -425 favorite to beat former champ Strickland, who is a +290 underdog.
How to watch Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland at UFC 328
Over Jedd Fisch's first two seasons at the helm with the Washington Huskies, he has hosted several special visitors to headline the program's annual coaches clinic.
During his first year, the Huskies had eight-time Super Bowl champion (and now North Carolina head coach) Bill Belichick, two-time national champion and Super Bowl champion Pete Carroll, and Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider as the keynote speakers. Then, in 2025, Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, defensive coordinator Chris Shula, and two-time Super Bowl champion Mike Shanahan headline the event.
Now in 2026, the Huskies have announced former Auburn head coach and Florida State offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn as one of the event's keynote speakers, which will take place on April 3-4.
Before earning his first head coaching position at Arkansas State in 2012, Malzahn won a national championship as the offensive coordinator of the Auburn Tigers in 2010 while guiding quarterback Cam Newton to the Heisman Trophy, for whom Fisch acted as the position coach in 2020 with the New England Patriots before he took the head coaching job with the Arizona Wildcats.
After Malzahn was rehired by the Tigers in 2013 as the head coach, he spent eight seasons at the helm of the SEC program. He was named the 2013 Coach of the Year by six different outlets and produced winning seasons in all eight years, going 68-35 before he was fired at the end of the 2020 season.
He was then hired at Central Florida, where he went 28-24 over the next four years to bring his career record to 105-62 before he resigned following the 2024 season and took the offensive coordinator position. Malzahn spent one year in Tallahassee before announcing his retirement, but led the Seminoles to the third-best scoring offense in the ACC, averaging 33 points per game.
During the recent episode of the New Heights podcast, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce commented on whether or not Patrick Mahomes’s injury played a factor in his decision to return for the 2026 season.
“I knew that Pat (Mahomes) was going to be Pat, and he’s gonna work his (f******) tail off to get back and be at his best. I knew that was a no-brainer. I knew Coach (Andy) Reid was gonna make adjustments,” said Kelce, “I knew (Brett) Veach is gonna do his best to get the best guys in here. We’ve got Eric Bieniemy, one of my favorite coaches of all (f******) time, coming back into the building. But outside of I wanted to take a step back from all of that, because that adds to the emotion of wanting to play again.”
Kelce believes Mahomes will be back and effective to start the new season, but also praised other members of the team as key factors in his return.
“You list these pros and cons, and all of a sudden, we get all these good pieces,” said Kelce, “But where’s my body at, and where is my like, mental like, determination, my focus, my love for the game, all of that still there. So once I let that kind of settle, and the coaches and the Kansas City Chiefs knew all that going into the offseason.”
Kelce finished last season with 78 catches for 851 yards and five touchdowns. He was on pace for potentially eclipsing 1,000 yards before Mahomes’ knee injury in Week 15.
The Denver Broncos took three big risks last year when they signed a trio of free agents with notable injury histories.
Denver signed safety Talanoa Hufanga, linebacker Dre Greenlaw and tight end Evan Engram in 2025. Those three deals resulted in one big hit, one big bust and one mixed result. Hufanga earned a second-team All-Pro nod, but Greenlaw missed more than half the season and was cut in 2026. Engram only missed one game, but his production was underwhelming.
During his end-of-season press conference in January, Broncos general manager George Paton was asked about the team's process for signing free agents with a history of injuries.
“I think we have a really good process," Paton said. "I think you evaluate each player differently. You don’t want to bring in a bunch of guys who have been hurt, but with Beau Lowery and our medical department, we feel really strong about their opinion.
"If someone has been hurt somewhere else, maybe we feel like we can get them going, and we’ll have a plan, not that other teams don’t. We just feel really strongly about our medical team and our sports performance team where we can bring someone into our environment and they can thrive. I think they have.”
Hufanga certainly thrived, and Engram stayed healthy for most of the season. Greenlaw was the one big miss. So after taking three big risks in 2025, Denver's bringing back two of the players in 2026. Is hitting on two of three considered an acceptable success rate? That's a question only the team's front office can answer.
Formula 1 fans, rejoice — the 2026 season is in full force. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to tune into the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend, including on the radio.
The Australian Grand Prix kicked off the 2026 campaign in Melbourne last weekend, with Mercedes making a statement. George Russell and Kimi Antonelli swept up the first and second finishes, with Ferrari following. McLaren and Red Bull are still looking to hit their stride with the new car regulations.
This weekend's race at Shanghai International Circuit could be a chance at redemption for several drivers, including Oscar Piastri, who had a devastating pre-race crash at his home event on Sunday. Defending champion Lando Norris will look to improve from a fifth-place finish, as well as Lewis Hamilton following an unfortunate double disqualification in this race last year.
Who will be dominant in China?
Here's how to listen to the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix on the radio, including schedule and station for the Formula 1 race.
The broadcast of the full race is available through satellite channel 205 and streaming on the SiriusXM app.
SiriusXM listeners will have access to English-language broadcasts, namely the BBC 5 Live radio broadcast, for each event, with full build-up and post-race coverage also provided by the Speed City F1 Show.
All Formula 1 races, Sprint events, and qualifying sessions are available via SiriusXM channel 205 (for car radios) as well as the SiriusXM app to follow the action from wherever you are.
Chinese Grand Prix 2026 start time
The 2026 Chinese Grand Prix will take place at the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China on Sunday, March 15 and will begin at 3:00 p.m. local time.
Here's how that start time translates across North America:
Le’Veon Bell made a surprise appearance at an Adin Ross event to publicly call out Logan Paul, accusing the YouTuber-turned-boxer of avoiding their proposed fight.
The former NFL star interrupted the event to confront the situation head-on.
Bell has been pushing for a boxing match with Paul for months, and the moment quickly went viral online.
Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Le’Veon Bell crashes Adin Ross stream to accuse Logan Paul of ducking
The confrontation unfolded during an event hosted by streamer Adin Ross, with footage circulating online including a clip posted on X showing Bell storming in and calling out Paul in front of the audience.
“Man, Logan ducked on me. Everybody saw Logan ducking me. You [Adin Ross] gotta get Logan here. … Is that what happened or he’s trying to trick and fool everybody?” Bell said.
Bell has repeatedly challenged Paul to a boxing match and has even trained seriously for the potential bout, believing the crossover fight could attract huge attention.
The moment at Ross’s event added another chapter to the ongoing feud as Bell continued to insist the fight should still happen.
Why the Le’Veon Bell Logan Paul fight never happened
The proposed fight between Bell and Paul had gained traction online before ultimately falling apart.
Bell had been campaigning for the matchup after transitioning from football to combat sports, even competing in boxing and MMA exhibitions while trying to secure a high-profile opponent.
However, Logan Paul shifted his focus toward other opportunities, including his commitments with WWE and other entertainment ventures, which prevented the fight from materializing.
“I find your coach full of s___. I find Logan full of s___. I feel like they see, I’m ready to fight, but he wanted to duck. He don’t want no smoke. That’s what it is,” Bell further added.
The rivalry continues to simmer online, with Bell still pushing for the fight while Paul has yet to publicly commit to the matchup.
His golf game in general is in excellent shape right now but he’s simply not scoring as well as he should be.
That has very much been the case over the past few seasons really.
And judging by his stats, there is one root cause of his problems.
Jordan Spieth should trial a new mallet putter
Spieth’s struggles over the past few years have stemmed from his poor putting.
In fact, Spieth has finished outside the top 100 in strokes gained putting three times and outside the top 60 twice over the past seven seasons.
He has shown slight improvements on the greens on the PGA Tour this season and is ranked 17th in strokes gained putting in 2026.
However, he has struggled once again on the greens at The Players Championship, losing 0.460 strokes to the field.
The 13-time PGA Tour winner is a rare commodity in this day and age in the sense that he still uses a blade putter.
Many of the world’s best golfers have switched to mallet models over the past few years in an effort to become more consistent putters.
Players like Scottie Scheffler, Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy have all vastly improved their putting in recent times and they all put that down to the mallet putter.
Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Maybe it’s time for Spieth to follow those guys and make a switch in the putting department.
Spieth has played around with mallet models during practice at times throughout the years, but he has only used a deeper-faced putter once during a tournament.
The 32-year-old from Dallas, Texas, trialled a Scotty Cameron T5W Tour Only mallet putter at the Byron Nelson Classic in 2017, but the experiment didn’t last long.
Spieth put his trusty Scotty Cameron 009 Tour Prototype back in his bag immediately after the Byron Nelson finished.
Jordan Spieth must give a new putter time to work
The fact that he switched back so quickly doesn’t bode well but he should consider making the change on a long-term basis now.
It’s fair to say that Spieth didn’t give the mallet putter a sufficient chance back in 2017, but he has struggled so badly on the greens recently that a change of equipment is exactly what he needs.
A common misconception is that Spieth is a poor driver of the golf ball. In fact, he is quite the opposite.
He was ranked 15th in strokes gained off the tee in 2024 and has finished outside the top 38 only once since 2021.
Spieth’s main issue over the past seven years has been his putting. This is no a mini-blip, it’s a prolonged period of time where his trusty old putter has failed him.
It’s time for the three-time major champion to make a big move by adding a mallet putter to his bag.
He may find it hard to move on from his Scotty Cameron 009 Tour Prototype, but a mallet should theoretically help him win again and that should be all that matters.
PurplePTSD works in partnership with Vikings Territory, similarly doing their utmost to offer top-notch coverage of the Minnesota Vikings. As a result, we’re promoting five of their top articles of the past month in “The P/PTSD Perspective.” Take a peek at some of their best stuff.
Oct 30, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell congratulates tight end Johnny Mundt (86) after his first career touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
2) Vikings Suddenly Hold Major Leverage: Good chance that Mr. Greenard sticks around. Capable pass rushers are hard to acquire. Even harder is getting capable pass rushers who are operating on strong contracts and who provide excellent leadership. Kicking over some added compensation to keep him happy makes sense.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell chats with cornerback Tavierre Thomas before kickoff at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn., Aug. 9, 2025, as the Vikings prepare to face the Houston Texans during preseason action. O’Connell surveys warmups while addressing Thomas along the sideline inside the stadium moments before the game begins. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
4) Vikings See a Young, Ascending Talent Stolen Away: The price tag is large. But, to be sure, Ryan Wright has improved a ton over his career (and may still have more development in front of him). Wish him well in New Orleans. Meanwhile, the Vikings are on the hunt for a new punter.
5) Kyler Murray Sweepstakes Looking Like a Two-Horse Race: The final race may have simply been the Vikings competing against themselves. Going to Pittsburgh made sense insofar as there’s a QB need alongside a roster that’s looking to compete. The Vikings, though, make a lot more sense.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) lines up on offense at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, during the regular-season matchup played on Oct. 24, 2021, between the Cardinals and Houston Texans. Murray surveys the defense before the snap while directing Arizona’s offense in the cross-conference contest. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 13: John Blackwell #25 and Nick Boyd #2 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrate against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 13, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
CHICAGO — John Blackwell was working out by himself during his first day back in Madison over the summer when he saw his newest teammate on the other side of the gym. Blackwell had heard good things about Nick Boyd, but he wasn’t about to turn on the tape for incoming transfers when he could get his own first impression. Blackwell approached Boyd and asked if he wanted to play one-on-one.
“He was kicking my ass at first,” Blackwell said at the 2026 men’s Big Ten tournament. “Then I started to get into a rhythm. I knew from then he was going to be really good.”
Boyd had played with a lot of great guards in his previous stops at Florida Atlantic and San Diego State, so he wasn’t going to be easily impressed. It took the heat of a one-on-one battle against his new teammate to win him over.
“I went up big on him and then he came all the way back and beat me,” Boyd said. “I went home with scratches on my back and stuff like that. I remember thinking, damn, he’s actually nice.”
Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard liked the idea of pitting his two best players against each other. When Wisconsin started full team workouts in August, he split up Boyd and Blackwell on separate teams for scrimmages. Teammates remember them going at each other relentlessly, and couldn’t wait to see what they could do on the same team.
Wisconsin beat Illinois in overtime, 91-88, on Friday to punch their ticket to the Big Ten tournament semifinals. Michigan is next up, but not even the consensus No. 1 team in the country should feel comfortable going against Boyd and Blackwell. The Wisconsin duo believes it’s the best backcourt in the country, and they proved it in their ridiculous comeback win against an Illini team with Final Four aspirations.
Illinois led by 15 points with just over 11 minutes left. The United Center was rocking with plenty of orange shirts dotting the crowd, but the Badgers weren’t about to let them start celebrating early. Boyd and Blackwell took over from there, splashing shot over shot to continue to trim the deficit.
Wisconsin scored 48 points in the second half to send the game to overtime. Boyd and Blackwell scored 41 of them. Overtime opened with driving layup by Boyd, then a Boyd floater. Blackwell added some free throws that iced the improbable win.
Boyd ended the game with 38 points, six assists, and five rebounds on 12-of-20 shooting from the floor. Blackwell had 31 points and six rebounds on 9-of-17 shooting from the field. ‘The Killer B’s” had 50 out of 61 points for Wisconsin after halftime to turn a certain loss into another matchup with Michigan.
Boyd and Blackwell were just as spectacular in Wisconsin’s first win at the Big Ten tournament, an 85-82 thriller over Washington. They combined for 57 points in that afternoon, and had Washington coach Danny Sprinkle openly wondering if they were the best backcourt in America after the final buzzer. The comeback win over the Illini only adds more proof.
Boyd and Blackwell are opposites in many ways. Boyd is on his third school in five years, and he never stops talking trash on the court. Blackwell is more considerate with his words. He committed to Wisconsin as a three-star recruit back in 2022 as the lone power conference school to offer him, and he’s been loyal to the Badgers since.
Boyd played in the 2023 Final Four at Florida Atlantic for current Michigan head coach Dusty May. After May bounced following the next season, Boyd went to San Diego State, the team FAU lost to in that Final Four. He helped the Aztecs make the NCAA tournament last year, but he felt like he had more to offer.
What drew him to Wisconsin?
“I think, no doubt the toughness,” Boyd said after the win. “My uncle was like, man, you need to go to the cold. You’ve only been in hot places. That’s something I learned to embrace.”
The Badgers needed a replacement for John Tonje, who turned his only season in Madison into a Second-Team All-American campaign. Tonje was one of the best players in the country last season, and it would have been understandable if Wisconsin couldn’t hit the jackpot in the transfer portal for the second straight year. Blackwell was ready to be the leader of the team after averaging 15.8 points per game as a sophomore last year, but he quickly saw that Boyd was going to be special in his own right even if his game wasn’t all that similar to the bigger Tonje.
“The way he got downhill, the way he was playing physical, he was shooting a lot more threes in practice,” Blackwell recalls of Boyd. “I was like man, we can be sharpshooters.”
Wisconsin put two elite guards together with three other shooters on the floor at all times. The scary thing for their future opponents is that the Badgers just beat a very good Illinois team without anyone else shooting well. Without co-star big man Nolan Winter in the lineup on Friday, Wisconsin shot just 10-of-41 (24 percent) from three, and still had a huge comeback win.
Michigan knows exactly how good Wisconsin’s backcourt can be. The Wolverines were 14-0 when they came to Madison in Jan. and suffered their first loss of the season. Boyd and Blackwell combined for 48 points in that win. If they can beat Michigan, they can beat anyone.
The Badgers don’t have much margin for error. If Boyd or Blackwell has an off-night, they could struggle to score. That hasn’t happened very often this season, though, and it’s produced the country’s No. 9 offense, per KenPom.
Guard play wins in March. Try to find a better backcourt duo than the one in Wisconsin, and you’re going to be looking for a long, long time.
Jun 30, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Trevor Rogers (28) pitches against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Good morning Birdland,
MLB’s regular season is inching ever closer. The World Baseball Classic will wrap up in just a few days. The Grapefruit League enters its final week. And the Orioles have named an Opening Day starter.
Team USA is still alive in the WBC, although the road has not been as easy as they probably expected it to be. They had to sweat out the final game of Pool play in order to squeak into the quarterfinals. That set the stage for a matchup with Canada on Friday night. That was a game they ultimately won 5-3, and now they will face a very impressive Dominican Republic squad on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET. Even if you aren’t a WBC fan overall, that is a game worth checking out. Will USA skipper Mark DeRosa come to his senses and put Gunnar Henderson (5-for-10, home run) in the lineup ahead of Alex Bregman (2-for-11, five walks)? Don’t count on it.
One week from today, the Orioles will play their final game in Florida. After that, they are due to head north for a home-and-home pair of exhibition games with the nearby Nationals. Those will be the last tune ups before Opening Day on March 26. It’s practically right around the corner!
And we now know who will be pitching for the Orioles on March 26. The team announced on Friday that Trevor Rogers will take the hill as the unofficial “ace” of the staff. On one hand, it’s no surprise to give a veteran coming off of a Cy Young-contending season the Opening Day start. But on the other, Kyle Bradish is far more established within Baltimore, and still felt like the favorite to a degree coming into camp. Instead it looks like he will get to work in Game 2 of the year.
In the meantime, there is still plenty of baseball to watch. In the WBC, Puerto Rico and Italy will play at 3 p.m. ET, while Venezuela and Japan meet up at 9 p.m. ET. The Orioles will head to Bradenton for a 1:05 p.m. first pitch against the Pirates. Rogers will be on the bump.
Links
Gunnar Henderson, underrated? WBC treatment is puzzling for Orioles star | The Capital Gazette Bregman is still a good player, but he is years past his prime. Meanwhile, Henderson might still be ascending. There is no question about who is the better player right now. The only arguments for Bregman being in the lineup is that he has more experience, has won big tournaments (World Series), and he plays third base everyday. And I will say that those are not without merit. Would I still pick Henderson? Yes, but I am openly biased.
How the Orioles built a potentially special draft class of pitchers in 2023 | The Baltimore Banner The Mike Elias era of Orioles baseball is not without its pitching success stories. Bradish was plucked from the Angels when many saw him as a relief pitcher long term. Rogers has found a new level in Baltimore. Dean Kremer has been far more productive than many expected when he was a prospect. But the team has not really built a player from draft pick up to impact big leaguer yet. Maybe that changes soon.
Trying to learn more about Albernaz’s leadoff plans, Jackson on playing second base, teammates happy about Rogers’ Opening Day start | Roch Kubatko The lead off consideration is interesting. The team probably still wants Jackson Holliday to be that guy at some point, but he’s hurt and still needs to prove some things at the big league level. Given the current state of the team, I would probably go with Henderson. It feels like a waste for his power potential, but he does so many things well on offense. For me, he is the best choice to set the table ahead of Taylor Ward and Pete Alonso.
As the week has progressed, Broncos Country has seen its team play one song and one song only: “Run it back”. Looking at most fan engagement out in the wild, the most common thing I’ve seen is wailing, gnashing of teeth, and rending of clothes in dark places.
At some level, I’m with you all. I honestly expected some upgrades in free agency. I like to look at what the team does and try to make sense of it at some level, so let’s dig in:
The Broncos are embracing culture
One of my favorite things about what Sean Payton has done with this team since taking over is that he’s been building the culture back up. Being a Bronco can and should mean something. Teams that feel an actual sense of brotherhood tend to be the teams that are perennial playoff contenders.
Regardless of what you might say about the roster’s talent level, I am a big believer that all the guys in that locker room are buying into the Broncos’ culture.
There is a value in keeping the team’s culture intact that is immeasurable. Bringing back together a team that showed their ability to go all the way, winning close game after close game through sheer will to make plays for each other, is a viable option.
It isn’t all roses
While George Paton has mostly signed back the team we saw in 2025, it is worth noting that some guys are gone. John Franklin-Myers is now a Titan. P.J. Locke is now a Cowboy. Dre Greenlaw will be a 49er this season. While Greenlaw didn’t seem to be a great fit, Locke and Franklin-Myers will be missed.
Going back to my free agency review, I put our ILB position now at a 3, with no changes to defensive linemen (4.5) and safety (3).
The biggest talent issue we have on the roster is easily Alex Singleton. I saw him chirping about wanting to go over the All-22 with fans, and I’m not sure that’s a wise move. He’s one of the poorest pass coverage linebackers I’ve seen who’s considered a starter. The stats show that, the eyetest shows that, and quarterbacks love to throw on him. He does know this defense well. That’s the big thing he brings to the table, which keeps Vance Joseph from needing to find a new guy that can handle that aspect of the game.
The Broncos also know they need to upgrade the running back room. Plans for both Breece Hall and Travis Etienne Jr. fell through. This left them with their B-plan, which is banking on JK Dobbins staying healthy and drafting a fresh set of legs. Of all the “more of the same” moves the team made, this is one I’m pretty fond of. If Dobbins finds a way to stay healthy through the whole season, I wouldn’t be surprised if he led the NFL in rushing. He’s that good.
The Broncos are in a championship window
It is worth noting that this team was one ankle injury away from being in the Super Bowl. The roster, as it stands, can compete with any team in the NFL. Every year, Bo Nix is getting better (which should scare our opponents, honestly). This young roster is going to keep improving as well.
I’ve had tons to say about the drops of many of our wide receivers, the lack of play-making from our running backs, and some bad angles being taken by young players on our defense. Every year, they get to work on their craft. The guys who keep putting in the time will reap the rewards by eliminating mistakes in the future. Sean Payton is an excellent coach who employs excellent coaches who look to upgrade the players that play for them each and every offseason.
Final thoughts
I don’t for a second think that the Broncos are done. I think what we’re seeing is that the team is interested in building a winning culture. While they had some excess cap space this year, they chose to reward the players who have been putting in the time with this young team instead of throwing it to guys who have been playing elsewhere.
I do think they will bring in some fresh players, but it will continue to be more of the reasonably priced free agents instead of the premier guys who sign in the first week of free agency.
As always, Payton is going to focus on bringing in smart players who can handle the systems they run. He’s also not going to bring in negative influences to the locker room.
As fans, we don’t always see eye-to-eye with what the team is doing. That is to be expected. That’s half the fun of being a fan. We get to say, “I told you so,” when moves don’t work out. We also get to say, “I guess they know more than we do,” when they do.
Hopefully, this year will see more of the latter. Hit me up in the comments and let me know what you think about our offseason so far.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 13: (L-R) Kevin Vallejos of Argentina knocks out Giga Chikadze of Georgia in a featherweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on December 13, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Kevin Vallejos is on the rise.
That’s certainly how the UFC has positioned him Saturday as he looks to knock off featherweight mainstay Josh Emmett in the main event. Emmett, who turned 41 in March, is at the end of his career, but a win over him would still be a meaningful addition to Vallejos’ growing hit list.
To put things in perspective, when Vallejos made his pro debut in 2021, Emmett was in the middle of a five-fight win streak that culminated in him challenging for an interim featherweight title at UFC 284. He fell short against Yair Rodriguez and it’s been tough sledding for Emmett since, with just one win in his past five outings.
Meanwhile, Vallejos has all the makings of a future champion. The 24-year-old Argentinian made a splash in his first Dana White Contender Series appearance, losing a competitive decision to Jean Silva, before earning a contract in his second go-around. He hasn’t slowed down, winning three straight to kick off his UFC career, most recently stopping longtime contender Giga Chikadze, and the stage is set for him to shine in his first headlining opportunity inside the octagon.
Let’s see if Emmett can turn back the clock—and another budding prospect—one more time.
What: UFC Vegas 114
Where: Meta Apex in Las Vegas
When: Saturday, March 14. The eight-fight early preliminary card begins at 5 p.m. ET, followed by a six-fight main card at 8 p.m. ET. The entire event streams live on Paramount+.
It sounds like folks aren’t asking whether Kevin Vallejos can beat Josh Emmett, but how.
In his 25-fight career, Emmett has only been KO’d once, by none other than Jeremy Stephens. Once upon a time he went the full five rounds with Ilia Topuria, and he’s gotten the better of strikers Calvin Kattar, Shane Burgos, and Michael Johnson, among others. Let’s show the man some respect.
Vallejos is dynamite on the feet, so his job is to not only find the cracks in Emmett’s historically sturdy chin, but keep this one standing if Emmett makes the smart choice and mixes in some wrestling. It’s difficult to ignore the glaring age gap here and how Vallejos’ speed and stamina will help him outlast Emmett even if the veteran gets off to a fast start.
I truly hate to count Emmett out, but the writing is on the wall here, and while I don’t know if Vallejos can just one-shot KO him, he will likely put him away with a barrage of strikes in the second or third round.
Pick: Vallejos
Amanda Lemos (6) vs. Gillian Robertson (11)
We got unfinished business with this fight. Amanda Lemos and Gillian Robertson were originally scheduled to fight this past December, but the matchup was pulled on fight day due to a medical issue on Lemos’ side. The good news is the timing could still work out for them if we assume Mackenzie Dern defends the strawweight title against Zhang Weili sometime this year. Saturday’s winner would line up nicely as the next championship challenger at 115 pounds.
Fans (especially some biased Canadians, ahem) are probably hoping to see Robertson come out on top, given that Lemos has had her crack at Zhang already and also fought Dern at UFC 298. Robertson was a fun watch at 125 pounds, racking up finishes while never quite putting together a consistent run, but since she dropped down to 115 she’s gone 5-1 and been a breath of fresh air for the division. Her grappling remains her bread-and-butter, so expect her to go full Charles Oliveira in this one rather than stand and bang it out with Lemos.
Speaking of finishers, that’s how Lemos built her reputation as well, though it’s been a while since she’s found her knockout or submission touch. She’s aggressive right out of the gate, so I’m curious to see how Robertson deals with that pressure. Like Lemos’ previous opponent Tatiana Suarez, Robertson could neutralize Lemos with her wrestling, but she doesn’t have Suarez’s takedown skills so this one could see some ugly stalemates against the fence.
Lemos is Robertson’s biggest test yet at strawweight by a considerable margin, but I’m looking for her to make a statement with a bullying effort on the ground and a second-round submission.
Pick: Robertson
Ion Cutelaba vs. Oumar Sy
Ah yes, we’ve reached the Ion Cutelaba portion of the predictions where I have to pretend I know what’s going to happen in a Ion Cutelaba fight.
Which version of Cutelaba are we getting tonight? The berserker that’s allergic to scorecards or the actual martial artist capable of sticking to a game plan? And which version has a better chance of beating Oumar Sy?
It might not be up to him. Sy is a rapidly improving fighter with excellent physical tools and I expect him to dictate the range early on. He can make this a wrestling match if he wants to, or use his in-and-out movement to swat at Cutelaba until he finds an opening. Cutelaba is always dangerous, so it might be Sy who has to take a few risks to put Cutelaba away before the Moldovan veteran catches him.
I expect Cutelaba to have his moments, but Sy’s composure and athleticism will carry him through the rough spots until he takes control of the fight and finishes late in the first or early in the second.
Pick: Sy
Andre Fili vs. Jose Miguel Delgado
I’d be tempted to pick Andre Fili here… if Jose Miguel Delgado wasn’t coming off of an illuminatingnloss.
Delgado dropped a thrilling decision to Nathaniel Wood in his most recent outing, a contest with wild swings in momentum that saw both fighters reach down deep in search of the win. The more experienced Wood pulled it out, but Delgado had to have learned a ton from those 15 minutes, especially when it comes to defense. We know Delgado hits hard and fast. If he can learn to be more patient, he has legitimate top 10 potential.
Like Emmett, Fili is in the litmus test phase of his career. His job is to push Delgado and you can bet he’ll put the younger fighter through the paces. Fili is smart, can take a hit, and his technical striking will frustrate Delgado on more than one occasion. If Delgado can adapt on the fly, he’ll unlock another level to his game.
Once again, I’m going with a younger featherweight to prevail, confident that five months in the lab were enough for Delgado to address his weaknesses. If he hasn’t, Fili is a live underdog.
Delgado by decision.
Pick: Delgado
Marwan Rahiki vs. Harry Hardwick
Marwan Rahiki is far from a perfect prospect, but his lanky frame is well suited for the featherweight division and his free-flowing style has drawn comparisons to Sean O’Malley. He hasn’t had a rapid rise to the UFC like O’Malley; rather, his past two fights have shown he has mettle to go along with his talents.
The same could be said of Harry Hardwick, a hittable fighter who has willed himself to some impressive wins. No pun intended, Hardwick rarely does things the easy way and he’ll welcome a dogfight with Rahiki if it comes to it. The former Cage Warriors featherweight champion will look to take Rahiki down and wear him out on the ground, while also exchanging freely with him on the feet.
Rahiki likes throwing spinning stuff and you can assume he’s looking to put on a show in his UFC debut. I don’t know if he’ll catch Hardwick with one of his flashy strikes, but I like his chances of finding the range at some point in the first round and then proceeding to go for the kill.
Pick: Rahiki
Vitor Petrino vs. Steven Asplund
I might be more intrigued by Vitor Petrino at heavyweight in theory as opposed to actual results so far.
Making a move up was a decent idea for Petrino, who wasn’t the best athlete at 205 pounds and probably hated cutting all that weight anyway, so why not go to a division where you might be able to skill out a few wins? That’s been the case so far in his nods over Thomas Petersen and Austen Lane, both of whom failed to make it to the final bell against Petrino.
Steven Asplund is all kinds of funky. He’ll have size on Petrino, but I’m not sure he can actually take advantage of it. He’s high volume and deals well with adversity, just an old-fashioned big guy scrapper. If that sounds unspectacular, it is, but it could also take him far in the modern heavyweight landscape. I see Asplund either being out of the UFC by next year or becoming a top 10 contender. There’s no in between.
In this instance, I favor Petrino to take this fight to the mat and dominate Asplund. Grit can only take you so far, so once Petrino is on top of Asplund, breathing fire and going for chokes, it won’t be long until he finds a submission despite Asplund’s best efforts.
The Brewers continue to be underestimated by analysts year after year. However, this season, they might be right. Milwaukee traded away Rookie of the Year finalist Caleb Durbin and now Rengifo will likely take over third base duties. They also traded Isaac Collins to the Kansas City Royals so Lockridge figures to fill the final outfield spot.
But the Brew Crew still has superstars Chourio and Turang alongside veteran slugger Yelich. If anyone can beat the expectations, it’s the club who’s beat them again and again.
Chicago Cubs
C Carson Kelly
1B Michael Busch
2B Nico Hoerner
SS Dansby Swanson
3B Alex Bregman
OF Ian Happ
OF Pete Crow-Armstrong
OF Seiya Suzuki
DH Matt Shaw
Apart from the massive free agency pickup of Alex Bregman, the Cubs are largely running it back. But it’s important to remember that this is a Cubs group that just made the playoffs for the first time in five years.
In spite of Crow-Armstrong’s dismal second half, he still put up a 31-35 season and is a superstar in center field. The defensive makeup of this team is incredible at limiting runs and shortening games. Sure, free agent Kyle Tucker left for the Los Angeles Dodgers but it’ll be great to see Bregman producing in his place.
Beyond that MLB’s number one prospect, Konnor Griffin, is expected to make his debut this season and has been raking this spring. With slugger Oneil Cruz returning as well (and top prospect Joey Bart joining the catching tandem with Davis), this lineup looks deadly.
MLB top prospect JJ Wetherholt will make his debut at second base alongside returners like Winn, Gorman, and Scott II. Cards fans don’t need to concern themselves with postseason aspirations but they have lots of young talent that will keep games exciting during the regular season.
Cincinnati Reds
C Jose Trevino
1B Sal Stewart
2B Matt McLain
SS Elly de la Cruz
3B Ke’Bryan Hayes
OF TJ Friedl
OF Noelvi Marte
OF JJ Bleday
DH Eugenio Suarez
In case you forgot, the Reds actually made the playoffs last year! After shocking the New York Mets via a tiebreaker on the final day of regular season play, they got bounced by the eventual World Series-winning Dodgers in the first round.
Cincinnati picked up free agents Eugenio Suárez and JJ Bleday to add some pop to their lineup. They’re also hoping for superstar Elly de la Cruz to finally put it all together, and for top prospect Stewart to show his skills in his first full season after impressing in 18 games last year.
Nov 9, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers tight end Tyler Conklin (83) carries the ball defended by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) during the third quarter of the game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
After adding two players to their offensive line and signing a bruising running back through the first two days of free agency, the Detroit Lions added more depth on offense by signing veteran tight end Tyler Conklin. With Drew Petzing at the helm of the Lions offense and his penchant for deploying 13 personnel, finding a reliable veteran tight end with a balanced skill set was an under-the-radar priority this offseason.
Origin story
Originally from Chesterfield, Michigan, Conklin attended L’Anse Creuse North High School and began his college career in 2013 as a basketball player at Northwood University. After his freshman season, Conklin elected to walk away from his full scholarship to walk-on at Central Michigan University, eventually earning a scholarship in 2015 and a starting role in 2016. After two successful seasons as a starter, Conklin was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round (pick No. 157) of the 2018 NFL Draft.
During his first two seasons in Minnesota, Conklin would cross paths with current Lions offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, who was coaching quarterbacks and wide receivers at the time. Over his four-year career with the Vikings, Conklin would play in 64 games, starting 21, and steadily increased his role on offense, including registering 61 receptions for 593 yards and three touchdowns in his final season.
In 2022 free agency, Conklin joined the Jets, and over the next three seasons, he continued to post productive numbers, starting 43 games and recording 58-, 61-, and 61-reception seasons in New York.
In 2025, Conklin joined the Chargers and never found his footing. While he started his first five games in Los Angeles, he was eventually surpassed on the depth chart by rookie Oronde Gadsden, who played sensationally.
Expected role in 2026: Expanding the playbook
While Conklin isn’t flashy, he’s experienced, consistent, and balanced in his skill set, which will fit in perfectly in Detroit, which returns Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright, the Lions’ TE1/2 duo from the past three seasons. The addition of Conklin could look like competition for Wright’s TE2 role—and it very well may be—but there’s room for all three in Petzing’s offense.
While Rams coach Sean McVay gets a ton of national credit for effectively deploying 13 personnel (1 running back and 3 tight ends) formations in 2025, it was actually Petzing who introduced the heavier usage of this concept a few years prior.
“If you have three tight ends that don’t have a multiple skill set, you’re not going to do it, because the key is the matchups. When you have guys that can do a lot of different things, you can start to dictate things based on what the defense wants to do.
“I think as the game has evolved defensively over the last 5-7 years, you’re starting to see more and more different defensive personnels. It’s not just, ‘Hey, we’ve got base. Hey, we’ve got nickel. Here we go, this is it.’ You’re seeing different variations of base, different variations of nickel…
“Now, in 13 personnel, you have to be able to deal with everybody in the box and multiple gaps that you weren’t ready to account for. And then if you get big, I can spread things out and create people that you don’t want to have in space in space. So it allows you to dictate to the defense a little bit more some of the things that they have been trying to dictate to us based on who they’re putting on the field. It gives you the freedom to jump back and forth without being predictable.”
Essentially, as NFL defenses get smaller, faster, and deploy more subpackage sets, Petzing has introduced larger offensive formations that can punish subpackage defenses with the run, and pass on base-defenses that lean on less-talented players.
The key to weaponizing this offensive scheme is having at least three tight ends with “balanced” skill sets, and with the Lions’ addition of Conklin, they now have the players to create the mismatches they desire.
Free agency impact
With the Lions roster going through a youth movement, and three balanced tight ends already on the roster, finding another tight end in free agency may not be in the cards for the Lions. First, if they’re looking for a tight end under 30 years old, the pickings are slim. And when you add in the fact that they don’t seem to be in a financial spot to spend much more on the position, beyond a vet minimum deal, the field narrows even further.
If they do elect to add another tight end, here’s a short list of candidates that the Lions might consider:
Harrison Bryant: 28 years old, was with Petzing in Cleveland (2020-22)
Adam Trautman: 29 y/o, was with Lions coach Dan Campbell in New Orleans as a rookie (2020)
Taysom Hill: 35 y/o, was with Campbell in New Orleans for four seasons (2017-20)
NFL Draft impact
While adding a tight end in free agency may be challenging, finding a contributor in the draft should most certainly be an option. Not only are the Lions looking to get younger, but there are some long-term questions at the position. LaPorta, Wright, and Conklin are all in the final year of their contracts, meaning the Lions have zero tight ends signed beyond this season.
While LaPorta is expected to receive a contract extension sometime in the next year, the Lions would be wise to invest in a contributing player on a rookie contract for 2027 and beyond.
This draft may not be loaded at the top with tight ends, as in previous draft cycles, but there is still plenty of talent, especially on Days 2 and 3 of the draft. Sam Roush (Stanford) is the ideal fit for the Lions’ scheme, but he looks like a firm Day 2 candidate, which may price him out of the Lions’ range. Some Day 3 options the Lions may consider include: Balanced TE-Y’s Nate Boerkircher (Texas A&M) and Martin Klein (Michigan), big slot Tanner Koziol (Houston), and fullback/H-back Max Bredeson (Michigan).
€60m asking price for top Chelsea target keeps going up as Premier League sides circle
Said El Mala is a top target for Chelsea and a number of other clubs according to the latest reports online.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CHELSEA NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON THE APP STORE
Chelsea’s rumoured interest in Koln winger Said El Mala continues to be all over rumour website. CaughtOffside today have an exclusive where they have quotes from sources at the club.
The 19 year old is having a great season and has attracted the attention of Mn U as well as Chelsea and other top European sides. His club are going to want around €50m or €60m for him.
Koln prepared to sanction big sale as clubs circle top talent
“They know there’s little prospect of him staying, and with so much interest they stand to make what they’ll see as a very good sale,” one source close to the situation told Mark Brus.
“Scouts from all the big clubs have given him rave reviews, there’s a real buzz about him in the industry. Don’t rule out some clubs waiting until next summer, though, as he’s still a raw talent and not everyone will be keen on that asking price.”
Chelsea will likely have to move a winger on before bringing another one in, and it’s hard to see who that might be right now, given three were signed last summer and another arrives this year.
In other news…
Liam Rosenior spoke ahead of today’s game against Newcastle about how he works with individual players to improve their mistakes.
If you enjoy Chelsea News coverage and want to see more of it, add us as a preferred source on Google to make us a favourite and see more of our content.
Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
*means autoplay on, (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used on this page as sarcasm font. The powers that be have enabled real sarcasm font in the comments.
Please be reminded that Cub Tracks and Bleed Cubbie Blue do not necessarily endorse the content of articles, podcasts, or videos that are linked to in this series.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 04: A detailed view of the Rawlings baseball gloves used by Casey Schmitt #10 of the San Francisco Giants is seen in the dugout prior to the start of the game against the San Diego Padres at Oracle Park on June 04, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning, baseball fans!
The San Francisco Giants will be at home for the two games this weekend.
First up, they will play the Arizona Diamondbacks at 1:05 p.m. PDT on Saturday, which will have broadcasts on NBC Sports Bay Area for local fans and MLB Network for out-of-market fans. Radio coverage will be available on KNBR.
Sunday, they will play the Milwaukee Brewers at 1:05 p.m. and this game will have radio coverage available on KNBR.
While we wait, I thought we’d watch another fun video from the Giants social media team. Earlier this week, I shared a video from their YouTube channel of Ron Washington running first base drills with Jerar Encarnación. They recently put out another in that same series, with Washington working with Luis Arraez. So I thought we could watch that this morning.
Ronald Lukoff asks: I see that the Giants have resigned Chris Manhertz. If I read his stats correctly, in 10 years he has 29 catches, whìch is not exactly great production. I understand that he is in mainly for blocking, but here is my question. If he is not a receiving threat, why would the Giants not use a true offensive lineman who would obviously be a better blocker for the run and better option for pass protection. I’m sure there is an answer, but I can’t think of it.
Ed says: Ronald, Manhertz has stayed in the league for a decade now because he has one job — block guys bigger, stronger, and faster than he is — and he does it as well as any tight end in the league.
Some teams — ones without good blocking tight ends — do use offensive linemen in that role. It is an awkward spot for an offensive lineman because the angles, the spacing, the timing, the movements are all different than playing a “normal” offensive line spot. It isn’t something a lineman practices on a regular basis.
An offensive lineman is even less of a receiving threat than someone like Manhertz.
Now, I will say this. It drives me absolutely nuts when offensive coordinators scheme up plays that put a tight end, sometimes one who is not a good blocker, into a one-on-one matchup with the best edge defender on the opposing team. Invariably, the OC will say something like “we had a hat on a hat.” Well, you can’t put a terrible blocker on a great rusher by design and then blame the player when it doesn’t work.BBV mailbag
Have a Giants-related question? E-mail it to bigblueview@gmail.com and it might be featured in our weekly mailbag.
Henry Mildener asks: Since the World Cup is at Metlife Stadium and I believe the World Cup must have natural grass, will the Giants play on grass during the season?
Ed says: Henry, no the Giants will not play on grass. Yes, FIFA insists on grass for all playing surfaces.That will be taken up as soon as the World Cup games conclude at MetLife Stadium, and FieldTurf will be re-installed.
Richard Repasky asks: How did it happen that fullbacks appear to be an endangered species in the NFL? Is it because “NFL football is a passing game”? I remember when players like Jim Brown and Larry Csonka were some of the biggest stars around.
Ed says: Richard, I am old enough that I also have a soft spot in my heart for fullbacks, and I love to see today’s teams use them well. That said, have you paid attention to the game for the past 20 years?
The game is more spread out now. More matchup-oriented. More movement-oriented. Teams value the versatility of a tight end who can also lead block, and the reality is most fullbacks have a narrower skillset than tight ends.
I still think fullbacks have value and every team should carry one. Obviously, a lot of NFL coaches disagree.
Florian Cortese asks: Hi Ed, with all of the initial great news, IMO, of the Giants initial moves in the FA market, word drops of the Tisch family, Steve, Jonathan and Laurie, asking that their shares of ownership of the NY Football Giants are to be transferred to trusts for their children. My question is how does this affect the running of the Giants organization? Does this mean that Steve will have no further input in ownership decisions. It’s now the Mara’s running the organization?
Ed says: Florian, no, that is not what it means. First and foremost, there is a process that has to be followed and the NFL has to approve the transfer. The Tisch family will still own 45% of the team. It’s just that Steve, Jonathan, and Laurie will be stepping out of the group that has ownership of the team. It will be their children.
This is a good step for Tisch and the Giants. For now, though, nothing is really changing.
Peter Smyth asks: Do you think Brian Daboll had a doghouse? For Harbaugh to agree to sign Evan Neal, the new coaching staff must feel they might get more out of him. Perhaps Neal was treated a little unfairly (zero snaps in 2025) and we all assumed he just stunk. Are there other players that maybe needed better coaching and opportunity but didn’t get it? Would any of the following: Deonte Banks, Isiah Hodgins, Daniel Bellinger, Jalin Hyatt maybe even Dane Belton fit this category? Or am I just imaging Daboll iced out some guys that just needed better coaching or needed to be allowed to play to their strengths instead of what he expected/wanted? I offer for example letting Neal be a bulldozer in short yardage and other running spots. Another example is how Hodgens was stuck on the practice squad until Dabs gets fired then comes in a being a serviceable receiver. Thoughts? Maybe some of these drafts were not as bad as they looked?
Ed says: Peter, I think every coach has some form of doghouse. Or, players they just tire of, dislike, or don’t see the value in. It’s a human reaction to people you work with every day. Have you liked every person you have ever worked with? I have not.
I think the answer to the question of whether some of these guys needed different, I won’t say better, coaching will come in what happens going forward.
Alex Kalb asks: I read your column about the Giants potentially taking Love at no. 5 and how it might rile some fans with Barkley PTSD. It got me thinking that, while I didn’t agree with the Barkley pick at the time, a lot of my misgivings were contextual: the Giants had glaring needs along the offensive line which was playing poorly and couldn’t block for anyone. The combination of Barkley and Jones in the first round felt like the Giants refusing to commit to either a full rebuild or getting the best out of Eli’s final years, instead trying to do both (poorly). I know you generally think a great running back is a finishing piece, not someone to build around and I’m curious what your thoughts are on the Giants roster now vs. in that previous draft and if taking a blue chip running back makes more sense now, given the current roster and coaching, than it did back then?
This is a different coach, one who is focused on the run game. Also, one who will have the ultimate say on who the Giants pick at No. 5. Pat Shurmur admitted to me last year that had he been making the decision in 2018 the Giants would have drafted quarterback Josh Allen instead of Barkley.
More than the roster, it is a different coach and a different situation.
John Foti asks: I was a bit surprised to see the Titans sign four ex-Giants, particularly Bellinger, since Daboll stopped using him very much after his rookie year. I guess that Daboll is in Saleh’s ear. Does that tell us that Daboll had more influence over the Giants’ roster than some of us suspected? As you pointed out, a 4-13 team raiding the roster of another 4-13 team is a bit puzzling.
Ed says: John, I guess I was also a little surprised Daniel Bellinger landed in Tennessee. As for Brian Daboll, who in Tennessee is going to have better knowledge of former Giants players?
Rob Werner asks: I think many people on here would agree that we are spoiled with the excellent coverage you give us on BBV. There are often articles where a writer from a different team’s site answers questions about a player we are getting or a team we are about to play. How often do other teams’ writers reach out to you in a similar way? Can you link to any articles where you have answered questions about the Giants or former Giants players?
Ed says: Thanks, Rob! Yes, writers from around the network occasionally reach out to me for similar stories. It’s part of the advantage of having a network filled with smart people who cover their teams on a daily basis, and understand them. Even if many of those people don’t have full-season credentials, as I do.
I don;’t have any specific recent examples. I will try to do a better job going forward of letting the BBV audience know when content like that is available.
David Kanter asks: I’m a little surprised by the [Isaiah] Likely contract. His product numbers don’t seem to warrant the contract he received. Can you help rationalize this wasn’t an overpay?
Ed says: David, I really can’t. Part of this is just that prices go up in free agency each year as the cap goes up. That’s just the nature of the business. You are right, though, that Likely’s production doesn’t warrant the money he received. We just have to wait and see how Likely is used and how he is produced. Then, we can debate whether or not the contract was an overpay.
Doug Mollin asks: Some questions have been answered in free agency (most important, resigning Elu and at a very reasonable deal). But still a lot of ways for the Giants’ draft to break.
Just going to give you two scenarios to see what you prefer (no trade downs):
No. 5 – Styles LB No. 37 – Hunter DT No. 105 – Farmer RG No. 143 – Cameron WR (6’2″, 220, not fast but “catches everything thrown his way)
Basically, is your preference to lean into offense or defense with the early picks and fill in the other with the later picks.
Ed says: Doug, I am taking your second scenario. If my choice is Carnell Tate or Sonny Styles I am taking Styles every time. I know that wide receiver is more high-value position, but I am taking a potential gold jacket player over a guy who is likely to be a wide receiver 2 and wouldn’t ordinarily be a top 10 pick in most drafts.
I would have to see who else is available in your scenarios with the rest of the picks, but that’s where I stand.
Submit a question
Have a Giants-related question? E-mail it to bigblueview@gmail.com and it might be featured in our weekly mailbag.
Aubameyang snubs Arsenal stars as he names his best ever teammate
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang enjoyed a productive spell at Arsenal before his relationship with Mikel Arteta deteriorated, ultimately leading to his departure from the club. During his time in North London, the Gabon international became one of the team’s most influential attacking players and achieved notable individual success.
Arsenal proved to be one of the clubs where Aubameyang found stability, and his performances reflected both his own quality and the support of talented teammates. To score as many goals as he did under Mikel Arteta and Arsène Wenger, he benefited from players around him who created opportunities and strengthened the overall team dynamic.
Aubameyang on His Best Teammate
Arsenal have long sought to recruit high-quality players to improve their squad, and Aubameyang shared the pitch with several gifted individuals during his time at the club. These partnerships helped the team make progress while he was there and contributed to the positive impact he had in North London.
Because of this experience, many would expect him to select an Arsenal teammate when asked to name the best player he has competed with. However, he chose a different option when questioned recently. According to the Metro, Aubameyang picked Ousmane Dembélé as the best teammate he has ever played with. The two formed a strong connection while playing together at Borussia Dortmund, and their friendship remains strong to this day. The Gabon star clearly values the partnership they developed early in their careers.
Arsenal Remains Special to Aubameyang
Despite naming Dembélé as his top teammate, Aubameyang still appears to hold Arsenal in high regard. When asked whether London is red or blue, reflecting the rivalry between Arsenal and Chelsea, he insisted that London is red. Having represented both clubs, his response indicates that Arsenal remains above Chelsea in his personal ranking of London teams.
For Aubameyang, the Gunners remain one of the best sides he has played for, and his memories of his time in North London are clearly positive. His performances and relationships at Arsenal continue to influence how he reflects on his career.
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link…
Goretzka could price Juventus out of a move for him in the summer
Juventus are interested in signing Leon Goretzka at the end of the current season when he is expected to become a free agent, but his financial demands could prevent the move from materialising, reports Il Bianconero.
The German midfielder has enjoyed a highly successful career during his long spell at Bayern Munich, where the club dominated German football and collected numerous honours. His experience and quality have made him one of the most respected midfielders in Europe.
With his time at Bayern now approaching its conclusion, both the player and the club have reportedly decided to part ways at the end of the campaign. This situation has attracted interest from several teams, including Juventus, who are looking to strengthen their squad ahead of next season.
Juventus Consider Free Transfer Opportunity
Juventus view Goretzka as a valuable option because he could arrive without a transfer fee. With the transfer market becoming increasingly inflated, signing an experienced player of his calibre on a free transfer would represent significant value for the club.
The Bianconeri are eager to add quality and leadership to their midfield, and Goretzka’s experience at the highest level of European football makes him an appealing target. If available on a free transfer, he would be one of the most notable players on the market when the season concludes.
Financial Demands Could Block Move
Despite the potential benefits of the deal, the report claims Juventus may struggle to meet the player’s financial expectations. Goretzka currently earns €7m net per season at Bayern Munich and is reportedly seeking the same salary from his next club.
In addition to those wages, he is also believed to be requesting a substantial signing-on fee that could reach €10m. When combined, these demands would make the overall cost of the deal extremely high for Juventus.
As a result, completing the transfer could prove difficult for Juve. While Juventus may attempt to negotiate terms, Goretzka is attracting interest from other teams who might be prepared to meet his financial expectations. If that happens, the Bianconeri could find themselves unable to compete for his signature despite their interest in bringing him to Turin.
Oct 8, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) leads off first base against Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) during the ninth inning of game four of the ALDS round of the 2025 MLB playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across Major League Baseball. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Yankees fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The MLB regular season is less than two weeks away, and teams and players across the league are just about geared up and ready, whether they’re fine-tuning in Arizona or Florida or letting it fly in the World Baseball Classic. Thanks to the WBC, relevant baseball is already here, and not a week after the tournament concludes will we have Opening Night between the Yankees and Giants to greet us.
With the season about to kick off, we asked Yankees fans who they thought was the Yankees’ primary foe entering the year:
Unsurprisingly, the reigning AL champs won this poll in a landslide. The Blue Jays tied with the Yankees for the most wins in the American League last season before handling the Bombers in the ALDS en route to the pennant. Though they fell just short in the World Series, Toronto moved aggressively in the offseason to bolster their chances at a repeat run through the AL, landing Dylan Cease on a seven-year deal, while also adding NPB star Kazuma Okamoto and pitchers Cody Ponce and Tyler Rogers. To wit, most projections have the Yankees and the Blue Jays neck-and-neck at the top of the AL East.
The Red Sox come in second here above the Mariners, in part perhaps because Boston is obviously a direct (and hated) division rival, while Seattle feels like a far-off threat. But the Mariners, in the grand scheme of things, might be strongest AL team the Yankees have to deal with this year. Those projections that have the Yankees and Jays locked at the top of the AL East? They also have the Mariners projected to lead the AL in wins. The M’s didn’t have a super flashy offseason, but made a couple solid moves to augment a roster that came achingly close to the pennant last year, re-signing Josh Naylor and then adding Brendan Donovan in a trade with the Cardinals. If Seattle’s typically strong rotation bounces back from an iffy 2025, they will be a force to be reckoned with.
Now, on to the cellar of the Junior Circuit:
This is Chicago’s crown to lose, though the Angels are pushing them in the race to the bottom. The White Sox “rebounded” from their historically poor 2024, looking more like a normal, terrible team rather than a mind-bendingly bad one. A few young talents, like Kyle Teel, Colson Montgomery, and Shane Smith provided bright spots, though unfortunately Teel is already down after injuring his hamstring in the World Baseball Classic. The White Sox also added Munetaka Murakami to the mix, the kind of risky but high-upside play that it feels like the Pale Hose should be making.
If you squint, it’s possible to see the White Sox rebuild moving in a positive direction. The Angels, though, seem stuck in purgatory, aimlessly wandering through the desert. Their roster is close to barren beyond Zack Neto, Yusei Kikuchi, and the still-fighting Mike Trout, and their farm system looks unlikely to provide much help any time soon. Dark times indeed in Anaheim.
These next two are MLB-wide polls:
PED’s are unfortunately in the headlines right now, with Jurickson Profar getting suspended for the entire 2026 season after a second positive test, while Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas received an 80-game suspension after his first positive test. Profar has fully torpedoed what was once a great story, one of a former top prospect finally making good after a decade-long journey through the majors. Instead, he will likely always be remembered for his two PED suspensions.
Less than half of fans feel that PED’s aren’t a major problem, and it’s easy to argue that recency bias is suppressing that number bit. As disappointing as it was to see two big leaguers popped in the span of a week, from 2023 to 2025, just five players were suspended under the league’s doping policy. Unless MLB is simply failing at detecting juicers, there just haven’t been many guys turning to PED’s in recent years, with the exception of the couple of cases that just came down.
Fans are rather split on whether the league’s current punishments are harsh enough. Currently, a first positive test nets an 80-game suspension, a second yields a season-long suspension, and a third leads to a lifetime ban. These punishments, which have been in effect for 12 years now, are notably harsher than previous PED policies, which had much shorter suspensions for first- and second-time offenders. That those harsher policies have coincided with a pretty low number of positive tests would suggest that players are being sufficiently deterred from turning to drugs, but it stands to reason that unless the league adopts a literal zero-tolerance policy, some fans will be left feeling that the rules aren’t stringent enough.
🚨 Girona v Athletic Club XIs: Ounahi, Robert Navarro start
Girona and Athletic Club open Saturday's matchday in La Liga with a key game for their ambitions.
Girona are looking to escape the relegation zone, while in San Mamés there are hopes of reaching the European spots, which seem very difficult to attain.
XI GIRONA
XI ATHLETIC CLUB
The big news in Valverde's starting eleven is the inclusion of Robert Navarro in place of Guruzeta, who will have to wait on the bench.
2. Bundesliga Preview: FC Schalke 04 vs. Hannover 96
2. Bundesliga leaders Schalke face a stern test at home against Hannover on Sunday afternoon. The visitors are only five points behind their hosts, despite their unbeaten run coming to an end against a resurgent Greuther Fürth side last week.
Courtesy of Edin Džeko’s solitary strike, Schalke narrowly beat Arminia Bielefeld to stay at the summit. Miron Muslić’s side will also benefit from Darmstadt and Elversberg dropping points on Friday.
Similarly, those results would open the room for Hannover to close the gap with the top three. Including this fixture, Christian Titz’s side will face all the top four teams in the next five matchweeks.
Moussa Sylla, who is now losing his starting spot due to several reasons, was the star player in the return fixture. The Schalke striker scored twice inside the first 15 minutes before Christian Gomis’ late goal ensured a 3-0 success away at Hannover.
Team News
Loris Karius is expected to return to Schalke’s side after recovering from back problems. Bayern Munich loanee Noel Aseko will also be back from suspension for Hannover.
The New Jersey Devils (32-31-2) after a loss to the Calgary Flames on Thursday, welcome the Los Angeles Kings (26-23-15) to Prudential Center on Saturday night.
New Jersey dropped two points to the Calgary Flames on Thursday in disappointing fashion.
They seek to get back on track against the Kings who just defeated the New York Islanders on Friday night.
Let’s dive into tonight’s matchup.
What to Know vs. Kings
— The Devils defeated the Kings 4-1 back in November, after Dawson Mercer netted two goals (1 SHG) and Nico Hischier found the back of the net.
—Jacob Markstrom recorded 43 saves on 44 shots in the victory.
—Tonight’s tilt is the first time the Devils face the Kings with newly acquired forward Artemi Panarin.
Sat., March 14 Vs LAK 7:00 P.M. E.T. Mon. March 16 Vs BOS 7:00 P.M. E.T. Wed., March 18 At NYR 7:00 P.M. E.T. Fri., March 20 At WSH 7:00 P.M. E.T. Tue., March 24 At Dallas 8:00 P.M. E.T.
Indian Premier League (IPL) is set for his blockbuster start from March 28, and fans are eagerly waiting for the thrilling performance of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi who heads into his second IPL season after an impressive breakthrough campaign with Rajasthan Royals. While expectations around the young batter are high, former India cricketer Robin Uthappa believes the upcoming season could prove to be a learning phase for the youngster.
From fearless newcomer to studied opponent
Vaibhav made his debut last season and emerged as the fearless teenager who surprised opposition bowlers with his aggressive batting and quickly became a key part of the Rajasthan Royals lineup.
However, things could be different this year as teams now have more information about his strengths and weaknesses. According to Uthappa, Sooryavanshi is entering a phase where opponents have started analysing his game and building strategies to counter him.
129571462
"I have been keenly observing every game Vaibhav is playing over the last 12 months. He is phenomenal. But if you are going to watch him bat, I feel he is riding his luck a little bit. And when the standard gets a little bit higher, little tougher, and people now know where to bowl to him. The novelty has worn off. I think that right now, he is riding that luck a little bit, which is fine. I think this season will be educational for him and will serve him in the long run. He will still score runs, but I don't think he will be all that he was last year," Uthappa said on Star Sports.
Why Uthappa’s warning matters
Unlike last season, when he entered the tournament as a relatively unknown youngster with little pressure, Sooryavanshi now returns with greater expectations and increased scrutiny. Opposition teams have had time to analyze his batting approach, meaning the young opener will likely face more calculated bowling strategies this year.
All eyes on Sooryavanshi in IPL 2026
As the IPL gears up for another blockbuster season, the spotlight will once again be on the league’s emerging stars. For Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, IPL 2026 represents an opportunity to prove that his debut season was not just about surprise and luck, but the beginning of a promising career.
On paper, it seems like a solid get. Davis started all 17 games a season ago for San Francisco.
"Browns add some depth on the defensive line with the signing of Kalia Davis. 27 years old," writes ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. "Sixth-round pick in 2022. Started all 17 games last season Only 1.5 career sacks but he’s played the run well. He had a run stop win rate in 2025 that was 19th among all defensive linemen, just behind Mason Graham."
As Oyefusi references there, the heart of the Browns' defensive line future is Mason Graham, who will be in his second year out of Michigan in 2026 after being the No. 5 overall pick a year ago.
But it takes more than one guy to win on the defensive line, and adding some depth in Davis is a solid move.
"There’s a clear scheme fit here, as he played under Robert Saleh last season," Oyefusi writes. "Could be good depth behind Maliek Collins. Cleveland’s run defense dropped off a bit after his season-ending quad injury."
Cleveland is heading into an important season. Having moved on from Kevin Stefanski, Todd Monken takes the helm, and the Browns will want to show progress.
Any little signing helps, especially a guy who started a lot of games for a winning team last season.
Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher has argued that the "superb job" that Ferrari has done over the winter break will have taken the pressure off team principal Fred Vasseur.
After a difficult 2025 season, which resulted in the Maranello outfit finishing fourth in the constructors' standings, Ferrari has arrived in 2026 with competitive machinery, especially at race starts. After just one race weekend, it currently sits second in the standings behind Mercedes.
"You have to say that they’ve now closed the gap a bit. Over the winter they did a superb job. That also takes pressure off everyone," Schumacher told Sky Sports Germany in Shanghai.
"First of all, it gives the team principal some breathing room. There were a lot of questions and quite a bit of unrest. But in the end, he brought in all the people who have now built this car. That took time, but now it has worked, and that gives him some room to breathe.
"And of course also for Lewis Hamilton. I have to say, despite all the criticism last year, which was justified, you have to say now: a great job again in the final lap. Even if it’s by a thousandth of a second, beating Charles Leclerc like that — à la bonne heure — you have to deliver that. And tomorrow they will be strong as well, I’m sure of it."
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
He added: "It’s about patience, but also about having two drivers who can clearly handle the same car well and therefore develop in the same direction. That was an issue last year. Lewis came in and couldn’t deal with the car at all.
"Now everything has changed, he’s comfortable with it. That means Ferrari has a clear direction and two experienced drivers who can of course also help with things like the battery management. They can say, 'OK, I don’t need it there,' and that helps as well."
Barcelona receive positive update as 24-year-old star returns to training in time before Sevilla clash
Barcelona have received some encouraging news ahead of their upcoming La Liga fixture against Sevilla.
As preparations continue for the match at Spotify Camp Nou, goalkeeper Joan Garcia has returned to full training and is expected to start on Sunday.
According to a recent report from SPORT, it has come to light that the Barcelona goalkeeper had not trained with the rest of the squad for the previous two days.
Instead, he focused on gym work as part of a load management programme designed to help him recover from the physical demands of recent matches.
Despite the temporary absence from team training, there is no concern about his availability, as the goalkeeper trained normally today and is fully ready to play against Sevilla.
Preparations going well
Barcelona players returned to training this Saturday, where manager Hansi Flick and his coaching staff were preparing the squad for another important league encounter.
The team has been dealing with an intense schedule over the past few weeks, facing several demanding opponents in quick succession.
Joan Garcia will be fit to play against Sevilla. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Matches against Atletico Madrid, Athletic Club, and Newcastle United have required a huge physical effort from the squad.
Because of that heavy workload, several Barcelona players were experiencing fatigue after the recent run of fixtures.
The coaching staff, therefore, decided to carefully manage the physical condition of certain players in order to keep the squad fresh.
Even so, Flick still has several important absences to deal with ahead of the Sevilla game.
The Barcelona coach will be without defenders Andreas Christensen, Alejandro Balde, and Jules Kounde, while midfielder Frenkie de Jong is also unavailable.
Despite those setbacks, the return of Joan Garcia to full training represents a welcome boost.
The goalkeeper has been managing his physical workload carefully in recent days, and the club’s medical staff is confident he will have no issues against Sevilla.
Report: Arsenal preparing offer to sign Bayern Munich star this summer
Arsenal Eyeing Leon Goretzka as Arteta Shapes Midfield Blueprint
Arsenal’s long term planning in the transfer market continues to take shape, with Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka emerging as a serious summer target. According to reporting originally published by TEAMtalk, the Gunners are preparing a concrete move, with sporting director Andrea Berta set to lead negotiations.
The potential deal carries significant intrigue. Goretzka’s contract situation means the Germany international could arrive at the Emirates without a transfer fee, making the opportunity even more appealing for Arsenal and manager Mikel Arteta.
Midfield Reinforcement in Arteta’s Tactical Plan
Arsenal’s interest in Goretzka appears far from speculative. Reports in Germany suggest the manager has already mapped out how the experienced midfielder would fit into his system.
As cited in the original reporting by TEAMtalk, the plan centres on adding both quality and physical authority to the middle of the pitch. The German outlet Fussball Daten stated: “Manager Mikel Arteta wants to combine technical quality with physical presence in midfield.
“That’s why Goretzka is at the top of the Gunners’ wish list.
“A major advantage for Arsenal is the prospect of secure Champions League football. Arteta plans to use Goretzka as the central leader in their high pressing game.”
This insight highlights how carefully Arsenal are shaping their next phase. The high pressing identity has become a hallmark of Arteta’s side, and a powerful runner like Goretzka could reinforce that structure significantly.
Photo IMAGO
Career Pedigree Adds Value to Free Transfer Opportunity
Goretzka’s pedigree speaks for itself. Since joining FC Bayern Munich in 2018, he has accumulated an impressive list of honours, including six Bundesliga titles, two DFB Pokal trophies and a Champions League triumph.
Across 298 appearances for Bayern, the midfielder has delivered remarkable productivity from central areas, contributing 48 goals and 49 assists. Those numbers underline his ability to influence matches in multiple phases of play.
TEAMtalk’s report notes that Arsenal insiders are confident about the financial side of a deal. The midfielder reportedly earns €7 million per year at Bayern, a figure that should be manageable given the absence of a transfer fee.
Competition for Signature Intensifies
Arsenal’s path to securing the midfielder will not be straightforward. Several major clubs are believed to be monitoring the situation closely.
According to the report, interest has emerged from Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen.
At 31, Goretzka remains a high level performer and will likely prioritise both playing time and sporting ambition when choosing his next destination. Arsenal’s regular Champions League qualification could therefore prove decisive.
One source close to the situation suggested the Gunners view the opportunity as strategic rather than opportunistic. “Arsenal believe the experience, leadership and physical edge Goretzka brings could elevate their midfield instantly.”
Should the move materialise, it would represent another calculated step in Arteta’s ongoing squad evolution.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
As an Arsenal fan, this report should generate genuine excitement. Leon Goretzka represents the type of experienced addition that can elevate an already impressive midfield unit.
The squad has developed tremendously under Arteta, yet there remains room for a player who combines strength, leadership and proven European pedigree. Goretzka ticks those boxes comfortably. Winning six Bundesliga titles and the Champions League at Bayern speaks volumes about the mentality he would bring into the dressing room.
Another encouraging element is the tactical clarity mentioned in the report. The idea that Arteta already “plans to use Goretzka as the central leader in their high pressing game” shows the manager is thinking carefully about the balance of his midfield. Arsenal’s pressing structure often relies on energy and discipline, and Goretzka’s physicality would enhance that approach.
Supporters will also appreciate the financial logic. Securing a player of this calibre without paying a transfer fee would represent exceptional business. The reported €7 million salary appears reasonable when considering both the player’s experience and his immediate impact potential.
There is also a sense that Arsenal’s growing status in Europe strengthens their appeal. Champions League football, a competitive squad and a clear tactical identity make the Emirates an attractive destination.
If Andrea Berta succeeds in pushing this deal over the line, Arsenal fans could be witnessing another smart piece of squad building. Goretzka might not arrive as a long term project, but he could play a decisive role in pushing the club towards major honours in the next few seasons.
Liverpool handed clear top-five opportunity before daunting May run
Liverpool’s push for Champions League qualification is now becoming clearer, with Sunday’s game against Tottenham looking like a major opportunity for us to make ground in the race for the top five.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
BBC Sport has outlined just how tight the battle has become, with only three points separating Manchester United, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Liverpool as the season enters its decisive phase.
That leaves us with very little room for error, especially after the recent inconsistency that has seen Arne Slot’s side mix an FA Cup win over Wolves with defeats to Wolves in the league and Galatasaray in Europe.
BBC Sport explained: “With fifth place likely to lead to Champions League qualification again, just three points separate Manchester United, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Liverpool for a place in the top five, with one of those sides looking set to miss out.”
That is the reality we face now.
We are the side currently outside the top five, but there is still a clear route back into those Champions League places if we can steady ourselves quickly.
Liverpool have a chance to build momentum now
The encouraging part of the BBC analysis is that our next stretch of fixtures gives us an opening.
BBC Sport noted: “Liverpool are the team currently outside the top five.
“They have the chance to build momentum against a run of mid-table sides before tackling a daunting series of games in May when they play all three of their Champions League-chasing rivals in succession.”
That makes the visit of Tottenham even more important.
It is the type of fixture we simply have to win if we want to keep this race in our own hands before the schedule turns nasty later in the campaign.
The BBC’s table also suggests Liverpool have the toughest run-in of the four clubs on average, with our remaining opponents sitting around ninth in the table.
Big questions remain over Liverpool’s mentality
That is why the wider concern is not just points, but whether this team is ready for the fight.
Both views matter because they capture where we are right now.
There is still enough quality in this squad to get into the top five, and there is still enough time to rescue the league campaign.
But if we do not take advantage of this current run, then that brutal May schedule could leave us needing favours rather than controlling our own destiny.
Antonelli’s Record-Setting F1 Pole at Chinese GPGREG BAKER - Getty Images
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli became the first teenager in Formula 1 history to claim a pole position after topping qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix.
Antonelli, in his second season in Formula 1, set a time of 1:32.064s, to defeat Mercedes team-mate George Russell by two-tenths of a second.
Antonelli, who led Sprint Qualifying in Miami last year, which does not count as an official pole, consequently becomes the youngest driver to ever score a pole position.
At the age of 19 years and 201 days he takes the record from Sebastian Vettel, who was 21 years and 72 days old when he set the prior benchmark at the 2008 Italian Grand Prix.
“I think it was a good clean session, no mistakes, and I’m looking forward to the race tomorrow,” said Antonelli, who is pursuing a maiden victory.
Antonelli’s trajectory was aided by Russell enduring a reliability scare at the start of Q3 at Shanghai, when his Mercedes W17 stopped on track due to an electrical problem before being stuck in first gear.
Mechanics working on Russell’s Mercedes in the pits during qualifying.Andy Wong - Getty Images
Russell was able to recover to the garage and re-emerge for the final couple of minutes, but it left the title leader with only one push lap in Q3, and he played it safe to secure second on the grid.
“It was definitely damage limitation,” said Russell. “I went out in Q3, the car wouldn’t restart and wouldn’t change gear—starting the last lap I had no battery, no tire temp, nothing, but the team did a great job to get me in this position.”
Russell had earlier taken victory in the first Sprint Race of the season to extend his nascent advantage over Antonelli in the championship to 11 points.
Russell faced a challenge from the fast-starting Ferrari drivers, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc once more taking advantage of the team’s rapid performance off the line.
Russell and Hamilton traded the lead several times before the Mercedes driver reclaimed his authority on the short race, with Hamilton eventually slipping behind team-mate Leclerc.
Ferrari will once more seek to threaten the Mercedes drivers in race trim and will do so from the second row of the grid, with Hamilton qualifying third, and Leclerc fourth.
McLaren continued its low-key start to the campaign as Oscar Piastri and reigning champion Lando Norris locked out the third row of the grid, half a second down on Antonelli.
HECTOR RETAMAL - Getty Images
Red Bull’s difficult weekend continued, following on from neither Max Verstappen nor Isack Hadjar scoring in the Sprint Race, where the four-time champion lost ground through a dreadful start.
Verstappen was only eighth-best in Q3, one spot ahead of Hadjar, with both Red Bull drivers falling behind the Alpine of Pierre Gasly.
Cadillac out-qualified an opponent on merit, with Valtteri Bottas finishing 20th, ahead of Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, and his best time was just two-tenths of a second behind Fernando Alonso’s effort.
Barcelona among clubs eyeing summer move for €60m Bundesliga talent
Barcelona should be busy this summer, especially if they manage to make their long-awaited return to La Liga’s 1:1 rule. They have plans to sign a new centre-back and striker, while a decision must also be made regarding the future of Marcus Rashford, for whom they have an option to buy permanent from Manchester United.
Barcelona have been pleased with Rashford’s contribution since he arrived last summer, and work has already started to ensure that he stays at the Spotify Camp Nou. But until a deal is finalised, the Catalans will continue to look at other players, and one of those is FC Koln’s Said El Mala.
El Mala was identified as a Rashford alternative earlier in the season, and according to CaughtOffside, Barcelona are still interested in the 19-year-old, who has impressed in the Bundesliga this season. The La Liga leaders have been told that a deal could be done for a fee in the region of €50-60m, which could prove to be a valuable investment in a player whose future looks very bright.
Barcelona would face plenty of competition for El Mala
However, it does appear that Barcelona are on the periphery when it comes to the race to sign El Mala. It’s reported that Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are also keen on the teenager, and given that each of these clubs will likely have an abundance of funds to spend in the summer, it is much more likely that he ends up moving to the Premier League.
Going for El Mala would make a lot of sense for Barcelona, given that Raphinha is approaching 30. A younger alternative coming in would be wise, but equally, signing the proven quality of Rashford for a fee of €30m would be equally as important for the Catalans.
And would you blame the NBA future Hall of Fame point guard if that's who we were talking about right now after his weird season? That's not this Chris Paul, though.
This is the NFL's offensive lineman by the same name, with the signing reported Friday by The Athletic's Tashan Reed.
Who is the NFL's Chris Paul?
The NFL's Chris Paul is a 27-year-old offensive guard.
He measures up at 6-foot-4 and 324 pounds, much bigger than the point guard.
Paul is the grandson of former Nigerian president Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, a cool family heritage.
He was a seventh-round pick by the Washington Commanders in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Tulsa and has done well for himself, playing in 34 games since then, including 23 starts.
Now, he's back with the Commanders on a new deal.
This Chris Paul is also a musical artist, having released R&B music under his stage name, The Seventh.
NORTH HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Aubrey Robinson nearly shot the lights out Friday night for Greater Johnstown.
The junior guard couldn’t miss during the first half of the Trojans’ PIAA Class 5A quarterfinal against Chartiers Valley at Norwin High School.
But when the main lights inside the gymnasium actually went out with 38.5 seconds left in the second quarter, it wasn’t the fault of Robinson, who had made four 3-pointers to that point. Those good fortunes wouldn’t continue in the fourth quarter as the Trojans’ season came to an end with a 42-36 loss.
“That’s March basketball,” Greater Johnstown coach Ryan Durham said. “We had a really good game plan and this game is what playing in the Elite Eight is all about.”
Robinson made six 3-pointers on his way to a game-high 20 points, but he also impacted play on the defensive end as the Trojans (20-5) gave the District 7 champion Colts (26-2) everything they could handle.
But it was the Chartiers Valley defense that made the difference in the fourth quarter as it kept Robinson from scoring.
“We had to start paying more attention to his shooting,” Chartiers Valley coach Corey Dotchin said. “We had to guard (Robinson) tighter and start closing out on him. We’ve been a good defensive team all year long.”
The Trojans were a team that defied expectations.
With Donte Tisinger Jr. playing his freshman season at Boston University, Greater Johnstown reaching another PIAA quarterfinal might have seemed a long shot, but the Trojans proved they belonged.
Even against Chartiers Valley, which returned the bulk of its contributors from a team that defeated the Trojans 58-38 in the same round and location as 2025.
Raheem Braswell, Amier Robinson, Tommy Ashcom and Messiah Armstrong turned in strong defensive efforts. Braswell finished with six points and six rebounds.
“What this group did this year says a lot about the program and where it’s at, and a lot about them,” Durham said. “These kids worked hard all season and all offseason, and we had a successful year.”
A year that looked like it would continue into the semifinals at times.
Aubrey Robinson kept Greater Johnstown close throughout the first half thanks to 14 points.
He made a pair of 3-pointers in the game’s opening minutes to stake the Trojans to an 8-2 lead. His third of the half halted a 14-2 run for Chartiers Valley and trimmed the Colts’ lead to 16-13 with 5:03 left in the second quarter.
Greater Johnstown, which defeated Shaler and Gateway in the opening two rounds of the state playoffs, grabbed a 19-18 lead on a 3-pointer from senior Armstrong and tied the score 21-all just before the halftime buzzer on a Braswell drive.
“We were right where we wanted to be at halftime,” Durham said.
Chartiers Valley shook off a slow start when senior Julius Best (18 points) and sophomore Silas Verzich entered the game midway through the first quarter.
The pair combined for 10 points – seven coming from Best – during a 14-2 run that put the Colts up 16-10 early in the second quarter.
Best provided another lift a couple of minutes into the third quarter after the Trojans grabbed a 26-21 lead. Greater Johnstown led through most of the third quarter until a Julian Semplice lay-in gave the Colts a 31-30 lead.
“We have a tremendous amount of respect for Johnstown,” Dotchin said. “Those guys are running from Johnstown to Pittsburgh to Johnstown all summer, and we knew it would be a battle.”
The Trojans forced a 34-all tie with about three minutes remaining, but were outscored 8-2 down the stretch.
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. – The Berlin Brothersvalley High School girls basketball team did what good squad do – when some part of the game is not working, you find other ways to get it done.
The Mountaineers did not shoot the ball particularly well, so they started to make the extra pass and rolled past Wyoming Seminary 53-31 at Cumberland Valley High School to move into the PIAA Class 2A semifinals for the second year in a row.
The win advances the Mountaineers to the semifinals against Southern Columbia, a 48-35 winner over Mountain View, Tuesday at a site and time to be announced.
Berlin Brothersvalley (23-5), the defending 2A state champion, started slow, but picked it up by getting to the basket.
Junior Coral Prosser tallied six field goals in the lane and got some help from younger sister Bryn. The Mountaineers went 15 minutes before Sam Waker finally drained their first 3-pointer with just under a minute to go in the half. They led 26-16 at the half.
Despite a poor shooting first half, 0-for-8 from the arc, the Mountaineers played very good defense against the Blue Knights’ height. They made the 6-foot-2 Ella Stambaugh put the ball on the floor and a second person always stepped out on her.
Bryn Prosser did a solid job keeping her away from the basket. Stambaugh ended the game with six points, not scoring a basket until the final quarter.
Wyoming Seminary (19-7), the District 2 runner-up to Mountain View, did an excellent job of getting back to slow down the Mountaineers’ fast break, but struggled to find space to get off good shots. Stella Ruiz and Ellie Kersey combined for nine points in the opening half, but only knocked down a couple of foul shots in the final half.
The Prosser sisters combined to tally 18 points in the first half. They finished the game with 30 points, but got heroic efforts from Penny Stoltzfus (eight points), Mercy Sechler (eight points) and Walker (five first-half points).
“We worked hard on our defense this week, and I thought we made them work for shots,” Sechler said. “We knew they were a very good team, but we felt we were better. We are all able to guard anybody, as long as we communicate. The corner is my spot for shooting.”
“We played really good defense as a team tonight,” Berlin Brothersvalley coach Rachel Prosser said. “Sometimes the nerves get the best of you, and you shoot the ball a little too strong. We worked on defense and the nice thing is when someone got in foul trouble, someone else was able to step in. We knew Stambaugh was an excellent player. Rebounding was a key for us, trying to limit them to one shot. Penny did exactly what we wanted on offense and defense. Mercy came up big tonight.”
Antonelli Secures the Record for Youngest PoleGREG BAKER - Getty Images
In the second grand prix of his second season on the grid, Kimi Antonelli became the youngest driver to capture a pole position, thanks to a 1:32.064 lap around the Shanghai International Circuit. Antonelli now holds the record with his first pole position coming 201 days after his 19th birthday.
Antonelli usurped Sebastian Vettel as the youngest to start from the front of a grand prix. The German driver survived a rainy qualifying in Monza to put it on pole for the 2008 Italian Grand Prix at 21 years 73 days old. The next day, he would back it up with a win, becoming the youngest driver to win in F1 history at the time. His record was broken eight years later by Max Verstappen at 18.
It looked like grand prix qualifying for the second race was about to follow the same formula as the opening round and sprint qualifying earlier this weekend, with the two Mercedes of Antonelli and Russell pulling away from the field with times in Q3. Instead, Russell suffered early stalling on track three minutes into Q3.
While Russell, the pole sitter in the first two events, sat in the Mercedes garage waiting for repairs, Antonelli went to the top of the boards and stayed.
Antonelli's first and second run times were enough to keep the other eight drivers at bay, while Russell made it out for a last-minute attack on pole position with seconds to spare. The British driver's best time fell 0.222 seconds behind his young teammate, but was good enough to lock up another Mercedes front row.
Russell's last-ditch effort demoted the Ferrari drivers, who showed pace and passion earlier Saturday morning in the sprint to the second row, with Lewis Hamilton, last year's winner, starting third next to his teammate Charles Leclerc.
The McLarens came alive in Q3 for grand prix qualifying the same way they did for sprint qualifying Friday morning, with Oscar Piastri securing fifth and Lando Norris sixth.
Pierre Gasly made a rare Q3 appearance for Alpine to lock up seventh next to Max Verstappen, who continues to struggle at the start of the season with the new Red Bull.
Verstappen's new teammate Isack Hadjar qualified ninth, looking like he may match his Q3 appearance success of 2025 but following from his podium qualifying last weekend.
Oliver Bearman had the worst Q3 time and will start in tenth position.
Earlier in qualifying, the Audi of Gabriel Bortoleto overcommitted into turn 16 at the end of his last flying lap and slid across the gravel pit into the wall, ending his chances of a Q3 appearance.
Five area basketball teams will play in PIAA quarterfinal games Saturday across the commonwealth.
In Class 3A boys, District 6 No. 3 seed Westmont Hilltop (21-6) battles District 6 champion Bishop Guilfoyle Academy (25-4) at 2:30 p.m. at Claysburg-Kimmel High School, and District 6 runner-up Forest Hills (25-4) opposes District 3 champ Trinity (22-2) at 2 p.m. at Penns Valley High School.
District 6 Class 2A boys champion United (29-0) takes on District 12 runner-up Paul Robeson (22-2) at 1 p.m. at Mechanicsburg High School.
District 6 Class 1A girls runner-up Bishop Carroll Catholic (25-4) battles District 6 No. 4 seed Williamsburg (24-5) at 1 p.m. at Altoona Fieldhouse.
In Class 4A girls, District 5-6 champion Penn Cambria (21-5) meets District 7 winner Oakland Catholic (23-2) at 3 p.m. at Armstrong Junior-Senior High School.
• This is the United boys’ first trip to the quarterfinals. The 29-0 Lions were were 0-5 in the state playoffs until this year. United beat Clarion Area 53-39 Wednesday in Kittanning.
Senior point guard Carter Payne, with well over 1,000 career points, led all scorers with 15 points for the Heritage Conference champions.
Junior Ryan Felix added 11 points, 21 rebounds and five blocks. A 10-2 run in the second quarter allowed the Lions to lead 29-13 at halftime. United coasted to victory.
United has benefited from strong fan support. The Lions’ side was packed with spectators at Armstrong Junior-Senior High School, a constant theme this postseason.
“It’s been really awesome,” United coach Matt Rodkey said Wednesday.
“All the well wishes that we get from everybody, all the texts – as you saw, it was a sea of blue again today, which is awesome. It’s just unbelievable. This season, 29-0, what can you say? It’s been great. The following has been so nice. It’s really brought our community together. Not just the community of United, but Indiana County in general. We see people here, kids that we play against wearing blue shirts. It’s great. We get texts from all different people from different schools, from other coaches. I just feel really blessed by what’s going on here. I’m so proud of our kids. I’m so proud of our coaching staff for putting a good game plan together. This community has just been unbelievable.”
United will look to keep advancing against a strong Paul Robeson team.
“It’s definitely a new experience for everyone, too,” Felix said. “We just got to keep doing what we’re doing and be ready for the next game.”
Paul Robeson, which lost 67-55 to Constitution in the District 12 title game Feb. 27, beat York Catholic 56-50 and Susquehanna 77-40. The Huskies advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time in program history. Jasir Tyler and Hanal Williamson each netted 15 points against Susquehanna.
Samir Toori added 13, and Raheem DeLoatch chipped in 12.
The Paul Robeson-United winner will face either District 3 runner-up Delone Catholic or District 2 champ Old Forge Tuesday in the semifinals.
• Forest Hills avenged a 73-34 loss to Aliquippa in a 2025 PIAA quarterfinal with a 63-55 victory Wednesday.
The Rangers returned to the quarterfinals for the second year in a row and seek their first trip to the semifinals in program history.
The Rangers’ trio of 1,000-point scorers each had big nights. Forest Hills 6-foot-6 junior Dylan Stohon scored 20 points and pulled down six rebounds. Senior Koy McGough tallied 16 points, with three 3-pointers. Senior Brandon Gregovich scored eight points in a rare role of coming off the bench.
Aliquippa outscored Forest Hills 21-14 in the third quarter to close within 51-49. Forest Hills outscored Aliquippa 12-6 in the fourth quarter.
Trinity beat River Valley 78-42 and Mohawk 69-50. The Shamrocks led 23-10 after the first quarter and outscored Mohawk 20-6 in the fourth.
The Forest Hills-Trinity winner will face either District 6 champion Bishop Guilfoyle or District 6 No. 3 seed Westmont Hilltop Tuesday in the semifinals.
• This is Westmont Hilltop’s first time in the quarterfinals since 1952.
The Hilltoppers also advanced to the same round in 1947 and 1949.
Westmont Hilltop defeated Seton LaSalle 63-55 Wednesday. Senior and Frostburg State commit Jack Wesner scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Sophomore Joziah Jashienski scored a team-high 14 points to go with nine rebounds.
Junior Brock Bowles totaled 10 points and six rebounds.
“We really made an emphasis to guard and rebound, don’t give up offensive rebounds,” Wesner said.
“That was a big part of our game plan early.”
Westmont Hilltop led 12-8 after one quarter and 22-16 at halftime. Seton LaSalle closed within 33-30, but the Hilltoppers outscored the Rebels 13-5 in the final eight minutes.
Westmont Hilltop has won six of its past seven games since Feb. 10, with the lone setback during that stretch coming at Forest Hills (44-41) in a District 6-3A semifinal Feb. 24.
The Hilltoppers lost 66-57 at Bishop Guilfoyle Feb. 3. Bishop Guilfoyle’s Troy Ruggery (19 points), Jake Kissell (15), Grant Okonak (12) and Taurean Consiglio (11) each scored in double figures. Bishop Guilfoyle outscored Westmont Hilltop 36-23 in the second half.
Westmont Hilltop junior Grant Craig netted 20 points, and Wesner added 12. Both Craig and Wesner have scored over 1,000 points.
Bishop Guilfoyle beat Ligonier Valley 62-43 and South Park 65-32.
Bishop Guilfoyle’s Consiglio, a 1,000-point scorer, hit four treys and finished with 24 points. Ruggery added 15.
The Bishop Guilfoyle-Westmont Hilltop winner will meet either District 6 runner-up Forest Hills or District 3 champ Trinity Tuesday in the semifinals.
• The Bishop Carroll girls are in the state quarterfinals for the 20th time in program history. The Huskies are seeking their 10th semifinal berth and second straight.
Bishop Carroll topped Farrell 53-44 Wednesday in Clarion. Junior Adelyn
Myers totaled a career-high 30 points. Junior Ava Pablic supplied 10 points and 12 rebounds. Sophomore Emily Lucko added nine points.
Bishop Carroll defeated Williamsburg 60-47 in a 2025 PIAA quarterfinal.
Williamsburg (24-5) beat Serra Catholic 60-36 and Elk County Catholic 56-28. Levada Gorsuch and Bella Royer each totaled 14 points for the Blue Pirates.
The Bishop Carroll-Williamsburg winner will play either District 6 champ Bishop Guilfoyle or District 6 No. 3 seed St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy Tuesday in the semifinals.
• The Penn Cambria girls advanced to the PIAA quarterfinals for the first time in program history. The Panthers were in the second round during the 2019, 2020, 2023 and 2025 seasons as well as this year.
Penn Cambria trailed 24-10 at halftime, but came back to take a 30-29 lead after three frames. A 7-0 run gave the Panthers a needed spurt in Chambersburg.
Sophomore Rachel Fisher paced the Panthers with 15 points.
Oakland Catholic (23-2) beat Corry 64-26 and Slippery Rock 63-36. Sophomore Lucianna Lamendola netted 20 points, and senior Josie Fontana – a 6-foot-3 center and Richmond signee – added 19 against Slippery Rock.
The Eagles won their second straight and eighth overall District 7 title this season.
The Oakland Catholic-Penn Cambria winner meets either District 7 runner-up Blackhawk or District 7 No. 3 seed North Catholic Tuesday in the semifinals.
KITTANNING, Pa. – The Bishop McCort Catholic High School girls basketball team scored the first eight points in its PIAA Class 2A quarterfinal against District 10 champion Wilmington.
Coach John Hahn’s team built a 15-point advantage after one quarter and never really relented in a 56-38 victory over Wilmington Friday at Armstrong Junior-Senior High School. For a second consecutive season, the District 6 champion Crimson Crushers secured a state semifinal berth.
“The start was huge and that’s what we discussed all week in practice,” Hahn said.
“They like to run. We like to run. I said, ‘We’ve got to shut that down. We’ve got to score early and keep scoring.’ We did.
“We hit a couple big 3s. Zoey (Ferguson) and Ava (Zucco) just controlled the boards.”
Bishop McCort (20-8) advanced to face District 7 champion Neshannock (25-8) in Monday’s Class 2A semifinal at a site and time to be announced. Wilmington closed a 23-5 season.
Kalina Bailey, Maya Jeckavitch
Bishop McCort Catholic’s Kalina Bailey (right) gets by Wilmington’s Maya Jeckavitch during a PIAA class 2A quarterfinal playoff game at Armstrong Junior-Senior High School in Kittanning, PA., Friday, March 13, 2026.
“The start was very important because we know they said they like to come out with a fast start,” said Crimson Crushers senior guard Emma Preuss, who tallied nine points, with seven coming in the opening half. “We came out with one and shut them down early.
“We knew it would be more competitive than our past couple games and we had to come out stronger. We did that.”
Bishop McCort junior Ferguson had another dominant playoff performance, scoring 21 points and grabbing 18 rebounds. In the past two playoff games, Ferguson has combined to accumulate 40 points and 30 boards.
Senior Reese Bair, known as the team’s defensive specialist, splashed three 3-pointers in the first half and scored 11 points.
Zoey Ferguson, Reese Bair, Kalina Bailey, Emma Preuss, Ava Zucco
“I guess I was feeling it,” Bair said.
“Usually, I’ve been not on my game with my 3s. Today, I was really confident.
“I threw them up and they went in.”
A senior forward, Zucco posted eight rebounds and five points, and Kalina Bailey, a senior guard, hit a 3-pointer and a field goal in the opening quarter on the way to seven points overall.
“This means everything, especially because this is our senior year,” Bair said of back-to-back semifinal appearances.
“We wanted to work for this opportunity and achieve it.”
In 2024-25, the Crimson Crushers reached the PIAA 2A title game and fell to state champion Berlin Brothersvalley in Hershey. The District 5 champion Mountaineers also are back in the semifinals.
“It’s unbelievable – what a feeling,” Hahn said.
Bishop McCort started strong, as Bailey hit a 3-pointer 20 seconds into the game, and Preuss made a jumper less than a minute in. Zucco scored inside, leading to a Wilmington timeout at 6:41.
The Greyhounds broke the shutout via a free throw by Avery Harlan at 6:03, and a Reese Bruckner (14 points) basket made it 8-3 at 4:43.
But the Crimson Crushers followed with a 10-0 run to push the margin to 18-3 on a Bailey layup with 1:53 on the first-quarter clock.
Wilmington’s Bruckner hit a 3-pointer, and Bair answered with a 3 to make it 21-6 after one quarter.
“The first quarter was great,” Hahn said. “All the film (Wilmington coach Michael Jeckavitch) had on us, we’re a man-to-man team. All the film I have on them, they all shoot the 3. No. 14 (Bruckner) is a player.”
Bishop McCort switched to a zone defense after some early fouls.
“We were going to go back to man, but Kalina picked up another foul so we just went back to another zone,” Hahn said.
The Greyhounds had a much better second quarter, outscoring the Crimson Crushers 16-15 to set a 36-22 halftime score.
But Bishop McCort put the game out of reach with a 15-3 third-quarter scoring advantage to lead 51-25. The Greyhounds outscored the Crimson Crushers 13-5 in the final eight minutes.
“We knew we wanted to get back here and ultimately get back to the state championship game,” Preuss said. “We were very fired up for this game and ready to go.”
Mike Mastovich is a sports reporter and columnist for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at 814-532-5083. Follow him on Twitter @Masty81.
Lance Stroll isn't always great entertainment when facing the media, especially on a bad day. And Saturday in China was one of those – as most days currently are for Aston Martin in Formula 1.
The Canadian managed to outqualify only Sergio Perez, who had an issue with his car during the session – so Stroll ended up 21st on the timesheet with a 2.8s gap to the fastest time in Q1 set by Charles Leclerc. That result could even be taken as an improvement compared to a week ago in Melbourne, where Stroll couldn't even leave the garage due to an engine issue. Yet he himself isn't really considering it as such.
When the Canadian made his way to the media mixed zone and faced the first question post-qualifying in China – regarding whether the team had made any progress since last week – his answer was a simple "No".
A further question about whether being able to at least complete more laps in Shanghai than in Melbourne made him feel any better brought the same response.
"No," he said, feeling no need to elaborate.
Does he expect any progress during the race then? Also, "No".
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
The last attempt from the representatives of the media, though, yielded a slightly more elaborate answer.
"Is there any positive?" he was asked.
"Right now, not much, no," Stroll responded. And there were no further questions.
Aston Martin's torrid start to the season continues. Stroll and his team-mate Fernando Alonso were out after the first segment of sprint qualifying too – with only the Cadillac drivers ending up behind them on the sprint grid. The Saturday morning short race saw them cross the line 17th and 18th with three retirements.
On a positive note, they at least completed the full distance of 19 laps.
The goal for Sunday's race, according to Alonso, is to try to do the same in the main event.
"To try to finish the race," the Spaniard said when asked about the target for the main race in Shanghai by DAZN. "It would be good to see the chequered flag for the first time. We saw it with both cars today, but it was a short race, so let’s see if tomorrow with one of the two we can see the chequered flag."
Joey Linn: Bennedict Mathurin says he wants to be the best two-way player in the NBA. “I think my defense has been better. But I want more. I wanna be gritty. I don’t know how long I’ll get to be around these guys. I want to learn as much as I can. I ask KD a lot of questions. DJ and Kawhi. Things they see differently that I may not be able to see. I’m blessed, man. I’m grateful for sure… That two-way saying, it’s not something I’m just saying to be out there. I really wanna be one of the best — I wanna be the best two-way in the NBA. So you gotta start somewhere to get somewhere.” He’s asked Jeff Van Gundy to be hard on him so he can improve defensively.
NEW DELHI: The debate around the “spirit of cricket” resurfaced after the controversial run-out of Salman Ali Agha by Mehidy Hasan Miraz during the second ODI between Pakistan national cricket team and Bangladesh national cricket team at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.
The incident unfolded in the 39th over of Pakistan’s innings when the visitors were in the middle of a steady recovery. Agha and Mohammad Rizwan had put together a 109-run partnership for the fourth wicket after Pakistan lost three early wickets. On the fourth delivery of the over, bowled by Bangladesh captain Miraz, Rizwan pushed the ball gently down the ground. The ball rolled towards Agha, who had stepped out of his crease at the non-striker’s end after backing up.
As the ball struck his pads, Agha bent down to pick it up and appeared to hand it back. Miraz, however, quickly collected the ball and dislodged the bails while Agha was still outside the crease before appealing for a run-out.
129571598
The on-field umpire referred the appeal to the third umpire, who ruled in Bangladesh’s favour and confirmed the dismissal. The decision left Agha visibly frustrated as he walked back to the pavilion, with television visuals showing the Pakistan batter expressing his displeasure.
The moment also triggered a brief exchange between Agha and Miraz on the field, while Rizwan was seen engaging in a discussion with the Bangladesh players.
Despite the controversy, Pakistan went on to win the match by 128 runs via the DLS method. Speaking after the game, Agha reflected on the dismissal and the circumstances around it.
— BCBtigers (@BCBtigers)
"What he has done is in the law. I think if he thinks it's right, it's right, but from my perspective, I would have done it differently. I would have gone for sportsman's spirit. We haven't done this type of thing previously, we would never do that in the future as well," Agha said.
"Actually, the ball hit on my pad and then my bat. So I thought he can't get me run-out now, because the ball already hit on my pad and my bat. I was just trying to give him the ball back. I was not looking for the run or anything like that, but he already decided to make the run-out," he added.
"It was just heat-of-the-moment kind of stuff. If you ask me what I would have done, I would have done things differently. But it was everything, whatever happened after that, it was in the moment," said Agha.
When asked about the exchange between the two players during the incident, Agha admitted that neither side used “nice words”.
"I can't remember what I was saying, and I can't remember what he was saying. I'm sure I wasn't saying nice things, and I'm sure he wasn't saying nice stuff as well. But it was just the heat of the moment, so we are fine," he said.
Martin Odegaard gives injury update pre-Everton clash
Injured Arsenal duo Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard appear to be on the verge of comebacks, with Odegaard admitting he’s desperate to make his return.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Arsenal’s injury situation isn’t too bad at the moment, with only three known issues going into Saturday’s match against Everton.
Mikel Merino is out, and there’s certainly no chance of him returning anytime soon. The player posted on his Instagram page on Friday and revealed he’s been using crutches and a mobility scooter, so he’s a way off competitive football.
The other two potential absences are less certain, with both Leandro Trossard and Martin Odegaard believed to be closing in on their comebacks. Though Mikel Arteta wouldn’t confirm anything one way or another in his pre-Everton press conference.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
“We’ll see (if Trossard and Odegaard could be available against Everton,” Arteta said. “We will have to wait and see and speak to the doctors on whether they are involved or not.”
The good news is that it sounds like there’s a least a chance the pair could return to the squad, and there’s no doubt Odegaard is very keen for that to happen.
Speaking in his pre-match programme notes, Odegaard said: “I’m desperate to get back to playing as soon as I can. It’s been difficult for me with the knee injury lately, but I’m working as hard as I can to get back to full fitness now.
“The main thing is to be 100% again, and make sure I can properly help the team.”
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
With Arteta confirming there are no new injury concerns from Arsenal’s midweek game against Bayer Leverkusen, it’s possible the team will only have one or two enforced absences for the Everton match.
That’s certainly good news, as it’s vital the Gunners keep picking up three points as we move into the final eight games of the Premier League season.
“Celtic really have no right to still be in the conversation,” Chris Sutton
Chris Sutton has continued his on-going praise for Motherwell under the guidance of Jens Berthel Askou and believes that the Fir Park side will provide Celtic will a significant challenge this afternoon at Celtic Park...
Writing in his weekly newspaper column the former Celtic title winner looks ahead to today’s Scottish Premiership encounter and notes the long-running problems that Celtic have had to cope with this season with problems in the middle of the park and in the forward areas not being solved, instead the team has relied on individual moments of quality and strong defending to get themselves through matches.
“I’ve said before I think Jens Berthel Askou’s team are one of the best to watch in Britain – and he is a manager Celtic should be looking at for the summer,” Sutton stated in today’s Daily Record.
“It was a shock to see them slip up against Dundee last weekend, but that was a rare off day and I don’t think it will mean the wheels will come off. The challenge for Celtic is how they are going to attempt to control the game.
“They haven’t managed to do that in enough matches this season – especially against Motherwell. And it will be even tougher with no McGregor in the midfield,” the former Celtic goalscorer noted.
Callum McGregor celebrates. Aberdeen v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. Wednesday 4th March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
Looking at Celtic’s midfield options he continued: “We all know Celtic have a problem up front with strikers who are not scoring goals. But the midfield has been as much a problem this season too. There’s been a lack of balance and cohesion in there. Benjamin Nygren remains an enigma as when he plays there are too many gaps, but you need him for his goal threat.
Benjamin Nygren celebrates. Aberdeen v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. Wednesday 4th March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
“You wonder who will replace McGregor this weekend. Luke McCowan had a tough time in there at Ibrox as he struggled to take the ball on the turn in his own half.
Reo Hatate scores at Ibrox in the penalty shoot-out. Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday 8 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
“Reo Hatate has come back into form but it’s a big risk playing him deep when he has a tendency to give the ball away. Then there is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. He has the quality to dominate in there. It’s just a question of fitness.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at Ibrox. Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday 8 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
After four tough away fixtures, two at Ibrox against the Rangers, Sutton reckons that there will be precious little home comforts this afternoon at Parkhead for the Champions.
“It won’t quite be derby level of mayhem but it won’t be easy today given the way Motherwell’s midfield has worked a treat this term. That’s why I’ve been saying for weeks this game is far more worrying than the Rangers encounters. Would is surprise anyone to see Celtic slip up?
“I doubt it. I just think they can’t keep performing at this level and expecting to keep getting results,”Sutton said.
He believes that Celtic are only in contention for the title due to the winning mentality of Martin O’Neill but points out that his former gaffer is not a miracle worker. Perhaps that assessment will have to be revised come the end of May of the 74 year-old Irish walks off into the sunset as a double winner.
“Eventually the displays catch up with you and at some point Celtic are going to have to find something if they are to get over the line. Hearts are still the team that is most likely to win the title this year. There are questions over Rangers’ mentality and creativity while Celtic really have no right to still be in the conversation. They are part of it because O’Neill is a born winner and he’s getting every ouch out of this current group.
“He’s not a miracle worker though. At some stage there will need to some combination play, patterns of build up and more joined up pressing when they don’t have the ball.
“At the moment it’s not there. Celtic are relying on centre backs defending the box and forward thinking players producing individual moments of magic. That can only get you so far. Opposition teams know if they press Celtic all over the pitch they will give the ball away.
“It’s going be fascinating to see how O’Neill approaches this,”Sutton said.
Our Dear Green Place tifo by the Green Brigade, September 2024. Photo IMAGO
The fact that Celtic have failed to facilitate the return of the Green Brigade, which Martin O’Neill was once again calling for yesterday afternoon, is a disgrace. It’s also a mistake that could prove very costly.
A full Celtic Park today, with the Green Brigade back would have given the team every chance against a Motherwell side who will have their own game-plan and will play on the perceived weaknesses in the Celtic team.
All the rest of us can do this afternoon at the game is to give the team as much backing as we possibly can, get the three points then watch on as Hearts this evening then the Rangers tomorrow try to match our result away to Kilmarnock and St Mirren respectively.
Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order
NASHVILLE — Earlier this season, John Calipari picked up the phone and rang one of his fellow Catholic coaches.
It’d been a tough year for Oklahoma’s Porter Moser and Calipari — the Arkansas coach and legend in the sport — wanted to remind his friend who he was.
“This may be your best job ever of coaching,” Calipari told Moser.
Moser has seen it all this season. From a nine-game losing streak, which included “fire Moser” chants inside his home arena, to a stunning turnaround catapulting the Sooners into the NCAA Tournament conversation.
Fan apathy was legit during the skid. Things seemed to be trending in the direction of Moser not being around next season. And then the past few weeks happened.
OU won six straight games and eight of its last 10. Who knows if it’ll be enough to get it in the tourney.
But, say what you want about Moser’s tenure as a whole, he inspired a group of players to believe even when the going is rough and when no one else sees a path.
“He is one of the good guys in our profession,” Calipari said. “You all know his career, what he's done. I say when you have a guy like him, then administration's got to do their thing and put around him. I always say coaches win games. Administrations win championships. I've said that for as long as I've coached.
“We can do our thing, but they are going to win a championship because they choose to. They choose to invest in it. They choose to do all the things that a championship team has to have and needs to have.
“He's a championship coach.”
ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi hasn’t updated his latest tournament field projections, but before Friday night’s game he said the Sooners would likely still be out if they lost.
Moser was asked following the Sooners’ 82-79 loss to Cal’s Razorbacks what he wanted the country to know about his group.
“What I want the country to know is they're playing some of the best basketball in the country right now,” Moser said. “Analytically, one of the top 15 teams the way we're playing. Number one conference in the country. Going into tonight we won eight out of 10 SEC games.
“Should be glorified how young people stuck together in this day and age and overcame stuff. That should be glorified. What some of these guys were going through, the heartbreak stuff, 40-footers at Missouri. To keep coming back and to turn it. That's what I think the country wants to see. I think the country saw how good of basketball we're playing. I think the whole country saw that.”
The Sooners were 11-12 on Feb. 4. Moser was firmly on the hot seat.
Now, OU is playing like a top 10 team in the country.
“I don't think anybody wants to play Oklahoma in this tournament,” Moser said. “I think they'll say it. Every coach said it to me, how we've played. That's what you want in the tournament. You want the best teams playing their best in the tournament. You don't want teams limping in, limping in.
“Oklahoma's not limping in. We're playing some of the best basketball in the country. I want the whole country to know that these guys are unbelievably hard. That should be glorified in this day and age. … Hopefully on Sunday, I feel confident, I really do. You never want it out of your hands. This team, 10 quad one and two wins, not limping in. I think that's the biggest message. Greatest tournament in the world. You want to see teams that are hot.”
Following a 37-point outing from star Darius Acuff Jr. and a semifinal bid, Calipari didn’t start his postgame news conference praising his squad.
He began with praising the job Moser has done. He knows OU has decisions to make.
“Folks, when you're winning, it's a different thing,” Calipari said. “When you're struggling, that's real coaching. How do you keep 'em up? How do you get 'em involved? How do you keep 'em believing when you're struggling?
“He did.”
Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
Jonathan Allen, a decade-long staple in the upper echelon of NFL interior defense, is old enough to have been recruited by Bengals defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery at Oklahoma and to model himself after one of his early peers in great Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins.
Free-agent defensive back Marco Wilson, who played parts of the past two seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals, is signing a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Before the Cincinnati Bengals signed Jonathan Allen in NFL free agency, much of the discourse focused on something else: The free agents the Bengals targeted…and missed.
The Cowboys have lost another depth piece to their team, this time on defense, after safety Juanyeh Thomas agreed to terms with the Indianapolis Colts on a one-year contract.
Thomas, 25, originally signed with the Cowboys out of Georgia Tech after the 2022 NFL Draft. He didn't make the team but was signed to the club's practice squad where he remained for the duration of the season.
Last season, things began to unravel for Thomas after he was limited to seven games and three starts while battling migraine issues. It affected him so bad that Thomas was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list in November and was shut down for the remainder of the season in December.
Texas A&M (21-11) entered the week with plenty of momentum after defeating Kentucky and LSU to end the regular season, resulting in a first-round bye in the SEC Tournament. However, facing a red-hot Oklahoma team, the Sooners jumped out to a double-digit lead early, while the Aggies failed to capitalize, shooting a poor 38% from the field and 26% from three.
Losing 83-63, first-year head coach Bucky McMillan and his veteran team, entirely made up of offseason transfer additions, have not been consistent late in the season, as the 7-1 start in SEC play ended with a 2-6 finish in February, combined with a two-game losing streak before back-to-back wins. Losing by 20 points this late in the season is never a good thing, but in terms of the NCAA Tournament, the Aggies are still considered an at-large bid.
Widely projected as a 10-seed heading into Selection Sunday, Texas A&M will receive seven or eight days of rest before taking the court, and based on the last two games, this team needs to reset and refocus on the task ahead. How does this happen? McMillan stated on Thursday night that, for the Aggies to have a chance to advance past the first round of the tournament, a combination of rest and playing an "A+ game" is the only path to success.
"Rest always matters, but the reality of it is, we're not going to win an NCAA Tournament game if we don't have more guys play an A+ game. We're going to have to have that on both sides of the ball. We've got to be us."
How the Aggies responded against Kentucky, trailing by 15 points in the first half only to storm back and hold a double-digit lead the rest of the way, while forcing turnovers and hitting at least 11 three-pointers, is the only way this team has a shot to make some noise in March Madness.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
After the question came about Aaron Rodgers, it seemed that Michael Pittman, Jr. was poised to bolt off the line of scrimmage and score on a deep post pattern.
Pittman, the big wide receiver obtained in a trade this week, was among players formally introduced by the Pittsburgh Steelers during news conferences Friday that were livestreamed on the team’s website. Naturally, there’s much anticipation about how the new, fired-up weapon might flow with A-Rod.
He said, “When you have a chance to play with a Hall of Fame quarterback…”
Pittman paused, then pivoted on his response like an intended target breaking off an option route.
“I haven’t been able to reach him yet,” he continued. “I know that he’s still thinking about it, but we also have two good quarterbacks here in Mason (Rudolph) and Will (Howard), so whatever ends up turning out, I think we’ll have a good plan offensively and I think we’ll make the most of it.”
So there. Blah, blah. Pittman, who came over after six seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, quickly demonstrated that he is well-equipped to go with the Black and Gold flow.
See, when talking about Rodgers – especially this time of year – it is best to tread lightly and carefully measure your words. It’s a delicate topic.
Here we go. After a flurry of big free agent moves, trades and well one trade that wasn’t amid the frenzy to ignite the offseason over the past week, the NFL universe is still waiting on the big decision from the four-time NFL MVP.
And considering that we’re talking about Rodgers – hey, no pressure, man – it could be a long wait.
Return or retire?
Rodgers, 42, hasn’t publicly declared that he will come back for a 22nd NFL season. On “The Pat McAfee Show” in early March, Rodgers maintained that there was nothing to debate as he didn’t have a contract offer from the Steelers to weigh. Yet that seemed a lot like pondering the question of which came first: The chicken or the egg?
Of course, as GM Omar Khan has reiterated publicly, the Steelers want him back. The franchise hasn’t had a quarterback start 16 games in back-to-back seasons since Ben Roethlisberger in 2021 and Rodgers – although he wasn’t “MVP A-Rod” and the deep shots were spotty – showed last season in leading the way to a division crown that he can still be effective with a strong supporting cast.
Offering a contract seems to be a formality, as the Steelers have had discussions with Rodgers’ representatives about the framework for a deal. And with Rodgers collecting nearly $400 million in career earnings, according to Spotrac.com, it’s doubtful that money will be a significant factor in this equation, anyway. Last year, Rodgers played on a one-year, $13.65 million contact that amounted to an effective “discount double-check” when compared to the market rate for starting QBs.
So, like last time, it’s no secret this “Rodgers 2.0” decision likely hinges on the quarterback’s fire and desire. And maybe other reasons that he can explain better than the rest of us.
Still, timing juices the other key element. There’s no way that Rodgers should leave the Steelers hanging on a decision until June, as was the case last time.
Sure, there’s definitely a need for space and healing, mentally and physically, in contemplating whether to sign up for another year of the grind that comes with such a physically demanding sport. Can’t go at it halfway. Rodgers may even have another “darkness retreat” on the agenda. He has earned the right to be thorough with his process.
Yet, for as patient as former coach Mike Tomlin was in waiting on Rodgers’ decision last year, it can’t be the “new normal” for it to linger until a post-Memorial Day call.
It probably helps in the decision that Rodgers seemed to thoroughly enjoy his experience with the Steelers. And maybe it helps even more that Tomlin – who Rodgers is genuinely fond of – was replaced by Mike McCarthy. After all, Rodgers had his greatest success in collaborating with McCarthy to win a Super Bowl for the Green Bay Packers after the 2010 season.
Still, Rodgers can do McCarthy a solid by making an earlier decision. No, it won’t help the Steelers to force the issue with some hardcore deadline or to sign another veteran quarterback, such as Kirk Cousins, if Rodgers is their desired quarterback of the present.
Yet even if the decision is weeks away, it is reasonable to expect it before the draft, when so many personnel decisions involving veterans come to a head. And remember, with McCarthy coming in as a new coach, the Steelers get an extra (voluntary) mini-camp and a two-week jump on teams with returning coaches in beginning their offseason conditioning program. Phase I of Pittsburgh’s program will open on April 7.
No need to hold your breath or check for a wager on the prediction market that Rodgers, if he decides to return, will be back by early April.
Yet it’s not too early to envision the comfort zone that exists for Rodgers. After a year of running Arthur Smith’s offense, he might find extra incentive in the idea of getting back into a scheme that he once brought to life. McCarthy’s “West Coast”-based scheme – with quick throws, extensive shotgun snaps and a spread rushing attack – would undoubtedly allow Rodgers expanded freedom to make adjustments at the line of scrimmage. And hey, it might even prompt a revival for tight end Pat Freiermuth, who so often seemed lost in Smith’s system.
Regardless, some of the Steelers’ other moves would likely get a stamp of approval from Rodgers. Pittman, a physical receiver with a penchant for making contested catches, goes far in addressing a glaring weakness as Pittsburgh lacked a dominant threat opposite wideout DK Metcalf.
Also, Pittsburgh might have filled the hole left with running back Kenneth Gainwell’s free agent departure to the Buccaneers. Gainwell, who was voted the team’s MVP, is clearly a Rodgers favorite. He was the team’s leader with 73 catches (reflecting, too, the impact of the short throws that the passing game was built around) and tallied 1,023 yards from scrimmage. Now the backfield work with Jaylen Warren will be split with Rico Dowdle, a physical runner who broke into the NFL under McCarthy with the Cowboys and has put up back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing campaigns.
In the meantime, Rodgers can expect to hear from Pittman, a Southern Cal alum who has occasionally crossed paths with the quarterback. They train at the same spot in California, Pittman explained, although they have never engaged in throwing sessions.
Pittman said he will “shoot him a text message and see how he feels about things. Just knowing him, I know he loves football and he’s going to consider it.”
Now that would be a serious post pattern. And hey, it might even set the foundation for critical bond for the Steelers – if Rodgers decides to run it back.
Following our win against Brighton, I suggested, because of his age, that Fabian Hürzeler be given the benefit of the doubt.
As the youngest permanent manager in the history of the Premiership, the German is still learning.It is never easy to be interviewed minutes after a defeat. Broadcasters contractually want instant access to managers because the more emotional a person is, the more likely they are to say something controversial, which makes good television.
Press Conference Perspective
I asked for Gooners to wait for the 33-year-old’s next press conference to see if he would backtrack on his comments and admit he had crossed the line.The Seagulls were not involved in the FA Cup, meaning their boss had over a week to prepare to face the media.
While neither he nor Mikel Arteta went into much detail about its content, both confirmed on Friday that Mr Hürzeler had texted the Spaniard to clarify his criticism regarding time-wasting and to emphasise his respect and admiration for Arsenal.I assumed his employer would have hinted his post-match attack was not a good look for his or the club’s image.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. It is acceptable to say you are not entertained by watching the Gunners; it is not acceptable, though, to be dismissive of our tactics and try to downplay the hard work that has gone into losing only three games this season. If it were easy to score from set pieces and so simple to defend narrow leads, why are our competitors not doing the same?
Sir Alex Ferguson once said you learn a lot about a coach not when things are going well but when you have to deal with adversity.Nobody likes to be the villain in their own narrative; it is easier to blame someone else.
Reflection and Empathy
The hardest thing in life is to step back, take a breath and ask yourself, ‘Did I let myself down?’It is even more difficult to reach out and show empathy for those you have offended.
Mr Hürzeler nearly damaged his reputation with his comments but will have impressed potential suitors by this classy gesture.
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link…
Newcastle United forward warns Barcelona ahead of CL showdown – ‘Make their lives miserable’
Harvey Barnes, the scorer for Newcastle United in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 against FC Barcelona, made it clear that despite the 1-1 draw at St James’ Park, his team is full of belief ahead of the return leg at the Spotify Camp Nou on Wednesday.
Barnes handed the lead to the Magpies last Tuesday, only to see his goal cancelled out by a late Lamine Yamal penalty.
With everything to play for in the second leg, the winger has issued a warning to Barcelona, stating that while Newcastle respect their quality, they will spare no effort in making life hard for the Catalans on the pitch.
“You have to respect their quality, but not respect them on the pitch,” he told the Newcastle Chronicle (h/t Mundo Deportivo).
“You have to make their lives miserable,” Barnes added.
The 28-year-old winger, who has recorded 14 goals and four assists so far this season, insisted that Newcastle must maintain the same aggressive style that allowed them to compete strongly in the first leg.
“You can’t show them too much respect. If you do, they’ll punish you and create chance after chance,” he explained.
Barnes scored for Newcastle against Barcelona. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
“We did that that night: we pressed them from the first minute and tried to do it throughout the game. You can’t let them come here, dictate the game, and show off their class. You have to make their lives miserable,” he continued.
In Barnes’s view, giving Barcelona too much space or respect inevitably leads to danger because the Catalan side has players of enormous quality capable of creating constant attacking opportunities.
He particularly highlighted Newcastle’s collective defensive effort in limiting Barcelona’s possession and opportunities around the penalty area.
Barnes also made it clear that the main aspect Newcastle must improve in the second leg in Barcelona is taking advantage of their chances.
“We’ve shown time and again that when we play at our best, we can compete with these top teams. There have been too many occasions this season where we’ve dropped below that level, and it’s cost us dearly in the Premier League,” Barnes noted.
“But in the Champions League, we’ve been at our best; we played very well, with and without the ball, and we deserved to leave with a lead. Next week we’ll be at our best,” he reiterated.
Lee Westwood, at 52 years old, is tied for the lead of LIV Singapore with just one round to play.
Westwood has leaned on his years of experience as a former world number one to put in three consistent rounds, bettering the likes of Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, who trail him going into Sunday.
Westwood has two wins on the PGA Tour, and is tied for eighth all-time on the European Tour with 25 wins. But speaking after his round at Sentosa, he explained why this would be the best win of his career.
Photo by Thananuwat Srirasant/Getty Images
Why Lee Westwood thinks LIV Singapore would be the best win of his career
Westwood is rolling back the clock to hang around with two of the world’s best. He shared his reaction to holding the lead in Singapore to reporters after his third round:
“Yeah, you know when you turn up to a LIV event that one of those three or two of those three or all of those three are probably going to be towards the top of the leaderboard. It’s a strong tour out here, and you have to play well to get yourself into contention and win.
“It’s nice at the age of 52, nearly 53, to still be competing on a world-class level, really.”
He was then asked where this win would rank among his other career wins, and Westwood said, “I guess at the age of — I’m 53 on the 24th of April, so at that stage, it would probably be the best win of my career.
“I get asked that question a lot, and I normally go back to the ’97 Australian Open beating Greg Norman in a playoff as certainly my favorite win, and then obviously winning at Sun City with my wife carrying my golf bag, I have to then say that that’s one of my favorite wins or she’s clips me around the ear.
“But all of my wins have special memories. But to still be competitive at my age and up there and having chances to win tournaments like this is validation for driving myself on and doing all the hard work and practice that nobody sees and still being competitive, like I say, and having a good enough game to compete against them.”
Lee Westwood shares expectations for his final round in Singapore
Westwood was asked how his experience would help him during his final round as he battles for the win, but he’s muting his expectations.
He said, “Anything can happen. We don’t have much control over external things. I could play great tomorrow. I could play poorly. I could play great and not shoot a very good score. I could play poorly and shoot a great score. You don’t know what’s going to happen.
“Really just controlling the controllables and sticking to my process and what I’ve done over the first three days and not get carried away with the position I’m in or trying to do too much, especially around this golf course.
“I get the feeling if you try and do too much around this golf course and get too aggressive, it’ll bite you.”
Only time will tell, but it’s set to be a blockbuster finish.
“That’s my point” – Liam Rosenior demands one thing from his players ahead of Newcastle clash
Liam Rosenior has demanded accountability after Chelsea’s defeat to PSG and has called on the players to accept their share of the blame.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CHELSEA NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ONTHE APP STORE
The Blues fell to a 5-2 defeat against PSG in Paris on Wednesday night in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.
Chelsea were in the game at 2-2 with 15 minutes left, but imploded and now need a miracle to overturn a three goal deficit in the second leg on Tuesday.
Speaking ahead of the Newcastle game on Saturday, the 41-year-old has called on the players to take their share of the blame for what happened in Paris.
“It’s collective. It’s collective. I make mistakes; everybody makes mistakes. That’s my point,” he said as quoted by The Standard.
“It’s not all on me. It’s not all on the players. We’re a collective, a group. It’s all good when we win 4-1 at Aston Villa and everyone is happy and takes accountability then.
“You have to take accountability when things don’t go your way [as well]. For me, that’s part of the culture that I want at this club: for everybody to be part of the same thing, whether it’s a success or a defeat.”
Chelsea face tough Newcastle test
The Blues have an opportunity to right the wrongs of Wednesday night as they host Newcastle on Saturday in a huge game.
INGLEWOOD, CA - OCTOBER 6: Green Bay Packers guard Elgton Jenkins (74) during the NFL game between the Green Bay Packers and the Los Angeles Rams on October 06, 2024, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Welcome to the weekend, Browns fans! And Happy National Pi Day to all who celebrate!
Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry got to work on the offensive line in free agency, moving quickly to add Zion Johnson and Elgton Jenkins to the group, following an earlier trade for Tytus Howard.
How well they blend with whoever else lines up along the offensive line – veteran Joel Bitonio? A (hopefully) new left tackle in the 2026 NFL Draft – remains to be seen, but at least Berry did what he could to address an aging and injured unit.
The first wave of free agency is coming to a close, but there are still players to be signed in what those “in the know” salivate over as value additions, so we’ll see what else Berry has up his sleeve in the days to come.
In the meantime, let’s get the weekend rolling with the latest edition of the Saturday Dawg Chow!
Emiliano Viviano says Giuntoli did a better job than Comolli
Damien Comolli replaced Cristiano Giuntoli at the end of last season after Juventus decided to dismiss their sporting director.
Although Comolli was never officially given the title of sporting director, he effectively carried out many of the responsibilities previously handled by Giuntoli. These duties included overseeing the recruitment of new players and playing a key role in managerial decisions at the club.
During the summer, Juventus brought in several new players and also secured Igor Tudor on a new long-term contract, with Comolli reportedly leading the negotiations that resulted in the manager committing his future to the club.
Criticism of Comolli’s Work
Despite these moves, Emiliano Viviano does not believe Juventus have improved since Giuntoli’s departure, and he has been openly critical of Comolli’s impact at the club. Speaking as quoted by Calciomercato, Viviano said:
“Tell me a damn decent Comolli signing. Giuntoli did 150 times better than Comolli. When they ask you to lower your wages by 50 million euros and, after you lower them, they tell you you haven’t achieved results, it’s easy to do what Comolli did. Spend here and there. Giuntoli had to lower his wages: we can’t evaluate a manager like fantasy football. It’s not buying and selling, he has to do a series of things: manage the group and do other things. He may have signed Di Gregorio, who turned out to be a mistake, or Koopmeiners, who we all would have bought, but what did Comolli do? He signed David and Openda. There’s no one who’s made it big, who makes you say how good he is.”
Viviano’s comments reflect frustration with the club’s recent recruitment strategy and suggest that the current leadership has yet to demonstrate clear improvement over the previous regime.
Juventus’ New Cycle
Juventus have entered what the club hopes will be a new cycle under Comolli’s guidance, to return to the consistent trophy-winning success that defined earlier periods of their history.
However, several of the recent signings have struggled to make a meaningful impact on the team. Players such as Jonathan David and Loïs Openda have been particularly disappointing, raising doubts about their long-term future at the club.
While Juventus may allow time for these players to adapt, it remains possible that some of them could depart as soon as the season concludes if their performances do not improve.
Paul Joyce highlights unexpected Liverpool weapon in set-piece improvement
Liverpool’s approach to set pieces has quietly evolved over the past few months, with Joe Gomez now playing a surprisingly important role in that shift.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Dead-ball situations had been a major concern earlier in the campaign, with the Reds conceding far too often from corners and wide free-kicks during the opening months of the season.
However, new analysis suggests Liverpool have begun to find solutions, with one unexpected tactical weapon emerging in recent weeks.
Writing in The Times, journalist Paul Joyce pointed to Gomez as an increasingly influential figure in the team’s set-piece strategy.
Joyce wrote: “There has been an improvement in set pieces over the past three months, utilising Joe Gomez’s long throws and turning to inswinging corners as a new weapon, but the fans want to see that complemented with advancements in other areas.”
That observation reflects something supporters at Anfield have gradually noticed, with the England international now regularly launching long throws into dangerous areas of the penalty box.
Liverpool set-piece changes since coaching shift
The improvement in dead-ball situations comes after Liverpool made a significant coaching change earlier in the season.
The Reds had conceded more non-penalty set-piece goals than any other side in the Premier League, while also offering very little threat from corners or wide free-kicks in attack.
Joe Gomez offering Liverpool a different attacking option
Gomez’s long throw has become one of the unexpected additions to Liverpool’s attacking play.
The defender, the longest serving figure in the squad, provides a direct route into the penalty area that can unsettle defensive structures and create second-ball opportunities.
It’s a tactic that has become increasingly common across the Premier League, with clubs placing greater emphasis on marginal advantages from restarts.
For Liverpool, the development adds another layer to Arne Slot’s tactical options as the season enters a crucial period.
While supporters still want improvements in other areas of the team’s performance, particularly after the recent defeat to Galatasaray, the progress around set pieces suggests that at least one previously problematic aspect of Liverpool’s game is beginning to move in the right direction.
Which Italy players will Gattuso be keeping an eye on in Inter vs. Atalanta?
There is now less than a week to go before Gennaro Gattuso announced his Italy national team squad for the World Cup play-off campaign coming up at the end of March, and recent reports claim that the CT will be in San Siro to keep an eye on some of his players during Saturday’s Serie A match between Inter and Atalanta.
Here is a reminder of the players who will be of interest to Gattuso ahead of the crucial Northern Ireland clash on March 26.
Gattuso drawing up final plans for Italy’s World Cup play-offs
Italy are due to take on Northern Ireland in a one-legged World Cup play-off semi-final on March 26, and the winner of that tie will go on to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away from home in the play-off final on March 31: A one-off decider for a spot at the final tournament.
Should Italy fail to win both matches, it will mean three consecutive World Cup absences for the joint-second-most successful nation in the tournament’s history. The Azzurri have not featured at the World Cup group stages since 2014 and have not won a knock-out game at the tournament since lifting the trophy in 2006
Gattuso is expected to announce his squad for the World Cup play-offs, which will be played during the March international break, on Friday.
Before then, he will be in San Siro to keep an eye on some of his players during Saturday’s Serie A match between Inter and Atalanta according to reports from Il Giorno and various other outlets.
Between the Inter and Atalanta squads, there are 14 senior players who have either represented Italy in the past, or are tipped to earn a call-up in the near future.
Cristian Chivu’s side contains five players who are practically guaranteed a spot in the side. They are Alessandro Bastoni, Federico Dimarco, Nicolo Barella, Davide Frattesi and Pio Esposito.
Bastoni is still nursing an impact injury he suffered against Milan last weekend, and might not start against Atalanta, but is still expected to be involved with the Italy national team squad.
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Alessandro Bastoni of Italy warms up prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Senior Nerazzurri players in Matteo Darmian and Francesco Acerbi are highly unlikely to be involved in Gattuso’s next squad, though.
Atalanta also have a decent crop of players hoping to be called up to the Italy squad next week.
Marco Carnesecchi and Gianluca Scamacca are likely to be called up to the Italy squad next week. Giacomo Raspadori is normally a sure-fire pick as well, but there are still ongoing doubts surrounding his fitness.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 04: Marco Carnesecchi of Atalanta reacts during the Coppa Italia match between SS Lazio and Atalanta BC at Olimpico Stadium on March 04, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Evaluations could also be made over Giorgio Scalvini, who is expected to start against Inter on Saturday after serving his suspension in the Champions League midweek.
Atalanta also have three Italian wing-backs on their books in Davide Zappacosta, Raoul Bellanova and Luca Bernasconi. Zappacosta has been performing well in recent weeks, but is not currently expected to be called up to the Italy squad.
Bellanova currently has plenty of position for a spot on Italy’s right flank given the recent form youngsters Marco Palestra, on loan from Atalanta to Cagliari, and Michael Kayode of Premier League side Brentford. Juventus’s Andrea Cambiaso is also expected to be called up and is capable of covering on the right, too.
Some reports, however, suggest that left-sided wing-back Bernasconi is among the players on Gattuso’s preliminary squad list.
Celtic v Motherwell – Match Preview and Predicted Team
Celtic face Motherwell this afternoon as Martin O’Neill’s side look to strike first in a weekend where we are the only one of the four title challengers to play at home. A win closes the gap on Hearts to two points ahead of their evening kick-off at Kilmarnock…
A view of Celtic Park. Photo Mark Runnacles IMAGO/Shutterstock
It’s a big weekend in the Scottish Premiership title race with Celtic taking on a highly regarded Motherwell side led by the impressive Jens Berthel Askou who is surely going to to be a major contender for the Celtic job in the summer.
Martin O’Neill’s side return to Paradise after four tough but successful away fixtures that keep Celtic in with a chance of a league and Scottish Cup double. Three points today against the Fir Park side will probably knock them out of the race and will heap pressure on leaders Hearts and the Rangers who are away to managerless St Mirren tomorrow.
Celtic Injury News
Celtic captain Callum McGregor sits this one out after missing the Scottish Cup victory at Ibrox. Martin O’Neill yesterday confirmed Calmac has a calf problem, not a reoccurrence of the Achilles injury that sidelined him last season. The Celtic manager suggests a return next weekend for the skipper.
Kasper Schmeichel has ruled himself out for around four to six weeks with his shoulder injury woes resurfacing in recent weeks. A decision that should have been taken sooner and by the club not the player. Maybe at half-time in the home match against VfB Stuttgart. The second goal conceded at Kilmarnock showed that there was a problem and we talked about it on here straight away. Crazy that it was overlooked.
Arne Engels is back on the grass but won’t be involved today. He’s going to back home to Belgium for some treatment and should be back after the international break for the title run in. Still no return for any of the long term injured including Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Jota and Callum Osmand.
Celtic Team News
Super save from Viljami Sinisalo. Scottish Premiership. Wednesday 4th March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
Viljami Sinisalo has been excellent over the past four tough away fixtures and today gets the chance to play as the Celtic No1 at Paradise. Auston Trusty remains on the Scottish FA naughty step so will sit this one out with the Celtic back four likely to include Julian Araujo, Dane Murray (who was on media conference duties yesterday and that’s usually a strong hint that he’s playing), Liam Scales and Kieran Tierney IF he’s fit enough to start. If not Marcelo Saracchi will get the nod.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at Ibrox. Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday 8 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could play the number six role today with the back-in-form Reo Hatate and goal machine Benjamin Nygren making up the midfield three. The front three has been an issue all season as various managers have tried to find a formula that works. Today Martin O’Neill is perhaps planning on playing Yang on the right, Daizen Maeda through the middle and Sebastian Tounekti on the left wing.
Predicted Celtic Team
Reo Hatate scores at Ibrox in the penalty shoot-out. Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday 8 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
Martin O’Neill in the Celtic dugout for his 1000th match as a manager. Celtic v VFB Stuttgart at Celtic Park during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Celtic FC and VfB Stuttgart at Celtic Park on February 19, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
“A really tough game, absolutely. They’ve had a fantastic time, a bit of a setback last week at Dundee, but they really have been the proverbial breath of fresh air for the SPFL. It’s been terrific, they’ve played really well and they play matches without any real fear. It’s great and it’s been terrific for them.
“They’ve been terrific, Hearts have been great this season and I also think that Falkirk have been terrific as well.But from our immediate opponents, Motherwell, a real difficult game for us.”
Match Officials
The SFA have confirmed the refereeing team for this weekend’s Scottish Premiership meeting between Celtic and Motherwell. Just two weeks after taking charge of the league meeting between Celtic and Rangers at Ibrox, experienced referee John Beaton has been handed the whistle for this afternoon’s game at Paradise.
John Beaton points to the spot after a VAR review. theRangers 2 Celtic 2. Sunday 1st March 2026.Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
The 44-year-old will be assured by Graeme Stewart and Calum Spence. Meanwhile, at Clydesdale House, Kevin Clancy will be on VAR with Gary Hilland assisting..
Motherwell beat Celtic in December, winning 2-0 at Fir Park as Jens Berthel Askou’s side embarrassed Wilfried Nancy’s team. The Dane has impressed with Motherwell, losing just four games this season.
Beaton has been behind some controversial decisions refereeing Celtic this season but awarded a penalty after a VAR intervention to Martin O’Neill’s side at Ibrox after a Sterling handball denied Daizen Maeda an equaliser. Reo Hatate scored as Celtic made it 2-2 to secure a well-earned point for Celtic.
Kickoff Time
A view of Celtic Park Celtic v Falkirk, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 01 February 2026. Photo Mark Runnacles IMAGO / Shutterstock
Celtic v Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership on 14 March 2026 takes place at Celtic Park with a 3pm Saturday afternoon kick-off.
Where to Watch
A view of Celtic Park Celtic v Falkirk, Scottish Premiership, Football, Celtic Park, 01 February 2026. Photo Mark Runnacles IMAGO / Shutterstock
Today’s match is NOT being shown live on television but highlights will be available via BBC Sportscene this evening at 10.20pm on the BBC Scotland channel. Celtic TV will be showing the match live on the club’s own channel with this service available to subscribers based outside of Britain and Ireland. A delayed stream of the full match will be available early on Sunday which Celtic TV subscribers based in Britain and Ireland can watch.
Predicted Score
Benjamin Nygren makes it 2-0 to Celtic. Celtic v Falkirk, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 01 February 2026. Photo Mark Runnacles IMAGO / Shutterstock
A tough game but one that Celtic need to win. Being back at Paradise will be a welcome change for the Bhoys after four tough away games have been successfully negotiated. Motherwell are a decent side but Celtic’s intensity can keep them on the back foot today. Expecting a few goals and Celtic to come out on top with a 3-1 victory.
Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order
The Dominican Republic is the first nation to qualify for baseball's return to the Olympics in 2028 — aside from the automatically qualified host nation U.S.
The Dominican Republic earned one of two Olympic spots for North or South American nations available at the World Baseball Classic by reaching the semifinals with a 10-0 win over South Korea.
The other Olympic spot for the Americas will go to Puerto Rico (which plays Italy in the quarterfinals Saturday) or Venezuela (which plays Japan in the quarterfinals Saturday).
Even if the Dominican Republic loses its Sunday semifinal to the U.S., it will hold the Olympic qualifying tiebreaker over Puerto Rico and Venezuela thanks to its better group stage record (4-0 versus 3-1 for Puerto Rico and Venezuela).
At the 2020 Tokyo Games, the Dominican Republic beat South Korea 10-6 in the bronze-medal game in the most recent Olympic baseball tournament.
Baseball was an Olympic medal sport from 1992 through 2008, then was dropped from the program. It returned for the Tokyo Games under a new rule that allows local organizers to propose the addition of sports for their Games only.
Baseball was not proposed for the 2024 Paris Games. Then LA28 proposed baseball for its Games, and it was approved by the IOC, along with softball, flag football, cricket, lacrosse and squash.
It's possible that MLB players participate in the Olympics for the first time at LA28.
If so, the Dominican Republic could field a team with All-Stars Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr., Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Manny Machado and Julio Rodriguez (a Tokyo Olympian), all of whom are on the World Baseball Classic roster.
The rest of the 2028 Olympic baseball field will be determined at the November 2027 Premier12 tournament (one spot for Asia, one for Europe/Oceania) and a final qualifier no later than March 2028 (that will not include teams from the Americas).
What round should the Detroit Lions target an OT in the draft? With the release of Taylor Decker, the 1st round seems like the obvious choice. However, you never know how the picks are going to fall which means a 2nd-round OT is a possibility.
Max Iheanachor is projected to go around Round 2 and could be an option for the Lions. He does have some significant medical concerns in his past though.
(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 and are unverified - subject to update. Games played data courtesy of sports-reference.com.)
Max Iheanachor, OT (age unknown, 24-25?) - Arizona State
Iheanachor moved from Nigeria at age 13. He has a shoulder surgery history, missed about half a season in 2023 with multiple injuries, and is suspected to be of older age. All these issues will need further investigation by medical.
The potential age uncertainty is reminiscent of former Lions 1st-rounder Ziggy Ansah, who sharply declined after his 5th-year in the NFL. The age risk becomes more palatable after the 1st round.
If Iheanachor is available in the 2nd round (and the Lions didn’t already grab an OT in the 1st), the moderate health concern may be worth it to land a starting caliber OT.
Out-of-work Ange Postecoglou has teased a change of stance on returning to former clubs - after the Greek-Australian manager previously shut down links to Celtic. (Daily Record)
Veteran Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has told Denmark head coach Brian Riemer that he is not fit enough to play in their World Cup play-off against North Macedonia later this month and revealed that he has been struggling with a shoulder joint injury for several months. (The Scotsman)
Denmark head coach Brian Riemer has confirmed holding discussions with Kasper Schmeichel and Celtic about the 39-year-old's recent troubles that have led to Viljami Sinisalo assuming the role of the Scottish champions' number one goalkeeper. (Sport TV2)
Canada head coach Jesse Marsch will invite injured Celtic and Rangers defenders Alistair Johnston and Derek Cornelius to join the national squad for their upcoming friendlies to exert influence off the field. (Glasgow Times)
Report: Liverpool could be set for major boost in pursuit of £70m-rated star
Liverpool Tracking Murillo as Nottingham Forest Future Comes Under Spotlight
Liverpool’s recruitment team rarely stand still. Even during uncertain campaigns, the club’s planning department tends to keep one eye on the next opportunity in the market. Recent reporting from iNewssuggests the Reds are monitoring the situation of Murillo at Nottingham Forest, with the Brazilian defender’s long term future increasingly unclear.
For Liverpool, it represents another reminder that defensive succession planning remains an important topic, particularly while the contract discussions surrounding Ibrahima Konaté continue in the background.
Murillo Emerges as Premier League Standout
Murillo has quietly built a reputation as one of the Premier League’s most impressive young centre backs since arriving in England in 2023. His composure in possession and aggressive defensive instincts have made him a standout performer for Forest.
That rise has not gone unnoticed. According to reporting credited to iNews, the 23-year-old defender is now attracting attention from several major clubs across Europe.
Former Forest manager Steve Cooper previously labelled Murillo a “super talent”, a description that appears increasingly accurate as his reputation grows across the division.
Forest attempted to protect their asset by extending Murillo’s contract until 2029. That long term deal secures the club’s negotiating position and has helped push his reported valuation towards £70m.
Yet contracts rarely stop elite clubs from circling when a player’s trajectory suggests a move to a higher level may eventually follow.
Photo: IMAGO
Relegation Could Accelerate Transfer Interest
The central factor shaping Murillo’s immediate future could be Forest’s battle for Premier League survival.
As reported by iNews, Murillo is not said to be “agitating” for a move away from the City Ground. However, circumstances could change quickly if Forest were to drop into the Championship.
The club’s owner, Vangelis Marinakis, may face a difficult decision if relegation places financial pressure on the club’s squad planning.
Forest currently occupy the final safe position in the table, meaning the coming weeks will likely dictate how realistic a summer exit becomes.
Even if survival is secured, Murillo’s development suggests a step towards one of Europe’s elite sides could soon arrive.
Liverpool Monitoring Defensive Options
Liverpool’s interest appears to be cautious rather than immediate. The club are not actively pursuing a deal yet, but they remain aware of Murillo’s situation.
Much may depend on the outcome of Konaté’s contract negotiations at Liverpool. Should an agreement prove difficult to reach, the Reds may begin to explore potential successors more seriously.
Murillo’s profile fits several of the traits Liverpool traditionally prioritise. He is young, physically dominant and comfortable building play from the back.
Competition would be fierce. Manchester United are believed to be one of the most prominent admirers, while Chelsea and Real Madrid have also been credited with monitoring the Brazilian’s progress.
For now, Murillo remains focused on helping Forest remain in the Premier League. Yet the sense from those watching closely is that his trajectory points firmly towards the top end of European football.
Should Forest slip through the relegation trapdoor, the inevitability of that next step may arrive sooner than expected.
Our View – Anfield Index Analysis
Murillo is clearly a talented defender, but Liverpool’s transfer planning has already raised plenty of eyebrows over the past year. After spending roughly £450m last summer, expectations were sky high for Arne Slot’s title defence following the Premier League triumph in his first season.
Instead, the campaign has unravelled badly. Sitting sixth in the table has exposed weaknesses across the squad, and many fans question whether another expensive defensive signing should really be the priority.
Centre back depth remains important, particularly if Ibrahima Konaté’s contract situation drags on. However, Liverpool already invested heavily in rebuilding the squad last year. Supporters may reasonably ask why such a costly overhaul has not translated into consistent performances.
Murillo may well become a top defender, but a £70m fee would represent another massive commitment. At a time when Liverpool are struggling for fluency in midfield and attack, the focus on another centre back could feel slightly misplaced.
There is also the wider concern about recruitment direction. The club appeared to build a title winning side under Slot, only for the following season to fall apart despite major spending.
So while Murillo is undoubtedly an intriguing talent, Liverpool fans might prefer to see evidence of a clear sporting strategy before welcoming another blockbuster signing.
St. Pauli’s momentum in the relegation fight faced a stumbling block as they lost away to Borussia Mönchengladbach. The side from Hamburg will stay in the playoff spot for another matchday.
"We gave away two gifts,” said coach Alexander Blessin in his post-match interview. Although he didn’t deny Kevin Stöger’s magic, the 52-year-old was furious as they easily conceded the free-kick in a dangerous area.
“The first goal we conceded was beautiful. There's no denying it. He struck the ball brilliantly, and it was unstoppable. But the way it came about is frustrating. We weren't proactive or focused.”
Blessin acknowledges his team’s improved performance after the break. “We tried in the second half and had more possession, but not in the areas where we could be dangerous. Then we gave them another gift for the second goal. We gave them too much space. We cannot be satisfied with the result.”
The four-time world champion’s fastest lap was just over one second slower than pole-sitter Kimi Antonelli, with the two Mercedes cars securing a front row lockout in Shanghai.
"We changed a lot on the car, and it makes zero difference," Vertsappen said.
"The whole weekend we've been off, the car is completely undrivable. Every lap is like survival."
Max Verstappen qualified eighth for the Chinese GP (Getty Images)
The Dutchman started eighth on the grid for Saturday’s earlier 19-lap sunk sprint race around the Shanghai International Circuit but sunk to as low as 14th when the field pitted under the safety car that was out for Nico Hulkenberg’s troubled Audi.
He fought back to finish ninth, behind sister team Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson, but it wasn’t enough to avoid missing out on the points - the first time he’s fallen to such a feat in a sprint race.
"It's incredibly tough to drive. There's no balance, I cannot lean on the car, every lap is a fight," Verstappen added, having come into the weekend hoping to make more of an impact after a sixth-place finish in Australia.
This is the first season Red Bull have run their own engine, having partnered with Ford, which ended a very successful six-year streak with Honda.
Verstappen said the new power unit was partly to blame, but added that the poor performance was down to a multitude of factors.
"From lap one of these new regulations, I have not enjoyed this car for sure," he said. "It's not going to be a fun race."
The No. 5-seed Wisconsin Badgers punched their ticket to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals after a 91-88 overtime victory against No. 4 Illinois.
Extra time was once again required as these two teams battled tooth and nail for 45 minutes. To no surprise, John Blackwell and Nick Boyd proved to be the difference.
Wisconsin shot 25-30 from the line, which helped get the job done. Illinois missed a few major free throws down the stretch, though it's worth noting the Badgers did have a chance to win it at the end of regulation. Either way, they prevailed in overtime, replicating their February 10th victory over the Fighting Illini.
The Badgers' dynamic duo somehow kept its hot streak alive, as Nick Boyd led the team with 38 points. Blackwell, who missed a potential game-winner at the end of the second half, wasn't too far behind with 31. Greg Gard showed just how much he trusts his junior guard, as Blackwell was in a large portion of the end of this game with four fouls.
Bench points kept Illinois in the fight as their second leading scorer was Andrej Stojakovic, who didn't start this game. The Fighting Illini were led by Keaton Wagler, who had 19 points.
Earlier in the day, Michigan took down Ohio State, 71-67, setting up a massive rematch of the two teams' January 10 showdown. Remember, Wisconsin is one of two teams to defeat the Wolverines this season, with the other being Duke.
Contact/Follow@TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebook to follow ongoing coverage of WisconsinBadgers news, notes and opinion.
Man Utd ready to capitalise on PL club’s struggles by stealing their ‘standout’ £42m midfielder after only one season
Manchester United will be ready to pounce on a move for West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes in the event the London club are relegated come the end of the campaign.
As things stand, the Irons sit 18th-placed in the Premier League table, but are level on points with 17th-placed Nottingham Forest and only one point behind Tottenham Hotspur in 16th.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL STRETTY NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES & BREAKING NEWS – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Mateus Fernandes planning for West Ham exit if they drop to Championship
However, Fernandes will reportedly ‘seek to leave’ the London Stadium if Nuno Espirito Santo fails in his quest to keep the club up, as per talkSPORT.
The 21-year-old has been deemed one of the side’s ‘standout performers’ this term following his £42 million switch from Southampton last August, meaning he could well end up seeing out only 12 months of his five-year deal.
It remains to be seen what kind of fee West Ham would demand for Fernandes if they are made to reluctantly facilitate his departure, especially if he is piling on the pressure to grant his requests.
Olhão-born Fernandes, a graduate of Sporting Lisbon’s academy, is still awaiting his first senior cap for the Portugal national team, so he’ll be hoping he can do enough from now until the summer to put himself in good standing with Roberto Martinez in the lead-up to the World Cup.
Fernandes among a handful of young EPL stars being targeted by United
The youngster joins a host of top-flight-proven targets being assessed by INEOS as they prepare for Casemiro’s release in June, with the likes of Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba and Elliot Anderson all being actively monitored by transfer chiefs at Old Trafford.
Fernandes has sought to prove himself in the Premier League over the last two seasons and has now racked up 63 appearances in total.
(Fernandes’ record in the Premier League, via Transfermarkt)
Report: Liverpool ‘adamant’ that they won’t be selling ‘untouchable’ exit-linked Anfield star
Liverpool are reportedly ‘adamant’ that they have no intention of selling one player who they consider to be ‘untouchable’ at Anfield.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Florian Wirtz’s agent Volker Struth claimed last month that his ‘wish’ is for the 22-year-old to play for Real Madrid, with whom he’d also tried to broker a move last year before ultimately securing the German’s transfer to Anfield.
Some Spanish outlets have duly reported of ongoing interest from the Bernabeu in the Reds’ number 7, although Merseyside chiefs have seemingly moved swiftly to pour cold water on such speculation.
Liverpool consider Wirtz to be ‘untouchable’
According to Fraser Fletcher for TEAMtalk, Liverpool are ‘adamant’ that stories linking Wirtz with a move to the Spanish capital ‘hold no substance’.
Club insiders have reportedly stressed that the 22-year-old is ‘central’ to the Reds’ long-term project and have deemed him ‘untouchable’ in any upcoming transfer window.
The report added that ‘private dressing-room meetings and support from teammates’ have been crucial in helping the German to ‘overcome early hurdles’ as his wait for a first goal for LFC continued until two days after Christmas.
Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as apreferred source on Googleto your favourites list for news you can trust
Why would Liverpool cash in on Wirtz after less than a year?
Let’s get real, folks – in what universe would Liverpool break their transfer record to sign a player for £100m+ for the first time in their history and then give up on him after nine months?
Real Madrid’s track record for snaring players from Anfield might spark fear among Kopites every time one of our stars is mentioned as subject of interest at the Bernabeu, but the chances of a sale for Wirtz being entertained in L4 are slim to nonexistent.
Despite Craig Burley claiming this week that LFC might ‘have to sell’ the 22-year-old if he doesn’t ‘play his best football as a number 10’, it’d be extremely misguided from FSG if they were to countenance offloading the German this early into his time on Merseyside after investing so much in him.
The playmaker’s scoring return of six goals from 37 games might be a bit underwhelming compared to pre-season expectations, but if he can extrapolate his hot streak of form in January over a longer period, he’ll be a frequent match-winnfer for Liverpool.
Wirtz was signed to make a different for the Reds over the course of five years, not to be a one-season wonder. It’s safe to say that he’ll be going nowhere else any time soon, despite what Real Madrid and his agent might wish.
You can watch Slot’s full pre-Tottenham Hotspur press conference below, viaEmpire of the Kop on YouTube:
Qualifying in China went anything but smoothly for George Russell after he suffered a front-wing breakage in Q2 and then briefly halted on track at Turn 5 during Q3. Russell had won the earlier sprint race from pole position but looked far less assured during what proved to be a fraught qualifying session.
Mercedes says it is still investigating the cause of the issue which caused Russell's car to go into anti-stall mode shortly after leaving the garage, halt on track, and then remain stuck in first gear after he got it started again. With time ticking away, the team essentially had to resort to the time-honoured IT department strategy of turning the car off and then back on again: running through various default settings, swapping the steering wheel and effecting a reset.
When the car was fired up again it was still stuck in first gear, but another reset enabled it to drop into neutral and engage gears normally again. Russell departed the garage with just over two minutes on the clock and managed to place his Mercedes second on the grid, 0.222s off team-mate Kimi Antonelli.
"It was just a crazy session from the end of Q2," said Russell.
"The front wing broke and the team weren't sure if it had broken or not. I was pretty convinced it had, and there was a bit of stress around that and changing the front wing.
"And then as soon as I went out on the track, I could tell something wasn't right, stopping on the track, trying to restart the car. It didn't restart. Then it started later, got back and couldn't shift gears.
"And then obviously we just made it on track with seconds to spare. So really, really happy to be sat here right now because I could easily have been down in P10 without a time on the board."
George Russell admitted he was lucky to be on the front row alongside team-mate Antonelli
George Russell admitted he was lucky to be on the front row alongside team-mate Antonelli
Russell's late emergence from the garage meant he had only the out-lap in which to prepare for his timed lap.
"It was as good as I could have achieved, but I had no battery start to my lap and my tyres were cold," he explained.
"But I'm very grateful to be sitting here right now. It was more a case of getting a time on the board.
"I knew Kimi's been really strong and things were far from optimised my side. So it was more a case of get the car across the line and make sure I'm starting in a sensible position.
"P2 was much better than I expected when I started the lap with no battery and no tyre temperature – I was expecting to be further down the order.
"So as I said, just really glad to be here."
Photos from Chinese GP - Saturday
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes, Lando Norris, McLaren
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes, Lando Norris, McLaren
Mark Thompson / Getty Images
Fans
Fans
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Anni Graf - Formula 1 via Getty Images
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Kym Illman / Getty Images
Alexandra Leclerc arrives in the Paddock
Alexandra Leclerc arrives in the Paddock
Alex Bierens de Haan / Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Kym Illman / Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Kym Illman / Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Graeme Lowdon, Cadillac Team Principal; Frederic Vasseur, Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal
Graeme Lowdon, Cadillac Team Principal; Frederic Vasseur, Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal
Jayce Illman / Getty Images
Laura Mueller, Race Engineer, Haas F1 on the grid
Laura Mueller, Race Engineer, Haas F1 on the grid
Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Mickey Mouse branding is seen on the trackside kerbs
Mickey Mouse branding is seen on the trackside kerbs
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Lars Baron / Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren
Lars Baron / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Lintao Zhang / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Lando Norris, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Lando Norris, McLaren
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Lars Baron / Getty Images
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Lars Baron / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Jade Gao - Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Team
Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Team
Lintao Zhang / LAT Images via Getty Images
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
James Sutton / Formula 1 / Formula Motorsport Ltd via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lars Baron / Getty Images
Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Team, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Team, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
James Sutton / Formula 1 / Formula Motorsport Ltd via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Mark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Jade Gao - Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
James Sutton / Formula 1 / Formula Motorsport Ltd via Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
The Washington Commanders have been quite busy during the 2026 free agency period so far. They've retained some key players and brought in new ones, all while staying aligned with GM Adam Peters' goals for the team. The defense is getting younger and faster, the offensive line is stable, Jayden Daniels has a new weapon, and the overall adjustments appear to be moving the team in its desired direction.
All of the moves that Peters has made led CBSSports.com to name the Commanders a winner during free agency. The article first cites the players the Commanders brought in on the third day of free agency, noting how busy the team was by signing four players.
The Commanders aren't just winners because of those signings, but also because CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones has reported that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk could sign a one-year deal with Washington after he's released by the San Francisco 49ers. Aiyuk has some work to do to earn back his reputation, but he played with quarterback Jayden Daniels during their time together at Arizona State. This potential match makes too much sense.
Aiyuk's 2023 campaign was pretty magical. He caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns as the 49ers made it to Super Bowl LVIII. He had seven 100-yard games, and averaged 3.1 yards per route run, which was the third-best rate in the NFL.
The Commanders have lost several players who have re-signed with other teams, but they've brought in around nine new faces so far. There will definitely be more signings in the coming days and months, and they'll add more players in the draft in April, but Adam Peters is on a mission, and right now, he's winning.
Eugen Polanski and teammates praise Kevin Stöger’s magical moment
Eugen Polanski, Nico Elvedi, and Kevin Diks applaud Kevin Stöger’s free-kick strike in Borussia Mönchengladbach’s victory against St. Pauli. The creative midfielder scored his first goal of the season in his 200th Bundesliga appearance.
“We said before the game that a set-piece could be the key, but we were expecting corners or crosses from free-kicks,” said Eugen Polanski as he didn’t hide his surprise. “The fact that Kevin Stöger interpreted it that way is obviously good for us. I'm extremely happy for him.”
Nico Elvedi wore the armband in the absence of the suspended Rocco Reitz. “It was a strenuous game with a lot of intense running,” said the center-back. “Stöger's goal was outstanding. I'm so happy for him. Now we go into the weekend with a good feeling, and are looking forward to the derby next week (vs. Köln)."
The Indonesian international Kevin Diks also praised Stöger’s strike. “Kevin Stöger's goal was outstanding,” added the penalty-kick specialist. “As soon as the ball left his foot, I could already feel that something special was about to happen. I'm so happy for him. He deserves this moment because he works so hard."
Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta has moved into the Safari Rally Kenya lead after Oliver Solberg and Sebastien Ogier were forced to stop on the road section coming back to service.
Solberg had navigated through a tricky morning loop of stages with a 42.6s lead over Ogier, but the Toyota team-mates both ground to a halt on their way back to the midday service. Both drivers suffered broken alternators likely inflicted by the roughness of the stages.
It proved to be a difficult morning for Toyota as Elfyn Evans was forced to retire from a WRC round for the first time since Greece 2024, with a damaged right-rear suspension.
As a result, Katsuta who ended the loop sitting in third, 1m33.6s behind Solberg, has now vaulted into a 1m07.5s lead over Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville. Katsuta is now in a prime position to claim his maiden WRC win.
“The last stage was quite muddy and rough, and the mud went into the engine side and broke the alternators for both of them [Solberg and Ogier],” said Toyota deputy team principal Juha Kankkunen.
Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
"Oliver has also a little bit of a transmission problem as well, and Elfyn, we know what happened to him already so it hasn’t been the best morning. Taka is still leading but in that case we are ok but that is Safari. That can happen.
"I mean, I have been in Kenya so many times that it doesn’t surprise me when something like that happens. The conditions have been really tough and, let’s say, the cars should be built for that. But in those muddy conditions it can go everywhere.
"Water is not that bad, but the stiff mud sticks everywhere and that can cause problems. It went into the alternator and broke the pulley, let’s say, and things all get stuck.”
Crews will tackle a repeat of the stages this afternoon to complete Saturday’s leg.
Photos from Rally Kenya - Day 2
Sami Pajari, Marko Salminen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT2 Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Sami Pajari, Marko Salminen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT2 Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Toyota Racing
Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Hyundai
Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Hyundai
Sami Pajari, Marko Salminen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT2 Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Sami Pajari, Marko Salminen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT2 Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Toyota Racing
Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Hyundai
M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
M-Sport
Esapekka Lappi, Enni Malkonen, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Esapekka Lappi, Enni Malkonen, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Hyundai
M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
M-Sport
Esapekka Lappi, Enni Malkonen, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Esapekka Lappi, Enni Malkonen, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Hyundai
Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Toyota Racing
Esapekka Lappi, Enni Malkonen, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Esapekka Lappi, Enni Malkonen, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Hyundai
Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Hyundai
Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Toyota Racing
Esapekka Lappi, Enni Malkonen, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Esapekka Lappi, Enni Malkonen, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Hyundai
Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Hyundai
Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Hyundai
Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Toyota Racing
Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Toyota Racing
Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Hyundai
Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Toyota Racing
Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Hyundai
Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, Takamoto Katsuta, Aaron Johnston, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, Takamoto Katsuta, Aaron Johnston, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Toyota Racing
Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Hyundai
Takamoto Katsuta, Aaron Johnston, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Takamoto Katsuta, Aaron Johnston, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Toyota Racing
Takamoto Katsuta, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Takamoto Katsuta, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Toyota Racing
Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Hyundai
Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Hyundai
Esapekka Lappi, Enni Malkonen, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Esapekka Lappi, Enni Malkonen, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Hyundai
Oliver Solberg, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Oliver Solberg, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Toyota Racing
Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Toyota Racing
Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Toyota Racing
Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Toyota Racing
Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Toyota Racing
M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
M-Sport
Sébastien Ogier, Vincent Landais, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Sébastien Ogier, Vincent Landais, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Toyota Racing
M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
M-Sport
M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
M-Sport
Jon Armstrong, Shane Byrne, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
Jon Armstrong, Shane Byrne, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
M-Sport
Jon Armstrong, Shane Byrne, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
Jon Armstrong, Shane Byrne, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
M-Sport
M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
M-Sport
Jon Armstrong, Shane Byrne, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
Jon Armstrong, Shane Byrne, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
M-Sport
Jon Armstrong, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
Jon Armstrong, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
M-Sport
Jon Armstrong, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
Jon Armstrong, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
M-Sport
Jon Armstrong, Shane Byrne, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
Jon Armstrong, Shane Byrne, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 10: Igor Tudor head coach of Tottenham Hotspur FC reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Atletico de Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Estadio Civitas Metropolitano on March 10, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Diego Souto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Igor Tudor hasn’t exactly set the world alight in his short stint as head coach of Tottenham Hotspur; in fact, quite the opposite. Spurs are yet to earn a single point under his leadership, while conceding 14 across those four matches. To continue the burning metaphors, Tudor’s reign has been an absolute dumpster fire.
Which is why Spurs’ top brass are looking at alternatives, as David Orstein of The Athletic has the latest:
🚨 Tottenham Hotspur actively working on candidates to replace Igor Tudor if decision taken to make another head coach change after Liverpool trip. Unclear whether would be interim again or longer-term appointment but #THFC exploring options @TheAthleticFChttps://t.co/79a65sekRl
The piece is remarkably light on detail for an Orstein article, but is essentially summarized in the tweet: Vinai Venkatesham and Johan Lange are actively searching for a replacement for Igor Tudor in the case that they opt to change tack once more in an effort to avoid a relegation that in many ways feels all but assured.
The oddity in the piece (which came out yesterday) is this specific part:
…Spurs are contingency planning for the event of bringing Tudor’s reign to an end following the Anfield trip.
My question in response to this is: why wait?
Though the piece is light on detail, reading between the lines it reeks of desperation and indecision from Spurs’ leadership. If you think Tudor is not the guy to help Spurs stave off relegation, will a trip to Anfield change that? If it is changing your thinking, then why? And if you think he indeed isn’t the guy, why then leave him in charge when the mentality and performance levels in the squad are at an all-time low under Tudor?
It’s the latest in a litany of missteps from Vinai and Lange, with the lack of leadership clear for all to see. There was a huge amount of indecision around Frank’s position, with a clear lack of identity as Spurs tumbled down the Premier League table not enough for them to pull the plug, instead waiting until Frank’s position was worse than untenable; there was the lack of movement in the January window after selling Spurs’ top scorer from the previous season, not replacing Brennan Johnson even after losing Mohammed Kudus for around three months (great work not panicking Johan); and then there was the appointment of Tudor, somebody who plays almost exclusively a system Spurs do not have the personnel for and who has no experience in the English top flight.
And that’s without even mentioning the squad Lange has constructed.
Vinai appears to know he’s in the hot seat as well, launching a press offensive via a piece in The Telegraph and in interactions with the Fan Advisory Board as he heaped blame upon previous Chief Executive Daniel Levy for running the club into the ground. The sacking of Tudor would be admitting yet another mistake, while keeping him in place could ensure relegation with Vinai at the rudder. He and Lange have engineered themselves into an indefensible position.
As to the replacements, there still seems to be a lack of clarity as to the potential options. Some (very unreliable) outlets have mentioned in recent days that Spurs have kicked the tires on Sean Dyche, while also mentioning he is not interested in another firefighting interim stint; Ryan Mason is always there as an option, with his spell in charge of West Bromwich Albion perhaps unfairly critiqued as they have torpedoed in form following his exit; and Harry Redknapp has hilariously put himself out there in the media as Spurs’ potential savior.
Fabrizio Romano, however, has said that Spurs’ preferred option is Roberto De Zerbi… and honestly, I think that would break me. Though the Italian manager is a decent coach and tactician, his particular brand of “intensity” is not what this squad needs right now; rather, they need something more akin to a therapist (or perhaps an exorcist). His temperamental nature is not the calming influence Spurs need in the midst of a fight for survival, and that’s without going into all the other red flags when it comes to De Zerbi which have been mentioned elsewhere on this site previously.
All in all, it seems like Tudor’s days are numbered. The only question now seems to be when… and who.
This in-person meeting at the team's facility represents a deeper evaluation of Lemon as the Giants prepare for the 2026 NFL draft.
Lemon, a standout from the USC Trojans, previously met with the Giants during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last month. At the time, he expressed a strong interest in joining the team, calling the opportunity to play alongside their young talent "a huge blessing."
He highlighted the appeal of contributing to a youthful core featuring players like Malik Nabers.
A former five-star high school recruit from California, Lemon enjoyed a breakout junior season in 2025, winning the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top wide receiver, earning unanimous All-American honors, and securing first-team All-Big Ten recognition.
Over three years at USC, Lemon amassed 137 receptions for 2,008 yards and 14 touchdowns, showcasing reliable hands, route-running polish, and versatility that included some rushing and special teams contributions.
High-skill, high-volume slot receiver with average size but extraordinary ball skills. Lemon has room for refinement, but not much. He’s intelligent, confident and polished with the ability to make plays on all three levels. Tempo-driven route-runner who misdirects man coverage and separates out of turns but is fairly average after the catch. Quicker than fast, featuring early acceleration to open seam throws but flashes late burst when needed. More play strength is needed for NFL press and he needs to avoid rushing through multi-breaking routes. He’s an exceptional ball-tracker with excellent catch timing and few focus drops. He wins more combat catches than he loses. Lemon is a plug-and-play, quarterback-friendly talent with first-round value and Pro Bowl upside.
At 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds, Lemon declared for the 2026 draft in December 2025 and is viewed as a potential fit for the Giants, who may seek to bolster their receiving options, especially after losing Wan'Dale Robinson to the Tennessee Titans.
The NASCAR Cup Series stays out west in Las Vegas for the Pennzoil 400 on March 15.
Hendersonville native Josh Berry is the defending race winner, but he has largely struggled since last spring. Berry enters the weekend at 31st in the points through four races.
Last week, Ryan Blaney won at Phoenix. Blaney has the best average finish at Las Vegas among active drivers who have not won at the 1.5-mile track.
Here are The Tennessean's expert picks for Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas:
NASCAR predictions for Las Vegas Cup Series race: Here's who wins the Pennzoil 400
Mike Organ's pick: Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
I was on a Zoom call earlier this week with Larson as he talked about how strong his team has been in the past at Vegas and how confident he is heading to the 1.5-mile track this year.
Nick Gray's pick: Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
Blaney earns his second win in two weeks at a track that Penske drivers have had plenty of success over the past decade.
Tom Kreager's pick: Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Toyota has won three of four races. Sure, those wins are all by Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing, but Hamlin has a win and four top-10 finishes in Vegas since 2023. He keeps a strong Toyota season going.
Ole Miss will face No. 3 Arkansas (24-8) in the semifinals on March 14 (2:30 p.m., ESPN). The winner will be one game away from earning a bid into the NCAA Tournament.
Ole Miss is the second team in SEC Tournament history to win three straight games to reach semifinals. No. 13 Auburn did it in 2025.
The Rebels are the lowest seed to make the SEC semifinals, but this is just the second year since the tournament expanded from 14 to 16 teams after Texas and Oklahoma joined the conference.
Beard said he urges his players to be off their phones this time of year. It's to keep players from focusing on a narrative he knows will be brought up for the rest of the tournament: Won't Ole Miss be tired against Arkansas?
"Is Ole Miss going to be tired after playing 80 minutes? I just don't believe in that," Beard said.
Beard explained why.
"These players are not 29, 30, 31 years old," Beard said. "They grew up playing in the summer, sometimes three games a day on the AAU circuit.
Beard also drew on his personal experience as a kid. He said fatigue won't be something the Rebels use as an excuse.
"All of them, in their respective basketball journeys, played pickup basketball seven days a week for hours and hours and hours," Beard said.
Ole Miss guard Ilias Kamardine was asked how the Rebels will combat fatigue on the TV broadcast after the Alabama game.
"There is no excuse," Kamardine said. "That's what we said before the (Alabama) game. Just keep fighting. We know we're a little bit tired, but we want to keep going."
How does Ole Miss basketball match up against Arkansas?
Stopping Arkansas guard Darius Acuff will be key for Beard and the Rebels.
Acuff scored 37 points against Oklahoma in the quarterfinals. His performances propelled the Razorbacks to an 82-79 win.
Arkansas beat Ole Miss 94-87 in the only regular season meeting on Jan. 7. Acuff was excellent in that game as well, scoring 26 points and adding nine assists.
Arkansas has an elite offense, but the Rebels have already knocked out two similar teams out of the tournament. The Razorbacks are No. 3 in the SEC in scoring (90.2 points). The Rebels beat the No. 1 scoring offense in Alabama (91.7) and the No. 3 offense in Georgia (89.8).
Ole Miss basketball vs. Arkansas prediction
Ole Miss 85, Arkansas 83: The Rebels have found a great groove in Nashville. Unlike Arkansas, Ole Miss is playing for its NCAA Tournament hopes.
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
Conference tournament week is the final chance for teams to prove they belong in March Madness, and for the most part, squads weren't taking advantage of the opportunities. But everything got flipped upside down when Miami (Ohio) suffered its first loss of the season so it won't get an automatic bid. Now the bubble picture has a new member, making it a much more complicated race for the final spots in the brackets.
Most teams are done and will have to wait until the bracket announcement, but there are a few still playing looking to strengthen their case − and possibly secure automatic spots to make it an even crazier race. Here is a look at the March Madness bubble in the latest USA TODAY Sports Bracketology.
Bad losses: vs. Arizona State (neutral), Mississippi State, vs. Mississippi (neutral)
You never want to go into Selection Sunday on a losing streak, and Texas is learning how uncomfortable it can make the situation. Losing the last two games of the regular season wasn't the worst thing in the world, but falling to conference cellar dweller Mississippi in your first conference tournament game is. Texas has the best chance to make the field out of the rest of the bubble, but that doesn't mean it will avoid playing in the First Four.
Santa Clara
Record: 26-8 (15-3)
NET Ranking: 40
Quad 1 record: 2-6
Projected seed: No. 11 (first four)
Quality wins: vs. Saint Mary's (twice)
Bad losses: vs. Loyola Chicago (neutral), vs. Arizona State (neutral)
The West Coast Conference is looking like a three-bid league thanks to Santa Clara doing as much as it could without winning the tournament title. The Broncos needed to make the championship game to feel confident about moving up and they did that with a second win over Saint Mary's. Santa Clara had a chance to beat Gonzaga but it was an impressive showing that put it in a comfortable spot as the most of the conference tournaments began.
VCU
Record: 25-7 (15-3)
NET Ranking: 44
Quad 1 record: 2-5
Projected seed: No. 11 (first four)
Quality wins: vs. South Florida (neutral)
Bad losses: at George Mason
A team that has a chance to flip the bubble around, VCU is still in the hunt for an automatic bid by advancing to the Atlantic 10 semifinal. Given the resume doesn't have any real strong wins, the Rams are far from done and will want to at least make the conference title game to position themselves in a not-so dangerous position. There will be lots of squads tuning in to this team.
SMU
Record: 20-13 (8-10)
NET Ranking: 37
Quad 1 record: 4-10
Projected seed: No. 11 (first four)
Quality wins: vs. North Carolina, vs. Louisville
Bad losses: vs. LSU (neutral), at California, at Syracuse, at Florida State
No team may have played its way out of the tournament like SMU. After looking like they were safe all season, the Mustangs ended the regular season on a rather ugly four-game losing streak. SMU needed a few wins in the ACC tournament to wash out that bad taste, but it only beat Syracuse before a dismal ending resulted in a loss to Louisville. It not only has 13 losses but there are some tough defeats sprinkled in, making for a much more stressful Selection Sunday than what was thought a few weeks ago.
Miami Ohio
Record: 31-1 (18-0)
NET Ranking: 64
Quad 1 record: 0-0
Projected seed: No. 11 (first four)
Quality wins: vs. Akron
Bad losses: vs. Massachusetts (neutral)
Everything changed when Miami (Ohio) lost its first game. Not only was it a defeat, it came in the first game of the MAC tournament against eighth-place Massachusetts, barely qualifying as a Quad 3 loss. The record speaks for itself but the resume leaves plenty to be desired, especially with the NET ranking dropping 10 spots after the loss. There are plenty of arguments for why this team should or shouldn't be in and they're all valid. The entire bubble hinges on whether the RedHawks make it in or not.
New Mexico
Record: 23-10 (13-7)
NET Ranking: 45
Quad 1 record: 2-7
Projected seed: First four out
Quality wins: at Virginia Commonwealth, vs. Santa Clara
Bad losses: at New Mexico State, vs. Colorado State
If you're going to get a second chance at life, better not waste it. New Mexico was gifted another shot thanks to some other teams faltering, but it needed to make some real noise at the Mountain West tournament to really take advantage of it. Unfortunately, the Lobos couldn’t capitalize, losing to San Diego State on a heart-breaking last second shot in the semifinals. It makes the path to a bid tough, and New Mexico will root for Utah State in the title game so the Aztecs don’t steal a bid.
Oklahoma
Record: 19-15 (7-11)
NET Ranking: 47
Quad 1 record: 4-9
Projected seed: First four out
Quality wins: at Vanderbilt, at Texas
Bad losses: vs. Arizona State (neutral), at Mississippi State, at South Carolina
When bubble teams struggled, Oklahoma took advantage by winning the last four of the regular season. It kept the momentum going in the SEC tournament with two major wins to advance to the quarterfinals, where it fell to Arkansas. While it was a valiant effort, a win was really needed to move up the bubble, so it's looking like it will be a tough Sunday for the Sooners.
Quality wins: vs. St John's (neutral), vs. Arkansas, at Florida
Bad losses: vs. Mississippi, at Mississippi State
The most perplexing record in the conversation. Auburn only beat Mississippi State in the SEC tournament, unable to get another signature win to help its case. The Tigers have great wins, but 16 losses would be the most for an at-large team and it's hard to justify, no matter the schedule. This will be the team everyone will be wondering about when the bracket comes out.
Indiana
Record: 18-14 (9-11)
NET Ranking: 41
Quad 1 record: 3-10
Projected seed: First four out
Quality wins: vs. Purdue, at UCLA, vs. Wisconsin
Bad losses: at Minnesota, at USC, vs. Northwestern (twice)
After ending the season with 1-5 mark in the last six games, the Hoosiers needed a strong showing in the Big Ten tournament to make a case. Instead, they were one-and-done, suffering another excruciating defeat to Northwestern. That will extend the tournament drought to three years.
RAPID CITY — The Brandon Valley and O'Gorman girls basketball teams will face each other in the SDHSAA Class AA state championship game for the third year in a row, with the Lady Knights aiming to three-peat.
The Lynx won this year's lone meeting in each team's first game of the season, earning a 63-54 victory at O'Gorman on Dec. 11, 2025.
O'Gorman won last year's state championship game in a 47-46 thriller, and won 55-42 in 2024.
"It’s a really cool opportunity for our kids," Brandon Valley head coach Mike Zerr said. "They worked really hard for the opportunity. When the ball goes up tomorrow, it’ll be 50/50. Usually when we get together, we bring the best out of each other. We know it’ll be a great challenge, and that’s what makes it really fun.”
"We've got tremendous respect for them," O'Gorman head coach Kent Kolsrud said. "They're playing at a very high level. We've just got to do the things we need to do to be successful. It starts on the defensive end for us. We're going to have to rebound, execute on offense, hit shots. When you get into big games, kids just have to make plays."
The game will be played at 6:45 p.m. MT/7:45 p.m. CT.
Tickets will be available online or at the door. Tickets for adults — older than high school age — are $17 for one session, and tickets for students are $12 for one session. All children in kindergarten or younger are admitted for free.
The former Iowa Hawkeyes star and Team USA will continue playing in the FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Saturday with a game against Italy.
The tournament marks the 24-year-old guard's return after a series of injuries in her second WNBA season.
Here's what to know and how to watch Clark play with Team USA.
Where to watch Caitlin Clark in the FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament
TruTV or TNT will broadcast Team USA's games in the World Cup Qualifiers, while HBO Max will stream them.
The team's third game is Saturday against Italy.
USA vs. Italy: Saturday, March 14 at 4 p.m. CT (truTV and HBO Max)
USA vs. New Zealand: Sunday, March 15 at 1 p.m. CT (truTV and HBO Max)
USA vs. Spain: Tuesday, March 17 at 4 p.m. CT. (TNT and HBO Max)
Team USA named the former Iowa women's basketball star to its roster on Feb. 11 for the qualifying tournament roster. Besides Clark, rising stars Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers, Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen will also make their senior national team debuts.
USA Basketball has already qualified for the World Cup, which is set for Sept. 4-13 in Berlin, Germany. However, the organization still opted to play in the qualifying tournament to get reps for younger players and try out lineups and rotations.
Who is on the Team USA basketball roster?
Here are the 12 players representing Team USA.
Monique Billings
Paige Bueckers
Rae Burrell
Caitlin Clark
Kahleah Copper
Chelsea Gray
Dearica Hamby
Rhyne Howard
Kiki Iriafen
Kelsey Plum
Angel Reese
Jackie Young
Fever forward Aliyah Boston and Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron were set to join the roster, but injuries they suffered during the 2026 Unrivaled season forced them to withdraw at the last minute. Monique Billings and Rae Burrell replaced them.
The head coach of Team USA is Kara Lawson, the Duke women's basketball coach, with help from assistant coaches Natalie Nakase, Nate Tibbetts, Stephanie White, Jose Fernandez, and Tia Jackson.
USA TODAY Network reporters Chloe Peterson and Mitchell Northam contributed to this report.
Uncapped Premier League stars who deserve an international call-up this month
This month's international break will be the last chance to impress before the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Ahead of the pause, we've profiled the uncapped Premier League players who deserve an international opportunity.
Igor Thiago - Brentford
With all due respect, that Brazil's number nine at a World Cup could play his club football atBrentford is bonkers. But here we are. Igor Thiago has been sensational for the Bees all season, scoring 21 times in 31 appearances across all competitions.
The 24-year-old has had a breakout campaign after an ACL injury decimated his debut season in England, swiftly proving he can cut it in the Premier League.
James Garner had been a decent option for Everton over the last three seasons, but he has taken his game to new heights in 2025-26. Arguably the Toffees' Player of the Season, he's been the centre-piece of a side challenging for Europe.
Garner ranks among the Premier League's top three players for both tackles and interceptions, while no player in the Everton squad can better his big chances created (10) or line-breaking passes into the final third (94).
The 24-year-old has won international tournaments at youth level, can play in multiple positions, and take a wicked set piece. All of those attributes suggest a maiden England call-up can not be far away.
Crysencio Summerville - West Ham
Ronald Koeman has revealed that he is watchingCrysencio Summerville closely ahead of naming his Netherlands squad this month.
Summerville has shone for aWest Ham side who have improved significantly in recent weeks, scoring five times in his last eight Premier League appearances. That purple patch has caught the eye of the Oranje set-up.
Speaking to the media last week, Koeman said: “A call for Summerville this month is possible. Summerville is in great form at West Ham. He’s an important player in the Premier League, can play on both wings and we’re watching him closely.”
Maxence Lacroix - Crystal Palace
France are stacked with centre-backs butMaxence Lacroix is knocking on the door. Lacroix has been excellent since signing for Crystal Palace, even amid testing circumstances this season.
Just seven players have made more interceptions than Lacroix in the Premier League this season, whose recovery pace has regularly bailed out the Eagles.
With options including Ibrahima Konate and Lucas Hernandez out of favour or form, could there be an opportunity for Lacroix this month?
"If you don’t believe in yourself, football is a bit difficult,” Lacroix toldL’Équipe about his France ambitions in November.
“The France national team is a dream, especially with the World Cup coming up. You want to be a part of that adventure. I watch all of the squad announcements with the hope of being called up. I am facing the best strikers in the world every weekend. I think that I am in the best league to make this last step."
Real Madrid president planning major changes at club next summer – report
Real Madrid do not take mediocrity well, and that fact is well understood and accepted in today’s world of football.
As the sport’s most decorated institution, Los Blancos have no tolerance for poor results and believe they must always be contenders to win on all fronts.
This season’s saga, thus, has not gone down well with Florentino Perez and the president has decided that massive changes must arrive even beyond the dressing room come June.
Big movements close to Perez
Indeed, as relayed byMundo Deportivo, the changes in Real Madrid’s hierarchy will extend quite far up the order and may even affect those close to Perez.
A revolution is being considered to turn a new leaf on the club’s sporting project and no one is safe as part of the same.
Big changes incoming? (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
From Jose Angel Sanchez who is Real Madrid’s general director, to Juni Calafat who is the head of the scouting department, there may be some direct effects of the impending revolution. The latter is said to be at greater risk.
A third candidate who is massive for the club but may face the music is Anas Laghari who is Perez’s most trusted aide. Needless to say, the situation is creating serious nerves within the club.
Managerial situation
Beyond the administrative changes, Perez is firm that a managerial change is a must in June and that Alvaro Arbeloa must go. The current manager will only stay if he manages to win the UEFA Champions League this season.
Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino stand out as the options to replace Arbeloa for Real Madrid.
Of them, however, the latter has a stronger case as Perez has already pursued his arrival in the past and he is highly admired by the hierarchy.
Q: When a coach can speak as candidly as Erik Spoelstra about another team trying to lose it should wake up the entire league. The NBA has a tank-size problem. – Anderson.
A: It used to be that the first rule of tank club is no one talks about tank club. But it has grown so preposterous this season that it simply is impossible to ignore. On Thursday night, it almost was as if the Wizards had to play to win in Orlando because of the pushback from their Tuesday night loss to the Heat. And even then, the Wizards just sort of let the clock run out at the end of their overtime loss. Still, when you check out the NBA’s injury report, it is awfully curious how so many of the tanking teams suddenly have players with injuries that will keep them out for weeks, if not the balance of the season. Erik Spoelstra might have added fuel to the fire with his tanking comments, but it’s as if he started the fire, it was always burning, since the world’s been turning.
Q: Ira, Milwaukee has been trash this season. I want to see what we do against Orlando, Charlotte, the Lakers, Houston and San Antonio. – Ted.
A: Granted, the seven-game winning streak has not been overly fraught with challenges, when including the victories over the Nets, Wizards and Bucks, but it created momentum that could prove crucial against the upcoming schedule. And, yes, it is somewhat of a gauntlet. Saturday against Orlando therefore carries even more weight than simply attempting to gain a breakthrough against the Magic. As Erik Spoelstra consistently points out, it is about what happens next that matters more than what came before. The Heat were able to push past the hype of Bam Adebayo’s 83. Now they have to move past the hype of what has gotten them back into contention, while also appreciating what has worked over these past two weeks.
Q: Bam Adebayo’s grace has made me appreciate him even more. – Amy.
A: Not sure many could have handled it any better. Bam Adebayo made it about team, about family, about respect, about perseverance. And then when it was over, he made sure, down the stretch against the Bucks, it continued to be about winning.
Editor's note: This article is part of our Community's Choice series, highlighting local businesses that make our area special. Each year, the Best of Winnebago County Community's Choice Awards recognize outstanding businesses across the region. To nominate your favorites, cast your vote or learn more,visit this website.
The Wisconsin Herd brings fast-paced, professional basketball action and family-friendly entertainment to Oshkosh as the NBA G League affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks. Playing at the 3,200-seat Oshkosh Arena in the Sawdust District, the Herd provides an exciting, accessible way for fans of all ages to experience future NBA superstars in action.
A celebration of community-driven recognition
Each year, the Best of Winnebago County Community's Choice Awards invite residents to nominate and vote for their favorite local businesses across numerous categories, completely driven by community participation. Winners are celebrated and featured online and in print, recognizing the region's best in service, experience and community presence. The 2026 nomination round opened in February, with voting starting in April. Nominate your favorite business here.
High-energy basketball and community entertainment
Wisconsin Herd games feature non-stop action with high-scoring contests where teams regularly exceed 100 points. The entertainment extends beyond the court, with attendees enjoying family-friendly activities, promotional nights, themed games, and opportunities to meet team mascot Pointer and favorite players after most games.
The basketball season runs from November through March with 3-6 home games monthly. Popular promotional nights include Marvel Super Hero night, Star Wars night, Pointer's Birthday celebration, and Fan Appreciation events. Many games feature giveaways such as cups, magnets, calendars, bobbleheads, koozies, t-shirts, hats, sunglasses, and posters. The relatively new Oshkosh Arena, built in 2017, provides a modern venue with accessible amenities including food stands, activity booths, gift shop, restrooms, and drink stations positioned around the perimeter for easy access.
What customers are saying
Wisconsin Herd games receive enthusiastic feedback from families and basketball fans throughout the region.
Attendees share their experiences:
"Always a fun time! They do a great job involving area groups/schools too." -- Fan review
"Herd Games are an absolute blast!" -- Fan review
"What a cool experience. Good beer, food and fun." -- Fan review
Location & contact
Wisconsin HerdOshkosh Arena, 1212 South Main Street, Oshkosh, WIWebsite: Visit Oshkosh
This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
Caitlin Clark and the USA women's basketball team hope to find some rhythm when they get back on the court against Italy on Saturday (5 p.m. ET, truTV) at the FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The U.S. is 2-0 at the tournament but the offense lacked flow when facing a zone defense against host country Puerto Rico.
“It was mostly self-inflicted,” said Clark, who is playing competitive basketball for the first time since July with the Indiana Fever. “I think we missed some defensive coverages. With how much we fouled, too, it definitely limited us in transition. We want to play fast, and it’s hard to push, especially off a made free throw.”
Paige Bueckers, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, Monique Billings and Kiki Iriafen started on Thursday. Gray was the only player who started both nights as coach Kara Lawson experiments with different lineups. There likely will be a new starting five on Saturday.
What time is Team USA women's basketball vs Italy?
The Team USA women's basketball game is at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 14, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Team USA women's basketball vs Italy | TV/streaming
The league's open forum for spending inevitably lends itself to market-setting deals, with players who weren't seen as priorities by their former teams earning deals that put them well ahead of their peers. But for as much handwringing as high-priced contracts can produce, March is also the time when teams can score deep discounts with veterans at certain positions of need. That again held true during the last week, when several meaningful contributors struck entirely reasonable deals following the first wave of free agency.
With the first week wrapped up, here are the 10 best value signings so far in free agency:
QB Kyler Murray, Minnesota Vikings
Contract: One year, $1.3 million
Landing even a league-average quarterback on a massively cost-controlled contract can confer a roster-building advantage unmatched elsewhere in the NFL. Chasing that payoff, however, has led to dicey moves in the draft for several teams, including the Vikings. But as Minnesota attempted to retreat from its previous commitment to J.J. McCarthy, the organization might have found a short-term solution with an approximation of its earlier vision.
Yes, Murray is only signed for one year. But this move allows the Vikings to get off the McCarthy roller-coaster, which spent too much time hovering barely above the ground to provide anyone aboard actual enjoyment. Despite shortcomings that traced almost exclusively back to the issues behind center - the offense ranked 29th in expected points added per dropback, according to Next Gen Stats - Minnesota salvaged a 9-8 record and has a playoff-capable roster. Murray hasn't met the outsized expectations he was saddled with as the No. 1 overall pick in 2019, but his aptitude has likely been overlooked amid more pervasive problems in Arizona. It's rare to find a figure in free agency capable of elevating a team's floor and ceiling, but the Vikings managed to do so with Murray - and all for the veteran minimum.
If not for Murray and the Vikings, Tagovailoa's deal likely would have stood out as perhaps the most valuable one in free agency. Dispatched by the Dolphins, the six-year veteran isn't exactly a perfect fit for new coach Kevin Stefanski's scheme and its heavy dose of play-action. But neither is incumbent starter Michael Penix Jr., and Atlanta needed at the very least a capable fill-in as the 2024 first-round pick works his way back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The Falcons landed one of the few passers capable of actually challenging for a full-time starting role, and they did so for the veteran minimum. Tagovailoa will have to cut down on the turnovers if he hopes to reinvent himself in Atlanta, but he could be a more efficient alternative to Penix as someone who can mirror his mission in Miami and situate his considerable skill-position talent - Bijab Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts - to do damage.
RB Rachaad White, Washington Commanders
Contact: One year, $2 million
With Kenneth Walker III and Travis Etienne Jr. scoring deals that ranked fourth and ninth in average annual value among running backs, the top of the market at the position fared just fine in free agency. The middle class for ball carriers, however, continues to disappear. That dynamic cost White, who had 2,545 yards from scrimmage in 2023-24 before last season's dip in efficiency and usage. At 6-0 and 214 pounds with plenty of burst, he offers more big-play potential than one would expect from a back at this pay band. Griding yards isn't his game, but he at least offers Washington an all-purpose rotational asset who can reel off some chunk gains to ease the pressure on Jayden Daniels.
WR Mike Evans, San Francisco 49ers
Contract: Three years, $42.4 million
How often does a six-time Pro Bowl selection hit free agency and end up signing a deal that puts him in bargain territory? Evans' agent said his client's departure from Tampa Bay wasn't driven by money, and this might be the rare instance in which such a proclamation from a player's representation holds true. With just $16.3 million guaranteed, there's essentially no risk in this pact for the 49ers if Evans has more injury troubles or things don't pan out. Meanwhile, there's immense upside in onboarding a player who came to be the embodiment of steady superlative play as a pass catcher. Evans might not have enough juice left to single-handedly lift San Francisco if the team gets hit by another calamitous run of personnel losses, but he can put a healthy team over the top as an NFC contender.
OT Jermaine Eluemunor, New York Giants
Contract: Three years, $39 million
The going rate for even pedestrian offensive tackles is enough to make an NFL general manager wince. Somehow, though, the Giants managed to bring back a staple of an improved front at a distinct discount. Eluemunor ranks 13th among right tackles in his deal's average annual value, and the terms should grow even more favorable if his steady play allows the 31-year-old to reach the tail end of the contract. And when contrasted with the lofty terms of Tytus Howard's extension with the Cleveland Browns (three years, $56 million), it's clear the Giants should be grateful that Eluemunor felt so heavily incentivized to stay put.
G Isaac Seumalo, Arizona Cardinals
Contract: Three years, $31.5 million
Credit Seumalo for explaining his free agency decision in a manner as blunt as his blocking style. "I mean, the money is good," Seumalo said. "I won't pretend that's not a part of it." In this case, however, that assertion might apply to both sides. So long as he stays on the field, the 32-year-old has been someone coaches don't need to worry about, either in pass protection or as a run blocker. In a division where the Seattle Seahawks set the tone up front with their interior disruptiveness, that peace of mind should count for plenty. Seumalo's steadiness and versatility should be of major comfort to first-year coach Mike LaFleur as he tries to compensate for a front that looks unsettled beyond Seumalo and left tackle Paris Johnson Jr.
C Cade Mays, Detroit Lions
Contract: Three years, $25 million
The failed attempt to pull Frank Ragnow out of retirement late last season highlighted the severity of the Lions' atrophy up front - a problem only heightened by Detroit's split with longtime left tackle Taylor Decker. At a time when the formerly stagnant center market took off, Mays stood out as a nice budget solution. The 6-6, 325-pound blocker was drawn to Dan Campbell's offense due to an alignment with the line's physical style of play, and he should help stabilize things for the unit even if he isn't as much of a force as Ragnow once was.
LB Alex Anzalone, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Contract: Two years, $17 million
Coverage woes at the second level dogged the Buccaneers throughout last season, and 36-year-old Lavonte David has yet to reveal whether he plans to play next season. That prompted many to wonder whether Tampa Bay might feel pressured to take a linebacker at No. 15 overall in the draft, even though premier prospect Sonny Styles figures to be long gone by that point. Picking up Anzalone patched up that problem, however, with the 31-year-old having established himself as sufficiently athletic and savvy in matching up with targets. More investments might be needed here, but the Buccaneers attacked the deficiency the right way.
CB Riq Woolen, Philadelphia Eagles
Contract: One year, $12 million
Philadelphia's attempt to plug its one hole in the secondary last year with Adoree' Jackson was a substantial letdown. But Howie Roseman took another crack at the formula this year with Woolen. A Pro Bowl selection in his 2022 rookie campaign, the 6-4, 210-pound cover man has long been an imposing presence on the back end. But his big-play hunting has led to several misfires, particularly when he gets caught looking in the backfield. Still, Woolen allowed the fewest yards per target (2.7) in man coverage of any player with at least 20 targets last season, according to Next Gen Stats. He could be tested frequently as teams avoid All-Pros Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, but Vic Fangio's defense could allow him to boost his stock and set himself up for a more substantial deal next offsesaon.
CB Nahshon Wright, New York Jets
Contract: One year, $3 million
Like Woolen, Wright appeared on my pre-free agency list of buyer-beware players after a breakout five-interception campaign from which he looked bound to come back down to earth. But no bidding war materialized, and he ended up taking what amounts to a prove-it deal with the Jets. If there's one defense that should tolerate Wright's high-variance output, it's New York, which failed to record a single interception last season. If Wright can continue to generate splash plays at a level anywhere close to the rate he did for the Chicago Bears last season, he'll easily justify the terms of his deal.
Texas A&M (21-11) entered the SEC Tournament with little to gain or lose, knowing that back-to-back wins over Kentucky and LSU at the end of the regular season had all but solidified the Aggies' standing as an NCAA Tournament team, which was predicted as a 9- or 10-seed before Thursday night's game.
However, first-year head coach Bucky McMillan and his veteran team did not inspire confidence with their performance against a red-hot Oklahoma team, shooting a poor 38% from the field and 26% from beyond the arc, while senior forward Rashaun Agee broke the program's single-season double-double record after recording his 13th on the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Falling 83-63, Aggie fans were not delighted to stay up late to watch a loss, but those of us who cover Texas A&M Athletics are to remind the fan base that this loss, on paper, at least, does not matter, and could be beneficial heading into Selection Sunday. On Friday, ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi released his latest bracket update, dropping the Aggies to a 10-seed and predicting they would face 7-seed Miami.
This matchup prediction is not new, and after Texas A&M lost to eventual national runner-up Miami in the first round of the College Football Playoff, I would not be shocked if this came to fruition on the hardwood. Either way, it's actually a good thing if the Aggies earn a 10-seed, avoiding one of the four 1-seeds in the second round if they can get past their first-round opponent.
It's also important to note that Texas A&M making the NCAA Tournament during McMillan's first season is quite the achievement, given the preseason predictions surrounding the program, including being picked 13th in the conference.
Texas A&M will now await its postseason fate during Selection Sunday.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have quietly won the offseason through one week of free agency thanks to several big signings and a huge trade. But instead of talking about the additions of guys like wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and cornerback Jamel Dean, we are going to hand out our grade for Pittsburgh's Friday addition of defensive Sebastian Joseph-Day.
The Steelers currently have four defensive linemen who are free agents. Isaiahh Loudermilk, Derek Lowry, Daniel Ekuale and Jacob Slade are all free agents and none have has any real interest on the open market. The four of them combined for only 156 total snaps and the lack of talent on the defensive line reserves put a ton of pressure on the top four guys.
The addition of Joseph-Day gives the Steelers an ideal No. 4/No. 5 defensive lineman who can line up inside and outside. He's going to be a great teammate to Cameron Heyward on the edge to spell the future Hall of Famer but just as comfortable lining up inside next to Keeanu Benton where he can win with strength and leverage.
We don't think the addition of Joseph-Day finishes the work along the defensive line and we still want to see Pittsburgh explore a legitimate replacement for Heyward in the 2026 NFL draft. But for 2026, the Steelers defensive line is better now than the group that finished last season thanks to the addition of Joseph-Day and for that, we give this signing an A.
Boston Legacy FC will make its long-awaited debut in the National Women's Soccer League on Saturday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, an iconic venue steeped in rich history and winning ways.
"We don't think you can really talk about professional sports meaningfully without having Boston in the conversation," Boston Legacy FC president Jennifer van Dijk told USA TODAY Sports.
A Boston-based NWSL franchise has been absent from the league since the Boston Breakers folded in early 2018. That changes on Saturday (12:30 ET, ABC) when the Legacy kicks off its inaugural season with a matchup against the reigning champion Gotham FC.
The NWSL's 15th franchise is here to build on Boston's winning legacy.
"We're part of a community that is very competitive and that is also part of our identity, that competitiveness that you see in Boston," Domènec Guasch told USA TODAY Sports. "Ultimately we're building a legacy. ... We want to be competitive since the very first day, since that March 14th home opener."
Culture starts with players, coach
When building an identity and culture from scratch, "the first ingredient is the people that you bring into the organization," Guasch said. That includes players and staff, with the head coach playing a vital role in cultivating the team's foundation. Boston FC evaluated more than 60 coaches over a months-long process before hiring former Benfica head coach Filipa Patão to steward the Legacy.
"A key component is her ability to compete at the highest levels and build champions," said van Dijk, who pointed to Patão's 156-28-15 record in five seasons at the Portuguese club, Benfica. "She believes in playing a game that fans can enjoy, where players can be very free and creative and exciting on the ball. She believes in possession and the way that we play being very important to the results and to the fan experience. And I think overall she just was a perfect fit."
Boston's ultimate goal is to be dominant on the field. That may take time but the process remains the same.
"When we speak about being dominant, that means creating chances and obviously scoring goals," Guasch said. "Everybody wants to win. It's about how do you win. And the way we see it is by our team getting better every day. If our team gets better every day, we will have higher chances in the weekend to win."
They've assembled an inaugural roster to bring that vision to life without the help of a NWSL draft or expansion draft after both were eliminated in the collective bargaining agreement to start the 2025 season. Instead, the Legacy turned to a mix of international signings and NWSL veterans, including Casey Murphy, Ella Stevens and Nichelle Prince.
“We’re all new to this team but we all picked Boston. We all have our reasons why. And it’s been awesome to finally be here and get going," Murphy said. “We have a ton of international players. We have a ton of NWSL experience. We have the younger players. It’s just been great to come together and it’s been challenging, but also that’s why we love playing. We love a challenge."
The Legacy has yet to hit the pitch, but they've already got fan buy-in. NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said Boston has sold over 25,000 tickets for their season-opening match against Gotham FC bringing "women's soccer back to a city that we know loves this game."
"I'm very excited that Boston's first match will be against Gotham this weekend," Berman added. "We hope and expect that the cities that have had historical rivalries through other sports will continue to exist through the NWSL."
"Trusting the process and going for it every day to become better players on that day."
Hear from Nichelle Prince and get a glimpse at how we're preparing for Saturday 💪 pic.twitter.com/zbfLAyEEXK
Boston FC's all-women ownership group is made up of Jennifer Epstein, Stephanie Connaughton, Ami Danoff and Anna Palmer, which represents "the next generation of great owners in sports," Jennifer van Dijk said.
"It's important in the world of sports that we have owners that are strong, powerful women regardless of what owner's box they sit in," van Dijk told USA TODAY Sports. "What is most useful and helpful to us as a club is their operational and institutional knowledge and their deep belief that women's sports and female athletes deserve the types of institutions, the right stadiums, the right training facilities, the right coaches and leadership to become as good as they can be."
The Legacy's mission attracted big-name investors, including gymnast Aly Raisman, actress Elizabeth Banks, Boston Celtics general manager Brad Stevens, Indiana Fever center Aliyah Boston and USC guard Juju Watkins, the first college athlete to directly invest in a professional women’s sports team, according to the Legacy.
"For Juju (Watkins) to understand at her age the value of her platform and her ability to be part of the next generation of wealth and sports and sports ownership is truly incredible," van Dijk added.
"Ultimately we're building a legacy, as the name says," Domènec Guasch told USA TODAY Sports.
we're building that foundation
Speaker 2 (02:30): the first ingredient is the people that you bring into the organization and that means player, that means staff members and allowing them to be their own self... that is the reason why we spend so much time in evaluating the people that we're bringing in
we want to be a team that's dominant on the field. And normally when we speak in soccer, when we speak about being dominant, that means creating chances and obviously scoring goals. But then obviously for you to create chances, you need to have the ball and be able to create that. So that is kind of what we want to build towards
The Georgia Bulldogs were eliminated from the SEC Tournament after just one game. Georgia will have to try to get back on track in the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs remain a March Madness lock, but Georgia did not do itself favors for their NCAA Tournament path with their SEC Tournament loss to Ole Miss.
USA TODAY Sports projects that Georgia will be a No. 9 seed in March Madness. The Bulldogs were as high as a No. 7 seed in many projections after winning five of their final six regular season games. However, losing to Ole Miss is a blow for the Bulldogs' March Madness seeding.
The Bulldogs are almost certainly going to be a No. 8 or No. 9 seed in the NCAA Tournament, so Georgia will face a team that achieved a similar season to UGA. If Georgia wins in the first-round, then the Bulldogs would likely play a No. 1 seed. Georgia can't look past the first-round after last season's disaster against Gonzaga.
4 potential NCAA Tournament opponents for Georgia basketball
Clemson Tigers
Conference: ACC
Record: 24-9 (12-6 ACC)
Georgia is projected to play Clemson in USA TODAY's bracketology. The Bulldogs and Tigers already met once this season with Clemson beating Georgia 97-94 in overtime of the Charleston Classic. Clemson's leading scorer is RJ Godfrey, a Georgia transfer, so there would be plenty of storylines for a Georgia-Clemson matchup. Clemson has a strong defense and only allows 66.5 points per game.
Villanova Wildcats
Conference: Big East
Record: 24-8 (15-5 Big East)
Villanova finished third in Big East play this season, but fell to Georgetown in the Big East Tournament quarterfinals. The Wildcats went 0-4 against the Big East's two best teams (St. John's and UConn), but took care of business in most of their other conference games.
TCU Horned Frogs
Conference: Big 12
Record: 22-11 (11-7 Big 12)
ESPN's bracketology has Georgia facing TCU in the first-round. The Horned Frogs won eight of their final nine regular season games in Big 12 play. TCU has notched impressive wins over No. 4 Florida, No. 14 Texas Tech and No. 7 Iowa State. However, the Horned Frogs suffered an early loss to New Orleans and lost four games in a row at one point during Big 12 play. Which version of TCU would Georgia get?
Saint Louis Billikens
Conference: Atlantic 10
Record: 27-4 (15-3 Atlantic 10)
Saint Louis started out the season 24-1, but has struggled more in recent weeks. The Billikens still played well enough to win the Atlantic 10 during the regular season and should make March Madness regardless of how their conference tournament goes.
Center Robbie Avila leads Saint Louis in scoring with 12.6 points and assists with 4.1 per game. Saint Louis is a high-scoring team (87.8 points per game), but is not as battle-tested as some of Georgia's other potential March Madness opponents.
But as this time of the year also proves on an annual basis, the bracket looks different than it did March 13, two days before, or even a week before. It's the results of top-seeded teamslike Miami (Ohio) having lost early in their respective conference tournaments, and teams that entered championship week on the bubble sustained a loss that knocked them off.
The last two spots on the bubble have been interchangeable in the 48 hours since the Redhawks lost in the MAC tournament. It created some bad news for teams like Auburn, which was hanging onto a potential trip to the First Four despite their late-season slide. There have also been other teams that are in the "Next Four Out" trying to get in because of this, and the fact that they've been able to get some wins in their respective tournaments themselves.
The known factor for tomorrow's selection show is that it will include 31 teams who earned their respective conferences' automatic bid. The other likely known factor will be that Duke, Arizona and Michigan will see their names on the 1-seed line.
Ten different conference tournaments will crown a champion on Saturday around the country. There will be six teams crowned on Sunday in the lead-up to the bracket reveal on CBS at 6 p.m. ET, or after the Big Ten championship concludes, as it has a 3:30 p.m. ET tip-off.
Here's an updated look at the NCAA Tournament bubble, with which teams are locks and which are likely going dancing as conference tournaments continue and Selection Sunday inches closer:
Here's a look at the list of teams that have already secured a bid to the NCAA Tournament by winning their conference's respective automatic qualifier ticket:
America East: March 14 at 11 a.m. ET
American: March 15 at 3:15 p.m. ET
ACC: March 14 at 8:30 p.m. ET
ASUN: Queens (N.C.)
Atlantic 10: March 15 at 1 p.m. ET
Big 12: March 14 at 6 p.m. ET
Big East: March 14 at 6:30 p.m. ET
Big Sky: Idaho
Big South: High Point
Big Ten: March 15 at 3:30 p.m. ET
Big West: March 14 at 10 p.m. ET
CAA: Hofstra
Conference USA: March 14 at 8:30 p.m. ET
Horizon League: Wright State
Ivy League: March 15 at Noon ET
MAAC: Siena
MAC: March 14 at 8 p.m. ET
MEAC: March 14 at 1 p.m. ET
Missouri Valley: Northern Iowa
Mountain West: March 14 at 6 p.m. ET
Northeast: Long Island
Ohio Valley: Tennessee State
Patriot League: Lehigh
SEC: March 15 at 1 p.m. ET
SoCon: Furman
Southland: McNeese
SWAC: March 14 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Summit League: North Dakota State
Sun Belt: Troy
WAC: March 15 at Noon ET
West Coast: Gonzaga
NCAA Tournament locks
Big Ten (8): Michigan, Illinois, Michigan State, Purdue, Nebraska, Wisconsin, UCLA and Iowa
Big 12 (6): Arizona, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Texas Tech and BYU
ACC (6): Duke, Virginia, North Carolina, Louisville, Miami and Clemson
SEC (7): Florida, Alabama, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky and Georgia
Big East (3): UConn, St. John's and Villanova
Other (4): Gonzaga, Saint Louis, Saint Mary's and Santa Clara
Using Bart Torvik's T-Ranketology as a statistical database, the Big Ten leads the way with eight teams as "locks" for the upcoming NCAA Tournament. 35 teams have a "100%" chance of being included in the 68-team bracket per Bart Torvik's T-Ranketology.
It's also time to start talking about the West Coast Conference being a three-bid league after Santa Clara knocked off Saint Mary's in the conference tournament semifinals. Perhaps this is a high sell on the Broncos, but at 25-8 overall and a NET ranking of 40, they should be in the dance.
NCAA Tournament likely ins
ACC (1): North Carolina State
Big Ten: Ohio State
Big 12 (2): TCU and UCF
Big East: N/A
SEC (1): Texas A&M
Other (2): Miami (Ohio) and Utah State
Ohio State is close to being a "lock" for the NCAA Tournament, but remains in the "likely in" category for now. The wins that stand out on the Buckeyes' resume for the selection committee are their wins over Wisconsin (then-No. 24 team in the country, No. 27 in NET ranking) and Purdue (then-No. 8 team in the country, No. 10 in NET ranking).
Miami (Ohio) dropped down to this category following its loss to UMass in the quarterfinals of the MAC tournament. The Redhawks metrics suggest that they should be a lock for the NCAA Tournament, in addition to the fact that they went undefeated in the regular season, but it will come down to the selection committee. Could we be in for one of the more polarizing Selection Sunday snubs/conversations??
NCAA Tournament bubble teams
ACC (1): SMU
Big Ten (1): Indiana
Big 12 (1): Cincinnati
Big East (1): Seton Hall
SEC (3): Texas, Oklahoma and Auburn
Other (3): San Diego State, VCU and New Mexico
The bubble remains very fluid. Though they are separated by one less win, Oklahoma should top Auburn for one of the "last four in" spots as the Sooners made it one round further than the Tigers in the SEC tournament. Oklahoma has also won six of its last seven, while Auburn has lost four of its last seven, and nine of its last 12 since Jan. 31.
The Atlantic 10 is an intriguing conference for the bubble. Until it loses in Pittsburgh at PPG Paint Arena, Saint Louis is the conference's automatic bid. VCU remains firmly on the bubble after a quarterfinal win over Duquesne and could continue to solidify its spot in the NCAA Tournament with a semifinal win over St. Joseph's, but if the Rams — or Billikens — don't win the A10 or make the championship game, the conference could have three teams.
With all of the excitement free agency has brought, it’s easy to overlook one of the most significant facets of the offseason: the NFL draft.
While the Tennessee Titans have filled some of their needs in free agency, they still have a lot of work ahead, and it will be interesting to see how they approach the draft. Lately, there has been a tremendous amount of talk on Jeremiyah Love, whom they have already hosted on a Top-30 visit.
Love won’t be the only top prospect to visit Nashville, as Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports reports that Tennessee already has a visit lined up with one of the top wide receiver prospects.
The Trojans pro day does not take place until Thursday, March 11, yet there’s a buzz building over receiver Makai Lemon, who did not test at the combine. Even before pro day, Lemon has seven official-30 visits scheduled, including the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, Washington Commanders, New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins, and Los Angeles Rams. In my most recent mock draft, I had the Rams selecting Lemon with the 13th overall pick.
Lemon created a stir at the NFL Scouting Combine, with reports that his team interviews were unimpressive and that he came across in a negative light. But with everything at this stage of the offseason, one must wade through the smokescreens to find reality.
Lemon may lack the elite measurables, but he is a dynamic playmaker and a difference maker, and arguably the top wideout in his class.
One of the Washington Commanders' many free agency signings was to bring inside linebacker Leo Chenal to the East Coast. Originally drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs, Chenal's rookie contract came to an end this year, but he wasn't on the market for long before the Commanders lured him to their side.
Not only did the Commanders add an athletic, versatile linebacker to the starting lineup and rotation, but CBSSports.com says his deal is one of the 10 best bargain buys so far in free agency.
Contract terms: 3 years, $24.25 million ($8.1 million AAV)
Chenal has been a quality starter throughout his career and is still just 25 years old. (He doesn't turn 26 until October.) He can defend against both the run and the pass and he can play different spots along the front, and in different roles. Dan Quinn should be able to have some fun with him as a movable chess piece.
CBS Sports had parameters for identifying the top 10 value deals, such as considering only players who signed with new teams and allowing only one bargain deal per team, as examples. And with those parameters, combined with how the league views a guy like Chenal and what the Commanders are paying for him, made him one of the best deals that's been cut so far.
The Commanders have a decent amount of cap space in 2026, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be frugal. Any money they can save for other contracts that still need to be done (like rookie deals) will go a long way toward keeping them under the cap as the offseason wears on.
Chenal's performance over the next few years will dictate how much his next contract will be, but for now, the Commanders have themselves a fantastic linebacker who didn't break the bank.
Sunrisers Leeds have faced a fierce social media backlash after the Indian-owned Hundred franchise signed Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed this week.
A longstanding political standoff between India and Pakistan means the two nations only play each other in major global cricket tournaments.
Cricketers from Pakistan have not featured in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2009 because of the deep-seated diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
There was speculation that the Pakistan players involved in this week’s inaugural Hundred auction in London would be subject to a “shadow ban”, with the IPL-affiliated teams refusing to bid for them.
Four of the franchises – MI London, Manchester Super Giants, Sunrisers Leeds and Southern Brave – are at least part-owned by companies that control IPL teams.
But the Sunrisers, based in the northern English city of Leeds, clinched a deal for Pakistani leg-spinner Abrar, paying 190,000 pounds ($252,000) for his services.
A post announcing Abrar’s signing was met with thousands of replies angrily questioning the patriotism of the Indian owners.
Some highlighted that Abrar had mocked India on social media after the conflict between the two countries in May 2025, and had called for fans to boycott IPL side Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Usman Tariq, the only other Pakistani player bought in the auction, was picked up by the United States-backed Birmingham Phoenix.
The only two Pakistan players in Wednesday’s women’s auction, Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal, went unsold.
The England and Wales Cricket Board last month issued a statement saying all eight of the city-based franchises in the 100-ball-a-side competition were committed to selection based solely on performances.
But Sunrisers have been subject to fierce criticism from some Indian cricket fans after signing Ahmed.
The @SunrisersLeeds account on X was suspended on Thursday. It was up and running again on Friday with a new follower base, but comments again focused heavily on Abrar’s signing.
The same was true of the club’s Instagram feed, while the issue spilled over onto the accounts of Sunrisers Hyderabad, also owned by the Sun Group media conglomerate.
Manchester United’s Stadium Dilemma: Why March 2026 is the Point of No Return for Old Trafford
As we reach the middle of March 2026, the conversation around Manchester United has shifted from the tactical progress seen under Michael Carrick to the very ground beneath his feet.
The”Wembley of the North” project, once a conceptual dream discussed in hushed tones in boardroom meetings, has reached its most critical juncture. This month, the joint task force—led by Lord Sebastian Coe and featuring key figures from the local council—is expected to present the definitive recommendation that will shape the next century of the club’s history.
For the regular match-goer, the debate is no longer about whether the stadium needs work; that has been clear for a decade. The question is whether the club should commit to a multi-billion-pound new build or embark on a complex, phased renovation of the existing structure. With the North Stand’s limitations and the logistical nightmare of the adjacent railway line, the “clean slate” approach of building a 100,000-seater stadium on adjacent land is increasingly becoming the favored path for the INEOS leadership.
This decision carries more weight than any single transfer window. It is a choice between preserving the physical history of the “Theatre of Dreams” and creating a contemporary super-stadium capable of generating the revenue required to compete with the state-backed entities of the current era.
The Economic Engine of a Contemporary Super-Stadium
The primary driver behind the push for a new build is the sheer revenue gap that has opened between Manchester United and clubs like Tottenham Hotspur or Real Madrid. The revamped Bernabéu and the Spurs stadium are no longer just football pitches; they are 365-day-a-year commercial hubs. The revenue generated from non-matchday events—concerts, NFL games, and corporate hospitality—allows these clubs to operate with a financial freedom that United is currently lacking.
To bridge this gap, the proposed new Old Trafford is designed to be a digital marvel. The integration of high-speed connectivity and seamless transaction systems is central to the project. The expectations of the contemporary fan have changed significantly; there is a demand for immediacy in every interaction. Whether it is ordering food from a seat via an app or the rapid processing of digital payments, the era of waiting in line is over. This trend toward high-speed digital infrastructure mirrors the broader digital economy, where users have become accustomed to the efficiency of instant withdrawal casinos and other rapid-service platforms that prioritize the immediate transfer of value. If the new stadium cannot offer that same level of technological agility, it will be considered outdated before the first brick is laid.
The task force has emphasized that a “smart stadium” approach is the only way to justify the estimated £2.5 billion price tag. By utilizing data to manage crowd flow and integrating hyper-fast financial systems for retail and ticketing, the club aims to maximize the “spend per head” while actually improving the experience for the supporter. It is a delicate balance, but one that the current board believes is essential for the club’s long-term health.
Preservation vs. Progress: The Emotional Cost
While the financial arguments for a new stadium are compelling, the emotional attachment to the current site remains a significant hurdle. For many fans, Old Trafford is not just a building; it is a repository of memories, from the Busby Babes to the Treble-winning era. The prospect of bulldozing the ground to make way for a parking lot or a secondary community stadium is, for some, unthinkable.
The renovation camp argues that the soul of a club is tied to its specific patch of grass. They point to the successful, albeit expensive, upgrades at Anfield as a template for how a historic ground can be modernized without losing its identity. However, the engineering challenges at Old Trafford are unique. To expand the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand to a capacity that matches the Stretford End, the club would need to build over a live railway line—a feat of engineering that would cost nearly as much as a new stadium while providing a lower return on investment.
Furthermore, a renovation would likely require United to play in front of a significantly reduced capacity for several seasons, or even relocate temporarily. Given the current demand for tickets and the length of the season ticket waiting list, the loss of matchday revenue during a five-year renovation project makes the “New Build” option look like the more fiscally responsible choice, despite the higher initial capital expenditure.
The Impact on the Greater Stretford Area
One aspect of the March 2026 report that has gained significant traction is the proposed “Trafford Wharf” regeneration. The stadium is being framed as the anchor for a massive urban renewal project that would transform the industrial areas surrounding the ground into a vibrant district of housing, retail, and tech hubs.
This is where the political element of the project comes into play. The club is seeking a public-private partnership, arguing that the regeneration of the area is a matter of national significance. By creating a “Wembley of the North,” the project would provide thousands of jobs and stimulate the local economy in a way that a simple stadium renovation never could.
The local community’s response has been cautiously optimistic. There is a desire for better transport links and improved infrastructure, but there are also concerns about gentrification and the potential loss of the area’s traditional character. The task force has spent the last six months holding town hall meetings to address these concerns, promising that the project will be “by Manchester, for Manchester.”
Tactical Continuity and the On-Field Connection
It is impossible to separate the stadium debate from the progress of the team on the pitch. Under Michael Carrick, Manchester United has rediscovered a clear identity. The football is brave, expansive, and rooted in the club’s attacking traditions. There is a sense that the team is finally ready to compete for the highest honors again, and the board is keen to ensure that the infrastructure matches the ambition of the coaching staff.
Carrick himself has remained neutral in the debate, focusing instead on the performance of the squad. However, the synergy between a world-class team and a world-class stadium is undeniable. A 100,000-seat cauldron, designed specifically for acoustics and atmosphere, would provide a home advantage that few clubs in the world could match.
The recruitment strategy has also been adjusted to reflect this long-term vision. The club is no longer just buying players for next season; they are building a squad that will reach its prime just as the new stadium—or the renovated Old Trafford—is completed. It is a holistic approach to club management that fans have been crying out for since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson.
What Happens Next?
The publication of the task force’s recommendations later this month will trigger a formal consultation period. If, as expected, they recommend the construction of a new stadium, the club will move into the planning permission phase. This would involve detailed architectural designs and a finalized funding model.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been vocal about his desire to move quickly. He understands that in the world of global sports, standing still is the same as moving backward. The goal is to have a definitive “spade in the ground” date by the end of 2026, with a target completion date for the new stadium in 2030.
For the fans, the next few weeks will be a time of reflection. We are standing at the end of an era and the beginning of another. Whether you are a traditionalist who wants to stay at the current ground or a progressive who wants the 100,000-seat “Wembley of the North,” we can all agree that Manchester United deserves a home that reflects its status as the biggest club in the world.
‘It might sound harsh…’ – Journalist explains why Liverpool starter is now ‘on trial’ at Anfield
Paul Gorst has explained why he thinks one regular starter for Liverpool may now be ‘on trial’ at Anfield in terms of attempting to earn a new contract.
A week ago today, the club announced that Ryan Gravenberch had signed a new long-term deal to keep him on Merseyside until 2032.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
However, the future of another midfield signing from three years ago – Alexis Mac Allister – seems less clearcut. The 27-year-old still has two years remaining on his existing contract, but his father (and agent) Carlos recently claimed that negotiations over a renewal haven’t yet commenced.
Gorst: Mac Allister might now be ‘on trial’ at Liverpool
In an article for the Liverpool Echo, Gorst outlined that the Argentine’s age profile – combined with a decline in his performances this season compared to last – might be prompting second thoughts among Anfield chiefs as to whether or not he’ll be offered a new deal in the near future.
The journalist wrote: ‘It might sound harsh for a World Cup and Premier League-winning midfielder to hear but this season’s drop-off might cause Liverpool to take an alternative to view to how they see things regarding Gravenberch and [Dominink] Szoboszlai.
‘Is this just a poor season from the former Boca Juniors man? Or have recent months foreshadowed a gradual decline? Where the Reds land on that particular judgement will be integral to any negotiations opening.
‘It feels like Mac Allister is now essentially on trial at Liverpool with regards to a new deal.’
Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as apreferred source on Googleto your favourites list for news you can trust
Will Mac Allister be offered a new contract at Liverpool in the coming months?
With Mac Allister still having two years to run on his contract, neither he nor Liverpool have to make any urgent decisions regarding his long-term future, particularly with several of his teammates having much more pressing expiry dates.
However, the sight of Gravenberch penning new terms might have the 27-year-old privately pondering whether or not he’ll be the subject of a similar show of faith from club chiefs over the next few months.
The Argentine has continued to be a regular starter for the Reds this season (30 across the Premier League and Champions League), although it’s not just Gorst who’s called his performances into question – Daily Express reporter Amos Murphy said that our number 10 was ‘running around like a lost puppy’ in the midweek defeat to Galatasaray.
Mac Allister could do with a strong finish to the campaign if he’s to convince the Liverpool hierarchy to offer him a bumper new contract either this year or next.
However, with LFC offering lucrative extensions to Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk (both in their 30s) last April, it’s not unthinkable that the 2022 World Cup winner could be rewarded with a major deal of his own in his late 20s, if he can rediscover the heights that he reached during the title-winning campaign.
You can watch Slot’s full pre-Tottenham Hotspur press conference below, viaEmpire of the Kop on YouTube:
CHESTNUT HILL – The Boston College men’s hockey team snapped a four-game losing streak and won a return engagement to the TD Garden in the process.
Freshman goalie Louka Cloutier made 18 saves to record his fourth shutout as the Eagles ousted defending champion Maine, 5-0, in Friday night’s Hockey East quarterfinal at Conte Forum.
“He looked really confident, and I thought his puck touches were outstanding, which you can see,” said BC coach Greg Brown. “He had a lot of confidence, and he was really dialed in. It wasn’t just the great saves. He made great plays on their dump-ins, and he was able to stop pucks and deliver them to our defense.”
No. 17-ranked BC improved to 20-14-1 and 14-11-0 in Hockey East and advanced to the conference semifinals at TD Garden on Friday, March 20, against an opponent to be determined.
The Garden was the scene of the Eagles’ signature moment of the season back on Feb. 9. BC beat archrival Boston University 6-2 in the Beanpot championship game with six Boston Bruins draft picks on the roster, including first-round picks Dean Letourneau (2024) and James Hagens (2025).
“It is two games to win a championship, and it is pretty similar to the Beanpot in that aspect,” said sophomore center Teddy Stiga of Sudbury. “I think we are all fired up, and we have the confidence as a group in the building. We feel good there, and we played two really good games there, so we are looking to make it three and four.”
Goals were at a premium during the Eagles’ recent skid. BC mustered only five goals in the four games, but the Eagles began undoing that hideous scoring hex early in the first period.
BC went up 1-0 on an alert play by Stiga at 4:49. Freshman defenseman Luka Radivojevic fired a hard shot from the blue line that ricocheted off the end boards into the low slot. Stiga out-hustled two Maine defenders to the puck and beat Black Bears’ goalie Mathis Rousseau top shelf on the glove side for his sixth of the season.
“Rads made a good play,” said Stiga. “He read that the goalie was cheating the rim, and he kind of threw it up against the end wall. I was able to get a break there and put it in.”
BC went up 2-0 on an NHL-quality play by Hagens at 5:28. Senior defenseman Lucas Gustaffson set up Hagens for an open shot from the inner fringe of the left circle. Rousseau made the initial save, but Hagens collected the rebound and ripped it home for his league-best 22nd goal of the season.
“We had a good start in the first period, to get up one and then two against a good team like that is enormous,” said Brown. “The guys did really well, we were getting pucks behind them and getting in on the forecheck and managing the puck really well.”
Cloutier made two of the best saves against Maine’s vaunted power play while Eagles’ defenseman Drew Fortesque was in the cooler for tripping at 7:03 of the second. Cloutier was later the beneficiary of some lucky bounces during Maine’s relentless onslaught at the midway point of the frame. BC outshot Maine, 10-9, in the second.
“I thought they made a good push in the second, and fortunately for us, Cloutier was there with probably three really big saves,” said Brown. “That kept the multi-goal lead, which was huge for us.”
BC went up 3-0 when senior left-wing Oscar Jellvik scored his second goal of the season at 1:34 of the third. Junior right-wing Ryan Conmy forced a turnover in the Maine end and set up Jellvik with an uncontested shot from the low slot. Jellvik was the Bruins’ fifth round pick in 2021.
“Every game he (Jellvik) looks a little bit more comfortable,” said Brown. “He is one of our players with a very high skill level, and to have him in the lineup and see him getting more comfortable is great for the team. “
Maine coach Ben Barr lifted Rousseau for an extra with 4:50 to play in the game. Letourneau made it 4-0 with an empty netter for his 20th of the season. Hagens scored his second into an empty net at 17:54.
BOTTOM LINE: Harvard and Pennsylvania play in the Ivy League Tournament.
The Crimson are 10-4 against Ivy League opponents and 7-7 in non-conference play. Harvard is sixth in the Ivy League scoring 70.4 points while shooting 46.5% from the field.
The Quakers' record in Ivy League games is 9-5. Pennsylvania ranks second in the Ivy League with 32.8 rebounds per game led by TJ Power averaging 7.5.
Harvard's average of 7.6 made 3-pointers per game this season is just 0.1 more made shots on average than the 7.5 per game Pennsylvania allows. Pennsylvania scores 9.3 more points per game (76.2) than Harvard allows (66.9).
The teams meet for the third time this season. Pennsylvania won 64-61 in the last matchup on Feb. 28. Ethan Roberts led Pennsylvania with 21 points, and Robert Hinton led Harvard with 20 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Hinton is averaging 17.2 points for the Crimson. Tey Barbour is averaging 16 points and 5.8 rebounds over the last 10 games.
Power averages 2.5 made 3-pointers per game for the Quakers, scoring 15.8 points while shooting 42.9% from beyond the arc. Roberts is shooting 36.3% and averaging 12.8 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Crimson: 7-3, averaging 69.0 points, 29.4 rebounds, 13.4 assists, 7.1 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 45.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 64.2 points per game.
Quakers: 7-3, averaging 73.3 points, 31.5 rebounds, 13.1 assists, 8.2 steals and 3.2 blocks per game while shooting 43.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 70.0 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: Howard and North Carolina Central meet in the MEAC Championship.
The Bison have gone 12-3 against MEAC teams, with a 10-7 record in non-conference play. Howard averages 16.4 assists per game to lead the MEAC, paced by Cam Gillus with 4.7.
The Eagles are 10-6 against MEAC teams. North Carolina Central has a 3-11 record against opponents above .500.
Howard averages 77.7 points per game, 2.1 more points than the 75.6 North Carolina Central gives up. North Carolina Central has shot at a 44.1% rate from the field this season, 2.2 percentage points above the 41.9% shooting opponents of Howard have averaged.
The teams square off for the third time this season. Howard won the last matchup 100-67 on Feb. 21. Travelle Bryson scored 22 to help lead Howard to the win, and Kyric Davis scored 23 points for North Carolina Central.
TOP PERFORMERS: Bryce Harris is averaging 17.2 points and 6.8 rebounds for the Bison. Cedric Taylor III is averaging 19.2 points over the last 10 games.
Gage Lattimore is averaging 16.7 points for the Eagles. Dionte Johnson is averaging 12.4 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Bison: 9-1, averaging 84.4 points, 32.0 rebounds, 19.4 assists, 8.2 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 50.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 64.2 points per game.
Eagles: 6-4, averaging 70.4 points, 28.3 rebounds, 11.2 assists, 8.5 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 44.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 72.4 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: UCLA plays in the Big Ten Tournament against No. 18 Purdue.
The Bruins are 15-7 against Big Ten opponents and 8-3 in non-conference play. UCLA is eighth in the Big Ten with 16.2 assists per game led by Donovan Dent averaging 7.8.
The Boilermakers are 15-7 in Big Ten play. Purdue is fourth in the Big Ten with 10.1 offensive rebounds per game led by Oscar Cluff averaging 3.2.
UCLA scores 78.1 points, 7.9 more per game than the 70.2 Purdue gives up. Purdue has shot at a 49.9% clip from the field this season, 6.6 percentage points higher than the 43.3% shooting opponents of UCLA have averaged.
The teams meet for the second time this season. UCLA won 69-67 in the last matchup on Jan. 21. Dent led UCLA with 23 points, and C.J. Cox led Purdue with 16 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Tyler Bilodeau is averaging 17.6 points and 5.5 rebounds for the Bruins. Dent is averaging 14.4 points over the last 10 games.
Braden Smith is averaging 14.3 points, nine assists and 1.8 steals for the Boilermakers. Fletcher Loyer is averaging 3.3 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Bruins: 7-3, averaging 76.2 points, 28.1 rebounds, 16.9 assists, 6.5 steals and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 73.8 points per game.
Boilermakers: 6-4, averaging 79.7 points, 31.5 rebounds, 20.0 assists, 5.5 steals and 2.4 blocks per game while shooting 47.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 73.6 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: Southern takes on Prairie View A&M in the SWAC Championship.
The Jaguars' record in SWAC games is 13-7, and their record is 4-9 against non-conference opponents. Southern ranks second in the SWAC in rebounding averaging 32.6 rebounds. Damariee Jones paces the Jaguars with 6.4 boards.
The Panthers are 12-9 against SWAC opponents. Prairie View A&M ranks fourth in the SWAC with 22.6 defensive rebounds per game led by Cory Wells averaging 5.7.
Southern is shooting 45.6% from the field this season, 1.7 percentage points higher than the 43.9% Prairie View A&M allows to opponents. Prairie View A&M averages 6.1 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.6 fewer made shots on average than the 7.7 per game Southern allows.
The teams meet for the third time this season. The Jaguars won 87-82 in the last matchup on Feb. 14. Terrance Dixon Jr. led the Jaguars with 24 points, and Dontae Horne led the Panthers with 46 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Michael Jacobs is averaging 17.3 points, 4.9 assists and 1.6 steals for the Jaguars. Dixon is averaging 13.4 points over the last 10 games.
Wells is averaging 13.1 points and 7.1 rebounds for the Panthers. Horne is averaging 1.9 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Jaguars: 7-3, averaging 78.2 points, 31.3 rebounds, 15.7 assists, 8.2 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 45.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 76.1 points per game.
Panthers: 8-2, averaging 74.1 points, 32.9 rebounds, 12.2 assists, 5.5 steals and 6.4 blocks per game while shooting 43.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 66.0 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: Utah State and San Diego State play for the MWC Championship.
The Aggies' record in MWC games is 17-5, and their record is 10-1 in non-conference play. Utah State ranks ninth in the MWC in rebounding averaging 30.7 rebounds. Mason Falslev paces the Aggies with 5.8 boards.
The Aztecs' record in MWC action is 16-6. San Diego State scores 78.7 points while outscoring opponents by 7.8 points per game.
Utah State makes 50.0% of its shots from the field this season, which is 10.2 percentage points higher than San Diego State has allowed to its opponents (39.8%). San Diego State averages 6.8 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.9 fewer makes per game than Utah State gives up.
The teams meet for the third time this season. The Aztecs won 89-72 in the last matchup on Feb. 26. Reese Dixon-Waters led the Aztecs with 20 points, and Michael Collins Jr. led the Aggies with 18 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Collins is averaging 17.5 points for the Aggies. Falslev is averaging 15.1 points over the last 10 games.
Dixon-Waters is averaging 12.8 points for the Aztecs. BJ Davis is averaging 1.3 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Aggies: 7-3, averaging 80.6 points, 28.2 rebounds, 16.9 assists, 7.8 steals and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 47.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 75.5 points per game.
Aztecs: 6-4, averaging 76.2 points, 31.2 rebounds, 13.9 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 46.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 71.6 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: No. 3 Michigan and No. 23 Wisconsin square off in the Big Ten Tournament.
The Wolverines' record in Big Ten play is 20-1, and their record is 10-1 in non-conference games. Michigan leads the Big Ten with 27.3 defensive rebounds per game led by Yaxel Lendeborg averaging 5.1.
The Badgers' record in Big Ten action is 16-6. Wisconsin scores 83.5 points and has outscored opponents by 7.3 points per game.
Michigan averages 9.2 made 3-pointers per game, 1.1 more made shots than the 8.1 per game Wisconsin allows. Wisconsin averages 14.5 more points per game (83.5) than Michigan gives up (69.0).
The teams meet for the second time this season. The Badgers won 91-88 in the last matchup on Jan. 10. John Blackwell led the Badgers with 26 points, and Elliot Cadeau led the Wolverines with 19 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Cadeau is averaging 10 points and 5.6 assists for the Wolverines. Lendeborg is averaging 14.8 points over the last 10 games.
Nicholas Boyd is averaging 20.8 points and 4.2 assists for the Badgers. Blackwell is averaging 20.8 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Wolverines: 9-1, averaging 80.2 points, 33.1 rebounds, 17.5 assists, 4.6 steals and 5.6 blocks per game while shooting 49.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.2 points per game.
Badgers: 8-2, averaging 84.9 points, 29.9 rebounds, 16.4 assists, 5.6 steals and 2.7 blocks per game while shooting 45.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 78.4 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: VCU takes on Saint Joseph's (PA) in the A-10 Tournament.
The Rams have gone 16-3 against A-10 opponents, with a 9-4 record in non-conference play. VCU is fifth in the A-10 in rebounding averaging 33.5 rebounds. Lazar Djokovic paces the Rams with 5.5 boards.
The Hawks' record in A-10 games is 14-5. Saint Joseph's (PA) has a 5-0 record in one-possession games.
VCU makes 46.2% of its shots from the field this season, which is 5.6 percentage points higher than Saint Joseph's (PA) has allowed to its opponents (40.6%). Saint Joseph's (PA) has shot at a 43.1% rate from the field this season, 0.2 percentage points fewer than the 43.3% shooting opponents of VCU have averaged.
The teams meet for the second time this season. The Rams won 79-72 in the last matchup on Jan. 19. Michael Belle led the Rams with 20 points, and Derek Simpson led the Hawks with 27 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Terrence Hill Jr. is averaging 14.3 points for the Rams. Djokovic is averaging 14.6 points over the last 10 games.
Simpson is averaging 13.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists for the Hawks. Jaiden Glover is averaging 16.6 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Rams: 9-1, averaging 77.2 points, 34.4 rebounds, 13.0 assists, 6.4 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 45.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 68.6 points per game.
Hawks: 8-2, averaging 70.8 points, 34.4 rebounds, 15.3 assists, 4.9 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 43.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 64.6 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: Yale plays in the Ivy League Tournament against Cornell.
The Bulldogs are 11-3 against Ivy League opponents and 12-2 in non-conference play. Yale scores 81.5 points and has outscored opponents by 11.3 points per game.
The Big Red's record in Ivy League action is 8-6. Cornell averages 21.2 assists per game to lead the Ivy League, paced by Jacob Beccles with 3.1.
Yale scores 81.5 points per game, 1.7 fewer points than the 83.2 Cornell allows. Cornell averages 13.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 3.9 more made shots on average than the 9.1 per game Yale gives up.
The teams meet for the third time this season. The Big Red won 72-69 in the last matchup on Feb. 27. Jake Fiegen led the Big Red with 17 points, and Casey Simmons led the Bulldogs with 14 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Nick Townsend is shooting 50.9% and averaging 16.5 points for the Bulldogs. Trevor Mullin is averaging 12.6 points over the last 10 games.
Cooper Noard is scoring 18.5 points per game and averaging 3.4 rebounds for the Big Red. Adam Tsang Hinton is averaging 2.3 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Bulldogs: 8-2, averaging 75.6 points, 30.8 rebounds, 14.6 assists, 5.9 steals and 2.9 blocks per game while shooting 48.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 67.9 points per game.
Big Red: 7-3, averaging 83.0 points, 29.9 rebounds, 19.2 assists, 6.6 steals and 2.7 blocks per game while shooting 51.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 76.0 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: No. 1 Duke and No. 10 Virginia play for the ACC Championship.
The Blue Devils are 19-1 against ACC opponents and 12-1 in non-conference play. Duke is second in the ACC with 10.8 offensive rebounds per game led by Cameron Boozer averaging 3.3.
The Cavaliers are 17-3 in ACC play. Virginia scores 81.0 points while outscoring opponents by 12.8 points per game.
Duke averages 9.1 made 3-pointers per game, 2.3 more made shots than the 6.8 per game Virginia allows. Virginia scores 18.1 more points per game (81.0) than Duke allows (62.9).
The teams square off for the second time this season. Duke won the last matchup 77-51 on Feb. 28. Isaiah Evans scored 19 to help lead Duke to the win, and Thijs De Ridder scored 16 points for Virginia.
TOP PERFORMERS: Evans is shooting 36.1% from beyond the arc with 2.7 made 3-pointers per game for the Blue Devils, while averaging 14.7 points. Boozer is averaging 21.6 points, 11 rebounds and four assists over the last 10 games.
De Ridder is averaging 15.8 points and 6.2 rebounds for the Cavaliers. Malik Thomas is averaging 11.5 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Blue Devils: 10-0, averaging 80.5 points, 38.5 rebounds, 16.8 assists, 6.6 steals and 2.7 blocks per game while shooting 48.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 60.7 points per game.
Cavaliers: 9-1, averaging 76.8 points, 35.0 rebounds, 16.0 assists, 6.2 steals and 7.4 blocks per game while shooting 45.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.1 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: No. 2 Arizona takes on No. 5 Houston in the Big 12 Championship.
The Wildcats' record in Big 12 play is 18-2, and their record is 13-0 in non-conference play. Arizona leads the Big 12 in rebounding, averaging 40.0 boards. Tobe Awaka paces the Wildcats with 9.6 rebounds.
The Cougars' record in Big 12 play is 16-4. Houston is 22-5 against opponents with a winning record.
Arizona's average of 5.9 made 3-pointers per game is 1.0 fewer made shot on average than the 6.9 per game Houston allows. Houston averages 8.6 more points per game (77.2) than Arizona gives up (68.6).
The teams meet for the second time this season. The Wildcats won 73-66 in the last matchup on Feb. 21. Anthony Dell'Orso led the Wildcats with 22 points, and Kingston Flemings led the Cougars with 17 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Awaka is averaging 9.7 points and 9.6 rebounds for the Wildcats. Dell'Orso is averaging 2.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Emanuel Sharp averages 2.6 made 3-pointers per game for the Cougars, scoring 15.5 points while shooting 37.3% from beyond the arc. Flemings is shooting 40.7% and averaging 15.4 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Wildcats: 8-2, averaging 79.7 points, 37.4 rebounds, 14.9 assists, 6.9 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 47.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 71.0 points per game.
Cougars: 7-3, averaging 73.6 points, 32.3 rebounds, 12.8 assists, 6.7 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 43.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 64.2 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: No. 17 Arkansas faces Ole Miss in the SEC Tournament.
The Razorbacks are 14-5 against SEC opponents and 10-3 in non-conference play. Arkansas is 22-8 against opponents with a winning record.
The Rebels are 7-14 in SEC play. Ole Miss ranks sixth in the SEC giving up 75.6 points while holding opponents to 43.3% shooting.
Arkansas' average of 8.2 made 3-pointers per game this season is just 0.2 fewer made shots on average than the 8.4 per game Ole Miss allows. Ole Miss has shot at a 44.4% rate from the field this season, 1.0 percentage point below the 45.4% shooting opponents of Arkansas have averaged.
The teams square off for the second time this season. Arkansas won the last matchup 94-87 on Jan. 8. Darius Acuff Jr. scored 26 to help lead Arkansas to the victory, and Malik Dia scored 16 points for Ole Miss.
TOP PERFORMERS: Acuff is averaging 22.7 points and 6.4 assists for the Razorbacks. Billy Richmond III is averaging 16.5 points, 1.6 steals and 1.5 blocks over the past 10 games.
AJ Storr is averaging 15.3 points for the Rebels. Dia is averaging 19.3 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Razorbacks: 8-2, averaging 92.7 points, 31.9 rebounds, 16.1 assists, 6.8 steals and 6.4 blocks per game while shooting 50.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 85.1 points per game.
Rebels: 4-6, averaging 79.3 points, 29.8 rebounds, 14.6 assists, 7.8 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 46.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 81.9 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: No. 4 Florida takes on No. 22 Vanderbilt in the SEC Tournament.
The Gators have gone 17-2 against SEC opponents, with a 9-4 record in non-conference play. Florida is second in college basketball with 14.2 offensive rebounds per game led by Rueben Chinyelu averaging 4.1 offensive boards.
The Commodores are 12-7 against SEC opponents. Vanderbilt ranks sixth in the SEC shooting 35.1% from 3-point range.
Florida makes 47.9% of its shots from the field this season, which is 5.6 percentage points higher than Vanderbilt has allowed to its opponents (42.3%). Vanderbilt scores 15.2 more points per game (86.6) than Florida allows to opponents (71.4).
The teams meet for the second time this season. The Gators won 98-94 in the last matchup on Jan. 17. Xaivian Lee led the Gators with 20 points, and Tyler led the Commodores with 20 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Urban Klavzar is shooting 40.1% from beyond the arc with 2.1 made 3-pointers per game for the Gators, while averaging 9.8 points. Alex Condon is shooting 61.1% and averaging 17.6 points over the last 10 games.
Tanner is averaging 19.2 points, 5.2 assists and 2.4 steals for the Commodores. AK Okereke is averaging 12.2 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Gators: 10-0, averaging 89.2 points, 42.2 rebounds, 17.5 assists, 7.0 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 50.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 71.5 points per game.
Commodores: 6-4, averaging 81.7 points, 30.3 rebounds, 13.6 assists, 6.2 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 45.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 79.4 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: South Florida plays in the AAC Tournament against Charlotte.
The Bulls have gone 15-3 against AAC teams, with an 8-5 record in non-conference play. South Florida leads the AAC averaging 88.4 points and is shooting 44.0%.
The 49ers' record in AAC play is 11-9. Charlotte has an 8-6 record in games decided by 10 or more points.
South Florida is shooting 44.0% from the field this season, 0.3 percentage points lower than the 44.3% Charlotte allows to opponents. Charlotte has shot at a 45.9% rate from the field this season, 4.2 percentage points above the 41.7% shooting opponents of South Florida have averaged.
The teams meet for the second time this season. South Florida won 83-60 in the last matchup on March 8. Joseph Pinion led South Florida with 22 points, and Anton Bonke led Charlotte with 13 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Izaiyah Nelson is averaging 15.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals for the Bulls. Wes Enis is averaging 19.3 points over the last 10 games.
Ben Bradford is averaging 13.5 points for the 49ers. Dezayne Mingo is averaging 12.9 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Bulls: 9-1, averaging 84.7 points, 36.6 rebounds, 17.0 assists, 8.7 steals and 3.0 blocks per game while shooting 43.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 71.3 points per game.
49ers: 4-6, averaging 72.2 points, 30.8 rebounds, 13.7 assists, 3.8 steals and 3.2 blocks per game while shooting 45.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 75.7 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: Louisiana Tech and Kennesaw State meet in the CUSA Championship.
The Bulldogs are 13-9 against CUSA opponents and 7-4 in non-conference play. Louisiana Tech averages 70.2 points and has outscored opponents by 5.4 points per game.
The Owls' record in CUSA games is 12-10. Kennesaw State leads the CUSA scoring 83.7 points per game while shooting 45.0%.
Louisiana Tech makes 44.6% of its shots from the field this season, which is 3.1 percentage points higher than Kennesaw State has allowed to its opponents (41.5%). Kennesaw State averages 9.5 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.0 more made shot on average than the 8.5 per game Louisiana Tech allows.
The teams meet for the third time this season. Kennesaw State won 58-55 in the last matchup on Feb. 21. RJ Johnson led Kennesaw State with 15 points, and Kaden Cooper led Louisiana Tech with 18 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: DJ Dudley is scoring 14.0 points per game and averaging 2.8 rebounds for the Bulldogs. Avery Thomas is averaging 1.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Johnson is averaging 14.5 points and 3.9 assists for the Owls. Frankquon Sherman is averaging 14.7 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Bulldogs: 7-3, averaging 72.9 points, 32.3 rebounds, 14.1 assists, 9.0 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 47.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 68.2 points per game.
Owls: 6-4, averaging 80.1 points, 30.0 rebounds, 14.1 assists, 7.4 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 77.9 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: Wichita State and Tulsa play in the AAC Tournament.
The Shockers are 13-5 against AAC opponents and 8-5 in non-conference play. Wichita State is the AAC leader with 13.1 offensive rebounds per game led by Will Berg averaging 3.5.
The Golden Hurricane's record in AAC games is 14-5. Tulsa ranks second in the AAC with 15.7 assists per game led by Tylen Riley averaging 4.3.
Wichita State's average of 7.2 made 3-pointers per game this season is only 0.7 fewer made shots on average than the 7.9 per game Tulsa allows. Tulsa averages 15.6 more points per game (86.1) than Wichita State allows to opponents (70.5).
The teams meet for the third time this season. The Shockers won 81-77 in the last matchup on Feb. 15. Kenyon Giles led the Shockers with 31 points, and Riley led the Golden Hurricane with 21 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Giles is scoring 19.4 points per game and averaging 2.6 rebounds for the Shockers. Karon Boyd is averaging 10.1 points and 5.7 rebounds over the last 10 games.
Miles Barnstable averages 2.7 made 3-pointers per game for the Golden Hurricane, scoring 14.6 points while shooting 41.7% from beyond the arc. David Green is averaging 16.2 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Shockers: 8-2, averaging 79.2 points, 38.1 rebounds, 11.0 assists, 7.1 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 44.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 72.6 points per game.
Golden Hurricane: 7-3, averaging 82.2 points, 33.7 rebounds, 16.2 assists, 6.0 steals and 2.4 blocks per game while shooting 44.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 73.5 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Southern Jaguars (18-13, 14-6 SWAC) vs. Alabama State Lady Hornets (17-14, 14-6 SWAC)
College Park, Georgia; Saturday, 1 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Alabama State takes on Southern in the SWAC Championship.
The Lady Hornets are 14-6 against SWAC opponents and 3-8 in non-conference play. Alabama State is 3-1 in games decided by less than 4 points.
The Jaguars are 14-6 against SWAC opponents. Southern is second in the SWAC giving up 59.2 points while holding opponents to 39.1% shooting.
Alabama State is shooting 39.1% from the field this season, the same percentage Southern allows to opponents. Southern has shot at a 38.0% clip from the field this season, 1.0 percentage point above the 37.0% shooting opponents of Alabama State have averaged.
The teams meet for the third time this season. The Lady Hornets won 65-63 in the last matchup on March 3. C.Simpson led the Lady Hornets with 16 points, and Jaylia Reed led the Jaguars with 13 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Simpson is scoring 8.9 points per game and averaging 2.7 rebounds for the Lady Hornets. Amari Franklin is averaging 1.3 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Reed averages 1.9 made 3-pointers per game for the Jaguars, scoring 7.8 points while shooting 35.2% from beyond the arc. Olivia Delancy is averaging 11.4 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Lady Hornets: 7-3, averaging 62.7 points, 40.1 rebounds, 10.6 assists, 9.6 steals and 2.5 blocks per game while shooting 38.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 61.8 points per game.
Jaguars: 7-3, averaging 63.1 points, 31.4 rebounds, 12.7 assists, 13.4 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 38.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 53.7 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Evansville Purple Aces (9-24, 7-15 MVC) vs. Illinois State Redbirds (20-12, 14-7 MVC)
Coralville, Iowa; Saturday, 5 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Illinois State takes on Evansville in the MVC Tournament.
The Redbirds' record in MVC play is 14-7, and their record is 6-5 in non-conference games. Illinois State is eighth in the MVC with 8.6 offensive rebounds per game led by Doneelah Washington averaging 2.9.
The Purple Aces' record in MVC action is 7-15. Evansville is 5-13 in games decided by at least 10 points.
Illinois State is shooting 44.3% from the field this season, 0.2 percentage points higher than the 44.1% Evansville allows to opponents. Evansville averages 7.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.4 more made shots on average than the 5.8 per game Illinois State allows.
The teams meet for the third time this season. The Redbirds won 88-75 in the last matchup on Feb. 15. Grace Nelson led the Redbirds with 23 points, and Camryn Runner led the Purple Aces with 26 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Washington is scoring 16.7 points per game with 8.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists for the Redbirds. Trista Fayta is averaging 15.2 points, seven assists and 1.8 steals over the last 10 games.
Runner is scoring 18.2 points per game and averaging 5.6 rebounds for the Purple Aces. Georgia Cox is averaging 9.7 points and 2.7 rebounds over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Redbirds: 7-3, averaging 72.1 points, 29.8 rebounds, 16.2 assists, 6.2 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 45.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 68.2 points per game.
Purple Aces: 3-7, averaging 71.9 points, 29.9 rebounds, 15.6 assists, 6.6 steals and 2.7 blocks per game while shooting 42.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 77.5 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Long Island Sharks (20-10, 16-4 NEC) at Fairleigh Dickinson Knights (29-4, 20-0 NEC)
Teaneck, New Jersey; Sunday, 12 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Fairleigh Dickinson and LIU play for the NEC Championship.
The Knights are 20-0 against NEC opponents and 9-4 in non-conference play. Fairleigh Dickinson leads the NEC in rebounding, averaging 37.3 boards. Rebecca Osei-Owusu leads the Knights with 6.6 rebounds.
The Sharks are 16-4 in NEC play. LIU averages 70.8 points and has outscored opponents by 7.8 points per game.
Fairleigh Dickinson scores 68.8 points, 5.8 more per game than the 63.0 LIU allows. LIU scores 19.7 more points per game (70.8) than Fairleigh Dickinson allows to opponents (51.1).
The teams meet for the third time this season. The Knights won 82-49 in the last matchup on Feb. 28. Kailee McDonald led the Knights with 18 points, and Kadidia Toure led the Sharks with 12 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Ava Renninger is shooting 38.2% and averaging 12.7 points for the Knights. Madlena Gerke is averaging 13.8 points over the last 10 games.
Toure is shooting 46.4% and averaging 19.1 points for the Sharks. Kionna Gaines is averaging 11.6 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Knights: 10-0, averaging 73.7 points, 40.7 rebounds, 14.0 assists, 5.3 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 43.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 48.9 points per game.
Sharks: 8-2, averaging 73.3 points, 34.9 rebounds, 14.0 assists, 5.3 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 43.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 65.6 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Northern Iowa Panthers (18-13, 14-7 MVC) vs. Murray State Racers (29-3, 20-1 MVC)
Coralville, Iowa; Saturday, 2:30 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Murray State plays Northern Iowa in the MVC Tournament.
The Racers' record in MVC games is 20-1, and their record is 9-2 against non-conference opponents. Murray State scores 86.4 points while outscoring opponents by 12.2 points per game.
The Panthers are 14-7 against MVC teams. Northern Iowa is seventh in the MVC scoring 68.1 points per game and is shooting 42.0%.
Murray State's average of 8.1 made 3-pointers per game this season is just 0.9 more made shots on average than the 7.2 per game Northern Iowa gives up. Northern Iowa averages 68.1 points per game, 6.1 fewer points than the 74.2 Murray State gives up to opponents.
The teams play each other for the third time this season. Northern Iowa won the last matchup 89-74 on Jan. 24. Jenna Twedt scored 20 to help lead Northern Iowa to the victory, and Halli Poock scored 21 points for Murray State.
TOP PERFORMERS: Poock is scoring 22.5 points per game and averaging 2.7 rebounds for the Racers. Haven Ford is averaging 2.3 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Elise Jaeger is averaging 7.7 points and 9.9 rebounds for the Panthers. Twedt is averaging 3.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Racers: 10-0, averaging 93.0 points, 38.1 rebounds, 17.1 assists, 6.7 steals and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting 47.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 70.5 points per game.
Panthers: 7-3, averaging 74.1 points, 32.9 rebounds, 15.2 assists, 6.5 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 44.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 65.6 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Hofstra Pride (10-21, 8-12 CAA) vs. Drexel Dragons (21-9, 14-5 CAA)
Washington; Saturday, 4:30 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Drexel faces Hofstra in the CAA Tournament.
The Dragons are 14-5 against CAA opponents and 7-4 in non-conference play. Drexel is 8-7 against opponents over .500.
The Pride are 8-12 in CAA play. Hofstra is 7-5 when it turns the ball over less than its opponents and averages 15.1 turnovers per game.
Drexel's average of 4.8 made 3-pointers per game is 1.1 fewer made shots on average than the 5.9 per game Hofstra allows. Hofstra averages 54.5 points per game, 2.6 fewer than the 57.1 Drexel allows.
The teams square off for the third time this season. Drexel won the last matchup 70-56 on March 5. Laine McGurk scored 15 to help lead Drexel to the win, and Emma Von Essen scored 14 points for Hofstra.
TOP PERFORMERS: Amaris Baker is shooting 31.8% from beyond the arc with 1.6 made 3-pointers per game for the Dragons, while averaging 19.1 points. McGurk is shooting 41.5% and averaging 15.0 points over the last 10 games.
Sandra Magolico is averaging eight points and 7.8 rebounds for the Pride. Chloe Sterling is averaging 11.3 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Dragons: 8-2, averaging 64.9 points, 31.8 rebounds, 15.1 assists, 7.9 steals and 2.4 blocks per game while shooting 39.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 57.8 points per game.
Pride: 7-3, averaging 60.3 points, 31.2 rebounds, 12.9 assists, 6.8 steals and 2.9 blocks per game while shooting 40.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 55.0 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Missouri State Bears (21-12, 13-7 CUSA) vs. Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters (26-5, 19-1 CUSA)
Huntsville, Alabama; Saturday, 5:30 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Louisiana Tech takes on Missouri State in the CUSA Championship.
The Lady Techsters' record in CUSA games is 19-1, and their record is 7-4 against non-conference opponents. Louisiana Tech ranks fifth in the CUSA in rebounding with 32.3 rebounds. Jordan Marshall paces the Lady Techsters with 6.6 boards.
The Bears' record in CUSA games is 13-7. Missouri State is third in the CUSA scoring 66.4 points per game and is shooting 40.8%.
Louisiana Tech scores 74.3 points, 12.6 more per game than the 61.7 Missouri State allows. Missouri State scores 7.6 more points per game (66.4) than Louisiana Tech allows to opponents (58.8).
The teams play each other for the third time this season. Louisiana Tech won the last matchup 68-67 on Feb. 14. Alexia Weaver scored 14 to help lead Louisiana Tech to the win, and Lainie Douglas scored 18 points for Missouri State.
TOP PERFORMERS: Joy Madison-Key is averaging 5.5 points and 3.6 assists for the Lady Techsters. Paris Bradley is averaging 14.1 points and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 41.7% over the last 10 games.
Kaemyn Bekemeier is averaging 17.4 points and 8.2 rebounds for the Bears. JaNyla Bush is averaging 1.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Lady Techsters: 10-0, averaging 72.4 points, 29.3 rebounds, 12.8 assists, 10.2 steals and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting 45.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 57.5 points per game.
Bears: 6-4, averaging 67.2 points, 36.8 rebounds, 14.7 assists, 6.9 steals and 2.6 blocks per game while shooting 43.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 60.6 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Norfolk State Spartans (18-13, 13-3 MEAC) vs. Howard Bison (25-7, 15-1 MEAC)
Norfolk, Virginia; Saturday, 4 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Howard faces Norfolk State in the MEAC Championship.
The Bison are 15-1 against MEAC opponents and 10-6 in non-conference play. Howard scores 67.4 points and has outscored opponents by 7.0 points per game.
The Spartans are 13-3 against MEAC opponents. Norfolk State is the MEAC leader with 24.1 defensive rebounds per game led by Da'Brya Clark averaging 4.6.
Howard's average of 4.5 made 3-pointers per game this season is only 0.4 fewer made shots on average than the 4.9 per game Norfolk State gives up. Norfolk State averages 5.8 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.7 more makes per game than Howard allows.
The teams meet for the third time this season. The Bison won 74-59 in the last matchup on March 5. Zoe Stewart led the Bison with 19 points, and Jasha Clinton led the Spartans with 19 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Stewart is shooting 37.8% from beyond the arc with 1.2 made 3-pointers per game for the Bison, while averaging 11.9 points and 1.6 steals. Zennia Thomas is averaging 14.6 points and 8.3 rebounds over the past 10 games.
Clark averages 2.4 made 3-pointers per game for the Spartans, scoring 14.1 points while shooting 32.1% from beyond the arc. Clinton is averaging 12.7 points, 4.2 assists and 3.5 steals over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Bison: 10-0, averaging 72.6 points, 38.9 rebounds, 13.0 assists, 10.7 steals and 3.4 blocks per game while shooting 42.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 56.3 points per game.
Spartans: 8-2, averaging 67.4 points, 37.8 rebounds, 12.9 assists, 12.3 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 39.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 52.3 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Hawaii Rainbow Wahine (22-10, 16-6 Big West) vs. UCSD Tritons (23-8, 18-3 Big West)
Henderson, Nevada; Saturday, 6 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: UCSD and Hawaii meet in the Big West Championship.
The Tritons have gone 18-3 against Big West opponents, with a 5-5 record in non-conference play. UCSD is second in the Big West with 14.4 assists per game led by Dymonique Maxie averaging 4.5.
The Rainbow Wahine's record in Big West games is 16-6. Hawaii is seventh in the Big West scoring 64.0 points per game and is shooting 42.1%.
UCSD makes 42.9% of its shots from the field this season, which is 8.5 percentage points higher than Hawaii has allowed to its opponents (34.4%). Hawaii has shot at a 42.1% clip from the field this season, 3.6 percentage points greater than the 38.5% shooting opponents of UCSD have averaged.
The teams meet for the third time this season. The Tritons won 59-46 in the last matchup on Feb. 8. Makayla Rose led the Tritons with 28 points, and Bailey Flavell led the Rainbow Wahine with 18 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Sabrina Ma is shooting 33.2% from beyond the arc with 2.3 made 3-pointers per game for the Tritons, while averaging 11.8 points and 1.6 steals. Rose is averaging 18.5 points and 3.3 steals over the past 10 games.
Flavell is shooting 37.7% and averaging 12.6 points for the Rainbow Wahine. Saniyah Neverson is averaging 14.0 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Tritons: 8-2, averaging 75.3 points, 30.5 rebounds, 13.7 assists, 9.5 steals and 2.6 blocks per game while shooting 43.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 67.8 points per game.
Rainbow Wahine: 10-0, averaging 68.9 points, 35.1 rebounds, 13.9 assists, 5.8 steals and 6.7 blocks per game while shooting 46.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 52.8 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: Charleston (SC) and Stony Brook play in the CAA Tournament.
The Cougars are 17-2 against CAA opponents and 8-3 in non-conference play. Charleston (SC) ranks third in the CAA with 23.0 defensive rebounds per game led by Grace Ezebilo averaging 7.2.
The Seawolves' record in CAA play is 13-6. Stony Brook has a 9-8 record in games decided by 10 points or more.
Charleston (SC) is shooting 40.7% from the field this season, 1.4 percentage points higher than the 39.3% Stony Brook allows to opponents. Stony Brook has shot at a 38.4% rate from the field this season, the same as opponents of Charleston (SC) have averaged.
The teams play each other for the second time this season. Charleston (SC) won the last meeting 66-43 on March 6. Taryn Barbot scored 21 to help lead Charleston (SC) to the victory, and Diaka Berete scored 14 points for Stony Brook.
TOP PERFORMERS: Barbot is averaging 19.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.3 steals for the Cougars. Sophie Tougas is averaging 9.6 points over the last 10 games.
Caitlin Frost is averaging 8.8 points and 6.9 rebounds for the Seawolves. Janay Brantley is averaging 14.0 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Cougars: 8-2, averaging 67.7 points, 33.8 rebounds, 11.1 assists, 10.1 steals and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting 37.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 57.3 points per game.
Seawolves: 6-4, averaging 58.4 points, 31.7 rebounds, 12.2 assists, 9.3 steals and 3.1 blocks per game while shooting 38.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 59.8 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: Miami (OH) faces Toledo in the MAC Championship.
The RedHawks' record in MAC games is 18-2, and their record is 9-4 against non-conference opponents. Miami (OH) is third in the MAC scoring 71.1 points while shooting 44.7% from the field.
The Rockets are 11-9 in MAC play. Toledo is seventh in the MAC with 9.4 offensive rebounds per game led by Faith Fedd-Robinson averaging 2.0.
Miami (OH) makes 44.7% of its shots from the field this season, which is 2.9 percentage points higher than Toledo has allowed to its opponents (41.8%). Toledo has shot at a 42.3% rate from the field this season, 4.3 percentage points greater than the 38.0% shooting opponents of Miami (OH) have averaged.
The teams meet for the second time this season. The RedHawks won 63-55 in the last matchup on Jan. 3. Amber Tretter led the RedHawks with 17 points, and Kendall Carruthers led the Rockets with 12 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Tretter is scoring 14.2 points per game and averaging 8.1 rebounds for the RedHawks. Ilse de Vries is averaging 1.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Patricia Anumgba is scoring 12.8 points per game with 3.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists for the Rockets. Carruthers is averaging 12.6 points and 3.3 assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: RedHawks: 8-2, averaging 68.7 points, 30.2 rebounds, 14.4 assists, 10.1 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 41.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 59.2 points per game.
Rockets: 5-5, averaging 63.4 points, 33.4 rebounds, 11.7 assists, 8.4 steals and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 39.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 62.0 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: Holy Cross and Lehigh meet in the Patriot Championship.
The Crusaders have gone 16-4 against Patriot opponents, with a 6-5 record in non-conference play. Holy Cross is fourth in the Patriot scoring 60.8 points while shooting 40.9% from the field.
The Mountain Hawks are 13-6 in Patriot play. Lehigh is ninth in the Patriot allowing 65.1 points while holding opponents to 43.5% shooting.
Holy Cross averages 60.8 points per game, 4.3 fewer points than the 65.1 Lehigh allows. Lehigh scores 9.9 more points per game (66.3) than Holy Cross allows to opponents (56.4).
The teams meet for the third time this season. Lehigh won 73-61 in the last matchup on Feb. 7. Belle Bramer led Lehigh with 21 points, and Meg Cahalan led Holy Cross with 18 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Mary-Elizabeth Donnelly is shooting 36.2% from beyond the arc with 1.5 made 3-pointers per game for the Crusaders, while averaging 7.6 points and 6.6 rebounds. Cahalan is averaging 16.7 points over the last 10 games.
Lily Fandre is shooting 41.1% and averaging 15.7 points for the Mountain Hawks. Alana Reddy is averaging 2.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Crusaders: 9-1, averaging 62.4 points, 32.3 rebounds, 15.3 assists, 7.5 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 42.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 50.5 points per game.
Mountain Hawks: 7-3, averaging 67.9 points, 25.1 rebounds, 16.1 assists, 8.1 steals and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 44.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 62.1 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: Rice and UTSA play for the AAC Championship.
The Owls are 18-1 against AAC opponents and 10-3 in non-conference play. Rice is sixth in the AAC in rebounding with 34.5 rebounds. Hailey Adams paces the Owls with 10.8 boards.
The Roadrunners are 12-9 in AAC play. UTSA ranks sixth in the AAC with 13.5 assists per game led by Ereauna Hardaway averaging 4.7.
Rice averages 7.1 made 3-pointers per game, 1.1 more made shots than the 6.0 per game UTSA gives up. UTSA averages 4.4 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.9 more makes per game than Rice allows.
The teams meet for the third time this season. UTSA won 61-52 in the last matchup on March 7. Mia Hammonds led UTSA with 14 points, and Aniah Alexis led Rice with 15 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Dominique Ennis averages 2.7 made 3-pointers per game for the Owls, scoring 13.6 points while shooting 36.1% from beyond the arc. Victoria Flores is shooting 33.3% and averaging 12.6 points over the past 10 games.
Cheyenne Rowe is averaging 14 points and 8.8 rebounds for the Roadrunners. Hardaway is averaging 12.2 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Owls: 9-1, averaging 73.9 points, 31.8 rebounds, 14.8 assists, 7.4 steals and 3.2 blocks per game while shooting 42.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 62.0 points per game.
Roadrunners: 6-4, averaging 58.3 points, 40.0 rebounds, 12.7 assists, 5.4 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 39.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 56.7 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
That means it's a good time to make sure your plans are air-tight for the most anticipated marathon in New England.
Whether you're running in the annual race, supporting a loved one or friend who is running or just want to make sure you don't miss any of the exciting marathon action, there are some basics to know.
Here's what day the marathon is, when each race starts this year, and what path the runners will be taking, according to the Boston Marathonwebsite.
When is the Boston Marathon 2026?
The Boston Marathon will take place on Patriots' Day, April 20, 2026, the third Monday of the month.
It will be the 130th annual race and is set to host over 30,000 competitors from almost 130 countries, with entrants from all 50 states in the country predicted to participate, the Boston Athletic Association said.
If you're a fan of the weekend events, the Boston Marathon Fan Fest will happen before the races from Friday, April 17 through Sunday, April 19 at City Hall Plaza. The Boston Marathon Expo will happening on those same days at the Hynes Convention Center.
What time does each race at the Boston Marathon start
These are the start times for athletes competing in the day's races, according to the Athletic Association:
Men’s Wheelchair 9:06 a.m. ET
Women’s Wheelchair 9:09 a.m. ET
Handcycle & Duo Participants 9:30 a.m. ET
Professional Men 9:37 a.m. ET
Professional Women 9:47 a.m. ET
Para Athletics Divisions 9:50 a.m. ET
Wave 1 10 a.m. ET
Wave 2 10:25 a.m. ET
Wave 3 10:50 a.m. ET
Wave 4 11:15 a.m. ET
What time does the Boston Marathon end
Marathon participants have until 5:30 p.m. to finish the race, the website said.
"The official finish line of the Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America will close at 5:30 p.m. This is to allow the road re-opening program to commence across all eight cities and towns along the route," the association said.
What is the route of the Boston Marathon
"The historic course starts on Main Street in the rural New England town of Hopkinton and follows Route 135 through Ashland, Framingham, Natick, and Wellesley to where Route 135 joins Route 16," according to the Boston Athletic Association. "It continues along Route 16 through Newton Lower Falls, turning right at the fire station onto Commonwealth Avenue, which is Route 30."
Like all marathons, the race is 26.2 miles.
Janson McNair contributed to reporting of this story.
Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at rvelasco@usatodayco.com.
Real Madrid establish contact with agents of 19-year-old German prodigy – report
Real Madrid’s recruitment policy in recent years has focused heavily on identifying emerging talents early and signing them before their value skyrockets.
Now, another name has appeared on the club’s radar.
According to a recent report from Fichajes, Real Madrid are showing strong interest in Assan Ouedraogo, the highly rated 19-year-old midfielder who currently plays for RB Leipzig.
The report claims that Real Madrid have already taken the first concrete steps in their pursuit of the German talent.
Contacts made
As per the outlet, officials from the club have made contact with the player’s representatives in order to gather information about his situation and future plans.
Within the club, the midfielder’s development is being monitored very closely.
Real Madrid’s scouting department is particularly interested in tracking his physical progress after a period in which the young player had to deal with several injury problems.
Despite those setbacks, the midfielder remains one of the most exciting prospects in German football.
Real Madrid believe that Ouedraogo’s technical qualities, physical strength, and attacking presence in midfield perfectly match the type of player the club has been targeting in recent years.
Real Madrid have made contact with Ouedraogo’s agents. (Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images)
The interest from Madrid is not something that has emerged overnight.
Reports suggest that the club had already ‘opened lines of communication’ with the player’s camp during the last winter break, showing that the interest has been developing quietly over time.
However, signing the midfielder will not be easy.
There is competition
Leipzig are reportedly valuing their young star between €55 million and €65 million for a potential summer transfer.
But if the midfielder continues to develop at the same pace, the German club could raise their demands significantly. Some estimates suggest the price could climb as high as €100 million.
Adding further complexity to the situation is the strong interest coming from the Premier League.
Several English clubs, such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle United are keeping a close watch on his development.
Despite this strong competition, Real Madrid remain confident in their chances. The club believes that their sporting project and global prestige could ultimately convince the German midfielder to choose them.
Paul Joyce shares fresh Alexander Isak injury update before Tottenham clash
Liverpool’s attacking options could soon receive a major boost after a new update emerged on Alexander Isak’s long injury absence.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
The Sweden international has barely featured since suffering a serious ankle injury earlier this season, an issue that included a fractured fibula and required surgery during the winter period.
Despite the scale of that setback, there are now encouraging signs the striker is edging closer to a return.
According to reporting from Paul Joyce of The Times, the 26-year-old is nearing the final stages of his rehabilitation and could return shortly after the upcoming international break.
Joyce wrote: “The striker remains absent as the teams meet again on Sunday at Anfield, although he is now nearing the end of his rehabilitation from the ankle injury that included a fractured fibula and should return after the international break.”
For Liverpool supporters, that timeline offers hope that one of the club’s most important summer signings could soon be back involved during the crucial final stretch of the campaign.
Isak’s injury has quietly limited Liverpool’s attacking options
The absence of the former Newcastle United forward has significantly disrupted Liverpool’s attacking plans this season.
Joyce’s report highlights that the £125m striker has managed only 781 minutes across 16 appearances since arriving on Merseyside.
Before the injury setback, however, there were signs that the Swede was beginning to build momentum.
The journalist described the moment everything changed during the away win against Tottenham earlier in the season.
Joyce wrote: “Isak had just swept home a first assist from his team-mate but was left grounded in the aftermath, pain etched across his face, having been wiped out by centre back Micky van de Ven’s lunging challenge.”
That challenge ultimately led to the injury that has sidelined him for months.
Liverpool still waiting to see full Isak impact
Because of the lengthy recovery, Liverpool supporters have rarely seen the full attacking setup that the club invested heavily in last summer.
One revealing statistic from Joyce’s report shows just how little time the new-look forward line has shared the pitch together.
The only occasion Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai have all played together came during a brief 15-minute spell away to Tottenham earlier in the campaign.
As the Reds now prepare to face an injury-ravaged Spurs team on Sunday, the look back to our last meeting shows what these last few months could have looked like.
Arne Slot recently confirmed the Sweden international is still working with the rehabilitation staff rather than the main squad, meaning his return will take careful management.
That means Liverpool may need to wait a little longer before finally seeing what the £125m forward can deliver when fully fit, something many fans believe could transform the team’s attacking threat during the final months of the season.
Florian Wirtz will play key role in appointment of Arne Slot successor
Arne Slot is under pressure at Liverpool.
The Dutch head coach - who was brought in from Feyenoord in 2024 - got his Anfield career off to the best possible start. The 47-year-old won the Premier League title at the first time of asking - but it’s become decidedly more difficult in the months since.
Richard Hughes oversaw a spending spree worth £450m last summer but Liverpool have faded badly in the 2025/26 season. There is zero chance of a repeat of their title win - and honours in other competitions are going to be hard to come by too.
Galatasaray maintain a 1-0 lead in the Champions League round of 16 while the Anfield club face Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
And a report in TEAMtalk now suggests that the signing of Florian Wirtz will be a decisive factor in appointing a successor. Wirtz, 22, came on board from Bayer Leverkusen last summer for a fee that could reach £116m.
The German international however is yet to hit the heights he reached under Xabi Alonso in the Bundesliga.
Alonso wanted Wirtz at Real Madrid last summer but the Spanish giants ultimately pulled out. And no doubt the Liverpool No7 would jump at the chance to work again under Alonso.
“And the one big thing here… Florian Wirtz,” the report reads. "Who turned him into one of Europe’s most wanted players? Who does Wirtz love playing for? Alonso.
“Let’s not forget, before signing for Liverpool, they tried to get Real Madrid to sign him.
“The reason behind that was not money or his love for the Spanish capital – he wanted to play for Alonso again.”
Alonso had a special role for Wirtz in his Leverkusen team - and he also got the best out of Jeremie Frimpong.
Liverpool’s squad-building meanwhile makes it seem as though the club is moving towards a three-man defensive system - a formation which brought great success to Alonso at the BayArena.
He is now out of work having lost his job at Madrid - meaning there are no obstacles in the way should Hughes decide to offer him the role.
Sources: Liverpool eye shock move for 22-year-old Barcelona defender
Liverpool have reportedly set their sights on signing Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde in the summer.
According to a report from Fichajes, the English club has identified the Barcelona left-back as a potential target ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
The development comes at an interesting moment for the Catalan club, as recent reports suggest that Balde may no longer be considered completely untouchable within the squad.
The young defender, who emerged from Barcelona’s famous La Masia, still has a contract with the club until 2028.
However, the club’s leadership is believed to be open to considering offers if the financial conditions are right.
So what now?
Balde has become an attractive figure in the transfer market thanks to his rapid development and international recognition.
The Spanish international is widely regarded as one of the most promising full-backs of his generation, combining pace, attacking ability, and defensive awareness.
For Barcelona, though, the financial aspect of the deal is also an important factor.
Liverpool are interested in Alejandro Balde. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Reports suggest that the club would be willing to negotiate the defender’s departure for around €60 million.
Such a transfer would give a significant financial boost to the club, especially given the ongoing pressure surrounding the club’s salary structure and financial management.
Liverpool need a new player
From Liverpool’s perspective, the interest in Balde is closely linked to the future of Andrew Robertson.
The experienced left-back has been one of the most important players at Anfield over the past several seasons.
However, Robertson’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season, creating uncertainty around the left-back position.
As a result, Balde fits the profile Liverpool are looking for. At just 22 years old, he represents a long-term investment who could develop into one of the top full-backs in European football.
The Premier League club also want to move early in the transfer race, as they plan to avoid waiting until the final stages of the transfer window, where bidding wars often push prices significantly higher.
Ravens head coach Jesse Minter says his new pass rusher, Trey Hendrickson, is going to fit perfectly with the defense being built in Baltimore.
Minter, who was the Chargers' defensive coordinator the last two years before being hired by the Ravens this year, said his defense is going to put Hendrickson in a position to make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks.
"He's certainly a weapon," Minter said of Hendrickson. "He's proven that. The sack numbers speak for themselves. There's a lot of different things that he can do for the defense. He's going to draw attention, so sometimes you have guys that draw attention and then other guys have the opportunity to make plays. Then you have other guys start making plays, then less attention goes toward that. And then you want to get to the point where you can create as many one-on-one matchups for people as possible. Being creative in how we operate, how we set our fronts, and we'll try to do as as many things as possible to create opportunities for Trey to wreck the game."
Hendrickson has 81 career sacks, and the Ravens are confident he has a whole lot more in his future.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 01: Running back Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers scores on a 14-yard touchdown run against cornerback Nate Hobbs #39 and safety Tre'von Moehrig #25 of the Las Vegas Raiders in the third quarter of their game at Allegiant Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 49ers defeated the Raiders 37-34 in overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Answer: The 49ers gave up a valuable third-round pick for Odighizuwa, who is about as pure a 4-3 DT as you can get. No, they’re not going to a 3-4 — I think the most drastic visible change might be more use of a five-man front, which means the 49ers still need an athletic, hybrid DE/LB to use as that fifth D-lineman in those situations.
Question: Will the 49ers do the obvious thing and draft a WR and DE (in whatever order) with their first- and second-round picks?
Answer: Yes. The main way the 49ers could’ve changed course here is if they felt they needed to grab one of the top DTs. Well, no need for that now. They need a speed WR and another impact DE (especially after Bryce Huff’s surprise retirement Thursday). I’ll be very surprised if the 49ers use their top two picks on any other positions.”
5 things to know about new 49ers CB Nate Hobbs “The fact that I’m able to sit in front of a plethora of people and tell them about my emotions, that gives me strength,” Hobbs said, per Raiders.com. “I’m willing to put myself out there and still live life. My mom used to always tell me, ‘Sometimes you just have to do things scared.'”
Hobbs said he’s dealt with anxiety throughout his life. Among the challenges he’s faced are losing his father when he was 12 years old.
“Everybody deals with mental health, me and you, no matter how well you had it,” Hobbs said. “Some people deal with it more than others, some people need real help. If I can be that voice, I will.”
49ers to host Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr. on pre-draft visit “According to analyst Ryan Fowler, the 49ers are scheduled to host former Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. in Santa Clara for a pre-draft visit. Each NFL team is allowed up to 30 such visits with draft prospects.”
Behind the Curtain: Miami EDGE Akheem Mesidor (paywall) “As I laid out in the tape, I think Mesidor clearly benefited technique wise from being in college longer, but I’m not sure he’s that much more physically gifted than a lot of his younger college teammates. The bigger concern is his health, as I explain in the video.
To me, he’s a craftsman, who wins with power, a low base, extension, and tremendous hands. He surprised me (in a good way) in the run game, albeit with some areas to clean up.”
49ers re-sign Luke Gifford after special teams star earned Pro Bowl honors (paywall) “With Gifford playing on their coverage and return units, the 49ers ranked seventh in kickoff-return average, 10th in punt-return average and 11th in opponent kickoff-return average. In 2024, they ranked 10th, 20th and 22nd, respectively, in those categories.”
Why 49ers’ salary cap just went up by $20.65M, NFL’s 2nd-biggest adjustment (paywall) “The salary cap for the San Francisco 49ers just went up by $20.65 million, according to Spotrac, due to something called a cap adjustment. Baked into that big increase, which ranked second among NFL teams, are insurance policies. The 49ers, in other words, were reimbursed for being one of the most injured teams in the league (again).
Here is how it works. Teams can take out insurance on player contracts to protect against a scenario in which a player misses significant time due to an injury. For example, ESPN reported after star 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa suffered an ACL injury in September that the team would receive a near $7 million credit to its 2026 salary cap, triggered by an insurance policy for a season-ending injury in his existing contract.
The 49ers may have written similar policies into the contracts of other key players, including linebacker Fred Warner, who also dealt with a season-ending injury after fracturing and dislocating his ankle in October. As much would help explain their $20 million cap adjustment. Only the Tennessee Titans were awarded a higher credit, at $24.3 million.”
NEW DELHI: Rohit Sharma, who led Mumbai Indians (MI) to five Indian Premier League (IPL) titles, is set to return to competitive cricket in the upcoming IPL season starting March 28. Legendary Indian spinner and former MI player Harbhajan Singh believes Rohit should remain actively involved on the field rather than being used as an Impact Player.
The Impact Player rule, introduced in the IPL in 2023, allows teams to substitute one member of the playing XI with one of five designated substitutes at any point during a match.
This tactical 12th player can bat and bowl their full quota of overs, significantly enhancing team strategy, increasing scoring rates and enabling specialised batting or bowling reinforcements.
129569299
Speaking on JioStar, former India spinner Harbhajan urged the Mumbai Indians management to keep Rohit on the field.
He said, "Rohit Sharma has been used as the 12th man who just bats, but I feel that the kind of leader he has been, a player like him should be on the field."
The 38-year-old featured in most matches as an Impact Player last season, when Mumbai Indians finished fourth in the points table.
Harbhajan also believes MI captain Hardik Pandya can benefit from Rohit Sharma’s experience while making crucial decisions during matches.
"In tough matches, when you need to take certain calls, when a captain sometimes needs a shoulder to lean on, Rohit Sharma can do that for Hardik Pandya," said Harbhajan.
In the last IPL season, Rohit scored 418 runs in 15 matches for the Mumbai Indians, averaging 29.86 with a strike rate of 149.29, including a highest score of 81.
He achieved this after a slow start to the season, finishing with four 50+ scores and surpassing 7,000 career IPL runs during the eliminator against the Gujarat Titans.
‘There are no doubts’: Euro club’s director confirms they want Man Utd star in their ranks next season
Napoli have confirmed that they fully intend to keep Rasmus Hojlund beyond his season-long loan spell.
Had the reigning Scudetto winners qualified for the Champions League this campaign, they’d have had no choice but to activate the on-loan Manchester United star’s £38 million buy fee.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL STRETTY NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES & BREAKING NEWS – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Napoli to complete permanent acquisition of Hojlund this summer
“There are no doubts. Rasmus will stay here. We have an obligation to buy from MUFC in case of UCL access — but he is in our plans regardless of this condition,” said Manna.
The Dane departed United last summer following a season in which he’d returned only four Premier League goals in 32 appearances.
He was initially in talks with AC Milan, until a lengthy injury layoff to former Red Romelu Lukaku prompted Napoli to register their interest, and a deal was swiftly agreed between all parties.
(Hojlund’s complete Premier League record)
How is Hojlund faring under Antonio Conte?
The 23-year-old has since enjoyed relatively improved form back in Italy, where he spent a year with Atalanta prior to his Old Trafford switch in 2023.
In his 35 appearances across all competitions, he has found the back of the net 13 times and contributed a further four assists.
Napoli are, however, playing catch-up in their remaining league fixtures, as they sit behind both Milan-based sides in the division; heading into matchweek 29, they are a whopping 11 points off of leaders Inter.
Antonelli becomes the youngest polesitter for a full grand prix in history [Getty Images]
Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli became the youngest driver to set pole position in Formula 1 history by leading team-mate George Russell at the Chinese Grand Prix.
Russell ended up 0.222 seconds adrift of the Italian after a race against time to solve a gearbox problem with his car that threatened to leave him 10th on the grid.
Mercedes managed to repair Russell's car just in time to get him out for a final lap and he managed to sneak ahead of Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
McLaren locked out the third row on a two-by-two grid with Oscar Piastri ahead of world champion Lando Norris.
Alpine's Pierre Gasly took seventh ahead of the troubled Red Bulls of Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar.
Briton Oliver Bearman secured the final spot in the top 10 for Haas.
What happened to Russell?
Antonelli's new record - he is 19 years and 212 days old - beat the previous held by Sebastian Vettel, who was 21 years and 72 days old when he took pole at the 2008 Italian Grand Prix.
Antonelli said he was "very happy" but accepted that he might well not have taken pole had Russell had a problem-free qualifying.
He said: "George had an issue, so probably could have been a different story but happy to be on pole for the first time."
Russell described his second place as "damage limitation" after a litany of problems through qualifying.
The championship leader said: "It was a crazy session. Front wing broke at the end of Q2. The team weren't sure it had broken but I was sure it had. Then got stranded on track and just made it back out in time. It was more a case of just getting a lap done.
"P2 is better than I was expecting when I started the lap with no battery and tyre temperature. Really happy to be here because I could have been down in 10th."
In the first session, Leclerc became the first driver to beat Russell in a competitive session this year with a time just under 0.1secs quicker than the Briton.
Then in the second session, Russell ended up third fastest behind Antonelli and Leclerc after he suffered a broken front wing flap.
Heading out for the final session with a new wing, Russell's car stopped on track on his out lap as the gearbox refused to change gear.
Antonelli drove past his team-mate as he set the fastest time on his first flying lap, 0.3secs quicker than Leclerc.
After frantic work in the garage, Mercedes managed to fix Russell's car by applying a series of default procedures such as switching the car off and on again and swapping out the steering wheel.
He got just out in time to set a lap but his rushed preparation meant the car was not in its optimum condition as he went for a time.
However, Antonelli had his own problems on his final run - he suffered the same front wing problem has Russell had done in Q2.
Hamilton, who tussled with Russell for the lead in the opening laps of the sprint race earlier on Saturday, was 0.351secs off pole and said he had hopes of challenging the Mercedes again in the grand prix.
"It was a really tough qualifying," Hamilton said. "A bit harder with the wind. It is so gusty today. So challenging.
"Really happy and grateful to be up here with these guys. Engineers did some great work over the break and managed to get a little closer to these guys.
"It's still going to be a challenge but I am sure we're going to have some fun. Learned a lot in the sprint race and our goal is to break the gap to these guys somehow."
The McLarens were just over 0.1secs behind the Ferraris and Norris said: "We're happy we're close to them, gives us a good shot at tomorrow."
But Verstappen was downcast to be nearly a second off the pace in the Red Bull.
"We change a lot on the car, and it makes zero difference," the four-time world champion said.
"The whole weekend we've been off. The car is completely undriveable. I cannot even put a bit of a reference in. Every lap is like survival."
Selection Sunday was a celebration for Auburn in 2025, when the Tigers secured the No. 1 overall seed and set the stage for a run to the Final Four. This time, Auburn — now coached by the son of the coach who revived the program — is going into Selection Sunday with its NCAA Tournament fate completely up in the air.
After an SEC Tournament loss to Tennessee, Auburn coach Steven Pearl said his team should hear its name called on Sunday.
"Our guys have some of the best wins in college basketball, and this team deserves to be in the tournament," he told reporters. "It's a team that can win games in the tournament, and I think they've done enough, ultimately, to have their name called on Selection Sunday."
If Auburn is going to be a tournament team, however, it's going to require the selection committee to break precedent.
Here's what you need to know about Auburn's record and where it would rank among the worst to reach the NCAA Tournament.
Auburn enters Selection Sunday with a 17-16 record on the season, barely sitting above .500 through 33 games.
The Tigers went 7-11 in SEC play and were 10-5 in non-conference play, with losses to Houston, Purdue, Arizona and Michigan.
Some. including Pearl, have made the argument that Auburn should not be punished for putting together a difficult non-conference schedule. After all the Tigers only narrowly lost to Houston, which is a projected No. 2 seed.
Others argue that simply scheduling tough non-conference games isn't enough, particularly when losses to Purdue, Arizona and Michigan all came by a margin of more than 25 points. Auburn has wins over Florida (on the road), St. John's, Arkansas and Kentucky, but it also has a home loss to Ole Miss.
The selection committee would be denying the team with the nation's toughest schedule if it left Auburn out of the field, but it would be breaking all prior precedent if it let Auburn into the field. Here's why.
Most losses by March Madness teams in NCAA history
Auburn's 16 losses would be the most for an at-large team in NCAA Tournament history, though a slew of teams with more losses have earned automatic bids to the big dance by winning their conference tournament.
Most losses overall
As far as teams with automatic bids go, 20 losses is an all-time record shared by 2008 Coppin State, 2013 Liberty and 2023 Texas Southern. All three teams lost before the round of 64.
Year
Team
Losses
Win pct.
Conference
2023
Texas Southern
20
.412
SWAC
2013
Liberty
20
.429
Big South
2008
Coppin State
20
.444
MEAC
2014
Cal Poly
19
.424
Big West
2016
Holy Cross
19
.441
Patriot League
2018
Texas Southern
19
.441
SWAC
1955
Bradley
19
.269
Independent
2014 Cal Poly, 2016 Holy Cross and 2018 Texas Southern are the only other teams to reach the NCAA Tournament with more than 18 losses other than 1955 Bradley, which was invited at 7-19 when the tournament was still an invitational event.
Most losses by an at-large team
Auburn's 16 losses would set a new record for most by an at-large team.
Year
Team
Losses
Win pct.
Conference
Seed
2025
Texas
15
.559
SEC
11
2019
Florida
15
.559
SEC
10
2018
Alabama
15
.559
SEC
9
2017
Vanderbilt
15
.559
SEC
9
The committee has sent four teams to the NCAA Tournament with 15 losses, and all came out of the SEC within the last decade.
2017 Vanderbilt, 2018 Alabama, 2019 Florida and 2025 Texas all entered at 19-15, compared to Auburn's 17-16 mark, and two even received single-digit seeds. Does that mean there is some wiggle room for a 16-loss team to sneak into the First Four? Auburn is certainly hoping so.
The Blues are also in the market for a centre back, and it looks like there could be an overhaul in that department, with it possible Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah could leave.
Chelsea have been widely criticised for a lack of experience, with many calling for that to be addressed in the summer.
However, when asked that question in the build-up to Saturday’s game Rosenior gave an interesting answer on Chelsea’s summer plans.
“Growing experience here and I think in the summer you’ll see,” he told Sky Sports News.
“You will see in the summer, right now we are obviously have those conversations.”
Chelsea linked with Valentin Barco
The Blues will have a number of targets, but one name who’s been strongly linked is Strasbourg’s Valentin Barco.
08 March 2026, Baden-Württemberg, Karlsruhe: Soccer, Men: Bundesliga 2, Karlsruher SC - Dynamo Dresden, Matchday 25, BBBank Wildpark. Louey Ben Farhat (Karlsruher SC) celebrates his goal to make it 2:3. Photo: Marc Schüler/dpa - IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the regulations of the DFL German Football League and the DFB German Football Association, it is prohibited to utilize or have utilized photographs taken in the stadium and/or of the match in the form of sequential images and/or video-like photo series. (Photo by Marc Schüler/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Bayern Munich’s search for a young forward for the future could turn to the second tier of German football.
The topic of interest? Karlsruher SC teenager Louey Ben Farhat, according to local news outlet BNN. As captured by @iMiaSanMia:
Timon Pauls (Karlsruher SC sporting director) has confirmed that FC Bayern scouts, among other clubs, were in attendance at yesterday’s 3-3 draw against Dynamo Dresden to watch 19-year old forward Louey Ben Farhat. KSC are looking for €10-12m to sell the Tunisian international this summer, which would be a club record [@BNN_BaNeuNa]
The youngster is only in his first season regularly starting for the Karlsruher first team and has scored five goals in 11 league matches. He did supply a 68th-minute finish in that 3-3 draw with Dynamo Dresden that Bayern scouts attended. Perhaps he made a lasting impression?
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
It is said Melbourne was one of the most energy-starved circuits on the calendar, a statement which reeks of gaslighting as the problem lies with the cars themselves and not the circuits. In any case, Shanghai offering more severe braking zones and 'regen' opportunities might go some way towards explaining why Mercedes has been less dominant this weekend.
There is no doubt the W17 is the class of the field, as its virtues go much further than simply being ahead with energy deployment. It also enjoys excellent cornering and handling characteristics. But Ferrari wasn't miles away either, which is a sigh of relief for neutral F1 fans, never mind the passionate tifosi desperate for a title challenge.
George Russell's qualifying scare showed Mercedes isn't bulletproof either, while Ferrari now appears to have two horses in the race as a rejuvenated Lewis Hamilton finds a car much more to his liking.
Melbourne was quite the sobering weekend for the defending world champions, as McLaren found itself down on overall car performance and understanding of the Mercedes power unit compared to the works team.
McLaren is more convincingly the third-fastest team in China as Red Bull struggled, and its gap to Mercedes and Ferrari also looks smaller with less dramatic energy harvesting demands. A better qualifying lap from Lando Norris could and probably should have split up the Ferraris.
Given the McLaren team's impressive track record of piling on significant upgrades to its cars, don't bet against the Woking squad to be up there later this year.
Oliver Bearman was an honourable mention in last week's Winners and Losers column, but truth be told he probably merits more than that already. After dunking on team-mate Esteban Ocon for large spells of last season, Bearman took an outstanding seventh in Australia and backed that up with more points in China's sprint and another Q3 berth in qualifying.
Still only 20 years old, Bearman seems to have made the biggest step of all 2025 rookies compared to 12 months ago, though Kimi Antonelli also deserves to be in that conversation. The future is bright for both, and in Bearman's case likely scarlet-coloured.
4. Red Bull's issues go much further than the power unit
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
A lot was made of Red Bull's 'Mount Everest' challenge of becoming a fully-fledged power unit manufacturer. Its Red Bull Ford Powertrains plant has done a quite frankly unbelievable job to be as far along as it is.
But China further unearthed some underlying issues with the RB22 itself, as the car's balance looks all over the place in both qualifying trim and on long runs. It led to a strange and rare off for Max Verstappen in the sprint, and he was resigned to eighth on the grid, nearly a second behind polesitter Antonelli.
The silver lining is that Isack Hadjar looks the part, closely following Verstappen in ninth. But being so far off pole is depressing.
Aston Martin must be a big fan of the sprint concept, as it allows the beleaguered outfit to at least see a few chequered flags during this troubled early stage of its Honda partnership.
Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll ran more respectably in the 19-lap contest, albeit flattered by a late safety car and unable to pose any sort of threat to the rest of the midfield. In qualifying, it was mainly Williams' troubles that made Aston's gap to the rest of the midfield look smaller than it really is. Alonso's gap to the best car from the likes of Haas and Alpine was still a massive 1.6 seconds.
But Aston's biggest worry right now is simply making it to Sunday given its dearth of spare parts, so it just needs to focus on running laps reliably. From that point of view Saturday went about as well as it could wish for.
Reality is hitting Cadillac after getting a car to the finish on its Australian honeymoon, as the team faced more reliability issues which Sergio Perez indicated had already popped up as early as Barcelona. But Valtteri Bottas mixing it up with the Astons in qualifying is at least an encouraging sign that it is slowly unlocked a bit more pace.
Photos from Chinese GP - Saturday
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes, Lando Norris, McLaren
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes, Lando Norris, McLaren
Mark Thompson / Getty Images
Fans
Fans
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Anni Graf - Formula 1 via Getty Images
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Kym Illman / Getty Images
Alexandra Leclerc arrives in the Paddock
Alexandra Leclerc arrives in the Paddock
Alex Bierens de Haan / Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Kym Illman / Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Kym Illman / Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Graeme Lowdon, Cadillac Team Principal; Frederic Vasseur, Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal
Graeme Lowdon, Cadillac Team Principal; Frederic Vasseur, Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal
Jayce Illman / Getty Images
Laura Mueller, Race Engineer, Haas F1 on the grid
Laura Mueller, Race Engineer, Haas F1 on the grid
Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Mickey Mouse branding is seen on the trackside kerbs
Mickey Mouse branding is seen on the trackside kerbs
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Lars Baron / Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren
Lars Baron / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Lintao Zhang / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Lando Norris, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Lando Norris, McLaren
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Lars Baron / Getty Images
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Lars Baron / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Jade Gao - Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Team
Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Team
Lintao Zhang / LAT Images via Getty Images
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
James Sutton / Formula 1 / Formula Motorsport Ltd via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lars Baron / Getty Images
Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Team, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Team, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
James Sutton / Formula 1 / Formula Motorsport Ltd via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Mark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Jade Gao - Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
James Sutton / Formula 1 / Formula Motorsport Ltd via Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes during a Free Practice Session Two as part of the 2026 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne. Joel Carrett/AAP/dpa
Teenager Kimi Antonelli became the youngest pole sitter in Formula One history when he topped qualifying in China from Mercedes team-mate George Russell who had a problem-marred session after winning the sprint race earlier on Saturday.
Antonelli clocked 1 minute 32.064 seconds on the 5.451 kilometres Shanghai International Circuit, .222 of a second ahead of Russell.
The Ferraris of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, with McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and world champion Lando Norris next.
At age 19 and 201 days Antonelli dethroned Sebastian Vettel who was 21 years 73 when he got pole in Monza in 2008 for Toro Rosso. Antonelli was first on the grid at a sprint race in Miami last year but pole positions only count for proper grands prix.
Mercedes kept their dominance after Russell had won the season-opener in Australia from Antonelli and the sprint in China from Leclerc and Hamilton earlier Saturday.
But it was nervy afternoon for Russell who first reported a broken front wing at the end of Q2 and then stopped on the track at the start of Q3.
He managed to get back into the pits where the team won a race against time to get him out for one timed lap which was enough to get onto the first row on Sunday's race.
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull had to be content with eighth place, after missing the points in the sprint with ninth place.
Aston Martin's struggles continued as Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll went out in Q1 along with Williams drivers Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon as well as veterans Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez from new team Cadillac.
Detroit Pistons (48-18, first in the Eastern Conference) vs. Toronto Raptors (37-29, seventh in the Eastern Conference)
Toronto; Sunday, 3:30 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Detroit will attempt to prolong its three-game win streak with a victory over Toronto.
The Raptors are 27-16 in Eastern Conference games. Toronto is the top team in the Eastern Conference with 18.8 fast break points led by RJ Barrett averaging 3.8.
The Pistons are 32-10 in conference games. Detroit ranks third in the league allowing just 109.6 points while holding opponents to 44.1% shooting.
The Raptors make 47.3% of their shots from the field this season, which is 3.2 percentage points higher than the Pistons have allowed to their opponents (44.1%). The Pistons are shooting 48.0% from the field, 1.6% higher than the 46.4% the Raptors' opponents have shot this season.
The teams meet for the second time this season. The Pistons won 113-95 in the last matchup on Feb. 12.
TOP PERFORMERS: Scottie Barnes is averaging 18.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.5 blocks for the Raptors. Brandon Ingram is averaging 20.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists over the past 10 games.
Cade Cunningham is scoring 24.7 points per game with 5.7 rebounds and 10.1 assists for the Pistons. Jalen Duren is averaging 22.0 points and 10.8 rebounds while shooting 65.4% over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Raptors: 4-6, averaging 112.6 points, 39.1 rebounds, 26.3 assists, 8.8 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 47.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.3 points per game.
Pistons: 6-4, averaging 117.7 points, 46.0 rebounds, 28.4 assists, 10.3 steals and 6.9 blocks per game while shooting 48.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.8 points.
INJURIES: Raptors: Collin Murray-Boyles: day to day (thumb).
Pistons: Ausar Thompson: day to day (ankle), Tobias Harris: day to day (hip).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Golden State Warriors (32-34, ninth in the Western Conference) vs. New York Knicks (43-25, third in the Eastern Conference)
New York; Sunday, 8 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Golden State aims to end its four-game skid with a victory against New York.
The Knicks have gone 23-9 at home. New York ranks eighth in the league with 33.4 defensive rebounds per game led by Karl-Anthony Towns averaging 8.8.
The Warriors are 13-19 in road games. Golden State has a 4-4 record in games decided by less than 4 points.
The Knicks score 117.0 points per game, 2.6 more points than the 114.4 the Warriors allow. The Warriors are shooting 45.8% from the field, 0.2% higher than the 45.6% the Knicks' opponents have shot this season.
The teams square off for the second time this season. In the last matchup on Jan. 16 the Warriors won 126-113 led by 32 points from Jimmy Butler III, while Miles McBride scored 25 points for the Knicks.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jalen Brunson is scoring 26.3 points per game with 3.5 rebounds and 6.6 assists for the Knicks. OG Anunoby is averaging 18.8 points and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 53.3% over the last 10 games.
Quinten Post is averaging 7.6 points for the Warriors. Brandin Podziemski is averaging 17.5 points and 8.7 rebounds while shooting 43.9% over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Knicks: 6-4, averaging 113.8 points, 47.9 rebounds, 29.4 assists, 7.9 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 48.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 104.2 points per game.
Warriors: 3-7, averaging 114.1 points, 45.8 rebounds, 30.6 assists, 9.3 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 44.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.8 points.
INJURIES: Knicks: Josh Hart: day to day (knee), Karl-Anthony Towns: day to day (knee), Miles McBride: out (ankle), Jeremy Sochan: day to day (illness).
Warriors: Jimmy Butler III: out for season (knee), Al Horford: day to day (calf), Quinten Post: day to day (ankle), Stephen Curry: out (knee), Moses Moody: out (wrist), Draymond Green: out (injury management).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
The Washington Commanders have been busy in free agency. General manager Adam Peters has taken some big swings and missed, but has more than made up for it, seriously increasing Washington's talent level, specifically on defense, while making the Commanders younger and faster.
Washington had more work to do on defense, and has landed multiple impact players at each level. Offensively, the Commanders had fewer holes, but still had significant needs. Last offseason, Peters focused on rebuilding the offensive line to protect quarterback Jayden Daniels. This offseason, it's about surrounding Daniels with more weapons. That's why Peters took swings at receivers Alec Pierce and Romeo Doubs. While he missed, it shows how serious Peters is about upgrading the position alongside Terry McLaurin.
On Wednesday, the Commanders signed former Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo. They followed that move by signing former Buccaneers running back Rachaad White, Jayden Daniels' former college teammate. On Friday, Peters finally added to the receivers room, signing two, one of which is very familiar to Washington fans: Dyami Brown.
A third-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Brown was mostly disappointing during his four-year tenure with the Commanders. However, his final season (2024) was his best. While his regular-season numbers weren't great, it was clear the speedy Brown was developing a rapport with Daniels. And in Washington's three playoff games, Brown had 14 catches for 229 yards and a touchdown.
Then, he departed as a free agent last March, signing a one-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Now, Brown is back for 2026, and Daniels seems happy with the news.
Jayden Daniels seems to be happy about Dyami Brown signing with the Commanders via his IG Story 👀 pic.twitter.com/clb6eXxTRX
This week, the Commanders also signed Daniels' good friend and former college teammate, Rachaad White. And shortly after the news revealing Brown had signed, Washington also signed veteran wide receiver Van Jefferson.
Washington's moves this week allows Peters to truly select the best player available in April's 2026 NFL Draft, which could be another offensive playmaker for Daniels.
Linfield midfielder Kirk Millar said that the side "know it has not been good enough this year" ahead Sunday's BetMcLean Cup final against Glentoran (15:00 GMT).
This is the first time in 16 years that Glentoran and Linfield have played in a final as the Blues aim to clinch the trophy for the 13th time.
Despite still being in the race for the Premiership title, it has been a turbulent season for the defending champions.
David Healy's side were knocked out of the Irish Cup by Championship side Limavady and then the County Antrim Shield after a 4-1 loss against 10-man Cliftonville.
"It's always a chance to redeem yourself. I think as a team and a group we know it has not been good enough this year," Millar told BBC Sport NI.
"The consistency hasn't been there. It's just not what we are used to be either. As a Linfield player you need to be winning every week and competing every week.
"You have to win something at Linfield every year and it's just unacceptable not to be winning anything. There's anxiety and stress around it all year round and, if you're not winning anything at Linfield, it's probably the worst place in the world to be."
The Blues are aiming to avoid a first year without silverware since 2017 and further extend their dominance in the competition.
Millar, who has been at the club for 11 years, added that he is looking forward to the first 'Big Two' final during his time at the club.
"We haven't had a 'Big Two' final in a long, long time. I have not had it in my time, so I'm really excited to see what it brings," Millar continued.
"We have loads of experience in the team and a lot of serial winners in it.
"It gives you a little bit of an edge, but once you get on that pitch, everything really goes out the window."
Healy 'looking forward' to VAR in final
A big talking point ahead of the final is the introduction of video assistant referee [VAR] for the first time in domestic football in Northern Ireland.
However, Blues boss Healy said he was "excited" for VAR to be used in the showpiece.
I'm completely not against VAR. I'm actually excited and I'm looking forward to seeing it. " Healy told BBC Sport NI.
"We're going to have completely different angles than we're used to in our own league. Windsor is the best venue to have that.
"It probably could have been conducted a little bit better, maybe sitting down with the managers and senior players to get a feel for it and then decide this is what we're doing. However, credit to them."
Despite also being in favour of VAR, Millar said that he thought that the technology should have been monitored by officials from within the IFA set-up rather than the external officials, who will be brought in for the final.
"I think it should be referees over here officiating it," Millar continued.
"We have plenty of good referees in the country that would be able to do it, so I don't see why it can't be someone from here doing it."
Marc Skinner provides big injury boost ahead of historic final
Manchester United Women will face Chelsea in the final of the League Cup this Sunday afternoon.
The Red Devils will be looking to make history, as they have never won the trophy before.
Ahead of the game, both head coach Marc Skinner and captain Maya Le Tissier spoke to the media in a press conference.
Injury update
Asked about Fridolina Rolfö playing for Sweden during the international break, Skinner answered, “yeah, for sure. Frido’s back, so she’ll be back in contention. Going in order—Tooney (Ella Toone) has been back on the training field. We still don’t have a definitive timeline, but we’re looking at around the back end of this window.”
He continued, “hopefully Tooney can be back before the Tottenham Hotspur game, but it could be earlier. It really depends on how she progresses. Jade Rivière is back as well, so she’s available again. She missed the Chelsea game before. Anna Sandberg is probably more likely to return around the Tottenham Hotspur game after the window.”
Hinata Miyazawa
Miyazawa is currently playing for Japan in the Asia Cup, where she scored a hat-trick for her side in a stunning display.
In terms of when she could return if Japan make it to the final, Skinner replied, “from what I’ve seen, she’s actually played a little bit less in terms of minutes because Japan have been able to get through the groups well. They’ve been doing excellently. From our perspective, the aim is to try to get her back for the Bayern games and the City games, but we’ll do it safely. After that, we’ll look to create a space where Hinata can get some rest and recovery.”
Same schedule as men’s game
Skinner also expressed his frustration that the game is scheduled at 14:15 GMT on Sunday, with the men’s match versus Aston Villa kicking off just 15 minutes earlier.
He stated, “it is frustrating, but I think it’s the circumstances rather than anyone’s fault. I know everyone involved would want to be able to watch both games. From our perspective, it’s tough, but I’m led to believe that with Aston Villa being in the Europa League and the distance between games, both leagues—the Premier League and the WSL—tried to move it. They just hit roadblocks everywhere.”
The manager was then asked about United’s aim to become just the fourth different team to win the League Cup.
Skinner explained, “we know how difficult it is, but we’re not going into this final to be second best. We have to go into it trying to win the cup. That’s why you’re at Manchester United. There’s difficulty in that challenge, but that’s what we’re here for.”
He also added that finals come down to spirit and belief more than anything, and that “it’s about that ingrained spirit and belief that when the big moments come, we step up.”
The manager also touched on how his squad of players is learning all the time how to deal with a congested fixture list owing to their various league, cup, and European commitments.
Maya Le Tissier
The United captain was also asked about her thoughts on the opponents for the final, Chelsea.
Referencing the side’s last game, a 1-2 extra-time loss to the Blues in the FA Cup, she asserted, “you can see how small the margins are. We had a lot of chances that we need to take—that’s on us as players. We need to take those chances and stop the ball going in our own net. The gap is getting smaller and smaller. A lot of the time we feel like we’re in the game, and sometimes we even have more possession. It’s about what we do with the ball.”
Le Tissier also touched on how much stronger the depth of the squad is now in comparison to when she joined the team four years ago.
She added her final thoughts on the game by stating, “it sounds cliché, but it’s just the next game. We make sure we’re prepared. The international break finished recently, so we’ve had a bit more preparation time than usual. It’s been good getting back with the club.”
Real Madrid defender regains confidence and trust after recent performance
Dean Huijsen’s Real Madrid stint began with the player meeting all of the club’s expectations and projecting a very positive image as their long-term centre-back mainstay.
Soon, however, his form began to drop, and he was no longer convincing in the same facets of the game that had initially impressed the club.
His distribution, which had always been perfect, began to show mistakes, and he no longer looked comfortable or accurate in his defensive actions.
A turning point
Given Huijsen’s situation and declining prominence, it was always clear that he would need a turning point to make a fresh start at the club.
As revealed by MARCA, that point arrived earlier this week against Manchester City.
Huijsen has regained the confidence. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
The 20-year-old has struggled with fitness in addition to form and only returned from his latest setback against Getafe.
His second appearance after retreating was against Manchester City, and he delivered a statement performance.
He offered exactly what Real Madrid have always wanted of him against Manchester City – strong in duels, confident with his distribution and no lapses in concentration.
He formed a solid pair with Antonio Rudiger and showed that the duo complemented each other.
The game not only impressed the management once more but gave Huijsen confidence again in his own game, and Alvaro Arbeloa and Co. will hope that the only way forward is for him to get better.
Barcelona injury crisis could open the door for La Masia prodigy’s debut against Sevilla
Barcelona’s commitment to youth continues to be one of the defining themes of the Hansi Flick era, and another La Masia talent could soon be given the chance to shine for the first team.
The Catalan giants have already seen several academy players step into the senior squad over the past year, and the next debut may not be far away.
According to a report from SPORT, youth team defender Alvaro Cortes is now in line to potentially make his first-team appearance in the coming days.
The young centre-back has already been involved with the senior squad recently, having been included in matchday squads against Athletic Club and Newcastle United.
Debut around the corner?
His opportunity could arrive sooner than expected due to the defensive problems currently affecting Barcelona.
Injuries have hit the back line at a crucial stage of the season, leaving manager Hansi Flick with limited options in defence.
The situation worsened after injuries to Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde, while Andreas Christensen has also been unavailable.
With several key defenders sidelined, Flick may be forced to look towards La Masia once again to fill the gaps in the squad.
This is where Cortes could step in. The young defender is considered one of the most promising prospects in the academy.
Alvaro Cortes could make his senior team debut. (Picture credit: Instagram/@alvaarocortes)
Physically strong, left-footed, and comfortable on the ball, he fits the profile of the modern Barcelona centre-back.
Another one in line
If he does make his debut soon, he would become yet another La Masia product trusted by Flick since the German coach took charge.
In fact, nine academy players have already made their official first-team debuts during his tenure.
With Barcelona preparing to face Sevilla, the timing may finally be right for the young defender. The defensive injuries mean Flick could once again turn to the academy to provide solutions.
Cortes has already been training with the senior squad and showing signs that he is ready for the next step.
Whether Flick decides to give him minutes or not remains to be seen, but the opportunity is clearly there.
NEWCASTLE, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 10: Ryan Huckabee of United States surfs in Heat 2 of the Round of 64 at the Bioglan Newcastle SURFEST on March 10, 2026 at Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. (Photo by Hannah Anderson/World Surf League via Getty Images)
Richest
🚨 Richest Football Coaches
🇦🇷 Diego Simeone — $130M 🇵🇹 José Mourinho — $120M 🇪🇸 Pep Guardiola — $120M 🇮🇹 Carlo Ancelotti — $80M 🇬🇧 Steven Gerrard — $70M 🇮🇹 Antonio Conte — $45M 🇮🇹 Allegri — $45M 🇩🇪 Thomas Tuchel — $40M 🇪🇸 Unai Emery — $35M 🇪🇸 Mikel Arteta — $30M… Show more
🚨 Napoli will trigger €44m buy option clause for Rasmus Højlund, as always reported.
Director Manna confirms: “There are no doubts. Rasmus will stay here. We have an obligation to buy from #MUFC in case of UCL access — but he is in our plans regardless of this condition”. pic.twitter.com/LLcbOGIBgS
3 – Antoine Semenyo is only the third Ghanaian to win Premier League player of the month, after Tony Yeboah (twice in 1995, March & September) and André Ayew (August 2015). Star. pic.twitter.com/6k12vvpPaS
Real Madrid host Elche in what should be a good opportunity for coach Arbeloa to rotate his squad and make sure that every player stays fresh and ready to go for next Tuesday’s crucial return leg against Manchester City.
Real Madrid predicted XI: Courtois, Carvajal, Asencio, Huijsen, Fran García, Manuel Angel, Valverde, Camavinga, Güler, Brahim, Vinicius.
Fran García is expected to feature in the starting lineup. Asencio will likely start as well and Carvajal could give Trent the opportunity to get some rest.
HOW TO WATCH, STREAM LA LIGA
Date: 03/14/2026
Time: 21:00 CET, 03:00pm EST.
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain.
Available TV: DAZN La Liga (Spain), ESPN Deportes (USA).
Available Streaming: ESPN+ (USA)
Managing Madrid has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.
Rosenior confirms injured winger ready for action; claims fellow attacker could return vs. PSG
Liam Rosenior gave updates on two injured Chelsea wingers in his press conference yesterday, with one ready to return.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CHELSEA NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON THE APP STORE
The press conference with Liam Rosenior yesterday had quite a bit of information on injured players, with the two main concerns right now being Estevao Willian and Jamie Gittens.
“Jamie’s back involved, which is great,” Rosenior said.
“Este still a little bit further away. We want to be careful with Este because of the nature of his hamstring injury.
We don’t want it reoccurring at a crucial stage of the season. We’ll see what he’s like for Tuesday’s game against PSG.”
Gittens last played at the end of January against West Ham, while Estevao was last seen against Hull in mid-February.
Rosenior on return dates for wounded wing pair
There was no qualification at all on his words on Gittens’ status, so we can only take that to mean that he’s 100% ready to go. Of course he’s got no match fitness, so will start with some appearances off the bench, but he’s ready to start playing again.
Estevao we can’t really see being thrown into that Champions League as a return to action after a decent spell out, that sounds more like just something thrown in there to give fans a little hope. But you never know… there aren’t many wildcards we’d rather have in our squad for that game.
If you enjoy Chelsea News coverage and want to see more of it, add us as a preferred source on Google to make us a favourite and see more of our content.
Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
The youngsters have trained for years in the hope of being chosen for the national squad [King Edmund Club]
Six young stars from an acrobatic gymnastics club have been selected to represent Team GB.
The acro-gymnasts, from King Edmund Gym Club in Yate, South Gloucestershire, are now a step closer to competing in major tournaments such as world championships.
Shayla, one of the six, said finding out they were selected was "surreal" after years of training. She told the BBC's Extra Time programme: "We've been working hard for it for so long."
In acrobatic gymnastics, partners or groups perform choreographed floor-based routines set to music, using each other for lifts, throws and balances.
Club manager Mark Thorne said: "It's a great achievement for them, the coaching team, and it's a great recognition for the club."
Acrobatic gymnastics is not included in the upcoming Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028 but it has been rising in popularity in recent years, according to British Gymnastics.
The six who were selected are:
Shayla, from Yate
Kian Hawks, 19, from Weston-super-Mare
Kimmi, from Yate
Esme Mathias, 20, from Yate
Ruby, from Swindon, Wiltshire
Lottie, from Bath
The sport involves gymnastics routines featuring difficult lifts [Jade Gibbs Photography]
Hawks said there was "no bigger sense of pride" after being chosen for Team GB.
"It's your one motivation in the gym and it finally happens," he said.
"All those years of hard work suddenly come bursting out in that one moment where you hear you're a GB athlete for the sport you love."
Lottie said: "Not enough people know about acro-gymnastics... We should be in the Olympics as well, we need more recognition."
Mathias said the sport had taught him "so many life lessons", including patience and "care with each other".
"I just think, 'Thank goodness I do gym, how would I know all these things if I didn't?'"
Acro-gymnastics group Spelbound wins Britain's Got Talent in 2010 – one of its members was from King Edmund Gym Club [BBC]
Thorne said that, each week, 1,500 children enter the family-run club's doors.
He said the club had been expanding for more than 40 years, starting out at a basketball court behind a school.
It is now based at Yate International Gymnastics Centre.
Thorne said the club's popularity took off after one of its gymnasts, Douglas Fordyce, won ITV reality show Britain's Got Talent in 2010 with acro-gymnastics group Spelbound.
"Our numbers have been phenomenal since then," he said.
In contrast, when asked directly about what was more important, Wales coach Steve Tandy and captain Dewi Lake both said performance.
Lock Dafydd Jenkins, meanwhile, was asked whether winning or performing was more important at international level. He went for winning.
There were heavy caveats with Tandy's reaction. The Wales boss wants both elements and insisted the result will follow if the performance comes.
"Even if we got the result on Saturday it doesn't change what I believe in, we've got to get better in terms of performances," said Tandy.
Sceptics of the performance-first theory point to the fact Wales could improve on encouraging displays during losses against Scotland and Ireland, but still conceivably suffer defeat at the hands of the Italians.
Conversely, even if Wales' performance levels were to drop slightly, they could still triumph if Italy suffer an off-day.
An improved display in defeat or a positive result after a more underwhelming performance?
Tandy's point is that a top-class showing should provide the outcome the squad and the fans desire, while Lake was asked whether he would take a 6-3 victory.
“Yes, absolutely but if we were poor offensively, if we were not performing the way we wanted to, even with a 6-3 result, we'd be disappointed in ourselves with how we played and represented ourselves on the field," he said.
Repeating history as Welsh rugby rewinds 23 years
Steve Hansen won the 2015 World Cup as New Zealand head coach [Huw Evans Picture Agency]
For Welsh rugby fans who know their recent history, this week has been like stepping back in time.
Rewind 23 years to 2003, when Steve Hansen was in charge of a Welsh team that was continually losing.
His side suffered a then record run of 10 straight defeats in 2002 and 2003, which pales in comparison to the 18-Test losing sequence Wales endured between 2023 and 2025.
During his losing streak, Hansen would regularly highlight the merits of the performance outweighing the results, which failed to convince his media doubters.
Eventually the New Zealander exploded with an expletive-laden outburst towards a BBC journalist before a World Cup warm-up match against Scotland in August 2003, following a question whether the result was more important than performance for that particular weekend.
Ironically, Wales then triumphed to break the losing streak in a game Hansen needed to win to keep his job.
More than two decades on, there is no suggestion the current head coach needs a victory to stay in post.
There is also no indication Tandy will react in the same way as Hansen to the questioning about performances or results, despite having to flat bat a variety of queries on the subject this week.
There might have been seven defeats in Tandy's first eight games in charge, with the solitary win a one-point success against Japan, but the narrative has changed recently, thanks to encouraging performances against the Scots and Irish.
Wales conceded 102 points in opening losses to England and France, but there has been significant progress against two sides chasing the Triple Crown at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
Scotland were five minutes from losing in Cardiff before winning 26-23.
Wales then lost 27-17 to Ireland in Dublin but were within one score until four minutes from time. Victory is the next natural step.
The need for that long overdue success is borne out by the staggering statistics of recent years.
Wales have suffered 25 losses in 27 internationals since the 2023 World Cup with the only two victories in that time coming against Japan.
It has been 1,491 days since Wales won a home Six Nations match, against Scotland in February 2022. Since then, there have been 11 consecutive tournament defeats in Cardiff.
Wales' only win in their last 14 Tests in Cardiff was that narrow success versus Japan in November.
It has been 1,099 days since Wales won a Six Nations game anywhere, when they beat Italy in Rome in March 2023. Fifteen losses have followed in the various rugby capital cities across Europe.
Wales face the prospect of a third successive Six Nations clean sweep of defeats and, even if they end their losing streak, they are destined to claim the Wooden Spoon - for finishing bottom of the table - as they lie five points adrift of fifth-place England.
This can only be avoided if there is a 100-point swing in the game in Cardiff and England's visit to France.
Wales have not finished bottom of the table for three years running since 1989-1991, although points difference only came into the competition in 1994.
These startling statistics show why Wales will be desperate to claim a victory, but Tandy is trying to shield his squad from pressure.
"I don't think it's pressure on the win, it's pressure on performance," said Tandy. "It's actually probably not pressure, it's challenge.
"We don't want the Wooden Spoon, we want to win games and every time we go on the field we believe we can win. That is the same on Saturday.
"If we go crazy on pressure about winning this weekend, that can add burden and all of a sudden you start tightening up.
"I believe if we put our best performance together, we'd be close to getting what we want."
Italy favourites to triumph
Italy are no longer the soft touches they were when they suffered 36 successive defeats in the Six Nations between 2015 and 2022.
The Azzurri are seeking two unique trebles at the Principality - a third successive triumph on Welsh soil and a first hat-trick of wins in a single Six Nations.
Quesada has masterminded five Six Nations victories during his three years in charge, with the historic first win against England last weekend arguably the highlight.
It took Italy 12 years, and four different head coaches, to amass their previous five wins in this tournament.
The Italians are 10th in the world rankings, two places above Wales, who could remain in 12th or rise or fall one place this weekend depending on their result and Georgia's in the Rugby Europe Championship against Portugal.
"They've done an amazing job and become consistent with their team," said Tandy.
"They've backed up a young group for many years and gone through probably tough periods like ourselves.
"They're coming out the other end. That's where I believe our team can get to, becoming an outstanding rugby team. We know Italy are fantastic and beating England tells you everything."
Italy have not lost against Wales in Cardiff since 2020 and are favourites this weekend, but that will not stop some home fans believing this game can provide the desired victory.
"I don't think we're as far down the track as to go and start targeting what we want," added Tandy.
"Ultimately to get to win games, you have to build a performance, which I believe we are doing.
“We've got the utmost respect for Italy and know we need a better performance than against Ireland to get what we want from the game."
That is a performance and a result. Not one or the other, but preferably both.
Carrington insider reveals Man Utd worried about ‘fantastic’ INEOS signing who’s been ‘through hell’
Manchester United are reportedly concerned by the physical condition of Matthijs de Ligt, who has been enduring woeful times.
The Dutch defender has been out of action since picking up an injury during the 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace back in November.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL STRETTY NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES & BREAKING NEWS – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
The 26-year-old’s absence has been a blow for Man Utd, as he had been one of the club’s most consistent performers during the first months of the season.
Matthijs de Ligt has yet to recover from his back injury
The extent of De Ligt’s back injury was initially undermined, with then-MUFC boss Ruben Amorim passing it off as a small knock. And yet, four months have passed since the centre-back last took the field, and there haven’t been any signs of imminent return.
In his latest update on the CentreDevils, reliable Man Utd insider, Sully, shed some light on the situation.
The journalist reveals that the player is still working in the gym as part of his rehabilitation program. However, his sources also mention internal concern over the defender who went ‘through hell’ in recent months.
De Ligt has supposedly been close to making a return on a few occasions, only to suffer a setback each time, which must have been an emotional rollercoaster for the player and those around him.
How Man Utd have been coping without De Ligt
Unfortunately for De Ligt, he has been struggling to remain fit in recent seasons, as injury problems have constantly derailed his momentum.
The good news for Man Utd is that they have enough depth and quality at the back to make up for the absence of the Netherlands international. Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez formed a wonderful centre-back pairing in Carrick’s first matches in charge.
The Argentine himself was ruled out with a fresh injury, but Leny Yoro has filled in admirably, while Ayden Heaven offers an alternative solution.
Liverpool are heading for more change at centre-back this summer.
Ahead of last season we saw Giovanni Leoni brought in from Parma for £26m. At the end of the 2025/26 campaign Jeremy Jacquet will arrive in a deal worth up to £62m from Rennes.
Richard Hughes has secured deals for two highly rated young defenders but there remains the possibility that the Premier League champions will be losing experience from the position very soon.
Ibrahima Konate looks set to leave the club on a free transfer - with his current contract expiring in summer 2026. And in 2027 Virgil van Dijk as well as Joe Gomez are expected to depart when their respective contracts expire.
One solution could be to add an experienced defender in the summer transfer window who can go straight into Arne Slot’s XI. Nico Schlotterbeck and Murillo are among the names listed - and Ronald Araujo from Barcelona is now on the radar.
Liverpool enquire for Ronald Araujo
Liverpool have made preliminary enquiries over the Uruguayan - according to a report in Fichajes - but are currently behind Inter Milan in the chase for the 27-year-old.
“FC Barcelona's board appears ready to overhaul their back line and would listen to offers close to €30 million for the center-back. “Liverpool have made preliminary inquiries,” the report reads.
Ronald Araujo: Situation summary
Ronald Araujo’s status at Barcelona has shifted from automatic starter to important rotation option, used at centre-back and occasionally right-back rather than being an undisputed first-choice pick.
He remains highly regarded in the dressing room and part of the leadership group but, when everyone is fit, he is no longer considered completely indispensable to the starting XI.
Araujo’s 2025 was turbulent, including a costly red card against Chelsea and a subsequent leave of absence to address mental health, which also affected his continuity and rhythm in the side.
Contractually, he signed a long-term extension in early 2025 that runs until 2031, reinforcing the club’s public stance that he is a core asset and protecting his market value with a very high release clause.
At the same time, Barcelona’s financial pressures and squad-planning needs mean he is still viewed internally as one of the few players who could command a major fee if a top club comes calling.
Several elite sides have monitored his situation, and while Araujo has consistently expressed a desire to stay, there is a realistic possibility Barcelona listen to substantial offers in the summer.
If Manchester City want to sign an exciting Dutch right-back they will face a fight
Manchester City appear set to be in the market for a right-back this summer. One player who could be a potential target for City is Feyenoord’s exciting young right-back Givairo Read. Read is highly regarded and his impressive play for Feyenoord has caught the eye of several clubs. A new report has emerged that Bayern Munich are desperate to sign Givairo Read this summer. If Read is the right-back that City want to sign, they will face a battle to sign Read ahead of strong competition.
Bayern Munich have identified Givairo Read as a top target and don’t want to face competition from Manchester City for his signature.
A new report from Christian Falk for CF Bayern Insider states that Bayern Munich are eager to avoid a bidding way to sign Givairo Read from Feyenoord. Falk reports that Bayern are believed to have already begun talks with Feyenoord over a potential deal to sign Read. As per Falk’s report, Bayern are willing to pay between £17-26 million to sign Read. Bayern are reportedly wary of Manchester City’s interest to sign Read and do not want City to price them out of the race to sign the exciting young right-back.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see City target a right-back who is more ready-made than Givairo Read.
If Manchester City want to sign a right-back with talent and potential, Givairo Read does fit that bill. It wouldn’t be a surprise if that’s the route City went down, especially with Matheus Nunes having solidified himself as a quality right-back in his own right. If City were to move for Read, he could provide cover for Nunes while learning and developing as a player.
My biggest query is: Is that a route that Manchester City will go down? Pep Guardiola’s side is growing together, and perhaps signing a more established right-back is the move for City to make. A player who can compete with Matheus Nunes would increase competition at right-back in Pep Guardiola’s squad. That may well be the move that City will pursue this summer, given that City’s squad rebuild only needs a few minor tweaks.
Givairo Read is a player in demand. The young right-back has caught Manchester City’s and Bayern Munich’s eyes. If City want to sign Read, they will face a battle with Bayern. That will be easy task to overcome give Bayern Munich seem intent on signing Feyenoord’s young right-back.
If you were looking for a First Four game that technically wasn’t a First Four game, look no further than Friday’s Mountain West semifinal between New Mexico and San Diego State.
If you’ve followed our weekly bracketology columns, the two longtime rivals were on the bubble essentially the entire season, with Friday’s winner gaining a big advantage for an at-large bid ahead of Saturday’s Tournament title game, with the loser going home — figuratively and literally.
And it didn’t disappoint.
The two traded blows like a 12-round heavyweight, though San Diego State prevailed, securing a 64-62 win inside Thomas & Mack Center.
Neither side gave an inch, especially in the halfcourt; they combined to shoot 36.8 percent from the floor and 28.6 percent from 3-point range with 24 turnovers.
It was a classic Mountain West rock fight.
New Mexico’s Deyton Albury, who was said on the broadcast to be nicknamed “Lobo Cop” due to the protective sunglasses he was prescribed after being poked in the eye, unabashedly took on five Aztec defenders in semi-transition, tying the game with roughly 25 seconds left.
However, Aztec guard BJ Davis, a hero in their meeting in January, provided more late-game fireworks, giving SDSU the lead with 2.1 seconds left.
Davis picked the right time to score his second bucket of the night after missing five of his first six. And despite all of the clutch moments he’s had this season, this was unquestionably his biggest.
Davis finished with 12 points and six dimes on 8-of-12 shooting from the charity stripe, while 7-foot center Magoon Gwath had 17 points and six rebounds on 6-of-10 shooting.
Albury may never want to take his sunglasses off, scoring a game-high 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting and 2-of-2 from 3-point range. Uriah Tenette, making his second consecutive start after coming off the bench for most of the season, was the Lobos’ only other double figure scorer with 11 points.
It was a fitting end for two programs, with several storied battles over the years, who likely won’t meet for a long time given the newfangled, disgusting realignment.
Oh, sorry. Did I say that out loud?
Despite finishing a minus-three on the glass, the two biggest differences was SDSU’s advantage was in transition (17-9) and in the paint (32-22). And the Aztecs had five fewer misses at the charity stripe, where neither team cracked 63 percent on 20-plus attempts.
San Diego State has now won eight-straight semifinal games and will now play in the MW Tournament title for the eighth time in nine seasons. The win-and-in finale against Utah State will tip off Saturday at 3:00 p.m. PST.
What's better than a Big Ten-Big 12 showdown to wrap up the regular women's gymnastics season? No. 5 UCLA will host No. 12 Utah Saturday.
For the second year in a row under head coach Carly Dockendorf, Utah has gone undefeated in conference play, earning the Big 12 title over West Virginia just two weeks ago. The Red Rocks will have a disadvantage this weekend as visitors, but have a chance to pull out a thrilling win to wrap up regular season competition.
With a solid win over Stanford last week, No. 5 UCLA has extended its winning streak to eight meets. The Bruins had a stellar performance, with senior phenom Jordan Chiles earning her first perfect 10 of the season on uneven bars, and taking the all-around with a score of 39.700.
Who will take the win in Los Angeles?
Here's everything you need to know about UCLA vs. Utah gymnastics, including TV channel and streaming options for the women's college meet.
UCLA vs. Utah gymnastics will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network. The meet can also be live streamed 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.)
UCLA vs. Utah gymnastics start time
Date: Saturday, March 14
Time: 10:30 p.m. ET | 8:30 p.m. MT | 7:30 p.m. PT
UCLA hosts Utah gymnastics on Saturday, March 14. The meet will begin at 10:30 p.m. ET from Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles.
NCAA women's gymnastics rankings
Here's a look at the top-ranked programs in the country.
Boston Legacy FC will begin their inaugural season in the National Women's Soccer League this weekend.
The club will immediately jump into the deep end of the pool, as Boston's newest professional sports franchise will face Gotham FC, the reigning NWSL champions. It will certainly be a tough test for head coach Filipa Patao and her players, but the Legacy are ready to take the field for the highly anticipated matchup.
Only adding to the excitement, New Kids on the Block will provide halftime entertainment for the fans in attendance at Gillette Stadium.
Here is everything you need to know about Boston Legacy FC vs. Gotham FC, including TV and streaming options for the NWSL game.
How to watch Boston Legacy FC first game: TV channel, live stream
Boston Legacy FC vs. Gotham FC will air live on ABC. The game will also be available to stream on the ESPN app.
Now you can watch ESPN without cable. Stream live NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB and college sports, plus "SportsCenter," "First Take" and all your favorite ESPN shows — anytime, anywhere — only in the new ESPN app.
Boston Legacy FC vs. Gotham FC start time
Date: Saturday, March 14
Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
Boston Legacy FC vs. Gotham FC is scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 14. The game will be played at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.
Arsenal look to maintain their advantage atop the Premier League table as they host eighth-place Everton at Emirates Stadium on Saturday in domestic play.
The Gunners sit seven points above Manchester Cityat the summit of the standings having played one game more. While that is a significant gap, they also know the chase for the domestic crown is far from over just yet, and one slip could let the second-place side right back in the mix.
A hard-fought draw on the road in Germany saw Arsenal scrape together a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 matchup against Bayer Leverkusen, proving they can get results even when they don't have their best stuff.
Yet they'll want to keep the levels high with Everton making a bit of a run, having beaten Burnley and Newcastle in their last two league games.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the weekly schedule.
Arsenal vs. Everton live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this Premier League match in English throughout the United States:
This match will be televised exclusively in the United States on USA Network, which can be accessed through DIRECTV.
Catch every game – try DIRECTV FREE today! Stream live Soccer, MLB, and more with must-have sports channels like TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, FS1, and NFL Network—all included with DIRECTV.
Start your FREE trial now and never miss a moment of the action. No contracts, no hassle, just wall-to-wall sports and entertainment.
What time does Arsenal vs. Evertonkick off?
This Premier League clash takes place at Emirates Stadium in London, England and kicks off on Saturday, March 14 at 5:30 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across the United States, keeping in mind that Daylight Savings Time has flipped clocks in the U.S. but not in Europe:
Real Madrid target meets with Inter Milan vice-president
Nico Paz’s loan stint at Como has been one of the biggest success stories of any Real Madrid player who has left the club in recent years.
The youngster has established himself as a regular starter and a difference-maker for Cesc Fabregas’ side, and his performances have made Real Madrid keen on pushing for his return.
Los Blancos have buyback clauses on the player, set at €10 million and €11 million, for the summer 2026 and 2027 resolutions. They thus intend to bring him back home in June.
It thus comes as a surprise, via Diario AS, that the midfield starlet met with Inter Milan vice president Javier Zanetti and his family over dinner earlier this week, and the development has triggered reports of the Nerazzuri potentially swooping in.
Nico Paz met with Javier Zanetti. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The player and his father met with Zanetti’s family at Bonito in Milan, a restaurant owned by the Inter Milan executive himself. Also present in the meeting was another South American legend, Diego Milito.
While Inter are indeed impressed by Nico and have never hidden their admiration for him, they have not overtly come out in pursuit of a transfer.
Now, his market value stands between €60 million and €70 million, and Real Madrid have a massive advantage with their buyback clause.
It appears the recent meeting could be unrelated to transfer matters, but it cannot be ruled out that a potential move to Inter Milan was discussed on the night.
Highlights will be available on newcastleunited.com and the Official Newcastle United App two hours after the match, with extended highlights from midnight. A full match replay will be available the following day.
WHAT'S THE NEWCASTLE TEAM NEWS?
Eddie Howe spoke to the media on Friday, admitting Anthony Gordon has recovered from the illness that prevented him starting against Barcelona in midweek. You can read the full team news update here.
WHAT'S THE CHELSEA TEAM NEWS?
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has been handed a triple boost with Estevao, Levi Colwill and Jamie Gittens all returning to training in recent days.
WHICH KIT WILL BE WORN?
We will wear our 2025-26 home kit, featuring black and white striped shirts, black shorts and black socks socks. You can buy the home kit here.
Vermont’s one of the few teams that I know is battling for a conference championship on Saturday as I build this post on Friday, so they get to be in the picture. | Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images
The Good News: There’s 27 nationally televised college basketball games on today.
The Better News: 17 of the 27 are tournament championship games, meaning that there is an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament on the line.
The Slightly Less Great News: I’m putting this together on Friday afternoon so it can publish very early on Saturday morning, and right now, 16 of the 17 title games are still without at least one of the two teams participating. That’s because the semifinals for those conferences are going on today and Semifinal Friday is really only just now getting going.
And so, I will drop this schedule of events in for you, and as possible, I will update it with the important things like “who is actually in the game.” The day gets started very early with the men’s America East final between Vermont and UMBC as well as the women’s MAC final between Miami and a mystery partner. Business picks up at 5pm Central time tonight, as every game that starts after that point — 10 of them! — will have an automatic bid on the line. Hopefully we get some drama out of all of this, right?
Feel free to use the comments section as a Live Thread/Open Thread/Chat Thread/whatever for the day!
Here’s the full national television schedule for the day, with all times Central, as always.
The countdown to the 2026 World Cup is on! Each day ahead of the tournament’s return to North America, Yahoo Sports will highlight an insight or moment that showcases just how grand the world’s biggest sporting spectacle has become — even beyond the expanded field of this year’s global event.
There is a reason the World Cup now plays its final group-stage games simultaneously: West Germany, Austria and their infamous match at the 1982 World Cup.
The final match of Group 2 that year featured Austria and West Germany. The other two countries in the group, Algeria and Chile, had played their third and final match the day before, which allowed Austria and West Germany to know the permutations in order to advance.
Austria and Algeria were tied atop the group on four points, while West Germany had two points following a win and a loss. West Germany needed a victory in order to move on. Already holding a better goal difference at plus-2 versus Algeria's 0, West Germany went ahead via a Horst Hrubesch goal in the 10th minute.
Now that the West Germans were in a position to move on, the match turned into a farce as players from both sides dropped their intensity levels. Play turned into a passing contest and few tackles were attempted until the final whistle. Fans on both sides expressed their disgust inside the El Molinón stadium in Gijón, Spain.
German forward Pierre Littbarski (top) hugs Horst Hrubesch after the latter has just scored a goal. The German side scores an early 1-0 lead in the first half after which the game turns into a charade during the World Cup group game Germany against Austria in Gijon, Spain on 25 June 1982. Both teams continued to stage the match and harmlessly play the ball back and forth until the final whistle since a 1-0 German victory would advance both teams into the second round and eliminate Algeria from the competition. The game ended with furious protests from the 40,000 spectators and was considered to be one of the biggest scandals in World Cup history. (Photo by /picture alliance via Getty Images)
picture alliance via Getty Images
“We were about 20 minutes in before I started getting a bad feeling," referee Bob Valentine, who was officiating his first World Cup match, told The Athletic in 2022. "I started thinking, ‘There’s not much tackling taking place here, you know.’ Then one guy got over the halfway line, stopped with the ball and sent it all the way back to his goalkeeper. Instead of putting it into the opposition box, he played it backwards. That was the moment when I realised something was wrong.”
West Germany, along with Austria, would advance with a 1-0 win and the match would be known as "The Disgrace of Gijón."
The result didn't sit well with the Algerians. Despite an appeal, FIFA ruled that there was no wrongdoing and no rules were broken, despite the uproar of criticism.
Austria would fail to advance out of the second group stage, losing to France and tying Northern Ireland. West Germany would reach the final before losing to Italy.
FIFA would eventually react. Beginning with the 1986 World Cup, the final two matches in each group would be played at the same time, ensuring no hijinx.
Barcelona face serious transfer threat as Borussia Dortmund enter race for forward target
Barcelona’s search for attacking reinforcements has taken a twist after Borussia Dortmund decided to enter the race to sign Mexican striker Armando Gonzalez.
The young forward, currently playing for Chivas in Liga MX, has been quietly building a strong reputation, and his progress has not gone unnoticed across Europe.
According to a recent report from SPORT, Dortmund have identified Gonzalez as a player who could strengthen their attack in the near future.
The Bundesliga club are known for spotting young attacking talent early and developing them into top players, and they now appear ready to track the Chivas forward closely over the coming months.
Dortmund have a plan in place
The report claims that Dortmund are planning to monitor the striker’s development carefully before making any serious move.
In particular, the German side are expected to pay close attention to his potential involvement with Mexico during the upcoming international cycle.
Reports from Germany suggest the club could intensify their interest depending on his role in the 2026 World Cup if he earns a call-up to the national team.
His performances on the international stage could play a key role in determining whether Dortmund decide to submit a formal offer during the summer transfer window.
What about Barcelona?
Borussia Dortmund are interested in Armando Gonzalez. (Photo by Sergio Mejia/Getty Images)
Barcelona, meanwhile, have already been keeping tabs on the striker. The Catalan giants have made an informal approach to gather information about Gonzalez, although no official bid has been submitted so far.
Within the club, he is viewed as a possible long-term attacking option. Barcelona are already planning for the future of their frontline, especially with Robert Lewandowski entering the final stage of his career.
The Polish striker remains an important figure at the club, but the possibility of his departure at the end of this season has forced the club to start exploring alternatives.
In that scenario, Gonzalez has emerged as an interesting candidate who could compete with Ferran Torres while gradually adapting to the demands of European football.
Growing interest across Europe
However, Barcelona are far from alone in this pursuit. In England, West Ham United are believed to be monitoring him closely. Elsewhere, Celtic and Feyenoord are also tracking the situation.
Despite growing international interest, Gonzalez recently showed his commitment to Chivas by turning down a massive offer from abroad.
Reports claim he rejected a proposal worth more than $20 million from CSKA Moscow, choosing instead to remain focused on his development in Mexico and his ambition of playing at the 2026 World Cup.
MUNICH, GERMANY - JANUARY 24: Luis Diaz and Harry Kane of FC Bayern Muenchen during warm up before the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and FC Augsburg at Allianz Arena on January 24, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by S. Mellar/FC Bayern via Getty Images) | FC Bayern via Getty Images
How do you improve as a footballer once you hit 30 years of age? Not many know, but Harry Kane does. Arriving at Bayern at 30 years of age from Tottenham Hotspur, he has somehow gone from strength to strength in Munich and could be heading towards breaking the goal scoring record in the Bundesliga as he nears 33. Of course, Kane was hardly a chump over in London, but the way he has optimized his game, dictates matches, scores bucketloads of goals and does a little bit of absolutely everything at Bayern is superlative.
Luis Díaz will soon have to make that same adjustment. After all, he will celebrate his 30th birthday in the 2026/27 season. Fortunately, Díaz has a pretty good role model available to him. The former Liverpool player knows he can learn a lot from the England captain, too:
“I admire absolutely everything about him, because I don’t think there’s currently another striker like him,” Díaz told UEFA.com (captured by @iMiaSanMia). “He scores goals, he provides assists, he runs, he goes out on the pitch and pings you a pass from 30 yards away. He does everything with the ability he has but also mentally, I think he’s very strong as well.
“I’ve also learned a lot from him in that respect and I admire him for that, because he has an incredible mindset. He always wants to win, he always wants to help the team; he runs, he works hard, and that’s what’s important. Having a player like that on your team gives you a feeling of assurance. He’s very good. He can do it all.“
Of course, Díaz also gets plentiful praise for his mentality and effort on the pitch. As long as he brings the same drive and energy to preserving his fitness as he does to how he plays football, he should be fine. Still, having Kane around for tips never hurts.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 13: Randy Orton in ring with the Undisputed WWE Championship during SmackDown at Mortgage Matchup Center on March 13, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Michael Marques/WWE via Getty Images)
WWE via Getty Images
HIGHLIGHTS
A contract signing turned into one of the most violent segments of the year, and the road to the main event just got personal in a hurry.
A former champion walked out of SmackDown saying he quit, but the story did not end there.
The full WrestleMania 42 card features four world championship matches across two nights with a major open challenge still unanswered.
Thanks to Randy Orton, the Road to WrestleMania 42 just got kicked into high gear. Orton decimated Cody Rhodes at a contract signing for their WM 42 main event in one of the most savage beatdowns in recent memory on WWE programming.
In case you missed it, here's proof of the savagery.
As it is, we didn't see a ton of new matches added to Night 1 or Night 2 of WrestleMania 42, but we do have more layers. Here is a look at the confirmed card along with detailed viewing info for both nights.
Key Facts at a Glance
Event: WrestleMania 42
Dates: Saturday, April 18 (Night 1) and Sunday, April 19 (Night 2)
He threw Rhodes across the announce desk, busted him open, propped steel steps against the table, and drove Rhodes' head into them. He shoved Jelly Roll out of the way to continue the assault.
Officials rushed down, but the damage was done. Orton sat with the title as SmackDown went off the air. Full heel turn complete, although I really wish it had been Cody who turned.
What Did Drew McIntyre Do on SmackDown?
McIntyre opened the show by confronting SmackDown GM Nick Aldis about losing the title to Rhodes last week. When Aldis called out the hypocrisy and Jacob Fatu came out, McIntyre told everyone he quit.
He was not done, though. McIntyre returned later to attack Fatu from behind during a match against Trick Williams, hitting a Claymore Kick. The "quit" is a storyline device, and McIntyre vs. Fatu remains the expected WrestleMania 42 match per multiple reports.
What Is the Full WrestleMania 42 Confirmed Card?
Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Randy Orton
World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk (c) vs. Roman Reigns
WWE Women's Championship: Jade Cargill (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
Women's World Championship: Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Liv Morgan
Both nights stream live on the ESPN Unlimited app ($29.99/month). The first hour of Night 1 airs free on ESPN2, and the first hour of Night 2 airs free on ESPN. A Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Unlimited bundle runs $35.99/month. Xfinity, Spectrum, DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV, and Fubo subscribers can authenticate ESPN Unlimited through existing packages. Internationally, WrestleMania 42 streams on Netflix.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 13: (L-R) Head coach Brad Brownell of the Clemson Tigers greets head coach Jon Scheyer of the Duke Blue Devils after the semifinals of the men's ACC Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 13, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
All the angst and worry that permeated the Duke fandom 24 hours ago melted away on this night as Duke bounced back from a subpar effort against FSU to produce a good old fashioned beatdown of Clemson.
The Duke Basketball Roundup gives you all the details from a contest that really wasn’t all that competitive in the second half because Duke had so thoroughly stifled Clemson in the first half. Cameron Boozer was his usual dominating self. but Jason and Donald say the story of this game was the complementary success of Cayden Boozer and Nik Khamenia, who combined for 30 points and made winning play after winning play. Up next, the Virginia Cavs are all that stand between Duke and a very unlikely back-to-back ACC tourney title.
Make sure you’re following us! Head to our Linktree to get all our available social media and links to follow and subscribe to the show. That includes our affiliate partnerships, from Homefield Apparel (use the code DBRPODCAST to save 15% off your first order) and Fanatics to the NBA Store, NFL Shop, and even Fubo TV. And…we have some more coming! Save some cash on the latest gear or follow the Blue Devils on the go by hitting those affiliate links and it helps support the show as well. We are now on YouTube! Subscribe there, rate, and review our episodes on there and everywhere you get your podcasts. Also, follow us on Bluesky @DukeRoundup!
Predicted Teams Real Madrid-Elche: Arbeloa unable to rotate ahead of Manchester City
Real Madrid host Elche at the Santiago Bernabeu (21:00 CEST) on Saturday night, with little margin for error. By the same token, Elche remain winless in their last 11 games, dating back to 2025, and Eder Sarabia signalled that they are in no position to give up on points, as they lie just a point above the table.
Los Franjiverdes are without John Chetauya and Hector Fort through injury, but otherwise have a fully fit side available, and will be hoping to repeat their success from a 2-2 draw in Alicante. Alvaro Arbeloa willl have little ability to rotate between their knockout games with Manchester City, as their injuries have them without nine players.
Eder Militao resumed training with his teammates in this week, but he heads up an injury list including David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, Alvaro Carreras, Jude Bellingham, Dani Ceballos, Rodrygo Goes and Kylian Mbappe. Franco Mastantuono is serving his second game of suspension.
Three to four changes expected for Real Madrid
Diario AS believe that Fran Garcia, Dani Carvajal, Raul Asencio and Gonzalo Garcia will all come into the side, in Garcia’s case by obligation following an injury to Mendy. The Frenchman could still be back in time to face City on Tuesday, as could Mbappe. Meanwhile Marca are of the opinion that Manuel Angel will come in for Thiago Pitarch after the youngster’s third consecutive start in midweek.
Their feeling is that Arbeloa’s rotations will be more conservative though, with Trent Alexander-Arnold retaining his place. They believe Eduardo Camavinga will come in for Aurelien Tchouameni too.
Elche have settled starting XI
Sarabia is not expected to spring too many surprises. Between AS and Marca, the only point of debate is whether Roma loanee Buba Sangare will begin at right wing-back, or if he will opt for the more experienced Josan. On-loan Real Madrid forward Alvaro Rodriguez is expected to begin on the bench.
Rosenior’s sarcastic response when asked if Chelsea man is the best in the world
Reece James accompanied Liam Rosenior into the press conference today, and the manager spoke at length about how good his full back is.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CHELSEA NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON THE APP STORE
Todays’ pre-match press conference ahead of the game against Newcastle was delayed by 30 minutes, then had an unexpected guest in the form of Reece James, who accompanied Liam Rosenior in the wake of the news about the full back’s new contract.
Of course it had the feeling of a PR move to deflect some bad vibes away, but we’re not going to turn down the chance to wax lyrical about the captain. Rosenior certainly didn’t either.
Rosenior on best in the world James
“Do I have to explain that when you see him play?” was the manager’s sarcastic response when asked if James is the best right back in the world.
“I don’t want to embarrass him. He’s top. When you meet Reece, you see him from afar and you admire him. He can play many different positions technically. He can score goals, he defends, he has athleticism and tactical understanding.
“The thing that impresses me most about him is his humility as a person. You realise why he’s having and will have the career that he will go on to have as the captain of Chelsea for as long as I’m here. He’ll be my leader. For me, it’s been a really, really good two and a half months with him. I now understand a lot more why he is the player he is. He’s going to go on to have, hopefully, a really successful career here at this club.”
If you enjoy Chelsea News coverage and want to see more of it, add us as a preferred source on Google to make us a favourite and see more of our content.
Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
ESPN: INEOS eyeing Premier League duo from rival club who’ll try to make it ‘impossible’ for Man Utd to sign both
Manchester United are indeed interested in signing both Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali this summer, but have conceded that Newcastle United will make it near ‘impossible’ for both to leave, as per ESPN.
The Red Devils had identified Guimaraes and Tonali as suitable options to replace the departing Casemiro, who will pull the curtains on his Old Trafford tenure after four years when his contract expires in June.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL STRETTY NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES & BREAKING NEWS – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
United consider Tonali/Guimaraes as Casemiro replacement/s
Replacing such a seasoned veteran of the game won’t come easy, hence why United continue to be linked with a host of Premier League-proven players in the hope that they take little time to transition.
Reports have suggested that Casemiro himself put forward the suggestion of Guimaraes, 28, succeeding him when in discussions with club chiefs recently. However, from Newcastle’s point of view, the prospect of their captain, especially one who’s become such a beloved figure amongst the St. James’ Park faithful, joining United will be unthinkable.
While they still wouldn’t want to facilitate his departure by any means, a move for Tonali may be more feasible – especially after his agent has seemingly begun laying the groundwork for a transfer this year.
Tonali edging closer to Newcastle sale
Not only did the Italian’s representative offer him to Arsenal in the dying embers of the winter window, but he also went on to suggest that Tonali, 25, would pursue a Magpies exit in the event they fail to qualify for the Champions League.
Heading into their clash with Chelsea this evening, they sit 12th-placed and 12 points off the top four.
As well as the pair on Tyneside, United are monitoring the likes of Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace), Carlos Baleba (Brighton and Hove Albion) and Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest).
Two things need to occur for Manchester City to get their star man back on track
Erling Haaland has hit a dry spell in terms of his goalscoring. Manchester City’s top scorer has only scored four goals in his past seventeen matches in all competitions. Two of those have come from the penalty spot. Manchester City need Haaland to fire as they bid to maintain their chase for honors on multiple fronts. Pep Guardiola said yesterday that City need to find Haaland more often. That is a fair assessment from the Manchester City manager. On top of that, perhaps if Haaland began varying his movement, the goals may begin to flow again for him.
Pep Guardiola knows that his team needs to find Erling Haaland in a more efficient manner.
Manchester City take on West Ham tonight at the London Stadium. Erling Haaland has scored eleven goals in seven matches against the Hammers. The London Stadium is a happy hunting ground for Haaland, as he has scored six goals at the venue. Speaking ahead of Manchester City’s pivotal Premier League clash with West Ham, Pep Guardiola shared his belief that he doesn’t feel that players perform better against certain teams. However, Guardiola did admit that his team needs to find Haaland in goal-scoring positions. He explained: “I’m not a big fan of these kinds of things. In the same way with Omar [Marmoush] against Newcastle, special connection to score goals.”
“I don’t believe these kinds of things. What happened in the past is the past. I don’t know why he scored more against West Ham than other ones. Of course he needs goals and the team needs it. We have to find him more.”
Manchester City would greatly benefit from Erling Haaland varying his movement in the box.
One thing that the Manchester City players need to do is honor the runs that Erling Haaland makes. Too often Haaland does make a good run in behind City’s opponents. Often, the ball isn’t played to Haaland. Manchester City’s top scorer thrives when played in behind. Often the low defensive blocks that City contend with limit the opportunity for Haaland to get behind Manchester City’s opponents. But when teams attack City and they win the ball back, the opportunity is there to play Haaland in when he makes a run in behind. Often that chance is ignored. If Haaland’s runs are honored, that will help him get into games more often.
Also, Erling Haaland needs to vary his runs in the penalty area. Recently, Haaland has lived at the back post. Haaland would be infinitely more dangerous for his team if he began varying his runs. Manchester City’s opponents would have a hard time containing Haaland if they don’t know where he is attacking. Currently, living at the back post makes Haaland easier to defend. Perhaps if Haaland varies his runs before a cross is played from out wide, that will help him get himself back into goal-scoring form.
Manchester City need to provide Erling Haaland with the service he needs to snap out of his funk. Haaland can also do more to aid his cause on that front. Hopefully that occurs tonight against West Ham and Haaland can find the back of the net again to aid his team’s cause.
Manchester City vs West Ham: Latest City injury news and predicted City starting XI
Manchester City return to action tonight as they take on West Ham in a crucial Premier League fixture at the London Stadium. Tonight’s match is a huge fixture for both sides. City will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing 3-0 defeat at the hands of Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg. Pep Guardiola’s side were well beaten and they’ll need to bounce back tonight to ensure that they pick up all three points to keep the pressure on Arsenal, who sit top of the Premier League. West Ham are City’s opponents tonight, and they are fighting to avoid relegation. A positive result for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side could provide them with a huge boost in their bid to avoid relegation.
Here is the latest Manchester City injury news and my predicted City starting eleven ahead of tonight’s huge match.
Latest Manchester City injury news.
Pep Guardiola is blessed with almost a full squad to choose from for tonight’s match. Josko Gvardiol remains sidelined for the foreseeable future due to the right tibial fracture he sustained at the beginning of this year. Pep Guardiola also told the media yesterday that Rico Lewis is unavailable for today’s match. Lewis remains sidelined due to an ankle injury. Mateo Kovacic continues to train. It was also mentioned by Pep Guardiola yesterday that Kovacic is edging closer to his return.
Predicted City starting eleven.
Trying to predict a Manchester City starting lineup is a difficult task at the best of times. Following Pep Guardiola’s team selection against Real Madrid, it is even more difficult. I believe that Pep Guardiola will return to a setup that works best for his team. I expect Matheus Nunes and Rayan Ait-Nouri to play in the full-back positions. It wouldn’t surprise me to see John Stones start with Marc Guehi in the centre-back positions. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Rodri on the bench for tonight’s match. If that occurs, Nico should slot into midfield. Bernardo Silva will likely keep his place in the starting lineup with Phil Foden joining the pair in midfield. I feel that Erling Haaland will start up front with Omar Marmoush on the left and drifting centrally and Rayan Cherki on the right. I also believe that Cherki will drift all over the pitch in the role that suits him best.
Villarreal’s stoppage time sting in the tail ruins Quique Sanchez Flores’ Alaves home debut
Alaves 1-1 Villarreal
Alaves looked destined to end their six-game winless streak on Quique Sanchez Flores’ home debut on Friday night, but stoppage time brought a sting in the tail for Los Babazorros for a second week running.
Villarreal came into the match as heavy favourites, having for the most part dispatched the bottom half of La Liga without issues. Yet a frantic start at Mendizorrotza made it very clear that they were in a game, with Alaves having the better of the opening period. Even if they were lacking clear chances, it did not feel unjust when Toni Martinez’s backheel in the six-yard box was deflected into his own net by Rafa Marin after 40 minutes, as still as a statue.
The Yellow Submarine had done little to trouble Antonio Sivera, but on the stroke of half-time, he was called into action to make a superb double save from Santi Comesana, following Villarreal’s one fluid move of the game to that point.
Stoppage time heartbreak follows Alaves back home
The second half required Villarreal to come forward, but was still largely being played on Alaves’ terms. Even if they were down to the bare bones at the back, Alaves were coping with the Villarreal efforts to break them down, and the expected ‘onslaught’ never really came.
Whenever Villarreal did get in a position to do damage, a poor pass or an overly relaxed choice of one inevitably scuppered their attacks. Into stoppage time, and Antonio Blanco was driving deep into the Villarreal box, looking for all the world as if he was about to settle the game. Unselfish, his ball across the box was picked off, and the Yellow Submarine launched one last offensive.
A cross found its way to the back post, and making just enough space, Nicolas Pepe curled a glorious effort into the top corner, smacking in off the post. Alaves players collapsed, the home fans entered a vacuum. It came in the 98th minute. Last week two goals at Mestalla had turned Sanchez Flores’ first win into a defeat, arriving in the 92nd and 99th minute. Even if he has only been in charge for two matches, the despair in his eyes was a testament to football’s talent for breaking hearts.
Pepe’s goal glosses over a grim performance from the Yellow Submarine, one that hints at the malaise feared. With Marcelino Garcia Toral’s future uncertain, and a top four spot looking very comfortable, it was further evidence that Villarreal’s trajectory, if not on the way down, certainly is meandering in a fashion that doesn’t particular convince, beyond their position in the table.
With England likely to take five spots in the Champions League next season, it is probable that fifth place will be enough to secure a spot in next season’s competition.
This is vital for United’s summer plans and for continuing to move in the right direction.
There is currently only goal difference splitting the two sides in third and fourth, but a win would give the Red Devils a valuable three-point cushion.
Crucially, it is a game United cannot afford to lose if they are serious about making next year’s Champions League party.
Michael Carrick home record
The Red Devils have begun to falter a little on the road, with a recent draw at West Ham United and a loss to Newcastle United in their previous league game.
Nonetheless, United remain victorious in all of Carrick’s home matches to date during his two spells as head coach.
The BBC report that, “Michael Carrick has won all five of his Premier League home games as Manchester United manager (one in 2021, four in 2026); only three managers have won each of their first six home matches in the competition: Sven-Göran Eriksson (first 9 in 2007), Carlo Ancelotti (first 7 in 2009), and Manuel Pellegrini (first 11 in 2013-14).”
Another Old Trafford victory would certainly be an extra bonus.
Fantastic home record vs Villa
It’s not just Carrick that enjoys a strong home record; United have also been very good at Old Trafford versus tomorrow’s opponents.
The club “have lost just two of their last 37 home league games against Aston Villa (winning 28 and drawing seven).”
The two losses were 0-1 defeats in December 2009 and September 2021.
Even in last season’s terrible 15th place finish, they defeated the Villans 2-0 on the last day of the season.
Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images
Arne Slot breaks silence on Alexander Isak’s return from injury
Isak Injury Update Leaves Slot Waiting for Liverpool’s Record Signing
Liverpool’s season has been shaped by promise, interruption and a growing sense of anticipation surrounding Alexander Isak. When the Swedish striker arrived for £125m, the expectation was clear. Liverpool had secured one of the most prolific forwards in English football. What has followed has been a far more complicated journey.
Arne Slot now faces a familiar dilemma at Anfield. His most expensive signing remains absent, and Liverpool continue to navigate a demanding campaign without their marquee centre forward.
Isak Recovery Timeline Still Uncertain
For Alexander Isak, the move to Liverpool was meant to represent a new chapter at the summit of the Premier League. Instead, his debut season on Merseyside has been repeatedly disrupted by injury.
After forcing through his move from Newcastle United, the Sweden international arrived without a full pre season behind him. Liverpool understood the situation. A tailored training programme was developed to help him reach peak fitness following his late September arrival.
Complications soon followed. An early international break saw Isak join the Swedish national team set up, where Liverpool maintained regular contact with physio Ben Rosen. A groin injury sustained during Liverpool’s 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt slowed progress further.
Then came the defining setback. Isak suffered a broken leg while scoring during Liverpool’s 2-1 victory at Tottenham Hotspur in December. The striker has not played since.
Slot Tempering Expectations at Liverpool
Arne Slot addressed the situation on Friday, offering an honest assessment of Isak’s recovery and the challenges that await once he returns.
“If you ask me now I would say I don’t expect [Isak to go on duty with Sweden],” the head coach says. “But we are still one and a half weeks off, there is always co-operation between club and country but I don’t expect him to play for us before that.
Photo: IMAGO
“Again, I have to mess up the party again. Let’s say [he comes back] at the beginning of April, he has been out for three and a half months and not trained with the team for three and a half months. The last time he did that, it took him a while to get up to speed.
“I am really, really looking forward to having him back but don’t get the expectations again so high that the minute he is on the pitch, he is at the level of what we spent that money on.”
Slot’s message is clear. Even when Isak returns, Liverpool may need patience.
Liverpool Squad Depth Tested During Absence
Without Isak, Liverpool have leaned heavily on Hugo Ekitike. The French forward has become the only senior centre forward available, a situation that has placed significant strain on the squad.
Liverpool have worked to improve Ekitike’s fitness and ability to sustain performance levels across 90 minutes in the Premier League. Still, the lack of depth has been felt across the campaign.
Slot acknowledged how injuries across the squad have complicated Liverpool’s season.
“I don’t think it’s been helpful for the team that many times we have felt we are there, another player got injured, another player got injured. We constantly felt we had to do it with 12-13 players.
“It is always a boost for a team to have everyone available. Look at the recent PSG game (against Chelsea), when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia came in 30 or so minutes from the end and scored twice.
“I think Pep Guardiola said as well, how important it is to have your players available because this is such a hard league, we don’t have a winter break and there are so many games.
“I don’t think there are many clubs in the history of this league who have had a lot of injuries and performed as expected. That is harder in this league than any other league in the world, as you have so many games at a high level. All the examples are there, Manchester City last season.”
Liverpool were made to wait for Alexander Isak. In many ways, that wait continues.
Liam Rosenior confirms Chelsea injury boosts ahead of Newcastle United clash
Chelsea Injury Update Ahead of Newcastle Clash
Chelsea return to Stamford Bridge this weekend with questions still swirling around their form, their injuries, and their ability to respond after a bruising European night. The visit of Newcastle provides an immediate opportunity for Liam Rosenior’s side to reset the narrative, though the team news emerging from Cobham offers a mixture of reassurance and caution.
Fitness Update Before Newcastle Fixture
Chelsea’s preparations have been shaped by the latest updates regarding Estevao and Jamie Gittens. Speaking ahead of Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Newcastle, Rosenior confirmed that one attacker is nearing a return while another remains under careful supervision.
Photo IMAGO
“Jamie is back involved,” Chelsea boss Rosenior said on Friday. “Este [Estevao] is still a little bit further away.
“We want to be careful with Este’s hamstring injury because we don’t want it reoccuring. We’ll see he how is for Tuesday’s game against PSG.”
For Chelsea, that distinction matters. Gittens has recovered from the hamstring tear he suffered against West Ham on January 31 and is once again available for selection. His return restores an element of attacking depth that Rosenior has lacked in recent weeks.
Estevao’s recovery is progressing at a slower pace. The Brazilian winger has not featured since Chelsea’s FA Cup victory over Hull last month. Rosenior initially described the issue as an “awareness in his hamstring”, though it has since required a more cautious rehabilitation programme.
Champions League Context Looms Large
Chelsea’s domestic commitments arrive with one eye already fixed on Europe. Tuesday brings the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie against Paris Saint Germain, with Rosenior’s side facing a daunting 5-2 deficit from the first meeting.
Estevao’s availability for that contest remains uncertain. The winger has been undertaking individualised work at Cobham as Chelsea attempt to manage the injury without risking a setback.
For a club balancing league ambitions and European survival, every selection decision now carries extra weight. Newcastle’s visit represents more than another fixture, it is part of a wider sequence that could define Chelsea’s momentum over the coming weeks.
Defensive Situation at Chelsea
While Chelsea’s attacking options are gradually improving, the defensive picture remains largely unchanged. Levi Colwill continues to be the club’s only long term absentee.
The defender has yet to feature this season after sustaining a serious knee injury during the first training session of pre season. Encouragingly for Chelsea, he has returned to training and continues to work toward a potential comeback before the campaign concludes.
For now, Rosenior must plan without him, though the gradual improvement in Chelsea’s injury list offers some relief.
Saturday’s meeting with Newcastle arrives at a delicate moment. Chelsea are seeking a response after their heavy defeat to PSG, while Rosenior will hope returning players can inject energy into a squad eager to restore confidence at Stamford Bridge.
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Magoon Gwath had 17 points and BJ Davis made a layup with two seconds left to rally San Diego State to a 64-62 victory over New Mexico on Friday night in a Mountain West Conference Tournament semifinal.
No. 2 seed San Diego State (22-10) will play top seed Utah State in Saturday's championship game with an automatic spot in the NCAA Tournament on the line.
Gwath made 6 of 10 shots with two 3-pointers and 3 of 5 free throws for the Aztecs, adding six rebounds and two blocks. Davis totaled 12 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals.
Deyton Albury scored 20 on 7-for-10 shooting to pace the third-seeded Lobos (23-10). Uriah Tenette had 11 points and Tomisla Buljan grabbed 10 rebounds to go with eight points.
Gwath had 10 points in the first half to help San Diego State take a 37-33 lead into intermission. Albury scored four straight points to pull New Mexico even at 62-all with 25 seconds remaining before Davis delivered the winner.
“There is no innocent explanation for secretly accessing, reviewing, and selectively deleting an employer's confidential files after your employment has ended and you are negotiating with a direct competitor. Gabehart's belief that he was acting in secret is itself powerful evidence of wrongful intent.”
This is part of the basis in which Joe Gibbs Racing believes the Western District of North Carolina and Judge Susan C. Rodriguez must allow for expedited discovery on Chris Gabehart and Spire to see if proprietary competition data are being used against them right now.
The italicized lines are all from a Friday response to Gabehart and Spire in advance of a hearing over the matter on Monday morning in Charlotte.
“The 2026 NASCAR season is well underway, and it is during the season that JGR suffers the greatest competitive harm from Defendants’ misappropriation. Race wins and points accumulated during the season determine series champions -- losses in these categories cannot be remedied after the fact. Every race that Gabehart and Spire compete using JGR’s proprietary strategies and technical information inflicts irreparable harm on JGR, whether through direct competitive disadvantage or through JGR being forced to compete without knowing if its ‘secret sauce’ is being deployed against it.”
Joe Gibbs Racing and its forensic analyst previously detailed a ‘technical blunder’ in which Gabehart failed to turn of device syncing with his personal accounts before returning his company computer upon his departure.
This is in addition to the revelation that Gabehart took pictures of JGR data using his phone after stating his intent to leave -- something his attorneys have said he feels ‘embarassed’ and ‘stupid’ for.
Joe Gibbs Racing maintains it was malicious intent that may even be weaponized against them right now.
“This is the same modus operandi he employed when photographing his computer screen rather than taking screenshots—a method he used precisely because he believed it would evade detection. The inescapable inference is that Gabehart engaged in this conduct only because he thought no one would find out. There is no innocent explanation for secretly accessing, reviewing, and selectively deleting an employer's confidential files after your employment has ended and you are negotiating with a direct competitor. Gabehart's belief that he was acting in secret is itself powerful evidence of wrongful intent.”
Joe Gibbs Racing has stated that Gabehart interacted with an ‘Unknown Google Drive Folder’ and theorized that proprietary data could have been stored there and that they haven’t been given access to that device.
“Perhaps tellingly, and nefariously, Gabehart chose not to let Mr. Walton (Clark, the examiner) examine the Unknown Microsoft OneDrive before litigation or disclose he accessed it while simultaneously interacting with JGR’s materials he saved in his Spire folder. Gabehart’s assertion that there is no risk of spoliation is unreliable and falls flat.”
Specifically, Joe Gibbs Racing wants expedited discovery of all pertinent devices and communications between Gabehart and Spire Motorsports co-owners Jeff Dickerson and Dan Towriss.
For their parts, earlier in the week, the Spire parties stated they opposed expedited discovery but if Judge Rodriguez were to allow it, then they would want expedited discovery on the plaintiffs to determine when Joe Gibbs Racing considered their employment agreement with Gabehart to have been nominally concluded.
Joe Gibbs Racing’s attorneys found this overture improper.
“Defendants offer no argument or evidence of exigency or retention risk. Such requests violate Local Civil Rule 7.1(c)(2) which prohibits parties from including motions in responsive briefing. Notwithstanding that procedural inconformity, JGR agrees discovery should begin in earnest in the immediate future. All interested parties benefit if discovery occurs before the issues join—which will almost assuredly not occur until after the 2026 NASCAR seasons concludes.”
The complete filing regarding expedited discovery can be read below.
Toni Rogers, Chief People Officer of Joe Gibbs Racing, included in a Friday night filing that she was unaware of an agreement with Spire for a employee trade in exchange for being able to hire veteran car chief Cheddar Smith, in the middle of his contract with Spire, upon an early release.
Dickerson claimed earlier in the week that he let Smith out of his contract last April so he could join JGR as car chief of the JGR No. 54 in exchange for the right to similarly hire a JGR employee before their contract runs out or pay $100,000 to Spire.
Rogers shared, as an exhibit, an email with Chris Gabehar that did confirm the $100,000 figure Dickerson reference but nothing to indicate that JGR had the option to let a car chief or crew chief out of their contract to leave for Spire.
As the email says, the only trade Rogers is aware of is one regarding spotters, and one that never materialized.
“The only potential ‘trade’ of personnel between JGR and Spire that had been discussed was a potential trade of spotters--a JGR spotter and a Spire spotter. A Competition Director, such as Gabehart, is a much higher and more valuable position than a spotter. The understanding was that if the Spire spotter joined JGR, JGR would take over his existing salary and if it was greater than what JGR had been paying the JGR spotter, that differential would be offset against the $100,000.00. Ultimately, that trade never happened as the Spire spotter chose not to leave Spire. To my knowledge, JGR has never received an invoice for the referenced payment of $100,000.00.
“The potential trade described in the foregoing paragraph is the only potential trade of personnel between JGR and Spire that I have ever heard of. I have certainly never been aware of any sort of open-ended agreement with Spire that would allow Spire to hire someone who was under contractual obligations to JGR. As JGR's Chief People Officer, I would have been aware of any such agreement that came to fruition. Had any such deal been contemplated or offered, there would have been a formal written release similar to that executed between Cheddar and Spire. There has been no such release with respect to Gabehart.”
JGR wants Gabehart out of Spire's NASCAR operations
Another item to be discussed in court on Monday morning, and one that all three parties have volleyed back-and-forth throughout the past month, is the preliminary injunction motion.
Joe Gibbs Racing wants Gabehart to cease working at Spire Motorsports in any capacity that is like the one he had as competition director over the past year. Gabehart is officially working at Spire currently as ‘Chief Motorsports Officer’ with duties that extend beyond Cup and into the organization’s other racing offerings like Super Late Models, Sprint Cars and even adjacent duties with sister teams in IndyCar and Formula 1.
Gabehart says his contract featured just a one week non-compete and Dickerson testified to that conviction in his own declaration earlier this week. However, Joe Gibbs Racing maintains that’s not even true.
“Contrary to Gabehart’s argument, Gabehart’s noncompete period was never reduced to one week under Section 6, paragraph 2 of the Agreement (“Section 6”) because he failed to satisfy multiple material conditions. Section 6 requires a three-step procedure: (1) notice of specific duties assigned by JGR that were inconsistent with Gabehart's expectations; (2) 60 days for JGR to cure; and (3) 60-day notice of termination without cause. Gabehart fails the first step—he sought more responsibilities, not relief from duties JGR assigned.”
JGR's attorneys note that Gabehart's contract required those notices to be made 'in good faith' and that that requirement was ignored. And JGR also again brought up its conviction that Gabehart was already 'engaged in detailed discussions about employment with Spire' as early as October through a meeting with Towriss.
It's a meeting that Towriss does not recall and Gabehart says was mischaracterized by JGR employee Todd Berrier.
Joe Gibbs Racing says Gabehart never gave them 60 days and simply told team owner Coach Joe Gibbs that the relationship was beyond repair in a personal meeting after the season ended in early November.
Separate from all of this is the conviction that Joe Gibbs Racing has that Gabehart was simultaneously, at this point, accessing and storing proprietary information that could be currently being used against them now.
Joe Gibbs Racing disagrees with the characterization that it stopped paying Gabehart and then he left. They say that they stopped paying Gabehart upon the conviction that he was conspiring with Spire.
“Defendants claim that Gabehart was relieved of his noncompete because JGR stopped paying his salary after his last day of work. This contention is without merit. The Agreement
plainly states Gabehart’s ‘Base Salary’ was payment for ‘the services Employee provides the Company.’ Gabehart's ‘prior material breach’ defense rests on the untenable premise that JGR was obligated to pay him a salary while he performed no services for JGR and instead actively worked to benefit its competitor, Spire. This common-sense proposition—that an employee is only paid for services provided—is echoed in state and federal law.
“JGR complied with the Agreement by making payment for all time worked by Gabehart through November 10, 2025 on the regularly scheduled November 21, 2025 payroll. Gabehart does not argue that he provided any services to JGR after November 10, 2025. By then, Gabehart had returned his JGR computer and had engaged in ‘discussions towards a mutually agreeable separation framework[.]’ Instead, Gabehart has admitted to using the time after November 10, 2025, to negotiate employment with Spire. He further used the time to wrongly and continuously access the information he stole from JGR. These are not services provided to JGR.”
Stated plainly, and they have said this in as many words in court, Joe Gibbs Racing is saying they were not going to pay Chris Gabehart so he could continue stealing their data and potentially take it to a rival organization.
Gabehart says JGR was in breach of their contract together because end of the year bonus monies were not paid out. JGR says that money was due by January 2, but by that point, Gabehart’s alleged conduct was discovered.
Gabehart paid for a portion of the forensic analysis of his devices by Joe Gibbs Racing and some of the bonus money was used to pay for that and a extra hotel room from Phoenix in January as agreed upon by both parties’ legal teams.
From the JGR filing:
“Payment of this bonus, while the parties were actively involved in negotiations regarding Gabehart’s admitted taking of JGR’s information and how the bonus would be amended to address part of the forensic payment, is not a material breach going to the heart of the Agreement. To the contrary, if any party was in breach of the Agreement by January 2, 2026, it was Gabehart through his misappropriation of JGR’s Confidential Information and Trade Secrets and his cessation of services on November 10, 2025.”
So again, JGR wants Gabehart split from Spire’s NASCAR duties:
“Gabehart’s actual misappropriation of JGR’s Confidential Information and Trade Secrets has been established. It is undisputed that he took photos of his computer screen with his cell phone and saved more than 200 JGR proprietary files in a folder named ‘Spire.’ This is sufficient to support a preliminary injunction as to Gabehart.
“There is likewise substantial evidence of an ongoing and future threat of misappropriation of JGR’s trade secrets by both Gabehart and Spire. ‘It is well-settled under North Carolina law, ‘[d]irect evidence [ ... ] is not necessary to establish a claim for misappropriation of trade secrets; rather, such a claim may be proven through circumstantial evidence.’ After returning his JGR laptop on November 10, 2025, Gabehart continued accessing and deleting JGR files through December—conduct only discoverable because of his ‘technical blunder’ in failing to disable cloud syncing before returning the computer. Like photographing his screen rather than taking screenshots, Gabehart clearly believed these actions would evade detection. The fact that he engaged in this conduct only because he thought it was undetectable is itself powerful evidence of wrongful intent, and of the ongoing threat of misappropriation. Further, the circumstantial evidence demonstrates more than a possibility of ongoing or future trade secret misappropriation as to Gabehart and Spire.”
Joe Gibbs Racing stated that Gabehart is free to work anywhere in motorsports, that isn’t for the Spire Cup Series team, and could even work for NASCAR. It says he can work for Spire’s Super Late Model or Sprint Car teams, or its sister IndyCar and Formula 1 teams, but wants an injunction to prevent him from damaging JGR in NASCAR.
The complete filing can be viewed below, as can the full declaration from Toni Rogers.
Another Washington Commanders free agent has departed. And this time, he isn't going very far. Veteran cornerback Jonathan Jones agrees to terms with the Philadelphia Eagles on a one-year contract on Thursday.
Jones, who turns 33 in September, spent the first nine seasons of his NFL career with the New England Patriots before signing with the Commanders last March. He appeared in 12 games for Washington, making seven starts and he recorded 41 tackles, including one for loss, and five passes defensed. Jones injured his hamstring in a Week 2 loss at Green Bay and spent some time on injured reserve.
Jones joins Washington's division rival, which also signed Seattle Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen to a one-year deal. The Eagles already have one of the NFL's most impressive young cornerback duos in Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, but have struggled to find a consistent third cornerback. Woolen has immense upside due to his size and speed, but the Seahawks were eager to part with him.
Meanwhile, Jones is consistent and reliable. Despite being older and undersized (5-foot-9, 185 pounds), Jones played well for the Commanders last season and was a candidate to return. However, in GM Adam Peters' quest to get younger and faster, Washington signed former Lions cornerback Amik Robertson to a two-year deal, effectively replacing Jones.
The Big Ten is home to two of the top three hockey teams in the country, making the conference tournament a potential Frozen Four preview.
National No. 1 Michigan and No. 3 Michigan State are through to the semifinals, with each set to host a game Saturday. Though the Wolverines have the better national ranking, the Spartans are the top seed in the tourney and had a first-round bye in a new format that saw the Big Ten return to single-game quarterfinals instead of best-of-three series for the first time since 2017.
Michigan State will host No. 5 seed Ohio State, which stunned Wisconsin 7-1 in Madison in the quarters. Michigan eased past Notre Dame to open its tourney and will face Penn State, which had a similarly easy time with Minnesota in the quarterfinals.
The Spartans have won the last two Big Ten tournament titles after the Wolverines took the two before that. Can the Great Lakes State keep the trophy at home again this year?
Here's everything you need to know to watch the Big Ten tournament semis.
Where to watch 2026 Big Ten hockey semifinals
TV channel: Big Ten Network
Live stream: Fubo
The Big Ten hockey tournament semifinals will air on Big Ten Network and can be streamed live on Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
Big Ten hockey tournament schedule, scores 2026
Date
Matchup
Time (ET)
Watch
Wed., March 11
No. 2 Michigan 6, No. 7 Notre Dame 1
—
—
No. 3 Penn State 6, No. 6 Minnesota 2
—
—
No. 5 Ohio State 7, No. 4 Wisconsin 1
—
—
Sat., March 14
No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 3 Penn State
5 p.m.
Big Ten Network, Fubo
No. 1 Michigan State vs. No. 5 Ohio State
7:30 p.m.
Big Ten Network, Fubo
Sat., March 21
Semifinal winners
TBA
Big Ten Network, Fubo
Big Ten hockey tournament champions history
Here are the results of previous Big Ten men's hockey tournament finals:
Chelsea hope to put the disappointment of their midweek European flop behind them and crack on in the race for a top five place as they meet Newcastle in Premier League action on Saturday.
The Blues were thwacked 5-2 by defending Champions League winners PSG in the French capital on Wednesday, going toe-to-toe with the Parisians before falling apart in the final 20 minutes.
While Liam Rosenior's side will have a lot of work to do in that regard, they also must continue the hunt for a spot in next season's Champions League. It is a vicious hunt for the top five places, with the Blues currently sitting fifth in the league standings, three points back of Aston Villa and level on points with sixth-placed Liverpool.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the weekly schedule.
Chelsea vs. Newcastle live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this Premier League match in English across the United States:
This match will be streamed in English exclusively on Peacock.
Peacock features live coverage of NFL Sunday Night Football, the NBA, the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Premier League soccer, Big Ten football and basketball, Notre Dame football, Big East and Big 12 basketball, PGA Tour golf, and more.
What time does Chelsea vs. Newcastlekick off?
This Premier League clash takes place at Stamford Bridge in London, England and kicks off on Saturday, March 14 at 5:30 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across the United States, keeping in mind that Daylight Savings Time has flipped clocks in the U.S. but not in Europe:
Former India batter Subramaniam Badrinath believes it would be extremely difficult for the Chennai Super Kings team management to leave MS Dhoni out of the playing XI in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League.
Dhoni is set to return for Chennai Super Kings in the 2026 campaign, with franchise CEO Kasi Viswanath already confirming that the veteran will be available for the entire tournament. However, the exact role he will play during matches is yet to be finalised. According to Viswanath, the decision will be taken by the team management, who will decide whether Dhoni features as the wicketkeeper or is used as an impact player depending on the match situation.
The 44-year-old had a relatively quiet season in IPL 2025 season, scoring 196 runs from 14 matches. Batting mostly in the lower order, Dhoni averaged 24.50 and maintained a strike rate of 135.17 while often coming in during the closing stages of the innings to provide quick runs.
Despite questions around his role, Badrinath feels the management would find it almost impossible to bench the legendary captain given the stature he holds within the franchise. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the former CSK batter suggested that even head coach Stephen Fleming may not be in a position to make such a call.
"I don't know if it is an administrative decision where he (CSK CEO) said that he (Dhoni) is ready to play all matches. He said that he would support the cricketing decision and stop. Now, will Fleming go and tell Dhoni that you don't play this match, we are dropping you. I don't think Fleming has a chance at all. How will he go and tell Dhoni that you are dropped? I literally feel that it is not possible," Badrinath said on his YouTube channel.
Badrinath further emphasised the level of respect Dhoni commands inside the CSK dressing room. According to him, it would be extremely hard for any member of the coaching staff to even suggest that the former India captain should sit out or be used only as a substitute.
"I don't think any support staff in the world, be it even Fleming, can tell Dhoni you are an impact player, or you don't play this match. There is no chance. We can take it that he is going to play all the matches," he added.
Scotland shattered France’s grand slam dreams to break open the Six Nations title race in an epic win at Murrayfield.
The two sides shared 90 points in Edinburgh as the inspired hosts emerged as deserved victors, with the Scots heading to Dublin on the final weekend level on points with Les Bleus.
Ireland may still be in the hunt, too, at just two points behind their “Super Saturday” opponents and the defending champions — though will need a helping hand from England in Paris that looks unlikely.
Steve Borthwick’s side already their title hopes were over after following another Murrayfield horror show against Scotland with an even poorer performance as Ireland ran rampant at Twickenham, but slumped to an historic defeat to Italy in Rome.
Here’s every result so far and the fixtures still to come:
Saturday 14 March: Ireland vs Scotland (2.10pm, Dublin)
Saturday 14 March: Wales vs Italy (4.40pm, Cardiff)
Saturday 14 March: France vs England (8.10pm, Paris)
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom will be able to watch every match live on the BBC and ITV, who are in the first year of their a new joint agreement for the television rights. Live streams will be available via the BBC iPlayer and ITVX, and viewers can also watch some games on Premier Sports.
Fourteen years ago, on the outskirts of Seoul, South Korea, a group of 20 eager, Canadian teenage baseball players were handed a humbling bit of news.
The club, made up of talented high schoolers from across the commonwealth, was holding a pregame meeting before its opening matchup of the 2012 18-and-under Baseball World Championship against Team Japan. Head coach Greg Hamilton, a no-nonsense Canadian baseball lifer, strolled into the room. He gazed at the kids he’d helped assemble, the majority of whom had never been so far from home. A handful, such as Josh Naylor, Cal Quantrill and Jacob Robson, would go onto play in the majors. Others would carve out minor-league careers. Some chose other paths.
But all of them remember the rest of that day. It started with a scouting report from Hamilton that was half-warning, half-pep-talk.
“The guy on the mound for Japan is the best 18-year-old pitcher in the world.” the typically sensible, un-hyperbolic skipper told his players, according to Robson. “And he's also the best 18-year-old hitter in the world.”
He was, of course, referring to Shohei Ohtani.
Although, technically speaking, Ohtani’s name did not yet have an anglicized H. During the 2012 18U BWC, both his Samurai Japan uniform and the official box scores spelled that now unmistakable surname “Otani.”
Things are a little different now. These days, the 31-year-old is a global superstar, a national hero and the captain of Japan’s quest to capture back-to-back World Baseball Classic titles. Three years ago, in his first WBC appearance, Ohtani propelled his club to glory with an unprecedented two-way performance. He won the tournament’s MVP Award by going 10-for-23 at the plate with 10 walks and five extra-base hits. He also made two brilliant starts, as well as an unforgettably dramatic relief appearance to close out the championship game against then-teammate Mike Trout.
But while his international career has blossomed into the stuff of legend, it started with a disappointing afternoon in front of a reported attendance of just 125 people. In the first Team Japan appearance of his life, Ohtani, already a decently known character in his homeland, was bested by a pesky squad of Canadians who didn’t know who he was until Greg Hamilton told them.
“[Hamilton] went on to say that he didn't say it to get us scared,” Robson explained. “He was just trying to prepare us, like, ‘Hey, he throws super hard. He knows what he's doing.’ Everybody's been on him since he was a young kid. He's a prodigy.”
Prodigy he might have been, but Ohtani’s final pitching line that day was underwhelming: 3 1/3 innings, 3 hits, 3 earned runs, 4 walks, 4 strikeouts. At the plate, he went 1-for-3 with an intentional walk and a laser-beam, double-play lineout that nearly decapitated Canadian hurler Ryan Kellogg.
Coincidentally, though a handful of MLB evaluators were in attendance, it was a significantly smaller group than one might expect. That’s because a highly touted Korean lefty named Hyun-Jin Ryu, who was set to move to MLB that winter, was throwing the same day for the Hanwha Eagles. And so a number of scouts who would’ve otherwise seen Ohtani were out watching Ryu.
But even though Ohtani got knocked around and knocked out early, the opposing hitters were blown away by his stuff.
“I step in the box, and he’s just pumping heat, 94, 95,” remembered shortstop Daniel Pinero, who went on to win a College World Series with the University of Virginia. “At that time, nobody threw that hard, especially high schoolers. And we were coming from Canada, too, where it was 85, 86.
“This long, lanky kid goes on the mound, and he’s just pumping heat, with nasty movement, too, and we’re like, ‘OK, this kid is disgusting.’”
That overpowering arsenal left Canada flummoxed in the early going, with Ohtani inducing some ugly, ugly swings along the way. He struck out three in the second inning, including Naylor, the future All-Star and 2026 team captain for Canada in the WBC. In the third, Ohtani’s command abandoned him, as a walk, a few passed balls and a single led to Canada’s first run. Things went south one inning later, when a walk, a hit-by-pitch and two singles gave Canada the lead.
That brought Japan’s manager out of the dugout for a pitching change, but Ohtani’s day was far from done.
“I think they took him out of the game, and he just jogged to the outfield,” Robson said. “I think he played outfield every inning he didn’t pitch.”
Ohtani also continued to take at-bats, flaring an RBI single to left in the seventh and drawing an intentional walk in the ninth. Japan took the lead in the seventh, but Canada sent the game to extra innings in dramatic fashion in the bottom of the ninth, with a game-tying, two-run homer off the bat of third baseman Jesse Hodges. The Canadians ultimately walked it off on a wild pitch in the 10th, completing the upset.
“These are the types of games that you dream for as a kid,” Hodges was quoted as saying afterward. “Hitting a home run to tie the game in the ninth for your country is the best feeling in the world.”
That victory pushed Canada to one of its best results on the international stage, a silver medal, following a loss to Team USA in the title game. Ohtani would pitch one more time in the tournament, in the fifth-place game against host Korea. In that one, he was dominant, striking out 12 across seven innings of two-run ball, a more appropriate harbinger of the stellar international career he’d go on to have.
But that first outing? Against Canada? For Ohtani and his teammates, it was one to forget. But for the Canadian players, it was a core memory, one they think about to this day.
Said Robson: “I always say that to random people when they're talking about Ohtani — like, ‘Oh, I played against him in high school.’
The final round fixture had been due to be officiated by Nic Berry, but the Australian referee has been unable to travel to Europe owing to the conflict in the Middle East.
The trailblazing Georgian Amashukeli has therefore been given another marquee appointment after making history at the World Cup in the autumn of 2023.
The 31-year-old became the first referee from Georgia to officiate at the event, and the youngest whistler since Wayne Barnes in 2007 to be appointed to a men’s World Cup panel.
Amashukeli represented Georgia at junior level as a centre, but was forced to retire at the age of 20 after a series of concussions and other injuries.
He was recruited as a referee as part of a new programme to improve officiating standards in the country, developed in partnership with the Irish Rugby Football Union.
As part of that relationship, Amashukeli was mentored by Irish official David McHugh, who refereed games at the 1995, 1999 and 2003 World Cups.
In July 2021, Amashukeli officiated Wales’ win over Canada, his first international appointment involving a Tier One nation.
A Six Nations debut followed seven months later, and Amashukeli has since forged a reputation as a referee of high potential.
France vs England match officials
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
Assistant Referees: Andrew Brace (Ire) & Hollie Davidson (Sco)
Referee Christophe Ridley takes charge of the final-round Six Nations clash between Wales and Italy in Cardiff.
The talented young Englishman joined the officiating panel as a lead official in 2024 after the retirement of Wayne Barnes, having worked closely with his compatriot during his career so far.
A former member of the academy at Leicester Tigers, Ridley switched to refereeing after a series of injuries and has developed quickly through the ranks after studying at the University of Gloucestershire.
Students on the sports scholarship programme at the university benefit from the expertise of three-time World Cup official Chris White, who helped both Ridley and fellow top official Matthew Carley develop.
Ridley’s Premiership debut came in 2018, taking charge of London Irish vs Wasps, and the 30-year-old travelled to last year’s World Cup as an assistant.
His Six Nations selection comes as one of four English referees appointed to games in the championship, with Carley, Karl Dickson and Luke Pearce all earning selection again.
Match officials for Wales vs Italy, Saturday 14 March (4.40pm GMT, Cardiff)
Referee: Christophe Ridley (Eng)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (Eng) & Eoghan Cross (Ire)
England’s Luke Pearce is the referee for the crucial clash between Ireland and Scotlandin the final round of the 2026 Six Nations.
The Exeter-based whistler is long established as a top international official having overseen his 50th Test during the 2024 tournament, when he took charge of two fixtures during the course of the campaign.
The 37-year-old started his officiating journey in Devon at the age of 16, and was refereeing in the second tier Championship by the age of 21.
A promotion to the Premiership swiftly followed before a step-up to Test level in February 2013.
The depth in English refereeing has occasionally held Pearce back, though his highly communicative style and preference for pace are well liked by players.
He took charge of his first Premiership final in 2023, overseeing Saracens’ win over Sale at Twickenham, before being one of four English referees at the World Cup later that autumn.
Pearce joins compatriots Matthew Carley, Karl Dickson and Christophe Ridley in being the lead official during this Six Nations, showcasing the strength of the English refereeing pool.
France will hope to secure back-to-back Six Nations titles as they welcome a struggling England to Paris in the tournament’s final fixture.
A remarkable defeat to Scotland in a 90-point epic ended France’s chances of a grand slam, but Fabien Galthie’s side remain in control of their own destiny and will know what they need to do to secure the crown with Ireland and Scotland in action earlier on “Super Saturday”.
England, meanwhile, are reeling after a first-ever defeat to Italy extended their losing run to three matches, heightening the scrutiny on Steve Borthwick.
Never previously have they finished a Six Nations campaign with just a single victory, and they will have to upset their hosts at the Stade de France to avoid that ignominy.
Here’s everything you need to know.
When is France vs England?
France vs England is due to kick off at 8.10pm GMT on Saturday 14 March at the Stade de France in Paris.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on ITV1, with coverage on the channel from 7.20pm GMT. A live stream will be available via ITVX.
Team news
France are forced into a reshuffle in the back five of their pack, with Oscar Jegou suspended following an eye-gouging incident and Anthony Jelonch absent due to a hamstring strain. Charles Ollivon shifts from lock to No 8 as Thibaud Flament and Emmanuel Meafou form a familiar second row pairing, while Temo Matiu – in excellent form for Bordeaux Begles this season – will make his debut.
There is an enforced switch in the backline, too, as Pierre-Louis Barassi joins Yoram Moefana in midfield after injury to Nicolas Depoortere.
England make just a single change to the side beaten by Italy in Rome, though it is a relatively significant one. Ollie Chessum, more often a lock, makes his first start in the back for England since this fixture in Lyon two years ago as Steve Borthwick shifts his strategy on the flanks. Guy Pepper moves over to the openside with Tom Curry ruled out with a calf issue.
The same backline is picked again looking to show greater cohesion and connection to take their chances in Paris. Among the replacements, both Sam Underhill and Marcus Smith are in line to win their 50th caps.
Line-ups
France XV: 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 2 Julien Marchand, 3 Dorian Aldegheri; 4 Thibaud Flament, 5 Emmanuel Meafou; 6 Francois Cros, 7 Temo Matiu, 8 Charles Ollivon; 9 Antoine Dupont (capt.), 10 Matthieu Jalibert; 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 12 Yoram Moefana, 13 Pierre-Louis Barassi, 14 Theo Attissogbe; 15 Thomas Ramos.
England XV: 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George, 3 Joe Heyes; 4 Maro Itoje (capt.), 5 Alex Coles; 6 Ollie Chessum, 7 Guy Pepper, 8 Ben Earl; 9 Ben Spencer, 10 Fin Smith; 11 Cadan Murley, 12 Seb Atkinson, 13 Tommy Freeman, 14 Tom Roebuck; 15 Elliot Daly.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Bevan Rodd, 18 Trevor Davison, 19 Chandler Cunningham-South, 20 Sam Underhill, 21 Henry Pollock; 22 Jack van Poortvliet, 23 Marcus Smith.
Wales will hope to end their long wait for a Six Nations win as they host an Italy side chasing more history in Cardiff.
It is now more than three years since a Welsh side won in this championship, beating the Azzurri in Rome in 2023, and a third successive campaign without success will be confirmed if they are beaten here.
Improved performances against Scotland and Ireland have given real belief to Steve Tandy’s side, though, and they will look to draw on significant home support to at last end their wait.
Italy, though, have shown what a force they are becoming in this tournament, beating England for the first time in their history last weekend – a third win here would mean their most successful Six Nations ever.
Here’s everything you need to know.
When is Wales vs Italy?
Wales vs Italy is due to kick off at 4.40pm GMT on Saturday 14 March at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on BBC One, with coverage on the channel from 4pm GMT. A live stream will be available via the BBC iPlayer, while match coverage is also available on Premier Sports.
Team news
Wales stick with a settled side after a gutsy performance against Ireland last Friday. Steve Tandy names the same starting XV with just one change on the bench, that being the return of Blair Murray at the expense of Louie Hennessey.
Dan Edwards continues in the No 10 shirt with Sam Costelow still absent, while a pack that has gone well in the last two fixtures faces another stern test. Aaron Wainwright had been a slight doubt but is cleared to feature.
Italy are forced into three changes with prop Simone Ferrari, lock Andrea Zambonin and scrum half Alessandro Garbisi ruled out. Muhamed Hasa takes up Ferrari’s post at tighthead and Federico Ruzza, good off the bench against England, partners Niccolo Cannone in the second row, while Alessandro Fusco is installed at scrum half.
Among the replacements, there is a sighting of Carmarthen-born Stephen Varney – the replacement No 9 has been going well for Exeter is set for his first appearance of the campaign.
Line-ups
Wales XV: 1 Rhys Carre, 2 Dewi Lake (capt.), 3 Tomas Francis; 4 Dafydd Jenkins, 5 Ben Carter; 6 Alex Mann, 7 James Botham, 8 Aaron Wainwright; 9 Tomos Williams, 10 Dan Edwards; 11 Josh Adams, 12 Joe Hawkins, 13 Eddie James, 14 Ellis Mee; 15 Louis Rees-Zammit.
Scotland’s sensational win at Murrayfield last weekend derailed the French grand slam charge, and gave real hope to Gregor Townsend’s side of a first tournament title since 1999.
To do that, though, will require a first win over the Irish in Townsend’s tenure, with the hosts successful in the previous 11 meetings with the Scots.
Here’s everything you need to know.
When is Ireland vs Scotland?
Ireland vs Scotland is due to kick off at 2.10pm GMT on Saturday 14 March at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on ITV1, with coverage on the channel from 1pm GMT. A live stream will be available via ITVX.
Team news
Dan Sheehan, Joe McCarthy and Josh van der Flier are restored to the starting Ireland forward pack as Andy Farrell goes back to some tried and trusted combinations. Tommy O’Brien, so impressive off the bench against England, is preferred to Jacob Stockdale on the left wing, while Tom O’Toole continues at loosehead prop.
Among the replacements, Bundee Aki is in line for his first appearance of the campaign following suspension, while Connacht lock Darragh Murray is primed for a Six Nations debut after James Ryan’s calf injury.
Zander Fagerson returns to the starting Scotland side having been used effectively off the bench against France. Both Scott Cummings and Gregor Brown are ruled out due to injury, necessitating a new second row: Grant Gilchrist provides veteran nous alongside Max Williamson.
Kyle Steyn has overcome the gash to his leg suffered last week, and takes up his place in an unchanged backline. Kyle Rowe provides extra wing and full-back cover from the bench.
Line-ups
Ireland XV: 1 Tom O’Toole, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong; 4 Joe McCarthy, 5 Tadhg Beirne; 6 Jack Conan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris (capt.); 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 10 Jack Crowley; 11 Tommy O’Brien, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 13 Garry Ringrose, 14 Robert Baloucoune; 15 Jamie Osborne.
ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion Tye Ruotolo was pushed to the limit in his first match of 2026, but when it was all said and done, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu prodigy left the squared circle with his coveted gold on Friday, March 13.
The American successfully defended his crown for the third time, beating IBJJF No-Gi World Champion Pawel Jaworski at ONE Fight Night 41 on Prime Video, which broadcast live in U.S. primetime from Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium.
Ruotolo wasted no time at all, as he immediately bounced off the ropes and exploded forward with a spear-like double-leg takedown to kick off the action.
The Polish grappler eventually caught Ruotolo’s leg to score the first catch with a kneebar in the final 90 seconds of the contest, though the hold lasted only a moment as the reigning king quickly slipped free.
With less than 30 seconds remaining, the American found himself under pressure, but he scrambled into top position and responded with a catch of his own by locking up a mounted choke attempt.
Then, as Jaworski rolled over and tried to scramble out, the welterweight ruler went for a triangle choke. However, time expired before he could fully secure the submission.
Both athletes recorded one catch apiece after 10 minutes of action, but Ruotolo’s constant aggression throughout the match convinced all three judges to award him the decision.
The victory marked the Californian’s third successful defense of the ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Title and improved his grappling record to 37-12.
An overwhelming number of Los Angeles City Council members have some serious issues with Casey Wasserman remaining in charges of the upcoming the Games of the XXXIV Olympiad, but LA28 doesn’t seem to care.
“With the Board’s position on leadership established, LA28’s focus remains on delivering a fiscally responsible, privately funded Games that protects taxpayers and benefits Los Angeles,” a LA28 spokesperson said late Friday after the LA local politicians voted 12-0 on a resolution calling Wasserman’s Olympics position into question out of his association decades ago with now deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein and convicted sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell.
“We are on track to deliver a successful Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028.”
That’s not how the LA City Council see it.
In the twice delayed vote, the Council, including mayoral hopeful Nithya Raman, put on the record that they had “concern regarding the potential conflict between the Olympic movement’s values and Casey Wasserman’s association with the Epstein files, and calls for a thorough and transparent review of his involvement in the ongoing investigations into these matters.”
Lacking the ability to actually fire Wasserman, the resolution crafted by Imelda Padilla and Monica Rodriguez, of the city’s sixth and seventh districts respectively, urges “the LA28 Organizing Committee, and the International Olympic Committee, to ensure that all leadership roles are held by individuals who consistently reflect the Olympic movement’s commitment to integrity, accountability, and respect for all people.”
Council members Bob Blumenfield, Curren Price and Adrin Nazarian were not in attendance for today’s vote in DTLA.
Wasserman was long presumed to be an mere philanthropic acquaintance of the vile and very well connected Epstein (who died in mysterious circumstances in a NYC jail in 2019), the massive document dump by Donald Trump‘s DOJ in late January revealed a carnal 2003 correspondence with Maxwell. Wasserman issued a “deeply regrets” statement on his association with Epstein and Maxwell, and clearly hoped the whole thing would go away.
It has not, and the LA City Council planned to start shaking some tress at the Kirsty Coventry-led IOC and other sporting bodies in the next couple weeks to oust Wasserman.
After establishing ties with the legacy driven Wasserman in the early days of her administration, LA Mayor Karen Bass recently called for the LA28 chair to resign. The poll challenged Bass, who shares a close contact with Wasserman via big donor Jeffrey Katzenberg, joins the likes of the West Hollywood City Council, two of LA County’s Board of Supervisors, and various local elected officials in publicly wanting to see the grandson of Hollywood kingpin Lew Wasserman exit stage left from the $7.7 billion and growing games.
The Epstein scandal, which has brought down many in Europe and in corporate America (though not big Epstein pal Trump, yet) hasn’t cost Wasserman his Olympics gig yet. However, as Wasserman unveiled on February 13, as the Winter Olympics concluded, he is selling his long curated The Team (previously Wasserman) agency because of the “distraction” he has become and the clients that were heading for the doors.
Wasserman is hoping this is all old news by the time the Games of the XXXIV Olympiad comes around. With or without Casey Wasserman L.A.’s third Olympics as host city runs from July 14 -30, 2028.
Heavy debate about Formula 1's starting procedures during Bahrain's pre-season tests led to the implementation of the pre-start routine for the 2026 season. While this has alleviated some of the more major concerns in getting off the line, many of the current teams are angling for further changes.
The deletion of the MGU-H from this year's powertrain rules has taken away one of the key tools that the modern turbocharged engines needed at the starts. Without the ability to automatically spool up the turbo, the drivers need to use the internal combustion engine itself to drive the turbine in order to develop the torque needed for a clean getaway.
Further changes have been proposed, but the FIA needs the teams to form a supermajority for any new procedures to be enshrined in the regulations. Ferrari, which had predicted that the starts might be an issue early on in its powertrain development, is not inclined to budge on its position.
The assumption is that Ferrari has produced a smaller turbo to compensate for that. While this comes at the cost of overall peak power versus a larger turbo, a smaller unit delivers more power at an earlier point in the rev range. Furthermore, and this is the crucial bit: a turbine with less mass thus requires less time to spin at the required speed.
Ferrari has stood by the belief that all manufacturers knew early on that starting procedures would be more difficult, but shrugged it off rather than attempt to design their powertrains around it.
As such, the team has cultivated an advantage at the starts - one that it is unwilling to give up.
Following slow starts in the China sprint race by Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen, the question about starts - and the purported safety issues around them - reared its head again. Naturally, both Ferrari drivers batted this away.
"It's a bit trickier to be in the optimum window for the start with this engine but I think more time will go on, more teams will find fixes," Charles Leclerc mused when asked about the start.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
"I think we are on the good side of things for now, but I'm pretty sure everybody will catch up and as I said I think when other manufacturers are doing a good start and they are in the optimum window, I don't think there's that much difference between the cars. I don't expect it to be a problem for a long time."
Lewis Hamilton generally concurred, underlining Ferrari's point that it had anticipated what was going to happen in 2026. "I think it's more exciting; when we all get off exactly the same, it's boring.
"I don't think it's dangerous. There are some people that, in developing an engine, they've taken certain decisions in order to get power. We took this specific decisions or our team did to make sure we got good starts.
"But George got just as good a start as I did, and so I think it'll eventually like fizzle out and be similar."
With Ferrari unwilling to move from its position, the complaints may well indeed subside – the only way that the FIA can make a change with the current voting blocs would be on safety grounds.
The difference in speeds was less stark in China's sprint race versus the near-miss in Australia, where Franco Colapinto had to take heavy evasive action to clear the bogged-down Liam Lawson. Antonelli and Verstappen were largely just slow off the line, a situation that is very much normal in F1.
If slower getaways are the primary issue, rather than largely stationary cars, then it's likely that Ferrari will get its wish. George Russell, who got a stronger start versus that of a week ago, also didn't feel that it was currently a safety matter.
"I think the issues of Melbourne, at least on my side, we've found workarounds," he said.
"It's just like on the formation lap, you're doing all these different switch changes and driving styles and it's just unnecessarily complicated. However the starts are still challenging.
"I mean last year Shanghai was the second grippiest start of the season and you still see a lot of people struggling. When you get to other places where the grip is lower I think we're going to still see cars spinning the tyres and struggling to get off the grid.
"But I don't necessarily think it's down to any safety. There is a really straightforward fix and there's I think that's just the nature of these cars and tyres, to be honest."
A report says Formula 1 will cancel this year's races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. F1 is making this move in response to the Iran war.
The world's most well-known racing series was supposed to race in Bahrain on April 12 and in Saudi Arabia on April 19. Iran has been under attack from the United States and Israel, and Iranian weapons have hit both countries during the fighting.
Although both races are slated for over a month from now, the series is making the decision now because of the logistics involved in getting race cars, supporting materials, and drivers and staff to the area.
It's unclear if the races will be made up later this year. If that ends up being the case, the season will have 22 races instead of 24, and there will be five weeks between the next race and the one following. The next race, the season's third, is set for March 29 in Japan. If this report is accurate and the Middle East is skipped, the next race after Japan will be held in Miami, Florida, on May 3.
[Image: Formula 1]
Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by subscribing to our newsletter.
HOUSTON (AP) — The United States is heading to the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic after a “different level of focus” helped this All-Star-studded team rebound from a shocking loss.
“Guys really locked in,” Yankees star Aaron Judge said. “We saw a different level of focus at our workout the other day and then even pregame today. It felt like the boys were locked and ready to go.”
The loss to Italy elicited criticism of the team and particularly manager Mark DeRosa after he prematurely said on a television interview the morning of the loss to Italy that: “Our ticket’s punched to the quarterfinals.”
Judge said he knows a lot of people had negative things to say about them after the Italy game, but they didn’t pay it any mind.
“There’s a lot of noise that’s been going on with that,” he said. “And I think it just speaks volumes to the players in this room, the manager we’ve got, everybody, that no matter what’s being said about us, what’s going on, we still got a job to do on the field.”
First baseman Bryce Harper echoed Judge’s sentiments that they didn’t worry about what outsiders were saying about the team.
“People are going to have their opinion about us,” he said. “I don’t think any of them are going to be sitting at our dinner table or our Thanksgiving dinner, so it doesn’t really matter what anybody says, that’s always been my call on that kind of stuff.”
The Americans did eventually punch their ticket to the quarterfinals when Italy beat Mexico to win Pool B and give the U.S. second place.
Starter Logan Webb, who threw 4 2/3 scoreless innings Friday night, said the team's path to the semifinals was not ideal but he was proud that the guys got the job done.
“It kind of feels like a second chance and... I felt like it was a newfound energy today,” he said.
Third baseman Alex Bregman appreciated the professionalism in the clubhouse as the team dealt with the adversity from the loss to Italy.
“One of the biggest things that you see around all these great players is everyone’s present and they’re not worried about the future or the past,” he said. “They’re worried about that game, that moment, that pitch, the next pitch. And it was just a good, good response today."
Now the challenge gets even bigger as the U.S. faces a Dominican t eam that beat South Korea 10-0 Friday in seven innings to advance to the semifinals.
The Americans will send reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes to the mound Sunday to contend with a roster that is also chock full of All-Stars.
“I expect it to be like one of the best games of all time,” DeRosa said.
Judge is thrilled that the team is heading to Miami and can’t wait for what’s waiting for the U.S. there.
“The boys are excited, that’s for sure,” he said. “Definitely getting a taste for playoff atmosphere in March, definitely gets the juices flowing a little bit.”
Max Verstappen was left with very few words after failing to score points in the Chinese Grand Prix sprint race, which continued a frustrating start to the 2026 Formula 1 campaign.
The four-time world champion finished ninth in the shortened contest at Shanghai, 0.3s behind the final points scorer Oliver Bearman, with problems from start to finish.
A poor start then made matters worse as the Dutchman struggled for revs off the line, which initially dropped him to 13th, and Verstappen was simply unable to perform a comeback similar to last weekend.
At the Melbourne season opener he started 20th due to a Q1 crash but ultimately recovered to sixth, with Red Bull in a fight against McLaren for third in the pecking order behind Mercedes and Ferrari.
“I have not a lot of words at the moment, to be honest,” Verstappen told Sky Sports. “Everything that could go wrong went wrong. Start, of course, is one problem that we have to fix, but then after that the balance is all over the place.
“Probably the highest degradation of everyone out there, which is just uncontrollable. Plus some other bits on the car that were not, I would say, well prepared. We just need to get our stuff together.”
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
It was the first time that Verstappen had finished a sprint race outside of the points, as his 13 Saturday wins is 10 more than any other driver in the shortened contests.
So when he was then asked if he was surprised by the problems this weekend, Verstappen replied: “Yes, a little bit more than expected.”
The problems were present across both Red Bull cars though, as Verstappen’s team-mate Isack Hadjar qualified 10th but finished 15th following a lap-one incident with Kimi Antonelli.
The Mercedes driver suffered a start similar to Verstappen’s, which dropped him from second to ninth and, attempting to fight back, he understeered into Hadjar at the Turn 6 hairpin.
“Everything went to plan for the first sector and then Kimi completely outbraked himself and we had damage for the remainder of the race,” said Hadjar, who retired on his Red Bull debut last weekend after impressing with third in qualifying.
“So it was a bit painful to drive. We didn't learn anything. I had damage and I was defending against faster cars the whole way. It was annoying.”
“We wanted to understand how the soft was going to perform, and with a completely destroyed floor, we can’t work,” the Frenchman told Canal+. “I don’t understand why he’s overexcited like that when he’s got a rocketship and will recover regardless… Anyway, it happens.”
The defending World Baseball Classic champions are back in the United States for the 2026 knockout stages.
Japan, the only country to win the heralded tournament more than one time, comes to Miami, Florida — where it famously beat the United States in the 2023 finals — to face Venezuela in the knockout stages. After a dominating 4-0 group stage at the Tokyo Dome, Shohei Ohtani and co. look to win back-to-back titles for the second time in their history.
The opponent is not an easy one: Venezuela, who will have a large contingent of fans at loanDepot Park. Finishing second in Group D, the star power the Venezuelans boast is undeniable, from 2023 NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. to stars in Jackson Chourio, Luis Arraez and Salvador Perez.
As Japan looks to take one step closer to a second consecutive World Baseball Classic final, the high-energy Venezuelans are the first team it needs to beat.
Here's the complete information you need to know for the game, from television channel to streaming options.
Japan and Venezuela will be aired nationally on Fox in the U.S., with Spanish speakers able to follow along on Fox Deportes. Fans who want to stream the game can tune into Fubo, which offers new users a free trial.
Japan vs. Venezuela start time
Date: Saturday, Mar. 14
Time: 9 p.m. ET
Japan and Venezuela will face off in the final of four World Baseball Classic quarterfinals, starting at 9:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, Mar. 14.
The game will be played at loanDepot Park in Miami, where Venezuela played its Group D games.
Japan vs. Venezuela will can be listened to on SiriusXM via channel 83 (Fox Sports) or 89 (MLB Network Radio).
You can listen to SiriusXM for free for four months with a new subscription. Listen to live NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL games, plus NASCAR, college sports and more. Stay updated with all the news and get all the analysis on multiple sport-specific channels.
World Baseball Classic knockout schedule
Here is how the WBC's knockout schedule will play out, up until the championship game on March 17.
MUNICH, GERMANY - MARCH 06: Josip Stanisic of FC Bayern München runs with the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and Borussia Mönchengladbach at Allianz Arena on March 06, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Vincent Kompany employs a fluid structure at Bayern Munich that requires players to tread uncharted territory or playing in positions that aren’t their primary positions. One of those players is Josip Stanišić, who can play across the backline (in the center or out wide on both sides). When asked about his preference, he has a fondness for one of his positions.
“I’m a defender first and foremost, so it takes a bit of time to have confidence going forward,” the Croatian said (as capture by X account @iMiaSanMia). “I’ve got world-class players around me. You give them the ball and let them do it. But I enjoy the role [at full-back]. I need to run more and often come up against opponents who are quicker than me. I need to have better positional play. I like playing at full-back and center-back. Maybe full-back a bit more because you can do more in attack.”
Ever since the 25-year-old broke into the first team, he has always been lauded for his ability to play in different positions. This season when his fullback peers went down injured one after the other, “Stani” seamlessly slotted in as the left-back (in place of Alphonso Davies and Hiroki Itō) and as the right-back (in place of Konrad Laimer).
NEW DELHI: The signing of Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed by Sunrisers Leeds in The Hundred has sparked debate online, but the BCCI, through its vice president Rajeev Shukla, has distanced itself.
The franchise, owned by the Sun Group, which also runs Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, bought Abrar for GBP 190,000 (around Rs 2.34 crore) during Thursday’s auction after a bidding battle with Trent Rockets.
The tournament will take place from July 21 to August 16.
BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla made it clear that the Indian board does not control decisions made in overseas leagues.
“It doesn’t concern us. It’s not the IPL. What happens in The Hundred or other overseas leagues, we have nothing to do with it,” Shukla told PTI.
Abrar’s signing triggered backlash on social media, and the Sunrisers Leeds X account was suspended briefly.
The reaction reflects the long-standing absence of Pakistani players in the IPL since 2009, when worsening diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan effectively ended their participation in the league.
Sunrisers Leeds came under the Sun Group’s control last year after it bought a 49% stake from the England and Wales Cricket Board and the remaining 51% from Yorkshire for about GBP 100 million. Sunrisers CEO Kavya Maran attended the auction.
Interestingly, Abrar wasn’t the only Pakistan player picked in the auction. Mystery spinner Usman Tariq was earlier bought by Birmingham Phoenix for GBP 140,000, though that team has no IPL links.
Despite the IPL ban, Pakistani players have still appeared in overseas leagues for teams connected to IPL owners.
Recently, Several Pakistani cricketers have played for Indian-owned or co-owned franchises in overseas T20 leagues.
Imad Wasim featured for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20 in 2023–24 and later for Seattle Orcas in Major League Cricket in 2024 and 2025, a team co-owned by the Delhi Capitals’ GMR Group. Zaman Khan also played for Seattle Orcas in MLC 2024.
The same year, Mohammad Amir and Usman Tariq played for Trinbago Knight Riders in the CPL, a franchise owned by Kolkata Knight Riders.
Los Angeles Clippers guard Kawhii Leonard (2) takes a jump shot during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
INGLEWOOD Calif. — On a night when the Clippers were forced to adjust without one of their primary guards, the steady dominance of Kawhi Leonard was more than enough.
With Darius Garland sidelined because of a left toe injury, Leonard delivered 28 points to lead the Clippers past the Chicago Bulls 119–108 Friday night at Intuit Dome.
The win pushed the Clippers’ streak to four straight and six victories in their last seven games, continuing a late-season surge that has them climbing above the .500 mark. Leonard’s performance was methodical rather than flashy — the kind that has become routine for the All-Star forward. He finished with 28 points, four rebounds and three assists in 33 minutes while shooting 8-of-22 from the field and 2-of-6 from 3-point range.
More importantly, the performance carried historic weight. Leonard recorded his 44th consecutive 20-point game, tying franchise legend Bob McAdoo for the longest single-season 20-point streak in Clippers history.
Without Garland in the lineup, the Clippers received an immediate lift from their bench — particularly from Bennedict Mathurin.
Mathurin poured in 26 points with six rebounds and two assists in 28 minutes, continuing his strong scoring run since arriving in Los Angeles. The sixth man now has nine 20-point games with the Clippers this season after recording just one such outing off the bench with the Indiana Pacers earlier in the year.
Jordan Miller followed up his strong performance Wednesday with another productive night, adding 14 points. Mathurin and Miller combined for 40 points and highlighted a Clippers bench that produced 51 total points.
The supporting cast around Leonard helped stabilize things throughout the night.
Derrick Jones Jr. chipped in 10 points, two rebounds and two assists, while rookie guard Kobe Sanders — starting in Garland’s place — finished with 11 points, six rebounds and three assists in 29 minutes.
Brook Lopez anchored the interior defensively and added 11 points and six rebounds, while Kris Dunn contributed eight points, six assists and four rebounds.
Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) drives to the basket during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune
Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) drives to the basket during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Defense ultimately helped the Clippers control the game. Los Angeles forced the Bulls into 15 turnovers while committing only six themselves, a gap that repeatedly created transition opportunities.
Chicago still found production from its backcourt. Tre Jones led the Bulls with 21 points on an ultra-efficient 10-of-11 shooting night, doing all his damage inside the arc without attempting a 3-pointer.
Meanwhile, Josh Giddey recorded a triple-double despite the loss, finishing with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in 39 minutes.
Still, the Clippers’ depth and defensive pressure proved decisive.
Now sitting at 34–32, Los Angeles has moved two games above .500 and will have little time to celebrate. The Clippers return to the floor Saturday night at Intuit Dome, where they’ll host the Sacramento Kings on the second night of a back-to-back.
If anyone knows how to help shooters feel comfortable when things aren't going well, it's Damien coach Mike LeDuc, who produced two of the Southern Section's best scorers in Tracy Murray and Casey Jacobsen during his Glendora days.
So when Zaire Rasshan was only two of nine from three-point range at halftime on Friday night in the state Division I championship game, the message and mentality was keep shooting.
He made a three to start the third quarter, launching a 10-0 surge that Folsom never recovered from. Damien came away with a 58-55 victory at Golden 1 Center, becoming the fifth straight team from the Southern Section Open Division to drop down to Division I and come away as state champion.
Rasshan finished with 18 points, including five threes. His three with 1:05 left moved Damien to an eight-point lead. Elijah Smith had 18 points and four assists. Eli Garner scored 15 points and had 13 rebounds. The only other player to score for Damien was Cameron Murray with seven points. He's the nephew of Tracy Murray.
Throughout the fourth quarter, the Spartans (32-7) kept finding open players with near-perfect execution on offense.
"Their level of execution was on another level from anyone we've played," Folsom coach Mike Wall said.
Joven Dulay and Parks Weaver each scored 16 points for Folsom, which fell behind 57-47 with 39 seconds left after two Smith free throws. Damien outrebounded Folsom 32-21 and had an 11-2 edge in offensive rebounds and took 30 threes to Folsom's 18.
Zaire Rasshan is the school record holder for threes in a single season at Damien and he makes his first three at NBA Arena. He can make threes anywhere. pic.twitter.com/0dnVLRpmiF
LeDuc, who has been coaching since 1979-80, said of the Spartans, "I really do believe this team, more than any other team I've coached, has been overachieving."
The Spartans lacked height this season but got all five players on the court to rebound as a group, helping overcome any disadvantages. And Smith, as the point guard, rose up in the postseason.
"This run we've had, this guy has been ridiculously incredible," LeDuc said of Smith.
As for the execution in the fourth quarter, LeDuc said, "We run a lot of plays. Basketball is a real simple game. It's a game of repetition and if you do it over and over, you expect it to be done perfectly."
LAKELAND, FL – The Detroit Tigers lost, 7-5, to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, March 13, at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium in spring training.
Detroit is 4-11 with four ties in Grapefruit League play.
What happened
The Tigers matched up against right-hander Mike Clevinger.
Once a mainstay in the Cleveland Guardians' rotation in the late 2010s, over the past couple of seasons, Clevinger has failed to stick in the big leagues – resulting in a minor-league contract with the Pirates in 2026.
Facing the Tigers, Clevinger allowed four walks and registered five strikeouts, but he surrendered just one hit across 4⅓ innings.
The only hit off Clevinger came from Wenceel Pérez on an infield single with one out in the fifth inning. After that, both Colt Keith and Jace Jung walked to load the bases.
The Pirates replaced Clevinger with right-handed reliever Joshua Loeschorn.
Parker Meadows took advantage of the pitching change by shooting a middle-middle cutter into center field for a two-run single with two outs in the fifth inning, trimming the Tigers' deficit to 6-2.
Right-hander Casey Mize made his fourth appearance this spring.
The 28-year-old allowed six runs on six hits and four walks with two strikeouts across three-plus innings, throwing 67 pitches. The Tigers used the spring training re-entry rule to remove him with two outs in the second inning, then send him back to the mound for the third.
Mize is still trying to lock in his mechanics.
"My mechanics are off. Something is out of whack," Mize said. "I look forward to chatting with Robin [Lund] and Fett [Chris Fetter] to figure out what's going on. I just feel like my timing is still off. I've got to figure that out."
Of his four walks, all of them occurred in the first two innings, including three walks in a stretch of five batters in the second inning. He walked both Alika Williams and Jake Mangum on eight total pitches.
The walk from Mangum happened with the bases loaded for a 1-0 Pirates lead.
In the third inning, Jhostynxon Garcia blasted Mize's middle-middle slider for a two-run home run to left field, producing a 108.5 mph exit velocity. In the fourth, Mize allowed back-to-back singles to Mangum and Tyler Callihan with one out, leading to his removal from a concerning start.
"It's important that I feel good going into Arizona [against the Diamondbacks]," Mize said, referencing the second series of the regular season, with two more spring starts before then. "But I'm not going to freak out, either. It's spring training, and I'm working through some things."
At the plate
The Tigers added three runs in the seventh inning.
But it was too little, too late.
In the seventh, Woody Hadeen (single), Seth Stephenson (walk) and Jack Penney (walk) loaded the bases with two outs. From there, the Tigers took advantage of defensive mistakes from the Pirates, scoring one run on a wild pitch and two runs on a fielding error.
The Pirates, though, retired the final seven batters.
First baseman Spencer Torkelson went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts, dropping his batting average to .160 in 10 games; left fielder Riley Greene went 0-for-3, lowering his to .208 in 10 games; and top prospect Kevin McGonigle went 0-for-2 with one walk, bringing his average to .280 in 13 games.
On the mound
Right-handed reliever Brenan Hanifee replaced Mize with runners on the corners and one out in the fourth inning.
Hanifee struck out Konnor Griffin – MLB's No. 1 prospect – on four pitches, with Griffin swinging through three consecutive middle-middle sinkers for the second out of the inning. He had a chance to escape the jam, only to fumble a dribbler from Joey Bart for a run-scoring infield single, making it 5-0 Pirates.
Even worse, the mistake meant Hanifee had to face left-handed hitter Endy Rodríguez.
Here's why that matters: In 2025, right-handed hitters (such as Griffin and Bart) hit .220 off Hanifee with a .549 OPS, while left-handed hitters (such as Rodríguez) hit .373 with a .995 OPS.
Rodríguez took advantage of the opportunity, dropping Hanifee's changeup into right field for an RBI single and extending the Pirates' lead to 6-0. On the play, Bart was thrown out at home plate on a relay started by right fielder Kerry Carpenter, with catcher Jake Rogers applying the tag.
After Hanifee, right-handed reliever Beau Brieske completed a scoreless fifth inning and left-handed reliever Tyler Holton tossed a scoreless sixth inning. The duo combined to retire six of seven batters, with Brieske issuing a two-out walk in the fifth.
Both runs with Hanifee on the mound were charged to Mize.
Three stars
1. Meadows, 2. Holton, 3. Brieske.
Next up
Saturday (1:07 p.m., Detroit SportsNet/MLB Network) vs. Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin.
Jacques Villeneuve has claimed that Max Verstappen might not be in the right mental space as he becomes more and more frustrated with the Red Bull RB22.
The four-time champion had a disastrous start during the Chinese sprint race. After getting bogged down and suffering from wheelspin at the race start, Verstappen went from eighth on the grid to 13th.
"I have not a lot of words at the moment, to be honest," Verstappen told Sky Sports F1 after the sprint race. "Everything that could go wrong went wrong. The start is one problem that we have to fix, but then after that, the balance is all over the place. Probably the highest degradation of everyone out there, which is just uncontrollable.
"Plus some other bits on the car that were not, I would say, well prepared. We just need to get our stuff together."
When asked how much Red Bull could turn its form around this weekend, Villeneuve told Sky Sports F1: "Not really, because last year they had a car that was responding to Max and his driving style.
"Maybe it was a little bit off the pace, but they could fine-tune it. Right now, he's all over the place. He has no feedback. He doesn't know, he just knows the car is undrivable. He doesn't know what to do with it, and he's frustrated. So he's not even in the right mental space.
"So it will be very tough for the team to make a leap forward. But the team has changed. They've lost three of their head guys, [Adrian] Newey, [Christian] Horner, and Helmut Marko. And those were the pillars of the team. So maybe they're starting to pay the price for that."
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Three-time W Series champion Jamie Chadwick added: "He's always going to drive it to his maximum. I don't think we can ever think he's not going to be motivated or he's not going to put 100% in. He's always going to put everything he's got into it on track, even if he doesn't sound like he's that happy out of the car.
"But it's frustrating. He's motivated by success, he's motivated by winning, he is one of the purest racers on the grid in terms of his desire to go racing. We've seen that with everything else he does. So this isn't fun for him. But equally, it wasn't fun for everyone else when he was dominating.
"So, it's part of the way that the sport kind of ebbs and flows. But for Red Bull to be as far off as they are, with a powertrain that they've developed in-house, with everything that they've got and the experience that they've got, I think they've got to really scratch their heads and put something together because otherwise they're not going to keep Max Verstappen for next year."
Photos from Chinese GP - Saturday
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes, Lando Norris, McLaren
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes, Lando Norris, McLaren
Mark Thompson / Getty Images
Fans
Fans
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Anni Graf - Formula 1 via Getty Images
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Kym Illman / Getty Images
Alexandra Leclerc arrives in the Paddock
Alexandra Leclerc arrives in the Paddock
Alex Bierens de Haan / Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Kym Illman / Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Kym Illman / Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1 Team, Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari
Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1 Team, Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari
Kym Illman / Getty Images
Laura Mueller, Race Engineer, Haas F1 on the grid
Laura Mueller, Race Engineer, Haas F1 on the grid
Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Hector Retamal - AFP - Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images
Mickey Mouse branding is seen on the trackside kerbs
Mickey Mouse branding is seen on the trackside kerbs
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Lars Baron / Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren
Lars Baron / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Lintao Zhang / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Lando Norris, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Lando Norris, McLaren
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Lars Baron / Getty Images
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Lars Baron / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Jade Gao - Getty Images
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
James Sutton / Formula 1 / Formula Motorsport Ltd via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lars Baron / Getty Images
Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Team, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Team, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
James Sutton / Formula 1 / Formula Motorsport Ltd via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Mark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Jade Gao - Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
James Sutton / Formula 1 / Formula Motorsport Ltd via Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Los Angeles Clippers guard Kawhii Leonard (2) drives to the basket during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
INGLEWOOD, CA – The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Chicago Bulls, 119-108, at Intuit Dome on March 13, 2026 and The Sporting Tribune’s Edwin So was there to capture the following TST Images
Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8) posts up during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8) posts up during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Los Angeles Clippers guard Jordan Miller (22) lays the ball in during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Clippers guard Jordan Miller (22) lays the ball in during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Los Angeles Clippers guard Bennedict Mathurin (9) gets fouled during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Clippers guard Bennedict Mathurin (9) gets fouled during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Los Angeles Clippers guard Kawhii Leonard (2) drives to the basket during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Clippers guard Kawhii Leonard (2) drives to the basket during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Los Angeles Clippers guard Bennedict Mathurin (9) attempts a layup during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Clippers guard Bennedict Mathurin (9) attempts a layup during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Los Angeles Clippers guard Bennedict Mathurin (9) makes a layup during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Clippers guard Bennedict Mathurin (9) makes a layup during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Los Angeles Clippers guard Kawhii Leonard (2) gets fouled during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Clippers guard Kawhii Leonard (2) gets fouled during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Los Angeles Clippers guard Bennedict Mathurin (9) jumps for a dunk during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Clippers guard Bennedict Mathurin (9) jumps for a dunk during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) drives to the basket during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune
Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) drives to the basket during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Chicago Bulls guard Tre Jones (30) drives to the basket during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune
Chicago Bulls guard Tre Jones (30) drives to the basket during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Los Angeles Clippers guard Kawhii Leonard (2) takes a jump shot during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Clippers guard Kawhii Leonard (2) takes a jump shot during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Chicago Bulls forward Guerschon Yabusele (28) attempts a lay up during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune
Chicago Bulls forward Guerschon Yabusele (28) attempts a lay up during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) jumps for a dunk during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Edwin So - The Sportiong Tribune
Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) jumps for a dunk during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Chicago Bulls guard Yuki Kawamura (8) drives to the basket during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune
Chicago Bulls guard Yuki Kawamura (8) drives to the basket during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) takes a floater during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune
Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) takes a floater during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Los Angeles Clippers center Brook Lopez (11) jumps for a follow up shot during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Clippers center Brook Lopez (11) jumps for a follow up shot during a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif
Before the ball was hitting the back of the net in south-west London, tires were hitting the curb.
While the familiar dimensions of a soccer pitch helped to make Alyssa Thompson’s transfer from Los Angeles-based NWSL side Angel City FC to Chelsea relatively seamless, London’s narrow streets and driving on what is the ‘wrong’ side of the road for an American in England for the first time caused some teething problems for the now 21-year-old.
“I was hitting the curbs on the left side, because I couldn’t really tell how far it was,” Thompson tells The Athletic in an exclusive interview near Chelsea’s training ground. “I felt like I didn’t want to hit the cars because I was so close. But now I just look at the line and make sure I’m close, and now I don’t hit any more curbs.”
Having grown up in California, Thompson is a self-proclaimed lover of cars. She beams as she talks about picking out a Volvo XC40, the same model she drove back home in LA, after signing with Chelsea.
“I love love driving. Like, as soon as I got here, I was like, ‘I need a car, because I want to drive’.”
When Thompson is not gazing out at the River Thames from her apartment, she is bopping around town in her car. One of her favorite routines is to pop to the affluent Notting Hill district after training and get sushi.
On the pitch, there have been no scratches or dents since her transfer last September. For the speedy U.S. women’s national team winger, it has been all vroom.
There’s an argument to be made that Thompson is Chelsea’s standout player in what has been a tumultuous 2025-26 season for the Women’s Super League champions.
Thompson is currently Chelsea’s top scorer with eight in all competitions, six in the Women’s Super League, and one each in the Women’s FA Cup and UEFA Women’s Champions League. She has missed just two matches in those competitions since signing for a reported transfer fee of up to $1.45million (£1.09m at the current rate).
After results stuttered around the winter break, Chelsea fell out of the title race in early February after losing consecutive league matches for the first time in 11 years. Head of women’s football Paul Green then suddenly departed amid the slump. Green had a hand in winning 19 major trophies across 13 years with the club, helping to build their women’s programme from the ground up alongside manager Emma Hayes, who left after the 2023-24 season to be USWNT head coach.
“I know that I can bring a lot of energy and good vibes to the team, and I feel like we’ve come together a lot as a team,” Thompson says about her role at Chelsea during that slump in February. “Everyone kind of looked within ourselves to be like, ‘What can I do as a person to help this culture, help the team, help the staff?’ We have so many amazing players. And two defeats is crazy for Chelsea, but it’s not crazy for most people. I feel optimistic about us and about what we’re doing, and I know that our team is so good, so we can bounce back from anything.”
Thompson also felt that being a newer arrival to Chelsea meant she was able to provide a different outlook compared to the players who had been at the club during the majority of the Hayes/Green years.
“This is a club that is used to winning, is used to having trophies, winning the league. And I feel like I have a different perspective because I’m coming in new,” she says. “It’s easy to be positive in a place where you don’t really know everything. I feel like I do try to bring good energy to the team and uplift everyone.”
Thompson offering encouragement to her Chelsea teammates comes after a major change in her own support system. At Angel City, she played her home matches a few miles from where she went to high school and where her parents lived. Her sister, and fellow USWNT player, Gisele, followed in her footsteps to also turn professional with Angel City at 18 years old in 2024.
“I miss the weather in LA and just having banter with Gisele and laughing, and just going to training every day and being together,” Thompson says as London slowly emerges from the winter months into spring.
But that departure to the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, Thompson believes, has taught her independence and forced her to embrace adulthood in a foreign country.
“(I am) understanding myself more and knowing that I can be independent. Before, I felt like I needed my sister for a lot of things, or my family, and now I have to do a lot of things by myself, which is hard because I feel like my family has done everything for me. If I need something, I have to figure it out myself. Like, I set up the wi-fi (in her apartment) by myself — actually quite hard. And I learned how to fill up the air in my tires by myself. Stuff like that, that I didn’t have to do when I was home.”
Similarly, new surroundings and challenges have helped to evolve Thompson’s game on the pitch.
“When I’m uncomfortable, I know that I’m growing, that I’m learning things about myself, about who I am as a player, and a person. I had felt that at Angel City, before I made the move. I felt super-comfortable there. So now, coming here, I know that it’s an uncomfortable situation to be in, but I know I’m going to be so much better after and whether it’s good or bad, I’m going to learn stuff from it. I feel like I’ll be able to come home, but I don’t know if I’d ever like to get another opportunity to come to Chelsea.”
With leaders Manchester City nine points ahead of Chelsea with six league games left, their six-year streak of winning the WSL title looks to be coming to an end. But there are still three trophies up for grabs this season: the League Cup, FA Cup and Champions League.
Chelsea are the holders of the first two (more on the League Cup later), while the latter is the only major title that has evaded the club. They face a two-leg quarterfinal against local rivals, fellow WSL side and reigning European champions Arsenal later this month.
Now in her fourth year as a professional, Thompson is yet to win a club trophy. Angel City never finished higher than sixth in the NWSL during her two-and-a-half seasons there, and made the play-offs just once, losing in the first round. Another part of moving to Chelsea was the goal of lifting silverware. That pressure to win, and keep winning, is something that drives her.
“At Chelsea, they’re expected to win trophies. So I’m really excited to be a part of this culture and be here and be in finals,” Thompson says. “I haven’t won a lot of trophies and stuff, so that’s definitely something that I want to do and continue doing.”
Perhaps it is her experience with the USWNT, now led by former Chelsea boss Hayes, that has helped Thompson acclimatize to the pressure of winning trophies. The care-free Californian is consistently unfazed by the scrutiny that now comes with defeat for either club or country and instead looks forward to the next opportunity.
“I have been in an environment like this before, though, where the U.S. is expected to win everything, and we have for many years. So I feel like it’s very similar. And I feel like that has also prepared me for this.”
Thompson was in the U.S. team which lost the 2025 SheBelieves Cup to Japan on home turf in the final round-robin game last February. In that defeat, she couldn’t find a way to make an impact on the scoreboard after coming off the bench just before the 60-minute mark with the Americans 2-1 down.
One year on, though, Thompson was voted MVP at the 2026 SheBelieves Cup last weekend, this time starting the final match and scoring its only goal to defeat Colombia and regain the cup for her country.
Winning is a habit. Although the match with Colombia was technically a friendly international, that SheBelieves Cup winners’ medal was the first of Thompson’s senior career.
A week later, back in the UK, Thompson will get her first opportunity to win a major trophy with Chelsea on Sunday, when they take on Manchester United, who are one place and one point ahead of them in second spot in the WSL table, in the League Cup final.
While this trophy may not be one of the most coveted in the English game — so much so that the WSL will remove the top three finishers in the league from the competition, starting next year — Thompson is zeroed-in on making it her first piece of club silverware.
“(Winning the League Cup), it would mean a lot to me. I want to win trophies, and being able to do this with this team at this level is super-exciting. I feel like it will bring the team together, knowing that we have a lot of fight left in us and can still win others as well.”
Rodriguez continues to play through his recovery from an offseason surgery meant to correct a hand injury he suffered last season. Schlossnagle has said on multiple occasions that it’s just a matter of pain management for Rodriguez now, but that pain seemed to be particularly present in a 9-8 Longhorns loss to Ole Miss.
Texas Longhorns outfielder Anthony Pack Jr. (6) dives to second during the game against Ole Miss at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, March 13, 2026 in Austin. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman)
On multiple occasions Friday night, Rodriguez seemed to be favoring his hand after swinging and missing. Once, in the ninth inning, Schlossnagle even came out to speak to him in the middle of an at-bat after Rodriguez’s reaction indicated that he was in pain.
Texas Longhorns infielder Adrian Rodriguez (24) hits a pitch during the game against Ole Miss at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, March 13, 2026 in Austin. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman)
“The same stuff,” Schlossnagle said when asked about Rodriguez’s body language. “A-Rod, you know, he’s awesome. Kid wants to win so bad. …One of the most courageous players I’ve ever coached, what he’s dealing with and what he’s going through this year. He’ll be ready to go tomorrow.”
Rodriguez played through the injury last season, too. Suffered during a series at Missouri in late March, the injury prevented Rodriguez, a switch-hitter, from batting right-handed for the rest of the season.
He’s back swinging from both sides of the plate this year, and he’s been generally effective. Rodriguez began the night with a .338 batting average and .927 OPS — exactly matching last season’s mark. The Flower Mound product worked all offseason to drop weight in an effort to play shortstop effectively, and his efforts have been rewarded there, too.
But this game — Texas' SEC opener and the Longhorns' first defeat of the season — was rough. Rodriguez went 0-for-6 with three strikeouts — all swinging.
Swinging and missing exacerbates the pain in Rodriguez’s hand, Schlossnagle said. He hadn’t done that very much in Texas’ first 16 games of the season, whiffing only six times. Friday’s results, though, were painful.
Overexertion, Scholssnagle has previously said, can cause problems for Rodriguez.
The sophomore is “special,” according to Schlossnagle, in that he doesn’t need hundreds of swings in the batting cage to prepare himself to play. The Texas coach is also trying to convey to Rodriguez that he doesn’t need to swing for the fences in order to be effective. Rodriguez doesn’t have a home run yet this season after slugging seven of them a year ago.
“I think he’s also understanding where he is in this moment in terms of hitting the home run,” Schlossnagle said. “I’m not saying he can’t hit a home run, but if he over-tries, that’s when his hand starts to bother him.”
Bayer Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich – Match preview and team news
Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen go head-to-head in a Bundesliga clash at the BayArena on Saturday.
Bayern arrive as league leaders and remain one of the most potent attacking sides in Europe, while Leverkusen are looking to enter the top four of the Bundesliga.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich – Match preview and team news
Date: Saturday, 14th March.
Kick-off: 2:30pm BST.
Venue: BayArena, Leverkusen.
Bayer Leverkusen team news
Bayer Leverkusen head into the match with several injury concerns. Defenders Loic Bade and Arthur are currently unavailable due to injury, while midfielder Eliesse Ben Seghir and winger Lucas Vazquez have also been sidelined in recent weeks.
There are also doubts surrounding attacker Nathan Tella, who has been working his way back from injury and may not be fully match fit for the clash against Bayern Munich.
Leverkusen is also without wing-back Alejandro Grimaldo due to suspension, which means Ernest Poku is set to start.
Mark Flekken is back in training although he might not be ready for the Bayern Munich match as Janis Blaswich will once again start in goal.
Bayern Munich team news
Bayern Munich travels to Leverkusen with several injury issues of its own. Alphonso Davies is expected to miss the match due to injury, while playmaker Jamal Musiala is also unavailable after suffering an ankle stress reaction.
Goalkeeping depth has also been affected. First-choice goalkeeper Manuel Neuer remains sidelined through injury, while backup Jonas Urbig is expected to miss the match after suffering a concussion during Bayern’s recent Champions League fixture.
As a result, experienced goalkeeper Sven Ulreich is expected to start between the posts for the Bavarians.
Defender Hiroki Ito has returned to partial team training after a hamstring injury but is unlikely to be risked for this match as Bayern continue to monitor his recovery.
Harry Kane is expected to start the match after sitting on the bench against Atalanta. The striker has scored 30 goals in the league so far and is chasing Robert Lewandowski’s league record of 41 goals in a single season.
Form
Bayern Leverkusen
Bayern Leverkusen only lost once in their last 13 matches in all competitions with their only setback coming against Union Berlin (0-1). Most recently, they played out a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in the Champions League round of 16 first leg.
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich are on a seven match win streak with their most recent win being a comfortable 6-1 victory against Atalanta in the Champions League round of 16 first leg. They have also scored a total of 19 goals in their last five matches and have scored at least two goals in each of their last nine matches.
Ferrari had another strong start in the sprint race, with Hamilton going from fourth to second before taking the lead on the second lap. The opening stages of the race saw an intense battle between Hamilton and his former Mercedes team-mate.
With Leclerc close behind in third, the Monegasque driver began to put pressure on Hamilton on lap 6. Leclerc overtook Hamilton on lap 8 into the first corner, with the Briton suffering from tyre graining as a result of the battle with Russell.
The two Ferraris continued to battle for a couple of laps. Leclerc and Hamilton ultimately finished the sprint race in second and third, respectively.
"Well, Charles was pushing. Lewis really had genuine pace early on, then obviously was aggressive because once you're in the lead, you can kind of control it," Villeneuve told Sky Sports F1.
"So he was trying to stay in the lead there. I found Charles very aggressive in his defence against Lewis. That was a little bit almost over the edge, I would say, because Lewis didn't fight him off meanly; it was very clean. Then Charles was pushing him off the track, which was a little bit tough."
Asked if Ferrari could make the fight with Mercedes last longer during Sunday's race if they can get a good start again, the former driver added: "They seem to be able to do it every time they get on the track. That energy that they have in the first few laps, they will have it, and even more so with full tanks; it will be more apparent then.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
"But I think George has learned a lot today from that race, to try not to get caught out again. And [Kimi] Antonelli has to work on his racecraft because that's too many mistakes from a car that should finish, at worst, second. But it's not just the start, it's the whole first lap more or less, if not more than that.
"And I think George kind of said, I think Lewis caught him out a little bit. I think George got through Turn 1, which he thought was going to be the issue, probably felt like, 'Right, OK, I'm gone now,' and didn't even look in his mirrors. He would have seen Lewis fly past him.
"And what was interesting for me with George was he was checking his mirror and checking left so much when Lewis passed him, because the speed differential is so different now. It's not like you pass a car and you know exactly where that car is, you don't really know because they've got such differences in the way that they're approaching their deployment and the battery.
"So I think tomorrow he will have learned, especially George. But it's not just the first lap; it's the first maybe three, four laps he needs to worry about."
Photos from Chinese GP - Saturday
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes, Lando Norris, McLaren
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes, Lando Norris, McLaren
Mark Thompson / Getty Images
Fans
Fans
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Anni Graf - Formula 1 via Getty Images
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Kym Illman / Getty Images
Alexandra Leclerc arrives in the Paddock
Alexandra Leclerc arrives in the Paddock
Alex Bierens de Haan / Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Kym Illman / Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Kym Illman / Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1 Team, Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari
Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1 Team, Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari
Kym Illman / Getty Images
Laura Mueller, Race Engineer, Haas F1 on the grid
Laura Mueller, Race Engineer, Haas F1 on the grid
Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Hector Retamal - AFP - Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images
Mickey Mouse branding is seen on the trackside kerbs
Mickey Mouse branding is seen on the trackside kerbs
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Lars Baron / Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren
Lars Baron / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Lintao Zhang / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Lando Norris, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Lando Norris, McLaren
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Lars Baron / Getty Images
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Lars Baron / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Jade Gao - Getty Images
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
James Sutton / Formula 1 / Formula Motorsport Ltd via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lars Baron / Getty Images
Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Team, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Team, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
James Sutton / Formula 1 / Formula Motorsport Ltd via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Mark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Jade Gao - Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
James Sutton / Formula 1 / Formula Motorsport Ltd via Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
SUNRISE, FLORIDA - APRIL 27: John Lineker of Brazil reacts after losing to Cory Sandhagen during their bantamweight bout at UFC Fight Night at BB&T Center on April 27, 2019 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Former UFC contender and Ex-One Championship Bantamweight kingpin, John Lineker, returned to action in the kickboxing ring opposite debuting kickboxing champion Ben Woolliss just moments ago (Fri., March 13, 2026) from inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand for One Fight Night 41.
Despite being a former MMA champion in their organization, Lineker hasn’t competed in One in MMA since January 2024. Instead, he’s been taking kickboxing or Muay Thai bouts, evenly splitting four such bouts and scoring a pair of major knockouts in the process. On the flip side, Woolliss was making his first appearance in the One ring, but he’s a kickboxing veteran in the UK and has also fought for MMA promotions like PFL and Dirty Boxing.
It’s safe to say he made a serious splash in his debut! Lineker opened the fight with his trademark combinations of swinging hooks to the head and body, but Woolliss kept his distance well and punished the shorter Brazilian with absolutely chopping calf kicks. Though Lineker is known for his durability and toughness, he crumbled to the floor after just a few of those connections in clear agony.
As a result of the defeat, Lineker has now lost three straight striking matches. Unfortunately, One Championship has largely moved away from hosting MMA fights, so it’s unclear when Lineker will have the opportunity to utilize his full skill set again. Somehow, the veteran slugger is still just 35 years old — maybe there’s still time in his career for a post-One Championship resurgence?
As for Woolliss, he becomes the first man to stop Lineker in kickboxing or Muay Thai. This is the most high-profile win of his career, and it should open up new doors for the knockout artist.
Less than 10 minutes after the Texas baseball team's 9-8 loss to Ole Miss in its SEC opener at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday night, Jim Schlossnagle met with the media. But before his postgame news conference, the Longhorns' coach had one thing to do.
He shaved.
As Texas opened the season with 16 straight wins, Schlossnagle had started to grow a mustache. Schlossnagle wasn’t a fan of his facial hair, and he even retorted on Thursday that "it's not my favorite or my style."
Texas Longhorns head coach Jim Schlossnagle watches from the dugout during the game against Ole Miss at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, March 13, 2026 in Austin. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman)
Schlossnagle had agreed to sport the mustache as long as the Longhorns kept winning. And since Texas dropped its first game of the season – which left USC (18-0) as college baseball's last unbeaten team – the mustache was no longer needed.
"That party trick's over," Schlossnagle said while still in uniform.
Schlossnagle's mustache was a casualty of a late-game implosion by the Texas bullpen against Ole Miss (16-3). The Longhorns entered the ninth inning with a 7-3 lead, but Thomas Burns hit two Rebels and walked another batter. Texas called Cal Higgins out of the bullpen, and the Western Kentucky transfer induced a run-scoring groundout and foul-out before issuing the team's second walk of the inning. With the bases again loaded, Ole Miss cleanup hitter Tristan Bissetta unloaded on a Higgins pitch and gave Ole Miss the lead with a 464-foot blast to right field.
Texas rallied to tie the game in the ninth inning, but more control issues later sealed the Longhorns' fate. After Brett Crossland hit two Ole Miss batters to lead off the 11th inning, veteran reliever Max Grubbs allowed a single and a bases-loaded walk.
Texas entered Friday with a walk rate of 3.43 per nine innings, which ranked 36th nationally. The Longhorns had also hit the fourth-fewest batters in the SEC. In Friday's loss, three of UT's five walks and all four of its hit batters happened in the ninth and 11th innings.
"Two really good teams, a lot of great pitching, but the free bases (were) defining," Schlossnagle said.
Texas was led offensively against Ole Miss by Ethan Mendoza, Casey Borba and Anthony Pack Jr., who all homered. The Longhorns, however, stranded the potential winning run at second base during the ninth and 10th innings.
The Longhorns are Rebels will return to UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Saturday afternoon for the second game of their conference-opening series. En route to winning the SEC championship last season, Texas lost just two series.
"(We need to do) the same thing we've been doing all year. New day tomorrow," Borba said.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 18: Pitcher Merrill Kelly #29 of the Arizona Diamondbacks poses for a portrait during photo day at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 18, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Record: 9-12. Change on 2025: -1.5. 5-inning Record: 5-14-2.
The D-Backs responded to an ugly loss against the Rockies yesterday with some surprising power during an uneven – but victorious – performance in Surprise. Merrill Kelly made his Spring Training debut and looked all right. He threw 36 pitches with a slight emphasis on his fastball (36%) compared to his usual usage from last season (23%) with a mix of his offspeed stuff as well. Unsurprisingly, the velocity was a little down as he continues to ramp up from the back soreness that has been plaguing him since reporting to camp last month. There were definitely positives to take away from the outing including three whiffs on his changeup which was an absolute weapon last year with a 34% whiff rate that were balanced out by some negatives – like giving up six hits to a less-than-stellar lineup. After a scoreless first inning that included a single and error from Tommy Troy, Kelly returned for the second and got smacked around including a grand rule double and triple from Jonathan India and John Rave. He would exit the game after allowing two runs in 1.2 innings, but the bigger question will be how his back holds up over the coming days.
At the dish, Jorge Barrosa was the unquestioned sparkplug for the D-Backs, collecting a pair of walks and a hit out of the leadoff spot, but there were plenty of offensive highlights up and down the lineup. Jansel Luis hit his first homer of Spring Training as the 21-year old looks to start adding some pop to his average-ish batting skills while AJ Vukovich continues his offensive barrage this spring with his third roundtripper in the first two weeks. It was also nice to see some continued offensive contributions from Ben McLaughlin – a ninth-rounder back in 2024 who moved across three minor league levels last year while slashing .282/.396/.446 in 101 games. Those kinds of numbers will quickly turn some heads and he’s shown little signs of slowing down so far this spring as he owns a .375/.545/.438 slash line while walking as much as he strikes out.
Hopefully the D-Backs can continue the positive momentum as they take on the Giants tomorrow with Opening Day starter Zac Gallen on the bump opposite Adrian Houser.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points, Bennedict Mathurin had 26 and the Los Angeles Clippers extended their winning streak to four games with a 119-108 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Friday night.
Jordan Miller added 14 points to help the eighth-place Clippers win for the seventh time in eight games to solidify their hold on a spot in the Western Conference play-in tournament. After starting the season 6-21, Los Angeles is a season-best two games over .500 at 34-32.
Leonard scored at least 20 points for the 44th consecutive game to tie Bob McAdoo’s franchise record set for the Buffalo Braves in 1974-75.
The Clippers were without trade-deadline acquisition Daruis Garland, who was listed with left toe injury management on the front end of a back-to-back.
Josh Giddey had his 11th triple-double of the season for the Bulls with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Tre Jones scored 21 points and Matas Buzelis added 18 as the Bulls went 2-3 on a West Coast trip.
Chicago shot 44.2% from the floor and 29.3% from 3-point range while falling to 3-4 following an 11-game losing streak.
The Bulls lost on consecutive nights in the Los Angeles area after falling to the Lakers 142-130 on Thursday.
The Minnesota Vikings have a new quarterback in Kyler Murray, and a new CB3 in James Pierre, and relative quietness aside from that. But the rumor mill never stays dormant.
The rumor mill touches the draft, future assets, and one major defender.
Minnesota will enter the second wave of free agency as early as now, and here’s what to know about current rumors in the meantime.
What’s Circulating in the Vikings Rumor Mill Right Now
The Purple Rumor Mill for March 14th, 2026.
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love arrives at Notre Dame Stadium and greets fans while walking along the entry path before kickoff, creating a buzz around the venue on Oct. 11, 2025, in South Bend, Indiana, ahead of the Fighting Irish’s matchup with NC State as supporters gather outside the historic stadium awaiting the afternoon contest. Mandatory Credit: MICHAEL CLUBB-South Bend Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Rumor: The Vikings could find a way to draft Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love.
NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah seems to have the whole thing mapped out. Maybe the Vikings should consider adding him to the front office.
He said on Move the Sticksthis week, “If you’re a Minnesota Vikings fan and you look up next year and you’ve got Kyler Murray at quarterback, you’ve got Justin Jefferson, and you’ve got Jordan Addison, and, you’re sitting there with pick No. 18, and you look at the way this draft is shaking out, and you look at a team like Washington, who’s picking seventh. Washington, at that point in time, they do not have a second-round pick.”
“They do not have a fourth-round pick. They only have six picks overall. I think there’s a way Minnesota could get from 18 to 7 without even parting with next year’s 1. I think they have two threes this year; it could be a second-round pick next year.”
This is code for a Jeremiyah Love trade.
The idea spread quickly among purple fans because it is semi-realistic. Minnesota basically has to hope that Love tumbles down the draftboard on April 23rd — or the Vikings trade up for a running back, which is considered taboo.
Regardless, the Murray part of Jeremiah’s endorsement is in the bag. He signed with the club on Thursday evening.
Rumor: Minnesota will once again draft at the top of the compensatory pick process.
Comp picks are in. NBC Sports’ Charean Williams explained the details Monday, writing, “The NFL announced 33 compensatory draft selections in the 2026 draft awarded to 15 teams. Under the rules for compensatory draft selections, a team losing more or better compensatory free agents than it acquires in the previous year is eligible for compensatory draft picks. The compensatory picks are positioned within the third through seventh rounds based on the value of the compensatory free agents lost.”
“In addition to the 32 compensatory selections awarded under the net-loss formula, a special compensatory selection was awarded to the Lions for the Jets hiring Aaron Glenn as their head coach. The initiative is intended to promote minority hirings. The Lions traded the pick to the Jaguars.”
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold celebrates on the stage while holding the NFC Championship trophy following Seattle’s victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Jan. 25, 2026, at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, as teammates and coaches look on after the Seahawks clinched the conference title and punched their ticket to the Super Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images
Like last year, Minnesota will have the first compensatory pick of the draft. In 2025, that was due to Kirk Cousins’s departure for Atlanta. This go-round, it’s the fruit of the Sam Darnold trip to Seattle.
So, yes, this is the Vikings’ one chance to salvage their reputation with the Darnold debacle.
Last year, they used the Cousins comp pick on wide receiver Tai Felton.
Rumor: The Eagles want Jonathan Greenard via trade.
Greenard is suddenly the top EDGE on the trade market with Maxx Crosby remaining with the Raiders and Trey Hendrickson signing in Baltimore.
NFL writer Evan Sidery tweeted Wednesday, “With Trey Hendrickson now off the board, teams who were pursuing him now plan to pivot towards a trade for Jonathan Greenard. The Colts, Cowboys, Eagles, and Seahawks figure to be in the mix with the price being a 2026 Day 2 pick.”
The Athletic’s Alec Lewis added on the same day: “Definitely worth watching Vikings edge Jonathan Greenard with Trey Hendrickson off the board. Multiple NFC teams have been in the market for edge rushers. Vikings haven’t wanted to trade Greenard unless they get a premium return that meets their price tag.”
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard reacts after recording a sack during second-half action against the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 14, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at U.S. Bank Stadium as the veteran defender energizes the home crowd with a key pass-rushing play that helped Minnesota’s defense clamp down late in the divisional matchup. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert tweeted, “Amid the Maxx Crosby-Trey Hendrickson news, a reminder that the Vikings have been open to trading their top pass rusher, Jonathan Greenard. Doesn’t necessarily have to happen by today’s 4 p.m. ET start of the new league year, or at all, but it’s a timeframe worth watching.”
Who might be looking for an EDGE of Greenard’s caliber?
Atlanta Falcons
Dallas Cowboys
Indianapolis Colts
New England Patriots
Philadelphia Eagles
San Francisco 49ers
Seattle Seahawks
Washington Commanders
If the Vikings are serious about contending for a Super Bowl in 2026, it’s worth noting that they might want to keep Greenard. Serious teams don’t usually get rid of pass-rushing talent.
EMPORIA, KS. (KSNT) – St.Marys couldn’t spoil Sterling’s season.
No. 5 St. Marys was unable to hand No. 1 Sterling its first loss of the season. The Bears fall to the Black Bears, 73-52.
The Bears led 17-14 at the end of the first quarter, but a 31-7 second quarter performance for Sterling would create a 21-point lead at the half, and St. Marys was unable to get itself back in arms length.
St. Marys shot 42% from the floor and 38% from beyond the arc. Sterling put on a powerhouse performance on offense, shooting 54% from the hardwood and 31% from three.
The Bears were led by Benjamin DeVader, who totaled 17 points, five of which were three-pointers.
For Sterling, Boston Ekart put up 33 points, going 13-19 from the court.
St. Marys will play St. Mary’s Colgan on Saturday inside White Auditorium for the consolation game. That tip-off is set for 11 a.m.
For more sports news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
UCLA guard Donovan Dent (2) celebrates a play against Michigan State during the second half of Big Ten tournament quarterfinal at United Center in Chicago on Friday, March 13, 2026.
CHICAGO — In mid-February, UCLA hit one of its worst lows this season.
It had lost by 23 points to a fierce Michigan State team in a game that coach Mick Cronin had ejected his own player before lashing out at a reporter for “raising” his voice.
Just a month later, the Bruins (23-10, 13-7 Big Ten) rolled as they grinded their way to an 88-84 Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal victory over the Spartans (25-7, 15-5 Big Ten).
But this occasion presented its own challenge as forward Tyler Bilodeau exited in the first half with a knee sprain that Cronin said would take a “miracle” to return from in the next game.
UCLA got it done anyway, and the team is trending in a completely different direction, having won six of its last seven games
“The guys didn’t flinch,” Cronin said. “I was proud of them for that.”
Guard Trent Perry knocked down all four of his final-minute free throws, while the Spartans fouled and flopped, trying to extend the game the Bruins had put just out of their reach. He finished with 22 points.
Guard Donovan Dent, who recorded the first triple-double in Big Ten Tournament history Thursday against Rutgers, wasn’t far from doing it again, with a team-leading 23 points, 12 assists, plus six rebounds. He has just six turnovers to his 77 assists in the past seven games.
Forward Eric Dailey Jr. had a double-double with 14 points and seven rebounds, but perhaps more important were his team-leading 12 deflections, per Dent, and two blocks.
“He was great,” Dent said of Dailey. “He actually beat me by one in our deflection thing; I'm kind of mad about that. He barely got it, but we'll ignore that.”
Daiely scratched Dent’s head as they complemented each other side-by-side while being the last couple of players remaining in the locker room postgame until the very moment Cronin popped in to tell them they’d answered enough questions.
It was time to go. The Bruins had a game to play the next day against No. 7-seeded Purdue in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals.
UCLA’s lights-out shooting performance earned them that spot, riding a 53.8% first-half 3-point shooting performance to a 44-33 halftime lead. Perry had 10 of the first 22 points.
The Bruins’ advantage had ballooned to 54-39 just five minutes into the second half. The Spartans punched back with a 7-0 run. But the Bruins responded, reestablishing their double-digit lead multiple times in the ensuing minutes.
Even when the Spartans cut the lead to two points, even with Bilodeau on the bench with his knee wrapped in ice and even as a pro-Michigan State crowd roared, they got it done.
Reserve guard Brandon Williams stepped up with nine points and four rebounds, while bench guard Eric Freeny added three rebounds.
“We have so much depth,” Dent said, “to where the next man can step up anytime.”
Dent said UCLA has changed its defensive mindset since the previous Michigan State game and has found resounding success, though it didn't show the entire time Friday. Moments later, Perry largely brushed off a question about offensive improvement, deflecting to the defensive growth.
While the Bruins gave up 84 points, the 33 points they’d conceded in the first half provided them with the advantage they didn’t lose.
“They were rolling, but we kept answering,” Cronin said. “We showed a lot of poise and made big shots.”
Rebounding remained an issue for a team that starts three guards, as the Spartans corralled 34 boards compared to the Bruins’ 26. But that’s just something they are going to have to live with, Cronin said, and they do it with high-level shotmaking and playmaking.
Entering the game as a projected No. 8 seed in ESPN’s Joe Lunardi’s bracketology, who knows where UCLA will land if it keeps up this momentum. No. 7? No. 6? Perhaps, better?
Forward Xavier Booker, who fouled out in just 14 minutes, and forward Steven Jamerson II, who committed a flagrant foul just before halftime, didn’t live up to Cronin’s standard.
But compared to last time, when Cronin threw Jamerson out of the game after committing a chase-down foul, these concerns were a world’s better.
The Bruins might have something with this team.
“It’s March,” Dent said. “This is what we get paid for.”
The 2026 Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing season opens March 12-14 at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, kicking off the series third full-time national campaign. Friday's 25-lap feature was the second of three nights in the SugerBee Blackjack Dash at the Las Vegas dirt oval to start the 62-race schedule, with every race streamed live on FloRacing.
A night after coming up short in a photo finish, Corey Day left no doubt Friday at the Las Vegas Dirt Track, charging past early leader Aaron Reutzel on lap nine and leading the final 16 laps to earn the $10,000 victory. Day beat Reutzel to the line by 3.147 seconds, with sixth-starting James McFadden finishing third.
Unlike Thursday’s caution-free feature, Friday’s race was slowed by three yellows: lap 12 for Hunter Schuerenberg, who slowed from 18th; lap 13 for 17th-running Chase Randall; and lap 17 for Justin Sanders, who crashed while running 21st.
Thursday winner Kyle Larson started second but saw his night unravel on the opening lap when he lost control entering turn three and spun, dropping 16 spots under the blend rule. He recovered to finish ninth.
2026 High Limit Racing Friday Results At Las Vegas Motor Speedway
CHICAGO (AP) — UCLA star forward Tyler Bilodeau will likely miss at least one game because of a right leg injury he sustained in the Bruins' 88-84 win over No. 8 Michigan State in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals on Friday night.
Coach Mick Cronin all but ruled Bilodeau out for the semifinal game against No. 18 Purdue on Saturday, saying it would take “literally a miracle for him to play.” Cronin was hopeful that Bilodeau has “some sort of sprain” rather than a more serious injury and said he was to go for more imaging. But exactly how long he will be out was unclear.
“My concern is for him, for him. If I didn’t have bad luck, I’d have no luck at all, my friend, since I’ve been at UCLA with injuries. It could have cost us the national championship. We lost two NBA players in March three years ago," Cronin said, referring to Jaylen Clark and Adem Bona. “My concern is for him and his career and how it affects his teammates, because I don’t base my career off wins and losses. Legacy is the most overrated thing in life.”
Bilodeau, meanwhile, said: “I’m good.”
He didn't look good when went down clutching his right knee with a noncontact injury. His leg buckled on an awkward landing as he tried to defend Carson Cooper in the post, away from the ball with 3:33 remaining and the Bruins leading 35-23.
The team’s leading scorer and rebounder, Bilodeau made both his shots and had five points in 10 minutes.
“My initial reaction, I just really prayed that he was OK, and I’m glad that he’s OK," Trent Perry said. "Again, like I said, it’s a team effort. We had guys step up.” ___
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Aryna Sabalenka’s credentials as the best women’s tennis player in the world are unassailable. Monday will mark the beginning of her 82nd week as world No. 1, a milestone only 10 players have reached since the WTA rankings were introduced in 1975. She has the big hardware that matters, with four Grand Slam trophies. She tends the daily responsibilities of the job, regularly beating the players who sit a tier beneath her, with workmanlike resolve. At 27, after all she has accomplished, she is still adding texture to her game, still getting better.
Sabalenka is also aware of her biggest fault, the one most tennis players would kill for: She has a finals problem. She knows she lets big moments get away from her on occasion, a tendency that has resulted in a 22-20 record in finals, including a 4-4 record at the majors.
The Belarusian will once again get a shot at fixing what ails her Sunday at the BNP Paribas Open. She beat world No. 14 Linda Nosková 6-3, 6-4 for the right to face her greatest adversary at these late stages of tournaments — Elena Rybakina, the 2023 champion here — in a rematch of the Australian Open final they played less than two months ago.
Sabalenka owns an 8-7 career record against Rybakina, who will become the world No. 2 come Monday. But again, there’s that finals problem — Rybakina has won the four most recent of the five championship matches they’ve played.
“I’m so done with losing these big finals. It felt like even though players were playing incredible tennis in those finals, I feel like I had so many opportunities that I didn’t use,” Sabalenka said in her news conference after beating Nosková.
“And right now my mentality,” she continued, “if I make it to the final, I’ll go out there and, you know, I’ll do everything I can and everything I cannot to get that trophy.”
Lately, it looks like there is little Sabalenka can’t do. She has expanded her power-based game to include drop shots and has worked diligently on her feel and timing at net, as well as her willingness to step in. She defeated Nosková with little drama Friday night, even as the 21-year-old from the Czech Republic, also known as Czechia, displayed impressive poise in the face of Sabalenka’s barrage. No matter — Sabalenka put her head down and continued the attack, loose and confident enough to pop out a leg and put her hands on her hips after a mistake, then move on.
“Compared to myself a couple years ago, I’m definitely (a) much better player, (a) more complete player,” Sabalenka said. “I know that if my plan A is not working, I have plan B and C. That’s what we have been really working (on) a lot over the last couple of years.”
Rybakina is in many ways the perfect foil to Sabalenka: impassive in the face of every emotion in the sport and with a lucidity to her game that, at least for now, overrides any need to mess with it. She strikes the ball so cleanly and with such force that she rarely needs to change tack mid-match.
She won her taut semifinal against world No. 9 Elina Svitolina 7-5, 6-4 on Friday by winning 78.3 percent of points off her first serve, which is how she wins most of the time. Her serve is proving especially effective in 2026; she leads the tour with 130 aces and is enjoying a consistent presence inside the top three once again, after spending much of 2025 hovering between No. 7 and No. 12.
Friday’s win took Rybakina’s win streak against top-10 players to 12 matches and put her back in the final of a WTA 1000 for the first time since 2024. In January, she made it back to her first Grand Slam final since losing to Sabalenka in the 2023 Australian Open title match. This time around, she won.
“I think that I was always playing against top players well,” Rybakina said Friday. “Maybe the statistic is not the same and I was losing these tough matches a bit more before, but I think with the years, with experience, I’m getting this consistency. So, hopefully I can just keep on going.
“Also, you get to know the players much more, so you play against the same player multiple times, so you know what to expect.”
Sunday, the setting of Rybakina and Sabalenka’s latest clash could offer an intriguing twist. Both have cruised comfortably through the draw, thanks in part to the California desert’s traditionally slower hard courts playing a bit faster this year. In Sabalenka’s other events in 2026, the world No. 1 has an ace rate of 6.6 percent, winning just under three-quarters of her first-serve points.
In the Coachella Valley, the ace rate is up to 9.3 percent and the first-serve points have ticked over 75. Sabalenka expects more of the same Sunday.
“I feel like, against Elena, it’s always super aggressive. It’s all about the first few balls in every point. You know, if you dominate in those 2 points, I feel like most likely you’re gonna win the point,” Sabalenka said.
Yet Rybakina is preparing for a more physically demanding final match, in part because of the conditions and in part because she and Sabalenka know each other’s game so well.
“It’s a lot about physical because, here, the ball is heavy, the rallies a little bit longer than on the other hard courts, which are a little bit quicker,” Rybakina said. “It’s gonna be (a) difficult match where we both (are) gonna try to serve well, that’s for sure, put (on) pressure. And I mean, we will see what’s gonna happen.”
No matter the outcome, Rybakina will reach a career-high No. 2 ranking Monday. One step closer to Sabalenka.
Manchester City suffered a sapping Champions League defeat at Real Madrid in midweek and must respond against a West Ham side battling relegation.
Pep Guardiola's men are seven points behind Arsenal in the Premier League title race but have a game in hand on the Gunners. That gap could be up to 10 points by the time they face West Ham at London Stadium after Mikel Arteta's men host Everton.
Guardiola has almost a full-strength squad to choose from, but his bold selection in Madrid backfired as it yielded a 3-0 defeat, with all the goals coming before halftime. The return leg of the last-16 tie is at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.
West Ham are third bottom in the Premier League table but know a positive result here will move them out of the relegation zone as Tottenham and Nottingham Forest each do not play until Sunday.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match and kickoff times.
West Ham vs. Man City will air on USA Network in the United States. The match will also be available to stream on DIRECTV.
Catch every game — try DIRECTV FREE today! Stream live soccer, MLB and more with must-have sports channels like TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, FS1 and NFL Network — all included with DIRECTV.
Start your FREE trial now and never miss a moment of the action. No contracts, no hassle, just wall-to-wall sports and entertainment.
What time does West Ham vs. Man City kick off?
This Premier League clash takes place at London Stadium in London, UK and kicks off on Saturday March 14 at 8 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across the United States:
With all the powerhouses in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, the best story might be the underdog Italy.
Placed in a group with the United States and Mexico, the Italians finished the group stage unscathed, beating both teams in Houston en route to a 4-0 record, taking first place in Group B. Behind Vinnie Pasquantino, Aaron Nola, Jac Caglione and co., Francisco Cervelli's team has been the center of attention this tournament.
Now, the Italians will face another World Baseball Classic mainstay in the quarterfinals, when they face Puerto Rico. Yadier Molina's team, which played its group stage in San Juan, finished second in Group A with a 3-1 record. Led by Nolan Arenado, Eddie Rosario and Edwin Diaz, the Puerto Ricans are one of the threats to win it all.
Who will move on to the semifinals? Will the Italians continue their undefeated run or will Puerto Rico take one step closer to the finals?
Here's everything you need to know for the game, from television channel to streaming options.
Italy vs. Puerto Rico will be on FS1 in the U.S, with Spanish speakers able to follow the game on Fox Deportes. Those looking to stream the game can via Fubo, which offers new users a free trial.
Italy vs. Puerto Rico start time
Date: Saturday, Mar. 14
Time: 3 p.m. ET
The quarterfinal matchup between Italy and Puerto Rico will start at 3:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, Mar. 14, from Daikon Park in Houston, Texas.
Listeners can tune in to Italy vs. Puerto Rico on SiriusXM via channel 83 (Fox Sports) or 89 (MLB Network Radio).
You can listen to SiriusXM for free for four months with a new subscription. Listen to live NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL games, plus NASCAR, college sports and more. Stay updated with all the news and get all the analysis on multiple sport-specific channels.
World Baseball Classic knockout schedule
Here is how the WBC's knockout schedule will play out, up until the championship game on March 17.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Danny Welbeck of Brighton and Hove Albion celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 1-2, which is later disallowed during the Premier League match between Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion at Craven Cottage on January 24, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Izzy Poles - AMA/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Like Sunderland, Brighton are safe from relegation, but probably not good enough for Europe – how would you summarise your season so far?
Consistent inconsistency has cost us a lot. We’ve had moments where we’ve looked like world beaters, but also moments where it looks like we’ve never kicked a ball before.
It has been a rough start to 2026 but it looks as though we are starting to turn a corner now. Hopefully, we can push on for the rest of the season!
Fabian Hurzeler is the youngest manager in the Premier League and looks to be trying to win games with Brighton playing attractive football. How is he viewed amongst your fanbase?
It’s a mixed bag for sure. Things got pretty toxic after we lost at home to Palace a few weeks back. He’s had to face some real tough vocal scrutiny from a vast section of the fan base, but he is keen to prove people wrong and succeed at the club.
It’s sometimes hard to see the vision, but I think it just comes with having a pragmatic coach who doesn’t have just the one stubborn game plan.
Brighton are the best example of a club in the Premier League who have brilliant succession planning with players. As interest may come knocking for some of Sunderland’s prized assets, how have Brighton always dealt with this so well?
I think we’ve been blessed to have the data that Tony Bloom’s company provides, meaning we’ve been able to attack certain markets that weren’t as popular. I think we’ve are beginning to be victims of our own success now, with clubs likely putting a premium on any talent we come for because they have seen so many success stories.
It’s going to be super interesting to see how we stay ahead of the curve with people wishing up to it. We’ve done well because we’ve always seemed to be a few steps ahead and have had really good succession planning.
Now we’re over halfway into the season, who would you say have been Brighton’s best players?
I’ve been really impressed with Ferdi Kadioglu this season. We didn’t see much of him last year after bringing him in for a decent fee, so he’s kind of felt like a new signing this season. His constant energy and willingness to help all over the pitch is fantastic to watch, so long may that continue.
Bart Verbruggen has also had a fantastic season this year after having an operation on an injury he was carrying last year. It will be hard to keep hold of him for much longer, I think he could be one of the best goalkeepers in the world in years to come.
On the flip side, who would you say has been underwhelming so far this season?
I think he’d be the first to admit it, but Georginio Rutter has been so far off the player we know he is this season. He’s really struggling to get his confidence back and get a consistent run in the team.
Kaoru Mitoma has also not quite hit the numbers that would be expected of him, and now he’s picked up another slight injury so it remains to be seen what he can do for the rest of the season.
Tommy Watson left Brighton on loan in January after failing to make a Premier League start. How do you think he got on when you did see him play?
We haven’t seen much of him at all. I was super excited when we brought him to the club and thought he could make an impact this year.
We’ve only really seen him in the Carabao Cup against lower league opposition, so it’s hard to make a judgement call at the moment.
I’m slightly concerned that he also doesn’t seem to be getting much game time in the Championship with Millwall. I hope he can come back, have a good summer and pre-season, go again and prove why we brought him in.
If you were Regis Le Bris, what would you do to exploit Brighton’s weaknesses?
I know Sunderland won’t do this at home, but honestly, I’d say allow us to come at you and soak up the pressure and hit us on the counter.
We seem to struggle against teams who sit deep, so if you bring the game to us, I think we will have more success than if you were to just let us control the game. I know that sounds counterintuitive.
How do you think Hurzeler will approach the match tactically at the Stadium of Light?
I think we will come into the game with a confidence about us, given the last few positive performances.
One of Fabian Hürzeler’s favourite buzz phrases is “football with intensity”, and I think we will need exactly that to silence an always lively Stadium of Light.
Are any players missing and what do you think the starting XI will be?
I think Mitoma is out, unfortunately. It’s a shame we let an aforementioned winger go out on loan when we were already light in that position.
I think it will be: Verbruggen; Wieffer, van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu; Baleba, Gross; Gomez, Hinshelwood, Minteh; Welbeck.
The two sides drew 0-0 back in December – what is your prediction for the score this time around?
I think there will be lots of goals, with two teams who want to take the game to each other. 3-2 to the Albion.
Charles Murray Buchan, one of the legends of our football club, became the first Sunderland player to captain England, and the 38th player in total to captain the country, when they played Wales at Ninian Park on 14 March 1921. Certainly stranger times then, as the record books show that he only won 6 England caps in total, yet he scored 4 goals in those 4 matches. An excellent return in today’s currency! He was initially capped in 1913, but the war years hindered his international career.
The inside-right/centre-forward, as we all know, was prolific in front of goal for his club. To this day, he still holds the club record for goals scored – all 224 of them in 413 appearances (in all competitions). Whilst Bobby Gurney scored more goals in total (228), Buchan leads the way in the number of league goals scored.
The changing face of football will probably mean that that record will never be beaten. Depending on how you count appearances (including sub appearances etc.), he is in the elite group of players who have represented the Black Cats more than 400 times. Those being: Jimmy Montgomery 627, Len Ashurst 459, Ned Doig 456, Stan Anderson 447, Charlie Buchan 413, Charley Hurley 401 and Gordon Armstrong.
Buchan was a very skilful player, who read the game superbly well, and was very quick-thinking. Some sources have mentioned that it was indeed his quick thinking – sometimes ahead of even his own colleagues, who weren’t quite on the same advanced page – that accounted for his paltry 6 caps. He is to this day a legend in these parts, and finished top scorer from the championship season of 1912–13 through to 1923–24. A truly amazing feat. He was also the 1st Division’s top scorer in the 1923–24 season.
He was born in Plumstead, London, on 22 September 1891, and died in 1960, aged just 68, in Monte Carlo. At 6ft 1in, he was an imposing player, and with his trickery and famed ‘glancing headers’, was the focal point of our team for well over a decade. He eventually joined Arsenal at the age of 34, as one of the first signings of the famed manager Herbert Chapman.
It was a wise move; despite Buchan’s age, the then Sunderland manager Kyle believed he could still deliver 20 goals a season. Sunderland wanted £4,000 for the forward, but a deal was eventually struck for just £2,000 – plus £100 for every goal he scored in his first season at Highbury. That turned out to be a very clever piece of business, as Charlie scored 21 goals that season, so we were up on the deal!
Whilst Sunderland have had many players represent England (29 in total), he remains the only one to be chosen as captain. Of course, in today’s climate, certainly in the Premier League, teams are multinational, and this season saw Sunderland announce a team with no English player in the starting XI for the first time, in the derby against the Visitors.
Another interesting stat I noticed when researching our England international players is that we’ve always had at least one player represent England in every decade since internationals began – until the 2020s. We have another 4 years to keep that record intact.
For the record, England drew 0–0 with Wales in Buchan’s first captaincy (he did captain them again 2 years later). The line-up:
Herbert Coleman (Dulwich Hamlet FC)
Warneford Cresswell (South Shields FC)
John Silcock (Manchester United FC)
John Bamber (Liverpool FC)
George Wilson (The Wednesday FC)
Thomas Bromilow (Liverpool FC)
Samuel Chedgzoy (Everton FC)
Robert Kelly (Burnley FC)
Charles Buchan (Sunderland AFC)
Henry Chambers (Liverpool FC)
Alfred Quantrill (Derby County FC)
Subs: Tommy Urwin (Middlesbrough FC) and Ernie Simms (Luton Town FC)
The line-up as it appeared on the team sheet in today’s parlance was a 2–3–5. The team was picked by a fourteen-man FA International Selection Committee, following a trial match a week earlier.
According to The Times report of the match, the game was played in very windy and wet conditions, on a bare and greasy surface, which further helped to produce a very poor game.
Angel Reese, left, Monique Billings and Team USA will face Italy in a Women's World Cup basketball qualifying game in Puerto Rico at 1:45 p.m. Saturday. (TruTV) (Yalonda M. James/S.F. Chronicle)
SATURDAY
BASEBALL
Spring training
10aDetroit at Toronto MLB Net
1pArizona at Giants NBCSBA MLB Net (680, 104.5)
1pKansas City at A's(960)
3pN.Y. Mets at Houston MLB Net
BASKETBALL
1:45p Women's World Cup qualifying: United States vs. Italy TruTV
COLLEGE BASEBALL
11a Mississippi State at Arkansas SEC Net
3p Notre Dame at Louisville ACC Net
5p LSU at Vanderbilt SEC Net
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Men's conference tournaments
8a America East championship: Vermont vs. Maryland-Baltimore County ESPN2
8aIvy League: Cornell vs. Yale ESPNU
10a Big Ten semifinals: Michigan vs. Wisconsin KPIX (5) KOVR (13) KION (46)
10a SEC semifinals: Florida vs. Vanderbilt ESPN (1050)
10a MEAC championship: Howard vs. TBA ESPN2
10a Atlantic 10 semifinals: Saint Louis vs. Dayton CBSSN
11a Ivy League: Pennsylvania vs. Harvard ESPNews
Noon American: Charlotte vs. South Florida ESPN2
12:30p Big Ten semifinals: Purdue vs. TBA KPIX (5) KOVR (13) KION (46) (1050)
12:30p SEC semifinals: Mississippi vs. TBA ESPN (1050)
12:30pAtlantic 10 semifinals: Teams TBA CBSSN
2:30p American: Tulsa vs. Wichita State ESPN2
3p Mountain West championship: Teams TBA KPIX (5) KOVR (13) KION (46)
3p Big 12 championship: Arizona vs. TBA ESPN
3:30p Big East championship: St. John's vs. Connecticut KTVU (2) KTXL (40)
4:30p SWAC championship: Prairie View A&M vs. Southern ESPNU
5p Mid-American championship: Toledo vs. Akron ESPN2
5:30p ACC championship: Teams TBA ESPN (1050)
5:30p Conference USA championship: Kennesaw State vs. Louisiana Tech CBSSN
7p Big West championship: Teams TBA ESPN2
9p WAC championship: Teams TBA ESPN2
Women's conference tournaments
8a Mid-American championship: Toledo vs. Miami (Ohio) CBSSN
10a SWAC championship: Teams TBA ESPNU
12:30p WAC championship: Teams TBA ESPNU
1p MEAC championship: TBA vs. Howard ESPNews
2:30p Conference USA championship: Teams TBA CBSSN
Aakash Chopra has raised questions over Rajasthan Royals staging three of their seven home matches away from Jaipur in Guwahati during the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League. The former India opener said he finds it difficult to understand the logic behind the franchise shifting a large portion of their home fixtures to a venue that, in his view, has little historical connection with the team.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra pointed out the geographical distance between Rajasthan and Assam, arguing that the two regions lie on opposite sides of the country. He suggested that the move feels unusual for a team that represents Rajasthan, although he acknowledged that current captain Riyan Parag hails from Assam.
“Two teams are getting three games apiece at home. One of them are the Rajasthan Royals, who don’t play at home at all. I have never understood their story to date, as to what their system is. Their home away from home is in Guwahati. All three of their games are in Guwahati. I am wondering what their connection with Guwahati is,” said Chopra on his YouTube channel.
“The team’s name is Rajasthan Royals. Rajasthan is in the west of India. Guwahati is in the east of India. It’s understandable if Kolkata want to go there, as it’s their catchment area. You can still understand the affiliation for Guwahati since Riyan Parag is the captain now, but this team has nothing to do with Guwahati in any way,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently unveiled the first-phase schedule for the 2026 IPL season. The tournament will begin on March 28 with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru hosting Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
The second fixture will see Mumbai Indians take on Kolkata Knight Riders. As for the Royals, their campaign will begin against Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati.
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris during the Emirates FA Cup fifth round match at Vale Park, Stoke on Trent. Picture date: Sunday March 8, 2026. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images) | PA Images via Getty Images
The lads will have a big point to prove after last weekend’s shambolic display at Port Vale, and with injury concerns subsiding there should be a bit more to pick from for Regis Le Bris today. While it’s unlikely we’ll see Roefs, Reinildo or Mukiele today, Brian Brobbey and Dennis Cirkin are fit again, and provide Le Bris with a couple of options. Here’s how I think we’ll line up today.
Goalkeeper: Melker Ellborg
Ellborg was fortunate to stay on the field last weekend, and we’ll need to see him really step up on his home debut. He’s done OK in the past two games, but looks very raw – which is to be expected. A good performance today will do wonders for him.
Defence: Trai Hume, Dan Ballard, Omar Alderete, Dennis Cirkin
Bit of a tricky one to predict here. Hume’s back from suspension, so will come straight back into the defence – the question is where, and then who’s the fourth member of the defence. In terms of personnel, it’s a straight shootout between O’Nien, Geertruida and Cirkin, and as it’s a home game I think we’ll want as much attacking threat as possible, which for me means full backs on their correct sides – so I’m predicting Hume on the right, and Cirkin on the left. After last weekend’s display I don’t feel that’s hard on O’Nien or Geertruida, neither of whom impressed at Vale Park.
Midfield: Granit Xhaka, Habib Diarra, Noah Sadiki
Le Bris talked up Xhaka’s fitness this week, so I expect the captain to come back into the team again, with Sadiki also returning. The two were greatly missed at Port Vale, and we rely on them a lot. Alongside them in the centre I think we’ll see Diarra – althought Le Fee could well play centrally. Diarra’s not in great form but hopefully we’ll see more from him in the run in, and he needs to play centrally, and get in a bit of form, to set him up for next season.
Forwards: Nilson Angulo, Brian Brobbey, Enzo Le Fee
Brobbey is fit again and will come back into the team – the reality is neither Isidor or Mayenda are close to challenging him for a place at present, so it’s a fairly simple one if he’s fit. I expect Le Fee to come out onto the left – making a left footed full back behind him even more essential – and I think Angulo will play from the right. I like the look of Angulo, and he need a game where he gets a bit more of the ball going forwards, rather than having to defend for the majority.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: Sunderland's Brian Brobbey is shown a yellow card by referee Craig Pawson after a foul in the area during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Fulham at Stadium of Light on February 22, 2026 in Sunderland, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images) | CameraSport via Getty Images
Martin Wanless predicts…
Score prediction: Sunderland 2 Brighton 0
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Le Fee
After last weekend’s horror show at Port Vale, the lads have a point to prove, and I can see us turning in a committed and determined display here.
We should have a couple of players back from injury, which will help, and they’ll be fired up by last weekend’s appalling display.
It won’t be easy, Brighton are a good side, but we’ve got enough to overcome them. 2-0.
‘The Champion’ Malc Dugdale predicts…
Score prediction: Sunderland 1 Brighton 1
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Le Fee
The Lads let themselves down last weekend, but home is where the heart is, and we need to get something from this to reinstate confidence ahead of the Mags.
Brighton will not be a walk in the park – they won away at Brentford in late Feb, keeping a clean sheet in the process. They also knocked Man Utd out of the cup away from home recently, and earned a point with a draw away at Man City.
I am backing the lads to get a point, and Le Fee to get the goal.
He and Diarra seem to be swapping penalty duties, and in a tight game, it may be set pieces such as pens or free kicks that make the difference, both of which Enzo is in the hat for.
Jack Howe-Gingell predicts…
Score prediction: Sunderland 2 Brighton 1
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Le Fee
Last week was such a massive shame. We simply weren’t at it and deservedly crashed out, with what would have been a wonderful opportunity to progress in the cup.
We need to bounce back, and I’m sure the lads will be conscious about standards slipping. I’d like us to get back into attacking the league and trying to finish as highly as possible.
Brighton have been tootling along similarly to us this season, and are the classic solid Premier League outfit. Like us, they don’t travel well, so I’d hope that would give us a slight edge.
Understandably, we will need a massive improvement from Sunday’s misery, but I have no doubt the lads will respond in kind, with a more tenacious display and three points for the home crowd.
Will Jones predicts…
Score prediction: Sunderland 1 Brighton 2
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Brobbey
Brighton are never an easy side to play against. They move the ball well, keep possession, and seem to create chances from nowhere if you give them time.
The Stadium of Light should make it a proper contest, though. We’ve shown plenty of fight at home, and we’ll make them work for anything they get.
I fancy Brobbey to get on the scoresheet for us, but Brighton’s quality might just edge it over the 90 minutes. Hopefully, we push them all the way.
Matty Foster predicts…
Score prediction: Sunderland 1 Brighton 1
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Diarra
Sunday was truly abysmal, and the sooner we put that behind us, the better.
Up next are Brighton, who sit three points behind us in the table, with an almost identical record.
They’re poorer on the road and have only won three out of fourteen away from the Amex.
With survival essentially secured with that magical 40 points, I hope it sees us play with shackles off and push for a top-half finish.
It’s a tough one to predict, but any result other than defeat will at least set us up for our trip into that cesspit next week.
Anthony Gair predicts…
Score prediction: Sunderland 2 Brighton 1
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Diarra
Having been embarrassed by bottom of League One Port Vale at the weekend, our mighty red and white wizards will be out to prove to us that they’re not as hopeless as it appeared in the cup.
Brighton won’t underestimate us, but they’re not very good either at the moment, so I expect them to score, but succumb to our grafting legends.
First to bag for the Wizards will be Habib Diarra, who was dreadful against Port Vale and will be up for proving himself again.
Gary Winter predicts…
Score prediction: Sunderland 1 Brighton 1
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Le Fee
The sooner we can move on after last weekend’s humiliating cup exit, the better. It was so disappointing and such a missed opportunity. We really need to get a win today and finish the season strongly. Whilst we definitely can, coming off the back of that performance at Vale Park, I’m finding it difficult to back us getting 3 points this afternoon.
Brighton’s form is similar to ours, and their away record is nothing to write home about, but they have beaten Brentford on the road recently, which is no mean feat. It feels mad that Danny Welbeck is still doing the business at 35 – hopefully he’s not the latest former player to come back and find the net.
A defeat will only continue the sour mood, so I’ll take a point here. We’re struggling for goals, and Le Fee feels like one of the only players capable of putting the team on his back at the moment.
Brett Lyons-Davis predicts…
Score prediction: Sunderland 2 Brighton 1
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Le Fee
Well, Sunday was crap. Hopefully, the lads will be going all out to get 3 points to make sure our great season doesn’t fizzle out.
Brighton have been up and down recently and will be hoping to get themselves to the 40 points mark sooner rather than later.
This one will be close, but I can see the lads putting Sunday to bed and getting us in good spirits before the mags.
Last time out…
That was a bit of “after the Lord Mayor’s show” wasn’t it? We shit-housed Leeds for three points like a bunch of legends, then went to Port Vale in the cup, and we didn’t really show up at all.
Hardly a lad out on the paddock resembled the grit and battle we had in spades at Elland Road, but cup upsets are called that for a reason, and now we are established in the top flight, we have to get used to being a target for underdogs to try their luck with.
Today, it is back to the main course of the Premier League, and with Brighton visiting, we cannot be anything other than in our best form if we want to get some points on the board before visiting the unwashed next weekend.
Last game predictions…
There is no getting away from it; we all got it drastically wrong, and we didn’t score at all, so no points at all for anyone.
Nuff said, we move on.
Predictions table and standings
Malc takes a narrow lead at the top of the table after Will was late with his submission twice in 12 days, resulting in a 2-point deduction.
No change other than that, though the points dropped by Will also put him within a 3 or four-pointer of Gary and Brett, who will be keen to haul him this weekend.
How the points are awarded
Just a quick reminder of how we allocate points to our match-by-match predictions:
Correct score = Three points
Correct outcome (but not correct score) = One point
Correct first Sunderland goalscorer = One point (no goalscorer is a valid call)
Possible deductions for being lazy and not submitting on time = a two-point deduction.
A general view of the match ball during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Fulham at the Stadium Of Light in Sunderland, on February 22, 2026. (Photo by Mark Fletcher/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
Saturday 14th March 2026
Sunderland v Brighton – Premier League
Stadium of Light – Kick-Off: 15:00
Tickets & Match Coverage
Tickets: Tickets are sold out.
TV/Stream: Full live match coverage is unavailable.
Radio: Full live match commentary available via BBC Radio Newcastle (not online)
Don’t forget to follow the blow-by-blow account of the game on the Roker Report Twitter feed (@RokerReport) and check out the player ratings after the full-time whistle at www.RokerReport.sbnation.com!
The build-up…
Sunderland taking on Brighton is one of just two Premier League games kicking off at 3pm today on Saturday afternoon – the other being Bournemouth’s trip to Burnley. Arsenal entertain Everton and the visitors take on Chelsea at 5.30pm and West Ham take on Citeh at 8pm tonight, with all three of those games – including four on Sunday and one on Monday – all being televised.
We are one of four teams out of twenty not being televised this weekend, and they wonder why fans look to alternative methods of viewing fixtures when you see this sort of bias.
Anyway, on to the game itself and on a day when the Foundation of Light celebrates its 25th birthday, we can assume that Enzo Le Fée will also make his 50th Sunderland appearance today in what we all hope is a game that allows us to put a couple of things behind us.
Everyone is expecting a reaction to the defeat last week against Port Vale, and this includes Régis Le Bris who stated “I hope so” at his press conference on being questioned whether we’ll see one, while he also highlighted the lack of consistency we’re seeing over recent weeks.
It’s also reacting to almost six weeks since we last took three points at home. The two defeats against Liverpool and Fulham mean we need to look back to the visit of Burnley at the beginning of last month since we won on home soil.
After sitting out last week through suspension, Trai Hume and Noah Sadiki return to the fold and will likely be in the starting line-up. Brian Brobbey and Dennis Cirkin were seeing how training on Friday went first before they make a decision on their involvement, and Le Bris openly said how they were managing Xhaka’s involvement in games.
There is also the trip up the road next week that fans may take into account, but chances are Le Bris will solely be focused on going all out to collect three points this afternoon.
It’s easy to forget that Brighton have now been in the Premier League for nine successive years – which makes it all the more strange to think we’ve only taken them on once at the Stadium of Light this century. We need to go back to October 2004 when a Julio Arca opener and a Liam Lawrence penalty gave the Lads all three points in the second tier.
The meeting before that on Wearside was in 1992 at Roker Park, when Anton Rogan’s debut ended in a 4–2 win for Denis Smith’s Sunderland – with John Byrne scoring for the Seagulls that day. The point being that since this fixture on Wearside has happened twice in the last 34 years, it’s not something we see very often.
Brighton haven’t finished lower than 11th in the top flight over the last four years, which is some achievement, especially when you can throw in an FA Cup semi-final appearance in that time. This means that fans might well ask the question of what it takes to take that next step in their journey, and as they sat 5th in the table at the beginning of December, they might have thought this was the time.
Three wins in the sixteen games that have followed have dented those hopes somewhat, and they now find themselves three places and three points worse off than ourselves and questions are being asked, especially when the style of football isn’t something the manager can point to in order to help his cause.
Only four sides have a worse away record than Brighton this year, and to put it into perspective we have taken one more point having played one more game on the road. But, last time out they did travel to high-flying Brentford and beat them 2-0, so they could well travel to Wearside with a bit of confidence.
The betting…
The bookies have the Lads at 9/4 to win the game, while Brighton are priced at 6/5, and the draw is 9/4.
Head to head… at Sunderland
(All competitions)
Sunderland wins: 11
Draws: 4
Brighton wins: 2
Sunderland goals: 30
Brightongoals: 13
Last time we met… at the Stadium of Light
Saturday 30th October 2004
Championship
Sunderland 2-0 Brighton
[Arca 64’, Lawrence (pen) 82’]
Sunderland: Myhre, Wright, Breen, Caldwell, Collins, Lawrence, Robinson, Whitley (Whitehead), Arca, Elliott (Brown), Stewart (Bridges) Substitutes not used: Alnwick, Carter
Brighton: Kuipers, El-Abd (Jarrett), Harding, Cullip, Butters, Carpenter, Hammond (Hart), Oatway, Knight, Hinshelwood, Currie Substitutes not used: May, Mayo, Robinson
Attendance: 25,532
Prediction…
Sunderland 1-0 Brighton
Two sides that don’t score many goals, and the reverse fixture was a goalless draw – so I reckon we’ll nick it with the only goal of the game.
Utah Valley guard Trevan Leonhardt, right, passes the ball against UT Arlington during a WAC tournament semifinal game at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Friday, March 13, 2026.
|
Courtesy Utah Valley Athletics
Utah Valley looked like it was well on its way to a victory with 9:12 remaining in its WAC tournament semifinal game against UT Arlington Friday night.
The Wolverines had grabbed a game-high 58-42 lead on a Trevan Leonhardt 3, capping a 9-0 run that had followed an 8-0 spurt earlier in the second half to break the game open.
The Mavericks had other plans though, as they made the contest go down to the wire at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.
But UVU, after enduring a 19-4 UT Arlington run and then watching the Mavericks tie the game at 65-65 in the final minute, finally could breathe easy when Isaac Hawkins blocked a shot in the lane from Bahsil Laster, then a Raysean Seamster desperation 3 was off the mark as time expired.
The stop came moments after the Wolverines’ leading scorer, Jackson Holcombe, hit two pressure-filled free throws to give UVU the go-ahead points in an eventual 67-65 win, and it clinched the Wolverines’ second straight trip to the WAC tournament championship game.
“When he drove in there, we got the block, you’re ecstatic. I thought we had the ball, and then they get that shot and your heart sinks,” UVU coach Todd Phillips told reporters about the final sequence.
“Your heart sinks because you think the worst all the time and it hit the rim. It’s a huge stop for us and just proud of our guys.”
— The Western Athletic Conference (@WACsports) March 14, 2026
If UVU wins Saturday night (10 p.m. MDT, ESPN2) in the WAC tournament title game, the Wolverines will clinch their first NCAA Tournament appearance.
They’ll play the winner of No. 3 seed Utah Tech and No. 2 Cal Baptist, who played in the second semifinal game of a late night Friday.
“There’s a lot to clean up, but rest is the most important,” Phillips said about preparing for Saturday night’s championship game. “You gotta get rest here and get guys ready to go because it’s, you know, it’s about how hard you can play.
“You’re gonna make some mistakes, you’re gonna make some great plays and you just got to be able to be able to fight through the 40 minutes. It’s like rest, rest, rest for these guys. We’ll get them hydrated a lot and be ready to go.”
The top seeded Wolverines needed every ounce of grit and determination they could afford in holding off the No. 4 seed Mavericks Friday.
Holcombe and Leonhardt again led the way for UVU (25-7), though there were a cast of Wolverines who stepped up.
— The Western Athletic Conference (@WACsports) March 14, 2026
With 1:02 to play, Holcombe made 1 of 2 free throws to give UVU a 65-63 lead, then UT Arlington, which trailed for more than 36 minutes, finally tied the game on two Casmir Chavis free throws with 46.4 seconds to go.
UVU didn’t take a timeout to reset and instead jumped into its offense.
After an early shot was blocked, the Wolverines reset following an offensive rebound, and with the shot clock running down, Leonhardt drove into the lane, then found Holcombe, who put up a shot and was fouled.
While the shot missed, Holcombe headed to the line to potentially give UVU the lead.
Regaining the lead was no guarantee — the Wolverines are the WAC’s worst free-throw shooting team, and on Friday, they made just 16 of 26 attempts from the charity stripe.
Holcombe, though, shook off the pressure and calmly made both free throws to put UVU ahead 67-65.
Holcombe, who had 14 points, four rebounds and two assists, scored eight of UVU’s final nine points, including a short, left-handed jumper with 1:47 left for the Wolverines’ first field goal in three minutes, which gave UVU a 64-61 lead.
Leonhardt, too, came up big in key moments in the second half. After being held to two points in the first half, he scored 10 in the second half, including a pair of 3-pointers as part of that 9-0 run that gave UVU a game-high 16-point lead.
Trevan Leonhardt from @UVUmbb gets the slam on the fast break! Wolverines open up a 16-point lead in the 2nd half
— The Western Athletic Conference (@WACsports) March 14, 2026
Leonhardt also had team highs with seven rebounds and three assists.
“We’re in a good spot to go to March Madness tomorrow,” Leonhardt said.
UVU used a balanced attack — 10 players scored points — and got double-figures from Sherman Weatherspoon IV (11 points on three 3s) and Braden Housley (10, his third double-figure game of the year).
“Feeling good. Got one more to go,” Housley said.
The first half was a back-and-forth, grind-it-out effort before the Wolverines took a 33-29 lead into the break.
UVU’s biggest lead over the first 20 minutes was only five points, and UT Arlington, despite dealing with foul trouble by its top two scorers — Marcell McCreary and Seamster — got 22 points from its bench.
Seamster heated up in the second half and ended up with 14 points, while Tyran Mason came off the bench and added 14 points and seven rebounds.
Laster stepped up, too, scoring a career-high tying 18 points — 11 more than his average — and added six rebounds, an assist and a steal as UT Arlington’s bench outscored UVU’s 35-16.
It was fitting that he ended up with the chance to tie the game late, but Hawkins, the 6-foot-10 junior forward, made the defensive play of the game as UVU escaped.
Hawkins, who scored six points and had six rebounds, finished with four of the Wolverines’ six blocks.
There are things to work on for UVU — the Wolverines were outscored 40-26 in paint points and had 13 turnovers that the Mavericks turned into 16 points — but the Wolverines benefitted from shooting 47.8% and outrebounding UT Arlington 33-29.
If they can win one more, the Wolverines will make history with their first NCAA Tournament trip in school history.
“I think at this time of year, playing a championship game is motivation enough,” Phillips said. “Trying to get to the NCAA Tournament, to win this WAC tournament, it’s huge motivation for these guys.
“... The motivation is to get out there and play our best basketball and have a chance to go dancing.”
To feel disappointment in sports is to live through the experience firsthand. This is what happened to the Illinois Fighting Illini in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament as they were upended by the Wisconsin Badgers, 91-88, in an overtime setback for the second time this season.
A deep run in the NCAA Tournament, a possibility select experts and pundits suggest is possible for the Illini, with the opening round approaching next weekend, seemed like anything but as the team reflected in their locker room in the underbelly of the United Center Friday in Chicago.
The general consensus: the team recognizes the postseason is a cutthroat ordeal. It's a win-or-go-home game the rest of the way and coach Brad Underwood knows it far too well to even begin to quantify his feelings toward the opportunities in front of his team as it awaits its Selection Sunday bid.
"We get another life, man," Underwood said in a local media scrum after the loss, per WICS, an ABC affiliate in Champaign. "The best thing is we don't see another Big Ten team."
This may be one of the few positives from the loss, as the Illini are 4-5 over their last nine games, all of which came against Big Ten opponents.
TSN has the Illini projected as a No. 3 seed in the tournament, while other outlets, such as Fox Sports, see them remaining as a No. 2 seed in the South Region among various predictions across college basketball.
Regardless of what draw Illinois receives when the bracket is officially unveiled, Underwood still remains optimistic.
"I still believe this team has the ability to make the deepest of runs," Underwood said. "We've proven... we have so many losses by single possessions to against great teams."
His players do, too. However, the loss stings for the likes of forward David Mirković, citing the loss as a "bad feeling."
WATERTOWN — Fifth-seeded Lennox and second-seeded Mahpiya Luta each settled scores and will now play for the 2026 South Dakota state Class A high school girls basketball championship.
Lennox avenged two close regular-season losses to top-seeded Hamlin with a 57-41 semfinal win on Friday, March 13, in the Watertown Civic Arena. Mahpiya Luta followed with a 58-45 win over Sioux Falls Christian in a rematch of the 2025 state championship that Christian won at the buzzer.
Lennox, which will be seeking its first state title since 1988, and Mahpiya Luta, the school formerly known as Red Cloud that has never won a state title, are slated to meet in the championship at about 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, March 14.
In other games, Lakota Tech meets Wagner for seventh place at 11 a.m., followed by Sioux Valley taking on West Central in the consolation championship at 12:45 p.m. The evening session opens at 5 p.m. with Hamlin facing Sioux Falls Christian.
Lennox 57, Hamlin 41
The third time proved to be the charm for Lennox, an extremly athletic team with only one senior regular that had suffered 59-57 and 45-42 losses to Hamlin during a two-week span in late January and early February.
The third matchup didn't appear to be going to the Orioles' way when Hamlin used a three-point play by Addie Jensen to grab a 15-8 lead with 5:58 left in the first half. Lennox answered with an 11-0 run and took a 23-17 halftime lead.
The Orioles opened the second half with convention three-point plays by sophomore Teagen Strurm and freshman Tori Gerdes that were part of a decisive 23-13 third period.
"They attacked us way more aggressively off the dribble than they did the first two games," Hamlin coach Tim Koisti said. "We also had the lead early when they switched to a 1-3-1 (zone) and with their length, it bothered us and we got flustered. In big moments, sometimes it's hard to adjust and we just didn't."
Lennox pushed its lead to 18 points late in the third quarter and to as high as 20 with 1:39 remaining. Sturm led a balanced attack with 14 points. Freshman Bergan Musser added 12, junior Karlie Bosma nine and Gerdes eight.
Senior standout Addie Neuendorf scored 22 points for Hamlin. Junior Issie Steffensen was next with seven. Jensen added 10 rebounds and senior Sarita Stevenson seven.
Mahpiya Luta 58, Sioux Falls Christian 45
The halftime score (Mahpiya Luta 23, SF Christian 17) was very similar to that from Friday's first semifinal. Like Lennox did, Mahpiya Luta stretched its lead with 16-7 surge in the third quarter and maintained a double-digit advantage the rest of the way.
Senior standout Ashlan Carlow-Blount used a big second half to lead Mahpiya Luta with 14 points and eight rebounds. The University of South Dakota recruit had plenty of help with 10 points from sophomore Peyton Knife, nine from senior Dorthie Mesteth, eight from senior Mya Mills and from junior Jayden Standing Soldier.
Mahpiya Luta shot only 33 percent (21 of 64) from the field but limited to Sioux Falls Christian to 23 percent (15 of 64). The Chargers went 4-for-27 in the first half.
Junior Emory Lems tallied 15 points, senior Aubrie VanBeek 10 and senior Ruth Dvoracek and junior Lezlei Setzer eight each. Setzer also pulled down nine rebounds.
Consolation Semifinals
In Friday's consolation semifinals, Sioux Valley topped Lakota Tech 61-53 and West Central defeated Wagner 46-38.
Kacey Jaton's 16 points led West Central, which also received 11 from Mackenzie Skonhovd and 10 from Ellie Knight. Knight also had eight rebounds, four assists and five steals. Wagner was led by Ashlyn Koupal's 35 points and 17 rebounds.
Kailey Cradduck's 19 points and 17 rebounds power Sioux Valley. Amari Ward added 14 and 13 and Talya Vincent finished with 12 points. Lizzie Robinson scored 22 points and Amelia Shangreaux 15 for Lakota Tech. Kate Robinson and Isabella Shangreaux each grabbed seven rebounds.
Follow Watertown Public Opinion sports reporter Roger Merriam on X (formerly known as Twitter) @PO_Sportsor email: rmerriam@thepublicopinion.com
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — The Lake View High School boys soccer team wrapped up the regular season with a 2-0 shutout against Frenship Memorial Friday night at the San Angelo Sports Complex.
The Chiefs finished the regular season at 19-2 overall and 18-0 in district. They won the district crown for a fifth-straight season under head coach Kyle Jones.
Lake View will host Abilene Cooper in a non-district playoff tuneup at 5:30 p.m. Monday.
The Chiefs were up 1-0 before Santiago Martinez added an insurance goal for the final margin.
Lake View will open the playoffs next week. Details will be announced.
Click the video above for highlights from Friday’s match.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Nevada was one win away from its first MW Championship appearance since 2017 and two wins away from its first NCAA bid since the 2023-24 season. Both of those dreams faded away after a flat 79-66 loss to Utah State in the semifinal.
Nevada rode a lot of momentum after winning the first two games of this tournament, but Utah State was the No. 1 seed for a reason. The Aggies’ defensive performance was just too much for Nevada to find the bucket.
Scoring Summary
1st Half
Nevada 32 – Utah State 39
2nd Half
Nevada 34 – Utah State 40
Final: Nevada 66, Utah State 79
First Half
The first 10 shot attempts of the game all missed, with both sides starting 0-5. Utah State broke that drought after three minutes with a layup for a 2-0 lead. Nevada broke its 0-6 start with a layup of its own by Vaughn Weems.
The first three of the game came from Utah State’s Karson Templin to give the Aggies a 9-5 lead under 14 minutes. The first three for Nevada came from the hands of Chuck Bailey in the corner, cutting it back down to a three-point game. Kaleb Lowery and Joel Armotrading traded scores in the paint and the Wolf Pack took a 12-11 lead just under 11 minutes.
Utah State snatched the momentum right back, taking a seven-point lead before another media timeout under the eight-minute mark. Nevada had picked up six personal fouls at the mark, which turned into a perfect 8-8 from the free-throw line for the Aggies.
The Aggies pushed themselves back on top with an eight-point lead at 27-19. Nevada’s best scorer in Corey Camper Jr. was held scoreless for most of the half until he made his first shot of the game under five minutes. It was a three that made it 29-24 Utah State.
A 6-0 run within the final minutes of the first half gave Utah State a nine-point lead. Elijah Price turned in a layup followed by some free throws to cut it down to five, but Utah State scored in the paint just before the buzzer. Nevada shot just 36 percent from the field and 25 percent from three, with Camper going 2-9 and five points.
Second Half
The second half started similarly to the first, with both sides missing their first few shots. Utah State turned in a quick five points after that, forcing Nevada to call a timeout just two and a half minutes into the half.
Nevada’s first five minutes went without a score until Tayshawn Comer hit a fadeaway shot to make it 45-34 Utah State. The Aggies responded with a three to make it 48-34 with 15 minutes left.
The soul of Nevada’s team seemed just to fade away. Utah State forced turnover after turnover, and by the next media timeout under 12 minutes, the Aggies had a 57-37 lead. Nevada struggled to find consistent ball movement and turned the ball over 15 total times, with a lot of them coming in bunches.
“It shows how much pride we have as a team,” Weems said about Nevada not giving up and keeping the game somewhat interesting. “We could’ve laid down and given up multiple times throughout the game, but during timeouts, we had all our coaches and players saying, ‘We’ve been in this situation before, keep playing.‘”
Momentum never truly turned over after that. Nevada played how it has in road games all season, with costly turnovers and simply missing too many shots. Utah State’s student section, The Hurd, traveled well all tournament, and that was no different in this game. Whether the crowd sucked Nevada’s soul out, or there was sluggishness after playing its third game in three days, or maybe it was both.
Nevada ended the night shooting 41 percent from the field, 26 percent from three and 65 percent from the free-throw line. All around, it just wasn’t a good shooting night for Nevada by any means. Weems was the lead scorer with 17 points, but went 0-6 from beyond the arc. In games like this, Nevada needed a big game from Camper that just never came, as he finished with nine points on 3-12 shooting.
“It felt a little fatigued, but we knew what we had with four games in four days, so we were prepared for it mentally,” Camper said of potential sluggishness in this one.
Utah State shot 45 percent from the field and 21 percent from deep. Adlan Elamin led the Aggies with 15 points on 6-9 shooting. The Aggies had five players reach double digits, including four starters.
What’s Next
Nevada was two wins away from an automatic berth into the NCAA tournament, but for the second consecutive year, the Wolf Pack will not be dancing.
The Wolf Pack submitted a bid to host an NIT game, so now it’s just the waiting game to see if Nevada will get that or participate in any other postseason tournament. Nevada declined to participate last year, but it appears Alford is more fond of the idea this year.
“I think it should be a no-brainer that we’re an NIT team,” Alford said about playing another game. “We’ve done a lot of good things this year and have beaten a lot of really good teams, so I hope and pray we get a bid for the NIT that we’d be very excited to play in.”
Suns star Devin Booker lamented his team's late-game execution. However, he also felt that the Raptors got away with a no-call on Barnes' block. It will go down as one of the best defensive highlights of the season, but it leaves a sour taste in Booker's mouth.
Booker laments Barnes' block not getting called for a foul
Booker and the Suns could have won the game, but the Raptors' stingy defense led to their victory. The Suns' backcourt tried their best, as they scored a combined 65 points, but it was not enough. Toronto's defense and Brandon Ingram's 36-point night resulted in a Raptors win.
It is a tough loss to stomach for the Suns because they could have easily won the game. If Green had made the dunk, the momentum would have been in their favor. Unfortunately, Barnes made the play and got a no-call, according to Booker.
Of course, Booker is more critical of his team's performance, especially during crunch time. However, he wants more people to be aware of the referees' inconsistencies, including the no-call that the Suns could've had with Green's dunk attempt.
"He cocked it back. He could've quick dunked it, too, but it was definitely contact. I don't know if it was before or after the ball was hit, but that was the inconsistency for the majority of the night. We try to up the pressure, then it gets called. It's a tough in between," Booker said to Arizona Central's Duane Rankin after the loss to Toronto.
Moving forward, this should be a lesson for the Suns with their late-game execution. At the same time, Green could be converting his dunks better because he could've had an easy two points if he had not cocked back the attempt.
The Suns are moving in the right direction, but losses like this could have easily been wins. However, it is a lesson learned for Green and the rest of Phoenix's team. It will be challenging to win every game, but this is a good lesson for the squad.
One of the greatest players in St. Louis Cardinals history is currently having his first audition as a manager.
Future National Baseball Hall of Famer Albert Pujols, who won two World Series with the Cardinals and retired in 2023, is currently serving as the skipper for the Dominican Republic in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
The Dominican Republic beat Korea 10-0 in the quarterfinal round of the WBC on Friday and will play Team USA in the semifinal round of the international tournament at 7 p.m. CT on Sunday at loanDepot Park in Miami.
It's been reported and rumored for months that Pujols is looking to eventually become a major league manager and he was rumored to receive some interest from various teams this offseason.
It's starting to seem like a matter of "when" rather than "if" the multi-time All-Star will get a shot at being a big league skipper. And at least one former manager with a notable resume is a believer in Pujols' abilities.
In a story written by Cody Stavenhagen for the Athletic, former San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Washington Nationals and Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker offered a sign of support for Pujols.
"It shouldn’t be someday. He should be managing right now," Baker said in the story. "There are a lot of guys that are managing that don’t have the experience on the field of Albert Pujols. I didn’t have much (managerial) experience either. I coached for a while, and then I had experience in the fall league. ... There are a lot of guys in the game that don’t have the experience that Albert Pujols has, that don’t have the knowledge that Albert Pujols has or don’t have the respect from the players."
It's been fascinating to watch Albert Pujols as a manager with Team Dominican Republic. He has MLB aspirations. But can a great player also become a great manager?
"It shouldn’t be someday," Dusty Baker said. "He should be managing right now."https://t.co/Svf0RrB7du
Baker managed Nicaragua in the World Baseball Classic and was a major league manager for three decades from 1993-2023 and got a chance to see Pujols as both a player and, now, as a skipper.
Baker was a three-time National League Manager of the Year in '93, '97 and '00. All three of his Manager of the Year awards came with San Francisco.
Baker also won a World Series overseeing the Astros in '22.
Baker also made the successful transition from player-to-manager, like Pujols is attempting. Baker played in the major leagues from 1968-1986 with the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Giants and then-Oakland Athletics. He was a two-time All-Star ('81-82) and won a World Series one time as a player with the Dodgers ('81).
JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
Remember to join our CARDINALS on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other CARDINALS fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!
CHARLOTTE — Cameron Boozer had another big-time game as Duke basketball’s big-time player, but he twice used the phrase “big-time” to describe one of his Blue Devil teammates.
After combining for nine rebounds in the last four games, Evans snagged 10 boards to aid short-handed Duke (31-2), which was without Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba II for a second straight game. That duo accounts for nearly 10 rebounds per game, with Boozer continuing to pace the pack with an average of double-digit boards.
But Evans, who entered the semifinals against the Tigers (24-10) averaging 2.9 rebounds per game, knew he had to step up and contribute on the glass. Boozer was glad to see it.
“That’s big-time. Coach (Jon Scheyer) has been on him about rebounding. To have a career-high in rebounding, that’s a big deal,” said Boozer, who had 24 points, 14 rebounds and five assists.
“It shows his physicality, his toughness. He’s showed up big-time for us all year long. For him to get those rebounds, it definitely made a difference.”
A 6-foot-6 Fayetteville native, Evans is known for his flamethrowing ability to string together 3-pointers. That knack for knocking down shots was on full display in the quarterfinals against Florida State, with Evans logging a career-high 32 points in a one-point win.
Despite finishing with six points on 1 of 9 shooting against Clemson, Evans has developed into a player capable of affecting the game in different ways.
“I’ve just been trying to make an effort on trying to do other things than scoring,” Evans said.
“Obviously, it’s gonna be really hard to have a really good shooting night every night. So, I’ve just been trying my best to do everything else.”
Scheyer refers to those areas beyond the ball as the “98%.” Evans filled the gaps with nine defensive rebounds, including seven in a dominant first half for the Blue Devils, who had a 19-point halftime lead against the Tigers.
“I think it's incredible growth by Isaiah. ... But for the most part I thought he was incredibly patient, disciplined, and then he threw his energy into what we call the 98%, all the areas that are without the ball," Scheyer said. “So the fact he had 10 rebounds and only making one shot and impacting winning as much as he did, I'm just really proud of him and his growth.”
Whether it's scoring, rebounding or defense, the Blue Devils will need another big-time performance from Evans to finish off their run at the ACC tournament with a net-cutting ceremony and trophy celebration against Virginia (29-4).
Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding UNC? Send them to rbaxley@usatodayco.com.
The Oklahoma Sooners' SEC tournament run came to an end on Friday night in an 82-79 loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks. It was a tight back-and-forth ball game that went down to the wire, and the Sooners' NCAA tournament bid may have fallen short as Nijel Pack's three-pointer with seconds left missed the mark.
Oklahoma had few answers for guard Darius Acuff Jr., who had 21 points in the first half and finished the game with an incredible 37 points to put away the Sooners. After his layup attempt was blocked by Mohamed Wague in the final minute, Acuff got the ball back and hit a jumper to keep the Sooners at arm's lenth. But when he missed 1 of 2 free throws on Arkansas' final possession, it gave Oklahoma one more shot. Unfortunately, Pack wasn't able to come through with one more heroic moment at the buzzer.
Aside from Acuff, just one other Razorback finished in double figures.
The Razorbacks finished the game with an edge in offensive rebounds, outshot the Sooners from three 38% to 25%, were plus three in second chance points, and plus-six in fast break points. And in a game that came down to the wire, that was more than enough to fend off the feisty Oklahoma Sooners.
Pack led the Sooners in scoring once again with 19 points, but was just 6 of 15 from the field. Xzayvier Brown, who's provided a strong second scoring option for the Sooners this season, was just 2 of 10 from the field and was 0 for 3 from three. Tae Davis and Derrion Reid each had 17 points to continue their strong postseason, and Mohamed Wague had 13.
Now, the Sooners await the decision from the selection committee. They're right on the bubble ahead of Selection Sunday and will need some help from across the country. But they made a statement over the final month of the season to put themselves in position to be in consideration after the nine-game losing streak seemingly left the Sooners gasping for tournament life.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
Mar 13, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) dribbles the ball next to Golden State Warriors guard De’Anthony Melton (8) in the first quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Anthony Edwards scored 42 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves held off the injury-plagued Golden State Warriors 127-117 on Friday night.
Edwards shot 13 for 22, made all 12 of his free throws and also had eight rebounds and five assists, while Rudy Gobert contributed 18 points and nine rebounds in what coach Chris Finch considered a must-win game. The Wolves snapped a three-game skid — all of those double-digit defeats, including 153-128 at the Clippers on Wednesday — following a five-game winning streak.
Gui Santos’ 3-pointer followed by a dunk by Malevy Leons cut Minnesota’s lead to 109-102 with 8:37 left but Golden State couldn’t do much more.
Brandin Podziemski scored 25 points for the Warriors, who scratched Draymond Green less than an hour before tipoff because of a lower back injury. Kristaps Porzingis moved into the starting lineup in his place as the Warriors used their 33rd different starting five, and it was Porzingis’ first start since being acquired by Golden State at the trade deadline from Atlanta. He finished with 20 points.
After Porzingis’ step-back jumper with 9:57 left in the second quarter, Minnesota responded with a 17-4 run.
Golden State lost big man Al Horford for the night in the first quarter because of right calf tightness, then Seth Curry exited in the second half with tightness in his left inner thigh.
Older brother Stephen Curry — who turns 38 on Saturday — missed his 16th straight game and will be out until at least next weekend. It marked the seventh time this season Golden State was without the trio of Jimmy Butler, who is recovering from ACL surgery on his right knee, Curry and Green.
The Warriors lost their fourth straight, fourth in a row at home and sixth of seven. They dropped to 9-18 without Curry overall this season and 5-11 during his recent stretch out.
Up next
Timberwolves: At Oklahoma City on Sunday to conclude a four-game road stretch.
Warriors: Visit the New York Knicks on Sunday to begin a six-game road trip.
David Bednar of Team USA reacts after throwing a key strikeout in the seventh inning against Canada on Friday. - Mary DeCicco/MLB/Getty Images
Aaron Judge doubled and Pete Crow-Armstrong and Brice Turang each had two hits as the United States beat Canada 5-3 on Friday night to reach the World Baseball Classic semifinals.
The US squad rebounded after an 8-6 loss to Italy in pool play left them needing help to advance to this round.
The Americans move on to face the Dominican Republic in a semifinal on Sunday in Miami. It will be the team’s third straight appearance in the semifinals and the fourth overall.
It’s another big win for the US over its neighbors to the north, coming after the US hockey team beat Canada 2-1 in overtime to win the gold medal at the Milan Olympics last month.
Team USA players shake hands after defeating Canada 5-3 Friday night in Houston. - Mary DeCicco/MLB/Getty Images
Bo Naylor hit a two-run homer in Canada’s three-run sixth that cut the deficit to two runs. But the US bullpen closed it out, capped by Mason Miller striking out the side in the ninth for the save.
Canada, which was in the quarterfinals for the first time, fell to 1-5 against the US in the WBC.
Canada trailed by five runs when Owen Caissie walked with one out in the sixth and moved to second on a groundout by Abraham Toro. Tyler Black’s RBI single off Brad Keller cut the lead to 5-1.
Naylor’s shot to the second deck in right field came on Gabe Speier’s fifth pitch and got Canada within 5-3. It was the 10th home run the US has allowed in five games in the tournament.
Canada had a shot to close the gap in the seventh when it had runners on second and third with no outs. But David Bednar retired the next three batters, with two strikeouts, to escape the jam.
US starter Logan Webb allowed four hits and walked one with five strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.
Bobby Witt Jr. was on with one out in the first when Judge doubled before Witt scored on a groundout by Kyle Schwarber to give the US an early lead. The double by Judge was the only extra-base hit of the night for the US
Canada had a runner on first with two outs in the second when Witt made a leaping catch on a ball hit by Edouard Julien to end the inning.
The bases were loaded with two outs in the third when Alex Bregman singled on a ground ball to Toro. His throw to first sailed over Josh Naylor’s head and into the dugout and two runs scored to make it 3-0.
Roman Anthony singled with one out in the sixth before a walk by Cal Raleigh. Brice Turang singled on a grounder to center field to score Anthony and push the lead to 4-0. Crow-Armstrong sent the next pitch into center field for an RBI single before Witt grounded into a double play to end the inning.
For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
David Bednar of Team USA reacts after throwing a key strikeout in the seventh inning against Canada on Friday. - Mary DeCicco/MLB/Getty Images
Aaron Judge doubled and Pete Crow-Armstrong and Brice Turang each had two hits as the United States beat Canada 5-3 on Friday night to reach the World Baseball Classic semifinals.
The US squad rebounded after an 8-6 loss to Italy in pool play left them needing help to advance to this round.
The Americans move on to face the Dominican Republic in a semifinal on Sunday in Miami. It will be the team’s third straight appearance in the semifinals and the fourth overall.
It’s another big win for the US over its neighbors to the north, coming after the US hockey team beat Canada 2-1 in overtime to win the gold medal at the Milan Olympics last month.
Team USA players shake hands after defeating Canada 5-3 Friday night in Houston. - Mary DeCicco/MLB/Getty Images
Bo Naylor hit a two-run homer in Canada’s three-run sixth that cut the deficit to two runs. But the US bullpen closed it out, capped by Mason Miller striking out the side in the ninth for the save.
Canada, which was in the quarterfinals for the first time, fell to 1-5 against the US in the WBC.
Canada trailed by five runs when Owen Caissie walked with one out in the sixth and moved to second on a groundout by Abraham Toro. Tyler Black’s RBI single off Brad Keller cut the lead to 5-1.
Naylor’s shot to the second deck in right field came on Gabe Speier’s fifth pitch and got Canada within 5-3. It was the 10th home run the US has allowed in five games in the tournament.
Canada had a shot to close the gap in the seventh when it had runners on second and third with no outs. But David Bednar retired the next three batters, with two strikeouts, to escape the jam.
US starter Logan Webb allowed four hits and walked one with five strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.
Bobby Witt Jr. was on with one out in the first when Judge doubled before Witt scored on a groundout by Kyle Schwarber to give the US an early lead. The double by Judge was the only extra-base hit of the night for the US
Canada had a runner on first with two outs in the second when Witt made a leaping catch on a ball hit by Edouard Julien to end the inning.
The bases were loaded with two outs in the third when Alex Bregman singled on a ground ball to Toro. His throw to first sailed over Josh Naylor’s head and into the dugout and two runs scored to make it 3-0.
Roman Anthony singled with one out in the sixth before a walk by Cal Raleigh. Brice Turang singled on a grounder to center field to score Anthony and push the lead to 4-0. Crow-Armstrong sent the next pitch into center field for an RBI single before Witt grounded into a double play to end the inning.
For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
MIAMI, Florida – UTEP softball finally saw action late Friday night after multiple weather-related schedule changes but ultimately fell to FIU, 4-3, in the series opener.
Originally scheduled as part of a three-game series across three days, the weekend slate was first moved to an early Friday doubleheader and Saturday single game before prolonged lightning delays pushed the matchup to a late-night start. When play finally began, the Miners battled back from a two-run deficit but FIU walked it off in the bottom of the seventh.
UTEP moves to 9-14 overall and 1-3 in Conference USA play, while FIU improves to 20-5 overall and 2-2 in league action.
Game Summary
FIU struck first in the bottom of the third inning, plating two runs on a pair of RBI singles to take a 2-0 lead.
The Miners responded in the sixth. Paige Lassiter scored on an RBI single by Iliana Munoz to put UTEP on the board, before Brantley Lavas crossed home after an FIU fielding error to even the game at 2-2.
UTEP took its first lead in the seventh inning when Jayde Pagdilao scored on another Panthers error, giving the Miners a 3-2 advantage.
FIU answered in the bottom half of the frame, tying the contest with an RBI groundout before delivering a walk-off RBI single to secure the 4-3 victory.
The Panthers held an 8-4 advantage in hits. Brantley Lavas, Iliana Munoz, Kendall Angulo (double) and Paige Lassiter each recorded a hit for the Miners, while Kenna Carranza and Aaliyah Betancourt drew walks.
In the circle, Arianna Flores earned the start and tossed 2.0 innings with one strikeout. Tatyana Vega worked 4.2 innings in relief and was charged with the loss, moving to 8-5 on the season while recording one strikeout.
On Deck UTEP and FIU will now play an early doubleheader on Saturday (March 14) due to weather in the area. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 8 a.m. MDT / 10 a.m. ET, with game two beginning approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the opener. Both games will be streamed on ESPN+.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Russell also won the season opening Australian GP [Getty Images]
Mercedes' George Russell won the sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix after a frantic scrap in the early laps with Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari.
Russell and Hamilton swapped places five times in the first five laps before the winner of the first race of the season eased away to a comfortable victory.
Hamilton lost out to team-mate Charles Leclerc three laps after Russell finally passed him for the lead as the Ferraris took second and third.
A safety car in the second half of the race closed the field up and shuffled the pack a little, briefly dropping Hamilton behind McLaren's Lando Norris.
But the seven-time champion reclaimed the lead around the outside of Turn One a lap after the restart.
Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli took fifth after dropping to eight following a slow start and then serving a 10-second penalty for causing a collision with Red Bull's Isack Hadjar on the opening lap.
The Italian was passed by McLaren's Oscar Piastri at the restart after there safety car but the Australian was asked by his team to give the place back because he had overtaken before the start line.
On track battles in an entertaining China sprint
Piastri took the place after Antonelli made a mistake and ran wide at the final corner as the race was restarted.
McLaren chose to ask him to let the Mercedes back past rather than argue his case with the stewards.
The early laps of the race provided plenty of entertainment as Russell and Hamilton swapped the lead.
Hamilton moved up from fourth on the grid to slip by Norris around the inside of Turn One, before making an opportunistic and improvisational move down the inside of Turn Nine to grab the lead.
Russell easily passed him back down the straight to the hairpin of Turn 14 before Hamilton attacked and passed him around the outside of Turn One at the start of the second lap.
Russell passed the Ferrari back on the straight on lap three, before Hamilton took back the lead into Turn One on lap four, only for the Mercedes to claim the place for good a lap later.
Hamilton was then left to fend off Leclerc and the two Ferraris battled for three laps before the Monegasque took the place into Turn One on lap eight.
Hamilton fought back to challenge Leclerc into Turn One at the start of the following lap and Leclerc had to defend all the way to Turn Six before consolidating his position.
Antonelli then passed Hamilton into the hairpin on lap 11 before Audi's Nico Hulkenberg stopped in the run-off area at Turn One with a technical failure to bring out the safety car.
That triggered pit stops for fresh, soft tyres for the leading cars and Hamilton and Piastri lost out a little as they had to stack behind their team-mates, and Antonelli dropped back as he served his penalty.
Piastri was ordered to give fifth place back to Antonelli soon after the restart.
Behind the leading cars, Liam Lawson moved up from ninth to seventh when Racing Bulls decided not to stop under the safety car and he was able to fend off Haas driver Oliver Bearman who took the final point.
Max Verstappen, who had dropped to 15th on the first lap with a slow start, moved up to ninth, on Bearman's tail at the end, just missing out on a point.
Mar 13, 2026; Kansas City, MO, USA; Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) drives to the basket around Kansas Jayhawks guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) during the first half at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images
William Purnell-Imagn Images
Kingston Flemings scored 21 points, fellow freshman Chris Cenac Jr. had 17 points and 14 rebounds, and fifth-ranked Houston rolled past poor-shooting and lackluster No. 14 Kansas 69-47 in the semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament on Friday night.
The second-seeded Cougars (28-5) held the third-seeded Jayhawks without a field goal for more than 10 minutes at point in the game, ultimately breezing into another championship matchup with second-ranked Arizona on Saturday night.
Houston beat the Wildcats 72-64 last year for its first Big 12 Tournament title.
Darryn Peterson had 14 points to lead the Jayhawks (23-10), who had beaten the Cougars in their only regular-season matchup. But the Jayhawks were a whole lot better that night in Allen Fieldhouse than they were at T-Mobile Center, where they were 6 for 31 from the field in the second half and shot 24.6% overall in their lowest-scoring game of the season.
With the relentless defense that’s become a hallmark of coach Kelvin Sampson, the Cougars controlled the game right from the start, making things especially difficult for Kansas big men Flory Bidunga and Bryson Tiller in the paint.
Most of the Jayhawks’ offense came from Peterson, the potential No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. He had 12 at the break.
Things really unraveled for Kansas in the second half, though.
Houston forced Bill Self’s team into missing its first 16 shots while going on a 22-2 run of its own spanning halftime. Even the bucket that mercifully ended the drought, a dunk by Bidunga with 10:42 to go, nearly rattled its way back out of the basket.
Houston led 51-31 at that point before coasting into its second consecutive championship game.
Up next
Houston lost to the No. 1 seed Wildcats at home on Feb. 21 in their only meeting of the regular season.
Kansas will likely be a No. 4 seed when the NCAA Tournament is revealed on Sunday.
The lights went out at Taylor Stadium for 95 minutes. In sync, so were Missouri baseball’s chances of generating a late comeback in its 2-0 loss to No.6 Auburn in its SEC home opener at Taylor Stadium Friday evening.
By the time the bulbs had flickered back on, a window for a Missouri rally had all but closed for the Tigers’ offense, as Auburn’s pitching, in particular, its starter Jake Marciano, whose outing lasted seven innings. Marciano held a Missouri offense that was the fastest in program history to reach 100 runs in a season, to a grand total of zero, while striking out seven.
Equally, Auburn’s hitters were just as shackled for seven innings, reinforcing the strong start to a season for the Missouri pitching staff, who came in to this game seventh in the country in hits allowed per nine innings.
On paper, this game had all of the makings of an offensive slugfest. Firstly, location. The wind turbine that is Taylor Stadium in Columbia carries the ball at its peak with ease over the outfield fences. Second, the hitting talent. Coming into this game, both sets of Tigers had hitters put up big numbers in non-conference play.
Auburn’s Brandon McCraine and Bristol Carter, holding .468 and .457 batting averages, respectively, hold the current two and three spots in the SEC in that category. Tyler Macon and Cameron Benson sit in the first and fourth slots for Mizzou. This recipe of sluggers surely presented the ultimate dish that is an offensive slugfest in a conference opener, right?
Well, that’s not how it tracked. Both starting pitchers, Pimental and on the Auburn side, Jake Mariciano (2-0, 1.23 ERA), were reeling and dealing on the mound, allowing a combined total of five hits between the two teams in the opening five innings.
Following his tumultuous outing against the UIC Flames, Missouri starting pitcher Javyn Pimental found his groove at the perfect time: the beginning of Southeastern Conference play.
This start was the ultimate rebound for Pimental, who was coming off an outing in which he lasted 1.1 innings and gave up six earned runs, while walking three. If that was Jekyll, this start was Hyde, as a total of three Auburn runners were left in scoring position through Pimental’s six innings on the mound.
“That’s Javyn,“ Mizzou coach Kerrick Jackson said. ”That’s what he’s done. He didn’t necessarily have his best stuff — struggled with command at times — but minus what happened last weekend… what I saw from him last weekend was just kind of wow. What I saw from him tonight is what you expect. He did it two years ago against Arkansas. That’s just what he does. He’s going to go out, he’s going to compete, he’s going to give you a chance to win. He did that tonight for us.“
Missouri’s bats didn’t fare much better, accumulating two hits throughout the entire contest. Both were doubles from Eric Maisonet and Pierre Seals across the third and fourth innings.
I think we were trying,” Jackson said. “What we talk about all the time is: trying is not it. You have a plan, and you execute your plan. We had big swings, and we didn’t execute the plan we had in place.”
The action was relatively quiet in the batter’s box until the top half of the eighth.
Freshman pitcher JD Dorhmann, who came in for his first relief outing of the season after starting three games this season, worked his way out of trouble in the seventh inning with Auburn runners on second and third. The eighth inning? Dohrmann wasn’t so lucky.
After surrendering a walk to the leadoff batter of the inning, Chase Fralick, two batters later, the hammer was finally dropped. Bub Terell, who ranked third on Auburn in homers this season, connected on a two-run shot that traveled well over the right field fence, leading to the dugout mafia of Auburn erupting, as they’d earned their 2-0 lead.
Then, before Mason McCraine could even come up to the plate immediately after, a portion of the lights went out at Taylor Stadium and stayed out. For 95 minutes. This time allowed for multiple things: more time to write, funny tweets between the other reporters and me in the press box, and most interestingly, a test of the lumen levels inside Taylor Stadium.
After the lumen guy took the field at Taylor Stadium to test if the light levels were good enough to play the remaining inning and a half, after gaining half of the infield lights back, the contest resumed at 9:45 P.M. The light delay had started at 8:15.
Unlike the last time there was a delay on their home turf, the Missouri bats didn’t generate a spark after returning to action. The right-handed reliever for Auburn, Garett Brewer, put the top of the Missouri lineup swiftly down in order, all striking out swinging in the penultimate inning.
The ninth inning for Missouri, still trailing 2-0, didn’t generate much suspense. The Auburn staff ended the night, showing exactly why they hadn’t allowed more than two runs in the previous five games. Brewer shut the door, even after conceding a single to Benson, to give Auburn its fourth SEC road opening win in the past six seasons.
“For me, it doesn’t matter who’s in the other dugout,“ Jackson said. ”You play the game the same way regardless of the opponent. We pitched it well tonight. We played good defense. We didn’t have good enough at‑bats.“
Login
