UCLA's hopes of returning to the Sweet 16 were dashed on Sunday night.

The No. 7-seeded Bruins were bounced in the March Madness Round of 32 by No. 2-seeded UConn in a 73-57 blowout loss. Mick Cronin's team reached the Final Four in 2021 and the Sweet 16 in the two seasons that followed, but it has yet to reach the second weekend for the third straight season.

After the game, Cronin was his typical blunt self when asked what it would take to get UCLA back to making deep runs in the NCAA tournament.

"Right now, I'm worried about tonight, consoling the guys," Cronin said when asked if anything needed to change with roster construction and approach.

Then, Cronin added, "I'd like about five more million (dollars), that's my answer."

“I’d like about 5 more million (dollars).”

Mick Cronin on what needs to change for UCLA to get out of the first weekend going forward. pic.twitter.com/9GFJwdh5Pq

— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) March 23, 2026

Cronin has been no stranger to eyebrow-raising comments this season, but this refrain is a common one around college sports. In the age of NIL, your roster is often only as good as the financial support for your program.

UCLA is a historic college basketball power, but after being thrust into the Big Ten for the last two seasons, which has many programs heavily invested in basketball, it seems Cronin's program still has a way to go to become nationally competitive again.

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

This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: UCLA Basketball: Mick Cronin says he needs more money for deep run

San Francisco 49ers retain rising defensive piece in cap-friendly $2.28M deal originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The San Francisco 49ers have continued shaping their roster after an injury-plagued 2025 season that still ended with a divisional-round appearance. With an eye on building stability for 2026, the team has brought back defensive lineman Sam Okuayinonu on a one-year contract worth $2.28 million, securing depth at a key position without stretching the salary cap.

Originally tendered at $3.5 million as a restricted free agent, Okuayinonu instead agreed to a reworked deal that lowers his cap hit while providing financial security. The contract includes a $1.6 million base salary, a $500,000 signing bonus, and $195,000 in additional bonuses, with $1.3 million fully guaranteed.

The adjustment reflects a calculated move by San Francisco to maintain flexibility while keeping a developing contributor in-house.

“49ers placed a $3.5 million tender on RFA Sam Okuayinonu but were able to negotiate and retain the DL at a significantly lower price — $2.28m cap hit — by offering a chunk of guaranteed money. $1.6m base salary, $500k signing bonus, $195k other bonuses. $1.3m of that fully GTD.” David Lombardi reported in a post on X.

Okuayinonu’s path to this deal has been anything but typical. After going undrafted in 2022 and spending a brief stint with the Tennessee Titans, he found a second opportunity with the 49ers.

Sam Okuayinonu’s role could quietly expand in 49ers’ 2026 rotation

While the contract itself signals financial prudence, the football implications may matter even more. Sam Okuayinonu appeared in 31 games across the last two years, including 12 starts in 2025 when injuries disrupted the defensive line.

During that stretch, he recorded 39 tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble, offering steady production in a unit that needed reliability.

His performance showcased a blend of pass-rushing ability and run defense discipline, giving the coaching staff a versatile option along the line. Even if the 49ers enter 2026 with improved health up front, Okuayinonu’s contributions last season likely elevated his standing within the rotation.

From a roster-building perspective, this move reflects a broader strategy. Instead of overcommitting resources to deep pieces, San Francisco opted for a cost-controlled agreement that still rewards development.

The guaranteed portion of the deal gives Okuayinonu some financial assurance, though it does not lock in a roster spot, keeping competition intact heading into the season.

Given the unpredictable nature of injuries in the NFL, having a proven rotational defender under a team-friendly contract positions the 49ers well.

NCAA gymnastics regionals 2026 bracket, schedule for women's college championships originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The women's college gymnastics postseason is here, and Oklahoma is the team to beat once again.

The Sooners have won three of the last four NCAA championships and sit atop the national rankings as the drive for the 2026 title begins. 

The one hiccup in Oklahoma's recent run of dominance came in 2024, when LSU took the crown. The Tigers are the No. 2 seed this year, with another SEC team, Florida, sitting third. The Gators are on a hot streak, recording the highest meet score this year at 198.575 on March 13 against Kentucky, then topping Oklahoma, LSU and Alabama to take the SEC championship. 

All of that would indicate the road to a national title goes through the SEC, but you never know what will happen in NCAAs. The first step for any contender is making it through regionals, and that path is set for each team. 

Here's everything you need to know to watch it all. 

NCAA gymnastics regionals 2026 bracket

The NCAA has announced the 36 teams headed to the gymnastics regionals, with 16 schools earning national seeds. Each regional will feature a first-round play-in dual meet, then two quad meets. The top two teams from each quad will compete in the four-team regional final. The top two teams from each regional final move on to the national championships.

Lexington Regional

Session 1

• No. 8 Missouri
• No. 9 Arkansas
• NC State
• Maryland

Session 2

• No. 1 Oklahoma
• No. 16 Kentucky
• Ohio State
  • Central Michigan
  • Rutgers

Baton Rouge Regional

Session 1

• No. 7 Stanford
• No. 10 Michigan
• North Carolina
• Utah State

Session 2

• No. 2 LSU
• No. 15 Clemson
• Auburn
  • Air Force
  • Nebraska

Tempe Regional

Session 1

• No. 6 Georgia
• No. 11 Michigan State
• BYU
• Southern Utah

Session 2

• No. 3 Florida
• No. 14 Cal
• Penn State
  • Arizona State
  • Arizona

Corvallis Regional

Session 1

• No. 5 Alabama
• No. 12 Utah
• Denver
• Oregon State

Session 2

• No. 4 UCLA
• No. 13 Minnesota
• Iowa
  • San Jose State
  • Washington

Where to watch NCAA gymnastics regionals

• TV channel: None
• Live stream:ESPN+

All four NCAA gymnastics regionals will stream exclusively on ESPN+, which is available via the ESPN app. See the day-by-day schedule below. 

Catch all your favorite ESPN+ action with ESPN Select! Just download the ESPN app, sign in with your ESPN account, tap Subscribe to ESPN Select, and you're set to stream live sports, originals, and more—all in one place.

NCAA gymnastics regionals schedule 2026

Each regional will feature four sessions across three days between April 1 and 5. 

Wednesday, April 1

Thursday, April 2

Friday, April 3

Saturday, April 4

Sunday, April 5

When and where are the NCAA gymnastics championships in 2026?

• Dates: April 16 and 18
• Site: Fort Worth, Texas

The NCAA gymnastics championships will conclude with the semifinals on April 16 and the finals on April 18. It will all take place at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

NCAA gymnastics championship history

Here are the results of the NCAA gymnastics championships the last 10 years:

Fulham are set to finalize the permanent signing of Samuel Chukwueze as the Premier League club remains fully convinced by the Nigerian international’s performances.

According to Daniele Longo, the West London side has moved to trigger the redemption of the winger following his successful loan spell from Milan.

Notably, the intermediary who managed the initial loan move has already informed the Rossoneri of Fulham’s intentions. The English club is prepared to commit to the transfer on a long-term basis, viewing the 26-year-old as a key profile for their offensive project.

Furthermore, Milan are now waiting for the formalization of the next procedural steps to conclude the operation during the upcoming weeks.

Indeed, the financial details of the deal represent a significant injection of funds for the Milanese giants. The permanent transfer will see Milan earn a fixed fee of €24 million, with the potential for an additional €4 million in performance-related bonuses. This total package of €28 million allows the Italian club to recoup a substantial portion of their initial investment while providing the player with the stability he sought in England.

Kaustubh Pandey | GIFN 

Chelsea Midfield Uncertainty Opens Door for Inter Move

There is a quiet ambiguity surrounding Chelsea’s handling of Andrey Santos, a player once framed as a long term cornerstone and now drifting into the margins of selection. As reported by Calciomercato, that uncertainty has not gone unnoticed, particularly by Inter, who are positioning themselves carefully for a potential move.

Photo IMAGO

The situation feels less like a sudden shift and more like a gradual recalibration. Santos remains valued, yet the clarity that once defined his trajectory has softened.

Inter Interest Reflects Tactical Evolution

Inter’s interest is rooted in a broader rethink. The club are preparing for a summer of change, one that could reshape their long standing tactical identity. Moving away from the 3-5-2 system signals intent to add greater physicality and creative unpredictability in midfield.

Within that framework, Santos emerges as a compelling option. Contacts have already taken place, with intermediaries linked to Giuliano Bertolucci and Kia Joorabchia engaging in discussions. These conversations, as outlined, are not new.

“CONTACTS ALREADY DATED”

That phrase captures a pursuit built over time rather than urgency.

Chelsea Position Has Shifted Over Time

Chelsea’s stance has evolved. There was a point where Santos was considered untouchable, a player to be reintegrated and developed within the first team.

That conviction was underlined when an offer of €50 million from Saudi Arabia was rejected. The decision spoke of belief, both in potential and in future value.

Photo IMAGO

“CHELSEA REJECTS €50 MILLION, BUT…”

The pause that follows those words feels significant. Since then, Santos has started just 13 matches across the Premier League and Champions League. Opportunity has been limited, and perception has shifted accordingly.

Summer Window Could Redefine Future

Inter’s approach remains measured. Santos is not the only name under consideration, but he occupies a space of genuine interest. The Italian club are monitoring developments closely, aware that Chelsea’s internal priorities may yet change again.

“THE ASSAULT IN SUMMER”

That line suggests a move that could gather momentum quickly if conditions align.

For Chelsea, the decision now carries wider implications. Santos represents potential, value and flexibility, all elements that intersect with financial strategy and squad planning.

The coming months will determine whether he remains part of Chelsea’s long term vision or becomes an opportunity for another club to seize.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

The situation around Andrey Santos feels uncertain in a way that is difficult to reconcile. This is a player who arrived with expectation, developed impressively on loan, and appeared ready to contribute meaningfully.

The frustration lies in the lack of continuity. Fans have seen glimpses of his ability, yet consistent opportunities have been limited. That raises questions about planning and whether the club fully trusts its emerging talents.

Inter’s interest adds another layer. Supporters will recognise the appeal for the Italian side, but it also sharpens concern about Chelsea potentially losing a player who could still become central to the squad.

There is also the financial angle. Selling a player like Santos may help balance accounts, but it risks weakening depth and future potential. Chelsea have invested heavily in youth, and supporters will expect that investment to translate into sustained opportunities.

Ultimately, fans want clarity. If Santos is part of the plan, he should be integrated. If not, the decision must be decisive. The current uncertainty benefits no one.

We have examined the NBA's MVP race in greatdetail over the last few weeks, but now it is high time for another look at this year’s candidates.

The list is not so dissimilar to our top candidates since the regular season’s one-third mark, when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić, Jalen Brunson, Luka Dončić and Victor Wembanyama — in that order — were our leading candidates. It is just a bit jumbled now, and with Cade Cunningham in Brunson’s stead as the Eastern Conference’s sole representative on this ballot. His Detroit Pistons, who hold a four-game lead for the No. 1 seed, earned him that right.

Draft your Yahoo Fantasy Baseball team for the 2026 MLB Season

It is weird now how the MVP ballot reflects a position-less All-NBA First Team. Will any of the 100 voters’ top-five MVP candidates look different from their All-NBA First Team? I suppose it is possible. It would not be here, if I had a vote, because of course the five most valuable players should make up your position-less All-NBA First Team.

That is, of course, if they qualify for the NBA’s 65-game rule, which requires players to participate in that many games in order to be considered for end-of-season awards.

Kawhi Leonard can miss only one more game before he is disqualified. He may not appear on anyone’s MVP ballot, since his Los Angeles Clippers are below .500, but his production should absolutely be in play for a spot on the All-NBA Second Team.

Cunningham’s MVP case is the one that is in most danger. He has missed nine games, and he is expected to miss at least the next six with a collapsed lung. To rush him back from that injury, just to qualify for end-of-year awards, might be a mistake.

Cunningham’s absence could leave the door open for Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown to make his way onto a ballot. Before we reveal too much, our MVP rankings …

Honorable mentions: Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics; Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks; Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves; Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers.

5. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers

Dončić has played his way into this conversation over the Lakers’ nine-game winning streak. Over that span, he has averaged a 40-8-7 on a 63.6 true shooting percentage.

On the season, Dončić is now averaging a 33-8-8 on better than 60% true shooting. Nobody attempts more shots (22.7), 3-pointers (10.8) or free throws (10.3) a night. His usage rate (37.9%), obviously, leads the league. The Lakers score 119.1 points per 100 possessions, similar to the league’s second-best offense, when he is on the court.

Unfortunately, Los Angeles also allows 115.5 points per 100 possessions — a number that approaches the NBA’s bottom-10 defensive ratings — when he takes the floor. That figure is far better (110.1 points allowed per 100 possessions) over the past nine games, where Dončić has also improved on that end. If he can sustain that effort over the course of a full season, the 27-year-old may yet one day get his MVP.

4. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons

Recency bias may suggest that Dončić belongs higher on this list, but remember: The Pistons perform like one of the league’s few title favorites, along with Gilgeous-Alexander’s Thunder and Wembanyama’s Spurs, when Cunningham is in the lineup.

Detroit is 44-17 when the former No. 1 overall pick takes the court, a 59-win pace. Cunningham is not the team’s best defender, though he is one piece of an outfit that rates as the league’s second-best defense. He is also the sole creator for an offense that scores 119.7 points per 100 possessions (a top-two figure) when he’s on the floor.

Cunningham’s 24.5 points per game rank 13th in the NBA on decent efficiency (56.7 true shooting percentage). He could improve in that regard. But his 9.9 assists a night have generated more points (1,548) than anyone else, including Jokić, even as Detroit starts two defense-first non-shooters (Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson).

3. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets

Jokić is enjoying a typical Jokić season, which is to say: The numbers are off the charts. He is averaging a triple-double, leading the league in both rebounds (12.6) and assists (10.6) per game. Needless to say, nobody has ever done that, especially not while averaging 28 points per game on league-leading efficiency (67.6 TS%).

There is little doubt he is the game’s most impactful offensive player. The Nuggets own the NBA’s best offensive rating (120.2), and they are even better, scoring 125.1 points per 100 possessions, when Jokić is on the floor. That is just insane efficiency.

It is on the defensive end of the floor where Jokić’s MVP argument suffers. He is the anchor of the league’s 21st-rated defense, though it is a little bit better, allowing 114.7 points per 100 possessions (a middling figure), when he is actually on the court.

It does not help that his Nuggets have essentially played .500 ball since Christmas. Even as an injury-plagued roster has regained some of its health, Denver remains an inconsistent team, despite its superior offense, and that comes with porous defense.

2. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs have climbed within three games of the Thunder for the West’s No. 1 seed, and that is Wembanyama’s key to moving into the top spot on these rankings. If San Antonio can catch Oklahoma City, there is a legitimate case to be made for Wemby.

After all, he is the NBA’s most dominant defensive force. He is as impactful on that end as anyone is on offense. The Spurs allow 103.7 points per 100 possessions, more than two points better than OKC’s league-leading defense, when Wembanyama is on the court. San Antonio is a middling defensive outfit when Wemby is on the bench.

Offensively, the Spurs score 119.9 points per 100 possessions, something like the league’s second-best unit, whenever Wembanyama is on the floor. He is the NBA’s 13th-most impactful player offensively, according to Dunks and Threes’ Estimated Plus-Minus, trailing only Jokić, Gilgeous-Alexander, Dončić and 10 other dynamos.

There is a real case to be made that a 22-year-old 7-foot-5 (7-foot-7?) phenom is already the NBA’s best player, depending on how much you weigh defense against offense, though the standings do not reflect it. Yet. The Spurs are 43-13 when Wemby is in the lineup, a 63-win pace. You have to be better than that to catch the Thunder.

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Someone has to take the MVP trophy from Gilgeous-Alexander, who edged Jokić for the regular-season award last season, and then added a Finals MVP honor to his collection en route to his first-ever championship.

Nobody has taken it from him. Not yet.

The Thunder once again own the league’s best record — by three full games over Wembanyama’s Spurs. They operate better than the NBA’s best offense, scoring 120.4 points per 100 possessions, and better than its best defense, allowing 106 points per 100 possessions, when Gilgeous-Alexander is on the court for them.

When SGA is off the floor, Oklahoma City still performs like a 54-win team, owning the NBA’s top defense, allowing 105.2 points per 100 possessions, but its offense drops to one of the league’s worst outfits, scoring 110 points per 100 possessions.

That could be a strike against Gilgeous-Alexander in the right argument. But we should measure him against what the Thunder look like with him on the court, not how good they are when is not playing, and they look like a juggernaut with him.

Besides, SGA is averaging 31.6 points per game on 66.5% true shooting. Only one other guard has ever scored 30-plus points a night on better shooting efficiency: Stephen Curry in his unanimous MVP campaign for the 73-win Warriors in 2016.

In other words, Gilgeous-Alexander is enjoying one of the best offensive seasons ever for a guard, while serving as a cog on the league’s best defense, for the NBA’s best team. Until someone can match those credentials, the award is SGA’s to lose.

Glasgow centre Johnny Ventisei - who made his senior debut in Saturday's win over Leinster - has signed his first professional contract with the club.

The 20-year-old played a part in two of Glasgow's six tries at the weekend, having previously captained Scotland Under-20s.

He credited head coach Franco Smith for giving him the belief to break into the starting XV and also spoke about what it is like working with Glasgow's senior centres, including Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu.

"I'm over the moon," Ventisei told Glasgow's club media.

"To be able to sign my first pro contract with my boyhood club is beyond special - it's a real dream come true.

"It's been a surreal week to be honest. When Franco told me I was going to be starting against Leinster, I couldn't believe it.

"It's been unbelievable to learn from the group of centres here. For me, I think we've got three of the best centres in the world in Stafford [McDowall], Sione [Tuipulotu] and Huw [Jones], so to be able to watch them and see how they operate at the highest level is a priceless opportunity for me and the other young guys here.

"Franco and the coaches have been superb, as well. From the minute we all got here and came into the academy a couple of years ago, he's been so good with us and making it feel like a unified squad - there's no real line between academy and senior squad, it feels like we're all one group.

"The confidence the coaches have shown in me is amazing and I'm determined to repay that faith."

Tennessee is recruiting toward its 2027 football signing class.

Four-star offensive tackle Brian Swanson named Tennessee in his top eight schools, along with Texas, LSU, Ohio State, SMU, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and Arizona State, according to Hayes Fawcett of On3.

The 6-foot-5, 315-pound prospect is from South Oak Cliff High School in Dallas, Texas. 247Sports ranks Swanson as the No. 17 offensive tackle in the class and No. 16 player in Texas.

Tennessee offered him a scholarship on Nov. 20, 2024 and the 2027 prospect has not visited the Vols.

North Texas was the first school to offer Swanson a scholarship on March 21, 2024. Other Power Four schools to offer him scholarships include Pittsburgh, Baylor, Ole Miss, Duke, Texas Tech, Missouri, Oregon, Michigan, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Alabama, LSU, Penn State, Florida, Auburn, California, Purdue, Miami, Syracuse, Colorado and Arkansas.

Tennessee has four commitments in its 2027 football recruiting class: linebacker JP Peace, offensive tackle Princeton Uwaifo, defensive lineman Kadin Fife and quarterback Derrick Baker.

Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).

This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: 2027 four-star offensive tackle names Vols in top eight schools

NC State concluded Sunday what was by its standards a disappointing season, one that all too often saw the Wolfpack struggle against the best teams on its schedule. NC State played 15 games against teams in the Torvik top-50 and lost 10 of them, six by double-figures. That’s just not good enough, and also highly unusual in recent history.

State could of course opt to—or rather, try to—run it back with its current group intact, since there are no seniors on the roster. But there are two questions that must be confronted immediately: is it financially possible to do that, first and foremost, and would it be the best course of action? The answer probably is no on both counts.

And based on what Wes Moore had to say after the loss yesterday, it seems highly unlikely that’ll be his preference, anyway:

As a coach, I feel like I’ve let my university down and let our fans down and let our players down. No, it’s been a rough year. A lot of people, you win 21 games and finish top four in the ACC, that’s a good year. 6 out of the last 7 years, we finished in the top ten in the country. So this is hard to swallow.

Again, we’ve got to take a real hard look at — again, I’ll take all the blame. I put the team together, and I coached the team. I’ve got to look in the mirror, we’ve got to look in the mirror as a program, and we’ve got to try to get back to what we do.

Most glaringly, this team had no useful bench contributors, which put a ton of pressure on its core four players to produce on a nightly basis. When one of them struggled—and we saw Tilda Trygger disappear over the last few weeks, for whatever reason—then the team was pretty average. Moore has to build better depth by finding some capable role players.

The Pack has to add some perimeter scoring: this team ranked 291st in three-point attempt rate and shot a modest 31.4% from three even so—against top-50 teams, it shot below 27%.

State needs more size on the perimeter, and more toughness in general. Ultimately I think the direction Moore takes depends on how he feels about Trygger moving forward, whether or not he can instill a little ferocity in her game at this point. Do Trygger and Khamil Pierre fit well enough together to try to keep both in place? I’m not so sure.

We’ve reached the gap between the end of spring training and opening day. The Jays don’t play until Friday night. To fill that gap, we’re going to run our annual top 40 prospect ranking this week, with two editions per day from now through Thursday. We’ll take opening weekend off and come back on Monday to count down the top 8. Without further ado…

40. Brandon Barriera, LHP, Age 22 (DOB: 3/4/2004), Grade 35, 2025: 14th

Brandon Barriera’s trajectory has been mostly downwards since he was selected 23rd overall back in 2022. He showed up to camp the next summer visibly out of shape and had a thoroughly disappointing first pro season that ended early due to elbow soreness. He cleaned up his conditioning, and reports out of camp in 2024 were good. That lasted just 1.1 innings into the regular season before he went down with elbow issues again, this time requiring Tommy John surgery. He made it back in June of last summer and pitched 5.2 extremely messy innings before going down yet again, this time with a fractured ulna. It’s been a rough ride.

So why is he still here? Because in the brief flashes we’ve gotten the stuff that made him a first round pick still appears to be there. He touched 99mph with his four seamer in his good outings last summer, and has apparently been regularly showing 98 in camp this summer. He has actually shifted to his cutter as his primary weapon, though. It’s a plus pitch that sits in the mid 90s. His slider is also plus, and he’s shown some feel for a change that could be average or a little better. His command was rough last year, but that’s often the last thing to come back after TJ and he never got to get himself established. There’s hope that it can get to fringe average because he’s a good athlete with a reasonably clean delivery.

Injuries and lost reps point to Barriera’s future being in the bullpen, if his body can stand up to even that workload. The upside is such that we can’t quite quit him, but he’ll really need to log a few innings in 2026 or it’s likely that his career just never gets off the runway.

39. Chay Yeager, RHP, Age 23 (DOB: 9/11/2002), Grade 35, 2025: NR

Yeager was the Jays 12th round pick out of Paso Hernando Community College in 2023. He threw 8.1 innings that season, somewhat unusual for a drafted pitcher, looking good against A ball competition. He scuffled a bit at A+ Vancouver the next season, walking nearly as many batters as he struck out (41:33 in 54.0 innings) and posting a 5.50 ERA. He came into camp throwing much harder in 2025, and the results followed. In his second go-round in Vancouver, he struck out more batters in 35.2 innings (43) than he had in 54 innings the year before while bringing his walks under control. That earned him a promotion to AA, where he punched out 21 against 7 walks in 20.0 innings. Overall, his season finished with a 2.75 ERA and more than three strikeouts per walk.

Yeager has added velocity since signing and now sits 96-97 and touches 99 with good vertical carry. His other pitch used to be a slider in the mid 80s, but he’s firmed it up into a cutter-ish pitch that sits in the low 90s and makes hitters look bad. In his AA time, his 15.9% swinging strike rate was in the 92nd percentile for pitchers with 20+ innings at that level. It’s a pure one inning reliever look, with two pitches and solidly below average command, but both offerings can be plus and he gets enough of the zone often enough to let them play. The upside is limited, as repertoire depth and the lack of command or a 70+ grade pitch probably keep him from being a true closer, but he needs minimal additional development to fill his likely eventual role as a 7th inning guy.

38. Franklin Rojas, C, Age 19 (DOB: 3/20/2007), Grade 35, 2025: NR

Rojas signed for just under $1m as part of the 2024 International Free Agent class. Prior to signing he was described as the top catchers in that year’s class, with a solid build and strength for a 16 year old, sound swing, and plus baseball IQ. Scouts project him to stick behind the plate as a solid average receiver with an above average arm.

At 5’10” and already looking physically mature, it’s unlikely that Rojas will ever have more than 45 grade raw power and right now his in-game production is well below that. A switch hitter, his swings both produce a lot of pulled fly balls, so as he develops that fringe power should actualize in games.

Rojas chased aggressively in 2024, swinging and missing at a high rate because he was so often out of the zone. He repeated the Domincan Summer League this past year and his swing and contact numbers were much better. He’s produced at a better than league average clip both years, and looks ready for the American complex this summer.

Rojas’ upside is capped by his limited offense, but if he can continue to make contact at an above average rate and refine his now decent plate discipline, he could profile as league average on both sides of the ball. Given the offensive bar at catcher, that’s an above average everyday player. More likely he fits eventually as a backup who can get on base enough not to be a major liability in the 9 spot.

37. Carson Messina, Age 19 (DOB: 4/15/2006), Grade 35, 2025: 39th

Messina was a major over slot singing in 2004, getting $550,000 in the 12th round to buy him out of a commitment to his home state school of South Carolina (his older brother Cole went in the third round to the Rockies in that same draft). He was shut down after the draft. In 2025, he was assigned to the complex, where he made one appearance before again being shut down for the season with elbow inflammation. He was reportedly throwing again by the end of last season and looks to have avoided surgery for now.

Messina is a stocky 6’2”, 225lbs. He pitches with a deep drop and drive delivery and a 3/4 arm slot that gives him a low release point and a tough angle to the plate. The fastball sits 93-94 but plays above average due to heavy arm side run. He throws two breaking balls, a cutter-like slider that drew some future plus-plus grades before he was drafted and a low-80s downer curveball that apparently looked better in his limited work last season. He has a fringy change-up that needs development. His command is below average right now, and at draft time he was evaluated as needing work to clean up his mechanics, but if he’s able to do that he has the foundations of a #4 starter.

This is basically a placeholder ranking for Messina. His bonus and draft reports suggest considerable upside, and the stuff appeared to be as advertised in the limited looks scouts got last season. We’ll get our first real looks at him as a pro in 2026. If he’s been able to begin moving his development forward in spite of last season’s injury, he has the potential to move quickly up this list.

Sean Rayford via Getty Images

No. 1 seed South Carolina will take on No. 9 USC in the Second Round of the women's 2026 March Madness tournament on Monday. The prime time game will tip off at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. South Carolina posted one of the tournament's biggest blowout wins in history when the team defeated Southern 103-34 in the First Round; they'll host USC at at Colonial Life Arena in Greenville, SC for tonight's matchup. USC defeated No. 8 Clemson 71-67 in the First Round to advance.

For a complete breakdown of key dates and how to watch every game of the women's NCAA tournament, we've got you covered, read on for more information.

How to watch South Carolina vs. USC at the women's March Madness tournament:

Date: March 23, 2026

Time: 8 p.m. ET

TV channel: ESPN

Streaming: ESPN Unlimited, Fubo, DirecTV and more

When is the South Carolina vs. USC game?

The South Carolina vs. USC game is on Monday, March 23. Tipoff is at 8 p.m. ET.

Where to watch the South Carolina vs. USC game:

The South Carolina vs. USC March Madness game will air on ESPN.

Where to stream March Madness games without cable:

Every game of the 2026 women's March Madness Tournament will stream on ESPN Unlimited, including those on ABC. You'll also be able to access every game on live TV services like Fubo, and DirecTV.

2026 NCAA women's basketball tournament game schedule

The following is the Second Round schedule for all teams participating in this year's March Madness tournament.

All times Eastern.

Second Round:

Monday

• 12 p.m.: No. 3 Louisville vs. No. 6 Alabama (ESPN)

• 2 p.m.: No. 2 Iowa vs. No. 10 Virginia (ESPN)

• 4 p.m.: No. 3 Ohio State vs. No. 6 Notre Dame (ESPN)

• 5 p.m,: No. 4 West Virginia vs. No. 5 Kentucky (ESPN2)

• 6 p.m.: No. 1 UConn vs. No. 9 Syracuse (ESPN)

• 7 p.m.: No. 2 Vanderbilt vs. No. 11 Illinois (ESPN2)

• 8 p.m.: No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 9 USC (ESPN)

• 10 p.m.: No. 1 UCLA vs. No. 9 Oklahoma State (ESPN)

2026 NCAA women's basketball tournament schedule:

The schedule and locations for the women's tournament:

• Selection Sunday: 8 p.m. ET Sunday, March 15 on ESPN

• First Four: March 18-19

• First round: March 20-21

• Second round: March 22-23

• Sweet 16: March 27-28 in Fort Worth, TX and Sacramento, CA

• Elite Eight: March 29-30 in Fort Worth, TX and Sacramento, CA

• Final Four: Friday, April 3, Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, AZ

• NCAA championship game: Sunday, April 5, Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, AZ

The Jets have a new quarterback. It is an old quarterback. Geno Smith was reacquired from the Las Vegas Raiders at the start of the offseason.

Smith was originally a Jet from 2013 through 2016. His four year tenure was tumultuous. Geno eventually found a home with the Seattle Seahawks before a rocky season in Vegas.

This week as part of our SB Nation Reacts survey, we asked Jets fans whether they expect Geno 2.0 to be better than the original. The results suggest Jets fans are optimistic about the new/old quarterback.

It would be an incredible story if Smith returned to New York and capped off his career with a successful run on the team that drafted him.

When he was picked in 2013, the team hoped he could end what was then a two year Playoff drought. That same stretch is now at 15. Maybe, just maybe that hope will be fulfilled.

Bet on the game with FanDuel Sportsbook, SB Nation’s official sportsbook partner!

Lennart Karl has been one of the biggest names in the sport this season. After breaking onto the scene this past summer at the Club World Club, Karl impressed with his elite goal scoring ability and energy on the pitch. Since then, rumors of a national team callup have swirled all season but the time has finally come as Julian Nagelsmann called up the young Bayern star this past week.

However, Karl’s life looks a lot different than your average footballer as Karl missed the first phone call from Julian Nagelsmann as he was in the middle of his math tutoring session when he got the call from the former Bayern Munich coach.

“I was at my math tutoring session. Then Julian Nagelsmann called me. I didn’t answer at first, but I called back after five minutes and was very happy to hear that I was called up. I’m not putting any pressure on myself. I’ll just play my football and then I hope things work out well and that I’ll be at the World Cup,” said Lennart Karl as captured by @iMiaSanMia.

What a life Karl is living. Karl is in pretty elite company when it comes to a national team callup at the age of 18 years old. While Karl is unlikely to be a starter in the March friendlies against Switzerland and Ghana, he can be an exciting role off the bench for Nagelsmann.

With a few months time before the World Cup this summer, it isn’t unimaginable that Karl could become a starter for Nagelsmann at the big tournament, but these friendlies will be a large indication for how we will take advantage of these opportunities. Good luck Lenny!

After months of waiting, Opening Week is finally upon us, and the Nationals’ 2026 regular season campaign will finally kick off Thursday afternoon at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs. It will be the second time they’ve kicked off a season on the road against the Cubbies, with the last time coming in 2012, when Stephen Strasburg threw 7 scoreless innings and an Ian Desmond go-ahead single in the 9th lifted the Nats to a 2-1 victory.

Opening Day is one of the most-watched and discussed games every year for every ballclub, and the Nationals have played some thrillers in their history. Let’s go ahead and rank the very best Opening Days the Nats have been a part of.

Honorable Mentions

HM: 2005, Nationals 4 Phillies 8

Opening Day 2005 marked a historic moment in DC baseball history, the first game in Washington Nationals history and the first game for a DC ballclub in 34 years. It was a rather unremarkable game, but marked some important milestones in team history, such as Josh Willingham knocking the first hit in club history and Terrmel Sledge hitting the first home run.

HM: 2013, Nationals 2 Marlins 0

Opening Day 2013 marks what truly was a golden age of Nationals baseball at the time, as the 2 young phenoms, Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg, led the way to a 2-0 victory, with Harper hitting 2 solo home runs and Strasburg throwing 7 scoreless innings. While the 2013 season didn’t go the way the club or fans would’ve hoped it would, that reality couldn’t dampen the vibes on game 1, as the defending NL East champ Nats handled their division rival Marlins with ease in front of a sold-out home crowd.

Top 5

5th: 2016, Nationals 4 Braves 3

After an extremely disappointing 2015 campaign, which led to the firing of manager Matt Williams, the 2016 club, led by new manager Dusty Baker, faced high expectations to get back to postseason play. From game one of that year, this team showed why they were different than the year prior’s team, showing resilience in an extra innings win at Turner Field against the Braves. Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy both clubbed solo shots in the early innings, and a Murphy double down the line in the 10th inning sealed a 1-0 start to the year.

4th: 2012, Nationals 2 Cubs 1

Opening Day 2012 was a similar story to 2016, a resilient late-inning win, but this one had some extra emphasis to it, as it marked a new chapter in Nationals history as serious contenders. In his first career Opening Day start, Stephen Strasburg threw 7 innings of one-run ball, our first glimpse at the kind of big game pitcher he would eventually become. A Jayson Werth bases-loaded walk tied the game in the 8th inning, and an Ian Desmond go-ahead single in the 9th would get the Nats their first of 98 wins in the 2012 campaign.

3rd: 2021, Nationals 6 Braves 5

The 2021 Washington Nationals would not go on to be a great ballclub, but that doesn’t take away from the hope fans had on Opening Day 2021, when in the first game with fans in the crowd for the club since 2019, Juan Soto hit his first career walkoff to lift the Nats over the Braves 6 to 5. The wildest part about this Opening Day was that it was not supposed to be the first game of the year, with the original opening series against the Mets being postponed due to 4 Nationals testing positive for COVID-19. Opening Day 2021 truly marks what an odd time it was for both Nationals baseball and the world during that time period.

2nd: 2014 Nationals 9 Mets 7

Similar to Opening Day 2016, the 2014 Nats had high expectations after a disappointing 2013 season, and they showed in game one why they had what it took to get back to playing October baseball. Tied 5-5 entering extra innings, Ian Desmond gave the Nats the lead with a sacrifice fly before a then 24-year-old Anthony Rendon hit a 3-run shot that would secure the Nationals a 9-7 victory. The Nationals have had a lot of great road victories on Opening Day, but this is the best of the bunch on the road, and would be the best overall if not for another special one.

1st: 2008 Nationals 3 Braves 2

2008 is and will likely always remain the most iconic Opening Day in Nationals history, as in game one at the newly constructed Nationals Park, Ryan Zimmerman hit a walkoff home run into the red porch seats in front of a sold-out crowd and on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball. Festivities were large, and vibes were high, with President George W. Bush throwing out the first pitch and fans getting accustomed to the place the Nats have called home now for 18 years. The 2008 Nationals were not a good baseball team by any means, but Opening Day isn’t for worrying how the following 161 games will look; it’s about celebrating the return of baseball and taking it one day at a time.

NFL Draft Profile: Penn State's Zakee Wheatley Could Become Three-Level Player originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New England Patriots can take their pick of positions to address during the 2026 NFL Draft.

It’s easy to see them targeting someone who can rush the passer, depth options at linebacker and/or tight end, competition along the offensive line, someone who can provide a spark to the skill position group, and... well, pretty much anything else you can think of.

I just don't think they can do it all…

If the club intends on putting itself in a position to regularly contend, it will need to prioritize things perfectly and put together another superb draft class -- which might just include Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley:

Bio:

Zakee Wheatley
Position: S
Height: 6' 3"
Weight: 203 lbs
Hand: 9 1/2"
Arm: 31"
Scouting Combine: 32.5" (Vertical), 10' 2" (Broad)
2025 Stats: 12 G, 1 INT, 2.0 TFL, 74 TKL

Pros: 

Wheatley can do whatever is asked of him, which makes him one of the more valuable options in this class -- there can be an argument made that he is the third best universal option behind Ohio State's Caleb Downs and Toledo's Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.

• VERSATILE, CAN PLAY FROM VARIETY OF ALIGNMENTS (SLOT, DEEP THIRD, BOX)
• PHYSICAL COVERAGE PLAYER, DRIVES THROUGH THE FOOTBALL AND UTILIZES HANDS VERY WELL
• QUICK TO TRIGGER, CLOSES VERY WELL IN THE RUNNING GAME
• LENGTH IS HIS GAME, ALWAYS GETS HIS HANDS ON THE FOOTBALL
• FRAME TO ADD WEIGHT

Cons: 

Wheatley likely won't be able to play in the box full-time, at least not in his current frame or without adding strength.

• CHANGE OF DIRECTION ISN'T ALL THAT IMPRESSIVE
• NEEDS TO LEARN ABOUT COVERAGE, LACK OF ROUTE RECOGNITION GETS HIM IN TROUBLE
• NEEDS TO ADD WEIGHT

INSERT

Grade and Player Comparison: 

Wheatley needs to be given opportunities to figure it out, but you can tell that he eventually will. I'd be willing to bet that he settles as a free safety who has the ability to shift depending on how the roster is constructed around him/what is being asked of others.

GRADE: 81/100
PLAYER COMP: Calen Bullock

The Patriots ______ Zakee Wheatley:

"have already done their homework on"

New England hosted the young man on one of its first reported pre-draft visits, so it clearly likes something... Craig Woodson and Kevin Byard is a fantastic duo, but you'll soon need to replace the latter due to him coming in on a one-year deal, so the search starts immediately.

More NFL: 2026 NFL Draft Preview: Profiling Most Interesting Players In Class

Alabama vs. Louisville box score: Full stats from 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The second round of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament continues Monday. No. 3 Louisville and No. 6 Alabama kick off the eight games to decide the Sweet 16 field. Louisville beat 14th-seeded Vermont 72-52 for a first-round victory. This is the third straight second-round appearance for Alabama in the NCAA tournament after a 68-55 win over Rhode Island. The Crimson Tide will try to make the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1998. 

Here is a look at the box score from Monday's second round Regional 3 in Fort Worth.

Alabama vs. Louisville March Madness box score

2nd quarter- 1:19 

Alabama stats

Louisville stats

More college basketball news:

• Hubert Davis buyout, contract details as UNC Tar Heels coach
• Seven championship worthy teams in 2026 NCAA men’s basketball bracket
• John Calipari says college athletics is broken — Here’s his plan to fix it
• Fact check: AJ Dybantsa was paid $7 million-plus at BYU
• Where Arkansas Darius Acuff Jr. ranks among John Calipari's best NBA guards

Happy Monday, all. Hope your week has gotten off to a good start.

As usual, there’s no shortage of things to discuss across the University of Miami sports spectrum, so let’s get right to it…

1) The Miami Hurricanes gave it a valiant effort, but came up just short against Purdue in the second round.

The Hurricanes fell behind in the first half 25-20, but went on a 16-4 run to take a 36-29 lead with just two minutes left in the first half. I had real belief. The Canes were moving the ball well, had a ton of energy, and flat-out looked like the better team.

But Purdue closed on a quick 9-4 run to recapture the momentum and make it tight going into the locker room. And they carried that into the second half early, taking the lead at 43-42 and never giving it up again. The Hurricanes stayed close for much of the second half, and a three by Tre Donaldson halfway through the second half brought Miami to 50-48 and gave them some hope. A Shelton Henderson dunk gave Miami one last gasp at 57-54. But then, the Boilermakers went on an 11-3 run to take their first double-digit lead at 68-57 with just five minutes left, and hope slipped away at that hope.

Regardless…man, I’ve got to say, I’m so proud of Jai Lucas and this group of players. A +19 mark from 2024-25 to 2025-26 tied for the greatest single season win jump in NCAA history. That’s absolutely incredible. The future is super bright for this program, and this is just the beginning. This program deserves big crowds and full-throated support moving forward.

2) Miami’s Pro Day is today, televised on ACC Network Extra from 2-4 pm.

Miami has plenty of NFL talent, and the usual suspects of Francis Mauigoa, Rueben Bain, Jr., and Akheem Mesidor will get plenty of attention, as they should.

However, I want to see if some guys like Keionte Scott and Jakobe Thomas can start to get a bit more draft hype. Scott has day two tape and ability, but I haven’t seen his name mentioned nearly enough. He has a role as a box defender/slot corner at the NFL level, and with his instincts, pass rush ability, and flat-out big play tendency, he undoubtedly has a place waiting for him on an NFL 53-man roster. A big day today could help ensure he hears his name called on day two.

3) Miami baseball stopped the bleeding temporarily over the weekend at Mark Light, sweeping Creighton.

I know I’ve been on a weekly rant about the bullpen. But the bullpen had warranted receiving a weekly rant about their inadequacies.

However, lost in my scorn was a lack of proper credit for a Miami Hurricane who’s been flat-out awesome this season, and that’s starting pitcher Rob Evans. The Canes’ Saturday starter has a 5-1 record with a 3.09 ERA in 32.0 innings, with 43 strikeouts to 12 walks. Since his first two appearances, he’s gone at least six innings each of his next four starts. In his last three, he’s allowed one or less earned run.

He’s been the staff ace thus far this season, and he’s a huge reason the Canes had a fighting chance against Florida in the second game and had a shot at taking the Duke series.

A big kudos to him, and hopefully his success can start to rub off on some of the other arms in the dugout/bullpen moving forward.

Go Canes!

stripped-back“There is a big brain that is working through every decision and action.”

And with that, ECB chief executive Richard Gould’s rallying cry, played on a kazoo, was complete. Brendon McCullum remains the man to take England forward as the head coach.

The news from today, in truth, is that there is no news. McCullum was the men’s head coach yesterday, and he will be the men’s head coach tomorrow. Rob Key, the men’s managing director, will keep his job, and so too will the captain Ben Stokes.

Bloodlust rarely leads to progress. You need only look to the conveyor belt of managers in the Premier League, or of Prime Ministers at No 10, to tell you that change isn’t a guarantee of success. But the feeling that apathy has won the day in ECB towers is hard to shake.

An hour-long press conference at Lord’s, conducted by Gould and Key, where they laid out all the mistakes that had been made in recent times, delivered the conclusion that the best people to learn from those mistakes were the guilty parties in the first place.

“When you see where Test cricket has come in this country in the last four years,” said Gould, “This is not the time to throw everything out.”

Gould’s opinion is not without reason. According to the ECB CEO, the average viewership of Test cricket has increased 25 per cent since McCullum took over. The cricket under McCullum has been wild and the results have been erratic, but it has got the people watching. And for a sport that craves eyeballs more than anything, that is not to be sniffed at.

But the problem with more people watching, is that more people have been paying attention.

Viewing figures, again, according to Gould and the ECB, were up 45 per cent during the Ashes. A series that left passionate fans furious and casual fans bemused. What do you mean, they had a week-long piss up in Noosa? And what do you mean, the white ball captain got punched by a bouncer the night before a game? Is this normal?

Everyone agrees it went too far. But no-one, it has been decided, was to blame. The result is an unhappy middle-ground where the leadership group whose greatest quality was their boiling forthrightness have been brought down to a simmer.

McCullum believes in stripped-back backroom staff and relaxed environments. But he is now in charge of a growing backroom staff and a team where they have to log their whereabouts past 9pm, according to a report by the Telegraph.

Rob Key wanted international attributes, not domestic statistics, from his county players. But with an overhaul ahead, he now finds himself on a charm offensive in order to repair a broken relationship between England and the counties.

“We put a real premium on having a settled team,” Key explained, with a renewed emphasis being placed on domestic performance ahead of the Test summer. “We overplayed that really…We didn’t want to be giving someone a debut in an Ashes Test match. But what happens then is that there’s a lack of consequence for substandard performance.”

The very first message to come out of this group was: “Be where your feet are.” Focusing on the here and now.

And today? “We have to understand where our priorities are,” said Gould. “And our priorities are largely with winning the Ashes and Test series against India.” McCullum’s record in Test series against India and Australia? Played four, won zero.

They say a good compromise is a situation that everyone leaves unhappy. And out of today, we have a great compromise.

“We are not going to select or deselect management based on a popularity campaign,” said Gould. “Moving people on can sometimes be the easy thing to do. That's not the route that we're going to take.

“It may not be the popular route. It may not be the easiest route, but I think it's the right route.”

This is now a caveat-free leadership group. Between Gould, Key, McCullum and Stokes, they have had a full four-year cycle to enact and carry out their plans. No failures can be blamed on previous eras, and now the second iteration of their rule begins. That McCullum and Stokes parted ways during the Ashes is now on record, but the ECB and England remain of the belief that the pair are the best men for the job.

Sport is the most important of all the non-important things in the world. And when actions do not have consequences, an important illusion is broken. You realise that, yeah, England probably will lose to Australia or India across five Tests, and they probably will beat New Zealand or Pakistan when they come to town. Whether it’s McCullum in charge, Peter Moores, me, or you, Joe Root and Harry Brook will go out and score some runs. And one of the lads who wangs it down will get someone out or something.

The greatest success of this leadership team is that they got people watching, and their reward is that it will continue to be them that people watch, even when it shouldn't be.

England’s next Test takes place in June, when New Zealand come to town for three Tests. Make sure to tune in.

A helpful guide to the Big Ten and beyond in the Sweet Sixteen.

Discussions elsewhere have reminded me that there is still, in fact, other college basketball going on — I had personally set a reminder for The College Basketball Crown on Wednesday, April 1, and gone into hibernation.

Alas.

Given those results, we’ve got a Sweet Sixteen scheduled for Thursday that looks something like this:

Here’s how I break down the rootability of these remaining teams, by conference:

ACC (1 team)

[1] Duke Blue Devils

No.

SEC (4 teams)

[11] Texas Longhorns

No.

“But they’re an underdo—”

No.

Never Texas. Not even once.

Glad we cleared that up.

[6] Tennessee Volunteers

A Rick Barnes-coached team. Y’all have a good time with that one.

[4] Arkansas Razorbacks

Well, I mean, Eric Musselman seems like a fun stor—

/touches ear

Ah. Well. I see. And USC…they weren’t good this year?

No?

Well. Let’s take a look at who Arkansas replaced him wi—

Oh.

Moving on.

[4] Alabama Crimson Tide

Nate Oats seems fine, probably. The rest of Alabama annoys me.

“Don’t root for the SEC” remains best practices.

The Big East (2 teams)

[5] St. John’s Red Storm

okay now HEAR ME OUT

There is no ethical consumption in college basketball.

None.

Your team is Bad and does it The Wrong Way. If they haven’t yet, they will, and I apologize for a lifetime of Northwestern fandom that had convinced me otherwise.

And so…why not Pitino?

Give the old vampire one last run to the top. Let’s have a swashbuckling five-seed come in and take down a few big boys. It’s New York, it’s gritty, it’s a media sensation…let’s get weird.

[2] UConn Huskies

Danny Hurley is an asshole. Moving on.

Big XII (3 teams)

[1] Arizona Wildcats

Nah. Perennial power, basically UConn with a slightly less-shitty coach. Pass.

[2] Iowa State Cyclones

Now THIS one’s interesting.

Look, Iowa State fans—dating back to Wide Right Natty Lite and, I’m sure, beyond—are…well, they’re something to behold. Imagine “What if Purdue, but even less, somehow?”

Less of what? I’ll let you tell me.

Their coach, TJ Otzelberger, is a smedium shirt-wearing bro who’s put in his time as an ISU assistant, then continued South Dakota State’s success before jumping ship to UNLV and then Ames. So far his ceiling over four years has been Sweet Sixteen—most recently two years ago, ended by 10-seed Illinois—and in both of the last two years, the Cyclones have squandered a 3-seed.

I think to the average bear, the Cyclones are a compelling and rootable team here. The issue is that doing so runs you the risk of having to talk to Iowa fans who will burst down the door screaming about how they’re so much more likeable. Iowa State’s not my overall #1 most likeable or rootable remaining team, but their ability to send Iowa fans into a mouth-foaming rage keeps them high on the board.

[2] Houston Cougars

This is the correct answer. Kelvin Sampson and the Coogs should’ve won their national championship last year, only to blow it in excurciating fashion to Florida. Sampson himself is a good story who’s built his program his way at UH.

Of course, to win, Houston will basically have to beat the whole of the…

Big Ten (6 teams)

First, a note on this: I do not want a Big Ten team to win the NCAA Tournament, unless that team is Northwestern. I wish ill on all your programs.

Moving on.

[9] Iowa Hawkeyes

It’s hard to argue Ben McCollum and Bennett Stirtz don’t make for a compelling story — the Northwest Missoudrakiowa Bearkathawkdogs have played their disciplined basketball and thoroughly repudiated the reign of Franmosus, who will sit trial just as soon as he can be exhumed.

Then again, you meet Iowa fans and remember “Oh Christ, no, you shouldn’t ever have anything nice.”

[4] Nebraska Cornhuskers

Still behind Northwestern in career W/L percentage in the NCAA Tournament, huh?

Nebraska is a nice story, but I fear the success is coming a little too quickly. The problem is—who, outside of a meteor, do you root for in the Iowa-Nebraska matchup in the Sweet Sixteen?

Deservedly high up there for the novelty of a Nebraska tourney run, but if I’m honest, I can’t stand all the Nebraska football shit I see at the games. You people couldn’t spell “Andre Almeida” if I spotted you a pitcher of heavy cream.

[3] Illinois Fighting Illini

As I discussed with Thumpasaurus just the other day, it pains me to see Illinois doing so well — not just because they are a terrible school with terrible players and terrible fans — but because…damn, I’m jealous of the roster.

Bill Carmody and Ivan Vujic scouted Eastern Europe for YEARS and brought us wonders like Luka Mirkovic, Alex Olah, Ivan Peljusic, and Ivan Tolic…and we never got this payoff we so richly deserved.

They’d be higher if they weren’t Illinois.

[3] Michigan State Spartans

Yuck. Time for a new champion, thanks.

[2] Purdue Boilermakers

Ew ew ew ew ew no, never mind, bring back Sparty, god knows the world doesn’t need this fanbase with as big a chest as their mascot’s.

[1] Michigan Wolverines

lmao get serious

So what are the final rankings?

I HAVE MADE MY DECISIONS! IN REVERSE ORDER:

T-16. Duke Blue Devils, Michigan State Spartans

14. UConn Huskies

13. Michigan State Spartans

12. Purdue Boilermakers

11. Arizona Wildcats

T-10. Iowa Hawkeyes, Illinois Fighting Illini, Texas Longhorns, Tennessee Volunteers, Arkansas Razorbacks, Alabama Crimson Tide

4. Nebraska Cornhuskers

3. Iowa State Cyclones

2. St. John’s Red Storm

1. Houston Cougars

Have a pleasant Monday.

Reigning UFC welterweight champion, Islam Makhachev, is unable to book his first 170-pound title defense because of a lingering hand injury that has yet to be resolved.

Sound familiar?

“Islam’s coming back from a hand injury,” UFC CEO, Dana White, told reporters at last weekend’s UFC London post-fight press conference (watch it here). “As soon as he’s ready, we’ll figure out what’s next for him.”

Recent clips on Makhachev’s Instagram page suggest he’s ready.

Makhachev (28-1) jumped to welterweight to capture the 170-crown from Jack Della Maddalena atop the UFC 322 event back in November. In addition to a return date, the promotion also needs to figure out the next division title contender, though all signs point to this rising star.

This annual event might be a nice place to make it happen.

Until then, expect to hear more bickering from the rest of the Top 5 (see it here).

Patriots' Mike Vrabel Spotted Chatting With Record-Breaking Receiver At Boston College Pro Day originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New England Patriots could be looking to add some more talent to the wide receiver room this offseason.

The team signed Romeo Doubs, but reportedly remains interested in A.J. Brown. Even if a trade for Brown doesn't happen, the reported interest indicates they are not done exploring additions at receiver. They could turn to the NFL Draft to add talent at the position. The Patriots attended Boston College's pro day on Monday, and seemingly paid close attention to Lewis Bond.

Bond is listed at just 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, but he is one of the best receivers in program history. He is the all-time Boston College receptions leader, the single-season receptions record holder and fifth all-time in program receiving yards. According to Evan Lazar, he wrapped up his pro day by chatting with Mike Vrabel.

Lewis Bond wraps up his day chatting with Vrabel. pic.twitter.com/YzPDPOa9Y0

— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) March 23, 2026

He was a captain last season and started all 12 games. He set career highs in receptions and receiving yards. He scored only one touchdown, but had 11 in the last three seasons. He was fourth in the country in receptions per game and was top-20 nationally in receiving yards and yards per game.

Bond was an All-ACC Second-Team selection and could be a solid addition to the Patriots. He went through all of the typical work for a pro day, and Vrabel was not the only member of the Patriots he spent time talking to. According to CLNS media, he also spoke to the Vice President of player personnel, Ryan Cowden, before running routes.

SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba have agreed to a four-year, $168.8 million contract extension, with $120 million guaranteed, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Monday.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the contract, which would make Smith-Njigba the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL, hasn’t been finalized.

The 24-year-old set the team record for yards receiving (1,793) and receptions (119) in a single season en route to winning AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year award last season.

He will be under contract with Seattle through the 2031 season. The Seahawks exercised the fifth-year option on Smith-Njigba's rookie contract last week.

Smith-Njigba's new deal surpasses that of Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, who signed a $161 million extension with $112 million guaranteed last March.

Smith-Njigba had nine 100-yard receiving games during the regular season and was a key to Seattle winning its second Super Bowl in franchise history. In the Seahawks’ 31-27 win over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC championship game, Smith-Njigba had 10 catches for 153 yards receiving and a touchdown.

Overall, he has 282 receptions for 3,551 yards and 20 touchdowns in his career.

___

AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi in Tampa, Florida, contributed to this report.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

With Sidiki Chérif ruled out of competing for France’s U21s during this upcoming international break due to ineligibility, Cercle Brugge’s Steve Ngoura (21) has been called up in his place. The striker may be on the move in the summer, too, according to Fabrice Hakwins. 

Ngoura joined Cercle Brugge from Le Havre AC in the winter of 2025 for a fee of just over €2m. He has played 31 games for the Belgian club in what has been a difficult campaign on a collective level. However, Ngoura has managed four goals and six assists during that time and he has therefore seen his stock rise. 

Hawkins understands that, amid his first call-up for Les Bleuets, Ngoura is a target for AS Monaco. A deal could easily be facilitated, with Cercle Brugge and the Principality club sharing the same owner, Dmitry Rybolovlev. He is a potential summer target for Les Monégasques.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Fenerbahce have made the first move for Juventus striker Lois Openda as the Turkish giants look to strengthen their attacking options.

According to Mirko Di Natale, initial contact has been established to understand the margins of a potential transfer during the summer transfer window.

Notably, the Belgian international is currently considered on the fringes of the project in Turin. Following a period where he has struggled to find consistent minutes, the Juventus hierarchy is now prepared to evaluate any concrete offers that arrive for the forward.

Furthermore, the interest is not limited to Turkey, as several clubs from Saudi Arabia have also made contact to explore the feasibility of a deal.

Indeed, the situation remains fluid as the market enters its final stages. It remains to be seen whether previous suitors like Newcastle, Aston Villa, and Lens will return to the fold to challenge for his signature.

All three clubs have historically kept a close eye on the 26-year-old’s development and could provide an alternative path should the negotiations with Fenerbahce fail to reach a swift conclusion.

Kaustubh Pandey | GIFN

Technically speaking, everything the Boston Celtics want to accomplish this season is still right in front of them. At the moment, Boston is the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. If things break right, the Celtics could make their third run to the NBA Finals this decade, perhaps even winning their second NBA title in three seasons.

But it's hard to see the Celtics reaching such lofty heights without elite play from Jayson Tatum.

After tearing his Achilles tendon last May, the perennial All-NBA forward made his return to Boston's lineup earlier this month. For someone who suffered one of the worst injuries for a professional athlete, early returns on Tatum's play have mostly been pretty promising. He seems way ahead of schedule, given that he didn't play elite competitive basketball for about 10 months. But Tatum isn't yet playing at a consistent superstar level; a level the Celtics will need him to return to if they want to compete for this year's Larry O'Brien Trophy.

To be clear, that's not surprising. Tatum needs time to work his way into rhythm and the swing of things. No one reasonable should've expected to look consistently dominant this fast. And it's better he works through his struggles now than in the tense, high-pressure atmosphere of next month's playoffs.

That didn't stop Tatum from sharing a candid assessment of his recent play. He was clearly frustrated with himself after shooting 6-of-16 from the field in a home loss to the Anthony Edwards-less Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night:

Asked Jayson Tatum if he feels like he’s giving himself grace throughout this stretch:

“It’s tough in the moment, right? You try not to think about it. You just want to be Jayson Tatum and feel like yourself again. I'm not Superman, so it's obviously gonna take some time. I… pic.twitter.com/b2pugYNgNn

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) March 23, 2026

Again, does Tatum need to be better for the Celtics to reach their ultimate ceiling? Absolutely. No one's disputing that.

But let's not forget that he quite literally tore his Achilles tendon less than a year ago. It's a remarkable story of injury recovery and the human will that Tatum is even playing for the Celtics right now. Tatum is one of the NBA's best players. That he holds himself to a high standard, regardless of the context, is commendable. It's also why we should be confident he will eventually play at an All-NBA level again soon enough.

Everyone else should give him time and grace to get his sea legs back under him. For now, just appreciate that he's even nailing midrange jumpers for the Celtics again. It's all part of the process.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Jayson Tatum had blunt review of his play during Celtics comeback

Bulls legend Scottie Pippen disses Michael Jordan in new soda commercial originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Mr. Pibb knew who to call for this new commercial.

For those unfamiliar, Mr. Pibb is a soda that tastes a lot like Dr. Pepper. But there's a reason you may not have heard of Mr. Pibb -- Dr. Pepper gets all the shine, and the market share that comes with it. Scottie Pippen signed right up.

That's right, the Chicago Bulls legend is the man promoting Mr. Pibb in its newest commercial.

And in it, he has some subtle messaging that could only be interpreted as being about Michael Jordan.

“When something has been considered second-best for so long, we just blindly accept it as gospel," Pippen says in the commercial. “A decade-long plot built on marketing, social media and multi-part documentaries.”

Yeah, that seems pretty specific.

Scottie Pippen disses Michael Jordan in a new soda commercial:

“When something has been considered second-best for so long, we just blindly accept it as gospel.”

“A decade-long plot built on marketing, social media and multi-part documentaries.”

pic.twitter.com/GVMn62Uc5h

— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) March 23, 2026

MORE: Is Bill Self retiring as Kansas coach?

The Mr. Pibb relationship with Dr. Pepper isn't quite the same. They're competitors, not on the same team.

But it's still quite the hilarious way for Pippen to take a subtle jab. 

Pippen has at least some case for his own value in one of the most cited stats: Jordan never won an NBA championship until Pippen was his teammate.

Yet there's MJ in the GOAT lead for most people, while Pippen's name is rarely brought up.

Pippen was a special player to be sure -- and Mr. Pibb does taste quite good, for those wondering.

More basketball news:

• Bryce James has a quiet role in March Madness
• Caleb Wilson shares honest feelings about staying at UNC
• How to tell the Boozer twins apart
• Darryn Peterson deals with cramps, commitment concerns
• NBA Draft scouting report on Florida's 7-foot-9 center
• Syracuse, Gerry McNamara, a near upset and a head coaching gig

Head coach Marcelo Bielsa has officially announced the call-up of 28 players for the Uruguay National Team for the crucial March FIFA international break. This squad list represents one of the last opportunities for players to secure their spot in the final roster ahead of the World Cup, combining the experience of key figures like Federico Valverde and Darwin Núñez with emerging talents.

Elite Challenges: England and Algeria

Uruguay will face two top-level tests on European soil. The first major clash will be this Friday, March 27, against England at the legendary Wembley Stadium. Afterwards, the Uruguayan delegation will travel to Turin to take on Algeria on Tuesday, March 31. Both matches will be fundamental for fine-tuning the high-intensity system advocated by "El Loco".

A Balanced Squad

The list stands out for the return of established names and the commitment to continuity for young players looking to cement their place in the process. With the World Cup just around the corner, Bielsa will use this tour to fine-tune tactical details and decide the final spots in the official delegation.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

John O'Shea says he is confident the Republic of Ireland can carry the momentum gained in November into Thursday's World Cup play-off semi-final against the Czech Republic (19:45 GMT).

In danger of missing out, the Republic of Ireland pulled off stunning victories over Portugal and Hungary to reach this stage.

The 3-2 win in Budapest was a rare success on the road for the Republic of Ireland, but O'Shea has faith that the players can replicate that heroic performance and keep alive their hopes of reaching the World Cup for the first time since 2002.

"Without a doubt, but you have to reinforce that [idea of momentum] straightaway," said O'Shea.

"The boss [Heimir Hallgrimsson] had a meeting with the boys this morning and we'll reinforce that in the training sessions and video meetings we'll have over the next couple of days to transport themselves back to that moment in Hungary, but then fast forward to what's ahead of us in Prague, tough opposition but one we can have success against."

The Republic of Ireland will set up a play-off final at home to Denmark or North Macedonia on 31 March with victory in Prague.

There are no fresh injury concerns from the weekend's club action following Hallgrimsson's squad announcement on Thursday.

"The boys are in a good place," added O'Shea, who won 118 Republic of Ireland caps but was not included in the 2002 World Cup squad.

"Training today was almost reminding me of that cup final scenario. Everyone's wanting to get into the team, the intensity, the noise and the atmosphere around the boys is brilliant.

"There's a quiet confidence in the group growing together, it's great to see but we know there's a lot of hard work to come."

• Former England U19s captain Vale in Republic of Ireland squad
• 'Perfect time' for Vale - but who is new Republic of Ireland call-up?

'We want to feel that special moment again'

Belief in the Republic of Ireland's prospects were transformed by a whirlwind four days in November.

After a Troy Parrott double saw off Portugal in Dublin following Cristiano Ronaldo's red card, Parrott's hat-trick - which included a last-gasp winner - secured a thrilling victory over Hungary and sealed his side's place in the play-offs.

Parrott's winner sparked ecstatic scenes among the players and travelling supporters in Budapest - and Nathan Collins says the squad is determined to feel those emotions again.

"We've always wanted to win and give the fans something to cheer for," said the Brentford captain.

"We still want to do that and give them more. The way we went about it, to beat Portugal at home and then away, last-minute, it was a special moment.

"As a group, that moment, we want to feel that again. We've only done half a job to get here so now we have two more games to do the rest of it."

Collins played every minute of the Republic of Ireland's qualifying campaign.

He has featured in all but three of Europe-chasing Brentford's Premier League games this season, but he says he feels re-energised after a "bad knock" in training contributed to a spell out of the Bees' starting line-up last month.

"In a weird way it was nearly refreshing," he said.

"I've played a lot of football over the past two years and then when it was taken away from you, you have that hunger again.

"The reason you go to England as a kid is to play football and be on the pitch. It gave me that hunger again, I was desperate to get back in the squad.

"What we're chasing in Brentford, what we're aspiring to do, it gave me more energy. I feel good in myself, I feel like I'm in a good place and I'm excited to bring that over here for what we're trying to do with Ireland and bring it all together."

Earlier this morning, the Twins announced that they optioned Ryan Kreidler, Alan Roden, and Eric Wagaman to AAA. Combined with Zebby Matthews getting options yesterday and the Twins letting Liam Hendriks and Andrew Chafin walk, and the Opening Day roster is nearly finalized.

With the recent round of cuts, Minnesota appears to have set their position players in stone.

Starters

• C Ryan Jeffers
• 1B Josh Bell
• 2B Luke Keaschall
• SS Brooks Lee
• 3B Royce Lewis
• LF Trevor Larnach
• CF Byron Buxton
• RF Matt Wallner
• DH Victor Caratini

Bench

• OF James Outman
• IF Tristan Gray
• UTIL Kody Clemens
• OF Austin Martin

The team will likely rotate through options at DH/LF, with all three of Outman, Clemens, and Martin seeing significant time when Caratini is catching or Larnach needs some days off his feet. Gray will likely only play when Lee needs a day off.

The pitchers are less set, but there’s essentially only a single spot up for grabs. Mick Abel dazzled this Spring and stole the 5th starter slot from Zebby Matthews. Matthews will undoubtedly see plenty of time with the Twins throughout the season, but Abel will get the first extended chance to establish himself as a regular.

Starters

• RHP Joe Ryan
• RHP Bailey Ober
• RHP Simeon Woods Richardson
• RHP Taj Bradley
• RHP Mick Abel

Relievers

• LHP Taylor Rogers
• LHP Kody Funderburk
• RHP Cole Sands
• RHP Justin Topa
• LHP Anthony Banda
• RHP Eric Orze
• RHP Zak Kent

That leaves one bullpen slot open that appears to be a competition between veterans Dan Altavilla and Matt Bowman. Cody Laweryson is also still in camp, but the Twins don’t risk losing him for nothing if he doesn’t make the team like the vets. There’s also a good chance the Twins search the waiver wire for an outside addition as other teams make their final cuts today and tomorrow. Regardless, with three lefties already on the team, the final reliever will undoubtedly be a righty, it’s just a matter of finding the right one.

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

The NBA picks up where March Madness left off with a whopping 10 games on the schedule to tip of a new week.

That means an endless supply of player props to bet on, and I’ve found my three favorite, including Jalen Johnson bullying the Grizz on the glass, while we double up with Amen Thompson.

Those and more NBA picks for Monday, March 23, below.

Best NBA player props today

Player	Pick
Jalen Johnson	Over 10.5 rebounds	+105
Amen Thompson	double-double	+235
Kristaps Porzingis	Over 15.5 points	-115

Prop #1: Jalen Johnson Over 10.5 rebounds

+105 at bet365

Injuries have ravaged the Memphis Grizzlies, which means we’ve been riding with Ty Jerome points props. But books have caught on, so it's time to pivot. 

The Grizz have had no presence on the glass, ranking dead last in rebounding rate and surrendering the second-most opponent rebounds per game since the All-Star game.

So, let’s keep it simple for tonight’s game against the Atlanta Hawks. Jalen Johnson is one of the best rebounders in the NBA, averaging 10.4 per game. 

His rebounding total tonight is 10.5, and he has topped that number in two of his last three games.

• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: FDSN Southeast-Memphis, FDSN Southeast-Atlanta

Prop #2: Amen Thompson double-double

+235 at bet365

The Houston Rockets’ Amen Thompson has been an absolute beast on the boards lately. He’s hauling down a whopping 9.6 rebounds per game over his last 12 games, and I’m betting he keeps that up tonight against the Chicago Bulls.

The Bulls are already looking ahead to next season and aren’t showing much defense or effort on the glass. Chicago ranks 21st in rebounding rate and 28th in opponent rebounds per game since the All-Star break.

Thompson has grabbed 10 or more rebounds seven times over these 12 games and in four of his last five, making a double-double at this price a great bet.

• Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: SCHN, CHSN

Prop #3: Kristaps Porzingis Over 15.5 points

-115 at bet365

The Dallas Mavericks might be the only team in the NBA with less interior presence than the Golden State Warriors.

The Mavs are a young roster going through growing pains, but they’ll need to get bigger in the future because they rank dead last in opponent points in the paint.

Luckily for the Dubs, Kristaps Porzingis is expected to return after a minor back injury he suffered vs. the Detroit Pistons on Friday night.

Porzingis had scored 17 or more points in three of his four games before that. With a point total of just 15.5, I love the Over.

• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: Peacock

These props are available now at bet365, one of our best betting sites.

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

Oklahoma is among college football teams with the most returning starters for 2026 and may have more reinforcements on the horizon. According to a report from George Stoia and SoonerScoop.com, Owen Heinecke has filed a preliminary injunction against the NCAA in hopes of being granted another year of eligibility.

If granted the injunction and deemed eligible to play in 2026, it would be a huge boost to the Sooners' linebacker corps. Heinecke was a star for OU's defense last season. He finished the year second on the team with 74 total tackles and 12 tackles for loss. He also had three sacks, four pass breakups, and a forced fumble that turned into a touchdown in the Sooners' win over Tennessee. Heinecke was seventh on the defense in snaps, according to Pro Football Focus, and second among linebackers.

Heinecke's return would give the Sooners another defensive star with extensive knowledge of Brent Venables' system in 2026. Michigan transfer Cole Sullivan is expected to have a significant role on the defense, but if Heinecke returns, he'd have more time to learn the defense in a rotational role in anticipation of taking over as the leader of the linebacker room and of the defense in 2027.

Even if Sullivan were in the starting lineup, the Sooners have depth questions at linebacker behind Sullivan and Kip Lewis. Heinecke's return would provide the Sooners with three linebackers who have played a lot of meaningful football at the collegiate level. With as much as Venables and his defensive staff want to rotate, especially in the front seven, the Sooners would get a huge boost from having Lewis, Heinecke, and Sullivan as their top three linebackers.

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.

This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Sooners defense would get a huge boost with Owen Heinecke's return

Chicago Bears special teams take another blow as Pittsburgh Steelers add depth piece originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Chicago continues to see its roster trimmed in free agency, and the latest departure hits a phase of the game that often gets overlooked until it becomes a problem. Running back Travis Homer is headed to Pittsburgh, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, though contract details have not been disclosed. While his offensive production in Chicago was minimal, his impact elsewhere was far more significant.

Homer appeared in 10 games last season, recording one carry for minus-2 yards. His real workload came on special teams, where he logged 62% of the unit’s snaps and produced 10 tackles.

That level of involvement highlights why his exit matters more than the stat sheet might suggest. Over three seasons with the Bears, he became a steady, trusted presence in coverage.

This move also continues a growing link between the two franchises, as Homer becomes the second Bears player to land in Pittsburgh this offseason, following safety Jaquan Brisker. For Chicago, the concern is less about losing a backup running back and more about the cumulative erosion of a unit that quietly supported multiple wins last season.

Even with the addition of Kalif Raymond to help in the return game, the coverage side now looks thinner.

With both Homer and Jonathan Owens no longer on the roster, the Bears will likely need younger players to step up and handle increased responsibilities. Josh Blackwell remains a key piece, but the unit's overall balance has clearly shifted.

Chicago Bears may turn to draft and low-cost options to rebuild depth

The broader roster picture suggests Chicago is not done adjusting. After early free agency activity, the team appears to be working within tighter financial limits, with expectations of moves aimed at creating additional cap space ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. That timing could shape how they address the void left behind.

Homer’s role was not easily replaceable. He accumulated 582 special teams snaps across the past three years, making him one of the more consistent contributors in that phase. Special teams coordinator Richard Hightower once emphasized his value, saying,

“I could sit up here and talk about Travis Homer all day, but he’s a guy you don’t know the value of if you’re not around him every day.”

Chicago’s current running back group includes D’Andre Swift, Kyle Monangai, Roschon Johnson, and Brittain Brown. Outside of Swift and Monangai, the remaining backs combined for just 138 snaps across offense and special teams last season. In comparison, Homer alone handled 163 special teams snaps, underlining the gap that now exists.

The team has already evaluated draft prospects such as Seth McGowan and Noah Whittington, both viewed as potential late-round options who could contribute on special teams. 

What stands out is how quietly this need has developed. Chicago’s next moves will likely determine whether this becomes a short-term adjustment or a lingering issue.

Madelyn Burke is headed to ESPN. The network announced on March 23 that Burke will be an anchor on SportsCenter beginning in April.

“Some personal news: I’m over the moon to begin this next chapter of my career in my dream job!” Bukre shared on Instagram. “SportsCenter is a show I grew up watching, a cornerstone of ESPN for decades, and I’m so honored to join such an iconic program. I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity, and especially thankful for the family, friends, and colleagues who have supported me every step of the way.”

Scroll down to learn more about Burke, including her history in sports journalism and more.

Where did Madelyn Burke go to college?

Burke is a graduate of Arizona State University. She attended the school from 2005 to 2009 and graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism. During her college years, Burke actually interned at ESPN, so her new job is a full-circle moment, she told The New York Post.

Where has Madelyn Burke worked?

Throughout college, Burke held various reporting jobs in Arizona. She was also a production assistant at ESPN from 2006 to December 2009, where she assisted in events like the Super Bowl, NBA All Star Weekend, Monday Night Football, and more, according to LinkedIn.

She hosted the college football program Runnin’ With the PAC on FOX Sports after college graduation and continued covering college football for various outlets over the next few years. In 2010, Burke created a television channel for the Los Angeles Clippers that aired online. The program continued until 2014.

The following year, Burke moved to New York City to work for FanDuel Insider, where she hosted studio content, cohosted a Sirius XM fantasy basketball radio show, and appeared as a guest on NBATV’s FanDuel Fantasy Tip-Off. She went on to work for Bleacher Report and Sports Illustrated and also hosted a sport talk show on Prime Video in 2022 and 2023.

Most recently, Burke was working as a reporter for the New York Giants. She started covering the team in 2016 and has appeared on MSG, WFAN, and more, while also hosting digital segments. Burke also began freelancing as a host at CBS Sports HQ in 2024.

Where is Madelyn Burke from?

Burke is from Los Angeles, but she moved to New York City in 2015. She is now based in the Big Apple.

SportsCenter, Daily, Check Local Listings, ESPN

Read the latest entertainment news on TV Insider.

The final international break comes with eight matches remaining until the finish line. We head into it sitting second in the table, six points behind Inter and nine clear of fifth place, currently shared by Juventus and Roma. "We need to lay the foundations to achieve our objectives by the end of the season: the first goal is to get back in the Champions League. In March, we need to be in the top four," said Massimiliano Allegri during his first press conference. And at the end of March, AC Milan are right up there - in the mix, among the top spots, exactly where the coach had hoped to be at the start of the season.

March ended with a 3-2 home win over Torino, bringing a total of three victories and one defeat - the only setback being the trip to the Olimpico against Lazio. Earlier in the month, there had been the high of the derby, won for the second time this season thanks to Pervis Estupiñan's first Rossoneri goal, and the victory in Cremona. Overall, it was a more positive month than February, because it allowed the Rossoneri to close in on the leaders while keeping their distance from the chasing pack in the Champions League race. Between February and March, AC Milan suffered league defeats against Parma and Lazio but, on both occasions, managed to bounce back in the following match: first against Inter, then against Torino.

This group continues to display its unity and mental strength. The team have been navigating the season with a defined objective, maintaining the right momentum and always demonstrating the ability to get back on track in the most challenging moments. "Until March, we need to build for the final months," said Massimiliano Allegri back in July, on the first day of pre-season. Over these months, Allegri and his staff have done exactly that, working intensively on the technical aspects - with defensive solidity being particularly evident - but above all on the mental dimension, focusing on patience, perseverance, and self-awareness.

At the end of March, this is a team that is entering the final stretch close to achieving its primary goal - qualification for next season's Champions League - while still nurturing the hope of abrave late charge. Having welcomed Santiago Gimenez back in the last match at San Siro, the Rossoneri will soon be boosted by the returns of Matteo Gabbia and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. With clear minds and plenty of determination, our journey resumes in Naples on Easter Monday, 6 April at 20:45 CET, in a big showdown that will say a lot about our ambitions for the rest of the season.

Subscribe to the AC Milan WhatsApp channel!

The attention of college sports fans may be distracted by March Madness, but there's been some significant results in college baseball in the past week which results in changes to the rankings released Monday, March 23.

UCLA maintains the No. 1 spot in the USA TODAY Sports baseball poll after a week where the Bruins improved to 21-2 with a defeat of Pepperdine and a weekend sweep of Big 12 opponent Maryland. Texas, which took two of three games at Auburn, and Georgia Tech hold steady at second and third.

There were changes in the top five, however, with Mississippi State up to fourth after Georgia dropped two places to No. 7 and Auburn fell back one spot to fifth. Florida State and Oklahoma flipped positions at eighth and ninth with the Seminoles moving forward following their series win against North Carolina State

West Virginia was the biggest riser in the poll, improving six places to No. 16 with a sweep of Brigham Young. Mississippi also had a six-spot gain to No. 18. No. 25 Florida, down 11 places, took the biggest fall after the Gators were lost three games to Alabama.

College baseball rankings (March 16)

First-place votes in parentheses

USA TODAY Sports CoachesPoll

1. UCLA (29)
2. Texas
3. Georgia Tech
4. Mississippi State
5. Auburn
6. Arkansas
7. Georgia
8. Florida State
9. Oklahoma
10. Southern California (1)
11. Virginia
12. North Carolina
13. Southern Mississippi
14. Oregon State
15. North Carolina State
16. West Virginia
17. Oregon
18. Mississippi
19. Kentucky
20. Coastal Carolina
21. Tennessee
22. Arizona State
23. Alabama
24. Texas A&m
25. Florida

Dropped out: No. 17 Clemson, No. 25 Wake Forest.

D1 Baseball Poll

1. UCLA
2. Texas
3. Georgia Tech
4. Arkansas
5. Auburn
6. Mississippi State
7. Georgia
8. Oklahoma
9. Virginia
10. Florida State
11. Southern Miss
12. Southern California
13. North Carolina
14. North Carolina State
15. Coastal Carolina
16. Oregon State
17. West Virginia
18. Mississippi
19. Kentucky
20. Oregon
21. Tennessee
22. Arizona State
23. Notre Dame
24. Nebraska
25. Texas A&M

Dropped out: Florida, Clemson, Wake Forest, Louisiana-Lafayette.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College baseball rankings: Coaches Poll, D1 baseball put UCLA at No. 1

The reality of NIL and the transfer portal is that it’s made competing for talent much more difficult. That leaves how to make talent work together aside for the moment, but that’s a topic for another discussion.

The latest coach to bring this up is UCLA’s Mick Cronin. After losing to UConn, he was asked about possible changes to how UCLA manages the modern environment. Cronin said this: “I’d like about five million more (dollars).”

Before the tournament, Cronin also said that “[y]ou should be able to go over the revenue share to be able to retain players.Very few of these guys are going to be able to retire on (NIL money), so we need to encourage guys not to transfer.”

That’s an interesting idea. Here’s another way to possibly do it, if it’s legal: limit the number of transfers any school can take to six.

That would force at least a couple of things. First, players would be much more cautious about entering the portal, or at least players who aren’t in very high demand would. One of the underreported issues of portal musical chairs is that every year, some guys lose their scholarships.

Second, it would help with retention, which would help some of those kids stay on their teams.

Free agency is economically fine, but as John Calipari, among others, has pointed out, frequent transfers make graduation almost impossible. If you go to four schools in four years, your odds of graduating while you have your scholarship are almost zero.

If you combine limiting the total number of incoming transfers with Cronin’s idea, you might return some stability to the sport.

Glamorgan seam bowler James Harris has retired from cricket with immediate effect, saying looks forward to enjoying "the game from the other side of the boundary".

The 35-year-old was four years into his second stint at his boyhood county, where he started his career back in 2007.

Harris burst on to the scene as a teenager, making his debut aged just 16 and becoming the first 17-year-old to take a seven-wicket haul in the County Championship.

The Welshman was part of the England squad for the Under-19 World Cup in 2008 and later represented England Lions.

Harris said: "It's hard to fully express what the game has given me. From starting out as a 16-year-old with a dream to playing professionally for over two decades.

"I feel incredibly fortunate for the journey I've been on. Cricket has shaped so much of my life."

Club director of cricket Mark Wallace said: "I've been fortunate to have known James throughout his cricketing journey. While the performances on the field will speak for themselves it is his impact off the field which will be equally missed.

"James has been a superb role model throughout, played the game in an excellent spirit and done everything in his power to elevate those around him. The game is losing one of its best.

"The club wishes James nothing but the best for his next chapter and we look forward to welcoming him back to Sophia Gardens in the future."

• How do points work in the County Championship?
• How Glamorgan went from also-rans to promotion

Harris joined Middlesex in 2013 and spent eight years there - with loans at Kent and Glamorgan - before returning to the Welsh county in 2022.

He enjoyed an excellent first-class career, taking 623 wickets at an average of 30.59 and scoring 4,689 runs at 21.70.

He also took 101 wickets in List A cricket, as well as 48 in T20.

Harris was chair of the Professional Cricketers' Association between 2021 and 2025 when Warwickshire's Olly Hannon-Dalby took over the role.

His retirement comes as Glamorgan prepare to begin their County Championship Division One season at home against Yorkshire on Friday, 3 April.

Glamorgan will be playing in the top tier for the first time in 20 years having won promotion last season.

The Georgia Bulldogs had their worst performance of the entire basketball season in March Madness. Georgia lost in embarrassing fashion to Saint Louis, which could have ripple effects for Georgia's 2026-2027 season. The Bulldogs have made back-to-back NCAA Tournaments, but are looking to win once they advance to March Madness.

Georgia had 11 players that played in at least 30 games during the 2025-2026 season. The Bulldogs can return nine of these key contributors. However, it is unlikely all nine Georgia players return. The Bulldogs will probably lose a few players to the NCAA transfer portal when it opens on April 7. The portal window will close on April 21.

For a frame of reference, Georgia lost and added five players to the transfer portal (includes on Georgia player that is now playing in Europe) after the 2024-2025 season. We expect Georgia to have a similar amount of roster turnover this year and we'll find out soon.

Guard Justin Bailey and forward Justin Abson are both out of eligibility. In 2025-2026, Bailey averaged 4.2 points and 1.4 rebounds in 12.6 minutes per game. Meanwhile, Abson averaged 2.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 11.4 minutes per game. Both players were parts of Georgia's rotation, but did not receiver starter-type minutes.

Georgia basketball and coach Mike White currently has no commitments from recruits in the class of 2026.

What is next for Georgia basketball?

Georgia players that can return

• Guard Blue Cain (senior)
• Forward Kareem Stagg (sophomore)
• Center Somto Cyril (junior)
• Guard Jordan Ross (senior)
• Guard Marcus Millender (senior)
• Guard Jeremiah Wilkinson (junior)
• Forward Kanon Catchings (junior)
• Forward Dylan James (senior)
• Forward Jake Wilkins (sophomore)

Georgia players that are out of eligibility

• Guard Justin Bailey
• Forward Justin Abson

This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: What is next for Georgia basketball after rough NCAA Tournament?

As the NCAA Tournament heats up, No. 5 seeded Kentucky is gearing up for a crucial matchup against No. 4 seeded West Virginia on Monday afternoon at Hope Coliseum in Morgantown. After a strong showing against James Madison, where they secured a 71-56 victory, the Wildcats are looking to keep their postseason dreams alive.

The Road So Far

Kentucky's journey through March Madness began with an impressive performance against JMU, highlighted by Coach Kenny Brooks' pride in his team's ability to overcome a tough opponent. "This is the NCAA Tournament. We are very proud. We had a very good win against a very good opponent."

The Wildcats showcased their resilience and determination, putting up 29 points before JMU even reached double digits.

Round one roundup! ↩️ pic.twitter.com/4pFG7RElww

— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) March 22, 2026

In contrast, West Virginia dominated their first-round game against No. 13 Miami, winning decisively with an 82-54 scoreline—the largest margin of victory in program history during the NCAA Tournament. The Mountaineers' defense was relentless, forcing Miami into committing 15 turnovers that led to 21 points for WVU.Key Stats and Trends

West Virginia's defense has been a cornerstone of their success this season, particularly evident in their rebounding prowess (40–24 against Miami) and offensive efficiency (48 points scored in the paint). They also excelled at ball distribution with 16 assists on 32 made field goals.

The Mountaineers boast an impressive record of 17-4 in Big 12 play and have shown strength against non-conference opponents with an 11-2 record. They average just under 15 turnovers per game but have proven effective when they limit mistakes—22 wins out of their last matches when turning the ball over less than their opponents.

On the other hand, Kentucky has struggled at times this season within SEC competition, finishing with a record of just 10-9. However, they rank eighth in the SEC for three-point shooting percentage at 33.1%.

When it comes to scoring potential, Kentucky averages significantly more points per game (75.5) compared to what West Virginia allows (58). This sets up an intriguing clash between two teams with different styles—Kentucky’s high-scoring offense versus West Virginia’s stout defense.

Key Players to Watch

For West Virginia:Gia Cooke leads her team with an average of 14.8 points per game.Sydney Shaw has been on fire from beyond the arc lately, averaging 3.2 made three-pointers over her last ten games.

For Kentucky:Clara Strack is having a breakout season, shooting 48.1% from the field while averaging 16.9 points.Amelia Hassett, much like Shaw for WVU, is contributing significantly from long range with 3.2 made three-pointers over her last ten outings.

The Last 10 Out

The Mountaineers hold an impressive record of 9-1, averaging nearly 77 points, showcasing strong offensive and defensive metrics.

Kentucky has had its ups and downs at 6-4, scoring around 70 points per game, which indicates room for improvement if they hope to advance further in the tournament.

Looking Ahead: A Tight Contest Expected

How do the analytics see this one going this week? ESPN and betting lines from Vegas, this matchup appears tightly contested—with the ESPN predictor giving West Virginia a slight edge at 52.1% probability compared to Kentucky's 47.9% chance of advancing to the Sweet Sixteen. As for Vegas, they have Kentucky as a slim underdog at +3.5 points.With everything on the line as they face off on Monday afternoon, both teams will need to bring their best efforts if they want to continue down the road toward championship glory this March Madness season. Will Kentucky rise above expectations as underdogs, or will West Virginia continue its momentum? Only time will tell as these two fierce competitors clash on one of college basketball's biggest stages!

Tip-off is from Hope Coliseum in Morgantown at 5PM ET. The Cats and the Mountaineers will battle in front of another sold-out arena. BBN can tune in on the live action on ESPN 2.

This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky WBB vs West Virginia: NCAA Tournament round two preview

In the summer of 2014, Iowa State gymnastics recruit Sydney Converse attended a camp the Cyclones' coaching staff hosted at the team's on-campus practice gym. Several other recruits were there, too, including some who had already committed to Iowa State.

Converse, then an incoming high school senior who went on to compete for Iowa State from 2015 to 2020, remembers feeling excited to meet her future teammates and see Iowa State's facility for the first time. But the day began on a devastating note when Converse witnessed one of her future teammates, Meaghan Sievers, vault into the foam pit, land on the concrete bottom and break her ankle.

"She was never able to do gymnastics the same," Converse said. "She couldn’t stick landings the way she used to be able to, and it definitely affected her career the next four years."

Former Iowa State head coach Jay Ronayne remembers that day well.

"It was shocking and devastating," he said. "It was terrible."

Most modern gymnastics pits, which are filled with foam blocks to absorb shock when gymnasts land, have trampolines or thick vinyl mats a few feet from the bottom as safety cushions. Iowa State's pit had a cement bottom with no additional protection.

Sievers required ankle surgery before her collegiate gymnastics career even started. She told USA TODAY Sports Network that her injury was a symptom of a larger problem.

“The examples of the facilities only scratch the surface of the issues that we faced over the years and only provide a physical example of these things," Sievers said. "They don’t even touch on the many ways that leadership and personal interactions failed us over the years.

"Despite that, I’ve always been proud to be a Cyclone.”

In interviews with USA TODAY Sports Network, Iowa State coaches and gymnasts who were part of the program over the last 20 years described training in outdated and sometimes dangerous facilities — conditions they believe are evidence that the athletics department was not committed to investing in gymnastics prior to its March 3 decision to discontinue the program.

When Iowa State announced that it was cutting its gymnastics program due to "unreconcilable differences," athletics director Jamie Pollard said the decision was made with students in mind.

"Student-athlete experience is at the core of what our department takes great pride in," Pollard said in a video statement. "Unfortunately, our continued inability by our department to provide our women's gymnastics team members that same level of experience that the other 17 sports are receiving is disappointing and very concerning."

What were ISU's gymnastics facilities like?

Among the conditions coaches and gymnasts described:

• The gym lacked air conditioning, which forced gymnasts to wrap their necks in ice water-soaked towels to avoid overheating during summer training. 
• The foam pit, which had a concrete bottom instead of a trampoline bottom, was too shallow to provide a safe landing area.
• Between 2017 and 2020, four gymnasts tore their Achilles tendons after landing on the same damaged part of the floor.
• Heat sometimes went out during the winter when the outdoor temperatures were single digits. 

Iowa State did not respond to a list of questions submitted by USA TODAY Sports outlining the allegations in this story.

Following Sievers' ankle injury in 2014, Iowa State did not replace or modify the pit, according to Ronayne and a former teammate of Converse and Sievers who requested anonymity for fear of retribution.

"Even after that happened, nothing was done to improve that," the former Cyclone gymnast said. "So every other athlete that tumbled into that pit or vaulted into that pit was at the same risk."

Plans to improve ISU's Beyer Hall for gymnastics but no changes

Although Iowa State hosted its home gymnastics competitions at Hilton Coliseum, Cyclone gymnasts practiced in the 10,112 square-foot Amy and Dennis Pyle Family Gymnastics Facility located on the second floor of Beyer Hall. The gym was last renovated in 2002, according to ISU's athletics website.

K.J. Kindler, who competed for the Cyclones as a gymnast before joining the coaching staff from 1992 to 2006, highlighted facility problems in a statement she provided the Des Moines Register criticizing Iowa State's decision to drop gymnastics on March 3.

"This outcome follows a troubling pattern of chronic underinvestment, unsafe and inadequate facilities, and a failure to provide the consistent oversight and care that student-athletes deserve," Kindler wrote.

When Kindler left Iowa State in 2006 to become head gymnastics coach at Oklahoma, Pollard even referenced the practice facility in Iowa State's release announcing her departure.

"Coach Kindler told Calli (Sanders, senior associate athletics director,) and me that she is leaving Iowa State because she wants a new practice facility to replace the one she has in Beyer Hall," Pollard said in the announcement. "We have a vision for how we want to improve our overall facilities for Athletics and that information was shared with K.J. That plan, although it would enhance the gymnastics facilities significantly, didn't meet her timeframe."

The same issues persisted.

Ronayne, the gymnastics team's head coach from 2006 to 2023, said that Sanders ignored his repeated requests for facility improvements. Ronayne worked with ISU's facilities planning department to design a new gym layout, complete with a deeper pit, reusing the same room in Beyer Hall.

He submitted the plans to ISU's senior associate athletics director for operations, Chris Jorgensen, who oversees the athletics department's capital projects and facilities. Ronayne said that on multiple occasions spanning from 2021 to 2023, Jorgensen asked him to provide optimal construction dates and that the Cyclones shut down their summer training in anticipation of the renovation, but it never happened. Through multiple false starts, Ronayne said he never received feedback or an explanation from Pollard or Sanders.

“It was always pushed down the road," Ronayne said. "Facilities planning and management, which is separate from the athletic department, worked with me on the designs but nothing happened with the athletic department.”

The foam pit in Beyer Hall was built before to Ronayne's arrival. Ronayne said that because the gym was on the second floor, the pit was built above ground instead of in the ground. But the pit was only 5 feet deep, Ronayne said, shallower than the 6-foot pits that are standard in most club and college gymnastics facilities.

“There are some amazing gyms out there and others that need a lot of help," Ronayne said. "I don’t think Iowa State is alone in having some of the worst training conditions.”

Gymnasts said the pit wasn't the only hazardous aspect of the facility. In 2018, when Converse was a junior, she tore her Achilles tendon while practicing her floor exercise routine and missed the entire season. Another teammate had torn her Achilles in the same spot on the floor the year before, and two more Iowa State gymnasts did the same thing in 2019 and 2020.

Converse said the injuries were caused by holes in the wood layer that sits on top of the floor's springs and underneath the top layer of carpet and foam.

"I can't remember if it was our trainer or the assistant coach, but they’d lifted the floor and they were like, 'Oh, there's holes in the wood,'" Converse said. "Nobody even on our team was like, 'Oh, our floors are so bad that’s why everyone is tearing our Achilles,' but after I graduated all of us are like, 'Wow, what are the odds that all four of us tore our Achilles?'"

Ronayne said that the entire spring floor was replaced once during his tenure at Iowa State, before Converse's time on the team. Replacing an entire gymnastics floor can cost around $35,000, he said, so coaches did their best to make repairs as needed.

"We develop soft spots on the floor all the time and do everything we can to get it fixed, but I can't say that's specifically Iowa State's issue because that's something we've seen all over the country for years and years," Ronayne said.

Gymnastics is inherently a dangerous sport, and injuries are common. However, another former Iowa State gymnastics coach who was on staff at a different time than Ronayne said facilities should minimize the risk to athletes, not put them in greater danger.

"In our sport, managing their bodies and the number of hard landings they take is very important for their longevity and safety over the course of their career," said the former coach, who requested anonymity to protect herself from retribution.

Another gymnast who last competed for Iowa State in 2025, and who requested anonymity for fear of repercussions, said she was hesitant to try new skills into the foam pit because she didn't feel confident she could land safely. She also said the lack of air conditioning in the space made summer training uncomfortable.

"We would literally put towels in ice buckets of water and wrap it around our neck to avoid overheating," the former 2025 team member said. "Training in summer was definitely a struggle for us."

The former Iowa State coach said she did not know of another college program without air conditioning. She said climate control can quickly become a safety issue in gymnastics.

“When you don’t have air conditioning the beams sweat, and you can slip off," the coach said. "We know catastrophic injuries can happen in any sport, but in gymnastics when you’re inverting, there is a higher danger of that. And so if you slip because the equipment’s actually wet; the humidity in that building with the pool is super high and so without air conditioning there’s no control over that."

Without air conditioning, Converse said, "They'd turn on giant fans in the ceiling, which I always hated because when you're trying to do a backflip on a four-inch beam and you have wind circulating above you. It’s not great."

Converse also said the gymnastics team's locker-room showers in the basement of Beyer Hall did not get hot water. In order to receive post-practice treatment from athletics training staff, Cyclone gymnasts were required to shower in the basement, then walk up an enclosed stairwell and through Iowa State's recreational basketball courts to get back to the gymnastics facility.

Although the NCAA gymnastics season is held from January through April, gymnasts train year-round. The inability to regulate temperature in the gym was a problem during both extremely hot and cold weather.

The former Converse teammate confirmed the climate control issues, which impacted summer and winter practices.

"There’s multiple times where heat was out and the girls are wearing parkas in between their turns because its zero degrees outside and there is no heat in the building," said Converse's former teammate. "I don’t think that that’s safe. I think that risks muscle tears and it risks tendon issues. So, yeah, I wouldn’t consider that a safe environment. But again, everyone is still showing up and doing the work for Iowa State."

A work order submitted on Dec. 15, 2025 by an Iowa State facilities maintenance manager, publicly available on the school's facility planning and management website, described the inability to control temperatures in the gymnasts room.

"Space fluctuates too much from too hot and too cold. This space has been a problem since I can remember," the facilities maintenance manager wrote. "There should be a pneumatic thermostat controlling the radiant heat / reheat. There is no such stat to be found."

Gymnasts doubt Iowa State's commitment to the sport

Gymnastics, swimming and diving — also located in Beyer Hall — and wrestling are the only Iowa State sports with facilities that have not been updated in the last 16 years. The Cyclone men's and women's basketball teams got a new practice facility in 2010. In 2013, Iowa State opened new facilities for men's and women's golf and a joint facility for women's soccer and softball. The women's tennis program received a new facility in 2024, and the volleyball team got a new facility in 2025.

In a letter to the gymnastics team and alumni on Feb. 17, Pollard wrote, "The gymnastics program has the same access to every service we provide to all our other student-athletes and coaches. Despite that level of support, it is clear our gymnasts are not having the same experience as the rest of their fellow student-athletes. That is unfortunate and unacceptable."

But the gymnast who competed alongside Converse and Sievers said that the lack of gymnastics facility upgrades shows how Iowa State failed to promote the program's growth.

"We don’t feel that gymnastics was ever as much of a priority to the athletic department as it was to the people who are committed to elevating the program who are on the team," she said.

There is no NCAA guidance for gymnastics training facilities. The NCAA outlines equipment and venue standards in its playing rules for regular-season and postseason competition in all sports, including gymnastics, but schools have oversight of their own facilities and equipment in practice settings.

Similarly, a spokesperson for USA Gymnastics, the sport's national governing body, said, "USA Gymnastics does not have specific requirements for practice facilities at private gyms. We do, however, have equipment specifications for sanctioned competitions."

The NCAA Sports Medicine Handbook provides resources, recommendations, best practices and guidance for athlete health and well-being.

"Schools should regularly examine the adequacy and conditions of the facilities used for intercollegiate athletics events/practices to ensure function and safety," the handbook says.

Iowa State is not the only Division I gymnastics program with practice facilities that arperceived to be inadequate. In December of 2025, the University of Washington's student newspaper reported that the school's gymnastics facility does not have pits or a shock-absorbent floor surface.

The story notes, however, that "Nine of the 12 schools in the Big Ten have recently upgraded their facilities, with programs like Iowa spending $20 million on a new facility that opened in 2024."

Iowa State athletics is not without financial issues. The department reported last summer to the Board of Regents that it was facing a cumulative deficit of $147 million through 2031, though at a recent Athletics Council meeting, Pollard reported that number had been reduced to $75 million through departmental adjustments.

Much of the deficit comes from the $20.5 million per-year revenue sharing with athletes that became permitted under the House settlement last year. Where facilities improvements were once the arms race in college athletics, it has now shifted to providing the most dollars directly to student-athletes — mostly in the major revenue-generating sports (football and men's basketball).

Ronayne and the other former Iowa State coach said they personally made Sanders, a senior-level administrator who acted as the athletics department's liaison to the gymnastics program, and Pollard aware of Iowa State's insufficient gymnastics facilities.

Every gymnast and coach the USA TODAY Sports Network interviewed said Pollard and Sanders rarely visited the gymnastics team and that neither administrator maintained a relationship with people in the program.

“I feel like even at our best, it was just ghosts. Administration were not in our lives at all," Converse said. "Never wishing us good luck, never saying congratulations on our achievement. We literally never saw them in my time there.”  

The gymnast from the 2025 team added, "They were strangers to me."

Ronayne said that he did not speak at all with Pollard for the final year of his employment at Iowa State, and that it was Sanders who informed him of his dismissal at the end of the 2023 season.

Iowa State finished the 2018 gymnastics season ranked 24th in the country, and was ranked in the top 25 at times during the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Converse said that though she doesn't think the facility conditions directly impacted the team's competition performance, they did affect gymnasts' emotional well-being in addition to risking their physical health.

"I step into the gyms at the (Southeastern Conference) and newer facilities and I’m like 'wow, there’s open windows, it’s beautiful'", Converse said. "I think that makes a big difference on you emotionally versus walking upstairs through a dungeon to get to practice. It’s not as motivating."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Iowa State gymnastics facility 'hot,' 'unsafe,' former coaches, athletes say

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Purdue was struggling to put away Miami in the second half of their second-round NCAA Tournament game on Sunday when Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer and Trey Kauffman-Renn combined to score the Boilermakers' next 22 points, helping them to turn a three-point lead into a 79-69 victory and a spot in the Sweet 16.

It was exactly what coach Matt Painter has come to expect from his guys over the last four years.

The antithesis of college basketball in the age of free transfers and name, image and likeness money, the Boilermakers are two wins away from a second Final Four appearance in the last three years by keeping things decidedly old-school: They recruit players that fit their program, develop them over time, and then they lean on them when it matters the most.

“It comes down to culture,” Smith said. “Having what we have here in the last four years is really special. I think we've had maybe four transfers in my four years that we have had, and I think that’s pretty special, and not a lot of teams ever have that.”

It’s unique in college basketball, to be sure, but not necessarily unique in the Sweet 16.

In fact, the NCAA Tournament this year has underscored the value of continuity within a program, and that simply restocking with a new wave of transfers each offseason is not necessarily the best way to build a championship roster.

Five teams still alive have at least four starters who have played multiple seasons for their current coaches, according to a roster survey from The Associated Press, and nine of the 16 have at least three. Duke and Michigan State have starting lineups that consist entirely of guys who have played nowhere else in college, and 11 of the 16 teams have at least three such starters.

Those numbers exist despite the fact that Iowa (Ben McCollum) and Texas (Sean Miller) have new coaches, and both were forced to mine the transfer portal after the typical and unavoidable outflow of players from the previous regime.

At Purdue, Smith — now the NCAA career assists leader — and Loyer have been starters the last four years. Kaufman-Renn, also a senior, has been in the starting lineup the last three. Together, they are tied for the winningest class in school history.

“Who wouldn’t want to stay?” Smith asked. “Obviously if our situation was different, whatever. For us just being around a great group of people as a whole, the community at Purdue, the coaching staff, just staff in general — it just makes it super special.”

In the case of the Hawkeyes, four of the starters — Bennett Stirtz, Tavion Banks, Cam Manyawu and Kael Combs — followed McCollum from Drake, creating the same sort of continuity. The other starter, Jacob Koch, played for Fran McCaffery at Iowa last season.

“We've got really loyal kids, and I knew that going in,” said McCollum, who two years ago was coaching Division II ball. “Whether or not they’re perfect — they’re not. We’ve got our issues, I’ve got my issues, but what they’re perfect at is loyalty, and they’re tough, and they’ve established a foundation and a solid core.”

The Hawkeyes' in-state rival, Iowa State, is back in the Sweet 16 behind Tamin Lipsey, a fourth-year senior who grew up near its campus in Ames. Milan Momcilovic and injured forward Joshua Jefferson have been with T.J. Otzelberger for multiple years.

Over time, they have embraced what it means to be a part of the Cyclones program.

“We have a lot of pride that this program continues to do really well,” Otzelberger said, “and the consistency of it means a whole lot to us. We're going to continue to have those work habits that reflect that day-in and day-out.”

Spartans coach Tom Izzo doesn't just have five starters that he recruited out of high school but four who have stuck with him at least three seasons. That includes Carson Cooper and Jaxon Kohler, a pair of college basketball unicorns: fourth-year seniors.

“When you end up coaching and you have guys for three and four years, they do become like your own kids,” Izzo said. “In fact, I spent more time with some of my players than I did my own kids as they were growing up. I'm not really proud of that, just the fact of life.”

Yet it's a somewhat pleasant way of life for those who remember what college sports was before administrators began chasing money above all else, and players followed suit. Teams were embraced by fans when March Madness rolled around because they had watched their players grow up; they had a vested interested after years of shared joy and suffering.

In some ways, this year's Sweet 16 is a throwback to an increasingly bygone era.

“I kind of go back to just how we are right now, even in like, our meals in the hotel rooms, and just hanging out with the guys. I think that’s something that we’re all going to take for granted at some point,” Cooper said. “When we graduate, wherever the next step takes us, we’re going to think back and wish that we were back there, being able to hang out with the guys.”

___

AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

Duke faces St. John’s in the Sweet 16 on Friday night in Washington, D.C., and the Blue Devils might just be getting one of their best players back.

According to Jon Rothstein, Jon Scheyer says starting point guard Caleb Foster has an “outside shot” at returning to the floor for the top overall seed Blue Devils. He has been out with a fractured foot since the regular-season finale against North Carolina on March 7.

Before the injury, the junior was averaging 8.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game for Duke, while being critical in getting the Blue Devils’ into their offense. During his absence, freshman Cayden Boozer has filled in quite nicely, putting up 13.8 points per game, including a career-high 19 points in the first-round win over Siena.

The Blue Devils got a boost with the return of starting center Patrick Ngongba in the second-round win against TCU.

Duke and St. John’s tip off at 7:10 p.m. ET on CBS on Friday. 

This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: Jon Scheyer gives massive update on status of Caleb Foster

New England Patriots offensive tackle Morgan Moses had high praise for Drake Maye in the latest episode of the "Forged in Foxborough” docuseries.

Moses, a former New York Jet, broke down what makes the 23-year-old quarterback so special.

“He just has a personal relationship with every single person on this roster," Moses said. "What he brings to this team as a friend, as a brother in the locker room, the camaraderie that he builds with the guys, with the offensive line guys. I mean, even with the defensive guys, he's part of the identity that we talk about. When you got a guy back there at quarterback like that, I'm trying to tell you, man, when you step on the field, it’s electrifying.”

Maye led the Patriots to an improbable Super Bowl appearance last season.

Ultimately, the team failed to defeat the Seattle Seahawks at Super Bowl LX, but they did send a message to the rest of the NFL that they are once again a legitimate threat. Maye came within one vote of tying Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford last season for the NFL MVP award after throwing for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions, while also completing 72 percent of his passes.

He proved that he could be a franchise cornerstone of the team for years to come.

It says a lot for a player with Moses' experience to speak so highly about the leadership of a young quarterback heading into only his third NFL season.

Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Former division rival turned teammate calls Drake Maye 'electrifying'

The 2026 Formula 1 season is under way and you can follow every turn, pit stop and overtake live on the BBC.

You can enjoy all the build-up on the BBC's Chequered Flag podcast, listen to every grand prix on the radio and keep up with all the talking points on our app.

Listen wherever you are in the United Kingdom by tuning in on BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sounds app.

Live text commentary and reaction will also cover all of action from practice through to race day on the BBC Sport website and app.

How to listen on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

BBC Radio 5 Live is bringing you live commentary from every session of every race this season.

Every grand prix this season, you can listen to all the updates on BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport app and website, and via your smart speaker.

Harry Benjamin will again be the main race commentator with Jennie Gow and Rosanna Tennant presenting. Regular co-commentators will include 1996 world champion Damon Hill and racing drivers Sam Bird, Alice Powell, Abbie Eaton, Abbi Pulling, plus former McLaren mechanic Marc Priestley.

This is when you can listen to the Japanese Grand Prix:

Friday, 27 March:

First practice 02:30-03:30 GMT - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Second practice 06:00-07:00 GMT - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Saturday, 28 March:

Final practice: 02:30-03:30 GMT - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Qualifying 06:00-07:00 GMT - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Sunday, 29 March:

Grand Prix: 06:00 GMT - BBC Radio 5 Live

Here are ways to download the BBC Sounds app in the UK:

Apple

Android

What's new with the Chequered Flag podcast?

The Chequered Flag podcast will preview and review every race. For the first time this year, the post-race show for every grand prix will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer and YouTube.

Alternatively, you can listen via the BBC Sounds app.

What's new on the BBC Sport website and app?

You can follow the action from every race weekend through the BBC Sport website and app live page - starting from the Australian Grand Prix on Friday.

F1 correspondent Andrew Benson will report on every race and provide his unrivalled analysis, as well as being part of the BBC Radio 5 Live commentary team.

And do you have a burning question? Andrew is again doing a weekly Q&A in 2026, so you can send in your questions below and we'll put the best to him each week.

Listen on your smart speaker

You can also listen to the F1 on your smart speaker at home, so you don't need to miss a moment.

Just ask your device to 'play 5 Live' or 'play Sports Extra', for example.

Want to listen back to a moment in the race? You can also say 'ask BBC Sounds to rewind 20 minutes' or 'ask BBC Sounds to rewind to 4am', for example. This is available on most smart speakers.

This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.

More questions answered...

• Which tyres will be used in F1 in 2026?
• What is sandbagging in F1?
• What are the main rule changes for F1 cars for 2026?

Anthony Gordon says Newcastle United's defeat by rivals Sunderland is "not good enough" because the Black Cats are "not very good" compared with the Magpies.

Sunderland completed a league double over their north-east rivals on Sunday with a 2-1 win at St James' Park, having beaten the Magpies 1-0 in the reverse fixture.

The defeat means the Tyneside club have failed to beat Sunderland in any of their past 11 league meetings - the longest winless run for either club in the fixture's history.

But Newcastle forward Gordon, who scored his side's opener before Sunderland's comeback through goals from Chemsdine Talbi and Brian Brobbey, says Eddie Howe's side are the better team.

"The frustrating thing is, in my opinion, they're not a very good team compared to us. We shouldn't lose to them," Gordon told Newcastle's club media.

"Away is obviously more difficult because they have the fans, the atmosphere and a bit more pressure, but at home we should not lose that game. Not with the first half that we had, but again we haven't been good enough starting second halves and it's an ongoing problem."

• Newcastle's Barnes replaces Eze in England squad

Sunderland's victory means they leapfrogged Newcastle in the table, with the Magpies dropping to 12th.

The loss followed an 8-3 aggregate defeat by Barcelona in the Champions League.

"Not good enough really, no excuses," said Gordon.

"We were good for 45 minutes, which has been the case too often this season - we actually knew going into the game and had been trying to work on it.

"Not good enough start to the second half and they were the better team second half."

What do the stats say?

The win for Sunderland, managed by Regis le Bris, moved them into 11th place in the Premier League on 43 points - one point and a place above Newcastle - after 31 games.

The Black Cats have won 11, drawn 10 and lost 10 games in the top flight, while the Magpies have won 12, drawn six and been beaten 13 times.

Newcastle have scored 44 goals and let in 45 compared to their rivals scoring 32 and letting in 36, while the Tyneside club have, according to Opta, an xG (expected goals) score of 46.7 ahead of Sunderland's 30.3.

The St James' Park side have had more shots - 409 to Sunderland's 306 - but the shot conversion rate is similar, with Newcastle's at 10.8% and 10.5% for the Black Cats.

Sunderland have kept nine clean sheets - one more than Newcastle - while Howe's side have a 52.9% average when it comes to possession while it is 43.6% for the Wearsiders.

Sunderland's comeback win on Sunday meant they had gained 19 points from a losing position, with Newcastle's tally just three on the same metric, and the Magpies have dropped 22 points from winning positions compared to eight from Le Bris' side.

• Latest Newcastle news, analysis and fan views
• Ask about Newcastle - what do you want to know?

Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic will be available to play against the Detroit Pistons on Monday night after the NBA rescinded his 16th technical foul of the season.

He was initially facing a one-game suspension after receiving his 16th technical foul in Saturday night’s game against the Orlando Magic. Doncic and Magic center Goga Bitadze were dealt a double technical in the third quarter after the pair exchanged words while Doncic was shooting a free throw, according to ESPN.

What Was Said During the Interaction Between Doncic and Bitadze?

After the game, Doncic told reporters Bitadze made an inappropriate comment regarding his family. Doncic recently separated from his former fiancée, Anamaria Goltes, and is currently in a custody battle for his two daughters.

“[Goga Bitadze] said he would f**k my whole family… at some point, I just can’t stand that. I got to stand up for myself,” Doncic said.

Bitadze told reporters Doncic also made inappropriate comments in the Serbian language toward him during the game. Bitadze, who played in Serbia for multiple years of his career and is fluent in Serbian, said he told Doncic the same comments back.

“I have all the respect for Luka and what he has done. And I really respect everybody’s family. Where I come from, it’s really sacred and we really respect each other’s families and I would never directly say that,” Bitadze said, per ESPN.

“He just said some inappropriate things in the Serbian language, which, I played in Serbia. I understand, I don’t know if he knew I understood what he said. So I just said it back. And it was nothing towards his family or anybody. His family, I really, truly respect them and that’s pretty much it,” Bitadze added.

The NBA also rescinded the technical foul for Bitadze.

Photo Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring was more dramatic than it needed to be for Antonio Fuoco.

The 29-year-old Italian was in control of the GTD class for the majority of the race, but it began to unravel with just over three hours to go after he was handed a drive-through penalty for contact with the #64 Ford Mustang GT3 EVO of Ben Barker. It was followed up by another drive-through, this time for having too many crew over the wall during a pit stop.

Fuoco, who shares AF Corse USA’s #21 Ferrari GT3 EVO with Lilou Wadoux Ducellier and Simon Mann, overcame going a lap down and battled back to the lead in the final hour. However, he was nailed with a drive-through penalty for a third time after making contact with Miguel Molina in Triarsi Competizione’s #033 Ferrari GT3 EVO.

Despite what appeared at the time as a deathblow to hopes of victory, Fuoco once again rallied, chased down race leader Tom Gamble in Heart of Racing Team’s #27 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo and made the winning pass on the final lap to complete the remarkable comeback.

“We still like to understand how we get three drive-through because I think two of them was not there, I would say,” Fuoco said. “But we were not able to review with the steward, so...

“Anyway, we went through. I think was really chaotic race, some up and down. At the end we managed to win. I think how the guy did an amazing job, Lilou, Simon, all the team, to never give up until the end.

“On the last safety car, we were P7 I think, 26 minute to go, then we were able to win the race. I think it was a really good one. Quite similar to the one I won in 2022. I think Sebring is always like this, is always a lot of close race.”

The last lap pass by @Anto_Fuoco that won @AFCorse the GTD class win at the 2026 Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring!@NBCSportspic.twitter.com/uwTWvqjnIR

— IMSA (@IMSA) March 23, 2026

When asked by Motorsport.com during the post-race press conference if he ‘drove angry’ after contact in the final hour while leading, Fuoco admitted he was upset after the first setback.

“I was already angry after the first one [penalty] because I saw the image,” Fuoco said. “I think we can review 100 times and someone needs to explain to me why I got the drive-through because I still didn't understand. I mean, we are here for racing. If you are on the inside where you need to overtake the car, especially if the line is one.

“Anyway, I don't want to complain. I was already quite upset since that one. I knew we had a good potential. Also I really like this track, so I know that on the last hour I can push and make a bit of difference.

“But again, one hour to go I think I was on the best place because we were P1, then we had the contact, which I think was a bit of a misunderstanding between us. We will talk with the other guys.”

Fuoco recalled the impact of traffic, with the GTP battle among Porsche Penske Motorsport teammates Felipe Nasr and Kevin Estre cutting through his pursuit of Gamble on the penultimate lap.

“With the GTP, it's always 50/50,” Fuoco said. “Sometimes it can be good, sometimes maybe they overtake you and you lose a bit more time compared to the guy in front.

“I think on the last lap I lost a bit compared to the last one. I was thinking that I have a chance, especially on the last corner, because I was able to get a bit more speed there. I was trying to think on the last lap even if I was a bit far, I was a bit better on sector two compared to them. I was thinking to try on the last lap on the last corner. Luckily, (he) made a mistake a bit early, so it was a bit more easy.”

Wayne Taylor Racing stripped of Sebring podium for inspection violation

Kevin Estre calls out Sebring winner Felipe Nasr for ‘not respecting’ team orders

To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.

Today, the Kansas City Current have announced that forward Penelope Hocking has signed a new three-year contract through 2028 with a club option for 2029. On March 11, she was acquired via trade from Bay FC for $350,000 in intra-league funds.

She has made two appearances for KC Current so far this season: coming on the the 61st minute in the opener versus Utah Royals and final 15 minutes this past weekend at Chicago Stars.

Hocking was selected with the seventh overall selection in the 2023 NWSL Draft by the Chicago Stars. In her two seasons including 29 match appearances (26 starts), she scored seven goals and two assists.

Bay FC acquired her in August of 2024 for $250,000 transfer fee and another $100,000 in 2025. This also included 10% on any transfer fee Bay FC receives in a future transfer of Hocking to Chicago. She led the team with six goals in 18 appearances (10 starts).

The Seahawks have signed Jaxon Smith-Njigba to a four-year, $168.6 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history.

ESPN reports that the deal averages $42.15 million per year and includes over $120 million guaranteed, both setting records for a wide receiver.

According to the NFL, “The $42.15 million per-year average in new money leapfrogs Ja’Marr Chase ($40.25 million) for the most ever for a pass catcher.”

This year, while helping lead the Seahawks to a Super Bowl win, JSN was named a first-team All-Pro and made his second consecutive Pro Bowl. The 24-year-old also won the 2025 AP Offensive Player of the Year award at the 15th annual NFL Honors, while setting career highs in receptions (119), receiving yards (1,793), and touchdown receptions (10). In three postseason games, he had 17 catches for 199 yards and two touchdowns.

Smith-Njigba is now contractually tied to Seattle through the 2031 season. ESPN reports that the Seahawks already exercised Smith-Njigba’s fifth-year option for 2027 - worth approximately $23.9 million - last week.

Michigan State basketball is listed as a slight underdog for Friday's matchup against UConn in the Sweet 16.

The Spartans opened as a 1.5-point favorite against the Huskies late on Sunday night, but that line has flipped with UConn now listed as a 1.5-point favorite as of Monday morning, according to FanDuel. The over/under points total is set at 135.5 points as well.

Michigan State essentially led throughout the entirety of its first two games of the NCAA Tournament this past weekend. The Spartans first knocked off No. 14 seed North Dakota State on Thursday with a blowout victory, and then followed that up with a victory over No. 6 seed Louisville in the second round. This will be the second straight appearance in the Sweet 16 for the Spartans and their third trip in the last four years to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament.

UConn had to work a bit harder in their opening weekend games, pulling away for victories late in the game against No. 15 seed Furman and No. 7 seed UCLA. The Huskies ultimately won both of those games by double-digits to reach their third Sweet 16 in the last four years.

Tipoff for this matchup between Michigan State and UConn is scheduled for approximately 9:45 p.m. ET on Friday. The game will be televised on CBS.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.

This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: MSU basketball listed as slight underdog vs. UConn in Sweet 16

If Matt Fitzpatrick takes a glance at results profiles of the past four Masters winners he should add to already substantial confidence levels for the year's first major.

Starting with Scottie Scheffler's first Green Jacket victory in 2022, each Augusta champion has brought tournament winning form down Magnolia Lane.

Last year Rory McIlroy claimed trophies at Pebble Beach and the Players Championship before adding a tie for fifth at the Houston Open in his last appearance before the Masters.

A year earlier Scheffler won at Bay Hill, the Players and added a runner-up finish in Houston. Jon Rahm was a three-time winner in the months prior to his Masters victory in 2023.

And when he started the trend in 2022, Scheffler had won at Bay Hill and the World Matchplay before dominating amid the famous cathedral pines of Georgia in the second week of April.

Fitzpatrick - already a major winner with his 2022 US Open triumph - will spend the next fortnight honing his game for the demands of the Masters. He does so having just won the Valspar Championship, a week after finishing a close runner-up to Cameron Young at the Players.

'Approach play felt like missing link'

"There's stuff I want to improve," Fitzpatrick said after collecting his third PGA Tour title at the Copperhead course in Florida last Sunday. But recent rounds suggest he has developed qualities requiring mere preservation to prosper at Augusta.

Last week the Englishman was second for strokes gained in his approach play, first for scrambling around the greens and fifth in performance off the tee. These are impressive stats in bedrock categories essential for Augusta success.

This is in stark contrast to where the 31-year-old from Sheffield was a year ago, when he was 61st in the world rankings and in a tailspin that saw him plummet as low as 85th a month or so later.

"There's a big difference in my approach play," Fitzpatrick said after his one shot win over David Lipsky last Sunday. "My irons are just so much better.

"Better distance control, better accuracy left-to-right. Hitting the shape that I want to hit."

The key to this current level of elite performance was discovered after he carded a two-under-par 70 to begin the Players Championship earlier this month. Fitzpatrick spent that afternoon on the Sawgrass range with coach Mark Blackburn.

He called it "a really good session that felt like it really helped me".

"It's made a big difference over the last seven rounds of golf I've played," Fitzpatrick added.

"I hit my irons really well. I think I was first in approach play for the first three rounds (at Copperhead).

"That's a big difference from where I've come from in the past. I always felt like my short game, driving and putting's been good enough.

"Approach play always felt like it was the missing link. So far this year it's been really good and last year it was really good as well. It's about continuing that and giving myself more opportunities."

Rahm revelling in 72-hole LIV events

With Scheffler's recent patchy form, by his extraordinarily high standards, and McIlroy struggling to match the standard of his golf this time last year, there is scope to look beyond the top two players in the world for Augusta glory.

Fitzpatrick, now up to number six, undoubtedly falls into that category as does Scotland's Robert MacIntyre, (fourth at the Players) last year's Masters play-off runner-up Justin Rose and FedEx Cup champion Tommy Fleetwood.

But, amid justified optimism that the famous Green Jacket might remain in UK hands, it would be foolish to ignore what has also been happening on the breakaway LIV Tour.

Bryson DeChambeau will go into the Masters having won play-offs in his past two outings before the opening major of the year. The big-hitting American beat Rahm in a shootout in South Africa a week after claiming victory in Singapore.

The switch from 54 to 72 holes has clearly favoured the best players on LIV, with Rahm, the recent winner in Hong Kong, finishing in the top two in all but one of five tournaments to date.

Yes there is not the same depth of field on LIV, but Data Golf, who crunch the numbers from all tours, rank the Spaniard second only to Scheffler in their global standings.

While Rahm has abandoned his appeal against sanctions imposed by the DP World Tour, he remains embroiled in a stand-off with the European circuit that threatens future Ryder Cup appearances.

But the ongoing controversy does not seem to be putting off the 31-year-old Basque, who is certainly one to watch when the Masters begins on 9 April.

How enticing it is that so many of the other threats are his Ryder Cup team-mates - McIlroy, Fleetwood, MacIntyre or Rose as well as Ludvig Aberg. And, of course, Fitzpatrick - who has already stylishly painted gloss to his year with his Valspar win.

"I want to make sure that I'm ready for when I get to Augusta," Fitzpatrick said. "To be ready to play and be ready that Thursday morning and be in the best shape possible."

Walk into a pub on any Saturday afternoon in the UK and you’ll see football fans everywhere, pints in hand, glued to the match on TV, and they’re not just checking the scores anymore. Phones are out. People are sweating over their bets, updating group chats about their accumulator picks and celebrating or complaining together. 

Betting isn’t just a side hobby these days; it’s become part of the ritual. It’s woven right into match day itself. So, what’s behind this surge, and what does it actually mean for the way fans experience football now? 

Why the betting boom keeps getting bigger

There’s not one single reason bets are booming. It’s more like a perfect storm: Tech, culture and business all colliding at the right time.

The digital takeover

Technology has changed everything. Not that long ago, betting meant a run to your local bookie before kickoff, but now you can place a bet from anywhere, stadium seat, couch, even on your morning commute. Mobile apps have made the whole process ridiculously easy. A few taps and you’re in.

The real game-changer, though? Live betting. It lets people wager on stuff as it happens; the next goal scorer, the number of corners, even who’s getting booked. It’s made watching football nerve-racking and thrilling in new ways. Suddenly, a boring match can become pure drama thanks to a last-minute bet.

Relentless marketing and sponsorships

Betting companies have gone all-in on football branding. Everywhere you look, from shirt sponsors to pitch-side adverts, betting brands are right in your face. You can’t escape them. It’s made betting feel normal, almost expected, especially for young fans. For them, betting is intertwined with the game; it doesn’t feel like something separate.

The “smart fan” effect

Football fans aren’t just passionate, they’re smarter, too. With stats and analytics everywhere, betting has become almost a science for some. People pore over form, injuries, tactics and head-to-head records before laying down a wager. It’s not just a random punt; it’s a strategy, and it draws fans into the game in a whole new way.

Rise of smart betting platforms

As betting ramps up, the need for trustworthy info grows too. There are so many platforms fighting for your attention, and each one promises something different. Sorting through them all gets overwhelming, especially for newcomers.

The smartest thing a player can do before depositing at any casino or placing a bet is to compare multiple options side by side; bonuses, withdrawal speeds, game providers and licensing all vary significantly between operators. Platforms like GambleGuru make this easier by aggregating reviews across dozens of UK-licensed casinos, letting players filter by the criteria that actually matter to them rather than relying on a single recommendation.

Matchday is about more than just supporting your team

So, how does all this actually play out for fans?

More engagement, more emotion

Betting brings extra excitement. That mid-table snoozefest? Suddenly must-watch if there’s money at stake. Even a tiny bet changes everything, every shot, every tackle, every late goal matters, not just for your team but for your wallet.

And the rollercoaster of emotions is huge. A goal in stoppage time isn’t just a win for the club; it could swing bets hundreds of pounds in minutes. It’s edge-of-your-seat stuff.

Changing what loyalty means

Betting nudges fans into a new territory. Loyalty used to mean supporting your club no matter what. Now, you might back a rival because the odds make more sense. It’s not unusual for fans to cheer for goals that hurt their own team if it’s good for their bet. For old-school supporters, this blurs the lines, and it sparks a debate about what football fandom really means now.

Social side of betting

It’s not just individual. Betting has become social. There’s group chats with friends trading accumulator picks, friendly rivalries and the shared drama of wins and losses. The banter is half the fun. Everyone wants in on the action, even if it’s just for bragging rights.

Concerns and controversies

All this growth comes with big questions and real worries.

Problem gambling

Let’s call it what it is: The ease of betting, and the bombarding ads, can push people toward unhealthy habits. Football’s popularity means the risks touch everyone, including younger fans. It’s sparked intense debates about how much clubs should promote gambling and what responsibility they have to their audience.

Regulations tightening

The government’s already ratcheting up rules for gambling ads and sponsorships. Clubs and leagues face more pressure to get out of bed with betting companies. There are new restrictions, like banning betting sponsors from the front of team shirts. Whether these changes will really curb the industry or just shift the money around, nobody knows yet.  

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek has parted company with her coach after her shock first round elimination at the Miami Open, she said on Monday.

In a post on Instagram, the world No. 3 announced her split from Wim Fissette, who she had worked with since 2024 and claimed her first Wimbledon title with last year.

Swiatek, who has won six Grand Slam titles, said she'd “decided to take a different path.”

“I’m grateful for his support, experience, and everything we achieved together — including one of my biggest dreams in sport.”

The 24-year-old from Poland was beaten in three sets by world No. 50 Magda Linette in Miami last week. The defeat ended her run of 73 straight opening-round wins on tour.

“Miami was challenging for me. I feel disappointment, bitterness and responsibility for my performance on the court of course,” she said.

Swiatek said the rest of her team would remain unchanged.

“I know there are many questions, but l’ll let you know what’s next at the right time. I’m taking a moment to take care of myself, process this experience, and prepare for a new chapter,” she said.

Fissette has worked with a long list of top players that includes Naomi Osaka, Kim Clijsters and Victoria Azarenka.

Among the Dodgers non-roster players invited to big league camp in spring training is a mix of veterans on minor league deals plus top prospects Josue De Paula, Zyhir Hope, Jackson Ferris, and others.

Last season, nine of the 27 non-roster invitees in big league camp eventually played for the Dodgers during the regular season, including Roki Sasaki, Dalton Rushing, and Justin Dean, who also played in the postseason.

Among the 32 initial non-roster invitees to Dodgers camp are 17 pitchers, five catchers, and 10 other position players. Here’s a little more on each player. We’ll update this list throughout spring training as other players are signed and roster cuts are made.

Pitchers

RHP — Chris Campos (No. 62)
2025 spring training: Dodgers (minors)
2025 highest level: Double-A
2026 age: 25
How acquired: 2022 draft, 7th round

Campos in a full year at Double-A Tulsa in 2025 had a 4.19 ERA with 111 strikeouts and 32 walks in 126 2/3 innings. He got engaged in December.

RHP — Patrick Copen (85)
2025 spring training: Dodgers (minors)
2025 highest level: Double-A
2026 age: 24
How acquired: 2023 draft, 7th round
Cut date: March 2

After taking a line drive off his face and losing vision in his right eye to end his 2024 season, the tall right-hander had a very nice bounce-back season in 2025, posting a 3.59 ERA in 26 starts and 117 2/3 innings between Great Lakes and Tulsa, and led all Dodgers minor league pitchers with 152 strikeouts.

RHP — Carlos Durán (82)
2025 spring training: Dodgers (NRI)
2025 highest level: MLB
2026 age: 24
How acquired: minor league deal, December 12, 2025
Cut date: March 8

Originally signed by the Dodgers out of the Dominican Republic in 2018, Durán last April was traded to the A’s for outfielder Esteury Ruiz. The right-hander made his major league debut with the A’s in May, but allowed three runs and recorded one out in his only major league appearance to date. Sent outright off the A’s 40-man roster in June, Durán had a 5.74 ERA in 62 2/3 Triple-A innings with nearly as many walks (55) as strikeouts (67) before reaching minor league free agency at the conclusion of the season.

LHP — Jackson Ferris (93)
2025 spring training: Dodgers (NRI)
2025 highest level: Double-A
2026 age: 22
How acquired: trade with Cubs, January 11, 2024
Cut date: March 8

Named to several top-100 prospect lists prior to the 2025 season, after winning the Branch Rickey Award as the Dodgers minor league pitcher of the year in 2024, Ferris took a bit of a step back in his full season in Tulsa, with a 3.86 ERA in 126 innings, with a slightly lower strikeout rate (24.2 percent after 27.4 percent) and slightly higher walk rate (10.8 percent to 11.8 percent) than the season before. But he improved down the stretch for Tulsa in 2025 — after a 6.58 ERA and 4.45 FIP in his first 12 outings, Ferris had a 2.19 ERA the rest of the way, with only three home runs allowed over his final 14 starts.

LHP — Luke Fox (89)
2025 spring training: Dodgers (minors)
2025 highest level: Double-A
2026 age: 24
How acquired: 2023 draft, 17th round
Cut date: March 2

Fox split time between High-A Great Lakes and Double-A Tulsa, combining for a 2.85 ERA in 22 games, including 21 starts, with 110 strikeouts and 53 walks in 98 innings.

RHP — Nick Frasso (79)
2025 spring training: Dodgers
2025 highest level: Triple-A
2026 age: 27
How acquired: minor league deal, December 16, 2025
Cut date: March 2

Frasso was acquired from the Blue Jays in the Mitch White trade in August 2022, and spent the last two seasons on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster, though he hasn’t yet pitched in the majors. After shoulder and hip surgeries wiped out his 2024 season, Frasso had a 5.49 ERA in 43 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2025, with 68 strikeouts and 42 walks in 77 innings, before getting non-tendered in November.

RHP — Carson Hobbs (71)
2025 spring training: Dodgers (minors)
2025 highest level: Double-A
2026 age: 24
How acquired: 2023 draft, 11th round
Cut date: March 8

Hobbs pitched in the back end of the bullpen for both Great Lakes and Tulsa, putting up a 2.04 ERA in 42 games, with 63 strikeouts and 21 walks in 53 innings. His 20.9-percent strikeout-minus walk rate was third-best in the Dodgers minors with a minimum of 50 innings.

LHP — Cole Irvin (38)
2025 spring training: Doosan (Korea)
2025 highest level: Korean Baseball Organization
2026 age: 32
How acquired: minor league deal, February 3, 2026
Cut date: March 16

The veteran starter pitched six seasons in the majors for the Phillies, A’s, Orioles, and Twins before heading over to the KBO in 2025. Irvin put up a 4.48 ERA in 28 starts for Doosan last year, with 128 strikeouts and 79 walks in 144 2/3 innings.

LHP — Antoine Kelly (75)
2025 spring training: Rockies (minors)
2025 highest level: Triple-A
2026 age: 26
How acquired: minor league deal, November 14, 2025

A second-round pick of the Brewers in 2019, Kelly has pitched six seasons in the minors in the Brewers, Rangers, and Rockies systems. He had a 5.63 ERA in 34 relief appearances in 2025 for Triple-A Albuquerque, with 41 strikeouts and 27 walks in 38 1/3 innings. On the road last year, away from pitching on the moon, Kelly had a 3.43 ERA, 25 strikeouts, and 13 walks in 21 innings, plus zero home runs and a .345 slugging percentage allowed.

LHP — Garrett McDaniels (57)
2025 spring training: Angels
2025 highest level: MLB (Angels)
2026 age: 26
How acquired: returned from Rule 5 Draft, June 14, 2025
Cut date: March 8

McDaniels struggled in his brief time in the majors in Anaheim, but once he returned to the Dodgers put up a 3.30 ERA in 25 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City, with 36 strikeouts and 17 walks in 30 innings.

RHP — Wyatt Mills (58)
2025 spring training: Red Sox (NRI)
2025 highest level: Triple-A
2026 age: 31
How acquired: minor league free agent, August 16, 2025
Cut date: March 8

After pitching parts of two-seasons for the Mariners and Royals, Mills had Tommy John surgery that wiped out his 2023-24 seasons. Last year in Triple-A Worcester, Mills put up a 3.12 ERA in 52 innings, with 49 strikeouts and 30 walks.

RHP — José Rodríguez (97)
2025 spring training: Dodgers (NRI)
2025 highest level: Triple-A
2026 age: 24
How acquired: international free agent, 2019
Cut date: March 2

Signed out of Mexico seven years ago, Rodríguez went unselected in December’s Rule 5 Draft, allowing him to remain with the Dodgers. The right-hander had a 5.50 ERA in 54 innings between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City last season, with a high strikeout rate (34.1 percent) and high walk rate (14.2 percent). Rodríguez was ranked the Dodgers’ No. 29 prospect this preseason by Baseball America, and rated 30th in the system by FanGraphs.

RHP — Jerming Rosario (81)
2025 spring training: Dodgers (minors)
2025 highest level: Double-A
2026 age: 24
How acquired: international free agent, July 2, 2018
Cut date: March 2

Rosario repeated with Double-A Tulsa last season and switched from starting to relief pitching, putting up a 4.67 ERA with 87 strikeouts and 51 walks in 79 innings.

RHP — Ryder Ryan (40)
2025 spring training: Pirates (NRI)
2025 highest level: Triple-A
2026 age: 31
How acquired: minor league free agent, January 28, 2026
Cut date: March 16

The older brother of Dodgers pitcher River Ryan, Ryder pitched in parts of 2023-24 in the majors with the Mariners and Pirates. Last year in the Pirates system, Ryder Ryan had a 4.73 ERA in 42 games, with 61 strikeouts and 38 walks in 72 1/3 innings in Triple-A Indianapolis.

LHP — Adam Serwinowski (73)
2025 spring training: Reds (minors)
2025 highest level: Double-A
2026 age: 22
How acquired: 3-team trade, July 31, 2025
Cut date: March 2

Serwinowski ended his season with one start for Tulsa, after dominating in six starts for High-A Great Lakes, with 44 strikeouts and 14 strikeouts to go with his 1.83 ERA that earned him Midwest League pitcher of the month honors for August.

RHP — Jordan Weems (45)
2025 spring training: Braves (NRI)
2025 highest level: MLB (Astros)
2026 age: 33
How acquired: minor league free agent, February 9, 2026
Cut date: March 8

Weems pitched in the majors in each of the last six seasons, including allowing seven runs in 4 1/3 innings for Houston in 2025. Between Gwinnett and Sugar Land in Triple-A, the right-hander had a 4.44 ERA in 39 games, with 49 strikeouts and 23 walks in 46 2/3 innings.

RHP — Lucas Wepf (90)
2025 spring training: Dodgers (minors)
2025 highest level: Double-A
2026 age: 24
How acquired: non-drafted free agent, 2022
Cut date: March 8

Wepf had a 2.79 ERA in 23 games for Tulsa last season with 36 strikeouts, 16 walks, and no home runs allowed in 29 innings. But his season ended in June, missing the final two and a half months on the injured list.

Catchers

C — Eliézer Alfonzo (64)
Bats both, throws right
2025 spring training: Tigers (NRI)
2025 highest level: Triple-A
2026 age: 26
How acquired: minor league free agent, November 17, 2025

Alfonzo spent the last nine years in the Detroit Tigers’ minor league system. He hit .247/.297/.322 with 14 doubles in 65 games last season, including eight games with Triple-A Toledo in his first time at that level. His father, also named Eliézer Alfonzo, played six seasons in the majors and was a non-roster invitee in Dodgers camp in 2013.

C — Griffin Lockwood-Powell (92)
Bats right, throws right
2025 spring training: Dodgers (NRI)
2025 highest level: Double-A
2026 age: 28
How acquired: non-drafted free agent, 2021
Cut date: March 8

Hit .226/.350/.326 in 81 games last year while repeating in Double-A Tulsa. Started five games at first base and five more at designated hitter in addition to his team-leading 69 starts behind the plate in 2025.

C — Nelson Quiroz (87)
Bats left, throws right
2025 spring training: Dodgers (minors)
2025 highest level: Double-A
2026 age: 24
How acquired: international free agent, April 1, 2019
Cut date: March 2

Quiroz split time between Great Lakes and Tulsa last season, and hit .333/.393/.441 with 13 doubles and a 139 wRC+ in 55 games between both levels.

C — Chuckie Robinson (52)
Bats right, throws right
2025 spring training: Angels
2025 highest level: MLB (Dodgers)
2026 age: 31
How acquired: minor league deal, December 18, 2025
Cut date: March 2

Robinson spent time on the 40-man rosters of the Angels, Dodgers, and Braves in 2025, but only played in the majors in one game, with Los Angeles in September. After ending the season in the minors with Atlanta, the veteran backstop signed a minor league deal with Dodgers in December.

C — Seby Zavala (33)
Bats right, throws right
2025 spring training: Red Sox (NRI)
2025 highest level: Triple-A
2026 age: 32
How acquired: minor league free agent, February 5, 2026
Cut date: March 22

Zavala played parts of five seasons in the majors. Last year he his .165/.274/.340 with eight home runs in 67 games for Triple-A Worcester.

Position players

OF — Josue De Paula (95)
Bats left, throws left
2025 spring training: Dodgers (NRI)
2025 highest level: Double-A
2026 age: 21
How acquired: international free agent, 2022
Cut date: March 8

De Paula is the highest-rated Dodgers prospect by average ranking entering 2026, ranked between 14th and 24th in baseball by Baseball Prospectus, MLB Pipeline, The Athletic, ESPN, and Baseball America. This came after a .250/.391/.400 season with a 132 wRC+ and 32 steals, mostly for Great Lakes before getting promoted to Tulsa for the final week of the season. De Paula also homered in the 2025 MLB Futures Game in Atlanta to win game MVP honors.

OF — Zach Ehrhard (99)
Bats right, throws right
2025 spring training: Red Sox (minors)
2025 highest level: Double-A
2026 age: 23
How acquired: trade with Boston, July 31, 2025
Cut date: March 16

A fourth-round pick of the Red Sox in 2024, Ehrhard came to the Dodgers in the Dustin May trade along with fellow NRI James Tibbs III. Ehrhard hit .282/.391/.466 with a 143 wRC+ and 13 extra-base hits in 35 games with Double-A Tulsa.

2B/3B/SS — Santiago Espinal (21)
Bats right, throws right
2025 spring training: Reds
2025 highest level: MLB
2026 age: 31
How acquired: minor league free agent, February 17, 2026
Selected to roster: March 18

Veteran infielder played in the majors in each of the previous six seasons with the Blue Jays and Reds. Espinal has a career 107 wRC+ against left-handed pitching and has played third base, second base, and shortstop extensively.

IF/OF — Ryan Fitzgerald (46)
Bats left, throws right
2025 spring training: Twins (minors)
2025 highest level: MLB (Twins)
2026 age: 32
How acquired: waiver claim, January 9, 2026
Cut date: March 18

The utility man made his major league debut with the Twins at age 31 last season, splitting his time almost evenly between shortstop, second base, and third base. In his minor league career, Fitzgerald has started at all three outfield spots and all four infield positions. Fitzgerald was designated for assignment when the Dodgers signed Andy Ibáñez on January 13, then a week later after clearing waivers was sent outright to the minors.

OF — Kendall George (0)
Bats left, throws left
2025 spring training: Dodgers (NRI)
2025 highest level: High-A
2026 age: 21
How acquired: 2023 draft, first round
Cut date: March 8

The speedy center fielder stole an eye-popping 100 bases for Great Lakes, just the fourth player in Dodgers organizational history to do so. He got there with a strong second-half kick that improved his seasonal line to .295/.409/.370 with a 131 wRC+.

1B/OF — Matt Gorski (56)
Bats right, throws right
2025 spring training: Pirates (NRI)
2025 highest level: MLB
2026 age: 28
How acquired: minor league free agent, July 23, 2025
Cut date: March 2

Gorski made his major league debut last April with the Pirates, got hurt in Triple-A Indianapolis in May, and was released in July. The Dodgers signed him to a minor league deal last July, but he spent the rest of the season on the injured list and has not yet played in the organization.

1B/2B/LF — Keston Hiura (9)
Bats right, throws right
2025 spring training: Rockies (NRI)
2025 highest level: MLB
2026 age: 29
How acquired: minor league free agent, February 12, 2026
Cut date: March 2

Hiura has played parts of six seasons in the majors with the Brewers, Angels, and Rockies, though only 18 of those games came in the last three seasons. The former UC Irvine Anteater hit .272/.369/.507 with a 107 wRC+ and 21 home runs in 100 games with Triple-A Albquerque in 2025.

OF — Zyhir Hope (94)
Bats left, throws left
2025 spring training: Dodgers (NRI)
2025 highest level: Double-A
2026 age: 21
How acquired: trade with Cubs, January 11, 2024
Cut date: March 16

Hope hit .266/.376/.428 with a 131 wRC+ mostly for Great Lakes, and was promoted with De Paula to Tulsa for the final week of the season. Hope’s average rank of the five national outlets so far is the 37th-best prospect in baseball heading into 2026, topping out at No. 18 at Baseball Prospectus.

SS — Noah Miller (88)
Bats both, throws right
2025 spring training: Dodgers (minors)
2025 highest level: Triple-A
2026 age: 23
How acquired: trade with Twins, February 27, 2024
Cut date: March 16

Acquired for Manuel Margot before the 2024 season, Miller struggled at the plate in his first taste of Triple-A, hitting .238/.269/.344 in 59 games for Oklahoma City. But strong defense his his calling card. Baseball America rated Miller the Dodgers’ 23rd-best prospect in the system and said, “Miller is the Dodgers’ best infield defender and has the skills to lock down any position on the dirt. He is quick, agile and fearless and has a strong, accurate throwing arm as well. Those skills alone should get him to the big leagues and keep him there for a long time.”

OF — Chris Newell (00)
Bats left, throws left
2025 spring training: Dodgers (minors)
2025 highest level: Double-A
2026 age: 25
How acquired: 2022 draft, 13th round
Cut date: March 2

Newell hit .241/.346/.428 with a 118 wRC+ for Tulsa last season with 20 home runs and 24 stolen bases. Coupled with his 25 home runs and 31 steals in 2024, Newell is the only Dodgers minor leaguer with a 20-homer, 20-steal season (let alone two) in the last four years.

IF/OF — Nick Senzel (15)
Bats right, throws right
2025 spring training: Mexican League (independent)
2025 highest level: Triple-A
2026 age: 31
How acquired: minor league free agent, May 1, 2025
Cut date: March 22

Senzel played parts of six seasons in the majors (2019-24) with the Reds, Nationals, and White Sox before joining the Dodgers last season. In 2025 with Oklahoma City, Senzel started games at third base, left field, right field, shortstop, second base, and center field.

OF — Jack Suwinski (43)
Bats left, throws left
2025 spring training: Pirates
2025 highest level: MLB
2026 age: 27
How acquired: claimed off waivers from Pirates, February 21, 2026
Cut date: March 22

After a strong first two years in Pittsburgh, Suwinski struggled with a 59 OPS+ in 2024-25 combined. Suwinski cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A on March 2, knocking him off the Dodgers’ 40-man roster and into non-roster invitee status.

OF — James Tibbs III (98)
Bats left, throws left
2025 spring training: Giants (minors)
2025 highest level: Double-A
2026 age: 23
How acquired: trade with Boston, July 31, 2025
Cut date: March 16

A first-round pick of the Giants in 2024, Tibbs was traded for Rafael Devers in June, then dealt with Ehrhard for Dustin May in July. With Tulsa, Ehrhard hit .269/.407/.493 with a 155 wRC+ and seven home runs in 36 games after the latter trade. Tibbs was rated the Dodgers’ ninth-best prospect heading into this season by FanGraphs.

Five free agent pitchers Braves could sign to replace Spencer Strider after injury news originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Atlanta Braves might be the most unlucky team in all of Major League Baseball already this season. Not only are they down Ha Seong Kim and Sena Murphy for most of the year, but their rotation has been decimated by injuries.

Before the season even started, the Braves were already down Spencer Schwellenbach, Joey Wentz, AJ Smith-Shawver, and Hurston Waldrep. But, to make matters even worse, Spencer Strider is now out for a while.

MLB.com's Mark Bowman reports Strider is beginning the season on the injured list with an oblique injury. That issue has made one thing clear: the Braves need pitching. These five free agent pitchers could be options for the Braves after the Strider news.

Braves could sign one of five SP free agents after Strider news

1. Lucas Giolito

The top option still on the free agent market is Lucas Giolito, the veteran righty who spent last season with the Boston Red Sox. Across 145 innings pitched last season for the Red Sox, Giolito had a 3.41 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP and 121 strikeouts.

If the Braves want to sign an impact starter this spring amid all of these pitching injuries, there's no better option than Giolito.

2. Frankie Montas

Frankie Montas is another option the Braves could consider, as the 33-year-old veteran has been a decent starter in years past. However, last year with the New York Mets, he posted a 6.28 ERA in nine games.

He had a 4.84 ERA in 2024 with the Milwaukee Brewers and has, for the most part, been an okay pitcher in his MLB career. He's a riskier signing with his struggles last year, but his experience makes him a viable option for the Braves.

More: Braves predicted to trade Bryce Elder for Lars Nootbaar

3. Nestor Cortes

The 31-year-old Nestor Cortes is a decent option for the Braves as well. While he didn't pitch well for the San Diego Padres last season, posting a 6.29 ERA in eight games, his production in the previous few years was encouraging.

In the prior four years with the New York Yankees, Cortes posted ERAs of 3.77 in 2024, 4.97 in 2023, 2.44 in 2022, and 2.90 in 2021. He won't be too expensive, and could be a solid veteran option to bolster the Braves' injured rotation.

4. Tyler Anderson

While Montas and Cortes struggled last season, Tyler Anderson with the Los Angeles Angels wasn't a terrible starter. In 27 starts, the 36-year-old had 104 strikeouts with a 4.56 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP.

He's not the best option, but the veteran starter wouldn't be the worst option to get the Braves through the beginning of the year while they're down a lot of key starters.

More: Joey Wentz is out for the season with a torn ACL for the Braves

5. Patrick Corbin

Lastly, the Braves could turn to an innings-eater in Patrick Corbin. He wouldn't be the Braves' best option, but the 36-year-old veteran has been one of the best in MLB, eating up innings in recent years.

This past season for the Texas Rangers, Corbin made 30 starts, posting 131 strikeouts, a 4.40 ERA over 151.1 innings pitched.

Braves' best option in free agency is obvious

While they could sign any one of these starters, or find other options in free agency, the trade market, or call up a player from the minors, their best option is very obviously Giolito.

He makes too much sense for the Braves, as they needed starter help before the Strider injury, and Giolito would help stave off the injury issues, while also being a quality starter even once players return from injury.

More MLB news:

• Blue Jays sign Joe Mantiply to minor league contract
• Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki will return to rotation, not bullpen according Dave Roberts
• Alex Cora announces Caleb Durbin is Red Sox starting third baseman
• Reds’ Hunter Greene to be out until July amid brutal injury news
• Jesus Luzardo’s $135 million extension is a steal for Phillies

Missed chances told the story again for Clemson baseball on Sunday.

Even with traffic on the bases throughout the game, the Tigers couldn’t deliver in key spots, falling 7-4 to Notre Dame as the Irish completed a three-game sweep in South Bend.

Clemson collected 13 hits, but every one of them was a single. That lack of impact swings showed up when it mattered most, as the Tigers went 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position and stranded 12 runners.

Nate Savoie turned in one of the team’s best individual efforts of the season, going 4-for-5 at the plate. Luke Gaffney and Jack Crighton each added two hits, but the lineup never found the one big hit needed to flip the game.

Drew Titsworth got the start and was charged with the loss after allowing three runs, two earned, on five hits over four innings. He struck out five without issuing a walk, but Clemson’s defense didn’t do him many favors.

Notre Dame grabbed control early, using a leadoff double in the first inning to set up the opening run. Clemson answered in the third when Savoie came around on a sacrifice fly to tie things at 1-1, but the response didn’t last.

The Irish quickly pushed back ahead in the bottom half of the inning. An RBI single, followed by a Clemson error, allowed two runs to score and put the Tigers back in a hole.

Things got worse in the fifth when Talan Bell ran into trouble out of the bullpen. He hit two batters and issued a walk before giving up a run-scoring single. Another run came home on a sacrifice fly, stretching the lead to 5-1.

Clemson had chances to climb back in it, especially in the sixth. Back-to-back singles put two on with nobody out, but a strikeout and an inning-ending double play erased the threat.

Notre Dame added two more in the sixth to make it 7-1, and while Clemson chipped away late, it wasn’t enough. The Tigers loaded the bases in both the seventh and ninth innings, scoring a pair of runs in each frame, but couldn’t complete the comeback.

Defensive issues continued to be a problem. Clemson committed two more errors, bringing its season total to 32 through 24 games. Gaffney’s mistake in the third led to an unearned run, while Tyler Lichtenberger also recorded his sixth error of the year.

Out of the bullpen, Bell’s struggles remain a concern. The left-hander faced just five batters and saw two of them score. He hit two, walked one and allowed an RBI single, pushing his ERA to 8.76 on the season.

Clemson softball takes down Notre Dame in game 3 to claim ACC series

📸 Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel, Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images https://t.co/4OhRgfwZjypic.twitter.com/ykFuMJUKOs

— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) March 22, 2026

Clemson was also without Jarren Purify, who missed the game after taking a pitch off his hand on Saturday. Crighton stepped into the leadoff spot, Jay Dillard handled second base duties, and freshman Jason Fultz got the start at third.

The Tigers will look to regroup quickly as they return home to face Coastal Carolina on Tuesday, with first pitch set for 7 p.m. on ACC Network.

Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.

This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Clemson baseball has clear issues after being swept by Notre Dame

I’m next 🦇— Arman Tsarukyan UFC (@ArmanUfc) March 21, 2026

Lightweight Purgatory

Who is the Braves' closer? Why Atlanta is making Raisel Iglesias, Robert Suarez decision in bullpen originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

After a bumpy 2025 season, the Atlanta Braves brought in some reinforcements this offseason to try and avoid that same fate.

One of their most notable moves was signing free agent relief pitcher Robert Suarez. Suarez was the closer for the San Diego Padres last season.

Interestingly, though, the Braves' closer situation doesn't seem to be as straightforward as signing a strong closer and plugging him in to the ninth inning.

Instead, Raisel Iglesias is playing a part, too.

MORE: Big Papi's son has a special moment for the Red Sox

Who is the Braves' closer?

As Opening Day approaches, Iglesias appears to have kept his closer job in Atlanta.

The Braves used Iglesias in the ninth inning last year, and everyone who covers the Braves has suggested that he will start the year in that same role.

The reliable website Closer Monkey, which monitors changes in teams' closer roles daily, also has Iglesias slotted in as the ninth-inning guy.

That leaves Suarez for the eighth inning.

It's a bit of a curious decision, with Iglesias aging while Suarez was the flashy new signing, but apparently Atlanta wants to keep things status quo with their veteran closer.

It's also ironic for Suarez. Last season, the Padres traded for superstar Mason Miller at the deadline, but they kept Suarez in his closer role while Miller got the eighth inning.

At least for now, Suarez finds himself on the other side of a similar setup. It's hard to think Atlanta will stick with it the whole season this way, but it's how it'll start.

More MLB news:

• The contract reason Pirates are keeping Konnor Griffin in the minor leagues
• Juan Soto might lead MLB in a brand new stat
• Chase DeLauter's time has arrived for the Cleveland Guardians
• MLB's future of the shortstop position is immensely bright
• Do the Red Sox have a Garrett Crochet problem?
• Reds have lost a special Opening Day honor that was part of MLB history

Nikola Jokic continues to redefine consistency in the NBA, and his latest milestone has only sharpened the contrast with Joel Embiid.

The Denver Nuggets star recorded his 192nd career triple-double in Sunday’s 128-112 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Jokic finished the game with 22 points, 14 assists and 14 rebounds, adding another all-around display to his growing legacy. It was another reminder of his ability to impact every phase of the game.

The timing of the achievement has drawn attention for another reason. It highlights a striking comparison with Embiid, his main rival for the 2022-23 MVP award.

Nikola Jokic’s triple-double run puts Joel Embiid comparison into focus

Since Embiid edged Jokic to win the 2022-23 MVP, the Serbian has responded in remarkable fashion. He went on to lead Denver to the NBA title that same season, securing Finals MVP honours.

Now, according to basketball writer Andy Bailey, Jokic has recorded 87 triple-doubles in that span.

Incredibly, that number is close to the total games Embiid has played over the same period. The Philadelphia 76ers star has appeared in just 91 games, largely due to ongoing injury struggles.

The gap reflects an ongoing issue. While Embiid remains one of the most dominant centres in the league when fit, injuries have consistently limited his impact.

The Philadelphia 76ers are still waiting for his return after a right oblique strain suffered last month.

Embiid has not played since 26 February, although recent updates suggest he has resumed workouts despite lingering soreness.

In that context, there have been no new setbacks, but the uncertainty over his return remains.

Read more:

March 23 (UPI) -- The Seattle Seahawks agreed to a $168.6 million contract extension with All-Pro wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, his agency, Win Sports Group, confirmed Monday.

The extension includes $120 million in guarantees and an average annual value of $42.15 million, which will make Smith-Njigba the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history.

Smith-Njigba, who joined the Seahawks as the No. 20 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, hauled in 119 catches for a league-best 1,793 yards and 10 scores over 17 starts last season. He totaled 282 catches for 3,551 yards and 20 scores through the first 51 appearances of his NFL carer.

He did not miss a game through his first three seasons.

The former Ohio State star caught 17 passes for 199 yards and two scores during the Seahawks' 2025-26 postseason run, which ended with a Super Bowl LX triumph over the New England Patriots.

Last week, the Miami Dolphins shocked their fanbase, sending beloved wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a first round pick (30th overall) in the 2026 NFL Draft, plus 3rd and 4th rounders — they also sent their own 4th round pick in 2026 back to Denver in the deal.

According to an article published by Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated on Monday, the Dolphins were willing to part with Waddle because he was an older player on a second contract who didn’t fit into the team’s rebuilding timeline.

For Miami, the operative question on giving up Waddle, a player they very much valued and one beloved in the organization, related back to timelines. If, say, [Jon-Eric] Sullivan and [Jeff] Hafley had the program rolling going into 2028, it would be with Waddle at 30 years old and likely in search of a new contract. Conversely, the first- and third-round picks they bring onto their roster would be going into Year 3, still a year away from even being able to negotiate a new deal. That’s a better timeline match than Waddle would be.

While new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan valued Waddle’s skillset in regards to Miami’s offense, they valued the trade compensation more since the team is in the middle of resetting their salary cap and rebuilding their team in an effort to compete in a year or two.

Now all Sullivan and the Dolphins need to do is hit on their picks in this year’s draft to really get the ball rolling towards making Miami a perennial contender for the NFL Playoffs in the AFC. They’ll have plenty of opportunities to do so — as the team is currently slated for 11 picks in April’s selection process.

Saint Joseph's at Navy — ESPN Select, ESPN Unlimited

Lafayette at Villanova — ESPN Select, ESPN Unlimited

Saint Joseph's at Navy — ESPN Select, ESPN Unlimited

La Salle at Pennsylvania — ESPN Select, ESPN Unlimited

Lafayette at Monmouth — FloSports

St. Bonaventure at Penn State — Big Ten Plus

Colorado at Pittsburgh — Altitude, Altitude 2, SportsNet Pittsburgh, ESPN Select, ESPN Unlimited

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV.

The Iowa Hawkeyes get to keep on dancing after stunning the No. 1-seeded Florida Gators to punch a ticket to their first Sweet 16 since 1999. The game saw both teams land haymakers on each other, but the Hawkeyes, after so many late-game mishaps during the season, found a way to gut out a massive win for the program's trajectory.

Advancing to the second week is due in large part to a masterful coaching performance of Ben McCollum, who was able to squeeze every ounce out of Iowa against Florida when he needed it most. With just 16 teams remaining in the NCAA Tournament, ESPN ranked the remaining squads and sees Iowa looking like the best version of itself.

15. Iowa HawkeyesOriginal seed: No. 9 (South)Tournament results: Defeated No. 8 Clemson 67-61 (first round); defeated No. 1 Florida 73-72 (round of 32)

A team's season can flip in an instant. The Hawkeyes were 3-7 in their previous 10 games entering the NCAA tournament. During that stretch, they were sub-50 in offensive and defensive efficiency, per BartTorvik, and had shot 31% from 3. They seemed destined for an early exit in the NCAA tournament -- not their first Sweet 16 appearance since 1999. It's clear now that Iowa's late slip was just a blip. Remember, before that monthlong slide, the Hawkeyes were top 25 in offensive and defensive efficiency in coach Ben McCollum's first season. They also forced turnovers on nearly one-fifth of their opponents' possessions (10th nationally) and made 38% of their 3-point attempts. They were a good team. And then, weeks later, Alvaro Folgueiras made the winning 3-pointer in the upset of 1-seed and defending champion Florida. And just like that, the Hawkeyes are winning again. In the NCAA tournament, they're resembling the version that excelled over the first three months of the season.

Up next: vs. Nebraska (Thursday, 7:30 p.m., TBS/truTV) - Myron Metcalf, ESPN

Iowa and Nebraska will meet for the third time this year, with both of the previous matchups being tight battles. This one, with a spot in the Elite 8 on the line, figures to be the most intense of the bunch. In ESPN's rankings, they see the Cornhuskers sitting just ahead of the Hawkeyes at No. 13.

13. Nebraska CornhuskersOriginal seed: No. 4 (South)Tournament results: Defeated No. 13 Troy 76-47 (first round); defeated No. 5 Vanderbilt 74-72 (round of 32)

The best story of the NCAA tournament continues. More than seven decades ago, in 1954, Jerry Bush accepted the men's basketball coaching job at Nebraska. His daughter, Karen, had a son named Fred in 1972. Fred just led Nebraska to the first Sweet 16 in school history with his son Sam Hoiberg, who finished with eight points and six assists in a thriller against Vanderbilt on Saturday. It's an incredible story. But the third-to-last possession -- before Tyler Tanner nearly won it for the Commodores on a beyond half-court heave -- is the true story of Nebraska's season. Before what would be Braden Frager's winning layup for the Huskers, Tanner was trapped by a pair of defenders on the baseline. It's why Pryce Sandfort (19.0 PPG in the NCAA tournament) & Co. have the Big Ten's best defense this season. - Myron Metcalf, ESPN

The Iowa Hawkeyes and the Nebraska Cornhuskers are slated to tip off at 6:30 p.m. CT on Thursday, March 26, from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, in a matchup airing on TBS and truTV.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7

This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire : ESPN ranks Iowa basketball against March Madness Sweet 16 schools

After winning the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year award for 2025, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is set to become the NFL's highest-paid wide receiver.

Smith-Njigba and the Seahawks have agreed to a four-year extension worth $168.6 million, according to multiple reports. The 24-year-old will make $120 million in guarantees as part of the deal.

Smith-Njigba's contract is the latest reset for the league's burgeoning wide receiver market. Cincinnati Bengals star Ja'Marr Chase previously had the most lucrative receiver contract, valued at $40.25 million annually, but Smith-Njigba's average annual value (AAV) of $42.15 million has now surpassed that.

But where does Smith-Njigba's deal rank among all players in the league? While the pact will make him one of the 20 highest-paid players in the league, its value is still, unsurprisingly, lagging behind the ever-growing deals NFL teams are doling out to star quarterbacks.

Here's a look at the NFL's highest-paid players for 2026 in the wake of Smith-Njigba's extension.

Who is the highest-paid NFL player?

In terms of AAV, Dak Prescott is the NFL's highest-paid quarterback. He is making $60 million per year on the four-year extension he signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 2024.

The largest overall contract belongs to Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes. He inked a 10-year, $450 million contract in 2020 that has yet to be surpassed.

Highest-paid NFL players: Full list

Most of the NFL's highest-paid players are quarterbacks. However, a handful of edge rushers and a couple of wide receivers also crack the top 20.

Here's a look at the full list of the NFL's highest-paid players in terms of both AAV and total contract value.

AAV

• 1. Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys: $60 million
• T-2. Josh Allen, QB, Bills: $55 million
• T-2. Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals: $55 million
• T-2. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars: $55 million
• T-2. Jordan Love, QB, Packers: $55 million
• T-6. Jared Goff, QB, Lions: $53 million
• T-6. Brock Purdy, QB, 49ers: $53 million
• 8. Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers: $52.5 million
• 9. Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens: $52 million
• 10. Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles: $51 million
• 11. Micah Parsons, edge, Packers: $46.5 million
• 12. Deshaun Watson, QB, Browns: $46 million
• T-13. Aidan Hutchinson, edge, Lions: $45 million
• T-13. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs: $45 million
• 15. Daniel Jones, QB, Colts: $44 million
• 16. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks: $42.15 million
• 17. T.J. Watt, edge, Steelers: $41 million
• 18. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Bengals: $40.25 million
• 19. Danielle Hunter, edge, Texans: $40.1 million
• T-20. Myles Garrett, edge, Browns: $40 million
• T-20. Matt Stafford, QB, Rams: $40 million

Total contract value

• 1. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs: $450 million
• 2. Josh Allen, QB, Bills: $330 million
• T-3. Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals: $275 million
• T-3. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars: $275 million
• 5. Brock Purdy, QB, 49ers: $265 million
• 6. Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers: $262.5 million
• 7. Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens: $260 million
• 8. Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles: $255 million
• 9. Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys: $240 million
• 10. Deshaun Watson, QB, Browns: $230 million
• 11. Jordan Love, QB, Packers: $220 million
• 12. Jared Goff, QB, Lions: $212 million
• 13. Micah Parsons, edge, Packers: $186 million
• 14. Aidan Hutchinson, edge, Lions: $180 million
• 15. Nick Bosa, edge, 49ers: $170 million
• 16. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seahawks: $168.6 million
• 17. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Bengals: $161 million
• 18. Myles Garrett, edge, Browns: $160 million
• 19. Chris Jones, DT, Chiefs: $158.75 million
• 20. Josh Hines-Allen, edge, Jaguars: $141.25 million

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL's highest-paid players: Biggest NFL contracts in 2026

Youngstown State at Eastern Michigan — ESPN Select, ESPN Unlimited

Oakland at Michigan — Big Ten Plus

Ottawa at Detroit — Detroit SportsNet, ESPN Select, ESPN Unlimited

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV.

Boston at Minnesota — MLBN

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV.

Celtics' Jayson Tatum Defended By Multiple Media Members Amid Imperfect Return originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Now just a couple of weeks removed from a miraculous return from Achilles rehab, Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum is already hearing negative noise from certain NBA analysts.

In one instance, Tracy McGrady suggested that the Celtics don't look as good offensively since Tatum came back. This came after Boston fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night at TD Garden, with Tatum having a rough shooting night.

Other media members are seeing more clearly on the whole Tatum front. CBS Sports' Ashley Nicole Moss clapped back at McGrady's take in one example, calling T-Mac's analysis a "complete overreaction" and reminding fans that the Celts have a winning record with JT.

complete overreaction. Celtics have a winning record since Tatum has returned — one of the team’s leader scorers in several of them … TWO WEEKS removed from an Achilles injury. he spent the entire first half in the corner — he’s not the outlier. this was a Celtics bad game. https://t.co/pGWwCeu4es

— Ashley Nicole Moss (@AshNicoleMoss) March 23, 2026

Joining in on the discourse was CLNS Media's Celtics reporter Noa Dalzell, who wrote a column for CelticsBlog reminding everyone that to scrutinize Tatum right now is a completely senseless ordeal.

https://t.co/yqcCemEjwQpic.twitter.com/pIyfeRSugT

— 🏌️‍♂️ (@CelticsDale) March 23, 2026

Tatum and the Celtics will host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night. Boston is currently 47-24 on the season with 11 games left. The Celts held a 1-game lead over the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference standings entering Monday.

More NBA: Bleacher Report Points To Three Offseason Trade Targets For Celtics

Saint Joseph's at Navy — ESPN Select, ESPN Unlimited

Saint Joseph's at Navy — ESPN Select, ESPN Unlimited

Maryland at Virginia — ACCNX

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV.

The WSL is reaching its climax, with only four games to go, and Manchester City kept their eight-point gap over Manchester United at the top of the table with another win at the weekend.

Man City keep gap at the top

Andree Jeglertz’s side beat Tottenham 5-2, with Bunny Shaw bagging a hat-trick. Shaw has 18 WSL goals in 18 games this season, and has had a phenomenal campaign.

Not only did the Jamaican bag three goals, but the fact that it was in the space of 13 minutes makes it the fastest hat-trick in WSL history.

Shaw’s contract expires in the summer, and she is yet to sign a renewal. Speaking after the game, Jeglertz said: “She is a very important player. Hopefully [she will sign], but we will see.

“We talk about the goals but you can also see how she’s defending, how she’s pressing and setting up other players. 

“That shows something about her that she has developed since the beginning of the season and what she wants to bring to the team. It’s not just scoring.”

Arsenal pick up big win

Elsewhere Arsenal thrashed West Ham 5-0. Chloe Kelly scored twice in the game to secure the victory. Arsenal are still fourth in the league, but manager Renee Slegers was delighted with Kelly’s performance.

“I’m very happy with that, of course,” she said. “I think if you see Chloe at her very best and I think she’s showing that the last two games, she’s such an important player for us. She also contributes in different ways.

“And then you see that when she was away with injury and also at the start of the season, not really being herself and not being physically comfortable, but now she is and she’s in a great place- physically, mentally, performing so well for some games now. We’re so happy to have her back now.”

Stay up to date with all the latest women’s football news by joining our WhatsApp channel. 

Chelsea draw with London City

Chelsea lost ground in the title race, only managing a 1-1 draw against the London City Lionesses. The Blues are now nine points behind Manchester City with only four games left of the season.

Manager Sonia Bompastor was aware that a result like that is not good enough in a title race: “We’re frustrated about the result for sure. We took a point today, and in the title race, every game is important. So not a good result.”

Man Utd beat Everton

Manchester United beat Everton 2-1, and are second in the league. It was a game with a thrilling finale, as United were winning 1-0 for most of it before Everton equalised via Inma Gabarro in the 90th minute.

The action wasn’t finished there though as Marc Skinner’s side managed a last-gasp winner courtesy of striker Melvine Malard in the 94th minute.

There were brilliant scenes of celebration at full-time and Skinner said: “I’d say it’s an epic win because if I took you through the week, we’ve lost the cup final which is devastating, everyone feels that.

“To then be leading and to go [to 1-1] late, which I thought was a good goal by Everton, but [the] very little they had in the game… and then to come and win it in the end, I think it’s an epic win with fantastic credit to the players.”

If you enjoy our articles, help us out by making Hayters.com one of your preferred sources on Google by clicking here. 

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick might be the favourite for the permanent role based on the current circumstances.

The 44-year-old was selected to replace Ruben Amorim in January when the management decided to wield the axe on the Portuguese’s turbulent 14-month reign.

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL STRETTY NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES & BREAKING NEWS – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY

The Englishman was appointed as interim coach until the end of the season, but his results have already cemented him among the favourites for the permanent role.

Man Utd have yet to open talks with any Carrick replacements

In recent weeks, several pundits, including Wayne Rooney, have argued in Carrick’s favour. In his first 10 matches in charge, the tactician steered Man Utd towards seven victories, while registering two draws, and only one defeat.

Nevertheless, the hierarchy has been coy about confirming the interim coach prematurely. After all, the former management had arguably jumped the gun too soon by tying down Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to a long-term deal following a blistering start to his initially temporary tenure, only for the results to plummet afterwards.

But while United aren’t willing to hand Carrick the job just yet, Sky Sports reveal that the club directors haven’t contacted any other candidates either.

As the source explains, INEOS are open to replacing the incumbent coach with a more accomplished profile who has a big resume.

But at this stage, finding one remains a daunting task, especially with Thomas Tuchel renewing his contract with England, and Carlo Ancelotti announcing his desire to stay with the Brazilian national team.

Is Michael Carrick the favourite for permanent Man United role?

Sky believes that the circumstances could do Carrick a favour and boost his chances of earning a multi-year deal.

In the meantime, the former Middlesbrough boss has been doing his part. Since his arrival, Man Utd have become a steady ship, dispelling all the off-pitch drama that engulfed the club during the previous regimes.

The Wallsend native has also solidified the historic rapport between United’s first team and the academy, as he and his technical collaborators insist on attending the matches of the club’s youth ranks whenever they have the chance.

For instance, Carrick was a bystander at Carrington when Man Utd U18 beat Blackburn’s academy by three unanswered goals. He was also on the sidelines for the U16s, watching his son, Jacey, in action.

So despite his limited resume, the former MUFC midfielder seemingly ticks all the boxes, and if he manages to lead the club back to the Champions League, few would argue against his merit.

Strahinja Pavlovic is emerging as a top defender, and Chelsea are certainly in need of one of those. They are apparently keen on the AC Milan man.

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CHELSEA NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON THE APP STORE

It’s always nice to read a few transfer rumours to cheer yourself up when things are going wrong – and things are certainly going wrong for Chelsea right now.

Today the Blues, after another game where they looked desperately short of a top central defender, have been linked with AC Milan defender Strahinja Pavlovic. CalcioMercato say that the Blues want the Serbia international, who is considered one of Serie A’s top central defenders.

€40m price impossibly hopeful for an elite centre back at peak age

They cite a price of €40m, but that seems impossibly hopeful for a 24 year old at the peak of their powers. Milan don’t want to sell, which will mean a far higher price in reality.

It would require Chelsea to break their pattern of only signing very young players – which is something many people have told them to do. Sadly, at the moment, we just don’t see it happening.

In other news…

Paul Merson has been writing about Chelsea’s current predicament, and has called one decision “madness”.

Merson also dropped the rather worrying accusation that he thought Rosenior had lost the dressing room. We’re seeing the same signs.

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 Juventus penalty miss against Sassuolo continues to cause controversy, as it emerges Dusan Vlahovic and Kenan Yildiz were over-ruled by Manuel Locatelli.

The spot-kick could’ve been decisive for the result over the weekend, but when Locatelli stepped up and saw his effort saved by Arijanet Muric, it meant the Serie A match ended 1-1.

This was the third consecutive penalty that Juve failed to convert in Serie A, with three different players, as Locatelli followed in the footsteps of Kenan Yildiz and Jonathan David.

Juventus confusion over penalty taker

TURIN, ITALY – MARCH 21: Manuel Locatelli of Juventus has a penalty saved during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and US Sassuolo Calcio at Allianz Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

“Locatelli came over and told me he felt ready to take it,” confirmed Spalletti to DAZN Italia.

“There were two or three players who wanted to step up, but Locatelli is the designated taker. It’s fine, anyone can miss a penalty, we are just disappointed about not bringing home the victory.”

While Yildiz was standing on the spot holding the ball, it is now reported that he was not the one pressuring Locatelli for the chance to step up.

TURIN, ITALY – MARCH 21: Manuel Locatelli and Mattia Perin of Juventus embrace after the Serie A match between Juventus FC and US Sassuolo Calcio at Allianz Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Multiple sources claim Vlahovic had asked to take the penalty, just minutes into his first appearance since a serious thigh injury in late November 2025.

It would’ve been very risky indeed to have the Serbian take on that responsibility after such a long lay-off and when he was obviously still rusty.

Vlahovic did convert his only attempt this season, in a 3-1 win over Udinese.

However, Locatelli also had a positive record until now, converting both his spot-kicks in the Champions League and Coppa Italia.

The midfielder also scored a crucial penalty at the end of last season against Venezia to secure Champions League qualification.

Graeme Souness questioned whether Dominik Szoboszlai was doing enough to put pressure on the opposition in the Liverpool midfield.

The Hungarian was not totally isolated, however, as the ex-Red also took issue with the Reds’ midfield in general for a lacklustre approach to pressing.

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY

The 25-year-old has arguably been the Merseysiders’ strongest performer this season, registering 12 goals and eight assists in all competitions this term.

Graeme Souness questions Dominik Szoboszlai and Liverpool’s midfield

Souness did praise our No.8’s ball-striking, but suggested his (and his fellow midfielders, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister) were letting the side down with their lackadaisical pressing.

“He’s the most wonderful striker of the ball. [But] does he do the other side of it?” the Scot spoke on TalkSPORT.

“When you’re talking about pushing up to the halfway line and holding a high line, you can only do that when the rest of the players in front of you are pressing the ball all the time and keeping the head down of the man in possession. Liverpool have not been very good at that this year.

“How many times do you see people going straight down the middle. Look at Tottenham last weekend. The ball was going straight down the middle with Gomez and Van Dijk.

“So, I would suggest a lot of the problem has been that midfield not hunting it down and keeping the opposition’s head down when they’re in possession.”

To be completely fair to the former Liverpool manager, there’s clear evidence in numbers to back up his claims, thanks to James Gheerbrant’s research for The Times.

Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust

Whilst the reporter is correct to highlight that our struggles this term don’t all boil down to work-rate, there’s no question that it’s having an impact on outcomes for the club.

Arne Slot needs to up the intensity to save his job

At this late stage in the campaign, it seems unlikely that Liverpool can unlock another gear in intensity to finish the season strong.

But the fact of the matter is that our hopes of securing Champions League football via a qualifying place in the Premier League hinge on this.

* Liverpool’s recent Premier League form

We’re struggling to assert ourselves, and whilst that also has something to do with our fragility in physical battles and set-piece situations,  our evident dip in work-rate has to be considered a contributing factor.

A good place for Arne Slot to start is his training sessions, given worrying recent reports over a drop in standards from the prior campaign. Not to mention making full use of the engines naturally on offer with players like Dominik Szoboszlai.

Otherwise, it just looks like we’re putting all our chips on carving an unlikely path to the Champions League final and winning the competition to ensure qualification.

On current form (seven points taken from a possible 15 in our last five league games), we’re destined to fall outside of the top five come the end of May.

More Stories / Latest News

Dominik Szoboszlai and two teammates causing Liverpool big problems this season – Graeme Souness

March 23, 2026 15:05

Liverpool handed injury boost as striker joins international camp

March 23, 2026 14:45

Paul Merson names one Premier League boss Liverpool wouldn’t go near if Arne Slot is sacked

March 23, 2026 14:00

Piero Hincapiejoined Arsenal this season and has quickly established himself as one of the most important players at the Emirates Stadium. The Ecuadorian defender arrived during the most recent summer transfer window from Bayer Leverkusen, where he had enjoyed an impressive spell.

Arsenal were pleased to secure his signature, viewing him as a player capable of adding significant value to the squad. Since his arrival, Hincapie has justified that belief through consistent performances and a strong work ethic. His adaptation to English football has been notable, particularly given the physical and tactical demands of the league.

Rapid Rise in the Starting Line-Up

Hincapie has worked his way into the starting eleven and is now ahead of Myles Lewis-Skelly in the left back position. His displays have combined defensive solidity with composure in possession, making him a reliable option in a key area of the pitch.

The Gunners have been encouraged by his contributions, as he continues to demonstrate both consistency and determination. His ability to integrate into the team’s structure has been a significant factor in his rise, and he appears increasingly comfortable within Arteta’s system.

Praise for Arteta’s Demands

As reported by DS Sports, Hincapie said:

“With Mikel, he has a very strong character. He likes intense training sessions. You have to be at the maximum level because of what the league demands. I adapted very well to what he asks in every moment of the game. I’m very happy to have him.”

Hincapie reveals the demanding nature of working under Mikel Arteta, as well as the benefits that come with such an approach. Hincapie’s positive attitude towards these expectations reflects his commitment to continuous improvement.

He has already become an integral figure within the squad, and his appreciation for Arteta’s methods suggests he will continue to deliver strong performances. Arsenal will be encouraged by both his impact on the pitch and his willingness to embrace the manager’s philosophy.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ADMIN COMMENT

So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….

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…

More Stories / Latest News

Arsenal star reveals what Arteta demands from them in training

23 March 2026, 15:00

How Arteta wants Arsenal to react to losing the Carabao Cup

23 March 2026, 14:00

“We keep going” Rice reacts to Arsenal’s Carabao Cup defeat

23 March 2026, 13:00

The Shotgun Throwdown is our daily open thread, a place to keep tabs on what’s happening throughout the day.

This is your space to talk through the stuff that pops up throughout the day (and night) — news, rumors, random thoughts, questions, complaints, celebrations, anything you think feels worth talking about. I’ll be dropping in anything newsworthy as the day unfolds.

West Virginia news, Big 12 chatter, realignment whispers, recruiting nuggets, coaching rumors, portal watch, TV schedule griping, or just whatever’s bouncing around your head — it’s all fair game here.

Powered by RedCircle  Subscribe Now!  Spotify  Apple Podcasts  Amazon Music  RSS

Powered by RedCircle

With the initial wave of free agency in the rearview mirror, team needs have shifted, and draft plans are starting to come into focus. That makes now the perfect time to map out a full three-round mock draft, projecting all 32 teams and how the board could realistically fall over the first two days. While this exercise takes a league-wide view, there’s still a Jacksonville-centric layer throughout, as I’ve included short blurbs for each Jaguars pick to break down the selections and what they could mean for the team moving forward.

1st Round Mock

1. Las Vegas: Fernando Mendoza QB Indiana
2. NY Jets Arvell Reese EDGE Ohio State
3. Arizona David Bailey EDGE Texas Tech
4. Tennessee Jeremiyah Love RB Notre Dame
5. NY Giants Sonny Styles LB Ohio State
6. Cleveland Carnell Tate WR Ohio State
7. Washington Caleb Downs S Ohio State
8. New Orleans Rueben Bain Jr. EDGE Miami (Fla.)
9. Kansas City Dillon Thieneman S Oregon
10. Cincinnati Mansoor Delane CB LSU
11. Miami Francis Mauigoa OT Miami (Fla.)
12. Dallas Jermod McCoy CB Tennessee
13. LA Rams via ATL Makai Lemon WR USC
14. Baltimore Jordan Tyson WR Arizona State
15. Tampa Bay Olaivavega Ioane IOL Penn State
16. NY Jets via IND Omar Cooper Jr. WR Indiana
17. Detroit Monroe Freeling OT Georgia
18. Minnesota Chris Johnson CB San Diego St.
19. Carolina Kenyon Sadiq TE Oregon
20. Dallas via GB Akheem Mesidor DL Miami (Fla.)
21. Pittsburgh Kadyn Proctor OT Alabama
22. LA Chargers Spencer Fano OT Utah
23. Philadelphia Emmanuel McNeil-Warren S Toledo
24. Cleveland via JAX Emmanuel Pregnon IOL Oregon
25. Chicago Kayden McDonald DL Ohio State
26. Buffalo Malachi Lawrence LB UCF
27. San Francisco Colton Hood CB Tennessee
28. Houston Caleb Banks DL Florida
29. Kansas City via LAR Blake Miller OT Clemson
30. Miami via DEN Denzel Boston WR Washington
31. New England T.J. Parker EDGE Clemson
32 Seattle Avieon Terrell CB Clemson

2nd Round Mock

33. NY Jets D’Angelo Ponds CB Indiana
34. Arizona Max Iheanachor OT Arizona St.
35. Tennessee CJ Allen LB Georgia
36. Las Vegas Christen Miller DL Georgia
37. NY Giants Chase Bisontis IOL Texas A&M
38. Houston via WSH Jadarian Price RB Notre Dame
39. Cleveland Caleb Lomu OT Utah
40. Kansas City Peter Woods DL Clemson
41. Cincinnati Jacob Rodriguez LB Texas Tech
42. New Orleans KC Concepcion WR Texas A&M
43. Miami Keith Abney II CB Arizona St.
44. NY Jets via DAL Ty Simpson QB Alabama
45. Baltimore Eli Stowers TE Vanderbilt
46. Tampa Bay Cashius Howell EDGE Texas A&M
47. Indianapolis Anthony Hill Jr. LB Texas
48. Atlanta Germie Bernard WR Alabama
49. Minnesota Mike Washington Jr. RB Arkansas
50. Detroit Zion Young EDGE Missouri
51. Carolina Keldric Faulk EDGE Auburn
52. Green Bay Lee Hunter DL Texas Tech
53. Pittsburgh A.J. Haulcy S LSU
54. Philadelphia Chris Brazzell II WR Tennessee
55. LA Chargers Domonique Orange DL Iowa St.
56. Jacksonville Gracen Halton DL Oklahoma

Gracen Halton has been a popular prospect amongst Jags fans of late, and for good reason. The Oklahoma product is a natural fit as a true three-technique in this Jaguars defensive front, giving the unit a skill set it’s currently lacking. Halton wins with quickness, burst, and an advanced pass-rush approach that allows him to consistently penetrate and disrupt from the interior. Jacksonville’s defense desperately needs a true interior disruptor who can consistently affect the pocket on passing downs. Halton brings exactly that element, adding a much-needed layer to the front.

57. Chicago Davison Igbinosun CB Ohio State
58. San Francisco Chris Bell WR Louisville
59. Houston Gennings Dunker IOL Iowa
60. Chicago via BUF Sam Hecht C Kansas State
61. LA Rams Jake Golday LB Cincinnati
62. Denver Josiah Trotter LB Missouri
63. New England Max Klare TE Ohio State
64. Seattle Gabe Jacas EDGE Illinois

3rd Round Mock

65. Arizona Bryce Lance WR N. Dakota St.
66. Tennessee Keylan Rutledge IOL Georgia Tech
67. Las Vegas Genesis Smith S Arizona
68. Philadelphia via NYJ Joshua Josephs EDGE Tennessee
69. Houston via NYG Dani Dennis-Sutton EDGE Penn State
70. Cleveland Keionte Scott S Miami (Fla.)
71. Washington Elijah Sarratt WR Indiana
72. Cincinnati Skyler Bell WR Connecticut
73. New Orleans Darrell Jackson Jr. DT FSU
74. Kansas City Derrick Moore LB Michigan
75. Miami R Mason Thomas EDGE Oklahoma
76. Pittsburgh via DAL Antonio Williams WR Clemson
77. Tampa Bay Kyle Louis LB Pittsburgh
78. Indianapolis Treydan Stukes CB Arizona
79. Atlanta Brandon Cisse CB South Carolina
80. Baltimore Brian Parker II IOL Duke
81. Jacksonville via DET Jaishawn Barham LB Michigan

Jacksonville desperately needs another edge presence who can consistently win outside of Joshua Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, and Jaishawn Barham feels like a great fit to provide just that. The versatile Michigan defender offers a compelling blend of speed and power, with the ability to rush from multiple alignments and keep tackles off balance. He plays with a physical edge, holds up well against the run, and flashes the burst needed to threaten the pocket. Adding Barham would give Jacksonville a movable piece up front who can create more consistent pressure and help take some of the load off its top pass rushers.

82. Minnesota Kamari Ramsey S USC
83. Carolina Deion Burks WR Oklahoma
84. Green Bay Daylen Everette CB Georgia
85. Pittsburgh Garrett Nussmeier QB LSU
86. LA Chargers Zakee Wheatley S Penn State
87. Miami via PHI Bud Clark S TCU
88. Jacksonville Sam Roush TE Stanford

Adding another reliable in-line presence is a real need for Jacksonville, and Sam Roush fits that role extremely well. The Stanford tight end is one of the more polished blockers in this class, consistently showing the technique and strength to hold up at the point of attack. What makes him especially intriguing, though, is the athletic upside he flashed during the pre-draft process, testing well and showing he can offer more than just blocking value. Roush gives the Jaguars a dependable, physical option who can help in the run game while still bringing enough athleticism to develop into a more complete tight end.

89. Chicago Ted Hurst WR Georgia State
90. Miami via HOU Oscar Delp TE Georgia
91. Buffalo Jalen Farmer OG Kentucky
92. Dallas via SF Keyshaun Elliott LB Arizona St.
93. LA Rams Dontay Corleone DL Cincinnati
94. Miami via DEN Devin Moore CB Florida
95. New England Deonte Lawson LB Alabama
96. Seattle Jonah Coleman RB Washington
97. Minnesota Connor Lew OC Auburn
98. Philadelphia Eli Raridon TE Notre Dame
99. Pittsburgh Julian Neal CB Arkansas
100. Jacksonville via DET Kaleb Elarms-Orr LB TCU

With Devin Lloyd no longer in the picture, linebacker becomes a position that needs both a short-term answer and long-term depth, even if Ventrell Miller is in line for a larger role. Kaleb Elarms-Orr offers an intriguing option at this stage of the draft, bringing a strong combination of size, athleticism, and instincts to the position. The TCU linebacker processes quickly, flows well to the ball, and has the physical tools to develop into a reliable contributor. At this point in the draft, he makes a lot of sense as a depth piece with upside who can compete for snaps and help stabilize the second level of the defense.

Who is your favorite pick in this three-round 2026 NFL mock draft?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Reports suggest Zeki Celik is unlikely to agree a new contract with Roma, making him an appetising free agent for Juventus, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City.

The Turkish international can play as a right-back or a wing-back in a more advanced role, and has been known to work in central defence when required too.

His current deal with Roma only runs to June 30 and negotiations over an extension have hit significant problems.

Celik demands a long way off Roma bid

BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Zeki Celik of AS Roma is challenged by Remo Freuler of Bologna during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on March 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

According to Tuttomercatoweb, the most recent proposal from the club is worth just €2.4m per season, a long way off his agent’s demand of a €4m salary.

With such a big gap between the two parties and time running out, Celik is far more likely to become a free agent in the summer.

This is one of the situations leading to friction behind the scenes between coach Gian Piero Gasperini and the club directors, as he wants Celik to be confirmed in his squad.

Juventus remain the favourites to snap the player up, but Premier League sides have also been heavily linked, including Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Fulham and Manchester United.

Celik turned 29 last month and joined Roma from LOSC in the summer of 2022 for €7.4m.

He made 37 competitive appearances for the club so far this season, contributing one goal and four assists.

During his press conference at Coverciano today, Gennaro Gattuso explained why Nicolò Zaniolo, Federico Bernardeschi and Riccardo Orsolini were not included in the squad and said Northern Ireland are ‘scary’ on set pieces.

Italy have begun preparations for Thursday’s World Cup play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland in Bergamo.

Gattuso explains omission of Orsolini, Bernardeschi and Zaniolo

Federico Chiesa returned to Liverpool on Monday morning and was replaced by Bologna’s Nicolò Cambiaghi.

During his press conference attended by Football Italia today, Gattuso explained why he didn’t call up either Zaniolo, Bernardeschi or Orsolini.

“I have tried since the first day to build rapport with the players. I know you’ll ask me about Zaniolo, Bernardeschi, and Orsolini, even if the latter was here recently,” he said.

“But I tried to create a group, and I’m very satisfied with it. I hope with all my heart that we’ll reach this target. I believe this group deserves joy for what we’ve done in these months.

“I’m aware that players like Zaniolo have done really well, but I made decisions in good faith. I didn’t want to lose time explaining how to stay together, and I have great confidence in the players I’ve called.

“All players who are here are aware of what we play for and how important this game is. Imagine me telling them about this every day, every moment. We do what we have to in order to get to the game with great tranquillity; there’s no need to suffocate them,” Gattuso continued.

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Italy, issues instructions during 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)

“These are players who have won a lot, played Champions League Finals, and won the Euros with the Azzurri shirt. I strongly believe in our players. It takes great confidence because these players are accustomed to playing these games, so we must have the right mentality and serenity.

“We must get to this game with great desire, be clear-headed and smell the danger. We respect the opponents, they run so much, they have a big heart and are scary from set pieces.”

The 2028 class is breaking onto the national scene, and Rivals has released its first full Rivals300 rankings for the cycle.

Previously a watchlist of 100 prospects was put out last May, highlighting some early names to watch ahead of their sophomore seasons. But hundreds of prospects have emerged since then, with many of them playing their first season the varsity level this fall. That leads to the initial rankings update for this class, which will culminate in December 2027 with National Signing Day.

Early in the cycle, three players have earned five-star ratings, a number that will steadily increase to 32 by the end to match the first round of the NFL Draft. As we kick off rankings release day, Rivals is counting down the top 15 prospects in the class with insights from the scouting and rankings team:

5. OT Antijuan Wilkes Jr. 

School: Cass Technical (Detroit, MI)
Scout’s Take: “Wilkes is a high upside offensive tackle prospect. He has a projectable frame at around 6’5, 265 pounds with elite length touting arms that measure 35-plus inches. Wilkes moves very well at his size. He is a twitchy, reactive athlete and shows encouraging anchor and play strength.” — Charles Power, Rivals Director of Scouting and Rankings

6. WR Braylon Clark

School: Charlotte Country Day (Charlotte, NC)
Scout’s Take: “Clark is a name that you should not discount when talking about the potential wide receiver No. 1 in the 2028 cycle. He is perhaps the top athlete of the group. He has a very strong combination of size and speed, around 6’3 and 180-plus pounds, can really stretch the field, but also has a large catch radius with the ability to come down with the football and jump ball situations. He has the budding skill set of a mismatch on the outside.” — Charles Power, Rivals Director of Scouting and Rankings

7. EDGE Asher Ghioto

School: The Bolles School (Jacksonville, FL)
Scout’s Take: “Ghioto is one of the twitcher, more explosive edge defenders in this cycle and has the testing to back it up. At nearly 240 pounds, Ghioto has run a sub-4.7 40-yard dash and has jumped over 9 feet in the broad jump during the spring camp circuit. These athletic traits and tenacity pop off the screen and it has made him an extremely productive edge defender.” — Cody Bellaire, Rivals National Scout

8. DL Tyzon Swann

School: Henry E. Lackey (Indian Head, MD)
Scout’s Take: “Dynamic and versatile interior defender with impressive burst and vertical disruption. Has the ability to knife between blockers and terrorize the offensive gameplan. Two-sport athlete who’s an all-county basketball player. His ability to affect the game across multiple techniques along the defensive front makes him a menace for opposing offensive coordinators.” — Cody Bellaire, Rivals National Scout

9. CB Amiir Woodward

School: Bergen Catholic (Toms River, NJ)
Scout’s Take: “Woodward is a premier athlete for the corner position posting blistering times in track and field as a sophomore. His personal bests of 10.95 in the 100m and a ridiculous 21.51 in the 200m make him one of the most gifted athletes for the position in the country. Combine that with his instincts and ability to stay in-phase with virtually any pass catcher as a 5-foot-11, 165 pound defender and you have a high-floor corner prospect.” — Cody Bellaire, Rivals National Scout

10. EDGE Cassell Cruickshank

School: E E Smith (Fayetteville, NC)
Scout’s Take: “Cassell Cruickshank is a long and lean athletic edge rusher with immense get-off and burst off the line of scrimmage. Listed at 6-foot-6, 220 pounds, Cruickshank has excellent body control given his stature and age. His ability to bend and turn the corner without losing speed allows him to close the space between him and ball carriers in a flash. Plus, he has the body control and fluidity to comfortably play in space. He shows great hand usage and willingness to take on blocks and set the edge against the run. Cruickshank is only going to continue getting bigger and stronger and will grow into a more complete edge defender throughout his career.” — Cody Bellaire, Rivals National Scout

11. OT Austin Attalah

School: Cajon (San Bernardino, CA)
Scout’s Take: “Natala is a big framed, very explosive offensive tackle prospect. When we were going through the offensive tackle group, we felt like his film stacked up among the best that we watched just at this early stage. He is a twitchy mover, has outstanding reactive quickness, and looks to have the frame to continue filling out and packing on good weight.” — Charles Power, Rivals Director of Scouting and Rankings

12. CB Nasir Richardson

School: Malcolm X Shabazz (Newark, NJ)
Scout’s Take: “Nasir Richardson is a talented twitchy two-way player for Newark (N.J.) Shabazz high school that excels at receiver and corner. He has a long and lean 6-foot frame with room to fill out and develop. Richardson scored five touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball and collected four interceptions as a defensive back during his sophomore season. He has the long speed to run with most receivers paired with phenomenal short area quickness and fluidity. Even for a longer defender, he has the hips and mirror ability to lock down underneath and intermediate routes. Richardson is also one of the younger prospects in the 2028 recruiting cycle.” — Cody Bellaire, Rivals National Scout

13. SAF Gaige Weddle

School: Rancho Bernardo (San Diego, CA)
Scout’s Take: “Weddle is one of the most prolific athletes in the cycle and he puts all of his talents on display on Friday nights. As a two-way weapon for Rancho Bernardo (Ca.) high school, Weddle plays quarterback and defensive back for his program and is one of the stronger processors in the class. His ability to diagnose and scan the field is evident on both sides of the ball and allows him to play faster than most everyone on the field. He’s a playmaker and one of the most gifted prospects in the country.” — Cody Bellaire, Rivals National Scout

14. WR Jaylen Addai

School: Shadow Creek (Pearland, TX)
Scout’s Take: “Addai is an explosive, well-rounded receiver prospect. He is a fluid, functional mover, has the ability to get open at all levels of the field, turned in a very productive sophomore season while playing top competition in the Houston area, and of course is one of several prospects in the top 15 who have NFL bloodlines with his father being a long-time NFL running back.” — Charles Power, Rivals Director of Scouting and Rankings

15. QB Christopher Vargas

School: St. John’s Preparatory School (Lawrence, MA)
Scout’s Take: “Vargas sits in pole position among the quarterback group. He is an advanced arm talent with the ability to drive the ball to all levels of the field. He has a loose, fluid, live arm. He has primarily been used as more of a dropback passer at this stage, but had a productive sophomore season building on his freshman season. He led his team to a state title berth in the state of Massachusetts. It’s still very early in the development process for so many of these quarterback prospects, but Vargas is setting the pace as we enter the offseason and, most importantly, move towards the junior season.” — Charles Power, Rivals Director of Scouting and Rankings

Tottenham interim head coach Igor Tudor is mourning the death of his father, a loss confirmed by his former club Juventus on Monday.

The news meant Tudor was unable to attend post-match media duties following Spurs’ damaging 3-0 home defeat by relegation rivals Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

Tottenham assistant Bruno Saltor stepped in for Tudor, initially declining to provide details on what he described as a "family issue”.

Juventus, where Tudor previously played and managed, released a statement expressing their condolences.

"Juventus stands with Igor Tudor and his family at this difficult time. Juventus joins in mourning the passing of his father," the club said.

It is understood that Tudor was informed of his father's passing after the final whistle of Sunday's match.

Saltor later commented on the situation, stating: "It’s a personal family issue and obviously it’s a difficult moment for him. I’m just trying to support the best way we can."

The devastating personal news for Tudor comes at a time when he is facing an uncertain future at Tottenham, with the north London club finding themselves in a battle to avoid relegation after a horrendous run on form.

Spurs have not won a Premier League game in 2026, and Tudor has been unable to turn their fortunes around since replacing Thomas Frank last month.

Tottenham have lost four of their five league games under Tudor and are now just one point above the bottom three with seven games remaining.

They also exited the Champions League last week following a 7-5 aggregate defeat by Atletico Madrid in the round of 16.

The club’s board could decide now is the time to make another change, given that Spurs are not due to return to action for almost three weeks.

Tottenham’s next game is against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on 12 April.

March Madness 2026: Ranking Sweet 16 teams' chances to win NCAA championship originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

With the Sweet 16 established of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, you’ll notice there are nothing but Power 5 programs involved.

That’s a common complaint regarding March Madness now. We still have as much March as ever, but perhaps less madness depending on how one defines it. We had buzzer-beaters and shocking results, and we had the continued improvement in the quality of play. The late John Adams, who struggled to get the “freedom of movement” movement moving while NCAA coordinator of officials, would be delighted at the progress the sport has made in this department.

We don’t have a Chattanooga now, or a Northern Iowa or a Saint Peter’s.

We do have Iowa and Texas and also Nebraska winning two more games in a weekend than in 85 previous NCAA Tournaments. It is possible to look at this event and recognize it’s annually the most entertaining sporting event in the U.S., even if you’ve heard of all participating schools.

Yes, the teams at the top and bottom of this ranking of the Sweet 16 – in terms of the ability to win the championship, based on the qualities that typically form such a team as well as the difficult of the expected road – are familiar.

It doesn’t mean we still can’t be surprised.

MARCH MADNESS HQ:Live NCAA bracket | TV schedule | Latest news and more

Ranking the Sweet 16 teams

1. Arizona

If you’re getting nervous because you picked Arizona to win your bracket and, all of a sudden, there were the Wildcats in a 4-point game with 5 minutes to play against Utah State, remember last year’s Florida Gators were in a much more ferocious battle to survive their second-round game against UConn and still wound up with the trophy. Utah State had a different approach, and it didn’t work until it worked. That doesn’t mean Arizona is any less imposing. They’re still relatively healthy and overwhelmingly skilled. They’ll need to move the ball better to win going forward than they managed against the Aggies. (Seriously, 8 assists on 22 field goals?) But this team also has Jaden Bradley there to rescue the Wildcats whenever it’s necessary. He’s like the 2026 version of Walter Clayton. There are worse comparisons to fit.

Trying something new here. The 20+ minute draft videos are great, but I think there's a niche for much shorter ones.

Here's my two minute scout of Brayden Burries during the Big 12 Championship Game. Draft folks, let me know what you think of the format! pic.twitter.com/k1pNhVCXCf

— Steph Noh (@StephNoh) March 22, 2026

2. Michigan

Is it too simple to say that if point guard Elliott Cadeau plays as he did in the second round against Saint Louis, then Michigan will be difficult to prevent from winning at all? Probably, but remember most of the defenses he confronts will be more imposing than the one the Billikens presented. He stood up to the single-elimination pressure, though. That’s a big part of this. And the skill he showed was not a mirage. The Midwest region is starting to appear inviting, which only helps the cause.

3. Duke

Here’s what’s totally amazing about freshman All-American Cameron Boozer. Even on a night when he’s relatively ineffective, as against TCU in the second round, he still can produce a double-double and make the Devils difficult to overcome. But that’s two games in a row below his standard, and the opposition from here on will be well above what the Devils have faced to date. They’ll need to be better at both ends to do what a No. 1 overall seed is supposed to do. Getting back Patrick Ngongba on a limited basis certainly helps, but they may require more of him to survive the coming challenges.

DECOURCY: Patrick Ngongba gives Duke big lift on way to Sweet 16

4. Houston

It’s obvious by now, and no surprise, this Houston defense is going to be a monstrous challenge for anyone forced to share the court with the Cougars. It’s apparent, as well, freshman point guard Kingston Flemings is going to deliver his share of production whether the opposition is Rider or some major conference power in March. What will decide whether Houston goes one better than they did a year ago is the veteran backcourt tandem of Milos Uzan and Emanuel Sharp. Houston has won at times without them being effective, but it seems unlikely that’ll be possible in games this big against teams this good. The Cougars probably would be higher on this list if they weren’t facing the toughest Sweet 16 game of any higher seed.

SN AWARDS: All-America team | Player of the Year | Coach of the Year

5. Illinois

There is absolutely nothing not to love about the Illinois lineup or rotation: size, power, skill, depth. But as the season’s end approaches, and the objective obviously is to delay that as long as possible, we still don’t have any better idea than we did near the start about what is the best approach is for the Illini to win the biggest games against the best opponents. This is a team full of players, probably eight of them, who could average 18 points. But when a team has that many options, it can meander a bit in search of the best on a particular night. What if it takes too long to find it within the prescribed 40 minutes?

MORE: Illinois' Keaton Wagler among SN's top 10 freshmen in March Madness

6. Connecticut

It just doesn’t feel right with the Huskies, does it? They’re still here, but the offense continues to wander in a variety of directions. They were hugely dependent on the very reliable Alex Karaban in the second round, and he delivered as a true winner is likely to do, but as the competition escalates, the trouble this team has seen generating quality shot attempt figures to cost them. There is a reason they have the 30th-ranked offense, according to Ken Pomeroy’s efficiency stats. They just don’t have enough high-level options to win this. And they should know, because they did it twice recently.

MORE: Alex Karaban's final journey at UConn could be historic

7. Purdue

If allowing 1.05 points per possession doesn’t sound like an exceptional college defense, which is what the Miami Hurricanes were able to manage against the Boilers’ D, remember that’s only slightly higher than Purdue permitted on average through the season, which includes games against Evansville, Oakland, Eastern Illinois and Penn State. They’re getting better – not better enough to reach the NCAA championship, but maybe better enough to win a few more games in this deal and claim the honor making a very short drive to the Final Four.

8. Michigan State

The Spartans are fortunate still to be alive in this competition: fortunate because Louisville appeared without its best player, fortunate because an uninspiring MSU effort kept the game closer than it should have been, obviously fortunate the great Tom Izzo is their coach. MSU does not win another game in this tournament with an effort anything like the one they produced Saturday. The good news is that was the aberration. They almost always play with greater composure and precision. And their two-big lineup represents the sort of uncommon approach that often is successful in March.

9. Iowa

The Hawkeyes are the Syracuse of the 2026 NCAA tournament. That does not mean they’ve mastered the unique Jim Boeheim 2-3 zone. It means they are different – really different. Just as Boeheim’s scheme ruined many opponents more capable than the Orange might have been on a given day –, for instance, Miles Bridges and Jaron Jackson with Michigan State in 2018 – Iowa’s uncommon approach to offense is the sort that practice cannot simulate. Bennett Stirtz’s control of the game is unlike anything any other point guard delivers. The weird thing is the victory over Florida, which advanced the Hawkeyes to the Sweet 16 for the first time in decades, was the first the Hawkeyes had managed against an elite, top-3 seed opponent. They were 0-6 before. Their next opponent, Nebraska, is a No. 4 seed. Maybe that helps.

10. Iowa State

The Cyclones’ resilience, getting this far in the absence of All-American Joshua Jefferson, is borderline astonishing. Even lacking their best and most physical offensive asset, they blew out Kentucky. Their capacity to win the title, however, is entirely dependent on Jefferson‘s availability. It’s possible they could defeat Tennessee without him, but highly unlikely they can maneuver against Michigan’s frontcourt power without someone like him to stand up to it. Jefferson is equal parts scorer, rebounder, playmaker, and muscle man. They’ll need all of that to get through the next four games. If we knew for certain he’d be OK, not just able to go but able to be Joshua Jefferson, the Cyclones would be ranked as a serious contender to get this done. So the number adjacent to “Iowa State” here is imprecise, to say the least.

11. Tennessee

One might say reaching this point given the squad’s limitations represents the fulfillment of any reasonable goal. However, with Iowa State in its compromised position, there is the opportunity to advance deeper (and at least get Iowa State victim Kentucky back, in a twisted way, for that regular season sweep.)  The Vols pulled off a nice second round win against No. 3 seed Virginia, but star freshman Nate Ament did not look like himself, and the Vols could have been more convincing operating around the rim. No notes for guard Bishop Boswell, who merely needs to continue playing as he did in the second round.

12. Arkansas

When someone tells you who they are, believe them. We’ve heard that a lot lately. Well, the Razorbacks have made it abundantly clear their brand for this season is going to be trying to outscore everyone they encounter on a basketball court. As we saw with Alabama in 2024, it’s possible for that method to produce a Final Four appearance. But no one in the last three decades has won a national championship being so pliable on the defensive end.

NBA SCOUTING REPORT: Darius Acuff is elite on offense, suspect on defense

13. Nebraska

Getting to this point in the tournament is well beyond what most anyone imagined the Huskers could accomplish when the season began. and it certainly far surpassed the assertions of those in the public, who assumed that because this was Nebraskaball, it had an expiration date. With center Rienk Mast balling again, the Huskers are a challenging team to play against. Offensively, he provides one of the most versatile big men in the tournament. And defensively, the Huskers have been elite from beginning to end. There might still be more in them.

14. St. John’s

I never believed St. John’s could win this deal, but I had become convinced they would be able to at least approach it. It’s hard to maintain that conviction after watching their second-round game against Kansas. The Red Storm were sloppy on offense, unconvincing in generating quality shots, much too quick to settle for 3-point attempts they were unlikely to convert. Can they make Duke that ugly? Siena did. TCU did for 32 minutes. St. John’s is going to have to drag down the Devils for the entire 40 minutes to have a chance to advance.

MORE: How St. John's beat the buzzer, and Kansas, to reach Sweet 16

15. Alabama

Surely the Crimson Tide are flying high after such an overwhelming victory against Texas Tech. The Tide love to shoot threes more than any other team in college basketball loves to shoot threes, and now they’ll again be shooting threes just two victories away from the Final Four. They hit 19 against Tech, a dozen against Hofstra. They’ll need a bunch more to take down the most complete team in college basketball, Arizona, but one that suddenly appeared vulnerable when faced by a tactical knuckleball, Utah State’s pressure D. Well, that’s exactly how this Alabama attack is designed: to be different than what a team faces in most every other game. Look, Alabama isn’t taking home the trophy with a defense this meager; the Tide don’t guard the perimeter, don’t take the ball from opponents, don’t disrupt the opposition’s flow. But they might outscore a bunch of people before the supply of threes is exhausted.

16. Texas

Whoever would’ve imagined the program whose athletic department is the richest in all of college sports, and whose university resides in that same neighborhood, could be construed as a “Cinderella “story in any NCAA competition? More to the point at hand, who might’ve imagined this flawed Longhorns team could find a way to win three tournament games (don't forget about the First Four) when winning even two in a row at any point in the season seemed a monumental challenge? Sean Miller has coached teams that made it farther than this, and certainly were more accomplished. This feels nearly a miracle.

The sports media world constantly evolves, and ESPN—the worldwide leader in sports—continues to adapt with it.

In its latest move, ESPN has introduced fresh talent to one of its most iconic programs, SportsCenter. The network announced that former CBS Sports and New York Giants reporter Madelyn Burke will join the show as a new anchor.

Burke recently stepped away from her role covering the Giants.

MORE: LSU gymnastics team debuts new leotard designed by Lexi Zeiss

Burke brings extensive experience to the position. Over the past decade, she built a strong reputation covering the Giants, marking this transition as a major step in her accomplished career.

She reported on the team for both the Giants’ official platform and MSG Network. On March 19, she hinted at a major upcoming opportunity.

The emotional good-bye post went viral and speculation sparked as to what her new role will be.

Now, ESPN has confirmed that Burke will take on a prominent role with SportsCenter. Legendary broadcasters such as Rich Eisen, Mike Greenberg, and the late Stuart Scott have previously held this position.

MORE: Netflix taps NFL star Jameis Winston for shocking MLB Opening Day coverage

An alumna of Arizona State University, Burke also spent time with CBS Sports HQ before becoming the Giants’ lead reporter.

Now, she steps into one of the most coveted roles in sports media, joining ESPN’s flagship news program as a SportsCenter anchor.

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —

MARCH MADNESS: Updated 2026 March Madness bracket, Sweet 16 set for NCAA Tournament

NFL: 3 NFL Draft prospects whose stock is in question

MLB: Dodgers cut World Series champion three days before Opening Day

NBA: Kevin Durant has low-key response to passing Michael Jordan on NBA scoring list

ENTERTAINMENT: Fans react to Chappel Roan, Jorginho daughter controversy
VIRAL: Flau’jae Johnson, Kim Mulkey share emotional moment after final LSU home game

Brazil squad for March 2026: Carlo Ancelotti names roster for France, Croatia friendly games in USA originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Carlo Ancelotti named his Brazil squad for this month's international friendlies on March 16.

The big question was whether Neymar, who last played for his country against Uruguay in October 2023 before a prolonged period of injury woes, could make a return.

Now 34 and back with boyhood club Santos, the 2026 World Cup surely represents Neymar's final chance to compete for international football's biggest prize.

With a handful of stars having suffered injuries, including Bruno Guimaraes and Rodrygo, it was always likely that Ancelotti would make one or two more surprising choices.

Below is the roster he chose for the games against France and Croatia.

2026 WORLD CUP HQ:Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup tickets

Brazil squad for March 2026

Ancelotti confirmed his roster for March 2026 on Monday 16th.

Neymar was omitted from the squad despite speculation he would return. Uncapped Bournemouth winger Rayan and Brentford striker Igor Thiago were both included, though.

Flamengo's Leo Pereira, Galatasaray's Gabriel Sara, and Botafogo midfielder Danilo could also make their international debuts this month. The experienced heads of Alisson, Casemiro and Marquinhos were all called up.

There was a late change on March 23, as uncapped Cruzeiro left-back Kaiki was brought in to replace Alex Sandro, who was injured in the lead-up to the international break. Gabriel was also withdrawn from the squad due to right knee pain, choosing to remain with Arsenal instead of making the trip to Brazil.

Caps correct as of March 16, 2026

Is Neymar in the Brazil squad?

Neymar was not named in the squad by Ancelotti for this month.

All indications were that Neymar will end his long international exile, having been named on the "pre-list" for this international break. However, he was overlooked.

On Tuesday, March 10, Ancelotti and members of his coaching staff had gone to watch Santos' game against Mirassol, only for Neymar to sit out with muscular soreness and fatigue. 

Whether or not he is capable of playing within the intensity of tournament football at this stage of his career is likely to weigh on Ancelotti's mind heading towards June.

"The explanation for the squad is that it depends a lot on injuries, obviously," Ancelotti explained.

"It's a list created with players who are 100% physically fit . We have important injuries, such as Militao, Bruno Guimaraes, Estevao, Rodrygo, and we want them to recover quickly.

"We're going to play two very important, high-intensity games within a very short timeframe, including travel. So, I preferred to call up those who are 100%."

Igor Thiago, Rayan rewarded for Premier League form

Igor Thiago and Rayan have both been called up to the senior squad for the first time, which is a reward for their performances in England's top flight.

Rayan, the 19-year-old who only joined from Vasco da Gama in January, has two goals and an assist from his first seven games with Bournemouth.

Igor Thiago, meanwhile, has hit 18 goals for Brentford to put himself firmly in the running for the Premier League Golden Boot prize for this season.

Brazil schedule for March international break

Brazil will play two games in this break, both friendlies.

They face France on March 26 at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, then they take on Croatia at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

Their next scheduled match is against Egypt on June 6, which looks like being their last warm-up game before their World Cup campaign begins against Morocco on June 13.

MORE:Full schedule for World Cup Group C featuring Brazil, Morocco, Scotland and Haiti

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) — Gavin Lux's debut with the Tampa Bay Rays is going to have to wait.

The club is placing the veteran infielder on injured reserve with a right shoulder impingement. The move means Richie Palacios will make the opening day roster for Tampa Bay.

The Rays acquired Lux from Cincinnati in January as part of a three-team deal that sent outfielder Josh Lowe from Tampa Bay to the Los Angeles Angels. Los Angeles sent left-handed reliever Brock Burke to Cincinnati as part of the swap.

Lux, 28, hit .269 with five homers and 53 RBIs last season with the Reds. A career .256 hitter who won a pair of World Series titles with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Lux agreed to a $5.525 million, one-year contract shortly before being sent to Tampa Bay and can become a free agent after this year’s World Series.

Lux struggled a bit in his first spring training with Tampa Bay, hitting .190 in seven games and had been dealing with what manager Kevin Cash described as a “cranky” right shoulder in recent days.

___

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

Call it sour grapes if you want, but Ole Miss women’s basketball got hosed on Sunday in the round of 32.

Minnesota toppled the Rebels 65-63 with a furious comeback in the final few minutes of the game. Ole Miss star Cotie McMahon was called for a fifth foul with around four minutes left in the game on an egregiously suspect offensive foul. Her defender was inside the restricted area under the basket when the charge was called, and it did not look like McMahon dropped her shoulder to drive to the basket.

At that point in the game, ESPN analytics had the Rebels with a 77 percent chance to win the game.

Now that one foul call didn’t cost Ole Miss the game. The officiating was notably sub-optimal, however, and led to head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin to sound off in the postgame presser.

“I was in the locker room just thinking about other star players on teams. I’ve just never seen them fouled out in a March Madness game,” she told the press. “And from my point of view, the last call was incorrect. … I don’t think that’s why we lost the game. I just know that Cotie is leading scorer, (SEC) Newcomer of the Year, all of the things, and she plays 20 minutes, and it’s disappointing.”

Its absolutely right for the coach to stand up for her players and team in this situation. It is a gutting loss that should have been a win.

We said in our preview Ole Miss needed to shoot well from the perimeter, and it had one of its best shooting nights from three going 6/13. The downside is the Gophers went 7/12 from behind the arc including a game tying three with one minute remaining to knot things at 61-61.

Finishing the season in the round of 32 was not anyone’s expectation going into this season. The injury to Sira Thienou late in the year was an unexpected hit that caused some loss of momentum and probably a couple wins at the end of the regular season. Those losses very likely cost Ole Miss a hosting bid in the NCAA Tournament where it would have had much better odds to get to the Sweet Sixteen.

Its not to make any excuses for this squad. They had some very high water marks at times this season, but to have it end like this is nothing but bitter and no sweet.

The Philadelphia Phillies have answered some of their lingering roster questions and the roster picture is now pretty clear heading into Opening Day.

For the most part, the team has been set to return with the majority of their roster from last season still in place. And on Sunday, the team resolved some of the final bullpen and bench questions to finalize their 26-man roster.

“They filled out their bullpen with four lefties, including Kyle Backhus and Tim Mayza. Zach Pop earned a bullpen spot with a decent spring,” Matt Gelb reported for The Athletic. “The Phillies chose Rafael Marchán as their backup catcher, putting Garrett Stubbs in limbo. Dylan Moore, a veteran utilityman, will be on the bench.”

With Orion Kerkering now set to open the season on the injured list, the Phillies appear ready for Opening Day. But they could soon have a surprising decision to make regarding the lower levels of the organization.

MORE FROM FORBESDodgers Skipper Breaks Silence On Surprise Opening Day Roster Cut: ‘I’m Not Blind’By Peter Chawaga

New York Yankees Trade Suddenly Raises Possibility Of Philadelphia Phillies Reunion

After the New York Yankees swung a trade to send infielder Jorbit Vivas to the Washington Nationals in exchange for pitching prospect Sean Paul Linan, the Phillies might have to make a call on reuniting with reliever Griff McGarry.

“The Nationals announced (on Sunday) that they’ve designated right-hander Griff McGarry for assignment,” Nick Deeds reported for MLB Trade Rumors. “McGarry was the Nationals’ Rule 5 draft pick back in December and now will be available to any of the league’s other clubs who are willing to claim him with Rule 5 stipulations attached. If he goes unclaimed, he must be offered back to the Phillies for $50K. If the Phillies pass on reacquiring McGarry, he can be outrighted off the roster into the Nationals’ farm system.”

MORE FROM FORBESYankees Boss Sends NSFW Message On ‘Stupid’ Aaron Boone ReportBy Peter Chawaga

Philadelphia Phillies Expected To ‘Jump’ On Pitcher Reunion Chance After New York Yankees Trade

Thanks to Major League Baseball’s Rule 5 stipulations, the Phillies could reacquire McGarry after drafting the right-hander in the fifth round in 2021, then hanging onto him through five minor-league seasons.

Across stints with the Phillies’ High-A, Single-A, Double-A and Triple-A affiliates, McGarry has a 4.14 ERA and 420 strikeouts in 61 starts. Though he received some top prospect considerations earlier in his career, it’s not clear if he’ll be able to ever capture a big-league role. But the Phillies have clearly been believers in his potential in the past.

“Should he go unclaimed on waivers, his upside is still considerable enough that it would be a surprise if the Phillies didn’t jump at the opportunity to reacquire him and continue his development throughout the 2026 campaign,” Deeds added. “Of course, it’s not impossible that he could be claimed; after all, McGarry was just the third-overall selection in the draft, meaning a number of teams later in the draft may well have considered drafting him themselves if he had fallen to them.”

The Minnesota Vikings foudn themselves in a tough spot as it relates to their salary cap and roster. The result of that was the team let general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah go, and in the interim, those became Rob Brzezinski 's problem. The first thing he had to do was clear some cap space, as most teams do, but some notable names were cut along the way.

One of those players was former first-round pick, Jonathan Allen. He signed with the team last offseason afetr being released by the Washington Commanders. He was seen as someone who could be a steal for the Vikings and a great fit for Brian Flores on defense, but that never came about.

Fast forward a year, and ESPN's Seth Walder is more down on Allen than most, and his finding a new home with the Cincinnati Bengals is confusing to him.

Walder writes, "The Bengals signing defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. The aforementioned Chubb signing and Kwity Paye's deal with the Raiders are also great contenders for this superlative. But Allen getting as much as he did -- two years, $26 million -- as a 31-year-old coming off two straight years of declined performance (resulting in his release from the Commanders and Vikings) was really surprising. It also was a break for the Vikings. Allen had $8 million guaranteed from when they cut him -- and they could get all of that money back depending on how the contract is structured."

Allen, of course, could prove to be worth the deal the Bengals signed him; time will tell. But what cannot be disputed is the fact that the Vikings swung and missed on Allen, just as they did on some other key free agents. As a result, that is why they now find themselves clinging to life in the NFC North.

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: NFL Free Agency: Former Vikings DL named 'puzzling' signing

Yahoo Sports AM is our daily newsletter that keeps you up to date on all things sports. Sign up here to get it every weekday morning.

🔥 The last campfire

Mike Carlson

Once upon a time, we all watched the same shows, read the same magazines, and listened to the same albums. Culture was a shared thing — not because we chose it, but because there wasn't much of an alternative.

Fast forward: The internet blew all of that apart, creating a world with something for everyone… and nothing for everyone. We're all still watching, reading and listening. In fact, we're consuming more than ever. Just rarely the same stuff… rarely together.

• Streaming gave us infinite choice but took away the water cooler. Social media brought us together, then algorithmically split us apart.

• You're out of the loop on the shows your neighbors are watching, let alone your own family. That new podcast your friend was raving about? It's a Spotify exclusive, and you're on Apple Music.

• Movie theaters and public spaces? In decline. Loneliness? On the rise. The monoculture is dead. Long live the monoculture.

One major exception? Sports still has the power to bring us all together. I was reminded of that this past week during the height of March Madness when I filled out brackets with family, entered contests with friends, watched games with colleagues, shot baskets with neighbors and exchanged takes with strangers (Texas is not a "Cinderella," stop it!).

Halina Bennett, Slow Boring ($):

Americans are increasingly sorting themselves — whether by geography, by education, or by media consumption — into communities of the like-minded. Into this landscape arrives, every March, a 68-team single-elimination basketball tournament. Roughly a quarter of all American adults participate by filling out a bracket.

March Madness is one of the last mass cultural moments that genuinely cuts across the fragmentation. You cannot watch the tournament on your own schedule. Games happen live, simultaneously, and the results land in the world in real time.

A buzzer-beater on a Thursday afternoon cascades across group chats, offices, every social media feed at once. Either you saw it or you didn't. Either way, you are talking about it.

These moments are increasingly rare. The Super Bowl is another example — one game, one night, watched by roughly 125.6 million people at the same time. But March Madness sustains it for three weeks across dozens of games, and it does it with a form of engagement — the bracket — that pulls in people like me who would never watch a game otherwise.

The last campfire: The beauty of sports played out this weekend on the hardwood. Underdog stories. Buzzer-beaters. The thrill of victory. The agony of defeat. But the best part was this: for four straight days, a significant portion of America showed up for the same thing (hoops), at the same time (12pm ET and on), in the same place (CBS, TBS, etc), and felt it all together.

March Madness:

• Winners and losers

• Re-ranking the men's Sweet 16

🇺🇸 Photos across America

Michael Owens

Los Angeles, California — Saturday's Fanatics Flag Football Classic posed an intriguing question: Could a team of current and former NFL players defeat a USA flag football squad that has won the past five world championships and figures to make up most of the 2028 Olympic roster?

The answer: A resounding no. Despite facing Tom Brady, Luke Kuechly, Joe Burrow, Saquon Barkley and other big names, Team USA showed how valuable experience with the rules and strategy of flag football is en route to winning the round-robin tournament.

Rich Storry

Miami Gardens, Florida — 29 years after his dad, Petr, defeated world No. 1 Pete Sampras, Sebastian Korda defeated world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz at the Miami Open… and celebrated the same way his father did.

Déjà vu: At No. 36, Korda is the lowest-ranked man to beat Alcaraz since No. 55 David Goffin did so last year… in the same round of the same tournament.

Justin Berl/NCAA Photos

State College, Pennsylvania — Wisconsin beat Ohio State, 3-2, on Sunday to win their second straight women's hockey national championship, and fifth since 2019. Four players on the team also won Olympic gold last month. Not a bad few weeks!

One tourney ends, another begins: The men's hockey bracket was revealed on Sunday. No. 1 Michigan, No. 2 North Dakota, No. 3 Michigan State and No. 4 Western Michigan (defending champs) earned the top seeds in the 16-team field.

Isaiah Vazquez

Columbus, Ohio — Penn State captured its fifth straight NCAA men's wrestling national championship on Sunday. Four individual Nittany Lions won national titles during the three-day event, resulting in a championship-record 181.5 points.

Speaking of streaks: Virginia did one better, winning its sixth consecutive NCAA championship in women's swimming and diving. That broke a tie with Stanford and Texas for the sport's longest such streak.

🚴 Can Pogi complete cycling?

MARCO BERTORELLO

Tadej Pogačar, the best active cyclist and arguably the greatest of all time, added yet another signature victory to his growing tally this weekend in Italy.

Conquering La Primavera: The Slovenian overcame a late crash on Saturday to win his first Milan-San Remo in a photo finish over Tom Pidcock, out-sprinting the Brit to capture the title by half-a-wheel.

• Such a win in any race would be remarkable; fighting through the peloton after ending up on the pavement, bloodied and bruised. But Milan-San Remo isn't just any race.

• The Spring Classic, or La Classicissima di Primavera, is the longest of the five Monuments, the most prestigious one-day races in men's cycling. And Pogačar's crash came after nearly six straight hours on the bike, 18 miles from the end of a 185-mile race.

What he's saying: "It's quite a relief to finally win it," said Pogačar, who'd raced the Milan-San Remo five times before, never finishing better than third. "If I come back to San Remo it will only be to eat focaccia," he jokingly added, satisfied that it's finally been checked off his bucket list.

This is what a photo finish looks like…

Can he complete cycling? Only one male cyclist (Belgium's Eddy Merckx) has won all five Monuments, all three Grand Tours and a World Championship. Pogačar, still just 27 years old, is now one step closer to becoming the second.

What he's won: Pogi's list of accomplishments since joining UAE Team Emirates in 2019 is comically long, getting him most of the way to matching Merckx's unprecedented feat.

• World Championship: He's the two-time reigning champion, and also won bronze in 2023.

• Grand Tours: He's won the Tour de France four times (2020, 2021, 2024, 2025), while finishing second twice (2022, 2023). He also won the Giro d'Italia in 2024, the first and only time he's competed in La Corsa Rosa.

• Monuments: Milan San-Remo gave him four of the five Monuments, along with the Giro di Lombardia (5x), the Liège-Bastogne-Liège (3x) and the Tour of Flanders (2x).

What he still needs: Pogačar is just two races shy of completing the set. The biggest (only?) thing stopping him may be cycling's packed calendar, which often makes him pick and choose which events to enter each year.

• Grand Tours: The Vuelta a España is the missing link. He's raced it just once — finishing third in 2019 — because it's sandwiched in between July's Tour de France and September's worlds.

• Monuments: The only one left is the Paris-Roubaix, a punishing race nicknamed the "Hell of the North." He finished second last year in his debut, and will give the cobbled classic another go three weeks from now on April 12.

The last word: "We have seen Pogačar at his best at so many different races, but today it was a different level," said former British champion Adam Blythe following Saturday's triumph. "We throw the term around, but he is the greatest of all time without a shadow of a doubt. There is no rider we can compare to him. He is just untouchable."

💯 Big numbers

Kenneth Richmond

🏀 32,294 points

Kevin Durant reached 32,294 career points on Saturday, passing Michael Jordan (32,292) for fifth on the NBA's all-time scoring list. Only LeBron James (43,241), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387), Karl Malone (36,928) and Kobe Bryant (33,643) have scored more. 

More hoops records: James played his 1,612th regular-season game, breaking a tie with Robert Parish for the most in NBA history; Purdue's Braden Smith passed Duke's Bobby Hurley to become the NCAA's all-time assists leader (1,091 and counting). 

🥇 17 years old

American track sensation Cooper Lutkenhaus, 17, won the 800m at the World Indoor Track and Field Championships in Poland on Sunday to become the youngest world champion ever in an individual event (indoors or outdoors). 

Rapid rise: The Texas teen has become a certified star over the last nine months, starting when he broke the national high school 800m record set three decades earlier (1:46.26). Later in the summer he broke the U-18 world record (1:42.27) en route to becoming, at 16, the youngest American ever to compete in the outdoor world championships.

Charlotte Wilson/Offside

⚽️ 19th trophy 

Manchester City won the League Cup on Sunday with a 2-0 victory over Arsenal, marking Pep Guardiola's 19th trophy in 10 years since becoming City's manager (6x Premier League, 5x League Cup, 3x Community Shield, 2x FA Cup, Champions League, Super Cup, Club World Cup.

Still alive for the title? The Gunners still lead the Premier League by nine points, but second-place City have a game in hand and the two face off next month at the Etihad. A comeback isn't out of the question for the 10-time champs.

⚾️ $540 million 

Phillies lefty Christopher Sánchez, coming off a runner-up Cy Young finish, signed a six-year, $107 million extension on Sunday, meaning Philly's top four starters (Sánchez, Zack Wheeler, Jesús Luzardo, Aaron Nola) are now signed through at least 2027 for a total of $540 million.

$100M club: The Dodgers are the only other team with four pitchers signed for at least $100 million each (Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow). The Yankees and Blue Jays are just behind them, with three each.

📺 Watchlist: Monday, March 23

🏀 Round of 32

The Women's Sweet 16 will be set following today's eight-game slate, which features three of the tournament's No. 1 seeds. 

Cruise control: 37 of 40 games so far have been won by the higher seed, and the vast majority have been blowouts. Where is the chaos this tournament needs? 

⛳️ TGL Finals 

The best-of-three series tees off tonight at the SoFi Center (9pm ET, ESPN2), where Jupiter Links and Los Angeles will compete for a $9 million grand prize. 

Lineups: Max Homa, Tom Kim and Kevin Kisner (Jupiter) vs. Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and Sahith Theegala (LA).

More to watch:

• 🏀 NBA: Spurs at Heat (7pm, Peacock); Warriors at Mavericks (9:30pm, Peacock) … San Antonio has won five straight games and 21 of their last 23.

• 🎾 Tennis: Miami Open (11am, Tennis) … Jannik Sinner headlines the men's Round of 32; Aryna Sabalenka headlines the women's Round of 16.

Got plans tonight? Gametime is the best place to score last-minute tickets to the events in your city. Get tickets now!

🏀 Sweet 16 trivia

Ronald Martinez

Six of the men's Sweet 16 teams have won a national championship.

Question: Can you name all six?

• East: No. 1 Duke, No. 2 UConn, No. 3 Michigan State, No. 5 St. John's

• South: No. 2 Houston, No. 3 Illinois, No. 4 Nebraska, No. 9 Iowa

• West: No. 1 Arizona, No. 2 Purdue, No. 4 Arkansas, No. 11 Texas

• Midwest: No. 1 Michigan, No. 2 Iowa State, No. 4 Alabama, No. 6 Tennessee

Hint: Three are in the same region.

Answer at the bottom.

🍿 Baker’s Dozen: Top plays of the weekend

Sean M. Haffey

1. 🏀 St. John's at the buzzer!

2. 🏀 Kentucky at the buzzer!

3. 🏀 He's in high school?!

4. ⚾️ Hawkeye goes all out

5. 🥍 Behind-the-back

6. 🏀 Pelle Larsson!

7. 🏀 Zvonimir Ivisic!

8. ⚽️ Satisfying set piece

9. 🏀 Yaxel Lendeborg!

10. 🏒 Nifty moves by Tage

11. ⚾️ Jax State web gem

12. ⚽️ Pickford stands tall

13. 🎾 Alcaraz being Alcaraz

Watch all 13.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Trivia answer: Arizona (1997), Arkansas (1994), Duke (5x), Michigan (1989), Michigan State (2x), UConn (6x)

We hope you enjoyed this edition of Yahoo Sports AM, our daily newsletter that keeps you up to date on all things sports. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.

The Philadelphia 76ers returned home on Sunday afternoon just in time to take in some NCAA Tournament action. With the Sixers on the West Coast and not having a home game until Monday evening when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder, the first two rounds of the men's NCAA Tournament took place at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

The matchup in Philadelphia on Sunday evening pitted Andre Drummond's Connecticut Huskies taking on Adem Bona's UCLA Bruins. Therefore, the two big man had to be in attendance to root for their alma mater on the floor and advance to the Sweet 16.

Both teams went back-and-forth for a bit, but the Huskies eventually walked away with a 73-57 win over the Bruins to advance to the Sweet 16 and set up a matchup with the Michigan State Spartans on Friday in Washington, D.C.

Drummond playfully had to let Bona know about the final result turning in the favor of his UConn Huskies.

It looks like UConn is going to take this one against UCLA. Andre Drummond came over to chirp Adem Bona. pic.twitter.com/NwVydpKYed

— Gabriela Carroll (@gablcarroll) March 23, 2026

The Huskies will have a good battle on their hands when they face Michigan State on Friday. Drummond and the Sixers will be on the road to begin a 3-game trip against the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday, but he can watch from afar as Philadelphia looks to make a run into the top 6 in the East.

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers' Andre Drummond trolls Adem Bona over UConn knocking off UCLA

March 23 (UPI) -- Emerging Market, making just his second start, closed impressively through the stretch to win Saturday's Louisiana Derby and joined Turfway Park winner Fulleffort at the top of the Kentucky Derby list.

Elsewhere, "old guys" Skippylongstocking and Gold Phoenix belied their age with weekend wins.

On the global scene, Invincible Ibis was unbeatable in the BMW Hong Kong Derby Sunday at Sha Tin Racecourse.

The Road to the Roses

Emerging Market earned a big jump up in the Kentucky Derby market with a determined, stretch-running score in Saturday's $1 million Grade II Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby.

The Candy Ride colt, with Flavien Prat up for trainer Chad Brown and owner Klaravich Stables, was making just his second start after a pace-stalking win Feb. 7 at Tampa Bay Downs.

He used the same Tactics at Fair Grounds, but found a stubborn foe in Sunland Park Derby winner Pavlovian, who led until the final stride before losing by a head.

Emerging Markets earned 100 points on the "Road to the Kentucky Derby" leaderboard and Pavlovian earned 50, so both most likely can make the field for the big race.

"In his first race he showed a lot of professionalism," Prat said. "I was a little worried about the nine hole, but we worked out a good trip. He fought hard. It was a good run, very professional. Honestly, when I turned for home I thought I would win easily, but Pavlovian gave us a good challenge."

Fulleffort, second in two previous stakes races over the Turfway Park all-weather course, got in the win column when it counted, saving ground early and then drawing off late to win Saturday's $777,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks by 2 1/2 lengths over Stark Contrast.

A Liam's Map colt, Fulleffort ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.94 with Irad Ortiz Jr. up for trainer Brad Cox. Both he and Stark Contrast have been more frequent contestants on turf and all-weather than dirt, leaving tough calls for their connections as both are now likely to have enough points to get into the Kentucky Derby.

Bull by the Horns reported seventh, 19 3/4 lengths back in the Fountain of Youth in his Previous start, but found Saturday's $250,000 Rushaway Stakes at Turfway Park a little easier.

Racing last of seven, he rallied, passed all six rivals and won by 1/2 length over Steel Imperium. The Essential Quality colt, trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., got his second career win in his first try on an all-weather course.

The Louisiana Derby and Jeff Ruby Steaks were each worth 100, 50, 25, 15 and 10 points, respectively, for the first five finishers. Thanks to 10 points earned earlier, Fulleffort emerged at the top of the "Road" leaderboard with 110, followed by Emerging Market with 100.

The path to the Oaks

Life of Joy and Lorelei Lee added their names to the list of Kentucky Oaks contenders Saturday.

Life of Joy got first run to the lead in Saturday's $400,000 Grade II Fasig-Tipton Fair Grounds Oaks and opened up to win by 3 3/4 lengths over previously undefeated favorite Bella Ballerina.

Lorelei Lee worked right to the front in Saturday's $300,000 Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway Park and was never seriously challenged en route to a 3/4-length victory.

Classic

Seven-year-old Skippylongstocking, giving at least 6 pounds to each of his rivals in Saturday's $500,000 Grade III Essex Handicap, showed them how it's done, winning by 5 1/4 lengths.

With Micah Husbands riding for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., "Skippy" finished the 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.82. Joseph said the Grade II Alysheba Stakes on Kentucky Oaks Day at Churchill Downs is a likely next stop for his veteran.

Louisiana-bred Touchuponastar led all the way in Saturday's $500,000 Grade II New Orleans Classic and won by an easy 1 length over Corporate Power. The 7-year-old Star Guitar gelding picked up his second win in the Classic and 21st from 28 starts overall.

With regular rider Tim Thornton injured, Marcelino Pedroza Jr. had no trouble letting his ride be autonomous and he finished the 1 1/8 miles in track-record time of 1:46.84.

Willy D's, making his first all-weather start, stalked the pace in Saturday's $300,000 Grade III Kentucky Cup Classic at Turfway Park, and then outfinished Mercantile by 3/4 length for the win.

Distaff

Stylish Sue, a 5-year-old Nyquist mare, led all the way to a 4 1/4-length win in Saturday's Latonia Stakes at Turfway Park.

Sprint

Outfielder, idle since fading to finish last in the 2025 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, led most of the 6 furlongs of Saturday's $250,000 Animal Kingdom Stakes at Turfway Park and won by 4 1/2 lengths.

Turf

Another old vet got back to the winner's circle as the Phil D'Amato-trained, 8-year-old Gold Phoenix rallied from next-last to land Saturday's $100,000 Grade III San Luis Rey at Santa Anita by 3/4 length over Flashiest.

Lagynos made it two straight wins with a pace-stalking, 1-length triumph over Tom's Magic in Saturday's $200,000 Grade II Muniz Memorial Classic at Fair Grounds.

Filly & mare turf

Way to Be Marie came from well back to win Saturday's $150,000 Tom Benson Memorial at Fair Grounds in apparent course-record time of 1:41.78.

Turf sprint

Speedy turfers were at it from coast to coast.

Nine Part won Sunday's $100,000 Costa Rising at Fair Grounds. Shipmate took Saturday's $125,000 Texas Glitter for 3-year-olds and Lennilu won Sunday's $125,000 Leinster Melody of Colors for fillies and mares.

Flyover won Sunday's $100,000 Sensational Star for California-breds at Santa Anita. And Sassi Strutter strutted home first in Sunday's $100,000 Ova Charged Stakes at Fair Grounds.

Around the world, around the clock

Hong Kong

Little Paradise won the first leg of the Hong Kong Derby series, the Classic Mile, with Invincible Ibis sixth. Then Stormy Grove won the second leg, the Classic Cup, with Invincible Ibis a fast-closing second.

When it counted, Invincible Ibis, a Hellbent 4-year-old, was home first in Sunday's Derby, scoring by 1 1/4 lengths lengths with a perfect trip behind a hot pace in course-record time of 1:59.43.

Numbers, who put up speedy numbers through most of the 2,000 meters, held second over Stormy Grove while Little Paradise, the favorite, turned in a second straight disappointing effort to finish ninth.

"As we started to come round the home turn, I thought 'I'm in business here, I really am,'" winning jockey Hugh Bowman said.

The race has been a champion-maker in recent years, sending along the likes of Werther, Golden Sixty, Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble to international renown.

Invincible Ibis's trainer, Mark Newnham indicated his charge will head in the same direction, starting on Champions Day on April 26, but likely in the Champions Mile rather than the 2,000-meter QE II Cup. Both are Group 1 events.

Australia

Guest House took the big prize on the biggest autumn weekend Down Under -- the Golden Slipper, billed as the world's richest race for 2-year-olds.

The Home Affairs colt had to forge his own way between rivals in deep stretch, but got the job done and scored by 1 1/4 lengths from Streisand, reversing the order of finish from the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes a month earlier. It was his second win from four starts.

Also on the Rosehill Gardens program: Odds-on favorite Aeliana edged Linderman by a neck in the Group 1 Ranvet at 2,000 meters, and Autumn Boy scored by 2 lengths over Green Spaces in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas with the favorite, Observer, third.

Also, Autumn Glow, another odds-on pick, dominated the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes, winning by 2 3/4 lengths over Gringotts; and Marhoona won the Group 1 Galaxy Stakes by a short head from Jedibeel at the conclusion of the 1,100-meter Galaxy Stakes.

The Seattle Seahawks reportedly agreed to a four-year, $168.6 million extension with wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Nijgba, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Smith-Nijgba’s new contract will make him the highest-paid wide receiver, with him averaging $42.15 million per year.

The Seahawks extended Smith-Nijgba after exercising his fifth-year option on Friday. The 24-year-old receiver will now be under contract through the 2031 season.

This breaking news will continue to be updated.

The Scarlet Knights continued Big Ten play over the weekend with a three-game set in Champaign against Illinois.

Rutgers salvaged the series with a win on Sunday afternoon, but lost two out of three against the Illini. Rutgers is now 13-10 overall and 3-3 in conference play. The team will be back in action on Tuesday afternoon against Delaware at home before a three-game series with Michigan at Bainton Field this weekend.

Game One

Illinois did not waste much time to begin the series.

A Peyton Bonds home run in the top of the first put Rutgers on top and this would be the only positive of the afternoon.

Illinois answered with nine runs in the bottom of the first inning to spark a 13-7 win to open the series.

Rutgers attempted to make a comeback early. Quinten Perilli added a two-run single in the second before Charlie Meglio crushed a two-run home run in the third. Tristan Salinas added a home run in the fifth to get within 9-6, but Illinois answered with two runs in the bottom of the sixth to put the game away.

Meglio drove in three runs while Trey Wells finished 4-for-5 with a run scored.

Game Two

The Illini offense stayed hot in game two as they got to Zack Konstantinovsky early.

Illinois scored five runs in the third inning during a 12-6 win on Saturday afternoon.

Rutgers got on the board on a Matt Chatelle single in the fourth inning. Ryan Jaros scored one with a double before Bonds singled to score a run in the seventh inning. Bonds went 2-for-4.

In the top of the seventh, Meglio hit his second two-run home run of the series. Chase Krewson and Joey Erace added two hits.

Game Three

Rutgers was able to save the series on Sunday afternoon with a late rally to secure an 8-3 win on its way out of town.

Illinois jumped out to a 3-0 lead early, but Chris Sand was able to calm things down out of the bullpen. He went the final 4 2/3 innings, allowing one hit and no runs to earn the victory.

Yomar Carreras got the scoring started on a sac fly in the sixth inning. In the top of the seventh, Rutgers scored on a bases loaded walk by Julius Rosado. Bonds put Rutgers on top with a three-run double.

Carreras and Chatelle added RBI singles in the final innings. Bonds went 2-for-4 once again with three RBI while Wells and Chatelle added two mote hits each.

Todd McShay is not buying into the Tennessee Titans taking Jeremiyah Love with the fourth pick in the 2026 NFL Draft hype in his latest mock draft. This is one of the first mock drafts I have seen in the last two weeks that didn’t have the Titans taking Love. I’m still skeptical that Mike Borgonzi will do it.

McShay went with Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami for Tennessee at number four. That was with David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech still on the board. McShay had Bailey falling to the New Orleans Saints at number eight. It would be really surprising to see Bailey fall that far in the draft.

Here is what McShay had to say about Bailey and the Titans: